V.I.C.: Silly Is As Silly Does
The ceaseless Hip-Hop pendulums arc, defying the laws of physics, has become suspended in the atmosphere of pre-packaged perfunctory MCs. During this mystifying era V.I.C. appeared offering his highly successful, yet highly commercial Get Silly. Due to his timing, V.I.C. has been dismissed as another inane quasi-rapper. The novice MC faces an arduous challenge of escaping […]

Onyx: Cold Getting Dumb
In the world of crime investigation a cold case is defined as a crime or accident that has not been solved and is not the subject of current criminal investigation, but for which new information could emerge from new witness testimony or re-examined archives. As the times change its possible that new technology or a […]

Joe Budden: Psycho Ward
Joe Budden is Hip-Hop’s equivalent to Neo in the first Matrix movie; an average guy who discovers his potential for greatness and goes forward to achieve his destiny. Sure the Jersey City native was good at the time, but after the release of his self-titled debut album, fans were salivating for what was sure to […]

Industry Spotlight: Hustle 101
Ain’t nothing janky about the promoters these young filmmakers are documenting. The hottest college parties in the country go down in the ATLright in the heart of Atlanta University Centerand these aren’t your normal weekend benders. College students from across the country travel to Atlanta each year to get down and busy, and students as […]

DJ Premier: Grand Theft Audio
The soundtrack of Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto IV video game reads like a Whos Who in music. Everyone from punk icon Iggy Pop to Hot 97s own DJ Mister Cee is featured on this games diverse soundtrack. Thus, it would only be fitting to include one of Hip-Hops grand architects and production icon DJ […]

Ice Cube: Street Cinema
Ima put my money where my mouth is, says rapper Ice Cube of his decision to make his own Lench Mob Record his only recording home. While other rappers take the idea of independence only as far as some lip service or a stray mixtape, Ice Cube went all out. After years as a major […]

Kid Capri: Legendary Status
When Kid Capri speaks, the initial Hip-Hop excitement is still in his voice. Mostly though, The Bronx native is known for speaking with his hands as a legendary DJ and a producer for everyone from Heavy D to Styles P. Currently getting his own label, No KidN, up and running, Kid is slated to release […]

T.I.: Southern Gentleman
The T.I. that you read about in the media is presently the exact opposite of the T.I. that sits before you to discuss his upcoming album Paper Trail. Perhaps thats a continuation of his T.I. vs. T.I.P. alter ego, or maybe hes just growing up. T.I.s paper trail runs thick, including banknotes and legal documents, […]

Bushwick Bill: Growing Up
In order to describe Bushwick Bills past public persona, you would have to use words such as sordid, repugnant, or sleazy. Although standing 3 feet 8 inches in stature, the Brooklyn, New York native and former Geto Boys comrade has raised more hell in more cities than your favorite rapper. Stories of indecent behavior, drunkenness, […]

Asheru: Education, MCing & The Boondocks…
Gabriel Benn a.k.a. Asheru is perhaps best known for creating the theme song to The Boondocks, the irreverent comic strip turned animated series on Cartoon Network. But few are aware that this founding member of the underground Hip-Hop duo The Unspoken Heard has been working for over a decade, as a public school teacher and […]

Maino: Say Hello
Mainos rep on those Brooklyn streets is thorough. But while it may garner him a certain level of credibility (he speaks on that below), it doesnt have anything to do with making hit records. A few years back on the strength of Rumors, a brash, industry gossip smackdown of a song, Maino caught a deal […]

Ace Hood: Royal Flush
If you have had your ears anywhere close to the street within the last six years, you can hear DJ Khaled influence with artists like Plies, Rick Ross, Flo Rida, and T-Pain; all owing some of their success to the Miami music staple. It shouldnt have surprised anyone when Def Jam Listennned and gave Khaled […]

Isaac Hayes: Sampling Soul Brother #1
Isaac Hayes was a musical genius. Chances are if you check the credits you will find your favorite artist has rhymed over a Hayes assisted beat creation at one point or another. So selecting a small portion of Black Moses extensive catalogue thats been sampled by Hip-Hop artists and labeling it best is a fools […]

D-Boyz: Life After Cash Money
The D-Boyz are rappers Lac and Stone, former Cash Money Records artists with star power of their own. The duo recently released Life of a D-Boy on 404 Records (home to MJG) and the album is a throwback to the halcyon days of their former recording home. With features from Juvenile, BG and Lil Wayne […]

Young Jeezy: Hard Times
It takes a thorough and savvy individual to prosper during an economic downturn. Considering the current conditions within the music industry, Jay Jenkins certainly feels no pressure. But Young Jeezy has always made good out of any situation. Still under his original moniker, Lil J, he would make his name early on with his independent […]

Big Boi: Great Expectations
At this point in their career there is no reason to expect anything from OutKast and thats not a bad thing. Since their debut the duo composed of Andre 3000 Benjamin and Antwan Big Boi Patton, has consistently put out good music that the public didnt see coming. Did anyone expect the extraterrestrial edge of ATLiens […]

Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell: Its a Family Affair
Luther Campbell and Uncle Luke are two different people or so it may seem to the viewers of the new VH1 series Lukes Parental Advisory. As most of his fans know, Uncle Luke entered the national spotlight over two decades ago when he brought the California duo 2 Live Crew out to Miami to spearhead the […]

Hell Rell: Bet On Black
Dipset’s smoking barrel, Hell Rell is aiming to survive in this fickle industry where yesterday is referred to as back in the day. The inner turmoil that plague the once triumphant Harlem Diplomats has bared its ugly head resulting in a reported two million dollar sale of Juelz Santana to Def Jam, amidst Jim Jones’ […]

Bishop Brigante: American Dreamin’
The Bishop aint just up in church. A man of status of Scarboroughs saturated Hip-Hop scene, Bishop Brigante has cleared a spot for his name out of the brushleading him into a pasture laden with opportunity. You know youve heard of him. If youre looking for album names to tie him to, dont hold […]

Freeway Ricky Ross: Name Check
Whats in a name? Everything. It can be haphazardly given, a carefully contemplated nom de plume or even a wayward nickname that sticks, but eventually your name will come to represent the many facets of your being. “Freeway” Ricky Rossthe man serving out a bid in the Texarkana Federal Correctional Institution for drug traffickingtakes pride […]