News Archives

When Rappers Attack: Here’s Why Wale Lost More Than His Cool With Complex (Food For Thought)

You never forget it when public figures lash out. As a sports-obsessed kid, I recall ‘90s NFL Quarterback Jim Everett flipping a table and lunging for Jim Rome after the always-salacious button-pusher (calling him Chrissy, a female tennis player with a similar last name) did just that. Then there was... Read more

December 15, 2013 Food for Thought, Fresh

This Week in Video Brought Tough Love From Arsenio to Kanye West, New Videos from Talib Kweli & Snoop and More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought some OG advice from Arsenio Hall to Kanye West, new music videos from Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Timbaland, Snoop, Jay Z & Drake, and a hilarious joy ride with Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and Conan O'Brien. Check out the playlist below to catch up on... Read more

December 15, 2013 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Nipsey Hussle Admires His Own Hustle From The High Rise With DJ Drama (Video)

In "More Or Less," Nipsey Hussle raps that he's been grinding in the music industry since 2003. It took an honest 10 years for the artist, once signed to Epic Records, to have his banner year. And to think, he did so independently. In the video, Nip looks at his... Read more

December 15, 2013 Fresh, Video

Chance The Rapper Gets Brassy With His Latest Social Experiment (Video)

Chance The Rapper released a different sort of video this weekend. "Social Experiment" is a smoke-break (or a breather for the trippers, as he speaks to) in the biggest year, for one of the year's biggest artists. A jazzy interlude, Chance vibes more than raps on this song complemented by... Read more

December 15, 2013 Fresh, Video

Murs Makes A Christmas Rap Song That May Get You In The Spirit (Audio)

When Murs loves something, he shares it: from the Jacksonville Jaguars, to old cars, to Hip-Hop records from the G-Funk era. A father and husband, Murray also loves Christmas. The MC made a new song, "Christmas Rules Everything Around Me," and it's not a Wu-Tang Clan cover. If you need... Read more

December 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

DJ Premier Opens Up A Limited Time Online Gang Starr Pop-Up Shop With Rare Goodies

Gang Starr is forever. In the '90s and 2000s, a Gang Starr hoodie was one of the most coveted, respected pieces of Hip-Hop merch out there. If you were at The Ownerz Tour in 2003-2004 with Guru, DJ Premier, Common, Talib Kweli, DJ Dummy, Big Shug, and the others, you... Read more

December 14, 2013 Fresh

You Think Artists Don’t Take Lists Seriously? Listen to Wale Threaten Complex Because of Theirs (Audio)

Complex recently released their top 50 albums of the year list and, apparently, Wale was none to happy about not making the list. In addition to specifically calling out Juicy J's album, Wale exploded and threatened to come to the office and "knock some people out." And, Complex caught it... Read more

December 13, 2013 Audio

Killer Mike & El-P Detail the Psychedelic Influences on Run the Jewels While Actually Taking a Trip (Video)

Killer Mike and El-P's joint Run the Jewels project has withstood the test of time and remains one of the better projects of the year (free or otherwise). The 2 captured footage of the making of the album which involved a cabin, turkey burgers and "a copious amount of psychedelic... Read more

December 13, 2013 Video

Beyonce Just Released a Surprise New Album. Here are Details, Videos & Links (Video)

5 months after her hubby Jay Z created #newrules with the app-based release of his Magna Carta Holy Grail album, Beyonce has turned the industry on its ear by releasing a self-titled new album completely unannounced. The album is an iTunes exclusive, includes a music video for EVERY song and... Read more

December 13, 2013 Video

Schoolboy Q’s Oxymoron Album Finally Has a Release Date (Video)

Here's a hilarious video from Schoolboy Q that finally sets a release date for his much anticipated Oxymoron (with a little help from his daughter). Check it out. You ready for it? Related: Who’s Better, Jay Z or Nas? Here’s What Schoolboy Q Had to Say About It (Video)... Read more

December 13, 2013 Video

Talib Kweli and Raekwon Trade Verses on Violations. MCs take Note…(Audio)

Talib Kweli is closing in on his 2nd release of 2013. Gravitas will be a 100% fully independent project and Kweli has brought his A-game. On Violations, he also brought Raekwon...Check it out below and purchase the track to support one of the true crusaders for underground Hip-Hop. Related: Talib... Read more

December 12, 2013 Audio

Raekwon Discusses Why Wu-Tang Clan Has Broken Up, the Loss of ODB and More with DJ Whoo Kid (Video)

Raekwon sat down with DJ Whoo Kid's Hollywood Shuffle recently. The Staten Island General was asked a series of dope questions by Whoo Kid. There, he admits he wished he was included on Ghostface Killah's "All I Got Is You" single from Ironman. He speaks about his growing interest and... Read more

December 12, 2013 Video

Fabolous Takes a Title and a Track from Drake on Everything Was the Same (Video)

Throughout his career, Fabolous has been great at bringing audiences together in Hip-Hop. He makes songs that are driven by choruses and themes that appeal to Relationship Rap, while his wordplay and confidence have always separated Fab from the cliche "Girl Rapper." Like LL Cool J, 'Loso fills his albums... Read more

December 12, 2013 Video

Hit-Boy & Nipsey Hussle Bring Some New West Coast Heat on Alert (Audio)

Hit-Boy and Nipsey Hussle get rowdy on Alert, claiming it's the hardest ish since The Chronic. That claim is likely aspirational...but it is a a hot track. Check it out. Related: Nipsey Hussle Gives the Real on Growing Up in Crenshaw on The Juan Epstein Show (Video)... Read more

December 12, 2013 Audio

Audio Push Call Out Everything In Hip-Hop They Hate While Acting Like Gentlemen (Video)

Once signed to Interscope Records, Audio Push is so much more than their breakthrough single "Teach Me How To Jerk." The Inland Empire, California duo (same city that 40 Glocc and J.J. Fad are from) have bars. That's abundantly clear on "Come As You Are." With outspoken, critical deliveries, Oktane... Read more

December 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Tanya Morgan Kick Rhymes About Life & These Times (Video)

Now just Donwill and Von Pea, Tanya Morgan linked with former Rawkus 50 MC/producer 6th Sense to lace the tracks for Rubber Souls. The duo's 2013 album (and first studio release since Ilyas left the group) deals with many themes. The onetime Little Brother affiliates talk about the way things... Read more

December 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Raekwon & The Roots Rock That Incarcerated Scarfaces. Sounds So Lovely With a Live Band (Video)

This week in Brooklyn, OkayPlayer threw their annual Holiday Jam. Special guest Raekwon hit the stage with the full Roots crew, and DJ J. Period on the decks. Rae performed his Purple Tape joint "Incarcerated Scarfaces," with Black Thought providing extensive support vocals. It's cool how they riff on the... Read more

December 12, 2013 Video

Here’s an Amazing New Lyric Video from Timbaland, Drake, James Fauntleroy & Jay Z for Know Bout Me (Video)

The quality of lyric videos has risen dramatically in 2013. Justin Timberlake kicked it off with Suit & Tie, then Childish Gambino had a cool chat session with Abella Anderson for 3005. Now, Timbaland has created a lyric video that could easily stand as the official video for Know About... Read more

December 12, 2013 Video

What Do Ice Cube, Kevin Hart & Conan O’Brien Have in Common? One Hilarious Car Ride Around LA (Video)

Conan O'Brien decided to go on a joy ride with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, using a new app called Lyft. If you need a few laughs in your day, this is the video to watch. Related: The Making Of Ice Cube’s It Was A Good Day (Video)... Read more

December 12, 2013 Video

Prince Paul Drops An Alternative Mix To His Project With P-Funk/Talking Heads’ Bernie Worrell (Audio)

Just on the strength of De La Soul's first three albums, Prince Paul makes a case for one of Hip-Hop's greatest producers. That ignores his tremendous contributions to Stetsasonic, Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School, as well as a critically-championed solo career, plus joints for 3rd Bass, Dr. Octagon, and Boogie... Read more

December 12, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Makes Breaks Away From Birdman & Detail On 100 Favors (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been down with YMCMB family for almost three years, courtesy of recordings and touring with Drake. With Jay Rock's early collaborations with Lil Wayne, the whole TDE and Young Money team share some affinities. On Cash Money's first label compilation since 2000's Baller Blockin' Soundtrack, the greatly-expanded... Read more

December 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Native Tongues Fans Rejoice As Q-Tip & Busta Rhymes Release Their Collabo (Mixtape)

In the Wilson Pickett midnight hour, Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes released—as promised—The Abstract And The Dragon. The collaborative free mixtape with the catchy artwork included some material, as previewed in yesterday's "Butch & Sundance." However, the project also catches up the G.O.O.D. Music artist and the Cash Money Records artist's... Read more

December 12, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Kanye West Stepped in It Again…This Time with Arsenio Hall (Video)

The vast majority of Kanye West coverage has gotten inane, but after Ye made some comments about Arsenio Hall, Arsenio decided to respond, OG style...His words were calm but direct and sage. In particular, he dropped some real jewels on what he sees as Ye's cavalier use of the word... Read more

December 11, 2013 Video

How Do You Make a Terrace Martin Track Funkier? Add Murs & Problem to It (Audio)

Veteran Snoop Dogg and Kurupt associate Terrace Martin brought an electrified Jazz to Hip-Hop in the last five years. One of the year's stronger releases was his Empire Distribution-released 3ChordFold LP, which features Kendrick Lamar and others. For one of those album's cuts, Terrace found a master in Relationship-Rap with... Read more

December 11, 2013 Audio

Q-Tip & Busta Rhymes Are Wild Cowboys As Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid (Audio)

Hours away from The Abstract And The Dragon, Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes take on other personas as "Butch & Sundance." Playing off of Robert Redford and Paul Newman's Western flick, the chemistry is evident. This isn't throwback Rap at all, but finds both MC/producers exactly where they are now. Notice... Read more

December 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rockie Fresh & Casey Veggies Celebrate Life (Video)

Rockie Fresh and Casey Veggies have plenty to celebrate. One is Maybach Music Group's Chicago delegate, attached to a major label, and one of the best incubator movements in present-day Rap. The other, Casey, has become one of the most sought-after feature artists of late. Surely, in addition to his... Read more

December 11, 2013 Fresh, Video

Juicy J & Project Pat Make A Dark Visual For No Heart No Love (Video)

For almost 20 years, Hypnotize Minds' Juicy J and Project Pat have been collaborating. However, as the Three 6 Mafia sound is fully revived in 2013, the handful of joints together as of late has been especially jamming. Juiceman's Stay Trippy opener "No Heart No Love" reminded longtime fans that... Read more

December 11, 2013 Fresh, Video

When Q-Tip & Busta Rhymes Get Together Magic Happens. Here’s Why They’re Still Leaders of the True School (Video)

Tomorrow (12/12), Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes will be releasing their joint mixtape, The Abstract & The Dragon. Busta Rhymes has put together an amazing montage of concert and interview footage of some of the best moments he, Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School have had... Read more

December 11, 2013 Video

Roc Marciano & Action Bronson Catch Some Old School Soul on The 456 (Audio)

Yesterday (December 9), Roc Marciano dropped his third studio album, Marci Beaucoup. The Man Bites Dog Records projects features Roc on the boards, and Roc in the booth, but unlike 2010's Marcberg, and 2012's Reloaded, he opens up his lab to guests. Along with A.G., Freeway, Blu, Evidence, and many... Read more

December 11, 2013 Audio

Snoop Goes Back to His Funk Roots on Hit Da Pavement. Here’s the Video (Video)

Snoopzilla (that's the second half of 2013's nickname for Snoop Dogg, by the way) and Dam-Funk are unveiling their 7 Minutes Of Funk project this week. "Hit The Pavement" is a video that has the same grit and feel of "Doggy Dogg World," but now Snoop's kickin' a much more... Read more

December 11, 2013 Video

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

50 Cent Speaks on the Differences Between Him and Kendrick Lamar…and Offers Some Advice to Kanye West (Video)

50 Cent spoke with XXL about his latest business venture, SMS headphones. During the conversation, he touched on Kanye West's recent frustrations and offered some wise words of advice. He also spoke about Kendrick Lamar and detailed some of their differing qualities. Check the video for 50's always unique perspective.... Read more

December 11, 2013 Video

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

Killer Mike & El-P Give the Most Awesome Advice Ever to Hipsters. Check out What Else They Had to Say to YouTube Fans (Video)

Noisey had Killer Mike and El-P respond to the comments section under their 36 Inch Chain video and, not surprisingly, Run the Jewels' commentary was hilarious. Check out the video below. Related: Killer Mike & El-P’s Run The Jewels Team With Big Boi To Bring The Toys Out (Video)... Read more

December 10, 2013 Video

Raekwon Previews Something Real For DJ Whoo Kid (Video)

Raekwon stopped by DJ Whoo Kid's Shade 45 show. On the spot, the Chef hit a zone and started aggressively rapping bars to "Real Shit Here." While so many artists appear in the moment previewing joints on video, Rae's super convincing in showcasing about a minute of the song that... Read more

December 10, 2013 Fresh, Video

Talib Kweli Takes Aim at Illuminati Talk and Says Kill the Noise in the Video for Wormhole (Video)

With Gravitas a week away, Talib Kweli hopes to put the Illuminati talk to bed with the 2013 calendars. The Brooklyn, New York MC uses vintage footage of 2Pac addressing the talk back in 1995 and 1996, as he presented his "Killuminati" stance. Kweli uses footage, which producer Oh No... Read more

December 10, 2013 Video

Jay Z & Dame Dash Hang Out Again, Backstage At Staples Center

Earlier this year, Jay Z and Dame Dash were photographed together for the first time in nine years, courtesy of a mutual friend's birthday partner. Two-thirds of Roc-A-Fella Records' founders have a speckled history following the dismantling of the label, and Jay's brief retirement. While Dame publicly questioned Jay's loyalty... Read more

December 10, 2013 Fresh

Pro Era’s CJ Fly Brings More of That 90’s Goodness in Still the Motto (Video)

If you close your eyes and just listen to CJ Fly, you hear a sound that is reminiscent of 90's Brooklyn. He could easily pass for a Bootcamp Clique affiliate. CJ, however, is one of the many talented members of Pro Era, along with Joey Bada$$, who is making his... Read more

December 10, 2013 Video

Pac Div’s Like Shares His Affinity For Brazil’s Sao Paulo (Video)

It's been almost eight years since Pac Div's (as Pacific Division) The Blend Tape. The Palmdale, California trio called back to both the Native Tongues and The Pharcyde movements with humble themes, melodic production, and an Everyman approach. After a recent trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, Like (formerly Likewise) calls... Read more

December 9, 2013 Fresh, Video

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

Lupe Fiasco Longs for the Late 80’s/Early 90’s in the Powerful and Visually Stunning Old School Love (Video)

Lupe Fiasco is back with a sentimental, thought-provoking and brilliantly executed new video. Old School Love is both reminiscent of a time when the sound waves in Hip-Hop were ruled by Melle Mel, Ice-T, LL Cool J and Kool Moe Dee, and also when Lupe's hometown Chicago was not known... Read more

December 9, 2013 Video

Big K.R.I.T. and Talib Kweli Lend Verses to Cory Mo on Hold Up (Video)

Cory Mo made the most of his Rock the Bells experience, landing not only verses from Big K.R.I.T. and Talib Kweli but also filming a video with them on one of the dates. Salute to his grind. Here's Hold Up. Related: Big K.R.I.T., Talib Kweli, Outasight & Mela Machinko collaborate... Read more

December 9, 2013 Video

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

This Week in Video Brought New Music From Dr. Dre & Kendrick Lamar, Method Man & A$AP Mob and More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought new music from Dr. Dre & Kendrick Lamar, as well as new videos from Method Man & A$AP Mob, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, Talib Kweli, Stalley, Astro and more. Check out the Video Playlist. Related: This Week in Video Was Dominated By Kanye West’s... Read more

December 8, 2013 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

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

Here’s an Extended Version of the Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar Beats Commercial with Their MONSTER New Track (Video)

Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar released one of the hardest commercials of the year earlier in the week, featuring Dre and Dot in the studio going to work on a monster track. It surely left Heads wanting for more and our request has been granted. Here's nearly a minute and... Read more

December 8, 2013 Video

Kendrick Lamar Gets an Album of the Year Nomination from the Grammy’s. Jay Z Gets 9 Noms. Here’s the List of All Nominees in Hip-Hop’s Strongest Showing Ever.

Though he released good kid, m.A.A.d. city in 2012, 2013 has belonged to Kendrick Lamar. In the Spring, he was named MTV's Hottest MC of the Year. By Summer, his Control verse became the biggest story in Hip-Hop in the last several years. In the Fall, he again shook up... Read more

December 8, 2013 Fresh

Who’s Better, Jay Z or Nas? Here’s What Schoolboy Q Had to Say About It (Video)

Here's some extra footage from Schoolboy Q's recent sit down with Peter Rosenberg. In this installment, Q talks Jay Z vs. Nas. Check out what he had to say below. Related: ScHoolboy Q Might Be Having Some GQ Fun On His Version Of Man Of The Year (Audio)... Read more

December 8, 2013 Video