Fresh Archives

Common & No ID Declare War On The Violence Plaguing Chicago’s Streets (Audio)

We learned mere hours ago that Common is planning his fifth album with early producer No ID Nobody Smiling, taking its name from Rakim's powerful lyrics, the album is an indictment on the street violence epidemic in Chicago, Illinois. Lupe Fiasco, Chief Keef, and a host of other artists have... Read more

January 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common’s New Album Will Be a Call to Action to Stop the Violence in Chicago (Video)

Twenty-two years ago, No I.D. (then known as Immenslope) produced over half of Common's (then known as Common Sense) debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar? In the years since, No I.D. and Comm, both Chicagoans have worked together on some heralded albums such as Resurrection and One Day It'll... Read more

January 6, 2014 Video

Pusha T’s Sessions With The Neptunes Is Actually A Reunion For The Clipse?

Late last week, AFH reported that Pusha T was back in the lab with his mentors Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. As The Neptunes, P and Chad had been working with Pusha Ton since the late '90s, during The Clipse's first (shelved) LP. Well, Karen Civil, a woman in the... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh

Ab-Soul Explains His Pete Rock Tattoo & Talks His Favorite LPs. Chicagoans Will Appreciate (Video)

Ab-Soul is soulful. Soulo, who calls himself Soul Brother #2 recently broke down to Bootleg Kev why he's got Pete Rock (Soul Brother #1) on his arm. In an age where rappers are big on tattooing deceased influences on their bodies, it's incredibly cool that Ab honors the living, and... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

One Of The Source’s Co-Founders & DJ Mighty Mi Lay Down A 2 Hour Golden Era Mix (Audio)

Back in arguably the greatest year for all things Rap (1988), The Source magazine, the onetime "Bible Of Hip-Hop," started by Publisher Dave Mays and Jon Shecter at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With some friends (and allegedly Ray Benzino), the magazine would go on to become thee paper of... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Maino Wears A Crown & Raps About The State Of New York Hip-Hop Alongside Jadakiss (Video)

Since the mid-2000s, Maino has been fearlessly outspoken. The Brooklyn, New York rapper came into focus as a protege of Lil' Kim, and with some innovative Just Blaze production, rocked radio throughout 2009. Whenever Maino and his Hustle Hard movement disagrees with something though, he springs into action—on and off... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Fact Or Fiction: John Cusack A Graffiti-Writing B-Boy? (Photos)

In the 1980s, John Cusack was something of an Everyman. The Illinois native appeared in a host of teen comedies, usually playing likeable, nerdy guys with the best of intentions. He was a boombox-blaring romantic in Say Anything, a suicidal hamburger cook in the black comedy Better Off Dead, and... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh

Rapsody Catches A Moment In Time With Jay Z

When Rapsody crossed paths with DJ Premier in 2013, Ambrosia For Heads thought it was powerful, important. This past weekend, the Jamla Records artist who dazzled us with She Got Game in 2013, and The Idea Of Beautiful in 2012, stood alongside Jay Z backstage at the Magna Carta Holy... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh

DJ Premier and Pete Rock Are Doing a Joint “Pete Rock vs. DJ Premier” Album (Video)

This is 50 caught up with DJ Premier and Pete Rock recently. The 2 legendary producer/DJs discussed touring, the BET Cyphers and their respective upcoming projects, including their joint Pete Rock vs. DJ Premier LP. Check out the video. Related: The 50 Most Compelling Visual Moments in Hip-Hop of 2013... Read more

January 5, 2014 Video

Here Are the 50 Most Compelling Visual Moments in Hip-Hop of 2013 (Video Playlist)

In our final 2013 wrap up, we tackle the most compelling visual moments in Hip-Hop of 2013. This is not a playlist of the best videos for hot songs (though there are some dope music videos included) nor freestyles (we did that already). Instead, it is a compilation of the... Read more

January 5, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Want To Hear Unreleased Dopeness From When Death Row & Rap-A-Lot Were Tight? (Audio & Video)

Despite the fact that Rap-A-Lot Records was born in Houston, Texas and Death Row Records was founded by two men from Compton, California, there's been a lot of cross-over. In the mid-1990s, Death Row artists like 2Pac, Danny Boy, and Tha Dogg Pound were cleared to appear on Rap-A-Lot releases,... Read more

January 5, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Lantana Returns to Do More Microphone Damage on The Sway in the Morning Show (Video)

A couple of months ago, Lantana dropped one of the hardest verses ever heard on The Sway in the Morning show. The MC literally left Sway gasping for breath and Heather B threatening to take her shirt off (you had to be there...). The Cincinnati MC recently returned to the... Read more

January 5, 2014 Video

Want to See the Obamas Rocking to Snoop? Watch His Performance Honoring Herbie Hancock (Video)

Snoop was recently invited to perform during the Kennedy Center Honors to help celebrate the career of the legendary Herbie Hancock. Hancock's music has played an important role in Hip-Hop, having been sampled by artists like Mobb Deep, N.W.A., 2Pac, Kool G. Rap, Slum Village and countless others. One of... Read more

January 5, 2014 Video

The Game Is To Be Told: A Celebration Of No Limit Records…By A Hater (Food for Thought)

Published By: Bandini Long before Hip-Hop was ever reported dead, I was once of the belief that Master P was trying to kill it. No Limit Records sprouted into mainstream success in the closing credits of the Death Row dynasty, and anyone who loved the chicken seemingly scoffed at the... Read more

January 5, 2014 Food for Thought, Fresh

See the WORLD with DJ Jazzy Jeff…While Listening to DOPE Beats (Video)

If you saw any of the episodes of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination series, you know it was one of the better Hip-Hop web series of 2013. It chronicled Jeff's world travels (literally the WORLD) in various exotic places, often accompanied by Skillz. Here's a "best of" recap of those... Read more

January 4, 2014 Video

When DJ Premier Speaks Hip-Hop Listens. Here are His 20 Favorite Songs of 2013.

There have been lots of wrap up lists of the "best of" 2013, including many of our own. When one of the greatest producers of all-time weighs in, however, Heads take note. DJ Premier has put together his list of his 20 favorite Hip-Hop songs of the year and some... Read more

January 4, 2014 Fresh

Onyx is Reuniting in 2014…But First Here are a New Album and Video from Fredro Starr (Audio & Video)

In advance of Onyx's upcoming reunion album (see below), Fredro Starr has released a solo project that was produced entirely by Audible Doctor. You can stream all of Made in the Streets below, as well as watch the first video from the LP below. And about that new album... MAD... Read more

January 4, 2014 Audio, Video

Mac Miller Says He Hates White Rappers on His Latest Song…(Audio)

Mac Miller is on a psychedelic trip on his latest release, Erica's House. In addition to saying he hates white rappers, he expresses his dissatisfaction with being confused with Macklemore, among other things. Obviously, the song is cheeky but Mac's rhyme skills are getting more serious by the song. Check... Read more

January 4, 2014 Audio

Nipsey Hussle Salutes His Lady in His New Song 6 Inch Heels (Audio)

Nipsey Hussle is starting 2014 as active as he was in 2013. His latest release is an ode to the woman in his life. Check out 6 Inch Heels featuring June Summers. Related: Nipsey Hussle - Crenshaw (Mixtape)... Read more

January 3, 2014 Audio

Ghostface Killah Joins the Cast of Couples Therapy?? What’s Next, Raekwon on Iron Chef? (Video)

When Flavor Flav joined the cast of The Surreal Life back in 2004, it was like a punch in the gut. Even though Flav had always been the foil to Chuck D (the reminder of America's nightmare) it was a satire in which we were all participating. When he stepped... Read more

January 3, 2014 Video

Ab-Soul Says He Has Two Albums In The Cannon

2012 was an awesome year for music. While Kendrick Lamar may have rocked the mainstream off its axis, Ab-Soul's #ControlSystem set the table. The album featuring the rest of Black Hippy, Danny Brown, and Jhene Aiko was a shining star in the digital space—and a continuation of the standard Soulo... Read more

January 3, 2014 Fresh

Planet Asia & Gensu Dean Remind Us Why We Ought To Listen (Video)

While Gensu Dean's album with Planet Asia, Abrasions, dropped almost a year ago, Mello Music Group and the Queens-to-Fresno connect isn't done working the fan favorite. The pair drop a darker, poignant video for "Listen" from the LP. Bars and beats, to paraphrase Phonte, what more could you want? Related:... Read more

January 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Suge Knight, Warren G, Game Party Together In Celebration Of E-40

E-40 is one of the figures that's always been able to blend the West Coast. Even when California's Rap community was filled with beef between Death Row, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and others, and Game was at it with Yukmouth and JT Tha Bigga Figga 40 Water and his Sick... Read more

January 3, 2014 Fresh

Ice Cube Announces The Release Date To His Everythang’s Corrupt Album

Despite his increasingly busy film career, Ice Cube can't leave Rap alone—and my, how the game needs him. Don Mega (as he was briefly calling himself in the late '90s) has finally put a date on his tenth solo album, Everythang's Corrupt. The LP, a follow-up to 2010's I Am... Read more

January 3, 2014 Fresh

Thin Lizzy Performs Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed Live In 1976 (Video)

In the canon of Rock & Roll breaks, a favorite of many Heads in Thin Lizzy's "Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed," from the 1976 concept album of the same name. A mixed-race band from Dublin, Ireland, Thin Lizzy made charged Rock music that crossed the seas with hits... Read more

January 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

It’s Official…OutKast is Reuniting at the 2014 Coachella Festival. Here’s the Scoop.

Rumors have been swirling about an OutKast reunion for years, but the volume and intensity has grown louder in the last several months. In November, word broke that the duo might be reuniting at Coachella and then, a photo of the 2 together in December set the Web ablaze. Now,... Read more

January 2, 2014 Fresh

Guess Who’s Making Another Album Together…Pusha T & The Neptunes Are in the Studio Right Now (Video)

Pusha T recently announced that he would be holing up in the studio with The Neptunes for 20 straight days to work on his new album, King Push. The date has arrived and, true to his word, Push, Pharrell and Chad are at work. Check out Pusha revealing the plan... Read more

January 2, 2014 Video

C-Rayz Walz Is Back With Some Lyrical Swordsmanship In New Animated Joint (Video)

You may have heard or seen C-Rayz Walz, and maybe not. The early Def Jux artist got some shine on MTV as a coach in some of the first episodes of "Made" (Sadat X, Homeboy Sandman and others would follow later). He also was locked up with Juelz Santana as... Read more

January 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Del The Funky Homosapien Drops A Surprise Album, Iller Than Most (Album Stream)

Beyonce's doing it, so why not Del? Today (January 2), Del The Funky Homosapien set off the new year Hiero style with his eleventh solo album. Called Iller Than Most, the LP has 11 tracks and was released with a curious Soundcloud title, as Zartan Dreadnaught Cobra. Gotta love Del...... Read more

January 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Alchemist & Agallah Release Free Download Of Their Collaborations In All Eras (Mixtape)

Alchemist and Agallah have been sides in their career evolution. Agallah was one of the last EPMD disciples, who would later become a mainstay in D&D Studios, a member of Dipset affiliates Purple City, and now part of the New York-in-Cali conglomerate that includes Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, and the... Read more

January 2, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Rick Ross Starts the Year With a Verse Over Kanye West’s Bound 2 (Audio)

Rick Ross drops a verse on Kanye West's soulful Bound 2 track. Related: Did Rick Ross & Jay Z Make Their Best Collabo Yet? The Devil Is A Lie (Audio)... Read more

January 1, 2014 Audio

Bang! Bang! Bang! 50 Cent Rings In The New Year With A New Bully Track (Audio)

As the new year sets in, it's nice to think of the celebration 20 or 10 years ago. In 2004, 50 Cent was at the top of the Rap pyramid, after having dropped Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. Ten years later, Fif still wants the top of the pile. At... Read more

January 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Video For Pimp C’s Verse on Tom Ford. RIP to the Underground King (Video)

Jay Z got a previously unreleased verse from Pimp C for the remix of Tom Ford. Here's a video for the verse which showcases a lot of rare footage of the underground king. Check it out below. Related: Bun B & Pimp C Wave The UGK Flag With Lil Boosie... Read more

December 31, 2013 Video

Check Out Jay Shells Hitting L.A. With Street Signs Of Lyrics By Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Xzibit & Kendrick Lamar (Video)

Previously, artist Jay Shells canvased the streets of New York at Hip-Hop lyric landmarks with street signs reminding those in the know. These discreet-looking acts of guerilla street art were a hit to Heads in passing, as well as on the Internet. Now Shells hits the streets of L.A., placing... Read more

December 31, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

N.O.R.E. and Busta Rhymes Go In on a Classic Hip-Hop Break Beat. Check Out Manners (Audio)

N.O.R.E. and Busta Rhymes dusted off the classic Joe Cocker track that was used by the Ultramagnetic MC's, 2Pac and more--and they ROCK it. Check out Manners. Related: Native Tongues Fans Rejoice As Q-Tip & Busta Rhymes Release Their Collabo (Mixtape)... Read more

December 31, 2013 Audio

Don’t Get It Twisted. Inspectah Deck is Still Here. Get On Deck (Audio)

Inspectah Deck has been in the game 20-years strong and he's not slowing down. Check out his latest, Get On Deck. Related: Mathematics Releases Double Video for “Shorty” & “Four Horsemen” With Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Method Man & Cappadonna (Video)... Read more

December 30, 2013 Audio

Snoop Interviews Russell Simmons and the Conversation is a Stone Krush Groove. Get This Knowledge (Video)

Snoop Dogg's amazing GGN series continues with whom he calls the "Godfather of Hip-Hop," Def Jam Records co-founder Russell "Uncle Rush" Simmons. Anybody who has read Rush's Life & Def knows that Simmons has lived an interesting life. From managing his brother's group, Run-DMC, through founding Hip-Hop's most enduring mainstream... Read more

December 30, 2013 Video

Raekwon Shares His Track With T.I. & The Tragically Murdered Doe B (Audio)

It's eerie how artists can be prophetic of each others' talent, when death is involved. Before Big L's tragic murder in Harlem, he had worked with Jay Z. Before Stack Bundles' death years later, he was actively working with Joe Budden and Max B. Just over the holiday week, Montgomery,... Read more

December 30, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a MEGA Playlist of 200 of the Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2013. Stream It Here (Audio)

2013 featured some incredible music. We got Kendrick Lamar going HAM on the entire industry, new tracks from heavyweights like Jay Z, Eminem, J. Cole, Kanye West and Drake, and gems from vets like Rakim, Redman, Erick Sermon, MC Lyte, Talib Kweli, Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, Masta Ace,... Read more

December 30, 2013 Audio, Playlists

Here’s New Music From Rapsody. Check Out Illuminaughty Produced by 9th Wonder (Audio)

Rapsody is staying on her grind and finishing the year like she started...STRONG. Here's another new track from her off the forthcoming Jamla is the Squad compilation. The beat is courtesy of 9th Wonder. Check out Illuminaughty. Related: New Music From Rapsody to Wind Down the Year? Why not…Here’s Betty... Read more

December 30, 2013 Audio

Think Hip-Hop is Dead? Audio Push and Joey Bada$$ Beg to Differ…Tis the Season (Video)

Each time Hip-Hop is proclaimed dead, a new crop of MCs emerge to carry the torch of the 40-year old culture that just multiplies. 2 leaders of the now school are Audio Push and Joey Bada$$. They have a Hit-Boy-produced East Coast/West Coast collabo on Audio Push's stellar Come As... Read more

December 29, 2013 Video

This Week in Hip-Hop Video Brought Snoop’s Visit to The White House, Method Man Performing Bring The Pain & More (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought a charged performance of Bring the Pain by Method Man at Mack Wilds' show, a new video from Mack, low fi highlights of Snoop's trip to The White House, some heated discussion from The Lox about what's wrong with New York Hip-Hop and more.... Read more

December 29, 2013 Playlists, Video

Scarface Says the Powers That Be are Dumbing Down Hip-Hop. Here’s Why (Video)

Chuck D famously said "radio suckas never play me" over 2 decades ago in protest of a format he believed catered to the lowest common denominator. According to Hip-Hop OG Scarface, not much has changed. He sat down with Combat Jack and spoke on how he believes Hip-Hop is being... Read more

December 29, 2013 Video

Drake Flexes His Slow Flow on a New Hit-Boy Track. Here’s Trophies (Audio)

Drake has announced he will release a new track on each of the last 5 days of 2013. The latest is the Hit-Boy-produced Trophies, where Drake returns to the slow flow he flexed on Started From the Bottom and Worst Behavior. Hit-Boy supplies a track with hard-hitting horns and drums.... Read more

December 29, 2013 Audio

Uh Oh. They Let Snoop Dogg in The White House…And He Took His Camera Phone (Video)

Earlier in the year during his Reincarnated documentary, Snoop mentioned that he would like to go to The White House to see the Obamas, but didn't think it would ever happen...for all the obvious reasons. Shortly after that, the Big Boss Dogg got an invite. Here's some footage of Snoop... Read more

December 28, 2013 Video

Jay Z’s Brand Is Suffering Because People Don’t Trust Him Anymore. Here’s Why (Food For Thought)

Business Insider has done a piece on Jay Z's year as a business, man. According to a survey of millennials done by a branding expert, Hov's brand took some major hits this year, particularly due to the Samsung deal. In fact, the deal was the 2nd least popular of the... Read more

December 27, 2013 Food for Thought

What’s Wrong with New York Hip-Hop? The Lox Speak…And It Gets HEATED (Video)

There's been a lot of chatter about what's wrong with New York Hip-Hop, but few are more qualified to speak on the issue than The Lox. They sat down with NYC's Hot 97 and kept it 100% real. They discussed the politics at major record labels, why Jadakiss won't release... Read more

December 27, 2013 Video

Which Artist on XXL’s 40 Years of Hip-Hop Issue Reps Hip-Hop Best? Check Out All 5 Here (Photos)

40 years ago in 1973, Kool Herc threw a party in the basement of his building and Hip-Hop, the culture we celebrate everyday, was born. For their year-end issue, XXL has put together an issue celebrating that milestone and it has 5 different covers featuring iconic artists. Check out all... Read more

December 27, 2013 Food for Thought

Ma$e Makes His First New Music in 9 Years. Check out Why Can’t We (Audio)

Ma$e is back with a laid back track for the girl that got away. Check out Why Can't We featuring HER. Related: Here’s some extremely rare footage of Biggie performing with an assist from Jay-Z. Check it out below (Video)... Read more

December 26, 2013 Audio

Need Some More Killer Mike & El-P in Your Life? Here’s a Bonus Run the Jewels Track (Audio)

Here's a new track from Killer Mike & El-P called Pew Pew Pew featuring the legendary DJ Q-Bert on the wheels of steel. It's a bonus cut from the European deluxe version of the album. Check it out below. Related: Here’s a Dark and Twisted Take on a “Christmas Carol”... Read more

December 26, 2013 Audio