The RZA: The Kings Gambino
Robert Diggs is a visionary. Ten years ago the MC/Producer and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan known as The RZA reinvented himself as a binary masked superhero called Bobby Digital. Almost a decade later the world couldnt be more to Bobbys style. Cars drive around with digital ports to plug in encoded music and […]

Classified: For All Eyes And Ears
CANADA WEEK 2008 Doing great is a position STILL relatively unheard of in the Canadian Hip-Hop bizz. Nova Scotias Classified however, a name steadily hot on everyones tongue throughout his almost 15 year career, can realistically boast the status. Steady on the grind in mind and time, Class has spent more than the last decade […]

NYOil: Slick Talker
ALLHIPHOP CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCEDelivering the truth in both context and lyrical poise is Staten Island wordsmith NYOIL. Not a mainstream rapper by any means, his truth to ear lyrical approach spurns unworthy MCs that fluster the mainstream Hip-Hop scene. The rappers candor, and lyrical skills, has warranted him the label of a man not to be […]

Kardinal Offishall: Ambassador Imperial
CANADA WEEK 2008 Nobody is promised tomorrow, and if the upcoming album Not 4 Sale were to be Kardinal Offishalls last living representation, hed be content with what hes delivering the Hip Hop nation. Under Akons now established Konvict Muzik and with the hit singer/songwriter executive producing the project, theres no doubt Jason Harrow […]

Black Music Month: Hip-Hop Time Line 2004-2007
As if following some imaginary script, from 04 07, artists began to fall in line with their roles, Kanye West became the kid in school destined for greatness, but was way too concerned with his greatness, 50 Cent took on the title as the Hip-Hop bully who can’t help but still be charismatic and popular, […]

MJG: This Might Be The Day
When you hear legendary Hip-Hop artists 8 Ball & you should immediately think of a few things. There is the chronicling of their Space Age Pimpin lifestyles, their badge of putting Memphis, TN Hip-Hop on the map or their steadyfast resolve at only delivering their brand of raw Hip-Hop music despite watered down […]

The Game: Los Angeles Times
The Game is not retiring from the rap game. Well, he did not exactly say that during this interview, but if you read between the lines its pretty obvious L.A.X. is not going to be Game’s final curtain call. Kind of like Nas declaring Hip-Hop is dead in 2006, only to be dropping another album […]

Black (Hip-Hop) Music Month Timeline III: ’00 – ’03
2000-2003 introduced the question of what Hip-Hop had to offer in the new millennium. Hip-Hop already had a stronghold over music charts but there was still unfinished business. New artists were striving to claim their spot in rap history while veteran rappers were steadily revamping their sound and showboating their newfound lyrical growth. Who could […]

Immortal Technique: 3rd Eye Vision
Immortal Technique is a revolutionary. That title is heavy load to carry, but the Harlem born MC wears that badge with pride. A consequence of Techs insistence on actually walking the walk is that his fans have gone four plus long years since he dropped his last album, the searing Revolutionary, Vol. 2. Though it […]

OutKast’s MR. DJ: Dungeon Master
In 2008 you can find the lesser-known third member of OutKast, David Mr. DJ Sheats, doing grown man things. Whether that means exercising his green thumb outside in the yard or sweating in the kitchen getting his chef on, its all about maintaining his peace of mind. Tonight hes multitasking a meal of basil chicken, […]

Craig G & Marley Marl: Ultimate Alliance
It is one thing to come into the Rap industry as an astute pupil of the game; knowing the history and always paying respect to those who came before you. It is another when kids jump into the business clearly for reasons other than the love, in turn representing the culture incorrectly. The latter are […]

Streets Is Talking: MIMS
Ever wondered what comes with having one of the biggest songs of the year? Ask MIMS. The New York native gained national fame in 2007 with his hit single This Why I Am Hot. Featuring minimal production and a straightforward hook, whether you were in the South, North, East or West, the song was ubiquitous. […]

Blastmaster KRS-One: Flow Forever
KRS-One is arguably the most powerful voice ever heard in Hip-Hop, as far as both his literal voice and in his ability to move people. For evidence, check him out while he shouts Jesus was an African on the 1991 Boogie Down Productions release Live Hardcore Worldwide amidst a slew of the hardest BDP anthems. […]

Black (Hip-Hop) Music Month Timeline III: ’96 – ’99
Just because the rap universe took a few steps toward materialism and shiny suits, does not mean that Hip-Hop was not fully represented and in motion. The labels dominating Hip-Hop were shifting and artists were definitely becoming more open-minded. For the first time your favorite rapper wasnt afraid to test the commercial imits. For some […]

Bishop Lamont: Lord Willin’
A few years back Carson, CA native Bishop Lamont took the music world by surprise when Dr. Dre announced on L.A.s Power 106 FM that he had his eye on possibly signing the young star to his label. Quite a few artists have signed to Dres Aftermath label over the years but never before had […]

Black (Hip-Hop) Music Month Timeline II: ’92 – ’95
The early 90s spawned some of the most classic Hip-Hop albums still relevant to this day.1992-1995 foreshadowed the dynamic recording careers of iconic artists like Pac, Biggie, Snoop, Dr. Dre and more. Sure, Hip-Hop was heavily influenced by gangsta rap earlier in the decade but the fusion of newcomers from the east coast and other […]

The Struggle: Where Are the Female MCs?
Longing for the days of old is nothing new for Hip-Hop heads. The conscious, grimy, hustlin, party filled soundtrack of the last millennium have been replaced with todays swagger filled, remixed, R&B collabo (complete with vocoder) cuts. Despite these shifts, one thing that hasnt changed is the struggle of the female MC to stay as […]

Babs Bunny, In Her Words…
Right now Im just trying to get a whole new team lined up together. Im not on Bad Boy anymore, so Im a free agent, since January 1st. Im doing an online reality show. We about to start filming for that. We just trying to push the project [Ed. Note: As yet untitled], the album […]

Shakir Stewart: Def Jams New Hope (or, The Guy Replacing Jay-Z)
Last week it was formally announced that Shakir Stewart is the new Executive Vice President of Def Jam. While rumors had swirled for months after Jay-Zs departure from his Presidential duties, L.A. Reid and the team were already preparing Stewart for his new role in managing the business day to day.Stewart began his work at […]

Black (Hip-Hop) Music Month Timeline: ’88 – ’91
1988 marked the year that Hip-Hop took center stage. With the help of Yo! MTV Raps it became more than an underground fad and quickly moved onto becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It was the year that the parental advisory sticker opened the door to raps freedom of speech. It also marked the emergence of Hip-Hop […]