Gang Starr was an influential hip-hop duo that consisted of MC Guru and DJ Premier. Although they are not as popular as mainstream artists, they are regarded as one of the best groups by underground and alternative hip-hop fans. DJ Premier is still a successful DJ/Producer, but Guru passed away on April 19, 2010. In […]
Speak Better English: Idioms and Pronunciation with Mia-X
Mia X is an American rapper who first encountered success when she became the first female artist to sign with Master P‘s successful No Limit Records. Although born in New Orleans, Mia began her rapping career in Queens, New York as part of the hip-hop group New York Incorporated, which disbanded after only four years. After her […]
Learn English Vocabulary with The Lonely Island
The Lonely Island is an American comedy group with members Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, and Andy Samberg, best known for their musical comedy. Originally from Berkeley, California, the group is currently based in New York City. The group became famous due to their collective work from 2005 to 2011 on Saturday Night Live, featuring Samberg as a cast member and Taccone […]
Learn British Slang with Skinnyman
Skinnyman is an English rapper who was born in Leeds and moved to London at a young age. He formed the Mud Family with Mongo and Chester P, a hip-hop group which released a number of EPs. These included such records as Itchy Town and Lash Suttin, a reworking of Redman‘s Smash Something. Skinnyman released a solo album, Council Estate of Mind in 2004, and it […]
Learn English Vocabulary with De La Soul
De La Soul is a hip-hop trio that formed in 1987 on Long Island, NY. They are known for their unique sampling, playful lyrics and humorous skits between tracks. They contributed to the rise of alternative hip-hop in the 1990s, especially to the beginning of jazz rap. The members are Kelvin Mercer, David Jude Jolicoeur and […]
2Pac Fridays: Keep Ya Head Up
“Keep Ya Head Up” is a 1993 hit single by Tupac Shakur. The song is dedicated to a young African-American girl named Latasha Harlins, who was shot and killed by a Los Angeles store owner in 1992. The shooting occurred thirteen days after the Rodney King beating, and many people believed it was one of the causes […]
Learn English Phrasal Verbs with Atmosphere
Learn 16 new English idioms and phrasal verbs with one of America’s best Midwest hip-hop groups. Atmosphere is an American hip-hop duo currently consisting of rapper Slug and DJ Ant. The group formed in 1989 and has released six studio albums and ten EPs. Slug’s lyrics are usually metaphorical and autobiographical, and he often uses […]
Learn New Vocabulary and Idioms with Jay-Z
Jay-Z is a rapper, record producer and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, New York City. In addition to being one of the most talented and best-selling MCs in the world, Jay-Z is also one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists. He owns several companies and was even the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings. In 1998, […]
Idioms and Vocabulary with Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Pete Rock and CL Smooth are a hip-hop duo from Mount Vernon, New York, which is a small city outside of New York City. They released their debut album, Mecca and the Soul Brother, in 1992 and released The Main Ingredient two years later. In “T.R.O.Y.” they pay respects and honor their deceased friend, Troy ‘Double T-Roy’ […]
10 New Idioms You Must Learn Now with Yasiin Bey
Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, is an American MC and actor whose lyrics often focus on political and social issues. In 1998, he formed the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli, and they were a major force in the 1990s underground hip-hop scene. In “Mathematics” Yasiin Bey cleverly discusses social problems using numbers […]