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Mixtape Review: Hustle Gang, G.D.O.D.
While T.I.’s certainly no novice to the world of rapper-run-labels, first co-founding Grand Hustle Records in 2003, last week’s G.D.O.D. marked the first group project from T.I.’s Hustle Gang (the moniker chosen to represent the collective of Grand hustle signees). Boasting a well-...
The Weigh In: Joe Budden Gives Us His NBA Finals Predictions
We know you’ve seen him put Skip Bayless in his place. When it comes to sports, Joey knows his stuff. Last month, we spoke to Budden’s Slaughterhouse group mate, Royce Da 5’9” to get his picks before UFC 159’s epic showdown between Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen. Now that the NBA Playoffs ar...
The Break Presents: Danse Daimons
This Flatbush native has been featured on MTVU and opened for the likes of A$AP Rocky, Maino and M.O.P. Now, Danse Daimons is ready for his own headlining moment.
Standout: "Grown Ass Man"
Danse Daimons - Grown Ass Man - Music - More Music Videos
Also check out: "Lost in Chaos"
And: "Champagne And My 40oz"
Name: Danse Daimons
Hometown: Flatbush, Brooklyn
I grew up l
Ne-Yo Shares The Stories Behind Five Of His Biggest Hip-Hop Collaborations
Throughout his career, Ne-Yo has regularly been called upon by hip-hop's heavyweights to lend his vocals and songwriting abilities for their records. The Grammy Award-winning artist has worked with the likes of Rick Ross and Ghostface Killah on some of their biggest hits to date...
Album Review: Havoc, 13
When asked earlier this year about the concept of his upcoming album, Queensbridge MC Havoc simply replied, “This is about being me.” At the time, the response was taken as a declaration of severance from his longtime partner in music, Prodigy, who Havoc got in an ugly public spat with in 2012. Supposedl...
Ski Beatz Taught Me How To Make Beats
Photographs by Asia Minor
Well, sort of. Last week, when I heard Ski Beatz was hosting a beatmaking class at New York's Scratch DJ Academy, I jumped at the opportunity to get my long awaited career as a producer started. The way I saw it, I'd be signed up to co-produce Pilot Talk III, among several other high profile releases, in no time. That cer
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Mixtape Review: Chance the Rapper, Acid Rap
Just over a year ago, Chance the Rapper released his debut mixtape #10Day, a project inspired by a suspension from school in his senior year. It showcased a promising young man with raw talent and sharp instincts. Now, after much hype, Chance returns with his sophomore effort Acid Rap, a complicated, comprehensive journey into the curious mind of an artist starting to come into their own...
Read M
The Break Presents: Gist The Essence
Get familiar with Gist The Essence, who plans to follow in the footsteps of all the legendary Queens MCs that came before him.
Standout: "La La La"
Also check out: "Roller Coaster" ft. Cocoa Sarai
And: "Young, Gifted, & Black"
Name: Gist The Essence
Hometown: Queens Village, Queens NY
I grew up listening to: All kinds of music was played around my house, but of co
Mixtape Review: Los, Becoming King
It’s been a long time coming for Los. After the release of his The Crown Ain’t Safe mixtape, suitors came from far and wide to sign the DMV flamespitter. Interestingly enough, Los ended up returning to Bad Boy Records in 2012, the label he was previously signed to that failed to utilize his lyrical skillset and cut him lose in 2008. Whether he’...
Album Review: Illogic & Blockhead, Capture The Sun
Columbus MC Illogic’s catalog is a deep one, mostly stockpiled with bars reminiscent of rap’s golden era. His lyrics easily double as poetic verses as he maneuvers his way through heavy topics—building a lasting relationship with God, being a good role model for his kids, life after marriage. But when paired ...
The Break Presents: Rickie Jacobs
This 26-year-old out of Baltimore isn't brushing off the A-list comparisons he's received, but he's ready to add his own chapter to the game as well. Get familiar with Rickie Jacobs.
Standout:"'86 Draft"
RICKIE JACOBS 86 DRAFT from JSN JHNSN on Vimeo...
Album Review: Rittz, The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant
Since turning heads with an appearance on Yelawolf’s landmark Trunk Muzik mixtape, Rittz has been patiently waiting in the wings, making the most of feature-spots and eventually his own well-received mixtape, 2011’s White Jesus. But with a heightened fan base and Strange Music’s backing, The Life & Times of Jonny Valiant is by far the biggest moment of this long-hair-don’t-care, frenetically p