When crowning 2004’s hip-hop ‘man of the year,’ the obvious choices may be Usher or Kanye West, but, sit back and think about it for a second and the clear victor is Lil Jon. Producing a bulk of the year’s biggest hits, his track record this year speaks for itself: Usher’s “Yeah,” Ciara’s “Goodies,” Petey […]

Today could quite possibly be the most important day in America’s history. With the upcoming elections and the state of the world, it seems that Hip-Hop’s political consciousness, long thought to be dormant, has been reawakened. Between rapper’s making bold statements in their lyrics, grassroots Hip-Hop movements were mobilized throughout the country and the more […]

October 30, 2002 is a day that will live in infamy. That is the day Hip-Hop lost a giant, Jam Master Jay, due to a gunshot wound to the head in his Jamaica, Queens studio, blocks away from a police precinct. Jay’s death is symbolic to us. The anger that arose in America after those […]

The hype surrounding Shyne has dwindled but the rapper –still serving a 10-year jail bid – has thoughts on everything from the presidential election to 50 Cent to life behind bars. Still seeking an appeal for a first-degree assault conviction, here is what’s going on with Jamal Barrow. AllHipHop.com: Lets talk politics. Any thoughts? Shyne: […]

Ja Rule continued AllHipHop.com: What are your thoughts on Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles leaving Def Jam? Ja Rule: It’s business. That’s what they have to do to continue their business. I still speak to Kev, I still speak to Lyor, and they’re still my friends. AllHipHop.com: Has L.A. Reid been behind you since he […]

Ali Vegas has blessed many-a-mixtape in both the mainstream and underground circuit. Representing Queens, the same borough as Nas and 50 Cent, Ali Vegas has crowned himself the “Prince of New York City.” Paying his dues, this young MC was signed to a record deal when he was only sixteen years old and he had […]

Since the release of his solo debut in 1999, Ja Rule’s image has ranged from being the epitome of thug fabulous to becoming the poster child for Hip Hop pop crossover. In a seemingly never-ending trail of controversy, Ja Rule faced one of his biggest challenges when 50 Cent began taking serious jabs at Ja’s […]

The last time AllHipHop.com spoke to Talib Kweli, it was prior to the release of his highly anticipated sophomore solo effort, The Beautiful Struggle. In that interview, Kweli made it clear that he wished the journalism community would spend some time talking to him about his music, instead of his personal stances on things. Three […]

Olu Dara is the father of one of Hip-Hop’s brightest stars, Nas. Dara obviously passed some good genes and wisdom to his son, who has seen the heights of the rap industry. Dara himself is an accomplished trumpet player and member of the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame. Nas fans will recall his airy trumpet, […]

Roxanne Shante’s name recently surfaced and grabbed headlines due to a recent lawsuit she filed against R&B diva Janet Jackson. For those old enough to remember, Shante was [is] one of the most well known and well respected early figures from rap. As part of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, Shante, at the tender age of […]

There are not many rappers that release their debut albums under a dark clouded sea of controversy. Guerilla Black is one of those rare artists, but he is obviously not concerned by the extra attention. In fact, it is his full intent to use the negativity and spin it into a positive sales and marketing […]

How many of 2000’s releases stay in your car? While KRS was certainly right when he denied the criticism that Hip-Hop was a phase, how many of our Rap records are timeless? With all the money invested, how much are artists investing their souls in a project? And with so little room left on the […]

After an exhaustive search, I managed to find Willie D of the world famous Geto Boys. In my July ’04 editorial, I let it be known. If you missed it, please take a moment to reacquaint yourself to my views on the H-Town legend. The D was infamous way before Houston exports like today’s Lil’ […]

Ask any real Hip Hop head, and they’ll fondly recall the reign of Natural Elements. In the late 90’s, L-Swift, A Butta and Mr. VooDoo brought the underground to life as the Indie-Era was coming to an end. By the year 2000, Natural Elements had killed their short-lived career with Tommy Boy Records and the […]

Legendary hip-hop names Russell Simmons and Notorious B.I.G., besides their iconic status, have a link between them that is known only by the experienced culture follower: respect and awareness of the one and only, R.A. The Rugged Man. Without ever releasing an official album, R.A. has endured through a career that would make for a […]

R.A. The Rugged Man – Industry’s Nighmare Part 2 AllHipHop.com: These next lyrics relate to popular producers, as well. “Alchemist, you’re still my little buddy, even though you stole that Royce Da 5’9 beat from me.” R.A.: He just remade a beat that I had made. Me and my boy Kap stayed up one night […]

On November 8, 2002, two complete strangers came together and smacked the s**t out of the streets! Bronx-native, Craig Davis and Queens-native Smack united to create Smack DVD, which means Streets, Music, Arts, Culture and Knowledge. Smack DVDs have become one of the hottest commodities on the streets, whether bought, borrowed or bootlegged. Craig, Smack […]

It’s widely proven that the Hip-Hop generation fills the seats in movie theaters. While we might talk during the film, or leave our cell phones on, we love cinema. Throughout the last decade, Hip-Hoppers of all sorts have supported two of our own, Allen and Albert Hughes. Since their early years as music video directors […]

Slim Thug is the absolute embodiment of the hustler mentality. Not only does he tell you that he sees Hip-Hop only as a means of getting cash, he actually out-hustles those who steps in his realm and eats better than most off the land that he cultivates. The Houston native loves his cash more than […]

For an entertainer, Fabolous has been through a lot in the last couple years. With crossover success, he’s seemingly had more encounters with the police, who seemed to be on convert operations against the BK rep. Nevertheless, no legal adversity thrown at him stuck and Fab offers the state of affairs as Real Talk, his […]