Fresh Archives

Jon Connor Sets His Sights On The Notorious B.I.G.’s Beats For #BestInTheWorld, Vol. 1 (Mixtape)

Last month, Jon Connor launched his #BestInTheWorld campaign paying tribute to another Midwestern MC in a Kanye West-inspired tape. Flint, Michigan's newest Rap hopeful continues the theme, turning his aim on The Notorious B.I.G.'s catalog. Overtop beats made by DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee, and of course Puffy's Hitmen, #ConnorSeason... Read more

April 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

50 Cent Is Still A Hustler. He Tells You How On A Jake One Beat (Audio)

50 Cent will uncage his Animal Ambition on June 1st now. Always calculated, always marketing, Fif will have likely shared a bulk of the LP by then. Today, care of DJ Enuff, Curtis dropped off "Hustler," produced by longtime collaborator Jake One. It's a straightforward 50 Cent track that will... Read more

April 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Think You’ve Got Bars? Try Tackling Apollo Brown’s Cigarette Burns Instrumentals (Free EP)

Last week, Detroit, Michigan-based producer Apollo Brown got one of his biggest looks in his lengthy career, care of a Chance The Rapper single, "The Writer." After working with O.C., Guilty Simpson, and his group, The Left, Apollo is known to release plenty of instrumental projects with his label, Mello... Read more

April 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Ever Heard Roc Marciano’s Early Gems With Pete Rock & Large Professor? Listen To The U.N.’s U.N. Or U Out (Album Stream)

Tomorrow (April 15th), Fat Beats Records is re-releasing The U.N.'s one and only album R U.N. R U Out? Roc Marciano's early group (with Mike Raw, Dino Brave and Laku) was backed by none other than Carson Daly (hard to imagine, right?), and put in the studio with O.G.'s like... Read more

April 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch Is One Of Hip-Hop’s Most Consistent Album-Makers. How’s P.T.S.D. Stack Up? (Album Stream)

Tomorrow (April 15th), Pharoahe Monch will release his fourth studio solo album, P.T.S.D. Early intel says that it's the Organized Konfusion's most intimate, most vulnerable, and thus, most personal album to date (with some classic P.Monch cockiness too). Featuring involvement Black Thought, Quelle Chris, Talib Kweli, and others, the W.A.R.... Read more

April 14, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

SZA Makes You Feel The Warm Winds In This Hazy Visual (Video)

SZA's kind of an impressionistic singer. Rather than be about a crisp delivery and concrete images, the TDE songstress (with tons of talent) is all about vibe, mood, and feeling. Her songwriting is very poetic and abstract, while her delivery is evocative, while being open-ended. "Warm Winded" is no exception,... Read more

April 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jhene Aiko Clears Out The Closet For The Comfort Inn Ending Freestyle (Video)

Jhene Aiko's name is suddenly appearing everywhere. Kim Kardashian is now posting videos putting Aiko's jams on the tabloid shows, while her new material, solo and collaborative, is climbing the charts. Jhene shows that she's a great actress, and her music comes from the heart in the stream of conscious-inspired... Read more

April 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Childish Gambino Has Some Artful Fun In Sweatpants (Video)

Childish Gambino made a video for "Sweatpants," from his acclaimed because the Internet album. The video, which can seemingly be interpreted a number of ways, uses lots of tracking shots, a cool 24-hour diner location, clever editing, and some Groundhog Day-esque repetition to make the song with some of Donald... Read more

April 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharrell Speaks on His Musical Beginnings, Remaining Humble, Being Called an “Oreo” and More (Video)

Pharrell Williams provided an in-depth interview to CBS and spoke candidly about several issues. He talked about his struggles as a student, his disappointment with his first solo album, being called an "Oreo" when growing up, music transcending race and more. He addresses each question with wisdom, complexity and humility.... Read more

April 13, 2014 Video

Nas Performs at Coachella. Watch the Full Set (Video)

Less than a week away from the 20th anniversary of Illmatic, Nas hit the stage at Coachella and provided a reminder of why he has been relevant in Hip-Hop for more than 2 decades. Check out his full set below. Related: Executive Producer Noah Uman Speaks on the Making of... Read more

April 13, 2014 Video

Watch Pharrell Perform at Coachella (Video)

Pharrell stepped from behind the boards to center stage at Coachella last night, performing a cross-section of his plethora of hits. He was also joined by Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Puff Daddy, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg and more. Check out the full set below. Part 1 Part 2 Related: Pharrell is... Read more

April 13, 2014 Video

DJ Kay Slay Brings The Outlawz & ONYX Together on My Brother’s Keeper (Audio)

DJ Kay Slay brings together ONYX and 2Pac's Outlawz on My Brother's Keeper. This is from Kay Slay's upcoming album, The Last Hip Hop Disciple. Check it out. Related: ONYX - Whut Whut (Video)... Read more

April 12, 2014 Audio

Here’s a New Mixtape of OutKast Rarities & Remixes from MICK (Boogie) (Mixtape)

MICK (formerly known as Mick Boogie) has put out countless classic mixtapes over the years, and he's just added another to his collection. In honor of OutKast's Coachella reunion, MICK has released Greetings Eartling: OutKast Rarities & Remixes. Check out MICK's words on the project, the full stream and download... Read more

April 12, 2014 Audio, Mixes

Memory Lane: Noah Uman & Making Nas’ Illmatic XX & The Hip-Hop Reissue (Food For Thought Interview)

With some competition, in the 12 month radius of its release alone, Nas' Illmatic is commonly argued as Hip-Hop's greatest album. The debut from the Queensbridge MC was made in a place and time where the genre of Rap and the album format was changing shape. Surrounded by a council... Read more

April 12, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Shabaam Sahdeeq, Wais P & Sha Stimuli Move That Dope Over An Amazing DJ Skizz Beat (Audio)

Last year, DJ Skizz's BQE album celebrated some New York Hip-Hop history, with members of The Juice Crew, D.I.T.C., M.O.P., and The Firm all on the same 2013 LP. This year, the NYC-based producer is already hitting the ground running. "That Dope" is made by Shabaam Sahdeeq. The MC was... Read more

April 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Outkast Reunites On The Coachella Stage After A Decade Concert Absence (Video)

So you didn't have the money, or maybe the time, or maybe even the energy for Coachella. In the digital age, you can still dive in without paying 10 bills for water, or getting your shoes scuffed up. Outkast took the stage Friday night (April 11). The reunion of Big... Read more

April 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

“I Think He Planned It”: Get The Inside Scoop On Canibus’ LL Cool J-Inspired Microphone Tattoo (Video)

Canibus has one of the most famous Hip-Hop tattoos. 'Bis, following an interesting exchange with his Queens idol LL Cool J, decided to copy the Def Jam superstar's bicep ink: a microphone. Moreover, Canibus got "Rip the Jacker" also inked, a clear diss to the "Jack The Ripper" '80s mainstay.... Read more

April 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Watch Big Boi Bust A 1993 Verse Back In High School (Video)

By 1993, OutKast had already made their debut appearance on the Organized Noize remix to TLC's "What About Your Friends." However, Big Boi was still slammin' lockers in high school, Tri-Cities High School to be exact. Daddy Fat Sax was still just a kiddie when this video was made of... Read more

April 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

A Feature Length Nas Documentary is Coming to Theaters. Here’s a Look at the Trailer (Video)

In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Illmatic, a feature-length documentary is coming to theaters. The film will document not only the album and its impact, but also Nas' journey to Illmatic. Check out the trailer for Time is Illmatic. Related: Here’s an Amazing Mini-Documentary on Illmatic, Featuring Nas, Kendrick... Read more

April 11, 2014 Throwback

REWIND: What’s the First Music You Bought with Your Own Money? (Video)

What's the first music you bought with your own money? We asked Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Fashawn, Stic Man, Skillz, Murs and more. Their answers might surprise you...Watch what they had to say and weigh in with what music you first bought. Related:... Read more

April 11, 2014 Video

Drake is Fake. Real Talk. Here’s Why (Video)

Whether you love or hate Drake, this video is a must see. After the announcement he would be the 2014 ESPY Awards host, he took to the streets as part of an elaborate prank concocted by Jimmy Kimmel. Drake donned a disguise and asked several people what they thought of... Read more

April 11, 2014 Video

DJ Premier Tells the Story of How He Became a DJ (Video)

Salute to DJ Premier who was honored by Serato today for his contribution to DJ culture. As part of the tribute, they've put together a phenomenal video of Premier discussing what led him to be a DJ, how Gang Starr came to be, his early days as a producer, his... Read more

April 10, 2014 Video

Smoke DZA Flows Over Music from Dr. Dre, Aaliyah & 112 on The 5 Fingers of Death (Video)

Smoke DZA stopped by The Sway in the Morning show to tackle the 5 Fingers of Death freestyle challenge and passed with flying colors. The Harlem MC went off the top over 5 beats, including music from Dr. Dre, Aaliyah and 112. Riiiight...Check it out. Related: Did You Know Smoke... Read more

April 10, 2014 Video

Here’s an Amazing Mini-Documentary on Illmatic, Featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne & More (Video)

There have been several amazing pieces of content surrounding the 20th anniversary of Illmatic. This is one of the best of them. Google Play has put together a mini-documentary about Nas and his magnum opus, featuring insightful commentary from Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Peter Rosenberg, among... Read more

April 10, 2014 Video

Killer Mike & Alchemist Give The Boondocks A New Charged Anthem (Audio)

Next week, "The Boondocks" is dropping their mixtape to season 4. Regular Adult Swim collaborator (R.A.P. was released on Williams Street's label, after all) Killer Mike teamed with Alchemist to give a show-inspired anthem in "The Boonies." The song may be based on something besides the streets of Adamsville, but... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Watch The Drummer Get Wicked! Madlib Makes A Beat On The Drums, Turntables & Pads (Video)

When Heads of a certain age were young, we watched Grandmixer DST cut it up in Herbie Hancock's legendary video to "Rockit." That single moment, putting scratching and cutting in the mainstream (Herbie would later score awards galore for the fresh LP), prompted many DJs to gravitate towards the record... Read more

April 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

David Banner Tells The Story Of Congolese Freedom Fighter Patrice Lumumba Alongside SA-ROC On The Who?

David Banner is a force to be reckoned with. The Mississippi veteran MC/producer infuses much of his music with information, passion, and a fiery delivery. Such is the case on "Who Am I?," a Bob James-sampling track that tells the story of Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first democratically-elected Prime Minister who,... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Asher Roth Reaches A New Plateau Of Social Commentary In His Career With The World Is Not Enough (Video)

Back in 2008 and 2009, when Asher Roth was hot on the scene, he was being reportedly courted by everybody from Ludacris to Jay Z to the eventual deal he inked with Steve Rifkind's SRC Records. The Bucks County, Pennsylvania MC was tearing down freestyles, and winning over naysayers who... Read more

April 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

EPMD’s Green-Eyed Bandit Erick Sermon Freaks Some Sheena Easton When He Plays Rhythm Roulette (Video)

Erick Sermon isn't an artist who is always running for the spotlight in the digital age. The EPMD co-founder and producer/MC double-threat stays busy at his craft, and does interviews, releases songs and videos as he feels necessary. However, Mass Appeal got the Brentwood, Long Island Def Squad delegate to... Read more

April 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Lady of Rage Rocks Rough and Stuff with DJ Premier (Audio)

DJ Premier has launched a brand new site, Premier Wuz Here, where you can find some of the many gems he has bestowed upon the culture. One such jewel is a song he did with the Lady of Rage, which has a title that sums it up perfectly. Check out... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio

Raekwon Flaunts His Verbal Jewels Over A Sweet Dionne Warwick Sample (Audio)

If you're a fan of those O.G. player tracks, where a prominent MC rocks confidently over gliding samples, then Raekwon's got just what you wanted today. "The Living Room," finds The Chef chopping down bossy bars about living the good life with some sweet '60s Soul underneath. Throughout this young... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

You Think You’ve Heard All The Versions Of Nas’ It Ain’t To Tell? Think Again (Audio)

Next week's release of Illmatic XX, a compilation re-releasing Nas' 1994 debut album with some additional freestyles, remixes, and songs recorded during the 1992-1994 sessions which missed the initial Columbia/Sony/RuffHouse release is gearing up. Some Heads, who had bootlegs, mixtapes, and a savvy Internet finger may claim they've heard everything.... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

One Of 2Pac’s Most Hip-Hop-Minded Songs Gets A Nice New Cookin’ Soul Remix (Audio)

Sometimes Tupac Shakur's Hip-Hop contributions are underplayed. Sure, 'Pac was a new kind of superstar rapper at the time of his death in late 1996, but Heads can forget that the native New Yorker was a B-boy too. Although One Nation never released the album as 'Pac intended, the group's... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Would Nas’ Illmatic Have Been Longer if it Had Not Been Leaked? MC Serch Speaks (Video)

I remember when I got my first copy of Illmatic. It was a blank cassette tape...and it was about 4 weeks before the album was released. I had a friend who had a friend in NYC and, apparently, bootleg copies were rampant. MC Serch and Faith Newman (who signed Nas... Read more

April 9, 2014 Throwback

Method Man & Redman Play Tongue Twisters Game With Cotton-Mouth (Video)

Montreality can seemingly get legendary rappers to do just about anything. Fresh off of getting Kool G Rap to recall delivering Chinese food, the Great North site got Redman & Method Man (Meth's not always the biggest fan of media either) to play Tongue Twisters. The Def Jam O.G.'s battle... Read more

April 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Roots Announce Their Next Album Is Less Than 6 Weeks Away

Earlier this week, The Roots dropped off "When The People Cheer," their first completely in-house, new music in over a year. ?uestlove, Black Thought, Tuba Gooding, Jr. and the rest of the crew have now announced, via Def Jam Records, that their next studio album is coming May 19. No... Read more

April 9, 2014 Fresh

Snoop Dogg & Daz Make A Touching Uncle June Bugg Tribute With Years Of Footage (Video)

Following last week's audio tribute from Tha Dogg Pound to Uncle June Bugg, Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger made the video. The cousins/DPG relatives shared years of footage from their late uncle, while performing for the camera. In addition to Bishop Don Magic Juan, Uncle June was one of the... Read more

April 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Cash Money & DJ Scratch Rock The Bells, With Some Biz Markie Hilarity (Video)

Although he made one classic Hip-Hop single, Philadelphia's DJ Cash Money is a turntable innovator to the highest degree. Along with DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinbad, and DJ Code Money, Cash ushered in a Philly dominance in the scratching and mixing in the mid-late 1980s that's still up there with... Read more

April 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bas Represents J. Cole Well on Charles de Gaulle to JFK (Audio)

J. Cole has been making moves behind the scenes lately, having secured a distribution deal with Interscope for his Dreamville Records. Dreamville artist Bas' album will hit stores on 4/29 and, based on his latest release, sounds like it will represent Cole quite well. Check out Charles de Gaulle to... Read more

April 9, 2014 Audio

Chance The Rapper Teams With Apollo Brown, And The Results Are Explosive (Audio)

Chance The Rapper's growing movement has been mostly with in-house producers (Nate Fox Blended Babies), give or a take a few looks from the likes of Jake One or BrandUn Deshay. However, in a rather surprising move, C.T.R. let loose a joint he made with Detroit, Michigan-based Apollo Brown. Apollo... Read more

April 9, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch & Black Thought Show There’s No Sleeping on Them with Rapid Eye Movement (Audio)

Pharoahe Monch and Black Thought are among some of the most underrated MCs in the game but here's a notice to STOP SLEEPING. The pair get on a magnificent track, off Pharoahe's forthcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder album, and catch wreck on Rapid Eye Movement. Straight fire. Check it out.... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio

The Week in Video Featured KRS-One, Mos Def, 50 Cent, Nas, Scarface & More (Video Playlist)

The past week in Hip-Hop video featured Scarface announcing his first new album in 6 years, Nas talking Illmatic, a monster Mos Def/Marvin Gaye mashup, fire freestyles from Joey Bada$$ & ONYX, and new music videos from 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Big Boi, Yelawolf, Jon Connor, KRS-One, Diamond D, Pharoahe... Read more

April 8, 2014 Playlists, Video

Here’s the First Release From the Forthcoming Michael Jackson Album (Audio)

Here's the first release from the forthcoming Michael Jackson album. Check out the title track, Xscape, produced by Rodney Jerkins. Related: Michael Jackson’s Archives Are Going To Be Produced By Which Hip-Hop Super-Producer? (Video)... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio

Check Out This Tender Hip-Hop Moment That Will Make You Smile (Video)

Family is an important part of Hip-Hop. So is having fun. Large Professor this video from Brooklyn Bowl of he and his daughter vibin' out to DJ Premier on the wheels of steel (playing some Run-DMC and some Big L). If this don't bring a smile, check your pulse... #FunFact:... Read more

April 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Logic Releases a Quick Reminder That He Rips Mics (Audio)

After being named a XXL Freshman last year, Logic had a relatively quiet year. His scarcity of product over the last several months, however, has not been due to a lack of skills. He returns with a strong reminder that he can stand toe to toe with the best of... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio

If You Don’t Have Fancy Footwork, Freeway & Girl Talk Will Leave You With Broken Ankles (EP Mixtape)

After two singles, one being a video, Freeway & Girl Talk released Broken Ankles today. The free EP (or freEP) features Jadakiss, Waka Flocka Flame, and others. The Pittsburgh native DJ and the Philly-based MC came together with some '80s kick and snare-minded production to set their working relationship off... Read more

April 8, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Future Provides the Melody & Kanye West Brings the Verse on I Won (Audio)

Over the last few years, Future has become the featured guest du jour, having lent his vocals to seemingly everyone from Pusha T to Rihanna. As the release date for his new album draws near, the Dungeon Family progeny releases a track with a high-profile guest of his own: Kanye... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio

Joe Supplies a Trademark Hook to 50 Cent on Big Rich Town (Video)

From Big Pun to LL Cool J, Joe has supplied some memorable Hip-Hop hooks over the years. 50 Cent is the latest beneficiary on Big Rich Town. Check out the video. Related: 50 Cent & Dr. Dre Team Up Again. But How Will It Sound In Da Club? (Audio)... Read more

April 8, 2014 Video

Denitia & Sene’s Divided Gets A Visual To Complement It Perfectly (Video)

Recently, Denitia & Sene unleashed their slow, dreamy and melodic "Divided." With a black & white backdrop, and a natural landscape, the corresponding video matches the song perfectly. After years of collaboration, this pair seems to be trailblazing new ground musically, and in cultivating their audiences. Gotta love the beat... Read more

April 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bad Lucc & Problem Show That The Sights & Sounds Of South Central Haven’t Changed (Video)

The synth break on The Ohio Players' "Funky Worm" has been as West Coast as swap meets, and pumps and dumps in trunks since N.W.A.'s "Dopeman." As they are respected for, Bad Lucc and Problem carry on tradition in "Outchea." Moreover, the label-mates show you that Los Angeles, at least... Read more

April 8, 2014 Fresh, Video