News Archives

Tragedy Khadafi Remains An Intelligent Hoodlum On Free Thinkers 2 (Audio)

In addition to his integral role with Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi (p/k/a The Intelligent Hoodlum) was an influential MC to the likes of Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, and Nature dating back to Juice Crew days. Signed to a major label, mentored by Marley Marl, blending smooth rhymes with highly-informed lyrics, Trag'... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

MC Lyte Makes The Perfect Visual For Her Latest Common Collabo (Video)

Following last month's "Dear John," MC Lyte & Common's latest collaboration gets a narrative video. The song about men taking on a greater role in their families amidst the stressful and demanding circumstances gets a video that highlights fatherhood, especially Black fatherhood, including some celebrity cameos. This concept is executed... Read more

October 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

If You Love When Ras Kass Challenges Organized Religion, Check This (Audio)

Ras Kass has challenged organized religion since Soul On Ice. The voracious reader proves that he's up on the sacred texts on "How To Kill God." For an MC once criticized for never getting great beats on his albums, Apollo Brown supplies this Blasphemy banger with an undeniable beat that... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron Touches The Sky With Wiz Khalifa & Smoke DZA (Audio)

Cam'ron is one of the most influential MCs of the wave right now. Both Wiz Khalifa and Smoke DZA, who had loose ties to Dipset since battling J.R. Writer in the early 2000s, owe a lot to Killa Cam. The irreverence, the humor, the style of the Harlem, New York... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Phone Taps Into Some Faith Evans & Carl Thomas Heat (Audio)

Raekwon's TBT series rolls on, with an early '00s tilt. Chef looks to Faith Evans & Carl Thomas' "Can't Believe," which is not even his first Faith nod. The song notably swacked the basis of the beat to The Firm's "Phone Tap," made by Rae's friends and collaborators Nas, AZ,... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

M.O.P. and Busta Rhymes Bring the Ruckus in Broad Daylight (Audio)

Who talks tougher on wax than M.O.P and Busta Rhymes? The three hard-spittin' MCs link on a slow and deliberate track and commence to beat it up. Check out "Broad Daylight." Related: M.O.P. Wears 2 Crowns In The County Of Kings In 187 (Video)... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio

LL Cool J Wants to Tell Tha World He’s Back In a Great Way (Audio)

LL Cool J continues his return to Hip-Hop with another strong release. "Tell Tha World" is a song of hope and encouragement. Both the soulful track and L's words make this feel good music. Check it out. Related: LL Cool J is in Ripper Mode With Raekwon & Murda Mook... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio

9th Wonder, Talib Kweli & Pharoahe Monch Join Forces to Distribute Independent Hip-Hop (Video)

You think Hip-Hop is dead? 9th Wonder, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch don't. The three like-minded guardians of the culture have come together to form an independent company to distribute Hip-Hop artists who they believe represent the ethos of the music they (and we) have come to love. The company... Read more

October 22, 2014 Video

DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″ Release Their 1st Video as PRhyme (Video)

A few weeks ago, DJ Premier & Royce Da 5'9" released a teaser video that set the Internet on FIRE. Days later, they would reveal that Premier has teamed with Royce to form his first group since Gang Starr. Now, they release the entire version of that visual which turns... Read more

October 22, 2014 Video

Schoolboy Q Discusses His Scariest Moment as a Gang Banger on Highly Questionable (Video)

Schoolboy Q is a master of juxtaposition. In his music, the Black Hippy heavy often will say the rawest and darkest things in the most serene and detached ways (check "Hoover St" for example). Q exhibited this contrast on ESPN's Highly Questionable where he ranged from tongue in cheek humor... Read more

October 22, 2014 Video

Styles P Goes Back to Phantom and the Ghost For His Latest Visual (Video)

Styles P shows off the versatility of his flow on "Smoke All Day" from his Phantom and the Ghost album. Usually at home with a steely flow over grimy beats, this one finds Ghost rapping over a soulful and melodic track...right in the pocket. Check out the video. Related: Finding... Read more

October 22, 2014 Video

Finding The GOAT: Nelly vs. Ja Rule…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 22, 2014 Fresh

Logic Rocks The Multi-Syllabic Rhyme Scheme In His Backroom Freestyle (Video)

Logic's Under Pressure release date (October 21) has been an all out blitz of content. From free album streams, camera crews meeting his parents in the livingroom, interviews, and everything between, it would not be complete without a freestyle from the proven star of the free-form approach. Hitting the "106... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Vadim Lays Down That Supreme A Tribe Called Quest Megamix (Audio)

DJ Vadim and A Tribe Called Quest are contemporaries of one another. However, the London-raised DJ/producer (born in Russia) came into vogue in the mid-1990s, and 20 years later, his mixes are staples in highlighting the popular, under-the-surface, and downright rare moments from the culture, whether in the '80s or... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Chance The Rapper Is Making A 2014 Album, Rick Rubin & Frank Ocean Are Present…

It's been more than a year since Chance The Rapper released a full-length project. It was this time last year that Heads started the hubub for #AcidRap to be a popular nomination for the best Hip-Hop album/mixtape of 2013. Well, we just learned that 2014 might not be safe, either...... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh

Go Home With Logic & Meet His Family, Who Collectively Give You The REAL (Video)

Not only is Logic (and Visionary Music Group) giving Heads his Under Pressure album for full stream on its release day (October 21), the Gaithersburg, Maryland MC brings Heads home. The Baltimore reppin' Def Jam artist brought MTV's cameras to his childhood livingroom, where Logic's father and caretaker (along with... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

ONYX Attacks For Halloween In The Realest (Video)

Complete with 100 MAD jack o'lanterns, ONYX's "The Realest" is right and exact for the Halloween season. Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to mash out and put their hands on folks in this pumped-up Snowgoons production from this year's WakeDaFucUp. Security cameras can't save you from... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Logic Is Under No Pressure To Share His Entire Deluxe LP (Album Stream)

After tremendous anticipation, Logic's Under Pressure studio debut album is upon us. The Visionary Music Group alum teamed with the legendary No I.D. (Common, Kanye West, Jhene Aiko) to make his debut as big as possible, but true to the form he laid out amidst years of strong, grassroots independent... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A-Villa’s Great Lineups Continue, With Action Bronson, Roc Marciano & Willie The Kid (Audio)

Half of the M.A.R.S collective (Roc Marciano and Action Bronson) join yet another Alchemist affiliate, Willie The Kid on "Live From The Villa." The track is the latest three-man all-star lineup by Chicago, Illinois' A-Villa. This track goes extra hard, and certainly cements Villa's rep for making engaging tracks with... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Mac Miller Inks A Deal With Warner Bros. For 8 Figures & Drops Off A Loosie (Audio)

After a January, 2014 amicable-but-high profile exit from the Rostrum Records team that helped bring him to stardom, Mac Miller has officially made his next move. The Most Dope front man has headed to Warner Bros. Records, according to The Fader. The report states that the deal, including housing M.M.'s... Read more

October 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul Reveals His Music Industry Family, Getting Radio Fines To Nardwuar (Video)

One week after Ambrosia For Heads' "search for the GOAT" pitted Ab-Soul against Joe Budden, leave it to Nardwuar to present Soulo with a copy of Joe Budden, the album—something the Carson, California MC is apparently a massive fan of. This interview, Nardwuar's latest within the Black Hippy/Top Dawg Entertainment... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

T.I. Releases a Short Gangster Film for King (Video)

After yesterday's (October 20) "King" break-off leak from the just-released Paperwork, T.I. follows with the video. The album opener is textbook Tip, with a charged beat, and that unshakeable street Rap from one of the last decade's emerging superstars of Hip-Hop. The visual suggests that T.I. is still in the... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Mos Def vs. Pharoahe Monch…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 21, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

Ice Cube Has Some Furrowed Brow Follow-Up Fun On Jimmy Kimmel Live (Video)

After Ice Cube's summertime segment for "Jimmy Kimmel Live," why not re-up with some more? With Don Mega and Dr. Dre co-producing the N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton, Cube stopped by, to throw his spin on some festive, particularly corny lines, delivered in an O'Shea Jackson kind of way: Related:... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Tek & Steele Recall Street Origins Smif-n-Wessun, Decepticon Ties, Making Dah Shinin’ (Audio)

Within the Boot Camp Clik, it often feels like Smif-n-Wessun are massively under-sung. Whether it was the fact that General Steele and Tek followed Black Moon's Enta Da Stage with Dah Shinin' (before Heltah Skeltah, O.G.C., and the Clik compilations), or the unfortunate forced name-change (to Cocoa Brovas) and subsequent... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Andre 3000 & Tink Collaboration? Timbaland Gives You 15 Seconds (Video)

A 15-second preview of a yet-untitled, little-known-about song as news. You can count the artists on one hand whose work would justify that as "News." Certainly, 20-year veteran Andre 3000 is one of the few, the proud. Timbaland previews (via Facebook video, no less) a fourth of a minute of... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh

9th Wonder Says Without Phonte, There Is No Drake (Audio)

During A3C week earlier this month, 9th Wonder served as Reggie Osse's latest guest for a live taping of The Combat Jack Show. Per usual, the conversation spanned the career of the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina producer/DJ/sometimes-MC. However, there are certainly some impromptu side discussions and points made that make this... Read more

October 20, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Action Bronson, Joey Bada$$ & Ransom Hop On Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s Knicks Remix (Audio)

If a few months made you forget how incredible Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata was, this remix of "Knicks" is a reminder with sharp elbows like Charles Oakley. Those 'bows come in the form of a new Gibbs verse (where Gary, Indiana's own doesn't mince words about the Ferguson, Missouri... Read more

October 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joe Budden Is A Master Of Ex-Rap, His Latest 5-Minute Journal Entry Proves It (Audio)

Longtime Joe Budden fans know that the Jersey City, New Jersey veteran has built a career off of breaking the fourth wall in his raps. From addiction to self-doubt, his paranoia and most open thoughts on Hip-Hop, Joe never holds back. And those who've been listening to the verses long... Read more

October 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Heavy D vs. Trugoy…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

T.I. Is The ‘King’ Of That Straightforward Trap, Peep The Paperwork Intro (Audio)

Besides Nas, is any artist as consistently ferocious on the intro than T.I.? Regardless of where each of the P$C MC's albums have ended up in the consciousness or on the charts, the first track usually sets the tone that has the veteran Tip listener thumping their chest, and the... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh

CyHi The Prynce, Rapsody & Caskey Light Up This Team Backpack Cypher (Video)

Team Backpack cyphers have become a staple in the Hip-Hop zeitgeist for several years now. The collective's videos have made stars out of fresh-faced artists, and cultivated talent in a format that Heads can respect: the free-form cypher. It's competitive, it's stripped-down, it's pure MC'ing. So how about this? T.B.P... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Boaz Deserves Your Attention, Check Intuition (Album Stream)

Quietly and consistently, Boaz has built a strong career. The Rostrum Records artist (Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, etc.) is nothing like his label-mates/homies new or old, instead, he's got a street-struck grittiness, with an introspection that few artists naturally possess. Intuition lives up to its name, and with D-Block, Fashawn,... Read more

October 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. & DJ Dahi Rev Up The Cadillactica In The Studio Garage (Video)

In the second installment of Big K.R.I.T.'s behind-the-scenes making of Cadillactica series, Krizzle sits in the lab with DJ Dahi (Drake, Freddie Gibbs, ScHoolboy Q) creating the Def Jam sophomore LP's title track. Even through camera speakers, you cannot argue that this thumps... Related: Big K.R.I.T. Previews His Cadillactica Album... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Skyzoo & Torae Hit The Courts To Tell Us Why Their Jerseys Belong In Rafters (Video)

In a digital era, Skyzoo & Torae still believe that Hip-Hop (and all art) should be tangible. Talking about the physical artifacts of their culture (with lots of sports metaphors), "Memorabilia" examines how we honor our stars, which plausibly include these two Brooklynites. Shot in black and white, and featuring... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chris Rock Leads an All-Star Comedy Cast in Top Five. Watch the Trailer (Video)

By the looks of the trailer, Top Five may be Chris Rock's funniest movie in years. And, with an all-star comedy cast that includes Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Romany Malco, Jay Pharoah and Whoopi Goldberg, it's no wonder. Rosario Dawson rounds out the roster. Jay... Read more

October 20, 2014 Video

Funk Volume Turns Up With Fresh, Thoughtful Dizzy Wright & Hopsin Freestyles (Videos)

Funk Volume continues to dig in their foot-hold in the Hip-Hop game. While Hopsin and Dizzy Wright are polar opposites in many ways, they both uphold this time-tested truth: say somethin' when you touch the microphone. Stopping through Tim Westwood's London booth at the BBC, each MC blazes up with... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ja Rule Details Why His Super Group With DMX & JAY-Z Fell Apart (Video)

JUNE 2, 2021 UPDATE: While the original interview has been scrubbed from the Internet, here is a recent discussion of Ja Rule addressing Murder Incorporated: ORIGINAL OCTOBER 19, 2014 STORY: Ja Rule performed during the Def Jam 30th Anniversary celebration at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last week. After, he... Read more

October 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Stalley Releases the Official Video for Always Into Something (Video)

Stalley's "Always Into Something" has a distinct West Coast vibe, both with the N.W.A. reminiscent title and the hard-hitting sonics. So, it's no surprise that the visuals for the song, also featuring Ty Dolla $ign, have followed suit. In a scene reminiscent of Boyz N The Hood, Stalley shows what... Read more

October 19, 2014 Video

Ever Catch This Rare Method Man & Redman Freestyle From 1998? (Audio)

Some things never get old...such as off the top verses (and a couple writtens) from Redman and Method Man. Here's a rare cypher from back in the day (circa 1998) featuring Tical, the Funk Doctor Spock and Mr. Loose (who's also quite nice) on WNYU. The verses start at the... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Do Remember: O.C.’s “Born 2 Live” (Video)

Twenty years ago today (October 18), O.C. released his debut album, Word...Life. On the now-defunct-but-legendary Wild Pitch Records, the Organized Konfusion affiliate (who would later become an integral part of Diggin' In The Crates) made his debut featuring involvement from emerging producer Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry... Read more

October 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Surock & Blu Go Off on a G-Funk Banger. Get Your Broccoli (Audio)

This is a welcome surprise. Surock teams up with Blu on a heavy G-Funk-influenced banger. "Broccoli" is a reference to another green celebrated back in the day by Dr. Dre and the sticky funk is the perfect soundtrack. Check it out. Related: Love Lives After Armageddon With L’Orange & Blu’s... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio

Project Pat Links with Rick Ross and His Brother Juicy J on His Latest (Audio)

Project Pat links with younger brother Juicy J and Rick Ross on the hard-hitting track "Imma Get Me Sum." The track is from Pat's upcoming Cheez N Dope 3 release. Check it out. Related: Rick Ross Gets the Assist From R. Kelly on Keep Doin’ That (Audio)... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio

Boaz Links with Termanology, Oddisee & Vinny Radio on Like This Remix (Audio)

Boaz is official. His album Intuition will be released on Tuesday and it is packed with bangers. His latest single is a remix to "Like This." The East Coast version features Oddisee, Termanology and Vinny Radio. Check it out. Related: Boaz Releases the Video for His Red Hot Collabo with... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio

Rick Rubin Returns to the Dorm Room Where Def Jam Was Founded for the First Time in 30 Years (Video)

In a year of tributes to Def Jam, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, this might just be the best. Rolling Stone followed Rick Rubin to the NYU dorm room where he started the legendary record label and had not returned to since. Rather than just interviewing Rubin, RS used the journey... Read more

October 17, 2014 Throwback

Lil Dicky Hits The Backroom With One Of The Smoothest, Fastest, Most Confident Raps Out (Video)

Out of thin air, Philadelphia's Lil Dicky swings through the "106 & Park" Backroom booth where he simply shakes apart the walls with a fast, highly-confident freestyle that is both original and humorous. Like his "No, I will not fix your computer shirt," L.D. (Larry David, as he explains) uses... Read more

October 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Curren$y Is A Drug Store Cowboy, Rallying Up Pescriptions In Audio (Video)

In the late night hour, on those New Orleans streets, Spitta Andretti himself (a/k/a Curren$y) parks in front of an all-night prescription drug store to break down how he kicks these over-the-counter rhymes, that are readily available for free samples, like, say, More Saturday Night Car Tunes. Related: Curren$y’s Releases... Read more

October 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Phife Dawg vs. Queen Latifah…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Lupe Fiasco is Feeling Lost In The Atlantic Ocean (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco is gearing up for a busy three months. The 1st & 15th veteran plans Lost In The Atlantic Ocean, the tongue-in-cheek titled effort alluding to how one of the few gold-selling artists on Atlantic is often treated less than the major's flagship, or quite differently than recent stars... Read more

October 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah Bring Elzhi Out For Gunshowers (Audio)

Ten years ago, would you ever imagine Ghostface Killah (then a key Def Jam acquisition) and Elzhi (then running with Slum Village) together? BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghost's Sour Soil makes that happen on "Gunshowers." This intricate instrumentation opens the gate for El' and Starks to bombard the microphone with sharp verbals,... Read more

October 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh