Fresh Archives

DJ Premier Introduces A D.I.T.C. MC…With Scratches of DMX & Grand Puba on the Hook (Audio)

Over the last 25-plus years, DJ Premier may be one of Hip-Hop's most meaningful introducers of new artists. From Nas to Mobb Deep, Jeru The Damaja to Royce Da 5'9", Preemo's music finds the greatness in many MCs. Fisher is the latest D.I.T.C.-backed artist. Showbiz and company have yet another... Read more

September 30, 2015 Audio

Here Are 2 Hours of Madlib & Pete Rock Sets as Curated by J. Rocc (Audio)

Beat Junkies co-founder J. Rocc is the host of a radio program called "Adventures in Stereo" which takes place weekly Sunday nights on KPFK Public Radio. Each week's episode carries special guests and themes and provides listeners with two hours of ear candy. Past shows include Sean Price and Roy... Read more

September 30, 2015 Audio

Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

Hip-Hop and art have once again merged in an exciting way, thanks to the inventive mind of a graduate student. Regina Flores Mir is the brains behind the Hip-Hop Project, a new program being implemented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that allows visitors to navigate the various collections with... Read more

September 30, 2015 Lifestyle

A New Film Shows How Stretch & Bobbito Helped Launch the Careers of Nas, Jay Z, Big Pun & More (Video)

In the 90s, Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia hosted a seminal radio show every Thursday night (technically early Friday morning) that would become one of the most important platforms in Hip-Hop. Throughout the decade, they served as de facto ambassadors, introducing audiences and the world to unsigned and undiscovered artists... Read more

September 30, 2015 TV/Film

The Internet’s Live Show Sets Them Apart From All…Even From A Tiny Desk (Video)

As much as a crew mentality can help a family tree of talent get on (see: Wu-Tang Clan, N.W.A., or Diggin' In The Crates), sometimes an entity supersedes an affiliation. In the case of The Internet, Syd tha Kyd, Matt Martians and company played a background in OFWGKTA's 2011 breakthrough.... Read more

September 29, 2015 Video

How Did Lil Dicky Get Away With His ‘$ave Dat Money’ Hijinks? This Documentary Has the Answer (Video)

Since releasing his studio debut Professional Rapper, Philadelphia MC Lil Dicky has continued to capitalize on the internet fame that first catapulted him into Hip-Hop in 2013, when the video for "Ex-Boyfriend" scored over one-million hits in less than 24 hours. Since then, the ad-man turned comedian turned rapper has... Read more

September 29, 2015 Video

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Iconic Rammellzee & K-Rob “Beat Bop” Artwork Gets New Life (Audio)

The iconic painter Jean-Michel Basquiat was among many things, a B-boy. The New York City-based artist ran in the same circles as Fab 5 Freddy as well as Andy Warhol before his tragic 1988 death. One of the Brooklyn, New Yorker's enduring works was designing the cover art to (and... Read more

September 29, 2015 Throwback

Chance The Rapper & Kyle Re-jog The Memory Of Haters In The Rear-View (Audio)

The old adage "laugh now, cry later" is a driving force in Hip-Hop, just as it was a tattoo on Tupac Shakur's pectoral. Many artists' greatest motivation is those who doubted, rejected, and disrespected them in the past. For Ventura, California native MC Kyle, this is true. Just on the... Read more

September 29, 2015 Audio

D.M.C. Once Contemplated Suicide. From Adoption To J.M.J.’s Death, He Embodies Triumph (Video)

Last week, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels stopped by CBC Radio to sit down with Shadrach Kabango (also known by his MC name, Shad) for an interview on Kabango's Q program. For more than 45 minutes, the two discussed the Hip-Hop pioneer's life and career, both past and present. Clad in an... Read more

September 29, 2015 Video

Legendary Street Artist Banksy Will Donate His Dismaland Art to Aid in Europe’s Refugee Crisis (Video)

For weeks now, the news of the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe has dominated headlines around the world. As millions flee civil war in Syria and other humanitarian crises in the region, European countries have become ground zero for an influx of migrants, some welcoming them with open arms and... Read more

September 29, 2015 Lifestyle

Narcos Supplies the Raw Power & Grit of the Purest Form of Hip-Hop (Video)

Since Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's seminal 1982 song, "The Message," Hip-Hop, in its purest form has been a window into worlds otherwise unseen. It was that raw and uncut reporting that catapulted acts like N.W.A. and Public Enemy, with their commentary on their respective worlds, as well as... Read more

September 29, 2015 TV

Talib Kweli Was Critical to Soundbombing. He & 9th Wonder Are Making Their Own Compilation.

In establishing Rawkus Records mission, vision, and range, Talib Kweli was highly integral to celebrated compilation series like Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge. A decade after breaking from Rawkus, Talib teamed with former label-mate Pharoahe Monch as well as 9th Wonder to form Indie 500. The Hip-Hop triumvirate aims to really... Read more

September 28, 2015 Audio, News

Kanye Once Told Freddie Gibbs He Was Mediocre. Now He’s Rhyming With Yasiin Gaye (Audio)

Golden Rules continues to have the golden touch. Paul White and Eric Biddines' late summer album is still making its rounds with those in the know, and those hearing the potent production and Southern drawl. One of the Lex Records release standouts is "Never Die," featuring Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos... Read more

September 28, 2015 Audio

The Game Says Doctor’s Advocate Was Better Than The Documentary (Video)

The Game was in New York City last week and he stopped by The Breakfast Club to promote the forthcoming release of his highly-anticipated album, The Documentary 2. Without an ounce of pretense, Game kept it 100 about anything and everything DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlemagne Tha God threw... Read more

September 28, 2015 Video

Flying Lotus, Shabazz Palaces, Thundercat Join Forces & Enlist George Clinton (Audio)

In what may be Hip-Hop's newest and most exciting triad, three individually incredible artists have formed a singular unit to form a three-headed hybrid that incorporates multiple genres and aesthetics into WOKE. Featuring producer and DJ Flying Lotus, experimental Hip-Hop duo Shabazz Palaces, and Psychedelic Funk multi-instrumentalist Thundercat, WOKE has... Read more

September 28, 2015 Audio

A Violinist & Violist Covered Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Alright,’ & It Is Awe-Inspiring (Video)

Earlier this month, Classical duo Black Violin released Stereotypes, an album featuring their signature Classical music training with elements of more contemporary stylings mixed in. Comprised of Violinist Kevin Sylvester and Violist Wilner Baptiste, Black Violin (who once performed at the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater) worked with... Read more

September 28, 2015 Video

The World’s Best B-Boys & B-Girls Take Center Stage at this Breakin’ Competition (Video)

Heads around the world have embraced Breakdancing as one of Hip-Hop's defining elements, and while it may seem like rapping has become the culture's most visible manifestation, B-boys and B-Girls continue to celebrate breakin' in tremendous ways. Back in August, the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships took place in San Diego,... Read more

September 28, 2015 Video

Happy Birthday to Young Jeezy. He’s Celebrating With Gold Bottles (Audio)

Happy Birthday to Young Jeezy who turns 37 tomorrow (9/28). He celebrates early with the release of "Gold Bottles," the latest in his Sunday Service series. Jeezy is releasing new music each Sunday until the November 13 release of his forthcoming album Church in the Streets. "Gold Bottles" is produced... Read more

September 27, 2015 Audio

Run the Jewels’ Meow the Jewels Is Now Available for Free Download (Mixtape)

Last year, Run the Jewels' highly-anticipated album, Run the Jewels 2, was leaked on the internet. Not ones to cry over spilt milk, the duo of Killer Mike & El-P embraced it as a sign of the times and took charge. Rather than try to back the train back into... Read more

September 26, 2015 Mixes

Ever See This 1991 Geto Boys Performance on ‘Yo! MTV Raps’? (Video)

Now that the hopes of a Geto Boys reunion album have been put to rest, fans of the Houston trio are undoubtedly disappointed, but thanks to the glory of the digital age, footage of them performing over the course of their career is perennially available. In this rarely seen clip,... Read more

September 26, 2015 Video

Anderson .Paak Continues to Show What Dr. Dre & DJ Premier Already Knew. He’s a True Talent (Video)

Anderson .Paak has had an unbelievable year. The Los Angeles artist shared billing with Dr. Dre on 6 of the Compton album's 16 tracks, and he had already been working with DJ Premier, prior to that. Today (9/25), he releases The Anderson .Paak EP with the production outfit Blended Babies.... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Redman, Method Man & Erick Sermon Still Love Working Together. It Shows. (Video)

For more than 20 years, Erick Sermon, Redman, and Method Man have displayed their strong chemistry—in various combinations. Through all of that time, no matter the changing trends and attitudes of Hip-Hop, these men were always a beacon of fun-loving music-making. It's all about skills, jokes, and upstaging each other... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Apollo Brown Takes Producer Compilations To A Whole New Level In Grandeur (Album Stream)

Apollo Brown stays incredibly busy. The Detroit, Michigan producer does tandem albums with MCs, he releases instrumental LPs, and the Mello Music Group mainstay works in groups like Ugly Heroes, The Left, and others. For the first time since 2010's The Reset, Apollo returns to straight compilation work. Grandeur, released... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

Some Very Respected People Think This 17-Year Old MC Is The Future of Hip-Hop. Meet A-F-R-O (Video)

A storm is coming, and his name is A-F-R-O. Last year, the 17-year old MC won a Rap competition judged by R.A. The Rugged, Talib Kweli, Murs, Jean Grae, Vinnie Paz, Locksmith, Rittz and more. The MC born Jamal Gutierrez was so impressive, R.A. took him under his wing. Though... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Mac Miller Drops Heavy Bars Over Preemo, Kanye & Timbaland in a Big Boy Freestyle (Video)

Currently celebrating the release of his major-label debut GO:OD AM, Pittsburgh's Mac Miller is making the promotional rounds on stage and in the booth. Gearing up for a North American tour, Miller stopped by Big Boy's morning show at 92.3 REAL in Los Angeles and hopped on the mic for... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

The Game Takes Biggie’s Kick in the Door Beat & Adds Some Bang, With a Co-Sign From Puff Daddy (Audio)

The Game is on one right now. His double album follow up to his debut LP The Documentary will be released in 2 weeks, with part 1 hitting stores on October 9 and part 2 following the week after. Earlier this week, he set the web on fire with his... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

Big Boi & Phantogram Perform Fell in the Sun With The Roots (Video)

Big Boi's and Phantogram's respective fans have always known the musicians for not only being talented recording artists, but also highly entertaining live performers. The former is known for his lively stage shows alongside his Outkast partner, Andre 3000 and the latter are an eclectic duo whose set designs and... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

36 Years Later, The Warriors Take Their Last Subway Ride Home. Can You Dig It? (Video)

A lot has changed in New York City since Walter Hill filmed The Warriors. While the Wonder Wheel remains, much of Coney Island has changed when standing on Stillwell Avenue. More than 35 years after the cult classic released, Rolling Stone filmed as cult fans organized "Swan" (Michael Beck), "Cochise"... Read more

September 25, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Janet Jackson & Missy Elliott Team Up to Set the Dance Floor on Fire (Audio)

Both Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott are making their way back to the spotlight after some times away. They worked together twice in the 2000s, but the R&B-Pop superstar and the Hip-Hop mainstay have both appeared to have been less than interested in the musical space in the 2010s. "BURNITUP!"... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

Funkadelic & Kendrick Lamar Release the Funk Jam of the Year. Just Try Not to Move (Audio)

Besides his appearance on "Wesley's Theory," it is clear that George Clinton (and Parliament, Funkadelic) are major inspirations in To Pimp A Butterfly. The New Jersey native's ability to balance heavy subject matter with the need to groove is something that the Compton, California MC is out to do. Previously,... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

Here’s A Gorgeous Mash-Up Of J Dilla, Common, Dwele & Bobby Caldwell (Audio)

Common's enduring love song, "The Light," turned 15 years old earlier this year. The track, which was produced by J Dilla, features a prominent sample of Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes," from his 1980 Cat in the Hat album. The song also was covered by Dwele in 2008 on his... Read more

September 24, 2015 Audio

Jimmy Fallon Faces Off Against Terrence Howard. There’s Only 1 King on “Jimpire” (Video)

Over the last 6 months, Fox's show Empire has become a runaway hit. The series, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, has transcended race and gender to become as embedded in the cultural zeitgeist as any show in years. Its over-the-top plot twists and outsized characters are only... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Scarface To Receive “I Am Hip-Hop Award,” Celebrating His 25+ Year Legacy

Scarface is Hip-Hop. He was even on a 2012 collaboration with Nas, DJ Premier, and DJ Khaled that said so. The iconic Houston, Texas MC will be honored this year with the "I Am Hip-Hop Award" at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Taped at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in... Read more

September 24, 2015 Fresh

Is Francis the First Hip-Hop Pope? This G.O.O.D. Artist Says Yes (Video)

The Pope's visit to the United States this week has infused many Americans with what could be aptly nicknamed "Pope Fever." The reigning Bishop of Rome has earned himself a reputation for being a progressive, as far as the papacy goes, particularly because of his comparatively outspoken views on things... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Think You Know Hip-Hop? This Quiz Will Separate Teachers From Students

When it comes to Hip-Hop, fans take their knowledge of the culture very seriously. The never-ending quest for information and competitive desire to flex that knowledge have spawned a wealth of literature and resources, like Dan Charnas' The Big Payback, a phenomenal history of the evolution of the Hip-Hop music... Read more

September 24, 2015 Fresh

The Game Tells the Story of His Life Through The Documentary’s Iconic Photos (Video)

The Game has had a celebratory few weeks and as he settles in to the home stretch before his next album drops October 9, fans are being treated to what feels like wonderful news with every passing day. Just this week it was announced that The Documentary 2 will be... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Freddie Gibbs Throws Fast Flow On A Charged Apollo Brown Beat (Audio)

Moving closer to September 25's Grandeur, Apollo Brown and Mello Music Group share another glimpse from the LP. "Who's That" incorporates Detroit, Michigan, Gary, Indiana, and Brownsville Brooklyn, New York—thanks to Apollo, Freddie Gibbs, and Maffew Ragazino, Sr. Brown chops a moving loop that has a dusty, Caribbean feel to... Read more

September 24, 2015 Audio

Some Sean Price Eloquence Over A Soul Sample Is Shared By Statik Selektah (Audio)

Sean Price was an MC with many friends. Industry-wide, the artist formerly known as Ruck maintained bonds with the like of LOX, Sadat X, Ill Bill, and Skyzoo. This of course goes beyond Rockness Monstah (Heltah Skeltah), Boot Camp Clik, Random Axe, or close associates Ruste Juxx and Illa Ghee.... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

5 Decades Later, Muhammad Ali Remains The People’s Champ. He is Celebrated in a New Documentary (Video)

Muhammad Ali was not only considered to be the greatest boxer of all-time. To many, he is the greatest athlete in history. While there are arguably those who have been gifted with more technical expertise and more raw ferocity, it is what Ali did outside of the ring that cemented... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

The Game’s Flow is Anything But Short on ‘El Chapo’ (Audio)

Translated as "small in stature" in English, the words "el chapo" conjure up an image of a swaggering Mexican drug lord rather than a diminutive personality, and for good reason. Earlier this year, the real-life El Chapo - a longtime kingpin in the world of Latin American cartels born Joaquín... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

One Of Raury’s First Televised Performances Proves He’s Ready For Primetime (Video)

Less than one month away from All We Need, Raury got a major look appearing on last night's (September 22) "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." The revamped late night program is winning with Heads, giving the musical mic to a plethora of top Hip-Hop acts. Taking chances on Columbia... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

Big Boi & Phantogram Are Going for the Gold on Latest Single (Audio)

Just two days away from the release of their collaborative project, OutKast's Big Boi and Electric-Rock outfit Phantogram have been on a tear, releasing their third single in two weeks. Big Grams - the name of their trio as well as the title of their forthcoming EP - has already... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

Madlib, DOOM, Blu & MED Knock the Door Down on a Groovy New Song (Audio)

Like a villain in the night, the masked MC named DOOM has resurfaced with 2 new tracks in as many weeks. After reprising his role as part of DOOMSTARKS with Ghostface Killah on the Adult Swim-released "Lively Hood," DOOM re-teams with another esteemed partner in Madlib. Blu, MED and Madlib... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Recruit Problem & Bad Lucc For A Message Of Perseverance (Audio)

Almost a year ago, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and 9th Wonder announced an independent music conglomerate, Indie 500. All parties have been incredibly busy since, with an emphasis on activism—including a free concert in St. Louis, Missouri one year after Michael Brown's murder Ferguson. Today (September 22) Talib and 9th... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Logic Returns to Make It Crystal Clear He’s a Microphone Savior (Audio)

After several years of grinding on the underground circuit, Logic had a breakout year in 2014. The Gaithersburg, Maryland MC had several of the year's best freestyles, earned a high profile slot in the Hip Hop Awards Cyphers and released his first album, Under Pressure, which debuted at #4 on... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Injects A Visual Double-Dose Of Cadillactica Luxury (Video)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica may be approaching a year old, but that's not hurting its Blue Book value in the least. Krizzle releases a combined video for two of the albums standout cuts, songs that show the two distinct sides of the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer. "My Sub Part 3 (The Big... Read more

September 22, 2015 Video

Murs Makes the Best of Things & Releases One of the Most Positive Songs of the Year (Audio)

It seems no matter which way we turn, we're often surrounded by negativity. Whether it's work, the news, social media or everyday life, sometimes the bright side seems far away. Enter Murs. The veteran MC has consistently made nourishing music, whether it was songs that shone a light on the... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Rick Ross Tells a Mournful Tale About Young Lives Lost to Violence (Audio)

Less than a month after releasing his free Black Dollar album, Rick Ross continues to make new music. As with songs on that project, like "Foreclosures," as well as select other verses in Ross' older repertoire, like "Thug Cry" and "Poor Decisions," he shifts out of "bawse" mode and shows... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Blackalicious Mash Up Fantastic Mr. Fox For an Animated Lyrical Explosion (Video)

With their first new album in a decade, Imani, Vol. 1, Blackalicious are pulling out all of the stops. The Sacramento, California mainstays could have just made a typical video. However, given MC Gift Of Gab's propensity for precise lyricism at rapid speeds, isn't it fun to show somebody else... Read more

September 22, 2015 The Bridge, Video

De La Soul’s Maseo Controls The Soul With An Amazing Free-Form Live DJ Set (Mix)

Listening to De La Soul is so much sweeter when you catch all the references—whether it's a sample, a vocal reworking, or a reference. Even when you don't know the specifics, it's usually worth seeking out the sources behind the music that's made by the legendary Long Island, New York... Read more

September 21, 2015 Mixes