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Kool G Rap & Spe$h Get Mafiaso In Their DJ Premier-Produced Meeting (Video)

In late May, artist Spe$h linked with Kool G Rap to drop "The Meeting." Produced by DJ Premier, the track was an account of some mob business, with lyrics to go. Two months and some change later, the video arrives, finding Spe$h and G waiting in idling cars, tailing victims,... Read more

August 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Has Lil Boosie Made His Realest Song To Date, Over A B-Real Beat? (Video)

Lil Boosie is an artist who has a strong core fan-base, but hasn't always extended much beyond those who've been with him since the beginning. For fans of lyrics and honest songwriting, Trill Fam (which includes Boosie Bad Azz, Webbie, Foxx, Lil Trill, and the deceased Lil Phat) aren't always... Read more

August 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lil’ Kim Goes At Nicki Minaj Yet Again… Is This The Best Look For Her? (Audio)

Two days removed from her August 4 reigniting of the war of words with Nicki Minaj ("Flawless Remix"), Lil' Kim comes in for a second charge. The onetime Junior M.A.F.I.A. breakout platinum superstar released "Identity Thief," a song that may or may not take a backseat to its artwork in... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Dom Kennedy Reflects on Life Lessons Learned After School (Video)

Dom Kennedy keeps the Heads happy, as the SoCal MC keeps delivering fly visuals from his Get Home Safely album. "After School," was a standout from the Top 25 charting 2013 work, as Dom goes to just the right setting to drive home his recollection from how the game went... Read more

August 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

De La Soul’s Next Mixtape Is Produced Entirely By DJ Premier & Pete Rock

In March, De La Soul hipped Heads to the fact that Smell The Da.I.S.Y , their mixtape which featured strictly J. Dilla beats, was only the beginning, as far as 2014 is concerned. Posdnous, Dave, and Maseo are hard at work on the group's eighth studio album, rumored to be... Read more

August 5, 2014 Fresh

Beastie Boy Ad-Rock Remixes Canal By Harlem’s Emerging Crew Ratking (Audio)

Harlem, New York's Ratking is one of the Hip-Hop group's thriving in 2014, beneath the mainstream radar. The trio of Wiki, Hak, and Sporting Life have risen through the ranks throughout the last two years, dating back to the Wiki93 EP. The group balances an appreciation for the '90s' rawness,... Read more

August 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Your Old Droog Has A Heavy News Crush On Tamron Hall (Audio)

Heads can relate to this one... no matter your preferences, chances are at some point in your life, you've crushed on a news anchor, if not a weather-person, on the scene reporter, sports, etc. Well, leave it to the soulful Your Old Droog to seemingly be the first Hip-Hop artist... Read more

August 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For Harold’s, Freddie Gibbs Throws His Pinata Party Right In Indiana (Video)

With Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata still a popular favorite in the discussion of 2014's best Hip-Hop albums, they release their latest visuals. The single "Harold's" was one of the LP's stronger points. The track referenced a Midwestern fried chicken restaurant and used it as an illustration for the streets... Read more

August 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dilated Peoples & J5’s Chali 2na Freestyle 15 Years Ago This Week (Video)

Right now, Dilated Peoples and Jurassic 5 are on the Word Of Mouth Tour. The two veteran Los Angeles, California underground Hip-Hop collectives are joined by The Beat Junkies' DJ Rhettmatic and MC Supernatural, all entities who weathered the storm of major label deals and opportunities, shifted to a diverted... Read more

August 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

2Pac, Ruthless & Priority Records To Be Honored At Indie Entertainment Summit Conference

Three pillars of Gangsta Rap are among those slated to be honored at 2014's Indie Entertainment Summit & Hip-Hop Honors. Iconic artist 2Pac is included, along with two 1980s labels, Priority Records and Ruthless Records. Notably, all three of these acts are tied together. 2Pac appeared on Above The Law's... Read more

August 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Saigon, Papoose & Omar Epps Look To The Skies To Make A Sinner’s Prayer (Video)

In the mid-2000s, two of Hip-Hop's most poised New York City voices were Saigon and Papoose. Both thriving acts of the height of mixtape culture, these MCs embodied a direct lineage to some of Rap's greatest voices, with a street-savvy approach that attracted fans during the reign of crews like... Read more

August 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Does Action Bronson Have His First Mainstream Single In Easy Rider? (Audio)

In just two years, veteran underground MC Action Bronson has become damn near a household name. From his humor, unique physique, stage antics, and food insights, Bam Bam is a recognizable figure in the vain of Rap's 1980s character-driven personas. However, along the way, are new fans missing the fact... Read more

August 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Members Of Wu-Tang Clan, Terror Squad & Four Horsemen In Animation (Video)

Fresh off of producing ONYX's WakeDaFucUp, German crew the Snowgoons got to work on "Wulocks," a video single by Aspects, featuring Raekwon, Killah Priest, and Geddy (f/k/a Armageddon). Boasting ties to Wu-Tang Clan, Terror Squad, and Sunz Of Man/Four Horsemen, this star-studded lineup from August 29's Grind Over Matter gets... Read more

August 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck D Links With Mavis Staples Of The Staple Singers To Groove (Video)

Both Public Enemy and The Staple Singers have made uplifting jams for the people of their audience. Whether it's "Don't Believe The Hype" or "Respect Yourself," Chuck D and Mavis Staples made timeless songs of hope, truth, and unification. On Mistachuck's new self-released EP, The Black In Man, he teamed... Read more

August 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

2Pac’s Classic Double-Album All Eyez On Me Certified Diamond By RIAA

Over 18 years ago, 2Pac released his "out on bail, fresh outta jail, California-dreamin'" double-album, All Eyez On Me. Today, according to a spokesperson and e-mail from the RIAA, it has been reported that the Death Row/Interscope Records effort has now achieved diamond status, scanning over 10 million copies sold... Read more

August 1, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

From One Soul Brother To Another, Pete Rock Salutes James Brown (Audio)

Today (August 1), James Brown biopic Get On Up has its theatrical opening. In celebration of the Mick Jagger-produced film, Pete Rock—who's Soul Brother #1 moniker is a nod to James Brown's own name—made a mix celebrating his love for the late, legend. The mixtape, quite fittingly, is called #GetOnUp,... Read more

August 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Aaron McGruder’s Black Jesus Series Prompts Protests & Scholarly Discussion

One week from today (August 7), Aaron McGruder's "Black Jesus" will arrive on Adult Swim. The "Boondocks" creator's latest venture is a satirical look at Jesus Christ, returning to physical form, as a Black man. With the trailer already out and stirring up both promotion and controversy, not everybody is... Read more

August 1, 2014 Fresh

Ab-Soul Shares A Dedication To Max B, Raps About Pestering Questions (Audio)

Ab-Soul is building a growing rapport with Statik Selektah. Days after Soulo's role on "Alarm Clock," the Carson, California MC's appearance on S.S.'s ShowOff Radio show led to the 1982 co-founder liberating a song Ab forgot was recorded (produced by Statik, no less). Not long ago, Soul made a song... Read more

August 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For Americans, Nintendo’s Game Boy Turns 25 Years Old Today

July 31, 1989 might seem like an ordinary day. However, for the United States market, it was a literal game-changer. It was on that day—25 years ago today, if you're keeping high-score, that Nintendo brought the Game Boy stateside. The major breakthrough in handheld video-gaming, the 8-bit device was introduced... Read more

July 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

M.O.P., DJ Premier Scratches & A Classic ’80s Pop Loop Equals Amazing (Audio)

M.O.P. and First Family have been around for 25 years. However, Billy Danze and Lil Fame (who now only goes by Fame) started making some serious noise when they crossed paths with DJ Premier in the early 1990s. With the Brownsville, Brooklyn duo's rugged microphone assaults, a Premo scratch-chorus only... Read more

July 31, 2014 Throwback

Raekwon The Chef Reheats Some Luther Vandross Flawlessly (Audio)

Fresh off of sharing his Top 5 all-time (non Wu-Tang Clan) MCs, Raekwon is right back to his #ThrowbackThursday push. This time, Rae covers the late Luther Vandross' 1988 joint, "For You To Love." With a smooth-style beat that might suit Chef's homie MF DOOM, the Staten Island lyricist sets... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Snoop Dogg Freshens Up William Bell’s Stax Records Classic Breakdown (Audio)

Stax Records Heads know that William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" is one of the most moving, timeless, and downright beautiful songs of the period. The 1968 hit has since been a basis of samples by Dilated Peoples, Brand Nubian, and even Ludacris and Scarface, among plenty of... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Do Remember: Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud’s Girls, I Got ‘Em Locked (Video)

Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud's "Girls, I Got 'Em Locked" was hardly what would constitute a hit by today's radio standards. However, like so many 12" plates of the 1980s, the 1988 Elektra Records single was known amongst inner-circles. With the New York City duo signed to a major... Read more

July 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

Chuck D Lends His Voice To Something That Sounds Like Bomb Squad Glory (Audio)

One of the attributes that's made Public Enemy great is that the beats and sonic vibe always seemed to bulldoze the moment for Chuck D's verbal essay. A big part of that is The Bomb Squad, the production collective of the Brothers Shocklee (which also included Chuck) to obliterate samples... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Twista’s Music Has That Mass Appeal Saluting The One That Got Away (Video)

In the mid-2000s, Twista was part of the Joint Chiefs. Not an official group, the team was compromised of Atlantic Records' star roster (including T.I., Trick Daddy, Fat Joe, and Fabolous). Ironically, none of the five artists are still with Atlantic today, with 3/5 (including Twista) going indie. Even from... Read more

July 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Tha Eastsidaz Welcome Tray Deee Home With The Trio’s First Single In Years (Video)

Back in the 1990s, it was hard out here for a Snoop. Despite Snoop Dogg's uber-solo success in Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather, the Long Beach legend had trouble building a group. Dating back to the late '80s, Snoop's 213 crew (with Nate Dogg and Warren G) was unable to strike... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Quik Goes Digging In The Crates With 19 Influential Records

In their new issue (#50), Wax Poetics went digging for records with DJ Quik at Hollywood's famed Amoeba Records shop. Thankfully, the article is also available online. The producer for 2Pac, Jay Z, Suga Free, Hi-C, Mausberg, Snoop Dogg, and countless others used the racks of wax to identify 19... Read more

July 30, 2014 Throwback

Rah Digga & Planet Asia Shine, Readying For Musical Apocalypse (Audio)

Rah Digga has been on a tear throughout the last month. Jersey City's star MC makes another poignant statement, this time witnessing the decline in the musical art-form, industry and outlets for artists. Before Digga comes in strong, Fresno's Planet Asia kicks a detailed, rugged verse that is among his... Read more

July 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

MarQ Spekt & Blockhead’s SumOfItsParts Is As Cool Visually As It Is Sonically (Video)

Yesterday (July 29), Philadelphia MC MarQ Spekt and Manhattan producer/DJ Blockhead released Justplaywitit, their first collaborative LP. Like all albums, the artists may hope that it's a "sum of its parts." The second single shares that sentiment. The video from the Cunninlynguist and Aesop Rock affiliates, respectively, features mixed media,... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Timbaland Says He’s Never, Ever Seen Missy Elliott Record

This is the third decade that Timbaland and Missy Elliott have recorded together. Two of the artists who helped put the state of Virginia on the Hip-Hop map have made massive hits with each other, including "What About Us?," "Here We Come," and "The Rain," among plenty others. However, in... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

Cormega Juices Up Industry, With A Kool G Rap, Masta Ace & Craig G Remix (Audio)

After the tremendous acclaim of Mega Philosophy single, "Industry," Cormega (as promised) is hard at work on some jaw-dropping remixes. Cory starts off looking at his own native borough of Queens, New York. There, 'Mega links with Craig G (who he worked with on QB's Finest's single, "Da Bridge 2001"),... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Amidst Kids’ Anniversary, A Documentary Is In Production By One Of The Film’s Stars

Yesterday (July 28), Larry Clark's film, Kids, turned 19 years old. The July, 1995 theatrical release resonated with generations of Heads, ranging from those who watched it, those who lived it, and even those who watch now, and simply learn from it. One of the film's stars, Hamilton Harris, is... Read more

July 29, 2014 Throwback

Scarface & Akon Teach The H-Town Youth The Low Down Truth (Video)

Earlier this month, Scarface and Akon released their "Exit Plan." The record kicks Geto Boy knowledge to the new generation on the do's and don't's of operating in the streets in search of upward mobility. For the just-released visual, Facemob hits the streets of H-Town (Akon is not included in... Read more

July 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Statik Selektah Assembles Logic, Ab-Soul & Jon Connor For A Soulful Wakeup (Audio)

With What Goes Around three weeks away (August 19), Statik Selektah's roll-out rolls on. In the last seven years, the New England native has rivaled the likes of DJ Khaled and DJ Drama in his ability to make massive collaborations work, all while being thematic. Looking to the new class... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Plays With His Vocals Guesting On Jasmine V’s New Single (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar continues to help R&B singers reach new crowds. This time, he joins Jasmine V (a/k/a Jasmine Villegas) on "That's Me Right There," a song that walks the line between reminding Heads to consider the other person's feelings, and just a track about showing out for originality. K-Dot comes... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For The First Time, Hear J. Dilla & Phat Kat’s – Detroit’s Finest EP Snippets (Audio)

Back in 1996 and 1997, Slum Village was not the only group that occupied the time belonging to J. Dilla (then known as Jay Dee). Dilla had established a longstanding partnership with fellow Detroit MC, Phat Kat. Known as 1st Down, the pair inked a contract with Payday Records (Jeru... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

It’s No Dream… Mobb Deep & The LOX Are Living Lush (Video)

Fifteen years after Mobb Deep and Nas brought out the Scarface-inspired cigarette racing boats and island grandeur in "It's Mine," Prodigy and Havoc invite Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch to a Northeast mansion party in "All A Dream." The Notorious B.I.G.-sampling single from The Infamous Mobb Deep album features... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joe Budden & Ransom Squash Differences, Reunite In The Vietnam Trenches (Audio)

Two Garden State greats, Joe Budden and Ransom, came from the same circles in the mid-2000s. Ransom was poised to be one of "Jumpoff Joe's" early proteges, in between his Def Jam Records fallout and what would become his Slaughterhouse lead-in's. Around 2008, the two lyricists ran afoul and entered... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kids Hit Theaters 19 Years Ago Today, Watch The Raw NYC Coming Of Age Film (Video)

On July 28, 1995, Larry Clark's first film, Kids, hit theaters. The movie starring Rosario Dawson, Chloe Sevigny, the late Justin Pierce, and Leo Fitzpatrick followed the very adult consequences of a group of teens living in then-present-day New York City. Produced in part by Gus Van Zandt (Good Will... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Apollo Brown Gives The Perfect Visual Illustration For His Latest Roc Marciano Link (Video)

Apollo Brown's beats are just so grim. The Mello Music Group mainstay has this amazing ability to create a frigidness on the track, even in the dead of Summer. For "Lonely & Cold," his latest link with Roc Marciano, Brown hit the parks for a street-stuck journey in gritty black... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Raps About How He & Chief Keef Are Of The Same Water, Jay Z Meetings In SBTV Freestyle (Video)

After last week's 10-minute freestyle, Vic Mensa keeps things a bit more simple and concentrated for SBTV's Warm Up Sessions. While in the United Kingdom, the Save Money standout uses his cue to rap about Chicago's violent epidemic, and reminds Heads that just 'cause he might not talk about the... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent & G-Unit Are Outstanding, On A Feel-Great Gap Band Instrumental (Audio)

After tackling some contemporary production from DJ Mustard, Hit-Boy, and Mike MiLL Made It, 50 Cent and G-Unit wanted to take a page from Raekwon's recent book. The quintet (with Kidd Kidd now square in the mix) hopped on a Gap Band "Outstanding" instrumental, and popped bottles in lyrical form,... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

45 King Plays The Classics & The Breaks, Rocking An Hour-Long DJ Set For Boiler Room NYC (Video)

One of the true links in Hip-Hop's chain from the mid-1980s to today is 45 King. Often credited as the founder of the original Flavor Unit, 45 King is also the man responsible for discovering MCs like Queen Latifah, Chill Rob G, and others, all while producing classic material for... Read more

July 27, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Chubb Rock Made Some Party Joints. Here’s A Brand New Remix With Chubb & DJ Mighty Mi That Pleases (Audio)

Chubb Rock and his booming vocals made Hip-Hop great in the five-year-run between 1988 and 1993. With his Caribbean influence, Chubb's wit, precise delivery, and fast flow made him a Select Records flagship artist, and a staple voice in Hip-Hop's most animated era. With some key spots through recent years,... Read more

July 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

It’s An Arsonists Party As Jise Takes On A Homeless Perspective On A Dope Q-Unique Loop (Video)

The Arsonists' impact lives on, years after the New York City graffiti-inspired collective parted ways. While D-Stroy is making big noise on DJ Premier beats, care of Doo Wop mixtapes, Freestyle, Jise One, and Q-Unique stay working. From The Passion Of Jise, Jise hopped on a Q-Unique chop of a... Read more

July 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Want Some Bugged Out Entertainment? Watch Deltron 3030 Go Record Shopping (Video)

Along with veteran Canadian turntablist Kid Koala, Del The Funky Homosapien and Dan The Automator complete the other-worldy trifecta known as Deltron 3030. The weirdest character concoction this side of Dr. Octagon (whom, Dan also helped "Frankenstein"), Deltron released their sophomore, highly-anticipated LP, Event II, less than one year ago.... Read more

July 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Fashawn & Wrekonize Pay Respects To EPMD’s Headbanger & Lyrically Leave Lumps (Audio)

From Warren G, to Tha Dogg Pound, to Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek, EPMD made records that made MCs feel compelled to cover throughout the ages. Erick Sermon and Parish Smith remain giants in the lyrical and production circles of Hip-Hop. The duo's impact (through on-again, off-again status) is galactic,... Read more

July 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common Goes City To City In The Nobody’s Smiling Bonus Track (Audio)

On a concept, fully cohesive like Nobody's Smiling by Common, bonus cuts are really challenging. Like a novel missing a chapter, or deleted scenes from a film, these amendments can affect the whole message, premise, and shape of a narrative. Still fresh in the minds of the Hip-Hop masses, Common... Read more

July 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Action Bronson Heads To London To Disprove The Notion That English Food Lacks Flavor (Video)

From the proclaimed "Land of dirty sex, and cheap Chinese food," Action Bronson's "Fuck, That's Delicious" NOISEY/VICE series heads to London, England. In a popular tourist destination not often associated with the savory foods of other European nations, Bam Bam Bronson shows Heads how to c'mon with the get-down and... Read more

July 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Homeboy Sandman Flips Patriotism On Its Head In America, The Beautiful (Audio)

Homeboy Sandman loves a concept. Teaming with fellow Stones Throw Records artist Jonwayne on the boards, H.B.S. takes a long look at America as She stands today. While it's not the most optimistic, it's heavily researched, and spans many attributes of culture. "America, The Beautiful" is the latest in a... Read more

July 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh