Much more impressive than the musical content on this debut release from this Atlanta-based, California-raised duo, is the depth in which their title and name derivatives define their hip-hop space. It’s critical to be aware of them before you allow yourself to be moved by this CD. Whether or not you’re swept off your feet, [cont.]

 A decade has passed in the album-making careers of this trio, hip-hop’s most innovative and highly creative bunch. As the many influences and short-term trends invade and fade out of the rap industry time and time again, De La Soul on Art Official Intelligence, their fifth album to date, carefully embarrass what most emcees tried, [cont.]

The Bay and L.A. join forces to form the collective Quannum, a group that comprises of Latyrx (Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truth Speaker), Blackalicious (Chief Xcel and Gift of Gab) and DJ Shadow . Individually, these artists mentioned have all laid their mark with some potent 12″ releases, classic albums, by extensively touring the West [cont.]

 It’s assumed that if you’re into hip hop as low as the ‘underground’ goes, you would have inevitably drifted north of the U.S. borders where temperatures drop even lower. Enter Canada, and one of its premier lyricists, Choclair. Very hip to the essence of the beats and rhyme theory, on Ice Cold however, Choclair’s quest [cont.]

The outlet for this release finds the walkman taking first priority! Save this one for your rides and stereo after. With street appeal more than matching up to the mix-tape status that underground gems enjoy, most of the beats off this release are lovely.  But sometimes the singing chorus-hooks just destroy the effect. When istrumentals, [cont.]

HHS: It’s kind of impossible for me to not touch on your past, A Tribe Called Quest. On the last album, The Love Movement, where were each of you’ll as far as being a unit for the future? Phife: “Definitely not, everybody was spread out, doing their own thing already. The vibe was kinda… Well, [cont.]

HHSite: Who are Blackalicious? Chronologically, break it down as far as the other formed groups within the Quannum umbrella? Chief Xcel: Blackalicious recorded on CD is Chief Xcel and the Gift of Gab. Blackalicious live, when we touring is Chief Xcel, Gift of Gab, Versatile, Joyo Velarde and Lateef the Truth Speaker. Quannum is DJ [cont.]