Fresh Archives

Erykah Badu Details The Making of “Hello” With Andre 3000

On November 27, Erykah Badu released mixtape But You Cain't Use My Phone. The Thanksgiving week freebie is also available for online purchase. The closing song of the 11 included in the Motown Records project is "Hello," a duet with the father of Erykah's son, Andre 3000. The parents honored... Read more

December 15, 2015 Fresh

G-Eazy Bared His Soul on His Latest Album, & He’s Got More to Say (Interview)

On December 4, Oakland, California MC G-Eazy released his sophomore album for RCA Records called When It's Dark Out, and with it he continued the chart-topping success he found with his 2014 major label debut, These Things Happen. The 26 year-old has already worked with giants like E-40, Big Sean,... Read more

December 15, 2015 Food for Thought

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year Speaks Volumes About 2015 (Audio)

Since 2003, the dictionary publishing company Merriam-Webster has released lists of words every December that best define what the preceding 11 months were all about, and this morning, it became 2015's turn. In years past, the Words of the Year were decided by the dictionary's page views and website searches,... Read more

December 15, 2015 Lifestyle

Killer Mike & Bernie Sanders Talk Shop in 6-Episode Mini-Series (Video)

After formally endorsing presidential candidate Bernie Sanders last month, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) has been promoting the Vermont senator's politics and campaign promises in an effort to galvanize American voters to rally support. In his introductory speech at a Sanders rally in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Render called... Read more

December 15, 2015 Video

Terrace Martin’s Latest Kendrick Lamar Remix Is More Than Alright (Audio)

Terrace Martin has been down with Kendrick Lamar and TDE since way back. So the Locke High horn player and producer takes a liberty, and throws his spin on what may very well be 2015's most meaningful song. Martin takes To Pimp A Butterfly single "Alright" and runs it through... Read more

December 15, 2015 Audio

Tech N9ne & Murs’ Problems Go Up In Smoke, Like Cheech & Chong (Video)

As revealed in last month's interview, Tech N9ne releases a video for Strangeulation, Vol. 2's Murs and Ubiquitous (CES Cru) collaboration. The pair of independent stalwarts use Cheech & Chong's 1978 cult classic Up In Smoke to show why "Blunt And A Ho" is great stress-relief. From the Impala low-rider,... Read more

December 15, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Curren$y Goes In the Booth and Supplies That Audio Dope (Video)

This month, Curren$y released Canal Street Confidential. The Jetlife/Atlantic Records LP features Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Fiend, among others. However, even days after a retail release and a slew of mixtapes, the New Orleans, Louisiana MC still has lyrics to go. Spitta stopped through AudioMack's recording studios to elevate... Read more

December 15, 2015 Video

Pharoahe Monch’s Pharmacy Freestyle Shows Why He’s One Of Dr. Dre’s Favorite MCs (Audio)

Pharoahe Monch and Dr. Dre have never released music together. The Organized Konfusion MC and the N.W.A. producer nearly aligned when Monch was reportedly courted by Eminem and Shady Records, which would have placed the Rawkus hit-maker in the Shady-Aftermath-G-Unit umbrella. That did not happen. But like Dre, the Queens,... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Approaching Album No. 2, YG’s Narrative & Throwback Sound Isn’t Budging (Audio)

Two years ago, YG's My Krazy Life was a fan favorite, peaking at #2 on the charts. The CTE World/Def Jam Records star is hard at work on a follow-up. Reportedly called Still Krazy, the 2016 LP is shaping up to be the perfect extension of the G-Funk renaissance. "City... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Pens Letter Expressing Why He Feels Chosen To Lead

As 2015 comes to a close, Kendrick Lamar has been one of the leading voices in not only Hip-Hop, but all of music. K-Dot's #1 album, To Pimp A Butterfly was a monumental album long before its 11 Grammy nominations, or year-end lists laud it. In looking back at the... Read more

December 14, 2015 Fresh

Public Enemy Affiliate Johnny Juice Blends Bruce Lee Samples With Raw Hip-Hop (Audio)

DJ Johnny Juice Rosado has been a critical role-player in Hip-Hop music for nearly 30 years. In addition to his own career and vast production credentials (Son Of Bazerk, On The Shoulders Of Giants, etc.), Juice was a session DJ and turntablist and integral behind-the scenes-player with Public Enemy through... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Ever Hear The Shelved ’90s Clipse LP? The Neptunes Were Down From Jump. (Album Stream)

With Pusha T slated to drop his forthcoming album on Friday (King Push: Darkest Before Dawn, December 18) and the Clipse's two hugely successful studio albums, the appeal of the Virginia Beach, Virginia duo has yet to fade away, despite brothers Pusha and No Malice (f/k/a Malice) not having worked... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Pusha T Creates A Crooked Carnival Of Dark Images & Chilly Perspective (Video)

Entering a release week, Pusha T drops the video to "CCC." The song also known as "Crutches, Crosses, Caskets" makes no bones about its ominous vibes, as the Clipse star chronicles the decay of careers around him. For the visual, it's an eerie amusement park, featuring model nuns. This horror-inspired... Read more

December 14, 2015 Video

Raury’s Latest Takes an Inside Look at Life in the Trap (Video)

Atlanta, Georgia artist Raury has continued to impress fans with his multiple talents, combining rapping, singing, and talents playing instruments to forge his unique perspective. Most of his music has a political tone or a deeply personal story line, and at only 19 years old, he is poised to take... Read more

December 14, 2015 Video

Chance The Rapper Makes SNL History As Its First Independent Musical Guest (Video)

The year 2015 is ending on a high for Hip-Hop. Earlier in the week, Kendrick Lamar was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards, the most ever for a Hip-Hop performer in a single year. And, tonight (12/12), Chance The Rapper became the first independent artist, in any genre, to perform on... Read more

December 13, 2015 Video

YG Hosts 50 Cent & Nipsey Hussle And It’s Nuthin’ But A Gangsta Party (Audio)

YG has had a tumultuous 2015. In June, he was shot 3 times while in the studio, but was able to make it to his own car to be taken to the hospital. By July, he had recovered enough to release the lead single from his forthcoming Still Krazy album.... Read more

December 12, 2015 Audio

Oh Boy! Just Blaze Brings Out Unreleased Roc-A-Fella Goodies In A Radio Set (Mix)

This week, producer/DJ Just Blaze was a guest host on Q-Tip's Abstract Radio show on Beats 1. Just filled in for the man who provided guest vocals to his "Girls, Girls, Girls" hit for Jay Z nearly 15 years ago. Rather than just playing what he feels, the veteran New... Read more

December 12, 2015 Audio, Mixes

15 Years Ago, Xzibit’s Restlessness Helped Make Him a Household Name (Editorial)

On December 12, 2000, Los Angeles, California-based MC Xzibit dropped his third album, one that arrived at a curious juncture in his musical and professional careers. Already considered a West Coast favorite thanks to the grassroots and Underground support of his sophomore effort 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz, the streets... Read more

December 12, 2015 Food for Thought

Duck Down Artists Old & New Celebrate By Performing The Hits, For 3 Hours (Video)

How many labels in Hip-Hop can get all of their artists over the last 20 years back together on stage? Duck Down Music (a/k/a Duck Down Records) celebrated its 20th anniversary this month. On B.B. Kings' Manhattan stage, founders Dru Ha and Buckshot Shorty celebrated this massive milestone accomplishment with a... Read more

December 11, 2015 Video

DJ Hollywood Tells Ice-T What He Says Is The True Story Of Hip-Hop’s Origins (Audio)

On the latest episode of his Final Level podcast, Ice T chats with DJ Hollywood, the legendary Harlem DJ whose work in the '70s and '80s helped elevate Hip-Hop culture from obscurity to relevance, a story far too unfamiliar in music lore. Along with co-host Mick Benzo, Ice took the... Read more

December 11, 2015 Audio

Black Thought Spits Fire About Lost Love on Unreleased Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

Just one day after Black Thought tore through a DJ Premier beat alongside Royce Da 5'9" on PRhyme's "Wishin' II," the Roots front man is back again, this time lamenting on missteps in romance. "Couldn't Tell" is a brooding cut that didn't make it onto Statik Selektah's July album Lucky... Read more

December 11, 2015 Audio

Pusha T’s King Push: Darkest Before The Dawn Tracklist Features Beanie Sigel & Kanye West

In one week, Pusha T will release his sophomore studio album, King Push: Darkest Before The Dawn (December 18). After promoting King Push, the follow-up to 2013's My Name Is My Name for more than one year, the Clipse and Re-Up Gang co-founder noted that he would release an album... Read more

December 11, 2015 Fresh

Nicki Minaj Sees Herself in Victims of Police Brutality & Says Sandra Bland “Could Have Been Me”

This year has been another history-making chapter of Nicki Minaj's career. Back in March, she became a Billboard chart darling, becoming the first female artist to land four simultaneously charting songs in the top ten positions of R&B/Hip-Hop. Several months later, she had a watershed night at the BET Awards,... Read more

December 11, 2015 Fresh

Rapper Big Pooh & K-Hill Know No Quitting. This Soulful Song Inspires (Audio)

North Carolina MC K-Hill has been grinding for more than 10 years, making a name for himself through work with the likes of Big Daddy Kane, Sean Boog, and the late PumpkinHead. Making noise from the N.C. state around the same time as Little Brother's emergence, his song "The Prodigal"... Read more

December 11, 2015 Audio

Ace Cosgrove Combines Funk With Raw Raps In His Latest Single (Video)

Out of Maryland, Ace Cosgrove has a sound that's unlike anything traditionally heard in the DMV. The Ambrosia For Heads Spotlight artist releases his latest video single, "Baby Need Clothes." A song that explains his reason for grinding so hard for the career, combines a Pop-savvy, Funk-informed beat with an... Read more

December 11, 2015 Video

Pusha T Bodies Another Track Leaving Nothing But Crutches, Crosses & Caskets (Audio)

Since the announcement that he was being named the president of G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T has been on a mission. Each week since, he has released lethal track after lethal track, including "Untouchable," "Holy Angel" and "M.F.T.R. (More Famous Than Rich)." Now, he steps up with his second release in... Read more

December 11, 2015 Audio

Michelle Obama Gets On The Mic For Education & Shows Why She’s Flow-Tus (Video)

First the last 18 months, First Lady Of The United States Michelle Obama has been diligently advancing her Reach Higher initiative. The objective of the extended campaign is "to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a... Read more

December 10, 2015 Video

Aloe Blacc Remembers Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Paris & More This Christmas (Video)

Aloe Blacc has released a stunning and powerful video for his song, "Merry Christmas Mr. Brown." The song is a wistful reflection about a number of the tragic losses that have become emblazoned in our minds over the last few years. Specifically, he pays tribute to Michael Brown, Eric Garner,... Read more

December 10, 2015 Video

Affirmative Action in Education is Eliciting Heated Debate by the Supreme Court (Audio)

Earlier today, the Supreme Court presided over a discussion about affirmative action within the jurisdiction of higher education. For many years, the issue of race has played a large role in the process of college and university admissions, and as any Heads who have applied to such a school can... Read more

December 10, 2015 Lifestyle

Black Thought Finally Rhymes Over A DJ Premier Beat & He Smashes It (Audio)

When DJ Premier, Royce Da 5'9", and Adrian Younge started mapping out the self-title album known as PRhyme, The Roots' Black Thought was a planned guest. However, the Grammy Award-winning band's longtime manager/producer Rich Nichols passed away in mid-2014, halting plans. In 2016, as PRhyme readies a deluxe edition release... Read more

December 10, 2015 Audio

Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch & Last Emperor Freestyle In A Found 2001 Moment (Audio)

In 2001, things were taking off for Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. As part of the Rawkus Records movement, these 1990s alums were paving the way for solo careers following extensive group success with the likes of Organized Konfusion, Black Star, and Reflection Eternal. Presumably doing the Hip Hop For... Read more

December 10, 2015 Throwback

Stream O.C.’s New EP, Chock Full Of Introspect & Precise Delivery (Audio)

O.C. is an MC whose biggest albums are not necessarily his best selling. While, the Brooklyn/Queens, New York representative's 1994 debut Word...Life is widely considered an incredible album, the Diggin' In The Crates member has made works to follow that have stood just as tall. Recently, O's Trophies effort with... Read more

December 10, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog Is A Freestyle Fanatic, One Of The Best Around… (Video)

Less than two days after his crazy freestyle caught on VHS tape, Your Old Droog laces Statik Selektah's ShowOff Radio show. There, Y.O.D. gives the artist he's worked on albums with an animated freestyle over a vintage Busta Rhymes beat. Droog weaves in clever slang, commentary on wack industry events,... Read more

December 10, 2015 Video

Chris Rivers, Emilio Rojas & G. Fisher Are Lyrical Hitmen For Hire (Audio)

Three of Hip-Hop's hungriest, lyrically-leaning New York MCs come together on the appropriately-titled "Mercenaries." Emilio Rojas and Chris Rivers have been making noise for years, garnering excitement through freestyles, cyphers, guest appearances, and their own fully-produced songs. G. Fisher is the latest Diggin' In The Crates-cosigned MC to come forth,... Read more

December 10, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier, Royce Da 5’9″ & Joey Bada$$ Say We’re In a New Golden Era (Audio)

The term is used a lot when discussing Hip-Hop. Generally speaking, the Golden Era or Golden Age is used to describe a bygone era, one that rose to prominence in the mid- to early '90s, when lyricism was considered to be the supreme skill required to be considered a true... Read more

December 9, 2015 Audio

50 Cent Reclaims His Power on The Kanan Tape (Mixtape)

50 Cent has been teasing the release of The Kanan Tape for months. Now, after a few fits and start, the project is finally here. The mixtape, which is named after 50's menacing character on the Power series he executive produces, features the same type of grit that defines the... Read more

December 9, 2015 Mixes

G-Eazy Releases One Of The Most Courageous Songs You Will Hear All Year (Audio)

Last week (12/4), G-Eazy released his sophomore major label album, When It's Dark Out. As its title and cover art suggest, the album tackles several things that take place under the cover of dark. G raps about the expected, such as sex, drugs and partying, but he also covers the... Read more

December 9, 2015 Audio

See Why Anderson .Paak Has Co-Signs from Dre, Premier, 9th Wonder, Madlib & More (Video)

As Anderson .Paak continues his unstoppable rise to much deserved and overdue acclaim, there's an aspect to his multi-dimensional range of talents that many folks have yet to see, and that's his live performance. Appearances on some of the year's biggest records - namely Dr. Dre's Compton and the Game's... Read more

December 9, 2015 Video

Bernie Sanders Calls Out Republicans for “Suicidal Course” on Climate Change (Video)

Last night, Vermont senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders visited Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show, where the Broooklyn, New York native outlined the major points of his political platform for a very receptive audience. After calling Republican frontrunner Donald Trump's politics "demagoguery" and "crap," Sanders focused on what he... Read more

December 9, 2015 Lifestyle

Remy Ma & Papoose Kick A Rugged Freestyle Over Red & Meth’s “How High” (Video)

Remy Ma and Papoose are the latest addition to the cast of Love & Hip-Hop: New York. They stopped by Hot 97 in promotion of the series, and it would not be a Remy and Pap show without those bars. Peter Rosenberg selected the "How High" beat that Erick Sermon... Read more

December 9, 2015 Video

How The Grammy Nomination of a Diss Song May Be Their Greatest Hip-Hop Misstep, Yet

This week began with the 2016 Grammy Award nominations. For Hip-Hop fans, this year's noms included 11 in the direction of Kendrick Lamar, thanks to his March, 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly. Two years removed from controversial wins by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in the 2014 "Best Rap Song,"... Read more

December 8, 2015 Food for Thought

Ghostface Killah Remixes The Weeknd For What May Be A Supreme Clientele 2 Preview (Audio)

In 2015, The Weeknd made an anthem out of "Can't Feel My Face." That's an attitude and descriptive that Ghostface Killah knows about, since long before he made 2006's "Kilo." To close out the year, G.F.K. extends the practice he and Kanye West have for jumping on remixes. This time,... Read more

December 8, 2015 Audio

The Game Returns The Favor & Joins Anderson .Paak on a Jazz-Infused New Banger (Audio)

After working with both DJ Premier and Dr. Dre this year, Anderson .Paak joined The Game on The Documentary 2.5, laying down soulful vocals on the album's opening 2 tracks, "Magnus Carlsen" and "Crenshaw / 80s and Cocaine." Since then, the singer, who has become one of the hottest new... Read more

December 8, 2015 Audio

The Weeknd Releases A Stunning & Disturbing Strip Club Video Like You’ve Never Seen

Throughout his meteoric career, The Weeknd has had a penchant for disturbing and boundary pushing videos. This year alone, his visuals have centered around wrecks, explosions, immolation, murder and other mayhem. His latest is a short film for "In The Night," and it is unsettling, even by The Weeknd's standards.... Read more

December 8, 2015 Video

Time Magazine Could Name Black Lives Matter Activists as Person of the Year, But Will They?

Time magazine is a classic piece of American journalism, a long-standing publication that covers all aspects of social and political life and the annual selection of "Person of the Year" was first launched by the magazine in 1927 (the first being aviator and American icon Charles Lindbergh). It's hard to... Read more

December 8, 2015 Lifestyle

Pusha T Calls Out The Fake Lifestyles Of Other Rappers on “M.F.T.R. (More Famous Than Rich)” (Audio)

For more than 15 years, Pusha T has drawn the parallels from the street hustle and the music hustle, and how each equates to status. Approaching his sophomore solo album, Darkest Before Dawn (December 18), the G.O.O.D. Music President has another comparison he wants to make: fame versus wealth. "M.F.T.R.... Read more

December 8, 2015 Audio

Logic’s Star Shines Brightly with Help From the Roots on “The Tonight Show” (Video)

25-year-old Logic has had a whirlwind couple of years, shattering all preconceived notions about what a real MC looks like or where a real MC comes from. The Maryland native was born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, and since signing to Def Jam and releasing not, but two immensely successful... Read more

December 8, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Action Bronson & Roc Marciano Join Meyhem Lauren For A Bonus Round (Audio)

Queens, New York MC Meyhem Lauren has been earning the attention from Heads thanks to his collaborations with the likes of Buckwild, a member of the legendary Diggin' in the Crates (DITC) crew, and today he has dropped another hot collabo. Featuring Action Bronson (with whom he previously collaborated on... Read more

December 8, 2015 Audio

J. Cole Is Brewing Brilliant Lyricism In This Caffeinated Moment Of Clarity (Audio)

Although many may associate dreaming with sleeping, Cole's compilation inclusion is "the best part of waking up." A song called "Folgers Crystals" finds the Roc Nation star in his finest form, showing both passion and thought in his delivery. This song is an inclusion from the surprise-early release of Revenge... Read more

December 7, 2015 Audio

This Brand Nubian “One For All” Tribute Is An Audio All-In-One (Mix)

Last week, Brand Nubian's celebrated debut album, One For All, reached its 25th birthday. The breakthrough album by Sadat X, Lord Jamar, Grand Puba, and DJ Alamo not only carries the distinction of being a "5 Mic" Source album, but a definitive body of work for New Rochelle, New York,... Read more

December 7, 2015 Mixes, Throwback