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U.T.F.O. Member Jeffrey “The Educated Rapper” Campbell Has Passed Away

Founding U.T.F.O. MC The Educated Rapper died yesterday (June 3) after a long battle with cancer. He was believed to be 54 years old. The man born Jeffrey Campbell formed the Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop group in the early 1980s, and worked extensively on the 1985 eponymous album. The Educated... Read more

Regina King Aims To Make Dana Dane’s “Cinderfella” Into A Film

Veteran Brooklyn, New York MC Dana Dane is revered as one of Hip-Hop's pioneering storytellers. Along with Slick Rick, Ice-T, Kool G Rap, Dane represented a mid-1980s crop of MCs who used their words to create expanded narratives that grabbed listeners. A member of the Kangol Crew, one of Dana... Read more

MC Eiht & DJ Premier Make Some New Music To Driveby (Audio)

For more than 30 years, the city of Compton, California has been a Hip-Hop landmark. While N.W.A. may have first put it on the global scale, MC Eiht, King T, and others were right beside them in the '80s. A contemporary of Eazy-E and Dr. Dre who has worked with... Read more

9th Wonder Releases 7 Beats Custom Made For Redman. It’s Time 4 Sum Aksion!! (Audio)

Redman's classic catalog includes some heavy-hitting producers. With a lot of co-production to his credit, Red' made many of his most celebrated hits with Def Squad mentor Erick Sermon. RZA, Pete Rock, Parrish Smith, DJ Scratch, and Rockwilder (who made a critical early appearance on Dare Iz A Darkside) are... Read more

Kool G Rap Is A 30-Year Lyrical Legend. Listen To A Sneak Preview Of His New Album (Audio)

Kool G Rap is frequently considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs. For 31 years, the Queens, New Yorker has helped bring Rap out of an era of simpler deliveries to compound rhyme structures, fast paced flows, and an unrivaled use of cadence. Additionally, he is one of the pioneers of... Read more

Kanye West Or Shakespeare: Who Is More Relevant Right Now? (Video)

One made Hamlet, and one made "H•A•M." William Shakespeare and Kanye West may appear to be very different kinds of artists. However, both creators (one an author and playwright, the other an MC, producer, and designer) greatly shaped the popular culture of their times. Across centuries, mediums, and more, both... Read more

Mr. Lif & Akrobatik Are Reuniting As The Perceptionists. A Short Film Shows Their Journey (Video)

El-P's Definitive Jux Records introduced a number of talented MCs and producers. While Mr. Lif had been on wax dating back to the mid-1990s, the Boston, Massachusetts-based MC released Def Jux's first expanded project, care of 2000's Enters The Colossus EP. Lif would remain a Jukie for much of the... Read more

Dizzy Wright’s Ear Is To The Street. He Listens Then Puts His Plan To Action (Video)

Dizzy Wright has transformed from one of the key players of Funk Volume boom to the flagship artist of Still Movin'. The Las Vegas, Nevada native has proven throughout the decade that he has many styles, a variety of flows, and is capable of personal imagery and dazzling style. Visually,... Read more

Vinnie Paz Takes It Back To 1993 & Shows The Infinite Power Of Hip-Hop (Video)

In 1993, some truly great Hip-Hop music released. Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, and Black Moon made powerful impact with stellar debut albums. They were not alone either. Critical first LPs dropped from The Alkaholiks, Digable Planets, Fat Joe,  Spice 1, Souls Of Mischief, and The Roots hit record store shelves... Read more

Aesop Rock Mourns A Fallen MC & Spits Personal Bars Of Pain (Video)

Nine years ago today (May 25, 2008), MC/producer Camu Tao (aka Tero Smith) died after a battle with lung cancer. At a time when his solo career was gaining strong traction, the Columbus, Ohio native was a linchpin to The Weathermen, MHz, S.A. Smash, Nighthawks groups and El-P's Definitive Jux... Read more

Hip-Hop Fought For Biggie & Won. His Mural Will NOT Be Destroyed.

Late last week, reports circulated that a Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn mural honoring rapper Biggie Smalls would be coming down. A property owner of the building holding the mural near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Quincy Street reportedly intended to make improvements to the building exterior, including more windows on the... Read more

FRESH For 2017: Watch Video Of The Unveiling Of Scott La Rock Boulevard

Boogie Down Productions co-founder Scott La Rock (aka Scott Sterling) was immortalized with a boulevard named in his honor, in the borough he loved. In the Bronx, New York yesterday (May 19), Scott La Rock, Jr., D-Nice, DJ Red Alert, 3rd Bass' Prime Minister Pete Nice, DJ Jazzy Jay, Ultramagnetic... Read more

DMX Punching Chris Lighty Drew Blood Money From His Album (Audio)

This spring, the life and death of acclaimed record executive Chris Lighty has been the subject of an investigative podcast series. Combat Jack has created and hosted Mogul, a weekly look at the evolution of the man who managed A Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent,... Read more

David Banner’s New Album Features Black Thought & K.R.I.T. (Full Audio Stream)

It has been six and a half years since David Banner released an album. In some circles, that Death Of A Pop Star collaboration with 9th Wonder was considered some of D.B.'s finest songwriting. The Mississippi MC/producer with three Top 10 LP releases has thrived without the album format. Now... Read more

Tupac Shakur’s Formative Years: The Young Man Before The Myth (Video)

"I loved my childhood, even though it was bad. I love it. I feel like it's taught me so much. Nothing can faze me. Nothing in this world can surprise me. It might set me back, but only momentarily can it set me back. I think it's helped me to... Read more

Kool G Rap Details How He Helped Launch Nas’ Career & Releases New Cormega Collabo (Video)

In 1995, Kool G Rap released the highest-charting single of his career, "Fast Life." The song merged two Queens legends, as G Rap collaborated with the white-hot Nas, fresh on the heels of his Illmatic debut. While the world may not have known it at the time, the collaboration was... Read more

Impeach The President Got Top Billin’ From Audio Two (Video)

Turn on a lot of American newscasts right now, read the blogs, or encounter a "water-cooler" discussion, and one may likely hear the word "impeachment." Over the last 20 years, this word has re-entered the lexicon in a major way, through several US presidencies, quite obviously including the current. In... Read more

David Banner Raps From The Perspective Of A Tree Used To Hang Black Men (Audio)

For nearly 20 years, David Banner has spoken deeply and frequently about issues of race in and out of the recording booth. The MC/producer double-threat hails from Jackson, Mississippi, a place with some ugliness in its past, especially with regards to the prejudice, violence, and institutional racism against Blacks and... Read more

Teddy Riley Reveals Some Of Heavy D’s Biggest Hits Were Meant For Wreckx-N-Effect

UPDATE: Teddy Riley's full Red Bull Music Academy Festival lecture video with Jeff "Chairman" Mao: ORIGINAL MAY 15 POST: Earlier this month, artist/producer Teddy Riley appeared before a live New York City audience as part of the Red Bull Music Academy speaker series. There, the Harlem, New Yorker spoke about... Read more

MC Ren Reveals That Dr. Dre Ghost-Wrote An Eazy-E Hit (Video)

Throughout his 30-plus-year career, Dr. Dre is one of the Rap superstars who has openly used other songwriters. Throughout the years, Eminem, Jay Z, Ice Cube, The D.O.C., Snoop Dogg, and others have written verses for Andre Young, which contributed to a legendary catalog with at least three storied labels.... Read more

Bizzy Says He & Krayzie Are The Ones Capable Of Creating New Waves For Bone Thugs (Video)

One year ago, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released "Coming Home." The reunion single came just days following the Cleveland Cavaliers' first NBA title crown. In the 52 years between championships across major sports in Cleveland, one of its other symbols of success with Bone Thugs. Winning Grammy's, dominating the charts, changing the... Read more

Scott La Rock To Have Street In The Boogie Down Bronx Named In His Honor (Video)

This upcoming August 27 marks 30 years since Scott La Rock (aka Scott Sterling) was shot and killed in the Bronx, New York. A founding member and DJ/producer of Boogie Down Productions, Scott lived to enjoy just one album release, 1987's classic Criminal Minded. The musical partner of KRS-One, the... Read more

Hear How Warren G Saved Def Jam Records (Audio)

Warren Griffin, III is revered as a  Hip-Hop underdog. The MC/producer/DJ better known as Warren G came up as the shy half-brother of Dr. Dre. Raised in Long Beach, California Warren is the man many believe is responsible for the introduction of Snoop Dogg. Warren, keeping the music going at... Read more

25 Years Later, Listening To Gang Starr Remains A Daily Operation (Video)

Twenty five years ago today (May 5, 1992), Gang Starr's two-man crew of the late Guru and DJ Premier released their third album, Daily Operation. Less than a year and a half prior, the Brooklyn, New York-based pair proved that they were a 1980s Hip-Hop group on a heavy upward... Read more

Listen To The Sure Shot Verse From MCA’s Career Through Large Professor’s Remix (Video)

Five years ago today (May 4, 2012), the world was shocked to learn about the death of Adam "MCA" Yauch. It is a loss that Hip-Hop is very much still mourning. The co-founder of the Beastie Boys impacted lives on and off the microphone, across mediums. However, from Tibetan Freedom... Read more

Brother Ali Details How Our Pleasures Are Used By Those In Power To Control Us

After a nearly five-year break, Brother Ali will release All The Beauty In This Whole Life this Friday (May 5). The Rhymesayers Entertainment mainstay has crafted an album that confronts so many issues in the modern universe. Ali Newman has a lot to say on what's happening with the world, and while... Read more

MC Eiht, WC & DJ Premier Form An East/West Connection In Crazy Toones’ Final Video

In January of this year, Hip-Hop lost a talented DJ and producer in Crazy Toones. Passing away on the ninth day of the year, Toones was part of WC & The M.a.a.D Circle ('Dub is his brother) and worked with Ice Cube, Westside Connection, and Kurupt. Part of MC Eiht's... Read more

Gift Of Gab, R.A. The Rugged Man & A-F-R-O Rap With Fast & Furious Flows (Audio)

Blackalicious MC Gift Of Gab released a new EP last week called Rejoice! Rappers Are Rapping Again!. The Sacramento, California veteran MC extraordinaire known for his early 2000s "Alphabet Aerobics" lyrical exercise (that even had "Harry Potter" busting raps) and a host of other dazzling displays releases a song that... Read more

Kool G Rap Strikes With 1st Single In 6 Years. Lil Fame & Freeway Back Up The Bars (Audio)

Lyrical Rap legend Kool G Rap has released his first official solo single in more than six years. Approaching June 2's Return Of The Don album, G Rap prepares his first album with a single producer since his heralded 1989 Marley Marl-produced debut, Road To The Riches. This time around, the onetime mentor to... Read more

MC Eiht Releases The Tracklist & A New Song From His Collabo Album With DJ Premier (Audio)

One week ago, MC Eiht and DJ Quik released not one but two collaborations on Q-U-I-K & Problem's Rosecrans album. Those tracks, which closed the Diamond Lane Music Group release signified peace after a beef that dominated the 1990s in Rap music. Two Compton, California natives who literally threatened each... Read more

Hear The Song That Got Replaced By “The Beautiful Ones” On Prince’s Purple Rain (Audio)

Prince's career and mainstream recognition changed drastically with 1984's Purple Rain. While the Minneapolis, Minnesota musician had enjoyed two Top 10 hits with 1999, this album (and the film it accompanied) tipped the scale and cemented a living legend. Nine tracks and less than 44 minutes long, the #1 album... Read more

DJ Pooh Confirms “Last Friday” Is Happening. He Also Defends Chris Tucker’s Exit (Video)

DJ Pooh is a legendary Hip-Hop mix-master and producer who has made hits with Ice Cube, King T, LL Cool J, Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop, plus Tupac Shakur. However, measuring success, the West Coast Hip-Hop pioneer may be best known for co-writing Friday. Also a highly-accomplished director and an... Read more

ScHoolboy Q & Ty Dolla $ign Ensure Anderson .Paak’s Funky Hit Never Comes Down (Audio)

Throughout the last 20 months, Anderson .Paak has risen to become the latest musical mainstay from Southern California. In the last several years, he joins a class of peers and collaborators that includes ScHoolboy Q and Ty Dolla $ign, among a few others. On 2016's Grammy-nominated Malibu album, Paak put... Read more

Killer Mike Interviews George Clinton. They Keep It All The Way Funky (Video)

Killer Mike bought and launched the SWAG Shop when his music career was gaining momentum as a retail and real estate investment. Once an admitted hustler, Mike Bigga saw he and his wife's shop as a lasting, legal venture that would also keep him connected to his Atlanta, Georgia community.... Read more

Disco Four MC & Rucker Park Basketball Pioneer Greg Marius Passes Away At Age 59

Greg Marius is deeply responsible for two Harlem institutions: Hip-Hop and street basketball. This past weekend (April 22), Marius passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 59 years old. In the early 1980s, Greg joined Kurtis Blow and Spoonie Gee as one of Uptown Manhattan's early Rap... Read more

Kid Capri Details Exactly How B.D.P. Hijacked The Stage From P.M. Dawn (Video)

Kid Capri's vocals can be heard multiple times on the current #1 album in the country. The Bronx, New York DJ, producer, and onetime MC put his voice on multiple tracks belonging to Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. In a career that spans 30 years of mixtapes, Def Comedy Jam, production for... Read more

Dr. Octagon Is Back In The Operating Room With New Music

In 2017 Dr. Octagon is making big waves after years in idle. More than 20 calendars after Kool Keith, Dan The Automator, DJ QBert and others recorded the cult-lauded Dr. Octagonecologyst album, the fictional persona is back in the symbolic operating room. Keith, Dan, and QBert performed their first ever... Read more

It’s Record Store Day. Go Back & Tour Hip-Hop’s Most Famous Vinyl Destination (Video)

Hip Hop music started in the early 1970s, when DJs used at least two turntables and their vinyl records to prolong the sections of songs that dancers and party-goers most responded to. By the end of the decade, rappers and DJs were making their own Hip-Hop records, including hits by... Read more

Westside Connection: DJ Quik & MC Eiht Release Their First Ever Collaborations (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been. Not only are we able to go back and... Read more

Stretch & Bobbito Are Returning To Make Hip-Hop Radio Great Again (Video)

Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber are two juggernauts of Hip-Hop radio. As the 2015 Radio That Changed Lives documentary showed, these two New Yorkers played critical roles in the careers and subsequent success of Nas, Jay Z, Biggie, Eminem, Big L, Wu-Tang Clan, Pharoahe Monch, MF DOOM, Company Flow,... Read more

Homeboy Sandman Doesn’t Need Slang To Sling Great Raps In This Video

On March 31, Homeboy Sandman released Veins. That LP boasts beats by 88-Keys, Kev Brown, Audible Doctor, and others. Now a mainstay at Stones Throw Records, the Queens, New York MC dropped the visual to album highlight "Bamboo." The RTNC-laced track (De La Soul, Yasiin Bey, Action Bronson) lends itself... Read more

Chuuwee Looks At His Own Wonder Years With Enthusiasm (Video)

In the last month, Sacramento, California artist Chuuwee released his Paradiso album. The 10-track, 40-minute project finds the veteran breaking the ice on 2017 with his first video. The "Enthusiasm" visual recreates the 8mm home-video effect from the 1960s and 1970s. In a statement to Ambrosia For Heads, the MC... Read more

Too Short Kept The Funk In The Trunk With This Telling Verse Of His Career (Video)

In 1992, Hip-Hop was changing. The Bay Area, while always an important market for Hip-Hop, had finally produced stars. Oakland's M.C. Hammer had fast become Rap's then all-time best-seller with his Capitol Records Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em campaign. Digital Underground, signed to the same East Coast-based Tommy Boy Records... Read more

Anderson .Paak’s Throwback Video Teaches That Scared Money Never Gets Paid In Full

In 2016, Anderson .Paak started the year in truly incredible form thanks to Malibu. However, the Southern California MC/singer/drummer/producer was far from done. Amidst an Aftermath Entertainment signing and a clamor of strong features alongside everybody from Mac Miller to ScHoolboy Q, A Tribe Called Quest to Rapsody, .Paak and... Read more

Artifacts Stay On The Wrong Side Of Da Tracks, But They’re Back With The Right Video

Twenty years ago this month (April 15, 1997), The Artifacts released their sophomore album, That's Them. El Da Sensei and Tame One (as well as DJ Kaos) followed the success of "Wrong Side Of da Tracks" and Between A Rock And A Hard Place with an album that paved the... Read more

25 Years Ago Das EFX Checked The Mic With Dead Serious Rhymes (Video)

1992 was a deeply transitional year for Hip-Hop. By the end of the calendar, The Chronic and Stunts, Blunts, and Hip Hop were heavy in the air. However, one of the first sparks of the hardcore flame came in the form of another debut. That album, Das EFX's Dead Serious,... Read more

Stetsasonic’s Bobby Simmons Argues They Are The Only Hip-Hop Band (Audio)

Author and filmmaker Bonz Malone previously published a coffee-table book, Hip Hop Immortals. Inside the 2002 text, there is a historic, panoramic photo of Stetsasonic and The Roots in a line with their hands up. Together, these two Northeast acts (one famous since the mid-1980s, and the other from the... Read more

Page Kennedy’s Latest Freestyle Leaves Weak Rappers In The Weeds (Video)

Page Kennedy is promoting his recently-released Torn Pages album the best way that he possibly can. The veteran actor from Blue Mountain State ("Radon Randell") and Weeds ("U-Turn") isn't using his Hollywood resumé to pump the LP, he's relying on his exceptional freestyles. It is hard to find a more... Read more

Evidence Returns With One Of His Best Songs In Years. He Reigns On An Alchemist Beat.

It has been nearly six years since Evidence released a solo album. For many fans, 2011's Cats & Dogs reached a new zenith for the Dilated Peoples and Stepbrothers veteran. Still running with Rhymesayers, the 20-year veteran is in even stronger form on new video single, "Throw It All Away."... Read more

Talib Kweli Drops a 64-Bar Video With The Kind Of Wordplay That Made Him A Star.

Talib Kweli is fast at work on his collaborative album with The LOX's Styles P. However, in the meantime, Kweli offers up a fresh batch of 64 bars built around everything that's made this Brooklyn, New Yorker so great for 20 years and counting. Just as Talib did on his... Read more