News Archives

Funkadelic & Kendrick Lamar Release the Funk Jam of the Year. Just Try Not to Move (Audio)

Besides his appearance on "Wesley's Theory," it is clear that George Clinton (and Parliament, Funkadelic) are major inspirations in To Pimp A Butterfly. The New Jersey native's ability to balance heavy subject matter with the need to groove is something that the Compton, California MC is out to do. Previously,... Read more

September 25, 2015 Audio

Here’s A Gorgeous Mash-Up Of J Dilla, Common, Dwele & Bobby Caldwell (Audio)

Common's enduring love song, "The Light," turned 15 years old earlier this year. The track, which was produced by J Dilla, features a prominent sample of Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes," from his 1980 Cat in the Hat album. The song also was covered by Dwele in 2008 on his... Read more

September 24, 2015 Audio

Jimmy Fallon Faces Off Against Terrence Howard. There’s Only 1 King on “Jimpire” (Video)

Over the last 6 months, Fox's show Empire has become a runaway hit. The series, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, has transcended race and gender to become as embedded in the cultural zeitgeist as any show in years. Its over-the-top plot twists and outsized characters are only... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Scarface To Receive “I Am Hip-Hop Award,” Celebrating His 25+ Year Legacy

Scarface is Hip-Hop. He was even on a 2012 collaboration with Nas, DJ Premier, and DJ Khaled that said so. The iconic Houston, Texas MC will be honored this year with the "I Am Hip-Hop Award" at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Taped at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in... Read more

September 24, 2015 Fresh

Is Francis the First Hip-Hop Pope? This G.O.O.D. Artist Says Yes (Video)

The Pope's visit to the United States this week has infused many Americans with what could be aptly nicknamed "Pope Fever." The reigning Bishop of Rome has earned himself a reputation for being a progressive, as far as the papacy goes, particularly because of his comparatively outspoken views on things... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Think You Know Hip-Hop? This Quiz Will Separate Teachers From Students

When it comes to Hip-Hop, fans take their knowledge of the culture very seriously. The never-ending quest for information and competitive desire to flex that knowledge have spawned a wealth of literature and resources, like Dan Charnas' The Big Payback, a phenomenal history of the evolution of the Hip-Hop music... Read more

September 24, 2015 Fresh

The Game Tells the Story of His Life Through The Documentary’s Iconic Photos (Video)

The Game has had a celebratory few weeks and as he settles in to the home stretch before his next album drops October 9, fans are being treated to what feels like wonderful news with every passing day. Just this week it was announced that The Documentary 2 will be... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Los Angeles Declares Historic Measure to Help its Huge Homeless Population

Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood and all of its glitz and glamour, has long since played a starring role in countless films. Ever since the movie studios opted to stake their claims in the area due to its nearly perfect year-round climate, Los Angeles has been a Mecca for... Read more

September 24, 2015 News

J Dilla Blew Speakers Fusing Hip-Hop With Electronic. That’s The Subject Of New Album.

In J Dilla's more than 11 years making music, the Detroit, Michigan producer/MC had a wide range of influences. James Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee) would make popular records out of sampling artists from The Impressions to Stereolab to Cris Williamson. However, in the Slum Village co-founder's arsenal was a heavy vein of Electronic music.... Read more

September 24, 2015 News

Freddie Gibbs Throws Fast Flow On A Charged Apollo Brown Beat (Audio)

Moving closer to September 25's Grandeur, Apollo Brown and Mello Music Group share another glimpse from the LP. "Who's That" incorporates Detroit, Michigan, Gary, Indiana, and Brownsville Brooklyn, New York—thanks to Apollo, Freddie Gibbs, and Maffew Ragazino, Sr. Brown chops a moving loop that has a dusty, Caribbean feel to... Read more

September 24, 2015 Audio

Some Sean Price Eloquence Over A Soul Sample Is Shared By Statik Selektah (Audio)

Sean Price was an MC with many friends. Industry-wide, the artist formerly known as Ruck maintained bonds with the like of LOX, Sadat X, Ill Bill, and Skyzoo. This of course goes beyond Rockness Monstah (Heltah Skeltah), Boot Camp Clik, Random Axe, or close associates Ruste Juxx and Illa Ghee.... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

5 Decades Later, Muhammad Ali Remains The People’s Champ. He is Celebrated in a New Documentary (Video)

Muhammad Ali was not only considered to be the greatest boxer of all-time. To many, he is the greatest athlete in history. While there are arguably those who have been gifted with more technical expertise and more raw ferocity, it is what Ali did outside of the ring that cemented... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

The Game’s Flow is Anything But Short on ‘El Chapo’ (Audio)

Translated as "small in stature" in English, the words "el chapo" conjure up an image of a swaggering Mexican drug lord rather than a diminutive personality, and for good reason. Earlier this year, the real-life El Chapo - a longtime kingpin in the world of Latin American cartels born Joaquín... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

One Of Raury’s First Televised Performances Proves He’s Ready For Primetime (Video)

Less than one month away from All We Need, Raury got a major look appearing on last night's (September 22) "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." The revamped late night program is winning with Heads, giving the musical mic to a plethora of top Hip-Hop acts. Taking chances on Columbia... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

Big Boi & Phantogram Are Going for the Gold on Latest Single (Audio)

Just two days away from the release of their collaborative project, OutKast's Big Boi and Electric-Rock outfit Phantogram have been on a tear, releasing their third single in two weeks. Big Grams - the name of their trio as well as the title of their forthcoming EP - has already... Read more

September 23, 2015 Audio

A Tribe Called Quest Are Releasing a Special 25th Anniversary Edition of Their Debut Album

On April 17, 1990, A Tribe Called Quest released their debut album, Peoples' Instinctive Travels And The Paths of Rhythm and one of Hip-Hop's most beloved groups began one of the culture's most revered journeys. The group would go on to release several albums heralded as classics, including The Low... Read more

September 22, 2015 News

Madlib, DOOM, Blu & MED Knock the Door Down on a Groovy New Song (Audio)

Like a villain in the night, the masked MC named DOOM has resurfaced with 2 new tracks in as many weeks. After reprising his role as part of DOOMSTARKS with Ghostface Killah on the Adult Swim-released "Lively Hood," DOOM re-teams with another esteemed partner in Madlib. Blu, MED and Madlib... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Recruit Problem & Bad Lucc For A Message Of Perseverance (Audio)

Almost a year ago, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and 9th Wonder announced an independent music conglomerate, Indie 500. All parties have been incredibly busy since, with an emphasis on activism—including a free concert in St. Louis, Missouri one year after Michael Brown's murder Ferguson. Today (September 22) Talib and 9th... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Logic Returns to Make It Crystal Clear He’s a Microphone Savior (Audio)

After several years of grinding on the underground circuit, Logic had a breakout year in 2014. The Gaithersburg, Maryland MC had several of the year's best freestyles, earned a high profile slot in the Hip Hop Awards Cyphers and released his first album, Under Pressure, which debuted at #4 on... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Injects A Visual Double-Dose Of Cadillactica Luxury (Video)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica may be approaching a year old, but that's not hurting its Blue Book value in the least. Krizzle releases a combined video for two of the albums standout cuts, songs that show the two distinct sides of the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer. "My Sub Part 3 (The Big... Read more

September 22, 2015 Video

Murs Makes the Best of Things & Releases One of the Most Positive Songs of the Year (Audio)

It seems no matter which way we turn, we're often surrounded by negativity. Whether it's work, the news, social media or everyday life, sometimes the bright side seems far away. Enter Murs. The veteran MC has consistently made nourishing music, whether it was songs that shone a light on the... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Rick Ross Tells a Mournful Tale About Young Lives Lost to Violence (Audio)

Less than a month after releasing his free Black Dollar album, Rick Ross continues to make new music. As with songs on that project, like "Foreclosures," as well as select other verses in Ross' older repertoire, like "Thug Cry" and "Poor Decisions," he shifts out of "bawse" mode and shows... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

Blackalicious Mash Up Fantastic Mr. Fox For an Animated Lyrical Explosion (Video)

With their first new album in a decade, Imani, Vol. 1, Blackalicious are pulling out all of the stops. The Sacramento, California mainstays could have just made a typical video. However, given MC Gift Of Gab's propensity for precise lyricism at rapid speeds, isn't it fun to show somebody else... Read more

September 22, 2015 The Bridge, Video

De La Soul’s Maseo Controls The Soul With An Amazing Free-Form Live DJ Set (Mix)

Listening to De La Soul is so much sweeter when you catch all the references—whether it's a sample, a vocal reworking, or a reference. Even when you don't know the specifics, it's usually worth seeking out the sources behind the music that's made by the legendary Long Island, New York... Read more

September 21, 2015 Mixes

Blu Teams With Lords Of The Underground’s Hit-Makers For A Funky Jam (Audio)

From Madlib to 9th Wonder, Mainframe to DJ Exile, Edan to Flying Lotus, Blu has made his travels musically, teaming with a litany of producers. This time, the Los Angeles, California native links with New Jersey's K-Def. Not exactly a household name producer, the onetime DJ Marley Marl protege has... Read more

September 21, 2015 Audio

D.M.C. Says Hip-Hop on the Radio is Waging Genocide on Young People (Audio)

Run-D.M.C. made Rap's first platinum album. Thanks to "My Adidas," the Queens, New York trio became some of the culture's first brand ambassadors. Teaming with Aerosmith for "Walk This Way," the Profile Records act helped mash Hip-Hop with Rock & Roll on a mainstream level. However, when Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels... Read more

September 20, 2015 Audio

Ever See This Vintage Footage of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Performing in 1987 (Video)

With the 25th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air recently passing, here's a look back at what started it all for both Will Smith and Jeff Townes. Before the TV shows, film careers and international DJ tours, they were DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and they... Read more

September 19, 2015 Throwback

What Makes A Hip-Hop Album A Classic? (Editorial)

In all genres of music, the term "classic" prompts debate. Cultural conservatives argue it is used too freely, and often stamped on works of art prematurely. On the other hand, liberally-minded art patrons maintain that placing restrictions on calling an item classic misses the point entirely. Especially with so much... Read more

September 19, 2015 Food for Thought

Blackalicious Is Back In Form! Catch The Duo’s First LP In 10 Years (Album Stream)

For more than 20 years, Sacramento, California's Blackalicious has made captivating Hip-Hop music. Pioneers within the West Coast Underground movement, Gift Of Gab and Chief Xcel joined forces with DJ Shadow, Lateef The Truthspeaker, Jazzbo, Mac B. Dog, 8th Wonder, author Jeff Chang, and Lyrics Born to forge the Soulsides... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Black Moon’s ‘Powaful Impak’ Is The Focus Of A Duck Down Feature Documentary (Video)

In looking at Hip-Hop artists and consistency, Heads regularly point to De La Soul, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest. There are acts who made extensive catalogs, by-and-large, never disappointing fan-bases. Is Brooklyn, New York trio Black Moon not one of them? Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, and 5FT have released... Read more

September 18, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Chris Rivers Says ALL Lives Matter in This Blistering New Freestyle (Audio)

Chris Rivers has released another freestyle, as he's done every week in recent memory as an extended, long-form way to celebrate the October release of his forthcoming project, M.C. (Medicated Consumption). This time around he opts for an Alchemist-produced classic from the Dilated Peoples, 2001's "Worst Comes to Worst." He's... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

A King Bows to No One. T.I. Leaves Columbia to Go Independent (Video)

T.I. has released five platinum and two gold albums in his 15-year career. The Atlanta, Georgia native MC and Grand Hustle Records founder is one of Rap's best sellers, with 2008's Paper Trail being one of the few triple-platinum works of recent years. After a brief, one-album stint at Columbia/Sony... Read more

September 18, 2015 News

Nas & Dave East Celebrate Their Inevitable Rise to the Top on ‘Forbes List’ (Audio)

It takes a billionaire's mentality to achieve the unachievable, and for countless aspiring artists who hope to one day rise above the mediocre, there is perhaps no better gauge of "making it" than being listed alongside tycoons and moguls on Forbes magazine's list of the wealthiest in the world. Earlier... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Mac Miller Unplugs From the Matrix of Mundane & Fakery in a Truman Show-Type Video

Mac Miller's third studio album, GO:OD AM releases today (September 18). While free, full streams are still available via NPR Music, the Most Dope MC/producer releases a new visual to draw attention to his first LP since leaving the Rostrum Records independent and joining the Warner Records fold. "Brand Name"... Read more

September 18, 2015 Video

The Game’s Documentary 2 Tracklist Packs The Same Star-Power As The First

In January, 2005, The Game—then a G-Unit member, made his major label debut with The Documentary. Executive produced by Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, the album was among the most profiled debut Hip-Hop albums of the 2000s. The Grammy-nominated, double-platinum LP produced major singles "How We Do" and "Hate It... Read more

September 18, 2015 Fresh

Pastors & Politicians Won’t Want You to Hear Ras Kass’ Latest (Audio)

October 16 signals Breakfast At Banky’s, Ras Kass and Jack Splash's Semi Hendrix collaborative debut. The Mello Music Group LP seems to pick up where 2014's Blasphemy (Ras' pairing with Apollo Brown) left off. "Jesus Pressed Mute" is Razzy's latest indictment on government and organized religion. The Carson, California veteran... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Abuse, Witnessing Murder & Being Broke: Terrence Howard Lays It All On The Table

Actor Terrence Howard plays complex characters. Whether portraying a hero, a villain, or everything in between, the Academy Award-nominated 46 year-old brings a depth to his roles, behind the green eyes and trademark voice. Currently, Howard is enjoying success on "Empire," one of the nation's biggest television shows. The show... Read more

September 17, 2015 Lifestyle

A Violinist & Violist Are Combining Hip-Hop & Classical in Amazing Ways (Audio)

Throughout history, musical worlds have always collided as cultures and influences blend together to form new and exciting sounds. Now, with the digital era, the bridging of worlds has become far more frequent, and the resulting amalgamations continue to impress with ingenuity and creativity abounding. Violinist Kevin Sylvester and violist... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Lil Dicky Has Made An Epic Music Video…That Cost Almost No Money (Video)

Back in 1996, The Roots released their brilliant music video for "What They Do." The video satirized the Rap visuals of the time, which were becoming increasingly filled with stereotypes and cliches like scantily-clad women, palatial mansions (that were typically rented), luxury vehicles (also rented), orgies and other completely fabricated... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Sheek Louch & Pusha T Keep It Hardcore… In Rap & In Life. (Audio)

Sheek Louch and Pusha T have weathered the industry storms. Two products of the 1990s, these MCs with East Coast and Down South audiences have stayed consistent to the craft of MC'ing, while always speaking to the streets that made them. This duality may be the key to longevity, while... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Dee Barnes’ Role in Hip-Hop is Much Bigger Than an Incident with Dr. Dre (Video)

For past generations of Heads, the story of reporter Dee Barnes and her reported physical altercations with Dr. Dre 25 years ago remains one of the most well-documented scandals in Hip-Hop history. Today, new generations are growing up in a time when an incident from a quarter of a century... Read more

September 17, 2015 Video

Grab Your Charles Dickens. Ice Cube Is The Next Mr. Scrooge.

In music, in film, and in life, Ice Cube is many things. Some of his greatest successes in each have come with the Los Angeles, California native as cranky, irritable, and just downright mad. Whether that's film roles in Higher Learning, 21 Jump Street, or Ride Along, or songs through... Read more

September 17, 2015 News, TV/Film

Joe Budden Raps an Open Letter to Eminem That’s As Raw and Real As It Gets (Audio & Video)

Renowned for its bar-power, Shady Records has also become a label that has changed career paths. After its booming beginnings (D12, 50 Cent), Eminem's label appeared confused in part of the late 2000s, unsure if it was trying to breed skills-based Rap, or commercial juggernauts. For much of the decade,... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Did You Know Ice-T Was Once Arrested for Possessing a Bomb…Which Was Fake? (Video)

Anyone with an internet connection over the last 48 hours was made well aware of the story of Ahmed Mohamed, a high-school student in Texas whose incredible skills in science and engineering got him arrested. The 14-year-old constructed a working clock out of his pencil case and, in a moment... Read more

September 17, 2015 TV/Film, Video

LL Cool J Returns With a Strong Verse on the Smooth Tip (Audio)

The last five years of LL Cool J's music career have been, in large part, a search. The MC icon and self-proclaimed "GOAT" has tried Country collaborations, he's tried mash-up boom-bap, and he's further delved with a R&B sound. With 2013's Authentic coming as the lowest charting album since LL's... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio

This Baby Just Changed the Game for How Music is Used in Videos

2007 is ancient history in today's digital era, when entire forms of communication and thinking can be made virtually archaic overnight with the development of a new app or hashtag. However, a video uploaded to YouTube all those eight years ago is now finding itself trending again, this time for... Read more

September 16, 2015 Lifestyle

Anderson .Paak Is On A Tear. He Transitions From Dr. Dre To Asher Roth Seamlessly (Audio)

Dr. Dre's Compton formally introduces a number of new artists with an array of talents. Along with longtime independent artist King Mez and Dallas, Texas' Justus, Anderson .Paak may be the biggest standout. With a versatile ability to rap, sing, and play multiple instruments, Anderson—who hails from the same Oxnard,... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio

Regardless Of When It’s From, Unreleased Jay Electronica Songs Stay Fresh (Audio)

Since Dr. Dre released an album in 2015, what is taking the place of Detox? Compton can still be referred to by that, as many Heads debated (heatedly) whether the Aftermath Entertainment founder would release an LP by any title. With that out of the way (and on the charts),... Read more

September 16, 2015 Audio

Kurtis Blow Recalls Opening For Bob Marley In Reggae Star’s Last Concerts (Audio)

Although the Sugarhill Gang had one of Hip-Hop's first massive hits in 1979's "Rapper's Delight," Kurtis Blow was among the genre's first stars. The Harlem, New York MC had Rap's first gold album, and was a critical messenger of the music from the 1970s into the mid-1980s. Afforded early star... Read more

September 16, 2015 Throwback

Oddisee Shows Why He’s One of the Best Out Right Now With This Freestyle (Video)

Praised for his productions, Oddisee is nice with the gift of gab. While this year's The Good Fight standout may appear more about substance than style in places, the Diamond District keystone can easily flip to fast. Appearing in Tim Westwood's Cribs sessions, the Prince George County, Maryland multi-threat shows... Read more

September 16, 2015 Video