Parfit

Ever See This Mos Def Freestyle From 1992? The Star Power is Already Clear (Video)

Long before his acclaimed collaboration with Talib Kweli, Mos Def was a star. Here's a look back at the then 19-year old MC (now known as Yasiin Bey), stepping to the mic and wrecking shop on Toronto's Power Move Radio show. The clip is an excerpt from the 1994 documentary... Read more

April 11, 2015 Throwback

Fabolous Needs to Do an Album With Havoc. Listen to Him WRECK This Mobb Deep Track (Audio)

Over the last several weeks, there have been a slew of artists dropping freestyles over classic 90s Hip-Hop beats, but Fabolous has been the author of some of the very best. Two weeks ago, he set the internet on fire with is explosion over Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones Pt. II."... Read more

April 11, 2015 Audio

Vic Mensa Releases the Official Version of His Kanye West Collaboration. U Mad? (Audio)

Vic Mensa has been steadily putting in grind time for more than 6 years. The Chicago MC burst onto the scene in 2009 as part of the Hip-Hop band, Kids These Days. While a member of the group, Mensa and the Kids released a dark and stirring version of Kanye... Read more

April 10, 2015 Audio

Rapsody Drops a Thunder Clap Freestyle Over Biggie’s Who Shot Ya (Video)

Rapsody's profile has taken on new heights over the last few weeks after her inclusion as one of only two guest MCs on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album. Now, she and Kendrick have something else in common as each has dropped rough and rugged freestyles over The Notorious... Read more

April 10, 2015 Video

Flying Lotus Interviews Kendrick Lamar and Premieres Unreleased Verse (Audio)

Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar have collaborated on a number of projects. Last year, Kendrick lent his staccato jazz vocals to "Never Catch Me" from the producer's You're Dead LP, and K. Dot tapped FlyLo to produce "Wesley's Theory," the first song on Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly album. The... Read more

April 10, 2015 Audio

Lloyd Banks Sounds Like He Was Built to Flow on This Raekwon Classic (Audio)

Lloyd Banks is on a mission with these takeovers of classic 90s Hip-Hop beats. After rocking out over Black Moon's "How Many MCs" earlier in the week, Banks serves up some icy cold lyrics over the "Criminology" beat RZA concocted for Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx second single. Banks,... Read more

April 10, 2015 Audio

Celebrate the Incomparable Jill Scott’s Birthday With This Mix of Remixes & Covers (Audio)

Happy Birthday to the incomparable Jill Scott who celebrated her born day on April 4th. Since her voice is the gift that keeps on giving, it seemed only right to honor the occasion with her music. Last year, DJ Rahdu put together an amazing mix of remixes and covers by... Read more

April 9, 2015 Mixes

Here’s Vintage Footage of Lauryn Hill Showing and Proving Her Freestyle Vocab (Video)

Before becoming mega-platinum stars with multiple Grammy Awards, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef used to actively go from school to school searching for worthy MCs to battle. One look at this vintage clip of Lauryn effortlessly flowing off the top over Wyclef plucking the acoustic guitar shows exactly why most MCs... Read more

April 9, 2015 Throwback

Fresh Off His Album Release, Curren$y Is Right Back to Giving Fans New Music (Audio)

Just five days after the release of his third installment of the high flying Pilot Talk 3, Curren$y has released a single last night titled "Life 2 Die For", which was not included on his album. Spitta Andretti links up with producer Purpdogg, and the result is another smooth cut... Read more

April 9, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Kxng Crooked Goes Hard Over a Beat That Recalls Vintage Dr. Dre (Audio)

Kxng Crooked, formerly known as Crooked I, returns with a new banger than shows why he deserves his new title. Producer, Jonathan Elkaer, is a Denmark-native whose style on "I Don't Give a F**k" can be compared to a Chronic 2001-era Dr. Dre, which only adds to Crooked's delivery. While... Read more

April 9, 2015 Audio

DJ Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Features Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Styles P, Raekwon & More (Mixtape)

After several hot leaks over the last few months, DJ Kay Slay releases his latest mixtape, The Industry Purge. The project features a host of guest MCs, including, Raekwon, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., Jon Connor, Freeway, Lil Fame, Young Buck, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Chris Rivers, Locksmith, Troy Ave and more.... Read more

April 8, 2015 Mixes

No 90s Beat is Safe. Tony Yayo Sparks Up Channel Live (Audio)

While it's fairly common in Hip-Hop for MCs to jack each other for beats, the practice is usually directed at the hot track of the moment. Last year, songs like Drake's "0 to 100," Troy Ave's "All About the Money" and Bobby Schmurda's "Hot N*gga" were all regular targets. However,... Read more

April 8, 2015 Audio

Young Buck, Freeway & Lil Fame Take a Trip Down Memory Lane with Kay Slay (Audio)

On the eve of the release of DJ Kay Slay's mixtape, The Industry Purge, he teams up with Young Buck, Freeway and Lil Fame (of M.O.P) to bring us “Memories”. In this Stay Gettin'- produced track, the MCs take turns spitting candidly about the things they've witnessed on their rise... Read more

April 8, 2015 Audio

MC Lyte is Still Checking Mics Effortlessly. Just Watch (Video)

"When you say you love me, it doesn't matter. It goes to my head as just chit chatter." Ever since MC Lyte uttered those words on 1988's "Paper Thin," the game changed. Lyte burst onto the scene as one of the hardest-spitting MCs around (male or female). She also was... Read more

April 8, 2015 Video

Ludacris and Marshawn Lynch Are in Full Beast Mode in His Latest Visual (Video)

Ludacris' new album hit stores last week, but his hustle continues. Ludaversal showcases some of Luda's most aggressive rhymes in years and none are more hard-hitting than in "Beast Mode." In the video for the song, Ludacris stages a mock press conference in order to seemingly mock outlandish media coverage... Read more

April 8, 2015 Video

Rapsody Breaks The Backboard With A Freestyle, After Discussing Race & Complexion (Videos)

Rapsody continues to garner strong attention over the last month. Since appearing on "Complexion" from Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, the Jamla Records veteran (of sorts) has a story that everyone is curious about. Rap' appeared on HOT 97's Ebro In The Morning this week, to speak with E,... Read more

April 7, 2015 Video

Vince Staples’ Atypical Long Beach Upbringing Comes To Life In A Mini-Documentary (Video)

In the latest episode of "The Neighborhood," Complex zooms in on Long Beach, California lyricist Vincent Staples. The video takes the viewers on a casual stroll through the young MC's old stomping grounds and let's us get up close and personal with some of his childhood friends and family members.... Read more

April 7, 2015 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff Calls Will Smith One Of Rap’s Greatest Storytellers. Do You Agree?

Slick Rick, Dana Dane, Rakim, Ghostface Killah, Ice Cube, Andre 3000, Nas, Kendrick Lamar...Hip-Hop has its list of great storytellers. According to DJ Jazzy Jeff, any GOAT Storyteller list is severely suspect if it does not include Will Smith, perhaps forever known to Hip-Hop Heads as The Fresh Prince. In... Read more

April 5, 2015 Fresh

Chuck D Gives a True Music History Lesson in His Conversation with Nardwuar (Video)

When it comes to conducting interviews, Nardwuar is a crate-digger, literally and figuratively. When he got his shot to interview Public Enemy's Chuck D, courtesy of Brother Ali and Z-Trip, the Canadian journalist took full advantage. As is often the case with Nardwuar interviews, he drove the discussion by going... Read more

April 4, 2015 Video

DJ Premier Is a Supreme Producer But Can He Rap? Nah, But Here’s a Dope Interview (Video)

While at SXSW, a festival where interactive VR lounges and pop-up spaces for bitcoin casinos share the same crowded blocks as legendary hip-hop sets, PRhyme, DJ Premier & Royce Da 5'9″, stopped by for a special edition of Sway in the Morning. They spoke on a litany of new topics,... Read more

April 4, 2015 Video

Fabolous Flows Over a Wu-Tang Classic. It’s Not a Game (Audio)

When presented with a concept, Fabolous never falters. The Brooklyn, New York star follows up his freestyle rendition of Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones, Part 2," and stays in the mid-1990s zone. Here, he moves from Havoc's anthem to one of RZA's finest concoctions, in 1993's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta... Read more

April 4, 2015 Audio

Ever See This Footage of Busta Rhymes Battling a Student at His Old High School? (Video)

Imagine you're Busta Rhymes visiting your old high school and a current student/wannabe MC steps to you to battle. Do you a) salute the lil homie for having the courage to spit his bars, b) forcefully check some disrespectful onlookers, or c) teach him why you're the DUNGEON DRAGON? Naturally,... Read more

April 4, 2015 Video

There Have Been a Lot of Kendrick Lamar Interviews. This One is Different (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has done a slew of interviews over the last few weeks since the release of his album, To Pimp a Butterfly. With so many conversations, inevitably, there is a fair amount of repetition. When Kendrick visited The Breakfast Club, however, Charlamagne, DJ Envy and Angela Yee brought something... Read more

April 3, 2015 Video

Common & John Legend Are Friends…But Not in This Lip Sync Battle (Video)

Spike TV has launched a new show called Lip Sync Battle that is hosted by none other than LL Cool J. As the title suggests, the show pits contestants against one another in epic fake verbal jousts. In its premiere episode, oft-collaborators and joint Grammy/Oscar winners Common and John Legend... Read more

April 3, 2015 Video

Watch Kendrick Lamar’s First Concert Post To Pimp a Butterfly in HD (Video)

Kendrick Lamar and Reebok partnered for a one of a kind rollout of Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly album and Reebok's ZPump Fusion shoe. 100 lucky fans and tastemakers were given the opportunity to watch Kendrick perform for the first time since the release of his LP, and receive a... Read more

April 3, 2015 Video

If There Was Ever a Question About Ludacris’ Lyricism, It Stops With This Intro (Video)

Much of the press around Ludacris' new Ludaversal album has centered around his renewed focus on lyricism on the project. Luda, himself, has spoken about believing he's been underrated as an MC over the years and that this album is about honesty and lyrical ability. No song makes his intent... Read more

April 3, 2015 Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of March 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

Along with the start of Spring, the month of March brought much to celebrate in Hip-Hop. Action Bronson released Mr. Wonderful, his major label debut album. DJ EFN hit Heads off with a slew of amazing collaborations on his Another Time LP. Earl Sweatshirt fired the latest salvo from Odd... Read more

April 3, 2015 Audio

Ludacris and The Roots Perform a Mind-Blowing Acoustic Version of What’s Your Fantasy (Video)

The last several weeks have been all about Ludacris' return to super-lyricism on his new album Ludaversal, which was released on March 31st. While quality new material is always welcomed, sometimes it's good to re-visit the classics, and that's just what he and The Roots did on a mind-blowing acoustic... Read more

April 2, 2015 Video

Watch Big Daddy Kane Tear Down the Stage in This Rare Concert Footage from 1999 (Video)

If you've ever been fortunate enough to witness a Big Daddy Kane show, live and direct, you know no one goes harder. In addition to top choice lyricism, Kane provides all-out choreography, complete with jumps, kick-stepping and even splits. Legendary DJ, and former Fat Beats staple, DJ Eclipse attended a... Read more

April 2, 2015 Throwback

Rapsody Discusses Being One of Only 2 Guest MCs On Kendrick Lamar’s New Album (Video)

Unlike many of today's Hip-Hop albums, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly LP did not feature a lot of guest contributions. There were no verses from previous collaborators like Drake, J. Cole and A$AP Rocky. None of Kendrick's TDE label mates such as Jay Rock, Ab-Soul or Schoolboy Q joined... Read more

April 2, 2015 Video

DJ EFN Unleashes Another Heavy Collabo with Ras Kass, Black Milk, Black Collar and Cory Gunz (Audio)

For the last several months, DJ EFN has released some of the most interesting collaborations in Hip-Hop. Similar to peers like Statik Selektah and DJ Khaled, EFN has put out his own star-studded project, Another Time, featuring the likes of Killer Mike, Inspectah Deck, MC Eiht, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez,... Read more

April 2, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Releases the Video for the Ultra-Funky King Kunta. Can You Dig It? (Video)

Even before Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album was released, his song "King Kunta" already had people buzzing. Reports that, upon hearing the song for the first time, Pharrell had deemed it "unapologetically Black and amazing" set off a firestorm of social media chatter. When the song hit the... Read more

April 1, 2015 Video

Ad-Rock Describes Post-Beastie Boys Life, New Film With Ben Stiller

In a recent interview with GQ magazine, Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz sat down to reflect on his past as a member of Beastie Boys as well as to give insight on what the future holds for his entertainment career now that the legendary Hip-Hop trio has not only put their founder... Read more

April 1, 2015 News

Kendrick Lamar Decodes His New Album and Reveals Who the Butterfly Is (Video)

Kendrick Lamar came to New York for a few short hours to announce his participation in Hot 97's 2015 Summer Jam concert. During his stint in the city, he sat down with Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, Laura Stylez and Miss Info for his most extensive interview since releasing his To Pimp... Read more

March 31, 2015 Video

Rapper Big Pooh Talks Words Paint Pictures, History With Little Brother and Kicks a Freestyle (Video)

Rapper Big Pooh stopped by the Sway in the Morning show to promote his stellar Words Paint Pictures joint project with Apollo Brown. Pooh spoke about how he, Phonte and 9th Wonder met before forming Little Brother, as well as the current status of their relationship. He also spoke generally... Read more

March 31, 2015 Video

Ludacris Opens Up to Sway About His Most Personal Album Ever (Video)

On the eve of the release of his Ludaversal album, his first in four years, Ludacris sat down with Sway for an extended one on one conversation. Consistent with the tone of the album, Luda was extremely personal and unguarded during the interview. Notably, this was the first time Sway... Read more

March 30, 2015 Video

Remember Mixtape Wiz Khalifa? He’s Back…With Curren$y (Audio)

Before the Pop charts and the Gold plaques, Wiz Khalifa was one of the most revered MCs on the mixtape circuits. Projects like Burn After Rolling and Kush & Orange Juice help to launch one of Hip-Hop's most distinctive voices into orbit. Wiz's laid-back flow and penchant for soulful tracks... Read more

March 30, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar is Running Hip-Hop…Literally. Watch Clips From His Mobile Concert (Video)

Kendrick Lamar and Reebok partnered for a unique showcase featuring what might be Kendrick's first live performances from his new album To Pimp a Butterfly. They selected 100 guests to try out their new ZPump Fusion shoe in a 5K race. Unbeknownst to the guests the soundtrack for the race... Read more

March 29, 2015 Video

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 See This Early 90s 8-Minute Wu-Tang Clan Cypher? You Should…(Video)

When rhymes are razor sharp, there's no need for a track, a beat or even a hand clap. Wu-Tang Clan make that abundantly clear in this eight minute, a cappella cypher from their days in the early 90s. Video Fusion caught up with The Clan in what looks to be... Read more

March 28, 2015 Throwback

Remy Ma Takes Beats But No Prisoners on Her Truffle Butter Freestyle (Audio)

Remy Ma and Nicki Minaj are cool in real life, but on wax? Remy takes no prisoners. She does take beats, though, and for her latest she jack's Ms. Minaj's red hot Nineteen-85-produced "Truffle Butter" track. Remy the Ruler wastes no time serving notice to ALL of her peers, saying... Read more

March 28, 2015 Audio

Logic Brings the Pain With a Freestyle Over a Method Man Classic (Video)

Several of the best freestyles of the past year have come courtesy of Logic. He's ripped mics for Sway, LA Leakers and even the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Part of what makes his verses so special is his seamless ability to flip from written to "off the top" rhymes.... Read more

March 28, 2015 Video

Fabolous Jumps on Mobb Deep’s Shook Ones II and Goes Berserk (Audio)

What is it about Mobb Deep's Shook Ones II instrumental that brings out the best in MCs? Prodigy and Havoc's original version is an enduring classic and, of course, the track also elicited Kendrick Lamar's epic 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Now, Fabolous has chosen the track as the... Read more

March 28, 2015 Audio

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

A Kendrick Lamar/Jerry Seinfeld Mashup? So Wrong…But Hard Not to Listen (Audio)

You know an album has impact when mashups of its songs are being created just a week after its release. Last week, in a sneak attack, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album took critics and fans alike by storm. The album has been nearly unanimously praised for the depth... Read more

March 25, 2015 Audio

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

There’s a Reason Why Nas Signed Bishop Nehru. Just Listen (Audio)

Imagine you're an 18-year old up and coming MC and you get the opportunity to work with DOOM...and Nas decides to sign you. Those dreams come true represent just a portion of the good tidings that have come to Bishop Nehru over the last few years. The Rockland County, NY... Read more

March 24, 2015 Audio

Rapper Big Pooh Releases His Finest Music Since Little Brother (Album Stream)

Rapper Big Pooh has had a host of quality releases since his days with vaunted group Little Brother with Phonte and 9th Wonder. From 2005's Sleepers to his entire Fat Boy Fresh series, Pooh has stayed working. However, his recent union with Apollo Brown has produced some of the best... Read more

March 24, 2015 Audio

Chris Tucker is Doing His First Ever Full-Length Stand-Up Comedy Special (News)

Long before he was one of the biggest box office draws on the planet, Chris Tucker was a stand-up comedian with gut-wrenching skills. Sharing the stage on Def Comedy Jam with other legends in the making like Dave Chappelle, Robin Harris and Bernie Mac, Tucker more than held his own.... Read more

March 24, 2015 News

Yazz The Greatest aka Hakeem from Empire is a Real MC. Just Watch His Freestyle (Video)

Many do not know the name Yazz the Greatest, but the name Hakeem Lyon, along with the hit show Empire, has taken the nation by storm. Before embodying Hakeem, Bryshere Gray was an MC from West Philadelphia who went by the name Yazz the Greatest. Yazz recently visited the Sway... Read more

March 23, 2015 Video