Bandini

ScHoolboy Q Recreates One Hell Of A Trippy, Faded Night (Video)

ScHoolboy Q may have found the perfect way to express OXYMORON's "Hell Of A Night." In an album about addiction and going clean, staying young and growing up, and smartening up but still staying wild, is this not the ideal vessel to show a night in the (perhaps former?) life... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Following Raekwon, Inspectah Deck Makes A Heartfelt Soul-Inspired Tape (Mixtape)

After Raekwon eloquently concluded his "TBT" R&B/Soul/Pop tribute series with a mixtape, We Wanna Thank You, another Wu-Tang Clan member is paying homage to the soulful songs of yesteryear. Inspectah Deck made Cynthia's Son, a mixtape reworking, sampling, and tapping into songs favored by the Bronx, New York MC's late... Read more

November 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

The P-Funk Godfather George Clinton Flashes Back On Some Of His Finest Grooves (Video)

Front man for Parliament, Funkadelic, and his own amazing solo career, George Clinton just published his memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard on You?. The Plainfield, New Jersey native has been anything but plain in his six decades of making music. The barber-turned-Doo Wop singer-turned... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Big Sean’s IDFWU Football Visual Brings ‘Em Out, Including E-40 & Kanye West (Video)

Big Sean's done it again. The G.O.O.D Music MC's "IDFWU (I Don't Fuck With You)" single has become a viral hit. With that in mind, the Detroit wordsmith (joined by ageless veteran E-40) unveiled the visual to the single. Using the highly-topical world of football, Sean invites (Coach) Kanye West,... Read more

November 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pete Rock Takes A New DJ Residency In New York City, Spinning Rare Grooves

Sometimes Hip-Hop lives all around us... Today (November 6), Pete Rock announced his DJ residency in New York City. This brings the iconic producer/DJ to live audiences monthly, a true reminder of legends working all around us. Moreover, Soul Brother #1 is bringing some of his own inspirations with him.... Read more

November 6, 2014 Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Nicki Minaj vs. Big Sean…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

November 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Spice 1 vs. MJG…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

November 5, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Alchemist & Statik Selektah Co-Produce A New Term Joint With REKS & Willie The Kid (Audio)

In 2014, co-production in from some producers is very rare. Two such cases are Alchemist and Statik Selektah. Eminem's DJ and Q-Tip's (onetime) DJ are two respected sources on the boards, and while they work with a lot of the same cats (Action Bronson, The LOX, Dilated Peoples), they aren't... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Taylor Swift Rocks Out To Kendrick Lamar, K-Dot Freestyles Over Taylor Swift (Audio)

While plenty of Rap superstars shun interviews and duck possibly awkward media spots, Kendrick Lamar—although reclusive, welcomes the attention. Hours after Taylor Swift celebrated her milestone first-week sales by vibing out to some good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar, the Compton, California superstar was probed for a reaction while... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Your Old Droog & DJ Skizz Took A Freestyle & Polished It Into A Song (Audio)

Your Old Droog and DJ Skizz may have been just freestyling around last week, but the pair was in the studio for a reason. "Just Rhymin' With Skizz" has evolved into "Where The Rhymes At?" Recorded again, with some new rhymes in there, this track comes as an offering from... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

M.O.P. & Busta Rhymes Show You The Life They Represent (Video)

In preparation for their new EP, M.O.P. release the visual for "Broad Daylight," featuring Busta Rhymes. The video plays like a violent metaphor for Fame, Danze and Busta's menacing lyrics about what happens to soft competition when they mix it up with hardscrabble veterans. Flipmode Squad and First Family go... Read more

November 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Kay Slay Points To His Pioneering Status, With D-Block, Loaded Lux & Memphis Bleek (Mixtape)

After nearly 40 years in Hip-Hop, DJ Kay Slay refuses to slow down. The Drama King lays down The Original Man, with its Egyptian-themed cover, perhaps reminding Heads that he's been making tapes longer than some of his latest peers have been alive. With that sense of personal, professional, and... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

On The New LOX Intro, Sheek Says Benjamins Still Sons Anything Out Right Now (Audio)

The LOX are keeping the furnace fed with The Trinity: 2nd Season. The self-released EP may not be the proper third album Heads salivate for, but one cannot say that it lacks any less quality than that which we'd expect from Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch. To set the... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Slaughterhouse & DJ Premier Open Up Shop Then Tear It Down (Video)

Less than 24 hours after Slaughterhouse's "Ya'll Ready Know" released in audio, the DJ Premier collaboration comes in living color. The impact of Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, and Joe Budden's full-fledged run-in with DJ Premier is clear in the video, as Preem is prominently featured, arguably the... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wu-Tang Clan Is Still Out To Bring Da Ruckus, Taking A Page From KRS-One (Audio)

Hours after one of the New York City listening sessions for Wu-Tang Clan's A Better Tomorrow empties out, Heads are treated with new music. Put simply, "Ruckus In B Minor" is busy, and a lot to process. For starters, the beat changes sporadically throughout the song, arranged as a complex... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Run vs. Ecstasy…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

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

After Nas Sets Things Off, AZ Tries His Hand At Rhyming On J Dilla’s Donut (Audio)

Old friends, AZ and Nas watch each other's moves. As Nasir stole Hip-Hop's attention last week by taking one of J Dilla's 2006 Donuts beats, and coming up with "The Seasons," Tha Visualiza wanted in. AZ made his own rendition of "The Seasons," cuing up Jay Dee's "Gobstopper" instrumental. As... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A-Villa’s New Production LP Features Kool G Rap, AZ, Elzhi & Big K.R.I.T. (Album Stream)

A-Villa's Carry On Tradition releases today. Should you want to support the Chicago, Illinois-based producer's Closed Sessions release, he's offering up a free listen first. The LP calls in verses from veterans including Big K.R.I.T., Inspectah Deck, Cormega, Freeway, Kool G Rap, Joe Budden, AZ, Elzhi, Rapper Big Pooh, and... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Slaughterhouse & DJ Premier Come Together Fully? Results Are As Expected! (Audio)

Half of Slaughterhouse (Royce Da 5'9" and Joell Ortiz) have extensively worked with DJ Premier, while Crooked I and Joe Budden have not. Back in 2009, before Eminem and Shady Records took backing of the four-man lyrical militia, on a tight eOne Entertainment budget, it was DJ Premier who hosted... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kev Brown & Hassaan Mackey Got That Grit: Headnodding Beats & Smart Rhymes (Album Stream)

Today, Ill Adrenaline Records is releasing That Grit by Low Budget producer Kev Brown and MC Hassaan Mackey. The Landover, Maryland-meets-Rochester, New York connection's album is a continuation of a decade of championed independent works from Kev, since his days as a pupil in Jazzy Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Action Bronson Trots The Globe For Episode 6 Of His Food Series (Video)

Shrimp in Venice, some cleverly-marinated grilled beef and lamb shoulder in Copenhagen, hot dog stands, and pot roast nachos. Action Bronson is living the life of his dreams, and he admits as much in episode 6 of "F*ck, That's Delicious." Along the way, Bam Bam admits that one particular delicacy... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

It’s A Day In The Life For Dilated Peoples, Who Show Us The Way (Video)

The Dilated Peoples have shared their visual to the second single from the heralded Directors Of Photography album, the Aloe Blacc-assisted "Show The Way." The record follows the artists through a day-in-the-life, in search of the greater purpose. For the Evidence co-directed video, that idea is still at play. Ev,... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Freddie Gibbs Reportedly Targeted In Shooting Following Concert, 2 Shot

In a year that's seen both Made Men's Benzino and former Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight shot (both survived), Gary, Indiana's Freddie Gibbs very nearly joined the ranks. The New York Post is reporting that the MC was targeted following his Brooklyn, New York concert at record store Rough... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh

KRS-One & Channel Live’s Hakim Show Out On Mr. Green’s Series (Video)

Mr. Green's Noisey-backed series, Live From The Streets, continues to expand around the Hip-Hop globe. In his third season of the series, the Outsidaz affiliate doesn't need to look far from his New Jersey upbringing to find Hakim Green (Channel Live) and Hakim's mentor/close friend, KRS-One. Blastmasta and Hak' were... Read more

November 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Quik, Suga Free & Dom Kennedy Hit The Seas For Their New Splash (Video)

From the recently-released Midnight Life, DJ Quik's "Life Jacket" is one of the smoother offerings. Joined by 20-year affiliate Suga Free, as well as one of the artists the Compton, California mainstay has inspired, Dom Kennedy, the trio take to the waters with some female company for the independent single.... Read more

November 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joe Budden Looks Into The Camera To Let One Of His Exes Know It’s Real (Video)

Following the release of "Ordinary Love Shit, Part 4 (Keep Running)," Joe Budden lets you know it's real, with the video. From a perhaps metaphoric cell, Joe looks the camera in the lens and tells it as it is, to him. This is masterful relationship rap from one of the... Read more

November 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Killer Mike Does Bad Things To Snoh’s Dark, Twisted Single (Audio)

Killer Mike is on a tear this month. After RTJ2 released to dominate the Rap consciousness into the month of November, Mike Bigga has appeared on two new songs in the last 24 hours. After working with previous RTJ collaborators, Until The Ribbon Breaks, Killer Kill sets his sights on... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Grafh Makes One Of His Hardest Joints In Years, Alongside Raekwon & Vado (Audio)

Grafh has been a New York City street Rap mainstay for more than a dozen years. Backed and supported by folks like Chaz Williams and Black Hand Entertainment as well as DJ Kay Slay, Grafh has had trusted ears and power-players in his corner. On "Walk In New York," Heads... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Big L vs. Fat Joe…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

November 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Travel To Big K.R.I.T.’s Planet Of Cadillactica A Week Early (Album Stream)

With the new week, Big K.R.I.T. has looked to NPR First Listen (for the second straight time) to premiere his sophomore major label album, Cadillactica (November 11) more than a week early. Guests on the Cinematic/Def Jam Records affair, per usual, include many of K.R.I.T's inspirations, including the likes of... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jeezy & T.I. Say Their Joint Album Is Finally Coming… (Video)

Just as T.I. received his first week sales figures for Paperwork, the now Columbia Records artist, and Grand Hustle co-founder is already looking into the horizon. Tip and Jeezy were both involved in this weekend's Powerhouse, which also featured Jay Z appearing in support of Snowman. Tip has five albums... Read more

November 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Was We Are the World the Downfall of Purple Rain? Read This and You Decide.

In the midst of the 30th anniversary of Prince's iconic Purple Rain album, much has been written and said. For Heads who weren't paying close attention to the media following the hit-packed album, or don't recall various award show moments, a lot can be lost. Alan Light is among the... Read more

October 31, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

The Hieroglyphics Paint Pictures With Words In The Studio (Audio)

Following last year's The Kitchen LP, Del The Funky Homosapien and the Hieroglyphics crew are back in the lab again. Del, A-Plus, Opio and company freak a new concept at Red Bull Studios, their first new crew music (said to be the first of two tracks) from the session. "Heebie... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. Claims King Of The South & Says He Bested “Your Favorite Rapper” Too (Audio)

Guaranteed, you've never heard Big K.R.I.T. this confident, this unleashed... Track 7 from Cadillactica (November 11), "King Of The South" is a bold statement. With an in-your-face beat, Krizzle matches with a verse. The song talks the Meridian Mississippi's "country" upbringing, and his current urban lifestyle. He paints himself as... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The LOX Are In Their Bag This Week. They Are Taking New York Like Jason Vorhees (Audio)

After Jadakiss and Styles P got their John Gotti suits on alongside Lil Wayne, The full LOX legion unleash their next full-trio cut. "All We Know" is in that wheelhouse, with the low and eerie beat (care of Buda Da Future and Grandz) hard drums, and a take-by-force in audio.... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Get The Sum Of Raekwon’s Soul/R&B 21-Song TBT Series (Mixtape)

For 20 straight weeks, Raekwon the Chef sliced up some of his personal favorite R&B/Soul/Pop delicacies. Rae' left the vocals in tact on songs from the '70s, '80s, '90s, and a tip-toe of 2000s as he hopped on the tracks and proved that he could get a lil' Ghostdeini himself.... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Remy Ma Releases Her First Mixtape In 6 Years (Mixtape)

Remy Ma has not released a mixtape to the masses since 2008's BlasRemy, which dispersed in the midst of legal wars and a lot of tension. This year, the Castle Hill, Bronx native proved she's a different woman. Remy's grown, and focused on her career, her family, and spreading positive... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Finding The GOAT: Kool G Rap vs. Sadat X…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

October 31, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Nas Is Recording Over J Dilla Donuts Beats. Now In CDQ (Video/Audio)

Nasty Nas is a rebel to convention. Since investing a stake in Mass Appeal (the magazine), the Queens icon has been making some really interesting, Hip-Hop culturally-minded moves. Deeply involved in Mass Appeal Records, Nas reportedly hand-picked signings of Fashawn, Bishop Nehru, and Boldy James...three artists that have been making... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Masta Ace & Kid Tsunami’s Amazing Chase Track Morphs Into An EP (Audio)

One of the better albums in 2013 that did not get nearly enough shine in the greater Hip-Hop conversation was Kid Tsunami's The Chase. The Australian producer recruited pointed lyrics from the likes of O.C., Sean Price, and Kool G Rap, among many others. Of the album's highlights was "Twothousand40,"... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Thought, Peedi Crakk & STS Can Barely Get A Breath In For This Posse Cut (Audio)

With strong ties to South Philly, North Philly, and West Philly, these three MCs run together in circles, beyond The Roots, State Property, and the overlapping Money Making Jam Boys. Black Thought, Peedi Crakk, and STS are three of the fastest rhymin', old school-honoring rappers from the City of Brotherly... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Gets A Twofer, Honoring Big Bub & Deniece Williams (Audio)

After 20 wonderful weeks, Raekwon closes down his TBT series with a two-fer. Chef heats up Big Bub's cover of The Commodores' "Zoom," and, after, blesses Denice Williams' "Free." These are simple and smooth opportunities for the Staten Island star to truly paint pictures with words, while breaking down his... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Rick Ross vs. Fabolous…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

October 30, 2014 Fresh

For Devil’s Night, Get A Mix Of Esham, Brotha Lynch Hung, Tim Dog & More (Mixtape)

In many places, the night before Halloween means mischief, juvenile terror, and at the very least, smashed pumpkins (not of the Billy Corgan variety either). Instead of reeking havoc on your neighbors, or keeping an eye on your jack'o lanterns, why not just vibe out with some raps that are... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Mixes

Do Remember: DJ Crazy Toones, Kurupt & Soopafly’s Gangbang Music (Video)

Heads need to be up on DJ Crazy Toones. A former member of WC & The M.a.a.d Circle, this South Central, Los Angeles-based DJ is nice on the turntables. Still touring with Dub (his blood brother) and Ice Cube to this day, Toones became an in-house producer at Mack 10's... Read more

October 30, 2014 Throwback

Rochelle Jordan Entered A Contest To Record With Timbaland. The Results BUMP (Audio)

Microsoft and Lenovo recently partnered for "Team Up With Timbaland," a contest that allowed regular folk to potentially work with the Virginia native super-producer/artist, and join the likes of Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, and Aaliyah. One such Top 5 finalist, Rochelle Jordan, proved that she's anything but ordinary. "So Good"... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DJ Craze Is A DMC World Champion Turntablist. Check His Kanye West New Slaves Routine (Video)

If you've seen the film Scratch, you're up on DJ Craze. The Miami, Florida-based DJ is featured amidst competition. Around the time of the Doug Pray film's production, Craze was an undisputed king of turntablism, winning the DMC World Championships in 1999, 2000, and 2001. In 1998, he was also... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass Flips A Classic Jay Z Lyric On Its Head In A Masterful Freestyle (Video)

Mello Music Group has been around for almost a decade. After acclaimed involving O.C., Oddisee, and Planet Asia, the just-released Blasphemy by Ras Kass & Apollo Brown seems to be reaching the furthest into the industry, just days in. After stopping through the "106 & Park" Backroom, Ras Kass appears... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dr. Dre Becomes The First Hip-Hop Artist To Create An Entire College Degree

Earlier this year, Dr. Dre was reported to become Hip-Hop's first billionaire. The Compton, California native has come a long way from selling mixtapes at L.A. swap meets like The Rodium, in the 1980s: The #1 earning Forbes Hip-Hop artist in 2014 is doing big things with his fortune. Teaming... Read more

October 29, 2014 Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Pimp C vs. Devin The Dude…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

October 29, 2014 Fresh, Throwback