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Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson Borrow Pharrell’s Musical Time Machine, Setting The Dial To 1983 (Video)

For the second time in a week, Mark Ronson "goes back, way back." After channeling 1971 James Brown alongside Mystikal, the British producer brings in Bruno Mars for a 1983-inspired "Uptown Funk." With excellent visuals and choreography, Bruno takes a suit, hat, and gold medallion from the Scarface wardrobe closet,... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cormega Has Spit Some Of His Finest Verses Acapella. How’s Reflection Stack Up? (Video)

Cormega's Mega Philosophy is still making its rounds months later, revered by many Heads as one of the best Hip-Hop albums of the year. The Queensbridge veteran frequently spits to silence to drive his words home, especially when it's something the original Firm member feels you should hear. This is... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ghostface Killah, Kool G Rap & AZ Provide A Cautionary Street Tale (Audio)

All of the 36 Seasons are heating up! For the second weekday in a row, Ghostface Killah unleashes some new content. "The Battlefield" is one of the several appearances by Kool G Rap and AZ on the Tommy Boy Records LP. Also including The Revelations' vocalist Tre Williams, this cut... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jerry Seinfeld Tells Wale To Spazz Out On Complex…In This Hilarious Spoof (Video)

Eleven months ago, Heads might recall Wale flipping out on Complex magazine's Music Department for the exclusion of The Gifted from the Top 50 Albums Of 2013. In the recorded call, the Maybach Music Group artist threatened to visit the Midtown Manhattan offices the next day, and urged them to... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Does Ty Dolla $ign Have A Solo Hit, Produced By Diplo & DJ Dahi? (Audio)

For almost two years now, Los Angeles, California's Ty Dolla $ign has been one of the hottest things in Hip-Hop. Signed to Taylor Gang, working closely with YG and DJ Mustard, and producing for Chris Brown and Problem, Ty has been an invincible force, blending R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop melodies... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Says He’ll Finally Battle Rakim For Half A Million Dollars (Video)

This week, VladTV asked Big Daddy Kane, in the multi-part interview, if he'd battle longtime rival, contender as one of the greatest MCs of all-time, Rakim. Specifically, DJ Vlad proposed the notion of the Brooklyn, New York Juice Crew legend taking on his Long Island, New York contemporary for a... Read more

November 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

CL Smooth Bobs & Weaves On This Bouncy Shuko Beat (Audio)

CL Smooth is not big on an abundance of appearances. Instead the New Rochelle, New Yorker looks on at Hip-Hop from afar, admiring his contributions, especially those over two revered LPs and an EP with Pete Rock. However, Shuko, the German producer whose beats have sounded great alongside the likes... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Beanie Sigel vs. Freeway…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 14, 2014 Fresh

Bundle Up For The Album Sampler To Ghostface Killah’s 36 Seasons (Audio)

In three weeks, Ghostface Killah's 36 Seasons will be released by Tommy Boy Records. With AZ, Kool G Rap and Pharoahe Monch in the supporting cast, this is a lyrically-driven LP on paper. Similarly, with Lil Fame, 45 King, and The Revelations on the boards, beats appear to have a... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

King Los Goes To TOWN, Freestyling Over Alchemist Beats For 15 Minutes (Video)

This is a cool, refreshing concept... Baltimore, Maryland's King Los has earned a reputation for being one of the longest winded, most durable freestylers in the game today. His Backroom appearance, his Sway In The Morning spot, and his Toca Tuesday stop remained three of the most talked about, most... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.O.P. & Chris Rivers Remake A Hardcore Big Pun Album Cut (Audio)

Back in 2000, just months after Big Pun's death, his gold-certified sophomore LP, Yeeeah Baby released. Within the LP, there was an album cut, "New York Giants." This track, co-produced by Bronx, New York producer/MC Minnesota (Mos Def, Diamond D, Money Boss Players), featured Pun's Loud Records label-mates, M.O.P. Although... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

10 Years After His Death, Do Remember: Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Hippa To Da Hoppa (Audio)

Ten years ago today (November 13, 2004), the world lost a great one in Russell Jones. Best known as the Ol' Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan, the Brooklyn, New York MC/singer was a founding member, along with RZA and GZA, in All In Together Now, the first iteration of... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Missy Elliott vs. Ludacris…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh

Giveaway: Gang Starr’s Daily Operation Vinyl LP (Respect The Classics Reissue)

AFH is proud to offer one of our Heads a vinyl LP copy of Gang Starr's Daily Operation. Reissued as part of UMe's "Respect The Classics" series, the 2014 version includes a 3D cover of the artwork prominently featuring the late Guru, DJ Premier, and a symbolic portrait of Malcolm... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

If James Brown Were A Rapper In 2014, He’d Sound Like Mystikal On This Funky Number (Audio)

With his own YMCMB debut, Original, on seeming delay, Mystikal has been a bit mysterious since leaving prison. While he's been at work with Mannie Fresh, and made some Rich Gang appearances, the 1990s star and onetime No Limit free agent acquisition is certainly quiet, relatively speaking. Mark Ronson, the... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ol’ Dirty Bastard Biography Penned & Published By Buddha Monk

On joints like "Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo" and "Prepare For The Buddha Monk," Ol' Dirty Bastard was working beside his close friend and onetime protege, Buddha Monk. Sadly, due to O.D.B.'s untimely 2004 death (10 years ago tomorrow: November 14, 2004), Monk's development never happened as planned. The... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Crooked I Confirms Name-Change To Kxng Crooked

Heads who listened closely to this week's "Shady cXVpher" may have heard Slaughterhouse's Crooked I refer to himself as "Kxng Crooked." MTV News today confirmed today (November 12) that the moniker is more than just a braggy line. "Everything needs to change and everything has to evolve. Creatively, I just... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Juvenile Fits 2014’s YMCMB Sound & He Says Some Real Things Alongside Drake’s Chorus (Audio)

Juvenile is Cash Money for the second time in his career, after a lot of on-again, off-again status with his former label, as well as his (still estranged) producer, Mannie Fresh. Back in the paperwork, Juvy made his debut on "Sho Me Love." With a very simple, straightforward Drake chorus,... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown’s How To Kill God Is Everything You’d Expect It To Be (Video)

The revealed original title for Apollo Brown & Ras Kass' Blasphemy was How To Kill God. Thereby, the Soul-charged indictment on organized religion by Razzy Kazzy functions as a title track from the newly-released Mello Music Group album. The jarring title (to some) is met with hard-nosed opinions and facts... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

The LOX Get More NYC Imagery To Match Their Return To Form (Video)

The LOX aren't lettin' up on the visuals from their new Trinity EP. "Now Listen" talks about how the trio stayed the course of keeping it real, rhyming it raw, and maintaining no matter the circumstances. Shot in black & white, this is the latest visual that pulls no punches... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Lupe Fiasco vs. Royce Da 5’9″…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Says He Asked Kool Moe Dee For A Battle When He Was 14 (Video)

In a new interview with Vlad TV, Big Daddy Kane opens up about what he was doing in 1982 and 1983. Five years before Long Live The Kane, the would-be Brooklyn, New York superstar was traveling the streets of New York, looking for challenges. He even took aim at one... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Blu, MED & J. Rocc Make A Sparse Ill AXEL F Cut & Shine (Audio)

Add another dope release to the November Rap calendar. AXEL F, the tandem of MED and J. Rocc (Jaylib) will release Theme Music on November 24 on Bang Ya Head Entertainment. After some work in late 2013, the tandem links again with close affiliate Blu for "Omega." Blu sets things... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Freddie Gibbs’ Next Studio Album Is Announced

Following his first Top 200 charts appearance, care of 2014's Pinata album with Madlib, Freddie Gibbs is back in the lab. Since the critically-acclaimed March album, a commercial benchmark for the Gary, Indiana native, Gibbs has released The Tonite Show, with producer The World's Freshest. Already, Gibbs released the first... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Jay Z & Rick Ross Are Out To Move Mountains Over A Bass-Heavy Timbaland Beat (Audio)

In two weeks, Rick Ross will release his second album of the year. November 24's Hood Billionaire promises to finish where Mastermind left off. As has become rather customary on Rawss albums, Jay Z is a guest (though only on the hook). Def Jam's breakout artist of 2006 and (then)... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: E-40 vs. 8Ball…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Like Troy Ave & Hop On His Hit For A Remix (Audio)

With Troy Ave's latest hometown hit "All About The Money" getting that Tristate burn, two of New York City's living Rap legends admired. While Raekwon's collaborative cosign of Brooklyn's BSB MC goes back a ways, Heads know how rare those Ghostface Killah looks can be. As a true nod of... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common Honors Veterans Day & Those Who Served In A Spoken Word Piece (Video)

Recently, Common performed "This War We Fight" at The White House, in honor of Veteran's Day and those who served in the United States Armed Forces. On the day of remembrance (November 11), Comm' releases the video of him delivering the rhyming, Spoken Word poem. Looking out the window in... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Havoc & Sheek Louch Never Stopped Representing That Sound & Their City (Audio)

Mobb Deep's discography spans back before Juvenile Hell, to the duo's days as Poetic Prophets, stopping through the Stretch & Bobbito Show. After nearly 25 years, look no further than this year's The Infamous Mobb Deep to see that even with some bumps in the road, the Mobb vehicle is... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ghostface Killah To Drop A Hardcore Hip-Hop Album Really Soon, Unearths First Single (Audio)

This will have the Wu-Tang Clan controversy Heads abuzz... One week after W.T.C. is plotting A Better Tomorrow, Ghostface Killah will release 36 Seasons (December 9). What's more is that this LP teams Ghost with fellow New York City rhyme-monsters such as Kool G Rap, AZ, and Pharoahe Monch. Perhaps... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rest In Peace To Sugarhill Gang’s Big Bank Hank

Henry Jackson, better known as Big Bank Hank of Rap pioneering group The Sugarhill Gang has died today (November 11). TMZ.com has reported that Hank's band-mates, Wonder Mike and Master Gee confirmed the news to the publication. Reports state that Hank died from complications of cancer, though details are limited.... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

With DJ Premier Executive Producing, M.O.P Drops Street Certified Artwork & Tracklisting

Three years removed from their Sparta LP with German production outfit The Snowgoons, M.O.P. brings it back Stateside for their first EP. Street Certified is a nine-track effort, releasing November 18 (one week from today). Coming on Nature Sounds (Blu, J Dilla, Havoc), this release is executive produced by DJ... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh

Hear Royce Da 5’9″ & DJ Premier’s Foundation In Their PRhyme Title Track (Audio)

Nearly 15 years after "Boom," Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier's full-length together, as PRhyme, is less than one month away. The actualization of the pair's longstanding working relationship to a true LP welcomes guests ranging from Jay Electronica to Killer Mike, Mac Miller to Common. However, for the title... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Shady’s cXVypher Features Eminem, Slaughterhouse & Yelawolf. Get Your Rewind Finger Ready (Video)

Crooked I: Covering topics from Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson killing Michael Brown to his own poverty, Crooked I fires off verbal rounds like a Thompson machine gun as he delivers his thesis from a Long Beach chop-shop. Joe Budden: Joe looks within his family to discuss the stresses weighing... Read more

November 10, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

In Honor Of Big Pun’s Birthday, His Son Chris Rivers Hops On Super Lyrical (Audio)

Forty three years ago today (November 10), Christopher Rios was born. The Bronx, New York MC perhaps better known as Big Pun shook the world ablaze in the next 29 years. The pinnacle of Pun's career, according to many Heads, is his solo debut, 1998's Capital Punishment. The platinum Terror... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Talib Kweli & His New Artist Clients Release Their First Project (Mixtape)

Fresh off of a partnership announced with Jamla Records and W.A.R. Media, Talib Kweli's Javotti Media platform is out to make major moves. Javotti, who has been behind 'Kweli's post-Warner Bros. Records releases (in conjunction with Duck Down Music on Gutter Rainbows), has released a mixtape, The Cathedral. Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Finding The GOAT: Juvenile vs. Mystikal…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 10, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

G-Unit Sounds Straight Outta 2002 On This EP Bonus Cut (Audio)

G-Unit's The Beauty Of Independence is living up to its title in the physical packaging. For Best Buy buyers of the 2014 EP, consumers get "Ease Up." The non-EP song bonus exclusive sounds like it's out of that No Mercy, No Fear or In God's Plan era of the Gorilla Unit.... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Star-Studded 2Pac Single To Be Released By The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation

Not counting remixes or unofficial independent efforts, there have been seven 2Pac albums released since Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder. From those albums, largely released by Death Row/Interscope Records, singles have emerged, ranging from the chillingly revengeful "Hail Mary" to the introspective "Changes" to the immortalizing "Until The End Of Time."... Read more

November 10, 2014 Fresh

Who Wants Some Rare Early Cuts From Jay Z, DMX, The Beatnuts & Black Sheep? (Mixtape)

A lot of the would-be Hip-Hop stars of the 1990s put in studio recording work years before their names got hot. Moreover, the artists, their early labels, and teams had to go to risky expense of pressing these moments to wax in hopes of breakin' even, or perhaps giving them... Read more

November 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Logic May Be High On The Charts, But He’s Not Above A Lunch Table Freestyle (Audio)

While chilling with the L.A. Leakers, Logic was good for two different freestyles. With a Top 5 debut of Under Pressure, the Maryland MC is still just as open to showcasing his skills as he was before the success and the Def Jam deal. J Cruz and Justin Credible throw... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The LOX Take A Decaying New York Cityscape & Make It Vibrant (Video)

Just over a week from the audio, The LOX let loose the visual to "All We Know." The video for the song about the everlasting grit, toughness, and fly ways of a native New Yorker uses the city to prove the point. From a basketball court that appears as though... Read more

November 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lloyd Banks Is Out To Shine On A G-Unit Bonus Record (Audio)

If you cop The Beauty Of Independence at Best Buy, you'll get a bonus song on the EP. "Big Body Benz" might seem like a throwaway car song, but listen closer. A point of illustration for ambition, sturdiness, and resilience the record is one of the places where Lloyd Banks... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain Made A 1988 Tape Featuring Songs By James Brown & Jackson 5 (Audio)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. The Seattle, Washington native is remembered as a prodigious musician, songwriter, and an integral part of the Grunge movement through his band, Nirvana. That band has become a favorite musical touchstone of everybody from Kanye West to Dr. Dre, who... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Ras Kass’ Razor Sharp Freestyle Streak Continues… (Video)

Ras Kass is moving like its the '90s again. In the splashing wake of Blasphemy (with producer Apollo Brown), Rap's answer to Vincent Van Gogh throws some verbal paint on Toca Tuesdays, with a cocky freestyle. What else would you expect from the sharp-tongued vet? Related: Ras Kass Flips A... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Game vs. Jeezy…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 7, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

ScHoolboy Q Recreates One Hell Of A Trippy, Faded Night (Video)

ScHoolboy Q may have found the perfect way to express OXYMORON's "Hell Of A Night." In an album about addiction and going clean, staying young and growing up, and smartening up but still staying wild, is this not the ideal vessel to show a night in the (perhaps former?) life... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Following Raekwon, Inspectah Deck Makes A Heartfelt Soul-Inspired Tape (Mixtape)

After Raekwon eloquently concluded his "TBT" R&B/Soul/Pop tribute series with a mixtape, We Wanna Thank You, another Wu-Tang Clan member is paying homage to the soulful songs of yesteryear. Inspectah Deck made Cynthia's Son, a mixtape reworking, sampling, and tapping into songs favored by the Bronx, New York MC's late... Read more

November 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

The P-Funk Godfather George Clinton Flashes Back On Some Of His Finest Grooves (Video)

Front man for Parliament, Funkadelic, and his own amazing solo career, George Clinton just published his memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard on You?. The Plainfield, New Jersey native has been anything but plain in his six decades of making music. The barber-turned-Doo Wop singer-turned... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Big Sean’s IDFWU Football Visual Brings ‘Em Out, Including E-40 & Kanye West (Video)

Big Sean's done it again. The G.O.O.D Music MC's "IDFWU (I Don't Fuck With You)" single has become a viral hit. With that in mind, the Detroit wordsmith (joined by ageless veteran E-40) unveiled the visual to the single. Using the highly-topical world of football, Sean invites (Coach) Kanye West,... Read more

November 6, 2014 Fresh, Video