Bandini

Dr. Dre Confronts Abusive Past. Explains Why Compton Ended The Detox.

The same day Straight Outta Compton hits theaters (August 14), Rolling Stone magazine will release their interview with N.W.A. co-founders Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. For now, the heralded music pub only released tidbits from their rare audience with D-R-E, alongside his "Natural Born Killaz" rhyme-partner Cube. For Dre, this... Read more

August 12, 2015 News

Quentin Tarantino & Sam Jackson Are Re-Teaming For The Hateful Eight (Video)

Today (August 12), filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has released the trailer for his eighth studio film, The Hateful Eight. Set in the 1800s, the Western stars leading men Samuel L. Jackson (who has worked with the writer/director for more than 20 years), along with Kurt Russell (Escape From New York, Tombstone).... Read more

August 12, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Chance The Rapper & Noname Gypsy Exercise Their Poetic Licenses With Wild Wordplay (Audio)

Chance The Rapper and Noname Gypsy made "Lost" on 2013's Acid Rap. The two versatile Chicago, Illinois voices are back for another intersection. "Israel (Sparring)" elevates the craft of collaboration with this amazing display of stylized wordplay. C.T.R. conjures images of Africa, The Bible, along with his own surroundings. In... Read more

August 12, 2015 Audio

Ma$e Rallies For Hardcore NYC Hip-Hop On Tupac & Dr. Dre’s Track (Audio)

With reports lingering that the 1990s Puff Daddy & The Family/Bad Boy Records team may be reuniting for a tour following the BET Awards performance, Ma$e cracks the mic once more. The former multi-platinum, #1 album-maker aims to return to his roots with "When NY Was NY." A freestyle over... Read more

August 11, 2015 Audio

Remember The 50th Anniversary Of The Watts Riots By Revisiting Wattstax (Video)

Fifty years ago today (August 11, 1965) the Watts Riots began. In South Central Los Angeles, California, the Watts Rebellion (as it also known) would last one week. The historic event followed a Black motorist, Marquette Frye's traffic arrest by a white Los Angeles Police Department officer Lee Minikus. Frye was... Read more

August 11, 2015 Throwback, TV/Film, Video

A Previously Unreleased Fat Joe Track Surfaces, With T.I. On The Hook (Audio)

Fat Joe is a master of reinvention. Whether it's his "Da Fat Gangsta" era of the early 1990s, or his crossover hits like "New York" (alongside Ja Rule and Jadakiss) or "Lean Back" (with Terror Squad), Joe Crack can find his many styles, seemingly on-call. The Bronx, New York veteran... Read more

August 11, 2015 Audio

New Edition’s Story Is The Subject Of New TV Miniseries

The same week that N.W.A.'s biopic, Straight Outta Compton hits theaters (August 14), another game-changing 1980s act is confirmed to be the inspiration of another dramatic retelling. New Edition, the Boston, Massachusetts-based group of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and later Johnny Gill will be... Read more

August 10, 2015 News

Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late Is First 2015 Hip-Hop Project To Reach Platinum

Just weeks following his social media ambush from collaborator-turned-foe Meek Mill, Drake adds another accolade to his resume. Drake's February, 2015 release, If You're Reading This It's Too Late has been certified platinum, according to respected source, Chart News. Drake also confirmed the news: Platinum off the tape. Views up... Read more

August 10, 2015 News

Fabolous’ New Visual Recreates “Juice” and Guess Who’s Bishop? (Video)

After a series of weekly freestyles, and a comprehensive throwback mixtape alongside DJ Clue, Fabolous is back to work. The Def Jam/Desert Storm MC returns to promoting his The Young O.G. Project. For "Gone For The Winter," Fab' continues a popular trend of honoring 1990s films through contemporary music culture.... Read more

August 10, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Mike Dean Works With Rap’s Masters. So Who Does He Consider The Best? (Video)

Mike Dean is one of Rap's most prolific producers of the last 25 years. Dean has been responsible for much of Rap-A-Lot Records 1990s and early 2000s successes, before joining Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music production team, and relocating to New York City. From Scarface and Devin The Dude, to Seagram... Read more

August 10, 2015 Video

A$AP Rocky’s Jukebox Joints Visual Shows The Timeless Response To Good Music (Video)

From A$AP Rocky's At. Long. Last. A$AP, "Jukebox Joints" is a standout. The Kanye West and Che Pope (a longtime Dr. Dre ensemble producer)-created track infuses Soul sampling with Rocky's brand of psychedelia. Moreover, A$AP masters the ceremony with command in the single's lyrics. For the video, Kanye (who also... Read more

August 10, 2015 Video

Homeboy Sandman’s Arrows Penetrate The Eardrums While Stating His Top 5 MCs (Audio)

After leaving Heads with a joint project with Blu in the closing week of 2014—Homeboy Sandman has been quiet, relatively speaking. The Queens, New York MC is plugging away as Stones Throw Records' flagship Rap acts, alongside the returning artist, Guilty Simpson. "Arrows" hits the center of the board. H.B.S.... Read more

August 9, 2015 Audio

Illa J & His Booming Sound Are Versed In The Art Of Sidewalk Seduction (Video)

Illa J raps, he produces, and now he's trying to veer into new territory. "Universe" is J Dilla's younger brother's latest single. The Detroit, Michigan native applies that booming bounce into a seductive Dance/R&B track. For the video, one half of the Yancey Boys beckons a female with his beat... Read more

August 9, 2015 Video

STS & RJD2 Find The Record-Hustler’s Mentality In The Digital Age (Video)

Perhaps the upcoming Straight Outta Compton N.W.A. biopic will show the Gangsta Rap group selling 12" singles and tapes out of Eazy-E's car. This is a documented part of history in the careers of not only N.W.A., but also T La Rock and DJ Jazzy Jay, E-40 and The Click,... Read more

August 9, 2015 Video

Yasiin Bey Clarifies His Rap Challenge & Questions Hip-Hop’s Battling Tradition (Audio)

Yesterday (August 7), the Internet was rattled with a video of Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) challenging "anybody and everybody" against a team of himself, The Roots' Black Thought, and King Los. One day later (August 8), an upset Bey released a nearly 10-minute audio clarification. In the message, Yasiin... Read more

August 8, 2015 Audio

Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise Is 20 Years Old Today. Take A Walk Back Through The Valley

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Coolio seemed to be living in the shadows. A product of Southern California, the MC born Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. made some of his first noise alongside WC, DJ Crazy Toones and the collective known as WC & The Maad Circle. As the... Read more

August 8, 2015 Food for Thought, Throwback

It’s All The Way Live: Public Enemy To Release Their Second Concert Album

Boogie Down Productions, Tupac, and Lyrics Born are just some of the Hip-Hop artists to release live albums. For the second time in 10 years, Public Enemy is doing the same. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, DJ Lord and company will release Live From Metropolis Studios on September 4,... Read more

August 8, 2015 News

Blackalicious Make A Grand Return To Lung Collapsing Lyrics (Audio)

For more than 20 years, Blackalicious have been a beacon of dope in the Hip-Hop landscape. From the capitol city of Sacramento, California, Gift Of Gab and Chief Xcel made distinct releases that exemplified the creative freedoms of the Underground Hip-Hop spirit, also while earning a place in the mainstream... Read more

August 8, 2015 Audio

Markis Precise’s Debut Features Elzhi, Fashawn, Brother Ali & Ras Kass (Album Stream)

Fresno, California producer/musician Markis Precise just released his debut album, The Feeling Of Flying. The Ineffable Music Group LP is no compilation, but a carefully-crafted album featuring a cross-section of lyricists including fellow Fresno native Fashawn, as well as Elzhi, Brother Ali, Ras Kass, Murs, Strong Arm Steady, and Oddisee,... Read more

August 7, 2015 Audio

Yasiin Bey Says He, Black Thought & King Los Can Take ANYBODY in a Battle (Video)

Although Mos Def came up through freestyles and ciphers (as chronicled in Kevin Fitzgerald's 2000 film, Freestyle), the Brooklyn, New Yorker is not typically thought of as a battle MC. Often outspoken about his peers, the artist now known as Yasiin Bey released a video today (August 7) by YouTube user... Read more

August 7, 2015 Video

Golden Rules Have The Golden Ticket To A Proper Group Introduction (Album Stream)

In the new artist category of 2015, Golden Rules shine brightly. The tandem of MC Eric Biddines and producer Paul White draw from the Dungeon Family movement of the 1990s, and broad-minded production sensibilities that challenge genre. The group's Lex Records, Golden Ticket releases today (August 7). The Consequence Of... Read more

August 7, 2015 Audio

Jay Rock Examines Watts’ Treachery In A Style He’s Never Before Used (Audio)

Since his mid-2000s introduction, Jay Rock's raps have strongly characterized his streets of Watts, California. A product of South Central, Los Angeles, the Top Dawg Entertainment MC chooses a new methodology in describing his 'hood in "90059." Named after his native zip code, the Lance Skiiiwalker-assisted record finds a possessed protagonist,... Read more

August 7, 2015 Audio

Mac Miller Compares 100 Grandkids To A Hundred Grand (Video)

Mac Miller has been more careful to release product than at any time in the last five years. However, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania MC/producer is definitely hard at work. "100 Grandkids," his formal re-entry confirms as much. The showman uses a school-production musical theme to show his versatility in another stream-of-consciousness... Read more

August 7, 2015 Video

Dr. Dre Put Compton On The Map. Now He’s Immortalizing Its Legacy (Album Stream)

Announced just days ago, Dr. Dre's third studio album, Compton, has released as planned. The N.W.A. co-founder named his first LP in nearly 16 years after the Hub City that he hails from. Now, the Beats By Dre namesake drops off the deeply-anticipated work to Apple Music for an exclusive... Read more

August 6, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Warren G Captures The Many Cultures Of The LBC In His Nate Dogg-Assisted Single (Video)

Long Beach, California is a versatile city. It introduced Snoop Dogg (and 213), Sublime, and T.S.O.L., among others. Warren G (also of 213) helped make it famous in the early 1990s, through hits like "Regulate." Twenty-one years later, "The G Child" is back in his element, making Regulate...G Funk Era,... Read more

August 6, 2015 Video

Dr. Dre, Nas, KRS-One, B-Real, Scarface & RBX Came Together In The Aftermath Of Coastal Conflict (Video)

Tomorrow (August 7), Dr. Dre is slated to drop his first album in 16 years. Compton, as it is called, follows 2001 in a career that has emphasized quality over quantity. In conjunction with next week's Straight Outta Compton biopic (August 14), Dre returned to his studios and invited friends... Read more

August 6, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback

Puff Daddy & Pharrell Bring Their Absolute Best In Finna Get Loose (Video)

Puff Daddy is out to reinvent himself in 2015. That explains why the Bad Boy Records founder/CEO recently went back to his old name. He's put his label logo on flags and jackets again. He's even talking about touring with "The Family," including Lil' Kim, Ma$e, and The LOX. However,... Read more

August 6, 2015 Video

Bad Boys For Life. Will Smith & Martin Lawrence’s Franchise Gets New Editions

In the 20th anniversary year of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's Bad Boys film, fans have more than nostalgia to look forward to. Sony Pictures has confirmed box office dates for 20 films, as reported by Variety. Within the extensive lineup, a February 2017 box office date has been set... Read more

August 6, 2015 TV/Film

Method Man, Raekwon & Inspectah Deck Pay Homage To The Purple Tape Era (Audio)

Two weeks removed from The Meth Lab (August 21), Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man, Raekwon, and Inspectah Deck team up. Optimally timed, "Purple Tape" arrives following the 20-year anniversary of Rae's benchmark solo debut, which Meth' and Rebel I.N.S. both worked on as well. The 2015 track uses '95 as inspiration.... Read more

August 6, 2015 Audio

RZA Says That Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Made It Possible For Rick Ross To Be Cool

Hip-Hop has a long discography when it comes to albums themed around hustling. Iconic releases such as Jay Z's Reasonable Doubt, E-40's Federal, The Clipse's Lord Willin', and Young Jeezy's Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 are etched in the face of Rap history. However, 20 years past its birthday,... Read more

August 5, 2015 News

M.O.P. & Apollo Brown Collaborate on Detonate and It’s Explosive (Audio)

In recent years, M.O.P. have explored with their sound. The Brownsville, Brooklyn duo of Lil Fame and Billy Danze have made some of their hit records with the likes of DJ Premier, D/R Period, Just Blaze, and manager/producer Laze E. Laze, in addition to board-work with Statik Selektah, Snowgoons, and... Read more

August 5, 2015 Audio

Macklemore & Ed Sheeran Present Lessons To His Daughter & All Of Us (Audio)

After dominating 2012-2014, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are back. The Seattle, Washington MC and producer tandem are masters at finding Pop sensibility through making Hip-Hop songs about issues that seemingly relate to us all. Mack' and his wife recently welcomed their daughter Sloane Ava Simone Haggerty into the world (in May,... Read more

August 5, 2015 Audio

Don’t Wear Purple Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Sneakers On Rainy Dayz…

This past weekend, Raekwon's solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Staten Island, New Yorker and co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan released his Loud/RCA Records debut to Top 5 fanfare and an eventual gold plaque. Famously called "The Purple Tape," the RZA-produced effort was manufactured... Read more

August 5, 2015 Fresh

Get The Backstory To The Presumed First Ever Photo Of N.W.A. (Video)

In the history of N.W.A., the pre-1988 material often lives in the shadows. The "Panic Zone" 12" featured artwork also purposed for 1987's N.W.A. & The Posse compilation album on Macola. Author, DJ, historian, and Soul Sides founder Oliver Wang examined this photograph from '87, leading up to this month's... Read more

August 4, 2015 Throwback, Video

Public Enemy Expect No Sympathy From The Devil In These Trying Times (Video)

Public Enemy's just-released Man Plans, GOD Laughs is a zeitgeist album—politically, socially, and sonically. Chuck D recently told Rolling Stone, "With the situation of unrest in society, and the police brutality issue and what happened in Baltimore, don’t expect no sympathy from the government on the people, especially in the... Read more

August 4, 2015 Video

Foreign Exchange Turn The Work Space Into A Party Place (Video)

Later this month, Foreign Exchange will release their sixth album, Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey (August 21). For the premier video, "Asking For A Friend," Phonte, Nicolay and company awaken the monotony of corporate life. With a House-tinged beat, the infectious hi-hats seduce an office floor to... Read more

August 4, 2015 Audio, Video

What Does Ice Cube Think About Ghostwriting In Hip-Hop? (Video)

Ice Cube is widely regarded as one of Hip-Hop's most influential MCs. Whether with N.W.A., Westside Connection, or a multi-platinum solo career, the Los Angeles, California MC has written songs that have defined years, eras, and Rap music as a whole. Notably, Cube has written for others along the way,... Read more

August 3, 2015 Video

House Shoes Offers A Free-Form Mix Featuring Skillz, Wu-Tang Clan & Ohio Players (Mix)

Detroit, Michigan-to-Los Angeles, California DJ mainstay House Shoes is as versatile as they come. The longtime right-hand man to J Dilla kicks off a new series with Dublab called "Magic." Last month's inaugural edition features House Shoes pullin' out cuts new and old, ranging from Kendrick Lamar and D'Angelo, to... Read more

August 3, 2015 Mixes

Guilty Simpson Fights Back Against Police Treating People Like Animals (Audio)

Guilty Simpson's Stones Throw Records return is shaping up. The Random Axe MC who made a lot of noise upon 2008's Ode To The Ghetto is back in form. "Animal" puts racist cops in the cross-hairs, as the Detroit, Michigan native looks at recent events as an awakening to a... Read more

August 3, 2015 Audio

Here’s a 50-Song Playlist to Get the Weekend Started (Audio)

2015 has been an exciting year in music. Emerging voices have transmitted powerful messages against times of change. Veterans have stepped in to further solidify legendary legacies with Hip-Hop culture. Whether for thought-provoking purposes, or much-needed escape, the music has been loud, proud, and colorful. Ambrosia For Heads is proud... Read more

July 31, 2015 Fresh, Playlists

Gangrene Markets Their New Single With A Clever Reversal (Audio)

Alchemist is a marketing genius. In the midst of plenty of Rap diversions this week, the Gangrene cofounder launches latest single "Reversals" into the digital super-highway with some sarcasm-marketing. No, the Mass Appeal Records single does not feature Drake, Meek Mill, or Jay Electronica, but it absolutely packs potent punches... Read more

July 31, 2015 Audio

A DJ Blends 3 Pete Rock Verses With 7 Petestrumentals (Audio)

Pete Rock is one of Hip-Hop's most lethal triple-threats. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker produces, he DJs, and he raps—doing all of the above at a high level over the last 25-plus-years. In response to his recent Petestrumentals 2 release with Mello Music Group, Brooklyn, New York-based DJ Rashiiid cleverly... Read more

July 31, 2015 Audio

Meek Mill Responds, At Last. Is It Drake’s Nightmare Or Is Meek Dreamin’? (Audio)

Tonight (July 30), Meek Mill was expected to formally reply to Drake by verse. More than one week since the Maybach Music Group MC began a social media attack on his recurring collaborator, he has yet to record a record—that even he has promised the public. In that span, Drake... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio, News

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist Toured Playing Afrika Bambaataa’s Actual Records. Here’s One Show (Video)

Throughout the last year, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist toured the world with Afrika Bambaataa's records. Not just copies of records that the Universal Zulu Nation founder made or carried, but the actual "sacred crates" of Hip-Hop from one of its foremost pioneers. Together, Cut and Shadow called the act... Read more

July 30, 2015 Video

Oddisee’s Drum Programming Beautifully Accentuate Finale’s Encore (Audio)

Heads may not be up on Finale. However, the Detroit, Michigan MC is worth every bit of your time. A former auto-plant worker, Finale's 2009 LP, A Pipe Dream And A Promise boasted beats by J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Black Milk, and Oddisee. Now finding a home at Mello Music... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio

The Coup’s Boots Riley Prepares Book, “Tell Homeland Security–We Are The Bomb”

Oakland, California MC, poet, activist, and revolutionary Boots Riley can add another title to his growing list: author. Following his recent op-ed on the wage gap in the United States, the longtime front-man for The Coup is preparing to release Tell Homeland Security–We Are The Bomb, a Haymarket Books publication.... Read more

July 30, 2015 News

Queen Latifah & Mary J. Blige Ease Into “The Wiz” Remake

1970s remakes are all the rage these days. As Questlove partakes in an upcoming Roots remake starring Laurence Fishburne, NBC has revealed plans to remake The Wiz. Originally an adaptation in its own right (of The Wizard of Oz), the 1978 film was co-produced by Berry Gordy's Motown film division, and starred... Read more

July 29, 2015 News, TV, TV/Film

King Magnetic Hops On DJ Premier Production To Prove Status Is Irrelevant (Audio)

King Magnetic may be a newer name to some, however the Allentown, Pennsylvania native has been active on the charts. The onetime Reef The Lost Cauze protege joined the East Coast Hardcore Rap collective Army Of The Pharaohs for 2010's The Unholy Terror and 2014's In Death Reborn, both of which... Read more

July 29, 2015 Audio

Scarface’s Deeply Rooted Tracklist Includes Nas, Cee-Lo Green & More

Scarface's twelfth studio album, Deeply Rooted will arrive on September 4. For the second time in Brad Jordan's 25-plus-year career, the MC will release a studio album apart from Rap-A-Lot Records. While the follow-up to 2008's Emeritus may be released on his own Facemob Music imprint, the trimmings of the... Read more

July 29, 2015 News

Drake Accuses Meek Mill Of Riding On Nicki Minaj’s Coattails In New Diss Record (Audio)

One week later, Drake and Meek Mill are still at it. Meek may have started things, with a social media rant that called out his collaborator for relying on writers as well as an inferred line regarding Nicki Minaj. However, Drake is still the only half of the sides at... Read more

July 29, 2015 Audio