Malice and Pusha T, collectively known as The Clipse, are by far one of the game’s premiere duos. Hailing from the 757 area of Virginia, the brothers have amassed a reputation which has seen them successfully merge drugs and rap, almost effortlessly. They’ve also been victim to industry politics on more than one occasion, which is why Til The Casket Drops almost a year after their critically acclaimed mixtape, “Road To Til The Casket Drops”, surfaced in December 2008.

Industry B.S. aside, the group’s newest album is more of the same (which is a good thing). The lead single, “Kinda Like A Big Deal” featuring Kanye West, is one of those songs which has aged well and sounds just as crisp as it did the day it initially hit the internet. Pusha and Malice show no signs of slowing down and familiar faces, The Neptunes, are along for the ride.

The anthems roll right along as a favor is called in to Harlem’s own Cam’ron on “Popular Demand (Popeyes)” and the epic sounding “Doorman.” Fellow coke rhyme slinger, Yo Gotti, makes an appearance on “Showing Out” which is sure to garner a few spins as it ranks as one of the album’s standouts.The Pharrell induced summer anthem “I’m Good” still sounds brand new.

The ability to make commercially successful records has always been a strength of the two Virginians. It remains to be seen, however, if “All Eyes On Me” will surface as the next as it doesn’t have the instant attraction as some of their records from the past have harbored. Where they may have lacked in commercial single potential, they more than made up for it with the introspective “Freedom.” With the assistance of Sean C & LV, Pusha and Malice do something which isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do in real life, come to grips with the mistakes of their past as they attempt to move forward.

All in all, Til The Casket Drops is another impressive record from the brothers Thorton, even if the sales do not reflect it. Fans of the duo can rest easy and stamp their loyalty for another album. Pusha and Malice continue to cement their legacy as a premiere entity in Hip-Hop and one of the greatest from the 2000’s.

Rating: 4 out of 5

To say Young Money has had a good year might be a bit of an understatement. Usually reserved for label front man, Lil’ Wayne, the entourage saw a collective rise to prominence with the solo successes of Drake and Nicki Minaj. The group’s compilation album, We Are Young Money, had been anticipated since the lead single, “Every Girl”, leaked in January. To the group’s credit, they’ve managed to maintain momentum throughout the year headlined by the album’s release on December 23.

WAYM is an album which will give listeners a uncanny feel of a well thought out mixtape on each listen. Depending who you ask, this may be a good or bad thing. One thing is for certain, however, the entity makes no excuses for their lavish lifestyle. The intro track, “Gooder”, finds Jae Millz, Gudda and Mack Maine utilizing a formula which will be later used repeatedly throughout the CD. With Lil’ Wayne playing point guard, he allows for the attention to expand upon his fellow group members, which should have been one of the main focal points of the album. 

While “Ms. Parker” serves as an acquired taste for listeners, it is the Kane produced “Wife Beater” which serves as one of the album’s premiere records. Again, with Wayne on the hook, Jae Millz, Tyga and Mack Maine relay tales of promiscuous women and their affinity for the popular undergarment.  Chase N. Cashe delivers the goods on “Pass The Dutch” with Wayne, this time, laying a verse as well as Drake who makes his first appearance on the LP minus “Every Girl.”

“Girl I Got You” finds YM’s youngest members, Lil’ Twist and Lil’ Chuckee, playing the “young love” card and obviously attacking the teen market they obviously have a strangle hold over. “Steady Mobbin’” leaked months ago, but still found its way to the cutting room floor and for good reason. The Hip-Hop duet between arguably its two greatest suppliers (quantity of work) at the moment is one of the albums standouts with the “mixtape Weezy” with more quotables than a Twitter update would allow.

The album concludes with “Finale” as each member of the small army is allowed eight bars. Again, mixtape derived, so the success of the record depends upon who listens to it. All in all, We Are Young Money succeeds in allowing attention to be focused on the members who may not receive the acclaim a Lil Wayne, Drake or Nicki Minaj receives. The perceived “lack of content” may result as one of the LP’s biggest pitfalls, but doesn’t result in destroying the quality of the album. While it will never be confused for 36 Chambers, Soul Food or even Beg For Mercy, We Are Young Money serves as a respectable stepping stone for the group’s future endeavors in 2010.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

THEIR roles in Slumdog Millionaire  have won them international acclaim and seen them rub shoulders with the film’s glamorous stars and its British director.

But the reality of life for Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail is far closer to that of the characters they play in the story of love, violent crime and extreme poverty in India.

The child actors’ parents have accused the hit film’s producers of exploiting the eight-year-olds, disclosing that both face uncertain futures in one of Mumbai’s most squalid slums.

Slumdog Millionaire has already won four Golden Globes and is nominated for 10 Oscars. It is on its way to making hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office.

The film’s British director, Danny Boyle, has spoken of how he set up trust funds for Rubina and Azharuddin and paid for their education. But it has emerged that the children, who played Latika and Salim in the early scenes of the film, were paid less than many Indian servants.

Rubina was paid $1060 for a year’s work while Azharuddin received $3600. Continue to Read More.

Shwayze and Cisco Adler performed “Gotta Go” at Rich Houston Nightclub a week ago. If you dont already know, I’m a huge fan of Shwayze and he is on heavy ipod rotation. Shwayze and Cisco are currently in the studio recording the follow up to their smash debut, “Shwayze!”

With all the fuckary Rhymefest is “trying” to cause, he has given me a brilliant idea. I decided to create a section to rappers like him who  are just pathetic in every aspect of their career. Don’t take this as me jumping on the Charles Hamilton bandwagon, but I’ve seen fest do this before in my Dipset days and this ninja just really annoys the hell out of me.

 “He did a interview with Hip Hop Connection and said he respected Dizzee Rascal and The Streets but we’re fakes that got signed to Roc-a-fella claiming we were doing it big when we wasn’t doing shit. He just popped out with it out of nowhere, unprovoked and we had never met. The dude Mark Ronson even gave us a Slick Rick beat to re do when we was at Roc-a-fella and we were always very respectful with him being he was British.” – Mayhem from SAS

Rhymefest has a habit of giving praise but than using media outlets to get his jealous/envious hatred point across.  I have a few theories, really not theories but reasons why Rhyme is so bitter. I would be easy on him, being that it looks like he has down syndrome, but even they aren’t this retarded!

1.       You’re going to be collecting social security checks soon.

2.       Your Mark Ronson & Kanye West tax right off.

3.       You need exposure for the mixtape no one cares about

4.       Your upset Julito (Namond from the wire) had more fans than you that night

My favorite XXL freshman Charles Hamilton had an event with Hot97 last night in SOB’s. Charles always puts on a good show, towards the end to make up for showing up late, he let rappers in the crowd participate in his show. The show ended with Serius Jones and Charles Hamilton having a friendly battle. Great way to end the night!

SPOTTED: Raekwon, SKyzoo, ItsTheReal, Joey I.E, Rhymefest, Julito McCullum, Scram Jones, Digga, & JayRock.

Asylum Records newcomer Lil’ Cali gave us the rundown on his mixtape coming out next week with Bigga Rankkin. His first single debuting this week featuring Hurricane Chris & Cupid.

Max B recently invited Eric & Jeff of itsthereal.com over to play a game of scrabble. The guys recorded for their Flipcam Diary, Vol. 2.

To live the life of Wyclef Jean is to believe that almost anything is possible. Wyclef is a Grammy Award winning multimillionaire rock star who comes from Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. He’s one of thousands of Haitians who immigrate to the U.S. And many never return. But not Wyclef: he goes back to Haiti often, using all of his personal wealth to help his impoverished country.

Wyclef’s passion and determination have made him a hero to millions of Haitians.

Courtesy of: CBS.COM

With the 51st Grammy Awards just around the corner, Spinn.com obtained some exclusive artwork, featuring Stevie Wonder, Rihanna and Lil Wayne, surrounding and promoting the soireee. Each of the three artists, in addition to Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Lenny Kravitz, provided a list of at least 15 songs that inspire them. Those song titles were then morphed into portraits of the artists’ faces.  The art will be featured on various billboards, TV spots and online campaigns leading up to the big night on Feb. 8.