Fresh Archives

Buckshot & Smif N Wessun Have a Boot Camp Clik Reunion on a Statik Selektah Banger (Video)

Last week, Statik Selektah released his stellar Lucky 7 album on Duck Down Music. That compilation, which Statik says is his last solo project, features a smorgasbord of MCs, including Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Royce Da 5'9", Your Old Droog, Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Styles P, Bun B and more. Ever... Read more

July 16, 2015 Video

YG Twists a P-Funk Classic for Some of That New California Love (Audio)

"I really got somethin' to say. I'm the only one that made it out the West without Dre. I'm the only one that's 'bout what he say. The only one that got hit and was walking the same day." YG may have obtained his success without the help of Dr.... Read more

July 16, 2015 Audio

Travel Back To Big L, Cam’ron & Ma$e Freestyling on Stretch & Bobbito in 1996 (Audio)

The Children Of The Corn is a group shrouded in mystery. The Harlem, New York collective included four would-be major label lyricists in Big L, Ma$e, McGruff, and Cam'ron. However, many fans of those individuals are unfamiliar with the group that also included producer Digga (Jay Z, 50 Cent, Shyheim)... Read more

July 16, 2015 Throwback

From the Beastie Boys to Pharrell: This Film Looks at the Merging of Hip-Hop & Skateboard Culture.

As with any culture, the influences of the few can infiltrate the consciousness of the many, transforming a movement at large into a collection of smaller microcosms. One of Hip-Hop's greatest strengths is its eagerness to embrace the flavors of its surroundings, and while now it is arguably the world's... Read more

July 16, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Method Man & Redman Are Back And Keeping It Straight Gutter (Audio)

Whether as individuals, or as a team, Method Man and Redman have become stars, almost by accident. The Staten Island-Newark tandem is as talented as they come in Hip-Hop, but neither the Wu-Tang Clan MC or the Def Squad lyricist ever seemed to tailor their theses to the mainstream. Instead,... Read more

July 16, 2015 Audio

R. Kelly Is Not Afraid of 5 Fingers Of Death. Catch The Kellz Freestyle (Video)

R. Kelly is often said to improvise many of his hits. Sitting at the keyboard, the 25-year veteran freestyles those very melodies and choruses that have changed the sound of R&B, and presumably created a few lives too. Somebody who is not often in the media, Kellz swung through today's... Read more

July 16, 2015 Video

Hussein Fatal’s Range & Versatility Remembered In A Successful Career, Below The Radar (Audio)

Less than one week ago (July 10), Outlawz member Hussein Fatal died in a Gainesville, Georgia car accident. The 38 year-old born Bruce Edward Washington, Jr. had nearly 20 years invested in a Rap career at the time of his death, with nearly two dozen releases, including albums, collaborative projects... Read more

July 16, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback

Mobb Deep Talk 20 Years of The Infamous & Perform Shook Ones Pt. II at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

Throughout music history, there will be those artists whose very names elicit memories so powerful, fans can remember exactly where they were when they first played that track, first heard that album, and first heard them live. For fans of Mobb Deep, the last 25+ years have provided one of... Read more

July 16, 2015 Video

Capone, Noreaga & Tragedy Khadafi Celebrate The Stand Up Men in Their Lives (Audio)

Too often in life, we celebrate those who have passed away after it's too late for them to hear the praises. Capone, Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi seek to rectify that in the latest release from C-N-N's upcoming Lessons album. On "U.M.A.R." (Ur Man's All Real), the three MCs take time... Read more

July 15, 2015 Audio

Here’s a Look Back at the Amazing Talents of Biz Markie in 1988 (Video)

Biz Markie may be one of Hip-Hop's most underrated talents. Perhaps because he was a perennial jokester, people sometimes overlook his prodigious abilities as both an MC and a human beat box. However, with witty punchlines, far out sonics and a willingness to take on any subject matter, Biz stands... Read more

July 15, 2015 Throwback

A$AP Rocky & Rod Stewart Perform “Everyday” Together, In A Luxury SUV (Video)

One of the cooler new segments on TV is funnyman James Cordon's "Carpool Karaoke." Rather than the cliche on-stage performance, the British host for "The Late Late Show" drives around, and picks up celebrity musician guests for a little car-concert. Cordon's Range Rover picks up a fellow countryman in Rod... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

Chance The Rapper & The Social Experiment Aim To Reach Victims Of Chicago Violence (Video)

Chance The Rapper and his cohorts consisting of Donnie Trumpet and the uber talented Social Experiment (SOX) have had quite the summer following the release of their successful, star studded album, Surf. The music itself hails from the artists' experiences growing up in their hometown of Chicago, addressing the issues... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

Kool Keith & L’Orange Wander Through Time To Discover New Sounds (Video)

The latest visuals from Kool Keith and producer L'Orange's upcoming project, Time? Astonishing!, open in a similar vein as some classic MF Doom intros or a '60s comic book television series, a la "Superman," where the viewers are introduced to an all new, time traveling hero, "The Wanderer," through the... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

You Can Hate Me Now: How Early Nas Critics Show the Intricacies of Hip-Hop Nostalgia

In a recent article, writer Lucas Garrison explored the underbelly of '90s Internet forums, focusing specifically on the discussions about Hip-Hop music. What he finds of particular interest are the conversations that developed around Nas and the critical diatribes related to the Nas of 1994 versus the Nas of 1997.... Read more

July 15, 2015 Throwback

N.W.A. Discusses The Authenticity Of “Straight Outta Compton” With Fab 5 Freddy (Video)

As the host/VJ of "Yo! MTV Raps," Fab 5 Freddy was a major correspondent with N.W.A. at a time when the Compton, California group was fiercely counter-cultural. Twenty five years later, Freddie reunites with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren on the set of August 14 biopic... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

Public Enemy’s Energy Only Grows. See The Man Plans, GOD Laughs Title Cut (Video)

Today (July 15), Public Enemy made their latest album, Man Plans, GOD Laughs available for stream. Formally released next week (July 22), Chuck D, Professor Griff, DJ Lord and Flavor Flav used the moment to bum-rush the bandwidth with an LP that shows its admitted influence by the likes of... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

Kendrick Lamar Joins Jidenna in the Video for the Fiery Remix to Classic Man (Video)

Three weeks ago, Kendrick Lamar set the web on fire with the addition of some scorching verses to Jidenna's infectious song, "Classic Man." Now, the remix gets the visual treatment and K. Dot joins Jidenna on screen. The video features vintage cars, lots of California love and a cameo from... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

If Brandy Was Singing In Disguise on the Subway, Would You Wanna Be Down? (Video)

For more than two decades, Brandy has entertained audiences around the world, both as a singer and an actress. But, is she good enough for New York City subway riders? The talented Ms. Norwood went undercover, underground in the transit tunnels of the Big Apple. Wearing a scarf, hoodie and... Read more

July 15, 2015 Video

Kid ‘N Play are the Latest Hip-Hop Icons to Be Honored on TV One’s ‘Unsung’ (Video)

In March of this year, the classic movie House Party turned 25, igniting a hilarious and nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for Heads and movie buffs. A progenitor of the Hip-Hop Comedy canon, the movie starred Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin, a Rap duo also known by their... Read more

July 15, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Eric B. & Rakim Meet Spiderman As Marvel Mashes Up Hip-Hop & Super Heroes

From Tony Starks to MF DOOM, CZARFACE to Dr. Dooom, Hip-Hop and comics have a long history together. Marvel, a 75-year publisher of some of the world's most beloved titles (Spiderman, Hulk, Captain America, X-Men, The Fanatastic Four, etc.) knows this. That's why, beginning this October, they will be releasing... Read more

July 14, 2015 Fresh

Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers, Bodega Bamz & Emilio Rojas Rep Their Cultural Pride on Latino Pt. 2 (Video)

Joell Ortiz revisits "Latino," the cultural pride anthem from his 2007 debut album, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles. On the updated 2015 version, he brings in fellow MCs Chris Rivers, Bodega Bamz and Emilio Rojas on an !LLmind production. The video for "Latinos Pt. 2" uses the New York City Puerto... Read more

July 14, 2015 Video

Golden Rules Might Have The Midas Touch To Break Through (Audio)

Paul White and Eric Biddines are ones to watch and ones to listen to. Fresh off of a Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) collaboration, the Lex Records artists together known as Golden Rules have another one. "Down South Boogie" is a Funk-fused creation that clearly pulls from Andre 3000 in... Read more

July 14, 2015 Audio

¡Mayday! Are Fueling The Fire On Their Future/Vintage Album (Audio)

¡Mayday! are gearing up to release their fourth album on Strange Music, Future/Vintage, due out on August 21, 2015. Today (July 14), they released the first piece of audio from the upcoming album, a song called "Fuel To The Fire." The song showcases the great chemistry Bernz and Wrekonize have... Read more

July 14, 2015 Audio

G-Eazy Shows He’s a Triple Threat with the Release of 3 New Tracks (Audio)

26-year-old Oakland native G-Eazy is steadily winning over Heads with his extemporaneous wit in freestyles, his rapid-fire barbs on the A$AP Ferg & Danny Seth-assisted "Lotta That," and his collaborations with unexpected but perfectly tailored artists. With the release of These Things Happen in June of 2014, the MC and... Read more

July 14, 2015 Audio

Ohmega Watts Spins The Supremes, Chubb Rock & Lots Of Rare Disco-House Groove (Mix)

Ohmega Watts has been making noise in Hip-Hop for more than a decade. Part of the Lightheaded Crew, the Portland, Oregon-by way of-Brooklyn, New York MC/producer/DJ has worked with Lifesavas, Braille, Mars Ill, and other veterans of the independent scene. AFH has posted his Rap abilities, nearly five years ago.... Read more

July 14, 2015 Mixes

A 15-Year-Old Hip-Hop Artist Is Using His Talents to Save the Planet at the U.N. & On Stage (Video)

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is breathing new life into what it means to be a "conscious" MC. The Boulder, Colorado native speaks three languages (English; Spanish; & Nahuatl, an indigenous Aztec language) and at only 15 years of age, he has already spoken at the United Nations conference on the topic of... Read more

July 14, 2015 Video

Read Eminem’s Heartfelt Letter & Illustration Sent To Tupac’s Mother

In 1997, Tupac Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur established the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, a performing-arts based community program in Stone Mountain, Georgia that focuses on bringing children opportunities to explore dance, drama, creative writing, and more. As part of the organization's role in preserving Tupac's legacy, the... Read more

July 13, 2015 Fresh

25 Years Ago Today, 2 Live Crew Made History, Bringing Out The Parental Advisory Sticker

On July 13, 1990, the first album to be adorned with a parental advisory sticker hit the shelves, ushering in a new era in the recording industry and re-igniting a heated discussion about censorship, freedom of speech, and morality. Banned in the U.S.A. was 2 Live Crew's fourth album, and... Read more

July 13, 2015 Food for Thought

Common Performs 4 Of His Essential Hits At The 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

This Saturday (July 11), Common headlined the 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Taking the stage following sets by Mobb Deep, Freeway, Large Professor, Skyzoo, Charles Hamilton, Lion Babe, Consequence, John Robinson and others, Common, a live band, and DJ Dummy brought the show to a crescendo. The Chicago, Illinois Grammy and... Read more

July 13, 2015 Video

KRS-One, Tragedy Khadafi & A.G. Call Politicians Modern Day Gangsters (Audio)

Since his days of running with the Juice Crew, Tragedy Khadafi has been the Intelligent Hoodlum. "Modern Day Gangsta," from Trag's upcoming summer album, is a clear extension of those days. The song unites the onetime Marley Marl protege with KRS-One and A.G. Each MC provides a rugged verbal essay... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

Joell Ortiz Takes Us to Church on Latest Track with !llmind (Audio)

Brooklyn MC Joell Ortiz has released "Hallelujah," an !llmind-produced banger and single from their forthcoming collaborative album, Human. All set for a July 17 release (this Friday), the album will be followed by a tour kicking off on June 22. In a premiere on Hot New Hip Hop, the track... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

PRhyme & Logic Pull On The Gloves and Enter The Ring In Beast Mode (Audio)

PRhyme (Royce da 5'9" and DJ Premier) and Logic are coming off a big 2014 with the release of two of, arguably, the best albums of the year. Logic's Under Pressure, and PRhyme's self-titled debut were featured together on AFH's 14 Best Albums of 2014, and now the artists are... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

k-os Crucifies An Ella Fitzgerald Sample In His Return Single (Audio)

More than two years removed from BLack On BLonde, k-os has returned for more. The Toronto, Ontario mainstay has built a career on waxing ill poetic on beats based upon samples by SoHo, interpolations of Greg Kihn Band, and now—Ella Fitzgerald vocals. "Crucify" builds upon the Jazz songstress' "It's De-Lovely"... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

Chuck D Says That In Hip-Hop, The Third Verse Is “Becoming Useless.” Do You Agree?

Approaching Public Enemy's 13th studio Man Plans, GOD Laughs (slated for July release), Chuck D is in the midst of a press campaign. An affiliate of Chuck D's Rapstation Network, Tim Einenkel, recently interviewed the Long Island, New York legend for his The Library podcast. In one excerpt, the booming... Read more

July 13, 2015 Fresh

Superman & Batman…It’s Complicated. Here’s an Extended Look at Dawn of Justice (Video)

In mid-April, Heads got an early glimpse of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice care of a 136-second trailer. However, that's about all that was available. Details were slim, using the age-old whisper campaign (and a big budget preview) to drive the discussion. The film starring Daredevil's Ben Affleck as Bruce... Read more

July 13, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Action Bronson’s Fed Up With Ghostface Comparisons. Did He Throw Poisonous Darts? (Video)

Since Action Bronson's 2011 breakthrough, many fans, critics, and lovers of music have pointed out similarities to his imagery, vocal tone, and lyrical style to that of Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah. Even in that same year, both New York City MCs collaborated, on the Legendary Weapons compilation, an official Wu... Read more

July 11, 2015 Fresh

Relive The First Time Main Source, Nas, Akinyele & Fatal Performed Live At The BBQ (Video)

Is there a Hip-Hop album cut more definitive than Main Source's "Live At The BBQ"? The 1991 Breaking Atoms track would be an introduction to not only Nas, not only Akinyele, but also MC-turned-producer Joe Fatal. Large Professor's bars were especially lethal on a song that has become an important... Read more

July 11, 2015 Throwback

Eminem & Kendrick Lamar Are Confirmed Artists For ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Soundtrack

Since March, a lot of speculation has surrounded the likelihood of a soundtrack for the Straight Outta Compton N.W.A. biopic. With just a month until the Universal film, produced by Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E's widow (Tomica Woods-Wright), it appears that a soundtrack is indeed coming. In March, Dre... Read more

July 11, 2015 Fresh

Watch Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway & More At The 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video Stream)

Today (July 11), the 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is ongoing. The 11th annual festival in Dumbo, Brooklyn features headliners including Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway, Skyzoo, Charles Hamilton, John Robinson & PVD, Stro, Lion Babe, Consequence, and more. The event is hosted by Uncle Ralph McDaniels and Torae, with DJ sets... Read more

July 11, 2015 Video

Big Pun’s Widow & Chris Rivers Offer Up The Real & Uncut Story of Life With Pun (Audio)

Fifteen years removed from Big Pun's death, there has been a lot of attention paid to one of Hip-Hop's greatest lyricists. The Bronx, New Yorker Terror Squad founder born Chris Rios has been survived by his wife, Liza Rios, and three children. The youngest, Christopher Rios (same name as his... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

Ever See This 1999 Cypher With 50 Cent, Consequence, Punchline & N.O.R.E.? (Video)

Here's a look back at a behind the scenes, true Hip-Hop moment between N.O.R.E., Consequence, Punchline and 50 Cent. The four MCs were gathered in 1999 and launched into an impromptu cypher over a Trackmasters instrumental. This was notably before 50 Cent's 2000 shooting and showcases his delivery without the... Read more

July 11, 2015 Throwback

Dave East & Nas Aren’t Just Running Together, They Overlap In Narratives… (Audio)

Dave East is one of the newer artists to join Nas' Mass Appeal Records family. The Spanish Harlem, New York MC may have serious buzz right now, but that clearly is not the only reason he's running with Nasir Jones. The "NY State Of Mind Freestyle (East Mix)" takes Dave's... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

Jill Scott Gets Closure…and It Does NOT Come With Breakfast (Audio)

Who keeps it realer than Jill Scott? Jilly from Philly releases her latest single from her upcoming Woman album, which hits stores on July 24, and it's another raw and authentic take on relationships. After swearing she won't fall for an ex's tricks again on first single, "Fool's Gold," Jill... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

This Extended Season 6 Trailer Is a Must Watch For Walking Dead Fans (Video)

Comic-Con 2015 is in full swing in San Diego and with it comes a host of epic announcements and trailers. Today brought an extended look at the next season of America's most watched TV series. Since its October 2010 debut, AMC's The Walking Dead has steadily grown into the most... Read more

July 10, 2015 TV

David Banner & Big K.R.I.T.’s Single Has Explosive Contents (Lyric Video)

Last month saw the release of the latest All-Mississippi moment courtesy of David Banner and Big K.R.I.T. "My Uzi" is the presumed first look at D.B.'s The God Box, and an essay on self-preservation with jacketed ammunition in the form of penetrating lyrics. Still a car-jam in its presentation, this... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

Rakim, De La Soul, Cam’ron & Curren$y Among 2015 A3C Headliners

Beginning October 7 through October 11, 2015's A3C Festival in Atlanta, Georgia received some key developments this week. Within the five-day 11th annual festival, a number of highly-respected Hip-Hop artists are confirmed to perform. Some early-announced headliners include two Long Island, New York iconic outfits, Rakim and De La Soul.... Read more

July 10, 2015 Fresh

Drake Has a Message for His Enemies: He Has Energy And He Doesn’t Stand Alone (Video)

Drake takes a look at pop culture and turns it on its head in the instantly rewind-worthy new video for "Energy." The visual, for the song which is directed straight at Drake enemies, re-creates several recognizable moments from TV shows, films and real-life. Drake channels Oprah, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus,... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

GZA Explores the Depths of the Universe on Experimental New Track (Audio)

As of late, Converse has been exploring music in exciting ways, orchestrating events and producing projects featuring the likes of Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Big K.R.I.T., Joey Badass, and other young artists. Part of their foray into music is a series of extended plays, which they've dubbed the Cons... Read more

July 10, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers Drops a Freestyle Over Classic Bone Thugs & Do or Die. TGIF. (Audio)

Another Friday, another release from Chris Rivers. The MC formerly known as Baby Pun continues his weekly lyrical assaults, unloading aggressive, rapid-fire, and complex verses over an impressive array of production styles. This week it's the Midwest's turn, with Rivers first re-invigorating the classic sounds of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "1st of... Read more

July 10, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch Wants To Celebrate Your Hood In His Next Video (World Premiere)

Last week, Sheek Louch released his first single from Silverback Gorilla 2 (September 18). Through Tommy Boy Entertainment, the track which features Billy Danze (M.O.P.), Trae Tha Truth (ABN), and Joell Ortiz (Slaughterhouse), is titled "Hood Ni**a," and celebrates the real concrete that each MC comes from, in an anthem for everyone... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video