“The stars almost in line, my turn soon come/ I’m hot now, but I’ll be burnin’ when June come” – Stack Bundles, “Bundles Hot Now (Remix)” On June 11, 2007, Hip-Hop lost another one.Far Rockaway, Queens’ Stack Bundles, was shot to death in an apparent set-up after returning home from a long, celebratory evening at […]
Videographer: Brian MappVideo Editor: Quadre OwensEven though UGK’s latest double-disc LP is entitled Underground Kingz, Bun B is well within reach of the streets, the industry, and all points above and between. For over a decade since, Pimp C and Bun B have positioned themselves as kings of Texas Hip-Hop from an unlikely Port Arthur […]
After achieving platinum status with his first mainstream release off the Cradle to the Grave soundtrack, Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson became more than just your ordinary, run of the mill producer. A musician since the tender age of eight, Amadeus has proven that hard work and individuality are the keys to success. Having produced tracks for […]
Das EFX stormed onto the music scene in the early ’90s with “iggity” style and hardcore Timberland-stomping lyrics. The group was discovered by EPMD during a Virginia talent contest, and soon after the show, they begin working on their first album. The first album they released went platinum, and it made Das EFX a household […]
Videographer: Brian MappEditor: Loretta WallaceProducers: Steve Raze and Jake Paine Platinum recording artist and executive T.I. faces off with the enigmatic T.I.P. for an interview about principles, life, and loyalty. Perhaps the King of the South has a career in journalism to juggle with all the endorsements, acting, rapping and Grand Hustle Records? Larry King […]
Steve Rifkind has always been two steps ahead. Whether it was pioneering the street team, playing an instrumental role in the discovery of Wu-Tang Clan and Akon, or creating amicable contracts with his artists, all had a heavy Rifkind hand. Fifteen years after Loud Records started, Steve now creates BattleRap through his old, original website. […]
In the year 2007, it’s safe to say that the South has risen again, but just north of the dirty dirty still lies the South’s best kept secret. Little did the world know that when 9th Wonder emerged on the scene four years ago, with a remix of Nas’ God’s Son album, he would spark […]
Few artists have pushed the b-side, remix and rare track as hard as a group such as The Hieroglyphics. There is a conglomerate of b-side and remix material floating around on vinyl in record stores across the world that Hip-Hop can thank Hieroglyphics for. And the mere fact that the group is constantly recording, […]
It’s often difficult to understand knowing a collective just as much for its brilliant b-sides, remixes and rare tracks, as knowing them for its actual albums. Where most Hip-Hop artists struggle to remain relevant in a music market that is constantly pushing product, The Hieroglyphics are known for pushing their own product on their […]
A celebrity Black father of six (who all live with him) owns and maintains two restaurants, a club, several residential properties, and performs around the world while still making it to family night every Wednesday. The first name that comes mind is probably Bill Cosby. But growing up in a strong family structure isn’t just […]
On an 80-degree Philadelphia evening, The Lifesavas are chilling in the green room of Philadelphia’s Khyber bar venue. Huddled around dozens of untouched Heinekens on ice, the Portland, Oregon trio is focused less than an hour before they perform. The veteran artists are touring their second album, the recently-released Gutterfly. With its ‘70s themes, George […]
What goes around, comes back around. A&Rs, artists, and even a few magazine editors turned down Nate “Danjahandz” Hills in his long come-up behind the boards. Boy, what a mistake. Starting with Hills’ heavy hand in “Put You onto Game” from the Compton rapper’s debut, the comibination of Timbaland and Danja has been an organized […]
You know the story. Nine shots couldn’t stop him; he took them and smiled. He flipped his real life trauma into multi-platinum plaques and took over the game in one fell swoop. Four years later, after his monster debut Get Rich Or Die Trying, Curtis Jackson is in a true position of power. Considering he […]
Interesting things happen when Sa-Ra Creative Partners start to trip. In 1996 co-founder Om’Mas Keith visited California to meet up with his soon-to-be group members Taz Arnold and Shafiq Husayn. As the story goes, Shafiq’s Crown Victoria ran out of gas and the group had to walk to a local gas station and later to […]
Whether or not you rock with Southern music, you can’t knock the hustle of underground artists who manage to build their fan base with little support from major players. Baton Rouge, Louisiana natives Lil’ Webbie and Lil’ Boosie hold some of the strongest street appeal in their region, and have taken their flare for new […]
You don’t need Rakim on the remix to tell you that in hip-hop, the truth hurts. The truth is, twelve years ago, the Oakland duo of Yukmouth and Numskull got it in as The Luniz, and still hold one of the biggest records to ever come from the Bay in “I Got Five on It.” […]
Outsiders who can vividly picture Harlem owe that image to Barry Michael Cooper. The man who wrote New Jack City, Above the Rim and Sugar Hill made his New York youth cinematic, and perhaps provided the drama and tension that so many mid-to-late ‘90s rappers used in their verses. A former Village Voice journalist-turned-Hollywood heavyweight, […]
AllHipHop.com: Your film that changed me was actually Above the Rim. It’s the only reason I ever played ball in school. However, it’s not a “basketball movie.” The relationship of Kyle and his mother made the movie much greater than the basketball. What commentary were you trying to make? Barry Michael Cooper: Benny Medina, Jeff […]
A decade ago, it was arguably Twista who first became the cliché “favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.” With his Guinness Book of World Records lightning fast delivery, the Chicago star was a well-kept secret, from the now-defunct Big Beat Records, an Atlantic company. His 1997 album Adrenaline Rush remains a cult classic, that spawned styles in […]
Raised by illicit codes and by men who truly epitomize bona fide OGs, this Queens subject was looked to be carrying New York Hip-Hop on his back once upon a time. To him, he still is. Utilizing what his contemporaries may consider the modern day media curse, Grafh, leaked a tester of his up and […]
