Since the emergence of “Gangsta Rap”, violence has played a part in Hip-Hop music.  Fueled by films such as “Belly”, “State Property”, and “Paid in Full” to name a few, rappers are reaping the benefits of keeping it on the reel and making moves to movies.  In a phone conversation with Prodigy of Mobb Deep [cont.]

Eyedea & Abilities have been taking risks with hip-hop since they were still in high school and their new album, E&A, is the big payoff. Never bothering with college these two recorded their first album and went touring coast-to-coast with Atmosphere when they were still teenagers. But a lot has changed since then. I talked [cont.]

Tony Toca’s dedication to Hip-Hop is immeasurable. From the earliest days of this culture’s inception, Tony Touch has always had a hand in it somehow, somewhere. Growing up in early 80′s Brooklyn he was connected to it from the outset and it didn’t take long for him to find his way to his vocation: the [cont.]

It’s been a long time coming for the Sound Providers. Six years after dropping their debut on wax, “Dope Transmission” b/w “The Field,” they finally get their proper chance to show and prove. Their full-length debut, An Evening with the Sound Providers, draws the listener into a simulated performance at an intimate club as producers [cont.]

We caught up with cultural connoisseur/actor/literary assassin Bonz Malone, the narrator and writer of the movie, We Got Your Kids, a film not just about hip hop and the music or culture behind it, but a film about the impact it has on our society as it pertains to economic empowerment, cultural degradation and social [cont.]

HHS: The title, Pangaea – as far as Visionaries are concerned, what’s your significance for having a title like this? Key Kool: “The concept of Pangaea was – the world before it became seven separate continents, was just one continent. Kinda just like how the musicis for us. We came from all these different walks [cont.]

HHS: You really put yourself out there with Death Is Certain, as it is about as honest as an emcee is going to get; you admit your own wife thinks your music is too violent, broach the question of whether you’re a one hit wonder, put your manager on blast and even apologize to fans [cont.]

HHS: You have a stellar list of guests on your album, out of all of the people who was most unique in their approach to recording? CHOPS: I’d say probably Raekwon was the most unique, he’s one of the bigger names but he was real open to experimenting, trying different shit, and was cool about [cont.]

Known in various stages as Grimm Reaper, MF Grimm and, now, Grand Master (GM) Grimm, Harlem-bred Percy Carey should be a legend. He isn’t. Such have been the circumstances of this 33-year-old MC’s life. He played a small but pivotal role on the 1993 KMD masterpiece, Black Bastards – that album was shelved by Elektra, [cont.]

HipHopSite: Why did you change your name from L-Swift to Swigga? Swigga: It’s just because my music is different now.  The things I get across now is different than when I was L-Swift.  I had that name in seventh grade.  For me to step it up to a new era of things, I felt I [cont.]

Ethx: I’m just gonna go ahead and jump right to the questions, you’re a busy man and all. First questions for you, how did you get involved in this Hip Hop game in the very beginning, what was your first introduction to Hip Hop? Jake One: As far as just being a fan, the early [cont.]

HHS: First off, congratulations on the new record. Where did y’all record it? H&M- Exclusively at The Mutha Fu#$in Spot on Lexington. HHS: How do Eon & Mighty Mi vibe in the studio? What is the writing and recording process like for High & Mighty? Mighty Mi- Erik writes the songs to Zhigge instrumentals and [cont.]

Congratulations on your first 12″ coming out off your new album and your tour with Heiro and Little Brother; I saw you guys when you came through here, it was a dope dope show. Thank you. For those of my guests that don’t know who you are do you want to go ahead and do [cont.]

Take all that I-had-to-push-powder-before-becoming-an-MC gibberish that these generic mixtape superstars spit with a grain of salt.  Columbus, Ohio native Blueprint, full-time MC/producer/CEO, chose to get a degree in Computer Science and program computers for five years while building his indie label, Weightless Recordings, co-owned with college buddy Manifest.  Touring last year with Atmosphere for the [cont.]

HHS: What’s Up Sage? Sage: Hey Pizzo. HHS: Nice album, The Non-Prophets “Hope”. Sage: Yeah? Thanks…. HHS: That’s some fuckin’ hip-hop shit man!! You are all over the place; crazy with the classic throwback references…. Sage: Yeah, that’s the easiest kind of album for me to make. Heh… I guess I will make more later [cont.]

It is unfortunate that many Queensbridge hip-hop veterans from late 80′s and early 90′s can now be found on milk boxes or demeaning “Where Are They Now?” segments.  Tragedy Khadafi has avoided this fate with the resiliency and guile necessary to survive 15 years amongst industry snakes.  He has craved out a respectable body of [cont.]

By Marlon Regis HHS: What was your main goal in putting out, Here Comes The Fuzz? Mark Ronson: “On a bigger scale, Here Comes The Fuzz, I just think like a lot of hip hop and R&B, and new music right now, is kinda like very clean and it’s like keyboard-sounds and stuff. This is [cont.]

By Marlon Regis HHS: From your debut, From Where? released in 1995 on Atlantic Records, up until now in 2003 with your anticipated I Ain’t Mad No More release on Rawkus, how difficult have all these major transitions and changes in the market, made it for you to still have hope in the game? Skillz: [cont.]

HipHopSite: Talk a little about the album.  I know you have Jay-Z, ODB, Freeway, etc.  But what can fans expect from you?  Conceptually and with your flow?  Guests and production? Kanye West: See, here’s the thing.  All those usual questions that you ask about an album don’t really apply.  Outside production, that’s not what this [cont.]

It’s been almost four years since Jedi Mind Tricks hit us with the classic Violent by Design. During that time the duo of Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind have gone from shadowy underground figures to becoming the flagship for upstart label babygrande records. Along the way they have redefined themselves as [cont.]