d-block Archives

The LOX Release The 1st Video For Their New Album. The Foundation Is ROC Solid.

At the end of this week, The LOX will release their highly-anticipated third album, Filthy America...It's Beautiful (December 16). Their first album in more than 16 years comes on their third different label. Striking success in the late '90s with Puff Daddy and Bad Boy, the Yonkers, New York trio... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

The LOX Discuss What To Expect From Their First Album In 16 Years

Just four days in, the month of December is already off to a torrid start. J. Cole has announced he is releasing his next album on Friday (December 9), Run The Jewels have confirmed the release date for Run The Jewels 3 (January 13) and revealed the tracklist, and Pete... Read more

December 4, 2016 Fresh

Snyp Life Reps Mount Vernon & Salutes Heavy D On A Pete Rock Production (Video)

D-Block representative Snyp Life recently dropped some visuals for his Pete Rock-produced, head nod-inducing banger “Oh No,” featuring a catchy, melodic hook from Sheek Louch, that Ambrosia For Heads gave the first listen to in September. The video takes viewers on a tour of Mount Vernon, New York, Snyp’s hometown,... Read more

November 8, 2016 Video

Mickey Factz & Styles P Stage A Rap Battle On “Vs” & We Win (Audio)

To follow up the “ode to true love” Mickey Factz released last week, the Bronx-bred MC joins the Ghost himself, Styles P, on another Nottz production—and this one’s no love song. Instead, in a flow reminiscent of an old L.O.X. track, both lyricists flex their verbal abilities, going back and... Read more

October 26, 2016 Audio

The LOX & Termanology Have Dreams Like Biggie, But Keep It Grimy (Audio )

The LOX were present in the last days of Biggie Smalls. Before he left the world mourning his personality, rhyme skills, and giving heart, Christopher Wallace helped clear a path for Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch to succeed. At the time, they were his hopeful label-mates at Bad Boy... Read more

October 7, 2016 Audio

The LOX Blaze A Path For D-Block’s Snyp Life With Pete Rock & Beatnuts Jams (Audio)

Throughout their careers, The LOX—collectively and individually—have had an ear for great beats. Songs like Jadakiss' Alchemist-produced "We Gonna Make It," Styles P's Ayatollah-laced "The Life," and the trio's DJ Premier-conducted "Recognize" have defined their aesthetic. Sheek Louch, Jada', and Holiday Styles have never lost sight of that purest Hip-Hop... Read more

September 22, 2016 Audio

Fabolous Wants To Release His Joint Album With Jadakiss Before The End Of The Year (Video)

Throughout the years, Fabolous and Jadakiss have had a close working relationship. Two veteran acts at Def Jam Records, these New York City MCs have appeared together on songs like DJ Khaled's "Don't Ever Play Yourself," Jeezy's "OJ," and Uncle Murda's "Right Now (Remix)." Both close associates of Allen Iverson,... Read more

September 15, 2016 Video

Beanie Sigel Confirms A Collaborative Project With Jadakiss

In 2001, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel were two of the most exciting new solo artists in Rap music. While Jada' had been on wax since 1994 with the LOX, Sigel was becoming Jay Z's most exciting protege on the Roc-A-Fella Records roster. They had even appeared together on 1998's "Reservoir... Read more

September 4, 2016 News

Styles P, Freeway & Torae Get Down On A Pete Rock-Produced Single (Audio)

Back in January, Torae released his Entitled album. One of the focal points to that self-released LP was "Get Down." First unveiled almost a year ago, the song is the latest run-in the Brooklyn, New York MC had with producer Pete Rock. A lot was at play in the beat,... Read more

August 22, 2016 Audio

The LOX Turn The Table On Police Brutality With An Important Question (Audio)

The LOX are known for straight to the jugular hardcore Hip-Hop for the last 20-plus years. However, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch have always seemingly known when to set aside the bully-raps for important, insightful messages. Songs like "Why?" and "The Life" showed depth to these MCs, who could... Read more

August 2, 2016 Audio

Jadakiss & Beanie Sigel Root Out The Necessary Evil Of Money (Audio)

The onetime beef between Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss may as well be an afterthought in 2016. The early 2000s tensions between State Property and The LOX are long over, and Jada' is now notably a Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records artist, years after he challenged the reigning squad. After Sigel's late 2014... Read more

July 19, 2016 Audio

DMX & Styles P Ride Rough On A New Song That Takes No Prisoners (Audio)

Yesterday (June 4), DMX was one of the headlining acts at the 9th annual Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sharing the bill with fellow Ruff Ryders member Swizz Beatz (who appeared on stage during X's set), the Yonkers, New Yorker performed hits from the last 18 years of his illustrious... Read more

June 5, 2016 Audio

Styles P & Sheek Louch Unearth A Deep DJ Premier Cut And Put Their Shine On It (Audio)

The LOX have a bond that cannot be broken. Even when they are pursuing solo projects, the 20+ year collective of Styles P, Sheek Louch and Jadakiss are never far from each other, as they frequently serve as guests on one another's tracks. In the last 24 hours, Styles and... Read more

May 6, 2016 Audio

Styles P, Joey Bada$$ & Droog Reload The Clipse On A Black Milk Beat (Audio)

Fifteen years ago, Pusha T and No Malice kicked in the door to the industry with "Grindin'." The Lord Willin' single received some of the most captivating Neptunes production of all time, that took the Brothers Thornton's Virginia Beach attitudes, and projected them upon the world. Your Old Droog finds... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio, The Bridge

Sheek Louch Discusses Silverback Gorilla 2 & Talks Working With Biggie and DMX (Interview)

Whereas speaking to Jadakiss or Styles P is often a lower key experience, their LOX band-mate Sheek Louch is high-energy. The Yonkers, New York veteran MC did not equate himself to one of the most ferocious members of the animal kingdom by being docile. In the Tommy Boy Entertainment conference... Read more

December 1, 2015 Food for Thought

Sheek Louch & Fabolous Take No Losses & No Prisoners (Audio)

Sheek Louch and Fabolous keep the chemistry flowing. The former Def Jam Records label-mates release "No Losses" from next week's Silverback Gorilla 2 album (December 4). These two 1990s MCs have been super-durable in the 2000s, and 2010s, with the kind of endurance that comes from an undefeated-like record. As... Read more

November 24, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Believes That Keeping It Real Has Led To His Mass Appeal (Video)

Even though the album is still less than a week old, Jadakiss has quickly proved that Top 5 Dead Or Alive will have no shortage of visuals. Following Friday's (November 20) "You Don't Eat," 'Kiss reappears with a video for the Young Buck-assisted "Realest In The Game." Still black-and-white, this... Read more

November 23, 2015 Video

Jadakiss Explains What It Takes To Be Top 5 Dead Or Alive (Video)

Jadakiss' Top 5 Dead Or Alive releases today (November 20). The long-anticipated Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records album is a conversation piece for The LOX MC's own place in the game. With a plethora of peers on board, "You Don't Eat" is a song that's mostly about the skills and approach that... Read more

November 20, 2015 Video

Sheek Louch & Ghostface Killah Team For Another Wu-Block Banger (Audio)

Three years ago, Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch formed a Wu-Tang Clan and D-Block connection that yielded one of the finest and most overlooked albums of 2012. Wu Block featured unexpected artists like Erykah Badu and familiar faces like Method Man. Yet, it maintained a cohesive sonic texture throughout--one that... Read more

November 12, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Brings Cameras To His Yonkers, New York Neighborhood (Video)

Jadakiss and The LOX helped make Yonkers, New York a Hip-Hop landmark. Along with their Ruff Ryders bandmates, especially DMX, the trio of MCs brought attention to the Westchester County city that was previously known for its size (the fourth largest population in the Empire State), and its Neil Simon... Read more

November 10, 2015 Video

Chris Rivers’ & Sheek Louch’s I Got It Made Video Salutes Many More Legends Than Just Special Ed

Over the Summer, Chris Rivers released a slew of sizzling freestyles featuring both original and throwback tracks. Out of many quality offerings, one stood out in particular. The son of Big Pun teamed with one of his father's contemporaries in The LOX's Sheek Louch. Together, Chris and Donnie put on... Read more

November 6, 2015 Video

Jadakiss’ “Top 5 Dead Or Alive” Tracklist Features Nas, Young Buck & More

Dating back to 2001's Kiss The Game Goodbye, Jadakiss solo albums have always been star-studded affairs. This month's Top 5 Dead Or Alive (November 20), 'Kiss' fourth studio effort is no exception. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam effort will feature the likes of Nas, Puff Daddy, and both of his LOX cohorts... Read more

November 6, 2015 Fresh

Jadakiss’ “Top 5 Dead Or Alive” Has A Release Date. Hear 2 Singles (Audio)

Less than 24 hours after appearing on Sheek Louch's "Sucka Free," Jadakiss took a major next step in his career. The 20-plus-year Rap veteran gave his highly anticipated fourth solo album, Top 5 Dead Or Alive a release date. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records LP will arrive on November 20. That's... Read more

October 30, 2015 Audio

Everybody Knows Jadakiss Is an Elite MC. But Did You Know He Can Windmill? (Video)

Jadakiss is often considered one of the greatest MCs in Hip-Hop. The self-proclaimed "Top 5, Dead Or Alive" got there by winning over the streets, the mainstream, and Hip-Hop Heads. As far as the third component, the Yonkers, New York lyricist is one himself. It's why Jada' has been puttin'... Read more

October 15, 2015 Video

Jadakiss & Swizz Beatz Speak Directly To The Badges Of Brutality (Video)

Just days after "Jason" released to audio, Jadakiss and Swizz Beatz drop the visual. The track captures the suspense associated with the Friday The 13th slasher franchise, where Jason Vorhees attacked Camp Crystal Lake, again and again. In Jada' and Swizz's version, it's not at the movies. Instead, the two... Read more

October 12, 2015 Video

The LOX & Faith Evans Are Still “Family” Over An S.O.S. Band Homage (Audio)

The LOX and producer Duane DaRock appear to have a formula. The New York City veteran Rap trio and the budding beat-maker travel back to the early '80s flavor for some proven musical framework. In March, the quartet channeled Gap Band in "That Money." In Fall, it's S.O.S. Band's "Just... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch & Pusha T Keep It Hardcore… In Rap & In Life. (Audio)

Sheek Louch and Pusha T have weathered the industry storms. Two products of the 1990s, these MCs with East Coast and Down South audiences have stayed consistent to the craft of MC'ing, while always speaking to the streets that made them. This duality may be the key to longevity, while... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Styles P’s Energy Freestyle Comes To Living Color (Video)

Back in late March, Styles P was amidst a rampage of weekly freestyles, sometimes releasing in bursts. One of those snatched Drake's "Energy" instrumental (produced by Boi-1da), and waxed two minutes of warning shots against all suitors. In high Summer, S.P. The Ghost gets his rooftop on and his bucket-hat... Read more

August 18, 2015 Video

Styles P Gets the Party Started For His New Album and Invites Jadakiss to the Celebration (Audio)

For several years, Styles P has been one of the most consistent artists in Hip-Hop. Whether with his LOX brethren Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, or solo, Ghost releases quality product, year round. After treating fans to a slew of Friday freestyles that spanned the entirety of Spring, Styles turns his... Read more

August 12, 2015 Audio

Erick Sermon, Joell Ortiz & Sheek Louch Offer Hard Lessons From Concrete Places (Video)

In late April, Erick Sermon premiered "Make Room," a crosstown New York City verbal essay featuring Joell Ortiz and Sheek Louch. The song offers some hard advice to a host of people simply doin' it wrong. For the just-released visual, E-Double, Donnie G., and Yoawa certify themselves in the company... Read more

July 19, 2015 Video

Sheek Louch Heads to Virginia to Borrow a Red Hot Clipse Beat (Audio)

This has been a busy summer for Sheek Louch. In late June, the Brooklyn native and member of the Lox released the debut single from Silverback Gorilla 2, a sequel to its 2008 predecessor. Featuring Billy Danze, Trae tha Truth, and Joell Ortiz, "Hood Nigga" is an anthem for neighborhood... Read more

July 16, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch Wants To Celebrate Your Hood In His Next Video (World Premiere)

Last week, Sheek Louch released his first single from Silverback Gorilla 2 (September 18). Through Tommy Boy Entertainment, the track which features Billy Danze (M.O.P.), Trae Tha Truth (ABN), and Joell Ortiz (Slaughterhouse), is titled "Hood Ni**a," and celebrates the real concrete that each MC comes from, in an anthem for everyone... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

Sheek Louch, Billy Danze, Trae Tha Truth & Joell Ortiz Represent Their Hoods & You Can Too (Audio)

Sheek Louch has announced his September 18 album, Silverback Gorilla 2. A sequel to his LP released in 2008, Sheek rolls with Tommy Boy Entertainment for this outing. "Hood Nigga" is the album's lead single, featuring M.O.P.'s Billy Danze (a fellow 20-year veteran), along with Trae Tha Truth, and Joell... Read more

June 30, 2015 Exclusive

The Legends Of Bad Boy Records Come Out To Play At BET Awards (Video)

A big part of what's made Bad Boy Records such a great label over the last 20-plus years is the label's ability to deliver cathartic performances. Whether it was peer-criticism, tragedy, or legal woes, Puff Daddy and the Bad Boy family used the stage to remind the world that they... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Young Buck & Jadakiss Don’t Trust Many, So They Do It By Themselves (Audio)

Young Buck and Jadakiss are no strangers to deeply personal verses on wax. Both men have had public confrontations with figures once closely associated with them. Teaming with the DJ/producer he made the acclaimed Chronic 2006 mixtape with, Buck and DJ Whoo Kid release "Myself." With 'Kiss on the cut,... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Rips Into An O.D.B. Classic Instrumental With A Sharp Freestyle (Audio)

Jadakiss is restless when it comes to weekly throwback freestyles. He comes forth with some sharp witticisms, and clever wordplay on Ol' Dirty's 1995 classic, "Brooklyn Zoo" (as "Shame On You Rappers"). From Downtown to Uptown, 'Kiss hits this freestyle with his A-Game, and livens up another Friday. Should Jadakiss... Read more

June 19, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch Gets Manic and Torches His Latest Freestyle (Audio)

Only a week after bringing his own heat to a toxic Mack Wilds beat with "Forest Fire," Sheek Louch comes back spitting flames on his new single "Bipolar Gorillaz." The instrumental comes from Jay Z's 1998 "Murdergram," which featured an up and coming DMX and Ja Rule. The song was... Read more

June 17, 2015 Audio

Skyzoo & Jadakiss Put Their Weight Into an Awesome Lyrical Display (Audio)

Skyzoo's Music For My Friends released a week early. Today (June 17), the Brooklyn, New Yorker let fans have it. For those unaware, Sky's self-released affair is largely based on his BK childhood and friendships. While he chose the microphone, some of Skyler's friends chose more literal hustles. The MC... Read more

June 17, 2015 Audio

Beanie Sigel & Jadakiss Are Way Past Beef. Now, They Bully Mics Together (Audio)

One of Rap's beefs that feels so distant it's hard to imagine it ever even existed is Roc-A-Fella and Ruff Ryders. Truly a byproduct of a rift between Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss, the two enforcers for Jay Z and DMX continued to throw spicy criticism of each other in subliminal... Read more

June 12, 2015 Audio

Styles P’s Fierce Flow & J Dilla’s Soultastic Beat Make A Musical Marriage (Audio)

In life, Styles P and J Dilla never got to work together. Presumably, the men respected each others' work. Both artists enjoyed big trucks, all-natural mind elevation, and making that knock amidst music that makes you feel weightless. In his weekly series, S.P. The Ghost has been going for some... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Troy Ave, Jadakiss & Fabolous Talk Like Bosses Over A Catchy Loop (Audio)

Troy Ave's presentation is an extension of the New York City Rap he personally misses. The late '90s-early 2000s reign returns to Troy's ambitious records, mirrored greatly in the image, technique, and subject matter of MCs like 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Jadakiss. Having worked with all aforementioned rappers, Fab' and... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Alchemist Reveals How Jadakiss, Ras Kass, Nas & Jay Z Tie Into One Hit (Audio)

With a new surprise instrumental album in stores (Israeli Salad), veteran bi-coastal producer Alchemist stays busy. The Gangrene/Step Brothers members is the debut guest on podcast, "A Waste Of Time," created by It's The Real's Eric and Jeff Rosenthal. The Beverly Hills, California native producer/DJ/MC discusses his love for food,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss & Rick Ross Are Lyrical Champions In The Same Conference (Audio)

Jadakiss and Rick Ross have a strong catalog of collaborative works. Jada' calls upon Mastermind for his usual Friday firing of the bars. "Eastern Conference" reworks some literal stadium-music for the two Def Jam Records mainstays to spotlight their figurative jerseys in the rafters. The message is topical, as the... Read more

May 22, 2015 Audio

The LOX Bring It Back, Proving They Still Are The Streets (Video)

The LOX are relentlessly releasing material. Even as Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch are aiming to put numbers on the boards with weekly freestyles (dropping in bundles), the trio made hot product as a unit before it all started, and they want Heads to hear it by any means... Read more

May 20, 2015 Video

It’s Hunting Season For Jadakiss on Bang Bang. Wack MCs, Beware…(Audio)

Jadakiss continues his winning streak in his weekly freestyle series. On his latest, he attacks Capone-N-Noreaga's 2000 riot-starter, "Bang Bang," from their album The Reunion. The track which was produced by Alchemist and featured Foxy Brown as a guest vocalist, coaxes one of the most aggressive performances from Jada in... Read more

May 15, 2015 Audio

Styles P Paints Complex Pictures of a Hustler’s Life Over Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Tracks (Audio)

Out of the recent spate of freestyle series, Styles P has consistently made the most interesting choices of beats to re-purpose. While others have settled comfortably in a single lane, often based on songs from a specific era, Ghost seemingly has followed no specific theme, other than to select tracks... Read more

May 9, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Is Out To Top Everybody On The Throwback Freestyle Circuit (Audio)

Jadakiss continues to light up Fridays, handing Heads more than a paycheck with his freestyles. As L.O.X./D-Block partner Styles P is in the thick of it, Jada' clearly is out to shine in a classic of throw-back minded players including Fabolous (who recently tackled a LOX joint), Tony Yayo, and... Read more

May 8, 2015 Audio

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

From the 70s to the 90s…There’s No Beat Styles P Can’t Wreck (Audio)

Styles P continues his streak of weekly freestyle with a double feature. "Give Me Your Ghost" features Styles flowing over Curtis Mayfield's ultra-soulful "Give Me Your Love" from the Superfly soundtrack. Ghost sounds right at home over Mayfield's laid back groove. For the 2nd release of the day (third if... Read more

May 1, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss & Styles P Rock A Rhyme Routine For The Block (Audio)

For recent weeks, Jadakiss and Styles P have set the weekend off with borrowed beats and venerable verses. This time, holding Cam'ron and Prodigy's "Losin' Weight" for a second, they take on the task together. "Block Work" is street-focused, using images from the hustle to show the kind of strength... Read more

May 1, 2015 Audio