Fresh Archives

Lupe Fiasco, Big K.R.I.T. & Dee-1 Come Together To Be Real, Righteous & Relevant (Audio)

New Orleans, Louisiana MC Dee-1 has been grinding for years. Now backed by RCA Records, Dee has a knack for making music that knocks in the headphones and trunks, but still packs tremendous fodder for the mind. Fresh off of his club-tinged student loan-inspired "Sallie Mae Back" (a play on... Read more

April 6, 2016 Audio

Phife Dawg’s New Song “Nutshell” Features A J Dilla Beat & Shows His Music Lives On (Video)

As friends, family and fans mourn Phife Dawg during the live stream of his Celebration of Phife memorial service at the Apollo Theater, his family fulfills its promise to begin releasing the music Phife was recording, before his passing, to the world. The first track released from the project is... Read more

April 5, 2016 Video

Watch A Live Stream Of The Celebration Of Phife Memorial Service At The Apollo Theater (Video)

Earlier this week, Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest put out a call to action for fans to assemble at the St. Albans Park in Queens, NY yesterday (April 4), promising something special for the first 200 people who arrived. There, those fans were given T-shirts, by volunteers which included... Read more

April 5, 2016 Video

Killer Mike Says “Jim Crow Is Still Very Much Alive” (Video)

By now, even casual fans of Killer Mike's music have likely become familiar with his robust proclamations in his daily life, whether on social media, political speeches, or media appearances. Along with his extensive work on the campaign trail for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Killer Mike has been fighting... Read more

April 5, 2016 Lifestyle

Black Thought Speaks About The Roots Picnic And New Music On The Way With Royce, 9th Wonder & Eminem

For nearly 30 years, Black Thought and Questlove have been performing together, as The Roots. In that time, they have released 16 albums and EPs, performed at tens of thousands of shows, and entertained millions nightly, as the band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The expanse and quality... Read more

April 5, 2016 Food for Thought

Havoc & the Alchemist Maintain a Laid-Back Groove & Hurt Some Feelings (Audio)

As a producer, Queens, New York producer Havoc has earned more than enough stripes to warrant him consideration as one of the most influential, thanks in no small part to his work on the boards as one half of Mobb Deep. His rhyming skills are also celebrated, and he's got... Read more

April 5, 2016 Audio

Drake’s Pool May Be Bigger Than Kanye’s, But Who’s Got The Bigger Verse? (Audio)

As much of the Hip-Hop community waits for the arrival of his forthcoming album Views From the 6, Drake continues to dominate much of the conversation about today's biggest MCs. With "Hotline Bling" embodying the nexus of popular music and pop-culture phenom more than anything else in 2015, the Toronto... Read more

April 5, 2016 Audio

The Clothing Line That Sparked A Cultural Revolution Is Coming Back But It Needs Your Help

UPDATE: The Kickstarter campaign to re-launch the AACA brand ends at 9AM EST tomorrow (April 18). The campaign is seeking to raise $100K, and is currently at $84,253. To donate, click here. Before Phat Farm, FUBU, Rocawear or any of the other iconic urban fashion wear brands, there was an... Read more

April 5, 2016 Lifestyle

ScHoolboy Q’s New Single Is Groovy But It’s Still Gangsta (Audio)

It's been more than 2 years since ScHoolboy Q released Oxymoron, his major label debut album. However, the Top Dawg Entertainment artist has already been quite active in 2016. In March, he joined A$AP Ferg on the hard-driving "Let It Bang," and recent leaks of snippets, as well as words... Read more

April 5, 2016 Audio

Token Gets His Big Shot & Freestyles Like His Life Depends On It (Video)

On Friday (April 1), Salem, Massachusetts' Token was a guest on the Sway In The Morning Show. There was no fooling when the 17 year-old MC introduced himself with a few words about his 12 years of rhyming. At the 7:00 mark, the MC stands up and quite literally, delivers:... Read more

April 4, 2016 Video

Kxng Crooked Tears Into A Statik Selektah Soul Creation (Audio)

Statik Kxng was more than just a one-off for Kxng Crooked (p/k/a Crooked I) and Statik Selektah. The Showoff Records/Penalty Entertainment, Long Beach-to-Brooklyn duo exists beyond their early 2016 10-track EP. "Street Music" appears on Mike Epps' forthcoming Meet The Blacks soundtrack, but stands taller than a typical peel-away track.... Read more

April 4, 2016 Audio

Pimp C’s Memory Is Cherished by Nas, Bun B & Family Insiders in New Documentary (Video)

In the years since his 2007 passing, Pimp C (born Chad Butler) remains a larger-than-life presence in Hip-Hop, especially when one considers his enduring influence in the way Southern Rap sounds. But regional impact aside, Pimp C was also a friend, a group mate, a husband, and a life-loving celebrant... Read more

April 4, 2016 Video

Q-Tip Remembers Phife Dawg As His “Hero” In A Heartfelt Statement

Besides a formal statement from A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip remained publicly silent for more than a week after the March 22 death of friend and band-mate Phife Dawg. On social media yesterday (April 3), the accomplished MC, producer and Kennedy Center director spoke about Malik Taylor. The message about... Read more

April 4, 2016 Fresh

From Slaughterhouses To Junk Yards, Joell Ortiz’s Lyrics Wreck Shop (Video)

Joell Ortiz is a product of his environment. The pride of Brooklyn, New York's Cooper Houses has rhymed about bodegas, fistfights, and a litany of tight situations. With his Timberlands laced up, the Slaughterhouse MC loves maintaining that 1980s and 1990s reputation when the Big Apple wasn't so sweet, and... Read more

April 4, 2016 Video

Royce 5’9″, Pusha T & Rick Ross Show That Each Has Many Layers As An MC (Audio)

With only 11 days until the release of his solo album Layers, Detroit's Royce 5'9" is in the home stretch of a promotional undertaking that has resulted in more than enough work to prove that one need not be the next hottest thing to put forth inspiring and lyrically punishing... Read more

April 4, 2016 Audio

Bahamadia Speaks On Artistic Integrity & Hip-Hop Womanhood, 20 Years After Kollage (Interview)

On April 2, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC known as Bahamadia celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Kollage. From her early success on radio to arriving where she is now, Bahamadia carries along with her the observations made along the way. However, the major milestones in her career are... Read more

April 4, 2016 Food for Thought

Bernie Sanders is Changing the Political Landscape in the U.S. & He’s Proud Of It (Video)

Fresh off his primary victories in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, Vermont's Senator Bernie Sanders continues to force a conversation in American politics about the big guys versus the little guys. Having galvanized young voters in far greater numbers than his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, Sanders has proven that a polished... Read more

April 4, 2016 Lifestyle

KRS-One Sounds Off On Da Police As Swizz Beatz Nods To B.D.P. (Audio)

KRS-One proves to be the perfect MC for Swizz Beatz' massive remix for "Jason." The 2015 video single which originally featured Jadakiss gets Boogie Down Productions' "The Bridge Is Over" percussion, and a fiery Blastmasta Kris taking on the crimes of the police department in the 2010s. The MC who... Read more

April 4, 2016 Audio

Hear The Best Hip-Hop of March 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For Hip-Hop fans, March 2016 will forever be associated with the loss of Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest. Less than 2 weeks after his sudden passing, fans worldwide are still mourning. While March 22 undoubtedly will become an annual day of reflection and celebration for Hip-Hop, there were... Read more

April 3, 2016 Audio, Playlists

G-Eazy Confirms Mac Dre Hologram Planned For Coachella Set (Video)

Technology and Hip-Hop concerts have merged to a new level over the last five years. At 2012's Coachella festival, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg brought a CGI portrayal of Tupac Shakur to their stage set. Popularly referred to as a "hologram," the imaging was created by Digital Domain and AV... Read more

April 3, 2016 Video

J Dilla’s Love For West Coast Rap Shines Alongside Snoop & Kokane (Audio)

Before J Dilla started working on his MCA Records debut known as The Diary, Slum Village had found great success with Fan-Tas-Tic, Vol. 2. While the LP memorably connected Jay Dee, Baatin, and T3 with the sounds of Q-Tip, D'Angelo, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kurupt was also a sought out... Read more

April 3, 2016 Audio

MC Shan Challenges KRS-One To Settle The Bridge Wars Once & For All…With A Battle (Audio)

In the late 1980s, the Juice Crew and Boogie Down Productions were involved in one of Hip-Hop's most legendary battles. KRS-One and Scott La Rock released records dissing Marley Marl, Mr. Magic, Roxanne Shante, and MC Shan, among others. However, nearly 30 years later, MC Shan refutes the history that... Read more

April 2, 2016 Audio, News

MC Eiht & Spice 1 Supply More West Coast Heat Over An Alchemist Beat (Audio)

While Spice 1 and MC Eiht have released multiple albums together, they had never worked as a unit with producer Alchemist. Earlier this week, Spice joined the stars of Compton's Most Wanted and Gangrene for "Any Means," a limited edition (500 pressings) 7" release. But like so many 45's, there... Read more

April 1, 2016 Audio

Terrace Martin’s Intricate “Portraits” Blend Jazz, Soul & Hip-Hop (Album Stream)

Terrace Martin is a musical purist. The longtime producer for Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and YG makes many of his projects easily accessible to listeners looking to check out the brass musician and producer. His latest album, Velvet Portraits, is no exception. Featuring Lalah Hathaway, Thundercat, Robert Glasper and more,... Read more

April 1, 2016 Audio

Token Says He IS The Underground And He Has The Bars To Prove It (Video)

In less than one year, Token has become of the most exciting unsigned artists in Hip-Hop. In March, he was prominently featured alongside Joell Ortiz in the That's Hip-Hop album with Domingo. There, Toke' represented a delegate of the new school MCs who is taking the craft of rapping, and... Read more

April 1, 2016 Video

Phonte & 9th Wonder Reunite On A Robert Glasper Tribute To Miles Davis (Audio)

Robert Glasper's interpretive Miles Davis tribute Everything's Beautiful is just under two months away. The May 27 album already unveiled its first single, the Bilal-featuring "Ghetto Walkin'." Now, "Violets" applies elements of Miles' 1959 Kind Of Blue ("Blue In Green") and delightfully bends it to fit Phonte's narrative in "Violets."... Read more

April 1, 2016 Audio

A$AP Mob Are In A New York State Of Mind & Look To Nas For Inspiration (Audio)

One of the critiques that A$AP Mob faced when they began to emerge in 2011 was that their music did not sound like "New York Hip-Hop." Rocky, in particular, unabashedly drew on Houston's chopped and screwed sound on his early single, "Goldie," and much of Ferg's music kept in step... Read more

March 31, 2016 Audio

Jamila Woods Stands Out. She Powerfully Blames Ego For Killing Romance (Audio)

Jamila Woods has been making noise for years. The Chicago, Illinois singer (and poet/writer) has been working with the likes of Donnie Trumpet & Social Experiment as well as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Now, the Closed Sessions artist helps light a path for her label-mate Kweku Collins in "Ego Killed... Read more

March 31, 2016 Audio

Ice Cube & Common’s Touted Collabo Gives History A Shape-Up (Video)

Common and Ice Cube released "Real People" one week ago. Twenty years after their bitter Rap beef, the pair uses their co-starring position in Barbershop: The Next Cut to step beyond the issue. The song's verses play on each others' lines and names, the very same way these two went... Read more

March 31, 2016 Video

Bahamadia Speaks On Artistic Integrity & Hip-Hop Womanhood, 20 Years After Kollage (Interview)

On April 2, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC known as Bahamadia celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Kollage. From her early success on radio to arriving where she is now, Bahamadia carries along with her the observations made along the way. However, the major milestones in her career are not always... Read more

March 31, 2016 Food for Thought

Anthony Hamilton’s One-Of-A-Kind Voice Will Brighten Your Day (Video)

Over the last few years, NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series has become one of the richest platforms for showcasing great music, in its purest form. The franchise allowed artists like Oddisee and Rapsody to demo the richness and depth in their song-making, and completely re-introduced T-Pain to the world as... Read more

March 31, 2016 Video

Rittz, MJG & Devin The Dude Are 3 Southern Lyricists That Buck The Trends (Audio)

At a time when Greater Atlanta is producing some of the biggest stars in Hip-Hop, it can be difficult to know where exactly Rittz fits in. The Strange Music artist and longtime Yelawolf affiliate may not have much in common with the sounds and styles of his peers, but he... Read more

March 30, 2016 Audio

Sticks & Stones Will Not Stop Big K.R.I.T. From Winning (Audio)

One week ago (March 25), Big K.R.I.T. was the latest contestant of Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette game. While past producer/MCs have taken the challenge of blindly selecting three records from a store (Erick Sermon, El-P, Large Professor, to name a few of the most esteemed), Krizzle would break new ground.... Read more

March 30, 2016 Audio

Witness The Talent Dr. Dre Saw In Anderson .Paak, As He Lights Up The Stage In A Full Concert (Video)

Anderson .Paak's rise in 2015 was nothing less than meteoric. The singer/songwriter/rapper/musician worked with DJ Premier, 9th Wonder and a host of others, and was the cornerstone of Dr. Dre's Compton album, participating on nearly half of the LP's songs. He also released The Anderson .Paak EP, with Blended Babies,... Read more

March 30, 2016 Video

The Ugly Details Of Ice Cube & Common’s Beef Show Just How Far They’ve Come

Last week, Ice Cube and Common released "Real People." The Barbershop: The Next Cut soundtrack inclusion may be promotional for the film both MC/actors star in, but the lyrics and theme of the song suggest much more. The collaboration follows a mid-1990s beef that saw both parties release dis' records... Read more

March 30, 2016 Food for Thought

Joey Bada$$ Makes The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Into A Fist & Puts It On Troy Ave (Video)

It has been a big month for Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop. After 2015 saw albums by Joey Bada$$ (B4.Da.$$) and Troy Ave (Major Without A Deal), the men began a social media back-and-forth regarding sales versus status that soon escalated. Last month (February 29), Troy brought the late Capital STEEZ... Read more

March 29, 2016 Video

MC Eiht & Spice 1 Strike Gold On Alchemist Production (Audio)

MC Eiht and Spice 1 made two albums together in the 2000s. The Pioneers and Keep It Gangsta were unified fronts after years of the two Cali kings working together on one another's albums. While Eiht and Spice always spit with weathered wisdom and street conviction, production has not always... Read more

March 29, 2016 Audio

Royce 5’9″ & Black Thought Deliver Rap On Steroids On Royce’s New Free EP (Audio)

Royce 5'9" has been on a tear in 2016. Just over a month ago, he announced the release of Layers, his first solo album in nearly 5 years, on April 15. Since then he has dropped a slew of blistering freestyles, songs and videos. Keeping his foot on the gas,... Read more

March 29, 2016 Mixes

Anthony Hamilton Sings The Kind Of Soul Music That Makes You Say “AMEN” (Video)

Over the last few years, NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series has become one of the richest platforms for showcasing great music, in its purest form. The franchise allowed artists like Oddisee and Rapsody to demo the richness and depth in their song-making, and completely re-introduced T-Pain to the world as... Read more

March 29, 2016 Video

J. Prince & Bun B Discuss Rap-A-Lot Records Ties To Death Row & Beyonce (Video)

2016 marks 30 years since James "J." Prince launched Rap-A-Lot Records. The Houston, Texas-based independent label would go on to achieve #1 albums, numerous platinum plaques, and a hand in the careers of artists ranging from Scarface to Drake, Tha Outlawz to Trae Tha Truth. The label's founder is notoriously... Read more

March 28, 2016 Video

O.C. & AG Embrace Their Years Of Experience & Say They Are Only Getting Better (Audio)

Hip-Hop has not been good to its legends. Instead of being celebrated, artists who helped build the culture are often relegated to the background or cloaked in backhand terms like "Old School." The practice of ageism has been ingrained in the culture from its earliest days, and continues even though... Read more

March 28, 2016 Audio

Big Boi & Killer Mike Conjure Up Some Of That Dungeon Family Magic On “Born To Shine” (Video)

Late last year, Big Grams (Big Boi + Phantogram) released their self-titled debut EP. The major label hybrid featured two guests: Skrillex and Run The Jewels. One half of R.T.J. is Killer Mike, who 15 years ago, burst on the scene as one of the strongest branches of the Dungeon... Read more

March 28, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Returns To Soul-Sampling & Songs About Pushing Through (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. made a name and a lane for himself making songs about defying the odds. The "third coast representing" MC/producer tackled the tall walls of the music industry on early mixtapes like KRITWuzHere and Return Of 4eva before becoming a Def Jam Records-backed major label artist. Despite two charting... Read more

March 28, 2016 Audio

Nas & Large Professor Still Barbeque 25 Years Later, With One Lyric Change (Video)

This month, Nas hosted a 2016 South By Southwest event called "Live At The BBQ." The same night Nasir Jones premiered his collaborator with J Dilla, he invited mentor Large Professor to the stage. Large Pro and his early '90s group Main Source would introduce Nas to the ears of... Read more

March 28, 2016 Video

Faith Evans Is Working On A Duets Album Featuring Vocals Of Her & Biggie (Audio)

The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans were husband and wife, parents, Bad Boy Records label-mates and collaborators together. Married for just two-and-a-half years before Biggie's 1997 murder, Evans would appear on "One More Chance," in addition to B.I.G. tribute song, "I'll Be Missing You." Approaching 20 years since the unsolved... Read more

March 28, 2016 Audio, News

Witness The Greatness Of Run-DMC With This Rare 1985 Concert (Video)

On this day in 1984 (March 27), Run-D.M.C. released their seminal debut eponymous album. In the canon of game-changing Hip-Hop albums, that album is one of the first, and possibly the biggest. Run, D.M.C., and Jam Master Jay synthesized the hardness they heard in the genre's pioneers, and adapted it... Read more

March 27, 2016 Throwback

King Lil G Brings Warmth To Watts’ Projects On “Cold Christmas” (Audio)

Despite relatively tepid American winters growing up in Watts, California, King Lil G's experiences during December weren’t always as warm, giving, and lavish as the department store aisles may have taught him, as some of his Hip-Hop counterparts from the area, Jay Rock and Glasses Malone, may attest to. For... Read more

March 26, 2016 Audio

Q-Tip Opens Up His Archive Of Live A Tribe Called Quest Recordings To Celebrate Phife Dawg (Audio)

While Q-Tip did not appear on last night's edition of his Abstract Radio show on Beats 1, he dedicated the entire episode to his fallen A Tribe Called Quest brother, Phife Dawg, and celebrated him with a 2-hour mix of live and rare Tribe recordings, from Tip's personal archives. During... Read more

March 26, 2016 Audio

Meet The Secret Weapon To Hits By Nas, Eric B. & Rakim & Main Source (Audio)

Anton Pukshansky is a name that likely appears in your music library—even if you don't know it. Born in Russia, raised in New York City, the producer, engineer, bassist, and keyboardist would work on heralded albums including Nas' Illmatic, Eric B. & Rakim's Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em, Kool G Rap &... Read more

March 26, 2016 Audio

Quentin Miller Says The Drake/Meek Mill Beef Did Get Violent. Just Not Between Them (Video)

When the Drake and Meek Mill beef boiled over last Summer, there was one central figure in the controversy: Quentin Miller. The emerging artist was the person that Meek Mill identified as the ghostwriter who penned Drake's verse on Meek Mill's song, "R.I.C.O." Miller was a credited contributor on a... Read more

March 25, 2016 Video