It’s graduation season! Congrats to all high school and college grads receiving diplomas this spring… the world is truly yours! Over the next week Crate Kings will make the cross country rounds to visit our favorite newly minted college grads. During this time site posts will be sporadic, and possibly nonexistent, but bite sized news … Read more
Did anyone else make scratching sounds with their zipper? These pocket size DJ cards from Plastinkus can do the job even better! Designed by Anton Schnaider, the credit card sized pads allow you make those beloved scratches, scribbles, and cuts anywhere you want. Visit Artlebedev and snatch up a couple.
The Megatron Don himself just went on a serious diatribe against the newly released Akai MPC 5000. Superproducer Just Blaze states that the MPC 5000 is, "COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE AND SHOULD NOT BE!" He even goes on to supply a model number downgrade and correction as, "The 5000 is NOT the successor to the 4000, and … Read more
Surely many of you have seen the Dame Grease/Ron Browz video clips making the rounds lately. The short web clips are actually part of a much longer version compiled and distributed by Fullhub Entertainment as part of their ever growing series of Check The Credits DVD’s. Check The Credits is a Smack inspired DVD magazine … Read more
So I was slipped a copy of K-Def’s Beats From The 90’s album a little while back, but I’m glad to say that the collection of vintage instrumentals has been officially released. K-Def dug into the archives to present us with a collection of 16 original tracks that stand alone, yet would have had any … Read more
“In 1997, they accused me of being the queen of neo-soul … but the only thing neo-soul about me is the guy who made up the name.” – Erykah Badu, Remix magazine, March 2008 “Hip-hop is bigger than religion.” – Erykah Badu, “The Healer” One of the most impressive things about Erykah Badu has always … Read more
Back towards the end of 2007 I felt very optimistic about the prospects for Hip-Hop in the New Year. As a matter of fact I still do, especially when looking forward to hearing Pete Rocks latest release NY’s Finest. I’m sure that I wasn’t the only fan anxiously awaiting the return of the PR, so … Read more
Words by Michael Walter When a hip-hop artist comes out with a double album, critics and fans alike always end up discussing whether or not it would have been better had some material been cut and it had just been released as a single album. Personally, I think the hip-hop double album is always a … Read more
He’s at it again. I just couldn’t resist this video of David "Fingers" Haynes running through a Hip-Hop drum medley. Once David gets past his affinity for Smooth Jazz, he gives a hardcore clinic on what drum samplers are capable of doing. Tools of Choice: Alesis HR-16B triggering sounds from Yamaha DTXTREME 2S.
Words by Michael Walter An ever-increasing number of hip-hop heads out there worship a mysterious man in a metal mask. Years ago, when I first heard that man’s music, I immediately joined their ranks. The person in question is Daniel Dumile, but you might know him as MF DOOM. Or Viktor Vaughn. Or King Geedorah. … Read more