Video Archives

T.I. Appoints Trae Tha Truth To Vice President Of Grand Hustle Records (Video)

For more than 30 years, MCs have held executive positions at records labels. From the days of Eazy-E's Ruthless imprint or Schoolly D Records, it is not uncommon for artists to control the music they makes and others'. Over the last 20 years, some of these labels have subsequently empowered... Read more

February 5, 2017 News, Video

DMX Is Mentoring Quadir Lateef. This Ruff Ryders MC Absolutely Stunts On The Mic. (Video)

Ruff Ryders Entertainment may not get the comparable mentions of a Roc-A-Fella or G-Unit, but they should. The label launched as an offshoot of the party promoting by the Dean siblings in the late 1980s would be responsible for an artist with five consecutive #1 albums in DMX. Moreover, the... Read more

February 5, 2017 Video

The Jigmastas Have New Music & They’ve Got Something To Say (Video)

The Jigmastas was a prominent 1990s and early 2000s duo of DJ Spinna and Kriminul (aka Krim). With Underground Hip-Hop history with Eminem, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and the late Guru, this Brooklyn, New York collective has been quiet for much of the last decade, since their days with Tommy... Read more

February 4, 2017 Video

EPMD Reveal Eric B. & Rakim Used The Rhythm To Hit Them With A Diss (Video)

Last Fall, Rakim spoke before a special live event with the Juan Epstein Podcast. There, the lyrical half of Eric B. & Rakim told Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds about a number of highlight moments surrounding his 30-plus-year career. To fans of 1980s Rap rivalries and supreme lyricism, one section... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Ab-Soul Bares His Soul In An Extremely Personal New Video

In "Evil Genius" off his 2016 album Do What Thou Wilt, Ab-Soul says "I study theology, ancient philosophy, astronomy, astrology," and in its video released today (February 3), all of those topics and then some appear. However, it's actually two highly conceptual storylines interwoven into one and is his most... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Ball So Hard: Raekwon Is Putting The Rap Game On Notice That He’s Back (Video)

At the top of February, Raekwon The Chef unleashed the first call from The Wild album, coming March 24. The Wu-Tang Clan lyrical assassin examines the jungle around him, and ambushes the attributes in the culture he doesn't like on single "This Is What It Comes Too" (as it is... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Big Sean Has Radio Hits, But His Freestyle Game Is Still On FIRE (Video)

Today (February 3), Big Sean released I Decided, his fourth solo album and the first since 2015's platinum-selling and Grammy-nominated Dark Sky Paradise. Supported by the hugely successful singles "Bounce Back," "Moves," and "Halfway Off the Balcony," I Decided features Eminem, Jeremih, Migos, The Dream, as well as a choir... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Wale Uses Groundhog Day To Show J. Cole He Walks In No One’s Shadow (Video)

In the closing days of 2016, J. Cole shocked the Hip-Hop stratosphere with his song "False Prophets (Be Like This)." While not included in the final cut of 4 Your Eyez Only, the music video did first appear in the album's corresponding documentary. Within, the Roc Nation star, approaching his... Read more

February 2, 2017 Video

Hackers Are Playing YG’s “F*** Donald Trump” On Stations Across The Country (Video)

In the days leading up to Donald Trump's inauguration, Compton rapper YG offered to perform at the event for $4 million dollars. Specifically, he was referring to his anti-Trump anthem "FDT," which he originally released last March. Featuring Nipsey Hussle, the song was given the remix treatment a few months... Read more

February 2, 2017 Video

Locksmith Attacks Racist Agendas In An Incredibly Powerful Video

Northern California has always been a bastion of progressive Rap. From The Coup to Souls of Mischief to Locksmith, MCs from the Bay Area have a storied history of incorporating knowledge of self and social consciousness (some of it no doubt inspired by the energy of the Oakland-based Black Panthers)... Read more

February 1, 2017 Video

Nas To Executive Produce “Street Dreams” Biographical Television Series

Approaching 21 years after he made his second album, It Was Written with top single "Street Dreams," these titles remain powerful statements in the life and career of Nas. After production and writing involvement in recent Netflix series The Get Down as well as film The Land (and its corresponding... Read more

February 1, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

Wyclef Jean Freestyles While Playing Guitar In One Of The Illest 5 Fingers Of Death EVER (Video)

By all accounts, Wyclef Jean is one of the most unique voices in Hip-Hop. The Haitian-born, Brooklyn-raised MC, singer, musician, and songwriter helped elevate the influence of Caribbean music in American culture, and his multilingual heritage has always been a hallmark of his work. With all of that diversity, it's... Read more

January 31, 2017 Video

Roxanne’s Revenge: Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Causes A Bidding War

More than one week ago (January 22), the biopic of MC Roxanne Shanté, Roxanne Roxanne, screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Produced by Shanté, Pharrell Williams, and Forest Whitaker, the film starring Mahershala Ali and Nia Long traces the story of the prodigious Juice Crew member born Lolita Gooden, and her... Read more

January 31, 2017 News, TV/Film

Sadat X & Diamond D Are Releasing A Joint Album. The 1st Song Is A Warning (Video)

Brand Nubian's Sadat X and D.I.T.C.'s Diamond D go back a long way. From "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down" remixes to Wild Cowboys, these two veterans from Uptown make some great music together. In April of this year, they will release a whole LP together, The Sum of... Read more

January 31, 2017 Video

Jay Lonzo Spits More Knowledge at 17 Years Old Than Many Do In a Lifetime (Video)

On January 16, J. Cole acknowledged Martin Luther King, Jr. and the ongoing fight for equality and freedom in the U.S. with "High For Hours," a poignant record that compares 2017 America to chapters in its dark past. As he says in the song, not much has changed, and slavery... Read more

January 31, 2017 Video

Dave East’s “It Was Written” Details The Journey That Led Him To Nas (Video)

One of the true jewels of Dave East's patient career is "It Was Written." The opening track to 2016's Top 40 Kairi Chanel album showed that Dave did not need to write a story to make convincing raps. The Harlem, New Yorker looks within and traces his journey from hustling,... Read more

January 30, 2017 Video

An Argument For Why Andre 3000 Is The Greatest MC Of All-Time (Video)

Who is the greatest MC of all-time? That is an age old question that has caused debates since Hip-Hop's inception, and which likely will continue for as long as rappers pick up mics. Rap is a competitive sport, steeped in battles for superiority, stemming back to the days of The... Read more

January 29, 2017 Video

Missy Elliott Is Just Better When It Comes To Making Music Videos

Last week, Bell Biv DeVoe released a song (followed by a video) called "I'm Betta." That superiority complex is a popular vibe in the music space right now. Missy Elliott names her own single "I'm Better," and jumps right to a visual. 2017 marks 20 years of the Virginia MC/producer... Read more

January 27, 2017 Video

Bell, Biv & DeVoe Reveal New Edition’s Fights Were Even Worse In Real Life (Video)

This week, the story of New Edition was told by way of a three-night film mini-series. The lives of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe, and Johnny Gill are forever bound together. Collectively, there are valleys and peaks, intersections and ejections, and tons of incredible music. The New... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Method Man, Redman & Masta Killa Bring Some Much Needed Therapy To Hip-Hop (Video)

By anyone's standards, Method Man, Redman, and Masta Killa are three MCs whose decades in Hip-Hop make them legends. Without much fanfare, they are able to provide Heads with the kind of raps it takes lesser MCs years to develop, and they've been doing it since the 1990s. Now, in... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Puffy Daddy Details How He Helped Biggie Walk The Line Between Hardcore & Mainstream

During his life, The Notorious B.I.G.'s three Top 10 solo singles were all produced by Puff Daddy. The founder and CEO of Bad Boy Records worked with his "Hitmen" on each of "Big Poppa," "One More Chance (Remix)" and 1997's "Hypnotize." Those three records, as well as 1994's "Juicy" (which peaked... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Taylor Bennett’s Short Film Is a Powerful Soundtrack For Young Love (Video)

With reports suggesting that Taylor Bennett will be releasing a new album in 2017, the younger brother of Chance the Rapper today (January 26) has unveiled a short film called Broad Shoulders, a 13-minute visual accompaniment to his 2015 debut LP of the same name. In it, the 21-year-old Chicago,... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Sean Price’s Jesus Price Supastar Brought Believers To Rap Paradise 10 Years Ago (Audio)

Ten years ago this Monday (January 30, 2007), the second coming of Rap lord and savior Sean Price occurred. On Jesus Price Supastar, his sophomore solo album, P definitely took wack MCs to “Church,” raining hellfire on the game. The immaculate LP is a solid 45 minutes of surefire rapping... Read more

January 26, 2017 Do Remember, Throwback, Video

War & Hip-Hop: Papoose Unleashes Lyrics Of Mass Destruction With Fat Joe (Video)

Fat Joe not only reunited with Remy Ma in the biggest way possible last year, he made a connected collaboration with her husband. Following the Grammy-nominated success of "All The Way Up," Joe and Pap' linked for "Back On My B.S." For two MCs who were spitting rugged raps in... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

Rick Ross & Smoke DZA Roll Like Superheroes On A Pete Rock Track (Video)

One of the most exciting collaborations of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock's 2016 release Don't Smoke Rock is "Black Superhero Car." This song pairs Rick Ross over "Chocolate Boy Wonder" production for the first time in his career. Ross, who has long been an advocate of Smoke DZA's, sounds great... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

Big Sean Discusses The Flint Water Crisis & His Mom’s Battle with Lead Poisoning (Video)

For all of the waves he's been making in Rap music, Big Sean has been equally active in philanthropy, funneling much of his own time and money into various initiatives. As the founder of the Sean Anderson Foundation in his native Detroit, Michigan, the "Bounce Back" rapper is responsible for... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

BBD Choose The Night Of Their New Edition Biopic To Show They’re Still Betta (Video)

Tonight, the long-awaited New Edition biopic, The New Edition Story, premieres on BET. The 3-part, 6-hour film promises to tell the story of the family, feuds and betrayal that defined New Edition as they grew from boys to men. Members of the group have been involved with the project every... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

In Observance Of National DJ Day, DJ Scratch Rocks The Bells With Body Tricks (Video)

DJ Scratch was recently knighted as "Grandmaster" by Kool Herc for a reason. The longtime DJ for EPMD and Flipmode Squad, who has become a highly accomplished producer has been at the peak of his craft for nearly 30 years. For a HOT 97 segment with DJ Enuff in honor... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

Consequence’s Freestyle Has A Clear Message For Mumble Rappers: “You’re A Customer” (Video)

Consequence finished out 2016 strong. The Queens, New York veteran released his A Good Comeback Story at mid-year. However, in the closing weeks of the year, his numerous appearances on A Tribe Called Quest's We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service put the 20-plus-year affiliate of the group... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

The LOX Say Biggie Took Shots At Them On Their Own Record (Video)

The LOX recently spoke about the first record they ever released for Bad Boy Entertainment. Titled "You'll See," the song was released in 1996 and contained a guest verse from the label's flagship artist, The Notorious B.I.G. Appearing on Genius' ongoing series My First Song, Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch... Read more

January 23, 2017 Video

Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Shows Hip-Hop History Is Incomplete Without Her Story

In 2015, the film Straight Outta Compton took N.W.A.'s story and projected it on not only film screens, but the mainstream consciousness. For a group of Gangsta Rap pioneers on an independent label, the record-setting film eclipsed the commercial success ever available to Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren,... Read more

January 22, 2017 News, TV/Film, Video

Fat Joe Unsung Tells The Story Of 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Most Enduring Superstars (Video)

Since 1993, Fat Joe has been a mainstay in Hip-Hop. In a genre that cycles through stars every few years and considers artists from as recently as 10 years ago, "Old School," his longevity is miraculous. Time and again, Joe has re-invented himself, going from Joey Crack to R&B Rap... Read more

January 22, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Snoop Dogg Recalls Meeting Tupac & Nearly Battle Rapping (Video)

In 1996, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg would release several collaborations, beginning with All Eyez On Me video single "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted." Snoop has previously credited himself with recruiting Shakur to join Death Row Records in 1995, when the Long Beach, California MC was the standout MC at... Read more

January 22, 2017 Video

Run the Jewels & Zack de la Rocha Bring Explosive Anti-Trump Energy on Stage (Video)

In the nation's capital last night (January 19), Run the Jewels put on a particularly significant show. The politically minded duo of El-P and Killer Mike turned it up a notch on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration, inviting Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha to join... Read more

January 20, 2017 Video

SiR Is The Latest Signee To TDE & He Brings A Ton Of Soul (Video)

Over the last 5 years, Top Dawg Entertainment has grown into one of music's most powerful and respected record labels. TDE is the home to some of Hip-Hop's most celebrated MCs, including Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Isaiah Rashad. Those who follow closely, however, also know that... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

The Cast Of “The New Edition Story” Show Their Real Musical Chops During A Freestyle Battle (Video)

Next week, The New Edition Story, the long-awaited biopic about the collective of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell and Johnny Gill will premiere. The 6-hour, 3-part mini-series will air on BET on January 24-26, and, by the looks of early footage and reviews, it is... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Ras Kass’ Powerful New Video Shows The Chilling Reality Of Our Amerikkkan Horror Story

On the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States, Ras Kass is unveiling the video for "Amerikkkan Horror Story." And why not? Trump's campaign has been plagued with ties to a White nationalist (read: White supremacy) movement, and with a presidential cabinet comprised overwhelmingly of White... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Joey Bada$$’s 1 Minute Freestyle Goes Long In Staying Woke (Video)

Joey Bada$$'s 2016 single "Devastated" was recently certified gold. The Brooklyn, New Yorker's plaque came from music a bit different than what got the Pro Era MC to the mainstream in the first place. However, make no mistake about it: "Joseph Badmon" is still spitting the kind of lines that... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Louie Anderson Details How An Act Of Kindness Landed His Role In Coming To America (Video)

Twenty nine years ago, Eddie Murphy struck gold when he made Coming To America. The romantic comedy has endured as a classic, thanks to a number of roles taken on by Murphy. One of Hollywood's top earners and top draws of the day, Eddie was surrounded by a cast of... Read more

January 19, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Nick Grant Has The Respect Of Hip-Hop’s Greats Because He’s Earned It (Video)

Last Friday (January 13), Nick Grant released his debut album, Return of the Cool. However, as his latest music video indicates, he has been a student of Hip-Hop for years in the making. "Luxury Vintage Rap" finds Nick in a hoodie, in a grimy corridor of a falling apart house.... Read more

January 17, 2017 Video

Juice Turns 25 Years Old. This Collection Shows Why It’s Still Hard As Steel (Video)

Twenty five years ago today (January 17, 1992), Ernest R. Dickerson's directorial debut film Juice hit theaters. Starring Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur (in addition to Samuel L. Jackson), the film adapted a classic story-line of deception, betrayal, and greed within a circle of friends. For Shakur, a trained actor,... Read more

January 17, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Nick Grant Makes His Network TV Debut & Brings Down the House (Video)

With a Martin Luther King, Jr., themed slideshow adorning the set's ceiling, Nick Grant made his network television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night (January 16). It was the biggest look yet for the South Carolina MC, who just last week released his debut studio effort,... Read more

January 17, 2017 Video

A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

It could be argued that Craig Mack is one of Hip-Hop's greatest one-hit wonders. 1994's "Flava In Ya Ear" and star-studded remix helped make a name for Craig, as well as his label-mate The Notorious B.I.G., and their leader Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. However, Craig's career and Hip-Hop philosophy has... Read more

January 15, 2017 TV/Film, Video

The LOX’s “What Else You Need To Know” May Be Their Realest Song Yet (Video)

Last month, The LOX released their first album together in 16 years. While the trio of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch have been mainstays on the scene since their debut, through EPs, mixtapes and guest appearances, the announcement of the new LP, Filthy America...It's Beautiful, set the Hip-Hop world... Read more

January 14, 2017 Video

Cassidy Doesn’t Even Need a Beat To Outrap MCs, Bar None (Video)

Opening up 2017 with what can already be deemed one of the year's most impressive freestyles, Cassidy was Funkmaster Flex's latest guest at Hot97 and delivered yet another scorcher. Heads may recall that on January 4, the Philadelphia MC blacked out for some extemporaneous flows over a handful of beats... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

Outkast Affiliate Mr. DJ Makes A Funky Beat In Stankonia Using Dilla’s Donuts (Video)

Outkast Heads know Mr. DJ. Not only is the Georgia veteran the mixmaster on stage when Andre 3000 and Big Boi do their rare shows, he's been with the group for more than 20 years. Mr. DJ is also the third member of Earthtone III (fka Earthtone Ideas), the production... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

Raekwon, Pete Rock, Scarface & Vince Staples Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap (Video)

March 13 UPDATE: Complex has released a longer video from the "Discussions" event in November 2016: Last November, Long Beach, California hosted ComplexCon, a two-day event featuring performances, panels, and more all devoted to music and culture. As part of the convention, veteran radio personality and Hip-Hop artist Angie Martinez... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

Just 2 Weeks Into January, Saba Kicks A Freestyle That Sets The Bars HIGH (Video)

Saba may not be a household name...yet, but many of his affiliates are some of the most talented artists of this generation. As they say, "birds of a feather flock together," and that is certainly the case for Saba. The Chicago MC has worked on several Chance The Rapper projects,... Read more

January 12, 2017 Video

Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans & More Recall The Making Of Biggie’s One More Chance Remix (Video)

Approaching a year after The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die released, Biggie Smalls, Puff Daddy, and the Bad Boy Records family were still hard at work delivering it to the masses. While Junior M.A.F.I.A. was fast at work on their own offshoot debut, Puffy commissioned an album-cut remix. "One More... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

BJ The Chicago Kid Was Part Of History Last Night. Here’s How His Story Began (Video)

Chicago recently hosted President Barack Obama's official farewell event, a bittersweet moment in which the 44th commander-in-chief of the United States said a tearful (but uplifting) goodbye. Beyond his farewell address, the event included musical performances, including one from the Windy City's own BJ the Chicago Kid. Many Heads likely... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video