What’s in a name? Everything. It can be haphazardly given, a carefully contemplated nom de plume or even a wayward nickname that sticks, but eventually your name will come to represent the many facets of your being. “Freeway” Ricky Ross—the man serving out a bid in the Texarkana Federal Correctional Institution for drug trafficking—takes pride […]
It’s been a winding road for the Virginia duo know as the Clipse. But through it all they continue to grind and are now set to release Clipse Presents The Re-Up Gang via Koch Records. The album will serve as formal introduction, in case you’ve been lost the last few years, to the group’s affiliates […]
A revolution is brewing in Hip-Hop and it’s the liberating sounds from Minnesotan producers K-Salaam and Beatnick that fight to resurrect the vacant soul of a dying culture. On their debut, conveniently entitled Whose World Is This? [VP], the duo set out on a mission to find the “answer” to this invigorating question. The result: […]
It hasn’t been a smooth road for the Outlawz. Early in their career they lost Tupac Shakur, who was both their mentor and the founder of the Outlawz, and experienced the death of another member, Kadafi, the same year. Add in a lack of mainstream recognition with a revolving door of members and you the […]
When Killer Mike released his critically acclaimed manifesto I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II earlier this month, he joined a long tradition of political protest music. From Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” to Ice Cube’s “Endangered Species,” music in the 20th century had regularly spoken to the soul of man by challenging societal ills exacerbated […]
Tech N9ne is nothing like your typical rapper; he doesn’t need big name producers or an outsized budget to generate sales. His new double-disc album Killer is on deck, and it’s generating momentum toward his millionth album sold independently. There is also a thirty-city Strange Noize tour about to take life, as well as his […]
“I was probably your co-worker or your classmate, I need people to understand that,” says Brooklyn rap wunderkind Joell Ortiz. “I just write rhymes.” Far from the average Joe, don’t mistake the former Aftermath Records signee’s humility for weakness on the mic. Lyrically, he does this, with the endless number of blistering freestyles or his […]
First introduced as a part of the Diplomats with a tremendous freestyle battle rep, 40 Cal was almost a hidden secret for a while. But for the past two years, the Harlem rapper has gradually grown out of the long shadow cast by his multi-talented Dipset crew, sharpening his own versatility by moving beyond battle […]
In the days where music is regional and one dimensional, there is a DJ who personifies the phrase “triple threat.” He is the official DJ of Cancun for MTV and American Eagle, has a couple of radio shows including Sirus Satellite Radio’s Hot Jams 50’s FlashMash, and has hosted major events such as Funkmaster Flex […]
In 2006 Skillz was nominated “Most Likely To Embarrass Your Favorite Rapper.” Ok, so maybe he wasn’t, but the Virginia MC should have been. Since the 1990’s the former known “Mad Skillz” has been bending metaphors to his will leaving charred microphones and egos in his wake. His first CD, From Where???, put him on […]
Skateboard P is running behind on his interviews. Posted up in New York’s Four Seasons hotel, the ProducerMC/Singer/Fashion Icon is promoting his latest venture with Converse – one that according to him is strictly creative. The recent genius of Pharrell Williams is one that has manifested itself in everything from N.E.R.D. and the Glow in […]
LL Cool J is a man of many firsts. James Todd Smith was the first artist on the house that Rush and Rick built. Uncle L was also one of the first successful rapper turned actors, and pioneered what is now an industry staple, the chick record. With 12 albums released, movies, books, clothing, television […]
We’ve seen it a million times, reality stars turning themselves into full fledged entertainment stars. Or, doing their best at it. The MTV reality show Run’s House introduced Rev Run, a Hip-Hop pioneer, to a new class of viewers who may not know his history while simultaneously thrusting his family into the bright lights of […]
Compton, CA rapper Coolio first came in to the scene as a part of Tha Maad Circle along with W.C. and his brother DJ Crazy Toones. According to Coolio, he was forced to start a solo career after his group-mates left to go on tour with Ice Cube and he was left off. If Coolio […]
For many upcoming MC’s it seems getting offered that highly sought after recording contract equates to hitting the Rap jackpot. While a feat such as signing on the dotted line is not something to sneeze at, it sure does not guarantee a fast track to stardom. Ask Curren$y; the New Orleans protégé has been down […]
It’s hard to tell what Nas is really thinking right now. From walking the beaten path of complaints yet again over his now Untitled album title to watching el Presidente Hov exit Def Jam to pursue the next phase of his career, Nas has a lot to question. The only thing Nasir Jones knows for […]
David Banner knows about struggle. Since his last album, 2005’s Certified, the rapper/activist had to deal with the traumatic effects of Hurricane Katrina on his native Mississippi, attacks on Hip-Hop from the federal government, and his father’s death from cancer in 2007. Despite these hardships and thoughts of retirement, Banner has persevered. He was one […]
Yes, you are going to compare him to that White guy from Detroit. But moving on, in this early stage of his rhyme career Asher Roth is displaying the chops to carve out a spot in the Hip-Hop space. Hailing from Morrisville, PA, the pale skinned MC has a DJ Drama and Don Cannon endorsed […]
CANADA WEEK 2008 They say the city is an urban jungle. Both environments are volatile, dog-eat-dog. Mayhem Morearty, hailing from Toronto’s Lawrence Heights area —actually dubbed “Jungle City”— has clawed into the GTA’s hip-hop scene and pounced on success like its prey. As with many, Mayhem Morearty treats his lyrics-writing cathartically and uses his life’s […]
It is one of the most anticipated albums in Hip-Hop…right up there with Detox. Just the thought of Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II has had Hip-Hop fans waiting on edge. So of course when word got out that the Wu-Tang’s own Chef would be working with the Doctor, results were – mixed. On […]
