Audio Archives

Wale – No Pain, No Gain

Wale has many looks, styles and presentations. Since the days of "Nike Boots," my favorite Wale channel is when he seems to close his eyes in the booth, and get bigger than life with the inspirational music. Without ever being corny, Wale's "Ambition," and the aforementioned mixtape cut sound so... Read more

August 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Blitz the Ambassador – BISA ft Nneka & Ty

I've never heard Blitz the Ambassador before but I've long been a fan of Nigerian artist Nneka, so I checked out their collabo. What I found was a very pleasant surprise, a soulful song of quiet revolution. This is an examination of current conditions in many African countries (as well... Read more

August 23, 2013 Audio

Slim Thug – Coming Down (Every Town) ft Big K.R.I.T., Z-Ro & Kirko Bangz

Outside of Geto Boys and UGK, I have always used Slim Thug as an illustration to what makes Houston Hip-Hop so unique, and so great. Thugga's not always big on deep thought, but his boisterous vocals, smooth style and regional cadence have accented some truly great music over the last... Read more

August 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Krizz Kaliko – Scars ft. Tech N9ne

Fresh off the heels of Tech N9ne’s highest-charting album to date, Something Else, Krizz Kaliko hopes to continue the success his label mate achieved with his latest project. Son Of Sam consists of 16 tracks, and judging by the few already released singles, it’s going to be filled with the same... Read more

August 22, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ron Rico – Can I ft Rapper Big Pooh, Skyzoo & Tony V

Rapper Big Pooh, Skyzoo and Tony V jump on a soul-tinged track from producer Ron Rico. Check out Can I below. Related: Rapper Big Pooh – Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 3: Happy Birthday, Thomas (Album Stream)... Read more

August 21, 2013 Audio

The Underachievers – Leaving Scraps

The Underachievers are back with a surprising new track that draws on a Southern Funk sounding track (reminiscent of UGK and 8Ball & MJG). The Lex Luger-produced beat is a departure from some of their 90's east coast flavored music and it suits them. Check out Leaving Scraps. Related: Astro... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio

Goodie M.O.B. – Age Against the Machine (Album Stream)

Can't wait to hear Goodie M.O.B.'s new Age Against the Machine album? Say no more. You can listen to a full stream of the album here at amazon.com. The album is in stores on 8/26. Related: Goodie M.O.B. – Special Education ft Janelle Monae (Video)... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio

Oddisee – Lonely Planet

How should an artist follow up a year that included him winning “Best Hip-Hop/Rap” album by iTunes UK? By releasing a completely instrumental LP of course. Ok, maybe that isn’t the most traditional of routes to take for an artist following one of the biggest years of their career, but... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Wiz Khalifa – Look Into My Eyes

Now focused on family and albums, Wiz Khalifa's output (at least what he releases) has slowed quite a bit in 2013. Touring, family and a big year for expanding Taylor Gang Records has kept the Steel City MC from churning out songs. "Look Into My Eyes" is a welcomed catch-up.... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rapsody – Jedi Code ft Phonte & Jay Electronica

I had to sit down for this one. Seriously. It's not knee-jerk early-edition hyperbole for me to deem this my favorite collaboration of 2013. In the order of appearance, Phonte calls back to Minstrel Show Phonte, not to say that he hasn't had lethal bars since then, but this cocky... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AZ – I Excel

Not since the Disposable Arts-era Masta Ace have I seen artist with an already-heralded career get consistently better with time. No longer signed to the major EMI Records, you cannot help but acknowledge that Tha Visualiza's intricate and vivid imagery is just as good, if not better than "Rather Unique."... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Janelle Monae – Prime Time ft Miguel

Here's a new song from Janelle Monae and Miguel that feels a lot like Purple Rain-era Prince, in a GREAT way. Check out Prime Time. Related: Janelle Monae – Q.U.E.E.N. ft Erykah Badu (Video)... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio

Big Sean – First Chain ft Nas & Kid Cudi

Big Sean's Hall Of Fame is exfoliating some of its biggest assets. On "First Chain," Sean channels early Kanye West's penchant for Jacob The Jeweler talk, as he links with Def Jam Records big brother Nas, and contemporary/former label-mate Kid Cudi. Since the days of Nice & Smooth's "Gold," this... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

The Weeknd – Live For ft Drake

Together, The Weeknd & Drake can break many hearts, but they also be able to break the Internet when they collaborate. Toronto's newest wave collaborates for "Live For."With a combined age less than 50, how do you think this pair of free-music givers told Universal Motown Group flagship acts stack... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Lupe Fiasco – SLR 3 (Round of Applause)

Lupe Fiasco spits a tough freestyle over a smoothed out jazz track. You can do the math on the subject of the verse. Check out SLR 3 (Round of Applause). Related: Lupe Fiasco – #DopeFrancis (American Trap) (Audio)... Read more

August 18, 2013 Audio

Bumpy Knuckles – New York, Where You At?

Bumpy Knuckles goes in on a slowed down version of the beat Diamond D used on I'm Outta Here. It's more OG New York pride than a response to Kendrick. Check out New York, Where You At? Related: The 25 Greatest Diss Records of All-Time (Food For Thought)... Read more

August 17, 2013 Audio

Joe Budden – Control Freestyle

Joe Budden joins his Slaughterhouse brother Joell Ortiz in responding to Kendrick Lamar--and he names names too...He also reps heavy for New York legends he thinks were disrespected like The Lox, State Property, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, Big Pun and more. Check it out below. Who do you... Read more

August 17, 2013 Audio

The 25 Greatest Diss Records of All-Time

This has been one of the biggest weeks for Hip-Hop in a long, long time. The foundation was set on Sunday when Hip-Hop turned 40 (at least if you count the first party Kool Herc through in the Bronx as the official anniversary). What became even the bigger story, however,... Read more

August 17, 2013 Audio

Dizzy Wright – World Peace

In a week of fierce lyrical warfare, Dizzy Wright changes the tone with his latest release. If you miss that Rawkus-era conscious Hip-Hop. This one's for you. Check out the introspective and insightful World Peace. Related: Dizzy Wright – The Flavor ft SwizZz (Video)... Read more

August 16, 2013 Audio

Papoose – Control (Kendrick Lamar Response)

Out of all the responses to Kendrick Lamar's verse, Papoose's is BY FAR the most personal. Papoose takes aim at K. Dot (and damn near every other commercially successful rapper) claiming Kendrick contributed to the "feminization of the Black male" and more (going in for 4+ minutes). This is more... Read more

August 16, 2013 Audio

Goodie M.O.B. – Pinstripes ft T.I.

Goodie M.O.B. gets a verse from fellow Atlien T.I. on their latest release. Check out Pinstripes. Related: Goodie M.O.B. – Special Education ft Janelle Monae (Video)... Read more

August 16, 2013 Audio

Earl Sweatshirt – Sasquatch ft Tyler, The Creator

With the release of Doris just 5 days away, a leaked track featuring Earl Sweatshirt and the leader of Odd Future hit the masses. Earl teams up with band-mate Tyler, The Creator on “Sasquatch," which features laid-back production and some entertaining lyrics. Always the lightning rod for controversy, Tyler spits... Read more

August 15, 2013 Audio, Fresh

No Malice – Shame The Devil ft Pusha T

Isn't it amazing that No Malice and Pusha T are releasing debut albums in the same Summer? They have more in common with Outkast than both being stranded in the Arista/Jive Records merger of the mid-2000s now. From his solo album Hear Ye Him which drops August 18, No Malice... Read more

August 15, 2013 Audio, Fresh

K-Def – The Meeting ft Blu

Need some underground music in your life? K-Def and Blu have you covered. K-Def provides a RZA-like track, complete with eerie strings, and Blu goes in. Check out The Meeting. Related: Slum Village – Let It Go ft Blu (Audio)... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Astro – KONY (Prod. Statik Selektah)

Astro has dropped one of the better response records so far to Kendrick Lamar's verse on Control. In the first verse, Astro answers most of Kendrick's assertions point by point. However, the 2nd verse is even more interesting because he takes New York rappers to task for jocking Kendrick too... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Eminem – Survival

Although it might be background music to a video game commercial, anything Mr. Mathers does usually ends up at the forefront of hip-hop news. As guns are blasting during the latest preview of Call of Duty: Ghosts, a closer listen reveals Eminem himself shooting lyrical bullets off his new track... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Ghostface Killah & Killah Priest Doing A Collaborative Album?

If you would have asked me in the late '90s for a Top 10 of Hip-Hop's elite lyricists du jour, it would have been hard not to praise Killah Priest. From the Sunz Of Man's stellar debut album, to one of the most conceptually-dense LPs of the last 15 years... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rapsody – Kingship (Prod. DJ Premier)

I attended a small listening session for Rapsody's upcoming mixtape She Got Game last night. It is hands down one of the best projects of the year so far (album or mixtape) with production from 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Terrace Martin and more, as well as guest verses from Ab-Soul, Raekwon,... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Meek Mill – Lil Ni**a Snupe

It’s been almost two months since the Louisiana shooting-murder of Dream Chasers hopeful Lil Snupe (reportedly over a video game), but the memory still rings true for the man who signed him just moments after hearing his demo. In the newly released “Lil Ni**a Snupe” produced by Boi-1da & The... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

A$AP Ferg – Trap Lord (Album Stream)

Following the blazing rise of A$AP Rocky, many wondered who would be next to step to the forefront for the A$AP Mob. But after the success of his recent tracks “Work Remix” and “Shabba,” it certainly appears that the next in line is none other than A$AP Ferg. With his... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Lupe Fiasco – #DopeFrancis (American Trap)

What’s your favorite pope-titled Hip-Hop song? If you’re coming up blank or merely thinking of Bishop Lamont mixtapes, Lupe Fiasco has your answer. The Chicago MC presents his latest track “#DopeFrancis (American Trap),” in which religious wordplay and metaphors are prevalent throughout his bars. Always one known for controversial lyrics,... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Bonic – Streets Luv Me ft Schoolboy Q & Troy Ave

Here's a new track from Bonic that features Schoolboy Q and Troy Ave. Check out Streets Luv Me. Related: Schoolboy Q – Collard Greens ft Kendrick Lamar (Video)... Read more

August 13, 2013 Audio

Joell Ortiz – Outta Control (Kendrick Lamar Response)

Joell Ortiz is the first to respond to Kendrick Lamar's claim that he is in King of New York on Big Sean's song Control. Joell's response is called Outta Control...The dog days of Summer may be over but it's about to get HOT. Check it out below. Related: Big Sean... Read more

August 13, 2013 Audio

Terrace Martin – 3ChordFold (Full Album Stream)

Terrace Martin's 3ChordFold album hit stores today. The album features Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Wiz Khalifa, Musiq Soulchild, Robert Glasper, James Fauntleroy, Lalah Hathaway, Snoop Dogg and more. If you like soulful hip-hop with introspective lyrics, this one's for you. You can stream the entire album below and purchase it here.... Read more

August 13, 2013 Audio

Black Milk – Perfected on Puritan Ave

Black Milk is one of the most underrated double threats in the game. Dude is a beast both on the mic and behind the boards. He has a new album called No Poison No Paradise which will hit stores on 10/15. His latest release from the project is called Perfected... Read more

August 13, 2013 Audio

Big Sean – Control ft Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica

DAMN. Kendrick Lamar just lyrically assassinated an entire generation of MCs--and he named names!! J. Cole, Drake, Wale, Meek Mill, Big KRIT, Pusha T? All got murked on one record. K. Dot even took out Big Sean on his own song. Kendrick also boldly proclaims himself as the current king... Read more

August 13, 2013 Audio

Terrace Martin – Triangleship ft Kendrick Lamar

Terrace Martin's new album 3ChordFold hits stores at midnight tonight. Until then, he's dropped another hot record. This one features none other than Kendrick Lamar on the hook. Check out Triangleship. Related: Terrace Martin – You’re The One ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Tone Trezure (Audio)... Read more

August 12, 2013 Audio

Jim-E-O – Special ft Lab Ox

I love the independent grind. Texas rapper Jim-E-O is a car salesman by day, devoted father by night and passionate artist by nature. His latest single, Special, deals with the toll the daily juggling act can take on a relationship, even with someone who Is truly special. Check it out... Read more

August 12, 2013 Audio

DJ Skizz – Light Years ft Roc Marciano, A.G., O.C. & Godfather Pt. 3

Here's a grimy new track from DJ Skizz featuring Roc Marciano, A.G., O.C. & Godfather Pt. 3. Check out Light Years. Related: DJ Skizz – Vio-Lence ft Lil Fame & Ill Bill (Video)... Read more

August 11, 2013 Audio

Krayzie Bone – The Future ft Pozition

Krayzie Bone paints a vivid picture of the future (and the present) in his latest release, and it's bleak. He takes aim at materialism, conspiracy theories, soulless Hip-Hop and more. Check out The Future featuring Pozition. Related: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Everything 100 (Audio)... Read more

August 11, 2013 Audio

The Rub: The History of Recorded Hip-Hop From 1979-Present (Audio)

We continue our all-day long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the weekend Hip-Hop was born with the music. Here are links to a collection of Hip-Hop mixes that document Hip-Hop music from 1979-2009, YEAR BY YEAR. The mixes are courtesy of The Rub, one of the dopest DJ collectives... Read more

August 10, 2013 Audio

Juicy J – Ain’t No Comin’ Down Remix ft T.I.

I'm personally anxious to see who has the better album: Juicy J's Stay Trippy or 2 Chainz' B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. Both spitters are very similar, even though Juice has been doing it over a decade longer (on the big stage, anyway). Both of these men have a style and... Read more

August 9, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Realm Reality – Concrete Jazz ft Ea$y Money & Spit Gemz

Realm Reality takes on a flow reminiscent of early Eminem in his latest release. Check out Concrete Jazz featuring Ea$y Money & Spit Gemz. Related: Realm Reality - Sleeping With the Enemy ft Melody Angel (Audio)... Read more

August 9, 2013 Audio

Stalley – NineteenEighty7 ft Schoolboy Q

Stalley drops one of his toughest joints yet. He takes on a more aggressive flow over a soulful 70's track and adds Schoolboy Q to the hook. Check out NineteenEighty7 below. His Honest Cowboy album will be released tomorrow (8/8). Related: Stalley Freestyles On Sway In The Morning (Video)... Read more

August 7, 2013 Audio, Video

Rapsody – Never Know ft. Ab-Soul, Nipsey Hussle & Terrace Martin

I really love the Jamla/TDE/Nipsey Hussle connection. What 9th Wonder did so seamlessly with Brooklyn in the mid-'00s (Smif N' Wessun, Sean Price, Buckshot and Jean Grae) now seems to work with South Central, Los Angeles and C-Arson. "Never Know" is a truly versatile joint produced by the professor himself.... Read more

August 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Terrace Martin – You’re The One ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Tone Trezure

To me, this sounds like a hybrid of DJ Quik and J Dilla, with a nice composition for two rising features. That being said, Terrace Martin is completely his own man, and one of the most exciting producers in Southern California since the '90s. His 3ChordFold is out next week... Read more

August 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Suicide Kings – Savages ft M.O.P.

Anybody who knows me knows that M.O.P. is one of my favorite groups in all of music. The same way that Public Enemy channeled Hard Rock angst and chutzpah in the '80s, Billy Danze and Lil Fame rocked out in the '90s. While I hope we get another LP with... Read more

August 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul – Christopher DRONEr

Whoa. Ab-Soul gets his Michael Moore on in his latest release and takes on the government, military and consumerism with one shot. The song plays like a more complex part 2 to Kanye West's New Slaves (and Soulo's references at the end of the track bring it full circle), and... Read more

August 6, 2013 Audio

Remembering George Duke: A Tribute Playlist (Audio)

Rest in peace to George Duke. The multi-talented jazz musician died at the age of 67 yesterday, after a battle with Leukemia. Duke's music was a landmark presence in hip-hop, having been sampled by artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, Common, Slum Village, Spice 1, Pete Rock &... Read more

August 6, 2013 Audio, Playlists

Nipsey Hussle – Change Nothing

Nipsey Hussle keeps the new releases coming. The latest is about staying true to himself. Check out Change Nothing. Related: Nipsey Hussle – Summertime in That Cutlass (Audio)... Read more

August 6, 2013 Audio