In the reality era, there are a number of celebrities who are “famous for being famous.” We can now add Nicki Minaj to that list. After being parodied on SNL and performing with Madonna at the Superbowl halftime show, Minaj is hip hop’s latest larger than life personality (ironically the last one we had was [cont.]

In every group, there is always a breakout star. Michael Jackson stood out in the Jackson 5. Q-Tip is the most recognizable face of A Tribe Called Quest. You know the story. Group breaks up, one member goes on to super stardom. In the case of Rapper Big Pooh, he found himself initially on the [cont.]

There are few emcees that consistently put out good music. In the era of disposable product, artists drop projects that are hot (or not) today and forgotten tomorrow. Immortal Technique is one of the few consistent artists and is hardly an emcee that floods the Internets with disposable nonsense. In fact, it’s been quite the [cont.]

“This ain’t no lyrical, miracle, chop your head off… none of that shit.” Those words punctuate the introduction of Murs and Terrace Martin’s collaborative effort, Murs and Terrace Martin Are… Melrose. While the Living Legend is certainly capable of getting deep with it, as evidenced by his collaborative efforts with 9th Wonder, this isn’t one [cont.]

Posthumous compilation; no rating given. Gunfire cut the lives of too many talented emcees short. 2Pac, Notorious BIG and Scott LaRock instantly come to mind. Typically lost in the shuffle of the deceased is Big L. At 24, Lamont Coleman’s life was stopped in a barrage of gun fire. Many believe he was on the [cont.]

Some artists make the best music during the most trying periods of their lives. Ready to write the next chapter in the “troubled artists” book of history is one Clifford Harris. After riding a wave to crossover status that included critically acclaimed albums and a number one movie (“Takers”), TI and wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle [cont.]

Consistency is often a gift and a curse within hip-hop circles. Spend too much time doing the same thing and the sound gets stale. Go too far out of the box and fans long for the sounds of yesterday. This is the space Chicago emcee Twista occupies today. After rhyming over sonic soundscapes from the [cont.]