Fresh Archives

Tony Yayo is Back with a Vengeance…and He Brought Joell Ortiz & Uncle Murda. This is New York Life (Audio)

Tony Yayo goes in with Joell Ortiz and Uncle Murda over a track that is hard as nails. This is New York Life. Related: Young Buck & Game Hit The Studio For The First Time In Almost 10 Years (Video)... Read more

April 3, 2014 Throwback

Jay Electronica Laces The New Royales with Some Choice Verses on Minutes of Moog (Audio)

After a long hiatus, Jay Electronica is back with a 2nd song in as many weeks. Last week, he and Jay Z set the internet on fire with their We Made It freestlye. Now, Jay Elec lends some laid back verses to The New Royales' Minutes of Moog. This is... Read more

April 3, 2014 Audio

Add-2 Makes Perhaps The Realest Rap Commentary On The Violence In Chicago (Video)

Since long before he was a Jamla artist, Add-2 has been grinding, part of the independent renaissance coming from Chicago, Illinois since the mid-2000s and before. Now teaming with The Away Team/Soul Council's Khrysis, Add is reaching a higher plateau with an expanding audience. Hurt and disgusted by the violence... Read more

April 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

SZA Delivers A Tune In Sweet November That Sounds Like An Early ’70s Time Capsule (Audio)

Top Dawg Entertainment's SZA is something special. While some of her material sounds especially futuristic, other moments, like today's "Sweet November" sound like holdover sessions from the late '60s or early '70s. This Z EP inclusion is the latter style, sounding like a catchy love ballad that might sound fine... Read more

April 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

If You Want To Understand No Malice’s Newfound Principles, Listen To These Backroom Bars (Video)

In the last week, a March video interview at South By Southwest found No Malice adamantly dismissing rumors of another Clipse album. While Heads across the universe may have sighed, eye-rolled, or just flat-out been upset, the artist formerly known as Malice has his reasons. The Virginia lyricist still takes... Read more

April 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

24 Hours After Draft Day, Drake’s Got A Slowed Down, Melodic Days In The East (Audio)

Late Tuesday/early Wednesday Drake let some bars off with the talk of the proverbial town in "Draft Day." Drizzy drops two songs in as many days now with "Days In The East." The song explores cross-town love, and its affect on perspective. PartyNextDoor produced this sung track, with some thumping... Read more

April 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Hulk Hogan Speaks on How Mr. T Changed Wrestling Forever (Video)

Pro Wrestling has been a staple in Rap lyrics for years. Artists ranging from Ghostface Killah to Action Bronson have referred to their favorite heroes and heels in songs. In preparation for Wrestlemania 30, Hulk Hogan, the biggest wrestling star of them all, sat down with Arsenio and talked about... Read more

April 2, 2014 Throwback

RZA Claims He’s Already Had A $5 Million Offer For The Wu-Tang Clan One Of One Album

Last week, AFH was among the first to report on a Wu-Tang Clan album, recorded in and currently stored in the nation of Morocco. Produced largely by longtime WTC affiliate Cilvaringz, the 31-track LP known as Wu: Once Upon A Time In Shaolin is reported to be only released on... Read more

April 2, 2014 Fresh

The Boondocks Is Back, But Will It Be the Same Without Aaron McGruder? (Video)

The Boondocks makes its return to Adult Swim on 4/21, but this will be the first season that was not under the stewardship of franchise creator, Aaron McGruder. Do you think the show will be the same without its fearless leader? Here's a look at the official trailer for Season... Read more

April 2, 2014 Video

Janelle Monae Covers The David Bowie Classic & She Does It Justice (Audio)

Just two weeks after Miguel (with Wale) tackled the Elton John classic "Bennie & The Jets," another British musical icon with decades of hits gets covered. Janelle Monae revisited David Bowie's transcending 1977 hit "Heroes" for the upcoming Rio 2 film soundtrack. While The Wallflowers and Oasis have both covered... Read more

April 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

2014 Record Store Day Will Include Limited Edition Gil Scott Heron Recordings, Including This 2008 Gem (Audio)

It's soon to be almost three years since the world lost an amazing singer, poet and author in Gil Scott Heron. The Harlem, New York-based Heron is known for creating the basis of songs that spoke candidly about the last days of the Civil Rights Era, drug use, gentrification, and... Read more

April 2, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Shots Fired!!! Drake Strikes Back At Jay Z AND Chance the Rapper (Audio)

Two Sundays ago, Jay Z shook things up in the Rap hemisphere with a Jay Electronica collaboration where Hov seemingly addressed Drake's Rolling Stone magazine comments, criticizing the art and fashion contents of his Magna Carta...Holy Grail raps. So Jay sarcastically apologized in the song, apparently addressing Drake as "Miss... Read more

April 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

RIP Marvin Gaye: Here’s a Playlist Celebrating the Hip-Hop Legacy He Left (Video)

Rest in peace to Marvin Gaye who died 30 years ago today. He left the world with countless soul classics, but he also had an incredible impact on Hip-Hop. To celebrate that legacy, here's a video playlist of songs that sampled his music. You'll hear Ice Cube, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The... Read more

April 1, 2014 Playlists, Video

RIP Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House Music

Rest in peace to Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House Music. Knuckles passed away yesterday at the age of 59, due to complications related to diabetes. Though he was born in the Bronx, Knuckles moved to Chicago and became a dominant force in the House scene there. He produced a... Read more

April 1, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

Mobb Deep Give Gritty Insight Into Life on Their Block (Audio)

Mobb Deep's deluxe re-packaging of their classic, The Infamous, hit stores today. They've included several stellar bonus cuts with the re-release, including My Block, produced by up and coming hit maker Kaytranada, which you can hear below. Check it out and you can pick up the entire bonus album at... Read more

April 1, 2014 Audio

Big Boi Gets Beautifully Trippy With A Paul McCartney & Wings Blend (Video)

OutKast Heads may remember that the third member of Earthtone III, 'Kast's mixmaster, Mr. DJ, had a Wings sample on his MySpace back in the day. While Big Boi's latest mash-up does not tap into that "Wild Life" joint, Daddy Fat Sax morphed his 2012 single, "Mama Told Me" with... Read more

April 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Did You Know Smoke DZA’s Name is a Tribute to Snoop? The Boss Dogg and DZA Converse on GGN (Video)

Smoke DZA's album Dream.ZONE.Achieve hit stores today. Here's another release from the album, the soulful Bamma Weed featuring Flatbush Zombies, as well as an entertaining episode of Snoop Dogg's GGN featuring the Kushed God. Snoop and DZA talk pro wrestling, the origins of DZA's name (a tribute to Snoop) and... Read more

April 1, 2014 Audio, Video

LeBron James Has Skills on the Court But Can He Rock the Mic? Roll With Us You Know We Got It…(Audio)

LeBron James has been named in his fair share of raps and, of course, he is friends with some of the biggest names in the game. Now, 'Bron has put down the rock and grabbed the mic, rapping over Jay Z and Rick Ross' F**kWithMeYouKnowIGotIt. Check out RollWithMeYouKnowIGotIt. Think it's... Read more

April 1, 2014 Audio

Denitia And Sene Are Divided On A Slow & Sexy Beat (Audio)

One of the popular producers in this style of Hip-Hop, Christian Rich, laces Sene and Denitia with this slow-moving, smoky and sexual song about how being apart affects being together. Sene's definitely headed in a different direction than what Heads witnessed with Blu over the years. How do you feel... Read more

April 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kanye West Isn’t The Only Artist To End Up In The Trunk Of A Woman’s Car. 50 Cent Follows (Video)

It's now safe to assume that if 50 Cent releases a song from Animal Ambition, you'll get the video within 24 hours. This held true of the Dr. Dre & Dawaun Parker-produced "Smoke." Following yesterday's intentional leak, the video arrives. This visual kind of ends up where Kanye West's "Flashing... Read more

April 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck Inglish & Action Bronson Bring Throwback Elements To New Music In Gametime (Audio)

The lead-up to Chuck Inglish's Convertibles is in at least fourth gear. The Cool Kids MC plans his LP for next Tuesday (April 8th), and he unleashed "Gametime" featuring a blog-era Rap contemporary, Action Bronson. Both MCs are known for throwback qualities, subject matters, and favored production styles. That's very... Read more

April 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What If You Treated Your Haters Like Mortal Kombat? Freeway, Girl Talk & Waka Flocka Flame Show You How (Video)

One week from today, Freeway & Girl Talk are releasing Broken Ankles EP via DatPiff. The State Property vet from Philly and the mash-up/legal juggernaut from Pittsburgh may make an unlikely pair, however, there's clearly something special here. "Tolerated" shows that. The Keystone State kids walk around Hollywood, encountering hate... Read more

April 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

In a Year Where Winter is Lingering, Here’s Some Sunshine From Wale, Rick Ross & Common (Audio)

In a year where winter seemingly will not go away, here's some Sunshine from Wale, Common and Rick Ross. Check out the remix. Related: Rick Ross & Wale Remix Lorde’s Royals. Did Anyone Tell Them What the Song Was About? (Audio)... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio

Michael Jackson’s Archives Are Going To Be Produced By Which Hip-Hop Super-Producer? (Video)

It's soon to be five years since "The King Of Pop" Michael Jackson tragically passed away. In addition to a diamond-paved catalog of hit songs and blockbuster albums, M.J. is soon to have a second posthumous LP. Named Xscape (no relation to the '90s girl group), details are starting to... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

CyHi The Prynce’s 3:16 Celebrates One Of His Verses (Video)

Now over a month removed from CyHi The Prynce's Black Hystori project, the G.O.O.D. Music hopeful continues to bring renewed shine to his bars through some recent freestyle and interview appearances. "3:16," made with the same sample De La Soul and Jay Dee made a classic with back in '96,... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joey Bada$$ Gives the Assist to Smoke DZA on Fhvt BVsturd (Audio)

Cinematic Music Group's Smoke DZA and Joey Bada$$ re-team on one last release before Smoke DZA's Dream.Zone.Achieve drops tomorrow. Check out Fhvt BVsturd. Related: Smoke DZA – Gotham F*cking City ft Joey Bada$$ (Video)... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio

Tech N9ne & Murs Come Together For The First Time as Label Mates on Hard (Audio)

Through Paid Dues, Murs and Tech N9ne go back. Two independent Hip-Hop titans who manage to succeed in a changing music industry after botched major label deals, Murray and Tech have plenty in common. Following Murs joining Strange Music for a Strange deal, the two lyricists with incredibly high opinions... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Diamond D & Pharoahe Monch’s Collaborations Continue In Rap Life (Video)

The D.I.T.C. x Organized Konfusion history goes beyond O.C. Pharoahe Monch and Diamond D have been working together since 1997's The Equinox, with additional work on Monch's solo albums. That action continues on "Rap Life." With Alchemist making a cameo, we see the two New York O.G.'s making the track,... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Spazzes Out With Alicia Keys On The Pharrell-Produced New Spiderman Anthem (Audio)

Many times, rapping (even incredibly dope, innovative, skillful rapping) comes after the chorus, tucked away in the song when it comes to mainstream R&B/Pop/Hip-Hop blends. This is not at all the case with the single from The Amazing Spiderman 2 film. Kendrick Lamar goes in to the nucleus to kick... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

No Malice Puts Clipse Fans’ Hopes To Bed. “Being Very Clear” (Video)

Like all great groups (Outkast, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan), The Clipse are currently sending some mixed messages in regards to their status. Both Pusha T and No Malice released studio albums in 2013, with very different sounds and messages. Push appeared on Mal's Hear Ye Him, which went... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent & Dr. Dre Team Up Again. But How Will It Sound In Da Club? (Audio)

50 Cent may have left the Interscope Records building, but he still has access to one of his own mentors, and Interscope's longtime franchise superstar, Dr. Dre. Almost two years since Fif and The Doc collided for the Alicia Keys-assisted "New Day," they invite Trey Songz to the fold for... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Edo G Says He’s Going Back To Da Bulldogs-Era Sound & Using 5 Never Heard Vintage Pete Rock Beats (Video)

Boston Hip-Hop pioneer Edo G (formerly Ed O.G.) is at work on his 11th album. The "Be A Father To Your Child" songwriter, and maker of "Gotta Have It" has done a lot of music since parting ways with Da Bulldogs. He's worked closely with Masta Ace, Diamond D, DJ... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Premier Shows The Untouched Remnants Of D&D Studios, How A Fight With Guru Made A Gang Starr Classic (Video)

In Gang Starr's Hard To Earn 20th anniversary year, DJ Premier has done some special press concerning the group, the album, and the legendary status of his group with Guru. Today, DJ Premier, along with a host of others, work out of Midtown Manhattan's HeadCourterz Studios. Named after the late... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Veteran Kentucky-Georgia Hip-Hop Group Cunninglyguists Makes Their Latest Strange Journey Available For Free Listen (Audio)

Heads might not be all the way up on Cunninglyguists. However, this Atlanta, Georgia-meets-Lexington, Kentucky Hip-Hop outfit has been around for over 15 years, with strong ties to Freddie Gibbs, Big K.R.I.T., Masta Ace, and Cee-Lo Green. DJ Kno, Deacon The Villain and Natti—the three current members of the QN5... Read more

March 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

I Used to Love HER…Rick Rubin Speaks on How Hip-Hop Has Changed.

Rick Rubin, along with Russell Simmons, started what is arguably the most important Hip-Hop record label ever created in Def Jam Recordings. So, who better to commentate on the state of the culture today? Rubin gave a rare interview to Vulture and spoke about the early days of Def Jam,... Read more

March 29, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

This Week in Hip-Hop Video Brought Vintage Interviews of Death Row & Bad Boy and Much More (Video)

This week in Hip-Hop video unearthed some extremely rare footage of Biggie, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Suge and Puffy...all in the same room. There were also stellar videos from Talib Kweli, Doppelgangaz, Trae Tha Truth, Slum Village, The Lox, Hi-Tek and Rakim, as well as great pieces on Bushwick Bill and... Read more

March 29, 2014 Playlists, Video

106 & Park Launches Freestyle Battle Partnership with Smack URL (Video)

106 & Park launched season 2 of its Ultimate Freestyle Friday partnership with Smack URL, bringing Smack URL's gritty battle rap to the big screen. The first battle pitted Sno against Ha Double and it got RAW. Check it out below. Related: Loaded Lux Freestyles on Sway in the Morning... Read more

March 29, 2014 Video

Nas Discusses the 20-Year Impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (Video)

Nas discusses the 20-year impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the world renowned scholar and author of "Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic." Knowledge meets knowledge...Check out the video. Related: If You’ve Never Heard Nas’ 1993 Freestyle On The Stretch & Bobbito Show, You Must (Audio)... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

REKS Wrecks The Backroom with Some Heavy Bars (Video)

"Old school like Tigger in the basement. Rap often changes like Lil Kim's facelift..." REKS dropped bars on bars on bars during the latest Backroom freestyle. Check out the video. Related: N.O.R.E. and REKS Speak Their Minds About the Hip-Hop Industry and the People Who Run it In Jesus Takes... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Did You Know Bushwick Bill Was Declared Dead for Nearly 3 Hours When He Shot Himself? (Video)

Bushwick Bill has given Nardwaur one of his most fascinating interviews, ever. Bill gives in-depth details on Rap-A-Lot, MC Lyte and Audio Two, his intro on The Chronic and more. However, one of the most incredible revelations is that when Bill shot himself in 1991, he was pronounced dead for... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Termanology Breaks Down His Relationship with Money on the Silky Smooth Dear Money (Audio)

2010's 1982 project showcased a special chemistry between Statik Selektah and Termanology. The duo is back with a silky smooth new track laced with some ill bars from Termanology about his relationship with the almighty dollar. Check out Dear Money. Related: Statik Selektah and Termanology collaborated as 1982 to release... Read more

March 28, 2014 Audio

Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets His Stanky Legg On…Terminate That (Video)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Manganiello stopped by 106 & Park to promote their movie Sabotage and their Hip-Hop dance skills were put to the test. Arnold put on his Terminator face and gamely did the Nae Nae and the Stanky Legg. Though he was a bit stiff, he's still a... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

DJ Cassidy & R. Kelly Show Why Soul Makes the World Go ‘Round (Audio)

As we reported, DJ Cassidy has put together an amazing new project called Calling All Hearts which pairs contemporary singers with the legendary musicians behind 80's hits by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Chic and more. In his latest offering, Cassidy serves up some feel good soul featuring R.... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

Black Milk Gives Herb Alpert A Hit Of Tronic For Rhythm Roulette Challenge (Video)

Black Milk is on a roll. Fresh off of some major acclaim for 2013's No Poison No Paradise, the Detroit beat-master launched into 2014 with a fresh, low-key release in Glitches In The Break. The Random Axe member, who's made full albums in his career with Slum Village, Danny Brown,... Read more

March 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

J Dilla’s Omnipresence Continues This Week, With Slum Village’s Yes Yes (Video)

Just a day removed from De La Soul's J Dilla-produced Smell The Da.I.S.Y. mixtape, Slum Village also unveils their continuing posthumous working relationship with the group co-founder. Jay Dee, along with the late Baatin, and T3 brought the Villa from the underground Hip-Hop waters of Detroit in the early '90s.... Read more

March 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Smoke DZA and Cam’ron Resurrect the Ghost of Dipset (Audio)

Harlem is in the building. Smoke DZA and Cam'ron resurrect the Ghost of Dipset on this slow, grimy burner. Check it out. Related: Smoke DZA & Ab-Soul Hop On A DJ Dahi-Produced Cloud For Hearses (Audio)... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

N.W.A. Royalty Reigns, As MC Ren Premieres His Single From The New Album (Audio)

MC Ren has been relatively quiet over the last five years. The Compton, California legend and N.W.A. alumni released Renincarnated a few years back, and since—as Ren's likes to do—has laid relatively low. Now, "The Ruthless Villain" is back with "Rebel Music." The record is produced by longtime Spice-1/Ice Cube... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Trae Tha Truth and Snoop Dogg Take it Back to the Old School (Video)

Trae Tha Truth and Snoop Dogg celebrate vintage cars in the video for Old School. Lean back and vibe to this one. Related: The Lox & Trae the Truth Go HAM on a New Track (Audio)... Read more

March 27, 2014 Video

Method Man Lends a Buttery Verse to The Wow on Masterpiece (Audio)

It's been years since Method Man has released a full album but Tical has stayed relevant through collaborations and guest verses. He had an epic return with A$AP Mob on Trillmatic. Now, he's back with his trademark buttery flow on Masterpiece by The Wow. Check it out below. Related: Method... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

Vic Mensa Pulls Off the Craziest Ending Yet to a Nardwaur Interview (Video)

Vic Mensa got the Nardwaur treatment while at SXSW. He spoke about everything from J Dilla to Louis Farrakhan. And, in the end, he put Nardwaur to the ultimate test with a blow up doll...Check out the video. Related: How Does Vic Mensa’s SAVEMONEY Crew Fit Into Chiraq? They Don’t... Read more

March 26, 2014 Video