News Archives

Rittz Turns Down and Makes Double Time Rap Sound Easy. It’s Not…(Video)

Signing to Tech N9ne's Strange Music has not changed Rittz. He's still bringing that hot double time fire when it comes to melting the microphone. Though his latest video is for his song "Turn Down," it's hard not to get amped by Rittz's blistering delivery. Check it out. Related: Rittz... Read more

August 13, 2014 Video

Bilal is Back as Soulful as Ever. Sound the Sirens (Audio)

Bilal is back with a new song and it is oh so soulful. Adrian Younge and A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad provide the track for "Sirens II," an update on Younge's original "Sirens." Heads will recognize the music as the anchor for the sample Jay Z used on... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

Cozz is One to Watch. Check out How He Goes to Work on Window Shopper (Audio)

Turnabout is fair play. For the last several weeks, G-Unit has been jacking beats and making them their own. Now, Cozz, who recently signed to J. Cole's Dreamville label, hops on the Unit's "Window Shopper" track and works it over. With Bas and now Cozz, Cole is quickly assembling a... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora Make a Girl Power Video Referencing Kill Bill (Video)

Iggy Azalea's video for "Black Widow" featuring Rita Ora is a revenge fantasy that draws on the Quentin Tarantino film, Kill Bill. The two sword-wielding women flex some serious "Girl Power" as they take out a boorish man (played by none other than Kill Bill's Michael Madsen). Whether or not... Read more

August 13, 2014 Video

Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pharoahe Monch & More Remember J. Dilla As He Enters The Smithsonian

Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey recently sat down with The Huffington Post to discuss her son, the late J. Dilla, and his recent enshrinement into The Smithsonian alongside his signature beat making equipment. m, In it, the affectionately nicknamed Ma Dukes highlighted their musically inclined family, his early experiences with instruments,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh

What Becomes Of A Hallucinating Fan Who Punches DJ Premier? Babu Explains (Video)

In 1999 Dilated Peoples joined Gang Starr and Rage Against The Machine on tour. These experiences were well-chronicled on the later track, "Gang Starr Bus" by Bumpy Knuckles, produced by DJ Premier. Three legendary outfits toured in a well-remembered time in music. Gearing up for his own new release with... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chance the Rapper’s Brother Taylor Bennett Says Hatin’ Never Pays Off (Audio)

Though his vocal tone is strikingly similar to that of his brother Chance the Rapper, Taylor Bennett has his own style and message. On his latest release, he keeps it simple and to the point: hating on others for their accomplishments does not pay off. Check out "Hatin'." Related: Taylor... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

Is Atmosphere’s Slug The Ultimate Rap Dad? Check Out Southsiders (Video)

Released back in May, Atmosphere's seventh studio album Southsiders is the latest work from Slug and Ant's band. The Minneapolis, Minnesota duo's sound has greatly changed since their late 1990s Soul-sampling introduction, but Slug's witty wordplay, and constant homages to late '80s and early '90s Hip-Hop stay strong. The title... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jeezy, Rick Ross & The Game Smash a Beautiful Track (Audio)

After linking on "War Ready," Jeezy and Rick Ross join forces again on the sinister and soulful song, "Beautiful." Both Jeezy and Ross beat up the track (that will be instantly recognizable to Curren$y fans) and they bring The Game in for reinforcement. Tough talk on a tough track. Check... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio

In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes I’m Nice (Audio)

Every few years, LL Cool J really drops the gloves on 'em. The onetime Def Jam Records pioneer built his career on the kind of bravado that took on all challengers in the mid-1980s. As LL's base grew to truly celebrate the fact that "Ladies Love" Cool J something special,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

UGK’s Bun B & De La Soul’s Posdnuos On The Same Track? Statik Selektah Knows (Audio)

Known for assembling jaw-dropping collaborations, Statik Selektah's biggest feat may be "God Knows." Taking a Jared Evan-sang riff from the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds classic, the album's closer pairs UGK's Bun B and De La Soul's Posdnous, an unlikely pair of '80s Rap vets, who take a similar stance on... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock On Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city Follow-Up? Yep

Pete Rock is an esteemed source of inspiration within Black Hippy. After all, Ab-Soul (who worked on 80 Blocks From Tiffany's) has a tattoo of the Mount Vernon, New York artist known for making some seminal 1990s songs alongside then-partner CL Smooth. However, Kendrick Lamar is also up on things.... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh

Questlove Says That The Late, Great Robin Williams Was A Roots Head

In the last 24 hours, the world mourns the death of Robin Williams. On August 11, the Academy Award-winning film actor, television star, voice-actor, and stand-up comedian was found dead in his Hollywood, California. While reports are still confirming the cause of death from what appears to be suffocation, an... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh

Rick Ross Is Better Than Supreme With Fabolous, Ma$e & Big K.R.I.T. (Audio)

Katt Williams opens by explaining the ways of a Mastermind on the remix to Rick Ross' single, "Supreme." Alongside Fabolous, Ma$e, and Big K.R.I.T., the rappers boast their individual brands of braggadocio, lacing their lyrics through the horn-charged production that sports Keith Sweat on the hook. Ross also gives a... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

You Can Feel The Dust In Joey Bada$$’s Latest Visual (Video)

Joey Bada$$'s "Big Dusty" captures just how the Brooklyn, New Yorker channels those obscure '90s styles implemented by acts like The Artifacts, Cannibal Ox, and Smif-N-Wessun. Youthful, unpredictable, and clever, Joey's video complement finds the MC on an inward journey, surrounded by night moves, vivid back-lit colors, and melting herb.... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dilated Peoples Perform Music From Their New Album on Sway in the Morning (Video)

Dilated Peoples held a mini concert on the Sway in the Morning show, performing "Show Me the Way" and the DJ Premier-produced "Good as Gone" from their new album Directors of Photography. Welcome back, fellas...Check it out. Related: Dilated Peoples Freestyle Off the Top on Toca Tuesdays (Video)... Read more

August 12, 2014 Video

Remy Ma Reveals Her Post-Prison Plans, Confirms Record With Jadakiss (Video)

Yesterday (August 11), Remy Ma made her first televised appearance since being released from prison earlier this month. The artist formerly known as Remy Martin sat on the "106 & Park" stage opposite one of her loyal supporters in Shad Moss (fka Bow Wow). The former Terror Squad member who... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ras Kass’ Goldyn Chyld Had Dr. Dre & DJ Premier But Never Released…Til’ Now (Album Stream)

After 1998's Rasassination, Ras Kass went to work on his third album. Still signed to Priority Records as he was for most of the decade, the C-Arson, California MC was out to best his previous work, which also included acclaimed release, Soul On Ice. In doing so, Razzy recruited the... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

DJ Skee Quits Radio, Says The Platform Has Fallen Off

For more than 10 years, DJ Skee has been an integral touchstone to Hip-Hop culture. A native of Minnesota, Skee and his SkeeTV platform have been deeply responsible for the careers of Game, Freddie Gibbs, and Skeme, among others. Once a top mixtape DJ, Skee has expanded into production, his... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Quench Your Thirst With Mick Jenkins’ The Water[s] (Mixtape)

Influenced at a young age by the likes of Prince, Erykah Badu, Sade, and Jill Scott, the 23 year old MC Mick Jenkins displays his own developing musicality with his latest mixtape, The Water[s]. Jenkins dives deep into varied depths of production from the ambient, Trap laced "THC," to the... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Dilated Peoples Freestyle Off the Top on Toca Tuesdays (Video)

Rakaa and Evidence from Dilated Peoples dropped by DJ Tony Touch's Toca Tuesday show and kicked a mean freestyle, off the top. Their new album Director's of Photography is available for sale today. Check out the video. Related: You Thought That They Were Gone For Good, But Dilated Peoples Are... Read more

August 12, 2014 Video

Visit Wiz Khalifa’s Blacc Hollywood (Album Stream)

One week before its public August 19 release, Wiz Khalifa gives a tour of his Blacc Hollywood. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania MC, who now calls Hollywood home offers a detailed experience of his twenties: a platter of self-medication, fame, fun, and love. The Rostrum/Atlantic Records album features longtime collaborator Curren$y, as... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

BJ The Chicago Kid Releases a Video For All the Beautiful Women Who May Not Know They Are (Video)

BJ The Chicago Kid has lent his silky voice for records by Kendrick Lamar ("Kush & Corinthians"), Schoolboy Q ("Studio") and many others. The talented singer-songwriter also has had many gems of his own. As with songs like "His Pain," he has a knack for exploring subjects in an earnest... Read more

August 11, 2014 Video

Joell Ortiz Puts Down 16 Bars With Fervor (Video)

In AOL Boombox's 16 Bars series, Joell Ortiz steps in. The Brooklyn, New York veteran has built a reputation and his career foundation on confident, thoughtful bars that may or may not always belong to a song. So 16 is no problem for the Slaughterhouse MC. Here, he does as... Read more

August 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wiz Khalifa Gets Lifted With A Deeper Musicality Than Usual (Audio)

In the last four years, Wiz Khalifa has mastered injecting vibe into music. A proficient rapper early in his career, the Taylor Gang General makes mood music, for life's more perplexing moments. With a new sound in his upcoming Blacc Hollywood album, Wiz vibes out on "So High." Featuring Ghost... Read more

August 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Souls Of Mischief Leave Em Panic Struck + Ali Shaheed Slated To Remix Whole LP (Audio)

In just over two weeks, the Souls Of Mischief crew will release their album, There Is Only Now, produced by Adrian Younge. The looks keep coming though, from Tajai, Phesto, A-Plus, and Opio. Today (August 11), S.O.M drop "Panic Struck," which finds some hard, confident rapping over sparse percussion and... Read more

August 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent Taught Everybody How To Rob MCs 15 Years Ago This Week

Months after 50 Cent survived getting shot nine times in his own front yard, the Southside, Queens rapper released one of the decades most memorable diss tracks with the Trackmasters-produced cut, "How To Rob." Fif released the single 15 years ago yesterday (August 10). The jux-meets-jokes record, which was featured most... Read more

August 11, 2014 Throwback

Lupe Fiasco Takes Aim at Materialism on Next To It (Video)

Lupe Fiasco is back with some more message music. On "Next to It" featuring Ty Dolla $ign, he puts a little perspective on materialism. He flips both sides of the coin pointing out that no matter how much you have there's always someone with more (a Benz is nothing when... Read more

August 11, 2014 Video

Here’s a Look Back at the Week’s Best Videos in Hip-Hop (8/10/14) (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought new music videos from Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Spesh & Kool G Rap, Dom Kennedy, Lil Boosie, Saigon, Jeezy, Mick Jenkins, Rick Ross and more, Souls of Mischief discussing their new album, a Dipset reunion with Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Hell Rell, as well... Read more

August 10, 2014 Playlists, Video

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy (Video)

The Notorious B.I.G.'s seminal single Juicy turned 20 years old last week (8/8). The song would catapult Biggie from an MC who was respected amongst Heads to one of Hip-Hop's biggest stars. To celebrate this landmark in Hip-Hop history, here's an interview of Big from 1994 on Atlanta's 411 Knowledge... Read more

August 10, 2014 Throwback

Gravediggaz Heads Ask In A Mix… Who’s Nicer: RZA Or Prince Paul? (Audio)

Hip-Hop has produced some groups stacked with more than one dope producer. EPMD celebrated the funk-driven knock that was both Erick Sermon and Parish Smith. The Beatnuts has Psycho Les and JuJu, two Corona, Queens masters of psyche samples and percussion. D.I.T.C includes giants such as Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Showbiz... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Celebrate the Sounds of Teddy Riley With This New Jack Swing Mix (Audio)

Few, if any, producers have had a run like Teddy Riley did in the late 80's and early 90's. The King of New Jack Swing dominated the radio and the clubs with countless Hip-Hop and R&B jams. Here's a red hot mix of some of his many classics from DJ... Read more

August 10, 2014 Throwback

Rah Digga & Young Zee Experiment On A Run-DMC Sample (Audio)

With Treach and Pepa now divorced, is there a better Hip-Hop couple than Young Zee and Rah Digga? The longtime Outsidaz titan and his Flipmode Squad alum (who worked a ton with The Outsidaz too) partner, the two New Jersey natives have made an extensive discography together. "One To The... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Why Are the 90’s Considered the Best Era of Hip-Hop? Listen to This Mix (Audio)

Here's part 2 of DJ Vadim's stellar back in the day mixtape series. In this installment, he tackles 90's Hip-Hop...with aggression. Rather than strictly catering to the hits, he digs in the crates to craft a mix with diverse but cohesive sonic texture. You'll hear music from Nas, The Roots,... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

Planet Asia’s Durag Dynasty & Casual Link Over Raphael Saadiq Co-Production (Audio)

Beyond 2013's 360 Waves, Planet Asia's Durag Dynasty lives on. The Fresno, California based group (featuring P.A., Tri-State, and Killer Ben) moves forward with a not-so friendly game of baseball. With rugged, sharp bars in their mission statement, Durag welcomes Hieroglyphics vet Casual to the cypher for "Baseball." The song... Read more

August 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

What If ALL Of Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique Was A Video? (Video)

File this under: "What Makes The Internet Amazing: August 2014." Twenty five years later, so much can be said about The Beastie Boys' sophomore album, Paul's Boutique. The Def Jam Records departure found the Downtown/Brooklyn, New York trio out west, living in a Hollywood hills estate, eating fast food burgers... Read more

August 9, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

West Coast Hip-Hop and R&B Has Never Been Stronger. Take a Listen (Audio)

The West Coast established itself as a Hip-Hop powerhouse in the late 80's and early 90's. Artists like Ice-T, N.W.A., DJ Quik, Too Short, Spice 1, Snoop and more were household names, nationwide. That presence has never faded but in the last few years there has been a Cali Renaissance... Read more

August 9, 2014 Audio

Episode 1 of Black Jesus is Here. What’s the Verdict? (Video)

Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder's new series, Black Jesus, premiered on Adult Swim earlier this week. The show is set in present day Compton and features a Black Jesus who curses, hangs with the homies and, wherever possible, delivers messages of forgiveness, love and compassion for humankind. The show has been... Read more

August 9, 2014 Video

Here’s an Incredible 80’s Hip-Hop Mix From DJ Vadim (Audio)

Here's a wide-ranging and incredibly dope mix of 80's Hip-Hop from DJ Vadim. Focusing primarily on artists from the mid to late 80's, the mix includes Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, MC Lyte, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Slick Rick, N.W.A., Biz Markie, Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Boogie Down... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

Here’s a Clip of Common (Sense) in 1997 STRAIGHT RIPPING THE MIC at Fat Beats (Video)

DJ Eclipse continues his weekly treat of digging into the vault and pulling out extremely rare footage of some of today's most vaunted MCs freestyling early in their careers. After showcasing, a spirited Kanye West rapping in 1996, here's a clip of Common (then Common Sense) OBLITERATING the mic, off... Read more

August 8, 2014 Throwback

Vic Mensa Releases a Hot New Track and Asks Are You “Wimme Nah?” (Audio)

Vic Mensa releases an uptempo club banger in the vein of "Feel That," with even more BANG, courtesy of Kaytranada's track. Check out "Wimme Nah." Related: Vic Mensa Raps About How He & Chief Keef Are Of The Same Water, Jay Z Meetings In SBTV Freestyle (Video)... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio

DJ Doo Wop Releases Mixtapes Not Dead Pt. 2: This is Anarchy (Mixtape)

DJ Doo Wop has released part 2 of his Mixtapes Not Dead series. Like the first installment, this is primarily a compilation of recent releases from the likes of Rah Digga, M.O.P., Scarface, Cormega, Redman, Action Bronson, Cam'ron, Raekwon, Lil Kim and more. There are also choice exclusives like AZ's... Read more

August 8, 2014 Mixes

Lil Wayne & Drake Release a Song About the Everlasting Grind (Audio)

Lil Wayne and Drake release their second collabo from Wayne's upcoming Carter V album. Like "Believe Me," their last release, "Grindin" is a slow burning extended track. The 2 focus on the fact that despite their past achievements, their work is never done. Their Drake vs. Lil Wayne tour kicks... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio

Talib Kweli Gets An Upper Echelon 88-Keys Remix (Audio)

Talib Kweli and 88-Keys go back a mighty long way. First on wax together on the Black Star album ("Thieves In The Night"), this pair of New Yorkers were very present during the mid-1990s glory years of MC'ing and beat digging, respectively. Now Talib Kweli is a household name, and... Read more

August 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Afrika Bambaataa’s Record Crates Helped Create The Hip-Hop Genre. Get A Look (Video)

Hip-Hop's three forefathers are often remembered as pioneers DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. With all three men tied to the Bronx, New York of the 1970s, each brought a unique flare to the sound of the culture, with varying personal backgrounds. Herc, a native of Jamaica, had... Read more

August 7, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Asher Roth Releases Another Soulful 70’s Rock-Infused Song with a Message (Video)

It's clear from Asher Roth's recent material that he's feeling a soulful 70's Rock/Soul influence. According to Asher, the song and video for "Last of the Flohicans" represent "the death of ego. Removing 'I' from the situation and living a life built around courage and love." Check out the video.... Read more

August 7, 2014 Video

Dipset Restakes Its Claim With Reunited Cam’ron, Jim Jones & Hell Rell (Video)

It's all coming full circle for The Diplomats. Cam'ron is as active as he's been since his days on Roc-A-Fella Records. Jim Jones is moving in both music and television. Freekey Zekey is a free man, moving in the streets and performing with his cohorts. Additional affiliates like Hell Rell... Read more

August 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Through the Magic of Editing, Barack Obama Performs Fancy (Video)

Since literally and figuratively dusting off his shoulder during his first campaign, President Barack Obama has been seen as the first president of the Hip-Hop generation. Now, through the magic of editing, Pres. Obama is back at it again. Here's a hilarious clip stitching together countless sound bites to create... Read more

August 7, 2014 Video

Ab-Soul & Retch Kick Some Cool Verses as Pro Era Looks On (Video)

Statik Selektah drops a smooth beat just in time for Retch and Ab-Soul to lay down some slick rhymes on Shade 45's Showoff Radio. In between verses, Pro Era's Joey Bada$$ and Nyck Caution walk into the room prompting Ab-Soul to kick some spirited bars of his own. Ab says... Read more

August 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Raekwon Tells A Love Story Over Fantastia’s When I See U (Audio)

With the Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have historically had a penchant for storytelling, especially surrounding matters of the heart. As Raekwon's "TBT" Throwback Thursday series evolves, the Staten Island supreme lyricist has hopped on a variety of love songs, ranging from Luther Vandross backdrops, to those of Teena... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh