Hip Hop, Album Reviews and Critics (via Davey D’s Archived Essential Hip Hop Articles)

This article focuses on the role of the Hip Hop critic/ album reviewer. Its food for thought which I think still applies today.. is it about personal opinion or being a voice for a fan base who this album was intended for.. Does the reviewer need to judge piece of work from that viewpoint or at the very least acknowledge how a core audience is liking or disliking..?

HIP HOP AND IT'S CRITICS by Davey D Looks like Hip Hop artists are rearing their heads and speaking out about the type of ratings they have or have not received from various publications. In the latest edition of Lee Bailey's EUR Report[http://www.eurweb.com] where he interviews TheLost Boyz, they go off on publications like The Source Magazine. Here's an excerpt from that interview… "All these cats go out here and spend all this money to get a … Read More

via Davey D's Archived Essential Hip Hop Articles

Hip Hop History: Respect those Who Came Before Us (via Davey D’s Archived Essential Hip Hop Articles)

As we continue celebrating Hip Hop History Month, here’s another vintage article from November of ’99. Here we run down a list of key pioneers from NY and Cali.. Wish I was a bit more expansive in my thinking because I’ve would’ve included pioneers from Miami, the South and Detroit… I missed a big opportunity, but this was a good first step

RESPECT THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I think all of us who are involved or down for Hip Hop should take time out and give thanks to all those who gave us the music, the culture and the game. For example we all owe a bit of gratitude to pioneers like Afrika Bambaataa and his Universal Zulu Nation. Here's a guy who came out of New York's ruthless gang culture and succeeded in creating something positive when there was so … Read More

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Stephanie Gadlin: Hip Hop’s (UNSPOKEN) Ten Commandments (via Davey D’s Archived Essential Hip Hop Articles)

In celebration of Hip Hop History Month, we wanted to bring back this classic article from writer Stephanie Gadlin which reflected the challenges facing Hip Hop back in 1999. Her piece was powerful and frequently used as a discussion tool in high schools, college campuses and on radio show’s like Street Soldiers on KMEL..

HIP HOP'S (UNSPOKEN) TEN COMMANDMENTS By stephanie mwandishi gadlin © Famed Kenyan author Mgugi wa Thiongo once remarked: "…Language carries culture and culture carries, particularly through orature and literature, the entire body of values by which we perceive ourselves and our place in the world." Interesting perspective. If language carries a people's culture and therefore projects a people's cultural values to others, explain to me why are … Read More

via Davey D's Archived Essential Hip Hop Articles