Newark’s 050 Boyz have been on the scene in various guises since the illustrious Golden Era, but it’s been only two years since they joined forces proper to launch an assault on the industry. Being from Brick City; Riq da Kid, Tru Trilla and Prince AK no doubt rubbed shoulders with some of the areas most prolific rappers, but a weighty co-sign from legends Treach…
Constant Deviants have built up a reputation for delivering quality hip hop during a career that spans two decades, and their latest offering, Avant Garde, is no exception. The duo – consisting of rapper M.I. and producer DJ Cutt – first unleashed their combined talents on the world in the form of ‘Competition Catch Speed Knots’ in 1996; a single that propelled them into the…
We reviewed Buggs tha Rocka’s Scattered Thoughts of an American Poet. Although not yet a household name, Buggs has been steadily making his mark on the industry. Already the recipient of two Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, his reputation as a gifted lyricists has seen the likes of Talib Kweli regularly bring him on stage, performing to packed audiences throughout the United States. Not content with letting…
There’s something to be said for a rapper who can generate a buzz as loud as a hornet’s nest without blessing the world with a full album. Kid Vishis is one such emcee and we reviewed his debut album, Timing Is Everything. Kid Vishis has managed just that armed only with a few mixtapes and appearances on older brother Royce Da 5’ 9”’s projects. Granted, being…
Forget about flying daggers, Verbal sWARdz are coming your way courtesy of Iron Braydz and Taytula Burke reviewed the album for Sampleface. Triple Darkness’ newest member has been digging in the crates to come up with a collection of previously unreleased material that would no doubt have gathered dust on a hard drive somewhere. Depending on the calibre of artist, ‘lost tapes’ should be received…
There’s not long to go before Righteous Fury is unleashed upon the world of hip hop in the form of Matt Maddox’s latest release. Coming four years after his solo debut, Righteous Fury sees Kansas resident Matt Maddox use and improve the penmanship and raw delivery style that has earned him a loyal legion of fans. The album weighs in at a hefty 19 tracks but…
West London’s Apex Zero delivers a powerful debut this month entitled Reality Provoking Liberation. The name is clue enough that this is not a trap, ratchet or dance music offering. The 12 track project is a non-stop call to overthrow an oppressive system that has everyone around the world under the cosh. Apex Zero accuses crooked cops, pompous politicians and the beleaguered banking system for…
Ethemadassassin has dropped his third solo album. We know his soul is on fire, but can the same be said of the album? In a bid to bear his soul, E delivers a 13 track project that touches on a variety of subjects such as growing up in the crack era, 80s & 90s; being addicted to ‘the life’, Can’t Get Enough; and an ode…
Better late than never, Taytula Burke gave RKZ’s SOULar EP a listen. I hold my hands up: I’m a little late with this one. The SOULar EP from RKZ dropped in August and the shock waves are still reverberating through my iPod. The project is a collaboration from the Luton based singer-songwriter /rapper and beat maker Gifted The Great. The pair bring sexy RnB back…
Hip hop hasn’t always had a harmonious relationship with the F word – feminism – but where does it stand now and is it any better in other genres? Taytula Burke ponders on the subject. I’ve been a fan of hip hop ever since I made my debut on this planet. No other genre of music is able to quench my thirst for intricate wordplay…
