Artist: Masta KillaTitle: Made In BrooklynRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Alejandro Mojado You may recall Masta Killa’s introduction on the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 debut Enter the 36 Chambers. His verse on “Da Mystery of Chessboxin” will go down in history as one of his greatest and as an original member of the W, Masta Killa […]

Artist: Cut ChemistTitle: The Audience’s ListeningRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne There’s no clear way to categorize Cut Chemist or his album. DJ and producer for Jurassic 5, DJ at various L.A. venues, turntabalist for Latin band Ozomatli, and of course vinyl collector, this man has spent nearly 20 years busy doing everything but his […]

Artist: DMXTitle: Year Of The Dog, AgainRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Eb Haynes There is only one word to describe DMX; raw. As a rapper, actor or the man Earl Simmons, the gritty and passionate delivery felt in all his music, seven albums, is birth from the streets. Year of the Dog, Again (Ruff Ryders/Columbia) […]

Artist: RaekwonTitle: The DaVinci Code: The Vatican Mixtape Vol. 2Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Conan Milne While impatient fans foam at the mouth in anticipation of Raekwon’s long overdue Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…II, Raekwon the Chef instead serves up this impressive starter that will likely keep the customers happy. His latest meal is The […]

Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Miami Vice (Film)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo Jackson It’s no secret that Michael Mann’s film adaptation of his time capsule-cool TV show “Miami Vice” was a troubled production (hurricanes, cutting deals with drug lords and gangsters will do that to a movie). It’s also been no secret that the advance screenings […]

Artist: D-BlockTitle: D-Block: The CD/DVD MixtapeRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios It takes a lot of heart to make it in the Rap game and the Lox are a testament to that fact. Throughout ten years the Yonkers New York trio has endured shiny suit ridicule, jail time, high profile beefs, and the untimely […]

Artist: PackFMTitle: whutduzFMstand4?Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Andrew Kameka Subterranean vet answers doubters with well-rounded broadcast. The call for rappers to return to their New York sh*t is growing louder, but not everyone wants to answer. Emerging from Hip-Hop’s Mecca with his own ambitious style is the cocksure (pause) PackFM. The Brooklyn-native avoids the labels placed […]

Artist: Wale OyejideTitle: Africa Hot!: The Afrofuture SessionsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dustin Glick Nigerian beatmaker takes listeners on a voyage of afrobeat, Hip-Hop and brokenbeat futuresound. Nigerian-born producer and vocalist Wale Oyejide lets you know just what to expect from his new album with its title: Africahot! The Afrofuture Sessions (Shaman Work). Oyejide has […]

Artist: NashawnTitle: NapalmRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: John Kennedy Although the Bravehearts made their mark on mainstream Hip-Hop with the club favorite “Oochie Wally”, their debut album, Bravehearted, was met with twin thumbs down from critics. But wisely, the group’s lyrical standout, Nashawn (formerly known as Millennium Thug), distanced himself to guest status on the […]

Artist: J.R. WriterTitle: History In The MakingRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios Whether you hate or love them, you got to admit that The Diplomats are popping. Their hood anthems coupled with their flamboyant lifestyle have made them fans from the block to the burbs. Now that their starting line up of Cam’ron, Juelz […]

Artist: Psalm OneTitle: Death Of Frequent FlyerRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Geez, what a rapper gotta do to get in your CD changer? An MC like Psalm One could give you a year of her work for free, and still that joint would be a coaster on your dining room table. It’s pure […]

Artist: Superiority ComplexTitle: Stand UpRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne Every now and then in the cluttered jungle of rap, an album comes along that stands out not so much because of its greatness, but because of its individuality. Stand Up> (BRU Records) by Superiority Complex is one of those. This under-the-radar trio hails from […]

Artist: Pimp CTitle: PimpalationRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero It is a no-brainer that UGK has solidified themselves as Hip-Hop legends. At a time where East coast lyricism and West coast gangsta rhymes dominated, UGK was there to represent the 3rd Coast along with acts like Scarface, Outkast, 2 Live Crew and other talented […]

Artist: Kon & Amir/DJ MuroTitle: The Kings of Diggin’: Kon & Amir And DJ MuroRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne If you’re not into beats, don’t care about the origins of the songs you hear or aren’t interested in good ol’ (emphasis on ol’) funky, soulful music, then this CD is not for you. Not […]

Artist: PharrellTitle: In My MindRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Eb Haynes “It’s a music maker’s album and a fan album. It’s not a huge 10 million sales thing.” Pharrell Williams’ rapping alias Skate Board P is absolutely right. In My Mind (Star Trak/Interscope), Pharrell’s first solo effort is about artistic interpretation. It’s Pharrell’s sole vision […]

Artist: Jurassic 5Title: FeedbackRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli For years, Jurassic 5 has made an art out of providing quality Hip-Hop in layman’s terms. Shunning utter complexity, but still spouting social commentary, the LA collective retains all that is sacred from the old schoolyard ciphers combined with an urban trail mix vibe. While the […]

Artist: Tha Dogg PoundTitle: Cali Iz ActiveRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: ambers mom West Coast Hip-Hop aint dead. Snoop? Chuuch. Daz? Chuuch. Kurupt? Chuuch. Nate Dogg? Lady of Rage? RBX? Chuuch. Chuuch. Chuuch. Ten years after their multi-platinum selling debut, Dogg Food, solidified their reps, Tha Dogg Pound is back with their latest disc, Cali […]

Artist: Jim JonesTitle: A Day In The Fastlife (DVD)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brent Woodie A true hustler can never have enough hustles. But when it comes to Harlem Diplomat Jim Jones, this statement means so much more. Holding posts as a Warner Music Exec, video director, CEO and artist, Jim Jones does not limit […]

Artist: Ise LyfeTitle: SpreadtheWordRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine If revolution had a movie, Ise Lyfe just might be theme music. This 23 year-old Oakland poet/MC attacks the status quo of the greater ghetto community on his debut, SpreadtheWord (Hard Knock Records). Divided between poetic verse and song, Ise researches the content for his rhymes, demonstrating […]

Artist: dead prezTitle: dead prez: It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop (Film)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Robert Longfellow Opening with a Martin Luther King quote (“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”), dead prez: It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop is a Starz InBlack Original film that showcases the renowned rap group’s blaringly […]