Bandini

Madlib Goes Rock & Roll On Hold The Organ (Audio)

When Hip-Hop producers get their Rock on, the response is strong. Whether it's the early days of Rick Rubin on LPs from LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Run-DMC, or contemporary efforts like Just Blaze's "PSA" and Kanye West's "Takeover" for Jay Z, Just's "Come On, Baby" for Saigon, and... Read more

December 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Lauryn Hill Drops A Lyric Vid To Consumerism (Video)

Lauryn Hill's big on words these days. The New Jersey songstress writes her open letters and corresponds in text with fans, given her resistance to traditional interviews. Now, with her current single "Consumerism," Ms. Hill wants you to really grasp what she's singing. Think this is specially-timed for the holiday... Read more

December 5, 2013 Fresh, Video

Twista & Timbaland Support Attitude On The Fast-Rap Stunt (Audio)

Longtime Timbaland protege Attitude is seemingly stepping out into his solo career. What better way to kick things off with a bang than to get a look from Timbo with a beat and a guest verse, as well as Twista. The VA-to-Chi-Town collaboration features some fast-rapping over one of the... Read more

December 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Redman Drops Sampler To Muddy Waters 2 (Audio)

It's been over three years since Redman revealed he was planning Muddy Waters 2. The sequel to Reggie Noble's 1996 LP (and arguably his best) has been alluded to since. In a new video, Redman says that the project has become a mixtape, and like Nipsey Hussle or Lil' Kim,... Read more

December 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Stalley Might Wear Fronts, But He Doesn’t Front In This Backroom Freestyle (Video)

Stalley reps the Midwest hard in this freestyle vignette, released from "106 & Park's" Backroom series. With gold fronts on the bottom row of teeth in his mouth, Maybach Music Group's rising star kicks a little something about his year, his style, and where he's going. Related: Wale, Stalley &... Read more

December 5, 2013 Fresh, Video

Jaz-O, Mister Cee, Bobbito Appear In New Unauthorized Jay Z Documentary (Video)

A trailer has been released to A Genius Leaves The Hood, The Unauthorized Story Of Jay Z. Not at all endorsed by Jay or Roc Nation, the film features some folks close to Hova's career. Included are early mentor Jaz-O, mixtape DJ and radio personality Mister Cee, as well as... Read more

December 5, 2013 Fresh, Video

Did You Know Missy Elliot Had A Big Hand In Puffy & The Family’s All About The Benjamins (Video)

A popular argument is that Missy Elliot's one of Hip-Hop's better producers. Sadly, due to co-production (something we've seen with Daz Dillinger, Guru, Mike Dean, and others), she may live in Timbaland's shadow. One person who sees Missy's talent for what it is may be Diddy. Back in '96-'97, Bad... Read more

December 4, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Mister Cee Honors Jay Z With A 44th Birthday Mix (Audio)

All fans of The Black Album know that December 4th means Shawn Carter's birthday. Today, Jay Z celebrates 44 years on the planet, since being born in the P.L.A.N.E.T. Longtime friend and affiliate since the Big Daddy Kane days, DJ Mister Cee, honored H-O-V via HOT 97 airwaves with a... Read more

December 4, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Cory Gunz Calls Back To Early 1980s Bronx & Says It’s Simple As That (Video)

Young Money has an extensive roster including Tyga, Nicki Minaj, Jae Mills, and Gudda Gudda. One of the artists who been down with Lil Wayne for several calendars has been Cory Gunz. The Uptown artist is son to an MC who made "Uptown" a national place back in '97 (Peter... Read more

December 4, 2013 Fresh, Video

1994 2Pac Talks Loneliness & Not Wanting Government To Condemn His Music (Video)

1994 was such a pivotal year for 2Pac. The same year Thug Life would release their only album, the rising superstar would go to jail. He would enter a #1 artist, former Digital Underground protege, and a budding actor with on and off the mic versatility. 'Pac would leave prison... Read more

December 4, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Method Man Blesses A$AP Mob With His Iron Lung On Trillmatic (Video)

Hours after Funkmaster Flex liberated the audio, A$AP Mob unveils "Trillmatic." One of the Mob's reigning qualities is their ability to blend with a '90s style—thus employing Onyx, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and B-Real on Ferg's debut. That aesthetic is true of "Trillmatic," where big brother Method Man slides in on a... Read more

December 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Says His Girl Loves The Mirror (Audio)

Vic Mensa and frequent producer Cam made a jazzy track, "She Loves The Mirror." Interpret as you will, as this free-from record has the live band feel we got a bit of on Mos Def's Black On Both Sides and subsequently after. As the beat/ad-libs suggest, this one's curated by... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Q-Tip & Rick Rubin Will Reportedly Produce Bulk Of Kanye West’s Yeezus Follow-Up

Kanye West has said next to nothing about the specifics regarding his seventh album, and will-be follow-up to Yeezus. There's been talk of Cruel Winter from G.O.O.D. Music's clique, as well as a possible Watch The Throne 2 as well, given Jay Z's propensity for series. Q-Tip dropped a bit... Read more

December 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

Astro Makes A Compelling Narrative In Yes I Know My G (Video)

Okay, take a record called "Yes I Know My G." You might not expect a heavy concept or dense narrative. The simple tune from Starvin' Like Marvin For A Cool J Song got a very cool video though. Like "What's Up Fatlip?," Astro waxes lyrical while taking a catchy song... Read more

December 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

Wale, Stalley & More Join Rick Ross On MMG’s Priorities Vol. 1 (Mixtape)

Throughout the ages, labels have found methods to showcase the depths of their talented rosters. Soundtracks and bonus disc samplers have given way to compilations and mixtapes. The latest iteration of Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group trucks onward with the usual suspects (Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley, Gunplay, Omarion), as well... Read more

December 3, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Big K.R.I.T. & Z-Ro Give Some Soulful Support To Berner On Ready 2 Die (Audio)

Like Smoke DZA, Berner's built a Rap rep simultaneous to his seemingly endless supply of burnables. Thus, "Berner" has become of the more popular North Cali artists of late, and even squeezed a spot in Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Records. As Berner hones his craft, the rapper brings on Z-Ro... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Elzhi Recaps Things (Audio)

After going relatively quietly the last year and a half, Elzhi has been a tear lately—as he should. The interim (and deeply pivotal) Slum Village member achieved his funding goals ($25,000) for his Kickstarter project. As a result, the 500+ fans who made it happen (and more) will soon be... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Diddy Talks To Arsenio About Catharisis As It Relates To His Father (Video)

Heads probably know that Sean "Diddy" Combs' father, Melvin Combs was a known '60s and '70s hustler and Frank Lucas associate, Uptown. (Diddy would later work extensively on Jay Z's American Gangster album) You've heard it in raps and in interviews, as Puff has also spoken that he barely got... Read more

December 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa & Clams Casino Go On The Spot With Egyptian Cotton (Video)

During a live-streamed, HP-sponsored studio session, Chicago's Vic Mensa and New Jersey's Clam Casino made "Egyptian Cotton." The song will appear in an upcoming campaign, and was made soliciting input from fans who watched the link happen live. Previously, Clams made joints for Lil B, Mac Miller, and A$AP Rocky.... Read more

December 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

Black Sheep’s Dres, A Tribe Called Quest’s Jarobi & G-Side’s ST 2 Lettaz Get Gone (Audio)

Wow. New York City to Hunstville, Alabama. The late 1980s to the late 2000s. Hip-Hop knows no boundaries when Dres & Jarobi's evitaN (that's "Native" spelled backwards, if you're playing at home), link with ST 2 Lettaz. With the Black Sheep and A Tribe Called Quest ties here, and ST... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Raps About The Winners Circle With Old Partner Kanin (Audio)

Throughout the last three years, Kendrick Lamar frequently lends his vocal talents to artists on the come-up. Whether Y.G. Hootie, Mann, or Nitty Scott, MC, K-Dot is generous with the look, but hoards the spotlight as he famously promised earlier this year. "Winners Circle" is an Old School New single... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

You Probably Haven’t Heard Sean Price Tackle A Track Like Dump In The Gut (Audio)

Sean Price doesn't care. That's what makes him great. The Heltah Skeltah MC that said "I don't Wale with you new niggas" a few years back is back to talk his trademark cranky rap on "Dump In The Gut." Produced by longtime Duck Down affiliate from Down Under M-Phazes, the... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Bonita. Bonita. Bonita. Stephanie Santiago As A Tribe Called Quest’s Real Bonita Applebum (Video)

Decades before Sherane, there was Bonita. The apple of A Tribe Called Quest's eye had a suggestive name of more produce, and Heads fell in love the minute Q-Tip compared the buxom beauty to "a Hip-Hop song." The fictional character has become a lasting reference in Hip-Hop, and for a... Read more

December 2, 2013 Throwback

Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick & Big Daddy Kane Perform The Hits At 2013 Soul Train Awards (Video)

For as long as Heads can remember, Harlem's Doug E. Fresh has been calling himself the World's Greatest Entertainer. With the energy the living, working Hip-Hop pioneer brought to the 2013 Soul Train Awards, which aired last night, it's hard to disagree. Joined by Cali Swag District (who were discovered... Read more

December 2, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

J. Cole Has A Problem With Rich People…& He Realizes What That Means For Him. Here’s How He Reconciles The Conflict (Video)

Heads may've heard J. Cole's track "Rich Niggaz." Track 9 from Born Sinner captures Cole's disdain for silver-spoon folks in contrast to his own working-class upbringing. Now with two top-selling albums under his belt, touring, endorsements, and whatnot, Cole reconsiders just six months since the cut released. Jermaine speaks about... Read more

December 2, 2013 Fresh, Video

Wale & Stokley Williams Have Some Of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues At The 2013 Soul Train Awards (Video)

On The Gifted, Wale linked on several compositions with Mint Condition lead singer Stokely Williams. The Minneapolis vet teamed with the DMV star on "LoveHate Thing," the LP's second single which, among other items, examines Wale's curious relationship with his region, while being their breakout star since 2006 (as he... Read more

December 2, 2013 Fresh, Video

Raekwon Freaks The Classic Gang Starr Funk On Lion’s Paw Freestyle (Audio)

Gang Starr and DJ Premier have longstanding ties to the Wu-Tang Clan, from the days of Premo lending equipment to RZA in the Tommy Boy Records days, to Inspectah Deck on "Above The Clouds," and Method Man's appearance on the "In Together Now" remix. Interestingly enough, Staten Island's Raekwon has... Read more

December 2, 2013 Audio, Fresh

DJ Premier Cuts The Scratches To Who’s Gonna Take The Weight Live (Video)

Asking a Head to name their favorite Gang Starr tracks can be a lot like Sophie's Choice. From the joints included on the duo's two greatest hits compilations onto the album cuts from 1986 to 2003, it was all pretty revolutionary for beats, rhymes, style, charisma, and "tha voice." One... Read more

November 30, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Da Mafia 6ix Give Their Own Spin On The Fame Soundtrack & Remind Us To Remember (Video)

DJ Paul's mostly-reunited 2013 rendition of the Three 6 Mafia includes Gangsta Boo, Crunky Black, Lord Infamous, and Koopsta Knicca. While Juicy J and La'Chat aren't down (yet), the tribute crew known as Da Mafia 6ix still upholds some of the tactics that made Memphis' breakthrough group so cult-beloved back... Read more

November 30, 2013 Fresh, Video

Cormega & Raekwon Have Honorable Repertoires (Audio)

Cormega and Raekwon have a lot of common. After over 15 years in the same game, the two worked together on 2009's "Radiant Jewels" from Wu Chamber Music. In 2013, they link again for "Honorable." Two MCs' MCs know how to provide just enough imagery to capture the essence of... Read more

November 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

NahRight Looks At Snoop Dogg’s Best Doggystyle-Era Performances (Video)

The homies over at NahRight.com have a cool retrospective of the best early performances by Snoop Doggy Dogg. The videos are from 1994-1996, surrounding Snoop's groundbreaking quadruple platinum debut, Doggystyle. This was the day when an artist could work an album for nearly three years after its release, especially on... Read more

November 27, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Sean Price Has The Thanksgiving Spirit (Video)

Sean Price can make anything comical—from "expensive waters" to his wife and kids. Duck Down Music followed Sean P into a grocery store to show one half of Heltah Skeltah's holiday preparations. Unintentionally funny, Mic Tyson is forever a riot when it comes to Everyman things, told with that Brownsville... Read more

November 27, 2013 Fresh, Video

Akrobatik Is Built To Last (Audio)

Akrobatik is a veteran Boston MC. With Mr. Lif and DJ Fakts One in The Perceptionists, Akro is a onetime Ed O.G. protege who helped the burgeoning Boston movement in the late '90s/early 2000s. After over five years removed from Absolute Value (which featured production from J Dilla, Da Beatminerz,... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Suge Knight Weighs In On Dr. Dre’s Chronic Influencing Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die

Yesterday, we linked you to Rolling Stone's conversation with Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight. While the published interview focused on Tha Row's second release, Snoop Doggy Dogg's 1993 debut Doggystyle, which just turned 20 years old. The writer of the rare Knight interview, Paul "Gooch" Cantor, self-published the... Read more

November 27, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

In Time For Thanksgiving, Skeme Has Plenty To Be Thankful About (Audio)

One of 2013's breakout stars, Skeme, is gearing up for Ingleworld. Taking a page from Dom Kennedy, the Inglewood MC has a digital retail LP coming on December 17. The project has a bonus cut, "Thankful." At a time when so many artists speak about not enough, it's great to... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Grand Daddy I.U. Still Talks Slick In This P.I.M.P. Freestyle (Audio)

Cold Chillin' Records was the label home to the Juice Crew, and all the individual stars like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, early Masta Ace, Biz Markie, and Roxanne Shante. "Fly" Ty Williams' label was also home to GZA (as the Genius) and Grand Daddy I.U.... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Like Parker Lewis, Elzhi Can’t Lose (Audio)

A teen TV reference for the Heads who remember those old days of FOX ("In Living Color" / "True Colors" back-to-back). Anyway, it was five years ago that then-Slum Village member Elzhi teamed with Black Milk to make a 2008 contender for A.O.T.Y. in The Preface. Now solo-dolo, Elz is fund-raising... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Asher Roth, Blended Babies & Chuck Inglish Make A Key Visual Companion For See The World (Video)

"See The World" was a trippy collaboration released two weeks ago by Blended Babies, Asher Roth, and The Cool Kids' Chuck Inglish. The record features that liquid wordplay that made Asher a breakout star (with The Cool Kids) in '07 and '08. However, B.B. hit with the '70s Psyche/Rock samples... Read more

November 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Raekwon Makes A Nuevo Sounding Single With Melanie Fiona On Soundboy Kill It (Audio)

Raekwon, with his Wu-Tang Clan, was instrumental in making Loud Records an imprint destination for dope Hip-Hop throughout the 1990s. When Steve Rifkind sold the company to Sony Records, he launched SRC Records, under Universal. In addition to Akon, one of Rifkind's 2000s successes was songstress Melanie Fiona. Mel and... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip Bring Kanye West & Lil Wayne To Thank You Visual (Video)

One of the more exciting collaborations of the last month puts those pesky Young Money vs. G.O.O.D Music rumors to bed. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne join Q-Tip and Kanye West in this Disco-inspired cut that has all four artists doing what they do best. It's great how the beat... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nas Talks Being in the Game for 20 Years, Turning 40, Why Hip-Hop is Still Dead, His NY State of Mind, the “N” Word and More (Video)

To quote AZ Tha Visualiza, this is rather unique. Nas, on his 40th birthday, has "Talk Stoop" with NBC host Cat Greenleaf. The two discuss the state of the art through Nas' 20 years in the game. Perhaps most interesting, Cat asks the father for advice on helping her own... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Snoop Dogg Refutes TDE & Death Row Records Comparisons (Video)

After GQ magazine's "Man Of The Year" Kendrick Lamar cover story, Top Dawg, founder of TDE, along with K.L. dismissed the reporting. In the article, the author compared Dawg to Marion "Suge" Knight. While TDE has connections to Tha Row care of Dr. Dre, and the late Flipside (of O.F.T.B.),... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

T-Boz & Chilli Invite Lil’ Mama To Perform With TLC As Left Eye For AMAs (Video)

From J. Cole video singles to a record-breaking VH1 biopic, it's been a big year for TLC. The former LaFace Records superstars are waving their flag. To close down last night's 2013 American Music Awards, T-Boz and Chilli celebrated a performance 20 years ago at the AMAs, and invited the... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Bun B Discourages Young Artists From Accepting Remix Offers From Mainstream Rappers (Video)

Triple O.G. Bun B sat in for an interview with G-Unit Radio's DJ Whoo Kid on Shade 45. Bun, who's been a big brother MC to rappers ranging from A$AP Rocky and Big K.R.I.T. to Termanology and Vic Mensa tells the G-Unit DJ why artists should be cautious when a... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Seth Rogen & James Franco Are Bound 2 Upset Kanye West In This Shot For Shot Parody (Video)

Since the days of "Freaks & Geeks," James Franco and Seth Rogen have been teaming up to make us laugh, while usually shining a little truth on the living condition. Only one of those things is true in this just-released video (which was already re-appropriated this morning after being pulled).... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Blu & MED Might Use Peroxide, But This Dam-Funk & Madlib Assisted Track Is Funky (Audio)

MED has churned out a lot of records in 2013. Between work with J. Rocc, Oh No, and others, the former Stones Throw Records artist has stayed busy and quite versatile. Blu knows that sort of schedule and strategy well. The two California natives link with a third, in Madlib,... Read more

November 25, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Childish Gambino & Problem’s New Single Lines Up With Sweatpants Season (Audio)

Childish Gambino's second studio album because the internet will be here with the new calendar page. Two weeks early, Donald Glover teams up with Compton's Problem for the tricked-out "Sweatpants." Coming from Camp, how do you look at Gambino's music now that he's seemingly way open to collaborations? Related: Childish... Read more

November 25, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Performs Swimming Pools / Poetic Justice Medley At 2013 AMAs (Video)

Kendrick Lamar had one of the most-talked up about performances last night (November 24) at the 2013 American Music Awards. TDE's "Man Of The Year" blessed televised audiences with two of his biggest hit singles of the last 12 months, "Swimming Pools (Drank)" and "Poetic Justice," sans Drake. Those who... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Phife Dawg Promises MUTTYmopPHosis LP, Names 3 Of His Favorite Diabetics (Video)

While A Tribe Called Quest was in New York City for Kanye West's Yeezus Tour, The Five-Foot Assassin Phife Dawg caught up with OkayPlayer to answers "The Questions." In turn, Phife discusses his regained love for making music on his sophomore solo LP, his favorite J Dilla productions, and his... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Kanye West Explains New Slaves & Possible Sequels In New Interview (Video)

In addition to a lot of talk about fashion and brand products, Kanye West, who calls himself a "Christian Revolutionary Visionary" fields questions from Philly's Power 99 on air staff about Cruel Winter, Watch The Throne 2, and more. Like KRS-One, a Kanye interview seems to be compelling, regardless of... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video