Planet Asia has undoubtedly made an impact on Hip-Hop consumers these last few years. Running with the ethic of dropping joints one after another has proven a successful pay-off, scoring the vainglorious Fresno-bred emcee a major deal with Interscope Records. As a precursor to the album and to keep his momentum up, Asia delivers the slim-yet-thick [cont.]

When RZA screamed, “Fuck ya’ll analog niggas, we be digital”, he probably didn’t have Kool Keith in mind. But it’s no secret that Keith has always had beef with anyone he’s felt has bitten his ideas, but at the same time has a good enough sense of humor to throw it right back at them. [cont.]

 In hip-hop, one album, or artist usually defines the constant shift of focus between the east, west, and southern regions of the U.S. That artist makes such a significant mark with their release, that the overall sound of the music evolves, trying to capture that same style, and ultimately, the same amount of success. The [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.]

Louis Logic returns with his second 12″ single, following his underground favorite “It’s Logic”, of last year. Heading things off is “General Principle”, featuring J-Treds, which uses the same sample (or very similar) that the High & Mighty used for “The Last Hit”, but those who aren’t too picky won’t mind (I don’t). The track brings [cont.]

 Enter Rah Digga. First female of the Flipmode Squad, and founding member of the infamous Outsidaz camp – an emcee so nice, she had to affiliate twice. The world first got their fix of Digga on Fugees classic “Cowboys”, where she was trading rhymes with Lauryn, Pras, ‘Clef, and baby-father, Young Zee. But more recently, heads will [cont.]

 Illadelph’s Jedi Mind Tricks first got the attention of the underground hip-hop audience in 1996, with the release of their Amber Probe E.P., a very limited pressing that was shipped to college radio deejays, and shortly after, sold online at a brand new record store called HipHopSite. With such an obvious Star Wars reference in the [cont.]

Deep below the Lyricist Lounge, lurks a mysterious man known only as Will Tell. While hard at work in his basement, some think he’s a mad scientist, some others think he’s a terrorist. In actuality, he’s the man behind the man on the mic. He is a producer. One who makes beats, and one who [cont.]

 The South’s official hip-hop representatives, Big Boi and Andre 3000, step up with their fourth album, Stankonia - an album that’s been described by many as a “journey” or an “experience”, and for the most part, rightfully so. After delivering their definitive and classic sophomore release, ATLiens, and it’s arguable, presumed classic follow-up, Aquemini, the duo [cont.]

“10 Years ago, a Rap commando unit was sent to prison for a covert experimental rhyme project deemed ahead of it’s time and insightful of public hysteria, thus a threat to commercial defense”. So let’s knock it out the box, The A-Team is Aceyalone and Abstract Rude, known on this particular project as Acey The Faceman [cont.]

 It’s amazing how there are some heads out there that still front on Jay-Z. Sure, taking a look at videos like “Money Ain’t A Thing” could easily make you believe that Jigga-man is a one-dimensional, flossy, fake-ass rapper. But heads who checked for last year’s Vol. 2: The Hard Knock Life or his previous LP’s, [cont.]

 Check the resume: Since 1983, the notorious Compton G, Dr. D-R-E, has helped mold, shape and create, new sounds and formulas for not only hip-hop and gangsta rap, but popular music as well. Already known as a turntable terrorist for some Compton nightspots and later LA’s 24 hour rap station KDAY, Dre became a member [cont.]

 This year’s most surprising comeback award will undoubtedly go to the Jungle Brothers. What seemed like an impossibility, after a ten-year slump from the crew, has become a reality, on the group’s fifth album V.I.P., with much thanks owed to a European fellow named Alex Gifford. But before delving into the new Jungle Brothers album, [cont.]

 Coming from the depths of the Detroit underground is Binary Star, a duo that first landed on the scene two years ago, catching heads’ attention with a four song EP, highlighted by the fatal attraction tale, “Glen Close”. Since then, their audience has patiently awaited the full-length release, which finally is earthbound in 2001. The [cont.]

The debut of the Rebel INS’s solo LP is one of the most anticipated releases in the Wu-Tang Clan’s history. He’s been called the Wu’s most underrated emcee, even though his was the first voice heard when you played Enter the 36 Chambers for the first time. Deck’s powerful impact on mics was never really fronted [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.]

Is Gift of Gab the schizophrenic tenant number one? One thing is for sure: on the Blackalicious A2G EP, he’s definitely housing & arousing the intellect with introspect. This is the kind of release in only seven short songs that most rap soloists and crews wish they could come up with in bulky blathering thirty cut double [cont.]

 The danger of reviewing any commercially oriented rap artist is that you walk a thin line between played out cliches. On one hand, it is so standard to diss rappers for coming out flossy that many critics slam the content without even checking the music, content, or flows. On the other hand, it is so [cont.]

 Some artists know how to strike when the iron is hot, and some don’t. Rahzel created incredible buzz with the Pete Rock produced All I Know and then pushed his album back month after month. Mobb Deep nearly bled themselves dry with a year of delays on Murda Muzik, by which time the entire album had [cont.]

The Boston scene can blow well enough on its own without the infamous and degrading controversy that surrounds The Almighty RSO/Made Men and The Source magazine.  Any publicity may be good publicity, but Boston heads have got to be damn tired of being remembered as the city that Guru left behind for the bright lights [cont.]