jay-z Archives

What’s All the Fuss About With Jay Electronica? This Mix Says It All (Audio)

Over the years, Jay Electonica has become one of Hip-Hop's most enigmatic figures. With no albums and a paucity of unofficial mixtapes in his catalog, the elusive MC still manages to captivate fans, and figures like Diddy and Jay Z, with each mysterious release. And, the promise of his LP... Read more

July 25, 2015 Mixes

Will Smith & Jay Z To Produce Mini-Series On Life & Murder Of Emmett Till

Today (July 25) is the birthday of Emmett Till. He would have been 74 years old. The Chicago, Illinois native was murdered on August 28, 1955 while visiting family in Money, Mississippi. Then just 14 years old, Emmett—who was Black—spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant. In the hours that followed, Till... Read more

July 25, 2015 News, TV

Your Old Droog Puts Together A Playlist Featuring Mobb Deep & Miles Davis

Anybody familiar with the music of Brooklyn, New York's Your Old Droog knows that that the MC enjoys music beyond his own. Admittedly a fan of Rock & Roll music first, this MC draws inspiration from 1990s East Coast Hip-Hop, and dusty Jazz and Funk breaks. All of these forms... Read more

July 23, 2015 Playlists

Jay Z Blessed Stretch & Bobbito’s Show With 3 Different Freestyles In 1995 (Audio)

Earlier this week, AFH shared a 1996 three-hour radio show of DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber's show (thanks to DJ Eclipse, who spun then and digitized it now). Big L was among the show's guests, bringing with him Ma$e, Bloodshed, and Killa Cam'ron (as Children Of The Corn).... Read more

July 18, 2015 Throwback

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Their Annual Summertime Mix (Download)

When it comes to music, there's nothing that says it's summertime quite like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie's annual mix. Perfect for BBQs, sitting by the pool or cruising down the streets, their Summertime series has provided a soundtrack for the season for the last 5 years. Now, the... Read more

July 4, 2015 Audio

19 Years Ago Today Jay-Z & Biggie Smalls Showed Why They Were Brooklyn’s Finest (Audio)

Although it was never a Reasonable Doubt single, "Brooklyn's Finest" helped make Jay Z's debut album a milestone album. Released 19 years ago today (June 25, 1996) the moment would serve as the first collaboration between Jay and his fellow George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School attendee, The... Read more

June 25, 2015 Throwback

Why Did Nas Sign Dave East? Because He’s Hungry. Just Listen (Video)

Every once in a while, you can hear the hunger in an MC's voice. Whether it's untempered desire for success or the unabashed quest for the throne, there's an edge that comes out, and it's palpable. It was audible in Kendrick Lamar's career-shifting "Control" verse. It manifested in King Los'... Read more

June 23, 2015 Video

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

Method Man Gets 100% Real About His Album, The Media & Why He No Longer Curses on Songs (Interview)

We had the opportunity to speak at length with Method Man to discuss his forthcoming new album, The Meth Lab, and more. The veteran MC had a lot on his mind and did not hesitate to touch on several issues with candor and depth. In addition to talking about his... Read more

June 11, 2015 Audio

Drake Makes Waves Of His Own As The Face Of Apple’s New Music Service

Today (June 8), the forthcoming Apple Music is not starting from the bottom. The electronics giant announced at San Francisco, California's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that Apple Music is on its way—June 30 to be specific. Moreover, Hip-Hop superstar Drake was on hand for the affair. Wearing a vintage Apple... Read more

June 8, 2015 News

Ghostface Killah Explains Why His Jay Z Collab Fell Through and Why He Won’t Release His Verse (Video)

Ghostface Killah is the Iron Man. That being said, even Tony Starks has his limits. When recently asked why his reported collaboration with Jay Z and Raekwon for 2013's "Heaven" fell through, Ghost admitted taking too long to get the verse to Jay. The song was originally slated to appear... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

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

Here’s a Feel Good 90s Hip-Hop and R&B Mix to Kick Off the Summer (Audio)

As the warm rays of the Summer sun start to shine through, soak up the good vibes of this 90s Hip-Hop and R&B mix put together by DJ Rumor. You'll hear music from Groove Theory, SWV, Aaliyah, Missy, Hi-Five, TLC, The LOX, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Faith Evans, Michael Jackson,... Read more

May 24, 2015 Throwback

Canibus’ Career Is Mysterious. So Let Him Tell All In “Audiobiography” (Audio)

It's been almost two decades since rapper Canibus arrived on the scene with his 1998 debut, Can-I-Bus. After quite a few label changes, controversial songs and interviews, and changes in direction, the Jamaican-American emcee has released an album with Wu-Tang affiliate Bronze Nazareth called Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise. With... Read more

May 23, 2015 Audio

It’s The Roc In Here. Beanie Sigel & Freeway Discuss Reuniting With Jay Z (Video)

Jay Z conducted two high profile B-Sides concerts for his new Tidal music service last weekend (5/15 & 5/16). While Jay pulled out his bag of tricks, including a diss of competitors like YouTube and Spotify, the event that reverberated the most was his reunion with State Property members, Beanie... Read more

May 22, 2015 Video

Freeway Illuminates The Community, In Protest Of Police Brutality (Video)

While Freeway was visiting the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area in protest for justice for Freddie Gray, he filmed a video for his song "Illuminate," which he dedicated to the slain 25 year-old man. The video, accented by murals in passing around the city, has an underlying message of love. The footage is of... Read more

May 19, 2015 Video

Guess Who’s Back? Jay Z & Beanie Sigel Reunite On Stage

Throughout the 2000s, Jay Z and Beanie Sigel made history together. The Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and one of the label's star pupils released a number of hit songs together, including "Guess Who's Back?," "Ignorant Shit Remix," and "1-900-HUSTLER," among others. They appeared on each others' albums, and toured together. However,... Read more

May 17, 2015 News

Why Did Jay Z Sign Vic Mensa? Watch His Blackout Freestyle Over Roc Boys (Video)

Less than halfway into 2015, it's already been a monster year for Vic Mensa. The multi-talented Chicago MC has collaborated with Kanye West twice, and was recently signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation. To some, the signing may have been a surprising move, but for Heads who have followed Mensa... Read more

May 15, 2015 Video

Can An MC Be Considered The Greatest of All-Time After 5 Years? This Short Film Says YES (Video)

“Can it be that it was all so simple then?” The nostalgia effect is a strong one in Hip-Hop, and causes us not only to look back with optimistic revision, but also, at times, prevents us from embracing the greatness of late. It is not uncommon to hear someone argue... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT: Who Is the Greatest MC Of All-Time & Why Do We Care? (Video)

Chances are, if you are a Hip-Hop fan, at some point in your life, you've been embroiled in a conversation about who is Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time (GOAT) MC. Whether it was in a lunch room, on a school bus, in a barber shop or in a board room, there... Read more

May 7, 2015 Video

De La Soul Explain Their Criteria For What Makes a Great MC. Do You Agree? (Video)

Many have opinions about what criteria makes a great MC, but few have the credentials to back them up like De La Soul. As Hip-Hop survivors and thrivers for more than 20 years, Posdnuous, Dave and Maseo are among Rap's most influential artists, and when they speak, Heads listen. As... Read more

May 7, 2015 Video

Diddy Says Can’t Nobody Hold Him Down. Tops Dr. Dre on Forbes Hip-Hop List (Video)

After it was widely-speculated that Dr. Dre had become Hip-Hop's first billionaire, following Apple's purchase of his Beats by Dre headphones line, it appears Diddy remains Hip-Hop's wealthiest artist. Forbes has released its 2015 Forbes 5: Hip-Hop's Wealthiest Artists list, along with a quick video detailing key revenue streams for... Read more

May 5, 2015 News

Whatever Happened to That Jay Z & Raekwon Collaboration? Raekwon Speaks (Video)

Back in May of 2013, a photo of Jay Z and Raekwon in the studio leaked and set the Internet ablaze. The instagram photo was released prior to the announcement of Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail album, leaving Heads to speculate wildly about what Hov and The Chef might... Read more

April 29, 2015 Video

Skills Trump Luck…Vic Mensa Signs To Roc Nation

Vic Mensa is having an incredible last 12 months. Since INNANETTAPE two years ago, the Chicago, Illinois MC/musician has released a hit video single in "Down On My Luck," released two songs with Kanye West, and now, he's signed to one of the music industry's premiere labels. Today (April 21)... Read more

April 21, 2015 News

Jadakiss Jacks Jay Z for Another Beat. What’s His Name? JADA…(Audio)

Kiss the week goodbye, as Jadakiss hits Friday April 17 with not one, but two lyrical scribblings over Jay Z instrumentals. This time, Jada' takes the Swizz Beatz-helmed "Jigga My Nigga (What's My Name)" from the first (platinum-plus) Ruff Ryders compilation, which Jadakiss and The L.O.X. were a key part... Read more

April 17, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Takes Jay Z’s Beat and Gets Far From Jiggy With It (Audio)

In the 2010s, Heads may not realize it, but Jadakiss has released some of the coldest music that still carries the Roc-A-Fella Records logo on the back. That said, 'Kiss takes an In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 standout moment from Jay Z and makes it his own. "Where I'm From,"... Read more

April 17, 2015 Audio

Jay Z Releases Visual To One Of His Most Personal Songs In Years (Video)

Jay Z has been making headlines recently through his new business venture with Tidal. In support of the new music streaming business, he released a music video for the song "Glory," reminding us that he is an artist and a father first and foremost. Before Common & John Legend were... Read more

April 16, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT: What We’ve Learned So Far & Why No MC is Safe

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 21 contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in Round 3 will get a bye in Round... Read more

April 7, 2015 Fresh

Can You Knock The Hustle?… Jay Z Pulls Reasonable Doubt From Spotify, Onto Tidal

Jay Z's 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt is a very special jewel in the artist-turned-mogul's treasure chest. The album that cemented Jay's status as a renowned lyricist has been a touchstone in his career ever since. There were 10th anniversary Radio City Music Hall concerts, a lot of Decoded real estate... Read more

April 6, 2015 News

Charles Hamilton Takes Over a Jay Z Classic With a Complex Off the Top Freestyle (Video)

A couple of weeks ago, Charles Hamilton slayed Sway's Five Fingers of Death Freestyle challenge. He went completely off the top for nearly 7 minutes over not five but EIGHT different beats. At the end, he said he wanted one more...and the video cut off. Now, that last freestyle has... Read more

March 29, 2015 Video

Ever Hear This Mix of Jay Z Mashups with Songs By Biggie, 50 Cent, Whodini, The D.O.C., Soul II Soul and More? (Mixtape)

Here's a look back at a mixtape of Jay Z mashups put together by DJ Lennox. He takes thirty of Jay's choicest vocals and seamlessly blends them with songs made by Biggie, 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Whodini, Afrika Bambaataa, Musiq Soulchild, The Beatles, The D.O.C., Busta Rhymes, Soul II Soul... Read more

March 28, 2015 Mixes

Big Daddy Kane Names His List of the Greatest MCs of All-Time. Who Made the Cut? (Video)

"Me, KRS and Rakim changed the whole way people rhymed..."--Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane is widely considered to be one of the greatest MCs of all-time and, for many, he is the GOAT. So, when Kane speaks about his list of Hip-Hop's best lyricists, it takes on a different... Read more

March 24, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Jay-Z vs. MF DOOM…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 19, 2015 Fresh

Remember When Jay-Z and DMX Battled and Got Shown Up by Their Security Guard? (Video)

Here's a look back at one of the best moments of one of Hip-Hop's finest documentaries, Backstage. The scene was set for two of the all-time greats, DMX and Jay-Z, to go head to head in a battle. Each kicked icy cold verses...only to both be shown up by their... Read more

March 7, 2015 Throwback

Rick Ross Needs No Assistance Movin’ Bass In His Latest Visual (Video)

Rick Ross' "Movin' Bass" was the latest in a 10-year run of major collaborations between he and Jay Z. The Hood Billionaire and the near real-life billionaire blitz with bars about former D-boys making hits. For the video, Jay Z sat it out (something he's made a habit of in... Read more

March 6, 2015 Video

Jay Electronica Breaks The Ice On 2015 with Road to Perdition (Audio)

Jay Electronica loves the suspense. The New Orleans, Louisiana MC announced European and Chinese tour dates earlier this week. Without warning, the Roc Nation MC/producer follows with a song that was rumored to be included on Act II: Patents Of Nobility, per 2012 tracklist reports. Although Jay Z was claimed... Read more

March 6, 2015 Audio

Just Blaze Releases The Beat Jay-Z & Rick Ross Wanted, Encourages Only Nice MCs To Touch It (Audio)

Just Blaze is one of the more interesting producers on social media. The Patterson, New Jersey producer/DJ enjoys waxing poetic about music, technology, industry, life, and engaging with his legions of fans. With that unpredictability in mind, Just released "Miracle," an instrumental track that he claims was a bidding war... Read more

February 23, 2015 Audio

Kanye West Says His Next Album Returns To Music, Opens Up About Class, Religion & Dame Dash (Video)

A lover of surprises, Kanye West popped in on The Breakfast Club this morning (February 20), and the superstar sat in the hot seat for nearly an hour. In a particularly light mood (especially compared to his November 2013 visit), 'Ye takes any and all questions—including some penetrating inquiries from... Read more

February 20, 2015 Video

The Very First Time Jay Z Performed On TV, They Didn’t Even Say His Name (Video)

Before 1990, Jay Z was not on too many radars. The guest on The Jaz' "Hawaiian Sophie" was in the place that a lot of hopeful artists can relate to. He had a moment in the sun (of a whimsical EMI Records single of his then-rhyme mentor), and was trying... Read more

February 18, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a Flawless Blend of Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige on President’s Day (Audio)

For decades, the president's most mentioned in Hip-Hop are the late ones...So, on Presidents Day here's a look back at a flawless blend of Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige by Heretic East Productions, from 2011. "Dead Presidents Remix" combines Jay's first verse from the original "Dead Presidents," with Nas'... Read more

February 16, 2015 The Bridge

Drake Upstages Everybody With The Ultimate Sneak Attack Move

Despite all the major fanfare transpiring in Manhattan tonight with NBA All Star activities and the march to Fashion Week, Drake (who was in attendance at Roc City Classic) may be out for the gusto. Just as he did more than five years ago, Drizzy delivered a mixtape, cleverly titled... Read more

February 12, 2015 News

Rick Rubin Reveals His Insider Stories Behind Songs He Produced

In recent years, RapGenius has been the go-to website to decipher your favorite Rap lyrics, but it often works best when the artists themselves log on to give their insight. Artists who have created verified accounts to do this include Nas, Kendrick Lamar, GZA, Common, Joey Bada$$, and many more,... Read more

February 3, 2015 News

What If Jay Z Was White? Take a Look (Video)

There's been a lot of discussion about the appropriation of Hip-Hop lately. After showing what The Wire would look like if it took place in gentrified Brooklyn, SNL took on the sensitive subject of Race & Hip-Hop with no fear. Witness the "fully accurate Jay Z story," as portrayed by... Read more

February 1, 2015 Video

Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Jay Z Is Going Head To Head With Dr. Dre & Beats

Despite owning competing record labels, distributed by competing majors, Dr. Dre and Jay Z have been most amicable for more than 15 years. More than once, the pair has done business together, from Jay's writing of Dre's "Still D.R.E." hit single verses, to Dre supplying sounds on Jay's Kingdom Come,... Read more

January 30, 2015 News

O.C. May Be One Of The Only Artists Who Can Claim To Have Received A Free Jay Z Feature

D.I.T.C. MC O.C. has several championed releases, stemming from his 1994 Wild Pitch Records debut, Word...Life, his 1997 Payday follow-up, Jewelz, his near-bootleg release Starchild, to his Apollo Brown tandem, Trophies. 2001's Bon Appetit is not one of O's more celebrated works, though the Brooklyn, New Yorker maintains it's the... Read more

January 25, 2015 Throwback

Funkmaster Flex Drops Some Nuclear Bombs on Jay Z. Says He Can Ruin Him (Audio)

Whoa. Funkmaster Flex fears no man. Last night, he went completely nuclear on Life + Times and, seemingly, its owner...Jay Z. Flex referenced several issues that had him upset. He felt disrespected by an interview of him by Life + Times a few years ago, ostensibly about his mobile app,... Read more

January 16, 2015 Audio

Jay-Z’s Pre-Reasonable Doubt Demo Tape Surfaces, Ch-Check It Out (Audio)

Before he was regarded in Rap's most elite lyrical circles, and long before he was a sports agent, franchise owner, or mega-million executive, Jay-Z was just another rapper hungry for an opportunity. Before the Brooklyn, New Yorker would form his own Roc-A-Fella Records imprint with Dame Dash and Kareem Biggs,... Read more

January 15, 2015 Audio, Mixes, Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Jay-Z vs. AZ…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 13, 2015 Fresh

The End Of An Era For Hardcore Hip-Hop…DJ Premier’s Studio Closes Its Doors Today

Nas' Illmatic recorded there. The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die recorded there. Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt recorded there. And nearly every song by Gang Starr, in addition to every track produced by DJ Premier since 1992 was recorded there. Today, on January 7, 2015, Premo announced that D&D Studios a/k/a HeadQCourterz... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh

Listen to Over 170 of the Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2014 in One Playlist (Audio)

2014 was an incredibly diverse year for Hip-Hop, musically and thematically. Many of the sounds that have dominated airwaves and web streams remained, but something returned that had been missing from the culture for quite some time: the voice of the people. In a year that saw more unrest in... Read more

January 5, 2015 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists