Fresh Archives

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

Nas Strolls Down Memory Lane, Talking The Legendary Producers Who Backed Him Early, With Zane Lowe

Illmatic XX has Nas really looking in his rearview. The sometimes reclusive Queensbridge MC is completely open in looking at the formation of his most celebrated album. Zane Lowe, who is getting unrivaled access to guys like Eminem, Jay Z, and Kanye West, sits down with Nasir on his audio... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Yasiin Gaye’s (Mos Def & Marvin Gaye) Ms. Fat Booty Gets A Mashed Up Visual Component (Video)

Just when it felt like Yasiin Gaye could get no bigger, the creator of the fully-produced Marvin Gaye and Mos Def (aka Yasiin Bey) mash-up project, Amerigo Gazaway, went to the visual medium. For the Gaye-enhanced remix of Mos Def's Black On Both Sides single, "Ms. Fat Booty," Gazaway morphed... Read more

April 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rapsody Paints Her Numbers On The Boards With Some Attitude (Audio)

This month, Pusha T's "Numbers On The Boards" has its first birthday. That doesn't mean that the grimy instrumental created by DJ Don Cannon and Kanye West doesn't still attract MCs from elsewhere to mold it to them. Such is the case with Rapsody. She barely stops for air as... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Performs One Love & The World is Yours with The Roots & Q-Tip (Video)

Nas performed One Love & The World is Yours with Q-Tip and The Roots on The Tonight Show and the results were pretty epic. Check out both performances below. One Love The World is Yours Related: Nas Talks 20 Years of Illmatic with Bill Maher (Video)... Read more

April 8, 2014 Video

Statik Selektah Lays Down A Great Scratch-Chorus For 1982’s Sucker Free (Audio)

Statik Selektah and Termanology appear to be ramping up another 1982 project. Statik laces a really grabbing scratch-chorus (showing his emulation of onetime mentor DJ Premier), on a faster-pace track called "Sucker Free." Term talks about handing out buck 50's (not meaning six quarters), while his own protege Ea$y Money... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fat Joe Interpolates A Little Classic Queen Latifah Alongside Rick Ross & French Montana (Audio)

Back in 2010, Fat Joe took an unmistakable Soul II Soul vocal riff, and made it into a grimy summertime anthem alongside Young Jeezy for his first Darkside LP. While the faces have changed, the D.I.T.C. member-turned-global superstar has done it again. Interpolating Queen Latifah's catchy 1993 chorus from "Just... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Roots Premiere A New Song That Speaks To Everyman (Audio)

Although The Roots worked with Elvis Costello in 2013, it's been some months since the Heads were treated to a completely Roots Crew jam. That changed today with "When The People Cheer." While the record might sound entertainment-specific in the title, it's some great Everyman Rap that furthers the tradition... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Talks 20 Years of Illmatic with Bill Maher (Video)

Nas was a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher and spoke in-depth about the upcoming 20th anniversary of Illmatic. Hip-Hop's ambassador showed incredible humility in discussing one of the greatest albums of all-time. Check out the video. Related: Here’s an Alternate Take of Mobb Deep’s Eye For an Eye... Read more

April 7, 2014 Video

KRS-One Does Not Want You to Miss 1 Word of This True School Rap (Video)

KRS-One has released a lyric video for his True School song which features the Blastmaster teaching over a killer Jimi Hendrix sample. Check it out. Related: DJ Kenny Parker Unearths 22 Minutes Of Lost KRS-One & DJ Scott La Rock Dopeness (Audio)... Read more

April 7, 2014 Video

SZA Offers Up The Dreamy & Thoughtful Kendrick Lamar-Assisted Babylon (Audio)

In less than 12 hours, (the opening ticks of April 8th), TDE's songstress SZA will deliver her Z EP. With a nice sampling already in the marketplace, fans were treated to "Babylon" today. The track features star label-mate Kendrick Lamar with some incredibly dense, personal-feeling rhymes, while SZA's cloudy vocals... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Freeway & Girl Talk Invite Jadakiss On Board For Hardcore, I Can Hear Sweat (Audio)

Tomorrow, Freeway & Girl Talk will release Broken Ankles, the free-EP. The Philly-Pittsburgh connect showed off their raucous video for the Waka Flocka Flame-assisted "Show You How" last week, before turning to "I Can Hear Sweat" this week. This track features the same strong energy, and attitude as the first,... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Watch ONYX’s Sticky Fingaz & Fredro Starr Brutally Body A Freestyle (Video)

HipHopDX & Team BackPack's Rooftop Freestyle series in Hollywood has included some buzzing names in Hip-Hop's come-up scene. Additionally, a host of veterans have rolled through and kicked some verses in the sunshine. However, can anybody ever say they came as hard as Fredro Starr and cousin Sticky Fingaz? The... Read more

April 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joey Bada$$ & Kirk Knight Go Back & Forth In The Booth For 10 Minutes, Over Classic Instruments (Video)

Stopping in London recently, Pro Era's Joey Bada$$ and Kirk Knight hit the recording studio for the "Fire In The Booth" series. Kirk gets a coming out party, noting that he doesn't even have a project available, while the pair play games with the BBC's Charlie Sloth, implementing some homegrown... Read more

April 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass & Mista Lawnge’s White Crows Kick Something R.E.A.L. Over A New Wave Sample (Audio)

After their first song back in February, the HRSMN x Black Sheep connection strengthens. Ras Kass & Mista Lawnge's The Black Crows are back with "Something R.E.A.L." The lyric-driven track features a sampled chorus from Boy George's original group, which Heads might not expect. But it comes out nicely. After... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

As we ease our way into April, here's a playlist of the best Hip-Hop to drop in March. You'll hear new music from Jay Z, Jay Electronica, Wu-Tang Clan, Crooked I, The Lox, Mobb Deep, Jon Connor, Devin the Dude, Big K.R.I.T., Nitty Scott, MC, Kendrick Lamar, YG, 50 Cent,... Read more

April 6, 2014 Audio, Playlists

Da Beatminerz In The House! DJ Evil Dee’s Tribute Mix For Frankie Knuckles (Audio)

DJ Evil Dee stays on the mix (c'mon, and kick it!). One of the living legends of Bushwick, Brooklyn and Hip-Hop production has been making mixtapes for over 25 years. Although Evil Dee (and brother Mr. Walt) are best known for grimy, bass-driven Hip-Hop beats (especially with his group, Black... Read more

April 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Here’s an Alternate Take of Mobb Deep’s Eye For an Eye Featuring Nas, Rae & Ghost (Audio)

Think you've heard Mobb Deep's Eye for an Eye? Think again...Here's an alternate mix that sports a different track, different verses from Havoc, Prodigy and Raekwon, and some bars from Ghostface Killah. Though it has different elements, it has all the grit and grime of the original. This is from... Read more

April 5, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Throwback

Here’s an Amazing Mix of Music from the Legendary Roots Crew from Qool DJ Marv (Audio)

Here's an amazing mix of music from The Legendary Roots Crew courtesy of Qool DJ Marv. Marv got his start in Philly around the same time The Roots were coming up. With his impeccable ear and seamless blends, there are few more qualified to document the sounds of the venerable... Read more

April 5, 2014 Audio

Cam’ron Gets Down and Dirty with His Girlfriend JuJu on Devil (Audio)

Cam'ron and his better half, JuJu, get down and dirty on a flip of an 80's soundtrack gem. The Devil is in the details... Related: Smoke DZA and Cam’ron Resurrect the Ghost of Dipset (Audio)... Read more

April 5, 2014 Audio

Snoop Dogg & Daz Dillinger Pay Tribute to Snoop’s Late Uncle (Audio)

Rest in peace to Snoop Dogg's Uncle Junebug who passed away earlier this week. He and Daz Dillinger honor him with a soulful and moving tribute. Check out We'll Miss U (Uncle Junebug). Related: Snoop Dogg Talks Us Through His Life & Shows Us Why Peace Is The Word (Video)... Read more

April 4, 2014 Audio

Fashawn & Exile Make Some Fight Music, For The Bradley Vs. Pacquiao Fight (Audio)

On 2009's Boy Meets World, Fashawn rhymed quite a bit about gettin' picked on in his younger days, over DJ Exile production. As the Fresno, California MC got older and was taken under the wings of older Heads, he started fighting back, and a few harassers got punched in the... Read more

April 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Papoose Links With DJ Premier Again, This Time On Current Events (Audio)

Papoose has been in the Rap game for over 16 years. From how people get their music to "what's beef," the Brooklyn MC has watched a lot change. He talks about what sees as it pertains to the now, while DJ Premier pieces together one of the best scratch-choruses heard... Read more

April 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Scarface Announces His First Album In 6 Years, And A Book To Go With It (Video)

Scarface has not released a studio album since 2008's Emeritus. However, the Geto Boy/Facemob member has not retired, as previously speculated. Au contraire, as 'Face tells MySpace that Deeply Rooted is what's next. "It talks about my life," Scarface says of the book and album in the video. "The good... Read more

April 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Yelawolf Turns The Keys To The Pickup Truck In Box Chevy V (Video)

Although Yelawolf has been in the mainstream Hip-Hop scene for less than five years, he's quickly become one of the biggest endorsers of Chevrolet. Up there with Trick Daddy and Death Row-era Dr. Dre, Yela has made anthem after anthem about Caprices, Impalas, Monte Carlos, and Malibus. Now, for "Chevy... Read more

April 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

KRS-One Kicks Some Hard Rhymes Overtop A Guitar Loop. It’s True School (Audio)

DJ Jean Maron has worked with an assortment of New York Hip-Hop legends. Maron's 2010 Run-MPC LP with M-Dot included M.O.P., Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, and Craig G. Almost four years later, Maron links with KRS-One. On "True School," Blastmasta has that Teacha's fervor as he expounds on why... Read more

April 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh