Bandini

The Beatnuts & Cypress Hill Link With Psycho Les & B Real’s Attack On Everything (Audio)

Two groundbreaking Latino Hip-Hop crews of the early '90s were Los Angeles' Cypress Hill, and Queens, New York's The Beatnuts. Carrying on tradition, Psycho Les of the 'Nuts and B Real of Cypress linked for a new collaboration, "Fuck 'Em If They Listening." The song basically shows both MCs bragging,... Read more

November 13, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Mac Miller Kicks A Powerful, Smoky Freestyle For SBTV (Video)

The realness in Mac Miller's raps in 2013 might go overlooked by some, but there's so much there. Nonchalantly, Mac smokes a cigarette through his SBTV freestyle over The Notorious B.I.G. & 112's minimalistic "Sky's The Limit" instrumental. Mac makes the beat his own, and kicks some fly bars with... Read more

November 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

¡MAYDAY! & Tech N9ne Kick It With Kimbo Slice In Last Man Standing (Video)

Hip-Hop and martial arts have a long history of influencing each other. South Florida's ¡MAYDAY! and their label boss Tech N9ne made a survival, sports-inspired anthem in "Last Man Standing." To illustrate the message and premise of the record, the Strange Music camp welcomed Kimbo Slice to the studio, as... Read more

November 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Wu-Tang Clan Reflects On Place In Hip-Hop After 20 Years (Video)

Five members of the Clan, as well as Shyheim and Cappadonna reflect on the group's 20 years of greatness for Revolt. It's short quotes, but a nice montage that makes you catch the vibe of one of the active jewels of Rap. Masta Killa says it's "20 years at the... Read more

November 12, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Boldy James & Alchemist Get Vivid For Moochie (Video)

Boldy James' My First Chemistry Set has alchemy from the longtime producer for Prodigy, Action Bronson, and Dilated Peoples. Decon unleashes a colorful, informational video-inspired visual to the Alchemist-featuring single, the Big L-inspired "Moochie." Related: Boldy James & Alchemist – Reform School ft Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis & Da$h... Read more

November 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nas Releases Trailer To His Shake The Dust Breakin’ Documentary (Video)

"Back in '83, I was an MC sparkin' / But I was too scared to grab them mics in da mic." - Nas Coming from Queens, Nas has always had close ties to the pillars of Hip-Hop. At a time when breakin' (or breakdancing) is seemingly endangered in its rooted... Read more

November 11, 2013 Fresh, Video

Bun B & Pimp C Wave The UGK Flag With Lil Boosie & Big K.R.I.T. On Cake (Audio)

For Trill O.G.: The Epilogue Bun B touches some unreleased Pimp C vocals and brings on two UGK proteges for "Cake." While Pimp was still alive, the group mentored Baton Rouge's Lil Boosie on the Trill Entertainment imprint (along with Webbie and others). In the last three years, Bun's helped... Read more

November 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Remembering Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

There are certain albums in Hip-Hop that were complete game-changers. Run-DMC’s 1983 self-titled album ripped the Disco out of Rap and, with a new look of Kangol hats, leather jackets and shell-toed Adidas along with crossed arms and boasts of college pursuits, took ownership of the culture. Five years later,... Read more

November 11, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

Jhene Aiko & Kendrick Lamar Stay Ready On The Latest Link (Audio)

Def Jam's Jhene Aiko has been in the industry for over 15 years. In addition to links with Childish Gambino and Drake, it was really her versatility as heard with Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul that showed the L.A. native's versatility, and market with today's Hip-Hop consumer. A K.Dot... Read more

November 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Casey Veggies & Dom Kennedy Remix Faces

Two of 2013's brightest stars from Southern California link up together for the "Faces Remix." Produced by Rob Halladay, this joint showcases the overlap two MCs have, despite differing messages in their solo catalogs. Who do you think, if either, will ink a major label deal first? Related: Casey Veggies... Read more

November 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Drake Channels Memphis Soul In The Visual To Worst Behavior (Video)

Drake loves having fun. Drizzy knows that audiences will laugh with him, and sometimes at him, so with Nothing Was The Same and its roll-out, he seems to be having tons of fun. For the "Worst Behavior" video, Aubrey channels his ties to Memphis, Tennessee and visually references Willie Mitchell... Read more

November 11, 2013 Fresh, Video

The Ultimate 1970s Grimy New York City Movie Megamix (Video)

The old New York influenced a lot of Hip-Hop. While Grandmaster Melle Mel may have been talking about The Bronx in "The Message," the vibes of "people pissin' on the street 'cause they just don't care" was not exclusive to any of the five boroughs throughout the 1970s and early... Read more

November 8, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Eddie B & Harry Fraud Enlist Sean Price & Termanology To Give Warning (Audio)

Brooklyn's Harry Fraud served up some of 2012's best beats, between scorchers to Smoke DZA, Wiz Khalifa, and a Lords Of The Underground-sampling cut for French Montana. In 2013, Fraud laced Saaab Stories for Action Bronson's Warner Bros./Atlantic Records jump-off, and passed a few more around. For years, Harry's been... Read more

November 8, 2013 Audio, Fresh

5 Things We Learned From J. Cole’s Interview With Hard Knock TV (Video)

You gotta love Hard Knock TV's interviews. Nick Huff gets down to the heart of the matter with his subjects in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. J. Cole's cooled off on press as his fame has grown. However, the Roc Nation/Sony sensation opens up to Hard Knock, with his b-boy reflection... Read more

November 8, 2013 Fresh, Video

STS Says Things As They Are On Hell Wrong (Video)

The Roots' affiliate and Money Making Jam Boys member STS (Sugar Tongue Slim) is one of the nicest MCs out who's yet to release an album. He has a unique voice and style, but the content of his verses is usually spot-on to the new generation's opinion, with old-guard wisdom.... Read more

November 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

Casey Veggies Gets Smoker-Soulful With Curren$y On Life$tyle (Audio)

Casey Veggies has a slippery style that's hard to pin down. He loves name brands and findin' the essence of a track's vibe. That said, who better to link with for a "Life$tyle remix" than Spitta Andretti himself. Curren$y and Casey hit you with that herb-induced stream of consciousness that... Read more

November 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Madlib Drops A 55-Minute Live Free-Form Mix For Boiler Room (Audio)

Like his JayLib brother Dilla, one of Madlib's greatest attributes is his nonchalance. Like Afrika Bambaataa & DJ Jazzy Jay, 'Lib will play anything he feels like, from foreign breaks to Gospel to Children's music. He also has a deep penchant for album-cuts from Kurupt, Teflon, and Jadakiss. So when... Read more

November 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Will C. Remixes The Beach Boys In This Trippy, Summertime-In-Autumn Adieu Or Die Mix (Audio)

Chances are, even if you live on Antarctica, you've heard The Beach Boys. The Wilson Brothers and crew are a landmark of early '60s Americana with themes are wood-sided '40 Ford wagons, surfing, going steady with your best girl, and fixing up old cars. However, like other '60s Pop acts... Read more

November 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Childish Gambino Gets Dreamy Up On Melrose (Audio)

Childish Gambino was never really in a box. However, whatever confines we placed his music in up until 2013 have been greatly challenged by moods and 'tudes met with warm audience response. "Melrose" is no exception, with dream, forlorn singing, that would get Heather Locklear or Courtney Thorne-Smith knockin' on... Read more

November 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Busta Rhymes Combines Cash Money With Native Tongues Alongside Q-Tip On Thank You (Audio)

Busta Rhymes' career is truly dynamic. Christened his name by Public Enemy's Chuck D; a Leader Of The New School tied to Native Tongues; an animated solo star; constant major label provider to J Dilla; onetime Dr. Dre affiliate; once signed Raekwon; forever tied to EPMD's DJ Scratch; mentor to... Read more

November 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Eminem & Slaughterhouse Revive Rap City With A Backroom Freestyle + Interview (Video)

Although "Rap City" has been largely defunct in the Slaughterhouse-era, the Shady Records super-group is a call-back to the latter years of BET's flagship Hip-Hop program. Individually, Royce Da 5'9, Joe Budden, Crooked I were part of the Basement-era. Eminem was among Rap's biggest stars in the Big Tigger era... Read more

November 6, 2013 Fresh, Video

Fashawn Unveils The Ecology With The Evidence-Produced Single, The Beginning (Video)

Fresno's Fashawn has let four years slide between Boy Meets World and his studio sophomore album. After dabbling with many styles in between on mixtapes and joints with the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Murs, and Alchemist, Fash comes home to start rolling out The Ecology. Taking its name from the... Read more

November 6, 2013 Fresh, Video

Kanye West & Kendrick Lamar’s Yeezus Tour To Resume Later This Month

This just in from Def Jam Records and Kanye West's spokesperson: "Yesterday (October 30), on the road to Vancouver, a truck carrying The Yeezus Tour’s custom-made video truss and 60-foot circular LED screen was in an accident that damaged the gear beyond repair. This gear is central to the staging... Read more

November 6, 2013 Fresh

Marco Polo Orchestrates A Compton Thang With MC Eiht & King T With West Coast Love (Audio)

Canadian-born producer Marco Polo is known for working with New York City MC icons like Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, KRS-One, and Masta Ace. Throughout his career, the album partner with Torae and Ruste Juxx just has a sound that knocks with the feel of mid-'90s production that can make Heads... Read more

November 6, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Eminem Don’t Front When It Comes To Honoring Black Moon, Buckshot & Duck Down (Audio)

One of Rap's ultimate "what-if's" has always surrounded Eminem and Duck Down Records. The house that Buckshot and Dru Ha built made a play to sign the Detroit MC when he was kickin' around the NYC underground with Skam?, Thirstin Howl III, and Wordsworth. In the end, Eminem inked a... Read more

November 6, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Def Jam’s Bill Adler Remembers Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures… 25 Years Later

You might know Bill Adler, and you might not. "Ill Badler," as his maroon Def Jam Records varsity jacket used to read, was the original (and the best) head of Publicity Def Jam ever had. Russell Simmons hired Bill, who would help acts like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, The... Read more

November 5, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

O.C. Time-Travels With Ray’s Cafe (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates alum O.C. has a few styles and approaches. The MC who spent his youth in both Brooklyn and Queens may be best known for his "cap cocked" cockiness on Buckwild beats in a B-Boy stance. However, the longtime friend of Dame Dash and Jay-Z also has... Read more

November 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Hops On A Marva Whitney Breakbeat To Say It’s My Thing (Audio)

From Erick and Parrish to Jiggaman, hopping on Marva Whitney's classic bassline to "It's My Thing" taps into a '70s sound that is as New York Hip-Hop as you can get. In just dabbling with some freestyles, Chef Raekwon is the latest. Throughout the last 20 years, there's something so... Read more

November 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Blu, MED & Mayer Hawthorne Link With Madlib For The Buzz (Audio)

Three Stones Throw Records artists (past and present) link with another staple of the Southern California independent scene (who was signed to a major label briefly). In more specific terms, MED and Mayer Hawthorne hop on a Madlib beat to be joined by Blu. "The Buzz" lives up its name,... Read more

November 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Eminem Unloads Groundhog Day The Same Weekend He Performs Rap God (Video)

In less than 24 hours, one of the biggest Rap release dates of 2013 takes place care of Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP 2 (aka #MMLP2). The follow-up to Em's 2000 classic includes a revived sound and style in the lyrics, with production inspired by the sample-heavy Rock/Rap synergy of the... Read more

November 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Video

Eminem Unveils The Marshall Mathers LP 2 On iTunes (Album Stream)

In a strange year for Hip-Hop, Eminem's 8th studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 has had a cycle less than 10 weeks from its MTV Video Music Awards announcement. #MMLP2 as it could seemingly also be known pairs Em with Rick Rubin, a Rap production pioneer who shaped the... Read more

November 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Isaiah Rashad & SZA Celebrate Their TDE Tenures With Ronnie Drake (Audio)

Top Dawg Entertainment's newest artists Isaiah Rashad and SZA link for "Ronnie Drake." Related: ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock Hop On Isaiah Rashad’s Shot You Down For The TDE Remix (Audio)... Read more

November 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze, Sean Price & Maffew Ragazino Are From Brooklyn: Land Of The Crooks (Audio)

Brownsville, Brooklyn. Birthplace of Mike Tyson, and home to some of the grimiest antics in the five boroughs and some of the best rapping. M.O.P. co-founder Billy Danze and Heltah Skeltah/Random Axe's Sean Price are 1990s alumni, with that perfect mix of lyricism and nosebleed-inducing tough-guy Rap. Maffew Ragazino, Sr.... Read more

November 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Talib Kweli, Marco Polo & DJ Premier Honor Guru (Video)

Guru has been gone for three and a half years. However, the man also known as Baldhead Slick will never be forgotten. Marco Polo enlists Guru's Gang Starr partner DJ Premier, as well as late in life collaborator Talib Kweli for "G.U.R.U." This is heartfelt, and the latest tribute, following... Read more

November 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Mac Miller Has 10 Examples Of Delusional Thomas (Mixtape)

After a relatively quiet year in mixtapes (save for Rapsody, Chance, and K.R.I.T.), this week has been downright monstrous. Fans of free Hip-Hop music rejoice. Following yesterday's Halloween onslaught, Mac Miller hits fans with Delusional Thomas. Always having fan with titles, the Rostrum Records MC/producer drops 10 songs (under the... Read more

November 1, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Kool G Rap & Necro Pull Back The Hammers On Trigga 4 Hire (Audio)

Kool G Rap is often pigeonholed to the innovative lyricism of his Cold Chillin' years with DJ Polo. While those albums, singles, and individual verses cannot be overstated for their importance to the craft of Rap, sometimes the Queens, New Yorker is overlooked for his straight-up gangsterism. As G pointed... Read more

October 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Stalley Lights Up Paris With Gettin’ By (Video)

Few artists in 2013 can rival Ohio's Stalley in terms where they started the year, and here they ended up. After years of tapes and feature work, Honest Cowboy seemed to really cement Stalley's status as a star in the making. From that project, the video to "Gettin' By" really... Read more

October 31, 2013 Fresh, Video

Xzibit, B Real & Demrick Are Halloween Serial Killers (Mixtape)

Delegates from the Likwit Crew, Cypress Hill, and Tangled Thoughts link up for Serial Killers. The trio drops a self-titled mixtape featuring Hospin, Jon Connor, and Tha Eastsidaz' Goldie Locc. Ill Bill, Nottz, DJ Khalil, and (get this!) Sir Jinx as well as DJ Lethal provides beats. Click here to... Read more

October 31, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Onyx Reminds Listeners That They Still Get Live, With A Hand From Statik Selektah (Audio)

Arguably, Onyx has not made a new studio album since 2003's Triggernometry. The Cold Case Files series balanced new recordings with old recordings in the digital format. However, Sticky Fingaz, Sonsee and Fredro Starr have all stayed busy in various forms. Now working on Cuzo the mad-face is back at... Read more

October 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Theophilus Martins Pops That Mid-Tempo With Balloons (Video)

Theophilus Martins is one of the breaking MCs that has displayed many styles in his burgeoning career. What's particularly interesting about Martins is that he lets his music do all the talking, with very little interview press or revelation on his own site. The approach to "Balloons" is especially catchy,... Read more

October 31, 2013 Fresh, Video

DJ Doo Wop Doesn’t Trick Us But Instead Gives Us Treats With Halloween Candy (Mixtape)

DJ Doo Wop is among the most influential 1990s mixtape-makers in the world. This Uptown representative made mixtapes a Rap commodity, and became one of the early mixmasters to work directly with artists and labels to secure exclusive content. "Da Bouncemaster" remains strong in 2013, after years working with Flip... Read more

October 31, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Yelawolf & DJ Paul Drop The Metal-Inspired Black Fall EP (Mixtape)

Yelawolf linked with one of his biggest influences, Three 6 Mafia's DJ Paul for a series of studio sessions. The pair claimed to have bonded in the overlay between Hip-Hop and Heavy Metal. As a preview to bigger release plans, the duo dropped Black Fall EP in the last 24... Read more

October 31, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Action Bronson & Party Supplies Set Up A Screen For Blue Chips 2 (Mixtape Trailer)

Fans of Action Bronson often debate between Blue Chips and Rare Chandeliers. Bam Bam announced sequels to both projects following 2012. With the November 1 release date coming, Rik Cordero directed Bronson's trailer to Blue Chips 2. Ever the charmer, A.B. sports the brick cell phone, a dreadfully-bad suit, and... Read more

October 30, 2013 Fresh, Video

Tragedy Khadafi Freestyles Over Drop A Gem On ‘Em (Audio)

History sometimes forgets. Tragedy Khadafi, by way of 25 To Life, was indeed part of the East-West Coast beef. A descendant of the Juice Crew, the Intelligent Hoodlum remains one of Marley Marl's last great proteges. So understanding the "L.A., L.A." subtext, it's tongue-in-cheek to see Traj hop on the... Read more

October 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Alchemist & Evidence Pay A Step Brothers Homage To Ron Carter (Audio)

“The beat kinda reminded me of 'We Are The World'—especially the drums. If you listen to 2:12 of 'We Are The World,' you will hear what I'm talking about. The rap style was inspired by a group called Big Fortune that recorded a classic album in 1987, but unfortunately had... Read more

October 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Boogie Down Productions’ Duck Down Alternate Version, Possibly Battling Another Crew? (Audio)

The final Boogie Down Productions album, 1992's Sex & Violence doesn't always get the love that the other B.D.P. albums get. However, with Freddie Foxxx, Prince Paul, DJ Kenny Parker and Heather B involved, this joint was instrumental of many things to come. S&V's second single "Duck Down" (reportedly where... Read more

October 29, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

House Shoes Honors J Dilla With King James Version Mixtape, Also On Vinyl (Mixtape)

DJ House Shoes was J Dilla's longtime right-hand-man. Shoes has helped tell Dilla's story of life and music since that tragic day in 2006. Always outspoken, Shoes (who's got impressive catalog in his own right with Danny Brown, Roc Marciano, and Quelle Chris) has also who has and who hasn't... Read more

October 29, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Bun B Is A Symbol Of Freedom, Like The Eagle (Audio)

In his words, he's "Fly like the eagle," but UGK's Bun B is much more. Port Arthur's finest is gearing up for his fourth solo album, Trill O.G.: The Epilogue. Rap-A-Lot Records' biggest star of the moment makes a song about his endurance. From indie labels, moving from the trunk... Read more

October 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rapper Big Pooh Has A Cajun Reunion With 9th Wonder On Jambalaya (Audio)

Did not see this coming, but thrilled it did. Out of the blue, Rapper Big Pooh released new music with his Little Brother co-founder 9th Wonder. From Fat Boy Fresh 3.5, "Jambalaya" reunites the pair for the first time in nearly three years, musically. Despite an impressive catalog with a... Read more

October 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

DJ Quik Calls Production Quits?

Moments ago, DJ Quik announced that he's selling his drum machines and production equipment. The Compton icon has produced for 2Pac, Jay Z, Hi-C, Suga Free, Penthouse Players Clique, AMG, 2nd II None, Mausberg, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Debarge, Raphael Saadiq, and a host of others. It's official. I'm selling all... Read more

October 28, 2013 Fresh