Fresh Archives

Blu Teams With Lords Of The Underground’s Hit-Makers For A Funky Jam (Audio)

From Madlib to 9th Wonder, Mainframe to DJ Exile, Edan to Flying Lotus, Blu has made his travels musically, teaming with a litany of producers. This time, the Los Angeles, California native links with New Jersey's K-Def. Not exactly a household name producer, the onetime DJ Marley Marl protege has... Read more

September 21, 2015 Audio

D.M.C. Says Hip-Hop on the Radio is Waging Genocide on Young People (Audio)

Run-D.M.C. made Rap's first platinum album. Thanks to "My Adidas," the Queens, New York trio became some of the culture's first brand ambassadors. Teaming with Aerosmith for "Walk This Way," the Profile Records act helped mash Hip-Hop with Rock & Roll on a mainstream level. However, when Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels... Read more

September 20, 2015 Audio

Ever See This Vintage Footage of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Performing in 1987 (Video)

With the 25th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air recently passing, here's a look back at what started it all for both Will Smith and Jeff Townes. Before the TV shows, film careers and international DJ tours, they were DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and they... Read more

September 19, 2015 Throwback

What Makes A Hip-Hop Album A Classic? (Editorial)

In all genres of music, the term "classic" prompts debate. Cultural conservatives argue it is used too freely, and often stamped on works of art prematurely. On the other hand, liberally-minded art patrons maintain that placing restrictions on calling an item classic misses the point entirely. Especially with so much... Read more

September 19, 2015 Food for Thought

Blackalicious Is Back In Form! Catch The Duo’s First LP In 10 Years (Album Stream)

For more than 20 years, Sacramento, California's Blackalicious has made captivating Hip-Hop music. Pioneers within the West Coast Underground movement, Gift Of Gab and Chief Xcel joined forces with DJ Shadow, Lateef The Truthspeaker, Jazzbo, Mac B. Dog, 8th Wonder, author Jeff Chang, and Lyrics Born to forge the Soulsides... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Black Moon’s ‘Powaful Impak’ Is The Focus Of A Duck Down Feature Documentary (Video)

In looking at Hip-Hop artists and consistency, Heads regularly point to De La Soul, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest. There are acts who made extensive catalogs, by-and-large, never disappointing fan-bases. Is Brooklyn, New York trio Black Moon not one of them? Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, and 5FT have released... Read more

September 18, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Chris Rivers Says ALL Lives Matter in This Blistering New Freestyle (Audio)

Chris Rivers has released another freestyle, as he's done every week in recent memory as an extended, long-form way to celebrate the October release of his forthcoming project, M.C. (Medicated Consumption). This time around he opts for an Alchemist-produced classic from the Dilated Peoples, 2001's "Worst Comes to Worst." He's... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Nas & Dave East Celebrate Their Inevitable Rise to the Top on ‘Forbes List’ (Audio)

It takes a billionaire's mentality to achieve the unachievable, and for countless aspiring artists who hope to one day rise above the mediocre, there is perhaps no better gauge of "making it" than being listed alongside tycoons and moguls on Forbes magazine's list of the wealthiest in the world. Earlier... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Mac Miller Unplugs From the Matrix of Mundane & Fakery in a Truman Show-Type Video

Mac Miller's third studio album, GO:OD AM releases today (September 18). While free, full streams are still available via NPR Music, the Most Dope MC/producer releases a new visual to draw attention to his first LP since leaving the Rostrum Records independent and joining the Warner Records fold. "Brand Name"... Read more

September 18, 2015 Video

The Game’s Documentary 2 Tracklist Packs The Same Star-Power As The First

In January, 2005, The Game—then a G-Unit member, made his major label debut with The Documentary. Executive produced by Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, the album was among the most profiled debut Hip-Hop albums of the 2000s. The Grammy-nominated, double-platinum LP produced major singles "How We Do" and "Hate It... Read more

September 18, 2015 Fresh

Pastors & Politicians Won’t Want You to Hear Ras Kass’ Latest (Audio)

October 16 signals Breakfast At Banky’s, Ras Kass and Jack Splash's Semi Hendrix collaborative debut. The Mello Music Group LP seems to pick up where 2014's Blasphemy (Ras' pairing with Apollo Brown) left off. "Jesus Pressed Mute" is Razzy's latest indictment on government and organized religion. The Carson, California veteran... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Abuse, Witnessing Murder & Being Broke: Terrence Howard Lays It All On The Table

Actor Terrence Howard plays complex characters. Whether portraying a hero, a villain, or everything in between, the Academy Award-nominated 46 year-old brings a depth to his roles, behind the green eyes and trademark voice. Currently, Howard is enjoying success on "Empire," one of the nation's biggest television shows. The show... Read more

September 17, 2015 Lifestyle

A Violinist & Violist Are Combining Hip-Hop & Classical in Amazing Ways (Audio)

Throughout history, musical worlds have always collided as cultures and influences blend together to form new and exciting sounds. Now, with the digital era, the bridging of worlds has become far more frequent, and the resulting amalgamations continue to impress with ingenuity and creativity abounding. Violinist Kevin Sylvester and violist... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Lil Dicky Has Made An Epic Music Video…That Cost Almost No Money (Video)

Back in 1996, The Roots released their brilliant music video for "What They Do." The video satirized the Rap visuals of the time, which were becoming increasingly filled with stereotypes and cliches like scantily-clad women, palatial mansions (that were typically rented), luxury vehicles (also rented), orgies and other completely fabricated... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Sheek Louch & Pusha T Keep It Hardcore… In Rap & In Life. (Audio)

Sheek Louch and Pusha T have weathered the industry storms. Two products of the 1990s, these MCs with East Coast and Down South audiences have stayed consistent to the craft of MC'ing, while always speaking to the streets that made them. This duality may be the key to longevity, while... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Dee Barnes’ Role in Hip-Hop is Much Bigger Than an Incident with Dr. Dre (Video)

For past generations of Heads, the story of reporter Dee Barnes and her reported physical altercations with Dr. Dre 25 years ago remains one of the most well-documented scandals in Hip-Hop history. Today, new generations are growing up in a time when an incident from a quarter of a century... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Grab Your Charles Dickens. Ice Cube Is The Next Mr. Scrooge.

In music, in film, and in life, Ice Cube is many things. Some of his greatest successes in each have come with the Los Angeles, California native as cranky, irritable, and just downright mad. Whether that's film roles in Higher Learning, 21 Jump Street, or Ride Along, or songs through... Read more

September 17, 2015 News, TV/Film

Joe Budden Raps an Open Letter to Eminem That’s As Raw and Real As It Gets (Audio & Video)

Renowned for its bar-power, Shady Records has also become a label that has changed career paths. After its booming beginnings (D12, 50 Cent), Eminem's label appeared confused in part of the late 2000s, unsure if it was trying to breed skills-based Rap, or commercial juggernauts. For much of the decade,... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Did You Know Ice-T Was Once Arrested for Possessing a Bomb…Which Was Fake? (Video)

Anyone with an internet connection over the last 48 hours was made well aware of the story of Ahmed Mohamed, a high-school student in Texas whose incredible skills in science and engineering got him arrested. The 14-year-old constructed a working clock out of his pencil case and, in a moment... Read more

September 17, 2015 TV/Film, Video

LL Cool J Returns With a Strong Verse on the Smooth Tip (Audio)

The last five years of LL Cool J's music career have been, in large part, a search. The MC icon and self-proclaimed "GOAT" has tried Country collaborations, he's tried mash-up boom-bap, and he's further delved with a R&B sound. With 2013's Authentic coming as the lowest charting album since LL's... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio

This Baby Just Changed the Game for How Music is Used in Videos

2007 is ancient history in today's digital era, when entire forms of communication and thinking can be made virtually archaic overnight with the development of a new app or hashtag. However, a video uploaded to YouTube all those eight years ago is now finding itself trending again, this time for... Read more

September 16, 2015 Lifestyle

Anderson .Paak Is On A Tear. He Transitions From Dr. Dre To Asher Roth Seamlessly (Audio)

Dr. Dre's Compton formally introduces a number of new artists with an array of talents. Along with longtime independent artist King Mez and Dallas, Texas' Justus, Anderson .Paak may be the biggest standout. With a versatile ability to rap, sing, and play multiple instruments, Anderson—who hails from the same Oxnard,... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio

Regardless Of When It’s From, Unreleased Jay Electronica Songs Stay Fresh (Audio)

Since Dr. Dre released an album in 2015, what is taking the place of Detox? Compton can still be referred to by that, as many Heads debated (heatedly) whether the Aftermath Entertainment founder would release an LP by any title. With that out of the way (and on the charts),... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio

Kurtis Blow Recalls Opening For Bob Marley In Reggae Star’s Last Concerts (Audio)

Although the Sugarhill Gang had one of Hip-Hop's first massive hits in 1979's "Rapper's Delight," Kurtis Blow was among the genre's first stars. The Harlem, New York MC had Rap's first gold album, and was a critical messenger of the music from the 1970s into the mid-1980s. Afforded early star... Read more

September 16, 2015 Throwback

Oddisee Shows Why He’s One of the Best Out Right Now With This Freestyle (Video)

Praised for his productions, Oddisee is nice with the gift of gab. While this year's The Good Fight standout may appear more about substance than style in places, the Diamond District keystone can easily flip to fast. Appearing in Tim Westwood's Cribs sessions, the Prince George County, Maryland multi-threat shows... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Imagine A World With UGK & B.B. King Collaborating. The Thrill Is Trill. (Audio/Video)

In the world of mash-up mixes, Amerigo Gazaway is one of the premier visionaries as of late. The Nashville, Tennessee based-DJ/producer looks beyond the quirky, the niche, or the party staples to draw connections out of time, space, and genre for artists. Amerigo displayed greatness in 2014's Yasiin Gaye merging... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio, Video

Run the Jewels Perform on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ & Bring Along a Big Name Backup Band (Video)

Now in his second week of his new tenure as host of the "Late Show," Stephen Colbert has already amassed an impressive list of musical guests including Toby Keith and Kendrick Lamar. Last night, El-P and Killer Mike graced the stage as Run the Jewels, performing "Angel Duster" off their... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Would You Let Stevie Wonder Take You for a Joyride? James Corden Almost Did (Video)

The Late Late Show host James Corden is starting to give his earlier night peers a run for their money with his video vignettes. Back in July, a segment of his Carpool Karaoke featuring Rod Stewart and A$AP Rocky made the rounds. Now, he's released an installment featuring the one... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Kendrick Lamar Pretends to Be a Female Admirer on a Prank Call to Jay Rock (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar is a man of many voices. He can go from a high-pitched whisper to a fierce growl in an instant, as showcased on a number of songs. Recently, he put this talent to use in playing a prank on his label-mate and friend, Jay Rock. During one of... Read more

September 15, 2015 Audio

Spotlight: Ace Cosgrove Aims to Feed the Uninspired with New Project (Album Stream)

24-year-old Ace Cosgrove is a Maryland MC for whom 2014 was a watershed year. Two of last year's releases, Simple Criticism and UsVsRobots, introduced him to a wide swath of Heads, thanks in part to acclaim from a handful of highly respected outlets. Today (September 15), the young spitter releases... Read more

September 15, 2015 Audio

This Group is Using Hip-Hop’s Influence to Fight Against Climate Change (Audio)

Hip-Hop's birthplace - New York City - is preparing to host some important and high-profile events revolving around issues of climate change and environmental awareness. Both Climate Week and the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit are landing in the Big Apple this month and in preparation, one organization is taking... Read more

September 15, 2015 Lifestyle

Mac Miller Says Donald Trump is “Like a Struggling Rapper,” And Those Were His Nice Words…(Video)

Mac Miller and Donald Trump have a complicated history. In 2011, Mac Miller released his song named after Trump and, as Trump is fond of noting, the song has gone on to yield more than 100 million streams on YouTube. In true form to many politicians, Trump has flip-flopped on... Read more

September 15, 2015 Video

Sean Price & Grand Puba Do Some Bar Bullying on the Newly-Released “We Don’t Play” (Audio)

Next month (October 9), QNC will release their debut album, The Habit Of A Lifetime (And How To Kick It). The Attic Records release is a collaboration between Curt Cazal (of 1980s Hip-Hop group JVC Force) and Q-Ball (D&D Crew) and veteran English producer Aim. Previously, Aim has released a... Read more

September 15, 2015 Audio

Masta Ace Remembers Feeling Ostracized By His Native Brooklyn…& Other Personal Stories (Audio)

Masta Ace's nearly 30-year career as a tremendously gifted MC has hit its rough patches along the way, but as his fans around the world are well aware, his resiliency and tenacity have allowed for his name to be continuously mentioned in conversations about great - even if underrated -... Read more

September 15, 2015 Audio

Quincy Jones Passes His Torch of Knowledge & Wisdom About Music & Life to Kendrick Lamar (Video)

"Music can never be more or less than what you are as a human being...You get back what you give." As a student of music, 2015 has been an advanced PhD curriculum for Kendrick Lamar. Earlier in the year, he interviewed all of the remaining members of N.W.A., as he... Read more

September 15, 2015 Video

Keith Murray & Fredro Starr’s MC Battle Is Back On The Books (Video)

UPDATE: In the summer of 2014, it was announced that veteran 1990s MCs Keith Murray (Def Squad/UnderGods) and Fredro Starr (ONYX) would face off in a competitive battle. After the event was promoted, it postponed. More than one year after it was first reported, the match-up is back on. Next... Read more

September 15, 2015 Video

DOOM & Ghostface (DOOMSTARKS) Release a Tribute to New York That’s as Grimy as It Gets (Audio)

For the last several weeks, Adult Swim has been releasing a series of singles that match the edginess and counter-cultural themes of its vaunted series. Songs have spanned multiple genres and artists, including Skrillex, Sia and Danny Brown, and forthcoming tracks will feature Flying Lotus, Run the Jewels, and more.... Read more

September 14, 2015 Audio

Sadat X & El Da Sensei Form New Group. Here’s A 9th Wonder-Produced Introduction (Audio Premiere)

For more than 20 years, MCs Sadat X and El Da Sensei have run in the same circles. A product of Brand Nubian and The Artifacts, respectively, these East Coast lyricists have flipped words with flare to stand out amongst their band-mates and peers. Ambrosia For Heads is pleased to... Read more

September 14, 2015 Audio

‘GO:OD AM’ Aims to Wake Up Anybody Still Sleeping on Mac Miller (Album Stream)

Since breaking onto the Hip-Hop scene with the mixtape K.I.D.S. in 2010, Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller has dealt with his share of detractors, many relegating him to the genres of "frat boy" or "pop rap," but his fans have maintained their strident loyalty and his latest album is proof that... Read more

September 14, 2015 Audio

On Its 10 Year Anniversary, Little Brother Remember The Minstrel Show With New Perspective

According to many Hip-Hop Heads, one of the most complete, cohesive Rap albums of the 2000s is Little Brother's The Minstrel Show. Released by Atlantic Records, the LP is a bittersweet moment for its makers and its legions of fans. Ten years ago yesterday (September 13, 2005), 9th Wonder, Phonte,... Read more

September 14, 2015 Throwback

Hip-Hop Has No Age or Geographic Boundaries. These Portuguese Graffiti Grandmothers Are Proof (Video)

Lata65 is an organization in Lisbon, Portugal highlighting the global prevalence of Hip-Hop culture to a demographic that isn't necessarily associated with it. The street-art focus of the organization is commonplace enough, but the ages of its members make it a uniquely wonderful community. Ranging from ages 59-60, Lata65 (which... Read more

September 14, 2015 Lifestyle

Guilty Simpson Finds The Beauty In Detroit’s Concrete Struggle (Video)

Guilty Simpson just reunited with his original backer Stones Throw Records for Detroit's Son. Nearly a decade after his debut, Guilty has built a career out of tireless microphone activity, from an onslaught of collaborative works, Random Axe, and plenty of features. Something about Detroit's Son stands tall though, and... Read more

September 14, 2015 Video

Imagine Sitting Courtside At Every Game. Virtual Reality Is Coming…Soon

17-year-old Palmer Luckey spent some time in his parents garage one year, fiddling around with something that would eventually be sold for $2 billion. Whether intentionally or not, the young tech genius was orchestrating what is promising to be the next major chapter in consumer-tech news: virtual reality or, more... Read more

September 14, 2015 Lifestyle

What Was It Like to See a Boogie Down Productions Show in 1987? Press Play (Video)

"Rap is still an art, and no one's from the Old School, 'cause Rap is still a brand-new tool. I say no one's from the Old School 'cause Rap on a whole, isn't even twenty years old. Fifty years down the line, you can start this, 'cause we'll be the... Read more

September 13, 2015 Throwback

Jay Rock Refuses To Compromise. Even His Freestyles Are Hard-Body (Audio)

Throughout the weekend, many Hip-Hop Heads are making visits to the 90059 zip code, listening to Jay Rock's sophomore solo album. The breakthrough Top Dawg Entertainment artist for nearly a decade swings through L.A. Leakers. Not often recognized as much as onetime pupil Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul in the freestyle... Read more

September 13, 2015 Audio

It’s Been 19 Years Since We Lost Tupac Shakur. Re-Live His Brilliance (Audio)

Nineteen years ago today (September 13, 1996), Tupac Amaru Shakur was pronounced dead in a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital. In his final year of life, 'Pac transcended from incarcerated poet to Rap's reigning superstar. In his wake, the MC left some of the most dramatic, fiery, and profound music and... Read more

September 13, 2015 Throwback

Imagine The Fresh Prince With No Hilary or Carlton. It Almost Happened…

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the debut episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," an NBC-aired television show that not only helped launch the career of Will Smith but also cultivated a strong Hip-Hop presence in American living rooms throughout its six-year run. In recent years, a nostalgic... Read more

September 12, 2015 TV

J-Live Says Biters & Posers Won’t Feel This But Hip-Hop Junkies Will. Can You Dig It? (Audio)

As a completely independent artist, J-Live stays quite busy. The Brooklyn, New York native follows this month's "You're The One" with a new album on the way. How Much Is Water is coming October 23 on Justice's Mortier Music imprint. "Feel This" is the first delivery, a song that serves... Read more

September 11, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers & Nitty Scott, MC Flip the Script on Hip-Hop Gender Stereotypes (Video)

There have been a number of Hip-Hop songs over the years with the "Bonnie and Clyde" theme. Tracks like Jay-Z's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde," Method Man's "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Me & My Bitch" all depict scenarios where the... Read more

September 11, 2015 Video

Krayzie Bone Has Powerful Memories About Ice Cube & Eazy-E’s 1995 Reunion After Years Of Beef

It's well-known N.W.A. lore that Eazy-E and Ice Cube's relationship hit a sour note towards the end of Eazy's life, and Cube has often remarked on how he wishes the friendship had been more strongly rebuilt before Eazy passed away due to complications from H.I.V. Without his own testimony, it's... Read more

September 11, 2015 Throwback