interview Archives

Evidence Explains How Weather Or Not Is A Personal & Therapeutic Album (Video)

Just days ago, Evidence released his fourth solo project, Weather Or Not. Featuring Styles P, Alchemist, Rapsody, and his Dilated Peoples cohorts Rakaa and DJ Babu (among others), the Rhymesayers release closes out a nearly 11-year-old album series from Mr. Slow Flow. Last night (January 31), on a Midtown Manhattan... Read more

February 1, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Big K.R.I.T.’s 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time Is Your Best Rap Album Of 2017. K.R.I.T. Speaks

Throughout the 2010s, Big K.R.I.T. branded himself as a voice from the underground. He represented the "third coast" of Mississippi and proudly brandished his Southern Rap name and dialect. However, K.R.I.T. showed and proved that he was an anomaly. Throughout his career, he's rapped about family, faith, and police profiling,... Read more

January 4, 2018 Best Rap Album 2017, Interview

Eminem Details The Making Of His Raging Freestyle Storm Against Donald Trump

One of the most memorable televised Rap performances of the last 20 years came courtesy of Eminem and Elton John. Although Dido famously sang on "Stan" (it was her would-be hit "Thank You" that producer 45 King sampled), the diamond-certified John stepped in during 2001's Grammy Awards. Besides the great... Read more

December 7, 2017 Fresh

Pete Rock Goes Hard In The Paint At Waka Flocka For Disrespecting Hip-Hop’s OGs

At the top of this month, rapper Waka Flocka Flame appeared in a lengthy video interview with the ThisIs50 staff. Among a host of topics, the gold-certified rapper defended his generation and faulted Hip-Hop's older community for not properly informing him and his peers about the industry, and providing necessary information. Around... Read more

November 19, 2017 News, Video

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

Pusha T Details Grindin’ A Clipse Breakup Into Putting G.O.O.D. Numbers On The Board (Video)

Today, Pusha T is president of one of Hip-Hop's most recognized labels of the last dozen years. He's launched enduring fashion brands, committed himself to causes and charities, all in the path of a career built on elite Rap lyricism. In the latest episode of The Blueprint, King Push' sits... Read more

October 16, 2017 Video

RZA Explains Why Passing The Wu-Tang Production Torch To Mathematics Adds Up (Video)

Last Friday (October 13), Wu-Tang Clan released The Saga Continues. Executive produced by RZA, the album marks a new label and independent contract for the legendary Shaolin collective. Moreover, RZA entrusted Wu-Elements producer DJ Mathematics with the sounds. Following a year of discussion surrounding the Clan's sound (Ghostface Killah was... Read more

October 16, 2017 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Have Just Released Their Best Album In Years. The Saga Continues (Audio)

Moments ago, members of Wu-Tang Clan released Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues. Executive produced by RZA, with strong role-playing from Method Man, the LP also features Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, and Masta Killa. Redman appeared on the album's first two singles (including one video), adding to a 20-plus-year bond with the... Read more

October 13, 2017 Audio, Interview

Black Thought Is A Triple Threat. He Acts As Well As He Raps.

"I feel like whether acting or making music or visual arts or fashion, I feel like you're sort of using the same muscles, with emphasis on different elements at different times," Black Thought tells Ambrosia For Heads. It's the day after his birthday, and the man who always seems to introduce... Read more

October 12, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film

Method Man Details The Life Experiences That Influenced His Complicated Role On The Deuce

For 13 episodes of The Wire, Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man played Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff. Well into a career that included film and television roles, "Cheese" showed Meth build on his portrayal of a Baltimore drug dealer over multiple seasons. He is back at work with The Wire's creator, executive producers, and many... Read more

October 10, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film

Stretch & Bobbito Are Back To Show A Whole New Audience What’s Good About Music & Life

Stretch & Bobbito changed lives. Their 1990s New York City radio show (via Columbia University's WKCR) had legions of fans staying up to all hours of the night, with fingers on tape recorders. On air (and off) DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber were perhaps Hip-Hop's greatest A&R men.... Read more

September 27, 2017 Exclusive, Interview

JAY-Z Performs Family Feud With A Choir & Restores The Harmony (Video)

JAY-Z recently told BBC's Live Lounge, "I've always tried to push the envelope as an artist, and make new things, and try to make things that's an elevated version of what I've done...I have to be happy with it before I let it go." JAY-Z Reveals He And Prodigy Made... Read more

September 22, 2017 Video

Wyclef Jean Explains Why Country Music Is The Original Gangsta Rap (Video)

Last week, Wyclef Jean released Carnival III: The Rise and Fall of a Fugee. The orator uses a storyteller's title on his eighth album. There have been ups and downs to the man who represents Haiti, Brooklyn, and north New Jersey. However, things are great for him right now. In addition... Read more

September 17, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, Video

JAY-Z Addresses Checking Kanye & Why They Have Not Spoken Since (Audio)

JAY-Z has given the most revealing interview since the June 30 release of 4:44. The legendary MC sat down with the Rap Radar Podcast to address everything appearing to linger since dropping his 13th solo album. In the nearly 70-minute conversation available for full stream to the public, Hov' annotated... Read more

August 18, 2017 Audio

Biz Markie Details How He Made The Mazda MPV A Hip-Hop Symbol

Biz Markie sat down with Questlove for the most recent episode of Questlove Supreme. There, the acclaimed MC/DJ/producer and super-collector had a lengthy and lighthearted conversation about his 35-year-career. Throwback: Classic Audio of Rakim and Biz Markie Rhyming in High School (Audio) Quest', a fellow collector, presses Biz about his... Read more

August 16, 2017 Lifestyle, Throwback

Rhyme Pays. Ice-T Offers Rare Access To His High Roller Lifestyle (Video)

Ice-T's album-making career began 30 years ago with Rhyme Pays. Even ahead of his Rap fame, Tracy Morrow had accumulated symbols of wealth from his days in the streets of Los Angeles, California. Those accounts of jewelry store heists and hustlin' gave Ice-T a spectrum of experiences to pull from... Read more

August 15, 2017 Video

Dave Chappelle & Kendrick Lamar Have A Deep Conversation Between 2 Masters At Work

Andy Warhol created Interview magazine in 1969 to allow interesting, creative people to have conversations, and let the public get rare access through reading. Two people dealing with industries that are foreign to most people can yield an interesting, intimate conversation different than the media-facing interview or the staged red... Read more

July 13, 2017 Fresh

A New Mix Tells Rakim’s Story Through His Spoken Words & Music (Audio)

Friday (July 7) marked a major milestone for Hip-Hop. Eric B. & Rakim's debut album Paid In Full celebrated its 30th birthday. With the event, Eric and Rakim reunited at the Apollo Theater for their first concert together in approximately 25 years. In support of the anniversary, more than 20... Read more

July 10, 2017 Audio, Mixes, Throwback

Puffy Explains How He Landed On Tribe’s Midnight Marauders Cover Before Fame (Video)

The week of Puff Daddy's 24th birthday, the would-be mogul ended up on his first album cover. In late 1993, before Bad Boy Records ever released a single, and No Way Out was a distant dream, Sean Combs appeared on the outer artwork to A Tribe Called Quest's third album,... Read more

June 29, 2017 Video

Bizzy Says He & Krayzie Are The Ones Capable Of Creating New Waves For Bone Thugs (Video)

One year ago, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released "Coming Home." The reunion single came just days following the Cleveland Cavaliers' first NBA title crown. In the 52 years between championships across major sports in Cleveland, one of its other symbols of success with Bone Thugs. Winning Grammy's, dominating the charts, changing the... Read more

May 11, 2017 Food for Thought

Brother Ali Details How Our Pleasures Are Used By Those In Power To Control Us

After a nearly five-year break, Brother Ali will release All The Beauty In This Whole Life this Friday (May 5). The Rhymesayers Entertainment mainstay has crafted an album that confronts so many issues in the modern universe. Ali Newman has a lot to say on what's happening with the world, and while... Read more

May 3, 2017 Food for Thought

Rob Swift Shows Why “The Breaks” Is The Most Authentic TV Show About Hip-Hop

On April 10, The Breaks completed the airing of its first season as a series. What began as a 2016 film for television extended for eight 2017 episodes. With actor, artist and director Mack Wilds portraying "Daryl 'DeeVee' Van Putten, Jr." in the Vh1 show, the cast also includes Hip-Hop figures such... Read more

April 26, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Killer Mike Interviews George Clinton. They Keep It All The Way Funky (Video)

Killer Mike bought and launched the SWAG Shop when his music career was gaining momentum as a retail and real estate investment. Once an admitted hustler, Mike Bigga saw he and his wife's shop as a lasting, legal venture that would also keep him connected to his Atlanta, Georgia community.... Read more

April 25, 2017 Video

Redman Explains Why He & Method Man ALWAYS Put The People First (Video)

Between 2010 and 2015, Redman did not release an album. As he has done throughout his 25-plus-year career, the platinum Def Squad veteran maintained his post as one of Hip-Hop's most respected MCs largely through performance. Whether kicking bars on TV or to worldwide venues, Redman and his partner Method... Read more

March 14, 2017 Video

Raekwon Discusses His New Album, Working With OutKast, His Wu-Tang Classics & More

For nearly 25 years, Raekwon has been an elite source of inventive Rap music. The Staten Island MC made his debut on the classic Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by transmitting some of that album's most memorable lines and verses. Following, Rae' pivoted in a different direction with a cinematic... Read more

March 7, 2017 Food for Thought

Puffy Daddy Details How He Helped Biggie Walk The Line Between Hardcore & Mainstream

During his life, The Notorious B.I.G.'s three Top 10 solo singles were all produced by Puff Daddy. The founder and CEO of Bad Boy Records worked with his "Hitmen" on each of "Big Poppa," "One More Chance (Remix)" and 1997's "Hypnotize." Those three records, as well as 1994's "Juicy" (which peaked... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Swizz Beatz Says He & DMX Are Seriously Working & He “Can’t Wait” To Release The Music (Video)

2017 marks five years since DMX has released an album. Swizz Beatz has been involved in all seven of Dark Man X's albums, and his eighth will be no exception. Appearing on DJ Whoo Kid's Whoolywood Shuffle show on Shade 45, Swizzy confirmed collaborations coming forth between he and the... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

N.O.R.E. & Havoc Have An Intense Conversation About The C-N-N/Mobb Deep Beef (Video)

More than 20 years ago, Capone-N-Noreaga made their breakthrough care of 25 To Life's "L.A., L.A." The Marley Marl-produced single featured Tragedy Khadafi and Mobb Deep. The remixed song, eventually packaged on 1997's The War Report debut from C-N-N, was a reply to Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg's 1995 single,... Read more

December 23, 2016 Video

Pete Rock Discusses His Smoke DZA Collabo Album & Who Would Be In His Dream Band (Video)

Last Friday (December 2), Smoke DZA & Pete Rock released their first collaborative album, Don't Smoke Rock. The Babygrande Records LP features Rick Ross, Royce 5'9", Jadakiss, Mac Miller, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., and Cam'ron (among others) on 13 brand-new Pete Rock productions. DZA, who has known Pete since he... Read more

December 5, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

Sir Jinx Speaks About Keeping The Production On Ice Cube’s Death Certificate True To The Game

Present day Hip-Hop relies heavily on serial albums. From The Blueprint to Detox, there is momentum in many great artists' catalogs that keeps the listener engaged while threading a concept. Twenty five years ago this week, Ice Cube released Death Certificate. This platinum album followed 1990's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted solo breakout,... Read more

November 2, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

DJ Premier & Prince Paul Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap & Why We All Need Perspective (Video)

DJ Premier and Prince Paul are two legendary producers in Hip-Hop (and beyond) with discographies that span back to the 1980s. Back then, Preemo joined Guru to launch the album-making years of Gang Starr. In the very same 1989 that No More Mr. Nice Guy released, Paul celebrated strong accolades... Read more

October 26, 2016 Video

Kendrick Lamar And Rick Rubin Meet & Have A Conversation For The Ages (Video)

Kendrick Lamar is a complex individual. The 29 year-old Compton, California MC makes music that is richly inventive, blending personal thoughts and intricate storytelling. He approaches the listener's ear with a variety of vocal tones, tempos, and styles of presenting his rich, often literary songwriting. On albums like good kid,... Read more

October 20, 2016 Video

Black Sheep Discuss How A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing Separated Them From the Pack

Twenty-five years ago, a duo whose sound was decidedly different from what was popular at the time stepped to Hip-Hop with A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing. Black Sheep's debut LP was the result of two minds, Dres and Mista Lawnge, merged into a unit who existed within the parameters of... Read more

October 20, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Joe Budden Discusses Why His Music & Personal Life Are At Their Best In 2016

If you're not constantly challenged, you're probably not doing it right. Joe Budden entered 2016 with a proven career—decorated with a cult music following, reality television history, a podcast, and an Eminem-backed super-group at his side. However, throughout the last 15 years, Joe Budden never seems to get complacent. When... Read more

October 17, 2016 Food for Thought

Soul On Ice: Ras Kass Reflects On His Groundbreaking Album 20 Years Later (Video)

By all accounts, Ras Kass is one of the most gifted lyricists of all-time. For more than 20 years, Ras Kass has been seizing every opportunity to approach rapping with thoughtfulness, complexity, and message-driven content. Of course, he wasn't the first to do so, and he credits KRS-One and Rakim... Read more

October 1, 2016 Video

Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz Look At Some Of The Costs Of A Couple Of Dollars (Video)

Tomorrow (September 30), Apollo Brown and Skyzoo will release their first collaborative album, The Easy Truth. As the Detroit, Michigan producer explained to Ambrosia For Heads this week, the easy truth is what we are all fed, left for us to decipher whether it is truly real or false. One... Read more

September 29, 2016 Food for Thought, Video

Token Explains His Journey As An MC & How Music Saved His Life (Video)

Less than one week ago, Salem, Massachusetts MC Token released his debut project, Eraser Shavings. The 17-track effort featuring production by Nottz, Clinton Sparks, and Jon Glass (among others) arrives just as the lyricist turns 18 years old. Although he is a teenager, this MC is hardly new to the craft.... Read more

September 28, 2016 Exclusive, Video

Watch The Making Of The Mural That Immortalizes A Tribe Called Quest In Queens, NY (Video)

Today marks the 25th anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest releasing their album, The Low End Theory. The group's second LP, often considered their master work, was released on September 24, 1991—changing the musical landscape around it ever since In a 2016 that has tragically lost group co-founder Phife Dawg to... Read more

September 24, 2016 Video

The Making Of ATCQ’s The Low End Theory, Told By People Who Were There

Twenty five years ago today, A Tribe Called Quest released The Low End Theory. The Queens, New York collective had seemingly achieved what so many of their peers aspired to: a record contract, devoted fans, and hits in rotation through a certifiably respected debut. Still, with Q-Tip at the helm,... Read more

September 23, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

The Force M.D.’s Tell Their Story In One Of Trisco’s Last Interviews (Video)

Last week, Force M.D.'s member Trisco Pearson passed away (September 16) after a public battle with cancer. The veteran singer was an integral part of a Staten Island, New York collective that pioneered the Hip-Hop and R&B hybrid in its melodic harmonizing, beat-boxing, and rapping. That group has an interesting... Read more

September 20, 2016 Video

AZ Vows “Doe Or Die 2” Will Be His Final Album & It’s Coming This Year (Audio)

It has been more than seven years since Brooklyn, New York MC AZ has released an official album. In 2010, the co-founder of The Firm dropped a special 15th anniversary homage to his debut Doe Or Die. In that time, the Quiet Money lyricist has vowed that like peers Nas,... Read more

September 19, 2016 Audio, News

Jermaine Dupri Asserts He Put Funk In Hip-Hop Before Dr. Dre’s Chronic (Audio)

The relationship between Jermaine Dupri and West Coast Hip-Hop, especially Dr. Dre is an interesting one. The So So Def Records founder gained strong notoriety in early 1992 when he produced quadruple platinum album Totally Krossed Out for new Atlanta, Georgia Rap duo Kris Kross. That LP, released through RuffHouse/Columbia... Read more

September 13, 2016 Audio

Ed Gordon Recalls Building Closeness With Tupac After Questioning His “Thug” Life (Video)

Tomorrow (September 13), veteran broadcast journalist Ed Gordon will launch his new, self-titled series for Bounce TV. Throughout the last 30 years, the Detroit, Michigan native has been a pillar of news and information, as a longtime host and correspondent on BET, plus contributor to "60 Minutes," "Today," and other... Read more

September 12, 2016 Video

Daylyt Explains His Face Tattoo & Its Much Deeper Than You Think (Video)

In recent years, the interest driving the sport of Battle Rap rivals that of mainstream Hip-Hop. While there are no album sales to track, and less resources to hype a career (the daily stream of songs and videos), Hip-Hop superstars (Eminem, Drake) are showing that they personally are excited by... Read more

September 6, 2016 Video

De La Soul Describe Their Million Dollar Album With Priceless Jewels

In two days (August 26), De La Soul will release its eighth album, and the Anonymous Nobody. Released through the trio's own AOI (Art Official Intelligence) imprint, the album follows up on 2004's The Grind Date with an assortment of features, and at least one theme. While the Long Island, New... Read more

August 24, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Snoop Explains Why He Befriended Suge Knight After Knight Tried To Have Him Killed (Video)

Snoop Dogg was the latest guest on The Breakfast Club and, as is often the case, the OG shared a lot of game. Shortly into the discussion (3:45), the conversation turned to the current status of Snoop's relationship with Suge Knight. Snoop said that he and Knight, who is currently... Read more

August 11, 2016 Video

Dave, Maseo & Pos Reminisce On Before De La Soul Was Born (Video)

Unlike Hip-Hop artists in the digital age, many 1980s and 1990s acts do not have extensive recordings prior to their first album. Long Island, New York trio De La Soul had history prior to 1989's gold-certified 3 Feet High And Rising debut. Little of that history has been released, due... Read more

July 18, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q Discusses His Historically Unique Feature Choices (Video)

Less than one week ago, ScHoolboy Q released his fourth album, Blank Face LP. The TDE/Interscope Records effort features appearances by Tha Dogg Pound, E-40, and Jadakiss, among others. Speaking with DJ Whoo Kid this week on The Whoolywood Shuffle Shade 45 radio show, Groovy Q explained his feature choices,... Read more

July 14, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q Thinks Guns Should Be Taken Away From EVERYBODY (Video)

Anyone who has listened to a ScHoolboy Q album knows that he keeps it all the way real with his vivid depictions of gangsta life. Rather than glorify the lifestyle, like 95% of other rappers, Q's lyrics are grim and mournful, and he is quick to say that, while he... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video