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Do Remember: Black Eyed Peas Joints & Jam (Video)

Few groups in Hip-Hop can reinvent themselves, twice. The Black Eyed Peas accomplished this, and on a major stage to boot. 1998 would prove to be a pivotal year for will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo. Six years after Will 1X and apl had signed with Eazy-E and Ruthless Records, the Atban... Read more

March 19, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Jay-Z vs. MF DOOM…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

March 19, 2015 Fresh

Skillz’ Storytelling Is Vivid On This Bigger Than Life Track By BINK! (Audio)

A master of freestyles and concept tracks, sometimes it can be easy to overlook Skillz (f/k/a Mad Skillz) straightforward songs. However, one fast revisit of From Where??? and it's apparent that the Richmond, Virginia MC has many clubs in his bag of tricks. Currently doing a European arena run (as... Read more

March 19, 2015 Audio

Bounce To This Comprehensive Cash Money Records Mix, Featuring Lots Of Early Mannie Fresh Tracks (Mix)

Cash Money Records goes back a lot farther than even well-versed Hip-Hop Heads may realize. Names like Kilo G, U.N.L.V., (the late) Magnolia Shorty, and Ms. Tee span back to the early 1990s on the label started by Bryan "Birdman" Williams, and brother Ronald "Slim." Prior to the storied Universal... Read more

March 19, 2015 Throwback

Snoop Dogg & Uncle Charlie Wilson Revive The Funk With Retro Pharrell (Video)

Snoop Dogg & Pharrell have BUSH planned for May 12. First single "Peaches N Cream" shows that this is a major progression from Tha Doggfathers 2000s-era comeback with Skateboard P. However, Snoop uses a driving bassline and a song rooted in raw attraction to take dead aim on the dance-floor.... Read more

March 18, 2015 Video

The Game Reveals Details About The Documentary 2 Including Its Release Date (Video)

Last Summer, Game heated things up when he put some hard and fast details to his plans to make a sequel to his breakthrough major label debut, 2005's The Documentary. The Compton, California MC confirmed that Dr. Dre (whose relationship with Game since has been speckled in hiatuses and reunions),... Read more

March 18, 2015 Video

From DJ Quik’s Late Protege Mausberg To Sufjan Stevens, Kendrick Lamar’s Butterfly Samples Plenty (Mix)

Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly continues resonating with Heads, many of whom are still giving the just-released album a first listen. Overall, the reaction appears extremely favorable to the body of work from the Compton, California MC who in 24 hours, broke Spotify's all-time per diem stream record. With... Read more

March 18, 2015 Audio

Black Milk’s Sound Can Never Sit Still For Long. Check His Latest (Audio)

Black Milk slammed 2014 with not one, but two acclaimed albums. If There's A Hell Below is still very much a new release in heavy rotation. However, the Detroit, Michigan multi-threat cannot not make music. "I Guess" is some hear-and-now raps that reflect on Black's accomplishments, his attitudes about performing,... Read more

March 18, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Dr. Dre vs. Erick Sermon…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

March 18, 2015 Throwback

Method Man, Snoop Dogg & Talib Kweli Signal More Game Of Thrones (Mixtape)

For the second consecutive year, HBO's "Game Of Thrones" is promoted via mixtape. Catch The Throne, Vol. 2 is a multi-genre set-up for Season 6, which hits the premium channel on April 12, 2015. All of the songs tie into themes regarding the blockbuster series, indicative of their titles. From... Read more

March 17, 2015 Mixes

Kendrick Lamar’s Butterfly Soars, Breaking Spotify’s Record

The same day that The Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill is announced as a diamond certification, selling 10 million confirmed copies, Kendrick Lamar reaches a numerically similar benchmark. The Compton, California native's sophomore major label LP, To Pimp A Butterfly has been confirmed to have streamed 9.6 million times in... Read more

March 17, 2015 News

Pusha T Joins Raz Simone & Leezy Soprano For A Cold-Hearted Power Play (Audio)

Although he's a thoughtful songwriter, Raz Simone has some big chips on his shoulder. The Seattle, Washington MC is coming out swinging, apparently on his April 7 EP/mixtape, Baby Jesus. For "That Ain't Love," Raz calls upon one of the archetypes of cold rap, Pusha T. The Clipse MC joins... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Yelawolf Gets The Led Out As He Uncoils A Dazed & Confused Freestyle (Audio)

In 2014, Yelawolf revived his tradition of busting raps over Classic Rock tracks. Pink Floyd, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and a more contemporary backdrop in Primus were some of the textures the Alabama MC/singer sourced. In 2015, he's back at it yet again. Led Zeppelin's "Dazed & Confused" was one... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Bun B vs. Scarface…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

March 17, 2015 Fresh

Jill Scott Brings Down The House & The Tears In Her Grand Return (Video)

Jill Scott is something special. While the signs of Spring typically conjure up songs about new love, lust, or at least the pursuit—"Jilly from Philly" knows that not all are so lucky. Presumably marching towards her first album since 2011's The Light Of The Sun, the Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records star... Read more

March 17, 2015 Video

Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T. & Mike WiLL Make Another One For The Trunk (Audio)

While Ludacris put his first car and oft-daily driver 1993 Acura Legend on the cover of Ludaversal (which has since been altered for some reason), don't get it confused. The Disturbing Tha Peace founder, and longtime Def Jam Records superstar has a garage that looks like a baseball roster. In... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Beastie Boys’ Licensed To Ill Album Certified Diamond By The RIAA, A 1980s Rap First!

Nearly 30 years old, the Beastie Boys' 1986 debut album, Licensed To Ill has sold 10 million copies. Officially certified diamond status, the Def Jam Records release (the only the Beasties recorded for Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin's then-label)—this is the first for the 30-plus year-old label. Jay Z, DMX,... Read more

March 16, 2015 News, Throwback

DJ Quik Talks Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, Eazy-E and More (Video)

DJ Quik is one of the best interviewees out right now. The same day Kendrick Lamar's early-bird release of To Pimp A Butterfly is drawing some Quik comparisons, Montreality released the interview with the Compton, California musical O.G. In this interview, Quik speaks on some highly topical issues, including T.P.A.B.,... Read more

March 16, 2015 Video

Want To Understand Lil Wayne’s $51 Million Lawsuit? Lawyer Combat Jack Breaks It Down… (Video)

Lawsuits in the entertainment media can be pretty damn confusing sometimes. Fresh off of the multi-million dollar "Blurred Lines" ruling in favor of Marvin Gaye's family/estate against Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I., another high profile music case remains open. Currently, Lil Wayne is seeking $51 million from Cash Money... Read more

March 16, 2015 Video

Ameriie Returns With An Electrified Jam That Challenges Wallflowers (Audio)

Amerie or Ameriie—however you want to spell it in 2015, the veteran songstress still has plenty of vocal chops. Thirteen years after "Why Don't We Fall In Love," the crooner reunites with her hit-making partner Rich Harrison. "Out Loud" pulls from the Pop pocket, with a lot of energy. Ameriie... Read more

March 16, 2015 Audio

Does Raekwon’s F.I.L.A. Have New Direction? The Tracklist & Personnel Say A Lot

Since 2009's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II, Raekwon the Chef has found a revival in acclaim, chart position, and in feature work. The Staten Island, New York MC veteran went backwards to go forwards, transitioning poor marks in sales and reviews in 2003's The Lex Diamond Story into giving... Read more

March 16, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Kanye West vs. Mos Def…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

March 16, 2015 Fresh

Ultramagnetic MC’s Make A Colorful Vid To Ego Trippin’ Almost 30 Years Later (Video)

The Ultramagnetic MC's debut album, 1988's Critical Beatdown may be the Bronx, New York group's most celebrated work. However, the Next Plateau Records release lacked the emerging video medium enjoyed by many other top Hip-Hop acts of the time. MC Ultra would eventually travel through several other labels in their... Read more

March 16, 2015 Throwback, Video

Did Planet Asia & Durag Dynasty Earn Just Blaze’s Liberated Instrumental? (Audio)

Three weeks ago, Just Blaze shared an illusive instrumental track in "Miracle." Courted by everybody from Jay Z to Rick Ross to Chris Brown, the song (apparently even sold at one point), the track never was recorded—so the New Jersey DJ/producer shook things up and liberated it. Demanding only MCs... Read more

March 16, 2015 Audio

Nate Dogg Left A Giant Vacancy In Music. J. Period’s Tribute Mix Says It All… (Audio)

Four years ago today (March 15, 2011), Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale died, tragically, after complications from a stroke. Since his earliest days, alongside Snoop Dogg and Warren G, Nate Dogg was an anomaly. A Long Beach, California native, Nate fused Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Soul seamlessly throughout a career that lasted... Read more

March 15, 2015 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly Tracklist Features Rapsody, Snoop Dogg & Bilal

Less than 10 days away from release, it appears that the tracklist to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly has been made public. iTunes posted the tracks to the March 23 sophomore major label album from the Compton, California star. While only five featured guests were included on 2012's good... Read more

March 15, 2015 News

Styles P Freestyles Over a Classic Dr. Dre Beat and PUMP PUMPS (Audio)

Styles P has a battery in his back! Fresh off of "Bring That Beat Back" with his LOX family earlier in the week, Holiday Styles lights up with a "Still Bangin'" freestyle. Often agreeable and humble in the 2010s, this is a flashback to the Interscope Records days, shortly after... Read more

March 14, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Gets Autobiographical About His Struggle To Climb Mt. Olympus (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. is five years in on a journey to his own private "Mount Olympus." However, for the Merdian, Mississippi native, the journey goes back a long ways before 2010's Kritzwuzhere. On "K.R.I.T. 4eva (Chapter One)," the MC/producer channels the hunger—literally "a sandwich a day" as he recalls Greyhound bus... Read more

March 13, 2015 Audio

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is the New Ali vs. Frazier Inside and Out. Here’s Why.

Fast approaching, May 2 may be the biggest day in boxing history—at least for the last 40 years. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao's "Fight Of The Century" promises to live up to its name, nearly eight years in the making. The undefeated 38 year-old "Money Mayweather" will take on eight-division... Read more

March 13, 2015 Lifestyle

Happy Birthday Common. Celebrate with This Amazing Mixtape of Remixes (Audio)

Today (March 13), Common turns 43 years old. For nearly 25 of those years, the Chicago, Illinois MC, actor, and activist has kept Heads noddin'. 2015 appears to be the biggest professional calendar of Common's life, only in the first quarter. The onetime Relativity Records breakout, and former Source "Unsigned... Read more

March 13, 2015 Mixes

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): The Notorious B.I.G. vs. Big Pun…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

March 13, 2015 Throwback

Oddisee’s Songmaking Is Reaching New Levels. Mainstream, Take Notice… (Audio)

Oddisee is more than 10 years deep in the music game. Still, the Diamond District front man always seems to put his most interesting sounds in the now. "That's Love" takes the expression commonly heard and often diluted and restores its essence. A love song, a life song, this funky... Read more

March 12, 2015 Audio

Now Back In The Studio With Puff, The LOX Bring It Back (Audio)

The LOX continue to win with retro-minded approaches. "Bring It Back" is a simple concept built around a classic live recording of Hip-Hop in its purest essence. The trio hits the mic with confidence, keen wordplay, and that gritty attitude that makes this feel like a D-Block tape highlight from... Read more

March 12, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: When Charles Hamilton Passed The Mic To An Unknown Kendrick Lamar (Video)

Miss Lauryn Hill once eloquently rhymed, "Seasons change, mad things re-arrange." In life, love, and Hip-Hop, is this not a rugged truism? As the world shifts, there are some interesting cycles. This week in the culture, Kendrick Lamar took center-stage, giving Heads a name for his sophomore major label album,... Read more

March 12, 2015 Throwback

Young Biggie Smalls Bagged Groceries, Now The Same Store Is Painting A Mural In His Honor

The lyrics to "Juicy" color the story of The Notorious B.I.G.'s youth. Before he was Biggie Smalls, Christopher Wallace was earning his money to buy mixtapes and Rap magazines by bagging groceries in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. In those days, the neighborhood was defined by a specific kind of street-level entrepreneurship—a... Read more

March 12, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Snoop Dogg vs. Guru…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

March 12, 2015 Fresh

Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One Dress Up A Snoop Dogg Hit With A Funky Tuxedo (Video)

One of the low-key, simply amazing collaborations going on right now is Tuxedo. A duo, the group consists of crossover hit DJ-turned-singer Mayer Hawthorne and Seattle, Washington producer Jake One. For years, Jake Uno has lived in the shadow, regardless of whether he was working with G-Unit or Quannum Projects.... Read more

March 12, 2015 The Bridge

Charles Hamilton Has Everything To Prove In A 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Five years ago, Charles Hamilton was seemingly on top of the world. The Harlem, New York MC who happens to be MC Lyte's cousin had inked a deal with the dominant Interscope Records. Hamilton was releasing spotlight-grabbing mixtapes at a breakneck speed. Along with peers Wale, B.o.B., and Asher Roth,... Read more

March 12, 2015 Video

Kendrick Lamar Reveals New Details About His Upcoming Album to Rolling Stone (News)

Details are emerging slowly but surely about Kendrick Lamar's new album. Even when speaking to his close homie and longtime supporter Big Boy earlier this week, Kendrick would not say much about his sophomore major label release. Swearing that Top Dawg would "kill him" if he spilled the beans on... Read more

March 11, 2015 Fresh

3 of Cali’s Finest: Kurupt, King T & Fashawn Unite, On A K-Def Remix (Audio)

For his Another Time album, Miami, Florida's DJ EFN created a California super collaboration. "Selfish" features King T, Kurupt, and Fashawn—three masters from the last 25 years of Hip-Hop. With a new album fresh in stores, EFN calls upon veteran producer K-Def for the remix. New Jersey's K-Def is a... Read more

March 11, 2015 Audio

Black Moon Had a Lot on Their Mind In This 1999 Future Flavas Freestyle (Audio)

Six years after Enta Da Stage, Black Moon made a powerful return in 1999. War Zone would be a Top 40 debut for the Brooklyn, New York trio, and the last of the three studio B.M. albums produced entirely by DJ Evil Dee and Da Beatminerz. With all the hype... Read more

March 11, 2015 Throwback

Is Kendrick Lamar’s “Butterfly” Artwork The Next Classic Hip-Hop Image?

After midnight EST this morning (March 11), Kendrick Lamar appears to have revealed the artwork to his sophomore major label album. While the March 23 LP title remains unconfirmed, the Compton, California MC took to Facebook to share a stickered image, suggesting that it's the packaging associated with his good... Read more

March 11, 2015 News

Pharrell & Robin Thicke Ordered To ‘Give It Up’ To Marvin Gaye Estate

There are "blurred lines" in regards to the adage that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." A court has now found that Robin Thicke, Pharrell and T.I.'s 2013 hit "Blurred Lines" was too closely related to the 1977 Disco hit "Got To Give It Up," by Marvin Gaye. Per... Read more

March 10, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Busta Rhymes vs. Jadakiss…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

March 10, 2015 Fresh

Pete Rock Brings Out the Best in Edo. G. Listen to the Music They Make (Video)

Edo. G does not just rap about it, he lives it. Roxbury, Boston's star MC for more than 25 years takes his Pete Rock-produced "Make Music" track, and sets it smack dab in his city. Pete also appears in the visual. From the record stores, to the train platform, to... Read more

March 10, 2015 Video

John Forte Responds To Oklahoma’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon In With His Heart & Mind (Audio)

University of Oklahoma's Sigma Alpha Epsilon showed the world watching why we, as a people, have so far to go. The racial slurs, light made of murderous histories, and proud discrimination serve as a wake up call that hate lurks. Most wake up calls come at dawn. Two of those... Read more

March 10, 2015 Audio

Waka Flocka Flame Cancels University Of Oklahoma Show Following Racist Videos

Sometimes money doesn't matter. Following videos surfacing of some fraternity members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at University of Oklahoma chanting about the brotherhood's exclusion of Blacks and using racial slurs, Waka Flocka Flame does not want money from OSU in his hands. The Brick Squad Monopoly front man announced, via... Read more

March 9, 2015 News

Rapper Big Pooh Provides Heartfelt, Soulful Accounts Of Hard Livin’ (Audio)

Two weeks removed from Words Paint Pictures (March 24) Rapper Big Pooh & Apollo Brown continue to show that the Mello Music Group album may be a critical milestone for the Little Brother co-founding MC. Pooh gets deep, soulful, and especially thoughtful in much of what Heads have heard. "How... Read more

March 9, 2015 Audio

Saukrates Makes A Poignant Return, Highlighting Industry Rule #4080 (Video)

Saukrates has been 20 years deep in Hip-Hop. An early Canadian staple as both an MC/producer, the Toronto, Ontario native was working with Xzibit long before Dr. Dre and Rockwilder did, making jams with Common before G.O.O.D. Music was established, and producing Choclair albums when Priority Records was still owned... Read more

March 9, 2015 Video

Sky’s The Limit When Kendrick Lamar Crushes A Freestyle Over Notorious B.I.G. Beats (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar verses can perform miracles. It's easy to imagine The Notorious B.I.G. smiling big, 18 years to the day after he physically left the world, as Kendrick Lamar touches some of the same kicks and snares he helped make famous. Appearing on opening day of Big Boy's Neighborhood on... Read more

March 9, 2015 Audio