Q&A With Detroit’s Very Own TNV

Hey TNV! Please tell us how many years you’ve been making music? I’ve been making music over 25 years. I started off writing lyrics when I was 13 yrs old. From there I started to dabble in beat production and I was heavily influenced by underground Hip Hop, till this day it is the foundation of everything I make. Tell us about your first ever debut track you put out? When was this? Wow that’s was back in 2000. I was part of this rap group called the Driftas, the song was named Drifting. It was ...
Tags: La, Social Media, Rome, Jazz, Ice Cube, Detroit, East Coast, Midwest, Dre, Rakim, Q&A Interviews, Boom Bap, Battlecat, JMisJustMe, Quik Dj Alladin, JDilla Marley Marl Pete Rock

Rakim & J.Period Announce NYE Show “The Live Mixtape: God MC Edition”

  For New Year’s Eve, Hip-Hop Icon RAKIM and DJ/Producer J.PERIOD (The Roots, The Hamilton Mixtape) have teamed up for an epic one-time performance of “The Live Mixtape: God MC Edition” on StageIt. Live from NYC on 12/31 at 9:00pm EST/6:00pm PST, Hip Hop’s most legendary lyricist, RAKIM is set to perform classics, deep cuts, and never-before-heard freestyles, while J.PERIOD is set to drop new remixes. The livestream will also feature celebrity drop-ins plus the world premiere of a new J.PERIOD ...
Tags: News, Brooklyn, Jazz, Rakim, Hamilton Mixtape, J.PERIOD, StageIt com Attendees

Stream Busta Rhymes’ New Album Extinction Level Event 2 Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, & More

Rap veteran Busta Rhymes has released a new album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God, a sequel of sorts to his 1998 album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front. It was announced back in August with an introduction from Chris Rock and we've already heard the Vybz Kartel and … More »
Tags: Music, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, Mary J. Blige, Q-tip, Busta Rhymes, Anderson .paak, Louis Farrakhan, Pete Rock, Rapsody, Bell Biv DeVoe, Rakim, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Vybz Kartel

Q&A With Los Angeles Based Rapper ethemadassassin

Hey ethemadassassin! Please tell us how long have you been making music? Most importantly, how did you come up with your rap name? I’ve been making music professionally since 2004. my artist name, “ethemadassassin,” was given to me by a college friend, Wunsun Ra (you should check his music out also). Back in those days, the cypher was an all day, daily occurrence. I never cared to just stand around wasting my entire day getting fucked up and spitting, so I was known to jump in the cypher, spit ...
Tags: Facebook, Sweden, Los Angeles, Pink Floyd, Thailand, Jazz, East Coast, BLM, Nwa, Roc Marciano, Dana, Binky, NC, Redman, RA, Animal House

Q&A with Album Art Designer and Illustrator, Cxppington

At a time where album artwork has made a major resurgence in bridging the gap between listeners and their favorite albums and artists in Hip Hop, there have been only a handful of illustrators who are at the forefront of bringing life and meaning to albums before we ever press play. It is our honor to introduce album art designer and illustrator extraordinaire, Manuel CEP Concepcion aka Cxppington. In case you’ve been living under a rock, he is the man responsible for bringing some of the most ...
Tags: House, Yg, Jazz, Banksy, Francis Bacon, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Wu-tang Clan, Blanco, Ghostface Killah, Conway, Sean, Prodigy, Basquiat, Sean Price, Kool Keith

Q&A With New York’s Realio Sparkzwell, Talks New Album “Bloody Luciano”

We had to opportunity to catch up with New York based rapper Realio Sparkzwell campaigning his new album, “Bloody Luciano“. Read our interview below. Much respect Realio Sparkzwell for the consistent body of work you’ve been putting out for the past couple years. Before getting into the new album, for the readers who don’t know, how long have you been making music? Short answer, I been making music since I was like nine/ten years old making breakbeats by making pause tapes and then recording in...
Tags: New York, Nas, Jazz, Rza, Luciano, Solomon, Eric B Rakim, Syracuse NY, Akira, Rakim, Q&A Interviews, Utica NY, Supreme Cerebral, KYO ITACHI, Daniel Son, Porcelain Plates

Back With Another Q&A With Rising Buffalo, NY Hip Hop Artist Struggle Mike

Yo Struggle Mike!!  Thanks for joining us again soon after your last Q&A we did back in May 2020. Your latest album “Da Wall” is a for sure standout project in our books for this 2020!. What have you been up to, and how has business been treating you lately? Business has been good. Just keep working and working. I dropped an album a week after Da Wall called Nxt Up which is more local buffalo talent and more trap style rap then boombap. Any new Buffalo, NY based artists you are working with? As...
Tags: New York, La, Jazz, Miles Davis, Bob, BLM, Frank, Mike, BSF, Eric B, Buffalo NY, Rakim, Q&A Interviews, Struggle Mike, Da Wall, Boldy James ETO

Rapper Eric B.’s Daughter, Erica Barrier, Dead At 28 After Being Rear-Ended by 18-Wheeler Truck

Rapper legend Eric B. is mourning today after his 28-year-daughter, Erica Barrier, tragically passed away. Erica sustained serious injuries after being rear-ended by an 18-wheeler truck on a Connecticut highway on Sunday (Mar. 15). Eric’s publicist confirmed his daughter’s death in a statement Tuesday (Mar. 17). “She fought a valiant fight, however we trust God & His ultimate decision to bring her home. We want to sincerely thank everyone from around the world for the outpouring of support and l...
Tags: Celebs, Hip Hop, Connecticut, Pop Culture, Jazz, Eric, Erica, Eric B, Hartford Hospital, Rakim, R.I.P, Sad News, Facebook Erica, Erica Barrier, Wheeler Truck, Hartford Hospital Hartford

Q&A With Veteran Underground Hip Hop Duo Double Barrel

We are extremely excited to have featured your latest album “Locked N Loaded”, being a Hip Hop group we never heard of, we are extremely honored to have promoted your music through UGHHBLOG! Please tell us who is Double Barrel? Where are you from? Give us some background on your group name? Double Barrel is a new hip hop duo from the Midwest consisting of emcee Hub City and producer/scratch deejay, DJ M•ROK. Our name is about two forces coming together to give people a powerful blast of dope hi...
Tags: UK, San Francisco, ROK, Paris, Jazz, Ohio, Imf, Bay Area, Midwest, Hub, Half Moon Bay, Hub City, Rakim, Q&A Interviews, El Da Sensei, Double Barrel

Eric B gets probation over police chase 19 years ago

‘I’m glad it’s over,’ says DJ famous for partnership with Rakim, who was arrested after returning to US from CanadaEric B has been sentenced to a year’s probation stemming from a motor vehicle stop and police chase that occurred nearly 19 years ago but was not resolved because he failed to appear for his sentencing.Eric B, whose real name is Eric Barrier, spent two weeks in the Bergen county jail in Hackensack, New Jersey, before his release last week, after the 17-year-old bench warrant surface...
Tags: New York City, US, US news, Rap, Cbs, Delaware, Eric, Hackensack New Jersey, Eric B, Rakim, Krept Konan, Ramz, Eric Barrier, Bergen county jail, Canada Barrier, James Guida

Rapper Eric B gets probation over police chase 19 years ago

‘I’m glad it’s over,’ says rapper famous for partnership with Rakim, who was arrested after returning to US from CanadaRapper and actor Eric B has been sentenced to a year’s probation stemming from a motor vehicle stop and police chase that occurred nearly 19 years ago but was not resolved because he failed to appear for his sentencing.Eric B, whose real name is Eric Barrier, spent two weeks in the Bergen county jail in Hackensack, New Jersey, before his release last week, after the 17-year-old ...
Tags: New York City, US, US news, Rap, Cbs, Delaware, Eric, Hackensack New Jersey, Eric B, Rakim, Krept Konan, Ramz, Eric Barrier, CanadaRapper, Bergen county jail, Canada Barrier

Why Eric B., Hip-Hop Legend, May End Up Behind Bars

Eric Barrier of Eric B. and Rakim has been making a comeback, but a 2001 case could send him to prison.
Tags: News, Barrier, Murders, PAUL, Eric, CBS Corporation, Rakim, Ethics and Official Misconduct, Attempted Murders and Homicides, Rap and Hip-Hop, Racketeering and Racketeers, Bergen County (NJ, Blue Bloods (TV Program, Eric B & Rakim (Music Group, Bergrin, Eric Barrier of Eric B

Homeboy Sandman – “Dusty” (Album)

If you have been sleeping on Homeboy Sandman, time to wake up.  “Dusty” is the new album by the rap via Mello Music Group solely produced by Mono En Stereo.  It’s a synthesized fusion of four elements hip-hop and Jamaican toasting, Nuyorican flavor and an experimental dead bent to expand the parameters of language. When you listen to Sandman, you hear the echoing boom of the South Bronx park jams of Kool Herc, the avant-garde wild style of Rammellzee, the technical perfection of Rakim and Big D...
Tags: Albums, Jazz, Sandman, Homeboy Sandman, South Bronx, Mello Music Group, Rakim, Kool Herc

‘Aladdin’: Watch Composer Alan Menken Perform a Medley of Disney Songs, and Learn How Will Smith Crafted His Version of Genie

Despite going into Guy Ritchie‘s Aladdin with almost no hope whatsoever, I ended up being won over by the movie. Fans of the original Aladdin won’t be disappointed, and while I’ve grown to be somewhat cynical about Disney remaking its animated classics, this one justifies its existence by making some interesting updates while staying true to its characters. This past weekend, I attended the Aladdin press conference in Beverly Hills, and amid all of the expected answers about singing and dancing...
Tags: Hollywood, Movies, Robin Williams, Disney, Adaptation, Beverly Hills, Little Mermaid, Will-Smith, Smith, Walt Disney, Remakes, Q&a, Guy Ritchie, Guy, Alan Menken, Jasmine

Illmatic Released 25 Years Ago Today By Nas

In the hip hop community, there’s a select few of albums that you can name without mentioning the artist. Ready to Die, All Eyez On Me, Reasonable Doubt, Death Certificate, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us back and a few more. If you’re talking to someone that loves hip hop, Illmatic will most likely be mentioned as one of those all-time great albums. Illmatic turns 25 today and it’s still being celebrated till this day. Nas got his start when he featured on a track called Live at the ...
Tags: Music, Nas, Albums, Hip Hop, Jazz, Pete Rock, Rakim, Illmatic

Rising Rapper Phora Has Been Going Hard For Nearly A Decade — Just Ask His Legions Of Fans

By Ural Garrett On a rainy, February weekend at a rented Crescent Hills Drive home with a wide view of Los Angeles, Phora is putting the finishing touches on his Valentine’s Day release, “i still love you.” The track’s arrival was hinted at on his Instagram weeks before the drop, giving fans a taste of what to expect from a song that has him more in touch with his melodic side than ever. “It’s just me tapping into my natural roots,” the 24-year-old rapper tells MTV News. “I’m really pushing the...
Tags: Facebook, Hollywood, Instagram, Religion, Los Angeles, Warner Bros, Disneyland, Orange County, Talib Kweli, Highland, MTV News, Anaheim California, Warner Bros Records, Redd, Rakim, Phora

Watch Rakim’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ for NPR (Video)

Eric B & Rakim released a new track “King’s Paradise” for Season 2 of Marvel’s Luke Cage. Shortly after its release, Ali Shaheed Muhammad — who produced and co-wrote the song with Adrian Younge — played bass, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram rocked the guitar. As a collective, the duo is known as Continue after the jump… NPR Reports: “King’s Paradise” pays homage to the heroes of the Harlem Renaissance as well as its fictional superhero, the bulletproof Luke Cage. Rakim tipped his hat ...
Tags: Uncategorized, Concert, Jazz, Npr, Louis Armstrong, Adrian Younge, Ashley, David Henderson, Eric B Rakim, Harlem Renaissance, Younge, Tiny Desk, Rakim, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, NPR Video, Christone Kingfish Ingram

Rakim Rocks NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert

With a full band, and a new single, in tow.
Tags: Videos, Jazz, Rakim, Rakim Rocks NPR

Rakim on NPR's Tiny Desk

After a 10 year break, rap legend Rakim has returned to the studio. Watch as Rakim performs his new track on NPR's Tiny Desk.
Tags: Post, Video, News, Rap, Npr, Rakim, Erik B And Rakim

Rakim Debuts New Song in ‘Luke Cage’ Season 2

"King's Paradise" is found on the soundtrack, laced by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
Tags: Jazz, Songs, Adrian Younge, Rakim

Nas Sounds Tired

In 2000, Rakim, then widely regarded as the greatest rapper ever, signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath label. This was a ridiculously exciting thing to even contemplate: an all-time great rapper and an all-time great rap producer coming together, aligning forces, ready to take on the world. In the end, Rakim was only on Aftermath for … More »
Tags: Music, Nas, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Kevin Gates, Status Ain't Hood, Nef The Pharaoh, Dre, Rakim, O.T. Genasis, Rico Nasty, 03 Greedo, AllBlack

Rapping, Deconstructed: How Some of the Greatest Rappers Make Their Rhymes

If high school English teachers can challenge skeptical students to cultivate an appreciation for Shakespeare and poetry with rap-based assignments, might the reverse also hold true? Many aficionados of high culture turn up their noses at rap, believing it to be a simple form, requiring more braggadocio than talent. Estelle Caswell, rap fan and producer of Vox’s Earworm series, may get them to rethink that position with the above video, showcasing how great rappers assemble rhymes. C...
Tags: Google, Music, College, Poetry, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Beethoven, Public Enemy, Shakespeare, Mos Def, Vox, Facebook Twitter, Eric, Entenmann, DJ Kool Herc, Eric B

Eric B. and Rakim's "Paid in Full" is still just fantastic

One of the best rap songs, and rap videos, of all time. Currently on tour again, after a years long hiatus, Eric B. and Rakim have been in my playlist since Paid in Full's debut in 1987.
Tags: Video, News, Rap, Eric B, Rakim, Olds Cool

Felatun Bey and Rakım Efendi.

Kaya Genç writes about one of those famous untranslated works that has finally been translated: When a Turkish literary scholar announced in the 1980s that he was the “socialist Ahmet Midhat Efendi,” many intellectuals voiced their surprise at this left-wing writer’s unabashed sympathy for a traditionalist novelist of the late nineteenth century. One of the most productive writers of Ottoman literature, Midhat Efendi single-handedly set the fundamentals of Turkish journalism and the Turkish nove...
Tags: Uncategorized, Linguistics, Istanbul, Milan Kundera, Monica, Josephine, Kaya Genc, Beyoglu, Rakim, Turgenev, Syracuse University Press, Felatun Bey, Rakım Efendi, Ahmet Midhat Efendi, Midhat Efendi, Melih Levi

Yo! MTV Raps Concert Lines Up Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. And Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, EPMD, Onyx, Black Sheep, Das EFX, & More

Since MTV had so much success with its TRL reboot, the network has apparently decided to bring another classic property back: Yo! MTV Raps. And, as Rolling Stone reports, they're doing it with a big concert. On 6/1, MTV is throwing a Yo! MTV Raps: 30th Anniversary Experience show at Brooklyn's Barclays … More »
Tags: Music, News, Brooklyn, Mtv, Barclays, Rolling Stone, EPMD, Eric B, Rakim, KRS-One, Yo MTV, MTV Raps, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. & Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, Onxy

Eric B & Rakim brought out 50 Cent & Black Rob at Irving Plaza night 2 (watch)

Night one had a surprise guest appearance from Cynthia Nixon (aka Miranda from Sex and the City who's running for governor of New York), and night two had two different surprise guests, musical ones... Continue reading… [Author: Andrew Sacher]
Tags: Music, New York, 50 Cent, Music News, Cynthia Nixon, Andrew Sacher, Irving Plaza, Eric B, Rakim, Hip Hop News, Black Rob

Cynthia Nixon Joins Eric B And Rakim Onstage In NYC

Cynthia Nixon, the actress best known for playing Miranda on Sex And The City, is running for governor of New York, and she has been absolutely roasting incumbent Andrew Cuomo. I mean, look at this: This is also so good. @CynthiaNixon: "" pic.twitter.com/F75xEkUAgR— Waleed Shahid (@_waleedshahid) April … More »
Tags: Video, Music, New York, Andrew Cuomo, Cynthia Nixon, Eric, Eric B, Rakim, Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. and Rakim brought out Cynthia Nixon at Irving Plaza (pics, video)

Legendary rap duo Eric B & Rakim played their first of two hometown shows on their ongoing reunion tour, and brought out Cynthia Nixon, aka Miranda from Sex and the City who's running from governor of New York. Continue reading… [Author: BrooklynVegan Staff]
Tags: Music, New York, Music News, Cynthia Nixon, Irving Plaza, Eric B Rakim, Eric B, Yo Yo, Rakim, Hip Hop News, Photo Galleries, BrooklynVegan Staff, Rah Digga, Eric B and Rakim, Technician The Dj, Kid Nu

Eric B & Rakim expand reunion tour, add 2nd NYC show

Legendary rap duo Eric B & Rakim recently announced a 2018 tour after first reuniting for the first time in over two decades at a one-off at The Apollo in 2017, and they've now added... Continue reading… [Author: Andrew Sacher]
Tags: Music, Music News, Tour Dates, Andrew Sacher, Eric B Rakim, Eric B, Rakim, Hip Hop News