Subject:

Hip-Hop and Rap

  • Blogs

    May 16, 2013

    Is Killer Mike the Perfect Link Between Dr. Dre and MLK?

    For Atlanta rapper Killer Mike, it has never been just about hip-hop. It has never been about preaching rhetoric over a beat. But his sharp-tongued lyrics and booming baritone carry enough ferocity to scare your social consciousness wide awake. It's a style that's both refreshingly informed and effo ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 26, 2013

    Top Five Acts at Paid Dues 2013

    A few months into 2013 and we're less than a week away from the first big live hip-hop experience of the year. Last year was filled with immensely enjoyable shows all across Southern California, from Nas at Rock the Bells to Juicy J and ASAP Rocky at the Observatory. And, here we are, ready to start ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 19, 2013

    The Wide World of Lil Wayne: A Tribute to his Talents

    Last weekend, the news of Lil Wayne's health issues gave us at the Weekly quite a shock. As longtime fans of Weezy, we were happy to hear as the conflicting reports subside that it sounds like he's going to pull through. Being that we seemingly came so close to losing him, what better time than now ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 4, 2013

    Method Man - The Observatory - March 3, 2013

    Method ManThe ObservatoryMarch 3, 2013Orange County's relationship with hip-hop is different than its Los Angeles neighbor. Whether it's Aesop Rock or ASAP Rocky, LA will come out in droves. Later in April, Aesop Rock will be performing at the Constellation Room, a small Observatory offshoot only ca ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 20, 2013

    Tim Dog's Top Five Most Outrageous Songs

    Longtime hip-hop fans were saddened last week to hear of the passing of Bronx rapper Tim Dog. Always brash and entertaining, his cult classic 1991 album Penicillin On Wax and legendary feud with N.W.A. made him one of hip-hop's all time most memorable personas. The world was reminded of his greatnes ... More >>

  • Music

    February 14, 2013

    DNA: The Second Generation. Curtis Young, E3 and Lil Eazy-E Are Straight Outta OC

    The sons of Dr. Dre and Eazy-E re-imagine the sounds of West Coast rap from behind the Orange Curtain

  • Blogs

    February 12, 2013

    Our Mardi Gras Phat Tuesday Playlist

    That's right folks, it's Mardi Gras. The day before Lent kicks off with the solemn Ash Wednesday where absurdly excessive partying hits its absolute peak. Of course, whether you're a Catholic or not, Fat Tuesday is a fantastic excuse to cut loose and have the absolute most fun one can have on a Tues ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 8, 2013

    Tales From the Trap: Behind the Scenes of Gucci Mane's Early Recording Process

    Picture this. It's the mid 2000's, and the south has been steadily drawing out the blueprint for street music in the 21st century. Records in Young Jeezy's early canon such as Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 and T.I.'s Trap Muzik have all but literally set in stone the commandments ... More >>

  • Music

    February 7, 2013

    Will Carjacking Charges Derail Kadillak Kaz's Hip-Hop Career?

    With a deal with Snoop Dogg in the works, the rapper was about to hit hip-hop heaven. Now he faces decades behind bars. But is he guilty?

  • Blogs

    February 7, 2013

    Local Rapper Kadillak Kaz Faces Three Strikes After Nearly Signing a Deal With Snoop Dogg

    It's not often that tales from OC's hip-hop scene grace the cover of the Weekly. But when it involves a local gangster rapper, a three strike prison sentence and Snoop Dogg (er, Lion...whatever) you best believe we're on the case. This week's cover story highlights the jailhouse saga of Kadillak Kaz ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 21, 2013

    Martin Luther King Jr.'s Most Memorable Samples

    Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day where we celebrate the birth and countless contributions the good Reverend Doctor made in the name of civil rights and equality in this country. Among Dr. King's most memorable works were his inspiring speeches. It's easy to forget that in a pre-internet/mass med ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 17, 2013

    Cutthroat Boyz (Joey Fatts, Aston Matthews, Vince Staples) - The Roxy - January 16, 2013

    Cutthroat BoyzThe RoxyJanuary 16, 2013Since the drop of his EP Chipper Jones Vol. 1 this past summer, Long Beach rapper Joey Fatts has been quickly spreading his strain of hybridized street-hop across the Internet and from his roots on our YG & TDE loving West Coast to the Action Brons ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 11, 2013

    Tommy Gun Tunes: A Playlist for Gangstas and Gangsters

    Today, the highly anticipated gangster movie Gangster Squad hits theaters. The film, which will hopefully usher in a resurgence in classic gangster period pieces, promises that classic shoot 'em up action with a sleek new style. Of course, in honor of the occasion, we at the Weekly feel compelled to ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 4, 2013

    The Top Five Rappers We'd Like To See At Coachella This Year

    It's the dawn of a new year, which for those of us who love music means a whole new year of live shows and another Coachella. Speaking a bit more specifically, it means another period of buzz surrounding possible Coachella lineups, rumors, definite answers, and photoshopped posters. This list is non ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 3, 2013

    Five Hip-Hop Trends We Hope Will End in 2013

    2013 is surprisingly already off to a strong start. While years past have brought us a January where most artists recoup and regroup for the next 11 months, we've already had plenty of singles, videos and announcements looking to set the tone for 2013. We at the Weekly would like to get in on the ac ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 12, 2012

    The Top Five Post-Break-Up Rap Debuts

    With the release this week of rapper Big Boi's sophomore album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, we're reminded of how truly great his 2010 solo debut Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty truly was. It's rare that a rapper hits a home-run when making their first effort as a solo artist fol ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 11, 2012

    Following Kurupt and DJ Nick Bean From L.A. Video Shoot to Anaheim Gangsta Party

    [Editor's note: Soon-to-be-award-winning gonzo music journalist Danielle Bacher prowls the late late night scene for West Coast Sound. For this installment, she hit the town with rapper Kurupt from Tha Dogg Pound and DJ Nik Bean, a West L.A.-based mixtape impresario who has worked with Snoop and Tha ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 6, 2012

    Five More Hip-Hop Holiday Renditions We Would Love to Hear

    If the sugar plum fairies dancing in your head this week have started to stop, drop, shut 'em down and open up shop, that's likely because they're still beaming from DMX's absolutely spellbinding cover of the children's Christmas classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." We at the Weekly consider th ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 4, 2012

    How Rapper Aliso Black Plans to Hustle His Way to Paid Dues

    Aliso Black doesn't like to talk about the dues he's paid to his local hip-hop scene. He'd rather just show you the worn-out soles of his white, high-top Chucks, the armpit stains under his sweatshirt, or a car trunk full of mixtapes and show fliers. Then of course there's the swath of Google entrie ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 3, 2012

    Five Dead Rap Artists We Would Love To Hear More From

    There are few things in the music business as puzzling as the post-mortem release. Usually, when an artist we love expires, our first reaction is one of excitement to hear more from them. However, looking back at the history of such releases gives us an underwhelming selection of grave-robbing cash- ... More >>

  • Music

    November 21, 2012

    Locally Grown Collective Grow Their Hip-Hop Roots

    [Locals Only] This dream team of young rappers cultivates a sound that resonates beyond OC

  • Blogs

    November 12, 2012

    Top Five Essential No Limit Soldier Tracks

    With yesterday being Veteran's Day, we at the Weekly were reminded of how the late 90s wouldn't have been the same without the contributions of Master P's No Limit Soldiers. From their beginnings in California through their rise to national prominence with some of New Orleans' finest, No Limit Recor ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 2, 2012

    Asher Roth: Frat-Rapper Turned Hip-Hop Nostradamus

    Tonight, rapper Asher Roth plays the Yost Theater. In the almost-four years since his single "I Love College" propelled him into regular radio rotation, he and his legacy have gone under a particularly curious metamorphosis. Like him or not, his celebration of the white-stoner millennial lifestyle w ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 25, 2012

    Five Porn Stars Who've Attempted Music Careers

    Earlier this week we examined both hip-hop artists who would make interesting adult film stars as well as rap stars who've actually attempted creating their own erotica. As shocking as that was, would you believe that plenty of porn's biggest names have actually attempted to crossover into music as ... More >>

  • Music

    October 11, 2012

    Sound Asylum Put Spotlight on the 'New West'

    OC's hip-hop elite join forces to bring some shine to their scene at a new quarterly event

  • Music

    October 11, 2012

    Sami Matar, Music Man

    [Best Of 2012] The Muslim-radio pioneer's favorite things about Orange County

  • Blogs

    October 4, 2012

    How 'The Cypher Effect' Has Changed the Local Underground Hip-Hop Scene

    In his dedication to the culture, Jorge Soria had been involved for many years on the local Los Angeles scene helping hip-hop artists by doing promotions, putting shows together and recording music all before taking a break. He returned last year offering his skills in music video production when an ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 1, 2012

    GZA, Killer Mike - The Observatory - September 28, 2012

    GZA, Killer MikeThe ObservatorySeptember 28, 2012It is said that the  third time's the charm, and after  two less-than-stellar performances here in Orange County, we were betting on a third round sweep from Wu-Tang esteemed patriarch the GZA. The last couple times h ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 11, 2012

    Kanye West and 50 Cent's 9/11/07 Album Showdown Revisited

    See Also:*Five Unexpected Cover Songs From the Insane Clown Posse*Five Artists (Besides Lil Wayne) Who Think New York Sucks*Kai: Street Artist Painted Kanye and Eminen How They Act--Like Medieval Kings Believe it or not, at one point Kanye West was considered an underdog. Before we were watching the ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 16, 2012

    Top Five Acts You Can't Miss at Rock The Bells

    See Also*Rock the Bells 2012 Lineup Announced*Juicy J, Smoke DZA, Joey Badass, Fat Trel - The Observatory - 8/4/12*House of Campaign: Five Rap Songs Looking for Your Vote The twilight of the summer festival circuit is fast approaching, and hip-hop's foray into all the sweaty, sometimes expensive act ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 9, 2012

    House of Campaign - Five Rap Songs Looking For Your Vote

    See Also: *Going for the Gold: Five 2012 Rap Songs To Inspire Our Olympic Team *Get It Together: 6 West Coast Posse Cuts For Your 4th of July Cookout *Did MTV Really Snub Waka Flocka Flame's Rapping Rooster? With the new Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis movie The Campaign opening tomorrow (oh ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 6, 2012

    Juicy J, Smoke DZA, Joey Badass, Fat Trel - The Observatory - 8/4/12

    See Also*Did MTV Really Snub Waka Flocka Flame's Rapping Rooster?*Big K.R.I.T. Keeps His Beats Homemade and His Rhymes Country*Slaine Opens Up About New La Coka Nostra Record, Friendship w/ DJ Premier and La Coka Nostra Without EverlastThe lineup the Smoker's Club tour at the Observatory read like a ... More >>

  • Calendar

    July 26, 2012

    Big K.R.I.T.

    The Observatory

  • Calendar

    July 12, 2012

    Fat Joe

    Observatory

  • Calendar

    July 5, 2012

    Wax Wednesdays

    Detroit Bar

  • Calendar

    June 7, 2012

    Action Bronson

    The Observatory

  • Blogs

    May 16, 2012

    Rock the Bells 2012 Lineup Announced

    Last night, the folks at Guerilla Union announced the lineup and dates for Rock the Bells 2012 and a couple new surprises to its format.In an obvious attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the Coachella's decision to clone itself, this year's Rock the Bells will be expanding its lineup to two co ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 8, 2012

    Top Ten Rap Albums For People Who Don't Know Shit About Hip-Hop

    Our good friends over at LA Weekly ran a post today recommending ten rap albums for people whose knowledge of the genre is limited to Kanye West -- and only then because Obama called him an asshole for interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech. Naturally, the comments section has exploded with " ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 3, 2012

    Kai: Street Artist Painted Kanye West and Eminem How They Act -- Like Medieval Kings

    Much like rock stars and supermodels, hip hop and street art have a long history that spans decades. And never before has the relationship between street art and hip hop had more of a literal representation than with the soon-to-be-unveiled "Now Royalty" collection by Los Angeles-based street artist ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 27, 2012

    Uprising: Hip Hop and the L.A. Riots Panel Discussion - Grammy Museum - 4/26/12

    Maybe it was the fact that we had to sit in downtown rush-hour Los Angeles traffic before we got to the Grammy Museum. But probably, it was the fact that we pressed through such a long, shitty day because the light at the end of the tunnel was the knowledge that after trying for so many damn years, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 23, 2012

    The Best Of Coachella: Sunday, April 22, 2012

    See also: Our Complete Coachella CoverageBy the third day of Coachella's second weekend -- the sixth and final day of this year's festival -- folks had more or less learned to ignore the dust and the heat. Here are our intrepid writers' favorite things about the final hours of the 2012 event.

  • Blogs

    April 18, 2012

    Lowkey, UK-based Rebel Rapper, Calls it Quits

    Lowkey's approach to hip-hop was always professorial and politicized. His critically acclaimed independently released double-album Soundtrack to the Struggle last year was layered with lyrical lectures and skits sampling luminaries like Tariq Ali. It was, then, as surprising as it was fitting that t ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 16, 2012

    Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Tupac's Hologram at Coachella, April 15, 2012

    See also:*Tupac's Hologram: How It Was Done*Top Ten Awkward Coachella Dance Move GIFs*Coachella: Five Signs You're An Aging Hipster*Radiohead at Coachella: No Alarms and No SurprisesDr Dre and Snoop DoggCoachellaApril 15, 2012Headlining on Coachella's Sunday night is a tough slot to fill -- by that ... More >>

  • Calendar

    April 12, 2012

    Dom Kennedy

    The Observatory

  • Blogs

    March 29, 2012

    Tyga at The Observatory, March 29, 2012

    ​TygaThe ObservatoryMarch 28, 2012 Warning: This review contains explicit language, and your children should not read this--too bad you let them attend this concert.If you were at the Observatory to see Tyga perform at his sold-out show, you heard a lot--and I mean a lot--of  "Rack City," ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 23, 2012

    Dr. Dre To Produce A Film and 5 Other Rappers To Work In Film

    ​Though this isn't his first rodeo in film (he's acted before), legendary hip-hop impresario Dr. Dre will be a producer on the upcoming horror/thriller film, Thaw. How this affects his Chinese Democracy-esque album Detox remains to be seen, but in the interim, this is likely to be the latest proje ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 12, 2012

    Alert: SXSW Coverage Ahead

    "What I want from each and every one of you is a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area." -- Tommy Lee Jones, The Fugitive You don't have to spend much time at South By Southwest to know that all of the above building ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 9, 2012

    The Notorious B.I.G.: 15 Years Later His Music Enjoys 'Life After Death'

    ​Canibus offered his opinion that "the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th" on "Second Round Knockout." For hip-hop heads, the day has been forever etched in stone as Christopher 'The Notorious B.I.G.' Wallace was fatally gunned down on Los Angeles in 1997. Hard to believe, but this day ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 27, 2012

    Lil Wayne's New Shoe Line: Will it Suffer the Same Fate as These Companies?

    ​Today, Lil Wayne announced his latest foray into the fashion business with the announcement of his yet-to-be named shoe company. Weezy has had success with his Trukfit brand streetwear brand and getting into sneakers seems to be the logical progression for the New Orleans-bred rapper. Just to rem ... More >>

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