Posted on 09/15/2008
As the title suggests, this album, King Syze’s second, is a tribute to the hard working man. More specifically, it’s not only a reference to his fulltime grind as an under-established emcee, but also an open admission to where he’ll end up if he fails to make it. Full of as much Mr. Toughy braggadocio as the next rapper, Syze sets himself apart with his tendency to brag in...

Posted on 09/15/2008
DJ I-Dee’s debut album, Solitude, is akin to a stirring ride though the turbulent mind of a young genius with ADHD. There are sudden shifts between sounds which prevent the possibility of boredom; it is short enough to hold your attention, and yet carefully crafted with a surgeon’s precision. Solitude, with all that happens among its 10 tracks, is seemingly anarchic.

Posted on 09/15/2008
Still soulful and experimental, Tricky adds another turn to his career path with a collage of styles and voices on Knowle West Boy. Reflecting his upbringing in Knowle West, a poor, White community in Bristol, England, the Massive Attack alum brings more diverse sounds to his usual dark outlook. Tricky’s sometimes indiscernible vocals are surrounded by a wall of music that doesn’t dwell exclusively in the shadowy electronica world of...

Posted on 09/15/2008
Musical fusion, and the line-crossing of genres is increasingly becoming more common, as innovative musicians are consistently growing weary of their respective boxes, and music lovers are constantly craving something new to grace the palettes of their ears. Well, BLVD should be added to that special fold. A collaborative group consisting of an instrumental trio from San Francisco and MC Souleye from Colorado, BLVD creates hip-hop flavored, live, rock induced...

Posted on 09/09/2008
Hip-Hop’s currently crowded landscape does not allow even the most rabid fan enough time to digest fully the several dozen releases each year. Among those releases, there are sure to be some unheralded gems that never see the light of day simply because of the sheer volume of high quality albums available. This remains a tough reality to face for many an independent artist. How does one stand out amongst...

Posted on 09/09/2008
Clipse fans might find this release, the Thornton bother’s first to lack any sort of cocaine references, to come as quite a surprise. I’m just playing; every song is still about selling coke, but at least that’s out of the way upfront. For those who are unfamiliar, The Re-Up Gang features Pusha T and Malice, along side Philadelphia’s Ab-Liva and Sandman. After three volumes of the famous-for-its-beat-jacking mixtape series, We...

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