Fresh Archives

The Militia Is Coming…Hear 3 Snippets Of Big Shug’s Next Album, All Produced By DJ Premier (Audio)

Gang Starr Heads know all about Big Shug. A member of the Gang Starr Foundation, the Boston, Massachusetts-based MC would appear on all of Guru & DJ Premier's albums from Hard To Earn through The Ownerz. Hard-nosed, fly, and wise, Shug paid dues in the wings for years, before becoming... Read more

February 14, 2015 Audio

Pharoahe Monch Delivers Some Valentine’s Day Love with a Compilation Album (Audio Stream)

Pharoahe Monch has delivered a Hip-Hop Valentine's Day present in the form of a compilation album. Lost in Translation is a 12-song project featuring all-star contributions from Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, Phonte and more. According to Pharoahe's Bandcamp page, ""Lost In Translation" is a collection of previously... Read more

February 14, 2015 Audio

88-Keys Has Helped Shape Sounds For Q-Tip, Kanye West & Black Star, Here’s His Story (Audio)

Whether he's breaking ground with artists like Theophilus London with "Can't Stop," putting heat down for Jay Z & Kanye West's Watch The Throne album or helping architect songs that remain heavy in conversation after more than 15 years (see: Black Star "Thieves In The Night") 88-Keys' production credits make him... Read more

February 14, 2015 Audio, Fresh

If You Love The Vid To The Furious 5’s The Message, F.Stokes Is Worth Your Time (Video)

F.Stokes is one of the best kept secrets of Hip-Hop right now. This Madison, Wisconsin native (who has spent a ton of time in Chicago) has a live show where he literally convinces showgoers to sit on the (dirty) floor sometimes. He is energetic, insightful, and original, with an array... Read more

February 14, 2015 The Bridge

CyHi The Prynce Offers A Second Semester Of Black Hystori Teaching (Mixtape)

Approximately 350 days later, CyHi The Prynce follows up his Kanye West-executive produced Black Hystori Project with a second volume. Eleven tracks deep, Black Hystori Project Vol. 2 (a/k/a BHP2: N.A.A.C.P.) maintains the theme of the first free installment. This one welcomes even more notable sound-providers to the fold though,... Read more

February 14, 2015 Mixes

The Blazers’ Damian Lillard is an All-Star on the Court & The Microphone. Watch Him RAP! (Video)

Basketball and Hip-Hop have always had a strong connection, and since it's NBA All-Star Weekend in New York City, the birthplace of Hip-Hop, what better time for a baller to showcase his MC skills? Two-time NBA All-Star and former Rookie Of The Year Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers... Read more

February 14, 2015 Video

One of Missy Elliott’s Star Pupils Celebrates Her with a Dance Tribute (Video)

After making a show-stealing appearance during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, Missy Elliott's presence is in full force, with her past hits leaping onto the iTunes charts. Missy's high profile return has sparked another unanticipated comeback. Alyson Stoner one of the little girls who showcased her dance moves in... Read more

February 13, 2015 Video

Whet Your Appetite With A Tiny Sampling Of Nas & Timbaland’s Latest Creation (Audio)

Dating back to 1998's Tim's Bio: Life From The Basement album, Timbaland and Nas have worked together nearly a half-dozen times. The Queens, New York MC extraordinaire called upon the Virginia producer/rapper for his Nastradamus single, "You Owe Me," in addition to work together alongside everybody ranging from Jay Z... Read more

February 13, 2015 Audio

Random New Yorkers Recite Raunchy Sean Price Lyrics for Valentine’s Day (Video)

It's been 10 years since Heltah Skeltah's Ruck redefined himself with Monkey Barz. The Brownsville, Brooklyn MC went for broke (quite literally, as he tells it), and made a low-budget album that Heads loved. With production by 9th Wonder, Khrysis, "8-Off" Agallah, and others Monkey Barz may have missed the... Read more

February 13, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Rakim vs. Kool Moe Dee…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 13, 2015 Throwback

Ras Kass Explains Why He Wrote How To Kill God. It’s Not What You Think.

One of the more celebrated independent Hip-Hop albums of 2014 was Ras Kass & Apollo Brown's Blasphemy. The Mello Music Group release returned Ras Kass to the studio album format, and—after work with O.C., Guilty Simpson, and The Left, gave Brown a West Coast collaborative full-length. Part of Blasphemy's charm... Read more

February 13, 2015 Fresh

An Upcoming Documentary Captures The Essence Of The Bronx In 1979 (Video)

A new documentary is on the horizons, exploring the year of 1979 within the setting of the Bronx, New York. In a borough that was literally burning, with buildings crumbling, Hip-Hop was burgeoning in a major way. Thanks to the controversial (within Hip-Hop purists and pioneers) hit "Rapper's Delight" by... Read more

February 13, 2015 TV/Film

If You’re Reading This Its Not Too Late To Stream Drake’s Newest Mixtape (Audio)

In addition to last night's (February 12) iTunes release of Drake's If You're Reading This Its Too Late mixtape, October's Very Own has now offered a stream of the project. Although there are no features, the Cash Money Records-backed work includes production from Noah "40" Shebib, Boi-1da, Partynextdoor, Travi$ Scott,... Read more

February 13, 2015 Audio

Kanye West Previews a Brand New Song Featuring Vic Mensa and Sia (Video)

This is a big week for Kanye West. He performed not once, but twice at this year's Grammy Awards, both solo and with Rihanna and Paul McCartney. He later created a bit of a firestorm by taking the awards show to task for not respecting true artistry. Today (2/12), he... Read more

February 12, 2015 Video

Here’s an Unbelievable Blend of Rakim’s In the Ghetto & Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight (Video)

Here's a mind-bending blend of Eric B. & Rakim's "In the Ghetto" with Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight." The mix, which was put together by DJ not-I back in 2012, seamlessly combines both the audio and the video from the two classics. The cinematic tone and feel of Eric... Read more

February 12, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): DMX vs. Fabolous…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 12, 2015 Fresh

CyHi The Prynce Calls For Revolution & Points Out Fake Revolutionary Motives (Audio)

Gearing up for The Black Hystori Project 2, CyHi The Prynce is beyond fed up. The Atlanta, Georgia G.O.O.D. Music artist looks around at the Hip-Hop industry, and cries foul. From self-proclaimed gangsters eager to be interviewed on mainstream radio, to claiming to change lives only to spend seven figures... Read more

February 12, 2015 Audio

Cannibal Ox Report Live From Across 110th Street (Audio)

"Harlem Knights" is the latest preview glimpse from Cannibal Ox's sophomore album, Blade Of The Ronin (March 3). Not unlike 2001's "Stress Rap," the song is all about images, especially surrounding the uncovered sections of Uptown. Vordul kicks things off with one of his finer verses, before Vast pushes through... Read more

February 12, 2015 Audio

Action Bronson Joins Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk and SMASHES It (Audio)

How does Action Bronson sound on a funk track? Kinda incredible...Mark Ronson was a guest DJ on NYC's Hot 97 and, during the course of his set, played a remix version of his number one song "Uptown Funk," featuring Bruno Mars. To great surprise, the remix featured Bronson on an... Read more

February 12, 2015 Audio

Curren$y Busts Colorful Raps From The Paint Shop (Video)

Curren$y is on a tear lately. The N'awlins veteran loves reminding Heads about his love of cars, and taking old schools (and foreigns) and customizing them with style. From his forthcoming Pilot Talk 3, Spitta taxis "Cargo Planes" in video form. The visual, with lots of cool colored light fills... Read more

February 12, 2015 Video

Do Remember: Zion I & Planet Asia’s Critical (Audio)

February brought some saddening news to many Heads. Zion I, the veteran duo of Zumbi (f/k/a MC Zion) and partner Amp Live are parting ways. The split is amicable, and seems more related to creative directions and geography than anything. However, the Oakland, California group stems out of the 1990s,... Read more

February 12, 2015 Throwback

Step Inside the Mind of Drake With This Moody and Introspective Film (Video)

Taking a page from the playbook of Childish Gambino (and perhaps Kanye West), Drake has released a dark and brooding short film. Jungle is more allegory than narrative and finds Drake playing a character in deep reflection as he experiences a series of seemingly unrelated events. While it is clear... Read more

February 12, 2015 Video

Mick Jenkins Has Nothing But Time, But No Time For The B.S. (Audio)

Mick Jenkins seems to capture the Windy City essence so well in his music. "Time," on paper, is just a compilation track (Chicago Sight n' Sound). However, the Cinematic Entertainment MC makes a deep record that's not about how he manages his time in a thirst-stricken industry, in a violent... Read more

February 12, 2015 Audio

David Banner’s Pen Literally Burns The Page In The Symbol-Driven Evil Knievel (Video)

David Banner has been championed by many for more than 15 years. The Jackson, Mississippi veteran MC/producer may be hitting some of his finest strides in the last five. Since late 2010's Death Of A Pop Star (with 9th Wonder), the Crooked Lettaz alum maintains his fervor and passionate deliveries,... Read more

February 12, 2015 Video

Maestro Fresh Wes & Rich Kidd Unite The Toronto Hip-Hop Scene (Video)

Toronto's Hip-Hop scene has been making some noise lately, with Drake skipping the Grammy Awards to host a King Of The Dot battle-rap event, and now Maestro Fresh Wes and Rich Kidd releasing a new music video for "Born In Toronto". For those who don't know, Maestro Fresh Wes is... Read more

February 12, 2015 Video

25 Years Ago Today, Mike Tyson Falls & President Nelson Mandela Rises

Two historical figures. One instilled fear in the heart of hearts of his opponents in the boxing ring. The other instilled hope and passion for a new beginning for an entire nation. These men, "Iron Mike Tyson" and Nelson Mandela were very much in the daily conversation 25 years ago... Read more

February 11, 2015 Lifestyle

J-Live Finds The Smoothest Way To Say That He’s Out Of Eff’s To Give (Audio)

Like Eminem's first Aftermath Entertainment single, J-Live "just don't give a fuck." The Brooklyn, New York triple-threat released a new track today saying as much. However, in the case of Justice Allah, the track is about all the judges, perhaps in his personal life or in his musical life. He's... Read more

February 11, 2015 Audio

RZA Fires Up The Production Boards For Snoh Aalegra & It’s Funky (Audio)

Throughout the years, RZA produced tracks for a host of female crooners. In addition to the famed first mix of Method Man & Mary J Blige's "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By" single, Bobby Digital laced cuts for Tekitha and Blue Raspberry, the two in-house... Read more

February 11, 2015 Audio

Phife Dawg Proclaims Himself Hip-Hop’s Biggest UNC Fan, Reflects On Dean Smith

In a recent interview with The Shadow League, A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg shared his relationship with sports and how he eventually got into basketball after dabbling in baseball and football. Most could tell Phife was a sports fanatic by the many sports references in his raps, but Phife... Read more

February 11, 2015 Lifestyle

Joey Bada$$’s J Dilla & The Roots-Produced Cut Gets A DMX-Inspired Visual (Video)

With the Dilla Day spirit on high, Joey Bada$$ unleashes the visual for "Like Me." This is his B4.Da.$$ showpiece, boasting production by The Roots and a posthumous J Dilla credit. With the just-released video, it's especially interesting that Badman quite obviously presents his take on DMX's 1998 breakthrough video... Read more

February 11, 2015 The Bridge

GZA & Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello Rock Out Amidst The Dark Matter (Audio)

The Wu-Tang Clan's GZA has been working on his seventh solo album for a few years, and has now released the first single from the upcoming Dark Matter album. The song, "The Mexican", is a remake of Babe Ruth's 1972 song of the same name, and features Rage Against The... Read more

February 11, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Kool G Rap vs. Ras Kass…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 11, 2015 Fresh

Slum Village Shock the System with the Visuals for E(I)GO (Video)

On the heels of Dilla Weekend, Slum Village release the video for "E(I)GO." T3, Illa J, and Young RJ and guest Rosewood 2055 carry on tradition for the group started by the late producer and artist. The black and white video features the group members interspersed with provocative images, including... Read more

February 11, 2015 Video

David Banner, N.O.R.E., Jon Connor & Sizzla Are Warriors Within DJ EFN’s All-Star Arsenal (Audio Premiere)

Less than a month away from his Another Time superstar-stacked album, DJ EFN premieres "Warrior" with Ambrosia For Heads. The song links longtime EFN affiliate N.O.R.E. together with another former Penalty Records star in David Banner, as well as Flint, Michigan Aftermath Entertainment MC Jon Connor. Jamaican Reggae star Sizzla... Read more

February 11, 2015 Audio

The Beat Junkies Honor J Dilla With A Scorching 2015 Remembrance Mix (Audio)

One of the subtleties that makes Dilla Day (February 10) so special in recent years is majorly due to The Beat Junkies and DJ J. Rocc. The Los Angeles, California DJ, who was the third—often uncredited—member of JayLib, finds new and innovative ways to praise his friend, collaborator, and Stones... Read more

February 10, 2015 Audio

J Dilla, Common & James Poyser Caught On Questlove’s Camera, Working In The Studio (Video)

One of the definitive albums of J Dilla's career was not his own, but rather, Common's Like Water For Chocolate. Comm's first LP out of the No I.D. and Dug Infinite pocket welcomed Jay Dee, Questlove, D'Angelo, James Poyser and the Soulquarians to the mix, along with DJ Premier and... Read more

February 10, 2015 Throwback

Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD Deliver Tone’s Rap and a Bundle of Goodness (Audio)

Ghostface Killah's blatant disregard for convention has made him a true Hip-Hop original. Since his Enter To Wu-Tang flows, which stood apart from all others on the track, Dennis Coles proved he wasn't the typical rapper. Playing with a hot hand, he blesses "Tone's Rap" (as premiered at 2DopeBoyz) with... Read more

February 10, 2015 Audio

Jarren Benton & Hopsin Welcome Locksmith To Their Lyrical Lair (Video)

Jarren Benton's just-released digital EP, Slow Motion is nothing to sleep on. "Killin' My Soul" pairs Jarren with Hopsin, who co-founded the label Benton found success on. The tandem welcomes Northern California's Locksmith to the equation. In the polished visual, all three MCs show that place that they write and... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Sadat X, General Steele & Channel Live’s Hakim Green Light Up A Roundtable Freestyle (Video)

With his Never Left album in stores (and available for snippet-stream), Sadat X is on an award tour. The Brand Nubian co-founder was a guest on Tony Touch's Toca Tuesday show. However, Derek was far from alone. Smif-n-Wessun's General Steele and Channel Live's Hakim Green were in on a roundtable... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

9 Years Since J Dilla Left Us, Frank Nitt & Slum Village Have A Timely Message (Video)

Nine years to the day since James Yancey left us, Frank-N-Dank's Frank Nitt (f/k/a Frank Nitti) drops the visual for a tie-in song. "Money On Mind," joined by his Yancey Boys cohort Illa J (Dilla's brother) as well as Jay Dee's Slum Village cofounder, T3, the record looks at how... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Follow Fashawn Home To Fresno, California As He Stakes His Claim (Video)

Two Tuesdays away from Fashawn's sophomore studio solo LP, The Ecology (February 24), the Fresno, California MC brings the cameras home. From the streets of the Central Valley, Fash' hops on his skateboard and hits the streets for "Guess Who's Back," showing that he's the same low-profile lyrical visionary from... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Lil’ Kim vs. Ghostface Killah…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 10, 2015 Fresh

Raise It Up: Grasping The Entire Greatness Of J Dilla In Retrospect (Food For Thought)

On the heels of the first expanded Dilla Weekend, it is difficult to ignore the growth in posthumous fame that James Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee or J Dilla) has accrued since passing away on this date, nine years ago. Like Amadeus Mozart's and Vincent Van Gogh's before him, Dilla's legacy... Read more

February 10, 2015 Food for Thought

Joell Ortiz Drops Fiery Verses in Between Compliments From Kanye West (Audio)

During an appearance on NYC's Hot 97 in 2011, Kanye West spoke on what artists he liked at the time and one name was front and center: JOELL ORTIZ. Ye, spoke extensively about Ortiz's talent, elaborating on the Slaughterhouse member's rhyme technique and even referencing specific lines. Years later, Joell... Read more

February 10, 2015 Audio

Lord Finesse Freaks The SP-1200 & Offers 5-Minutes Of Delightful Instrumental Snippets (Audio)

Lord Finesse is a giant behind the boards. The Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy knew it. Dr. Dre knows it. From 2001 to Ready To Die to Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous to Word...Life, the Bronx, New York legend has production credits on classic albums, not to mention his own three acclaimed releases. The... Read more

February 10, 2015 Throwback

Kenn Starr & Black Milk’s Collaboration Says A Lasting Goodbye (Video Premiere)

Every so often, an MC completely captures the love of the art, with the jaded response of those who receive the music (fans and otherwise). Records like Main Flow & Talib Kweli's "Hip-Hop Worth Dying For," Little Brother's "The Listening," Torae & Marco Polo's "Crashing Down," catches the zeitgeist of... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Kendrick Lamar Emerges With A Potent Commentary On Being Black In 2015 (Audio)

With "i" winning two Grammy Awards last night (February 8), Kendrick Lamar advances the conversation with the second song from his sophomore major label album. "The Blacker The Berry," is a dense, inward look at being Black in 2015. The song pulls no punches about hatred in the world, both... Read more

February 9, 2015 Audio

It’s A Backroads Drag Race For Yelawolf’s Down (Video)

In the Ghet-O-Vision days, cars added a ton to Yelawolf's videos. Now with the added value of Shady Records backing, ain't nothin' changed. For "Down," the Shady XV single, a lifted '70s K-series Chevrolet pick-up truck and a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle (as seen in other Yela' videos) lead the charge... Read more

February 9, 2015 Video

Pro Era’s Kirk Knight Gets Rowdy On His First Album Single (Audio)

With Joey Bada$$ making maneuvers on the charts, Heads can expect the Pro Era team to be ramping up retail production. Kirk Knight, who's been a star within the circle, might just be next. Although details are extremely slim surrounding Kirk's album—including so much as a title, the Brooklyn, New... Read more

February 9, 2015 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Links with Dance Music Sensation Kiesza on Teach Me (Lyric Video)

Often times, an album's bonus cut is its rawest, most on the fringe inclusion—something that either the label or the artist was unsure about, for whatever reason. In the case of Joey Bada$$' chart-grabbing B4.Da.$$ debut, "Teach Me" was quite the opposite. The Kiesza-assisted song is among Joey's most Pop-leaning... Read more

February 9, 2015 Video