In the final weeks of his life, Tupac Shakur prepared an album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Having already dropped a chart-topping double album earlier in 1996, Shakur was fast at work following up his Death Row Records debut. Don Killuminati was a pioneering idea, originally intended to... Read more

Twenty-five years ago, The College Dropout put a long-striving Kanye West the spotlight. 2004 proved to a breakthrough for the Roc-A-Fella Records artist who had been stacking credits since the late '90s. After some critical production work on albums by JAY-Z, Beanie Sigel, Scarface, and Talib Kweli, 'Ye was able... Read more

In looking at Rap superstars, their producers are never far behind in recognition. Rick Rubin was the musical architect that would have a hand in the success of Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Beastie Boys. Dr. Dre's "Midas Touch" with N.W.A., Snoop Dogg (and to a lesser extent) Tupac cleared... Read more