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Rakim Ain’t No Joke & Neither Is This Quiz About The God MC

From the moment he touched the microphone, Rakim proved to be something different for Hip-Hop. The MC half of Eric B. & Rakim raised the standard of flow, style, and rhyme patterns over the last 30 years. As a soloist later in his career, The R made albums that upheld... Read more

Missy Is Joined By Pharrell In Another Game-Changing Video

Missy Elliott's long-awaited return to her solo career has finally arrived, and immediately out of the gate, she is reminding Heads why she continues to be one of the most musically and visually stimulating artists in history. The songwriter, MC, and producer hasn't released an album since 2005's The Cookbook,... Read more

And Then There Was A Never Released DMX Track…Ain’t Nowhere To Hide (Audio)

Dame Grease has produced tracks on every single one of DMX's albums. Dark Man X's longtime collaborator produced the majority of tracks on It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, including perennial bangers like "Get At Me Dog" and "Stop Being Greedy," as well as songs on later albums, such as... Read more

Redman Gets Real About Def Squad, Leaving Def Jam & Staying True To Self (Audio)

Approaching this Friday's release of Mudface, Redman's media campaign rages on. The MC extraordinaire appeared on The Combat Jack Show with a one-hour interview that covers Red's career with the questions so many want to know. Reggie Noble goes in, from his support of Fetty Wap, to the break-up days... Read more

Chris Rivers Writes A Moving Letter To His Father, Big Pun, On His Birthday

Happy Birthday to Big Pun. The lyrical Bronx Bomber would have been 44 years old, yesterday (11/10). In the past year, Chris Rivers, Pun's son, has broken out and established himself as one of Hip-Hop's most promising MCs. While he has established his identity as his own man, shedding the... Read more

Anderson .Paak’s Music Excited Dr. Dre & DJ Premier. His Story Is One Of Paid Dues. (Interview)

Although he was born Brandon Anderson Paak, most people who are close to the Southern California artist know him best as Breezy. A nickname that has stuck throughout most of his life, this association eventually became .Paak's handle as an artist, and thus, giving birth to the first chapter in... Read more

Black Thought & Freddie Gibbs Rise Against Life’s Obstacles (Audio)

Freddie Gibbs has just unleashed the first taste of his upcoming Shadow of a Doubt, his first full-length project since last year's Madlib collaboration, Piñata. The Gary, Indiana MC has bestowed fans with a midweek double-whammy, dropping not one, but two new tracks and both showcase vastly different yet distinctly... Read more

One Of Big K.R.I.T.’s Jazziest Cuts Gets A Re-Boot From TUT (Audio)

Southern Hip-Hop artists have never shied away from originality, blending drawl with bounce in ways no other region can manage. Big K.R.I.T., the Meridian, Mississippi spitter has enjoyed tremendous accolade for his own musical stylings, celebrated as a Third Coast MC and producer whose lyrical content sets him apart from... Read more

KRS-One & Ice-T Have 30 Years of Shared History. It Shows in This Talk Between OGs (Audio)

KRS-One and Crazy Legs are the latest guests on Ice-T's Final Level Podcast. The special Veterans Day edition of Ice and Mick Benzo's show takes a deep look at how Hip-Hop and the United States Military are in step in 2015, with many veterans (including Ice) and enlisted Heads. Additionally,... Read more

RZA Found an Unheard O.D.B.Track & It’s Everything We Miss About Him (Video)

The idea of unexplored caches of unheard material from artists we've lost is a Hip-Hop Head's dream. To hear previously unreleased verses and beats created by musicians who are no longer with us gives them an ethereal quality, as if these stashes of music are purposely left behind as thank... Read more

AZ Says Doe Or Die 2 Is Still Coming, With Beats By DJ Premier & Pete Rock

It has been more than five years since Brooklyn, New York veteran MC AZ announced plans for a Doe Or Die sequel. With his 1995 Top 15 debut as inspiration, the onetime Firm member did self-release a 15th anniversary edition of his debut in 2010, a 10-track album of remixes... Read more

A New Report Details The Number of Platinum Hip-Hop Albums By City

As far as music is concerned, a musician's hometown can be as heavy an influence in the development of one's sound as is talent. In many respects, the world can be carved up into musical regions, with borders based on native sounds as distinctively clear as the geographic markers like... Read more

Can He Kick It? J. Cole Does With A Soulful ATCQ Remix (Audio)

As the release date for the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of A Tribe Called Quest's People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths of Rhythm debut album fast approaches (11/13), they drop their third and final bonus track from the LP. Remixes of "Bonita Applebum" and "Footprints," by Pharrell and Cee Lo... Read more

SPOTLIGHT: Nolan The Ninja Aims To Restore Detroit’s Hardcore Rap Legacy (EP Stream)

Today (November 10), Detroit, Michigan MC/producer Nolan The Ninja released his debut vocal EP, F.T.H. The 11-track follow-up to this year's Lo-Fi L∞ps instrumental effort, features veteran MCs such as Phat Kat, Finale, and Hassan Mackey. Also available by iTunes, the F**k The Hype, a Left Of Center release, is... Read more

Meet The Man Who Set The Internet On Fire As “The Black Stormtrooper” (Video)

Nearly a year ago, when the first official trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens was released, it was met with the exact type of explosive reaction one might expect to accompany the latest installment of one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history. However, a... Read more

Jadakiss Brings Cameras To His Yonkers, New York Neighborhood (Video)

Jadakiss and The LOX helped make Yonkers, New York a Hip-Hop landmark. Along with their Ruff Ryders bandmates, especially DMX, the trio of MCs brought attention to the Westchester County city that was previously known for its size (the fourth largest population in the Empire State), and its Neil Simon... Read more

Goodie Mob’s “Soul Food” Introduced the Dirty South. 20 Years Later, It’s Still Got the Recipe.

On November 7, 1995, Atlanta Hip-Hop group Goodie Mob released its debut album, Soul Food. Cee Lo Green, Big Gipp, Khujo, and T-Mo blended conscientious lyrics with Southern sensibilities, and many Heads claim the LP featured the first use of the term "Dirty South" in a Rap lyric. The album... Read more

Reflection Eternal’s Hi-Tek Joins 9th Wonder’s Soul Council

Cincinnati, Ohio's Hi-Tek has been a major player in some of the most influential Hip-Hop albums of the last 20 years. A onetime Rawkus Records artist, the producer/DJ worked extensively on Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, in addition to Common and Sadat X's "1-9-9-9," Big L's "Still... Read more

This Is What It Sounds Like When Eminem & Redman Catch Up & Make Plans (Audio)

Yesterday (November 8), Redman was a guest on Lord Sear's Shade 45 show. Unexpectedly, the Sirius XM station's founder, Eminem, called in. The onetime "Off The Wall" collaborators caught up publicly, but in a way that seemed totally authentic to a Marshall Mathers and Reggie Noble phone-call. Em' even called... Read more

Puff Daddy Says New York Is Reclaiming Its Sound & Asserts He Is #1 Hip-Hop Producer (Video)

On his 46th birthday (November 4, 2015), Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs spent the early hours with Sway In The Morning. There, the Bad Boy Records founder and CEO spoke about his MMM (Money Making Mitch) release, which released online later that day (and is available for stream below). Additionally, the... Read more

Necro, Vinnie Paz & Immortal Technique Take Hip-Hop Back To Its Essence (Video)

Remember when hardcore MCs were at the forefront of Hip-Hop? Necro, Vinnie Paz and Immortal Technique are bringing Heads back to those days with their new music video for "Take HipHop Back." Filmed in New York City, the video features all of the Hip-Hop elements: MCing, DJing, breakdancing and graffiti.... Read more

University of Missouri Students Fight the Power & Take Aim at the Media (Video)

Recent events that have transpired at the University of Missouri have turned the town of Columbia into a flashpoint of racial tension and political discourse surrounding what continues to become a standoff between school administrators and the student body. The university's football team made headlines when it walked away from... Read more

Just Blaze Spins It All, From M.O.P. To ESG, Jay Z To Madvillain, In This DJ Set (Video)

Producer/DJ Just Blaze recently hit London, England as the latest installment of the Boiler Room traveling party. There, the man responsible for hits by Jay Z, Freeway, Fabolous, Jay Electronica, and Cam'ron rocked an hour-long set that spoke to his vast array of sonic interests. Captured on video, Heads can... Read more

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

When the year is tallied, October 2015 likely will be remembered as the month where The Game released not one, but two heralded sequels to his The Documentary album. And, while the accolades will be well deserved, there were a number of other strong releases in the first full month... Read more

Erykah Badu Makes Another Song About Phones & It’s Off The Hook (Audio)

Erykah Badu has pushed back her plans to release the But You Caint Use My Phone mixtape. While it did not release at the top of November as first reported, the presumed freebie will now be coming as a post-Thanksgiving leftover. Sometimes anticipation works in listeners' favor. Ms. Badu releases... Read more

Talib Kweli Says INDIE 500 Would Not Exist Without the Native Tongues

Talib Kweli has expanded his writing portfolio in recent years, taking to the web to publish thoughtful pieces on current events, particularly as they relate to things like culture, racism, and politics. In the past, he has written on topics ranging from fans' treatment of Lauryn Hill to the recent... Read more

ScHoolboy Q & Anderson .Paak Link & Urge All To Use Time Wisely (Audio)

Fresh off a two-pronged weekend single that has reached plenty of new listeners, Anderson .Paak follows with another strong Malibu look. "Am I Wrong" links the Compton collaborator formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy with another Interscope Records major player, in ScHoolboy Q. Q, as he does so well, plays an... Read more

De La Soul Is Alive & Working On The Album Of Its Career (Interview)

This past weekend, New York was the site for a listening party for fans of De La Soul who contributed to the group's historic Kickstarter campaign. Their crowdfunding campaign for their forthcoming album, and the Anonymous Nobody, raised more than six hundred thousand dollars and as a thank you, Maseo, Posdnuos,... Read more

Masta Ace Reflects On A Long Hot Summer & Offers This Re-Release Bonus Track (Premiere)

Tomorrow (November 10), Masta Ace's 2004 LP, A Long Hot Summer is being re-released on CD by Below System Records. Originally released on Ace's M3 imprint, the critically-acclaimed album followed up Disposable Arts with the Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York MC making another conceptual, story-driven LP. 9th Wonder, The Beatnuts, Edo.... Read more

Pusha T Named President Of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music

Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music has appointed Pusha T to label president today (November 9). The announcement came via press release from Pusha's spokesperson. The Grammy-nominated veteran MC has released one album with the label, 2013's My Name Is My Name, after signing in 2010. Speaking with Billboard, Pusha T revealed... Read more

Through Thick & Thin Puff Daddy & The LOX Still Make Great Music Together (Audio)

Last week, Puff Daddy released a surprise free album on his birthday (11/4) titled, MMM, an ode to "Money Making Mitch," from the film Paid In Full. While the entire project might not appeal to all, there are 2 tracks featuring some of his greatest proteges, that stand above the rest.... Read more

N.W.A.’s Anti-Police Hit Began As An Ice Cube Demo. Hear Part Of The Original (Audio)

In the span of N.W.A., the group released radio-friendly hits, made famous videos, and defined Gangsta Rap with a series of their own (and Eazy-E) singles. But as the film Straight Outta Compton showed, none of these records can take ownership as the group's most famous song. "Fuck Tha Police"... Read more

Anderson .Paak Blends Soul Power With Rap Reality On A 9th Wonder Groove (Audio)

This weekend, Anderson .Paak released his first official solo single following a booming three months of attention. With both Dr. Dre and DJ Premier in his corner, the part singer, part MC unleashed "The Season / Carry Me," which is incredibly demonstrative of his style and range. Dr. Dre dropped... Read more

KRS-One Is Releasing His First Album Since 2012. Hear The Hard-Hitting 1st Single (Audio)

In a series of tweets, KRS-One has announced a new album and released the first single. The LP will hit stores on November 24 and will be titled Now Hear This! The first song from the project is a hard-hitting track attacking the war on drugs, stating that in reality... Read more

The Chronic & Efil4zaggin Would Not Sound The Same Without This Man…And It’s Not Dre

Dr. Dre's 30-plus-year career in Hip-Hop has many movements. Andre Young first gained national notoriety for his post-Disco work with World Class Wreckin' Cru, opening up dance-floors across the globe to the energy of Los Angeles' most musically cutting edge clubs. Next, he would co-launch N.W.A., forever changing Hip-Hop and... Read more

GZA’s Liquid Swords Stays Sharp After 20 Years & This Rare 1995 TV Appearance Is Genius. (Video)

Tomorrow (November 7), GZA's sophomore album, Liquid Swords, turns 20 years old. The now-platinum-plus Geffen Records release is a benchmark in the Hip-Hop landscape, as well as in the career of the Brooklyn, New York lyricist, and RZA. While plenty has been written in books and online surrounding the Wu-Tang... Read more

Spike Lee Says Don’t Get It Twisted. “Chi-Raq” Is NOT A Comedy. (Video)

Earlier this week, film director Spike Lee released the trailer for Chi-Raq, a film that takes a look at Chicago's seemingly incessant gun violence, which hasn't gotten so bad, the city has earned itself a moniker that draws parallels to war-torn Iraq. The trailer, which included several comedic moments, earned... Read more

Chris Rivers’ & Sheek Louch’s I Got It Made Video Salutes Many More Legends Than Just Special Ed

Over the Summer, Chris Rivers released a slew of sizzling freestyles featuring both original and throwback tracks. Out of many quality offerings, one stood out in particular. The son of Big Pun teamed with one of his father's contemporaries in The LOX's Sheek Louch. Together, Chris and Donnie put on... Read more

Business Owners Are Using Graffiti To Prevent Graffiti. A New Book Examines How.

As an art form, graffiti has certainly climbed the rungs of prestige since the days in the '70s when it was generally considered to be an eyesore and a form of vandalism, primarily by those who didn't live in the neighborhoods where tagging was born. And, while wall etchings and... Read more

Noname Gypsy’s Latest Proves It’s All About Talent, Not Chance (Audio)

She may go by Noname, but Ms. Gypsy is far from unidentifiable. From her very raw, almost heartwrenching verse on Chance the Rapper's 2013 Acid Rap track "Lost" and her appearance alongside J. Cole on "Warm Enough" from Surf, the album Chance released as Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment,... Read more

Jadakiss’ “Top 5 Dead Or Alive” Tracklist Features Nas, Young Buck & More

Dating back to 2001's Kiss The Game Goodbye, Jadakiss solo albums have always been star-studded affairs. This month's Top 5 Dead Or Alive (November 20), 'Kiss' fourth studio effort is no exception. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam effort will feature the likes of Nas, Puff Daddy, and both of his LOX cohorts... Read more

Logic Will Not Fade Away. He’s Just Getting Started (Audio)

Logic's forthcoming new album The Incredible True Story hits stores next week on November 13. For the last several weeks, the talented Maryland spitter has been releasing quality songs and innovative videos in support of the project. His latest addition to the campaign is "Fade Away." More than any of... Read more

Outkast Turned Down a Super Bowl Performance & It’s Ms. Jackson Who’s Sorry

Big Boi was a guest this week on ESPN's The Dan Le Batard Show. As he's done in the past, he made predictions about this week's NFL match ups but, in between the sports talk, he made a revelation about something that could have changed Super Bowl history. Halfway through... Read more

Joell Ortiz Warns That Surviving Life in the Hood Isn’t Child’s Play (Audio)

Toronto, Ontario's MoSS is one of those longtime producers whose works are immediately known but not easily attributed to a name. With notches under his beatmaker belt that include Obie Trice's album Special Reserve, Ghostface Killah's "Kilos" from 2006's Fishscale, and Raekwon's "Have Mercy" off of Only Built 4 Cuban... Read more

Snoop Dogg Is Still Giving Up Game. This Time, It’s Not Even For Sale (Audio)

Just over one week removed from the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Powder On My Clothes," Snoop Dogg appears to be really returning to his concrete roots. Snoop appears several times on DJ Drama's latest Beach City mixtape. Within, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native-turned-Atlanta Georgia mainstay DJ aims to shine a light on the... Read more

Add-2 & Rapsody Go Back & Forth In Lyrics, And In This Cool Visual (Video)

Add-2 released his Prey For The Poor two months ago. The Chicago, Illinois native and Jamla Records artist continues a streak of poignant Rap over soulful beats. "Stop Play Rewind" is one such track that maintains the strong chemistry established by he and Rapsody over recent compilations, and each other's... Read more

Vice’s New TV Channel Re-Invents the Way the World is Shared (Video)

Vice has unveiled a bold, ambitious new venture that aims to change the way stories about the world are shared on television. Viceland - a 24-hour cable channel - will piece together thousands of video packages covering a host of topics, all of which tell the stories, both big and... Read more

Pimp C’s Latest Posthumous Single Is Still Years Ahead Of Its Time (Audio)

Part of Pimp C's tremendous Hip-Hop legacy is making outrageous songs. UGK classics like "Feel Like I'm The One Who's Doin' Dope" and "I Left It Wet For You" played like The Wolf Of Wall Street in richly-produced audio. Chad Butler rhymed about drugs, sex, and violence unabashedly, influencing his... Read more

A Redman & Dr. Dre Collaboration? It’s Possible. Redman Speaks (Video)

In his extensive, nearly 25-year career, Redman has worked with a plethora of great producers. A protege of EPMD's Erick Sermon, Red' would eventually help introduce the masses to Rockwilder. Additionally, the Newark,  New Jersey MC made songs with The Ummah (J Dilla, Q-Tip & Ali Shaheed Muhammad), RZA, and... Read more

From ‘93 Til Infinity: Ludacris’ Acura Legend Is A Hip-Hop Museum On Wheels

The Acura Legend, alongside Beemers, Benz Wagons, Cadillac Escalades, Lincoln Navigators, and a host of other vehicles has been name-dropped throughout Hip-Hop's history, particularly during the 1990s through present day. From A Tribe Called Quest's 1991 "Jazz" ("Boomin' in ya Jeep or ya Honda or ya Beemer or ya Legend... Read more