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Victory. Puff Daddy Tops Forbes’ Highest Paid Entertainer List

Twenty years ago, Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records dominated the charts, with three #1 albums. Puffy's No Way Out, The Notorious B.I.G.'s Life After Death, and Mase's Harlem World. Tragically, that was the same year that Biggie, Bad Boy's flagship artist, was gunned down in Los Angeles, California. In 2017,... Read more

Ice Cube Gave “Death Certificate” New Life. “Predator” May Be His Next Prey.

This past Friday (June 9), Ice Cube dropped a 25th anniversary edition of his sophomore solo album, Death Certificate. The MC re-released the 1991 Priority Records platinum LP with three new songs. With two tracks dropping prior to today, it's clear that Cube's pen was in a similar space to... Read more

Ice Cube Shows 3 Decades Of Police Brutality & It’s Not Just White Cops (Video)

On June 9, Ice Cube released the 25th anniversary edition of Death Certificate. Featuring three freshly recorded songs, O'Shea Jackson adds to one of his most critically acclaimed bodies of work with some verses that truly fit his '91 message. That is never more true than on "Good Cop Bad... Read more

Outkast & UGK Redefined Southern Rap. A New Song Shows Their Work Isn’t Done (Audio)

In the early 1990s, both OutKast and UGK made some incredible records. From Atlanta, Georgia and Port Arthur, Texas, these two duos used Funk, Blues, Rock & Roll to create their brand of Hip-Hop colorful, unpredictable, and highly authentic. Both acts wanted the rest of the Rap map to know... Read more

Chuck D Tells Kool Moe Dee That Spike Lee Did For Public Enemy What Radio Wouldn’t (Video)

Kool Moe Dee is one of the first Hip-Hop solo stars. As Public Enemy's Chuck D points out, Kool Moe Dee went from one third of the Treacherous 3 MCs to a Jive Records soloist, complete with hits, battle beefs, and a career that went from the 1970s into the... Read more

De La Soul’s Latest Album Produces Another Video With A Dramatic Reveal At The End

It is approaching a year since De La Soul's ...and the Anonymous Nobody album released. In the time since, there have been Grammy nominations, peaks on the Rap charts, and a plethora of talking points for the album crowd-funded by Da.I.S.Y. Heads back in 2015. De La Soul Make A Quirky... Read more

Mysterious Ads Cause Fans To Watch The Clock For A New Jay Z Album

Jay Z has not released an album since 2013's Magna Carta...Holy Grail. That album arrived on July 4 of that year, after it was announced June 16, during the NBA Finals. Following Kanye West's own fast-track release of Yeezus that very same month, the other half of Watch The Throne... Read more

Ice Cube Updates N.W.A.’s Message To Police. But Not Much Has Changed (Audio)

Ice Cube is preparing to release the 25th anniversary edition of Death Certificate this week. Cube's sophomore solo album (which actually dropped in 1991) featured Da Lench Mob MC calling out everything he believed was wrong: in his community, in government, and in the Rap industry--including his former group N.W.A. Since... Read more

Kevin Durant Has Inspired His Roc Nation Brother Jay Electronica To Release Music (Audio)

Jay Electronica certainly picks his spots. The MC/producer without an album to his name has used the last decade-plus to release verses that are forced to hold over fans. In that period, the affiliate of Just Blaze, Talib Kweli, and Nas has signed with Roc Nation, thrown high profile jabs... Read more

25 Years Ago Today Kid ‘n Play Switched It Up For Class Act (Video)

While Kid 'n Play's Hip-Hop career dates back to 1987's Select Records breakout "Last Night," the '90s would be their definitive decade. Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin brought their showmanship to film, in a big way. In 1990, the pair were incredibly busy. In addition to a self-titled... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Explains What It Would Take For A Black Hippy Album To Happen (Video)

ScHoolboy Q conducted a recent interview with Montreality. Within the conversation, the Los Angeles, California MC discusses his affinity for '90s wrestling and details of his awkward "first time." However, at the 5:30 mark, Q makes some interesting points when asked about the potential of a Black Hippy album. "Everybody... Read more

Killer Mike Says Blacks Have Bigger Problems Than Bill Maher (Video)

This weekend's episode of Real Time With Bill Maher will go down in history as one of the veteran, Emmy-nominated talk show's most memorable episodes. However, the former host of Politically Incorrect was just that when he used the n-word, referring to himself in a conversation with Nebraska Senator Ben... Read more

A 6-Year Old Boy Makes A Plea To End Violence. Pusha T Responds With A Letter & A Check (Video)

Pusha T is often respected for his ruthless lyrics. The member of Clipse, Re-Up Gang, and G.O.O.D. Music has amassed a catalog of hits illustrating the grind of the streets, with an over-arching desire for change. For every "D.D.A.," there's a "Sunshine," with both sides usually presented with advanced deliveries... Read more

Wu-Tang Is Forever. Check The Mathematics Behind The Clan’s 20 Year Old Double LP

This weekend (June 3) marks 20 years since Wu-Tang Clan released its sophomore album, Wu-Tang Forever. While GZA may have kicked the science to "Make it brief, son: half short and twice strong" on album cut "As High As Wu-Tang Get," this 1997 album was indeed potent, but far from... Read more

will.i.am Clarifies Fergie’s Status Within The Black Eyed Peas

UPDATE: One day after a will.i.am interview suggested Fergie was no longer in the Black Eyed Peas, the MC/producer/singer now says otherwise. On social media, Will criticized reports stating Fergie left her group since 2003. Instead, the A&M Records superstar and investor in Beats Electronics simply stated that Fergie's absence... Read more

Ice Cube Says He’s A Top 3 MC, In His First Solo Song In Years (Audio)

As Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball season starts in less than a month, the veteran MC is driving the lane with 2017 music too. Cube has been planning to re-release 1991's Death Certificate with several new songs attached. That's reportedly arriving June 9, but today (June 1), Heads get their first... Read more

Chuck D, B-Real & Rage Against The Machine Will Not Silently Watch The World Go To Hell (Video)

The Prophets Of Rage took 2016 by storm. A new chapter in the careers of Chuck D, B-Real, P.E.'s DJ Lord, and three-fourths of Rage Against The Machine was welcomed by fans of Hip-Hop, Hard Rock, Funk, and simply lovers of woke messages. Following last year's The Party's Over EP,... Read more

Nas, Ghostface Killah & Just Blaze To Headline 2017 A3C Festival

2017 marks 13 years of A3C. The Hip-Hop festival and conference in Atlanta, Georgia has announced its headliners and confirmed performers for this year (taking place October 4-8). With an album done (and possibly released ahead of his A3C concert), Nas is the headliner. After more than 25 years on... Read more

On Big L’s 43rd Birthday, This Freestyle Shows Why His Rhymes Are Immortal (Video)

May 30 marks the birthday of Lamont "Big L" Coleman. The Harlem, New Yorker was born 43 years ago today. While he died more than 18 years ago, at a time when many believe his career was reaching its next level, the member of D.I.T.C. and Children Of The Corn... Read more

Developers Who Destroyed A Graffiti Landmark Aim To Use Its Heritage In Their Redesign

Queens, New York's 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center was a Hip-Hop landmark that endured for decades. Dubbed "The Institute Of Higher Burning," the Long Island City art space was home to a living shrine of graffiti. Curated by writer Meres One (aka Jonathan Cohen), the five-story warehouse building built in 1892... Read more

Papoose Blacks Out On A Remix With Rick Ross That’s No Bull (Audio)

Last year, Papoose dropped one of the strongest singles of his career. Not yet attached to any album, video single "Back On My B.S." was 100% welcomed. The track featuring extended family Fat Joe and Jaquae put the Brooklyn, New York spitter's fast-rap talents on a tremendous beat, and let... Read more

Mos Def & Dave Chappelle Did The Original Carpool Karaoke (Video)

For 25 groundbreaking episodes in the two official seasons Chappelle's Show, viewers could lean back, laugh, learn, and maybe even cringe every so often. The program was about comedy, but it was hardly an escape. Instead, Dave Chappelle and his cast confronted real life issues with a humorous approach. Racism,... Read more

Teddy Riley Says A Fatal Fight With New Edition Led To His Leaving Guy (Audio)

In 1990, Guy was one of the biggest R&B acts in the world. Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, Damian Hall (following the exit of Timmy Gatling) would release two platinum albums for Uptown/MCA Records. Pioneers of the New Jack Swing, the group released an onslaught of hits like "Groove Me," "Let's... Read more

Tupac’s Spoken Words: Why His Interviews Are Even More Compelling Than His Music (Video)

"I want when they see me, they know that every day that I'm breathing, it's for Us to go farther. Every time I speak, I want the truth to come out. Every time I speak, I want a shiver. I don't want them to [predict] what I'm gonna say 'cause... Read more

Showbiz Keeps It 100 About The Emotions That Got In The Way Of D.I.T.C. Business (Video)

The Diggin' In The Crates collective released their first album in more than 15 years in 2016. While Big L died in February of 1999, surviving members Lord Finesse, Showbiz, A.G., Diamond D, O.C. Fat Joe, and Buckwild came together for a reunion album in celebration of the group's Bronx,... Read more

Skyzoo’s New Video Plays Out A Childhood Dream Of Performing On Stretch & Bobbito’s Show

Last month, Hip-Hop Heads rejoiced to learn that Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber are returning to radio, thanks to an NPR podcast. The move is the latest in a story that extends nearly 30 years, back to their post on Columbia University's WKCR airwaves. For New Yorkers and surrounding... Read more

Treach Flies To L.A. & Wages War To Protect Tupac’s Legacy

UPDATE: Just over 48 hours after Hip-Hop Heads were questioning whether Naughty By Nature's Treach and The Game's manager Wack 100 made an online beef a physical altercation, that conflict has been declared resolved. Moments ago today (May 22), Treach publicly apologized the the veteran music executive tied to Ray... Read more

Logic Reveals He Would Not Be A Rapper If It Weren’t For J. Cole (Video)

Logic's Everybody is currently the #1 album in the country. This achievement by the Maryland MC puts him in an elite class of artists. Symbolically, "Young Sinatra" joins 2010s Rap peers such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, ScHoolboy Q, Future, Travi$ Scott, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, and... Read more

Dead Wrong: A Bed-Stuy Mural Of Biggie Smalls Is Coming Down For Mo’ Money

Today (May 19), Faith Evans releases her collection of duet remixes with late husband Biggie Smalls. The King & I features Lil' Kim, as well as other figures from B.I.G.'s life including Snoop Dogg, The LOX, Lil' Cease, and Busta Rhymes. While the LP is a celebration of the married... Read more

Big Boi, Run The Jewels & Danger Mouse Dare Competition To Keep Up (Audio)

Since 2013's "Banana Clipper," Run The Jewels' Killer Mike has cemented the fact that even with his latest brand of music, mentor Big Boi fits into the fold nicely. On single, "Kill Jill," Daddy Fat Sax welcomes Mike Bigga to his lates party-starter. The Dungeon Family vibe is alive and well,... Read more

KRS-One Apologizes For Naming The Wrong Beastie Boy In A Tribute To Hip-Hop’s Fallen MCs

In the last week, lyrical legend KRS-One excited fans with the latest sneak attack release, The World Is Mind. Just over 30 years after Criminal Minded, this self-released album had many praising the latest body of work from the South Bronx representative. However, as fans delved into the album (available... Read more

Devin The Dude Reveals How DJ Premier Prevented “Doobie” From Burning Out (Video)

Fifteen years ago, Texas MC/singer Devin The Dude released one of his most important albums, Just Tryin' ta Live. From Rap-A-Lot Records, the album reunited Devin with Dr. Dre following a 2001 collaboration. Additionally, one of Hip-Hop's other most revered producers, DJ Premier worked with The Dude on single "Doobie... Read more

Nas Makes Us Look At The Real Reasons Young Black Men Are Dying Too Young (Audio)

Since his days as a teenager, Nasir Jones has been gifted in telling the stories surrounding his experiences and the lives of others. On "One Love," he put the correspondence between friends—one free and one incarcerated into song. On "U.B.R.," Nas narrated, in verse, the journey and success of Rakim—one... Read more

The 2017 Forbes Rap List Shows Drake Has Passed Wayne & Has Birdman In His Sights

The 2017 rankings for the Top 5 wealthiest Hip-Hop artists have been released. Compiled through estimation and public record, Forbes and its longtime editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg take an annual look at the assets and estimated wealth surrounding some of Rap music's leading artists, producers, and some of its multi-threat... Read more

Hodgie’s Street Lights Video Burns Bright. Bizzy Bone’s Son Shows The Flows In His DNA.

Lima is not one of Ohio's big cities, and thereby it is not traditionally associated with Hip-Hop music. However, with the continuous diaspora of the culture, the city approximately 80 miles away from Toldeo and Dayton, has an artist who aims to take his sound far and wide. Hodgie released... Read more

Here’s The Musical Life Of Ghostface Killah Told In 2 Minutes (Video)

Today (May 9) is the 47th birthday of Ghostface Killah. For just over half of his life (dating back to 1993), the Staten Island, New Yorker has been widely revered as one of the most original, convention-defying lyricists in Hip-Hop. In that esteemed catalog are more than two handfuls of... Read more

Questlove Mentors A Young Street Drummer With Common & Black Thought’s Support (Video)

In the early 1990s, The Roots (as The Square Roots) regularly played before sidewalk audiences along Philadelphia's South Street. In the days before major label support and Grammy awards, Questlove, Black Thought, Malik B, and company used their music as a free gift to the people, and presumably welcomed any... Read more

Big Boi, CeeLo & Organized Noize Unite For A Dungeon Family Reunion (Audio)

UPDATE: The official music video for "We The Ones": ORIGINAL MAY 6 POST: Last week, Hip-Hop celebrated Outkast and Organized Noize with the 23rd anniversary of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. That LaFace Records classic was a true collaboration between Andre 3000, Big Boi, and the production trio of Sleepy Brown, Ray Murray, as... Read more

Jermaine Dupri Penned Hits For Many. He Explains Why Using Writers Ain’t A Thang (Video)

In recent years, Hip-Hop has called into question the use of additional writers on songs. In 2015, Meek Mill created a beef when he publicized Drake's working with Atlanta, Georgia MC Quentin Miller on #1 album If You're Reading This It's Too Late. In turn, Meek and Drake's relationship disintegrated,... Read more

Joell Ortiz Says Most Rap Millionaires Are “Scared Silly” Of His Rich Bars (Audio)

In the eyes of some, Kendrick Lamar's #1 status and fast-track to platinum with DAMN. suggests that lyricism, clever songwriting, and album-making is winning. Clearly, for one Compton, California creative master, it is. However, it took Kendrick some years and quite a few apparent setbacks to get that spot. At... Read more

Black Thought, Logic & Chuck D Unite To Fight The Power In 2017 (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

Matt Citron Aims To Purify His Soul As He Reaches The Next Plateau (Video)

Atlanta, Georgia's Matt Citron has been making a lot of noise the past year. It was one calendar ago Matt spiced up a sacred Just Blaze production for Jay Electronica with his seasoned "Tabasco Flows." The MC with the nimble delivery and deeper voice stepped ahead, working with G.O.O.D. Music's... Read more

Mannie Fresh Explains Why He Regrets What Cash Money Records Did To Hip-Hop (Audio)

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Cash Money Records was a dominating force within Rap music. While the label dated back to the top of the decade, Juvenile's 1998 hit "Ha" made plenty of fans, DJs, and record industry followers say "huh." In short time, "Ha" was followed with... Read more

Marsha Ambrosius Explains Why She Will Never Say Yes To Another Floetry Reunion (Video)

In the first half of the 2000s, Floetry was an exciting addition to the Soul genre and Philly's booming scene. Marsha Ambrosious and Natalie Stewart made two Top 20 albums, with 2005's Flo'Ology sophomore peaking at #7. The five-time Grammy-nominated duo made their fans "Say Yes" right along with them,... Read more

CeeLo Borrows Childish Gambino’s Muse For His Own Funky Fling (Audio)

Childish Gambino's "Redbone" was one of the biggest, most welcome surprises of 2016. Long before the song opened Get Out, it first signaled Donald Glover's deep dive into Funk music, emerging with a sound rich with inspiration, yet all his own. "Awaken My Love!" is a beautiful collection of modern... Read more

The Woman At The Center Of The JAY-Z & Nas Beef Speaks Up & Tells Truths (Video)

Carmen Bryan is not a household name. However, she was strongly referenced in one of the most famous feuds in music history. In 2001, Jay Z launched "The Takeover" as part of his Blueprint campaign. The opening song to the acclaimed album put a reportedly longstanding tension with Nas out... Read more

LL Cool J Recites The 1st Rhyme He Wrote. He Was Already A GOAT At 11 (Video)

2017 makes 33 years since LL Cool J released debut single "I Need A Beat." James Todd Smith was not old enough to drive a car when he signed his contract with Def Jam Records, where he would remain a superstar into the 2000s. The Queens, New York MC elevated... Read more

Freeway Recalls Meeting Nas After Dissing Him Amid The Roc Beef (Video)

Last month, Freeway officially signed with Roc Nation. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC had long been wearing the caps, and appeared close to Jay Z and the label and management firm through appearances and concerts. In the 2000s, Freeway and State Property were hit-making fixtures at Roc-A-Fella Records shortly before the... Read more

“The Breaks” Is Returning For Another Season And Moving To A New Channel

This month, The Breaks aired its first season as an episodic show. Set at the top of the 1990s, the series follows the lives and movements of several young people trying to make it in the music industry. From DJ/producers, aspiring record execs, to radio, the show created by author... Read more

J.I.D’s Monster Freestyle Shows There’s A New Contender For King Of The South (Video)

One of the best releases in the Dreamville Records chest is J.I.D's The Never Story. Released last month, the Interscope-backed project did not rely on heavy marketing, big features, or grabbing artwork. Instead, the newest artist on J. Cole's label simply spit raps with a nimble delivery, clever wordplay, and... Read more