Toki Wright has a new EP up for download from the Rhymesayers site. You may have seen him touring with Brother Ali or other labelmates from the label in the past year. He is the Worldwide Wes of Minnesota hiphop, he knows everybody and appears at nearly every hiphop event in the Twin Cities. There [cont.]

If you follow Cage’s back story, you might notice he’s been on a bit of an upswing. His last album via Def Jux was critically acclaimed and attracted fans as diverse as Shia LeBouf.  This may or may not be a bad thing, clearly LaBouf has the power to do anything he wants at the [cont.]

It can be hard hearing a newcomer and not comparing him to Jay-Z or Big Daddy Kane or any other top notch emcee. Ultimately, however, it’s a fair comparison. If we are going to listen to someone’s album, then they should have the incentive of quality or at the very least the attempt at doing [cont.]

After more than a few group albums, the Little Brother crew seems to be moving in a direction of more solo joints.  9th Wonder already left the group and despite his semi-frequent production contributions since then, they’ve even acknowledged that they may be moving away from the continued group releases. Instead, they hope to emulate [cont.]

For the record, this head has been through Dallas and Austin, but never physically been to Houston. One would like to think that thanks to the UGK by way of Port Arthur, the Geto Boys, Z-Ro, Devin the Dude and Chamillionaire, one might feel at home there.  Sometimes artists find a way to perfectly represent their time and [cont.]

If you’re from the Midwest, it’s not enough to have talent.  Your work won’t get seen, your work won’t get heard.  Not unless you’re willing to out-work, out-hustle and just make music so good it can’t be denied.  Not to say that everything coming out of the Heartland is A+, but once it makes it past [cont.]

Since Jedi Mind Tricks came on the scene in the late 90’s, they’ve put out darker music then just about anyone on the east coast, without actually getting into horror rap territory.  They seem to lie on the fringes, too violent and brooding for most, yet still solid enough to capture the ears of any East [cont.]

People Under the Stairs have been representing the laid back sun and hazy smoke aloft in California hip-hop for over 10 years now.  While their consistency or at least longevity is commendable, it’s also what makes this release a relative non-essential.  You can only cruise on the same gimmick for so long and while they [cont.]

Just about anything we’ve seen on Black Milk seems to mention either Dr. Dre or J Dilla.  Sometimes both in the same review, interview, or what have you. The disservice this does to Black Milk however is that he’s setting out in his own direction.  His records don’t sound like anyone else’s.  His name is quickly becoming like [cont.]

When Canadian MC Kardinal Offishall dropped Fire and Glory in 2005, he was primed for success.  You couldn’t find an album without a Offishall guest spot.  He was like Lil’ Wayne minus give or take 30 mixtapes.  Despite appearing seemingly everywhere, Offishall couldn’t maintain his own solo success.  Even if he doesn’t break through much [cont.]

Reks is yet another MC from Boston that has yet to blow up NYC big, despite having the talent and sound to do so.  With Grey Hairs he comes with interesting production helmed by the incredibly solid Statik Selektah, along with Large Professor and DJ Premier, making this is one of the top underground albums to [cont.]

From about 93-98, hip-hop was riding high, and Wu-Tang led the charge.  Albums by the Clan, Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, and Ghostface, among others, hit hard with critical and commercial success. However, the Clan as a whole seemed to have fallen off for a few years.  Albums were more dispersed from the crew as a whole [cont.]

Writing this review I’m reminded of the fact that I live in the Midwest where it’s winter nearly 7 months out of the year.  When listening to something like The Grouch’s new LP Show You the World it has a certain California feel that just feels different then the music that comes out of the [cont.]

When Cannibal Ox dropped their Def Jux classic, The Cold Vein, in 2001, people were instantly looking for more from the group. Despite being an independent classic, there hasn’t been anything close to a full on follow-up outside of a few team-ups Marvel-style since. Vast Aire struck out on his own and put out his [cont.]

Blue Sky Black Death have already proved adept at their production for artists such as Holocaust and Hell Razah with the former being a high point of underground albums last year.  With their new album, Late Night Cinema, they explore instrumentals without the anchor of a steady voice.  Late Night Cinema is their latest attempt to [cont.]

The 80’s were a great time for the NBA.  The beginning of the decade brought Magic and Bird, and by the mid 80’s Air Jordan had brought he league to a whole new level.  Hip-hop came into it’s own almost at the same time.  Hip-hop was also ushered in to mass popularity by stars like [cont.]

Some say this decade has so far belonged to the South, once again however the Midwest is being underestimated.  Every year the lists have been filled with everyone from Chicago’s Common and Kanye to Detroit’s Eminem and Jay Dee or Minneapolis’ Atmosphere and Brother Ali.  One Be Lo is yet another Midwest who’s been solid [cont.]

In 2007, Kanye hyped and delivered Graduation, Jay-Z surprised and blew up with American Gangster, and Freeway came back after four years with Free At Last.  So far, it’s been a fine year for the Roc, the best since their early millennium highlights, and now Beanie Sigel has capped the year with his new album [cont.]

When a Definitive Jux album drops, it’s always worth checking out.  You might get something amazing like Cannibal Ox’s the Cold Vein or something real solid like Mr. Lif’s Mo’ Mega and sometimes you get something that’s at least decent.  The good thing is that no matter what you know everyone on Def Jux brings their [cont.]

The Hunt for the Gingerbread Man is MF Grimm’s follow up to his 2006 triple album epic American Hunger. Since being released from prison after a three year stint, Grimm has been one of the most productive MC’s this decade.  His new album is a full length concept album based on one of the better [cont.]