What were you doing when you were 19 years old? Well, while many of you were probably gaining your freshman 15 or immediately heading into an eternal workforce, Kanye West was doing the same thing he is now. Read the rest of this entry »

The once bountiful land of apt vocalists has become creatively arid, destitute of talent and pathetically monotonous. It’s terribly easy to forget that there are artists out there with voices that do not require autotune or overpowering/generic beats in order to create a palpable melody.

I, for one, had definitely almost fallen into such a lull a few months back, having tired out the collection of the few decent R&B and Neo-Soul albums from this past year or two. I was about to pull a Nasir Jones and declare the cultures dead.

But the fat lady was yet to sing.

Pic Property of BET

Maxwell, although neither fat, nor a lady, hadn’t sung quite yet either. When he eventually did, he put the genres back onto my regular rotation. Initially, it came to me in one of those Archimedean “Eureka” moments while I was looking for a song to cap off a slow jam playlist I was working on. One of my co-workers noticed me jolt, to life and began peeking over my shoulder. She then proceeded to proclaim her adoration for the once afro-puffed crooner, and requested his discography. Read the rest of this entry »

Killer Mike rocks Fuggin Awesome @ Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta, Georgia, performing “Two Sides” live.

I’ve been stuck all day, repeating Shawty’s chorus.

We’re not done – Kris Parker. There’s definitely more to come.

Previously Posted — Reasons That We’re Here – EWF | Killer Mike Feat. Shawty Lo – 2 Sides

Words By Khalid Strickland

Photos By Michael Nicholas

By now, we’re all familiar with Nas’ hotly-debated proclamation “Hip-Hop Is Dead.” The Hip-Hop fans who packed the Assembly Hall of Hunter College on May 2nd, however, may think otherwise. That’s because they were treated to a great concert headlined by Brooklyn’s outstanding wordsmith, Talib Kweli.

The sold-out concert also featured the celebrated DJ crew Ill Insanity, formerly known as The X-Ecutioners. Accomplished DJ’s Rob Swift, Total Eclipse and Precision (the U.S. champion of 2007′s DMC competition) make up the super-group of turntable specialists. Ill Insanity’s Fat Beats-distributed album, Ground Xero, is an acclaimed gem that features the trio (and other prestigious spinners such as Q-Bert and former X-Ecutioner, Roc Raida) cutting and scratching over neck-snapping, boom-bap instrumentals. The LP’s lone vocalist, Long Island-bred rapper Dashah, shines brightly on the track “Decorated Vets.”

Ill Insanity opened the concert with a set full of turntable theatrics that wowed the audience. With their well-timed routines and lightning quick hands, Ill Insanity mixed and manipulated the vinyl to do their bidding. The trio worked like an orchestra, chopping and scratching in unison; the DJs also had solo moments as well. After Ill Insanity received a standing ovation for their 22-minute set, four-man breakdance crew Supreme Beings attacked the stage with their gravity-defying moves. The group’s energetic headspins, handstands and backflips electrified the Hall. Much to the crowd’s delight, Supreme Beings unearthed a seemingly forgotten element of Hip-Hop culture, and did it extremely well. Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew would’ve been proud. Read the rest of this entry »

P already told you where you can find her.

For my Nashvillians, if you’re looking for Gottyâ„¢, you can find me with my folks from Lovenoise as they present Proton, members of URB Magazine’s Next 100 list this year.

This Sunday @ The Place on 2nd Ave South.

I’ll be the Black dude. Near the back. Chain-smoking.

Additional Info | Tickets

For my NYC heads… Read the rest of this entry »