Bandini

The First Big Rap Reunion Of 2016…The Cool Kids Are Back Together.

Five years ago yesterday (July 12, 2011), The Cool Kids released When Fish Ride Bicycles. After a separation spanning nearly the half-decade since, the Chicago, Illinois duo announced it has reunited. Today (July 13), producer/MC Chuck Inglish and rhyme partner Sir Michael Rocks confirmed their reunion on social media. Since... Read more

July 13, 2016 News

Apathy Does Not Care If People Pay Attention. He’s A D.I.Y. Success (Video)

Last month, hardcore Hip-Hop veteran Apathy released his latest album, Handshakes With Snakes. A member of Army Of The Pharaohs (Vinnie Paz, Esoteric, Celph Titled, etc.) and founder of the Demigodz (Celph Titled, Ryu, etc.), the onetime Atlantic Records act has built a lengthy career on his own terms. Committed... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Jarren Benton Has The Courage To Rap About Fears We All Face (Audio)

Jarren Benton has built a career around outlandish raps, circus-like stage-shows, and cringe-worthy comical similes. It is easy to understand why the Decatur, Georgia MC has worked with guys like D12's Bizarre and R.A. The Rugged Man. He is in that lineage. However, the onetime Funk Volume sensation now makes... Read more

July 12, 2016 Audio

Jamila Woods on Messages From “Heavn” & The Creative Spirit of Chicago’s Artists

Some of the greatest artists in modern music started with careful build-ups. From Nas to Kendrick Lamar, these artists were tapped to play feature roles on others' songs. In time, they broke through with art that showed their individual gifts, visionary qualities, and ability to balance them at a full-length... Read more

July 12, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Queen Latifah Honors Hip-Hop’s Women Pioneers In An All-Star Showing Of U.N.I.T.Y. (Video)

Last night (July 11), Hip-Hop Honors returned to television, with a special dedication to the ladies. Queen Latifah was one of the honorees of the evening. The MC-turned-actor-turned-singer returned to her late 1980s and early 1990s catalog of hits from the burgeoning days of the Flavor Unit. One of the... Read more

July 12, 2016 TV, TV/Film, Video

Snoop & The Game Meet With The LAPD To Build Trust Between Police & The Community

On Friday (July 8), mere hours after five police officers were murdered in Dallas, Texas, and the same week two Black men were killed by police officers in separate incidents, Snoop Dogg and The Game led a march of more than 50 people to the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters.... Read more

July 11, 2016 Food for Thought, News

De La Soul Spring Into Action With A Jam Designed To Make You Move (Audio)

Just over twenty five years ago, De La Soul's sophomore album included lead single "A Roller Skating Jam Called Saturdays." Produced by Prince Paul, the Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records single found the Long Island, New York trio (and guest Q-Tip, of A Tribe Called Quest) making an upbeat ode to... Read more

July 11, 2016 Audio

Underground Hip-Hop Is Very Much Alive In 2016. One DJ Mixes It All Together.

Often times, the glory days of Underground Hip-Hop appears coincidental with the booming resurgence of vinyl records in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Out of a movement spearheaded by radio personalities such as Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito, and Sway and King Tech, a crop of hungry artists emerged that... Read more

July 10, 2016 Mixes

Police Violence Causes The D.O.C., Bishop Lamont & B-Real To Speak Up. Forcefully (Audio)

The murders of unarmed Black and Brown civilians (many of whom are minors) by law enforcement persists in the United States of America. This week is as disturbing of a reminder as any, following the murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Now, matters have escalated with lethal retaliations, as... Read more

July 8, 2016 Audio

Black Hippy Black Out On The Remix To ScHoolboy Q’s “THat Part” (Audio)

In the early part of the 2010s, the TDE all-pro collective known as Black Hippy lined up in formation more than a few times. Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q came together to show that Top Dawg had incredible talent individually, and collectively. Like Wu-Tang Clan or D.I.T.C.,... Read more

July 8, 2016 Audio

Scarface Has Seen Too Many Young Men Die. He Speaks Up (Audio)

Scarface takes his lyrics places others won't seem to go. The Geto Boy appears on Swizz Beatz' upcoming Choices & Changes album. After years of working with Ruff Ryders, Facemob connects with the superstar producer for "Sad News." The song traces Brad Jordan reading over another Black male dying at... Read more

July 7, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T., Akon & B.o.B. Have A Message For The System (Audio)

In a week that has witnessed the devastating murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Hip-Hop is speaking out quickly. As Black men and women are dying at the hands of law enforcement without conviction, DJ Greg Street brings B.o.B., Big K.R.I.T., and Akon together for "I Am Somebody." Built... Read more

July 7, 2016 Audio

Jay Z’s 2000 Westwood Freestyle Portrays An MC In Stride For The Throne (Audio)

Right around the year 2000, Jay Z found himself in London, promoting his first #1 album, Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life. As the album was approaching 3 million units sold (it sits at more than 5 mill scanned in 2016), Shawn Carter hit Tim Westwood's radio show. In a new position,... Read more

July 7, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

KRS-One Explains Making Hits From The Underground, Without Music Videos

KRS-One is widely revered as one of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs of all time. The front-man for Boogie Down Productions has released more than 20 albums—including solo work, group LPs, and collaborative efforts. However in a career that spans over 30 years, he has never had a Top 40 hit, a... Read more

July 6, 2016 Video

Tupac Left Prison A Superstar On A Vendetta. Gucci Mane Uses Him For Inspiration (Audio)

In the last year of his life, Tupac Shakur left Clinton Correctional Facility to claim the pole position in Rap music. While Me Against The World would go to #1 when 'Pac was incarcerated, his 1996 follow-up All Eyez On Me, is the (diamond-certified) double album he is largely remembered... Read more

July 6, 2016 Audio

Jay Z Locks In With Subliminal Shots. Only He’s Got The Keys. (Video)

Jay Z is one artist who has been generous in giving hugely high profile songs to others' albums. From records like the "Dear Summer" break of silence (and perceived subliminal shot at Game) on Memphis Bleek's 534, to a "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)" verse for Kanye West addressing the... Read more

July 5, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Rocks The Spot & The Clock… With 12 Freestyles In 12 Hours (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. is a product of the online era of Hip-Hop. The Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer has become a stalwart of the culture, and has built a career without reliance on mediums like radio and television. Instead, Krizzle gave away his music for free over the worldwide web, and never lost... Read more

July 5, 2016 Audio

Kendrick Lamar’s Music & His Message Climb Over The White House Fence (Video)

In March of 2015, Kendrick Lamar released his fourth album, To Pimp A Butterfly. Within a year of it dropping, the TDE/Aftermath Entertainment release would take the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Album," along with platinum certification. In the LP's artwork, it featured Kendrick Lamar and many of his Compton,... Read more

July 5, 2016 Video

Nipsey Hussle & Snoop Dogg Show The Complexity Behind The “Colors” (Video)

Last month, Nipsey Hussle and Snoop Dogg made perhaps the most meaningful in their litany of collaborations. "Question #1" finds the two Greater Los Angeles, California street artists coming together to talk about the high cost of gang life. Both of these artists have been public figures, with known affiliations.... Read more

July 5, 2016 Video

Cash Money Records Continues Trying To Re-Sign Hot Boys, One By One

Whether Scarface and Rap-A-Lot, or Kurupt and Death Row, Rap labels have a history of on-again, off-again statuses with artists. New Orleans, Louisiana's Cash Money Records has a detailed reputation for having artists leave the label apparently upset, only to return later. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the... Read more

July 4, 2016 News

DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK Set Summertime 2016 Ablaze With Exclusives In The Mix

For the seventh consecutive year, DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK (f/k/a Mick Boogie) punctuate the season with a Summertime mix. The 2016 version, also known as Summertime 7, is big on exclusives, ranging from Jeff's co-produced opener with De La Soul ("Time For Summer") to rare Pete Rock remixes of Jay Z... Read more

July 3, 2016 Mixes

Curren$y Reveals That He & Raekwon Have New Material Recorded

Over the last decade, Curren$y has ascended from a flagship artist at Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment to a successful independent MC. In the years since, the onetime 504 Boyz member has released collaborative projects with Wiz Khalifa, producer Ski Beatz, and his own Jet Life squad. In a year... Read more

July 1, 2016 News

GZA Proves That A Genius Only Speaks If There Is Something Worth Saying (Audio)

Within the Wu-Tang Clan, there are prolific MCs and patient MCs. While Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and RZA regularly release material, other entities within the legendary Shaolin collective are more choosy. None appears more so than GZA. It has been eight years since the first Clansmen who released a solo album... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio

Kay Slay Recruits Redman, Raekwon & Royce 5’9″ To Attack The Wack (Mixtape)

They do not call DJ Kay Slay "the drama king" for nothing. Since the late 1970s, the Harlem, New York graffiti writer-turned-DJ-turned-record executive seemingly lives for the spirit of competition. Now a Shade 45 radio mainstay, Kay Slay is one of the few talents who was making mixtapes 15 years... Read more

July 1, 2016 Mixes

Havoc Reveals That Prince Played Keys On A Mobb Deep Track (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, Queens, New York duo Mobb Deep has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Nas, and 50 Cent. However, it is now learned that Prodigy and Havoc collaborated with late Pop icon Prince. Speaking with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's "Drink Champs" Podcast (Episode #17), Havoc... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio, Video

Joe Budden Explains Why He Dissed Drake & Warns He’s Well Prepared For ANY Response (Audio)

At the top of June, Drake shocked the Hip-Hop space when he apparently dissed Joe Budden and Puff Daddy on a la carte release "4PM In Calabasas." For Joe's part, the lines were presumed to be a response to Budden's criticism of Views on his "I'll Name This Podcast Later" (Episode... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio

Logic Releases The 11 Track Bobby Tarantino Without Warning (Album Stream)

Music's elite artists, including Beyonce, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar have all released albums at will over the last two years. After back-to-back Top 5 albums in 2014 and 2014, Maryland's Logic wants in on the party. The Visionary Music Group/Def Jam Records MC releases Bobby Tarantino last night (July 1).... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio

Jay Z & Dr. Dre Could Be Collaborating In The Biggest Way Yet

Over the last 17 years, Dr. Dre and Jay Z have come together multiple times. From Jay's stellar verse writing on "Still D.R.E." to Dre showering Hov' with an Aftermath beat of a new variety in "Trouble," some of the collaborations have been memorable. However, in the technology space, the... Read more

June 30, 2016 Lifestyle, News

Snow Tha Product Puts Her Haters On Ice With A Lethal Freestyle (Video)

Snow Tha Product is fast becoming the biggest Hip-Hop act out of San Diego, California in more than a decade. This month, the Atlantic Records sensation released Half Way There...Pt. 1, an EP boasting production by Dr. Dre affiliate Focus... While the getting may seem good, Snow is unafraid to... Read more

June 30, 2016 Video

15 Years Ago MF DOOM & Aesop Rock Shined Light Upon The “Black List” (Audio)

Earlier this year, Aesop Rock released The Impossible Kid. Down with the Rhymesayers crew, the LP marked the New Yorker's fourth consecutive solo work to appear on the Top 200. In this particular case, the album was the Hail Mary Mallon front-man's second straight Top 30 entry. This is a... Read more

June 30, 2016 Do Remember

Flavor Flav’s 1984 Mix Shows What Time It Is (Audio)

Public Enemy's Flavor Flav is one of Hip-Hop's all-time most recognizable personalities. While he only released one solo album, the man born William Drayton, III has brought mad flavor to classic P.E. records since the Long Island, New York group's inception. He is a hype-man extraordinaire, and an MC, but... Read more

June 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback

Xzibit & Bishop Lamont Get In Battle Rap Mode For Their Brolic Video

A decade ago, Bishop Lamont was Dr. Dre's key protege at Aftermath Entertainment. The Carson, California native would never release much to the public during his time at the high profile label, but has been on a tear in the many years since. From Caltroit to stellar appearances alongside DJ... Read more

June 29, 2016 Video

The Firm’s Nature Bags Up Rarities Featuring Nas, Pete Rock & AZ (Album Stream)

It has been nearly 20 years since The Firm released its one and only album. The collective of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Nature would sign with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment for a chart-topping LP (called The Album) that is seemingly misplaced by time. Dre would place six of the album's... Read more

June 29, 2016 Audio, Throwback

DMX Bites Right Through The Flesh In New Single “Blood Red” (Audio)

During this morning's (June 28) Breakfast Club interview, DMX left Charlamagne Tha God and company with a premiere listen on single "Blood Red." Right on time, the Divine Beats-produced song hits the web just a few hours later. With its vicious title, the song is X's latest jagged bite into... Read more

June 28, 2016 Audio

Nia Long Reveals How Phife & “Oochie Wally” Affected Her Career & Taste In Lingerie (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop lyrics, many MCs have professed their attraction to celebrities. Whether Royce 5'9" breaking his focus to woo Rihanna during a 2011 BET Cypher or Nas recounting Halle Berry's air-kiss at a Barbara Streisand concert, these moments have colored the folklore of Rap music. Whether the... Read more

June 28, 2016 Video

Kanye West Not Only Produced This Consequence Hit, He Once Rapped On It (Audio)

In 2016, Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music is vastly different than it was in the last decade. Around the time 'Ye was gearing up for Graduation, completing his initial collegiate album trilogy, Getting Out Our Dreams boasted the likes of Common, John Legend, and GLC. Queens, New York MC Consequence was... Read more

June 27, 2016 Throwback

Alicia Keys Is A One Woman Musical Army In An Elegant Performance (Video)

Alicia Keys' arsenal of talent can be easily taken for granted in a career decorated with consistent quality throughout all of the sonic versatility. In addition to her astounding vocal range, the songstress is an elite musician, known especially for her work at the keyboards. At last night's (June 26)... Read more

June 27, 2016 Video

Vic Mensa Asks Why There Is So Much Hate Against Free Love (Audio)

Less than one month after releasing the highly-acclaimed There's Alot Going On EP, Vic Mensa shows no signs of slowing his roll or losing his focus. The Chicago, Illinois delegate of the Roc Nation roster returns with "Free Love." This song taps into some of the showmanship that Vic demonstrated... Read more

June 27, 2016 Audio

Just Blaze Drops A Beat For Snoop Dogg (Audio)

Just Blaze is traditionally recognized for his production work for East Coast Hip-Hop stalwarts such as Jay Z, Cam'ron, Freeway, and Fabolous. However, the New Jersey native has been a great musical confidant for West Coast star MCs such as The Game, Kendrick Lamar, and Kxng Crooked (care of Slaughterhouse).... Read more

June 26, 2016 Audio

Redman Twists Up A Different Blend With A New Remix (Video)

After more than 25 years of consistently rhyming on wax, Redman is recently taking lofty experiments with his music. Newark, New Jersey's Hip-Hop King has recently been attached to a new group, 1000Volts, with veteran DJ/producer Jayceeoh. Now, Reggie Noble takes one of his songs from 2015's Mudface and puts... Read more

June 22, 2016 Video

Wu-Tang Clan’s Next Album Is In Ghostface Killah’s Hands

For almost 23 years, Ghostface Killah has been an integral part of Wu-Tang Clan albums. If the Shaolin collective releases another LP, it is reportedly in the hands of G.F.K. to make it happen, and make it great. In an interview with HipHopDX, the Staten Island, New York veteran MC... Read more

June 22, 2016 News

Baby, Baby, Baby…TLC Has Completed Its First Album Since 2002

TLC released their last album, 3D, following a difficult 2002. On April 25 of that year, founding member Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes was fatally injured in an automobile accident in Honduras. In November, the surviving members Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins released TLC's fourth album, to platinum success. It has... Read more

June 22, 2016 News

Chuck D Had Real Revolutions In Mind When He Wrote “Fight The Power”

Public Enemy's Chuck D has penned some of Hip-Hop's most inspirational verses. While P.E. only had one official Top 40 single (1994's "Give It Up"), songs like "Rebel Without A Pause," "911 Is A Joke," and "Don't Believe The Hype" are etched in the memory banks of millions for their... Read more

June 22, 2016 Fresh

This 20th Anniversary Jay Z Mix Leaves No Doubt His Debut Was A Classic (Audio)

This Saturday (June 25) marks the 20th anniversary of Jay Z's debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The 1996 Roc-A-Fella/Priority Records LP would launch a career trajectory that has arguably been one of Hip-Hop's biggest, transcending from the Marcy Houses to the top of Hip-Hop, as well as streaming platforms, fashion, liquor,... Read more

June 21, 2016 Mixes, Throwback

Chance The Rapper’s Magnificent Coloring World Tour Dates Announced

Five weeks since releasing his third mixtape, Coloring Book, Chicago, Illinois MC/singer Chance The Rapper has announced the Top 10-charting project's corresponding tour. Beginning September, the independent star will launch his Magnificent Coloring World Tour. He has revealed the US dates. Additionally, Chance The Rapper is among the headliners at... Read more

June 21, 2016 Fresh

Nipsey Hussle Claims Rappers & Their Raps Aren’t Hard Enough (Audio)

Nipsey Hussle is ramping up in a major way. The Los Angeles, California veteran MC is fresh off of his latest (and arguably his greatest) Snoop Dogg collaboration in "Question #1." Now, Nip' takes burgeoning Sacramento artist Mozzy under his wing once more for "Ain't Hard Enough." With a pulsating... Read more

June 21, 2016 Audio

DJ Shadow Takes Turntablism From “Sideshow” To Hip-Hop’s Main Stage (Audio)

For more than 20 years, DJ Shadow has been a dependable source of turntable wizardry. More than simply a deft scratch DJ, the Northern California native is a top producer too—able to extract magic out of MCs and groups such as Blackalicious, Paris, David Banner, Phonte, and even Depeche Mode.... Read more

June 20, 2016 Audio

This Notorious B.I.G. & Lord Finesse Cypher Will BLOW YOUR MIND (Video)

The Notorious B.I.G. (a/k/a Biggie Smalls) is revered as one of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs. The Brooklyn, New Yorker beautifully inserted wit, wordplay, and lots of self-confidence into his most memorable rhymes. Somebody who started out just a couple years before Biggie was Bronx, New Yorker Lord Finesse. The MC/DJ/producer who... Read more

June 20, 2016 Throwback

Rare Photographs Of Rakim Show Why He’s Hip-Hop Royalty

Last summer, in conjunction with the theatrical release of Straight Outta Compton, Ambrosia For Heads spoke to Stephan Armleder (a/k/a The Genevan Heathen). A B-Boy to the core (who also DJs and produces), The Genevan Heathen has been documenting N.W.A. and its members through scanning photographs, advertisements, trading cards, and... Read more

June 18, 2016 Throwback

Del The Funky Homosapien Reveals Ice Cube Wrote One Of His Hits

Last month, veteran Compton, California MC King T revealed some of the once downplayed writing that Del The Funky Homosapien did for cousin Ice Cube's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted album. Del, then a relative unknown, would pen "Gangsta's Fairytale" from the Priority Records solo debut. On the back of that album,... Read more

June 17, 2016 Throwback