Fresh Archives

“Good Times” Actress Ja’Net DuBois Has Passed Away At Age 74

Emmy Award-winning actress Ja'Net DuBois has passed away at the age of 74 today (February 18). She may be best remembered for playing "Willona Woods" on television's Good Times series. DuBois played the neighbor character on all six seasons of the show, which premiered between 1974 and 1979. Additionally, she... Read more

February 18, 2020 News, TV, TV/Film

Dr. Dre Produces A Tribute Video That Shows Love To Kobe Bryant

This past weekend's NBA All-Star festivities paid major tribute to Kobe Bryant. Kobe, an 18-time all-star selection, passed away last month (January 26) along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, and seven others aboard a helicopter. Shortly after takeoff, the vessel crashed in Calabasas, California. For Sunday (February 16)... Read more

February 17, 2020 Lifestyle, Video

Black Thought & Rhymefest Have A Grown-Man Conversation In Their Newest Collabo

Che "Rhymefest" Smith was a guest on the World Music Foundation podcast. In addition to a comprehensive look at the veteran MC's career, 'Fest shared a new song called "O.G. Philosophy" featuring Black Thought and R&B veteran Raheem DeVaughn. For episode 17 of the non-profit podcast dedicated to opening minds... Read more

February 16, 2020 Audio

D Smoke’s Latest Video Sends A Powerful Message About Ownership

"Buy land, not jewels" is a "Black Habit" that many of us can get behind. It's been just over a week since D Smoke's debut album, Black Habits, hit streaming services, and the Inglewood, California MC/singer doesn't show any signs of slowing down. A fan-favorite and standout representative of this... Read more

February 16, 2020 Video

Floyd Mayweather Got Out Of A $750K Deal & Then Made $750 Million (Video)

Following a high-profile interview with Lil Wayne, champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the latest guest on Drink Champs. As a guest on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's series, "Money Mayweather" opened up for over two hours on the show during Super Bowl weekend. Although he did not drink or smoke, he... Read more

February 15, 2020 Lifestyle, Video

A New Mix Blends Benny The Butcher & J Dilla To Perfection

Every February, Hip-Hop Heads remember J Dilla. Producer/MC James Yancey was born on February 7, 1974, and passed away just days after his 32nd birthday, on February 10, 2006. Around the country are official and unofficial Dilla events, with many of the artists who best knew Jay Dee paying tribute.... Read more

February 15, 2020 Audio, Mixes

Watch The Throne 2? Jay Electronica’s Album May Be A Collaboration With JAY-Z

One week ago, Jay Electronica teased fans by claiming he is releasing an album on March 18. The MC/producer who has never released a project apart from a MySpace mixtape (2007’s MySpace mixtape Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)), suggested that his album would be called A Written Testimony. A series of... Read more

February 14, 2020 Fresh

Consequence Takes A Tour Of Queens In The Video For His Last Phife Dawg Collaboration

In March, it will have been four years since Phife Dawg passed away. The MC/producer born Malik Taylor was not able to see the final album release from A Tribe Called Quest, 2016's We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. However, he worked on the LP that... Read more

February 14, 2020 Video

Pusha-T & Dame Lillard Take A Page From Allen Iverson & Jadakiss (Video)

Nearly 20 years ago, Allen Iverson made one of the great Rap-and-basketball spots for his shoe, The Answer. Recruiting Jadakiss, the then-Philadelphia 76er showed off his handle while The LOX MC rapped to cameras (also embedded below). It was a one-minute ad that only created more mystique to the popular... Read more

February 13, 2020 Video

J. Cole’s Short Film Is About Basketball & The Drive To Make Dreams Come True (Video)

While many Heads are waiting for The Fall Off to make its way, J. Cole, the face of Dreamville Records, is making his own dreams come true. The now-Grammy Award-winning MC/producer announced this morning (February 13) a multi-year partnership with Puma. Notably, Cole's Roc Nation family member JAY-Z is the President... Read more

February 13, 2020 Lifestyle, TV/Film, Video

Colin Kaepernick To Tell His Story In A Memoir & He’s Helping Others Tell Theirs

Colin Kaepernick is being silent no more. The former NFL quarterback and current civil rights activist announced today (February 13) that he will release an autobiography this year through his own publishing company, Kaepernick Publishing. Amazon's popular audio-book wing, Audible, will release the Spoken version of the as-yet-to-be-revealed title and... Read more

February 13, 2020 Lifestyle, News

LOUD Records’ Founder Details Getting Arrested For Bringing The Ruckus For Raekwon

Steve Rifkind, the founder of LOUD Records, is known for creating the record company that introduced much of the world to Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, Funkmaster Flex, and dead prez, among others. The Long Island, New York native is the son of Spring Records executive (Jimmy Spicer, James Brown,... Read more

February 11, 2020 Video

Ava DuVernay Is Making A Documentary On The Life Of Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle's life story is being told in the form of a documentary film by a fellow hometown visionary. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay is confirmed to produce and direct an upcoming film on the slain Los Angeles, California MC, entrepreneur, and activist. It will be a collaboration between Ava's ARRAY... Read more

February 11, 2020 Fresh, News, TV/Film

Rage Against The Machine & Run The Jewels Announce Tour Dates

One of the hottest tickets in music for 2020 has been announced. The recently-reunited Rage Against The Machine has announced more than 35 dates, worldwide. They are touring with Run The Jewels, who have previously worked with Zack de la Rocha. Previously, Zack recorded extensively with El-P following the departure... Read more

February 10, 2020 Fresh

Boldy James & Alchemist Bring The Best Out Of Each Other On Their New Album (Audio)

It has been over a decade since Boldy James first debuted his raps for the world to hear. In the blog era, Boldy James released Trapper’s Alley: Pros & Cons in 2011 with illRoots. The mixtape showed off the cold life of a drug dealer (see the obvious "I Sold... Read more

February 10, 2020 Audio

Chubb Rock Gets Political Alongside Dumi Right (Audio)

MC Dumi Right first burst on the scene as a member of Zimbabwe Legit, along with Akim Ndlovu. The group made Hip-Hop history when they among the first African Hip-Hop artists to gain recognition in the United States. The duo debuted just as Afro-Centrism was on the rise in 1992... Read more

February 9, 2020 Audio

Jaz-O Discusses The Record That He & JAY-Z Released In 1986 (Video)

Veteran Brooklyn, New York MC/producer Jaz-O released a new project, The Warmup. In a career that spans work with Rakim, M.O.P., DJ Premier, and others, Jaz-O is best known as the early mentor and rhyme partner of JAY-Z. The two artists with similar names appeared on several songs dating back... Read more

February 8, 2020 Video

Lute Says If J. Cole Made It, There’s No Telling How Far HE Can Go (Video)

On the video single "Under The Sun" from Dreamville’s 2019 acclaimed Revenge Of The Dreamers III album, Charlotte, North Carolina native Lute smashed the second verse, sandwiched between the high-profile home-state likes of J.Cole and DaBaby. Now with a new single titled "G.E.D. (Gettin Every Dolla)," Lute continues to show... Read more

February 8, 2020 Video

Royce 5’9 & Benny The Butcher Reunite For A Collaboration That Packs A Punch (Video)

Today (February 7), Royce 5'9 showcases the fourth single from this month's album, The Allegory. While January's "Overcomer" video single featured Westside Gunn, "Upside Down" involves Benny The Butcher. Notably, all three Griselda members appear on separate tracks from the February 21 LP that also boasts appearances by Vince Staples,... Read more

February 7, 2020 Video

Black Thought Pops Up At Rapsody’s Show To Rip Another Incredible Freestyle (Video)

Last night (February 6), Rapsody performed at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, New York. After touring with Big K.R.I.T. in late 2019, the Jamla Records MC is headlining the A Black Woman Created This Tour (dates below), which also features Sa-Roc. Black Thought, who has worked with Rap' several times, appeared on... Read more

February 7, 2020 Fresh, Video

Jay Electronica Says He Just Completed His Debut Album & It Drops Next Month

On Thursday night (February 6), Jay Electronica released a series of tweets that confirmed his debut album was complete. The proclamations follow over 10 years of teasing fans, and publicly toying with the possibility of releasing an LP at all, ever. The tweets suggested that on December 26, 2019, Jay... Read more

February 7, 2020 Fresh

D Smoke Spits A Freestyle That’s Hard As Nails & In 2 Different Languages (Video)

Before rapper D Smoke's new album, Black Habits, drops tomorrow (February 7), the bilingual MC drops another attention-grabbing freestyle to promote the cause. The winner of Netflix's Rhythm + Flow connected with The L.A. Leakers to lay down some Black History-inspired bars over the OutKast's self-produced 22-year-old Southern-fried jam, "Rosa... Read more

February 6, 2020 Video

Diamond D Recruits Raekwon, Fat Joe & More For A Video About Being Built To Last

Last year, veteran Bronx, New York MC/producer/DJ Diamond D released his sixth studio album, The Diam Piece 2. The sequel follows 2014's first Diam Piece, a record that predominantly featured Diamond's musical talents behind the boards. The D.I.T.C. co-founder has already confirmed that a third installment is coming soon. With... Read more

February 6, 2020 Video

Questlove Discusses The Time He Changed The Roots’ Entire Show To Impress D’Angelo

D'Angelo is known to be one of the greatest producers, writers, and singers of the last 25 years. He has maintained that status, even with over half of that time spent between albums. His breakthrough soul album Brown Sugar came out in 1995, but it would take the singer five... Read more

February 5, 2020 Audio, Throwback

Lords Of The Underground Team With ONYX To Show Today’s MCs What’s Up (Video)

The return of the real is here and in grand effect with two vetera Hip-Hop forces collaborating for a new song called "What's Up." Lords Of The Underground recruit ONYX for a high energy collaboration, produced by the Snowgoons production team. This marks the first time the Newark, New Jersey... Read more

February 4, 2020 Video

Ice Cube Explains Why Storytelling Is The Top Level Of MC’ing (Video)

Ice Cube is no stranger to storytelling with his lyrics. The legendary South Central, Los Angeles MC is responsible for one of Rap's most beloved tales: "It Was A Good Day," as well as penning Eazy-E's breakout anthem, "Boyz-n-the-Hood." Cube's albums, both solo and group, often have songs that follow... Read more

February 3, 2020 Video

Joaquin Phoenix Is No Joke As He Calls Out Film Industry’s Lack Of Diversity (Video)

Actor Joaquin Phoenix delivered a moment of clarity at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday (February 2) that encouraged the film industry to step up its efforts to become more diverse. I feel very honored and privileged to be here tonight, and the BAFTAs have always been very supportive... Read more

February 3, 2020 Lifestyle, TV/Film, Video

Jadakiss Teams Up With Rick Ross On A Song For His Special Someone (Video)

Jadakiss is releasing his long-awaited fifth solo album later this month. On February 28, The LOX co-founder will deliver Ignatius. Featuring Rick Ross and singer Emanny, the Gerard Victor-directed visual is also part of a short film project by the same name. Emmany belts out a beautifully smooth chorus, while... Read more

February 2, 2020 Video

JAY-Z Has Gotten The NFL To Commit $100 Million To Criminal Justice Reform

Last August, JAY-Z and Roc Nation partnered with the National Football League. The result of the agreement gave Jay and his company input into the annual Super Bowl Halftime Show and other music events surrounding the league. Additionally, it gave Jay and Roc Nation a stake in "Inspire Change," a... Read more

February 1, 2020 Lifestyle

Lil Wayne Says He Refused To Get Bodied By Eminem On Their Collaborations (Video)

In the late 1990s, Eminem and Lil Wayne burst onto the Rap around the same time. Both MCs' careers date back earlier into the decade. However, the same 1999 Marshall Mathers released The Slim Shady LP, The Hot Boys' Weezy dropped breakout solo, Tha Block Is Hot. Each artist had... Read more

February 1, 2020 Video

Royce 5’9’s New Song Is About How He’s Gotten Better With Time & He May Be The Best

Hip-Hop Heads are less than a month out from Royce 5'9's The Allegory album. The February 21 Heaven Studios/eOne album will feature Benny The Butcher, Kxng Crooked, Vince Staples, Conway The Machine, DJ Premier, and Oswin Benjamin, among others. Dating back to late 2019, Nickel Nine has released two video... Read more

January 31, 2020 Audio

Wayne Brady Rips 2020’s 1st 5 Fingers Freestyle & It’s Completely Off The Top (Video)

Wayne Brady may be known for hosting shows, improv comedy, and legendary Chappelle's Show cameo, but he's nice on the mic. The 47-year-old Columbus, Georgia native has rocked Sway In The Morning (and DJ Whoo Kid's Shade 45 radio show) with freestyles before. But he's back, with the first "Five Fingers Of... Read more

January 31, 2020 Video

Method Man & Redman Join Gang Starr For A Remix That Stands Up For Real Hip-Hop

On November 1, Gang Starr released its first album in more than 16 years. DJ Premier carefully crafted sounds around some previously unreleased vocals from Guru. In the autumn, Heads got two singles before One Of The Best Yet, the album which was later named to Ambrosia For Heads' Best... Read more

January 30, 2020 Audio

How J. Cole Used Drake’s Playbook To Score His Biggest Hit & Win A Grammy

Sunday night (January 26), J. Cole won his very first Grammy Award. The 2020 "Best Rap Song" trophy was for the "a lot" collaboration from 21 Savage's i am > i was. While 2019's category winner, Drake, was included in the televised portion of the show (giving an impassioned and... Read more

January 29, 2020 Food for Thought

Reason Shows Off A New Song With Kendrick Lamar On Backup Vocals (Video)

UPDATE: Reason has now released the music video to "Show Stop": ORIGINAL JANUARY 24 STORY: 2020 is proposed to be an exciting year for TDE. The California-based label is known for teasing albums without much warning and dropping surprise singles with only days notice. This comes at a time... Read more

January 29, 2020 Video

JAY-Z & Yo Gotti Are Demanding Prison Reform. A New Video Shows Why

In recent years, JAY-Z has devoted lots of energy and resources to prison reform. Since late 2016, the Roc Nation founder has used his power, his influence, and his company to take on the bail bond industry by paying for the release of incarcerated fathers, condemn many of the criminal reform... Read more

January 28, 2020 Lifestyle, News, Video

Tyler, The Creator Explains Why His First Grammy Win Is Bittersweet (Video)

Last night (January 26), Tyler, The Creator won his first Grammy Award. The accolade came for "Best Rap Album" for 2019's IGOR. Previously, the Odd Future founder had been nominated forhis previous LP, 2017's Flower Boy. Earlier in the decade, Tyler also was tied to affiliate Frank Ocean's "Album Of... Read more

January 27, 2020 News, Video

D.I.T.C.’s Buckwild Releases An Album Of Abandoned Beats. Listen Along.

Like fellow veteran Hip-Hop producers Pete Rock and DJ Premier, Buckwild has a vault of unreleased heat. The Diggin’ In The Crates veteran DJ/producer has stayed busy in the last two decades contributing bangers to albums by O.C., Black Rob, The Game, JAY-Z, and others, to name only a few.... Read more

January 27, 2020 Audio

Diddy Blasts The Grammys For Not Respecting Hip-Hop & Calls For A Boycott (Video)

Last night (January 25) Sean "Diddy" Combs received the annual Icon Award in Beverly Hills, California. There, just ahead of the 62nd Grammy Awards and at an official Pre-Grammy Gala, the three-time winner blasted the Recording Academy for the areas which they need to improve—especially in how they treat Black... Read more

January 26, 2020 News, Video

Westside Gunn, Benny & Conway Explain Why Griselda Was The Best Rap Crew Of 2019

Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, and Westside Gunn had a stellar campaign in 2019. Amid the roughly dozen projects dropped by the Buffalo, New York-based label, the trio of MCs released their debut collaborative project, WWCD, from Shady Records. Recently, the Griselda squad sat down with B.Dot and Elliott... Read more

January 25, 2020 Video

Black Thought & The Roots Amplify Gary Clark Jr.’s Protest Anthem With A Remix

Everything seems to sound better when Black Thought, Questlove, and The Roots are involved. In 2019, The Roots, who serve as the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performed a remixed version of "This Land" alongside Gary Clark Jr. The Austin, Texas native has created a defiant,... Read more

January 25, 2020 Audio

T3 Shares Fantastic Memories Of Dilla & Slum Village On A Song That Features Baatin

Slum Village began out of a dream from three Pershing High School classmates living in the Constant Gardens section of Detroit, Michigan. J Dilla, Baatin, and T3 would organically garner attention in the mid-1990s. At the same time that Dilla (as "Jay Dee") was sought out to produce for A... Read more

January 25, 2020 Audio

EarthGang’s New Video Is For A Song That Prompted J. Cole To Sign Them

EarthGang's Olu and WowGr8 were scorching hot throughout their 2019 campaign. The Dreamville duo were apart of some of the year's best and most talked about projects, including J. Cole's Rap menagerie, Revenge Of The Dreamers III. Recently, Cole and Ibrahim Hamad assisted with the drop of a Director's Cut... Read more

January 23, 2020 Video

Lupe Fiasco Wants To Be The Next Member Of Slaughterhouse

Nearly two years ago, Slaughterhouse disbanded. The moment became official when Kxng Crooked (aka Crooked I) announced that he had withdrawn from the super-group. Days later, Royce 5'9 echoed Crook's point. The news came during a year where Joe Budden had proclaimed himself retired from music. Instead, Joe's primary focuses... Read more

January 23, 2020 Fresh

Madlib & Oh No’s Album Shows That Making Great Hip-Hop Is Their Family Business

The Brothers Jackson have blessed listeners with one-off tracks for years now. Ever since 2008 on Madlib's WLIB AM: King Of The Wigflip, the two Oxnard, California natives have teamed up as a killer producer-rapper combo. Late last year, Otis Jackson, Jr. shared word that he and his younger brother... Read more

January 23, 2020 Audio

The Game Assists TOBi With A Chilling New Verse To A Heartfelt Song About The Blues

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, MC/singer TOBi moved from Africa to Ottawa when he was 9 years old. There, the man raised as Oluwatobi Ajibolade began writing songs and poetry. As a teen, TOBi found his way into battle rapping. An old clip of TOBi battling a young Tory Lanez, who... Read more

January 22, 2020 Audio

J. Cole & Marshawn Lynch Discuss Drug Addiction, Capitalism & Paying Dues (Video)

Hosted by Blackout for Human Rights, the fifth annual MLK Now event took place at the Riverside Church in Harlem, New York, and was where Dr. King gave his historic "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" speech in 1967. Hip-Hop superstar J. Cole returned after participating in the inaugural... Read more

January 22, 2020 Lifestyle, Video

Page Kennedy Pulls Up On Challenging Issues & Confronts Them With Hard Bars (Video)

It's no secret that Detroit, Michigan's Page Kennedy prides himself on delivering rewind-worthy punchlines and thoughtful concepts. Yet his most recent art has him showcasing another sort of pride. Pulled from his latest tape, late 2019's Straight Bars III, the actor and lyricist shares his thoughts on all the ill-will... Read more

January 20, 2020 Video

Joe Budden Responds To Eminem’s Latest Disses

On Friday morning, Eminem surprise-released a new album. His third LP since October of 2017 features an exciting guest list of MCs as well some ongoing jabs at rivals, including MGK, Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar, and Joe Budden. This weekend, Budden responded to Music To Be Murdered By lyrics on... Read more

January 19, 2020 Audio, News, Video

Memphis Bleek Recalls A Wild Story About JAY-Z’s Early Stash Of Cash (Video)

Under the watchful eye of JAY-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Roc-A-Fella Records first opened its doors in the mid-1990s. At the onset, Jay was the star of his own label. However, as the label expanded, Memphis Bleek—a Marcy Projects neighbor would be among the early additions to the... Read more

January 18, 2020 Video