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.]

JMT’s latest is an interesting contrast… On “Heavenly Divine”, Ikon’s style has gotten a little more hardcore, while Stoupe’s production follows closer to the song’s title, with its somwhat “religious” flutes and violins. “Trinity” unites the holy trio of Ikon, L-Fudge and Louis Logic for some more on that same divine level… Could be a [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.]

 Among hip-hop enthusiasts, Rakim is looked at as THE pioneer of the new school, and perhaps the greatest lyricist of all time. Once paired with DJ Eric. B, the two dropped four arguably classic albums before The R went solo two years ago. His last album, Book Of Life was a series of hit & miss [cont.]

 What defines a great emcee? That question is asked throughout the extent of J-Live’s The Best Part - at least that’s how it was intended to be. What is billed as The Best Part on two pieces of wax, is in fact J-Live’s long-awaited album, yet the running theme of asking the man on the street [cont.]

Coming from the God Quality crew and ABB Records is Superstar Quamallah. 7 tracks deep, his conversational style especially works well on tracks with shared vocals, such as “Sugar Hell No!”, where he and Tajai of Souls of Mischief tell listeners it’s okay to say “just say no”, whether it be to the bum on the [cont.]

 The acronym Murs has stood for many an interesting quote, but if I was to create my own meaning for the four letters it would be: MURS Utilizes Rap Staples. As flamboyantly raw in person as behind a microphone, MURS can simultaneously call you a “bitch”, step on your toes, turn a track inside out [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.]

This record is a prime example of good independent hip-hop. It’s not too nerdy, not too experimental, not too gimmicky, or not too unoriginal. It’s just good underground production and rhymes “Blue Light Special” begins with a hard hitting classic drum break, then breaks into mellow grooves, as the emcees catch wreck, excellently meshing with [cont.]

Up and down the West Coast of the US and Canada are a steady stream of artists who keep pumping out quality hip-hop. The Mind Clouders are made up of 2Mex and Mum’s the Word, and have enlisted some of their fellow West Coasters on this effort. They include Iriscience, Key-Kool, Vixxen and Circus. So [cont.]

The Raidermen return after a short hiatus with their latest 12-inch. “Piecemaker” is some raw sh*t, and I’m really feeling this one. While the subject matter of the song, guns, ain’t nuttin’ new, the production on this one is so phat. Off key pianos, a dirty quarter scratch and gunshot setting the song of just sounds [cont.]

Gazing back a few years ago to the adolescence of new school independent hip-hop we can proudly reminisce on a slightly different picture to the contrast of the current sight of things. ‘Back then’: There weren’t 25 different records coming out a week, Fat Beats only had one store, and Rawkus  was being clowned more [cont.]

The so-called Mudkids certainly aren’t dirty or gritty, even though with a 4trackmind you might expect something that sounds rougher than an unreleased Wu-Tang Clan demo. Never that. What the rapper cHoc MC and partner/producer El-Mass put together will not leave washboard mudstains on the ride of your mind; rather, they will refresh you and leave you [cont.]

Here to set it on ya, direct from California is the Fresno breed mic-phenom Planet Asia. Bringing true underground skills full-circle, Asia represents the epitome of old school lyricism, in an updated new school package. Lots of names are thrown around when discussing which up and coming emcee holds the most promise for the year [cont.]

 Blowing in like a breath of fresh air from the golden state, Defari Herut brings it back to the time when artists concentrated on dropping pure hip-hop, tailor-made for the heads whose life revolves around the artform. As if their roster wasn’t deep enough already, another member of the hella dope Likwit Crew gets tipsy for our listening [cont.]

Ever since Ice Cube stepped down as the west coast’s hip-hop political activist, it seems like there hasn’t been a voice to cry “We are at war,” Sistah Souljah-style, in the place where the sun sets. Although many have chosen to shut it out, there has been a little voice in the corner that keeps getting [cont.]

One of the most consistent independent hip-hop crews as of late has been Swollen Members. With their album just about to drop on American recently dropping, the crew brings an underground compilation on two pieces of wax on their own label, Battle Axe. Del The Funkee Homosapien wins for having the phattest track on this album [cont.]

 I played “Dr. EZ’s Cool Fantastic Part II” for my homie a while back and his response to the buzzing bass bumps and floating spaced-out keys was, “this don’t go together”. I beg to differ my friend, it fits like the number 3 special at Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits. And that is what basically sums [cont.]

 After dropping the accompanying score to Jay-Z’s mega-successful Hard Knock Life tour, DJ Clue returns with his third major label mixtape endeavor The Professional Pt. 2. Though there is no change to Clue’s loosely scripted formula, his networking abilities remain essential, as his name continues to draw hip-hop’s reigning chart-toppers. However, assimilating these hired guns [cont.]

Grouch representing Cali and the mighty Living Legends Crew, (still Independent and loving it) seems greatly influenced by the early Hieroglyphic sound. In fact, sometimes you would swear that you were listening to Del. In a quest to bring it a little different, Grouch cleverly implements an assortment of instruments into one concise package. Buckle up, [cont.]