Our subject for today is EPMD, the immortal two-man crew who were nicely characterized as “rap music’s own version of Starsky & Hutch” on the hiphopelements.com website in 2003.
Continue reading “DIGGIN IN THE FILES: EPMD” – BY BILL ADLER
Words & Interview By Jake Paine
If you listen to Joell Ortiz’s early solo recordings, you know of the uphill climb. The Brooklyn, New Yorker had devotedly pursued a career in Hip-Hop since before he was Jo-Ell Quickman, in the last great wave of Rawkus Records-distributed 12” singles. Entering the 2000s with a buzz in tow, Ortiz transmitted lyrics with an MC’s flare and a hustler’s conviction, making him a poised voice for the Hip-Hop genre’s increased interest in street-rap by 2005. In the years that followed, everybody from Dr. Dre to Eminem, Kool G Rap to Showbiz heard this skill, uniqueness and honesty, and wanted in.
Interview & Words by Jake Paine
On March 26, 2002, New York City quartet Non-Phixion released an album that truly took a decade to make. Ill Bill, Goretex, Sabac Red, and DJ Eclipse had withstood at least three deals gone dry, an early exit from their most recognizable member in 3rd Bass’ MC Serch, and a rapidly-changing New York soundscape.
Continue reading NON-PHIXION – THE FUTURE IS HERE (INTERVIEW)
Our man Slav Kandyba caught up with Cube Jr. to get the exclusive word on the upcoming NWA movie. “It’s not like I’m playing someone make-believe. This is me from the ground up. I’ve been working on this role for 2 years.”
Continue reading ICE CUBE’S SON – O’SHEA JR. – TALKS NWA MOVIE (VIDEO)
As my old pal Michael Gonzales and others have noted, 2014 is the 20th anniversary of the release of Outkast’s debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Combined with DJ EFN’s enduring affection for the album and the crew, this red-letter date is all the excuse we need to dive back into their files.
Continue reading “DIGGIN IN THE FILES: OUTKAST” – BY BILL ADLER
Words and Interview by Jake Paine
Gunplay and Jay Electronica have more in common than one might think.
Both artists, well into their thirties are newly privy to major label record contracts, following respective decades of paying dues. Each rapper commanded the spotlight, independent of their high-profile friendships and backers, through simply going against the grain, and studying the masters.
Continue reading GUNPLAY: GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN (INTERVIEW)
Words & Interview By Jake Paine
Somewhere between the bass-backed First Amendment trailblazing of Uncle Luke and the boisterous thuggery of Trick Daddy is Mother Superia. Putting “the Bottom” (as she knew it) on the map, this Rap visionary dismissed notions of fortune and fame from the beginning, simply enjoying a therapeutic outlet to release her perspectives as a B-girl growing up in Miami in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Continue reading MOTHER SUPERIA – DA ROCK BOTTOM (INTERVIEW)
In another ode to mixtape freestyles of old – DJ EFN presents “From The Bottom” featuring Miami legend Mother Superia and MMG’s “Living Legend” – Gunplay. Midi Mafia flip a remix of Drakes’s “Started From The Bottom” – while both MC’s pay tribute to the bottom of the map aka the “Rock Bottom” – Miami Fl. DJ EFN’s full length album, Another Time, Available now.
Continue reading DJ EFN FEAT. MOTHER SUPERIA & GUNPLAY – “FROM THE BOTTOM”
Words and Interview by Jake Paine
“After All These Years,” Edo. G is still one of the wisest voices in Hip-Hop. Although he carries enduring hits like “Be A Father To Your Child” and “I Got To Have It,” Ed O.G. (as he was then known) carries an underdog’s mentality with an overachiever’s skill-set and discography.
Our own Garcia / Crazy Hood Film Academy took home Best Short at the Key West Film Fest for Avaricious. Congrats!