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27 Nov

Posted at 13:20h in Music, Reviews
Returning to the frontline and ready to offer up some of her signature sound, Alicia Keys puts out her RCA Records debut Girl On Fire. Her fifth studio album overall, it’s the first time she’s released any new material since 2009’s Element of Freedom. With her marriage to producer Swizz Beatz and the birth of their first son, Egypt, part reason for the delay, there’s also been a shift in record labels, some sneaker designing, and a bit of charity work thrown in to the mix for good measure. Refocusing her energies on the music, her most recent ongoing promotional campaign has seen her very much stroll back in to the limelight, and to a good reception.

23 Oct

Posted at 01:20h in Music, Reviews
Eagerly anticipated, hyped up to the max, and with the buzz of a thousand hornets, good kid m.A.A.d. city is the major label debut album from Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar. Without doubt the most discussed project of recent years, hip-hop aficionados, frat boys, and industry insiders have set the internet ablaze the past few months discussing the TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records release. The question is, does it justify the hype?

13 May

Posted at 22:45h in Documentaries, Film, Reviews
Sometimes the hardest thing to do when you look back at a unique situation is to assess its true impact. It is possible to mould the evidence to fit in with whatever narrative you ultimately choose. Such is the case with the L.A. Riots of 1992: you either believe it was a turning point in the ever-evolving civil rights movement or merely a dark spot in American history where the opportunistic underclass exercised some "aggressive shopping." You can argue either way because you can cherry pick flash points to illuminate your point. The truth is, to view it either way would be simplistic at best because it indeed had elements of both. Conservative radio host and right-wing firebrand Rush Limbaugh bluntly said that "the Los Angeles riots were not caused by the Rodney King verdict. The Los Angeles riots were caused by rioters," thereby removing any possible justification for the senseless acts. While many called the riots a means of "fighting back" against an oppressive system, how much was motivated by the actual Rodney King verdict? How much was motivated by chaos and opportunism? How much has changed since? There are mixed answers to these questions, and Mark Ford’s incendiary new VHI documentary film Uprising: Hip-Hop and the LA riots merely flirts with them.

19 Apr

Posted at 14:40h in Features, Interviews, Music
It may have been his former labelmate and longtime friend Eminem who asked the masses to "guess who's back" with his 2002 hit single "Without Me", but it's Obie Trice who's answering the question a decade later. Nearly six years had passed since one of Detroit's foremost rappers delivered a studio album, the last being 2006's Second Round's On Me, and the hiatus is attributed to both personal and business matters (i.e., a loss of faith in then-distributors Interscope coupled with the devastating passing of one of Obie's closest friends, Proof).

06 Apr

Posted at 22:09h in Lit, Music
Now this is something only Snoop Dogg could have invented. The weed-worshiping rapper is planning to release a "smokable songbook", charmingly entitled Rolling Words. Not only is the whole thing made out of hemp, but the pages double up as fully usable rolling paper while the book's spine serves as a surface to light your match on (if you keep it old school like that).

25 Aug

Posted at 00:18h in Music, Reviews
Argue all you want as to who's the current leader of the New West revolution but at one stage (and maybe even today) Jayceon Taylor, better known as Game, hands down was the frontrunner for this crown. Possessing the lyricism of which even had die hard East Coast affiliates had to approve, Chuck Taylor's mix of controversy, raw delivery and formula for a big hit have kept his name buzzing since his much lauded Documentary album dropped in 2005. Whilst publicised beefs, label issues and more followed, most recently his legion of fans have been craving for his much delayed LP The R.E.D Album, which had been in the works for some years. Finally free of postponements and drama, Game’s fourth release hopes to reignite the hot streak with which he once ran and dispel any concerns that his previous hype was unwarranted.

30 Nov

Posted at 19:42h in Reviews
Ice Cube is one of the forefathers of Gangsta rap and one of the rawest MCs to ever rip a beat. Not unlike Chuck D, it wasn't about style, lyricism or flow, but charisma, presence and often powerful statements that made him so unique and special. Once upon a time, he was the illustrious ghost writer for all of the N.W.A. members with a heart on sleeve approach, characterised by statements spat with intensity and aggression rather than focusing on cadence or word choice. This made him a sort of a weapon, capable of thrilling, intimidating and shocking, making him in a way, perfectly tailored for the Gangsta Rap birth era. His first three albums Amerikkas Most Wanted (1990), Death Certificate (1991) and Predator (1992) further solidified his status and volcanic rhyme approach. Up until here it was a beautiful Hip Hop affair and that's where it should have ended: in glory, no mistakes and no regrets, an immaculate career, especially in light of Cube finding a new outlet in Hollywood juggling directing, producing and acting. While it's not my place to evaluate his performance on the film industry, I doubt anyone would say his impact in it, was remotely close to what he achieved as an MC, still, he found longevity and substantial financial success going Hollywood, arguably as one of the most successful rapper turned actor, which leads me to asking what does a 40 year old accomplished Hollywood star want to achieve, by releasing an independently produced album?

28 Dec

Posted at 22:25h in Features
hiphophighlights Ten years into the 21st Century and Hip Hop is now one of the biggest grossing industries in the world today. Forget the music – the clothing, films and TV deals have all played a part in establishing this way of life as one of the biggest phenomenons. To think it all started off with just two turntables and a mic... As 2010 dawns, its time to take a look at what has had the streets and discussion boards talking; the artists, the controversies and sadly, the losses. The Hip Hop Highlights of the Decade...

18 Nov

Posted at 22:27h in Reviews
rakim-seventh-seal-2 Whenever any '70s or '80s babies preach about the classic days of Hip Hop, they usually refer to the early '80s and 90s era. But what they most commonly mention is that one particular individual defined what it meant to be an enigmatic emcee during this period. Rakim, the proclaimed “God MC” drops his eagerly anticipated third solo LP, seven years after it was announced he would be returning to the booth. Whilst collaborations with Dr Dre broke down early, the R still pursued his comeback and with the Biblically referenced Seventh Seal album ready, is this the Armageddon which the rap game has been waiting for?

12 Nov

Posted at 13:14h in Reviews
beforeiselfdestruct_50cent_aftermathmusiccom Although 2009 has seen Eminem, Jay-Z and Rakim make welcome returns to the game, there is yet another figure which the Hip Hop community has felt empty without. 50 Cent, the most influential and controversial artist of the new millennium, steps back into the rap arena with the hugely delayed - but equally anticipated -  Before I Self Destruct album. Balancing business with beef in ‘09, fans and haters have been debating whether or not 50’s musical relevance is necessary, with Lil Wayne, Drake and other rap rookies basking in the glow in which the G-Unit General once ran roughshot in. Darker and murkier than all of his prior albums, Before I Self Destruct presents an evolved