Jake Paine

Rapsody & GQ Team Up & Show That Jamla Is The Squad That’s Saying Something (Audio)

North Carolina's Rapsody and Oakland, California's GQ have been two steadfast members of 9th Wonder's Jamla Records. In the last month, Rap' released her Crown EP. GQ has been quiet for much of 2016, since eloquently speaking his thoughts on an Oaktown' sidewalk in January. The former college basketball star... Read more

December 7, 2016 Audio

Masta Ace Reveals Why The Crooklyn Dodgers Lineup Changed (Video)

In conjunction with the Spike Lee Joint Crooklyn, A Tribe Called Quest and Q-Tip began assembling a Hip-Hop collaboration for the Geffen Records soundtrack. While the film was set in the 1970s, director Spike Lee has historically attached Hip-Hop to his films. According to Q-Tip, considerations were reportedly made for... Read more

December 5, 2016 Video

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede Releases His 1st Solo Album & Uses His Luchini For A Limozini (Video)

Camp Lo has been making music for more than 20 years. While mid-1990s duo contemporaries of theirs such as Tha Dogg Pound or Tha Luniz have created more music apart than together, Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheeba have kept their duo in heavy focus. If anything, Camp Lo has stayed... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Trademark Da Skydiver & Young Roddy Take Flight. Hear Their Album Early. (Audio)

Throughout the 2010s, Trademark Da Skydiver and Young Roddy have put in consistent work—often on the same tracks. The two New Orleans, Louisiana representatives helped fuel Curren$y's Jetlife crew for many years—appearing on every song on both volumes of Jet World Order as well as Spitta's Top 10 The Stoned Immaculate... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio, Exclusive

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Have An “Awesome” Third Album Coming In 2017

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest released its first album in 18 years. We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service featured the founding three MCs of the Queens, New York collective. The Epic Records LP debuted at #1, setting a new feat for the genre. Pete Rock &... Read more

December 1, 2016 News, Video

Bumpy Knuckles Salutes ’70s & Early ’80s Rap Pioneers On A Nottz Track (Audio)

Bumpy Knuckles (aka Freddie Foxxx) released his first music in 1986. At the time, "Freddie C." was part of the Supreme Force. In that year, Hip-Hop and Rap music were transitioning. Run-D.M.C., Fat Boys, Whodini, and the Beastie Boys had stepped out bringing the album format and music videos to... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

Atmosphere’s Slug Breaks Down The Real Meaning Of “Lucy Ford.” (Audio)

In year 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota Hip-Hop duo Atmosphere released two seminal EPs, Ford One and Ford Two. Produced by group member Ant, as well as Anticon's Jel, Moodswing 9, and others, these Rhymesayers Entertainment releases (later released together as Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs) helped pivot a Midwest Underground Hip-Hop... Read more

November 29, 2016 Audio

Tech N9ne & Smoke DZA Ignite A Cypher On A Fresh Pete Rock Beat (Video)

In less than two weeks, the unit of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock, as well as Tech N9ne will release albums, respectively. As Smoke has become a force to be reckoned with in 2010s independent Hip-Hop, Tech may be the standing giant of that field—given his commercial success and cult... Read more

November 29, 2016 Video

Learn 10 Mind-Blowing Facts About Dre, Tupac, & Eazy From The Definitive Book On L.A. Gangsta Rap

Perhaps even more than Hip-Hop's inception, or its commercial rise, the history of N.W.A. and the diaspora of West Coast Gangsta Rap is the culture's most intriguing story. There are heroes, villains, fights, triumphs, and a plethora of great music. Author Ben Westhoff's just-published Original Gangstas is as comprehensive a... Read more

November 24, 2016 Food for Thought

Damian Lillard Goes Back In The Paint With Another Driving Sway Freestyle (Video)

In early 2015, Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard appeared on Sway In The Morning. The Oakland, California native proved there was more to him than a mean court-game, as he positioned himself as the best MC in the NBA. With a sick freestyle, the artist known as Dame D.O.L.L.A. began... Read more

November 22, 2016 Video

A New Documentary Shows How F.E.D.S. Became The Source Of Street Knowledge (Video)

Since the late 1990s, publisher and writer Antoine Clark had a vision for a magazine. "Finally Every Dimension of the Streets" filled a void not represented at newsstands and in bookstores. F.E.D.S. magazine was born, and told the stories of street culture from those closes to it. This vision is... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

Eric B. & Rakim Affiliate, MC and Manager Ant Live Has Passed Away

According to several sources, veteran Hip-Hop figure Ant Live (aka Anthony Barrier) has died. Stetsasonic co-founder Daddy-O and podcast host Combat Jack are among those who have confirmed the news on social media. While the details of Ant's passing are not clear at this time, Rakim spoke about Live's health... Read more

November 18, 2016 News

Tish Hyman Shows Sometimes Great Beauty Can Come From Great Pain (Video)

From T.I. to Above To The Law, Murs to Maino, "hustling" is a popular theme in music. It can mean many things, but you'll hear the term—incessantly, from lyrics to interview soundbites. Singer Tish Hyman's single "All That I Can Do" is also about hustling—for survival. She delivers pained vocals,... Read more

November 17, 2016 Video

A Newly Released ’96 Cypher Shows A Tribe Called Quest Schooling Phony Rappers (Audio)

This month, A Tribe Called Quest released their sixth and said to be final album. We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service appeared to shock to the music world, when it was revealed to exist, less than six months after Phife Dawg's March death. It had been... Read more

November 17, 2016 Throwback

Camp Lo Make Timeless Hip-Hop. With 2 Great Tracks, This Video Doubles Down

In the twentieth year as an act with an album out, Camp Lo has only ramped it up in 2016. They've released a few unique items, including appearing on an incredible song (and music video) with The Avalanches, and started building out solo work. If that's not enough, Sonny Cheeba... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Just-Ice Reveals Vivid Details About The Day Scott La Rock Was Killed (Video)

Boogie Down Productions co-founder DJ Scott La Rock is a Hip-Hop luminary that much of the world never got to properly know. On August 27, 1987, the DJ/producer born Scott Sterling was killed, less than six months after B.D.P. released debut Criminal Minded. One of B.D.P.'s close affiliates was MC... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Admits The Failures & Lessons That Can Still Lead To A Happy Home (Video)

Joe Budden has forged his 15-plus-year career by making music that can regularly sound like a journal entry. The difference is, while many artists could exclusively read from the best days of their life, the Slaughterhouse MC often picks ones that show his mistakes, his ignorance, and the more vulnerable... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

Rapsody Is Going For The Crown & She Doesn’t Care Who’s Mad (Audio)

Rapsody is in a whole new atmosphere since she last checked in with Beauty and the Beast. Rap' now carries a Grammy award, thanks to her appearance on Kendrick Lamar's T.P.A.B. In addition to mentor 9th Wonder, she is also now backed by Jay Z's Roc Nation. She's been to... Read more

November 15, 2016 Audio

Pharoahe Monch & O.C. Are A Nightmare For Lesser MCs (Video)

In 1991, upon the release of Organized Konfusion's self-titled debut, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po not only laid a strong foundation for themselves, they brought along close affiliate O.C. along for hit single "Fudge Pudge." By the time O.K. geared up for their '94 follow-up, O.C. (who spent part of... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Snoop Dogg DJs A 2 Hour Tribute Mix For 20 Years Of “Tha Doggfather”

This weekend, Snoop Dogg's sophomore album Tha Doggfather celebrated its 20th anniversary. The LP was significant in Snoop's career in that it was his first foray without mentor Dr. Dre behind the boards, and it would be his final Death Row Records release while still at the then reigning label.... Read more

November 13, 2016 Audio, Mixes

UGK Affiliate & Convicts Co-Founder Mr. 3-2 Shot & Killed In Houston

Rapper Mr. 3-2 has been a Houston, Texas Hip-Hop mainstay for more than 25 years. In addition to co-founding The Convicts with Big Mike, and being an official member of Screwed Up Click and Blac Monks, 3-2 has appeared on several critically acclaimed albums. The 44 year-old man born Christopher... Read more

November 13, 2016 News

Rakim & DJ Premier’s Song Has A Message Of Wisdom, Strength & Moving Forward (Audio)

In 1999, the world was gearing up for Y2K with great angst and uncertainty. Going by the numbers this week, approximately half of the American voters are feeling angst and uncertainty in an upcoming change of offices, from the White House, to Congress, and at state levels. In a week... Read more

November 10, 2016 Do Remember

RZA Explains Why Wu-Tang Clan’s Next Album Is Ghostface Killah’s Responsibility (Video)

In June, Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah revealed that if the legendary Hip-Hop crew is to release another album, he will be at the helm. “RZA put the ball in my hand. He said ‘Yo, I want you to do it,’ and I been wanting to do it, and that’s a... Read more

November 9, 2016 Video

Mac Miller Has Taken His Music To A New Place. This Music Video Does The Same.

In terms of 2016's artistic strides, Mac Miller's The Divine Feminine may be one of the biggest. Having already reinvented his persona, and enriched his skills between 2011's Blue Slide Park and 2013's Watching Movies With The Sound Off, Miller made an album that basks in love, sex, and one... Read more

November 7, 2016 Video

DJ Clue Reveals How He May Have Chosen Biggie’s 2 Most Successful Singles (Audio)

DJ Clue was a pivotal figure in bringing Hip-Hop mixtapes from street culture to the charts. The Queens, New York native began in the mid-1990s, and helped pioneer the idea of exclusives. Records by Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. would appear on the mixmaster's unauthorized cassettes and... Read more

November 7, 2016 Audio

Even Through Changes, Zion I Continues To Push The Sound Of Hip-Hop Ahead (Videos)

Throughout the 2000s, Zion I was a trusted source for progressively lyrical, forward-sounding Hip-Hop. Zumbi (f/k/a MC Zion) and Amp Live made important records like "Critical" and amassed a dedicated fanbase. In early 2015, Amp stepped away from his dedicated producer's role. The MC, Zumbi remains at the core of... Read more

November 3, 2016 Video

Rakim Opens Up About Rivalries With Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, EPMD & More

Although he is revered as one of, if not the greatest, MCs of all time–Rakim typically shuns the spotlight. Even as rumors (and anonymously reported denials) linger about an Eric B. & Rakim reunion and corresponding tour, the 30-year professional musician has not come forward to confirm or waive off reports.... Read more

November 3, 2016 Fresh, News

Sir Jinx Speaks About Keeping The Production On Ice Cube’s Death Certificate True To The Game

Present day Hip-Hop relies heavily on serial albums. From The Blueprint to Detox, there is momentum in many great artists' catalogs that keeps the listener engaged while threading a concept. Twenty five years ago this week, Ice Cube released Death Certificate. This platinum album followed 1990's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted solo breakout,... Read more

November 2, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Inspectah Deck’s Rhymes Still Hit Like A Fistful Of Peril (Audio)

If it's not broken, then why fix it? Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck and New England Hip-Hop veterans 7L & Esoteric added new chapters to their decorated careers in 2013 when they formed Czarface. The comic book-inspired outfit defended Hip-Hop's honor with hard rhymes, hard beats, and a lot of stylish... Read more

November 1, 2016 Audio

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Reveals His Mother Inspired The Theme For 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Hardest Anthems

Between 1994 and 2000, M.O.P. was climbing up the Pop charts with each release. Lil Fame and Billy Danze released their 1994 debut To The Death on the same Select Records responsible for introducing Chubb Rock, U.T.F.O., and Kid 'n Play. While that effort did not chart, the Brownsville, Brooklyn... Read more

October 31, 2016 Throwback

A New Mix Celebrates The 20th Anniversary Of Ghostface Killah’s Ironman Album (Audio)

Today (October 29), marks the 25th anniversary of Ghostface Killah's landmark solo debut album, Ironman. To celebrate the anniversary, Up North Trips and Its Overture have put together a new mix, spotted on Ego Trip, to commemorate the LP. In addition to featuring much from Ironman, the mix expands to... Read more

October 29, 2016 Audio

Ghostface Killah’s Ironman Showcased A Rap Superhero & The Man Behind The Mask (Video)

Twenty years ago tomorrow (October 29, 1996), Ghostface Killah released a seminal solo debut album in the form of Ironman. To that point, four Wu-Tang Clansmen (GZA, Method Man, O.D.B., and Raekwon) had all stepped to the front with solo efforts, spreading their creative darts across Rap's board. As the... Read more

October 28, 2016 Food for Thought

Common & The Roots Join Forces To Break The Cycle Of Ills Facing Black America (Video)

Earlier this month, Common was a surprise guest at The Roots Picnic New York. There, the Things Fall Apart, Rising Down, and Wake Up! featured MC performed his single "Black America Again" with The Roots crew in the misty rain for all of Bryant Park to hear. Last night (October 27),... Read more

October 28, 2016 Video

Camp Lo’s Sonny Cheeba & The Avalanches Make A Video That’s Erupts In Cool

Since their mid-1990s inception, Camp Lo has stood for retro cool. Even down to their names, Geechie Suede and Sonny Cheeba have a flare for 1960s and 1970s coolness. They possess unique slang, bold fashion, and confidence that radiated throughout debut Uptown Saturday Night. Like the films and other art... Read more

October 26, 2016 Video

DJ Premier & Prince Paul Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap & Why We All Need Perspective (Video)

DJ Premier and Prince Paul are two legendary producers in Hip-Hop (and beyond) with discographies that span back to the 1980s. Back then, Preemo joined Guru to launch the album-making years of Gang Starr. In the very same 1989 that No More Mr. Nice Guy released, Paul celebrated strong accolades... Read more

October 26, 2016 Video

Ren Thomas Believes He’s Been Nice. This Pete Rock-Produced Single Wants To Show You (Video)

Ren Thomas is an MC who has divided his years between Philly and neighboring New Jersey. Following a recent standout freestyle appearance and interview on Sway In The Morning, the Lord Sear (Shade 45) co-signed lyricist marches towards a self-titled debut album, dropping later this year. Last year, Ren released... Read more

October 25, 2016 Ready Or Not

Vinnie Paz Declares War On The Notion That Conflict Truly Helps People (Audio)

Jedi Mind Tricks front man Vinnie Paz is releasing his third solo album, The Cornerstone of the Corner Store, this week (October 28). Within, the veteran Philly MC collaborates with the likes of Ghostface Killah, Ras Kass, and D.I.T.C.'s O.C. & A.G. tandem. Besides J.M.T. partner Stoupe The Enemy of... Read more

October 25, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Puts His Life In A Music Video So You Ain’t Gotta Ask

Last week, Joe Budden released his Rage & The Machine album. The third single from the self-released LP is "I Gotta Ask." Featuring a great deal of lyrical, cadence, and beat references to 1998 Jay Z single "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (produced by New Jersey's own 45 King)—this song... Read more

October 25, 2016 Video

Jeru The Damaja, Big Shug & Afu-Ra Stand Tall On The Gang Starr Foundation (Video)

Tragically, at the time of Guru's 2010 death, Gang Starr had not been a unit in more than five years. Guru and DJ Premier had pursued solo ventures, putting their legendary Hip-Hop group indefinitely on hiatus. At that same time, it had been years since the attached Gang Starr Foundation... Read more

October 25, 2016 Video

Questlove & Yasiin Bey Praise Bad Brains’ H.R. In An Upcoming Documentary (Video)

Since the late 1970s, Bad Brains changed the face of Punk Rock music. The Washington, D.C. collective was an all-Black band that blended the hard sounds of early Punk with messages associated with their Rastafarian beliefs. Songs like "Banned In D.C.," "Pay To Cum" and "Sailin' On" (all from their... Read more

October 24, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Mickey Factz Readies His Nottz Collabo LP With 15 Styles In 15 Minutes (Audio)

Mickey Factz has a decorated music career to date. The New York MC has been featured as a XXL "Freshman" in the 2009 yearbook, in addition to making widely circulated songs with Drake, Yelawolf, and Kendrick Lamar, among others. Fresh off of the Nottz-produced video single "414 Words," Factz lays... Read more

October 17, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Discusses Why His Music & Personal Life Are At Their Best In 2016

If you're not constantly challenged, you're probably not doing it right. Joe Budden entered 2016 with a proven career—decorated with a cult music following, reality television history, a podcast, and an Eminem-backed super-group at his side. However, throughout the last 15 years, Joe Budden never seems to get complacent. When... Read more

October 17, 2016 Food for Thought

Hear Unreleased Snippets From RZA & GZA Demos That Birthed The Wu-Tang Clan (Audio)

Wu-Tang Clan's RZA and GZA each had careers prior to 1993's game-changing Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). While GZA's February, 1991 Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records release Words From The Genius garnered some hardcore interest, RZA (t/k/a Prince Rakeem) did not fare as well with his Tommy Boy Records maxi-single, Ooh,... Read more

October 14, 2016 Audio, Throwback

Bad Boy’s Hitmen Justify Taking Hits From The ‘80s & Making ‘Em Feel So Good (Audio)

Since the earliest days of Bad Boy Records there has was a production team in place known as The Hitmen. Sometimes known as "Puffy's Hitmen," the collective included Puff Daddy as a figurehead with a decorated staff that has at times included Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, Nashiem Myrick, Sean C &... Read more

October 12, 2016 Audio

E-40 Has A New Double Album Coming. The First Single Is On One (Audio)

E-40 is an artist who has created a career that's nearly 30 years old. The Vallejo, California Rap kingpin is a master of reinvention, while forever staying true to who he was as a self-made Mail Man, slangin' CDs and tapes out of an Oldsmobile Cutlass since the late '80s.... Read more

October 12, 2016 Audio

Prodigy Details Mobb Deep’s Journey From “Embarrassed” Juveniles To Infamous Stars (Video)

Mobb Deep experienced one of Hip-Hop's largest growths between their first and second albums. 1993's Juvenile Hell debut boasted production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, and a fledgling Havoc. However, the 4th & B'Way Records release did not chart, and was not the album response the teenage duo from Queens,... Read more

October 12, 2016 Video

MC Eiht’s Upcoming Album Includes This DJ Premier Remix (Audio)

MC Eiht and Compton's Most Wanted have a long history with DJ Premier and Gang Starr. In 1992, Preemo remixed "Def Wish II" from the critically-acclaimed Music To Driveby album. Two years later, Eiht dropped a "Geah!" on Premier's answering machine for Hard To Earn's "Aiight Chill" interlude. Even though... Read more

October 11, 2016 Audio

Cold 187um Claims He Created G-Funk & Got Snoop Signed To Death Row (Video)

Last week, Above The Law's Cold 187um released his single "Legacy" featuring Ice Cube and The D.O.C. Premiering at Ambrosia For Heads, the track marked a full-circle reunion with the Pomona, California production and rapping icon with two of his former Ruthless Records label mates. Having just released his The... Read more

October 11, 2016 Video

Bumpy Knuckles Discusses Why He Dissed The Entire Music Industry On “Industry Shakedown” (Video)

Sixteen years ago, Bumpy Knuckles (a/k/a Freddie Foxxx) released The Industry Shakedown. While the album was the Long Island, New York MC/producer's sophomore effort, it was never intended to be so. Instead, the work produced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Diamond D, and The Alchemist was a monstrous attack on... Read more

October 10, 2016 Video

Mic Capes’s Hunger Pains Lead To A Balanced Musical Meal, Channeling Badu & Ahmad (Audio)

Portland, Oregon MC Mic Capes is one of the brightest emerging voices in the Northwest. The artist has cultivated a reputation for pairing his life story with a Hip-Hop purist's knack for concept. In past songs, he's referenced Ice Cube ("One 4 O'shea") set against his own introspective vision. Last... Read more

October 9, 2016 Audio