T.I.: Royal Rumble

Finally, a battle that goes back to the roots of the battle – a title. T.I. called himself, “The King of the South,” and all across the southern states, MC’s took offense. Most notably, Houston’s Lil’ Flip stood up. In the last six months, T.I. returned from a bid, to reclaim his throne. In doing […]

Krondon: Don’t Compare

Those that say the West Coast’s Hip-Hop is slippin’ just aren’t looking hard enough. Take The Strong Arm Steady Gang as a case study. The team of Xzibit, Mitchy Slick, Krondon and Phil Da Agony (and others) are running rampant on the streets out Left. They’ve managed to carve a niche as a unit and […]

Lil’ Wayne: New Jack City

Some would argue that there’s lil’ to understand about Lil Wayne. Others have proved differently, keeping Lil Wayne around longer than many of his counterparts. In either case, Wayne is releasing a benchmark album in his life, and speaking on topics that will raise a few eyebrows. AllHipHop.com caught up with Weezie to clear up […]

Jake One: Breakin’ Beats

When most people think about Seattle, gourmet coffee and the birth of Grunge Rock often come to mind. Producer Jake One plans to change that thought process. Still relatively unknown, he has supplied various artists including Rasco, G-Unit and Rah Digga with beats. His passion for his craft is evident. Jake still holds down a […]

RJD2: The Main Ingredient

Columbus, Ohio’s RJD2 first earned a name for himself with 2002’s Dead Ringer, an engaging and creative instrumental hip-hop album that quickly garnered massive critical acclaim and put him in the upper echelon of the genre. After numerous side projects and remixes, he recently released Since We Last Spoke, a wildly eclectic album that focuses […]

The Passion Of Kanye West

"Like a Prayer," Roc-A-Fella CEO Dame Dash pleaded to MTV brass as if it were 1989 and his artist’s video was Madonna’s religiously loaded and intensely controversial clip. But Kanye West is no Madonna and, according to Dash, the network offered only limited airplay to the second version of the rapper’s video for "Jesus Walks," […]

MF Doom: Unmasked

He gave you Operation: DOOMsday and Vaudeville Villain, and now MF DOOM, along with the layered production of Madlib, gives you the long awaited collaboration album, Madvillainy. Awkward and beautiful; revealing and whimsical – Madvillainy was met with many classic reviews (including AllHipHop.com) and is again proof of why MF DOOM’s unique delivery, superb lyricism, […]

Diamond D: Dope On Plastic

AllHipHop represents for those who can recite a verse from beginning to end, those who quote lyrics to explain serious life situations, and those who have an arsenal of punch-line snaps in their raps. But AllHipHop has just as much love for the producer. From eight bar loops, to live instrumentation, to the Triton, we […]

Kon & Amir: Archaeology

Sampling is back, but who are we really cheering on? Some popular producers may have pocketed a way to get the radio and video markets to play sample-based tracks. But before its new resurgence, Kon and Amir mastered the art and appreciation for classic records with classic sampleable elements, and doesn’t lift them at all? […]

Common: When War Meets Peace

While most artist decide to dedicate 16 bars to Jacob’s pricey jewels or whatever reality lies in the street, Common reflects a more socially aware side of Hip-Hop.  Drawing from a more organic blend and shunning conformity, The Chicago native has carved his own niche – even if it causes critical chatter.  Obviously, being different […]

Young Buck: Efil4aggin

Young Buck has done more dirt in his tumultuous 21 years than, than most will endure in their entire life. Hell, one might think he’d be labeled “Old Steed” rather than Young Buck based on life experience. Regardless, as one of the celebrated factions in G-Unit’s lyrical militia, he’s the next bullet out the chamber […]

Ghostface: Change Gon’ Come

Ghostface (Killah) is one of hip-hop’s champions of consistency. And he’s continuously blessed eager listeners with bars that provoke thought, twisted faces and head nods. But after 10 years, Ghost is going through changes, which these days is commonly referred to as “grown man s**t.” As a lot of surface rappers remain identical to their […]