Fresh Archives

From Kanye To Pete Rock, Get The Story On J Dilla’s “Diary” Over 15 Years (Audio)

Today (April 15), J Dilla's The Diary releases. The album featuring contributions from Nas, Snoop Dogg, Pete Rock, and many others has come a long way since its early 2000s plans to be an MCA Records release. Sadly, that never happened as planned. In 2016, it has been more than... Read more

April 15, 2016 Audio

Styles P Does Not Stop for a Breather. He Releases 2 New Freestyles (Audio)

Last week, Styles P delivered four new freestyles, each of which highlighted different facets of the Yonkers, New York MC's gifted vocabulary. His most recent solo album came in the form of 2015's A Wise Guy and a Wise Guy, but many Heads have developed a fondness for his lyrical... Read more

April 15, 2016 Audio

Black Thought Fronts A Funky Track That Uses Blues To Motivate (Audio)

The Roots' Black Thought does not do a ton of features, relatively speaking. However, in recent years, when the South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC puts his vocals on something beyond the circle, he does not seem to play politics. From Thurz ("Riot") to L.A. The Darkman ("Rap Poloticians"), Tariq supports what... Read more

April 15, 2016 Audio

DJ Shadow Recruits Run The Jewels For His First Album In 5 Years (Video)

Although he has stayed active on the performance circuit, DJ Shadow has not released an album in nearly 5 years. The producer and sampling innovator is readying a new project titled The Mountain Will Fall, which will be available on June 24. After releasing the instrumental title track, Shadow follows... Read more

April 15, 2016 Audio

D.L. Hughley Offends Everybody. No Politician, Athlete Or Doctor Is Safe (Video)

King of comedy D.L. Hughley recently visited Sway's Universe for an interview that played like a set from the celebrated stand-up. As great comedy is prone to do, topics that are often uncomfortable to talk about are brought right to the surface, where Hughley poked and prodded through astute observation... Read more

April 14, 2016 Video

As A Former Teacher, Erykah Badu Describes Her Dream School (Video)

Erykah Badu recently spent considerable time with high-school students in New Jersey as part of the Future Project, a multi-tiered and all-encompassing education-focused program deeply rooted in the notion that young minds need to be cultivated and encouraged both inside and outside of the classroom. Through the use of Dream... Read more

April 14, 2016 Lifestyle

On A Great Night For Cali, Planet Asia Is Another Agent Of State Pride (Video)

Planet Asia's career benefited greatly from Sway & King Tech's The Wake Up Show. When P.A. (along with Jurassic 5) were Interscope Records label picks from the West Coast Hip-Hop Underground, they got massive spots on 1999's This Or That, the hallmark album from Sway, Tech, and DJ Revolution. In... Read more

April 13, 2016 Video

Daz Explains Why Lady Of Rage & Inspectah Deck Verses Did Not Make “All Eyez On Me” (Video)

Daz Dillinger produced five of the 27 tracks on Tupac's All Eyez On Me double album. Tha Dogg Pound MC/producer was a close affiliate of Shakur during his year with Death Row Records. The blockbuster album would eventually reach diamond certification, with Daz producing singles such as "I Ain't Mad... Read more

April 13, 2016 Video

Nas & J Dilla On A Madlib Track Is A Powerful Bookmark In “The Diary” (Audio)

In two days (April 15), J Dilla's posthumous album, The Diary, will finally release. With its beginnings dating back to the opening of the 2000s, the then-MCA Records solo artist and current Slum Village member plugged away at the LP that would never see release before his February 2006 death.... Read more

April 13, 2016 Audio

Robert Glasper & Bilal Re-Interpret Miles Davis’ “The Ghetto Walk” (Video)

Last month, Robert Glasper unveiled the first audio glimpse of his Everything’s Beautiful album (May 27). The Jazz musician is bridging the generations on an album inspired by and featuring some works by the late Miles Davis. In a season that looks at the trumpeter's life and times, courtesy of Don... Read more

April 13, 2016 Video

Asian MCs Have A Tougher Road In Rap. This Documentary Shows Why (Video)

Hip-Hop has long been considered a cultural melting pot. While the culture was established by Black and Latino men and women in 1970s New York, it has since grown to include nearly every racial, socioeconomic, age, and religious background across the globe. A new full-length documentary film, currently screening at... Read more

April 13, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Rittz Waits Out the Storm for a Better, Brighter Day Outside His Window (Audio)

As a roster member of Tech N9ne's Strange Music imprint, Rittz's career as an MC has taken him far outside the confines of his native Gwinnett County, Georgia. The 35-year-old spitter has made a name for himself as a gifted performer whose rapid-fire delivery has led to much comparison to... Read more

April 13, 2016 Audio

Consequence & His Young Son Partner Up for a Powerful Future (Audio)

At only four-years-old, Caiden is a burgeoning MC whose bloodline is imbued with enough Hip-Hop influence to last a lifetime. As the son of Queens, New York's Consequence, Caiden has already made his rapping debut, appearing alongside his dad on "That Dude," a single Cons dropped in December. According to... Read more

April 13, 2016 Audio

Having Artificial Intelligence at Your Fingertips Just Got a Whole Lot Closer (Video)

Heads of a certain age may remember SmarterChild. He (or she) was a computer-controlled “buddy” that would appear on one’s AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) contact list, and who could interact with users, albeit on a very rudimentary level (think Siri, only in text form). A “chatterbot” by technical definition, SmarterChild... Read more

April 13, 2016 Lifestyle

Elzhi Freestyles Off The Top Of The Head To A J Dilla Donut (Video)

With his sophomore studio album Lead Poison now released, Elzhi is the latest guest on Tony Touch's Toca Tuesdays radio show. There, the Detroit, Michigan MC veteran was not immune to the hot seat. He tackles two beats. Fans of Motown music will particularly enjoy El' buckling down on Dilla's... Read more

April 12, 2016 Video

Native Tongues Father, Brothers & Affiliates Come Together For Phife (Audio)

Following the March 22 death of Phife Dawg, Black Sheep Dres has been deeply instrumental in raising awareness of the life of Malik Taylor. Both members of the Native Tongues movement, these MCs rolled together in the '90s and 2000s. After being a key organizer in last week's memorial event... Read more

April 12, 2016 Audio

Rare Photos of Jay Z, KRS-One, Nas, Run-D.M.C. & More Are Heading to the Smithsonian

As an institution, the Smithsonian is the preeminent organization of its kind in the United States. Actually a cluster of museums and research centers, it's under the direct supervision and administration of the government, giving it an air of authenticity and credence that lend serious cache to its collections. Far from... Read more

April 12, 2016 Lifestyle

Action Bronson’s Latest Is A Blue Chip Off Of Biggie & Super Cat’s Block (Audio)

Action Bronson has garnered some of the strongest acclaim of his career through the Blue Chips mixtape series with Party Supplies. Some of that same chemistry made its way onto 2015's Mr. Wonderful, with Bam Bam and the Fool's Gold Records production team creating four of the Top 10 LP's... Read more

April 12, 2016 Audio, The Bridge

A Popular Adult Website Is Standing Up for LGBTQ Rights In North Carolina

In recent weeks, news of conservative laws being enacted in southern states have made news within the LGBTQ movement. In North Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory has been the target of criticism after he signed into law a bill which would force transgendered men and women to use restrooms which match... Read more

April 12, 2016 Lifestyle

Common Still Loves H.E.R. Watch Him Breakdance While The Roots Play (Video)

During The Electric Circus and Like Water For Chocolate tours, it was not uncommon to see Common Sense bust out some B-Boy moves during his sets. That was 15 years ago though, and also well before the Chicago, Illinois MC/actor won Oscars and Golden Globes. Now a household name, juggling... Read more

April 12, 2016 Video

Kendrick Lamar Makes A Tribute Video For Kobe Bryant’s Retirement (Video)

Kendrick Lamar and Kobe Bryant share a connection that goes deeper than their ties to Los Angeles. When Kendrick faced off against Jay Z for the first time on a track, he chose the iconic photo of a young Kobe lined up against the aging Michael Jordan, as the cover... Read more

April 12, 2016 Video

Erykah Badu Sings “On & On” During A High School Lunch Period (Video)

Erykah Badu loves avant-garde art. Whether she's video-bombing a news reporter, making beautifully controversial music videos, or blend-covering newly-released Kanye West with Whodini, it is always an experience. Ms. Badu recently popped into Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey as part of the Dream Directors from the... Read more

April 11, 2016 Video

Logic & Tech N9ne Competitively Compare Notes On How To Rap Incredibly Fast (Video)

Some of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs have earned their place by sometimes rhyming slow, and sometimes rhyming really, really fast. Artists such as Eminem, Jay Z, Big Daddy Kane, Andre 3000, and Kool G Rap are among the elites who can tear into a beat, and turn their mandibles into automatic... Read more

April 11, 2016 Video

10 Years Later, D12 Show Proof’s Memory Is Very Much Alive In A New Documentary (Video)

It's been a decade since Detroit, Michigan's Proof passed away. An integral part of the city's Rap scene, his 2006 death was only 2 months after fellow Motor City native J Dilla left a gaping whole in the Hip-Hop community. Having performed as a member of the oft-overlooked 5 Elementz,... Read more

April 11, 2016 Video

Royce 5’9″ Reintroduces Himself At The Top Of His Game On “Layers” (Album Stream)

Royce 5'9" album Layers is planned for April 15 release. However, the Detroit, Michigan gold-selling MC shares his self-released sixth LP four days early. Layers is the first Nickel Nine album since 2011's Success Is Certain, and unlike previous albums, seemingly covers every facet of Ryan Montgomery's life and career.... Read more

April 11, 2016 Audio

Nas Signee Dave East Goes All The Way Up With Fat Joe & Remy Ma (Audio)

In a show of strength that Terror Squad is alive and thriving, earlier this year, Fat Joe and Remy Ma announced they would be releasing a joint album. The announcement was quickly followed by "All The Way Up," a monster single featuring Joe and Remy going to work on a... Read more

April 11, 2016 Audio

Krizz Kaliko Reworks His Sound. This Elite MC Is Also A Showman (Video)

For more than a decade, Krizz Kaliko has been one of Strange Music's dedicated weapons. Although he charts higher than many of his peers, the Kansas City, Missouri MC/singer has not nearly been embraced in the mainstream like so many in his position. Kaliko's sixth album, Go, is out to... Read more

April 11, 2016 Video

Between Jay Rock & Ice Cube, King Harris II Has Serious Westside Connections (Audio)

From Snoop Dogg to Daz Dillinger, Ice Cube to Del The Funky Homosapien, Hip-Hop has some crafty cousins that prove that dope rhymes can be part of a family tree. The latest example, as it were, comes from Jay Rock and cousin King Harris II. The artist formerly known as... Read more

April 11, 2016 Audio

KRS-One Makes A Soulful Phife Dawg Tribute & Invites All To Join (Audio)

KRS-One was among the litany of artists on hand last week (April 5) for the Phife Dawg memorial at Harlem's Apollo Theater. Now, the MC who was featured on the cover of A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders album makes a song dedication to Malik Taylor, with a call to... Read more

April 10, 2016 Audio

C.L. Smooth’s Latest Song Shows He Is Still A Rap King (Audio)

While Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are back in the studio in this young 2016, the New Rochelle half of the highly respected duo pushes on with some solo material. "King" finds C.L. Smooth celebrating his knack for making songs for the ladies, earning a nice living, and cruising the... Read more

April 10, 2016 Audio

Grand Puba Is Releasing His First Album In 7 Years. Here’s The New Single (Audio)

When Grand Puba recorded One For All with Brand Nubian in 1990, he quickly became one of the most highly-regarded MCs in Hip-Hop. Puba's high-pitched but laid back flow wrapped itself around beats with witty quips and clever punchlines. He also often weaved in socio-political themes and conscious narratives, along... Read more

April 9, 2016 Audio

Kareem “Biggs” Burke Reveals Roc-A-Fella Secrets Regarding Big L, Scarface & Ma$e

Roc-A-Fella Records' 1990s and early 2000s' reign is credited to three businessmen. While Jay Z has become one of, if not the biggest artists in Hip-Hop history, Dame Dash is one of the highest profile Rap executives. Third owner of the original Roc, Kareem "Biggs" Burke was (and remains) less in... Read more

April 9, 2016 Audio

Maxwell Ascended 20 Years Ago & We Haven’t Wondered About Soul Music Since (Video)

A lot of people owe their lives to Maxwell, quite literally. When the super Soul singer unleashed his Urban Hang Suite 20 years ago this month (April 2), it was a potent arrow from Cupid's quiver for lovers of music and lovers, generally. The album quickly became the soundtrack for... Read more

April 9, 2016 Throwback

KRS-One Responds To MC Shan’s Battle Bars With A Brutal Diss Record (Audio)

For one week now, MC Shan has asked for a proper battle with KRS-One. Thirty years removed from the genesis of "The Bridge Wars," Shan revealed some bars he had for Kris last week. This morning, the onetime Juice Crew MC released an acapella verse that pulled no punches in... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

Jackie Robinson Made History Nearly 70 Years Ago, But His Story Is Far From Over (Video)

Next week will mark the 69th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's history-making entry into the Major League Baseball organization as the first Black player to ever do so, and a new documentary will serve as a reminder as to why that achievement was so important back in 1947, and why his... Read more

April 8, 2016 Lifestyle

Styles P Unloads 4 Freestyles & Brings New Meaning to Being a Versatile MC (Audio)

Yikes. Just days after Ambrosia for Heads premiered Black Thought's "Making a Murderer," which not only took the Hip-Hop community by storm but which also featured one of Styles P's best verses of his career, the Yonkers, New York MC is back with not one, but four new freestyles, a... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

Sean Price & Rah Digga Join Koolade for a Tall Glass of Hip-Hop Heat (Audio)

Croatian producer Koolade has crossed Heads' radars for 15 or so years, with a CV of veritable who's-who in indie and underground Rap. Having worked with Craig G, Diamond D, Ghostface Killah, Masta Ace, Sadat X, and many others, he is the deliverer of a new release featuring Rah Digga... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

Maxwell Is Releasing His First Album In 7 Years. Here’s The First Single (Lyric Video)

Like few other artists--D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Dr. Dre--Maxwell is one of the select ones who can go away for years and return, not only without losing a step, but sounding better than ever. The artist who helped to change the sonic landscape in 1996 with his debut album Maxwell's Urban... Read more

April 8, 2016 Video

Diamond D & O.C.’s Freestyle Makes D.I.T.C. Say “Yo, That’s That ish” (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates, better known as D.I.T.C., has been a unit for more than 20 years. However, since the 2000s, the New York City producer and MC collective has been building individual careers, including Fat Joe's platinum rise, a slew of O.C. cult-championed LPs, and the ongoing celebration of... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

MC Shan Spits 4 Minutes Of Battle Bars With Shots Aimed Directly At KRS-One’s Head (Audio)

One week ago (April 1), MC Shan appeared on the Murder Master Music Show. The Queens, New York MC veteran vehemently denied the history that he ever lost a battle to KRS-One. First referring to Kris as "my man," the Juice Crew MC explained why the "Bridge Wars" battles with... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

Chance the Rapper’s “Day One” Angels Keep Him Grounded & Surrounded (Video)

2015 Chance The Rapper single "Angels" has truly taken flight. Featuring fellow Chicago, Illinois MC Saba, the uplifting song gives thanks to the loved ones that serve as spiritual protectors around us, despite the vast temptations and treacherous possibilities. Chance's verses examine the challenges of being a young father trying... Read more

April 8, 2016 Video

Larenz Tate Goes In-Depth About Playing Menace II Society’s O-Dog & Other Lasting Roles (Video)

Over the years, Larenz Tate has embodied some of the most beloved roles in Black Cinema. Love Jones' Darius Lovehall, Dead Presidents' Anthony Curtis and Frankie Lymon in Why Do Fools Fall In Love are just a few. However, perhaps Tate's most enduring role is that of O-Dog from Menace... Read more

April 7, 2016 Video

Royce 5’9″‘s New Freestyle Shows His Time To “Shine” As A Solo Artist Is Now (Video)

For more than 20 years, Royce 5'9" consistently has been one of the most skilled wordsmiths in Hip-Hop. Coming of age with Eminem as part of Bad Meets Evil in the late 90s, Royce always surrounded himself with the best of the best, and thrived. After his 2000 single "Boom,"... Read more

April 7, 2016 Video

Freeway’s Battle Against Kidney Disease Is the Subject of an Inspiring New Film (Video)

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more than 4.5 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of kidney disease. Artists like Nick Cannon, Natalie Cole, and Tracy Morgan suffered and continue to suffer with kidney-related illness (also known as renal disease), and it's... Read more

April 7, 2016 Lifestyle

Like J Dilla, Blu & Miguel Proved To Be Diamonds In The Rough (Audio)

More than 10 years since the game-changing producer/MC passed away, J Dilla's music is living strong in 2016. Next week, Dilla's family will release an album he worked on for many years in the early 2000s, The Diary. In May, Dilla's family will re-release another title from his beloved discography.... Read more

April 6, 2016 Audio

Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira Receives Star Power Award For Portraying A Strong Black Woman (Video)

A Zimbabwean American, Danai Gurira has become an icon through her work on AMC's smash television hit The Walking Dead and was celebrated by B.E.T.'s annual Black Girls Rock! special which aired last night (April 5). Playing the dreadloc'd, sword-wielding Michonne on the zombie-focused serial drama, Gurira has certainly helped open up... Read more

April 6, 2016 Video

Bill Nye Drops Serious Science On Climate Change & Calls Out the Media & Republicans (Video)

Bill Nye's name rings familiar to generations of kids who grew up able to love science, thanks to his ability to make learning cool. Along with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nye stands tall as one of the "rockstars" of academia, thanks to the his iconic PBS television show Bill Nye... Read more

April 6, 2016 TV/Film

Phife Dawg’s Spirit Stirs Touching Words from André 3000, Kanye West, KRS-One & More (Video)

Last night (April 5), the iconic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York City had much of the music world's attention, but for a somber reason. In his hometown, Phife Dawg was honored by family, friends, and fellow Hip-Hop icons in what is perhaps the most memorable event of its kind... Read more

April 6, 2016 Video

New Jack City’s Creator Reveals The Story’s Original Ending & It’s Wildly Different

In the mid-1980s, Thomas Lee Wright, a creative executive at Paramount Studios left the company to pursue a career as a screenwriter. One of his first endeavors was to write a treatment for The Godfather: Part III, because he knew Paramount had a high interest in making a third installment... Read more

April 6, 2016 Food for Thought

Black Thought’s New Song With Styles P & 9th Wonder Is Absolute Lyrical Destruction (Audio)

For years, Black Thought has been atop countless lists of "the most underrated MCs." This, despite having consistently released some of the best music in Hip-Hop for a near 30-year span, both with his band The Roots and on countless guest features. Thought addressed the issue, himself, on Statik Selektah's... Read more

April 6, 2016 Audio