www.BombHipHop.com Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the San Francisco-based Bomb Hip-Hop is one of the underground’s most informative resources, both as a record label and a magazine. The Web site carries that tradition over with tons of articles and video and audio media. The articles are the most extensive part of the Web site. With various categories “representing the four elements of hip-hop (DJ, graffiti, breakin’ and rapping),” viewers gets a taste of the variety and depth of hip-hop culture both past and present. Interviews with top-notch artists, such as Jurassic 5, Ice Cube, Run DMC and Jedi Mind Tricks, display the magazine’s knack for feeling the pulse of hip-hop. Artists in Japan, Australia and Denmark are also covered, all interviews being intelligently conducted. The magazine doesn’t shy away from the bizarre or the hardcore. In an interview with Eyekon of Jedi Mind Tricks, Bevan Lee asks about the lyrical emphasis on government conspiracies and extraterrestrials. Eyekon replies, “What I know about these things could fill a library. Let’s just say that in 2003 a ship called Niburu is coming for the 144,000 chosen.” A great resource is the collection reviews of classic hip-hop records from the 1980s, when hip-hop was in its nascent stages. The Bomb Hip-Hop record label is represented on the Web site through a complete discography as well as samples of the music on Real Audio and video clips on Quicktime. A large photo album displays Bomb’s exploits around the world, from Tokyo to Brisbane to Sydney. This Web site is an essential visit for fans of hip-hop. As an increasing cultural force, hip-hop finds a kindred spirit with Bomb Hip-Hop.

Howard Ho www.Rapdict.org

Essential to every culture is language, and the hip-hop culture is no exception. This rap dictionary came to the Internet in 1999 with a huge makeover. It now has easily accessible information on major hip-hop artists, and over 250 entries in the dictionary. Who would have known Snoop Dogg used to be called Calvin? Viewers can look up the real names of a variety of artists, even though other facts are scarce. The albums of the artists are also listed, giving fans a look at how their favorite artists have progressed. The site features a list of rap-related items to explore via the Internet in order to “find your thang.” Recommended books include ones about artists such as the Beastie Boys and Tupac Shakur; there are rap-related magazines and miscellaneous links in this category as well. Most useful and educational is the dictionary of rap jargon, home to “ballers,” “eses” and “peeps” familiar with this language. However, people more unfamiliar with the terms are the likely target audience, giving them an understanding of this unique language. “Shorty,” a word in the dictionary, is a noun referring to a female, similar to words of affection like “baby” or “honey.” Learning words like this can aid listeners as a number of songs, like Shaggy’s hit “Angel,” include “shorty” in their lyrics. A few word entries can also be useful as abbreviations. A-Town refers to Atlanta, and D-Town refers to Detroit. There are abbreviations and substitutions that leave sex- and drug-related expressions and words sounding more tasteful as well. Viewers can be aided more directly by asking for album suggestions, and they can return the favor by clicking to the site’s wish list of words with definitions still being debated or unknown. Even if the Web site is just a review, it’s an entertaining site that provides a view of how rap has influenced the prominent hip-hop culture.

Sophia Whang

Madsoulonline.com Madsoulonline.com, strictly speaking, is a dotcom, created to exhibit and recruit graffiti artists. Yet Madsoul shows definite signs of life with its connections to Yellow Rat Bastard, the influential hip-hop clothing store and magazine, and Madison Square Garden, where its New York Knicks merchandise is exclusively sold. Perhaps most indicative of Madsoul’s longevity is that it actually creates a product. The opening of the Madsoul credo reads, “Madsoul Clothing Company was founded on the idea that the world’s top graphic designers are graffiti writers.” With that mindset, Madsoul hires street artists to design apparel from which the artists receive royalties. The online store shows the fruits of Madsoul’s mission. As of yet, Madsoul mainly offers T-shirt designs, although they promise to expand. Buying online requires signing up for an account, which is actually quite simple and painless. The most interesting page is the gallery, which exhibits artists from around the world. At the time of writing, works by EonOne from Florida and The Royal King Bee from New York were being displayed. While Madsoul’s founder Marc D’Amelio no doubt wants to make some money, another goal of his is to get graffiti artists off the streets and into the mainstream. At least one graffiti artist, Zoom One, has graduated from art school after being caught by police. The Connecticut-based company sure has its work cut out for itself, but so does graffiti art in general. Madsoul is another step in the direction of legitimizing an art form that many perceive negatively. The Web site remains rather sparse, but if Madsoul makes good on its promises, it could be an influential graffiti resource.

Howard Ho