President-elect Barack Obama’s landmark 2008 presidential run not only galvanized the nation, but ignited a renewed sense of political awareness and music from Hip-Hop artists.                 The noticeable trend began slowly at the end of 2007 through artists such as Common and Talib Kweli, both of whom publicly supported Barack Obama’s then perceived long shot […]

Jay-Z’s plans to add the title of hotelier to his ever-expanding empire has been halted, the New York Times reports.   The rapper/mogul’s planned J Hotels, which was scheduled to break ground this year, has been postponed indefinitely, as New York’s real estate development market takes a heavy hit.   The luxury hotel was proposed […]

Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Music imprint has dissolved its distribution arrangement with Warner Brothers Records.   The Brooklyn MC confirmed the split to AllHipHop.com today after rumors surfaced online that he had been released from his contract with the label.   “My label Blacksmith is no longer distributed by Warner Brothers, which means they will not […]

Detroit’s Trick Trick, the self-proclaimed “villain” of Hip-Hop, made himself one of the culture’s biggest talking points this year courtesy of one-sided feuds with Yung Berg and the gay community.           Over the summer, talkative rapper Yung Berg was mercilessly beaten and relieved of his trademark Transformer chain mere moments after stepping into Trick’s Plan […]

The Dancehall fraternity suffered a severe loss early Friday morning: Just hours after most celebrated life and love on Christmas day with family and friends, dancer, Ice, was murdered.   “Ice,” real name David Alexander Smith, was best known for his internationally acclaimed “Gully Creeper.”   The dance took the world by storm after Bad Boy’s […]

14 years ago, a shooting happened that forever altered the course of Hip-Hop history and the lives of three of its most significant artists – Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean “Diddy” Combs. On November 30, 1994 Tupac Shakur was shot five times, pistol-whipped, and robbed in the lobby of the Quad Recordings Studios […]

Police in Denver, Colorado are investigating a shootout following an E-40 Concert that left five people wounded last night (December 26).   According to police, the shooting occurred around 2:00 am outside of the club as it closed, after E-40 had performed without incident inside the venue.   Local residents in the area have stated […]

Coming off winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007, 2008 was supposed to follow with more accolades as Jennifer Hudson made her long awaited return to music.   Instead, the singer/actress, who garnered a healthy buzz for her debut album with the lead single “Spotlight,”  found herself on the receiving end of a major […]

Despite serving time in prison, Sacramento, California rapper X-Raided is laying the groundwork for a series of upcoming projects.   In a statement issued from Pleasant Valley State Prison, X-Raided confirmed that he will release another installment of his Unforgiven series with his forthcoming album Eternally Unforgiven.   According to the rapper, the album has […]

Oscar-award winning singer/actress Jennifer Hudson is coming out of seclusion to honor singing icon Neil Diamond with a Grammy week tribute performance.   According to reports, the entertainer will take the stage February 6 at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala.   The event, which will be held at the at the Los Angeles […]

Keeping it real may be cliché in Hip-Hop, but the philosophy behind the statement remains the backbone of many rappers. For Rick Ross, keeping it real was put to the test as the Miami-based rapper’s credibility came into question amid allegations concerning his background. The rapper, who is known for his gritty rhymes about street […]

Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka announced an ambitious, $1 million dollar charity offer for the city of New York to redesign the iconic New Year’s Eve ball.   The bold offer is the latest example of the brand’s ubiquitous presence in New York’s Time Square.   Just the eight days before […]

Early reports from Baton Rouge, Louisiana indicate an unfortunate accident has killed a 2-year-old child at the home of rap star Lil Boosie.The tragic accident occurred Tuesday afternoon (December 24) when a man accidentally ran his car over his own daughter. The accident allegedly happened just after 5PM, and the young girl succumbed to her […]

If 2008 stands as a year for moving forward,  then Lil Wayne is well into the future. As the year’s most celebrated rapper, the New Orleans-based lyricist also earns the title of most controversial with nary a month going by without a headline.   In January, Lil Wayne was charged with of felony possession of […]

Mistah F.A.B. has partnered with Bay Area talent manager turned TV personality Dame Fame, to create a unique new alternative outlet for teens in and around San Francisco area.   The two have developed a new cable access dance show geared at high school students.   The new show, Live!, was conceptualized as a means […]

They lived the life most rappers only fantasize about in the booth. For nearly five years, the Black Mafia Family flaunted their lavish lifestyle, barely covering up the illegal activities that afforded them that life. This year, an unraveling that started in 2005 came to a close. Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and his brother Terry […]

With the support of Hip-Hop tycoon Russell Simmons, DJ Whoo Kid debuted the next phase in his career on Tuesday (December 23) with the launch of RadioPlanet.tv.   The new website will offer viewers 24-hour access to exclusive interviews, sketches and music videos, in a way that Whoo Kid says will change the face of […]

Hosea Thomas was sentenced today (December 23) to 66 years in prison for the murder of Philant Johnson, best friend and assistant to Atlanta superstar T.I.   In May 2006, assailants stalked T.I.’s entourage following an after-hours party at the Club Ritz, located in the Roselawn section of Cincinnati, Ohio.   Along highway I-75 the […]

In a way, 2008 could be called the year of the Hip-Hop comeback. Several well respected “Old School” acts made a return to the limelight this year, many announcing plans for new projects. The first to announce such a comeback was Heavy D, who tested the waters in January with his performance as a rapper […]

Hip-Hop Soul queen Mary J. Blige and rapper Jay-Z are at the center of a new federal lawsuit involving allegations of song theft.   According to the suit Jermaine Jumpp and Michael C. Adams, claim they gave a “compact disk” to the “office” of hitmaking producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, that contained a song called “On […]