AltWeeklies Wire
Ace Hood: From Broward County to the Worldnew
The 20-year-old flame-throwing MC is in the midst of his official career launch to the world, and it appears he's getting cosigns galore.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Jonathan Cunningham |
12-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Paper Trail' Shows T.I.'s Troubles with the Law Have Benefitted His Artnew
While other top MCs have had to create their own bogeymen to battle -- Kanye has his ego, Eminem had ex-wife Kim, Lil Wayne has those cough-syrup Martians -- T.I.'s got real problems.
Houston Press |
Ben Westhoff |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews
Dallas Hip-Hop: Swagger Like Usnew
Local artists make waves with D-Town Boogie, but the real test comes in 14 months.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
12-01-2008 |
Music
'President' is Easily Murs' Best Release to Datenew
Released a year behind schedule but at a timely moment nonetheless, Murs for President retains the qualities of backpacker hip-hop, despite its new Warner Bros. patina.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
11-19-2008 |
Reviews
Los Rakas Puts a New Spin on Barrio Hip-Hopnew
The group's forthcoming mixtape, La Tanda del Bus, takes its name from the "Diablo Rojo" buses in Panama, which are known for their splashy paintjobs and for the dancehall mixes that bump on their stereos. A follow-up to 2006's Panabay Twist, it's a distinctly Latino spin on the "yellow bus" motif that's been ubiquitous in Bay Area hip-hop.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
11-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Knux: From Street Warfare to Soirees with Socialitesnew
Krispy Kream and his brother Rah Al Milio have morphed from Cajun survivalists to Hollywood up-and-comers, becoming the toast of the underground rap scene in only a few years.
SF Weekly |
Ben Westhoff |
11-13-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Longtime Portland MC Mic Censhaw Finally Makes a Solo Standnew
Sure, his name is in the liner notes for experimental hip-hop projects Hungry Mob and Suckapunch, and more traditional beats-and-ryhmes duo the Cleveland Steamers, but Thinking Out Loud is the first full-length album the MC has ever released under his own name.
Willamette Week |
Casey Jarman |
11-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Will Black Milk Become the Latest Rap Superstar from Detroit?new
On street corners and message boards around the world, rap fans have hailed 2008 as the year that Michigan's underground hip-hop scene went "overground." It's producer-emcee Black Milk (born Curtis Cross), who stands at the forefront of this movement.
Metro Times |
William E. Ketchum III |
11-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Pigeon John Breaks the Rules of Hip-Hop and Winsnew
Pigeon John claims to be an average Joe, the kind of Taco Bell-eating, Xbox-playing guy that only John McCain couldn't relate to at least a little bit. He's got a gift for language, pop hooks and wisecracks that brings together people who might never interact otherwise.
Isthmus |
Jessica Steinhoff |
11-03-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Boise Weekly Hip Hop Voter's Guidenew
After eight years of Bush, expectations
are low, the next president will need some
flow, five men in the race in Idaho, pick
one on your ballot at the poll: Candidate profiles in a hip hop vein.
Boise Weekly |
Nathaniel Hoffman |
10-30-2008 |
Politics
R.A. the Rugged Man is McCain in the Membranenew
While he doesn't have the reach of Jay-Z, Nas, or any of Obama's other major-label shills, Rugged Man is using his notoriety and knack for controversy to rally troops behind the red team.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-30-2008 |
Music
Green Party VP Candidate Rosa Clemente on Musical Activismnew
Despite the inroads made by the hip-hop generation toward political mobilization, Clemente says, many of these organizations focus solely on getting out the vote and fall short of providing the information necessary to empower the community.
San Antonio Current |
M. Solis |
10-30-2008 |
Music
Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Group Formula412 Releases its Long-Anticipated Albumnew
Back in early 2006, the local supergroup burst onto the scene with a couple of high-profile shows and immediately went into the studio. As that hype turned into more live opportunities, the album sat on the back burner.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Aaron Jentzen |
10-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Talib Kweli is the One Remaining Black Starnew
Save for featuring Justin Timberlake on his last release, Kweli never compromised his craft to rise above the underground, and yet he became one of hip-hop's elite few bling-free mainstream rappers.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
In the Studio with Jedi Mind Tricksnew
It's rare for rappers to get props from both backpackers and outlaws, but Vinnie Paz uses his home field to his advantage.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
