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 […]

5 & DONE: Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey Hussle has managed to secure a major label record deal and the spot as lead hitter for the New West Coast all in about a years time. It may seem like dream come true to aspiring MCs, however his current position came with plenty of blood, sweat, and tears. Growing up with a blue […]

DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip Hop (Interview with Bill Adler & Cey Adams)
Perhaps more unforgettable than the classic tracks on Public Enemys seminal album Yo! Bum Rush The Show is the albums actual CD cover. The timeless pose of all the members in dark berets gathered in a dimly lit room prove that Hip-Hop is just as much visual as it is audio. But this is […]

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 Yorks Uncle Murda aint him. The now ex-Def Jam signee is aiming to body the Rap game, so family friendly Hip-Hop isnt 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), Harlems Ron Browz isnt 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 […]

BEHIND THE BEATS: Nu Jerzey Devil
Compton transplant via New York / New Jersey. The Game, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Amerie, Busta Rhymes, Lil Scrappy, Honey Score, Beef III Score. AKAI MPC 4000, ROLAND Phantom X8, & Roland XV 5080. 9 Years. He might not be a household name, but you’ve most likely zoned out to some of […]

Charli Baltimore: The Long Kiss, Pt. 2 (Lil’ Kim, Faith & Living B.I.G.)
Catch up…Charli Baltimore: The B.I.G. Picture, Pt. 1 AllHipHop.com: They show in Notorious Biggie building the character of Lil Kim. How instrumental was Biggie in the building of Charli Baltimore? Charli Baltimore: Ive always been me. My style is my style. I guess thats why Big liked me. Big would come to me […]

Charli Baltimore: The B.I.G Picture, Pt. 1
Those who have seen the Notorious biopic will question the absence of one key figure in the life of the Notorious B.I.G. shortly before he died: Miss Charli Baltimore. Tiffany Lane aka Charli Baltimore broke out on the scene following the death Christopher Wallace. Her breed of raw rapcomparable to Lil Kim in her explicit […]

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 […]

Speak President Obama, Speak!: Obama’s Inaugural Address
My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now […]

GS Boyz: Stanky Legg Luminaries
When Soulja Boy Tell’Em taught us how to Superman, we thought we had heard it all. Now we’ve been graced with the new phenomenon called the Stanky Legg. Everyone from fly girls to local science teachers are leaning and shaking to it. Thanks to Arlington, TX group GS Boyz it looks like Hip-Hop has a […]

dream hampton: Thinking B.I.G.
In the film Almost Famous, the fictitious Rock band Stillwater refers to the Rolling Stone journalist as the enemy. This is probably the most accurate definition of how a musician would identify a music journalist. However, when the Notorious B.I.G. was at the peak of his careera career that ended far too soon and is […]

Brisco: Medicine Man
Its 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 Miamis Poe Boy Entertainment, the […]

Drumma Boy: Smokin’ Grooves
Drumma Boy is aware your production catalogue is only as good as your last beat. And for that reason, the Memphis native makes sure that every new track he creates is a potential hit. This philosophy helped Drumma to have a phenomenal 2008, where the preeminent producer supplied Young Jeezy with his #1 Rap and […]

Kid Cudi: Good Day, Good Sir
Many mainstream Hip-Hop fans will credit Kanye West as the king of abstract [Ed. Note: no disrespect to Q-Tip]. But in reality Scott Mescudi p/k/a Kid Cudi may be one of the reasons why Kanye Wests G.O.O.D. Music may reach the level of its founders success. West has openly admitted to being inspired by 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 […]

Capone-N-Noreaga: Still Reporting
Almost a decade ago CNN prophesized that a Change Is Gonna Come. Not to be confused with the media outlet home to Larry King, the hoods CNN comprised of Capone and Noreaga have gone through much tribulation and are back with Channel 10, their first album since 2000s The Reunion. Since then, the duo […]

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 cultures representation on mainstream radio. Take Los Angeles Exile, the man responsible for the exceptional production work on 2007s critically acclaimed collaboration with rapper Blu, Below the Heavens. Long exasperated by the lack of originality on the radio, the […]

B-Real: The AllHipHop Interview
B-Real was first introduced to us back in 1991 as the front-man for the South Gate, CA group Cypress Hill. Fueled by B-Reals trademark nasal rap voice, Cypress Hills self-titled debut album took the rap world by storm on the strength of cuts such as How I Could Just Kill A Man, Hand On The […]