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9th Wonder Calls Nottz “Arguably The Best Beatmaker On The Planet,” Expands Soul Council

Throughout the ages, Nottz and 9th Wonder have worked on the same albums. Including releases from Little Brother, the Virginia and North Carolina producers, respectively, have a strong overlap in the artists and projects they take on. Both producers with history on the mic too, these heralded musical personalities have... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh

Jeezy & Don Cannon’s Holy Ghost Is On Four Wheels (Audio)

At his best, Jeezy orchestrates these moments. Now a Rap superstar, the Atlanta native is able to re-live moments of his past so vividly, with so much suspense, that they simply burst onto the record. "Holy Ghost" is just that... even in the Dog Days Of Summer, this Don Cannon... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

This Madlib Soul Sounds Like The Perfect Mos Def Or Jay Z Beat (Audio)

Madlib is at work on his first soundtrack, The Beats. Included is the effortlessly titled "Cue 4." This sample-built creation is smoother and more cyclical than Madlib creations. Sounding like a mid-1970s Soul breakdown, a Head can easily grasp why it's the perfect inclusion for a film, such as say—Our... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Murs Joins Apollo Brown’s Ugly Heroes Asking Why Good Things Die (Audio)

Both Mello Music Group and Murs are based in the deserts of Tucson, Arizona. The former Warner Bros. Records artist and the thriving indie are working more together. Thereby, Murray joined Ugly Heroes, the trio of Michigan's Apollo Brown and Red Pill and Chicago vet Verbal Kent. "Good Things Die"... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

AZ Takes Some Red Magic & Shows Off His ‘Limitless’ Style (Video)

Back in June, AZ wove in some Brothers Johnson greatness in his latest '70s derivation, "Red Magic." A master of "nostalgic cool," Tha Visualiza's sample source added to his metaphoric mind-altering substance in the song. For the video, seemingly a partial homage to Limitless, the veteran of The Firm pops... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Statik Selektah, Joey Bada$$ & Freddie Gibbs Hit The Park In Style (Video)

For early What Goes Around single "Carry On," Statik Selektah set his turntables up in Lower Manhattan's famed Washington Square Park. There, the ShowOff shows off on a random afternoon, while Joey Bada$$ and Freddie Gibbs (who recently moved to Harlem) plug in, and put on. The vibe of the... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Twista Walks With Monsters While Delivering One Of His Hardest Raps (Videos)

Twista's Dark Horse is in stores now. The Chicago pioneer took one of the album's most straight-forward Rap cuts, "Devils Angel," and traveled the world and times. The video features Grateful Dead-esque dancing skeletons, mythical monsters, and detailed green-screen backdrops. All this, while Twista bodies the beat and barely lets... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Is There An Album-less Artist Out Making Bigger Visuals Than Travi$ Scott? (Video)

Following 2013's "Monster," Travi$ Scott grabbed the attention of Heads. The Horror video had a big budget aesthetic, with a narrative and a real courage by today's video standards. From the just-released Days Before Rodeo mixtape, "Don't Play" measures up. Clearly shot by highly-trained professionals, the video again taps into... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck D Goes DVD & Book Shopping, What’s He Cop? (Video)

Chuck D, a major supporter of Record Store Day, hit up the famed Amoeba Records in California. Public Enemy's main vocalist and a member of the record-slaughtering Bomb Squad group, Mista Chuck admits that his trips to stores like Amoeba are more for books and DVDs these days. However, the... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Guess Which Oscar-Nominated Actor Will Play Jerry Heller In N.W.A’s Biopic…

Jerry Heller, a famed mogul of Gangsta Rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s, helped Eazy-E and N.W.A crossover into mainstream America, as well as a global audience. A veteran record executive who had worked with the likes of Elton John and Ike & Tina Turner, the Cleveland, Ohio... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Method Man & R.A. The Rugged Man Talk Music Industry Black-Balling (Video)

R.A. The Rugged Man, who's been a longtime label-mate of Masta Killa at Nature Sounds, predates a lot of Wu-Tang Clan members, as far as record contracts. The early 1990s Jive Records sensation known as Crustified Dibbs recently got up with Method Man backstage on the road, recalling their circa-1993... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Makes Some Rock & Soul With Frequent Collaborator Michael Uzowuru (Audio)

In his young career, Vic Mensa has defied being categorized. Once a front-man of a truly organic Rap-Rock group, Kids These Days, Mensa's 2014 lead single has been inspired by Chicago House. He's also tackling some Jazz tracks this year to boot. So why should Heads be surprised when the... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

M.O.P. Shows How They’re The Original Backstreet Boys Alongside Domingo (Video)

Back in June, M.O.P. teamed up with Domingo for a Brownsville-to-East New York connection in "We Put It Down." The Same Game, New Rules inclusion is the latest hardcore Hip-Hop track from the veteran acts, all three disciples of late '80s, early '90s Rap music. For the video, Heads travel... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

What Do Remy Ma & Biggie Smalls’ Sway Freestyles Have In Common? (Video)

In Remy Ma's first post-prison freestyle, the former First Lady Of The Terror Squad hits Sway In The Morning with a verse. As Sway Calloway points out, Remy joins The Notorious B.I.G. as the only 2 artists on his show to seamlessly edit her curses on the fly. With Sway... Read more

August 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Diamond District’s yU Makes A Heartfelt Dedication To His Late Father (Audio)

Diamond District's yUthe78er has been one of Mello Music Group's best kept secrets. As a soloist, yU made one of the best Hip-Hop songs about Native American heritage in "Natives," and gave Heads hope in "Fine." In "Never Burning Out," one of the rare songs released by the Washington D.C.... Read more

August 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Killah Priest Gets Back To Heavy Mental Form In Body Of Light (Video)

When it comes to stuffing raps full of information, historical and religious context, and still opining on social issues, could any crew rival the HRSMN? While Ras Kass and Canibus amassed reputations for these traits, another true master in the realm of dense lyricism is Killah Priest. Twenty years removed... Read more

August 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Debonair P Makes A Musical Case Why 1990-1992 Was Hip-Hop’s Pinnacle (Mixtape)

Years like 1988 and 1994 often are touted as Hip-Hop's best years, but what about what's between this sandwich of dope records? 1990 through 1992 delivered Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Main Source's Breakin' Atoms, Digital Underground's Sex Packets, and Ice Cube's Death Certificate, among many others. Debonair P made Blends... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Punch Reacts To Michael Brown’s Murder With Historical Illustrations (Audio)

Deeply affected by this week's tragic news of the killing of teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson, Top Dawg Entertainment President Punch joined label collaborator J. Cole in reacting through music. Born in the post-riots Watts, Punch made a Steinski-like audio-essay remembering the 1965 Watts Riots. Set... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

How About Some Weird & Powerful History Around Madvillain 10 Years Later?

By 1999, MF DOOM began a comeback of superhero proportions. Once a major label artist, ZevLoveX of KMD had a core fanbase, but was (rather ironically), not a highly recognizable figure of Hip-Hop in face or name. After the tragic death of his brother Subroc, DOOM was born. Inspired by... Read more

August 15, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Despite Fame, Action Bronson Says It Hasn’t Been A Long Time (Audio)

It's been a curious rise to fame for Action Bronson. Sometimes dismissed as a pop-up new artist, there are J-Love mixtapes and Internet videos that show the Queens, New Yorker's trajectory long before he was a recognizable face and name. But if you ask, Bam-Bam, he maintains that he's only... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Krayzie Bone Applies The Pressure With Precise Choppin’ (Video)

Last year, Krayzie Bone unleashed his QuickFix: Less Drama, More Music. The EP's opener was "Apply The Pressure," a metaphoric message to the streets, the fans, and the Heads on how to get things done. Clearly, the defacto leader of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony isn't done promoting the project, as he releases... Read more

August 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

What Becomes Of A Hallucinating Fan Who Punches DJ Premier? Babu Explains (Video)

In 1999 Dilated Peoples joined Gang Starr and Rage Against The Machine on tour. These experiences were well-chronicled on the later track, "Gang Starr Bus" by Bumpy Knuckles, produced by DJ Premier. Three legendary outfits toured in a well-remembered time in music. Gearing up for his own new release with... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Is Atmosphere’s Slug The Ultimate Rap Dad? Check Out Southsiders (Video)

Released back in May, Atmosphere's seventh studio album Southsiders is the latest work from Slug and Ant's band. The Minneapolis, Minnesota duo's sound has greatly changed since their late 1990s Soul-sampling introduction, but Slug's witty wordplay, and constant homages to late '80s and early '90s Hip-Hop stay strong. The title... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes I’m Nice (Audio)

Every few years, LL Cool J really drops the gloves on 'em. The onetime Def Jam Records pioneer built his career on the kind of bravado that took on all challengers in the mid-1980s. As LL's base grew to truly celebrate the fact that "Ladies Love" Cool J something special,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

UGK’s Bun B & De La Soul’s Posdnuos On The Same Track? Statik Selektah Knows (Audio)

Known for assembling jaw-dropping collaborations, Statik Selektah's biggest feat may be "God Knows." Taking a Jared Evan-sang riff from the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds classic, the album's closer pairs UGK's Bun B and De La Soul's Posdnous, an unlikely pair of '80s Rap vets, who take a similar stance on... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock On Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city Follow-Up? Yep

Pete Rock is an esteemed source of inspiration within Black Hippy. After all, Ab-Soul (who worked on 80 Blocks From Tiffany's) has a tattoo of the Mount Vernon, New York artist known for making some seminal 1990s songs alongside then-partner CL Smooth. However, Kendrick Lamar is also up on things.... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh

Questlove Says That The Late, Great Robin Williams Was A Roots Head

In the last 24 hours, the world mourns the death of Robin Williams. On August 11, the Academy Award-winning film actor, television star, voice-actor, and stand-up comedian was found dead in his Hollywood, California. While reports are still confirming the cause of death from what appears to be suffocation, an... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh

You Can Feel The Dust In Joey Bada$$’s Latest Visual (Video)

Joey Bada$$'s "Big Dusty" captures just how the Brooklyn, New Yorker channels those obscure '90s styles implemented by acts like The Artifacts, Cannibal Ox, and Smif-N-Wessun. Youthful, unpredictable, and clever, Joey's video complement finds the MC on an inward journey, surrounded by night moves, vivid back-lit colors, and melting herb.... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Remy Ma Reveals Her Post-Prison Plans, Confirms Record With Jadakiss (Video)

Yesterday (August 11), Remy Ma made her first televised appearance since being released from prison earlier this month. The artist formerly known as Remy Martin sat on the "106 & Park" stage opposite one of her loyal supporters in Shad Moss (fka Bow Wow). The former Terror Squad member who... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass’ Goldyn Chyld Had Dr. Dre & DJ Premier But Never Released…Til’ Now (Album Stream)

After 1998's Rasassination, Ras Kass went to work on his third album. Still signed to Priority Records as he was for most of the decade, the C-Arson, California MC was out to best his previous work, which also included acclaimed release, Soul On Ice. In doing so, Razzy recruited the... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

DJ Skee Quits Radio, Says The Platform Has Fallen Off

For more than 10 years, DJ Skee has been an integral touchstone to Hip-Hop culture. A native of Minnesota, Skee and his SkeeTV platform have been deeply responsible for the careers of Game, Freddie Gibbs, and Skeme, among others. Once a top mixtape DJ, Skee has expanded into production, his... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Visit Wiz Khalifa’s Blacc Hollywood (Album Stream)

One week before its public August 19 release, Wiz Khalifa gives a tour of his Blacc Hollywood. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania MC, who now calls Hollywood home offers a detailed experience of his twenties: a platter of self-medication, fame, fun, and love. The Rostrum/Atlantic Records album features longtime collaborator Curren$y, as... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joell Ortiz Puts Down 16 Bars With Fervor (Video)

In AOL Boombox's 16 Bars series, Joell Ortiz steps in. The Brooklyn, New York veteran has built a reputation and his career foundation on confident, thoughtful bars that may or may not always belong to a song. So 16 is no problem for the Slaughterhouse MC. Here, he does as... Read more

August 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wiz Khalifa Gets Lifted With A Deeper Musicality Than Usual (Audio)

In the last four years, Wiz Khalifa has mastered injecting vibe into music. A proficient rapper early in his career, the Taylor Gang General makes mood music, for life's more perplexing moments. With a new sound in his upcoming Blacc Hollywood album, Wiz vibes out on "So High." Featuring Ghost... Read more

August 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Souls Of Mischief Leave Em Panic Struck + Ali Shaheed Slated To Remix Whole LP (Audio)

In just over two weeks, the Souls Of Mischief crew will release their album, There Is Only Now, produced by Adrian Younge. The looks keep coming though, from Tajai, Phesto, A-Plus, and Opio. Today (August 11), S.O.M drop "Panic Struck," which finds some hard, confident rapping over sparse percussion and... Read more

August 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Gravediggaz Heads Ask In A Mix… Who’s Nicer: RZA Or Prince Paul? (Audio)

Hip-Hop has produced some groups stacked with more than one dope producer. EPMD celebrated the funk-driven knock that was both Erick Sermon and Parish Smith. The Beatnuts has Psycho Les and JuJu, two Corona, Queens masters of psyche samples and percussion. D.I.T.C includes giants such as Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Showbiz... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Rah Digga & Young Zee Experiment On A Run-DMC Sample (Audio)

With Treach and Pepa now divorced, is there a better Hip-Hop couple than Young Zee and Rah Digga? The longtime Outsidaz titan and his Flipmode Squad alum (who worked a ton with The Outsidaz too) partner, the two New Jersey natives have made an extensive discography together. "One To The... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Planet Asia’s Durag Dynasty & Casual Link Over Raphael Saadiq Co-Production (Audio)

Beyond 2013's 360 Waves, Planet Asia's Durag Dynasty lives on. The Fresno, California based group (featuring P.A., Tri-State, and Killer Ben) moves forward with a not-so friendly game of baseball. With rugged, sharp bars in their mission statement, Durag welcomes Hieroglyphics vet Casual to the cypher for "Baseball." The song... Read more

August 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What If ALL Of Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique Was A Video? (Video)

File this under: "What Makes The Internet Amazing: August 2014." Twenty five years later, so much can be said about The Beastie Boys' sophomore album, Paul's Boutique. The Def Jam Records departure found the Downtown/Brooklyn, New York trio out west, living in a Hollywood hills estate, eating fast food burgers... Read more

August 9, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Talib Kweli Gets An Upper Echelon 88-Keys Remix (Audio)

Talib Kweli and 88-Keys go back a mighty long way. First on wax together on the Black Star album ("Thieves In The Night"), this pair of New Yorkers were very present during the mid-1990s glory years of MC'ing and beat digging, respectively. Now Talib Kweli is a household name, and... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Afrika Bambaataa’s Record Crates Helped Create The Hip-Hop Genre. Get A Look (Video)

Hip-Hop's three forefathers are often remembered as pioneers DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. With all three men tied to the Bronx, New York of the 1970s, each brought a unique flare to the sound of the culture, with varying personal backgrounds. Herc, a native of Jamaica, had... Read more

August 7, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Dipset Restakes Its Claim With Reunited Cam’ron, Jim Jones & Hell Rell (Video)

It's all coming full circle for The Diplomats. Cam'ron is as active as he's been since his days on Roc-A-Fella Records. Jim Jones is moving in both music and television. Freekey Zekey is a free man, moving in the streets and performing with his cohorts. Additional affiliates like Hell Rell... Read more

August 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Raekwon Tells A Love Story Over Fantastia’s When I See U (Audio)

With the Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have historically had a penchant for storytelling, especially surrounding matters of the heart. As Raekwon's "TBT" Throwback Thursday series evolves, the Staten Island supreme lyricist has hopped on a variety of love songs, ranging from Luther Vandross backdrops, to those of Teena... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Action Bronson Begins A Freestyle Over Rick Ross’ The Devil is a Lie Then Goes Acapella (Video)

Action Bronson appeared on HOT 97's morning show. After fielding some personal questions regarding his family and discussing his new psychedelic single, "Easy Rider," Bam Bam eventually stands on the horizon of being beckoned for bars. Asked to freestyle, Bronson is fed Rick Ross' instrumental to "The Devil Is A... Read more

August 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Black Milk & BADBADNOTGOOD Got That Bass For Your Face (Audio)

From its roots in Electronic and Techno music, Detroit, Michigan loves that low-end bass. Black Milk, teaming with BADBADNOTGOOD comes out with a trunk-rattling joint in "Now Or Never." This motivational speaker's track lets the beat do the work, while B.M. and BAD' vibe out with some edge to them.... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Wu-Tang Clan Opens Up For The Daily Show, Then Premiers Ron O’Neal (Videos)

UPDATED with the recorded version of "Ron O'Neal" below. Jon Stewart presses all eight living members about the Wu-Tang Clan reunion (which isn't a reunion at all, technically speaking) for A Better Tomorrow. Interestingly enough, "The Daily Show" host directs some of the most pressing questions to Raekwon, regarding the... Read more

August 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lords Of The Underground & Redman Reunite, Alongside Marley Marl (Audio)

Three MASSIVE Hip-Hop entities unite, as The Lords Of The Underground, their mentor producer, Marley Marl, and onetime protege Redman hop on "Hit U Like A Drug." Around the time Reggie Noble started running with Erick Sermon in what would ultimately be a Def Squad union, he was also running... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Killer Mike Adds A Scorching Verse To T.I.’s Hit Single (Audio)

T.I. and Young Thug previously released "About The Money," the mainstream-aimed video single from Tip's Paperwork album. With Young Thug being the most recently, in a prolific lineage of T.I. proteges, ranging from Young Dro to Yung LA to B.o.B. to Iggy Azalea. However, in addition to Grand Hustle's reputation... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rah Digga Tells It Like It Is On I Ain’t Neva Lied (Audio)

MCs love to embellish. Not Rah Digga though. She makes a new song, "I Ain't Neva Lied," where the she tells it like it is on a beat by The Labrats. From how Digga likes to spend her downtime (herb, card games, relaxing), to "livin' kinda frugal," the track is... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap & Spe$h Get Mafiaso In Their DJ Premier-Produced Meeting (Video)

In late May, artist Spe$h linked with Kool G Rap to drop "The Meeting." Produced by DJ Premier, the track was an account of some mob business, with lyrics to go. Two months and some change later, the video arrives, finding Spe$h and G waiting in idling cars, tailing victims,... Read more

August 6, 2014 Fresh, Video