By the beginning of Ronald Reagan’s two term tenure in 1981, Hip-Hop had already learned from an early age that the system was against it. Birthed in the Bronx, Hip-Hop’s home had witnessed a cross-town freeway pummel through half of its borough, and the other half go up in flames caused by faulty electric wiring […]

Many believed that B.G. could never outdo the success he experienced in 1999. “Bling, Bling” was a global anthem that even had the Oxford Dictionary heads bobbin’, as The Hot Boys became a means for B.G. to permeate the charts, year ‘round. By the new millennium however, B.G. left Cash Money, the rapper battled drug […]

In Hip-Hop, nothing is promised. Archie Lee was the first artist to release an album on Swishahouse Records seven years ago with Da Mista Masta. However, the album failed to give the label the push they needed to break out of Houston, and Archie soon left. When Lee returned to Swishahouse in 2005, Paul Wall, […]

Julito McCullum has firmly made his run for greatness and The Wire is his race track. The 16-year-old actor has more performance credits than he’s got years in school, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and the Oprah-approved movie Akeelah and the Bee. On The Wire, Julito plays Namond […]

When Russell “Stringer” Bell died on HBO’s The Wire, it was as if somebody we all knew was tragically murdered. He was the suave, even-tempered businessman that just happened to run a highly successful drug operation, along with Avon Barksdale (played by Wood Harris). He was also arguably the show’s most engaging character up until […]

When AllHipHop.com first interviewed Jamie Hector in the Spring of 2005, he was beginning to make his mark as drug lord Marlo Stansfield on The Wire. Like his quiet, watchful character, Jamie is a man of few words – but when he does speak, people listen. While Jamie is definitely as ambitious as Marlo, the […]

Wearing the multiple hats that he does, those labeled manager, father, mentor, grandfather; Mathew Knowles is a man who pays attention to the evolving world in which we all reside. As had it not been for Grandson Daniel, his most recent venture, Kidz Rap Radio may not have been topic for discussion. And as a […]

Don’t let the pretty face fool you – at least that’s how the old saying goes. Too bad some of the characters on The Wire didn’t know better when baby-faced Snoop rolled up on them. The benefactor of the seemingly innocent smile that masks the world-weary teen assassin is Baltimore native Felicia “Snoop” Pearson. The […]

At first glance, Michael K. Williams’ stoic, unflinching gaze can make you think twice about approaching him. Despite any possible intimidation, ardent fans of the character Omar Little on The Wire can’t help but to express their excitement when Michael walks into a room. His ‘round-the-way appeal makes him more relatable to the streets than […]

Building an empire is no easy task. But that’s exactly what rhyme czar Ill Bill has been doing ever since he hopped on the microphone. Whether it was representing Non Phixion, one of the most underground respected and politically charged Hip-Hop groups of recent years, tackling a solo career, pushing his label Uncle Howie Records […]

Wood Harris knows about paying dues. He’s got a Master of Arts from New York University, and his acting roles range from someone’s sidekick to a crime boss, to the greatest guitarist of all time. Now he’s making his way in the world of music as well, and it’s safe to say that Wood has […]

Putting out an album, managing The Runners, and hosting the number one night show in South Florida, DJ Khaled forced the entire country to Listennn in 2006. But it wasn’t just the fans who were listening to Khaled, it was the entire industry. Expanding his influence from the 305, Khaled became the DJ other DJs […]

“He was not only the Godfather of Soul, but the Godfather of Funk and Rap. Music will never be the same.” – Ice Cube A godfather  sponsors our baptism into the world we live in. One whose relation to us is defined not by our physical but of our soulful nature.  A patron who spiritually […]

If ever I believed Hip-Hop was Dead in 2006, Murs’ Murray’s Revenge single-handedly changed my mind. A Metro City, Los Angeles native, Murs has a story that is arguably less fabricated than your toughest gangster rapper from any coast, let alone the West. He’s seen the bullet and the damage done, the decaying communities and […]

Admit it – you’ve made plenty of those “New Year’s Resolutions” with the best of intentions, only to have them fall by the wayside before you know it. It’s been said that good intentions pave the road to hell, and some of us know that all too well. In honor of our imperfections, we got […]

Major Label Albums of the Year: King by T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic) After two successful albums – and a debut flop, T.I. crowned himself with his fourth full length in early 2006. Bolstered by the synthed out Roberta Flack sample for “What You Know” and Crystal Waters-inspired "Why U Wanna" T.I. songs asked many questions, that […]

Best Mixtapes of 2006: Best of The Roots by DJ J Period The Bay-meets-Brooklyn DJ did it to death this year, when he linked up with Black Thought for an official Roots jump off tape. With over 50 tracks, J Period added blends, rare verses, and remix material that helped show why Stetsasonic may’ve started […]

Artists We Expected To See, But Didn’t… Talib Kweli Listen! was all set to drop, and then Warner Brothers got cold feet about something. Was it a weaker first single? Was it the poor sales of Lupe Fiasco, Jurassic 5, and others in 2006? Nobody’s sure, but if Blacksmith is worth their salt, they’d better […]

Lupe Fiasco just might be okay. No, he didn’t sell the units he or Atlantic Records executives probably had hoped for, but the Chicago MC secured critical acclaim including a Grammy Nomination, with a homegrown debut album. Moreover, in a year where stunting, ass-slapping, and gangbanging were at the forefront, Lupe held down the lane […]

For over a decade, KRS-One has campaigned that “I Am Hip-Hop” in part of his “Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live” mantra. With that conviction, The Teacha had to feel some kind of way when friend and associate Nas declared Hip-Hop’s death with his recent album title. With his own latest […]