Fresh Archives

Beanie Sigel’s Latest Verse Since Surviving A Shooting Shows the Broad Street Bully is Back (Audio)

Just six months after a near-fatal shooting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Beanie Sigel is showing signs of a full recovery. Not only is Dwight Grant the man taking stages, reuniting with his mentor and group, and looking healthy, the "Broad Street Bully" persona is back to boot. Teaming with... Read more

June 2, 2015 Audio

And Just Like That…Method Man Releases His New Single (Audio)

Earlier today, Method Man released an animated trailer for what will be his first solo album in 9 years. Titled The Meth Lab, the LP is slated to hit stores on August 21. Reports accompanying the trailer announced Meth would release his first single, the title track, tomorrow (6/2), but... Read more

June 1, 2015 Audio

25 Years Later, There’s Still No Party Like a House Party (Video)

Earlier this year, House Party celebrated the 25th anniversary of its release (March 9, 1990). After Wild Style and Breakin’ introduced Hip-Hop to the masses through cinema, similar films proliferated popular culture, but, upon its arrival, House Party was one of a kind. The film was among the first to... Read more

June 1, 2015 Throwback

Method Man is Releasing His First Solo Album in 9 Years This Summer (Video)

Why should Ghostface Killah and Raekwon have all the fun? After watching his Wu-brethren release solo albums over the last 12 months, Method Man is getting in on the action and releasing his first solo LP since 2006's 4:21... The Day After. While Meth has stayed active over the years,... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

Slum Village’s Latest Dilla-Produced Joint Is Hot Like A Day At The Beach (Video)

Detroit, Michigan is a Midwest Motor City that's often portrayed as cold, gray, and with lake-effect wind. For 20 years, Slum Village has been making feel-good, radiating music that warms the ear-buds, the heart, and the speakers. For the J Dilla-produced "Expressive," T3, Illa J and Young RJ (a previous... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

15 Amazing Hip-Hop Albums From 2015, So Far (Video)

2015 is not even at its halfway mark, and already has proven to arguably be even more exciting than last year. Seemingly, we are living in the era of surprise. Drake dropped If You're Reading This It's Too Late on a whim, Kendrick Lamar advanced the release of To Pimp... Read more

June 1, 2015 Food for Thought, Video

3,2,1…Lupe Fiasco & Consequence Start The Countdown (Audio)

With over 25 years combined in Hip-Hop, artists like Lupe Fiasco and Consequence are still out to make music that counts in 2015. This year alone has already graced Heads with Lupe's Windy City inspired album, Tetsuo & Youth, while the Queens-bred Consequence is still prepping the drop of his... Read more

June 1, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Joell Ortiz, CyHi The Prynce & Jarren Benton Serve a Cypher for the Backpackers (Video)

Three animated lyricists come together for Team Backpack's latest cypher. Joell Ortiz, CyHi The Prynce, and Jarren Benton all have recent projects to promote. However, on stage together before a hungry, live audience, it's all about simply promoting skills. Jarren kicks things off with a mischievous mosaic of bars, combining... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

Hopsin’s Out To Snatch The Crown On His Next Album (Video)

When Hopsin pranked us late last year, the positive that came from it was that Heads would get a new album from him in 2015. That time has come, as he has released a music video for his first single off the album, Pound Syndrome, called "Crown Me." Unlike the... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

Even a Kid in the Hall Knows Naledge is Power (Album Stream)

In 2006, Kidz in the Hall took the underground Hip-Hop circuit by storm with their album School Was My Hustle. As one of the last albums released on Rawkus Records, the LP had all the characteristics associated with the iconic label--thoughtful lyrics, complex beats and a vibe that harkened back... Read more

June 1, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier & Jakk Frost Re-Team for Some Throwback Gangsta Rap (Audio)

Jakk Frost is one of many MCs that are currently crafting something big with DJ Premier. The West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran showed something fresh in "Dope Boy Talk." Rooted in the tradition of Schoolly D (who is referenced lyrically and sonically in the song), this is Gangsta Rap that's anything... Read more

June 1, 2015 Audio

EMC Slow It Down for the Ladies on the Zodiac-Driven Signtology (Video)

From May's The Tonite Show, the eMC delivers another one. Having fun with homonyms, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, and Stricklin release "Signtology." Assisted by onetime Hi-Tek protege Dion, the song has a Quiet Storm feel, as the Penalty Entertainment artists rap about love from a Zodiac-perspective. Known for hard-body lyrics, this... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

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

The month of May in Hip-Hop brought the return of some MCs who had been gone for a while and a return to form for some who sought renewed inspiration. There were a slew of 90s freestyles, as well as some previously unreleased tracks that leaked from the vaults. Whatever... Read more

May 31, 2015 Audio

GZA Pens An Editorial, Claiming Lyricism Is Absent Today. Do You Agree?

They don't just call him The Genius 'cause it sounds good. Wu-Tang Clan co-founder GZA has used his mental to open many doors. The Brooklyn, New York veteran MC lectures frequently at prestigious academic institutions, including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The gold-certified MCA Records soloist has incorporated many... Read more

May 31, 2015 Fresh

Royce Da 5’9″, O.C., REKS & Droog Make Some Revolutionary Boom Bap (Audio)

New Jersey veteran K-Def has remixed much of DJ EFN's Another Time album. This go-round, the onetime Marley Marl protege invites listeners to revisit "Revolutionary Ride Music," which features verses from Your Old Droog, Royce Da 5'9", REKS, and O.C. In his remix, The Garden State producer takes a more somber... Read more

May 31, 2015 Audio

Nas, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, MC Eiht & More Appear On Mr. Magic’s ’94 Mix (Audio)

John “Mr. Magic” Rivas will forever be respected as a radio pioneer who introduced Rap to the masses. In 1981, "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack" became the first ever exclusive Rap radio show to premiere on a major station (WHBI) and its historic impact on the music industry can still be... Read more

May 30, 2015 Throwback

How Does DJ Premier Rock a Party in Russia? Like an OG…Watch His 90s Boiler Room Set (Video)

DJ Premier recently took his talents to Russia. While there, he produced a track with a local artist and rocked a Boiler Room party. For his hour-long DJ set, Preemo covered the full 90s Hip-Hop spectrum, spinning music by Biggie, Tha Luniz, Nas, Crooklyn Dodgers, Boogie Down Productions, Pete Rock... Read more

May 30, 2015 Video

After 20 Years Strong, M.O.P. Are Still Putting It Down (Audio)

M.O.P. are more than 20 years deep in a triumphant career. Always presented as underdogs, Lil Fame and Billy Danze have respected the jux since beginning. The Brownsville, Brooklyn duo snatched the spotlight with songs about snatching chains. Teaming with the United Kingdom's Dr. G, Mash Out Posse and GP100... Read more

May 30, 2015 Audio

What Makes Eminem The GOAT To So Many?

After nearly nine months of questioning, comparing, and lots of debating, the winner of Ambrosia For Heads’ “Finding The GOAT” series, the quest to name Hip-Hop’s Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), has been determined. Yesterday (May 29), Eminem's win against Tupac was confirmed at deadline, thus making the Detroit, Michigan... Read more

May 30, 2015 Food for Thought

Dom Kennedy Releases a True Hip-Hop Love Song (Audio)

When's the last time you heard a Hip-Hop love song? Not a song about a conquest, but one with courtship and true complimentary words about the object of the artist's affection? Some come to mind, like The Roots' "Silent Treatment," dead.prez's "Mind Sex" and Common's "The Light." And, of course,... Read more

May 29, 2015 Audio

Your GOAT Has Been Determined And His Name Is…Eminem (Video)

Today (May 29), the winner of Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series, the quest to name Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), was determined. In the championship round, Eminem defeated Tupac 57.38% to 42.62%, meaning that Marshall Mathers is the GOAT, as voted by AFH readers. Beginning in late... Read more

May 29, 2015 Fresh

Chance the Rapper & Donnie Trumpet Release a Star-Studded Free Album (Stream & Download)

Chance The Rapper along with frequent collaborator/close friend Donnie Trumpet, have been selectively putting out music through their band, The Social Experiment for some time. In that span, listeners of the experimental Hip-Hop group have been waiting for a full body of work. Today, (May 29) Donnie Trumpet & The... Read more

May 29, 2015 Audio

Emilio Rojas Releases a Freestyle Packed With Knowledge and Unfiltered Social Commentary (Audio)

There have been a ton of 90s freestyles of late (perhaps too much), but none like this. Emilio Rojas has released a powerhouse social commentary over The Geto Boys' "Mind Playing Tricks On Me." Just as Scarface did on the original, Rojas digs deep to speak candidly about issues most... Read more

May 29, 2015 Audio

Styles P’s Friday Freestyles Borrow Beats From Redman and Kendrick Lamar (Audio)

Styles P continues his Friday double feature freestyles. This week's installments find him taking on beats from a recent Kendrick Lamar release and a vintage Redman throwback. On "Ghost Night," he carries on the recent tradition of covering 90s classics, borrowing Redman's "Tonight's Da Night," from 1992's Whut? Thee Album.... Read more

May 29, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch Celebrates His Favorite MCs and Schools Rappers Who Don’t Know Their History (Audio)

Even though he's a 20-year Hip-Hop veteran, Sheek Louch is not above paying homage to those who came before him. He's also tired of rappers, who don't know their history, jumping on 90s beats... On his latest release, Sheek takes a trip down "Memory Lane" celebrating the pioneers who influenced... Read more

May 29, 2015 Audio

50 Cent Details How He Reconciled With Floyd Mayweather (Video)

50 Cent appeared on Big Boy TV to promote the new season of Power and various other projects on which he's working. As is typically the case with his interviews, he was engaging, cagey and happy to discuss a number of issues. After chatting about 50's renewed dedication to physical... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Do Remember: Talib Kweli & DJ Quik’s Put It In The Air (Audio)

Few artists have the excitement leading into their solo debut as Talib Kweli, especially by 2000s standards. Entering Quality, the Brooklyn, New York MC had already found success with two groups, Black Star and Reflection Eternal. Both acts, duos with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek, respectively, had been met with... Read more

May 28, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier Returned From Russia With A Joint That’s Universally Dope (Audio)

Last month, DJ Premier made a cool video of him navigating the streets of Moscow, Russia. While there, he crossed paths with St. Petersburg, Russia's BMB Spacekid. Holed up in the studio, Preemo, BMB, and Los Angeles, California funkateer Anderson Paak made "Til' It's Done." Pure collaboration, it's not even... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio

When A$AP Rock Freestyles…Anything Goes. Witness an MC Who is Truly Fearless (Video)

A$AP Rocky is fearless. As sales of his just released AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP album will soon show, he is currently one of the most successful rappers in the game. That said, he is unafraid to freestyle, "off the top," say ANYTHING and have fun. Rocky joined the Sway in the Morning show,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Throwback

Ghostface Killah Explains Why His Jay Z Collab Fell Through and Why He Won’t Release His Verse (Video)

Ghostface Killah is the Iron Man. That being said, even Tony Starks has his limits. When recently asked why his reported collaboration with Jay Z and Raekwon for 2013's "Heaven" fell through, Ghost admitted taking too long to get the verse to Jay. The song was originally slated to appear... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Yelawolf Is Still Poppin’ The Trunk, But To Get His Guitar (Video)

In the last five years, Yelawolf's style has changed, but not entirely. The Shady Records artist is well-aware of his diverse fan-base. There are those expecting him to rap, incredibly fast at that, with Southern Gothic imagery that only a Gadsden, Alabama native can deliver. Then there are now those... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Alchemist Reveals How Jadakiss, Ras Kass, Nas & Jay Z Tie Into One Hit (Audio)

With a new surprise instrumental album in stores (Israeli Salad), veteran bi-coastal producer Alchemist stays busy. The Gangrene/Step Brothers members is the debut guest on podcast, "A Waste Of Time," created by It's The Real's Eric and Jeff Rosenthal. The Beverly Hills, California native producer/DJ/MC discusses his love for food,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Performs These Walls For the First Time on Television (Video)

Kendrick Lamar's song "These Walls" is one of the most complex in the dense stew that is To Pimp a Butterfly. The track, which features Anna Wise and Bilal, is as much Neo Soul as it is Hip-Hop, laced with lush instrumentation from Thundercat's bass, Terrace Martin's saxophone and keys... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD Perform 2 Ol’ Dirty Bastard Classics (Video)

For well over a decade, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Ghostface Killah were comrades. Beyond their Wu-Tang Clan bond, these men worked together. G.F.K. was among the guests on 1995's Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. That said, who better than to honor the late MC today? Alongside band... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

As Fabolous Snatches Throwbacks, Capone-N-Noreaga Resuscitate “Breathe” (Audio)

Fabolous and Jadakiss (as well as Papoose, Tony Yayo, and others) have been freestyling within the confines of 1990s New York Hip-Hop hit instrumentals (often recreating the original songs). All of those mentioned names were around in the decade, either making noise on a grand level, or getting their names... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

A$AP Rocky’s New Album is Full of Surprises…Including Mos Def (Audio)

A$AP Rocky's new album, AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, has been surprising on a number of levels. For starters, Rocky surprised fans with an early release of the LP, moving it from June 2 to May 26, after it was leaked. Beyond that, however, the project finds the A$AP Mob leader exploring several unexpected... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Jedi Mind Tricks & Eamon Call Out The Frauds In Their Lives (Video)

Vinnie Paz and Stoupe The Enemy Of Mankind have come together to craft a new Jedi Mind Tricks album, The Thief And The Fallen, set to hit stores on June 2, 2015, on Enemy Soil. They've released a music video for a new single off the album called "Fraudulent Cloth,"... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

Pete Rock Fires Up One Of His Finest Verses Of Late Alongside Canibus (Audio)

Pete Rock is ageless. For almost 25 years, the Mount Vernon, New Yorker has been a master at DJ'ing, production, and MC'ing. While many greats of that span can rest on their laurels and celebrate their past glory, the mighty P.R. has always innovated and pushed forward. In 2015, Pete... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Pharoahe Monch, Murs & Fashawn Assist J57 In Supplying Sample-Free Dope (EP Stream)

After releasing them over the course of the year, Brooklyn, New York-based J57 has culminated his series of official sample-free remixes into one conveniently packaged EP. The producer/MC re-designed four tracks, each with an original arrangement that includes a fresh beat and original vocals in the place of what were... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Jesse Boykins III Shares His Own Wonder Years In The Form Of Polaroids (Video)

Jesse Boykins III has released the video for his single "The Wonder Years," off of his 2014 LP Love Apparatus. Boykins, a Bilal protege, has stayed consistent through putting his own spin on popular songs, like Drake and Jhene Aiko's "From Time." This visual is compilations of images of Jesse's recent... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

Pharrell May Have Another One Courtesy Of The Ever-Funky OverDoz (Audio)

OverDoz. is a name to write down right now. The Los Angeles, California quartet of Creamie, Kent Jamz, Joon, and P have worked with Terrace Martin, A$AP Ferg, and now Pharrell. Whether the wavy viral vibes of "Lauren London" or the oddball didactic rapping of "Killer Tofu," the crew shows... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

The Weeknd Uses Wrecks & Explosions To Symbolize A Twisted Love (Video)

The Weeknd's "The Hills" describes a love (or maybe just a lust) that's sincere, but enhanced by intoxication. He only calls when he's messed up, but that's the real him. For the visual, Abel and a female companion escape a flipped '80s Lincoln Towncar, to walk away alive, barely. Dim... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

After 30 Years, DMC & DJ Premier Are Finally Working Together (Audio)

After several years of focusing on comics and other passions, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels has been making plans for a comeback to the Rap world. In the next installment of his appearance on Tim Einenkel's On The Library podcast, D talks about his current music projects. The Run-DMC member begins this... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

The Weeknd Releases a Full Blown Funk Jam With Max Martin (Audio)

The last few years have brought a resurgence in 70s Soul and Disco, from the good vibes of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," featuring Mr. Disco, himself, Nile Rogers, to Robin Thicke's Marvin Gaye-influenced "Blurred Lines." However, the last few months have spawned several hits influenced by 80s R&B, Dancehall and... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

Mick Jenkins Puts on a Lyrical Display Reserved for a Rarefied Few (Video)

Mick Jenkins is well aware of Rap concept cliche. The Chicago, Illinois MC says he was out to reach new ground in "P's & Q's." Knowing that Nas famously rewound a story with suspense, and Jay Z rigorously rocked repetition, he wanted to stand apart. Big on literary devices, the... Read more

May 26, 2015 Video

Rapsody, Stacy Epps & Boog Brown Prove Diamond D Beats Are A Woman’s Best Friend (Video)

"Pump Ya Brakes" is another standout from Diamond D's 2014 album, The Diam Piece. On an upbeat composition, the Diggin' In The Crates producer/MC aligns Rapsody, Stacy Epps, and Boog Brown for a lyrical exhibition from some of the nicest in the game. North Carolina to Atlanta to New York... Read more

May 26, 2015 Video

Marco Polo Outdoes Himself On The Reverberating Remix To PRhyme’s Courtesy (Audio)

In four decades, DJ Premier has been remixing tracks. Whether Showbiz & A.G.'s "Next Level," Fat Joe's "Success," or Craig David's "7 Days," some of those very mixes have arguably eclipsed their originals. That said, it's a big deal to remix Premier's handiwork, and few producers would dare. Marco Polo,... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar & Ty Dolla $ign Show Some Dramatic California Love (Audio)

UPDATE: While the May 26, 2015 demo version of Ty Dolla $ign's "L.A." was pulled from the Internet, it now reappears in November. Presently tagged by Big Boy's Neighborhood (and posted below), the upcoming audio is expected to follow. If you were to take the musings behind Tupac and Val... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (The Final Battle): Eminem vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

The championship round of "Finding The GOAT" has arrived. After eight months, 200-plus MCs, and plenty of down-to-the-wire races, the two finalists meet at last. Both Eminem and Tupac have been undefeated in "Finding The GOAT." For Tupac, twice those triumphs came down to a single percent. For Em', those... Read more

May 26, 2015 Fresh

Pete Rock’s Heaven & Earth Petestrumental Lives Up To Its Name (Audio)

Pete Rock's Petestrumentals 2 (June 23) is less than one month away. The Chocolate Boy Wonder unleashes another gem, "Heaven & Earth" from the Mello Music Group release. With a strong homage to David Axelrod (if you can call it that), the song is set off with some philosophy, and... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio