There was a time when being an A&R in rap music actually meant something more than the guy who’s trying to find out what records you’re sampling so he can become a producer. Dante Ross actually gave a fuck about the projects he worked on, which is why he was involved in hip-hop milestones such…
Category: Steady Bootleggin’
Holding it down for angry loners & the unemployable
The Unkut Guide To: Top Choice Clique
As the seeds of New York hip-hop began to spread in the mid-80’s, nearby cities such as Philadelphia and Boston were quick to adapt their own unique take on the original recipe. While most people didn’t have the Bean on their rap radar until they heard Ed OG’s ‘I’ve Got To Have It’ (or former…
Large Professor – The Unkut Interview
The Live Guy With Glasses is one of hip-hop’s top shelf legends, and having worked on some of rap’s greatest ever albums – in addition to his own stand-out work as the front man for Main Source and as a soloist – he refuses to kick back and relax, continuing to bang out beats and…
B-Real Hearts Paintball
After East Coast-based Ruffhouse Records launched his L.A. crew into rap stardom in the early 90’s, Cypress Hill frontman B-Real went solo from New York. One of the latest additions to NYC indie Duck Down Records’ expanding roster of well-respected lyricists, Louis Freese, 38, made his official debut in February after releasing three Gunslinger mixtapes….
The 90’s Files – F.T. of Street Smartz
Name: F.T. (Fuc That aka Full Time) from Street Smartz. Affiliations: Lead MC in Street Smartz, which consisted of F.T., Maoz and Syx. Part of the Tru Criminal Records family, which included AK Skills, 151 and God Sunz. Claim To Fame: Contributed tracks for a number of movie soundtracks, including Bones (‘F-It-Less’), Rush Hour 2…
A Salute To Tony D
There’s no denying how important Tony D was to Trenton. When the rap world was all about about New York and Philly, Tony was lacing hard, catchy beats for YZ, Poor Righteous Teachers, Blvd. Mosse and Too Kool Posse, amongst others. He also dabbled in microphone duties himself, landing a solo deal on the strength…
Eric B. – The Unkut Interview
Wondering what Eric B. has been up to since Don’t Sweat The Technique? After he released his self-titled solo album in 1995, Eric focused his energies on a number of lucrative business ventures (including a chain of restaurants), which in turn offered him the opportunity to set-up a community center to help local kids stay…
Kyron aka Solo (Screwball) – The Unkut Interview
Best known as a member of Screwball and for the controversial ‘Who Shot Rudy?’ single, Queensbridge legend Kyron is plotting his return to the rap game after an extended hiatus (due primarily to being on the lam for several years). Despite the sudden, tragic loss of his long-time rhyme partner K.L. earlier this year, Kyron…
Capone-N-Noreaga – Channel 10 Album Review
The creators of legendary anthems like ‘Illegal Life’, ‘Bloody Money’ and ‘T.O.N.Y’ finally get the chance to make a whole record together. Without mentor Tragedy on deck, will this be more like The Reunion than The War Report? ‘Intro’ Here we get to remember all the classic shit they did in the 90s. Prepare for…
Build Your Own Hip-Hop Supergroup
Gotta get the Cream… So there’s a bit of talk about Slaughterhouse, right? Joell and Royce are sick, Buddens has his moments and…err…Crooked I? As I was saying, who would you throw into a smoke-filled studio with a bag of Chinese take-out and a case of Becks? Four MC’s, one wildcard for guest shots. Go…
Funkmaster Wizard Wiz – The Unkut Interview
There’s no denying that Funkmaster Wizard Wiz is a bugged-out dude. From boasting about “making snowballs outta dog shit” to penning the most bizarre “anti-crack” record ever, Wiz never failed to entertain. After working with producers of the caliber of Ced-Gee and Pumpkin during his stint at Tuff City, Wiz tried his hand at hustling…
Where Are They Now – Hard Knocks
Naming yourselves Hardhead and Stoneface risks envoking the image of Bedrock, but these dudes weren’t on some Fruity Pebble bullshit. Their School of Hard Knocks album was tough to get for a long time, but those who managed to track it down were in for a treat, as this LP was well ahead of it’s…