Fresh Archives

Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & More Takeover The Roots Picnic New York (Video)

This past weekend, The Roots held the first ever New York version of their annual picnic. Pulling out all the stops, they expanded the traditionally one day festival into two days, and built a star-studded lineup. Participating acts included Wu-Tang Clan, D'Angelo, David Byrne, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Swizz Beatz, EPMD,... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

Buckshot & DJ Evil Dee Are in the Studio Making New Black Moon Music (Video)

Brooklyn, New York's Black Moon is one of Hip-Hop's most celebrated trios, and one whose contributions to the borough's signature dark and brooding underground sound continue to influence MCs today. Comprised of Buckshot, 5ft and DJ Evil Dee, the Duck Down Music group first appeared with 1992's "Who Got Da... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

Token Torches The BET Hip-Hop Cypher While DJ Premier Cuts The Record (Video)

The 2016 Hip Hop Awards are airing on BET on Tuesday, October 4, and with them come the annual Cyphers. While this year's Cypher participants have not yet been announced, several details have surfaced about the show which was taped in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, September 17. Snoop Dogg Is... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

EPMD Take Care Of Business At The Roots Picnic In New York (Video)

This afternoon (October 2), EPMD took the stage at The Roots Picnic in New York and absolutely crushed it. Erick Sermon jokingly remarked that he was only 27 years, while simultaneously noting that he and Parrish Smith had been rocking mics for nearly 30 years. Both their experience and their... Read more

October 2, 2016 Video

The Symphony 2016 ft Kane, G Rap, Royce, Monch, Black Thought, Freeway & More (Video)

This weekend, The Roots hosted their first ever Roots Picnic in New York City. Held in Bryant Park, near Times Square, the two-day affair billed D'Angelo, Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Swizz Beatz, EPMD, John Mayer, David Byrne, The Jungle Brothers and many more. There were also a number of... Read more

October 2, 2016 Video

Soul On Ice: Ras Kass Reflects On His Groundbreaking Album 20 Years Later (Video)

By all accounts, Ras Kass is one of the most gifted lyricists of all-time. For more than 20 years, Ras Kass has been seizing every opportunity to approach rapping with thoughtfulness, complexity, and message-driven content. Of course, he wasn't the first to do so, and he credits KRS-One and Rakim... Read more

October 1, 2016 Video

Nocando’s Most Important Work to Date Is An Explosive Ride Through Racism (Audio)

Los Angeles, California's Nocando has been releasing solo albums since 2010's Jimmy the Lock, and the work he's put in for the city's local music circuit extends much further. But it's now, in 2016, that the MC has released the most significant song of his career in the form of... Read more

October 1, 2016 Audio

Nas, Vic Mensa & Game Hold Nothing Back On the Year’s Most Explosive Soundtrack (Audio)

The Birth of a Nation is already one of 2016's most talked about films, and it hasn't even been released yet. On October 7, the Nate Parker directed sensation will arrive in theaters, and due to its simultaneously historic and timely content, it already has American movie lovers buzzing. The... Read more

September 30, 2016 Audio

Method Man’s First Song Of The Year Is Bulletproof (Audio)

It's been an exceptionally quiet year for Method Man, on the music front. After releasing his album The Meth Lab in 2015, he has not dropped a single record this year. In fact, save for a guest appearance on Havoc's “Buck 50’s & Bullet Wounds,” Meth has not even been... Read more

September 30, 2016 Audio

Moment Of Truth: Luke Cage’s Gang Starr Episode Titles Revealed (Video)

Today (September 30), marks the premiere of the much anticipated Luke Cage, an episodic series following the Marvel superhero of the same name and starring Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard, and others. For all the waves its making in the world of comic-book fandom, the show has been getting... Read more

September 30, 2016 Video

Andre 3000’s New “Decemba” Verse Is Cold. How Cold? ICE COLD (Audio)

Since the 2006 release of OutKast's Idlewild soundtrack, Andre 3000 has put out just over 20 verses. While nearly every one has been an event in and of itself, often standing among the best in its respective year, an average of two an annum is far too few for fans... Read more

September 30, 2016 Audio

Ab-Soul Returns With His First Official Release In Nearly 2 Years (Video)

It's been more than two years since Top Dawg Entertainment's Ab-Soul has released an album. The lyrical sharpshooter has been very low profile in that time period, as everyone else on the label's roster, from Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock to ScHoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad and SZA has released material.... Read more

September 29, 2016 Audio

50 Cent Makes A Power Move Over Young M.A.’s “Ooouuu” (Audio)

Every year in Hip-Hop there is a track that penetrates the Zeitgeist and inspires countless MCs to want to leave their imprint on the record. In 2013, it was Big Sean's "Control," fueled in large part by response records to Kendrick Lamar's lyrical assault on the entire industry. In 2014,... Read more

September 29, 2016 Audio

“Got To Try A New Position.” How Public Enemy Made Prince Change His Sound

For the latest episode of Questlove Supreme, The Legendary Roots Crew drummer's new weekly Internet radio show, Quest traveled to Minnesota, for a special Prince edition of the broadcast. For nearly three hours, Quest spoke with collective members of The Revolution, Prince's band from 1979 to 1986, including Wendy &... Read more

September 29, 2016 Fresh

Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz Look At Some Of The Costs Of A Couple Of Dollars (Video)

Tomorrow (September 30), Apollo Brown and Skyzoo will release their first collaborative album, The Easy Truth. As the Detroit, Michigan producer explained to Ambrosia For Heads this week, the easy truth is what we are all fed, left for us to decipher whether it is truly real or false. One... Read more

September 29, 2016 Food for Thought, Video

Spike Lee Makes A Bold Call In Updating Mars Blackmon To Reflect Changing Times

30 years ago, Spike Lee's first feature length film appeared in theaters, and with it came a groundbreaking depiction of Black womanhood and sexuality. She's Gotta Have It starred Lee himself as one of the film's male characters, a Brooklynite named Mars Blackmon whose affinity for Jordans made him so... Read more

September 29, 2016 Lifestyle

Beanie Sigel Reveals How Texts & Photos Led To Violent Beef With Meek Mill (Audio)

Following a documented altercation this past weekend, Beanie Sigel has broken his silence. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hit-maker appeared on the latest episode of the Taxstone Podcast. There, the former Roc-A-Fella Records star broke down his changing position in the beef between The Game and Meek Mill, and why he feels... Read more

September 28, 2016 Audio

Token Explains His Journey As An MC & How Music Saved His Life (Video)

Less than one week ago, Salem, Massachusetts MC Token released his debut project, Eraser Shavings. The 17-track effort featuring production by Nottz, Clinton Sparks, and Jon Glass (among others) arrives just as the lyricist turns 18 years old. Although he is a teenager, this MC is hardly new to the craft.... Read more

September 28, 2016 Exclusive, Video

The Weeknd Is A Shooting Star. He Embraces It In A Daft Punk Assisted Single (Video)

The Weeknd is a comet in the sky. From mixtapes to albums, this two-time Grammy Award winner has captivated Pop music without compromising his own trippy take on R&B. On November 25, the Canadian singer will release his third album, Starboy. The follow-up to last year's #1 Beauty Behind The... Read more

September 28, 2016 Video

De La Soul Performed Their Pete Rock Joint With Help From The Roots (Video)

Anybody who has gotten the chance to watch De La Soul perform live knows the Long Island, New York trio puts on one of the greatest shows in Hip-Hop. More than 25 years after dropping their debut LP 3 Feet High and Rising, Posdnuos, Dave, and Maceo are still able... Read more

September 28, 2016 Video

The New Edition Story Pulls No Punches. This Clip With BBD Throws Them.

To say that New Edition has a cinematic history is an understatement. The Boston, Massachusetts group has had a few high profile personnel shifts, reunions, and plenty of hits in its several carnations. Starting in the late 1970s, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivens, and Ricky Bell formed a singing group on... Read more

September 27, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Alfred Banks Represents The Underdogs. Is He Ready Or Not For The Big League? (Video)

In New Orleans, Louisiana, a local scene bursting with Hip Hop talent is bubbling, but few have emerged out of the shadows cast by giants coming out of the No Limit and Cash Money Records camps. With artists like Curren$y spearheading a new generation of the city's Rap phenoms, younger... Read more

September 27, 2016 Ready Or Not

Syd & Kaytranada Celebrate Love Through the Lens of Classic Black TV & Film (Video)

With the Fall 2016 television season underway and gearing up to showcase more African American faces, perspectives, and writers than ever before, the state of Black T.V. and film is not only promising but truly robust. But that isn't news to Heads, many of whom grew up watching shows like... Read more

September 27, 2016 Video

Vic Mensa Vows To Make Change In The Booth…The Voting Booth (Video)

"I'm Vic Mensa. I'm 22 and affecting change in the hood is why I vote." That's the closing statement in a video produced by Vevo's Why I Vote Campaign featuring the celebrated MC. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois Vic Mensa is a young man whose outspoken lyrics and involvement in sociopolitical... Read more

September 27, 2016 Lifestyle

The Game Disses Meek Mill & Beanie Sigel In Their Own Backyard (Video)

When The Game was at war with former mentor and boss 50 Cent, he was not above the heavy-handed antics. In one mid-2000s DVD, the Compton, California rapper trespassed on 50's Connecticut mansion grounds, and filmed the whole thing (posted below). Game was apparently showing his former G-Unit leader that... Read more

September 27, 2016 Video

Beanie Sigel Allegedly Attacked For Saying He Wrote Lyrics For Meek Mill’s Game Diss Record (Video)

Just over one week ago, Beanie Sigel made his way into the beef between The Game and Meek Mill. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran appeared alongside Meek and Dream Chasers affiliate Omelly's in their their reply to Game's "92 Bars" diss, rapping over Young. M.A.'s "Ooouuu." Beanie Sigel spit just a handful... Read more

September 26, 2016 Video

A New Documentary Examines How American Prisoners Are the New Slaves (Video)

"The 13th Amendment to the Constitution makes it unconstitutional for someone to be held as a slave. There are exceptions, including criminals." That is but one of the many powerful statements shared in the trailer for a forthcoming documentary called "13th." Directed by Selma's critically acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, it... Read more

September 26, 2016 Lifestyle

Redman’s 1000-Volt Flow Keeps Microphones Lit (Audio)

Earlier this year, Redman released a record unlike any other in his past discography, the EDM-inspired "Lights Out." It was the debut single from 1000volts, his newly formed musical partnership with Los Angeles producer Jayceeoh. Also a world-renowned DJ, Jayceeoh's relationship with an industry veteran like Reggie Noble is the... Read more

September 26, 2016 Audio

Rahzel Provides Jewels On The History & Evolution Of Beatboxing (Video)

Rahzel The Godfather of Noyze has become one of the household names for beatboxing. The New Yorker and onetime member of The Roots has worked with a range of artists including Erykah Badu, Ben Harper, Common, Rakim, Everlast, and Sean Paul, among many others. With more than 20 years of... Read more

September 26, 2016 Video

Lloyd Banks Releases A Hot New Mixtape ft Joe Budden, Prodigy & More (Audio Stream)

Last week, Lloyd Banks released "Reap What You Sow," the lead single from his latest project and one of the strongest lyrical barrages of his career. Prior to the song's release, the Queens, New York MC tweeted of the new EP arriving today (September 26), "time to show these fools... Read more

September 26, 2016 Audio

Big Daddy Kane Releases His Best Verse In A Decade. He Still Kills At Will (Video)

In February of this year, Joell Ortiz and producer Domingo released the song, "Kill At Will." The standout track, with its Big Daddy Kane "Set It Off" cut-in at the chorus, is included on the That's Hip Hop album. The single showcased a hungry, fresh-faced MC Token, who had previously... Read more

September 26, 2016 Video

Plenty MCs Have Made Artistic & Personal Comeback Songs. Slaine’s Is Different. (Video)

Slaine released his comeback EP this weekend, Slaine Is Dead. Recorded amidst a fight for sobriety and other personal improvements, the veteran Boston, Massachusetts MC and actor heard about his absence. The La Coka Nostra member released the video for the title track—set in a graveyard. Up against the wall... Read more

September 25, 2016 Video

Da Brat Claims She & JD Are The 2016 EPMD. So Wat ‘Cha Sayin’? (Audio)

Da Brat and her mentor Jermaine Dupri are hard at work on the first collaborative mixtape of their career. The two So So Def Records MCs who have worked together for more than 22 years will title the work Business As Usual. Referencing EPMD in that act alone is not... Read more

September 25, 2016 Audio

Mobb Deep’s Prodigy Announces October Book Tour Dates

In promotion of his upcoming book, Mobb Deep's Prodigy is embarking on a book tour through the month of October. The Queens, New York veteran MC and author will be hitting major cities and several universities as he prepares to publish Commissary Kitchen: My Infamous Prison Cookbook. The text, which... Read more

September 25, 2016 Fresh

Tupac Approved The Artwork For Makaveli’s Don Killuminati A Day Before He Was Shot (Audio)

Twenty years ago this month, Tupac Shakur was confirmed dead seven days after a Las Vegas, Nevada drive-by shooting. At the time, Shakur had released one of the biggest albums of 1996 care of double LP All Eyez On Me. However, the Death Row Records artist had recently completed an... Read more

September 24, 2016 Audio

The Game Lists His Top 3 Los Angeles Lyricists Of All-Time (Video)

The Game joined The Breakfast Club on Friday (9/23) for an extended conversation. There ostensibly to promote his forthcoming album, 1992, he spent the vast majority of his time discussing his current beef with Meek Mill, including vast details about its genesis, the making of his scathing "Pest Control" diss,... Read more

September 24, 2016 Video

Chuck D Explains How Public Enemy #1 Was Made & Got Them Signed To Def Jam

Public Enemy has a litany of power-packed jams. 1987's "Public Enemy #1" is one of the singles that showcased the Long Island, New York collective as something different—in vocals, production, and command. Appearing in "Once Upon A Rhyme" for B-Real TV, Chuck D gives his Prophets Of Rage band-mate's platform... Read more

September 24, 2016 Video

DJ Quik Speaks Up For The Black Community In Troubled Times (Audio)

DJ Quik and Problem excited Rap fans earlier this year with April's generation-bridging Rosecrans EP. A Compton, California affair to the fullest, Quik's production and rhyming called back to some of his 1990s brilliance. In his career, Quik often upholds the convention of releasing music through albums, not just a... Read more

September 24, 2016 Audio

Watch The Making Of The Mural That Immortalizes A Tribe Called Quest In Queens, NY (Video)

Today marks the 25th anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest releasing their album, The Low End Theory. The group's second LP, often considered their master work, was released on September 24, 1991—changing the musical landscape around it ever since In a 2016 that has tragically lost group co-founder Phife Dawg to... Read more

September 24, 2016 Video

Killer Mike Tells Blacks Don’t Talk About Revolution Because “You Ain’t Ready To Revolt” (Video)

Over the last few years Killer Mike has emerged as one of the most potent voices of the people, particularly African-Americans and the disenfranchised. He gained a national platform after the killing of Michael Brown by officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO, as he simultaneously conveyed the outrage of many... Read more

September 23, 2016 Video

Redman Keeps It All The Way Real On “Wus Really Hood” (Video)

For the entirety of his 25+ year career, Redman has been nothing, if not all the way real. The Newark, NJ native has never put on airs or changed who he is for anyone, whether it be radio, record companies or MTV. Last year, Redman spoke in depth with Combat... Read more

September 23, 2016 Video

Murda Mook Smothers The Mic In This Head-Hunting 9 Minute Freestyle (Video)

Murda Mook can downright destroy microphones when asked. The Harlem, New Yorker and onetime Ruff Ryders member is nice with the ring of Battle Rap. However, without an opponent, the MC that's worked with Sean Price and LL Cool J is simply a standout lyricist. Appearing alongside Funkmaster Flex at... Read more

September 23, 2016 Video

Token Looks To Leave A Permanent Mark On The Rap Pages With His Eraser Shavings (Audio)

For more than half of his life, Token has been building his skills as an MC. The Massachusetts product crosses a critical benchmark in his career with the release of Eraser Shavings. Token's first full-length project of his career boasts 17 tracks, including production by veterans including Nottz, Clinton Sparks,... Read more

September 23, 2016 Audio

Could All Diseases Be Cured by 2099? A Bold New Initiative Says It’s Possible (Video)

By the end of the 21st century, many of the diseases plaguing the human race could be cured. At least, that's what Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan are hoping to achieve through a $3 billion offensive plan the husband and wife are jumpstarting. The audacious healthcare plan is... Read more

September 23, 2016 Lifestyle

The Making Of ATCQ’s The Low End Theory, Told By People Who Were There

Twenty five years ago today, A Tribe Called Quest released The Low End Theory. The Queens, New York collective had seemingly achieved what so many of their peers aspired to: a record contract, devoted fans, and hits in rotation through a certifiably respected debut. Still, with Q-Tip at the helm,... Read more

September 23, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

T.I.’s New EP Is His Most Political Work Yet. It’s Us Or Else (Audio)

With the release of "Warzone," T.I. shared with the world his most powerful video to date. By visualizing an America in which innocent victims of police shootings are White and the officers Black, the multi-platinum rapper made the boldest political statement of his career and added his voice to the... Read more

September 23, 2016 Audio

Dante Ross Wanted To Make O.D.B. & Method Man “The Next Run-D.M.C.”

In the canon of Hip-Hop music, Dante Ross may be what we now know as "the plug." From De La Soul to Missy Elliott, MF DOOM to Digital Underground, Lil Dicky to Brand Nubian, Dante has discovered some of Hip-Hop's most respected artists. Beyond simply the exploration, Ross has thrived... Read more

September 23, 2016 Fresh

Joe Budden’s By Law Gives Other MC’s The Right To Remain Silent (Video)

Joe Budden has said that he wants the rhymes (and beats) to be front-and-center on his Rage & The Machine album (October 21). So for the video to sophomore single "By Law," it is all about simple-yet-effective. The visuals match the energy of the music and, in a sense, the... Read more

September 22, 2016 Video

Common & Stevie Wonder’s Snapshot of Black America Is Raw & Uncut (Video)

Common's 2014 album Nobody's Smiling not only signified a reforged musical partnership with producer No I.D., but also a concept record inspired by Chicago. The MC's hometown continues to be plagued by skyrocketing rates of gun violence, and while it manages to be a hotbed for vibrant talent including Chance... Read more

September 22, 2016 Video

Here’s What Nas Would Say If He Could Go Back in Time to Stop Tupac & Biggie’s Beef (Video)

Celebrated sports columnist Bill Simmons recently hosted Nas on his weekly HBO talk-show series, the cleverly titled "Any Given Wednesday." In their discussions, the two discussed far more than the rapper's interest in sports and the host's interest in Rap, and along with fellow guests Kevin Durant and Vince Staples,... Read more

September 22, 2016 Video