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Del The Funky Homosapien & Souls Of Mischief’s 1997 Freestyle Is A Purist’s Paradise (Audio)

In 1997, the Hieroglyphics crew was embarking on the early stages of an independent Hip-Hop empire. Del The Funky Homosapien (or "Del Tha Funkee Homosapien" as it was at the time) had released two heralded albums with Elektra Records. The Oakland, California quarter of Souls of Mischief has been part... Read more

Black Thought Reveals What Artists Used To Do To Get J Dilla’s Best Beats (Video)

Between 1999 and 2006, The Roots would work with J Dilla (f/k/a Jay Dee) a number of times. Then label-mates at MCA Records, Dilla produced elements of the Grammy-nominated platinum Things Fall Apart album. While "Dynamite!" would make the LP, "New Year's @ Jay Dee's" would be a hidden jewel... Read more

Rap-A-Lot’s J. Prince & Bun B Will Hold A 2016 South By Southwest Keynote Conversation

Thirty years ago, James "J" Prince founded Houston, Texas-based Rap-A-Lot Records. Ever since, the independent label has played a heavy hand in the careers of Scarface and the Geto Boys, Bun B, Devin The Dude, Do Or Die, Pimp C, Trae Tha Truth, 5th Ward Boyz, Facemob, Seagram, Mike Dean,... Read more

A.G. Reveals All-Star Lineup For Next Solo LP & Discusses D.I.T.C. Reunion (Video Interview)

A.G. was one of the performers on hand at this past weekend's second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. Like fellow performers T3 (Slum Village), Black Thought, Royce Da 5'9, Diamond D, and honoree Pete Rock, Andre The Giant worked with Dilla before the producer/MC's February 10, 2006 death.... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Details The Origins Of “To Pimp A Butterfly” & Why Prince Missed The Cut

In preparation for the 58th Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy's website published an oral history of this year's most nominated album. Kendrick Lamar's sophomore major label effort, To Pimp A Butterfly carries 11 nominations at the February 15 ceremony in Los Angeles, California. Hip-Hop journalist Andreas Hale spoke to K-Dot,... Read more

A-F-R-O Describes Achieving “Hip-Hop Dreamland” While Still A Teenager (Video Interview)

A-F-R-O was among the performers at this past weekend's second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. The 18 year-old Bellflower, California representative has gotten critical cosigns from DJ Premier, GZA, Jean Grae, and others, as well as being mentored by his personal favorite MC, R.A. The Rugged Man. Speaking... Read more

Rapsody Reacts To Grammy Nomination & Confirms Guest On Next Album (Video Interview)

Last night, Rapsody and 9th Wonder performed at the second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. During Rap's set, her friend and collaborator Jay Electronica took the stage to publicly crown her "the best female lyricist since Lauryn Hill," and bestow her with his chain. Moments later, the Jamla... Read more

Pete Rock Receives The First Annual J Dilla Imhotep Award From Ma Dukes (Video)

Last night (February 5), the first annual J Dilla Imhotep Award was presented at J Dilla Weekend Festival in Miami, Florida. The event is hosted and partially organized by J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. Just five days before the 10th anniversary of her son's untimely death, Ma Duke's... Read more

Dizzy Wright Pairs “Wisdom & Good Vibes” With A Live Band Sound (EP Stream)

Dizzy Wright has released his latest EP, Wisdom and Good Vibes. The Las Vegas, Nevada MC is headed on the road with Logic this season, and puts fresh product out there for his base. Dizz's first project since last Spring's Ambrosia For Heads-acclaimed The Growing Process finds him working with... Read more

Press Play On Jeru The Damaja’s 1991-1992 Guru-Produced Demo (Audio)

Jeru The Damaja emerged as one of—if not the biggest star of the Gang Starr Foundation. The Brooklyn, New York MC would sign with Guru's Ill Kid Records in the early 1990s, before releasing acclaimed DJ Premier-produced albums The Sun Rises In The East and Wrath Of The Math. Both... Read more

A-F-R-O Has A New EP Coming. He Praises R.A. The Rugged Man’s Mentorship

Eighteen year-old Bellflower, California MC A-F-R-O has had quite a 12 months. The artist went from relative obscurity to working with his heroes, touring the world, and even appearing in Vh1 TV movie The Breaks. Cosigned by DJ Premier and GZA, All Flows Reach Out told HipHopDX how it was... Read more

Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier Make That BOOM BAP That Gets Heads Emotional (Audio)

Over the last 20 years, Bumpy Knuckles and DJ Premier have made numerous powerful collaborations. From the work on O.C.'s Jewelz that was one of the earliest transitions of Freddie Foxxx to Bumpy Knuckles, to Gang Starr hit "The Militia," to Underground Hip-Hop anthem "Part Of My Life," this pair... Read more

Imagine If The CREAM Sample Wu-Tang Used Went to KRS Instead. It Almost Happened… (Audio)

K-Def is one accomplished producer. The New Jersey native is known for his extensive discography, which includes work with Lords Of The Underground, UGK, and Puff Daddy. The onetime protege of Marley Marl, K-Def has maintained a career in music for nearly 25 years. In 1993, Def was hard at... Read more

Showbiz & A.G. Bring O.C. Into The Fold To Weigh What Defines A “Classic” (Audio)

The D.I.T.C. collective has some plaques, courtesy of Big L's The Big Picture, Fat Joe's Don Cartagena, and the platinum Jealous Ones Still Envy albums. However, "classic" is never weighted in framed medal albums. Showbiz & A.G. and O.C. are two factions of the Diggin' In The Crates conglomerate who... Read more

Leon Haywood’s 1975 Freaky Funk Would Light The Chronic (Audio)

Leon Haywood's musical career extends more than 60 years. The Houston, Texas Soul singer and composer would spend part of the 1960s playing keyboards for Sam Cooke's band. On the side, Haywood would ink deals with Decca and Imperial Records, and start cutting his own sides. Right from the onslaught,... Read more

Raekwon Joins Bumpy Knuckles, Treach & Trick-Trick For Some O.G. Wisdom (Audio)

Earlier this month, it was announced that Naughty By Nature's Treach, Bumpy Knuckles, and Trick-Trick are at work on an album called O.G.ology. The LP is said to be fully produced by Nottz (Busta Rhymes, Game, Kanye West). The official first taste of O.G.ology captures its essence. "Let Me Tell... Read more

Black Thought & J.Period Are Performing A Live J Dilla Mixtape At Dilla Weekend (Audio)

As announced earlier this week, Black Thought and J.Period have been added to the 2016 J Dilla Weekend lineup. Taking place February 5-7, the Miami, Florida event will feature concert performances, panel discussions, a Discogs record swap meet, art exhibits, and much more. With the addition of The Roots' MC... Read more

Q-Tip Gives His Cuz Consequence One Of His Best Sample Beat Creations (Audio)

It has been more than six years since video surfaced (posted below) of Q-Tip, Kanye West, and Consequence kicking it together in the studio. In those days, It's-The-Cons' was a G.O.O.D. Music artist, carefully crafting his Don't Quit Your Day Job follow-up. Cons' cousin and musical mentor Q-Tip was in... Read more

Martin Shkreli Threatens To Erase Ghostface Killah’s “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin” Verses (Video)

The story-line surrounding Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin and its $2 million sole owner Martin Shkreli continues to get more bizarre. Following last week's disparaging remarks from Wu member Ghostface Killah, the pharmaceutical mogul has replied. In a TMZ video, the 32 year-old Brooklyn, New York appears... Read more

Eminem & Proof’s Legendary 1999 Freestyle Is Re-Released In Its Entirety (Video)

1999 was thee year for Eminem's career. Three years removed from Infinite, the Detroit, Michigan MC would team with Dr. Dre and Aftermath Entertainment to unleash The Slim Shady LP in February and things have only exploded since. That year, Em' would travel overseas, including making a stop to Tim... Read more

Action Bronson & Roc Marciano Make The Perfect Way For AG Da Coroner (Audio)

In the 2010s, a collective of MCs has helped revive the grimy New York City sound. In many ways, Roc Marciano's 2010 solo debut Marcberg was the jump-off. The sparse, self-produced Fat Beats Records affair celebrated the ills of Hempstead, New York street life, and how the underbelly of NYC... Read more

Spotlight: Tim Gent Aims To Put Clarksville, Tennessee On The Lyrical Rap Map

Today (January 25), Clarksville, Tennessee MC Tim Gent is releasing his latest project. For The Love is a free effort by the impressive sensation, who balances precise lyricism with the trends of today. Already with individual videos reaching beyond 30,000 plays, the 22 year-old not only shows promise for putting... Read more

Fat Joe, O.C. & A.G. Remind Listeners How Lethal D.I.T.C.’s Lineup Is (Audio)

The Diggin' In The Crates reunion is burning strong. After several new crew-thick songs in 2016, the fresh week yields something especially fresh from a D.I.T.C. trio. "Diggin' Number" takes Fat Joe, O.C., and A.G., and assigns them numbers on a knocking quick-strike. Like De La Soul's "Plug" numbers, the... Read more

Black Thought, Jay Electronica, & Bun B Added To 2016 J Dilla Weekend Lineup

There have been some major changes surrounding the 2016 J Dilla Weekend. The second annual event in Miami, Florida will take place February 5-7. The event, hosted by J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, features concert performances, art exhibits, panels, record swap meets, and more. The main venue for... Read more

Kanye West Unveils Swish Tracklist & Says It’s “The Best Album Of All Time”

It is less than three weeks away from the release of Kanye West's seventh solo album. Swish will release on February 11, and already its maker is calling it "the best album of all time." The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records release is West's first since 2013's Yeezus. So happy to be... Read more

Dr. Dre’s “Compton” Is Remixed By One Of His Chronic Collaborators (Premiere)

Chris "The Glove" Taylor is the epitome of a West Coast Hip-Hop O.G. Taylor, who appeared alongside a young Ice-T in the film (and on the soundtrack) Breakin', has been creating sounds ever since. In addition to lots of work with King T, The Firm, and Xzibit, The Glove was... Read more

Kanye West’s First Kendrick Lamar & Madlib Collabo Is Worth The Wait (Audio)

"I know some fans thought I wouldn't rap like this again / But the writers block is over, MCs cancel your plans." - Kanye West Last Friday (January 8) Kanye West showcased the 2016 return of "G.O.O.D. Fridays" in the Ty Dolla $ign assisted-"Real Friends." After the song finished playing... Read more

This Gritty Mix Showcases RZA’s Deep Crates & The Wu-Tang Samples

RZA is one of Hip-Hop's most celebrated producers. The Wu-Tang Clan Abbot not only gave his own clan a distinct set of sounds since the early 1990s, he provided dusty textures for The Notorious B.I.G., Cypress Hill, and AZ, among others. Grand Finale amassed a collection of RZA-produced tracks for... Read more

A Never Released DJ Premier Interview About “Step In The Arena” Surfaces For Its 25th Anniversary

Gang Starr's second album, Step In The Arena, was released 25 years ago. The album was one of transition for the late Guru (Keith Elam) and his partner DJ Premier (Christopher Martin). The LP was the collective's first of the 1990s, a decade they would massively influence on the musical... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Tells The Story Of The Night He & Tupac Recorded Together (Video)

Throughout the 1990s, Tupac Shakur and Big Daddy Kane maintained a friendship. It was during Kane's 1993 Manhattan show that  'Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., with Scoob and Shyheim The Rugged Child, famously spit their iconic freestyles together. However, Tupac and Kane would also record together. One song, reportedly titled "Too Late... Read more

Inspectah Deck & Beneficence Declare Digital War In Times Square (Video)

Approaching the release of this month's Basement Chemistry album (January 29), Newark, New Jersey veteran MC Beneficence is going all in. Following last week's MC Eiht-assisted collaboration, Bene' releases a visual to his look with Wu-Tang Clan/CZARFACE's Inspectah Deck. "Digital Warfare" has been a single from the Ill Adrenaline Records... Read more

Killer Mike Owns The Moment On A Wavy, Electronic Track With Lushlife (Audio)

Killer Mike has worked with a complete cross-section of the music industry. Mike Bigga has cut tracks with Ice Cube, Gucci Mane, Cunninlynguists, and Jay Z, all resulting in satisfied fans. That's before Heads even  get to Run The Jewels, Purple Ribbon, or Grind Time Rap Gang works. Today, Mike... Read more

“Adult Rappers” Is One Raw & Real Documentary About Hip-Hop Careers (Video)

Securing a career in Hip-Hop music is extremely hard. If you're lucky enough to achieve it, there is no guarantee that it will be glamorous. For a culture often portrayed in the mainstream as lavish, luxurious, and braggadocious, most working artists will be quick to tell you otherwise. Adult Rappers... Read more

O.C. Looks At A World Gone Wrong & Vents In The Best Way Possible (Audio)

Veteran D.I.T.C. artist O.C. is highly-respected for his crisp cadence and masterful way about rapping about life and art. Acclaimed albums like Word...Life, Trophies, Jewelz, and Starchild have honed in on O's experiences and vision, and done so eloquently. On the just-released "My City," the former Payday Records artist takes a more universal approach.... Read more

Mac Miller’s “Weekend” Is A Highly Personal Outcry About Life Moving Too Fast (Video)

Mac Miller's third studio album GO:OD AM is included in Ambrosia For Heads' "Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2015." For those newer to the Warner Bros. Records-backed work, "Weekend" is exemplifying of what makes the LP strong. Featuring Miguel, the song is a written as a highly-personal outcry of life moving... Read more

The D.O.C. Reveals Which Songs He Wrote For Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” Album (Video)

The D.O.C. is among Hip-Hop's most revered songwriters. The Dallas, Texas native worked extensively with N.W.A. and his Fila Fresh Crew before his heralded 1989 debut, No One Can Do It Better. Following the Dr. Dre-produced album, The D.O.C. would partner with then-manager Marion "Suge" Knight in helping launch the... Read more

This Little Boy Blues Record Was A Seed Of Love For Some Brooklyn Rap Giants (Audio)

Little Boy Blues released a single album, 1968's In The Woodland Of Weir. The Psychedelic Garage Rock outfit fronted by "Little Boy Blue" Ray Levin, would eventually rise to open for the Rolling Stones, The Association, and Lovin' Spoonful. Formed four years before the Fontana Records LP, the band was... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Premieres A New Song With An Absolutely Monstrous Performance (Video)

Kendrick Lamar performed on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon just hours ago (January 7). The Top Dawg Entertainment platinum star's first televised appearance of 2016 was nothing small. "Cornrow Kenny" (as he refers to himself by) closed out the NBC appearance with an all-new song, "Untitled 2." Supported by... Read more

Treach, Bumpy Knuckles & Trick-Trick Announce Album, Entirely Produced by Nottz

Previously, Bumpy Knuckles (a/k/a Freddie Foxxx) has done complete collaborative albums with the likes of KRS-One, DJ Premier, and Statik Selektah. Today, the veteran Long Island, New York MC/producer announced his latest plans: a work with Naughty By Nature's Treach and Detroit, Michigan veteran Trick-Trick. The album, known as OGology,... Read more

RZA Responds To Martin Shkreli’s Hostile Words And Encourages Him To Let Wu Fans Hear Album

Last month, it was revealed the controversial business leader Martin Shkreli is the owner of the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. After Bloomberg Business reported on the $2 million purchase of the special album, Shkreli began criticizing the RZA for his reaction to the purchase. At... Read more

De La Soul Are Performing Together to Honor J Dilla During His Tribute Weekend

In late December, the second annual J Dilla Weekend was announced. The Miami, Florida event will take place the weekend of February 5-7, and will be hosted by Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. With Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody & 9th Wonder, Blu & Exile, Chuck Strangers, A-F-R-O,... Read more

MC Eiht & Beneficence Drop Coast To Coast Wisdom On A Scratch-Driven Beat (Audio)

Newark, New Jersey's Beneficence keeps the interesting collaborations coming. Following his Masta Ace-featured "When The Sun Come," Bene' brings in another 1980s alum in MC Eiht. While Brick City and Hub City are more than 3,000 miles apart, the two rhyme veterans find common ground on "Anyway It Goes." The... Read more

MC Hammer Is Not Pleased By “The Breaks” Film. He Fires Back At His Critics

On Monday night (January 4), Vh1 premiered film, The Breaks. An adaptation of Dan Charnas' The Big Payback, the dramatic work follows three Hip-Hop hopefuls living in 1990 New York City. With executive music producer DJ Premier, the film colored the era with music by Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool G Rap... Read more

Plenty MCs Aim To Bring Back ’90s Vibes, But Red Pill Has More Specific Plans

Michigan MC Red Pill has amassed a five-year body of work, producing savvy, Everyman Rap music. The Mello Music Group artist rhymes about wishing for sustainability in a career he's dreamed to achieve, self-medicating through stress, and wishing more talented artists got the limited amount of industry shine. "90s Money"... Read more

Fat Joe, Diamond D & A.G. Show They’re Still Diggin’ For Perfection (Audio)

2016 is off to a promising start for the storied collective known as Diggin' In The Crates. First, D.I.T.C.'s "underboss," Lord Finesse released a top-of-year DJ mix. Now, three members are back in action, together. Fat Joe and his onetime mentor, Diamond D join A.G. for "Make Em So Proud."... Read more

This Feel-Good Lord Finesse Mix Is The Cure For The Post-Holiday Hangover

Let's face it, the first Monday of the new year can often be a drag. For many, this means (fully) back to work, often some challenging weather, and a long haul to the next reason to celebrate. The all knowing Lord Finesse seems to have forecast such a feeling. The... Read more

Stream Murs & 9th Wonder’s Brighter Daze Album (Audio)

Just hours ago, it was announced that Murs & 9th Wonder's sixth album would release today (December 31). Heads can now dive right into Brighter Daze, the first in the duo's catalog, since 2012. Rapsody, Problem, Mac Miller, Bad Lucc are the guests among the Jamla Records LP's 12 tracks.... Read more

Murs & 9th Wonder Announce 6th Collaborative Album…Coming Today

In late 2012, Murs & 9th Wonder released The Final Adventure. The Jamla Records album was the fifth, and said to be final release from the pair—a Los Angeles, California MC and a North Carolina producer. The tandem's work stemmed back to early 2004, with the acclaimed Definitive Jux release,... Read more

How Sean Price Stole Christmas (Animated Video Short)

As Hip-Hop Heads collectively reflect on the year that has been, Sean Price's gargantuan absence is easily felt. In August, the world lost the father, husband, and 20-plus-year veteran MC from Brooklyn, New York. Throughout all of the changes in Hip-Hop and the world around it, the rapper formerly known... Read more

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s 2004 Reunion Is Something We All Can Still Appreciate (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth formally called it quits. After 1994's The Main Ingredient, the pair from Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York, respectively, split due to personal differences. Whereas Pete would churn out tracks, and build a strong solo career, C.L. Smooth would be slower... Read more