Fresh Archives

Sway Tests Mistah FAB With The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Challenge, How’s He Stand? (Video)

Mistah FAB is one of the meanest freestyle MCs in Hip-Hop. Appearing recently on "Sway In The Morning," it's abundantly clear that fellow Bay Area alum Sway is well aware of Fabby Davis' lyrical capability. Running through some of the stellar guests as of late on the Shade 45 program,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bumpy Knuckles & Audible Doctor Unleash The Beast (Audio)

Brown Bag AllStars' Audible Doctor once cut his teeth working at Tuff City Records, the legendary label responsible for Queen Latifah, 45 King, Spoonie Gee, and others. That said, the Wisconsin native appreciates his history. One such figure, who continues to write his own legend is Freddie Foxxx, more modernly... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The-Dream Wants To Talk To You About Culture (Video)

A few weeks removed from his incredibly powerful visuals for his single "Black," singer/songwriter The-Dream dives into a story of taking a girl around the world with his latest music video, "Culture." Whether intentional or not, the video itself could be a deeper foundational representation of our culture today as... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Watch Out. Kwamie Liv Is Comin THRU (Audio)

Little is known about the well traveled artist Kwamie Liv, but we do know that Liv hails from Denmark and according to Pigeons & Planes, she has previously settled in Zambia, Turkey, Sweden, South Africa, Kenya, Ireland, and Bangladesh. Today, the beautiful songstress releases the pulsating, Trap infused, radio ready... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Chuck D Uses Acronyms & Wordplay To Talk About Race, Radio & Rosenberg (Audio)

Last week, HOT 97 radio host, DJ, and member of the Low Budget Crew, Peter Rosenberg publicly apologized to Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. The words followed a month-long social media debate, which bled its way onto airwaves and interviews, following HOT 97's 2014 Summer Jam. After the Long Island,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Souls Of Mischief Remind Us All That Word Is Bond (Audio)

The Souls Of Mischief are coming out (There Is Only Now, August 26) to remind Heads that the Oakland, California quartet helped architect so much of what is in vogue right now. Tajai, Opio, Phesto Dee, and A-Plus found the proper balance between smooth and thoughtful in the early '90s,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron Is Gearing Up For The 1st Of The Month With 2 Leaks (Audio)

It's only halfway til the beginning of August and Cam'ron is dropping singles heavy in anticipation of the second installment of his 1st Of The Month EP series. Premiered by Funkmaster Flex earlier today, Cam'ron adds Nicki Minaj and fellow female artist Yummy for the light, spirited reprise of his... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fabolous Paints A Picture Of Sacrifices (Video)

Fabolous, the man who jump started his career in '01 with popular singles like "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n (Holla Back)," understands what it takes to make it in the industry. The Def Jam recording artist depicts some of life's struggles in visuals to his cut, "Sacrifices." Falling off his... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Loaded Lux Joins DJ Premier For Bars In The Booth (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, DJ Premier has thrived when working with battle-tested MCs, ranging from Rah Digga ("Lessons Of Today") to Craig G ("Ready Set Begin") to Canibus ("Golden Terra Of Rap"). So with Battle Rap at arguably its pinnacle since the 1990s, why not go to one of... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Locksmith Reveals He Is Far From Perfect (Video)

Locksmith is still grinding out the visuals from his most recent album, A Thousand Cuts, and this time unveils another for his self-analyzing single, "Imperfect," featuring Jarell Perry. Locksmith is an artist that seems to shine his brightest when speaking from the heart and many times Lock exposes some of... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

20 Years After Illmatic, Represent Gets Official (Video)

Just one day removed from Mass Appeal's release of the behind-the-scenes footage, Nas unveils the first ever official music video for the 20th anniversary Illmatic release, "Represent." The video itself is representative of the 20 years that have passed since his debut album release, utilizing old footage of a much... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Redman & Method Man Explain How They Used To Be (Video)

Redman, who recently confirmed in an interview with MTV News the upcoming release of Red and Method Man's third installment of their album series Blackout! and a solo effort in Muddy Waters 2, unleashes another collab with Meth in the form of the cut, "I Used To Be." Meth and... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Drake Announces His Fourth Studio Album Title…

Kool G Rap's first album sans DJ Polo was notably titled 4,5,6, while Jennifer Lopez's 1999 debut was titled On The 6. Both native New Yorkers, the albums were allusions to MTA Subway system (with G Rap also being a double-meaning for a dice-game). Now Drake, who spent his youth... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh

Wale Brandishes His MMG Loyalty In A New Song, With A Special Outro (Audio)

Late last week, the Maybach Music Group/MMG collective's loyalty was in question, internally. Meek Mill called out Wale for lack of support surrounding his latest release. Hours later, Wale released "The Followers," making it more about music than drama. Gearing up for his own Album About Nothing, Wale drops another... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Copies Wu-Tang Clan’s Million Dollar Idea

With Wu-Tang Clan's sole copy of Wu-Tang: Once Upon A Time In A Shaolin drawing mid-seven figure offers, a new revenue model for cult-championed artists has emerged. In less than four months, another early 1990s Hip-Hop outfit is reportedly following suit. Per a TMZ report, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is planning to... Read more

July 15, 2014 Fresh

U Better Recognize OVO, When PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake Come Together (Audio)

This week, October's Very Own PARTYNEXTDOOR announced PARTYNEXTDOOR Two. With the pre-release, the OVO singer offered up two cuts, with one being "Recognize." Teaming once again with Drake, this slow and teased out simple song, which spans over five minutes. Like a vocal jam session, this record employs a few... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

As I Look Up at the Sky, Snoop Drops a New Mixtape (Mixtape)

As he's been known to do as of late, Snoop drops a new mixtape seemingly out of nowhere. That's My Work 4 is another project with DJ Drama and The Eastsidaz, and features many of Snoop's past collaborators, including Scoop Deville and Battlecat. Check out the stream and download below.... Read more

July 15, 2014 Mixes

It’s Hard to Stay Calm When You Read This Lyrical Explosion from Busta Rhymes & Eminem (Lyric Video)

Two weeks ago, Busta Rhymes and Eminem unleashed a bombastic lyrical attack. Titled "Calm Down," with its chopped "Jump Around" sample and lyrical gymnastics from Busta and Em, the song is anything but soothing. But, if you want some good old-fashioned, smash-mouth Rap, this is it. The lyric video helps... Read more

July 14, 2014 Video

Hollow da Don & Joe Budden Square Off On Total Slaughter (Video)

After a few minutes squaring away the sound from the microphones (4:00) the official Total Slaughter battle between Joe Budden and Hollow da Don kicks off on stage at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Joe, the man who began his career as a battle rapper turned record selling artist... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

How Does Kanye West Avoid Snapping on Fans? Watch and Learn (Video)

So, it turns out Kim Kardashian was not Kanye West's entry point into the world of reality TV. TMZ has unearthed some old footage from a Kanye reality show that never made the air. Though the clip is only a couple of minutes long, it shows Kanye giving a hilarious... Read more

July 14, 2014 Video

Celebrate Illmatic Again With A Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Making of Visuals for Nas’ Represent (Video)

The 20 year anniversary celebration of Nas' Illmatic continues. In addition to the release, Nas has held a contest to choose one lucky fan to collaborate and produce an official music video for his cut, "Represent." Mass Appeal takes you to the set of the music video shoot at YouTube... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Join The Party As Ab-Soul & Schoolboy Q Throw A Hunnid Stax (Video)

Less than a month after the release of his third studio album, These Days, Top Dawg Entertainment's Black Lip Pastor, Ab-Soul releases slick visuals to his bumping single, "Hunnid Stax." Ab gets luxurious as he whips through sunny California in the back seat of a limousine before hopping out and... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Michael Jordan, Jay Z, Action Bronson, & Billy Crystal Show Respect 2 Derek Jeter (Video)

After 20 seasons in a New York Yankees uniform, the 2014 All-Star break marks the home-stretch for Derek Jeter's career. One of the greatest Yankees, greatest Shortstops, and greatest ball-players to ever lace up, #2 has been in pinstripes since it was a very different New York, and a very... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

MC Eiht & Outlawz Shut Em Down, West Coast Style (Video)

After collaborating with Snoop last month, MC Eiht lends the assist to Outlawz on "Shut Em Down." Though the song bears the same title as Public Enemy's 1991 classic, the similarities stop there. This is a straight West Coast thang. Check out the video. Related: Two Former Death Row Factions... Read more

July 14, 2014 Video

Ransom & Astro Take You Around The World (Audio)

It's been almost a year since Ransom put out his project, The Proposal, but today the New Jersey artist continues his trend of producing high quality works with his latest cut. Ransom links up with Astro (formerly The Astronomical Kid) to take listeners across the lyrical highway on a journey... Read more

July 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Marsha Ambrosius’ Friends & Lovers Features Dr. Dre & Uncle Charlie Wilson (Album Stream)

Marsha Ambrosious' sophomore solo album, Friends & Lovers is officially upon us. The RCA Records release features but two guests, Marsha's dear friend/onetime mentor, Dr. Dre as well as The Gap Band's "Uncle" Charlie Wilson. Making some of the most heart-felt, and Hip-Hop Head-savvy R&B as of late, Marsh' offers... Read more

July 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Dilated Peoples & Aloe Blacc Have Been Showing Heads The Way For Years (Audio)

Dilated Peoples' comeback/reunion album, Directors Of Photography, is now due on August 12. The trio's departure from the major label system and simultaneous arrival at Rhymesayers Entertainment seemingly changes nothing. Evidence, Rakaa, and DJ Babu are still about a slow-flow underground Hip-Hop beach-side vibe all their own. Teamed with Emanon... Read more

July 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Diamond D’s Got An August Album Featuring Pete Rock, The Pharcyde, Rapsody & Kurupt

Founding D.I.T.C. member Diamond D has announced his first album since 2008. The Bronx, New York-born MC/producer/DJ credited with discovering Fat Joe will release his fourth studio LP, The Diam Piece on August 26, 2014. After 25 years of making music (dating back to his Strong City Records outfit The... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh

This Week in Video Brought Visuals of Jay Z & Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Phonte, Crooked I & More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought lots of variety, ranging from Jay Electronica & Jay Z's first live performance of "We Made It," to a scaled down acoustic set by Phonte and his Foreign Exchange crew. Here's a video playlist of some of the best including a freestyle from Elzhi, Peter... Read more

July 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Here’s the Full Video of Jay Electronica & Jay Z Performing at The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

Some early footage surfaced yesterday of a snippet of Jay Electronica and Jay Z performing together at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Now, here's the full video, which includes Jay Z doing his own version of Big Daddy Kane's "Young, Gifted & Black" as well as the full performance of the... Read more

July 13, 2014 Video

Elzhi Drops a Hot Verse in The Backroom. Prepare to Press Rewind (Video)

For more than a decade, in a storied Hip-Hop and 'dolo, Elzhi has been a lyrical force to be reckoned with. Almost exclusively an independent artist, the Detroit, Michigan MC was a welcomed guest to "106 & Park's" Backroom for a freestyle. Kicking those verbal smart-bombs that Elz' has been... Read more

July 13, 2014 Video

Ready for Some New KRS-One? BOOM (Audio)

Domingo drops another gem featuring the Blastmaster KRS-One. The Teacher issues a call to action for Hip-Hop to unite. Check out "Hip-Hop is One," off Domingo's forthcoming Sessions Vol. 1 LP which features music from KRS and Channel Live. Related: Domingo Sets The Table For 3 Legends In KRS-One, Kool... Read more

July 13, 2014 Audio

Jay Electronica & Jay Z Perform We Made It Together For the First Time at Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary today in style. In addition to having Raekwon as the headliner, Jay Electronica made a rare appearance, and he brought friends. Mac Miller and J. Cole joined him, and then Jay Z took the stage with Jay E for their first ever... Read more

July 12, 2014 Video

A VA Bounce Battle Begins With This Timbaland Vs. Neptunes Mix By Five Deez’ Pase Rock (Mixtape)

In the late 1990s, Cincinnati, Ohio was a keystone tributary to the Underground Hip-Hop movement's pinnacle. The River City produced DJ Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal, Mood, Black Star), as well as Anticon co-founder Dose.One and others. Blueprint would relocate to Cincy from nearby Columbus, Ohio, along with Illogic, forming the Greenhouse... Read more

July 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joe Budden, Hollow da Don, Murda Mook & Loaded Lux Prep For Total Slaughter (Video)

WatchLOUD's film series Bright Lights gets down to the nitty gritty with a behind-the-scenes look as Joe Budden, Hollow da Don, Murda Mook, and Loaded Lux prepare to hit the stage for the live Pay Per View main battle rapping event, Total Slaughter. Joe, who's portrayed as the "old dog"... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Three Notorious Cities Are Chronicled As Freddie Gibbs, Chill Moody & Apollo The Great Link (Video)

Through his work with everybody from PaceWon and Young Zee (The Outsidaz), Vinnie Paz and Planetary (Army Of The Pharaohs) and Malik B (The Roots), New Jersey's Mr. Green has made quite a name, and quite a catalog. The sample-savvy producer was behind a dope video today. Combining the ill... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

SZA’s Living In Color With Her Standout Uptempo Pop Single Julia (Video)

One of the standout records from SZA's debut, Z, is "Julia." Influenced by '80s/'90s, and present-day Synth-Pop, the melodic song's video presents some abstract glimpses into SZA's life. The song is moody, soaring, and transient. Related: What Do You Get When You Mix SZA & Jill Scott? Divinity (Audio)... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Video Playlist of Some of the Hip-Hop & Soul Classics Touched by Bob Power (Video)

Here's a video playlist inspired by a recent interview with Bob Power, the legendary producer/engineer, who for more than 30 years has worked with some of Hip-Hop and Soul's most iconic acts. You'll see videos from A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, De La Soul, Me'shell Ndegeocello, The Roots,... Read more

July 11, 2014 Throwback

Joey Bada$$ Has No Regrets In New Film Trailer (Video)

Joey Bada$$ and Green Label Sound release their official trailer for the Rik Cordero directed short film, No Regrets, today via Complex. No Regrets, scored entirely by Statik Selektah, features Bada$$ in the future as a billionaire philanthropist who uses time travel to relive his youth and find out what... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Enjoy Independence Day Again With The Roots (Audio)

It's Independence Day again. The grill is hot, the sun is shining, and the flags are waving. Then like a flash of a firework, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Roots appear, set up, and smash a killer live performance of their single, "Web," all in your backyard. This may not... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Hear Some Rare, Early ’70s Demo Versions From Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Catch A Fire (Audio)

#126 on Rolling Stone magazine's "Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All-Time," The Wailers' Catch A Fire is a benchmark Reggae album. Released in April of 1973, the album written primarily by Bob Marley, with two penned efforts by Peter Tosh featured a carefully-crafted concoction of hope, seduction, and social chronicle.... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

REKS Teams With Saigon & N.O.R.E. For Some Message Music With Garvey (Audio)

The revolutionary comparisons drive the musical car, as REKS links with Saigon and N.O.R.E. on "Garvey," named after the Jamaican leader of the Black Star Line. N.O.R.E.is in form, Saigon stamps down one of his signature thought-provoking verses, while REKS shows one of his many sides—in a lengthy career that's... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Neptunes’ Chad Hugo Remixes A Bouncy New Joint From Little Dragon (Audio)

Swedish band Little Dragon have been on Heads' radar for some time. If the four albums made by the Electronic/Rock outfit haven't stood on their own, Yukimi Nagano's vocals (with the band's thumping basslines) have been heard alongside Big Boi in videos since before even Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors,... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

With Grammys Stacked On The Shelf, The Roots Are Nominated For An Emmy Award

2014 marks 15 years since The Roots crew grabbed their first Grammy Award alongside Erykah Badu for the Things Fall Apart smash hit, "You Got Me." In the time since, Black Thought and company have received a bevy of nominations, and grabbed two more statues for their 2010 WAKE UP... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh

Dice Raw Captures The Essence of Animal Through Vintage Civil Rights Footage (Video)

Twenty-year Roots affiliate and collaborator Dice Raw utilizes vintage footage of numerous Civil Rights events from years past to capture the essence of his latest single, "Animal." The harsh visuals and vaudeville vocals cast a grim reflection on today's prison system and other institutions that lead to systemic inequities. The... Read more

July 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Casey Veggies Gets a New Track From Hit-Boy and It’s a Banger (Audio)

After releasing one of the better mixtapes of the year in 2013, Casey Veggies returns with some new heat, courtesy of Hit-Boy. This is a departure from some of the more melodic and soulful tracks on Life Changes, but it goes hard. Check out "The Boy." Related: Casey Veggies Shows... Read more

July 10, 2014 Audio

Chris Crack Is Cold Blooded With A Body In The Trunk (Audio)

Atmospheric production from Born Ready lays low like a dry ice haze underneath Chris Crack's cold blooded lyricism on his new cut, "Body In The Trunk." The New Deal Crew captain, who recently released his latest project, #JackedTape, announced an upcoming collaboration with Fool's Gold artist Danny Brown just a... Read more

July 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Scarface & Akon Plot Their Exit Plan (Audio)

Scarface, who recently announced that an album with Nas is a 99.99% done deal, is dropping his first since 2008 in the form of his 12th studio album, Deeply Rooted. In addition, the Geto Boys rapper is writing a book of the same name in which he talks about multiple... Read more

July 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul Comically Morphs Into The Black Lip Psychic (Video)

Ab-Soul gives viewers his best Miss Cleo impression as the Black Lip Psychic on Mass Appeal's segment, Ill Time. Hilarity ensues when Ab, who recently released his album These Days, takes calls from paying customers like "MC Chicken" requesting the card reading sage's advice. Who wants their future read next?... Read more

July 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Final Battles Are In On The Road To Total Slaughter’s Main Event (Video)

Two days away from the official Total Slaughter event, where Joe Budden will battle Hollow Da Don and Loaded Lux will battle Muda Mook, house guests prep themselves to battle each other in order to secure their spot on stage at the Hammerstein Ballroom July 12. In this episode, T-Rex... Read more

July 10, 2014 Fresh, Video