From Me to U
Artist: Juelz SantanaTitle: From Me to URating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Toshi Kondo When Juelz Santana was featured prominently on Camrons#### singles Oh Boy and Hey Ma, many felt that the spot was undeserved. However, after his dominating performance on the Diplomats album, even outshining his mentor Cam at times, his right to show and prove […]
Drankin’ Patnaz
Artist: YoungbloodzTitle: Drankin’ PatnazRating: 2 StarsReviewed by: Paine In the late 90’s, it was hard to trace much of the southern bounce sound back to real hip-hop. While the Dungeon Family, Odd Squad, and Geto Boys have always done it, it had been a minute since a newer group appealed. The Youngbloodz, like A.I., were […]
Rugged Radio Saturday
Artist: mixed by DJ CrazeTitle: Rugged Radio SaturdayRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine Audio Research is a Montreal based label that’s been building a name off of several singles and noteworthy battle records. Rugged Radio Saturday is the label’s first full-length release and celebrates its six years of success. The LP is mixed by former DMC […]
$ick of Bein’ Rich
Artist: J-ZoneTitle: $ick of Bein’ RichRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dev 1 Once again, the clever producer/emcee of Old Maid Entertainment fame, J-Zone, has struck the airwaves with his no frontin or stuntin, obnoxious (in a good way), Hip-Hop skills. The 90’s underground veteran’s latest and fourth release, $ick of Bein Rich, upholds the crazy […]
Jedi Mind Tricks: The Force & The Dark Side
Jedi Mind Tricks is the name once you hear it you cant forget it. The subterranean duo began somewhere around early 1996 in Philadelphia. Producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and Vinnie Paz have dropped acclaimed records like Amber Probe EP in 1996, 1997’s Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro Magnetic Manipulation(which was recently reissued) […]
The Roots Prep New Album, Add Guitarist To Line Up
Hip-Hop band The Roots are preparing to release their next album and have added a new group member to the Philadelphia based band. The group is considering naming their latest effort The Tipping Point, also the name of a book by author Malcolm Gladwell. Amir "?uestlove" Thompson said that the group chose the title because […]
Sir Mix-A-Lot Drops Sixth Album, Works With Rockers
Seattle rap legend Sir Mix-A-Lot has returned to the rap game with Daddy’s Home and a considerably more mature attitude. Mix-A-Lot, best known for his crossover hit "Baby Got Back," has been branded a "one hit wonder" by many mainstream outlets, but as those from an older generation will recall, the rapper had success with […]
Only the Strong
Artist: Big NoydTitle: Only the StrongRating: 2 StarsReviewed by: Mo Downes Big Noyd is a victim of heavy anticipation. To begin with, hes a Queensbridge emcee, so right off the bat you expect that little bit more from him. Coming from one of hip hop’s founding neighborhoods, he instantly carries the weight of tradition but […]
The Role of Politics In Hip-Hop
dead prez means dead the fu**ing president This ominous message greets visitors that venture to socially conscious hip-hop artist Dead Prez (DP)s official web site. However, with all forms of music it takes more than strong statements to entice listeners to hear the message being conveyed. But after moving 400,000 units of their debut album […]
KNAGUI : True Love
He is not Kirk Franklin. And while newcomer KNAGUI (pronounced NUH-guy) has mad love for Kirk and his pioneering work to diversify todays urban music scene, he wants to make a name for himself in a Franklin-dominated market. Knaguis debut album, The Meaning of Love, with its high quality sound and notably risky covers of […]
Ras Kass: Lock Down
On the cover of his first LP, 1996’s Soul On Ice, super emcee Ras Kass ominously appears reclining in the belly of the beast – behind jail bars. Even back then, Ras’ artistic efforts were pushed back a number of times despite the million dollar price tag, pre-album acclaim and hype. Nevertheless, through all of […]
Prozac Girl: Uppers and Downers
Undeniable Hot 97 FM is one of the hottest in the nation. The morning show with the sinister Star and blunted Bucwild was off the hook with a quick wit and tongues meant for lashing. Known for its controversial subject matter and on the spot surprises there was forcasting what might happen. Then, suddenly things […]
50 Cent Smacked With Lawsuit, Security Roughs Up Photographer
50 Cent is the subject of a lawsuit filed by the owner of a Mobile, Alabama limousine service, claiming that the rapper’s security assaulted him and took control of a rented GMC Yukon. Johnny Bonner, owner of Top of the Bay Limousine Taxi Service, said that he was driving three members of 50 Cent’s security […]
Nappy Roots Debut At Apollo, Impressive First Week Sales
Nappy Roots will make their theater debut as performers on Apollo’s Amateur Night at the world famous Apollo theater in Harlem, New York. The weekly show has been at the venue since 1934 and has introduced the world to such stars as Billie Holiday, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fat Joe, […]
The Neptunes Present… Clones
Artist: The NeptunesTitle: The Neptunes Present… ClonesRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Toshi Kondo The Neptunes Present Clones is what everyone expected N.E.R.D (Neptunes rock band)s In Search Of would be. Instead the Neptunes dropped a rock album with a few Clipse verses. A year later, maybe to appease upset fans, the Neptunes gather a dream team […]
State of The World
Artist: VariousTitle: State of The WorldRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning The second full-length from Brooklyn’s Tableturns label/collective (following Rob Swift’s excellent Sound Event,) State of the World gives shine to some of the game’s nicest deck destroyers, as well as a few choice emcees. Thirteen tracks deep, the compilation is definitely DJ-centric, though […]
Trap Muzik
Artist: T.I.Title: Trap MuzikRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Yama Caviness T.I. is the most underrated rapper from Atlanta; everyone in the entire southern region of the U.S. knows how tough he is. Its hard to understand why he cant break from the underground to the mainstream with all the southern artists currently getting airplay nationwide. He […]
Trina Robbed Of $300,000 In Jewels, Clothes And Items
North Carolina police are seeking to find a con artist who stole more than $300,000 in cash, jewelry and clothes from rapper Trina. Trina was performing Friday morning at Club Dynasty in Greenville, North Carolina an unidentified man posed as Trina’s manager and persuaded a Hilton hotel employee to give him a key to the […]
Hollis Day To Be Renamed Jam Master Jay Day
Officials at the Hollis Day Celebration in Queens, NY will rename the annual event Jam Master Jay Day, paying tribute to the legendary DJ who was gunned down October 30, 2002. The renaming of Hollis day will be announced by Council Majority Whip Leroy Comrie at 3 P.M. today (August 30). Local organizers are also […]
Joe Budden Highlighted On VH1 Series
VH1 will premiere the second installment of it’s "Hip-Hop Babylon" series in September. The two hour special focuses on the realities of making it in the hip-hop business. In this edition, a reality segment featuring Joe Budden’s will featured, showing hopeful rappers the work it takes to make and support a hit record, while trying […]
