Shawnna: Worth Tha Weight 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 DTP's first lady, Shawnna, knows full well that skills do not always equate to record sales. This is especially true for female emcees, as most are judged by the size of their booty and not their talent on the mic. Shawnna looks to combine the best of both ... full story
Cormega: Special Edition 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The career of an underappreciated MC must be tough, especially when your catalog of albums easily eclipses those of today's most recognizable rappers. For Queensbridge veteran Cormega, the time to remind the world of his two criminally slept-on releases is ... full story
K-os: Joyful Rebellion 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 While the hype surrounding it may not be considerable, make no mistake about it, K-OS's latest release is one of the year's best. With his arsenal of triple threat skills (emceeing, singing & producing), K-OS provides a hodgepodge of styles on Joyful Rebellion, ... full story
De La Soul: The Grind Date 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 To have upwards of 15 years experience in the rap game and still be able to craft relevant releases is something to be truly admired. While LL Cool J is accomplishing this feat on a more mainstream level, De La Soul is bubbling below 2004's commercial radar ... full story
Ali Shaheed Muhammad: Shaheedullah & Stereotypes 2.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 As one of the founders of A Tribe Called Quest and Lucy Pearl, Ali Shaheed Muhammad has played an important role on hip-hop since the early '90s. Ali and A Tribe Called Quest were the leaders in a revolution that added jazz flavor to hip-hop, with laid-back ... full story
Alchemist: 1st Infantry 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 With a catalog of hits that includes both known classics and unknown gems, the Alchemist delivers his own full length album with 1st Infantry. Going the Pete Rock route, Al enlists MCs from East to West and everywhere in between, to bless his production, while ... full story
Truth Enola: 6 O'Clock Straight 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Patience has to be one of Truth Enola's virtues. Even though he stormed onto the scene in 1996 when he was featured on De La Soul's "Pony Ride," Truth Enola's time to shine was cut short by industry politics and bad luck. Now eight long years later, Truth ... full story
Yukmouth: United Ghettos Of American, Volume 2 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 YUKMOUTH. His name alone conjures an in your face, blatant representation. And well, so does his album, United Ghettos of America, Volume 2.Yukmouth Presents: United Ghettos of America, Volume 2 is a hard West Coast album, to say the least. Of the 20 tracks ... full story
Ciara: Goodies 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 From her entrance with her first single "Goodies," Ciara insists that she's not a normal teenage girl. The 18-year-old plays hard to get on the Lil Jon-produced chart-topper, assuring that it takes more than a hot car and a pickup line or two to take her home. ... full story
I-20: Self Explanatory 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Blessed with a sinister baritone vocal pitch, Disturbing Tha Peace member I-20 has been able to stand out on each of his past tracks. Igniting the conclusion of Ludacris' raucous "Move Bitch," I-20 has an identifiable delivery that has intrigued many as to ... full story
Jim Jones: On My Way To The Church 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 When it comes to hip-hop in New York City today, go borough to borough and certain artists just stand out. Queens has Nas, Mobb Deep and 50 Cent to name a few. Brooklyn, the borough of kings, has arguably the greatest rappers ever in the late great Notorious ... full story
Nelly: Sweat/Suit 2.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Either you love Nelly or you hate him. For some, Nelly provides entertaining club music that succeeds due to its simplicity. For others, Nelly represents an emcee with little to no lyrical or conceptual talent, who tries hard to bridge the gap between the ... full story
LL Cool J: The DEFinitition 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 He's been an absolute staple on the hip-hop industry since 1984, has starred on his own television show, authored books and appeared with roles in over 20 feature films. So by now you should know the name James Todd Smith embodies success.But just like the ... full story
Wordsworth: Mirror Music 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 If skills sold, Wordsworth would be a rich man. Ever since his days freestyling at the "Lyricist Lounge" showcases, Wordsworth has been one of hip-hop's brightest young stars. Now with his long awaited debut release Mirror Music, Wordsworth is finally ready ... full story
Houston: It's Already Written 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 A virtually unknown LA native has suddenly hit the music channels, radio stations and even McDonald adverts with an up-tempo joint called "I Like That," featuring pop-rapper Chingy, Disturbing Tha Peace's I-20 and, in comparison, veteran rapper Nate Dogg. ... full story
Editorials & Columns Hustle Harder: Think Inside The Box So last Friday I made my first TV appearance and I must admit it felt good. The show was called "The Weekly Riff," which ... full story
