It’s bigger than rap. It’s much larger than any brand of clothing, record label of the moment, or 16-bar quotable. If Hip-Hop is life, are we living correctly? What is the voice of this generation of music-makers saying? More importantly, does what we see on screen accurately reflect our surroundings? And are we motivated to […]

H aving traveled around the world and back again during his 20 years in the game, New York’s very own DJ Scratch is on a mission. This mission isn’t impossible, it is totally viable. He wants his home city to be recognized for quality music. That want is made clear in his recent Busta Rhymes […]

As the well-known freaky tale goes, Too $hort’s multi-platinum dreams started in the streets of Oakland. Close to a quarter century later, the after-effects of Todd Shaw’s still-monumental achievements still reverberate throughout the Town (as the city is affectionately known), and on blocks all over the country. Whether it’s encouraging the current generation of Hyphy […]

S hawnna has been “gettin’ some” for almost a decade – props, that is. While Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace brand made Shawnna an artist that registered with a Southern, audience, this Windy City native dropped a group album nine years ago. As one-half of Infamous Syndicate, Shawnna was rushed into the studio, and later displaced […]

Things should be good for Obie Trice. The artist’s debut album, Cheers, managed to sell over 500,000 copies. He’s a part of the reigning Shady/Aftermath machine and he’s about to release his sophomore album after a three-year sabbatical. But, Obie Trice has a bullet lodged in his head from an attempt on his life in […]

T hroughout his career, Guru has rhymed in allegory. Classic material like “Now You’re Mine” and “Just To Get a Rep” never used names, but let driving words teach valuable lessons on life. Three years after Gang Starr made their last record, Guru reflects on the last chapter in the group’s life and the lyricist […]

C leveland has never been thought of as a hotbed for musicians. Figures such as The O’Jays, Avant, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony have had profound impacts on music, but only through associations in bigger cities. With a Sony Records contract and a localized approach, Ray Cash envisions a change to this trend. Using Lebron James’ young […]

W hen Cee-Lo Green and Danger Mouse began recording what would become Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere in 2003, the uncanny pair simply envisioned a pet-project that they could possibly shop to an indie label. Three years later, their debut song “Crazy” is a record-breaking, genre-jumping single in the UK that just started infecting American airwaves, […]

S ome people have all the luck while others get a raw deal. Smiley the Ghetto Child has been devoted to Hip-Hop for over two decades, and he just released his first album. Fans may remember Smiley as the guest verse on Group Home’s#### 1995 single, “Tha Realness.” Just days before appearing in the video […]

T here isn’t just one Mike Watts chopping and screwing his records. While one might be more recognizable than the other, Philadelphia’s Mike Watts isn’t changing his name anytime soon. In fact, the two artists shared legal counsel at one time, and acquaintances in Houston’s Lil’ Troy. While some might be quick to judge the […]

Between the success of Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug, Swishahouse Records was a proud father of artists in 2005.. However, as Chamillionaire and Slim Thug fared well without the label at times, Mike Jones has also recently been declaring his own independence. Michael “5000” Watts and G-Dash say otherwise, and responded to comments […]

L ady Sovereign may be 5’1” tall, but don’t underestimate this young woman’s fierce presence. The self-proclaimed “biggest midget in the game” created such a stir on the underground UK scene, that it persuaded Jay-Z to bring her over the pond to a Def Jam/Island Records contract. Some critics forecast this union of unique talent […]

MC Shan’s albums vanished from record store shelves 15 years ago, and yet he is party to one of Hip-Hop’s most celebrated battles. When cousins Shan and DJ Marley Marl released “The Bridge” in 1986, they soon found themselves with a big slab of beef on the grill. KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions stood up […]

D re envisions a solo career. As half of Cool & Dre, the Miami hit-maker has watched his status rise with each single the pair places on a top-selling album. After last year’s “Hate It Or Love It,” a collaboration with The Game and 50 Cent, the Miami duo has schooled other artists on how […]

As artists like 50 Cent, Cam’ron and Papoose created legitimate careers from the mixtape culture in varying degrees. So has Balance. The Bay artist rose from the ashes of the 90’s decline in his underrepresented region. Under the tutelage of the legendary EA-Ski, Balance’s verses received prime placement on mixtapes, even in the competitive rigors […]

Hip-Hop loves a leak, for better or worse. Whether it’s a crowned veteran or the proclaimed leader of the new school, early access to albums is always in demand. Even if the response is overwhelmingly positive, the labels aren’t as enthused as the fans. For example, Ras Kass’ Van Gogh and Large Professor’s The LP […]

I n Los Angeles’ notorious Watts section, Jay Rock is bidding for the spotlight in the West Coast rap revival. This artist might not have the prolific personnel backing of peers like The Game or Ice Cube, or the highbrow affiliations like rookies Bishop Lamont and Glasses Malone. But, Warner Brothers has taken a chance […]

C elebrity publicists are almost as famous as the superstar clients they represent – they’re the hottest trend! For superstar rapper Lil’ Kim, her PR accessory is Tracy Nguyen. It is Nguyen who appeared in the background of BET’s reality show, Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown. The series chronicled a time in Kim’s life that […]

Check out part two of AllHipHop.com’s Mike Jones interview… AllHipHop.com: What’s good with Paul Wall? I heard he just had a baby. Mike Jones: Yeah. Congrats to Paul Wall. He just had a little boy. I hit him on the day he was born. AllHipHop.com: Can you get into your Punk’d episode? Mike Jones: You […]

M ike Jones was the only student of Houston’s 2005 graduation class that has experienced platinum success [Who Is Mike Jones.] despite the region’s industry takeover. Jones swears he was also the stepchild of the lot, which included acclaimed artists like Paul Wall, Slim Thug and Chamillionaire. A budding mogul, the rapper says he’s now […]