Artist: Kon & AmirTitle: The CleaningRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sharpeye Washington<font face="verdana" size="2" Hip-hop started with the DJ. So if that course of events holds true, it’s safe to say that diggin’ for beats has been a major part of authentic hip-hop culture from its inception. Kon & Amir are world-renowned beat diggers, getting […]

Artist: Jedi Mind TricksTitle: Violent By DesignRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Heralded by underground heads and SoundScan ignorers as a classic when it originally dropped in 2000, Jedi Mind Tricks’ sophomore disc Violent By Design assaulted listeners with a clearly one-sided darkness that made commercial attention as likely as a Joe Budden and G-Unit […]

Artist: Method ManTitle: Tical 0: The PrequelRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Branding his 2000 sophomore effort with the title Tical 2000: Judgement Day may have been a bit premature for Method Man. In actuality, the release of the long-delayed and heavily speculated Tical O: The Prequel is shaping up to be the true day […]

Artist: Okay Player:Title: True Notes, Vol. 1Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios There is a point in time during an artist’s career where recording and performing isn’t enough. Ownership is now a necessity for longevity in today’s music industry, and The Roots have followed suit. With the recent formation of their label OkayPlayer Records, […]

Artist: TajaiTitle: Power MovementRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Boudreaux The Love Child It’s been 11 years since Tajai Massey and his crew of energetic brothers in rhyme, that would be Souls of Mischief (SOM), released their classic debut 93 til’ Infinity and helped showcase Cali’s burgeoning freestyle/battle rap culture on a national level. With that […]

Artist: CormegaTitle: Legal HustleRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Having endured a dramatic career worthy of reality television, Queensbridge native Cormega has comfortably positioned himself in rap’s underground scene. After being neglected and eventually dropped by Def Jam, quietly pushed out of rap super-group The Firm, and engaging in long-term verbal combat versus former associate […]

Artist: ShambhalaTitle: The Lotus Of…Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dev 1 For many of us, the extent of our knowledge of the Washington D.C. music scene circulates around the musical art form known as Go-Go. Let me tell you, of all places, don’t sleep on the Mid-Atlantic! Simply put, the region that encompasses Virginia, Maryland, […]

Artist: DJ Nu-MarkTitle: Hands OnRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine DJ Nu-Mark doesn’t get much credit. As one of the best DJ’s in Hip-Hop, Nu-Mark shares duties with DJ Cut Chemist as part of Jurassic 5. Together, that makes a team as strong as Wyclef and Jerry “Wonder” Duplesis. Nu-Mark maintains the lower profile of […]

Artist: Vast AireTitle: Look Mom… No HandsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Mark Cilantro There is a fine line between avant-garde and wack. Always has been. It is scary to think that a few bad reviews and Thelonius Monk would be have been another weird piano player from Rocky Mount, NC (what up Uncle Junior). But […]

Artist: KreatorsTitle: Live CoverageRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine The Kreators have every reason to be in the vocabulary of the average Hip-Hop head, yet they aren’t. They were once signed to Atlantic Records in a time when the majors went slumming for underground talent a la Dilated Peoples and Prozack Turner. The Kreators were not […]

Artist: The Gift of GabTitle: 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going UpRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Fat Tony As a part of the Bay Area independent Hip-Hop scene, Gift of Gab (along with partner Chief Xcel) first made his mark as a member of the groundbreaking group Blackalicious in the early ‘90’s. Along with artists like Latyrx […]

Artist: Petey PabloTitle: Still Writing In My Diary: 2nd EntryRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine The face of the South’s Hip-Hop has changed. Oh, it still has all gold fronts and some good old crunk breath. But, around the turn of the millennium, it was decided that it wasn’t really all good. With No Limit and […]

Artist: Dilated PeoplesTitle: Neighborhood WatchRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin Berrios Let’s face it; Hip-Hop has changed throughout time. The days when MC’s rapped for the love of the culture are now few and far between. Fortunately Dilated Peoples’ work speaks for itself. Since their humble independent beginnings on ABB Records, their music has always […]

Artist: GhostfaceTitle: The Pretty Toney AlbumRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie A lot has changed since Ghostface Killah first entered the fold as Wu-Tang Clan’s masked lyricist. Let’s be real, there was a time, somewhere between Wu’s debut “Protect Ya Neck” single and the video for “Can It Be All So Simple,” when Ghostface […]

Artist: Eyedea & AbilitiesTitle: E & ARating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: N. Context What do you get when you bring together an accomplished battle emcee (winner of the 99 Scribble MC Battle, the Rocksteady MC Battle and HBO World Blaze Battle of 2000) and a skilled turntabalist (two time DMC Regional champion)? You get an […]

Artist: Organic ThoughtsTitle: The Purest FormRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine It’s a refreshing breath of fresh of air when an upstart Hip-Hop act respects its lineage. While everyone might claim they do, few prove it. Organic Thought, a five deep New Jersey crew, has made an effort to make educated records for Hip-Hop purists. […]

Artist: MursTitle: Murs 3:16 The 9th EditionRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Mark Cilantro Two coasts. Two groups. Two artists. Two vibes. One record. Murs. 9th Wonder. On paper Murs 3:16 The 9th Edition deserves a listen regardless of the Fruity Loops snares and North California hooks. As a follower and participant of this indie scene over […]

Artist: MadvillainTitle: MadvillainyRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning A collaborative project between two of the most prolific, eccentric, and consistently dope artists in hip-hop today, Madvillainy has been highly anticipated (and repeatedly bootlegged) ever since word of its conception got out last year. Longtime underground favorites with alter egos aplenty, both Madlib and MF […]

Artist: SaigonTitle: Warning ShotsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine Saigon is the most hyped MC set to blow since 50 Cent’s bootleg banner year in 2002. The difference between the two may be experience and, of course, that critical Eminem endorsement. While Kanye has proclaimed himself as the link between Tribe and Jay, Saigon offers […]

Artist: RahzelTitle: Rahzel’s Greatest KnockoutsRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Dev 1 Ok Hip-Hop heads, if you have been longing for that organic, vintage brand of the art that features the innovation it once stood for, then prepare yourselves for the return of Rahzel with his Greatest Knockouts. Yes rap fans; the well known and long-time affiliate […]