Artist: 7L & EsotericTitle: DC2: Bars of DeathRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone The combination of a producer/DJ and an MC has been a proven formula for quality hip-hop since the musical genre’s conception. Gangstarr, The High and Mighty, and Jedi Mind Tricks are a few of the groups that have been met with […]

Artist: KRS-OneTitle: Keep RightRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios There is no denying Blastmaster KRS-ONE’s significance in Hip-Hop. The Bronx legend has blessed us with several classics during his historic career as part of Boogie Down Productions (Criminal Minded) and for self (Return of the Boom Bap), while simultaneously playing a pivotal role in […]

Artist: The RootsTitle: The Tipping PointRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jason Newman When The Roots released their sixth album, Phrenology, in 2002, the general consensus was that while great moments were there, it left you more scratching your head than nodding it. Two years later and enter The Tipping Point, a partial about face to […]

Artist: White BoyTitle: No Gray AreaRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine Milkbone was a somewhat cool name in its time. Yeah, it dealt with the obvious. Granted, that was 1995. A decade later, any rapper calling himself White Boy is creating an elevation to the treadmill of the industry (I mean did Black Child ever […]

Artist: The U.N.Title: U.N. Or U OutRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone The Wu-Tang Clan once asked the question, “Can it be that it was all so simple then?” Turning on the radio or flipping on MTV these days conjures up this intriguing question in the minds of hip-hop purists, with the majority of rap […]

Artist: Ground Original Presents…Title: ClaimstakeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: N. Context If you missed DJ JS-1 and Dub-L’s first go around with Ground Original: Level One, here’s a second chance for you to get a first impression with Ground Original Presents: Claimstake. This independent production duo first began making waves by releasing break records and 12″ […]

Artist: Mr. ComplexTitle: Twisted MisterRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dev 1 “Let me ask you a question, do you listen to hip hop?” “Who is your favorite rapper?” “Is it underground or commercial?” “Is it male or female?” This pertinent set of questions defines the intro to Mr. Complex’ sophomore long player Twisted Mister. Needless […]

Artist: Lloyd BanksTitle: The Hunger For MoreRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Javid You can never get enough of a g-g-good thing. It appears that’s what Lloyd Banks has judging from his first solo album, The Hunger for More. Ask anyone circa 2002, what they thought of the boy wonder and you would have gotten some […]

Artist: Slum VllageTitle: Detroit Deli (A Taste of Detroit)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Not many groups in this rap game have had to endure as many setbacks and roadblocks as Michigan’s capital representatives Slum Village. Founding member T3 and his current partner Elzhi have weathered a long storm since 2000’s Fantastic, Vol. 2 received […]

Artist: SharkeyTitle: Sharkey’s MachineRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: A.P. Ghetto King General In Hip-Hop, if an artist is called diverse its usually because they are trying to crossover. Well, when it comes to Producer/DJ Sharkey, that’s not the case. Sharkey is an up and coming DJ out of DC that has taken the diversity of […]

Artist: Most WantedTitle: Ring The AlarmRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jayson Rodriguez During the late ‘90s, the City of Brotherly Thugs re-introduced themselves to hip-hop with hardcore rappers such as Beanie Sigel, Murda Mil, and Major Figgas. But while those Philadelphians wallowed in their wicked upbringing, Philly’s Most Wanted got jiggy with it. Their Neptunes-produced debut […]

Artist: DujeousTitle: City LimitsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine Just as there appears to be a sampling Renaissance, there is an extension – a Renaissance of the Hip-Hop musician. N.E.R.D. finally made an imprint on the masses nearly a year after their debut release, The Roots prepare to outdo their most popular album and M.O.P. […]

Artist: Starving Artist CrewTitle: Up Pops The SACRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Dev 1 We are all acquainted with Detroit by the likes of Eminem, D-12, Slum Village, and Royce da 5’9”. However there is something new brewing from the depths of the underground. Enter the Starving Artists Crew with their album Up Pops the SAC. […]

Artist: RJD2Title: Since We Last SpokeRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine Without a doubt, RJD2 was Hip-Hop’s favorite new producer of 2002. His debut album Dead Ringer was arguably the year’s best instrumental Hip-Hop album. On top of that, RJD2 grabbed his crotch and got behind his MHz crew, producing most of Copywrite’s debut LP (The […]

Artist: ConsequenceTitle: Take Em’ to the CleanersRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: 45th Street Black Throughout Kanye West’s recent ascent as a reputable rapper, Consequence has been part of his inner circle, dropping noticeable verses of his own (“Spaceship”). On Take Em’ To the Cleaners, Consequence proves his crisp rhymes bars seasoned with acerbic wit and […]

Artist: Erick SermonTitle: Chilltown New YorkRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Javid Is hip hop really a different form of rap music? Ask the average rapper in the game for longer than a decade and their answer will probably go something like, “man, these young cats don’t know about hip hop…this started in the parks. Run DMC, […]

Artist: JadakissTitle: Kiss Of DeathRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Whether or not Jadakiss possesses an abundance of lyrical skills has never been the question that has plagued the Yonkers-bred member of the Lox. For skeptics, the main reason why Jada hasn’t been able to reach superstar status is his limited subject matter, rarely opening […]

Artist: 8 Ball & MJGTitle: Living LegendsRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Javid When Eightball and MJG first signed to Bad Boy Records it was like Karl Malone going to the Lakers, you knew he’d been doing it for a minute but how would he fit on the leagues shiniest team. How would Malone the all-star veteran […]

Artist: M.O.P.Title: The Mash Out PosseRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Remmie Fresh I’m no workout fanatic, but I’m trying to get better. Whenever I did workout, it was driven by hardcore music. In the early 90’s I was driven to lift weights by the Geto Boys and their superior brand of gangsta/shock rap (“Mind of a […]

Artist: Masta KillaTitle: No Said DateRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Maintaining a level of obscurity amongst his more outgoing Wu-Tang Clan brethren, Masta Killa has remained the legendary group’s silently consistent representative. Appearing on the majority of his fellow Clan members’ solo projects, a guest verse from this monotone-pitched MC is like a stamp […]