Bandini

Boldy James & Alchemist – Reform School ft Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis & Da$h

Boldy James is the latest artist to get Alchemist's undivided, brief attention for a full-on LP. My Chemistry Set drops next week on Decon, and features the Michigan MC who's been under the wing of the renaissance beat-maker from the West for over a year now. The pair invites OFWGKTA... Read more

October 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Pusha T – Sweet Serenade ft Chris Brown (Video)

Pusha T's sultry, R&B-ish cut from My Name Is My Name gets the video less than 24 hours before the album arrives. As imagined going back to Clipse/Star Trak days, Pusha T fills the screen with models and actresses for a cut all about seduction by "the life." Related: AFH:... Read more

October 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

MED – MEDical Card ft J. Rocc, Balance And The Traveling Sounds (Video)

Once seemingly in the shadow of Madlib, Lootpack, Oh No, and the rest of the Stones Throw/Oxnard contingency, MED has truly stepped it up since 2010's Classic. The low-key collaborator of Diamond D, Just Blaze, and The Beat Konducta recently went to an in-store to plug in and play "MEDical... Read more

October 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Video

?uestlove Explains Being A Music Snob, Putting Off Q-Tip & Others With Nerdery (Video)

Is Head an easy and endearing way of calling ourselves "music snobs"? Vanity Fair has a Music Snob series, and stops in with Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson—easily known as The Roots band-leader and drummer, but at a closer look, a composer who's remixed Marvin Gaye deep cuts, made a Jazz album... Read more

October 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

Dizzy Wright – We Turned Out Alright ft Wyclef Jean (Video)

One of Dizzy Wright's more inspirational songs from The Golden Age gets the video treatment. Not many could see this collaboration with Fugees' co-founder Wyclef Jean coming. However, from Newark to Las Vegas, this sounds organic and true. One of Dizzy's most unique abilities is his penchant for the motivational... Read more

October 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

Black Milk – Sunday’s Best / Monday’s Worst (Video)

Black Milk's stellar storytelling cut gets a visual narrative. The cut is about preferring self-gratification over church on Sunday mornings, and then the greater consequences to Evil vs. Good. What makes this such an amazing cut is B.M.'s on-the-spot remix, making a song into two, and yet keeping the sampling... Read more

October 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

True Master – Strong Arm ft Ghostface Killah & Inspectah Deck

While he came up under Guru and Ill Kid Records, I always wanted True Master to get additional looks outside of the Wu-Tang Clan family. In a crew led by RZA, it's not always easy for True, Allah Mathematics, 4th Disciple, Bronze Nazareth, and the other many talented music-makers under... Read more

October 6, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Dom Kennedy – Dominic

Taking a page from the great Rickey Henderson, Dom Kennedy makes a song about himself in the third-person. Really, the catchy chorus and dreamy '80s R&B-inspired cut is all about Dom's name in other peoples' mouths. Nice Kurupt interpolation too, "Tryna sign Dom? Nigga, Dom'll sign you." Get Home Safely... Read more

October 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Sean Price – Sean Shank Redemption

Sean Price's apathy is second to none. After the "Jordan Shrug," is the Sean P shrug—this symbol of not-caring, but being okay with that. This has afforded the Boot Camp Clik O.G. and Heltah Skeltah co-founder a lot of looks, and laughs. And while Sean might dismiss interviews, or his... Read more

October 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Lauryn Hill – Consumerism

It may be best to let Ms. Lauryn Hill tell it on this one: “Consumerism is part of some material I was trying to finish before I had to come in. We did our best to eek out a mix via verbal and emailed direction, thanks to the crew of... Read more

October 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ka – Jungle (Video)

Grandmaster Melle Mel told us all, "It's like a jungle / Sometimes make ya wonder / How I keep from goin' under." Brooklyn's Ka can relate in his precautionary tales. Coming from the same 'hood as Mike Tyson, M.O.P., and Trigger The Gambler, take heed to the teachings of the... Read more

October 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

Big Sant – Firewater II ft Big K.R.I.T. & Tito Lopez

In the way of Mississippi Hip-Hop, Crooked Lettaz and David Map are the cartographers. Back in 1999 on the soulfully-defiant Grey Skies album, D.B. and Kamikaze invited Penalty Records label-mate Noreaga (N.O.R.E.) to rap with them about that (other) ish that makes your soul burn slow. Almost 15 years, David... Read more

October 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Add-2 – Don’t Go

Jamla Records (Skyzoo, Rapsody, GQ) has announced the latest signing. 9th Wonder's label added Chicago, Illinois MC Add-2. To coincide with the announcement, Add-2 has partnered with Away Team's Khrysis for Between Heaven And Hell. To set things off, Add offered "Don't Go." Related: Khrysis & Sean Boog (The Away... Read more

October 2, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Marco Polo – 3-0-Clock ft Organized Konfusion (Video)

What better way to present a track from PA:2 than to go to the actual Port Authority? Marco waits outside while Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry kick their verses from the inside of a bus. The Duck Down Music artist, who also has worked with Soulspazm (where PA: 2 is... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Da Mafia 6ix – Go Hard ft Yelawolf

Back in the late '90s, at the height of putting kickers and amps through trunks, my cousin put me onto Tear Da Club Up Thugs. The music rivaled that of M.O.P and Onyx in terms of making you wanting to swing punches (that hopefully wouldn't land). My informal introduction to... Read more

October 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Thundercat & The Roots – Heartbreaks + Setbacks Performance (Video)

One of the best parts about having The Roots on "Late Night" with Jimmy Fallon is the exposure to new music. Heads can often hope that whether Mac Miller's artistic evolution, De La Soul deep cuts, or Big K.R.I.T's breakthrough, that bedrooms and living-rooms everywhere are getting exposed to better... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Throwback, Video

Blu & Nottz – Boyz II Men ft Nitty Scott, MC

This is the first listen of material from Blu & Nottz' collaborative EP, Gods In Spirit. 1990s Motown fans will feel this stylized title of a track that features a dusty '60s Soul loop from one of Virginia's mainstays. Nitty Scott, who's been making much noise lately hops on the... Read more

October 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

The Kid Daytona – Damier Suitcases ft Raekwon

The way that Bun B was a big brother to Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire and countless non-Houston acts, it appears that Raekwon is cemented in that same status. Shallah has transcended from Wu-Tang Clan co-founder to somebody who's been early-bird in co-signing acts like 2 Chainz, Yelawolf,... Read more

October 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Isaiah Rashad Signs To TDE (Video)

Chattanooga, Tennessee's Hip-Hop answer, Isaiah Rashad, signed to Top Dawg Entertainment last month. Just released, a video chronicles the story, the inking of the paperwork, and shows what's to come. This is something to be excited about. Related: Isaiah Rashad – I Shot U Down (Video)... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Danny Brown – The Return ft Freddie Gibbs

Contrary to some folks' belief, Danny Brown has many flows. The wildly-animated MC tones it down on "The Return" to recount his street exploits, and remind the new fans that he still carries those ill street blues in his actions, reactions, and demeanor. Who better to pair with than Freddie... Read more

October 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

DJ Quik Decodes Jay Z’s Justify My Thug (Video)

Back in 2003, when the production was announced for Jay Z's The Black Album, there were two big curiosities: 9th Wonder and DJ Quik. While DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, and Irv Gotti were notably absent from what was billed as Jay's curtain-call album, he helped get Little Brother's co-founder the... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

KRS-One’s Return Of The Boom-Bap 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

This weekend, the first KRS-One album to not be billed as Boogie Down Productions turns 20 years old. On September 28, 1993, Jive Records and Kris Parker teamed to release Return Of The Boom-Bap. The album was exactly one decade removed from the arrival of Run-DMC, the "boom-bap" was a... Read more

September 30, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

CJ Fly – Sadderdaze ft Ab-Soul

Pro Era and Black Hippy pop off a coast-to-coast collaboration over a sample quite familiar to Reasonable Doubt lovers, CJ and Soulo offer a link from Thee Way Eye See It, which is slated to be on hard-drives by this weekend. Both of these crews are able to make simple... Read more

September 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Vic Mensa – INNANETAPE (Mixtape)

The year of Chicago continues with Vic Mensa's latest project, INNANETAPE. This effort features Chance The Rapper, BJ The Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul, Kenna, Rockie Fresh and plenty of others. Between Chance, Keef, Reese, King L, do you think the Chi is going to have the kind of breakthrough year that... Read more

September 30, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Salaam Remi – One: In The Chamber (Album Stream)

After considerable work with Nas, Amy Winehouse and others, veteran producer Salaam Remi has readied his solo debut, One: In The Chamber. Now, the producer who laced "Thief's Theme," "Get Down" and "Made You Look" for Nasir executes his own vision, pulling from many genres. Related: Salaam Remi – Eleanor... Read more

September 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Drake Named Toronto Raptors Global Ambassador (Video)

Kanye West's Louis Vuitton internship. Jay-Z Blue at Chrysler-Jeep. 9th Wonder becoming a Duke University professor. The places Hip-Hop is going continues to wow me. Today proved to be no exception, as Drake was formally announced the Toronto Raptors' Global Ambassador. A frequent court-side guest at games in recent years,... Read more

September 30, 2013 Fresh, Video

Homeboy Sandman – Men Are Mortal (Video)

From his Stones Throw EP from this year, Kool Herc, BoySand kicks an scorching verse while jump-roping. If you find walking and chewing bubblegum simultaneously to be a challenge, you will definitely find this video to be a thrill. The retail album named after Hip-Hop's founder has throwback production with... Read more

September 30, 2013 Fresh, Video

Curren$y – Jetflix Documentary (Video)

Curren$y, Mousa and the rest of the Jetlife clique made a recent tour documentary including some studio sessions, performance footage, and cars, a fake-Bill Duke-sighting, girls and smoke-breaks along the way. Related: Curren$y & Young Roddy – Bales (Mixtape)... Read more

September 30, 2013 Fresh, Video

Danny Brown – Dope Fiend Rental ft ScHoolboy Q

Danny Brown's Old releases tomorrow, September 30. An early glimpse "Dope Fiend Rental" captures D.B.'s essence. The song chronicles his rugged street-life days, his penchant for rough sex, and all sorts of clever imagery in between. The beat knocks, as Old could be a sneak-attack piece of discussion for Album... Read more

September 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Wise Intelligent – The Walking Dead ft B. Smith

Wise Intelligent has stayed very busy since his days with pioneering Trenton, New Jersey collective the Poor Righteous Teachers. The man who once battled Jay Z (when Jay was rollin' with both Jaz-O and DeHaven. Since the late '90s, Wise has maintained his socially-informed messages, and gotten more aggressive in... Read more

September 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Salaam Remi – Eleanor Rigby ft Stephen Marley

Hip-Hop and The Beatles stay closely related—but we won't list all the samples here for obvious reasons. Nas' go-to producer, veteran Salaam Remi teamed with Stephen Marley to give their take on the 1966 Revolver cut by John, Paul, Ringo and George. In any key, the soul on this song's... Read more

September 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

N.O.R.E Plans To Fall Back From Rapping After Melvin Flynt II: Da Final Hustle

N.O.R.E's last hurrah with Penalty/Tommy Boy Records was 1999's Melvin Flynt, Da Hustler. A cult-favorite among Capone-N-Noreaga fans, the record featured that signature EZ-Elpee production, along with work with The Neptunes, Swizz Beats, Lil Wayne, and Juvenile. Speaking about the road ahead after approaching a 20-year-career, N.O told MTV "Will... Read more

September 29, 2013 Fresh, Video

Big Sean Road To Hall Of Fame Documentary (Video)

It's been about a month since Big Sean's Hall Of Fame released. In some post-promotion, Sean released this cool 25-minute documentary exploring the making of the album. In the contents, you'll see and hear a lot of Sean's intentions with the G.O.O.D/Def Jam Records LP. You'll also see J. Cole... Read more

September 29, 2013 Fresh, Video

2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher Artists Announced

Taped tonight in Atlanta, BET's 2013 Hip-Hop Awards is coming on October 15 at 8pm EST. With the cyphers already making big noise on Twitter (especially from the Aftermath Entertainment camp), here are all 34 participants, as reported by BET.com. This year's lineup features the usual breakthrough artists (Action Bronson,... Read more

September 29, 2013 Throwback

Jon Connor Announces He Has Signed With Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment

Flint, Michigan's Jon Connor used his 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher verse to announce a signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Connor ended his verse by saying he was sick "but now [his] doctor is Dre. Aftermath!" Congrats to @JonConnorMusic. Announced he signed to Aftermath in his freestyle — Brian... Read more

September 28, 2013 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Controls The 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher

Hot off the presses from Atlanta, Kendrick Lamar "killed" this year's BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher, and we were there to witness it. Symbolic of what Kendrick's Control verse did to the industry in August, the entire TDE family (Kendrick, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and new member Isaiah Rashad) spit... Read more

September 28, 2013 Fresh

Omar Aura – The Weekend ft Luz Maria (Video)

California's Omar Aura is one of the young purveyors of the G-Funk, which is highly evident in sound and theme on "The Weekend." This sounds like 2013 Doveshack. From the upcoming Players Only free project, peep the sideshow in the video that would make Richie Rich proud. Related: Omar Aura... Read more

September 28, 2013 Fresh, Video

Pusha T – King Push (Video)

With My Name Is My Name less than a month away (got several copies pre-ordered myself), Pusha Ton kept the gold fronts in for the second black & white video of his debut solo campaign. The Clipse co-founder and Re-Up Gang renegade offers up his own "no hook" anthem, "King... Read more

September 27, 2013 Fresh, Video

Genovese – Walk The Streets ft Styles P (Video)

Remember Genovese ads all through The Source, Blaze and XXL? This descendant of the notorious Genovese Family was on the cusp of a breakthrough in the early 2000s, when he was blockaded by the label system. Grindin' on strong, Geno teams with The L.O.X.'s Styles P, an artist with whom... Read more

September 27, 2013 Fresh, Video

Kid Ink – I Know Who You Are ft Casey Veggies (Video)

Two of Los Angeles' most-discussed acts come together for a collaborative video—shot in a clothing boutique. "I Know Who You Are" has one of the catchier choruses as of late. Related: Casey Veggies – Everything Wavy (Video)... Read more

September 27, 2013 Fresh, Video

Raekwon – Marble Cake Freestyle

Currently, I've got Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in the automobile, so after lengthy listens of a Hip-Hop classic, some fresh Raekwon is (always) a welcomed treat. Chef Rae serves up "Marble Cake" over-top Drake's "Pound Cake" instrumental. Shouting out the producer 40, this may be setting the table for... Read more

September 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Drake – CRWN Interview Pt. 3 (Video)

In the final 25-minutes of Drake's sit-down interview/conversation with Elliott Wilson for MySpace Video, Universal's superstar took questions from the crowd. With Drake's propensity to dodge most interviews, this is a (witty), unpredictable moment with one of Rap's most guarded acts. You get: - Drake's take on the memes (Dada... Read more

September 27, 2013 Fresh

Murs – The Questions Interview (Video)

Murs is up there with any current Hip-Hop artist in giving captivating interviews. Musically, Murray's got incredible stories of his work with everybody ranging from Lucky.i.am and Slug, to Dame Dash and DJ Quik, to 9th Wonder and Ab-Soul. Off the mic, Murs has strong opinions on global outreach, parenting,... Read more

September 27, 2013 Fresh, Video

Edan Pays Tribute To The Poets Of Rhythm (Video)

The Poets Of Rhythm are a veteran Funk outfit from Munich, Germany that are celebrating their 21st year of making music. To Heads, you may have heard the P.O.R. band when they linked with Quannum Projects (especially Latyrx) in the late '90s-early 2000s. With Brooklyn-based modern-Funk empire Daptone Records putting... Read more

September 27, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Skeme – Bare With Me (Mixtape)

DJ Skee has one of the most respected ears for talent in Hip-Hop. The Minnesota native whose immersed himself in Los Angeles' music community has helped Game, Charles Hamilton and Freddie Gibbs get established through mixtapes that played like albums. Now Skee's set his sites (with DJ Base) on local... Read more

September 26, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Drake – CRWN Interview Pt. 2 (Video)

As promised, Drake & Elliott Wilson's filmed conversation/interview gets a part deux. - Drake breaks down the behind-the-scenes picture at OVO (October's Very Own). - Drake discusses his relationship with Jay Z, in light of the Nothing Was The Same collaboration. - Drake also talks about his family, and their... Read more

September 26, 2013 Fresh

A$AP Rocky – Fashion Killa (Video)

The same week that he stars in Drake's "Hold On (We're Going Home)" video, A$AP Rocky rolls out his visual to "Fashion Killa." What's more, he gets Rihanna to star in his video (see a trend here?). The ChillWave-inspired track that Rocky co-produced gets a video worthy of a fashion... Read more

September 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Deadly Venoms – 1998 Interview (Video)

In the era of Slaughterhouse, Black Hippy, Run The Jewels, CZARFACE and others, Heads are used to super-groups. One super-group that never got the shine they deserved is the Deadly Venoms (aka 5 Deadly Venoms). Not to be confused with the amazing Diamond D/D.I.T.C. posse cut from '97, this was... Read more

September 26, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Dead End Alliance – Sun Hit Da Fade Pt. II ft Z-Ro & Lil Keke (Video)

Within the sects of the Screwed Up Click was the Dead End Alliance. H-Town Rap fans know, and although DJ Screw, Fat Pat, and Big H.A.W.K have all passed away in the last two decades, Kay K keeps the flag wavin'. In a new video featuring two other S.U.C alums... Read more

September 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Official Schoolly D & DJ Code Money T-Shirts Released

Rakim Told Me author/Hip-Hop curator Brian Coleman is a friend of AmbrosiaForHeads. The Boston-based veteran journalist recently launched Good Road Goods—a shirt line that includes vintage fully-licensed photographs that are important to Coleman. His most recent included Philadelphia icon, Godfather of Gangsta Rap Schoolly D and his celebrated DJ Code... Read more

September 25, 2013 Fresh, Throwback