Audio Archives

Flying Lotus Freaks The Funk On A Remix To Kanye West’s Black Skinhead (Audio)

Los Angeles' Flying Lotus is in and out of Hip-Hop. With his celebrated solo albums, the Electronic musician veers into Jazz, House, Disco, and elements all of his own. However, the respected producer can never seem to stay away—producing joints for Mac Miller, Killer Mike, Finale, and Blu. That said,... Read more

December 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Organized Konfusion’s Prince Po Links With Oh No & Roc C To Maul The Track As A Bear (Audio)

Although recently reunited courtesy of Marco Polo, Organized Konfusion's Pharoahe Monch & Prince Po have gone in different directions since slept-on third album, Equinox. While Monch found tremendous solo success with Rawkus Records (despite a devastating Godzilla lawsuit) and was courted by everybody from Eminem to 50 Cent afterwards, Prince... Read more

December 10, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Sean Price & Roc Marciano Pull On Ski Masks For M-Phazes’ Murdah Type Thinkin (Audio)

While Lil Wayne, Juicy J, and 2 Chainz might monopolize the major label feature budgets, you might not get more bang for your buck on a guest-shot than with Sean Price or Roc Marciano. Both '90s vets bring a vibe, element, (and an audience) to all the songs they appear... Read more

December 10, 2013 Audio, Fresh

15 Years in and Talib Kweli is Still Schooling the Competition. He’s Looking for New Leaders…(Audio)

Talib Kweli is a week away from his second album of 2013. Gravitas will include the Statik Selektah-produced "New Leaders." Joined by Flatbush, Brooklyn's The UnderAchievers, Kweli demands new leadership in Hip-Hop, in Brooklyn, on Twitter, in society, and in government. Throughout the last 15 years, Kweli has been able... Read more

December 9, 2013 Audio

Dizzy Wright Honors Fans With The Thoughtful No Writers Block, I Like To Rap (Audio)

One of pop culture's growing trends has been artists thanking followers with songs. It's a thin line between a gimmicky pursuit of growing metrics and a cool, interpersonal relationship that was more challenging before social media. Las Vegas' Dizzy Wright reached a new milestone with 300,000 followers on Twitter, and... Read more

December 9, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Rare Demo Version of Big Pun’s Still Not a Player Featuring Cuban Link (Audio)

Before Big Pun recorded his classic with Joe on the hook, he and Cuban Link laid down a reference track in the studio mapping out how the song was going to go. It features Pun riffing the hook and the 2 trading playful freestyle verses over those oh so familiar... Read more

December 8, 2013 Audio, Throwback

Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper Reunite on Suitcase. The Future of Hip-Hop is in Good Hands (Audio)

Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa are collaborators, competitors and above all brothers in a new Chicago sound and movement. They have brought back musicality and honesty to Hip-Hop in a way that has been sorely missed. Here's their latest joint effort, Suitcase. Related: Vic Mensa Talks Life, Death, Music,... Read more

December 8, 2013 Audio

Tyrese, Ludacris and The Roots Make a Heartfelt Tribute to Paul Walker (Audio)

Tyrese and Ludacris have come together to pay tribute to their friend and Fast & Furious co-star Paul Walker who passed away last week in a car accident along with another friend. The Roots also join the song called My Best Friend. Related: Behind The Music: Ludacris (Full Episode)... Read more

December 6, 2013 Audio

Madlib Goes Rock & Roll On Hold The Organ (Audio)

When Hip-Hop producers get their Rock on, the response is strong. Whether it's the early days of Rick Rubin on LPs from LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Run-DMC, or contemporary efforts like Just Blaze's "PSA" and Kanye West's "Takeover" for Jay Z, Just's "Come On, Baby" for Saigon, and... Read more

December 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Twista & Timbaland Support Attitude On The Fast-Rap Stunt (Audio)

Longtime Timbaland protege Attitude is seemingly stepping out into his solo career. What better way to kick things off with a bang than to get a look from Timbo with a beat and a guest verse, as well as Twista. The VA-to-Chi-Town collaboration features some fast-rapping over one of the... Read more

December 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Redman Drops Sampler To Muddy Waters 2 (Audio)

It's been over three years since Redman revealed he was planning Muddy Waters 2. The sequel to Reggie Noble's 1996 LP (and arguably his best) has been alluded to since. In a new video, Redman says that the project has become a mixtape, and like Nipsey Hussle or Lil' Kim,... Read more

December 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Childish Gambino Releases One of the More Challenging Albums of the Year with Because the Internet. Here’s a Full Album Stream (Audio)

Childish Gambino's album Because the Internet plays like a look into the day in the life of the talented Mr. Glover. As with most days in life, it is unpredictable and filled with moments--highs, lows and in-betweens. When you couple that range of subject matter with an equally extensive sonic... Read more

December 4, 2013 Audio

Vic Mensa Says His Girl Loves The Mirror (Audio)

Vic Mensa and frequent producer Cam made a jazzy track, "She Loves The Mirror." Interpret as you will, as this free-from record has the live band feel we got a bit of on Mos Def's Black On Both Sides and subsequently after. As the beat/ad-libs suggest, this one's curated by... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. & Z-Ro Give Some Soulful Support To Berner On Ready 2 Die (Audio)

Like Smoke DZA, Berner's built a Rap rep simultaneous to his seemingly endless supply of burnables. Thus, "Berner" has become of the more popular North Cali artists of late, and even squeezed a spot in Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Records. As Berner hones his craft, the rapper brings on Z-Ro... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Elzhi Recaps Things (Audio)

After going relatively quietly the last year and a half, Elzhi has been a tear lately—as he should. The interim (and deeply pivotal) Slum Village member achieved his funding goals ($25,000) for his Kickstarter project. As a result, the 500+ fans who made it happen (and more) will soon be... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Black Sheep’s Dres, A Tribe Called Quest’s Jarobi & G-Side’s ST 2 Lettaz Get Gone (Audio)

Wow. New York City to Hunstville, Alabama. The late 1980s to the late 2000s. Hip-Hop knows no boundaries when Dres & Jarobi's evitaN (that's "Native" spelled backwards, if you're playing at home), link with ST 2 Lettaz. With the Black Sheep and A Tribe Called Quest ties here, and ST... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Raps About The Winners Circle With Old Partner Kanin (Audio)

Throughout the last three years, Kendrick Lamar frequently lends his vocal talents to artists on the come-up. Whether Y.G. Hootie, Mann, or Nitty Scott, MC, K-Dot is generous with the look, but hoards the spotlight as he famously promised earlier this year. "Winners Circle" is an Old School New single... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

You Probably Haven’t Heard Sean Price Tackle A Track Like Dump In The Gut (Audio)

Sean Price doesn't care. That's what makes him great. The Heltah Skeltah MC that said "I don't Wale with you new niggas" a few years back is back to talk his trademark cranky rap on "Dump In The Gut." Produced by longtime Duck Down affiliate from Down Under M-Phazes, the... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Childish Gambino Explores Egos Run Amok and Brought Back Down to Size on The Worst Guys ft Chance the Rapper (Audio)

Ever talk junk and fail to back it up? Childish Gambino explores the theme in a tale of a menage gone bad on The Worst Guys featuring Chance the Rapper. So far, the songs Gambino has released are playing like a soundtrack to the 20-minute inscrutable short film Clapping for... Read more

December 2, 2013 Audio

Raekwon Freaks The Classic Gang Starr Funk On Lion’s Paw Freestyle (Audio)

Gang Starr and DJ Premier have longstanding ties to the Wu-Tang Clan, from the days of Premo lending equipment to RZA in the Tommy Boy Records days, to Inspectah Deck on "Above The Clouds," and Method Man's appearance on the "In Together Now" remix. Interestingly enough, Staten Island's Raekwon has... Read more

December 2, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of November 2013 (Audio Playlist)

The year is winding down, no doubt, but the good music kept coming in November. Here's a playlist of the best Hip-Hop to drop last month, including songs from Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Joey Bada$$, Eminem, Masta Ace, Raekwon, Posdnuos, Rah Digga, Elzhi, Jay Z, Childish Gambino, Mac Miller, Jhene Aiko,... Read more

December 1, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Kendrick Lamar Has a Compton Reunion with YG Hootie on Two Presidents (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar teams up with YG Hootie, who went to Centennial High with K. Dot in Compton, on Two Presidents. Check it out below. Related: Kendrick Lamar Performs Swimming Pools / Poetic Justice Medley At 2013 AMAs (Video)... Read more

November 30, 2013 Audio

J. Cole, A$AP Rocky and Pusha T All Head Up a Hip-Hop Remix of Justin Timberlake’s TKO…and J. Cole Goes at Kendrick Lamar for His Control Verse (Audio)

Almost everyone rapper named in Kendrick Lamar's Control verse has responded in one way or another...except J. Cole. Jermaine is featured on the all Hip-Hop remix to Justin Timberlake's TKO, along with A$AP Rocky and Pusha T, and he used the opportunity for a little payback. Check it out below... Read more

November 30, 2013 Audio

Mac Miller Continues His Run For This Year’s Most Improved MC on I Come in Peace (Audio)

This week, Mac Miller announced that he was headed back to Pittsburgh for some holiday fun. Presumably upon landing, Larry Fisherman linked with Big Jerm and P. Fish for "I Come In Peace." The record includes some of Mac's incredibly stepped-up 2013 lyricism, with a lot of in-the-moment references to... Read more

November 29, 2013 Audio

Cormega & Raekwon Have Honorable Repertoires (Audio)

Cormega and Raekwon have a lot of common. After over 15 years in the same game, the two worked together on 2009's "Radiant Jewels" from Wu Chamber Music. In 2013, they link again for "Honorable." Two MCs' MCs know how to provide just enough imagery to capture the essence of... Read more

November 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Childish Gambino Sings on Most of Telegraph Ave. Strip Away the Drake Comparisons and You’re Still Left with a Dope Song (Audio)

We heard most of Childish Gambino's upcoming Because the Internet album a couple of weeks ago. It's a concept album that's details a day in the life of Childish Gambino/Donald Glover. It's dark and brooding, much like material from The Weeknd, Drake and even Mac Miller's latest. If you're a... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio

J. Dilla Brings Out the Best in Joey Bada$$ (and So Many Others). Here’s Joey’s Song Two Lips Which Features a Previously Unreleased Dilla Track (Audio)

After rocking on 2 Dilla cuts on his breakthrough mixtape 1999, Joey Bada$$ gets the privilege of flowing over a previously unreleased Dilla beat on his latest, and he steps up to the challenge. Check out Two Lips. Related: Joey Bada$$ Releases Hilary Swank, the Newest Video from Summer Knights... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio

Akrobatik Is Built To Last (Audio)

Akrobatik is a veteran Boston MC. With Mr. Lif and DJ Fakts One in The Perceptionists, Akro is a onetime Ed O.G. protege who helped the burgeoning Boston movement in the late '90s/early 2000s. After over five years removed from Absolute Value (which featured production from J Dilla, Da Beatminerz,... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

In Time For Thanksgiving, Skeme Has Plenty To Be Thankful About (Audio)

One of 2013's breakout stars, Skeme, is gearing up for Ingleworld. Taking a page from Dom Kennedy, the Inglewood MC has a digital retail LP coming on December 17. The project has a bonus cut, "Thankful." At a time when so many artists speak about not enough, it's great to... Read more

November 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Grand Daddy I.U. Still Talks Slick In This P.I.M.P. Freestyle (Audio)

Cold Chillin' Records was the label home to the Juice Crew, and all the individual stars like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, early Masta Ace, Biz Markie, and Roxanne Shante. "Fly" Ty Williams' label was also home to GZA (as the Genius) and Grand Daddy I.U.... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kanye West Goes Ballistic on the Sway in the Morning Show & Sway Loses His Cool. This Felt Personal (Audio)

UPDATE: Here's the Full Video of the Interview I've resisted getting on the bandwagon of calling Kanye West's recent public statements about his frustrations with his inability to break into the fashion world as "rants" because I think the term is dismissive and makes it easier to ignore some of... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio

Like Parker Lewis, Elzhi Can’t Lose (Audio)

A teen TV reference for the Heads who remember those old days of FOX ("In Living Color" / "True Colors" back-to-back). Anyway, it was five years ago that then-Slum Village member Elzhi teamed with Black Milk to make a 2008 contender for A.O.T.Y. in The Preface. Now solo-dolo, Elz is fund-raising... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Makes A Nuevo Sounding Single With Melanie Fiona On Soundboy Kill It (Audio)

Raekwon, with his Wu-Tang Clan, was instrumental in making Loud Records an imprint destination for dope Hip-Hop throughout the 1990s. When Steve Rifkind sold the company to Sony Records, he launched SRC Records, under Universal. In addition to Akon, one of Rifkind's 2000s successes was songstress Melanie Fiona. Mel and... Read more

November 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Blu & MED Might Use Peroxide, But This Dam-Funk & Madlib Assisted Track Is Funky (Audio)

MED has churned out a lot of records in 2013. Between work with J. Rocc, Oh No, and others, the former Stones Throw Records artist has stayed busy and quite versatile. Blu knows that sort of schedule and strategy well. The two California natives link with a third, in Madlib,... Read more

November 25, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Childish Gambino & Problem’s New Single Lines Up With Sweatpants Season (Audio)

Childish Gambino's second studio album because the internet will be here with the new calendar page. Two weeks early, Donald Glover teams up with Compton's Problem for the tricked-out "Sweatpants." Coming from Camp, how do you look at Gambino's music now that he's seemingly way open to collaborations? Related: Childish... Read more

November 25, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Smif N Wessun Return To Their Reggae Roots With Jahdan On Shots In The Dark (Audio)

From the days of Nervous and Weeded Records, Smif N Wessun helped usher in a mid-'90s fusion of Hip-Hop and Reggae/Dancehall that also included KRS-One, Prince Ital Joe, Mad Lion, Afu-Ra, Capleton, and The Fugees. Tek and General Steele keep it Brooklyn, but team with Jahdan for "Shots In The... Read more

November 22, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Snoop Doggy Dogg Releases a Mix of the Soulful Samples of Doggystyle (Audio)

Snoop Doggy Dogg's classic Doggystyle album turns 20 years old. As part of what is sure to be an extended celebration, Snoop has released a mix of the samples the fueled the album. Given that this was one of the most soulful and funky Hip-Hop albums of all time, you... Read more

November 22, 2013 Audio, Throwback

Marco Polo Teams With Gangrene & DJ Romes To Craft A Strange Brew (Audio)

Marco Polo's PA 2: The Director's Cut is available for purchase now on Soulspazm Records. The Canadian-born producer who has released LPs with Duck Down and Rawkus Records linked with King T, MC Eiht, Last Emperor, Lil Fame, and tons more for his follow-up to '07's Port Authority. One of... Read more

November 21, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Astro Defends & Analyzes His City, Stresses The New, New York (Audio)

"If only this was '92, imagine what the hood would do." Astro makes a dense response to Trinidad Jame$' recent comments criticizing the state of Hip-Hop in New York City. The Brooklyn MC highlights the socioeconomic changes in the five boroughs, and while there's a lot of civic pride here,... Read more

November 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Stalley’s Trunk Waves In Houston In The Swangin’ Remix With Chamillionaire, Bun, ESG, Lil Keke & Trae Tha Truth (Audio)

From Beyonce to Stalley, everybody loves a Houston remix. Maybach Music Group's Stalley aligns some of H-Town's finest with his remix to "Swangin'." Already with Scarface on the O.G. version, Stalley recruited platinum stars Bun B and Chamillionaire, as well as highly-respected indie MCs ESG, and the Screwed Up Click's... Read more

November 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Knows A Thing Or Two About A Rainy Day (Audio)

Eighteen years ago, Raekwon The Chef made a cult masterpiece with Ghostface Killah and Blue Raspberry. in "Rainy Dayz" (and the heavily-overlooked Diamond D remix). The song is coveted among Rae and Wu-Tang Clan fans, and has been covered and referenced by contemporaries and predecessors alike. Always calling back to... Read more

November 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Madlib Gives A Rare Interview, Confirms & Plays New Music With Mos Def & MF Doom (Audio)

When Kanye West rapped, "Don't do no press, but get the most press," he was probably overlooking one of his own favorite producers. Madlib has many incarnations, but he never seems to like to talk about them. Just as BBC television's Zane Lowe seems to get unrivaled access to 'Ye,... Read more

November 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Timbaland Gives A Lil’ Apartment A Big Sound (Audio)

Timbo continues #TimboThursdays with another freebie in "Lil' Apartment." This one came two days early, and features longtime Tim protege Attitude as well as 6 Two. We're not sure if this is the former Dr. Dre/D.O.C. 6 Two from Dallas, but either way, this Interscope/Roc Nation-backed slow roller has that... Read more