Food for Thought Archives

The Foreign Exchange – Love in Flying Colors (Artwork + Tracklist)

The Foreign Exchange (aka Phonte & Nicolay) have a new album that is slated to hit stores on 9/24. You can take a look at the artwork and tracklist below. Related: The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is (Audio) Here's the tracklist: 01. If I Knew Then 02.... Read more

July 27, 2013 Food for Thought

Harvard University Establishes the Nasir Jones Fellowship

This is an incredible landmark for hip-hop. Harvard University has established the Nasir Jones Fellowship "to seek projects from scholars and artists that build on the rich and complex hip-hop tradition." Nas released a statement saying that “In my rollercoaster of a life I’ve endured good and bad for sure,... Read more

July 16, 2013 Food for Thought

Young-Ye: How Jay-Z and Kanye West Made the World Watch the Throne (Again) and Saved Hip-Hop in the Process (Food for Thought)

For the better part of the last 2 weeks, I was convinced the sibling-like rivalry between Jay-Z and Kanye West had reached epic (and perhaps unseemly) proportions. How else could you explain the 2 dropping albums within 3 weeks of one another with Jay-Z seemingly stepping on little brother Kanye’s... Read more

July 6, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought

Kanye West Tops the Billboard Album Chart for the 6th Time

As expected, Kanye West took the sales crown for last week's hip-hop super tuesday, moving nearly 329K units of Yeezus (followed by J. Cole's nearly 298K units). The conversation about the album continues though. Here are 2 articles that perfectly reflect the debate. The first is a hilarious and deceptively... Read more

June 25, 2013 Food for Thought

5 Things I Like About Kanye West’s Yeezus Album (and none of them are the music)

Happy 1st Father's Day to Kanye West. By now, you may have heard his new Yeezus album. I can't say I like most of the music (though I'm In It, Guilt Trip and Bound 2 are intoxicating), and I probably never will. That said, here are 5 things I like... Read more

June 16, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Jay-Z and Raekwon in the Studio

Looks like the Chef and Hov are cooking up a heat Roc. The 2 were photographed last night by Jay-Z's long time A&R man, Lenny S, at Jay-Z's studio. Check out the full story over at HipHopDX. Related: The Dream-High Art ft. Jay-Z (Audio)... Read more

May 15, 2013 Food for Thought

Kendrick Lamar Speaks With Erykah Badu

Kendrick Lamar was recently interviewed by Erykah Badu, one of his biggest influences, for Interview magazine. Check out the photo gallery and article here. Related: Kendrick Lamar discusses his musical influences (Video)... Read more

May 9, 2013 Food for Thought

Complex’s 50 Best Guest Verses of All Time

Here's another conversation starter from Complex. They've put together their list of the 50 Best Guest Verses of All Time. You certainly won't agree with all of the picks and they're definitely not the order, but the top 5 is STRONG. See what they wrote about Ghostface Killah's verse on... Read more

January 7, 2013 Food for Thought

AFH: Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012

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December 30, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought

RIP Pro Era’s Capital Steez

Tragically, the Pro Era standout took his own life at the age of 19. This comes right on the heels of the release of Pro Era's critically acclaimed PEEP: The Aprocalypse. Our deepest condolences go out to Pro Era and his family. You can celebrate his life through listening to... Read more

December 24, 2012 Food for Thought

Rolling Stones’ 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time (Food For Thought)

Rolling Stone has taken on the impossible task of trying to identify and rank the top 50 hip-hop songs of all time. They asked 33 artists and experts their picks and crunched the numbers. The list is respectable and thought-provoking. You can read it in its entirety and listen to... Read more

December 5, 2012 Food for Thought

Wu Block interview on the Juan Epstein Show (Video)

Wu Block (Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch) sat down and has a long conversation (an hour and change) with NYC's Hot 97 crew on the Juan Epstein Show. You can watch the entire interview below. ... Read more

December 3, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

dead prez talk with Out Da Box TV (Video)

The mighty dead prez sat down with Out Da Box TV for an extended interview. They talked about their new album Information Age, their classic Let's Get Free, trying to uplift people with their music and more. Check out the video. Related: M1 and Nas - Genocide Highway (Audio)... Read more

December 1, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

DJ Premier, 9th Wonder & Buckshot on The Sway in the Morning Show (Video)

Here's some more footage from the Sway in the Morning show that featured DJ Premier, 9th Wonder and Buckshot. In this clip, Buckshot performs What I Gotta Say and then the 3 legends chop it up with Sway. Check out the video. Related: 9th Wonder & Buckshot – Crazy (Video)... Read more

November 29, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Red Alert speaks on Chris Lighty (Video)

The legendary Kool DJ Red Alert gives a detailed first-hand account about the early days of Chris Lighty's career. Check out the video. Related: 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards Chris Lighty Tribute (Video)... Read more

November 29, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

50 Cent speaks to LA’s Power 105 (Video)

Here's an interesting interview of 50 Cent by Power 105's Big Boy. 50 talks about why he's involved in so many beefs, why he continues making music, how he puts aside personal biases in evaluating the music of competitors, his advice for Chief Keef and more. It's a reminder of... Read more

November 29, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Crate Diggers: Inside the vinyl collection of Jermaine Dupri (Video)

Jermaine Dupri has been making hits for the better part of 2 decades. As part of their Crate Diggers series, fuse sat down with the beatmaker to take an in-depth journey through his vinyl collection. Check out the video as well as a playlist of some of the music that... Read more

November 28, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Nardwaur vs Brother Ali (Video)

Nardwaur does it again...Here's a fantastic interview of Brother Ali. Ali drops knowledge about MF DOOM, Blaxploitation films, his battle with Sage Francis, Muhammad Ali and more. Check out the video. Related: Brother Ali – Mourning in America (Full Album Stream)... Read more

November 27, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Nate Dogg album It’s a Wonderful Life to be released in 2013

A new album of previously unreleased material from the one and only Nate Dogg is set to hit stores during the first half of 2013. The album is titled Nate Dogg: It's a Wonderful Life and will feature verses from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Eminem and more. Click here... Read more

November 26, 2012 Food for Thought

Game – Hvn 4 a Gngsta ft Master P (Prod. DJ Premier)

One leak wasn't enough for Game today. Here's another featuring Master P and produced by DJ Premier. Ill combo. Check out Hvn 4 a Gngsta. Related: Game – Black Jesus (Audio)... Read more

November 18, 2012 Food for Thought

Complex’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Beats of All Time (Food For Thought)

Complex recently compiled their list of The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Beats of All Time. No doubt, there are a ton of bangers on the list, but naturally, it is one that could be endlessly debated. Check out the intro to the list below and you can read the full article... Read more

November 16, 2012 Food for Thought

Kendrick Lamar interview with splash! Magazine (Video)

Here's a great interview of Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick is super laid-back (literally), but he drops some gems and gets incredibly detailed about the thought process behind and construction of good kid, m.A.A.d. city. Check out the video. Related: Kendrick Lamar speaks on what’s real about good kid, m.A.A.d. city (Video)... Read more

November 16, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Andre 3000 inteview with Fuse (Video)

Here's a great interview of Andre 3000. He talks about Sorry (his song with TI), Big Boi's new album, the inevitable OutKast reunion question, raising awareness for prostate cancer and more. Check out the video. Related: A playlist celebrating the 18+ year career of OutKast (Audio)... Read more

November 14, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Big Boi talks to Hot 97 (Video)

Here's an extended interview of Big Boi on Hot 97. He talks about his new album, Andre 3000's apology to him on Sorry, his collab with T.I. and more. Check out the video. Related: Big Boi - Lines ft A$AP Rocky (Audio)... Read more

November 14, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Saigon says he wants to punch Rick Ross & 2 Chainz in the face (Video)

The headline is "Saigon says 'I want to punch Rick Ross & 2 Chainz in the face.'" What follows is an interview where he very eloquently makes a case for identifying content as being for mature audiences, where appropriate. Check out the video for some food for thought from Saigon.... Read more

November 13, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Too Hard to Swallow: An All-Star Documentary Tribute to UGK (Video)

Yesterday marked the 20th Anniversary of the release of UGK's Too Hard to Swallow. To celebrate the album's release and UGK, generally, here's a dope documentary featuring Big Boi, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, Rapsody, Killer Mike, Lupe Fiasco, People Under the Stairs, Waka Flocka Flame, A$AP Rocky, Brother Ali, Yasiin... Read more

November 11, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Lil Wayne interviews Randy Moss for ESPN NFL Countdown (Video)

Lil Wayne recently interviewed Randy Moss for ESPN NFL Countdown. Wayne posed some thought-provoking questions to Moss regarding his recent return to the game, his relationship with Chris Carter and more. Check out the video. Related: Lil Wayne – Dedication 4 (Mixtape)... Read more

November 11, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

T.I. gives the behind the scenes story on the recording of Sorry with Andre 3000 (Video)

T.I. has an incredible collabo with Andre 3000 called Sorry on his forthcoming album, Trouble Man. I've heard the song and it's one of T.I.'s finest. It's grown man rap, similar to works on Nas' Life is Good like Daughters and Bye Baby, that is fitting of both T.I. and... Read more

November 8, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

4 more years for 44 (Video)

November 6, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder: Politics As Usual (Video)

9th Wonder is a legendary producer AND a Harvard professor. Who better to discuss the nexus between hip-hop and socio-political commentary? We sat down with the icon and he talked about the role music plays in change, how hip-hop has bridged the races, the importance of social media and more...and... Read more

November 6, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Stalley – Politics As Usual (Video)

Stalley was raised around music from artists like Boogie Down Productions, which no doubt inspired him to craft his brand of Intelligent Trunk Music. We sat down with him to discuss the impact hip-hop has as social commentary. He spoke on his duty to say something positive and substantive in... Read more

November 5, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Saigon – Blown Away (Video)

Saigon kicks some political knowledge in his latest video. He speaks of revolutionaries from all eras. One more day...Check out Blown Away. Related: Saigon – Relafriendship (Video)... Read more

November 5, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

RZA – Sweat the World Interview (Video)

The Man with the Iron Fists is in theaters now and is highly entertaining. Here's an interview of RZA where he talks about the film, scoring Ghost Dog, learning from Tarantino, working with Kanye West, losing a bunch of beats he thought were his best, the making of the Wu... Read more

November 3, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Talib Kweli on No Reservations (Video)

Talib Kweli discusses the evolution (or gentrification, depending on how you look at it) of Brooklyn and B-boys on No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. Check out the video. Related: Talib Kweli & Z-Trip – Attack the Block (Mixtape)... Read more

November 3, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Ghostface Killah discusses a possible new Wu-Tang Clan album (Video)

RZA has made it clear he wants to do 1 last Wu album next November, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Enter the 36 Chambers. Now, Ghostface Killah share his thoughts on the potential project...It's looking like more and more of a reality. Check out the video. Related: Wu-Tang... Read more

November 2, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Kendrick Lamar: Politics As Usual (Video)

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most introspective and substantive rappers of this current generation of MCs. We sat down with him to talk about the impact hip-hop culture has had on the state of the Union. Kendrick talked about the messages of everyone from Tupac and NWA to Chuck... Read more

November 2, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Bling47 breaks down J. Dilla’s Dooinit beat (Video)

Whoa! Heads may know J. Dilla's classic beat for Common's Dooinit, but did you know the track was built off a popular Rick James record that was chopped and screwed? Here's a video giving the behind the beat breakdown that showcases Dilla's genius. Hot! Check it out. Related: J Dilla... Read more

November 1, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Pharrell – Places and Spaces I’ve Been (Video)

Here's a cool short film on Pharrell during the day of his first book signing for his book Places and Spaces I've Been. It captures Pharrell in a low key, introspective mood and he talks about the process of making the book, giving to the fans, his views on what... Read more

November 1, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Big Boi – Artwork for Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors

Big Boi drops off the artwork for his forthcoming album Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors. You can also listen to all the singles that have been released from the album below. The album is in stores on 12/11. Related: The making of Big Boi’s She Said OK video (Video)... Read more

November 1, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Jay Rock: Politics As Usual (Video)

We sat down with Jay Rock and he talked about the role of hip-hop as the voice of the people. He discussed the importance of honesty in his lyrics, connecting with people through his music, his admiration of Tupac and Nas for telling real ghetto stories and more. He also... Read more

November 1, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder & Murs – Funeral for a Killer

Here's a new one from 9th Wonder & Murs from their forthcoming final collaboration album, The Final Adventure. Check out Funeral For a Killer.... Read more

October 31, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Big K.R.I.T. discusses the impact hip-hop has had on social commentary (Video)

In light of the upcoming election, we sat down with Big K.R.I.T., Stalley, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and 9th Wonder to discuss the impact hip-hop has had on the social landscape of this country and beyond. We will roll out each episode leading up to Tuesday. Our first installment features... Read more

October 31, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Kendrick Lamar – The Jig is Up (Dump’n) (Prod. J. Cole)

East Coast...down but not out. We hope all the Heads out there survived Sandy. Here's a new one from Kendrick Lamar, produced by J. Cole, in appreciation of the support for good kid, m.A.A.d. city last week. Check out The Jig is Up (Dump'n) below. Related: Babylon Cartel – good... Read more

October 30, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder talks owning his own label, creating beats and more with AFH (Video)

The legendary 9th Wonder has been extremely busy lately...well, always. He recently released an incredible album by his protege Rapsody and is preparing to release albums with both Buckshot and Murs next month. We caught up with him to discuss owning his own label, what he looks for in an... Read more

October 26, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Rapsody: GRIT (Video)

Here's part 2 of our interview with Rapsody. In this installment she goes deep about what it's taken to get to this point in her career. Though she may seem like a relative newcomer, she's actually been working on her craft for more than 7 years and had over 100... Read more

October 26, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

What makes an album a classic? Here are our criteria and 15 albums we think make the cut (with songs from each) (Food For Thought)

With the release of Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city album, many are using the word "classic" (including us--though we said "modern day classic"...more on that later) about a hip-hop album for the first time in a long, long time. No doubt, just the utterance of the "c" word is... Read more

October 26, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Throwback, Video

Kendrick Lamar speaks on what’s real about good kid, m.A.A.d. city (Video)

Keeping it on the reality tip, here's an interview of Kendrick Lamar from 2DBZ discussing how much of good kid, m.A.A.d city is real (he says 100%). It also includes footage of fellow TDE members, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul discussing their feelings about the album. Check out the video below.... Read more

October 25, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

RZA interview with Funkmaster Flex (Video)

Here are parts 1 and 2 of a 3-part interview of RZA by Funkmaster Flex. RZA discusses the origins of Wu-Tang Clan, how Man with the Iron fists interrelates with Wu, working with Quentin Tarantino and much more. Check out parts 1 & 2 of the video as well as... Read more

October 24, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Seanwaur vs. Pharoahe Monch (Video)

Here's a hilarious interview of Pharoahe Monch, done as a parody of a Nardwaur video. Check out Seanwaur vs. Pharoahe Monch below. Related: Pharoahe Monch – Damage (Audio)... Read more

October 24, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Just Blaze – Crate Diggers (Video)

Here's a dope video of the mighty Just Blaze discussing his vinyl collection and life as a crate digger. He talks about the first record he ever bought, reveal records he sampled on classic Jay-Z records, losing 7000 records...and more. Check it out. Related: Just Blaze – Hard Knock Life... Read more

October 24, 2012 Food for Thought, Video