Damn, who are these kids? Rattling off lyrics like they’re going head-to-head with Rakim circa ’88, the Scum team of Insight and T-Ruckus bombard you with verses and a blaxploitated funk guitar loop on “Scum Live”. “Slug Fest” continues the verbal attack, this time over a driving, horn loop that’s as frenetic as Scum’s lyric pacing. And just [cont.]

Am I the only person to think that Fashion – excuse me, Al Tariq – made a career misstep when he left the Beatnuts? I mean, the Beatnuts are monster large nowadays, with considerable underground rep (even though they’re last two albums have kind of blown in my opinion) and increasingly commercial play. Al Tariq? [cont.]

Not that talent necessarily has to run in families but the more production I hear from Madlib’s younger brother, Oh No, the more I’m convinced the Jackson clan has some scary genetics running through it. The musical mind behind Kali Wild and Epitome slaps down a nice blend of tracks for the Infamous MC. “Attitudes” is light [cont.]

Funny – I really enjoyed their last 12″, but did I not notice that they all sound like Anticon knock-offs? Not like that’s a bad thing, but flow-wise, it just doesn’t work all the time. That’s pretty apparent on “All Word No Play” which has a nice enough beat – ride cymbal and some spacey [cont.]

Just when you thought you wouldn’t hear anything more from the Black Eyed Peas, they come with an amazing remix to “Karma”. “One Way” brings back the classic b-side track. The cosmic ringing fused with the vibey Tribe sound, and classic drum break, proves that the Peas will definitely have longevity in this game, bringing [cont.]

Like some early ’90s 12″ that has more remixes than you can count, Encore brings mo’ flavor to this new 12″, offering three songs, three remixes plus two instrumentals. Dig through and I think the “Considadis (Unsung Heroes Remix)” for “Considadis” rises to the top. For one thing, the lyrical interplay between Encore and Grand The [cont.]

Afu steps up with 12″ number two, in preparation for his Body of The Life Force LP, due out later this year. “Defeat” is pretty simply said Afu bouncing all over the track, as DJ Premier cooks up another batch formulated freshness. “Mortal Kombat” teams up Afu with Masta Killa, on a darker vibe, as the [cont.]

New indy crew from Philly steps up with a new 12″ worth a few spins from backpackers and bedroom DJ’s worldwide. “Rationalize ” is produced by the brother ?uestlove of The Roots, refreaking a piano sample last head on J-Live’s “Braggin’ Writes Remix”. Although in true Roots fashion, ?uest flips it, adding a neo Native [cont.]

First of all, it’s about damn time these Texan cats have an album coming out (Universal), they’re one of those underground groups that have put out what seems like a dozen 12″s and finally, they have the full-length to tout for a change. BUT, until we get there, we still have one MORE 12″, “Take [cont.]

Wow. Anyone who was afraid to like (or spin) “Bad Boy For Life” the first time around, may have to give it love with round two. In true “Flava In Your Ear” fashion, Diddy comes with the posse remix, and instead of inserting his Bad Boy rejects on the track, he brings Busta Rhymes and M.O.P.  With a [cont.]

Hmmm. “One” is different than anything I’ve heard from the Vil, or from Dilla, for that matter. Piano licks hold the hook together, but is uncharacteristically choppy. Still, I like the way the track evolves, and it’s nice to see Elzhi as a member of the group, but this doesn’t compare to their earlier stuff. The [cont.]

(This review was written for the original 12″ single of “360″.) Edgar Farinas, aka Mr. Push Button Object himself, is probably better known to fans in the electronic music world than amongst hip-hop circles but his tri-coastal collabo with Boston’s Mr. Lif, Oakland’s Del. and fellow Miamian DJ Craze should serve to put heads on notice. “360″ is [cont.]

A-side’s “Pay Me” is cool, but the track that I’m feeling on this 12″ is the b-side, “True Lies”. Domingo’s track incorporates Latin salsa rhythms with the collage of vocal samples from Big Pun, Eminem, Christopher Walken and the Get Fresh Crew…. The addition of Mike Zoot and Precious Paris keeps it interesting.

How the hell did this end up on Rhyme Sayers? I think someone f*cked up their Rolodex because this sounds like some Roc-A-Fella  sh*t far more than the kind of cerebral, “genius rap” that we tend to associate with Minnesota’s finest. I mean, no offense to Musab  but if Jay-Z comes knocking, asking for his [cont.]

Alchemist has a way with music, that he somehow creates these tracks that somehow instantly turn into classics backdrops, no matter who the emcee. Secondly, unlike Swizz Beatz or DJ Premier or Dr. Dre or any other top notch producer, he doesn’t seem yet to have a signature sound, he just keeps creating memerorable, musically pleasing soundscapes. Severe’s new record [cont.]

Decent beats throughout, but I wasn’t floored by this 3-song single. Mr. Brady’s gruff voice is affecting to a certain degree, but the way he puts words together ain’t all that clever. These days, so many MC’s are out there with competing flows, you either have to come crazy simple and accessible (see Biz Markie) [cont.]

I prefer the new Buc Fifty to his ealier alter-ego, Buckwhead, formerly of the Wascalz. “Bad Man” seems to incorporate an Areosmith guitar riff into it with fresh little change up?s during the hook. The hook actually could use some work, but lyrically Buc is on point, spitting like a high pitched Xzibit. “Life Ain’t [cont.]

Damn, Master Fuol might have a cool little fall anthem on his hands with “It’s On”. All the right components are there – R&B croonings on the chorus (weak vocalist but you can forgive her since she’s not too prominent), easy hook to remember (“it’s on!”), a slick, post-Pete Rock track by 1Eye and Fuol’s rappin’ about the [cont.]

First off, you have to give Brent Rollins some serious props for some of the illest cover art I’ve ever seen penned. It inspires a “Damn!” with the capital D. Likewise, Kutmasta Kurt comes with another remix that hits hard enough to shatter vertebrae in its twangy guitar rhythms. On the “No Retreat (Kutmaster Kurt Remix)” [cont.]