Bandini

Terrace Martin – You’re The One ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Tone Trezure

To me, this sounds like a hybrid of DJ Quik and J Dilla, with a nice composition for two rising features. That being said, Terrace Martin is completely his own man, and one of the most exciting producers in Southern California since the '90s. His 3ChordFold is out next week... Read more

August 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Crate Diggers: Tony Touch

Forever and always, Tony Touch is my favorite 1990s NYC mixtape DJ. We used to buy his tapes (usually colored plastic cassettes) that would ship in from Tapekingz. The freestyle-format was so fresh, and Tony Toca would always make your money count with sounds you couldn't hear anywhere else. Plus,... Read more

August 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

Eve Recalls Time With The Ruff Ryders & Dr. Dre With Peter Rosenberg (Video)

Philly's Eve has an interesting story. From the days of the Bullworth soundtrack, her career began with Dr. Dre on then-fledgling Aftermath Entertainment (I always thought that '97-'99 roster was the best). Then, Eve made history with DMX, Swizz Beatz and the Ruff Ryders, keeping her success in the Interscope... Read more

August 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

Suicide Kings – Savages ft M.O.P.

Anybody who knows me knows that M.O.P. is one of my favorite groups in all of music. The same way that Public Enemy channeled Hard Rock angst and chutzpah in the '80s, Billy Danze and Lil Fame rocked out in the '90s. While I hope we get another LP with... Read more

August 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Stalley Freestyles On Sway In The Morning (Video)

Maybach Music Group's Stalley discusses his role in Rick Ross' conglomerate and kicks some bars in a two-part appearance on Shade 45's Sway In The Morning. Stalley even gives props to Buckwild and O.C. for a "Times Up" soundbed. You can't help but like the Massilon, Ohio native who lives... Read more

August 7, 2013 Fresh, Video

YC The Cynic – Murphy’s Law (Video)

Brooklyn's YC The Cynic pulls from Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Slick Rick and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in this polished lyric video to "Murphy's Law." If you're not up on one of the quietly dominating players of NYC's underground scene, this is an appropriate first look. The simple video has a lot of... Read more

August 6, 2013 Fresh, Video

2 Chainz Performs Feds Watching With The Roots (Video)

Just weeks after ?uestlove's manager's memoir excerpts criticized his label-mate 2 Chainz, The Roots and Tity Boi shared the stage. Pharrell was not around, but whether you're a fan of Game Theory or Based On A T.R.U. Story, "Feds Watching" is one of the smoothest songs of 2013. The B.O.A.T.S.... Read more

August 6, 2013 Fresh, Video

Lupe Fiasco’s Cryptic New Project, “Peace of Paper/Cup of Jayzus”

New mixtape? Upcoming album? Lyrical jabs at Jay Z and Yeezy? It seems Lupe Fiasco’s cryptic announcement posed almost as many questions as it did answers, but what we do know for sure is that a new project is on its way. The Chicago MC took to Twitter Sunday night... Read more

August 6, 2013 Fresh

Rapper Big Pooh – Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 3: Happy Birthday, Thomas (Album Stream)

Selling it from his Bandcamp page, Rapper Big Pooh released Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 3: Happy Birthday, Thomas today. This is the Little Brother co-founder's third project in the series, this one produced entirely by The Mighty DR. Thirteen tracks, with appearances by Justus League member Chaundon, as well as... Read more

August 6, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Drake & Ma$e Photo: What Does It All Mean?

Whether it’s the early '90s silk fashions or returning to the studio vocal, Ma$e has always been unpredictable since the Children Of Da Corn days. In a recent interview on Hot 97 with Funkmaster Flex, Ma$e stated that every time he feels he’s done with the game, it keeps coming... Read more

August 5, 2013 Fresh

Rah Digga – I Heard You Say

The former First Lady of the Flipmode Squad, Rah Digga, is only a Native Tongues degree of separation from the Jungle Brothers (by way of Busta Rhymes/Leaders Of The New School). This new Hood House project the Jersey City MC is working on calls back to the late '80s/early '90s... Read more

August 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Astro Kid – Crazy

Brooklyn's Astro Kid (a/k/a Astro, a/k/a The Astronomical Kid) keeps the output coming with "Crazy." This is a simple beat with a rapper's rap to go with it. Astro flexes his varying flows over a drum arrangement provided by BMC. For all the throwback fashion styles and rappers liberally grabbing... Read more

August 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

The Kid Daytona – Shotgun (Video)

Bronx resident The Kid Daytona tries his hand at a Southern-sounding mid-tempo beat on "Shotgun." No stranger to attractive women in his videos, this one gets a bit N.S.F.W. with the Alexis Lewis bath-tub sequence, intercut with the colorful city-scapes. This one also features a storyline inspired by one of... Read more

August 5, 2013 Fresh, Video

Chance The Rapper – Cocoa Butter Kisses ft Twista & Vic Mensa (Lollapalooza Performance Video)

Chance The Rapper had some hometown love this weekend at Lollapalooza 2013. The Chicago sensation hit the stage with Speedknot Mobstaz O.G. Twista and his contemporary Vic Mensa to perform the catchy, sentimental Acid Rap cut "Cocoa Butter Kisses." This quickie video has HQ audio, which is a testament to... Read more

August 5, 2013 Fresh, Video

DJ Kool Herc, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane & More To Do Free NYC Park Show (Event)

If you're within a day's drive of New York City on August 10, you have an opportunity to live, breathe, hear, and see true hip-hop history. The Godfather DJ Kool Kerc, pioneer Coke La Rock, iconic MCs Big Daddy Kane & Rakim, and our friend DJ Premier are all slated... Read more

August 2, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Realm Reality – Sleeping With The Enemy ft Melody Angel

Twenty years after Big Noyd, Prodigy's new protege Realm Reality delivers a concept track about love gone terribly wrong. Melody Angel accents this Jansport J-produced record beautifully. It's short, sweet and whether just small hiccups in relationships or the Julia Roberts Sleeping With The Enemy realness, the song is tangible.... Read more

August 2, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ice Cube, Big Sean, Bun B & DJ Drama – Coor’s Light Coldest Search (Video)

Bun B says don't disrespect hip-hop in its "Mecca," in New York, before Coor's Light's Coldest MC Search. The Silver Bullet beer enlisted the Underground King, along with Ice Cube, Big Sean and DJ Drama this year as brand ambassadors. As the video shows, attendees were blessed with performances from... Read more

August 2, 2013 Throwback

Goodie Mob – Special Education ft The Roots (Live Video)

I don't know about you, but I'm getting really excited about Age Against The Machine. Given Goodie Mob's classic album beginnings (Soul Food), we can all agree that personnel moves prevented the Dungeon Family O.G.'s from ever living up to their truest potential. "Special Education" sounds like a true time... Read more

August 2, 2013 Fresh, Video

CZARFACE – Hazmat Rap (Video)

This is a guilty admission: back in 2001, the first time I made a cell-phone ringtone, it was to 7L & Esoteric's "Speaking Real Words" single, which featured Inspectah Deck. To me, in addition to being a great song, the Landspeed Records single was a monumental gap-bridger between underground and... Read more

August 2, 2013 Fresh, Video

DeLorean – Philippe ft. Smoke DZA

Houston, Texas' DeLorean hands the mic to Harlem representative Smoke DZA on this wristwatch-inspired cut. The Kush God glides over this mid-tempo beat from 183rd, as DeLorean takes the booth back and really stands out, as the case through the star-studded guests on Grace. Like Tito Lopez in Mississippi or... Read more

August 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Vic Mensa – Time Is Money ft Rockie Fresh & Beldina

Vic Mensa gets one of the biggest looks to date, with Boi-1da & The Maven Boys production. "Time Is Money" sounds like its name: cocky and confident, with Maybach Music Group's Rockie Fresh on the assist, along with Beldina. The Kids These Days front-man is part of the West Coast... Read more

August 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Mobetta – Back At The Ranch ft. Jean Grae

DJ Scratch (EPMD/Busta Rhymes) laces strong percussion for Jean Grae to accent a catchy chorus, with Maurice "Mobetta" Brown on the trumpet. This is a Grammy Award-winner hitting collaborations that take us back to Branford Marsalis, Buckshot Lefonque and Quincy Jones' Back On The Blockfor that Jazz/hip hop hybrid. Even... Read more

August 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Talib Kweli on The Combat Jack Show, Pt. 3 (Video)

Part 3 of Combat Jack's interview with Talib Kweli is pretty insightful. The teenage b-boy in me crams to understand—or picture Talib and Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) recording Black Star songs in MC Hammer's company. Including that nugget of candid information (Kweli admits to be a Hammer-hater in the early... Read more

August 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Raekwon’s Purple Tape Cassette Slipcase Edition For Sale

Last October, the friends at Get On Down Records released the trophy box deluxe edition of Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in the classic purple cassette tape format. The cases sold out (and were re-sold for hundreds to those who initially slept). Almost a year later, G.O.D. is back... Read more

August 1, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Blaq Poet – Looking For Trouble ft Chino XL, Vinnie Paz & Spit Gemz

While Onyx and M.O.P. get their rightful props, too many folks forget the hardcore hip-hop impact of Screwball. Tragically, KL passed on over five years ago, but Blaq Poet remains, as a true gap-bridger. As a survivor of "the bridge wars," Blaq Po is a Juice Crew alum who still... Read more

July 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

DJ Bizzy – No War ft Murs, Macy Gray, Thurz & Tru Wordz

DJ Bizzy assembled a strong cast of emcees and Macy Gray's unmistakable vocals to bemoan war and violence. "No War" reminds me of those Rawkus Records-era collaborations that attacked social issues. Murs is havin' one hell of a year with this White Mandingos album, and it's great to hear him... Read more

July 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Goodie Mob – I’m Set (Video)

Goodie Mob's reunion album, Age Against The Machine, has had an interesting roll-out. The artwork was released in pieces, and now the Dungeon Family O.G.'s release the visuals to "I'm Set" with this three-and-a-half-minute cut-and-paste video. Verse excerpts are meshed with crocodiles, snakes, wolves, lions and other violent attacks in... Read more

July 31, 2013 Fresh, Video

Curren$y – Ox

You have to give it up to Spitta. Whether live band covers of "Bout It, Bout It," Soul samples or his own weed-scented brand of down-tempo tracks, he always makes it his own. On "Ox," Cardo gives Curren$y a peppier drum arrangement than we regularly hear. In trademark fashion, New... Read more

July 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Action Bronson – Strictly 4 My Jeeps (Live Video)

Action Bronson is a riot. As if the Jason Goldwatch-directed video to his Saaab Stories single "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" wasn't outrageous enough (thinking of cottage cheese), he opts to perform the single in an assisted living center. The New York City "old folks home" residents have mixed responses with... Read more

July 31, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nitty Scott, MC – Skippin’ Clouds (Video)

Nitty Scott, MC continues to have fun in her craft. Here is what her camp said about this just-released vivid visual: "Nitty Scott, MC takes on the roles of a depressed 50’s house wife, a 70’s socialite who likes to party, and even a grungy heroin addict as the visual... Read more

July 30, 2013 Fresh, Video

Rapper Big Pooh – Don’t Change

This is one of the best Rapper Big Pooh joints I've heard since The Minstrel Show (I always maintain that Pooh made that album great). This is a self-aware song that encourages us all to be who we are, flaws and all. The Mighty DR kicks an a mellowed-out Isley... Read more

July 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Durag Dynasty – Fish Meat ft Prodigy

Before there was Albert Einstein this year, there was "Fish Meat." Planet Asia and Alchemist's Durag Dynasty clique (which also features Tri-State and Killer Ben) enlisted the M-O-B-B MC who has never been far from the mix for a song that smells like Fulton Street Fish Market. The kitchen visual... Read more

July 29, 2013 Fresh, Video

Big Sean – Fire

Big Sean's Hall Of Fame is on the horizons. One of the most organic G.O.O.D. Music artists fits the family sound with "Fire." If this album is as colorful as the artwork, we'll be having synthesia seizures, in a good way. Although not confirmed, this has all the symptoms of... Read more

July 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Dizzy Wright – Cant Stop Wont Stop (Video)

One has to admire Dizzy Wright. The Las Vegas, Nevada emcee is a chilled out individual. His tracks walk the fine line between smoked out club tracks and personal diary entries. This is more of the former, with a dash of the latter, as the Funk Volume homie chronicles his... Read more

July 29, 2013 Fresh, Video

Crooked I – Y.O.D.O. (Video)

It's officially been 15 years of following the greatness that is Crooked I. The Long Beach MC's alliteration, sincerity and his sharp delivery have made him one of the best in class for much of that time. Strangely, the former Noo-Trybe/Virgin and later Death Row Records hopeful has never had... Read more

July 27, 2013 Fresh, Video

Go Dreamer – Electro Phonk ft Big K.R.I.T.

Even if you haven't heard the name Go Dreamer, chances are, you've heard him. With The Flush (previously known as Royal Flush), Go Dreamer co-produced gems for Big Boi over the last several years including "Be Still," "Mama Told Me," and you guessed it—"Royal Flush." Testing the waters of a... Read more

July 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Black Milk – The Kraft

Black Milk has done an exceptional job in the last five years being his own artist. Once perceived as a J Dilla under-study, B.M. has made his own sound, made his own decision, and worked in live instrumentation beautifully—with as many Gospel influences as Detroit Electronic. In another unique frame... Read more

July 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Stalley – A-Wax

Whether under the tutelage of Ski Beatz or under the tutelage of Rick Ross, Ohio's Stalley has been a versatile artist that can seamlessly shift his styles and blend well with his guests, whether it's Scarface, Gunplay or Curren$y, Stalley blends. Longtime G-Side producers Block Beattaz come in with "A-Wax,"... Read more

July 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

TiRon & Ayomari – Big Apple Don’t Chew

For a few years TiRon has been one of the independent standouts in Hip Hop. Teaming with Ayomari, the pair self-release stellar albums and videos (and video actresses), all built around thought-out conceptual songs. This one channels Adam & Eve, and a bit of Cam'ron to tell cautionary tales of... Read more

July 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Terrace Martin – No Wrong, No Right ft Robert Glasper & James Fauntleroy

Terrace Martin is one of the most versatile new artists on the West Coast. Raised on DJ Quik grooves, coached by Snoop Dogg, and aligned with Black Hippy, Terrace incorporates Jazz and instrumentation in a way that defies genre expectations. Newly-released "No Wrong, No Right" is a great example of... Read more

July 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Tech N9ne – So Dope ft Wrekonize, Twisted Insane & Snow Tha Product (Video)

One of the recurring themes to Tech N9ne albums since the earliest days is sex. However, for a true veteran with a deeply expansive catalog, Tecca Ninna never seems to run out of concepts revolving one of his favorite pastimes. Here, the K.C. King Of Darkness links up with several... Read more

July 26, 2013 Fresh, Video

Termanology – Off The Block ft Sheek Louch, Lil Fame & DJ Kay Slay

Bronx, New York-based Termanology puts out projects (as does Statik Selektah) at an alarming rate. However, that doesn't mean that the content isn't strong. The Brick/ST. Records tandem has provided a ton of opportunities to a true-school community of lyricists, especially Lil Fame (who's featured on this concrete-inspired cut from... Read more

July 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Astro Kid – Don’t Test Me (Video)

Okay, this one's interesting. Whether by way of Sha Stimuli's My Soul To Keep album a few years ago, "X-Factor," or the Backroom Freestyle, Astro Kid (who also goes by just "Astro") is making some big waves across many pockets of listeners and fans. Today he released the visual to... Read more

July 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

Redman – Branson, Branson (Video)

Redamn was a known patron at Branson's renowned Harlem, New York weed-spot during the Muddy Waters days and beyond. As Funk Doc preps Muddy Waters 2, what better homage to pay than the original bottle-popper and herb supplier of the 1990s. This video is a holdover from 2007's Live From... Read more

July 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

U-God – Skyscraper (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan co-founder U-God has had one of the more uphill battles of the crew's solo members. The Staten Island vet recently reunited with RZA, who he's had an on-again, off-again relationship through the last decade with, and inked a deal with Soul Temple Records. The resulting album, Keynote Speaker,... Read more

July 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

P-Money – The Professional ft Roc Marciano

Duck Down's latest artist from the New Zealand region comes correct with a new visual from Gratitude. The visual to "The Professional" features some cool editing and colorful visuals to go with the chipped-chopped samples, and Pimpstead street science. Related: Roc Marciano – Ruff Town ft Cormega (Audio)... Read more

July 23, 2013 Fresh, Video