andrew.noz

    24 items
    Interview

    Roc Marciano: Brass Knuckles

    "Gangsta Rap don't make it to Pepsi commercials. Gangsta Rap don't have a life there. Gangsta Rap can still sell, but they've got bigger plans for the music now." - Roc Marciano

    14 
    Interview

    E-40: Deep Water

    Earl breaks down how radio stifled his national popularity, and gave birth to "Captain Save A Hoe," as he speaks about independent freedom, why mixtapes aren't his steez, and Mac Mall's talent.

    17 
    Interview

    Waka Flocka Flame: Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It

    An interview and analysis with Brick Squad 1017's raucous sensation, who may be carrying the N.W.A. torch and making some of the last Gangsta Rap on a major.

    48 
    Interview

    Richie Rich: Dollaz + Sense

    The legendary 415 emcee talks about influencing Snoop and Tha Dogg Pound, making the front page of the papers for hustling, and praises Lyor Cohen's character.

    34 
    Interview

    Too Short: Digital Dope

    Short Dog tells DX if digital albums remind him of out-the-trunk sales, the state of the Bay, and why he won't be tweeting cocktails anytime soon.

    34 
    Interview

    Brotha Lynch Hung: Cannibal Vox

    The Horrorcore Rap pioneer talks about why he's going to make Avril Lavigne his wife, why Insane Clown Posse helps Rap, and his first LP in seven years.

    59 
    Review

    Gucci Mane - The State vs. Radric Davis

    Commercial coercion or critical illusion. Last year Lil Wayne managed to synergize both approaches with The Carter III. Gucci Mane seems uninterested in either with The State vs Radric Davis.

    20 
    Interview

    Schoolly D: Funk Upon A Rhyme

    From "Gucci Time" and "P.S.K." to reverb and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Schoolly School recently reached out to HipHopDX to remind HipHopDX just how the fuck he got so cool.

    Review

    Peanut Butter Wolf - 45 Live

    If the mix manages to convince a few modern fans that the golden age of Hip Hop is bigger than just the Juice Crew and James Brown loops, then Peanut Butter Wolf has succeeded. Beyond that, 45 Live doesn't need to exist. But it sure sounds great.

    Interview

    The Clipse: White Teeth

    Pusha T tells DX about he and Malice getting up with Rick Rubin, the state of Re-Up Gang and making anthems for slangers and scenesters alike.

    Interview

    Lil Boosie: From Bank To Bank

    The Bad Azz explains why his freedom may be on a thin line, and though bootleggin' made him, he wants his gold and platinum.

    10 
    Review

    Busdriver - Jhelli Beam

    But Jhelli Beam too often feels like a regression, like he's rapped himself into a corner. Unconcerned with innovation, Busdriver is running in circles and flailing. But maybe flailing is what he does best.

    Interview

    Willie Isz: Something Else

    Khujo Goodie and Jneiro Jarel talk about their group, Organized Noize sound, Cocteau Twins and Z-Ro.

    Interview

    DOOM: Shadows On The Sun

    MF DOOM explains his character, impostors, reviving KMD, and his public and private war with Batman.

    4 
    Review

    UGK - UGK 4 Life

    Bun and company have done a remarkable job of synthesizing Pimp's vision given the circumstances. UGK 4 Life needs no formal Pimp C tribute because the album itself is a grand testament to his legacy

    1 
    Review

    Themselves - theFREEhoudini Deluxe

    Because that's what rappers do. theFREEhoudini is just boom bap twisted beyond recognition, raw Hip Hop obscured by noise bursts and thesaurus abuse and identity politics

    1 
    Interview

    Gorilla Zoe: Complicated Monkey

    In the wake of "Lost," the boy from the hood explains musical evolution, working with Wayne and his changed tastes.

    Review

    The Lonely Island - Incredibad

    E-40 and Slim Thug in jokes will surely be lost on Lonely Island's target audience as a whole and exist solely as a winking nod to fellow hip hop heads. It's nice that someone finally cares enough about rap music to mock it properly.

    Interview

    Spice 1: Murder He Writes

    The recent shooting survivor promises his most carefully created album in a decade, and says step your lyrical game up.

    2 
    Interview

    San Quinn: Fillmore's Finest

    San Quinn explains why he wants to get on Diddy and T.I.'s radar, and why the Bay has always been about musical freedom.

    1 
    Review

    G-Side - Starshipz & Rocketz

    Unlike so many of their peers, G-Side is actually concerned with such antiquated concepts like album cohesion and, more importantly, humility. Starshipz succeeds by staying down to earth.