Fresh Archives

Lupe Fiasco & Big K.R.I.T. Reconnect For A High Powered Message (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco is less than a month away from his sixth album, Drogas Light (February 10). That 1st & 15th/Atlantic Records LP has an interesting collaboration in the form of "Tranquillo." The song features Big K.R.I.T. as well as Rick Ross. In 2016, Lu' and Krizzle teamed up for Dee-1's... Read more

January 27, 2017 Audio

Bell, Biv & DeVoe Reveal New Edition’s Fights Were Even Worse In Real Life (Video)

This week, the story of New Edition was told by way of a three-night film mini-series. The lives of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe, and Johnny Gill are forever bound together. Collectively, there are valleys and peaks, intersections and ejections, and tons of incredible music. The New... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Method Man, Redman & Masta Killa Bring Some Much Needed Therapy To Hip-Hop (Video)

By anyone's standards, Method Man, Redman, and Masta Killa are three MCs whose decades in Hip-Hop make them legends. Without much fanfare, they are able to provide Heads with the kind of raps it takes lesser MCs years to develop, and they've been doing it since the 1990s. Now, in... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Puffy Daddy Details How He Helped Biggie Walk The Line Between Hardcore & Mainstream

During his life, The Notorious B.I.G.'s three Top 10 solo singles were all produced by Puff Daddy. The founder and CEO of Bad Boy Records worked with his "Hitmen" on each of "Big Poppa," "One More Chance (Remix)" and 1997's "Hypnotize." Those three records, as well as 1994's "Juicy" (which peaked... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Nas’ “Illmatic” Is 1 of 4 Hip-Hop Albums Being Preserved in Harvard’s Library

Five years ago, producer 9th Wonder was named a Harvard fellow, a position which has endowed him with the responsibility of preserving Hip-Hop music and culture within the Ivy League university's cherished library. At the onset of his tenure, 9th began working on an initiative for the Dubois Institute at... Read more

January 26, 2017 Fresh

Kxng Crooked Is Coming After The #1 Spot. There Are No Friends In Rhyming (Audio)

In 2016, Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) released a stellar EP with Statik Selektah in the form of Statik Kxng. But that was last year. In his own words, the Long Beach, California MC is holding himself to a much higher standard in 2-0-1-7. Hopping on Kanye West's "Real Friends"... Read more

January 26, 2017 Audio

Taylor Bennett’s Short Film Is a Powerful Soundtrack For Young Love (Video)

With reports suggesting that Taylor Bennett will be releasing a new album in 2017, the younger brother of Chance the Rapper today (January 26) has unveiled a short film called Broad Shoulders, a 13-minute visual accompaniment to his 2015 debut LP of the same name. In it, the 21-year-old Chicago,... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Sean Price’s Jesus Price Supastar Brought Believers To Rap Paradise 10 Years Ago (Audio)

Ten years ago this Monday (January 30, 2007), the second coming of Rap lord and savior Sean Price occurred. On Jesus Price Supastar, his sophomore solo album, P definitely took wack MCs to “Church,” raining hellfire on the game. The immaculate LP is a solid 45 minutes of surefire rapping... Read more

January 26, 2017 Do Remember, Throwback, Video

War & Hip-Hop: Papoose Unleashes Lyrics Of Mass Destruction With Fat Joe (Video)

Fat Joe not only reunited with Remy Ma in the biggest way possible last year, he made a connected collaboration with her husband. Following the Grammy-nominated success of "All The Way Up," Joe and Pap' linked for "Back On My B.S." For two MCs who were spitting rugged raps in... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

Marley Marl & Large Professor Supply M-Dot With Golden Sounds From 2 Legends (Audio)

This Friday, Boston, Massachusetts MC M-Dot is releasing his EgO anD The eneMy album. The follow-up to 2010's Run MPC features the E.M.S. crew member working with a who's who of Hip-Hop production giants. D.I.T.C.'s Buckwild, Reflection Eternal's Hi-Tek, 7L, and Marco Polo make up some of the sound providers... Read more

January 25, 2017 Audio

Rick Ross & Smoke DZA Roll Like Superheroes On A Pete Rock Track (Video)

One of the most exciting collaborations of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock's 2016 release Don't Smoke Rock is "Black Superhero Car." This song pairs Rick Ross over "Chocolate Boy Wonder" production for the first time in his career. Ross, who has long been an advocate of Smoke DZA's, sounds great... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

This Is It! Thundercat Regulates With Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald (Audio)

Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins are two musicians with rich histories. From the early '70s Loggins & Messina days to Mike's work with Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, these men injected Funk, Soul, and some dusts of Disco into once straightforward Rock & Roll bands. To simply call their music... Read more

January 25, 2017 Audio

Big Sean Discusses The Flint Water Crisis & His Mom’s Battle with Lead Poisoning (Video)

For all of the waves he's been making in Rap music, Big Sean has been equally active in philanthropy, funneling much of his own time and money into various initiatives. As the founder of the Sean Anderson Foundation in his native Detroit, Michigan, the "Bounce Back" rapper is responsible for... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

The LOX Will Tour “Filthy America…” & It’s Beautiful For Fans Around The Country

Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P have announced their first United States tour of 2017. Fresh off of touring with their former Bad Boy Records family (and Ruff Ryders mentor DMX) in '16, The LOX will perform at more than 20 stops, beginning later this month. The LOX’s “What Else... Read more

January 25, 2017 Fresh

Chill Moody’s Single Declares That This Ain’t His America. Is It Yours? (Video)

READY or NOT?? You decide. We’re putting you in the A&R chair. West Philadelphia MC Chill Moody has been on the grind for years. In his latest video single "This Is Not My America," Chill reacts to the nation's present day treatment of its Black citizens and other oppressed people.... Read more

January 24, 2017 Ready Or Not

BBD Choose The Night Of Their New Edition Biopic To Show They’re Still Betta (Video)

Tonight, the long-awaited New Edition biopic, The New Edition Story, premieres on BET. The 3-part, 6-hour film promises to tell the story of the family, feuds and betrayal that defined New Edition as they grew from boys to men. Members of the group have been involved with the project every... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

In Observance Of National DJ Day, DJ Scratch Rocks The Bells With Body Tricks (Video)

DJ Scratch was recently knighted as "Grandmaster" by Kool Herc for a reason. The longtime DJ for EPMD and Flipmode Squad, who has become a highly accomplished producer has been at the peak of his craft for nearly 30 years. For a HOT 97 segment with DJ Enuff in honor... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

Yo! MTV Raps Host Doctor Dré Calls Straight Outta Compton “Straight Outta Fiction” (Audio)

Hip-Hop is big enough to have some artists with multiple names. Notably, Mobb Deep and South Central Cartel were each compromised of duos Prodigy and Havoc (or "Prodeje" in S.C.C.'s case). There have been two Guru's, a couple Jay Dee's, and several Mike D's. Perhaps no tandem is more famous... Read more

January 24, 2017 Audio

The Internet’s Syd Shows It All In Solo Single “Body” (Audio)

Syd The Kid is no kid. One of the standouts of Odd Future (aka OFWGKTA) and one half of The Internet continues to make some of the most sophisticated R&B/Pop music in the space. Gearing up towards her solo debut Fin, the Los Angeles, California native releases latest single, "Body."... Read more

January 24, 2017 Audio

Consequence’s Freestyle Has A Clear Message For Mumble Rappers: “You’re A Customer” (Video)

Consequence finished out 2016 strong. The Queens, New York veteran released his A Good Comeback Story at mid-year. However, in the closing weeks of the year, his numerous appearances on A Tribe Called Quest's We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service put the 20-plus-year affiliate of the group... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

Oddisee Releases A Blistering Song Questioning A System That Is Stacked Against Us (Audio)

Closing out 2016 with the announcement of a new album and supporting tour, Oddisee is back today (January 24) with "Like Really," a new single tackling America's political system. Blistering in its criticism, the song is possibly the most political record of his career, and it might just be the... Read more

January 24, 2017 Audio

The LOX Say Biggie Took Shots At Them On Their Own Record (Video)

The LOX recently spoke about the first record they ever released for Bad Boy Entertainment. Titled "You'll See," the song was released in 1996 and contained a guest verse from the label's flagship artist, The Notorious B.I.G. Appearing on Genius' ongoing series My First Song, Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch... Read more

January 23, 2017 Video

Royce 5’9″ Destroys Today’s Hot MCs With Another Lethal Freestyle (Audio)

A week ago today (January 23), Royce 5'9" dropped a DJ Khaled-inspired freestyle. "I Got the Keys" takes the smash single featuring Jay Z and Future and creates something else entirely, by way of Royce's unmatched lyrical dexterity. Now, he's back with another unforgiving freestyle, this one atop two wildly... Read more

January 23, 2017 Audio

O.C. Is A Great MC. He Makes A Song About What Makes A Good Man (Audio)

In early 2016, Diggin' In The Crates started promoting their Sessions album with a series of Monday song releases. Some of those tracks made the self-released album and some were just pieces for D.I.T.C. Heads to enjoy. That formula appears to be upheld for O.C.'s Same Moon Same Sun. Releasing... Read more

January 23, 2017 Audio

Janelle Monáe Says “Choose Freedom Over Fear” In Her Powerful Women’s March Speech (Video)

On the heels of her critically acclaimed appearances in the hugely successful films Hidden Figures and Moonlight, Janelle Monáe made an appearance at this weekend's historic Women's March in Washington, D.C. and made a powerful speech. In it, she urged the importance of embracing immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and all... Read more

January 23, 2017 Lifestyle

Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Shows Hip-Hop History Is Incomplete Without Her Story

In 2015, the film Straight Outta Compton took N.W.A.'s story and projected it on not only film screens, but the mainstream consciousness. For a group of Gangsta Rap pioneers on an independent label, the record-setting film eclipsed the commercial success ever available to Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren,... Read more

January 22, 2017 News, TV/Film, Video

Fat Joe Unsung Tells The Story Of 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Most Enduring Superstars (Video)

Since 1993, Fat Joe has been a mainstay in Hip-Hop. In a genre that cycles through stars every few years and considers artists from as recently as 10 years ago, "Old School," his longevity is miraculous. Time and again, Joe has re-invented himself, going from Joey Crack to R&B Rap... Read more

January 22, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Snoop Dogg Recalls Meeting Tupac & Nearly Battle Rapping (Video)

In 1996, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg would release several collaborations, beginning with All Eyez On Me video single "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted." Snoop has previously credited himself with recruiting Shakur to join Death Row Records in 1995, when the Long Beach, California MC was the standout MC at... Read more

January 22, 2017 Video

Bell Biv DeVoe Show They’re Still Way Betta Than The Rest (Audio)

It is just one week away from Bell Biv DeVoe's first album in 15 years. Three Stripes (January 27) is a testament to B.B.D.'s staying power. Even if Ricky Bell, Michael Bivens, and Ronnie DeVoe have been slow on the album releases (there was an eight year hiatus between Hootie... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

Rhymefest, Xzibit & Jesse Williams Say We Rise Together Or We Fall Apart (Audio)

Back in August, EPIX debuted a trailer for its docu-series America Divided, a politically driven program executive produced by Common, Norman Lear, and Shonda Rhimes. The powerful show has now inspired a corresponding body of music in the form of the J. Period-led mixtape RISE UP! Jesse Williams, Rhymefest, Aloe... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

Run the Jewels & Zack de la Rocha Bring Explosive Anti-Trump Energy on Stage (Video)

In the nation's capital last night (January 19), Run the Jewels put on a particularly significant show. The politically minded duo of El-P and Killer Mike turned it up a notch on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration, inviting Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha to join... Read more

January 20, 2017 Video

Method Man Cleans House On This “Eviction” Collabo With Dave East & Max B (Audio)

Some things in Hip-Hop just don't age. For example, consider 808 drum sounds, Pharrell Williams, or Method Man's flow. "Iron Lung" laces his first track of 2017 in full form. "Eviction" features the Wu-Tang Clan MC alongside Dave East, Max B, as well as Meth's own apparent proteges of late,... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Releases The Most Powerful Song Of His Career With “Land Of The Free” (Audio)

For many, this has been a hard week. The celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the start has been juxtaposed with the sense of foreboding doom at where the country is headed after tomorrow's inauguration. There have been countless articles, infinite social media posts and endless debates among... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

SiR Is The Latest Signee To TDE & He Brings A Ton Of Soul (Video)

Over the last 5 years, Top Dawg Entertainment has grown into one of music's most powerful and respected record labels. TDE is the home to some of Hip-Hop's most celebrated MCs, including Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Isaiah Rashad. Those who follow closely, however, also know that... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

The Cast Of “The New Edition Story” Show Their Real Musical Chops During A Freestyle Battle (Video)

Next week, The New Edition Story, the long-awaited biopic about the collective of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell and Johnny Gill will premiere. The 6-hour, 3-part mini-series will air on BET on January 24-26, and, by the looks of early footage and reviews, it is... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

This Rare 1986 Documentary Is An Amazing Hip-Hop History Lesson (Video)

In 1986, one of the earliest documentaries on Hip-Hop was made by a Dutch TV company. Big Fun In The Big Town, directed by Bram van Splunteren, featured on air Belgian host, Marcel Vanthilt, traveling the streets of New York City to gain a better understanding of the burgeoning culture.... Read more

January 19, 2017 Throwback, Throwback

Ras Kass’ Powerful New Video Shows The Chilling Reality Of Our Amerikkkan Horror Story

On the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States, Ras Kass is unveiling the video for "Amerikkkan Horror Story." And why not? Trump's campaign has been plagued with ties to a White nationalist (read: White supremacy) movement, and with a presidential cabinet comprised overwhelmingly of White... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Joey Bada$$’s 1 Minute Freestyle Goes Long In Staying Woke (Video)

Joey Bada$$'s 2016 single "Devastated" was recently certified gold. The Brooklyn, New Yorker's plaque came from music a bit different than what got the Pro Era MC to the mainstream in the first place. However, make no mistake about it: "Joseph Badmon" is still spitting the kind of lines that... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Louie Anderson Details How An Act Of Kindness Landed His Role In Coming To America (Video)

Twenty nine years ago, Eddie Murphy struck gold when he made Coming To America. The romantic comedy has endured as a classic, thanks to a number of roles taken on by Murphy. One of Hollywood's top earners and top draws of the day, Eddie was surrounded by a cast of... Read more

January 19, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Taylor Bennett Comes Out as Bisexual, a Major Step for Inclusiveness in Hip-Hop

LBGTQ visibility has been nearly nonexistent when it comes to Hip-Hop artists. For all of its inclusive, progressive, and positive aspects, Hip-Hop has very few artists in its history who have come out as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or any other sexual identity other than heterosexual. In fact, the... Read more

January 19, 2017 Lifestyle

Fat Joe Signs To Jay Z’s Roc Nation. Their Beef Is All The Way Over (Audio)

In 2016, Fat Joe and Jay Z made a statement in both of their careers when they recorded the "All The Way Up (Remix)" together (alongside Remy Ma). Reportedly dating back to the late 1990s, the eventual Terror Squad leader and the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder were caught in a beef... Read more

January 18, 2017 Audio, News

Nick Grant Has The Respect Of Hip-Hop’s Greats Because He’s Earned It (Video)

Last Friday (January 13), Nick Grant released his debut album, Return of the Cool. However, as his latest music video indicates, he has been a student of Hip-Hop for years in the making. "Luxury Vintage Rap" finds Nick in a hoodie, in a grimy corridor of a falling apart house.... Read more

January 17, 2017 Video

Juice Turns 25 Years Old. This Collection Shows Why It’s Still Hard As Steel (Video)

Twenty five years ago today (January 17, 1992), Ernest R. Dickerson's directorial debut film Juice hit theaters. Starring Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur (in addition to Samuel L. Jackson), the film adapted a classic story-line of deception, betrayal, and greed within a circle of friends. For Shakur, a trained actor,... Read more

January 17, 2017 TV/Film, Video

O.C. Has A New Album Coming. The First Song Is SERIOUS (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates veteran O.C. has a new album arriving later this month. Same Moon Same Sun (January 30) follows a rich pedigree that includes at least two cult-championed independent albums. The MC who grew up in both Queens and Brooklyn, New York uses his lead single "Serious" to... Read more

January 17, 2017 Audio

Nick Grant Makes His Network TV Debut & Brings Down the House (Video)

With a Martin Luther King, Jr., themed slideshow adorning the set's ceiling, Nick Grant made his network television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night (January 16). It was the biggest look yet for the South Carolina MC, who just last week released his debut studio effort,... Read more

January 17, 2017 Video

Royce Takes The Keys From Khaled & Jay Z And Unlocks A New Level (Audio)

Royce 5'9" says he's starting to have fun young again. That is deeply apparent on his "I Got The Keys" freestyle. In what may be shaping up to be a weekly song series from Nickel Nine, the Detroit, Michigan veteran takes one of the biggest records of 2016 (by DJ... Read more

January 16, 2017 Audio

J. Cole’s New Song Show’s Our American Nightmare Is Far From MLK’s Dream (Audio)

In 2014, J. Cole was one of the most politically-active artists in Hip-Hop. He was one of the first (and only) to go to Ferguson, MO, in the wake of the slaying of Michael Brown. Months later, he marched with the people in the streets of New York after the... Read more

January 16, 2017 Audio

A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

It could be argued that Craig Mack is one of Hip-Hop's greatest one-hit wonders. 1994's "Flava In Ya Ear" and star-studded remix helped make a name for Craig, as well as his label-mate The Notorious B.I.G., and their leader Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. However, Craig's career and Hip-Hop philosophy has... Read more

January 15, 2017 TV/Film, Video

The LOX’s “What Else You Need To Know” May Be Their Realest Song Yet (Video)

Last month, The LOX released their first album together in 16 years. While the trio of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch have been mainstays on the scene since their debut, through EPs, mixtapes and guest appearances, the announcement of the new LP, Filthy America...It's Beautiful, set the Hip-Hop world... Read more

January 14, 2017 Video

Fabolous & Jadakiss Show Just How Scary A Quiet Storm Can Be On “Rapture” (Audio)

Fabolous and Jadakiss have been teasing fans with the prospect of their Freddy vs. Jason collaborative project for what seems like ages. Late last year, when it was clear the project would not be released in 2016, Fab dropped a major clue that fans could expect something in January, and... Read more

January 14, 2017 Audio