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Prodigy Mural Permanently Removed After Being Vandalized Twice In A Week (Video)

Less than a week after a mural dedicated to Mobb Deep co-founder Prodigy was painted, it has twice been defaced. Saturday morning (July 8), the Queens, New York mural created by Jeff Henriquez and Eli “Eos” Lazare was covered by white paint. At the time, the mural was less than... Read more

Dr. Dre Comes Out Blasting On His First Song In Nearly 2 Years (Audio)

It's been 23 months since Dr. Dre released his Compton album. Save for popping up on The Game's Documentary 2, the Aftermath Entertainment producer/MC has stayed away from the microphone, at least as far as what the public gets to hear. Reports indicate that the 35-year veteran has been busy,... Read more

Prodigy Mural In Queens Is Vandalized Just Hours After Completion

On Thursday (July 6), a mural dedicated to Mobb Deep MC Prodigy was completed in Queens, New York. The aerosol wall painting paid respects to the hometown artist (born Albert Johnson) who died on June 20. Created by Jeff Henriquez and Eli "Eos" Lazare "out of love and respect" for... Read more

How JAY-Z’s New Album Is The Blueprint For Grown Man Rap (Video)

In the last eight days, JAY-Z's 4:44 monopolized the Hip-Hop conversation and most of the pop culture space. There are a lot of headlines and developing storylines that can easily get in the way of the fact that a 47-year-old-rapper, mogul, and king of cool reached a definitive career milestone,... Read more

Vic Mensa Wilds Out On Method Man & Nick Cannon With A Savage Freestyle (Video)

Vic Mensa is the latest guest on Nick Cannon's Wild 'N Out show. Promoting his Manuscript EP, the Roc Nation MC participated in one of the show's longstanding Rap battles. With Method Man on stage, Mensa was out to annihilate the competition on behalf of his team. Vic Mensa Says... Read more

JAY-Z’s Physical Copies Of 4:44 Include 3 “Revealing” Bonus Songs. Here Are The Titles.

JAY-Z's 4:44 has reached platinum less than one week after release. However, the party is just getting started for the album's roll-out. What began as an exclusive to Tidal subscribers and Sprint customers is now coming to physical release, joining Jay's 12 additional solo titles. JAY-Z’s Video Is A Powder... Read more

JAY-Z’s 4:44 Album Has Gone Platinum In Less Than A Week

Less than one week after JAY-Z released his 13th solo album, 4:44 is platinum. That Roc Nation LP was available June 30. As was the case with its 2013 predecessor Magna Carta...Holy Grail, the 10-track offering was accessible on a limited basis. In this case, only Tidal subscribers and Sprint... Read more

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Deliberately Erased Eazy-E’s Verse From E. 1999 Eternal (Video)

Eazy-E was greatly involved in Bone Thugs-n-Harmony debut EP, Creepin' On Ah Come Up. He produced the intro, co-produced "Foe Tha Love Of $" with DJ Yella, and appeared on three songs. Thirteen months later, Bone followed up their half-hour debut with their first full-length, E. 1999 Eternal. Eazy, who... Read more

Master P Reunites The Highest Ranking No Limit Soldiers For Essence Fest (Video)

Master P calls Southern California home. However, New Orleans, Louisiana has always been the source of inspiration to the founder of No Limit Records. This weekend, P returned to the city that raised him for Essence Fest. One of the headlining acts, P brought out some of the past No... Read more

JAY-Z’s Video Is A Powder Keg Designed To Blow Up Ugly Stereotypes & Impart Wisdom

In conjunction with JAY-Z's release of 4:44 comes a video to one of its most evocative songs. "The Story of O.J." examines race and the distribution of wealth and power in America. The video recreates the 1930s "Sambo" character from the films and cartoons of the same name. Hov' is... Read more

People Are Watching The Fire In The Theater…Meanwhile The World Is Burning Down (Video)

Quite a bit happened in the last week. Kendrick Lamar gave his second (and third) interviews about the creation and inspiration behind DAMN. Joe Budden, DJ Akademiks, and Migos played host to the most talked about red carpet event of the year to date at the BET Awards. JAY-Z released... Read more

This MC Actually Impressed Kendrick Lamar With His Freestyle Skills (Video)

Nine years ago, Kendrick Lamar was handed the mic from Charles Hamilton at an industry event. Before the world knew just how "overly dedicated" he was, the Compton, California MC went off, using the moment to his advantage. As a relatively unknown rapper looking to make a way and a... Read more

Action Bronson’s Let Me Breathe Is One Of The Year’s Most Outrageous Videos

In the 2010s, Action Bronson started out as a DIY artist making celebrated Hip-Hop in the streets of Queens, New York. Following a couple independent albums and some additional mixtapes, the MC aligned with VICE. He has since become a TV star through his travel and food program. However, dating... Read more

Dave Chappelle Sets The Record Straight On Why He’s Mad About Key & Peele (Video)

As tickets are now available to Dave Chappelle's August New York City residency shows, the actor and comedian appears on Sway In The Morning. In a two-part video interview, Dave opens up about how Hip-Hop music and specific MCs have affected his life and business. Heather B also recalls Chappelle... Read more

Public Enemy Release Their Free Album 5 Days Early. Listen Now. (Audio)

AUGUST 16 UPDATE: The YouTube post of the album has been added below. ORIGINAL JUNE 29 STORY: Earlier this week, it announced that Public Enemy's 14th album Nothing Is Quick In The Desert (Except Death) would be releasing on July 4. Perhaps basking in the day of their own independence,... Read more

Puffy Explains How He Landed On Tribe’s Midnight Marauders Cover Before Fame (Video)

The week of Puff Daddy's 24th birthday, the would-be mogul ended up on his first album cover. In late 1993, before Bad Boy Records ever released a single, and No Way Out was a distant dream, Sean Combs appeared on the outer artwork to A Tribe Called Quest's third album,... Read more

Large Professor Discusses The Productions He Made For Eric B. & Rakim (Video)

Main Source's 1991 debut album Breaking Atoms made several key developments for Rap music. The album that introduced Nas and Akinyele also ushered in Large Professor as one of Hip-Hop's greatest multi-threats. The Queens, New Yorker rapped, he produced, and later on, he showed the masses that he could cut... Read more

Sylvan LaCue’s Flow Rides The Beat Perfectly On His Vivid Guilt Trip (Video)

Sylvan LaCue's "Heavenly" music video was previously featured in Ambrosia For Heads' "Ready Or Not" column this April. The Miami, Florida MC who toured the country with Saba proved that he could blend skills with substance. On his latest standalone video, "Guilt Trip," that proves to be very true. He... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Pay Respects To Prodigy & Vow To Preserve His Legacy (Video)

In the early 1990s, Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan were symbolic brothers in arms for rugged Hip-Hop music and attitudes. Eventually, Loud Records label-mates, the two New York City Rap collectives began collaborating at a time when both crews were mostly keeping things in-house. Raekwon and Ghostface Killah would appear... Read more

Treach Says Biggie Did Not Set Up Tupac & Explains Why (Video)

The night Tupac Shakur was shot in November of 1994, Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts. The East Orange, New Jersey trio had back-to-back platinum albums. Group front-man Treach had appeared on Pac's sophomore album, care of "5 Deadly Venomz," also featuring Apache and Live Squad. Treach's... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Slaps Down His Foes & Makes It Look Sexy (Video)

Throughout his career, Kendrick Lamar has made some truly incredible music videos. Today's release of "ELEMENT." takes things to a whole other level. The third DAMN. video comes to life as the ultimate visual companion to the song's spirit. Moreover, attached to an album that has prompted many fans to... Read more

Chuck D Confirms Public Enemy’s 14th Album Is 1 Week Away & It’s Free.

Public Enemy is both legendary and active. Thirty years after their debut Yo! Bum Rush The Show hit record store shelves, the Long Island, New York group is still putting in studio work. P.E. front-man Chuck D has confirmed that the group's 14th album will be arriving one week from... Read more

Big Boi Explains Just How Real The OutKast & A Tribe Called Quest Joint Album Was (Video)

Between 2007 and early 2016, two of the most exciting Hip-Hop acts on Epic Records were seemingly inactive. Through a series of label moves, restructuring, and dissolving imprints, Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest were label-mates. LaFace/Arista rolled into Jive, which restructured into Epic. Both groups had fans and media... Read more

Nas Says His Place In Hip-Hop Is Secured & The Album Is Too (Video)

Hours after his 2017 BET Awards performance, DJ Khaled releases the latest video from his Grateful album. The veteran DJ-turned-superstar has made a lot of noise in the last 12 months through Nas collaborations. On "It's Secured," the pair keep the chemistry bubbling, alongside some chorus work from Travi$ Scott.... Read more

Remy Ma Sends Shots From The Podium Like It’s The Source Awards (Video)

Twelve years since her last BET Awards win, Remy Ma took home "Best Female Hip-Hop Artist" honors in 2017. The complement to Kendrick Lamar's male win, Remy celebrated the accolade with some controversy. For starters, upon winning she broke a seven-year streak held by foe/rival Nicki Minaj. And Remy knew... Read more

Chance Is The Youngest Person To Receive BET’s Humanitarian Award (Video)

Chance The Rapper began 2017 taking home three Grammy Awards, despite releasing a not-for-sale album. Tonight (June 25), the Chance received the Humanitarian Award at the BET Awards. At just 24 years old, Chancelor Bennett joins Muhammad Ali, Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Denzel Washington, Jesse Williams, and others. He became... Read more

Bruno Mars Activates The 2017 BET Awards With A Magical Performance (Video)

Bruno Mars opened tonight's (June 25) BET Awards with an exceptionally funky display. The fourth single for 24K Magic remains to be determined. However, Bruno made a strong suggestion when he rocked out "Perm" to open the show. Bruno Mars Meets Grandmaster Flash & The Message Is Golden (Video) With... Read more

Meek Mill’s Blueprint For A Comeback Is Music With A Powerful Message (Video)

Since initiating a high-profile battle-beef with Drake in 2015, Meek Mill's career has been distinctly different than before. The Philly MC suffered a well-publicized breakup with Nicki Minaj, landed up in another high-profile beef with The Game (plus Beanie Sigel), and also entered his thirties. Once a gold-certified, #1 artist,... Read more

How Losing His Father Helped JAY-Z Escape A Hard Knock Life (Video)

"Momma loved me. Pop left me." JAY-Z's life is as interesting as his art. The Brooklyn, New Yorker walked a line between hustling his way out of the 'hood and pursuing a talent that he has called "God-given." By the mid-1990s, those worlds would masterfully intersect on Reasonable Doubt, giving... Read more

The 11 Best Hip-Hop Releases So Far In 2017 (Audio)

At 2017’s midpoint, the year has been generous in substantial art. Some artists have rallied to make the album an unbreakable sequence of songs. Others are seeking new, casual ways to keep fans gratified without the gravity of the longstanding format. Some releases have allowed us to know MCs at... Read more

Prodigy From Mobb Deep Has Passed Away At Age 42

According to Nas and figures across Hip-Hop, rapper Prodigy (aka Albert Johnson) has died today (June 20). The co-founder of Mobb Deep was 42 years old in a career that includes music, books, and acting. Details are still emerging for the Queens, New York native's death. Per a TMZ report,... Read more

Nick Grant Enters A House Of Horrors & Spits Vicious Verses Before Bouncin’ (Video)

South Carolina's Nick Grant is one of the most exciting new faces in Hip-Hop at the moment. He has cosigns from Andre 3000, Nas, Bun B, and others. However, it is his recent Return Of The Cool album that may speak the loudest. The MC follows up his 88 mixtape... Read more

Ice Cube’s BIG3 Theme Song Shows He’s Still Trouble On The Court & The Mic (Video)

June 2017 is one busy month for Ice Cube. After re-releasing his Death Certificate album with three new songs, the media mogul is prepared to begin the inaugural season of BIG3 basketball. Fresh out of the booth from those new recordings, Cube gives Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, coach "Dr. J"... Read more

A Harvard Student Made A Rap Album Thesis. Sway Puts Him To The Test (Video)

Last month, Obasi Shaw graduated from Harvard University. For his thesis, the English major submitted a 10-track Hip-Hop album, Liminal Minds. He wrote and recorded the album for more than a year. Shaw's resulting work tackled the issue of what it means for a young man to be Black in... Read more

JAY-Z Officially Announces His New Album & Shares A Preview (Audio)

JUNE 20 UPDATE: It has now been confirmed that No I.D. is producing JAY-Z's 4:44 in its entirety. Billboard confirmed the news. No I.D., a co-founder of group Cocaine 80s, and is best known for his work with Common, Vince Staples, and Jhene Aiko. He is a longtime Def Jam... Read more

An Argument For Why Black Thought Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

For almost 25 years, Black Thought has been putting his raspy voiced verses to record. The constant MC for The Roots crew has made a dozen albums, seemingly performed as much as any Rap artist, and is now typically on television five nights per week. More than just simply hard... Read more

President Obama Inducts JAY-Z As The First MC In The Songwriters Hall Of Fame (Video)

Last night (June 15), Jay Z was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. The first MC or Rap artist to receive the honors was not in attendance for the Manhattan ceremony. He and wife Beyoncé are presently awaiting twins. However, Jay's acceptance speech was replaced with other types of... Read more

Holler If Ya Hear Me: A Look At Tupac’s Most Revolutionary Calls For Change

“Everything I do I do to represent my people. ” - Tupac Shakur, 1994 In his music, Tupac Shakur brilliantly blended the revolutionary messages of Public Enemy with the shock and awe approach of N.W.A. Shakur's catalog was built on a foundation of hard truths and upsetting the status quo.... Read more

Scarface Says Jay Z Is The Best Songwriter Of All-Time

Today (June 15) Jay Z is being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Announced in February, the moment marks the first time a Hip-Hop artist will receive the prestigious honor. In celebration of the achievement, Tidal has compiled some remarkable peer praise for the Roc Nation MC. Common (who... Read more

Cypress Hill’s 1st Album In 7 Years Puts DJ Muggs Back In Heavy Rotation (Video)

In the 1990s, many celebrated Hip-Hop groups had in-house DJ/producers. Just consider acts like Gang Starr, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Naughty By Nature, N.W.A., Wu-Tang Clan, Main Source, and Digital Underground. Cypress Hill is another prime example, with DJ Muggs cooking up tracks for B-Real and Sen Dog to... Read more

Remy Ma Says Papoose Did Not Write “SHEther.” Do You Believe Her? (Video)

For more than half of 2017, Remy Ma and Nicki Minaj have been beefing on wax. The two New York City veteran MCs have attacked one another in a litany of ways: from plastic surgery accusations to jabs at family members to poking fun at first week album sales. What... Read more

Action Bronson Breathes Fire Over A Fat Boys Classic (Audio)

It's hard to say if Action Bronson is more recognized for his show hosting or his music at this point. Having taken his "delicious" show from web to cable, Bam Bam is a true multifaceted brand. However, the Queens, New Yorker never put down his passion for whimsical rhymes. Bronson... Read more

Veteran Producer Josh The Goon Has Passed Away

The Hip-Hop community is mourning the death of producer, engineer, and music executive Josh The Goon. Born Josh Fadem, he was known for producing pivotal Freddie Gibbs songs such as "National Anthem," and elements of 2009's The Miseducation Of Freddie Gibbs. News broke last night (June 13) online. Outside of... Read more

Vic Mensa Says He Will Slap MCs Who Say They Are Better Than Tupac (Video)

Vic Mensa freestyles are as dynamic as the Roc Nation MC's song-making. Following his new EP, The Manuscript the Save Money MC hits Los Angeles, California's Power 106 FM. There, before the L.A. Leakers, Vic finesses a freestyle flow over Prodigy's "Keep It Thoro." Vic Mensa’s Freestyle Causes Sway To... Read more

DOOM & Sade’s Mash-Up Bond Is No Ordinary Love. SADEVILLAIN 2 Strikes (Audio)

Last March, DJ/producer Seanh made one unlikely pairing that sounded sweet to so many music Heads. Sadevillain blended MF DOOM (care of Madvillain) with Sade, bringing the soaring voice of the "No Ordinary Love" songstress to the nimble rhymes of the "Dead Bent" MC/producer. As the modern proverb suggests: "If... Read more

Big Boi Shows His Boomiverse Is Filled With Space Aged Funk (Audio)

For the last 25 years, Big Boi has been one of Hip-Hop's leading proponents of Funk music. Multiple times, the Outkast co-founder has even worked with "Dr. Funkenstein" himself, Parliament-Funkadelic's George Clinton. Since 2010, stepping into his solo catalog, Daddy Fat Sax struck a hit with some futuristic funking around... Read more

9th Wonder & Salaam Remi Are Co-Producing The Roots’ Next Album

The Roots have not released an album in three years. ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin was the group's 11th album. Now confirmed to be called End Game, the twelfth effort is arriving in the near future. While the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania collective has worked extensively with Phonte on 2010's How... Read more

5 Years After “1999,” Joey Bada$$ Is Still Fighting To Restore New York’s Place In Hip-Hop (Video)

Today (June 12) is the fifth anniversary of Joey Bada$$' releasing his 1999 mixtape. The Brooklyn, New York MC used that opportunity to make a powerful impression on Hip-Hop. Starting with debut video single "Survival Tactics," featuring Capital STEEZ, he brought a colorful crew and retro style with him. In... Read more

Snoop Televises The Revolution On The Most Political Song Of His Career (Video)

Snoop Dogg recently released his Neva Left album. However, the always busy Doggfather isn't quite done promoting last year's Coolaid either. "Revolutions" is a Just Blaze-produced track that is among Snoop's most political work, in a season where he's been speaking up. The music video attempts to convey that, chronicling... Read more

AZ, Raekwon & Prodigy Show That Rhymes Are Like Life Or Death To Great MCs (Video)

In April, AZ released a powerful collaboration alongside Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon and Mobb Deep's Prodigy. "Save Them" was guttural East Coast Rap, produced by D.I.T.C. member Buckwild. These three MCs proved that they've been able to stay sharp, make incredible product, and never compromise from who they said they were... Read more