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SWV & Wu-Tang Clan’s Remix Did Not Sound Like Anything Before It (Audio)

SWV & Wu-Tang Clan’s Remix Did Not Sound Like Anything Before It (Audio)

In 1994, SWV (a/k/a Sisters With Voices) had become one of the most successful acts in the new guard of R&B-Pop. With its Gospel roots, the RCA Records machine (thanks to some demo tapes packaged with sparkling water) helped transform Taj, Coko, and Lelee into top-of-the-charts sensations. Like fellow New... Read more
September 8, 2016 Do Remember
The Story Of Hip-Hop’s Earliest Days Is Told By Its Pioneers (Video)

The Story Of Hip-Hop’s Earliest Days Is Told By Its Pioneers (Video)

Fifteen years after the onset of Hip-Hop culture (August of 1973 is credited by many historians), Eric B. & Rakim's Paid In Full album took the elements of skillful rapping and DJ'ing and applied them to a materialistic, ambition-driven lifestyle that featured fashion, jewelry, and luxury cars. Even in that... Read more
September 8, 2016 Video
Zack De La Rocha Is Back & Still Raging On An El-P Produced Outcry (Audio)

Zack De La Rocha Is Back & Still Raging On An El-P Produced Outcry (Audio)

More than 18 years ago, the first Lyricists Lounge compilation released. Featuring De La Soul, Common, Mos Def (n/k/a Yasiin Bey), and Q-Tip, the Rawkus Records double album delivered the Underground Hip-Hop community to the mainstream (reaching the Top 200), with a plethora of important independent voices, and more than... Read more
September 8, 2016 Audio
Camp Lo & A 10-Piece Horn Section Sound Rich Like Luchini (Audio)

Camp Lo & A 10-Piece Horn Section Sound Rich Like Luchini (Audio)

After more than 20 years of making music, Camp Lo is nothing if not experimental. The team of Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede are gifted in their ability blend retro style (and slang) with futuristic thinking. Even after two handfuls of albums and several side projects, the Uptown Saturday Night... Read more
September 8, 2016 Audio
A Film On The Murder Investigations Of Biggie & Tupac Is In The Making

A Film On The Murder Investigations Of Biggie & Tupac Is In The Making

Today marks the 20th anniversary (September 7, 1996) of the shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada that would ultimately cost Tupac Shakur his life. With biopic All Eyez On Me hitting theaters later this year, and 2009's Notorious telling the life story of The Notorious B.I.G. (a/k/a Christopher Wallace), a forthcoming... Read more
September 7, 2016 News, TV/Film
Mayer Hawthorne’s Early Rap & Disco Mix Is Perfect For Back To School Season

Mayer Hawthorne’s Early Rap & Disco Mix Is Perfect For Back To School Season

Most people know Mayer Hawthorne as a retro-styled Soul singer down with the Stones Throw crew. However, the Michigan native first burst on the scene as a DJ for the Athletic Mic League conglomerate (which also spawned 14K). Even though he's become a pop culture sensation with his voice, the... Read more
September 7, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback
Daylyt Usually Rhymes A Cappella But He Wrecks 5 Beats With This Freestyle (Video)

Daylyt Usually Rhymes A Cappella But He Wrecks 5 Beats With This Freestyle (Video)

Last week, Watts, California MC Daylyt gave a wildly compelling interview on Sway In The Morning. There, the highly prominent, often controversial battle rapper spoke about the violence in his city, why his peers have two options in the industry, and his unique relationships with Eminem and Drake. While at... Read more
September 7, 2016 Video
M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Ups The Ante In A New Politically-Charged Song (Audio)

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Ups The Ante In A New Politically-Charged Song (Audio)

Several years ago, M.O.P.'s Lil Fame made a side project with Termanology. Billy Danze, the other half of Mash Out Posse, has never stepped out of First Family. With a long anticipated solo album on the way, "Berkowit," as the Brooklyn, New Yorker also goes by shows his unique sound.... Read more
September 6, 2016 Audio
Colin Kaepernick’s Jersey Is The NFL’s Best-Seller

Colin Kaepernick’s Jersey Is The NFL’s Best-Seller

This week, the 2016 NFL season will officially begin. According to reports, one of the league's biggest stars of the moment will likely not play for some time—in part due to injury. San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick wears the most-sold NFL jersey entering the season, according to the NFL.... Read more
September 6, 2016 Lifestyle
Ice Cube Publicly Responds To Jerry Heller’s Death (Video)

Ice Cube Publicly Responds To Jerry Heller’s Death (Video)

In the canon of artist vs. music executive beefs, Ice Cube's problems with Jerry Heller are perhaps the most significant. In 1990, N.W.A. soared to the top of the pack, meeting criticism for its profanity and lewdness with massive commercial success. During the quintet's first national tour, Cube—arguably the lead... Read more
September 6, 2016 News, Video
The Pharcyde’s Fatlip Returns With A Rare Verse & He’s Not Playing (Video)

The Pharcyde’s Fatlip Returns With A Rare Verse & He’s Not Playing (Video)

The Pharcyde's Fatlip is a revered lyricist who can, at times, be a bit reclusive. While it's been more than 11 years since the Los Angeles, California native released a solo album, he does occasionally show up for peers he believes in. Producer Tone Spliff is based in L.A. A... Read more
September 5, 2016 Video
Nicki Minaj Shows She’s Still A Monster With A Rugged New Freestyle (Audio)

Nicki Minaj Shows She’s Still A Monster With A Rugged New Freestyle (Audio)

Nearly six years ago, Nicki Minaj showed the world that she was a microphone "Monster" by stepping into the big leagues, surrounded by all-stars (Jay Z, Kanye West, Rick Ross). Many listeners thought Nick' bested her big brothers in that platinum moment. In the time since, the YMCMB superstar has... Read more
September 4, 2016 Audio
Beanie Sigel Confirms A Collaborative Project With Jadakiss

Beanie Sigel Confirms A Collaborative Project With Jadakiss

In 2001, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel were two of the most exciting new solo artists in Rap music. While Jada' had been on wax since 1994 with the LOX, Sigel was becoming Jay Z's most exciting protege on the Roc-A-Fella Records roster. They had even appeared together on 1998's "Reservoir... Read more
September 4, 2016 News
Beyonce Reminds All That Revenge May Be The Sweetest Joy (Video)

Beyonce Reminds All That Revenge May Be The Sweetest Joy (Video)

Beyoncé continues to serve Lemonade. Like its namesake, the album (a 2016 favorite of the AFH staff) is the perfectly refreshing balance of bitter and sweet—all tied into a thematic statement. For those new to the affair, the visual album is starting to make its way to more formats. On... Read more
September 4, 2016 Video
Fat Joe, O.C., & A.G. Go Diggin’ With Substance On A Showbiz Beat (Audio)

Fat Joe, O.C., & A.G. Go Diggin’ With Substance On A Showbiz Beat (Audio)

Earlier this year, the Diggin' In The Crates collective released a compilation album surrounding their new Bronx, New York recording studio. With all living members involved more (17 years after the death of Big L), the LP also showcased some new producers down with D.I.T.C. On "It's Cold Outside (Remix),"... Read more
September 4, 2016 Audio
Lost Boyz, Tha Dogg Pound & Canibus Had Heads High On The Music (Video)

Lost Boyz, Tha Dogg Pound & Canibus Had Heads High On The Music (Video)

In 1996, Queens, New York's Lost Boyz burst onto the scene with vibe-driven Hip-Hop like no other act out. Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah, Pretty Lou, and Spigg Nice were welcomed distractions to the heated coastal rivalry perceived in Hip-Hop. Like the neighboring Boot Camp Clik, the LB Fam was able... Read more
September 1, 2016 Do Remember
Ghostface Killah Spits The Kind Of Verses That Have Made Him A Legend Worldwide (Video)

Ghostface Killah Spits The Kind Of Verses That Have Made Him A Legend Worldwide (Video)

Ghostface Killah is quite the collaborator in the 2010s. The Staten Island, New York lyrical master works with a host of artists, producers, and even musicians well outside of the Hip-Hop genre. Teaming with veteran instrumental Down-tempo/Funk creator Wax Tailor, G.F.K. gets fitted with the right kind of track. "Worldwide"... Read more
August 31, 2016 Video
Redman Believes Canibus Was Not Dissing LL Cool J On 4, 3, 2, 1 (Video)

Redman Believes Canibus Was Not Dissing LL Cool J On 4, 3, 2, 1 (Video)

In 2016, LL Cool J and Canibus have come full circle. In late 1997, Uncle L put the young lyricist on the second single to his Phenomenon album. "4, 3, 2, 1" followed 1995's "I Shot Ya" as another possé cut of the reigning Rap star showcasing MCs he believed... Read more
August 31, 2016 Video
Method Man & Ali Shaheed Muhammad Talk Luke Cage’s Full Clip Of Hip-Hop Music (Video)

Method Man & Ali Shaheed Muhammad Talk Luke Cage’s Full Clip Of Hip-Hop Music (Video)

Less than one month from today (September 30), the "Luke Cage" series will reach fans. Perhaps more than any other comic superhero in history, the character of "Luke Cage" is a product of the Hip-Hop Generation. The Marvel Studios series episodes all take their name from Gang Starr songs, and... Read more
August 31, 2016 TV/Film, Video
AZ & Alchemist Give A$AP Twelvyy Motivation To Always Strive & Prosper (Audio)

AZ & Alchemist Give A$AP Twelvyy Motivation To Always Strive & Prosper (Audio)

A$AP Twelvyy is one of the Mob members who has not yet released an album. However, the New York City MC stays ready. "Motivation" is the latest burden of proof that the MC heard on Rocky's Live. Love. ASAP and Statik Selektah's Lucky 7 deserves his own platform. Moreover, this... Read more
August 31, 2016 Audio
Snow Tha Product’s Masterful Spanish Rapping Is A Wake Up Call For English-Only Speakers (Video)

Snow Tha Product’s Masterful Spanish Rapping Is A Wake Up Call For English-Only Speakers (Video)

For more than five years, Snow The Product has become one of the hardest rapping lyricists of her generation. However, unlike most Hip-Hop artists with major label backing, Snow raps in two languages. The San Jose, California native and Mexican-American MC cut her teeth in the early 2000s showcasing her... Read more
August 30, 2016 Video
Dame Dash To Produce Roc-A-Fella Series That May Answer A Million & One Questions

Dame Dash To Produce Roc-A-Fella Series That May Answer A Million & One Questions

It has been more than a decade since Jay Z, Damon "Dame Dash," and Kareem "Biggs" Burke sold Roc-A-Fella Records. The New York City label responsible for introducing the record-buying world to Jay, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, The Diplomats, and others remains alive—only as a division of Def Jam. Its... Read more
August 30, 2016 News, TV/Film
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Approved This Best-Of Mix & You Will Too (Audio)

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Approved This Best-Of Mix & You Will Too (Audio)

Not many groups (in any genre) can warrant a "Best Of" off of just two albums and an EP. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are a clear exception. Between 1991 and 1994, the New York City Hip-Hop duo released just a few handfuls of songs. That material left a lasting... Read more
August 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback
Coup’s Boots Riley Shows His Reality & Advises How To Create Lasting Change (Video)

Coup’s Boots Riley Shows His Reality & Advises How To Create Lasting Change (Video)

For nearly 25 years, The Coup's Boots Riley has given Hip-Hop Heads the real—according to him. The Oakland, California revolution made popular subversive records like "My Favorite Mutiny," "Fat Cats, Bigga Fish," and "Dig It" through hard trusts against Funk grooves. A new nine-minute, black-and-white documentary vignette looks at the... Read more
August 29, 2016 Video
Colin Kaepernick Takes A Stand By Sitting During National Anthem

Colin Kaepernick Takes A Stand By Sitting During National Anthem

Regardless of what the season holds for San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the NFL veteran made a bold statement before it officially begins. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and University of Nevada graduate deliberately sat down through the American national anthem yesterday (August 26). Colin opted to remain seated on... Read more
August 27, 2016 Lifestyle
Hear One Of The Earliest Rap Battles Ever Recorded From 1981 (Audio)

Hear One Of The Earliest Rap Battles Ever Recorded From 1981 (Audio)

The Rap Battle has become a pop culture institution. The sport of two (or more MCs) competing has excited Hip-Hop culture since the art of rapping stepped to the front. Some of the most successful and acclaimed MCs began their careers through battling, and distinguished their legacies with combative moments... Read more
August 27, 2016 Throwback, Throwback
Run The Jewels & DJ Shadow Give New Meaning To Political Warfare (Video)

Run The Jewels & DJ Shadow Give New Meaning To Political Warfare (Video)

Run The Jewels has a standing reputation for incredible music videos. As independent artists, Killer Mike and El-P have been able to make bold statements that match their cutting lyrics and pounding beats. Teaming with DJ Shadow for The Mountain Will Fall single "Nobody Speak," the rep is all the... Read more
August 24, 2016 Video
With A New Album Coming, Revisit A Tribe Called Quest’s Rare Erykah Badu Collabo (Audio)

With A New Album Coming, Revisit A Tribe Called Quest’s Rare Erykah Badu Collabo (Audio)

Last week, Epic Records CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid made a bold revelation. The seasoned executive and TV personality confirmed that a sixth album from A Tribe Called Quest is coming soon, and is both "great" and "something special." The news broke care of a Rap Radar Podcast episode, with limited... Read more
August 23, 2016 Throwback
Yelawolf Signs Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul To Slumerican

Yelawolf Signs Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul To Slumerican

One of the biggest comebacks in recent Rap memory has been surrounding Juicy J. The Memphis, Tennessee Hip-Hop pioneer and founding member of Three 6 Mafia reinvented himself with 2013's Stay Trippy. Juicy's first major label solo LP (Sony Records) would be executive produced by Wiz Khalifa, bringing the artist... Read more
August 23, 2016 News
Styles P, Freeway & Torae Get Down On A Pete Rock-Produced Single (Audio)

Styles P, Freeway & Torae Get Down On A Pete Rock-Produced Single (Audio)

Back in January, Torae released his Entitled album. One of the focal points to that self-released LP was "Get Down." First unveiled almost a year ago, the song is the latest run-in the Brooklyn, New York MC had with producer Pete Rock. A lot was at play in the beat,... Read more
August 22, 2016 Audio
Stro Runs Through 7 Minutes Of Classic Beats In 1 Of The Year’s Best Freestyles (Video)

Stro Runs Through 7 Minutes Of Classic Beats In 1 Of The Year’s Best Freestyles (Video)

Stro (f/k/a The Astronomical Kid) has had a quieter 2016 than other years. However, the Brooklyn, New Yorker is just ramping up, and showing that his skills have refined. Appearing on the most recent episode of Statik Selektah's ShowOff Radio show, Stro asks if he can go off the top... Read more
August 22, 2016 Video
Pras Details How O.D.B. Getting Lost Led To His Biggest Hit (Video)

Pras Details How O.D.B. Getting Lost Led To His Biggest Hit (Video)

The highest charting single of O.D.B.'s Hip-Hop career was not his own. The Brooklyn, New York MC/singer hit the charts with Wu-Tang Clan and his solo works. He would appear on the Bad Boy Remix to Mariah Carey's #1 single "Fantasy," but not on the chart-topping version. Instead, it was... Read more
August 22, 2016 Video
Andre 3000 Calls Out MCs Who Use Ghostwriters On A New Verse (Audio)

Andre 3000 Calls Out MCs Who Use Ghostwriters On A New Verse (Audio)

Perhaps more than any MC in Hip-Hop history, Outkast's André 3000 knows how to make his feature guest verses count. Whether alongside UGK, T.I., DJ Drama, Goodie Mob, or DJ Unk, 3 Stacks has used just 16 or so bars to satisfy fans who have waited a decade-plus for anything... Read more
August 22, 2016 Audio, Fresh
There’s Nothing Nice About How These MCs Wreck Mics (Audio)

There’s Nothing Nice About How These MCs Wreck Mics (Audio)

Brooklyn, New York based MC JSWISS has been been both consistent and active. Fresh off of releasing his No Music EP in June, he teams with North Carolina artist Topiq (who also produced the track) for "Nice Guys." Sticking up for themselves, these two rappers refuse to believe that kindness,... Read more
August 21, 2016 Audio
Latino Rap Pioneer Kid Frost Details His Courageous Fight Against Cancer (Audio)

Latino Rap Pioneer Kid Frost Details His Courageous Fight Against Cancer (Audio)

Kid Frost (a/k/a Frost) is renowned as one of the pioneering Mexican-American MCs. His 1990 hit "La Raza" would become a staple in the West Coast Hip-Hop boom, representing the Latino community. Five of Frost's album releases appeared on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Around the time of Eazy-E's... Read more
August 21, 2016 Audio, News
This 1977 NYC Party Mix Shows How The Earliest Hip-Hop Parties Sounded (Audio)

This 1977 NYC Party Mix Shows How The Earliest Hip-Hop Parties Sounded (Audio)

Thanks to the series "The Get Down," many are newly fascinated with 1970s New York City and the genesis of Hip-Hop. DJ'ing, rapping, graffiti, and breakin' came together harmoniously in an overall form of expression that reflected the complexities of city-dwelling at a specific time in fashion, music, visual art,... Read more
August 20, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback
Logic Fights The Worst Cravings In The Sequel To “Nikki” (Audio)

Logic Fights The Worst Cravings In The Sequel To “Nikki” (Audio)

One of the charms on Logic's 2014 debut album Under Pressure was "Nikki." While MCs have written metaphoric love songs to women that double-played as Hip-Hop, guns, or money, the Maryland lyricist went to another place. On his Def Jam debut, "Nikki" was short for nicotine—and chronicled Logic's 10-plus-year battle... Read more
August 20, 2016 Audio
Isaiah Rashad Lets His Ego Talk As He Allows His Soul To Sing (Audio)

Isaiah Rashad Lets His Ego Talk As He Allows His Soul To Sing (Audio)

In what felt like an overnight progression, Isaiah Rashad transformed from a talented (but largely unknown) artist in Chattanooga, Tennessee into a Top 40 MC on the charts. The difference was Top Dawg Entertainment, and linking up with the team responsible for introducing a handful of talented artists in multiple... Read more
August 19, 2016 Audio
Grandmaster Flash Educates & Demonstrates Pioneer DJ Techniques (Video)

Grandmaster Flash Educates & Demonstrates Pioneer DJ Techniques (Video)

If not for the work of pioneers like Grandmaster Flash, Hip-Hop would not be on radio today. Long before strong signals were freely broadcasting cutting, scratching, and Rap music into the universe, DJs were transmitting live in the parks, house parties, and New York City clubs in the mid-1970s. That... Read more
August 19, 2016 Video
Redman Highlights Cypress Hill’s Green Thumb In Cultivating His Career (Video)

Redman Highlights Cypress Hill’s Green Thumb In Cultivating His Career (Video)

In the early 1990s, Cypress Hill and Redman would two Hip-Hop artists who launched careers that have lasted well into today. While Cypress Hill hailed from Southern California and Red' from Northern New Jersey, these acts helped expand the Rap genre's mind with songs about mind elevation. 1991's Cypress Hill... Read more
August 19, 2016 Video
Sean Price & Chris Rivers Spit Venom On A Track With Bruse Wane (Video)

Sean Price & Chris Rivers Spit Venom On A Track With Bruse Wane (Video)

Sometimes the best way to make a name for oneself is to make songs with established, respected MCs in a lane you aspire to merge into. Sean Price made his debut on Smif-n-Wessun's 1995 debut, Dah Shinin', and began a shuffle into the game through key spots alongside fellow Boot... Read more
August 17, 2016 Video
Yasiin Bey Shows He’s At His Best Making Powerful Thought-Provoking Music (Video)

Yasiin Bey Shows He’s At His Best Making Powerful Thought-Provoking Music (Video)

Last month, A Tribe Called Red released its high profile single with Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) and Narcy. "R.E.D." serves as an uplifting anthem for the indigenous people of the world. With percussion from Black Bear, this song fuses genres and two MCs of different backgrounds with a common... Read more
August 17, 2016 Video
Prodigy & Big Twins Keep The Imagery Infamous In The Rotten Apple (Video)

Prodigy & Big Twins Keep The Imagery Infamous In The Rotten Apple (Video)

Twenty years ago, when Hip-Hop Heads pressed play on Mobb Deep's gold-certified Hell On Earth, they heard Big Twins on opener "Animal Instinct." Known then as "Twin Gambino," the raspy voiced MC would join Big Noyd as one of the M-O-B-B's most recognized offshoots. A fellow Queens, New York product,... Read more
August 17, 2016 Video
De La Soul’s New Song About The Old New York Is No Fairy Tale (Audio)

De La Soul’s New Song About The Old New York Is No Fairy Tale (Audio)

De La Soul records can be highly personal. Songs like "Trying People" and "I Am I Be" are remarkable reflections of one's place in the world, identity, and self-preservation. Other times, Posdnuos and Dave wax gripping tales that are about others. "Keepin' The Faith" is a virginity story, supported by... Read more
August 17, 2016 Audio
Rah Digga Burglarizes A Beat With Break-In Bars (Audio)

Rah Digga Burglarizes A Beat With Break-In Bars (Audio)

Last month, Rah Digga was among those celebrated at "Hip-Hop Honors." The Jersey City, New Jersey veteran MC took the stage during a mega-medley and celebrated a career that has lasted nearly 20 years. Now independent, "Dirty Harriet" proves she's still got imperial flows, and lives to shine on a... Read more
August 16, 2016 Audio
Joell Ortiz, Salaam Remi, Nitty Scott & Bodega BAMZ Celebrate Nuyorican Pride On A Joint LP (Audio)

Joell Ortiz, Salaam Remi, Nitty Scott & Bodega BAMZ Celebrate Nuyorican Pride On A Joint LP (Audio)

Joell Ortiz knows a thing or two about forming high-profile groups. In the late 2000s, Slaughterhouse was born out of mid-2000s friction between Joe Budden and Royce 5'9." They would go on to make amends, and invite two other under-valued MCs (Joell and Crooked I) to the fold. Since then, that... Read more
August 15, 2016 Audio
Anderson .Paak & Free Nationals Transport NPR’s Offices To “Malibu” (Video)

Anderson .Paak & Free Nationals Transport NPR’s Offices To “Malibu” (Video)

Having one of the most exciting albums of the year is one thing. To see Anderson .Paak perform live is another world in of itself, which takes the album Malibu and casts a new shade entirely on the rich Empire-released LP. On the road, the Southern California native plays the... Read more
August 15, 2016 Video
CyHi The Prynce & Locksmith Combine Their Superpower Skills In One Cypher (Video)

CyHi The Prynce & Locksmith Combine Their Superpower Skills In One Cypher (Video)

In the freestyle Hip-Hop community, CyHi The Prynce and Locksmith are two of the most exciting MCs out. From across the country (Georgia and North California, respectively), both of these fervent lyricists are able to jam substance into their fiery flows. These artists touch upon social issues in a way... Read more
August 15, 2016 Video
Akinyele Suggests An Unkept Promise Planted The Seeds For The Nas & JAY-Z Beef

Akinyele Suggests An Unkept Promise Planted The Seeds For The Nas & JAY-Z Beef

Queens, New York veteran MC Akinyele has not released an album of new material in more than 15 years. However, the raspy-voice rapper remains very much tied to the Hip-Hop culture he came up through. DJ Khaled and Drake's current hit "For Free" is an homage to a 1997 single... Read more
August 14, 2016 Audio
DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

In 1999, Jay Z and DMX embarked (and majorly cashed in) on the Hard Knock Life Tour. Although Jay Z's album gave the tour its name, the lineup was a joint headliner of the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and DMX. Both artists had become the flagship acts at Def Jam Records... Read more
August 13, 2016 Food for Thought, Video
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