FALL 04
Features
Top Dog /Underdog
The word on the seemingly unassuming kanye west is that he doesn’t like to be asked about the creative process. Apparently, we didn’t get that memo.
King David
david banner wants to expand his horizons far beyond hip-hop. How far? Hey Sting, holla at your boy.
Organic Chemistry
Some producers plot their moves carefully while others, like the ALCHEMIST, let the beats flow naturally.
Track Marks
The two TRACKBOYZ bring different skills to the table, but the end result is the same: hot beats.
Mix Message
GREEN LANTERN doesn’t suffer fools easily, especially when it comes to mixtapes. And believe him, there are a lot of fools…
Jazze Fusion
Southern superproducer JAZZE PHA uses his varied influences to create his musical gumbo. And he’s still hungry.
Departments
Element 78
Last issue we birthed something, this one we’re killing something else: hatred of backpackers. In addition, we train our eye on two ladies who call themselves the Sex-Ecutioners; ask Young Buck who’s his dream producer; slap up some Rock DJs; and call out De La Soul. And because we like to mix it up, we took Havoc shopping for books, got some sound biz advice from Tony Perez, and, once again, let Psychic Theresa scare the shit out of y’all with her on-point predictions.
THE LOOP
If you think last issue’s reviews were the truth, wait till you check out what we think of the Beatnuts, Terror Squad, 213, AZ, and Theodore Unit. Not only that, we leave it up to hip-hop superhero Clark Kent to give Reasonable Doubt a nip & tuck; we debut our exciting new mixtape battle royale; we also give you an update on the man called “45 King,” music to heat up any summer barbecue, and give respect to the original Jazzy Jay.
Boiling Point
When we put Fantom of the Beat (known for their recent work on Lil Kim f/ 50 Cent: “Magic Stick”), Charlemagne (Jay-Z: “Blueprint2”), Cool & Dre (Fat Joe f/ Tony Sunshine: “All I Need”), Heatmakerz (the Diplomats: “Dipset Anthem”), and Midi Mafia (50 Cent: “20 Questions”) in one section we knew one thing for sure: You would be reading it. We were right. Right? Go on admit it.
the Lab
We added a new tech head to the mix and he’s already paying dividends with sharper, more insightful reviews of everything you need to step your game up. In addition, 9th Wonder, A-Trak, Shortkut, and legendary DJ Scratch lend their expertise, and we continue showing the rookies how to get their scratch on with our turntable transcriptions.
In the Club
We’ve expanded the section so, besides showing a hot club like Opium in Miami, and a review of a live DJ set from DJ Mars (above), we’re throwing some kicks and fashion in.
ReSPECT MARKS THE SPOT
Ever wonder what’s considered the birthplace of Crunk? We did too.
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