Elephant Man: No Sleep
Some call him Energy God, others call him Ele but to most hes known as Elephant Man -The dancehall star who is certain to have superstar added to his roster of names. Known for his infectious dancehall chat style, signature dance moves, and electrifying performances he has captivated both dancehall and hip-hop fans. He has […]

Goapele: Dream Street
People might have a hard time pronouncing Goapele’s name but after listening to the album they will learn what great music is. Her debut CD Even Closer gives your 14 tracks of soulful, sensual, music that good for the soul. The title track alone will force you press the repeat button and listen to it […]

Raphael Saadiq : Escalator Style
Raphael Saadiq has boldly set out to etch his legend in stone just a little deeper. The formation of an independent R&B label is something almost unheard of in the music industry, and if he can pull it off successfully, he will undoubtedly set a new precedent in his already flawless career. His new label, […]

Joi : Wild Flower, Pookie Pt 2
With twelve years and four critically acclaimed albums on her resume, Joi is definitely no stranger to the ups and downs that the music industry offers. The story of her career reads like a never-ending roller coaster, going round-n-round, up-n- down, never stopping along the way. In 2004, she plans to rewrite her history book […]

Truth: Pookie Series Pt 1
Anyone who knows who Truth is knows she was lied to from the very beginning. She was on the verge of becoming R&Bs next big thing, but it never happened. Her debut single, Addictive, blew away mainstream listeners across the globe, but thats as far as it went. Although Truth was the victim of another […]

Stephanie McKay: Crushed Grapes
It’s not often that you can listen to an album from beginning to end. There are always those filler tracks that the artist just threw on the album to keep it from being an EP. Well that’s not the case with New York native Stephanie McKay. Her self titled debut CD will having you grooving […]

Santi White: Stiffed
Although the name Santi White may be unfamiliar to you, her emotions and lucid lyrical prowess are more known to you than you may know. As the scribe of 11 out of the 12 songs on the highly acclaimed How I Do album by Res, Santi White was instantly praised and acknowledged by the critical […]

Saul Williams: Deep Thought
When Chuck D becomes President, who will deliver the presidential poem at his inaugaration? I suggest Saul Williams. Without Sauls film Slam, would Def Poetry Jam be so popular? Without Sauls books, the hip-hop section might be reduced to rapper autobiographies and books on Tupac. Without Sauls album, our ears might not be ready for […]

Red Star Sounds: Def Jamaica : Scott Hunter Smith
The widely anticipated Red Star Sounds Vol 3: Def Jamaica album is finally here, and everyone should know that this is more than a mere collection of songs. The Heineken Music Initiative’s Red Star Sounds label worked in conjunction with Def Jam and Tuff Gong to bring together the hottest in dancehall artists and Hip […]

Al Jarreau: Class Act
Pioneer. Trendsetter. World-renowned. Legend. Choose any list of adjectives you can conceive, and none of them can accurately describe what Al Jarreau has accomplished in almost 40 years in the music business. He is the only vocalist, male or female, in history to win Grammy awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively). […]

Peaches: Queen of Electro-Punk
This is a trite bit personal. Peaches? She is simply fu**ing amazing. I was first introduced to her music from my co-worker at the office. I couldn’t believe my ears. She was saying all the stuff that my mouth wanted to say. Making songs that my ears always wanted to hear. Peaches is musical liberation […]

Ishmael Butler : Cherrywine
In the early nineties a young insect by the name of Butterfly founded an insect collective called the Digable Planets. With Ladybug and Doodlebug by his side, Butterfly had all us earthlings expressing how cool we were with the infectiously jazzy Cool Like Dat. The Digable Planets dropped two hip hop gems in 1993s Reachin […]

Sean Paul: Reggaes Rock
He is single-handedly one of the most popular dancehall artists to emerge from Jamaica. Many will remember him from his 1996 single, Deport Them which garnered much success in urban radio, especially Hot 97. He has been burning up the charts since last year with his successful crossover single, Give Me the Light. The man […]

Anthony Hamilton: An Original Throwback
Dont take a double take at your speakers, those throwback vocals arent hip hops latest sampling of some Bill Withers classics, no, its the original sounds of Charlotte, NC native, Anthony Hamilton. Even though the first time many of us ever heard of Anthony Hamilton was on the hook to the immensely popular Nappy Roots […]

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 […]

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 […]

Zab Judah: BKs Champion
Zab Super Judahs ability to punish as a boxer has rarely been questioned, but as a hip-hop CEO? In July, the newly appointed WBO Junior Welterweight Champion pounded Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley despite breaking his hand in the third round. Of course he’s got other rumbles on deck, but in the interim, the Brooklyn native […]

Mary J, Blige: Love No Limit
Domineering Hip-Hop Soul Queen Mary J. Blige has held the game tightly in her hand for 10 years strong and probably wont let it slip from her vice-grip anytime soon. On her upcoming album, Love and Life she flips it back to ’92 as she and P. Diddy return to her musical roots. And thus, […]

Brian McKnight: Back For The First Time
Lately, Brian McKnight has been victimized by the music listening publics mass narcolepsy. Nevertheless, B. McNeezy remains an R&B icon whose romantic songs have quietly influenced a generation, if not the population. Not only a singer, hes a down-low musician, producer, athlete and biking enthusiast with thug-like undertones. Still, for over a decade hes blessed […]

Martha Redbone: A Brave New Soul
There’s a female artist on the rise who isnt your ordinary, sleazy, cheesy pop star. She does not have background dancers. She does not employ pyrotechnics during her stage show. In fact, she does not even have a record deal. What she does have is talent, business savvy, and the ability to do whatever she […]