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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eminem Shows Just How Much Juice Masta Ace Had In Influencing Him (Video)

Heads who have closely followed history know how influential Masta Ace is. The Brooklyn, New York MC whose career spans more than 30 years helped bring Rap cadence to its glory. This is the same man, tied to groups such as The Juice Crew, Masta Ace Incorporated, Crooklyn Dodgers, and... Read more

Meagan Good Is Reprising Pam Grier’s Role As “Foxy Brown”

More than 40 years since Foxy Brown was released to theaters, the film continues to permeate popular culture. Pam Grier's  portrayal of the fearless Black heroine who avenges her husband's wrongful death has inspired a Quentin Tarantino homage, a Rap moniker for Inga Marchand, and an iconic Willie Hutch film... Read more

Ab-Soul Pulls Out The Big Guns And Declares War On Jay Electronica & Troy Ave (Video)

Although it endured several fits and starts throughout the year, Ab-Soul's latest album arrived on Friday (December 9), and with it came some of his finest work to date. Do What Thou Wilt, like other Soulo albums, is dense material, requiring several listens, but his varied flows and selection of... Read more

Mac Miller & Ariana Show Off Their Real-Life Chemistry And It Gets Steamy (Video)

In a new video for Mac Miller’s “My Favorite Part” featuring Ariana Grande, off his conceptual project The Devine Feminine, the MC flexes his own vocal abilities — kickin’ game to the pop superstar, who performs as his neighbor, through their apartment walls via song. The sleek, dark-lit, retro visuals... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Joe Young Drops One Mighty Music Video With Masta Killa.

The Wu-Tang Clan was once sprawling with talented affiliates. The nine-MC collective from New York City quickly made a way for others after establishing themselves in 1993. From Shyheim to La The Darkman, Sunz Of Man to Bronze Nazareth, there have been talented MCs, producers, and voices emerging from that... Read more

Wale Celebrates Black Women As The Beautiful Gold They Are (Video)

Wale chose the last month of 2016 to find his best stride in some time. Earlier this month, J. Cole released "False Prophets (Be Like This)." Without naming names, the song challenged some of Cole's peers and greatest inspirations. Less than 48 hours after it released, Wale responded with "Groundhog... Read more

The LOX Release The 1st Video For Their New Album. The Foundation Is ROC Solid.

At the end of this week, The LOX will release their highly-anticipated third album, Filthy America...It's Beautiful (December 16). Their first album in more than 16 years comes on their third different label. Striking success in the late '90s with Puff Daddy and Bad Boy, the Yonkers, New York trio... Read more

Token Releases An Explosive And Powerful Music Video About The Effects Of Bullying

Token has made his struggles with a learning disability well known, sharing with his fans that there was a time when anxiety, depression, obesity, and a learning disability once controlled his life. Though he continues to struggle with some of those elements today, he's managed to not only launch a... Read more

The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes & Consequence Perform “Dis Generation” & “Mobius” (Video)

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest gave the world its first taste of Tribe's new album, We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service, live. The crew joined Dave Chappelle on Saturday Night Live, accompanied by Busta Rhymes and Consequence. During their performances of both "The Space Program" and... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. & Charlie Clips Make It Personal In This Incredible Rap Battle (Video)

Mistah F.A.B. has become one of the best examples of a battle rapper transitioning into a full-on discography. Additionally, Charlie Clips has taken his gifts as one of the premiere MCs in Battle Rap to television through BET Hip-Hop Awards looks as well as appearances on Wild N' Out. On... Read more