Ciara: The Evolution 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 2 The younger females submersed in R&B may be finding it hard to follow in the shoes of its leading ladies who continue to pave the way, but there is no denying the aura that this Texan Princess of Crunk has established for herself.Ciara's debut, Goodies ... full story
Hell Razah: Renaissance Child 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Since its inception, hip-hop has received flack from inside and outside of the culture, for either being too commercialized and safe or too gangster and exclusionary. The latest criticism has mostly been its lack of diversity -- but diverse it is. One can ... full story
Various: Hyphy Hitz 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 While the immediate lifespan of a movement that promotes "remedial" behavior and ghostriding whips is uncertain, hyphy music will forever hold a unique place in the American vernacular. Listening to Hyphy Hitz, a hit-heavy compendium of Yay Area cuts from ... full story
Black Milk: Popular Demand 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 There's just something about Detroit. It seems as if the Motor City breeds artists that are capable and ready to uphold the essence of hip-hop and do it with soul. More than one-hit-wonders, wannabes, and gimmicks, true MCs and producers with talent and originality ... full story
Thes One: Lifestyle Marketing 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The idea of commercial music usual leaves a sour taste. Recycled beats, clichéd choruses and rudimentary rhyme structures only manage to dilute the spirit of hip-hop. Thes One, along side partner Double-0, has made a career of laid back, feel good rap records ... full story
Money Mark: Brand New By Tomorrow 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Former Beastie Boy collaborator, Money Mark, offers sentimental pop with musical depth and clever lyrics.Songs about breakups, loneliness and broken hearts do not feature too prominently in rap music, nor do acoustic guitars and harmonicas feature in the typical ... full story
Planet Asia: The Medicine 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Teaming up with Dilated Peoples' Evidence, Cali Agent Planet Asia delivers The Medicine, the final chapter in his Medi-Cali trilogy. The Fresno MC spits concise braggadocio and a few conscious bars over 16 tracks showcasing Evidence's range of production talents.The ... full story
Az: The Format 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 AZ's The Format is a fluent and complex opus from a largely underrated MC whose undeniable lyrical talent and classic perspective are often overlooked. One of New York's premier rhymesmiths since the days of Illmatic, AZ's albums are each gems in a murky sea ... full story
Sammie: Sammie 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 It's commendable for a pre-teen, void of familial industry connections and armed with a great voice and charisma to put out a platinum album, and then decide to go back to school. Whether it was Sammie's decision, his mom, management or some other reason altogether, ... full story
Pitbull: El Mariel 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 El Mariel is the name of a boat that brought over 100,000 Cubans to Florida in hopes of a better life. As the title of his second album, perhaps Pitbull thinks of himself as a gateway between the Cuban and American cultures, and in a lot of ways, his signature ... full story
Boot Camp Clik: The Last Stand 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 With Sean Price's new album, Jesus Price Supastar, in stores, it's a good time to look back at the third release from Price's Boot Camp Clik posse, The Last Stand, one of the top albums of last year that got way too little shine.There were no platinum (or ... full story
Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 2 Once upon a time, there were four brothers named DJ, graffiti, b-boy, and MC. Now graffiti and b-boy were the freshest ones and in the beginning everyone wanted a part of them. However, they couldn't continue to generate the big bucks, so the media heavyweights ... full story
DJ Clue: The Professional 3 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 As "The Godfather III" example shows, it's good policy to have low expectations for the third go-around, especially when it comes several years later. That sums up The Professional 3, which in spite of a few quality cuts is little more than a glorified mixtape ... full story
Clipse: Hell Hath No Fury 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 p-hop is dead, so the Clipse have been relegated to the underground (mixtapes) since the release of their refreshingly-unconventional debut, Lord Willin'. Hell Hath No Fury, their aptly titled sophomore effort –- delayed numerous times due to contract ambiguity ... full story
Lil Scrappy: Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Even though Lil Scrappy hasn't dropped a studio album in four years, he's been able to keep his name circulating in the headlines. Aside from the microscopic beef with Don P of Trillville, Scrappy was able to recruit 50 Cent and Lil Jon to executive produce ... full story
Features V.I.C.: Silly Swagger By now, his infectious hit single, "Get Silly," has made its way through your ear drums, and the video that started ... full story
Editorials & Columns Do You Need A Better Shave? We recently ran across this column, written by The Star-Ledger's Lisa Irizarry. We thought it might be helpful for some ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Shopping Guide: July 2008 Every so often we put together a shopping guide for all you avid visitors of BallerStatus.com. Here's out latest edition ... full story
