Audio Archives

Despite Fame, Action Bronson Says It Hasn’t Been A Long Time (Audio)

It's been a curious rise to fame for Action Bronson. Sometimes dismissed as a pop-up new artist, there are J-Love mixtapes and Internet videos that show the Queens, New Yorker's trajectory long before he was a recognizable face and name. But if you ask, Bam-Bam, he maintains that he's only... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Cole Sings an Emotional Song About Michael Brown (Audio)

J. Cole's words speak for themselves on this one: "There was a time in my life when I gave a fuck. Every chance I got I was screaming about it. I was younger. It’s so easy to try to save the world when you’re in college. You got nothing but... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio

Diamond D Gets Pete Rock to Step From the Boards and to the Mic (Audio)

Diamond D, the double-threat producer/MC from the Diggin' in the Crates crew, taps another multi-talented Hip-Hop legend for his latest single. Pete Rock steps away from the boards and to the mic on "Only Way to Go." Check it out. Diamond D's new album, The Diam Piece, drops on 9/30.... Read more

August 14, 2014 Audio

Rah Digga, Chuck D & Jon Connor Bring the Ruckus on the Remix to Storm Comin’ (Audio)

A few weeks ago, Rah Digga and Chuck D rained down on Hip-Hop with Storm Comin', an indictment on what they believe to be the current sad state of the culture. Now, Rah has added Aftermath's upstart, Jon Connor, to the remix and he brings the ruckus while staying on... Read more

August 14, 2014 Audio

Raekwon Is Yearning For Your Love (Audio)

Keeping in line with his recent Throwback Thursday series and his penchant for love ballads, the Wu-Tang Clan's own Raekwon takes apart a single from The Gap Band with "Yearning For Your Love." Raekwon seems to be in his element with these soul centered cuts, as he's previously attached himself... Read more

August 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bilal is Back as Soulful as Ever. Sound the Sirens (Audio)

Bilal is back with a new song and it is oh so soulful. Adrian Younge and A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad provide the track for "Sirens II," an update on Younge's original "Sirens." Heads will recognize the music as the anchor for the sample Jay Z used on... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

Cozz is One to Watch. Check out How He Goes to Work on Window Shopper (Audio)

Turnabout is fair play. For the last several weeks, G-Unit has been jacking beats and making them their own. Now, Cozz, who recently signed to J. Cole's Dreamville label, hops on the Unit's "Window Shopper" track and works it over. With Bas and now Cozz, Cole is quickly assembling a... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

Chance the Rapper’s Brother Taylor Bennett Says Hatin’ Never Pays Off (Audio)

Though his vocal tone is strikingly similar to that of his brother Chance the Rapper, Taylor Bennett has his own style and message. On his latest release, he keeps it simple and to the point: hating on others for their accomplishments does not pay off. Check out "Hatin'." Related: Taylor... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

Jeezy, Rick Ross & The Game Smash a Beautiful Track (Audio)

After linking on "War Ready," Jeezy and Rick Ross join forces again on the sinister and soulful song, "Beautiful." Both Jeezy and Ross beat up the track (that will be instantly recognizable to Curren$y fans) and they bring The Game in for reinforcement. Tough talk on a tough track. Check... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes I’m Nice (Audio)

Every few years, LL Cool J really drops the gloves on 'em. The onetime Def Jam Records pioneer built his career on the kind of bravado that took on all challengers in the mid-1980s. As LL's base grew to truly celebrate the fact that "Ladies Love" Cool J something special,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

UGK’s Bun B & De La Soul’s Posdnuos On The Same Track? Statik Selektah Knows (Audio)

Known for assembling jaw-dropping collaborations, Statik Selektah's biggest feat may be "God Knows." Taking a Jared Evan-sang riff from the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds classic, the album's closer pairs UGK's Bun B and De La Soul's Posdnous, an unlikely pair of '80s Rap vets, who take a similar stance on... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rick Ross Is Better Than Supreme With Fabolous, Ma$e & Big K.R.I.T. (Audio)

Katt Williams opens by explaining the ways of a Mastermind on the remix to Rick Ross' single, "Supreme." Alongside Fabolous, Ma$e, and Big K.R.I.T., the rappers boast their individual brands of braggadocio, lacing their lyrics through the horn-charged production that sports Keith Sweat on the hook. Ross also gives a... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Visit Wiz Khalifa’s Blacc Hollywood (Album Stream)

One week before its public August 19 release, Wiz Khalifa gives a tour of his Blacc Hollywood. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania MC, who now calls Hollywood home offers a detailed experience of his twenties: a platter of self-medication, fame, fun, and love. The Rostrum/Atlantic Records album features longtime collaborator Curren$y, as... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Wiz Khalifa Gets Lifted With A Deeper Musicality Than Usual (Audio)

In the last four years, Wiz Khalifa has mastered injecting vibe into music. A proficient rapper early in his career, the Taylor Gang General makes mood music, for life's more perplexing moments. With a new sound in his upcoming Blacc Hollywood album, Wiz vibes out on "So High." Featuring Ghost... Read more

August 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Souls Of Mischief Leave Em Panic Struck + Ali Shaheed Slated To Remix Whole LP (Audio)

In just over two weeks, the Souls Of Mischief crew will release their album, There Is Only Now, produced by Adrian Younge. The looks keep coming though, from Tajai, Phesto, A-Plus, and Opio. Today (August 11), S.O.M drop "Panic Struck," which finds some hard, confident rapping over sparse percussion and... Read more

August 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Gravediggaz Heads Ask In A Mix… Who’s Nicer: RZA Or Prince Paul? (Audio)

Hip-Hop has produced some groups stacked with more than one dope producer. EPMD celebrated the funk-driven knock that was both Erick Sermon and Parish Smith. The Beatnuts has Psycho Les and JuJu, two Corona, Queens masters of psyche samples and percussion. D.I.T.C includes giants such as Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Showbiz... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Rah Digga & Young Zee Experiment On A Run-DMC Sample (Audio)

With Treach and Pepa now divorced, is there a better Hip-Hop couple than Young Zee and Rah Digga? The longtime Outsidaz titan and his Flipmode Squad alum (who worked a ton with The Outsidaz too) partner, the two New Jersey natives have made an extensive discography together. "One To The... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Planet Asia’s Durag Dynasty & Casual Link Over Raphael Saadiq Co-Production (Audio)

Beyond 2013's 360 Waves, Planet Asia's Durag Dynasty lives on. The Fresno, California based group (featuring P.A., Tri-State, and Killer Ben) moves forward with a not-so friendly game of baseball. With rugged, sharp bars in their mission statement, Durag welcomes Hieroglyphics vet Casual to the cypher for "Baseball." The song... Read more

August 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

West Coast Hip-Hop and R&B Has Never Been Stronger. Take a Listen (Audio)

The West Coast established itself as a Hip-Hop powerhouse in the late 80's and early 90's. Artists like Ice-T, N.W.A., DJ Quik, Too Short, Spice 1, Snoop and more were household names, nationwide. That presence has never faded but in the last few years there has been a Cali Renaissance... Read more

August 9, 2014 Audio

Vic Mensa Releases a Hot New Track and Asks Are You “Wimme Nah?” (Audio)

Vic Mensa releases an uptempo club banger in the vein of "Feel That," with even more BANG, courtesy of Kaytranada's track. Check out "Wimme Nah." Related: Vic Mensa Raps About How He & Chief Keef Are Of The Same Water, Jay Z Meetings In SBTV Freestyle (Video)... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio

Lil Wayne & Drake Release a Song About the Everlasting Grind (Audio)

Lil Wayne and Drake release their second collabo from Wayne's upcoming Carter V album. Like "Believe Me," their last release, "Grindin" is a slow burning extended track. The 2 focus on the fact that despite their past achievements, their work is never done. Their Drake vs. Lil Wayne tour kicks... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio

Talib Kweli Gets An Upper Echelon 88-Keys Remix (Audio)

Talib Kweli and 88-Keys go back a mighty long way. First on wax together on the Black Star album ("Thieves In The Night"), this pair of New Yorkers were very present during the mid-1990s glory years of MC'ing and beat digging, respectively. Now Talib Kweli is a household name, and... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Tells A Love Story Over Fantastia’s When I See U (Audio)

With the Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have historically had a penchant for storytelling, especially surrounding matters of the heart. As Raekwon's "TBT" Throwback Thursday series evolves, the Staten Island supreme lyricist has hopped on a variety of love songs, ranging from Luther Vandross backdrops, to those of Teena... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Milk & BADBADNOTGOOD Got That Bass For Your Face (Audio)

From its roots in Electronic and Techno music, Detroit, Michigan loves that low-end bass. Black Milk, teaming with BADBADNOTGOOD comes out with a trunk-rattling joint in "Now Or Never." This motivational speaker's track lets the beat do the work, while B.M. and BAD' vibe out with some edge to them.... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Celebrate the Genius of No ID With This 52-Song Mix (Audio)

"Yes yes, y'all, and you don't stop." Ever since the beat dropped after those words were uttered by Common (Sense) on "I Used to Love H.E.R.," No ID has been establishing himself as one of Hip-Hop's all-time great producers, one song at a time. Fakeshore Drive and The Smoking Section... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio

Lords Of The Underground & Redman Reunite, Alongside Marley Marl (Audio)

Three MASSIVE Hip-Hop entities unite, as The Lords Of The Underground, their mentor producer, Marley Marl, and onetime protege Redman hop on "Hit U Like A Drug." Around the time Reggie Noble started running with Erick Sermon in what would ultimately be a Def Squad union, he was also running... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Killer Mike Adds A Scorching Verse To T.I.’s Hit Single (Audio)

T.I. and Young Thug previously released "About The Money," the mainstream-aimed video single from Tip's Paperwork album. With Young Thug being the most recently, in a prolific lineage of T.I. proteges, ranging from Young Dro to Yung LA to B.o.B. to Iggy Azalea. However, in addition to Grand Hustle's reputation... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rah Digga Tells It Like It Is On I Ain’t Neva Lied (Audio)

MCs love to embellish. Not Rah Digga though. She makes a new song, "I Ain't Neva Lied," where the she tells it like it is on a beat by The Labrats. From how Digga likes to spend her downtime (herb, card games, relaxing), to "livin' kinda frugal," the track is... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lil’ Kim Goes At Nicki Minaj Yet Again… Is This The Best Look For Her? (Audio)

Two days removed from her August 4 reigniting of the war of words with Nicki Minaj ("Flawless Remix"), Lil' Kim comes in for a second charge. The onetime Junior M.A.F.I.A. breakout platinum superstar released "Identity Thief," a song that may or may not take a backseat to its artwork in... Read more

August 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Dilated Peoples & Vince Staples Process Their Thoughts In The Dark Room (Audio)

After six years without producing a record together, DJ Babu was the first member of Dilated Peoples to reveal that the group was back in the studio and working on brand new material back in 2011. With three years more to allow the music they mastered to marinate under their... Read more

August 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Beastie Boy Ad-Rock Remixes Canal By Harlem’s Emerging Crew Ratking (Audio)

Harlem, New York's Ratking is one of the Hip-Hop group's thriving in 2014, beneath the mainstream radar. The trio of Wiki, Hak, and Sporting Life have risen through the ranks throughout the last two years, dating back to the Wiki93 EP. The group balances an appreciation for the '90s' rawness,... Read more

August 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Your Old Droog Has A Heavy News Crush On Tamron Hall (Audio)

Heads can relate to this one... no matter your preferences, chances are at some point in your life, you've crushed on a news anchor, if not a weather-person, on the scene reporter, sports, etc. Well, leave it to the soulful Your Old Droog to seemingly be the first Hip-Hop artist... Read more

August 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lil Kim Reignites Her War of Words with Nicki Minaj (Audio)

Shortly after being called out for the cover of her single "Anaconda," Nicki Minaj has another shot fired in her direction. Lil Kim jumps on the remix to Beyonce's "Flawless" and takes point blank aim at Ms. Minaj. Check it out. Related: Lil Kim Gets Her Reggae On With Dead... Read more

August 4, 2014 Audio

Sean Price Goes All In on a Classic Break Beat (Audio)

Sean Price fattens up the drums on the sample Biggie used for "Dreams..." and goes to work. Check out "El Raheim" featuring RIM from Davillins. Related: Sean Price & Crew Hop On A J Dilla Beat For Some Leave Ya Nose Bloody Raps (Audio)... Read more

August 4, 2014 Audio

Check My Style Is The Anthem On Joey Bada$$’ Big Dusty (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ continues to channel the sounds and influences of the 90's with his latest single, "Big Dusty." Just a few days removed from the release of his short film, No Regrets, with director Rik Cordero, the Pro Era captain utilizes the cut to set the tone for the upcoming... Read more

August 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Does Action Bronson Have His First Mainstream Single In Easy Rider? (Audio)

In just two years, veteran underground MC Action Bronson has become damn near a household name. From his humor, unique physique, stage antics, and food insights, Bam Bam is a recognizable figure in the vain of Rap's 1980s character-driven personas. However, along the way, are new fans missing the fact... Read more

August 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Beyonce Recruits Nicki Minaj for a Bouncy Remix to Flawless (Audio)

"Of course sometimes ____ goes down when it's a Billion dollars on the elevator." Beyonce has words for her detractors on a sizzling remix to her power anthem, "Flawless." Queen Bey teams up with Nicki Minaj and the ladies stunt on the haters. From "Independent Women" to "Bow Down," this... Read more

August 3, 2014 Audio

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2014 (Audio)

July brought the heat in Hip-Hop, including new music from Jeezy & Jay Z, Black Thought, Raekwon, G-Unit, Rah Digga, Q-Tip, Cormega, Wale, "Your Old Droog," Elzhi, Chubb Rock, KRS-One, Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa, Common, Dilated Peoples, Souls of Mischief, Scarface and more. Check out a playlist of the Best... Read more

August 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

From One Soul Brother To Another, Pete Rock Salutes James Brown (Audio)

Today (August 1), James Brown biopic Get On Up has its theatrical opening. In celebration of the Mick Jagger-produced film, Pete Rock—who's Soul Brother #1 moniker is a nod to James Brown's own name—made a mix celebrating his love for the late, legend. The mixtape, quite fittingly, is called #GetOnUp,... Read more

August 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul Shares A Dedication To Max B, Raps About Pestering Questions (Audio)

Ab-Soul is building a growing rapport with Statik Selektah. Days after Soulo's role on "Alarm Clock," the Carson, California MC's appearance on S.S.'s ShowOff Radio show led to the 1982 co-founder liberating a song Ab forgot was recorded (produced by Statik, no less). Not long ago, Soul made a song... Read more

August 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

All Lecrae Really Needs Is You (Audio)

Becoming the first artist to ever reach number one with a Hip-Hop album on the Billboard Gospel charts with his 2008 release, Rebel, Lecrae began to earn a name for himself on a much bigger scale. Later, Lecrae gained even more notoriety from the public following his 2011 performance at... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Discover The Origins Of ONYX Straight From The Source (Audio)

One of the first groups to show the East Coast exactly what wilin' out means was the fearsome foursome known as ONYX. Formed in 1988, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza, and Big DS would go on to create their critically acclaimed, Def Jam released, debut album, Bacdafucup in '93... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon The Chef Reheats Some Luther Vandross Flawlessly (Audio)

Fresh off of sharing his Top 5 all-time (non Wu-Tang Clan) MCs, Raekwon is right back to his #ThrowbackThursday push. This time, Rae covers the late Luther Vandross' 1988 joint, "For You To Love." With a smooth-style beat that might suit Chef's homie MF DOOM, the Staten Island lyricist sets... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Snoop Dogg Freshens Up William Bell’s Stax Records Classic Breakdown (Audio)

Stax Records Heads know that William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" is one of the most moving, timeless, and downright beautiful songs of the period. The 1968 hit has since been a basis of samples by Dilated Peoples, Brand Nubian, and even Ludacris and Scarface, among plenty of... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Chuck D Lends His Voice To Something That Sounds Like Bomb Squad Glory (Audio)

One of the attributes that's made Public Enemy great is that the beats and sonic vibe always seemed to bulldoze the moment for Chuck D's verbal essay. A big part of that is The Bomb Squad, the production collective of the Brothers Shocklee (which also included Chuck) to obliterate samples... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Your Old Droog Has No Message For You (Audio)

Whether or not you believe that Your Old Droog is Nas, fans will be able to finally unmask the true identity of the relatively unknown MC at Webster Hall in New York City on September 3 with Rast RFC and Timeless Truth. That is, unless he actually shows up in... Read more

July 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rah Digga & Planet Asia Shine, Readying For Musical Apocalypse (Audio)

Rah Digga has been on a tear throughout the last month. Jersey City's star MC makes another poignant statement, this time witnessing the decline in the musical art-form, industry and outlets for artists. Before Digga comes in strong, Fresno's Planet Asia kicks a detailed, rugged verse that is among his... Read more

July 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Cobain and Wale Come Together For Another Hot Collabo (Audio)

After going toe to toe and verse for verse with Wale on "4AM" more than 3 years ago, Black Cobain re-teams with the MMG soldier on "Lost Files." The result is the same. Both MCs flex considerable skills over a track well-suited for their complementary tones and flows. Check it... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio

Cormega Juices Up Industry, With A Kool G Rap, Masta Ace & Craig G Remix (Audio)

After the tremendous acclaim of Mega Philosophy single, "Industry," Cormega (as promised) is hard at work on some jaw-dropping remixes. Cory starts off looking at his own native borough of Queens, New York. There, 'Mega links with Craig G (who he worked with on QB's Finest's single, "Da Bridge 2001"),... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Killer Mike & El-P Are Back With a New Jewel (Audio)

Killer Mike and El-P make magic together...jewels, to be precise. The duo, who collectively go by Run the Jewels, have released an extended snippet of a new song. "Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1" contains all the heavyweight lyrical substance and sonic bombast you'd come to expect from Mike and El-P. Check... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio