Bandini

The Incomparable Shakespeare – #InvincibleDream (Mixtape)

The Incomparable Shakespeare is one of the names gaining fast recognition in 2013. In a slower season for mixtapes, #InvincibleDream is a stellar starting point. Influenced by the likes of Boot Camp Clik, Group Home and East Flatbush Project, there is much to like here. Imagine having a conversation for... Read more

September 3, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Mobetta – Daydreams ft Prodigy (Video)

Infamous Jazz happens, as Maurice "Mobetta" Brown continues his post-Grammy Award winning run. After rocking with Jean Grae on "Back At The Ranch," Mobetta returns with another once-prodigious (no pun) talent out of the Big Apple. The Tedeschi Trucks Band member links with Mobb Deep's Prodigy for the club-centric video... Read more

September 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

14KT – Five & Ten (Video)

Fans of Lootpack, Alchemist and Infamous Mobb will appreciate Detroit, Michigan's 14KT. The Athletic Mic League alum released Nickel & Dimed today on Mello Music Group. This is a Spy Vs. Spy/Pink Panther-esque animated video for the "Five & Ten" video. This is dusted Hip-Hop in Technicolor. Related: 14KT –... Read more

September 3, 2013 Fresh, Video

J57 – Like A Prayer ft Nitty Scott, MC (Video)

No Madonna samples here (not that there's anything wrong that). Instead, two of young-New York's rising talents team up for a record dealing with questions on organized religion. Brown Bag AllStars' J57 hits us with a beat that sounds like something that could have been pitched for the first wave... Read more

August 31, 2013 Fresh, Video

Breeze Brewin – Brew”IN Control

It would take a week's vacation to sift through all of the "Control" responses. Personally speaking, I thought a lot of them were misguided and quick pleas for a fast-saturated discussion space. However, in all of the debris that exploded from Kendrick Lamar's bomb, this one is kind of interesting.... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Malik B & Mr. Green – Definition

One of my all-time pre-Game Theory Roots tracks is "The Water." The way Black Thought spoke about his love candidly for Malik B was raw, and to any of us that have close ones who battle demons, it simply resonated. Still a close collaborator with The Roots, Malik is working... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AG Da Coroner – Not Gonna Cry

The Outdoorsmen is quite the crew. Following Action Bronson's major label emergence, and the recent signings of Mayhem Lauren and AG Da Coroner, this will likely be a group tempted with an album after the solo endeavors are situated. "Not Gonna Cry" is that won't-come-up-for-air Rap that calls back to... Read more

August 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Roc Marciano – S**t Hard

There are no comebacks in Hip-Hop that impress me more right now than Roc Marciano and Ka. Sure, the Soundscan numbers are still a work in progress, but these collaborators have been grinding independently (and on majors) since the '90s with low-key catalogs are hard-nose New York City Rap. Ever... Read more

August 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Finally Responds To “Control (HOF)” Aftermath

Breaking news, K.Dot speaks to Big Boy's Neighborhood on Power 106 in L.A about "Control (HOF)" and the bars heard 'round the world. "I just wanted to rap...I may have to dumb down my lyrics just a lil' bit." - Kendrick Lamar. He says a bit more. What do you... Read more

August 28, 2013 Fresh

Illa Ghee – Illa Price Express Freestyle ft Sean Price

I absolutely love this. Veteran Mobb Deep affiliate Illa Ghee continues his recent run with Sean Price—who, mind you, is one of the most ferocious freestylers left in Hip-Hop. Over-top of Kraftwerk's "Trans Europe Express" (posted below, it's also the basis for Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force's "Planet Rock"),... Read more

August 28, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Blitz The Ambassador – The Warm Up (EP Stream)

German label Jakarta Records has a name-your-price EP from longtime independent titan Blitz The Ambassador, The Warm Up. The Ghanaian-American MC teams with Fresno's Fashawn for this seven-track effort, which is available for free stream. Blitz' 2009 Stereogum was an ear-grabber, and he's consistently living up to his name by bringing... Read more

August 28, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Justin Timberlake Talks “Sinatra At The Sands” Collabo With Jay Z, Timbaland & Nas

We heard Timbaland around the release Magna Carta Holy Grail discuss this track. Justin Timberlake spoke with Angie Martinez and HOT 97 following his 2013 MTV Video Music Awards shakedown performance. Timberlake spoke about Timbaland, Nas and Jay Z deciding to impromptu record the song known as "Sinatra At The... Read more

August 28, 2013 Fresh

Goodie MOB – Soul Food (Performance Video)

It seems some of the albums we called "classics" back in the mid-'90s don't sound nearly as good today as they did when they came out. Other times, it seems that albums we weren't so liberal about calling the (other) c-word, perhaps are. Goodie Mob's 1995 debut Soul Food is... Read more

August 28, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Danny Brown – ODB (Video)

From disagreeing with his label a few weeks ago about the release of his long-anticipated album, Old, Danny Brown quickly got a release date for September 30. Fool's Gold Records and D.B. unloaded the first video single, "ODB." Originally, there was talk of the album being called that, now shortened... Read more

August 28, 2013 Fresh, Video

The LOX – Summer’s Too Hot

In the last week of August, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P welcome September with "Summers Too Hot." (We learned by way of the video that it's simply just "Too Hot") Kanye West vocals on the Scram Jones-produced needle-drop beat. As D-Block has morphed back into The Warlocks, one can... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock Breaks Down His Favorite James Brown Records

I was at a 1960s-themed event the other night, and the DJ kept playing the James Brown records that really crossed over into mainstream such as "Papas Got A Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)." From those Pop records to some of the fabric that formed... Read more

August 27, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Kool G Rap, Papoose, Savant & Justin Tyme – Iron Bars

People tend to forget: Papoose is a lyrical O.G. Just like Nas, just like Akinyele, MF Grimm, B-1, Jinx Da Juvy, and others, Pap cut his teeth on the come-up with one of Hip-Hop's all time lyrical giants: Kool G Rap. "Home Sweet Funeral Home." 1998. Roots Of Evil. Arizona.... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Krondon – Another Line

Strong Arm Steady's Krondon has been grinding for 15 years. Major labels, independents, critical cosigns and solo-dolo success, and KRNDN (as he also goes by at times) stays grindin' with his many styles. "Another Line," produced by Frank The Butcher & Paul Mighty, appears on Butcher's BAU Presents... All Is... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

14KT – PAID ft Blu

Many moons ago, Detroit, Michigan's 14KT was in a group alongside Mayer Hawthorne in Athletic Mic League. The group disbanded for solo pursuits, but hopefully becomes an increasing talking-point (like Children Of The Corn, 213, or Cash Money Clique). 14KT is now releasing his latest LP, Nickel & Dimed. Black... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Billy Squier – The Big Beat (Video)

In light of Eminem's "Berzerk," I keep referencing this song. The truth is, the record has an amazing time-piece video. While it might seem cheesy, or a callback to big hair, tight Lee's, and t-top Camaros, this is a break that stays in the arsenal of your favorite producer/DJ. The... Read more

August 27, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Foreign Exchange – Call It Home / Pity

In less than a month, one of the groups that started online—and got more organic than most of their peers who met in the flesh lives on. Foreign Exchange's Love In Flying Colors comes September 24. Phonte and Nicolay dropped off a two-fer single, in "Call It Home" and "Pity."... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Freddie Gibbs – The Real G Money (Video)

A song just over 90 seconds. How many independent MCs do you know that can captivate? Freddie Gibbs is certainly one. Fresh off of ESGN, Gangsta Gibbs gives one of his strongest offerings of late in "The Real G Money." Few artists in the 2010s can walk the fine line... Read more

August 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Daft Punk – Lose Yourself To Dance ft Pharrell & Nile Rodgers (Video)

When the year ends, one of the must-buy albums of 2013 will likely still be Daft Punk's Random Access Memories. The French production/DJ duo has been on my radar since MTV's short-lived "12 Angry Viewers" days (I also remember first seeing Eminem that way). However, thanks to J Dilla and... Read more

August 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Eminem Announces “The Marshall Mathers LP 2” (Video)

While Justin Timberlake tore down the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with his medley of hits, old and new, and reuniting that group we all pretended we didn't like (N*Sync), the biggest story may have happened between the breaks. Beats By Dre announced Eminem's upcoming album, in a very "All... Read more

August 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Sometimes I Rap Fast, Sometimes I Rap Slow: The Evolution Of JAY-Z’s Flow (Food For Thought)

As another NFL season loads up, the sports news cycle is dominated by teams, offenses, depth charts and injury reports. Although not a fan (au contraire), I often marvel at the dynamic strategies of Bill Bellichick, Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots. From season-to-season, the three-time Super Bowl champions... Read more

August 25, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Moe Green – Still Here

Moe Green has always been effective when he's taken a popular street song using a contemporary, and then rearranged it on his own. Over three years removed from "Going In For The Kill," Green reworks Phil Beaudreau's "Anyway (Interlude)" with producer Atu. The sample was the basis for Casey Veggies'... Read more

August 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Wale – No Pain, No Gain

Wale has many looks, styles and presentations. Since the days of "Nike Boots," my favorite Wale channel is when he seems to close his eyes in the booth, and get bigger than life with the inspirational music. Without ever being corny, Wale's "Ambition," and the aforementioned mixtape cut sound so... Read more

August 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Slim Thug – Coming Down (Every Town) ft Big K.R.I.T., Z-Ro & Kirko Bangz

Outside of Geto Boys and UGK, I have always used Slim Thug as an illustration to what makes Houston Hip-Hop so unique, and so great. Thugga's not always big on deep thought, but his boisterous vocals, smooth style and regional cadence have accented some truly great music over the last... Read more

August 23, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Talib Kweli – Human Mic (Video)

R.A. The Rugged Man directed this Prisoner Of Conscious video. The treatment to the "Human Mic" single plays with the title, with the Brooklyn, MC oozing words and his kicks his verses. Throughout his career, Kweli has embodied what it means to master the ceremony. And over 15 years removed from... Read more

August 20, 2013 Fresh, Video

Wiz Khalifa – Look Into My Eyes

Now focused on family and albums, Wiz Khalifa's output (at least what he releases) has slowed quite a bit in 2013. Touring, family and a big year for expanding Taylor Gang Records has kept the Steel City MC from churning out songs. "Look Into My Eyes" is a welcomed catch-up.... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AZ – I Excel

Not since the Disposable Arts-era Masta Ace have I seen artist with an already-heralded career get consistently better with time. No longer signed to the major EMI Records, you cannot help but acknowledge that Tha Visualiza's intricate and vivid imagery is just as good, if not better than "Rather Unique."... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Big Sean – First Chain ft Nas & Kid Cudi

Big Sean's Hall Of Fame is exfoliating some of its biggest assets. On "First Chain," Sean channels early Kanye West's penchant for Jacob The Jeweler talk, as he links with Def Jam Records big brother Nas, and contemporary/former label-mate Kid Cudi. Since the days of Nice & Smooth's "Gold," this... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Pete Rock Discusses His “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” Sessions

My personal favorite Kanye West album is 2010's My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy. Individually, 'Ye's made songs that I've grown obsessed with on other albums (see: "Gone," "Can't Tell Me Nothing," and "Never Let Me Down"), I thought that his fifth LP hit his greatest stride in making a cohesive,... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Discusses Black Hippy’s Mystique & Purpose (Video)

In the late '90s/early 2000s, there were some cool super-groups that never put albums out: The Four Horsemen (Kurupt, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest) The Golden State Warriors (Xzibit, Saafir, Ras Kass) The Likwit Cru (King T, Xzibit, Tash, E-Swift, J-Ro, Defari, Madlib, Phil Da Agony, Wildchild, DJ Romes) The... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Video

The Weeknd – Live For ft Drake

Together, The Weeknd & Drake can break many hearts, but they also be able to break the Internet when they collaborate. Toronto's newest wave collaborates for "Live For."With a combined age less than 50, how do you think this pair of free-music givers told Universal Motown Group flagship acts stack... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Dizzy Wright – The Golden Age (Mixtape)

Amidst a breakthrough 12 months, Las Vegas' Dizzy Wright delivers his most polished to date. The Golden Age is a freebie that features Wyclef Jean, Joey Bada$$, Honey Cocaine, SwizZz, and his XXL Freshmen classmate Logic. Early Twitter fanfare is calling it Dizzy's best work to date. What we love... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Nice Guys Finish First…But Not By Playing Nice

Kendrick Lamar and Big K.R.I.T. After the late 2000s breakthrough of Blu, Thurz, Fashawn and Torae, it is these two men that truly opened me up to what I considered the youthful unknown in Hip-Hop. In 2010, I was very much the anti-new-rapper’s fan, convinced that labels (large and small)... Read more

August 17, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Prodigy & Alchemist – Back & Forth (Video)

I remember hearing "Keep It Thoro" for the first time and just wondering who could have possibly made that beat. Enter: The Alchemist. While around on Mobb Deep's seething fourth LP, Murda Muzik, P and Al built chemistry to last careers on H.N.I.C. Fresh off the strength of Albert Einstein,... Read more

August 15, 2013 Fresh, Video

Danny Brown – The Old Documentary (Video)

Danny Brown has been on my radar since late 2007, when some homies from Detroit started telling me to put an ear to the MC with the common-sounding name. Upon listening to the early music of Danny Brown (Detroit State Of Mind and Hot Soup), there is nothing common about... Read more

August 14, 2013 Fresh, Video

Ghostface Killah & Killah Priest Doing A Collaborative Album?

If you would have asked me in the late '90s for a Top 10 of Hip-Hop's elite lyricists du jour, it would have been hard not to praise Killah Priest. From the Sunz Of Man's stellar debut album, to one of the most conceptually-dense LPs of the last 15 years... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Murder Dog Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary

For fans of West Coast Hip Hop, especially of the Gangsta Rap variety, Murder Dog filled (and continues to fill) an important void that was left in the coverage of Hip Hop. Artists like Tech N9ne, Brotha Lynch Hung, Daz Dillinger and Twista thrived in the pages of Black Dog... Read more

August 14, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

J. Cole & Nas Interviewed Together In New VIBE

Longtime VIBE editor/journalist John Kennedy recently shared a recording space with Nas and J. Cole. No, it wasn't for anymore collaborations, but rather to study one of the breakthrough artists of the early 1990s, and one of his disciples, a breakthrough artist of the early 2010s. On the heels of... Read more

August 13, 2013 Fresh

Bishop Nehru – Appalled ft Aaron LaCrate (Video)

This is pretty cool. Milkcrate Athletics founder Aaron LaCrate lends Bishop Nehru a needle-drop loop-based beat and a fly tie-dye hoodie for the "Appalled" visual. The "Mobb Dizzle" maker get a trippy lens and editing treatment, with an abundance of buttery bacon and syrup. Everybody seems to love a greasy... Read more

August 13, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nas Times Square Hennessy Billboard (Video)

Now billboards in New York aren’t a rare occurrence, but when a 170-foot tall image of a Hip-Hop icon is draped over Times Square, it’s definitely a reason to stop and take notice. As a part of their “Wild Rabbit” campaign, Hennessy has created the largest single illuminated billboard display... Read more

August 13, 2013 Fresh, Video

Because They Made It That Way (Hip-Hop At 40 Years Old)

If you go by the books, Hip-Hop (I’ll spell it with capital letters since KRS-One told us to do so) turns 40 years old this month. Six summers before Big Bank Hank, Wonder Mike and Master Gee drove a Lincoln Continental and great big Cadillac up the charts to a... Read more

August 10, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

ScHoolboy Q – Sway In The Morning Freestyle (Video)

ScHoolboy Q is one of these young guys that really, really, spits freestyles. How do you feel about this one from Groovy Q's latest appearance on Sway In The Morning. Freestyles are great, but I'm fiendin' for Oxymoron. Related: Schoolboy Q – Collard Greens ft Kendrick Lamar (Video)... Read more

August 9, 2013 Fresh, Video

Juicy J – Ain’t No Comin’ Down Remix ft T.I.

I'm personally anxious to see who has the better album: Juicy J's Stay Trippy or 2 Chainz' B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. Both spitters are very similar, even though Juice has been doing it over a decade longer (on the big stage, anyway). Both of these men have a style and... Read more

August 9, 2013 Audio, Fresh

In The Kitchen With Sean Price (Video)

In the over-saturated age of video interviews, there are few MC's more engaging than Sean Price. While Killer Mike, Immortal Technique, and David Banner are the teachers, Tech N9ne, Bun B and Jay Z are the charmers, Ruck is eternally the everyman comedian. From years ago, Sean's videos of drinking... Read more

August 9, 2013 Fresh, Video

Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce Da 5’9″) – Lighters (G-SHOCK Performance Video)

Over two years later, it's great to see Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" still working from Hell: The Sequel. Bad Meets Evil seems eclipsed by both solo artists' careers, though it gave Royce his first gold album. In honor of G-SHOCK's 30th anniversary party in Manhattan yesterday (August 7), the... Read more

August 8, 2013 Fresh, Video

Mobetta – Back At The Ranch ft Jean Grae (Video)

Following last week's release of the song, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Mobetta drops the video to "Back The Ranch." Jean Grae's talent in performing shines, despite a career without a plethora of music videos. DJ Scratch, who produced the track, also makes a cameo in front of the Big Apple-inspired green-sky... Read more

August 8, 2013 Fresh, Video