The Heatmakerz: Flame On!

There are certain songs that have longevity in the clubs. These are called 2 o-clock records, because at 2 AM, when the party is just hitting its peak, these are the songs that get thrown on. “Dipset Anthem” was one of those songs. The Heatmakerz, a Bronx-bred production team who’ve been behind much of the […]

Remy Martin: The Champ Is Here

During Jay-Z and Nas’s battle of boasts, Jay would often compare their lyrical tirades to boxing. Although his comments were made partially to quell the fears of another battle potentially going wrong (Biggie/’Pac), for the most part, his assertion was correct. For instance, rappers spend just as many hours recording in the studio as boxers […]

Nas Part 2: Fear & Loving

It’s been ten years since the prophet of hip-hop breathed new life into the game with the release of his instant classic Illmatic. Dropping science, dropping emcees and sometimes even dropping the ball, Nas takes it all in stride as he prepares to release a double disk CD to celebrate the past decade of delivering […]

Nas: Street’s Disciple Pt. 1

Since Stillmatic, Nas has been continuously beating life into heart of Hip-Hop. Recent tracks like “Get Down” and “Thief’s Theme” proof that rap courses through his veins. Known for his reserved ways, Nas rarely talks about the insides of the game, not to mention his life. Usually, it’s all business and music. But, Nas has […]

Jim Jones: Diplomatic Immunity

Whether he’s traveling the country, pent up in the studio, strategizing the next corporate hustle, or just out on the daily grind with his Dipset fam, Jim Jones knows that his role in the world doesn’t stop at ‘artist’. The capricious Capo of Harlem’s heavily hyped Diplomats crew never sleeps on opportunity, and he’ll be […]

Mase: Lord Willin’

Hip-Hop’s prodigal son has returned. Mase exited the rap game five years ago after experiencing tremendous multi-platinum success with his album, Harlem World. He was Bad Boy Records’ marquee artist during the windfall after the death of Biggie Smalls. Before his sophomore CD, Double Up, emerged a couple of years later, Mase had hung up […]

Lil’ Flip: Down & Dirty

Flip is coping with success the best way he can. After a decade’s worth of grinding, he moved to major status and has dealt with the roller coaster called fame. With a local following threaded in street credibility, there was beef and rap tofu knocking on his front door. In a recent interview with AllHipHop.com, […]

Banks & Buck: Pop & Politics Pt. 1

Over fifteen years ago, rap deity Dr. Dre helped birth N.W.A., one of the most radically active groups of all time. The Compton-based collective was armed with “street knowledge” and so are their descendents Young Buck and Lloyd of 50 Cent’s G-Unit. N.W.A. and G-Unit’s intellect manifests itself in different ways, but don’t assume these […]

Papoose: Focused Lyrically

It’s commonly understood that first impressions are of the utmost importance. This old adage can easily be applied to new MCs hoping to make names for themselves in this fickle rap climate. Coming with simple punchlines and on-beat freestyles are a thing of the past, especially after hearing ‘Alphabetical Slaughter” by Brooklyn resident Papoose. Running […]

AZ: Classic Material

AZ is vintage. Not Urban Outfitter-manufactured vintage, but genuine, back of the thrift store vintage. From his classic verse on Nas’s “Life’s a B***h” to his pairing with the QB vet on the Grammy-nominated “The Essence,” the Brooklyn-bred emcee has always embodied the sound of an influential era. Mid-90s New York, to be exact. But […]