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Steven J. HorowitzFeatures
“Not Because I’m Conscious”: An Interview with Talib KweliThe rapper says, "I just try to write songs," but he's tackling difficult subjects while trying to launch a business. [19 September 2007] Since He Last Recorded: An Interview With RJD2The former hip-hop producer explains the evolution of his sound and his inability to be like Steven Tyler. [4 April 2007] Last No Longer: An Interview with Wu-Tang Clan’s Masta Killa'Maybe they thought Masta Killa couldn't even have what it takes to be a solo artist,' the rapper says of himself, but he didn't want to rush to prove anyone wrong. [1 January 1995] The Boogie Monster Meets His Match: An Interview with Cee-Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley'It's good clean fun, nothing more complicated than that,' says Cee-Lo. Who'd have thought that approach could make music history? Reviews
Guilty Simpson: Ode to the GhettoOn his fantastic debut, Simpson covers the good -- and bad -- sides of living in Detroit. [26 March 2008] 
Nicolay & Kay: Time:LineOn Nicolay's second album concocted through an Internet medium, he shows that lightning doesn't strike twice. [26 February 2008] 
Hi-Tek: Hi-Teknology, Volume 3: UndergroundThe third installment of his Hi-Teknology series proves to be one of his weakest. [9 January 2008] Amy Winehouse [2007 Rewind]The sold-out crowd was clearly there to see Amy Winehouse wail about her demons while indulging them on stage -- they wanted a set equal parts bravado and booze... [17 December 2007] 
Freeway: Free At LastFreeway shows that the Roc may still have some blood left in its veins on his sophomore record. [12 December 2007] 
Oh No: Dr. No’s OxperimentOn this instrumental opus, Oh No breezes his way through tracks of Middle Eastern chants and rich sitars. [29 November 2007] 
UGK: Underground KingzUGK reinvigorate Southern hip-hop on this epic double-disc record. [20 November 2007] 
Median: Medians ReliefAfter tightening up his flows with guest appearances on his brethren’s albums, Median has finally released the smooth and glistening Median’s Relief. [19 October 2007] 
Brother Reade: Rap MusicThe duo, consisting of emcee Jimmy Jamz and producer Bobby Evans, soar through 15 tracks of dankly thick beats and poetic rhymes that transcend the banality of typical party stompers. [26 September 2007] 
Swizz Beatz: One Man Band ManSwizz Beatz proves with his second release that he should stick to what his moniker implies he does best. [6 September 2007] 
Chrisette Michele: I AmOn her debut, Michele's voice is fitted to production that simply does not compliment her style. [13 August 2007] 
Black Attack & Butta Verses: Beats and Rhymes: Stereo Bytes Volume 1With this double A-Side release, Beats and Rhymes fails to inject compelling hip-hop into the underground, a place where experimentation thrives. [22 June 2007] 
Marco Polo: Port AuthorityMarco Polo mans the boards for a terrific album that channels the past in the context of the present. [11 June 2007] 
Amel Larrieux: Lovely StandardsOn this cover album, Larrieux tries out her R&B chops in a jazz context. [30 May 2007] 
Snowgoons: German LugersGermany's own four-member production team releases a hip-hop record featuring mundane production that seems wasted on such an impressive array of emcees. [22 May 2007] Amy Winehouse + Patrick WolfThe sold-out crowd was clearly there to see Amy Winehouse wail about her demons while indulging them on stage -- they wanted a set equal parts bravado and booze... [14 May 2007] 
High Priest: Born IdentityLife post-Antipop Consortium has been a trudge through the underground for each member. [18 April 2007] 
Hi-Tek: Hi-Teknology, Volume 2: The ChipThis sophomore effort features a slew of newfound famous friends, but like in any new social circle, it involves some sort of sacrifice. [16 January 2007] 
Voice: GumboOn her debut LP, Voice offers a smorgasbord of lyrical content, but like how the soup can sometimes be prepared, she adds too many ingredients. [15 January 2007] 
Count Bass D: Act Your Waist SizeD echoes a highly suspicious style on his third official release. [4 January 2007] 
Clipse: Hell Hath No FuryThe Virginia duo manages to pull off one of the most entertaining releases of the year, on the surface. [28 November 2006] 
Polyphonic: Abstract Data ArkOn his fruitful debut, Polyphonic almost perfectly discovers the middle ground between electronic and hip-hop. [13 November 2006] 
Classified: Boy-Cott-In The IndustryOn his tenth album, Classified targets the music industry, but not without a good reason. [27 October 2006] 
Robin Thicke: The Evolution of Robin ThickeThicke gets a new name, adopts a new sound, and uses what's already known to craft an enjoyable second album. [23 October 2006] 
Defari: Street MusicDefari seems to be losing speed, as his newest album fails to break any new ground from his previous endeavors. [12 October 2006] 
Nicolay: HereOn his debut album, Dutch producer Nicolay finds a healthy balance between emotions and music, relaying romanticism in every track. [5 October 2006] Edgar Allen Floe: Floe AlmightyOn his second release, Edgar Allen Floe talks a lot, but he doesn't really say anything. [28 September 2006] 
Azeem: Craft ClassicWonderful lyricism from the underexposed hip-hop scene... Sound sadly familiar? [26 September 2006] 
Innerstance.Beatbox: Tekniques EPOn this teaser EP, Innerstance.Beatbox provides an eclectic array of beats to give a complex taste of what he has to offer. [19 September 2006] 
Substance Abuse: OverproofWhile Substance Abuse have something to say, they may need a little more than flow to do it right. [21 August 2006] 
El Da Sensei: The UnusualEl drops rhymes with wisdom that could only be gained through years of experience. [28 June 2006] 
India.Arie: Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & RelationshipOn her third album, Arie becomes glazed with easy listening grooves, but inevitably pulls through with soul and introspection. [26 June 2006] 
Slo-Mo: My Buzz Comes BackAs relaxed and jammy as it was initially intended to be, the result is neutered by its blatant transparency [30 May 2006] 
Tanya Morgan: MoonlightingTrio Tanya Morgan shines with a debut album that thumps with truly soulful hip-hop. [6 April 2006] 
The Leano: Steps to LeanolandThe Leano, an English rapper, fails to join the progressive hip-hop bandwagon with his dire debut album. [5 April 2006] P.O.S.: AuditionP.O.S. takes rap-rock to an entirely new realm, with an epic album that eschews misconceptions about the genre. [2 March 2006] Cadence Weapon: Breaking KayfableRollie Pemberton, writer, turns into Cadence Weapon, rapper, for an album as two-faced as the man behind it. [10 February 2006] 
Eternia: It’s Called LifeAware of the usual traps for women in hip-hop, Eternia tries to step back and play the game on her terms. [27 January 2006] |
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