LL Cool J: Nice Guys Finish First
What comprises a legend? Some would say it’s commitment. That one’s chance at leaving a legacy hinges on the dedication to their craft and diligence in perfecting it Others say it’s heart. That one’s passion drives them to do whatever necessary to guide them to that supreme success. Lastly, there are those that insist legends […]

Floyd Mayweather & Zab Judah: Hip-Hop, Boxing & Beef
On April 8, 2006, The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and HBO pay-per-view, will host the biggest battle between two Hip-Hop-like individuals since the war between Jay-Z and Nas. This time the opponents have just as much at stake, and it ain’t going down on wax. During their teenage years, former comrades turned […]

Willie D: Bell Ringer
Any Geto Boys fan and Houston rap aficionado will tell you, Willie D is a bad dude. But theres six professional boxers and a certain Hip-Hop legend who got The Message first hand. Thats because Willie Dennis brought the same energy hes brought to the mic for the last 17 years, into a short, but […]

Roy Jones Jr.: Of Love & Boxing
To some, Roy Jones Jr. is the best pound-for-pound boxer of all time and the 90s. Hes made history as the one-time Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight boxing champion. He struck silver at the 1998 Olympic games, even though most feel he was robbed of the gold. Ever the warrior, the Pensacola, Florida […]

Murs: Dreamchaser
Murs is a hustler. Sure, plenty of people make the claim these days, but few have his work ethic. As a full-time MC, A&R, and host on Current TV, the man is everywhere. He has released 11 solo projects in 10 years, and contributed to several more albums as a member of the groups Living […]

MC Eiht: Unstoppable Gangsta
April 4th marks the release of MC Eihts 19th album including his collaborative work with Comptons Most Wanted, Spice-1, and even an alias album under the Tony Smallz moniker. While thats awe-inspiring in deed, whats much more impressive is that MC Eiht can recall the lyrics to anything hes recorded and comes prepared […]

Stack$: Phantom Menace
How many rappers get a six-figure car before they release an album or even turn 25? Living in the already ultra-expensive Miami, Stack$ is one of them. Maybe a greater question could be Is that Hip-Hop? Stack$ record label, Sobe Entertainment thinks so, as they market their young hopeful around his car in […]

Sa-Ra Creative Partners: One Nation Under a Groove
What must it have been like back in the early 40s for Max Roach to have contributed to making Be-Bop a dominant force in Jazz music. Hanging out, making music with the likes of Kenny Clarke, creating new rhythms that changed the sound of music and ever evolving and growing with icons like Dizzie Gillespie, […]

Project Pat: Back In Business
Thanks to the Oscars, mainstream America may just be finding out, but Memphis has been holding their own on the music side of the things for a while now. Part of the Hypnotized Camp Posse, which also includes Three 6 Mafia, Lil Wyte, and newly added Frasier Boy, Project Pat has played an essential role […]

I.N.F.O.: What’s the 411?
The movement created by the New York rap collective The Diplomats appears to be gaining more strength each year, and as the Dipset drops more albums and gains bigger exposure, their projects seem to include an increased number of unknown producers looking for shine. Its from the Dips penchant for soliciting the work of new […]

Three 6 Mafia: Award Tour
Five years ago, Three 6 Mafia fans would have their fingers crossed watching the Source Awards on UPN. In 2006, the Memphis Tennessee boys took home Oscar gold – on the biggest night in Hollywood. As a result, their songs rose to the top of the iTunes charts and Most Known Unknown got a second […]

T-K.A.S.H.: Made in America
At 27 years old, T-K.A.S.H. sounds well beyond his years in wisdom. Aligned with Paris, the Bay Area radio personality and MC has a major agenda. Hes scaring the streets straight with true-life experiences of his time on the curbs, mixed with his education on a better tomorrow. In person, theres nothing scary about T-K.A.S.H. […]

Paris: Public Enemy Number One
F or sixteen years, Paris has held the mic like a grudge, as his records have approached just under four million sold. Contemporary Hip-Hop may seem far removed from the socially and politically challenging records of the early 90s, but the themes arent. Sleeping With the Enemy dealt with a Middle East war, a Bush […]

Chuck D: You’re Gonna Get Yours
IIn their independence, Public Enemy has released some outstanding albums. Still, according to some critics, those albums struggled to reach the masses. For the last two years, there has been talk of Public Enemy allowing their creative vessels to be directed by Bay Area legend, Paris in Rebirth of a Nation. This album, written and […]

Andy Milonakis: Real Talk
T he opening theme to the Andy Milonakis Show with the shows namesake spitting such balderdash as, I got peas on my head but dont call me a pea-head, bees on my head but dont call me a bee-head, isnt very convincing of a b-boy. But Fat Joe, Lil Jon, the Ying Yang Twins, and […]

Ma Barker: Big Bad Mama
O nce upon a time in Hip-Hop, there was a King and his Queen who lived happily together, working closely with their family making music and ensuring they continued to provide nourishment for their fans. Then one day a figure from the Kings past began to play two-way games with him, thus enraging the Queen. […]

Lake: One Never Knows
O n May 23rd, Lake and Cormega are releasing a collaborative album. Two Queensbridge street legends converge at different stages in their rap careers: one, a hood platinum Hip-Hop veteran, the other, a talented rapper out to prove his lyrical worth. Normally, the table would be set for an interesting conversation piece. But like his […]

J-Love: Love is Love
Q ueens, New York native J-Love brings a whole different flavor to the mixtape game. Rather than chase whats hot, J-Love frequently pays homage to past greats and living legends. Most recently, J-Love linked up with artist, La the Darkman for Return of the Darkman. Though an unlikely decision to some, this furthers J-Loves reputation […]

La the Darkman: Back for the First Time
O ne rapper who seemingly has lived up to his name is La the Darkman. After moving 300,000 units independently on his Heist of the Century debut, La vanished because of personal conflicts. In 1998s freshmen class, a lot of Las peers are no longer making music. Quite probably, many of them took day-jobs. La […]

Prozack Turner: Re-Up
P rozack Turner knows how quickly things can change. When DreamWorks Records signed the Bay area native in 2002, he seemed destined for success. A generous advance and recording budget allowed him to bounce across the country to work with Pete Rock, Organized Noize, J Dilla, and the Alchemist. The production Dream Team helped Prozack […]