Fresh Archives

Blueprint’s Writing & His Range Are Why He Is A King Without A Crown (Video)

Columbus, Ohio MC/producer Blueprint just released King, No Crown on his own Weightless label. The Soul Position/Greenhouse member is one of the enduring figures of the late '90s, early 2000s Underground Hip-Hop glory days. Still, while some of 'Print's close associates (RJD2, Slug) have garnered mainstream recognition and strong commercial... Read more

May 10, 2015 Video

Here’s a Tribute to Some of the Women MCs Who Raised Hip-Hop (Video Playlist)

Happy Mother's Day. Here's a video playlist celebrating some of the many women who helped to start and grow the culture of Hip-Hop. You'll see clips from pioneers like Sha Rock, Roxanne Shante, Ms. Melodie, Michie Mee, Sweet Tee, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa and Monie Love. Take a look... Read more

May 10, 2015 Throwback

Breakbeat Lou Is A Digging Pioneer. He Spins Run-DMC, James Brown & Snoop Dogg (Mix)

Long before Heads could go digging in the crates with two tabs of YouTube, Louis "Breakbeat Lou" Flores was a trusted source of dusty-sonic knowledge. One of the creators of the Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilation series, the New York City native helped take deep cuts by Dennis Coffey, ESG,... Read more

May 10, 2015 Throwback

Fashawn Takes An Above The Law Classic & Hits Freestyle Switches (Video)

Fashawn stopped by Tim Westwood's crib to freestyle. The mainstay British DJ knew just what to hit Fash' with. Beginning with Above The Law's "Black Superman," the Mass Appeal Records artist gets to work. Finding his own G-Funk lyrics, the Fresno, California MC seems to come off the dome in... Read more

May 9, 2015 Video

Prince’s Guitar Cries For Baltimore, With A Retro Sound & Current Issues (Audio)

Gearing up for tomorrow's (May 10) Rally 4 Peace in Baltimore, Maryland, Prince has released the song he made in response to the city's social unrest. The Paisley Park founder joined his band 3rd Eye Girl for a song that gives focus to the value of art and expression amidst... Read more

May 9, 2015 Audio

Fabolous Updates Nas’ Black Girl Lost With His Best 90s Freestyle Yet (Audio)

It takes a brave heart to follow Nas on a track. For the latest in his top notch series of 90s throwback freestyles, that's exactly what Fabolous does and he responds with his best to date. On Nasir's "Black Girl Lost," from It Was Written, Esco weaves a mournful tale... Read more

May 9, 2015 Audio

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Claim They Are Often Misunderstood In New Single (Video)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Heads know that the Cleveland, Ohio collective began as B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e. One of Rap music's greatest ears for talent, Eazy-E, suggested a name-change somewhere before 1994's Creepin' On Ah Come Up. Somehow, even in the 20 years since Eric Wright's death, "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony" seems to be the perfect... Read more

May 9, 2015 Video

Styles P Paints Complex Pictures of a Hustler’s Life Over Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Tracks (Audio)

Out of the recent spate of freestyle series, Styles P has consistently made the most interesting choices of beats to re-purpose. While others have settled comfortably in a single lane, often based on songs from a specific era, Ghost seemingly has followed no specific theme, other than to select tracks... Read more

May 9, 2015 Audio

Black Sheep’s Mista Lawnge Remixes Pink Floyd, Pat Benatar & Diana Ross 80s Classics (Audio)

Mista Lawnge (f/k/a Mr. Long) is one of Hip-Hop's figures who does not seem to get his just due. One-half of the founding team in Black Sheep, William McLean was responsible, in part, for supplying Queens, New York duo with a sticking sound unlike no other entity in the space.... Read more

May 9, 2015 Throwback

Eddie Murphy Returns With Protest Reggae, Inspired By Difficult Headlines (Video)

Eddie Murphy may have avoided the spotlight to humor the masses during this spring's "SNL40" special appearance. However, the iconic comedian/actor wastes no time getting back to one of his other loves, music. The former Columbia and Motown Records singer continues his journey into Reggae with "Oh Jah Jah." The... Read more

May 9, 2015 Video

Moka Only & Illa J Team Up To Deliver A Smooth Jam For The Ladies (Audio)

Today (May 8) Moka Only released a new album called Chicken Wingz on Self Serve Records, the first release on the newly formed, Vancouver-based label. The lead single from the album features label mate Illa J rapping with Moka on a smooth, relaxing, J Dilla-esque production called "Freak Ya Heart... Read more

May 8, 2015 Audio

Questlove Goes On A Quest For Musical Culture In Cuba (Video)

Questlove performed in Cuba this past month a couple days after President Obama's meeting with Raul Castro at the Summit of The Americas in Panama. A video, "Quest For Cuba" shows The Roots drummer/producer/DJ exploring the many horizons of Cuban music in the capital city of Havana. The music veteran was there DJ'ing... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Tish Is the First Woman MC to Do the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle. She CRUSHES It (Video)

Tish Hyman is a rare talent who is on the verge of exploding. The Bronx, NY artist is one of the select few who is equally and supremely gifted at both rapping and singing. Her single, "Subway Art," showcases the latter more heavily, but do not be fooled. As an... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

The eMC Take It To Brazilian Streets With Diamond D Funk (Video)

If you listened to the theme of 2008's The Show, you know that The eMC is worldwide. Masta Ace, Wordsworth, and Stricklin are well-received overseas, given their energetic live shows and slick routines. For "The Monologue," the trio strolls up the narrow streets of Favela do Sussego, Grajau, São Paulo,... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 6): Nas vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

UPDATE: Due to attempts to tamper with the voting, this post has been updated with a new poll, which can be found here. With now only 5 MCs remaining, Round 6 is well under-way in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). The second of... Read more

May 8, 2015 Fresh

A$AP Rocky, Miguel, Mark Ronson & Rod Stewart on a Song Together? You Don’t Hear That Everyday (Audio)

A$AP Rocky's sophomore studio album, At.Long.Last.A$AP is less than a month away (June 2). Aiming to follow-up his platinum RCA/Polo Grounds debut from several years back, it's only the big guns for the Harlem, New Yorker. That's exactly what "Everyday" aims to be. Produced by the limitless Mark Ronson, the... Read more

May 8, 2015 Audio

Can An MC Be Considered The Greatest of All-Time After 5 Years? This Short Film Says YES (Video)

“Can it be that it was all so simple then?” The nostalgia effect is a strong one in Hip-Hop, and causes us not only to look back with optimistic revision, but also, at times, prevents us from embracing the greatness of late. It is not uncommon to hear someone argue... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Jadakiss Is Out To Top Everybody On The Throwback Freestyle Circuit (Audio)

Jadakiss continues to light up Fridays, handing Heads more than a paycheck with his freestyles. As L.O.X./D-Block partner Styles P is in the thick of it, Jada' clearly is out to shine in a classic of throw-back minded players including Fabolous (who recently tackled a LOX joint), Tony Yayo, and... Read more

May 8, 2015 Audio

Ras Kass Salutes The O.G.’s Of Hip-Hop (Video)

Southern California veteran Ras Kass celebrates his 20-plus-year run in "So OG." As the West Coast Rap mainstay reminisces over a laid-back lavish beat, several critical figures of the 1990s Hip-Hop scene appear in the form of VHS footage. This gives the viewer the impression they are watching a Rap... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT: Who Is the Greatest MC Of All-Time & Why Do We Care? (Video)

Chances are, if you are a Hip-Hop fan, at some point in your life, you've been embroiled in a conversation about who is Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time (GOAT) MC. Whether it was in a lunch room, on a school bus, in a barber shop or in a board room, there... Read more

May 7, 2015 Video

Rah Digga Uncages The Beast On Animal. Tread Lightly…(Audio)

Rah Digga unleashes the fury of every wild beast in the animal kingdom in her latest drop "Animal", proving that, in her 20 years in the music industry, her ambush-style lyrical abilities continue to evolve. The MC shows and proves as she preys on microphones and weak MCs in her... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

De La Soul Explain Their Criteria For What Makes a Great MC. Do You Agree? (Video)

Many have opinions about what criteria makes a great MC, but few have the credentials to back them up like De La Soul. As Hip-Hop survivors and thrivers for more than 20 years, Posdnuous, Dave and Maseo are among Rap's most influential artists, and when they speak, Heads listen. As... Read more

May 7, 2015 Video

Chuck Chillout Spins De La Soul, Gang Starr, MC Lyte & EPMD in a 1988 Mix (Audio)

The late Mr. Magic is widely considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest radio mix-masters. DJ Marley Marl's mentor dropped the needle on seminal records in the late 1970s, throughout the 1980s, and the early 1990s, helping give many Heads would-be classic songs that he personally deemed important. The same week boogieknight... Read more

May 7, 2015 Throwback

Dynas Gets Busy On ‘Em, Putting His Skills Above All Else (Premiere)

Following his stellar, storytelling collaboration with Slick Rick ("Who U?"), South Florida's Dynas returns with his sophomore single from his EMPIRE-distributed Big and Tall, with producer Tony Galvin. "Busy" welcomes DJ Klassik's aggressive scratching, and Tony's Bomb Squad-influenced beat. Over-top, Dynas uses the moment to describe where he fits within... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio, Exclusive

Keith Murray, Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers & SKAM2? Vow No Sleep Til’ Success (Audio)

It can be incredibly easy to set a goal for yourself, and rest once you've achieved it. However, the music industry does not sleep—nor can many of those we live in it. Joell Ortiz has a group personally handled by one of the biggest personalities in all of music. Keith... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: The Nonce’s Mix Tapes (Video)

2015's Los Angeles, California Hip-Hop scene includes a plethora of colorful figures. It is now cool (and accepted) to be unconventional. Whether Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, or Blu, plenty of MCs from Southern Cali have come to creative forks in the road, and blazed trails by simply going straight. In... Read more

May 7, 2015 Throwback

D12’s dEnAuN Empties His Backpack & The Contents Slam (FreEP)

Producer/MC dEnAuN (a/k/a Mr. Porter) released a new six-song EP today (May 7), Stuff In My Backpack. The EP offers a refreshing and crisp sound that displays the evolution of the Detroit, Michigan native's lengthy career (despite several name-changes) Compelling lyricism along with gritty beats gives dEnAuN a chance to shine apart... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

Emilio Rojas Nods To Nas & Kurtis Blow, Imagining If He Ruled The World (Audio)

"If I Ruled The World" is a powerful idea. That is precisely why Kurtis Blow made a hit out of it. Nas followed, honoring Kurtis and the America single 11 years later, on 1996's It Was Written. Now, 19 years later, Emilio Rojas takes the underlying makings of both songs,... Read more

May 7, 2015 The Bridge

CyHi The Prynce Makes A 2-Song Tape That Rocks ‘Til The Tape Pops (Audio)

Even with only mixtapes available, CyHi The Prynce continues to deliver great album-quality music. The G.O.O.D. Music sensation is also among the 2010s' best freestyle performers, making many consider him a total package talent. Teaming with SMH Records (which includes Wake Up Show co-founder King Tech), CyHi unveiled a cool... Read more

May 7, 2015 Fresh

Time is Almost Up for Biggie or Tupac. Who Will Go Forward In Finding The GOAT?

Tuesday (May 5) kicked off Round 6 for "Finding The GOAT" with a monstrous showdown. Tupac vs. The Notorious B.I.G. is a battle of epic proportions, as these Rap martyrs were constantly compared in life as they are in death. In less than 48 hours, this Round 6 match-up garnered... Read more

May 7, 2015 Fresh

Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi & The LOX Play 3-On-3 On The Rhyme Court (Audio)

Fresh off of the news that Capone-N-Noreaga was reuniting with mentor Tragedy Khadafi, Capone and N.O.R.E. recruit their War Report special ops role-player for a worthy cause. "3 On 3" is some MC ish, as The L.O.X. trio joins C-N-N and Trag' for a little showmanship with the mic. All... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio

Rah Digga Reaches For That Raw, Alongside William Cooper (Audio)

Celebrating the just-released God's Will, Black Market Militia member William Cooper drops the high-energy "Closer to God." As a harrowing Gospel-laced backdrop plays, Cooper calls forth the assistance of New Jersey Rap queen Rah Digga, and the spirited lyricists devour the beat with explosive efficiency. Produced by Cooper's longtime right-hand... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio

Think Suicide Doors Are Rap Lyric Cliche? Skyzoo Unlocks The Freshness (Audio)

Skyzoo Heads know that the Brooklyn, New Yorker lives in two worlds. On one hand, the onetime Jamla/Duck Down Records MC is a product of the underground. Sky' has a grassroots career that was built off of hot 12" singles, circulating his name through mixtapes, and working with a vast... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio

Redman Reflects On MTV Cribs and What It Said About Who He Is

Whether you're a Def Squad Head or a lover of pranksters, Redman's episode of "MTV: Cribs" is that of legend. At a time when celebrities—especially rappers were showing gold-leaf wallpaper, infinity pools, personal chefs and garages that looked like Italian car dealerships, Reggie Noble was the antithesis. In year 2001,... Read more

May 6, 2015 Throwback, TV

Joey Bada$$ & Nyck Caution Kick The Truth to the Youth Over New School Boom Bap (Audio)

Nyck Caution is the latest member of the Pro Era crew to step towards the spotlight. With help from the original break-out Joey Bada$$ and a nostalgic beat from Chuck Strangers, the rising Rap talent delivers “World in Your Pocket." This cut encourages today's youth to choose their friendships and... Read more

May 6, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

The Original Jedi Mind Tricks Lineup Reunites In This Dark Visual (Video)

Jedi Mind Tricks have reunited and are gearing up to release their eighth album, The Thief and the Fallen on their Enemy Soil label on June 2, 2015. This album will see original JMT members Vinnie Paz & Stoupe The Enemy of Mankind working together for the first time since... Read more

May 5, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 6): Tupac vs. The Notorious B.I.G.…Who You Got?

With now only 6 MCs remaining, we have entered Round 6 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only two match-up’s—both running this week—remain until the final 4 are revealed. Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014, including more... Read more

May 5, 2015 Throwback

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

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

25 Years Ago, Pete Rock Was DJ’ing On Airwaves. Listen In (Mix)

On May 20, 1989, Pete Rock was just 18 years old. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker was Marley Marl's right-hand-man on WBLS' "In Control" show. Two years before he would be making hits alongside CL Smooth for Elektra Records, Pete Rock was a heralded sound-selector, moving New York City and... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio, Throwback

From Philly To Your Hood, STS x RJD2 Feels Like Home (Album Stream)

Ever since the release of their 2013 jam “See You Leave” (From RJD2's More Is Than Isn't), it was clear that RJD2 and STS had musical chemistry. Two years and several collabs later, the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based “Sugar Tongue” wordsmith (and Roots affiliate) and world-renowned producer have finally released an... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Snoop Recruits Rick Ross & Kendrick Lamar on the Soulful I’m Ya Dogg (Audio)

Snoop Dogg's album BUSH is set to hit stores on May 12. The LP will be Snoop's first since signing his new deal with Pharrell, and it will be produced by the hitmaker. Snoop has released several tracks from the album, many featuring Charlie Wilson, and all with a distinctly... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Finding the GOAT: The Final 6 MCs Have Been Decided By YOU. Who Will Be The 1?

Round 5's polls have closed today (May 4). Although there was a late push, the definitive margins (and projected winners) held, by and large. With that, Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series has its final 6 MCs. The Round 5 bye (Big Daddy Kane) returns to competitive combat for... Read more

May 4, 2015 Fresh

Q-Tip & The Chemical Brothers Still Know How to Make the Party Get Up and GO (Video)

As an MC, a DJ, and as a producer, Q-Tip knows how to inject the rhythm into the people. The Abstract is quite concrete in his ability to exterminate wallflowers, making grooves, melodies, and choruses that send everybody to the dance-floor. Tip was called upon by The Chemical Brothers for... Read more

May 4, 2015 Video

Vic Mensa’s Down On My Luck Gets Chuck Inglish’s Groovy Reconsideration (Audio)

Almost to the week, it's been a year since Vic Mensa brought out some modern-day Hip-House with "Down On My Luck." Complete with a psychedelic video, the Chicago, Illinois MC touched on pain, release, sadness, and catharsis in a song that was more R&B and Deep House than traditional Rap... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Ever Been a Sucker for Love? Jill Scott’s Done Chasing Fool’s Gold (Audio)

Jill Scott's new music has a ton of punch to it. Following up March's pained "You Don't Know" video, Jilly From Philly reflects on mistakes with more pep to her step. "Fools Gold" looks back at chasing the wrong situations, even when the writing was on the wall. Moreover, the... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Camp Lo Re-Team With Luchini Producer Ski Beatz on Black Jesus (Audio)

Camp Lo is in tact with their original mentor/producer Ski Beatz. However, the upcoming Ragtime Hightimes (May 19) is not a regurgitation of that Uptown Saturday Night sound. Instead, "Black Jesus" is just the latest example of Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede's ability to flex new styles. The 20-plus-year pair... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Black Thought & J.Period Honor James Brown Making A Tape, LIVE! (Mixtape)

When it comes to showmanship in Hip-Hop, The Roots' Black Thought is one of the greatest to ever do it. The South Philadelphia MC can rap, he can sing, and he can play with an ensemble—and he does it all, nightly on television. So much of Tariq Trotter's on-stage persona,... Read more

May 4, 2015 Mixes

Raekwon Discusses His New Album & Wu-Tang Clan’s Complicated History With Ice-T (Audio)

In his recent Final Level Podcast episode (#34) Ice-T (joined by co-host Mick Benzo) welcomes Raekwon to the show. The Wu-Tang Clan co-founder previously made an appearance in Ice's touted Hip-Hop documentary Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap. The podcast begins with small-talk, as the three discuss their favorite sports teams,... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Yasiin Bey Explains His New Creative Process and Worldview in Detail (Video)

Yasiin Bey is a true creative anomaly. The artist formerly known as Mos Def spent the late 1990s and early 2000s churning out material, basking in the collaborative spirit, and touring relentlessly. The world responded, and the onetime Brooklyn, New York underground MC garnered gold plaques, Top 5 debuts, and... Read more

May 4, 2015 Video

Chris Rivers’ Latest Visual Examines The Battle for Greatness (Video)

As Heads may know, New York MC Chris Rivers is an avid boxer and is just as passionate about the sport as he is about his music. He participated in the 2014 Golden Gloves and has a goal of becoming heavyweight boxing champion of the world someday. The visual for... Read more

May 4, 2015 Video