There are two choices for veteran MCs; advance your style and stay relevant, or remain static in your ways and become a glorified fossil. Thankfully Opio of the mighty Souls of Mischief and their overarching Hieroglyphics crew chose the former. It’s been 15 years since Souls dropped their heralded debut, ’93 ‘Til Infinity, and since […]
The ceaseless Hip-Hop pendulum’s arc, defying the laws of physics, has become suspended in the atmosphere of pre-packaged perfunctory MCs. During this mystifying era V.I.C. appeared offering his highly successful, yet highly commercial “Get Silly.” Due to his timing, V.I.C. has been dismissed as another inane quasi-rapper. The novice MC faces an arduous challenge of escaping […]
In the world of crime investigation a cold case is defined as a crime or accident that has not been solved and is not the subject of current criminal investigation, but for which new information could emerge from new witness testimony or re-examined archives. As the times change it’s possible that new technology or a […]
Joe Budden is Hip-Hop’s equivalent to Neo in the first Matrix movie; an average guy who discovers his potential for greatness and goes forward to achieve his destiny. Sure the Jersey City native was good at the time, but after the release of his self-titled debut album, fans were salivating for what was sure to […]
Ain’t nothing janky about the promoters these young filmmakers are documenting. The hottest college parties in the country go down in the ATL—right in the heart of Atlanta University Center—and these aren’t your normal weekend benders. College students from across the country travel to Atlanta each year to get down and busy, and students as […]
The soundtrack of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV video game reads like a Who’s Who in music. Everyone from punk icon Iggy Pop to Hot 97’s own DJ Mister Cee is featured on this game’s diverse soundtrack. Thus, it would only be fitting to include one of Hip-Hop’s grand architects and production icon DJ […]
“I’ma put my money where my mouth is,” says rapper Ice Cube of his decision to make his own Lench Mob Record his only recording home. While other rappers take the idea of independence only as far as some lip service or a stray mixtape, Ice Cube went all out. After years as a major […]
When Kid Capri speaks, the initial Hip-Hop excitement is still in his voice. Mostly though, The Bronx native is known for speaking with his hands as a legendary DJ and a producer for everyone from Heavy D to Styles P. Currently getting his own label, No Kid’N, up and running, Kid is slated to release […]
The T.I. that you read about in the media is presently the exact opposite of the T.I. that sits before you to discuss his upcoming album Paper Trail. Perhaps that’s a continuation of his T.I. vs. T.I.P. alter ego, or maybe he’s just growing up. T.I.’s “paper trail” runs thick, including banknotes and legal documents, […]
In order to describe Bushwick Bill’s past public persona, you would have to use words such as “sordid,” “repugnant,” or “sleazy.” Although standing 3 feet 8 inches in stature, the Brooklyn, New York native and former Geto Boys comrade has raised more hell in more cities than your favorite rapper. Stories of indecent behavior, drunkenness, […]
Gabriel Benn a.k.a. Asheru is perhaps best known for creating the theme song to The Boondocks, the irreverent comic strip turned animated series on Cartoon Network. But few are aware that this founding member of the underground Hip-Hop duo The Unspoken Heard has been working for over a decade, as a public school teacher and […]
Maino’s rep on those Brooklyn streets is thorough. But while it may garner him a certain level of credibility (he speaks on that below), it doesn’t have anything to do with making hit records. A few years back on the strength of “Rumors,” a brash, industry gossip smackdown of a song, Maino caught a deal […]
If you have had your ears anywhere close to the street within the last six years, you can hear DJ Khaled influence with artists like Plies, Rick Ross, Flo Rida, and T-Pain; all owing some of their success to the Miami music staple. It shouldn’t have surprised anyone when Def Jam ‘Listennn’ed and gave Khaled […]
Isaac Hayes was a musical genius. Chances are if you check the credits you will find your favorite artist has rhymed over a Hayes assisted beat creation at one point or another. So selecting a small portion of Black Moses’ extensive catalogue that’s been sampled by Hip-Hop artists and labeling it “best” is a fool’s […]
The D-Boyz are rappers Lac and Stone, former Cash Money Records artists with star power of their own. The duo recently released Life of a D-Boy on 404 Records (home to MJG) and the album is a throwback to the halcyon days of their former recording home. With features from Juvenile, BG and Lil Wayne […]
It takes a thorough and savvy individual to prosper during an economic downturn. Considering the current conditions within the music industry, Jay Jenkins certainly feels no pressure. But Young Jeezy has always made good out of any situation. Still under his original moniker, Lil J, he would make his name early on with his independent […]
At this point in their career there is no reason to expect anything from OutKast…and that’s not a bad thing. Since their debut the duo composed of Andre “3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, has consistently put out good music that the public didn’t see coming. Did anyone expect the extraterrestrial edge of ATLiens […]
Luther Campbell and Uncle Luke are two different people…or so it may seem to the viewers of the new VH1 series Luke’s Parental Advisory. As most of his fans know, Uncle Luke entered the national spotlight over two decades ago when he brought the California duo 2 Live Crew out to Miami to spearhead the […]
Dipset’s smoking barrel, Hell Rell is aiming to survive in this fickle industry where yesterday is referred to as back in the day. The inner turmoil that plague the once triumphant Harlem Diplomats has bared its ugly head resulting in a reported two million dollar sale of Juelz Santana to Def Jam, amidst Jim Jones’ […]
The Bishop ain’t just up in church. A man of status of Scarborough’s saturated Hip-Hop scene, Bishop Brigante has cleared a spot for his name out of the brush—leading him into a pasture laden with opportunity. You know you’ve heard of him. If you’re looking for album names to tie him to, don’t hold […]
