If I had to pick my favorite album of any genre last year it would have to be The-Dream’s Love Vs. Money. I know, I’m just as surprised as you are. The man just knows how to make a hit with seemingly no effort. “Love King” is the title track and first single from his new album and dammit…I’m excited. Read the rest of this entry »

Red Gone Wild throws on his shine blockas and rides off in the sunset with this freshly wrapped blunt from the forthcoming Reggie Noble “0″ 9  ½. Rain, sleet or trendy industry, Redman always prescibes what the Funk Doctor’s patients demand from him and for that alone, he’s earned our respect. Read the rest of this entry »

Yeah, yeah yeah! You can say whatever but this song is fiya. Whether or not Def Jam failed with promoting it or Rated R properly is completely irrelevant at this point. Our dearest Riri, queen of GQ, is off frolicking in the mud like some ancient civilization vixen only the kings could get their hands on. Strutting around like she’s the commander-in-chief; keeping her soldiers at attention in more ways than one. Read the rest of this entry »

Well you knew the IDJ wouldn’t let Rihanna get all “restricted” without a proper single to keep the registers ringing. “Russian Roulette” was the risqué warm-up, but this joint right here is the sure shot. Read the rest of this entry »

Redman and Ready Roc brave the recession in Lambos with the visual for this bare-bones track from Reggie Noble “0″ 9 ½. Read the rest of this entry »

Not to overtly spoil the campaign towards Khaled’s next project, but I’m gonna anyway. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo: B.Scott

“Hov on that new shit
Niggas like how come
Niggas want my old shit
Buy my old album…” — Jay-Z from “On To The Next One”

(I guess I’m one of them niggas, then.)

The Blueprint 3 served up a glimpse of Grizzly Bear Jay. But for those who grew up on the “thug nigga ‘til the end,” the appetite for the real nigga shit wasn’t quite whetted, with the exception of “Real As It Gets.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Wait Is Ova..for those of you who’ve been waiting. Rihanna wears the tiara in this thing called Pop music and she’s set on keeping it that way with the first single off Rated R which was written/produced by Ne-Yo. Read the rest of this entry »

Pic courtesy of ErikVoake.com

Guys, I messed up.

A few weeks back, my long-standing request for a Smoking Session with West Coast pioneer Warren G was finally granted. As an artist I literally grew up listening to and who helped enlighten my musical taste-buds at an early age, the rare opportunity to speak to an idol was something I’d been bugging Gotty™ for since day one. So, it was quite stellar to hear that after years of waiting in the wings, our connects came through in the clutch, hooking up a phone interview to help promo his appearance in the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors tribute to his former label Def Jam, along with an upcoming seventh record from the Long Beach vet, The G-Files.

I got the call a few weeks later and, as expected, Warren was cooler than a cucumber and the interview came & went without a hitch. Until, of course…I got home to my Google Voice account and saw I’d pressed 4 an extra time on my piece-of-shit flip-phone to un-record the entire conversation/interview.

Heart. Break. Read the rest of this entry »

Rebel-rock-soul-funky-riddims. The Roots always have fantastic first singles. Read the rest of this entry »

Yandra, Pumps And A Bump

KRS-One Says Def Jam Destroyed Hip-Hop [D.Dot]

When the Internet Runs Out [Buzz Feed]

10 Greatest Movie Badasses Of All Time [Manofest]

Music Thieves Also Occasionally Pay For Music [SVI]

Is Microsoft Ready to Buy Electronic Arts? [IGN]

Lousy Karaoke Inspires Violence in Connecticut [TRU]

Binghamton Basketball Player Arrested for Selling Crack Cocaine [TBL]

Oh Pamela, You Old Whore, You [D-Listed]

Why Obama Makes Americans Want to Stockpile Ammo [Cracked]

The Best Guides to Watching TV Online [NewTeeVee]

Not Looking Good For The Ecko Empire [Frank 151]

Big Nike High Premium Quickstrike City Pack ATL + LBC [SN]

First off, props to Robbie for unleashing a slew of songs that fell to the sample clearance gods.

Nas’ Hip-Hop Is Dead will be remembered for several things.  It was his debut on the iconic Def Jam label, it contained the historic collaboration with long-time foil Jay-Z & it got Hip-Hop artists from all corners debating the health of Hip-Hop as an art form.  Read the rest of this entry »

The mid-nineties saw Hip-Hop’s infatuation with gangster movies at an enormous peak. The late, great Notorious B.I.G. adopted his moniker from Christopher Walken’s character in King Of New York and revered storytellers like Raekwon and Kool G Rap saw their works heavily inspired by Italian families, much like the ones in Goodfellas. And who could forget Jay-Z’s various Pain in Da Ass interludes who most recently, revamped the trend with his last album American Gangster, one that mirrored the life of Frank Lucas to that of his own.

Consider Fabolous an adherent to such rich history for he’s chosen to branch out and do some role-playing of his own. Inspired by the critically acclaimed Carlito’s Way so to speak, Fab’s completely poised to take matters into his own hands for his fifth outing, Loso’s Way. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you want more?!!!??! Hit the break. Read the rest of this entry »

What a difference 6 months can make. Regardless of whether the stars were aligned or back room deals took place, Ace Hood was poised for the short track to success. Backed by DJ Khaled, Rick Ross & the Def Jam machine, his inclusion in XXL’s ‘08 Top Ten Freshman Class, coincided with the release of his debut album Gutta. Looking to build upon the tepid response to it, he’s already back with his sophomore effort Ruthless. After the expeditious completion of his freshman year, it’s time for him to declare a major and stop the exploratory nature of being undecided.

Ace’s biggest problem is his lack of identity. One minute he’s the ultimate hustler controlling the corner, the next minute he’s the ladies man and in between he’s deadest on convincing he came up so destitute that you’d be a fool not to root for his success. The perfect analogy for this is in the movie American Gangster when Mrs. Lucas is trying to convince her son Read the rest of this entry »