News Archives

DJ Premier Announces His First Solo Album, Last Session @ 320

Less than one week into his new studio home in Astoria, Queens, big news is coming from DJ Premier. The longtime Gang Starr producer/DJ has announced his first solo album, Last Session @ 320. Planned for 2015, the title is presumably an homage to the 37th Street address of his... Read more

January 12, 2015 Fresh

Picture Everything Great & Wrong About the ’80s in One Video Set to Wu-Tang Music (Video)

New York City-based store Turntable Lab and Adult Swim's "TV Carnage" have come together to mash-up some '80s and early '90s-skewed pop culture, with a Hip-Hop slant, in quite a cool way. Part DJ-themed, part VJ-themed, the resulting "War Inna Discoteca" is expertly beat-matched and synchronized to the instrumental from... Read more

January 12, 2015 Video

Breaking Bad Spin-off Better Call Saul Begins Next Month. Catch The Official Trailer (Video)

"Breaking Bad," in all of its glory, was one of the most captivating, cliff-hanging, and entrancing television series of all times. Within Vince Gill's cross-over hit for AMC there were some splashes of comic relief from Walter White and Jesse Pinkman's meth-cooking madness: attorney Saul Goodman. The mass-advertised phone-book lawyer... Read more

January 12, 2015 TV/Film

Lil Wayne Apologizes For The Wait With A Song To Appease All Of His Fans (Audio)

Lil Wayne is out for 2015. Only brandishing the Young Money flag for the year ahead, Mr. Carter will crack open the calendar with his upcoming mixtape, Sorry 4 The Wait 2. After a slow last year, Weezy F. goes to his YM site and takes Future's hit "Sh!t," and... Read more

January 12, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): KRS-One vs. Masta Ace…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

January 12, 2015 Throwback

Freddie Gibbs Writes Stuart Scott Editorial, Says He May Have Saved His Life

Freddie Gibbs is an evocative MC. However, the Gary, Indiana lyricist is not typically known for being overly sensitive to others. So when the ESGN leader takes time to pay a long-form homage to life of another, it's big. Gangsta Gibbs penned an editorial for Billboard today (January 12), reflecting... Read more

January 12, 2015 Fresh

Eminem Grants One Teenage Fan’s Final Wish

Many Eminem Heads know how much the superstar admires the life and music of Tupac Shakur. Eminem even worked extensively, as a producer, on some of 'Pac's posthumous albums, including 2006's Pac's Life. Although a lot can be said about the final years of 2Pac's life, one moment always speaks... Read more

January 12, 2015 Fresh

E-40 & Too Short Dust Off The T.W.D.Y. Tag and Co-Sign IamSu! (Video)

In the late 1990s, when the Bay area was largely ignored by mainstream radio and video outlets, T.W.D.Y. formed. Ant Banks' super-collective The Whole Damn Yay included icons such as Rappin' 4-Tay and Captain Save'Em, with strong involvement from the likes of Too Short, E-40, Mac Mall, B-Legit, Spice 1,... Read more

January 12, 2015 Video

Sound Bwoy Bureill Was Intended For Heltah Skeltah? Smif-n-Wessun & Da Beatminerz Recall (Video)

This past Saturday (January 10), Smif-n-Wessun's debut album, Dah Shinin', turned 20 years old. The Wreck Records release from General Steele and Tek was a benchmark moment for the Boot Camp Clik, and largely perceived as a follow-up to Black Moon's Enta Da Stage, given the tight-knit collective's overlapping production... Read more

January 12, 2015 Throwback

Common & John Legend Are Presented With Golden Globes…By Prince (Video)

Moments ago this evening (January 11), it was a historic moment for the careers of Common and John Legend. The former G.O.O.D. Music label-mates, as a pair, took home "Best Original Song" Golden Globes for the song "Glory" from the film Selma. Not only does the honor put John and Comm'... Read more

January 12, 2015 Video

The Beastie Boys & Nas Unearth A 5 Year-Old Visual That Hasn’t Aged A Day (Video)

It was a major affair back in 2009 when the Beastie Boys and Nas released the spiking commentary track "Too Many Rappers." The Def Jam superstars of 1986 teamed with the critical label acquisition of 2006 in a song that was appropriate for the times. Released on vinyl, and also... Read more

January 12, 2015 Featured-homepage, Video

D’Angelo’s One-Hour 2014 AFROPUNK FEST Performance, In Full (Video)

After a career that could be described as largely dormant for more than a decade, 2014 was the great wake-up for D'Angelo's output. While the closing month of the year afforded musically-starving fans with a third album in Black Messiah, August was incredibly telling. It was then that the Richmond,... Read more

January 11, 2015 Video

DJ Dahi Drives Stevie Wonder’s All I Do Through The Trap, Then To The Jungle (Audio)

In the last five years of Hip-Hop music, DJ Dahi has made hits—and never seems overly concerned with getting his name out, or on the track. A Los Angeles, California native, the man born Dacoury Natche has produced hits for Big Sean ("IDFWU"), Drake ("Worst Behavior"), and ScHoolboy Q ("Hell... Read more

January 11, 2015 Audio, Fresh

There Have Been A Gang Of Death Row Records Documentaries, But This One Stands Tall (Video)

Starting when the label was less than six years old, documentaries started releasing around the creation, controversy, and commercial dominance of Death Row Records. Started by Marion "Suge" Knight and Dr. Dre in late 1991, the Los Angeles, California-based label released classic, multi-platinum albums by Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Tha Dogg... Read more

January 11, 2015 Throwback

Slick Rick Performs Children’s Story with Nas at His 50th Birthday Party (Video)

This is classic. Slick Rick celebrated his 50th birthday (1/14) early at NYC's Brooklyn Bowl last night. As part of the festivities, he performed "Children's Story." Rick, being one of Hip-Hop's greatest storytellers, got a special assist. Nas, another master of the narrative, served as The Ruler's hype man. The... Read more

January 10, 2015 Throwback

A.O.T.P. Meets D.I.T.C. As Apathy Announces Collaborative LP With O.C., Perestoika

Veteran Willimantic, Connecticut MC/producer has announced—via a new video—that he is planning three albums for 2015. A member of veteran charting act Army Of The Pharaohs, recent super-group Get Busy Committee, and founder of Demigodz, Apathy has stayed quite busy since his shelved tenure at Atlantic Records in the early-mid-2000s.... Read more

January 10, 2015 Fresh

KRS-One Decodes His Most Classic Lines. You Must Learn… (Audio)

Shawn Setaro, former Editor-in-Chief of Rap Genius, has been opening up his vaults of classic interviews on his theciphershow.com site. One such gem is an amazing conversation with KRS-One. Kris breaks down the stories behind many of his most famous lyrics, and also provides colorful insights on never before discussed... Read more

January 10, 2015 Throwback

YG Talks Fist Fights with DJ Mustard, Grammys Snub and More (Video)

YG and DJ Mustard are like brothers. Sometimes, brothers knuckle up...YG dropped by HOT 97 in NYC and discussed their recent, quite public altercation, as well as several they've had in private. He explained it's all in the family. The Compton MC also discussed how he feels about fans replacing... Read more

January 10, 2015 Video

Master P Addresses the Rumors about Signing Lil Wayne to No Limit Records (Video)

Master P's recent collaboration with Lil Wayne on "Power" set the Internet on fire. The song featuring the two legendary MCs who helped put the South on the map was historic in its own right. However, given Lil Wayne's very public dissatisfaction with Cash Records as of late, their working... Read more

January 10, 2015 Video

GZA Freestyles, While Ol’ Dirty Bastard Beat-Boxes In A Bathroom In 1991 (Video)

In 1991, GZA (as "The Genius") was on the same Cold Chillin' Records that he would later diss on "Labels." The future was bright for the Brooklyn, New York MC who was working with Easy Mo Bee on Words From The Genius at the time. Released in February of that... Read more

January 9, 2015 Throwback

See Some Rare, HQ & Vintage Footage Of The Funky 4 + 1 Rockin’ (Video)

One of the many things in Hip Hop today that takes a track to the next level is the artist video. It provides the MC or group with exposure of not only the voice and production, but gives the audience a face to put along with it. We often take... Read more

January 9, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

Picking Up Girls Gets Trippy In Childish Gambino’s Sober (Video)

For Hip-Hop artists of the moment, is anybody making as alluring videos as Childish Gambino? Donald Glover's career in film, television, and the performing arts comes to life in so many visual companions to his acclaimed songs. "Sober," from the STN MTN / Kauai project is no expection. Set in... Read more

January 9, 2015 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Eminem vs. Xzibit…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

January 9, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

Roosh Williams Reminds All That Mortal Kombat Is Always Relevant (Video)

Houston, Texas MC Roosh Williams has been abuzz for a hot minute. Gearing up for his latest album, after a few DIY efforts, Unorthodox, the rapper shows why he earns that title. Although there's some regional and local elements to his music, Roosh's delivery isn't what the latest crop of... Read more

January 9, 2015 Fresh, Video

Ghostface Killah & MF DOOM Are Back In Action, Bustin’ Ray Guns On The Mic (Audio)

With so many chambers to Ghostface Killah's repertoire, few could have expected "DOOMStarks" to intersect with what G.F.K. has cooking with BADBADNOTGOOD. However, in the bitter cold of January, Ghostface, MF DOOM, and the Canadian band trio light it up with their "Ray Gun" shootout. This lyrically whimsical track comes... Read more

January 9, 2015 Audio, Fresh

CyHi The Prynce Says He Was Wrongfully Left Off Year-End Lists & Shows Out (Audio)

Although he is the fourth inclusion on Ambrosia For Heads' Best Mixtapes Of 2014 list, CyHi The Prynce is feeling passed over in the year that was. Does he have a point though? Black Hystori was among the year's strongest and most cerebral projects (albums and mixtapes combined). While it... Read more

January 9, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Domingo Unleashes Some Heltah Skeltah Era Sean Price & Ruste Juxx On A Dope Beat (Audio)

Domingo has been incredibly active in Hip-Hop production for more than 20 years. The East New Yorker combines far-reaching samples with quality arrangements. On February 17, he's releasing Sessions & Lessons, a compilation of rare and unreleased work, featuring some of the gold that the longtime KRS-One affiliate has shared... Read more

January 9, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Ghostface Performs Love Don’t Live Here No More on The Tonight Show (Video)

Ghostface Killah took the stage on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and performed a version of "Love Don't Live Here No More" that was oh so soulful. Instead of The Roots, he was backed by a band called The Revelations who more than held it down. Kandance Springs supplied... Read more

January 9, 2015 Video

Snoop Dogg Signs With Pharrell, Again, For An Album Called…Bush

UPDATE: Following October 2014's news that Snoop and Pharrell were back in business together (read below), some details have emerged on the forthcoming album. To be titled Bush, is due in March, 2015. Snoop reportedly confirmed this last night (January 7) at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some... Read more

January 8, 2015 Fresh

Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Henson Reunite for Empire…Buckle Up (Full Episode Stream)

Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson are back together again on screen in Fox's new series, Empire, and the show looks to be a wild ride. The duo, who worked together in Hustle & Flow and co-hosted several Soul Train Awards, play an estranged couple waging war over control of... Read more

January 8, 2015 TV, Video

Do Remember: TRU & C-Bo – That’s How We Break Bread (Audio)

In truth, it's been a pretty quiet decade for Master P. For the most part, the No Limit Records founder seems to have chosen a pathway out of the Rap-Race rat-race, living the good life in that Southern California sun. Although P has developed some new acts at No Limit,... Read more

January 8, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Snoop Dogg vs. MJG…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

January 8, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

Crossing The Oceans To Rock Stages, Rapsody Looks To The Lens As Godzilla (Video)

Rapsody's reputation for crushing mics has grown by leaps and bounds in the last year. Although Heads have been praising the North Carolina MC since the Kooley High days, long before The Idea Of Beautiful, 2014 just somehow served as a penetrating late pass for all the tardy fans to... Read more

January 8, 2015 Fresh, Video

Action Bronson Acts Crazy With A New Vibe On His REAL Mr. Wonderful Single (Audio)

Although Mr. Wonderful will mark Action Bronson's major label full-length debut, the Queens MC has a host of projects to offer. Whether you seek the stripped down raps of Dr. Lecter, the freewheeling sampling of Blue Chips, or the waviness of Saaab Stories, Bam Bam has product. So for the... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Doesn’t Make Songs Often, So When He Does…Listen. (Audio)

Big Daddy Kane verses, especially of the solo variety, are true rarities. The Brooklyn, New York MC icon spits only when he's got something to say, and that's been his M-O since the Juice Crew days. In the wake of some spiritually and mentally challenging happenings that affect the heart,... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Speaks About His Grammy Loss & The Price of Fame with Raw Honesty

Kendrick Lamar graces the cover of the latest edition of XXL. Rather than do an interview or a standard profile piece, the publication allowed Kendrick to convey his thoughts in his words and his words, only. There were no questions and presumably no edits; just Kendrick raw and unfiltered. The... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh

Capone-N-Noreaga Bust Through A Thematic Blend Of Nas & Mary J. Blige (Audio)

Late last year, N.O.R.E. found a cool pocket, when he and Royal Flush flexed on a Queens instrumental, courtesy of borough brethren The Beatnuts. The sound was fresh, but nostalgic, and something that resonated with the voices of the '90s MCs. Now with Capone in tow, Capone-N-Noreaga are back in... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Tony Touch Reaches Hip-Hop Tape #101 & Takes Naysayers To School (Mixtape)

Since the colored cassette tape shell days, Tony Touch has been servin' up the latest and the greatest Hip-Hop under his turntable style. The "Taino Turntable Terrorist" put early and everlasting emphasis on the freestyle, and made tapes, and later albums, that kept the color, originality, and improvisation of Hip-Hop... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

MC Lyte Provides Perspective On Education, What Government Needs To Do (Video)

You know MC Lyte's background as a legendary voice in Hip Hop, but she's also been an avid proponent with mentoring and community activism for the youth as well. Where opportunities for youth to extend their education have been difficult, Lyte has used her Hip Hop Sisters Foundation to give... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh, Video

Ghostface Killah Drops Jewels On All, From Skydiving To Richard Gere Flicks (Video)

Ghostface Killah loves to hold court with his humor, and giving some Stapleton wisdom on all subjects. Pitchfork's "Over/Under" series knows this, and questioned the 36 Seasons maker about everything from foot massages to his thoughts regarding Bill Cosby's ongoing rape scandal. Ghost', in an especially perky mood, waves off... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh, Video

The End Of An Era For Hardcore Hip-Hop…DJ Premier’s Studio Closes Its Doors Today

Nas' Illmatic recorded there. The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die recorded there. Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt recorded there. And nearly every song by Gang Starr, in addition to every track produced by DJ Premier since 1992 was recorded there. Today, on January 7, 2015, Premo announced that D&D Studios a/k/a HeadQCourterz... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh

Ice-T Interviews Chief Rocka Busy Bee, Talks Wild Style, Pioneering Swag & More (Audio)

Many Heads know the importance and impact of Chief Rocka Busy Bee Starski. The Bronx, New Yorker was among the Rap voices who was relevant and top-notch, dating back to the 1970s. Ice-T, who would break through beginning with Breakin', calls the MC born David Parker a "Cornerstone of Hip-Hop,"... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Andre 3000 vs. Buckshot…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

January 7, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

Dipset Release the First Single From Their Reunion Mixtape (Audio)

Last week, Dipset announced they would be releasing their first joint project, as a full unit, in five years. Wasting no time, they drop their first single, courtesy of Funkmaster Flex. Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana flex their flows over a familiar old Soul sample. Check out "Have My... Read more

January 6, 2015 Audio

Red Pill Speaks From His Heart On Race & Differences On An Apollo Brown Groove (Audio)

Red Pill has been one of the budding forces at Tucson, Arizona-based Mello Music Group. A member of Ugly Heroes with Verbal Kent and Apollo Brown, the Lansing, Michigan native announced this young week that he has signed a multi-album deal with the label that's been a home/outpost for Oddisee,... Read more

January 6, 2015 Audio, Fresh

2015 Dilla Weekend Hits Miami – Madlib, Joey Bada$$, Slum Village & More To Rock

After years of ongoing festivities, Dilla Day has now become Dilla Weekend. The family-sanctioned event honoring late producer/MC James "J Dilla" Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee) has expanded and relocated to Miami, Florida. On February 5, 6, 7, and 8, the affair will take place in Dade County, with weekend-long tickets... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh

DMX is Returning with a New Album…And It’s Coming Next Week

DMX has announced he's releasing his eighth studio album and it's coming next week (January 13th). After starting off at a torrid pace, releasing his first three albums in three months, X's output has slowed a bit over the years, with his last album, Undisputed, coming over two years ago.... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Big Daddy Kane vs. Kool Keith…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

January 6, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

Ever Go Through Your Mate’s Phone? Joell Ortiz Shows Why It’s a Bad Idea… (Video)

Joell Ortiz' masterful storytelling are one of the lyrical attributes that transcended him from a late '90s, early 2000s street MC into a major label star. Like two of his onetime mentors and label-heads, Eminem and Dr. Dre in 2000's "Guilty Conscience," Joell uses his House Slippers moment "Phone" to... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh, Video

Eightball & MJG Are Back Doin’ Thangs. This Cut Is Space Age Fresh (Audio)

It was a largely quiet 2014 for Eightball & MJG. The latter of the duo released a 2.0 version of his late 2013 LP, Too Pimpin', while 'Ball saved his spit for a really cool Bar-Kays feature that bridged the gap from 1970s Memphis and 1990s Memphis music. 2015 is... Read more

January 6, 2015 Audio, Fresh