News Archives

The Essence Of Mary J. Blige Awakens In Her Next Single (Audio)

Mary J. Blige Heads seem a bit polarized by what they've heard from MJB's The London Sessions (December 2). Yonkers' own Queen of Hip-Hop R&B is dabbling with that Disclosure production and in turn, her latest sound. However, the latest glimpse, "Not Loving You" hones in on the pained songwriting,... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

30 Of Your Favorite Rappers Are Getting Together On One Track (Video)

Just days after the Shady cXVpher rattled the Hip-Hop nation, traveling to five locations to film one grandiose, show-stopping cypher, a new trend in Hip-Hop may be on the rise. Noisey/VICE have announced Rap Monument. With a trailer released, this video plans to combine 30 artists in their element, for... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rick Ross Shows How to Get a Body Just Like His With This Workout (Video)

Ever look at Rick Ross and wonder how you could get a body just like his? Well, the secret has been unlocked as Ross reveals several tips on how to "look like a boss with RossFit" in this hilarious new video from Funny or Die. Ross shows his strict daily... Read more

November 18, 2014 Video

It’s A Cold World When Pusha T & Kanye West Are On One (Audio)

If you liked last year's My Name Is My Name album, Pusha T gives more of the hardest element of the G.O.O.D Music LP in "Lunch Money." Based around bullying, King Push's newest track is more of what Clipse/Re-Up Gang Heads love. It's slick talking, mean-spirited Hip-Hop that outs the... Read more

November 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

REKS Sounds Harder Than Ever & This Is Only The Intro To His New LP (Video)

REKS is one of the more hardcore MCs who remains deeply active in Hip-Hop. The Massachusetts native has more than 13 years deep in delivering compelling accounts as a street kid who lives and loves the culture, wanting to be heard. His latest project with Hazardis Soundz, Eyes Watching God... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.O.P. & Maino Are Brooklyn O.G.’s Who Never Dodge (Audio)

M.O.P. never got that album they were promised from Jay Z at Roc-A-Fella Records or the one with 50 Cent at G-Unit some years later. However, after "Ante Up" became an early 2000s anthem, and "Cold As Ice" followed onto radio waves, nobody can argue that Lil Fame and Billy... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rick Gonzalez Gets a Vintage Verse From Kool G Rap (Audio)

Rick Gonzales continues to establish his Hip-Hop credibility. In addition to having legit lyrical skills, the actor-turned-rapper (formerly known as Realm Reality) has consistently associated himself with some of Hip-Hop's finest wordsmiths. Having signed with Mobb Deep's Prodigy, he's made records with Joell Ortiz, blu, Roc Marciano, among others. Now,... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio

Havoc Offers Up All Of 13: Reloaded For Perusal (Album Stream)

Havoc took 2013's 13, and went back and made some adjustments for the digital release, 13: Reloaded. The Mobb Deep music mercenary brought Prodigy, Cormega, Raekwon, Sheek Louch, and Mysonne out for 14 tracks about grim street life, rising the ranks through the Rap industry, as he says, "it's all... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Guru vs. Large Professor…Who You Got?

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

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Royce Da 5’9″ & DJ Premier Give All Access In The First Part of This Gripping Mini-Documentary (Video)

On the simple surface, Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier's PRhyme project may seem like a purist's buffet of rhymes and beats. However, there's much more to this storyline in the two careers that frequently intersected over the last 15 years. In part one to the "Raiders Of The Lost... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson Borrow Pharrell’s Musical Time Machine, Setting The Dial To 1983 (Video)

For the second time in a week, Mark Ronson "goes back, way back." After channeling 1971 James Brown alongside Mystikal, the British producer brings in Bruno Mars for a 1983-inspired "Uptown Funk." With excellent visuals and choreography, Bruno takes a suit, hat, and gold medallion from the Scarface wardrobe closet,... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cormega Has Spit Some Of His Finest Verses Acapella. How’s Reflection Stack Up? (Video)

Cormega's Mega Philosophy is still making its rounds months later, revered by many Heads as one of the best Hip-Hop albums of the year. The Queensbridge veteran frequently spits to silence to drive his words home, especially when it's something the original Firm member feels you should hear. This is... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ghostface Killah, Kool G Rap & AZ Provide A Cautionary Street Tale (Audio)

All of the 36 Seasons are heating up! For the second weekday in a row, Ghostface Killah unleashes some new content. "The Battlefield" is one of the several appearances by Kool G Rap and AZ on the Tommy Boy Records LP. Also including The Revelations' vocalist Tre Williams, this cut... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jerry Seinfeld Tells Wale To Spazz Out On Complex…In This Hilarious Spoof (Video)

Eleven months ago, Heads might recall Wale flipping out on Complex magazine's Music Department for the exclusion of The Gifted from the Top 50 Albums Of 2013. In the recorded call, the Maybach Music Group artist threatened to visit the Midtown Manhattan offices the next day, and urged them to... Read more

November 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

It’s Official. J. Cole is Releasing His Next Album on December 9th (Video)

After listings for a J. Cole album popped up on iTunes and Amazon earlier, rumors spread that the Roc Nation MC was releasing his 3rd major label album on December 9th. Well, it's official. Jermaine has confirmed via Twitter and YouTube that his next album will be called 2014 Forest... Read more

November 17, 2014 Video

Imagine Nas Recording The World Is Yours. It Would Look Like This (Video)

Vice has put together a cool concept called Most Valid Reason, in partnership with Sony, where they record artists doing a cappella versions of their songs. For Vol. 1 of the series, they turned to Nas for an extremely minimalist rendition of his classic, "The World is Yours." Nas is... Read more

November 16, 2014 Video

Kendrick Lamar Brings Out Jay Rock to Crash His Saturday Night Live Party (Video)

Kendrick Lamar took the stage on Saturday Night Live for the second time in 2 years. He performed an extremely animated version of his single "i," complete with a funky live band, black contact lenses and even choreography from the video. He also flipped the flow of the song to... Read more

November 16, 2014 Video

Does Ty Dolla $ign Have A Solo Hit, Produced By Diplo & DJ Dahi? (Audio)

For almost two years now, Los Angeles, California's Ty Dolla $ign has been one of the hottest things in Hip-Hop. Signed to Taylor Gang, working closely with YG and DJ Mustard, and producing for Chris Brown and Problem, Ty has been an invincible force, blending R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop melodies... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Says He’ll Finally Battle Rakim For Half A Million Dollars (Video)

This week, VladTV asked Big Daddy Kane, in the multi-part interview, if he'd battle longtime rival, contender as one of the greatest MCs of all-time, Rakim. Specifically, DJ Vlad proposed the notion of the Brooklyn, New York Juice Crew legend taking on his Long Island, New York contemporary for a... Read more

November 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common Leads a Troop of Artists Raising Awareness About Climate Change (Audio)

This is refreshing. In a throwback to times when Hip-Hop stood for something and spoke up for change, Common has teamed with Malik Yusef, Kumasi, Aaron Fresh, Choklate, and Laci Kay on the song "Trouble in the Water." The song is part of a forthcoming project called HOME which seeks... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio

Big K.R.I.T.’s Gospel-Influenced Saturday = Celebration is One of His Finest Songs Ever (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica album is quite possibly his best work, yet. K.R.I.T. is in top lyrical form and, with the addition of several talented outside producers, his music has never sounded better. One of the many standouts on the album is the Gospel-influenced, tribal drum-heavy "Saturday = Celebration." With K.R.I.T.'s... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio

CL Smooth Bobs & Weaves On This Bouncy Shuko Beat (Audio)

CL Smooth is not big on an abundance of appearances. Instead the New Rochelle, New Yorker looks on at Hip-Hop from afar, admiring his contributions, especially those over two revered LPs and an EP with Pete Rock. However, Shuko, the German producer whose beats have sounded great alongside the likes... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Beanie Sigel vs. Freeway…Who You Got?

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

November 14, 2014 Fresh

Bundle Up For The Album Sampler To Ghostface Killah’s 36 Seasons (Audio)

In three weeks, Ghostface Killah's 36 Seasons will be released by Tommy Boy Records. With AZ, Kool G Rap and Pharoahe Monch in the supporting cast, this is a lyrically-driven LP on paper. Similarly, with Lil Fame, 45 King, and The Revelations on the boards, beats appear to have a... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rick Ross & Yo Gotti Team Up on the Soulful Trap Luv (Video)

Rick Ross has a penchant for deep, soulful beats. Tracks like "Super High" and "The Magnificent" are just a couple of the many songs in his catalog that fall in this vein. Ross also has a love for trap bangers like "B.M.F." and the more recent "Elvis Presley Blvd." His... Read more

November 13, 2014 Video

MC Lyte Releases a New Video with Lil Mama (Video)

Fresh off her reunion with Brandy, Yo-Yo and Queen Latifah on the BET Hip Hop Awards, MC Lyte is readying a new album. The latest track from the project is called "Ball" and features Lil Mama and AV. The bouncy beat is a sonic departure from what Lyte fans have... Read more

November 13, 2014 Video

King Los Goes To TOWN, Freestyling Over Alchemist Beats For 15 Minutes (Video)

This is a cool, refreshing concept... Baltimore, Maryland's King Los has earned a reputation for being one of the longest winded, most durable freestylers in the game today. His Backroom appearance, his Sway In The Morning spot, and his Toca Tuesday stop remained three of the most talked about, most... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.O.P. & Chris Rivers Remake A Hardcore Big Pun Album Cut (Audio)

Back in 2000, just months after Big Pun's death, his gold-certified sophomore LP, Yeeeah Baby released. Within the LP, there was an album cut, "New York Giants." This track, co-produced by Bronx, New York producer/MC Minnesota (Mos Def, Diamond D, Money Boss Players), featured Pun's Loud Records label-mates, M.O.P. Although... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

10 Years After His Death, Do Remember: Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Hippa To Da Hoppa (Audio)

Ten years ago today (November 13, 2004), the world lost a great one in Russell Jones. Best known as the Ol' Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan, the Brooklyn, New York MC/singer was a founding member, along with RZA and GZA, in All In Together Now, the first iteration of... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Missy Elliott vs. Ludacris…Who You Got?

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

November 13, 2014 Fresh

Giveaway: Gang Starr’s Daily Operation Vinyl LP (Respect The Classics Reissue)

AFH is proud to offer one of our Heads a vinyl LP copy of Gang Starr's Daily Operation. Reissued as part of UMe's "Respect The Classics" series, the 2014 version includes a 3D cover of the artwork prominently featuring the late Guru, DJ Premier, and a symbolic portrait of Malcolm... Read more

November 13, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

If James Brown Were A Rapper In 2014, He’d Sound Like Mystikal On This Funky Number (Audio)

With his own YMCMB debut, Original, on seeming delay, Mystikal has been a bit mysterious since leaving prison. While he's been at work with Mannie Fresh, and made some Rich Gang appearances, the 1990s star and onetime No Limit free agent acquisition is certainly quiet, relatively speaking. Mark Ronson, the... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem Released Infinite 18 Years Ago Today

With the anticipated release of his 9th studio album, Shady XV, Eminem continues to prove that he still has a ton of fire left in his gut. Look no further for proof of this fact than with the release of his 18 minute lyrical massacre, "Shady CVXPHER," that recently set... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Ol’ Dirty Bastard Biography Penned & Published By Buddha Monk

On joints like "Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo" and "Prepare For The Buddha Monk," Ol' Dirty Bastard was working beside his close friend and onetime protege, Buddha Monk. Sadly, due to O.D.B.'s untimely 2004 death (10 years ago tomorrow: November 14, 2004), Monk's development never happened as planned. The... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Crooked I Confirms Name-Change To Kxng Crooked

Heads who listened closely to this week's "Shady cXVpher" may have heard Slaughterhouse's Crooked I refer to himself as "Kxng Crooked." MTV News today confirmed today (November 12) that the moniker is more than just a braggy line. "Everything needs to change and everything has to evolve. Creatively, I just... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Juvenile Fits 2014’s YMCMB Sound & He Says Some Real Things Alongside Drake’s Chorus (Audio)

Juvenile is Cash Money for the second time in his career, after a lot of on-again, off-again status with his former label, as well as his (still estranged) producer, Mannie Fresh. Back in the paperwork, Juvy made his debut on "Sho Me Love." With a very simple, straightforward Drake chorus,... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown’s How To Kill God Is Everything You’d Expect It To Be (Video)

The revealed original title for Apollo Brown & Ras Kass' Blasphemy was How To Kill God. Thereby, the Soul-charged indictment on organized religion by Razzy Kazzy functions as a title track from the newly-released Mello Music Group album. The jarring title (to some) is met with hard-nosed opinions and facts... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

The LOX Get More NYC Imagery To Match Their Return To Form (Video)

The LOX aren't lettin' up on the visuals from their new Trinity EP. "Now Listen" talks about how the trio stayed the course of keeping it real, rhyming it raw, and maintaining no matter the circumstances. Shot in black & white, this is the latest visual that pulls no punches... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Lupe Fiasco vs. Royce Da 5’9″…Who You Got?

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

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Says He Asked Kool Moe Dee For A Battle When He Was 14 (Video)

In a new interview with Vlad TV, Big Daddy Kane opens up about what he was doing in 1982 and 1983. Five years before Long Live The Kane, the would-be Brooklyn, New York superstar was traveling the streets of New York, looking for challenges. He even took aim at one... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Blu, MED & J. Rocc Make A Sparse Ill AXEL F Cut & Shine (Audio)

Add another dope release to the November Rap calendar. AXEL F, the tandem of MED and J. Rocc (Jaylib) will release Theme Music on November 24 on Bang Ya Head Entertainment. After some work in late 2013, the tandem links again with close affiliate Blu for "Omega." Blu sets things... Read more

November 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Freddie Gibbs’ Next Studio Album Is Announced

Following his first Top 200 charts appearance, care of 2014's Pinata album with Madlib, Freddie Gibbs is back in the lab. Since the critically-acclaimed March album, a commercial benchmark for the Gary, Indiana native, Gibbs has released The Tonite Show, with producer The World's Freshest. Already, Gibbs released the first... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh

Jay Z & Rick Ross Are Out To Move Mountains Over A Bass-Heavy Timbaland Beat (Audio)

In two weeks, Rick Ross will release his second album of the year. November 24's Hood Billionaire promises to finish where Mastermind left off. As has become rather customary on Rawss albums, Jay Z is a guest (though only on the hook). Def Jam's breakout artist of 2006 and (then)... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: E-40 vs. 8Ball…Who You Got?

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

November 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Like Troy Ave & Hop On His Hit For A Remix (Audio)

With Troy Ave's latest hometown hit "All About The Money" getting that Tristate burn, two of New York City's living Rap legends admired. While Raekwon's collaborative cosign of Brooklyn's BSB MC goes back a ways, Heads know how rare those Ghostface Killah looks can be. As a true nod of... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common Honors Veterans Day & Those Who Served In A Spoken Word Piece (Video)

Recently, Common performed "This War We Fight" at The White House, in honor of Veteran's Day and those who served in the United States Armed Forces. On the day of remembrance (November 11), Comm' releases the video of him delivering the rhyming, Spoken Word poem. Looking out the window in... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Havoc & Sheek Louch Never Stopped Representing That Sound & Their City (Audio)

Mobb Deep's discography spans back before Juvenile Hell, to the duo's days as Poetic Prophets, stopping through the Stretch & Bobbito Show. After nearly 25 years, look no further than this year's The Infamous Mobb Deep to see that even with some bumps in the road, the Mobb vehicle is... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ghostface Killah To Drop A Hardcore Hip-Hop Album Really Soon, Unearths First Single (Audio)

This will have the Wu-Tang Clan controversy Heads abuzz... One week after W.T.C. is plotting A Better Tomorrow, Ghostface Killah will release 36 Seasons (December 9). What's more is that this LP teams Ghost with fellow New York City rhyme-monsters such as Kool G Rap, AZ, and Pharoahe Monch. Perhaps... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rest In Peace To Sugarhill Gang’s Big Bank Hank

Henry Jackson, better known as Big Bank Hank of Rap pioneering group The Sugarhill Gang has died today (November 11). TMZ.com has reported that Hank's band-mates, Wonder Mike and Master Gee confirmed the news to the publication. Reports state that Hank died from complications of cancer, though details are limited.... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

With DJ Premier Executive Producing, M.O.P Drops Street Certified Artwork & Tracklisting

Three years removed from their Sparta LP with German production outfit The Snowgoons, M.O.P. brings it back Stateside for their first EP. Street Certified is a nine-track effort, releasing November 18 (one week from today). Coming on Nature Sounds (Blu, J Dilla, Havoc), this release is executive produced by DJ... Read more

November 11, 2014 Fresh