Fresh Archives

DJ 7L & Frank The Butcher Salute The Artists Sampled On Bad Boy Records Hits (Mixtape)

From Craig Mack to Total, The Notorious B.I.G. to Black Rob, Ma$e to 112, part of what's made Bad Boy Records so catchy in the mainstream has been the label's fearlessness when it's come to sampling. While skeptics may've criticized some of the more obvious recreations at the pinnacle of... Read more

July 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Disclosure Gives Usher’s Good Kisser a Deep House Remix (Audio)

Adding to the growing collection of deep house gems dropping this year, Disclosure serves up Usher's "Good Kisser" with a club-friendly remix. Check it out. Related: Disclosure Puts a House Spin on Pharrell & Jay Z’s Frontin and It’s a Stone Cold Groove (Audio)... Read more

July 4, 2014 Audio

G-Unit Borrows YG’s DJ Mustard-Produced Hit Beat (Audio)

G-Unit's jackin'-for-beats continues into the holiday weekend. 50 Cent and his cohorts, which now seems to permanently include Kidd Kidd, hop on YG's Drake-assisted My Krazy Life hit, "Who Do You Love?" Keeping the DJ Mustard-produced-song's structure in tact, the quintet brags it up like the old days, and make... Read more

July 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas, Rick Ross & Schoolboy Q Join Wiz Khalifa on the Remix to We Dem Boyz (Audio)

Wiz Khalifa switches up "We Dem Boyz" for the remix. He slows it down, injects more melody and adds Nas, Rick Ross and Schoolboy Q. The end result has a different feel but is just as hot. Check it out. Related: Wiz Khalifa – Look What I Got On (Video)... Read more

July 4, 2014 Audio

Here’s a Look at the First Trailer for Andre 3000’s Turn as Jimi Hendrix (Video)

All is By My Side, the film featuring Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix, hits theaters on 9/26. Here's a look at the first official trailer for the film. Check out the video. Related: How Will Andre 3000 Fare as Jimi Hendrix? Watch This 1st Look and Weigh In (Video)... Read more

July 3, 2014 Video

Sit In On a Park Bench Cypher With Apollo Brown & Friends (Video)

Take a walk through the park in New York City and grab a seat next to Apollo Brown's friends Ras Kass, Cav, and fellow Mello Music Group affiliates yU the 78er and Has-Lo as the MC's conduct a good old-fashioned cypher over organ peppered production from Apollo's track, "Cellophane," off... Read more

July 3, 2014 Video

T-Pain Documents a Complex Relationship on Love Suicide (Video)

Despite Jay Z's infamous declaration in 2009, T-Pain is back with a vengeance, autotune and all. After getting the party started with "Up Down," he returns with a signature song about complex relationships. Check out the video for "Love Suicide." Related: You heard the “G-Mix” for Wiz Khalifa’s Black &... Read more

July 3, 2014 Video

Joe Budden Talks His Battle Rap Past & Preparation For Total Slaughter (Video)

Joe Budden chops it up as part of Life + Times' The Truth series, in his stomping grounds of New Jersey. The artist who began his career as the battle rapper who went on to join Eminem's Shady Records and the Hip-Hop foursome Slaughterhouse discusses his past with battle rap... Read more

July 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Attempts To Karaoke Eminem, Jay Z & 50 Cent on XXL (Video)

For those of us who have had those moments after a cocktail or two in which we've gotten the gusto to step up to an empty microphone in front of a cohort of friends and other intoxicated strangers to belt out our favorite tune, this is for you. Despite the... Read more

July 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Is Joe Budden Risking His Career by Battling Hollow Da Don? (Video)

On July 12, Joe Budden will step out of the booth and into battle with Hollow Da Don. Though Budden is undoubtedly one of the more skilled MCs in the game, is he risking his career with this battle? Just as great ballers (MJ, Kobe, LeBron) eventually stop participating in... Read more

July 3, 2014 Video

J Dilla’s Music Lives On In Latest Slum Village Cut, We On (Audio)

It's been 8 years since tragedy struck the Hip-Hop world and Detroit based group Slum Village when music producer extraordinaire, J Dilla, passed away as a victim to lupus. Despite his passing, Dilla's music continues to live on in the community, and today Slum Village drops another Dilla soundscape with... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Takes A Swing At An Isley Brothers Classic (Audio)

Raekwon spits a few bars over The Isley Brother's highly recognizable "Footsteps In The Dark." How does this stack up against Ice Cube's classic version, "It Was A Good Day?" Related: Raekwon Gets Open Over Another Hot 90′s R&B Joint. Stop Trippin’ (Audio)... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in June 2014 (Audio Playlist)

June brought some of the best Hip-Hop of the year, so far. We got new music from G-Unit, Common, Marsha Ambrosius & Dr. Dre, Ab-Soul & Kendrick Lamar, Souls of Mischief, Cormega, Mac Miller & Pete Rock, Black Thought, The Lox, Buckshot, Yasiin Bey & Mannie Fresh, Black Milk, Ice... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh, Playlists

Black Thought, Action Bronson & Royce Da 5’9 Link On A Statik Selektah Joint (Audio)

Hailing from three different decades of Hip-Hop, Black Thought, Royce Da 5'9, and Action Bronson sound great together. The Roots, Slaughterhouse, and The Outdoorsmen all share a reputation for hard-hitting, rewind-worthy lyrics, which is exactly what producer/host Statik Selektah hoped for when he assembled "The Imperial." Boastful bars shine, as... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Shady Records and G.O.O.D. Music Link On CyHi The Prynce’s Huey Remix (Audio)

Soulful vocal samples snare your eardrum as the Black Hystori Project production lays the landscape for the latest CyHi The Prynce cut "Huey (Remix)." The G.O.O.D. Music recording artist laces up his crafty lyricism with Slaughterhouse's Royce Da 5'9" and Joell Ortiz for the remix that initially featured Chicago artist... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rah Digga Is Not Playing Around. She Hops On A Dipset-Style Beat & Cleans House (Audio)

When it comes to making Rap tracks about Rap, Rah Digga is one of the best. On "Bish Whaaa," she points out that the former affiliate of both Flipmode Squad and The Outsidaz is a 20-year veteran of verbally kicking down doors. With what sounds like a track straight out... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock Talks Marley Marl, “T.R.O.Y.” & James Brown On NPR (Audio)

Growing up in a large, musically adept Jamaican family, Pete Rock has been groomed to become "passionately in love with music" from his earliest beginnings. The man who's known for creating "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", sits down with A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley of... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

The LOX Channel A Fellow Yonkers Legend Alongside Sevyn Streeter (Audio)

The LOX deliver a quintessential cut today (July 2). Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch join buzzing songwriter/soloist Sevyn Streeter for "Remember." With Sevyn harping on Mary J. Blige's "You Remind Me" riffs, the trio recalls the wild late '90s, from late-night Tunnel runs, sidewalk hustling, and the unwavering fight... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The-Dream Shows Real, Active Change In His Powerful Visual For Black (Video)

After April's lyric video, The-Dream shows that he had some truly massive plans for "Black." The song, a message of Black empowerment, uses modern illustrations for racism (the violence in Chicago, materialistic stereotypes, Tommy Hilfiger's racist remarks) as well as iconic mentions of Marvin Gaye, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin... Read more

July 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chris Rivers (aka Baby Pun) Goes 0 to 100 on a Tony Touch Freestyle (Video)

Chris Rivers got his shot at a Toca Tuesday Freestyle, and Tony Touch hit him with the 0 to 100 track. Baby Pun got busy, flexing his flow that is oh so reminiscent of his Pops. Check out the video. Related: Styles P & Chris Rivers Have Trust Issues, But... Read more

July 2, 2014 Video

Raphael Saadiq Honors Bobby Womack With A Touching Tribute Song (Audio)

For over 25 years, Raphael Saadiq has been a true master at honoring the natural lineage of great '60s and '70s Soul and R&B music. The Bay area native has made albums that seem anachronistic at times, like time capsules from the Motown and Essex record label days, with sweet... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

After Bringing Disco Back To Mainstream, Nile Rodgers Drops His First Solo Song In 10 Years (Lyric Video)

With high profile work alongside Daft Punk and Pharrell, Avicii, and even Disclosure, Nile Rodgers is one of the latest '70s icons enjoying a massive resurgence. However, the Chic front-man has been reviving his Disco/Funk sound through assisting others more than hoarding the attention. It's been a decade since Nile... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

After Plenty Rappers Have Sampled The White Stripes, Jack White Covers Kanye West (Audio)

From Apathy to Jermaine Dupri, Hip-Hop artists have been sampling/covering Jack White and his The White Stripes band for over a decade. These days, Jack White collaborates with Hip-Hop artists, including Black Milk. At a recent tour date in Dublin, Ireland promoting sophomore solo LP, Lazaretto, White covered Kanye West's... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Lecrae Calls Out Misleading Messages Over A Classic Sample On It’s Nuthin (Video)

Lecrae has long stood against the status-quo. A leader in the mainstream Christian Hip-Hop movement, the Reach Records MC is hard at work on his seventh studio LP, Anomaly. "Nuthin" finds Lecrae skating down a sidewalk, in reverse." Meanwhile, the song kicks awareness about the hypocrites and mixed messages in... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass & Viva Toast To Success & Celebrate (Video)

Ras Kass, one quarter of the Hip-Hop collective The HRSMN, links up with Genevieve “Viva” Goings for the celebratory visuals to the single, "Salud." Kass takes shots of Campeón and dons a style comparable to an affluent gentleman of the early 1900's as he gambles and parties his way to... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Souls of Mischief & Snoop Dogg Tell A West Coast Love Story (Video)

Time travel through musical backdrops influenced by the past and fostered in the present with the Souls of Mischief and fellow West Coast native Snoop Dogg in visuals to their latest cut, "There Is Only Now." The title track to their upcoming album, There Is Only Now, boasts buttery, ambient... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.K. Assante Draws Inspiration from Maya Angelou & J. Dilla on My Victory (Audio)

Author, scholar, poet and MC, M.K. Assante, draws inspiration from Maya Angelou and J. Dilla on "My Victory." M.K. sprinkles in his heady verses, accompanied by some words of wisdom from Dr. Angelou and a killer beat from Dilla. Check it out. Related: M.K. Asante Recruits Talib Kweli, Ras Kass... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio

Common Explains Why Nobody’s Smiling In Chicago (Video)

Common sits down with HardKnockTV to discuss his upcoming album, Nobody's Smiling, a concept that developed from Rakim's line "I'm in the ghetto, nobody's smiling," and took on a life of its own (0:50). Common's biggest inspiration for the project derives from the increasing crime rate in the Chicago area... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

G-Unit Is Movin’ That Dope, Putting Out Music Like It’s The Early 2000s (Audio)

If you're a Young Buck Head, you'll love G-Unit's latest mixtape track. Hopping on Future's "Move That Dope" instrumental (produced by Mike WiLL Made It), Buck sounds like he did 10 years ago, with a crisp vocal delivery, syncopated flow, and most of all, a strong dose of Cashville confidence.... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

If You Liked Don’t Quit Your Day Job, You’ll Love Consequence’s New One With Audible Doctor (Audio)

Since becoming a reality TV star (care of "Love & Hip-Hop: New York), Consequence's again made a play for the mainstream. Still, before he was a G.O.O.D. Music hopeful in the mid-2000s, Cons was a A Tribe Called Quest affiliate known for a unique flow, and hard truths. Those skills,... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cam’ron Goes to Work on a Chopped Up Soul Loop. Talk About It (Audio)

Cam'ron has released a new EP called First of the Month. "Talk About It," is the latest release from the project and features Cam going to work on a chopped up soul loop. Check it out. Related: Cam’ron & Just Blaze Reunite In What Feels Like A Come Home With... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio

Celebrate A Decade Of The Alchemist’s Audio Evolution (Mixtape)

Although his sounds are versatile, Alchemist's status in Hip-Hop spans nearly 20 years. The Beverly Hills High School alum (classmates with Step Brothers partner Evidence) has since put in major work with the likes of Eminem, Lil Wayne, Infamous Mobb, Cam'ron, Screwball, Jadakiss, Bumpy Knuckles, Nas, Roc Marciano, and a... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Don’t Fight the Feeling with The Game, Too Short & Problem (Audio)

Deep into Too Short's 1988 album, Life is Too Short, lies a bombastic funk track called "Don't Fight the Feelin'." The Game has dusted off that record and recruited Short Dog, himself, as well as Problem, AV and Eric Bellinger. Check out "Or Nah."... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio

Jeezy & Jay Z Bring Out Their A-Games on Their Latest Collabo (Audio)

Jeezy and Jay Z tend to bring out each other's best when they work together. Songs like "Go Crazy" and "Real As It Gets" find each extra focused on wordplay and flow. The latest in their growing joint catalog is Jeezy's "Seen It All," and each brings his A-Game. Like... Read more

July 1, 2014 Audio

Common’s Speak My Piece Is A Beautiful Illustration Of His Vision On Nobody’s Smiling (Audio)

Common's sound has evolved over the last 22 years. From working with The Beatnuts to No I.D. and Dug Infinite to The Soulquarians to Kanye West to Pharrell and back... Comm's forever playing with his growth as an artist, surviving the times, and making each body of work stand apart... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem & Busta Rhymes Rhyme With Fervor In Their Latest Collaboration (Audio)

Back when Eminem and Busta Rhymes were label-mates nearly a decade ago, the pair of mainstream fast-rappers came together on "I'll Hurt You." Notably omitted from Busta's lone Aftermath Entertainment LP, The Big Bang, the song seemed to miss the mark from two vets in transition, finding their latest style.... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Prince Puts On A Private Show For Apollonia’s First-Ever Visit To Paisley Park (Audio)

Over the last 48 hours, Prince concluded the week celebrating 30 years since the film and soundtrack of Purple Rain. While many Heads could speculate that any benchmark anniversary would be business as usual for an Artist such as Prince, they also know that the Twin Cities icon is big... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jennifer Hudson Brings Down the House with R. Kelly on It’s Your World (Audio)

It's bittersweet that 2014, the year that took the Godfather of House, Frankie Knuckles, would be a year that has featured a prominent resurgence of the deep soulful house that Knuckles brought to the world. Vic Mensa's "Down on My Luck" was a groovy blast that would fit right in... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio

Ice Cube Teams Up With 2 Chainz on His Latest Release (Audio)

Ice Cube is back with a hot new track and a guest verse from 2 Chainz. This is very different from past Cube offerings, but it still bangs. Check out "Drop Girl," also featuring Red Foo. Related: Think Kevin Hart is Funny? Ice Cube Doesn’t. Here’s Why (Video)... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio

Blu Cautions Fakin’ The Funk In A Graffiti-Inspired Visual (Video)

On a true tear in 2014, Blu continues to spread his seeds of thought around bountifully. The Los Angelino appears on Astronote's "Rhymes On Paper." The producer invites the guest to kick knowledge about promoting lies through lyrics, and how such results don't deserve mic-device transmission. Johnson Barnes essays the... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joell Ortiz Raps About What He’s Been Up To In An Ill Sway In The Morning Freestyle (Video)

Heads never really got to hear Joell Ortiz on a Dr. Dre beat from that mid-2000s Aftermath Entertainment deal that never produced album fruit. Now working with Eminem and Shady Records—and in turn, Dre—Joell is gearing up for another solo LP. Stopping by Sway In The Morning, Ortiz was asked... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ma$e & Eric Bellinger Party In The Desert Like It’s Nothing (Video)

Mas$e's current comeback just raised the stakes. The Harlem World MC's appearance alongside newcomer Eric Bellinger now gets a video, seemingly shot in an old '60s abandoned gas station (or just a really cool old film/TV set). Fast cars, pretty women, and some dapper threads make Ma$e's first big video... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Yo! Bum Rush The News Show. Watch Erykah Badu Vid-Bomb A News Reporter (Video)

Erykah Badu's music videos are avant-garde. So is the Dallas, Texas native's daily life. While in New York City recently, Badu video-bombs a news report in Midtown Manhattan (seemingly reporting about Cage's homie, actor Shia LaBouf). She even goes as far as to attempt kissing PIX11's Mario Diaz, who does... Read more

June 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

9th Wonder Honors The Life Of Bobby Womack With An Amazing Sonic Collection (Mixtape)

Following this week's sad news regarding the death of R&B/Soul icon Bobby Womack, Hip-Hop reacted. Since Little Brother's The Listening, 9th Wonder has quietly and carefully alluded to his love (and listening) of Bobby's music. Thereby, 11 years later, it was 9th who was among the first to honor the... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

AZ Sounds So Illustrious On A Chopped Down Strawberry Letter 23 (Audio)

AZ is a proven master of being a current master, while channeling past eras of Hip-Hop, culture, art, and street style. This is wildly true of "Red Magic." Linking with Baby Paul, the veteran producer (and onetime member of Da Beatminerz) who's been working with A, Nas, and even Amil... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nobody’s Smiling On Common’s New Album Artwork, Now Get The Tracklist

Now arriving in less than one month, July 22's Nobody's Smiling from Common visually lives up to its name. Now at Def Jam Records, the 22-year veteran of releasing penetrating Hip-Hop albums mean-mugs on an LP for the first time since his October '92 debut, Can I Borrow A Dollar?.... Read more

June 28, 2014 Fresh

Prince’s Purple Rain Remembered 30 Years Later (Food For Thought)

It has been 30 years ago this week (June 25 to be exact) that Prince released his magnum opus sixth album, Purple Rain. Twenty million copies sold later, the greatest selling soundtrack of all-time is both a time capsule, and—if we look at it in terms of substance, theme, and... Read more

June 28, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

OVO Producer Eric Dingus Reconsiders The Weeknd’s Often In The Clouds (Audio)

With The Weeknd's latest single "Often" making its rotations and runs, October's Very Own (OVO) producer Eric Dingus wanted hit the crew affiliate off with a different mix. Distorted vocals, and a new depth of low-end in the beat might channel some different emotions than the original, but it's nicely... Read more

June 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Questlove & Black Thought Discuss Their Illustrious History & Kick a Freestyle (Video)

Here's an extended interview with The Roots' Questlove & Black Thought. The duo discusses their creative process, performing with Dave Chappelle, fellow music alums from their high school (Bilal, Boyz II Men) and more. They end the session with a freestyle with Thought supplying the off the top rhymes and... Read more

June 28, 2014 Video

After Many TDE Album Appearances, Label President Punch Makes A Solo Song (Audio)

When ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad are making big moves, Heads don't have to look too far to find Punch. Top Dawg Entertainment's President, and right-hand to Top Dawg himself, Punch has over a decade of experience in the game, understanding the business, the politics, and in large... Read more

June 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh