Artist: FergieTitle: The DutchessRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli The fact that duchess is spelled incorrectly in the album title could very well be an omen of what’s to come from Fergie’s solo debut The Dutchess (Interscope). Saturated with early 80’s spandex rap mixed and attempts at soulful coos, The Dutchess sounds more like […]

Artist: Sleepy BrownTitle: Mr. BrownRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton Sometimes called “the third member of Outkast,” Sleepy Brown is perhaps the best known solo artist to never have released a solo album. Not only has the world heard his voice frequently on hits like Big Boi’s “The Way You Move,” his song-writing and production […]

Artist: VisionariesTitle: We Are The Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Slav Kandyba Underground rappers from Los Angeles and other ‘burbs of the Southern Cali wasteland possess undeniable skills on the mic but often trap themselves within limiting lyrics that praise the virtues of their life and little more. Production is often […]

Artist: Planet AsiaTitle: The MedicineRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero Planet Asia should be an emcee that every fan of indie or West Coast Hip-Hop should know or have at least heard about. The Source Magazine (before the issues) gave Planet Asia Independent Album of the Year credit in 2000 for his How the […]

Artist: Kid KoalaTitle: Your Mom’s Favorite DJRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Dustin Glick Kid Koala is dope, plain and simple. Hailing from Canada, the 31-year-old DJ has been cutting up vinyl since he was 12. If you’re not familiar with his work, you may be aware of his classic track “Drunk Trumpet,” where he scratches out […]

Artist: DiddyTitle: Press Play PREVIEWRating: 5 StarsReviewed by: Robert Longfellow No, that’s not the album’s rating, we haven’t heard the whole thing yet. Sheesh. Anyway, we at AllHipHop and the usual assembly of industry insiders, movers, shakers, street team lackeys and baggage handlers–shout to Diddy’s new tall, blonde haired manservant–packed into NYC Meatpacking District hotspot […]

Artist: Too ShortTitle: Blow The WhistleRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Latifah Muhammad Don’t call it a come back…he’s been here for years. After a hiatus, and a “retirement” before it was fashionable, Too Short is back and nastier than ever with his 15th release Blow The Whistle (Jive). The first track titled “Call Her a B*tch” […]

Artist: KelisTitle: Kelis Was HereRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton While Kelis’s two previous American releases (1999’s Kaleidoscope and 2003’s Tasty) each produced a hit single, her spot has not been as solid as one might expect from an artist aligned with names like Nas and The Neptunes. Her versatility has been both her […]

Artist: ChingyTitle: HoodstarRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jesse Fairfax Upon scoring their first hit song, every rapper hopes their success isn’t a flash in the pan. 2003’s “Right Thurr” was monstrous for Chingy, catapulting him to superstardom as he rode in on the crest of the industry’s St. Louis wave. After defecting from Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha […]

Artist: N.O.R.E. Y La FamiliaTitle: Ya Tu SabeRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton Part tribute to his heritage and part attempt to capitalize on recent trends, N.O.R.E. has finally released his long discussed Reggaeton side-project Ya Tu Sabe (Roc La Familia/Def Jam). Fitting the party vibe of the genre, N.O.R.E. invites a long list […]

Artist: Little EgyptTitle: The Crown Heights AffairRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: N. Context Straight Out The Sands of the underground, Little Egypt re-emerges to bring you The Crown Heights Affair (East Park). Comprised of Visual Poetics, Forge, Taajwar, Bravestar and Khordz, Little Egypt (L.E.), has been making waves in the underground since their breakthrough single […]

Artist: Janet JacksonTitle: 20 Y.O.Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Eb Haynes “I wanna keep it light. I don’t want to be serious, I wanna have fun.” Janet makes this declaration at the beginning of her ninth release 20 Y.O. (Virgin). She is referring to the past twenty years of being a trailblazer, addressing serious issues such […]

Artist: Concert ReviewTitle: Boost Mobile Rockcorp @ Radio City Music Hall (Concert Review)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Dove ~Sheepish Lordess of Chaos~ When the average person thinks of volunteer work, one of the last things that come to mind is the word “fun”. Boost Mobile’s RockCorps has set out to change the face and attitude of […]

Artist: Justin TimberlakeTitle: FutureSex/LoveSoundsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli The best way to sum up Justin Timberlake is in two simple words: damn lucky. For the most part, the life cycle of an ex-boybander is relatively short and unprogressive (i.e. Ricky Martin). The listening population struggles with the guilt of actually liking the work […]

Artist: LudacrisTitle: Release TherapyRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: KeiSaundra “K Sincere” Henderson Five albums later, Ludacris is much more than a Hip-Hop artist, but an activist for the black community. His latest, Release Therapy (Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam) is exactly what is says-therapy to release his irritation with the Hip-Hop game. With plenty of jabs […]

Artist: ChamTitle: Ghetto StoryRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jamiyl “J Boogie” Samuels Ever since Sean Paul dropped Dutty Rock in 2003, dancehall artists young and old have been trying to duplicate Paul’s penchant for attaining crossover success while remaining true to his dancehall roots: a feat unmatched since Shabba Ranks pulled off the trick over […]

Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: The Real: Rucker Park Legends (DVD)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana The name tends to say it all. It’s those stories you heard about guys leaping high to grab coins off the top of the backboard. It’s those stories about guys who were dropping 50, 60, 70 points in a game […]

Artist: DJ Green Lantern/Uncle MurdaTitle: Say Uncle: 2 Hard for Hip-Hop Vol. 1 (Mixtape)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Slav Kandyba Uncle Murda is from East New York, perhaps best known to Hip-Hop fans as the home base of Jeru the Damaja, though his subject matter is more Mobb Deep. A prolific lyricist Uncle Murda is not, […]

Artist: Young DroTitle: Best Thang Smokin’Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Alejandro Mojado Grand Hustle is quickly becoming a house hold name among Hip-Hop heads outside the southern states and and the label is on par to make 2006 their year with another release. This time Young Dro drops Best Thang Smokin’ (Grand Hustle/Atlantic), his first major […]

Artist: Lupe FiascoTitle: Food & LiquorRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine One leaked album don’t stop the show. After Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor (1st & 15th/Atlantic) was made illegally available several months ago, fans reacted with strong opinions, both championing and ridiculing Chicago’s next MC. Endorsed by Kanye West and Jay-Z (who executive produces), the […]