On a mainstream level, outside of The Roots and OutKast very few artists are openly accepted for taking chances or trying to be progressive musically. I just wanted to discuss progression or lack thereof in hip-hop. Hip-hop is very finicky about change. I find it odd that a genre that borrows from everything else is resistant to trying new things. Whats your take on it? Let’s discuss.

Back by popular demand. We did the most overrated hip-hop albums last week, so its only right we come back this week with the most overrated emcees. Who’s got your #1 spot?

As much as we have classic albums, we have overrated hip-hop albums. The word overrated is defined as; thinking something is better, stronger and more valuable than it really is. I wanted to include Illmatic in the choices but I feel like that album has way too much significance to be called overrated. However, people do bring it up to the point of annoying so its debatable. Which album do you think is the most overrated?

The golden era in the early 90’s is considered by most the best time in hip-hop. The quality of hip-hop being created in that time between 1991-1996′ is unmatched unless you consider 1988. Over the years 1994 has always the year some people lean towards or remember because of two classic LP’s; Illmatic & Ready to Die. However, as I listen to Reasonable Doubt, Stakes Is High and some of the other notable releases from 1996 I think its a lot closer than it seems. Which year do you think was a better year for hip-hop? I’ve included ten of the most memorable releases from each year. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s amazing how certain topics will always be debated to death when it comes to hip-hop.  Whether it is the great producer, greatest emcee or greatest album we all have our favorites. Obviously it’s all subjective. The ability to defend your viewpoints with an open mind is key to not making these debates personal, see Okayplayer. Which of the below do you find yourself debating the most?

A group is defined by two or more individuals with correlative talents committed to a common purpose or specific goal. Hip-hop has definitely given us some legendary groups since it first started. Some of these groups even produced some phenomenal solo artists. It was pretty hard to narrow it down to just ten choices. We based the below list on impact, relevance and catalog otherwise there would too many to name. Who gets your #1 spot?

With Rock the bells 2009 lineup just being announced, I think we are all pretty excited for upcoming summer concerts. While I know most of us have been to some dope concerts, we can also recall some shows we’d rather erase from memory. Outside of The Roots, Common and few other hip-hop acts it is hard to say what your going to get at a hip-hop show. In today’s discussion poll we wanted to get your vote on the worst live performer. While some of the choices may seem out of place, the below names have come up in conversations so let us know.

Four months into the new year and we’ve definitely had some emcees and entertainers who have kept us laughing in 2009. From fake beefs to fake retirement claims to really bad new albums and YouTube apologies;  it’s been entertaining and disappointing in the same breath. With that said, we do have some offenders so who gets the gas face?

Reflection Eternal is finally returning with a new album this year. After releasing the recent tracks “Internet Connection” and “Back Again“, I’m pretty excited to see what the follow up album will be like. It’s been 9 years since they first dropped the classic album Train Of Thought. With Mos Def prepping for a June release of his The Ecstatic LP, 2009 is shaping up to be the year of comeback. Reflection Eternal is currently on a promo tour for the new album and there’s even talk that they may be part of the Rock The Bells Festival this summer with the Beastie Boys. I’ve been playing a lot of Reflection Eternal of late. Let us know which is your favourite track by them.

Hip-hop has always provided some of the best nicknames. Just like David Bowie was able to create Ziggy Stardust, some of the dopest emcees have had a duality in their persona and that alter-ego comes to life in the music. Sometimes they use an alias so they can record a different type of record so they won’t alienate the core fans. Hip-hop has definitely given us some interesting and comical alias’. Vote now and let us know which is the best.