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Archive for the ‘ALBUM REVIEWS’ Category

“Crime Wave” - Review Of 50 Cent’s Before I Self Destruct

It’s been a long yet lucrative road to the release of Before I Self Destruct, 50 Cent’s much documented final record on his Interscope contract. Possibly the genre’s last mega-star before Hip-Hop was regressed by the digital age, 50 saw endless mounds of success through business ventures,...
November 21st, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Hood Famous” - Review Of Mack 10’s Soft White

Often overlooked but never without resolve, Mack 10’s career has held steadfast even though he’s never been the biggest dog in the yard. Never overextending his boundaries and ties with the bottomless revenue pit of Cash Money have lauded him job security in the face of a rapper recession....
November 15th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, AUDIO, GENERAL, MUSIC, VIDEO | Read More

“Meridian Sound” - Review Of Lushlife’s Cassette City

Hearing a fan of Hip-Hop complain about the current crop of MCs while reminiscing on the 90’s is common as negative babble on the Internet. The rhyming that took place in those years had a sense of urgency that lacks in today’s market. Even the most lyrical of this generation rarely contain the...
November 14th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Valid & Victorious” - Review Of Mally’s The Passion

After a two-year hiatus Twin Cities emcee Mally is back with a follow-up to 2007’s The Letter. Equipped with a shorter name, he dropped “From The 612,” he’s ready to introduce himself to some and reintroduce his self to others.
November 10th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, REVIEWS | Read More

“Gun Harmonizing” - Review Of Royce Da 5′9″’s Street Hop

Fact: Royce Da 5’ 9’’ is a hell of a rapper. His mixtapes, guest appearances, and Slaughterhouse verses have provided enough material to spawn legions of Internet stans. Yet, Royce has always had to battle critics who questioned his rather limited profile of full-length albums. With Street Hop,...
November 9th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Show N’ Prove” - Review Of The Undergods’ EP

After the success of Slaughterhouse, established acts have seen since been forming like Voltron; teaming up to hopefully swap fan bases. Two of the most recent wordsmiths to create an alliance include The Undergods, which is the combined force of Canibus and Keith Murray.
November 3rd, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Cupcake” - Review Of Fat Joe’s Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2)

Naming an album after a previously highly respected work (sometimes classic), can be a gift and a curse. Jay’s done it with his Blueprint series, Dr. Dre has The Chronics and Lil’ Wayne’s career has become synonymous for his Carter installments. Even Nas somewhat pulled off the feat...
October 25th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“For What It’s Worth” - Review Of Skyzoo’s The Salvation

Spearheading the New York revival, Skyzoo has proven time and time again that his sharp lyricism could be the fuel that helps rocket his style of Hip-Hop back to the forefront. And of course, an affiliation with Just Blaze and a certain former Little Brother producer can’t hurt either. The Salvation,...
October 17th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Starter Pistol” - Review Of Fresh Daily’s The Gorgeous Killer In Crimes Of Passion

Being a Brooklyn-born MC is a gift and a curse. The gift is credibility, from the borough’s reputation as a breeding ground of legends. The curse is the size of the shadows cast by the B.I.Gs and Jay’s as up-and-comers look to establish themselves in the game. On The Gorgeous Killer In Crimes Of...
October 13th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Tight Rope” - Review Of Brother Ali’s Us

The line between mainstream and underground Hip-Hop has become less and less distinguishable over the last couple of years. With so many artists scrambling for major label deals, rappers in similar veins as Brother Ali are welcomed with open arms by those still sporting their Jansports™ like it was...
October 12th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Salute A G” - Review Of M.O.P.’s Foundation

We should know what to expect by now from the Brooklyn duo M.O.P. It’s almost been two decades since they first barrage their way into the scene and they’ve seldom strayed from their modus operandi: to properly represent Hip-Hop, Brooklyn and the streets at large while providing theme music for...
October 6th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Let It Out” - Review Of DJ Honda’s DJ Honda IV

There was a time when a DJ had to prove themselves on the wheels of steel before they could even think about releasing an album. Noted turntablist DJ Honda is a classic example of this as he parlayed a runner-up performance in a DJ completion into a recording contract with Sony Music Japan. Fast forward...
October 5th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, REVIEWS | Read More

“Tears Of Fire” - Review Of Charles Hamilton’s This Perfect Life

Having embarrassed himself publically numerous times, and suffering the ignominy of being dropped from his record label, it’s possible we’ve seen the last of Charles Hamilton. Hopefully dude’s taking a serious time out, perhaps spending some time on Dave Chappelle’s funny farm in rural Ohio....
October 1st, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“Welcome Aboard” - Review Of Playaz Circle’s Flight 360: The Takeoff

As explicit as the brandish on the sobriquet reads, Ludacris’ Disturbing The Peace label isn’t making much noise these days. Undeterred, Tity Boi & Dolla Boy, collectively known as Playaz Circle, stay playing their position well enough to see gameday action. Gearing up for their 2nd...
September 30th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More

“The West Is Back” - Review Of Warren G’s The G-Files

If you grew up in the 90’s on the Left Coast, it was nearly impossible to escape the G-Funk era. Whether you were the type of kid that chilled after school behind the bleachers with a blunt or a model student bookworm that headed straight home to start your studies, somewhere along the line you were...
September 28th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL | Read More