Posted by A.D. on 09/30/2005

 

Part 2 is one of the many UK artists with a growing resume. Having produced for such hip-hop big names as Roots Manuva, Killah Priest, and Saul Williams, Part 2 finds himself in a pretty damn good position. Poised to drop his first album, Live from the Breadline, Part 2 is ready to introduce his original brand of "UK Urban" music to the rest of the world.

Posted by Eric Solomon on 09/29/2005

 

Who is Medina Green? Sure, they're the cats that brought us "Crosstown Beef", the group that features Mos Def and family (brother DCQ and cousin Magnetic) but who are they really: indie rap's answer to D-12, another sad casualty of Rawkus' demise, an underground crew that can't live up to its potential?

Posted by John Book on 09/29/2005

 

Mixed Blessings is a very interesting reggae-influenced album from the British artist who goes by the name of Lotek Hi-Fi. The music itself is not just reggae or dancehall; there's slight hints of hip hop weaving in and out of the mix as well. But this slight hint is what drags the album down.

Posted by Drew Lazor on 09/28/2005

 

New York’s Pumpkinhead has been a presence in the underground circuit for years, cutting tracks with his crews Brooklyn Academy and the Plague as well as collaborating with artists like Immortal Technique and Jean Grae. Unfortunately, longevity and reputation alone are not enough to boost a lackluster album out of the doldrums.

Posted by James Auburn on 09/28/2005

 

Bizzy, for those with more important things to pay attention to, is now truly "solo", having been kicked out of Bone Thugs in 2002. Now, in addition to starting his own web "reality show" (just what you needed, right?) to be streamed only on allhiphop.com, he has spit forth the fifth album under his own name.

Posted by Austin Taye Shus on 09/27/2005

 

In retrospect, it's pretty shocking that a hip hop record like Blazing Arrow was released on a major label in 2002. As many compromises as there were (and they were present in the form of Ben Harper and Jaguar Wright, amongst others), it was still a very artistic offering that was more concerned with quality than having a hit, despite having a very accessible, relatively polished sound. And that pretty much sums up Blackalicious. This is what makes the duo's latest, The Craft, kind of shocking.