BEHIND THE BEATS: Needlz

Lansing, Michigan.   50 Cent, G-Unit, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, 88-Keys, & Jadakiss.   AKAI MPC 4000, Roland Fantom G & Studio Electronics SE-1   8 Years.   Growing up in the Midwest exposes you to all types of music, which is a beneficial when choosing the music industry as your career field of choice. Lansing, Michigan […]

Uncle Murda: Murdergram

Everyone has that out of pocket uncle that makes weddings, barbecues and reunions more entertaining due to their drunken antics. Well East New York’s Uncle Murda ain’t him. The now ex-Def Jam signee is aiming to body the Rap game, so family friendly Hip-Hop isn’t in the cards at the moment.   Last year Murda […]

5 & DONE: Ron Browz

Nah, despite the title of his latest single, “Jumpin (Out the Window),” Harlem’s Ron Browz isn’t trying to harm himself. With an album due in March (Etherboy) via Universal/Motown Records, and certifiable hit singles whether his own (“Pop Champagne”) or thanks to his tracks (Busta Rhymes “Arab Money” and all its remixes), the kid needs […]

Bow Wow: No Fakin’ Jax

Last year the Internet was buzzing around Bow Wow as working video vixens voiced their discontent with him unapologetically and embellished rumors spoke of fatherhood with a certain retired “brain” aficionado. As friendly banter via YouTube between he and his friend “Chuck” made headlines in urban entertainment, so did the embarrassing defeat of losing the […]

Brisco: Medicine Man

It’s no industry secret that the Hip-Hop spotlight is beaming down on Florida.  Everyone from Diddy to Timbaland own homes in the area, and artists like T-Pain, Flo Rida, and Pitbull have forced the industry to pay attention to the Sunshine State.  At the center of all the attention is Miami’s Poe Boy Entertainment, the […]

UK TUESDAY: GIGS

To be an MC in the UK, is almost as a rule, to be a Grime artist. Traditional Hip-Hop is generally viewed as something ‘the Yanks do’ with UK rhymers preferring to recite 140 bpm Grime bars. So it’s a refreshing surprise to see South Londoner Giggs, catch the ear of the mainstream on both […]

Paul Wall: Fast Money

It’s a new year but Paul Wall still rocks his platinum and princess cut studded grills which gleam when he smiles. The Houston rapper is still sitting sideways and still considers himself the people’s champ.   Now two albums deep, the artist born Paul Slayton is looking at readying the release of his third and […]

Exile: MPC Technician

These days, one would be hard-pressed to find a Hip-Hop fan that is satisfied with the culture’s representation on mainstream radio. Take Los Angeles’ Exile, the man responsible for the exceptional production work on 2007’s critically acclaimed collaboration with rapper Blu, Below the Heavens. Long exasperated by the lack of originality on the radio, the […]