Fresh Archives

Erykah Badu Gives A Message Of Love & Inclusion. She Says There’s No Need For Alarm. (Video)

This week, Erykah Badu appeared on Ebro In The Morning. The veteran singer, producer, and DJ spoke about the world. She considers herself "an observer," and the mother of three had some hopeful sentiments to those who may be emotionally downtrodden, given current political, social, and environmental developments. Approaching the... Read more

November 23, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

Q-Tip Describes The Shift In Music That Caused The End Of A Tribe Called Quest (Video)

This month has returned A Tribe Called Quest to album-making for the first time in 18 years. We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service is the current #1 album, and A.T.C.Q's first in 20 years—achieving a new chart feat within the Hip-Hop genre. The LP reunited Q-Tip... Read more

November 23, 2016 Video

Pusha T Salutes Kanye West. He Suggests Their Paths Twist Back To Musical Paradise

The last five days have been challenging for Kanye West. The superstar entertainer went from one of the biggest creators in 2016, to abruptly canceling his tour (following controversial remarks), and in a matter of hours—entering the hospital. G.O.O.D. Music President Pusha T used today (the same 24 hours that... Read more

November 22, 2016 Fresh

Caleborate Says It’s Game Over For Obstacles In His Path…Does This Video Win It All?

With Berkely, California - a hotbed of intermingling, cosmopolitan ideas and people - as his hometown, Caleborate is an MC whose style is limber without ever sounding like an affectation. Calling himself a "student of Hip-Hop and all-around eclectic artist," the Bay Area MC dropped SF Weekly's "Best Hip-Hop Album... Read more

November 22, 2016 Ready Or Not

Ab-Soul & Bas Are Out Of Sight…All the Way in Paris (Video)

With just over a month left in 2016, TDE's Ab-Soul is rounding out the year on a high note, and one fans have been missing since 2014's These Days...The Carson, California spitter has not yet formally announced a release date for a new album (possibly titled DWTW), but already he's... Read more

November 22, 2016 Video

A Prince Song Recorded During “1999” Sessions Is On Another Level (Audio)

Seventeen years before the rest of our calendars said so, Prince made 1999 a thing. This 1982 album would be the Artist's second-most successful in the United States (only behind Purple Rain, which followed). In addition to its cathartic title track, the album featured hits such as "Little Red Corvette"... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

What Happens When Robots Become Judges? A New Study Examines The Question (Audio)

It's everywhere. From the self check-out aisles at the grocery store to the self-driving vehicles appearing on roadways across the country. Artificial intelligence is moreso the technology of today than it is the technology of the future, but there are still aspects to it we have not quite yet grappled... Read more

November 22, 2016 Lifestyle

Domingo Enlists Legends Like Big Daddy Kane To Showcase Tomorrow’s Brightest MCs (Audio)

If you’re a fan of hard-hitting street anthems, you may be familiar with veteran Brooklyn, New York producer Domingo's work. His impressive list of collaborators includes Hip-Hop royalty like Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and Sean Price. He has also worked with a plethora of other accomplished lyricists like... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

Rick Ross Raps On His First Pete Rock Track & Smokes It (Audio)

On Rick Ross's most recent album, 2015's Black Market, he notably recruited DJ Premier for some scratches. In '16, Rozay works with another legendary DJ/producer, blessing a Pete Rock track, from P.R. and Smoke DZA's Don't Smoke Rock collaborative LP (December 2). "Black Superhero Car" is reminiscent of Wale, Jadakiss,... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

Damian Lillard Goes Back In The Paint With Another Driving Sway Freestyle (Video)

In early 2015, Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard appeared on Sway In The Morning. The Oakland, California native proved there was more to him than a mean court-game, as he positioned himself as the best MC in the NBA. With a sick freestyle, the artist known as Dame D.O.L.L.A. began... Read more

November 22, 2016 Video

Kurupt Is Celebrated In The Latest Episode Of Unsung. Watch A Sneak Preview (Video)

Kurupt has an extensive 25-year career. The Los Angeles, California-by way of-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC has released six solo albums, dating back to the '90s. An array of major and independent releases, none of these efforts have achieved gold or platinum status, or a #1 on the charts. That career has... Read more

November 21, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Something Is Very Wrong With Kanye West. He Cancels His Tour. (Video)

2016 has been a whirlwind ride for Kanye West, including #1 albums, game-changing music videos, armed robberies within his family—and that's only some of the "highlights." The Saint Pablo Tour—which corresponds to West's February The Life of Pablo album has been making its rounds across the United States—featuring the artist... Read more

November 21, 2016 News, Video

The “Hamilton” Actor Who Stood Up to Mike Pence Has Much More to Say (Video)

Vice-president elect Mike Pence is a conservative's conservative, earning him the skepticism of Americans who champion civil rights for women and other minority groups. As such, his presence at a recent production of Hamilton earned him the attention of the musical's cast, itself a melting pot of color and gender.... Read more

November 21, 2016 Lifestyle

Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock Challenges New Yorkers & The World To Stand Up Against Hate (Video)

Since the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, there has been a spike in hate crimes against various groups, including Muslims, Blacks, Jews, members of the LGBTQ community and more. In fact, more than 800 incidents have taken place across the country, and no... Read more

November 20, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

A Tribe Called Quest Make History With Their First Number 1 Album In 20 Years

Last week (November 11), A Tribe Called Quest released We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, their first album in 18 years, and the final in their storied catalog. Fittingly, they are closing out their groundbreaking career on a historic note, as the album has reached the... Read more

November 20, 2016 Fresh

Phife Dawg Got His Own Street Today. Watch It Being Unveiled (Video)

"Back in the days on the boulevard of Linden, we used to kick routines and presence was fittin'." 25 years ago, those words opened A Tribe Called Quest's "Check The Rhime," from their album, The Low End Theory. Now, the same Linden Boulevard upon which Tribe kicked those rhymes has... Read more

November 19, 2016 Throwback, Video

A New Documentary Shows How F.E.D.S. Became The Source Of Street Knowledge (Video)

Since the late 1990s, publisher and writer Antoine Clark had a vision for a magazine. "Finally Every Dimension of the Streets" filled a void not represented at newsstands and in bookstores. F.E.D.S. magazine was born, and told the stories of street culture from those closes to it. This vision is... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

Mike Pence Booed At “Hamilton.” The Cast Asks Him To Govern For Us ALL (Video)

Many musicians, athletes, and celebrities have been theatergoers at Broadway's Hamilton. Last night (November 18), United States Vice President-elect Mike Pence was the latest notable attendee at the play created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Presently serving as Indiana's governor, Pence was the recipient of boos from fellow ticket-holders who noticed him.... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, News, Video

Dot Demo’s “Roberto Clemente” Puts The Bass In The Old Ballgame (Video)

Although the late, great Roberto Clemente was no New York Yankee, Bronx MC Dot Demo takes it to a neighborhood park in the new video for his bass-heavy, trap-inspired song titled after the legendary baseball player and humanitarian. Ball bat in hand, one of Ambrosia For Heads's "Ready or Not"... Read more

November 19, 2016 Video

Erykah Badu Gets Real About Producing the Soul Train Awards & More (Video)

Known lovingly by her fans as Queen Badu, Erykah is indeed a reigning force in music and beyond. The devoted mother is deeply involved in promoting the importance of education, and has contributed her energies to solving cold rape cases. A native of Dallas, Texas, Erykah Badu is often promoting... Read more

November 18, 2016 Video

A Powerful New Filtering System Could Help Silence Online Abuse

Harassment in the digital age has become an issue both omnipresent and difficult to address, given the anonymity of the Internet and the relative ease with which we can ignore those with whom we don't wish to communicate. Nevertheless, it remains a toxic and dangerous reality for millions who encounter... Read more

November 18, 2016 Lifestyle

The Next 2 Hours & You Will Decide Whether This Native Tongues Documentary Gets Made (Video)

UPDATE: There are 2 hours left in the campaign to fund the Native Tongues documentary, Speaking In Tongues, and they are only $6,000 short. If you or anyone you know is so inclined, click here to support and help the filmmakers achieve their goal and bring this film to life.... Read more

November 18, 2016 Video

Q-Tip Explains How the Economics of Racism Inspired ATCQ’s Latest LP (Video)

With "We the People," A Tribe Called Quest shared their most political single to date, but it's just one facet of an entire album whose content deals head-on with serious issues. We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service tackles racism, poverty, and struggle but "We the People"... Read more

November 18, 2016 TV, TV/Film, Video

A Tribe Called Quest Make A Stand For The People & Phife’s Spirit Is With Them (Video)

After an 18-year hiatus from making albums, A Tribe Called Quest have once again taken the Hip-Hop world by storm. In August, record industry veteran L.A. Reid very casually revealed that the members of ATCQ had been recording an album, and it would be released before the end of the... Read more

November 18, 2016 Video

Eminem Gives Infinite Respect To His Earliest Music With A Documentary & A Remix (Video)

While Eminem's 1999 and 2000 mainstream takeover is often associated with the production of Dr. Dre, much more of The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP is credited to another act behind the boards. The Bass Brothers, Mark and Jeff—had been with Em' since his career took shape.... Read more

November 18, 2016 Audio, Video

Tish Hyman Shows Sometimes Great Beauty Can Come From Great Pain (Video)

From T.I. to Above To The Law, Murs to Maino, "hustling" is a popular theme in music. It can mean many things, but you'll hear the term—incessantly, from lyrics to interview soundbites. Singer Tish Hyman's single "All That I Can Do" is also about hustling—for survival. She delivers pained vocals,... Read more

November 17, 2016 Video

Donald Glover Is Making Full Fledged Funk. And There’s Nothing Childish About It (Audio)

Last Thursday (November 10), Childish Gambino unveiled the first look from upcoming album, ...Awaken, My Love (December 2). "Me and Your Mama" set aside the raps for a record that had more in common with Parliament or Lenny Kravitz than any Rap contemporary. Singing, screaming, and embedding himself in a... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

Nas, Dave East, & Lin-Manuel Miranda Rhyme Their Way Out of Struggle (Audio)

After taking the world of theater by storm, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton excelled at the Grammys, the Tonys, and even the Pulitzer Prize ceremony, making it one of the most successful pop-culture phenomenons in history. And, speaking of history, its brilliant use of Hip-Hop to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

The Cool Kids & Their Rhymes Really Connect On This Slapper (Audio)

With the reunion in place, The Cool Kids are back to being, well, cool. Their latest single "Connect 4" presents Chuck Inglish and Sir Michael Rocks as the forward-sounding, fashion-forward duo with lush dreams and slick lines. Notably, this track blends the two individual styles that the members built on... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

Never-Before-Seen Footage of O.D.B.’s Life Forms One Powerful Portrait (Video)

November 13 marked the 12th anniversary of the passing of O.D.B., the Wu-Tang Clan's most vibrant spirit. Furthermore, November 15 would have been his 48th birthday, making this week ripe with opportunities to reflect on the late MC's legacy. Despite his larger-than-life personality and the undying love he inspires in... Read more

November 17, 2016 Video

A Newly Released ’96 Cypher Shows A Tribe Called Quest Schooling Phony Rappers (Audio)

This month, A Tribe Called Quest released their sixth and said to be final album. We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service appeared to shock to the music world, when it was revealed to exist, less than six months after Phife Dawg's March death. It had been... Read more

November 17, 2016 Throwback

Implanting “Wi-Fi” in the Human Brain Could Cure Paralysis Forever

The marriage of cutting-edge technology and medicine has been one of the most important areas of growth for humankind, allowing us to live far longer and healthier lives. But it's also been one of the most controversial areas of human development, as artificial intelligence and robotics continue to change the... Read more

November 16, 2016 Lifestyle

Talib Kweli & NIKO IS Light Bars On Fire to Smoke Wack MCs (Video)

Earlier this month, Talib Kweli showcased his fortitude as an MC, arranger, record-label executive, and creative director - all in one project. The Javotti Media founder Awful People Are Great At Parties, an audio compilation meant to showcase the vast talents of his signees, who include Cory Mo, K'Valentine, Space... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Ja Rule Makes Better Fun Of Himself Than His Worst Enemies Ever Did (Video)

Ja Rule entered the 2000s in the upper echelon of Rap. He had two back-to-back #1 albums, a record label (with Irv Gotti) that was rumored to be courting Nas, and was part of three #1 records (two with Jennifer Lopez). Whether he made you wanna "Holla" (or not), one... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Rapsody Releases Her New “Crown” EP. Listen Here (Audio)

Just one day after dropping an ambitious double-header with the release of not one, but two singles, Rapsody's Crown EP has arrived. Yesterday (November 15), the Jamla rapper shared two jewels with Heads, first the Ambrosia for Heads-premiered "Mad" and then the Ab-Soul-assisted "2AM." But today (November 16), fans no... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Camp Lo Make Timeless Hip-Hop. With 2 Great Tracks, This Video Doubles Down

In the twentieth year as an act with an album out, Camp Lo has only ramped it up in 2016. They've released a few unique items, including appearing on an incredible song (and music video) with The Avalanches, and started building out solo work. If that's not enough, Sonny Cheeba... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Termanology & Kxng Crooked Bring Out The Best In Each Other. Let’s Go! (Audio)

For lovers of lyrics, wordplay, and flow, one of 2016's must-listen-to Hip-Hop albums is Statik Kxng. Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) and Statik Selektah made a 10-song EP that is some of the finest work from either. Termanology, Statik's 1982 band-mate made the lone guest appearance on "Let's Go." Now,... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Takes 3 Beats & An Ab-Soul Verse To Shine At 2am (Audio)

Rapsody and Ab-Soul have great collaborative history that dates back nearly five years. Soulo was one of the higher profile guests from The Idea of Beautiful, appearing on "NonFiction." With Rap's close ties to T.D.E., the pair come back together at "2 a.m." Released just hours after "Mad," this dynamic... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Lauryn Hill Teams Up With Fela Kuti’s Son & Band For A Stunning Tribute (Video)

For many years now, Lauryn Hill has been re-arranging her classic songs during performances. At times, this leads to great frustration for fans who want to hear the hits they know and love performed as they were recorded. On other occasions, however, Hill's changes can lead to the kind of... Read more

November 15, 2016 Throwback

Ski Wants The World…Including Your Undivided Attention. Does This Video Earn It?

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, the MC known as Ski (aka Ski Cobain) blends the 1990s and early 2000s Hip-Hop that influenced him with his own stories, ambitions, and reflections. His latest single "The World Is Mine" ties a fan favorite from within Nas's Illmatic. The artist with two previous... Read more

November 15, 2016 Ready Or Not

Just-Ice Reveals Vivid Details About The Day Scott La Rock Was Killed (Video)

Boogie Down Productions co-founder DJ Scott La Rock is a Hip-Hop luminary that much of the world never got to properly know. On August 27, 1987, the DJ/producer born Scott Sterling was killed, less than six months after B.D.P. released debut Criminal Minded. One of B.D.P.'s close affiliates was MC... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

A New Book Details The Rich Hip-Hop History Of NYC’s Latin Quarter Club

In No Half Steppin': An Oral and Pictorial History of New York City Club the Latin Quarter and the Birth of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, legendary musician, archivist, and activist Claude "Paradise" Gray shares over 175 color photographs and flyers. Along with Giuseppe "u.net" Pipitone, Paradise has provided scholars of Hip-Hop... Read more

November 15, 2016 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

Joe Budden Admits The Failures & Lessons That Can Still Lead To A Happy Home (Video)

Joe Budden has forged his 15-plus-year career by making music that can regularly sound like a journal entry. The difference is, while many artists could exclusively read from the best days of their life, the Slaughterhouse MC often picks ones that show his mistakes, his ignorance, and the more vulnerable... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

Vic Mensa Pens a Powerful Essay on Trump & Why Race Is a Distraction From the Real Problem

Vic Mensa has been one of the most outspoken artists of his generation, with 2016 being his biggest year yet. The Chicago MC's "16 Shots" is a prime example of his using music to bring attention to social and political issues of the day, but it's not just as a... Read more

November 15, 2016 Lifestyle

Rapsody Is Going For The Crown & She Doesn’t Care Who’s Mad (Audio)

Rapsody is in a whole new atmosphere since she last checked in with Beauty and the Beast. Rap' now carries a Grammy award, thanks to her appearance on Kendrick Lamar's T.P.A.B. In addition to mentor 9th Wonder, she is also now backed by Jay Z's Roc Nation. She's been to... Read more

November 15, 2016 Audio

Nick Grant Taps Into His Outkast Influence In A Video Made By Idlewild’s Director

Many artists in the mid-2010s, quickly fill up the digital atmosphere with songs and videos, and see what sticks. Nick Grant is one MC whom the people have taken to. The South Carolina native has almost entirely done it himself, avoiding big name features—and letting his 88 mixtape, as well... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Jay Electronica Kicks A Fertile Rhyme About Love From The Garden (Video)

In the four appearances Jay Electronica has seemingly made in 2016, Emeli Sandé's "Garden" really plants itself in the listener's memory banks. The New Orleans, Louisiana MC/producer appeared on the tune last month, alongside Áine Zion. It's a different kind of look from Jay Elect' than just spitting bars with... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Daveed Diggs, Pharoahe Monch & A Group Of Remarkable Talents Elevate Broadway Through Hip-Hop (Video)

Hamilton breakout star has been doing his thing since before becoming a Grammy- and Tony-winning stage actor. The Berkeley, California native is a founding member of experimental Hip-Hop troupe clipping., who just released Splendor & Misery. He's a celebrated lyricist in his own right, a talent Lin-Manuel Miranda recognized as... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

AZ’s 40 Seconds Of Bars Are Better Than Most Albums These Days (Audio)

AZ is like a special ops soldier. He is low key, stealth and, when he's deployed, it's for maximum impact. It's been a relatively quiet year for the Brooklyn, MC, save for a few select drops, such as his guest turn on A$AP Twelvyy's "Motivation." In September, however, it appeared... Read more

November 14, 2016 Audio

Pusha T & Gucci Mane Join Common To Voice What Makes Black America Great…Again (Audio)

Throughout his career, Common has at times been—at least on paper—a left field featured guest. He appeared on albums like T.I.'s King when the Grand Hustle founder was the monarch of Trap. He made one of several Gil Scott Heron homages on The Game's "Angel" two years after, showing an... Read more

November 14, 2016 Audio