Focus’ free album is here. With songs featuring Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Nottz and more, what’s not to like?
Listen to the whole album, Music of the Misinterpreted, and download it below. Music of the Misinterpreted by Focus...... Read more
Archives
EDO.G has been dropping nothing but HEAT the last few weeks. Here’s some more.
Check out the video for Stop It. Ed's album, A Face in the Crowd, drops on 5/17. It's sounding like a winner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU6gasWau4I&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Talib Kweli blesses Clyde Carson with a verse on U & I. The track has a funky laid back West Coast feel to it.
Check it out. Click here to download. Talib sounds good on these West Coast tracks. Remember this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEkHSPgySuM... Read more
Curren$y’s mixtape with The Alchemist, Covert Coup, is one of the best of the year.
Here's the video for Blood, Sweat and Gears from that project. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL_QXrYrOzY&feature=player_embedded Click here to download the Covert Coup mixtape.... Read more
Need lyricism? Look no further than ScienZe’s new EP titled Simply Aesthetic.
Clever lyrics, cool flow, quality message. Nuff said. Listen to the whole EP and download it below. Simply Aesthetic EP by ScienZe... Read more
TechN9ne adds to the long list of solid Toca Tuesday Freestyles.
This one was clearly a written verse, as are most "freestyles" these days, but it's still dope (even with a flub). Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOd0duXL7UI&feature=player_embedded# Click here for more Toca Tuesday Freestyles.... Read more
Would you believe it to be possible to have someone remake Illmatic and have it be INCREDIBLE?
That's exactly what Elzhi has done with ELmatic. Let's be clear. Illmatic is a one of a kind classic. BUT, Elzhi has written new rhymes for the songs and producer Will Sessions has updated the tracks, often with live instruments, and it is shockingly good (especially since I was fully... Read more
Here’s another ill sample. Check out how Nottz flips this classic Queen track for Pusha T.
Here's the video for Pusha T's Open Your Eyes. This is another one from Pusha T's stellar Fear of God mixtape. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZwAgHmcj2s&feature=player_embedded Here's the Queen classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ... Read more
Curren$y and newcomer Celeb Forever jump on one of Lenny Kravitz’s most psychadelic soulful tracks.
Check out Alive. Click here to download. Here's the Lenny Kravitz track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StF5rMCrV3w... Read more
Pac Div comes with some of that new G-Funk on Rollin’. This one BUMPS.
Check out the video. http://vimeo.com/23463398 This joint is off Pac Div's Don't Mention It mixtape which DEFINITELY deserves mentioning. If you don't have it already, listen to the whole thing and download it below. Download Mixtape... Read more
Prodigy jumps on a grimy joint with Ox, a fellow Queens MC. The track is very fitting for a Mobb Deep vocal.
Check out Killer Squad. Click here to download.... Read more
There was a long video clip of Kanye West’s Coachella performance floating around a few weeks ago. Here’s the audio for the full performance.
Check it out. Click here to download. The full video is rumored to be dropping soon. Check out this 48 minute clip in the meantime, if you missed it.... Read more
Here’s the last installment of Kidz in the Hall’s Brain Candy series. The mixtape drops on Thursday.
Check out the video tease and full song for Playground. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpCw3nuJfyg Click here to download.... Read more
EDO.G’s album is sounding like it’s going to be really strong.
His first single, Fast Lane, was a vintage cut produced by DJ Premier. This follow up, produced by Statik Selektah, is another banger. Check out Speak Ur Mind ft M-1. Ed's album, A Face in the Crowd, drops on 5/17. Click here to download.... Read more
Big Sean makes the most of this No I.D. beat. Check out I Do It.
This one comes by way of Whoo Kid's mix show. Click here to download.... Read more
Happy Mother’s Day to the moms out there. You are appreciated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdI8SfMHuxs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNcloTmvTeA... Read more
Check out this preview of a MONSTER new track from Detox, set to 24/7-like visuals of Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao. The song is called Die Hard. It’s about to go down…
Check out this preview of a MONSTER new track from Detox, set to 24/7-like visuals of Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao. The song is called Die Hard. It's about to go down...... Read more
Here’s a new video from Kev Brown and Kaimbr. Check out Go Green.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9vzDcttIE4&feature=player_embedded Click here to download a mixtape of Kev Brown classics.... Read more
Ready for Summer? This week’s Soul Cooking playlist features the kind of soul and funk music you might hear at a Summer BBQ in the early 80′s. You’ll find songs like Cutie Pie, Rock Creek Park, Watching You, Single Life, Rumors, Double Dutch Bus and more.
Just press play, sit back and here it is, the groove, slightly transformed...... Read more
Phil Ade has been paying tribute to a lot of artists from the 90’s in his PhilAdeFridays series. This week he jumps on De La Soul’s classic Breakadawn track.
Check it out. Click here to download. And, here's De La's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udSjNOZ26o8... Read more
Freddie Gibbs tells a stark story about the consequences of growing up too fast in Way 2 Fast.
It's a serious tone for a serious subject. Check it out. Click here to download. Below is what Gangsta Gibbs had to say about Way 2 Fast, and if you want to hear more storytelling raps, check out this playlist. From Freddie Gibbs: “The song is basically a true story.... Read more
Here’s a mix to take you into your weekend and beyond…You’ll find new music featuring Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar, Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, Styles P, DJ Quik, Wiz Khalifa, Rapper Big Pooh, Stalley, Wale, Devin the Dude, J. Cole, Mobb Deep, EDO.G, Eminem, Royce Da 5’9″ and more.
There's been a lot of good music released in the last few weeks. Here's just a taste. It starts off laid back and soulful and finishes with that boom bap. Check it out. Ambrosia For Heads LONS Mix by Parfit... Read more
Fresh off his incredible album Returnof4eva, Big K.R.I.T. is still dropping hot new music.
This is more uptempo than most of the cuts on Returnof4eva. Check out Pop A Bottle ft $upaMane. Click here to download. And, click here to download Returnof4eva, arguably the best rap album to drop so far this year.... Read more
Remember the magic DMX and Swizz Beatz used to make together? Here’s a new one to add to their discography.
I'm not saying it's where they used to be, but DMX is GOING HARD like he hasn't in a looong time. Check out Get Your Money Up. Click here to download. And, in case you forgot how hard they used to go, check these out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThlhSnRk21E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMRXGnGrHak... Read more
Mobb Deep is back with a solid new track. Check out Must Go Hard.
Click here to download. Also, click here for an incredible article on the making of Mobb Deep's The Infamous album.... Read more
Here’s a new joint from Chuuwee’s upcoming album. Check out It Was Great Here.
Chuuwee has established himself as one of the better up and coming artists. He has a distinct ability to sound fresh and current while still incorporating elements of classic 90's hip-hop in his sound. He's released several solid cuts in the last few months. Look out for the new album... Read more
New J. Cole…from the ALBUM. Nuff said. Check out Disgusting.
Listen to the song and see what Cole had to say about the album (via Twitter) below. It's about to be a Cole Summer. Click here to download. Here's what J. Cole had to say about the album.... Read more
Wale and Meek Mill dropped a teaser video for 100hunnit a couple of days ago. Here’s the official video.
Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gp1kGGchkw&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Raekwon’s Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album keeps on rolling.
Here's the video for Butter Knives. http://vimeo.com/23176515 For more Raekwon, click here.... Read more
Here’s Freddie Gibbs’ first effort on Young Jeezy’s label and naturally it’s a collabo with the man, himself.
Check out Stripes (Run-D.M.C.). What do you think of the recent spate of indie cats (Stalley, Wale, Gangsta Gibbs, to name a few...) linking up with major labels and artists? Click here to download.... Read more
It’s time for another Toca Tuesday Freestyle. This one comes courtesy of Random Axe (aka Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price).
They go in over 2 beats, one of which is from Odd Future (peep the quick reference from Black Milk). Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGH3rJViiV0&feature=player_embedded Click here for more Toca Tuesday Freestyles ft Saigon, Cyhi Da Prynce, Yelawolf and others.... Read more
Salute to Redman. He’s still doing it well after 20 years. Check out the video for Cheerz.
This is from Redman's latest album, Reggie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nBszEEg5_Y&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Black Cobain and Wale go IN on 4am. The rhymes are on point and the track is lush and soulful.
Hopefully this move to Maybach Music Group is going to give Wale some more shine without changing who he is as an artist. Check out the video for 4am. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baqpYAUCXfQ&feature=player_embedded Speaking of Wale, here's another video from him that just dropped: 100hunnit w/Meek Mill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4dUEsfn3Z8&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Here’s a simple but stylish video from Versis called Slow Down.
Watch the video and and listen to Versis' whole album, illcandescent, below. http://vimeo.com/23167095 Here's the album: iLLCANDESCENT by Versis... Read more
What’s better than a new song from Phonte? A new song and a new video from Phonte…
Check out Focus' song Uh! ft Phonte and the latest video from The Foreign Exchange's Authenticity album, The Last Fall. Here's Uh! UH! feat. Phonte by Focus... And, here's the video for The Last Fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PanDa2DZ3g&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Reks’ latest album is packed with tracks from some of the most credible producers in hip-hop.
He's already dropped videos for songs produced by DJ Premier and The Alchemist. The latest video is for Mascara, produced by Statik Selektah. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOH0T3AKnjE&feature=player_embedded For more Reks, including a full album stream and link to buy the album R.E.K.S. - Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme), click here.... Read more
It’s been a minute since Mickey Factz dropped something new. He’s back with a new series called May-Hem.
The first entry is called Fearless. You can read what Mickey had to say about the series and hear Fearless below. Fearless by Mickey Factz Click the arrow button on the player to download Fearless. Here's what Mickey had to say about the May-Hem series and Fearless (click here to... Read more
Curren$y and Stalley jump on a nice soulful track with Nesby Phips.
Check out Magic. Click here to download.... Read more
?uestlove has long been one of the more fascinating personalities in hip-hop but has he always been like that?
Check out how he was when he was 17 from the latest episode of MTV's When I was 17.... Read more
Here’s a new video for an older Jay Electronica song. Check out Dimethyltryptamine.
Try saying that fast 3 times... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SThOdYGRmI8&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Chuuwee is back with a new song with a throwback sound. Check out Stuck in ’92.
Chuuwee has put out a lot of solid music over the last few months. He's quickly becoming one of my favorite up and coming artists. Click here to download. For more Chuuwee, click here.... Read more
If you like that West Coast G-Funk sound, this week’s Soul Cooking playlist is for you.
It's no secret legendary beat makers like Dr. Dre and DJ Quik were heavily influenced by the likes of Parliament/Funkadelic, Slave, Cameo, Zapp and Rick James, to name a few...You'll find lots of that classic funk sound on this playlist. Just press play, sit back and prepare to get funked... Read more
This is a really amazing performance from Big K.R.I.T. It speaks for itself.
Check out The Vent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sadSa9Kb1VA&feature=player_embedded... Read more
EDO.G is back with on a vintage track from DJ Premier…it’s a perfect opportunity for a new installment of PREEM-EAR.
PREEM-EAR: EDO G "FAST LANE" It's been a minute, so if you don't recall or your new to AFH, PREEM-EAR is the column in which I break down DJ Premier tracks--many of which may not have gotten the shine they deserved. Fast Lane is an exception because it's new AND... Read more
All the recent heat around The Beastie Boys has gotten me thinking about Def Jam of old. You can’t talk about the original Def Jam sound without mentioning Rick Rubin. He is the subject of our latest Producer Series playlist.
Rick Rubin was a purist. He liked BIG thumping 808 drums, hard snares, hard rhymes and not much else on his songs. At the time, when rap was still being recorded mostly over disco and R&B covers, his sound was revolutionary. He was among the first to capture the rawness... Read more
Eminem and Royce Da 5’9″‘s collabo on Bad Meets Evil was one of the dopest songs on The Slim Shady LP.
They traded hot bar after hot bar. The have flirted with making a full album together called Bad Meets Evil for some time. It looks like it will finally happen and the first single is here. Check out Fast Lane. Here's Bad Meets Evil if you haven't heard it in... Read more
Lupe Fiasco’s Words I Never Said is one of the best tracks on the album. Check out the new video.
The video is just as intense as the song. If you're quick enough on the pause button, you'll peep the QR code Lupe sticks on the bus (and again on a wall later in the video--click here if that's gibberish). It's a belated Easter egg from Lupe. Here's the video:... Read more
Consequence just dropped a new joint on a Kanye West track. Check out Everybody Told Me.
Click here to download.... Read more
Here’s a cool video of 9th Wonder interviewing Big K.R.I.T.
9th talks to K.R.I.T. about his influences, the XXL Freshman experience, Returnof4eva and more. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whg_V8Lz3OI&feature=player_embedded Speaking of Big K.R.I.T.'s musical influences, click here for some songs from his soul influences.... Read more