Audio Archives

Rah Digga Uncages The Beast On Animal. Tread Lightly…(Audio)

Rah Digga unleashes the fury of every wild beast in the animal kingdom in her latest drop "Animal", proving that, in her 20 years in the music industry, her ambush-style lyrical abilities continue to evolve. The MC shows and proves as she preys on microphones and weak MCs in her... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

Dynas Gets Busy On ‘Em, Putting His Skills Above All Else (Premiere)

Following his stellar, storytelling collaboration with Slick Rick ("Who U?"), South Florida's Dynas returns with his sophomore single from his EMPIRE-distributed Big and Tall, with producer Tony Galvin. "Busy" welcomes DJ Klassik's aggressive scratching, and Tony's Bomb Squad-influenced beat. Over-top, Dynas uses the moment to describe where he fits within... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio, Exclusive

Keith Murray, Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers & SKAM2? Vow No Sleep Til’ Success (Audio)

It can be incredibly easy to set a goal for yourself, and rest once you've achieved it. However, the music industry does not sleep—nor can many of those we live in it. Joell Ortiz has a group personally handled by one of the biggest personalities in all of music. Keith... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

D12’s dEnAuN Empties His Backpack & The Contents Slam (FreEP)

Producer/MC dEnAuN (a/k/a Mr. Porter) released a new six-song EP today (May 7), Stuff In My Backpack. The EP offers a refreshing and crisp sound that displays the evolution of the Detroit, Michigan native's lengthy career (despite several name-changes) Compelling lyricism along with gritty beats gives dEnAuN a chance to shine apart... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi & The LOX Play 3-On-3 On The Rhyme Court (Audio)

Fresh off of the news that Capone-N-Noreaga was reuniting with mentor Tragedy Khadafi, Capone and N.O.R.E. recruit their War Report special ops role-player for a worthy cause. "3 On 3" is some MC ish, as The L.O.X. trio joins C-N-N and Trag' for a little showmanship with the mic. All... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio

Rah Digga Reaches For That Raw, Alongside William Cooper (Audio)

Celebrating the just-released God's Will, Black Market Militia member William Cooper drops the high-energy "Closer to God." As a harrowing Gospel-laced backdrop plays, Cooper calls forth the assistance of New Jersey Rap queen Rah Digga, and the spirited lyricists devour the beat with explosive efficiency. Produced by Cooper's longtime right-hand... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio

Think Suicide Doors Are Rap Lyric Cliche? Skyzoo Unlocks The Freshness (Audio)

Skyzoo Heads know that the Brooklyn, New Yorker lives in two worlds. On one hand, the onetime Jamla/Duck Down Records MC is a product of the underground. Sky' has a grassroots career that was built off of hot 12" singles, circulating his name through mixtapes, and working with a vast... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Nyck Caution Kick The Truth to the Youth Over New School Boom Bap (Audio)

Nyck Caution is the latest member of the Pro Era crew to step towards the spotlight. With help from the original break-out Joey Bada$$ and a nostalgic beat from Chuck Strangers, the rising Rap talent delivers “World in Your Pocket." This cut encourages today's youth to choose their friendships and... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

25 Years Ago, Pete Rock Was DJ’ing On Airwaves. Listen In (Mix)

On May 20, 1989, Pete Rock was just 18 years old. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker was Marley Marl's right-hand-man on WBLS' "In Control" show. Two years before he would be making hits alongside CL Smooth for Elektra Records, Pete Rock was a heralded sound-selector, moving New York City and... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio, Throwback

From Philly To Your Hood, STS x RJD2 Feels Like Home (Album Stream)

Ever since the release of their 2013 jam “See You Leave” (From RJD2's More Is Than Isn't), it was clear that RJD2 and STS had musical chemistry. Two years and several collabs later, the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based “Sugar Tongue” wordsmith (and Roots affiliate) and world-renowned producer have finally released an... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Snoop Recruits Rick Ross & Kendrick Lamar on the Soulful I’m Ya Dogg (Audio)

Snoop Dogg's album BUSH is set to hit stores on May 12. The LP will be Snoop's first since signing his new deal with Pharrell, and it will be produced by the hitmaker. Snoop has released several tracks from the album, many featuring Charlie Wilson, and all with a distinctly... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Vic Mensa’s Down On My Luck Gets Chuck Inglish’s Groovy Reconsideration (Audio)

Almost to the week, it's been a year since Vic Mensa brought out some modern-day Hip-House with "Down On My Luck." Complete with a psychedelic video, the Chicago, Illinois MC touched on pain, release, sadness, and catharsis in a song that was more R&B and Deep House than traditional Rap... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Ever Been a Sucker for Love? Jill Scott’s Done Chasing Fool’s Gold (Audio)

Jill Scott's new music has a ton of punch to it. Following up March's pained "You Don't Know" video, Jilly From Philly reflects on mistakes with more pep to her step. "Fools Gold" looks back at chasing the wrong situations, even when the writing was on the wall. Moreover, the... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Camp Lo Re-Team With Luchini Producer Ski Beatz on Black Jesus (Audio)

Camp Lo is in tact with their original mentor/producer Ski Beatz. However, the upcoming Ragtime Hightimes (May 19) is not a regurgitation of that Uptown Saturday Night sound. Instead, "Black Jesus" is just the latest example of Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede's ability to flex new styles. The 20-plus-year pair... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Raekwon Discusses His New Album & Wu-Tang Clan’s Complicated History With Ice-T (Audio)

In his recent Final Level Podcast episode (#34) Ice-T (joined by co-host Mick Benzo) welcomes Raekwon to the show. The Wu-Tang Clan co-founder previously made an appearance in Ice's touted Hip-Hop documentary Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap. The podcast begins with small-talk, as the three discuss their favorite sports teams,... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Kxng Crooked Remakes A 1990s Rock Power-Ballad (Audio)

Slaughterhouse MC Kxng Crooked (a/k/a Crooked I) and Shalé pair up in “I Didn't Mean to Treat You Bad”, a single from the recently dropped collaborative effort When Music Worlds Collide. In this experimental jam, producers DJ King Tech (The Wake Up Show) and company create a fresh interpretation of... Read more

May 3, 2015 Audio

From the 70s to the 90s…There’s No Beat Styles P Can’t Wreck (Audio)

Styles P continues his streak of weekly freestyle with a double feature. "Give Me Your Ghost" features Styles flowing over Curtis Mayfield's ultra-soulful "Give Me Your Love" from the Superfly soundtrack. Ghost sounds right at home over Mayfield's laid back groove. For the 2nd release of the day (third if... Read more

May 1, 2015 Audio

Mac Miller Strikes Back, With Bars That Slash His Recent Silence (Audio)

For nearly six months, Mac Miller has been unusually quiet. The Most Dope front man has a new label home, production work, recording responsibilities, and plenty of material to let marinate on the minds of Hip-Hop Heads. "Boo (Interlude)" emerges from this quiet, reminding the world that the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... Read more

May 1, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss & Styles P Rock A Rhyme Routine For The Block (Audio)

For recent weeks, Jadakiss and Styles P have set the weekend off with borrowed beats and venerable verses. This time, holding Cam'ron and Prodigy's "Losin' Weight" for a second, they take on the task together. "Block Work" is street-focused, using images from the hustle to show the kind of strength... Read more

May 1, 2015 Audio

Erick Sermon Makes Room For Joell Ortiz & Sheek Louch on One Star-Studded Track (Audio)

Erick Sermon has been teasing the arrival of a new album for several months, but the moment is almost here. On a recent interview with Sway, E-Double said fans could expect ESP to arrive in June, and listed off a host of guest MCs featured on the album, including Method... Read more

April 30, 2015 Audio

ONYX’s Latest Protest Song Advocates “No Justice, No Peace” (Audio)

ONYX (Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr) recently released "Against All Authorities," an outcry against the agencies that are not protecting nor serving all people. The New York City vets rallied up the troops and pointed fingers at law enforcement, courts, and legislators. Now, the stripped-down lineup of the 100 Mad... Read more

April 30, 2015 Audio

Scarface Calls The Diary His Dark Side of the Moon. Says He Found Himself With the Album (Audio)

Brad "Scarface" Jordan has emerged as an uncontested legend in Hip-Hop and one of the pioneers of the Southern sound. After 29 years, he is still actively engaged in the Rap community. From the release of his first solo album, in 1991, Mr Scarface Is Back, this Geto Boy's storytelling has... Read more

April 29, 2015 Audio

Black Rob Reveals Rolling With Bad Boy Before Biggie, Debilitating Stroke (Audio)

With a new album in stores (Genuine Article), Harlem, New York's Black Rob recently checked in at the Combat Jack Show. The former Bad Boy Records MC opened up about the struggles he's encountered during his career, which pinnacled with 1999 crossover, "Whoa!" B.R. had no problem speaking candidly about... Read more

April 29, 2015 Audio

Agallah Gets A Career Highlight With A Fiery Big Daddy Kane (Audio)

While the EPMD family tree can quickly point to Redman, Das-EFX, DJ Scratch and Keith Murray as successful proteges, there are plenty more. As K-Solo was a verbal varsity "letterman," Craig Mack blossomed under the fold. Later on, in the '90s, "8-Off The Assassin" l/k/a "Agallah" was within the last... Read more

April 29, 2015 Audio

Bumpy Knuckles Releases Some Laid-Back Protest Music for Baltimore (Audio)

Bumpy Knuckles (aka Freddie Foxxx) has a vast catalog of aggressive music with enough energy to start a riot. However, in these times of unrest, he's released a laid-back, soulful song. But, make no mistake, this is protest music. "Can I Get a Break?!?" plays like an open letter to... Read more

April 28, 2015 Audio

Dres & Jarobi Plug In, Amp Up & Rock Out (Audio)

Dres (n/k/a Black Sheep Dres) and Jarobi (A Tribe Called Quest) go way back. Before EvitaN (their group together), these two New York City MCs were founders in the Native Tongues movement, bringing knowledge for your mental over grooves for your backside. "Ain't No Day That The Sun Don't Shine"... Read more

April 28, 2015 Audio

Oddisee’s The Good Fight Battles To Be Among 2015’s Best (Album Stream)

Today (April 28), Oddisee released his seventh solo studio album, The Good Fight. The Mello Music Group release includes 12 tracks, featuring the Washington, D.C. native's verses, melodies, and production. The Diamond District member follows up 2013's Tangible Dream with an album, that based on its early singles, videos, and... Read more

April 28, 2015 Audio

Sean Price Borrows Kanye West’s Breakthrough Beat and Spits The Truth (Audio)

In a career that's 20 years old, Sean Price has been very calculated with mixtape releases. Three times, the Brownsville, Brooklyn MC has offered up a non-album release, and starting with 2004's Donkey Sean, Jr., (before Monkey Barz) each time they have been a warning shot before an album that's... Read more

April 28, 2015 Audio

From Yonkers to Brooklyn: Fabolous Has Got These 90s Freestyles on Lox (Audio)

After several weeks of stellar freestyles over 90s beats, Fabolous remains at the head of the pack. Loso has delivered some of his best verses in years over tracks by Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan and Puff Daddy and the Family. His latest strikes close to home, literally and figuratively. Fab... Read more

April 25, 2015 Audio

Lloyd Banks Perfectly Matches The Pharcyde’s Flow on His Passin’ Me By Freestyle (Audio)

Lloyd Banks has released some of the best freestyles of the month, but he's outdone himself with the latest. Banks picks The Pharcyde's seminal "Passin' Me By" track, produced by J-Swift, and perfectly mimics the flows and cadences of multiple members of the group. As the G-Unit member tailors his... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

Styles P Has Got the Inner City Blues. What’s Going On in 2015? A Lot…(Audio)

From The D.O.C. to Scarface, Spice 1 to Yasiin Bey, Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" has been the source of some of Hip-Hop's most meditative songs. The dark chords from the original pulled one of Gaye's deepest performances from him, as he pondered the ills of ghettos across America. Styles... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

Few MCs Can Flow on a Big Daddy Kane Classic. Jadakiss is One of Them (Audio)

"Raw," "Ain't No Half Steppin'," "Smooth Operator"...Those are Big Daddy Kane classics, for sure, but for many Heads there is no finer lyrical performance from Kane than the one he dropped on 1989's "Young, Gifted and Black." There was no hook, no smooth R&B, just BDK detonating a two minute... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar and Glasses Malone Search for Harmony Over a Bone Thugs Inspired Track (Audio)

Although there have been a slew of freestyles over classic Hip-Hop tracks from the 90s lately, Glasses Malone's "Thuggin'" featuring Kendrick Lamar is something different. The two MCs come together on an interpolation of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's seminal "Foe Tha Love of $" and flip the script. Rather than a celebration... Read more

April 23, 2015 Audio

Twista & Do Or Die Give Fans That Classic Chi City Choppin’ (Audio)

The appeal in a Twista & Do Or Die joint EP lies in the fact that both of these acts have been pioneering voices from Chicago, Illinois. With that effort, these West Side Chi City stars helped define a style, an attitude, and a po' pimp grit that remains integral... Read more

April 22, 2015 Audio

Knxwledge Lives Out His Hud Dreems After Producing Rap’s A-List (Audio)

Los Angeles, California-residing producer Knxwledge has been an active member of his city's eclectic beat/instrumental scene. His distinct method of blending Jazz record, psychadelic riffs and unique rhythms have gained him quite a bit notoriety and Hip-Hop heads may recognize him for his work with noteworthy MCs like Kendrick Lamar,... Read more

April 22, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa’s Chemistry Never Rests, Even If They Do (Audio)

After a friendly, little conversation on Twitter, Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa have leaked another single from their newest project, #2009. Heads have seen and heard Jet Life and Taylor Gang collaborate on numerous singles and celebrated mixtapes like their 2009 joint project How Fly, but after the release of "Uber... Read more

April 22, 2015 Audio

De La Soul & Nas Are Hip-Hop Gods & Their Collaboration Is Heavenly (Audio)

De La Soul and Nas have been two of the most dependable sources of Hip-Hop music, with nearly 50 years, combined. Crossing paths in one of 2015's biggest collaborations so far, Posdnous, Dave, Maseo, and Nasir sound incredible together on "God It." Presumably the first 2015 public presentation from De... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

Slick Rick’s Great Adventures Cross Paths In Miami With Dynas (Premiere)

Slick Rick does not make many guest appearances—it is part of what makes the storyteller laureate so great. However, MC Ricky D must like South Florida veteran MC Dynas, as he starts the party on "Who U?" The rapped story finds Rick in Miami, Florida, at a gym off of... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio, Exclusive

ONYX Are Back and Ready to Revolt Against All Corrupt Authorities (Audio)

Since the days of "Slam," ONYX have always made fighting music. As the years have progressed, so has the message for Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr. The two have returned with more riot music but the target is very different than before. "Against All Authorities," their new release and the... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

AZ, DJ Premier & Joe Budden Put It Down For MoSS’s Breakthrough (Audio)

Heads may or may not be up on MoSS, yet... Working closely with DJ Premier and Year Round Records for years, the Toronto, Ontario producer has produced for certified lyrical vets such as Ghostface Killah, Sean Price, and Big Shug. Having also contributed a full project with Eternia (2010's At... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

Raekwon & A$AP Rocky Draw Parallels In Their Path To Stardom (Audio)

As 2015 continues to be a year of consistent Hip-Hop success, founding Wu-Tang member Raekwon has graced his fans with another release from his upcoming solo album Fly International Luxurious Art (F.I.L.A) (April 29) his first since his 2011 acclaimed LP, Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang. In the song "I Got Money," Raekwon... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

RJD2 Returns To Full MC Albums. Catch A Glimpse With STS (Audio)

The nostalgic production of RJD2 blends with the easygoing yet rousing wordplay of STS (a/k/a Sugar Tongue Slim) in their latest collaboration “420," released on the calendar date. In their past work together, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based tandem have blessed Heads with soulful joints such as “See You Leave” (From RJD2's... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

Audio Push Are Sending Out “Good Vibes” On Their New Mixtape (Audio)

Audio Push, the talented California duo of dancers turned MCs, have released a mixtape carrying on a tradition established by West Coast pioneers like Dr. Dre and Cypress Hill, celebrating the medicinal herb. With their mixtape The Good Vibe Tribe, Hit-Boy's HS87 signees have delivered a wide-ranging project that flows... Read more

April 20, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier Remixes Lion Babe’s Pharrell-Produced Single (Audio)

From Limp Bizkit to Craig David, Macy Gray to Christina Aguilera, when DJ Premier steps out of Hip-Hop, it's usually significant, and it usually bridges audiences. Premo took the Pharrell-produced "Wonder Woman" for eclectic non-Rap duo Lion Babe, and slowed things down with those hard drums and carefully programmed accents.... Read more

April 20, 2015 Audio

From Rap God to Speed Demon. Tech N9ne & Eminem Flow Furiously (Audio)

After more than a decade of trying to make it happen, Tech N9ne has finally been able to collaborate with Eminem for the first time since they were on Sway & Tech's "The Anthem" in 1999. Since then, Eminem has set the world record for the amount of words per... Read more

April 20, 2015 Audio

Lloyd Banks Drops a Killer Freestyle on a Vintage Dr. Dre Beat (Audio)

Of the many 90s Hip-Hop freestyles over the last few weeks, Lloyd Banks has released some of the best. After tackling classics by Black Moon and Raekwon, Banks sets his sights to the Left Coast and unleashes a powerhouse verse over the "Serial Killa" track Dr. Dre produced for Snoop... Read more

April 19, 2015 Audio

Fabolous Has Been a Bad Boy on These 90s Beats. Check His Latest Freestyle (Audio)

The recent onslaught of MCs rapping over 90s beats has, in most cases, been a welcomed homage to what many consider to be the Golden Era. Jadakiss, Styles P, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo are among the many to have refreshed a track over the last few weeks. Fabolous also... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio

Run the Jewels Drop a Gem for Record Store Day (Audio)

Run the Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P) show their support for Record Store Day (4/18) with the release of a vinyl 12" record. The offering sports a brand new song titled "Bust No Moves," featuring SL Jones, "Pew Pew Pew" (from the European version from their first Run the Jewels... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio

Domingo Brings Together Kool G Rap & Canibus for Some Lyrical Sharp Shooting (Audio)

Throughout the last 15-plus years, Kool G Rap and Canibus are never far. For dense lyrics, barbed bars, and overloads of confidence, both are a lot alike. Whether it's Sway & King Tech's This Or That, 'Bis' Mic Club, or Almighty's 2nd Coming LP, they run well together. In 2014,... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio