Audio Archives

G-Unit Sounds Straight Outta 2002 On This EP Bonus Cut (Audio)

G-Unit's The Beauty Of Independence is living up to its title in the physical packaging. For Best Buy buyers of the 2014 EP, consumers get "Ease Up." The non-EP song bonus exclusive sounds like it's out of that No Mercy, No Fear or In God's Plan era of the Gorilla Unit.... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Who Wants Some Rare Early Cuts From Jay Z, DMX, The Beatnuts & Black Sheep? (Mixtape)

A lot of the would-be Hip-Hop stars of the 1990s put in studio recording work years before their names got hot. Moreover, the artists, their early labels, and teams had to go to risky expense of pressing these moments to wax in hopes of breakin' even, or perhaps giving them... Read more

November 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Logic May Be High On The Charts, But He’s Not Above A Lunch Table Freestyle (Audio)

While chilling with the L.A. Leakers, Logic was good for two different freestyles. With a Top 5 debut of Under Pressure, the Maryland MC is still just as open to showcasing his skills as he was before the success and the Def Jam deal. J Cruz and Justin Credible throw... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lloyd Banks Is Out To Shine On A G-Unit Bonus Record (Audio)

If you cop The Beauty Of Independence at Best Buy, you'll get a bonus song on the EP. "Big Body Benz" might seem like a throwaway car song, but listen closer. A point of illustration for ambition, sturdiness, and resilience the record is one of the places where Lloyd Banks... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain Made A 1988 Tape Featuring Songs By James Brown & Jackson 5 (Audio)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. The Seattle, Washington native is remembered as a prodigious musician, songwriter, and an integral part of the Grunge movement through his band, Nirvana. That band has become a favorite musical touchstone of everybody from Kanye West to Dr. Dre, who... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Domingo Re-Releases Some Rare Big Pun, Fat Joe, Shaq & Easy Mo Bee (Audio)

Veteran producer Domingo worked with Big Pun on his album Capital Punishment, producing "The Dream Shatterer." More than 15 years later, Domingo now releases "Shaq, Crack, Pun, Easy Mo Bee." The track is a re-working of a rare song called "The Bigger They R." This take sports a sonically cleaner... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Following Raekwon, Inspectah Deck Makes A Heartfelt Soul-Inspired Tape (Mixtape)

After Raekwon eloquently concluded his "TBT" R&B/Soul/Pop tribute series with a mixtape, We Wanna Thank You, another Wu-Tang Clan member is paying homage to the soulful songs of yesteryear. Inspectah Deck made Cynthia's Son, a mixtape reworking, sampling, and tapping into songs favored by the Bronx, New York MC's late... Read more

November 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Earl Sweatshirt Goes in Over a 90’s Style Old School Soul Sample for 45 (Audio)

Earl Sweatshirt goes in for some free flow bars over a sampled loop that feels like it would be right at home with vintage Havoc or RZA beats from the 90's. This may not be what you'd expect from the Odd Future affiliate but it's 1:16 well spent. Check out... Read more

November 6, 2014 Audio

Vic One Hilariously Disses Logic’s Album to His Face (Video)

If you're not familiar with Power 106's Vic One, he is a big persona much in the vein of Ali G, Borat and other Sacha Baron Cohen characters. He recently sat down with Logic and, despite the near universal critical acclaim lauded on Logic's Under Pressure album, proceeds to hilariously... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Video

Alchemist & Statik Selektah Co-Produce A New Term Joint With REKS & Willie The Kid (Audio)

In 2014, co-production in from some producers is very rare. Two such cases are Alchemist and Statik Selektah. Eminem's DJ and Q-Tip's (onetime) DJ are two respected sources on the boards, and while they work with a lot of the same cats (Action Bronson, The LOX, Dilated Peoples), they aren't... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Taylor Swift Rocks Out To Kendrick Lamar, K-Dot Freestyles Over Taylor Swift (Audio)

While plenty of Rap superstars shun interviews and duck possibly awkward media spots, Kendrick Lamar—although reclusive, welcomes the attention. Hours after Taylor Swift celebrated her milestone first-week sales by vibing out to some good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar, the Compton, California superstar was probed for a reaction while... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Your Old Droog & DJ Skizz Took A Freestyle & Polished It Into A Song (Audio)

Your Old Droog and DJ Skizz may have been just freestyling around last week, but the pair was in the studio for a reason. "Just Rhymin' With Skizz" has evolved into "Where The Rhymes At?" Recorded again, with some new rhymes in there, this track comes as an offering from... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

LL Cool J Bridges Mulitple Generations of New York Hip-Hop with Troy Ave on You Already (Audio)

LL Cool J teams up with Troy Ave for a generation-bridging New York coalition. L, never short on swagger, brings the heat on this one. He rides the contemporary track while staying true to his sound that has endured for 30 years. Is this a passing of the torch from... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio

DJ Kay Slay Points To His Pioneering Status, With D-Block, Loaded Lux & Memphis Bleek (Mixtape)

After nearly 40 years in Hip-Hop, DJ Kay Slay refuses to slow down. The Drama King lays down The Original Man, with its Egyptian-themed cover, perhaps reminding Heads that he's been making tapes longer than some of his latest peers have been alive. With that sense of personal, professional, and... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

On The New LOX Intro, Sheek Says Benjamins Still Sons Anything Out Right Now (Audio)

The LOX are keeping the furnace fed with The Trinity: 2nd Season. The self-released EP may not be the proper third album Heads salivate for, but one cannot say that it lacks any less quality than that which we'd expect from Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch. To set the... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Wu-Tang Clan Is Still Out To Bring Da Ruckus, Taking A Page From KRS-One (Audio)

Hours after one of the New York City listening sessions for Wu-Tang Clan's A Better Tomorrow empties out, Heads are treated with new music. Put simply, "Ruckus In B Minor" is busy, and a lot to process. For starters, the beat changes sporadically throughout the song, arranged as a complex... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

After Nas Sets Things Off, AZ Tries His Hand At Rhyming On J Dilla’s Donut (Audio)

Old friends, AZ and Nas watch each other's moves. As Nasir stole Hip-Hop's attention last week by taking one of J Dilla's 2006 Donuts beats, and coming up with "The Seasons," Tha Visualiza wanted in. AZ made his own rendition of "The Seasons," cuing up Jay Dee's "Gobstopper" instrumental. As... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A-Villa’s New Production LP Features Kool G Rap, AZ, Elzhi & Big K.R.I.T. (Album Stream)

A-Villa's Carry On Tradition releases today. Should you want to support the Chicago, Illinois-based producer's Closed Sessions release, he's offering up a free listen first. The LP calls in verses from veterans including Big K.R.I.T., Inspectah Deck, Cormega, Freeway, Kool G Rap, Joe Budden, AZ, Elzhi, Rapper Big Pooh, and... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Slaughterhouse & DJ Premier Come Together Fully? Results Are As Expected! (Audio)

Half of Slaughterhouse (Royce Da 5'9" and Joell Ortiz) have extensively worked with DJ Premier, while Crooked I and Joe Budden have not. Back in 2009, before Eminem and Shady Records took backing of the four-man lyrical militia, on a tight eOne Entertainment budget, it was DJ Premier who hosted... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kev Brown & Hassaan Mackey Got That Grit: Headnodding Beats & Smart Rhymes (Album Stream)

Today, Ill Adrenaline Records is releasing That Grit by Low Budget producer Kev Brown and MC Hassaan Mackey. The Landover, Maryland-meets-Rochester, New York connection's album is a continuation of a decade of championed independent works from Kev, since his days as a pupil in Jazzy Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DJ Khaled Holds it Down with Rick Ross, Fabolous, Ace Hood & Usher (Audio)

DJ Khaled resets the lineup on the remix to "Hold You Down." He keeps it smoothed out on the R&B tip but recruits Rick Ross, Fabolous, Ace Hood and Usher on the vocals. Check it out. Related: Finding The GOAT: Rick Ross vs. Fabolous…Who You Got?... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio

Killer Mike Does Bad Things To Snoh’s Dark, Twisted Single (Audio)

Killer Mike is on a tear this month. After RTJ2 released to dominate the Rap consciousness into the month of November, Mike Bigga has appeared on two new songs in the last 24 hours. After working with previous RTJ collaborators, Until The Ribbon Breaks, Killer Kill sets his sights on... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Grafh Makes One Of His Hardest Joints In Years, Alongside Raekwon & Vado (Audio)

Grafh has been a New York City street Rap mainstay for more than a dozen years. Backed and supported by folks like Chaz Williams and Black Hand Entertainment as well as DJ Kay Slay, Grafh has had trusted ears and power-players in his corner. On "Walk In New York," Heads... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Travel To Big K.R.I.T.’s Planet Of Cadillactica A Week Early (Album Stream)

With the new week, Big K.R.I.T. has looked to NPR First Listen (for the second straight time) to premiere his sophomore major label album, Cadillactica (November 11) more than a week early. Guests on the Cinematic/Def Jam Records affair, per usual, include many of K.R.I.T's inspirations, including the likes of... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jean Grae Releases a New EP Where She’s Singing…And It Sounds Great (Audio)

Jean Grae shows her multiple dimensions on her latest project. Having long-established her razor sharp MCing abilities, she switches things up and sings on her new EP, #5. The results are quite intoxicating. She has a neo-soul vibe and great song-making skills. Check out the full stream below and purchase... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio

Jeezy & Beenie Man? That’s How the Real Ones Link Up (Audio)

In one of the most unexpected combinations in quite some time, Jeezy links up with Beenie Man and Ty Dolla $ign on a Reggae-tinged DJ Mustard beat. Check out "Link Up." Related: Jeezy Brings Out Jay Z for a Charged Performance of Seen it All (Video)... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio

Joell Ortiz, Sheek Louch & Ransom Go to Work on a Tough Track for Kay Slay (Audio)

O.G. DJ Kay Slay is readying a new mixtape titled The Original Man. Ahead of the release, he premieres (via NahRight) a tough track with steely lyrics from Joell Ortiz, Sheek Louch and Ransom. Check out "Don't Say Nothing to Me." Related: Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of October 2014 (Audio)

October yielded some of the hardest Hip-Hop of the year. Whether it was seasonal, Mercury in retrograde or something in the water, MCs brought their A-games. Here's a playlist of some of the best music of the month. You'll hear tracks from Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Logic, The Lox, Rah Digga,... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage

A.G., Sadat X & Neek the Exotic Abuse this Throwback Jazz Sample (Audio)

DJ JS-1 assembles A.G., Sadat X and Neek the Exotic on a 90's-flavored jazz loop, as they run down tales from back in the day. Check out "Sample Abusers." Related: Finding The GOAT: Kool G Rap vs. Sadat X…Who You Got?... Read more

November 1, 2014 Audio

Here’s an Incredible Curtis Mayfield Tribute Mix (Audio)

The latest edition of Stussy's Guest Artist Series clothing line is an ode to the late, great Curtis Mayfield. To commemorate the launch of the line, the clothier has released a super fly mix of some of Mayfield's soulful catalog compiled by dj/producer/artist Muro. Aside from James Brown and Parliament/Funkadelic,... Read more

November 1, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Happy Birthday to Pharoahe Monch. Here’s a Celebratory Mix of His Music (Audio)

Happy Birthday to Pharoahe Monch who turned 42 on Halloween. To celebrate the date, OkayPlayer commissioned DJ Raydar Ellis to put together a mix of Monch's music. Ellis dug deep in the crates pulling out gems from Pharoahe's solo career, his days with Organized Konfusion, featured appearances and more. Check... Read more

November 1, 2014 Audio

Ludacris Recruits Miguel on the Soulful Good Lovin’ (Audio)

Having provided key features for Miguel, J. Cole and more, Miguel is proving to be one of Hip-Hop's most valuable hook men. He lends his velvety vocals to Ludacris on the ultra-soulful "Good Lovin'," one of Luda's strongest tracks in years. Check it out. Related: Behind The Music: Ludacris (Video)... Read more

November 1, 2014 Audio

The Hieroglyphics Paint Pictures With Words In The Studio (Audio)

Following last year's The Kitchen LP, Del The Funky Homosapien and the Hieroglyphics crew are back in the lab again. Del, A-Plus, Opio and company freak a new concept at Red Bull Studios, their first new crew music (said to be the first of two tracks) from the session. "Heebie... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. Claims King Of The South & Says He Bested “Your Favorite Rapper” Too (Audio)

Guaranteed, you've never heard Big K.R.I.T. this confident, this unleashed... Track 7 from Cadillactica (November 11), "King Of The South" is a bold statement. With an in-your-face beat, Krizzle matches with a verse. The song talks the Meridian Mississippi's "country" upbringing, and his current urban lifestyle. He paints himself as... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The LOX Are In Their Bag This Week. They Are Taking New York Like Jason Vorhees (Audio)

After Jadakiss and Styles P got their John Gotti suits on alongside Lil Wayne, The full LOX legion unleash their next full-trio cut. "All We Know" is in that wheelhouse, with the low and eerie beat (care of Buda Da Future and Grandz) hard drums, and a take-by-force in audio.... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Get The Sum Of Raekwon’s Soul/R&B 21-Song TBT Series (Mixtape)

For 20 straight weeks, Raekwon the Chef sliced up some of his personal favorite R&B/Soul/Pop delicacies. Rae' left the vocals in tact on songs from the '70s, '80s, '90s, and a tip-toe of 2000s as he hopped on the tracks and proved that he could get a lil' Ghostdeini himself.... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Remy Ma Releases Her First Mixtape In 6 Years (Mixtape)

Remy Ma has not released a mixtape to the masses since 2008's BlasRemy, which dispersed in the midst of legal wars and a lot of tension. This year, the Castle Hill, Bronx native proved she's a different woman. Remy's grown, and focused on her career, her family, and spreading positive... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Is Joe Budden the Most Fearless MC Alive? Listen to This Autobiographical Track (Audio)

Joe Budden is fearless on the microphone. Along with having formidable skills, there is seemingly no topic he's afraid to address. In his new song "Alive," from his forthcoming Some Love Lost album, he touches on everything from substance abuse to his complicated relationship with fans to his rejected marriage... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio

Rest in Peace to the Legendary Jam Master Jay. Here’s a Tribute Mix (Audio)

Jam Master Jay, legendary DJ for Run-D.M.C., was tragically taken from us twelve years ago today (10/30/02). There's not much to say about Jay that hasn't already been covered, so we decided to let the music do the talking. Here's a Run-D.M.C. tribute megamix that goes hard. Check it out.... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Masta Ace & Kid Tsunami’s Amazing Chase Track Morphs Into An EP (Audio)

One of the better albums in 2013 that did not get nearly enough shine in the greater Hip-Hop conversation was Kid Tsunami's The Chase. The Australian producer recruited pointed lyrics from the likes of O.C., Sean Price, and Kool G Rap, among many others. Of the album's highlights was "Twothousand40,"... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Thought, Peedi Crakk & STS Can Barely Get A Breath In For This Posse Cut (Audio)

With strong ties to South Philly, North Philly, and West Philly, these three MCs run together in circles, beyond The Roots, State Property, and the overlapping Money Making Jam Boys. Black Thought, Peedi Crakk, and STS are three of the fastest rhymin', old school-honoring rappers from the City of Brotherly... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Gets A Twofer, Honoring Big Bub & Deniece Williams (Audio)

After 20 wonderful weeks, Raekwon closes down his TBT series with a two-fer. Chef heats up Big Bub's cover of The Commodores' "Zoom," and, after, blesses Denice Williams' "Free." These are simple and smooth opportunities for the Staten Island star to truly paint pictures with words, while breaking down his... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For Devil’s Night, Get A Mix Of Esham, Brotha Lynch Hung, Tim Dog & More (Mixtape)

In many places, the night before Halloween means mischief, juvenile terror, and at the very least, smashed pumpkins (not of the Billy Corgan variety either). Instead of reeking havoc on your neighbors, or keeping an eye on your jack'o lanterns, why not just vibe out with some raps that are... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Mixes

Rochelle Jordan Entered A Contest To Record With Timbaland. The Results BUMP (Audio)

Microsoft and Lenovo recently partnered for "Team Up With Timbaland," a contest that allowed regular folk to potentially work with the Virginia native super-producer/artist, and join the likes of Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, and Aaliyah. One such Top 5 finalist, Rochelle Jordan, proved that she's anything but ordinary. "So Good"... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joe Budden Shifts Gears and Releases a Song That’s All About Those BARS (Audio)

"Still in my prime but this ain't Nickel or Primo..." Joe Budden takes a break from love-related songs and releases one that's all about those BARS--there's no hook, just lyrics. In fact, Joey says: "I Might Need More Than 16 Tho." Check it out. Related: Joe Budden Opens Up About... Read more

October 29, 2014 Audio

DJ Quik Laces Bishop Lamont With a Hypnotic Track That’s So Addictive (Audio)

One of DJ Quik's most radical and enduring tracks was "Addictive" by Truth Hurts. It caught your attention with the mystical chanting in the beginning and, once the rolling drums commenced, it was wrap. The iconic producer/MC returns to that drum pattern on Bishop Lamont's aptly-titled "Hypnotize You." The meditative... Read more

October 29, 2014 Audio

Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar Are Out To Make Opponents Pay For It (Audio)

In a year where so many are looking for heroes, Jay Rock is standing tall. Quietly, the Watts MC represents the perspective of an intelligent, strategic man, informed by some of the most cutthroat streets in the world, and a city not known to be merciful. "Pay For It" comes... Read more

October 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lil Wayne Puts The LOX In The Spotlight With His Carter 5 Latest Listen (Audio)

In the first 10 years of the current millennium, few artists kept the streets fed like Lil Wayne and The LOX (t/k/a D-Block). All '90s alums, Weezy, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch all got better, sharper, and more ferocious on the microphone. Along the way, while they ran in... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J-Live Turns An Open Letter Protesting Police Violence Into Song (Audio)

In the wake of ongoing deaths of Black men at the hands of police in America, J-Live has something to say. The Brooklyn, New York native wrote down his thoughts in an essay called "I Am A Man (American Justice)," focusing on the hypocrisy in the discourse around this issue,... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Allow All To Hear The Blasphemy (Album Stream)

Today (October 28), Ras Kass & Apollo Brown release Blasphemy. As label Mello Music Group likes to do, the album is available for free, full stream, enticing your support, should you feel so compelled. This MC/producer tandem brings the Carson, California veteran lyricist to the Michigan-based beat-master/member of The Left,... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh