1999 Online Hip-Hop Awards (NY Rock)
Score: 77
That said, the 1999 Online Hip-Hop Awards didn't kick off without a few minor "technical" glitches. In today's world of cheesy, nutra-sweet rap, this warm-up show provided a glimpse into hip-hop's illustrious past, the old school rap hoedowns of yore. People like Grand Master Flash, Prince Paul and Fab Five Freddie (who I still give props to despite being responsible for convincing Debbie Harry she could rap) were on hand to MC the event and dole out awards for Best Web Site Dedicated to ...

Busta Rhymes: Invades the Planet (NY Rock)
Score: 77
Busta Rhymes' innovative blend of bravado and humor is like nothing the industry has seen before. Suffice it to say, Busta (né Trevor Smith) has knocked a lot of folks off their rockers during his burgeoning career. From his early work with The Leaders of the New School, in 1990, to the recently released Extinction Level Event (The Final World Front), his third solo effort to date, Rhymes has continually shown the world that he is one excitable boy.

Queen Aretha Holds Court at Le Cirque (NY Rock)
Score: 77
While stylistically speaking, its smooth grooves are a world away from the soulfire of her immortal 1960s Atlantic recordings, A Rose hears Franklin in fine voice and a collaborative frame of mind. Franklin and Hill's work on the title track is a perfect balancing act of gut-level soul and catchy hip-hop-pop hooks, Franklin belting out the resilient lyric with typical gusto while Hill riffs on Edie Brickell's "What I Am." And in her few spare moments, Franklin plans to build her own little ...

Los Grammys (NY Rock)
Score: 77