Bonita

Run the Jewels Honor Their Cultural Forefathers in New Single (Audio)

This year, much of Hip-Hop's history has been documented on screens, both large and small. While Straight Outta Compton undoubtedly leads the pack when discussing the biggest Hip-Hop blockbuster, one could argue that Rubble Kings serves as the year's stand-out Hip-Hop documentary. The film tells the story of the earliest... Read more

October 5, 2015 Audio

Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, & Public Enemy Are Real-Life Comic Book Heroes (Video)

Ed Piskor is an award-winning comics creator whose latest project is a genealogical study of Hip-Hop, a six-part series titled The Hip-Hop Family Tree: A Look Into the Viral Propagation of a Culture. Written and illustrated like a classic comic strip, the ongoing endeavor began in 2011 as a weekly... Read more

October 5, 2015 Lifestyle

Chris Rivers Drops 2 New Freestyles & Blacks Out with Jarren Benton (Audio)

It's Friday, which means Chris Rivers has once again dropped off some freestyles as part of what is now a months-long lead-up to his forthcoming M.C. (Medicated Consumption). The Bronx MC, fka Baby Pun, has thus far unleashed freestyles over tracks by Black Moon, Brand Nubian, the Clipse, Dilated Peoples,... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

The Game is Not Playing. Here’s Another Hit Featuring Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, & will.i.am (Audio)

By now, the news of the Game's forthcoming double-disc release, The Documentary 2, is standard fare for Heads. The anticipation for the Compton MC's seventh album will serve as the follow-up to his 2005 debut, and the anniversary's timing has once again brought the Los Angeles neighborhood into the forefront... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

Illa J’s Latest is an Exercise in Musical Exploration…& It Works (Album Stream)

Today marks the release date for Illa J's self-titled album, his latest solo effort and the first since his 2008 debut, Yancey Boys. That album introduced him to Heads as a gifted MC and sometimes singer, one who is eager both to celebrate his family legacy but also cultivate a... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

Witness How Hip-Hop is Aiding in the Fight Against Global Warming (Video)

An organization called the Hip-Hop Caucus has spent the last several months undertaking a project with impact, using the power of music to spread messages of awareness revolving around climate change. The People's Climate Music began as a nationwide bus tour, bringing musicians including G.O.O.D. Music artist Malik Yusef and... Read more

October 1, 2015 Lifestyle

Queen Latifah Discusses Uplifting Women Through Positive Messages in Hip-Hop (Video)

It's been 8 years since Queen Latifah released her most recent solo album Persona, but her fans are still quick to acknowledge her enduring legacy, particularly when it comes to the empowerment of women within the Hip-Hop community. Now an Academy-Award nominated actress, the Queen won the Best Rap Solo... Read more

October 1, 2015 Video

Ras Kass & King Midas Clique Are Setting off Alarms on Police Brutality (Video Premiere)

Last year, Ras Kass released Blasphemy, a collaborative album with Apollo Brown, a widely acclaimed effort that wonderfully paired the Carson, California MC's mastery with the Detroit producer's soulful, boom-bap. Now, the former is gearing up for another Mello Music LP, this time a collaborative effort with Jack Splash, a... Read more

October 1, 2015 Video

Here Are 2 Hours of Madlib & Pete Rock Sets as Curated by J. Rocc (Audio)

Beat Junkies co-founder J. Rocc is the host of a radio program called "Adventures in Stereo" which takes place weekly Sunday nights on KPFK Public Radio. Each week's episode carries special guests and themes and provides listeners with two hours of ear candy. Past shows include Sean Price and Roy... Read more

September 30, 2015 Audio

Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

Hip-Hop and art have once again merged in an exciting way, thanks to the inventive mind of a graduate student. Regina Flores Mir is the brains behind the Hip-Hop Project, a new program being implemented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that allows visitors to navigate the various collections with... Read more

September 30, 2015 Lifestyle

A New Film Shows How Stretch & Bobbito Helped Launch the Careers of Nas, Jay Z, Big Pun & More (Video)

In the 90s, Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia hosted a seminal radio show every Thursday night (technically early Friday morning) that would become one of the most important platforms in Hip-Hop. Throughout the decade, they served as de facto ambassadors, introducing audiences and the world to unsigned and undiscovered artists... Read more

September 30, 2015 TV/Film

How Did Lil Dicky Get Away With His ‘$ave Dat Money’ Hijinks? This Documentary Has the Answer (Video)

Since releasing his studio debut Professional Rapper, Philadelphia MC Lil Dicky has continued to capitalize on the internet fame that first catapulted him into Hip-Hop in 2013, when the video for "Ex-Boyfriend" scored over one-million hits in less than 24 hours. Since then, the ad-man turned comedian turned rapper has... Read more

September 29, 2015 Video

D.M.C. Once Contemplated Suicide. From Adoption To J.M.J.’s Death, He Embodies Triumph (Video)

Last week, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels stopped by CBC Radio to sit down with Shadrach Kabango (also known by his MC name, Shad) for an interview on Kabango's Q program. For more than 45 minutes, the two discussed the Hip-Hop pioneer's life and career, both past and present. Clad in an... Read more

September 29, 2015 Video

Legendary Street Artist Banksy Will Donate His Dismaland Art to Aid in Europe’s Refugee Crisis (Video)

For weeks now, the news of the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe has dominated headlines around the world. As millions flee civil war in Syria and other humanitarian crises in the region, European countries have become ground zero for an influx of migrants, some welcoming them with open arms and... Read more

September 29, 2015 Lifestyle

Flying Lotus, Shabazz Palaces, Thundercat Join Forces & Enlist George Clinton (Audio)

In what may be Hip-Hop's newest and most exciting triad, three individually incredible artists have formed a singular unit to form a three-headed hybrid that incorporates multiple genres and aesthetics into WOKE. Featuring producer and DJ Flying Lotus, experimental Hip-Hop duo Shabazz Palaces, and Psychedelic Funk multi-instrumentalist Thundercat, WOKE has... Read more

September 28, 2015 Audio

A Violinist & Violist Covered Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Alright,’ & It Is Awe-Inspiring (Video)

Earlier this month, Classical duo Black Violin released Stereotypes, an album featuring their signature Classical music training with elements of more contemporary stylings mixed in. Comprised of Violinist Kevin Sylvester and Violist Wilner Baptiste, Black Violin (who once performed at the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater) worked with... Read more

September 28, 2015 Video

The World’s Best B-Boys & B-Girls Take Center Stage at this Breakin’ Competition (Video)

Heads around the world have embraced Breakdancing as one of Hip-Hop's defining elements, and while it may seem like rapping has become the culture's most visible manifestation, B-boys and B-Girls continue to celebrate breakin' in tremendous ways. Back in August, the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships took place in San Diego,... Read more

September 28, 2015 Video

Ever See This 1991 Geto Boys Performance on ‘Yo! MTV Raps’? (Video)

Now that the hopes of a Geto Boys reunion album have been put to rest, fans of the Houston trio are undoubtedly disappointed, but thanks to the glory of the digital age, footage of them performing over the course of their career is perennially available. In this rarely seen clip,... Read more

September 26, 2015 Video

Mac Miller Drops Heavy Bars Over Preemo, Kanye & Timbaland in a Big Boy Freestyle (Video)

Currently celebrating the release of his major-label debut GO:OD AM, Pittsburgh's Mac Miller is making the promotional rounds on stage and in the booth. Gearing up for a North American tour, Miller stopped by Big Boy's morning show at 92.3 REAL in Los Angeles and hopped on the mic for... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

Big Boi & Phantogram Perform Fell in the Sun With The Roots (Video)

Big Boi's and Phantogram's respective fans have always known the musicians for not only being talented recording artists, but also highly entertaining live performers. The former is known for his lively stage shows alongside his Outkast partner, Andre 3000 and the latter are an eclectic duo whose set designs and... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Is Francis the First Hip-Hop Pope? This G.O.O.D. Artist Says Yes (Video)

The Pope's visit to the United States this week has infused many Americans with what could be aptly nicknamed "Pope Fever." The reigning Bishop of Rome has earned himself a reputation for being a progressive, as far as the papacy goes, particularly because of his comparatively outspoken views on things... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

The Game Tells the Story of His Life Through The Documentary’s Iconic Photos (Video)

The Game has had a celebratory few weeks and as he settles in to the home stretch before his next album drops October 9, fans are being treated to what feels like wonderful news with every passing day. Just this week it was announced that The Documentary 2 will be... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Los Angeles Declares Historic Measure to Help its Huge Homeless Population

Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood and all of its glitz and glamour, has long since played a starring role in countless films. Ever since the movie studios opted to stake their claims in the area due to its nearly perfect year-round climate, Los Angeles has been a Mecca for... Read more

September 24, 2015 News

Zhané Was More Than 20 Years Ahead Of Their Time, Evident In This ‘Naughty’ Hit (Video)

Released in May of 1994, "Sending My Love" was the third single from Pronounced Jah-Nay, the Platinum-selling debut album from R&B duo Zhané. Listed as being produced by Naughty by Nature, the soulful, uptempo ballad was the result of a collaboration between singers Renee Neufville and Jean Norris-Baylor and Kay Gee, NBN's... Read more

September 24, 2015 Do Remember

The Game’s Flow is Anything But Short on ‘El Chapo’ (Audio)

Translated as "small in stature" in English, the words "el chapo" conjure up an image of a swaggering Mexican drug lord rather than a diminutive personality, and for good reason. Earlier this year, the real-life El Chapo - a longtime kingpin in the world of Latin American cartels born Joaquín... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

Big Boi & Phantogram Are Going for the Gold on Latest Single (Audio)

Just two days away from the release of their collaborative project, OutKast's Big Boi and Electric-Rock outfit Phantogram have been on a tear, releasing their third single in two weeks. Big Grams - the name of their trio as well as the title of their forthcoming EP - has already... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers Says ALL Lives Matter in This Blistering New Freestyle (Audio)

Chris Rivers has released another freestyle, as he's done every week in recent memory as an extended, long-form way to celebrate the October release of his forthcoming project, M.C. (Medicated Consumption). This time around he opts for an Alchemist-produced classic from the Dilated Peoples, 2001's "Worst Comes to Worst." He's... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Nas & Dave East Celebrate Their Inevitable Rise to the Top on ‘Forbes List’ (Audio)

It takes a billionaire's mentality to achieve the unachievable, and for countless aspiring artists who hope to one day rise above the mediocre, there is perhaps no better gauge of "making it" than being listed alongside tycoons and moguls on Forbes magazine's list of the wealthiest in the world. Earlier... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

A Violinist & Violist Are Combining Hip-Hop & Classical in Amazing Ways (Audio)

Throughout history, musical worlds have always collided as cultures and influences blend together to form new and exciting sounds. Now, with the digital era, the bridging of worlds has become far more frequent, and the resulting amalgamations continue to impress with ingenuity and creativity abounding. Violinist Kevin Sylvester and violist... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Dee Barnes’ Role in Hip-Hop is Much Bigger Than an Incident with Dr. Dre (Video)

For past generations of Heads, the story of reporter Dee Barnes and her reported physical altercations with Dr. Dre 25 years ago remains one of the most well-documented scandals in Hip-Hop history. Today, new generations are growing up in a time when an incident from a quarter of a century... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Did You Know Ice-T Was Once Arrested for Possessing a Bomb…Which Was Fake? (Video)

Anyone with an internet connection over the last 48 hours was made well aware of the story of Ahmed Mohamed, a high-school student in Texas whose incredible skills in science and engineering got him arrested. The 14-year-old constructed a working clock out of his pencil case and, in a moment... Read more

September 17, 2015 TV/Film, Video

This Baby Just Changed the Game for How Music is Used in Videos

2007 is ancient history in today's digital era, when entire forms of communication and thinking can be made virtually archaic overnight with the development of a new app or hashtag. However, a video uploaded to YouTube all those eight years ago is now finding itself trending again, this time for... Read more

September 16, 2015 Lifestyle

A New Def Jam Biopic May Be in the Works. The Choices For Russell & Rick May Surprise You

By now, the news of Straight Outta Compton's success is common knowledge; the N.W.A. biopic soared into film history by becoming the highest-grossing music biopic ever, beating out films about superstars like Ray Charles and Johnny Cash. That success has opened up space for ongoing discussions about the Hip-Hop Biopic... Read more

September 16, 2015 News

Run the Jewels Perform on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ & Bring Along a Big Name Backup Band (Video)

Now in his second week of his new tenure as host of the "Late Show," Stephen Colbert has already amassed an impressive list of musical guests including Toby Keith and Kendrick Lamar. Last night, El-P and Killer Mike graced the stage as Run the Jewels, performing "Angel Duster" off their... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Spotlight: Ace Cosgrove Aims to Feed the Uninspired with New Project (Album Stream)

24-year-old Ace Cosgrove is a Maryland MC for whom 2014 was a watershed year. Two of last year's releases, Simple Criticism and UsVsRobots, introduced him to a wide swath of Heads, thanks in part to acclaim from a handful of highly respected outlets. Today (September 15), the young spitter releases... Read more

September 15, 2015 Audio

This Group is Using Hip-Hop’s Influence to Fight Against Climate Change (Audio)

Hip-Hop's birthplace - New York City - is preparing to host some important and high-profile events revolving around issues of climate change and environmental awareness. Both Climate Week and the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit are landing in the Big Apple this month and in preparation, one organization is taking... Read more

September 15, 2015 Lifestyle

Masta Ace Remembers Feeling Ostracized By His Native Brooklyn…& Other Personal Stories (Audio)

Masta Ace's nearly 30-year career as a tremendously gifted MC has hit its rough patches along the way, but as his fans around the world are well aware, his resiliency and tenacity have allowed for his name to be continuously mentioned in conversations about great - even if underrated -... Read more

September 15, 2015 Audio

‘GO:OD AM’ Aims to Wake Up Anybody Still Sleeping on Mac Miller (Album Stream)

Since breaking onto the Hip-Hop scene with the mixtape K.I.D.S. in 2010, Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller has dealt with his share of detractors, many relegating him to the genres of "frat boy" or "pop rap," but his fans have maintained their strident loyalty and his latest album is proof that... Read more

September 14, 2015 Audio

Hip-Hop Has No Age or Geographic Boundaries. These Portuguese Graffiti Grandmothers Are Proof (Video)

Lata65 is an organization in Lisbon, Portugal highlighting the global prevalence of Hip-Hop culture to a demographic that isn't necessarily associated with it. The street-art focus of the organization is commonplace enough, but the ages of its members make it a uniquely wonderful community. Ranging from ages 59-60, Lata65 (which... Read more

September 14, 2015 Lifestyle

Imagine Sitting Courtside At Every Game. Virtual Reality Is Coming…Soon

17-year-old Palmer Luckey spent some time in his parents garage one year, fiddling around with something that would eventually be sold for $2 billion. Whether intentionally or not, the young tech genius was orchestrating what is promising to be the next major chapter in consumer-tech news: virtual reality or, more... Read more

September 14, 2015 Lifestyle

Imagine The Fresh Prince With No Hilary or Carlton. It Almost Happened…

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the debut episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," an NBC-aired television show that not only helped launch the career of Will Smith but also cultivated a strong Hip-Hop presence in American living rooms throughout its six-year run. In recent years, a nostalgic... Read more

September 12, 2015 TV

Krayzie Bone Has Powerful Memories About Ice Cube & Eazy-E’s 1995 Reunion After Years Of Beef

It's well-known N.W.A. lore that Eazy-E and Ice Cube's relationship hit a sour note towards the end of Eazy's life, and Cube has often remarked on how he wishes the friendship had been more strongly rebuilt before Eazy passed away due to complications from H.I.V. Without his own testimony, it's... Read more

September 11, 2015 Throwback

Before Yo! MTV Raps & Rap City, There Was Graffiti Rock. Its Creator Details the History (Video)

Michael Holman's name remains relatively unknown in mainstream discussions about Hip-Hop culture, but there are plenty who recognize his contributions and achievements, and rightfully so. The man behind the short-lived but historic Hip-Hop television show "Graffiti Rock" is also a longtime artist, writer, filmmaker, and overall Head whose experiences in... Read more

September 11, 2015 Lifestyle

Beastie Boys Share How Paul’s Boutique Might Have Gotten a Record Company Exec Fired (Video)

Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond recently sat down with New Zealand radio personality Zane Lowe for an intimate conversation about Beastie Boys history in celebration of the 26th anniversary of their album Paul's Boutique, and even more poignantly, the conversation took place on August 5, which would... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Check Out the Big Brain on Brett: Here’s How Sounds Evolved It (Audio)

Earlier today, NPR aired a segment on its Health program "Shots" during today's "Morning Edition" that explored the role of auditory experiences on the development and evolution of the animal brain. In fact, there is an entire school of scientists devoted to the field, and they are called "acoustic biologists."... Read more

September 10, 2015 Audio

Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake are Back at It: Check Out Part 6 of Their History of Rap (Video)

It was a big day for Hip-Hop in late-night television yesterday. With Kendrick Lamar's awe-inspiring performance on Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" last night and the return of the Fallon-Timberlake duo to the "Tonight Show," there is plenty to go around. Since 2010, the two have partnered in medley-style performances of... Read more

September 10, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Public Enemy’s Latest is an Homage to the Motherland & All of Her Pain (Video)

In July, Public Enemy released Man Plans God Laughs, the 13th studio album from the Long Island, New York icons. Reportedly inspired by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Run the Jewels, the album is replete with the content familiar to P.E. Heads - politics, thought-provoking content, and unbridled depictions... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

Israeli Hip-Hop Groups Have a Lot to Overcome, But the Music Keeps on Keeping On (Video)

For many, Israel is immediately associated with religious war and strife, not entirely incorrect but exceedingly short-sighted, as much of the country's ancient cultural history is overshadowed in the media by ongoing conflicts with Palestine and other tragic goings-on that have plagued the Holy Land for all of its short... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

A New Mini-Documentary Explores the History of N.W.A.’s ‘F the Police’ & its Influence in Compton (Video)

In the weeks since Straight Outta Compton hit theaters, the discussions about N.W.A.'s role in Hip-Hop history have become commonplace, and rightfully so. While arguments have been made that the film omitted much of their story, what has prevailed are the Compton, California group's contributions to politically driven, reality rap.... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

A Missy Elliott Biopic? Here’s Why Her Story Bridges Women & Hip-Hop in a Powerful Way

Since Straight Outta Compton's meteoric rise to dominance in discussions of contemporary American film, music, sexual politics, and more, the concept of the Hip-Hop biopic is one that has flooded channels of communication and is seemingly inescapable. News of a Master P biopic and a cinematic exploration of Death Row... Read more

September 5, 2015 Lifestyle