Fresh Archives

Dres Raps With Soul & You Can Feel The Power (Audio)

The holidays are upon us, but one MC who is not slowing down is Dres. The Black Sheep MC is closing down 2016 with some innovative styles, 25 marvelous years after A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. For "Soul," the New Yorker with close ties to North Carolina teams up with... Read more

December 30, 2016 Audio

Tony Touch Makes A Moving Tribute Mix Dedicated To The Artists We Lost In 2016 (Audio)

2016 has been something else. While there has definitely been good in the year that's finishing out this weekend, there has been a lot of shock and awe in between. In the art world, music lovers lost more than a few icons. None of these deaths seemed to come as... Read more

December 29, 2016 Audio, Mixes

The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than when an MC delivers a vicious verse that's never been heard before, on the spot. It is the equivalent 0f a monster dunk in an NBA game, a one-punch knockout in a fight or an end zone to end zone run in... Read more

December 28, 2016 Food for Thought

1 Of DJ Quik’s 80s Underground Tapes Surfaces & It Bangs On Wax (Audio)

Hip-Hop Heads who pay attention know that DJ Quik's career goes back a long way before 1991's Quik Is The Name debut. The Compton, California MC/producer/DJ has always talked about his $10 "underground tapes" on records. In fact, the famed feud with MC Eiht and Compton's Most Wanted started long... Read more

December 28, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Cozz Is Signed To J. Cole’s Label But He’s Making His Own Dreams Come True (Video)

With the remarkable success of 4 Your Eyez Only, J. Cole has once again reminded fans that dreams do come true in the 'ville. In fact, 2016 has been a big year for the whole Dreamville Records team; Bas continues to be considered as having released one of the year's... Read more

December 27, 2016 Video

Ice Cube Launches Star-Studded Basketball League For Retired NBA Players

Ice Cube has changed the sound of Hip-Hop, the face of Hollywood, and now he aims to rearrange the retirement age in professional basketball. Cube, a former high school athlete who has been a devoted sports fan to the Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Lakers, and other pro franchises, is launching... Read more

December 27, 2016 Lifestyle, News

The LOX Were Courted By Suge & Death Row. They Explain Why They Passed (Video)

This month, The LOX shocked Heads with the announcement of a partnership with Jay Z and Roc Nation. That news broke December 1, with an album coming just over two weeks later. The D-Block/Roc-backed Filthy America...It's Beautiful marked the Yonkers, New York trio's first full-length album in more than 16... Read more

December 27, 2016 Video

Nas Names His Top 5 MCs Of This Generation & Lists His 3 Favorite Songs (Video)

Last month, Nas was a guest on Revolt TV's Music Talks series, where musical icons sit down for an extended conversation about their careers, influences, life perspectives and more. Hosted by Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records (Heavy D, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Guy) and EVP of Revolt, the two... Read more

December 26, 2016 Video

Run The Jewels Surprise Release Their New RTJ3 Album As A Free Christmas Gift (Audio)

Since their inception, Run The Jewels have always put their fans first. They released both their first and second eponymous albums for free, in addition to selling them for digital download, and promised to do the same for their third installment. Earlier this month, the duo of Killer Mike and... Read more

December 25, 2016 Audio

T.I. & Big K.R.I.T.’s New Video Shows Switching Lanes Might Just Get You Killed

2016 has been an explosive year. There have been a number of killings of unarmed citizens by police officers, often with little to no repercussions. Over the Summer, things reached a boiling point, as the deaths of Philando Castille and Alton Sterling within one day of one another caused mass... Read more

December 23, 2016 Video

Kool Herc Knights DJ Scratch As A “Grandmaster” (Video)

DJ Kool Herc is credited with pioneering Hip-Hop music, through extending the break-beats during his early 1970s DJ sets. The Jamaican born man also known as Clive Campbell has made limited music over the 43 years since August 11, 1973 (the date honored in many circles as Hip-Hop's birthday). However,... Read more

December 23, 2016 Video

N.O.R.E. & Havoc Have An Intense Conversation About The C-N-N/Mobb Deep Beef (Video)

More than 20 years ago, Capone-N-Noreaga made their breakthrough care of 25 To Life's "L.A., L.A." The Marley Marl-produced single featured Tragedy Khadafi and Mobb Deep. The remixed song, eventually packaged on 1997's The War Report debut from C-N-N, was a reply to Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg's 1995 single,... Read more

December 23, 2016 Video

Big Sean Has A New Album Coming, But His New Single Features Mixtape Rhyming (Audio)

Tonight (December 22), Big Sean announced he has a new album coming in early 2017. I Decided, Sean's fourth studio LP, will be released on February 3, via G.O.O.D. Music and Def Jam. The offering will be Sean's first album in two years to the month, following 2015's Dark Sky... Read more

December 23, 2016 Audio

Nas Says We Need Racial “Healing” & Looks To Muhammad Ali For Guidance (Video)

Earlier this year, the world lost an icon in Muhammad Ali. The legendary boxer and civil-rights activist made history inside and outside of the ring, by boldly standing up against the U.S. government when conscripted into the military in protest of the Vietnam War, and adopting the Islamic faith and... Read more

December 22, 2016 Lifestyle

Yasiin Bey Rocks The Apollo Theater With Some Help From Slick Rick & Pharoahe Monch (Video)

For months, Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) has said that 2016 would be his last year making music. Whether or not Bey sticks to his declaration, he is ending the year on an incredibly high note. This month, has brought news that Bey has 3 completed albums he... Read more

December 22, 2016 Video

Digable Planets Go From Cool Like Dat To Cold As Ice In A New Concert (Video)

Even though the Digable Planets have not released an album together in more than 20 years, the trio appears as tight as they ever were. Ladybug Mecca, Doodlebug, and Ish (fka Butterfly) toured this year, tearing down stages across the globe. The Brooklyn-Philadelphia outfit played festivals, and showed why they... Read more

December 22, 2016 Video

Termanology Rips A Funkmaster Flex Freestyle. Pardon The Interruption (Video)

It's been just over a month since Lawrence, Massachusetts's Termanology dropped More Politics, a self-released LP featuring Bun B, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Kxng Crooked, Joey Bada$$, Your Old Droog, and others. With just three songs featuring a solo Term', the album is an inclusive affair with plenty of variety... Read more

December 22, 2016 Video

Chance The Rapper & Jeremih Modernize A Jackson 5 Classic For Their Christmas Mixtape (Audio)

Chance The Rapper is honored with the distinction of 2016's most anticipated and most acclaimed Hip-Hop mixtape. Coloring Book takes the notion of "not for sale music" to the Grammy stages in 2017, thanks to its captivating messages from the Chicago, Illinois MC/singer. Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay Electronica, and... Read more

December 22, 2016 Audio

Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q & Jay Rock Bring Holiday Spirit To Watts (Videos)

In its third annual installment, the TDE Christmas concert and toy giveaway took place on Tuesday (December 20), this time at the Nickerson Gardens Projects in Watts, a neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles. Label-mates Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, SZA, and Lance Skiiiwalker all put on for... Read more

December 21, 2016 Video

Dres, Ras Kass, ONYX & More Bring Great ’90s Rap Back (Audio)

The Snowgoons are gifted in helping veteran Hip-Hop artists find new dimension in their catalogs. That is precisely why M.O.P., Parrish "PMD" Smith, ONYX, Reef The Lost Cauze and others have trusted the German quarter with major albums in their respective discographies. On their own, Det Gunner, Sicknature, DJ Illegal,... Read more

December 21, 2016 Audio

Papoose Steps In For Remy Ma & Crushes A Track With Fat Joe (Audio)

Earlier this month, Papoose and his wife Remy Ma waxed a freestyle on Hot 97, couples style. Pap' has been relatively quiet on the solo-music front, supporting the Grammy-nominated Remy as she and Fat Joe continue to ride the wave of success of their hit joint collab, "All the Way... Read more

December 21, 2016 Audio

Cole World: In A Historic Week, His Eyez Have Views Even Drake Can’t See

It has been 12 days since J. Cole released his fourth album, 4 Your Eyez Only. In that time since the Dreamville/Roc Nation released, it has topped the charts for the fourth consecutive time for the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer. This feat also joined an exclusive, three-artist club in Hip-Hop.... Read more

December 21, 2016 Fresh, News

10 Years Later, Nas Says He “Missed The Mark” When He Declared Hip-Hop Is Dead (Video)

A decade ago this week (December 19, 2006), Nas released his eighth solo album, Hip Hop Is Dead. The MC's first outing with Def Jam Records (with foe-turned-friend Jay Z at the helm) debuted at #1. Nasir released a title track, denouncing the culture he loved as a 15-year professional... Read more

December 21, 2016 Video

Waju Wants to Freeze Out Other MCs With His Cold Game. Is His Video Hot Enough?

Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles by an African-American mother and Sierra Leonean father, Waju (pronounced Wah-joo) is preparing to release a new LP, JuiceBox. Merging elements of veterans like De La Soul with innovations from the likes of Blu, the project is the latest from an MC who... Read more

December 20, 2016 Ready Or Not

Nearly Every Jay Z Guest Verse, Live Performance & Rarity Has Been Collected In 1 Place (Video)

In 2016, Hip-Hop, which once traded cassette tapes of live shows and DJ sets has evolved such that nearly all music ever recorded is available at one's fingertips. As such, each artist has a digital footprint. Jay Z has had one of the longest and most prolific careers in the genre.... Read more

December 20, 2016 Fresh

Fabolous Drops A Big Clue That His Collabo Album With Jadakiss Is Weeks Away (Video)

2017 promises to have a number of Hip-Hop projects to be excited about. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth will release their first album since 1994, according to Pete. Redman said that Muddy Waters 2 will dirty up the new year, after close to a decade of anticipation. Talib Kweli and... Read more

December 20, 2016 News, Video

It’s Never Lights Out For Redman. He Drops His 4th Verse In A Week (Audio)

Redman has released four songs in less than a week. However, nobody is complaining one bit. The Def Squad and Gilla House MC is in strong form lately, gearing up for a 2017 that hopes to see Muddy Waters 2 and Blackout! 3 (with Method Man). The fourth such song... Read more

December 19, 2016 Audio

President Obama Is Not Done. He Has Big Plans For The Nation’s Next Leaders (Video)

In a month's time, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be vacating the White House, along with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha. The First Family has given new meaning to the word "influential," and have maneuvered a very public life with class, grace, and humor. With... Read more

December 19, 2016 Lifestyle

2016: The Year Chance Stood With The People & Showed He’s So Much More Than A Rapper

In just under two weeks, we will be saying goodbye to 2016, a year during which the world faced turmoil at breakneck speed. From President Obama's announcement of a federal state of emergency in Flint, Michigan during the first month of the year to a summer stained with the blood... Read more

December 19, 2016 Food for Thought

Stillmatic Turns 15. Here’s A Look At Nas’ Return To His NY State Of Mind (Video)

Fifteen years ago today (December 18), Nas released his fifth album, Stillmatic. At a time before popular Rap stars were making albums into series and franchises, Nasir Jones flashed back to his 1994 debut. In the seven years since, the MC had two #1 albums, and gone platinum many times... Read more

December 18, 2016 Food for Thought

Method Man Reminisces On How Hard Livin’ Led To His Hard Spittin’ (Audio)

This week, Method Man has been incredibly busy. The Staten Island, New York star MC appeared on Juelz Santana's comeback single "Ol' Thing Back." With Redman on that cut, the two How High MCs also gave light to Wu-Tang Clan's Masta Killa single "Therapy." In addition to those two spots,... Read more

December 18, 2016 Audio

Redman Talks With Heather B About Being Consumed By The Darkside & How He Escaped (Video)

Redman recently sat down with his fellow New Jersey Hip-Hop native Heather B on "The Happy Hour" for Soul Food Thursdays to discuss healthy eating, his on-stage energy (inspired by Run-D.M.C., Busta Rhymes, and De La Soul) and what keeps him going as an artist. The Def Squad MC also... Read more

December 18, 2016 Video

Chance The Rapper’s Christmas In Hollis Spoof Is A Drop The Mic Moment (Video)

Chance The Rapper returned to SNL. Now Grammy-nominated, the versatile MC/singer did more than just perform select pages from his acclaimed Coloring Book. In one sketch, Chance perfectly nailed a copycat image of D.M.C., while Kenan Thompson takes on the Rev Run part. Together, these artists expertly spoof Run-D.M.C.'s indelible... Read more

December 18, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Kool G Rap, Canibus & Chris Rivers Send An Omen That Real Lyricism Is Back (Audio)

One of 2016's most steadfast MCs, Chris Rivers is a clear disciple of that hard-nosed late '80s and 1990s lyricism. While the Bronx, New Yorker's greatest influence would appear to be his father (Big Pun), there are other clear connections. Pun, after all, was a student of Kool G Rap,... Read more

December 17, 2016 Audio

The Beatnuts, Rapper Big Pooh & Termanology Announce January 2017 US Tour Dates

Three respected independent Hip-Hop acts are hitting the road together, next month. Queens, New York veteran duo The Beatnuts have announced their first US tour in some time. Psycho Les (who released his Dank God, Vol. 1 album in 2016) and Juju will hit the road with Rapper Big Pooh... Read more

December 17, 2016 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Gives An Aspiring MC The Opportunity Of A Lifetime & He Shines (Video)

2016 has been a relatively quiet year for Kendrick Lamar. After releasing one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of all-time, with 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick's only LP of the year was his untitled.unmastered compilation of outtakes from TPAB. He also maintained a low profile, only doing select performances... Read more

December 17, 2016 Video

De La Soul Make A Quirky Video For A Song That Hurts So Good

De La Soul is a group that embraces the music video format as well as any. Over the last 27 years, the Long Island, New York trio has played with colorful animation, The Wizard of Oz, and spoofing Rap at a time when it arguably took itself way too seriously.... Read more

December 16, 2016 Video

Apollo Brown, Skyzoo & Stalley Are On the Grind For An Overdue Payout (Video)

With September's The Easy Truth, Apollo Brown and Skyzoo released one of 2016's standout Hip-Hop offerings, collaborative or otherwise. While the Brooklyn, New York MC and Detroit, Michigan producer have worked together before in the past, the LP is the pairing's largest body of work to date and cracked the... Read more

December 16, 2016 Video

For Wale, Either You’re With Him Or You Get The Heisman (Audio)

From Phife Dawg's Bo Jackson and Joe Namath name-checking verse on "Scenario" to Kanye West's "Barry Bonds," Hip-Hop loves sports (and vice versa). While artists like Master P chased sports dreams, Jay Z has become a sports agent, and former standout athletes like Nelly, GQ, and Ice Cube have found... Read more

December 16, 2016 Audio

Jay Z’s Examination of How the Justice System Fails People of Color Is a Must Watch (Video)

Far too often, a person's story of pain and struggle only receives its due attention when it's too late. It's true for Kalief Browder, who at 16 was arrested for a crime he didn't commit. After spending three years in prison without ever being convicted (let alone awarded his right... Read more

December 16, 2016 Lifestyle

Redman Is Back Behind The Boards. This Gilla House Track Has Red’s Bars & Beat (Audio)

While Redman's rapping abilities are nearly impossible to miss, people tend to overlook Reggie Noble's production. The artist who began as a DJ for Lords Of The Underground's DoItAll evolved from turntables to beat machines. While closely tied to Erick Sermon and Rockwilder, Redman is credited with producing (at least... Read more

December 16, 2016 Audio, Video

This Alternate Version Of “How Long Will They Mourn Me” Has An Unreleased Tupac Verse (Audio)

Long before they were label-mates at Death Row, Tupac Shakur and Nate Dogg made a jam together. Thug Life's 1994 single "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" is eerie, given that Shakur, Nate, and now Big Syke have all died since the record released. Furthermore, Jam Master Jay (who is... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

Oddisee Has Announced a New Album & Tour. Here’s the First Single Off “The Iceberg” (Audio)

Oddisee has been making major moves in 2016. The celebrated producer and MC dropped his Alwasta EP and the instrumental The Odd Tape this year, projects which continue to make him one of Hip-Hop's best kept secrets. But today's (December 15) announcement marks something truly major on his horizon: on... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

MC Eiht Reveals Why His Album With DJ Premier Is A Return To Quality Over Quantity (Video)

In the dozen years between 1994 and 2006, MC Eiht released more than 17 albums of new music. The Compton's Most Wanted front man focused on his solo career (while still doing collaborations with C.M.W., Spice 1, Brotha Lynch Hung and others) and did so at a wildly prolific rate.... Read more

December 15, 2016 Video

Madvillain Returns With A Full Version Of A Song That’s A Blizzard Of Bars (Audio)

It has been more than a dozen years since Madvillain released its debut album. DOOM and Madlib made as interesting (and complementary) a duo as any in Hip-Hop since. The Stones Records tandem dropped Madvillainy, which served as a subpoena to all those sleeping on DOOM for the 15 years... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

Common’s Latest Video Envisions a World With Empty Prisons & A True End to Slavery

With his eleventh studio album, Common continued the conceptual theme he began with 2014's Nobody's Smiling, in which he addressed gun violence and other racially disproportionate issues plaguing his native Chicago. November's Black America Again takes a broader view of sociopolitical Hip-Hop, inspired in part by the gravity of 2016's... Read more

December 15, 2016 Video

Taylor Bennett Turns A Health Scare Into A Beautiful New York City Night (Audio)

Chicago's Taylor Bennett, Chance The Rapper’s talented younger brother, links with Brooklyn’s Stro and singer Jordan Bratton on “New York Nights." The song is the product of a health scare the MC experienced while visiting the city after the release of his debut project, Broad Shoulders. Upon learning that he... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

U-God Spits Venom Toward Some Wu-Tang Brothers But Warns No One Else Can (Audio)

Last month, Wu-Tang Clan's U-God went public with a multi-million dollar suit against RZA and the group's manager (RZA's brother, Divine). For six years, the Brooklyn, New York veteran says he has gone unpaid on Wu group work, despite several albums—including ones with major label backing-- being released. On new... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

2016’s Boldest & Most Important Political Statements In Hip-Hop & Beyond

2016 has been a rough year. From seemingly endless celebrity deaths to a political campaign unlike any other to racial tensions dominating headlines, these last 12 months have been riddled with great sorrow. But as history continues to remind us, out of great pain comes great resilience, and actors, athletes,... Read more

December 14, 2016 Food for Thought

Scarface & Lil Troy Have Ended Their 15 Year Beef. Troy Breaks It Down. (Audio)

Scarface is a 30-year living legend MC. Over the years, there have been certain lyrics where Heads have wondered who the Houston, Texas rapper/producer/DJ may be speaking to. In other cases, especially over the last 15 years, many of those diatribes were not so subliminally aimed at rapper/executive Lil Troy.... Read more

December 14, 2016 Audio