News Archives

The World Is Yours: New Data Shows Hip-Hop is the Most Listened-To Genre Worldwide.

As part of its "Insights" section, one of the world's most popular music-streaming services has released a staggering amount of data which seems to prove that Hip-Hop is the world's most listened-to genre. To reach that conclusion, the company's number-crunchers examined 20 billion of what it calls "listener/track" relationships in... Read more

July 14, 2015 News

Da Brat Funkdafies Radio… As Cohost Of Nationally Syndicated Radio Show

Platinum MC Da Brat is the latest Hip-Hop personality to head to radio. The longtime So So Def Records star is slated to join the Rickey Smiley Show. The veteran rapper will take "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" star Claudia Jordan's spot at the Atlanta, Georgia WHTA broadcast studios. The Rickey... Read more

July 14, 2015 News

Golden Rules Might Have The Midas Touch To Break Through (Audio)

Paul White and Eric Biddines are ones to watch and ones to listen to. Fresh off of a Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) collaboration, the Lex Records artists together known as Golden Rules have another one. "Down South Boogie" is a Funk-fused creation that clearly pulls from Andre 3000 in... Read more

July 14, 2015 Audio

Information Released In Hussein Fatal’s Death. Girlfriend Charged With DUI.

Outlawz member Hussein Fatal (a/k/a Bruce Edward Washington, Jr.) was confirmed dead this weekend. At the time of the late July 11 report, little information was available surrounding the automobile-related fatality of the 38 year-old Montclair, New Jersey veteran MC. Additional information has been made public. According to a report... Read more

July 14, 2015 News

¡Mayday! Are Fueling The Fire On Their Future/Vintage Album (Audio)

¡Mayday! are gearing up to release their fourth album on Strange Music, Future/Vintage, due out on August 21, 2015. Today (July 14), they released the first piece of audio from the upcoming album, a song called "Fuel To The Fire." The song showcases the great chemistry Bernz and Wrekonize have... Read more

July 14, 2015 Audio

G-Eazy Shows He’s a Triple Threat with the Release of 3 New Tracks (Audio)

26-year-old Oakland native G-Eazy is steadily winning over Heads with his extemporaneous wit in freestyles, his rapid-fire barbs on the A$AP Ferg & Danny Seth-assisted "Lotta That," and his collaborations with unexpected but perfectly tailored artists. With the release of These Things Happen in June of 2014, the MC and... Read more

July 14, 2015 Audio

Ohmega Watts Spins The Supremes, Chubb Rock & Lots Of Rare Disco-House Groove (Mix)

Ohmega Watts has been making noise in Hip-Hop for more than a decade. Part of the Lightheaded Crew, the Portland, Oregon-by way of-Brooklyn, New York MC/producer/DJ has worked with Lifesavas, Braille, Mars Ill, and other veterans of the independent scene. AFH has posted his Rap abilities, nearly five years ago.... Read more

July 14, 2015 Mixes

A 15-Year-Old Hip-Hop Artist Is Using His Talents to Save the Planet at the U.N. & On Stage (Video)

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is breathing new life into what it means to be a "conscious" MC. The Boulder, Colorado native speaks three languages (English; Spanish; & Nahuatl, an indigenous Aztec language) and at only 15 years of age, he has already spoken at the United Nations conference on the topic of... Read more

July 14, 2015 Video

Read Eminem’s Heartfelt Letter & Illustration Sent To Tupac’s Mother

In 1997, Tupac Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur established the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, a performing-arts based community program in Stone Mountain, Georgia that focuses on bringing children opportunities to explore dance, drama, creative writing, and more. As part of the organization's role in preserving Tupac's legacy, the... Read more

July 13, 2015 Fresh

25 Years Ago Today, 2 Live Crew Made History, Bringing Out The Parental Advisory Sticker

On July 13, 1990, the first album to be adorned with a parental advisory sticker hit the shelves, ushering in a new era in the recording industry and re-igniting a heated discussion about censorship, freedom of speech, and morality. Banned in the U.S.A. was 2 Live Crew's fourth album, and... Read more

July 13, 2015 Food for Thought

Common Performs 4 Of His Essential Hits At The 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

This Saturday (July 11), Common headlined the 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Taking the stage following sets by Mobb Deep, Freeway, Large Professor, Skyzoo, Charles Hamilton, Lion Babe, Consequence, John Robinson and others, Common, a live band, and DJ Dummy brought the show to a crescendo. The Chicago, Illinois Grammy and... Read more

July 13, 2015 Video

KRS-One, Tragedy Khadafi & A.G. Call Politicians Modern Day Gangsters (Audio)

Since his days of running with the Juice Crew, Tragedy Khadafi has been the Intelligent Hoodlum. "Modern Day Gangsta," from Trag's upcoming summer album, is a clear extension of those days. The song unites the onetime Marley Marl protege with KRS-One and A.G. Each MC provides a rugged verbal essay... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

Joell Ortiz Takes Us to Church on Latest Track with !llmind (Audio)

Brooklyn MC Joell Ortiz has released "Hallelujah," an !llmind-produced banger and single from their forthcoming collaborative album, Human. All set for a July 17 release (this Friday), the album will be followed by a tour kicking off on June 22. In a premiere on Hot New Hip Hop, the track... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

PRhyme & Logic Pull On The Gloves and Enter The Ring In Beast Mode (Audio)

PRhyme (Royce da 5'9" and DJ Premier) and Logic are coming off a big 2014 with the release of two of, arguably, the best albums of the year. Logic's Under Pressure, and PRhyme's self-titled debut were featured together on AFH's 14 Best Albums of 2014, and now the artists are... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

k-os Crucifies An Ella Fitzgerald Sample In His Return Single (Audio)

More than two years removed from BLack On BLonde, k-os has returned for more. The Toronto, Ontario mainstay has built a career on waxing ill poetic on beats based upon samples by SoHo, interpolations of Greg Kihn Band, and now—Ella Fitzgerald vocals. "Crucify" builds upon the Jazz songstress' "It's De-Lovely"... Read more

July 13, 2015 Audio

Chuck D Says That In Hip-Hop, The Third Verse Is “Becoming Useless.” Do You Agree?

Approaching Public Enemy's 13th studio Man Plans, GOD Laughs (slated for July release), Chuck D is in the midst of a press campaign. An affiliate of Chuck D's Rapstation Network, Tim Einenkel, recently interviewed the Long Island, New York legend for his The Library podcast. In one excerpt, the booming... Read more

July 13, 2015 Fresh

Rest in Peace to Sugar Hill Records Executive & Band Member Joseph Robinson, Jr.

One of Sugar Hill Records' executives and member of the iconic Sugar Hill Gang has passed away. Joseph Robinson, Jr. lost his battle with an undisclosed form of cancer over the weekend. He passed away at his Tenafly, New Jersey home at the age of 53. Son of Sugar Hill... Read more

July 13, 2015 News

50 Cent Files For Bankruptcy

In May, Forbes reported that 50 Cent was worth an estimated $155 million dollars. Now, just two months later, 50 Cent has filed for bankruptcy. The Wall Street Journal reports that the founder of G-Unit Records/Clothing, SMS Audio, and a partner in Vitamin Water has filed for bankruptcy today (July... Read more

July 13, 2015 News

Superman & Batman…It’s Complicated. Here’s an Extended Look at Dawn of Justice (Video)

In mid-April, Heads got an early glimpse of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice care of a 136-second trailer. However, that's about all that was available. Details were slim, using the age-old whisper campaign (and a big budget preview) to drive the discussion. The film starring Daredevil's Ben Affleck as Bruce... Read more

July 13, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Rest In Peace To Longtime Tupac Affiliate & Outlawz Member Hussein Fatal

Veteran Montclair, New Jersey MC Hussein Fatal (born Bruce Washington) has died. A founding member of Tha Outlawz, Fatal was reportedly killed in a recent automobile accident. Details surrounding the fatal crash are still pending. Tha Outlawz' official social media accounts have confirmed the tragic news, also addressing Fatal's surviving... Read more

July 11, 2015 News

Action Bronson’s Fed Up With Ghostface Comparisons. Did He Throw Poisonous Darts? (Video)

Since Action Bronson's 2011 breakthrough, many fans, critics, and lovers of music have pointed out similarities to his imagery, vocal tone, and lyrical style to that of Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah. Even in that same year, both New York City MCs collaborated, on the Legendary Weapons compilation, an official Wu... Read more

July 11, 2015 Fresh

Relive The First Time Main Source, Nas, Akinyele & Fatal Performed Live At The BBQ (Video)

Is there a Hip-Hop album cut more definitive than Main Source's "Live At The BBQ"? The 1991 Breaking Atoms track would be an introduction to not only Nas, not only Akinyele, but also MC-turned-producer Joe Fatal. Large Professor's bars were especially lethal on a song that has become an important... Read more

July 11, 2015 Throwback

Eminem & Kendrick Lamar Are Confirmed Artists For ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Soundtrack

Since March, a lot of speculation has surrounded the likelihood of a soundtrack for the Straight Outta Compton N.W.A. biopic. With just a month until the Universal film, produced by Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E's widow (Tomica Woods-Wright), it appears that a soundtrack is indeed coming. In March, Dre... Read more

July 11, 2015 Fresh

Watch Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway & More At The 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video Stream)

Today (July 11), the 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is ongoing. The 11th annual festival in Dumbo, Brooklyn features headliners including Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway, Skyzoo, Charles Hamilton, John Robinson & PVD, Stro, Lion Babe, Consequence, and more. The event is hosted by Uncle Ralph McDaniels and Torae, with DJ sets... Read more

July 11, 2015 Video

Big Pun’s Widow & Chris Rivers Offer Up The Real & Uncut Story of Life With Pun (Audio)

Fifteen years removed from Big Pun's death, there has been a lot of attention paid to one of Hip-Hop's greatest lyricists. The Bronx, New Yorker Terror Squad founder born Chris Rios has been survived by his wife, Liza Rios, and three children. The youngest, Christopher Rios (same name as his... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

Ever See This 1999 Cypher With 50 Cent, Consequence, Punchline & N.O.R.E.? (Video)

Here's a look back at a behind the scenes, true Hip-Hop moment between N.O.R.E., Consequence, Punchline and 50 Cent. The four MCs were gathered in 1999 and launched into an impromptu cypher over a Trackmasters instrumental. This was notably before 50 Cent's 2000 shooting and showcases his delivery without the... Read more

July 11, 2015 Throwback

Dave East & Nas Aren’t Just Running Together, They Overlap In Narratives… (Audio)

Dave East is one of the newer artists to join Nas' Mass Appeal Records family. The Spanish Harlem, New York MC may have serious buzz right now, but that clearly is not the only reason he's running with Nasir Jones. The "NY State Of Mind Freestyle (East Mix)" takes Dave's... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

Jill Scott Gets Closure…and It Does NOT Come With Breakfast (Audio)

Who keeps it realer than Jill Scott? Jilly from Philly releases her latest single from her upcoming Woman album, which hits stores on July 24, and it's another raw and authentic take on relationships. After swearing she won't fall for an ex's tricks again on first single, "Fool's Gold," Jill... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

This Extended Season 6 Trailer Is a Must Watch For Walking Dead Fans (Video)

Comic-Con 2015 is in full swing in San Diego and with it comes a host of epic announcements and trailers. Today brought an extended look at the next season of America's most watched TV series. Since its October 2010 debut, AMC's The Walking Dead has steadily grown into the most... Read more

July 10, 2015 TV

David Banner & Big K.R.I.T.’s Single Has Explosive Contents (Lyric Video)

Last month saw the release of the latest All-Mississippi moment courtesy of David Banner and Big K.R.I.T. "My Uzi" is the presumed first look at D.B.'s The God Box, and an essay on self-preservation with jacketed ammunition in the form of penetrating lyrics. Still a car-jam in its presentation, this... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

Rakim, De La Soul, Cam’ron & Curren$y Among 2015 A3C Headliners

Beginning October 7 through October 11, 2015's A3C Festival in Atlanta, Georgia received some key developments this week. Within the five-day 11th annual festival, a number of highly-respected Hip-Hop artists are confirmed to perform. Some early-announced headliners include two Long Island, New York iconic outfits, Rakim and De La Soul.... Read more

July 10, 2015 Fresh

Drake Has a Message for His Enemies: He Has Energy And He Doesn’t Stand Alone (Video)

Drake takes a look at pop culture and turns it on its head in the instantly rewind-worthy new video for "Energy." The visual, for the song which is directed straight at Drake enemies, re-creates several recognizable moments from TV shows, films and real-life. Drake channels Oprah, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus,... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

GZA Explores the Depths of the Universe on Experimental New Track (Audio)

As of late, Converse has been exploring music in exciting ways, orchestrating events and producing projects featuring the likes of Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Big K.R.I.T., Joey Badass, and other young artists. Part of their foray into music is a series of extended plays, which they've dubbed the Cons... Read more

July 10, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers Drops a Freestyle Over Classic Bone Thugs & Do or Die. TGIF. (Audio)

Another Friday, another release from Chris Rivers. The MC formerly known as Baby Pun continues his weekly lyrical assaults, unloading aggressive, rapid-fire, and complex verses over an impressive array of production styles. This week it's the Midwest's turn, with Rivers first re-invigorating the classic sounds of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "1st of... Read more

July 10, 2015 Audio

Sheek Louch Wants To Celebrate Your Hood In His Next Video (World Premiere)

Last week, Sheek Louch released his first single from Silverback Gorilla 2 (September 18). Through Tommy Boy Entertainment, the track which features Billy Danze (M.O.P.), Trae Tha Truth (ABN), and Joell Ortiz (Slaughterhouse), is titled "Hood Ni**a," and celebrates the real concrete that each MC comes from, in an anthem for everyone... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

N.O.R.E. & A$AP Ferg Make Menacing Hip-Hop Together, That Still Feels Great (Audio)

In some ways, A$AP Ferg is to the 2010s, an extension of N.O.R.E. Both New York MCs are aggressive in the booth, while big on charisma in and out of the studio. Although each act may sometimes make rowdy tracks, aimed at the Trap sound or the dance-floor, both have... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio

Warren G & Nate Dogg Found Fame Reworking ’80s Grooves. So Why Not An Encore? (Audio)

In 1994, Warren G & Nate Dogg brought the other gifted components of 213 to the forefront with "Regulate." On Warren's Def Jam Records debut, and Death Row Records' Above The Rim soundtrack (Nate's label), the song reverberated in some stylish G-Funk storytelling. With its pounding bassline, weed-scented coolness, and smooth Rap-meets-R&B... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

Yelawolf, Kxng Crooked, Royce Da 5’9″ & Rittz Host a Lyrical Clinic. MCs Take Note…(Audio)

Rittz is a confident MC--so much so that he invited three of Hip-Hop's fiercest spitters to join him on his remix. The result? Six minutes of nothing but rapid-fire BARS. Yelawolf, Royce Da 5'9" and Kxng Crooked (pka Crooked I) join the remix to Rittz's "LAF," and it plays like... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio

Check Out This 1995 Future Flavas Set From Pete Rock & Marley Marl (Audio)

In the '90s, Hot 97 in New York City was home to the Future Flavas radio show, a Hip-Hop devoted program that was steered by KRS-One who then bequeathed the disc-jockey throne to Pete Rock and Marley Marl in January of '95.The two had previously worked the 1s & 2s... Read more

July 9, 2015 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Says He Knew He Arrived When He Recorded With Snoop (Video)

For fans who have listened to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album more than once since its release, the album has the rare quality of revealing new elements with each touch of the "play" button. Like a fine meal, the complexities of the LP's offerings take time to be... Read more

July 9, 2015 Video

Hip-Hop’s Global Influence is Being Documented for an Online Museum (Video)

Hip-Hop's far-reaching influence on the worlds of art, dance, fashion, language, and of course music has long since been considered worthy of documentation. With talks of opening the Universal Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx and the handful of nationwide efforts to digitally archive Hip-Hop's past (including the Hiphop Archive &... Read more

July 9, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Diamond D Has More in Common With Wu-Tang Clan Than Hot Tracks (Video)

Diamond D's album The Diam Piece was one of 2014's unsung gems. In many ways, the LP was a return to form for Diamond, both in terms of sharp lyrics and pristine beats. Nine months later, it's the gift that keeps on giving, as Diamond releases his latest video. "I... Read more

July 9, 2015 Video

Method Man Reports on Life in the Hood on New Track. The Struggle Continues…(Audio)

With The Meth Lab slated for an August 21 release, excitement for Method Man's return will be boiling all summer, thanks in part to three songs he's already released; the title track, "88 Coupes," and "Serious" are all heaters indicative of Meth's consistent level of skill, both lyrically and when... Read more

July 9, 2015 Audio

MC Lyte’s Paper Thin Is A Thick Part Of Brooklyn Hip-Hop History (Video)

MC Lyte's 1988 debut, Lyte As A Rock is a keystone in what made the year so important. Lana Michele Moorer hit the scene like she belonged with her First Priority/Atlantic Records breakthrough, and she did. L.A.A.R. took the Audio Two production style, and built upon it with one of Rap's... Read more

July 9, 2015 Throwback

Murs Gets Real About the Consequences of Infidelity, While Keeping It Light (Video)

Murs has made a career of making songs that are deeply insightful, yet supremely entertaining. Whether debating the merits of organized religion on songs like "Gods Gone Crazy," or tackling same sex love on tracks like "Animal Style," he's able to deftly convey life lessons, without sounding preachy. On "The... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

Warren G Is Releasing a Sequel to His Regulate Album and It Will Feature Unreleased Nate Dogg Vocals.

Dr. Dre gets ample props for The Chronic and 2001 as G-Funk masterpieces, as does DJ Quik for his many contributions to the genre. Aside from Warren G's titular song with Nate Dogg, however, his accompanying album often goes relatively unsung as a staple in the G-Funk catalog. With songs... Read more

July 8, 2015 News

From 1988-1993, Skits Revolutionized Hip-Hop Albums. Here’s A Look At Some Of The Best (Audio)

Aye...did what's his name done get at you yesterday? That question, asked in a comedic interlude on Dr. Dre's seminal 1992 album The Chronic, will live in eternal infamy alongside the classic lyrics in between which it's sandwiched. That marriage, of Hip-Hop and comedy, was around before that and while... Read more

July 8, 2015 Throwback

Masta Ace & Blu Sound Great Together During This Long Hot Summer (Audio)

Western Pennsylvania native Maticulous brings Masta Ace and Blu together on "Bet Your Life." From Brownsville, Brooklyn to the City Of Angels, Ace and Johnson Barnes have a lot in common. Both of these MCs are more than gifted at looking within (often in self-deprecating lights), while still being elite... Read more

July 8, 2015 Audio

Lupe Fiasco & Consequence Show Us How to Make Every Word Count (Video)

It's hard to believe that Queens MC Consequence has only released one solo album (2007's Don't Quit Your Day Job). Heads may remember him from as far back as '96, when he appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's Beats, Rhymes, Life. Nearly 20 years later, he remains respected, both lyrically... Read more

July 8, 2015 Video

RZA Is Releasing His Collaborative Album With A Rock Legend, And It Costs $120

Remember Achozen? Back in 2006, the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA and System of a Down's Shavo Odadjian announced that they were forming a group together, and that they were working on an album under that name. In 2008, they released the single "Deuces" (featured below) which could be heard during the... Read more

July 8, 2015 News