Ca$h Out rode around last spring with two girls named “Nina” and “Keisha” on his breakout single, “Cashin Out”. From its quirky beat, meaningless lyrics and cheesy chorus, the song was tailored made for radio fluff. Although the track earned Ca$h Out a gold plaque, it wasn’t enough for the honeys to stay. “Nina” and “Keisha” haven’t been heard from since.

The MMG general is the epitome of a hustler. After dropping an acclaimed mixtape at the top of the year, Rick Ross kept the grind going into the summer before finally delivering his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don’t. William’s rags-to-riches story rings off with the riveting”Pirates” and grows more sinister on the Cool & Dre-produced “Ashamed”. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League returns to spearhead “Maybach Music IV” while the soulful bed provided by Cardiak brought Miami’s street life to “Amsterdam”. Rozay […]

Birthday’s come once a year, but 2 Chainz’s hit “Birthday Song” won’t go away. Outside of the gentleman’s club, the track is a grating listen. Chainz opens his verse with the flat line “She got a big booty, so I call her ‘Big Booty’”. Matters are made worse with the ridiculous chorus, “When I die, bury me inside the Gucci store/When I die, bury me inside the Louie store.” Kanye eventually shows up to the party, but fails to leave […]

Off the heels of Sir Lucious Left Foot, one half of OutKast released another solo album, Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors. However, on this go-round, Antwan took a different approach musically by bridging the gap with his signature sound and other genres of music. Indie pop group Phantogram joins him on the hard-knocking “Objectum Sexuality”. Meanwhile the Swedish electro band Little Dragon provides the soothing tempo grooves on “Descending” and “Thom Pettie” with Dungeon Family member Killer Mike. Still General Patton stays true to […]

With a lil smirk on Joey’s face, a few vintage pics rip across the front cover of his forthcoming album, No Love Lost. Hey, it is Throwback Thursday. But the album drops January 22. UPDATE: New cover. New date (February 5). Tracklist below. Pre-order now. 1. Our First Again (Intro) 2. Top of the World (Feat. Kirko Bangz) 3. She Don’t Put It Down (Feat. Lil Wayne & Tank) 4. NBA (Feat. Wiz Khalifa & French Montana) 5. You And […]

Guess it’s safe to say, Cruel Summer is the most polarizing release of the year. Ha! Shit, I enjoyed it especially the final iTunes mastered version. Yeah Kanye made us wait til the fall for this compilation and released most of the best records first (“Mercy”, “New God Flow”, “Don’t Like”, “Clique”) but there was still new tunes to enjoy. Who can resist Ye charmingly boasting alongside fellow Chi-town Hall Of Famer, R. Kelly on “To The World”? But the […]

With his critically-acclaimed Dreamchasers mixtapes under his belt, Meek Mill carried over the success to his much-anticipated album, Dreams & Nightmares. We’ve all heard the prison walls to the hall of fame storyline repeatedly, but no one this year told it quite like Meek Mill. The title track rolls out his journey from the gutters of the Philly to the exotic penthouse suites. Meek continues his murderous tale (“Tony Story Pt. 2”), watches jealousy turn friends to strangers (“Who You Around”, “Polo & Shell Tops”) […]

Make no mistake, 2 Chainz gets by with a lil help from his friends on his Def Jam debut. Most notably Kanye West (“Birthday Song”) and the YMCMB familia (Lil Wayne on “Yuck”, Drake on “No Lie”, Nicki Minaj “I Luv Dem Strippers”). But although Tity Boi is well connected, my favorite moments on Based On A T.R.U. Story are when he elected to go for self. “Crack” is an essential head-nodder. “Dope Peddler” is punchy and playful and “I’m […]

Since the release of the first installment, Self Made, the Bawse added a few new recruits to his untouchable empire. Stalley brings his A game to the table. The Ohio rhyme slinger purifies hustling tales with Nipsey Hussle on “Fountain of Youth” and his opening verse reaches the highest point on “The Zenith”. The latest addition, Omarion woos the ladies on “Let’s Talk” and juggles them on “M.I.A.” In addition to Rozay’s superb ear for production, he also knows how […]

You wanna be one of the illest MCs? Well go out there and prove it. On your own. Then get with 3 other ill MCs and prove it. On y’all own. Then maybe you’ll get signed by one of the greatest MCs. Eminem is all over Slaughterhouse’s Shady debut and he ain’t got no worries. After spitting alongside the crew on the title track, Marshall gets raunchy on “Throw That” and goes crazy on “Asylum”. But it’s Joe Budden, Royce […]