News Archives

Rakim’s “Sweat The Technique” Memoir Will Arrive In Less Than A Month

For several years, Rakim has discussed plans to release a memoir. The text would place the legendary Long Island, New York MC born William Griffin, Jr. in the company of Hip-Hop peers including LL Cool J, KRS-One, Ice-T, Chuck D, Scarface, and the Beastie Boys. After initial plans to release... Read more

August 27, 2019 Fresh

Meek Mill Is Finally Free. His 12-Year Legal Battle Comes To An End (Video)

Last month, with an overturned conviction, Meek Mill was removed from probation after spending a decade between incarceration and court-mandated regulations. Following July's development of a new presiding judge and the removal of probation, Meek had been awaiting word surrounding a possible re-trial of his 2007 arrest in his hometown... Read more

August 27, 2019 News, Video

Missy Elliott Works It! She Brings Her Classic Videos To Life At The VMAs

Last night (August 26), Missy Elliott accepted the coveted legacy prize at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards. The 48-year-old Portsmouth, Virginia MC, producer, dancer, and philanthropist was on hand to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard trophy, which puts her in the company of some of modern music's greatest... Read more

August 27, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Eddie Murphy Will Return To Host SNL For The First Time In 35 Years

For four seasons, Eddie Murphy was the star of Saturday Night Live. During Season 6, Murphy joined a cast that was rebounding from the mass exodus of the "Not Ready For Primetime Players" squad that made the show a cultural touchstone in the second half of the 1970s. In the... Read more

August 26, 2019 News, TV, TV/Film

GZA Opens Up About Writing Some Of ODB’s Classic Verses

Over the last decade, GZA has been one of the most reserved members of Wu-Tang Clan. The legendary Brooklyn, New York lyricist participated in this year's Sacha Jenkins-directed documentary, Wu-Tang: Of Mics And Men. He will also be portrayed in next week's dramatic series, Wu-Tang: An American Saga. However, The... Read more

August 26, 2019 Fresh, Throwback, Throwback

Jidenna Takes His Time To Make Music With A Message. This Video Is Worth The Wait

Jidenna recently released his first project in more than two years. 85 To Africa thematically connects the singer, rapper, actor, and scholar's Atlanta lifestyle to his African heritage. Following a Grammy-nominated 2016-2017 campaign, the 34-year-old Wisconsin native has taken his time since The Chief and later EP, Boomerang. With involvement... Read more

August 26, 2019 Video

Evidence Talks About The Time Kanye West Jacked His Beat (Video)

Twenty-five years ago, The College Dropout put a long-striving Kanye West the spotlight. 2004 proved to a breakthrough for the Roc-A-Fella Records artist who had been stacking credits since the late '90s. After some critical production work on albums by JAY-Z, Beanie Sigel, Scarface, and Talib Kweli, 'Ye was able... Read more

August 25, 2019 Video

Death Row Records Is Now Owned By A Toy Company

In the early 1990s, Dr. Dre broke from N.W.A. and Ruthless Records. After five years of work with Eazy-E taking Gangsta Rap to the top of the charts, Dre wanted an imprint of his own. The producer for J.J. Fad, The D.O.C., Above The Law, and Michel'le moved across town.... Read more

August 24, 2019 News

Little Brother’s 1st Music Video In Nearly A Decade Celebrates Their Magical Reunion

Little Brother delighted fans this week with a surprise album. Giving people less than 24 hours notice, Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh delivered May The Lord Watch on Tuesday (August 20). It marked the first L.B. project since 2010, and the group's fifth LP featured the blessing of founding third... Read more

August 23, 2019 Video

Rapsody & Latifah Unite As Two Generations Of Hip-Hop Queens (Audio)

Today (August 23), Rapsody released her Eve album. The North Carolina MC's first project since the 2017 Grammy-nominated Laila's Wisdom keeps the conceptual style going. Rap' titled each of the 16 songs after great Black women in history, ranging from "Afeni" to "Michelle" to "Maya." The Jamla/Roc Nation affair involves... Read more

August 23, 2019 Audio

The 1st Episode Of Vince Staples’ New Show Makes It Clear He’s One To Watch (Video)

Earlier this week, Long Beach, California MC Vince Staples teased a seemingly formless upcoming project titled The Vince Staples Show (embedded below). No one seemed to quite know what The Vince Staples Show would become, but many speculated that it would be Staples' newest record. After his latest music video... Read more

August 22, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Common’s Video Shows The Difficulties Of Balancing Career & Parenthood

Common's music has reached places that other MCs have not always been willing to go. In a vast catalog, the Chicago, Illinois lyricist has written from intimate and vulnerable states of being that deal with expecting couples, intense seduction, and telling the stories of social revolutionaries whose message cannot always... Read more

August 22, 2019 Video

Inspectah Deck’s New Video Is An Amazing Tour Through Hip-Hop History

In the first music video from his recent Chamber #9 solo album, Inspectah Deck positioned himself as "The Terminator." However, in a video inspired by James Cameron's acclaimed Sci-Fi franchise starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Rebel INS was on a personal quest to terminate the wackness plaguing Hip-Hop. Love of culture... Read more

August 21, 2019 Video

Logic Runs A Pharcyde Beat In A Freestyle Announcing He’s About To Be A Dad

In May, Logic released Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. The MC/producer's fifth album topped the charts, including appearances from Eminem, YBN Cordae, Wiz Khalifa. However, the 29-year-old refuses to touch the brakes, even with some very exciting family news to share. Logic released "No Pressure Freestyle" today. The standalone video... Read more

August 19, 2019 Video

Tobe Nwigwe Is 1 Of The Best MCs To Emerge In A Long, Long Time. Here’s Proof (Video)

Tobe Nwigwe's Nigerian roots and Houston, Texas upbringing have been central in his years-long ascent in Hip-Hop. Harnessing the power of social media, striking visuals and his gift as a lyricist, he's carved a niche for himself which sits at the crossroads of African and African-American culture. Those who've followed... Read more

August 19, 2019 Video

Snoop Explains Why He Loves Suge Knight & How They Rebuilt Their Bond (Video)

Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg released his song, "Let Bygones Be Bygones" from his 17th solo album, I Wanna Thank Me. The 47-year-old Doggfather has been in a nostalgic spirit lately. More than 20 years after parting ways with the label, Snoop has been wearing his Death Row Records medallion,... Read more

August 19, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Little Brother Have Released Their New Album. Listen Here (Audio)

UPDATE: Little Brother have released their latest album. Take a listen below. Last September, the three founding members of Little Brother made an impromptu reunion on stage in Durham, North Carolina. Far beyond a photo opp, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, and 9th Wonder did an entire set at The Art... Read more

August 19, 2019 Fresh

Blu Is Having 1 Of His Best Years Yet. A New Surprise Album Seals The Deal (Audio)

Johnson Barnes III, known by many as Blu, has been having a stellar 2019. The California MC kicked off the year by linking with producer, rapper, and Gangrene member Oh No for A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night. Then, just three months later, he went back to his... Read more

August 18, 2019 Audio

Conway & Benny Pulverize 1 Of The Rawest & Realest Freestyles You Will Hear (Video)

Griselda Records is the winning team right now. Years of pressure, pain, and progress drafted the playbook that's gotten them there. As Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine recently told AFH TV during a video interview, the Buffalo, New York movement was built brick-by-brick and bar-by-bar long... Read more

August 16, 2019 Video

Posdnuos & Daddy-O Make A De La/Stetsasonic Collabo With Soul (Audio)

Daddy-O and Posdnuous (aka Plug 1) have some overlapping history. Prince Paul was Stetsasonic's DJ and producer when he went to work producing three artists who became the legendary De La Soul. Additionally, these artists were label-mates for many years. It's a Brooklyn-to-Long Island affair on an energetic collaboration from... Read more

August 16, 2019 Audio

Murs Is A Super Hero. A Short Film Shows Lyricism Is Just 1 Of His Powers.

After 15 long years together, Murs & 9th Wonder are reportedly taking their final ride. If that's the case, it's a truly great and memorable trip into the sunset. One week ago (August 9) saw the release of what appears to be Murs, 9th Wonder, and The Soul Council's latest... Read more

August 16, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Daveed Diggs Won Big Awards For Hamilton. His Hip-Hop Group’s New Song Is Pure Drama

A few months after bowing out of his final Hamilton performance on Broadway in 2016, rapper Daveed Diggs released an album with his Hip-Hop group, clipping. Following previous work with King T, Gangsta Boo, and Guce, the '16 album Splendor & Misery was produced alongside his band-mates William Hutson and Jonathan... Read more

August 16, 2019 Audio, Video

This Biggie & James Brown Mashup Mix Deserves B.I.G. Playback (Audio & Video)

Biggie Smalls and James Brown are both gone. However, the music from both world-class entertainers is indelible. In the '60s and early '70s, James Brown laid out a blueprint of Funk, Soul, and Rhythm & Blues that would become a foundation for Hip-Hop. The DJs who inspired young Christopher Wallace... Read more

August 15, 2019 Audio, Mixes, Video

YBN Cordae’s Powerful Video Shows How The World Can Treat You When You’re Broke

YBN Cordae is currently enjoying his breakout success since dropping his debut solo album, The Lost Boy, late last month. The concept LP looks back at the 21-year-old's life seasons and the hardships he has overcome. In the last year and change, he processed those pains into power, now with... Read more

August 15, 2019 Video

Dave Chappelle’s New Comedy Special Is Coming Soon. Here’s The Trailer

In 2017, Dave Chappelle released four standup comedy specials. They came as part of a blockbuster deal with Netflix that returned the legend to the small screen. Dave's quartet of Deep In The Heart of Texas, The Age of Spin, Equanimity, and The Bird Revelation earned the comedian Grammy awards... Read more

August 15, 2019 Fresh, TV, TV/Film, Video

Ice Cube Explains Why He Does NOT Want To Be On The Forbes List (Video)

Ice Cube once co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film All About The Benjamins. However, the 50-year-old mogul seemingly does not live his life under that tenant. From a chart-topping music career, to becoming a power-player in film, to launching a professional three-on-three basketball league, O'Shea Jackson is at the... Read more

August 14, 2019 Food for Thought, Lifestyle, Video

A$AP Rocky Is Found Guilty Of Assault In Sweden

AUGUST 28 UPDATE: Two weeks following A$AP Rocky's guilty verdict regarding a summer 2019 assault conviction in Stockholm, Sweden, the rapper will not face additional punishments. Earlier this month, 30-year-old Rakim Mayers was dismissed from incarceration ahead of a verdict. He was given a two-year suspended sentence and fines, preventing... Read more

August 14, 2019 News

The City Of Milwaukee Has Dedicated An Entire Week To Celebrating Hip-Hop

UPDATE: Brad Jordan (aka Scarface) is currently running for the office of Councilman in Houston, Texas. The Rap legend is helping lead "Hip-Hop Goes To The Polls," an event at this month's Hip-Hop Week MKE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On August 23, from 1 to 3pm EST, Jordan will join Wisconsin Lt.... Read more

August 14, 2019 Fresh

JAY-Z Is Partnering With The NFL On Social Justice & Entertainment Initiatives

Since 2016, JAY-Z has been one of the highest-profile supporters of Colin Kaepernick in his battle against the NFL. In addition to wearing his jerseys in solidarity, Jay used his profile and art to mirror Kaep's demonstrations in support of justice for people of color. In February of this year,... Read more

August 13, 2019 Lifestyle, News

Common Takes An MC From The Streets To The Tonight Show For A True Cypher

Anybody who has ever attended a Common concert knows that the Chicago, Illinois veteran is one of the best improvisers with the mic. For years, Comm' has impressed audiences with his knowledge of local landmarks, street names, and fun facts, no matter in what city he was performing. Meanwhile, even... Read more

August 13, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Missy Elliott To Receive The Video Vanguard Award At 2019 VMAs

More than 20 years after "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)," Missy Elliott will receive one of the highest honors for music videos. The Portsmouth, Virginia MC/producer has been confirmed to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the upcoming 2019 MTV Video Music Awards. The televised ceremony will broadcast... Read more

August 13, 2019 Fresh, TV, TV/Film

Eddie Murphy Is Bringing Dolemite To Life In A New Star Studded Film (Video)

For 50 years, Rudy Ray Moore was a force in comedy. A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Moore learned to command audiences as both a preacher as well as a nightclub dancer. Eventually moving to comedy, Moore would begin a recording career in the late 1950s that lasted until his... Read more

August 12, 2019 TV/Film, Video

J. Cole, Saba, EARTHGANG & Smino Bring 1 Of Dreamville’s Most Heartfelt Songs To Video

Earlier this year, when J. Cole and his label Dreamville set out to make another entry in their Revenge Of The Dreamers compilation series, many fans and critics were ecstatic. Apart from its diverse and increasingly sprawling roster, the label sending invites to a reported 343 artists and producers to... Read more

August 12, 2019 Video

Skyzoo & Pete Rock’s Album Is Coming Soon. Here’s The 1st Single & Featured Artists

In less than six weeks, Pete Rock & Skyzoo are releasing a joint album. Retropolitan pairs the Brooklyn MC with the Mount Vernon producer, DJ and rapper. After first reported at the top of the year, new details have emerged surrounding the Mello Music Group album as well as its... Read more

August 12, 2019 Audio

Watch A Video That Details The Events Leading Up To Little Brother’s 2018 Reunion

Less than a year ago, the three members of Little Brother performed together for the first time in more than a decade. Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, and 9th reunited at the home of the Durham Bulls in North Carolina for The Art Of Cool Festival. The setting was symbolic, as... Read more

August 12, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Wu-Tang, Pete Rock & Others Reunite To Celebrate 25+ Years Of Loud Records

Loud Records dominated the Rap music landscape in the 1990s and early 2000s. Steve Rifkind's label has some of the greatest all-time albums in the genre. To do so, Loud took chances by signing and supporting acts that defied the model at the major labels. Rifkind had been a leader... Read more

August 12, 2019 Fresh

Murs Details Making The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over With 9th Wonder (Video)

Over the past 15 years, Murs and 9th Wonder have made some of the best collaboration albums between an MC and a producer. These works have become standouts in their respected catalogs. In the mix of both men's careers and personal lives, they carved out time to make The Iliad... Read more

August 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

RJ Payne Say He’s The New Def Squad As He Spits Heat Beside Erick Sermon (Video)

RJ Payne is one of the anticipated artists on Benny's Black Soprano Family imprint. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the onetime star of the Battle Rap circuit (then known as "Reignman") has fed the masses with an onslaught of releases in his If C*caine Could Talk series. Before formally inking with Benny... Read more

August 9, 2019 Video

Mike Tyson Shares His Top 50 MCs List…And Joe Budden Is Not On It

At the top of this week, The Brew Podcast disseminated a ranked "Top 50 Greatest Rappers Of All-Time" list (embedded below) that has since captivated much of social media and the conversations around it. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based podcast dedicated to beer-making elicited some fans raising a glass, while other folks... Read more

August 7, 2019 Fresh

Snoop Dogg Celebrates Suge Knight On A Song About Forgiveness & Respect

Snoop Dogg has just released what is perhaps the most anticipated song from his upcoming I Wanna Thank Me album. Last week, the Long Beach, California veteran released a "Countdown" video with Swizz Beatz modeled after his breakthrough smash hit, 1992's "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang." With Swizzy's rendition of G-Funk,... Read more

August 7, 2019 Audio

Benny Releases The Video For His Most Autobiographical Song

In June, Benny The Butcher released one of 2019's best albums in The Plugs I Met. While late '18's Tana Talk 3 garnered acclaim, the Griselda Records artist and founder of Black Soprano Family upped the ante on his '19 affair. What's more, the hardcore MC is staked by both... Read more

August 7, 2019 Video

Benny & Westside Gunn Confirm That Griselda Has Joined Roc Nation Management

On 2018's critically-acclaimed Tana Talk 3, Benny The Butcher used JAY-Z's blueprint to showcase his outlook on "'97 Hov." Now, Benny and Westside Gunn have announced that their Griselda Records movement is taking that relationship one big step closer. This week, the two Buffalo, New Yorker artists confirmed joining the... Read more

August 7, 2019 Fresh, News

Remembering Veteran Hip-Hop Triple-Threat Paten Locke

The Hip-Hop community has had a somber week with the passing of producer Ras G on July 29, and the loss of both DJ Kaos and Paten Locke yesterday (August 5). For those not familiar with Paten, he was a full-time MC/DJ/producer who grew up in both Boston, Massachusetts as... Read more

August 6, 2019 News

The Artifacts’ Longtime Member DJ Kaos Has Passed Away

DJ Kaos had been a member of Newark, New Jersey Hip-Hop group The Artifacts for more than 22 years. Today (August 5), band-mate El Da Sensei confirmed that the turntablist born Shawn Perry has passed away. Details, including a cause of death and Perry's age, have not been provided at... Read more

August 5, 2019 News

Big K.R.I.T. Explains How Platinum Rappers Can Be Broke In A Complex Freestyle

Big K.R.I.T. released his latest solo studio album K.R.I.T. IZ HERE last month. The campaign began with a title track video that put the MC/producer's former major label in the cross-hairs, visually equating artist bidding wars to slave auctions. K.R.I.T. has done it on his own, and never relied on... Read more

August 5, 2019 Video

Dreamville’s Bas Sets Off A Big Week By Rocking The Tiny Desk With His Band (Video)

Bas, who reps the Dreamville camp, has been busy adding to his already quite respectable discography. He was a prominent voice on the chart-topping Return Of The Dreamers III compilation. He also recently hinted that he has a new album in the works titled Spilled Milk Vol. 1, consisting of collaborations... Read more

August 5, 2019 Video

The Game Channels Mad Max & Shows California Love (Video)

Almost twenty-four years ago, Tupac and Dr. Dre took "California Love" to the very top of the charts. While the two men did not get to work together much after, the two music videos complemented the song's two popular mixes. Together, this created an unforgettable moment for Rap fans. A... Read more

August 2, 2019 Video

Rapsody, GZA & D’Angelo Revisit Liquid Swords On A 9th Wonder Produced Song

UPDATE: The same day as Rapsody releases "IBTIHAJ," she and GZA drop the video. Mary J. Blige and Roxanne Shanté (who is shouted out in the lyrics) appear, with clear visual connections to this song's title and inspiration, described below: ORIGINAL STORY: Following 2017's Grammy-nomination run with Laila's Wisdom, Rapsody... Read more

August 2, 2019 Audio, The Bridge, Video

A$AP Rocky Released From Swedish Jail As He Awaits A Court Verdict

Moments ago (August 2) A$AP Rocky was released from a Swedish jail. The 30-year-old rapper born Rakim Mayers has been in custody for the last month amidst assault charges. During that incarceration, his representatives have described inhumane conditions, and the United States government reportedly intervened after Rocky's rights were allegedly... Read more

August 2, 2019 News

Earl Sweatshirt’s Production Brings Out The Best In Tha God Fahim (Video)

Professional Rap and Hip-Hop artists once spent months and years preparing their projects. However, in this new epoch, many acts are dropping releases with a shocking frequency. Some respected artists are giving fans new material at a monthly or even weekly clip. Enter Tha God Fahim, a conduit in this... Read more

August 2, 2019 Video