Category: Hip-Hop

Ranking Eminem’s Albums

“[Eminem] seems to revel in the ways that he can break and reshape the laws of the language.”

– Adam Bradley, Book of Rhymes

Eminem is one of the all-time greats, a surefire future hall of famer. He’s one of the most commercially successful musicians ever, the second highest-selling singles artist of all time with over 220 million records sold worldwide and nine consecutive number one albums (including his greatest hits collection). Six of his major label releases have won the Grammy for Best Rap Album (he has fifteen in total).

Tags Eminem, Hip-Hop, Rap, Relapse, Slim Shady

Hip-Hop Podcast Rap Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Podcast: “Wu-Tang Forever” [Disc 2] featuring Christopher Pierznik

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date June 8, 2018
No Comments on Wu-Tang Podcast: “Wu-Tang Forever” [Disc 2] featuring Christopher Pierznik

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If it’s going to take years for something to happen, it better be worth the wait. With that in mind, for my first podcast appearance, I was lucky to have the opportunity to talk about my absolutely favorite album, Wu-Tang Forever.

Tags Classic, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Ghostface Killah, GZA, Hip-Hop, Inspectah Deck, Interview, Masta Killa, Method Man, ODB, Raekwon, Rap, RZA, U-God, Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang Clan, Wu-Tang Forever

Hip-Hop Rap

The Greatest Year in Hip-Hop History

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date March 6, 2018
No Comments on The Greatest Year in Hip-Hop History

Of all the conversations and debates surrounding the best of the best in hip-hop — MC’s, groups, producers, labels — perhaps the most difficult to ascertain is what is the greatest year in hip-hop history. Let’s answer it with a 16-slot bracket tournament.

Tags 2Pac, Hip-Hop, Ice Cube, Jay-Z, March Madness, Nas, NCAA Basketball, Public Enemy, Rap, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan

Hip-Hop Rap

“Classic Albums” Documentary: Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date March 5, 2018
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For years, it felt as if there were no interest in what went into the making of a hip-hop classic.

While other genres, most notably rock, had the backstories of their best results covered extensively (largely because it was often the favorite music of the people in charge of such things), there was not much insight into how a hip-hop classic is made.

Fortunately, that has changed and hip-hop documentaries abound.

Tags 1996, Classics, Jay-Z, Reasonable Doubt

Hip-Hop Rap

Classic Non-Album Cuts: Black Thought

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date January 25, 2018
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Occasionally, it takes time to recognize greatness.

Tags Black Thought, Classic Non-Album Cuts, Hip-Hop, Philadelphia, Rap, The Roots

Hip-Hop Music Rap

We’re So Spoiled by the Availability of Music That We Don’t Appreciate It

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date January 15, 2018
No Comments on We’re So Spoiled by the Availability of Music That We Don’t Appreciate It

I have a confession to make: I didn’t love Enter the Wu-Tang [36 Chambers] the first time I heard it. Actually, I kinda sorta didn’t even like it. I know that’s like the Pope saying he didn’t dig the Bible the first time he read it, but it’s true.

Tags 2Pac, Eminem, Hip-Hop, Rap, Revival, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Spotify, Wu-Tang Clan

Hip-Hop Rap

Schizophrenic Shady

eminem-revival-walk-on-water-new-2017-album

If someone were to ask you to describe Revival, Eminem’s ninth studio album, in just a few words, how would you do it?

Tags Aftermath, Eminem, Hip-Hop, Music, Rap, Relapse, Revival, Shady Records, Slim Shady

Hip-Hop Lessons Rap True Story

From 12 Copies Sold to 10 Million — The Evolution of The Fugees

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date December 12, 2017
No Comments on From 12 Copies Sold to 10 Million — The Evolution of The Fugees

Whether personally, professionally, or creatively, you’ve probably had a project or plan fail miserably, even beyond your wildest fears and worst-case scenarios. In fact, you’ve probably had more than one. I certainly have.

While there may be a natural tendency to wallow in our misery, it’s important not to let that failure derail us. They say the best marketing for your current project is to make a new project. And that’s true.

It’s also the best way to overcome failure.

Tags Blunted on Reality, Failure, Fugees, Hip-Hop, Learning, LIfe Lessons, Rap, The Score

Films Hip-Hop Music Rap

No Streaming: Why I Choose to Control My Media

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date October 18, 2017
2 Comments on No Streaming: Why I Choose to Control My Media

It seems everyone is now listening to streaming services. From Spotify to Pandora to Tidal to Beats 1 Radio, there are plenty of options.

Tags Hip-Hop, iPod, Movies, Music, Netflix, Pandora, Radio, Rap, Spotify, Streaming, TV

Hip-Hop Rap Reviews Wu-Tang Clan

A Wu-Tang Album in Name Only – The Deception of “The Saga Continues”

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date October 16, 2017
2 Comments on A Wu-Tang Album in Name Only – The Deception of “The Saga Continues”

If a (supposedly) new Wu-Tang Clan album doesn’t move the needle the way it once did, it’s largely because it’s easy to be skeptical about new material coming out of Shaolin.

Tags Big Pun, Boot Camp Clik, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Ghostface Killah, GZA, Hip-Hop, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Mathematics, Method Man, ODB, Raekwon, Rap, RZA, The Saga Continues, U-God, Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang Clan, Wu-Tang Forever