What does it take to be #1 ? Plenty of things. And patience is one of ’em. I first heard of B.o.B. in the fall of 2007 when we were working on XXL‘s Leaders Of The New School issue. “He could sing. He can rap. He’s got this song, “Cloud 9″. He’s dope!,” the staff told me. So even though he was less established than most of his counterparts on the 10 runners-up list, his profile was featured first. Seems […]

From the VIP, I captured Snoop’s opening act at The Fillmore last night. Here the ATL brave tells the crowd to look for his next mixtape on May 4th. Then he launches into “Yupp”. Yupp, we’re all excited this shit is finally comin’ out.

We told you that the next VH1 Hip-Hop Honors would be dedicated solely to the South. Well here’s the King in NYC being interviewed for the show. According to the homie Maurice Garland, the honorees include JD, J Prince, Luke and the 2 Live Crew, Master P and the fellas below, Organized Noize. Nice! Exec Producer: Nelson George

[vodpod id=Video.3464129&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Dinstance%3Dnews%26amp%3Bvid%3D507207] Wise words from a decent man. My 1515 boy from the ‘Town. Great speech.

“And if you thought we lost our niche in this rap shit, you’re way wrong.” I haven’t listened to this album in a long time. Gang Starr’s Moment Of Truth. I think it’s because it’s too personal to me. Reminds me of too much. Takes me back. Way back. To D&D Studios with Guru. Where after cracking a bad joke about him nappin’ on the studio couch, we chopped it up. It was for an ego trip cover story while […]

Wow the Finisher really went in on this one. A loving salute to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. Essential listening. Link (Ripped from radio not stream. Better sound quality. If you’re in to that sort of thing.)

R.I.P. Keith Elam. Solar sent this letter out and after speaking to a few sources, I believe one fact is true, he’s gone. Yesterday morning, Guru lost his bout with cancer. He was 47. Let’s now celebrate his life and put the final soap opera to the side. Dude’s contributions to hip-hop culture will never be forgotten. Gang Starr Forever!

Shyne keeps callin’ me, but I don’t wanna pick up. I hate it. Hate that he keeps callin’. Hate what I would have to say him. Hate the way he sounds. Hate what people are saying about the way he sounds. Really hate what people are saying about him. Ask around. Find out, he wants to sound like that. Doesn’t ever want to be viewed as a Big soundalike again. Never again. Won’t accept criticism. Constructive or not. But then, […]

Here’s a new one from Terius featuring the guy with the terrible album title. Is this a Love King leftover or off Fuck A Mixtape? I don’t know. Oh well. Point out the bounce! AHH UPDATE: The track’s called “F.I.L.A.” and is indeed off, Love King. HHNM

Oh, hello Marshall: “I had originally planned for Relapse 2 to come out last year,” says Eminem. “But as I kept recording and working with new producers, the idea of a sequel to Relapse started to make less and less sense to me, and I wanted to make a completely new album.  The music on Recovery came out very different from Relapse, and I think it deserves its own title.” Album due June 22. UPDATE: Just Blaze isn’t the only […]