Fresh Archives

With Or Without Funk Volume, Dizzy Wright Is Plotting His Future & It Looks Bright (Video)

Over the last several weeks, there has been a lot of chatter about the demise of Funk Volume, the label home to Hopsin, Jarren Benton, Dizzy Wright and more. As the recent rift between, and possible reconciliation of, Lil Wayne and Birdman has shown, people in labels are often like... Read more

January 25, 2016 Video

2 Chainz Makes A Video That Is Funny, Odd & Unsettling, For “Watch Out” (Video)

So many videos these days are paint by numbers. Seemingly, the vast majority fall into the category of ridin' 'round shinin', hangin' with the homies or ballin' in the club. In addition to a dearth of creative concepts, the production value of these clips have also been on a rapid... Read more

January 25, 2016 Video

Stalley’s “Saving Yusuf” Mixtape Is A Return To His Soulful Slap (Mixtape)

For several years, Stalley has excelled in creating what he has dubbed "Intelligent Trunk Music." As the name suggests, the sound is characterized by Stalley's own brand of thoughtful lyrics, enveloped in car-rattling soulful beats. When Stalley signed to Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, the contrast in the two MCs'... Read more

January 25, 2016 Mixes

The D.O.C. Calls Erykah Badu His Closest Friend & Talks Co-Parenting (Video)

Dallas, Texas rapper the D.O.C. is best known for his extensive working relationship with N.W.A., with whom he co-wrote much material before ushering in a celebrated solo career. The platinum-selling MC who almost lost his ability to speak in a near-fatal car accident has re-emerged triumphantly, after an announcement in the... Read more

January 25, 2016 Video

Spotlight: Tim Gent Aims To Put Clarksville, Tennessee On The Lyrical Rap Map

Today (January 25), Clarksville, Tennessee MC Tim Gent is releasing his latest project. For The Love is a free effort by the impressive sensation, who balances precise lyricism with the trends of today. Already with individual videos reaching beyond 30,000 plays, the 22 year-old not only shows promise for putting... Read more

January 25, 2016 Food for Thought

Big K.R.I.T., Killer Mike & Nick Grant Are Royalty In Rap And Life (Audio)

Atlanta MC Nick Grant turned heads last year with not one, but two of the strongest freestyles of the year. Grant put on dazzling lyrical displays for 5 minutes at a time, as he seemed to thrive on the newfound national attention. However, Grant also showed that he was about... Read more

January 25, 2016 Audio

Flint, Michigan Was Poisoned & An Investigation Points to the Government (Video)

The ongoing crisis in Flint, Michigan is one at the nexus of economics, health, politics, and potentially criminal activity. Over the course of the last several weeks, mainstream media has been focusing more and more on a story that, despite sounding hyperlocalized to one specific community, potentially has similarities to conditions... Read more

January 25, 2016 Lifestyle

Fat Joe, O.C. & A.G. Remind Listeners How Lethal D.I.T.C.’s Lineup Is (Audio)

The Diggin' In The Crates reunion is burning strong. After several new crew-thick songs in 2016, the fresh week yields something especially fresh from a D.I.T.C. trio. "Diggin' Number" takes Fat Joe, O.C., and A.G., and assigns them numbers on a knocking quick-strike. Like De La Soul's "Plug" numbers, the... Read more

January 25, 2016 Audio

Just Blaze Flipped This Supertramp Song & Made It Breathe For Fabolous (Audio)

Whether or not 1970s Rock & Roll is part of your playlist, chances are you've heard Supertramp. The London, England group was active from the late 1960s to the late '80s, and last year began some reunion touring and recording. "The Logical Song" and "The Long Way Home" are two... Read more

January 24, 2016 Sample Sundays

Leave It To SNL To Provide Comic Relief To Oscar Controversies (Video)

Since its days known as Saturday Night Live, SNL has been a podium for making light of headline news and strong social discourse. This month, the specific 2016 Oscar nominations (and lack thereof) prompted very public dialogue surrounding the diversity of its nominating committees. Meanwhile, the Academy of Motion Picture... Read more

January 24, 2016 TV/Film, Video

A Tribe Called Quest & Leaders Of The New School Perform Scenario Remix in 1992 (Video)

Footage of A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School performing "Scenario" is rare. Video of them performing the remix of that classic? Priceless. However, earlier this month, that's exactly what happened. A clip from a 1992 performance featuring both ATCQ and LONS at Harlem's famed Apollo Theater... Read more

January 23, 2016 Throwback

Chasing The Cat Makes Key & Peele Gangsta In Their First Feature Film (Video)

When word broke that Key & Peele was ending after its fifth season last year, fans were dismayed. The outrageous sketch comedy show had filled a void that had been lacking for several years after Chappelle's Show left the air. Not to worry, though. The dynamic duo of Keegan-Michael Key... Read more

January 23, 2016 TV/Film

Adrian Younge’s Latest Is Uncut Soul Featuring Bilal & Raphael Saadiq (Album Stream)

Adrian Younge has just released his latest solo album, Something About April II. The Los Angeles, California-based producer/musician is renowned for his brand of throwback Soul and Funk, as heard alongside Ghostface Killah, Souls Of Mischief, and original source, The Delfonics. Also a member of PRhyme, Younge initially gained recognition... Read more

January 23, 2016 Audio

TDE’s President Punch Rhymes Better Than A Lot Of MCs (Audio)

Over the last 5 years, Top Dawg Entertainment, more commonly known as TDE, has grown into one of the most powerful record labels in Hip-Hop. The company's roster includes Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad and SZA. As impressive as that group of artists may be, it... Read more

January 22, 2016 Audio

J. Cole & Ryan Coogler Show Why They Are 2 of the Most Important Voices Of Their Generation (Video)

"This is just two young Black men having intelligent dialogue," summarized J. Cole at this week's #MLKNOW event (January 18) in New York City. The heralded MC/producer was interviewed by filmmaker Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed). Together, the two artists engaged in a conversation about race, police brutality, and promoting... Read more

January 22, 2016 Video

Lecrae Says He’s a Jacked-Up Person & Needs a Savior (Video)

In today's world, religion and politics are two subjects that are often kept separate. However, there are some who feel that their faith and their political views are intrinsically linked. Christian leadership speaker Kurt Uhlir is one of those individuals who believes that one's spiritual beliefs should inform their political... Read more

January 22, 2016 Video

RZA Was Politically Correct About His Opinion of Martin Shkreli. Ghostface Is More Blunt (Video)

The lore around Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, the album for which Wu-Tang Clan created a single copy and sold it to the highest bidder, has grown to be as fascinating as the music, itself. As many know, after a months-long process, the album was ultimately sold to controversial... Read more

January 22, 2016 Video

Snoop Dogg Revisits Donny Hathaway’s “Little Ghetto Boy,” With His Daughter, Lalah (Video)

A recent match-up between Snoop Dogg, Lalah Hathaway, Terrace Martin, and Robert Glasper is a glorious collaboration which in many ways was thought of years ago. Hathaway, the daughter of the late Soul icon Donny, has released an updated version of her dad's 1972 classic, "Little Ghetto Boy." However, it's... Read more

January 22, 2016 The Bridge, Video

Game Shows Sometimes Less Is More As He Rides Solo On A Beautiful Piano-Driven Track (Audio)

Once Game signed to G-Unit/Aftermath in the mid-2000s, he had access to the best producers in Hip-Hop. From Dr. Dre to Timbaland, Just Blaze to Buckwild, Jayceon Taylor had a wish-list of not only producers, but some of the best beats ever made from each. In the next decade, he... Read more

January 22, 2016 Audio

Macklemore Releases a New Song About White Privilege And It’s a Powder Keg (Audio)

Recent events have made it exceptionally clear that we are living in a modern-day Civil Rights Era. Despite all the progress American society has made in many ways - a Black President, LGBTQ rights, allowing women to serve in the military, and so forth - there is still an untenable... Read more

January 22, 2016 Audio

Jamila Woods Makes an Anthem for Black Girls Everywhere (Audio)

Chicago-based singer Jamila Woods first turned Heads on a major level through her work on Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment's 2015 Surf album on "Sunday Candy." Currently gearing up for the release of her debut solo project, she has announced her signing to the Closed Sessions label, and has... Read more

January 21, 2016 Audio

Masta Ace & Beneficence Ride Together & Get Fly Together (Video)

The roll-out for Beneficence's Basement Chemistry is heavy. Fresh off of the video to the Inspectah Deck-assisted "Digital Warfare" single, Bene' releases the visual to "When The Sun Comes." This time, it's Masta Ace who is a welcomed feature on the single from the Newark, New Jersey MC. In the... Read more

January 21, 2016 Video

NBA All-Star Damian Lillard Invokes Powerful Imagery in a Message of Hope (Video)

As a point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard has been proving his skills off the court, as well, over the last year. On the mic, he's established himself as a thoughtful, poetic MC. Under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A., he previously dropped a serious freestyle at Shade 45,... Read more

January 21, 2016 Video

MC Eiht Reveals How He & DJ Quik Ended One Of Hip-Hop’s Ugliest Beefs (Video)

For nearly 6 years, DJ Quik and MC Eiht were embroiled in one of Hip-Hop's most vicious feuds on record. However, around 1997, the two men ended their infamous beef with little fanfare. While Eiht has discussed their extended war of words in the past, he recently sat down with... Read more

January 21, 2016 Audio

Mobb Deep’s Prodigy To Perform At The Interactive Play “The Illuminati Ball”

Hip-Hop and the theater are continuing to merge in unexpected ways. With the astronomical success of Hamilton on Broadway and Kurtis Blow's stint in the Hip-Hop Nutcracker, a legacy that began back in the '90s with productions of So! What Happens Now? and Jam on the Groove is blossoming. Today, it's... Read more

January 21, 2016 Lifestyle

Casual & Phat Kat Ride Through A Tunnel That Leads Straight To Pure Grimy Hip-Hop (Video)

Casual and Phat Kat have formed a new group called Ron Jon Bovi. The pair are gearing up to release an album titled Neaux Mursi, a homonym double entre from the French "Non Merci," or "no thank you," and No Mercy. That wordplay, alone gives an indication of how lyrically... Read more

January 20, 2016 Video

Yasiin Bey Declares 2016 Album Will Be His Last & Announces Industry Retirement

This week, Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) left a very unique voicemail on Kanye West's phone. West, who signed Bey to his G.O.O.D. Music imprint after years of collaboration, shared the message with the public yesterday (January 19). The Brooklyn, New York MC reacted to West's latest song, "No More... Read more

January 20, 2016 Audio, News

Pusha T Narrates His Inspiring Life Story. It All Began With His Brother. (Video)

Pusha T has had what are arguably the best several months of his career lately. After being named the President of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint, the Virginia Beach MC is now riding the wave of critical acclaim left in the wake of King Push: Darkest Before Dawn: the Prelude,... Read more

January 20, 2016 Video

Taggers Played an Integral Role in Graffiti’s Rise. A New Film Tells Their Story (Video)

In some form or another, graffiti has been around for millennia. Inscriptions, carvings, frescas, and a host of other places where art meets the streets can be found in nearly every civilization, but something particularly influential happened right here, in the United States. The place which birthed Hip-Hop culture served... Read more

January 20, 2016 TV/Film

Protected: Native Tongues vs. D.I.T.C. : Who’s The Better Crew?

In honor of #HipHop50, BET is celebrating the culture and the music with a bracket-style competition to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. These are legendary collectives from different regions, styles, and generations—all vying for that #1 spot. Twenty-eight crews have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot from... Read more

January 20, 2016 Throwback

Cam’ron Looks Back At Rare Photos With A Signature Dipset Beat (Video)

Cam'ron's life and career are rather unique. Raised in Harlem, New York, Cam' divided his interests between basketball, the streets, and Hip-Hop. Over time, the Diplomats general would work with Big L, Ma$e, and Bloodshed (as Children Of The Corn) before his days signed to Untertainment/Epic Records. In the 1990s,... Read more

January 20, 2016 Video

Peanut Butter Wolf Nearly Stopped Making Music After Meeting Madlib (Video)

Earlier this week, the Beat Konducta himself, Madlib, was introduced to even more new fans thanks to his contributions on Kanye West's "No More Parties in L.A." Longtime Heads have been following the Oxnard, California producer and part-time MC for several decades and many incarnations. The man behind projects released... Read more

January 20, 2016 Video

Questlove’s Trip to a Prince Concert Went from Near Disaster to Epic Win (Video)

For most of us, being able to see the one and only Prince live in concert will likely never happen. Even less likely is being able to hit the show on a first date. For Questlove, it's a bit less far-fetched of a possibility, and in a wonderfully creative animated... Read more

January 20, 2016 Video

2015 Was Hottest Year on Record & Now Sea Levels May Wipe Our Cities Away (Video)

2015 was the hottest year in recorded climate history. In our world of hyperbole, unsubstantiated political discourse, and general laissez-faire attitudes about problems with no immediate effect on our wellbeing, hearing such news doesn't necessarily incite a knee-jerk reaction. Generally speaking, the issues of global warming and climate change don't elicit... Read more

January 20, 2016 Lifestyle

DJ Premier Tells The Story Of This Photo With D’Angelo, Alchemist & J. Dilla, In His Words

DJ Premier tells Ambrosia For Heads the story about the night he, D'Angelo, Alchemist and J. Dilla gathered in the studio and took what would become an iconic photo. These are his words about the photo, that night, and the other supremely talented men with whom he posed: "Gang Starr... Read more

January 20, 2016 Food for Thought

Curren$y Strikes With A Project Produced Entirely By Cool & Dre (EP Stream)

Curren$y is one of Hip-Hop's most prolific artist. The JetLife founder and captain steers into 2016 with his latest project. The Owners Manual pairs Spitta Andretti with Miami, Florida-based platinum production pair, Cool & Dre. Cool & Dre, who worked with Curren$y on some mid-2000s Young Money projects, have done... Read more

January 19, 2016 Audio

This Video Shows Why You Used to Love Hip-Hop…And Still Should (Video)

In the video for "Still Love Her," Albuquerque, New Mexico MC Wake Self incorporates touchstones that any Head will appreciate. With a beautiful visual homage to A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory album cover, a conceptual foundation built on the artwork for Common's Resurrection, a nod to De... Read more

January 19, 2016 Video

Naughty By Nature Reunite With Queen Latifah On A Song Filled With Love (Video)

The ties between Naughty By Nature and Queen Latifah run deep. When NBN first got their start, it was fellow Jersey native Latifah who helped guide them, along with her Flavor Unit management team. Treach, Vin Rock and Kay Gee would go on to record with the Queen on their... Read more

January 19, 2016 Video

“Wheels Are In Motion” For An O.D.B. Biopic, According To RZA

As N.W.A. is now associated with Oscar nominations thanks to their Straight Outta Compton biopic, at least two other Hip-Hop films are under way. Tupac Shakur's biographical film All Eyez On Me is said to be shooting, while Daz Dillinger's Death Row Records vignette, Dogg Pound 4 Life, has begun... Read more

January 19, 2016 News, TV/Film

Dr. Dre’s “Compton” Is Remixed By One Of His Chronic Collaborators (Premiere)

Chris "The Glove" Taylor is the epitome of a West Coast Hip-Hop O.G. Taylor, who appeared alongside a young Ice-T in the film (and on the soundtrack) Breakin', has been creating sounds ever since. In addition to lots of work with King T, The Firm, and Xzibit, The Glove was... Read more

January 19, 2016 Audio, Exclusive, Mixes

Snoop Tells The Oscars Where They Can Go & Says Let’s Have Some “Hood Awards” (Video)

It was all good just a week ago...Last week, it seemed there was cause for celebration regarding the recognition of the contributions of African-Americans in the arts by the key organizations doling out the most respected accolades. Run-D.M.C. were announced as the first Rap act to receive a Grammy Lifetime... Read more

January 19, 2016 Video

Talib Kweli, Problem & Bad Lucc Make A Minimalist Video All About Mic Rocking

Talib Kweli's "Pay Ya Dues" is the latest Indie 500 song to get the visual treatment. The record pulls talent from Brooklyn, New York to South Central, Los Angeles—as Compton's Problem and nearby Bad Lucc guest on the track. For a song about the elemental approach to getting your name... Read more

January 18, 2016 Video

Ice Cube Promises N.W.A. On Stage Reunion In 2016 (Video)

In 2015, N.W.A.'s story was told through the F. Gary Gray-directed film, Straight Outta Compton. With that, the group that has been in factions since 1989 made steps towards reunion. Although the platinum group's founder, Eazy-E, died in 1995, the surviving four members appeared together through the film's summer '15... Read more

January 18, 2016 News, Video

Ghostface Killah’s Wu-Goo Will Melt Your Mind. This Video Is A Literal Head Trip

Wu-Tang Clan listeners already know that the nine member collective loves Rap cyphers and smokers cyphers alike. Method Man is not the only Wu member to profit from recreational mind elevation (thanks to the How High franchise). Ghostface Killah is now in on the hustle too. The Staten Island, New... Read more

January 18, 2016 Video

Jeezy Shows a Life of Bittersweet Redemption in the Video for “Sweet Life” With Janelle Monae

Like the song, the video for Jeezy's "Sweet Life," featuring Janelle Monae, is a story of redemption. Jeezy shows the different paths his life could have taken and how he turned his life around with music. However, the journey is bittersweet, as the MC is seen reading headlines about Black... Read more

January 18, 2016 Video

Kanye West’s First Kendrick Lamar & Madlib Collabo Is Worth The Wait (Audio)

"I know some fans thought I wouldn't rap like this again / But the writers block is over, MCs cancel your plans." - Kanye West Last Friday (January 8) Kanye West showcased the 2016 return of "G.O.O.D. Fridays" in the Ty Dolla $ign assisted-"Real Friends." After the song finished playing... Read more

January 18, 2016 Audio

Which Cheryl Lynn Disco Hit Fueled These 2 90s Hip-Hop Party Starters?

In the fall of 1978, Disco was going on strong. While a lot of the 1970s genre's biggest hits have not translated to Hip-Hop, some have. Cheryl Lynn was one such singer. In the middle of the decade, the Los Angeles, California songstress was instrumental to The Wiz. Later a... Read more

January 17, 2016 Sample Sundays

M.O.P. Always Rhyme Like Their Lives Depend On It (Audio)

The M.O.P. co-sign is big in Hip-Hop. Lil Fame and Billy Danze have helped introduce acts ranging from Teflon to Termanology in their illustrious 25-year career. The Brownsvillains come out to support Patterson, New Jersey veteran MC/producer Ran Reed. Ran produced his own single, "Gun Boy Interlude." With a distorted... Read more

January 17, 2016 Audio

This Gritty Mix Showcases RZA’s Deep Crates & The Wu-Tang Samples

RZA is one of Hip-Hop's most celebrated producers. The Wu-Tang Clan Abbot not only gave his own clan a distinct set of sounds since the early 1990s, he provided dusty textures for The Notorious B.I.G., Cypress Hill, and AZ, among others. Grand Finale amassed a collection of RZA-produced tracks for... Read more

January 17, 2016 Mixes

This Far Reaching Mix Sprinkles Some Of J Dilla’s Best & Rarest Donuts

Next month (February 5-7), the second annual J Dilla Weekend will take place in Miami, Florida. The three-day event features music performances, exhibits, panels, and more. Pre-sale ticket packages are available. At present, Dilla's onetime group Slum Village, and a host of collaborators are signed on for the event. Additionally,... Read more

January 17, 2016 Audio, Mixes, Throwback