As you may or may not know RapReviews.com moved to a new server last week. This is part of the overall plan to continue to improve and upgrade all of the websites in the Flash Web Design family including OHHLA.com and AngryMarks.com, bringing you faster site access and new improved features over the weeks and months to come. Unfortunately when moving three huge websites it's very hard for 100% of everything to go perfectly, and the one area that got hit the hardest was the RapReviews newsfeed. For reasons undetermined the archive of previous news articles became corrupted. It was determined it was more important to get the site back up so all of our reviews, interviews and editorials would be available even if it meant losing any chance of recovering the corrupted data. As it turns out though not all of the data is lost anyway - we've been able to recover every single reviewed over the last seven months as well as a smattering of the news articles posted over the last few months. A few articles that are hyperlinked elsewhere off-site may continue to show up as blank until if or when they can be restored, but rest assured news updates will continue as before from this point forward. Thanks as always to the loyal readers of RapReviews.com and fans of the Flash Web Design family of sites for your support!

Nas' upcoming album title became a highly controversal figure before it even made it on shelves. Nas naming his album Nigger has sparked the anger of the press, ranging from Fox News to NAACP. But according to EW.com, a Def Jam representative has confirmed Nas' upcoming album will no longer be named Nigger, but it will be self-titled instead.

Prior to the title change, Nas' album has seen many delays of being pushed back several times. When asked about the sudden title change while being interview on MTV, Nas has stated on the importance of being heard by the public. "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans," said Nas. "It's been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it." Nas is expected to be released in stores on July 15th.

While many fans are patiently waiting for his upcoming project, Nas has linked with Green Lantern to release the mixtape, known as The Nigger Tape, free and available to download here.

Review by Steve 'Flash' Juon

Artist: Statik Selektah f/ Cassidy, Saigon & Termanology
Title: To the Top (Stick 2 the Script)
Label: Showoff/Brick Records

The Lawrence raised and Boston-based DJ and producer Statik Selektah is back with another single for your ears. The inclusion of Termanology on the song isn't a big surprise since he and Selektah have been tight, and it also makes sense for Cassidy and Saigon to be in the mix since Selektah is definitely a "DJ of the streets" and both MC's are far more popular than their record sales to date would indicate. What really makes the song work though is Selektah's mix, showing himself to be a modern day DJ Premier in his superb choice of guitar licks, shuffling drum beats and scratched in Jay-Z and G. Rap samples in the hook. This song gives Termanology a chance to outshine his better known compadres and he doesn't blow the opportunity: "Yo my flow's like a 10 of 10, throwed off the medicine/And my bags come back fat, like Eminem/Nobody can body me, throw me in the ring with them/Suplexin rap cats like Owen Hart, I'm killin 'em." Ouch! This is the the song on your underground tape that even your DipSet loving friends will have to respect.

Review by Steve 'Flash' Juon

Artist: Red Cafe f/ Ace Hood, Cassidy, Fabolous, Jadakiss
Title: Paper Chasin' (Remix)
Label: Desert Storm Records/Def Jam

For Red Cafe this song is the perfect storm in a Desert Storm. The beat is a head banger from start to finish, thumping to a staccato boom and a quirky addictive synth growling like a dusty speaker. The guest line-up is second to none, with each rapper spitting their best "steal the spotlight" cameo rap on the song, although Cassidy may have one-upped them all. "I'm paper touchin, hustlin, servin e'ryday/You can either flip birds or flip burgers e'ryday/You can work at Mickey D's if you ain't workin with the E's/I'ma person that'll squeeze if I ain't workin with the cheese." Clocking in at five minutes long, the song keeps you waiting to see who's gonna spit what next, and you can't help but mark out for each verse dispersed. The song may be too hard for the radio but this one's definitely going to blow up on every summer mixtape.

Review by Steve 'Flash' Juon

Artist: Gillie Da Kid
Title: Do Your Job
Label: Figgas 4 Life Entertainment/Koch Records

The Philly kid named Gillie may have more drama than a DJ but he's definitely considered a don when firing his lyrical cannon, so much so that several major labels got into a bidding war for his services. If he can avoid being shot again and avoid beefing with the similar sounding Lil Wayne (whose voice is just a little scratchier) then Gillie's probably destined for stardom. That's the good news. The bad news is that "Do Your Job" is as monotonous a track as you will hear in 2008. Producer Young Ike Turna is not aptly named, as his ad nauseam three note loop is not something Tina would have crooned over in a million years. Gillie shouldn't be rapping over it either - it's not suited to his talent and literally drags his rap down into mediocrity. The intent feels like Gillie wanted a club beat, and it may work on that level, but the topic matter about haters doesn't feel like something to dance to. This is not Gillie's finest work.

Review by Steve 'Flash' Juon

Artist: The East Flatbush Project
Title: A Day in a Life
Label: 10/30 Uproar Music

If the name East Flatbush Project rings a bell, it's possible you remember their underground rap classic "Tried By 12," a song with one of the most haunting and memorable beats in hip-hop history. You won't hear the same MC on this song, but that's simply because East Flatbush Project is a catch-all name for any rapper founder Spencer Bellamy puts on wax. The unnamed new cat combined the hard intensity of Kool G. Rap with the lyrical reality of Cormega and spits some surprisingly thoughtful lyrics from a thugged out perspective. "That's why I put more than heart/I put mind soul and body into everything I do, including this song/Feel me! Fuck you gon' tell me 'bout pressure? And not allowin small things to depress ya?/Ride with me with, no insurance (right)/I feel like I already ran a marathon and got no endurance." Any beat suffers by comparison to "Tried By 12" but the heavy bassline and whistling sounds form an excellent backdrop to this rugged rap. East Flatbush is overdue to blow up again and this song heralds their arrival nicely.

Review by Steve 'Flash' Juon

Artist: Common Market
Title: Tobacco Road
Label: Massline Media

Sabzi and RA Scion definitely believe in a slow build. The first eleven seconds of "Tobacco Road" are a simple but hypnotic beat. Next up is a simple but effective piano riff all the way to the 35 second mark, at which point Scion's voice is finally heard and the beat is laced up with a little extra bass. The impatient short attention span rap fan will have moved on by this point, but that's their own loss. The intelligence of a Common Market track musically and lyrically is second to none and "Tobacco Road" is no exception. "No opportunity was offered us, I had my sights on/bein gone 'fore they cut the lights on, Brian's Song." This is just a taste of their new full-length album of the same name but it tastes pretty damn good to me.

I guess Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin' ta fuck wit! A report in www.udubnews.com says that Wu-Tang Clan rapper U-God's life is in danger and the God is pointing the finger at his fellow Clan brethren as the perpetrators. A New Jersey paper details the rapper as looking to the local police after noticing individuals following him home, wherein U-God suggests that the beef stems from a $180,000 lawsuit he filed against the Clan over unpaid performance fees. No response as yet from anyone else in the Clan.

The following is an MTV press release on their new show "Buzzin'" and a new season of "Run's House" airing on Wednesday nights.

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NEW SEASON OF "RUN'S HOUSE" PREMIERES JULY 16 AND NEW SERIES "BUZZIN'" PREMIERES ON JULY 23

Fans Granted Backstage Access at MTV.com For Exclusive Pics,
Performances and Behind the Scenes Footage

Santa Monica, CA (July 1, 2008) – Meet MTV’s newest comedic ensemble as the channel premieres “Buzzin’,” a new reality series starring music artist Shwayze, his best pal and producer Cisco Adler, their partner in crime, tour manager Warren Gumpel and their manager head of Suretone Records, Jordan Schur.  Beginning Wednesday, July 23 at 10:30PM ET/PT, fans can catch the misadventures of Shwayze, his wingman and music partner Cisco, best buddy Warren and manager Jordan as they define a whole new California sound. And rounding out the Wednesday night line-up, “Run’s House” returns with new episodes premiering July 16 at 10pm ET/PT.

Showcasing the long road from the trailer park to the top of the charts, “Buzzin’” follows the unlikely pair – Shwayze, the self-described “only black kid in Malibu” and Cisco, the seasoned singer/producer and regular tabloid bad boy – and their crew as their path to stardom hits all the twists, turns and bumps along the way.  The music and madness get underway as the boys and their fresh Cali sound get ready to debut their self-titled album on August 19 and as their first single, “Buzzin’” continues to climb the charts. Trying to keep them on track is their tough manager and label honcho, Jordan Schur who has taken artists like Ashlee Simpson and Limp Bizkit all the way to the top. Also along for the ride is their resident right-hand man, tour manager and comrade, Warren. When they guys are in a jam, count on him to be the man with the plan – even if the plan causes more problems than it solves.

The first episode will be available for free on instant release on iTunes, Xbox Live and Amazon for a week beginning July 15. All eight episodes will be available on instant release the day after their on-air premiere. Fans will also be able to feel the buzz at HYPERLINK "http://www.buzzin.mtv.com" www.buzzin.mtv.com with exclusive trailers and extended scenes from each episode shot by the cast on their vlog cameras, cast bios and pictures, sneak peaks of Shwayze’s new music video and exclusive performance footage of songs from the new album, including their TRL performance. Viewers can also get personal with the cast and create their very own Buzzin’ profile through IamOnMTV.  

Also, kicking off another season, MTV welcomes back a fan favorite as Rev Run and his family return with back-to-back episodes of “Run’s House” premiering Wednesday, July 16 at 10:00 PM ET/PT. The tight-knit Simmons clan once again opens the door for fans to watch the jubilations and tribulations of the royal family of hip hop.  Season five picks up with the Simmons’ blazing new trails across the map. Viewers will get a rare treat when Rev Run relives the glory days joining pal Kid Rock on tour, as Justine holds down the fort in Saddle River with new addition, baby Miley. Vanessa and Angela are now living the bi-coastal life as they balance their expanding Pastry shoe and clothing line with Vanessa’s acting gigs, and JoJo continues his pursuit of hip-hop stardom as Team Blackout grabs the mic and prepares to take center stage, while Diggy embraces his inner tween and Russy proudly accepts his role as big brother extraordinaire.  But rest assured the Simmons family will endure all the chaos with love.  

The fourth season averaged a 1.59 P12-34 and ranked #1 in its time period (Thu/10-11p) among P12-34 versus all cable competition. “Run’s House” has reached over 67.1 million total viewers (P2+) with over 34.2 million from its P12-34 core.

“Buzzin’” is produced by Suretone Entertainment and Hoosick Falls Productions; Jordan Schur of Suretone Entertainment and George Verschoor of Hoosick Falls Productions serve as executive producers; Mike Powers serves as executive producer;  Andrew Freston is co-executive producer; Liz Gateley and Valerie Elustondo are the MTV executives overseeing production. Steve Bilchik is the MTV talent executive overseeing the project.
Jason Carbone is executive producer and Nick Lee is co-executive producer of “Run’s House.”  Mike Powers serves as executive producer.  Jacqueline French and Valerie Elustondo are the MTV series executives overseeing the project.   Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley are executive producers.   Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan, Will Griffin, John Davies, and Sean “Diddy” Combs serve as creators and executive producers.