Reviews | The Dojo Hiphop

CupcakKe Comes Correct on Her Versatile ‘Ephorize’ Album

CupcakKe may be famous for her eyebrow-raising lyrics about sex and sexuality, but even her earliest songs like “Pedophile” and the electro-infused LGBTQ anthem “LGBT” have showcased an artist with near-boundless thematic and stylistic range. The Skittles-tinged 20-year-old continues to display that versatility on the sonically kaleidoscopic Ephorize, a striking blend of pop sensibilities, gritty lyrics and blunt self-help advocacy. The […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Eminem Seeks Redemption on ‘Revival’ Album

Shady / Aftermath / Interscope It’s hard to deny Eminem’s status as one of hip-hop’s all-time legends. He’s given the genre a considerable number of classics—from singles (“Lose Yourself”) to full-length projects (The Marshall Mathers LP)—that not only soundtracked the 2000s but also stand the test of time. Aside from his unbelievable contorting of the English language, it’s Em’s introspection that’s granted the […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Quality Control’s ‘Control the Streets, Vol. 1′ Album Showcases an Empire in the Making

When Quality Control bosses Coach K and Pee Thomas founded their label in 2013, the music moguls took a big gamble on Migos, the Atlanta trap trio that many were ready to write off as word-repeaters who would overstay their welcome. But Quavo, Offset and Takeoff have persisted, not only proving their knack for hit […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Juicy J’s ‘Rubba Band Business’ Album Plays to His Strengths

Columbia Records Few rappers have aged as gracefully as Juicy J. After 25 years in the game, the Memphis legend remains relevant to fans young and old, focusing primarily on his career as a solo artist since partnering with Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang Entertainment in 2011. The Three 6 Mafia co-founder saw a resurgence in popularity with his Rubba […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Hopsin Lives His Truth on ‘No Shame’ Album

Undercover Prodigy / 300 Entertainment For many artists, making the transition from young, abrasive, goofy name-dropper to a fully appreciated virtuoso doesn’t happen overnight. Hopsin splashed onto the genre’s radar in 2012, when he dropped the intentionally unsettling sing-a-long “Sag My Pants.” His coarse messaging and aggressive demeanor were combined with high caliber rap abilities, […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Talib Kweli Breaks Through the Noise With ‘Radio Silence’ Album

Javotti Media / 3D Talib Kweli fans know almost exactly what they’re getting when they listen to a new record from the Brooklyn MC. Over 20 years into his career, he’s never been one to change his formula too much. On every project, Talib typically brings his lyrical, politically-charged conscious style of rap, often over […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

CyHi The Prynce Raps With Scripture-Worthy Conviction on ‘No Dope on Sundays’ Album

Sony Music Entertainment Before Kanye West flew CyHi The Prynce out to Hawaii to aid in writing his coveted album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, CyHi was just an amazingly gifted Atlanta-born lyricist finding it hard to bubble out of his city’s exploding trap scene. To this day, CyHi dubs himself as one the best […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Cam’ron Upholds His Lyrical Ingenuity on ‘The Program’ Mixtape

Killa Entertainment Two years have passed since Cam’ron dropped a complete project, and even back then, the spotlight was shared. In November of 2015, Killa Cam and Berner dropped Contraband, a collaborative EP that included a handful of underwhelming tracks that fizzled before they even had a chance to make heat. Before that it was […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Ty Dolla Sign Raises the Bar on ‘Beach House 3′ Album

If you were to judge Ty Dolla $ign’s Beach House 3 album on the intro track alone, you would have no idea that he’s one of hip-hop’s most consistently successful songwriters. “Famous” is an exemplary acoustic ballad that would lead any brand new listener to believe that Ty is just a gifted guitar player and […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments

Big K.R.I.T. Protects His Crown on ‘4eva Is a Mighty Long Time’ Album

Multi Alumni When artists set out to pursue a career in the music industry, the overwhelming majority have dreams of going from rags to riches, from an unknown talent to having their name on the marquee for all to see. Creativity, in its purest form, is fueled by passion, however, when the business side of […]

7 years ago | 0 Comments