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Cam’ron Goes to Work on a Chopped Up Soul Loop. Talk About It (Audio)

Cam'ron has released a new EP called First of the Month. "Talk About It," is the latest release from the project and features Cam going to work on a chopped up soul loop. Check it out. Related: Cam’ron & Just Blaze Reunite In What Feels Like A Come Home With... Read more

Celebrate A Decade Of The Alchemist’s Audio Evolution (Mixtape)

Although his sounds are versatile, Alchemist's status in Hip-Hop spans nearly 20 years. The Beverly Hills High School alum (classmates with Step Brothers partner Evidence) has since put in major work with the likes of Eminem, Lil Wayne, Infamous Mobb, Cam'ron, Screwball, Jadakiss, Bumpy Knuckles, Nas, Roc Marciano, and a... Read more

Don’t Fight the Feeling with The Game, Too Short & Problem (Audio)

Deep into Too Short's 1988 album, Life is Too Short, lies a bombastic funk track called "Don't Fight the Feelin'." The Game has dusted off that record and recruited Short Dog, himself, as well as Problem, AV and Eric Bellinger. Check out "Or Nah."... Read more

Jeezy & Jay Z Bring Out Their A-Games on Their Latest Collabo (Audio)

Jeezy and Jay Z tend to bring out each other's best when they work together. Songs like "Go Crazy" and "Real As It Gets" find each extra focused on wordplay and flow. The latest in their growing joint catalog is Jeezy's "Seen It All," and each brings his A-Game. Like... Read more

Common’s Speak My Piece Is A Beautiful Illustration Of His Vision On Nobody’s Smiling (Audio)

Common's sound has evolved over the last 22 years. From working with The Beatnuts to No I.D. and Dug Infinite to The Soulquarians to Kanye West to Pharrell and back... Comm's forever playing with his growth as an artist, surviving the times, and making each body of work stand apart... Read more

Eminem & Busta Rhymes Rhyme With Fervor In Their Latest Collaboration (Audio)

Back when Eminem and Busta Rhymes were label-mates nearly a decade ago, the pair of mainstream fast-rappers came together on "I'll Hurt You." Notably omitted from Busta's lone Aftermath Entertainment LP, The Big Bang, the song seemed to miss the mark from two vets in transition, finding their latest style.... Read more

Prince Puts On A Private Show For Apollonia’s First-Ever Visit To Paisley Park (Audio)

Over the last 48 hours, Prince concluded the week celebrating 30 years since the film and soundtrack of Purple Rain. While many Heads could speculate that any benchmark anniversary would be business as usual for an Artist such as Prince, they also know that the Twin Cities icon is big... Read more

Jennifer Hudson Brings Down the House with R. Kelly on It’s Your World (Audio)

It's bittersweet that 2014, the year that took the Godfather of House, Frankie Knuckles, would be a year that has featured a prominent resurgence of the deep soulful house that Knuckles brought to the world. Vic Mensa's "Down on My Luck" was a groovy blast that would fit right in... Read more

Ice Cube Teams Up With 2 Chainz on His Latest Release (Audio)

Ice Cube is back with a hot new track and a guest verse from 2 Chainz. This is very different from past Cube offerings, but it still bangs. Check out "Drop Girl," also featuring Red Foo. Related: Think Kevin Hart is Funny? Ice Cube Doesn’t. Here’s Why (Video)... Read more

9th Wonder Honors The Life Of Bobby Womack With An Amazing Sonic Collection (Mixtape)

Following this week's sad news regarding the death of R&B/Soul icon Bobby Womack, Hip-Hop reacted. Since Little Brother's The Listening, 9th Wonder has quietly and carefully alluded to his love (and listening) of Bobby's music. Thereby, 11 years later, it was 9th who was among the first to honor the... Read more

AZ Sounds So Illustrious On A Chopped Down Strawberry Letter 23 (Audio)

AZ is a proven master of being a current master, while channeling past eras of Hip-Hop, culture, art, and street style. This is wildly true of "Red Magic." Linking with Baby Paul, the veteran producer (and onetime member of Da Beatminerz) who's been working with A, Nas, and even Amil... Read more

OVO Producer Eric Dingus Reconsiders The Weeknd’s Often In The Clouds (Audio)

With The Weeknd's latest single "Often" making its rotations and runs, October's Very Own (OVO) producer Eric Dingus wanted hit the crew affiliate off with a different mix. Distorted vocals, and a new depth of low-end in the beat might channel some different emotions than the original, but it's nicely... Read more

After Many TDE Album Appearances, Label President Punch Makes A Solo Song (Audio)

When ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad are making big moves, Heads don't have to look too far to find Punch. Top Dawg Entertainment's President, and right-hand to Top Dawg himself, Punch has over a decade of experience in the game, understanding the business, the politics, and in large... Read more

G-Unit Rocks To DJ Mustard, Over Jeremih’s Snap-Inspired Hit (Audio)

No song seems safe. G-Unit's mixtape-style takeover continues, as 50 Cent, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and Kidd Kidd raid Jeremih (who's been down with Fif for years), for his "Don't Tell 'Em" chorus and DJ Mustard beat. Clearly aimed at bulking up a club record, the song interpolates... Read more

Raekwon Gets Open Over Another Hot 90’s R&B Joint. Stop Trippin’ (Audio)

Raekwon has a taste for the "back in the day" goodies. His latest concoction is a verse over Horace Brown's quiet storm staple, "Stop Trippin'." Check it out. Related: Raekwon Puts His Stamp on Rose Royce's Wishing on a Star (Audio)... Read more

Ghostface Killah Joins Mobb Deep on !llmind’s Remix to Dirt (Audio)

Ghostface Killah jumps on the remix to Mobb Deep's "Dirt" and makes it even grimier. !llmind holds down the menacing production. Check it out. Related: Mobb Deep & Big Noyd Come Back Together On A Rich Soundscape (Audio)... Read more

Hear The Whole Diamond D-Produced Album, Doomsday, By Big Rec (Album Stream)

This year, AFH has shed a little light on Atlanta-based underground Hip-Hop veteran Big Rec. Rec is the latest protege of D.I.T.C. producer Diamond D. Diamond is credited with discovering Fat Joe, who he's worked with throughout the last 25 years, as well as having a hand in the development... Read more

Roc Marciano & Apollo Brown Link Again For That Grim Apocalyptic Flyness (Audio)

As O.C., Ghostface Killah, and Kool G Rap have all sounded extra-crispy on Apollo Brown tracks, perhaps one of the tightest fits has been Roc Marciano. Marci's nostalgic delivery, bygone images of street codes and fly attire complement the Detroit, Michigan-based producer's dusty loops, vocal samples, and hissy presentation. Following... Read more

The Weeknd Delivers His Own Brand Of Sensuous R&B With New Single (Audio)

Grammy nominated artist, The Weeknd, is an individual who strives to push the edges of Hip-Hop and R&B with a brand of music that has garnered the attention of a myriad of artists from Juicy J to Drake. Now, the XO recording artist and producer unleashes his latest cut, "Often,"... Read more

Yasiin Gaye’s Amerigo Gazaway Is The Latest DJ To Honor James Brown (Mixtape)

The same month Amerigo Gazaway released the second volume (or "Side Two," as he called it) to Yasiin Gaye, the Marvin Gaye and Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) mash-up, he's back for more. After two acclaimed volumes on his free downloadable Y.G. series, Amerigo sets his sights on another late Soul/R&B... Read more

Faith Evans & Missy Elliott Combine for Some New Hip-Hop Soul (Audio)

In 2001, Faith Evans and Missy Elliott connected to cook up some dynamic Hip-Hop Soul on the remix to "Burnin' Up." 13 years later, the pair are at it again on Faith's new single, "I Deserve It." The result? Another party-starter...Check it out. Related: Missy Elliott is Working on a... Read more

Trey Songz Jumps The Gun With Brand New Album, Trigga (Album Stream)

The sensual and emotive vocalist Trey Songz, who turns 30 this November, has been keeping busy this year working with the likes of Young Jeezy on "Ordinary," a remix to Mariah Carey's "You're Mine (Eternal)," and 50 Cent on his latest project, Animal Ambition. Now, 2 years removed from Trey... Read more

Souls Of Mischief Let Off Their First There Is Now Look & Snoop Dogg’s Down (Audio)

One of 2014's more anticipated albums appears to be Souls Of Mischief's There Is Only Now. Opio, Tajai, A-Plus, and Phesto spent last year celebrating 20 years of 93 'Til Infinity, with a tour, a box set, and a lot of much-deserved attention from the former Jive Records sensations. While... Read more

These Days… Ab-Soul Is Aiming For Album Of 2014 Status (Album Stream)

Ab-Soul heats years up. Two years and a month after #ControlSystem, the Carson, California MC returns with another independent release given away for free stream, in These Days... The "Black lipped pastor" of Black Hippy bypasses traditional promotional strategies, and lets the lyrics come first. These Days... is an expanded... Read more

M.O.P. Assaults A Soul-Sample Track By Domingo (Audio)

Two of Brooklyn, New York's roughest neighborhoods have been East New York and Brownsville. In the face of NBA teams, celebrity hotspots, and ongoing gentrification, lovers of "old New York," highlight those two locales as being places that still live by their own rules. M.O.P., representatives of the 'Ville, continue... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Delivers One of His Most Aggressive Verses Since Control (Audio)

Since Summer of 2012, Hip-Hop has been knocked off of its axis from two potent MCs. Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul have been at the forefront of injecting thoughtful, researched, culturally-relevant lyrics back into the mainstream conversation, and each has the bravado and self-confidence akin to Rap's brightest moments in history.... Read more

The Lox Release Some New Fighting Music with D-Block Survivors (Audio)

The Lox are out to break some necks with their latest, literally and figuratively. "D-Block Survivors" is fighting music, plain and simple. The boom bap drums and horn sounds grab you by the throat from jump and don't let go. This is the 2nd release in 3 days from Styles,... Read more

Hear The Story Of Q-Tip, With Some A Tribe Called Quest & Last Zulu News (Audio)

The BBC keeps covering Hip-Hop with an elite edge. Benji B of the 1Xtra platform curated an extensive narrative audio mix, telling the Abstract story that is Q-Tip. With the playlist on display for "The Story Of Q-Tip," Benji cues records from the 1980s to set the stage for what... Read more

Jhene Aiko Releases a New Song To Live & Die For (Audio)

Though Jhene Aiko quotes a bit of 50 Cent in her latest single, the song is irrefutably all hers. As Ms. Aiko prepares for her first performance at the BET Awards on Sunday and her forthcoming debut album, she lets this ethereal mid-tempo track fly. Check out To Live &... Read more

Ab-Soul Talks “These Days” On NPR Before Tomorrow’s Release (Audio)

In anticipation of the release of his third album, These Days (6/24), Top Dawg Entertainment’s Ab-Soul sits down with Frannie Kelley and Ali Shaheed Muhammad from NPR’s Microphone Check series to discuss nuances of the album, his career, and his art as a whole. Ab delves into a particularly captivating... Read more

Sadat X Talks Brand Nubian, Biggie, ‘Pac & Jay Z On Juan Epstein (Audio)

Sadat X sits down with Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg to listen to some old Sadat cuts and discuss a wide variety of topics including his influences, early stories surrounding Brand Nubian including his initiation with Grand Puba and Lord Jamar and their subsequent '90s break-up, as well as some... Read more

Celebrate A Humble Genius, With A 3-Hour 1989-1999 Large Professor Mix (Audio)

Like many great artists, Large Professor is somewhat of a Hip-Hop recluse. He's never hard to find (especially if you're a Head who regularly attends NYC Rap concerts), but the man also known as "Extra P" is quick to dodge the spotlight, and take long breaks from releasing (or even... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Summertime Vol. 5 (Mixtape)

Could a Summer really be a Hip-Hop Summer without DJ Jazzy Jeff and the DJ formerly known as Mick Boogie dropping their signature mixtape? For the fifth straight solstice, the Philly and Ohio natives, respectively, let go of the block party-to-go mix series. This year's includes joints from Parliament-Funkadelic, The... Read more

Here’s “A Lil Sumthin” New from Curren$y (Audio)

For the last several years, Curren$y has gravitated toward beats with dark and brooding chords. Purpdogg serves him just that on "A Lil Sumthin' (Come Up Big On Em), and Curren$y delivers his trademark laid back flow. Check it out. Related: Curren$y & Le$ Roll Out Over a Soulful OutKast... Read more

The LOX Are Back On The D-Block (Audio)

Disappointed with the commercial, radio friendly direction of their label, New York City collective The LOX made news in 1999 when their street fueled, “Free The Lox” campaign caused enough stir to push Bad Boy Records to release the hardcore rappers from their unwanted contract. This move opened the doors... Read more

How About Some Unreleased Young, Pepped-Up J Dilla Rapping? (Audio)

J Dilla left behind a seemingly endless supply of unreleased music. Outside of his groups (Slum Village, JayLib), the producer/MC with more than one impresario loved recording. He did it nonstop, and also circulated tailor-made beat-tapes that are still surfacing. As part of Dilla's just-announced, family-endorsed box set, Rolling Stone... Read more

Mac Miller Drops His Original, Unreleased Version Of “The Star Room” (Audio)

On June 18th, a date that marked the one year anniversary of the release of Watching Movies With The Sound Off, Mac Miller unleashed the original version of his introductory track, "The Star Room." Originally produced by Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt, the track boasts soft, ethereal vocals in the style... Read more

Marsha Ambrosius Blends Jeru, Sade and Dr. Dre on Stronger. Hearing is Believing (Audio)

Marsha Ambrosius gets a rare appearance from Dr. Dre on her latest single, "Stronger." The track itself completely revamps two classics into one by combining production samples from Jeru The Damaja's "Come Clean" and a reintroduction of Sade's infectious hook from her track, "Love is Stronger Than Pride." The former... Read more

Break Out Your Shiny Suits, Puff Daddy & Ma$e Make New Music Together (Audio)

After appearing together at 2013's OVO Fest in Toronto as well as the storied Beats By Dre live-playlist party before the Grammy Awards, Puff Daddy and Ma$e appear to be in full force. The Bad Boy Records mogul, and mentor to Ma$e throughout the mid-to-late 1990s linked up with one... Read more

Watch Out For Chicago’s Chris Crack On #JackedTape (Mixtape)

What would you do if you just got robbed? While most people may find themselves in a fit of rage with no outlet, up and coming Chicago artist Chris Crack a.k.a. "Captain James Withers" stuck himself in the studio and turned a 36 hour recording session into his latest project,... Read more

Big Gipp Brings A New Single Out With Cee-Lo Sounding Especially Worldly (Audio)

Blood runs thicker than water in The Dungeon Family. Through label-drama and creative impasses, Big Boi and Andre 3000 stayed working together, even if not in the traditional Outkast capacities. When Jive Records baller-blocked 3 Stacks from rapping on Sir Lucious Left Foot, 'Dre let his production skills tell the... Read more

Mac Miller Lets Go Of A Pete Rock-Produced Track Featuring ScHoolboy Q (Audio)

One year ago this week (June 18 to be exact), Mac Miller released his critical sophomore album, Watching Movies With The Sound Off. Famously released the same day as Kanye West's Yeezus, and J. Cole's Born Sinner, many Heads professed that the then-Rostrum Records MC made the best album within... Read more

The O.G. Turntablist/Producer DJ Scratch Remixes Nas’ It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Audio)

Back in 1994, DJ Scratch was relatively quiet. Transitioning from his run as EPMD's DJ, the New Yorker was gearing up to work closely with Busta Rhymes on establishing a sound for the Leaders Of The New School front-man's next wave, Flipmode Squad. Heads in '94 did hear Scratch however,... Read more

Black Milk Looks At Risk-Rewards With For What It’s Worth (Audio)

Despite chart success, major label placements, and a celebrated catalog, Black Milk is still an underdog—especially in his native Detroit. On "For What It's Worth," B.M. looks at the disdain from haters and misunderstanders, and why great art doesn't necessarily equate to big ends. Self-produced, dreamy, and brutally honest...this is... Read more

Cormega Is The Self-Proclaimed Rap Basquiat, On A Large Professor Groove (Audio)

From the recluse to the disenchantment with fame, to the exceptional, enduring body of work, Cormega and Jean-Michel Basquiat aren't all that different. After all, they are two New Yorkers from a special era in time that took their city's image and represented it with style and grace. From justifying... Read more

Add-2 & Nitty Scott, MC Channel The Depression-Era Sound For A Bonnie & Clyde Cut (Audio)

Aside from OutKast's Idlewild LP, Hip-Hop rarely goes back to the 1930s for inspiration. Add-2 and Nitty Scott, MC ignored the memo, as the Chi-City voice of hope and the Brooklyn-based flower-child put on new costumes in art and in verse. Not like Jay Z & Beyonce's rendition of Bonnie... Read more

The Pharcyde’s Slimkid3 & DJ Nu-Mark Cook Up With Murs & Del (Audio)

Three years removed from the release of their EP, Another Day Another Dollar, and just over a year since their Rayman Legends inspired track with current Incubus drummer Jose Pasillas II and ex-Incubus bassist Alex “Dirk Lance” Katunich on "Picture Perfect Phantasy," Slimkid3 of The Pharcyde and Jurassic 5's DJ... Read more

GQ, Problem & Bad Lucc Create a New East/West Coast Connection over a 9th Wonder Beat (Audio)

If you're not familiar with GQ, 9th Wonder's latest protege, this is a good place to start. The North Carolina spitter's crisp lyrics penetrate 9th's dense beats with precision. He links with Problem and Bad Lucc, 2 of the finest of Cali's new generation on "Falls Down." Hip-Hop, stand up.... Read more

Scarface Says Album With Nas Is A 99.99% Done Deal (Audio)

Scarface sits down to talk with DJ Whoo Kid to discuss his rumored retirement, his refusal to work on more Geto Boys projects, his latest single, "No Problem," and the huge potential for an upcoming collaborative album with Nas. The potential for a Nas and Scarface album is incredibly enticing,... Read more

Ab-Soul & Lupe Fiasco Set Their Sights On Global Domination (Audio)

Less than two weeks away from the release of his latest album These Days, Top Dawg Entertainment artist Ab-Soul drops yet another single, "World Runners" featuring soft vocals from Nikki Jean and competitive lyricism from Chicago artist Lupe Fiasco. Ab and Lupe are no stranger to one another, as the... Read more