After releasing a handful of essential 12″ singles, on various Rawkus projects, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek were on the verge of becoming one of hip-hop’s best-kept secrets. Yet, they’re original incarnation (Reflection Eternal) was momentarily thwarted, as the duo expanded into a triumvirate with the inclusion of Mos Def; and their eventual manifestation as Black Star. While [cont.]

While progressive groups like Outkast, De La Soul, and Gang Starr reinvent themselves, or replenish their perspective sound every few years, Mobb Deep’s exacting formula has remained steadfastly loyal to one simple rule—if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Though our senses have been undeniably numbed by the realness that Prodigy & Havoc manifest, this duo has [cont.]

 Plucked off the turbulent streets of Philadelphia at the tender age of fifteen, Dice Raw has spent the majority of his youth barnstorming the globe as The Roots’ unofficial member. With his debut, Reclaiming The Dead, Dice makes it clear that his mission centers predominantly on reinstating the old-school aesthetics Y2K hip-hop fans have become [cont.]

 Recognized as the rotten apples most prominent mixtape slinger, DJ Clue’s second major-label compilation, Backstage, is another installment of exclusive material that promotes the impending theatrical release of Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Life tour. Though classifying Clue as a “DJ” is certainly a stretch (check out Revolution, DJ Babu, and X-ecutioners among many for confirmation). He [cont.]

The heralded NYC spot known as the Lyricist Lounge has become a cherished hip-hop institution. Its original platform was built around exposing up-and-coming verbalists, and the list of then unknown names who frequented the Lounge is an esteemed one; Mos Def, Rah Digga, Dead Prez , Mobb Deep , Last Emperor , Cocoa Brovaz , [cont.]

 Mr. Eon’s incarnation as “Dick Starbuck” (porno detective), on High & Mighty’s debut, may have ushered in the Smut Peddlers (Eon, DJ Mighty Mi, and Cage) regime. However, the trio’s debut, Porn Again, takes hip-hop’s skinz fetish to new extremes, as it is a collection based solely on the indulgence of everything that can be classified [cont.]

In the immortal words of Rakim “It’s been a long time” since Ed O.G. seemingly vanished off the hip-hop radar screen. How long? Well, it has been a full decade since ED, and Da Bulldogs made their initial splash, with the under-appreciated Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto (which spawned Yo MTV Raps favorites “I Got [cont.]

Without any major label hype, or crew affiliation, Encore has still managed to create quite a buzz for himself (no small feat these days). The ripples his handful of underground singles generated were significantly intensified by his Rakim like verbal explosion “Waterworld”, on Prince Paul & Dan The Automator critically acclaimed Handsome Boy Modeling School [cont.]

 Even though Sauce Money is most notorious for turning the art of ghostwriting into a lucrative, and highly-compensated occupation by penning Puff Daddy’s haunting, and Grammy-award winning tribute to Notorious B.I.G., “I’ll Be Missing You”, he is no new jack to hip-hop heads. While the ramifications of that landmark single garnished him widespread recognition, this emcee [cont.]

 After reuniting in 1998 with his Brand Nubian brothers on the under-appreciated Foundation, Sadat X resurfaced last year with two collaborative gems; “1-9-9-9″ f/ Common, and the previously vaulted “Come On”, which was one of the few highlights from Biggie’s disappointing posthumous release. While his solo-debut, Wild Cowboys, failed to strike a chord with the masses, [cont.]

 Hip-hop’s economic evolvement has made it nearly impossible for groups to remain self-contained, but the breakup of A Tribe Called Quest was especially disheartening. After culminating their decade long run of influence with, The Love Movement, Tribe loyalists immediately shifted gears, and turned their attention to frontman Q-Tip’s solo-debut Amplified; delegating the group’s oft-neglected Phife [cont.]

 The effect of Pharcyde’s debut opus, Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, still resounds mightily today; elements of that good time brand of hip-hop are traceable to left coast groups like Black Eyed Peas and Jurassic 5. Yet, after Pharcyde’s fun-loving Bizarre Ride, and its complicated follow-up, Labcabincalifornia, the wheels fell off, as the group succumbed to [cont.]

 Though The Fugees, The Score, sold 11-million records, and catapulted two its erstwhile members to superstardom, Wyclef Jean has nevertheless managed to redefine himself as a solo-artist. Similar to its classic predecessor, The Carnival, Clef’s quest to disassociate himself from traditional hip-hop parameters is freshly anewed with his subtle sophomore LP Ecleftic. With oft-times nothing [cont.]

Rumors of an impending Rasco /Planet Asia collaboration have been floating ever since these two united to flip “Take It Back Home” from Rasco’s stellar debut. While that track gave us the first glimpse of what was too come, Rasco and Asia have been nearly inseparable since, spending the better part of the last year [cont.]

How did you come to this point? Tak: My background is with me and Cheapshot [Styles of Beyond DJ]. We did little talent shows, little demos. Around the first semester of college, I met Ryu…Another guy we knew introduced us and we ended up going to the parking lot and listened to some instrumentals. I [cont.]

Personality wise each member of the Living Legends is as different as night & day. But it is readily apparent thru their musical offerings that they all have one thing particularly in common– a taste for the obscure. Eligh is no different in that regard, as his eclectic array of production and mind-expanding lyricism is indeed [cont.]

While Canadian emcees like Saukrates and Choclair have been getting their fair share of attention as of late, the Vancouver duo of Madchild & Prevail may be the best Canadian import yet (discounting Canada’s tasty alcoholic beverages). First and foremost some hardrocks may have trouble relating to SM’s dungeon & dragons topic matter. Romancing the elements of nature, [cont.]

While Gang Starr’s popularity has skyrocketed, it’s once promising stable of underground affiliates (Jeru The Damaja, Group Home, Big Shug, AKA- Gang Starr Foundation) have virtually disappeared off the hip-hop map. Back at square one, a now independent Group Home re-emerge to drop their sophomore LP, minus one of the most-revered sound constructor’s to ever [cont.]

After delivering one of 1998′s strongest underground releases Rasco returns with a teasing 6 track EP, one which finds the Soulfather truly in a stage of infancy. You see Rasco is back at step one, as The Birth is not only the name of Rasco’s latest brain child, but it also the birth of his creative [cont.]

The Boot Camp Click (Black Moon, Heltah Skeltah, Cocoa Brovaz, O.G.C., etc) in their prime were a dynasty in the making, and consorted with the elite of NY s underground hip-hop scene. But since their auspicious arrival this talented core of emcees has been a shell of their former selves, suffering from a variety of growth-stunting [cont.]