TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With Royce Da 5′9″

Growth & Patience. These are the two themes that Trackstar the DJ selected to title his Royce Da 5’9” compilation. Appropriate choices as well, as these are two themes that an MC in Royce’s shoes must have to survive in this industry.

November 4th, 2009 | "Smoking Sessions With...", ARTIST INTERVIEWS, AUDIO, GENERAL, MUSIC, Videos | Read More

“No More Words…”

I’ve mentioned my fondness over this album before, particularly the musicality that Pete Rock brought to the project. So you can imagine my delight when this little goodie popped up in the inbox.

September 26th, 2009 | GENERAL | Read More

Consecutive Classics: “Church For Thugs” & “Put You On The Game”

The most overlooked factor in crafting a good album (especially in the playlist era of music) is the sequencing. A staple of notable 4.5/5 Cig albums is having two great songs sequenced consecutively (the really notable ones often have strings of three). In this (hopefully) recurring feature, we’ll...

September 7th, 2009 | AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC, REVIEWS | Read More

Video: Three 6 Mafia x Alice In Wonderland

There’s something to this Hip-Hop/Kids cartoon mashup trend going on.

August 31st, 2009 | GENERAL | Read More

“Horrors In Auto-Tune Hell”

Ladies, gentlemen of the TSS faithful. I come before you today with some awful, haunting news. I know we were all comforted by brother Carter’s repeated affirmations that Auto-Tune was dead. We watched tensely as it flirted with a comeback on its deathbed, seeing it gasp a few last robotic breaths,...

July 28th, 2009 | GENERAL, SMOKE BREAK, Videos | Read More

Old Folks Music…

I’ve been helping a retiring professor move out of his office these past few weeks and it’s been quite an experience.

July 28th, 2009 | AUDIO, GENERAL, LOOSIES, MUSIC | Read More

“That’ll Work” - Review Of Alchemist’s Chemical Warfare

Chances are, most rappers didn’t pay much attention in high school chemistry. That said, the majority do know some basics about chemical equations. You need to find an appropriate balance, run a controlled experiment to test your theories, and most importantly, the chemist who’s handling the material...

July 26th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

Sneaker Pimps ’09: The Imagination Experience

Given the previous indications from the Atlanta stop, I should have known that this wasn’t going to be the best experience. The NYC Sneaker Pimps ’09 show was a zoo, missing press lists and general disorganization left the Terminal 5 staff overwhelmed and the VIP/Press section of the crowd grumbling...

July 3rd, 2009 | Events, GENERAL, SMOKE BREAK | Read More

Brown Bag AllStars - “Brooklyn Queens Expressway”

Anybody who has experienced the actual BQE knows how upsetting, frustrating and inconvenient it can be. Fortunately, the Brown Bag AllStars’ “Brooklyn Queens Expressway” is none of these things. Producer Marink supplies a nicely cut up piano riff and sprinkles it with a matching flute loop. But...

July 1st, 2009 | AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC | Read More

“Ugh, Nice Watch”

Until this post, I’ve generally shied away from doing apparel posts. It’s not that I don’t have a style, its more that I’m too cheap and perpetually broke to develop it fully. I select my clothes and accessories very meticulously, and living in New York has forced me to be even more choosy...

June 29th, 2009 | GENERAL, Gear, SMOKE BREAK | Read More

“Simmer Down, Simmer Down Now”

In continuing with his energized and welcome return to the realm of rapping music, Mos Def’s been hitting the television circuit as he performed “Quiet Dog” on The David Letterman Show and “Casa Bey” from his upcoming The Ecstatic on Tuesday night’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,...

June 11th, 2009 | AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC, TV/Movies, Videos | Read More

“Hey Aretha”

*click* The sound of a dead line sounds eerily loud after a fight with the one you love… During the fight, emotions are stirring and pounding at the forefront of your brain — anger, fear, pain, remorse are all twisting together and coursing through your nervous system to punch a hole in...

June 1st, 2009 | AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC, SMOKE BREAK | Read More

“Dangerous Emcees” - Review Of Method Man & Redman’s Blackout! 2

Phife and Q-Tip had it. Big Boi and André 3000 have (had?) it as well. “It” in this case is chemistry, and it’s something that Clifford Smith and Reggie Noble have in excess. The two emcees, better known as Method Man and Redman, already have an established and impressive resume when they work...

May 26th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Never Ever” - Review Of Cam’ron’s Crime Pays

As far as comebacks go, you’ve got to hand it to Cam’ron for doing a pretty decent job of getting his name back out in the public after three years of self-exile. With appearances popping up here and there, it seemed like he was genuinely excited about being back, and since he dropped a little heat...

May 22nd, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Palm The Joker” - Review Of Brother Ali’s The Truth Is Here EP

2007’s The Undisputed Truth went a long way to putting not only Brother Ali, but Rhymesayers Entertainment and even Minnesota Hip-Hop (it does exist) on the map. The album delivered heartfelt vocals over funky, soul-drenched production, that was as reliant on live instrumentation as it was its samples.

April 9th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

Articles By: Jesse H.