News Archives

The D.O.C. Reveals Which Songs He Wrote For Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” Album (Video)

The D.O.C. is among Hip-Hop's most revered songwriters. The Dallas, Texas native worked extensively with N.W.A. and his Fila Fresh Crew before his heralded 1989 debut, No One Can Do It Better. Following the Dr. Dre-produced album, The D.O.C. would partner with then-manager Marion "Suge" Knight in helping launch the... Read more

January 11, 2016 Video

The Harlem Globetrotters Literally Changed the Game Nearly 90 Years Ago

On January 7, 1927, the game of basketball was forever altered when the Harlem Globetrotters played their first game. Known as an "exhibition" team, their unique style of play incorporates comedy and theater into a uniquely American creation, one that has allowed the entity to remain beloved for more than... Read more

January 11, 2016 Lifestyle

Hit-Boy Puts His Raps In Front On Yadda Yadda Featuring Wale (Audio)

Hit-Boy has amassed a number of hit records. The Southern California delegate in the G.O.O.D. Music production family has been a mastermind behind Kendrick Lamar's "Backseat Freestyle," the posse cut "Clique," and Jay Z & Kanye West's "N***as In Paris." However, as Hit has shown in that time, he raps... Read more

January 11, 2016 Audio

After Being Re-Captured In Mexico, Is El Chapo On His Way To The U.S.? (Video)

Possibly the world's most notorious wanted man, Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo, has been arrested and will likely face extradition charges by the United States. Born Joaquín Archivaldo Guzman Leora, El Chapo (Spanish for "the short one") took on Pablo Escobar-esque notoriety in 2015 after escaping from prison for the... Read more

January 11, 2016 Lifestyle

Rest In Peace David Bowie. Through Rock, Funk & Glam, He Discovered New Musical Planets.

Rock & Roll legend David Bowie has died. The 69 year-old British vocalist, guitarist, and producer had been battling an undisclosed form of cancer for 18 months. He passed away two days after his birthday, and less than one week after releasing his 25th studio album, Blackstar (January 8). In... Read more

January 11, 2016 News

Kendrick Lamar Brings To Pimp A Butterfly Live To Your Living Room With A Full Band (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been very protective of how he presents his album, To Pimp A Butterfly, live. The critically-acclaimed LP, which has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards (the most ever for a Rap album), is deeply personal to the Compton MC who has said he wanted his first album... Read more

January 10, 2016 Video

This Little Boy Blues Record Was A Seed Of Love For Some Brooklyn Rap Giants (Audio)

Little Boy Blues released a single album, 1968's In The Woodland Of Weir. The Psychedelic Garage Rock outfit fronted by "Little Boy Blue" Ray Levin, would eventually rise to open for the Rolling Stones, The Association, and Lovin' Spoonful. Formed four years before the Fontana Records LP, the band was... Read more

January 10, 2016 Sample Sundays

Ball So Hard: DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″ Score The Theme Song To NBA Countdown (Video)

Releasing a star-studded deluxe edition of their stellar album, PRhyme, was not enough for DJ Premier & Royce Da 5'9". After collaborating with the likes of Black Thought, DOOM, Phonte, Logic and Joey Bada$$, they took their talents to ESPN and scored the new theme song for the network's NBA... Read more

January 10, 2016 Video

Rashida Jones Teleports To ’90s R&B Videos. Catch The TLC, Da Brat & SWV References

Rashida Jones very much grew up around music. She is the daughter of Quincy Jones, sister of QDIII, and almost a sister-in-law to Tupac Shakur (Rashida's sister Kidada was engaged to 'Pac at the time of his murder). However, most Heads know thee Miss Jones from her TV work, thanks... Read more

January 10, 2016 The Bridge, Video

Dr. Dre Leaks A New Song With T.I. To Show He’s Back To Business (Audio)

Although not much music has officially been released by them, Dr. Dre and T.I. have been collaborating for years. T.I. is rumored to have been in the lab often with Dre, during the Detox years, and a number of tracks and snippets from those sessions have hit the web, since... Read more

January 10, 2016 Audio

Nothing But Net: Kanye West Reveals Release Date To “Swish”

On Friday (January 8), Kanye West returned to his late-week excitement. The G.O.O.D. Music founder released "Real Friends" and a snippet of "No More Parties In L.A." through his own website. Thanks to Hype Trak, some additional information has leaked regarding both recordings. The former, apparently features co-production by Boi-1da... Read more

January 10, 2016 News

Anderson .Paak Gives You One More Chance To Get Into The Party, On A Hi-Tek Funk Track (Audio)

Anderson .Paak spent 2015 making so many artists' albums all the more dope. From Dr. Dre's Compton to The Game's Documentary 2.5, to the Blended Babies' own Anderson .Paak EP, the Southern California drummer-singer-MC sprinkled his musical seasonings into some real delicacies. Related: Anderson .Paak’s Music Excited Dr. Dre &... Read more

January 10, 2016 Audio

It’s DOOM’s Day. Celebrate The Masked Villain’s Birthday With This Mega Mix (Audio)

Happy Birthday to DOOM. The masked villain turns 45 years young today (1/9). While he's been relatively quiet over the last year, he ended 2015 with a bang, collaborating with PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce Da 5'9") and Phonte on "Highs & Lows." He also put out a video promising... Read more

January 9, 2016 Mixes

Scarface Takes His Show On The Road. Here Are The 2016 Tour Dates.

In the last year, Scarface has been restless. The Houston, Texas Rap legend released a new album (his first in years) in Deeply Rooted. 'Face toured with his Geto Boys band-mates Willie D and Bushwick Bill for part of the year, before putting to rest hopes of another GB's album... Read more

January 9, 2016 Fresh

A.G. & Damu The Fudgemunk Escape To A Nostalgic Place On A K-Def Track (Audio)

For 25 years, A.G. has been delivering verses that are mental excursions. Showbiz & A.G.'s most lyrical half is a guest on the new album by New Jersey veteran producer K-Def (LL Cool J, Lords Of The Underground, DJ EFN). There, he is joined by producer/MC double-threat Damu The Fudgemunk... Read more

January 9, 2016 Audio

Tony Touch’s Latest Tape Compiles Hot Raps From KRS, J. Cole, Nas & More

One year to the week after Tony Touch released the popular Hip Hop 101 mixtape, Toca returns with Hip Hop 102. This mix (available for free download as well) features many, many reasons to believe the music of the people is going on strong. Tony's needles glide over the latest... Read more

January 9, 2016 Mixes

RZA Responds To Critics Of His Remarks Surrounding Race & Police Brutality

Earlier this week, Wu-Tang Clan member RZA spoke in depth with Bloomberg in a multi-part video interview. The veteran MC/producer responded to the arrest of Martin Shkreli, who purchased Wu's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album for a reported $2 million. Speaking about the new possibilities for the single... Read more

January 9, 2016 News

Channing Tatum Lip Sync Battles With “Run The World (Girls) & Beyonce Appears…(Video)

Last night (Jan 7), Spike TV's show, Lip Sync Battle, hosted Channing and Jenna Dewan-Tatum. The spouses went head to head in an epic showdown. Given that they both had the chops to star in the dance film, Step Up, each was able to execute both elaborate lip-synching and choreography.... Read more

January 8, 2016 TV

Kanye West Releases His Best Song In Years. This Is Vintage Yeezy

Kanye West is back, reinvigorating the G.O.O.D. Friday weekly release campaign with "Real Friends" and a snippet "No More Parties in L.A." Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, the former is five-plus minutes of unbridled emotion, the rawest since West became a father, which gives Heads a sense of a brand-new Kanye,... Read more

January 8, 2016 News

Petition Seeks to Exonerate “Making a Murderer” Subject. The White House Responds.

Netflix's continued dominance in the streaming media market is no longer news to anybody, but nevertheless the company's growing list of accomplishments is hard to ignore, even to the most jaded media aficionado. Earlier this week, it was announced that Netflix is expanding its market to 190 countries, setting the... Read more

January 8, 2016 Lifestyle

Kendrick Lamar Premieres A New Song With An Absolutely Monstrous Performance (Video)

Kendrick Lamar performed on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon just hours ago (January 7). The Top Dawg Entertainment platinum star's first televised appearance of 2016 was nothing small. "Cornrow Kenny" (as he refers to himself by) closed out the NBC appearance with an all-new song, "Untitled 2." Supported by... Read more

January 8, 2016 Video

Treach, Bumpy Knuckles & Trick-Trick Announce Album, Entirely Produced by Nottz

Previously, Bumpy Knuckles (a/k/a Freddie Foxxx) has done complete collaborative albums with the likes of KRS-One, DJ Premier, and Statik Selektah. Today, the veteran Long Island, New York MC/producer announced his latest plans: a work with Naughty By Nature's Treach and Detroit, Michigan veteran Trick-Trick. The album, known as OGology,... Read more

January 7, 2016 News

Mick Jenkins Eloquently Makes Sense Out Of His Windy City (Audio)

Mick Jenkins has been fast at work entering the new year. The Chicago, Illinois MC has been recording a lot with producer THEMpeople. Today (January 7), Mick unveiled "Grenade Theory," and pulled a pin, before exploding some profound thoughts and rhymes into the microphone. The song is a here-and-now for... Read more

January 7, 2016 Audio

RZA Says Blacks Need To Take Responsibility For The Images They Portray To Police (Video)

RZA recently spoke with Bloomberg Politics about a number of issues, including his recent back and forth with Martin Shkreli, the controversial pharamceutical executive who purchased the lone copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album, as well as his thoughts on Hilary Clinton and her candidacy... Read more

January 7, 2016 News

In Y2K, DMX Freestyles Went Down Like Mike Tyson Victims. Here’s One. (Audio)

The barks, the growls, the yelling...DMX brought a totally different kind of anger to Rap music than peers like ONYX, M.O.P., or Tupac Shakur. The Ruff Ryders flagship MC was "rage in the cage," when he stepped in many studio booths. Tim Westwood was one DJ/Hip-Hop personality on the map... Read more

January 7, 2016 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Brings Two of “T.P.A.B.”‘s Deepest Cuts to Life on Stage (Videos)

As the one-year anniversary of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly inches closer and closer, the Compton MC is still dominating conversations about the best in the game. Tonight (January 7), he will be a guest and performer on The Tonight Show, where he will likely provide viewers with a... Read more

January 7, 2016 Video

Stream “The Breaks” and Hear DJ Premier’s First Film Score (Video)

On Monday night (January 4), Vh1 premiered The Breaks. The film, inspired by Dan Charnas' book, The Big Payback, dramatically captures three Hip-Hop hopefuls living in 1990 New York City. One dreams to work at a hit Rap management firm. Another character wants to be a successful producer, and discover... Read more

January 7, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Andre 3000 Discusses His First Starring TV Role & Wanting To Put Out New Music

Over the last decade, Andre 3000 has been incredibly sparing in his output of new music. The Atlien has not put out an album since Outkast's 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, choosing instead to release jaw-dropping feature verses here and there and also work on his acting career. On the eve... Read more

January 6, 2016 Fresh

RZA Responds To Martin Shkreli’s Hostile Words And Encourages Him To Let Wu Fans Hear Album

Last month, it was revealed the controversial business leader Martin Shkreli is the owner of the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. After Bloomberg Business reported on the $2 million purchase of the special album, Shkreli began criticizing the RZA for his reaction to the purchase. At... Read more

January 6, 2016 Video

The New Dramatic Series Surrounding Hip-Hop’s Genesis Gets A Full Trailer (Video)

In early summer, AFH reported on upcoming series The Get Down. Directed by Baz Luhran (The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge), the upcoming episodes are set in the late 1970s Bronx, New York where Hip-Hop was born. Indicative of the Incredible Bongo Band "Apache"-scored trailer, the culture is at the... Read more

January 6, 2016 TV/Film, Video

De La Soul Are Performing Together to Honor J Dilla During His Tribute Weekend

In late December, the second annual J Dilla Weekend was announced. The Miami, Florida event will take place the weekend of February 5-7, and will be hosted by Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. With Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody & 9th Wonder, Blu & Exile, Chuck Strangers, A-F-R-O,... Read more

January 6, 2016 News

Ice Cube, Kevin Hart & Conan Go for a Ride Along With a Student Driver (Video)

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart are on a media blitz, promoting their upcoming film, Ride Along 2. Arriving in theatres on January 15, it serves as a sequel its very successful 2014 predecessor, Ride Along. In promoting that film, the legendary MC and megawatt star comedian visited Conan O'Brien's self-titled... Read more

January 6, 2016 TV/Film, Video

MC Eiht & Beneficence Drop Coast To Coast Wisdom On A Scratch-Driven Beat (Audio)

Newark, New Jersey's Beneficence keeps the interesting collaborations coming. Following his Masta Ace-featured "When The Sun Come," Bene' brings in another 1980s alum in MC Eiht. While Brick City and Hub City are more than 3,000 miles apart, the two rhyme veterans find common ground on "Anyway It Goes." The... Read more

January 6, 2016 Audio

New Year, So Black Milk Takes His Sound To A Whole New Place (Audio)

Black Milk's artistic evolution is interesting, and often tends to be demarcated by the calendars. Entering 2016, the Random Axe co-founder keeps his Electronic-tinged sounds in tact. However, B.M.'s arrangement and accents get a bit more spacey and celestial in making "Like I Need It All." The self-produced track takes... Read more

January 6, 2016 Audio

Murs & 9th Wonder Cover Pharcyde’s “Otha Fish” with Beachy Sensuality (Video)

Murs and 9th Wonder, longtime collaborators who have forged one of the most enduring musical partnerships in Hip-Hop, surprised Heads with a New Year's Eve release. Brighter Daze arrived at midnight on January 1, 2016, and kicking off the year correctly is an understatement. The free LP stars Rapsody, Mac... Read more

January 6, 2016 Video

MC Hammer Is Not Pleased By “The Breaks” Film. He Fires Back At His Critics

On Monday night (January 4), Vh1 premiered film, The Breaks. An adaptation of Dan Charnas' The Big Payback, the dramatic work follows three Hip-Hop hopefuls living in 1990 New York City. With executive music producer DJ Premier, the film colored the era with music by Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool G Rap... Read more

January 6, 2016 News

Killer Mike Schools Stephen Colbert on Systemic Racism in America & How To End It (Video)

On last night's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) dropped some knowledge on the state of race relations in this country, something he's been doing for years through his music but which has only recently become something that mainstream media have begun to acknowledge.... Read more

January 6, 2016 TV/Film

Plenty MCs Aim To Bring Back ’90s Vibes, But Red Pill Has More Specific Plans

Michigan MC Red Pill has amassed a five-year body of work, producing savvy, Everyman Rap music. The Mello Music Group artist rhymes about wishing for sustainability in a career he's dreamed to achieve, self-medicating through stress, and wishing more talented artists got the limited amount of industry shine. "90s Money"... Read more

January 5, 2016 Video

Rapsody’s Tiny Desk Concert With A Full Band Is Must Watch Music (Video)

Rapsody kicks off NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts" series for 2016. Joined by mentor 9th Wonder (on the drum/sample pads) and a full band, Rapsody pulls three songs from different places in her discography. With Howard University students in attendance, Rap' performs "Godzilla," "The Man," and "Hard To Choose." There is... Read more

January 5, 2016 Video

Watch Phonte & Antoine Harris Perform Their Battle Raps From “The Breaks” (Videos)

Last night, Vh1 aired The Breaks, a Hip-Hop inspired film set in 1990s New York City. Featuring DJ Premier as music supervisor, Phonte Coleman as lyrical ghostwriter, actor Wood Harris, MC Torae, and many others, the movie serves as an homage to the formative years of Hip-Hop's rise to pop-culture... Read more

January 5, 2016 Video

“12 Years a Slave” Writer John Ridley Is Turning Real-Life Tragedy Into Powerful Forms of Art (Audio)

John Ridley is an award-winning screenwriter whose celebrated works in film include 12 Years a Slave, a powerful film for which he won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Longtime fans of his love him for the writing he did on iconic television shows like The Fresh Prince... Read more

January 5, 2016 Audio

Hip-Hop Man Of The Year 2015: How Kendrick Lamar Proved That He Truly Is “Chosen” (Editorial)

In large part, 2015 was a difficult year to make sense of. Around the world, there were major acts of violence, hatred, and reminders that injustice and systematic prejudice lurk in every corner. Approaching an election year, the discourse in the United States often felt polarized, with across-the-aisle messages vitriolic.... Read more

January 5, 2016 Food for Thought

President Obama Is Taking Gun Control Seriously With New Regulations. Hear Them In His Own Tearful Words (Video)

Earlier today, President Obama outlined his new executive actions on gun control, putting into motion one of the most aggressive plans to curb the frequency with which Americans are killed by gun violence in recent memory. In his speech, he stated his explicit support for the 2nd amendment, which gives... Read more

January 5, 2016 Lifestyle

DMX Producer Dame Grease Wants Guinness World Record For Most Songs In A Year

Producer Dame Grease has been instrumental to a number of platinum, and critically-acclaimed albums. The Harlem, New York native was critical to DMX's It's Dark And Hell Is Hot and The LOX's Money, Power, Respect, in addition to mentoring Max B. Having worked with Papoose, RiFF RaFF, and DMX in recent... Read more

January 5, 2016 News

Freeway’s Soulful Mixtape Features Beats By J Dilla & A Jake One Reunion (Audio)

It has been nearly four years since Freeway released an official mixtape. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC and State Property member returned to the medium in early 2016 with Fear Of A Free Planet. Following a year that witnessed Freezer publicly battle kidney disease and lose close friend and collaborator The... Read more

January 5, 2016 Audio, Mixes

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of December 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

The number of Hip-Hop releases in December slowed, but the quality did not. In fact, it was one of the densest months of the year in terms of audio dope. Here's a playlist of the best the month had to offer. You'll hear music from PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce... Read more

January 4, 2016 Audio

Nappy Roots Expertly Blend That Southern Soul With Concrete Grit (Audio)

While it's been more than a decade since the Nappy Roots were shooting up the charts with major label backing, the Bowling Green, Kentucky collective has pushed on consistently. In the last six years, Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, and Fish Scales have made several albums, including Nappy Dot Org, with... Read more

January 4, 2016 Audio

One Year Later The World Misses Stuart Scott, But No One More Than His Daughters (Video)

It's been one year since the world lost Stuart Scott, a trailblazing sportscaster whose love for his industry was trumped only by the love of his fans. He became a household name and a personality with whom millions shared countless hours, thanks to his many years as an integral part... Read more

January 4, 2016 Video

Why Are Armed Whites Getting Treated Better than Unarmed Black & Brown Americans?

Over the weekend, news broke of an unusual event taking place in Oregon, a state most commonly associated with nature, liberalism, and the television series Portlandia. As such, the revelation that armed ranchers had quite literally taken a federal building hostage on Saturday, January 2, struck an odd chord for most... Read more

January 4, 2016 Lifestyle

Fat Joe, Diamond D & A.G. Show They’re Still Diggin’ For Perfection (Audio)

2016 is off to a promising start for the storied collective known as Diggin' In The Crates. First, D.I.T.C.'s "underboss," Lord Finesse released a top-of-year DJ mix. Now, three members are back in action, together. Fat Joe and his onetime mentor, Diamond D join A.G. for "Make Em So Proud."... Read more

January 4, 2016 Audio