Artist: LudacrisTitle: The Red Light DistrictRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone When you’re a rap superstar in the vein of Ludacris, life seemingly becomes one big party; money flows in with ease, girls drop to their knees at the sight of you, weed piles up by the dime bag, and gallons of liquor equal […]

Artist: ChingyTitle: Powerballin’Rating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Clover Hope When Chingy delivered the memorable (and inescapable) chicken-head-dance anthem “Right Thurr” and the ladies joint “One Call Away” a year ago, he had the backing of his mentor Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace. Now removed from his secure constituents since his sophomore release Powerballin’ (Capitol), Chingy […]

Artist: k-osTitle: Joyful RebellionRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Clover Hope Anytime an artist professes to be both emcee and vocalist, problems arise. One of the two talents is either poor or mediocre at best, or equally suppressed. But the Trinidadian-born, Toronto-bred rhyme specialist k-os effectively satisfies both criteria with his sophomore album Joyful Rebellion (Astralwerks), the […]

Artist: Justus LeagueTitle: Triple Play EPRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Since the early 2003 release of Little Brother’s incredible debut The Listening, North Carolina-based collective Justus League has been crafting refreshing doses of vintage Hip-hop amongst the Dirty South’s crunk overload. While LB members 9th Wonder and Phonte have been gaining widespread exposure due […]

Artist: XzibitTitle: Weapons of Mass DestructionRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman Xzibit sold out! That is what many fans have been saying since Mr. Pimp My Ride has blown up on a national level the past two years. Now back with his fifth album, Weapons Of Mass Destruction (Sony), Xzibit is out to […]

Artist: DJ SnickaTitle: Biggie Blendz (Mixtape)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Robert DeGracia It took long enough for longtime New York City club DJ Snicka to compile a Notorious B.I.G. project. With 10 years of mixtape production under his belt, including mix-heavy tributes to Mary J. Blige, Kanye West and Jay Z., Biggie Blendz is a playlist […]

Artist: Bizzy BoneTitle: Alpha And OmegaRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman From the brutal murder of his brother and partner in rhyme, Adrian “Capo” Parlette, to Bone Thugs~N~Harmony kicking him out the group, Bizzy Bone has certainly dealt with his share of adversity the past two years. This pain, anguish and frustration is never […]

Artist: DiplomatsTitle: Diplomatic Immunity 2Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios Within the last few years, there has been a new regime coming up in the ranks of Hip-Hop. Through their constant flooding of the mixtape circuit and the more recent launching of their record label, The Diplomats have become a staple in the […]

Artist: El-PTitle: Collecting The KidRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Coming up as part of the seminal New York City underground crew Company Flow, avant-garde producer extraordinaire El-P has carved a comfortable niche for himself courtesy of his successful label Definitive Jux. Crafting mind-bending backdrops on Cannibal Ox’s incredible exercise in atmospheric B-boy music, […]

Artist: T.I.Title: Urban LegendRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone For Atlanta native T.I., confidence is a trait possessed in bulk. While a rapper boasting of his or her ability is standard practice in today’s game, T.I. has taken this assurance to the level of proclaiming himself as the King of the South. Some may call […]

Artist: BeansTitle: Shock City MaverickRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Max Herman On Beans’ sophomore album, Shock City Maverick (Warp Records), this left field MC/producer sounds like he just stepped out of a time machine that visited the Bronx in 1980, and 2020. This former member of Anti-Pop Consortium utilizes a unique combo of primitive and futuristic […]

Artist: Lil Jon & The East Side BoyzTitle: Crunk JuiceRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Orisanmi Burton As the official ambassador of “crunk” to the world, Lil Jon single handedly propelled his underdog label TVT Records to the top of the Billboard Charts with the release of his second full length album in 2002, Kings of […]

Artist: C-Rayz WalzTitle: We Live: The Black Samurai EPRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Shawn Lawrence James When the lyricist known as C-Rayz Walz (pronounced see-ray-zee-walls) released his 2003 debut, Ravipops (The Substance) he instantly became the carnivorous cynosure of the indie powerhouse known as Definitive Jux. Known for its famished demeanor and an argosy of […]

Artist: Trick DaddyTitle: Thug Matrimony: Married To The StreetsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios With Miami on his back since 1998, Trick Daddy Dollars (He put the dollars in his pocket) has held down the MIA in a fashion that is only second to Uncle Luke. His heartfelt Thug Life testimonials (“Amerika,” “Thug […]

Artist: Ying Yang TwinsTitle: My Brother & MeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Yama After TVT Record’s platinum success of Me & My Brother, the Ying Yang Twins have released the quasi follow up, My Brother & Me (TVT). The 10-Track remix CD includes a bonus DVD with videos and performances for true Ying Yang Twins fans. […]

Artist: Snoop DoggTitle: R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Jozen Cummings Let’s forget all the hyperbole about Snoop’s illustrious 12-year career in Hip-hop; it has no place in an album review, it belongs in a Hip-hop history book. Rather, let’s stick to current events. Snoop Dogg has a new album, R&G Rhythm and Gangsta: […]

Artist: Kutmaster KurtTitle: Redneck GamesRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman Best known for his work with the legendary Kool Keith, artist/DJ/producer Kutmasta Kurt has long been revered as one of the underground’s hidden talents. While he has dabbled in the limelight by producing classic remixes for the Beastie Boys’ “Body Movin” and Linkin […]

Artist: Handsome Boy Modeling SchoolTitle: White PeopleRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jesse Fairfax Prince Paul has been long revered for his zany humor and creativity which knows no bounds. He’s the mastermind behind De La Soul’s golden days, MC Paul Barman’s It’s Very Stimulating EP, and the concept albums Psychoanalysis and A Prince Among Thieves; […]

Artist: NasTitle: Street’s DiscipleRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Already an undeniable great in Hip-hop’s still growing annals, Queensbridge veteran Nas has consistently elevated the lyrical bar over the past decade. Even when his albums came under question (like 1999’s conceptually-misguided Nastradamus), his verses rarely came under scrutiny. Having arguably KO’d Jay-Z in one […]

Artist: L.G.Title: Industry Co-Sign II (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jayson Rodriguez The Lord’s Gift has blessed us with his presence. L.G., as he’s otherwise known, is a Brooklyn upstart who toes the line between the Boot Camp Clik and Black Star. Armed with a gruff flow, the Source Magazine’s Unsigned Hype alum is equally […]