Nadine Graham

Rappers these days are jetsetters after their first couple of hits. Even if they aren’t international travelers right away, artists like Ca$h Out create worldly fantasies through their lyrics.

With less than six months left in 2013, new artists have been cropping up everywhere. From hip-hop to R&B, from the streets of North Atlanta to the U.K., singers and emcees are determined to make their mark before 2014 arrives. The influx of new talent from year to year coupled with the speed of the music industry and the clipped attention span of most consumers makes it tougher for these arti

The first half of 2013 seemed to blow by without much warning didn't it? If it was a speedy six months for us music fans, then it's safe to assume that the artists who enjoyed smash hits at the top of the year are already planning the takeover of 2013's second half...

Hip-hop has grown beyond what it was at its core in the 1970s. These days, the genre is a multi-million dollar empire. It's a multi-faceted industry full of rappers from all walks of life: from the "nerd rap" of folks like Kansas' XV to the super commercialized song-rap of Atlanta's Future...

There's a running joke in rap music about the quintessential weed carrier -- where ever you see the rapper, you see the weed carrier. Whether it's during performances, in pictures or in videos, the emcee's right-hand man is always there...

Tax season rolls around every year at the same time, but somehow a substantial number of rappers forget to pay Uncle Sam -- he doesn't play when it comes to his money. Before much time passes, your favorite emcee's name is splashed across the internet with the tagline: 'Hit With Tax Lien...

To be successful in hip-hop in 2013, an artist has to learn what production works best for him. Even if there's a beatsmith that's popular, every and any rapper may not be able to match the backing without sounding contrived. Meek Mill knew what he had in Jahlil Beats years before Rick Ross came knocking and even once signed to MMG, the Philly rapper brought Jahlil along for the ride...

With the amount of drama swirling around rappers nowadays, they need a hard-nosed publicist on hand to correct a Twitter faux pas, recorded outbursts and misguided remarks. Young artists like Chief Keef need a fixer round-the-clock. Why would anyone threaten to slap harmless Katie Perry...

The music business definitely isn't what it used to be even 15 years ago. Some albums that shipped platinum in the 1990s probably wouldn't even move numbers these days. In a sea of rappers, there are only a few who are consistently making it to the top of the charts and those artists are the ones who've succeeded in making the crossover hit -- a track that resonates from hip-hop radio to the Top 4

Once every year or two, there's at least one phrase that takes over onstage, on record and in day-to-day conversation between rap fans. As popular as the word may be, it's usually run into the ground within months. In 2013, that phrase is undoubtedly "turn up...