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Pharoahe Monch, Murs & Fashawn Assist J57 In Supplying Sample-Free Dope (EP Stream)

After releasing them over the course of the year, Brooklyn, New York-based J57 has culminated his series of official sample-free remixes into one conveniently packaged EP. The producer/MC re-designed four tracks, each with an original arrangement that includes a fresh beat and original vocals in the place of what were... Read more

Pharrell May Have Another One Courtesy Of The Ever-Funky OverDoz (Audio)

OverDoz. is a name to write down right now. The Los Angeles, California quartet of Creamie, Kent Jamz, Joon, and P have worked with Terrace Martin, A$AP Ferg, and now Pharrell. Whether the wavy viral vibes of "Lauren London" or the oddball didactic rapping of "Killer Tofu," the crew shows... Read more

After 30 Years, DMC & DJ Premier Are Finally Working Together (Audio)

After several years of focusing on comics and other passions, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels has been making plans for a comeback to the Rap world. In the next installment of his appearance on Tim Einenkel's On The Library podcast, D talks about his current music projects.  The Run-DMC member begins this... Read more

The Weeknd Releases a Full Blown Funk Jam With Max Martin (Audio)

The last few years have brought a resurgence in 70s Soul and Disco, from the good vibes of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," featuring Mr. Disco, himself, Nile Rogers, to Robin Thicke's Marvin Gaye-influenced "Blurred Lines." However, the last few months have spawned several hits influenced by 80s R&B, Dancehall and... Read more

Marco Polo Outdoes Himself On The Reverberating Remix To PRhyme’s Courtesy (Audio)

In four decades, DJ Premier has been remixing tracks. Whether Showbiz & A.G.'s "Next Level," Fat Joe's "Success," or Craig David's "7 Days," some of those very mixes have arguably eclipsed their originals. That said, it's a big deal to remix Premier's handiwork, and few producers would dare. Marco Polo,... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & Ty Dolla $ign Show Some Dramatic California Love (Audio)

UPDATE: While the May 26, 2015 demo version of Ty Dolla $ign's "L.A." was pulled from the Internet, it now reappears in November. Presently tagged by Big Boy's Neighborhood (and posted below), the upcoming audio is expected to follow. If you were to take the musings behind Tupac and Val... Read more

Pete Rock’s Heaven & Earth Petestrumental Lives Up To Its Name (Audio)

Pete Rock's Petestrumentals 2 (June 23) is less than one month away. The Chocolate Boy Wonder unleashes another gem, "Heaven & Earth" from the Mello Music Group release. With a strong homage to David Axelrod (if you can call it that), the song is set off with some philosophy, and... Read more

Dizzy Wright, Big K.R.I.T., & Tech N9ne Honor Memorial Day With A Deep Message (Audio)

Dizzy Wright, Big K.R.I.T., and Tech N9ne all love a good party record. These three MCs are masters at bringing the vibes of a strip club, a house party, or a festival to a track, with commanding energy. However, part of the reason all three artists are in an elite... Read more

Easy Mo Bee Brought Us Biggie, GZA, & Craig Mack. So Meet Emskee (Audio)

In terms of talented producers with ears for development, Brooklyn, New York's Easy Mo Bee is one of the best. The DJ/producer helped cultivate the careers of The Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, and GZA. Additionally, Mo Bee worked extensively with Tupac during the mid-1990s, in addition to critical work with... Read more

Your Old Droog Raps and Scats on a Heavy Jazz Beat (Audio)

For those that miss lunchroom insults, playin' the dozens, and cappin' on loved ones, Your Old Droog is a welcomed throwback. The Brooklyn, New York MC is so irreverent, so cutting, and so witty (to those in-the-know) that he revives those pastime traditions. "Senseless Killin' II" is Droog just going... Read more

Spice 1 & MC Eiht Form a North/South West Coast Connection on a New Track (Audio)

"It's all good, from Diego to the Bay," rapped Dr. Dre famously on Tupac's "California Love." Nineteen years later, Oakland's Spice 1 and Compton's MC Eiht continue to make good on that promise. The two have linked on 1Mt's "Kill or B Killed," forming a West Coast connection that stretches... Read more

A Dr. Dre & Kendrick Lamar Collaboration Surfaces With D-R-E Spittin’ Like It’s 1999 (Audio)

Leave it to a drowsy holiday weekend for some unheard Dr. Dre to rattle the Internet. From the depths of Reddit emerges an unheard Dre and Kendrick Lamar collaboration, with vocal assistance by Jeremih. "2Nite" is some sensuous Dre, presumably no relation to the music he's hinted at making for... Read more

Black Milk, Daz & Do Or Die All Featured On An Electro-Hip-Hop LP (Album Stream)

On his new album Fundamentals, Onra craftily fuses French Electronica with mellow vibrations spawning from his love for ’90s Hip-Hop and R&B. The Franco-Persian producer merits the exclusive use of an Akai MPC in creating a sound that salutes the retro while fostering the futuristic. During a recent interview, he... Read more

Chance The Rapper Makes Some Lazy Afternoon Soul-Infused Rap (Audio)

Effortless is how Chance The Rapper's music often sounds—and that's a compliment. The Chicago, Illinois MC/singer has an ability to make songs-about-nothing stand tall as art. Moreover, the structure, attitude, and presentation never seems to take itself very seriously. C.T.R. releases "Hiatus Broadcast," which is pure Jazz. Chance flexes his... Read more

Canibus’ Career Is Mysterious. So Let Him Tell All In “Audiobiography” (Audio)

It's been almost two decades since rapper Canibus arrived on the scene with his 1998 debut, Can-I-Bus. After quite a few label changes, controversial songs and interviews, and changes in direction, the Jamaican-American emcee has released an album with Wu-Tang affiliate Bronze Nazareth called Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise.   With... Read more

A$AP Rocky & ScHoolboy Q Revive Their Chemistry With Danger Mouse’s Help (Audio)

A$AP Rocky and ScHoolboy Q have been in cahoots since the days before either had major label backing. In 2015, both men are among Rap's elite, complete with plaques, national TV appearances, and out of genre feature work. From At.Long.Last.A$AP (June 2), the tandem reunites. "Electric Body" focuses on a... Read more

Jadakiss & Rick Ross Are Lyrical Champions In The Same Conference (Audio)

Jadakiss and Rick Ross have a strong catalog of collaborative works. Jada' calls upon Mastermind for his usual Friday firing of the bars. "Eastern Conference" reworks some literal stadium-music for the two Def Jam Records mainstays to spotlight their figurative jerseys in the rafters. The message is topical, as the... Read more

Troy Ave Releases a New Banger With 50 Cent (Audio)

While artists like Joey Bada$$ and Action Bronson brought back a New York Rap sound akin to 90s acts like Buckshot and Ghostface Killah, Troy Ave drew his influences from artists who debuted a few years later, like Mase and 50 Cent. And, since he burst onto the scene a... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & Lady Gaga’s Shelved good kid, m.A.A.d. city Moment Surfaces (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga are more than simply label-mates. Yes, each artist are among the flagship, platinum, and award-winning acts within the Interscope Records family. But moreover, the Pop chameleon and King Kunta are collaborators. In fact, before Imagine Dragons, Alicia Keys, Dido, or even 50 Cent was clamoring... Read more

Prodigy & Rick Gonzalez Make That Rugged & Raw Relationship Rap (Audio)

As an actor, Rick Gonzalez can play many parts. As an MC, the artist formerly known as Realm Reality can do the same. Teaming with mentor Prodigy and producer Statik Selektah, "Love & Money" moves Rick's traditionally-aggressive pastiche over to something softer, intimate and reflective. Aimed at relationships, this moment... Read more

Camp Lo Wear Their Sunglasses While Shining 20 Years In (Audio)

The dynamic Bronx, New York duo Camp Lo share their track "Sunglasses" off their newly-released album Ragtime Hightimes. Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede have joined forces with their longtime producer/mentor Ski Beatz on their newest track, who entirely produced The Lo's latest LP. "Sunglasses" has that "Luchini AKA This Is It" groovy vibe, which was the... Read more

Adrian Younge Never Stops Creating. Glimpse Into His Linear Labs (Album Stream)

PRhyme member Adrian Younge is always busy, but never stagnant. The Los Angeles, California-based producer/musician is currently wrapping up the Another Life album with Bilal, he's planning a sequel to Twelve Reasons To Die with Ghostface Killah, and he's reportedly concocting more rawness with his band-mates DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9".... Read more

Phonte & Nicolay Unveil A New Collaboration Beyond The Foreign Exchange Sound (Audio)

Phonte and Nicolay's Foreign Exchange have defied genre. While the pair's serendipitously digital debut, Connected, basked in some Hip-Hop roots, F.E. would later circle the realms of R&B, Pop, and Soul. The journey has been a successful one, marked by acclaimed tours, and Grammy nominations for the independent duo. From Nic's... Read more

Drive Slow Through Twista & Do Or Die’s Collaborative EP (Album Stream)

After more than 20 years of being recognized as break-out stars from Chicago, Illinois' Hip-Hop scene, Twista and Do Or Die's collaborative EP has released. Withdrawal is a six-song effort from the two plaque-baring stars of Chi's West side. Stream the effort, which was released on Twista's GMG imprint, available in full:... Read more

Just-Ice, Grand Wizard Theodore & Jungle Brothers’ Mike Gee Form Group, Release EP

Three Bronx, New York Hip-Hop icons have come together to form a group. The man responsible for discovering the turntable scratch, Grand Wizard Theodore, joins Gangsta Rap pioneer Just-Ice and The Jungle Brothers' Mike Gee for what may seem like an unlikely quartet (as the group is also joined by Manic).... Read more

Method Man & Inspectah Deck Have Explosive Chemistry, Care Of CZARFACE (Audio)

It is less than one month away from CZARFACE's sophomore album, Every Hero Needs A Villain (June 16). While some of Inspectah Deck's Wu-Tang Clan fellow swordsmen have joined him in his super-group with 7L & Esoteric, Method Man sat out the 2013 debut. Iron Lung loves a good concept, and... Read more

Busta Rhymes Adds a Bombastic Verse to Fashawn’s Out the Trunk (Audio)

Fashawn has had a banner year. In February, the Fresno, CA MC returned after a nearly 6-year hiatus from solo studio albums to release his first LP as part of Nas' Mass Appeal Records. The Ecology is a diverse offering that ranges from Cali anthems like "Golden State of Mind,"... Read more

Chris Rivers And Denzil Porter Mint Lyrical Gold on Lootchini (Audio)

Being the son of the highly-respected late MC Big Pun, it is no surprise that Chris Rivers is a lyrical wizard. With Denzil Porter alongside, the two New York MC's drop some catchy wordplay in a freestyle over Camp Lo's classic "Luchini" instrumental. Rivers and Porter show us that their rhyming capabilities are as polished... Read more

Ghostface Killah, Adrian Younge, Raekwon & RZA Offer Twelve More Reasons To Die (Audio)

Ghostface Killah seemingly does not stop. Now in his mid-forties, the Staten Island, New York "wally champ" is looking at his fourth album in less than nine months. To kick off the new week, the Wu-Tang Clan member announced a sequel to 2013's Twelve Reasons To Die. Planned for July,... Read more

Fabolous Takes On Another Nas Classic And Smashes It (Audio)

After rhyming over It Was Written's "Black Girl Lost," Fabolous re-ups his 90s freestyles series with another Nas classic. This time, he takes on the Pete Rock-produced Illmatic staple, "The World Is Yours." Updating the track with up to the minute references like Derrick Rose's now infamous stoic pose (as... Read more

Canibus Hosts An All-Star Track With Raekwon, Kurupt & Craig G (Audio)

Canibus is a well-connected lyricist. For his just-released Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise album (with producer Bronze Nazareth), 'Bis brought in his troops. From the HRSMN collective (f/k/a 4 Horsemen), Canibus taps Kurupt for "The Kings Sent For Me." Along with the HRSMN link, an MC who influenced Canibus' ferocious... Read more

It’s Hunting Season For Jadakiss on Bang Bang. Wack MCs, Beware…(Audio)

Jadakiss continues his winning streak in his weekly freestyle series. On his latest, he attacks Capone-N-Noreaga's 2000 riot-starter, "Bang Bang," from their album The Reunion. The track which was produced by Alchemist and featured Foxy Brown as a guest vocalist, coaxes one of the most aggressive performances from Jada in... Read more

Lil Fame Takes ‘Em To Church On A Funeral Freestyle (Audio)

Lil Fame is more than 20 years deep in making music that speaks to angst, aggression, and abrasive street life. The Brooklyn, New Yorker known for his work with M.O.P. is a close affiliate of Statik Selektah. Fame (a/k/a Fizzy Womack) teamed with Statik's other 1982 half, Termanology for an... Read more

Your Old Droog Goes All-City On A Statik Selektah Holdover (Audio)

Your Old Droog crosses paths with Statik Selektah. It's a complementary fit, as these are two Brooklyn, New York-based B-boys strongly pull from past generations and nostalgia, while flipping things with a modern slant. Droog takes a Statik-produced dusty arrangement, and goes all-city with "Unlimited Metrocard." The swipe of the... Read more

Murs & King Fantastic Make That Gangsta Rap For Your Mental (Audio)

Murs' ninth studio solo album, Have A Nice Life is in stores next week (May 18). The Living Legends alum furthers his relationship with Tech N9ne and Strange Music, following collaborative works with ¡Mayday! in the last several years. Now a father, husband, and a label leader (Label 316), Murs... Read more

Bilal’s Adrian Younge-Produced Satellites Will Send Your Day Into Orbit (Audio)

Bilal is having one incredible six months. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native assisted Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butterfly, on multiple moments. Now returning to his own work, he teams with PRhyme's Adrian Younge for "Satellites." With hard drums, observational lyrics, and a pensive chorus, this is music that just... Read more

Lupe Fiasco Combines A Strong Syncopated Flow With Signature Storytelling (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco's creative taps seemingly never run dry. This week, the 1st & 15th founder released "Something That I Never Had." The moment finds Lu' really waxing a fast, deeply syncopated flow as he tells a tale of relationships drifting. It's a lot to keep up with, but the moment... Read more

DMC Attributes Run-DMC’s “Downfall” to Negative Music, Urges Rick Ross To Own His Past (Audio)

As Hip-Hop continues to rapidly evolve, many of the messages being delivered to its fans today may raise a few eyebrows. This week's The Library Podcast hosted by Tim Einenkel, features pioneering Rap star DMC. Speaking about contemporary Rap music as well as his own catalog with Run-DMC, the Queens,... Read more

Melanie Fiona Shoots Down An Open Relationship With Bite The Bullet (Audio)

Fresh off of a Caribbean-flared contribution to Raekwon's F.I.L.A album, Melanie Fiona (who proudly celebrates her Guyanese heritage) stays tropical for her own LP. The former SRC Records' songstress third LP, Free Love, is presumed to include this new Reggae-tinged single, "Bite The Bullet." The song about awakening is written... Read more

Slum Village Find That Fan-Tas-Tic J Dilla Knock, Serenading The Ladies (Audio)

Slum Village's new single “Expressive” gives Heads a lot to look forward to with their new album Yes! (June 16). The tune features a previously unreleased J Dilla production, with two more on the album (from the seemingly endless supply). It's a bittersweet reunion for T3 with his his co-founder, as... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Dayne Jordan Encourage Dream-Chasers To Go Harder (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff and frequent collaborator Dayne Jordan recently shared a song, "Harder!!" Dayne was first heard on the Jazzy-produced track "All About The Art," where he teamed up with other Philadelphia, Pennsylvania legends Questlove and James Poyer. Heads have seen (and heard) Jeff and Dayne Jordan work together and put a... Read more

Pro Era’s Dessy Hinds Gives Thanks On A Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

As the Pro Era crew continues to diversify, Dessy Hinds is one to watch. The MC has a lot of soul to his step, and seems to wave the Brooklyn, New York clique's flag strong. Dessy kicks off the week with a cut produced by crew big brother, Statik Selektah.... Read more

From Battles To Collabos…Canibus Makes Good With Battle Rap Opponent Dizaster (Audio)

Canibus is widely considered one of Hip-Hop's most fearless figures. Fresh into his career, 'Bis challenged LL Cool J in a battle that nearly matched Tim Duncan's NBA career. Canibus has lambasted Eminem, criticized J. Cole, and even left a cult-championed career to enlist in the United States Army in... Read more

Inspectah Deck, Kool Keith & Headkrack Demand Justice For Unarmed Black Men (Premiere)

Three Bronx, New York MCs unite to speak on very pressing and sensitive issues in American society. Kool Keith, Inspectah Deck, and Headkrack decry the excessive force used by some law enforcement. These incidents, particularly over the last five years, have resulted in the increased death-count of Black men and... Read more

Prince’s Guitar Cries For Baltimore, With A Retro Sound & Current Issues (Audio)

Gearing up for tomorrow's (May 10) Rally 4 Peace in Baltimore, Maryland, Prince has released the song he made in response to the city's social unrest. The Paisley Park founder joined his band 3rd Eye Girl for a song that gives focus to the value of art and expression amidst... Read more

Fabolous Updates Nas’ Black Girl Lost With His Best 90s Freestyle Yet (Audio)

It takes a brave heart to follow Nas on a track. For the latest in his top notch series of 90s throwback freestyles, that's exactly what Fabolous does and he responds with his best to date. On Nasir's "Black Girl Lost," from It Was Written, Esco weaves a mournful tale... Read more

Styles P Paints Complex Pictures of a Hustler’s Life Over Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Tracks (Audio)

Out of the recent spate of freestyle series, Styles P has consistently made the most interesting choices of beats to re-purpose. While others have settled comfortably in a single lane, often based on songs from a specific era, Ghost seemingly has followed no specific theme, other than to select tracks... Read more

Moka Only & Illa J Team Up To Deliver A Smooth Jam For The Ladies (Audio)

Today (May 8) Moka Only released a new album called Chicken Wingz on Self Serve Records, the first release on the newly formed, Vancouver-based label. The lead single from the album features label mate Illa J rapping with Moka on a smooth, relaxing, J Dilla-esque production called "Freak Ya Heart... Read more

A$AP Rocky, Miguel, Mark Ronson & Rod Stewart on a Song Together? You Don’t Hear That Everyday (Audio)

A$AP Rocky's sophomore studio album, At.Long.Last.A$AP is less than a month away (June 2). Aiming to follow-up his platinum RCA/Polo Grounds debut from several years back, it's only the big guns for the Harlem, New Yorker. That's exactly what "Everyday" aims to be. Produced by the limitless Mark Ronson, the... Read more

Jadakiss Is Out To Top Everybody On The Throwback Freestyle Circuit (Audio)

Jadakiss continues to light up Fridays, handing Heads more than a paycheck with his freestyles. As L.O.X./D-Block partner Styles P is in the thick of it, Jada' clearly is out to shine in a classic of throw-back minded players including Fabolous (who recently tackled a LOX joint), Tony Yayo, and... Read more