Fresh Archives

New Music From Rapsody to Wind Down the Year? Why not…Here’s Betty Shabazz (Audio)

Rapsody goes HAM on a knocking 9th Wonder track. Check out Betty Shabazz from the upcoming Jamla is the Squad compilation from 9th Wonder's label. Related: 9th Wonder talks owning his own label, creating beats and more with AFH (Video)... Read more

December 23, 2013 Audio

Suge Knight & Snoop Hanging Out?? Yeah, 2013 Was a Crazy Year For Hip-Hop. Here’s a Photo Recap (Food For Thought)

The old adage, "a picture's worth a thousand words" often proves to be true. Let's hope so for 2013, which by way of Instagram, Twipic, and some inner-circle released photos, told Heads plenty of stories. From unlikely reunions to time-pieces, to first steps for Hip-Hop kind, what a year... Here... Read more

December 23, 2013 Food for Thought

A 1990 Freestyle Surfaces From The Juice Crew’s Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, MC Shan, Tragedy Khadafi & Craig G (Audio)

Earlier this year, Tim Westwood lost his longtime post at BBC Radio. The London, England-based radio/video personality has been spoofed by Afion Crockett for his enthusiasm and friendly-fire with guests. However, Heads in the know recognize that Tim Westwood's work in Hip-Hop goes back to the '80s. Need proof? UnKut.com... Read more

December 23, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

What Was Your Most Memorable Sports Moment in 2013? Skillz Recaps the Year in Sports…in Verse (Video)

Skillz has a tradition of recapping the year in rhyme. This year, he does a sports edition and it's all there...the Super Bowl blackout, the Heat championship, Lance Armstrong, the Red Sox, Kobe, Tiger and much more--all set to images that will take you right back to the moment. Check... Read more

December 22, 2013 Video

This Week’s Hip-Hop Round Up is Strictly About the Music Videos…Kendrick, Eminem, K.R.I.T., Rapsody and More (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video was highlighted by several visually-compelling music videos. Rapsody transformed into The Joker, Kendrick Lamar had an artist create a piece for Sing About Me, Eminem sought out Dr. Dre and Rihanna for therapy and more. Check out the video playlist below. Related: Last Week in... Read more

December 22, 2013 Playlists, Video

The Internet Have Done The Brand New Heavies Proud With This Timeless Soul Groove (Audio)

If you dig some of the acid jazz bands of the early 90's like The Brand New Heavies, D'Influence and Icognito, this new track by The Internet featuring Nicky Davey will make your day better--no matter how good it already is. It sounds just like it's titled. Check out Timeless.... Read more

December 22, 2013 Audio

Here’s a Dark and Twisted Take on a “Christmas Carol” From Killer Mike & El-P (Video)

When Run The Jewels' first album dropped this Summer, album closer "A Christmas F*ckin' Miracle" seemed a long way away. El's beat kinda had that caroling feel, while both men slowed it down for some of the best, most open verses of the amazing album. Just in time for Christmas... Read more

December 22, 2013 Video

Rest In Peace To Three 6 Mafia’s Lord Infamous

Yesterday (December 21), tragic news hit the media that onetime Three 6 Mafia member, Lord Infamous has passed away. The 40 year-old Horrorcore pioneer is believed to have died in his sleep from a heart attack in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. From the earliest days of Three 6, until... Read more

December 22, 2013 Fresh

How Has Talib Kweli Stayed Relevant After 15+ Years? Here’s What He Had to Say (Video)

After more than 15 years, Talib Kweli remains one of the most talented and relevant MCs in Hip-Hop. He recently sat for an extended interview with NYC's Hot 97 to discuss his longevity, his new Gravitas album, the state of New York Hip-Hop and more. Check out the video. Related:... Read more

December 21, 2013 Video

Sway Has Got the Answer…Allen Iverson That Is. He Opens Up About His Early Retirement and More (Video)

Kanye West infamously told Sway he didn't have the answers but Sway recently sat down with the Answer, Allen Iverson. They spoke about why AI chose to retire so early, how he feels about basketball now, who he thinks is the best MC right now and more. Check out the... Read more

December 21, 2013 Video

Arsenio Hall Gives Chance the Rapper His First Shot on Latenight TV. Check out the Performance (Video)

In the 90's, The Arsenio Hall show was one of the few places on TV that was friendly to Hip-Hop. At the time, no other latenight talk shows were supporting the genre. Things have changed since then, but Arsenio is still giving some artists their first shots on the big... Read more

December 20, 2013 Video

Pharrell Talks with Leonard Nimoy About All Things Spock (Video)

In a meeting of Star Track and Star Trek, Pharrell sat down with Leonard Nimoy to talk all things Spock. The pair discussed the creation of the Spock character, how the Vulcan salute came to be, the controversy behind some of Nimoy's photography projects and more. Check out the video.... Read more

December 20, 2013 Video

Rapsody Transforms Into the Joker in the Video for Dark Knights (Video)

Though she did not have an "album" in 2013, Rapsody had her strongest year ever with She Got Game. One of the many standout tracks from the project was Dark Knights which uses Batman metaphors throughout. Rapsody takes it one step further in the video by transforming into the Joker... Read more

December 20, 2013 Video

Former Stars Of Rap-A-Lot Records Have A Rare, Really Candid Roundtable Interview (Audio)

One of the cool (at the same tragic) things about Rap-A-Lot Records was how the '80s-'90s stars of the label—true of today too—did very little press. While Scarface, Willie D, and Bushwick Bill were on MTV, BET, and The Box, guys like Ganxsta Nip, Seagram, Menace Clan, The Terrorists, Mad... Read more

December 20, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Taking A Page From Nas, Rakim Makes An Unauthorized Biography Of Nelson Mandela (Audio)

Almost a decade after Nas made "U.B.R." (the unauthorized biography of Rakim), Rakim raps the life of the late South African President Nelson Mandela. The song is called "Madiba," (Mandela's nickname, in part, meaning "father") and is said to appear on the upcoming film soundtrack, Mandela: The Long Walk To... Read more

December 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Did You Know Chance the Rapper Almost Threw Up on Kendrick Lamar? He Tells Nardwaur That Story and Much More (Video)

This is a particularly interesting Nardwaur interview. Chance The Rapper enjoys the gifts and knowledge from the Human Serviette during a recent Vancouver, British Columbia show, but the microphone becomes of a bit of a space issue. Along the way though, Nardwuar prods Chance into discussing some critical '90s Chi-Town... Read more

December 19, 2013 Video

Guess Who’s Coming to The Grammy Awards? Kendrick Lamar Will Take the Stage

For some folks, watching the Grammy Awards in their dens, bedrooms and livingrooms is as close to an actual concert as they get all year. Additionally, the annual Winter performance opens up Heads in all different genres to each other's breakthrough artists. How many folks first saw Adele through Grammy's?... Read more

December 19, 2013 Fresh

The Lox Jack Pusha T For a Couple of Beats and Make Them Their Own. Check out Nosetalgia & Sweet Serenade Freestyles (Audio)

The Lox gave the Hip-Hop world an early Christmas gift yesterday by releasing a surprise EP. The giving continues with a couple of freestyles from them over Pusha T's Nosestalgia and Sweet Serenade. Check out both below. Related: And Just Like That…Here’s a Brand New EP from The Lox (Audio)... Read more

December 19, 2013 Audio

You Probably Never Heard Asher Roth Like This Before (Audio)

If Queen Latifah can make vocal Jazz albums, and Heavy D can make Reggae albums, the confines of genre should have been eradicated in Hip-Hop years ago. With one solo album under his belt, and an EP with Nottz, Asher Roth has been a "known" artist for just over five... Read more

December 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Clams Casino Releases Another Block Of Instrumentals, Including Beats For MF DOOM & Mac Miller (Mixtape)

Nutley, New Jersey's own, Clams Casino, stayed strong in 2013. Amidst a three, four-year run with joints for A$AP Rocky, Lil B, Mac Miller, and MF DOOM, C.C. stays the course. In keeping with tradition, he released a new Instrumentals download project. Over the years, these have defied genre and... Read more

December 19, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

O.C. Reflects On His Day With A Whole New Flow On A Dreamy Ray West Beat (Audio)

If you listen to O.C.'s 1994 debut album Word...Life you'll get some deeply introspective MC'ing. O is a master at calling back to childhood memories, or analyzing a situation differently after the fact. While he's worked with production kingpins like DJ Premier, Buckwild, and Da Beatminerz, O's beat-selection always puts... Read more

December 18, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Like Pink Floyd? Like George Washington & Ben Franklin Getting It In? Check This (Video)

DJ House Shoes' affiliate DertBeats made a very cool flip of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon hit "Money." The re-imagined beat has that thump, and serves as a true MPC clinic to anybody who studies arrangement. Well, there's a fantastic new video to capture the street vibe of... Read more

December 18, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Freddie Gibbs Has Moves To Make On A Young Chop Beat, So Deuces (Video)

Young Chop has been a go-to hit-maker for Drill music guys like Chief Keef and Lil' Reese. With Gary, Indiana being just outside of Chicago, Illinois, it's a worthwhile experiment to hear the precise fast-rapping of Freddie Gibbs, never one to show much pity, with the cold, relentless tracks of... Read more

December 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

Casey Veggies & Chase N. Cashe Show L.A.’s Lush Surroundings (Video)

Days after the Scion-endorsed audio for "Me & Mine" was released, Casey Veggies and Chase N. Cashe hit the road for the visual. With some light-handed Scion tie-ins, the pair show you a colorful, crisp Hollywood with clever editing, and a complementary vibe to the chilled out track. Related: Ambrosia... Read more

December 18, 2013 Fresh, Video

Lauryn Hill Performs an Inspired 11-Minute Reggae-Influenced Version of Ex-Factor (Video)

Over the years, Lauryn Hill has re-arranged her classics many times with varying results. Recently, she performed at New York's Bowery Ball Room and unleashed this version of Ex-Factor. It replaces the tender soul of the original with a muscular reggae-tinged groove. It's different but also very compelling. Check out... Read more

December 18, 2013 TV

Slaughterhouse is Back to Attack the Wack in Hip-Hop. Here’s Their New Single, Party (Audio)

Slaughterhouse is back with an aggressive new track going at everything and everyone fake. The song was produced by Just Blaze and Cardiak and Joey, Royce, Joell and Crooked hold no punches. Check out Party...but don't let the title fool you. Related: Eminem & Slaughterhouse Revive Rap City With A... Read more

December 18, 2013 Audio

And Just Like That…Here’s a Brand New EP from The Lox (Audio)

Less than a week after Beyonce rocked the music world by releasing a surprise album, The Lox have delivered an early Christmas gift to the Hip-Hop world. They've just released a new EP on iTunes called The Trinity and they are using the name The Lox (no D-Block). Check out... Read more

December 18, 2013 Audio

Wale Addresses His Complex Issues on a New, Emotionally-Charged Song (Audio)

A day after addressing his recent issues (and last week's threats) with Complex magazine and their "Top 50 Albums Of 2013" with Peter Rosenberg and Ebro at HOT 97, Wale drops his reactions off to Funkmaster Flex, in song. "Walk N' Live" seemingly speaks to the magazine, referencing "opinions," "judgement,"... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Planet Asia & Gold Chain Military Recreate An MC Lyte Classic (Video)

"Cha Cha Cha"-meets-"Cha, Cha, Chain" as Planet Asia and Killa Kali recreate MC Lyte's 1989 King Of Chill-produced single. Over three years removed from the group's Chain Of Command album, Asia—fresh from successes with 2012's Black Belt Theatre and this year's 360 Waves with his other, other crew, Durag Dynasty.... Read more

December 17, 2013 Fresh, Video

Mac Miller Steps Up His Game on His Live From Space Album. Here’s a Full Stream (Audio)

Since the very beginning of his career, Mac Miller's live show has been his calling card. The Rostrum Records MC/producer brings stage theatrics, stories, and all the charm that's won over audiences to his performances in venues large and small. Taking two fan favorites of late, "Star Room" and "Killin'... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. & Slim Thug Let Their Trunks Wave Alongside Boston George (Video)

In the post-UGK era, does anybody make better songs about cars (or for cars) than Big K.R.I.T.? In his glass-house with the bowling-ball swirl, Meridian's finest keeps the anthems going, the bass thumping, and those soulful grooves that jam at red lights and the open road. Slim Thug is another... Read more

December 17, 2013 Fresh, Video

Sean Price & M-Phazes – Land Of The Crooks (Album Stream)

Coalmine Records loves teaming dope MCs with dope producers—whether it's Nottz and Blu, Guilty Simpson and Small Professor, or El Da Sensei and Poland's The Returners, it's all about collaboration in the digi-age. That's the case with late 2013's Sean Price EP with Melbourne, Australia's M-Phazes. M's a longtime Duck... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Snoop Dogg & Terrace Martin Know About Trees… Christmas Trees (Audio)

1996's Christmas was accented beautifully by Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound's "Santa Clause Go Straight To The Ghetto." The Death Row Records video, complete with a '64 Chevrolet Impala sleigh, was a G-Funk addition to the growing Christmas Hip-Hop canon. Seventeen years later, Snoop and his Locke High homie... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio, Fresh

J Dilla’s Music Lives On. Here’s a Full Stream of His Dillatroit Compilation of Rare Grooves (Audio)

The J Dilla Foundation has released a compilation of rare Dilla grooves. Many of these have found their ways to the 'net in various forms but are now available as one official set. You can stream and buy all of Dillatroit below. Related: J. Dilla Brings Out the Best in... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio

Mobb Deep Dusts Off An Infamy Classic For A Mack Wilds Remix With French Montana (Audio)

While everybody is stuck on The Infamous, Hell On Earth, and Murda Muzik, Mobb Deep's fifth album, Infamy remains pretty tight. The last Loud Records effort featured Big Noyd and The Infamous Mobb close, with some of Havoc's best work. One cut that still gets "Burn" is the track of... Read more

December 17, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Wale Addresses Complex Threat, Says Jay Z & Q-Tip Reacted To The News (Video)

After being silent since Friday (December 13), Wale finally addressed his taped phone-call with Complex magazine Associate Editor Insanul Ahmed. The Maybach Music Group verbally threatened the staff of the site and magazine, urging them to notify security in advance. The dispute stemmed from Wale's The Gifted being omitted from... Read more

December 17, 2013 Fresh, Video

Eminem Works Through His Past with Dr. Rihanna in the Video for The Monster (Video)

Eminem's video for The Monster is layered. On one level, Eminem is visually working through his past with Rihanna cast as a therapist (along with the good Dr. Dre). On another level, Em continues the theme of revisiting the Marshall Mathers LP by recreating some of the more memorable visual... Read more

December 16, 2013 Video

DJ Premier Flexes a New Sound with Disclosure…and it’s a Stone Cold Groove (Audio)

DJ Premier provided UK artist Disclosure with a remix to their song Latch that is a departure from his patented boom bap and definitive scratches. The song is full of melody and soul. It's a great expansion for Primo and an excellent look for Disclosure. Check it out. Related: DJ... Read more

December 16, 2013 Audio

Stream Talib Kweli’s Gravitas Album in Full (Audio)

In a week dominated by Beyonce's surprise album release, Talib Kweli carries the torch for the independent artist. Kweli has released his Gravitas album completely on his own and now he is giving fans the opportunity to stream it before buying it. Take a listen to Gravitas here and support... Read more

December 16, 2013 Audio

Beyonce & Jay Z Send Kim & Kanye Over A Bottle In Drunk In Love (Video)

Perhaps intimate music videos with your significant other is the move in 2013? Less than a month after Kanye West's "Bound 2" video extensively featuring his companion and daughter's mother Kim Kardashian, Beyonce drops her own similar visual. "Drunk In Love" (deliberately following "Crazy In Love"?) features black and white... Read more

December 16, 2013 Fresh, Video

Mac Miller Continues His Soulful Sonic Journey on Eggs Aisle (Audio)

2013 was a transitional year for Mac Miller. He went from crafting more light-hearted music in the past to releasing an album that was deep, introspective and very soulful, with Watching Movies with the Sound Off. Tonight, he is releasing a new album called Live From Space, and he's shown... Read more

December 16, 2013 Throwback

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