Layzie Bone: It's Not A Game 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The problem that has plagued almost every Bone Thugs-N-Harmony solo album has been disappointing production. While the group has relied on the likes of DJ U-Neek for their group efforts, solo-wise each member has failed to carry over such stellar beat making. ... full story
The Game: West Coast Resurrection 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Before The Game had the legendary Dr. Dre working on the boards for him, he had veteran West Coast rapper/producer JT The Bigga Figga. Consequently, looking to further expose the sound of Chuck Taylor before his Aftermath days, JT first released an effective ... full story
Edan: Beauty And The Beat 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Take a hit of acid, play some psychedelic Rock and old school Hip-Hop for a couple of hours, and then maybe you will be ready to delve into Edan's world on Beauty And The Beat. With his sophomore LP, Edan combines the type of Rock records he grew up on, with ... full story
Allfrumtha I: Larger Than Life 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Since the days of Death Row Records running the rap game, the West Coast as a collective hasn't been able to maintain its heavyweight status. Unfortunately, Binky Mack and Squeak Ru otherwise known as Allfrumtha I (the "I" being Inglewood) continue the dry ... full story
The Outlawz: Outlaw 4 Life 2005 A.P. 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 After relocating from the West Coast to the Dirty South, Young Noble, Edi, and Kastro, better known as the Outlawz are back with their latest album, Outlaw 4 Life. The group, who are well known in the game as being the late-great Tupac Shakur's protégés, set ... full story
Various: The Very Best of Death Row 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The "G-funk Era" returns with The Very Best of Death Row, a lackluster compilation of hit songs from Death Row Records' glorious heyday. Suge Knight has once again delved into the masterful Death Row Records catalog to handpick what he regarded as his record ... full story
Mariah Carey: The Emancipation of Mimi 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 We've seen some major changes in Mariah Carey's image over the years. Going from a shy and quiet R&B singer with songs like "Hero" and "Dream Lover," to a sexier Mariah thereafter with a brand new diva attitude, she has shown that even though going through ... full story
Zion I: True & Livin' 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The Bay Area is well represented by the hip-hop duo Zion I. The duo, who consists of MC Zion and Amp Live, prove to be the freshest new talent to come out of Oakland, and are breaking up the monotemy of your typical shoot em up gangster lyrics with their latest ... full story
Do Or Die: D.O.D. 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 For almost 10 years, Do Or Die has been laying their pimp hand down on the rap game, and in turn has acquired a fanatical backing that has helped them deliver eight solid albums. In 1996, the trio stormed onto the scene with their platinum album, Picture This, ... full story
Will Smith: Lost And Found 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Although he's seen incredible success in Hollywood, the rapper-turned-superstar-actor Will Smith has put his acting career on hold to return to his roots and release a new album. With his latest effort, Lost And Found, Smith tries to get past his squeaky clean ... full story
C-Murder: Truest S#!@ I Ever Said 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 Corey Miller is in for the fight of his life, as he faces life in prison for the murder of a teenage boy, and in an attempt to clean up his image, has changed his stage name from C-Murder to C-Miller. In what could be his last album under he rap moniker C-Murder ... full story
Nivea: Complicated 3.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 With her sophomore LP, R&B starlet Nivea looks to avoid one-hit wonder status. The first that many have heard of her since her 2002 heater "Don't Mess With My Man," the album's title promises maturity and refinement. Unfortunately, Complicated doesn't ... full story
Beanie Sigel: The B. Coming 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 In the male-dominated hip-hop industry, most emcees talk tough and do tough things. Still, while many stand with shoulders back, chest out, grilling the camera dead in the eye when rhyming, many fans are still left wondering how much of what they're hearing ... full story
112: Pleasure And Pain 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 After a brief hiatus and much anticipation, Q, Mike, Slim, and Daron are back with their latest gift to lovers everywhere, entitled Pleasure And Pain. Though 112 has always been able to provide smash radio-friendly tunes like "Cupid" and "Anywhere," too much ... full story
Clinton Sparks: Maybe You Been Brainwashed 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Not everyone in the music game can successfully wear multiple hats in an attempt to expand their enterprise. One man who doesn't seem to have that problem is DJ/entrepreneur/producer Clinton Sparks, who's newest production Maybe You Been Brainwashed has hit ... full story
Features Izza Kizza: Outta This World Terry Davis, more famously known by his crazy moniker Izza Kizza, hails from the small rural town of Valdosta, Georgia. ... full story
Editorials & Columns Hustle Harder: Think Inside The Box So last Friday I made my first TV appearance and I must admit it felt good. The show was called "The Weekly Riff," which ... full story
