News Archives

The Game & Drake Keep It 100 in Compton (Video)

With the Game's much anticipated The Documentary 2 scheduled to drop August 28, the Compton MC has put out two singles thus far, beginning with April's "Ryda" featuring Dej Loaf. The second single, "100," features Drake and the two put in some serious lyrical work on the track. In addition... Read more

July 31, 2015 Video

Snoop Puts Lil Dicky to a Rap Test…and He ACES It Like a Pro (Video)

Today (July 31), Lil Dicky released his debut album, Professional Rapper, and it is one of the most inventive and creative albums of the year. As fans have come to expect, the LP is filled with humor, irony and Dicky's unique take on the world, but, most importantly, it is... Read more

July 31, 2015 Video

New Driverless Cars Will Allow For Ghostridin’ The Whips…Someday (Audio)

The proliferation of technology into all aspects of life is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination. Companies investing in "smart home" technologies are making it easier for people to turn off their ovens remotely or to turn on their central air while on their commute home.... Read more

July 31, 2015 Lifestyle

Gangrene Markets Their New Single With A Clever Reversal (Audio)

Alchemist is a marketing genius. In the midst of plenty of Rap diversions this week, the Gangrene cofounder launches latest single "Reversals" into the digital super-highway with some sarcasm-marketing. No, the Mass Appeal Records single does not feature Drake, Meek Mill, or Jay Electronica, but it absolutely packs potent punches... Read more

July 31, 2015 Audio

Lauryn Hill Takes on Classic Nina Simone & Gives it a New Life (Video)

On last night's "Tonight Show," Ms. Lauryn Hill performed her interpretation of Nina Simone's classic 1965 tune, "Feeling Good." Hill's rendition is a single from Nina Revisited...A Tribute to Nina Simone. The album also features Simone's daughter Lisa, Jazmine Sullivan, Usher, Common, Mary J. Blige, and Miss Simone herself. However,... Read more

July 31, 2015 Video

A DJ Blends 3 Pete Rock Verses With 7 Petestrumentals (Audio)

Pete Rock is one of Hip-Hop's most lethal triple-threats. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker produces, he DJs, and he raps—doing all of the above at a high level over the last 25-plus-years. In response to his recent Petestrumentals 2 release with Mello Music Group, Brooklyn, New York-based DJ Rashiiid cleverly... Read more

July 31, 2015 Audio

Meek Mill Responds, At Last. Is It Drake’s Nightmare Or Is Meek Dreamin’? (Audio)

Tonight (July 30), Meek Mill was expected to formally reply to Drake by verse. More than one week since the Maybach Music Group MC began a social media attack on his recurring collaborator, he has yet to record a record—that even he has promised the public. In that span, Drake... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio, News

Can You Hear JAY-Z’s Influence in This Previously Unreleased Early Kendrick Lamar Song? (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar often has cited JAY-Z as one of his biggest influences. In a 2013 piece with Interview magazine, his response to interviewer Erykah Badu's question about whether there was an MC who influenced him or whose level he could never attain, Kendrick stated "That I feel I'll never reach?... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio

Hannibal Buress Discovers Meek Mill is Not Trending in Beverly Hills (Video)

In the world of Hip-Hop, there is perhaps no more visible story right now than the Drake vs. Meek Mill beef. Ardent users of social media may be feeling like they're seeing the story everywhere, which is probably not an incorrect observation, depending on who one asks. The back and... Read more

July 30, 2015 TV/Film, Video

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist Toured Playing Afrika Bambaataa’s Actual Records. Here’s One Show (Video)

Throughout the last year, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist toured the world with Afrika Bambaataa's records. Not just copies of records that the Universal Zulu Nation founder made or carried, but the actual "sacred crates" of Hip-Hop from one of its foremost pioneers. Together, Cut and Shadow called the act... Read more

July 30, 2015 Video

Oddisee’s Drum Programming Beautifully Accentuate Finale’s Encore (Audio)

Heads may not be up on Finale. However, the Detroit, Michigan MC is worth every bit of your time. A former auto-plant worker, Finale's 2009 LP, A Pipe Dream And A Promise boasted beats by J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Black Milk, and Oddisee. Now finding a home at Mello Music... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio

The Coup’s Boots Riley Prepares Book, “Tell Homeland Security–We Are The Bomb”

Oakland, California MC, poet, activist, and revolutionary Boots Riley can add another title to his growing list: author. Following his recent op-ed on the wage gap in the United States, the longtime front-man for The Coup is preparing to release Tell Homeland Security–We Are The Bomb, a Haymarket Books publication.... Read more

July 30, 2015 News

Do Remember: Run DMC vs. Kool Moe Dee on “Graffiti Rock” (Video)

It was 1984 and New York City was home to a youth culture that was piquing the interest of not only its residents, but also the press. Hip-Hop was steadily becoming an identifiable culture to outsiders, and its unique styles of dance, fashion, music, and language was infectious. Its appeal... Read more

July 30, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback

Locksmith Takes a Few Moments to Reflect on What He’s Learned Thus Far (Video)

Almost a month ago to the day, Norcal MC Locksmith devastated not one, but two mics in back-to-back freestyles that showcased his skills as an off-the-cuff lyricist. He visited Kay Slay and Sway to promote Lofty Goals, his second studio album that dropped in June, a project which proves his... Read more

July 30, 2015 Video

Vic Mensa Ends All Questions About Why Jay Z Signed Him With This Freestyle Over Classic Biggie (Audio)

Over the past few months, Vic Mensa has been adding his own flavor to the work of others, including his re-imagining of Future's "Codeine Crazy," his "Breakfast Bars" segment attacking some vintage Ice Cube beats, and his chance to pay homage to his current boss, Jay-Z, by freestyling over the... Read more

July 30, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Queen Latifah & Mary J. Blige Ease Into “The Wiz” Remake

1970s remakes are all the rage these days. As Questlove partakes in an upcoming Roots remake starring Laurence Fishburne, NBC has revealed plans to remake The Wiz. Originally an adaptation in its own right (of The Wizard of Oz), the 1978 film was co-produced by Berry Gordy's Motown film division, and starred... Read more

July 29, 2015 News, TV, TV/Film

Jill Scott Shares Thoughts on Motherhood, Fame & Why Women Are Powerful (Video)

Jill Scott visited the Breakfast Club earlier this morning to help promote her latest album, Woman, which dropped July 24. Released nearly 15 years to the day as her debut Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, it is her first album in 4 years and it's been... Read more

July 29, 2015 Video

King Magnetic Hops On DJ Premier Production To Prove Status Is Irrelevant (Audio)

King Magnetic may be a newer name to some, however the Allentown, Pennsylvania native has been active on the charts. The onetime Reef The Lost Cauze protege joined the East Coast Hardcore Rap collective Army Of The Pharaohs for 2010's The Unholy Terror and 2014's In Death Reborn, both of which... Read more

July 29, 2015 Audio

Ice Cube Says Dr. Dre’s ‘Straight Outta Compton Soundtrack’ Arrives This Week (Video)

With just over two weeks until the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton hits theaters, the excitement and anticipation over the film is palpable, to say the least. Buttressed by the forthcoming reunion tour, public discourse about some of rap music's most prolific young artists has reached a fever pitch, and... Read more

July 29, 2015 Video

Scarface’s Deeply Rooted Tracklist Includes Nas, Cee-Lo Green & More

Scarface's twelfth studio album, Deeply Rooted will arrive on September 4. For the second time in Brad Jordan's 25-plus-year career, the MC will release a studio album apart from Rap-A-Lot Records. While the follow-up to 2008's Emeritus may be released on his own Facemob Music imprint, the trimmings of the... Read more

July 29, 2015 News

Kurupt & Miguel Team Up for an N.W.A. Tribute…Kind Of (Video)

This summer belongs to N.W.A. in many ways. With the Straight Outta Compton movie storming into theaters next month, the news about the legendary group's reunion tour, and the proliferation of press and media attention, the direct references to their legacy are almost inescapable. However, not all of the references... Read more

July 29, 2015 Video

Drake Accuses Meek Mill Of Riding On Nicki Minaj’s Coattails In New Diss Record (Audio)

One week later, Drake and Meek Mill are still at it. Meek may have started things, with a social media rant that called out his collaborator for relying on writers as well as an inferred line regarding Nicki Minaj. However, Drake is still the only half of the sides at... Read more

July 29, 2015 Audio

‘Kids’ Turns 20 Today & Still Has Plenty of Surprises in its History

On this day in 1995, a film entered theaters that, while under-performing at the box office, left an impression on viewers that has yet to subside. Even though it is one of the most discussed films in a generation (if not more), there are still aspects of Kids' history, production,... Read more

July 28, 2015 TV/Film

The Weeknd Goes Up In Flames In Can’t Feel My Face (Video)

For years, The Weeknd has made uncompromising music that's still been commercially viable. The Universal Republic Records artist has found his highest charting single to date in "Can't Feel My Face." The always brooding, highly sexual singing of Abel Tesfaye is more aimed towards the mainstream in this moment. The... Read more

July 28, 2015 Video

Freddie Gibbs, Apollo Brown & Verbal Kent Team With Aggression (Audio)

In an upcoming release through the Mello Music Group imprint, Chicago, Illinois MC Verbal Kent will be showcasing his skills on Anesthesia, a new solo album featuring contributions from Skyzoo, Torae, Red Pill, Marco Polo, and others. As a founding member of the Ugly Heroes with Red Pill and Apollo... Read more

July 28, 2015 Audio

Do or Die Are Releasing a Sequel to Picture This. Love in the Sky is the First Single (Audio)

After a nine year hiatus since the release of their last album, Get That Paper, Chicago's Do or Die returned to the scene earlier this year with Withdrawal, a joint EP with Twista. Prior to that, in September of 2014, we spoke with group member Belo, who revealed Do or... Read more

July 28, 2015 Audio

From the Court to the Mic, NBA Star Damian Lillard Brings the Heat (Audio)

As a Trail Blazer for Portland's NBA team, Damian Lillard is a point guard and Oakland native whose talents extend beyond basketball games. Earlier this year, the 25-year-old former Rookie of the Year and two-time All Star visited Sway Calloway over at SiriusXM's Shade 45 radio show and surprised listeners... Read more

July 28, 2015 Audio

Capone-N-Noreaga & Tragedy Khadafi Salute One Of Their Own (Video)

Reunited, Capone-N-Noreaga and Tragedy Khadafi take time to salute "U.M.A.R." The song is designed as a tangible record dedicated to the 25 II Life affiliate—but really, anybody apart from loved ones. A 2015 type of "One Love," this is a song rooted in solidarity, through death, incarceration, or other challenges... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

Oddisee Takes an Introspective Look at How We Fit Into the World (Video)

From its release, Oddisee's album The Good Fight has proven to be head and shoulders above many of this year's releases. The Mello Music Group LP's title applies both as a metaphor for Oddisee's more than 15-year career that is reaching new heights and as a representation of the life... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

‘Mixography: The Collectives’ Kicks Off New Party Series With Volume I – Dungeon Family (Mixtape)

Beginning this Thursday (July 30), a new Hip-Hop party series kicks off at Manhattan's Le Poisson Rouge. The series, called Mixography, is launched by journalist, publicist and artist manager, Cali Green, and MC/DJ, and Blue Note Records affiliate Raydar Ellis. Raydar will live mix the events, while Cali hosts, with... Read more

July 27, 2015 Mixes

King Los, Isaiah Rashad & Kent Jamz Bring Power To The Lyric Video Format

Lyric Videos, in theory are promotional devices. These videos tend to follow audio releases, and blaze a trail for eventual produced videos. They can effectively create an experience that brings attention to artistic intent, and quite clearly own the space and monetize a song for label and artist. But in... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

Freestyle Aside, Eminem Dropped “Infinite” Jewels On Sway (Audio)

Last week, Eminem stormed the Sway In The Morning show, throwing Southpaw promotion, and delivering one T.K.O. of a freestyle. However, there was a whole hour of the diamond-certified-selling MC at Sway, and Heads may have missed the rare interview. What makes the interview especially notable is the superstar went... Read more

July 27, 2015 Audio

Tisha Campbell-Martin Is Back In The Booth, Delivering Soaring Vocals (Audio)

In the early 1990s, "Martin" co-star Tisha Campbell signed a deal with Capitol Records and released a well-received self-titled debut. In the 22 years since her LP, Tisha released a couple singles, sporadically—including 2014 work with Full-Force. Since starring on "My Wife And Kids" and now "Real Husbands Of Hollywood,"... Read more

July 27, 2015 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Statik Selektah Address Knee-Jerk ’90s Hip-Hop Comparisons (Video)

Since his 2010 arrival Joey Bada$$ has been often compared to the 1990s litany of East Coast MCs. The Brooklyn, New York MC is not a fan of being always considered a throwback, when the Pro Era MC has worked to prove himself as an original. Similarly, DJ/producer Statik Selektah... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

45 King Recalls Early Days Of Queen Latifah & Jay Z, Reveals A Hit He Was Not Credited For (Audio)

In the canon of Hip-Hop producers, 45 King is among the most important. From break-beat compilations to remixes, seminal 1980s 12" singles, to Grammy Award-winning hits, the New Jersey-based DJ/producer born Mark James has nearly 30 years of highly-influential digging, sampling, and arranging. Whether Queen Latifah, Gang Starr, Eminem, or... Read more

July 27, 2015 Throwback

Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch & Bun B To Perform Free Concert One Year After Michael Brown’s Murder

August 9, 2014 was Michael Brown's last day alive. The 18 year-old Ferguson, Missouri man had graduated high school eight days earlier, before an altercation with Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson that would ultimately leave Brown murdered in the street. One year later, August 9, 2015, Talib Kweli will perform... Read more

July 26, 2015 News

Mr. Serv-On Says He, Master P & 1990s No Limit Soldiers Will Tour Together

Between 1996 and 2002, No Limit Records released a number of platinum, gold, and chart-topping albums. Master P's label, featuring a number of home-grown talents (TRU, Mr. Serv-On, Mia X, Skull Duggery) would sprout to include Snoop Dogg, Mystikal, and Young Bleed. Launched in 1991, the label would be instrumental... Read more

July 26, 2015 News, Throwback

10 Years Later, Young Jeezy Says The Cover Of Thug Motivation 101 Was All Real (Video)

Today (July 26), Young Jeezy's major label debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 turned 10 years old. The Atlanta, Georgia platinum, #1 artist celebrated with a hometown concert last night (July 25) at the Fox Theatre. There, Jeezy reunited with Boyz N Da Hood, the Bad Boy South-backed... Read more

July 26, 2015 Throwback

Entrepreneurialism & Technology Discussed At Hip-Hop Institute Conference (Video)

Earlier this month, the 11th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival took place in a series of events, beginning July 8. Leading to the July 11 concert featuring Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway, and others, the week of discussion, education, and engagement included the first-ever Hip-Hop Institute Conference. Hosted at the borough's Medgar... Read more

July 26, 2015 Video

DJ Erykah Badu Is The Healer. Here’s A Soul Mix Featuring James, Donny & Stevie (Audio)

Erykah Badu knows how to reach the people. As a singer, Badu has struck the hearts of many in three decades, with lyrics and sounds that touch the mind, heart, and soul of listeners. As a mixmaster, under the alter-ego DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, Erykah does the same. Giving... Read more

July 26, 2015 Mixes

If Drake Is Responding To Meek Mill, It’s In This Charged Up Song (Audio)

In a week that has been anything but conventional, Drake has remained un-phased. The multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning MC/singer was accused of using writers by onetime friend/collaborator Meek Mill in a late-night social media barrage on July 21. In the days that followed, Funkmaster Flex released a "10 Bandz" reference track... Read more

July 26, 2015 Audio

What’s All the Fuss About With Jay Electronica? This Mix Says It All (Audio)

Over the years, Jay Electonica has become one of Hip-Hop's most enigmatic figures. With no albums and a paucity of unofficial mixtapes in his catalog, the elusive MC still manages to captivate fans, and figures like Diddy and Jay Z, with each mysterious release. And, the promise of his LP... Read more

July 25, 2015 Mixes

Will Smith & Jay Z To Produce Mini-Series On Life & Murder Of Emmett Till

Today (July 25) is the birthday of Emmett Till. He would have been 74 years old. The Chicago, Illinois native was murdered on August 28, 1955 while visiting family in Money, Mississippi. Then just 14 years old, Emmett—who was Black—spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant. In the hours that followed, Till... Read more

July 25, 2015 News, TV

Sean Price Confirms Upcoming Album Entirely Produced By M.O.P.’s Lil Fame (Audio)

Brownsville, Brooklyn is a legendary Hip-Hop locale. The same streets that raised Mike Tyson have afforded Rap music some of its most rugged sounds, courtesy of M.O.P., Heltah Skeltah, and Smoothe Da Hustler, among others. In the mid-1990s, both Mash Out and Heltah were working with fellow Brooklynites Da Beatminerz,... Read more

July 25, 2015 News

Kool Keith Made One Of His Most Focused Works Alongside L’Orange. Listen In (Album Stream)

Kool Keith's discography is staggering. From his origins with The Ultramagnetic MC's to a vast solo career, to side projects like Cenubites, Analog Brothers, and Dr. Octagon, the Bronx, New Yorker stays incredibly busy. With so much material, it can be hard to know where to look first—especially for longtime... Read more

July 25, 2015 Audio

Quentin Miller Breaks Silence, Refuting Drake Ghostwriter Allegations

Quentin Miller has transcended from an aspiring Atlanta, Georgia MC to quite arguably, Hip-Hop's most talked about new artist in just days. Following a Meek Mill diatribe on social media, Drake had been accused of employing ghostwriters. Notably, Meek called out his associate of several years, apparently alleging that recent... Read more

July 25, 2015 News

Marvel’s Mash-Up’s Continue, Care Of Nas, 50 Cent, The Roots & Pete Rock

Earlier this month, Marvel released a number of mash-up's between their flagship comic book characters, and classic Hip-Hop albums. From Eric B. & Rakim to Wu-Tang Clan, Marvel wove in Spiderman, X-Men, and Squadron Supreme into iconic artwork. Ten days later, Marvel Comic Group's Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso released four more.... Read more

July 24, 2015 News

N.O.R.E. Is Back In His Musical Time Machine (Audio)

In one fell swoop, N.O.R.E. weaves all of his styles into one song. "How Ever" backs down any tough-talking challengers, with sheer confidence, street savvy, and O.G. wisdom. But the MC known as Noreaga manages to incorporate his love of old-fashioned cassette-style Hip-Hop in this "ButchRock Blend." Like some of... Read more

July 24, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers & Termanology Freestyle Over Classic Black Moon Heat (Audio)

In the latest of Chris Rivers' recent Friday deliveries, he and Termanology spit over Black Moon's 1993 cut "How Many MCs?" Produced by DJ Evil Dee & Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz, the track is emblematic of the dungeony Hip-Hop that was emanating from Brownsville, Brooklyn at the time. More... Read more

July 24, 2015 Audio

Need Some Unreleased Madvillain in Your Life? Two Tracks Surface (Audio)

Madvillain, the duo comprised of Madlib and MF DOOM, released their 2004 collaborative project Madvillainy and instantly became cult heroes in the Hip-Hop underground. Since that Stones Throw project, and much to the chagrin of fans, there have not been many updates to their catalog. Today, however, brings something to... Read more

July 24, 2015 Audio