Fresh Archives

Your Old Droog Joins Lil Fame, Sean Price & Milano On This Dusty Throwback (Audio)

Aside from a Mac Miller cut ("Sleepers..."), Your Old Droog got on without much vocal assistance. Droog's staple producer DJ Skizz gave him the ultimate cast of hardcore New York MCs on "Hot Breath." The budding sensation is joined by Heltah Skeltah's Sean Price, M.O.P.'s Lil Fame, and even D.I.T.C.... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem & Shady Records Plan 66-Song DJ Whoo Kid Double Mixtape

The news surrounding Shady Records' Shady XV won't stop getting bigger. As if including a demo version of "Lose Yourself" didn't sweeten the deal to a ground-swelling Shady cXVpher, it gets better... In a new Rap Radar podcast with Whoo Kid and Eminem's manager/Shady CEO Paul Rosenberg, it has been... Read more

November 19, 2014 Fresh

Rick Ross, Jay Z & Timbaland’s Movin Bass Began As A Tink Song. Hear It (Audio)

Released one week ago, Rick Ross and Jay Z's latest tandem, "Movin' Bass" premiered. This latest collision happened on a jolting Timbaland beat. However, this week suggests that the high-profile union actually began as a beat and song intended for a much lesser-known artist: Tink. Tink is Timbo's latest protege,... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Cole Loves His Fans’ Company More Than Their Money (Video)

Less than a month away from his 2014 Forest Hills Drive album, his third LP, J. Cole and The Fader released this intimate look at J. Cole's reasoning behind his Dollar And A Dream Tour. The North Carolina MC/producer seems to be focused heavily on his own small town beginnings.... Read more

November 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Still Built For Cuban Links…Wu-Tang Clan Dedicates A Cut To The Necklaces (Audio)

Although they sometimes don't get due credit for it, the Wu-Tang Clan are masters of jewelry Rap. It can be easy to forget that Ghostface Killah famously battled his watch (voiced as Raekwon) 15 years ago. The Chef also dedicated his two most revered solo LPs to those who appreciated... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Ol’ Dirty Bastard vs. Lil Fame…Who You Got?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

November 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Carlitta Durand’s Time Has Come. This Little Brother Affiliate Shines (Audio)

For years and years, Carlitta Durand has thrived alongside the Justus League/Jamla Records family on acclaimed releases like Little Brother's LeftBack, Phonte's Charity Starts At Home, and most recently on Foreign Exchange's Love In Flying Colors. The North Carolina songbird is stepping into her own. "Find A Way" doesn't sound... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Tension Is Captured In Common & Snoh’s Bad Things (Video)

In addition to the acclaimed work on Nobody Smiling, and his upcoming (amazing) appearance on Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier's PRhyme, one of Common's more interesting 2014 moments is "Bad Things" alongside Snoh Aalegra. Produced by No I.D., the track is a heavily stylized narrative. So for the video,... Read more

November 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

TDE’s First Lady SZA Returns With Some Bluesy Sobriety (Audio)

Though she is the first lady of TDE, both literally and figuratively, SZA has blazed her own path. Far from a rapper, like her label mates, the talented young songstress' music defies convention. A true musical chameleon, she can effortlessly flip from channeling Bjork to Erykah Badu and everything in... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio

Finding The GOAT: Elzhi vs. Blu…Who You Got?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh

What If Biggie’s Warning Was a Real-Life Situation Happening to a Family? (Video)

This one slipped through the cracks...Earlier in the year, the CatManCan Do Film Posse decided to do a short film based on a re-enactment of the lyrics to the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Warning." The catch? The song's conversation is held among a small town family in their kitchen and the bedroom... Read more

November 18, 2014 Video

The LOX Speak on How Battle Rap Has Changed Over the Years (Video)

Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch, three of Hip-Hop's finest lyrical sharp shooters, sat with Watch Loud to discuss the differences between battle rap now and when they were participants in the verbal sport. Sheek and Styles speak about the differences of battling when accompanied with a beat vs. the... Read more

November 18, 2014 Video

Sadat X & Cormega Can Put Their Feet Up After All They’ve Achieved (Video)

After six months in audio, Sadat X & Cormega's "On Fire" video comes to life. Finding the pair of great MCs in luxurious New York City elements, the song celebrates the consistency, pedigree, and popularity of the two artists with history going back to the late '80s. This comes from... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Eminem’s Massive Hit Lose Yourself Began In The Form Of A Fragmented Demo (Audio)

Eminem has handfuls of huge hits. The 8 Mile anthem, "Lose Yourself" is one of Marshall Mathers' most enduring singles, due to its wide-reaching application to life, beyond its Battle Rap context. However, did you know that the 2002, Academy Award-winning, six-times-platinum #1 hit began as a quirky demo? On... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Essence Of Mary J. Blige Awakens In Her Next Single (Audio)

Mary J. Blige Heads seem a bit polarized by what they've heard from MJB's The London Sessions (December 2). Yonkers' own Queen of Hip-Hop R&B is dabbling with that Disclosure production and in turn, her latest sound. However, the latest glimpse, "Not Loving You" hones in on the pained songwriting,... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

30 Of Your Favorite Rappers Are Getting Together On One Track (Video)

Just days after the Shady cXVpher rattled the Hip-Hop nation, traveling to five locations to film one grandiose, show-stopping cypher, a new trend in Hip-Hop may be on the rise. Noisey/VICE have announced Rap Monument. With a trailer released, this video plans to combine 30 artists in their element, for... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rick Ross Shows How to Get a Body Just Like His With This Workout (Video)

Ever look at Rick Ross and wonder how you could get a body just like his? Well, the secret has been unlocked as Ross reveals several tips on how to "look like a boss with RossFit" in this hilarious new video from Funny or Die. Ross shows his strict daily... Read more

November 18, 2014 Video

It’s A Cold World When Pusha T & Kanye West Are On One (Audio)

If you liked last year's My Name Is My Name album, Pusha T gives more of the hardest element of the G.O.O.D Music LP in "Lunch Money." Based around bullying, King Push's newest track is more of what Clipse/Re-Up Gang Heads love. It's slick talking, mean-spirited Hip-Hop that outs the... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

REKS Sounds Harder Than Ever & This Is Only The Intro To His New LP (Video)

REKS is one of the more hardcore MCs who remains deeply active in Hip-Hop. The Massachusetts native has more than 13 years deep in delivering compelling accounts as a street kid who lives and loves the culture, wanting to be heard. His latest project with Hazardis Soundz, Eyes Watching God... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.O.P. & Maino Are Brooklyn O.G.’s Who Never Dodge (Audio)

M.O.P. never got that album they were promised from Jay Z at Roc-A-Fella Records or the one with 50 Cent at G-Unit some years later. However, after "Ante Up" became an early 2000s anthem, and "Cold As Ice" followed onto radio waves, nobody can argue that Lil Fame and Billy... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rick Gonzalez Gets a Vintage Verse From Kool G Rap (Audio)

Rick Gonzales continues to establish his Hip-Hop credibility. In addition to having legit lyrical skills, the actor-turned-rapper (formerly known as Realm Reality) has consistently associated himself with some of Hip-Hop's finest wordsmiths. Having signed with Mobb Deep's Prodigy, he's made records with Joell Ortiz, blu, Roc Marciano, among others. Now,... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio

Havoc Offers Up All Of 13: Reloaded For Perusal (Album Stream)

Havoc took 2013's 13, and went back and made some adjustments for the digital release, 13: Reloaded. The Mobb Deep music mercenary brought Prodigy, Cormega, Raekwon, Sheek Louch, and Mysonne out for 14 tracks about grim street life, rising the ranks through the Rap industry, as he says, "it's all... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Guru vs. Large Professor…Who You Got?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Royce Da 5’9″ & DJ Premier Give All Access In The First Part of This Gripping Mini-Documentary (Video)

On the simple surface, Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier's PRhyme project may seem like a purist's buffet of rhymes and beats. However, there's much more to this storyline in the two careers that frequently intersected over the last 15 years. In part one to the "Raiders Of The Lost... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson Borrow Pharrell’s Musical Time Machine, Setting The Dial To 1983 (Video)

For the second time in a week, Mark Ronson "goes back, way back." After channeling 1971 James Brown alongside Mystikal, the British producer brings in Bruno Mars for a 1983-inspired "Uptown Funk." With excellent visuals and choreography, Bruno takes a suit, hat, and gold medallion from the Scarface wardrobe closet,... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cormega Has Spit Some Of His Finest Verses Acapella. How’s Reflection Stack Up? (Video)

Cormega's Mega Philosophy is still making its rounds months later, revered by many Heads as one of the best Hip-Hop albums of the year. The Queensbridge veteran frequently spits to silence to drive his words home, especially when it's something the original Firm member feels you should hear. This is... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ghostface Killah, Kool G Rap & AZ Provide A Cautionary Street Tale (Audio)

All of the 36 Seasons are heating up! For the second weekday in a row, Ghostface Killah unleashes some new content. "The Battlefield" is one of the several appearances by Kool G Rap and AZ on the Tommy Boy Records LP. Also including The Revelations' vocalist Tre Williams, this cut... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jerry Seinfeld Tells Wale To Spazz Out On Complex…In This Hilarious Spoof (Video)

Eleven months ago, Heads might recall Wale flipping out on Complex magazine's Music Department for the exclusion of The Gifted from the Top 50 Albums Of 2013. In the recorded call, the Maybach Music Group artist threatened to visit the Midtown Manhattan offices the next day, and urged them to... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

It’s Official. J. Cole is Releasing His Next Album on December 9th (Video)

After listings for a J. Cole album popped up on iTunes and Amazon earlier, rumors spread that the Roc Nation MC was releasing his 3rd major label album on December 9th. Well, it's official. Jermaine has confirmed via Twitter and YouTube that his next album will be called 2014 Forest... Read more

November 17, 2014 Video

Imagine Nas Recording The World Is Yours. It Would Look Like This (Video)

Vice has put together a cool concept called Most Valid Reason, in partnership with Sony, where they record artists doing a cappella versions of their songs. For Vol. 1 of the series, they turned to Nas for an extremely minimalist rendition of his classic, "The World is Yours." Nas is... Read more

November 16, 2014 Video

Kendrick Lamar Brings Out Jay Rock to Crash His Saturday Night Live Party (Video)

Kendrick Lamar took the stage on Saturday Night Live for the second time in 2 years. He performed an extremely animated version of his single "i," complete with a funky live band, black contact lenses and even choreography from the video. He also flipped the flow of the song to... Read more

November 16, 2014 Video

Does Ty Dolla $ign Have A Solo Hit, Produced By Diplo & DJ Dahi? (Audio)

For almost two years now, Los Angeles, California's Ty Dolla $ign has been one of the hottest things in Hip-Hop. Signed to Taylor Gang, working closely with YG and DJ Mustard, and producing for Chris Brown and Problem, Ty has been an invincible force, blending R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop melodies... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Says He’ll Finally Battle Rakim For Half A Million Dollars (Video)

This week, VladTV asked Big Daddy Kane, in the multi-part interview, if he'd battle longtime rival, contender as one of the greatest MCs of all-time, Rakim. Specifically, DJ Vlad proposed the notion of the Brooklyn, New York Juice Crew legend taking on his Long Island, New York contemporary for a... Read more

November 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common Leads a Troop of Artists Raising Awareness About Climate Change (Audio)

This is refreshing. In a throwback to times when Hip-Hop stood for something and spoke up for change, Common has teamed with Malik Yusef, Kumasi, Aaron Fresh, Choklate, and Laci Kay on the song "Trouble in the Water." The song is part of a forthcoming project called HOME which seeks... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio

Big K.R.I.T.’s Gospel-Influenced Saturday = Celebration is One of His Finest Songs Ever (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica album is quite possibly his best work, yet. K.R.I.T. is in top lyrical form and, with the addition of several talented outside producers, his music has never sounded better. One of the many standouts on the album is the Gospel-influenced, tribal drum-heavy "Saturday = Celebration." With K.R.I.T.'s... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio

CL Smooth Bobs & Weaves On This Bouncy Shuko Beat (Audio)

CL Smooth is not big on an abundance of appearances. Instead the New Rochelle, New Yorker looks on at Hip-Hop from afar, admiring his contributions, especially those over two revered LPs and an EP with Pete Rock. However, Shuko, the German producer whose beats have sounded great alongside the likes... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Beanie Sigel vs. Freeway…Who You Got?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

November 14, 2014 Fresh

Bundle Up For The Album Sampler To Ghostface Killah’s 36 Seasons (Audio)

In three weeks, Ghostface Killah's 36 Seasons will be released by Tommy Boy Records. With AZ, Kool G Rap and Pharoahe Monch in the supporting cast, this is a lyrically-driven LP on paper. Similarly, with Lil Fame, 45 King, and The Revelations on the boards, beats appear to have a... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rick Ross & Yo Gotti Team Up on the Soulful Trap Luv (Video)

Rick Ross has a penchant for deep, soulful beats. Tracks like "Super High" and "The Magnificent" are just a couple of the many songs in his catalog that fall in this vein. Ross also has a love for trap bangers like "B.M.F." and the more recent "Elvis Presley Blvd." His... Read more

November 13, 2014 Video

MC Lyte Releases a New Video with Lil Mama (Video)

Fresh off her reunion with Brandy, Yo-Yo and Queen Latifah on the BET Hip Hop Awards, MC Lyte is readying a new album. The latest track from the project is called "Ball" and features Lil Mama and AV. The bouncy beat is a sonic departure from what Lyte fans have... Read more

November 13, 2014 Video

King Los Goes To TOWN, Freestyling Over Alchemist Beats For 15 Minutes (Video)

This is a cool, refreshing concept... Baltimore, Maryland's King Los has earned a reputation for being one of the longest winded, most durable freestylers in the game today. His Backroom appearance, his Sway In The Morning spot, and his Toca Tuesday stop remained three of the most talked about, most... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.O.P. & Chris Rivers Remake A Hardcore Big Pun Album Cut (Audio)

Back in 2000, just months after Big Pun's death, his gold-certified sophomore LP, Yeeeah Baby released. Within the LP, there was an album cut, "New York Giants." This track, co-produced by Bronx, New York producer/MC Minnesota (Mos Def, Diamond D, Money Boss Players), featured Pun's Loud Records label-mates, M.O.P. Although... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

10 Years After His Death, Do Remember: Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Hippa To Da Hoppa (Audio)

Ten years ago today (November 13, 2004), the world lost a great one in Russell Jones. Best known as the Ol' Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan, the Brooklyn, New York MC/singer was a founding member, along with RZA and GZA, in All In Together Now, the first iteration of... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Missy Elliott vs. Ludacris…Who You Got?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh

Giveaway: Gang Starr’s Daily Operation Vinyl LP (Respect The Classics Reissue)

AFH is proud to offer one of our Heads a vinyl LP copy of Gang Starr's Daily Operation. Reissued as part of UMe's "Respect The Classics" series, the 2014 version includes a 3D cover of the artwork prominently featuring the late Guru, DJ Premier, and a symbolic portrait of Malcolm... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

If James Brown Were A Rapper In 2014, He’d Sound Like Mystikal On This Funky Number (Audio)

With his own YMCMB debut, Original, on seeming delay, Mystikal has been a bit mysterious since leaving prison. While he's been at work with Mannie Fresh, and made some Rich Gang appearances, the 1990s star and onetime No Limit free agent acquisition is certainly quiet, relatively speaking. Mark Ronson, the... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem Released Infinite 18 Years Ago Today

With the anticipated release of his 9th studio album, Shady XV, Eminem continues to prove that he still has a ton of fire left in his gut. Look no further for proof of this fact than with the release of his 18 minute lyrical massacre, "Shady CVXPHER," that recently set... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Ol’ Dirty Bastard Biography Penned & Published By Buddha Monk

On joints like "Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo" and "Prepare For The Buddha Monk," Ol' Dirty Bastard was working beside his close friend and onetime protege, Buddha Monk. Sadly, due to O.D.B.'s untimely 2004 death (10 years ago tomorrow: November 14, 2004), Monk's development never happened as planned. The... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Crooked I Confirms Name-Change To Kxng Crooked

Heads who listened closely to this week's "Shady cXVpher" may have heard Slaughterhouse's Crooked I refer to himself as "Kxng Crooked." MTV News today confirmed today (November 12) that the moniker is more than just a braggy line. "Everything needs to change and everything has to evolve. Creatively, I just... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Juvenile Fits 2014’s YMCMB Sound & He Says Some Real Things Alongside Drake’s Chorus (Audio)

Juvenile is Cash Money for the second time in his career, after a lot of on-again, off-again status with his former label, as well as his (still estranged) producer, Mannie Fresh. Back in the paperwork, Juvy made his debut on "Sho Me Love." With a very simple, straightforward Drake chorus,... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh