Bandini

The LOX Rep New York City With Nightlife Style (Video)

The LOX takeover may be upon us. Just hours after Styles P and Jadakiss unleashed their "Sour" ode to a burnable of choice, the crew (complete with Sheek Louch) drops the video for "New York City." Black & white, with some color splashed in, the party is real, and the... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Alchemist & Budgie Invite Blu, Action Bronson & Domo Genesis In For Some G Code Talk (Audio)

The jewels from Budgie's Alchemist-produced The Good Book continue to stack up. Over a groovy piano loop, Budgie meshes in with guests including Blu and Odd Future's Domo Genesis, in addition to recurring cast member Action Bronson. "The G Code," applies to the streets and the skies, if you listen... Read more

March 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

45 King, Chill Rob G & Lakim Shabazz Share Flavor Unit Memories, Talk 45’s Heart Attack & Collaborations (Video)

Two New Jersey Hip-Hop legends came together over 25 years after their first link. 45 King and Lakim Shabazz, the founder and one of the star MCs of the first wave of The Unit, respectively, did a new episode of 45's "Making The Beat." While playing some joints, the pair... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

After A Killer Sway Freestyle, King Los Unleashes Zero Gravity II (Mixtape)

King Los is making moves. Along with Def Jam Records' Logic, Los represents Baltimore's brightest moment in the Hip-Hop consciousness on the mainstream level. Los inked a deal with Diddy and Bad Boy Records a few years back. Recently, in addition to a possible entry for 2014's dopest (and purest)... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Ludacris Knocks Nardwaur Off His Game (Literally) (Video)

Ludacris is an actor and a rapper. First a DJ, Luda's personality is what ultimately led to his rise to stardom. Although he's more reserved lately than he was in his come-up, Ludacris has a ball when encountering Nardwuar. The Atlanta MC playfully jabs at Nardwaur, capping jokes on his... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Andre 3000 Is Working With The Legendary Queen Of Soul? Pray Tell

Over the years, Andre 3000 has worked out of the Hip-Hop genre with some monsters. Three Stacks has teamed with George Clinton (care of OutKast), in addition to working with Gwen Stefani, Lenny Kravitz, and of course the 'Kast come-up with TLC. However, Billboard is reporting that Mr. Benjamin is... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh

Hi-Tek Takes Us From The Crib To The Studio & Breaks Silence In New Song (Video)

Reflection Eternal's DJ Hi-Tek has been laying rather low in the last year or two. The Cincinnati, Ohio underground Hip-Hop veteran came up through Mood, before making joints for Black Star, 50 Cent, and Styles P, in addition to constant work with Talib Kweli. In the new video for "Where... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Damn It Feels Good To Hear A Gangsta: The 2014 Revival Of Gangsta Rap (Food For Thought)

In just its first quarter, 2014 has witnessed its share of high profile releases. ScHoolboy Q unleashed his major label debut, OXYMORON, while Rick Ross’ continued his growth with concept and cohesion in Mastermind. Kid Cudi surprised everybody with a sneak-attack release, while Kid Ink, The Stepbrothers, and Isaiah Rashad... Read more

March 23, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Domino Breaks Down Where He Gets His Sounds & His Father’s Punk Roots In Crate Diggers (Video)

Hieroglyphics fans are up on Domino. Not to be confused with the Los Angeles rapper of the same name, San Francisco's Dom produced early joints for Del Tha Funkee Homosapien (when it was still spelled as such), as well as Souls Of Mischief and Casual. Dom, who has been a... Read more

March 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vince Staples Makes A Powerful Visual About His Growing Up Through The Eyes Of A Child (Video)

Children in Hip-Hop videos is a common theme over the last 15-plus years. From the Bad Boy Records glory-years Spike Jonze visual of The Notorious B.I.G. & 112's "Sky's The Limit" to Danny Brown's "Grown Up," plenty of artists (Kanye West, Atmosphere, Nas, J. Cole) have used children to show... Read more

March 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Z & Jay Electronica Drop Jaws & The Gloves On We Made It Freestyle (Audio)

UPDATE: Several years back, Jay Electronica confirmed his signing with Jay Z's Roc Nation, after speculation surfaced that Jay would remain a Decon artist, sign with Just Blaze's Fort Knox, or even ride with Diddy's Bad Boy Records. While the proposed tracklist to Act II: Patents Of Nobility (The Turn)... Read more

March 23, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

SneakerBoxChock Takes The Stage In His Visual To Elephants (Video)

Recently, AFH put the "Spotlight" on New Jersey MC SneakerBoxChock and his song "Elephants." Chock keeps it moving, and came with a compelling visual to match his message about the isolation in his personal life and career at times. This is heartfelt Rap that seems to suggest that even listening... Read more

March 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Memphis Bleek Recruits Sean Price For Some RNS Overtop A Roc-A-Fella Glory-Sounding Beat (Audio)

While questions lurk about Memphis Bleek's latest label venture, Roc Solid, Marcy Projects' own is picking up speed in a career that nearly spans 20 years. M.Dot keeps things Brooklyn on "RNS," the re-popularized phrase that was also a Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier joint from a decade ago, bringing... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

ScHoolboy Q & Delaware’s Jem Cretes List Their Hustle Commandments In New Song (Audio)

With ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON in the stores and on the charts, Wilmington, Delaware MC Jem Cretes unleashes his Groovy collaboration, "Hustle 101." The song pulls a bit from The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ten Crack Commandments" and Jay Z's "1-900-HUSTLER" in terms of giving the listener an instructional look on how to... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Peep The Words From The Genius. GZA Gives A Teen TED Talk About Hip-Hop Helping His Love Of Science (Video)

GZA has kicked since for 23 years and counting. The Genius, since his days running with Marley Marl and Cold Chillin' Records' Fly Ty Williams, has been an MC who stuffed a lot of information in his verses. Now, since the boom of the Wu-Tang Clan, GZA joins the likes... Read more

March 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Miguel Hazily Covers An Elton John Classic. How’s It Stack Up Against Biz Markie’s Version? (Audio)

Miguel is one of the more powerful voices in R&B right now. Blu's homie is hard at work on a follow-up from 2012's critically-acclaimed Kaleidoscope Dream. However, in between some soundtrack work, Miguel remade an Elton John classic, "Bennie & The Jets." The 1973 original (that still sounds timeless) got... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

De La Soul Reworks Some Of Their Own Classic Lyrics On This J Dilla Beat (Audio)

On March 26th, De La Soul is releasing Smell The D.A.I.S.Y., the group's first mixtape since 2006 (not counting the Nike project). The release pairs Posdnous, Dave, and Maseo with some unreleased/under-heard J Dilla productions, who was the trio's dear friend and collaborator since the Stakes Is High days. Following... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

With A LOX Album Brewing, Mister Cee Honors Styles, Jadakiss & Sheek With A Best Of Mix (Audio)

From his ties to Bad Boy Records as well as HOT 97, Mister Cee had a bird's eye view of The LOX's rise to prominence throughout the late '90s. The trio of Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P have only released two studio full-lengths, but like their Diplomats homies, rumors... Read more

March 20, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Rick Ross Decries The Devil Alone In This Backstreet Visual (Video)

As a father, husband, sports agent, multi-platinum recording artist and label head, Jay Z is a busy man. Rick Ross' former Def Jam boss missed out on the video for one of his most potent guest spots in some time in "The Devil Is A Lie." That did not phase... Read more

March 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Is Nas About To Sign Boldy James? Check This South By Southwest Show Of Support (Video)

Nasty Nas has had a few labels in his career, from Ill Will Records to The Jones Experience. Along the way, Nas oversaw a few critical projects from his brother Jungle and The Braveheartz, to the QB's Finest compilation aligning legends with Queensbridge emerging voices. Nas famously inked a deal... Read more

March 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kool Keith Takes Off The Mask & Gets Open In This Stellar Documentary (Video)

Kool Keith is a genius. The Ultramagnetic MC's front-man elevated the artform of lyricism to the highest level through albums like Ultramagnetic MC's Critical Beatdown and Wild Pitch Records one-off The Four Horsemen. However, along the way, the artist who regularly rhymed about trips to Bellevue Mental Hospital admitted to... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Nipsey Hussle Takes Cameras On A Tour Through The Crenshaw District (Video)

Crenshaw is Hip-Hop famous. In 1991, the strip became a film location in John Singleton's Boyz N' The Hood (the very place where a confrontation starting would ultimately lead to a tragedy later). A year later, a young Kurupt mentioned the intersection of Crenshaw & Slauson on Dr. Dre's "Stranded... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

King T Says That He Was Originally Supposed To Be On Kendrick Lamar’s Compton

2012's good kid, m.A.A.d city major label debut from Kendrick Lamar featured more than one Compton legend. Dr. Dre, whose Aftermath Entertainment co-released the album, appeared on "Compton," while MC Eiht provided chilly vocals to one of the LP's two title tracks. A new interview with DJ EFN's Crazy Hood... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

ZZ Ward’s Hip-Hop Blends Continue, This Time With Asher Roth & King Chip (Audio)

Singer ZZ Ward has great taste in Hip-Hop. Thus far, she's worked with Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, DJ Premier, and others. After taking a bit of a break, she reconvenes with Asher Roth. Last year, Ward guested on Roth's "See The World." Now, on a Blended Babies remixed-"365 Days," they... Read more

March 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul & Sir Michael Rocks Help Jesse Medina Make A Grand Entrance (Audio)

On April 1, Jesse Medina will drop the aptly-titled Meet Jesse Medina. With a new version of his single, "Riddims 2.0," Jesse recruits Black Hippy's Ab-Soul and The Cool Kids' Sir Michael Rocks, along with singer Anya Kvitka for the track about finding the pocket, of the beat and of... Read more

March 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

O.C. Is Forever A B-Boy. He Toasts To Lifetime Hip-Hop Heads In New Song (Audio)

O.C.'s been working lately. After dropping Ray's Cafe, an album with Bronx, New York producer/D.I.T.C. affiliate Ray West, Mush is back with "B-Boy Stance." The Brooklyn and Queens native (he's always claimed both) recalls his '80s childhood, and undying obsession with Hip-Hop at its purist level. Interestingly enough, the whole... Read more

March 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap Recalls Delivering Chinese Food, Financial Strategies, & His Realest Verse Ever (Video)

Kool G Rap interviews are getting better with the Queens MC's career. Once guarded in the '90s and early 2000s, the Juice Crew alum—who influenced a generation of rhyme spitters—is seemingly unafraid to be who he is, when the setting and questions call for it. Recently, Montreality sat with the... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Ghostface Killah Flows Over a Cosmic Soul Track with Flume (Video)

Almost 20 years after Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., Ghostface Killah is still rockin' the blue and the cream joints, with crazy visions. Tony Starks blessed Australian producer Flume with a "Space Cadet" verse that celebrates some timelessness from the Ghost repertoire, underneath some incredibly busy, far-reaching production. This... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pusha T & A$AP Ferg Have Some Explosive Chemistry On The Sean C & LV-Produced Hand In My Pocket (Audio)

From Tyler, The Creator, to Kendrick Lamar, to Big Sean, Pusha T has always been able to carve out some chemistry with the hot new lyricists of the day. The Clipse MC has many styles, and is seemingly always able to blend with others. Such is the case on "Hand... Read more

March 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

XV Has Some March Madness Of His Own, With Support From Childish Gambino & Big Jerm (Mixtape)

Wichita, Kansas MC XV had a rather quiet 2013. The veteran, who signed to Warner Bros. Records (now Atlantic Records) a few years back was presumed to be in the lab, fast at work on his major label debut. 2014 as it were, will not be so quiet. Vizzy released... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Wu-Tang Clan Unload Their First Single From A Better Tomorrow (Audio)

During the two-year march towards A Better Tomorrow, Wu-Tang Clan has unveiled some music along the way. However, as suddenly as ever, this morning brought the first official single "Keep Watch," featuring Nathaniel and Cappadonna. Produced by DJ Allah Mathematics ("Mighty Healthy" and "Publicity"), the song uses a loop, drums,... Read more

March 19, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Jon Connor Does Some Flint, Michigan Surgery On A Grip Of Kanye West Songs (Mixtape)

Even though he's in Dr. Dre's corner at Aftermath Entertainment, Jon Connor's playbook has not changed. The Flint, Michigan MC who paid tribute to MC Breed, got a cosign from Nas, and made the Hip-Hop/R&B charts with 2013's self-released Unconscious State is back to concept mixtapes. Two years removed from... Read more

March 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Chance The Rapper Frees Up The Original Version Of His James Blake Collabo (Audio)

The Internet era makes this sort of thing so easy... Chance The Rapper treated fans to the original version of the James Blake collaboration, a remix to "Life Around Here" that hit cyberspace a few months back. Via the share, Chance admitted that Blake was not a fan of this... Read more

March 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

2 Videos In One Day, 50 Cent Moves It From The Block To The Club (Video)

It's a media takedown day for 50 Cent. The G-Unit CEO dropped two videos in nine hours—the latter coming less than 24 hours after the song released. "Don't Worry 'Bout It" may pair with "Hold On." However, in the second visual, 50 leaves the block and heads into the club.... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Purist B.o.B. Fans Will Rejoice With The Soulful Get It (Audio)

Like many artists that came to mainstream stardom around the turn of the new decade, B.o.B. has been accused of changing his strides once he started garnering RIAA plaques. However, Bobby Ray feels differently. Jim Jonsin's onetime protege and the Grand Hustle artist released "Get It," a self-produced song that... Read more

March 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bishop Nehru Releases a Colorful Lyric Video For You Stressin’ (Video)

Bishop Nehru's got a bit of a minimalist's approach to videos. Although "Mob Dizzle" had two different versions, the MF DOOM affiliate tends to like simple, black & white footage, that captures his low-key vibe and brings attention to the bars. For "You Stressin'," Bishop lets some bright colors and... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

WakeDaFucUp With The New ONYX LP, Their First Studio Album In 11 Years (Album Stream)

After a strong buzz building, ONYX's sixth studio album (and first true LP in 11 years), WakeDaFucUp, hits retailers. This LP is produced entirely by veteran European production crew The Snowgoons. Featuring Cormega, Sean Price, A$AP Ferg and others, WakeDaFucUp (released on the Queens crew's own Mad Money label) is... Read more

March 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Almost 22 Years Since The Chronic, Hit-Boy & Nipsey Hussle Claim To Have The Answers (Video)

Like "New York is dead," one of Hip-Hop's armchair critic cliches is that "West Coast Hip-Hop is dead." With everything seemingly about faded trends and death, Heads know better. Two such Heads out to muffle any remaining skeptics (who possibly missed what's going on with Top Dawg Ent., Stones Throw,... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Talks Some Neighborhood Landmarks, High School Football & Bangin’ On Wax (Video)

Nardwuar The Human Serviette's research game has grown with the profile. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based radio personality and interviewer has become a South By Southwest staple in the last five years, especially in Q&A with rappers. ScHoolboy Q, with his recently-released OXYMORON, is the talk of the town (and an... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent’s Hold On Was A Grimy Reminder Of Fif’s Roots & The Visual Matches It (Video)

With two recent songs from Animal Ambition, 50 Cent seems to have earned back the masses' attention. Free of major label confines, Fif appears to be making the music he made before the millions. The rapper-turned-mogul isn't evading his success (50's never shy about his successes), but he shows that... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jon Connor Reveals The Terms Of His Aftermath Contract In The Kick Off To A New Freestyle Series (Audio)

Even with an A on his chest (no Scarlet Letter), Jon Connor is back to his roots. The Flint, Michigan native, who signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment has still remained quiet, seemingly unaltered since inking his deal over BET Hip-Hop Awards weekend. Instead, J.C. retains his grind of self-released... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Stairwell Jux, Timberland Beat Downs & Mean Mugs Flourish In ONYX’s Whut Whut (Video)

Last week, ONYX unleashed "Whut Whut," the Snowgoons-produced fight-inciter from WakeDaFucup. The album, an homage of sorts to BacDaFucUp, drops tomorrow (March 18th). So with that, Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr drop off the visual, which could be easily mistaken for a 1992 leftover, with the attitude, the imagery, and... Read more

March 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nitty Scott, MC’s Working Relationship With TDE Further Blossoms With Ab-Soul (Audio)

Nitty Scott, MC is making some big noise across various pockets within independent Hip-Hop. However, the Brooklyn-by way of-Florida rapper's biggest moment has arguably been her 2012 Kendrick Lamar collaboration. For Nitty's upcoming The Art Of Chill, she keeps things Black Hippy with an Ab-Soul link on "Apex." Produced by... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DJ SNS Liberates The Original Mixtape Version Of Biggie’s Who Shot Ya With A Keith Murray Verse (Audio)

It could be easily argued that the 1990s was the ultimate decade for mixtapes. Still on cassettes, New York masters like Kid Capri, Doo Wop, Tony Touch, DJ Clue, Ron G, Silva Surfa, Green Lantern, and a host of others competed with each other for the best exclusives, freestyles, strongest... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Nas & Large Professor’s Remix Of It Ain’t Hard To Tell Gets Another Afterlife (Audio)

For the second time in the 2000s, Columbia/Sony Records is releasing the remix to Nas' "It Ain't Hard To Tell" to CD. Many Heads know that Large Professor, who produced the original sophomore single to Nas' Illmatic debut (released four months prior to the LP), made an alternate version of... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Diamond D’s Artist BigRec Brings The Basement Party Upstairs For Bullseye (Video)

As Diamond D plugs away at his own next album in several years, his Atlanta connect BigRec made a visual for "Bullseye." The song, which many Heads heard first on AFH, is produced by D-Squizzy, and features some hard drums, punch-in samples, and dope lyrics that capture an energy deeply... Read more

March 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lance Scott Walker Compiles A 6-Hour, Completely Comprehensive Houston Hip-Hop History Mixtape (Audio)

Houston is one of those Hip-Hop scenes for which not every Head knows the whole history. While New York, the Bay, and L.A. have legacies that are commonly covered in documentaries, books, and television specials, H-Town is its own animal. Beyond the Geto Boys and Rap-A-Lot Records, there's a lot... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Ever Wanted To See DJ Jazzy Jeff Grumpy? Catch Him On A Travel Day With No Sleep (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is one of Hip-Hop's friendliest guys. Like his music video persona for almost 30 years, the West Philadelphia native is big on smiles, jokes, and a cool, calm, pleasant demeanor. However, the latest episode of "Vinyl Destination" finds Skillz, Rich Medina, and Jeff a bit browbeat from... Read more

March 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Electronica Resurfaces On A Highly-Stylized Track That’s A Sharp Reminder Of His Greatness (Audio)

Jay Electronica largely shunned any spotlight in 2013 (well, besides couple of key appearances alongside Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean, as well as Rapsody and Phonte, respectively). However, the Roc Nation artist (or so we still believe) continues to keep fans guessing at every turn. After being seen in Austin,... Read more

March 15, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

James Brown Biopic, Get On Up, In Production, Starring Jill Scott & Produced By Mick Jagger (Video)

Along with Tupac Shakur, N.W.A., and Jimi Hendrix, another musical icon has a biopic in the works. James Brown, The Godfather Of Soul, is the subject of a film, according to "The Today Show" (as shared by egotrip). The film, Get On Up, will star Chadwick Boseman, who played Jackie... Read more

March 13, 2014 Fresh, Throwback