EPMD isn’t really looking for radio play. “We wasn’t gonna play the politics,” explains Erick Sermon of their choice to pass on sweating over spins in the Big Apple. “Just straight underground. We feel that the web, people like AllHipHop [the world’s most dangerous site], [REDACTED, though a good site], [REDACTED, kinda suspect site]; we […]
As the self-proclaimed King of Philly, Gillie Da Kid may seem to be enduring an arduous reign. He has survived multiple gun shot wounds, has experienced sordid beefs and has recovered from bogus record deals. A candid chuckle reflects his resilient perspective when he says, “I’ve never had a bad day in my life. You […]
IRAQI MC The Narcicyst has jumped into the storm surrounding Busta Rhymes’ controversial new single “Arab Money.” The rapper has released a stinging response to the song, hitting back at what he calls straight out racism. The Narcicyst says he was stunned when he first heard the track—and has been flooded with calls […]
“Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense, [But I did five mill’]—I ain’t been rhymin’ like Common since,” quipped Jay-Z on his song “Moment of Clarity.” The point is clear; rhyming for the sake of the art doesn’t really pay. But then again Chicago rhyme slinger Common isn’t doing so bad. Surely you’ve seen […]
On January 8, 2008 Albert “Prodigy” Johnson of Mobb Deep infamy began serving a three and a half year sentence after pleading guilty to gun possession charges stemming from an incident in 2006. Nevertheless, before entering those four walls and momentarily losing his freedom, P was able to record his third solo project, HNIC […]
If you looked at Jim Jones ten years ago you would never have thought he’d be where he is today. After a string of hits (you’ve said it loud, “Ballin’!,” admit it) and savvy business moves, the former second in command of the Diplomats movement has really come into his own. Going from hype […]
At the age of 17, West Coast artist Ahmad Lewis secured a record deal with Warner Bros. through the now defunct Giants Records while still a senior in High School. Ahmad quickly broke out of the gate with his widely popular song “Back in the Day” which made fans look back and reminisce on their […]
Music always came naturally to Warren G. When your best friend is named Snoop Dogg and your stepbrother is Dr. Dre, it’s not hard to understand why. But instead of riding the coattails of his more famous colleagues, the self-proclaimed “G-Child” went on to craft a highly successful solo career featuring a triple platinum […]
Within the last sixteen months Plies will have released three albums. The latest, Da REAList debuts both digitally and in stores on December 16th. Striving to remain relevant, this “Lil Pakistan” aka Ft. Myers, FL native has been immersed in a strenuous work schedule. “I’ve already shot four or five of the videos and we’re […]
The term status quo means to keep things the way they are. But, ironically enough, Atlanta native Stat Quo wants to do everything except that. After sitting on Shady/Aftermath/Interscope from 2003-2008 with nothing but some hard learned lessons to show for it can you blame the man for wanting some change? After being discovered […]
The music business is a strange beast. Some artists struggle for years and years to get their shot and never even make a dent in the game. On the flipside, there is that rare occurrence where a chance meeting takes place and a career is born. The latter represents the journey of Drake. Born Aubrey […]
Alchemist has been crafting recipes for his first cookbook since his debut, 1st Infantry, was released in 2004. A producer known for his cinematic, yet rugged production style that is California bred but embedded with East Coast DNA, The Alchemist’s Cookbook EP, just released on iTunes, is the crème de la crème of Al’s forthcoming […]
The flamboyance and bravado of Suge Knight, the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records caused a great deal of controversy in the early 90’s. Knight and his entourage of cronies were often spotted in their trademark blood red attire, partying and living the good life. After all, the label’s marquee artists were […]
Trademarc is one of the authors of a ravenous diss track that has been circulating the web for the past few weeks. In the song by East Coast Avengers (Trademarc, Esoteric, DC the Midi Alien), the Massachusetts bred MC flings around scathing lyrics like, “I’ll stalk your house, knock you out, gag your mouth, drag […]
Let the record show that MCs skilled at slinging deft lyrics with comedic wit don’t get the same props as those more focused on drug and gun tales. Not convinced? Ask Redman or Slick Rick. But one versatile rapper, Atlanta’s Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, is out to stake his claim at upper echelon rap recognition. […]
On the eve of the most historical Presidential elections in America’s history, the vocal side of Jedi Mind Tricks is on yet another tour bus leaving the infamous Las Vegas Strip. The trio [MCs Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah, with Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind on beats] from the City of Brotherly Love has cemented […]
Scarface, the rapper, is retiring. We don’t believe him. Sure, Brad “Scarface” Jordan is dropping his 9th proper album, Emeritus, which means retiring but maintaining your title. After 20 plus years in the game and an adherent dedication to putting together words that fit, we’ll go out on the limb and say it’s highly unlikely […]
Whether it be promoting his latest project, Phantom Gangster Chronicles Vol. 1, bigging up the merits of juice bars, working on a book or assuring that a new LOX album is definitely on the way, Styles P gets it in. By now you should be at least a little familiar with the Yonkers product who […]
Cruising down East 7 Mile Road in Detroit, the sharp thuds and jolts from potholes drumming the tires of your ride is unpreventable. Some would shrug it off as a consequence of being so cold in the D. But to an innovator such as the late underground producer/MC James Dewitt Yancey better known as J […]
If the Internet age has proven to be a blessing for underground rappers, Royce Da 5’9” is the perfect case study. While his initial albums did not penetrate the mainstream threshold, for a few years it was only his unrelenting tour schedule and online presence that kept the Nickel Nine name alive outside the Midwest. […]
