News Archives

MC Eiht, Blu & Kam Come Together To Throw A Lyrical ‘W’ (Audio)

Growing up in the same backdrop of Los Angeles, California, MC Eiht, Kam, and Blu all illustrated the dichotomy of being a wordsmith and a gangsta rapper at the same time. For Eiht, those examples stem back to the mid-1980s in the rise of Comptons Most Wanted, reporting live about... Read more

March 20, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 20, 2015 Fresh

Action Bronson Really Is Mr. Wonderful To Plenty. What Can He Do For You? (Video)

More often, people are talking about "life coaches." Motivating, encouraging, at times, assertive, these people help their fellow human navigate the tricky waters of life, and come out happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. In this parody promo for Mr. Wonderful (March 23), one such life coach is none other than... Read more

March 19, 2015 Video

With Millions Stuck On Her Words, Rapsody Commands The Moment (Video)

Rapsody fans know how important this week truly is. Appearing on Kendrick Lamar's record-breaking To Pimp A Butterfly as of its Monday sneak attack release, it is presumed that the Kooley High alum and Jamla Records artist is meeting many ears for the first time. However, for those who have... Read more

March 19, 2015 Video

Do Remember: Black Eyed Peas Joints & Jam (Video)

Few groups in Hip-Hop can reinvent themselves, twice. The Black Eyed Peas accomplished this, and on a major stage to boot. 1998 would prove to be a pivotal year for will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo. Six years after Will 1X and apl had signed with Eazy-E and Ruthless Records, the Atban... Read more

March 19, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Jay-Z vs. MF DOOM…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 19, 2015 Fresh

Brownsville Ka Gives Hope a Spin In The Face Of Ill Street Blues (Video)

When its made well, music can be escape. However, nobody said that escape guarantees relief. Ka (a/k/a Brownsville Ka) has built a revived solo career (post-Natural Elements) in making sparse, insightful music that shows a New York City underbelly, far removed from the doormen, yellow cabs, and posh bakeries. In... Read more

March 19, 2015 Video

Freddie Gibbs & Chill Moody Join Mr. Green’s Live From The Streets (Video)

Mr. Green has travelled the world on his "Live From The Streets" video series, recording and interviewing street artists from various cities and sampling their sounds to create original Rap beats. Throughout the series he's gotten MCs including KRS-One and Vinnie Paz to rap over his beats, and this time... Read more

March 19, 2015 Video

Skillz’ Storytelling Is Vivid On This Bigger Than Life Track By BINK! (Audio)

A master of freestyles and concept tracks, sometimes it can be easy to overlook Skillz (f/k/a Mad Skillz) straightforward songs. However, one fast revisit of From Where??? and it's apparent that the Richmond, Virginia MC has many clubs in his bag of tricks. Currently doing a European arena run (as... Read more

March 19, 2015 Audio

Bounce To This Comprehensive Cash Money Records Mix, Featuring Lots Of Early Mannie Fresh Tracks (Mix)

Cash Money Records goes back a lot farther than even well-versed Hip-Hop Heads may realize. Names like Kilo G, U.N.L.V., (the late) Magnolia Shorty, and Ms. Tee span back to the early 1990s on the label started by Bryan "Birdman" Williams, and brother Ronald "Slim." Prior to the storied Universal... Read more

March 19, 2015 Throwback

Prince Paul On Which Grammy Album He Got No Credit For, Magic Of Gravediggaz (Audio)

In Hip-Hop production, Prince Paul may be one of the quiet giants. Much like some of the music he's provided for himself and others, Paul Huston is whimsical, at times silly, and yet incredibly soulful. In a sentence filled with laughter and maybe some jokes of his own, the Long... Read more

March 19, 2015 Throwback

Snoop Dogg & Uncle Charlie Wilson Revive The Funk With Retro Pharrell (Video)

Snoop Dogg & Pharrell have BUSH planned for May 12. First single "Peaches N Cream" shows that this is a major progression from Tha Doggfathers 2000s-era comeback with Skateboard P. However, Snoop uses a driving bassline and a song rooted in raw attraction to take dead aim on the dance-floor.... Read more

March 18, 2015 Video

Kevin Hart Responds to Mike Epps with Raw Honesty and Defiance (Video)

Shade 45's Sway in the Morning show has become the home of some of the realest interviews in media. Many of the most poignant moments in an otherwise slew of mundane conversations, have come in the midst of discussions with the iconic Sway. His 2013 exchange with Kanye West sent... Read more

March 18, 2015 Lifestyle

The Game Reveals Details About The Documentary 2 Including Its Release Date (Video)

Last Summer, Game heated things up when he put some hard and fast details to his plans to make a sequel to his breakthrough major label debut, 2005's The Documentary. The Compton, California MC confirmed that Dr. Dre (whose relationship with Game since has been speckled in hiatuses and reunions),... Read more

March 18, 2015 Video

From DJ Quik’s Late Protege Mausberg To Sufjan Stevens, Kendrick Lamar’s Butterfly Samples Plenty (Mix)

Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly continues resonating with Heads, many of whom are still giving the just-released album a first listen. Overall, the reaction appears extremely favorable to the body of work from the Compton, California MC who in 24 hours, broke Spotify's all-time per diem stream record. With... Read more

March 18, 2015 Audio

Black Milk’s Sound Can Never Sit Still For Long. Check His Latest (Audio)

Black Milk slammed 2014 with not one, but two acclaimed albums. If There's A Hell Below is still very much a new release in heavy rotation. However, the Detroit, Michigan multi-threat cannot not make music. "I Guess" is some hear-and-now raps that reflect on Black's accomplishments, his attitudes about performing,... Read more

March 18, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Dr. Dre vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 18, 2015 Throwback

J. Cole Reflects On His Art & Career With Tavis Smiley (Video)

In support of his album 2014 Forest Hills Drive and its corresponding 64-city world tour, J. Cole recently gave an interview on the Tavis Smiley show. The interview touches on a few things Cole has spoken about before, but also gives fans a more introspective look at Cole's past and... Read more

March 18, 2015 Video

The Rich History of Latino Contributions to Hip-Hop Are Detailed in a New Audio Documentary (Video)

For some, the knowledge of Latinos' impact on Hip-Hop does not go much deeper than the catalogs of Fat Joe and Big Pun. However, the contribution made by Latinos to the culture is extensive and embedded in the foundation of Hip-Hop. NPR's Latino USA has put together a two-part audio... Read more

March 18, 2015 Throwback

Method Man, Snoop Dogg & Talib Kweli Signal More Game Of Thrones (Mixtape)

For the second consecutive year, HBO's "Game Of Thrones" is promoted via mixtape. Catch The Throne, Vol. 2 is a multi-genre set-up for Season 6, which hits the premium channel on April 12, 2015. All of the songs tie into themes regarding the blockbuster series, indicative of their titles. From... Read more

March 17, 2015 Mixes

Kendrick Lamar’s Butterfly Soars, Breaking Spotify’s Record

The same day that The Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill is announced as a diamond certification, selling 10 million confirmed copies, Kendrick Lamar reaches a numerically similar benchmark. The Compton, California native's sophomore major label LP, To Pimp A Butterfly has been confirmed to have streamed 9.6 million times in... Read more

March 17, 2015 News

Pusha T Joins Raz Simone & Leezy Soprano For A Cold-Hearted Power Play (Audio)

Although he's a thoughtful songwriter, Raz Simone has some big chips on his shoulder. The Seattle, Washington MC is coming out swinging, apparently on his April 7 EP/mixtape, Baby Jesus. For "That Ain't Love," Raz calls upon one of the archetypes of cold rap, Pusha T. The Clipse MC joins... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Speaks On The Spiritual Mindstate Behind To Pimp A Butterfly

With the surprise release of To Pimp A Butterfly earlier this week, Kendrick Lamar sat down with The New York Times to give some insight on the album. Rather than presenting the interview in a Q & A format, The New York Times article tells the story of the man... Read more

March 17, 2015 News

Yelawolf Gets The Led Out As He Uncoils A Dazed & Confused Freestyle (Audio)

In 2014, Yelawolf revived his tradition of busting raps over Classic Rock tracks. Pink Floyd, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and a more contemporary backdrop in Primus were some of the textures the Alabama MC/singer sourced. In 2015, he's back at it yet again. Led Zeppelin's "Dazed & Confused" was one... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Bun B vs. Scarface…Who You Got

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 17, 2015 Fresh

Jill Scott Brings Down The House & The Tears In Her Grand Return (Video)

Jill Scott is something special. While the signs of Spring typically conjure up songs about new love, lust, or at least the pursuit—"Jilly from Philly" knows that not all are so lucky. Presumably marching towards her first album since 2011's The Light Of The Sun, the Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records star... Read more

March 17, 2015 Video

Big Shug & DJ Premier Wave The Gang Starr Flag In This Dedication To The Craft (Video)

Big Shug is more than 20 years strong in hittin' Heads off with straightforward, working man verses. The Boston, Massachusetts MC who was a member of Gang Starr prior to No More Mr. Nice Guy clearly put in his work. "I Bleed For This" focuses on that. With a slow and... Read more

March 17, 2015 Video

Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T. & Mike WiLL Make Another One For The Trunk (Audio)

While Ludacris put his first car and oft-daily driver 1993 Acura Legend on the cover of Ludaversal (which has since been altered for some reason), don't get it confused. The Disturbing Tha Peace founder, and longtime Def Jam Records superstar has a garage that looks like a baseball roster. In... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Beastie Boys’ Licensed To Ill Album Certified Diamond By The RIAA, A 1980s Rap First!

Nearly 30 years old, the Beastie Boys' 1986 debut album, Licensed To Ill has sold 10 million copies. Officially certified diamond status, the Def Jam Records release (the only the Beasties recorded for Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin's then-label)—this is the first for the 30-plus year-old label. Jay Z, DMX,... Read more

March 16, 2015 News, Throwback

DJ Quik Talks Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, Eazy-E and More (Video)

DJ Quik is one of the best interviewees out right now. The same day Kendrick Lamar's early-bird release of To Pimp A Butterfly is drawing some Quik comparisons, Montreality released the interview with the Compton, California musical O.G. In this interview, Quik speaks on some highly topical issues, including T.P.A.B.,... Read more

March 16, 2015 Video

Want To Understand Lil Wayne’s $51 Million Lawsuit? Lawyer Combat Jack Breaks It Down… (Video)

Lawsuits in the entertainment media can be pretty damn confusing sometimes. Fresh off of the multi-million dollar "Blurred Lines" ruling in favor of Marvin Gaye's family/estate against Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I., another high profile music case remains open. Currently, Lil Wayne is seeking $51 million from Cash Money... Read more

March 16, 2015 Video

Ameriie Returns With An Electrified Jam That Challenges Wallflowers (Audio)

Amerie or Ameriie—however you want to spell it in 2015, the veteran songstress still has plenty of vocal chops. Thirteen years after "Why Don't We Fall In Love," the crooner reunites with her hit-making partner Rich Harrison. "Out Loud" pulls from the Pop pocket, with a lot of energy. Ameriie... Read more

March 16, 2015 Audio

Does Raekwon’s F.I.L.A. Have New Direction? The Tracklist & Personnel Say A Lot

Since 2009's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II, Raekwon the Chef has found a revival in acclaim, chart position, and in feature work. The Staten Island, New York MC veteran went backwards to go forwards, transitioning poor marks in sales and reviews in 2003's The Lex Diamond Story into giving... Read more

March 16, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Kanye West vs. Mos Def…Who You Got

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 16, 2015 Fresh

Ultramagnetic MC’s Make A Colorful Vid To Ego Trippin’ Almost 30 Years Later (Video)

The Ultramagnetic MC's debut album, 1988's Critical Beatdown may be the Bronx, New York group's most celebrated work. However, the Next Plateau Records release lacked the emerging video medium enjoyed by many other top Hip-Hop acts of the time. MC Ultra would eventually travel through several other labels in their... Read more

March 16, 2015 Throwback, Video

Did Planet Asia & Durag Dynasty Earn Just Blaze’s Liberated Instrumental? (Audio)

Three weeks ago, Just Blaze shared an illusive instrumental track in "Miracle." Courted by everybody from Jay Z to Rick Ross to Chris Brown, the song (apparently even sold at one point), the track never was recorded—so the New Jersey DJ/producer shook things up and liberated it. Demanding only MCs... Read more

March 16, 2015 Audio

Lil Fame Talks Production Techniques, M.O.P. Beginnings and Biggie Smalls (Video Premiere)

Following last week's opening entry to the "Learn From The Legends" video series (Da Beatminerz), producer Rodney Hazard stays in Brooklyn, New York to talk to another 20-plus-year innovator in Lil Fame. These days, simply "Fame," the M.O.P. co-founding MC/producer has not only supplied some of his group's biggest hits,... Read more

March 16, 2015 Exclusive, Video

Surprise, Surprise. Kendrick Lamar’s New Album is Out Now! (News)

In yet another sign of the ever-changing record business in the digital age, Top Dawg Entertainment has delivered a very welcomed surprise to the Hip-Hop world. Kendrick Lamar's new album, To Pimp A Butterfly, which was originally slated for release on March 23, is now fully available for purchase. Nothing... Read more

March 16, 2015 News

Nate Dogg Left A Giant Vacancy In Music. J. Period’s Tribute Mix Says It All… (Audio)

Four years ago today (March 15, 2011), Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale died, tragically, after complications from a stroke. Since his earliest days, alongside Snoop Dogg and Warren G, Nate Dogg was an anomaly. A Long Beach, California native, Nate fused Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Soul seamlessly throughout a career that lasted... Read more

March 15, 2015 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly Tracklist Features Rapsody, Snoop Dogg & Bilal

Less than 10 days away from release, it appears that the tracklist to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly has been made public. iTunes posted the tracks to the March 23 sophomore major label album from the Compton, California star. While only five featured guests were included on 2012's good... Read more

March 15, 2015 News

Joey Bada$$ Waxes Philosophical About Perception vs. Reality (Audio)

"If we are what we eat, then we're already deceased..." Joey Bada$$ waxes philosophical on his latest release, "Perception vs. Reality." The song was produced by his Pro Era brother Kirk Knight and features a dark and menacing track that is a fitting accompaniment to Joey's meditative and probing rhymes.... Read more

March 15, 2015 Audio

Charles Hamilton Gets Deep About His Struggles With Mental Illness and Reviving His Career (Video)

Earlier this week, Sway in the Morning released a 6+ minute Charles Hamilton freestyle that stands among the best of the year, so far. Prior to destroying the 5 Fingers of Death MC challenge with stellar off the top verses, Hamilton spoke with Sway for forty minutes in an incredibly... Read more

March 14, 2015 Video

Styles P Freestyles Over a Classic Dr. Dre Beat and PUMP PUMPS (Audio)

Styles P has a battery in his back! Fresh off of "Bring That Beat Back" with his LOX family earlier in the week, Holiday Styles lights up with a "Still Bangin'" freestyle. Often agreeable and humble in the 2010s, this is a flashback to the Interscope Records days, shortly after... Read more

March 14, 2015 Audio

Ever See This Classic Redman & Keith Murray Freestyle From the Mid-90s? (Video)

Back in the mid-90s, few crews were more formidable than Def Squad. The collective featured the fierce MC skills of Erick Sermon, Redman and Keith Murray and Sermon's signature thumping beats. After releasing solo albums in Murray's The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World, Sermon's Double or Nothing and Red's... Read more

March 14, 2015 Throwback

2Pac’s Pivotal Classic Me Against The World Turns 20 Years Old (Food For Thought)

20 years ago today (March 14, 1995), Tupac Shakur's Me Against The World was released, and with it came the rapper's most introspective work of his career. Released during a time of exceptional turmoil for 2Pac, the album signaled a musical changing of the guards, post-Thug Life and pre-Death Row,... Read more

March 14, 2015 Food for Thought

Big K.R.I.T. Gets Autobiographical About His Struggle To Climb Mt. Olympus (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. is five years in on a journey to his own private "Mount Olympus." However, for the Merdian, Mississippi native, the journey goes back a long ways before 2010's Kritzwuzhere. On "K.R.I.T. 4eva (Chapter One)," the MC/producer channels the hunger—literally "a sandwich a day" as he recalls Greyhound bus... Read more

March 13, 2015 Audio

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is the New Ali vs. Frazier Inside and Out. Here’s Why.

Fast approaching, May 2 may be the biggest day in boxing history—at least for the last 40 years. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao's "Fight Of The Century" promises to live up to its name, nearly eight years in the making. The undefeated 38 year-old "Money Mayweather" will take on eight-division... Read more

March 13, 2015 Lifestyle

Happy Birthday Common. Celebrate with This Amazing Mixtape of Remixes (Audio)

Today (March 13), Common turns 43 years old. For nearly 25 of those years, the Chicago, Illinois MC, actor, and activist has kept Heads noddin'. 2015 appears to be the biggest professional calendar of Common's life, only in the first quarter. The onetime Relativity Records breakout, and former Source "Unsigned... Read more

March 13, 2015 Mixes

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): The Notorious B.I.G. vs. Big Pun…Who You Got

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 13, 2015 Throwback

Roc Marciano Tears Up A New Purist Beat (Audio)

London, UK-based producer The Purist is getting ready to release a new album, Pyrex Scholar, on March 17. He recently released the first song on the album, "Patina", which features Roc Marciano spitting dense rhymes over a mellow, soulful beat. The song has no hook, just straight rhyming with a... Read more

March 13, 2015 Audio