Audio Archives

Troy Ave – New York City ft Raekwon, N.O.R.E. & Prodigy

Anybody who's followed Troy Ave's movement knows that he is a 2010s contemporary of the '95 era in his city. While all three guests predate 1995 in various works, albums and appearances, the theme of "New York" captures the city's essence (to the street underbelly) that may have been lost... Read more

September 10, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Guilty Simpson & Small Professor – It’s Nuthin’ ft A.G.

Only six days removed from releasing "On The Run," Guilty Simpson & Small Professor have returned with their second single from the upcoming project Highway Robbery. The track is titled "It's Nuthin'," and gets an assist on the microphone from Runaway Slave "goodfella" A.G.. Production on the single continues the old school... Read more

September 10, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kenautis Smith & Black Spade – Look Around

With a new album on the horizon, producers Kenautis Smith and Black Spade drop off their first single just in time for fall. Titled “Look Around,” the new track features Spade laying down vocals over some very funky production. Along with the funk elements, tones of jazz and soul round... Read more

September 10, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Planet Asia – Shine On

Here's a soulful new song from West Coast underground OG, Planet Asia. Check out Shine On. Related: Agallah – Coat Of Arms ft Planet Asia, Tristate & Rasco (Video)... Read more

September 9, 2013 Audio

Audio Push – Come As You Are (Mixtape)

It’s been almost 4 years since “Teach Me How To Jerk” first hit the airwaves, and although it’s a track that brought Audio Push to the forefront, it’s definitely a track they don’t feel should still define them as artists. To assist in breaking the stigma that’s followed the rap... Read more

September 9, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Rapsody – Lonely Thoughts ft Big K.R.I.T. & Chance The Rapper

As if "Jedi Code" wasn't enough, Rapsody hits us off with another show-stopping collaboration from She Got Game. That project is going retail on September 17, as Rap leads off, then passing the mic from Mississippi to Chi-town, courtesy of Big K.R.I.T. and Chance The Rapper. I heard "Mixtape Of... Read more

September 9, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Miguel – Can’t Sleep Together

Miguel lives up to his Twitter handle; this guy's unlimited. From the 2013 Adult Swim series, the RCA Records star melts the pot of genres for this charged track about angst, lust, love and all that good stuff. Miguel's work on the synths is second to none, lately. This is... Read more

September 9, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AXEL F. – Sofa Coins

Within the Stones Throw Records family, MED and J. Rocc's talents have sometimes felt over-shadowed. MED's Classic album two years ago was a stellar indie offering, while Heads seemingly forget that J. Rocc was the third member of Jaylib. Off the label, the two have formed the new duo AXEL... Read more

September 8, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rasheed Chappell – No Idea’s Original Radio Show Freestyle

An MC spitting ill flows over instrumentals at a radio station never gets old, and that’s exactly what went down when Rasheed Chappell stopped by the No Idea's Original radio show. In the audio below the New Jersey native flows for almost five minutes straight over some fresh beats. Rasheed... Read more

September 7, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rick Ross – No Games ft Future

Rick Ross releases a club banger featuring Future and produced by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League as the first single off his forthcoming album, Mastermind. There's no new ground covered here, but it goes. Here's No Games. Related: Rick Ross – Oil Money Gang ft Jadakiss (Video)... Read more

September 5, 2013 Audio

Realm Reality – Set It Off

Regardless of the success Realm Reality found in the acting world, his grind to become a successful MC has never stopped. On his latest track “Set It Off," the Brooklyn native depicts his hunger and work ethic, “this is hunger Rap, Somali competition / I was starving cause they eating... Read more

September 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Damu The Fudgemunk – Fades ‘Em Gone

The DMV is a great a place to dig for records (and we're not just talking about Biz Markie's second crib full of wax). A hot-bed for dusty loops, it's little surprise that the region has spawned Oddissee, Nick Tha 1da, and Damu The Fudgemunk. The latter is a name... Read more

September 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent – Warning You ft Skylar Grey

Please don't be fooled by Skylar Grey's Recovery-esque smooth singing to open up the track (it supposedly came from an Eminem session)... the beat breaks and 50 Cent kicks things off talking about his JMJ Records era. "Warning You" does just that. Perhaps Fif's upcoming album (following a four-year break... Read more

September 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ransom – It’s Ransom ft Styles P

For the last five years, Ransom's name has come up a lot in lyrical circles. I'm personally excited that his October 1 album The Proposal will hopefully be an album we can collectively point to as evidence. This simply-titled song certainly grabbed my ears, as emotional, sincere Rap, with a... Read more

September 5, 2013 Audio, Fresh

The Internet – Partners in Crime Pt. 2

The group The Internet is affiliated with Odd Future and has recently gained more recognition due to their work on Mac Miller's Watching Movies with the Sound Off album. They are an incredibly soulful (some might say neo-soul) group of musicians that play live instruments to make some of the... Read more

September 4, 2013 Audio

Eddie Murphy – Red Light ft Snoop Lion

Former king of comedy Eddie Murphy has finally returned to the microphone with his new reggae infused track featuring Snoop Lion. Don’t strain your eyes too hard because yes, you did read that correctly. With one of the most random songs to hit the internet in recent memory, Mr. Delirious... Read more

September 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Guilty Simpson & Small Professor – On The Run ft DJ Revolution

With the release date of their album quickly approaching, Detroit's Guilty Simpson and Philly's Small Professor finally give us a taste of what to expect when Highway Robbery actually drops on September 24. Featuring some ill turntable magic from DJ Revolution, the album’s lead single “On The Run” delivers nice... Read more

September 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh

7 G.E.M.S. – Presume the Unpredictable ft Roc Marciano

With almost 20 plus years in Hip-Hop, it seems Tragedy Khadafi (The Intelligent Hoodlum) should be showing some signs of slowing down. Instead, the Queensbridge MC/Juice Crew affiliate still has his foot on the pedal in a high-speed chase that has Tragic Allies riding shotgun. Together the two combine to... Read more

September 4, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady (Full Album Stream)

Janelle Monae gives a full preview of her album which promises to provide the soundtrack for a funky Fall. The Electric Lady includes features from Prince, Erykah Badu, Solange, Big Boi, Cee-Lo, Miguel and more. Check out the full stream below. Related: Janelle Monae – Q.U.E.E.N. ft Erykah Badu (Video)... Read more

September 3, 2013 Audio

Lil Wayne – You Song ft Chance The Rapper

Lil Wayne & DJ Drama's Dedication 5 happened. As time shows, Lil Wayne helped guys like 2 Chainz, Curren$y and Drake break mainstream. Chance The Rapper has been one of 2013's dominating new voices, but this Lil Wayne "You Song" (I know, I read that twice too) collaboration may launch... Read more

September 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

King Mez – New Vinyl

The Interstate 95 circuit comes alive in this King Mez and Oddisee collaboration. North Carolina and Washington D.C. rooted (respectively), with New York addresses. This is believed to stem from LLTK2 (Long Live The King 2). As for the contents of the song, more related to automobile interiors than 12"... Read more

September 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AZ – Jodeci Back ft Farrah Burns

AZ Tha Visualiza gives a nod to Drake on "Jodeci Back." A glittery AZ verse about fast cars, sex, and lost friends—pretty much what you expect from this man for the last 20 years, a product of "the Jodeci era." This one's from Last Of A Dying Breed II, a... Read more

September 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Deeper

The Freddie Gibbs & Madlib recording-road gets a bit twistier, as the pair announces the Deeper EP. Pinata (f/k/a Cocaine Pinata) is still coming, but in true [Mad] Beat Konducta style, expect more EPs, more singles, and more vinyl for those of us that are still droppin' plates like bad... Read more

September 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

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

August may well go down as the hottest month of the year (literally and musically) when all is said and done. It will no doubt be remembered as the month Kendrick Lamar set the Hip-Hop world aflame with 1 verse and woke up the Hip-Hop Nation. In addition to Big... Read more

September 2, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Lungz – 20/20 ft Logic

Now although the recipe for a good hip-hop song has endless combinations, two hungry up and coming MCs are definitely excellent ingredients to start with. From his upcoming mixtape Inebriation, Lungz delivers the first single titled “20/20” produced by Cam of the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and featuring 2013 XXL Freshman, Logic.... Read more

September 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Breeze Brewin – Brew”IN Control

It would take a week's vacation to sift through all of the "Control" responses. Personally speaking, I thought a lot of them were misguided and quick pleas for a fast-saturated discussion space. However, in all of the debris that exploded from Kendrick Lamar's bomb, this one is kind of interesting.... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Malik B & Mr. Green – Definition

One of my all-time pre-Game Theory Roots tracks is "The Water." The way Black Thought spoke about his love candidly for Malik B was raw, and to any of us that have close ones who battle demons, it simply resonated. Still a close collaborator with The Roots, Malik is working... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Realm Reality – Grindmode Lifestyle ft Tristate (of Durag Dynasty)

Here's another hard track from Realm Reality. Check out Grindmode Lifestyle featuring Tristate of Durag Dynasty. Related: Realm Reality – Concrete Jazz ft Ea$y Money & Spit Gemz (Audio)... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio

Ryan Leslie – Green ft Fabolous

Here's a smooth new song from Ryan Leslie featuring Fabolous. Check out Green. Related: Ryan Leslise does 5 Fingers of Death on the Sway in the Morning Show (Video)... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio

Busta Rhymes – Chris Lighty ft Bob Marley

It was a year ago today that Hip-Hop lost Chris Lighty, manager to Nas, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes and more. Busta Rhymes has released a heartfelt and candid tribute to honor is mentor and friend. Check out Chris Lighty featuring Bob Marley. Related: Chris... Read more

August 31, 2013 Audio

AG Da Coroner – Not Gonna Cry

The Outdoorsmen is quite the crew. Following Action Bronson's major label emergence, and the recent signings of Mayhem Lauren and AG Da Coroner, this will likely be a group tempted with an album after the solo endeavors are situated. "Not Gonna Cry" is that won't-come-up-for-air Rap that calls back to... Read more

August 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron – Welcome to My World

Cam'ron tries on a slow flow over a trap beat on his release from his upcoming album Ghetto Heaven. The sing songy flow masks some deceptively dark lyrics. Check out Welcome to My World. Related: Wiz Khalifa – The Bluff ft Cam’ron (Video)... Read more

August 29, 2013 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Speaks on His Control Verse and Working on a New Album (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar has now spoken at length about his Control verse. He clarifies that the King of New York line was misunderstood, talks of speaking with Diddy and Jay Z about it, discusses his favorite responses, reveals that he's been working on a new album and more. Check out interviews... Read more

August 29, 2013 Audio

Roc Marciano – S**t Hard

There are no comebacks in Hip-Hop that impress me more right now than Roc Marciano and Ka. Sure, the Soundscan numbers are still a work in progress, but these collaborators have been grinding independently (and on majors) since the '90s with low-key catalogs are hard-nose New York City Rap. Ever... Read more

August 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul – Dreamin’ ft K-Boy & Tone Trump

For all the negative things we can all say about Twitter, sometimes it's just great. For example, when a producer randomly drops a dope Hip-Hop track on a whim, which is exactly what The Chromatix did yesterday. The track is titled “Dreamin'," is headlined by Black Hippy's Ab-Soul, and also... Read more

August 29, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Illa Ghee – Illa Price Express Freestyle ft Sean Price

I absolutely love this. Veteran Mobb Deep affiliate Illa Ghee continues his recent run with Sean Price—who, mind you, is one of the most ferocious freestylers left in Hip-Hop. Over-top of Kraftwerk's "Trans Europe Express" (posted below, it's also the basis for Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force's "Planet Rock"),... Read more

August 28, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. – Just Last Week ft Future

When Big K.R.I.T. dropped his (massively underrated) mixtape King Remembered in Time in the Spring, it featured a snippet of a song with Future. Now, K.R.I.T. releases the full version. Check out Just Last Week. Related: Big KRIT breaks down King Remembered in Time, Track by Track (Video)... Read more

August 28, 2013 Audio

Rah Digga – New Hoes

Whoa...Rah Digga JUST WENT IN on the whole twerkin' phenomenon for objectifying and degrading women, particularly young girls (think she was watching the VMAs??). She issues a blistering commentary over the track for Kanye West's New Slaves. Check out New Hoes. Related: Rah Digga – I Heard You Say (Audio)... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio

Ransom – Unexplainable

Statik Selektah has been on a tear the last 3 years. He supplies another fire beat to Ransom. Check out Unexplainable. Related: Ransom – Pray For Me ft Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock (Audio)... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio

Almighty (Canibus, Bronze Nazareth, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) – F.A.M. ft. Kool G Rap

It seems like a lifetime ago that Canibus was going blow for blow with LL Cool J and was considered one of the nicest lyricists in the game. But even though times and perceptions may have changed, the New York MC is back with his latest lyrical offering to prove... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

The LOX – Summer’s Too Hot

In the last week of August, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P welcome September with "Summers Too Hot." (We learned by way of the video that it's simply just "Too Hot") Kanye West vocals on the Scram Jones-produced needle-drop beat. As D-Block has morphed back into The Warlocks, one can... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap, Papoose, Savant & Justin Tyme – Iron Bars

People tend to forget: Papoose is a lyrical O.G. Just like Nas, just like Akinyele, MF Grimm, B-1, Jinx Da Juvy, and others, Pap cut his teeth on the come-up with one of Hip-Hop's all time lyrical giants: Kool G Rap. "Home Sweet Funeral Home." 1998. Roots Of Evil. Arizona.... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Krondon – Another Line

Strong Arm Steady's Krondon has been grinding for 15 years. Major labels, independents, critical cosigns and solo-dolo success, and KRNDN (as he also goes by at times) stays grindin' with his many styles. "Another Line," produced by Frank The Butcher & Paul Mighty, appears on Butcher's BAU Presents... All Is... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

14KT – PAID ft Blu

Many moons ago, Detroit, Michigan's 14KT was in a group alongside Mayer Hawthorne in Athletic Mic League. The group disbanded for solo pursuits, but hopefully becomes an increasing talking-point (like Children Of The Corn, 213, or Cash Money Clique). 14KT is now releasing his latest LP, Nickel & Dimed. Black... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Foreign Exchange – Call It Home / Pity

In less than a month, one of the groups that started online—and got more organic than most of their peers who met in the flesh lives on. Foreign Exchange's Love In Flying Colors comes September 24. Phonte and Nicolay dropped off a two-fer single, in "Call It Home" and "Pity."... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

League Of Starz – Show Sumn’ ft. Skeme, Problem, Freddie Gibbs, Jay Rock, G. Malone & Bad Lucc

It seems only fitting that the team that’s spearheading the “function music” movement (hybrid of LA’s G-Funk and The Bay’s hyphy), enlisted a roster of homegrown California talent for their latest offering. On their new track “Show Sumn”, production standouts League of Stars put together a bass heavy medley reminiscent... Read more

August 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Joey Bada$$ – Killuminati Pt. 2 (Kendrick Lamar Response)

It might have taken a little longer than anticipated, but one of the most vocal artists on Twitter when it came to “Control” has dropped the hashtags and picked up the mic. On the track “Killuminati Pt. 2,” Pro Era captain Joey Bada$$ steps up to the plate with the... Read more

August 26, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Neek the Exotic – Hello Everybody ft O.C., Sadat X & Satchel Page