The critically acclaimed Black Star album not only introduced the world to two gifted emcees, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, it also opened the world's eyes and ears to the sounds of Cincinnati native, Hi-Tek. Born, Tony Cottrell, Tek has since gone on to become one of hip hop's elite producers working with the likes of everyone from 50 Cent to Snoop to Common to Nas to The Game. Today, the follow up to one of my favorite albums of 2006, Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip, Hi-Teknology 3: Underground hits stores. more ›

Ghostface Killah The Big Doe Rehab Def Jam December 4, 2007 "No time...there's never any time," cried a caffeine pill crazed Jesse Spano in that very special episode of "Saved by the Bell." Ghostface Killah laughs at you and your complaints, Spano. While you can't find the time to balance a geometry midterm, getting into Stanford and covering Pointer Sister tunes, Pretty Toney is having no trouble finding time to spit sick verses on 8... more ›

U.S.D.A. stands for the United Streets Dboyz of America, and stand for more than just the trio of rappers Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla and Blood Raw. It stands for the struggle of having nothing and being determined enough, and good enough to fight the fight, and make it on top. Their album Cold Summer dropped with Def Jam, since then they've become the self-proclaimed "Kings of Youtube" racking up incredible hit counts even when... more ›

OUT TODAY: These and other new releases are conveniently located at your neighborhood record store (sigh) or online retailer… The Chemical Brothers - We Are the Night (Astralwerks) Suzanne Vega - Beauty and Crime (Blue Note) The Dark Crystal: 25th Anniversary Soundtrack - Trevor Jones (La-La Land) KT Tunstall - Hold On [SINGLE] (Relentless Records) Editors - An End Has a Start (Epic) Meat Puppets - Rise to Your Knees (Anodyne) The Cribs -... more ›

A bear-hugging belated congratulations to local rockstars The 88 for their record deal with Island Def Jam (announced last week). These LA marvels have been working their tush (it’s a technical term) off for years and I am thrilled for their success. I heard a track off Kind Of Light in 2002 or 2003 and it was one of those compulsive, immediate love, kismet things. I assaulted the internet looking for any information on the... more ›

Just in time for Christmas: - a Mary J. Greatest Hits package right as she gets nominated for hella Grammys - a disc by an American Idol winner who can sing her ass off - a disc by an American Idol winner who can't sing for shit - a Sonic Youth cd for the the collection that has everything - way too much Tyrese Mary J. Blige - Reflections (A Retrospective) (Geffen) Fantasia -... more ›

Lyrics Born - Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born Live! (Quannum) more ›

Beenie Man - Undisputed (Virgin) Blag Dahlia - Nina ... and Other Delights (MVD Audio) Damage Case - Tyranny (Punkcore) Támar Davis - Milk & Honey (Universal Motown) Dirty Dozen Brass Band - What's Going On (Shout! Factory) Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live (Rhino) Bob Dylan - Modern Times (Columbia) Grates - Gravity Won't Get You High (Cherry Tree) Gwar - Beyond Hell (limited-edition version with DVD also available; DRT)... more ›

A Heartwell Ending - Trust Us, We Lie (Mediaskare) C-Bo - Money to Burn (West Coast Mafia) Cassie - Cassie (Bad Boy) Comets on Fire - Avatar (Sub Pop) Daughters - Hell Songs (Hydra Head) Ani DiFranco - Reprieve (Righteous Babe) Dirty Pretty Things - Waterloo to Anywhere (Interscope) Nina Gordon - Bleeding Heart Graffiti (Warner Bros.) Hello Stranger - Hello Stranger (Aeronaut Records) Hellogoodbye - Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! (Drive-Thru) Jonas Brothers -... more ›

The Beatles The Capitol Albums Vol. 2 (Capitol) – Four disc collection of the American versions of the early albums (The Early Beatles, Beatles VI, Help and Rubber Soul) in both stereo and mono. A tempting purchase, but unless you’re a completist it’s tough to justify. more ›