Fresh Archives

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

N.O.R.E. & A$AP Ferg Make Menacing Hip-Hop Together, That Still Feels Great (Audio)

In some ways, A$AP Ferg is to the 2010s, an extension of N.O.R.E. Both New York MCs are aggressive in the booth, while big on charisma in and out of the studio. Although each act may sometimes make rowdy tracks, aimed at the Trap sound or the dance-floor, both have... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio

Warren G & Nate Dogg Found Fame Reworking ’80s Grooves. So Why Not An Encore? (Audio)

In 1994, Warren G & Nate Dogg brought the other gifted components of 213 to the forefront with "Regulate." On Warren's Def Jam Records debut, and Death Row Records' Above The Rim soundtrack (Nate's label), the song reverberated in some stylish G-Funk storytelling. With its pounding bassline, weed-scented coolness, and smooth Rap-meets-R&B... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

Yelawolf, Kxng Crooked, Royce Da 5’9″ & Rittz Host a Lyrical Clinic. MCs Take Note…(Audio)

Rittz is a confident MC--so much so that he invited three of Hip-Hop's fiercest spitters to join him on his remix. The result? Six minutes of nothing but rapid-fire BARS. Yelawolf, Royce Da 5'9" and Kxng Crooked (pka Crooked I) join the remix to Rittz's "LAF," and it plays like... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio

Check Out This 1995 Future Flavas Set From Pete Rock & Marley Marl (Audio)

In the '90s, Hot 97 in New York City was home to the Future Flavas radio show, a Hip-Hop devoted program that was steered by KRS-One who then bequeathed the disc-jockey throne to Pete Rock and Marley Marl in January of '95.The two had previously worked the 1s & 2s... Read more

July 9, 2015 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Says He Knew He Arrived When He Recorded With Snoop (Video)

For fans who have listened to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album more than once since its release, the album has the rare quality of revealing new elements with each touch of the "play" button. Like a fine meal, the complexities of the LP's offerings take time to be... Read more

July 9, 2015 Video

Hip-Hop’s Global Influence is Being Documented for an Online Museum (Video)

Hip-Hop's far-reaching influence on the worlds of art, dance, fashion, language, and of course music has long since been considered worthy of documentation. With talks of opening the Universal Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx and the handful of nationwide efforts to digitally archive Hip-Hop's past (including the Hiphop Archive &... Read more

July 9, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Diamond D Has More in Common With Wu-Tang Clan Than Hot Tracks (Video)

Diamond D's album The Diam Piece was one of 2014's unsung gems. In many ways, the LP was a return to form for Diamond, both in terms of sharp lyrics and pristine beats. Nine months later, it's the gift that keeps on giving, as Diamond releases his latest video. "I... Read more

July 9, 2015 Video

Method Man Reports on Life in the Hood on New Track. The Struggle Continues…(Audio)

With The Meth Lab slated for an August 21 release, excitement for Method Man's return will be boiling all summer, thanks in part to three songs he's already released; the title track, "88 Coupes," and "Serious" are all heaters indicative of Meth's consistent level of skill, both lyrically and when... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio

MC Lyte’s Paper Thin Is A Thick Part Of Brooklyn Hip-Hop History (Video)

MC Lyte's 1988 debut, Lyte As A Rock is a keystone in what made the year so important. Lana Michele Moorer hit the scene like she belonged with her First Priority/Atlantic Records breakthrough, and she did. L.A.A.R. took the Audio Two production style, and built upon it with one of Rap's... Read more

July 9, 2015 Throwback

Murs Gets Real About the Consequences of Infidelity, While Keeping It Light (Video)

Murs has made a career of making songs that are deeply insightful, yet supremely entertaining. Whether debating the merits of organized religion on songs like "Gods Gone Crazy," or tackling same sex love on tracks like "Animal Style," he's able to deftly convey life lessons, without sounding preachy. On "The... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

From 1988-1993, Skits Revolutionized Hip-Hop Albums. Here’s A Look At Some Of The Best (Audio)

Aye...did what's his name done get at you yesterday? That question, asked in a comedic interlude on Dr. Dre's seminal 1992 album The Chronic, will live in eternal infamy alongside the classic lyrics in between which it's sandwiched. That marriage, of Hip-Hop and comedy, was around before that and while... Read more

July 8, 2015 Throwback

Masta Ace & Blu Sound Great Together During This Long Hot Summer (Audio)

Western Pennsylvania native Maticulous brings Masta Ace and Blu together on "Bet Your Life." From Brownsville, Brooklyn to the City Of Angels, Ace and Johnson Barnes have a lot in common. Both of these MCs are more than gifted at looking within (often in self-deprecating lights), while still being elite... Read more

July 8, 2015 Audio

Lupe Fiasco & Consequence Show Us How to Make Every Word Count (Video)

It's hard to believe that Queens MC Consequence has only released one solo album (2007's Don't Quit Your Day Job). Heads may remember him from as far back as '96, when he appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's Beats, Rhymes, Life. Nearly 20 years later, he remains respected, both lyrically... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

Cannibal Ox Make A Rare Visual…In Front Of Big L’s Harlem Mural (Video)

Part of Cannibal Ox's mystique surrounding The Cold Vein came in the fact that its presentation relied almost entirely on the music. Vast Aire, Vordul Mega, and then-producer El-P were not about the video components (just one, really), photo shoots, and over-the-top interviews. The Def Jux hallmark spoke for itself, and... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

This Man Saved NYC From an Epic Gang War & Helped Plant the Seeds for Hip-Hop (Audio)

It's often said that nostalgia for a particular era comes around every 20 years or so, and today's obsession with all things '90s adds a ring of truth to that idiom. However, there are particular eras that for whatever reason remain palpable and attractive decades and decades later. In recent... Read more

July 8, 2015 Audio

Janet Jackson’s No Sleeep Is A Wake Up Call (Lyric Video)

Last month, Janet Jackson revealed her first single in years, "No Sleeep" (don't slumber on that third 'E'). Miss Jackson's awakening, came courtesy of a reunion with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, producers regularly associated with her greatest successes. Following a late June BET Icon Award reception, Janet moves forward... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

Is Chris Tucker Back? Watch The Trailer To His First Stand-Up Special (Video)

In late March, it was revealed that comedian/actor Chris Tucker was preparing the first stand-up comedy special of his career. Two days (July 10) until it premieres on Netflix, fans can catch the trailer for Chris Tucker Live. Just one minute long, fans will sample several bits, and see that... Read more

July 8, 2015 Lifestyle

Hopsin Lyrically Attacks Higher Education, Reality TV & Chemical Addictions (Video)

Set as a classroom final project, Hopsin's "Fly" is a lyrical thesis. The Funk Volume co-founder sets up Pound Syndrome (July 24) with a verbal exposé on things that he sees in this world that are designed to hold us back. Despite the academic setting of the visual, Hop' begins by calling... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

Legacy: Why Going Back Is Best For Puff Daddy & Bad Boy’s Future

Following last month's Bad Boy Records 20th anniversary set at the 2015 BET Awards, Puff Daddy announced that he is planning a tour with some of the artists he shared the stage with. Only mentioning Lil' Kim by name (who, many know, was never an official Bad Boy Records artist), the... Read more

July 7, 2015 Food for Thought

Chance The Rapper Promises To Take Chicago Kids To The Museum…And Delivers

Chance The Rapper took giving back to a new level this week. One day after announcing that he would surprise a series of 6-11 year-olds in the Chicago, Illinois area with a trip to a local museum and Cole Field, C.T.R. delivered. Proud to announce I'll be surprising a few... Read more

July 7, 2015 Fresh

We’re All In The Same Gang…When Wearing Kendrick Lamar Sneakers

Compton, California star Kendrick Lamar has spoken frequently in lyrics about gang tensions. Whether the MC Eiht-assisted "m.A.A.d city" or the recent single, "i," the TDE/Aftermath MC aims to unify Crips, Bloods, and multiple neighborhoods in the interest of life, love, and survival. Lamar's Reebok collaboration, the Ventilators, are an... Read more

July 7, 2015 Lifestyle

Guilty Simpson Eviscerates New Track In Less Than Two Minutes (Audio)

Since his appearance on Slum VIllage's 2002 album Dirty District: Vol. 1, Guilty Simpson has aligned himself with the grimey boom-bap of Detroit, even after signing to the West Coast-based Stones Throw label. Two solo and five collaboration albums later, the Motor City native has released "Vanguard Organization," a song... Read more

July 7, 2015 Audio

Papoose Plugs Into DJ Premier’s Amped Up Track And Goes Off (Audio)

Papoose and DJ Premier go back. When the Brooklyn, New York MC was famously a top-dollar signing at Jive Records, he reportedly called upon Preemo. After those delays led into The Nacerima Dream, the Works Of Mart producer was there to support Pap's idie foray. Coming up to next week's You Can't... Read more

July 7, 2015 Audio

J Rocc Pays Homage to Pete Rock with a PeteStrumentals 2 Megamix (Audio)

Almost 15 years after releasing PeteStrumentals, Pete Rock released a follow-up album on June 23, and with it came an infusion of the sampling and hard-hitting beats for which the Hip-Hop icon is revered. Released by Mello Music Group, PeteStrumentals 2 serves as not only a reminder of why the... Read more

July 7, 2015 Audio

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of June 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

June brought a number of welcomed surprises in Hip-Hop. Method Man announced he would be releasing a new album in August and dropped three new songs. Jay Rock also revealed his new album was coming this Summer, and returned with some of the best music of his career. Chris Rivers... Read more

July 7, 2015 Audio, Playlists

Sole Survivors: A New Documentary Explores the Cultural Obsession With Sneakers (Video)

On the heels of the release of Fresh Dressed, a documentary film examining the marriage of Hip-Hop culture and fashion, a new film being released this summer will extend the examination, albeit with a narrower focus. An exploration of those obsessed with kicks, Sneakerheadz premiered at SXSW earlier this year... Read more

July 7, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Follow the Leader: A$AP Rocky Got More Than a Name From Rakim (Video)

A$AP Rocky (born Rakim Meyers), shared his first album-buying experience, an experience younger generations of Heads may never have. For most, buying one's first C.D. or cassette tape was an almost religious experience; the ritual of getting to the store, hoping it hadn't sold out, unwrapping the plastic, removing the... Read more

July 6, 2015 Video

Hear the Greatness of Nina Simone as Interpreted by Lauryn Hill, Common, Mary J. Blige & More (Album Stream)

Later this week (7/10), RCA will release Nina Revisited...A Tribute to Nina Simone, celebrating one of the most enigmatic and acclaimed voices of the last century. Ahead of the album, NPR has made a full stream of the album available, via its First Listen series. Ms. Simone's reach extended to... Read more

July 6, 2015 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Big K.R.I.T. Hope That You’re Listening To These Jewels (Audio)

Tomorrow, Statik Selektah will release his Lucky 7 seventh album—on 7-7, no less. One of the ShowOff Records/Duck Down Music release's highlights is "In The Wind." This moment is the latest run-in between Joey Bada$$ and Big K.R.I.T., alums from A$AP Rocky's "1 Train" as well as the obvious connection as... Read more

July 6, 2015 Audio

The Plot Thickens in Part 2 of Czarface’s Cinematic Series (Video)

Picking up right where the previous video left off, 7L, Esoteric and Inspectah Deck are back with the second installment of their Czarface music video series. Marking the release of their sophomore album together, Every Hero Needs A Villain, their video for "The Great (Czar Guitar)" started this cinematic series... Read more

July 6, 2015 Video

Happy 40th Birthday To 50 Cent. Play His Definitive Street LP (Album Stream)

Today (July 6), 50 Cent turns 40 years old. The Queens, New York superstar born Curtis Jackson may have broken through later in his life than some peers, however as an MC, an investor, and a record executive, Fif' has blessed the last 13 years with an edge that massively shaped Hip-Hop's... Read more

July 6, 2015 Throwback

This 1976 Mini-Documentary Explores The Complexity of Graffiti Culture Before ‘Style Wars’ (Video)

It the late '70s, a distinctively rebellious trend began to populate the walls, monuments, and empty spaces of New York City, one that would go on to become a founding principle of Hip-Hop culture. Graffiti, despite having been around for millennia, experienced a surge in popularity in the late 20th... Read more

July 6, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Why Wait Till February to Celebrate J. Dilla? Watch This Incredible Video Mix (Video)

February has become the time to pay tribute to J. Dilla because it is the month of the legendary producer's birthday and the anniversary of his death. But, does that mean we can't celebrate his ongoing impact at other times? Nope... Here's an amazing video mix of Dilla-produced music from... Read more

July 5, 2015 Video

Thelonious Martin Is One Producer You MUST Be Watching For (Video)

So who will be the highly sought-out producers of tomorrow? Montclair, New Jersey's Thelonious Martin is one worthy of consideration. After work with Curren$y, Mac Miller, and MC Tree, Theo' is holding down his own fort. Taking 2014's Wunderkid freebie project, Martin provides a quick visual for "Wrong Or Right." Just... Read more

July 5, 2015 Video

Jay Rock Is One of Hip-Hop’s Realest MCs. It’s All in the Gumbo (Audio)

Hip-Hop is filled with posers and fake gangsters. There are so many who glorify senseless violence, materialism and drug consumption--all for a check. So, when something real is said, it penetrates. From day one, Jay Rock, TDE's OG MC, has brought light to the struggle of life in the ghetto,... Read more

July 4, 2015 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Their Annual Summertime Mix (Download)

When it comes to music, there's nothing that says it's summertime quite like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie's annual mix. Perfect for BBQs, sitting by the pool or cruising down the streets, their Summertime series has provided a soundtrack for the season for the last 5 years. Now, the... Read more

July 4, 2015 Audio

Stacks on Stacks on Stacks: Here’s a Mix of 20+ Andre 3000 Featured Verses (Audio)

It's been nine years since Andre 3000 recorded a full album. 2006's Idlewild marked the end of OutKast's remarkable 12-year run that included six grammy awards and millions of LPs sold. Though they reunited for a festival tour in 2014, a new album has not materialized from the Atlien collective.... Read more

July 3, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog Is On the Rise But He’s Still Happy Being Under the Radar (Audio)

Now that we know he's not Nas, Your Old Droog has been proving to be good enough just being himself. The 25-year-old Ukrainian MC and Brooklyn native already has an eponymous full-length album, two EPs (Your Old Droog EP and Kinison EP), an interview in the prestigious New Yorker magazine,... Read more

July 3, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers Gets Zapped With a Catfish on a Computer Love Remake (Audio)

Chris Rivers is known for blisteringly fast and aggressive raps, akin to those of his father, Big Pun. Like father, like son, when it comes to smoothing it out on the R&B tip, Rivers is also more than capable. On "Catfish Love," the MC formerly known as Baby Pun hops... Read more

July 3, 2015 Audio

Royce Da 5’9″ Says It So It’s Crystal Clear: Soft Artists Are Winning In 2015 (Audio)

"This year, we've got the softest group of artists in the history of Blues, R&B, Soul / For y'all to be so willing to be so blast-off honest / Black Pride, I'm astonished / I'm a full-contact guy, in a flag-ball climate..." Royce Da 5'9" is not mincing words in... Read more

July 3, 2015 Audio

Inspectah Deck Reflects on the Good, the Bad and the Mad of ODB (Video)

It's been more than 10 years since Hip-Hop lost one of its most eccentric and beloved personalities. With the passing of O.D.B. in 2004, one of history's most legacied and influential Rap groups lost an integral member, one who contributed not only so much personality, but also legitimately incredible lyrics,... Read more

July 3, 2015 Video

Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge’s Twelve Reasons To Die II Has A Vendetta (Album Stream)

Five days before its release, Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge have shared Twelve Reasons To Die II. The follow-up album to the 2013 Top 40 Soul Temple release is available through The New York Times' "Press Play" early listen feature. The July 10 Linear Labs Records release boasts appearances by RZA, Raekwon, Vince Staples, Scarub,... Read more

July 3, 2015 Fresh

Celebrate Mark de Clive-Lowe’s Reconstructed Take On Herbie Hancock (Mix)

Mark de Clive-Lowe is a name that may not stand out to you, but he's surely in the liner notes to your music library. From Ms. Lauryn Hill to Blu, the New Zealand-born, Los Angeles, California-based composer, musician, and producer gets down. Versed in Jazz and Soul, Mark took on... Read more

July 3, 2015 Throwback

Eminem Attacks A Track In A Reminder That His Crown Is In Tact (Audio)

From the Southpaw soundtrack, Eminem is truly clearing house. The Detroit, Michigan superstar follows his "Phenomenal" single with a song that also fits nicely for a boxing film. "Kings Never Die" teams Em' with his Interscope family label-mate, Gwen Stefani. Produced by Self-Scientific's DJ Khalil, this record has pop appeal, with... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Has President Obama Done Right By The Hip-Hop Community? Killer Mike Shares His Views (Videos)

Killer Mike (born Michael Render) has been making moves in his music career for more than a decade, working alongside the likes of Outkast, Ice Cube, Funkadelic, and of course El-P, with whom he performs as Run the Jewels. The success of RTJ, for many, is what has launched Render... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video