Rather Unique: Eight Things You Should Know About 88-KeysPeep AllHipHop’s Exclusive Debut of 88-Key’s video for “True Feelings”Given his eclectic moniker by none other than celebrated beatsmith Large Professor, 88-Keys is soon to be mentioned in the same sentence as some of his own musical idols. Stealthily working behind the boards over the years with […]
A man of respect’s words always carry weight. When Detroit’s Trick Trick speaks, it’s worth your while to pay heed. “When I walk outside I have to be Trick Trick. My perspective on life is first and foremost don’t do nothing that’s gonna upset God. Love the Lord, be prosperous. Smile, s**t, it’s okay to […]
Lorenzo Patterson, better known as MC Ren, turned the rap world upside down as a member of the gangster-rap pioneering group known as N.W.A. While fellow members Eazy-E, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre had a more visible presence, the group would not have been the same without Ren’s razor sharp and rapid hard-hitting lyrics, which […]
In today’s####-or-miss Hip-Hop landscape, most rappers can’t afford risk-taking or lengthy departures from their prevailing formulaic forte. Detroit-reared indie beatsmith Black Milk isn’t too concerned with staying in one lane with his raw sonic signature having more layers than Kwame Kilpatrick has court cases. Establishing his trademark for an impressive laundry list, producing gutter anthems […]
Dubbed one of the leaders of the new school, Harlem’s own Charles Hamilton has been receiving industry attention and critical-acclaim since first coming onto the scene in 2007. Known as a triple threat with credits including rapping, producing and occasionally singing, the 20 year-old Interscope Records signee has been compared to mega-artists such as, Kanye […]
Today, November 4th, Q-Tip drops The Renaissance, his 8th in the new Tribe edition. Sure the album is only his second proper album, but anything Q-Tip affiliated is essentially A Tribe Called Quest. “I would never put produced by Q-Tip on this even though I did all this,” says The Abstract about his production imprint. […]
Never one to hold his tongue on issues like politricks, violence and poverty in the Black community, it is no surprise veteran, revolutionary rap commander Paris is sounding off on this historic 2008 Presidential Election. The Bay-area rabble rouser just released his latest ‘get free’ effort, entitled, Acid Reflex. on his indie label, Guerilla Funk […]
As time has gone by, our music has sadly become more about portraying a role than first-rate lyricism and wordplay. Rappers continuously brag about being super gangsters but wouldn’t pop off a cap gun. We get hit with a tsunami of bars about ice but the jewels? Rented. Then you have dudes claiming they’re drug […]
DJ UNK bounced onto the scene a year or so ago and wanted us to “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.” It seemed that you could not go to a club without hearing a DJ Unk track from his debut Beat’n Down Yo Block, whose main goal was to move the crowd. Just when we […]
Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rock’s love for music goes far beyond paying homage to the influence of 80’s and 90’s Hip-Hop. For both of these Cool Kids, it started out as a hobby, distinguishing this duo from many other artist trying to get rich quick. Arriving at a downtown Chicago diner as if ‘88 is […]
The rap game is notorious for the short shelf life of its artists. Many of the MCs who packed stadiums in the 90’s, or early 2000’s, have either been labeled irrelevant or have simply disappeared from view altogether.Hip-Hop mainstays like De La Soul and LL Cool J are respected not only because of their skill, […]
Juelz Santana goes in on Cam’Ron making like Houdini, finally releasing I Can’t Feel My Face with Lil Wayne, and winning over the haters, amongst other things—pause. [Part 1 right here]AllHipHop.com: Speaking of family, you began your career as part of one of the most powerful movements in Hip-Hop, the Diplomats…Juelz Santana: I am the […]
There is no need to fear Freddie Foxxx. The MCs rep as an individual not to be crossed is legit, but don’t let the sizeable stature, gruff rhymes and machismo make you neglect the fact that he places a premium on loyalty, possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of Hip-Hop and sports a keen intellect. Also known […]
In dynasties past, soldiers were rewarded for their courage and loyalty. However, the music industry is not the court of King Arthur and, in most cases, when an artist stays in a situation in the name of loyalty, it may mean the end of their career. But Juelz Santana isn’t your average artist. Pressure can […]
After a long bid on the mixtape circuit and an unsuccessful run with Universal Records, Alfamega found a home on T.I.’s Grand Hustle, via Capitol Records. His soon to be released debut is titled I Am Alfamega and at 6’4” and 260 pounds there’s no question why he’s been dubbed the Grand Hustle Muscle.But what […]
Barack Obama may be “that one,” but The White Rapper Show’s infamous John Brown isn’t letting “this other guy” get the upper hand in the presidential election. The VH1 reality alumni’s latest single “Sarah Palin (I Wanna Lay Pipe)” takes another token stab at the governor’s lack of experience; this time combining her sexual appeal […]
In the normal world, besides its literal definition, “pause” is a term of caution, as used in Run-DMC’s New Jack Swing era salvo, “Pause.” In the 2000’s, when somebody says “pause” it means that person or another person strung together words (or puns and double entendres) that have overt or subtle homosexual overtones. Be clear, […]
In today’s image driven Rap industry it’s difficult for a female MC to create her own lane. But if you looked at the thriving career of veteran rapper, MC Lyte, it might seem easy. After enlisting the help of her older brothers, Milk Dee and Gizmo, collectively known as Audio Two, MC Lyte recorded her […]
When super-producer James “Jay Dee/J Dilla” Yancey departed Slum Village in 2001, many hip-hop fans were left wondering what would become of the Detroit-based rap trio. There wasn’t just the matter of replacing him behind the boards, but Dilla was also a phenomenal lyricist. On Trinity: Past, Present, and Future in the fall of 2002, […]
“Manhattan keeps on making it, Brooklyn keeps on taking it, Bronx keeps creating it, and Queens keeps on faking it…” – KRS-One, “The Bridge is Over.” You can make up your own mind about KRS’ statement. While directed at MC Shan’s Juice Crew, it implicated the entire borough. Back then, Hip-Hop was a little more […]
