The most intriguing people aren’t the people we see before us constantly. More often, it’s the ones we don’t see, but who have a huge hand in shaping culture and perception. In a small amount of time, Jake Davis will most likely be a large icon with coffee table books dedicated to his work done for the Test Shots series. Read the rest of this entry »

Monta Ellis is a singular talent. His slippery, artful drives, wicked crossover and remarkable touch around the rim make him a joy to watch and the Warriors offense allows him all the freedom to use these gifts he can handle. This year, he’s managed to rack up 25.9 points per game, good for fourth in the league. However, he’s one of the players that flies under the radar in today’s NBA. Read the rest of this entry »

Lest ye young pups forget, Boss Dogg is an O.G. for the Boys in Blue. When he’s not laid up with your baby mother in Vegas after she lied and told she was just going down the street, he’s out on the corner, saggin’ and flaggin’ with the 20′s. Read the rest of this entry »

Honestly, after hearing Young Gliss’ anti-swag, 9th-Wonder-produced “Glimmer,” I didn’t foresee the first single from Dealing With The Pressure Vol. 2 to be boasting about “The Life.” But, I digress, as I was again sucked in by this Philly fanatic’s lyrical imagery and on-again-off-again flow, regardless of the topic. The talent is obvious, especially over an easy-going, stratospheric backdrop like this. Read the rest of this entry »

Too ill of a concept here and OOP collectors will rejoice as the cult favorite Operation: Doomsday looks like it will finally be reissued the proper way. The newly packaged version will include 51 tracks including the original, alternate takes, b-sides and instrumentals and will come in two formats – LUNCH BOX 2/CD and METAL 4/LP BOX – each containing a 32-page lyric book and set of 10 cards with images of the Operation Doomsday MCs. Read the rest of this entry »

Aspiring musicians fight for attention from fans, media and labels. It’s that one shot deal I alluded to a day or so ago. P. Dukes possesses a James Earl Jones’ baritone that’s captivating enough to warrant a few minutes of your time, perhaps justified once “Wake Up” is played. Read the rest of this entry »

Kimmie Nicole

The Kids Are All Right: 14 Internet Child Stars To Watch In 2011 [Uproxx]

7 Rules For Effective Social Networking For Artists [Hypebot]

Redman Says Lack Of Sampling Hurt Hip Hop, Praises Cypress Hill [HHDX]

Are The Clippers A Bigger Draw Than The Lakers This Year? [Hoop Doctors] Read the rest of this entry »

I have a hard time being so hard on the music world, especially Hip Hop because we come out of the hood at 17 years old having no clue or concept of what life really is.

Think back to high school and to the one person who commanded such effortless attention from yourself. In retrospect, it’s probably embarrassing. You admired the way they presented themselves, the actions they embarked upon and the goals you mapped out for them on your own selfish canvas. Read the rest of this entry »

The term “New West” was being thrown around by almost every up & coming rapper from Californ-I-A roughly three years ago. Apparently, these much chagrined rap practitioners felt the need to separate themselves from their elder-statesman in order to carve own their own legacy, and for some – the move ended up working out just fine. For others, the nonalignment left talented MCs without a support system and nowhere to look when the going got tough. Read the rest of this entry »

Ain’t nothing like some new-new and that saying will never get old. I guess I could say the same for YP and Gangsta Gibbs’ anti-panhandler memo, “Something New,” which was featured on the younger bull’s No Sleep Mixtape. Freddie G. was just doing his thang, midwestin’ on the Tomorrow Never Knows Festival as headliner, when he gave the ladies and gents a surprise guest and threw YP on stage to rock with him. Read the rest of this entry »

C’mon son. As nice as Talib Kweli is on and off the mic, you didn’t expect him to allow sucka MCs to live while he’s still obtaining building blocks in his empire, now did you? What we have here is good ‘ol fashioned smackdown aimed at posers and lameball acts still lingering in the slums when it’s apparent that good music is steadily on the rise in 2011. Read the rest of this entry »

Wayne. Ross. Hood. Luger.

The lineup most definitely sounds like one of DJ Khaled’s typical bright ideas but for now, it stands as your unofficial notice that you HAVE to pay attention to Ace Hood this year. He does it for it sport and has been going so hard in the paint, he wipes chips on his doormat when he walks into house every night. Read the rest of this entry »

Occasionally rappers will hit the booth with a few screws loose in the head, causing the brain’s contents to shift, resulting in some zany lyrics. Only a 7:30 whoadie like Jean Claude Vandalyzm would feature a group project inside of his solo release, thus, Hell Cassell is born with their mother being Bitch Im Mis Talented. Read the rest of this entry »

That barbershop you go to get your haircut and buy bootleg DVDs? Yep, that’s home. That one park where everyone in the city/town would meet up to play basketball? Yep, that’s home too. Regardless of where you go in life, changing where you’re from is impossible. With all that in mind, Wes Fif, Big K.R.I.T., CyHi Da Prynce and Dreamer (of Hollyweerd) Read the rest of this entry »

The money is enticing but the idea of fame is frightening. Or shall we say, the ungodly amounts of attention and the light’s pulsating glare are chilling to some. However, others relish in the camera’s flash and the constant presence of microphones pressed in front of them searching for the next soundbite. Gucci Mane and Lil B are two stars – one seemingly at his peak and the other rising rapidly – whose handling of stardom sharply contrast. Read the rest of this entry »