Artist: Z-RoTitle: I’m Still Livin’Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Eb Haynes “I’m 27 but I’m feelin’ 71/I pray so much I feel like I’m kin to the heavenly son.” Immediately on its opening track, the reminiscent to vintage Geto Boys tune “City Streets”, Z-Ro Da Crooked sets a bluesy mono-thematic theme of survival through faith. […]

Artist: Kevin PowellTitle: Someday We’ll All Be Free (Book)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana In the rapid blood rush that is American society, very few leaders pause to make sure everyone is informed about the events that define our time. Prominent activist and former Vibe Magazine staff writer, Kevin Powell releases Someday We’ll All Be […]

Artist: Tech N9neTitle: Everready (The Religion)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine With a style derived from Bay Area and Southern Hip-Hop, it’s geographically convenient that Tech N9ne hails from Kansas City. With a rapid-fire flow, an overpowering personality, and common man subject matter, Tech has spent the last decade touring endlessly, and releasing albums cherished by […]

Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: Money, Power, Respect (DVD)Rating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Maiya Norton When it comes to the drug game there are a million stories to tell. Hood narrators gather around to exchange success and sob stories about the local kingpin, how he got his crown and the cause of his demise. The cliche scenario […]

Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: We Don’t Die, We Multiply: The Robin Harris Story (DVD)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Robert Longfellow Genius too often is only fully appreciated in hindsight. Robin Harris for years mastered his comedic trade underneath Hollywood’s nose and was on the cusp of achieving the mainstream recognition he so deserved. But at the age […]

Artist: Kidz in the HallTitle: School Was My HustleRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Max Herman Rookie act Naledge and Double-O have a hell of a lot going for themselves as they’re introduced to the world as Kidz in the Hall-the duo who met in the Ivy League environs of the University of Pennsylvania. Not only are […]

Artist: Video Game ReviewTitle: Scarface: The World Is Yours (Video Game)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton Dusting off an old franchise for a new game, Scarface: The World is Yours (Vivendi Universal Games, PS2) gives fans of Tony Montana a way to live out their hustler fantasies on the couch instead of the block. Rather […]

Artist: X-ClanTitle: Return From MeccaRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: AJ Fresh On X-Clan’s new album Return From Mecca (Suburban Noize) much is taught and much can be learned. X Clan, the uncompromising pro-black rap group that came onto the Hip-Hop scene with their unique sound of funk and notable lyrics in the early 90’s, continue on […]

Artist: John LegendTitle: Once AgainRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton After racking up experience behind the scenes as a songwriter and session musician for some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B, John Legend debuted as a solo artist with 2004’s breakout hit Get Lifted. Assisted by a co-sign from Kanye West, Legend surprised […]

Artist: JuggaknotsTitle: Use Your ConfusionRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jason Newman Say “Juggaknots” to Hip-Hop fans and you’ll be greeted with either blank stares or wide grins. The former can hear the latter incessantly praise emcee Breezly Brewin and producer/brother Buddy Slim’s 1996 underground classic Clear Blue Skies EP. The title track, in which a white […]

Artist: Sol.illaquists Of SoundTitle: As If We ExistedRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero The phrase “socially conscious Hip-Hop” produces a myriad of different responses. Some fans feel that this is the form of the art that will save it from its current state of complacency and played out themes of materialism, misogyny, and braggadocio. […]

Artist: JibbsTitle: Jibbs Feat. JibbsRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Latifah Muhammad Who is Jibbs? You know you’ve heard the song, “Chain Hang Low”. Admit it, you know the words to the chorus. And though the single serves as a catchy play on a nursery rhyme, the rest of the album, Jibbs Feat. Jibbs (Geffen) sounds […]

Artist: BeliefTitle: DedicationRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine After production stints with Jean Grae, C-Rayz Walz, and Vordul Mega, New York-based beatmaker Belief crafts his own album, Dedication (Green Streets), using a different approach than the norm. While many producer albums utilize a vast array of burgeoning or high-profile feature talent, Belief recruited a foursome of […]

Artist: DJ Mick BoogieTitle: Superman Returns (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Latifah Muhammad Just when you thought the hunger pains from waiting for Jay-Z’s new album to drop were too much, DJ Mick Boogie releases the Superman Returns to tide you over. This mixtape packages Jay’s post-quasi retirement collaborations and remixes since The Black Album. […]

Artist: The AlchemistTitle: No Days OffRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Conan Milne When it comes to The Alchemist certain listeners have got it twisted. Although he has been crafting definitive Mobb Deep material for some time now, and his music is undoubtedly East Coast influenced, A-L-C remains one of the West Coast’s finest exports. On […]

Artist: Lady SovereignTitle: Public WarningRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Zimmerman In the years leading up to her full-length debut, Public Warning (Def Jam), Lady Sovereign generated the kind of buzz other artists would kill for. From fans clamoring for new content online to publications quickly making her a cover girl, everybody wanted more of […]

Artist: Nocturnal RonTitle: Beatlovers, Vol. 2Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Maiya Norton Unless you have the signature sound or name-dropping privilege that a Just Blaze, the Neptunes or Swizz Beats share, stealing the attention of the masses with an instrumental album lacking headlining collaborations could be tricky. Despite the odds against him Nocturnal Ron takes listeners […]

Artist: Black SheepTitle: 8WM/NOVAKANERating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Larusso McFly After a 12-year lay-off, Black Sheep-the “doo-doo eating, vomit tasting,” in a good way, “low lifes” of the Native Tongue family-have laced up the shoes, thrown on the gloves, and returned to rap’s boxing ring with 8WM/NOVAKANE (Bumrush). In an industry where longevity is the exception […]

Artist: Hall Of JustusTitle: Soldiers Of FortuneRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Zimmerman In the music business there sometimes is no justice. Underground heroes Little Brother released a masterpiece on Atlantic Records in 2005 that failed to move units while less talented rappers blew up. No matter, LB presses on and continue playing for the […]

Artist: Jedi Mind TricksTitle: Servants In Heavan, Kings In HellRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Omar Hamza It’s very rare to see consistency in the world of underground Hip-Hop. Most groups drop a heralded first album, and then fizzle either from a lack of distribution or the rigors of an intense touring schedule. Jedi Mind Tricks happens […]