Video Archives

Take A Journey With The Serial Killers, Better Known As B-Real, Xzibit & Demrick (Video)

Slightly (and perhaps intentionally) under the radar, multi-platinum super-group The Serial Killers are still plotting. The trio of B-Real, Xzibit and Demrick are approaching music with the steel-sharpens-steel approach, as two '90s lyrical giants in B and X-to-the-Z find excitement in Young De to call back to those earlier lyrical... Read more

June 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Freddie Gibbs Shows The Crime & The Punishment On The Madlib-Produced Deeper (Video)

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata is still dropping jewels since being busted back in March. One of the album's earliest singles, "Deeper" is Freddie Gibbs' storytelling at his finest, with a signature Madlib concoction of Soul, Funk, and avant-garde Jazz. For the visual, the ESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally) family... Read more

June 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

David Alan Grier Provides A Dramatic Reading Of Some Of Kanye West’s Classic Tweets (Video)

Since I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, David Alan Grier has been supplying Heads with laughs. In actuality, this classically-trained actor's resume spans over 30 years, long before he was an integral part of the "In Living Color" cast from beginning to end, and star of such films as Blankman and... Read more

June 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent Uncages The Title Visual From Animal Ambition On Release Day (Video)

What better way to punctuate release day than with a title single video? If the three-month roll-out to 50 Cent's first independent album (since 2002's Top 50 charting Guess Who's Back street LP) did not convey what "Animal Ambition" truly means, the video ought to. Fif has a drive and predatory... Read more

June 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharoahe Monch’s Tremendous Vocal Range & Enhanced Songwriting Is On Smash In Broken (Video)

Pharoahe Monch is often revered as one of Hip-Hop's elite lyricists, since his days of kicking syncopated verse alongside Prince Po in Organized Konfusion. However, more than just wordplay, flow, and precision-driven rhymes, the Queens MC has bared his soul more than a few times in his songs. That's especially... Read more

June 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chance The Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Vic Mensa, Kevin Gates & August Alsina Rock A XXL Cypher (Video)

Five of 2014's highest profile XXL Freshmen kick off this week's recurring series of cyphers featuring the magazine's upcoming cover stars. Two Chicago luminaries, Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa unite, joined by Southern guttural spitter Kevin Gates, TDE's Tennessee delegate Isaiah Rashad, and Interscope's breakthrough singer/rapper double-threat, August Alsina.... Read more

June 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Everything That’s Great About The ’80s Comes To New Life In R.A. The Rugged Man’s Ill New Visual (Video)

Coming up in the mid-1980s New York City Hip-Hop era, R.A. The Rugged Man traveled from Long Island to Brooklyn to experience his favorite MCs. The friend of The Notorious B.I.G. and longtime collaborator of Havoc and Sadat X loved Hip-Hop's history, and collected tapes and studied flows. The 20-plus-year... Read more

June 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

T.I. & Young Thug Play With Colors In The Self-Directed About The Money (Video)

T.I.'s Paper Work single "About The Money" appears intended to show the Grand Hustle rapper's mojo, aside from his bank accounts. Thus, for the video on the Young Thug-assisted song, Tip keeps things simple. The toys are kept at home, as the pair rock on a soundstage, and let the... Read more

June 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Roots Bring the Heat to Summer Jam (Video)

With all the talk recently of bringing back New York Hip-Hop, leave it to The Roots to actually do it. During their dynamite set at Hot 97's Summer Jam concert at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey, the legendary crew brought out The Lox, Dres from Black Sheep and... Read more

June 1, 2014 Video

Digga, The Producer Responsible For Cam’ron’s Earliest Hits & Children Of The Corn, Plays Rhythm Roulette (Video)

Although Cam'ron's music is commonly associated with the Roc-A-Fella Records-era sounds of Just Blaze, Kanye West, and The Heatmakerz, he came into vogue under the musical guidance of Darrell "Digga" Branch. The fellow Harlem native was the sound-source for Children Of The Corn, an early '90s group which included Big... Read more

June 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Watch The Full Premiere Episode Of 50 Cent’s Starz Drama, “Power” (Video)

Lining up perfectly with Animal Ambition's June 6 release, 50 Cent's first executive produced premium cable show, "Power" will air next week. In a draw to attract out-of-market viewers to the Starz program, the premiere episode is available online, in full. Starz describes the show as follows: "James 'Ghost' St.... Read more

June 1, 2014 Fresh, TV, Video

The Week in Hip-Hop Video Featured Camp Lo, Ab-Soul, Styles P, Jadakiss, Murs & More (Video Playlist)

The past week in Hip-Hop video brought sneak peeks at upcoming projects from Camp Lo and Yasiin Gaye (the 2nd part of the Mos Def/Marvin Gaye blend mixtape), strong freestyle from Brother Ali and Mayhem Lauren, new music videos from Ab-Soul, Murs & Mayday, Styles P & Jadakiss and more.... Read more

May 31, 2014 Playlists, Video

50 Cent – Animal Ambition: The Videos (Video Playlist)

Update: 50 Cent has now released the video for the Animal Ambition title track. The playlist has been updated and you can now watch the videos for the entire album, in full. 50 Cent has quietly put together one of the most strategic and aggressive marketing campaigns in recent memory.... Read more

May 31, 2014 Playlists, Video

The Message: The Complete Story of the Evolution of Hip-Hop (Video)

Next week (6/4 at 10pm EST), BET is premiering part 1 of a 4 part documentary on the evolution of Hip-Hop. The film will cover all 40+ years of the Hip-Hop era and will examine how it spread across the country, region-by-region. Participants include Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Kendrick... Read more

May 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video

Ab-Soul Bears His Cross in Stigmata (Video)

In 1999, Nas released what, at the time, was an extremely controversial video for his song "Hate Me Now." The video depicted Nas being crucified and the airing of a version also featuring Puff Daddy on the cross led to the infamous Champagne bottle altercation between Diddy and Steve Stoute.... Read more

May 31, 2014 Video

Brother Ali Goes On The Attack In A Freestyle. But Who’s The Target? (Video)

Brother Ali kicked a dope a capella verse on the Sway in the Morning show as part of a sound check. What seemed like a casual rhyme at first turned into a blistering story about an MC who made it based on lies and biting. The target could be an... Read more

May 29, 2014 Video

Murs & Mayday Take a Stand Against the American Prison System in Serge’s Song (Video)

Mayday & Murs make a strong statement against the American prison system in Serge's song. The song depicts a conversation between 2 friends, one free and one behind bars. The video shows Murs and Mayday re-enacting the phone call but bookends the visuals with powerful facts about how many more... Read more

May 29, 2014 Video

Chance The Rapper Covers A Children’s TV Show Theme Song (Video)

Chance The Rapper has this keen ability to harness some deep seeded, fantastical energy into his music that penetrates your heart and soul, and gives you goosebumps in the best way possible. Now, there is one more reason to love the approachable Chicago artist. At a recent performance at Sasquatch... Read more

May 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Mannie Fresh Premiers New Mos Def Collaboration, Talks Making Juvenile’s 400 Degreez With NPR (Video)

Veteran Bounce producer and DJ Mannie Fresh sits down with NPR Hip-Hop to discuss a myriad of topics including his work with Cash Money Records, Lil Wayne's career, working with Mos Def, and the lack of diversity on the Hip-Hop horizon. Along the way, the Big Tymers co-founder also premiered... Read more

May 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Enter Mayhem Lauren’s New York State Of Mind Through A Freestyle (Video)

Mayhem Lauren fuels up with "Danny's House of Pizza" before unleashing his New York peppered bars for Statik Selektah and the crew at Shade 45. The Queens rapper continues to push his New York state of mind with strong work on his recently released project, Silk Pyramids, which features production... Read more

May 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Miguel Reflects on the Simple Things in His Stylish New Visuals (Video)

Miguel has never been one to be put in a box, musically. Whether it's vibing with DJ Premier or conjuring Prince, he's created a very diverse sonic spectrum for himself. His latest, Simple Things from the Girls soundtrack, is a meditative guitar-driven song where he recounts the desire to enjoy... Read more

May 29, 2014 Video

Kanye West Explains How J Dilla Influenced Yeezus (Video)

Back in 2005, during the launch of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, 'Ye inked a deal with one of his influences, Common. During the making of Comm's Be LP, two producers worked on the album: Kanye and J Dilla. The gold-certified, Grammy-nominated album would eventually feature two Jay Dee production, and... Read more

May 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent is a Man of Many Talents. Baseball is NOT One of Them…Worst Pitch Ever? (Video)

50 Cent has been on a tear lately. Over the last couple of months, he's released some of his best music in nearly a decade with the lead up to Animal Ambition and he has provided some incredibly entertaining interviews about G-Unit, why he split with Interscope and more. Recently,... Read more

May 28, 2014 Video

Jadakiss & Rocko Join Styles P in the Video for Sour (Video)

Styles P releases the latest video from his Phantom and the Ghost album. Check out Sour featuring Jadakiss and Rocko. Related: Styles P and Chris Rivers Get Gritty In The New York City Streets (Video)... Read more

May 28, 2014 Video

Big REC Chops Up His Unstoppable Bars Over A Diamond D Beat (Video)

From Fat Joe to Illegal to Big L, Diamond D knows how to give an MC the soundscapes for lasting impact. The D.I.T.C. co-founder's latest protege, Big REC, has a style unlike those typically associated with the Bronx O.G., and co-founder of Ultimate Force. "Unstoppable" shows REC trying his hand... Read more

May 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rest In Peace To Dr. Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Angelou, one of our greatest poets, has passed away at the age of 86. Dr. Angelou was a poet, author, activist and influencer, having inspired everyone from Oprah to Bill Clinton to Common. Our condolences go out to her family, friends and all those she touched.... Read more

May 28, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video

Jim-E-O Weaves a Tale of Redemption in Word on the Street (Video)

Here's a refreshing take from Jim-E-O, an artist we spotlighted a couple of years ago. In a genre dominated by (often fake) talk from suburban rappers about hustling on the corner, Jim-E-O talks about cleaning up his act and becoming a better man. That's his Word on the Street. Check... Read more

May 27, 2014 Video

Vic Mensa Goes Back to Hollywood LA with a Dynamic Performance (Video)

Vic Mensa renders a dynamic performance of "Hollywood LA," one of the many standout cuts on his Innanet Tape, at Truth Studios in Los Angeles. His dynamic delivery emphasizes the intricate wordplay embedded in the deceptively laid back song. Check out the video. Related: Vic Mensa Releases One of the... Read more

May 27, 2014 Video

Here’s Another Timeless Blend of Marvin Gaye & Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) (Audio & Video)

Earlier this year, Amerigo Gazaway released Inner City Travelin' Man, one of the better projects of the year. The album blended the music and vocals of Marvin Gaye and Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def), under the collective name of Yasiin Gaye. Gazaway is readying part 2 of the release, Yasiin... Read more

May 27, 2014 Audio, Video

Camp Lo & Ski Beatz Confirm A Reunion Album, Preview Some Joints From The Studio (Video)

For over three albums, Bronx duo Camp Lo closely worked with Ski Beatz. Ski, who hailed from Original Flavor, was also working closely with Jay Z and Roc-A-Fella Records at the time of 1996's Uptown Saturday Night album. Ski, Geechie Suede, and Sonny Cheeba have worked together again, into the... Read more

May 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Get To Know Jarren Benton Through His 2014 XXL Freestyle (Video)

Although he's hardly a new MC, Heads are just getting to know Jarren Benton. The Atlanta, Georgia-based MC is down with Funk Volume (Hopsin, Dizzy Wright), as well as R.A. The Rugged Man, Vinnie Paz, and other bully-mouth MCs from the Northeast. He's already got a Top 200 debut album... Read more

May 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Week in Hip-Hop Video Brought Hot Freestyles, Powerful Music Videos & More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought 2 killer freestyles from Logic, strong new music videos from Ice-T, CyHi the Prynce, Buckshot & Pro Era, and Schoolboy Q, a mini-doc showing Erykah Badu tracing her roots, The Roots playing their new album with an orchestra, the definitive D'Angelo interview and much more.... Read more

May 26, 2014 Playlists, Video

Here Are Some of the Best Freestyles of 2014 (So Far) (Video Playlist)

UPDATED to include fiery verses from Lupe Fiasco, Lecrae, Remy Ma, Vic Mensa, Elzhi and more. The last few weeks have brought some killer freestyles. Here's a video playlist of some of the MCs dropping the heaviest bars so far in 2014. You'll see Logic, Papoose, King Los, Prevail and... Read more

May 25, 2014 Playlists, Video

From Yeezus to God Level: New Music From Kanye West (Audio)

Update: Sources have confirmed the track is in fact called "God Level" and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer 88-Keys. Both friends and collaborators, this is not the first time Kanye and 88 have worked together. Most people know 88-Keys for his stellar production on Ye and Jay's "No... Read more

May 24, 2014 Audio, Video

D’Angelo Explains Delving Into Funk-Rock, Brotherly Bond With Questlove (Video)

D'Angelo takes the microphone in a much different capacity as the singer-songwriter hits the Red Bull Music Academy in New York for an hour-and-a-half-long talk with journalist/author/filmmaker Nelson George. In front of an energetic audience at the Brooklyn Museum, D'angelo discusses a wide variety of topics including his inspiration from... Read more

May 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

CyHi The Prynce Goes to South Africa For His Mandela Visuals (Video)

When Kanye West was named executive producer of CyHi The Prynce's Black Hystori Project mixtape, Heads may have been confused. After all, the G.O.O.D. Music founder who inked CyHi some years back was not a track-by-track producer on the project, or a guest. However, when it's come time to make... Read more

May 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Can You See Danny Brown in G-Unit? It Almost Happened…(Video)

Danny Brown keeps it as real as it gets in his interviews. His laid-back demeanor and complete "lack of filter" are magnetic and highly-engaging. He sat down for an extended conversation with The Breakfast Club and touched on several things, including being the unofficial "5th member of Black Hippy," choosing... Read more

May 23, 2014 Video

Jon Connor Hits His 2014 XXL Freestyle At 100 Miles Per Hour & Runnin’ (Video)

Among 2014 XXL Freshmen, Jon Connor appears to have the most exciting situation. The Flint, Michigan MC is inked to Aftermath Entertainment. While the world has yet to hear #ConnorSeason on a truly-produced Dr. Dre track, Jon has put his skills and output in high gear. So it's only natural... Read more

May 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Logic’s Story May Be Even More Compelling Than His Verses. Here’s Why (Video)

Logic has been blistering microphones lately as he makes the rounds in NYC. Many are just starting to understand the talent the MC commands. It turns out, his story is every bit as compelling as his verses. He spoke to Sway about being biracial, growing up in an all Black... Read more

May 22, 2014 Video

Ready for Another Ill Freestyle? eMC Abuse Some DJ Premier Tracks (Video)

Here's another ill freestyle session courtesy of Statik Selektah's Showoff Radio. Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth & Strick (aka eMC) bless the mic over some DJ Premier goodness, off the top...Check out the video.... Read more

May 22, 2014 Video

Boot Camp Clik Meets Pro Era, As Buckshot Crosses Paths With Joey Bada$$ & CJ Fly (Video)

Whether it be with Black Moon, Boot Camp Clik, or just on his own two as the B.D.I. Thug, Buckshot Shorty has been dropping music for over two decades and has worked with a slew of notable artists including 9th Wonder and KRS-One. To add to his extensive catalog, the... Read more

May 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

De La Soul Presented With Webby Awards’ Artist Of The Year By Questlove (Video)

Only releasing a mixtape and a handful of loose tracks in the last 12 months, De La Soul received Artist Of The Year honors at the 18th annual Webby Awards. The Long Island, New York trio was presented with the award (by De La disciple, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of The... Read more

May 22, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Tim Westwood’s Reggae, Dub & Classic Hip-Hop Vinyl Weighs A Ton (Video)

To younger Heads, Tim Westwood may be known for his wild enthusiasm during guest-stops from the likes of Eminem, Drake, and Jay Z. However, the London-based BBC DJ has nearly 30 years rooted in bridging the gap and crossing the oceans in making Hip-Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Dub, and House mixes.... Read more

May 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Erykah Badu Traced Her DNA to Determine Her Ancestry. Here’s What She Found (Video)

Erykah Badu took a DNA test to get a better sense of her full ancestry. OkayPlayer accompanied her on her journey and it yielded some fascinating results. Not only did Ms. Badu come away with a deeper understanding of her roots, she also learned that some of the things that... Read more

May 21, 2014 Video

Logic Destroys the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle. Did He Even Take a Breath?? (Video)

Logic took on Sway's 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle challenge and did what real MC's do...BODIED IT. Not only did he deliver some crushing off the top lyrics, it almost seemed like he didn't even take a breath. True lyrics of fury. Check it out. Related: Logic Shows Off His... Read more

May 21, 2014 Video

M.K. Asante Recruits Talib Kweli, Ras Kass & Bishop Lamont For Godz In The Hood (Video)

Multi-talented M.K. Asante is an MC, author, filmmaker, professor, and scholar surrounding Hip-Hop and modern race relations in America. The Philadelphia native recruited MCs from Brooklyn to C-Arson in Talib Kweli, Ras Kass, and Bishop Lamont. "Godz In The Hood" is a song that explores the ulterior motives to some... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ice-T & Body Count Are Back To Making Threatening Rock-Rap. But Who’s Their New Target? (Video)

When some Heads talk about Ice-T's songs, they inevitably mention "Cop Killer." It's not a celebrated street-anthem like "6 'N The Mornin'," "Colors," or "New Jack Hustler." It's a song made by Tracy's Metal/Rock-Rap outfit, Body Count. The 1992 single about retaliation from police violence prompted strong reactions from everybody... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Roots’ Never Gets A Live Choral Flip, With DJ A-Trak On The Cut (Video)

Released yesterday, The Roots' ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin steps further in the direction that the group has been heading since parting ways with MCA/Geffen Records a decade ago. Dark, thoughtful, and often veiled in the perspectives and voices of others, the Philadelphia group is making quite different music... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Think You Know A Hard Rap Verse? Tech N9ne & Murs Raise The Ante (Video)

With Strangeulation making its round, Tech N9ne unleashed a rough-edged exterior video to his Murs-assisted "Hard." Strange Music's co-founder and the label's most recent signee link for this skills-forward single. Tech puts on his paint for this video, letting Heads know it's real, while Murs goes back to some of... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

“Button Up” For Kevin Gates 2014 XXL Freestyle (Video)

Kevin Gates, creator of the recently released, well-rounded mixtape, By Any Means, steps up to the microphone for his official XXL Freshman Freestyle of 2014. When asked how it feels to be on the cover of XXL's 2014 Freshman Class, the Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records artist responded, “I always been a... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video