Bandini

Souls Of Mischief’s 93 ‘Til Infinity Deluxe Reissues, With A Light Box, Bonus CD & Music Book

In a month that's already announced a deluxe reissue of Mobb Deep's 1995 album, The Infamous, as well fellow Queens native/collaborator Nas' 1994 debut, Illmatic, next up is the Souls Of Mischief's debut, 93 'til Infinity. The Jive Records album by Tajai, Phesto, Opio, and A-Plus featured the breakthrough single... Read more

February 5, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Childish Gambino Covers…P.M. Dawn? And It Sounds Really Good (Audio & Video)

Sometimes Hip-Hop history can be a bit revisionist. While KRS-One, Just-Ice, and the rest of the Boogie Down Productions posse didn't help P.M. Dawn's cool-factor with the alleged stage-tossing, no one can deny that in the late '80s and early '90s, the Brothers Cordes had hits that in some ways,... Read more

February 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Video

During East Coast Ice Storms, Black Milk Makes A Cold Day (Audio)

Black Milk has this uncanny ability to take a '70s Children's song chorus vibe and make it so Hip-Hop that it hurts. After 2013's shiver-inducing "Sunday's Best" / "Monday's Worst" tandem about G vs. E, B.M. returns with "Cold Day." Hard beats and a very juxtaposed Saturday morning television feel... Read more

February 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What Underground Veteran Is DJ Premier Making A Full Album With Next? (Video)

From Charli Baltimore to Vinnie Paz to Roscoe P. Coldchain, DJ Premier has some strong Philly ties. The Gang Starr producer/DJ and the City Of Brotherly Love go way, way back like Just-Ice. Today, a surprising announcement was made as Premo links with a true Philly veteran. Jakk Frost might... Read more

February 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pusha T Says His Verses On The Clipse’s Hell Hath No Fury Were A Bit Too Real (Video)

Montreality interviews are cool because they're often outside of the box. Hearing Pusha T talk about working as a parking attendant as a teenager, or buying his mother a Jaguar before the first record deal may bring a smile, but when Pusha Ton's eyes light up about the level of... Read more

February 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ransom Crosses Paths With Jadakiss & Raekwon To Pop Bottles Of Shampaign (Audio)

Since the mid-2000s days with Joe Budden, fans of Ransom have touted the New Jersey MC as one of lyrical giants within his class in Hip-Hop. Recently, by way of an album with Statik Selektah, and a redefined solo career, Ransom's getting some of the biggest looks of his run.... Read more

February 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Willie The Kid & Roc Marciano Get Lifted On Avalon Overtop A Classic Sample (Audio)

Within the resurgence of the abstract, short-bar, lyrical impressionism in Hip-Hop, two of the most prominent and dominant are Willie The Kid and Roc Marci—and everybody from Drake to Jay Z feels it. For WTK's album with Bronze Nazareth, The Living Daylights, on La The Darkman's La Embassy Ent. imprint,... Read more

February 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas’ 20th Anniversary Edition Of Illmatic, Includes Rare Q-Tip Remix, Freestyles & More

In April of 2014, one of Hip-Hop's true classics turns 20 years old. Nas' 1994 debut Illmatic will blow out its candles in style, as the Columbia/Ruffhouse Records release gets an expanded edition, confirmed today via iTunes, courtesy of 2DopeBoyz. Like the 10th anniversary version (which felt like it came... Read more

February 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

It’s Organized Konfusion As Pharoahe Monch & O.C. Rock With Prince Po & Oh No (Audio)

Just last year, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po cracked the mic together on Marco Polo's PA2: The Director's Cut. The Queens, New York vets have been in the news a lot lately, with last week's reunion show in NYC, celebrating the 20th anniversary of cult-championed sophomore LP, Stress: The Extinction... Read more

February 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Hit-Boy Compares Himself To The Early Years Of Iron Mike Tyson In Vaulted Song (Audio)

Like Mike Tyson, Hit-Boy certainly has a right and a left. While the Los Angeles, California native is best known for slamming tracks that he's sprinkled throughout his G.O.O.D Music collective, as well as with Kendrick Lamar and Drake, the artist, like his mentor, can push some severe words when... Read more

February 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

After ScHoolboy Q’s OXYMORON, TDE Sets It Sights On Ab-Soul’s Black Lip Pastor

2014 promises a reported six Top Dawg Entertainment releases. After this month, Heads are holding two: a first retail effort from Isaiah Rashad's Cilvia Demo, and ScHoolboy Q's major label debut, OXYMORON. Today, TDE's head, Top Dawg himself, and Ab-Soul suggested that Black Lip Pastor is next (though that is... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh

Who Doesn’t Want The Simple Things? Miguel Laces The TV Series Girls With A Soundtrack Gem (Audio)

Miguel seems to get his generation's romantic needs and aches as well anybody. The RCA Records star makes "Simple Things" for the upcoming season 2 soundtrack of "Girls." Lela Dunham and her homies put their life out there against this song about yearning for a partner you can do simple... Read more

February 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Welcome Home! 45 King Is Back From His Heart Attack & Hospitalization (Video)

Some good news on the health and Hip-Hop front. Last month, Ambrosia For Heads reported that The 45 King suffered a heart attack, and was hospitalized. Well, good news... the beat-digging, production, and 7" record DJ'ing legend is back in effect mode, with a new video to talk about puttin'... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

9th Wonder, Rapsody & Add-2 Stop By Juan Epstein To Show That Jamla Is The Squad (Audio)

Peter Rosenberg & Cipha Sounds Juan Epstein interviews are quickly ramping up in 2014. From 3rd Bass' MC Serch and A&R extraordinaire Dante Ross already (with conflicting views in some places), the radio duo hones in on 9th Wonder and two of his Jamla Records stand-outs, Rapsody and newer addition,... Read more

February 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Check Dag Savage’s E&J Album, Which Features Fashawn, Blu, Aloe Blacc & Ras Kass (Album Stream)

Just weeks after their Warning mixtape, Exile & Johaz's Dag Savage unit offers up an early listen to their album, E&J. The duo brought along family including Blu, Fashawn, MED, Aloe Blacc, and Ras Kass for this LP. Which do you prefer between the two? Is Johaz Exile's next great... Read more

February 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big Boi, U.G.K. & Big K.R.I.T. Mashed With Blue Oyster Cult & Sanctioned By Daddy Fat Sax? Yep. (Video)

Fans of late '70s Hard Rock group Blue Oyster Cult know a thing or two about a thing or two. The group with hits like "Don't Fear The Reaper" came to mainstream prominence around the time of Hip-Hop's own commercial breakthroughs. Big Boi, a student of '70s Funk, '70s Cadillac... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q’s OXYMORON Will Feature Black Hippy Plus OG’s Like Kurupt, Raekwon & Suga Free. Here’s the Tracklist.

With February 25th fast-approaching, here is the tracklist to ScHoolboy Q's major label debut, OXYMORON. Guests include two-thirds of his Black Hippy cohorts, save for Ab-Soul. Veterans include Pomona pimp-hop O.G. Suga Free, Kurupt, Raekwon, and 2 Chainz while Q's peers include Tyler, The Creator, BJ The Chicago Kid, and... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh

Anna Gordy, Inspiration To Marvin Gaye’s Here My Dear Has Died. Listen To The Music (Audio)

There are plenty of timeless, classic, immortal love songs made by Marvin Gaye (quite a few with Tammi Terrell). However, Marvin also penned one of the ultimate break-up albums, late 1978's Here My Dear (which was recorded years before it released, as it sat on Motown shelves). A couple years... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Das EFX’s Krazy Drayz Has Lots Of Faith In Hip-Hop (Mixtape)

It may have been 11 years since the last Das EFX album, but Drayz (Dre) and Skoob stay busy. In addition to work with Marco Polo and DJ Rondevu, the Tri-State cats who met in Virginia (where they were also discovered, at VSU) are pursuing solo work. Krazy Drayz just... Read more

February 3, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Roc Marciano & Virginia’s Knowledge The Pirate Are Rap Slingers (Video)

One of the final really exciting albums from 2013 was Roc Marciano's Marci Beaucoup. The Man Bites Dog release highlighted the production abilities of the Hempstead, Long Island artist, while pairing him with an assortment of artists, ranging from Evidence to A.G. to Cormega. One of the lesser known artists... Read more

January 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rap-A-Lot Records Re-Releases Geto Boys, Do Or Die, Scarface Albums To Vinyl

Dating back to 1986, Houston's Rap-A-Lot Records is from the era when Hip-Hop was more prevalent on vinyl than CD. Growing demand for J. Prince's catalog has made the "Hot Club Wax," as promos used to be called, scarce surrounding some albums. Just days after Universal Music Group's similar announcement,... Read more

January 31, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Reacts To The Grammy Snubs & Macklemore’s Wins

Kendrick Lamar is not one to speak much on controversy. Following his 2013 "Control" verse, K-Dot evaded press and social media to fuel the fire, and let his Rap verse speak for itself. Following Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' four Grammy Award wins on Sunday night, many Heads speculated what Kendrick... Read more

January 31, 2014 Fresh

Rapper Big Pooh Signs With Mello Music Group, Plans To Release Album With Nottz

Founding Little Brother member Rapper Big Pooh has had a busy solo career for almost a decade. The Virginia native famously made Sleepers, the first solo project from the (other) LB Fam, back in 2005. He's followed with a series of retail mixtapes, albums, series, and a host of projects... Read more

January 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big Sean Starts Off 2014 With A 1st Quarter Freestyle On A G.O.O.D. Music-Made Beat (Video)

After taking a rhyme hiatus in late 2013, Big Sean is ramping up for the new year. Teaming with frequent G.O.O.D. Music producer Key Wane, with some help on the mix from Travi$ Scott, Detroit's latest superstar breaks his short-term silence with a video featuring some special effects and a... Read more

January 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Some Classic Marvin Gaye & Some Classic Mos Def Mixed Together Like They’re Soul Mates (Audio)

The quality in mash-up mixes are really improving lately. From Girltalk to DJ Z-Trip to others, the once-gimmicky (to some Heads) practice of intermixing songs from different genres and eras has gotten technically strong, and artful. 2DopeBoyz put the spotlight on this new "Yasiin Gaye" project from Amerigo Gazaway, who... Read more

January 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron Comes Back To His Mid-2000s Glory With A-Trak On Humphrey (Audio)

Around the same time Cam'ron and Kanye West were crossing paths in Baseline and Roc The Mic Studios in New York City, A-Trak was 'Ye's DJ. The mid-2000s found Cam famously at the Roc for a three solo album deal, while Kanye's own career skyrocketed. Shortly thereafter, A-Trak, who had... Read more

January 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch Gets His Sam Jackson On, In Bad MFer (Audio)

Release dates are coming in heavy this week. The same seven days that celebrate the 20th anniversary of Organized Konfusion's Stress: The Extinction Agenda sees Monch map out P.T.S.D. for April 15th (tax day, as it's also known). The LP on W.A.R. Media will include contributions from Black Thought, Marco... Read more

January 29, 2014 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib Team With Earl Sweatshirt & Domo Genesis On New Song, Get Album Release Date (Audio)

After years in the waiting, EPs whetting the appetites of distinct fanbases, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib have a release date for Pinata. No longer called Cocaine Pinata, the collaborative full-length arrives March 18th from The Loop Digger's own imprint, Madlib Invazion. A press release confirmed that guests include Scarface, Mac... Read more

January 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Cole’s Label Partners With Interscope & He Releases 11 Track Revenge Of The Dreamers (Album Stream)

J. Cole is making big moves this week. Like collaborators Meek Mill and Mac Miller, Cole is building a label simultaneous to his own expanding career. Dreamville, as his imprint is known, has inked a distribution deal with Interscope Records, home to Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Eminem. This squad... Read more

January 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Diamonds Are Forever: Jay Z Gives J. Cole His Original Roc-A-Fella Records Chain On Stage (Video)

While J. Cole did not join his Roc Nation leader at Sunday's Grammy Awards, despite being nominated for Best Rap Album, the two reconvened this week. Last night, while Cole took the stage at Madison Square Garden, his fans were treated to surprise appearances by Kendrick Lamar, and Jay. While... Read more

January 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Rocks Early 2014 With Tour & Some Fresh OXYMORON Music (Audio)

With two Top 200 independent albums already under his belt, all eyes are on ScHoolboy Q's first Interscope Records-backed LP, OXYMORON. The longtime Top Dawg Entertainment artist has garnered mainstream appeal, all from his perch as a straight-talking, easy-going G from the streets of South Central Los Angeles. TDE confirmed... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Def Jam Records Started With A Smash. 30 Years Ago Today T La Rock Declared It’s Yours

The same week that LL Cool J hosted the Grammy Awards, there is another important memory milestone for Def Jam Records. Thirty years ago today (January 28), the label started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin (in a New York University dorm room), released blockbuster single "It's Yours" by Manhattan/Bronx... Read more

January 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

25 Tracks From Stars & Emerging Voices Affirm That Jamla Most Definitely Is The Squad (Album Stream)

Just in the last five years, 9th Wonder's Jamla Records has released critically-acclaimed and commercially-dominant albums from the likes of Skyzoo, Rapsody, and Murs, among a host of others. The North Carolina-based label is ramping up for its latest wave, with a blossoming expanded roster, which includes TP, Add-2, and... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bronze Nazareth Checks In With His Wu-Tang Roots In The Beat He Gives Willie The Kid (Video)

Willie The Kid and Bronze Nazareth might both come from Michigan, but each have strong ties to the sons of Shaolin: the Wu-Tang Clan. W.T.K. is younger brother of La The Darkman, who was one of the early successful artists under the Wu umbrella. Bronze Nazareth came up with Cilvarings,... Read more

January 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Foreign Exchange Camp’s Visuals Are Really Uplifting Lately. Check Better (Video)

Phonte and Nicolay have been making captivating music (from Internet to in person) for a decade now. However, the group and affiliates with so much musical and social personality is really shining in video form lately. After Zo!'s "We Are On The Move" video (which featured 'Tay and Eric Roberson)... Read more

January 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff Shows The Link Between DJ’ing & Technology, Visits Sway In The Morning (Video)

In the newest episode of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination, the A Touch Of Jazz crew hits the Bay area, one of the basins for technology. There, in the backyard of DJ Q-Bert, Mixmaster Mike, and Shortkut, the clique discusses how the innovations on the turntable over the last 30... Read more

January 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

J-Live Makes A Topical Video About Trying To Get Over With Money Matters (Video)

For over 15 years, J-Live has been an outstanding MC at making clever Hip-Hop songs that his audiences can relate to. The Triple Threat MC/DJ/producer makes a compelling video timed perfectly with the postage increases and State Of The Union address. "Money Matters" explores how working folks, off the grid... Read more

January 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nipsey Hussle Barks Some Reality Raps On The THC-Produced Between Us (Audio)

With the sounds of Hip-Hop changing, Nipsey Hussle breathes his brand of realness into all of his works. "Between Us" implements the kind of altered choruses you hear in Future, Kevin Gates, and the like—this one courtesy of K.Camp. However, in between the bridges, Nip' talks his life in simple,... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

With Temperatures Dropping, Kool G Rap, Cormega, Roc Marciano & J-Love Want You To Look Outside (Audio)

Roc Marciano and Cormega have a great working relationship. Although Queensbridge's 'Mega has about a 10-year jump in the game from Hempstead's Marci, the two are very much about the intricacies of street life. Both of these qualities hail from the Kool G Rap archetype, dating back to the '80s.... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Macklemore Believes Race & Other Factors Contributed To His 4 Grammy Award Wins

From Macklemore's texts of solidarity to friend/peer Kendrick Lamar before last night's (January 26) 56th Grammy Awards to his words following winning in four categories competing against the Compton, California MC, it's hard not to love the way the Seattle, Washington veteran (who happened to win Best New Artist) handled... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh

Big Boi, Phantogram & Sade Have A Kaleidoscope Of Color For CPU 2.0 (Video)

With his name heavy in the mainstream music cycle, courtesy of Outkast tour dates and rumored new recordings, Big Boi has opted to keep on pushin' his most recent album, Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors, which turned one year old last month. As part of a revamped two-month roll-out, Daddy... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Buckshot & 9th Wonder Come Back Together For Some 3am Square Biz (Audio)

From 2005 to 2012, Black Moon's Buckshot and Little Brother's 9th Wonder made an Interstate 95 link to record three albums together. These works charted new waters for both artists, who when they set out to collaborate, were largely known for the personas created in their respective groups. By 2012,... Read more

January 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Keep 45 King In Your Thoughts This Week, He Suffered A Heart Attack

One of Hip-Hop's most important producers in 45 King. The New Jersey native known for founding the original Flavor Unit, and in part, discovering Queen Latifah, also produced major hits for Eminem ("Stan") Jay Z ("Hard Knock Life"), and legendary remixes for Eric B. & Rakim, Diamond D, and Lisa... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Steals The Show At The Grammys. Who Needs An Award? (Video)

So with controversy already in the air after some categorical losses early in the night, what would Kendrick Lamar do with his performance slot? The Compton, California good kid (with a reputation for competition) performed a Heads-approved album cut from his major label debut, "m.A.A.d city." With Imagine Dragons backing... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Timed Perfectly, Wale J. Cole, Rockie Fresh & Meek Mill Release Black Grammys (Video)

A lover of the viral content, Wale timed "Black Grammys" perfectly. Although the Maybach Music Group artist could not have anticipated the Twitter conversations regarding Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' four straight wins (or did he?), the song as is as topically-released as any. J. Cole does not make the video,... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win The 2014 Grammy Award For Rap Song & Album

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have cause for some early celebration at Los Angeles, California's Staples Center. The Seattle, Washington pair's 2012 album The Heist won Rap Album Of The Year and their breakthrough hit "Thrift Shop" won Rap Song Of The Year. The wins were controversial when coupled with two... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh

Curren$y & Action Bronson Get Corleone Stoned On Godfather 4 (Audio)

Heads watching TV this Grammy Awards weekend know that AMC has been going hard on the Godfather marathons. Fans of Mario Puzo's novel-turned-Francis Ford Coppola-directed saga may appreciate that Curren$y and Action Bronson opted to make "Godfather 4," as a song. The two sensations within the Atlantic Records/Warner Music Group... Read more

January 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Grap Luva’s 2011 Neva Done Comes To Cassette & Gets Liberated (Album Stream & Download)

Founding INI member Grap Luva has been in AFH headlines a lot lately. Co-hosting next month's Detroit Dilla Day with Ro Spit, Pete Rock's brother is now the beneficiary of a cassette tape re-release. Luva's 2011 LP, Neva Done, was put out by Redefinition Records and garnered underground acclaim. Now,... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Pharoahe Monch & Prince Po Chronicle The Cab Racism & Label Tensions That Created Stress

This week, Organized Konfusion's sophomore album, Stress: The Extinction Agenda turns 20 years old. Queens, New Yorkers Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po (fka Prince Poetry) are coming together for a rare headlining concert with longtime affiliates O.C. and Large Professor, among others, for a concert in Brooklyn, New York. NahRight... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

The Juice Crew Masters The Ceremony & Orchestrates The Symphony On Stage (Video)

The same night Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Geto Boys, The Pharcyde, Blackstreet, and Ma$e and Diddy reunited in Los Angeles, another seminal Hip-Hop crew came together in New York City. While they never released an album, Heads know the Juice Crew's impact as the sum of its parts, including Big Daddy Kane,... Read more

January 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback