Artist: OddiseeTitle: The Remixture Vol. 1Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman Oddisee may very well be the best producer you have never heard of. Drawing comparisons to the legendary Pete Rock, Oddisee has made a name for himself in the underground through his work with J-Live, Wordsworth, Little Brother, DJ Jazzy Jeff and […]
Artist: Whoo Kid & MaseTitle: Crucified 4 The Hood (Mixtape)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Angus Crawford 2006 may go down as the year of the reclamation project for 50 Cent. Mobb Deep and M.O.P. arguably fit the profile of G-Unit artist, but former Pastor Mason Betha is causing a few people to scratch their heads. While […]
Artist: PenuckleTitle: The Sun Beckons…Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Max Herman The free flowing Hip-Hop of Penuckle is unquestionably characteristic of his Southern Cali stomping grounds. Yet on The Sun Beckons (Basement), this blunted MC proves to carry a style all his own with his easygoing nature, vivid rhymes and occasional sing-songy flow. While still a […]
Artist: P.O.STitle: AuditionRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine In 1991, Public Enemy and Anthrax made history iby remixing “Bring tha Noise”. The effort fused two cultures, Metal and hip-hop, that long stood side-by-side, but never on the same block of cement. Fifteen years later, Minnesota’s P.O.S combines the cultures for an anger-driven, lyrically clever Audition […]
Artist: Trick TrickTitle: The People Vs.Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Henry Adaso As Cassidy or Snoop Dogg would probably tell you, being accused of murder can make you a very rich man. Having received a clean slate on an alleged murder charge that landed him a seven month stint behind bars in 2004, it was only […]
Artist: Kero OneTitle: Windmills of the SoulRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning An emcee/producer/DJ based in the Bay, Kero One has been making hip-hop since the mid-nineties, but is just now releasing his debut full-length. After a pair of dope 12-inches, “Check The Rhyme” and “Keep It Alive!” plus a successful Japanese tour, he […]
Artist: Remy MaTitle: There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True StoryRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne There are some harsh realities to being a female MC. Sometimes you can be very talented, but not attractive or sexy enough—so you get no love. On the other hand, you can have no skills but be […]
Artist: The AlkaholiksTitle: FirewaterRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman Tha Alkaholiks surely live by the motto if its not broke, don’t fix it. For 13 years, the trio of Tash, J-Ro and E-Swift has provided rowdy liquor filled and weed scented party tales for all to love. With their fifth and final album […]
Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Something New (Film)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo jackson BIASES:30 year old black male; frustrated screenwriter who favors action,comedy, and glossy, big budget movies over indie flicks, kiddie flicks, and weepy Merchant Ivory fare Despite a high powered job as a tax attorney and a new home in LA’s upscale black enclave of […]
Artist: J. Dilla/Jay DeeTitle: DonutsRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Orisanmi Burton Jay Dee aka J Dilla is your favorite producer’s favorite producer. The Detroit native has quietly crafted tracks for several Hip Hop and R&B groups including anyone from A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and the Pharcyde to Janet Jackson,and Erykah Badu. His distinctively […]
Artist: Termanology & DCTitle: Out the GateRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning Representing for Boston – Lawrence to be exact – Termanology has built a sizeable buzz for himself, thanks to extensive mixtape work, high-profile collabos, an appearance on 106 & Park ‘s “Freestyle Fridays,” and a Source “Unsigned Hype” feature. His press release touts […]
Artist: Documentary ReviewTitle: Bling: Consequence and Repercussions (Film)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: J. Alise “Medallion iced up, Rolex bezelled up and my pinky ring is platinum plus earrings be trillion cut and my grill be slugged up.” –Baby of Cash Money Millionaires, “Bling, Bling” Baby’s illustrative quote appropriately opens this independent documentary which raises the issues […]
Artist: Video Game ReviewTitle: Call of Duty 2 (Video Game)Rating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman As you huddle in a foxhole bracing for your life, your hands are sweating, your heart is pounding and you are preying you make it out alive. You want to raise your head out of your hole so […]
Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Last Holiday (Film)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo Jackson BIASES: 30 year old black male; frustrated screenwriter who favors action, comedy, and glossy, big budget movies over indie flicks, kiddie flicks, and weepy Merchant Ivory fare Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) is dying. Diagnosed with three, maybe four weeks to live around the Christmas […]
Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Glory Road (Film)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Oyama Caviness Disney does it again…this time with Glory Road (Buena Vista Pictures), the true story of Western Texas, the first Men’s basketball team to win the 1966 NCAA tournament with five Colored, Negro, and/or Black starters. Josh Lucas carries the film with his portrayal […]
Artist: Joe BuddenTitle: Mood Muzik 2 (Mixtape)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman With no release date in sight for his anticipated sophomore album The Growth, Joe Budden said, “F**k it,” and dropped an album in the disguise of a mixtape. While Mood Muzik 2 (Can It Get Any Worse?) is another mixtape release by […]
Artist: Warren GTitle: In the Mid-Nite HourRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Conan Milne Hardcore fans of the West’s “Death Row” years might struggle to accept it, but the truth is that it’s not 1993 anymore. The vibes of the G-Funk era sound increasingly outdated, and no-one seems more aware than one of its figureheads, Warren […]
Artist: Video GameTitle: 50 Cent: Bulletproof (Video Game)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Boudreaux Movies, music and whips are cool but what rapper could pass up starring in his own video game? Enter Hip-Hop most savvy self-marketer of the moment 50 Cent and his pixilated take on the ghetto superhero with guns drawn fantasy, 50 Cent: Bulletproof […]
Artist: Aceyalone (accompanied by RJD2)Title: Magnificent CityRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine Aceyalone wants to hear about Freestyle Fellowship about as much as Kool G Rap wants to pontificate about DJ Polo. Times have changed but the problem has been that Acey-alone has given audiences nothing nearly as pleasing as his early group albums. On […]
Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.Title: Duets: The Final ChapterRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman Eight years after his tragic death, the closing chapter of The Notorious B.I.G., album wise, has come to a close. With Duet: The Final Chapter (Bad Boy Records), the original King of New York is paired with the superstar emcees […]
