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 […]

It’s already known that without any struggle there isn’t any progress. Yung Berg can attest to that. At only 21 years-old, Berg has a resume that would have any up and comer jealous. Already aware of the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, Yung Berg is making sure his plan to take over is […]

Mistah F.A.B. may be riding a yellow bus to school, but he brought his homework. The Oakland disciple of Mac Dre’s Thizz Entertainment and Hyphy movement is backed with knowledge of grassroots marketing, social awareness, and a history of the rap around him. After five years of regional building through DIY releases, the 25 year-old […]

A quick trip down memory lane will remind even the most casual of Hip-Hop fan, that at one time commercial endorsements were taboo. The popular commercial of a bankrupt MC Hammer elicits laughs now, but last decade he was virtually shamed out of the industry after pitching everything from soda to buckets of fried chicken—of […]

The road to success and stardom as an in-demand Hip-Hop producer is a long one, especially when you’re a young kid from Canada. But 27-year-old Marco “Polo” Bruno has been putting in work for years, from growing up in Toronto listening to Kool G Rap albums to engineering studio sessions with artists like Talib Kweli […]

Minneapolis-via-Madison, Wisconsin MC Brother Ali may be the longest “Overnight Sensation” in years. After releasing a self-produced demo in 2000, Ali joined up with Rhymesayers and dropped 2003’s critically-acclaimed Shadows on the Sun. Since then, a divorce, custody battles, poverty and homelessness have all dropped Ali’s way, and the rapper hasn’t been shy about dealing […]

After nearly two decades in the game, Little Louie Vega is a legend on the House music scene. He has taken his unique brand of soulful, uplifting House all over the world, making him one of the most prolific and celebrated Dance DJs to come out of NYC. As one half of production duo Masters […]

Lil’ Flip has come a long way since his days as a teen freestyle wiz in Houston. With a solid decade of recording experience under his belt, he’s also been subject to some of the worst nightmares any artist could have. From being shot in 2002, to being sued over the Pac Man sample in […]

When you’re ballin’ out of control, both literally and figuratively, it’s probably pretty easy to lose your focus. Although most of us may never know what it’s like to be in the highest tax brackets, we have done everything within Hip-Hop culture to swagger ourselves into that image. Minnesota Timberwolves’ point guard Troy Hudson, a.k.a. […]

Five years ago, every artist carrying a Shady Records contract was a star. After the Anger Management Tour, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, and D12 all achieved platinum status, not to mention their invincible leader Eminem. After 2004 however, despite adding acclaimed producer Alchemist to the mix, neither critics nor consumers have gravitated towards the upstart […]

Four years ago, I spoke to Rosco P. Coldchain on a rushed Arista Records press day. Advance copies of the album were mailed, The Clipse/N.E.R.D. buzz was still white-hot, and the North Philadelphia MC appeared that he was a walk-on starter with Star Trak, having only a few short months barring him from stardom. Those […]

Though it’s been several years since his untimely passing, Hip-Hop has yet to find another Ol’ Dirty Bastard. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the odds of ever finding him again are slim-to-none. Name another rapper who bumrushed The Grammys, allegedly got held up by Diddy’s goons, then saved a little girl […]

“Dear Mama” by 2Pac (1995, Out Da Gutta/Interscope) If “Keep Ya Head Up” made 2Pac an ally to women, “Dear Mama” delivered him lovingly to the ears and hearts of mothers, daughters and sons. This brutally honest effort puts the iconic artist very close to Marvin Gaye, for his intimate introspective verses. “Mama Said Knock […]

In Hip-Hop, reinvention can be harder than getting recognized in the first place. While Zev Love X was able to later mask himself as underground superstar MF Doom and the Genius scratched the surface of what would become GZA, both examples are well over a decade old. DJ Quik arguably needs no reintroduction. Few could […]

Lately it seems like music is getting less and less relatable, unless you’re driving fancy cars or slangin’ drugs. Many folks are just listening to music from a purely “outside looking in” perspective. Bronx-born Chaundon is trying to bring a point of view into music that more people will be able to relate to. His […]

Much of the Hip-Hop community feels like the recent wave of condemnation are aggressive maneuvers to starve a younger generation out of creative existence. Rev. Al Sharpton doesn’t want to dictate expression, but he does want to obliterate certain terms from our collective. Some agree, and many sharply disagree. A small group of rappers like […]

  What do you do if you’re in the middle of the ocean on a boat and your friends tease you about how they think you can’t swim? Well, Akon’s tour DJ and producer Benny Demus a.k.a. Benny D found himself in that very predicament when he decided to jump off the boat to prove […]

How far can a joke on Hip-Hop go? According to Ivan Matias, far enough. Matias is the wizard behind the invention and rhymes of Jason “Caushun” Herndon, Hip-Hop’s first openly gay rapper. Garnering media attention for an openly gay MC proved to be no small feat. After calling into Hot 97’s Funk Master Flex’s show […]

Whether sales are through the roof or below average, one thing that remains constant at all times with G-Unit is drama. Minus the infamous awards show melee, Young Buck usually plays it cool, staying below the gossip radar. Now with recent allegations of members of the crew assaulting a minor, unsanctioned truces with enemies, and […]

AllHipHop.com: How did you come out about speaking to Game to dead the beef? Young Buck: I was on a promotional tour for radio. I was making sure that all my records get played around, being I got a hit record “Get Buck.” Once I got to L.A., the politics of the music had people […]