Fresh Archives

Funk Volume Turns Up With Fresh, Thoughtful Dizzy Wright & Hopsin Freestyles (Videos)

Funk Volume continues to dig in their foot-hold in the Hip-Hop game. While Hopsin and Dizzy Wright are polar opposites in many ways, they both uphold this time-tested truth: say somethin' when you touch the microphone. Stopping through Tim Westwood's London booth at the BBC, each MC blazes up with... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ja Rule Details Why His Super Group With DMX & JAY-Z Fell Apart (Video)

JUNE 2, 2021 UPDATE: While the original interview has been scrubbed from the Internet, here is a recent discussion of Ja Rule addressing Murder Incorporated: ORIGINAL OCTOBER 19, 2014 STORY: Ja Rule performed during the Def Jam 30th Anniversary celebration at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last week. After, he... Read more

October 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Stalley Releases the Official Video for Always Into Something (Video)

Stalley's "Always Into Something" has a distinct West Coast vibe, both with the N.W.A. reminiscent title and the hard-hitting sonics. So, it's no surprise that the visuals for the song, also featuring Ty Dolla $ign, have followed suit. In a scene reminiscent of Boyz N The Hood, Stalley shows what... Read more

October 19, 2014 Video

Ever Catch This Rare Method Man & Redman Freestyle From 1998? (Audio)

Some things never get old...such as off the top verses (and a couple writtens) from Redman and Method Man. Here's a rare cypher from back in the day (circa 1998) featuring Tical, the Funk Doctor Spock and Mr. Loose (who's also quite nice) on WNYU. The verses start at the... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Do Remember: O.C.’s “Born 2 Live” (Video)

Twenty years ago today (October 18), O.C. released his debut album, Word...Life. On the now-defunct-but-legendary Wild Pitch Records, the Organized Konfusion affiliate (who would later become an integral part of Diggin' In The Crates) made his debut featuring involvement from emerging producer Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry... Read more

October 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Surock & Blu Go Off on a G-Funk Banger. Get Your Broccoli (Audio)

This is a welcome surprise. Surock teams up with Blu on a heavy G-Funk-influenced banger. "Broccoli" is a reference to another green celebrated back in the day by Dr. Dre and the sticky funk is the perfect soundtrack. Check it out. Related: Love Lives After Armageddon With L’Orange & Blu’s... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio

Project Pat Links with Rick Ross and His Brother Juicy J on His Latest (Audio)

Project Pat links with younger brother Juicy J and Rick Ross on the hard-hitting track "Imma Get Me Sum." The track is from Pat's upcoming Cheez N Dope 3 release. Check it out. Related: Rick Ross Gets the Assist From R. Kelly on Keep Doin’ That (Audio)... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio

Boaz Links with Termanology, Oddisee & Vinny Radio on Like This Remix (Audio)

Boaz is official. His album Intuition will be released on Tuesday and it is packed with bangers. His latest single is a remix to "Like This." The East Coast version features Oddisee, Termanology and Vinny Radio. Check it out. Related: Boaz Releases the Video for His Red Hot Collabo with... Read more

October 18, 2014 Audio

Rick Rubin Returns to the Dorm Room Where Def Jam Was Founded for the First Time in 30 Years (Video)

In a year of tributes to Def Jam, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, this might just be the best. Rolling Stone followed Rick Rubin to the NYU dorm room where he started the legendary record label and had not returned to since. Rather than just interviewing Rubin, RS used the journey... Read more

October 17, 2014 Throwback

Lil Dicky Hits The Backroom With One Of The Smoothest, Fastest, Most Confident Raps Out (Video)

Out of thin air, Philadelphia's Lil Dicky swings through the "106 & Park" Backroom booth where he simply shakes apart the walls with a fast, highly-confident freestyle that is both original and humorous. Like his "No, I will not fix your computer shirt," L.D. (Larry David, as he explains) uses... Read more

October 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Curren$y Is A Drug Store Cowboy, Rallying Up Pescriptions In Audio (Video)

In the late night hour, on those New Orleans streets, Spitta Andretti himself (a/k/a Curren$y) parks in front of an all-night prescription drug store to break down how he kicks these over-the-counter rhymes, that are readily available for free samples, like, say, More Saturday Night Car Tunes. Related: Curren$y’s Releases... Read more

October 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Phife Dawg vs. Queen Latifah…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

October 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Lupe Fiasco is Feeling Lost In The Atlantic Ocean (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco is gearing up for a busy three months. The 1st & 15th veteran plans Lost In The Atlantic Ocean, the tongue-in-cheek titled effort alluding to how one of the few gold-selling artists on Atlantic is often treated less than the major's flagship, or quite differently than recent stars... Read more

October 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah Bring Elzhi Out For Gunshowers (Audio)

Ten years ago, would you ever imagine Ghostface Killah (then a key Def Jam acquisition) and Elzhi (then running with Slum Village) together? BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghost's Sour Soil makes that happen on "Gunshowers." This intricate instrumentation opens the gate for El' and Starks to bombard the microphone with sharp verbals,... Read more

October 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Don’t Know Boaz? Listen to This Stone Cold Groove with Mac Miller (Audio)

Pittsburgh's Boaz has put together one of the strongest collections of songs so far this year. Having released cuts with Scarface, Styles P, Jadakiss, Murs, Fashawn and Crooked I, as well as his own hot solos, he now teams with hometown partner in rhyme, Mac Miller. Backed by a soulful... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio

Chance The Rapper States What He Hates On No Better Blues (Audio)

Chance The Rapper hates a lot, but he's no hater. "No Better Blues" is a beautifully-executed example of repetitious concept Rap. Teaming with Social Experiment, Chance vents about all the things he'd like to do with away, in his own case of the blues. "It just don't get no better,"... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ma$e, Puff Daddy, Jadakiss, Cam’ron & D-Dot Recall Making Feels So Good (Video)

Seventeen years ago this week, Bad Boy Records released "Feels So Good," the Kool & The Gang-sampling lead single from Harlem World which was a critical break for Ma$e. In Complex's "Magnum Opus" series, Ma$e is joined by the song's producers, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, in... Read more

October 16, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Slick Rick vs. Shock G…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

October 16, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Kokane, Kurupt & Joe Young Go Three the Hard Way on U Know Me Remix (Audio)

Two West Coast O.G's, Kokane and Kurupt, continue their collaborative history. Tha Dogg Pound co-founder and the longtime Above The Law affiliate, who were both tied to Death Row Records in The Chronic era, as well as during the early 2000s, link up once more. With Joe Young, the "U... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Remy Ma Explains Making Deeper Songs, Papoose’s Unwavering Support (Video)

HOT 97's new series, "The Reflection" is quite amazing. These sort of function something like MTV's "The Diary," VH1's "Storytellers," and NPR's "Fresh Air." However, viewers never get the questions, only the explanations, which are edited together to appear like a cool, seamless autobiographical narrative. For Remy Ma, opening up... Read more

October 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Snoh & Common Say Bad Things Over A No ID Instrumental (Audio)

The history between Common and No ID has been well documented for some years, but their relationship with Swedish R&B songstress Snoh may be a little lesser known to the average Head. Looking up to iconic artists including her all-time hero, Michael Jackson, Snoh Aalegra began honing in on her... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ras Kass, Xzibit, Royce Da 5’9″ & Bishop Lamont Are On A Brutal Lyrical Safari (Audio)

Whoa! From Ras Kass & Apollo Brown's upcoming Blasphemy album, the tandem releases "Giraffe Pussy." While the title possibly conjures up some difficult images, the song itself is one of the biggest, most brutal lyrical super-collaborations this year. Xzibit, who rocked with Razzy since the Golden State Warriors days (with... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Throws Back To Mary J. Blige’s My Life Throwback, All Night Long (Audio)

In the late 2014 canon of Raekwon #TBTs (now 18 of them), this remixed rendition of Mary J. Blige's "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" just might be the most fitting. Released 20 years ago next month from My Life, the Puff Daddy & Chucky Thompson-produced cut was in itself a... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Mick Jenkins Looks Deep Into The Water[s], Discusses Reflection Eternal Influence (Food For Thought Interview)

As the infrastructure of Hip-Hop in Chicago, and the excess of young talented artists concocting it continues to swiftly evolve, the eccentric and unflappable twenty-three year old MC, Mick Jenkins, has recently ascended near the top of the budding movement. Initially hinting at his lyrical aptitude with the 2012 release... Read more

October 16, 2014 Food for Thought, Fresh

What Goes Through the Minds of Run the Jewels When They Record? Watch and See (Video)

There is nothing serene about the music from Run the Jewels. Killer Mike & El-P have been consistently putting out some of the darkest, hardest and most politically-charged music in Hip-Hop for the last few years. So, would you believe a lot of this material was conceived and recorded in... Read more

October 16, 2014 Video

DJ Quik Discusses His Extensive History, Details Origins Of MC Eiht Beef (Audio)

DJ Quik is on the media circuit once again. David Blake swung through New York City, appearing on Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds' Juan Epstein podcast. Working chronologically (beginning from 28:00), Quik goes from his days of slanging tapes that covered the left side of the Mississippi River, into Quik... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Vince Staples Has Got That Fire (Video)

Vince Staples has had a big year. After a very prominent feature on Common's single "Kingdom," the up and coming Long Beach MC recently shared the stage with Comm and Jay Electronica at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Now, capitalizing on his growing heat, Staples brings that "Fire" with his... Read more

October 15, 2014 Video

Joe Budden Teams with Ransom on Make a Deal (Audio)

Joe Budden releases another track from his SomeLove series leading up to the release of his Some Love Lost album (11/4). "Make a Deal" is another dark and brooding track from Budden where he and Ransom recount what they would discuss with God if they had the opportunity. Check it... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio

After Smashing the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Snow Tha Product Releases a New Song (Audio)

For those who were not familiar with Snow Tha Product before her rapid-fire, bilingual Cypher in last night's BET Hip Hop Awards, she made a big impression. For others, she brought the ruckus as expected. Following up on her performance, Snow releases a moody new single with Ty Dolla $ign.... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio

Brandy, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo & Queen Latifah Perform I Wanna Be Down Remix (Video)

Nearly 20 years after the release of one of Hip-Hop's finest remixes, Brandy, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo and Queen Latifah reunited at the BET Hip Hop Awards for a sizzling performance of "I Wanna Be Down." You could feel the excitement in the building mounting as each MC took the visually... Read more

October 15, 2014 Video

Finding The GOAT: Big Boi vs. Prodigy…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

October 15, 2014 Fresh

Ice Cube & Chuck D Recall The Transition From N.W.A To Amerikkka’s Most Wanted

In the spring of 1990, Ice Cube broke out in his solo career with Amerikkka's Most Wanted. The controversially-titled Priority Records release found the South Central, California MC out of N.W.A, and amicably so at that point. A would-be platinum album, in many circles, it contends as Cube's finest work.... Read more

October 15, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Lil Herb, Common & Chance the Rapper Say No Matter How Hard Things Get, Never Quit (Video)

Lil Herb's "Fight or Flight Remix" featuring Common and Chance the Rapper is at times bleak, but the overriding message is, no matter how bad things have been or might get, never quit and never give in. The video captures these themes with both images of destruction and those of... Read more

October 15, 2014 Video

Doug E. Fresh Receives I Am Hip-Hop Award With A Moving Speech (Video)

Last night (October 14), during BET's airing of the 2014 Hip-Hop Awards, Harlem's Doug E. Fresh was the recipient of the I Am Hip-Hop Award. Taking the stage, the "Human Beat Box" thanked the Original Get Fresh Crew, with whom he recorded for nearly a decade. Doug thanked Slick Rick,... Read more

October 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big K.R.I.T. Kicks A So-Sincere Verse From Cadillactica On Sway In The Morning (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. doesn't freestyle. He tells Sway Calloway as much during this week's stop on Sway In The Morning. However, when urged to take a minute to gather an upcoming collection of couplets, after a quick freestlye over "Mind Playing Tricks on Me," K.R.I.T. comes out of nowhere with a... Read more

October 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Did Kanye West Give Tyga The Ultimate Banger In 40 Mill? (Audio)

With his new family, Kanye West's fallen back from a prolific production output the last year and a half. However, the G.O.O.D. Music founder still has heat behind the boards, and continues to evolve with his sound and style. Heads may be surprised to see that Mr. West really locked... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Random Axe Makes A Rare Group Appearance With Scum (Audio)

From Black Milk's If There's A Hell Below (October 28), his Random Axe outfit (Black Milk, Sean Price & Guilty Simpson) make their second appearance together this year on "Scum." One of the finest, hardest, and well—scummiest Sean Price verses in some years appears in a song with three different... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here Are the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers. Who Had the Best Verse (Video)

The 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards featured a variety of artists and different styles. From up and comers to grizzled veterans, each had something to prove. Many also had something meaningful to say, with references to the killing of Mike Brown and the protests in Ferguson manifesting throughout several verses.... Read more

October 15, 2014 Video

The Family of Mike Brown Joins Common Onstage at the BET Hip Hop Awards (Video)

In a moment that was truly bigger than Hip-Hop (or any other form of music), the parents of Mike Brown, who was gunned down by police in Ferguson, MO, took the stage during the BET Hip Hop Awards at the conclusion of Common's performance of his "Kingdom Remix" with Vince... Read more

October 15, 2014 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Gets His Grown Man on in the Video for Pay Attention (Video)

From the beginning, Big K.R.I.T.'s song "Pay Attention," featuring Rico Love, announced a new chapter for the Mississippi MC. K.R.I.T. allowed Jim Jonsin to take the production reins as he got into grown and sexy mode. The video for the song also reflects K.R.I.T.'s evolution. Rather than take a trip... Read more

October 14, 2014 Video

PRhyme (DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9″) Release the Artwork and Tracklist for Their New EP

DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" shook up the Hip-Hop world last month when they announced they were forming a group called PRhyme, Premier's first since Gang Starr. After releasing a teaser and a single, they now reveal the artwork and tracklist. The project will feature production from Preemo, samples... Read more

October 14, 2014 Fresh

Finding The GOAT: DJ Quik vs. Too Short…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

October 14, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Jay Rock Releases His First Solo Song in Nearly a Year. Be Warned (Audio)

Make no mistake, though he has been relatively quiet compared to his Black Hippy brethren over the last few years, Jay Rock is still a Top Dawg. He marks his return with "Parental Advisory," his first solo release in nearly a year. Far from shying away from the West Coast... Read more

October 14, 2014 Audio

Murs & Fashawn Beast Up For DJ JS-1, Telling It Like It Is (Audio)

While they've connected in recent years, Murs & Fashawn go back in the bag for the Rocksteady Crew's DJ JS-1. Murs gets back in that Varsity Blues mindstate, chronicling his days selling herb in the gang-infested streets of early 1990s Los Angeles. Fashawn does the same, reviewing how he was... Read more

October 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Philadelphia International Records Closes Its Doors, Building To Be Demolished

From Teddy Pendergrass to Michael Jackson, The O'Jays to The Intruders, Billy Paul to Bunny Sigler, an array of legends recorded at and for Philadelphia International Records, where together they formed "The Sound Of Philadelphia." Tragically, the label started by Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble is closing its doors. It... Read more

October 14, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Big Sean Highlights His Clever Wordplay On Extended Freestyle (Video)

Big Sean hit Philadelphia's longtime DJ Cosmic Kev to drop off nearly six minutes of non-stop freestyle bars over a bevy of different beats. Along the way, Sean really locks in with the kind of bouncing, homonym-driven wordplay that made him a breakout star. Along the way, he even alludes... Read more

October 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pulp Fiction, Still Cool, Compelling & Game-Changing 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

Twenty years ago today (October 14), the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction opened in theaters. The film starring a Hollywood re-tread (John Travolta), a character actor (Samuel L. Jackson), and a relative unknown (Umma Thurman), as well as a host of other actors, would go on to become an icon... Read more

October 14, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

Yelawolf Provides A Chilly Narrative For Til It’s Gone (Video)

With the lyric video already abuzz, Yelawolf releases the official video for Love Story single, "Til It's Gone." With Catfish Billy on an air-boat, surrounded by snakes, alligators, and a most Darwinist view of nature, the visual tells the story of a man out to feed his child, while owing... Read more

October 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

On An Island Of Isolation, Logic Says He Feels Like He’s Buried Alive (Audio)

Gearing up for Under Pressure (October 21), Logic admits to feeling just that. "Buried Alive" is a confession in audio, not unlike some of the moments heard from the Baltimore, Maryland's contemporaries such as Kendrick Lamar and Chance The Rapper. Feeling alone, the Visionary Music Group MC talks about fame-seekers,... Read more

October 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

March On Washington With Oddisee & Diamond District (Album Stream)

Mello Music Group has offered—as they always seem to—the latest album stream from the Tucson, Arizona-based label. This one comes highly anticipated, the sophomore group effort from Diamond District. The Washington, D.C. trio of Oddisee, yU, and X.O. March On Washington over 14 tracks based around lyrical darts and thumping... Read more

October 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh