While many media sources attribute the dawn of rap gangsterism strictly to the West Coast, are they not overlooking the pioneers of the East? Given his track record, swirled with rumors of shotgun-toting, record label office blasting, exec duffing, and keeping enemies in fear, Just Ice may’ve created the thug image that so much […]
Cincinnati producer, Hi-Tek, is proof that good things happen to talented people. Being slighted on one of his first musical projects still landed him in the right place at the right time. The right place to meet Talib Kweli and later spawn the duo Reflection Eternal, which greatly contributed to the branding of Rawkus Records. […]
For every “Wipe Me Down” there is a “You Make Me Better.” In 2007, after much media criticism on Hip-Hop’s separating the sexes with misogyny, objectification and male-dominated subject matter, there are plenty of hope stories in the mainstream and independent realms of the business. Foreign Exchange, born as a side-project between Little […]
Every city has one. That local star that seems to know all the radio DJs, can upstage most records in rotation with a breezy freestyle, and seems to capture the zeitgeist of the area code. In Philadelphia, Jakk Frost does it lovely. The West Philly-raised thirty-something left behind a deal at Sony Records several […]
Ever wonder, “Who is 9th Wonder?” Well, if you ask him he’ll tell you that he is a producer, DJ, lecturer, husband and father. So basically, he has the whole world on his shoulders. From putting in work in the studio with urban music’s top Hip-Hop and R&B artists, to spinning your favorite old school […]
For someone whose career is approaching the two decade mark, Diamond D is still Hip-Hop’s best kept secret. Starting as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in ’86, the legendary producer and MC has had, arguably, one of the longest careers in the game. One can hear the relentless producer’s beats on over 20 official […]
The DJ game is hot right now, just ask DJ Drama. Or better yet, ask the DJ who stands next to DJ Drama as one of the most powerful mixtape DJs in the mix right now, Superstar Jay. Winner of Justo’s “Rookie of the Year” award at the Apollo Theater, and MTV.com’s “Breakthrough DJ” in […]
“ Let’s Get This Paper” by Rich Boy Maybe you didn’t hear it; Rich Boy’s offering up more advice than just how to pimp your ride. The Zone 4 Alabama star vented on one of the final moments of his debut album, “Let’s Get This Paper” Overtop careful, choral production from Polow da Don, […]
Once upon a time, Brian Coleman had a great idea. He had already written for all these fancy-shmancy Hip Hop zines like XXL, Scratch, Wax Poetics, URB etcetera and had amassed all these classic records from his lifelong tenure as a true Hip-Hop fanatic, but still felt like he could do something even more extraordinary […]
Growing up in Boston’s ‘Murderpan’ sector, Cary “Big Shug” Guy has seen his share of struggle. At 14-years-old, Shug’s mom split, leaving him and his siblings under the care of their father, who at that time cared more about drinking than raising a family. Like most teens faced with tough times, Shug hit the streets […]
What qualifies a Hip-Hop producer as a legend in the game? Is it the longevity, the groundbreaking material, the awards, or the records sold? If it’s any of the aforementioned, DJ Toomp is undoubtedly a contender. Toomp doesn’t carry the flashy media image that some track wizards boast on their resumes, and you won’t see […]
Over-saturation has plagued Hip-Hop for the last decade, but it comes as a relief effort that Public Enemy has been good for almost an album year since their independency from Def Jam in 1999. Chuck D and his brethren have earned it – whether these works are written and produced by Paris, whether they’re […]
Since the release of their 1997 album, Uptown Saturday Night, the duo know as Camp Lo has always set themselves apart from other Hip-Hop groups. Fans got their first real taste of Bronx natives, Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede’s unique slang and word play on their first hit single, the Hip-Hop classic, “Luchini.” Since then, […]
Every month, AllHipHop.com is keeping tabs on the hottest producers and DJs throughout the nation with Real Talk. This month we are breaking bread with one of the hottest producers in Hip-Hop, Rsonist from the Heatmakerz; The best mixtape DJ, DJ Drama; West Coast’s DJ Skee; and the Prince of New York, DJ Self. […]
The creative mind of a producer is usually an untamed, uncompromising beast. That being said, it is easy to see how one could, at times, harbor the craft as his own, with contributing team members from time to time. Few have successfully formed a productive team that could produce cohesively as an intertwined hit-making unit. […]
Veteran rapper, Planet Asia, burst onto the Hip-Hop scene in ‘90s. Releasing twelve-inch singles such as “Place of Birth” and “Definition of ILL,” the rapper achieved success as a solo artist releasing a solo EP Planet Asia in 1998. Critical acclaim followed when How the West was One was released with Rasco under the name […]
When Hip-Hop opened its arms to Chubb Rock, it was clear to the world that the big man could do more than just look intimidating. Since 1984 he’s been making music for you to nod to. Although he’s known for party songs like “Treat Em Right” there’s alot more to the man formerly known as […]
Since Hip-Hop’s inception, there have always been rappers who have had the potential to be legends, but the unfortunate stars didn’t align in their favor. Grand Puba had the swag but no big push, The D.O.C. had the insane momentum, but witnessed his vocal chords crushed in car accident, and the list goes on and […]
Pastor Troy has been a staple on the Crunk scene for many years. Carrying the title with an official belt wrapped around his waist has made him hard to miss. With hits like “Visa Versa” and “We Ready,” he showed the industry he was a force to be reckoned with. In doing so, he bumped […]
As a member of Tha Alkaholiks, Tash dominated the party scene for the better part of the 1990s; making a name for him self by rapping about drinking beer, having fun, sex, and making fun of grandmothers. On the verge of releasing his second solo album, tentatively-titled Expensive Habits, Tash is trading in old party […]
