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Flatbush representative Archie Bang is not your typical "started from the bottom" story. Yes, his past caught up with him, putting his rap career on hold. But he knows what it takes to make it in the big leagues; after interning at Rawkus Records while in high school, Archie was eventually signed to J Records. Archie originally started as a DJ but then discovered the cash flow he was receiving was mostly recycling back into new equipment. So he opted for the pen and pad, quickly garnering respect from his peers. From honing his skills with the group, Dirty Water, in Little Rock, AR, Archie Bang eventually found himself at the same table as Clive Davis to discuss business. Archie's upbringing in a musical house where his father was a Haitian Jazz musician and his mother constantly pl

Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Grayskul has been turning out indie hip-hop for the past decade. Comprised of Onry Ozzborn and JFK, formerly of the hip-hop collective Oldominion, Grayskul teamed up with bassist Rob Castro to complete the lineup. After an opening slot for Rhymesayers artists Eyedea & Abilities in 2004, Grayskul’s career was off and running. After all, the tour led to a deal with Rhymesayers and the group released its label debut, Deadlivers, in 2005. The album received mostly positive reviews. In 2007, Grayskul released their second album on Rhymesayers, Blood Radio, this time with Ozzborn going by the name Count Draven and JFK going by the name Count Magnus. While this album excluded Castro, several prolific underground hip-hop artists such as Aesop R

Born and raised in South Jersey, Ricky spent his youth driving his parents and teachers crazy. After being arrested twice the week of his high school graduation a ceremony that his family members, doubting his ability to graduate, did not attend. Ricky found within himself a new determination to pursue his dream of making music and making his life significant. In 2012, Ricky decided to leave Jersey for sunny Southern Cali, where he quickly immersed himself in the local music scene. He formed relationships with rappers such as Compton Menace and Glasses Malone and super producer and Dr. Dre protege DJ Khalil. Since returning to the East Coast earlier this year, Ricky has remained in South Jersey, where he has made a name for himself as the breakout star of his town. Ricky's songwritin

Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based emcee Rilgood has come together with The DJBooth to bring listeners his latest street release, the Kingdom LP. Executive produced by the artist in conjunction with Andrew Krivonos, the project packs a total of 13 original tracks, including reader-approved singles "God Bless America," "Corruptor" and "Young Kings." Chase N. Cashe, Chatter, Fat Tony, Gift Glamz Glorious, Goldyard and SMTH make guest appearances throughout the set, which features beats by 88-Keys, Dot Da Genius, kechPhrase, Keyboard Kid and Woodro Skillson. Please visit http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/rilgood-kingdom to download now and check out the official track list below. 01.Ghost In The Machine [prod. Woodro Skillson] 02.Dreams (ft. SMTH and Gift Glamz Glorious)

October 29th will see the release of Class Struggle, the sophomore album from French Hip-Hop producer Alterbeats. Alterbeats is a member of the ALTERPROD Unit, a consortium of producers, videographers and graphic designers. With appearances from Tragedy Khadafi, The Rockness Monstah from Heltah Skeltah, Neek the Exotic, Copywrite, Guilty Simpson, Mic Handz & Verbal Kent, Class Struggle is poised to be a compelling project within their catalog. The album will be available through all of the major digital retailers, as well as a physical CD, where it will be sold through record shops and online outlets. By bringing a fresh perspective into the equation, Alterbeats and his team tackle topics that connect with the listener regardless of their background, through a bevy of platforms. Sin

When Immortal Technique speaks, you listen. This was proven in my most recent interview with the prolific Harlem-based emcee. Backstage at The Waiting Room in Omaha, Nebraska (of all places), Tech spent 35 minutes with me to discuss America's obsession with violence, savagery and the meaning behind the War and Peace Tour he's currently on with Brother Ali. It felt more like a college lecture than an interview. In fact, the discussion was so thick with information it has to be broken up in to two parts. Stay tuned to RAPstation.com for Part II later this week. Brother Ali was telling me a little about the meaning behind the War and Peace Tour. What's your take on that? For me, it definitely was showing these larger venues could be packed out with an independent voice of hip-h