Fresh Archives

Macklemore & G-Eazy May Have Just Joined YG On The Secret Service Watch List (Audio)

Earlier this year, YG and Nipsey Hussle released a song that was a scathing critique of then presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Titled "FDT," standing for F... Donald Trump, the song was so brazen in its attacks that it landed on the radar of the Secret Service, and YG was... Read more

July 20, 2016 Audio

Eve Says She’s Glad Dr. Dre Dropped Her & Shares Why (Video)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC Eve has had one of the most successful careers in Hip-Hop history, but as some well know, her path to superstardom began with a rocky road. As a teenager, the future Grammy Award winner was signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, but the partnership lasted less than... Read more

July 20, 2016 Video

The Social Media Hate Against Leslie Jones: Why Humans Are More Horrifying Than Ghosts

As one of the definitive elements of the 21st century, social media is at its best a democratizing form of communication but at its worst, it can be a bastion of harassment and emotional trauma. Trolling online has become a cyber-based blood sport where anonymous users can unleash vitriol that,... Read more

July 20, 2016 Lifestyle

Big Sean, Chance The Rapper & Jeremih Channel-Surf Into Living Single (Audio)

In the last 24 hours, Jeremih released his Late Nights: Europe mixtape. An extension of 2015's Late Nights album, the freebie was reportedly supposed to feature "Living Single," featuring Big Sean and Chance The Rapper. In the end, that not happen—allegedly due to clearance issues surrounding Sean (though both are... Read more

July 20, 2016 Audio

Large Professor Broke More Than Atoms 25 Years Ago. He Broke New Ground.

By the early 1990s, Wild Pitch Records proved to be one of the most exciting labels in Hip-Hop. It was their logo at the center of the record that made key introductions for Gang Starr, Lord Finesse, and Flavor Unit lyricist Chill Rob G. Stu Fine’s label appeared to be... Read more

July 19, 2016 Food for Thought

De La Soul Embrace Their Rightful Place As Hip-Hop Royalty (Audio)

Earlier today (July 19), De La Soul premiered their latest single, "Royalty Capes" with the FADER. Produced by their very own Dave a/k/a Plug Too, it's an exultant track from their forthcoming album and the Anonymous Nobody, whose royal arrival takes place on August 26. The latest single in a... Read more

July 19, 2016 Audio

20 Years Ago, Muhammad Ali Lit a Torch That Continues to Shine Brightly (Video)

In 1996, Atlanta, Georgia, hosted the Summer Olympics, but it wasn't just a once-in-every-four-years occurrence. Also known as the Centennial Olympic Games, it was historic for many reasons, including its being the first time the Olympics divided Summer and Winter games into different years. Kicking off on July 19, the... Read more

July 19, 2016 Throwback

Jadakiss & Beanie Sigel Root Out The Necessary Evil Of Money (Audio)

The onetime beef between Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss may as well be an afterthought in 2016. The early 2000s tensions between State Property and The LOX are long over, and Jada' is now notably a Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records artist, years after he challenged the reigning squad. After Sigel's late 2014... Read more

July 19, 2016 Audio

Treach, Bumpy Knuckles, Trick Trick & Raekwon Serve Shots Of O.G.ology With No Chaser (Video)

At the beginning of the year, Treach, Bumpy Knuckles and Trick Trick announced they were joining forces on a project titled O.G.ology. On their Raekwon-assisted first single, "Let Me Tell You Something," the vets made it clear their mission was to "kidnap the culture," rescuing Hip-Hop and Boom Bap from... Read more

July 18, 2016 Video

Dave, Maseo & Pos Reminisce On Before De La Soul Was Born (Video)

Unlike Hip-Hop artists in the digital age, many 1980s and 1990s acts do not have extensive recordings prior to their first album. Long Island, New York trio De La Soul had history prior to 1989's gold-certified 3 Feet High And Rising debut. Little of that history has been released, due... Read more

July 18, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q Announces Blank Face World Tour Dates

ScHoolboy Q will be taking his widely acclaimed Blank Face LP on a world tour in the final quarter of 2016. The Top Dawg Entertainment MC has been busy promoting his fourth full-length album which so far has peaked at the number-two spot on Billboard's 200 and Rap charts, and... Read more

July 18, 2016 Fresh

Nipsey Hussle & Dave East Go Back To Their Rugged Roots, With Clarity (Audio)

Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Mondays push on—with no finish line in sight. The Los Angeles, California veteran joins another highly-prolific MC in Dave East for "Clarity." This song finds these two street-wise men (along with Bino Rideaux) going back to the tense, high-stakes environments that raised them. For Nip', those were... Read more

July 18, 2016 Audio

Rakim Addresses The Rumors That He Wrote DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”

For 25 years, there have been longstanding questions (and some rumors) surrounding DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's biggest hit, "Summertime." The 1991 Top 5 Jive/Zomba Records single from Homebase showcased a different flow from the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC now known as Will Smith. Many speculated that the... Read more

July 18, 2016 Fresh

Prophets Of Rage Clear The Way For Power To The People (Audio)

Today (July 18) marks the first day of the Republican National Convention, the purpose of which is the formal selection of the Republican candidate for president of the United States. In many instances, the RNC is just a formality and this year is no different - having overwhelmingly succeeded over... Read more

July 18, 2016 Audio

Prodigy & Alchemist Unlock Mystical Jewels For Those Who Can Crack The Code (Audio)

In April, Prodigy & Alchemist gave away their 2013 album Albert Einstein, for free. The Mobb Deep co-founder and the group's longtime affiliate producer have a ton of history together—spanning back to the 1990s. In 2016, even with giveaways, P and ALC are still putting in work, and advancing their... Read more

July 18, 2016 Audio

Juice’s Director Reveals The Original Ending Hollywood Did Not Want

Earlier this month, The Roots' Black Thought hosted a special event, celebrating the 1992 movie Juice. The afternoon consisted of a screening of the film, a panel discussion moderated by Black Thought, featuring director and co-writer Ernest Dickerson, co-writer Gerard Brown, and actors Khalil Kain (Raheem) and Jermaine Hopkins (Steel),... Read more

July 17, 2016 Throwback

Jeru The Damaja, Afu-Ra & Big Shug Show the Gang Starr Foundation Is Solid (Audio)

It has been more than five years since Gang Starr's Keith "Guru" Elam passed away. Today (July 17) would have been the MC's 54th birthday. While DJ Premier continues to wave the Gang Starr flag in his recent work with affiliates such as Bumpy Knuckles, D.I.T.C., and Dilated Peoples, the... Read more

July 17, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Immediately Responds To Drake And Uses His Own Words Against Him (Audio)

The same day (July 16) Drake responded to two previous diss records by Joe Budden, Joe Budden promptly replied. As he vowed on his podcast, the Slaughterhouse MC was more than ready. "Afraid" closely followed French Montana and Drake's "No Shopping," with the Jersey City, New Jersey MC veteran addressing... Read more

July 16, 2016 Audio

Drake Responds To Joe Budden & Pumps Up The Beef (Audio)

It has taken more than two weeks since Joe Budden launched a diss campaign against Drake with the release of "Making A Murderer (Part 1)," for the Toronto MC to respond. A Rap battle that started in late June is now officially two-sided. On Drake's OVO Radio Show on Beats... Read more

July 16, 2016 Audio

Vic Mensa Drops More Wisdom In 3 Minutes Than Most Rappers Do In A Career (Video)

Vic Mensa's recent EP, There's Alot Going On, could not be more appropriately titled. In fact, in a year where multiple citizens have died at the hands of the police, terrorists have attacked an independence day celebration, militaries are staging coups, snipers have killed multiple police officers, and countries are... Read more

July 16, 2016 Video

GZA Shows The Skill Of His Stylez With A New Rap Caper (Audio)

The Wu-Tang Clan has created a true umbrella of artists. From Cappadonna to La The Darkman, Killarmy to American Cream Team, there have been legions of MCs, producers, and non-musical personalities attached to the original nine-member New York City collective. Even when the Clan has not been working in formation,... Read more

July 16, 2016 Audio

ScHoolboy Q Shows Why He Just Might Be The Last Real Gangsta Rapper (Video)

Since dropping his Blank Face LP on July 8, ScHoolboy Q has been showered with critical acclaim, not only for the lyrical content of his fourth album but also the visual masterpieces that depict beautifully nuanced portrayals of the street-life mentality from someone juggling various perspectives: that of a self-proclaimed... Read more

July 15, 2016 Video

Lil’ Kim Explains In Detail What Led Up To Rich Homie Quan Forgetting Biggie’s Lyrics

On Monday night (July 11) Lil' Kim was among those celebrated at the return of Hip-Hop Honors. For more than 20 years, the Brooklyn, New York representative has amassed a platinum solo career, along with acclaimed work with Junior M.A.F.I.A. The onetime protege of The Notorious B.I.G. would win Grammy... Read more

July 15, 2016 Audio

The Details Behind Fast Food’s Most Famous Jingle Are Unsavory

The classic ad jingle contains two elements: a message and a tune. From a marketing standpoint, jingles are meant to get stuck in a listener's head so as to initiate a subconscious bridge between product and memory and over the years, several have transcended the world of advertising and infiltrated... Read more

July 15, 2016 Lifestyle

After a Tragedy Was Livestreamed, Defining Hate Speech Is Getting Tricky (Audio)

On July 6, Philando Castile lost his life after being shot to death by a police officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, was his front-seat passenger and in what is being acknowledged as a formidable act of strength and foresight, she took out her phone and livestreamed... Read more

July 15, 2016 Lifestyle

Ab-Soul Reminds All That He’s A Lyrical Sharp-Shooter On A Bas Remix (Audio)

Dreamville artist Bas made one of 2016's strongest Hip-Hop works care of March's Too High To Riot. A Top 50 charting LP, the Interscope Records-distributed project features mentor J. Cole, along with Cozz and The Hics. Individually, several of Fiend Bassy's cuts have eclipsed the million-mark on streaming platforms. Even... Read more

July 15, 2016 Audio

A-F-R-O Has Flows For Days On Marco Polo’s Best Beats (EP Stream)

Last November, Bellflower, California MC A-F-R-O released his breakthrough mixtape Tales From The Basement. More than 100,000 people gave listen to the teenage lyricist who has been cosigned by R.A. The Rugged Man, GZA, DJ Premier, and others. In the time since, All Flows Reach Out has released videos, he's... Read more

July 15, 2016 Audio

Sadat X & Rhymefest Paint A Picture Of A Better World Right On Time (Audio)

Tomorrow (7/15), Sadat X will release his new solo album, Agua, on Tommy Boy Records. The LP features stellar production from Pete Rock, Diamond D, DJ Scratch, Da Beatminerz, Easy Mo Bee and more, and guest appearances by A.F.R.O., RA The Rugged Man, Ed. O.G., Black Sheep Dres, and fellow... Read more

July 14, 2016 Audio

Blu & Nottz Raise The Bar and the Volume With Their Titans In The Flesh EP (Audio)

A decade ago, Blu was one of the most exciting MCs in Hip-Hop. By 2007's Below The Heavens album with Exile, the Los Angeles, California MC perfected Everyman themes, with an original delivery. Fans took notice, and at the frontier of the digital age, took a Sound In Color release... Read more

July 14, 2016 Audio

Mick Jenkins, Jesse Boykins III & Noname Help Illustrate theMIND (Video)

With references to "The Rugrats," Patti Mayonnaise (of "Doug" fame), "Recess," and "Hey Arnold," Mick Jenkins' verse in "Animated Ambition" is a shoutout to '90s kids raised on Nickelodeon and ABC's "One Saturday Morning." The song is the latest from Chicago, Illinois' (by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) theMIND, an R&B... Read more

July 14, 2016 Video

Snow Tha Product Is Tired of Waiting for People to Wake Up (Video)

Mexican-American MC Snow Tha Product is no stranger to discrimination. As both a woman and a Latina in Hip-Hop, she's faced her fair share of dismissive remarks, but those who are actually listening know what's really good. The San Jose, California native has made a name for herself for using... Read more

July 14, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q Discusses His Historically Unique Feature Choices (Video)

Less than one week ago, ScHoolboy Q released his fourth album, Blank Face LP. The TDE/Interscope Records effort features appearances by Tha Dogg Pound, E-40, and Jadakiss, among others. Speaking with DJ Whoo Kid this week on The Whoolywood Shuffle Shade 45 radio show, Groovy Q explained his feature choices,... Read more

July 14, 2016 Video

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul & Carmelo Anthony Stand Together For Change (Video)

Last week, in an incredibly powerful and passionate interview, Killer Mike hypothesized about the power of athletes to effect change in these times of turmoil, due to several killings of Black citizens by police officers. Seemingly hearing his call, tonight (June 13), LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Beyonce & More List 23 Ways You Could Be Killed If Black In America

In one of the most powerful clips in recent memory, Kevin Hart, Bono, Beyonce, Chris Rock, Common, Talib Kweli, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Chance The Rapper and several other entertainers have come together to recite 23 ways you could be killed if you are Black in America. With each... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Swizz Beatz Reveals DMX Did Not Want To Do “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” (Video)

"Stop. Drop. Shut 'em down, open up shop." As Heads know, those words open "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," one of the biggest Hip-Hop anthems of all-time. However, the song almost didn't happen. As part of the new BET series Inside The Label, Swizz Beatz detailed the making of the song for... Read more

July 13, 2016 Throwback

Lil Cease & Jadakiss Take A Summer Breeze And Make It Hot (Video)

With 4th of July in our collective rear-view mirrors, the summer is in full swing and with it comes the familiar sights and sounds of the season. Backyard barbecues, stoopside games of cards and dominoes, sunkissed skin, and a months-long air of celebration. There have been plenty of Hip-Hop songs... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Digable Planets Reflect On Their Travels Through Time & Space And They’re Still Light Years Ahead

In 1994, a trio of young, unparalleled Hip-Hop creators won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)." Up against megawatt contemporaries like Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dogg, Naughty By Nature, and Cypress Hill, Digable Planets repped for... Read more

July 13, 2016 Food for Thought

ScHoolboy Q Thinks Guns Should Be Taken Away From EVERYBODY (Video)

Anyone who has listened to a ScHoolboy Q album knows that he keeps it all the way real with his vivid depictions of gangsta life. Rather than glorify the lifestyle, like 95% of other rappers, Q's lyrics are grim and mournful, and he is quick to say that, while he... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Apathy Does Not Care If People Pay Attention. He’s A D.I.Y. Success (Video)

Last month, hardcore Hip-Hop veteran Apathy released his latest album, Handshakes With Snakes. A member of Army Of The Pharaohs (Vinnie Paz, Esoteric, Celph Titled, etc.) and founder of the Demigodz (Celph Titled, Ryu, etc.), the onetime Atlantic Records act has built a lengthy career on his own terms. Committed... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Tish Hyman’s Striking Soul & Flow Are Reminiscent of Lauryn Hill In The Best Ways (Audio)

Bronx, New York native MC/singer Tish Hyman made a lot of noise in 2015 as the first female to conquer Sway In The Morning's "5 Fingers Of Death." More than just accepting the freestyle challenge, Tish bodied five beats and made a fast name for herself, amidst some new circles.... Read more

July 12, 2016 Audio, Video

This Anniversary Mix of De La Soul’s “Stakes Is High” Is the Bizness (Mixtape)

With the August 26 release date of their forthcoming album and the Anonymous Nobody approaching, De La Soul are also a hot topic of retrospective conversations these days. On July 2, the Long Island, New York trio's fourth album, Stakes Is High, turned 20 and Heads have been celebrating the... Read more

July 12, 2016 Audio

This Documentary Shows Why Boyz N The Hood Is Still A Classic 25 Years Later (Video)

Today (July 12), marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Boyz N The Hood in theaters. Written and directed by then first-time director, John Singleton, the film was groundbreaking in its unflinching, yet deeply human portrayal of life in South Central Los Angeles. Premiered at the esteemed Cannes Film... Read more

July 12, 2016 Video

Erykah Badu Is Aiding the Effort to Solve Abandoned Rape Cases in Detroit

Fans of the ubiquitous crime-procedural television dramas like "C.S.I." or "Law & Order" see criminal cases processed and solved rapidly, but in reality the time it takes law enforcement to properly address any given crime is far greater. For crimes like rape, in which D.N.A. testing and lab-based examinations are... Read more

July 12, 2016 Lifestyle

Jarren Benton Has The Courage To Rap About Fears We All Face (Audio)

Jarren Benton has built a career around outlandish raps, circus-like stage-shows, and cringe-worthy comical similes. It is easy to understand why the Decatur, Georgia MC has worked with guys like D12's Bizarre and R.A. The Rugged Man. He is in that lineage. However, the onetime Funk Volume sensation now makes... Read more

July 12, 2016 Audio

Jamila Woods on Messages From “Heavn” & The Creative Spirit of Chicago’s Artists

Some of the greatest artists in modern music started with careful build-ups. From Nas to Kendrick Lamar, these artists were tapped to play feature roles on others' songs. In time, they broke through with art that showed their individual gifts, visionary qualities, and ability to balance them at a full-length... Read more

July 12, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Queen Latifah Honors Hip-Hop’s Women Pioneers In An All-Star Showing Of U.N.I.T.Y. (Video)

Last night (July 11), Hip-Hop Honors returned to television, with a special dedication to the ladies. Queen Latifah was one of the honorees of the evening. The MC-turned-actor-turned-singer returned to her late 1980s and early 1990s catalog of hits from the burgeoning days of the Flavor Unit. One of the... Read more

July 12, 2016 TV, TV/Film, Video

Behind The Scenes Footage From The Tupac Biopic Shows The Star’s Resemblance Is Scary

Last month brought the first look at a trailer for the upcoming Tupac biopic All Eyez On Me, and now behind the scenes footage gives a closer look at the cast and characters portrayed in the film. Among those featured in the nearly 15-minute long clip are Demetrius Shipp, Jr.... Read more

July 12, 2016 Video

Snoop & The Game Meet With The LAPD To Build Trust Between Police & The Community

On Friday (July 8), mere hours after five police officers were murdered in Dallas, Texas, and the same week two Black men were killed by police officers in separate incidents, Snoop Dogg and The Game led a march of more than 50 people to the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters.... Read more

July 11, 2016 Food for Thought, News

De La Soul Spring Into Action With A Jam Designed To Make You Move (Audio)

Just over twenty five years ago, De La Soul's sophomore album included lead single "A Roller Skating Jam Called Saturdays." Produced by Prince Paul, the Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records single found the Long Island, New York trio (and guest Q-Tip, of A Tribe Called Quest) making an upbeat ode to... Read more

July 11, 2016 Audio

Roxanne Shanté Discusses The Challenges She Faced As A Pioneering Woman In Hip-Hop

Growing up in the same Queensbridge Houses as Hip-Hop icons like MC Shan, Marley Marl, Nas, and Mobb Deep, Roxanne Shanté has a story that has often gone untold. Known for her role in the notorious "Roxanne Wars" during the mid-1980s, the MC had already developed an admirable Rap pedigree... Read more

July 11, 2016 Fresh