Bandini

Suge Knight Involved in Hit and Run That Kills a Man; Possibly Facing Murder Charges

UPDATE #3: Less than one week since the January 29 hit-and-run incident, killing Terry Carter and injuring Cle "Bone" Sloan, Marion "Suge" Knight has been formally charged with one count of murder, and one count of attempted murder. ABC7.com reports the breaking news. Additionally, the Compton native was charged with... Read more

January 29, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Q-Tip vs. Grand Puba…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

January 29, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″ Announce The PRhyme Tour Dates, With 2 Exciting Opening Acts

In the midst of ongoing success surrounding their self-titled 2014 album, PRhyme is taking the show on the road. DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" have announced that they will begin the US PRhyme Tour in less than one month, beginning officially on February 18, and running through 2015's South... Read more

January 29, 2015 Fresh

Master P Won’t Feed Into The Cash Money “Power”-Play, But Gets TRU About Family (Video)

In the course of his career, Master P has never been big on beef. The No Limit Records founder and former CEO (Romeo now holds that position) guarded 2Pac's legacy in the late '90s, and made some controversial moves against the competition (making a movie called Hot Boys, etc.), but... Read more

January 29, 2015 Video

Do Remember: Fat Joe, Nas, Big Pun, Raekwon & Jadakiss’ John Blaze (Video)

1998 was a critical turning point for Fat Joe. Two albums deep, the Bronx, New Yorker had made Represent and Jealous Ones Envy with the hardcore Hip-Hop Head in mind and in spirit. With Joe's brazen delivery, sharp cadence, and keen ear for intricate sample-based production, he had risen the... Read more

January 29, 2015 Throwback

KRS-One Returned To The Boom-Bap Back In 1993. But What About This Leftover? (Audio)

KRS-One's first solo album, 1993's Return Of The Boom Bap clearly mapped out the Blastmasta from his Boogie Down Productions past. A Top 40 charting effort on his longtime Jive Records home, the LP welcomed DJ Premier and Showbiz to the cypher. Fourteen tracks would make the LP a hardcore... Read more

January 28, 2015 Throwback

Run The Jewels Are Some Rap Role Models, Even If They Don’t Want To Be (Video)

The sound of Run The Jewels is jarring, fragmented, and explosive in the ears—in the best way possible (for lovers of energetic, forceful Hip-Hop, anyway). For the latest Run The Jewels 2 video, Killer Mike and El-P captured that grit, attitude, and vibe in the visual to "Lie, Cheat, Steal."... Read more

January 28, 2015 Video

Jarren Benton Sets 2015 Off With One Of The Better Freestyles You’re Gonna Hear (Video)

Funk Volume's pedigree for bigger than life lyricism is strong—especially on a label co-founded by Hopsin. One to watch though, is Georgia's Jarren Benton. A true Rap outcast/cool-guy hybrid, Jarren, in many ways, is a callback to early D12, R.A. The Rugged Man (who he's worked with), and Sticky Fingaz.... Read more

January 28, 2015 Video

Royce Da 5’9″, O.C., REKS & Your Old Droog On A Track Together? On A Buckwild Beat No Less! (Audio)

One week after bringing Killer Mike and Crooked I (Kxng Crooked) together on a stick of audio dynamite, the powder kegs are far from depleted. "Revolutionary Ride Music" is orchestrated by EFN, who bridged generations of MCs by combining Royce Da 5'9", O.C., REKS, and Your Old Droog. If that... Read more

January 28, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Immortal Technique vs. Talib Kweli…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

January 28, 2015 Fresh

North Carolina’s K-Hill Has A Strong Pedigree & A Grabbing New Visual (Video)

K-Hill has been making moves out of Greensboro, North Carolina for more than a decade. The true school MC has done work (vocals and production) with Big Daddy Kane, Nature, and Prince Po of Organized Konfusion. Now, with his Truck Jewels & Filters EP out (with Debonair P), he's got... Read more

January 28, 2015 Video

Here’s a Look at Every Member of X-Men Ever…in 12 Minutes (Video)

With new reports that "X-Men" will be coming to the FOX family, from the same team that brought Heads "24," it's a great day to take a long look at the Marvel franchise. This month, IGN celebrated the affair with an incredibly comprehensive chronology of the X-Men character list, dating... Read more

January 27, 2015 The Bridge

Jodeci Capture Their Glory & Still Lean Forward In Every Moment (Audio)

Being reunited may feel so good. Now, however, Jodeci is faced with delivering new sounds to a generation that they helped make (possibly in the literal sense, with their Quiet Storm omnipresence). K-Ci, JoJo, DeVante and Mr. Dalvin pay close attention to their legacy and patchwork of '90s sounds in... Read more

January 27, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): LL Cool J vs. Run…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

January 27, 2015 Throwback

Fashawn Unleashes A Captivating Ecology Single, With A Release Date Too (Audio)

Over five years removed from Boy Meets World, Fashawn solo product may feel estranged from record store shelves, but the Fresno, California MC has been anything but stagnant. Ranging from charting joint efforts with Murs to two Alchemist-assisted mixtapes, to a host of videos, singles, and Grizzly City projects, Fash'... Read more

January 27, 2015 Audio

Rich Medina Made A Colorful Mixtape To Complement A New Museum Installation (Audio)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native Rich Medina is a legend behind the turntables. Whether spinning Hip-Hop, House, Soul, or Rare Groove, the DJ/producer has been at the epicenter of nightlife for Heads in Philly and New York City for decades now. Always an innovator, Rich's latest musical vision, 13 Joints, ties into... Read more

January 27, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier Forms 5-Piece Band & Announces Japan Tour Dates

From The Roots, to the Beastie Boys, to Stetsasonic, to Atmosphere, Hip-Hop has had some amazing acts that double as bands. DJ Premier, a legendary producer and turntablist, has announced a band that he will lead. The Gang Starr icon formed a five-person band, with his deejaying as the center-piece.... Read more

January 26, 2015 Fresh

15 Years Later, D’Angelo’s Voodoo Is Celebrated Through Questlove’s Quirky Tour Diaries

Along with The LOX's We Are The Streets and Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele, yesterday (January 25) marked the 15th anniversary of D'Angelo's sophomore LP, Voodoo. Few could have imagined that of that trifecta of great albums, that D'Angelo would only one month ago follow it up, The LOX have not, and... Read more

January 26, 2015 Throwback

Kenn Starr’s Comeback LP Features Some Scorching Black Milk & Kev Brown Sounds (Album Stream)

Tomorrow (January 27), DMV music scene veteran Kenn Starr will release his sophomore album, Square One. As the title suggests, the LP is a return to form for one of Oddisee's earliest collaborators, and a member of the Low Budget crew that includes Oddy, Kev Brown, Peter Rosenberg, and Sean... Read more

January 26, 2015 Audio

Mike Tyson Follows Up His Canibus Cameo 17 Years Later, Rockin’ With…Madonna

Back in 1998, Mike Tyson set the stage for an emerging MC's debut album when he lathered up "Second Round K.O." for Canibus' self-titled Universal Records debut. Seventeen years later, Iron Mike steps into the recording booth alongside Madonna, and another emerging MC, Chance The Rapper. This month it was... Read more

January 26, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): The Notorious B.I.G. vs. GZA…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

January 26, 2015 Throwback

Omar Epps Might Need To Come With That Album! Domingo Unleashes A 1995 Joint (Audio)

Last year, Heads got a fast reminder that in addition to longtime acting chops, Omar Epps can spit. The star of Juice, Higher Learning, and TV's "House" presented a 2004 compilation, The Get Back. However, the Brooklyn, New Yorker never let his rhyme skills get dusty, evident alongside Saigon and... Read more

January 26, 2015 Throwback

The LOX’s We Are The Streets Turns 15 Years Old, Is It Their True Best Work?

In a weird twist of fate, the same Tuesday January 25, 2000 that Ghostface Killah released Supreme Clientele, The LOX released their own sophomore effort, We Are The Streets. Fifteen years ago, few could have thought that Wu-Block would ever be a thing, let alone that Ghost and Sheek Louch... Read more

January 25, 2015 Throwback

O.C. May Be One Of The Only Artists Who Can Claim To Have Received A Free Jay Z Feature

D.I.T.C. MC O.C. has several championed releases, stemming from his 1994 Wild Pitch Records debut, Word...Life, his 1997 Payday follow-up, Jewelz, his near-bootleg release Starchild, to his Apollo Brown tandem, Trophies. 2001's Bon Appetit is not one of O's more celebrated works, though the Brooklyn, New Yorker maintains it's the... Read more

January 25, 2015 Throwback

The Beatles’ Paul McCartney To Co-Produce Kanye West’s Seventh LP? An Insider Says So…

Thirteen months since Q-Tip and Rick Rubin were slated to produce "the bulk" of Kanye West's seventh solo album, a follow-up to 2013's Yeezus, a new iconic name enters the fold. Paul McCartney, of The Beatles, Wings, and nothing short of a legendary solo career is the latest name attributed... Read more

January 25, 2015 Audio

Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele Turns 15 Years Old & Remains Mighty Healthy

Fifteen years ago today (January 25, 2000), Ghostface Killah hit the 21st century off with a would-be classic album, in his sophomore, Supreme Clientele. The sophomore release from the Staten Island, New Yorker and Wu-Tang Clan co-founder remains in strong debate as G.F.K.'s finest work. The Epic/Razor Sharp Records effort... Read more

January 25, 2015 Throwback

Big K.R.I.T. Made Mind Control For Outkast, Talks Guests He Wanted For Cadillactica (Video)

Hip-Hop always loves a good what-if. Sitting down with Southern Rap mixtape mainstay DJ Smallz, Big K.R.I.T. feels comfortable enough to share some of the what-if's surrounding his sophomore major label album, Cadillactica. For starters, the E-40 & Wiz Khalifa-assisted "Mind Control" was made with another duo in mind. Having... Read more

January 24, 2015 Video

Detroit Vs. Everybody: How One City Staged a Hip-Hop Takeover (Editorial)

Detroit, Michigan is historically, a fighter’s city. The sharp elbows of the Bad Boy-era Pistons, the unbreakable spirit of the autoworkers through the decline of the industry’s bountifulness, and the cold, harsh conditions of everyday life make for the Great Lakes State to be rugged, never smooth. In the context... Read more

January 24, 2015 Food for Thought

Pharcyde, Jurassic 5 & D.I.T.C. Forces Unite In This Animation (Video)

Slimkid3 (Tre Harbison) and DJ Nu-Mark released a jewel of an LP last year, on the Delicious Vinyl label no less. Among the highlights within the self-titled effort is "King," alongside Diamond D and K-Natural. For the video, the quartet (hailing from legendary crews including The Pharcyde, Jurassic 5, and... Read more

January 23, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Tupac vs. Big Boi…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

January 23, 2015 Fresh

Ghostface Killah & DOOM’s Single Turns Into a Grindhouse Movie Visual (Video)

Fans of Ghostface Killah and DOOM are typically lovers of deep references, and retro style. Even when the MCs crossed paths a decade ago on DangerDOOM's "The Mask," the song and the album were littered with 1960s and 1970s sonic cues, samples, and images from a childhood that Dennis Coles,... Read more

January 23, 2015 Video

Hip-Hop’s Fashion Innovation The Subject Of A New Documentary Film By Sacha Jenkins (Trailer)

From the Cold Crush Brothers to A$AP Rocky, Hip-Hop culture has always been fashion-forward. From sneakers with fat laces (or no laces at all), to eyeglasses frames, jewelry, bluejeans, tailored suits, sports apparel, sunglasses, flannel shirts, ski goggles, beanies, bubble-goose jackets, skullies, and leather duffel bags, there are legions of... Read more

January 23, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: The Roots – Silent Treatment (Video)

In the last week, The Roots' sophomore album Do You Want More?!!!??! turned 20 years old. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania band's first foray with the Top 200 and the charts altogether, D.Y.W.M. was recorded throughout 1993 and 1994, following the collective's debut, Organix. On some early editions, the DGC (Geffen Records)... Read more

January 22, 2015 Throwback

Pete Rock & Slum Village Announce A Bunch Of 2015 Tour Dates Together

Collaborators since 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2, Pete Rock and Slum Village are going on the road together. The influential Mount Vernon, New York MC/producer/DJ joined by T3, Illa J, and Young RJ have announced more than 25 United States dates, beginning February 7, with an appearance (both acts) at Dilla... Read more

January 22, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): MCA vs. Slick Rick…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

January 22, 2015 Throwback

Lewis Parker, Eastkoast, El Da Sensei & Shabaam Sahdeeq Make A Joint Worthy Of Soundbombing (Audio)

Yesterday (January 20), Joey Bada$$' B4.Da.$$ hit shelves and digital outlets as a callback to the lyrical, free-form, expressionist Hip-Hop from the East Coast of the late 1990s. Not a throwback exactly, Brooklyn's Bada$$ studied the O.G.'s, listened to the tapes, and aimed to show the grassroots take on Hip-Hop,... Read more

January 21, 2015 Audio

Run-DMC’s King Of Rock Turns 30 Years Old & Remains Great

Run-DMC's sophomore album, King Of Rock, reached record store stands 30 years ago today (January 21, 1985). Released on the Profile label, the effort from the Hollis, Queens trio barely missed the Billboard Top 50, but remained a highlight within the group's discography. Following the self-titled LP's boom-bap style, Run,... Read more

January 21, 2015 Throwback

Phat Kat & Elzhi Keep The Chemistry Strong, Over A Flip Beat (Lyric Video)

Less than two months removed from their own "Detroit vs. Everybody" rendition, "All Madden" Phat Kat and Elzhi are back in action. Australian producer Flip brought the D-boys together for "Without Warning." A lyric video does the moment and the energy proud, with color, images, and style. Flip's LP, Reflections... Read more

January 21, 2015 Video

Delorean Is Swishahouse Certified, Alongside Slim Thug, Paul Wall & Lil KeKe (Video)

Houston's Delorean has been one to watch for some time now. He's lyrical, but true to his region's slang, style, and aesthetic. One of his true coming out moments is the "Picture Me Swangin' Remix." Here, Del' links with some H-Town royalty, including Screwed Up Click alum Lil KeKe, as... Read more

January 21, 2015 Video

Rhymesayers Is An Indie Juggernaut. 20 Years Deep, Atmosphere Looks Back (Video)

Today, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Rhymesayers Entertainment has not only become a tall-standing music beacon within the Twin Cities, the label has recruited notable outsiders such as MF DOOM, Freeway, Jake One, Aesop Rock, Abstract Rude and Blueprint for releases. These days, RSE—like Strange Music, Rostrum, or TDE, knows how to rock... Read more

January 21, 2015 Video

Killer Mike & Crooked I Run Their Mouths Eloquently For DJ EFN’s Album (Audio)

DJ EFN is a Miami music scene mainstay. From his work with N.O.R.E. to his legendary underground tapes, EFN gets Hip-Hop on a global level. This is evident from EFN's Crazy Hood platform too. "If U Run" is the critical first look from March 3's Another Time. The LP spans... Read more

January 21, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Kanye West vs. Ja Rule…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

January 21, 2015 Fresh

Blu, Skyzoo & Kool G Rap Get Remixed By Large Professor, Diamond D & More (Album Stream)

Coalmine Records loves a remix. The Brooklyn, New York-based independent label mined their catalog, including joints from Blu, Heltah Skeltah, El Da Sensei, Guilty Simpson, Kool G Rap, Royce Da 5'9", Skillz, and more, and issued up some new remixes. The handiwork on the flips comes from the heralded likes... Read more

January 21, 2015 Audio

Chali 2na Shoots, Directs & Edits A New Visual With The Same Old Dazzling Flow (Video)

While he is a Los Angeles Hip-Hop mainstay, Chali 2na hails from the streets of Chicago, Illinois. You can hear that in "Stand Up," where the Jurassic 5/Ozomatli MC uses a pinball-like delivery of compound rhymes to state his place in Rap. The beat and the flow takes a shape-shift... Read more

January 21, 2015 Video

Run The Jewels Get All The Way REAL With This Amazing Teen Love Advice (Video)

On their two albums, Run The Jewels are arrogant, violent, uncompromising, and domineering. Oh yeah, they're thoughtful, informed, and socially responsible too. But part of what makes this group great is that, they have no pressure, concern, or fear to be anything other than themselves. R.T.J. can be gentle, sensitive,... Read more

January 20, 2015 Video

Red Pill Goes To Work While Oddisee Goes Diggin’ (Audio)

Red Pill is moving fast with a battery in his back. After a few years of payin' dues (or as he says on "Smile," 10,000 hours), the Lansing, Michigan MC and Ugly Heroes member may have found the perfect home at Mello Music Group. Fresh off of speaking up about... Read more

January 20, 2015 Audio

Cannibal Ox Returns With Sophomore LP, MF DOOM & The Artifacts Are Involved

Nearly 15 years removed from The Cold Vein, New York City underground Hip-Hop heroes Cannibal Ox have announced their return. Vast Aire and Vordul Mega announced today (January 20), that Blade Of The Ronin will commemorate their return, March 3, 2015. The release will come from the artists' own IGC... Read more

January 20, 2015 Fresh

Set The Winter To Music, With An Intricate Batch Of Khrysis Instrumentals (Mixtape)

For more than a decade, Khrysis got joints. Whether with the Away Team, Soul Council, or just showin' out with his Jamla squad, Khry' supplies beats that are big on nod factor. Highlights span Add-2 & Khrysis' "Death Of Chicago," Sean Price's "Onion Head," and Little Brother's "After The Party,"... Read more

January 20, 2015 Mixes

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Drake vs. Big Sean…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

January 20, 2015 Fresh

R.A. The Rugged Man Makes An Artful & Powerful Indictment Against The Media (Video)

Back in 2013, Long Island, New York Hip-Hop veteran R.A. The Rugged Man released a monster in Legends Never Die. The Nature Sounds release garnered due praise, and one of the dense moments within was the track "Media Midgets." Produced by 20-plus-year collaborator Buckwild (D.I.T.C.) and mixed by super-engineer Chris... Read more

January 20, 2015 Video