Fresh Archives

Torae – For The Record (Video)

Torae dropped a hot record produced by DJ Premier a few months ago called For The Record. Here's the video and it features Primo. Check it out below. Click here for Torae's That Raw produced by Pete Rock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd7le5aRdcM... Read more

March 9, 2012 Video

Stalley – Everything New

Here's some new Stalley. It's produced by Chad Hugo from The Neptunes and it's got that BOOM BAP to it. Check out Everything New, from Stalley's upcoming Savage Journey to the American Dream album.... Read more

March 9, 2012 Audio

Biggie Smalls is the illest…Here are some vintage interviews of The Notorious BIG and a playlist of some of his classic music. Check out both below.

March 9th. It's been 15 years since we lost Big. Biggie Smalls. The Notorious BIG. I've been thinking about what to do to CELEBRATE HIS LIFE on this date for quite some time. Of course I was thinking a playlist (and you can find that below), but it didn't seem... Read more

March 9, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Video

Rittz – White Jesus: Revival (Mixtape)

Rittz dropped a hot mixtape last year called White Jesus. If you're not up on him, he's like an ill combination of Yelawolf and Pimp C. He's updated the mixtape by dropping all but the best songs and adding several new ones, and he has features from Yelawolf, Big KRIT,... Read more

March 8, 2012 Audio, Mixes

Too $hort – Trying to Come Up ft Sir Michael Rocks (Video)

Too $hort teams up with Sir Michael Rocks on Trying To Come Up. Check out the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kN7UiwQZXIw... Read more

March 8, 2012 Video

Big KRIT – Boobie Miles (Video)

Here's the new video for Big KRIT's Boobie Miles off his 4eva N a Day project. Check out the video below and click here to hear what Big KRIT had to say about the meaning behind Boobie Miles.... Read more

March 8, 2012 Video

The Game – The City ft Kendrick Lamar (Behind The Scenes Video)

Here's a behind the scenes look at the making of The Game's video for The City featuring Kendrick Lamar. Check it out below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSWxGH7m0Po&feature=plcp&context=C43b9357VDvjVQa1PpcFOK66YNZlTTNxxllmQ8RY14ktfpTzeetiE= Here's the full song from The Game's The RED Album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyxOBpPVf9w... Read more

March 7, 2012 Video

Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) performs Sunshine Screwface and Quiet Dog (Video)

Here are 2 dope performances by Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) of Sunshine Screwface (performed by J. Dilla) and Quiet Dog. Check out both videos below. Click here for his N*ggas in Poorest video. Sunshine Screwface http://vimeo.com/38084710 Quiet Dog http://vimeo.com/38028615... Read more

March 7, 2012 Video

¡Mayday! – TNT ft dead prez

¡Mayday! have been dropping some hot joints over the last couple of weeks. Last week they dropped a remix with Pharoahe Monch and now here's a song with dead prez. Check out TNT. Also, click here for our interview with Stic Man from dead prez. ... Read more

March 7, 2012 Audio

The one and only Ice Cube stopped by the Sway in the Morning show and chopped it up with Sway about a new Friday movie with Chris Tucker, a film about NWA, why Dr. Dre’s Detox album hasn’t dropped yet, his classic Amerikkka’s Most Wanted album and much more. Check out the interview below. Yeah Yay!!

March 7, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Curren$y & The Jets – Behind the Scenes at the Smoke Out Festival (Video)

Here's a behind the scenes look at Curren$y & The Jets during their experience at the Smoke Out Festival in San Bernadino, CA. The video also includes some performance footage. Check it out below. Also, you can check out the full performance here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDRjU--uZ_U&feature=player_embedded... Read more

March 7, 2012 Video

Big KRIT speaks on the release of his 4eva N A Day Mixtape and the concept behind it (Video)

We caught up with Big KRIT on the release day of his incredible new mixtape 4eva N a Day. He broke down the concept behind the album and its cover, how the project came about and what it felt like to release it. He also talked about the first single,... Read more

March 6, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Nitty Scott, MC – Auntie Maria’s Crib (The Neapolitan Remix) ft Action Bronson & The Kid Daytona

Here's a blazing hot remix to Nitty Scott, MC's Auntie Maria's Crib. It features verses from Action Bronson and The Kid Daytona, as well as a funky new track produced by Clay Hillman. Check it out.... Read more

March 6, 2012 Audio

Jay-Z to perform at SXSW and Stream Show on YouTube (Video)

Just in...Jay-Z has confirmed he will be performing at SXSW again this year. The show will be live streamed on YouTube so everyone can check it out. Here's a video trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb8kqtItPUI... Read more

March 6, 2012 Video

Saigon – Where to Find Me ft Quan (Video)

Here's the latest video from Saigon. Check out Where to Find Me featuring Quan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lT7UcV3XvM... Read more

March 6, 2012 Video

Pharrell Talks to Miss Info About His Recent Inspirations (Video)

Here's a video of Pharrell talking about where he is in his career as well as his recent musical inspirations. Check out the interview and some of the music from the artists below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nSEZsaXFd8 Here's music from some artists he's been feeling, as well as Glory, his latest collabo with... Read more

March 6, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder – A Wonderful Professor (Video)

CBSnews.com did a video profile on 9th Wonder last week, not just as a producer but also as a professor. The piece takes a look at him in the studio and the class room, and also discusses the role music by Black artists has played in American history. If you... Read more

March 6, 2012 Video

Scienze – Happiness Is ft Blu & Sene

The jazzy piano loop that King I Divine samples on his collabo with ScienZe is reminiscent of tracks you used to hear on the regular in the mid-90s (in a great way). Blu dropping a verse on the track is just icing. Check out Happiness Is, featuring Blu and Sene.... Read more

March 6, 2012 Audio, The Bridge

Joell Ortiz – The Motto

Members of the Slaughterhouse crew continue their assault on popular tracks. This time Joell Ortiz goes in on The Motto beat originally made for Drake. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7jF-Nps1C0... Read more

March 5, 2012 Audio

K. Sparks – Baggage Handlers

Here's a soulful and jazzy new joint from K. Sparks. He says it's "Dedicated to those types of people that we all know. Needy, Annoying, and Pessimistic so we press ignore when they call." Check out Baggage Handlers.... Read more

March 5, 2012 Audio

Lushlife – Still I Hear the Word Progress ft Styles P

Here's a hot new track from rapper/producer Lushlife featuring a verse from Styles P. The chillout/electronic track is a different look for Styles P but he does his thing, as does Lushlife. Check out Still I Hear the Word Progress.... Read more

March 5, 2012 Audio

The Kid Daytona – Low (Remix) ft Jadakiss

Jadakiss jumps on a track with The Kid Daytona. Check out the remix to Low.... Read more

March 5, 2012 Audio

At long last, Big K.R.I.T.’s 4eva N a Day mixtape is here. You can listen to the whole thing below and click the cover to download it.

March 5, 2012 Audio, Mixes

Cormega – MARS ft Roc Marciano, Action Bronson & Saigon

Cormega, Roc Marciano, Action Bronson and Saigon are forming a super group. Here's their first song together which was produced by Large Professor. Check out MARS.... Read more

March 5, 2012 Audio

The Making of Nas’ It Ain’t Hard to Tell Video as told by Video Music Box’s Ralph McDaniels

Here's an incredible article on the making of Nas' It Ain't Hard to Tell video. It features in-depth input from Ralph McDaniels, founder and host of NYC's Video Music Box, who produced and directed the video. Below is an excerpt from the article and you can read the whole article... Read more

March 4, 2012 Food for Thought

Hodgy Beats – Untitled EP (Mixtape)

Here's a solid new mixtape from Odd Future's Hodgy Beats called Untitled. You can listen to the whole mixtape and download it below. Download Mixtape... Read more

March 4, 2012 Audio, Mixes

Miami (Bass) vs. Los Angeles (G-Funk) (Playlist)

5 on 5. Miami vs. LA. Big game today between the Lakers and Heat. As you wait for the game (or not) here are 2 playlists featuring 5 back in the day songs each that represent the distinctive sound generated in hip-hop from each locale. For Miami, it was the... Read more

March 4, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Styles P – Hoody Season

Here's some new Styles P. Check out Hoody Season.... Read more

March 3, 2012 Audio

There is often a lot of backlash when R&B infiltrates hip-hop but what about when hip-hop infiltrates R&B (and not just featured verses)? Here’s a playlist of some dope R&B and soul (Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, TLC, Aaliyah and more) made by some of hip-hop’s finest producers. You’ll hear music produced by Madlib, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, The Ummah, Kay Gee, Organized Noize, The Neptunes, Kanye West and more. Click below to listen.

Tracklist and production credits are below. Hip-Hop and R&B by Parfit on Grooveshark Here's the tracklist: My Soul Ain't For Sale - Raheem Devaughn (Prod. DJ Jazzy Jeff) The Healer - Erykah Badu (Prod. Madlib) Devil's Pie - D'Angelo(Prod. DJ Premier) Waterfalls - TLC (Prod. Organized Noize) Bullshittin' (Remix) -... Read more

March 3, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Bun B – Stop Playin’ ft Royce Da 5’9″ and Redman

Here's a new one from Bun B. Check out Stop Playin' featuring Royce Da 5'9" and Redman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFJKgFiHGqM... Read more

March 3, 2012 Audio

J Cole – Vizions of Home

Here's the second new J Cole joint to drop in a week. Check out Vizions of Home.... Read more

March 2, 2012 Audio

STORi – Just Another Day

STORi's flow is part singing, part rapping and part chatting. Check out how she rides Queen Latifah's classic Just Another Day track. Here's Queen Latifah's classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB1LXcRDoiA... Read more

March 2, 2012 Audio, The Bridge

Ab-Soul – Showin’ Love

Here's a brand new banger from Ab-Soul. Check out Showin' Love. Also, click here to see why we named Ab-Soul one of the best MCs on the rise.... Read more

March 2, 2012 Audio

Stalley – Blue Sky (Video)

Stalley kicks a couple of verses on the Blue Sky beat No ID did for Common. Check out the video.... Read more

March 2, 2012 Video

Here’s an in-depth interview of Skillz where he talks about his earliest musical influences and experiences with hip-hop. Check it out below.

Skillz's first music he ever bought was DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's Girls of the World Ain't Nothing But Trouble. Fast forward several years later and he is now touring the world with the legendary. Skillz is living proof that talent, drive and hard work makes dreams come... Read more

March 1, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

!Mayday! – Death March (Remix) ft Pharoahe Monch & Stat Quo

Pharoahe Monch lends a more laid-back than normal verse to !Mayday! but it is FIRE. Check out the remix to !Mayday!'s Death March, also featuring Stat Quo.... Read more

March 1, 2012 Audio

Joell Ortiz – You Can’t Stop the Prophet

The cats from Slaughterhouse have been taking their name really seriously lately. They've dropped several hot joints as a collective lately and Joell Ortiz is keeping the momentum going on the solo tip. Check out how he murders the track for the remix to Jeru tha Damaja's classic You Can't... Read more

March 1, 2012 Audio, The Bridge, Throwback

Joey BadA$$ – Waves

Here's a new track from Joey BadA$$ the latest product from the brainchild behind Cinematic Music Group (Big K.R.I.T. and Smoke DZA) and Creative Control. The song is called Waves. If it's any indication, be prepared to hear the name Joey BadA$$ for a looong time. Check it out below.... Read more

March 1, 2012 Audio

Melanie Fiona – This Time ft J Cole

Melanie Fiona lays down her typically lush and soulful vocals over a tough track on This Time. If the track isn't hip-hop enough for you, she also enlists the services of J Cole and he goes in...Check it out.... Read more

March 1, 2012 Audio

Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch – Trading Places

Here's another collabo between Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch. This one is not a new song though. Instead, they take turns catching wreck over one of the other's most recognized beats. Check out Trading Places. And here's a classic scene from the inspiration of the song title. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gekaEzqj5g... Read more

March 1, 2012 Audio, The Bridge

New Balance Excellent Makers – Jay Electronica

Here's a dope but far too short video from New Balance of Jay Electronica talking about what makes him who he is. Props to NahRight for the find. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUQ8T1fFgvo... Read more

February 29, 2012 Video

Gorillaz – DoYaThing ft Andre 3000 and James Murphy

DoYaThing, the new collabo between Gorillaz, Andre 3000 and James Murphy, dropped last week. Here's the video which features mind-blowingly realistic looking animation. Props to Converse for putting out one of the most creative music videos in years. Check it out below.... Read more

February 29, 2012 Video

Here is our list of the underground MCs who had the biggest come up in the last year: The AFH Torch Bearers list. These MCs include Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, A$AP Rocky, Childish Gambino, Chuuwee, Dom Kennedy, The Jets (Tradeamark Da Skydiver, Young Roddy, Sir Michael Rocks), The Kid Daytona, Rittz, Schoolboy Q, Smoke DZA, Stalley and XV. Click here to see why we chose these MCs and to hear some of their music.

There have been a lot of lists declaring top MCs lately; some for the mainstream and some for the underground. In our opinion (and each list is just that--opinions) each list left some things to be desired. So...we decided to take matters in our own hands. Partly in response to... Read more

February 28, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Curren$y & Styles P – #The1st28 (Mixtape)

Styles P and Curren$y have collaborated on an EP. You can listen to all of #The1st28 and download it below. Download Mixtape... Read more

February 28, 2012 Audio, Mixes

2012 XXL Freshman Class

So...XXL revealed its Freshman Class of 2012 today. It consists of Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash. There are some VERY notable omissions (but more on that later). Which list makes you more irate between this one... Read more

February 28, 2012 Food for Thought

Apollo Brown & OC – Prove Me Wrong

Here's some new OC produced by Apollo Brown and chopped up by DJ Premier. Far from Time's Up, OC is timeless. Check out Prove Me Wrong below. Here's OC's classic Time's Up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJ6f5VnVVo... Read more

February 28, 2012 Audio, The Bridge

Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul – 5 Fingers of Death + Druggys With H*es Again (Video)

5 Fingers of Death. You know how it goes down. Sway plays 5 random beats and let's MCs attack 'em. Half of Black Hippy, Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul, got their chance yesterday and the lyrical wordplay was silly. Both Q and Ab-Soul blacked out on different beats. Check out the... Read more

February 28, 2012 Video