Reviews

Congrats To All Graduates! (CK Out of Office)

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

Plastinkus Pocket Size DJ Scratch Cards

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.

Just Blaze Rants Against Akai MPC 5000

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

K-Def – Beats From The 90’s (Review)

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

Erykah Badu – New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) Review

“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

Pete Rock NY’s Finest Review

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

David “Fingers” Haynes Gives Another Drum Sampler Lesson

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.

MF Doom – Mysterious Metal Faced Villain

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