During the late 1980s, Eazy-E helped take the city of Compton, California, to the mainstream. The N.W.A. co-founder and Gangsta Rap solo star was famed for wearing Compton hats, titling game-changing albums and songs after his city, and recruiting talent from Hub City. Ruthless Records artists, including Dr. Dre, MC Ren,... Read more

Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia are legends in the culture of Hip-Hop. The duo began their careers in radio on Columbia University’s WKCR radio station. Their late-night show helped jump-start iconic Rap careers by featuring the then-unsigned likes of Nas, JAY-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Eminem, Big L, Biggie Smalls, Fugees, Big... Read more

When Mitchell “Paperboy” Johnson thought of the concept for “Ditty,” he couldn’t have possibly imagined it becoming the seminal hit that it did. In fact, when he later penned the lyrics and shared the concept with his circle, it was introduced as a dance – for girls who like to... Read more

Daylyt may be known best for his work as one of Hip-Hop's premiere battle rappers since he began on YouTube back in 2010. In recent days, the Watts, California MC has spent his time prepping the release of his latest album, Awake The Kids, which dropped late this past January.... Read more

As he gears up for his fourth studio album - Ali - Richmond, California MC Locksmith offers up a teaser with the official video to the aptly dubbed single "Prison." The video finds the former  frontman of group Frontline all by his lonesome in the middle of a tariff, chock... Read more

Currently on the Big Redemption Tour in promotion of his album, Jay Rock and tour-mate Reason recently crossed the border in to Vancouver, Canada for an interview with Nardwuar. Throughout the video, Nardwuar drops insights on Jay Rock and Reason's upbringing in Southern California, from Reason's college basketball days to... Read more

West Coast Hip-Hop is incredible. So many of its pioneers are still making albums, doing shows, and adding to their legacy. As a tribute to the Left Coast immense contributions to Hip-Hop, Take It Personal Radio has compiled a four-part episode dedicated to gangsta and underground Rap classics from the... Read more

Apollo Brown & Planet Asia's collaborative album Anchovies holds rank as one of this summer's more cohesive and standout projects. Similar to the video for the LP's second single "The Aura," the bare-bones visual of third single "Get Back" showcases the two through a grainy lens standing under a bridge,... Read more

California, a longtime bastion for health-conscious initiatives, has added another mold-breaking law to its accomplishments. Yesterday (June 9), the most populous state in the country officially raised the tobacco smoking and purchasing age to 21, whereas the rest of the country maintains the age limit of 18. But that's not... Read more

Colonel Loud's 80s Funk-influenced ode to California, and all of its offerings, has steadily taken over airwaves, headphones and speakers across the nation. The original got a boost from a remix featuring T.I. and another push from a version featuring Cali's home grown heroes, Snoop Dogg and Too Short. So,... Read more

In 2015, Colonel Loud's "California" became one of the more unexpected breakthrough records of the year. The Fort Lauderdale-born artist, who now resides in North Carolina, after spending 10 years in Atlanta, made a song about the virtues of the Golden State, using the throwback Cali funk sound of the... Read more

In the last few years, Kendrick Lamar has ascended to the pinnacle of Hip-Hop. He's established himself as one of Rap's finest lyricists through three critically acclaimed albums (Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d. city and To Pimp a Butterfly), vaunted guest appearances on songs like Big Sean's "Control," and breakout performances... Read more

Wiz Khalifa goes back to that G-Funk sound that he had on Kush & OJ on his new song, California. Check out the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=37-y1qRnVNw... Read more