AltWeeklies Wire
RDJ2 Goes Pop
The indie-rap producer's latest album throws fans a curve ball.
Shepherd Express |
Evan Rytlewski |
03-19-2007 |
Reviews
The Roots' Unmarketable Masterpiecenew
Def Jam takes a gamble on Game Theory.
Shepherd Express |
Evan Rytlewski |
03-19-2007 |
Profiles & Interviews
Young/Gifted/Beautiful/Blacknew
L.A.'s Murs just wants to be your favorite rapper.
L.A. Weekly |
Scott T. Sterling |
06-15-2006 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Life of Grime
Two recent compilations offer not only snapshots of the dark-horse scenes of U.K. grime and the Southern rap that's more old-school funk than crunk, but also rare examples of the cash-strapped hiphop lyricist.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
12-23-2005 |
Reviews
The Drama Kingnew
America's enigmatic Bush basher gives homophobes, "loser-ass" rappers, and his confused fans something to think about
The Georgia Straight |
Tara Henley |
12-09-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Lethal Attractionnew
Growing up in Overland Park, Kan., Mac Lethal never lived the thug life -- but that doesn't mean he can't spit slugs.
The Pitch |
Jason Harper |
11-22-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Subtropical Spinnew
While the songs on Trina's third album are rife with tribulations, Miami's diamond princess remains completely nonplussed. She leaves no room for the blues.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Makkada B. Selah |
11-15-2005 |
Reviews
Battle Rappersnew
Rarely do we get to commend MCs' acting chops, but Phonte and Big Pooh deserve an Emmy for their spoof of "Cheatin'."
Baltimore City Paper |
Makkada B. Selah |
10-07-2005 |
Reviews
Sip and Spinnew
Here's a rough guide to the candy-painted, syrup-soaked sound of Houston hip-hop
Baltimore City Paper |
Kye Stephenson |
10-06-2005 |
Music
Anything but Ordinarynew
Classics that will be added to the Great American Songbook are far and few between. John Legend’s “Ordinary People” from his 2004 album Get Lifted may achieve that status.
Baltimore City Paper |
Makkada B. Selah |
07-13-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Hard to Hatenew
If you turn off your brain and your conscience, it’s possible to enjoy the burbly bass line and urgent whisper that Kaine and D-Roc use to deliver their heinous message.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
07-08-2005 |
Reviews
The Dis-Meisternew
Vast Aire's latest LP, made in collaboration with DJ Mighty Mi, finds the charismatic MC spanning decades in minutes, assuming the voice of a series of anonymous personas: from a jobless jazz-era drummer to a Vietnam draft-dodger.
Orlando Weekly |
Makkada B. Selah |
06-28-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
A Rapper With a Non-Rap Namenew
It's not just self-promotion that got Mike Jones where he is -- the dude's also got some skills on the mike, a likable, hard-grindin' personality and a voice that always sounds like it's as happy as a pig in slop to be where it is.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
05-10-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
On Lockdownnew
Speaking from a prison phone, C-Bo, aka Shawn Thomas, estimates he's been arrested 40 or 50 times. In some regions, he's regarded as one of the realest, hardest and most authentic pushers of gangsta rap.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
04-18-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Grime Paysnew
Few musicians in England have risen from obscurity to celebrity more dramatically than Dizzee Rascal.
Westword |
Michael Roberts |
04-12-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
