Patience is a virtue and Red Cafe has plenty of both. Although I cannot confirm that he signed to Bad Boy back when Toto originally recorded “Africa,” he’s doing alright in the present day, shinin’, flossin’, ballin’…all that rapper stuff that ends with a ‘n. Read the rest of this entry »

While most rappers these days are warming the bench for the one-and-done shot on the major playing field, Red Café is content with aiming to be the biggest independent power on the planet. Bad Boy is moving in slow motion so in the meantime, RC is paying homage to his own backyard with a mixtape in album format. Read the rest of this entry »

It seems like forever ago when “Hottest In The Hood” built a respectable buzz for Red Cafe. Taking the more subdued approach this time around, “Fly Together” has made moves for Cafe during these latter months of 2011. Obviously geared towards the female persuasion, Red snags three artists mighty popular with the ladies these days. Read the rest of this entry »

If you couldn’t guess where the title for Fabolous’ new single stemmed from, you just might have flunked out of Hip-Hop 101. The BK superstar is looking to hypnotize radio stations into playing his new jam from Loso’s Way 2, since he didn’t die in the original. Read the rest of this entry »

If you ever found yourself writing “Fabolous” on a term paper like it belonged in the dictionary, then you probably have come to the conclusion that Loso’s impact in music has undoubtedly made a dent. Even when it feels like he hasn’t done much recently, you can look up and spot him anchoring one of the hottest songs of the week like it was just another day in the office. Read the rest of this entry »

If you take one part Don Cornelius, two parts midnight oil, a little dry sarcasm and a whole lot of Brooklyn, you’ll find yourself circling the block where Fabolous just bought property to set up shop for The Soul Tape. When he isn’t in between reels (pick one: movie or music) portraying some Mafia Don with an oversized suit, he’s in his zone; his element, giving the ladies something to vibe to so the fellas can catch their vibrations. Read the rest of this entry »

Life is easier when you compartmentalize. Keeping things separate keeps them simple. I like my wrestling in one corner and my Hip-Hop wayyyy over there over yonder and across town. When the two meet, it’s never pretty yet people still try to make it work for some reason. The most recent attempt comes from the not-fake-at-all Urban Wrestling Federation. Read the rest of this entry »

Say what you will about Ricky Rozay, but no one can accuse him of not breaking bread with his knights at his round table. Torch, 1/3 of the Triple C’s, has been patiently waiting for his time to explode and the Bawse has given him the green Martian light with his UFO project. Read the rest of this entry »

Maino’s BK all day and obviously a pretty tough character. But I’ve bumped into the guy twice in my lifetime and he’s a pretty swell guy. Very jovial and likable, minus that time he touched my camera @ the BET Awards. Did I ever tell that story? Read the rest of this entry »

My homie Joe and I have been going back and forth for years about Red Cafe. He’s of the belief Cafe is nice; I respectfully disagree because while I’m not saying he can’t rap, he just hasn’t made anything outstanding either. Still, I consider myself an even-keeled person and will show respect when it is due. Case in point, Red’s new song with Rick Ross, “Faded.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Art of War is here. Perhaps this is Maino’s statement to his doubters or his call to arms for his supporters. Either way, he’s serving as commander in chief and he’s taking his listeners to battle. In collaboration with DJ Drama and The Aphilliates, Maino spits more of his trademark simple, yet emotional raps that connect with most in some form or another. Jermaine’s found his niche, and revels in it for all to hear in this preemptive strike before The Day After Tomorrow. Read the rest of this entry »

I have no clue who this J.Y. guy is. Apparently, I should. His project, The Hiring Process has gotten a considerable amount of play on my iPod in the midst of a dense summer full of big time releases. It doesn’t hurt that the album has a who’s who of Hip-Hop’s fire spitters jumping in to help out. Read the rest of this entry »

Mr. Thanksgiving and the producers who do it better the 2nd time, Cookin Soul, come through with another freebie on this glorious Tuesday to make your iPod smile. When is the last time you heard a compilation mixtape that was worthy of constant spins? More than likely it was a CS presentation. And with Drama giving his Gangsta Grillz stamp, it seems like they could be invincible. Read the rest of this entry »

See, you can’t totally fault Big Baby Davis. Not when his favorite rappers are giving Dougie instructions for dead presidents. You probably had no idea who the ruffians were behind the latest fifteen minute hit but with Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, B.o.B, Sean Kingston and Red Cafe all have lent their talents on the remix so you can use Cali Swag District for all your rap running gags for the remainder of 2010. 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 »