cypher Archives

Jon Connor, Troy Ave, Jarren Benton & Lil Bibby Close Down The 2014 XXL Cyphers (Video)

Jon Connor has so much energy. The Flint, Michigan MC sets it off with DJ Drama on the turns, as the tireless Aftermath Entertainment sensation ramps up the final of three 2014 XXL freestyles. Then Jarren Benton is true to form, with his odd-ball humor, and vivid references. Lil Bibby... Read more

June 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Watch Big L & Big Pun in a Never Before Released Cypher (Video)

Yesterday (5/30) would have been Big L's 40th birthday. To celebrate the fallen MC's life and legacy, Complex premiered never before released footage of Big L in the studio dropping a verse AND a previously unreleased cypher that included L, Charlie Hustle and Big Pun. Check out both videos below.... Read more

May 31, 2014 Throwback

DJ Kay Slay Brings It Back To His Graffiti Roots With Termanology, Chris Rivers, Papoose & More (Video)

The Drama King has been a nonstop content supplier lately. The Harlem, New York graffiti writer-turned-DJ-turned-radio personality let go of a visual from recent audio single "Enter The Cypher," featuring Termanology, Papoose, Chris Rivers, and William Young. As was the case with another recent Slay and Pap' collabo, the visual... Read more

May 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

Termanology, Chris Rivers, Papoose & More Get Old School Fresh On A DJ Kay Slay Cypher (Audio)

Coming from Uptown, DJ Kay Slay certainly knows about a lil "Uptown anthem" in the form of The Mohawks' "Champ." Later used as a comeback crossover single for KRS-One in "Step Into A World," this famous Bronx park-jam break is as Hip-Hop as it gets. So are the corresponding cypher... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Vic Mensa, Mibbs (of Pac Div) & Tokyo Shawn Take it Back to the Real with a True Freestyle Cypher (Video)

When's the last time you saw a good old-fashioned FREESTYLE cypher--not pre-written verses but MCs truly going off the top? Vic Mensa, Mibbs (of Pac Div) and Tokyo Shawn did just that and each had BARS. Check out this video and renew your faith in the art of freestyling. Related:... Read more

January 18, 2014 Video

AFH: The Week in Video (10/20/13) (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought Cyphers from TDE, Slaughterhouse, Action Bronson, Jon Connor, Rapsody, Rittz and more as well as new videos from Method Man, Jill Scott, Chance the Rapper, Yelawolf & Paul Wall, Joey Bada$$ and more. Check it all out below. The BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers The... Read more

October 20, 2013 Playlists, Video

The Pro Era Cypher (Video)

Rather than complain or whine about not being included in the BET Hip-Hop Awards cyphers, the Pro Era Crew did what a group of MCs is supposed to do: take it to the mic. Featuring DJ Statik Selektah on the turntables, Pro Era delivers an 11 minute cypher showcasing the... Read more

October 17, 2013 Fresh, Video

Did Slaughterhouse Have the Best Overall Cypher? (Video)

Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher verse has gotten the most attention (so far) but which group had the best overall Cypher? We polled Heads and the vote was resoundingly in favor of the SH crew. If you go back and really study their verses, dudes had BARS…for days…ALL of them. Check out... Read more

October 16, 2013 Video

Can you DeCypher Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher Verse? (Lyrics & Video)

Now that you’ve witnessed Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher verse (Control Pt. 2?), it’s time to de-cypher it. The verse was incredibly complex. Many shots were fired—some specific, some general. Take a look at the Cypher and lyrics below and see if you can crack the Da Vinci code. Before you get... Read more

October 16, 2013 Featured-homepage, Video

DJ Premier vs. DJ Whoo Kid on The Whoolywood Shuffle (Video)

DJ Premier sat down with DJ Whoo Kid and told Hip-Hop stories for days. Primo spoke on being the official DJ for The Cypher, Gang Starr, the original more controversial version of KRS-One's Outta Here, his relationships with Big L, Kanye, Tupac, Jay Z and more. Check out the video... Read more

October 7, 2013 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar’s 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Sneak Preview (Video)

There was a lot of chatter over the weekend from ATL re: Kendrick Lamar's Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Here's the first look at what's to come. K. Dot goes STRAIGHT AT his critics post-Control and let's all haters know he's untouchable...all over the track for Shook One's Pt. 2. Get... Read more

October 3, 2013 Video

Astro Speaks on His New Mixtape and Drops a Verse (Video)

Think you know the Astronomical Kid from X Factor? Think again...The "kid" has grown up and what has emerged is Astro, a supremely talented lyricist and MC. We sat down with Astro in his hometown of Brooklyn to discuss his mixtape Starvin' Like Marvin for a Cool J Song and... Read more

October 3, 2013 Featured-homepage, Video

Buckshot, Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Joey Bada$$ & Kirk Knight Freestyle (Video)

Now School meets Next School in this cypher between Buckshot, Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Joey Bada$$ and Kirk Knight, with Evil Dee on the wheels. Check out the video. Related: Pro Era – Like Water (Video)... Read more

June 17, 2013 Video

Dizzy Wright, Logic & Angel Haze – 2013 XXL Freshmen Cypher (Video)

Say what you want about the 2013 XXL Freshmen Class, overall. There is NO QUESTION Dizzy Wright, Logic and Angel Haze are some of the dopest up and coming MCs in the game. If you have any doubt about their skills, watch this cypher. No question...Related: Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Action... Read more

April 26, 2013 Video

Redman cyphers with Street Life, Eyes Low, Ready Rock and Mr. Cream (Video)

Redman drops a verse in a good old fashioned cypher with Street Life, Eyes Low, Ready Rock and Mr. Cream . Check out the video.... Read more

April 23, 2013 Video

The Making of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards West Coast Cypher (Video)

The West Coast Cypher featuring Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, E-40, Kurupt, YG, Xzibit and DJ Quik was definitely one of the best of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Here's a behind the scenes look at the making of the cypher, that includes interviews with Snoop, E-40, Quik and DJ Premier. Check... Read more

October 12, 2012 Video

Check out all of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers featuring DJ Quik, DMX, Mystikal, Eve, Childish Gambino, Ab-Soul, Xzibit, Kendrick Lamar and more below (Video)

There were some strong verses from OGs and young guns in this year’s Cyphers. Below are all the Cyphers, including verses from DMX, Eve, Jean Grae, Ab-Soul, Talib Kweli, Childish Gambino, Driicky Graham, Schoolboy Q, Mystikal, Snoop, DJ Quik, E-40, Kurupt, Xzibit and Kendrick Lamar, starting with the West Coast... Read more

October 10, 2012 Video

Behind the Scenes with DJ Quik at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers (Video)

DJ Quik talks about the origins of Cyphers, the difference between MCs and rappers and more behind the scenes at the BET Hip Hop Awards West Coast Cypher. Check out the video. Related: Sneak peek of the West Coast and Ruff Ryders Cyphers (Video)... Read more

October 4, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

The Warm Up Cypher Vol. 1 for the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards (Video)

As the premiere date for the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards approaches, BET releases a Warm Up Cypher featuring Tito Lopez, The Kid Daytona, Brianna Perry, Fame, K'la and Relly. Check it out and let us know who you think had the best verse. Related: Preview of West Coast Cypher... Read more

October 4, 2012 Video

2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher Previews (Video)

The 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards tape tomorrow in Atlanta and air on Tuesday, 10/9. As the show draws closer a couple of Cypher previews have surfaced. First up, is a West Coast cypher featuring Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, E-40, Kurupt, Xzibit and YG. Next is a Ruff Ryders cypher preview... Read more

September 28, 2012 Video

dead prez, Fashawn, Chris Webby & Supa Star Torch Cypher on the Sway in the Morning Show (Video)

We've heard a lot of 5 Fingers of Death from the Sway in the Morning show. Here's a good old-fashioned cypher featuring dead prez, Fashawn, Chris Webby & Supa Star Torch (Sway's intern--he's got bars). Ski Beatz supplies the music. Check out the video. Related: Brother Ali - 5 Fingers... Read more

September 13, 2012 Video

Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era Cypher (Video)

Here's a good old-fashioned cypher from Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era crew. Make no mistake, Joey is not the only one with skills in the crew. The cypher kicks in at about the 2:20 mark. Check out the video. Related: Joey Bada$$ - 1999 (Mixtape)... Read more

August 28, 2012 Video

Method Man shifts into Johnny Blaze mode and drops a red hot a capella verse in a late night cypher. Check it out below(Video)

Wow. Method Man just simultaneously co-signed and son'd up and coming MC, Bigstat. The 2 were hanging out and Meth was giving Bistat big props. After Meth's strong endorsement of Bigstat's skills, they started to rhyme and, while Bigstat was nice, Meth said it best in his verse: "Don't ever... Read more

April 13, 2012 Video

Joe Budden – Why Would I

New Joe Budden. Check out Why Would I. Also, if you missed the Shady 2.0 Cypher (or just want to catch it again) click here to see Joe get it in with the rest of Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf and Eminem. play pause volume Why would i (ROUGH) Click here to download.... Read more

October 23, 2011 Audio

Here are some of the best of the 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers. These include, Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar, TechN9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, B.o.B., Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Skillz, Blind Fury and of course Shady 2.0. Click below to check them out.

Who had the best verse? Big K.R.I.T., TechN9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar and B.o.B. Reek Da Villain, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes and Ludacris Lady of Rage, Blind Fury, Dom Kennedy and Skillz Yelawolf, Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9" and Eminem Click here for the rest... Read more

October 11, 2011 Video

Some of these XXL 2011 Freshman Cyphers are pretty tight (especially parts 2 and 3). Check out all 3 below.

YG, Mac Miller, Diggy Simmons and Lil Twist Yelawolf, Kendrick Lamar, Lil B and CyHi Da Prynce Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and Fred Da Godson... Read more

March 18, 2011 Video

Skillz’ 2010 Rap Up is SICK. Ya boy covers everything from Drake to Antoine Dodson and everything in between.

Skillz continues to be slept on but dude is super-talented: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PWUXrX6eBE Click here to download.... Read more

January 3, 2011 Audio