Audio Archives

DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″‘s Long Awaited Collaboration w/ DOOM & Phonte Is Here (Audio)

The first lyrics you hear on "Highs & Lows" are very fitting to the situation, as Royce Da 5'9" sings "hey there music world, you've been keeping 'em waiting." As the group PRhyme, Royce and DJ Premier announced almost a year ago that they would be releasing a deluxe edition... Read more

November 24, 2015 Audio

Rick Ross Reveals It’s Far From All Good on Crocodile Python (Audio)

Rick Ross continues to discuss both his highs and his lows in his recent releases. On the latest, "Crocodile Python" from his forthcoming Black Market album (12/4), Ross taps producer Jahlil Beats for the soundtrack. Beats, who produced one of 2014's Summer anthems with Bobby Shmurda's "Hot Nigga," downshifts and... Read more

November 24, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch & Fabolous Take No Losses & No Prisoners (Audio)

Sheek Louch and Fabolous keep the chemistry flowing. The former Def Jam Records label-mates release "No Losses" from next week's Silverback Gorilla 2 album (December 4). These two 1990s MCs have been super-durable in the 2000s, and 2010s, with the kind of endurance that comes from an undefeated-like record. As... Read more

November 24, 2015 Audio

Def Diggin’ It. Redman & Lord Finesse Kick A Freestyle Together (Audio)

Following last month's BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, so many people are talking about Redman's freestyle skills. Tech N9ne told AFH this past week that Reggie Noble "murdered everything" in regards to the Beanie Sigel instrumental track, alongside Def Squad comrades Erick Sermon and Keith Murray, as well as DJ... Read more

November 22, 2015 Audio

Anderson .Paak & TOKiMONSTA Seamlessly Blend Soul With EDM (Audio)

In this month's conversation with AFH, Anderson .Paak spoke about upcoming music with TOKiMONSTA. Totally different than his music with Dr. Dre, his music with Blended Babies, or his own brilliant two-sided solo single, Heads can now hear some of it. The MC/singer gets a bit dancey with the Los... Read more

November 21, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Goes Head To Head With Nas and Styles P On “Rain” (Audio)

To be the best, you have to beat the best. Jadakiss' new album Top 5 Dead Or Alive hits stores and streaming services at midnight (11/20). For the last few months, Jadakiss has been releasing tracks that make it clear he takes the LP's title seriously. Kiss is used to... Read more

November 19, 2015 Audio

Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, Jadakiss & Styles P Prove The Conglomerate Is Still In Tact (Audio)

In 2009, Busta Rhymes called upon Jadakiss and Lil Wayne for his biggest single on the Back On My B.S. campaign. "Respect My Conglomerate" permeated the slang of the streets, as Bus' proved that he could blend in any grouping of MCs, whether Native Tongues, Young Money, or D-Block. In... Read more

November 19, 2015 Audio

Pimp C, Nas & Juicy J Take TLC’s What About Your Friends And Make It TRILL (Audio)

At the end of his life, Pimp C made no secrets about his unhappiness with the industry, and some of the folks in his circle. While Chad Butler and Bernard Freeman (a/k/a Bun B) maintained a brotherly bond in UGK that lasted nearly 20 years, other folks in Pimp C's... Read more

November 19, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

Tech N9ne & Murs Make A Jam About Stresses Building Up & Self-Medicating (Audio)

Tech N9ne and Murs are not MCs who have a discography filled with anthems about smoking and strip clubs. While Tech is a Caribou Lou drink mixologist, and Murray has admitted some vices in the past, a record title like "A Blunt & A Ho" stands out for both lyricists—on... Read more

November 18, 2015 Audio

Mike D Weighs In On Best Beastie Boys MC & Overcoming “Brass Monkey” Hate (Audio)

The Beastie Boys' Mike D was a guest on actor Michael Rapaport's podcast show this week, which taped before a live New York City audience. The man born Michael Diamond discussed Hip-Hop at length, ranging from Drake's groundbreaking response to Meek Mill this summer, to why he feels Busta Rhymes... Read more

November 18, 2015 Audio

Common Speaks To The Next Generation of Chicago Youth On a New Track With Lil Bibby (Audio)

For more than 2 decades, Common has been Hip-Hop's Chicago ambassador. From Kanye to Lupe, Common has sought to support not only the MCs from the City of Wind, but Chicago's youth, generally. So, while some might not expect him to team with Lil Bibby, whose subject matter varies greatly... Read more

November 17, 2015 Audio

J-Live Quenches The Thirst For Substantial Rap (Album Stream)

J-Live has released his eighth album, How Much Is Water?. The Brooklyn, New York native, now based in Atlanta, Georgia offers up the goodies for free. Like water, his 10 track Mortier Music Group effort is there for the taking. On the Bandcamp page (with several packages available), it is... Read more

November 17, 2015 Audio

Rick Ross & Nas Refuse To Lose In A “Black Market” Showdown (Audio)

Next month (December 4), Rick Ross will release his eighth studio solo album, Black Market. Just over one year removed from Hood Billionaire, Ricky Rozay's latest LP aims to restore the MC's status as a consistent #1 seller (five of his seven efforts have achieved this feat). Today (November 16),... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

Nas Blesses Jeezy’s Remix To Bring Some God’s Son To “GOD” (Audio)

Over the last 10 years, Young Jeezy and Nas have maintained a strong working relationship. Longtime Def Jam Records label-mates, Nasir and Snowman both feed on giving the masses inspirational words, that apply whether you're on the bottom or at the top. "My President" saluted the Commander-In-Chief during Jeezy's Recession... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

Yasiin Bey Addresses The Tragedy in Paris & Releases a Powerful Song (Audio)

Yasiin Bey has a residence in Paris and has deep connections to the city. As a practicing Muslim, he also has deep connections to Islam. Bey has always been one of Hip-Hop's most intelligent and outspoken activists, both in lyrics and deed, and he's given a 21-minute interview that is... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

The Golden Era of Hip-Hop Is RIGHT NOW. Logic Proves It With His “Innermission” (Audio)

The Golden Era of Hip-Hop is RIGHT NOW. That statement will always be true no matter when it is uttered because in addition to enjoying today's great music (and there is plenty), we also always can look back and revisit the phenomenal Hip-Hop that came from the 70s, 80s, 90s... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

Rain910’s Latest Project is a Lyrical Exercise in Carpe Diem (Mixtape)

Since turning heads as a return performer during the BET Awards' cyphers, Rain910 has been promoting his latest project, A Perfect Day to Die. The 14-track mixtape demonstrates the South Carolina's skills as an MC, but also as a producer and guest appearances from Cory Gunz and Paul Wall give... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

If This Song Couldn’t Make Rick Ross’ Album, Black Market Must Be Crazy Good (Audio)

Rick Ross has released a new song that departs in some significant ways from much of what he's done of late. For starters, "Amazing Grace" opens with a warning against glamorizing a life of crime. For Ross' detractors, that likely comes as a real surprise, as one of the criticisms... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog Combines Basketball, Seinfeld & Electro Funk (Audio)

Your Old Droog will not be pinned down. Over the last 18 months, he has tapped into 90s Hip-Hop, Jazz and Classic Rock as sonic canvases on which to paint his colorful lyrical pictures. Now, he pivots, heads to the 80s and whips up a track that not only conjures... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Rapper Big Pooh Does It Again With a Stellar Album That Feels Like Home Sweet Home (Album Stream)

Throughout his career, Rapper Big Pooh has produced some of his best work when paired with producers with a penchant for soulful beats. From teaming with 9th Wonder as part of Little Brother to releasing this year's Words Paint Pictures album with Apollo Brown, something about deep funky bass lines... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

The Internet’s Funk Blends 1985 With 2015 In The Best Possible Way (Audio)

The Internet is one of the best bands in music right now, even if Heads are still dialing up. Syd, Matt, and company offer a deluxe bonus track from this year's captivating Ego Death. "Famous" is another song practiced in the art of seduction. With the full band coming together... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Tech N9ne’s Strangeulation 2 Cypher #1 Is Lyrically Lethal (Audio)

Tech N9ne never sleeps. And he's never one to sleep on. Next week (November 20), the Kansas City, Missouri "mental giant" will release Strangeulation, Vol. 2. The 16th album for Tech is his sixth in a celebrated "collabos" series. As the title suggests, these pairings are all about the bat-and-snake... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Pete Rock & Torae Are Here To Remind Us Who’s Been Putting In Work (Audio)

Coney Island, Brooklyn's Torae continues to prove himself as one of New York's most consistent MCs, releasing classic material with fellow underground heroes like DJ Spinna, Marco Polo, Pumpkin Head, Rapper Big Pooh, Shabaam Sadeeq, and Skyzoo during the more than ten years since releasing Make Room At The Top.... Read more

November 12, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch & Ghostface Killah Team For Another Wu-Block Banger (Audio)

Three years ago, Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch formed a Wu-Tang Clan and D-Block connection that yielded one of the finest and most overlooked albums of 2012. Wu Block featured unexpected artists like Erykah Badu and familiar faces like Method Man. Yet, it maintained a cohesive sonic texture throughout--one that... Read more

November 12, 2015 Audio

Pusha T Shows He Is Still Lyrically Untouchable On His Latest Song (Audio)

In the same week it was announced that he's been appointed as the president of G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T shows that he is still running things on the mic, as well. When discussing his new position, King Push assured that the job would not affect his plans to release his... Read more

November 12, 2015 Audio

And Then There Was A Never Released DMX Track…Ain’t Nowhere To Hide (Audio)

Dame Grease has produced tracks on every single one of DMX's albums. Dark Man X's longtime collaborator produced the majority of tracks on It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, including perennial bangers like "Get At Me Dog" and "Stop Being Greedy," as well as songs on later albums, such as... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

Redman Gets Real About Def Squad, Leaving Def Jam & Staying True To Self (Audio)

Approaching this Friday's release of Mudface, Redman's media campaign rages on. The MC extraordinaire appeared on The Combat Jack Show with a one-hour interview that covers Red's career with the questions so many want to know. Reggie Noble goes in, from his support of Fetty Wap, to the break-up days... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

Black Thought & Freddie Gibbs Rise Against Life’s Obstacles (Audio)

Freddie Gibbs has just unleashed the first taste of his upcoming Shadow of a Doubt, his first full-length project since last year's Madlib collaboration, Piñata. The Gary, Indiana MC has bestowed fans with a midweek double-whammy, dropping not one, but two new tracks and both showcase vastly different yet distinctly... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

One Of Big K.R.I.T.’s Jazziest Cuts Gets A Re-Boot From TUT (Audio)

Southern Hip-Hop artists have never shied away from originality, blending drawl with bounce in ways no other region can manage. Big K.R.I.T., the Meridian, Mississippi spitter has enjoyed tremendous accolade for his own musical stylings, celebrated as a Third Coast MC and producer whose lyrical content sets him apart from... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

KRS-One & Ice-T Have 30 Years of Shared History. It Shows in This Talk Between OGs (Audio)

KRS-One and Crazy Legs are the latest guests on Ice-T's Final Level Podcast. The special Veterans Day edition of Ice and Mick Benzo's show takes a deep look at how Hip-Hop and the United States Military are in step in 2015, with many veterans (including Ice) and enlisted Heads. Additionally,... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

Can He Kick It? J. Cole Does With A Soulful ATCQ Remix (Audio)

As the release date for the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of A Tribe Called Quest's People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths of Rhythm debut album fast approaches (11/13), they drop their third and final bonus track from the LP. Remixes of "Bonita Applebum" and "Footprints," by Pharrell and Cee Lo... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio

SPOTLIGHT: Nolan The Ninja Aims To Restore Detroit’s Hardcore Rap Legacy (EP Stream)

Today (November 10), Detroit, Michigan MC/producer Nolan The Ninja released his debut vocal EP, F.T.H. The 11-track follow-up to this year's Lo-Fi L∞ps instrumental effort, features veteran MCs such as Phat Kat, Finale, and Hassan Mackey. Also available by iTunes, the F**k The Hype, a Left Of Center release, is... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio

This Is What It Sounds Like When Eminem & Redman Catch Up & Make Plans (Audio)

Yesterday (November 8), Redman was a guest on Lord Sear's Shade 45 show. Unexpectedly, the Sirius XM station's founder, Eminem, called in. The onetime "Off The Wall" collaborators caught up publicly, but in a way that seemed totally authentic to a Marshall Mathers and Reggie Noble phone-call. Em' even called... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of October 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

When the year is tallied, October 2015 likely will be remembered as the month where The Game released not one, but two heralded sequels to his The Documentary album. And, while the accolades will be well deserved, there were a number of other strong releases in the first full month... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio, Playlists

Erykah Badu Makes Another Song About Phones & It’s Off The Hook (Audio)

Erykah Badu has pushed back her plans to release the But You Caint Use My Phone mixtape. While it did not release at the top of November as first reported, the presumed freebie will now be coming as a post-Thanksgiving leftover. Sometimes anticipation works in listeners' favor. Ms. Badu releases... Read more

November 9, 2015 Audio

ScHoolboy Q & Anderson .Paak Link & Urge All To Use Time Wisely (Audio)

Fresh off a two-pronged weekend single that has reached plenty of new listeners, Anderson .Paak follows with another strong Malibu look. "Am I Wrong" links the Compton collaborator formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy with another Interscope Records major player, in ScHoolboy Q. Q, as he does so well, plays an... Read more

November 9, 2015 Audio

Masta Ace Reflects On A Long Hot Summer & Offers This Re-Release Bonus Track (Premiere)

Tomorrow (November 10), Masta Ace's 2004 LP, A Long Hot Summer is being re-released on CD by Below System Records. Originally released on Ace's M3 imprint, the critically-acclaimed album followed up Disposable Arts with the Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York MC making another conceptual, story-driven LP. 9th Wonder, The Beatnuts, Edo.... Read more

November 9, 2015 Audio, Exclusive, Food for Thought

Through Thick & Thin Puff Daddy & The LOX Still Make Great Music Together (Audio)

Last week, Puff Daddy released a surprise free album on his birthday (11/4) titled, MMM, an ode to "Money Making Mitch," from the film Paid In Full. While the entire project might not appeal to all, there are 2 tracks featuring some of his greatest proteges, that stand above the rest.... Read more

November 8, 2015 Audio

Anderson .Paak Blends Soul Power With Rap Reality On A 9th Wonder Groove (Audio)

This weekend, Anderson .Paak released his first official solo single following a booming three months of attention. With both Dr. Dre and DJ Premier in his corner, the part singer, part MC unleashed "The Season / Carry Me," which is incredibly demonstrative of his style and range. Dr. Dre dropped... Read more

November 8, 2015 Audio

KRS-One Is Releasing His First Album Since 2012. Hear The Hard-Hitting 1st Single (Audio)

In a series of tweets, KRS-One has announced a new album and released the first single. The LP will hit stores on November 24 and will be titled Now Hear This! The first song from the project is a hard-hitting track attacking the war on drugs, stating that in reality... Read more

November 7, 2015 Audio

Noname Gypsy’s Latest Proves It’s All About Talent, Not Chance (Audio)

She may go by Noname, but Ms. Gypsy is far from unidentifiable. From her very raw, almost heartwrenching verse on Chance the Rapper's 2013 Acid Rap track "Lost" and her appearance alongside J. Cole on "Warm Enough" from Surf, the album Chance released as Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment,... Read more

November 6, 2015 Audio

Logic Will Not Fade Away. He’s Just Getting Started (Audio)

Logic's forthcoming new album The Incredible True Story hits stores next week on November 13. For the last several weeks, the talented Maryland spitter has been releasing quality songs and innovative videos in support of the project. His latest addition to the campaign is "Fade Away." More than any of... Read more

November 5, 2015 Audio

Joell Ortiz Warns That Surviving Life in the Hood Isn’t Child’s Play (Audio)

Toronto, Ontario's MoSS is one of those longtime producers whose works are immediately known but not easily attributed to a name. With notches under his beatmaker belt that include Obie Trice's album Special Reserve, Ghostface Killah's "Kilos" from 2006's Fishscale, and Raekwon's "Have Mercy" off of Only Built 4 Cuban... Read more

November 5, 2015 Audio

Snoop Dogg Is Still Giving Up Game. This Time, It’s Not Even For Sale (Audio)

Just over one week removed from the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Powder On My Clothes," Snoop Dogg appears to be really returning to his concrete roots. Snoop appears several times on DJ Drama's latest Beach City mixtape. Within, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native-turned-Atlanta Georgia mainstay DJ aims to shine a light on the... Read more

November 5, 2015 Audio

Pimp C’s Latest Posthumous Single Is Still Years Ahead Of Its Time (Audio)

Part of Pimp C's tremendous Hip-Hop legacy is making outrageous songs. UGK classics like "Feel Like I'm The One Who's Doin' Dope" and "I Left It Wet For You" played like The Wolf Of Wall Street in richly-produced audio. Chad Butler rhymed about drugs, sex, and violence unabashedly, influencing his... Read more

November 5, 2015 Audio

Norman Lear’s TV Shows Inspired the Hip-Hop Generation, But It Wasn’t Always “Good Times” (Audio)

As television royalty goes, there are few whose pedigrees compare to that of Norman Lear. Quite literally a living piece of Americana, Lear is the 93-year-old creative zeitgeist whom we have to thank for All in the Family, Diff'rent Strokes, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Sanford & Son. But that's... Read more

November 3, 2015 Audio

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder’s Indie 500 Drives For A Star-Studded Win (Album Stream)

Last year, Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, and Pharaohe Monch announced that they were combining forces and resources to launch Indie 500, an independent label, marketing, and distribution conglomerate. Nearly a year to the date after the announcement, Indie 500 (the album) arrives. While it doesn't release until November 6, Heads... Read more

November 3, 2015 Audio

Mac Miller & His Multiple Personalities Show Up For A Dreamy, Supernatural Affair (Audio)

Mac Miller's contributions to "Creatures of the Night," an ambitious track that sounds like it could belong to an album from the Gorillaz, make it one of those joints that Heads and Hip-Hop novices can all dig their musical heels into. The track is actually a single from Njomza, a... Read more

November 2, 2015 Audio

Royce Da 5’9″ & Killer Mike Are Hungry…& They Leave Nothing For Other Rappers To Eat (Audio)

Ever since their collaboration on "Underground Kings" from PRhyme's 2014 eponymous LP, Royce Da 5'9" and Killer Mike have left plenty of Heads wanting more. On tracks together, toe to toe is an understatement, and the two ridiculously skilled MCs continue to release unrelenting bar after bar on their respective... Read more

November 2, 2015 Audio

This DJ’s Dedication To Jam Master Jay & MCA Rocks To The Heavens (Mix)

Today (October 30) marks the 13th anniversary of the day Jam Master Jay (a/k/a Jason Mizell) was murdered. The iconic Run-D.M.C. co-founder profoundly influenced Hip-Hop's sound, turntable techniques, and fashion—in addition to helping along the careers of ONYX, 50 Cent, and even Jayo Felony. In the 13 years without Jay,... Read more

October 30, 2015 Audio, Mixes