Yeah, yeah, so she’s fourteen years old and has a set of pipes. What else is new? Unfortunately, nothing much. JoJo’s self-titled debut is yet another run-of-the-mill pop album that any would-be alum of American Idol — or in JoJo’s case, America’s Most Talented Kid — would record in order…

The Roots’ new record is the result of a collection of jam sessions over a span of several weeks. Gone are the experimentation, the abstract sounds and the neo-soul. Tipping Point is straight-up raw, unadulterated hip-hop. Over the course of the album, the players primarily lie back in the cut…

Once he was “ushered” out of the phenomenal underground crew the Arsonists, many wondered if Freestyle would be able to carry an album by himself. Three years in the making, his debut album, Etched in Stone, puts all speculation to rest. And not much has changed since fans last heard…

Erick Sermon earned gold plaques with every EPMD album in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Since going solo in 1994, however, he has yet to see any shiny stuff. Although he’s enjoyed a few modest hits in the past five years — most notably, 2001’s “Music” and 2002’s “React”…

I have to let the world know that if it wasn’t for D12, there wouldn’t be a Slim Shady,” says Swift of his infamous D12 cohort, Eminem. “The name ‘Slim Shady’ stems from the creation of D12, and that’s what he introduced to the world in ‘Hi, My Name Is…’…

When DJ Danger Mouse and Brooklyn MC Jemini released Ghetto Pop Life in October 2003, only those in the know — or in the U.K. — really caught on. But once Danger Mouse dropped The Grey Album — a remix of Jay-Z’s The Black Album using sounds and samples from…

Since 1995’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and 1996’s Ironman, Ghostface Killah has been the most consistent rapper of the Wu-Tang collective. While the rest of the clan continues to churn out average projects every couple of years, Ghostface has proudly carried the Wu-Tang torch on each release. However, The…

Listening to Cassidy’s first two singles, “Hotel” and “Get No Better,” you might think Split Personality is full of club tracks. Thankfully, it’s not. But while Cassidy’s debut is imaginative at times — Personality is split into three sections with five songs each: Cassidy (the party club joints), Tha Problem…

Last month, T.I. was sentenced to three years in jail after violating his probation. And while the Atlanta-based rapper shares his rap sheet throughout his sophomore release, Trap Muzik, he also offers a bit of insight and advice. On “Doin’ My Job,” he muses that, like it or not, selling…

Listening to the collaborative efforts of MC/producers MF Doom (formerly Zevlove X of KMD) and Madlib is like watching Alien and Predator go head to head, then turn and come after you. The essence of a gritty, dark club in a damp and moldy basement resonates throughout; the disc’s tone…

No, Janet isn’t flashing a breast in Damita Jo’s liner notes, and she doesn’t have any songs about “wardrobe malfunctions.” However, heavy sexual references and innuendos are prevalent throughout the record. The eighth studio album from Ms. Jackson picks up where her previous album, All For You, left off celebrating…

Cops and white men beware: Dead Prez has secured another record deal and is ready to unleash its onslaught once again. Four years ago, the act’s debut, Let’s Get Free, criticized the government, the school system, the police force and other artists for using music to talk about nonsense. MCs…

Three years ago, Usher was joyfully walking arm in arm with his girlfriend, TLC’s Chilli, promoting his third release, 8701, and happily dissing Sisqo on BET’s 106 & Park. Now Sisqo is MIA, and Usher is being called a cheater after his public split with Chilli. Hence what seems to…

In recent years, the local hip-hop scene has grown; new groups and artists have sprouted in every corner of the city. Along with this growth has come opportunities for crews to strut their stuff in local clubs and as opening acts for major artists who roll through town. Roadside Profits…

It’s been ten years since the jazz-fused hip-hop trio Digable Planets dropped its classic debut, Reachin’…(A New Refutation of Time and Space), which spawned the number-one hit “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” and a Grammy for Best New Artist. Shortly thereafter, the group released its critically acclaimed but widely…

In 2002, the members of rap duo Zion I were preparing to release the followup to their critically acclaimed debut album, Mind Over Matter. When their label, Nu Gruv/Ground Control, lost its groove, they were forced to look for a new deal. During that time, the group reconstructed its album…

God’s Son is the creative by-product of a tumultuous period for Nas: The last year brought battles with everyone from Jay-Z to the on-air staff of New York’s Hot 97. After dropping a certified classic with 2001’s Stillmatic and then giving fans some great leftovers in Lost Tapes, he returns…

Common has grown from a boy to a man since the release of Can I Borrow a Dollar?, his 1992 debut issued under the name Common Sense. This evolution has been reflected heavily in his music. Still fresh off the success of 2000’s Like Water for Chocolate, he returns with…