Industry heavyweights and fast rising phenoms step inside the DJBooth for exclusive interviews with DJ Z
Filed under: Street Veterans, Underground, Interviews
It’s an unfortunate fact of the industry that, for every emcee willing to put in the work to become a monster on the mic, there’s at least one who skates by on lowest-common-denominator pop appeal—and it’s often members of the latter camp that are accepted into the mainstream. As an industry vet whose skill, dedication, and unbelievable live show made him indie rap’s first million-seller, Tech …
Filed under: We Got Next, Underground, Interviews
Chances are good that you probably aren’t familiar with Termanology’s hometown of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Sensing this himself, the Puerto Rican-American emcee decided to transition his burgeoning rap career from the streets of Lawrence to a larger stage in Boston and then finally to his current city of residence, New York. Considering his debut album, “Politics As Usual,” is set for release later this month, the moves …
Filed under: We Got Next, Underground, Interviews
If he isn’t already, rapper Kardinal Offishall is about to become the most successful Canadian-born hip-hop artist in America. Having rocked a mic on a mainstream level the past eight plus years in his native Toronto, Canada, Offishall will release his first domestically distributed project, “Not 4 Sale,” this summer. After dropping several albums under several different labels since 2000, the six-foot-four Offishall hooked up with …
Filed under: Street Veterans, Underground, Interviews
The foundation of Hip Hop was birthed by artists who chose to speak the raw and unfiltered truths of urban America. While you wouldn’t know it by turning on the radio today, proponents of honesty and diversity through politically conscious rap do exist. One of those proponents is Stic.Man; half of the internationally successful duo, Dead Prez. Known for their educational and cognizant speech, the duo …
Filed under: Producer, Underground, Interviews
There aren’t too many ‘super producers’ in the hip-hop game today. Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Kanye West and Swizz Beatz immediately come to mind, but what about new blood? Included in the next generation of production mastery are Cool & Dre, Danja, and DJ Toomp. Although according to in demand producer Just Blaze, if you’re talking ‘super-producer,’ the conversation must include 9th Wonder. Separated but not yet …
Filed under: We Got Next, Underground, Interviews
While some teenagers look at the prospect of attending college as a necessary step in life, others view the route as a diversion from their true aspirations and goals. If you know you want to be a rapper or a deejay at age fifteen, what’s the point of going to school, right? Well, according to recording duo Kidz In The Hall, wrong! Both MC Naledge and …
Filed under: Underground, Interviews
I know you say you love hip-hop, but do you really? Are you willing to keep rhyming as the bills pile up as high as the rejection letters. Are you willing to chase your dream so hard nothing else matters but beats and rhymes? Few MCs are, but when push comes to shove BeKay shoves right back. The Brooklyn rapper has been on the grind for …
Filed under: We Got Next, Underground, Interviews
If you have a stick and a torch handy Hezekiah wants to talk to you. On his new album, “I Predict A Riot” the Philly-based MC and producer is looking to shake up the world from the hip-hop industry to the depths of your soul. The album is a nod to Hezekiah’s diverse influences that’s built on the backs of live musicians, carefully crafted production, and …
Filed under: Street Veterans, Underground, Interviews
Make no mistake, hip-hop is a business. Like any business it’s full of demographic research and marketing campaigns designed to maximize profit and stock shares. But anyone crying out that business tactics have killed hip-hop just isn’t looking hard enough. While radio and TV copy the latest fads, rapper Median remains dedicated to making innovative and creative music. Fans eager for more from the much hyped …
Filed under: Street Veterans, Underground, Interviews
Hailing from the streets of Los Angeles, J Wells honed his production skills with hip-hop legends like DJ Quik before becoming a full-fledged D.P.G. member. His latest release, Digital Smoke, is a blunted collaboration with legendary rapper Kurupt. Today’s hip-hop game is constantly moving, and J Wells is on a mission to honor those who came before him while ensuring the West stays a force to …
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