Bandini

Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar Are Out To Make Opponents Pay For It (Audio)

In a year where so many are looking for heroes, Jay Rock is standing tall. Quietly, the Watts MC represents the perspective of an intelligent, strategic man, informed by some of the most cutthroat streets in the world, and a city not known to be merciful. "Pay For It" comes... Read more

October 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lil Wayne Puts The LOX In The Spotlight With His Carter 5 Latest Listen (Audio)

In the first 10 years of the current millennium, few artists kept the streets fed like Lil Wayne and The LOX (t/k/a D-Block). All '90s alums, Weezy, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch all got better, sharper, and more ferocious on the microphone. Along the way, while they ran in... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J-Live Turns An Open Letter Protesting Police Violence Into Song (Audio)

In the wake of ongoing deaths of Black men at the hands of police in America, J-Live has something to say. The Brooklyn, New York native wrote down his thoughts in an essay called "I Am A Man (American Justice)," focusing on the hypocrisy in the discourse around this issue,... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Childish Gambino vs. Kendrick Lamar…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 28, 2014 Fresh

Logic Is “Just Havin’ A Good Time, Spittin’ This Rhyme” In A True Freestyle (Video)

Tomorrow (October 29), Heads can see if Logic's just-released Under Pressure is the #1 album in the country. For now though, the Gaithersburg, Maryland MC is just having fun. He rhymes about that light-hearted mood, just playing with words on Tony Touch's Toca Tuesdays. Whimsical with his direction, Logic seems... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Allow All To Hear The Blasphemy (Album Stream)

Today (October 28), Ras Kass & Apollo Brown release Blasphemy. As label Mello Music Group likes to do, the album is available for free, full stream, enticing your support, should you feel so compelled. This MC/producer tandem brings the Carson, California veteran lyricist to the Michigan-based beat-master/member of The Left,... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Juvenile Backs That Thing Up, And Returns To Cash Money Records (Video)

Less than one year after he was reported to have signed with J. Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records, it appears that Juvenile may be back in business with Cash Money Records. MTV News received an exclusive with the multi-platinum star when asking him about his relationship with the former (now present) label.... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Snoop Dogg & DJ Premier Recall Making The Final Gang Starr Song, An MC Eiht Battle (Video)

Snoop Dogg's GGN interview series is reaching that whole other level. Tha Doggfather welcomes DJ Premier to the guest seat. Snoop and Premo, who have worked together a number of times, still find a way to unearth some really grabbing stuff here. Going back to the final Gang Starr album,... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pete Rock Salutes Nas & The Album He Worked On With Time Is Illmatic (Mixtape)

Back in 1994, Pete Rock notably contributed to the would-be classic debut album, Illmatic, by Nas. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker, who was fully entrenched in a highly-successful career with Pete Rock & CL Smooth stepped aside (with Large Professor, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and L.E.S) to give some of his... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Think Everything Sounds Conventional? Try Theophilus London’s VIBES (Album Stream)

Theophilus London is one of the most original new voices in Hip-Hop. The Reprise/Warner Bros. Records artist debuted in the Top 30 back in 2011 with Timez Are Weird These Days. After working with Kanye West, Blood Orange, and Jesse Boykins III, Theo' is back with VIBES. The Brooklyn, New... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Milk Releases a New Video and a Full Stream of His New Album (Audio & Video)

Capping off what has been an incredibly strong month of music releases, Black Milk treats us to the full stream of his new album, If There's a Hell Below. The album finds Black Milk in top form as he is joined in verse by Blu, Sean Price, Pete Rock, Bun... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nas Reacts To His Third-Great Grandmother’s Bill Of Sale Into Slavery (Video)

As part of PBS' "Enslaved Roots" series, the camera turns its lens on Nas. The Queens superstar traces his DNA back to a Virginia slave plantation. Throughout his career, Nas has paid close attention to his ancestry, and African bloodline. The continent is a place that the iconic MC has... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wu-Tang Clan Has A History Of Iconic Artwork. How’s A Better Tomorrow Stack Up?

Wu-Tang Clan's album artwork, collectively and as individually artists, has been that of pop culture. Re-popularized on t-shirts, posters, and the like, the images of the New York Rap collective are as timeless as the verses from RZA and the family. It's been revealed that W.T.C's sixth album, A Better... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh

Rah Digga Might Be Having Her Best Year Ever, Catch This !llmind Produced Cut (Audio)

Rah Digga's "Thinkin' Out Loud" is some high-grade, uncut stream of consciousness emceeing. As she's done in just about every month in 2014, Digga metaphorically spikes the ball with the mic in her hand. This track covers the lackluster music in the marketplace, police attacking civilians, and more, all while... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Havoc Makes A Charged Solo Cut With Those Hard Mobb Deep Drums (Video)

Havoc uses some hard, natural percussion to reintroduce his solo status in "Dirt Call." Presented in short film format, the visual finds Hav' goin' deep into the basement, flippin' his hat back, and zoning into that Infamy flow. Isn't it great to see and hear Havoc having fun again? This... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bambu Might Be One Of The Best, Smartest MCs You’re Missing. Hear His New LP (Album Stream)

The Bay area's Bambu is making moves. He's the latest mover and shaker of DJ Muggs' Soul Assassins, a lineage that includes Cypress Hill, Alchemist, Psycho Realm, and others. Bambu is making scorching political commentaries alongside Killer Mike. He's also on the road with Brother Ali, and making songs about... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Saigon Offers A Stripped-Down DJ Premier Remix Of His Big Daddy Kane Collab (Audio)

Following last month's original, DJ Premier-produced version of "One Foot In The Door," Saigon has a remix. Still maintaining the same opening intro, an early 2000s on-the-spot cosign from Jay Z, this mix has an organic, piano-driven beat. This allows Heads to hear the wrath of Kane, and Sai Giddy's... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. & Raphael Saadiq Search For The Lost Soul In The World (Audio)

With Cadillactica two weeks away (November 11), Big K.R.I.T.'s Raphael Saadiq-assisted "Soul Food" hits the web. Ray sounds as a crisp as he has in 10 years, and as integral to a Rap song as ever, as Krizzle breaks down the missing soul, from the relationships, to the streets, to... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For A Band As Colorful As Run The Jewels, Of Course There Would Be A Great Art Challenge…

Last week, Run The Jewels released their second album in as many years, both of which were available for free stream. In the case of RTJ2, the Mass Appeal Records retail release was also given away for free, open to the public, whether they opt to financially support or not. What... Read more

October 27, 2014 Fresh

Hear the Original Demo for Kanye West’s New Slaves (Audio)

Kanye West's ears have always been far-reaching. For Yeezus, that is an understatement. In making the album, and it's standout "New Slaves," 'Ye looked within his own circle. Benjamin Bronfman, son of former Warner Bros. Records CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr., has been a longtime friend of Mr. West. According to... Read more

October 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Universal Zulu Nation’s 41st Anniversary Is In November & Your Favorite Artists Are Involved…

On November 6-9, New York City will play host to the Universal Zulu Nation's 41st anniversary. Over the course of seven planned events (with possibly more coming), those involved include Afrika Bambaataa, Black Moon, 9th Wonder, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Sadat X, Da Beatminerz, Psycho Les, DJ Jazzy Jay, Kool... Read more

October 27, 2014 Fresh

Cam’ron, Wiz Khalifa & Smoke DZA Can Touch The Sky Sitting Down (Video)

Following last week's (October 23) "Touch The Sky" release from 1st Of The Month, Vol. 5, Cam'ron, Wiz Khalifa, and Smoke DZA shared the visual. Thematically, all three independent Hip-Hop icons decided to sit this one down. From couches and chairs (Cam's notably being on top of a Harlem high-rise),... Read more

October 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Run The Jewels Makes Blockbuster Night A Double Feature (Audio)

On Friday (October 24) Killer Mike & El-P slammed down RTJ2 for full stream and free download. Available for purchase too, the Mass Appeal Records effort (what up, Nas!) garnered rapid acclaim from Heads who enjoyed Mike's fervor, El's sarcasm, Bigga's charisma, and Producto's futuristic beats. So why not have... Read more

October 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Busta Rhymes vs. Inspectah Deck…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 27, 2014 Fresh

Vic Mensa Says “Post-Racial Society” Is A Lie, Details Traffic Sound (Video)

While performing recently in Canada, Chicago, Illinois' Vic Mensa swung through Montreality. During the signature interview chronicling everything from video games to academic life, fetishes to romantic gestures, Vic opens up about his Traffic album. Around the 3:40 mark, the Save Money star declares that his full-length will be, in... Read more

October 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Rock Explains Where It All Began, And What A Journey… (Video)

TDE's rise began with Jay Rock, who ushered the independent label to major distribution through a Warner Bros. Records deal nearly a decade ago. The Watts MC who was the youngin' around the old heads brought that acquired knowledge, respect, and that wisdom to his music, uncut Gangsta Rap at... Read more

October 27, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Video

After 15 Years Of Dope Tracks, A Jake One Beat Tape Beckons The Listen (Audio)

In addition to albums with Freeway, Brother Ali, and his own acclaimed White Van Music, Jake One's production discography extends back to the '90s, with heat alongside the likes of G-Unit, Evidence, Ghostface Killah, T.I., and Rick Ross. The veteran Seattle, Washington producer (once represented by Sha Money XL) has... Read more

October 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

DJ Premier Unleashes A Gang Starr Tape Of B-Sides, Rarities & Remixes (Mixtape)

Today (October 24), DJ Premier opened up the online Gang Starr merchandise store through his PremierWuzHere website. With an assortment of shirts, hats, hoodies, and more—exclusively set up by the Texan-turned-New Yorker, sharing its proceeds with the family of late partner Guru, Preem got behind the wheels of steel to... Read more

October 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Finding The GOAT: 50 Cent vs. DMX…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 24, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Kurtis Blow vs. Kool Moe Dee…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 23, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Tragedy Khadafi Remains An Intelligent Hoodlum On Free Thinkers 2 (Audio)

In addition to his integral role with Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi (p/k/a The Intelligent Hoodlum) was an influential MC to the likes of Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, and Nature dating back to Juice Crew days. Signed to a major label, mentored by Marley Marl, blending smooth rhymes with highly-informed lyrics, Trag'... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

MC Lyte Makes The Perfect Visual For Her Latest Common Collabo (Video)

Following last month's "Dear John," MC Lyte & Common's latest collaboration gets a narrative video. The song about men taking on a greater role in their families amidst the stressful and demanding circumstances gets a video that highlights fatherhood, especially Black fatherhood, including some celebrity cameos. This concept is executed... Read more

October 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

If You Love When Ras Kass Challenges Organized Religion, Check This (Audio)

Ras Kass has challenged organized religion since Soul On Ice. The voracious reader proves that he's up on the sacred texts on "How To Kill God." For an MC once criticized for never getting great beats on his albums, Apollo Brown supplies this Blasphemy banger with an undeniable beat that... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron Touches The Sky With Wiz Khalifa & Smoke DZA (Audio)

Cam'ron is one of the most influential MCs of the wave right now. Both Wiz Khalifa and Smoke DZA, who had loose ties to Dipset since battling J.R. Writer in the early 2000s, owe a lot to Killa Cam. The irreverence, the humor, the style of the Harlem, New York... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Phone Taps Into Some Faith Evans & Carl Thomas Heat (Audio)

Raekwon's TBT series rolls on, with an early '00s tilt. Chef looks to Faith Evans & Carl Thomas' "Can't Believe," which is not even his first Faith nod. The song notably swacked the basis of the beat to The Firm's "Phone Tap," made by Rae's friends and collaborators Nas, AZ,... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Nelly vs. Ja Rule…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 22, 2014 Fresh

Logic Rocks The Multi-Syllabic Rhyme Scheme In His Backroom Freestyle (Video)

Logic's Under Pressure release date (October 21) has been an all out blitz of content. From free album streams, camera crews meeting his parents in the livingroom, interviews, and everything between, it would not be complete without a freestyle from the proven star of the free-form approach. Hitting the "106... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Vadim Lays Down That Supreme A Tribe Called Quest Megamix (Audio)

DJ Vadim and A Tribe Called Quest are contemporaries of one another. However, the London-raised DJ/producer (born in Russia) came into vogue in the mid-1990s, and 20 years later, his mixes are staples in highlighting the popular, under-the-surface, and downright rare moments from the culture, whether in the '80s or... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Chance The Rapper Is Making A 2014 Album, Rick Rubin & Frank Ocean Are Present…

It's been more than a year since Chance The Rapper released a full-length project. It was this time last year that Heads started the hubub for #AcidRap to be a popular nomination for the best Hip-Hop album/mixtape of 2013. Well, we just learned that 2014 might not be safe, either...... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh

Go Home With Logic & Meet His Family, Who Collectively Give You The REAL (Video)

Not only is Logic (and Visionary Music Group) giving Heads his Under Pressure album for full stream on its release day (October 21), the Gaithersburg, Maryland MC brings Heads home. The Baltimore reppin' Def Jam artist brought MTV's cameras to his childhood livingroom, where Logic's father and caretaker (along with... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

ONYX Attacks For Halloween In The Realest (Video)

Complete with 100 MAD jack o'lanterns, ONYX's "The Realest" is right and exact for the Halloween season. Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to mash out and put their hands on folks in this pumped-up Snowgoons production from this year's WakeDaFucUp. Security cameras can't save you from... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Logic Is Under No Pressure To Share His Entire Deluxe LP (Album Stream)

After tremendous anticipation, Logic's Under Pressure studio debut album is upon us. The Visionary Music Group alum teamed with the legendary No I.D. (Common, Kanye West, Jhene Aiko) to make his debut as big as possible, but true to the form he laid out amidst years of strong, grassroots independent... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A-Villa’s Great Lineups Continue, With Action Bronson, Roc Marciano & Willie The Kid (Audio)

Half of the M.A.R.S collective (Roc Marciano and Action Bronson) join yet another Alchemist affiliate, Willie The Kid on "Live From The Villa." The track is the latest three-man all-star lineup by Chicago, Illinois' A-Villa. This track goes extra hard, and certainly cements Villa's rep for making engaging tracks with... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Mac Miller Inks A Deal With Warner Bros. For 8 Figures & Drops Off A Loosie (Audio)

After a January, 2014 amicable-but-high profile exit from the Rostrum Records team that helped bring him to stardom, Mac Miller has officially made his next move. The Most Dope front man has headed to Warner Bros. Records, according to The Fader. The report states that the deal, including housing M.M.'s... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul Reveals His Music Industry Family, Getting Radio Fines To Nardwuar (Video)

One week after Ambrosia For Heads' "search for the GOAT" pitted Ab-Soul against Joe Budden, leave it to Nardwuar to present Soulo with a copy of Joe Budden, the album—something the Carson, California MC is apparently a massive fan of. This interview, Nardwuar's latest within the Black Hippy/Top Dawg Entertainment... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

T.I. Releases a Short Gangster Film for King (Video)

After yesterday's (October 20) "King" break-off leak from the just-released Paperwork, T.I. follows with the video. The album opener is textbook Tip, with a charged beat, and that unshakeable street Rap from one of the last decade's emerging superstars of Hip-Hop. The visual suggests that T.I. is still in the... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Mos Def vs. Pharoahe Monch…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 21, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

Ice Cube Has Some Furrowed Brow Follow-Up Fun On Jimmy Kimmel Live (Video)

After Ice Cube's summertime segment for "Jimmy Kimmel Live," why not re-up with some more? With Don Mega and Dr. Dre co-producing the N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton, Cube stopped by, to throw his spin on some festive, particularly corny lines, delivered in an O'Shea Jackson kind of way: Related:... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Tek & Steele Recall Street Origins Smif-n-Wessun, Decepticon Ties, Making Dah Shinin’ (Audio)

Within the Boot Camp Clik, it often feels like Smif-n-Wessun are massively under-sung. Whether it was the fact that General Steele and Tek followed Black Moon's Enta Da Stage with Dah Shinin' (before Heltah Skeltah, O.G.C., and the Clik compilations), or the unfortunate forced name-change (to Cocoa Brovas) and subsequent... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Andre 3000 & Tink Collaboration? Timbaland Gives You 15 Seconds (Video)

A 15-second preview of a yet-untitled, little-known-about song as news. You can count the artists on one hand whose work would justify that as "News." Certainly, 20-year veteran Andre 3000 is one of the few, the proud. Timbaland previews (via Facebook video, no less) a fourth of a minute of... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh