“Pac was (one of) the greatest voices of MY generation, but that doesn’t make him the greatest voice of every generation ever.” When Tupac passed away in Las Vegas after being shot [again], young Brooklynite Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (whom I share a birthday with) was either learning to walk, making…
There’s one thing to love and admire the golden era and draw influence from it while incorporating it into contemporary sounds, and then there’s having lived it—and building/adding to a sound that never truly died. Enter Ras Beats, a producer who’s making some of the hottest underground New York flavors…
“the culture needed this…We probably inspired a hundred thousand producers tonight.”–Swizz Beats Hip-hop has always been marked by ‘special moments’ throughout its timeline; for example, when BDP performed South Bronx for the first time, or when KRS-ONE threw PM Dawn off of a stage. How about when Kool Moe Dee…
Listening to Vita’s Valentine’s Day release, “Can’t Turn Away,” takes me places; it has a vibe that I remember feeling when I first listened to a vinyl version of Alicia Key’s “Fallen” lifted in my homie’s basement back in early 2000. It’s a soulful record with a gorgeous flute filled…
The Dirty Dozen–more affectionately known as D12–started out in Detroit back in 1996. The group went through numerous iterations before it’s final and most well-known line-up that shot to superstardom. For starters, original member Eminem left the group to pursue his fairy tale solo career under the tutelage of the…
“[Andre 3000] just sat next to us eating tomato soup, pretty much just talking about how much of a big fan he is of us.” Divine Council–the foursome of Lord Linco, Cyrax!, ICYTWAT, and $ilkmoney–is undoubtedly one of the more exciting acts that are destined to bloom into fruition this…
Snowgoons, the four-man production/hip-hop outfit comprised of Det Gunner, DJ Illegal, Sicknature, and J.S. Kuster have been one of the most visible best-kept secrets in hip-hop for a while now. With a decade-long rap sheet of content in their catalogue, they’ve made it their business to keep that chunky orchestral…
“Bottoms up sunshine, Love Potion No. 9.”–Geechi Suede (Camp-Lo) Well, the 28th of January marks The twentieth anniversary of one of my favorite albums ever, Camp Lo’s Uptown Saturday Night. I remember copping it with my homeboy back in the ninth grade and being hooked on it immediately. Led by…
