Rick Ross

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Madonna, Sleigh Bells, Rick Ross, Lana Del Rey, and Grimes highlight early 2012 releases

There's nothing particularly apocalyptic about the releases thus far slated for 2012: perhaps this is the way that the music world melts down, with a whimper rather than a bang, right?
By DANIEL BROCKMAN | January 05, 2012

By | January 01, 0001

Reveling in Spose's Medium for the masses

C'mon get Happy
Spose will soon release a new album on a major label, Universal Republic. Happy Medium is not it. The answer to the question "Why?" is the subject of another story (conveniently found here ).
By SAM PFEIFLE | January 12, 2011

By | January 01, 0001

Billboard's Rap Songs chart

The Big Hurt: Who charted?
In the immortal words of O.D.B., "Rappenin' is what's happenin'."
By DAVID THORPE | July 05, 2010

New edition

Masspike Miles, Lisa Bello, and the little R&B scene that can
There’s no underground scene for pop-minded R&B. Not in Boston, and not really anyplace else.
By CHRIS FARAONE | December 09, 2009

Interview: Warren G

Smooth hustler
Humble and nonchalant as ever, Warren G is cooler than Miles Davis smoking an Alaskan cucumber.
By CHRIS FARAONE | October 28, 2009

The Big Hurt: Jacko solvent! Boyle swelling! Lupus dissed!

MJ's ranch, Hoppus and Wentz on Twitter, and Susan Boyle
If you had your heart set on picking up a gently used chimp tuxedo or a suspicious child skeleton, you're outta luck
By DAVID THORPE | April 28, 2009

The Big Hurt: The week in beef (in brief)

Ross at a loss; Weezy throws hissy
A recessed economy means fewer chains to go around, so it's been a fine week for a-fussin'-and-a-feudin'.
By DAVID THORPE | April 21, 2009

92. Rick Ross

INSPECTOR BLECCH
The boss of the South likes to slang rhymes about slinging rock, but according to the Smoking Gun , the only hard time he did in Dade County was on the other side of the law: although he refuses to admit to it, he reportedly served 18 months as a corrections officer. For a rapper, that’s about as sexy as blowing your hype man on stage. As it is, Ross is so ugly he keeps his sunglasses on at all hours — even when traumatizing a Fader TV interviewer by whipping off his shirt to reveal his numerous tattoos . . . and his (bigger-than-Trina’s) man-tits.
By Boston Phoenix Staff | March 25, 2009

An abridged history of the Roots' collabs

Tangled up
Collaborations
By CHRIS FARAONE | January 20, 2009

Off the Couch: Get Cozy

Cool Collective at RISD's Chace Center
Cool Collective at RISD's Chace Center
By CHRIS CONTI | December 11, 2008

The week in boners

Ross exposed, FCC hosed, hicks opposed
With his new album expected to hit #1 on the Billboard charts this week, I think (Nasty) Nas is getting a bit swell-headed.
By DAVID THORPE | July 28, 2008

Fat Joe

The Elephant in the Room | Terror Squad
For a 15-year rap veteran who brought the world the late Big Pun and has penned a long string of hits, Fat Joe sure has an inferiority complex.
By BEN WESTHOFF | April 02, 2008

Rick Ross

Trilla | Def Jam
It’s easy to hate on Rick Ross for his sub-standard flow and tired materialism.
By BEN WESTHOFF | March 25, 2008

Start with some Spice

A recipe for a tuneful 2008
The game is on for the reunited Spice Girls.
By MATT ASHARE | December 26, 2007

Culture clash

M.I.A. confronts American pop protocol
If there were two golden rules worth following for this reviewer gig, they’d be never conflate an artist’s backstory with her product, and never read other people’s reviews.
By NICK SYLVESTER | September 05, 2007

LeToya

LeToya | Capitol
If you were thinking that Destiny’s Child was all about Beyoncé Knowles, think again. LeToya, "All Eyes on me" (mp3) LeToya, "Obvious" (mp3)
By MICHAEL FREEDBERG | August 21, 2006