News Archives

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of August 2015 in 1 Playlist (Audio)

August 2015 was an incredibly complex month for Hip-Hop. On the one hand, it was filled with tragedy and will forever be remembered as the month when we lost the great Sean Price. On the other hand, the month also brought a new album from Method Man, the first album... Read more

September 8, 2015 Mixes

Freddie Gray’s Family Potentially Awarded $6.4 Million By Baltimore, But Justice Can’t Be Bought.

Today (September 8), the family of Freddie Gray reached a settlement with the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The family and legal team will receive $6.4 million, according to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Tomorrow morning (September 9), the Board Of Estimates, a civic panel including Mayor Rawlings-Blake will be the final step,... Read more

September 8, 2015 Lifestyle, News

Georgia Anne Muldrow Fires Up Raging Basslines In Rhythm Roulette (Video)

Los Angeles, California producer/MC Georgia Anne Muldrow has amassed quite a career. A Mello Music Group artist, the real-life spouse of Dudley Perkins (a/k/a Declaime) has worked on acclaimed albums such as Mos Def's The Ecstatic and Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part One and Part Two, plus Platinum Pied Pipers' Triple... Read more

September 8, 2015 Video

DJ Premier Releases The First Single With His Band, The BADDER (Video)

2015 began with an announcement that Hip-Hop turntablist/production legend DJ Premier was heading up a new band. Soon after, the collective did a stint of dates in Asia, followed by some American appearances. After just rehearsal footage, Preemo shares the first video single from the crew (known as The BADDER).... Read more

September 8, 2015 Video

Rapper Big Pooh Dusts Off Childhood Memories Over Evocative Nottz Chops (Audio)

Rapper Big Pooh is gifted in the ability to present raps that many Heads can relate to. With Nottz composing a reflective arrangement of vocals (by Novej) and drums, the Virginia native returns to his childhood and adolescence from fast food jobs to high school proms, trying to look cool... Read more

September 8, 2015 Audio

Daz Dillinger Is Really Serious About A Death Row Biopic…So Much So, He’s Cast It (Photos)

F. Gary Gray's Straight Outta Compton blockbuster biopic of N.W.A. addresses the rise of not only the group, but 1980s West Coast Gangsta Rap. In the film, in addition to the group members (Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren), pivotal Rap figures are portrayed including The D.O.C.,... Read more

September 8, 2015 News

Your Old Droog & Marco Polo Share A Jazzy One-Two Punch Of Songs (Audio)

Since Your Old Droog's 2013 proper introduction, one of the producers of his inner-circle has been Marco Polo. The Brooklyn, New York MC and the New York City-by-way-of-Ontario, Canada transplant make strong music together, both displaying throwback sensibilities to the days of witty wordplay and chopped down samples. From July's... Read more

September 8, 2015 Audio

15 Years Ago, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common & More Used Hip-Hop for Justice. The Fight Continues.

Police officers (and law enforcement officials) murdering unarmed people of color has been a resounding issue, especially since the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. However, while mainstream media has not always looked at the issue that extends back throughout the United States' history, other media has. One of those sources... Read more

September 7, 2015 Food for Thought

Scarface Explains Turning Down A Jay Z Reference Track 15 Years Ago

Early this month, Scarface released Deeply Rooted. The Let's Talk, LLC release is nearly seven years removed from 'Face's last studio solo, Emeritus. Speaking with VIBE magazine, the Houston, Texas native and Rap legend made some pointed remarks about the state of Hip-Hop music, especially in 2015. “There’s so much... Read more

September 7, 2015 News

DJ Spinna Recreates A 1980s Party Through Blending Breaks, Early Rap & Groove (Mix)

DJ Spinna is one of Hip-Hop's most versatile mixmasters. The Brooklyn, New York native has shined a light on House, Funk-Rock, and the all-encompassing genius of Stevie Wonder, while introducing The Jigmastas, Polyrhythm Addicts, as well as early works by MCs ranging from Eminem to J-Live, Thirstin Howl III to... Read more

September 7, 2015 Mixes

King Los Always Had Bars. Now He’s Got Hooks Too. MCs, Beware…(Audio)

Over the last few years, King Los has established himself as an elite MC. When Kendrick Lamar took out an entire generation of MCs with one verse and caused even more to respond to his taking "Control," it was Los' verse that Kendrick deemed to be the best reply. Los... Read more

September 7, 2015 Audio

Mack Wilds Orchestrates A Heist With An Ex In Bonnie & Clyde (Audio)

In the vain of Jodeci, R. Kelly, and Adina Howard, Mack Wilds likes his R&B risqué. The Sony Red-backed singer from Staten Island, New York returns from campaigning aggressively in 2013 and 2014 for "Bonnie & Clyde." The mid-tempo track features a detailed arrangement of background vocals as Mack presents... Read more

September 7, 2015 Audio

Wale Closes Out Summer Season Celebrating Blooming Love (Video)

With back-to-back #1 albums and a Grammy nomination, Wale is one of Rap music's certified stars. Arguably, part of what got the MC there is his ability to make songs many can relate to. Major themes like "ambition," pride, and the ("Seinfeld"-inspired) mundane can be ruling subjects on Wale albums.... Read more

September 7, 2015 Video

Damon Wayans Gets Deadly Serious About Diabetes, In Living Color & Past Racism on SNL (Video)

An adage famously says that "tragedy plus time equals comedy." Throughout the last 30 years, Damon Wayans has tested that formula. The comedian and actor dazzled television, film, and stand-up with imitation and observation that barred no holds. The "In Living Color" and "My Wife And Kids" superstar created caricatures... Read more

September 6, 2015 Video

Space Out To A Parliament-Funkadelic Mind-Melting Journey (Mix)

With N.W.A. and Dr. Dre celebrating the mass attention in the Straight Outta Compton (and just Compton) renaissance, with about one of Dre's leading inspirations? In addition to heavy influence from Curtis Mayfield, David Axelrod, and Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Dre's career has been molded... Read more

September 6, 2015 Mixes, Throwback

Did You Know An Unsigned Eminem Slid Fat Joe Demo Tapes, More Than 6 Times?

As unsigned Eminem lived in New Jersey in the late 1990s. Running with Pacewon and The Outsidaz, doing 12" singles on small New York City independent labels, the Detroit, Michigan MC made a lot of impact trying to earn a lasting spot in the Hip-Hop/music industry. As fate would have... Read more

September 6, 2015 Fresh

Gang Starr Hit Yo! MTV Raps Amidst Their 1994 Mass Appeal, With A Freestyle (Video)

Throughout the history of Gang Starr, there were a host of important albums and movements. In the late 1990s, Guru and DJ Premier went gold (with a Top 10) in Moment Of Truth, gathering the award tour of a much-deserved greatest hits look follow-up, Full Clip. A decade prior, it... Read more

September 6, 2015 Throwback

Your Old Droog & Problemz Rock A Freestyle With Lots Of Replay Value (Video)

Appearing on DJ Eclipse's "Rap Is Outta Control" show, Your Old Droog and Problemz brought their A-game. In the show (also featuring J57 and Karla Keys), records are often played that not only advance the culture forward, but live up to the standard of "dope" established decades ago. The lyrical... Read more

September 6, 2015 Video

A Missy Elliott Biopic? Here’s Why Her Story Bridges Women & Hip-Hop in a Powerful Way

Since Straight Outta Compton's meteoric rise to dominance in discussions of contemporary American film, music, sexual politics, and more, the concept of the Hip-Hop biopic is one that has flooded channels of communication and is seemingly inescapable. News of a Master P biopic and a cinematic exploration of Death Row... Read more

September 5, 2015 Lifestyle

D’Angelo & Tavis Smiley Maintain the Groove in Pt. 2 of Their Fascinating Conversation (Video)

Much like the first half of their conversation, part 2 of the discussion between D'Angelo and Tavis Smiley showcases two masters at work. Smiley shows why he has ascended to become one of the best interviewers in the business by asking informed questions and actively listening. In turn, D'Angelo rewards... Read more

September 5, 2015 Video

Kanye West is the First MC to Ever Appear on the Cover of the ‘New Yorker’

Kanye West's career trajectory has never shied away of the audacious, memorable, and newsworthy. His announcement of a presidential bid in 2020 at this year's MTV Video Music Awards on August 30 was all three, and whether the plan ever comes to fruition is secondary to the fact that now,... Read more

September 4, 2015 News

Tavis Smiley Gets D’Angelo’s First TV Interview in 10 Years and It’s Masterful (Video)

On September 2 and 3, the incomparable D'Angelo sat down with Tavis Smiley for the singer's first long-format television interview in over a decade. The conversation spilled over into two episodes of Smiley's PBS show, which is not surprising considering the magnitude of the subject at hand. In the first... Read more

September 4, 2015 TV/Film, Video

25 Years Strong and Redman is Still a Bad, Bad Man (Audio)

For 25 years, Redman has been one of the most consistent microphone destroyers in the business. Red hit the radar for many with his show-stealing guest verse on EPMD's 1992 song, "Head Banger," and Reggie Noble has not looked back since. In 1996, he released his fan-favorite album Muddy Waters,... Read more

September 3, 2015 Audio

Rick Ross Releases His Black Dollar Mixtape (Stream & Download)

Just three days ago, Rick Ross announced he was releasing a new project today (September 3). Since then, Ross has been on a tear, leaking new music and videos--sometimes both--each day. Now, Ross makes good on his word and drops the entire Black Dollar project for free. The mixtape showcases... Read more

September 3, 2015 Mixes

Anderson .Paak Got Co-Signs From Dr. Dre AND DJ Premier. Here’s His Latest (Audio)

Anderson .Paak, the Los Angeles talent featured more prominently on Dr. Dre's Compton than any other artist (outside of the good doctor himself, of course) has released a collaborative EP with Blended Babies, a production duo whose work with artists like Ab-Soul, Freddie Gibbs, Kid Cudi, and the Black Keys'... Read more

September 3, 2015 Audio

Exile Proves Why He Stands Alone as a Producer on ‘Rhythm Roulette’ (Video)

In the latest installment of "Rhythm Roulette" - a musically diabolical segment from Mass Appeal which challenges heavyweight producers with creating a beat live, based on three random finds at a record store - Exile is in the crosshairs. The Los Angeles native has helped create classic material from Open... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video

Scarface’s Mental Exorcism is a Powerful Reminder of the Pain We’ve Endured (Video)

The last few years have been as painful as any in recent memory, in terms of race relations. From the death of Trayvon Martin to wide-scale riots to a nation once again divided by the Confederate Flag, these have been troubling times. Scarface has never been one to shy away... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video

Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson & Statik Selektah Celebrate the Good Life from Croatia (Video)

Statik Selektah's Lucky 7 album has endured as one of the strongest of the year. The LP, touted as Statik's last as a solo artist, is a smorgasbord of MCs' MCs, including Sean Price, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Bun B, Your Old Droog, Joey Bada$$ and Action Bronson.... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video

Royal Flush Iced Down New York City’s Late ’90s Run Alongside N.O.R.E. (Video)

1997 was one of Rap's most transitional years. In the settling dust of the East Coast vs. West Coast feud, both shorelines produced some standout Hip-Hop albums. Not all of the material necessarily made the charts, but it was in this resettling that movements such as Rawkus, No Limit, Cash... Read more

September 3, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback

Dam-Funk’s Disclosure Remix Has Even Wallflowers Finna Get Loose (Audio)

Stones Throw Records is a sonic hot-bed. Whether Madlib, J Dilla, Oh No, or Mayer Hawthorne, Peanut Butter Wolf's imprint hones in some of music's most exciting producers, and gives them free reign. In the current label lineup, Dam-Funk is a standout. For almost a decade, the Southern California mainstay... Read more

September 2, 2015 Audio

Ski Beatz Takes Responsibility for the Mos Def/Yasiin Bey Confusion (Video)

Last week, a track was released, titled "Sensei on the Block," that was credited to Mos Def & Ski Beatz. As the track appeared to be new and came with no explanation, many (including AFH) saw the song as a return by the MC and activist now known as Yasiin... Read more

September 2, 2015 Video

Scarface & Nas Make Another Amazing Cross-Country Collab (Audio)

Scarface's Deeply Rooted is less than 48 hours away from release. However, the Houston, Texas lyrical legend offers the album's most anticipated song. "Do What I Do" extends a rich tradition in 'Face's collaborative history with Nas. From 1999's "Favor For A Favor," 2002's "In Between Us," 2012's "Hip Hop,"... Read more

September 2, 2015 Audio

23-Year-Old Anthony Sadler Prevented a Terrorist Attack. The Hero Shares His Story (Video)

On August 21, three friends were heading to Paris from Amsterdam as their Euro Trip winded down. After spending some time in the Netherlands, the three Americans opted to head to France, but before they arrived, they were thrown into a harrowing situation that earned them international acclaim. Sacramento, California... Read more

September 2, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Turntables Might Wobble, But They Don’t Fall Down… Technics Returns

The Technics turntable is one of Hip-Hop music's most iconic symbols. As old as the culture and genre itself, these direct-drive tables are famously sturdy, regardless of low-end bass vibrations, an explosive moving crowd, or heavy-handed DJs cutting back and forth the records. Durable, dependable, and incredibly sleek, it is... Read more

September 2, 2015 News

Cee Lo’s Soaring Single About The Here & Now Gets Animated (Video)

Even if through animation, people make the world go 'round. Cee Lo Green's latest single "Sign Of The Times" captures the careful balance that is the world in 2015. Over-top a beat bases on Bob James' "Taxi" theme (also known as "Angela" to Jazz Heads), this song strikes its own... Read more

September 2, 2015 Video

JR & PH7 Are Beatmakers for Some of Hip-Hop’s Most Respected MCs. Hear Why (EP Stream / Video) (EP Stream / Video)

Cologne, Germany production duo JR & PH7 has amassed a career that includes an extensive list of collaborators, from Sean Price to King Mez, Phonte to Freeway. From Europe, this combined force of beat-makers has been a driving ambassador of the talent abroad. Already in 2015, JR & PH7 teamed... Read more

September 2, 2015 Fresh, Video

Method Man Douses the Hood with a Reality Check (Lyric Video)

After releasing his first album in 9 years on August 21, Method Man has returned to his solo career with The Meth Lab, which follows 2006's 4:21… The Day After. The Wu-Tang Clan member has spent the years since putting in serious work as a guest artist and actor, recently... Read more

September 2, 2015 Video

Scarface Clarifies Remarks About J. Prince & Rap-A-Lot Records (Video)

Last week, Scarface addressed his lengthy past relationship with Houston, Texas-based independent label Rap-A-Lot Records. As a member of the Geto Boys, Scarface (as Akshen) was brought aboard in the late 1980s. In the years since, he became Rap-A-Lot's flagship artist, releasing an acclaimed and extensive solo catalog, in addition... Read more

September 2, 2015 Video

J-Live Freestyles Heat While Scratching A Loop On The Turntables (Audio)

Throughout his 20-year career, J-Live has been a triple threat. The MC, DJ, and producer named his label (for a while in the 2000s, at least) after his vast gifts. In the live show, and at select times on albums, the Brooklyn, New Yorker stood behind the turntables and kicked... Read more

September 1, 2015 Audio

The Soulful Side of Rick Ross is On Full Display With The-Dream on Money Dance (Audio)

Some artists gravitate toward trap beats. Others have a penchant for more soulful, melodic music. Rick Ross is one of the few MCs who seems to have an equal taste for both. Flipping effortlessly from tracks like "MC Hammer" to "Aston Martin Music," Ross is more than capable of turning... Read more

September 1, 2015 Audio

The Purple File? Just Doesn’t Sound Right…Cassettes Are Not Dead (Video)

Springfield, Missouri is home to National Audio Company, a seemingly nondescript business which manufactures, among other things, cassette tapes. In a video package for Bloomberg Business, the company's president shared insight into how, during the digital era, NAC managed to have its best fiscal year since 1969, due in part... Read more

September 1, 2015 Lifestyle

RBX Reveals He Was The First To Leave Death Row & The First To Sign With Aftermath (Video)

"The Narrator" RBX is one of Rap's most distinct voices. While the MC has only one Top 200 album (1995's The RBX Files, a #62 debut), he is widely recognized for his appearances on widely-considered classics. From The Chronic to Doggystyle to The Marshall Mathers LP, the Long Beach, California... Read more

September 1, 2015 Video

Big Daddy Kane Defends Macklemore, Praises Inclusion Of Rap Pioneers

In 1994, Big Daddy Kane—a major label, gold-certified artist, appeared on the Treacherous Three's first album in a decade, Old School Flava. "We Wit' It" featured Kane, alongside Chuck D, Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Heavy D, Tito, and the Treacherous Three lineup of Kool Moe Dee, Special K, and... Read more

September 1, 2015 News

Sean Price Shows Off His Superhero Capabilities in “Figure More,” His Last Music Video

In the first video released since his death on August 8, and what is said to be the last one he filmed, Sean Price is given the comic-book treatment, giving his reputation as a lyrical superhero a matching visual. In "Figure More" (a sequel to the cult-championed "Figure Four") Sean... Read more

September 1, 2015 Video

Jadakiss & Styles P Are Delivering Healthy Bars to the Neighborhood…But Not the Musical Kind (Video)

In communities across the country, the issue of nutrition and access to healthy foods is one that has permeated across regional, racial, and economic strata. Far too often, residents of low-income neighborhoods don't have health food stores, supermarkets, or even produce stands from which to purchase foods that aren't processed,... Read more

September 1, 2015 Lifestyle

What’s Beef? Shaq & Kobe Open Up About Tensions, Putting Rumors To Rest (Audio)

From 1996 through 2004, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were heralded Los Angeles Lakers teammates. As such, they won three NBA championships in the purple and gold. However, both dominant personalities, both masters of their craft, a team tug-of-war began, from the locker-room to the media, and the (potential Hall... Read more

September 1, 2015 Audio, Lifestyle

Straight Outta Compton Becomes The Top-Earning Musical Biopic, Ever.

James Brown. Johnny Cash. Ray Charles. Ritchie Valens. The Doors. Buddy Holly. These are just some of the subjects surrounding Hollywood's musical biopics of the last 25 years. That said, N.W.A. and their biographical depiction in Straight Outta Compton boasts the distinction of being the highest-earning, ever. In theaters for... Read more

August 31, 2015 News

Tower Records’ Place in Music History Is Being Remembered in New Doc (Video)

It goes without saying that every generation of music fan has its earliest, almost primordial memories of when and how it fell in love with music. For some, these memories conjure up images of a live show or a particular lyric that sounded like it was written just for the... Read more

August 31, 2015 TV/Film, Video

De La Soul Confirm Pete Rock, Snoop Dogg, Usher, & Others As Upcoming Album Guests

UPDATE: In their latest update to funders of the upcoming album reportedly titled And The Anonymous Nobody, De La Soul has confirmed additional guests. "We've recruited more amazing talents and we're happy to announce that we now have Usher, Pete Rock, Roc Marciano, Estelle and Snoop Dogg on the album,"... Read more

August 31, 2015 Video

Heartbreak Of Late: How Katrina, Taylor & A Tragic Loss Shaped Kanye West

In the last 15 years, has an artist used the medium of music videos as profoundly and as dynamically as Kanye West? At last night's (August 30) 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, Mr. West received the honorary Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, placing him in the company of not only... Read more

August 31, 2015 Food for Thought, Video