Bandini

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Mos Def vs. MF DOOM…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 16, 2015 Fresh

Styles P Fires Up A Dr. Dre Chronic-Era Instrumental For A Freestyle (Audio)

Styles P's rapping rampage continues. A day earlier than usual, Holiday Styles attacks Dr. Dre's "Puffin' On Blunts & Drankin' Tanqueray" instrumental from The Chronic-era B-side, and puts in work like he was stranded on Death Row. This 1992 excursion known as "Ghost Blunts" is the farthest back Ghost has... Read more

April 16, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog’s Stream Of Consciousness Flows So Smoothly (Audio)

Your Old Droog has the gift of gab, whereby the Brooklyn, New York MC thrives without track structure. Linking up with close affiliate DJ Skizz, Droog takes a simple-but-highly-effective loop on "Hidden Persuaders," and gets busy talking about his rhyme skills, T-Ray (Lord Finesse, Cypress Hill, MC Serch) and Alchemist... Read more

April 16, 2015 Audio

Yelawolf & Eminem Bring Great Vengeance & Furious Anger To Verse (Lyric Video)

The biggest song of this week—at least evident by the AFH readership—has been Yelawolf & Eminem's "Best Friend." At the intersection of high concept and skillful rapping, the Love Story (April 21) single plays like a prayer—but not of the traditional form. Instead, both of these childhood outcasts ask the... Read more

April 15, 2015 Video

From “Diary” To Memoir…Read Scarface’s Excerpt On Teenage Suicide Attempts

Scarface has been incredibly vocal about his battles with depression. In fact, the Houston, Texas MC's biggest hit, Geto Boys' "Mind Playin' Tricks On Me" alludes to Brad Jordan's paranoia, and mental struggles. Next week, Scarface is releasing his memoir, Diary Of A Madman: The Geto Boys, Life, Death, and... Read more

April 15, 2015 Food for Thought

Oddisee Is Out To Break The Mold In Every Way Possible (Audio)

At a time when bragging is really in vogue for a lot of artists, Oddisee refrains. Leading up to The Good Fight (May 5), the Diamond District co-founder uses "Belong To The World" to look within, and reflect on how being different is not only refreshing, but largely responsible for... Read more

April 15, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): LL Cool J vs. Redman…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 15, 2015 Throwback

Chicago Hip-Hop Heads Rejoice…Twista & Do Or Die Team Up For EP

For nearly 20 years, Twista and Do Or Die have worked together. Two icons of Chicago, Illinois music (Rap music, to be specific), these artists have helped define the framework now used and upheld by Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, and Sir Michael Rocks. After appearances together on major releases... Read more

April 15, 2015 News

Large Professor Is So Consistent For Pensive Lyrics & Thick Tracks (Audio)

While Large Professor is forever associated with dope beats, the Flushing, Queens producer first gained mainstream recognition as a phenomenal MC. Although Large Pro's cadence and rhyme style is forever stuck to the streets, his themes and verses are colorful musings about his life and the world around him. In... Read more

April 15, 2015 Audio

Diamond D Reveals He Was With Tupac the Night He Shot Two Cops; Recaps His Entire Career

The Combat Jack Show, fresh off of a groundbreaking interview with DJ Kool Herc, stays in the Bronx, New York mind-state, to interview Diamond D. Traditionally, the Diggin' In The Crates co-founder, onetime pupil to DJ Jazzy Jay, and mentor to Fat Joe is not that chatty. However, just like... Read more

April 14, 2015 Throwback

Project Pat Releases Sequel To Mista Don’t Play Album, 14 Years Later

Memphis, Tennessee veteran MC Project Pat's best selling album is 2001's Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin'. A platinum effort, the Hypnotized Minds/Loud/Universal Records effort thrived amidst a Three 6 Mafia mainstream breakthrough. Produced by Three 6's Juicy J and DJ Paul, the album, thanks in large part to "Chickenhead" would... Read more

April 14, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Busta Rhymes vs. Ludacris…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH's bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 14, 2015 Fresh

Do Snoop Dogg & Pharrell Have Another Hit? Leave It To The Pros (Audio)

Snoop Dogg is the comeback master. Whether his albums are experimental or returns to early form, Tha Doggfather is able to always please enough masses in certain moments to reclaim the high-ranking post he's had in Hip-Hop and music for more than 23 years. BUSH (May 12) follows what may... Read more

April 14, 2015 Audio

Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late CD Bonus Sounds As If It Belongs (Audio)

Bonus songs are a tricky concept anymore. Firstly, should they be considered or not? In the case of Kurupt's "Callin' Out Names," the angsty outbreak on Rap peers was a defining point to 1999's Streetz Iz A Mutha. 2Pac's "Pain," which was only available on early Above The Rim soundtrack... Read more

April 13, 2015 Audio

DJ Kool Herc OPENS UP & His Top 5 MCs & DJs Will ASTONISH You (Audio)

DJ Kool Herc interviews, especially with much depth and room for conversation are a scarcity. It is astounding how Hip-Hop music's credited founder lives in the Bronx, New York today, with relatively low profile. The Kingston, Jamaica native known as Clive Campbell is not a public figure, despite his groundbreaking... Read more

April 13, 2015 Throwback

Alchemist & Oh No Bring Grand Theft Audio To Los Santos (Album Stream)

Alchemist and Oh No infected many ears with their Gangrene work. Not a Gangrene project, Alan The Chemist and Oh No The Disrupt come together for Welcome To Los Santos. Releasing tomorrow (April 14), the Mass Appeal Records effort welcomes an array of genre (E-40, Ab-Soul, MC Eiht, Curren$y, Little... Read more

April 13, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Nas vs. Black Thought…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH's bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 13, 2015 Fresh

Mr. Porter, Rapsody & Scram Jones Celebrate The Sleepers (Video)

Mr. Porter (n/k/a dEnAuN) knows a little something about what Biz Markie called "The Vapors." The D12 member, Shady Records conduit, and longtime top producer does not get the recognition that matches his accolades. With a few name-changes in his career, he's anything but a household name, especially considering his... Read more

April 13, 2015 Video

Talk About Ambition… Charles Hamilton Freestyles… For Nearly 19 Minutes (Video)

Harlem, New York MC Charles Hamilton understands that it takes extraordinary measures to win back a fan-base after several years of hiatus, public mishaps, and some industry controversy. He seems to be rising to the occasion, simply through showing and sharing his love of rapping. Open interviews are one element,... Read more

April 12, 2015 Video

20 Years After “I Got 5 On It,” Tha Luniz Reunite, With 4/20 Album Plans

Oakland, California duo Tha Luniz have been separated for more than a decade. However, Yukmouth and Numbskull have announced a reunion, 20 years following breakthrough hit "I Got 5 On It" and its platinum LP, Operation Stackola. The Dru Down and Digital Underground proteges, respectively, will release High Timez on April... Read more

April 12, 2015 Fresh

Do Remember: DJ QBert’s Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Musik (Mixtape)

Although he does not get nearly enough credit in mainstream Hip-Hop circles, DJ QBert is one of the proven masters within the culture. The San Francisco, California DJ/turntablist/producer born Richard Quitevis has advanced the possibility of the turntable, mixer, and scratch language beyond comprehension. The leader of the Invisibl Skratch... Read more

April 9, 2015 Throwback

Rapsody Revamps Beauty And The Beast With 3 New Songs. Check Out This One (Audio)

Through the #1 album in the country for two weeks straight, Rapsody is reaching audiences the Raleigh, North Carolina MC previously has not. Hearing "Complexion" on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, listeners inevitably want to know more. So last year, when Rapsody released Beauty And The Beast, an EP... Read more

April 7, 2015 Audio

Raekwon & Snoop Dogg Sound Illustrious In This F.I.L.A.-Fresh Moment (Audio)

Raekwon laces his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxury Art) with a smashing look from the April 28 release. Reuniting with Snoop Dogg, Chef marinates a Scoop Deville chop of Isaac Hayes, with a medley of dope drums for "1,2 1,2." While both Rae' and Snoop have found success throughout their career... Read more

April 7, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT: What We’ve Learned So Far & Why No MC is Safe

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 21 contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in Round 3 will get a bye in Round... Read more

April 7, 2015 Fresh

Inspectah Deck, Esoteric & Meyhem Lauren Flash The CZARFACE Signal (Audio)

It was more than two years ago that CZARFACE was born. Part group, part album, the Brick Records effort linked Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck with Boston, Massachusetts underground Hip-Hop veterans 7L & Esoteric for what would be a career-defining work. Featuring involvement from Ghostface Killah, DJ Premier, and Action... Read more

April 7, 2015 Audio

Ghostface Killah, AZ & Kool G Rap Go to Battle in This Comic-Style Visual (Lyric Video)

It's hard to believe that Ghostface Killah has released two albums in less than four months. Before Sour Soul, it was all about 36 Seasons. The narrative-style G.F.K. effort was an ensemble effort, part fiction, part seemingly fact about a character returning to Staten Island's Stapleton Projects after nine years... Read more

April 6, 2015 Video

Logic Squeezes Everything He Possibly Can Out Of This Freestyle Opportunity (Video)

Today's crop of artists really seem to love the moment. Logic is one of the nouveau stars who—no matter his place on the charts or the magazine covers, still hits the mic like he's fresh in the door. The Def Jam budding MC hit the BBC's Fire In The Booth... Read more

April 6, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Tupac vs. Ice Cube…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

April 6, 2015 Throwback

Take Off With A Full Listen To Curren$y’s Pilot Talk 3 (Album Stream)

Curren$y's Pilot Talk 3 is a self-released break from Spitta's DD172-backed, Def Jam-distributed first two flights. The third is packaged fan-friendly style, with USB drives, and an assortment of goodies. However, to access the collector's item-style release, it takes $125 and up on the Jet Life Apparel site. Before CDs... Read more

April 6, 2015 Audio

Can You Knock The Hustle?… Jay Z Pulls Reasonable Doubt From Spotify, Onto Tidal

Jay Z's 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt is a very special jewel in the artist-turned-mogul's treasure chest. The album that cemented Jay's status as a renowned lyricist has been a touchstone in his career ever since. There were 10th anniversary Radio City Music Hall concerts, a lot of Decoded real estate... Read more

April 6, 2015 News

Prince Paul Effortlessly Cuts Up A Tribe Called Quest, Canibus, Freddie Foxxx & Rah Digga (Mix)

Fresh off of his two-part The Cipher Show comprehensive interview appearance, "The Devastating" DJ Prince Paul returns to his "It's Not The Size Of Your Mix, It's How You Use It" obscure record mix series. Part 3 in as many months includes a lot of hardcore Hip-Hop. Paul, a mastermind... Read more

April 5, 2015 Audio

Has GLC’s Time Finally Come? Kanye West & Dame Dash To Back His Sophomore Album

Fresh after Dame Dash announced Kanye West's production involvement in DD172/Blu Roc Films' Loisaidas, the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and the Roc's biggest signee of the 2000s are getting back to musical ventures. According to The Fader, 'Ye and Dame are both working on GLC's upcoming sophomore studio album, The Book... Read more

April 5, 2015 News

Curren$y’s Pilot Talk 3 First Class Section Includes Jadakiss, Cool & Dre Production (Audio)

Curren$y's Pilot Talk 3 hit the skies this weekend, releasing yesterday (April 4). Spitta is selling the LP for $100 USB drives (with additional, more expensive packages available) for the moment—taking a page from Nipsey Hussle's Crenshaw idea. CDs and other formats are said to follow, but for now, it's... Read more

April 5, 2015 Audio

Ever Hear The 5 Deadly Venoms Of Brooklyn? It’s Widely Considered To Be Rap’s Greatest Tape (Mixtape)

1997 was an interesting year for Hip-Hop, especially as far as New York City was concerned. Tragically, The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered just months into the new year, throwing a dark cloud and massive vacancy in the hearts, souls, and earphones of many. Additionally, the part of Biggie's music that... Read more

April 5, 2015 Throwback

The Ghost Sightings Continue. Styles P Snatches ScHoolboy’s Beat & Comes Correct (Audio)

Springtime brings showers. Styles P has drenched Heads with lots of new content, between fully-produced songs with his D-Block affiliates, more cannon fodder with his protege Chris Rivers, and four straight weekends of freestyles on industry beats. The quickfire attacks continue, as this week, S.P. holds ScHoolboy Q's "It's True"... Read more

April 4, 2015 Audio

Many Think DJ QBert Is The Best Turntablist Alive. Listen As He Obliterates a ’60s Soul (Mix)

Chances are that if you own a pair of turntables, you know who DJ QBert is. The San Francisco, California DJ helped coin the term turntablism. The front man of the Invizbl Skratch Piklz crew (which also includes Beastie Boys' DJ Mixmaster Mike, and Fool's Gold Records founder DJ A-Trak,... Read more

April 4, 2015 Audio

Freestyle Fellowship Are Often Revered As MC Innovators. They Still Push The Envelope (Audio)

Los Angeles, California's Freestyle Fellowship is a legendary outfit. Although it really never showed up in sales, and only sporadically in critical acclaim the collective including Aceyalone, Myka 9, Self Jupiter, and P.E.A.C.E. are among Rap's greatest MC innovators. Their leading role in The Good Life Cafe in South Central... Read more

April 4, 2015 Audio

Nick Cannon’s Signee Got In With DJ Premier. The Results May Surprise You (Video)

For the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, one of the great ways to introduce—or really break an artist is to get him or her in the lab with DJ Premier. From Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. to Macy Gray and Limp Bizkit. One person who knows this is entertainment mogul Nick... Read more

April 3, 2015 Video

Blueprint Honors The Breakers While Kickin’ A Flow That Windmills On Its Own (Video)

"I may not ever see more cheddar than you, but I bet you I can windmill better than you." - 'Printmatic. MC/producer Blueprint gives props to the B-boys and B-girls of the world in "Just Move." Built around a charged jam that makes breakers want to build momentum, 'Print salutes... Read more

April 3, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Slick Rick vs. Rakim…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

April 3, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: Scritti Politti, Mos Def & Lee Majors – Tinseltown To Boogie Down Remix (Audio)

Heads may or may not be up on Scritti Politti. However, the band from Leeds, England has been working for almost as long as Hip-Hop has been around. Since 1977, singer Green Gartside has carried the outfit (with revolving fellow band members) through the decades, and dabbles with Synth Pop,... Read more

April 2, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Game vs. Ludacris…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

April 2, 2015 Fresh

Locksmith, Jarren Benton & Futuristic Have The Substance & The Style (Video)

Fresh off of February's "Killin' My Soul" video connect between Jarren Benton and Locksmith (with Hopsin), the pair come back with another tandem. This time, Futuristic joins the foray in "Blinded." The song talks about the distractions—whether social media comment sections, industry pressures, or significant others clawing that challenge focus.... Read more

April 2, 2015 Video

Nobody’s Smiling…Common Un-invited From Kean University Graduation Speech

Common is the recipient of some difficult news today (April 1). Union, New Jersey's Kean University has uninvited the Chicago, Illinois veteran MC and actor from giving its commencement speech, after reported pressure from local police, who protested Common's attendance, fresh off of an award-winning season surrounding the movie Selma... Read more

April 1, 2015 News

Kendrick Lamar Shares Some Bars That Were Left Off To Pimp a Butterfly (Video)

Kendrick Lamar is seemingly giving radio and major media outlets the most access he has since the Section.80 days this week. The Compton, California MC—whose To Pimp A Butterfly held the #1 spot on charts for a second consecutive week—appeared on Los Angeles' Power 106' The Cruz Show. Talking at... Read more

April 1, 2015 Video

A New Straight Outta Compton Trailer Emerges. It Still Looks Incredible…(Video)

The latest in a series of trailers has emerged for Straight Outta Compton, the upcoming biopic (August 14) on N.W.A. With Universal Pictures' branding, this appears to be the real deal, and builds greatly upon the part-trailer, part Chrysler advertisement, part vignette from February. There are some really interesting things... Read more

April 1, 2015 TV/Film, Video

J. Cole Finally Gets His Platinum Plaque, Thanks To 2014 Forest Hills Drive

J. Cole is undoubtedly one of the premier Hip-Hop stars of the 2010s. Even before the new decade came in, Cole's The Warm Up topped year-end lists, and the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer was quickly thrown into a class alongside Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Wale. It's taken five years, but... Read more

April 1, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Redman vs. Phife Dawg…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

April 1, 2015 Throwback

PRhyme & Dwele Get Elemental In A Stripped Down Setting (Video)

From one of 2014's highlight albums comes the video to one of the album's highlight tracks. "You Should Know" featuring Dwele is a standout on PRhyme, with DJ Premier scratching it up between warm notes and hard drums (thank Adrian Younge for that), and Royce Da 5'9" presenting his verbal... Read more

April 1, 2015 Video

Camp Lo’s Futuristic Flows Get A Visual Treatment To Match (Video)

Since the Profile Records, Uptown Saturday Night days, Camp Lo has created this world intersecting the future with the past. Geechie Suede and Sonny Cheeba, as their names have always suggested, are inspired by the 1970s New York City. From slang to album covers to strong cinematic references, these guys... Read more

April 1, 2015 Video