Fresh Archives

Lauryn Hill Releases a Chilling Dedication to Michael Brown (Audio)

The collective voices of outrage at the death of Michael Brown continue to grow in Hip-Hop. Lauryn Hill is the latest to stand in protest, at least in her music. Her song "Black Rage" is set to the tune of the Sound of Music's "My Favorite Things" but it is... Read more

August 21, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage

Killer Mike Speaks Directly To Americans About The Problems In Ferguson (Video)

In a recent op-ed piece Billboard, MC Killer Mike pens a warning to Americans and gives his thoughts on the recent murders of Michael Brown and Eric Garner and the subsequent violent reaction by our nation's government to the protestors and activists in the streets Ferguson, Missouri. "I have searched... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

With Vintage Footage, Rittz Chronicles His Lifelong Love Affair With Rap (Video)

Rittz had a dream of being a professional rapper. While the Strange Music artist and onetime Yelawolf-backed MC has met his dream, the Atlanta native cannot forget the taboo and resistance he once faced for being a "white rapper." In the song, released earlier this week, Rittz tells his story.... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Souls Of Mischief’s Ghetto Superhero Causes Electric Company Flashbacks (Lyric Video)

Lyric videos are all fine and good, but not all of them are from artists who really hold lyrics in high honor. Souls Of Mischief have over 23 years playing with words, using them to move crowds and give Hip-Hop's perception of Oakland Hip-Hop a facelift. "Ghetto Superman" from next... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

All Edo G & Pete Rock Need Is 2 Turntables & A Mic (Video)

Between sparse beats, Edo G thrives. The Roxbury, Boston MC vet once known as just "Ed O.G." has over 23 years cutting tracks that outlasted the times, with wisdom, flare, and pride. For his upcoming After All These Years album (September 9), the Special Teamz member is working with the... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

9th Wonder Calls Nottz “Arguably The Best Beatmaker On The Planet,” Expands Soul Council

Throughout the ages, Nottz and 9th Wonder have worked on the same albums. Including releases from Little Brother, the Virginia and North Carolina producers, respectively, have a strong overlap in the artists and projects they take on. Both producers with history on the mic too, these heralded musical personalities have... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh

Action Bronson Rides His Harley Into The Sunset In Easy Rider (Video)

Action Bronson whips through the dusty, open roads of the American desert in his drug induced quest for a legendary guitar in cinematic visuals to his single, "Easy Rider." Inspired by the 60's, 70's, and the film of the same name, the Harley riding, bar fighting MC looks comfortable in... Read more

August 20, 2014 Video

Jeezy & Don Cannon’s Holy Ghost Is On Four Wheels (Audio)

At his best, Jeezy orchestrates these moments. Now a Rap superstar, the Atlanta native is able to re-live moments of his past so vividly, with so much suspense, that they simply burst onto the record. "Holy Ghost" is just that... even in the Dog Days Of Summer, this Don Cannon... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

This Madlib Soul Sounds Like The Perfect Mos Def Or Jay Z Beat (Audio)

Madlib is at work on his first soundtrack, The Beats. Included is the effortlessly titled "Cue 4." This sample-built creation is smoother and more cyclical than Madlib creations. Sounding like a mid-1970s Soul breakdown, a Head can easily grasp why it's the perfect inclusion for a film, such as say—Our... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Murs Joins Apollo Brown’s Ugly Heroes Asking Why Good Things Die (Audio)

Both Mello Music Group and Murs are based in the deserts of Tucson, Arizona. The former Warner Bros. Records artist and the thriving indie are working more together. Thereby, Murray joined Ugly Heroes, the trio of Michigan's Apollo Brown and Red Pill and Chicago vet Verbal Kent. "Good Things Die"... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

B.o.B. Makes a Song Reminiscent of 2Pac, KRS, Public Enemy & Other Hip-Hop Revolutionaries (Audio)

B.o.B. has released one of the most powerful songs of his career. Hip-Hop has stood up in droves in light of what is happening in Ferguson, MO, right now. And, the messages have come from many different perspectives. B.o.B. has taken the opportunity for a call to action among African-Americans... Read more

August 19, 2014 Throwback

Rittz Wants Recognition Outside Of The White Rapper Label (Audio)

Strange Music's own Rittz details the state of Hip-Hop today as it relates to race and, more specifically, being a "White Rapper." As an artist who is incredibly dedicated to the craft itself, Rittz delves into his own personal struggle to supersede the "white rapper" label and garner more respect... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Unearth The Beginnings Of The A$AP Mob In SVDDXNLY: Part 3 (Video)

For A$AP Rocky and the A$AP Mob, it was their collective love of fashion, Texas Hip-Hop, purple drink, and the propensity for open mindedness that first linked the group formerly known as the Piff Crew together. In the latest episode of Noisey's SVDDXNLY series, the cameras follow Rocky through his... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cam’ron Calls New York City “Soft” With Respect to Police Violence (Video)

Cam'ron spoke with Montreality about a litany of matters recently. He answered their standard questions regarding his "first job," "previous life," "realest line he wrote," etc. In between, however, Cam revealed some very personal nuggets. Among them, he discussed the unorthodox way he "obtained" his G.E.D., which was rendered particularly... Read more

August 19, 2014 Video

Taste Some Southern Hospitality With A Mix Of UGK Vinyl Rarities (Audio)

DJ Superix strings together 12 vinyl based cuts from Bun B and the late Pimp C into a full length mix for a flushed out taste from two of Texas' staple Hip-Hop artists. With remixes, rare tracks, features, and individual cuts from Bun B and Pimp C, the 12 Twelve's... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

AZ Takes Some Red Magic & Shows Off His ‘Limitless’ Style (Video)

Back in June, AZ wove in some Brothers Johnson greatness in his latest '70s derivation, "Red Magic." A master of "nostalgic cool," Tha Visualiza's sample source added to his metaphoric mind-altering substance in the song. For the video, seemingly a partial homage to Limitless, the veteran of The Firm pops... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Statik Selektah, Joey Bada$$ & Freddie Gibbs Hit The Park In Style (Video)

For early What Goes Around single "Carry On," Statik Selektah set his turntables up in Lower Manhattan's famed Washington Square Park. There, the ShowOff shows off on a random afternoon, while Joey Bada$$ and Freddie Gibbs (who recently moved to Harlem) plug in, and put on. The vibe of the... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Twista Walks With Monsters While Delivering One Of His Hardest Raps (Videos)

Twista's Dark Horse is in stores now. The Chicago pioneer took one of the album's most straight-forward Rap cuts, "Devils Angel," and traveled the world and times. The video features Grateful Dead-esque dancing skeletons, mythical monsters, and detailed green-screen backdrops. All this, while Twista bodies the beat and barely lets... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Is There An Album-less Artist Out Making Bigger Visuals Than Travi$ Scott? (Video)

Following 2013's "Monster," Travi$ Scott grabbed the attention of Heads. The Horror video had a big budget aesthetic, with a narrative and a real courage by today's video standards. From the just-released Days Before Rodeo mixtape, "Don't Play" measures up. Clearly shot by highly-trained professionals, the video again taps into... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Travi$ Scott Releases a Dark and Complex Free EP (Mixtape)

With one listen to Kanye West's Yeezus and Travi$ Scott's Owl Pharoah, the mind meld shared by the 2 sonic technicians is abundantly clear. Scott, the former G.O.O.D. Music signee, joined Kanye's camp in 2012 and his influence could be heard as early as on their Cruel Summer project. With... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio, Mixes

Jhene Aiko Serves Up Some More Music for the Soul with Spotless Mind (Audio)

As Jhene Aiko readies her new album Souled Out, she serves up some more music for the soul with "Spotless Mind." As with much of her music, the organs, guitar and her ethereal lilt make this song sound timeless. Check it out. Related: Jhene Aiko Recalls The Pressures Of A... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio

Little Brother’s Rapper Big Pooh Rocks a 9th Wonder-esque Beat (Audio)

Little Brother's Rapper Big Pooh teams up with BJ the Chicago Kid on a trunk-rattling track by Praise that features some 9th Wonder-esque funk. Pooh sounds right at home on this track and it's a reminder of just how nice this third of LB is. Check out "Last Dance." Related:... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio

Chuck D Goes DVD & Book Shopping, What’s He Cop? (Video)

Chuck D, a major supporter of Record Store Day, hit up the famed Amoeba Records in California. Public Enemy's main vocalist and a member of the record-slaughtering Bomb Squad group, Mista Chuck admits that his trips to stores like Amoeba are more for books and DVDs these days. However, the... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Guess Which Oscar-Nominated Actor Will Play Jerry Heller In N.W.A’s Biopic…

Jerry Heller, a famed mogul of Gangsta Rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s, helped Eazy-E and N.W.A crossover into mainstream America, as well as a global audience. A veteran record executive who had worked with the likes of Elton John and Ike & Tina Turner, the Cleveland, Ohio... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Mick Jenkins & YC The Cynic Do Nothing But Keep It 100 (Audio)

Chicago's Mick Jenkins, less than a week removed from the release of his deeply conceptual mixtape, The Water[s], links up with Brooklyn based MC, YC The Cynic for the cut, "Keep It 100." Full of confidence and braggadocio, Mick and YC boast bars dedicated to spitting "the real" over smooth,... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Method Man & R.A. The Rugged Man Talk Music Industry Black-Balling (Video)

R.A. The Rugged Man, who's been a longtime label-mate of Masta Killa at Nature Sounds, predates a lot of Wu-Tang Clan members, as far as record contracts. The early 1990s Jive Records sensation known as Crustified Dibbs recently got up with Method Man backstage on the road, recalling their circa-1993... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Makes Some Rock & Soul With Frequent Collaborator Michael Uzowuru (Audio)

In his young career, Vic Mensa has defied being categorized. Once a front-man of a truly organic Rap-Rock group, Kids These Days, Mensa's 2014 lead single has been inspired by Chicago House. He's also tackling some Jazz tracks this year to boot. So why should Heads be surprised when the... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Cole Pays Respect To Michael Brown In Ferguson (Video)

Just a few days ago, J. Cole released an incredibly heartfelt track, "Be Free," dedicated to the recent passing of Michael Brown and the tragic events that continue to unfold in Ferguson, Missouri. But that wasn't enough for Cole. Making his way to the scene of Brown's passing, J. Cole... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Snoop Goes All the Way in on an Exquisite Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

Statik Selektah drops one more cut, "All The Way (Pimp Hop)," just before the release of his upcoming album, What Goes Around. Snoop Dogg, who is no stranger to pimping himself, leads off the cut with Ransom, Wais P (The Ranjahz), and CharlieRED to spit their pimp game over some... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

M.O.P. Shows How They’re The Original Backstreet Boys Alongside Domingo (Video)

Back in June, M.O.P. teamed up with Domingo for a Brownsville-to-East New York connection in "We Put It Down." The Same Game, New Rules inclusion is the latest hardcore Hip-Hop track from the veteran acts, all three disciples of late '80s, early '90s Rap music. For the video, Heads travel... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jazmine Sullivan Sings a Cautionary Song for Women to a Room Full of Men (Video)

Jazmine Sullivan's most powerful songs have had a consistent theme about the fallout when relationships go bad. She continues along those lines with "Stupid Girls," but delivers the message very differently than in the past. She premieres the cautionary tale for women in a New Orleans barbershop...full of men. The... Read more

August 18, 2014 Video

Catch Up On the Best in Hip-Hop Video From the Last Week (Video Playlist)

The last week brought several gems in Hip-Hop video. Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff reunited to perform "Summertime" in Vegas, DJ Babu recounted what happened to a fan who punched DJ Premier in the face, Marco Polo made a compelling and entertainment argument about why "Your Old Droog" is... Read more

August 17, 2014 Video

Eve, Madonna & Pharrell on 1 Track? The Beat is So Crazy…(Audio)

Here's a previously unreleased track produced by The Neptunes featuring Eve and Madonna. Both ladies are singing over vintage mid to late '00's Neptunes drums and chords. Check out "The Beat is So Crazy." Related: Eve Recalls Time With The Ruff Ryders & Dr. Dre With Peter Rosenberg (Video)... Read more

August 17, 2014 Audio

Here’s A Supremely Compelling Case For Why Your Old Droog IS Nas (Video)

As the debate about the identity of "Your Old Droog" rages on, one of our readers put us on to this supremely entertaining and compelling video from Marco Polovision as to why "Droog" unequivocally IS Nas. Marco painstakingly and quite hilariously lays out dozens of connections between "Droog" and Nas,... Read more

August 17, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video

Your Old Droog Continues to Taunt the Sleepers with This Mac Miller Track (Audio)

"Your Old Droog" continues to taunt the internet in a shroud of mystery. I have a very credible friend who, earlier this week, told me he met Droog and it's not Nas. I told him I'd believe him when I saw "Droog" himself in person on stage on 9/3 when... Read more

August 16, 2014 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Perform Summertime in Vegas (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince reunited to perform their classic "Summertime" in Las Vegas. Will this song ever get old?? Check out the video. Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff Recounts His Surprise Performance with The Fresh Prince on Graham Norton (Video)... Read more

August 16, 2014 Video

What Do Remy Ma & Biggie Smalls’ Sway Freestyles Have In Common? (Video)

In Remy Ma's first post-prison freestyle, the former First Lady Of The Terror Squad hits Sway In The Morning with a verse. As Sway Calloway points out, Remy joins The Notorious B.I.G. as the only 2 artists on his show to seamlessly edit her curses on the fly. With Sway... Read more

August 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Diamond District’s yU Makes A Heartfelt Dedication To His Late Father (Audio)

Diamond District's yUthe78er has been one of Mello Music Group's best kept secrets. As a soloist, yU made one of the best Hip-Hop songs about Native American heritage in "Natives," and gave Heads hope in "Fine." In "Never Burning Out," one of the rare songs released by the Washington D.C.... Read more

August 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Killah Priest Gets Back To Heavy Mental Form In Body Of Light (Video)

When it comes to stuffing raps full of information, historical and religious context, and still opining on social issues, could any crew rival the HRSMN? While Ras Kass and Canibus amassed reputations for these traits, another true master in the realm of dense lyricism is Killah Priest. Twenty years removed... Read more

August 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Tune In With Chuuwee & The Chuuwee Channel (Album Stream)

Chuuwee answers some questions about his career since signing a record deal with Amalgam Digital, his reasons for moving away from Sacramento, and more about his life throughout his latest album, The Chuuwee Channel. Instead of dedicating the album to the musicality of the decade a la his Wild Style... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A$AP Rocky Reveals His Production Skills & Stories About His Late Brother & Father In SVDDXNLY: Part Two (Video)

Noisey continues their documentary following around A$AP Rocky and his cohorts on their rise to Hip-Hop's forefront in part two of their SVDDXNLY series. In this webisode, we get an inside look into how Rocky first met his assistant Lou way before the A$AP Mob was discovered, as well as... Read more

August 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Debonair P Makes A Musical Case Why 1990-1992 Was Hip-Hop’s Pinnacle (Mixtape)

Years like 1988 and 1994 often are touted as Hip-Hop's best years, but what about what's between this sandwich of dope records? 1990 through 1992 delivered Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Main Source's Breakin' Atoms, Digital Underground's Sex Packets, and Ice Cube's Death Certificate, among many others. Debonair P made Blends... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Termanology & Sean Price Lyrically Kick Down The Front Door (Video)

Termanology and Boot Camp Clik's own Sean Price hit the studio and the stage to record visuals to the cut, "Front Door," from Termanology's recently released EP, Mas G.O.Y.A. The two talented MC's strap up rhymes about the state of Hip-Hop, keeping their hunger alive for their family and friends,... Read more

August 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Punch Reacts To Michael Brown’s Murder With Historical Illustrations (Audio)

Deeply affected by this week's tragic news of the killing of teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson, Top Dawg Entertainment President Punch joined label collaborator J. Cole in reacting through music. Born in the post-riots Watts, Punch made a Steinski-like audio-essay remembering the 1965 Watts Riots. Set... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

How About Some Weird & Powerful History Around Madvillain 10 Years Later?

By 1999, MF DOOM began a comeback of superhero proportions. Once a major label artist, ZevLoveX of KMD had a core fanbase, but was (rather ironically), not a highly recognizable figure of Hip-Hop in face or name. After the tragic death of his brother Subroc, DOOM was born. Inspired by... Read more

August 15, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Despite Fame, Action Bronson Says It Hasn’t Been A Long Time (Audio)

It's been a curious rise to fame for Action Bronson. Sometimes dismissed as a pop-up new artist, there are J-Love mixtapes and Internet videos that show the Queens, New Yorker's trajectory long before he was a recognizable face and name. But if you ask, Bam-Bam, he maintains that he's only... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J. Cole Sings an Emotional Song About Michael Brown (Audio)

J. Cole's words speak for themselves on this one: "There was a time in my life when I gave a fuck. Every chance I got I was screaming about it. I was younger. It’s so easy to try to save the world when you’re in college. You got nothing but... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio

25 Years Later Here’s an Amazing Look at the Making of Do the Right Thing (Video)

Spike Lee has teamed with Beats Music to put together an amazing short film on the making of Do the Right Thing, in celebration of the film's 25th anniversary this year. The video features Spike doing a guided tour of all the Brooklyn landmarks featured in the movie, as well... Read more

August 14, 2014 Video

Kool A.D. & Toro Y Moi Rep Hip-Hop’s Golden Age In The Front (Video)

Kool A.D., formerly of the Brooklyn based group Das Racist, enlists the talents of Tory Y Moi and Amaze 88 for his latest video, "The Front." Lacing the track with some funky, feel good instrumentals, Kool A.D. opens the cut with the classic line, "Yes, yes y'all and you don't... Read more

August 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Witness The Birth Of Flying Lotus’ Brainchild, Captain Murphy (Video)

Back in 2012, the mysterious Captain Murphy hit the airwaves alongside the likes of Earl Sweatshirt and Jeremiah Jae. We then discovered his mixtape, Duality, but still had no idea who was behind this cartoon rapping phenomenon. We later discovered the man behind the animated mask to be Flying Lotus,... Read more

August 14, 2014 Fresh, Video