Pharoahe Monch: Desire 4.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 After reading a story on Pharoahe Monch in the Sunday Independent in the UK that his album was going to be crazy -- despite the genre not being considered music let alone a culture -- it just screams "classic" before listening to it. Having been away from ... full story
Common: Finding Forever 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The verb "finding" should have been dropped from the title of Common's seventh studio album, Finding Forever. After all, the path to "forever" had already been found with the release of the single, "I Used To Love H.E.R.". Its accompanying album, Resurrection, ... full story
UGK: Underground Kingz 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 3 The undeniable hit off Underground Kingz, "International Players Anthem (Remix)," has blossomed into one of the most discussed records in recent years. UGK and Outkast (arguably the two biggest duos in rap) offer takes on love and relationships over a shifting ... full story
J. Wells & Kurupt: Digital Smoke 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 J. Wells, one of the most slept on and diverse producers to hail from the West, teamed up with lyrical phenom, Kurupt, of DPG fame, to give fans of classic West Coast hip-hop something quite nice to smoke on. This collaborative effort/compilation style CD, ... full story
Rasheeda: Dat Type of Gurl 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 If you are expecting to be blown away by lyricism and think hip-hop has a new female savior with the fourth studio album from "the Georgia Peach," Rasheeda, you will be highly disappointed. But if you are one of her fans you won't be let down, well, you might ... full story
Z-Trip: All-Pro 2K8 (Soundtrack) 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 These days, everything has a soundtrack; movies, TV Shows, even video games. Yes, video games. This trend has slowly developed, with Rockstar games being on the forefront with their "Grand Theft Auto" series. On the athletic front, 2K Sports has not been far ... full story
T.I.: T.I. Vs. T.I.P. 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 T.I is back with his newest release, T.I. vs. T.I.P., and everybody should be all over it. With every album, it seems that his talent and swagger gets bigger. What made this album dope is the vision behind it. The whole idea that T.I. and his alter ego, T.I.P., ... full story
Huey: Notebook Paper 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 Despite many people questioning St Louis rapper, Huey's, artistic merit, he is getting plenty of radio spins off his "Pop Lock & Drop It" single. It's is the type of song that gets stuck in your head after one listen. It's a feel good song that gets the ... full story
Fabolous: From Nothin' To Somethin' 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 3 Ever pondered what separates a revered, dexterous MC like say,uhh... Fabolous, from an iconic, adroit MC like Jay-Z? The subtle nuances that separate good from great are not easily distinguishable in the complex conundrum that is the hip-hop honoree. However, ... full story
Chrisette Michele: I Am 4.0 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 Def Jam has come under serious scrutiny for the way in which the label is run, and Chrisette Michele is another fine example of an artist, a true talent, who failed to get the marketing she deserved. Being pushed to the side to sing her own song, however, ... full story
R. Kelly: Double Up 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 3 In an age where sexual content is such a pedestrian aspect of the media we consume, there is something refreshing about the boundless energy and creativity that R. Kelly brings to the subject of sex. It would not be completely misleading to classify his ninth ... full story
T-Pain: Epiphany 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 When "I'm Sprung," by T-Pain, first dropped, radio stations played it over and over across the country. However, a lot of people were hating on that song. Who would have known that a couple of years later, he would still have a career. What makes T-Pain special ... full story
Big Shug: Streetchamp 3.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 Following his cameo appearances on the last three Gang Starr releases (Hard to Earn, 1994; Moment of Truth, 1998; and their latest, and possibly, final group effort, The Ownerz) Foundation alum and core member, Big Shug, marked his "official" recording debut ... full story
B.T.H. (Bravez Team Hyphy): All Systems Go 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 0 The Bay area has managed to evolve Hyphy into a culture of their own. Don't get it twisted, not all artists from The Bay are Hyphy. The same way all artists from The South aren't Crunk. But the artists who are representing the movement have caught the world's ... full story
Planet Asia: Jewelry Box Sessions 2.5 out of 5.0 | Comments: 1 Have you ever coached a little league team? Youth hoops? Anything? Anyway, you know when you got that one kid who's got all the tools to be a star, and you keep waiting and waiting, but he just can't make that next step to actually being that great player? ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Shopping Guide: October 2008 We're back again with our October installment of the shopping guide for all you avid BallerStatus.com readers. We've ... full story
