If you look up the word Semtex in the English dictionary, you would find the definition: A general-purpose plastic explosive. But ask anyone from the UK to define Semtex and you would get: Hip Hop Radio/ Tour DJ, Def Jam UK Head A&R/ Marketing Honcho and UK Music Ambassador. With an insight in both the […]

Regardless of any current trend in Hip-Hop, Styles P continues to remain one of the street’s most provocatively blunt and respected lyricists over time. His career and personal life has seen many changes since 1998. He went from being a Bad Boy to being a Ruff Ryder, from getting jiggy to getting high, from enjoying […]

Having already garnered an extensive fan base worldwide, an impressive catalog of recordings, and amassed individual album sales far beyond the 500,000 mark, Kansas City, Missouri’s own reigning rap champ, Tech N9ne, unbelievably, is still not quite a household name yet. Although He has continually toured around the globe, been featured on platinum soundtracks, and […]

Can Lyrics kill? That’s the question of the new era of Hip-Hop. Artists who possess lyrical flow and swiftness sometimes blow concepts and words right over the heads of the masses like a leaf in late autumn. In a time where hooks and beats seem to rein supreme, lyrics in many cases, have taken a […]

So you just bought a Cadillac… what are you going to do? Throw some D’s on it, of course! Alabama native Rich Boy is making some noise with his hood anthem, but don’t let the subject matter fool you – there’s a lot more to him than what meets the eye. After a stint at […]

When Slum Village needed a post-Jay Dee sound, they found comfort in two fledging Detroit producers, Young RJ and Black Milk. Known as BR Gunna, the duo not only produced slept-on gems like 2005’s self-titled Slum album, but they also released Dirty District compilations that keep that D’s name alive on the underground. Through all […]

UGK is one of the most long-standing, well-respected groups in Hip-Hop history. After years of being tucked away Port Arthur, Texas, these southern secrets have maintained a catalog of hits that have inspired the dope boy magic and trap rap from most of today’s stars. Even when Pimp C was locked up the last few […]

They go everywhere, watch everything, and listen in to some of the most intimate conversations that take place in the industry. Trailing the artists and managers everywhere they go, they have some of the best access to the real insides of Hip-Hop. This is the life of a two-way pager, you might be reading this […]

As a videographer for Damon Dash during the decline of Roc-A-Fella, Arthur Alston known within the industry as “Choke No Joke” captured many a moment on camera that The Death of a Dynasty failed to depict. Showcasing his documentary I am Choke No Joke throughout the country and with plans to take it overseas, it […]

Everything has its side effects, including success. Juelz Santana is learning this the hard way as he speaks about the title of next project, a Lil’ Wayne collabo, Can’t Feel My Face. Slowly growing numb to success, the Harlem bred MC finds himself having to elevate his game to even higher levels so that he […]

One artist of countless rappers wants all that the world can offer a Hip-Hop talent. Miami’s Grand Scheem is not only gunning for global radio waves, but he’s zeroed in on the Top 40 market to start – remarkable aspirations. Furthermore, the Pakistani-born rapper is not offering bling. He’s bringing social and political commentary in […]

Throughout Hip-Hop, there are record executives and several rappers that have instilled fear in the hearts of many. Behind the turntables, the same may be true of Kay Slay. Still, “The Drama King” didn’t use those tactics to get into the industry. Instead, the East Harlem native has been involved in Hip-Hop for four decades, […]

While there’s a while slew of artist coming out of the south these days, we haven’t had that one artist or group that just speaks for hip-hop in quite some time. Our generation has definitely had a few, most notably groups like Outkast, 8Ball & MJG, and UGK. These groups have managed to appeal to […]

While the new faces of Rick Ross, Dre, and Plies have popped up in Florida, another rapper has scouted the real estate of Miami success for the last four years. Although his album, El Mariel did not hit shelves until 2006’s fourth quarter, the presence Pitbull saw primetime exposure by way of “Born N’ Raised” […]

F Few can forget the classic bridge of Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours”. People at house parties and clubs got low to ground immediately when they heard “engine engine number nine…” erupt from the speakers. That song still fills dance floors 15 years later, whilee the duo of Dres and Mista Lawnge failed to […]

Before there was music, there was madness. BMF has maintained one of the largest followings in contemporary urban America. However, after Demetrius Flenory, aka Big Meech, was arrested last year and millions in assets were seized by the DEA, Bleu Davinci was left to run BMF Entertainment on his own, finding himself alone to deal […]

“God, please pardon your son, my mind was young and my feet were unable to outrun where I’m from.” Yello begins his first book, Respect the Jux, with this fitting quote. A onetime thief, Yello saw his life of crime come to an abrupt end when he was arrested and decided to take the blame […]

As the end of the year approaches, labels are scrambling to drop a slew of heavy hitters hoping to rake in that last bit of bread before ’06 is a wrap. Among them, The Game, Young Jeezy, The Clipse, Pitbull, and Lil’ Scrappy are holding it down for the new jacks and Jay-Z and Nas’ […]

From charity moves to the timeless tradition of good football and family love, everyone has their own special turkey day story – even some sad memories. In celebration of Thanksgiving – or Thankstaking, as illseed likes to call it – we asked some artists, actors and DJ’s what their most memorable moments were. B.G.: Thanksgiving […]

There’s a difference between trying to send a message and actually speaking from experience. Storm the Unpredictable brings feel-good Hip-Hop while embarking on topics that culture enthusiasts of any age can relate to. Not only because of the subject matter but because of the way it’s done. Dope beats, well-composed lyrics and random doses of […]