hip-hop Archives

Common Uses A J Dilla Beat To Show His Love For HER Is Strong As Ever (Video)

At the beginning of this month, Common was a surprise guest at the 12th-annual Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. Back in the late 1990s, the MC who was making Like Water For Chocolate at the same time his friends were making Things Fall Apart. The SoulQuarians worked on both albums, so... Read more

June 14, 2019 Video

Black Thought, Yasiin Bey, Pharoahe Monch & Tobe Nwigwe Make A New Live At The BBQ

Yesterday (June 1), The Roots hosted their 12th-annual picnic in the legendary group's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event moved this year to the Mann Center, in the same West Philly that Questlove represents. With active three stages, the day was filled with incredible performances, including a 20th-anniversary rendition of... Read more

June 2, 2019 Exclusive, Video

Craig G Wants To Know Who Stole The Soul From Hip-Hop (Video)

With over three decades of rhyming under his belt, Queens, New York's Craig G has been able to witness Hip-Hop develop from a street sensation to mainstream global culture. In all of that time, the Juice Crew member has never been afraid to speak his mind when it comes to... Read more

May 13, 2019 Exclusive, Video

The Jungle Brothers Are Back With A Song That Feels Like A Real Park Jam (Audio)

Throughout the last decade, the Jungle Brothers have been quite quiet when it has come to releasing music. Afrika Baby Bam, Mike Gee, and DJ Sammy B can still tear down a concert, evident in their 2016 New York City Roots Picnic display. However, these co-founders of the Native Tongues... Read more

April 30, 2019 Audio

KRS-One Speaks About The Power Of Hip-Hop To Change The World (Video)

Few Rap legends seem to have as much to say, especially beyond their lyrics, as KRS-One. However, in recent years, Blastmasta KRS has seemingly stepped away from the media spotlight. Equally, Kris Parker is sparse on social media. Last year he was said to be working with Dr. Dre, following... Read more

March 30, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Nas & Travis Scott Discuss The Power Of Hip-Hop & Why Its Messages Cannot Be Stopped

In 2017, Nas and Travis Scott worked together alongside DJ Khaled for video single "It's Secured" (embedded below). On paper, these artists may seem to represent different corners of Rap music, even while both have close collaborative ties to Kanye West. Nas burst on the scene in the early 1990s.... Read more

March 18, 2019 Fresh

DJ Premier Discusses The Making Of Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years ago this month (March 8, 1994), Gang Starr released its fourth album, Hard To Earn. A rightful inclusion in one of the Rap genre's most celebrated calendar years, the work displays some of the finest chemistry between Guru and DJ Premier, who had already galvanized a creative and... Read more

March 16, 2019 Interview

Early Hip-Hop Records Sampled James Brown. His 1st Funk Record Sampled Miles Davis.

If the debate for the King of R&B is up for grabs, followers of the late great James Brown can rest easy, as his position among the greatest to ever do it, is secure as a Master padlock. Known indelibly as the “Godfather of Soul Music,” Brown’s career covered successive... Read more

December 31, 2018 Throwback

Sean Price Serves Up Vintage Humor In 1 Of His Final Video Appearances

Sean Price has been gone for more than three years, and yet his spirit lives on through music that is still releasing to the masses. The personality of the member of Heltah Skeltah, Boot Camp Clik, and Random Axe glistens in so many of the tracks that he touched in... Read more

December 14, 2018 Video

Chicago’s Dyzzi & His DivSel Crew Have A Special Blend Of Hip-Hop Brewing

Nineteen-year-old Dyzzi has released the video for "DivSel." The single, produced by MarvyMarv and directed by Chris Peterson, also features KReal and cameos from other DivSel members. It belongs to his upcoming LP, KidsBackThen, releasing on Below System Records (Masta Ace, Chuuwee, Phat Kat). The crew, short for "Diverse Selection"... Read more

November 28, 2018 Ready Or Not

Cut Chemist Mixes 45 Songs Sampling A Beat That’s Relevant 45 Years Later

In the midst of this week's hectic midterm elections, beloved Jurassic 5 DJ, mix-master, producer, and solo artist Cut Chemist released an ultimate mix of songs that sample The Honey Drippers' 1973 song, "Impeach the President." The mix, cleverly titled Impeach The Precedent, rolls through 45 different songs within Hip-Hop... Read more

November 9, 2018 Audio, Mixes

Sean Price Teamed With Mic Handz In His Last Days. Listen To The Music They Made (Video)

UPDATE: Mic Handz' video to "Conceit," featuring Sean Price: ORIGINAL OCTOBER 27 STORY: "More than three years since he passed away, Sean Price's legacy burns bright. Last year, Duck Down Music and Sean's wife Bernadette released Imperius Rex, an album that was selected among Ambrosia For Heads' best of 2017.... Read more

October 27, 2018 Audio, Video

Page Kennedy Sounds Off At The Notion That He’s Just “An Actor Who Raps” (Video)

There are no holds barred when it comes to Detroit, Michigan's Page Kennedy, and his cutthroat lyrics. The actor and veteran MC has no qualms about laying his cards on the table and demanding all of the due respect. In his latest video “No Cosign,” produced by Mic West, Page... Read more

October 20, 2018 Video

Ghostface & Big Daddy Kane Have United To Take Hip-Hop Back (Audio)

Wu-Tang Clan swordsman Ghostface Killah has been open about his musical influences. The Staten Island, New Yorker grew up admiring Rap music from the likes of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Slick Rick, Divine Force, Ultramagnetic MC's, and others. Over the last 25 years, he has been able to... Read more

September 27, 2018 Audio

Torae Offers A Rap Tutorial For MCs Looking To Build Careers. Take Notes. (Audio)

The Coney Island native and multi-talented artist Torae is dropping new music this season. His last album, Entitled, dropped back in 2016. However, the gap between projects is no reflection of this veteran's work ethic. In recent years, the Barrel Brothers member has filmed several commercials and appeared in a... Read more

September 22, 2018 Audio

Smif-N-Wessun Show Boom Bap Sounds Amazing With Live Instruments (Video)

The group Smif-n-Wessun is preparing the release of their forthcoming album, The A.L.L., and they promise it will be soon. The Duck Down Music LP is produced by 9th Wonder and his North Carolina-based Soul Council collective (Khrysis, Eric G., Kash, Amp, E. Jones, Nottz, and others). Last Friday (September... Read more

September 17, 2018 Video

Lute’s 2 New Freestyles Show J. Cole’s Ear For Talent Is Impeccable (Audio)

Lute made a strong impression with his debut album, West 1996 Pt. 2. The LP was released one year ago under J. Cole's Dreamville Records. Back in 2015 while scouting talent in North Carolina, Cole stumbled across Charlotte's Lute via YouTube. At the time, the MC was still employed at... Read more

September 11, 2018 Audio

Termanology’s Latest Video Is A Dope Rap Reminder That Crack Is Wack

Termanology is a well-established MC endorsed by the likes of key players in Hip-Hop such as DJ Premier, Bun B, the late Sean Price, Pete Rock, and boundless of others. The 1982 co-founder's musical credits surpass a decade with over 30 projects and sold out tours. The Lawrence, Massachusetts native... Read more

September 6, 2018 Video

Donald Glover’s New Video Shows Hip-Hop America & How Great It Could Be

Just under four months ago, Donald Glover released one of the most unforgettable music videos of 2018. "This Is America" is artful, symbolic, and it is certainly jarring. The visual was a return to Rap for the versatile, genre-defying also artist also known as Childish Gambino. Since then, Glover released... Read more

September 2, 2018 Video

Before NBA 2K, AND1’s Mixtapes Masterfully Merged Hoops & Hip-Hop (Videos)

Hip-Hop and basketball are nearing a 40-year marriage, with their first noteworthy rendezvous coming in the form of Big Bang Hank of The Sugarhill Gang delivering “I got a color TV so I can see the Knicks play basketball” on the 1979 classic “Rapper's Delight.” While the parallels between the... Read more

August 30, 2018 Do Remember

J-Live Unleashes A Rapping & Scratching Routine With A Motown Classic (Audio)

J-Live is a true Hip-Hop multi-threat. He raps, he DJs, he produces, he runs a label, and he does so much more. The Brooklyn, New Yorker (who now calls Georgia home) sometimes demonstrates several talents at once. For those who have not seen a J show, they get a taste... Read more

August 27, 2018 Audio

Nas Names 5 Of His Favorite Rap Songs In Celebration Of Hip-Hop’s 45th Birthday (Video)

This past Saturday, Hip-Hop celebrated a significant milestone. August 11, 1973, marks the day that DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) rocked a benchmark party in the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. As a result, many Hip-Hop Heads, scholars, and even tech giants honor that day as the culture's... Read more

August 13, 2018 Video

Black Star’s Talib Kweli & Yasiin Bey Define What Hip-Hop Means To Them Today (Audio)

Celebrating 20 years since their landmark album, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Talib Kweli have been busy taking their show on the road. On Saturday (July 14), the pair rocked the hometown stage at the 2018 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. The day before (July 13), the former Rawkus Records... Read more

July 17, 2018 Audio

Q-Tip Will Teach College Students The Low End Theory & Other Hip-Hop Lessons

In March, A Tribe Called Quest released its final music video, "The Space Program." Currently an exclusive at Apple Music, the single from 2016's We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service closes the visual book on one of Hip-Hop's most beloved groups, according to a recent Sway... Read more

April 7, 2018 News

Hip-Hop Needs To Take A Stand On Gun Violence. We’ll Go First.

Since the February 14, 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL that took the lives of 17 people, the discourse around gun violence, and how to lessen it, is as engaged as it’s ever been. The fact that the story has stayed in the news cycle... Read more

February 28, 2018 Food for Thought

Salute To LL Cool J. He Is Now Hip-Hop’s First Kennedy Center Honoree

Fans have waited four months since it announced, but Hip-Hop has its first Kennedy Center Honoree. LL Cool J was among the five artists celebrated at the honors this weekend in Washington, D.C. The MC, actor, host, and author born James Todd Smith attended the event at the John F.... Read more

December 3, 2017 News

Kendrick Lamar Explains Why Every Rapper Is Conscious

Kendrick Lamar is on the cover of the upcoming issue of Forbes magazine. The Compton, California superstar leads the way on the "30 Under 30" music issue. Less than six months after he celebrated his 30th trip around the sun, the TDE MC is reported by the publication to be... Read more

November 14, 2017 Fresh

Andre 3000 Explains Why Big Boi Is The Best Rapper In OutKast

OutKast's André 3000 is in a season of transformation. The Georgia—born MC, producer, actor, and fashion designer now calls New York City his home. He's leading a line with Tretorn and breaking some of his silence surrounding beats, rhymes, and life. Following his summer conversation with Complex, 3 Stacks spent... Read more

October 30, 2017 Fresh

Justin Timberlake Will Perform At The Super Bowl In The Worst Year He Could Have Chosen

On February 1, 2004, Justin Timberlake was part of arguably the most memorable, and certainly the most controversial Super Bowl halftime concert. In the middle of the halves of battle between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, the fledgling solo star (two years removed from NSYNC) shared the stage... Read more

October 23, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

Yasiin Bey Discusses The Drama That’s Caused Him To Fall Back From The Music Business (Video)

Even since his days as mighty Mos Def, Yasiin Bey does not do many interviews. However, the Black Star MC recently gave Ebro In The Morning more than one hour of his time—reportedly impromptu. The MC/actor/poet and activist jumped in a cab and appeared before Ebro and company to speak... Read more

August 30, 2017 Video

Grandmaster Flash Has A New Message And It’s Aimed At Kool Herc & Afrika Bambaataa (Video)

Earlier this month, Hip-Hop celebrated its 44th birthday. Just like holidays for some families and groups of friends, it was not without some drama. Fans may have missed it, but some legendary shots appeared to be thrown—by one of Hip-Hop's pioneers towards another one of its founding figureheads. The issue... Read more

August 26, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Grandmaster Flash Calls Out Kool Herc’s DJ Skills In A Push For Peace (Video)

One week ago today, Hip-Hop celebrated its 44th birthday. That day is associated with an August 11 Bronx, New York party where DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) prolonged the dance section of a record by using two turntables with copies of the same disc. For the event, an incredible... Read more

August 18, 2017 News, Video

In A Tumultuous Week, Hip-Hop Remains The Great Unifier (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

August 16, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

Why MCs Avoid The Term “Christian Rap” Like It’s A Dirty Word (Video)

Less than three years ago, Lecrae reached the top of the pop charts with Anomaly. The Reach Records release, which subsequently went gold, marked a new pinnacle for what is commonly referred to as "Christian Rap." In this week's episode of TBD, Justin "The Company Man" Hunte examines the weird... Read more

August 12, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Masta Ace Calls For A Boycott Until Colin Kaepernick Is Signed

As NFL teams are set to begin their training camps later this month, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and unrestricted free agent Colin Kaepernick has yet to be added to a roster. Many NFL fans, sports media personalities, and celebrities supporting Kaepernick attribute the glaring lack of interest from NFL... Read more

July 21, 2017 Exclusive, Lifestyle, News

40 Years Ago A New York City Blackout Turned Up The Power On Hip-Hop (Video)

Thursday (July 13) marks the 40th anniversary of New York City's infamous 1977 electricity blackout. This was a pivotal moment in Hip-Hop history which ignited a surge in the formation of DJs and Rap crews throughout the genre's birthplace. Wonder What A 1977 New York City Park Jam Sounded Like?... Read more

July 13, 2017 Do Remember

What’s Your Zodiac Sign? These Mixes Are Astrologically Awesome.

At some of the earliest Hip-Hop parties, it was not uncommon for a party-rocking MC to get some crowd reaction by asking questions. In New York City, there were famously the gauges to see what borough was representing the loudest. There have been tricks like DJ Cash Money & Marvelous... Read more

September 17, 2016 Mixes

What’s The Greatest Opening Line In Hip-Hop History? Here Are 50 (Video)

Hip-Hop is built on debates. Who is the greatest MC of all-time? What's the best album? What's the best song? The arguments are endless and often simultaneously the source of great entertainment and great agita. There have been several lists that aim to settle these matters, and The Peak has released... Read more

September 2, 2016 Video

This 1977 NYC Party Mix Shows How The Earliest Hip-Hop Parties Sounded (Audio)

Thanks to the series "The Get Down," many are newly fascinated with 1970s New York City and the genesis of Hip-Hop. DJ'ing, rapping, graffiti, and breakin' came together harmoniously in an overall form of expression that reflected the complexities of city-dwelling at a specific time in fashion, music, visual art,... Read more

August 20, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback

June Was Full Of Great Hip-Hop. Here’s The Best Of The Month In 1 Playlist (Audio)

The month of June was the epitome of quality over quantity, when it came to Hip-Hop. There were fewer noteworthy releases than in any month of the year, so far, but those that penetrated were high-powered. Drake set the month on fire with one of his hardest rhymes in years,... Read more

July 9, 2016 Audio

Parliament/Funkadelic’s Bernie Worrell Passes Away At Age 72

Bernie Worrell, the influential keyboardist for Parliament/Funkadelic, passed away earlier today (June 24) at the age of 72. In a brief statement to his Facebook page, his wife, Judie Worrell, wrote "AT 11:54, June 24, 2016, Bernie transitioned Home to The Great Spirit. Rest in peace, my love -- you... Read more

June 24, 2016 News

Ice-T Explains Why Battling Unknown MCs Is A Bad Idea & More

Ice-T has been releasing records for nearly 35 years. Whether early independent 12" singles of platinum albums with Sire/Warner Bros. Records, the New Jersey-born, California-raised artist has enjoyed a massive entertainment career. Now known for his seminal role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the pioneering gangsta rapper appeared... Read more

June 7, 2016 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh

Drake Knocks 50 Cent Off Forbes’ List Of The Five Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists

Many laughed at Drake and his dance moves in the video for "Hotline Bling," but the Toronto rapper is laughing all the way to the bank. Forbes has released its annual list of the wealthiest artists in Hip-Hop, and while the usual suspects remain atop of their tally, there has... Read more

May 4, 2016 News

Questlove Remembers Prince & Says “He Was More Hip-Hop Than Anyone”

For decades, Questlove has unabashedly worn his fandom of Prince on his metaphorical purple sleeve. The Roots Crew drummer and music savant has referenced His Royal Badness countless times in interviews and, it was that shared mutual love that helped to forge a bond between Quest and D'Angelo. On the... Read more

April 25, 2016 Fresh

This Journalist Who Was Encouraged By Eazy-E Releases A Book Comparing Hip-Hop & Chess

From the Wu-Tang Clan to Wale, Fresh to Dilated Peoples, Hip-Hop's music, film, and lifestyle maintain strong ties to chess. The 64 squares relate to many aspects of life. Northern California veteran author, speaker, scholar, and music journalist Adisa "The Bishop" Banjoko has made a career out tying Hip-Hop, chess,... Read more

March 25, 2016 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

DJ Kool Herc’s Onetime Bronx Block To Be Renamed In The Spirit Of Hip-Hop

The man many scholars have considered Hip-Hop's founding father can claim another accolade. DJ Kool Herc (a/k/a Clive Campbell) was born in Jamaica, before relocating to the Bronx, New York in the 1960s. The block of Herc's Bronx residence in the early 1970s (1520 Sedgwick Avenue) will be renamed "Hip-Hop... Read more

February 7, 2016 News

DJ Premier Recreates Gang Starr’s “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight”…On The Spot (Video)

Earlier this month, DJ Premier joined Royce Da 5'9" and Adrian Younge for the first concert with all three PRhyme members. The October 13 Gramercy Theatre event also marked PRhyme's first public New York City show. AFH was in the building to catch the historic moment, which also included Younge's... Read more

October 27, 2015 Exclusive, Video

What Makes A Hip-Hop Album A Classic? (Editorial)

In all genres of music, the term "classic" prompts debate. Cultural conservatives argue it is used too freely, and often stamped on works of art prematurely. On the other hand, liberally-minded art patrons maintain that placing restrictions on calling an item classic misses the point entirely. Especially with so much... Read more

September 19, 2015 Food for Thought

Chuck D Says That In Hip-Hop, The Third Verse Is “Becoming Useless.” Do You Agree?

Approaching Public Enemy's 13th studio Man Plans, GOD Laughs (slated for July release), Chuck D is in the midst of a press campaign. An affiliate of Chuck D's Rapstation Network, Tim Einenkel, recently interviewed the Long Island, New York legend for his The Library podcast. In one excerpt, the booming... Read more

July 13, 2015 Fresh

Where Ya Wanna Go: Anderson .Paak Releases New Visual for “The City” (Video)

Still busy promoting the 2014 release of Venice, Los Angeles-based Anderson .Paak has shared visuals for “The City,” a syrupy electro-soul joint representative of his ability to navigate several sonic worlds at once. Also featuring the trap-tinged party record “Drugs” and the up-tempo, breezy “Luh You,” Venice has all the... Read more

June 3, 2015 Video