Fresh Archives

Common Names His 5 Most Autobiographical Songs…They’re Deep (Audio)

In a career spanning 10 albums, and a plethora of powerful feature, soundtrack, and compilation appearances, Common's catalog is staggering. Speaking with Tim Einenkel's The Library Podcast, the MC formerly known as Common Sense was asked to select his five personal songs that would "make up an autobiography." This year's... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Action Bronson Curses The Mic On Alchemist’s Voodoo Beat (Audio)

Action Bronson and Alchemist have historic chemistry. Hazy, humorous, and hardcore Hip-Hop Heads, this pair comes together to grab the spotlight. From ALC's upcoming Retarded Alligator Beats (July 10) project, "Voodoo" goes down to the bayou to listen as Bam Bam Bronson recounts a tale of sex, smuggling, and staying... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Shows His Inspiring Life Journey in a New Short Film (Video)

It has been a wondrous five years for Big K.R.I.T. From Kritwuzhere to the Top 10 of the charts, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer is proof that hard work and persistence can make dreams tangible. Anyone familiar with the music and passion of Justin Scott knows that the journey has been... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Rihanna Throws Caution, Clothes & Everything Else to the Wind in the Video for BBHMM (Video)

On the heels of becoming the biggest selling singles artist of all-time, Rihanna is not resting on her laurels. Not one to play it safe, she releases the visuals for her boundary pushing song, "Bitch Better Have My Money." With the same theme of the song, the visual is a... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Stephen Colbert Takes Over Local TV In Monroe, MI and Makes It the Eminem Show (Video)

Monroe, Michigan (pop.20,733). 25 miles south of Detroit, the small town's glory days during the war of 1812 make it an important American city for history buffs, and as the home of La-Z-Boy, it enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in the '70s. Today, it has become a city buzzing with... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

10 Years After His Death, There Still Is Never Too Much Luther Vandross (Mix)

On July 1, 2005, one of music's most beloved voices was silenced when Luther Vandross passed away at the painfully young age of 54. Celebrated as a frontman, solo performer, and record producer, the eight-time Grammy winning singer and songwriter managed to remain relevant throughout his 25-year career, winning 4... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Locksmith Freestyles So Hard He Scares the Beat Away…And He Has A Message (Videos)

Richmond, California's Locksmith, a rapper who established himself early on as a vicious lyricist while partaking in MTV's MC Freestyle Fellowship, has served up not one, but two helpings of nasty freestyling. In celebration of yesterday's release of his Lofty Goals album, he took to the airwaves to remind Heads... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Action Bronson & Ab-Soul Join Elle Varner For Differing Perspectives On Relationships (Audio)

Amidst the 2010s finest crop of MCs, Action Bronson and Ab-Soul have both succeeded in rapping about relationships, from the devoted to the dissolved. "All You Need" is a Statik Selektah-orchestrated moment from Lucky 7 (July 7) that shows that range. While Bam Bam celebrates a trist-turned-true love, Soulo looks... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Prince’s Latest Tells “Rappers Tryna Be Singers” That They Can’t Satisfy (Audio)

Guitar in hand, Prince has been a Rock & Roll juggernaut just as much as R&B or Pop. Throughout his nearly 40-year career, Prince has merged the genres in establishing a sound of his own that's been hard to pin down. For "HARDROCKLOVER," Prince amps up and plugs in with... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Eminem Helps Signal The Return Of Epic Blockbuster Visuals, But Can All Enjoy? (Video)

Eminem has released a 30-second trailer for his "Phenomenal" video. Part music video, part short-film, the moment alludes to its place as the latest big budget, high concept visual from an A-list artist. Kanye West, Drake, and Vic Mensa have been doing this throughout recent years. Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" video,... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Redman & Erick Sermon Re-Team To Make An Anthem For Deebo Tactics (Video)

Redman knows what really goes on. The Brick City MC releases a new video, clowning at misfortunes of those who get stuck-up in today's dog-eat-dog world. "Somebody Got Robbed" is that gutter Reggie Noble, where the song moves and grooves, but still bases itself on Everyman experiences. Even mentioning Nia... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Brother Ali Makes An Incredibly Soulful Song About Love, Life & Suffering (Audio)

Brother Ali is a bull in the booth. From his government indictments to good ol' battle-rap bravado, the Twin Cities Rhymesayer can move the crowd through shock and awe with the microphone. However, the independent mainstay can also show a ton of vulnerability in his songs, and make the kind... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Just Released the Video of the Year. Alright Is Truly EPIC (Video)

Remember when music videos were artistic statements that could immediately shift the cultural zeitgeist? Kendrick Lamar has released just such a tour de force in his epic visual for "Alright." The nearly seven minute black and white short film is stunning both visually and in its symbolism. The video starts... Read more

June 30, 2015 Video

Joell Ortiz & !llmind Unveil The New Sound They’ve Been Creating In The Lab (Audio)

New Jersey native !llmind was a critical part of Joell Ortiz' 2014 album, House Slippers. Moving into 2015, the producer for Kanye West, Scarface, and Sean Price takes on Ortiz' whole project, for an equal billing. "Lil' Piggies" is the first glimpse from the July 17 project, Human. !llmind lays... Read more

June 30, 2015 Audio

What Do Cole & Kendrick’s Hair Have to Do With Progress? Talib Kweli Explains In A New Essay

With a long history of being socially and politically critical, not only in his lyrics but also outside of the studio, Brooklyn, New York MC Talib Kweli has shared his strong beliefs on a vast array of topics including racism, police brutality, and the prison industrial complex. In addition, he... Read more

June 30, 2015 Lifestyle

Stretch & Bobbito’s Highlight Reel Features Slick Rick, Big L & Mobb Deep (Mix)

Throughout the 1990s, Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito The Barber created a radio program that may as well have been the farm club to the Rap hall of fame. These two New York City DJs honored Hip-Hop 12" singles of the day, while welcoming would-be stars like Nas, Mobb Deep, Pharoahe... Read more

June 30, 2015 Throwback

Big K.R.I.T. & David Banner Take Aim Against The Corrupt System (Audio)

David Banner and Big K.R.I.T. will not go quietly, or unarmed. The Mississippi MC/producers make their latest union on "My Uzi," a Pimp C-sampling song about protecting ourselves, symbolically and literally, from terror and attackers. Presumed to be one of the first looks from David Banner's The God Box album,... Read more

June 30, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch, Billy Danze, Trae Tha Truth & Joell Ortiz Represent Their Hoods & You Can Too (Audio)

Sheek Louch has announced his September 18 album, Silverback Gorilla 2. A sequel to his LP released in 2008, Sheek rolls with Tommy Boy Entertainment for this outing. "Hood Nigga" is the album's lead single, featuring M.O.P.'s Billy Danze (a fellow 20-year veteran), along with Trae Tha Truth, and Joell... Read more

June 30, 2015 Exclusive

Wild Styles: Jean-Michel Basquiat & Jacob Lawrence Make History in The New York Times

The worlds of fine art and Hip-Hop have collided ever since Fab 5 Freddy served as the cultural liaison between the two in the '80s. More recent forays like Wu-Tang Clan's decision to sell the only copy of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (which, by the way, is adorned... Read more

June 30, 2015 Lifestyle

Even At 14 Years Old, Amy Winehouse’s Voice Could Bring Down The House (Video)

Amy Winehouse only lived to be 27 years old. The London, England songstress' 2011's death came as a major tragedy, following two breakthrough albums at the time of her passing. However, Amy's skills were honed long before she inked a deal with Island Records, and got in the studio with... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Blu Addresses Passing On A Death Row Deal On The Thriller (Audio)

It has been a quiet three months for Blu. The MC/producer known for a relentless appetite for releasing music may be quiet for good reason. Today (June 29), the Los Angeles, California native announced a Nature Sounds maxi-single, The Return. With some remixes and DJ-goodies, Johnson Barnes delivers "Thriller." Featuring... Read more

June 29, 2015 Audio

Puff Daddy & Pharrell Get Loose on the Latest Bad Boy Release (Audio)

Over the last 20 years, there are few hitmakers who have impacted the sound of Hip-Hop music more than Puff Daddy and Pharrell. With collaborations like Busta Rhymes' "Pass the Courvoisier," and countless solo contributions, their combined hit list is unrivaled. After taking the stage together at last night's BET... Read more

June 29, 2015 Audio

Lost Ones: Common & Eminem Recorded Tracks For DJ Jazzy Jeff’s LP. Why Didn’t Sony Release It? (Video)

In a new interview with Polish Hip-Hop outlet Popkiller, DJ Jazzy Jeff shares details about much of his career, including history into his solo debut (2002's The Magnificent), his early work with Eminem, his role as the face of Starter jackets and hats, his definition of a real DJ, the... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Meek Mill and Drake Re-Team on a Track So Hard, It’s Criminal (Audio)

After a nearly three year break since the release of his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, Meek Mill's follow up, Dreams Worth More Than Money, is in stores now. One of the standout songs on the album is the hard-hitting "R.I.C.O.," featuring Meek's frequent collaborator, Drake. The sparse track finds... Read more

June 29, 2015 Audio

Madlib Salutes African Grooves with New Project (Album Stream)

The Beat Konducta is back with another installment of his signature Mind Fusion mixtape series, this one penetrating deeply into the sounds of African beats and rhythms. African Earwax showcases the vast and seemingly endless lode of innovative music coming from all corners of the Great Continent, and at over... Read more

June 29, 2015 Audio

August Alsina Looks At What Hip-Hop Is Really About At Its Core (Video)

Even though August Alsina is not a traditional MC, Hip-Hop is a big part of his music. The Def Jam Records-backed singer follows up 2014's Testimony with "Hip-Hop," a single focused on the way things were when they were at their best. Nostalgic, intimate, and easy to relate to, the... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Big Sean, Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign Recreate The Opening Credits To “Martin” (Video)

Big Sean's "Play No Games" is a 1990s experience by design. The Dark Sky Paradise single heavily-samples Guy's "Piece Of My Love." So for the video to the Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign-assisted jam, Sean Don stays in that realm. The video calls back to "Martin." Martin Lawrence's FOX... Read more

June 29, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Kendrick Lamar Strikes Heartfelt Chords Performing A Symbolic “Alright” (Video)

Hope can be hard to find in 2015. There are mass-shootings, continuous fatalities attached to incidents of police brutality, and a quest for justice that can seem elusive. Kendrick Lamar used the BET Awards stage wisely this weekend. The Top Dawg Entertainment star did not make his 2015 standout televised... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

The Legends Of Bad Boy Records Come Out To Play At BET Awards (Video)

A big part of what's made Bad Boy Records such a great label over the last 20-plus years is the label's ability to deliver cathartic performances. Whether it was peer-criticism, tragedy, or legal woes, Puff Daddy and the Bad Boy family used the stage to remind the world that they... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video

Make Sure You’ve Heard GZA & CZARFACE’s Syllable Smashing Collab (Audio)

Earlier this month, CZARFACE released their sophomore album, Every Hero Needs A Villain. The sophomore outing from Inspectah Deck, Esoteric, and 7L features a smorgasbord of sharp lyrics, dense with wordplay, and chopped down samples. While the guests are exciting (Juju, Large Professor, R.A. The Rugged Man), GZA is at... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

Young Buck & Jadakiss Don’t Trust Many, So They Do It By Themselves (Audio)

Young Buck and Jadakiss are no strangers to deeply personal verses on wax. Both men have had public confrontations with figures once closely associated with them. Teaming with the DJ/producer he made the acclaimed Chronic 2006 mixtape with, Buck and DJ Whoo Kid release "Myself." With 'Kiss on the cut,... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

Jean Grae’s iSweatergawd Is Boldly Refreshing & Produced by Quelle Chris (EP Stream)

Jean Grae makes self-releases fun. The New York City veteran MC surprises the masses on a Sunday (June 28) with the sneak attack release of iSweatergawd. Thanks to the Natural Resource alum's Bandcamp page, the six-track EP is available for stream and $7 purchase. The Everybody’s Pregnant band mates Donwill... Read more

June 28, 2015 Audio

Nas, Wu-Tang, & Beastie Boys All Sampled It, So Why Has This LP Been Forgotten? (Album Stream)

The cultural bridge between African-American art forms in the '60s and '70s and what would eventually become Hip-Hop as we know it has been the subject of countless documentaries, books, academic papers, and of course, songs. However, despite all of the devotion to preserving the history behind the culture, there... Read more

June 28, 2015 Throwback

The Mystique & Mystery Behind Your Old Droog Is Unveiled In A Mini-Doc (Video)

Your Old Droog took Hip-Hop lovers by storm in 2014. Faceless throughout several Internet-buzzing releases, some Heads even went as far as thinking that the clearly New York City narrative was a new pseudonym for Nas. That even had Nasir Jones speaking up. Not the case. And to quote Ghostface... Read more

June 28, 2015 Video

Kenny Dope Rocks All Vinyl, From Fred Wesley & The J.B.’s, To J Dilla To Bob James (Mix)

Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez's name does not come up as often as it should. The Brooklyn, New York producer/DJ is one half of Masters At Work. Also known as Nuyorican Soul, the team of Kenny and "Little" Louie Vega remixed Michael Jackson, Madonna, Tito Puente, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Additionally,... Read more

June 28, 2015 Video

Rah Digga & Lil Fame Bully Weak MCs On A Meticulous Track (Audio)

Rah Digga and Lil Fame both stand for hardcore Hip-Hop, no matter what the trends out. The Mash Out Posse and Flipmode Squad go back, so why wouldn't Fizzy Womack and Harriet Thugman come together seamlessly on an equally charged track from Fat Beats alum Maticulous (who makes some meticulous... Read more

June 27, 2015 Audio

Fresh Dressed Continues To Make Rounds, A Film As Colorful As Its Fashion Focus

From Run-DMC rapping about their Adidas to A$AP Rocky's self-proclaimed status as a Fashion Killa, the merging of clothing and Hip-Hop has been a mainstay throughout the culture's history. From track suits, gold rope chains, over-sized shirts, Kangol hats, and entire lines like Sean John and Rocawear, Hip-Hop artists have... Read more

June 27, 2015 TV/Film

Audio Push Redefine What’s Regular In Normally (Video)

Hailing from the Inland Empire, a sprawling suburban section of Southern California that is far enough from Los Angeles to have its own cultural identity but close enough to still feel the influence of Hollywood's superstardom, Audio Push is a duo comprised of MCs Oktane (Julian Brown) and Price (Larry... Read more

June 27, 2015 Video

Now That Gay Marriage Is Legal in Every State, Will Hip-Hop End Its Homophobia?

In a ringing endorsement for civil equality, the Supreme Court yesterday (June 26) ruled that gay marriage is a national right and that individual states no longer have the ability to ban gay men and lesbian women from matrimony. With that decision came sweeping support from many, but there are... Read more

June 27, 2015 Lifestyle

Oddisee Delivers One of Hip-Hop’s Standout Performances in 2015. This Is Special (Video)

Oddisee's The Good Fight is touted as one of 2015's most cohesive, relateable albums. Beyond simply Hip-Hop, the Diamond District member's latest solo outing dabbles in Jazz, R&B, and Spoken Word. Moreover, from the independent label of Mello Music Group, the mainstream is taking notice. The perfect example of that... Read more

June 27, 2015 Video

Rick Ross Is A Mastermind At Giving Fans What They Want, In A Remix (Video)

It's been a hard week for Rick Ross. Following his arrest, the Miami, Florida superstar MC reportedly lost an estimated $100,000 in earnings. However, R.R. returns to his modus operandi—giving fans exactly what they want. "Neighborhood Drug Dealer" is one of Mastermind's best kept secrets. Even though Ricky Rozay has... Read more

June 26, 2015 Video

There Ain’t No Half Steppin’ On Chris Rivers’ Newest Throwback Freestyle (Audio)

Chris Rivers, son of the late Big Pun, has been going on lyrical tirades lately. From killer freestyles, to adding some of his own Horror-core influences, Rivers is proving to be a standout. He is properly following in Big Pun's footsteps by recording crazy bars of his own on his father's... Read more

June 26, 2015 Audio

Capone-N-Noreaga Remind Listeners Why They Became Fans In The First Place (Audio)

Capone-N-Noreaga's Lessons is less than one month away (July 24). The reunion with the Queens, New York duo and their original Penalty label sees Capone and N.O.R.E. invigorating their brand of lyricism. "In The First" has that rowdy delivery on the mic, and sample-savvy arrangement on the boards. Moreover, this... Read more

June 26, 2015 Audio

Yasiin Bey Continues To Merge With Talents Worth Hearing (Audio)

From Da Bush Babees to De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest to The Roots, Mos Def benefited hugely from veterans looking out, early in his career. Now in a position of major influence, Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) is returning the favor. The same month he looked out for... Read more

June 26, 2015 Audio

DJ Quik Truly Is Unsung. Watch An Incredibly In-Depth Look At His Career (Video)

From his reportedly uncredited assistance with Dr. Dre in the 2000s to his days on Death Row Records working under his government pseudonym (David Blake), DJ Quik epitomizes "unsung." For the television series "Unsung," the Compton, California star MC/producer/DJ is chronicled. Quik's days of underground tapes, assisting other would-be sensations... Read more

June 26, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Skyzoo Discusses His New Album and the Changing Landscape of Brooklyn (Interview)

2015 is a monumental year for Skyzoo. While the journey extends back longer, it has been a decade since much of the Rap consciousness first heard the smooth cadence from the Brooklyn, New York MC. In that span, Sky' has released and appeared on handfuls of acclaimed and charting albums.... Read more

June 26, 2015 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Vic Mensa Is Breaking New Ground. But He Can Still Crush Old Ice Cube Beats (Video)

Vic Mensa fronted a Rock & Roll band. Vic Mensa made hits with House music. But can Vic Mensa obliterate some '90s and 2000s G-Funk? Most definitely. The Save Money MC hits "The Cruz Show" to munch on some "Breakfast Bars," better described as classic Ice Cube instrumentals. The Chicago,... Read more

June 25, 2015 Video

DJ Quik & Hi-C Remix Rihanna With A Flair For The Early 1990s (Audio)

Rapper/producer DJ Quik released his own remix of Rihanna's latest single with longtime friend and collaborator Hi-C. The two West Coast natives are remembered for being part of the movement of the same name for Rihanna's most recent record. Quik and C are now back together to do a little... Read more

June 25, 2015 The Bridge

Mass Appeal: This Gang Starr Mini-Documentary Is A Must Watch (Video)

Here's an amazing documentary detailing the history of Gang Starr. Though the film is ostensibly about the making of their hit song "Mass Appeal," from Hard to Earn, it begins with the stories of Guru and DJ Premier even before they met and chronicles the story of the duo's rise,... Read more

June 25, 2015 Throwback

Crazy Prophylactics: Q-Tip Referenced Them. 25 Years Later, They’re Here…

It was recently announced that a new line of condoms will change color when exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). What makes the story particularly interesting is the fact that the concept for the condoms was developed by a group of teenaged boys. Named the S.T.EYE, the condoms are designed... Read more

June 25, 2015 Lifestyle