Fresh Archives

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Trade Memories With Pharoahe Monch & Rakaa (Audio)

Apollo Brown beats beckon reflection from MCs. Whether O.C., Journalist 103, or Roc Marciano, rappers tend to get nostalgic when they get an opportunity to touch one of these soul-sampling gems from the Michigan native. On "Memories," Ras Kass steps in to recall his days in Watts (before moving to... Read more

September 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jermaine Dupri Discusses His Role With Kris Kross, TLC, & Fresh Fest ’84 (Audio)

Jermaine Dupri hits the Hot 97 studio for an in depth interview with Peter Rosenberg to introduce his new artist Rolls Royce Rizzy in which they discuss his latest single, "Hot Damn," and his upcoming EP. The interview quickly shifts focus from Rizzy to Jermaine as Rosenberg and his cohorts... Read more

September 2, 2014 Audio, Throwback

CJ Fly & Joey Bada$$’s New Visual Features Some Elaborate Settings (Video)

Pro Era's visuals have always been part of their attractive package to the fans. For "Sup Preme," CJ Fly and Joey Bada$$ seemingly leave their streets of Brooklyn for a bricked private school, find an old Cadillac sedan to load into, and some playing to the camera. Joey takes a... Read more

September 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Run The Jewels’ RTJ2’s Tracklist Features An Ode To Akinyele & Zack de la Rocha

After dominating a wealth of 2013 Year-End Lists, Killer Mike & El-P's Run The Jewels battery is recharged with RTJD2, due on October 28. Today, the Fort Greene, Brooklyn-to-Adamsville, Atlanta connect unveiled their tracklisting. Late '90s Rock Heads may appreciate that guests include Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against The... Read more

September 2, 2014 Fresh

Camp Lo Uses Some Classic Hip-Hop Iconography To Host X Seminar (Video)

Camp Lo are veteran masters of back-to-the-future Hip-Hop. Whether it was 1970s street slang decorating the raps of Sonny and Geechie, or it was the artwork, the album themes, or Ski Beatz' illustrious samples, this duo has always had a portal to the past. However, along the way, it was... Read more

September 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Black Milk Plays An Hour-Long Set Of His Futuristic Funk (Video)

Boiler Room DJ sets are great opportunities to test versatile artists in new mediums. Whether Madlib, Pete Rock, or Erykah Badu, all are capable of traditional sets that include bands, microphones, and LCD screens. This medium allows producers in particular to sequence their own productions and projects into a concert,... Read more

September 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Your Old Droog & Prodigy Welcome September As Hoodie Weather (Audio)

Your Old Droog has been an Internet Rap sensation, almost entirely on his own two feet. As some Heads speculated that the long-faceless MC was possibly an MF DOOM/Bumpy Knuckles-styled side project for Nas (with New York City underground Hip-Hop community members previously waving off reports), video footage appeared ,... Read more

September 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Planet Asia’s Got That Fire for His Thai Stick (Audio)

With more than 15 years under his belt, Planet Asia is a bonafide West Coast O.G. And, the Bay Area MC has quietly been one of the most consistent in the game throughout that period. He returns with another lyrically sharp verse over an East Coast-flavored G Force production. Check... Read more

September 1, 2014 Audio

Ready for the Return of the Daywalker? Blade 4 May Be in the Works (Video)

According to the New York Daily News, Wesley Snipes is in discussions to reprise one of his signature roles. In 1998, Snipes depicted Blade, the day-walking, martial-arts fighting vampire who kicked ass and took names later. A few weeks ago while promoting The Expendables III, Snipes himself confirmed he would... Read more

September 1, 2014 Video

Vic Mensa Releases a Remix of Wimme Nah With a Little More BOOM (Audio)

Three weeks after the release of his new single "Wimme Nah," Vic Mensa releases a remix courtesy of Waldo & Sango. This new version preserves the essence of the song but the trapped out drums give the track more BOOM. Check it out. Related: Vic Mensa Releases a Hot New... Read more

September 1, 2014 Audio

Prince Heats It Up With a Slow Jam Like U Know Only He Can (Audio)

Prince is releasing not one but 2 new albums later this month, with Art Official Age and Plectrumelectrum. After raising the roof with the funky ditty "Clouds," he returns with a sultry slow jam. Some things just get better with time...Check out "U Know." Related: Prince Gives Some Game To... Read more

September 1, 2014 Audio

The Week in Video Featured Killer Mike, Remy Ma, The Roots & D’Angelo, Redman & Kurupt, Your Old Droog & More (Video Playlist)

As the Summer winds down, compelling and entertaining videos keep coming. Last week brought new music videos from Redman & Kurupt, Lupe Fiasco, Fredro Starr, Rick Ross, Krazy Drayz (from Das Efx) & Smiff N Wessun, Astro and Remy Ma, freestyles from Stalley, Brianna, Troy Ave and Travi$ Scott, the... Read more

August 31, 2014 Playlists, Video

LL Cool J Jumps on a Mashup of Tinashe’s 2 On & Ain’t Nuthin’ But a G Thang (Audio)

LL Cool J drops a couple of verese on the G Mix of Tinashe's "2 On," which is set to the tune of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Nuthin' But a G Thang." Check it out. Related: In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes... Read more

August 31, 2014 Audio

J. Cole Lights it Up at Made in America in Philadelphia (Video)

J. Cole joined the likes of Kanye West, Big Daddy Kane and more yesterday at the Made in America festival in Philadelphia. Cole ran through a set that included songs from both his albums and his vaunted mixtapes. Check out the performance below. You can also watch a live stream... Read more

August 31, 2014 Video

Kanye West Performs at Made in America in Philadelphia (Video)

Kanye West headlined the Philadelphia stage of the Made in America festival Saturday night and was in top form. The hype surrounding his unprecedented dual-coast slots reached a fever pitch all week, driving the kind of wild setlist speculation usually seen on dedicated hip-hop forums, local radio debates, and offshore... Read more

August 31, 2014 Video

Curren$y Fuels Up With 7-Song EP, Saturday Night Car Tunes (EP)

For nearly a decade, Curren$y has been among Hip-Hop's biggest stars who has never been shy about giving away whole projects for free. The N'awlins native learned from his onetime mentor Lil Wayne that if you want the audience to buy your product, you have to build their dependency. So... Read more

August 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Monie Love & Kwame Celebrate AJ Calloway’s Birthday (Video)

On air personality AJ Calloway (106 & Park, Extra) celebrated his 40th birthday in epic fashion during his #lovelivelifeweekend in Martha's Vineyard. During an 80's themed party Saturday night at the Dreamland club in Oak Bluffs, MA, he was treated to performances from Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Monie Love... Read more

August 31, 2014 Video

DJ Premier Breaks Down 14 of His Classic Tracks in a Deadly Mix (Audio)

Here's volume 1 of DJ Derezon & Tre The Boy Wonder's mix series titled 14 Deadly Secrets. The duo chooses 14 classic cuts from an iconic Hip-Hop producer and then has the producer narrate a blazing mix of those tracks with behind the scenes stories. The first installment of the... Read more

August 30, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Timeless Truth Chop Up Pete Rock’s Strange Fruit (Audio)

If you're going to get on a Pete Rock track that first featured Tragedy Khadafi, Cappadonna & Sticky Fingaz, you better bring it. That's exactly what Timeless Truth did. The Queens duo of Oprime39 and Solace went to work on the track like they should have been on it in... Read more

August 30, 2014 Audio

A$AP Twelvyy Shows A$AP Mob’s Roster is Deep and Diverse (Audio)

A$AP Rocky and Ferg have had the highest profiles out of A$AP Mob to date, but the rest of the crew are on the rise, as well. A$AP Nast came strong alongside Method Man on the monstrous "Trillmatic" and now A$AP Twelvyy lights it up with "Glock Rivers." Like Nast,... Read more

August 30, 2014 Audio

Salute to Little Brother’s Phonte & 9th Wonder Who Will Be Honored by Their College

Shout out to Little Brother's Phonte and 9th Wonder who will be honored by their alma mater, North Carolina Central University, as part of their Forty Under Forty Awards Gala. It's great to see Hip-Hop Scholars recognized as such. North Carolina Central University had this to say about the Gala:... Read more

August 30, 2014 Fresh

Travi$ Scott Kicks a True Off the Top Freestyle on Sway in the Morning (Video)

Many MCs claim to go "off the top" when they freestyle...few actually do it. It takes a different level of courage and skill to let the words flow without guarantee of what will come. Travi$ Scott did just that on Sway in the Morning and you can see the infectious... Read more

August 30, 2014 Video

Deojae Remixes Eric B. & Rakim’s I Know You Got Soul with a Classic Beat (Audio)

Shout out to our readers. Heads have put us on to some dope finds over the years. Now, DJ and producer Deeojae alerts us to his own ill remix of Eric B. & Rakim's classic, "I Know You Got Soul." 80's R&B heads will recognize the blend instantly. Press play... Read more

August 30, 2014 Throwback

Brianna Perry Has Got BARS with Knowledge. Check out this Verse (Video)

Brianna Perry has been on her Rap grind for a minute. So much so that she was the inaugural MC to do Sway's Five Fingers of Death. The talented MC continues to evolve her career which now includes starring in the reality show Sisterhood of Hip-Hop. She returned to Sway... Read more

August 30, 2014 Video

Troy Ave & Young Lito Take on the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle While Counting Money (Video)

BSB's Troy Ave and Young Lito were the latest to take on Sway's 5 Fingers of Death MC challenge where they rhymed over 5 random beats. With no shortage of swagger, the two traded off beat for beat while Troy counted stacks of money. When asked why, he told Sway... Read more

August 30, 2014 Video

Here’s a Hot Mixtape of Erick Sermon Productions with His Commentary (Mixtape)

Here's a dope mix of some of Erick Sermon's most classic productions, featuring commentary from the Green Eyed Bandit himself about the making of each track. This is volume 3 of DJ Derezon & Tre the Boy Wonder's 14 Deadly Secrets series. Check out the stream and download below. Related:... Read more

August 30, 2014 Throwback

How About Some Hardcore? Diabolic Links With DJ Premier (Audio)

For a decade and a half, Diabolic has been aggressively laying down lyrics. A onetime Viper Records artist and Immortal Technique artist, the Long Islander is a critical voice in the hardcore Hip-Hop community that includes Tech, Army Of The Pharaohs, La Coka Nostra, and others. In one of those... Read more

August 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Unsung Profiles the Epic Rise and Fall of Troop in its Latest Episode (Full Video)

With silky smooth singles like "I'm Not Souped," "Spread My Wings" and "All I Do is Think of You," Troop followed the tradition of predecessors like The Jackson 5 and New Edition as dancing and singing male R&B group sensations. And, like many other artists prior to them, their meteoric... Read more

August 29, 2014 Throwback

Lil Herb, Common & Chance the Rapper Reflect on the Struggle in Their Hometown Chicago (Video)

Lil Herb teams with fellow Chicago natives Common and Chance the Rapper on the remix to Fight or Flight. The soulful track is highly conducive to head-nodding but the themes of their verses are mournful, not joyful. As Common did throughout his entire Nobody's Smiling album, the trio focuses on... Read more

August 29, 2014 Throwback

Ghostface Killah Joins Aspects & Cody Coyote on What You Get Now (Video)

Ghostface Killah joins Aspects and Cody Coyote on "What You Get Now." The track, which was produced by Snowgoons, would fit right in with some of the spookier productions by RZA and, as of late, Adrian Younge. Check out the video for "What You Get Now." Related: Ghostface Killah Joins... Read more

August 29, 2014 Video

Redman & Kurupt Link Up in the Oddest Yet Most On Brand Endorsement Ever (Video)

Redman and Kurupt link up in one of the oddest yet most on brand endorsements ever. As 2 of the finest MCs from their respective coasts, they also share a love for a certain herbal remedy. The video for "Take Your Medicine" is effectively a bizarrely catchy nearly 5 minute... Read more

August 29, 2014 Video

Killer Mike Wants More Police Athletic Leagues, Less Armored Tanks (Video)

Suddenly a de-facto spokesman for a subset of reactions to Ferguson, Missouri, Killer Mike continues to bring his unique, evocative, and thoughtful opinions to the media following the murder of Michael Brown earlier this month. Mike recently appeared on FOX Business, alongside Kennedy (of '90s MTV fame). Entering with some... Read more

August 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lupe Fiasco, Common & Jennifer Hudson Honor Cancer Survivors (Video)

Hip-Hop is stepping up with its voice and power. Lupe Fiasco joins fellow Chicago Hip-Hop superstar Common and songstress Jennifer Hudson for "Remission." In conjunction with Stand Up 2 Cancer, the 3 have come together for a fundraising song. With The Notorious B.I.G and the late Poetic ("Grym Reaper" of... Read more

August 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Take a Look at a Trailer for Nas Documentary Time is Illmatic (Video)

Earlier this year, Time is Illmatic, a documentary looking at the making of Nas' landmark album Illmatic premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. Now, the world gets a taste of the documentary as filmmaker One-9 has released a trailer. By the looks of it, the film is a magnificent piece of... Read more

August 29, 2014 Video

Q-Tip Laced The Track For AdAD, Who Urges Us To Get It Together (Video)

MC AdAD is making moves. The budding talent gets a look from Q-Tip, who makes a cameo in the video. "Get It Together" may remind some Abstract fans of the Ill Communication-era track with the Beastie Boys. However, this appears to have a similar pastiche. AdAD tells the Heads to... Read more

August 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Souls of Mischief Perform There is Only Now For the First Time Ever (Video)

The Souls of Mischief took the stage at NYC's Le Poisson Rouge tonight (8/28) and performed their new album, There is Only Now, for the first time ever. The Bay Area legends were backed by their producer Adrian Younge's band, Venice Dawn, as well as A Tribe Called Quest's Ali... Read more

August 29, 2014 Video

STS & DJ Jazzy Jeff Know How Philly Use To Sound & Bring It Back (Audio)

Regardless of genre, some cities just have a certain style. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania most certainly is one such place. "The City Of Brotherly Love" has a great deal of harmony and fusion, dating back to the colonial period. In more recent times, the city—a patchwork of cultures, races, faiths, and customs... Read more

August 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Stalley Goes Off The Top, Over Jazze Pha’s Rooted Instrumental (Video)

With a lot of content this week, Stalley hits Sway In The Morning. Before switching seats with The Notorious B.I.G & 2Pac's mutual producer, Easy Mo Bee, the Massillon, Ohio falls right into the pocket over the Nappy Roots' "Aw Naw" instrumental. There, Stalley says he comes truly off-the-top in... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Capone-N-Noreaga Talk Chasing Fame With Big L, Say AZ Stole Sugar Hill (Video)

Capone-N-Noreaga always give incredible interviews, together and apart. 'Pone and N.O.R.E hit Power 105's The Breakfast Club this week, to talk some history. Forever animated, the Queens duo talks fighting each other (just one time, physically, for the record), how N.O. feels Capone's prison pick-up tops Suge Knight's, and how... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

With His Buzz Now At A Boil, Problem Lifts Off With 354 (Mixtape)

For five years, Compton's Problem has been just that. With critical cosigns and early career work from DJ Quik and Snoop Dogg, the patient rapper has steadily fed his Heads with nine, largely-acclaimed mixtapes. A year removed from The Separation, the Diamond Lane Music Group standout dropped 354: The Liftoff... Read more

August 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Beyonce’s Dad Says Jay Z & Solange’s Elevator Fight Was Staged For Sales (Video)

Springtime did not blossom as Jay Z and Beyonce may have planned. On Sunday night (August 24), the Carter couple seemingly laid to rest paparazzi speculation that they, young parents, were in currently facing a divorce. Beyonce closed the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with a jaw-dropping medley, and... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels As A Comic Super-Hero Is Coming To Book Shelves…

Nearly one year ago, it was reported the Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (of Run-DMC) is venturing into comic books. The Hollis, Queens Hip-Hop icon stayed the course, and announced that his graphic novel, DMC #1 has a release date. OkayPlayer reports that on October 29, via the self-published house, Darryl Makes... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh

Kurtis Blow Reacts To Nas’ Sampling, Asserts Profanity-Free Rap (Video)

Kurtis Blow is among Hip-Hop's true messengers. The Harlem World MC carried the precious medal that is Hip-Hop's first gold-certified single, care of "The Breaks." Additionally, Blow's career was highly pivotal for acts like Run-DMC (Run being one of Blow's DJs), LL Cool J (Krush Groove), and a producer in... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Big Gipp & Cee-Lo Spoof Doublemint & Pepsi Commercials With Charm (Video)

Heads may remember the Doublemint Gum commercials of the '80s and early '90s. Matching twins regularly had fun, in the silly ads for Wrigley's green-packed breath-freshener. That appears to be the source of inspiration for Big Gipp & Cee-Lo's "Shine Like Gold" video. Compare: With the country gas station and... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

It’s A Jackson 5 & Beatles Affair In Raekwon’s Latest Throwback (Audio)

Raekwon is quietly getting more and more creative with his Throwbacks on Thursdays. This week, Chef makes dessert with "Got To Be There/The Girl Is Mine." Within this look, Rae' looks into two different decades of Michael Jackson impact. Verbalizin' on Michael Jackson's 1972 Top 5 charting solo hit "Got... Read more

August 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fredro Starr Takes Heads For A Walk In His New York (Video)

Over a year ago, ONYX's Fredro Starr and Brown Bag AllStar's Audible Doctor released "That New York." The track illustrates the NYC that Starr come up in, from stick-up kids, to bodegas, stuntin' on 7th Avenue, to ski-mask maneuvers. So for the video, Fredro gives it to you live: Related:... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jeep Music Returns, With Das EFX’s Krazy Drayz & Smif-N-Wessun (Video)

In 1995, two of New York City's strongest Hip-Hop outfits were Das EFX and Smif-N-Wessun. The culture and skill still runs deep with Hit Squad and Boot Camp Clik. The cliques come together for Krazy Drayz' "Rude Boy," which features Tek and General Steele. With hard, dead-pan rhymes, a scratch... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Problem & Childish Gambino Freestyle Over Quik’s CPT Classic (Audio)

Problem joins Kendrick Lamar, YG and YG Hootie in keeping Compton's Hip-Hop legacy strong in the 2010s. Early in his career, Prob' got some prime, multi-track real estate on DJ Quik & Kurupt's 2009 BlaQKout album. Now perceived protege hops on a David Blake classic released on Murder Was The... Read more

August 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Game Leads A Charge Against Police Brutality With More Than 10 All-Star Guests (Audio)

Enough is enough. Game is among the Hip-Hop stars reacting to the murder of Michael Brown. The multi-platinum Compton, California rapper amassed a group of his contemporaries to speak out against police murdering civilians of color. Called "Don't Shoot," the point and the pain is clear from the onset. In... Read more

August 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Stalley Drops An Ode to N.W.A with Always Into Something (Audio)

Stalley is feeling the West Coast flavor with his latest 2 tracks, specifically that of N.W.A. With yesterday's release of the "Jackin' Chevys" video, he rode around the streets of L.A. with a "Boyz N the Hood" flavored soundtrack. Today, he releases a new song with Ty Dolla $ign which... Read more

August 27, 2014 Audio