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Vince Staples Holds Open The Screen Door & Welcomes Us Into His World (Video)

Vince Staples made a big dent in 2014. His Def Jam Records debut, Hell Can Wait, was a critical and fan favorite of the year, as the Long Beach, California MC added to the emerging youthful narratives from his close associates Odd Future and Mac Miller. "Screen Door" was a... Read more

Problem Waves The Compton Flag Bigtime In 2015 (Audio)

Along with YG and Kendrick Lamar, Problem has been one of the 2010's laureates of the Compton class. With Hub City again living up to its reputation for the unpredictable, Problem makes "Compton." The record takes the eerie vocal from Eazy E's "Real Muthaphukkin' G'z," and flips it for 22... Read more

Slum Village Wax A Futuristic Sound For E(I)GO, Announce Next Album Guests (Audio)

Hitting the road as of this coming Dilla Weekend, Slum Village is feeling themselves. T3, Illa J, and Young RJ welcome Rosewood 2055 for "E(I)GO." The song all about swingin' some elbows at the haters is slowed down, keeping the brass involved, with that signature flow. Since 2005's self-titled LP,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Phife Dawg vs. Posdnuos…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Breakin’ is Back. Here Are Some of the Most Amazing Moves You’ll Ever See (Video)

Although Breakin' has always been a core element of Hip-Hop, its popularity was at its zenith in the mid-'80s. Movies like Beat Street and Breakin' took what had been a subculture to the mainstream and inspired legions of B-Boys and B-Girls around the world. Though the furor would subside from... Read more

Lord Finesse Went Up To Fat Beats In 1996 & Showed Why He’s One Of The Nicest (Video)

Nineteen years ago this month, Lord Finesse released his latest studio album. The Awakening, on the recently-relaunched Penalty Records, included scorching beats, almost all of which were created by the "funky technician" himself. However, the rhymes may have shined the hardest, with Finesse just in full Rap bravado mode, and... Read more

Spotlight: Dave East Shows Everything That He’s About On Around Here (Video)

Spanish Harlem, New York's Dave East is one of the artists who is making big noise in the last several months. His Black Rose mixtape is making its rounds, with involvement from Sean C & LV (The Hitmen), Smoke DZA, and Chinx Santana. "Around Here," which was released exclusively to... Read more

If You Heckle Ghostface Killah, You Will Be Sorry…(Video)

At 44 years old, Ghostface Killah is still no one to play with—on or off the mic. Although he may appear on VH1's "Couples Therapy," and be a fan of skydiving and hang-gliding, don't get it confused. One listen to 2014's 36 Seasons is a cold wake-up call that Tony... Read more

Do Remember: Cannibal Ox’s Painkillers (Video)

This month, after 14 years, a reunited Cannibal Ox announced a sophomore album, Blade Of The Ronin. The announcement after years of refuting the prospects of a follow-up to 2001's The Cold Vein debut. As time evolved, Vast Aire and Vordul Mega pursued solo careers, still making songs on each... Read more

One Producer Took AZ’s Whole A.W.O.L. Album & Gave It A Facelift (Album Stream)

Ten years ago, AZ Tha Visualiza left the major label system (after a decade in) and found an independent stride. After success under Kedar Massenburg's Motown Records with "Problems," The Firm lyricist was a blue-chip acquisition for eOne Entertainment. There, AZ made an album in A.W.O.L. seemingly apathetic towards radio support.... Read more

DJ Nu-Mark Makes His Worlds Combine In This Dope Pharcyde Vs. Jurassic 5 Mash-Up (Mixtape)

DJ Nu-Mark's career has been tied into Jurassic 5 and The Pharcyde. Quite obviously, the producer/DJ was a founding member of the Unity Committee (later J5), and in recent years, he's been releasing some strong product with SlimKid3 (Tre Hardson), a founding member of The Pharcyde. Thereby, if anybody has... Read more

A New Mix Comes To Light Of A Stellar Large Professor & MF Grimm Collabo (Audio)

Back in 2006, St. Louis, Missouri producer DJ Crucial released an album, Test Presses & Dub Plates that did not get the shine it deserved. The compilation-style album included strong guest-work from MF DOOM, MC Eiht, Slug, and others. One cut included was "United," from Large Professor and MF Grimm.... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Joe Budden vs. Jay Rock…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Did DJ Mustard Just Give Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney’s Single The Boost It Needed? (Audio)

Despite all of its star-power, "FourFiveSecond," Rihanna's single, featuring Kanye West and Paul McCartney hasn't really been the sort of impact Heads may be used to from a RiRi opening look. Especially given that Unapologetic was three years ago, this is big stuff. Moreover, the single pushes Rihanna's booming vocals,... Read more

Your Old Droog Comes Out Of The Woodwork With A Free 11-Track Project (Mixtape)

As he gears up to hit the road with PRhyme and Boldy James, Your Old Droogs hits Heads off with a whole new project. Kinison, seemingly an ode to the late comedian/actor heard on the intro (Sam Kinison), is 11 tracks of all new music. Marco Polo, El RTNC, and... Read more

KRS-One Followed Up “I Got Next” With This Domingo Track. Unheard, Until Now (Audio)

1998 was an interesting transition year for Hip-Hop legend, KRS-One. The Bronx MC/producer was one year removed from his highest-charting (#3), gold solo album, I Got Next. Still signed to the same Jive Records that he'd worked with for much of Boogie Down Productions' later work, Blastmasta had an A&R... Read more

Zion I Announce They Are Splitting, But Make Final Project Available (EP Stream)

Oakland, California duo Zion I has nearly 20 years in the books, dating back to 1998's "Inner Light." However, Zumbi (a/k/a MC Zion) and Amp Live have announced that they are officially, and amicably splitting. The news comes with the group living in different cities for several years now, and... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Cam’ron vs. Jadakiss…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Action Bronson & Alchemist Release a Certified BANGER with Big League Chew (Audio)

Action Bronson and Alchemist have a special chemistry together. It was on full display in the hot box with Cypress Hill's B-Real in a hilarious interview last month. More often, however, their magic comes in the form of bangin' tracks. Earlier today, Action Bronson released a new episode of his... Read more

Rapper Big Pooh Says the Shooting of Unarmed People of Color Must Stop (Audio)

More than two months ago, Ambrosia For Heads gathered some intel that Rapper Big Pooh might be crossing paths with Apollo Brown for a project called Words Paint Pictures. It's 2015, and not gloating or anything, but we were right. The artwork and March 24 EP release date were confirmed... Read more

Rick Rubin Reveals His Insider Stories Behind Songs He Produced

In recent years, RapGenius has been the go-to website to decipher your favorite Rap lyrics, but it often works best when the artists themselves log on to give their insight. Artists who have created verified accounts to do this include Nas, Kendrick Lamar, GZA, Common, Joey Bada$$, and many more,... Read more

DJ Premier Can Rock Without…Or WITH A Band. Catch ‘Em Rehearsing (Video)

If you're not in Japan this month, you might not be able to catch DJ Premier's new five-piece band in the flesh. Thanks to some cameras in the new studio though, you can. Premo is on the cuts with a brass, drums, and keys section. Some vocals from The Notorious... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of January 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The beginning of the year often brings a smorgasbord of new music, and this past January was no exception. Here's a playlist of some of the best tracks released, including music from Joey Bada$$, Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson, Big Daddy Kane, Grand Puba, The Diplomats, Scarface, Eightball & MJG, Master... Read more

Jimmy Fallon Is The Fresh Prince Of Late Night…Just Watch (Video)

Taping "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" in Los Angeles this week, what better for Jimmy to set the stage than pay homage to "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" opening? That's exactly what the late night host did, involving Alfonso Ribeiro ("Carlton Banks") and DJ Jazzy Jeff ("Jazz") from the hit,... Read more

Action Bronson Cooks Cauliflower In The Kitchen & Alchemist Joints In The Lab (Video)

The latest episode of Action Bronson's "F*ck, That's Delicious" seems to close out the debut season. For this one, Bam Bam and Big Body Bes enjoy the land of sunshine: Santa Monica, California and some Hollywood trimmings. Bronson gets into some adventures, stemming from perusing the beach, to making tracks... Read more

Madonna & Nas Unveil Their Collaboration About Coming Up In The Big Apple (Audio)

Throughout her career, Madonna has had a curious relationship with Hip-Hop. She included Big Daddy Kane in her sex coffee table book. Madonna was sampled by Jay Z and Ab-Soul in the last 15 years. Also, she recorded a yet-unreleased, but confirmed song with Tupac Shakur before his 1996 death.... Read more

Drake, Wiz Khalifa & Childish Gambino Can Make Fun Of Themselves, Or Read Along As You Make Fun Of Them (Video)

Many of today's elite Rap superstars may seem immune to the rough, rugged, and raw criticism they receive on social media. Short of Wale and Lupe Fiasco, not many of the chart-topping artists will entertain the trolls. As guests on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," the stars are asked to confront some... Read more

It Turns Out Missy Elliott is The Real Super Bowl Winner. Here’s Why.

During Katy Perry's Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, the Pop princess notably did not include Juicy J or Snoop Dogg (who was at the championship game) for her medley of hits. However, the EMI/Capitol Records multi-platinum mainstay did turn the microphone over to an unlikely guest from the Hip-Hop genre:... Read more

Kanye West, Paul McCartney & Rihanna Go The Old Fashioned Portrait Route (Video)

For their superstar-stacked collaboration, "FourFiveSeconds," Rihanna, Paul McCartney, and Kanye West aimed to support it with a straightforward visual. Shot in black & white by Inez & Vinoodh, the video shows the trio as themselves—not overly styled or choreographed. The song also is stripped from big production or Power Pop... Read more

The Jacka Murdered In Oakland, California

Pittsburg, California veteran MC The Jacka has been murdered in nearby Oakland, California last night (February 2). The 37 year-old Mob Figaz co-founder born Dominic Newton was fatally shot in East Oakland shortly after 8pm local time. According to a local CBS News report, suspects have not been identified. Jacka... Read more

Suge Knight Officially Charged with Murder. Could Face Life in Prison.

Less than one week since the January 29 hit-and-run incident, killing Terry Carter and injuring Cle “Bone” Sloan, Marion “Suge” Knight has been formally charged with one count of murder, and one count of attempted murder. ABC7.com reports the breaking news. Additionally, the Compton native was charged with two counts... Read more

Freeway & Sheek Louch Join Forces with Rap P on Another One (Audio)

Freeway and Sheek Louch form a State Property and D-Block union on Rap P's "Another One." The song, a Shroom production fueled by a 70's soul sample, is high energy and each MC matches the tempo with a spirited flow. Freezer and Sheek are no strangers to one another, having... Read more

Mr. Cheeks Sounds Great On A Statik Selektah-Produced Cut (Audio)

The last decade has been a quieter one for Mr. Cheeks. Since his days with The Lost Boyz, the Queens, New Yorker certainly scored solo success, making party music rooted in vibes. However, when the LBFam front man hits the mic, he's still got it in full—evident in his appearances... Read more

Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar May Be Working on Their First Record Together

From MC Eiht, to E-40, and of course his Aftermath Entertainment backer, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar has worked with his share of West Coast Hip-Hop O.G.'s. However, besides the 2012 BET Cypher (also including DJ Quik), Snoop Dogg and Kendrick have not had the studio collaboration. After all, in August... Read more

Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell & Jimmy Fallon Have A Post Super-Bowl Lip Sync Championship Battle (Video)

In the post-Super Bowl XLIX fanfare, Jimmy Fallon hosted a special Sunday edition of "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon." With the special captive audience, and some carryover from the big weekend, Jimmy reverted to one of his nighttime talk show's winningest formulas: show how well celebrities know the lyrics... Read more

KRS-One Says He Cannot Make Money In America, Discusses Hip-Hop’s Global Impact (Video)

KRS-One interviews are a bit scarce in 2015. The archetypal MC tours extensively, and gives limited audiences these days. However, the Boogie Down Productions co-founder recently opened up with VladTV on a number of current and historic issues, which are now unfolding through the video segments. In the latest, KRS... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Scarface vs. Pimp C…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). 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 consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

MF DOOM Helps Cannibal Ox Make Proper Re-Entry (Audio)

Eleven years ago, MF DOOM linked with Cannibal Ox's Vast Aire for his breakthrough solo, Look Mom...No Hands, through "Da Supafriendz." In 2015, the Masked Villain reunites with the emphatic lyricist on Can Ox's sophomore LP, Blade Of The Ronin. This early glimpse from the March LP seems to capture... Read more

What If Jay Z Was White? Take a Look (Video)

There's been a lot of discussion about the appropriation of Hip-Hop lately. After showing what The Wire would look like if it took place in gentrified Brooklyn, SNL took on the sensitive subject of Race & Hip-Hop with no fear. Witness the "fully accurate Jay Z story," as portrayed by... Read more

A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory Was Certified Platinum 20 Years Ago Today

Twenty years ago today (February 1, 1995), the Recording Industry Association of America certified A Tribe Called Quest's sophomore album, The Low End Theory as having reached platinum status (shipping 1 million units). Originally released in 1991, the album continues to reverberate, landing on countless Best Albums lists and remains... Read more

DJ P. Makes An All-Vinyl Mix With New Joints By Joey Bada$$, A.G., Quasimoto & Lord Finesse (Mixtape)

UPDATE: It turns out that this DJ P actually hails from Lyon, France—no relation to the Phoenix, Arizona-based DJ P below. However, this mix still beckons many listens and much enjoyment. DJ P. is an underground DJ legend. More than a decade ago, as DJ Z-Trip's partner, P. made Uneasy... Read more

Atmosphere Releases The 1995 Video That Got The Rhymesayers Goin’ & It’s Still Relevant (Video)

Now a chart-topping independent Hip-Hop juggernaut, Atmosphere had less glamorous beginnings. The Minneapolis, Minnesota crew centered around MC Slug and producer Ant had a lot of "Headshots" leading up to their studio debut, Overcast! In a benchmark year for Rhymesayers Entertainment, some of those rarely-discussed songs, tapes, and moments are... Read more

Travel Back To 1983, The Exact Moment Hip-Hop Was Played On Daytime NYC Radio (Audio)

Thirty-two years ago, Hip-Hop was emerging on a host of record labels large and small. However, while these 12" singles and pioneering albums may have been party highlights, and closely examined in the clubs, the bedrooms, and the subsequent tapes made, they were not often heard on radio—especially at daytime.... Read more

D’Angelo & The Vanguard Perform Really Love & The Charade on SNL (Video)

This season of SNL has featured a parade of Funk. Prince tore down the stage in November and Mark Ronson & Bruno Bars kept it hot a couple of weeks later. Now, D'Angelo takes the stage with his multi-piece band The Vanguard. D performed his smoothed out single "Really Love,"... Read more

Here’s a Mix Celebrating the Music of Death Row Records (Audio)

The Death Row Records brand has been plagued with controversy over the years, due to a litany of events surrounding people connected with the label in some fashion. At times, the negativity seemed to be louder than the records being produced by the company. The reason that news was relevant,... Read more

Chuck D Fights For The Power Of Free Speech Alongside Jasiri X & Jahi (Video)

Chuck D helped make the Pittsburgh Pirates logo famous—even when the MLB team was having some losing seasons. For "Spread The Words," the Public Enemy front man travels to the Steel City to join MC (and activist) Jasiri X and P.E. 2.0's Jahi. There, they stand above the skyline—on Mount... Read more

Eddie Murphy is Returning to SNL for the First Time in Over 30 Years

Many of the biggest stars in comedy were launched on NBC's Saturday Night Live. Names like John Belushi, Bill Murray, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler are household now, after noteworthy turns on the show. Perhaps no SNL alum is more well known than Eddie Murphy. Despite... Read more

Ever See This Cypher with MC Lyte, ATCQ, GURU, Wu-Tang Clan, CL Smooth, KRS-One & More (Video)

The second iteration of Arsenio Hall's show left the air quietly, after an announcement just weeks before that the show had been renewed. However, it was a very different story the first time Arsenio parted ways with the airwaves. After five years of providing one of the only platforms on... Read more

Shuko Recruits Saigon, R.A. The Rugged Man & Vinnie Paz On New Track (Audio)

German producer Shuko is getting ready to release his debut album, For The Love Of It (January 30), and has unveiled a new track, "Change Gonna Come" off the album featuring Saigon, Vinnie Paz, R.A. The Rugged Man and Carolyn D'Elia. Shuko has worked with all of the aforementioned artists... Read more

DMC, Chuck D, PMD, MC Serch & Terminator X Come Together With An Edge (Video)

Twenty five Januaries ago, in 1990...could you have imagined Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Chuck D, Parrish "PMD" Smith, MC Serch, and Terminator X together? The thought alone drains boombox D-batteries, and makes speakers shudder. In 2015, these things are not only possible, but able to be captured on video. "Hellraisers" is... Read more