Fresh Archives

The evolution of Kanyeezy: Here's a timeline showing how Kanye West is quietly becoming the best MC in the game.

The first time I saw Kanye West perform in person was when Talib Kweli brought him onstage in 2003. Kanye did not have an album yet but was making a name for himself as a producer. He wanted to be an MC but the gents at Roc-A-Fella thought he was... Read more

July 18, 2010 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Pharrell has been stretching out musically lately. The new N.E.R.D. could go in many directions. Here are a few possibilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3jT3_Vu9rQ Pharrell - Fun, Fun, Fun (from the Despicable Me soundtrack--yep, the kids' movie with Steve Carell...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jICG4paURs&feature=related Robin Thicke - My Life (also produced by Pharrell for Despicable Me--he scored the whole project--and he has Robin Thicke sounding just like Justin Timberlake...) And, of course there's the Christian Rich... Read more

July 16, 2010 Audio, Video

"The Decision" by LeBron James generated $2.9 million for charity. Are you still mad? Here's the story.

Click here to check out the full story of how the real Ari and David Geffen helped orchestrate the biggest non-criminal, sports news story in a decade.... Read more

July 12, 2010 Food for Thought

If you dig Dwele, check out Jesse Boykins III's video for B4 the Night is Thru.

[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/13099108... Read more

July 11, 2010 Audio, Video

Rick Ross and Jay-Z have made some classics together. Free Mason is the latest in what hopefully will be a long line.

Jay's verse may be his best feature since Diamonds from Sierra Leone (yeah, I said it). Teflon Don drops on Tues, 7/20. About 10 songs have leaked from the project and at least 7 have been fire. If you've enjoyed the songs, pick up the album. Art is not free...Props... Read more

July 11, 2010 Audio

In celebration of the summer Heat, check out the remix to Jay-Z's Hello Brooklyn ft. Lil Wayne set to Quincy Jones' Summer in the City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLuJYgbw7c&feature=player_embedded#! You may recognize the Quincy Jones track as sampled in this classic Pharcyde joint. Sit back, relax, exhale and be glad the free agency madness is over. Long live the King...The King is dead....Click here to download the track.... Read more

July 9, 2010 Audio, Video

Cee-Lo’s No One’s Gonna Love You is a cool video and not just because of the naked Scarlett Johansson lookalike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HytmxLXxOQ&feature=player_embedded This plays like a mini-indie film. Props to Cee-Lo for always following his muse and pushing the boundaries of music genres by covering this Band of Horses song.... Read more

July 7, 2010 Audio, Video

Reflection Eternal's Ballad of the Black Gold video is a great statement from the hip-hop nation about the disaster in the Gulf.

[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/12982709 If you want to know how you can help with what is looking like it will be the greatest environmental disaster in U.S. history, click here.... Read more

July 7, 2010 Audio, Video

Freddie Gibbs is nice. Really nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn_q-kZLieU... Read more

July 7, 2010 Audio, Video

Power is Kanye's return from a self-imposed hiatus and a big departure from 808 & Heartbreak, but is he still in the same dark place?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Yo3FJDrbc Check out the above video (21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson) on which part of the hook to Power is based. Pretty dark, right? Also, why does Kanye shift gears at the end of Power to start saying "It will be a beautiful death" and "jumping out the... Read more

July 7, 2010 Food for Thought, Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie just dropped a mixtape full of Summertime classics.

When 1 of the greatest DJs ever links with 1 of the best mixtape DJs ever, you know it's going to be fresh. The tracklist below speaks for itself. Click here to download. 1. Summertime Intro 2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version) 3. Kool & The Gang:... Read more

July 3, 2010 Audio, Mixes

Check out the video for Janelle Monae Ft. B.o.B. x Lupe Fiasco “Tightrope (Wondamix)”

ExternalVideo.954139&w=425&h=350&fv= Janelle Monae Ft. B.o.B. x Lupe Fiasco “Tightro..., posted with vodpod Janelle Monae is having a good year. In addition to recently being chosen to honor Prince at the BET Awards, her new album ArchAndroid was just name one of the year's 10 best so far by mtv.com. ... Read more

July 2, 2010 Video

T.I.'s new track Ya Hear Me is what we've been waiting for. The King is back.

Click here for the download.... Read more

July 2, 2010 Audio

Rick Ross and Kanye West Live Fast, Die Young is the latest track to leak from Rick Ross' Teflon Don album.

It's hard to lose with Rick and Ye. Click here for the download.... Read more

July 2, 2010 Audio

Whoa. Estelle is also a dope rhymer.

I met Estelle recently. She has great energy. She's one of those people who is just cool not because she's trying to be cool but because it's just who she is. In fact, she's so cool she cuts through pseudo cool. Case in point, I saw her perform at a... Read more

July 1, 2010 Audio

Wiz Khalifia and Curren$y spit fire on the Super High remix with Rick Ross.

Rick Ross also contributes a new verse. There's a lot of heat around Wiz Khalifia as of late and this verse will continue to make it get hotter. It's been the best Summer in a long time for hip-hop.... Read more

July 1, 2010 Audio

Get your Terminator on. Advancements in artificial intelligence are rapidly progressing.

Movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Terminator, and The Matrix have been depicting a world in which computers have overtaken humans in intelligence for decades, and the result has always been ominous. There have also been some scholars who have made very specific predictions about when this will happen in... Read more

June 26, 2010 Food for Thought

DJ Jazzy Jeff did the best tribute to Michael Jackson I’ve heard. Check it out for yourself.

You can listen to the whole thing and download it below. Download Mixtape... Read more

June 25, 2010 Audio, Mixes

It's official. John Legend and The Roots are releasing an album together in September

As you can tell by the numerous collabos between The Roots and John Legend on The Roots album, the 2 artists have been putting in some work together. They will be releasing a full album called Wake Up! together in September, which sounds like it will be their equivalent of... Read more

June 24, 2010 Audio, Video

Big Sean reminds me of The Pharcyde…but a little more gangsta…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ8fIMlTG84 ...and that's a good thing. I'm not sure whether its his tone (which is reminiscent of Fat Lip's), his flow or his catchphrases, but there's something that takes me back to when The Pharcyde dropped when I hear this song. What do you think?... Read more

June 24, 2010 Audio, Video

I Love Rick Ross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPJtZLq07C8&feature=player_embedded Dude is just dope musically. Regardless of what you think of his hood cred, his music has overcome it time and time again. Think about it. He is the first person to survive a full on attack by 50. In fact, he might even be bigger than he was... Read more

June 23, 2010 Video

This is what D'Angelo is listening to these days. Can you dig it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQ4pILHh9s The Urban Daily was fortunate enough to get the first interview with D'Angelo in 9 years. He primarily discussed where his head is musically these days (check the video above) and avoided the personal drama, but obviously that is more than anyone has heard from him in quite a... Read more

June 23, 2010 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

So it seems Lupe actually rocked Nothin' on You BEFORE B.o.B.

According to Nahright, Lupe was the original rapper on Nothin' on You, but Atlantic chose B.o.B. for the track. Though I love Lupe, after taking a listen to his version I can understand why they went with B.o.B. Bob's sing-songy flow on the song seems like a much better accompaniment... Read more

June 22, 2010 Audio

Follow Us is the latest Big Boi track to leak from his upcoming album Sir Lucious Left Foot…The Son of Chico Dusty

Click here for the full download.... Read more

June 18, 2010 Audio

If you haven't heard the new Roots album yet, check out this sneak preview sampler. Props to OkayPlayer for always keeping it fresh.

I've posted quite a bit from and about this album over the last couple of weeks. Now that I've heard the full album, I feel fully justified. It's an instant classic for any Roots fan or lover of good hip-hop. The full album drops Tuesday, 6/22. In the meantime, check... Read more

June 18, 2010 Audio

Can you truly connect with someone on Facebook? Do you really want to?

How did you become friends with your best friend? Why did you fall in love with your loved one? The author of this article argues that human connections are formed primarily by 3 factors--1. Proximity, 2. Vulnerability, and 3. Defined Community--and that Facebook allows for none of these things. So... Read more

June 18, 2010 Food for Thought

If hip-hop was dead it lives again with Drake and The Roots

With yesterday being Tupac's birthday, it seems fitting to take a few ticks to reflect on the current state of hip-hop. It's been a bleak couple of years (with some notable exceptions from Jay, Weezy and a few other's) but Drake's Thank Me Later is a solid piece of work front to back... Read more

June 17, 2010 Food for Thought

Happy birthday to the homie Pac. Here’s one of the best mixtapes of his music ever made to celebrate his bday

DJ Vlad, Dirty Harry and DJ Green Lantern dropped Rap Phenomenon II over 5 years ago and it still stands up as arguably the best 2pac mixtape ever. Click here or above to download the mixtape and judge for yourself. Pac will never be replaced. He might have had an Oscar... Read more

June 17, 2010 Audio, Mixes

Miguel drops the video for All I Want is You, ft. J. Cole (Official Video)

I posted a bit on Miguel a while back. I've seen him at a showcase since then and, while the performance didn't kill me, I still think he has a lot of potential and dig his artistry. Time will tell. This video is a good start.... Read more

June 15, 2010 Audio, Video

Pharrell discusses the importance of education and his responsibility as an artist to promote that. Could he be more dope? (Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geTNnB93zPc Pharrell continues to demonstrate why he is a cut above the rest with his new initiative to promote kids staying in school. If you haven't seen it yet, also check out his site Kidult. It's like a cool cnn.com for kids that informs them without underestimating them.... Read more

June 15, 2010 Food for Thought, Video

In My Lifetime – Ayah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoSH90bSl08 Ayah is the great DJ Jazzy Jeff's latest protege. She puts her spin on the sample of the timeless Everybody Loves the Sunshine by Roy Ayers, previously taken on by Mary and Trendz of Culture. Those are BIG footsteps to follow, but Ayah does her thing.... Read more

June 14, 2010 Audio, Video

Talk My Sh*t – Rhymefest (Official Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXJkO7JGMEs This one grew on me in verse 2. I met Rhymefest a few months ago at SXSW. Good dude. Never got his proper respect. Speaking of Rhymefest, check out Kanye's new blog.... Read more

June 14, 2010 Video

Pharrell on Christian Rich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8jRLj8V1kk Check out the co-sign of Christian Rich's The Decadence.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Video

The Decadence Mixtape – Christian Rich

This mixtape is more like an album than a mixtape and it's pretty dope. It also got a serious co-sign from Pharrell. It gets no heavier.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Mixes

The Fire – The Roots ft. John Legend

This is the second collabo between The Roots and John Legend off The Roots upcoming album How I Got Over dropping on June 22nd. Perhaps it’s a result of The Roots serving as John Legend’s band on his upcoming album. Whatever the cause, they seem to be a winning combination.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio

Lookin' 4 Ya – Big Boi ft. Andre 3000 and Sleepy Brown

Big Boi = Dope. Andre 3000 = Dope. Outkast? Priceless. Big Boi and Andre bring some more space funk while Sleepy Brown smooths it out. Damn. I miss Outkast, but I’m not mad at Big Boi…Click here for the download (thank you NahRight)... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio

The Invitation Mixtape – Donnis

Donnis returns with another cool mixtape. This one does not have as many original tracks as Diary of an ATL Brave did. He’s probably saving those for his Atlantic debut, the EP Fashionably Late, which drops on June 22. Still, this is a nice appetizer. Enjoy.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Mixes

T.I. Speaks One On One With Jamie Foxx (Video)

T.I. and Jamie Foxx chop it up mano a mano. This is the best interview of T.I.P. I’ve seen since he got out. The friendship and respect he and Jamie Foxx have makes this one intimate. ... Read more

June 13, 2010 Video

So Soulful

Listening to Rick Ross talk about his soulful musical influences inspired this playlist. It features Curtis Mayfield, Mary J. Blige and others cited by the Teflon Don. Tracklist below. Summer Madness - Kool & The Gang I Can’t Help It - Michael Jackson Give Me Your Love - Curtis Mayfield Holding... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Playlists, Video

Doin' It Again – The Roots ft. John Legend

Is Black Thought the most underrated MC ever? Did the fact that The Roots are a live band and ?estlove’s presence take attention away from the fact that he consistently spits fire? This track will only help Tariq’s case.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio

Rick Ross Discusses Teflon Don on Fader TV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiCPXXUtLYg Rick Ross is soulful. You can hear it in the rolling bass of Super High. You can hear it in the way he rides tracks like an instrument in his lush orchestrations. As he talks to Fader TV about his musical influences it all makes sense. Take a look.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Video

Tightrope Remix – Janelle Monae ft. B.o.B. and Lupe Fiasco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3obVteEVLI Lupe and B.o.B. fit with Janelle Monae. They are 3 artists who are pushing the boundaries of their genres. B.o.B’s and Janelle’s albums are 2 of the most solid to drop this year. Lupe is next…Download Tightrope here.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio

Beautiful Monster – Ne-Yo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSFykuqA-DQ&feature=related Wow. Ne-Yo is on a whole different level. This is a club BANGER. You have to hear it LOUD to really feel the power of the unyielding build of the track into the chorus. Will.I.Am started this new cylce of dance music/R&B/rap fusion. Ne-Yo is owning it with Beautiful... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio

What is Google TV and Why Should You Care?

Do you ever use your computer or laptop while watching TV? Soon there will be no need because you can do everything you want to do on your TV screen. There’s been a lot of hype over the years, starting with Web TV in the ’90s and continuing with Windows... Read more

June 13, 2010 Food for Thought

If it Ain't About Money – Fat Joe ft. Trey Songz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SZsYhMh1Pg Funkmaster Flex spun this joint with straight venom in his voice when he premiered it. He was on a tear about some local DJs who were hating on his game (radio, clubs and cars). The soundtrack was so sweet it didn’t matter what he was saying—Joey Crack spitting with... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio

What About the Numbers? – De-Coding the Mysterious Numbers on LOST

The mystery of the LOST numbers illuminated by Kunal M: So, while Lost ended last night with a very emotional episode that I actually thought was pretty good, the mystery of the numbers was never discussed. After the jump, here’s the mystery behind those 6 digits that have driven us... Read more

June 13, 2010 Food for Thought

JayPhilla – Phil Nash

Phil Nash is ill. I took notice after hearing him lace a Jazzy Jeff beat on Mick Boogie’s Change Makers mixtape (click here for the download), so I decided to dig a little deeper. What I found is that Phil is 3 mixtapes deep (same number it took for... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Mixes

Black and White: An Interview With Sean Combs – Man and Machine

[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/10065469 This is Diddy raw and uncut, intimate—maybe even vulnerable—like you’ve never seen him. This is 1 part of the 2006 BET doc in the style of Tyson.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Video

What Do Dreams Mean?

Ever wondered what your dreams mean or why you keep having the same one over and over again? Ever “wake up” and realize you’re still asleep? Ever wonder if you’re still dreaming?…Recent breakthroughs give more insights into the meaning of our dreams. Click here for the full story.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Food for Thought

Set Me Free – Lloyd ft. Mystikal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clha5JwUZCo In the words of Jay-Z and Beanie Siegel, this is that “Ignorant Sh*t” but man is it hot! Mystikal spits fire likes its 2001 and he and Lloyd rock a track that is vintage Nawlins Louisiana (Who Dat before J. Cole). Enjoy.... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Video