News Archives

Hear Royce Da 5’9″ & DJ Premier’s Foundation In Their PRhyme Title Track (Audio)

Nearly 15 years after "Boom," Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier's full-length together, as PRhyme, is less than one month away. The actualization of the pair's longstanding working relationship to a true LP welcomes guests ranging from Jay Electronica to Killer Mike, Mac Miller to Common. However, for the title... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem, Royce Da 5’9″, Big Sean & Danny Brown Lead a Detroit Takeover (Audio)

After nearly shutting down the Internet earlier with one of the strongest cyphers ever, Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" are back and they brought a few friends...or neighbors, to be exact. The dynamic duo leads an all-Detroit cast of artists, including Big Sean, Danny Brown, Dej Loaf and Trick Trick... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio

Shady’s cXVypher Features Eminem, Slaughterhouse & Yelawolf. Get Your Rewind Finger Ready (Video)

Crooked I: Covering topics from Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson killing Michael Brown to his own poverty, Crooked I fires off verbal rounds like a Thompson machine gun as he delivers his thesis from a Long Beach chop-shop. Joe Budden: Joe looks within his family to discuss the stresses weighing... Read more

November 10, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

In Honor Of Big Pun’s Birthday, His Son Chris Rivers Hops On Super Lyrical (Audio)

Forty three years ago today (November 10), Christopher Rios was born. The Bronx, New York MC perhaps better known as Big Pun shook the world ablaze in the next 29 years. The pinnacle of Pun's career, according to many Heads, is his solo debut, 1998's Capital Punishment. The platinum Terror... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Talib Kweli & His New Artist Clients Release Their First Project (Mixtape)

Fresh off of a partnership announced with Jamla Records and W.A.R. Media, Talib Kweli's Javotti Media platform is out to make major moves. Javotti, who has been behind 'Kweli's post-Warner Bros. Records releases (in conjunction with Duck Down Music on Gutter Rainbows), has released a mixtape, The Cathedral. Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Finding The GOAT: Juvenile vs. Mystikal…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 10, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

The Lox Release Their Trinity 3rd Sermon EP for Free (Mixtape)

The Lox complete their Trinity Trilogy with the final installment of the series. The Trinity: 3rd Sermon is a free 11-song EP featuring a few of the tracks Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch have released over the last few weeks, as well as several never before heard recordings. Check... Read more

November 10, 2014 Mixes

Rittz Works Out Some Aggression in Double-Time on Fish Hook (Audio)

Rittz gets a few things off his chest on "Fish Hook." He uses his trademark double-time flow to let off rapid-fire shots at multiple targets from haters on Twitter to parental critics, and even his frustrations at still being broke despite having a record deal. Check it out. Related: Rittz... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio

G-Unit Sounds Straight Outta 2002 On This EP Bonus Cut (Audio)

G-Unit's The Beauty Of Independence is living up to its title in the physical packaging. For Best Buy buyers of the 2014 EP, consumers get "Ease Up." The non-EP song bonus exclusive sounds like it's out of that No Mercy, No Fear or In God's Plan era of the Gorilla Unit.... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What Would Kevin Hart & Jerry Seinfeld Talk About? Watch and See (Video)

Kevin Hart was a recent guest on Jerry Seinfeld's online series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Much like the title suggests, the whole concept is the 2 comedians taking a joy ride in a car (an amazing Porsche Spider) and getting coffee, with lots of funny conversation in between. As... Read more

November 10, 2014 Video

Star-Studded 2Pac Single To Be Released By The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation

Not counting remixes or unofficial independent efforts, there have been seven 2Pac albums released since Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder. From those albums, largely released by Death Row/Interscope Records, singles have emerged, ranging from the chillingly revengeful "Hail Mary" to the introspective "Changes" to the immortalizing "Until The End Of Time."... Read more

November 10, 2014 Fresh

Afrika Bambaataa Gives an Incredible Lesson on the Early History of Hip-Hop (Video)

Hip-Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, stopped by Sway in the Morning to promote the 41st anniversary of his Zulu Nation. For 20+ minutes, Bam gave one of the most fascinating tutorials on the earliest days of Hip-Hop you will hear. He discussed the creation of Electro Funk, why Rap artists wore... Read more

November 9, 2014 Throwback

Who Wants Some Rare Early Cuts From Jay Z, DMX, The Beatnuts & Black Sheep? (Mixtape)

A lot of the would-be Hip-Hop stars of the 1990s put in studio recording work years before their names got hot. Moreover, the artists, their early labels, and teams had to go to risky expense of pressing these moments to wax in hopes of breakin' even, or perhaps giving them... Read more

November 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Logic May Be High On The Charts, But He’s Not Above A Lunch Table Freestyle (Audio)

While chilling with the L.A. Leakers, Logic was good for two different freestyles. With a Top 5 debut of Under Pressure, the Maryland MC is still just as open to showcasing his skills as he was before the success and the Def Jam deal. J Cruz and Justin Credible throw... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The LOX Take A Decaying New York Cityscape & Make It Vibrant (Video)

Just over a week from the audio, The LOX let loose the visual to "All We Know." The video for the song about the everlasting grit, toughness, and fly ways of a native New Yorker uses the city to prove the point. From a basketball court that appears as though... Read more

November 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Lloyd Banks Is Out To Shine On A G-Unit Bonus Record (Audio)

If you cop The Beauty Of Independence at Best Buy, you'll get a bonus song on the EP. "Big Body Benz" might seem like a throwaway car song, but listen closer. A point of illustration for ambition, sturdiness, and resilience the record is one of the places where Lloyd Banks... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain Made A 1988 Tape Featuring Songs By James Brown & Jackson 5 (Audio)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. The Seattle, Washington native is remembered as a prodigious musician, songwriter, and an integral part of the Grunge movement through his band, Nirvana. That band has become a favorite musical touchstone of everybody from Kanye West to Dr. Dre, who... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Domingo Re-Releases Some Rare Big Pun, Fat Joe, Shaq & Easy Mo Bee (Audio)

Veteran producer Domingo worked with Big Pun on his album Capital Punishment, producing "The Dream Shatterer." More than 15 years later, Domingo now releases "Shaq, Crack, Pun, Easy Mo Bee." The track is a re-working of a rare song called "The Bigger They R." This take sports a sonically cleaner... Read more

November 8, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Ras Kass’ Razor Sharp Freestyle Streak Continues… (Video)

Ras Kass is moving like its the '90s again. In the splashing wake of Blasphemy (with producer Apollo Brown), Rap's answer to Vincent Van Gogh throws some verbal paint on Toca Tuesdays, with a cocky freestyle. What else would you expect from the sharp-tongued vet? Related: Ras Kass Flips A... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Game vs. Jeezy…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 7, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

ScHoolboy Q Recreates One Hell Of A Trippy, Faded Night (Video)

ScHoolboy Q may have found the perfect way to express OXYMORON's "Hell Of A Night." In an album about addiction and going clean, staying young and growing up, and smartening up but still staying wild, is this not the ideal vessel to show a night in the (perhaps former?) life... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Discusses UFOs, Ghosts, Psycho Fans and More (Video)

In one of the lighter interviews he's had in some time, Kendrick Lamar stopped by LA's 97.1 to discuss several offbeat topics, including seeing ghosts and UFOs, bad date moments, psycho fan encounters and more. Check out the video. Related: Kendrick Lamar is on a Mission to Save Lives with... Read more

November 7, 2014 Video

Following Raekwon, Inspectah Deck Makes A Heartfelt Soul-Inspired Tape (Mixtape)

After Raekwon eloquently concluded his "TBT" R&B/Soul/Pop tribute series with a mixtape, We Wanna Thank You, another Wu-Tang Clan member is paying homage to the soulful songs of yesteryear. Inspectah Deck made Cynthia's Son, a mixtape reworking, sampling, and tapping into songs favored by the Bronx, New York MC's late... Read more

November 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

The P-Funk Godfather George Clinton Flashes Back On Some Of His Finest Grooves (Video)

Front man for Parliament, Funkadelic, and his own amazing solo career, George Clinton just published his memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard on You?. The Plainfield, New Jersey native has been anything but plain in his six decades of making music. The barber-turned-Doo Wop singer-turned... Read more

November 7, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Big Sean’s IDFWU Football Visual Brings ‘Em Out, Including E-40 & Kanye West (Video)

Big Sean's done it again. The G.O.O.D Music MC's "IDFWU (I Don't Fuck With You)" single has become a viral hit. With that in mind, the Detroit wordsmith (joined by ageless veteran E-40) unveiled the visual to the single. Using the highly-topical world of football, Sean invites (Coach) Kanye West,... Read more

November 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pete Rock Takes A New DJ Residency In New York City, Spinning Rare Grooves

Sometimes Hip-Hop lives all around us... Today (November 6), Pete Rock announced his DJ residency in New York City. This brings the iconic producer/DJ to live audiences monthly, a true reminder of legends working all around us. Moreover, Soul Brother #1 is bringing some of his own inspirations with him.... Read more

November 6, 2014 Fresh

Chris Rock & Tracy Morgan Name Their Top 5 MCs of All-Time (Video)

"Tupac might be in a Tyler Perry movie right now (if he were alive today)." The Chris Rock written and directed film, Top Five, is getting rave reviews and there is already Oscar chatter. Here's a sneak preview clip from the film which features some lively discussion between Rock and... Read more

November 6, 2014 Video

Method Man Explains How Sesame Street Influenced His Rhyme Style (Video)

This is genius. Grantland caught up with Method Man to discuss what factors influenced his one of a kind rhyme style. As he reeled off variables ranging from limericks to Sesame Street, Grantland upped the ante by creating animations for his responses. Check out the video of Story Time with... Read more

November 6, 2014 Video

Earl Sweatshirt Goes in Over a 90’s Style Old School Soul Sample for 45 (Audio)

Earl Sweatshirt goes in for some free flow bars over a sampled loop that feels like it would be right at home with vintage Havoc or RZA beats from the 90's. This may not be what you'd expect from the Odd Future affiliate but it's 1:16 well spent. Check out... Read more

November 6, 2014 Audio

Finding The GOAT: Nicki Minaj vs. Big Sean…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 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic One Hilariously Disses Logic’s Album to His Face (Video)

If you're not familiar with Power 106's Vic One, he is a big persona much in the vein of Ali G, Borat and other Sacha Baron Cohen characters. He recently sat down with Logic and, despite the near universal critical acclaim lauded on Logic's Under Pressure album, proceeds to hilariously... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Video

In the Ultimate Kiss Off to Cristal, Jay Z Now Owns Ace of Spades

In the late 90's, you would be hard-pressed to find a more ardent proponent of high-end Champagne Cristal, than Jay Z. Fast forward to 2006, however, and things took a very negative turn when Frederic Rouzaud, managing director of Louis Roederer, the company that produces Cristal, had some not too... Read more

November 5, 2014 Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Spice 1 vs. MJG…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 5, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Big K.R.I.T. Gives the First Glimpse Into the World of Cadillactica (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. recently explained that Cadillactica, the title of his album, is the name of a fictional planet K.R.I.T. created on his new album. It's a place of growth, self-discovery and loads of funk. K.R.I.T. gives us our first glimpse of the planet by way of his new video for... Read more

November 5, 2014 Video

Alchemist & Statik Selektah Co-Produce A New Term Joint With REKS & Willie The Kid (Audio)

In 2014, co-production in from some producers is very rare. Two such cases are Alchemist and Statik Selektah. Eminem's DJ and Q-Tip's (onetime) DJ are two respected sources on the boards, and while they work with a lot of the same cats (Action Bronson, The LOX, Dilated Peoples), they aren't... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Taylor Swift Rocks Out To Kendrick Lamar, K-Dot Freestyles Over Taylor Swift (Audio)

While plenty of Rap superstars shun interviews and duck possibly awkward media spots, Kendrick Lamar—although reclusive, welcomes the attention. Hours after Taylor Swift celebrated her milestone first-week sales by vibing out to some good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar, the Compton, California superstar was probed for a reaction while... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Your Old Droog & DJ Skizz Took A Freestyle & Polished It Into A Song (Audio)

Your Old Droog and DJ Skizz may have been just freestyling around last week, but the pair was in the studio for a reason. "Just Rhymin' With Skizz" has evolved into "Where The Rhymes At?" Recorded again, with some new rhymes in there, this track comes as an offering from... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

LL Cool J Bridges Mulitple Generations of New York Hip-Hop with Troy Ave on You Already (Audio)

LL Cool J teams up with Troy Ave for a generation-bridging New York coalition. L, never short on swagger, brings the heat on this one. He rides the contemporary track while staying true to his sound that has endured for 30 years. Is this a passing of the torch from... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio

M.O.P. & Busta Rhymes Show You The Life They Represent (Video)

In preparation for their new EP, M.O.P. release the visual for "Broad Daylight," featuring Busta Rhymes. The video plays like a violent metaphor for Fame, Danze and Busta's menacing lyrics about what happens to soft competition when they mix it up with hardscrabble veterans. Flipmode Squad and First Family go... Read more

November 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

How Does Taylor Swift Celebrate Selling 1.3MM Albums? With Some Kendrick Lamar (Video)

It's been a big week for Kendrick Lamar. After releasing his new single "i" it was chosen as the NBA's theme song, in the league's premiere week. If you tuned into any of the games, it was all Kendrick, all the time. The only artist who had a bigger week... Read more

November 5, 2014 Video

DJ Kay Slay Points To His Pioneering Status, With D-Block, Loaded Lux & Memphis Bleek (Mixtape)

After nearly 40 years in Hip-Hop, DJ Kay Slay refuses to slow down. The Drama King lays down The Original Man, with its Egyptian-themed cover, perhaps reminding Heads that he's been making tapes longer than some of his latest peers have been alive. With that sense of personal, professional, and... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

On The New LOX Intro, Sheek Says Benjamins Still Sons Anything Out Right Now (Audio)

The LOX are keeping the furnace fed with The Trinity: 2nd Season. The self-released EP may not be the proper third album Heads salivate for, but one cannot say that it lacks any less quality than that which we'd expect from Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch. To set the... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Slaughterhouse & DJ Premier Open Up Shop Then Tear It Down (Video)

Less than 24 hours after Slaughterhouse's "Ya'll Ready Know" released in audio, the DJ Premier collaboration comes in living color. The impact of Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, and Joe Budden's full-fledged run-in with DJ Premier is clear in the video, as Preem is prominently featured, arguably the... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wu-Tang Clan Is Still Out To Bring Da Ruckus, Taking A Page From KRS-One (Audio)

Hours after one of the New York City listening sessions for Wu-Tang Clan's A Better Tomorrow empties out, Heads are treated with new music. Put simply, "Ruckus In B Minor" is busy, and a lot to process. For starters, the beat changes sporadically throughout the song, arranged as a complex... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Continues To Spread The Love With i (Video)

Kendrick Lamar continues his mission to save lives musically with the official video to his lead single, "i." Kendrick clearly understands the grasp his music has within the Hip-Hop realm and even more importantly, he understands that the people who listen to his music believe in it and look to... Read more

November 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Finding The GOAT: Run vs. Ecstasy…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 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

After Nas Sets Things Off, AZ Tries His Hand At Rhyming On J Dilla’s Donut (Audio)

Old friends, AZ and Nas watch each other's moves. As Nasir stole Hip-Hop's attention last week by taking one of J Dilla's 2006 Donuts beats, and coming up with "The Seasons," Tha Visualiza wanted in. AZ made his own rendition of "The Seasons," cuing up Jay Dee's "Gobstopper" instrumental. As... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

A-Villa’s New Production LP Features Kool G Rap, AZ, Elzhi & Big K.R.I.T. (Album Stream)

A-Villa's Carry On Tradition releases today. Should you want to support the Chicago, Illinois-based producer's Closed Sessions release, he's offering up a free listen first. The LP calls in verses from veterans including Big K.R.I.T., Inspectah Deck, Cormega, Freeway, Kool G Rap, Joe Budden, AZ, Elzhi, Rapper Big Pooh, and... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Slaughterhouse & DJ Premier Come Together Fully? Results Are As Expected! (Audio)

Half of Slaughterhouse (Royce Da 5'9" and Joell Ortiz) have extensively worked with DJ Premier, while Crooked I and Joe Budden have not. Back in 2009, before Eminem and Shady Records took backing of the four-man lyrical militia, on a tight eOne Entertainment budget, it was DJ Premier who hosted... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kev Brown & Hassaan Mackey Got That Grit: Headnodding Beats & Smart Rhymes (Album Stream)

Today, Ill Adrenaline Records is releasing That Grit by Low Budget producer Kev Brown and MC Hassaan Mackey. The Landover, Maryland-meets-Rochester, New York connection's album is a continuation of a decade of championed independent works from Kev, since his days as a pupil in Jazzy Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh