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Do Remember: Shaqueen – Shaqueen Rules (Audio)

From Bumpy Knuckles, to MF DOOM, to NYOIL, Hip-Hop has seen some powerful re-inventive forces with artists. To Heads with deeper knowledge of mid-1990s New York Hip-Hop, Shaqueen certainly comes to mind. In the early 2000s, Shaqueen was reinvented as "Ma Barker," a member of (her spouse) Kool G Rap's... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Hopsin’s Rap Retirement Revealed To Be A Prank…

UPDATE: Following Hopsin's December 18 Instagram retirement announcement and photograph (as reported below), the Funk Volume MC now calls his declaration "a prank." In a new 78-second video titled "The REAL Reason Hopsin Left The Music Industry," alongside Hopsin's artist Jarren Benton and inspired by the film Dumb and Dumber To,... Read more

December 26, 2014 Fresh

Ice-T Interviews Kool Keith, & The Ultramagnetic MC Explains Creating His Groundbreaking Style (Audio)

Heads may not know this, but back in 2000, Ice-T and Kool Keith made an album together in Pimp To Eat. The Analog Brothers, consisting of Keith, Ice, Marc Live, Black Silver, and Rex, was believed to be a response (largely on Keith's part) to RZA's "Bobby Digital" persona. The... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Funkmaster Flex, DJ Red Alert & Chuck Chillout Hit Airwaves With 5 Hours Of Master-Mixes (Audio)

For Funkmaster Flex's Christmas Eve show (December 24) Wednesday night on HOT 97, the Bronx, New York DJ invited some of his peers and inspirations to the Manhattan studios. Hip-Hop pioneers Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout joined Flex for five hours of merry Hip-Hop from three icons of... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Black Moon’s First New Song In Years Is Slow-Moving Dopeness (Audio)

This week, Black Moon/Da Beatminerz' DJ Evil Dee released his first free online mixtape in recent memory. Part of the Broadcasting Live Mix is "Go To War," a Black Moon cut, and the first new one from Evil, Buckshot, and 5FT in nearly a decade. The Duck Down trio last... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Moon’s Evil Dee Releases a Mixtape Of All New Material (Mixtape)

Straight out of Bushwick, Brooklyn, DJ Evil Dee has made some amazing Hip-Hop records. A onetime high school DJ phenom, this centerpiece of Da Beatminerz is mean on the mix, the drum machine, and diggin' in the crates. The sound-provider of Black Moon established Duck Down as a source of... Read more

December 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Finding the GOAT: Pick The Final Legendary Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 23, 2014 Fresh

Tragedy Khadafi’s Pre Magnum Opus Features Lil Fame, Royal Flush & Meyhem Lauren (Album Stream)

While Tragedy Khadafi's Pre Magnum Opus is truly a 40-minute set-up for the Queens, New York super-veteran's next album (2015's Magnum Opus) it's better than that. The Juice Crew affiliate, Capone-N-Noreaga mentor, and Black Market Militia founder maintains a reputation for quality since the Intelligent Hoodlum A&M Records days. With... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The-Dream’s New Single Finally Comes To Fruition (Audio)

For more than a decade, The-Dream has brought musical ideas to life in a major way. The Def Jam Records star had a low-key 2014, but starting in the last few days, serviced an unpublicized single, "Fruition," to several key radio markets. With the warm, alluring melody of the song... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

LL Cool J & Canibus Squash Beef After More Than 17 Years (Video)

Very few things in 2014 Hip-Hop culture are the same as they were in 1997. However, for the first time in more than 17 years, Heads can say that LL Cool J and Canibus are cool. At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York last night (December 19), LL Cool... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Method Man Is In Full, Raspy Form On A M-Dot Ensemble Cut (Audio)

Boston, Massachusetts MC M-Dot has earned a spot in the industry working with highly-respected MCs such as M.O.P.'s Billy Danze, Kool G Rap, and Masta Ace. After a series of strong underground Hip-Hop LPs, M links with Double-M in the form of Method Man. "Shine" features Clifford Smith wasting no... Read more

December 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Thought’s Sunglasses Produced In Limited Edition, For A Great Cause

Rappers love sunglasses. But over the last 20 years, has any MC worn shades more consistently than The Roots' Black Thought? The South Philadelphia MC star often dresses the part of a Soul/Jazz band front man, which is exactly what The Roots pull from, in presenting their grooves. Thought (a/k/a... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh

KRS-One & Ol’ Dirty Bastard Rock A Stage In 1995 (Video)

Uncle Ralph McDaniels has not only shed light on dope Hip-Hop for decades, his lens has captured it. Yesterday (December 19), the Video Music Box VJ extraordinaire shared some 1995 footage (from the VMB Archives) of KRS-One and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard wildin' out to the just-released "Who Shot... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Oddisee’s Onetime Partner Kenn Starr Is Back, This Time With Black Milk (Audio)

Kenn Starr's album is called Square One, a testament to how the DMV veteran from the Low Budget Crew (Oddisee, Peter Rosenberg, Kev Brown, Sean Born) sees himself. Years ago, a Halftooth Records artist (see 2006's Starr Status), Kenn (and Oddy) made noise together, before the MC took a lengthy... Read more

December 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding the GOAT: Pick Yet Another ’90s Great Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh

Rest In Peace Larry Smith, Run-DMC & Whodini’s Iconic Producer

Hip-Hop has lost another pioneer. Yesterday (December 18), iconic producer and songwriter Larry Smith has been confirmed dead. Smith, who was 63 at the time of his death, produced early records for the likes of Run-DMC, Whodini, Jimmy Spicer, and Kurtis Blow. Smith's death comes more than six years following... Read more

December 19, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark Cooks Up Some Funk With 5 Random Records (Video)

As one-half (with Cut Chemist) of the production team inside Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark has made some scorching tracks, that sound vibrant and dusty at the same time. The Los Angeles, California native has additionally produced for J-Live, Large Professor, and Bumpy Knuckles, beyond his projects with The Pharcyde's Skimkid3... Read more

December 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big Daddy Kane Undresses His Madonna Story, Scrap Lover’s Knuckle Game (Video)

Part of Big Daddy Kane's mystique is that he's not a terribly outspoken guy. Although Antonio Hardy is one of Hip-Hop most innovative, commanding, and influential MCs, the Brooklyn, New Yorker often shuns the media circuit, and enjoys his smooth persona, with a cool guard up. It's almost always just... Read more

December 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Wale Celebrates Life on a Jumping New Track (Audio)

Yesterday (December 18), Wale announced that he will release Festivus, his latest "Seinfeld"-inspired mixtape right in time for the holidays on December 23. As a non-tape preview track, the Maybach Music Group MC unleashed "Miracle On U Street," taking a Christmas-inspired title and applying it to his world. Looking at... Read more

December 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fashionably Late Into 2014, Fashawn & Alchemist Give Up Some Goods (FreEP)

Just over one week after Fashawn & Alchemist hinted at their "Dreams," the FASH-ionably Late EP is here. 2014 was a game-changing year for the Fresno, California MC—even if he did not drop an album. Secured at what is now is Mass Appeal Records, Fash' went from making an Ode... Read more

December 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Just Dropped The Visual To A Blasphemy Centerpiece (Video)

To understand Blasphemy, "Deliver Us From Evil" is an appropriate starting point. Beyond just some of the finest rapping Ras Kass has displayed in an already-illustrious career, the track deals with organized religion, contradiction, and the themes that made this Mello Music Group a true highlight within 2014. Capturing all... Read more

December 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding the GOAT: Pick Another ’90s Great Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 18, 2014 Fresh

Do Remember: D’Angelo’s “She’s Always In My Hair” (Audio)

With Black Messiah's top of the week release, D'Angelo has seemingly captured the consciousness of music once more. The Richmond, Virginia star crooner has slowly returned to the scene throughout 2014, abandoning his second sabbatical from music and in the industry of the last 18 years. Given the album's heavy... Read more

December 18, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Questlove Animates His Journey To Eat Patti Labelle’s Soul Cooking (Video)

Beyond a drummer, DJ, musical supervisor, and producer, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is a foodie. Followers of the Grammy Award-winning Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native's social platforms know, as well as his friends and acquaintances, that ?uest is out for the finest in global culinary offerings. Never shy from a celebrity story, Questlove... Read more

December 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Royce Da 5’9″ & DJ Premier Shift Between 1992 & 2014 In A Non Album Track (Video)

As if the nine-track, acclaimed PRhyme album was not enough, DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" vibe overtop Adrian Younge samples for a bonus round. "PRhyme Time" playfully shifts between 1992 and 2014, with varying BMW coupes, sneakers, and fashion signaling the metamorphosis. In the track, Nickel Nine slams skeptics... Read more

December 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

A Long Way Away From 21st & Lewis, How Does Warren G Regulate Today? (Video)

It has been more than 20 years since Warren G & Nate Dogg released "Regulate" in the film, Above The Rim. The storytelling track on a funktafied Michael McDonald sample gave a proper stepping out for Warren and Nate, after some strong assistance a year prior on their 213 homie,... Read more

December 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Chris Rock Dramatically Quotes Ice Cube & N.W.A. In This “Top 5” Clip (Video)

Clearly based largely on his own life and experiences, Chris Rock's Top 5, from title alone is built around opinions and rankings. Evident in the currently-screening film's roll-out, Rock loves ranking comedians, rappers, acts, albums, and more—as does his Andre Allen character in the film. The authenticity in this role... Read more

December 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Planet Asia Pops Off Over Beats That Sound Straight Outta The Rhyme Pays Era (FreEP)

When Planet Asia eloquently stated "My mind shine harder than your chain" back in 2000, on Dilated Peoples' "Ear Drums Pop," it was clear that the Fresno, California MC was special. Trading an Interscope Records deal for full creative control, this Cali Agent has achieved strong independent success. Late in... Read more

December 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Bumpy Knuckles Liberates A Pete Rock-Produced Relic With Fresh Rhymes (Audio)

New York City O.G.'s Bumpy Knuckles and Pete Rock made history together on 2000's Industry Shakedown. "Bumpy Knuckles Baby" signaled the name-change, alter-ego from the Freddie Foxxx era. As Pete Rock was amidst his own transition from the Elektra Records era, into a strong solo career, he left the Long... Read more

December 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Waka Flocka Flame Snatches J. Cole’s Beat & Steps Up His Bars (Audio)

Now this is a surprise. Waka Flocka Flame hops on J. Cole's "Fire Squad" track and steps his bars up...way up. Whatever you may think of Waka, you have never heard him flow like this. Like his mentor-turned-foe Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame is among Hip-Hop's most polarizing figures. Upon... Read more

December 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch Fire The First Shot, It’s Wu Block Biznez (Audio)

More than two years removed from Wu-Block, the Wu-Tang Clan x The LOX connection was far from a one-off. Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch have announced that they are waving the flag together again, in a hybrid album under the Wu-Block guise. Nature Sounds Records has announced that Hidden Gems,... Read more

December 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Large Professor, Diamond D, Nottz & Black Milk Rework Diamond District’s LP (Album Stream)

In October, Diamond District delivered another potent album in March On Washington. An ode to their home city, Oddisee, yU, and X.O. maintained their level of range and consistentcy on the Mello Music Group release. Two months later, it's the Redux. Mello's in-house squad of Apollo Brown, Quelle Chris, and... Read more

December 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding the GOAT: Who is Your Wildcard Pick for Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 16, 2014 Fresh

Ghostface Killah & The Wire’s Michael K. Williams Bring 36 Seasons To Life (Video)

In case you missed it, Ghostface Killah's just-released 36 Seasons is a cinematic, storytelling album. Coming home after nine "long" years, Ghost's character is out to restore his relationship, keep peace in the streets, and watch for Jake. The first video, "Love Don't Live Here No More," is the perfect... Read more

December 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

YG Displays His 2015 Flow Without Any Distractions (Video)

Often times, YG videos are driven to show the city of Compton, the place that's played such a strong role on the CTE/Def Jam artist's mixtapes, and especially his My Krazy Life debut. After nailing down 2014 as best he could, the California MC wants new things for 2015. From... Read more

December 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bogeda BAMZ Is Gifted With Slick Gab, Freestyling Over A B.D.K. Classic (Video)

Bodega BAMZ has been movin' for more than a minute. Stopping at Tony Touch's Toca Tuesdays show, the New York MC gets a chance to show what he's about. Rhyming over a classic Big Daddy Kane instrumental (that seems to suit BAMZ well), the MC shines politely with some stellar... Read more

December 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

You’ve Never Heard Jean Grae Like This, In A Free-Form Groove With A Star-Studded Band (Video)

Early in her solo career, Jean Grae did not make many of videos. The format, which has opened drastically thanks to technology, fits the New York City MC veteran very well, given her charisma, sense of humor, and animation. From the recently-released, non-Rap #5 EP, Jean dropped the visuals for... Read more

December 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

GOAT: Which One of These MCs Deserves a Shot at Advancing to Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 15, 2014 Fresh

Pusha T Is Taking Lunch Money, Not Losses (Video)

Pusha T's new Kanye West-produced single "Lunch Money" is simply put, the raw uncut. For the video, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records star took a similar approach. With some dancing intermissions, Pusha tells his tale to a handheld camera, which may be or simply look like an early '90s RCA... Read more

December 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lupe Fiasco & Nikki Jean Make A Dedication To The Modern Madonnas (Audio)

Ten days from the Christmas holiday, Lupe Fiasco and Nikki Jean release a track that seems to examine the concept of Holy Mothers. Titled, "Madonna [And Other Mothers In The Hood]," this song uses lots of religious and spiritual imagery and lexicon, while chronicling a modern experience of how today's... Read more

December 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Erick Sermon Is Back To Giving Fans Some Green-Eyed Inspiration (Audio)

Erick Sermon stayed largely quiet in 2014. The EPMD co-founder did play Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette, but the Long Island legend largely shunned output this year. In the last two weeks of the year, that suddenly changed with "One Shot." Almost 30 years deep in the game, E-Double offers up... Read more

December 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

22 Years Ago Today, Dr. Dre Fired Up The Chronic & We’ve Inhaled Ever Since

Twenty-two years ago today (December 15, 1992), Dr. Dre released The Chronic. Dre's solo debut, after parting ways with N.W.A., also marked the premiere release for Death Row Records, a would-be hundred-million-dollar label he founded with bodyguard-turned-manager Marion "Suge" Knight. Now boasting more than 3,000,000 copies sold, The Chronic may... Read more

December 15, 2014 Throwback

YG Bangs On Wax With DJ Quik, Mack 10 & Tha Relativez’ Big Wy (Audio)

YG's My Krazy Life, in many ways, feels like a mid-1990s Gangsta Rap album. The CTE/Def Jam Records experience (which YG felt was Grammy-snubbed), combines strong Compton neighborhood talk with storytelling, sex-centric tracks, and honest revelations of an early twenty-something just trying to live. "Bicken Back Bein Bool" is one... Read more

December 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Asher Roth Lyrically Bugs Out On Some Cutting Edge Nottz Production (Video)

Asher Roth's 2014 has been experimental, as has been the case surrounding the last three years of the Bucks County, Pennsylvania native MC. However, it also seems that the now-Def Jam-inked artist has really carved his way back into bending bars, witty wordplay, and thoughtful theses on things. This is... Read more

December 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

It’s Been 15 Years Spent Waiting. Now We MAY Have A D’Angelo Album Next Week… (Video)

Rumors have been swirling surrounding a third D'Angelo album since shortly after 2000's Voodoo. Even those rumors are teenagers now, and D'Angelo Heads have sometimes seemed to abandon all hope that the Soul sensation could, or would ever offer up another LP. Out of thin air, a new album, Black... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Timbaland Unearths A Petey Pablo Track That Puts The NC Vet In New Light (Audio)

Petey Pablo may seem like a blast from the past. In the closing days of 2001, the Greenville, North Carolina rapper put on for his state (and the South) with smash hit, "Raise Up." As a result, the Jive Records artist scored a gold-certified album, Diary Of A Sinner: 1st Entry,... Read more

December 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jhene Aiko Shows Her Sultry Side Next To Martial Arts In Wading (Video)

As her full length retail debut, Souled Out, is considered with some year-end lists, Jhene Aiko is far from done promoting the Def Jam release. "Wading," the Dot Da Genius (Kid Cudi) produced single from the album gets its visual. Jhene seduces the lens just like her vocals allure the... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big K.R.I.T. & Raphael Saadiq Time Travel Back To Soul Food Dinners (Video)

From Cadillactica, "Soul Food" is an evocative center-piece. Produced by Raphael Saadiq, the veteran crooner's transcending soulful sound colors the way for Big K.R.I.T.'s strong commentary on the changing times, and how that has effected family, love, and togetherness. For the video, symbols of simpler times are captured, from long... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Treach vs. Xzibit…Who You Got?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

N.O.R.E. & Royal Flush Make A Joint That Sounds Straight Off A ’90s Blend Tape (Audio)

Before the Roc La Familia run, the Def Jam days, and the Reggaeton rally, N.O.R.E. was just a dope MC. There is a reason why Capone-N-Noreaga's The War Report is an enduring gem of an album. Noreaga's infectious personality, aggressive cadence, and authentically New York experience have made him a... Read more

December 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh