Featured Videos

Made In Brooklyn

Artist: Masta KillaTitle: Made In BrooklynRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Alejandro Mojado You may recall Masta Killa’s introduction on the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 debut Enter the 36 Chambers. His verse on “Da Mystery of Chessboxin” will go down in history as one of his greatest and as an original member of the W, Masta Killa […]

The Audience’s Listening

Artist: Cut ChemistTitle: The Audience’s ListeningRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne There’s no clear way to categorize Cut Chemist or his album. DJ and producer for Jurassic 5, DJ at various L.A. venues, turntabalist for Latin band Ozomatli, and of course vinyl collector, this man has spent nearly 20 years busy doing everything but his […]

Miami Vice (Film)

Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Miami Vice (Film)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo Jackson It’s no secret that Michael Mann’s film adaptation of his time capsule-cool TV show “Miami Vice” was a troubled production (hurricanes, cutting deals with drug lords and gangsters will do that to a movie). It’s also been no secret that the advance screenings […]

whutduzFMstand4?

Artist: PackFMTitle: whutduzFMstand4?Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Andrew Kameka Subterranean vet answers doubters with well-rounded broadcast. The call for rappers to return to their New York sh*t is growing louder, but not everyone wants to answer. Emerging from Hip-Hop’s Mecca with his own ambitious style is the cocksure (pause) PackFM. The Brooklyn-native avoids the labels placed […]

Africa Hot!: The Afrofuture Sessions

Artist: Wale OyejideTitle: Africa Hot!: The Afrofuture SessionsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dustin Glick Nigerian beatmaker takes listeners on a voyage of afrobeat, Hip-Hop and brokenbeat futuresound. Nigerian-born producer and vocalist Wale Oyejide lets you know just what to expect from his new album with its title: Africahot! The Afrofuture Sessions (Shaman Work). Oyejide has […]

Napalm

Artist: NashawnTitle: NapalmRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: John Kennedy Although the Bravehearts made their mark on mainstream Hip-Hop with the club favorite “Oochie Wally”, their debut album, Bravehearted, was met with twin thumbs down from critics. But wisely, the group’s lyrical standout, Nashawn (formerly known as Millennium Thug), distanced himself to guest status on the […]

History In The Making

Artist: J.R. WriterTitle: History In The MakingRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios Whether you hate or love them, you got to admit that The Diplomats are popping. Their hood anthems coupled with their flamboyant lifestyle have made them fans from the block to the burbs. Now that their starting line up of Cam’ron, Juelz […]

Stand Up

Artist: Superiority ComplexTitle: Stand UpRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne Every now and then in the cluttered jungle of rap, an album comes along that stands out not so much because of its greatness, but because of its individuality. Stand Up> (BRU Records) by Superiority Complex is one of those. This under-the-radar trio hails from […]

Pimpalation

Artist: Pimp CTitle: PimpalationRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero It is a no-brainer that UGK has solidified themselves as Hip-Hop legends. At a time where East coast lyricism and West coast gangsta rhymes dominated, UGK was there to represent the 3rd Coast along with acts like Scarface, Outkast, 2 Live Crew and other talented […]

In My Mind

Artist: PharrellTitle: In My MindRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Eb Haynes “It’s a music maker’s album and a fan album. It’s not a huge 10 million sales thing.” Pharrell Williams’ rapping alias Skate Board P is absolutely right. In My Mind (Star Trak/Interscope), Pharrell’s first solo effort is about artistic interpretation. It’s Pharrell’s sole vision […]

Feedback

Artist: Jurassic 5Title: FeedbackRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli For years, Jurassic 5 has made an art out of providing quality Hip-Hop in layman’s terms. Shunning utter complexity, but still spouting social commentary, the LA collective retains all that is sacred from the old schoolyard ciphers combined with an urban trail mix vibe. While the […]

Cali Iz Active

Artist: Tha Dogg PoundTitle: Cali Iz ActiveRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: ambers mom West Coast Hip-Hop aint dead. Snoop? Chuuch. Daz? Chuuch. Kurupt? Chuuch. Nate Dogg? Lady of Rage? RBX? Chuuch. Chuuch. Chuuch. Ten years after their multi-platinum selling debut, Dogg Food, solidified their reps, Tha Dogg Pound is back with their latest disc, Cali […]

SpreadtheWord

Artist: Ise LyfeTitle: SpreadtheWordRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine If revolution had a movie, Ise Lyfe just might be theme music. This 23 year-old Oakland poet/MC attacks the status quo of the greater ghetto community on his debut, SpreadtheWord (Hard Knock Records). Divided between poetic verse and song, Ise researches the content for his rhymes, demonstrating […]