RapStation

Before Nas released Illmatic, his landmark debut album that forever raised the bar for lyricism in hip hop, he was introduced to the hip hop world by his verse on “Live at the BBQ,” a song from Main Source's 1991 album, Breaking Atoms.  The track was produced by Large Professor and also featured guest verses from Akinyele and Joe Fatal.  However, with lines such as “Verbal assassin, my architect pleases/When I was twelve, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus,” Nas' verbal acrobatics stood at the forefront, and it was immediately apparent that this young emcee from Queens was poised to set a new standard for excellence in rhyming.

25 years after that seminal hip hop song, Nas is using its title for a new summer concert that looks to b

Another black American has died after an encounter with police, and the hip hop community has taken to social media to voice their outrage and offer their condolences for what appears to be another senseless murder.

Alton Sterling, 37, was selling CD's outside of a convenience store when he was stopped by two police officers, who proceeded to pin him and then allegedly fired several shots at Sterling while he was still on the ground, killing him. Authorities say Sterling threatened the officers with a gun, a story that conflicts with witnesses at the scene, who say Sterling made no threatening movements towards the officers and was simply confused about why this was happening to him. Sterling was the father of three children.

Video of the incident has been posted

As Run DMC assumed roles as indisputable hip hop superstars during the mid-80's heyday of their career, they also ushered in a hard-boiled machismo that set the tone in hip hop for years to come.  Joseph “Run Simmons, Darryl, “DMC” McDaniels, and the late Jam Master Jay became collectively known for their leather jacket aesthetic and their aggressive, crunchy guitar-propelled music that appealed to hip hop and hard rock fans alike.

However, in his new memoir, 10 Ways Not to Commit Suicide, DMC has revealed that veiled behind his hardened exterior hid the sizable tolls that the pressures of stardom inflicted upon his mental well being.  He goes on to detail the fact that he often considered taking his own life after dealing with an immen

David Banner (name from the lead character of The Incredible Hulk) was born April 11, 1974, as Lavell William Crump in Chicago, Illinois and later moved to Jackson, Mississippi. He is a rapper, record producer, actor, activist, and this week's spotlight artist. His education consists of a degree from Southern University and then after that a masters of education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2000 when he went solo with the release of Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1, he had previously been part of the rap duo, which started his career, Crooked Lettaz. Three years later, he had signed to Universal Records and released a number of albums with them: Mississippi: The Album (2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water&nbs

Kendrick Lamar and singer-songwriter Janelle Monae were given the rare honor of performing at the White House last night, July 4th.

The concert was attended by President Obama and his family, as well as an audience of government staff, military veterans, and their families. Obama, a self proclaimed avid fan of hip hop and rap, has invited numerous hip hop artists, including Jay Z, Ludacris, Killer Mike, and Common, to the White House, but only a rare few have been given the opportunity to perform at an official White House event.

Kendrick Lamar has received a lot of mainstream attention and praise for his socially conscious lyrics, political activism, and eclectic musical style. President Obama is apparently a big fan of the Grammy award winning, Compton native's

Last time RAPstation checked in with Solomon “Jumbo” David, the seasoned Lifesavas emcee was on tour in the UK with Blackalicious. Although he’s since moved on to their next tour stop, he had a few poignant thoughts to share on Britain’s recent vote to leave the European Union (EU), being on the road with Gift of Gab, Chief Xcel, and Lateef the Truthspeaker, and watching Gab overcome his health issues. Despite not having much to say about the recent state of the Lifesavas, he did hint there was possibly something coming down the pipeline. Keep an eye on www.facebook.com/lifesavas for more information. 

RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): Is it true Chief Xcel