Video Archives

Anderson .Paak Continues to Show What Dr. Dre & DJ Premier Already Knew. He’s a True Talent (Video)

Anderson .Paak has had an unbelievable year. The Los Angeles artist shared billing with Dr. Dre on 6 of the Compton album's 16 tracks, and he had already been working with DJ Premier, prior to that. Today (9/25), he releases The Anderson .Paak EP with the production outfit Blended Babies.... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Redman, Method Man & Erick Sermon Still Love Working Together. It Shows. (Video)

For more than 20 years, Erick Sermon, Redman, and Method Man have displayed their strong chemistry—in various combinations. Through all of that time, no matter the changing trends and attitudes of Hip-Hop, these men were always a beacon of fun-loving music-making. It's all about skills, jokes, and upstaging each other... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Some Very Respected People Think This 17-Year Old MC Is The Future of Hip-Hop. Meet A-F-R-O (Video)

A storm is coming, and his name is A-F-R-O. Last year, the 17-year old MC won a Rap competition judged by R.A. The Rugged, Talib Kweli, Murs, Jean Grae, Vinnie Paz, Locksmith, Rittz and more. The MC born Jamal Gutierrez was so impressive, R.A. took him under his wing. Though... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Big Boi & Phantogram Perform Fell in the Sun With The Roots (Video)

Big Boi's and Phantogram's respective fans have always known the musicians for not only being talented recording artists, but also highly entertaining live performers. The former is known for his lively stage shows alongside his Outkast partner, Andre 3000 and the latter are an eclectic duo whose set designs and... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

36 Years Later, The Warriors Take Their Last Subway Ride Home. Can You Dig It? (Video)

A lot has changed in New York City since Walter Hill filmed The Warriors. While the Wonder Wheel remains, much of Coney Island has changed when standing on Stillwell Avenue. More than 35 years after the cult classic released, Rolling Stone filmed as cult fans organized "Swan" (Michael Beck), "Cochise"... Read more

September 25, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Jimmy Fallon Faces Off Against Terrence Howard. There’s Only 1 King on “Jimpire” (Video)

Over the last 6 months, Fox's show Empire has become a runaway hit. The series, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, has transcended race and gender to become as embedded in the cultural zeitgeist as any show in years. Its over-the-top plot twists and outsized characters are only... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Is Francis the First Hip-Hop Pope? This G.O.O.D. Artist Says Yes (Video)

The Pope's visit to the United States this week has infused many Americans with what could be aptly nicknamed "Pope Fever." The reigning Bishop of Rome has earned himself a reputation for being a progressive, as far as the papacy goes, particularly because of his comparatively outspoken views on things... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

The Game Tells the Story of His Life Through The Documentary’s Iconic Photos (Video)

The Game has had a celebratory few weeks and as he settles in to the home stretch before his next album drops October 9, fans are being treated to what feels like wonderful news with every passing day. Just this week it was announced that The Documentary 2 will be... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

5 Decades Later, Muhammad Ali Remains The People’s Champ. He is Celebrated in a New Documentary (Video)

Muhammad Ali was not only considered to be the greatest boxer of all-time. To many, he is the greatest athlete in history. While there are arguably those who have been gifted with more technical expertise and more raw ferocity, it is what Ali did outside of the ring that cemented... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

One Of Raury’s First Televised Performances Proves He’s Ready For Primetime (Video)

Less than one month away from All We Need, Raury got a major look appearing on last night's (September 22) "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." The revamped late night program is winning with Heads, giving the musical mic to a plethora of top Hip-Hop acts. Taking chances on Columbia... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Injects A Visual Double-Dose Of Cadillactica Luxury (Video)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica may be approaching a year old, but that's not hurting its Blue Book value in the least. Krizzle releases a combined video for two of the albums standout cuts, songs that show the two distinct sides of the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer. "My Sub Part 3 (The Big... Read more

September 22, 2015 Video

Blackalicious Mash Up Fantastic Mr. Fox For an Animated Lyrical Explosion (Video)

With their first new album in a decade, Imani, Vol. 1, Blackalicious are pulling out all of the stops. The Sacramento, California mainstays could have just made a typical video. However, given MC Gift Of Gab's propensity for precise lyricism at rapid speeds, isn't it fun to show somebody else... Read more

September 22, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Black Moon’s ‘Powaful Impak’ Is The Focus Of A Duck Down Feature Documentary (Video)

In looking at Hip-Hop artists and consistency, Heads regularly point to De La Soul, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest. There are acts who made extensive catalogs, by-and-large, never disappointing fan-bases. Is Brooklyn, New York trio Black Moon not one of them? Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, and 5FT have released... Read more

September 18, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Mac Miller Unplugs From the Matrix of Mundane & Fakery in a Truman Show-Type Video

Mac Miller's third studio album, GO:OD AM releases today (September 18). While free, full streams are still available via NPR Music, the Most Dope MC/producer releases a new visual to draw attention to his first LP since leaving the Rostrum Records independent and joining the Warner Records fold. "Brand Name"... Read more

September 18, 2015 Video

Lil Dicky Has Made An Epic Music Video…That Cost Almost No Money (Video)

Back in 1996, The Roots released their brilliant music video for "What They Do." The video satirized the Rap visuals of the time, which were becoming increasingly filled with stereotypes and cliches like scantily-clad women, palatial mansions (that were typically rented), luxury vehicles (also rented), orgies and other completely fabricated... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Dee Barnes’ Role in Hip-Hop is Much Bigger Than an Incident with Dr. Dre (Video)

For past generations of Heads, the story of reporter Dee Barnes and her reported physical altercations with Dr. Dre 25 years ago remains one of the most well-documented scandals in Hip-Hop history. Today, new generations are growing up in a time when an incident from a quarter of a century... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Grab Your Charles Dickens. Ice Cube Is The Next Mr. Scrooge.

In music, in film, and in life, Ice Cube is many things. Some of his greatest successes in each have come with the Los Angeles, California native as cranky, irritable, and just downright mad. Whether that's film roles in Higher Learning, 21 Jump Street, or Ride Along, or songs through... Read more

September 17, 2015 News, TV/Film

Did You Know Ice-T Was Once Arrested for Possessing a Bomb…Which Was Fake? (Video)

Anyone with an internet connection over the last 48 hours was made well aware of the story of Ahmed Mohamed, a high-school student in Texas whose incredible skills in science and engineering got him arrested. The 14-year-old constructed a working clock out of his pencil case and, in a moment... Read more

September 17, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Oddisee Shows Why He’s One of the Best Out Right Now With This Freestyle (Video)

Praised for his productions, Oddisee is nice with the gift of gab. While this year's The Good Fight standout may appear more about substance than style in places, the Diamond District keystone can easily flip to fast. Appearing in Tim Westwood's Cribs sessions, the Prince George County, Maryland multi-threat shows... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Imagine A World With UGK & B.B. King Collaborating. The Thrill Is Trill. (Audio/Video)

In the world of mash-up mixes, Amerigo Gazaway is one of the premier visionaries as of late. The Nashville, Tennessee based-DJ/producer looks beyond the quirky, the niche, or the party staples to draw connections out of time, space, and genre for artists. Amerigo displayed greatness in 2014's Yasiin Gaye merging... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio, Video

Run the Jewels Perform on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ & Bring Along a Big Name Backup Band (Video)

Now in his second week of his new tenure as host of the "Late Show," Stephen Colbert has already amassed an impressive list of musical guests including Toby Keith and Kendrick Lamar. Last night, El-P and Killer Mike graced the stage as Run the Jewels, performing "Angel Duster" off their... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Would You Let Stevie Wonder Take You for a Joyride? James Corden Almost Did (Video)

The Late Late Show host James Corden is starting to give his earlier night peers a run for their money with his video vignettes. Back in July, a segment of his Carpool Karaoke featuring Rod Stewart and A$AP Rocky made the rounds. Now, he's released an installment featuring the one... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video

Mac Miller Says Donald Trump is “Like a Struggling Rapper,” And Those Were His Nice Words…(Video)

Mac Miller and Donald Trump have a complicated history. In 2011, Mac Miller released his song named after Trump and, as Trump is fond of noting, the song has gone on to yield more than 100 million streams on YouTube. In true form to many politicians, Trump has flip-flopped on... Read more

September 15, 2015 Video

Quincy Jones Passes His Torch of Knowledge & Wisdom About Music & Life to Kendrick Lamar (Video)

"Music can never be more or less than what you are as a human being...You get back what you give." As a student of music, 2015 has been an advanced PhD curriculum for Kendrick Lamar. Earlier in the year, he interviewed all of the remaining members of N.W.A., as he... Read more

September 15, 2015 Video

Keith Murray & Fredro Starr’s MC Battle Is Back On The Books (Video)

UPDATE: In the summer of 2014, it was announced that veteran 1990s MCs Keith Murray (Def Squad/UnderGods) and Fredro Starr (ONYX) would face off in a competitive battle. After the event was promoted, it postponed. More than one year after it was first reported, the match-up is back on. Next... Read more

September 15, 2015 Video

Guilty Simpson Finds The Beauty In Detroit’s Concrete Struggle (Video)

Guilty Simpson just reunited with his original backer Stones Throw Records for Detroit's Son. Nearly a decade after his debut, Guilty has built a career out of tireless microphone activity, from an onslaught of collaborative works, Random Axe, and plenty of features. Something about Detroit's Son stands tall though, and... Read more

September 14, 2015 Video

Chris Rivers & Nitty Scott, MC Flip the Script on Hip-Hop Gender Stereotypes (Video)

There have been a number of Hip-Hop songs over the years with the "Bonnie and Clyde" theme. Tracks like Jay-Z's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde," Method Man's "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Me & My Bitch" all depict scenarios where the... Read more

September 11, 2015 Video

Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & ScHoolboy Q List Their Vices With No Shame (Video)

A lot can change in 4 years. When Jay Rock released his debut album, Follow Me Home, in 2011, Top Dawg Entertainment was a fledgling imprint trying to establish itself. Though its core 4 artists--Rock, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar--had amassed a healthy following amongst Heads, they were nowhere... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Just Blaze Has Made Smashes For Jay Z, Kanye West, T.I. & More. Watch How He Does It (Video)

Over the years, Just Blaze has powered some of Hip-Hop biggest hits and most revered classics. The superstar producer is responsible for defining records by Jay Z ("Girls, Girls, Girls," "Song Cry," "Public Service Announcement"), Kanye West ("Touch the Sky"), T.I. and more. Though his style varies, he is known... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Beastie Boys Share How Paul’s Boutique Might Have Gotten a Record Company Exec Fired (Video)

Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond recently sat down with New Zealand radio personality Zane Lowe for an intimate conversation about Beastie Boys history in celebration of the 26th anniversary of their album Paul's Boutique, and even more poignantly, the conversation took place on August 5, which would... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake are Back at It: Check Out Part 6 of Their History of Rap (Video)

It was a big day for Hip-Hop in late-night television yesterday. With Kendrick Lamar's awe-inspiring performance on Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" last night and the return of the Fallon-Timberlake duo to the "Tonight Show," there is plenty to go around. Since 2010, the two have partnered in medley-style performances of... Read more

September 10, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Raury Refuses To Be Boxed In. He Taps Tom Morello & Redefines the Atlanta Sound (Video)

In just over a month (October 16), Raury will his next album, All We Need. The Columbia Records sensation follows up his Indigo Child breakthrough with a continued message of hope, peace, and fellowship. In subject matter, in fashion, and in attitude, the Atlanta, Georgia native MC/singer is quite unlike... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Dam-Funk Sells Funk Straight Out The Trunk. Literally (Video)

In an era of software-driven producers, Los Angeles, California's Dam-Funk is about that hardware. Since 1988, the Stones Throw Records artist has made bodacious Funk through a series of synthesizers, cheap and expensive alike. If you see the Snoop Dogg and Blu collaborator on the road, you'll see that he... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Kendrick Lamar Gives the First Ever Performance on Colbert’s Late Show & Tears It Down With FUNK (Video)

As the new talk television season kicks into gear this week, morning, daytime, and evening shows are booking the elite guests in culture. As Stephen Colbert eases into the seat of "The Late Show," one of the higher profile moves in media, he called upon Kendrick Lamar to stop by.... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

Jay Rock Retraces His Watts Roots In A 90059 Mini-Documentary (Video)

Jay Rock's sophomore album 90059 is arriving Friday (September 11). The Watts, California MC made a mini-documentary video explaining his skill development leading into his first LP in four years. Moreover, the five-minute film gets rare access to Jay's Nickerson Gardens houses in Watts, a grid notorious for its gang... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

Public Enemy’s Latest is an Homage to the Motherland & All of Her Pain (Video)

In July, Public Enemy released Man Plans God Laughs, the 13th studio album from the Long Island, New York icons. Reportedly inspired by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Run the Jewels, the album is replete with the content familiar to P.E. Heads - politics, thought-provoking content, and unbridled depictions... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

Scarface Says Kanye West & Jay Z Wanted Him On Jesus Walks (Video)

Scarface and Kanye West worked together in the early 2000s. First on Jay Z's "This Can't Be Life," and then on a chunk of 'Face's own The Fix album, the then-Def Jam Records label-mates began a strong bond. In the 15 years since, Kanye West has closely worked with 20-plus-year... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

Israeli Hip-Hop Groups Have a Lot to Overcome, But the Music Keeps on Keeping On (Video)

For many, Israel is immediately associated with religious war and strife, not entirely incorrect but exceedingly short-sighted, as much of the country's ancient cultural history is overshadowed in the media by ongoing conflicts with Palestine and other tragic goings-on that have plagued the Holy Land for all of its short... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

A New Mini-Documentary Explores the History of N.W.A.’s ‘F the Police’ & its Influence in Compton (Video)

In the weeks since Straight Outta Compton hit theaters, the discussions about N.W.A.'s role in Hip-Hop history have become commonplace, and rightfully so. While arguments have been made that the film omitted much of their story, what has prevailed are the Compton, California group's contributions to politically driven, reality rap.... Read more

September 9, 2015 Video

A Heartfelt Documentary Film On Geto Boys’ Bushwick Bill Is Fundraising. See The Trailer (Video)

Although he was never a front man in his own group, Bushwick Bill may one of Hip-Hop's most interesting stories. Bushwick Bill (born Richard Shaw), the dancer-turned-MC from platinum Gangsta Rap pioneers the Geto Boys, has been a music mainstay for nearly 30 years. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, raised in... Read more

September 8, 2015 Video

Georgia Anne Muldrow Fires Up Raging Basslines In Rhythm Roulette (Video)

Los Angeles, California producer/MC Georgia Anne Muldrow has amassed quite a career. A Mello Music Group artist, the real-life spouse of Dudley Perkins (a/k/a Declaime) has worked on acclaimed albums such as Mos Def's The Ecstatic and Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part One and Part Two, plus Platinum Pied Pipers' Triple... Read more

September 8, 2015 Video

DJ Premier Releases The First Single With His Band, The BADDER (Video)

2015 began with an announcement that Hip-Hop turntablist/production legend DJ Premier was heading up a new band. Soon after, the collective did a stint of dates in Asia, followed by some American appearances. After just rehearsal footage, Preemo shares the first video single from the crew (known as The BADDER).... Read more

September 8, 2015 Video

Wale Closes Out Summer Season Celebrating Blooming Love (Video)

With back-to-back #1 albums and a Grammy nomination, Wale is one of Rap music's certified stars. Arguably, part of what got the MC there is his ability to make songs many can relate to. Major themes like "ambition," pride, and the ("Seinfeld"-inspired) mundane can be ruling subjects on Wale albums.... Read more

September 7, 2015 Video

Damon Wayans Gets Deadly Serious About Diabetes, In Living Color & Past Racism on SNL (Video)

An adage famously says that "tragedy plus time equals comedy." Throughout the last 30 years, Damon Wayans has tested that formula. The comedian and actor dazzled television, film, and stand-up with imitation and observation that barred no holds. The "In Living Color" and "My Wife And Kids" superstar created caricatures... Read more

September 6, 2015 Video

Your Old Droog & Problemz Rock A Freestyle With Lots Of Replay Value (Video)

Appearing on DJ Eclipse's "Rap Is Outta Control" show, Your Old Droog and Problemz brought their A-game. In the show (also featuring J57 and Karla Keys), records are often played that not only advance the culture forward, but live up to the standard of "dope" established decades ago. The lyrical... Read more

September 6, 2015 Video

D’Angelo & Tavis Smiley Maintain the Groove in Pt. 2 of Their Fascinating Conversation (Video)

Much like the first half of their conversation, part 2 of the discussion between D'Angelo and Tavis Smiley showcases two masters at work. Smiley shows why he has ascended to become one of the best interviewers in the business by asking informed questions and actively listening. In turn, D'Angelo rewards... Read more

September 5, 2015 Video

Tavis Smiley Gets D’Angelo’s First TV Interview in 10 Years and It’s Masterful (Video)

On September 2 and 3, the incomparable D'Angelo sat down with Tavis Smiley for the singer's first long-format television interview in over a decade. The conversation spilled over into two episodes of Smiley's PBS show, which is not surprising considering the magnitude of the subject at hand. In the first... Read more

September 4, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Exile Proves Why He Stands Alone as a Producer on ‘Rhythm Roulette’ (Video)

In the latest installment of "Rhythm Roulette" - a musically diabolical segment from Mass Appeal which challenges heavyweight producers with creating a beat live, based on three random finds at a record store - Exile is in the crosshairs. The Los Angeles native has helped create classic material from Open... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video

Scarface’s Mental Exorcism is a Powerful Reminder of the Pain We’ve Endured (Video)

The last few years have been as painful as any in recent memory, in terms of race relations. From the death of Trayvon Martin to wide-scale riots to a nation once again divided by the Confederate Flag, these have been troubling times. Scarface has never been one to shy away... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video

Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson & Statik Selektah Celebrate the Good Life from Croatia (Video)

Statik Selektah's Lucky 7 album has endured as one of the strongest of the year. The LP, touted as Statik's last as a solo artist, is a smorgasbord of MCs' MCs, including Sean Price, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Bun B, Your Old Droog, Joey Bada$$ and Action Bronson.... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video