Artist: Triple ThreatTitle: Many StylesRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning Internationally known for their award winning turntable tactics and various mix CDs, the Bay Area’s Triple Threat DJs — Apollo, Shortkut, and Vinroc — present their first proper album, flaunting their formidable skills while showcasing a number of local players. The guest list is deep […]

Artist: Tame OneTitle: Whan Rappers AttackRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine The Artifacts were responsible for some of raps better entries during the latter years of hip-hop’s “golden era”. If you’re too young to remember, try looking up and listening to “Wrong Side of the Tracks” or “Art of Facts” for remedial knowledge. When the New […]

Artist: Soul SupremeTitle: Soul Supreme Presents The Saturday Nite AgendaRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: N. Context What is this? No “bling bling”; no gratuitous materialism; no gun play; no grandiose, drug dealing tales? What about the “bounce”? Not here. Soul Supreme Presents: The Saturday Nite Agenda is a black sheep in this era of rap music. […]

Artist: SupernaturalTitle: The Lost Freestyle FilesRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning Known across the globe as one of the most skilled freestylers to ever clutch a mic, Supernatural has wowed audiences for years, flexing his razor sharp, off-the-top skills in emcee competitions and on major tours alike. Despite his underground celebrity status and over […]

Artist: Killer MikeTitle: MonsterRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Shadee Caviness So far Outkast seems to be the only members of the Dungeon Family able to maintain mainstream success. Despite the atrophy of members Goodie Mob (who started out classic but quickly turned into Cee-Lo and the crew) and failed attempts from Cool Breeze and Slimm Cutta […]

Artist: Lil KimTitle: La Bella MafiaRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie Kimberly Jones, better known as Lil’ Kim has a lot of issues. She’s obsessed with her paramour and arguable the greatest emcee, The Notorious B.I.G. She’s a full fledged shop-a-holic with name brands flowing off her tongue with ease. And she’s also obsessed with […]

Artist: Mountain BrothersTitle: Triple CrownRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Francis X Shea It seems in recent times it has been difficult for hip-hop heads to unite. As fans, we are always asked to choose sides in the civil wars which eat away at our culture like a infection. 50 or Ja? Shady or Benzino? Life […]

Artist: FabolousTitle: Street DreamsRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Odienne Chisolm F-A…B-O…yep, Fabolous is back with his sophomore album Street Dreams on Elektra/Desert Storm records. Go Clue, it’s your birthday! Street Dreams moved 180,000 units it’s first week according to Soundscan. Pretty impressive numbers for week one, but can this platinum-selling artist do for this album what […]

Artist: JuggaknotsTitle: Clear Blue SkiesRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie Without putting out product in years the Juggaknots have still managed to obtain and maintain cult status in enlightened hip-hop circles. To simply label them backpack rappers would be a blatant injustice, as well as a corny and lazy description. Without ever sounding preachy […]

Artist: Little BrotherTitle: The ListeningRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning After generating a huge buzz, and being signed to Beni B’s Oakland-based ABB label, North Carolina’s Little Brother live up to all the hype, releasing a stellar debut album, The Listening that oozes classic hip-hop. Often compared to A Tribe Called Quest, the crew of […]

Artist: FreewayTitle: Philadelphia FreewayRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie On the opening track to his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway, Philadelphia bred mc Freeway kicks, “I focus and aim, listen to bore, one verse can f### up the game…” Maybe too ambitious but he did grab listener’s attentions on Jay Z’s “1-900 Hustler” when he […]

Artist: Zion ITitle: Deep Water Slang Volume 2.0Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin WinningAfter earning massive props for their stellar LP Mind Over Matter, (released in 2000), and dropping a gang of high-quality 12-inches, Zion I return with Deep Water Slang Version 2.0. Label drama pushed back its original street date, (hence the 2.0), but […]

Artist: Feenom CircleTitle: Souled SeparatelyRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie For every major label artist there are likely dozens of unsigned ones seeking to be heard. Thankfully, the independent music circuit has granted many the ability to create music of their liking and fully stretch out their creative arms. In many cases, that means […]

Artist: 50 CentTitle: Get Rich or Die Tryin’Rating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogieDespite the small change name, the good Dr. Dre and Eminem saw large capital gains in their futures when they signed controversial Queens, New York rapper 50 Cent to their Shady and Aftermath Records imprints. Coming with more beef than your cities […]

Artist: Webster Hall RecordTitle: The Basement Tapes Vol. 1Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Ashiya SmithLet’s take a moment to reflect on one of my favorite moments in “new school” hip-hop history. The year was 1993, the era just before hip-hop commercialism hit the fan. A time when being associated with or recognized as a member of […]