The significance of making a definite statement outside of the music has become just as important as the music itself. So when word circulated in the infant stages of 2010 that Black Milk’s fourth album was to be named Album of the Year, there was a collective gasp amongst Hip-Hoppers everywhere. Gutsy call for a first down play. But for an artist such as Black Milk, whose credibility stems from placing art over image, the overall meaning tends to be more than meets the eye. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve become infatuated with travel and luggage over the past year or so. There’s always that challenge of not packing too much unless you want to be weighed down while trying to OJ it through terminals or get hit with ungodly baggage fees. That’s where TravelTeq’s Trip Sound Bag makes for a nice addition to frequent traveler’s arsenal. Read the rest of this entry »

“And I won’t stop, I’m on my Diddy sh#t, Yeah they start to like me then they find out I’m an idiot.”

If Ghost is the king of non sequiturs, Cam and Wayne both run a very close second. Read the rest of this entry »

There are a lot of things I can’t stand. First and foremost, my job. Second, ignorance. Third, well, that’s a toss up between being broke and scratched CDs, which go hand in hand. Above all, though, might just be that g*ddamn Man. You know, the one who constantly holds us down from attaining the things we work so hard to achieve? Read the rest of this entry »

Since you gossip like groupies, know this please/I’ll never go broke, my name got two G’s…

Long before Willow was apart of the R.O.C., Jigga stayed in some gangsta sh!t. Way back when DJ Clue was known as the most exclusive man in Hip-Hop, this Jay-Z and Ja Rule cut ranked as one of the standouts. Read the rest of this entry »

On first glance, you wouldn’t expect Jackie Chain to rap, considering that he’s a six foot tall, Asian-American with hair down to his Polo logo and all. But, these days ladies run the Rebublican party and octopuses predict the future, so a rapper who names himself after the Tom Cruise of Kung-Fu should come as no surprise. The weirder thing might be that you already know his songs. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s something to be said for subtle simplicity vs. over the top displays of sensationalism. Trademark & Curren$y hijack Rick’s track and appropriate it into a track more befitting that of the Jets lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »

The onset of fall in Chicago is inspiring its musicians, and I’m not just talking about Mr. West, but the underground MCs that keep the cities street rep unshaken. One such example is “2012,” off J. Ivy’s LP Here I Am finds the Chi-town native trading apocalyptic rhymes with Twone Gabz and Mikkey Halsted. Read the rest of this entry »

PopMatters examines the importance of Still Bill, the documentary of the legendary, but seemingly forgotten artist, Bill Withers.

“How is it possible that, in the two decades since his last album of original songs was released, Bill Withers has managed to so effectively remain hidden in plain sight? Read the rest of this entry »

A few days ago, Ronnie Fieg released another sneak peek @ the upcoming Nice Kicks 2.0′s, coupled with news that the sneakers would release on October 1st. Make your arrangements. Read the rest of this entry »

The Stones Throw emcee and singer gets a bit of well deserved time in the spotlight courtesy of NPR for his new album, Good Things.

“The soul music of yesterday is popping up more and more these days, and no one’s singing it quite like a young man named Aloe Blacc. Read the rest of this entry »

With just a shake and a bake, a pie and pancake, Joell Ortiz has easily muscled his way into our iPods with his Farewell Summer EP. The video to the leadoff record, is no different as Mr. YAOWA bumrushes the Hot 97 studio just to film the ordeal. Imagine if Joell was the program director. Would cats complain about Hip-Hop on the airwaves? Read the rest of this entry »

TiRon may own stock in the salty condiments but his right-hand man Ayomari jams his music with smooth peanut butter references. The Los Angeles linguist released The PB&J Solution at the top of the year, combining lifestyle instropection with good ‘ol Cali living. The alluring visuals for “I Wanna (Journey)” features the Hip-Hopper bringing sand to the beach, walking on sunshine in tropical bliss. Read the rest of this entry »

For now, the Japanese don’t want to deal Paris Hilton and her penchant for powder. While everybody probably wants her family’s money, nobody really wants to bothered with this tramp. Read the rest of this entry »

Oh word? VA$HTIE got Jordans, now? She breathes a breath of fresh air into the simple silhouette using lavender accented by a darker purple. The only touch they’re missing maybe is “Downtown” on the back of the left sneaker and “Sweetheart” on the right. Read the rest of this entry »