Bandini

Aloe Blacc – Love Is The Answer ft Pharrell

Twice, Stones Throw Records has helped skilled underground Hip-Hop artists hone their abilities in the renaissance genre of Soul music. Following the crossover success of Athletic Mic League's Mayer Hawthorne, Emanon's Aloe Blacc found a major hit in 2010's "I Need A Dollar." Now teaming up with Avicii and Pharrell... Read more

September 25, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Dizzy Wright – Tell ‘Em My Name (Video)

In the tradition of Eminem, Snoop Doggy Dogg and The Disco 3 (Fat Boys), Dizzy Wright makes his namesake anthem in a video that doubles as a moving look-book for Rocksmith Clothing. This joint appears on The Golden Age, surely a contender for one of 2013's most talked-about tapes. Related:... Read more

September 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Drake CRWN Interview Pt. 1 (Video)

Elliott Wilson moderates the long-form Drake CRWN interview that took place this week at New York University's Skirball Center. MySpace got the video, and is rolling out portions this week. In Part 1, you'll get: - Drake explains the unique creative process and outlining of Nothing Was The Same. -... Read more

September 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Tito Lopez – Y.O.U. (Video)

T.I.T.O. is still plugging away at his much-anticipated debut album, but Gulfport, Mississippi's finest keeps churning out thought-evoking content with charisma and know-how. This "Y.O.U." is the title-track from his recent mixtape, and supposes what happens when you put this man on a throwbackish, early 2000s peppy beat. Related: Tito... Read more

September 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

Drake – Hold On (Video)

Whether it's inspired by the famous "In The Air Tonight" sequence on "Miami Vice," Scarface or Grand Theft Auto: Miami, Drake channels 1985 on South Beach in his visual narrative for "Hold On (We're Going Home)." This big-budget video featuring some acting from A$AP Rocky begins in a lookalike to Tony Montana's... Read more

September 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

Mack Wilds – Keepin’ It Real

We told you recently that Mack Wilds was working with an arsenal of Heads-heralded producers including Salaam Remi and DJ Premier. Premo's fansite announced that "Keepin' It Real" is produced by the pair, who both contributed joints to Nas' Stillmatic album 12 years ago. Reports claim that Remi laced the... Read more

September 24, 2013 Audio, Fresh

R.I.P. To Flipside From O.F.T.B.

Watts, California has a deep social history, as captured in films like Killer Of Sheep and moments like Wattstax. In Hip-Hop, the notorious section of South Central Los Angeles has produced major label artists in the form of Kam, Glasses Malone, and Jay Rock. One group from the publicized Nickerson... Read more

September 24, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Guilty Simpson & Small Professor – Highway Robbery (Album Stream)

Random Axe's Guilty Simpson links with Philadelphia-based producer Small Professor (Reef The Lost Cauze, Blueprint, Has-Lo) for a whole album, Highway Robbery. Following 2012's Gigantic Vol. 1 LP by Small Pro, Brooklyn-based Coalmine Records hits us with this for full stream (as it's available for purchase as of today). Guests... Read more

September 24, 2013 Audio, Fresh

J-Live – Headband Freestyle

This is pretty cool. J-Live left Brooklyn for Atlanta a few years back (with some time in Philadelphia, in between). The DJ/MC/Producer (Triple Threat) heard one of the year's biggest radio records in B.o.B's 2Chainz-assisted "Headband." Having worked with iconic producers such as DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock and... Read more

September 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Harold’s

Inspired by Harold's Chicken in the Chicago area near to Gibbs' Gary upbringing, this is the Deeper EP's interpretation of chickens that aren't classified as poultry. Whether it's fiends, females or suckas, Gangsta Gibbs can be hard on 'em. Related: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Deeper... Read more

September 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

DJ Skizz – Day In The Life ft REKS, Rasheed Chappell, Maffew Ragazino & Liza Colby (Video)

DJ Skizz' B.Q.E. album gets a visual from three respected indie MCs that align with his radio playlists over the years. The song captures the daily ambitions and struggles of the three, with an '80s R&B sample back-beat. Related: DJ Skizz – Light Years ft Roc Marciano, A.G., O.C. &... Read more

September 23, 2013 Fresh, Video

Drake Confirms Wu-Tang Clan Collaboration

Fresh off of releasing "Wu-Tang Forever," Drake confirmed to Rap Radar's Elliott Wilson that a remix is coming—during their sit-down interview (complete with audience). A person close to Drake also confirmed this on Twitter. For those playing at home, the Wu don't do a lot of guest appearances as a... Read more

September 23, 2013 Fresh

Step Brothers – Nothing To See/Hear

This project has been in discussion since 2008, and this Fall, we'll finally get a Step Brothers album. Rhymesayers Entertainment won the (alleged) bidding war to release the collaborative project from Alchemist and Evidence. Since the days of Dilated Peoples' The Platform, these two Cali kids have sounded lovely together... Read more

September 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Talib Kweli – Turnt Up (Video)

Kweli shot a video in Tokyo, Japan for his "Turnt Up" Prisoner Of Conscious joint that samples Coldcut's famed remix of Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid In Full." From Hi-Tek's Black Star Chevy van to lowriders, Kweli is celebrating his journey. Related: Talib Kweli – Human Mic (Video)... Read more

September 23, 2013 Fresh, Video

De La Soul’s Buhloone Mindstate 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

By: Bandini There are some great “win-win” debates out there. For instance, which era of the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Lakers really was the best? Sean Connery or Roger Moore,…or Daniel Craig? Reasonable Doubt or The Blueprint? One such debate that I’ve found to be recurring is "The... Read more

September 21, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Rapsody – Kingship (Video)

She Got Game continues to slam dunk its way onto iPods, CD-Rs, and playlists everywhere. Rapsody made a video for standout single "Kingship," produced by the almighty DJ Premier. Shot in HeadCourterz Studios in Midtown Manhattan, two masters at work, where one master has been working for 20 years and... Read more

September 20, 2013 Fresh, Video

Justin Timberlake – TKO

Justin Timberlake may go down in history as thee artist of 2013. On the horizons of his second album of the calendar year, 20/20 Experience (2 of 2), JT unleasheds"TKO" from the second installment. You'll hear Timbaland trademark touch from the first note. Related: Justin Timberlake – Take Back the... Read more

September 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ag Da Coroner – Crushed Grapes (Mixtape)

Outdoorsmen member Ag Da Coroner teamed with producer ATG for a full nine-song EP/mixtape, Crushed Grapes. Featuring band-mate Mayhem Lauren as well as Mobb Deep affiliate Lord Nez, the East New Yorker kicks Timberland Raps right in time for Dickies and skully season. Ag and his brethren are part of... Read more

September 20, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Cormega – On The Road ft Lil Fame & Ill Bill

From the Grand Theft Auto V (GTAV) mixtape, three New York indie MC's who all were once signed to major labels link up for a charged track produced by DJ Skizz. 'Mega has worked regularly with Lil Fame, both as a rapper and as a producer, with Non-Phixion/La Coka Nostra's... Read more

September 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Bishop Lamont – Full Circle

There have been a plethora of Aftermath Entertainment artists deserving of retail projects, but who didn't get one: Last Emperor, King T, RBX, Mel-Man, and of course, Bishop Lamont. In the mid-2000s, Bishop introduced himself as just the right balance of gangsta and b-boy, with influences ranging from Thug Life... Read more

September 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Salaam Remi – Makin’ It Hard For Me ft Corrine Bailey Rae

This is dope as can-be. Nas' longtime in-house/right-hand producer Salaam Remi links with songstress Corrine Bailey Rae (a name we haven't heard nearly often enough lately) for One: In The Chamber, Salaam's new album coming at the end of the month. Remi's phenomenal at fusing genres inconspicuously. Related: Nas –... Read more

September 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Bob James Discusses Nautilus Becoming A Hit By Way Of Hip-Hop

When Heads get into rare groove/sample sources, pianist, composer and arranger Bob James is an ideal starting point. To laymen, James may be best known for creating the smooth theme song to "Taxi," however to those who read the labels, James has a massive catalog of hits that's resurrected by... Read more

September 19, 2013 Throwback

Stalley – Sticks And Stones / Blue Collar Gang ft Rashad

Stalley's been doing it for some years now, with an array of looks and collaborators.Honest Cowboy appears to be a true breakthrough work at gathering the solo identity and distinction of the Ohio MC. He raps, "I grew up on C-Bo, also on 'Scenario'," which is a line Heads can't... Read more

September 18, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Isaiah Rashad – Shot U Down

The artist many speculated to be the next TDE acquisition is careful with his material. "Shot U Down" breaks the self-imposed drought with a jazzy beat and charismatic delivery lookin' at the what-if. Mark my words, Isaiah is next to rise. Related: Mack Wilds – Wild Things ft Method Man... Read more

September 18, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Nipsey Hussle – Checc Me Out ft Dom Kennedy

On Arsenio Hall's couch, Kendrick Lamar spoke about the movement he was part of the California Hip-Hop community. Two of the artists he mentioned, Nipsey Hussle and Dom Kennedy, come together for "Checc Me Out," a collaboration in the L.A. Leakers' series—and will also appear on the forthcoming Crenshaw mixtape.... Read more

September 18, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Crate Diggers: Evidence (Video)

Dilated Peoples/Stepbrothers member Evidence may be best known as an MC, but he's got some severe joints as a producer. After scoring a Grammy Award co-producing portions of Kanye West's The College Dropout, Ev's produced underground hits like Defari's "Cookin' Up Your Brain," Sean Price's "BBQ Sauce," and Rakaa's "Delilah."... Read more

September 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

Elvis Costello & The Roots Perform Wise Up Ghost (Video)

Fresh off of the Blue Note Records release of the album sharing the name, Elvis Costello & The Roots' perform "Wise Up Ghost" at one of ?uestlove's favorite hangouts/DJ venues: Brooklyn Bowl. The stage lighting captures the themes of the song perfectly. Related: Elvis Costello & The Roots – Walk... Read more

September 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Explains The Musical Inspiration Behind His Name and Performs m.A.A.d. City (Video)

While it'd be nice if "In Living Color" was also back, with Keenan Ivory Wayans still able to poke fun at some of the stuff, Arsenio Hall's latenight platform was a crucial trailblazer in legitimizing Hip-Hop in the mainstream. Moreover, Arsenio (who points out in this interview that he's a... Read more

September 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

J. Cole – Crooked Smile ft TLC (Video)

The second single fromBorn Sinner finally gets its video. J. Cole's orchestrated T-Boz and Chilli reunion of sorts is inspiration to a five-minute mini-movie style video, sneak-released this morning. Related: J. Cole Discusses and Performs Crooked Smile ft TLC (Video)... Read more

September 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

DJ Yella Recalls N.W.A. Mistakenly Turning Down Guns N’ Roses Tour

DJ Yella rarely speaks these days. The founding member of N.W.A. (who was also in World Class Wreckin' Cru with Dr. Dre prior) has left music and found success in the XXX industry as a porn director. A comrade of Eazy-E's till the tragic 1995 end of E's life, Yella... Read more

September 18, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Marco Polo – 3-0-Clock ft Organized Konfusion

Marco Polo's solo albums have become great touchstones for fans of 1990s Hip-Hop. The Canadian-born producer's LPs have featured the likes of Masta Ace, O.C., Kool G. Rap and Edo G. So what better place for Pharaohe Monch and Prince Po to carry on tradition than PA2: The Director's Cut.... Read more