Parfit

Scarface Names More Than 15 MCs Better Than Him. Do You Agree? (Video)

The legendary Scarface stopped by the Sway in the Morning show in promotion of the release of his new book, Diary of a Madman: The Geto Boys, Life, Death, and the Roots of Southern Rap. Given the multi-decade history between Face and Sway, the conversation had the promise of something... Read more

April 26, 2015 Video

From Yonkers to Brooklyn: Fabolous Has Got These 90s Freestyles on Lox (Audio)

After several weeks of stellar freestyles over 90s beats, Fabolous remains at the head of the pack. Loso has delivered some of his best verses in years over tracks by Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan and Puff Daddy and the Family. His latest strikes close to home, literally and figuratively. Fab... Read more

April 25, 2015 Audio

Never Before Released Footage From Friday Rehearsals Surfaces Featuring Ice Cube & Chris Tucker (Video)

Last week, was the 20th anniversary of the release of the film Friday. Starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, the movie has become a cult classic both because of the universal themes it addressed and the authentic feeling of the hilarious dialogue. However, like most things in life, greatness often... Read more

April 25, 2015 Throwback

GQ & Locksmith Drive Rhymes From The Backseat Of A Lyft (Video)

In the latest installment of the increasingly popular "HipHopLyft" series, Bay Area MCs Locksmith and GQ (of Jamla Records) drop conscious gems in freestyle form as they are driven around the streets of San Francisco. The two spitters both represent Team BackPack, a musical conglomerate that is dedicated to connecting... Read more

April 25, 2015 Video

Lloyd Banks Perfectly Matches The Pharcyde’s Flow on His Passin’ Me By Freestyle (Audio)

Lloyd Banks has released some of the best freestyles of the month, but he's outdone himself with the latest. Banks picks The Pharcyde's seminal "Passin' Me By" track, produced by J-Swift, and perfectly mimics the flows and cadences of multiple members of the group. As the G-Unit member tailors his... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

Styles P Has Got the Inner City Blues. What’s Going On in 2015? A Lot…(Audio)

From The D.O.C. to Scarface, Spice 1 to Yasiin Bey, Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" has been the source of some of Hip-Hop's most meditative songs. The dark chords from the original pulled one of Gaye's deepest performances from him, as he pondered the ills of ghettos across America. Styles... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

Yelawolf & Eminem Serve Revenge Cold With Red Hot Flows (Video)

Yelawolf has released the official video for "Best Friend," his mournful prayer with Eminem. The song is part sorrowful reflection and part vengeful sermon about past transgressions each has suffered the forthcoming consequences for their enemies--a one way trip for a meeting with the Maker. Staying with the theme of... Read more

April 24, 2015 Video

Few MCs Can Flow on a Big Daddy Kane Classic. Jadakiss is One of Them (Audio)

"Raw," "Ain't No Half Steppin'," "Smooth Operator"...Those are Big Daddy Kane classics, for sure, but for many Heads there is no finer lyrical performance from Kane than the one he dropped on 1989's "Young, Gifted and Black." There was no hook, no smooth R&B, just BDK detonating a two minute... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier To Score Upcoming Film on The History of the Business of Hip-Hop (News)

The legendary DJ Premier has announced the next move in his already diverse and groundbreaking music career. VH1 has chosen the Gang Starr producer to compose, score and take on the role of executive music producer for their upcoming original movie The Breaks. The film will be written, directed and... Read more

April 24, 2015 News

Did You Know Erick Sermon Could Have Signed Biggie? The Green Eyed Bandit Speaks (Video)

2015 is shaping up to be a big year for Erick Sermon. The Green Eyed bandit has launched a new collection of Hip-Hop rugs called Def Rugs, and is releasing ESP, his first album since 2004's Chilltown, New York, in June. E Double sat down with Sway and covered a... Read more

April 23, 2015 Video

Kendrick Lamar and Glasses Malone Search for Harmony Over a Bone Thugs Inspired Track (Audio)

Although there have been a slew of freestyles over classic Hip-Hop tracks from the 90s lately, Glasses Malone's "Thuggin'" featuring Kendrick Lamar is something different. The two MCs come together on an interpolation of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's seminal "Foe Tha Love of $" and flip the script. Rather than a celebration... Read more

April 23, 2015 Audio

Nas & AZ’s Illmatic Collabo Was Supposed to Be Over Juicy. Hear What Could Have Been (Audio)

Though the sample has now been used countless times, Heads will forever associate the deep bass line and knock from Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" with The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy" flip on his debut album, Ready to Die. However, a lesser known fact is that the song was originally supposed to be... Read more

April 22, 2015 Throwback

Knxwledge Lives Out His Hud Dreems After Producing Rap’s A-List (Audio)

Los Angeles, California-residing producer Knxwledge has been an active member of his city's eclectic beat/instrumental scene. His distinct method of blending Jazz record, psychadelic riffs and unique rhythms have gained him quite a bit notoriety and Hip-Hop heads may recognize him for his work with noteworthy MCs like Kendrick Lamar,... Read more

April 22, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Here’s an Amazing New Film About the Evolution of Hip-Hop Radio in the 80s (Video)

Red Bull Music has put together an amazing new documentary about the evolution of Hip-Hop radio in the 80s. Titled Revolutions On Air: The Golden Era of New York Radio 1980 - 1988, the short film serves as an in-depth look at some of the key personalities responsible for bringing... Read more

April 22, 2015 Throwback

J. Cole Unleashes a New Visual About Young Love…Literally (Video)

Last year's 2014 Forest Hills Drive album fully-delivered on the promise J. Cole has shown since the days of his mixtape, The Warm Up. That project put Cole on the map of Heads all over the world, including that of Jay Z. After a couple of major label releases that... Read more

April 21, 2015 Video

ONYX Are Back and Ready to Revolt Against All Corrupt Authorities (Audio)

Since the days of "Slam," ONYX have always made fighting music. As the years have progressed, so has the message for Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr. The two have returned with more riot music but the target is very different than before. "Against All Authorities," their new release and the... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

Fifteen Years Later, Love & Basketball Still Endures (Lifestyle)

Fifteen years ago this month, Gina Prince-Bythewood made her directorial debut with Love & Basketball. Starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, the film became a quintessential love story for an entire generation of fans unused to seeing faces of color in this context on the silver screen. The Shadow League... Read more

April 21, 2015 Lifestyle

Raekwon & A$AP Rocky Draw Parallels In Their Path To Stardom (Audio)

As 2015 continues to be a year of consistent Hip-Hop success, founding Wu-Tang member Raekwon has graced his fans with another release from his upcoming solo album Fly International Luxurious Art (F.I.L.A) (April 29) his first since his 2011 acclaimed LP, Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang. In the song "I Got Money," Raekwon... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

RJD2 Returns To Full MC Albums. Catch A Glimpse With STS (Audio)

The nostalgic production of RJD2 blends with the easygoing yet rousing wordplay of STS (a/k/a Sugar Tongue Slim) in their latest collaboration “420," released on the calendar date. In their past work together, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based tandem have blessed Heads with soulful joints such as “See You Leave” (From RJD2's... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

Showtime Is Releasing a Documentary on Allen Iverson. Watch the Trailer (Video)

Along with Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson is one of the first athletes of the Hip-Hop generation who wore the culture on his sleeve. From the cornrows to the saggy jeans, The Answer was a rebel who compromised for no one. That attitude made Iverson a force on the court, but... Read more

April 20, 2015 Lifestyle

Killer Mike Celebrates His Birthday With Flair (Video)

It's been quite some time since Killer Mike released solo material, in lieu of his work with El-P as part of Run the Jewels. Even Mike's last solo album, R.A.P. Music was like an RTJ project, as it was completely produced by El-P. On his birthday, however, it's all about... Read more

April 20, 2015 Video

Two Decades Later, Does Grandmama Still Fly? Larry Johnson Speaks (Video)

Along with commercials like Michael Jordan's "Be Like Mike" Gatorade campaign and Anfernee Hardaway's "Lil Penny" series, few basketball ads from the 90s are more iconic than Larry Johnson's "Grandmama" campaign for Converse. The series launched during Johnson's rookie year with the Charlotte Hornets in 1991-92. The spots featured LJ... Read more

April 20, 2015 Lifestyle

Audio Push Are Sending Out “Good Vibes” On Their New Mixtape (Audio)

Audio Push, the talented California duo of dancers turned MCs, have released a mixtape carrying on a tradition established by West Coast pioneers like Dr. Dre and Cypress Hill, celebrating the medicinal herb. With their mixtape The Good Vibe Tribe, Hit-Boy's HS87 signees have delivered a wide-ranging project that flows... Read more

April 20, 2015 Audio

Kanye West Reportedly Joins Puff Daddy’s Hitmen

This past weekend Puff Daddy made an unforeseen announcement via Instagram that he is now back in the studio with his production team The Hitmen (a/k/a Puffy's Hitmen). This is Sean Comb's first album since releasing Last Train To Paris in 2010 and he is now back in the studio with members Chucky Thompson, Deric "D-Dot"... Read more

April 20, 2015 News

This Throwback Hip-Hop VIDEO Mix Will Blow Your Mind (Video)

Here's an absolutely devastating throwback Hip-Hop video mix from UK DJ E Double D. The mix and song selection, from the late 80s and early 90s, would be enough but, the added layer of overlaying visuals takes it to a completely different level. E Double pulls out clips featuring Eric... Read more

April 20, 2015 Throwback

Lloyd Banks Drops a Killer Freestyle on a Vintage Dr. Dre Beat (Audio)

Of the many 90s Hip-Hop freestyles over the last few weeks, Lloyd Banks has released some of the best. After tackling classics by Black Moon and Raekwon, Banks sets his sights to the Left Coast and unleashes a powerhouse verse over the "Serial Killa" track Dr. Dre produced for Snoop... Read more

April 19, 2015 Audio

Fabolous Has Been a Bad Boy on These 90s Beats. Check His Latest Freestyle (Audio)

The recent onslaught of MCs rapping over 90s beats has, in most cases, been a welcomed homage to what many consider to be the Golden Era. Jadakiss, Styles P, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo are among the many to have refreshed a track over the last few weeks. Fabolous also... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio

Run the Jewels Drop a Gem for Record Store Day (Audio)

Run the Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P) show their support for Record Store Day (4/18) with the release of a vinyl 12" record. The offering sports a brand new song titled "Bust No Moves," featuring SL Jones, "Pew Pew Pew" (from the European version from their first Run the Jewels... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio

Ever See This Cypher With Snoop, Kurupt, Daz, Nate Dogg and Dr. Dre? (Video)

Ain't nuthin' like a gangsta party...Here's a look back at an amazing studio moment from The Chronic era. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Kurupt and Daz conduct a crazy off the top cypher, with Dr. Dre holding down the melody on a piano and Nate Dogg in the background with the vocals.... Read more

April 18, 2015 Throwback

Celebrate 25 Years of A Tribe Called Quest With This Incredible Mix (Audio)

This has been a landmark year for A Tribe Called Quest. After celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Low End Theory album being certified platinum in February, yesterday (4/17) marked 25 years since the debut of their groundbreaking album, People’s Instinctive Travels & the Paths of Rhythm. To celebrate the... Read more

April 18, 2015 Throwback

In a Week of Massive Trailers This May Be the Biggest. Batman vs. Superman (Video)

Even before the Summer of 2015 Box Office officially gets started with the May 4th release of The Avengers, fans may already be looking well past August for their movie fix. Yesterday, the second trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, JJ Abrams' reboot of George Lucas' multi-generational franchise, was... Read more

April 17, 2015 TV/Film

When It Comes to Rhymes, Curren$y is Putting Up Major Weight (Audio)

It's been almost two weeks since Pilot Talk 3 (April 5) was released, and since then, Spitta Andretti has not eased up for a victory lap, but rather, floored the creative gas pedal. With another upcoming mixtape, Even More Saturday Night Car Tunes scheduled to drop April 20 (4/20 for the... Read more

April 17, 2015 Audio

The Luniz Still Got “5 On It”—Just A Little Early This Year (Mixtape)

Earlier this week, Oakland, California duo the Luniz announced they were reuniting after a more than 10-year hiatus. MCs Yukmouth and Numbskull wasted no time delivering on the promise, releasing a new mixtape today titled High Timez. As with their signature hit "I Got 5 On It," the mixtape is... Read more

April 17, 2015 Mixes

Was 1980s New York The Greatest Age Of Hip-Hop On Radio? (Video)

In the upcoming (April 22) Revolutions On Air: The Golden Era of New York Radio (1980 – 1988), Red Bull Music Academy takes us way, way back to the early days to witness a crazy time in New York City when things were really happening and a new culture was... Read more

April 17, 2015 Throwback, TV/Film, Video

Chill Moody Takes A Guns N’ Roses Ballad & Makes It Hip-Hop (Audio)

Chill Moody is an up and coming rapper from West Philadelphia with a raw sound, and riveting lyrics. The "Nice Things movement" MC prides himself is being one of the top emerging lyricists in the City Of Brotherly Love, and he goes for the gusto with "November Funk." The beat... Read more

April 16, 2015 Audio

TIME Names Kanye West 1 of the 100 Most Influential People. Hate Him or Love Him, It’s True (Video)

Kanye West has come a long way from lobbying Dame Dash and Jay Z for a record deal as an artist. Since his debut album, The College Dropout, in 2004, he has re-shaped the sound of Hip-Hop, and all music, time and time again. Not one to settle, West has... Read more

April 16, 2015 Video

Raekwon Performs a New Song on Revolt Live (Video)

Raekwon kept busy last year with his Throwback Thursday Freestyle series and the A Better Tomorrow album with Wu-Tang Clan. It's been four years, however, since the Chef released a solo studio album. All that will change later this month when Rae releases F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art). Raekwon stopped... Read more

April 16, 2015 Video

Spit Gemz & Kool G Rap Host A Wordplay Clinic In Latest Collab (Audio)

Spit Gemz is one of Hip Hop's rising rugged Rap voices. In his track “Legacy," he teams up with veteran supreme lyricist Kool G Rap to deliver some of that classic New York under-belly flavor. The two MCs both represent Queens, but it's not the only thing they have in... Read more

April 15, 2015 Audio

stic.man & Last Poets’ Umar Bin Hassan Bring Rap Back To Its Roots (Audio)

Last Poets legend (and MC pioneer) Umar Bin Hassan shares a canvas with Rap renegade stic.man of dead prez. The two oft-outspoken wordsmiths paint a vivid picture of the moral atrocities happening in America's shadows. In their song “Are We Trapped," the two touch on a number of our society’s... Read more

April 15, 2015 Audio

Astro Shortens His Name But Keeps Pushing Forward Lyrically (Audio)

As he's gone from a boy to a man, The Astronomical Kid has shortened his name to Astro and now Stro. No matter the moniker, since his seventh place finish on the first season of the U.S. version of X Factor, he has remained one of Hip-Hop's most promising voices.... Read more

April 14, 2015 Audio

Murs Serves Up Some Protest Music in His Powerful Visual for No More Control (Video)

Over the years, Murs has been unafraid to travel down paths many MCs would not go. Whether it's pursuing his love of graphic novels or taking a hard and unflinching look at intolerance of same sex love, Strange Music's latest addition to the roster does not back away. Last month,... Read more

April 14, 2015 Video

Ever Hear This Rare Mos Def & Talib Kweli Freestyle? (Audio)

One of the most disappointing moments in Hip-Hop relates not to something that happened, but rather something that didn't. After releasing the nearly universally acclaimed album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) and Talib never united again for a follow up. At the... Read more

April 14, 2015 Throwback

Yelawolf & Eminem Look to the Heavens for a Place to Send Their Enemies (Audio)

Yelawolf has released the full version of an epic collaboration with Eminem. Each MC is capable of delivering rapid-fire blistering lyrical assaults, but they divide and conquer on "Best Friend." Rather than rapping, Yela sings on the haunting first verse and then throws the alley-oop to Em who slips into... Read more

April 13, 2015 Audio

Cookie Lyon Meets Cookie Monster. No One on Sesame Street is Safe (Video)

The season might be over for FOX's breakout hit, Empire, but that doesn't mean the show's matriarch, Cookie Lyon (played by Taraji P. Henson), is taking a break. Instead, she's taking over a new show and a new street. In a hilarious SNL spoof, Queen Lyon invaded the world of... Read more

April 13, 2015 TV

Finding the GOAT: These MCs Are Going to Round 4

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 3, there are only 21 MCs remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began in September, more than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of Hip-Hop fans have... Read more

April 12, 2015 Fresh

Curren$y Picks Up the Pace on Sidewalk Show. It’s Still Soulful Though…(Video)

Curren$y has a penchant for laid-back, soulful beats. Few can ride a track with the flexibility and ease of Spitta. Ski Beatz also has a taste for these dark and melodic sonic textures, which makes the two a formidable match. As collaborators for more than five years, Curren$y and Ski... Read more

April 12, 2015 Video

Donnie Trumpet & Chance the Rapper Deliver Some Colorful Sunday Candy (Video)

Donnie Trumpet & Chance the Rapper have made a colorful visual for their joyous and Gospel-tinged "Sunday Candy." The artists are collaborating under the name The Social Experiment, and the song is from their Surf album. Both natives of Chicago, Donnie and Chance have been working together for years. As... Read more

April 12, 2015 Video

Imagine Nas Over Some of Kanye West’s Hardest Beats…Now Take a Listen (Mixtape)

Over the years, while Nas has rocked over some classic beats, one of the few criticisms levied against the iconic MC has been his beat selection. With a catalog that sports classic tracks from DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, No I.D. and more, there have also been records... Read more

April 12, 2015 Mixes

Astro, Sir Michael Rocks & More Refelect On Obstacles Overcome (Audio)

Sir Michael Rocks, Astro, El Prez, SkyBlew, and Clay James have put their heads together on “Untouchable," a reflective posse cut produced by Money Montage and Coopatroop. Each MC touches on obstacles met and overcome in his past, on the meditative song. Check it out. Related: Astro Handles the 5... Read more

April 11, 2015 Audio

Raekwon & Ghostface Take the 2015 Coachella Stage and Rock Like Veterans (Video)

The first weekend of the 2015 Coachella Festival is taking place this weekend in Indio, CA. The stages and tents will be filled with performers and DJs all weekend long, but fans got a real treat earlier today when Raekwon and Ghostface Killah rocked a 30+ minute set filled with... Read more

April 11, 2015 Video