I wonder if anybody else has this problem I’m driving down the street listening to Youngbloodz "Damn", a musical masterpiece in my mind, at extraordinarily loud levels. After all, this song is just perfect for riding down the block and knocking pictures off a wall. I’m cruising along, then I notice the street light turns […]

"We should be ashamed of ourselves," he said. "Rockefeller drug reform – ha! – I don’t think so." State Sen. Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) While many are praising the recent reform of the Rockefeller drug laws, many more are not. Although the reform bill will reduce the most severe mandatory sentences for drug offenses, according to […]

So what’s the formula for success these days for young rappers trying to make a name for themselves? Is it being able to lyrically finesse and good looks or being politcally correct with good hooks? Nope. Maybe it’s having heavy bass lines laced with lines about leaving the crack game. That’s it – nowadays it […]

Everytime I turn around now, I see someone bashing another persons faith, race, country or culture. People really think "the world would be better without the Muslims". Or, "The Jews are really trippin’ right now and they are shady". Other times it’s "Whitey’s on a world wide rampage right about now"!!! The next one is […]

When Jay Z said back in the day “Streets Is Watching,” obviously beyond the metaphor, he knew that there are few black named streets and cats own no blocks. Surely the fact of the matter he could’ve used when it comes to the rap game the “Kids Is Always Watching” regardless. Now the youth is […]

Everybody’s confused.  And do you know why everybody’s confused?  They’re confused because nobody knows what they want anymore.    Nobody.   I used to blame record companies for the lack of quality albums that were released.  Then I would blame the artists for selling out for commercial success.  I would complain that I missed that […]

Under the Paramount Classics banner, "Fade to Black" unspooled before me as I remembered Jay-Z’s previous documentary "classic," an execrable piece of immature backstage concert antics named, well, "Backstage." Imagine my shock and pure joy when "Fade to Black," through fits and starts, eventually emerges to live up to the lofty title of its studio […]

Bush’s recent (and first-time) win of the presidency should come as a surprise to no one. It has validated the belief of many that America has gotten what it deserves, even after enduring some of the most horribly abusive foreign and domestic policies in American history. The fact that it was even a close call […]

This year has been truly a nation wide grass root movement to remind people the significance of voting. With hot topics like the war in Iraq, a declining economy, civil liberties in jeopardy and the welfare of future generation, some of our celebrated superstars have helped bring urgency to the voting process. Hip-Hop jumpstarted a […]

Now that Hip-Hop’s been commercialized… I mean, grown into global acceptance, has anyone else besides me stopped listening to what’s new? Does anyone else remember when ‘droppin’ gems on ‘em’ was an emcee’s theme that didn’t involve flashing gaudy jewelry at us? Our cultural vehicle of speech is now driven by corporate influence. Is it […]

Their Time to Shine?: Asian-American artists are gradually making their mark in hip-hop. But mainstream success is still out of reach. Now, the task seems to be resting on one man’s shoulders. It’s two o’ clock in the afternoon on a relatively quiet Saturday along the shores of Venice Beach, CA. A couple of rollerbladers […]

The subliminal messaging behind the G-Unit is truly fascinating. When one hears what the G stands for, there are thoughts of clandestine inner-city warriors, or dare I say, progressive freedom fighters. After all, “units” are associated with military and paramilitary operations. Therefore, it is logical to think that the “G” would stand for Guerilla. However, […]

October 14th, 2004 Ed Gillespie Chairman, Republican National Committee Mr. Gillespie: The letter I received from you yesterday was quite a surprise. It struck us as just the sort of “malicious political deception” that is likely to increase voter cynicism and decrease the youth vote. In fact, it is a textbook case of attempted censorship, […]

October 13, 2004 Ms. Jehmu Greene, President Rock the Vote 1313 L Street, NW First Floor Washington, DC 20005 Dear President Greene: It has been brought to the attention of the Republican National Committee- and was confirmed in the Los Angeles Times yesterday- that your organization is sponsoring and promoting a false and misleading Internet […]

“Don’t get me wrong, America is a great place to live, but listen to the knowledge I give.” -KRS-One – 1988, “Illegal Business” I give up. The KRS-One debacle caused an epiphany for me that has basically changed the course of my life. Strange, right? Its weird to me and I consider myself a weirdo. […]

The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees. It’s been almost 20 long years since Robert Townsend first released his classic film “Hollywood Shuffle.” This breakthrough movie was a satirical look at the relationship between big time producers and African American actors scraping for a piece of the […]

Like everyone I was shocked to read that I and other African-Americans actually “cheered when 911 happened” and that I have “declared my solidarity with Al Qaeda”. When I read my words taken out of context I was shocked and disappointed that the Daily News would go this far to assassinate my character and distort […]

In hoods all across America, there’s a war going on in tha streets, nowhere to run too. People are standing up and willing to die for their colors. Either you ride wit the boyz in red or the boyz in blue. Being neutral is not an option unless you want to get a beat down […]

I’m a liberal.    Which to me only means that I’m for affirmative action, not against gay marriages, am pro-choice and women’s right to choose, and believe in fixing the public school systems while legalizing marijuana and not acting like kids don’t have sex.    Because you know what?  They do.    I also love […]

Right about now, there is a resurgence of consciousness in Hip Hop. It reminds me of what was once known as "The Golden Age of Hip Hop". This new consciousness is evidenced in the rise of Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Paris, Zion I, Common, Mystic, Mos Def, Encore, Shamako Noble, Immortal Technique, the new tracks […]