Murs: H.U.S.T.L.E.
A decade of artistry surfaced for many people when Californias Murs linked up with North Carolinas 9th Wonder to release Murs 3:16 on New Yorks Def Jux label. One of the inspired listeners was film student with a mission to get discovered. A year and a half later, Murs song, Walk Like a Man has […]

Paul Wall: Smile For Me
Paul Walls smile costs a fortune. Perhaps he protects his investment in being a man of few words and many blinding smirks. The Houston rapper, who lives at Asylum/ Swishahouse Records,is on the fringe of releasing The Peoples Champ to more fans than hes ever had in his releases. With supporting appearances by Freeway, Screwed […]

Jamel Shabazz: When We Were Kings, A Time Before Crack
Crack. The name alone evokes a million thoughts. Many reading these words knows someone or is related to a person that has succumbed to the drug’s hypnotic grasp. Today Hip-Hop stands in the aftermath of one of the most deadly drug epidemics to ever hit the planet. In the new book A Time Before Crack, […]

One Be Lo: Travelin’ Man
While Eminem’s annual Anger Management Tour and Jay-Z’s Fade To Black make national headlines with their three-month concert circuits, touring is a way of life for One Be Lo. The Pontiac, Michigan native has been winning fans over with his live shows ever since he was named OneManArmy, one-half of Midwestern gurus, Binary Star. He […]

Lil’ Kim: The Naked Truth
Lil’ Kim is about to go away for a while. But, the pint-sized rapper isn’t leaving without leaving an indelible mark that will hold fans down until she returns from 366-day bid in prison. Kim’s new album, The Naked Truth, hits stores on September 27, and her fourth opus is already being touted as her […]

Q-Tip: Check The Time Y’all
In an industry dominated by new, young talent, it’s not easy for a rapper with a career spanning more than ten years to be taken seriously. Sure, that rapper would be respected, but not necessarily as someone who could drop a relevant album. Those who have tried, with the exception of a rare few, have […]

Katrina: Hip-Hop Reacts and Responds
“There were like bodies floating past my front door,” one New Orleans resident said weeping. “We did the best we could.” The masses remain shocked, stunned and saddened by the annihilation left by Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama. The Hip-Hop community was built on a foundation of struggle and anguish, but […]

Carnival Beats: A Family Affair
The Lone Star state is home to some of the most influential rappers and independent labels in the country. In the last few months, two of Texas’ own have debuted in top positions on the Billboard music charts. We all know that behind every great rhyme is a great beat. These two brothers have been […]

Youngbloodz: Beans & Cornbread
With so many new artists and musicians coming out of ATL, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with some of the town’s elder statesmen. The Youngbloodz have been on the grind since the late 90’s, but have yet to garner the praise that they deserve. J-Bo and Sean Paul have been through a series of […]

MC Lyte: Poetic Justice
Pioneer, icon, trendsetter. Any of these words can be used to describe one of Hip-Hops official first ladys, MC Lyte. These days however, shes feeling another title, author. As she ventures in to yet another medium to get her message to the masses, Lyte uses a tool that she has come to master-words. As an […]

Trick Trick: Wizard of Detroit
Trick Trick, the infamous independent selling artist from Detroit is as real as they come. He was framed for murder by the Detroit Police, fought the charge and beat it, so it is not surprising how thankful he is for his ability to hit the streets and the skies to travel, all be it for […]

Slim Thug: Duck Season
The last time AllHipHop.com featured Slim Thug, Already Platinum seemed like a political campaign from a president questionable. Already, Slim Thug has affirmed what Mike Jones showed early, and what Paul Wall is likely to punctuate that Houston is beastly in the 05 Rap Game. It hasnt been since Lil Flips commercial boom […]

Rev Run: Distortion To Static
Reverend Run needs no name on the program. The man who has long proclaimed anywhere to be his house, can certainly make a bid to say so about Hip-Hop. But any doubts gained from the Crown Royal project, are said to be made up for on the forthcoming, Distortion. Besides blessing fans with a new […]

Sheek Louch: Back Taxes
Yonkers own Sean Jacobs, better known as Sheek Louch, has always prided himself as being one of the streetest MCs in the game. Though he and his partners from the Lox have yet to sell millions and millions of records, the streets still stand at attention whenever they speak. To some, Platinum in the streets […]

Lady of Rage: Waiting to Exhale Part Two
AllHipHop.com: When you left Death Row, what was your relationship like with Rap? Lady of Rage: Basically, I was through with it. After Tupac died and Biggie got killed, it took the love away from me. It seemed like it was turning to something ugly. I didnt wanna be on stage performing with someone and […]

Lady of Rage: Waiting to Exhale Part One
Any man who has ever played the wall at a club can tell you theres nothing more refreshing than an assertive woman. In the world of Rap, its an understatement to say it requires assertion to come of age around Suge Knight, Dr. Dre, Snoop, and Tha Dogg Pound. The Lady of Rages pounding lyricism […]

Nervous Records’ Mike Weiss: Play De Selection
Nothing looks sweeter on a Technics 1200 platter than the classic yellow felt Nervous Records slipmats. Depending on your lifestyle, you might go with the Wrecked or Weeded variation, but these mats were a staple in chill-spots for my growing up, and my awakening to Hip-Hop. The Nervous logo and company manifesto has never changed. […]

Tom Silverman & Jazzy Jay: Give It Up or Turn It Loose
My, how times have changed. On the famous Tommy Boy label, Stetsasonics Talkin All That Jazz addressed controversy within sampling, and became an anthem for any producer getting served by Barry White or The Turtles. However, Tommy Boys music has always showed a higher appreciation for the records used to create their own classics. 45 […]

Merlino: Legal Hustle
While keeping it gangsta isnt a priority on Merlinos agenda, hed probably find it a lot easier than many of his Hip-Hop peers. His family had involvement with La Costra Nostra, one of historys most notorious organized crime families. The Merlino legacy goes beyond Philadelphia street storiesthe Merlinos are documented in The Last Gangster: A […]

The Pharcyde: Just Blazed
Since 1992, the Pharcyde has been lacing Hip-Hop heads with a conscious and alternative sound. When Delicious Vinyl dropped their debut The Bizarre Ride II, the Pharcyde established themselves as a pivotal force in Hip-Hop gaining support from not only fans but fellow artists as well although was not completely felt by critics. But it […]