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DJ Mister Cee Mix Will Rocks a Free-Form Mix for True Music Lovers (Audio)

No longer at his afternoon post at HOT 97, DJ Mister Cee is in transition. The iconic DJ for Big Daddy Kane, mentor to The Notorious B.I.G., and mainstay at tri-state radio reportedly left the signal to maintain his beliefs of what should be played, when, and not conforming to... Read more

Ras Kass Joins His Twin Sons, Davincci & SKAM2? For A Nonstop Bar Salute To J Dilla (Audio)

In honor of J Dilla's annual birthday weekends celebration(s), Ras Kass is one artist who joined in on the tributes. Running in some of the same circles back in the late '90s and 2000s, emerging MC Davincci laced "Dilla," a sharp-tongued salute to James Yancey with one of his bouncing... Read more

Planet Asia Keeps The Free Goodies Coming, Alongside DirtyDiggs (FreEP)

For the second time in 10 weeks, Planet Asia gives his faithful another free EP of music. This time, one-half of the Cali Agents teams with regular collaborator DirtyDiggs for 2010 A.D. The four-track effort is sparse beats, textured deliveries, and that sharp Fresno, California insight. Is Planet Asia one... Read more

Chris Rivers Joins Styles P & Vinnie Paz In A Visual That Would Make Full-A-Clips Proud (Video)

Long before the Loud Records deal, Big Pun was about the hard-nosed deliveries, the Horror imagery, and the grimy accounts of a life on the edge. Fifteen years to the day after Pun's tragic death, his son, Chris Rivers, carries on tradition. "War Room," with The LOX's Styles P and... Read more

Bad Day For Super Heroes, Black Dynamite TV Series Cancelled After 2 Seasons

"Black Dynamite," the Adult Swim animated adaptive series following the action film ran for two seasons. Film director and writer Scott Saunders joined actor Michael Jai White for the cartoon, including vocal contributions from Kym Whitley ("The Boondocks") and Tommy Davidson ("In Living Color"). After some cult acclaim—especially by Blaxploitation... Read more

Celebrate Dilla Weekend From Wherever, With A One-Hour Instrumental Mix (Audio)

February 7 is J Dilla's birthday. The Slum Village co-founder and iconic producer would have been 41 years old today, and Heads are still celebrating his life, his art, and his impact. With Dilla Weekend going down in Miami, and other events in Los Angeles and elsewhere, you can join... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Takes A Slice Of Jodeci & Leaves The Microphone Feenin’ (Audio)

CyHi The Prynce has many styles, but the constant aggressive flow. He takes a slice of Jodeci's "Forever My Lady," lets the vibe build, then slides in to deliver a syncopated flow akin to those heard on 2014's Black Hystori Project. So much conviction, as he takes the concept of... Read more

Missy Elliott Says She’s Spending Grammy Weekend In The Studio With Timberland, Praises Katy Perry (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's more interview-reclusive stars is Missy Elliott. While the last decade has afforded little new music from the Portsmouth, Virginia MC/producer, understanding why is even harder to gather, with the Atlantic Records artist shunning most press, despite her supremely approachable (miss)demeanor. Deeply connected to Heather B, as well... Read more

Eminem Rhymes Faster Than You Can Read. Just Watch…(Lyric Video)

With the true video already making its rounds from late last month, "Detroit Vs. Everybody" comes in lyrical form. If any artist or song is worth the closer, literal look, it's this Eminem, Danny Brown, Royce Da 5’9”, Big Sean & DeJ Loaf moment. Was 2014 Eminem's strongest year in... Read more

Check This Chronology Of Kickboxing That Goes Well Beyond “Bloodsport”

While combat sports and martial arts hit a pop culture pinnacle (especially in the United States) during the 1980s, many artforms date back decades prior. Kickboxing, the subject of a popular 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme film Bloodsport, and a host of other Hollywood films to varying successes, goes back to... Read more

Prince Paul Throws Together An Ill Mix Of Ice Cube, Screwball, GZA & Young MC (Audio)

Part of what makes "The Devastating" Prince Paul great is his imagination. The Stetsasonic alum, and mastermind behind many hits for De La Soul, Gravediggaz, and Handsome Boy Modeling School sees no boundaries in music—whether he was sampling Children's records, implementing intricate skits, or making Hip-Hoperas with Chubb Rock, Michael... Read more

Vince Staples Holds Open The Screen Door & Welcomes Us Into His World (Video)

Vince Staples made a big dent in 2014. His Def Jam Records debut, Hell Can Wait, was a critical and fan favorite of the year, as the Long Beach, California MC added to the emerging youthful narratives from his close associates Odd Future and Mac Miller. "Screen Door" was a... Read more

Problem Waves The Compton Flag Bigtime In 2015 (Audio)

Along with YG and Kendrick Lamar, Problem has been one of the 2010's laureates of the Compton class. With Hub City again living up to its reputation for the unpredictable, Problem makes "Compton." The record takes the eerie vocal from Eazy E's "Real Muthaphukkin' G'z," and flips it for 22... Read more

Slum Village Wax A Futuristic Sound For E(I)GO, Announce Next Album Guests (Audio)

Hitting the road as of this coming Dilla Weekend, Slum Village is feeling themselves. T3, Illa J, and Young RJ welcome Rosewood 2055 for "E(I)GO." The song all about swingin' some elbows at the haters is slowed down, keeping the brass involved, with that signature flow. Since 2005's self-titled LP,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Phife Dawg vs. Posdnuos…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Lord Finesse Went Up To Fat Beats In 1996 & Showed Why He’s One Of The Nicest (Video)

Nineteen years ago this month, Lord Finesse released his latest studio album. The Awakening, on the recently-relaunched Penalty Records, included scorching beats, almost all of which were created by the "funky technician" himself. However, the rhymes may have shined the hardest, with Finesse just in full Rap bravado mode, and... Read more

Spotlight: Dave East Shows Everything That He’s About On Around Here (Video)

Spanish Harlem, New York's Dave East is one of the artists who is making big noise in the last several months. His Black Rose mixtape is making its rounds, with involvement from Sean C & LV (The Hitmen), Smoke DZA, and Chinx Santana. "Around Here," which was released exclusively to... Read more

If You Heckle Ghostface Killah, You Will Be Sorry…(Video)

At 44 years old, Ghostface Killah is still no one to play with—on or off the mic. Although he may appear on VH1's "Couples Therapy," and be a fan of skydiving and hang-gliding, don't get it confused. One listen to 2014's 36 Seasons is a cold wake-up call that Tony... Read more

Do Remember: Cannibal Ox’s Painkillers (Video)

This month, after 14 years, a reunited Cannibal Ox announced a sophomore album, Blade Of The Ronin. The announcement after years of refuting the prospects of a follow-up to 2001's The Cold Vein debut. As time evolved, Vast Aire and Vordul Mega pursued solo careers, still making songs on each... Read more

One Producer Took AZ’s Whole A.W.O.L. Album & Gave It A Facelift (Album Stream)

Ten years ago, AZ Tha Visualiza left the major label system (after a decade in) and found an independent stride. After success under Kedar Massenburg's Motown Records with "Problems," The Firm lyricist was a blue-chip acquisition for eOne Entertainment. There, AZ made an album in A.W.O.L. seemingly apathetic towards radio support.... Read more

DJ Nu-Mark Makes His Worlds Combine In This Dope Pharcyde Vs. Jurassic 5 Mash-Up (Mixtape)

DJ Nu-Mark's career has been tied into Jurassic 5 and The Pharcyde. Quite obviously, the producer/DJ was a founding member of the Unity Committee (later J5), and in recent years, he's been releasing some strong product with SlimKid3 (Tre Hardson), a founding member of The Pharcyde. Thereby, if anybody has... Read more

A New Mix Comes To Light Of A Stellar Large Professor & MF Grimm Collabo (Audio)

Back in 2006, St. Louis, Missouri producer DJ Crucial released an album, Test Presses & Dub Plates that did not get the shine it deserved. The compilation-style album included strong guest-work from MF DOOM, MC Eiht, Slug, and others. One cut included was "United," from Large Professor and MF Grimm.... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Joe Budden vs. Jay Rock…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Did DJ Mustard Just Give Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney’s Single The Boost It Needed? (Audio)

Despite all of its star-power, "FourFiveSecond," Rihanna's single, featuring Kanye West and Paul McCartney hasn't really been the sort of impact Heads may be used to from a RiRi opening look. Especially given that Unapologetic was three years ago, this is big stuff. Moreover, the single pushes Rihanna's booming vocals,... Read more

Your Old Droog Comes Out Of The Woodwork With A Free 11-Track Project (Mixtape)

As he gears up to hit the road with PRhyme and Boldy James, Your Old Droogs hits Heads off with a whole new project. Kinison, seemingly an ode to the late comedian/actor heard on the intro (Sam Kinison), is 11 tracks of all new music. Marco Polo, El RTNC, and... Read more

KRS-One Followed Up “I Got Next” With This Domingo Track. Unheard, Until Now (Audio)

1998 was an interesting transition year for Hip-Hop legend, KRS-One. The Bronx MC/producer was one year removed from his highest-charting (#3), gold solo album, I Got Next. Still signed to the same Jive Records that he'd worked with for much of Boogie Down Productions' later work, Blastmasta had an A&R... Read more

Zion I Announce They Are Splitting, But Make Final Project Available (EP Stream)

Oakland, California duo Zion I has nearly 20 years in the books, dating back to 1998's "Inner Light." However, Zumbi (a/k/a MC Zion) and Amp Live have announced that they are officially, and amicably splitting. The news comes with the group living in different cities for several years now, and... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Cam’ron vs. Jadakiss…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Rapper Big Pooh Says the Shooting of Unarmed People of Color Must Stop (Audio)

More than two months ago, Ambrosia For Heads gathered some intel that Rapper Big Pooh might be crossing paths with Apollo Brown for a project called Words Paint Pictures. It's 2015, and not gloating or anything, but we were right. The artwork and March 24 EP release date were confirmed... Read more

DJ Premier Can Rock Without…Or WITH A Band. Catch ‘Em Rehearsing (Video)

If you're not in Japan this month, you might not be able to catch DJ Premier's new five-piece band in the flesh. Thanks to some cameras in the new studio though, you can. Premo is on the cuts with a brass, drums, and keys section. Some vocals from The Notorious... Read more

Jimmy Fallon Is The Fresh Prince Of Late Night…Just Watch (Video)

Taping "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" in Los Angeles this week, what better for Jimmy to set the stage than pay homage to "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" opening? That's exactly what the late night host did, involving Alfonso Ribeiro ("Carlton Banks") and DJ Jazzy Jeff ("Jazz") from the hit,... Read more

Action Bronson Cooks Cauliflower In The Kitchen & Alchemist Joints In The Lab (Video)

The latest episode of Action Bronson's "F*ck, That's Delicious" seems to close out the debut season. For this one, Bam Bam and Big Body Bes enjoy the land of sunshine: Santa Monica, California and some Hollywood trimmings. Bronson gets into some adventures, stemming from perusing the beach, to making tracks... Read more

Madonna & Nas Unveil Their Collaboration About Coming Up In The Big Apple (Audio)

Throughout her career, Madonna has had a curious relationship with Hip-Hop. She included Big Daddy Kane in her sex coffee table book. Madonna was sampled by Jay Z and Ab-Soul in the last 15 years. Also, she recorded a yet-unreleased, but confirmed song with Tupac Shakur before his 1996 death.... Read more

Drake, Wiz Khalifa & Childish Gambino Can Make Fun Of Themselves, Or Read Along As You Make Fun Of Them (Video)

Many of today's elite Rap superstars may seem immune to the rough, rugged, and raw criticism they receive on social media. Short of Wale and Lupe Fiasco, not many of the chart-topping artists will entertain the trolls. As guests on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," the stars are asked to confront some... Read more

It Turns Out Missy Elliott is The Real Super Bowl Winner. Here’s Why.

During Katy Perry's Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, the Pop princess notably did not include Juicy J or Snoop Dogg (who was at the championship game) for her medley of hits. However, the EMI/Capitol Records multi-platinum mainstay did turn the microphone over to an unlikely guest from the Hip-Hop genre:... Read more

Kanye West, Paul McCartney & Rihanna Go The Old Fashioned Portrait Route (Video)

For their superstar-stacked collaboration, "FourFiveSeconds," Rihanna, Paul McCartney, and Kanye West aimed to support it with a straightforward visual. Shot in black & white by Inez & Vinoodh, the video shows the trio as themselves—not overly styled or choreographed. The song also is stripped from big production or Power Pop... Read more

The Jacka Murdered In Oakland, California

Pittsburg, California veteran MC The Jacka has been murdered in nearby Oakland, California last night (February 2). The 37 year-old Mob Figaz co-founder born Dominic Newton was fatally shot in East Oakland shortly after 8pm local time. According to a local CBS News report, suspects have not been identified. Jacka... Read more

Mr. Cheeks Sounds Great On A Statik Selektah-Produced Cut (Audio)

The last decade has been a quieter one for Mr. Cheeks. Since his days with The Lost Boyz, the Queens, New Yorker certainly scored solo success, making party music rooted in vibes. However, when the LBFam front man hits the mic, he's still got it in full—evident in his appearances... Read more

Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar May Be Working on Their First Record Together

From MC Eiht, to E-40, and of course his Aftermath Entertainment backer, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar has worked with his share of West Coast Hip-Hop O.G.'s. However, besides the 2012 BET Cypher (also including DJ Quik), Snoop Dogg and Kendrick have not had the studio collaboration. After all, in August... Read more

Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell & Jimmy Fallon Have A Post Super-Bowl Lip Sync Championship Battle (Video)

In the post-Super Bowl XLIX fanfare, Jimmy Fallon hosted a special Sunday edition of "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon." With the special captive audience, and some carryover from the big weekend, Jimmy reverted to one of his nighttime talk show's winningest formulas: show how well celebrities know the lyrics... Read more

KRS-One Says He Cannot Make Money In America, Discusses Hip-Hop’s Global Impact (Video)

KRS-One interviews are a bit scarce in 2015. The archetypal MC tours extensively, and gives limited audiences these days. However, the Boogie Down Productions co-founder recently opened up with VladTV on a number of current and historic issues, which are now unfolding through the video segments. In the latest, KRS... Read more

MF DOOM Helps Cannibal Ox Make Proper Re-Entry (Audio)

Eleven years ago, MF DOOM linked with Cannibal Ox's Vast Aire for his breakthrough solo, Look Mom...No Hands, through "Da Supafriendz." In 2015, the Masked Villain reunites with the emphatic lyricist on Can Ox's sophomore LP, Blade Of The Ronin. This early glimpse from the March LP seems to capture... Read more

DJ P. Makes An All-Vinyl Mix With New Joints By Joey Bada$$, A.G., Quasimoto & Lord Finesse (Mixtape)

UPDATE: It turns out that this DJ P actually hails from Lyon, France—no relation to the Phoenix, Arizona-based DJ P below. However, this mix still beckons many listens and much enjoyment. DJ P. is an underground DJ legend. More than a decade ago, as DJ Z-Trip's partner, P. made Uneasy... Read more

Atmosphere Releases The 1995 Video That Got The Rhymesayers Goin’ & It’s Still Relevant (Video)

Now a chart-topping independent Hip-Hop juggernaut, Atmosphere had less glamorous beginnings. The Minneapolis, Minnesota crew centered around MC Slug and producer Ant had a lot of "Headshots" leading up to their studio debut, Overcast! In a benchmark year for Rhymesayers Entertainment, some of those rarely-discussed songs, tapes, and moments are... Read more

Travel Back To 1983, The Exact Moment Hip-Hop Was Played On Daytime NYC Radio (Audio)

Thirty-two years ago, Hip-Hop was emerging on a host of record labels large and small. However, while these 12" singles and pioneering albums may have been party highlights, and closely examined in the clubs, the bedrooms, and the subsequent tapes made, they were not often heard on radio—especially at daytime.... Read more

DMC, Chuck D, PMD, MC Serch & Terminator X Come Together With An Edge (Video)

Twenty five Januaries ago, in 1990...could you have imagined Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Chuck D, Parrish "PMD" Smith, MC Serch, and Terminator X together? The thought alone drains boombox D-batteries, and makes speakers shudder. In 2015, these things are not only possible, but able to be captured on video. "Hellraisers" is... Read more

DJ Quik Admits Losing Passion In Music-Making Since Tupac & Notorious B.I.G. Deaths (Audio)

DJ Quik is the latest guest for NPR Hip-Hop's Microphone Check interview series. In a week that's brought tragedy and suspicion to former members of Quik's circle, the iconic producer/DJ/MC opens up, with NPR's Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest) and Frannie Kelley. The interview is as in-depth as... Read more

Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Jay Z Is Going Head To Head With Dr. Dre & Beats

Despite owning competing record labels, distributed by competing majors, Dr. Dre and Jay Z have been most amicable for more than 15 years. More than once, the pair has done business together, from Jay's writing of Dre's "Still D.R.E." hit single verses, to Dre supplying sounds on Jay's Kingdom Come,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Mos Def vs. Phonte…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

yU Gets A Mind-Melting Beat From Nottz & Gets To Storytellin’ (Audio)

In an era when the compilation seems obsolete, Mello Music Group is focused on fighting the great fight. Following Phonte and Oddisee's deeply-compelling "Requiem," the upcoming Persona (March 10) sheds another captivating track. Diamond District's yU, who has released a series of strong solo albums with Mello, combines with fellow... Read more