News Archives

Do Remember: Shaqueen – Shaqueen Rules (Audio)

From Bumpy Knuckles, to MF DOOM, to NYOIL, Hip-Hop has seen some powerful re-inventive forces with artists. To Heads with deeper knowledge of mid-1990s New York Hip-Hop, Shaqueen certainly comes to mind. In the early 2000s, Shaqueen was reinvented as "Ma Barker," a member of (her spouse) Kool G Rap's... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Here Are the Best Freestyles of 2014. Nothing. But. BARS (Video)

Contrary to popular belief, a freestyle does not have to be an "off the top" verse, at least according to Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee, if you take them as credible sources. Says Kool Moe Dee in his book, There's a God on the Mic: "There are two... Read more

December 26, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video

Hopsin’s Rap Retirement Revealed To Be A Prank…

UPDATE: Following Hopsin's December 18 Instagram retirement announcement and photograph (as reported below), the Funk Volume MC now calls his declaration "a prank." In a new 78-second video titled "The REAL Reason Hopsin Left The Music Industry," alongside Hopsin's artist Jarren Benton and inspired by the film Dumb and Dumber To,... Read more

December 26, 2014 Fresh

Ice-T Interviews Kool Keith, & The Ultramagnetic MC Explains Creating His Groundbreaking Style (Audio)

Heads may not know this, but back in 2000, Ice-T and Kool Keith made an album together in Pimp To Eat. The Analog Brothers, consisting of Keith, Ice, Marc Live, Black Silver, and Rex, was believed to be a response (largely on Keith's part) to RZA's "Bobby Digital" persona. The... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Funkmaster Flex, DJ Red Alert & Chuck Chillout Hit Airwaves With 5 Hours Of Master-Mixes (Audio)

For Funkmaster Flex's Christmas Eve show (December 24) Wednesday night on HOT 97, the Bronx, New York DJ invited some of his peers and inspirations to the Manhattan studios. Hip-Hop pioneers Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout joined Flex for five hours of merry Hip-Hop from three icons of... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Black Moon’s First New Song In Years Is Slow-Moving Dopeness (Audio)

This week, Black Moon/Da Beatminerz' DJ Evil Dee released his first free online mixtape in recent memory. Part of the Broadcasting Live Mix is "Go To War," a Black Moon cut, and the first new one from Evil, Buckshot, and 5FT in nearly a decade. The Duck Down trio last... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch is In the Zone This Christmas (Audio)

Marco Polo delivers a virtual stocking stuffer, by way of some previously unreleased Pharoahe Monch. "In the Zone" is true to the title, with Pharoahe typically locked-in lyrically. Check it out. Related: Happy Birthday to Pharoahe Monch. Here’s a Celebratory Mix of His Music (Audio)... Read more

December 24, 2014 Audio

Black Moon’s Evil Dee Releases a Mixtape Of All New Material (Mixtape)

Straight out of Bushwick, Brooklyn, DJ Evil Dee has made some amazing Hip-Hop records. A onetime high school DJ phenom, this centerpiece of Da Beatminerz is mean on the mix, the drum machine, and diggin' in the crates. The sound-provider of Black Moon established Duck Down as a source of... Read more

December 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Young Jeezy & Rick Ross Join the Remix to Troy Ave’s All About the Money (Audio)

Troy Ave's "About the Money" was one of those beats in 2014 that called to multiple MCs to flex their own flows on the track. Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, G-Unit and more jacked Troy Ave for the minimal but red hot beat. Now, he releases the official remix to the... Read more

December 24, 2014 Audio

Score 2 for the Underground. Homeboy Sandman & Blu Release a Joint EP (Mixtape)

Here's a welcomed surprise. Amidst the season of giving, two of the fiercest guardians of underground Hip-Hop come together for a joint project. Hombeboy Sandman has released Homeboy Sandman is Sandman, a new free EP with words by him and beats by Blu. Check out the stream and download below.... Read more

December 24, 2014 Mixes

Can Ne-Yo Kick It? Yes, He Can…5 Fingers of Death, R&B Style (Video)

Much like Johnny Gill did last week, Ne-Yo takes on Sway in the Morning's Five Fingers of Death Challenge, R&B style. Rather than kick verses, he turns each beat into his own personal remix, flipping familiar lyrics over a wide variety of tracks. It gives a real sense of his... Read more

December 23, 2014 Video

Wale & A-Trak Release Their Festivus Mixtape (Audio)

Tis the season for lots of mixtapes. The latest is courtesy of Wale & A-Trak. Check out the stream and download below. Related: Wale’s Lyrics Come To The Forefront In The Followers (Video)... Read more

December 23, 2014 Mixes

The Boys From Entourage Are Back and The Party is Bigger (Video)

After eight seasons of partying, hugging it out and a lot of growth, HBO's Entourage series took its curtain call back in 2011. The show had a special place in Hip-Hop, with its Rap heavy soundtrack and appearances from Kanye West to Saigon. Four years later next June, the show... Read more

December 23, 2014 Video

Sadat X Kicks Some Truth to the Youth Like an OG Should (Audio)

"You can't lead if you can't read..." Sadat X's "What Up Kid?" features the venerable MC doling out wisdom to the youth, not like a preacher, but like one who knows and wants better for them. More "cool uncle" than father figure, he lays out the consequences of certain paths... Read more

December 23, 2014 Audio

Joell Ortiz Releases a Brand New Free EP of Remixes (Mixtape)

Joell Ortiz closes out 2014 with a free release of a new EP of remixes. Yaowa Nation features Ortiz putting his stamp on tracks like Sam Smith's "Stay With Me," French Montana's "Don't Panic" and more. Check out the stream and download below. Related: Joell Ortiz Literally Depicts the Crack... Read more

December 23, 2014 Mixes

Mick Jenkins Paints an Animated Picture for a Trippy Breakup Song (Video)

2014 has been a breakout year for Mick Jenkins. His conceptual mixtape The Water[s] delved into subject matters not often covered in Hip-Hop, such as environmental change and dealing with water shortages. He continues to showcase his creativity on "Fate," a song about an impending breakup. The soundtrack is comprised... Read more

December 23, 2014 Video

The Weeknd Returns with Some Soul Music on Earned It (Lyric Video)

The Weeknd's quickly growing catalog has been filled with his distinctive genre-bending, often melancholy, music. On his new song "Earned It," from the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey, he pivots to a straight-forward Soul offering, and he shines. He puts down the vocal effects and moody chords and slips... Read more

December 23, 2014 Video

Joey Bada$$ and Statik Selektah Serve Up Some Curry Chicken (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ and Statik Selektah have teamed several times over the last few years, seemingly always to good results. The pair link again for the latest release from Joey's forthcoming B4 Da $$ album. "Curry Chicken" features a trademark soulful loop from Statik accompanying Joey's ever-maturing vocals about what he... Read more

December 23, 2014 Audio

Finding the GOAT: Pick The Final Legendary Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 23, 2014 Fresh

It’s Official. Hip-Hop Will Have a Hall of Fame in New York City (Video)

Last week, the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame confirmed that one of the biggest cultural movements in the last half century will have a museum celebrating its impact in its birthplace. The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame will open in New York City. According to the New York Daily News, organizers hope... Read more

December 22, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video

Dom Kennedy Returns to Represent That New West Coast Sound (Audio)

Dom Kennedy returns to the scene with "Represent (I Like That)." The synthesizer-driven song feels distinctly West Coast without sounding throwback or derivative. Dom's completely indie grind has allowed him to stay true to his voice and remain one of the most consistent artists of his class. Check it out.... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio

Jim-E-O and Emilio Rojas Rap About the Paper Chase Without Glorification (Audio)

New Haven-bred MC Jim-E-O teams with Emilio Rojas on the remix to "Sky All Grey." The song talks about the constant grind for money without glorifying it. Jim-E-O vows that the Rap game will be how he legitimately earns his way, while Rojas raps about the days of praying he... Read more

December 22, 2014 Throwback

The Black Stormtrooper Caused a Real Stir. This Might Too (Video)

The Internet was ablaze nearly a month ago with the release of the teaser trailer for J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII. However, there was seemingly at least as much chatter about the fact that one of the first images to appear was that of a Black male in a... Read more

December 22, 2014 Video

All Skillz’s Favorite Rappers Are Dead and Hip-Hop is Not the Same (Audio)

Skillz's new song "All My Favorite Rappers Are Dead" is more than an ode to Hip-Hop's fallen soldiers. Instead, it's a longing for the days of yore when Rap meant something to him. He misses "'89 Rakim," the "early Ice Cube," the Kanye with "no fame" and so much more... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio

Your Old Droog Shows Off Over Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers (Video)

For the second time in less than a week, Your Old Droog goes HAM over DJ Premier music during a freestyle. This time, he flows for Statik Selektah during his Showoff Radio show. About halfway in, Statik flips the beat to Premier's classic "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers," and Droog... Read more

December 22, 2014 Video

Wiz Khalifa & Snoop Dogg Release the Video for You & Your Friends (Video)

The airwaves were dominated in 2014 by the sounds of DJ Mustard. One of those tracks was the heavily G-Funk-influenced "You and Your Friends," by Wiz Khalifa featuring Snoop Dogg & Ty Dolla $ign. Mac & Devin take turns applying their trademark laid-back flows over the rolling beat, while Ty... Read more

December 22, 2014 Video

Asher Roth Looks Back to Show How He’s Moving Forward (Video)

Asher Roth has come a long way since the days of "I Love College." Gone is the carefree, frat boy demeanor. In its place, is a thoughtful MC who has grown wiser both due to the passage of time and from the trials and tribulations of navigating a capricious recording... Read more

December 22, 2014 Video

Jodeci & B.o.B. Release a Song Against Domestic Violence on Nobody Wins (Lyric Video)

After previewing their song "Nobody Wins," featuring B.o.B., at the 2014 Soul Train Awards last month, Jodeci releases the lyric video for the song which is a statement against domestic violence. Set against footage of escalated interactions between couples, the song's lyrics make a plea for cooler heads prevailing instead... Read more

December 22, 2014 Video

Wale Says Life is a Chess Match. Are You a King or a Pawn? (Audio)

Wale has a mixtape called Festivus coming tomorrow (12/22). By the sounds of his new song "The Chess Match," the MMG soldier, like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T. and others in his peer group, is going to a new depth of substantive lyrics. In little over a minute, Wale... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio

Tragedy Khadafi’s Pre Magnum Opus Features Lil Fame, Royal Flush & Meyhem Lauren (Album Stream)

While Tragedy Khadafi's Pre Magnum Opus is truly a 40-minute set-up for the Queens, New York super-veteran's next album (2015's Magnum Opus) it's better than that. The Juice Crew affiliate, Capone-N-Noreaga mentor, and Black Market Militia founder maintains a reputation for quality since the Intelligent Hoodlum A&M Records days. With... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The-Dream’s New Single Finally Comes To Fruition (Audio)

For more than a decade, The-Dream has brought musical ideas to life in a major way. The Def Jam Records star had a low-key 2014, but starting in the last few days, serviced an unpublicized single, "Fruition," to several key radio markets. With the warm, alluring melody of the song... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DMX’s …And Then There Was X Turns 15. Celebrate a Hip-Hop Icon (Video)

Salute to DMX whose ...And Then There Was X album turns fifteen years old today. The controversies surrounding Earl Simmons over the years sometimes make it easy to forget that he was one of the biggest stars on the planet in 1999 and still, to this day, remains one of... Read more

December 21, 2014 Throwback

Jean Deaux Releases a Dark and Rich New Free Album (Stream & Download)

Jean Deaux is part of the increasingly rich and diverse Hip-Hop movement coming from Chicago. She is both a talented songstress and an MC, able to flip between each with ease. She's released Soular System Vol. I: Dark Matter[s], a new free album that's full of dark, brooding and beautiful... Read more

December 21, 2014 Audio, Mixes

LL Cool J & Canibus Squash Beef After More Than 17 Years (Video)

Very few things in 2014 Hip-Hop culture are the same as they were in 1997. However, for the first time in more than 17 years, Heads can say that LL Cool J and Canibus are cool. At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York last night (December 19), LL Cool... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Method Man Is In Full, Raspy Form On A M-Dot Ensemble Cut (Audio)

Boston, Massachusetts MC M-Dot has earned a spot in the industry working with highly-respected MCs such as M.O.P.'s Billy Danze, Kool G Rap, and Masta Ace. After a series of strong underground Hip-Hop LPs, M links with Double-M in the form of Method Man. "Shine" features Clifford Smith wasting no... Read more

December 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Thought’s Sunglasses Produced In Limited Edition, For A Great Cause

Rappers love sunglasses. But over the last 20 years, has any MC worn shades more consistently than The Roots' Black Thought? The South Philadelphia MC star often dresses the part of a Soul/Jazz band front man, which is exactly what The Roots pull from, in presenting their grooves. Thought (a/k/a... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh

KRS-One & Ol’ Dirty Bastard Rock A Stage In 1995 (Video)

Uncle Ralph McDaniels has not only shed light on dope Hip-Hop for decades, his lens has captured it. Yesterday (December 19), the Video Music Box VJ extraordinaire shared some 1995 footage (from the VMB Archives) of KRS-One and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard wildin' out to the just-released "Who Shot... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Oddisee’s Onetime Partner Kenn Starr Is Back, This Time With Black Milk (Audio)

Kenn Starr's album is called Square One, a testament to how the DMV veteran from the Low Budget Crew (Oddisee, Peter Rosenberg, Kev Brown, Sean Born) sees himself. Years ago, a Halftooth Records artist (see 2006's Starr Status), Kenn (and Oddy) made noise together, before the MC took a lengthy... Read more

December 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding the GOAT: Pick Yet Another ’90s Great Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh

Blind Fury & Jin End 106 & Park with a Show-Stopping Freestyle (Video)

After 14 years, 106 & Park aired its final show yesterday (12/19). So, since it was a Friday, what better way to send off the franchise than an epic Freestyle Friday? The show brought back two of the fiercest combatants to ever square off during the franchise competition: Jin &... Read more

December 20, 2014 Video

Rest In Peace Larry Smith, Run-DMC & Whodini’s Iconic Producer

Hip-Hop has lost another pioneer. Yesterday (December 18), iconic producer and songwriter Larry Smith has been confirmed dead. Smith, who was 63 at the time of his death, produced early records for the likes of Run-DMC, Whodini, Jimmy Spicer, and Kurtis Blow. Smith's death comes more than six years following... Read more

December 19, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

FOX News Calls Jay Z a Crack Dealer. Jon Stewart Smacks Them Down (Video)

After FOX News' Sean Hannity recently had some inflammatory descriptors for Jay Z in a story, a surprising ally came to his defense. Jon Stewart played clips of FOX coverage referring to Jay as a "drug dealer" and "guy who shot a man," as well as several clips of FOX... Read more

December 19, 2014 Video

Your Old Droog Freestyles Over Some Vintage DJ Premier (Video)

Your Old Droog stopped by NYC's Hot 97 for his first interview with Peter Rosenberg. Droog spoke about his ethnic origins, raising his status this year, traveling to Europe and more. At a little over ten minutes in, Rosenberg put him to the test and Droog stepped up with nearly... Read more

December 19, 2014 Video

Witness a Cypher with Kenny Smith, Grant Hill, Ernie Johnson, Shaq & Nicki Minaj (Video)

Nicki Minaj paid a visit to the set of Inside the NBA and the hosts put together a Cypher in her honor. Kenny Smith, Grant Hill and Shaq flexed their skills to varying degrees of success. Kenny, ever the competitor, actually came with some BARS (relatively speaking) and Shaq took... Read more

December 19, 2014 Video

Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark Cooks Up Some Funk With 5 Random Records (Video)

As one-half (with Cut Chemist) of the production team inside Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark has made some scorching tracks, that sound vibrant and dusty at the same time. The Los Angeles, California native has additionally produced for J-Live, Large Professor, and Bumpy Knuckles, beyond his projects with The Pharcyde's Skimkid3... Read more

December 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big Daddy Kane Undresses His Madonna Story, Scrap Lover’s Knuckle Game (Video)

Part of Big Daddy Kane's mystique is that he's not a terribly outspoken guy. Although Antonio Hardy is one of Hip-Hop most innovative, commanding, and influential MCs, the Brooklyn, New Yorker often shuns the media circuit, and enjoys his smooth persona, with a cool guard up. It's almost always just... Read more

December 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Wale Celebrates Life on a Jumping New Track (Audio)

Yesterday (December 18), Wale announced that he will release Festivus, his latest "Seinfeld"-inspired mixtape right in time for the holidays on December 23. As a non-tape preview track, the Maybach Music Group MC unleashed "Miracle On U Street," taking a Christmas-inspired title and applying it to his world. Looking at... Read more

December 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fabolous Punctuates a Freestyle with a Bill Cosby Line. Too Soon? (Video)

Fabolous swung by the Sway in the Morning show for an extended conversation. He discussed his relationship with Nas, his latest project, his Twitter game and more. He also named which rappers he thinks would give him a run for his money, lyrically (7:50). He gave Eminem, Nas, J. Cole... Read more

December 18, 2014 Video

Fashionably Late Into 2014, Fashawn & Alchemist Give Up Some Goods (FreEP)

Just over one week after Fashawn & Alchemist hinted at their "Dreams," the FASH-ionably Late EP is here. 2014 was a game-changing year for the Fresno, California MC—even if he did not drop an album. Secured at what is now is Mass Appeal Records, Fash' went from making an Ode... Read more

December 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Just Dropped The Visual To A Blasphemy Centerpiece (Video)

To understand Blasphemy, "Deliver Us From Evil" is an appropriate starting point. Beyond just some of the finest rapping Ras Kass has displayed in an already-illustrious career, the track deals with organized religion, contradiction, and the themes that made this Mello Music Group a true highlight within 2014. Capturing all... Read more

December 18, 2014 Fresh, Video