Dr. Dre

Q&A with Rakim

Friday Rap-Up

Friday Rap-Up: DJ Bedz, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Flavor Flav

The Friday Rap-Up: DJ Low Key, Jay-Z, KRS-One, Buckshot, Dr. Dre

Friday Rap-Up: 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Nas

Friday Rap-Up: Julox, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Aftermath Records

Friday Rap-Up: Nyke Nitti, Dr. Dre, The Game, DMX

Q&A with Stereolab's Tim Gane

The Need for Weed

By aiming for the lowest common denominator, Up in Smoke went over like gangbusters.

Xzibit

Restless (Loud)

TheSaurus

Kids Gather Round
Self-released

True Colors

Truth sets the record straight about her hefty lawsuit, her split with Dr. Dre, and what's next.

Rakim

This revered hip-hop framer isn't crazy about the state of the game.

Jay-Z

Kingdom Come
Roc-A-Fella

The Game

Doctor¹s Advocate
Geffen

Various Artists

Plant Music
Plant Music Records

Boot Camp Clik

Friday, July 21, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Busta Rhymes

The Big Bang (Aftermath/Interscope Records)

Critical Fatwa

Ja Rule

Hip-Hop Trends in 2005

Ja Rule

John Cale

Sunday, October 30, Bluebird Theater, 303-322-2308.

Boyz N the Studio

Hustle & Flow is short on action, long on scenes of recording.

50 Cent

The Massacre (Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit)

Attitude Check

Four discs trace the development of the original gangstas.

Word of the Pharoahe

Pharoahe Monch thinks better hip-hop doesn't have to be a drag.

Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz

(Dogg House/TVT Records)

Judgment Day

Backbeat contributors offer up their favorite recordings of 1999.

A Whiter Shade of Pale

Eminem plays the race cardin reverse.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Reviews of 23 recent superstar recordings--just in time for your holiday purchasing pleasure.

Our Gangstas

Is gangsta rap getting more profound? Well...no.

PLAYLIST

Is gangsta rap getting more profound? Well...no.

BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL

Is gangsta rap getting more profound? Well...no.

That's Uncredible!

How artists in a dishonest business are trying to keep your trust.

Lazer Sword

How artists in a dishonest business are trying to keep your trust.

Lazer Sword at the b.side Lounge

How artists in a dishonest business are trying to keep your trust.

Beyond Playlist: Eminem and more

Eminem Relapse (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) The haters have been laying for this one, and there's no denying that Eminem has provided them with plenty of ammunition. Devoting an entire album to his drug problems and rehab struggles invites accusations of solipsism (yeah, yeah, it's a hip-hop trad ... More >>

SP Double returns with mixtape and upcoming projects

It's been a while since we've heard from SP Double, especially since the dissolution of his Boostwell crew. But from the ashes, he's dusted himself off and is gearing up to drop a collection of projects over the next six months. His new album, Loyalty, Honor, Respect, is due out sometime this fall, ... More >>

Devin the Dude

Tuesday, May 11, Bluebird Theater, 303-830-8497.

Beat-loggers index samples so we don't have to

​ It's no secret that the Internet is a safe-harbor for niche markets and small groups, but that doesn't mean some of them can't be extremely helpful in a pinch. Sample-spotting is one that has been incredibly helpful to us on numerous occasions. More and more hip-hop is moving into the digi ... More >>

American Tomahawk, Chromeo, Black Milk fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

A Q&A with young Colorado rapper Catch Lungs

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Denver's emerging hip-hop producers speak out

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Anatomy of a hip-hop song: Local producers weigh in on what it takes to make a great track

David Lang / Red Bull PhotofilesBoonie Mayfield (top) and Xperiment Beats​The term "producer" has very different connotations in the worlds of rock and hip-hop. Although they're both instrumental in shaping the sound, they serve very different functions. Generally speaking, in rock, a produc ... More >>

Jeremih at Comedy Works South, 12/08/10

​ KS-107.5 MORNING SHOW CHRISTMAS PARTY With Jeremih • Bow Wow 12.08.10 | Comedy Works South When a show begins with an open-to-all karaoke session, things could go one of two ways: A bunch of bad singers (or in this case, rappers) could burn up the atmosphere and take the show with them. ... More >>

Top five lost albums we'd like to see released

​Love's lost album from 1973, Black Beauty, is finally going to see the light of day when its released in June. The album was their first with a new lineup after Arthur Lee left the band, but the record label went bankrupt before it was ever released. It's certainly not the first time this has ... More >>

Top 5 Famous Writer/Musician Feuds

​Sometimes hurt feelings and death threats bring people closer together -- that definitely seems to be the case of the former web editor at our sister paper in Los Angeles, Erin Broadley, and shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, who once threatened to kill her. After the two met, they came to the real ... More >>

Hip-hop's ten most impactful deaths

​Today marks the anniversary of the day that the world lost the greatest rapper of all time. Christopher Wallace's untimely death on March 9, 1997, had a significant impact on the rap game. If Biggie had lived, for instance, his presence would have essentially erased the need for Jay-Z. Unstop ... More >>

Top five Yo! MTV Raps videos and moments

​As you know, MTV turned thirty this week, and man, oh man, what a three decades it's been. No matter who you are, or what side of the music spectrum you represent, the influence of Music Television on popular culture cannot be denied. This is true especially in the development of the hip-hop ... More >>

A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory is 20 years old

​On September 24, 1991, A Tribe Called Quest released The Low End Theory, a beautiful fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and esoteric lyrics aimed at a new generation of hip-hop. Twenty years later, the album sounds just the same in 2011, as it did, frankly, whenever you heard it. Inspiring such artists ... More >>

Game

Wednesday, November 2, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399; Thursday, November 3, Ogden Theatre, 1-888-929-7849.