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Grand Puba Is Releasing His First Album In 7 Years. Here’s The New Single (Audio)

When Grand Puba recorded One For All with Brand Nubian in 1990, he quickly became one of the most highly-regarded MCs in Hip-Hop. Puba's high-pitched but laid back flow wrapped itself around beats with witty quips and clever punchlines. He also often weaved in socio-political themes and conscious narratives, along... Read more

Kareem “Biggs” Burke Reveals Roc-A-Fella Secrets Regarding Big L, Scarface & Ma$e

Roc-A-Fella Records' 1990s and early 2000s' reign is credited to three businessmen. While Jay Z has become one of, if not the biggest artists in Hip-Hop history, Dame Dash is one of the highest profile Rap executives. Third owner of the original Roc, Kareem "Biggs" Burke was (and remains) less in... Read more

Maxwell Ascended 20 Years Ago & We Haven’t Wondered About Soul Music Since (Video)

A lot of people owe their lives to Maxwell, quite literally. When the super Soul singer unleashed his Urban Hang Suite 20 years ago this month (April 2), it was a potent arrow from Cupid's quiver for lovers of music and lovers, generally. The album quickly became the soundtrack for... Read more

KRS-One Responds To MC Shan’s Battle Bars With A Brutal Diss Record (Audio)

For one week now, MC Shan has asked for a proper battle with KRS-One. Thirty years removed from the genesis of "The Bridge Wars," Shan revealed some bars he had for Kris last week. This morning, the onetime Juice Crew MC released an acapella verse that pulled no punches in... Read more

Jackie Robinson Made History Nearly 70 Years Ago, But His Story Is Far From Over (Video)

Next week will mark the 69th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's history-making entry into the Major League Baseball organization as the first Black player to ever do so, and a new documentary will serve as a reminder as to why that achievement was so important back in 1947, and why his... Read more

N.W.A. Will Not Perform At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Tonight (April 8), N.W.A. will be inducted into Cleveland, Ohio's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Ice Cube has announced that they will not perform. "Nah, we’re not performing," Ice Cube told The New York Times. "I guess we really didn’t feel like we were supported enough to do the... Read more

Styles P Unloads 4 Freestyles & Brings New Meaning to Being a Versatile MC (Audio)

Yikes. Just days after Ambrosia for Heads premiered Black Thought's "Making a Murderer," which not only took the Hip-Hop community by storm but which also featured one of Styles P's best verses of his career, the Yonkers, New York MC is back with not one, but four new freestyles, a... Read more

Sean Price & Rah Digga Join Koolade for a Tall Glass of Hip-Hop Heat (Audio)

Croatian producer Koolade has crossed Heads' radars for 15 or so years, with a CV of veritable who's-who in indie and underground Rap. Having worked with Craig G, Diamond D, Ghostface Killah, Masta Ace, Sadat X, and many others, he is the deliverer of a new release featuring Rah Digga... Read more

Maxwell Is Releasing His First Album In 7 Years. Here’s The First Single (Lyric Video)

Like few other artists--D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Dr. Dre--Maxwell is one of the select ones who can go away for years and return, not only without losing a step, but sounding better than ever. The artist who helped to change the sonic landscape in 1996 with his debut album Maxwell's Urban... Read more

Diamond D & O.C.’s Freestyle Makes D.I.T.C. Say “Yo, That’s That ish” (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates, better known as D.I.T.C., has been a unit for more than 20 years. However, since the 2000s, the New York City producer and MC collective has been building individual careers, including Fat Joe's platinum rise, a slew of O.C. cult-championed LPs, and the ongoing celebration of... Read more

MC Shan Spits 4 Minutes Of Battle Bars With Shots Aimed Directly At KRS-One’s Head (Audio)

One week ago (April 1), MC Shan appeared on the Murder Master Music Show. The Queens, New York MC veteran vehemently denied the history that he ever lost a battle to KRS-One. First referring to Kris as "my man," the Juice Crew MC explained why the "Bridge Wars" battles with... Read more

Chance the Rapper’s “Day One” Angels Keep Him Grounded & Surrounded (Video)

2015 Chance The Rapper single "Angels" has truly taken flight. Featuring fellow Chicago, Illinois MC Saba, the uplifting song gives thanks to the loved ones that serve as spiritual protectors around us, despite the vast temptations and treacherous possibilities. Chance's verses examine the challenges of being a young father trying... Read more

Larenz Tate Goes In-Depth About Playing Menace II Society’s O-Dog & Other Lasting Roles (Video)

Over the years, Larenz Tate has embodied some of the most beloved roles in Black Cinema. Love Jones' Darius Lovehall, Dead Presidents' Anthony Curtis and Frankie Lymon in Why Do Fools Fall In Love are just a few. However, perhaps Tate's most enduring role is that of O-Dog from Menace... Read more

Royce 5’9″‘s New Freestyle Shows His Time To “Shine” As A Solo Artist Is Now (Video)

For more than 20 years, Royce 5'9" consistently has been one of the most skilled wordsmiths in Hip-Hop. Coming of age with Eminem as part of Bad Meets Evil in the late 90s, Royce always surrounded himself with the best of the best, and thrived. After his 2000 single "Boom,"... Read more

Freeway’s Battle Against Kidney Disease Is the Subject of an Inspiring New Film (Video)

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more than 4.5 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of kidney disease. Artists like Nick Cannon, Natalie Cole, and Tracy Morgan suffered and continue to suffer with kidney-related illness (also known as renal disease), and it's... Read more

Like J Dilla, Blu & Miguel Proved To Be Diamonds In The Rough (Audio)

More than 10 years since the game-changing producer/MC passed away, J Dilla's music is living strong in 2016. Next week, Dilla's family will release an album he worked on for many years in the early 2000s, The Diary. In May, Dilla's family will re-release another title from his beloved discography.... Read more

Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira Receives Star Power Award For Portraying A Strong Black Woman (Video)

A Zimbabwean American, Danai Gurira has become an icon through her work on AMC's smash television hit The Walking Dead and was celebrated by B.E.T.'s annual Black Girls Rock! special which aired last night (April 5). Playing the dreadloc'd, sword-wielding Michonne on the zombie-focused serial drama, Gurira has certainly helped open up... Read more

Bill Nye Drops Serious Science On Climate Change & Calls Out the Media & Republicans (Video)

Bill Nye's name rings familiar to generations of kids who grew up able to love science, thanks to his ability to make learning cool. Along with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nye stands tall as one of the "rockstars" of academia, thanks to the his iconic PBS television show Bill Nye... Read more

Phife Dawg’s Spirit Stirs Touching Words from André 3000, Kanye West, KRS-One & More (Video)

Last night (April 5), the iconic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York City had much of the music world's attention, but for a somber reason. In his hometown, Phife Dawg was honored by family, friends, and fellow Hip-Hop icons in what is perhaps the most memorable event of its kind... Read more

New Jack City’s Creator Reveals The Story’s Original Ending & It’s Wildly Different

In the mid-1980s, Thomas Lee Wright, a creative executive at Paramount Studios left the company to pursue a career as a screenwriter. One of his first endeavors was to write a treatment for The Godfather: Part III, because he knew Paramount had a high interest in making a third installment... Read more

Black Thought’s New Song With Styles P & 9th Wonder Is Absolute Lyrical Destruction (Audio)

For years, Black Thought has been atop countless lists of "the most underrated MCs." This, despite having consistently released some of the best music in Hip-Hop for a near 30-year span, both with his band The Roots and on countless guest features. Thought addressed the issue, himself, on Statik Selektah's... Read more

Lupe Fiasco, Big K.R.I.T. & Dee-1 Come Together To Be Real, Righteous & Relevant (Audio)

New Orleans, Louisiana MC Dee-1 has been grinding for years. Now backed by RCA Records, Dee has a knack for making music that knocks in the headphones and trunks, but still packs tremendous fodder for the mind. Fresh off of his club-tinged student loan-inspired "Sallie Mae Back" (a play on... Read more

Phife Dawg’s New Song “Nutshell” Features A J Dilla Beat & Shows His Music Lives On (Video)

As friends, family and fans mourn Phife Dawg during the live stream of his Celebration of Phife memorial service at the Apollo Theater, his family fulfills its promise to begin releasing the music Phife was recording, before his passing, to the world. The first track released from the project is... Read more

Watch A Live Stream Of The Celebration Of Phife Memorial Service At The Apollo Theater (Video)

Earlier this week, Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest put out a call to action for fans to assemble at the St. Albans Park in Queens, NY yesterday (April 4), promising something special for the first 200 people who arrived. There, those fans were given T-shirts, by volunteers which included... Read more

Killer Mike Says “Jim Crow Is Still Very Much Alive” (Video)

By now, even casual fans of Killer Mike's music have likely become familiar with his robust proclamations in his daily life, whether on social media, political speeches, or media appearances. Along with his extensive work on the campaign trail for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Killer Mike has been fighting... Read more

Nas, Fabolous & Talib Kweli Among 2016 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival Performers

2016's 12th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival will celebrate some of the great artists from and around the New York City borough. The July 16 concert (with other festivities beginning on July 13) will take place at the scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park. This year's headliners include Queens' Nas, as well as... Read more

Black Thought Speaks About The Roots Picnic And New Music On The Way With Royce, 9th Wonder & Eminem

For nearly 30 years, Black Thought and Questlove have been performing together, as The Roots. In that time, they have released 16 albums and EPs, performed at tens of thousands of shows, and entertained millions nightly, as the band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The expanse and quality... Read more

Havoc & the Alchemist Maintain a Laid-Back Groove & Hurt Some Feelings (Audio)

As a producer, Queens, New York producer Havoc has earned more than enough stripes to warrant him consideration as one of the most influential, thanks in no small part to his work on the boards as one half of Mobb Deep. His rhyming skills are also celebrated, and he's got... Read more

Drake’s Pool May Be Bigger Than Kanye’s, But Who’s Got The Bigger Verse? (Audio)

As much of the Hip-Hop community waits for the arrival of his forthcoming album Views From the 6, Drake continues to dominate much of the conversation about today's biggest MCs. With "Hotline Bling" embodying the nexus of popular music and pop-culture phenom more than anything else in 2015, the Toronto... Read more

The Clothing Line That Sparked A Cultural Revolution Is Coming Back But It Needs Your Help

UPDATE: The Kickstarter campaign to re-launch the AACA brand ends at 9AM EST tomorrow (April 18). The campaign is seeking to raise $100K, and is currently at $84,253. To donate, click here. Before Phat Farm, FUBU, Rocawear or any of the other iconic urban fashion wear brands, there was an... Read more

ScHoolboy Q’s New Single Is Groovy But It’s Still Gangsta (Audio)

It's been more than 2 years since ScHoolboy Q released Oxymoron, his major label debut album. However, the Top Dawg Entertainment artist has already been quite active in 2016. In March, he joined A$AP Ferg on the hard-driving "Let It Bang," and recent leaks of snippets, as well as words... Read more

Token Gets His Big Shot & Freestyles Like His Life Depends On It (Video)

On Friday (April 1), Salem, Massachusetts' Token was a guest on the Sway In The Morning Show. There was no fooling when the 17 year-old MC introduced himself with a few words about his 12 years of rhyming. At the 7:00 mark, the MC stands up and quite literally, delivers:... Read more

Kxng Crooked Tears Into A Statik Selektah Soul Creation (Audio)

Statik Kxng was more than just a one-off for Kxng Crooked (p/k/a Crooked I) and Statik Selektah. The Showoff Records/Penalty Entertainment, Long Beach-to-Brooklyn duo exists beyond their early 2016 10-track EP. "Street Music" appears on Mike Epps' forthcoming Meet The Blacks soundtrack, but stands taller than a typical peel-away track.... Read more

Pimp C’s Memory Is Cherished by Nas, Bun B & Family Insiders in New Documentary (Video)

In the years since his 2007 passing, Pimp C (born Chad Butler) remains a larger-than-life presence in Hip-Hop, especially when one considers his enduring influence in the way Southern Rap sounds. But regional impact aside, Pimp C was also a friend, a group mate, a husband, and a life-loving celebrant... Read more

Q-Tip Remembers Phife Dawg As His “Hero” In A Heartfelt Statement

Besides a formal statement from A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip remained publicly silent for more than a week after the March 22 death of friend and band-mate Phife Dawg. On social media yesterday (April 3), the accomplished MC, producer and Kennedy Center director spoke about Malik Taylor. The message about... Read more

From Slaughterhouses To Junk Yards, Joell Ortiz’s Lyrics Wreck Shop (Video)

Joell Ortiz is a product of his environment. The pride of Brooklyn, New York's Cooper Houses has rhymed about bodegas, fistfights, and a litany of tight situations. With his Timberlands laced up, the Slaughterhouse MC loves maintaining that 1980s and 1990s reputation when the Big Apple wasn't so sweet, and... Read more

Royce 5’9″, Pusha T & Rick Ross Show That Each Has Many Layers As An MC (Audio)

With only 11 days until the release of his solo album Layers, Detroit's Royce 5'9" is in the home stretch of a promotional undertaking that has resulted in more than enough work to prove that one need not be the next hottest thing to put forth inspiring and lyrically punishing... Read more

Bahamadia Speaks On Artistic Integrity & Hip-Hop Womanhood, 20 Years After Kollage (Interview)

On April 2, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC known as Bahamadia celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Kollage. From her early success on radio to arriving where she is now, Bahamadia carries along with her the observations made along the way. However, the major milestones in her career are... Read more

Bernie Sanders is Changing the Political Landscape in the U.S. & He’s Proud Of It (Video)

Fresh off his primary victories in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, Vermont's Senator Bernie Sanders continues to force a conversation in American politics about the big guys versus the little guys. Having galvanized young voters in far greater numbers than his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, Sanders has proven that a polished... Read more

KRS-One Sounds Off On Da Police As Swizz Beatz Nods To B.D.P. (Audio)

KRS-One proves to be the perfect MC for Swizz Beatz' massive remix for "Jason." The 2015 video single which originally featured Jadakiss gets Boogie Down Productions' "The Bridge Is Over" percussion, and a fiery Blastmasta Kris taking on the crimes of the police department in the 2010s. The MC who... Read more

Hear The Best Hip-Hop of March 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For Hip-Hop fans, March 2016 will forever be associated with the loss of Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest. Less than 2 weeks after his sudden passing, fans worldwide are still mourning. While March 22 undoubtedly will become an annual day of reflection and celebration for Hip-Hop, there were... Read more

G-Eazy Confirms Mac Dre Hologram Planned For Coachella Set (Video)

Technology and Hip-Hop concerts have merged to a new level over the last five years. At 2012's Coachella festival, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg brought a CGI portrayal of Tupac Shakur to their stage set. Popularly referred to as a "hologram," the imaging was created by Digital Domain and AV... Read more

J Dilla’s Love For West Coast Rap Shines Alongside Snoop & Kokane (Audio)

Before J Dilla started working on his MCA Records debut known as The Diary, Slum Village had found great success with Fan-Tas-Tic, Vol. 2. While the LP memorably connected Jay Dee, Baatin, and T3 with the sounds of Q-Tip, D'Angelo, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kurupt was also a sought out... Read more

MC Shan Challenges KRS-One To Settle The Bridge Wars Once & For All…With A Battle (Audio)

In the late 1980s, the Juice Crew and Boogie Down Productions were involved in one of Hip-Hop's most legendary battles. KRS-One and Scott La Rock released records dissing Marley Marl, Mr. Magic, Roxanne Shante, and MC Shan, among others. However, nearly 30 years later, MC Shan refutes the history that... Read more

MC Eiht & Spice 1 Supply More West Coast Heat Over An Alchemist Beat (Audio)

While Spice 1 and MC Eiht have released multiple albums together, they had never worked as a unit with producer Alchemist. Earlier this week, Spice joined the stars of Compton's Most Wanted and Gangrene for "Any Means," a limited edition (500 pressings) 7" release. But like so many 45's, there... Read more

Terrace Martin’s Intricate “Portraits” Blend Jazz, Soul & Hip-Hop (Album Stream)

Terrace Martin is a musical purist. The longtime producer for Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and YG makes many of his projects easily accessible to listeners looking to check out the brass musician and producer. His latest album, Velvet Portraits, is no exception. Featuring Lalah Hathaway, Thundercat, Robert Glasper and more,... Read more

Action Bronson Removed From College Concert Lineup Due To Misogynistic & Homophobic Lyrics

This week, Queens, New York MC Action Bronson was removed from an April 2 concert lineup at George Washington University. Washington, D.C. university students gathered a reported 249 signatures in a Change.org petition to convince organizers, George Washington's Program Board, to cancel Bronson's appearance due to his song lyrics promoting... Read more

Token Says He IS The Underground And He Has The Bars To Prove It (Video)

In less than one year, Token has become of the most exciting unsigned artists in Hip-Hop. In March, he was prominently featured alongside Joell Ortiz in the That's Hip-Hop album with Domingo. There, Toke' represented a delegate of the new school MCs who is taking the craft of rapping, and... Read more

Phonte & 9th Wonder Reunite On A Robert Glasper Tribute To Miles Davis (Audio)

Robert Glasper's interpretive Miles Davis tribute Everything's Beautiful is just under two months away. The May 27 album already unveiled its first single, the Bilal-featuring "Ghetto Walkin'." Now, "Violets" applies elements of Miles' 1959 Kind Of Blue ("Blue In Green") and delightfully bends it to fit Phonte's narrative in "Violets."... Read more

Kanye West Is Finally Releasing His Album To The Rest Of The World But It’s Still Not Done

Love it or hate it, Kanye West's rollout for his album The Life Of Pablo has been one of a kind. Although it was not immediately apparent, from day 1, the album was a work in progress. At first it seemed Kanye was being mercurial as the name of the album... Read more