The music business is a strange beast. Some artists struggle for years and years to get their shot and never even make a dent in the game. On the flipside, there is that rare occurrence where a chance meeting takes place and a career is born. The latter represents the journey of Drake. Born Aubrey […]
Alchemist has been crafting recipes for his first cookbook since his debut, 1st Infantry, was released in 2004. A producer known for his cinematic, yet rugged production style that is California bred but embedded with East Coast DNA, The Alchemist’s Cookbook EP, just released on iTunes, is the crème de la crème of Al’s forthcoming […]
The flamboyance and bravado of Suge Knight, the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records caused a great deal of controversy in the early 90’s. Knight and his entourage of cronies were often spotted in their trademark blood red attire, partying and living the good life. After all, the label’s marquee artists were […]
Trademarc is one of the authors of a ravenous diss track that has been circulating the web for the past few weeks. In the song by East Coast Avengers (Trademarc, Esoteric, DC the Midi Alien), the Massachusetts bred MC flings around scathing lyrics like, “I’ll stalk your house, knock you out, gag your mouth, drag […]
Let the record show that MCs skilled at slinging deft lyrics with comedic wit don’t get the same props as those more focused on drug and gun tales. Not convinced? Ask Redman or Slick Rick. But one versatile rapper, Atlanta’s Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, is out to stake his claim at upper echelon rap recognition. […]
On the eve of the most historical Presidential elections in America’s history, the vocal side of Jedi Mind Tricks is on yet another tour bus leaving the infamous Las Vegas Strip. The trio [MCs Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah, with Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind on beats] from the City of Brotherly Love has cemented […]
Scarface, the rapper, is retiring. We don’t believe him. Sure, Brad “Scarface” Jordan is dropping his 9th proper album, Emeritus, which means retiring but maintaining your title. After 20 plus years in the game and an adherent dedication to putting together words that fit, we’ll go out on the limb and say it’s highly unlikely […]
Whether it be promoting his latest project, Phantom Gangster Chronicles Vol. 1, bigging up the merits of juice bars, working on a book or assuring that a new LOX album is definitely on the way, Styles P gets it in. By now you should be at least a little familiar with the Yonkers product who […]
Cruising down East 7 Mile Road in Detroit, the sharp thuds and jolts from potholes drumming the tires of your ride is unpreventable. Some would shrug it off as a consequence of being so cold in the D. But to an innovator such as the late underground producer/MC James Dewitt Yancey better known as J […]
If the Internet age has proven to be a blessing for underground rappers, Royce Da 5’9” is the perfect case study. While his initial albums did not penetrate the mainstream threshold, for a few years it was only his unrelenting tour schedule and online presence that kept the Nickel Nine name alive outside the Midwest. […]
Rather Unique: Eight Things You Should Know About 88-KeysPeep AllHipHop’s Exclusive Debut of 88-Key’s video for “True Feelings”Given his eclectic moniker by none other than celebrated beatsmith Large Professor, 88-Keys is soon to be mentioned in the same sentence as some of his own musical idols. Stealthily working behind the boards over the years with […]
A man of respect’s words always carry weight. When Detroit’s Trick Trick speaks, it’s worth your while to pay heed. “When I walk outside I have to be Trick Trick. My perspective on life is first and foremost don’t do nothing that’s gonna upset God. Love the Lord, be prosperous. Smile, s**t, it’s okay to […]
Lorenzo Patterson, better known as MC Ren, turned the rap world upside down as a member of the gangster-rap pioneering group known as N.W.A. While fellow members Eazy-E, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre had a more visible presence, the group would not have been the same without Ren’s razor sharp and rapid hard-hitting lyrics, which […]
In today’s####-or-miss Hip-Hop landscape, most rappers can’t afford risk-taking or lengthy departures from their prevailing formulaic forte. Detroit-reared indie beatsmith Black Milk isn’t too concerned with staying in one lane with his raw sonic signature having more layers than Kwame Kilpatrick has court cases. Establishing his trademark for an impressive laundry list, producing gutter anthems […]
Dubbed one of the leaders of the new school, Harlem’s own Charles Hamilton has been receiving industry attention and critical-acclaim since first coming onto the scene in 2007. Known as a triple threat with credits including rapping, producing and occasionally singing, the 20 year-old Interscope Records signee has been compared to mega-artists such as, Kanye […]
Today, November 4th, Q-Tip drops The Renaissance, his 8th in the new Tribe edition. Sure the album is only his second proper album, but anything Q-Tip affiliated is essentially A Tribe Called Quest. “I would never put produced by Q-Tip on this even though I did all this,” says The Abstract about his production imprint. […]
Never one to hold his tongue on issues like politricks, violence and poverty in the Black community, it is no surprise veteran, revolutionary rap commander Paris is sounding off on this historic 2008 Presidential Election. The Bay-area rabble rouser just released his latest ‘get free’ effort, entitled, Acid Reflex. on his indie label, Guerilla Funk […]
As time has gone by, our music has sadly become more about portraying a role than first-rate lyricism and wordplay. Rappers continuously brag about being super gangsters but wouldn’t pop off a cap gun. We get hit with a tsunami of bars about ice but the jewels? Rented. Then you have dudes claiming they’re drug […]
DJ UNK bounced onto the scene a year or so ago and wanted us to “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.” It seemed that you could not go to a club without hearing a DJ Unk track from his debut Beat’n Down Yo Block, whose main goal was to move the crowd. Just when we […]
Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rock’s love for music goes far beyond paying homage to the influence of 80’s and 90’s Hip-Hop. For both of these Cool Kids, it started out as a hobby, distinguishing this duo from many other artist trying to get rich quick. Arriving at a downtown Chicago diner as if ‘88 is […]
