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Statik Selektah & Termanology’s Protege Ea$y Money Gets A DJ Premier-Produced Single (Video)

DJ Premier's connection to ShowOff Records runs deep. While Statik Selektah has been on the boards for some recent Premo greatness (see: Fat Joe's "(Thank God For) That White"), the Gang Starr giant has returned the favor, producing some scorchers for REKS and Termanology. A longtime ST.Records product, Term's right-hand... Read more

July 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

B.o.B. Makes A ’60s-Inspired Visual About Overcoming The Haterz (Video)

B.o.B. came into the mainstream nearly seven years ago with an anthem called "Haterz." The mixtape number became a Southern sensation which helped garnet the Decatur MC/producer/singer attention from T.I., and in turn, Atlantic Records. Hardly an abrasive voice, Bobby Ray had a unique approach to dealing with those trying... Read more

July 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Usher & Nicki Minaj Interpolate A S.O.S. Band Classic On Another Pharrell Time Machine (Audio)

Pharrell's production over the last 18 months has been interesting. The N*E*R*D front-man drew very close to Marvin Gaye's 1977 wallflower-directed "Got To Give It Up" on Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," causing Thicke—who added a stylized delivery, to get some criticism from some purists. Now, Pharrell cooks up Usher's latest... Read more

July 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common & Big Sean Show Off Their Diamonds (Audio)

Following the unveiling of "Speak My Piece" last week (June 30), Common's Nobody's Smiling campaign continues. Teaming with longtime collaborator and onetime G.O.O.D. Music brother (and now Def Jam brother), Big Sean, on "Diamonds," Common's perceived agenda of reaching a new, younger generation with his latest album feels successful, when... Read more

July 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

MF DOOM & Bishop Nehru Drop Some Dopeness In The Darkness (Video)

Out of sheer "Darkness," NehruvianDOOM arrives. The collaborative project between emerging voice Bishop Nehru and 25-year Hip-Hop veteran MF DOOM (who mostly goes by DOOM these days, though not exclusively) is growing closer. With DOOM presumably on the boards (if you can call the four-track-style adopted by the longtime KMD... Read more

July 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Peter Rosenberg Apologizes To Chuck D (Video)

Throughout June, Public Enemy's Chuck D and HOT 97's Peter Rosenberg had a debate-possibly perceived as a war of words on social media. The Hip-Hop legend—who has long run an online radio platform, RapStation.com, called out the New York City station's 2014 Summer Jam event, in regards to the station's... Read more

July 7, 2014 Video

Camp Lo’s Ski Beatz Reunion Has Some Back To The Future Feel To It (Audio)

While they publicly previewed some samplings previously, Camp Lo's reunion with producer Ski Beatz is underway. Today, the Nature Sounds Records artists unveiled the first full, finished glimpse of their upcoming album. "Cold Retarded" features an antiquated expression that Biz Markie and Roxanne Shante helped make famous. However, the sound... Read more

July 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Wu-Tang Clan Breaks Down Their Film Connections, Early RZA & GZA Singles (Videos)

Nardwuar's infinite pursuit of interviews continues. The Human Serviette catches the Wu-Tang Clan backstage in Vancouver, British Columbia for a Q&A that RZA admits he greatly evaded. Perhaps Heads can see why in the final third of the interview. However, for the first 10 minutes, Nardwuar goes in on Kung-Fu... Read more

July 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ 7L & Frank The Butcher Salute The Artists Sampled On Bad Boy Records Hits (Mixtape)

From Craig Mack to Total, The Notorious B.I.G. to Black Rob, Ma$e to 112, part of what's made Bad Boy Records so catchy in the mainstream has been the label's fearlessness when it's come to sampling. While skeptics may've criticized some of the more obvious recreations at the pinnacle of... Read more

July 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

G-Unit Borrows YG’s DJ Mustard-Produced Hit Beat (Audio)

G-Unit's jackin'-for-beats continues into the holiday weekend. 50 Cent and his cohorts, which now seems to permanently include Kidd Kidd, hop on YG's Drake-assisted My Krazy Life hit, "Who Do You Love?" Keeping the DJ Mustard-produced-song's structure in tact, the quintet brags it up like the old days, and make... Read more

July 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Thought, Action Bronson & Royce Da 5’9 Link On A Statik Selektah Joint (Audio)

Hailing from three different decades of Hip-Hop, Black Thought, Royce Da 5'9, and Action Bronson sound great together. The Roots, Slaughterhouse, and The Outdoorsmen all share a reputation for hard-hitting, rewind-worthy lyrics, which is exactly what producer/host Statik Selektah hoped for when he assembled "The Imperial." Boastful bars shine, as... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rah Digga Is Not Playing Around. She Hops On A Dipset-Style Beat & Cleans House (Audio)

When it comes to making Rap tracks about Rap, Rah Digga is one of the best. On "Bish Whaaa," she points out that the former affiliate of both Flipmode Squad and The Outsidaz is a 20-year veteran of verbally kicking down doors. With what sounds like a track straight out... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The LOX Channel A Fellow Yonkers Legend Alongside Sevyn Streeter (Audio)

The LOX deliver a quintessential cut today (July 2). Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch join buzzing songwriter/soloist Sevyn Streeter for "Remember." With Sevyn harping on Mary J. Blige's "You Remind Me" riffs, the trio recalls the wild late '90s, from late-night Tunnel runs, sidewalk hustling, and the unwavering fight... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The-Dream Shows Real, Active Change In His Powerful Visual For Black (Video)

After April's lyric video, The-Dream shows that he had some truly massive plans for "Black." The song, a message of Black empowerment, uses modern illustrations for racism (the violence in Chicago, materialistic stereotypes, Tommy Hilfiger's racist remarks) as well as iconic mentions of Marvin Gaye, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin... Read more

July 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Raphael Saadiq Honors Bobby Womack With A Touching Tribute Song (Audio)

For over 25 years, Raphael Saadiq has been a true master at honoring the natural lineage of great '60s and '70s Soul and R&B music. The Bay area native has made albums that seem anachronistic at times, like time capsules from the Motown and Essex record label days, with sweet... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

After Bringing Disco Back To Mainstream, Nile Rodgers Drops His First Solo Song In 10 Years (Lyric Video)

With high profile work alongside Daft Punk and Pharrell, Avicii, and even Disclosure, Nile Rodgers is one of the latest '70s icons enjoying a massive resurgence. However, the Chic front-man has been reviving his Disco/Funk sound through assisting others more than hoarding the attention. It's been a decade since Nile... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

After Plenty Rappers Have Sampled The White Stripes, Jack White Covers Kanye West (Audio)

From Apathy to Jermaine Dupri, Hip-Hop artists have been sampling/covering Jack White and his The White Stripes band for over a decade. These days, Jack White collaborates with Hip-Hop artists, including Black Milk. At a recent tour date in Dublin, Ireland promoting sophomore solo LP, Lazaretto, White covered Kanye West's... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lecrae Calls Out Misleading Messages Over A Classic Sample On It’s Nuthin (Video)

Lecrae has long stood against the status-quo. A leader in the mainstream Christian Hip-Hop movement, the Reach Records MC is hard at work on his seventh studio LP, Anomaly. "Nuthin" finds Lecrae skating down a sidewalk, in reverse." Meanwhile, the song kicks awareness about the hypocrites and mixed messages in... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

G-Unit Is Movin’ That Dope, Putting Out Music Like It’s The Early 2000s (Audio)

If you're a Young Buck Head, you'll love G-Unit's latest mixtape track. Hopping on Future's "Move That Dope" instrumental (produced by Mike WiLL Made It), Buck sounds like he did 10 years ago, with a crisp vocal delivery, syncopated flow, and most of all, a strong dose of Cashville confidence.... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

If You Liked Don’t Quit Your Day Job, You’ll Love Consequence’s New One With Audible Doctor (Audio)

Since becoming a reality TV star (care of "Love & Hip-Hop: New York), Consequence's again made a play for the mainstream. Still, before he was a G.O.O.D. Music hopeful in the mid-2000s, Cons was a A Tribe Called Quest affiliate known for a unique flow, and hard truths. Those skills,... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Celebrate A Decade Of The Alchemist’s Audio Evolution (Mixtape)

Although his sounds are versatile, Alchemist's status in Hip-Hop spans nearly 20 years. The Beverly Hills High School alum (classmates with Step Brothers partner Evidence) has since put in major work with the likes of Eminem, Lil Wayne, Infamous Mobb, Cam'ron, Screwball, Jadakiss, Bumpy Knuckles, Nas, Roc Marciano, and a... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Common’s Speak My Piece Is A Beautiful Illustration Of His Vision On Nobody’s Smiling (Audio)

Common's sound has evolved over the last 22 years. From working with The Beatnuts to No I.D. and Dug Infinite to The Soulquarians to Kanye West to Pharrell and back... Comm's forever playing with his growth as an artist, surviving the times, and making each body of work stand apart... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem & Busta Rhymes Rhyme With Fervor In Their Latest Collaboration (Audio)

Back when Eminem and Busta Rhymes were label-mates nearly a decade ago, the pair of mainstream fast-rappers came together on "I'll Hurt You." Notably omitted from Busta's lone Aftermath Entertainment LP, The Big Bang, the song seemed to miss the mark from two vets in transition, finding their latest style.... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Prince Puts On A Private Show For Apollonia’s First-Ever Visit To Paisley Park (Audio)

Over the last 48 hours, Prince concluded the week celebrating 30 years since the film and soundtrack of Purple Rain. While many Heads could speculate that any benchmark anniversary would be business as usual for an Artist such as Prince, they also know that the Twin Cities icon is big... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Blu Cautions Fakin’ The Funk In A Graffiti-Inspired Visual (Video)

On a true tear in 2014, Blu continues to spread his seeds of thought around bountifully. The Los Angelino appears on Astronote's "Rhymes On Paper." The producer invites the guest to kick knowledge about promoting lies through lyrics, and how such results don't deserve mic-device transmission. Johnson Barnes essays the... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joell Ortiz Raps About What He’s Been Up To In An Ill Sway In The Morning Freestyle (Video)

Heads never really got to hear Joell Ortiz on a Dr. Dre beat from that mid-2000s Aftermath Entertainment deal that never produced album fruit. Now working with Eminem and Shady Records—and in turn, Dre—Joell is gearing up for another solo LP. Stopping by Sway In The Morning, Ortiz was asked... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ma$e & Eric Bellinger Party In The Desert Like It’s Nothing (Video)

Mas$e's current comeback just raised the stakes. The Harlem World MC's appearance alongside newcomer Eric Bellinger now gets a video, seemingly shot in an old '60s abandoned gas station (or just a really cool old film/TV set). Fast cars, pretty women, and some dapper threads make Ma$e's first big video... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Yo! Bum Rush The News Show. Watch Erykah Badu Vid-Bomb A News Reporter (Video)

Erykah Badu's music videos are avant-garde. So is the Dallas, Texas native's daily life. While in New York City recently, Badu video-bombs a news report in Midtown Manhattan (seemingly reporting about Cage's homie, actor Shia LaBouf). She even goes as far as to attempt kissing PIX11's Mario Diaz, who does... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

9th Wonder Honors The Life Of Bobby Womack With An Amazing Sonic Collection (Mixtape)

Following this week's sad news regarding the death of R&B/Soul icon Bobby Womack, Hip-Hop reacted. Since Little Brother's The Listening, 9th Wonder has quietly and carefully alluded to his love (and listening) of Bobby's music. Thereby, 11 years later, it was 9th who was among the first to honor the... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

AZ Sounds So Illustrious On A Chopped Down Strawberry Letter 23 (Audio)

AZ is a proven master of being a current master, while channeling past eras of Hip-Hop, culture, art, and street style. This is wildly true of "Red Magic." Linking with Baby Paul, the veteran producer (and onetime member of Da Beatminerz) who's been working with A, Nas, and even Amil... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nobody’s Smiling On Common’s New Album Artwork, Now Get The Tracklist

Now arriving in less than one month, July 22's Nobody's Smiling from Common visually lives up to its name. Now at Def Jam Records, the 22-year veteran of releasing penetrating Hip-Hop albums mean-mugs on an LP for the first time since his October '92 debut, Can I Borrow A Dollar?.... Read more

June 28, 2014 Fresh

Prince’s Purple Rain Remembered 30 Years Later (Food For Thought)

It has been 30 years ago this week (June 25 to be exact) that Prince released his magnum opus sixth album, Purple Rain. Twenty million copies sold later, the greatest selling soundtrack of all-time is both a time capsule, and—if we look at it in terms of substance, theme, and... Read more

June 28, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

OVO Producer Eric Dingus Reconsiders The Weeknd’s Often In The Clouds (Audio)

With The Weeknd's latest single "Often" making its rotations and runs, October's Very Own (OVO) producer Eric Dingus wanted hit the crew affiliate off with a different mix. Distorted vocals, and a new depth of low-end in the beat might channel some different emotions than the original, but it's nicely... Read more

June 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

After Many TDE Album Appearances, Label President Punch Makes A Solo Song (Audio)

When ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad are making big moves, Heads don't have to look too far to find Punch. Top Dawg Entertainment's President, and right-hand to Top Dawg himself, Punch has over a decade of experience in the game, understanding the business, the politics, and in large... Read more

June 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rest In Peace To Soul Music Icon Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack has died today (June 27). The Soul/R&B music icon penned such hits as "Across 110th Street" for the film of the same name, "If You Think You're Lonely Now," and even the Rolling Stones' first #1 song, "It's All Over Now." In recent years, Womack had toured with... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh

G-Unit Rocks To DJ Mustard, Over Jeremih’s Snap-Inspired Hit (Audio)

No song seems safe. G-Unit's mixtape-style takeover continues, as 50 Cent, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and Kidd Kidd raid Jeremih (who's been down with Fif for years), for his "Don't Tell 'Em" chorus and DJ Mustard beat. Clearly aimed at bulking up a club record, the song interpolates... Read more

June 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Curren$y Has A Lil Sumthin’ To Say In His Sixth Vid This Week (Video)

Creepin' latenight, in yet another candy-coated old-school car, Curren$y churns out the visuals for "A Lil' Sumthin'." This is the 6th video Curren$y has released in a week. Who grinds harder than him right now? Related: Curren$y Releases Drive In Theatre, 5 Music Shorts In One Exhale (Videos)... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Is A Backpacker Indeed. He Sells OXYMORON CDs Hand To Hand In Times Square (Videos)

Frequently, the four members of Black Hippy are compared to the underground Hip-Hop stars of 15-plus years ago—well, maybe not Jay Rock so much. While the Watts lyricist is more aggressive in style and approach than is commonly associated with the Soundbombing era of Rap music, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Z & Beyonce Are Superstar Entertainers. See Rehearsals From The On The Run Tour (Video)

From their ongoing On The Run Tour, Jay Z and Beyonce allowed some cameras to capture some exclusive, behind-the-scenes access. See how the longtime collaborators-turned-married power-couple prepares for their arena tour, at a stop in Miami, Florida. In between some chizzled choreography, precise timing, Heads can see some tenderness between... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Episode 2 Of The Road To Total Slaughter Features Arsonal vs. Daylyt & Dizaster vs. Math Hoffa (Videos)

Following this week's premiere episode of Road Of Total Slaughter featuring T Rex vs. Cortez, Shady Records' Battle Rap league showcased two more videos. Separated into two segments, the high-profile battles of Arsonal vs. Daylyt and Dizaster vs. Math Hoffa represent the talent from one-eighth of the Eminem-backed Battle Rap... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Over A Sparse Beat, Rapsody Calls Out The Illuminaughty (Video)

Produced by 9th Wonder, Rapsody's "Illuminaughty" is as effective an 85 seconds as Heads can get in 2014. The song features some whimsical wordplay, but to-the-point lyricism on why terms like "ill" are applicable to the Jamla Records MC. This hails from Winter's Jamla Is The Squad mixtape. Related: Rapsody’s... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Hear The Whole Diamond D-Produced Album, Doomsday, By Big Rec (Album Stream)

This year, AFH has shed a little light on Atlanta-based underground Hip-Hop veteran Big Rec. Rec is the latest protege of D.I.T.C. producer Diamond D. Diamond is credited with discovering Fat Joe, who he's worked with throughout the last 25 years, as well as having a hand in the development... Read more

June 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

August Alsina & Pusha T Have A Flare For The Dramatic In FML (Video)

Those familiar with his personal life know that August Alsina lacks the background of an insular Pop star. Instead, the R&B/Hip-Hop emerging voice has wisdom, pain, and strength beyond his years. That experience plays out throughout Testimony, the breakthrough Def Jam Records release. Within, the Pusha T-assisted single "FML" tells... Read more

June 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pusha T Responds To YouTube Comments, Insightful & Trolls Alike (Video)

"A wise man once told me don't argue with fools / 'Cause people from a distance can't tell who's who," Jay Z once rapped on The Blueprint. From one D-boy to another D-boy, opinions differ... a bit. The Clipse' Pusha T sits down, care of Noisey, to respond to some... Read more

June 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Roc Marciano & Apollo Brown Link Again For That Grim Apocalyptic Flyness (Audio)

As O.C., Ghostface Killah, and Kool G Rap have all sounded extra-crispy on Apollo Brown tracks, perhaps one of the tightest fits has been Roc Marciano. Marci's nostalgic delivery, bygone images of street codes and fly attire complement the Detroit, Michigan-based producer's dusty loops, vocal samples, and hissy presentation. Following... Read more

June 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

G-Eazy Shows Out On A BET 106 & Park Backroom Freestyle (Video)

In part of Oakland, California's latest wave in Hip-Hop comes MC/producer G-Eazy. Having worked with E-40 and A$AP Ant, this week's These Things Happen is a barn-stormer of a debut from the latest Rap innovator from the Pacific Northwest. Hitting BET's "106 & Park" Backroom Freestyle. The stylish MC showcases... Read more

June 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

5 Years Ago Today, The World Lost The King Of Pop: Michael Jackson (Video Playlist)

Although his Xscape album is currently knocking on charts, with new singles still rocking on radio, it was five years ago today (June 25) the world lost one of the greatest entertainers its ever known in Michael Jackson. The pride of Gary, Indiana lives on through decades of timeless hits,... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

2014 Afro Punk Fest To Include D’Angelo, Body Count, Me’Shell Ndegeocello & More

Ticket sales and the lineup for 2014's Afro Punk Fest have been announced. On August 23 and 24, Brooklyn, New York's Commodore Barry Park will play host to the third annual event. This year's headliner is none other than D'Angelo, in the midst of a long-anticipated return to the spotlight... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh

Tech N9ne Dedicates His Kimmel Set To His Mom, Like A True Mental Giant (Video)

This month, Tech N9ne lost his mother to Lupus. The Kansas City, Missouri MC/independent label mogul took to "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to dedicate his nationally-televised performance to her. Rather than promote Strangeulation, Tech's latest album, Tech did some older cuts. The dedication, hails from Tech's tipping-point, 2011's All 6's &... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ab-Soul Explains That Black Lip Pastor Is Actually Disease-Related, Never Fighting (Video)

Ab-Soul lives like his music. The self-proclaimed "hippiest" of Black Hippy stopped by Power 105's Breakfast Club the week of his These Days... release to discuss some non-musical issues. The Carson, California native confirmed a relationship with fellow guest, model Yaris Sanchez. However, aside from gossip and juicy innuendo, the... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video