Penalty Records put out some great Hip-Hop in the 1990s. Whether they know it or not, consumers of Capone-N-Noreaga's The War Report, Lord Finesse's The Awakening, and Crooked Lettaz' Grey Skies supported the New York City label. Neil Levine, a founder of Penalty, has re-launched the brand, now as Penalty... Read more

Earlier this year, Tim Westwood lost his longtime post at BBC Radio. The London, England-based radio/video personality has been spoofed by Afion Crockett for his enthusiasm and friendly-fire with guests. However, Heads in the know recognize that Tim Westwood's work in Hip-Hop goes back to the '80s. Need proof? UnKut.com... Read more

Kool G Rap's career has had a lot of twists and turns. After three heralded albums with DJ Polo, G Rap went solo in '94. Without Marley Marl and Large Professor, the Queens MC went for a darker sound on subsequent albums. In the late '90s, Kool moved to Arizona... Read more

Kool G Rap is often pigeonholed to the innovative lyricism of his Cold Chillin' years with DJ Polo. While those albums, singles, and individual verses cannot be overstated for their importance to the craft of Rap, sometimes the Queens, New Yorker is overlooked for his straight-up gangsterism. As G pointed... Read more

DJ Skizz of Halftime Show fame loves New York. His B.Q.E. album features local legends like O.C., Cormega, and Craig G. On "Metal Bars," Skizz linked a Brooklyn-Queens (® 3rd Bass) tandem in Juice Crew alum Masta Ace and The Firm alum Nature. With both MCs having ties to Large... Read more

MC Shan has one of the coolest Hip-Hop voices of all-time, in my opinion. Maybe that's why so many producers and DJs love to scratch his vocals. The person who helped set off "The Bridge" wars released an oft-overlooked 1987 LP, Down By Law. Within the Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records... Read more

“Hangin’ pictures on my wall / Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl” Now the term “legend” gets thrown around a lot these days, but the world of Hip-Hop as we know it wouldn’t even be close to the same if it weren’t for the man mentioned in the... Read more