HipHopDx Editorials
Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival 2011 Show Wrap-Up
From Kanye West and Homeboy Sandman on the same show stage, to M.O.P.'s hometown salute, DX jotted down some things we learned and felt from Saturday's seventh annual show.
What If Rawkus Records Would Have Signed Kanye West?
According to Talib Kweli, Kanye West wanted to be down. DX's Editor-in-Chief ponders what that would have meant for the once famed label and today's superstar had it actually happened.
Trae Tha Truth's 10 Biggest Moments For Houston Hip Hop
The ABN leader breaks down 10 major moments for DX, including Bun B stealing the show on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'," Geto Boys on magazine covers and the death of Big Hawk.
Halftime: One-Man Armies - The Return of The Emcee/Producer Extraordinaire
From J. Cole and Big K.R.I.T., to Blueprint and Blu, to Evidence and Black Milk the days of the most-listened to emcees being the most talked about producers may have come full circle.
Halftime: Avant Guardians: 4 Producers, 3 States & 6 Months Of Great Beats
Musical movements happening in New Jersey, Alabama and Kentucky are creating powerful and informed production in the 2011 work of Cunninlynguists, G-Side and Lil B.
Halftime: Viva La White Girl - 5 Voices Every Rapper Wants On Their Hit
From Skylar Grey and Elly Jackson to Katy Perry and Chelsea Handler, DX's Music Editor points out that in 2011, mainstream Rap artists really love "dat white girl."
Halftime: Addicted To Retail - Selling Mixtapes Legally To Make Extra Royalties
All the cool kids are doing it - from Gucci Mane and Jadakiss, to Mac Miller and Curren$y. Turning free projects into retail product is nothing new, but it's become authorized ever since "So Far Gone."
Halftime: The Big Pushback - Rappers & Labels Strategically Delaying Albums
Did Dr. Dre's free publicity around "Detox" rumored release dates inspire artists like Game, J. Cole and all of Def Jam's roster?
Halftime: Five Trends In 2011 Hip Hop
DX celebrates 2011's midpoint by identifying five fresh trends with the sound, industry and culture of Hip Hop. Stay tuned each day for editorials about your favorite artist making moves this year.
Lost Liner Notes: "Armor of God" by Vakill
DX reintroduces its popular 2008 and 2009 series with Molemen's Vakill, who explains the concepts and back-stories on his hard-nosed new album, with some hilarious anecdotes and asides.
I Pledge Allegiance: The Value Of Hip Hop's Dissenting Opinions
From "Fight The Power" to "I Wanna Kill Sam," playing your favorite militant Hip Hop anthems may ultimately be the most genuine form of patriotism on the fourth of July weekend.
Movie Review: Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest consists of four members: Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Q-Tip and Jarobi. A-E-I-O-U and sometimes Y.” This film explores the Y's behind the iconic Hip Hop group.
One Hip Hop Author Challenges The "Deadbeat Dad" Stereotype In His New Book
Jamiyl Samuels shares a chapter from his book "Pass The Torch: How A Young Black Father Challenges the 'Deadbeat Dad' Stereotype," on how the golden-era of Hip Hop said a lot about fatherhood.
The Mentor Is The Hip Hop Father: Superstar Rappers & Those Who Helped Them
From Large Professor mentoring a young Nasty Nas to Digital Underground and 2Pac, HipHopDX looks at the older rappers who took youth under their wings and a made a difference we can all be thankful for.
Tech N9ne's Homecoming: What A Long, Strange Trip It Was
HipHopDX joined Tech N9ne and Strange Music for a Kansas City weekend this month, getting insights to one of the biggest artists in Hip Hop, his label and why they're both so successful.
Freddie Gibbs: School of Hard Truth
DX closes out the week with a spotlight on Gary, Indiana's O.G. who walks it like he talks it, after years of paying dues, and lyrics that stay on the block, not at the mall.
Black Like Me: Wale Vs. Kola Boof
With an argument on Twitter, Wale and author Kola Boof used 140 characters to address issues of sexuality and race in Hip Hop. Wale's responses may have won him an additional fan.
Vado: School of Swag
Harlem's Vado might be the most promising addition to the Diplomats family tree since Juelz and Jim were introduced, and he has more in common with neighborhood legend Big L than meets the ear.
Fashawn: School of Ecology
With a classic album already under his belt, HipHopDX goes back and lets Brother Ali tell it as to why Fresno, California's young emcee has all the wisdom needed to be an enduring voice in the culture.
Curren$y: School of Botany & Aviation
With a 504 Boyz album out for the past nine years, hit singles and a number of retail projects since, Spitta is simply a veteran with more musical energy than most teenagers.
