Guardian Music — For an alternative view of New York head to Long Island City's 5Pointz, where visitors can grab an aerosol and get tagging as part of a new street art projectGangster rap has given hip-hop culture a bad name. The macho glorification of sex, guns and ... more info

VH1 Blog — Fifteen years ago today, Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas, NV following a boxing match at the MGM Grand. His murder, and that of the Notorious B.I.G. six months later, sent dual shockwaves through the hip-hop community. Yet while Diddy i... more info

L.A. Times - Entertainment — If there was any doubt about the stickup bona fides of the borough that produced the Notorious B.I.G., the Boot Camp Clique and M.O.P., Mr. MFN eXquire educated the Echo crowd on Thursday.If there was any doubt about the stickup bona fides of the bor... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — “Brooklyn rappers don’t go 'whoop whoop,' they rob.” If there was any doubt about the stickup bona fides of the borough that produced the Notorious B.I.G., the Boot Camp Clique and M.O.P., Mr. MFN eXquire educated the Echo crowd shortly... more info

Guardian Music — After posting one song online, this 24-year-old American singer sold out a London gig in half an hourWe crave a popstar who is authentic, who thrives because of their talent, not PR. So when you stumble across someone like Lana Del Rey – her popula... more info

Guardian Music — (Roc-a-Fella/Roc Nation/Def Jam)Rappers are obsessed with power. The 48 Laws of Power, an infamous manual by Robert Greene, has long been required reading for hip-hoppers of a certain stature, from 50 Cent on down. One day Jay-Z might get around to r... more info

Guardian Music — Legendary New York rapper Rakim and Wretch 32, the rising star from London, meet The Guide to talk all things hip-hopGuide Thanks for joining us today. Let's start with a broad question: what would you call the "Golden Age" of rap?Rakim The golden ag... more info

The Hip Hop Chronicle — From the official “Decoded” iPhone app, JAY-Z discusses his line from “The City is Mine” and why chooses to pay tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. in his verses. Roc4Life a2a_linkname="Jay-Z – A World With Amnesia Wont Forget Your Name (Video)... more info

The Hip Hop Chronicle — Here is some rare footage of Biggie Smalls performing on The Jon Stewart Show. a2a_linkname="The Notorious B.I.G. Performing On The Jon Stewart Show (Video)"; a2a_linkurl="http://www.thehiphopchronicle.com/2011/07/13/the-notorious-b-i-g-performing-on... more info

VH1 Blog — When Monica and Rick Ross talked to MTV a year ago about collaborating, their mutual admiration society vibe didn’t exactly lend credence to the possibility. Yet here we are! Missy Elliott, reinvigorated after being away from the game to attend to ... more info