Rakim: The Archive: Live, Lost and Found 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 In a climate where discussions of the greatest MC of all time seem to ignore the fact that people rapped in the '80s and '70s, a live album can relay the excellence and excitement associated with one of the most revered and seminal rappers in hip-hop history. ... full story
Devin The Dude: Smoke Sessions Vol. 1 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 2 Perhaps not since Necro's Death Rap has an album been named more appropriately than Devin the Dude's new street album/mixtape, Smoke Sessions Vol. 1. From the first strains of "If I Did A Mixtape," in which Devin assumes the role of a R&B lothario, belting ... full story
Flo Rida: Mail On Sunday 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 Tramar "Flo Rida" Dillard caught everyone's attention when his hit single "Low" shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and was played on radio stations across the country. The no. 1 downloaded song on iTunes featured none other than the king ... full story
Bun B: II Trill 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 4 Most MCs seem to lose their way, lose their passion, and eventually lose their fans. But the women, cars and diamonds haven't been able to throw Bun B off his game. He is one of the few MCs who started his career on a solid note and managed to improve over ... full story
Ray J: All I Feel 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 5 Since his debut back in '97 -- with the single "Wait A Minute" -- singer Ray J has managed to jump in and out of the spotlight for over a decade. With his older and more successful sister, Brandy, out of the limelight, Ray J has managed to shed the tag line ... full story
Kidz In The Hall: The In Crowd 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The duo of Naledge and Double-O, collectively known as Kidz In The Hall, have transitioned from the stresses of Ivy League education to being heralded as the future of hip-hop. With "Drivin' Down The Block" -- the first single off their second album The In ... full story
Estelle: Shine 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Although she created a strong European base with her own label, Stellar Ents, and debut record The 18th Day, it was John Legend who helped Estelle find her way to international fame. The British songbird impressed audiences while opening for Legend on his ... full story
Usher: Here I Stand 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 7 While some people can't sit and listen to an entire album of love songs, Usher has definitely delivered for those who can. Here I Stand, which hits stores May 27th 2008, is like the ten year follow-up to My Way, hitting us with songs about a lot of the same ... full story
9th Wonder & Buckshot: The Formula 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 "The Formula is... from the streets... it's the sounds you hear... it's my clothes, my shoes, my kicks..." The aforementioned quote is from The Formula's introduction. It captures the essence of the new album from Buckshot and 9th Wonder. It's soulful. It's ... full story
Pete Rock: NY's Finest 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 4 About a month ago I attended a Wale and Pete Rock show at New York's Highline Ballroom. It was a great show, thanks in part to Wale's nine-piece go-go band and appearances by Styles P, Black Thought, and Queens' Royal Flush.After the show I waited by the door ... full story
Cheri Dennis: In And Out Of Love 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 "I thought I told you that we won't stop," these are the famous words spoken by Diddy and his Bad Boy crew. Bad Boy has proven to be one of the top record labels of all-time and is still going strong today. We already know about Danity Kane, Day26 and Donnie ... full story
Mariah Carey: E=MC˛ 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 Following up her 2005 Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum comeback effort, The Emancipation of Mimi, wasn't be an easy task, but Mariah Carey certainly took on the challenge and delivered a very solid and well-rounded follow-up in the form of E=MC˛.By now, ... full story
Erykah Badu: New Amerykah: Part One (Fourth World War) 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 New Amerykah is where muted funk meets digital hip-hop, as Badu shifts from fluid songs to ethereal chants over eleven tracks. Devised as the entry to a four-part series, New Amerykah feels (oddly) like the visions of the future from the '80s sci-fi era. It ... full story
Prodigy: H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 It's hell on earth when P makes his return with H.N.I.C. Pt. 2. Some people say if it's broke, don't fix it. If that's the case then you won't catch Prodigy featuring T-Pain or making hip-hop go-go music. P sticks to his "New Yitty" formula like it's 1995 ... full story
Danity Kane: Welcome To The Dollhouse 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 "Once upon a time, there were five little girls -- Shannon, Aundrea, D. Woods, Dawn, and Aubrey. These girls had a dream: they wanted to make music and entertain. They go by the name of Danity Kane -- Welcome to the Dollhouse." The aforementioned quote is ... full story
Features GemStones: Troubles Of A Gemini Standing in the shadows of Lupe Fiasco's success is not in the cards for 1st & 15th artist GemStones. After surviving ... full story
Editorials & Columns Hustle Harder: Consistency Can you believe this is my 50th Blog entry? That's right people, 5-dash-0. Every Friday like clockwork (except for the ... full story
