AltWeeklies Wire
The Dream Is a Hit Machinenew
Thank goodness for The Dream's (nee Terius Nash) ability to write and produce some of the most hypnotic smashes ever known to mainstream radio.
Metro Spirit |
Frazia Lee |
03-20-2009 |
Reviews
J Dilla's 'Dillanthology, Volume 1'new
Before he died from cardiac arrest three years ago, J Dilla was the quietest of hip-hop legends. Fortunately, he’s experiencing something of a posthumous renaissance, and some of the most popular cuts from his early career are captured nicely on Dillanthology, Volume 1.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
03-18-2009 |
Reviews
Is The Game Over?new
In a phone interview, he insists his latest album, L.A.X., will be his final one, and he sounds as if he's fishing for praise when he explains why: "'Cause, see, you guys don't need me anymore. You got all these other wack rappers that you love so much."
Phoenix New Times |
Ben Westhoff |
02-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Is Hip-Hop in Seattle Being White-Washed?new
Just like electric blues, hip-hop reaches a vastly broader, and whiter, audience than ever before. The difference in Seattle is that some of the most recognizable figures are by and large non-black, a fact that makes rappers like Silas Blak concerned.
Seattle Weekly |
Jonathan Cunningham |
02-23-2009 |
Music
206 Zulu Keeps the Principles of Hip-Hop Alivenew
One of the Northwest's most respected hip-hop organizations, 206 Zulu is based in Beacon Hill and is the local chapter of the legendary Universal Zulu Nation, a grassroots hip-hop advocacy group first formed in the Bronx in 1974 by rap pioneer Afrika Bambaataa.
Seattle Weekly |
Jonathan Cunningham |
02-17-2009 |
Music
Hip-Hop and the Obama Effectnew
Nas, Young Jeezy and others don't think Obama's presidency spells the end of hip-hop.
New York Press |
R.M. Schneiderman and Ray LeMoine |
02-05-2009 |
Music
Tags: Barack Obama, hip-hop
Lesbian Hip-Hoppers Yo Majesty Are Looking for an Alternate Route to Successnew
It's hard enough being a woman in hip-hop. The misogynistic lyrics from the male MCs. The objectifying audiences who keep coming back for more. Being a lesbian in hip-hop? That's double trouble, a minority within a minority.
Philadelphia City Paper |
A.D. Amorosi |
01-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Floetry May Be Over, But the Floacist Goes Onnew
Sometimes you just have to face the music. You have to bite down and come to terms with the truth, no matter how painful or unbelievable it may be. Most recently I had to finally accept what I’ve been denying for a while now: Floetry has, indeed, broken up.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Craig D. Lindsey |
01-26-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Much of 'iSouljaBoyTellem' Apes Its Predecessornew
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em charms the pants off of you, except when he's annoying the life out of you.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
01-21-2009 |
Reviews
'Notorious': Drugs-to-Bitchesnew
The Notorious B.I.G. biopic creates a mythical world of glamour and sex to further pop product.
New York Press |
Armond White |
01-15-2009 |
Reviews
Biopic 'Notorious' Has Biggie-Sized Moral Lessonsnew
It's not acting that makes Notorious a miss. It's that the plot lines are convoluted, the genre's cliches are in full effect (from audio flashbacks to magazine-cover montages), and the whole thing screams both "Too soon!" and "Too innocent!"
Willamette Week |
Casey Jarman |
01-14-2009 |
Reviews
Tasherre D'Enajetic's Committed, If Not Possessednew
The Detroit emcee made plans last year to record 52 songs -- roughly four complete albums in CD terms -- in as many weeks, or a year. At press time, he's halfway toward his goal.
Metro Times |
William E. Ketchum III |
01-13-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: hip-hop, Tasherre D'Enajetic
It's Hard to Assign Blame in Seattle Club Shootingsnew
Whether blame was being aimed at Chop Suey, Big Kountry Entertainment, the city's lack of attention to a purportedly growing gang-activity problem, or the music itself, grief quickly manifested itself as cries for culpability. Few viewed it as a failure of club security, but many theories abound when looking closer at the root of the tragedy.
Seattle Weekly |
Hannah Levin |
01-12-2009 |
Music
2008: The Year South Florida Hip-Hop Went Globalnew
Rappers from the region stepped up their game exponentially, and the entire country responded.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Jonathan Cunningham |
12-30-2008 |
Music
The 10 Most Preposterous Rap Songs of 2008new
Busted rhymes from Rick Ross to Fat Joe and back again.
Miami New Times |
Ben Westhoff |
12-30-2008 |
Music
Tags: hip-hop, Year in Review
