Steve Rifkind has always been two steps ahead. Whether it was pioneering the street team, playing an instrumental role in the discovery of Wu-Tang Clan and Akon, or creating amicable contracts with his artists, all had a heavy Rifkind hand. Fifteen years after Loud Records started, Steve now creates BattleRap through his old, original website. […]
In the year 2007, it’s safe to say that the South has risen again, but just north of the dirty dirty still lies the South’s best kept secret. Little did the world know that when 9th Wonder emerged on the scene four years ago, with a remix of Nas’ God’s Son album, he would spark […]
Few artists have pushed the b-side, remix and rare track as hard as a group such as The Hieroglyphics. There is a conglomerate of b-side and remix material floating around on vinyl in record stores across the world that Hip-Hop can thank Hieroglyphics for. And the mere fact that the group is constantly recording, […]
It’s often difficult to understand knowing a collective just as much for its brilliant b-sides, remixes and rare tracks, as knowing them for its actual albums. Where most Hip-Hop artists struggle to remain relevant in a music market that is constantly pushing product, The Hieroglyphics are known for pushing their own product on their […]
A celebrity Black father of six (who all live with him) owns and maintains two restaurants, a club, several residential properties, and performs around the world while still making it to family night every Wednesday. The first name that comes mind is probably Bill Cosby. But growing up in a strong family structure isn’t just […]
On an 80-degree Philadelphia evening, The Lifesavas are chilling in the green room of Philadelphia’s Khyber bar venue. Huddled around dozens of untouched Heinekens on ice, the Portland, Oregon trio is focused less than an hour before they perform. The veteran artists are touring their second album, the recently-released Gutterfly. With its ‘70s themes, George […]
What goes around, comes back around. A&Rs, artists, and even a few magazine editors turned down Nate “Danjahandz” Hills in his long come-up behind the boards. Boy, what a mistake. Starting with Hills’ heavy hand in “Put You onto Game” from the Compton rapper’s debut, the comibination of Timbaland and Danja has been an organized […]
You know the story. Nine shots couldn’t stop him; he took them and smiled. He flipped his real life trauma into multi-platinum plaques and took over the game in one fell swoop. Four years later, after his monster debut Get Rich Or Die Trying, Curtis Jackson is in a true position of power. Considering he […]
Interesting things happen when Sa-Ra Creative Partners start to trip. In 1996 co-founder Om’Mas Keith visited California to meet up with his soon-to-be group members Taz Arnold and Shafiq Husayn. As the story goes, Shafiq’s Crown Victoria ran out of gas and the group had to walk to a local gas station and later to […]
Whether or not you rock with Southern music, you can’t knock the hustle of underground artists who manage to build their fan base with little support from major players. Baton Rouge, Louisiana natives Lil’ Webbie and Lil’ Boosie hold some of the strongest street appeal in their region, and have taken their flare for new […]
You don’t need Rakim on the remix to tell you that in hip-hop, the truth hurts. The truth is, twelve years ago, the Oakland duo of Yukmouth and Numskull got it in as The Luniz, and still hold one of the biggest records to ever come from the Bay in “I Got Five on It.” […]
Outsiders who can vividly picture Harlem owe that image to Barry Michael Cooper. The man who wrote New Jack City, Above the Rim and Sugar Hill made his New York youth cinematic, and perhaps provided the drama and tension that so many mid-to-late ‘90s rappers used in their verses. A former Village Voice journalist-turned-Hollywood heavyweight, […]
AllHipHop.com: Your film that changed me was actually Above the Rim. It’s the only reason I ever played ball in school. However, it’s not a “basketball movie.” The relationship of Kyle and his mother made the movie much greater than the basketball. What commentary were you trying to make? Barry Michael Cooper: Benny Medina, Jeff […]
A decade ago, it was arguably Twista who first became the cliché “favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.” With his Guinness Book of World Records lightning fast delivery, the Chicago star was a well-kept secret, from the now-defunct Big Beat Records, an Atlantic company. His 1997 album Adrenaline Rush remains a cult classic, that spawned styles in […]
Raised by illicit codes and by men who truly epitomize bona fide OGs, this Queens subject was looked to be carrying New York Hip-Hop on his back once upon a time. To him, he still is. Utilizing what his contemporaries may consider the modern day media curse, Grafh, leaked a tester of his up and […]
Longevity is a hard thing to attain in Hip-Hop. Artists come and go while crews dissipate. There are only a select few who have weathered the storm. It’s almost hard to believe that Flipmode Squad, the musical crew founded by Busta Rhymes, has been around nearly 13 years. In that span, the sound, the artist […]
When Eve Jihan Jeffers stepped onto the scene eight years ago, no one could predict what the future had in store for her, but it was obvious she was unique and destined for success. She evolved from a Hip-Hop artist to a sex symbol to an actress in both movies and television. And in light […]
Rock Star Energy Drinks might have a new soundtrack, according to Shop Boyz member Rasheed “Sheed” Hightower. The Atlanta trio’s “Party Like a Rock Star” caught the suburbs last month, and when it joins up with a reported campaign from the Red Bull competitor, expect it to be the draw to sip your way out […]
Nicknamed “Cocaine,” Big Kuntry has had dead presidents represent him for years. The Pimp Squad Click member has known T.I. since the mid ‘90s, and though rap fans are still getting to know him, the Grand Hustle artist might be the Tony Yayo of his click: he’s older, street savvy, and has lots of personality. […]
They may dub themselves The Underdogs, but the production duo consisting of Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas is anything but sub-par. Getting their start in two of music’s most revered production teams, Mason and Thomas developed a team of their own in 1999. To date, they have worked with a number of R&B […]
