Fresh Archives

Jadakiss Explains What It Takes To Be Top 5 Dead Or Alive (Video)

Jadakiss' Top 5 Dead Or Alive releases today (November 20). The long-anticipated Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records album is a conversation piece for The LOX MC's own place in the game. With a plethora of peers on board, "You Don't Eat" is a song that's mostly about the skills and approach that... Read more

November 20, 2015 Video

60 Years Ago, Bo Diddley Popularized Something Your Favorite Rapper Does (Video)

On November 20, 1955, American television viewers were introduced to Bo Diddley, a Mississippi musician whose style would come to influence future generations in ways that are still felt powerfully today. What is now known as the "Bo Diddley Beat" may be his greatest legacy; the syncopated five-accent rhythm he... Read more

November 20, 2015 Throwback

Tech N9ne Evaluates Role Of Cyphers & Talks Next Solo Album (Interview)

Tech N9ne crams as many words and ideas into his energetic bars as he possibly can. It is this feat that has made him one of the most revered MCs of the last 15 years. He has become an independent deity, simultaneously skyrocketing in status, wealth, and respect, while much... Read more

November 20, 2015 Food for Thought

Sean Price’s Memory Continues to Inspire His Ruckdown Label Mates (Video)

Comprised of MCs P and Rim, Da Villins are members of the Ruckdown roster, the label imprint founded by the late Sean Price. Hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, Da Villins work extensively with producer PF Cuttin and are associates of sister label Duck Down, home to much of Sean Price's solo... Read more

November 20, 2015 Video

Jadakiss Goes Head To Head With Nas and Styles P On “Rain” (Audio)

To be the best, you have to beat the best. Jadakiss' new album Top 5 Dead Or Alive hits stores and streaming services at midnight (11/20). For the last few months, Jadakiss has been releasing tracks that make it clear he takes the LP's title seriously. Kiss is used to... Read more

November 19, 2015 Audio

Pusha T’s “Untouchable” Video Makes It Crystal Clear How Cold His Wordplay Is (Video)

A week after assuming the reins of G.O.O.D. Music as its new President, Pusha T is showing he has no intentions of slowing down. A day after the announcement, Pusha released his deceptively lyrically dense song, "Untouchable." Now, he sets forth the visual for the Timbaland-produced verbal bonfire. The video... Read more

November 19, 2015 Video

One Street Artist Takes Aim At Homophobia With Spray Paint & Murals

Once again, street art's potential for spreading awareness of social and political issues is being proven, this time in Copenhagen. The Danish capital is home to a vibrant arts scene, and its reputation for being the world's most livable city has led to an influx of tourists and international residents,... Read more

November 19, 2015 Lifestyle

Just Blaze Tells Snoop Dogg His Desert Island, Top 3 Albums…All Are Rap (Video)

Snoop Dogg's latest segment of GGN features producer/DJ Just Blaze. The same week he graciously offered up a plethora of his coveted 2000s drum sounds and samples, the veteran is out in the land of the sunshine. While Just only worked on Snoop's Paid The Cost To Be The Bo$$... Read more

November 19, 2015 Video

The Decade Missy Elliott Waited to Release a New Album May Have Saved Her Career

It's been ten years since Missy Elliott released an album, and in the years since, many Heads have argued that her absence was noticeable. The endlessly creative MC, producer, and visual artist has always been the front-runner when it comes to game-changing music videos, and her unabashedly brave sense of... Read more

November 19, 2015 Fresh

Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, Jadakiss & Styles P Prove The Conglomerate Is Still In Tact (Audio)

In 2009, Busta Rhymes called upon Jadakiss and Lil Wayne for his biggest single on the Back On My B.S. campaign. "Respect My Conglomerate" permeated the slang of the streets, as Bus' proved that he could blend in any grouping of MCs, whether Native Tongues, Young Money, or D-Block. In... Read more

November 19, 2015 Audio

Pimp C, Nas & Juicy J Take TLC’s What About Your Friends And Make It TRILL (Audio)

At the end of his life, Pimp C made no secrets about his unhappiness with the industry, and some of the folks in his circle. While Chad Butler and Bernard Freeman (a/k/a Bun B) maintained a brotherly bond in UGK that lasted nearly 20 years, other folks in Pimp C's... Read more

November 19, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Vintage Freestyle Is An MC & DJ Hallmark (Audio)

Sometime in the late 1980s, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince hit the London, England studio of Tim Westwood. In the same city where they recorded extensively as a duo at the time. Unlike MCs or DJs appearing on Westwood's show, this tandem could improvise vocally, and musically—and please... Read more

November 19, 2015 Throwback

Kanye Warned Us About Blood Diamonds, But What About Gold? (Video)

From 2005-2006, the issue of blood diamonds was popular in American culture, more so than it had been in recent memory. In '05, Kanye West dropped "Diamonds (from Sierra Leone)," a Grammy-winning number that was inspired by the conflicts faced in many African nations - particularly in the West -... Read more

November 18, 2015 Lifestyle

LL Cool J’s Radio Turns 30. Watch His 1st Ever Interview & Other Early Moments (Video)

Thirty years ago today (November 18), LL Cool J released his debut album Radio and launched not only one of Hip-Hop's most enduring careers, but also one of its most iconic record labels in Def Jam Recordings. While the company that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin built had released prior... Read more

November 18, 2015 Throwback

Celebrate 20 Years With the Pharcyde Through the Familiar & Unexpected (Mixtape)

Over the weekend, Heads celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Pharcyde's sophomore album, Labcabincalifornia. Released on November 14, 1995, it was the follow up to their hugely successful debut from three years earlier, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. Featuring the singles "Drop," "Runnin'," and "She Said," it was a more... Read more

November 18, 2015 Mixes

Tech N9ne & Murs Make A Jam About Stresses Building Up & Self-Medicating (Audio)

Tech N9ne and Murs are not MCs who have a discography filled with anthems about smoking and strip clubs. While Tech is a Caribou Lou drink mixologist, and Murray has admitted some vices in the past, a record title like "A Blunt & A Ho" stands out for both lyricists—on... Read more

November 18, 2015 Audio

A-F-R-O Has Co-Signs From DJ Premier, GZA, Talib Kweli, R.A. & More. This Mixtape Shows Why

Last year, the then 17-year old MC known as A-F-R-O won a Rap competition judged by R.A. The Rugged, Talib Kweli, Murs, Jean Grae, Vinnie Paz, Locksmith, Rittz and more. Since then, he's converted everyone from DJ Premier to Talib Kweli, Queen Latifah to Questlove into fans and ardent supporters.... Read more

November 18, 2015 Mixes, Video

Public Enemy’s 1988 WNYU Radio Concert Still Moves The Needle (Audio)

1988 was a benchmark year for Public Enemy. The same calendar year that Chuck D, Terminator X, Professor Griff, and Flavor Flav released It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, the crew appeared on WNYU radio, 89.1 on the FM dial. This week, the New York University... Read more

November 18, 2015 Throwback

Spotlight: HANiF’s Anti-Hipster Rap Brings Boom-Bap Into 2015 & Beyond (Video)

HANiF is a New York City native whose February E.P. 12 Inch Vinyls is a 5-track snapshot of contemporary boom-bap, the sounds reminiscent of a previous era, but the content is unmistakably contemporary. On "Gentrify," the MC unpacks the socio-economic perils of gentrification in cities like the Big Apple, where... Read more

November 18, 2015 Video

Mike D Weighs In On Best Beastie Boys MC & Overcoming “Brass Monkey” Hate (Audio)

The Beastie Boys' Mike D was a guest on actor Michael Rapaport's podcast show this week, which taped before a live New York City audience. The man born Michael Diamond discussed Hip-Hop at length, ranging from Drake's groundbreaking response to Meek Mill this summer, to why he feels Busta Rhymes... Read more

November 18, 2015 Audio

Common Speaks To The Next Generation of Chicago Youth On a New Track With Lil Bibby (Audio)

For more than 2 decades, Common has been Hip-Hop's Chicago ambassador. From Kanye to Lupe, Common has sought to support not only the MCs from the City of Wind, but Chicago's youth, generally. So, while some might not expect him to team with Lil Bibby, whose subject matter varies greatly... Read more

November 17, 2015 Audio

Chance The Rapper Affiliate Saba Carves His Own Lane In A Compelling Double Video

Less than a month ago, Chicago, Illinois MC Saba made a giant breakthrough care of Chance The Rapper's "Angels" single. Saba was with C.T.R. for the "Late Show" debut, and it was the perfect opportunity to awaken new music seekers to July, 2014 mixtape ComfortZone. From that same feel-good project,... Read more

November 17, 2015 Video

J-Live Quenches The Thirst For Substantial Rap (Album Stream)

J-Live has released his eighth album, How Much Is Water?. The Brooklyn, New York native, now based in Atlanta, Georgia offers up the goodies for free. Like water, his 10 track Mortier Music Group effort is there for the taking. On the Bandcamp page (with several packages available), it is... Read more

November 17, 2015 Audio

Anonymous Has Placed ISIS In Its Crosshairs As Retribution for Paris Tragedy (Video)

The world's most infamous group of hackers, Anonymous, is once again using its skill set to bring down ISIS (Islamic State or Iraq & Syria), the group purported to be involved in the horrendous attacks in Paris on November 13. Anonymous, colloquially known as "hacktivists," have a pedigree that reads... Read more

November 17, 2015 Lifestyle

As Semi Hendrix, Ras Kass & Jack Splash Seek Answers From God & the Government (Video)

Last month, Semi Hendrix released its debut album, Breakfast at Banksy's, which signaled member Ras Kass' second collaborative album in one year. After releasing 2014's Blasphemy with Apollo Brown, he linked up with Grammy-winning artist and producer Jack Splash to form Semi Hendrix, whose new Mello Music Group LP features... Read more

November 17, 2015 Video

See Inside the Mind of the Man Who Made the “Rap Yearbook” (Video)

Last month, writer Shea Serrano released The Rap Yearbook, an illustrated guide to the best Hip-Hop songs of every year, beginning with 1979. In addition to the classic high-school yearbook format, the book also includes charts, illustrations, and extensive notes that explain the thinking process behind each song's being chosen... Read more

November 17, 2015 Video

23 Years Later, Spike Lee Finally Gets His Oscar & Uses It To Promote Diversity (Video)

It's hard to believe that Spike Lee, the director of such iconic films as Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X has never won an Academy Award for Best Director. The former received the nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1990 and eight years later, Lee was once again nominated,... Read more

November 17, 2015 TV/Film, Video

15 Years After DJ Screw’s Death, Bun B Explains His Influence On “Ridin’ Dirty”

Fifteen years ago today (November 16, 2000), DJ Screw passed away. Before his untimely death, the Houston, Texas turntablist born Robert Earl Davis, Jr. revolutionized a style of music that has influenced much of the 2010s sound. The mixmaster played his records considerably lower than the 33 1/3 RPM standard,... Read more

November 16, 2015 Throwback

Rick Ross & Nas Refuse To Lose In A “Black Market” Showdown (Audio)

Next month (December 4), Rick Ross will release his eighth studio solo album, Black Market. Just over one year removed from Hood Billionaire, Ricky Rozay's latest LP aims to restore the MC's status as a consistent #1 seller (five of his seven efforts have achieved this feat). Today (November 16),... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

Redman Performs Mudface Songs For The 1st Time & Adds Some Classics (Video)

Redman recently promoted his Mudface album with an appearance on Sway's Universe. There, the Newark, New Jersey MC connected with Sway, Brick City homie Heather B, and Tracy G for some "very original" interview questions, and an in-studio performance that had the hosts rockin'. The segment begins with Redman breaking... Read more

November 16, 2015 Video

20 Years Later, Life Is Good For AZ Too (Video)

Though both have gone on to have long, successful and deeply respected solo careers, AZ and Nas will always be connected. After all, for many, AZ was introduced through his possibly scene-stealing guest verse on Nas' "Life's A Bitch," from Illmatic. The two reunited periodically throughout the years, including in a... Read more

November 16, 2015 Video

This 1984 Book Is One Of The First To Document Hip-Hop

The Rap Attack: African Jive to New York Hip-Hop by David Toop is a portal into another era, namely the era before Hip-Hop went mainstream, let alone the world's most influential culture. First published in Great Britain in 1984, the book contains more than 150 pages of history detailing the... Read more

November 16, 2015 Throwback

Cape Town’s Oldest Township Gets Adorned in Graffiti for a Good Cause (Video)

Established in 1927, Cape Town's Langa township carries with it decades of history. Before the apartheid era (which began around 1948), Langa was a site specifically designed for Black Africans, much like the formally segregated neighborhoods commonly found throughout the United States post-slavery through the mid-20th century. As the oldest... Read more

November 16, 2015 Lifestyle

Nas Blesses Jeezy’s Remix To Bring Some God’s Son To “GOD” (Audio)

Over the last 10 years, Young Jeezy and Nas have maintained a strong working relationship. Longtime Def Jam Records label-mates, Nasir and Snowman both feed on giving the masses inspirational words, that apply whether you're on the bottom or at the top. "My President" saluted the Commander-In-Chief during Jeezy's Recession... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

Yasiin Bey Addresses The Tragedy in Paris & Releases a Powerful Song (Audio)

Yasiin Bey has a residence in Paris and has deep connections to the city. As a practicing Muslim, he also has deep connections to Islam. Bey has always been one of Hip-Hop's most intelligent and outspoken activists, both in lyrics and deed, and he's given a 21-minute interview that is... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

The Golden Era of Hip-Hop Is RIGHT NOW. Logic Proves It With His “Innermission” (Audio)

The Golden Era of Hip-Hop is RIGHT NOW. That statement will always be true no matter when it is uttered because in addition to enjoying today's great music (and there is plenty), we also always can look back and revisit the phenomenal Hip-Hop that came from the 70s, 80s, 90s... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

Rain910’s Latest Project is a Lyrical Exercise in Carpe Diem (Mixtape)

Since turning heads as a return performer during the BET Awards' cyphers, Rain910 has been promoting his latest project, A Perfect Day to Die. The 14-track mixtape demonstrates the South Carolina's skills as an MC, but also as a producer and guest appearances from Cory Gunz and Paul Wall give... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

A Tribe Called Quest’s Jarobi Gives a Tour of the Group’s Historic Beginnings (Video)

It's been a big week for A Tribe Called Quest, whose 1990 debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm turns 25 this year. In celebration, a special anniversary deluxe edition has been released, featuring remixes of classic Tribe records from Pharrell, Cee Lo Green, and J.Cole. Over... Read more

November 14, 2015 Video

20 Years Later, The Pharcyde’s “Labcabincalifornia” Is Far Greater Than The Credit It Received (Editorial)

20 years ago today (November 14, 1995), The Pharcyde released its second album, Labcabincalifornia. Coming a full three years after their Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde debut, the LP was highly anticipated, but for many, it didn't live up to the expectations put forth by the group's first release. Home... Read more

November 14, 2015 Food for Thought

All 4 Members Of A Tribe Called Quest Perform On TV For The 1st Time In 15 Years (Video)

Yesterday (11/13), A Tribe Called Quest released the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of their debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. To celebrate, all 4 members reunited on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to perform together on TV for the first time in over 15 years.... Read more

November 14, 2015 Video

A Tribe Called Quest Say They Have A Lot Of Unreleased Music In The Vault (Video)

Today (11/13), A Tribe Called Quest released the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of their debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Tribe members Phife Dawg, Jarobi and Ali Shaheed Muhammad joined the Ebro in the Morning show to discuss the album and ATCQ history, generally. Although Q-Tip... Read more

November 13, 2015 Video

If This Song Couldn’t Make Rick Ross’ Album, Black Market Must Be Crazy Good (Audio)

Rick Ross has released a new song that departs in some significant ways from much of what he's done of late. For starters, "Amazing Grace" opens with a warning against glamorizing a life of crime. For Ross' detractors, that likely comes as a real surprise, as one of the criticisms... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog Combines Basketball, Seinfeld & Electro Funk (Audio)

Your Old Droog will not be pinned down. Over the last 18 months, he has tapped into 90s Hip-Hop, Jazz and Classic Rock as sonic canvases on which to paint his colorful lyrical pictures. Now, he pivots, heads to the 80s and whips up a track that not only conjures... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Rapper Big Pooh Does It Again With a Stellar Album That Feels Like Home Sweet Home (Album Stream)

Throughout his career, Rapper Big Pooh has produced some of his best work when paired with producers with a penchant for soulful beats. From teaming with 9th Wonder as part of Little Brother to releasing this year's Words Paint Pictures album with Apollo Brown, something about deep funky bass lines... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Hannibal Buress Hilariously Compares Presidential Candidates To Rap Stars (Video)

If the vast number of presidential candidates feels daunting, Hannibal Buress has a little help for you. The Chicago, Illinois comedian joins F-Comedy in comparing more than seven candidates to rappers, and in one case, a very prominent DJ. The reasoning and explanations are—as expected, quite funny. In particular, Jeb... Read more

November 13, 2015 Video

The Internet’s Funk Blends 1985 With 2015 In The Best Possible Way (Audio)

The Internet is one of the best bands in music right now, even if Heads are still dialing up. Syd, Matt, and company offer a deluxe bonus track from this year's captivating Ego Death. "Famous" is another song practiced in the art of seduction. With the full band coming together... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Tech N9ne’s Strangeulation 2 Cypher #1 Is Lyrically Lethal (Audio)

Tech N9ne never sleeps. And he's never one to sleep on. Next week (November 20), the Kansas City, Missouri "mental giant" will release Strangeulation, Vol. 2. The 16th album for Tech is his sixth in a celebrated "collabos" series. As the title suggests, these pairings are all about the bat-and-snake... Read more

November 13, 2015 Audio

Redman Exhales On a Reggae Track And It’s Fire (Video)

Today (November 13) Redman releases his first album in nearly five years, Mudface. The Gilla House Records LP also delivers its second video single, "N***a Like Me." Overtop a heavy Dub and Reggae-inspired beat, Red' immerses himself in his beloved greenery. The visual features Reggie Noble out on nature, bustin'... Read more

November 13, 2015 Video

Anthony Hamilton Puts The Gospel In Hotline Bling And Gives It New Meaning (Video)

With all the covers, remixes and non-stop plays of the original, Drake's "Hotline Bling," which was already derivative, will not die. And, just when it seemed there could not be another original re-invention of the song, enter Anthony Hamilton and his group, The Hamiltones. Hamilton has always been a singer... Read more

November 12, 2015 Video

Pete Rock & Torae Are Here To Remind Us Who’s Been Putting In Work (Audio)

Coney Island, Brooklyn's Torae continues to prove himself as one of New York's most consistent MCs, releasing classic material with fellow underground heroes like DJ Spinna, Marco Polo, Pumpkin Head, Rapper Big Pooh, Shabaam Sadeeq, and Skyzoo during the more than ten years since releasing Make Room At The Top.... Read more

November 12, 2015 Audio