Who Is This Man? It’s not only the album title of this MF Doom produced album, but the question I had to ask about his partner, John Robinson.  While Doom’s work has long been heralded, John Robinson hadn’t made a splash on my radar.  Given the album title, though, it’s clear he’s out to explain [cont.]

Scarface’s Emeritus is being billed as his farewell.  The last record.  There are all kinds of caveats, of course.  He might do a group album, maybe some production work, maybe a rock album (please, Face, don’t do it!).  But I think any claims of retirement from Brad Jordan are about as believable as Brett Favre. [cont.]

Beyonce has become a sort of force of nature.  She’s not only a musician and actress, she’s an icon of the celebrity culture.  She’s Jay-Z’s wife, for God’s sake, and she’s never overshadowed.  But for as many roles as she’s taken on and as popular as she is, it’s just as much her attitude that [cont.]

“Inspired by The Wire…the Brick City New Jeru Avon Barksdale…” First off, we have to give credit to any MC who references HBO’s The Wire.  There’s no reason for the hip-hop world not to be obsessed with the show (except maybe for it’s porous fifth season and difficult to get through second, but that’s another matter).  [cont.]

Any time you talk about AZ, you have to start by bringing up his unforgettable verse on Nas’ Illimatic some 14 years ago.  While that indelible verse is a classic hip hop moment, the mere fact that you have to reference it every time says something about what AZ has been up to since then. [cont.]

There was a time when Ras Kass was considered something like the West Coast Nas – a street, but cerebral and intellectual MC, naming albums after Eldridge Cleaver books (Soul on Ice) and doing songs about the history of slavery and religion (“Nature of the Threat”).  He also had major skills, making him a compelling [cont.]

I have an affinity for legends who continue their careers beyond their primes.  I liked it when Jordan came back in his forties.  I’m glad Favre is going to play another year.  Shaq’s not what he used to be, but he’s still worth having around.  The thing is when a legend plays until he’s entirely [cont.]

“It’s been about four years now.  I’ve been through a lot.” That’s how Ashanti’s new album, The Declaration, starts out.  While she’s been going through it, the airwaves have been dominated by the likes of Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Rihanna.  Leaving us to wonder, where does Ashanti fit in?  What can she offer that the [cont.]

Trying to come up with a list of great female MCs is a little bit like trying to name the best white American players in the NBA.  If you can name five who are even decent, you’ve accomplished something.  Obviously there’s Lauryn Hill (that is, when “her heart still was in rhymin’”), and she’s better [cont.]

The thing you have to realize when listening to Tyga’s No Introduction is that it’s essentially children’s music.  Okay, not children, but teenagers.  It’s for kids.  This is fitting since the 18-year-old Tyga is barely out of high school himself.  Granted, there isn’t that much difference these days between the social lives of those in [cont.]

Pace Won first got notice with a guest spot on The Fugees’ The Score back in 1996.  That’s right, 12 years ago.  Dude’s been around for a minute.  He served as one of the front men for the group The Outsidaz and if you’re wondering where he’s been or surprised he’s still around, it’s been [cont.]