I’ve been jockin “Kid Sister” for a few month’s now (thanks to Urb Magazine and Myspace) and now that I have her actual single “Control” on wax to appreciate, it’s about time to add upon her shine. I gotta say, Underground Hip-Hop B-Girls are on the rise (Jean Grey ahem?) who really don’t fit into the wonderful world of Commercial Rap and it’s flossin’ and use of “I’m dat b!tch” persona… At first glance, Kid Sister is super cute, I can’t deny that. Her mass appeal may be poised to break through an audience looking for a simpler gimmick from this sister… through her lyrics and creativity. Kid SIster has 16,268 myspace buddies… I’m sure that’s enough to spread the word… and it will spread!
(more after the jump…)

Attention… Attention! Please shut the f*ck up and let my man Pharoahe Monch Speak! He’s got a lot to say! 8 years deep- Pharoahe’s new album “Desire” is summed up as extrordinary… incredible… and get’s my nod (so far) for Album of the year. (and a 5 star rating!) Hip-Hop is in need of an upfront and spirited individual for us to relate with… If you take out that glamour, the glitz and lifestyle Hip-Hop sometimes portrays- Pharoahe fits right in and takes the spot with his lyrical and imaginative perspective. It’s his time to shine.
(more after the jump…)

Wait a minute… I have this already… why should I blow another $13.99 on this? What’s that? It’s a “Deluxe Edition?” Say word? The second disc features 11 previously unheard bonus-tracks & remixes alongside 15 instrumental tracks from Champion Sound never before available on CD. Oh, and the first disc, a classic many of us have features Madlib and J. Dilla collaborating on each others beats and features Talib Kweli, Quasimoto, Guilty Simpson, & Percee P! Umm, and it’s the same price as the original version?!? Yes- but you get a total of 43 tracks, 24 of which are unreleased and instrumentals!
(more after the jump…)

We all recall the 1st time we heard the classic Hip Hop posse-cut “The Symphony” with the “ Juice Crew ““that dropped in 1988. For me, I didn’t get a feel for the song till a few years later when I heard the single playing at a local record store. At the time, my homies were all bumping Hammer’s “Can’t touch this…” Though as time went on, my knowledge for Hip-Hop expanded as well. I started picking apart each member of the Juice crew, and If I could I tried to get as many tapes as I could of each artist. Master Ace’s debut Album “Take a look around” was one of those albums I had a real hard time finding. It wasn’t until 1995 I saw the cd for $3.95 at a local Wherehouse Music store I finally copped it… by that time I had a job and money wasn’t a thing for me and music!

For the first time ever, and similar to MC Shan and Kool G Rap’s debut releases, Cold Chillin’ Records and Traffic Entertainment Group proudly present Master Ace’s “Take A Look Around”, available for the first time as a double disc set, including the original album, and a plethora of substantial bonus material, from artwork to audio. With all the songs being digitally re-mastered, and all the additional photography being supplied by the man who took the photos (George DuBose), this project has been thought out, done right and handled with care, and we hope you enjoy it.
(more after the jump…)

There seems to be a pattern here… 2 classic reviews with Dre and Snoop back to back? What’s the deal? Well, I have a 2 hour commute from Home to work 5 days a week, so listening to albums in a back to back fashion is a plus. Today I chose, Dre’s “Chronic” and Snoop’s “Doggystyle.” Growin’ up, I didn’t have a job at the time Snoops debut album came out so I did what any other kid would do that didn’t involve stealing. I asked my pops to let me join his BMG mail service CD club … you know, buy 1 get 10 free! My pops deducted the bill from my allowance and was well worth it… some of the 1st CD’s I got were Tribe’s Low End Theory , Outkast’s 1st album and Snoop’s Doggystyle! an album with it’s G-Funk vibe stole the show in releases received by BMG… Don’t get me wrong, Outkast and ATCQ were off the hook, but a gangsta album with Dre’s beats, gangsta lyrics and Sexual escapades had this 15 year old kid wondering! What’s his name? Snoop Doggy Dogg!
(more after the jump…)

The significance and it’s importance of Dr. Dre’s debut solo album “The Chronic” is one of the important releases within our generation. Today’s music has a huge influence on the outcome of this record and has opened so many doors within Hip-Hop Culture. As negative as The Chronic was at the time, with it’s violent content and negative orientation, its also gained critical success in pushing the envelope of artistic freedom and speech. The Chronic was, and still is, the voice of the streets commanded by Dr. Dre himself and his collective bunch who’ve contributed so much to our culture (both good and bad) on the lyrical and cultural tip.
(more after the jump…)

The beat and the hook from TopKat’s new single “Let Me Tell You Something is infectious… I’m totally diggin’ it! Reppin’ Vallejo’s independent music scene (via Koch Records) I’m seein’ some familiar faces in the video! A step above that “Yay Area” Rap, Top Kat’s album (and it’s singles) are legitimate Hip-Hop Bangers.
(more after the jump…)

Oh man… did I just listen to “Good Girl Gone Bad” and enjoyed it?!? I SURE DID! Similar to Neyo’s “Because of you” release, The Carter Administration” is keeping an eye on these 2 youthful soulsters and in good taste, providing them with solid releases. Her new album “Good Girl gone Bad” is not 2 be missed… how can I explain?

SHE GREW THE FU¢K UP!
(more after the jump…)

Apologies for a very long hiatus. I’ve been Ill for almost a month and things at work have been extremely hectic… Now on with the reviews! (A lotta new stuff, good, bad and really surprising!) Let’s set it off with NYC’s very own Fabolous… Thank you Def Jam for finally putting this out, after being pushed back five times it’s release date! After first listen, you can’t help but compare it to Lil’ Wayne’s “The Carter II” album with its dark and matured setting. Though I will say Fab’s album features an all-start list of Producers and guest stars compared to “The Carter II”. The reason I brought the comparison was when I picked up Wayne’s 2nd album I was surprised from the maturity and growth featured on that release. The same would fit Fabolous’s new offering “From Nothing to Something.” The kid finally grew up into an established Emcee. Sure enough, I have a feeling the album’s gonna be a sleeper hit. So wake up and cop it!
(more after the jump…)