Fresh Archives

Logic Flexes His Double-Time Flow with an Assist from Big Sean (Audio)

Logic and Big Sean share XXL Freshmen and Def Jam ties and now they team up in verse. Logic flexes a double-time flow while Sean lets the track breathe. Both styles work over the atmospheric track. Check out Alright. Related: Logic Explains Where He Spent His Advance On While You... Read more

April 23, 2014 Audio

Here’s a Super Ill Concept Mixtape of Ghostface Killah’s Best Storytelling Songs (Mixtape)

Trackstar the DJ (in conjunction with UpNorthTrips and TheSmokingSection) has put together a "concept mixtape" showcasing the storytelling ability of Ghostface Killah. The project, Ghost Stories: Ghostface Killah's Storytelling Raps, features some of Ghost's most choice narration. The beats are on point too...This is a great concept. We hope to... Read more

April 23, 2014 Throwback

J-Live Spreads Good Cheer & Soul, City to City with Tanya Morgan (Audio)

J-Live releases some soulful feel good music with Tanya Morgan and Sam London on City to City. The teacher turned MC keeps kicking knowledge after almost 20 years of honing his craft. Check it out and enjoy the warm vibes. Related: J-Live Smashes Every Cliche in Hip-Hop in 1 Verse... Read more

April 23, 2014 Audio

Rapsody Thanks Some Of The People Who Have Helped Her Along the Way (Video)

Since her days in Kooley High, Rapsody's been a very gracious artist. To peers, to media, to behind-the-scenes friends, and especially to fans, Rap' has been very thankful (just look at her Twitter interactions). If that wasn't enough, she made a song (from She Got Game) and now a video,... Read more

April 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Time Travel Back To Rap Radio’s Golden Days In This 1991 Gang Starr Interview & Tim Westwood Mix (Audio)

Take yourself back almost exactly 23 years to the date, to April 19, 1991, when London’s Hip-Hop radio prophet Tim Westwood links up with Gang Starr's DJ Premier and Guru (plus Caveman) as they take the world by storm promoting the release of their album, Step In The Arena LP.... Read more

April 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Pharrell Tastefully Celebrates the Beauty of Women in the Video for Marilyn Monroe (Video)

Pharrell's G I R L sophomore solo album suggested a lot with its artwork, title, and tracklist. The video to single "Marilyn Monroe" continues this theme that Skateboard P still loves "nice things" and beautiful women, as he visits a dance studio full of belles for some inspiration. Related: Does... Read more

April 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharoahe Monch Opens Up About His Darker Side On The Combat Jack Show (Audio)

Queens, New York rapper Pharoahe Monch sits down with Combat Jack and his radio team to discuss a wide variety of topics including his asthma issues, his fascination with "scary, real, horrific," violence, and the truly personal and introspective direction behind his latest project, P.T.S.D. Pharoahe has been in the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

After Ten Thousand Cuts, Locksmith Leaves ‘Em With Who He Is (Video)

On his just-released new album Ten Thousand Cuts, Locksmith parts ways with some powerful statements on "Who I Am." He raps about the risks he takes, the consequences he suffers, but much more so, the pain he is overcoming from his background by vocalizing for the voiceless, and putting the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

CyHi The Prynce & Tate Dumonde Are Breaking Through, Pointing Out Rap’s Contradictions (Video)

CyHi The Prynce sees a lot of ironies in Hip-Hop, from being praised for rapping about the same things on records that people go to prison for saying on cellphones. In a simple video, CyHi and Tate Dumonde come forward with some great food for thought in 2014, hopefully bringing... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Whatever You’re Doing, Stop. Scarface Has A New Single That Burns Slow (Video)

When Brad Jordan gets on one, look out. Scarface has never pigeon-holed himself simply as an "angry rapper," but the Geto Boys great is never afraid to speak his mind to the streets or his musical peers when he's not feeling something. Believed to be from 'Face's forthcoming silence-breaking Deeply... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

RZA Responds to Raekwon’s Heated Comments with Class & Respect. Get This Knowledge (Video)

Last week, Rolling Stone released an interview with Raekwon where he had some incredibly sharp and heated words toward RZA, including Rae saying he was "on strike" from the Wu. Now, RZA has responded and he does so with class and dignity. This is a lesson in constructiveness from the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Video

ScHoolboy Q Makes a Sexy & Stylish Video for Studio (Video)

ScHoolboy Q keeps hitting Heads with OXYMORON visuals. Longtime Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate, and Motown Records artist in his own right BJ The Chicago Kid assisted in one of the album's more intimate tracks, "Studio." Cutting back and forth from the boards to the bedroom, Groovy Q reveals why it's... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Former Roc-A-Fella Engineer Reportedly Uses Extortion To Give Back Vintage Jay Z Master Recordings

In the late '90s and early 2000s, Chauncey Mahan was a name Heads would certainly find in the insert booklets of their albums. A recording engineer, Mahan was by no means a household name, even to level of an Eddie Sancho, Young Guru, or DURO, but he worked on Jay... Read more

April 22, 2014 Fresh

Jon Connor Gest on Kanye West’s Black Skinhead Beat and Wrecks It (Video)

As he leads up to his Aftermath debut, Jon Connor is on a mission. He uses the phrase "best in the world" relentlessly, as if he is trying to speak it into existence. Connor has not earned that title yet...but, he is one of the hungriest MCs to hit the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Video

Prince’s The Breakdown Sounds Like Its Titled (Audio)

Prince has influenced at least four decades of artists. Rock & Roll, soulful, sensitive, and sexual, Prince's music is very dynamic, and completely disregards expectations. Artists ranging from Drake to Phonte to The Weeknd to Solange are all clearly inspired by the Twin Cities icon. Well, Prince is far from... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Termanology, Chris Rivers, Papoose & More Get Old School Fresh On A DJ Kay Slay Cypher (Audio)

Coming from Uptown, DJ Kay Slay certainly knows about a lil "Uptown anthem" in the form of The Mohawks' "Champ." Later used as a comeback crossover single for KRS-One in "Step Into A World," this famous Bronx park-jam break is as Hip-Hop as it gets. So are the corresponding cypher... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Murs & MAYDAY! Have A Strange Party That Makes You Want To Dance On Tabletops (Audio)

Following Murs' signing to Strange Music, the Los Angeles MC veteran is already at work on a collaborative project with the label's South Florida Rock-Rappers, ¡MAYDAY!. Murs appeared on the crew's standout 2012 album Take Me To Your Leader, so these outfits go back like matching outfits. On "Tabletops," a... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Want To Try Something Different? Roll Up Asher Roth’s Full RetroHash Album (Audio)

Asher Roth has released just two albums in nearly five years, and they could not be more different. The Pennsylvania MC who entered the scene in 2008 and 2009 had some rocket-fueled success when he dropped Asleep In The Bread Aisle back at the top of his career. After changing... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bambu & Killer Mike Make One Of The Standout Socio-Political Jams Of 2014 (Video)

From "Reagan" to "Burn," Heads know that Killer Mike is lethal with the lyrics that pinpoint just some of the things that the history books may misinform you of, and the evening news may leave out. The Dungeon Family O.G. who dominated many year-end lists with El-P in '13 care... Read more

April 22, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Rapsody Explains the Concept of Her Thank You Very Much Video (Video)

Rapsody has been a special artist to us for a number of years. In addition to being one of the illest lyricists out, she also gave us one of our first interviews when we were just getting started. Her talent is only matched by her humility and authenticity. Recently, Rapsody... Read more

April 21, 2014 Video

Rose Royce Isn’t The Only Artist Havin’ Fun At The Car Wash. Check Dizzy Wright’s Everywhere I Go (Video)

It’s hardly a gamble when hitting play on a Dizzy Wright track and nothing raises that probability more than with his latest visual effort, “Everywhere I Go.” It’s clear that Funk Volume likes to stay on top of their craft as they’ve demonstrated with their recently wrapped, Don’t Fu[$]k Up... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

J Dilla Love Songs Live On As The Yancey Boys Team With Eric Roberson For An Ill Groove (Video)

One of the flag-wavers in the J Dilla/Jay Dee legacy is The Yancey Boys. The Delicious Vinyl Records-backed outfit of Illa J (Dilla's brother) and Frank Nitti (of Frank-N-Dank), along with the posthumous works of Jay Dee has made some celebrated music since 2006, when the world lost a luminary.... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Like Food Raps? Homeboy Sandman Speaks To Your Belly (Video)

Stones Throw Records has had a lot of buzz swinging around the internet lately with the impending release of their documentary film, Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton, May 27. The Peanut Butter Wolf directed team consistently releases content that is highly regarded in the underground music scene and continues to... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jadakiss, Sheek Louch & Snyp Life Give Closed Casket A Visual (Video)

Released in early February, Heads really embraced "Funeral Music" by D-Block's Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Snyp Life. From DJ OP's latest mixtape, I Refuse To Lose, this now-video appears to be the latest knocker in a series of hot street records from The Lox's extended infantry. Related: Jadakiss & Sheek... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharoahe Monch & DJ Revolution Know A Lil’ Something About Getting Down (Audio)

As if a whole new album's worth of fresh material was not enough for last week, veteran supreme lyricist Pharoahe Monch made a Record Store Day exclusive with Wake Up Show alum DJ Revolution. Produced by Australia's M-Phazes, this joint, "Get Down" shows Monch's ongoing versatility in a career spanning... Read more

April 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent, Styles P & Prodigy Bring Back Those Gritty New York Rap Videos, With A Sideshow (Video)

50 Cent's content swarm continues. "Chase The Paper" finds G-Unit and D-Block seemingly at peace, with Styles P's Animal Ambitions contributions. Although S.P. is not in the video, Fif shows his vision alongside Prodigy and Kidd Kidd. Three icons of late '90s, early 2000s New York Hip-Hop come together talking... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Feel Like Chicago Rap Doesn’t Sound Like Chi-Town Anymore? Do Or Die’s Got That Loud Pack (Video)

It has been eight years since veteran Chicago Hip-Hop trio Do Or Die made an album. Belo, N.A.R.D., and AK are still in tact though, as the Rap-A-Lot Records vets recently premiered a video for "Loud Pack." What could be dismissed as a cliche weed anthem actually employs some of... Read more

April 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Premier Remixes A 22-Year Old Classic From D.I.T.C.’s Showbiz & A.G. (Audio)

Twenty-two years later, the joint that got it all started for D.I.T.C. (Diggin' In The Crates) gets amazing reconsideration. For May 7's D.I.T.C. remix album, DJ Premier (who always rolled close to the crew) reworked the Showbiz & A.G. "Soul Clap" B-side, which featured Diamond D and Lord Finesse as... Read more

April 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

N.O.R.E., Styles P and Raekwon Release Their Inner Lion (Audio)

N.O.R.E., Styles P and Raekwon release their inner Lion on a jazzy throwback track. Check it out. Related: N.O.R.E. and Busta Rhymes Go In on a Classic Hip-Hop Break Beat. Check Out Manners (Audio)... Read more

April 20, 2014 Audio

Nas Discusses His First Trip to the Studio in 1989 (Video)

Here's a look at a 20-year old Nas (1994) discussing his first trip to the recording studio in 1989, with his pops, Olu Dara. He also speaks on meeting Large Professor and MC Serch, and the impact they had on his career. The celebration of 20 years of Illmatic continues...Check... Read more

April 19, 2014 Throwback

Public Enemy’s Chuck D Discusses Being 1 of the 1st Internet Rap Artists (Video)

Public Enemy are often cited as being lyrical and sonic pioneers. However, their trend-setting career moves are sometimes overlooked. Chuck D speaks to HardKnock TV about the group being one of the first major label Rap acts to go independent and embrace the Internet as the distribution platform of the... Read more

April 19, 2014 Video

Daz Dillinger Reunites Snoop Dogg & Devin the Dude on His Latest Track (Audio)

Daz Dillinger reunites Snoop Dogg and Devin the Dude on his latest track. Check out Blow'd. Related: Daz Dillinger Keeps it Real Witcha (Audio)... Read more

April 19, 2014 Audio

Ab-Soul Breaks Down the Tree of Life on His Latest Release (Audio)

Ab-Soul teams with producer Curtiss King on his latest release. Soulo explores several tree-related metaphors (money trees, medicinal trees...) on Tree of Life. Check it out. Related: TDE Plans to Release New Albums From Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Black Hippy & Kendrick Lamar in 2014... Read more

April 19, 2014 Audio

Here’s Footage from 1994 of Nas, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, Premier & Large Professor Discussing Illmatic (Video)

Remember that iconic shot of Nas, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Pete Rock and Large Professor in the studio together? Here's footage from that day, as well as each discussing the making of Illmatic in 1994. Check out these historic visuals as we celebrate today's 20th anniversary of the release of Illmatic.... Read more

April 19, 2014 Throwback

Here Are Words From Nas During the Illmatic Era, Raw and Uncut (Video)

Today (4/19) is the 20th anniversary of the release of Nas' Illmatic. As part of our celebration of this landmark date for Hip-Hop, here's an amazing extended look at Nas in the Illmatic era. In this candid interview, young Nas talks about the Hip-Hop legacy of Queensbridge, how he connected... Read more

April 19, 2014 Throwback

Vado, Prodigy & Chinx Drugs Kick Some Cocky Raps Over An Old Eagles Record (Audio)

Vado is gearing up to release his We The Best Entertainment debut. The Harlem veteran teams up with The Coke Boyz' Chinx Drugs and Mobb Deep's Prodigy for "Zoo Muzik." The cut looks at the animal instincts and animal ambitions (word to 50 Cent) of the streets. P raps "The... Read more

April 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Santana Recruits Miguel For The First Single From Their Reunion Album (Audio)

Miguel's been on a tear lately. After recently covering an Elton John classic from the early '70s, Miguel links with an alum of that era (and even before) in Carlos Santana. Santana, who's worked extensively with Hip-Hop/R&B figures like Wyclef Jean, Everlast, and of course Product G&B, now opens up... Read more

April 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Week in Video Featured 50 Cent Detailing Why G-Unit Split, Drake Being Fake, Illmatic Celebrations & More (Video)

The week in video featured 50 Cent calling out members of G-Unit by name and explaining the demise of the crew, Drake in disguise on the street clowning himself, Jhene Aiko living out the ultimate revenge fantasy against a cheating ex, an Illmatic documentary featuring Nas and Kendrick Lamar, killer... Read more

April 18, 2014 Playlists, Video

Daz Dillinger Keeps it Real Witcha (Audio)

Daz Dillinger is releasing a new solo album next week. Here's the latest single. Check out Real Witcha featuring Z-Ro. Related: Daz Dillinger is Working Overtime on His Latest Release (Audio)... Read more

April 18, 2014 Audio

Mr. Green Remixes Vinnie Paz & Planetary From Sampling Live Street Musicians (Video)

New Jersey producer has long been at work at his "Live From The Streets" segment. The producer for The Outsidaz' Young Zee and Pacewon, as well as former Roots member Malik B has a penchant for sampling street musicians, plugging them into his MPC and other samplers, and churning out... Read more

April 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nitty Scott, MC’s Second Art Of Chill Single Is Produced By Ski Beatz. The Hip-Hop Hippie Plants Some Flowers In Your Brain (Audio)

Nitty Scott, MC is releasing her hallmark project to date, The Art Of Chill, on May 23rd. The Brooklyn-by way of-Florida native is building buzz on the project. Nitty teamed with Ski Beatz, who's made a few breakthrough joints for artists (Camp Lo, Jay Z, Outsidaz), for "Feng Shui." Slow... Read more

April 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon ‘On Strike’ From Wu-Tang, Blasts RZA for ‘Mediocre’ Music

It seems Raekwon's frustrations with RZA have reached a boiling point. After directing some sharp words toward RZA in December, Rae recently sat down with Rolling Stone and had some scathing criticism of his Wu brother. See below for some quotes and head to Rolling Stone for the full article.... Read more

April 17, 2014 Fresh

KRS-One Salutes His City and the Pioneers of Hip-Hop (Audio)

KRS-One and Frank Sinatra? Why not? The Blastmaster makes a tribute to his city and the pioneers of Hip-Hop on NY, NY. Check it out. Related: KRS-One Does Not Want You to Miss 1 Word of This True School Rap (Video)... Read more

April 17, 2014 Audio

De La Soul Is Pressing Up 100 Copies Of Smell The Da.I.S.Y. & Hiding Them In Record Stores (Video)

De La Soul is forever the coolest. Following last month's Smell The Da.I.S.Y. mixtape, combining Posdnous and Dave verses, with some Maseo flavor with J Dilla beats, the group that invented the three-sided single back in the late '80s is coming to wax (white vinyl to be exact) with it.... Read more

April 17, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

MAYDAY! Combines Sharp Lyrics With An Undeniable Mind Melting Groove In Marathon Man (Video)

Miami, Florida band ¡Mayday! has a great balance of substance and style. The Strange Music artists show this off on "Marathon Man." In part takings its name from the 2012 Boston Marathon bombings one year ago this week, the charged track has lots of pain, soul, and drive. The editing... Read more

April 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common & Rhymefest Team With Urban League To Create Thousands Of Youth Jobs

Today's Chicago Sun-Times reports that two Hip-Hop stars from the city are collaborating with the Urban League to provide jobs for those in need of employment. The report suggests that currently "92% of young Black males are jobless" in the Windy City (not stating what the age range is). Rapper-turned-poilitician... Read more

April 17, 2014 Fresh

Freddie Gibbs Explains Risking It All To Move From Gary, Indiana To Los Angeles (Video)

Freddie Gibbs' Piñata album with Madlib could seem like a Gary, Indiana artist linking with one of Hip-Hop's longtime dope producers for an album together. But the facts are, 'Lib and Gibbs are Southern California neighbors. While Freddie Gibbs has run in some mainstream and Gangsta Rap circles, he's always... Read more

April 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Two Generations Of Dungeon Family Come Together: Future & Andre 3000’s Benz Friendz (Audio)

Almost 25 years ago, Positive K made "I Got A Man," an anthem about the road blocks in trying to step to an object of your desire. Off of Honest, Future and Andre 3000 take that same idea and update the language and aesthetic on "Benz Friendz (Whatchutola)." Future, although... Read more

April 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Does Pharrell Have His Next Crossover Hit With Major Lazer In The Graffiti-Inspired Aerosol Can? (Video)

As Diplo continues to amass Hip-Hop production credits with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Wale, and Yelawolf, Diplo's Mad Decent Records artists continue to gain recognition. One of the stars on the label is Major Lazer, the trio of Jillionaire, Walshy Fire and Diplo has made noise working with Snoop,... Read more

April 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Dark New Track from Mobb Deep. You Know the Outcome (Audio)

Here's a new song from Mobb Deep off DJ Whoo Kid's upcoming mixtape, The Elevation, Vol. 2. Check out The Outcome. Related: Here’s an Alternate Take of Mobb Deep’s Eye For an Eye Featuring Nas, Rae & Ghost (Audio)... Read more

April 16, 2014 Audio