Madlib & Freddie Gibbs have made one of 2019's best Hip-Hop albums in the form of Bandana. The Keep Cool/RCA Records album is a benchmark release in both artists' discography. While Gangsta Gibbs' journey dates back to the mid-2000s, Madlib's credits date back more than 25 years. In 1993, Madlib's... Read more

Before he began his unprecedented 21-year run on Law Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice-T cemented a spot as a Gangsta Rap pioneer more than 30 years ago. Without question, Ice-T is an O.G. in the game. However, with longstanding TV roles, reality shows, and car insurance commercials, it can be... Read more

Twenty-five years ago last August, Tha Alkaholiks' 21 & Over was released on the fledgling Loud Records. At a time of Gangsta Rap, the West Coast-based group the trio of Tash, J-Ro, and E-Swift had a new kind of flavor. The collective was mentored by Compton Rap O.G., King T. However,... Read more

In many ways, Tha Alkaholiks were a critical, often overlooked part of the 1990s West Coast Underground movement. Acts like Freestyle Fellowship, Hieroglyphics, and The Pharcyde were instrumental forces—unifying multiple MCs, groups, and styles in a didactic, soulful sound that was distinctly California. However, in L.A., E-Swift, J-Ro, and Katashtrophe... Read more

On December 12, 2000, Los Angeles, California-based MC Xzibit dropped his third album, one that arrived at a curious juncture in his musical and professional careers. Already considered a West Coast favorite thanks to the grassroots and Underground support of his sophomore effort 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz, the streets... Read more

May 18, 1999, Rawkus Records would enter their most definitive year with their fifth full-length release in Soundbombing II. Distributed by the same Priority Records that had been so integral to the successes of Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and Roc-A-Fella, Brian Brater and Jarret Myer's imprint was truly stepping out. 1998 had... Read more

Celebrating all regions, eras, and styles, Diamond D's The Diam Piece continues to knock on doors, and knock in systems. In an onslaught of visuals, the Diggin' In The Crates co-founder heads to sunny California to link with longtime collaborators Tha Alkaholiks, and Kurupt. The video and the song ("We... Read more

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more