Quan: Man Up

“It’s another Warrior Song, from Nasty and Quan/ It’s to him I pass the baton, to carry this on” – Nas, from “Just A Moment” For Don Ferquan (better known simply as Quan), this cosign from one of the game’s all-time greats is the official genesis of an illmatic talent. Far from an overnight celebrity, […]

DJ Zxulu: Trial by Fire

“And I’m rap’s MVP, don’t make me remind y’all what happened in DC,” Game boasts on the remix to the 50 Cent remix of “Hate It Or Love It.” Those that monitor the Hip-Hop newswire can allude to what the Compton rapper is referring to. Even though the line isn’t specific, he could be threatening […]

Styles P: Choices

Styles P stares at a crossroads. Styles P, one third of Yonkers Rap triple threat, The LOX along with Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, is prepping to release his new album Time is Money in April. After shining on Akon’s “Locked Up Remix,” Jadakiss’ “Why? Remix” and countless mixtape cameos, Styles insists the highly anticipated follow […]

Cormega: Delayed Testimony

Like Large Professor’s LP, insider critics always revered Cormega’s debut, The Testament as the greatest Hip-Hop you never got to hear. That notion has now changed. Def Jam never bothered to release ‘Mega’s debut in the late 90’s, but Cormega acquired his album almost a decade after its original inception. Deep into his career with […]

Dame Dash: Revival

Despite his flamboyant public persona, Dame Dash’s image is reeling. It’s suffering in a way that would destroy most men. But, this is Dame Dash, the same person who contributed to one of the mightiest rap dynasties in Roc-A-Fella Records, brought out the fresh-to-def clothes, the liquors, the films, and every side venture that could […]

Nas: Open Book

Nas’ life is hardly an open book, but slowly, but surely the pages are starting to turn. The Queensbridge rapper has had a seismic shift in his life, priorities and has begun to let the public into his life. It started with his groundbreaking album Street’s Disciple. It offered songs with his father, odes to […]

45 King: True Spin

45 King is the Reggie Jackson of Hip-Hop. Whenever anybody needed that sound, that drum loop funk, that gusto – there was the 45 King’s name. His is a name that found its way onto all the big labels during the Golden Era: Wild Pitch, Tuff City, 4th & Broadway. The Bronx-born DJ went on […]