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The Weeknd Goes Up In Flames In Can’t Feel My Face (Video)

For years, The Weeknd has made uncompromising music that's still been commercially viable. The Universal Republic Records artist has found his highest charting single to date in "Can't Feel My Face." The always brooding, highly sexual singing of Abel Tesfaye is more aimed towards the mainstream in this moment. The... Read more

Capone-N-Noreaga & Tragedy Khadafi Salute One Of Their Own (Video)

Reunited, Capone-N-Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi take time to salute "U.M.A.R." The song is designed as a tangible record dedicated to the 25 II Life affiliate—but really, anybody apart from loved ones. A 2015 type of "One Love," this is a song rooted in solidarity, through death, incarceration, or other challenges... Read more

‘Mixography: The Collectives’ Kicks Off New Party Series With Volume I – Dungeon Family (Mixtape)

Beginning this Thursday (July 30), a new Hip-Hop party series kicks off at Manhattan's Le Poisson Rouge. The series, called Mixography, is launched by journalist, publicist and artist manager, Cali Green, and MC/DJ, and Blue Note Records affiliate Raydar Ellis. Raydar will live mix the events, while Cali hosts, with... Read more

King Los, Isaiah Rashad & Kent Jamz Bring Power To The Lyric Video Format

Lyric Videos, in theory are promotional devices. These videos tend to follow audio releases, and blaze a trail for eventual produced videos. They can effectively create an experience that brings attention to artistic intent, and quite clearly own the space and monetize a song for label and artist. But in... Read more

Freestyle Aside, Eminem Dropped “Infinite” Jewels On Sway (Audio)

Last week, Eminem stormed the Sway In The Morning show, throwing Southpaw promotion, and delivering one T.K.O. of a freestyle. However, there was a whole hour of the diamond-certified-selling MC at Sway, and Heads may have missed the rare interview. What makes the interview especially notable is the superstar went... Read more

Tisha Campbell-Martin Is Back In The Booth, Delivering Soaring Vocals (Audio)

In the early 1990s, "Martin" co-star Tisha Campbell signed a deal with Capitol Records and released a well-received self-titled debut. In the 22 years since her LP, Tisha released a couple singles, sporadically—including 2014 work with Full-Force. Since starring on "My Wife And Kids" and now "Real Husbands Of Hollywood,"... Read more

Joey Bada$$ & Statik Selektah Address Knee-Jerk ’90s Hip-Hop Comparisons (Video)

Since his 2010 arrival Joey Bada$$ has been often compared to the 1990s litany of East Coast MCs. The Brooklyn, New York MC is not a fan of being always considered a throwback, when the Pro Era MC has worked to prove himself as an original. Similarly, DJ/producer Statik Selektah... Read more

45 King Recalls Early Days Of Queen Latifah & Jay Z, Reveals A Hit He Was Not Credited For (Audio)

In the canon of Hip-Hop producers, 45 King is among the most important. From break-beat compilations to remixes, seminal 1980s 12" singles, to Grammy Award-winning hits, the New Jersey-based DJ/producer born Mark James has nearly 30 years of highly-influential digging, sampling, and arranging. Whether Queen Latifah, Gang Starr, Eminem, or... Read more

Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch & Bun B To Perform Free Concert One Year After Michael Brown’s Murder

August 9, 2014 was Michael Brown's last day alive. The 18 year-old Ferguson, Missouri man had graduated high school eight days earlier, before an altercation with Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson that would ultimately leave Brown murdered in the street. One year later, August 9, 2015, Talib Kweli will perform... Read more

10 Years Later, Young Jeezy Says The Cover Of Thug Motivation 101 Was All Real (Video)

Today (July 26), Young Jeezy's major label debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 turned 10 years old. The Atlanta, Georgia platinum, #1 artist celebrated with a hometown concert last night (July 25) at the Fox Theatre. There, Jeezy reunited with Boyz N Da Hood, the Bad Boy South-backed... Read more

Entrepreneurialism & Technology Discussed At Hip-Hop Institute Conference (Video)

Earlier this month, the 11th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival took place in a series of events, beginning July 8. Leading to the July 11 concert featuring Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway, and others, the week of discussion, education, and engagement included the first-ever Hip-Hop Institute Conference. Hosted at the borough's Medgar... Read more

DJ Erykah Badu Is The Healer. Here’s A Soul Mix Featuring James, Donny & Stevie (Audio)

Erykah Badu knows how to reach the people. As a singer, Badu has struck the hearts of many in three decades, with lyrics and sounds that touch the mind, heart, and soul of listeners. As a mixmaster, under the alter-ego DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, Erykah does the same. Giving... Read more

If Drake Is Responding To Meek Mill, It’s In This Charged Up Song (Audio)

In a week that has been anything but conventional, Drake has remained un-phased. The multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning MC/singer was accused of using writers by onetime friend/collaborator Meek Mill in a late-night social media barrage on July 21. In the days that followed, Funkmaster Flex released a "10 Bandz" reference track... Read more

Will Smith & Jay Z To Produce Mini-Series On Life & Murder Of Emmett Till

Today (July 25) is the birthday of Emmett Till. He would have been 74 years old. The Chicago, Illinois native was murdered on August 28, 1955 while visiting family in Money, Mississippi. Then just 14 years old, Emmett—who was Black—spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant. In the hours that followed, Till... Read more

Kool Keith Made One Of His Most Focused Works Alongside L’Orange. Listen In (Album Stream)

Kool Keith's discography is staggering. From his origins with The Ultramagnetic MC's to a vast solo career, to side projects like Cenubites, Analog Brothers, and Dr. Octagon, the Bronx, New Yorker stays incredibly busy. With so much material, it can be hard to know where to look first—especially for longtime... Read more

Quentin Miller Breaks Silence, Refuting Drake Ghostwriter Allegations

Quentin Miller has transcended from an aspiring Atlanta, Georgia MC to quite arguably, Hip-Hop's most talked about new artist in just days. Following a Meek Mill diatribe on social media, Drake had been accused of employing ghostwriters. Notably, Meek called out his associate of several years, apparently alleging that recent... Read more

Marvel’s Mash-Up’s Continue, Care Of Nas, 50 Cent, The Roots & Pete Rock

Earlier this month, Marvel released a number of mash-up's between their flagship comic book characters, and classic Hip-Hop albums. From Eric B. & Rakim to Wu-Tang Clan, Marvel wove in Spiderman, X-Men, and Squadron Supreme into iconic artwork. Ten days later, Marvel Comic Group's Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso released four more.... Read more

N.O.R.E. Is Back In His Musical Time Machine (Audio)

In one fell swoop, N.O.R.E. weaves all of his styles into one song. "How Ever" backs down any tough-talking challengers, with sheer confidence, street savvy, and O.G. wisdom. But the MC known as Noreaga manages to incorporate his love of old-fashioned cassette-style Hip-Hop in this "ButchRock Blend." Like some of... Read more

Remember When Jayo Felony, Method Man & DMX Made A Cross-Country Def Jam Hit Together? (Video)

While ONYX and 50 Cent are two of Jam Master Jay's star proteges—even if the latter found his success beyond JMJ Records, there is another artist he ushered in that is often overlooked. Jayo Felony became one of San Diego, California's first national Rap stars. Signed amidst the height of... Read more

Your Old Droog Puts Together A Playlist Featuring Mobb Deep & Miles Davis

Anybody familiar with the music of Brooklyn, New York's Your Old Droog knows that that the MC enjoys music beyond his own. Admittedly a fan of Rock & Roll music first, this MC draws inspiration from 1990s East Coast Hip-Hop, and dusty Jazz and Funk breaks. All of these forms... Read more

From The Roots To ‘Roots’: Questlove To Handle Music For Alex Haley Remake

Already one of the busiest entertainers in show-business, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson has taken on at least two projects this week. The band-leader for The Roots and their role on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," Questlove has associated himself with another Roots. According to Variety, Quest' will serve as Executive... Read more

J. Cole Joins Janet Jackson With A Shining Verse For Her No Sleeep Remix (Audio)

In the seven years since Janet Jackson had released new music, J. Cole had transcended from a hopeful MC/producer in North Carolina to one of the genre's biggest stars overall. Part of what delivered Jermaine Cole to the mainstream was his knack for working with singers, showcasing versatility on nearly... Read more

Meek Mill Reveals the Ghost Writer He Claims Wrote Drake’s R.I.C.O. Verse (Video)

From The D.O.C. to Royce Da 5'9", Skillz to Ice Cube, Hip-Hop has a long line of famous ghostwriters. High profile albums such as Dr. Dre's 2001, Salt-n-Pepa's Very Necessary, and Kanye West's Yeezus are assembled around raps written by artists besides those who voiced the words. Drake, who has... Read more

Problem Clears The Table, Name-Checking Peers & Claiming His Place (Video)

It has been nine years since Problem made his breakthrough mixtape, Deal Or No Deal. Approaching a decade, after appearances on albums by Snoop Dogg, E-40, DJ Quik, and Wiz Khalifa, the Compton, California native is still without a studio full-length. On "50 Shades Of Grey," Problem speaks up. The... Read more

Eminem Slated To Take Eazy-E’s Spot As Honorary N.W.A. Member On Tour.

UPDATE: One day later (July 23), an unnamed Eminem and Dr. Dre representative has told Rolling Stone magazine that the reports regarding Eminem and an N.W.A. are not true. The original report: For the most part, attentions surrounding August 14's Straight Outta Compton are focused on the film. The F.... Read more

Pharrell Shows That Freedom Is The Key To Universal Happiness (Video)

Pharrell makes statement records. Following the infectious commercial success of "Happy" through some difficult times socially, politically, and economically across the globe, the Star Trak explorer (now plugged into I Am Other) launches "Freedom." The song is built around rich instrumentation, and a strong piano. Skateboard P's vocal delivery transcends... Read more

Prince Has Not Moved On From Baltimore. Have You? (Lyric Video)

Prince was among those deeply moved by the April protests in Baltimore, Maryland. What may seem in the rear-view of a year (perhaps a period) that continues to bring incidents, headlines, and tragedies related to police brutality and social unrest, is still very close to the iconic musician. The life... Read more

Camp Lo’s Fashion & Luxury Transportation Suits Their Style (Video)

Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede are masters of nostalgia. The veteran Hip-Hop duo Camp Lo, joined by longtime mentor/producer Ski Beatz has a knack for channeling '70s slang, '60s film, and '80s New York City. From their 2015 Nature Sounds LP, Ragtime Hightimes, the duo delivers the video for "Life... Read more

Where Does Rick Ross Stand in the Meek Mill/Drake Beef? For Now, He’s Claiming Family Ties (Video)

Sometimes things just fall into place. Moments after Maybach Music Group's latest #1 product, Meek Mill, called out Drake's rhyme-writing on social media, Rick Ross expressed his solidarity, sharing Meek's words. According to some late-night web-surfers, the symbolic act came after R.R. first sided with Drizzy—before deleting a highly-controversial tweet... Read more

Meek Mill Says Drake Does Not Write His Own Rhymes. Pillow Talk?

The same week that watched former collaborators Ghostface Killah and Action Bronson enter at least a one-sided beef, the trend continues. Meek Mill was at Drake's side in the famed 2012 club incident that resulted in lawsuits, and an all-out attack between Drake and Chris Brown. On July 22, via... Read more

Dave Chappelle Is Funny But He Makes a Serious Point About Comedy in These Troubling Times

Dave Chappelle's humor, like many comedians, is often built around the formula of pain-plus-time-equals-funny. In his heralded series, "Chapelle's Show," the Dayton, Ohio native poked fun at a number of taboo topics. These included White Supremacy, drug addiction, and immigration reform. In the midst of a return to the public... Read more

Thundercat & Flying Lotus Make Heartbreak Sound Unusually Cool (Video)

Less than one month ago, Thundercat released The Beyond/Where The Giants Roam. The Kendrick Lamar collaborator is hard to pin down. The Brainfeeder release involves his Los Angeles, California contemporary Flying Lotus, as well as Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (the classically-trained musician responsible for the incredible Suite For Ma Dukes Dilla-inspired album/DVD).... Read more

Slum Village, J Dilla & Bilal Know What Love Is…It’s Hip-Hop (Video)

Slum Village's recently-released YES! album truly is an affirmation. T3 and Young RJ manifest the Villa destiny with nine tracks featuring the late J Dilla's (and group co-founder) handiwork. "Love Is" is one such highlight, including the unmistakable vocals of Bilal, as well as former full-time S.V. member, Illa J.... Read more

DJ Quik Goes Out Classic-Cruising To His Own Trunk-Rattling Production (Video)

DJ Quik's 2014 album, The Midnight Life packed an incredible punch, from a production standpoint. The G-Funk (or P-Funk) innovator shifted styles once more, to not only show his influence upon guys like DJ Mustard and Terrace Martin, but to evolve into raw instrumentation. "Puffin' The Dragon" is anything but... Read more

Action Bronson Apologizes to Ghostface, Again. GFK Refuses. Here’s the Inside Story on Their Only Collabo.

Yesterday (July 20) Ghostface Killah unleashed a "mighty healthy" response to Action Bronson, following a perceived diss by the Queens, New York MC. Moments after Ghostface's video reply, which called out Bronson for disrespecting an MC who influenced him, as well as issued threats to the VICE/Atlantic Records artist on... Read more

J. Cole & Omen Prove Things Change, But Thoughtful Music Has Not (Audio)

While Bas and Cozz have jumped up early to show Dreamville's fast-track to a full-service record label, Omen has been with J. Cole since nearly the beginning. From 2009's The Warm Up, MC/producer Omen has been with Cole, sharing a similar perspective. Omen's 2010 Delayed mixtape featured an early Kendrick... Read more

Ghostface Killah Blasts Action Bronson. It’s Personal Now (Video)

It was all good, four years ago. Former collaborators Action Bronson and Ghostface Killah are seemingly in new waters now. Earlier this month, Bam Bam Bronson made some remarks about G.F.K. while appearing on ESPN's "Sports Nation." Immediately following reports of a perceived diss against the onetime collaborator, the Queens,... Read more

Dungeon To Mountain: Sign A Petition To Honor Outkast Alongside Robert E. Lee

In music, the two members of Outkast are living legends. Andre 3000 and Big Boi have accomplished massive feats in Hip-Hop originality, style, and evolution, coupled with sales benchmarks and award acclaim. However, as both MC/producers are natives of Georgia, a powerful grassroots petition is motioning to have Antwan André... Read more

Slaughterhouse Gives New Meaning To Bar-Brawl on Southpaw’s R.N.S. (Video)

Slaughterhouse's "R.N.S." is a lyrical upper-cut within the Southpaw soundtrack. The Just Blaze and araabMUZIK-produced song featuring Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Joe Budden is more of the same pedigree from the hardcore Rap quartet. For the video, it's bars and concrete—beyond the rapping, as the Shady... Read more

DJ Premier & Dr. Dre Are Clearly Up To Something, What Could It Be?

Nas' It Was Written. The 8 Mile Soundtrack. Game's The R.E.D. Album. Only a handful of times in their careers, combined spanning more than 50 years, have Dr. Dre and DJ Premier worked on the same album in a production capacity. There would have been several more of those times,... Read more

Black Eyed Peas’ Retro Single Gets A Video Treatment That’s Slick Like That (Video)

With the release of the Black Eyed Peas' cyclically-minded "Yesterday," the video follows quickly. Half of the group's formal lineup: will.i.am and apl.de.ap make the song, while Taboo appears in the video (and drops a few Public Enemy-minded bars). Like the single's heavy-handed production theme of interpolating, sampling, and alluding... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. & T.I. Make A Retro-Melodic Car Cut With Mitchelle’l (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. and T.I. are proven masters of car songs. Both Southern MCs love old schools, boomin' systems, hydraulics, and "bowling ball swirl." Grand Hustle/Hustle Gang singer Mitchelle’l already made a song rooted in that Texas Slab Music sound. "Spillin' Drank" is a gliding record that sounds like what would... Read more

Erick Sermon, Joell Ortiz & Sheek Louch Offer Hard Lessons From Concrete Places (Video)

In late April, Erick Sermon premiered "Make Room," a crosstown New York City verbal essay featuring Joell Ortiz and Sheek Louch. The song offers some hard advice to a host of people simply doin' it wrong. For the just-released visual, E-Double, Donnie G., and Yoawa certify themselves in the company... Read more

Jay Z Blessed Stretch & Bobbito’s Show With 3 Different Freestyles In 1995 (Audio)

Earlier this week, AFH shared a 1996 three-hour radio show of DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber's show (thanks to DJ Eclipse, who spun then and digitized it now). Big L was among the show's guests, bringing with him Ma$e, Bloodshed, and Killa Cam'ron (as Children Of The Corn).... Read more

Buckwild Has A Gift In Producing Emerging MC Talent. So Meet DanO (Audio)

From Big L and O.C. to Meyhem Lauren and Beanie Sigel, Buckwild is gifted in helping artists assemble their debut projects. The Bronx, New York native and non-rapping member of D.I.T.C. is a master of combining sampling, melody, with a balance for streets and crossover airplay. A native of Lagos,... Read more

Run The Jewels Cat-Scratch The First “Meow The Jewels” Single (Audio)

The fan-funded Meow The Jewels remix project by Run The Jewels is on the horizon. Following January's snippet reel, "Meowrly" marks the first single. With Killer Mike, El-P, and Boots' vocals still in tact from "Early," this version incorporates those "cat sounds" in a way that strangely feels anything by... Read more

Not Feeling 2000s Black Eyed Peas? will.i.am & apl.de.ap Travel Back To Yesterday (Audio)

A lot has been said and written about The Black Eyed Peas' early 2000s transformation. From a group with its roots tied to Eazy-E and Ruthless Records, to some of the biggest global hit-makers of the last decade, will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie got in where they fit in—and in... Read more

Vic Mensa Is Back On His EDM Flavor, Thanks To Skrillex & Jahil Beats (Audio)

As one of the more versatile artists in Hip-Hop today, every Vic Mensa track is an apparent opportunity to go in any direction. Teaming with EDM superstar artist/producer Skrillex and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native Jahlil Beats (who is also part of the Roc Nation family), Vic leads up to Traffic with... Read more

Chris Rivers Diagnoses Mind Playing Tricks On Me With A Vibrant Concept Flip (Audio)

The same week Scarface reveals that he's putting Geto Boys album-reunion plans on ice, Chris Rivers approaches his weekly throwback freestyle, veering to Rap-A-Lot Records' biggest hit. Taking "Mind Playing Tricks On Me," the early twenty-something New Yorker flips the concept of the chorus to make the song about mental... Read more

Redman, Method Man & Erick Sermon Always Deliver in The Clutch (Audio)

In the canon of Hip-Hop mentors, Erick Sermon is top-rank. The Brentwood, Long Island, New Yorker (with partner PMD) brought in Redman, Das EFX, K-Solo, Keith Solo, and the earliest days of Rick Ross. The EPMD MC/producer has an ear for talent. While he mentored Red' and Keith in Def... Read more