Fresh Archives

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

Q-Tip Recalls Playing The “One Love” Beat For Nas The First Time They Met

Q-Tip, Jarobi White, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence appear on this week's episode of Drink Champs. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview A Tribe Called Quest members and affiliates about a litany of subjects. Q-Tip, who speaks at length about producing "Bonita Applebum," as well as A.T.C.Q's 2016 material, spoke about his... Read more

January 13, 2017 Throwback

Cassidy Doesn’t Even Need a Beat To Outrap MCs, Bar None (Video)

Opening up 2017 with what can already be deemed one of the year's most impressive freestyles, Cassidy was Funkmaster Flex's latest guest at Hot97 and delivered yet another scorcher. Heads may recall that on January 4, the Philadelphia MC blacked out for some extemporaneous flows over a handful of beats... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

Outkast Affiliate Mr. DJ Makes A Funky Beat In Stankonia Using Dilla’s Donuts (Video)

Outkast Heads know Mr. DJ. Not only is the Georgia veteran the mixmaster on stage when Andre 3000 and Big Boi do their rare shows, he's been with the group for more than 20 years. Mr. DJ is also the third member of Earthtone III (fka Earthtone Ideas), the production... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

This Throwback Playlist Celebrates The Hip-Hop That Is Never Played-Out. (Audio)

What is classic never goes out of style. In its 44th year, Hip-Hop music has plenty of that. There are records in five different decades that Rap music fans keep in rotation, no matter the medium (vinyl, CD, cassette, or digital). For those who are about the flows, beats, and... Read more

January 13, 2017 Audio, Throwback

Raekwon, Pete Rock, Scarface & Vince Staples Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap (Video)

March 13 UPDATE: Complex has released a longer video from the "Discussions" event in November 2016: Last November, Long Beach, California hosted ComplexCon, a two-day event featuring performances, panels, and more all devoted to music and culture. As part of the convention, veteran radio personality and Hip-Hop artist Angie Martinez... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

Just 2 Weeks Into January, Saba Kicks A Freestyle That Sets The Bars HIGH (Video)

Saba may not be a household name...yet, but many of his affiliates are some of the most talented artists of this generation. As they say, "birds of a feather flock together," and that is certainly the case for Saba. The Chicago MC has worked on several Chance The Rapper projects,... Read more

January 12, 2017 Video

“Atlanta” Is Returning for Season 2 & Donald Glover Has Signed a MAJOR New Deal.

Fresh off two Golden Globe wins for his critically acclaimed television series Atlanta, Donald Glover has formally inked a deal ensuring the return of the show for its second season. Glover and FX announced the news today (January 12), though its return to the air is not exactly a surprise.... Read more

January 12, 2017 Lifestyle

A Producer Reimagines The Music Of A.T.C.Q.’s Midnight Marauders (Audio)

A Tribe Called Quest's third album, Midnight Marauders is one of their most beloved. The late 1993 Jive/RCA Records release picked up where '91's Low End Theory left off, featuring easy-to-relate-to rhymes and incredible sample-based musical compositions. Large Professor and Skeff Anslem each contributed a single track, while guests included... Read more

January 12, 2017 Audio

DMX & Swizz Beatz Return With A New Banger That Confirms The Dog Is BACK (Audio)

Last year, Swizz Beatz teased Rap fans. In an Instagram post from 2016, he said "I am truly ultra proud of the steps my brother has been taking to greatness ???????? Some people think it's easy to shake unfortunate situations but it's not! I would love for all the fans... Read more

January 12, 2017 Audio

This Oral History of “Bling Bling” Shines a Light on Cash Money’s Early Days

New Orleans is not always mentioned when discussing the cities which have had the greatest impact on Hip-Hop culture, but the Crescent City has a claim to fame that can't be ignored. In the 1990s and early 2000s, No Limit and Cash Money Records put one of America's most unique... Read more

January 11, 2017 Fresh

Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans & More Recall The Making Of Biggie’s One More Chance Remix (Video)

Approaching a year after The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die released, Biggie Smalls, Puff Daddy, and the Bad Boy Records family were still hard at work delivering it to the masses. While Junior M.A.F.I.A. was fast at work on their own offshoot debut, Puffy commissioned an album-cut remix. "One More... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

BJ The Chicago Kid Was Part Of History Last Night. Here’s How His Story Began (Video)

Chicago recently hosted President Barack Obama's official farewell event, a bittersweet moment in which the 44th commander-in-chief of the United States said a tearful (but uplifting) goodbye. Beyond his farewell address, the event included musical performances, including one from the Windy City's own BJ the Chicago Kid. Many Heads likely... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

Allen Iverson Will Play In Ice Cube’s New BIG 3 Basketball League (Video)

This morning (January 11), Ice Cube and his partners in his new BIG3 basketball league held a private press conference in New York City. There, details emerged about the emerging half-court 3-on-3 league designed for professional players who have since retired from the NBA. Late last month, Cube's league, a... Read more

January 11, 2017 Exclusive, Lifestyle, News

The Internet’s Syd Is Releasing Her Debut Solo LP. Watch the First Video Off “Fin”

After her recent announcement that she was working on a much-awaited solo album, the Internet's frontwoman Syd has shared more details, including the album's title and its first single. Fin will arrive on February 3, the Soul songstress announced today (January 11), in speaking with Zane Lowe. Also serving as... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

Dave East Is A Dose Of Reality In An Era Of Rap Distractions (Video)

Whether it goes down in history as a mixtape or an album, Dave East's Kairi Chanel left a lasting mark on 2016. Mass Appeal Records' Harlem, New Yorker artist inked a deal with Def Jam partnership. Upon the '16 announcement, he waited one day to release 15 tracks featuring Fabolous,... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

Ran Reed Has No Time For Doo-Doo, Pathetic MCs. He Fights For Skills. (Video)

New Jersey MC Ran Reed epitomizes patience. It was in the 1980s that Double-R had one of his first songs ("You Might As Well Forget It" by The Young M.C.'s) played on radio. Throughout the 1990s, Ran (tka "Hitman") was cutting tracks, many of which with producer Nick Wiz (Cella... Read more

January 10, 2017 Ready Or Not

O.D.B. Steps Into The Booth & Blows Pharrell’s Mind In This Throwback Footage (Video)

In 2003, the Neptunes released a compilation album called Clones, which sported appearances from Busta Rhymes, Clipse, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and more. Though perhaps best known as housing Pharrell's single "Frontin'," Clones is also where Heads can find one of the final recordings from O.D.B., the Wu-Tang Clan MC who... Read more

January 10, 2017 Throwback

Stephen Colbert’s New Trailer Shows What To Expect From “Hidden Fences” (Video)

Amidst the excitement over Golden Globe wins from Viola Davis, Donald Glover, and Tracee Ellis Ross and projects like Atlanta, Fences, and Moonlight, some are sensing that Hollywood's long history of overlooking African-American storytelling in film and television may be nearing its end. However, there still remains a general sense... Read more

January 10, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video

Alicia Keys Makes One Sweet F’ing Collaboration With KAYTRANADA (Audio)

At the start of his career, Canadian producer KAYTRANADA has been responsible for making appealing beats for Mobb Deep, Freddie Gibbs, and especially Vic Mensa. In time, official remixes and broader productions for Rihanna, AlunaGeorge, and The Internet pushed him into circles well beyond Hip-Hop. 2016's exceptional 99.9% album cemented... Read more

January 10, 2017 Audio

D.L. Hughley Uses Comedy & Intelligence To Show How Hypocritical We’ve Become (Video)

D.L. Hughley has built a career on making light of current events. The creator of The Hughleys has been active for more than 25 years, using his family, personal life, and world at large to illustrate powerful points, sprinkled with humor. Recently, the Los Angeles, California native stopped by Sway... Read more

January 9, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

Big K.R.I.T. Makes His Most Experimental Song To Date. Will His Music Stay This Way? (Audio)

In what will likely be one of the most exciting chapters of Big K.R.I.T.'s music career, his recent departure from Def Jam may be encouraging him to explore and push musical boundaries in his own work. His recent feature on "Might Not Be O.K." (the work of Kenneth Whalum, a... Read more

January 9, 2017 Audio

Donald Glover, Tracee Ellis Ross & Meryl Streep Used Awards For Acting To Get Real (Videos)

Last night (January 9), the Golden Globes aired and with only 11 days until Donald Trump's inauguration, the evening was peppered with political commentary. Donald Glover, Meryl Streep, and Tracee Ellis Ross all used their time on stage to accept awards to address the current climate of racism and politics,... Read more

January 9, 2017 Lifestyle

Ras Kass Forms A New Group With J57 & El Gant. Here’s The First Single (Audio)

Over the years, Ras Kass is a big proponent of collaboration. He has appeared on blockbuster albums like Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio, he rapped alongside GZA on the cult-lauded Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture compilation, and he spit bars on the celebrated Caltroit project. Beyond simple song chemistry, Razzy has... Read more

January 9, 2017 Audio

Gucci Mane Gives 1 Of The Realest Interviews Ever. It’s Unquestionable (Video)

Over the last 10 years, few Hip-Hop artists have been more influential than Gucci Mane. The Trap star has been as integral as Future and T.I. in making the Atlanta sound the most dominant in the culture. At the same time, few artists have been more controversial or faced more... Read more

January 8, 2017 Video

Ever See Leaders Of The New School Kick This Old School Rap Routine? (Video)

In the earliest days of Hip-Hop, MCs didn't just get on stage and rhyme. They kicked fly Rap routines, complete with elaborate costumes and coordinated choreography. Also, rather than rhyming one at a time, the MCs bounced back and forth, often completing each others words. Much of this took place... Read more

January 8, 2017 Throwback, Throwback, Video

Listen To Some Of The Best Hip-Hop Songs Of 2016 & More In 1 Playlist (Audio)

2016 is officially a wrap. For many it will go down as one of the more challenging years in recent memory, but, no matter what may have transpired, it was a period in which a lot of great music was released. Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s... Read more

January 7, 2017 Audio

Tony Touch Shows Where The New Boom Bap Lives In His Latest Mix (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Brooklyn, New York's Tony Touch was one of the most prominent mixtape DJs. One of the original promoters of the MC freestyle, Tony Touch played records he liked, featured great signed and underground talent, and kept the culture organic. In 2016, Tony is one of the only... Read more

January 6, 2017 Audio, Mixes

This Is It. Hear Camp Lo’s Original “Luchini” Demo. They Have New Grooves Too. (Audio)

After a very busy 2016, Camp Lo recently released some pre-Uptown Saturday Night demo recordings, On The Way Uptown. It features this demo version of "This Is It (Luchini)." Presumably recorded in 1995-1996, this is the Ski Beatz-produced material that would catch Profile Records' attention, and make Sonny Cheeba and... Read more

January 6, 2017 Audio, Throwback, Video

Naughty By Nature Explain How Signing With Sugar Hill Almost Made Them Go New Jack City

Naughty By Nature celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2016. The New Jersey trio released new music, including a reunion with Queen Latifah, and toured multiple times. In truth, the group has been together, and recording professionally much longer than 25 years. In 1989, as The New Style, Treach, Vin Rock,... Read more

January 6, 2017 Video

Swizz Beatz Says He & DMX Are Seriously Working & He “Can’t Wait” To Release The Music (Video)

2017 marks five years since DMX has released an album. Swizz Beatz has been involved in all seven of Dark Man X's albums, and his eighth will be no exception. Appearing on DJ Whoo Kid's Whoolywood Shuffle show on Shade 45, Swizzy confirmed collaborations coming forth between he and the... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

Ab-Soul Breaks Down Why He Dissed Jay Electronica & Releases A New Video

From the very onset of his career, Ab-Soul has been gifted on making his real-life situations tangible to listeners. Whether coping with the death of loved ones, living with medical setbacks, or being overlooked in the industry, the Carson, California MC is honest with his Hip-Hop. On the newly-released Do... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

Unsung Tells The Story Of SWV From Uptown To “Downtown” (Video)

Starting at the top of the 1990s, SWV (aka Sisters With Voices) propelled R&B into Pop. The RCA Records trio of Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" Johnson, and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons hailed from New York. Individually and collectively, they overcame adversity to reach the top of the charts with "Weak"... Read more

January 5, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Pharrell & Ellen Aren’t Runnin’ From Homophobia. They Tackle It Head On. (Video)

This morning (January 5), Pharrell Williams appeared on Ellen. The Neptunes/N*E*R*D co-founder was not joined by "Runnin'" collaborator Kim Burrell, as originally planned. Earlier this week, the Grammy-nominated Gospel/Christian singer was cancelled from appearing on Ellen DeGeneres' show, following her sermon at Love and Liberty Fellowship Church International. After those... Read more

January 5, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video

Rain910 Brings The Thunder On The Latest Funkmaster Flex Freestyle (Video)

From the same city of Fayetteville, North Carolina as J. Cole, Rain910 has been grinding just as long. The 2015 Ambrosia For Heads Spotlight artist has worked with Cory Gunz and Paul Wall, in between some standout performances at the BET Hip Hop Awards in years past. The 20 Best... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

Cassidy’s Initials Are B.A.R.S. & He Freestyles Into 2017 With Some Of His Best (Video)

Philly veteran MC Cassidy has been unusually quiet lately. Save for a Team Backpack Cypher alongside Ghostface Killah and Twista, the onetime Ruff Ryders member crept slow through 2016. That appears not to be the case for 2017. In the closing hours of the last year, the Brotherly Love lyricist... Read more

January 4, 2017 Video

Mayhem & Akrobatik Combat The World We Live In With Introspective Rhymes (Video)

The Roxbury section of Boston is known for rhymes that are both heavy and hard. Gang Starr's Guru as well as Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs helped put the 'Bury on the Rap map (after already garnering heavy recognition thanks to New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe), with songs that... Read more

January 4, 2017 Ready Or Not

E-40 Says Tupac Had An Album Ready For When He Died (Video)

Fans of Tupac Shakur know that the enigmatic MC often contemplated his own death in his songs, videos and interviews. On records like "No More Pain," from All Eyez On Me, he scoffed at his demise, with lines like "my only fear of death is reincarnation." For other songs, like... Read more

January 3, 2017 Video

The Turntable Hip-Hop Made Famous Has Scratched The Culture That Built It

The Technics 1200s turntable is one of the tools of the Hip-Hop trade. Introduced in October of 1972, the SL-1200 has grown step-by-step with the musical culture credited with a birthday less than one year apart (August 11, 1973). Over the years, more than three-million units have sold, many in... Read more

January 3, 2017 Food for Thought

A Trump Presidency Will Likely Make the Failed War on Drugs Even Worse. Here’s Why.

In 2016, much headway has been made to counteract some of the harmful lingering effects of the so-called "war on drugs." Criminal-justice reform has taken on invigorated energy, with more attention being focused on overturning the excessively harsh sentences placed on low-level, nonviolent drug offenders. Marijuana continues to become more... Read more

January 3, 2017 Lifestyle

Snoop Shows He’s Still A Top Dogg In A Freestyle Cypher With A$AP Rocky (Video)

Although Snoop Dogg has enjoyed one of the longest careers in Rap music, having logged 25 years in the game, he has often been under-appreciated. His name is seldom mentioned in GOAT or Top 5 discussions, and he has never won a Grammy, despite 17 nominations. Perhaps the area in... Read more

January 2, 2017 Video

This Big Pun Documentary Explores the Beautiful & Ugly Parts of an Icon’s Life (Video)

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of Christopher "Big Punisher" Rios's 1998 debut single, "Still Not a Player." As the first Latin solo Hip-Hop artist to go platinum (thanks to the success of 1998's Capital Punishment), he made history at just 26-years-old. But just two years later, he passed away.... Read more

January 2, 2017 Video

R.A. The Rugged Man & Psycho Les Drop Back To The Future Bars (Video)

Last year, The Beatnuts' Psycho Les released his Dank God, Vol. 1 album on his own Pit Fight imprint. The Corona, Queens veteran MC/producer enlisted help from Alchemist, Kool Keith, Inspectah Deck, Vinnie Paz, Pete Rock, and many others. One of the standout moments, however is "Ba Ba Barz." Featuring... Read more

January 1, 2017 Video

Freddie Gibbs Makes the Sun Shine All Day on Harry Fraud’s Mixtape (Audio)

There has been a lot to celebrate for Freddie Gibbs in recent months, beginning with his September acquittal of sexual-assault charges. In the months since, he has undoubtedly taken time to embrace his freedom and although he's been relatively quiet on the music front, a handful of appearances suggest he... Read more

January 1, 2017 Audio

Jay Pharoah Is Funny But This Freestyle Is No Joke (Video)

Jay Pharoah is not the first comedian who can imitate famous rappers and singers as part of his act. However, it is abundantly clear that the Virginia native is out to be the best. This past week, the former SNL cast member (who ranked #55 in Rolling Stone's all-time funniest... Read more

December 31, 2016 Video

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

December 30, 2016 Food for Thought