Bandini

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

If Joell Ortiz’ Original House Slippers Was Too Wavy, Watch Him Tear Down A Coldcut-Style Remix (Video)

Joell Ortiz's "House Slippers" single from the album of the same name shows a new sound from the Brooklyn, New York MC. While the LP features executive production from !llmind (Skyzoo) and Heatmakerz (The Diplomats), the single suggested a subdued sound from the artist known for his work from DJ... Read more

July 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dag Savage Shows You How To Get Over Losing Her In Darlin’ (Video)

Johaz & Exile's Dag Savage outfit has made some of the most celebrated independent Hip-Hop of the last 12 months. E&J, the full-length, features the song "Darlin'." Like the other artists Exile regularly works with (Aloe Blacc, Blu, and Fashawn), Johaz is deeply introspective on this cut, about missing the... Read more

July 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Black Sheep Dres Breaks Down Ageism In Hip-Hop, Delivers HOT 97 A Message From DJ Kool Herc (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's true mainstays over the last 25 years has been Dres. Since his days building with Kool DJ Red Alert and former Black Sheep to his latest songs about marriage and flexing Bars In The Booth alongside DJ Premier, the Queens, New York-born MC has been a strong,... Read more

July 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Ice Cube Goes From Gangsta Rap To Booty Bass On Drop Girl (Video)

Ice Cube is a musical chameleon in the best way possible. After his celebrated tenure as a Gangsta Rap innovator in N.W.A. and C.I.A., Cube went solo and was among Hip-Hop's first artists to seek out pan-am production. Before Masta Ace had a West Coast sound, and Fat Joe had... Read more

July 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wiz Khalifa Throws A Gangsta Party With Snoop Dogg & Ty Dolla $ign On A DJ Mustard Beat (Audio)

With Blacc Hollywood, Wiz Khalifa is out to make a very specific, stylized album. Once a "Black & Yellow" Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania star, Wiz has found uber-success since moving to the land of the palm trees, finding a celebrity partner in Amber Rose, and making albums with his Big Homie, Snoop... Read more

July 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar’s Complex Cover Story Breaks Down What A Guest Verse Will Cost Ya

To coincide with their new relaunch, Complex.com shared its August/September cover story, with Kendrick Lamar. The event follows a Monday morning that perhaps featured some GQ competition with a Kanye West cover story. Both efforts, with arguably two of the current Kings in Hip-Hop (in very different ways, with differing... Read more

July 21, 2014 Fresh

Kanye West Tells GQ Why New Slaves Is The Greatest Rap Verse Of All-Time & Why Being A Dad Is Cool

Today (July 21) GQ magazine published their latest interview with longtime subject, Kanye West. A pillar of contemporary music, fashion, celebrity, and arguably—masculinity, the superstar rapper inadvertently touched on all of the subjects. While the interview uses 'Ye's bringing Jay Z and Mos Def to the same studio the same... Read more

July 21, 2014 Fresh

Doo Wop Features A New DJ Premier & Tony Touch Joint, Freestyles From Cory Gunz, Termanology & Planet Asia (Mixtape)

Legendary game-changing DJ, Doo Wop has always been vocal. The New Yorker, who boasts being a longtime member of both Bounce Squad and Flip Squad DJ's has rapped alongside Tony Touch (Diaz Brothers), toured the world with the late Guru, and made a host of certified classic mixtapes in the... Read more

July 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

The Weeknd Says He’ll Be Sitting On The Throne All Autumn, As King Of The Fall (Audio)

The Weeknd stunts on his records. Introduced with his uber-sexual Trilogy, the Canadian crooner has gathered quite a bit of fame, all while maintaining that mystique. On "King Of The Fall," Abel balances these honest attributes, singing about his insistence on a private-life, even if his songs expose his bedroom... Read more

July 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Vic Mensa Kicks Freestyle Fire In The Booth For More Than 10 Minutes (Video)

Joining DJ/host Charlie Sloth on the BBC 1Xtra show, Vic Mensa ignites Fire In The Booth. The show's series finds MCs kicking bars over some impromptu instrumentals. It's unclear how much of it is off the dome (sure seems like most of it), but the Save Money front-man and his... Read more

July 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

SPOTLIGHT: Retro Is Highly Futuristic With 2 Amazing Visuals & A Cool Style (Videos)

Atlanta, Georgia's Retro (a/k/a Retro Tha Kid) has a delicate balance of youthful imagination and grown-up perspective. In two videos, "Wonderland" and "Resist," Heads can see just how vivid one of those things is. Clearly a student of the Trap sound, Retro makes records that apply to anybody who can... Read more

July 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Still Unsure About Hopsin’s Staying Power? The Ill Mind Of Hopsin 7 Might Sway Your Decision (Video)

Hopsin is an enigma. In interviews, the San Fernando Valley, California MC/producer is often controversial, openly opining on things he disagrees with in the music industry. Often reclusive, the 2012 XXL Freshmen class alum continues to achieve viral success, and combat his peers (friends and foes alike) on the charts,... Read more

July 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Memories Make The G-Code On Boaz & Scarface’s Hard To Forget It (Audio)

Pittsburgh-meets-Houston as Scarface lends a powerful hand to the Steel City's patient vet Boaz, of the Larimer section. Down with Rostrum Records for years, Bo' has amassed a slow and steady pace to match his hard, street-tested vantage point on the microphone. "Hard To Forget It" finds Brad and Bo'... Read more

July 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joey Bada$$ & Statik Selektah Play An Hour-Long Mix Of Pro Era’s Finest Moments (Audio)

Statik Selektah has been one of the early adopters to the Pro Era sound. The ShowOff CEO and longtime radio (terrestrial and satellite) staple dropped quite a few needles on Joey Bada$$ and his cohorts before labels, big studios, or major features were ever involved. As Joey lends his mic... Read more

July 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jhene Aiko Recalls The Pressures Of A Relationship (Audio)

Jhene Aiko's debut full-length solo, Souled Out, is less than six weeks away. In advance of the August 25 date, the Los Angelino drops off "Pressure," a look at the stresses of a failing relationship. The production, care of The Fisticuffs, has a lot going on, beneath the surface. This... Read more

July 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Stalley Goes Smokey & The Bandit For Feel The Bass (Video)

Stalley represents himself as an Honest Cowboy. The modern cowboys were chronicled in 1977's Burt Reynolds flick, Smokey & The Bandit. Rather than moving cattle, The Bandit and his partner in the big rig were moving cases of Coors beer across the Tex-Arkana line. That film/setting and its black Pontiac... Read more

July 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Roots’ Longtime Manager & Producer Rich Nichols Passes Away

With his name in the liners as far back as Illadelph Halflife, producer Richard Nichols was an integral part of The Roots. Producer, executive, and manager, Nichols was never credited as a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hip-Hop band, but was highly involved in their studio work and even transition... Read more

July 17, 2014 Fresh

Raekwon Makes A Spinner On Could It Be I’m Falling In Love (Audio)

Raekwon's love of '70s and '80s Soul/R&B continues in the "Throwback Thursday" thematic series. After working with Rose Royce, Horace Brown, The Isley Brothers and Teena Marie, The Chef chops down some bars over The Spinners' 1973 seductive serenade "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love?" for his fifth installment.... Read more

July 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

How’s About An Hour-Long Mix Of Some Pete Rock Scorchers Through The Decades? (Audio)

Pete Rock's production career has truly been an enigma. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker has divided his efforts to make high-profile jams for his own outfit (Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth), as well as artists like Nas, Heavy D & The Boyz, and AZ. On the flip-side, P.R. has amassed... Read more

July 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

RZA & Faulkner Show What It Means To Be A New Yorker (Video)

Even with residences in New Jersey and California as well as extensive travel abroad, RZA is always a New Yorker. The Wu-Tang Clan Abbott helped helm a sound identifiable with the city in the early 1990s, and stayed shining a light on the unheard and under-represented parts of the city... Read more

July 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joell Ortiz & B.o.B. Take A Moment To Celebrate Music Of All Kinds On A Heatmakerz Beat (Audio)

Joell Ortiz's third solo album, House Slippers, is a transformation for the Slaughterhouse MC. Now signed to Penalty Records, the Brooklyn artist claims he's made the freest album yet, with a celebration of life's blessings, as well as his recent focus on health and happiness. With that, the artist who... Read more

July 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Royce Da 5’9 Slows It Down & Cuts The Lights Out Alongside Rock Band Pink Grenade (Audio)

Throughout his extensive 15-plus-year career, Royce Da 5'9 has worked outside the box. The Detroit, Michigan mainstay and Bad Meets Evil co-founder toured and worked with late '90s Pop tart Willa Ford on her hit "I Wanna Be Bad," before eventually working with a pre-stardom Amerie on "Life," as well... Read more

July 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron & Nicki Minaj Show Why Movin’ On Up Ain’t So Bad (Video)

Less than 24 hours after the audio premiere of "So Bad," featuring Nicki Minaj and Yummy, Killa Cam'ron hits Heads off with the video. Featuring some real estate exchanges between Nicki and Cam, this song shows how both mainstream-embraced lyricists may've started at the bottom, but they're now living large... Read more

July 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Wilds Out On A Pyschedelic Trap Journey In Feel That (Video)

Already with an excellent 2014 narrative-style video under his belt, Vic Mensa keeps the trip going. "Feel That" takes a literal approach, with some aurally-taken meds and a subsequent trip that would make Hunter S. Thompson proud: Related: Vic Mensa Releases One of the Best Music Videos of the Year... Read more

July 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Sway Tests Mistah FAB With The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Challenge, How’s He Stand? (Video)

Mistah FAB is one of the meanest freestyle MCs in Hip-Hop. Appearing recently on "Sway In The Morning," it's abundantly clear that fellow Bay Area alum Sway is well aware of Fabby Davis' lyrical capability. Running through some of the stellar guests as of late on the Shade 45 program,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bumpy Knuckles & Audible Doctor Unleash The Beast (Audio)

Brown Bag AllStars' Audible Doctor once cut his teeth working at Tuff City Records, the legendary label responsible for Queen Latifah, 45 King, Spoonie Gee, and others. That said, the Wisconsin native appreciates his history. One such figure, who continues to write his own legend is Freddie Foxxx, more modernly... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Chuck D Uses Acronyms & Wordplay To Talk About Race, Radio & Rosenberg (Audio)

Last week, HOT 97 radio host, DJ, and member of the Low Budget Crew, Peter Rosenberg publicly apologized to Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. The words followed a month-long social media debate, which bled its way onto airwaves and interviews, following HOT 97's 2014 Summer Jam. After the Long Island,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Souls Of Mischief Remind Us All That Word Is Bond (Audio)

The Souls Of Mischief are coming out (There Is Only Now, August 26) to remind Heads that the Oakland, California quartet helped architect so much of what is in vogue right now. Tajai, Opio, Phesto Dee, and A-Plus found the proper balance between smooth and thoughtful in the early '90s,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Loaded Lux Joins DJ Premier For Bars In The Booth (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, DJ Premier has thrived when working with battle-tested MCs, ranging from Rah Digga ("Lessons Of Today") to Craig G ("Ready Set Begin") to Canibus ("Golden Terra Of Rap"). So with Battle Rap at arguably its pinnacle since the 1990s, why not go to one of... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Drake Announces His Fourth Studio Album Title…

Kool G Rap's first album sans DJ Polo was notably titled 4,5,6, while Jennifer Lopez's 1999 debut was titled On The 6. Both native New Yorkers, the albums were allusions to MTA Subway system (with G Rap also being a double-meaning for a dice-game). Now Drake, who spent his youth... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh

Wale Brandishes His MMG Loyalty In A New Song, With A Special Outro (Audio)

Late last week, the Maybach Music Group/MMG collective's loyalty was in question, internally. Meek Mill called out Wale for lack of support surrounding his latest release. Hours later, Wale released "The Followers," making it more about music than drama. Gearing up for his own Album About Nothing, Wale drops another... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Copies Wu-Tang Clan’s Million Dollar Idea

With Wu-Tang Clan's sole copy of Wu-Tang: Once Upon A Time In A Shaolin drawing mid-seven figure offers, a new revenue model for cult-championed artists has emerged. In less than four months, another early 1990s Hip-Hop outfit is reportedly following suit. Per a TMZ report, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is planning to... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh

U Better Recognize OVO, When PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake Come Together (Audio)

This week, October's Very Own PARTYNEXTDOOR announced PARTYNEXTDOOR Two. With the pre-release, the OVO singer offered up two cuts, with one being "Recognize." Teaming once again with Drake, this slow and teased out simple song, which spans over five minutes. Like a vocal jam session, this record employs a few... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Michael Jordan, Jay Z, Action Bronson, & Billy Crystal Show Respect 2 Derek Jeter (Video)

After 20 seasons in a New York Yankees uniform, the 2014 All-Star break marks the home-stretch for Derek Jeter's career. One of the greatest Yankees, greatest Shortstops, and greatest ball-players to ever lace up, #2 has been in pinstripes since it was a very different New York, and a very... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Marsha Ambrosius’ Friends & Lovers Features Dr. Dre & Uncle Charlie Wilson (Album Stream)

Marsha Ambrosious' sophomore solo album, Friends & Lovers is officially upon us. The RCA Records release features but two guests, Marsha's dear friend/onetime mentor, Dr. Dre as well as The Gap Band's "Uncle" Charlie Wilson. Making some of the most heart-felt, and Hip-Hop Head-savvy R&B as of late, Marsh' offers... Read more

July 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Dilated Peoples & Aloe Blacc Have Been Showing Heads The Way For Years (Audio)

Dilated Peoples' comeback/reunion album, Directors Of Photography, is now due on August 12. The trio's departure from the major label system and simultaneous arrival at Rhymesayers Entertainment seemingly changes nothing. Evidence, Rakaa, and DJ Babu are still about a slow-flow underground Hip-Hop beach-side vibe all their own. Teamed with Emanon... Read more

July 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Diamond D’s Got An August Album Featuring Pete Rock, The Pharcyde, Rapsody & Kurupt

Founding D.I.T.C. member Diamond D has announced his first album since 2008. The Bronx, New York-born MC/producer/DJ credited with discovering Fat Joe will release his fourth studio LP, The Diam Piece on August 26, 2014. After 25 years of making music (dating back to his Strong City Records outfit The... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh

A VA Bounce Battle Begins With This Timbaland Vs. Neptunes Mix By Five Deez’ Pase Rock (Mixtape)

In the late 1990s, Cincinnati, Ohio was a keystone tributary to the Underground Hip-Hop movement's pinnacle. The River City produced DJ Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal, Mood, Black Star), as well as Anticon co-founder Dose.One and others. Blueprint would relocate to Cincy from nearby Columbus, Ohio, along with Illogic, forming the Greenhouse... Read more

July 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Three Notorious Cities Are Chronicled As Freddie Gibbs, Chill Moody & Apollo The Great Link (Video)

Through his work with everybody from PaceWon and Young Zee (The Outsidaz), Vinnie Paz and Planetary (Army Of The Pharaohs) and Malik B (The Roots), New Jersey's Mr. Green has made quite a name, and quite a catalog. The sample-savvy producer was behind a dope video today. Combining the ill... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

SZA’s Living In Color With Her Standout Uptempo Pop Single Julia (Video)

One of the standout records from SZA's debut, Z, is "Julia." Influenced by '80s/'90s, and present-day Synth-Pop, the melodic song's video presents some abstract glimpses into SZA's life. The song is moody, soaring, and transient. Related: What Do You Get When You Mix SZA & Jill Scott? Divinity (Audio)... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Hear Some Rare, Early ’70s Demo Versions From Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Catch A Fire (Audio)

#126 on Rolling Stone magazine's "Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All-Time," The Wailers' Catch A Fire is a benchmark Reggae album. Released in April of 1973, the album written primarily by Bob Marley, with two penned efforts by Peter Tosh featured a carefully-crafted concoction of hope, seduction, and social chronicle.... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

REKS Teams With Saigon & N.O.R.E. For Some Message Music With Garvey (Audio)

The revolutionary comparisons drive the musical car, as REKS links with Saigon and N.O.R.E. on "Garvey," named after the Jamaican leader of the Black Star Line. N.O.R.E.is in form, Saigon stamps down one of his signature thought-provoking verses, while REKS shows one of his many sides—in a lengthy career that's... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Neptunes’ Chad Hugo Remixes A Bouncy New Joint From Little Dragon (Audio)

Swedish band Little Dragon have been on Heads' radar for some time. If the four albums made by the Electronic/Rock outfit haven't stood on their own, Yukimi Nagano's vocals (with the band's thumping basslines) have been heard alongside Big Boi in videos since before even Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors,... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

With Grammys Stacked On The Shelf, The Roots Are Nominated For An Emmy Award

2014 marks 15 years since The Roots crew grabbed their first Grammy Award alongside Erykah Badu for the Things Fall Apart smash hit, "You Got Me." In the time since, Black Thought and company have received a bevy of nominations, and grabbed two more statues for their 2010 WAKE UP... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh

Crooked I Goes Back To His Days Of Struggle For A Skillful & Personal Song (Video)

Crooked I Heads know that the Long Beach MC has a speckled past. Before a string of mostly-fruitless label deals, Crook' grew up with bouts of hunger and homelessness. The product of Sway & King Tech's Wake Up Show would later earn the success that allows him to travel the... Read more

July 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

With The Biggest Wedding Song On Playlists, John Legend Makes The Visual Companion (Video)

Making a warm embrace about "perfect imperfections" will go far these days. With his own supermodel wife, Sports Illustrated cover-girl Chrissy Teigen, John Legend made what is perhaps 2014's most played love song in "You & I (Nobody In The World)." The slow-dance smash now has a video, suggesting and celebrating all... Read more

July 10, 2014 Fresh, Video