With hip-hop hitting a dull period, experimentation is full speed ahead. Many rappers, DJs and producers are testing new sounds and styles to push through the boredom of rapping a few lines and singing an R&B hook. Kristine Flaherty or K. Flay is at the head of the pack.
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Here's MaLLy spreading love.

​While many are scanning Etsy or Telaflora for the perfect gift for Valentine's Day, the Twin Cities hip-hop community is working on breath control and verbal acumen. You see, Saturday's Best Love is Free event is steadily approaching, and it's fixing to be a classy evening that should prove to be has heavy on the lyrics as it is on the love. Just recently, a video with performers from the event -- and those who appeared on its yearly compilation -- emerged. Need a reminder of the ridiculous range of our area emcees? Marvel as Sean Anonymous, MaLLy, Toki Wright, Carnage on beatboxing, and many more show their devotion.
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Photo by BFresh Photography

​We have been blessed with one of the most diverse and successful independent hip-hop scenes in the country, but it didn't happen overnight. Most of the pillars of our scene have been recognized one way of another over the years for their work in building this community, but one pillar keeps getting skipped over. Go figure -- it's a female. Pretty common in the male-driven sport we call hip-hop. But she isn't about the recognition or the status, she just wants to help others and rock a stage. More >>

​Rhymesayers vet I Self Devine continues his onslaught of new music with the second of four free mixtapes dropped at the front end of every month. The Upliftment Struggle was released on Soundcloud this week in anticipation of another 7th Street Entry takeover on February 19.More >>

​If you haven't heard by now, the Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards recently celebrated its sixth year. What started out as a simple MySpace poll back in 2007 had turned into a semi-respectable affair -- often selling out venues filled with local heads connecting and having a good time -- but times have changed. More >>

Photo by Gilliane E. Mansfeldt

​After taking some time away from music last year, T.Q.D. of the Background Noise Crew sat down and wrote his latest album Taketh Away in under a month. "I don't like to work on things slowly. My attitude is, let's get it done," says The Quiet Dude. "I've never made an album this fast. I know what I need to say,". Listening to the record gives the impression the topics have been stewed over and are finally seeing full expression.More >>

A still from Friday night's brawl at the TC Hip-Hop Awards.

​What a difference 48 hours can make in the life of the Twin Cities hip-hop community. Sunday night welcomed a positive showcase of local talent headlined by I Self Devine, but Friday night's sixth annual TC Hip-Hop Awards proved to follow a now-familiar theme of violence during its event at First Avenue's Mainroom. This, of course, stirred commenters on a blog regarding the 2010 melee, and raises serious questions about how sustainable an event can be with these types of distractions.
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​I Self Divine's LA State of Mind EP Release Party
With Brother Ali, Muja Messiah, and Alicia Steele & the Endevours
7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
Sunday, January 22, 2012

Better than: The sounds of high-class America.

Three of arguably the top five local rappers were on the bill at 7th Street Entry last night, and the packed and lively crowd suggested the lineup appealed to a number of people. The tight venue proved a powerful locale for each Doomtree member in December, and it seems I Self Devine took to heart the power of such an intimate venue to display his latest material. The night marked the premiere of the live portion of his four-part Culture Series, a monthly set of shows and mixtapes which precede the release of his sophomore solo effort The Sounds of Low Class America.More >>

​I remember first seeing Franz Diego on a Fifth Element stage, back in the days when the store was cut in half and a huge graffiti mural rained down on visitors heads. It was the popular Open Mic night, this sole night is one of the reasons the scene started to harness a flame to what our thriving scene is today. He was still in high school and his group at the time, Illuminous 3, just finished rocking their freestyle. They had endless energy, but one member in particular stood out. That was Franz Diego. As they came off the stage, other local rappers with dreams of building a record label rushed towards them like wannabe Jimmy Iovine clones with insty print business cards in their hands, flocking to the group. You could tell they seemed shocked by the attention. The other rappers and producers showered them with praise and promises. But Franz wasn't buying it. Years later and Franz still isn't' buying it. He's creating it. More >>

​Welcome to the first Gimme Noise mixtape of the new year! As usual, we're offering up 8 new songs from Twin Cities rappers for your listening pleasure.More >>