Bandini

Royce Da 5’9″ Says It So It’s Crystal Clear: Soft Artists Are Winning In 2015 (Audio)

"This year, we've got the softest group of artists in the history of Blues, R&B, Soul / For y'all to be so willing to be so blast-off honest / Black Pride, I'm astonished / I'm a full-contact guy, in a flag-ball climate..." Royce Da 5'9" is not mincing words in... Read more

July 3, 2015 Audio

Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge’s Twelve Reasons To Die II Has A Vendetta (Album Stream)

Five days before its release, Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge have shared Twelve Reasons To Die II. The follow-up album to the 2013 Top 40 Soul Temple release is available through The New York Times' "Press Play" early listen feature. The July 10 Linear Labs Records release boasts appearances by RZA, Raekwon, Vince Staples, Scarub,... Read more

July 3, 2015 Fresh

Can’t Hold Me Down: Puffy’s Assault Charges Have Reportedly Been Dismissed

Just over one week after facing five criminal charges, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs received some favorable news. According to TMZ.com, the Bad Boy Records founder and CEO's charges were rejected by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Says the celebrity news and gossip site: "The Los Angeles County D.A. felt... Read more

July 3, 2015 News

Celebrate Mark de Clive-Lowe’s Reconstructed Take On Herbie Hancock (Mix)

Mark de Clive-Lowe is a name that may not stand out to you, but he's surely in the liner notes to your music library. From Ms. Lauryn Hill to Blu, the New Zealand-born, Los Angeles, California-based composer, musician, and producer gets down. Versed in Jazz and Soul, Mark took on... Read more

July 3, 2015 Throwback

Eminem Attacks A Track In A Reminder That His Crown Is In Tact (Audio)

From the Southpaw soundtrack, Eminem is truly clearing house. The Detroit, Michigan superstar follows his "Phenomenal" single with a song that also fits nicely for a boxing film. "Kings Never Die" teams Em' with his Interscope family label-mate, Gwen Stefani. Produced by Self-Scientific's DJ Khalil, this record has pop appeal, with... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: Black Star’s K.O.S. (Determination) (Audio)

1998's breakthrough album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star introduced the Hip-Hop masses, and eventually the mainstream, to two brilliant Brooklyn, New York creative visionaries. The Rawkus Records release followed a season of 12" singles, compilation appearances, and in the case of Mighty Mos, some high-profile features (De... Read more

July 2, 2015 Throwback

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon Are Back To Back-And-Forth Character Raps (Audio)

Few MCs can break into character quite like Ghostface Killah and Raekwon the Chef. The two Staten Islanders, and Wu-Tang Clan lyrical mercenaries have played the parts of a man battling his diamond-encrusted watch, a just-released convict home after three years up-state, or adding to their favorite Martin Scorsese or... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Meek Mill Pops A Wheelie & Rides Through His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Meek Mill may be an acquired taste to some. However, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran brings an impassioned delivery without failure, no matter what the track's vibe is. That's what makes the Maybach Music Group MC's appearance on Sway In The Morning so interesting. Meek Millie takes 5 Fingers Of Death... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Common Names His 5 Most Autobiographical Songs…They’re Deep (Audio)

In a career spanning 10 albums, and a plethora of powerful feature, soundtrack, and compilation appearances, Common's catalog is staggering. Speaking with Tim Einenkel's The Library Podcast, the MC formerly known as Common Sense was asked to select his five personal songs that would "make up an autobiography." This year's... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Big Daddy Kane, Whodini & The eMC Headline 38th Rocksteady Anniversary

The 38th annual Rocksteady Anniversary concert has been announced. The free Sunday July 26 event at New York City's Central Park Summer Stage will be headlined by Hip-Hop legends Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, and The eMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Stricklin). Additional performers include Your Old Droog, Queen Herawin (The Juggaknots)... Read more

July 2, 2015 News

Action Bronson Curses The Mic On Alchemist’s Voodoo Beat (Audio)

Action Bronson and Alchemist have historic chemistry. Hazy, humorous, and hardcore Hip-Hop Heads, this pair comes together to grab the spotlight. From ALC's upcoming Retarded Alligator Beats (July 10) project, "Voodoo" goes down to the bayou to listen as Bam Bam Bronson recounts a tale of sex, smuggling, and staying... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Shows His Inspiring Life Journey in a New Short Film (Video)

It has been a wondrous five years for Big K.R.I.T. From Kritwuzhere to the Top 10 of the charts, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer is proof that hard work and persistence can make dreams tangible. Anyone familiar with the music and passion of Justin Scott knows that the journey has been... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Action Bronson & Ab-Soul Join Elle Varner For Differing Perspectives On Relationships (Audio)

Amidst the 2010s finest crop of MCs, Action Bronson and Ab-Soul have both succeeded in rapping about relationships, from the devoted to the dissolved. "All You Need" is a Statik Selektah-orchestrated moment from Lucky 7 (July 7) that shows that range. While Bam Bam celebrates a trist-turned-true love, Soulo looks... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Prince’s Latest Tells “Rappers Tryna Be Singers” That They Can’t Satisfy (Audio)

Guitar in hand, Prince has been a Rock & Roll juggernaut just as much as R&B or Pop. Throughout his nearly 40-year career, Prince has merged the genres in establishing a sound of his own that's been hard to pin down. For "HARDROCKLOVER," Prince amps up and plugs in with... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Eminem Helps Signal The Return Of Epic Blockbuster Visuals, But Can All Enjoy? (Video)

Eminem has released a 30-second trailer for his "Phenomenal" video. Part music video, part short-film, the moment alludes to its place as the latest big budget, high concept visual from an A-list artist. Kanye West, Drake, and Vic Mensa have been doing this throughout recent years. Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" video,... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Redman & Erick Sermon Re-Team To Make An Anthem For Deebo Tactics (Video)

Redman knows what really goes on. The Brick City MC releases a new video, clowning at misfortunes of those who get stuck-up in today's dog-eat-dog world. "Somebody Got Robbed" is that gutter Reggie Noble, where the song moves and grooves, but still bases itself on Everyman experiences. Even mentioning Nia... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Brother Ali Makes An Incredibly Soulful Song About Love, Life & Suffering (Audio)

Brother Ali is a bull in the booth. From his government indictments to good ol' battle-rap bravado, the Twin Cities Rhymesayer can move the crowd through shock and awe with the microphone. However, the independent mainstay can also show a ton of vulnerability in his songs, and make the kind... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Joell Ortiz & !llmind Unveil The New Sound They’ve Been Creating In The Lab (Audio)

New Jersey native !llmind was a critical part of Joell Ortiz' 2014 album, House Slippers. Moving into 2015, the producer for Kanye West, Scarface, and Sean Price takes on Ortiz' whole project, for an equal billing. "Lil' Piggies" is the first glimpse from the July 17 project, Human. !llmind lays... Read more

June 30, 2015 Audio

Stretch & Bobbito’s Highlight Reel Features Slick Rick, Big L & Mobb Deep (Mix)

Throughout the 1990s, Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito The Barber created a radio program that may as well have been the farm club to the Rap hall of fame. These two New York City DJs honored Hip-Hop 12" singles of the day, while welcoming would-be stars like Nas, Mobb Deep, Pharoahe... Read more

June 30, 2015 Throwback

Big K.R.I.T. & David Banner Take Aim Against The Corrupt System (Audio)

David Banner and Big K.R.I.T. will not go quietly, or unarmed. The Mississippi MC/producers make their latest union on "My Uzi," a Pimp C-sampling song about protecting ourselves, symbolically and literally, from terror and attackers. Presumed to be one of the first looks from David Banner's The God Box album,... Read more

June 30, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch, Billy Danze, Trae Tha Truth & Joell Ortiz Represent Their Hoods & You Can Too (Audio)

Sheek Louch has announced his September 18 album, Silverback Gorilla 2. A sequel to his LP released in 2008, Sheek rolls with Tommy Boy Entertainment for this outing. "Hood Nigga" is the album's lead single, featuring M.O.P.'s Billy Danze (a fellow 20-year veteran), along with Trae Tha Truth, and Joell... Read more

June 30, 2015 Exclusive

Even At 14 Years Old, Amy Winehouse’s Voice Could Bring Down The House (Video)

Amy Winehouse only lived to be 27 years old. The London, England songstress' 2011's death came as a major tragedy, following two breakthrough albums at the time of her passing. However, Amy's skills were honed long before she inked a deal with Island Records, and got in the studio with... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Blu Addresses Passing On A Death Row Deal On The Thriller (Audio)

It has been a quiet three months for Blu. The MC/producer known for a relentless appetite for releasing music may be quiet for good reason. Today (June 29), the Los Angeles, California native announced a Nature Sounds maxi-single, The Return. With some remixes and DJ-goodies, Johnson Barnes delivers "Thriller." Featuring... Read more

June 29, 2015 Audio

Jay Rock Targets July For His Sophomore LP, ScHoolboy Q Hints At 2015 Album

In the conversations about TDE, Black Hippy, and the finer Hip-Hop of the last five years, sometimes Jay Rock can get lost in the discussion. The Watts, California MC (who signed to Warner Bros. Records in the late 2000s) was in fact the first Top Dawg Entertainment artist to have... Read more

June 29, 2015 News

August Alsina Looks At What Hip-Hop Is Really About At Its Core (Video)

Even though August Alsina is not a traditional MC, Hip-Hop is a big part of his music. The Def Jam Records-backed singer follows up 2014's Testimony with "Hip-Hop," a single focused on the way things were when they were at their best. Nostalgic, intimate, and easy to relate to, the... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Big Sean, Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign Recreate The Opening Credits To “Martin” (Video)

Big Sean's "Play No Games" is a 1990s experience by design. The Dark Sky Paradise single heavily-samples Guy's "Piece Of My Love." So for the video to the Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign-assisted jam, Sean Don stays in that realm. The video calls back to "Martin." Martin Lawrence's FOX... Read more

June 29, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Kendrick Lamar Strikes Heartfelt Chords Performing A Symbolic “Alright” (Video)

Hope can be hard to find in 2015. There are mass-shootings, continuous fatalities attached to incidents of police brutality, and a quest for justice that can seem elusive. Kendrick Lamar used the BET Awards stage wisely this weekend. The Top Dawg Entertainment star did not make his 2015 standout televised... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

The Legends Of Bad Boy Records Come Out To Play At BET Awards (Video)

A big part of what's made Bad Boy Records such a great label over the last 20-plus years is the label's ability to deliver cathartic performances. Whether it was peer-criticism, tragedy, or legal woes, Puff Daddy and the Bad Boy family used the stage to remind the world that they... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Make Sure You’ve Heard GZA & CZARFACE’s Syllable Smashing Collab (Audio)

Earlier this month, CZARFACE released their sophomore album, Every Hero Needs A Villain. The sophomore outing from Inspectah Deck, Esoteric, and 7L features a smorgasbord of sharp lyrics, dense with wordplay, and chopped down samples. While the guests are exciting (Juju, Large Professor, R.A. The Rugged Man), GZA is at... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

Young Buck & Jadakiss Don’t Trust Many, So They Do It By Themselves (Audio)

Young Buck and Jadakiss are no strangers to deeply personal verses on wax. Both men have had public confrontations with figures once closely associated with them. Teaming with the DJ/producer he made the acclaimed Chronic 2006 mixtape with, Buck and DJ Whoo Kid release "Myself." With 'Kiss on the cut,... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

Jean Grae’s iSweatergawd Is Boldly Refreshing & Produced by Quelle Chris (EP Stream)

Jean Grae makes self-releases fun. The New York City veteran MC surprises the masses on a Sunday (June 28) with the sneak attack release of iSweatergawd. Thanks to the Natural Resource alum's Bandcamp page, the six-track EP is available for stream and $7 purchase. The Everybody’s Pregnant band mates Donwill... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

The Mystique & Mystery Behind Your Old Droog Is Unveiled In A Mini-Doc (Video)

Your Old Droog took Hip-Hop lovers by storm in 2014. Faceless throughout several Internet-buzzing releases, some Heads even went as far as thinking that the clearly New York City narrative was a new pseudonym for Nas. That even had Nasir Jones speaking up. Not the case. And to quote Ghostface... Read more

June 28, 2015 Video

Kenny Dope Rocks All Vinyl, From Fred Wesley & The J.B.’s, To J Dilla To Bob James (Mix)

Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez's name does not come up as often as it should. The Brooklyn, New York producer/DJ is one half of Masters At Work. Also known as Nuyorican Soul, the team of Kenny and "Little" Louie Vega remixed Michael Jackson, Madonna, Tito Puente, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Additionally,... Read more

June 28, 2015 Video

Rah Digga & Lil Fame Bully Weak MCs On A Meticulous Track (Audio)

Rah Digga and Lil Fame both stand for hardcore Hip-Hop, no matter what the trends out. The Mash Out Posse and Flipmode Squad go back, so why wouldn't Fizzy Womack and Harriet Thugman come together seamlessly on an equally charged track from Fat Beats alum Maticulous (who makes some meticulous... Read more

June 27, 2015 Audio

Oddisee Delivers One of Hip-Hop’s Standout Performances in 2015. This Is Special (Video)

Oddisee's The Good Fight is touted as one of 2015's most cohesive, relateable albums. Beyond simply Hip-Hop, the Diamond District member's latest solo outing dabbles in Jazz, R&B, and Spoken Word. Moreover, from the independent label of Mello Music Group, the mainstream is taking notice. The perfect example of that... Read more

June 27, 2015 Video

Rick Ross Is A Mastermind At Giving Fans What They Want, In A Remix (Video)

It's been a hard week for Rick Ross. Following his arrest, the Miami, Florida superstar MC reportedly lost an estimated $100,000 in earnings. However, R.R. returns to his modus operandi—giving fans exactly what they want. "Neighborhood Drug Dealer" is one of Mastermind's best kept secrets. Even though Ricky Rozay has... Read more

June 26, 2015 Video

Capone-N-Noreaga Remind Listeners Why They Became Fans In The First Place (Audio)

Capone-N-Noreaga's Lessons is less than one month away (July 24). The reunion with the Queens, New York duo and their original Penalty label sees Capone and N.O.R.E. invigorating their brand of lyricism. "In The First" has that rowdy delivery on the mic, and sample-savvy arrangement on the boards. Moreover, this... Read more

June 26, 2015 Audio

Yasiin Bey Continues To Merge With Talents Worth Hearing (Audio)

From Da Bush Babees to De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest to The Roots, Mos Def benefited hugely from veterans looking out, early in his career. Now in a position of major influence, Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) is returning the favor. The same month he looked out for... Read more

June 26, 2015 Audio

DJ Quik Truly Is Unsung. Watch An Incredibly In-Depth Look At His Career (Video)

From his reportedly uncredited assistance with Dr. Dre in the 2000s to his days on Death Row Records working under his government pseudonym (David Blake), DJ Quik epitomizes "unsung." For the television series "Unsung," the Compton, California star MC/producer/DJ is chronicled. Quik's days of underground tapes, assisting other would-be sensations... Read more

June 26, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Vic Mensa Is Breaking New Ground. But He Can Still Crush Old Ice Cube Beats (Video)

Vic Mensa fronted a Rock & Roll band. Vic Mensa made hits with House music. But can Vic Mensa obliterate some '90s and 2000s G-Funk? Most definitely. The Save Money MC hits "The Cruz Show" to munch on some "Breakfast Bars," better described as classic Ice Cube instrumentals. The Chicago,... Read more

June 25, 2015 Video

Raury Finds The Blues Backdrop For Devil’s Whisperer (Video)

One week after sharing "Devil's Whisperer," Raury follows up with the visual. The song serves as a fusion of genres, tying in Blues conventions, with a rapid-fire flow to close down the record. The Atlanta, Georgia MC/singer complements this idea in the visual. He goes down South to a juke-joint... Read more

June 25, 2015 Video

LL Cool J Classics Are Mixed While He’s Interviewed…by Marley Marl (Audio)

LL Cool J and Marley Marl go back. These two Queens, New York icons crossed paths in the late-1980s, when LL Cool J was widely touted as one of Hip-Hop's finest MCs, and Marley Marl was the go-to producer. From mixes of "Jinglin' Baby," to "Around The Way Girl," these... Read more

June 25, 2015 Audio

19 Years Ago Today Jay-Z & Biggie Smalls Showed Why They Were Brooklyn’s Finest (Audio)

Although it was never a Reasonable Doubt single, "Brooklyn's Finest" helped make Jay Z's debut album a milestone album. Released 19 years ago today (June 25, 1996) the moment would serve as the first collaboration between Jay and his fellow George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School attendee, The... Read more

June 25, 2015 Throwback

This ’90s Hip-Hop Mix Reminds Fans Why They Were Ready to Die for H.E.R. (Mixtape)

In the mid-1990s, Hip-Hop underwent a bit of a transition. Some of the most skilled MCs on the scene (Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Grand Puba, Andre 3000, Scarface, etc.) started trading rowdy, raucous production for the laid-back cuts. Producers like Easy Mo Bee, DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Da Beatminerz,... Read more

June 24, 2015 Throwback

King Los Rips What May Be the Best Freestyle of the Year…Off the Top (Video)

King Los has been responsible for some of the best freestyle moments of the last several years. Just as Supernatural, J.U.I.C.E., Eminem, Crooked I, and Canibus helped certify The Wake Up Show in the 1990s, the Baltimore, Maryland MC legitimized Sway's latest platform with off-the-top bars that drove clicks, interest,... Read more

June 24, 2015 Video

Eric B. & Rakim’s Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em Turns 25 Years Old & Hits Just As Hard

June 19 marked the 25th anniversary for Eric B. & Rakim's third album, Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em. Perhaps forever in the shadows of Paid In Full, and to a much lesser extent, Follow The Leader, L.T.R.H.E. is a black sheep within a truly classic catalog from the iconic pair.... Read more

June 23, 2015 Food for Thought

Puff Daddy Charged With 5 Crimes In UCLA Coach Altercation, Puffy’s Reps Respond

Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs was arrested on UCLA's campus yesterday (June 22), following an altercation with Bruins football coach Sal Alosi. The arrest came after attempting to strike the former New York Jets employee with a kettlebell, "nearly killing" Alosi according to some reports. The incident reportedly stemmed from a... Read more

June 23, 2015 News

DJ Premier Helps Canada’s First Division Go For The Pennant (Audio)

First Division are a Canadian duo, with some deeper history in Rap. One of the members, Shylow, may be familiar to Marco Polo album/mixtape supporters. Crossing the border for "This Iz The Time," F.D. teams with DJ Premier. Preemo laces the Soulspazm-backed pair with chops, cuts, and samples very much... Read more

June 23, 2015 Audio

The Getback: Gmail Now Allows Users To Un-Send Emails

Years ago, Google played one of its signature April Fool's jokes on its users, boasting that there was an "undo-send" button for emails. That joke has now become a reality. According to The New York Times, Google's Gmail platform now allows the "undo." Following nearly five years of experimentation in... Read more

June 23, 2015 Lifestyle

E-40 Makes A Clever Yet Simple G-Code Anthem, Assisted By The Whole Industry (Video)

E-40 knows how to make catchy songs. Whether it's mid-2000s ringtone rap, Hyphy hits, or his Click tracks from the early '90s, 40 Water knows how to pen a hit. From 2014's Sharp On All 4 Corners, the Vallejo, California veteran releases "Choices (Yup)." On the surface, the song may... Read more

June 23, 2015 Video