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Quentin B. HuffAbout Quentin B. Huff Quentin Huff is an attorney, writer, visual artist, and professional tennis player who lives and works in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In addition to serving as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law, he enjoys practicing entertainment law. When he’s not busy suing people or giving other people advice on how to sue people, he writes novels, short stories, poetry, screenplays, diary entries, and essays. Quentin’s writing appears, or is forthcoming, in: Casa Poema, Pemmican Press, Switched-On Gutenberg, Defenestration, Poems Niederngasse, and The Ringing Ear, Cave Canem’s anthology of contemporary African American poetry rooted in the South. His family owns and operates Huff Art Studio, an art gallery specializing in fine art, printing, and graphic design. Quentin loves Final Fantasy videogames, Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible, his mother Earnestine, PopMatters, and all things Prince. Features
More Candy 4 Us: Prince Is Back with 3 AlbumsNever one to do things the easy way, Prince delivers a concept album, a collection of dance tracks, and a protégée. [9 April 2009] The Best Hip-Hop of 2008A return to the mic nine years in the making, a hip-hop supergroup of sorts, and Tom Waits beatboxing: this year's top-shelf hip-hop is equal parts anticipation, teamwork, and wha?! [12 December 2008] The Detective & His Reflections: The Shield: Sixth SeasonThe nihilistic, morally blurred world of The Shield reflects the inner workings of its characters. [26 September 2008] American Gangster: Motives, Outsiders, & BrandingAmerican Gangster struggles to find fresh ways to tell its story within the confines of the traditional crime drama. Impossible, maybe, but entertaining nonetheless. [22 May 2008] The Best Hip-Hop of 2007From Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five to a dope album named Desire, hip-hop showed growth in 2007. [11 December 2007] The Ghost Whisperer’s Television WhispererReasons to watch Jennifer Love Hewitt in 'Ghost Whisperer', ways to detect rounded characters on a flat screen, and why I should be called 'Television Whisperer'. [26 November 2007] Big Brother USA, Season Eight: The Most Dangerous GameFor Eight Seasons, Big Brother USA has brought numerous twists to reality TV. Here is a twist Big Brother might not have seen coming. [3 October 2007] The Practice Makes Perfect—Well, AlmostWhat do you call four lawyers, a secretary, and a couple of prosecutors? I call it the best thing since Clarence Darrow. [13 September 2007] The Shield: The Detective & the LieutenantDetective Vic Mackey kills cops, steals money, and beats suspects. How, then, can the man trying to bring him to justice be the "bad guy"? [9 May 2007] Hip Hop Is Dead: Art, Culture, & TraditionHomer, Dante, Milton, and Nas: It's bigger than Hip Hop Is Dead. [25 January 2007] Best Hip-Hop of 2006Quentin Huff's top-ten list of mixtapers, hustlers, protesters, emcees, and self-proclaimed kings finds hip-hop very much alive and well in 2006. [15 December 2006] Columns
Prince’s Paisley PalsMinneapolis, Minnesota was the center of Prince's musical kingdom, but there were a lot of musicians associated with his purple music. Here's a short list, with a few ground rules. [9 June 2009] (more Busted Headphones) Janet Jackson: Regain ControlWith the musical world filled with young "divas", there's little room for Miss Janet, an innovator who popularized the Sexy Diva With Choreography paradigm in the first place. [11 May 2009] (more Busted Headphones) T.I.‘s Winding Road to RedemptionThe road to Grammy-winning rap star Clifford "T.I." Harris, Jr.'s positive outcome may be paved with good intentions, but self-interest fuels the journey. [13 April 2009] (more Busted Headphones) Hip-Hop Hooray: Tributes in RhymeForget the beef, let's talk about honoring our hip-hop icons. Perhaps the best way to pay homage to hip-hoppers is to let them speak in their own words. [13 March 2009] (more Busted Headphones) Biggie Gives Us One More ChanceBiggie Smalls' mythology hasn't afforded him a dreamy endgame à la Tupac or Elvis. Nobody imagines Biggie pulling the ultimate Machiavellian coup by making the world believe he's dead while he's secretly chillin' in Jamaica. [16 February 2009] (more Busted Headphones) Seven Ways to DetoxIt's 2009, and that means it has now been a full decade since Dr. Dre's last official release. Here are some suggestions for survival while you continue to await his long-gestating follow-up, Detox. [19 January 2009] (more Busted Headphones) We Don’t Die, We Multiply: Posse TracksHaving more than one rapper on the scene enhances and galvanizes a song, as the central theme is strengthened with each successive verse. As the saying goes, there's strength in numbers. [5 January 2009] (more Busted Headphones) Hip-Haute CoutureAlthough "hip-hop" means different things to different people, everyone seems to be confident that they know what "it" is. Through this subjective lens, there is also a unique brand of investment and ownership in the meaning of "hip-hop". [18 November 2008] (more Busted Headphones) Songs in the Key of RapThe relationship between singing and rapping has had a transforming effect on hip-hoppers and singers alike. [23 October 2008] (more Busted Headphones) We Don’t Die, We Multiply: Heartbeat PropsThe Digital Underground party has apparently come to an end. If so, we must acknowledge the group for more reasons than popularizing "The Humpty Dance". [29 September 2008] (more Busted Headphones) We Don’t Die, We Multiply: Hip-Hop GroupsGroup identification creates interesting scenarios within hip-hop culture, from the formation and maintenance of group identity to the difficulties of promoting the lyrical skills of a group's various members. [20 August 2008] (more Busted Headphones) Truth in HumorThe second season of The Boondocks tackles issues that are important to the hip-hop community with contributions from numerous hip-hop artists. Boondocks Response Syndrome explains why we react to this series the way we do. [11 July 2008] (more Busted Headphones) Daytime TV Goes Gangsta with Snoop DoggHip-hop's top dog touches down in soap opera territory for two days of music and melodrama. [26 June 2008] (more Busted Headphones) Mama Said Knock You Out: Hip-Hop & the Family UnitThere are four hip-hop rules for families. One: Fathers, take care of your children and their mothers. Two: Don't talk about other people's mamas. Three: Be good to your own mother. Four: Repeat as necessary. [16 May 2008] (more Busted Headphones) Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: Hip-Hop’s Fight Against TimeHip-hop fights haters, record labels, rival emcees, and even the law. Time, however, has proven to be a formidable opponent. [11 April 2008] (more Busted Headphones) The Ballot or the BeefIt's possible that hip-hop and the US government have been engaged in the longest running beef of all, from the infamous FBI letter sent to NWA in 1998 to the Congressional Hearings in 2007 seeking to investigate hip-hop lyrics. [14 March 2008] (more Busted Headphones) El Che & the ThrillerRhymefest's mixtape tribute continues hip-hop's longstanding affection for the Jacksons. [15 February 2008] (more Busted Headphones) 101 Hip-Hop Albums of 2007A hundred and one reasons why hip-hop is not dead, say these three opinionators. [16 January 2008] (more Busted Headphones) For the Love of the ArtHow cool is it to go to the "Self Help" section of a bookstore and get a book with life lessons from N.W.A., Little Brother, and Ghostface Killah? [4 January 2008] (more Busted Headphones) Yo! Your TV Raps: Hip-Hop on US TelevisionHip-hop's TV exposure has been strong, giving us a mixture of critique, celebrity, and celebration. Who, in the '80s, would've guessed that hip-hop would have such cultural presence? [9 November 2007] (more Busted Headphones) A Righteous Boy’s Hip-Hop Journey Through BabelandSongs, more songs -- the prolific singer-songwriter and musician Ani Difranco keeps coming up with them. Here's some help for finding the best of Difranco, especially if you also like De La Soul. [26 October 2007] (more Busted Headphones) From Boogie Down to TinseltownRappers in showbiz: Did hip-hop land on Hollywood or did Hollywood land on us? For those in 'the land', some of the 4,079 hip-hop laws of crossing-over. [10 September 2007] (more Busted Headphones) Hip-Hop at the Crossroad: Time, Testimony, & IdentityIn the '90s, X-Clan took us "to the east". This year, the group returns from Mecca in "vanglorious" fashion. [22 June 2007] (more Busted Headphones) P.M. Mixtape, Vol. Two: Love and TroubleSince relationships are tough, we need all the help we can get. Sometimes the best advice comes from listening to the right song. [9 May 2007] (more Busted Headphones) P.M. Mixtape, Vol. OneMaybe the sun has set on the days of the cassette tape, a format that made you work for your music. Huff, feeling nostalgic for the "fast forward" and "rewind" buttons, makes his own theoretical cassette mix of oddball hip-hop tunes. [20 March 2007] (more Busted Headphones) The Purple Experience: Your PopMatters Primer on Prince’s Pop LifeSo many Prince albums, but where do you start? Here's a funky little list designed to aid your quest. [5 February 2007] (more Busted Headphones) Word Problems: The Snitch’s DilemmaWhat if you and your friend were arrested and you were offered leniency in exchange for information about your friend or "the streets"? The hip-hop community believes the very existence of the deal begs us to reconsider our concepts of loyalty and law enforcement. [5 January 2007] (more Busted Headphones) Please Call It a ComebackThat scene in Superman III, with the boy yelling words of encouragement to the struggling protagonist? That's how I feel when I think of Lauryn Hill. [5 November 2006] (more Busted Headphones) Unsung Heroes: The Band of Extraordinary WomenHuff fantasizes about wielding Diddy-like power to create a supergroup of underrated, under-the-radar female musicians. Danity Kane, eat your heart out. [2 October 2006] (more Busted Headphones) Reviews
Potluck: Pipe DreamsWhy so serious? Have a grab bag of weed, love, politics, and laughter. [12 June 2009] 
Raydar Ellis & Quite Nyce: Champs vs. The LeagueThe best part of growing up is when your technique improves and your sound expands -- and you still sound dope. [8 June 2009] 
Big Quarters: From the Home of Brown Babies & White MothersAn excellent album from the state of Minnesota and a shrewd hip-hop duo. [29 May 2009] 
Keri Hilson: In a Perfect World…A "diva" is a female version of a hustler, and as interchangeably indistinct as the males. [19 May 2009] 
Canterbury’s Law: The Complete SeriesAs Canterbury was amenable to "crossing the line", the potential was there to examine exactly where "the line" should be placed. [17 April 2009] 
Incognito: More Tales RemixedHow do you follow one of the best R&B albums of the year? Rest on your laurels? Certainly not. Write and record new material? Perhaps. Release a remix album? Now you're talking! [15 April 2009] 
Randy Crawford & Joe Sample: No RegretsJoe Sample is many things: a celebrated jazz artist, a supreme pianist and keyboardist, a skilled composer. He's also a superb collaborator. [26 March 2009] 
Sen Dog: Diary of a Mad DogLegendary Cypress Hill veteran goes solo with bouncy beats and streetwise lingo. [20 January 2009] 
Terrence Howard: Shine Through ItHoward's road from the acting world to the musical arena results in plenty of ideas but minimal cohesion. [2 December 2008] 
George Clinton: George Clinton & His Gangsters of LoveDr. Funkenstein brings his latest sonic potion from the Mothership -- layers of funk mixed with doo-wop and oldies. [14 November 2008] 
Khia: Nasti MuzikIf there's an album that can mark a new era for women in hip-hop, this isn't the one. [6 October 2008] 
Ani DiFranco: Red Letter YearThe Little Folksinger's latest is the perfect guest for your New Year's Eve bash. It's the life of the party, as well as the designated driver. [2 October 2008] 
J*Davey: The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the LostJ*Davey drops a musically adventurous double disc collection that's weird but fun and sure to please. [29 September 2008] 
KRS-One: Maximum Strength 2008Maybe surprises are overrated. You can probably guess KRS-One's subject matter before he delivers it, but his overall consistency is enviable. [17 September 2008] 
Ise Lyfe: Prince ComethOne small step for Ise Lyfe might one day mean one large leap for hip-hop. [16 September 2008] 
Tanya Morgan: The Bridge EPIs it possible that hip-hop's best female emcee is: (a) fictional, and (b) not a woman but really a crew of three male emcees? [3 September 2008] 
Jackson Conti: SujinhoMadlib loves Brazilian music. Will you love his renditions as much as he does? [19 August 2008] 
Azeem: Air CartoonsExperiments are good for hip-hop. Sometimes the success is in the attempt. [13 August 2008] Alanis Morissette: Flavors of EntanglementThis supposed former infatuation junkie is usually categorized as either "angry" or "introspective". Perhaps we were too quick to give her a label. [13 June 2008] 
Priscilla Ahn: A Good DayA good day for this vocalist makes a great debut -- melodic, thoughtful, and captivating. [6 June 2008] 
Foxy Brown: Brooklyn’s Don DivaThe good news? Foxy Brown is back! The not-so-good news? The homecoming party isn't as hot as it should be. [22 May 2008] 
Rocko: Self-MadeCash, expensive clothes, cars for each day of the week. Wanna see how it's done? Watch him "do him". [17 April 2008] 
The XYZ Affair: A Few More Published StudiesNew York band with a booming sound, turning power pop into super-power pop. [11 April 2008] 
Elizabeth Wills: FlyGorgeous music almost overshadows a smooth voice and quaint lyrics. [3 April 2008] 
Randy Jackson: Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Volume OneThe American Idol judge's compilation plays it safe, but does enough to meet expectations. [28 March 2008] 
ScholarMan: Soul PurposeThe lesson from this Maryland emcee's journey shows that hard work is inspiring, but progress is divine. [27 March 2008] 
Helena: Fraise VanilleMusic from the French New Wave of the 1960s meets a new millennium chanteuse. [20 March 2008] 
Erykah Badu: New AmerykahWe're starring in an ongoing blockbuster movie and Erykah Badu releases Part One of the score, with hip-hop and '70s soul. Right on, Mama! So can you dig it? [14 March 2008] 
Meg Hutchinson: Come Up FullThree elements of a good listen: delightful acoustic guitar, a luscious voice, and clever songwriting. [6 March 2008] 
Kool G. Rap: Half a KlipLegendary emcee returns with what we hope is an appetizer for a larger and more satisfying meal. [3 March 2008] 
Wimbledon: The 2007 Official FilmWith all of the access to watching tennis (the courts at the nearby park, a country club, if they'll let you in, TV), why in the world would anyone need a DVD of it? To this end, I've taken the liberty of developing some possible answers. [5 December 2007] 
Various Artists: Slow Jams for ChristmasRecipe for a romantic Christmas -- light the candles, pop the bubbly, hang the mistletoe, and play this CD. [27 November 2007] 
Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Fitzgerald’s ChristmasA legendary voice combined with legendary songs of yuletide glee. [20 November 2007] 
Kottonmouth Kings: Cloud NineWest Coast super crew keeps the room smoky and makes sure the party stays on fire. [12 November 2007] 
Arrested Development: Since the Last TimeCelebrate this hip-hop band's return, but let's do it for the right reason: skills. [7 November 2007] 
Raheem Jamal: BoomboxAn emcee (and painter) proudly representing the Massachusetts hip-hop scene, with a little homage to Spike Lee thrown in for good measure. [17 October 2007] 
Musab: Slicks BoxExperience? Check. Humor? Check. Lyrical skill. Double check. Putting these ingredients together? Well, that's where the album falls short. [16 October 2007] 
Theory Hazit: Extra CreditCheck this out: a solid hip-hop album about life, love, and God (and it's not corny). [12 October 2007] 
Prince Ali: Curb Side ServiceA creative, sometimes experimental hip-hop set that reaches for "spectacular" but settles for "good". 
Lotus Tribe Presents S.E.L.F.: The Art & War of Misanthropic PhilanthropyThe recipe looks good, the ingredients are all there, but it still doesn't taste quite right. What's up with that? [21 September 2007] 
Keith Murray: Rap-Murr-PhobiaSo it's not the "most beautifullest" album in the world -- it still has its moments. [14 September 2007] 
Serengeti & Polyphonic: Dont Give UpWaltzing electronic hip-hop fusion in all its glory. [7 September 2007] 
Infinito 2017 & Unagi: You and EyeExcellent hip-hop that merges a California beat technician with an Illinois lyricist. Brevity is its only flaw. [6 September 2007] 
Rasheeda: Dat Type of GurlRasheeda's the type of "gurl" who can make you look at "bubble gum" in a whole new way. [28 August 2007] 
Ariano: Music2BreakUp2Warning: This is not a Valentine's Day album. This is about (some of) the ups and (most of) the downs of romance. [22 August 2007] 
Talib Kweli: Ear DrumHip-hop's "Flow Captain" returns with another artistic statement that almost hits the mark. 
Tame One: The Grudge: Fuck the IndustryWorth a few spins as a "mixtape", unfulfilling as an "album" -- but the bright side is Tame One is still quite far from "tame". [20 August 2007] 
Amy Cooper: MirrorsYou can write from the heart. You can write from reflection. Amy Cooper writes from the heart of her reflection. [15 August 2007] 
Kia Shine: Due SeasonHe's going to rhyme about his grind and his clothes at all costs. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to decide whether you can "respect his fresh" or not. [9 August 2007] 
Shop Boyz: Rockstar MentalityWhen crunk meets rock, partying "like a rock star" looks an awful lot like "partying like a rapper with guitars in the background". [8 August 2007] 
Potluck: Straight Outta HumboldtTwo guys with a passion for Mary Jane and a talent for deft flows and catchy hooks. [7 August 2007] 
A-Plus: My Last Good DeedSolid production, plenty of skills on the microphone. But is it true that no good deed goes unpunished? [3 August 2007] 
Prince: Planet EarthLooking at the world through purple-colored glasses, opinions about music, especially Prince's, are all over the map. [27 July 2007] 
Suzanne Vega: Beauty & CrimeStories of graffiti artists, famous love affairs, and Edith Wharton: what happens in New York never stays in New York. If the streets could talk, they might sound like Suzanne Vega. [26 July 2007] 
Evidence: The Weatherman LPA man experiences adversity. He feels depressed about said adversity. What should he do? Answer: rap his way out. [17 July 2007] 
Pharoahe Monch: DesireAll I'll say is this work deserves heavy rotation. Now I'll let the album speak for itself. [27 June 2007] 
Rihanna: Good Girl Gone BadThe midyear 2007 rankings in Female Rhythm & Pop: 1. Beyoncé, 2. Rihanna... Wait. What? Rihanna?! [26 June 2007] 
Shape: Raised Near the Power LinesSick flows and ill production that'll be wicked with a little more direction. [25 June 2007] 
Aesop Rock: All Day: Nike+ Original RunWalk with me while I try to exercise to this mix for 45 minutes. Please? 
KRS-One & Marley Marl: Hip Hop LivesWhether he's still "number one" is immaterial. What matters is that, after over two decades in hip-hop, KRS-One is here to say the culture is still alive. And that sound in his voice? That's pure joy. [21 June 2007] 
Phat Kat: Carte BlancheLyrics, beats, or delivery? Well, I'd like to have them all, but we don't always get what we want. [15 June 2007] 
Gil Scott-Heron & Amnesia Express: The Paris Concert [DVD]Sometimes, the best way to place musicians in their proper contexts is to watch them do what they do best: take the music to the stage. [11 June 2007] 
Guru: Gurus Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4Guru is a hip-hop legend. Jazzmatazz remains an informative and influential series. But the fourth volume in the collection? Not so much. [5 June 2007] 
TLC: Now & Forever - The Video Hits [DVD]The songs and the videos are good -- a couple are even great -- but don't call it a tribute until the collection is complete. [4 June 2007] 
Prodigy: Return of the MacTips for the hip-hop community: (1) don't ever call it a comeback, (2) don't rely on clichés, (3) don't give up, and (4) don't let your production outdo you. [29 May 2007] 
Zeph & Azeem: Rise UpAlmost a classic. Almost the best hip-hop album of 2007. A few more songs matching the level of the ones already here would've wiped that "almost" away. [25 May 2007] 
E-Dro: From My Hood to Your HoodWhich sounds more titillating -- politics or a lap dance? Well, I'd normally go with "lap dance" but, in this case, I'll take politics all day long. [21 May 2007] 
Various Artists: The Road Mix: Music from the Television Series One Tree Hill, Vol. 3Music for a trip from Carolina to Texas and back again. Play this CD 32 times straight and say, "There's no place like Tree Hill…There's no place like Tree Hill…" [18 May 2007] 
Polyrhythm Addicts: Break Glass…Yo, bust this: "You know it's funky, funky, funky 'cause you heard it from Pop M. / See, Polyrhythm Addicts say nobody can top them." Hmmm...uh, yeah, I think I like it better when they do it. [17 May 2007] 
Big Quarters: Cost of LivingQuestion: How can hip-hop artists "take it to the old school" but still sound fresh? The answer from Big Quarters: "Like This." [14 May 2007] DJ Jazzy Jeff: Return of the MagnificentThis is for all the people who never asked, "Where's DJ Jazzy Jeff?" [11 May 2007] 
The King of Queens: The Complete Eighth SeasonRomantic getaways might work for some couples, but maybe it's true what they say -- the couple that pole dances together, stays together. 
Jonny Virgo: Devils BrewBottom's up! A funny cocktail based on the woes of inebriation. [3 May 2007] 
Thomas Lunch: Diagrams Without InstructionsIs there really a song here about tator tots and robots? Yes. And about Leonard Nimoy. And Greta Garbo. But it's all so good. [2 May 2007] 
Sacha Perry: Not Brand XJazz standards -- a lesson in individuality when approaching classic material. [1 May 2007] 
No Luck Club: Prosperity 2.0The best-laid plans of Vancouver, Canada's instrumental hip-hop trio are often triumphant. [30 April 2007] 
The Saturday Knights: The Saturday KnightsRumor has it there's a band in Seattle, Washington with a smooth hip-hop flow backed by face-melting guitars. Truth is, it's not just a rumor. [20 April 2007] 
The Ditchflowers: Carried AwayNo matter how you package it, good music is good music. We'll find it, even if you dress it up behind a little kid, a rabbit, and an eggshell. [13 April 2007] 
Black Panther: My Eternal WinterYou know it's hard out here for producers; here's a good example of how to cope. [10 April 2007] 
Various Artists: Thisish Vol. I: Hosted by Large ProfessorI'm not a music critic, but I play one on TV. And when I need a hot album to unwind to at the end of the day, I choose Thisish. Because this…is…the ish. [6 April 2007] 
Julie Dexter & Khari Simmons: Moon BossaHer voice is smoother than a tropical breeze. He's a master of the bass. Together, they are dynamic. [5 April 2007] 
Redman: Red Gone Wild: Thee AlbumThe Funk Doc can still flip metaphors and similes with the greatest of ease, but has Red gone wild enough? [2 April 2007] 
Various Artists: EV Records presents: EverythingYes, yes, y'all. And it don't stop. Chicago, Illinois, is in the house with a load of fresh rhymes and beats. And it goes a lil' somethin' like this… [30 March 2007] 
Moonlighting - Season Five - The Final SeasonA Moonlighting discussion -- about the romance, chemistry, and physics of a classic show. [29 March 2007] 
Twisted Black: Street FameGangsta philosophy: does life imitate gangsta rap or does gangsta rap imitate life? And while you're pondering that, should you be having dreams about Harriet Tubman? 
Bukue One: IntromissionTake it from an emcee, graffiti artist, skateboarder, manager, and entrepreneur -- hip-hop is really about the love of the game. [14 March 2007] 
Various Artists: Backwoodz Studioz presents Target PracticeA clever, if uneven, compilation designed to showcase a label's roster of talent. 
Politic Live: AdaptationWhy "preachy" works for some artists, and how a bumpin' album can make you feel like Don Cornelius. [12 March 2007] 
This Unique Museum: A Collection of Short StoriesA collection of musical short stories combining acoustic guitar with electronic effects. [9 March 2007] 
Black Milk: Popular DemandMaybe the city influences the music. Maybe the music is indicative of the city. Either way, Black Milk may become the pride of Detroit, Michigan. [8 March 2007] 
Sin: Team Invasion, DJ Kurupt & DJ Scream Present: Sizzerb Mixtape Vol. 3, Opium GardenFor the third installment of his Sizzerb mixtape series, Serbian-born artist Sin recruited mixtape circuit legend DJ Kurupt to host the festivities. [1 March 2007] 
Tia Fuller: Healing SpaceNow here's something to get excited about: a young flutist and saxophonist with a knack for enchanting compositions and a passion to inspire listeners. [22 February 2007] 
Elisabeth Withers: It Can Happen to AnyoneDear Oprah, I know you're busy. But you should start a music club. And I know which CD you should select first. [21 February 2007] 
Serengeti: Noticeably NegroIn hip-hop, the culture is represented by two distinct but equally important groups: the mainstream rappers at major labels and the underground rappers who focus on street cred. These are their stories. [Chong Chong] [16 February 2007] 
Can Joann: Hurt People Hurt PeopleAn album of cool grooves partly created and recorded in a 19th century North Carolina farmhouse. [12 February 2007] 
The Beyonders: Time CapsuleThe concept ("we are futuristic emcees determined to save hip-hop") is cool, but the execution ("we're saving hip-hop by telling you we're saving hip-hop") could use some work. [8 February 2007] 
Mic Mulligan & S. Future (Specs One): Original Space NeighborsSpace-age hip-hop. Another frontier. These are the continuing voyages of the starship PopMatters. To seek out new beats and doper emcees. To boldly go where no ears have gone before. [6 February 2007] 
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Thug StoriesThe thuggish ruggish hip-hoppers from Cleveland, Ohio kick game about life, ladies, and lyrics. [1 February 2007] 
DJ Jazzy Jeff: Hip Hop Forever, Vol. 3One of hip-hop's favorite deejays mixes a winner. [25 January 2007] 
Clara Hill: All I Can ProvideThe album wants to move you. But first, it's gotta connect. [24 January 2007] 
Tupac Shakur: Tupac: The Complete Live Performances [DVD]To enjoy this package, you must either (a) love live rap, (b) love Tupac Shakur, or (c) love Snoop Dogg and the Dogg Pound. You cannot choose "(d) none of the above". [5 January 2007] 
Main Flow & 7L: Flow SeasonAn emcee and a producer continue hip-hop's tradition of collaboration. The result: solid, but not groundbreaking. [18 December 2006] 
Gwen Stefani: The Sweet EscapeLove. Angel. Music. Baby, Part Two: Yodel-lay, yodel-lay, yodel-low! [14 December 2006] 
40 Watt Hype: Strong Feet on the ConcreteFresno, California's recipe for spicing up the usual hip-hop dish -- a fistful of funk, a splash of R&B, a couple of guest chefs to play the brass, and a whole lotta funk. [11 December 2006] 
Omar: Sing (If You Want It)Look out, World. The Godfather of British Soul is back and he's funkier than ever. [6 December 2006] 
Lake featuring Cormega: My Brothers KeeperLet's say two rappers team up to represent on one album. Is there a danger that one of them might overshadow the other? Absolutely. [4 December 2006] 
Evan Stone: Sticks & Stone, Vol. 1This is the story of a drummer, his sticks, and a tight band. [27 November 2006] 
Silk: Always & ForeverThere's a right way and a wrong way to do a cover. More than that, there's a thin line between the two. [22 November 2006] 
Various Artists: In PrisonWho'd win if we put a compilation of prison songs on trial? You decide. [19 November 2006] 
Miles Davis: Cool & CollectedWhile this collection is definitely cool, its primary purpose is to acquaint newbies with the legend of Miles Davis. [15 November 2006] 
Gloria Estefan: The Essential Gloria EstefanYou get a double-CD set filled with nearly 40 songs from an award-winning, multi-platinum international superstar. What more could you want? [6 November 2006] 
Square: The Mike We Like RemixesThere are many of us who still enjoy listening to Michael Jackson. Unfortunately, this release doesn't accentuate what we like about his music. [1 November 2006] 
Whodini: Funky Beat: The Best of WhodiniHow funky does a beat have to be before we call it a classic? Let's find out. [30 October 2006] 
Sarah McLachlan: Mirrorball: The Complete ConcertEver wished you could hold on to a memory and preserve it in tangible form? Apparently, Sarah McLachlan can show you how it's done. [25 October 2006] 
Jeannie Ortega: No Place Like BrooklynThe good news? Move over J. Lo, it looks like Jeannie's on the block. The bad news? The block is hot, percolating, twirking, and full of haters who sport bling. [17 October 2006] With Throats as Fine as Needles: With Throats as Fine as NeedlesOrganic and grimy, yet noisily industrial, music from an abandoned bunker in New Zealand makes you look at the world a little bit differently. [10 October 2006] 
Jean: OnJean is a talented vocalist, arranger, composer, and producer who just might remind you how much you like washing dishes and wishing for world peace. 
Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSoundsYou can take the boy out of the band, but can you take the band out of the boy? Timberlake answers with a resounding, "YEAH!" [5 October 2006] The Dogg, The Doctor, & Death RowBy consistently giving us addictive beats and hot lyrics, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have had an undeniable influence on the world of rhyme. This is dedicated to the rapper and the producer who were down from Day One. [22 September 2006] 
Sound Advice: Play AnythingYeah, it's intriguing to hear Sam Cooke blend into the Bangles, but it's not the best way to spend an hour. [18 September 2006] 
Mojoe: Classic.Ghetto.SoulThis San Antonio, Texas, duo's got the right vibe. Now they need stronger lyrics and patient fans. [13 September 2006] 
Marion Meadows: Dressed to ChillSax virtuoso continues to deliver a range of riches and cool jazz grooves. [8 September 2006] 
Kelis: Kelis Was HereSometimes you have roll up your sleeves and go to battle for your favorite artists. Luckily, Kelis provides plenty of ammunition. 
Open Door: So Close to BeautifulThe house that Open Door builds if filled with different textures bleeding into one domicile. [6 September 2006] 
Joe Good: Hi, May I Help You?Who knew there was so much talent in Kansas City? Joe Good and partner Mac Lethal set the record straight. [1 September 2006] 
Dead Prez & the Outlawz: Cant Sell Dope ForeverIs it preachy? Sure it is, but this collaborative effort is dope. And when I say "dope", I mean "dope". 
The Pearls & The Velours: The Pearls vs. The VeloursBack in the day, doo-wop was all the rage. Meet two of the groups that kept the airwaves hoppin'. You might even blast them in your stereo. [30 August 2006] 
Dubblestandart: Are You ExperiencedTwo CDs, loads of guests, cool remixes, enhanced video content, and plenty of dub. What could be better? [29 August 2006] 
Aeon Grey: Primate CurriculumDespite mixed results, this Iowa-based emcee is strong on ideas and concepts. [28 August 2006] 
Raydar Ellis: Late PassWhat would you do if your label gave you a wake up call to deliver your album before you were finished? Raydar Ellis shows you how to deliver the goods. [25 August 2006] 
Unagi: It Came From Beneath the SFCWhen Unagi gets behind the boards, it's delightfully difficult to predict his content, but it's safe to bet on the quality of his work. [15 August 2006] 
Catherine Russell: CatShe's got a voice that can sell anything from salad dressing to credit card debt. After years in the industry, she's releasing her debut. 
Kinnie Starr: AnythingWhen this Canadian born singer and emcee puts her spirit into her work, anything goes. Let's hope Anything goes platinum. [14 August 2006] 
Kottonmouth Kings: Koast II KoastIt's the stuff legends are made of -- hot beats, tight hooks, and a truckload of cannabis references from a do-it-yourself hip-hop crew. 
Public Enemy: Bring That Beat BackAs Public Enemy's latest set of remixes focuses on beats, their politics are still bangin'. But has Public Enemy become a group of superheroes or brothers from another planet? [8 August 2006] 
Shawnna: Block MusicChicago, Illinois, emcee Shawnna strikes again. So can a sista with a couple of hit singles get some love? [4 August 2006] 
Nya Jade: My DenialDo you go to bed at night and wake up in the morning? If so, Nya Jade recorded an album just for you. [31 July 2006] 
Alice Smith: For Lovers, Dreamers, & MeWait a sec. Don't call "Extreme Makeover: Music Edition" just yet. There's a new voice in town that's sure to excite the lovers and dreamers of the world. [13 July 2006] 
Ise Lyfe: Spread The WordYou know what they say, "Ain't no party like a Black Panther Party 'cause a Black Panther Party don't stop." Okay, nobody says that. But when you hear this poet/emcee's debut, you just might. [7 July 2006] 
Ice Cube: Laugh Now, Cry LaterIce Cube's been livin' large off his gangsta boogie and movies like Boyz-N-the-Hood and Friday. So why does he want to be a "microphone master"? 
7L & Esoteric: A New DopeGuess what? You can get dumb and still be dope. Wanna learn? There's a DJ and a rapper waiting to demonstrate. [30 June 2006] 
Evil Nine: Fabriclive 28Evil Nine works some wicked magic on Fabric's latest compilation of nightclub party grooves. [28 June 2006] 
Lord Jamar: The 5% AlbumLord Jamar, actor and Brand Nubian alumnus, shows there's more to hip-hop than jewelry and tomfoolery. [27 June 2006] 
Andy Caldwell: Universal TruthLooking for a jam to get your mojo working? Need to get your groove back? The soundman from the electronic super-group Soulstice serves up a collection of tunes that will keep you hyped up all year long. [26 June 2006] 
C-Mone: The Butterfly EffectThere's a young butterfly in Nottingham spreading her wings, and she's on a mission to make her presence felt around the globe. [23 June 2006] 
Paula Kelley: Some Suckers Life, Pt. 1Amid the pros and cons, artists release their demos and "lost" recordings. The results are sometimes good, sometimes not. Let's talk about a collection you might like. [22 June 2006] 
Louis Logic & JJ Brown: Misery Loves ComedyYou know how contradictory we are in hip-hop. We are gluttons for punishment mixed into our pleasure. Happily, there's an album that'll give us equal doses of both. [20 June 2006] 
Suga Free: Just Add WaterThanks for coming to the 2006 Player's Ball. And the winner of the Award for Best Pimp in a Pimpstramental Situation is... [16 June 2006] 
DK: King MeEverybody knows a product is nothing if you can't distribute it. Purple City knows it. DK knows it. That's what mixtapes are for. 
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: The Very Best of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh PrinceNow this is a story all about how hip-hop got flipped, turned upside down. And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, as we talk about Jeff and his friend in Bel-Air. [15 June 2006] 
George Duke: The Essential George DukeLooking for some music from the "good ol' days"? Want to see what all that '70s fuss is about? Have you recently cleaned out your closet and rediscovered your Afro pick, bellbottoms, or photos of your disco-era dance moves? If that's even a "maybe", then this is the release for you. 
Roots Tonic: Roots Tonic Meets Bill LaswellOnce you get the big picture, a whole world of invention opens up and an intergalactic, space-age dub transmission awaits you. [13 June 2006] 
Christian Scott: Rewind ThatThinking about playing the trumpet? You might want to listen to Christian Scott first to be sure there's still room in the world of jazz for anyone else. [9 June 2006] 
Christina Milian: So AmazinSupposedly, image is everything. What happens when your movie image clashes with your music image? Milian's latest gives us an exact estimation: it depends on how many people bought into those images. [8 June 2006] 
Jermiside & Brickbeats: The Red GiantsThis is the tale of two men, a mic, and a turntable -- a classic story of emcee meets DJ, DJ makes tight beat, emcee displays mad skills. Jermiside & Brickbeats do more than tell the story -- they live it. 
Rihanna: A Girl Like MeThe Bajan Princess of the dancehall can "break it up" like nobody's business. And when you can drop it like it's on fire, there's no need to cool it off. [1 June 2006] 
Nino Moschella: Man of Many HatsIf you receive a demo that includes the banging of a broomstick, how good could the album really be? As it turns out, it can be extremely good. In fact, it could one of the year's best. [31 May 2006] 
DJ Format: Fabriclive 27In the perfect world of a deejay, Ella Fitzgerald is a B-Girl and Nina Simone hangs with Cut Chemist & This Kid Named Miles. Well, that perfect world exists and you can experience it in a single listen. [24 May 2006] 
Bronze Nazareth: The Great MigrationThis Wu-Tang associate knows how to create a hot track. Maybe he and The RZA would be interested in a hip-hop reality show. [23 May 2006] 
Avant: DirectorThis R&B singer's out to prove he's not a clone. He's not that other guy. He's his own man. [19 May 2006] 
Pink: I’m Not DeadWho says you can't turn a funeral into a party? Pink says you can. And what Pink says goes. [17 May 2006] 
Scarface Presents The Product: One HunidThe man they call 'Face is back again with another musical slice of his longitudinal study on street life. [16 May 2006] 
Mobb Deep: Blood MoneyIf you combine two of hip-hop's biggest camps and give them a healthy budget to work with, the result should be a monster hit... right? [15 May 2006] 
Amel Larrieux: MorningAn Ode to Amel Larrieux: on how to follow a masterpiece, why the label "Neo-Soul" must be destroyed, and how to deal in The Twilight Zone, oops, I mean "the music industry". [5 May 2006] 
Various Artists: Voices from the FrontlineBet you didn't know they taught hip-hop in Basic Training. Meet the soldiers who rock the mic while stationed in Iraq. [26 April 2006] 
Wordsworth: Mirror Music: The Deluxe EditionThe re-release of Wordsworth's 2004 debut proves that syndication might work for television, but it won't do for hip-hop. It's better to make new mistakes than to keep repeating old ones. [25 April 2006] 
E-40: My Ghetto Report CardE-40 returns with his trademark flow and a Bay Area brand of crunk to let you know he's more than a class clown. [21 April 2006] 
Dead Prez Presents M-1: ConfidentialDead Prez's M-1 has become the Sun Tzu of hip-hop with a blend of R&B, soul, politics, and activism that will get you dancing before you realize he's wiretapped your boom box. [6 April 2006] 
Ben Harper: Both Sides of the GunWith his latest release, Ben Harper sets his sights on crafting his definitive statement with two barrels of lyricism, wit, and musicianship. [31 March 2006] 
Akir: LegacyIf you're looking for an alternative to hip-hop's smorgasbord of "playas" (and you're not just a hata), Akir can get you thinking about rap's possibilities. 
Various Artists: Hard Truth Soldiers Vol. 1Outrage and tight production form a revolutionary combo on Guerilla Funk's latest sonic war cry. [22 March 2006] 
The Bamboos: Step It UpThe Bamboos have more funk than a kangaroo's got hops. But while they're heavy on drum and bass, the band is too light on variety. [16 March 2006] Slick: Elements of the GameSlick and his posse The Shock Mob try to get you crunk with a release full of California Love. [28 February 2006] 
Tony Hussle: Sexy Freaky ElectricOn his debut EP, Tony Hussle wants to whet your appetite for the main course. Unfortunately, you might have had enough before you're done with the appetizer. [24 February 2006] 
Various: States of AbuseRecord Label Entartete Kunst turns protest into art, but its latest release is heavy on politics and light on rap. The trick is to find the balance. [15 February 2006] 
Cloak-N-Dagga: Def Con ZeroAs Canibus continues to fight a losing battle with his own skills, he brings Phoenix Orion on board to form Cloak-N-Dagga, rap's newest dynamic duo. [13 February 2006] |
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