Mona Scott-Young’s ‘Love & Hip-Hop’ overcomes backlash

ATLANTA — Mona Scott-Young used to wake up in cold sweat at night, wondering if she made the right decision to leave her list of high-profile hip-hop clients to branch off and create reality television shows.

That’s a dilemma the creator of the popular reality series “Love & Hip-Hop” on VH1 doesn’t have to worry about anymore.

“I was leaving something that I had built for nearly 20 years of my life,” recalled Scott-Young, who was the co-founder of Violator Management with the late Chris Lighty. Their company represented some of music’s top artists from LL Cool J to 50 Cent and Missy Elliot. Continue reading: Mona Scott-Young’s ‘Love & Hip-Hop’ overcomes backlash

Kris Kross rapper remembered at Atlanta funeral

ATLANTA — Chris Smith remembered his Kris Kross hip-hop partner Chris Kelly Thursday as a true friend who he’s sure is in heaven now.

Smith struggled to blurt out words at the pulpit of Jackson Baptist Memorial Church at Kelly’s funeral attended by some 300 friends, family and fellow entertainers

The 34-year-old Kelly, who had the 1992 hit “Jump” with Smith, was found dead May 1 of a suspected drug overdose. His mother and uncle told authorities Kelly had a history of drug abuse and experienced similar episodes in the past, according to a police report. Continue reading: Kris Kross rapper remembered at Atlanta funeral AP/YahooNews

Review: The Game comes strong with ‘Jesus Piece’

The Game returns with a heavy dose of guest appearances on his fifth offering, including Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx and 2 Chainz. But like his last album, “The R.E.D. Album,” he isn’t outshined by any of the features on “Jesus Piece.”

With his hoarse delivery, Game’s words are full of bravado, his topics are concise and his rhymes are easy to digest on these well-produced tracks. That’s certainly evident on “Pray,” featuring J. Cole and JMSN, where the Game tells a compelling story about being a “guardian angel” for a woman struggling with drug abuse. Continue Reading – Review: The Game comes strong with ‘Jesus Piece’ AP/Huffington Post

Review: T.I. returns with stellar ‘Trouble Man’

T.I., “Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head” (Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records)

After a lackluster response to 2010’s “No Mercy,” some questioned whether T.I.’s rap presence was still strong. But the Grammy winner shows he hasn’t lost a step, delivering an assortment of quality songs on his eighth album, “Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head.”

The self-proclaimed “King of the South” lives up to his billing with one of his best pieces of work, featuring stellar production from Pharrell, No I.D., T-Minus and DJ Toomp, and guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Pink, Andre 3000 and CeeLo Green.

The 16-track album, which was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s 1972 album “Trouble Man,” details T.I.’s struggles to overcome his continuous missteps. Continue Reading – Review: T.I. returns with stellar ‘Trouble Man’ AP/ABCnews

Review: Rapper Chief Keef falls short on debut

Chief Keef, “Finally Rich” (Glory Boys Entertainment/Interscope Records)

Rapper Chief Keef made major noise with his omnipresent song, “I Don’t Like,” but those three words also describe my thoughts on his major label debut.

Unfortunately, the Chicago native fails to follow up on his great single in so many ways on “Finally Rich.” He has several good guest appearances with Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Young Jeezy and Wiz Khalifa, and the production is solid with Young Chop helming most of the 12-track set. But it’s not enough to save this woeful album. Continue reading – Review: Rapper Chief Keef falls short on debut AP/Yahoo

Review: Big Boi delivers gems on 2nd solo album

Big Boi, “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors” (Def Jam)

Big Boi is artistic throughout his sophomore solo album, taking risks by meshing electro sounds with his raps and singing. But this collection doesn’t sound like Flo Rida or Pitbull. This is classic. Continue reading – Review: Big Boi delivers gems on 2nd solo album AP/MSN.com

Wiz Khalifa readies music, marriage, fatherhood

Rapper Wiz Khalifa says preparation for becoming a first-time father and husband has helped put him in a more mature musical state of mind.

But that doesn’t mean Khalifa will refrain from his weed-smoking, rock star-like ways. 

Continue reading – Wiz Khalifa readies music, marriage, fatherhood AP/Miami Herald

Kendrick Lamar makes splash with major label debut, ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City’

Kendrick Lamar, Bonnaroo 2012 (Photo credit: jon_elbaz)

When Kendrick Lamar submitted the initial version of his new album, “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” the rapper planned on heading back to the studio to record more songs for it.

Dr. Dre thought otherwise for his protege.

“When I brought it back to him, he said, `You know what, you’re done,'” Lamar recalled in a phone interview Wednesday night. “‘This is a classic for your generation and time, and we’re going to put this out now.'”

It seems Dr. Dre made the right call. Continue reading – Kendrick Lamar makes splash with major label debut AP/Huffington Post

Review: Kendrick Lamar delivers classic debut

Kendrick Lamar, Bonnaroo 2012 (Photo credit: jon_elbaz)

Kendrick Lamar is an up-and-coming rapper hailing from Los Angeles with a reputation already built through the underground scene as one of hip-hop’s best lyricists.

With the backing of Dr. Dre, the socially conscious emcee continues to enhance that stature on “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” a cohesive album filled with classic gems. – Continue reading: Review: Kendrick Lamar delivers classic debut AP/Huffington Post

Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa look to be next Cheech and Chong

Snoop Dogg remembered watching all of the Cheech and Chong movies growing up, idolizing the pothead tandem’s ability to always escape from danger in their comedy films. 

Wiz Khalifa revered Snoop Dogg for his weed-smoking, ultra-smooth West Coast swagger shown extensively throughout his rap career.

One is the mentor, the other is the protege. Since the two rappers met for the first time last year, they’ve built a strong rapport with each other and have united to create their own album, “Mac & Devin Go to High School.” Continue reading – Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa look to be next Cheech and Chong AP/Boston Herald