Mic Skills

Rap Round Table: Who Is the Greatest Movie Villain of All Time?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: E.S.G., Marcus Manchild, Renzo, Kyle Hubbard, Purple Bastard, Preemo, Mic Skills, Mac, more. Not Invited: Michael Myers, becau ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Wu-Tang vs. N.W.A. vs. A Tribe Called Quest

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Mic Skills, E.S.G., Chingo Bling, D-Risha, Kiotti, Mac, Yung Redd, Damien Randle, Yung Truth, Fat Tony Not Invited: Whoever gav ... More >>

Which Houston Rapper Bet "Whatever" On the NBA Finals?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Mac, Mug, Killa Kyleon, TroubleSum, Propain, hasHBrown, Yung Truth, O.N.E., Chingo Bling, more. Not Invited: Steve Francis and ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Dissecting The Best 2 Chainz Lines

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Delo, Chingo Bling, Brad Gilmore, Yung Truth, Mac, D-Risha, Kiotti, Chane, Mic Skills, TroubleSum, Killa Kyleon Not Invited: Fu ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Who is Currently the Best Producer in Rap?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Each week Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Slim Thug, Mug, Yung Redd, Delo, Preemo, Chane, Brad Gilmore, Herney the Great, Mic ... More >>

Rap Round Table: Which is the Best Halloween-y Rap Song?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Slim Thug, Mug, Yung Redd, Delo, Preemo, Chane, Brad Gilmore, Herney the Great, ... More >>

What Is The Best Bone Thugz-N-Harmony Song Ever?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. ​This Week's Panel: Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Medicine Girl, Mug, Delo, hasHBrown, Floss, Young Sensation, Mic Skills ... More >>

How Much Has Hip-Hop Affected Race Relations?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Kyle Hubbard, Mic Skills, Snoopy, Kiotti, Chingo ... More >>

Rappers Predict The Best & Worst Of BET's Hip-Hop Awards

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week's Panel: Preemo, Kyle Hubbard, Brad Gilmore, Medicine Girl, D-Risha, Kiotti, Chane, Renzo, Mic Skills, ... More >>

What Is Jay-Z's Best Album?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Chingo Bling, Chane, Pyr ... More >>

Rappers Predict Texans' First-Ever Playoff Run

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Mic Skills, Kritikal, Young Sensation, Kiotti, ... More >>

The Great Grinding Debate: Which Song Is Freakiest?

Bun B: "I wouldn't know. At all."

Should Amy Winehouse & DJ Screw's Addictions Define Their Legacy?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday (or thereabouts), Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​Ed. Note: Although the results of Amy Winehouse's ... More >>

If Not Rapper, What Job Would You Want To Have?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Fat Tony, Preemo, Chingo Bling, Kane, Thu ... More >>

Remember Simple Success' Smash and Dash EP?

Houston's history is dotted with albums that, fairly or not, have been swept aside. We'll examine them here. Have an album that you think nobody knows about but should? Email sheaserrano@gmail.com. Photos by Sarah Levit​Simple Success opens up for Mac Miller tonight at Warehouse Live. They p ... More >>

Phranchyze Crowned Houston's Freestyle King At Red Bull EmSee Contest

Photos by RizohThursday's unanimous winner Phranchyze advances to the national Red Bull EmSee finals in Detroit.​Outside on Westheimer, a small crowd of young music lovers has gathered in front of Numbers. Before Rocks Off even makes our way into the building, we're immediately greeted by soul ... More >>

Toy Story

How Transformers led to underground MC Mic Skills's rap career.

Mic Skills, Dirty And Defiant At Summerfest

Photos by Mani Nezami via Flickr​ Summerfest's "Fancy Pants In the Bowl" stage served numerous functions this weekend, providing cover from the unforgiving sun, air-conditioning and cheaper drinks to those wearing the coveted pink wristband. But on Sunday, it served as shelter from the pouring rai ... More >>

Ask a Rapper: A Bunch of Local Rap Types Pick Their Best H-Town Songs of the Year

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good- so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email it to introducingliston ... More >>

Things to Do This Weekend If You're Almost Broke

Another Friday afternoon and Rocks Off is itching to leave, so let's get to it. Friday​Pop duo Adam & Lena play a free Cactus Music in-store at 5:30 p.m. Free beer, etc. Hurry, but if you miss them they'll be at Robusto's Cigar Lounge in Katy tomorrow night. House of Blues hosts a triple bill ... More >>

Rad Rich's Birthday Back 2 School Radical Bash

Things to Do This Weekend If You're (Almost) Broke

​Generationals, Floating Action. 5:30 p.m., Cactus Music. Free. Molly & the Ringwalds celebrate six years of "Time After Time" and "Livin' on a Prayer" at the Continental Club. 6 p.m., free. The Brilliance of Suffering, Vehement, Sinister Minister, A Cyanide Suicide, Based on Death, My Ending ... More >>

Distant Early Warning: Al Jarreau, Butthole Surfers, The Mars Volta, The Tragically Hip, etc.

​Al Jarreau: Fri., Dec. 11. Arena Theatre. Ben Danaher: Wed., Sept. 30. Dosey Doe Coffee Company. Benjamin Wesley, Prairie Cadets: Sun., Aug. 16. The Mink. Black Crowes, Saving Abel: BEAUMONT., Sun., Oct. 18. Ford Park. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: CHANGED Sun., Aug. 23. House of Blues. Brother Ali, BK- ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Mic Skills, Foxy Brown, KRS-One, Eve, Do or Die, The Kanye, Erykah Badu, 5th Ward Boyz and More

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won't rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Anthony RathbunSingle of the Week: "Criminal," Mic Skills Wire To Wire Foxy Brown, recently an indirect victi ... More >>

White Swan Runs Red

The Second Ward hardcore venue got a little too punk last month

HoustonHipHop.com Relaunch Party

Go Find Something to Do, Dammit

They Don't Fold