Fresh Archives

Ab-Soul Talks “These Days” On NPR Before Tomorrow’s Release (Audio)

In anticipation of the release of his third album, These Days (6/24), Top Dawg Entertainment’s Ab-Soul sits down with Frannie Kelley and Ali Shaheed Muhammad from NPR’s Microphone Check series to discuss nuances of the album, his career, and his art as a whole. Ab delves into a particularly captivating... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Sadat X Talks Brand Nubian, Biggie, ‘Pac & Jay Z On Juan Epstein (Audio)

Sadat X sits down with Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg to listen to some old Sadat cuts and discuss a wide variety of topics including his influences, early stories surrounding Brand Nubian including his initiation with Grand Puba and Lord Jamar and their subsequent '90s break-up, as well as some... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

What’s the Biggest Way the Internet Has Changed Hip-Hop? (Video)

The final installment of BET's 4-part Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, discusses how the digital revolution transformed Hip-Hop. Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, Mac Miller and many of the Internet's biggest benefactors discuss its impact on their careers and the culture, generally. The episode also features Nas, Wyclef,... Read more

June 23, 2014 Video

This Week Brought Videos From J. Cole, G-Unit, T.I., Ab-Soul, Joell Ortiz, Dilated Peoples, Common & More (Video)

This week was a strong one for video. New visuals rolled in from Common, Ab-Soul, G-Unit, T.I., Joell Ortiz, Dilated Peoples, The Game and more. There were also throwbacks from J. Cole & Michael Jackson. Additionally, Black Thought tackled the Harry Potter theme and Chris Rock announced a new tour.... Read more

June 22, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Think Kevin Hart is Funny? Ice Cube Doesn’t. Here’s Why (Video)

Last week, both Ice Cube and Kevin Hart made appearances on Conan. While the 2 may not agree on much, they do share 1 belief: Ice Cube does not think Kevin Hart is funny. Here's a look at each breaking down how and why Cube gives Hart the mean face... Read more

June 22, 2014 Video

Chris Lighty Speaks on How He Started Violator (Video)

As part of its Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, BET conducted the last ever televised interview with Chris Lighty, prior to his death in 2012. As part of that session, Lighty spoke on how he made the transition from working with Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen at Def Jam/Rush Management to... Read more

June 22, 2014 Video

Souls of Mischief Are Releasing Their First New Album in More Than 5 Years (Artwork & Tracklist)

2013 was a landmark year for Souls of Mischief, as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their beloved album, '93 til Infinity. 2014 is shaping up to be another banner year for the group, as they are gearing up to release their first new album in more than 5 years.... Read more

June 22, 2014 Fresh

Celebrate A Humble Genius, With A 3-Hour 1989-1999 Large Professor Mix (Audio)

Like many great artists, Large Professor is somewhat of a Hip-Hop recluse. He's never hard to find (especially if you're a Head who regularly attends NYC Rap concerts), but the man also known as "Extra P" is quick to dodge the spotlight, and take long breaks from releasing (or even... Read more

June 22, 2014 Audio, Throwback

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Summertime Vol. 5 (Mixtape)

Could a Summer really be a Hip-Hop Summer without DJ Jazzy Jeff and the DJ formerly known as Mick Boogie dropping their signature mixtape? For the fifth straight solstice, the Philly and Ohio natives, respectively, let go of the block party-to-go mix series. This year's includes joints from Parliament-Funkadelic, The... Read more

June 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Here’s “A Lil Sumthin” New from Curren$y (Audio)

For the last several years, Curren$y has gravitated toward beats with dark and brooding chords. Purpdogg serves him just that on "A Lil Sumthin' (Come Up Big On Em), and Curren$y delivers his trademark laid back flow. Check it out. Related: Curren$y & Le$ Roll Out Over a Soulful OutKast... Read more

June 21, 2014 Audio

Mary J Blige Is Trapped In Love, But She’s Packing Up & Moving Out (Video)

Mary J. Blige is trapped and drowning both literally and figuratively in her battle between love and pain through her latest visuals to the track, "Suitcase." Black and white influenced shots that accentuate the video are ironic given the fact that her decision to leave the man who tortures her... Read more

June 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

The LOX Are Back On The D-Block (Audio)

Disappointed with the commercial, radio friendly direction of their label, New York City collective The LOX made news in 1999 when their street fueled, “Free The Lox” campaign caused enough stir to push Bad Boy Records to release the hardcore rappers from their unwanted contract. This move opened the doors... Read more

June 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul Sings a Song of Pain & Sorrow on Closure (Video)

Ab-Soul fires another round from the chamber as the release date for his album, These Days, approaches (6/24). On Closure, Soul tries on a new flow that is more singing than rapping. The song and video showcase the pain of a disintegrating relationship. Check it out. Related: Ab-Soul Explains the... Read more

June 20, 2014 Video

Remember The Times, With Michael Jackson’s Love Never Felt So Good (Video)

With Michael Jackson's Justin Timberlake-assisted Xscape single, "Love Never Felt So Good" gaining some serious momentum on the charts of radio and singles sales, Epic Records hashed together some iconic footage of The King Of Pop at work. Stitching some moments that may spawn a tingle in your memory, MJ's... Read more

June 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Kool Herc & Grandmaster Caz To Throw A Free Bronx Block Party 41 Years Later

Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis don't do many free Rock & Roll shows. The Clash don't play too many Punk shows anymore. However, Hip-Hop Heads are blessed with the opportunity to still see pioneers at work, and for not a single penny. This weekend, Hip-Hop's Godfather, DJ Kool Herc,... Read more

June 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

How About Some Unreleased Young, Pepped-Up J Dilla Rapping? (Audio)

J Dilla left behind a seemingly endless supply of unreleased music. Outside of his groups (Slum Village, JayLib), the producer/MC with more than one impresario loved recording. He did it nonstop, and also circulated tailor-made beat-tapes that are still surfacing. As part of Dilla's just-announced, family-endorsed box set, Rolling Stone... Read more

June 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Mac Miller Drops His Original, Unreleased Version Of “The Star Room” (Audio)

On June 18th, a date that marked the one year anniversary of the release of Watching Movies With The Sound Off, Mac Miller unleashed the original version of his introductory track, "The Star Room." Originally produced by Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt, the track boasts soft, ethereal vocals in the style... Read more

June 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Torae & Skyzoo Are The Next To Light Up Sway In The Morning Freestyles (Video)

With their first collaborative LP, Barrel Brothers, now in stores, Skyzoo and Torae stopped by Sway In The Morning. Insisting that true freestyles are all that they know, Sky' and Tor' (who is no stranger to satellite radio) kick cypher-style, back-and-forth bars very much in step with their styles and... Read more

June 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ab-Soul Explains the Religious Imagery of Stigmata and More (Video)

Ab-Soul recently had a fireside chat with Complex's Insanul Ahmed. Though the clip is only 7 minutes, Soulo covers a lot of ground. He discusses the thinking behind the religious imagery on his forthcoming album, These Days, not being signed to Interscope, his love for Jay-Z and Nas, the mythical... Read more

June 20, 2014 Video

Marsha Ambrosius Blends Jeru, Sade and Dr. Dre on Stronger. Hearing is Believing (Audio)

Marsha Ambrosius gets a rare appearance from Dr. Dre on her latest single, "Stronger." The track itself completely revamps two classics into one by combining production samples from Jeru The Damaja's "Come Clean" and a reintroduction of Sade's infectious hook from her track, "Love is Stronger Than Pride." The former... Read more

June 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Break Out Your Shiny Suits, Puff Daddy & Ma$e Make New Music Together (Audio)

After appearing together at 2013's OVO Fest in Toronto as well as the storied Beats By Dre live-playlist party before the Grammy Awards, Puff Daddy and Ma$e appear to be in full force. The Bad Boy Records mogul, and mentor to Ma$e throughout the mid-to-late 1990s linked up with one... Read more

June 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A Day Later, Angie Martinez Announces Power 105 Is Her New Home

The good news: Angie Martinez is staying on radio. The bad news: For almost 24 hours, Heads (New York tri-state ones, especially) were duped into believing that Ang's HOT 97 exit was her farewell to radio. Au contraire. Today (June 19), it was announced that the Bronx native is headed... Read more

June 19, 2014 Fresh

Watch Out For Chicago’s Chris Crack On #JackedTape (Mixtape)

What would you do if you just got robbed? While most people may find themselves in a fit of rage with no outlet, up and coming Chicago artist Chris Crack a.k.a. "Captain James Withers" stuck himself in the studio and turned a 36 hour recording session into his latest project,... Read more

June 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Big Gipp Brings A New Single Out With Cee-Lo Sounding Especially Worldly (Audio)

Blood runs thicker than water in The Dungeon Family. Through label-drama and creative impasses, Big Boi and Andre 3000 stayed working together, even if not in the traditional Outkast capacities. When Jive Records baller-blocked 3 Stacks from rapping on Sir Lucious Left Foot, 'Dre let his production skills tell the... Read more

June 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Tariq Trotter Meets Harry Potter, As Black Thought Has Latenight TV Fun (Video)

The Roots are so much more than a "house band" for "The Tonight Show." The Philadelphia crew, long-labeled as one of host Jimmy Fallon's favorite acts, has been interwoven into the show's nightly sketches, comedy, and a heavy hand in collaborating with various musical guests. At the request of one... Read more

June 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Mac Miller Lets Go Of A Pete Rock-Produced Track Featuring ScHoolboy Q (Audio)

One year ago this week (June 18 to be exact), Mac Miller released his critical sophomore album, Watching Movies With The Sound Off. Famously released the same day as Kanye West's Yeezus, and J. Cole's Born Sinner, many Heads professed that the then-Rostrum Records MC made the best album within... Read more

June 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The O.G. Turntablist/Producer DJ Scratch Remixes Nas’ It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Audio)

Back in 1994, DJ Scratch was relatively quiet. Transitioning from his run as EPMD's DJ, the New Yorker was gearing up to work closely with Busta Rhymes on establishing a sound for the Leaders Of The New School front-man's next wave, Flipmode Squad. Heads in '94 did hear Scratch however,... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Black Milk Looks At Risk-Rewards With For What It’s Worth (Audio)

Despite chart success, major label placements, and a celebrated catalog, Black Milk is still an underdog—especially in his native Detroit. On "For What It's Worth," B.M. looks at the disdain from haters and misunderstanders, and why great art doesn't necessarily equate to big ends. Self-produced, dreamy, and brutally honest...this is... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cormega Is The Self-Proclaimed Rap Basquiat, On A Large Professor Groove (Audio)

From the recluse to the disenchantment with fame, to the exceptional, enduring body of work, Cormega and Jean-Michel Basquiat aren't all that different. After all, they are two New Yorkers from a special era in time that took their city's image and represented it with style and grace. From justifying... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Add-2 & Nitty Scott, MC Channel The Depression-Era Sound For A Bonnie & Clyde Cut (Audio)

Aside from OutKast's Idlewild LP, Hip-Hop rarely goes back to the 1930s for inspiration. Add-2 and Nitty Scott, MC ignored the memo, as the Chi-City voice of hope and the Brooklyn-based flower-child put on new costumes in art and in verse. Not like Jay Z & Beyonce's rendition of Bonnie... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Pharcyde’s Slimkid3 & DJ Nu-Mark Cook Up With Murs & Del (Audio)

Three years removed from the release of their EP, Another Day Another Dollar, and just over a year since their Rayman Legends inspired track with current Incubus drummer Jose Pasillas II and ex-Incubus bassist Alex “Dirk Lance” Katunich on "Picture Perfect Phantasy," Slimkid3 of The Pharcyde and Jurassic 5's DJ... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Game Means Everything He Said In Bigger Than Me, Cause He Filmed It (Video)

What could've been dismissed as yet another "feeling myself in the booth" moment, Game's "Bigger Than Me" is bigger than that. The Compton star visioned the song as a single, with a Matt Alonzo-directed visual as deliberate and dramatic as the bars themselves. Themed in Horror-style, Game chainsaws his way... Read more

June 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common & Hype Williams Release a Visually Stunning Short Film for Kingdom (Video)

With its swelling Gospel chorus and Common's piercing lyrics about the plight facing his hometown of Chicago, it's hard to imagine his song "Kingdom" could be any more powerful. However, when you combine that penetrating soundtrack with the visuals of Hype Williams, the song soars to a new level. Williams... Read more

June 18, 2014 Video

Angie Martinez Announces Final Day On Air, Resigns From HOT 97

After nearly 25 years at HOT 97, Angie Martinez announced today via social media platforms that she is resigning. Dating back to the 1980s, as a teenager, Angie, a Bronx native, began at the New York City-based station in one of their lowest capacities: answering phones, and paying dues. A... Read more

June 18, 2014 Fresh

The N.W.A. Biopic is 100% Official…and it Has a Release Date

Last year, Ice Cube discussed the upcoming N.W.A biopic with Arsenio, which is being directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set it Off), and it's been confirmed on numerous occasions, including by Dr. Dre. New details have surfaced, including cast names and a release date, that make the film all... Read more

June 18, 2014 Fresh

GQ, Problem & Bad Lucc Create a New East/West Coast Connection over a 9th Wonder Beat (Audio)

If you're not familiar with GQ, 9th Wonder's latest protege, this is a good place to start. The North Carolina spitter's crisp lyrics penetrate 9th's dense beats with precision. He links with Problem and Bad Lucc, 2 of the finest of Cali's new generation on "Falls Down." Hip-Hop, stand up.... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff Recounts His Surprise Performance with The Fresh Prince on Graham Norton (Video)

Remember the surprise performance by DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Fresh Prince, Jaden Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro on The Graham Norton Show last year? Jeff breaks down the story of how it all came to pass in the latest episode of Vinyl Destination. It was not an easy trip...Check out the... Read more

June 18, 2014 Video

Ep. 2 of The Message Documentary Covers East vs. West Beef, The Rise of The South & More (Full Video)

Part 2 of The Message, BET's 4-part documentary chronicling the history of Hip-Hop, covers the Bad Boy vs. Death Row beef, the rise of Southern Hip-Hop, the "bling" era, the attempted censorship of Rap music and more. The episode features commentary from Snoop, Uncle Luke, Master P, Juicy J, The... Read more

June 17, 2014 Video

Get Ready. Chris Rock is Spreading the Black Plague…(Video)

Dave Chappelle is not the only comedic giant returning to stand up this year. Fresh off his announcement as host of the BET Awards, Chris Rock sat down with Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show and told Fallon he is going on tour. Rock revealed the name is "The Black... Read more

June 17, 2014 Video

It’s Not Just Studio & Stage, G-Unit Is Back With A Proper 4-Man Visual (Video)

Simple, but effective. G-Unit's first four-man video in over six years comes to the light. Just like 50 Cent's Animal Ambition roll-out, the clique goes back to the first song they cut since the Summer Jam stage. Called "Nah, I'm Talking About," the mixtape-style track on a Hit-Boy beat has... Read more

June 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Scarface Says Album With Nas Is A 99.99% Done Deal (Audio)

Scarface sits down to talk with DJ Whoo Kid to discuss his rumored retirement, his refusal to work on more Geto Boys projects, his latest single, "No Problem," and the huge potential for an upcoming collaborative album with Nas. The potential for a Nas and Scarface album is incredibly enticing,... Read more

June 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ab-Soul & Lupe Fiasco Set Their Sights On Global Domination (Audio)

Less than two weeks away from the release of his latest album These Days, Top Dawg Entertainment artist Ab-Soul drops yet another single, "World Runners" featuring soft vocals from Nikki Jean and competitive lyricism from Chicago artist Lupe Fiasco. Ab and Lupe are no stranger to one another, as the... Read more

June 17, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Joell Ortiz Is Finally Feeling Comfortable In His Own Shoes (Video)

Joell Ortiz is having quite the active first half of 2014. The Slaughterhouse affiliate has completed House Rules, a mixtape with the rest of the Shady Records Hip-Hop group, and has recently signed to Penalty Entertainment to assist in the release of his upcoming solo album, House Slippers. Housing such... Read more

June 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

T.I. Gives a Taste of Brazil That is Far From Mediocre in His Latest Visual (Video)

T.I. conducted a listening party in NYC earlier tonight at the School of Visual Arts. He had a spirited and engaging conversation with Lil Duval. As part of the talk, he told the story behind the video for No Mediocre, his collaboration with Iggy Azalea. He explained that, despite the... Read more

June 17, 2014 Video

Action Bronson Chases Caribbean Cuisine In Miami, Sandwiches In Philly (Video)

Action Bronson's F*ck, That's Delicious food series for Noisey gets a much-needed follow-up episode. Bam Bam raids the I-95 corridor for goodies, from Miami to Atlanta, with a bonus stop in Philly. With plenty of humor along the way from Bronson as well as his just-released right-hand-man Big Body Bes,... Read more

June 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Game Shakes It Up, Promises The Documentary 2, With Dr. Dre & Just Blaze

On January 18, 2005, Compton rapper Game made arguably one of the finest debut albums in Hip-Hop history with The Documentary. Eventually reaching multi-platinum status in the United States, the LP was a critical moment for West Coast Hip-Hop, which had not seen a breakout star commercially since the decline... Read more

June 17, 2014 Fresh

Fabolous Wants You To Keep The S.O.U.L. Tape 3 In Your Playa (Video)

For 15 years, Fabolous has prided himself on a cinematic style. The Brooklyn mainstay and one of Def Jam's flagship artists is still hard at work promoting late 2013's The S.O.U.L. Tape 3. One of the mixtape's standouts was The Notorious B.I.G.-inspired "Playa." For the just-released visual, 'Loso rocks in... Read more

June 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joell Ortiz Joins In On Nicki Minaj’s Pills N’ Potions With Heartfelt Realness (Audio)

The same morning Joell Ortiz drops off the visual to a status-checking single in "House Slippers" with Penalty Records, the Bushwick, Brooklyn MC's other label, Shady Records, lets go of an unofficial remix to Nicki Minaj's "Pills N' Potions." On Barbz' single that's re-centering her abilities and direction, the former... Read more

June 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent & G-Unit Rip Their Next Joint Over A Vintage Wu-Tang Clan Deep Cut (Audio)

As they motion towards a reported third studio album, G-Unit is incredibly active. The reunited lineup of 50 Cent, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, and Lloyd Banks has hopped on instrumentals from Hit-Boy, Trey Songz, and Drake in the last two weeks. Now, the Hip-Hop heads (remember that Fif's favorite rapper... Read more

June 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Futuristic Stamps One Out For Arizona In His Sway In The Morning Freestyle (Video)

Sway In The Morning has become a destination for artists to make severe noise with amazing freestyles. This should come as no surprise to anybody who ever listed to Sway & King Tech's The Wake Up Show, or heard Crooked I, Tech N9ne, and Eminem on an early gold-certified album... Read more

June 16, 2014 Fresh, Video