Words by C. Paicely

Weak And Ridiculous. Waning As Relevant. Withering Authenticity Realized. Truly amazing is the abundance of phrases we could employ in describing the current state of Hip-Hop, but Pharoahe Monch provides a new acronym for his third studio release. One of anger, ambition and audacity: We Are Renegades. Read the rest of this entry »

Eleven days after Prodigy ditched his state issued six (or seven) digit identification number, the first evidence of audio normalcy presents itself. Like the song suggests, sometimes taking a “step back” is actually taking a “step forward” as both Hav and P sound re-energized, re-dedicated and in love with the art form over this soulful number from their brother-in-music, Alchemist. Read the rest of this entry »

There aren’t too many things that are more forceful than saying something without actual speaking on it. Symbols have come to make up a great portion of our unwritten language, culturally and universally. In fiction, a silhouetted bat in the night’s sky tips criminals that their reign may be cut short at the hands of The Dark Knight while a golden arch in the close proximity tells your stomach that its hunger could soon cease to exist in real-time. Read the rest of this entry »

We all knew it was coming. It was just a matter of from who. As the Hip Hop world attempts to balance the passing of Nate Dogg with SXSW and March Madness, Game steps up to the plate first to offer his audio eulogy with “All Doggs Go To Heaven.” Read the rest of this entry »

Creating a hit single is equivalent to consistently hitting the 15-foot jumper or being tall enough to provide tough interior defense and six fouls in the NBA. Which explains why Jalen Rose, Nazr Mohammed and Ace Hood are all still employed in their respective professions. In fact, the NBA and Rap game have another similarity in the fact that once you’re in, you can bounce around to the point of anonymity until you see yourself out. Read the rest of this entry »

Words by C. Paicely

“What are true keys to bein’ a ninja?” Estelle asks the question on “Chop Chop Ninja,” but Raekwon The Chef spends every bit of seventeen tracks serving up the answer for his fifth solo album, Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang. Originally meant to be a Wu-Tang album—minus RZA’s production—the project has been a long time coming, fully evolved into a Raekwon release, rife with appearances from Clansmen. Read the rest of this entry »

The world’s greatest success stories only happened because they believed in themselves first and foremost. Self-confidence – sometimes confused with cockiness – leads to co-signs. Co-signs lead notoriety. Notoriety then leads fame. And fame leads the fast life which – if this success story is a male – Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday’s Bootleggers and Tastemakers showcase? Pure madness. S/O to everybody who came through and supported. The lineup was incredible, the performances on extra large and the crowd, straight bonkers. And now we do the whole experience again with a whole new round of artists for today’s Perfect Attendance stage @ the Light Bar (408 Congress Ave.). Read the rest of this entry »

This was supposed to make the our 50 Great Soundtrack Raps, but my penchant for the song’s theme let it slip through the cracks. Ah well. Read the rest of this entry »

New music from my Million Dollar Dream team as warren drops A Prelude To The Dream Catcher which should hold everyone over until the DJ Black Bill Gates-hosted main attraction. Read the rest of this entry »

When Theo Martins takes a stage, he wants you to dance. He wants you to shout. He wants you to shake your body like a Polaroid picture. It’s DDR meets N*E*R*D for an explosive mashup of Hip-Pop that manages to maintain credibility throughout. That means it’s cool to listen to, kids. Read the rest of this entry »

One of Bambu’s many strengths as an emcee is the ability to provoke emotion.The plainspoken power in his words is special, and whether his aim is to make the listener raise a fist to the sky or reflect on violence in the home, the man consistently hits straight in the gut. Adele has the same ability, and “Someone Like You” is a great example. Read the rest of this entry »

Candy

Here’s Our Bracket. Where’s Yours? [With Leather]

Turns Out Not All College Girls Are Lesbians [Gawker]

Charlie Sheen’s Angels In Pics [Don Chavez]

Ten Reality Stars Who Failed at Life [Warming Glow] Read the rest of this entry »

When Esperanza Spalding took home the Grammy for Best New Artist last month, I was intrigued to say the least. Not in outrage or dumbstruck like some, who thought it was Justin Bieber or Drake’s award to lose, but wanting to hear why she was deemed worthy of the award. So I checked out Chamber Music Society and enjoyed what I heard. Her style of Jazz is mellow and relaxing, the perfect music to play after a long day at work or to gather your thoughts.

“Knowledge Of Good And Evil” has been the track I’ve turned to unwind to as of late. Unburdened by words, Spalding’s scats and coos glide effortlessly across an ensemble of keys, strings and drums.

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Esperanza Spalding – “Knowledge Of Good And Evil”

Suffering three years of delays at the corporate hands of Atlantic Records, and facing the threat of an expiration-less shelf life, Lupe Fiasco decides to compromise on his third studio album, Lasers and make those few bastardy radio-pop singles in order to achieve the greater goal of getting the album out to the public ear. What started off as a request for a couple harmless, attention-grabbing tracks mutated into an all-out combat between the two parties, as song after song was scrapped from the tracklist. That is, until the Fiasco fanatics held a full scale peaceful protest to prove their willingness to hand their greenbacks to Atlantic. Read the rest of this entry »