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Wale Fires Back At J. Cole And He Names Names (Audio)

In the last 48 hours, J. Cole not only announced an album, he released a documentary leading up to 4 Your Eyez Only. Then, music heard in the doc' released on its own, in the form of two critical video singles, "False Prophets (Be Like This)" and "Everybody Gotta Die." Both... Read more

December 3, 2016 Audio

Lloyd Banks’ “The Last Of A Dope Era Dying” Is Symbolic Of So Many Changes (Audio)

Perhaps second to only the "Hip-Hop as a woman" metaphor, MCs have long employed the parallels of rapping with hustling. The very first song on Outkast's debut album ("Myintrotoletuknow") said it plainly. DJ Premier scratched that Andre 3000 line on Jay Z's more expanded "Rap Game / Crack Game" three... Read more

December 3, 2016 Audio

J. Cole Comes Out Blasting. It Sounds Like Kanye & Drake Are The Targets (Videos)

2016 may be saving its best for last. On the first day of December, it appeared that J. Cole unveiled his plans surrounding his fourth album release. December 9's 4 Your Eyez Only pre-orders hit the web, then quickly and mysteriously disappeared (they are back now). By the time the... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Cam’ron Talks Jim Jones Beef For The Last Time. He Says Dipset Is “Over” (Video)

Hip-Hop is in a climate of reunions. A Tribe Called Quest shocked the music world last month with a secretly recorded album, their first in 18 years. After more than 20 years away from album-making, Pete Rock & C.L. have confirmed an LP for 2017. The L.O.X. have inked a... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Ludacris Disturbed The Peace With This Never Before Released 2001 Freestyle (Audio)

In 2001, Ludacris was one of Rap's most exciting new stars. 2000's Back For The First Time kicked in the door for Def Jam South (then with Scarface at the helm) for a Top 5 charting, triple-platinum affair. However, the Atlanta, Georgia star with the carefully cut sideburns was not... Read more

December 1, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Decemba Is Here. Andre 3000 Spits An Ice Cold Verse & Directs The Video

In late September, Epic Records artist Divine Council got the career push of a lifetime, care of label-mate Andre 3000. "Decemba (Remix)" escalated the remix that's about some aggressive bedroom maneuvers and stacking chips at the same time. 3 Stacks takes Divine's baton, and turns it to a Rap relay... Read more

December 1, 2016 Video

J. Cole Has An Album Coming… In Less Than 10 Days

UPDATE: Hours after the report (December 1) below, the pre-order links to J. Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only have been removed. According to Billboard, a rep for Apple (who posted the title and artwork) declined to comment. J. Cole and reps have yet to release a statement. When J. Cole... Read more

December 1, 2016 News

Kanye West Out Of The Hospital & Home Recovering

Early last week (November 21), MC/producer Kanye West was rushed to the hospital for evaluation. Following several strange, abbreviated performances and the subsequent cancellation of his remaining Saint Pablo Tour dates, the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records superstar was hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center reportedly, "for his own health and safety." Something... Read more

November 30, 2016 News

Puffy Details Stepping To Suge Knight After The Source Awards & Suge Backpedaling (Video)

On August 3, 1995, many historians believe that the East Coast and West Coast Hip-Hop Beef was declared. Accepting the Source Award in Madison Square Garden for the Above The Rim soundtrack, Death Row Records CEO and co-founder Suge Knight told attendees, “Any artist out there that want to be an... Read more

November 30, 2016 Video

Joell Ortiz & Chris Rivers Say What They Feel And Some Might Get Hurt (Audio)

Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers, and Whispers have a close working relationship. These three New York City MCs share an affinity for hard-nosed, in-your-face raps that combine wit, arrogance, and a ton of swagger on the microphone. Teaming with a producer each work with often (Domingo), they go as hard as... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

U-God Hits RZA With A Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit For Unpaid Wu-Tang Clan Royalties

Discussions currently linger if Wu-Tang Clan will release another album. If the New York collective does, it is said to be in the hands of Ghostface Killah. Today, a new snag in the group appears to have presented itself. Wu-Tang's U-God has sued band-mate RZA for a reported $2.5 in... Read more

November 30, 2016 News

Statik Selektah Remixes Some Older Dave East That Shows The Talent Nas Saw (Audio)

Today, Dave East is an MC who is cosigned by Nas, backed by Mass Appeal, and working with a who's who of Hip-Hop. In 2014, the Harlem, New Yorker was simply talented, hungry, and looking to kick in the industry door. At that time, he released video single "Stretched Out"... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

The Grammys Finally Realize Straight Outta Compton Was a Great Album

Over the last two years—largely thanks to a 2015 blockbuster biopic, the mainstream media has apparently reconsidered the merits of N.W.A. The Ruthless Records collective of Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella released two albums, a compilation, and an EP between 1987 and 1991. In that... Read more

November 29, 2016 News

Better Bundle Up. State Property’s Freeway & Young Chris Rap So Cold (Video)

Last month, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's State Property appeared to largely reunite on the largest stage in close to a decade. Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Omillio Sparks, and Need Buck lit up the BET Hip Hop Awards with a cypher that likely had a few Heads throwing up the R-O-C at... Read more

November 28, 2016 Video

Dru Hill Reunite For The Soul Train Awards & Sound As Great As Ever (Video)

It has been more than six years since Dru Hill released an album. The multi-platinum 1990s and 2000s Baltimore, Maryland group reunited for a 2016 Soul Train Awards performance. Opening the show, Sisqó, Jazz, Nokio, and Tao performed a medley of their hits, including the So So Def Remix of... Read more

November 28, 2016 Video

Kurupt Looks Back At The Major Beefs Of His Career In “Unsung” (Video)

This week, the Unsung series aired its episode dedicated to Kurupt. The TV One program examined the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania upbringing of Tha Dogg Pound co-founder. Kurupt admits that Rakim is a leading Rap influence in his lyrical style and enhanced vocabulary. The biography follows Kurupt's move to California, and subsequent... Read more

November 27, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Rhymefest To Transform Kanye West’s Childhood Home Into Studio & Arts Center

For more than a decade, Kanye West and Rhymefest have made substantial records together. The two Chicago, Illinois representatives first caught the Grammy Award wave during writing and demo'ing "Jesus Walks," and followed with tracks including the fully-actualized collaboration "Brand New," as well as lots of writing together. In addition... Read more

November 26, 2016 News

This Documentary On Sampling Highlights Some Rap Classics (Video)

A documentary on the evolution of music production has been airing this fall. Soundbreaking on PBS examines what music producers do, how the craft and technology has advanced, and the impact some men and women have had on superstars in Pop, Rock & Roll, Soul, and Hip-Hop. Episode 6 of... Read more

November 26, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Erykah Badu Gives A Message Of Love & Inclusion. She Says There’s No Need For Alarm. (Video)

This week, Erykah Badu appeared on Ebro In The Morning. The veteran singer, producer, and DJ spoke about the world. She considers herself "an observer," and the mother of three had some hopeful sentiments to those who may be emotionally downtrodden, given current political, social, and environmental developments. Approaching the... Read more

November 23, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

Q-Tip Describes The Shift In Music That Caused The End Of A Tribe Called Quest (Video)

This month has returned A Tribe Called Quest to album-making for the first time in 18 years. We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service is the current #1 album, and A.T.C.Q's first in 20 years—achieving a new chart feat within the Hip-Hop genre. The LP reunited Q-Tip... Read more

November 23, 2016 Video

Pusha T Salutes Kanye West. He Suggests Their Paths Twist Back To Musical Paradise

The last five days have been challenging for Kanye West. The superstar entertainer went from one of the biggest creators in 2016, to abruptly canceling his tour (following controversial remarks), and in a matter of hours—entering the hospital. G.O.O.D. Music President Pusha T used today (the same 24 hours that... Read more

November 22, 2016 Fresh

A Prince Song Recorded During “1999” Sessions Is On Another Level (Audio)

Seventeen years before the rest of our calendars said so, Prince made 1999 a thing. This 1982 album would be the Artist's second-most successful in the United States (only behind Purple Rain, which followed). In addition to its cathartic title track, the album featured hits such as "Little Red Corvette"... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

Rick Ross Raps On His First Pete Rock Track & Smokes It (Audio)

On Rick Ross's most recent album, 2015's Black Market, he notably recruited DJ Premier for some scratches. In '16, Rozay works with another legendary DJ/producer, blessing a Pete Rock track, from P.R. and Smoke DZA's Don't Smoke Rock collaborative LP (December 2). "Black Superhero Car" is reminiscent of Wale, Jadakiss,... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

Kurupt Is Celebrated In The Latest Episode Of Unsung. Watch A Sneak Preview (Video)

Kurupt has an extensive 25-year career. The Los Angeles, California-by way of-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC has released six solo albums, dating back to the '90s. An array of major and independent releases, none of these efforts have achieved gold or platinum status, or a #1 on the charts. That career has... Read more

November 21, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Something Is Very Wrong With Kanye West. He Cancels His Tour. (Video)

2016 has been a whirlwind ride for Kanye West, including #1 albums, game-changing music videos, armed robberies within his family—and that's only some of the "highlights." The Saint Pablo Tour—which corresponds to West's February The Life of Pablo album has been making its rounds across the United States—featuring the artist... Read more

November 21, 2016 News, Video

Brooklyn Is Uniting To Stand Up Against Hate After Swastikas Painted At MCA’s Park

When a Brooklyn, New York park was named in the honor of Beastie Boys co-founder Adam "MCA" Yauch, it was an apparent act of love and respect. Yesterday (November 18), that same space—Adam Yauch Park was vandalized in the name of hate. Culprits defaced the property with antisemitic painting, including... Read more

November 19, 2016 News

Mike Pence Booed At “Hamilton.” The Cast Asks Him To Govern For Us ALL (Video)

Many musicians, athletes, and celebrities have been theatergoers at Broadway's Hamilton. Last night (November 18), United States Vice President-elect Mike Pence was the latest notable attendee at the play created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Presently serving as Indiana's governor, Pence was the recipient of boos from fellow ticket-holders who noticed him.... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, News, Video

Sharon Jones, Lead Singer of The Dap Kings Has Died At Age 60

Sharon Jones, lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings has died. Today (November 18), the Augusta, Georgia native passed away from complications surrounding pancreatic cancer at the age of 60. In the last 20 years, Jones not only enjoyed a late surge in her extensive career, the Grammy-nominated... Read more

November 18, 2016 News

Eminem Gives Infinite Respect To His Earliest Music With A Documentary & A Remix (Video)

While Eminem's 1999 and 2000 mainstream takeover is often associated with the production of Dr. Dre, much more of The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP is credited to another act behind the boards. The Bass Brothers, Mark and Jeff—had been with Em' since his career took shape.... Read more

November 18, 2016 Audio, Video

Donald Glover Is Making Full Fledged Funk. And There’s Nothing Childish About It (Audio)

Last Thursday (November 10), Childish Gambino unveiled the first look from upcoming album, ...Awaken, My Love (December 2). "Me and Your Mama" set aside the raps for a record that had more in common with Parliament or Lenny Kravitz than any Rap contemporary. Singing, screaming, and embedding himself in a... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

The Cool Kids & Their Rhymes Really Connect On This Slapper (Audio)

With the reunion in place, The Cool Kids are back to being, well, cool. Their latest single "Connect 4" presents Chuck Inglish and Sir Michael Rocks as the forward-sounding, fashion-forward duo with lush dreams and slick lines. Notably, this track blends the two individual styles that the members built on... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

Ja Rule Makes Better Fun Of Himself Than His Worst Enemies Ever Did (Video)

Ja Rule entered the 2000s in the upper echelon of Rap. He had two back-to-back #1 albums, a record label (with Irv Gotti) that was rumored to be courting Nas, and was part of three #1 records (two with Jennifer Lopez). Whether he made you wanna "Holla" (or not), one... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Termanology & Kxng Crooked Bring Out The Best In Each Other. Let’s Go! (Audio)

For lovers of lyrics, wordplay, and flow, one of 2016's must-listen-to Hip-Hop albums is Statik Kxng. Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) and Statik Selektah made a 10-song EP that is some of the finest work from either. Termanology, Statik's 1982 band-mate made the lone guest appearance on "Let's Go." Now,... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Takes 3 Beats & An Ab-Soul Verse To Shine At 2am (Audio)

Rapsody and Ab-Soul have great collaborative history that dates back nearly five years. Soulo was one of the higher profile guests from The Idea of Beautiful, appearing on "NonFiction." With Rap's close ties to T.D.E., the pair come back together at "2 a.m." Released just hours after "Mad," this dynamic... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Ski Wants The World…Including Your Undivided Attention. Does This Video Earn It?

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, the MC known as Ski (aka Ski Cobain) blends the 1990s and early 2000s Hip-Hop that influenced him with his own stories, ambitions, and reflections. His latest single "The World Is Mine" ties a fan favorite from within Nas's Illmatic. The artist with two previous... Read more

November 15, 2016 Ready Or Not

Nick Grant Taps Into His Outkast Influence In A Video Made By Idlewild’s Director

Many artists in the mid-2010s, quickly fill up the digital atmosphere with songs and videos, and see what sticks. Nick Grant is one MC whom the people have taken to. The South Carolina native has almost entirely done it himself, avoiding big name features—and letting his 88 mixtape, as well... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Jay Electronica Kicks A Fertile Rhyme About Love From The Garden (Video)

In the four appearances Jay Electronica has seemingly made in 2016, Emeli Sandé's "Garden" really plants itself in the listener's memory banks. The New Orleans, Louisiana MC/producer appeared on the tune last month, alongside Áine Zion. It's a different kind of look from Jay Elect' than just spitting bars with... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Pusha T & Gucci Mane Join Common To Voice What Makes Black America Great…Again (Audio)

Throughout his career, Common has at times been—at least on paper—a left field featured guest. He appeared on albums like T.I.'s King when the Grand Hustle founder was the monarch of Trap. He made one of several Gil Scott Heron homages on The Game's "Angel" two years after, showing an... Read more

November 14, 2016 Audio

Ras Kass Sees Lady Liberty Getting Grabbed & Names Those Who Let It Happen (Audio)

For more than 20 years, Ras Kass has been one of Hip-Hop's most steadfast critics of what he perceives as lies and corruption fed to the people. The Carson, California representative has called out organized religion, school-taught history, and the old guard music industry. In a week that has many... Read more

November 12, 2016 Audio

Common Is A Rap Pharaoh Building Pyramids Of Empowerment, With Words (Video)

One week ago today, Common released his 11th album, Black America Again. The LP had many a la carte looks before its release. "Pyramids" was a highlight. Produced by Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper, the track is one of several with reverberating lyrics about the modern day Black experience, the... Read more

November 11, 2016 Video

LaKeith Stanfield Shows There’s More Than 1 Talented Rapper In “Atlanta” (Video)

In 2016, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) showed greater dimension in his repertoire with the launch of Atlanta. Before the show's first season reached its midpoint, the network ordered two more seasons of the series. Accolades and ratings are spilling in, and Glover may have far surpassed his musical profile,... Read more

November 11, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Childish Gambino Funks Up Expectations Going Into His New Album (Audio)

Childish Gambino (a/k/a Donald Glover) is a hard artist to pin down or put into any box. He acts, he does stand-up, he DJs, he writes and produces acclaimed shows—most recently evident in Atlanta. However, the breakthrough of Gambino, for many, came by way of music. Thanks to the aforementioned... Read more

November 10, 2016 Audio

A Tribe Called Quest Drove Each Other To Greatness On Their Final Album (Video)

In less than 12 hours, A Tribe Called Quest will release We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. The group's first album in 18 years (and first with all four founding members in more than 25 years) carries a great deal of anticipation. Last night (November 9)... Read more

November 10, 2016 Fresh, Video

Run The Jewels Will Not Concede. Their New Song Says It All (Audio)

Less than 24 hours after the 2016 US Presidential Election was called, Run The Jewels appears to punctuate the air of a partly astonished nation. "2100" featuring close affiliate Boots has a message of frustration with the same System that Killer Mike and El-P have rebelled against (as a unit)... Read more

November 9, 2016 Audio

Vice Souletric Wants To Rap About ’90s Hip-Hop With You. Can He Kick It? (Video)

Vice Souletric is a promising MC and producer from Lorain, Ohio—just 30 miles west of Cleveland. Having previously worked with Pete Rock and fellow Buckeye State native DJ Hi-Tek, Souletric released Vice For President, Vol. 2. On Election Day 2016, Ambrosia For Heads holds up recent video single "90's Sumthin'"... Read more

November 8, 2016 Ready Or Not

Vic Mensa Uses 16 Shots To Say “If You Don’t Vote, Racism Wins” (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop music that captures the zeitgeist of American culture in 2016, Vic Mensa's "16 Shots" is as real as any song. The There's Alot Going On single was inspired by the 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald in Vic's hometown of Chicago. The 17 year-old was shot... Read more

November 8, 2016 Video

Rap Pioneer Kurtis Blow Survives Heart Attack That He Says Nearly Killed Him

Kurtis Blow is credited as the first Hip-Hop artist with a gold-certified single. The Harlem, New York native released "The Breaks" in 1980 through Mercury Records as one of the first Rap artists signed to a major label. Throughout the height of his career, Kurtis Blow toured with Bob Marley,... Read more

November 7, 2016 News

Alchemist & Curren$y Recruit Major Producers As Accomplices For “Heist” Remix (Audio)

In February of this year, Curren$y and Alchemist masterminded The Carrollton Heist. The New Orleans, Louisiana MC and Venice, California-based produced offered 12 tracks featuring Action Bronson, Styles P, and Spitta's onetime mentor Lil Wayne. Curren$y & Alchemist Re-Up On A New Mixtape Featuring Action Bronson & Styles P As... Read more

November 6, 2016 Audio

Dave Chappelle & A Tribe Called Quest Will Kick It On SNL

One week from today (November 11), A Tribe Called Quest will release its sixth and final album We Got It From Here, Thank You for Your Service. While Phife Dawg died more than six months prior to its release, the surviving founding three members of the group aim to make... Read more

November 4, 2016 Fresh, TV/Film

Chris Rivers, Necro & Tragedy Rally 10 Bad Apple MCs From NYC (Video)

New York City Hip-Hop has many sides. Veteran MC/producer Necro gathered nine other MCs—spanning nearly 30 years of Rap to join him for "New York Gangsters." This self-produced possé cut includes Big Pun's illustrious lyrical son Chris Rivers, Tragedy Khadafi (f/k/a The Intelligent Hoodlum), Capone (Capone-N-Noreaga), vet Kurious Jorge, Dom... Read more

November 4, 2016 Video