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Hidden Gems

Artist: O.C.Title: Hidden GemsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jake Paine Through defunct labels and poor distribution channels in his 13 years of releases, it could be argued that most O.C. albums are rare treasures. However those that have collected the Brooklyn/Queens MC’s work will find <i>Hidden Gems</i> (Next Mill) to be an accurate extension of […]

In The Streets Of Africa

Artist: Richie SpiceTitle: In The Streets Of AfricaRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Metanoya Z. Webb An ambassador for Jah, who claims responsibility for “all di youth dem worldwide.” Richie Spice is to roots reggae what Marcus Garvey was to the fight for freedom: persistent, courageous, focused and strong.  Whether it’s liberating the minds of African descendants […]

Hip-Hop Colony (DVD)

Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: Hip-Hop Colony (DVD)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana We chubby Americans don’t know nothing about Kenya. We may hear the country’s name flash in a news report and dismiss it as another poor war torn East African country. Most will not even realize that the culture and music coming out of this […]

Hip-Hop Colony

We chubby Americans don’t know nothing about Kenya. We may hear the country’s name flash in a news report and dismiss it as another poor war torn East African country. Most will not even realize that the culture and music coming out of this third world spot on the map has more integrity than the […]

Son Of A Refugee

Artist: PatriarchTitle: Son Of A RefugeeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Omar Hamza What do you get when you mix Bay Area hyphy, global politics, ‘90s West Coast bangin’ and a revolutionary emcee?  You get Patriarch, the Hayward, CA native, who has been writing poetry since the age of 11 and has now unleashed his unabashed brand […]

The Undisputed Truth

Artist: Brother AliTitle: The Undisputed TruthRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton When an MC isn’t right for the gun-toting d-boy image but doesn’t want to carry around a backpack full of spoken word poetry either, what does he rap about? Typically, he simply raps about rapping, harping on how much better he rhymes than […]

Grindhouse (Film)

Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Grindhouse (Film)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Stracy Wilson By the mid 1990s, Mayor Giuliani had already begun his mission to clean up Times Square. A few p### theaters and peep shows remained (Show World Center hadn’t yet been turned into a comedy club), but the remnants of the world depicted in Martin […]

Get Money, Stay True

Artist: Paul WallTitle: Get Money, Stay TrueRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Adam Thomas Houston Hip-Hop has never been shy about its hustling roots. Being shunned for years and finally receiving your shine has that effect. Hip-Hop’s own king of shine, Houston’s Paul Wall, has his imprint on the tongue of many an artist, from T.I […]

The Beat Of Urban Art

Justin Bua is getting closer and closer to being immortal. The Beat of Urban Art (Harper Collins), assembles all of the New York bred artist’s captivating artwork on the innercity Hip-Hop experience into a colorful, well-crafted book. The release has been overdue; his most faithful fans have been coveting his full catalogue in a tangible […]

The Beat Of Urban Art (Book)

Artist: Justin BuaTitle: The Beat Of Urban Art (Book)Rating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Justin Bua is getting closer and closer to being immortal. The Beat of Urban Art (Harper Collins), assembles all of the New York bred artist’s captivating artwork reflecting the inner city Hip-Hop experience into a colorful, well-crafted book. The release […]

German Lugers

Artist: SnowgoonsTitle: German LugersRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Rashaan Meador The world of Hip-Hop has been increasing and, at the same time shrinking. The fact that a team of German producers would be making beats for US artists is a testament to this statement. This bridging of two sides of the world is done through the […]

Shock Value

Artist: TimbalandTitle: Shock ValueRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine Timbaland and his partner Danjahandz owned the charts in 2006. Whether with Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado or Omarion, the Virginia veteran brought out a new sound that brought out the wallflowers and skeptics. It’s only right that in a year expected to see albums from Dr. Dre, […]

Veteran

Artist: Marques HoustonTitle: VeteranRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Shanita Riquel If ever it were possible to use the words “underrated” and “overexposed” to describe the same person, Marques “MH” Houston would be the strongest example. MH has been entertaining us since he was 12, and still his level of skill as a singer and songwriter […]

Return Of The Mac

Artist: ProdigyTitle: Return Of The MacRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios From sickle cell anemia to malicious ballerina pictures, Prodigy of Mobb Deep has endured a lot since the conception of the Dunn language. Compared to his long time partner in rhyme Havoc, P’s lyrics have always represented the darker mind state of […]