News Archives

Hip-Hop’s Shining Moments of 2015: The Big, The Small, & The Revolutionary

Each and every year, there is no shortage of moments in time which crystallize the development of Hip-Hop's growth, and 2015 is no different. Over the course of the previous 12 months, the culture played larger-than-life roles in film, health, politics, television, and of course, music history. Here are just... Read more

December 21, 2015 Food for Thought

M-Dot May Be The First MC To Release A 360° Video. It’s A Lyrical Terror Dome (Video)

Hip-Hop videos have come a long way since The Sugarhill Gang released a performance visual to 1979's "Rapper's Delight." Budgets have reached the millions with some visuals, while others have tapped the shoulders of Hollywood directors and stars (and some San Fernando Valley stars). Technology has also lit the path... Read more

December 21, 2015 Video

Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon A Time In Shaolin May Be Seized By Feds

There is one authorized copy in existence of Wu-Tang Clan seventh studio album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, and soon the Federal Bureau of Investigations may possess it. Following the Thursday (December 17) morning arrest of pharmaceutical mogul Martin Shkreli for securities fraud and other charges, investigators are reportedly... Read more

December 21, 2015 News

Cooked Ones: Mobb Deep’s Prodigy To Publish Cookbook & Second Memoir

Mobb Deep co-founder Prodigy has been among the group of Hip-Hop artists that have successfully transitioned into publishing. The Queens, New York native born Albert Johnson released 2011 title, My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy with author/journalist Laura Checkoway, through Touchstone/Simon & Shuster Books. More than four... Read more

December 21, 2015 Lifestyle, News

DJ Premier, Slum Village, Royce Da 5’9″, Rapsody & 9th Wonder To Perform At 2016 J Dilla Weekend

The second annual J Dilla Weekend has been announced. The Miami, Florida extension of Detroit, Michigan's longstanding J Dilla Day will take place on February 5-7, 2016. Hosted by Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey (Dilla's mother), the event continues a rich tradition of celebrating James Yancey's life and music through performances,... Read more

December 21, 2015 Exclusive, News

EPMD Are Working On New Music & Hope To Do A Mega 25-Year Anniversary Tour

Last week, EPMD celebrated the 25th anniversary of the release of their album, Business As Usual. The vaunted duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith recently spoke with Billboard about the album, as well as some exciting things they are working on, presently. While albums like Strictly Business and Unfinished... Read more

December 20, 2015 News

DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Holiday Groove Has More Than A Touch Of Jazz (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff knows how to do holidays right. His and MICK's Summertime mixtape series have made the Summer months even hotter. This time, as the year comes to a close, the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hip-Hop legend sprinkles a new track on fans. "Xmas Is Coming!!" is a straightforward Jazz... Read more

December 20, 2015 Audio

The Role Of Tupac Shakur Has Been Cast For His Biopic. Here Are Photos.

Following a year that saw Tupac Shakur briefly portrayed in N.W.A. film Straight Outta Compton, production of the late Rap star's own biopic is well under way. All Eyez On Me is the title for the Morgan Creek Entertainment work that chronicles the life, music, and controversy surrounding Shakur. The... Read more

December 20, 2015 News, TV/Film

Erykah Badu Discusses The Power Our Phones Have Over Us (Video)

Last month, Erykah Badu released her new mixtape, But You Caint Use My Phone. The mixtape's title drew on the last line of her beloved sendoff anthem, "Tyrone," and telephones are a running theme throughout the project, from its song titles to the lyrics to many of the sounds heard... Read more

December 19, 2015 Video

Quentin Tarantino Says Victims of Police Brutality Are Not Statistics & Murders Have to Stop (Video)

Quentin Tarantino has never been a film director shy of controversy. He has, however, been a steadfast proponent of his creative license and the freedom to use the silver screen to create not only some of the most iconic films of his generation, but also those which ruffle some feathers... Read more

December 18, 2015 Video

Busta Rhymes Is Still A Dragon. He Spits Fire Like It’s God’s Plan (Audio)

It's been a while since Busta Rhymes dropped a lyrical napalm bomb, but the 25+ year veteran MC could not let the year end without reminding all that he's still a dungeon dragon breathing that fire. Fresh off announcing that he will be releasing a new mixtape on Christmas, titled... Read more

December 18, 2015 Audio

Chance the Rapper Says Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq Film Is An “Oversimplification Of A Bigger Problem” (Video)

Over the last couple of weeks, acclaimed film director Spike Lee has been on a serious press junket to promote his latest film, Chi-Raq. The film itself is a study of Chicago's notorious South Side, where gun violence has led to so many deaths, it has become a deadlier place... Read more

December 18, 2015 Video

Timbaland & Busta Rhymes Each Announce Christmas Day Mixtapes

While the record labels are traditionally closed over the December holidays, many Hip-Hop artists are hard at work. Christmas Day (December 25) has become a popular release date, especially for digital mixtapes. Two industry vets have eyed up next week's holiday, with major plans. Busta Rhymes and Timbaland worked together... Read more

December 17, 2015 News

Macaulay Culkin Spoofs Home Alone…By Channeling Reservoir Dogs. (Video)

Film Home Alone has become a holiday classic. The John Hughes-directed Macaulay Culkin franchise is full of elaborate pranks, family-friendly humor, and always a feel-good takeaway. After multiple films (two starring Culkin), several scenes, lines, and Wet Bandits pitfalls are etched in the hearts of generations. Twenty five years later,... Read more

December 17, 2015 Lifestyle, TV/Film, Video

Nelly Tells The Story of Making His Career-Launching Hit, “Country Grammar” (Video)

Nelly's "Country Grammar" was a game changer. As the lead single from his 2000 debut album of the same name, the song was everywhere that summer. Produced by Jason "Jay E" Epperson, the track was built atop drums inspired by David Bowie mixed with the familiar refrain from a popular... Read more

December 17, 2015 Video

Curren$y Fires Up A 15-Year Old Ski Beatz Hit For Nas & Nature & Exhales Dope. (Audio)

One can argue that Curren$y's best music has been that which he made with Ski Beatz. While at the Def Jam-distributed DD172 (Dame Dash's label), the New Orleans, Louisiana MC and the Original Flavor co-founder made two volumes of Pilot Talk, and revamped Spitta's sound in the "Michael Knight" era,... Read more

December 17, 2015 Audio, Video

This Man’s Quest for Healthy Food is Changing Los Angeles, One Garden at a Time (Video)

Los Angeles, though often thought of as a land of palm trees and greenery aplenty, is mostly a sprawling, urban expanse which is now dealing with a statewide drought of historic proportions. That isn't stopping a resident of L.A.'s South Central neighborhood from doing his part to help his beloved... Read more

December 17, 2015 Lifestyle

Khrysis’ Rhythm Roulette Beats Are Soul Council Scorchers (Video)

Khrysis has been one of Hip-Hop's most consistent producers of the last decade. The Durham, North Carolina representative, and one-half of The Away Team, has put in critical production work on albums such as Little Brother's The Minstrel Show, KRS-One & Buckshot's Survival Skills, and Rapsody's The Idea Of Beautiful.... Read more

December 17, 2015 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Arrested By Federal Agents

Less than 24 hours after an interview with Martin Shkreli mentioned the pharmaceutical mogul apparently threatening Wu-Tang Clan member RZA, the 32 year-old is incarcerated. This morning (December 17), the Brooklyn, New York native Shkreli was arrested by federal agents for charges of securities fraud. This arrest comes in a... Read more

December 17, 2015 News

Talib Kweli is a Master MC, but a New Interview Praises his Business Smarts

As an MC, Talib Kweli is one of the most celebrated, his lyrical content being praised for its creativity and its frequent skew towards sociopolitical. As a performer, he is touted as one of the livest and most energetic. As an activist, he is hailed as one of the few... Read more

December 17, 2015 Fresh

Game Releases a 1-2 Punch With Videos for “My Flag” & “Da Homies” (Video)

Having released two acclaimed albums within a week apart, The Game's 2015 campaign has been strong. As Heads debate the greater of The Documentary 2 and The Documentary 2.5 releases, Game drops a two-fer video from the latter. Both "My Flag" and "Da Homies" are rooted in Compton, California street-life.... Read more

December 17, 2015 Video

N.W.A. are 100 Miles & Runnin’…Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Straight Outta Compton may not have earned any Golden Globe nominations, but N.W.A.'s legacy is being recognized by another prestigious organization, one who has overlooked the Compton Rap group in years past. Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the inductees for 2016 who also include Cheap Trick,... Read more

December 17, 2015 News

SWV Releases A New Song That Shows They Can Still Make Us Weak At The Knees (Audio)

SWV (a/k/a Sisters With Voices) are leading up to their first album in nearly four years. February 5, 2016's Still...SWV is a statement LP surrounding Cheryl "Coko" Clemons, Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George, and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons' bond. Smooth single "M.C.E. (Man Crush Everyday)" hits all the right notes. Although it may... Read more

December 17, 2015 Audio

This Film Shows The Amazing Story of The Release Of J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive (Video)

On November 17, 2014, J. Cole posted to social media that he was releasing an album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, in less than a month. He did so with no single, no video and no clear idea of how he was going to roll out the new project. Here's an... Read more

December 16, 2015 TV

Pusha T Says Puff Daddy Pushed Him Like No Other Producer To Be Better (Video)

Since its release last week, Pusha T's "CCC (Crutches, Crosses, Caskets)" has had heads nodding vigorously. The Puff Daddy-produced song features a sparse beat, a trunk-rattling bass line and Pusha's merciless lyrics at their coldest. Pusha Ton sat down with Genius' Rob Markman to delve deeper into the meaning of... Read more

December 16, 2015 Video

Supreme Is Knocking Out The Streetwear Competition & Providing Re-Seller Gold (Videos)

In the "hype-beast" era of street-wear, Supreme has lived up to its name. The New York City-originated brand is 21-plus years deep in the game, and popularized by everybody from the late Harold Hunter, to Slick Rick, to Mike Tyson. Behind the red-and-white lettering, is a sub-culture. Supreme's cache extends... Read more

December 16, 2015 Lifestyle, TV/Film, Video

Naughty By Nature Reveal The Origin of “O.P.P.” It Really Was Other People’s Property.

Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts of the 1990s. Still together, recording, and touring, Treach, Vinnie Rock, and Kay Gee broke through with three simple letters: "O.P.P." Now, the title to the 1991 Tommy Boy Records single is permanent part of the pop culture lexicon, approaching 25 years... Read more

December 16, 2015 Throwback

They Don’t Make ‘Em Like Royce Da 5’9″ Anymore. His Newly Leaked Song is Proof (Audio)

And just like that, Royce Da 5'9" has given Heads a holiday gift in the form of "They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore (T.D.M.T.L.T.A.)." Leaked by the man himself, it's another example of the Slaughterhouse and PRhyme MC's lyrical domination over many of his contemporaries. Said Royce about the... Read more

December 16, 2015 Audio

Prison Reform Is Influencing New York to Diminish Use of Solitary Confinement.

2015 has been an important year in the ongoing fight for prison reform. Lately, discussions about reducing the amount of inmates in the United States has been a hotly contested area of political discourse, with many arguing that the country's disproportionate number of incarcerated citizens is a direct result of... Read more

December 16, 2015 Lifestyle

Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Details Conflict With RZA & Issues Warning.

Last week, reports emerged of the buyer-seller conflicts surrounding Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. The seventh Clan LP, released as one single copy, was revealed to be purchased by controversial pharmaceutical mogul Martin Shkreli. Wu's abbot, RZA began to criticize the purchase after discovering the 32... Read more

December 16, 2015 News

Masta Ace & Veteran Beneficence Gain Clarity In The Sun (Audio)

Newark, New Jersey veteran MC Beneficence has a career that stems back to the early 1990s. Although Bene's name has not extended as far as peers Redman, Lords Of The Underground, or The Artifacts, the dedicated lyricist is still making good on his dream. Teaming with Ill Adrenaline Records, the... Read more

December 16, 2015 Audio

“Thriller” Has Sold 30 Million Copies, Making Michael Jackson the King of Everything

Forget Pop, Michael Jackson has just become the King of ALL Music, as the first artist to have an album be recognized for selling 30-million copies in the United States. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has just announced that the iconic LP Thriller has bested all other albums, becoming... Read more

December 16, 2015 News

Pusha T Brings Crutches, Crosses, & Caskets (& Some Sunshine) to “The Daily Show” (Videos)

Pusha T is closing out 2015 with an impending release that has been getting buzz for what seems like years. King Push: Darkest Before the Dawn arrives Friday (December 18), and in preparation for it, he's been dropping some serious heat. In November, the Timbaland-produced "Untouchable" arrived, followed up with... Read more

December 16, 2015 TV/Film, Video

“The Breaks” Film Captures The Essence of 90s Hip-Hop Down to the DJ Premier Soundtrack (Video)

Last night (12/14), Vh1 had a screening of its upcoming film, The Breaks. The event took place at Harlem's acclaimed Red Rooster restaurant, hosted by owner Chef Marcus Samuelsson. Several key members of the production were present, including director and writer Seith Mann (Homeland, Ballers, The Walking Dead, Californication), writer... Read more

December 15, 2015 Video

Erykah Badu Details The Making of “Hello” With Andre 3000

On November 27, Erykah Badu released mixtape But You Cain't Use My Phone. The Thanksgiving week freebie is also available for online purchase. The closing song of the 11 included in the Motown Records project is "Hello," a duet with the father of Erykah's son, Andre 3000. The parents honored... Read more

December 15, 2015 Fresh

G-Eazy Bared His Soul on His Latest Album, & He’s Got More to Say (Interview)

On December 4, Oakland, California MC G-Eazy released his sophomore album for RCA Records called When It's Dark Out, and with it he continued the chart-topping success he found with his 2014 major label debut, These Things Happen. The 26 year-old has already worked with giants like E-40, Big Sean,... Read more

December 15, 2015 Food for Thought

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year Speaks Volumes About 2015 (Audio)

Since 2003, the dictionary publishing company Merriam-Webster has released lists of words every December that best define what the preceding 11 months were all about, and this morning, it became 2015's turn. In years past, the Words of the Year were decided by the dictionary's page views and website searches,... Read more

December 15, 2015 Lifestyle

Killer Mike & Bernie Sanders Talk Shop in 6-Episode Mini-Series (Video)

After formally endorsing presidential candidate Bernie Sanders last month, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) has been promoting the Vermont senator's politics and campaign promises in an effort to galvanize American voters to rally support. In his introductory speech at a Sanders rally in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Render called... Read more

December 15, 2015 Video

Terrace Martin’s Latest Kendrick Lamar Remix Is More Than Alright (Audio)

Terrace Martin has been down with Kendrick Lamar and TDE since way back. So the Locke High horn player and producer takes a liberty, and throws his spin on what may very well be 2015's most meaningful song. Martin takes To Pimp A Butterfly single "Alright" and runs it through... Read more

December 15, 2015 Audio

Tech N9ne & Murs’ Problems Go Up In Smoke, Like Cheech & Chong (Video)

As revealed in last month's interview, Tech N9ne releases a video for Strangeulation, Vol. 2's Murs and Ubiquitous (CES Cru) collaboration. The pair of independent stalwarts use Cheech & Chong's 1978 cult classic Up In Smoke to show why "Blunt And A Ho" is great stress-relief. From the Impala low-rider,... Read more

December 15, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Curren$y Goes In the Booth and Supplies That Audio Dope (Video)

This month, Curren$y released Canal Street Confidential. The Jetlife/Atlantic Records LP features Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Fiend, among others. However, even days after a retail release and a slew of mixtapes, the New Orleans, Louisiana MC still has lyrics to go. Spitta stopped through AudioMack's recording studios to elevate... Read more

December 15, 2015 Video

Pharoahe Monch’s Pharmacy Freestyle Shows Why He’s One Of Dr. Dre’s Favorite MCs (Audio)

Pharoahe Monch and Dr. Dre have never released music together. The Organized Konfusion MC and the N.W.A. producer nearly aligned when Monch was reportedly courted by Eminem and Shady Records, which would have placed the Rawkus hit-maker in the Shady-Aftermath-G-Unit umbrella. That did not happen. But like Dre, the Queens,... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Approaching Album No. 2, YG’s Narrative & Throwback Sound Isn’t Budging (Audio)

Two years ago, YG's My Krazy Life was a fan favorite, peaking at #2 on the charts. The CTE World/Def Jam Records star is hard at work on a follow-up. Reportedly called Still Krazy, the 2016 LP is shaping up to be the perfect extension of the G-Funk renaissance. "City... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Pens Letter Expressing Why He Feels Chosen To Lead

As 2015 comes to a close, Kendrick Lamar has been one of the leading voices in not only Hip-Hop, but all of music. K-Dot's #1 album, To Pimp A Butterfly was a monumental album long before its 11 Grammy nominations, or year-end lists laud it. In looking back at the... Read more

December 14, 2015 Fresh

Public Enemy Affiliate Johnny Juice Blends Bruce Lee Samples With Raw Hip-Hop (Audio)

DJ Johnny Juice Rosado has been a critical role-player in Hip-Hop music for nearly 30 years. In addition to his own career and vast production credentials (Son Of Bazerk, On The Shoulders Of Giants, etc.), Juice was a session DJ and turntablist and integral behind-the scenes-player with Public Enemy through... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Ever Hear The Shelved ’90s Clipse LP? The Neptunes Were Down From Jump. (Album Stream)

With Pusha T slated to drop his forthcoming album on Friday (King Push: Darkest Before Dawn, December 18) and the Clipse's two hugely successful studio albums, the appeal of the Virginia Beach, Virginia duo has yet to fade away, despite brothers Pusha and No Malice (f/k/a Malice) not having worked... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Pusha T Creates A Crooked Carnival Of Dark Images & Chilly Perspective (Video)

Entering a release week, Pusha T drops the video to "CCC." The song also known as "Crutches, Crosses, Caskets" makes no bones about its ominous vibes, as the Clipse star chronicles the decay of careers around him. For the visual, it's an eerie amusement park, featuring model nuns. This horror-inspired... Read more

December 14, 2015 Video

Raury’s Latest Takes an Inside Look at Life in the Trap (Video)

Atlanta, Georgia artist Raury has continued to impress fans with his multiple talents, combining rapping, singing, and talents playing instruments to forge his unique perspective. Most of his music has a political tone or a deeply personal story line, and at only 19 years old, he is poised to take... Read more

December 14, 2015 Video

Chance The Rapper Makes SNL History As Its First Independent Musical Guest (Video)

The year 2015 is ending on a high for Hip-Hop. Earlier in the week, Kendrick Lamar was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards, the most ever for a Hip-Hop performer in a single year. And, tonight (12/12), Chance The Rapper became the first independent artist, in any genre, to perform on... Read more

December 13, 2015 Video

YG Hosts 50 Cent & Nipsey Hussle And It’s Nuthin’ But A Gangsta Party (Audio)

YG has had a tumultuous 2015. In June, he was shot 3 times while in the studio, but was able to make it to his own car to be taken to the hospital. By July, he had recovered enough to release the lead single from his forthcoming Still Krazy album.... Read more

December 12, 2015 Audio