News Archives

New York City DJ Icon Big Kap Has Passed Away

In a developing story, multiple sources have confirmed that veteran DJ and producer Big Kap has died.The New York mixmaster born Keith Carter was a DJ for The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and others. Kap was also a fixture of 1990s NYC venue The Tunnel, a club notable for introducing some... Read more

February 3, 2016 News

Kxng Crooked Nods To Eric B. & Rakim As He Destroys Another Statik Selektah Beat (Audio)

Real recognize real. Even though he says he hates the term "Real Hip-Hop" (as do we...) at the end of his new song, Kxng Crooked is most definitely a fan of choice beats and raw raps. As he and Statik Selektah near the release of their joint album, Statik Kxng,... Read more

February 2, 2016 Audio

Pharoahe Monch Speaks About His New Album, J Dilla & 25 Years of Organized Konfusion (Interview)

Pharoahe Monch is - without an iota of doubt - one of music's most indelibly unique voices. Sonically and technically there is no other like him, and yet his influence lives within countless MCs who've come after him. As a solo artist he continues to excite fans with his boomerang... Read more

February 2, 2016 Food for Thought

A-F-R-O Has A New EP Coming. He Praises R.A. The Rugged Man’s Mentorship

Eighteen year-old Bellflower, California MC A-F-R-O has had quite a 12 months. The artist went from relative obscurity to working with his heroes, touring the world, and even appearing in Vh1 TV movie The Breaks. Cosigned by DJ Premier and GZA, All Flows Reach Out told HipHopDX how it was... Read more

February 2, 2016 News

Don Cheadle’s Portrayal Of Miles Davis Captures His Fiery Cool (Video)

After years in the making, Don Cheadle's Miles Davis biopic has its official trailer. The Miles Ahead film, starring Cheadle in the lead, also features Ewan McGregor (who plays music journalist Dave Brill). Based on the trailer, the film captures Miles' life in 1979, a period when he was in... Read more

February 2, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Your Old Droog Transforms Into A B-Boy “Elmo” In This Quirky NYC-Inspired Video

Your Old Droog took his recently-released single "42 (Forty Deuce)" and made the best possible video. The Brooklyn, New York MC hit the very 42nd Street Times Square that inspired the Nu Shooz-sampling song, and recreated some vibes from the epicenter of mainstream Manhattan. The video features the old fashioned... Read more

February 2, 2016 Video

De La Soul Explain How The Fans Have Allowed Them To Make An Album Unlike Any Other

In late 2015, legendary Long Island, New York trio De La Soul announced the name of their forthcoming studio album as well as its featured guests, artwork, and backstory. The album made headlines even before that, thanks to the unusual way in which it was being put together and the... Read more

February 2, 2016 Fresh

Nas & Usher’s Demand For Social Revolution Gets A Symbolic Video

Usher's single "Chains" is as heartfelt as anything ever released from the R&B/Pop icon. Joined by Nas and Bibi Bourelly, the record is a cry for not just change, but revolution. The 2015 song's intricate lyrics reference "The Pledge Of Allegiance," and some of the martyrs (Eric Garner, Tamir Rice,... Read more

February 2, 2016 Video

MC Lyte & Rapsody Recount Racist Assaults & Open Up About Being Women in Hip-Hop

February 1 marked the beginning of Black History Month, a yearly occasion during which African-American stories, issues, art, and conversations are shared with more visibility than perhaps the rest of the year. In today's atmosphere - where "Black lives matter" is not just an aside in a casual conversation and... Read more

February 2, 2016 Lifestyle

Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier Make That BOOM BAP That Gets Heads Emotional (Audio)

Over the last 20 years, Bumpy Knuckles and DJ Premier have made numerous powerful collaborations. From the work on O.C.'s Jewelz that was one of the earliest transitions of Freddie Foxxx to Bumpy Knuckles, to Gang Starr hit "The Militia," to Underground Hip-Hop anthem "Part Of My Life," this pair... Read more

February 2, 2016 Audio

Imagine If The CREAM Sample Wu-Tang Used Went to KRS Instead. It Almost Happened… (Audio)

K-Def is one accomplished producer. The New Jersey native is known for his extensive discography, which includes work with Lords Of The Underground, UGK, and Puff Daddy. The onetime protege of Marley Marl, K-Def has maintained a career in music for nearly 25 years. In 1993, Def was hard at... Read more

February 2, 2016 Throwback

A Film About a Slave Revolt is Breaking Records. Has Hollywood Really Changed?

As the Academy Awards inch closer and closer, the discussion about diversity in Hollywood continues to rage on. One of the highest-trending topics on Twitter, #OscarsSoWhite is a reaction to the announcement of Oscar nominees and in particular the fact that no people of color are represented in the top... Read more

February 1, 2016 Lifestyle

Now That Barbie Has A New Body, Will Hip-Hop Stop Glorifying Injections?

The relationship between pop culture and body image is decades old, but with Hip-Hop's unmatched global dominance in every realm of life, there is a need for a conversation about how images portrayed by or celebrated in the music affect the way people - mostly women - feel about their... Read more

February 1, 2016 Lifestyle

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly Is Now Platinum As RIAA Adds Streams To Criteria

Two of 2015's most talked about Hip-Hop albums can now claim platinum status. Just weeks before the Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar's sophomore major label album To Pimp A Butterfly now has the same celebrated benchmark of its 2012 predecessor, good kid, m.A.A.d city. Additionally, Big Sean achieves his first platinum... Read more

February 1, 2016 News

Your Old Droog & Termanology Bend A Soulful Statik Selektah Record Till It Curves (Audio)

Although Statik Seleketah said 2015's Lucky 7 would be his final solo album, he is still hard at work producing high quality tracks for other artists. The producer has a full album on the way with Kxng Crooked, and he seems to have a steady supply of sonic goodness at... Read more

February 1, 2016 Audio

Showbiz & A.G. Bring O.C. Into The Fold To Weigh What Defines A “Classic” (Audio)

The D.I.T.C. collective has some plaques, courtesy of Big L's The Big Picture, Fat Joe's Don Cartagena, and the platinum Jealous Ones Still Envy albums. However, "classic" is never weighted in framed medal albums. Showbiz & A.G. and O.C. are two factions of the Diggin' In The Crates conglomerate who... Read more

February 1, 2016 Audio

Leon Haywood’s 1975 Freaky Funk Would Light The Chronic (Audio)

Leon Haywood's musical career extends more than 60 years. The Houston, Texas Soul singer and composer would spend part of the 1960s playing keyboards for Sam Cooke's band. On the side, Haywood would ink deals with Decca and Imperial Records, and start cutting his own sides. Right from the onslaught,... Read more

January 31, 2016 Sample Sundays

Raekwon Joins Bumpy Knuckles, Treach & Trick-Trick For Some O.G. Wisdom (Audio)

Earlier this month, it was announced that Naughty By Nature's Treach, Bumpy Knuckles, and Trick-Trick are at work on an album called O.G.ology. The LP is said to be fully produced by Nottz (Busta Rhymes, Game, Kanye West). The official first taste of O.G.ology captures its essence. "Let Me Tell... Read more

January 31, 2016 Audio

At The Great Wall Of China, Dayne Jordan Raps Without Boundary (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff protege Dayne Jordan had a big 2015. The North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC made Ambrosia For Heads' top albums of last year, in the honorable mention category because he gave his Memoirs Of Dayne Jordan away for free. In the new year, Jordan releases a new song in... Read more

January 31, 2016 Video

Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment Signs Anderson .Paak (Video)

As many Heads anticipated, Anderson .Paak and Dr. Dre's working relationship has only grown closer. The Oxnard, California native MC/singer/producer appeared extensively (six tracks) on Dre's 2015 album Compton. Less than six months later, he is the latest artist to sign to Aftermath Entertainment, Dr. Dre's label, which is celebrating... Read more

January 31, 2016 News, Video

Drake Responds to Obama’s Claim That Kendrick Lamar Would Beat Him In A Battle (Audio)

Drake has been under siege from all sides over the last 12 months. Though the Toronto MC has grown accustomed to MCs, singers and fans throwing shots at him, the sneak attack from Meek Mill, his former collaborator, calling into question whether Drake wrote his own rhymes, was on a... Read more

January 31, 2016 Audio

Nas Is Balling Like It’s March Madness On This New Freestyle (Audio)

It's been nearly 4 years since Nas released an album, but he's stayed active through surgical strikes, here and there. In 2015, he laced tracks with Scarface, Jeezy, Dave East and more. He gets off to a quick start this year, as he takes over Future's "March Madness" with a... Read more

January 30, 2016 Audio

Andre 3000 & Kanye West Are Surfing “Waves” In The Studio Together

Kanye West albums are often ensemble affairs. 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and 2004's The College Dropout are two specific albums known for their sprawling personnel. While the album now known as Waves has a February 11, 2016 release date, an alleged corresponding fashion show concert, and one bold... Read more

January 30, 2016 News

The Third Member Of JayLib Comes Through With A Fresh J Dilla Mix

Los Angeles, California-based producer/turntablist J Rocc has been one of the biggest purveyors of J Dilla's legacy. The Beat Junkies co-founder and official third member of JayLib (J Dilla & Madlib's group) is among the supporters of next month's J Dilla Weekend (February 5-7) in Miami, Florida. As he has... Read more

January 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback

The White Privilege Conversation is Ongoing. Macklemore & Collaborators Weigh In.

This past week has been a very cerebral, thought-provoking time in Hip-Hop. Since releasing "White Privilege II," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have been discussing at great length the implications of White supremacy, the racial politics within Hip-Hop, and how those listening to the song can help educate and engage others... Read more

January 30, 2016 News

What Music Does a Genius of Rap Like? GZA Explains (Video)

For more than 20 years, Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA has been viewed as a genius of Rap, literally and figuratively. But, what does he listen to in his spare time? When he's not advancing Hip-Hop culture with his mind-expanding rhymes, GZA's tastes in music are decidedly retro and diverse. He recently... Read more

January 30, 2016 Video

This 1997 Underground Hip-Hop Radio Show Includes A Rare Madlib Freestyle (Audio)

In late 1997, Madlib was a fledgling MC/producer. The Oxnard, California artist had laced a handful of joints for Tha Alkaholiks and Boot Camp Clik's O.G.C, while trying to get his Lootpack group off. In those days, as expected, not a lot of people were yet checking for the would-be... Read more

January 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback

Kxng Crooked & Statik Selektah Are Ruthless With This Music. Let’s Go (Audio)

The MC formerly known as Crooked I has been on a tear in early 2016. The same week he unleashed a beast of a freestyle at Tony Touch's radio show, Kxng Crooked returns with a fully-produced bar massacre. "Let's Go" teams with album partner Statik Selektah on the boards, and... Read more

January 30, 2016 Audio

The LOX Send Some New York Love To California (Audio)

Colonel Loud's 80s Funk-influenced ode to California, and all of its offerings, has steadily taken over airwaves, headphones and speakers across the nation. The original got a boost from a remix featuring T.I. and another push from a version featuring Cali's home grown heroes, Snoop Dogg and Too Short. So,... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio

Elzhi Announces New Album, Struggle with Depression & Drops a Bold New Single (Audio)

For fans of Detroit, Michigan MC Elzhi, it's been a long and brutally quiet few years since he released his Nas-inspired masterpiece Elmatic in 2011. Since dropping his debut solo LP The Preface in 2008, he's taken on a reputation of nearly mythical proportions (a la Jay Electronica) by maintaining... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio

Rakim’s Meteoric Rise & Lasting Impact Are Examined In A New Documentary (Video)

2016 marks 30 years since Eric B. & Rakim released debut single "Eric B. Is President." With "My Melody" (as it was listed then) as the B-side, the Zakia/4th & B'way 12" single would transform Hip-Hop in lyrics, in production, and in style. Director Kaze has produced and edited a... Read more

January 29, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Jon Connor Calls Flint’s Poisoned Water “Population Control” (Audio)

Jon Connor is a native of Flint, Michigan, a town currently being ravaged by the fallout resulting from water poisoning. After city officials opted to save money by sourcing water from the local Flint River rather than the Great Lakes, high levels of lead began to appear in residents' tap... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio

Black Thought & J.Period Are Performing A Live J Dilla Mixtape At Dilla Weekend (Audio)

As announced earlier this week, Black Thought and J.Period have been added to the 2016 J Dilla Weekend lineup. Taking place February 5-7, the Miami, Florida event will feature concert performances, panel discussions, a Discogs record swap meet, art exhibits, and much more. With the addition of The Roots' MC... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio, Exclusive, Mixes, Video

Vince Staples Gets Lifted From His Surroundings Without Ever Leaving Them (Video)

In recent months, Long Beach, California MC Vince Staples was at the helm of a discussion about generational perspective in Hip-Hop. In October, he made a statement which seemed to suggest that the '00s were the greatest years in Rap music, prompting artists and fans representing previous eras to voice... Read more

January 29, 2016 Video

ONYX’s Sonny Seeza Goes For His By Slamming A Classic Breakbeat (Audio Premiere)

ONYX's Sonny Seeza has been instrumental to the group's success since the early 1990s. Along with the high-profile personalities of MC/actors Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr, Sonny added a ruggedness, anger, and aggression that forever mean-mugged the face of Hip-Hop since. The Brooklyn, New Yorker is a platinum artist (thanks... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio, Exclusive

Q-Tip Gives His Cuz Consequence One Of His Best Sample Beat Creations (Audio)

It has been more than six years since video surfaced (posted below) of Q-Tip, Kanye West, and Consequence kicking it together in the studio. In those days, It's-The-Cons' was a G.O.O.D. Music artist, carefully crafting his Don't Quit Your Day Job follow-up. Cons' cousin and musical mentor Q-Tip was in... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio

J. Cole Lives The “Dream” In The Video For Love Yourz (Video)

J. Cole's "Love Yourz" is one of the songs at the center of the mid-2010s Hip-Hop "love movement." Cole, and collaborator Kendrick Lamar (and another Cole collaborator, Oddisee) have all made made anthems urging one another to love themselves on a deeper, focused level. From 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Cole... Read more

January 29, 2016 Video

Kxng Crooked Is A MONSTER. This Acapella Freestyle Is Downright Scary (Video)

Kxng Crooked has been lyrical royalty, long before he dubbed himself a King. The MC, formerly known as Crooked I, has been abusing microphones for more than 20 years, both as a solo artist and as a member of the fearsome foursome known as Slaughterhouse. In fact, it was his... Read more

January 28, 2016 Video

Martin Shkreli Threatens To Erase Ghostface Killah’s “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin” Verses (Video)

The story-line surrounding Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin and its $2 million sole owner Martin Shkreli continues to get more bizarre. Following last week's disparaging remarks from Wu member Ghostface Killah, the pharmaceutical mogul has replied. In a TMZ video, the 32 year-old Brooklyn, New York appears... Read more

January 28, 2016 News, Video

Eminem & Proof’s Legendary 1999 Freestyle Is Re-Released In Its Entirety (Video)

1999 was thee year for Eminem's career. Three years removed from Infinite, the Detroit, Michigan MC would team with Dr. Dre and Aftermath Entertainment to unleash The Slim Shady LP in February and things have only exploded since. That year, Em' would travel overseas, including making a stop to Tim... Read more

January 28, 2016 Throwback

Killer Mike & Iconic Olympian Tommie Smith Discuss the Past & Current Civil Rights Movements (Video)

In one of the most iconic sports photographs, American Olympian athlete Tommie Smith is seen raising his Black fist into the air in solidarity with his fellow medal winners in a stunning show of solidarity with those back home fighting for civil rights. Nearly 50 years later, and Americans are... Read more

January 28, 2016 Lifestyle

This Interactive Audio Chart Allows You To Play Every #1 Rap Song Since 1989

Billboard - the world's premier source for the ranking of music sales - has teamed up with Polygraph.co to create an incredibly dope interactive audio chart which allows Heads to not only listen to every top-ranking Hip-Hop track since 1989, but also provides extensive history for each song, the extended... Read more

January 28, 2016 Fresh

A$AP Rocky Releases A Mesmerizing Video & A Red Hot New Song With Pharrell (Video)

Today (January 27) has been a big day for A$AP Rocky. The MC named after Rakim has released a red hot new song with Pharrell, as well as a mesmerizing video for his song "JD," which seamlessly blends live action and animation. "Hear Me" features the same sample 9th Wonder... Read more

January 27, 2016 Audio, Video

Freddie Gibbs Takes Kanye West’s Madlib Beat & Makes It A Gangsta Party (Audio)

In 2014, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib released a collaborative album together, titled Piñata. Many believe Madlib's soulful and complex productions brought out Gibbs' best work to date, and the album topped many year end "best of" lists. The two have worked together sparingly, since, but Gibbs knows a good beat... Read more

January 27, 2016 Audio

Wiz Khalifa Criticizes Kanye West’s New Album Title. Kanye Goes Nuclear

So much can change in 24 hours. Late last night (January 26), Kanye West announced that his seventh solo album had been re-named. The album known as Swish since mid-2015 suddenly was rechristened to Waves, less than one month away from its February 11 release date. Upon the announcement, made... Read more

January 27, 2016 News

Masta Ace Rocks A Throwback Flow That’s Still Fresh All Around The World (Audio)

Last year, Masta Ace re-released his fifth solo album, A Long Hot Summer, and he added two bonus cuts. In November, Ambrosia For Heads premiered "GMO," the first of those extra tracks, and now, Ace releases the single version of the second, "Globetrotter." The song, which also features Great Britain's... Read more

January 27, 2016 Audio

R. Kelly Sings His Life Story In A 45 Minute Audiobiography (Video)

R. Kelly is known for going off the dome when crafting his songs. The Chicago, Illinois R&B mainstay has a talk-singing method that pulls from '60s and '70s groups like the Chi-Lites, Billy Paul, and Isaac Hayes. However, Robert Kelly's lyrics have often been a product of his own era,... Read more

January 27, 2016 Video

Snoop Dogg & Anderson .Paak Bridge 2 West Coast Generations With a Passing of the Torch (Video)

In addition to getting the Doggfather to use his signature catchphrase (Yes Lawd!), Anderson .Paak is dominating the Hip-Hop playing field right now, incorporating his unmistakably raspy Soul inflection in records with Dr. Dre, the Game, DJ Premier, and others. The Los Angeles, California-based MC/singer/drummer/producer is putting on for his... Read more

January 27, 2016 Video

Activist DeRay McKesson Calls “All Lives Matter” A Distraction (Video)

DeRay McKesson has become a key voice in contemporary American race politics. The former teacher and current social activist began to amass a considerable Twitter following in the wake of the shooting death of Mike Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri in the summer of 2014, and as... Read more

January 27, 2016 TV/Film

Macklemore & Sway Have an Incredibly Deep & Important Conversation About White Supremacy (Video)

Since releasing "White Privilege II" on January 22, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have re-ignited a generations-old discussion about race that has become a maelstrom surrounding the notion of the White versus Black experience in the United States as it exists today. Against the current backdrop of affairs, the conversation is... Read more

January 26, 2016 Lifestyle