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Hip Hop Artist Interviews

Industry heavyweights and fast rising phenoms step inside the DJBooth for exclusive interviews with DJ Z

The-Dream & Tricky Stewart Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, Pop, Producer, R&B, Interviews

Christopher “Tricky” Stewart and Terius “The-Dream” Nash took over the radio in March of 2007, and they haven’t loosened up their grip ever since.  As Rihanna’s smash single, “Umbrella,” exploded across the country, the production and writing talents of both men immediately skyrocketed into high-demand.  In the months to follow, the duo was courted to create hit records for Mary J. Blige (“Just Fine”), Mariah Carey …



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Nelly Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, Interviews

Not many musicians can say that they’ve sold millions and millions of albums.  Though today’s music industry faces an ever-changing economic climate and a push towards digital sales, it’s simply never been an easy feat.  However, despite the many challenges, there are a handful of rappers who’ve placed on the RIAA’s upper-echelon list of Top Selling Artists of All-Time.  Representing hip hop music are (in order): …



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DJ Green Lantern Interview

Filed under: DJs, Industry Heavyweights, Interviews

Okay, so you’re a DJ.  Well, what kind of DJ are you?  Are you a club DJ who works gigs seven nights a week?  Are you a tour DJ who backs an artist as they make their way from city to city?  Are you a mixtape DJ who collects fresh new music and churns out product for the streets?  Or maybe, just maybe, you are a …



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Raphael Saadiq Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, R&B, Interviews

Nearly six years ago, long-time record producer and performer Raphael Saadiq released his solo debut, Instant Vintage.  Similarly to his work with Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl, the project received rave reviews and earned the Oakland native five Grammy nominations.  Since then, Saadiq has spent time working behind the scenes with A-list artists like Joss Stone, Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip, among others. On September 16, …



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LL Cool J Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, Interviews

There is only one hip hop artist, according to our count, whose solo catalog includes hit records from the last three decades.  This artist has released twelve albums over the past 24 years, in addition to contributing music to countless motion picture soundtracks, and on September 9 will release his thirteenth and final album off the original record deal he signed as a teenager.  His status …



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Clipse Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, Interviews

Despite dropping a platinum-certified debut (“Lord Willin’”) and a critically-acclaimed sophomore album (“Hell Hath No Fury”), Virginia duo The Clipse are still looking for their big break.  After a disappointing and highly frustrating seven-year stint at Jive Records, emcees Pusha T and Malice are sailing a brand new ship; one that the tandem hopes will lead them to a land of musical success. With the release …



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Gorilla Zoe Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, Interviews

Hip-hop’s history is littered with stars who burned bright, collected a few checks, and then slowly faded into obscurity. In such a constantly shifting musical environment, it’s not making it onto the radio that’s a challenge, it’s staying there. For the few artists that are blessed enough to drop a second album, the pressures of establishing a permanent place in the game can be daunting.  No …



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Jim Jones Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, Street Veterans, Interviews

When Jim Jones’ “Ballinnn!” chant took the hip-hop nation by storm, the Harlem native was more than ready for the mainstream spotlight that would be directly cast upon him.  Rapping since he was a teenager, Jones grinded hard and waited patiently for just the right opportunity to come.  Thanks to persistence and a catchy single, it came.  Due to the overwhelming success of his third solo …



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Slim Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, R&B, Interviews

In the mid-to-late 90’s, as male R&B groups like Boyz II Men and Jodeci had reached the height of their success and popularity, a singing quartet out of Atlanta began to make its mark on the industry.  Starting with the release of their 1996 self-titled debut, 112 (made up of Slim, Q, Mike and Daron) went on to release five albums in total, many of which …



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Robin Thicke Interview

Filed under: Industry Heavyweights, R&B, Interviews

When Robin Thicke released his debut album, “A Beautiful World”, in April of 2003, he was rockin’ the Captain Jack Sparrow hairdo, sampling “A Fifth of Beethoven” and dominating the international charts with his single, “When I Get You Alone.”  In October of 2006, the Los Angeles native returned with “The Evolution of Robin Thicke,” and with the help of Pharrell Williams (and a haircut), the …



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Editor's Picks

[Single]  Hi-Rez  “Music In Me”
The Fort Lauderdale up-and-comer has hip-hop flowing through his veins on his latest mixtape leak (a Booth-exclusive world premiere).
[Single]  M-Phazes  “Another Classic (M-Phazes Remix)”
The Australian beatsmith joins forces with Burke and Torae to deliver "Another Classic" off his Phazed Out album.
[Single]  Young Scolla  “Take What's Mine”
Scolla isn't content to sit back and see what comes - he's going to Take What's Mine.
[Single]  R. Kelly  “Share My Love”
The R&B icon unleashes the first official single, a self-produced steppin' number, from his forthcoming album, Write Me Back.
[Mixtape]  The Cranberry Show “Paranormal Karaoke”
The Milwaukee twosome step into the Booth to bring us their sophomore street release.

Best Hip Hop of 2011

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