News Archives

M.O.P., DJ Premier Scratches & A Classic ’80s Pop Loop Equals Amazing (Audio)

M.O.P. and First Family have been around for 25 years. However, Billy Danze and Lil Fame (who now only goes by Fame) started making some serious noise when they crossed paths with DJ Premier in the early 1990s. With the Brownsville, Brooklyn duo's rugged microphone assaults, a Premo scratch-chorus only... Read more

July 31, 2014 Throwback

Warren G Reads Love Letters From President Warren G Harding (Video)

A quintessential example of the West Coast's G-Funk era, California's own Warren G hits the stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live to regulate a few lines from love letters written by a completely different Warren G altogether. No, Warren G isn't creating an alter ego a la Flying Lotus and Captain... Read more

July 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Discover The Origins Of ONYX Straight From The Source (Audio)

One of the first groups to show the East Coast exactly what wilin' out means was the fearsome foursome known as ONYX. Formed in 1988, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza, and Big DS would go on to create their critically acclaimed, Def Jam released, debut album, Bacdafucup in '93... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon The Chef Reheats Some Luther Vandross Flawlessly (Audio)

Fresh off of sharing his Top 5 all-time (non Wu-Tang Clan) MCs, Raekwon is right back to his #ThrowbackThursday push. This time, Rae covers the late Luther Vandross' 1988 joint, "For You To Love." With a smooth-style beat that might suit Chef's homie MF DOOM, the Staten Island lyricist sets... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Snoop Dogg Freshens Up William Bell’s Stax Records Classic Breakdown (Audio)

Stax Records Heads know that William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" is one of the most moving, timeless, and downright beautiful songs of the period. The 1968 hit has since been a basis of samples by Dilated Peoples, Brand Nubian, and even Ludacris and Scarface, among plenty of... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Do Remember: Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud’s Girls, I Got ‘Em Locked (Video)

Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud's "Girls, I Got 'Em Locked" was hardly what would constitute a hit by today's radio standards. However, like so many 12" plates of the 1980s, the 1988 Elektra Records single was known amongst inner-circles. With the New York City duo signed to a major... Read more

July 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

Chuck D Lends His Voice To Something That Sounds Like Bomb Squad Glory (Audio)

One of the attributes that's made Public Enemy great is that the beats and sonic vibe always seemed to bulldoze the moment for Chuck D's verbal essay. A big part of that is The Bomb Squad, the production collective of the Brothers Shocklee (which also included Chuck) to obliterate samples... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Twista’s Music Has That Mass Appeal Saluting The One That Got Away (Video)

In the mid-2000s, Twista was part of the Joint Chiefs. Not an official group, the team was compromised of Atlantic Records' star roster (including T.I., Trick Daddy, Fat Joe, and Fabolous). Ironically, none of the five artists are still with Atlantic today, with 3/5 (including Twista) going indie. Even from... Read more

July 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Dear Nicki Minaj: An Open Letter From a Father (Who Runs a Major Hip-Hop Site)

Chuck Creekmur, owner and founder of allhiphop.com, one of the longest standing Hip-Hop sites, recently wrote an open letter to Nicki Minaj about her self-portrayal on her cover for the song "Anaconda." The reaction to the imagery has spanned the entire spectrum, ranging from ovations to outrage. Creekmur falls more... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

Tha Eastsidaz Welcome Tray Deee Home With The Trio’s First Single In Years (Video)

Back in the 1990s, it was hard out here for a Snoop. Despite Snoop Dogg's uber-solo success in Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather, the Long Beach legend had trouble building a group. Dating back to the late '80s, Snoop's 213 crew (with Nate Dogg and Warren G) was unable to strike... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Quik Goes Digging In The Crates With 19 Influential Records

In their new issue (#50), Wax Poetics went digging for records with DJ Quik at Hollywood's famed Amoeba Records shop. Thankfully, the article is also available online. The producer for 2Pac, Jay Z, Suga Free, Hi-C, Mausberg, Snoop Dogg, and countless others used the racks of wax to identify 19... Read more

July 30, 2014 Throwback

Action Bronson, Schoolboy Q, Vic Mensa & More Blow The Roof Off Peter Palooza III (Video)

Blow out the candles with Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg as the radio personality kicks it behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop for his third birthday bash aptly titled Peter Palooza III. After snapping a few quick pictures with the likes of Chris Rivers, Retch, and... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Who Has Rap’s Biggest Vocabulary On The Hip-Hop Flow Chart?

Remember the intricate infographic that data scientist and Hip-Hop enthusiast Matt Daniels compiled displaying the artists with the biggest vocabularies in the game? Including the likes of the statistically most lyrical wordsmith, Aesop Rock, as well as the Wu-Tang Clan, Drake, Eminem, and Jay-Z, Daniels broke down over 75 artists'... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

GQ Calls Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy The Best Album Of The 21st Century

GQ recently revealed their 21 best albums of the 21st Century that includes some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B. The man at the top of their list may be no surprise, but the album of choice could be. Selecting Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

Janelle Monáe Turns Into The Electric Lady (Video)

Earlier this year in an interview with Fuse TV, the soulful Janelle Monáe revealed that she is working on a conceptual project titled, Eephus, and it seems that she plans on taking notes from Beyoncé and releasing it unannounced. "I'm working on a new, cool creative project called 'Eephus'," she... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Who are the Top 5 Rappers of All Time? Raekwon Names His (Video)

There's nothing quite like a conversation at the barber shop. Raekwon sits down with GQ for a little sharp shop talk. He speaks on his new album (Snoop has a verse), the $5MM Wu-Tang Clan album, what the age limit should be for a rapper and more. He also names... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Your Old Droog Has No Message For You (Audio)

Whether or not you believe that Your Old Droog is Nas, fans will be able to finally unmask the true identity of the relatively unknown MC at Webster Hall in New York City on September 3 with Rast RFC and Timeless Truth. That is, unless he actually shows up in... Read more

July 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Mike D Speaks on the Evolution of Violence in Hip-Hop Fueled by the Death Row vs. Bad Boy Feud (Video)

In a recent sit down with Vanity Fair Magazine, Mike D of The Beastie Boys discusses how the Death Row versus Bad Boy feud changed the course of Hip-Hop for all artists, including himself, as they had to learn to navigate in a culture of escalating violence. In part one... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rah Digga & Planet Asia Shine, Readying For Musical Apocalypse (Audio)

Rah Digga has been on a tear throughout the last month. Jersey City's star MC makes another poignant statement, this time witnessing the decline in the musical art-form, industry and outlets for artists. Before Digga comes in strong, Fresno's Planet Asia kicks a detailed, rugged verse that is among his... Read more

July 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

MarQ Spekt & Blockhead’s SumOfItsParts Is As Cool Visually As It Is Sonically (Video)

Yesterday (July 29), Philadelphia MC MarQ Spekt and Manhattan producer/DJ Blockhead released Justplaywitit, their first collaborative LP. Like all albums, the artists may hope that it's a "sum of its parts." The second single shares that sentiment. The video from the Cunninlynguist and Aesop Rock affiliates, respectively, features mixed media,... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Timbaland Says He’s Never, Ever Seen Missy Elliott Record

This is the third decade that Timbaland and Missy Elliott have recorded together. Two of the artists who helped put the state of Virginia on the Hip-Hop map have made massive hits with each other, including "What About Us?," "Here We Come," and "The Rain," among plenty others. However, in... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

Black Cobain and Wale Come Together For Another Hot Collabo (Audio)

After going toe to toe and verse for verse with Wale on "4AM" more than 3 years ago, Black Cobain re-teams with the MMG soldier on "Lost Files." The result is the same. Both MCs flex considerable skills over a track well-suited for their complementary tones and flows. Check it... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio

Taylor Bennett Goes Off On A Classic Dr. Dre Beat In Chi-raq Dreamin (Video)

Brother to Chance The Rapper, Taylor Bennett, hits the the booth in Los Angeles' Truth Studios for a lyrical assault from his single "Chi-raq Dreamin" that respectfully takes on production from Dr. Dre and Eminem's definitive 2000 release, "Forgot About Dre." Bennett is tactically precise with his bars and brings... Read more

July 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cormega Juices Up Industry, With A Kool G Rap, Masta Ace & Craig G Remix (Audio)

After the tremendous acclaim of Mega Philosophy single, "Industry," Cormega (as promised) is hard at work on some jaw-dropping remixes. Cory starts off looking at his own native borough of Queens, New York. There, 'Mega links with Craig G (who he worked with on QB's Finest's single, "Da Bridge 2001"),... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

REKS, N.O.R.E. & Saigon Pay Homage To Marcus Garvey (Video)

REKS and producer Hazardis Soundz, two weeks removed from the release of their joint album, Eyes Watching God, drop visuals for the single, "Garvey." The title is dedicated to the late Jamaican political leader Marcus Garvey, a prophet in the eyes of the Rastafari, and the track itself opens with... Read more

July 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Amidst Kids’ Anniversary, A Documentary Is In Production By One Of The Film’s Stars

Yesterday (July 28), Larry Clark's film, Kids, turned 19 years old. The July, 1995 theatrical release resonated with generations of Heads, ranging from those who watched it, those who lived it, and even those who watch now, and simply learn from it. One of the film's stars, Hamilton Harris, is... Read more

July 29, 2014 Throwback

One of the Greats Covers One of the Greats as Beyonce Perform’s Lauryn Hill’s Ex-Factor (Video)

Few women have been more iconic in music over the last 15 years than Lauryn Hill and Beyonce. Last night, during a stop in New Orleans for the On the Run Tour, Queen Bey rendered a heartfelt performance of Ms. Hill's classic, "Ex-Factor." Check out the video. Props on the... Read more

July 29, 2014 Video

Killer Mike & El-P Are Back With a New Jewel (Audio)

Killer Mike and El-P make magic together...jewels, to be precise. The duo, who collectively go by Run the Jewels, have released an extended snippet of a new song. "Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1" contains all the heavyweight lyrical substance and sonic bombast you'd come to expect from Mike and El-P. Check... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio

Scarface & Akon Teach The H-Town Youth The Low Down Truth (Video)

Earlier this month, Scarface and Akon released their "Exit Plan." The record kicks Geto Boy knowledge to the new generation on the do's and don't's of operating in the streets in search of upward mobility. For the just-released visual, Facemob hits the streets of H-Town (Akon is not included in... Read more

July 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Statik Selektah Assembles Logic, Ab-Soul & Jon Connor For A Soulful Wakeup (Audio)

With What Goes Around three weeks away (August 19), Statik Selektah's roll-out rolls on. In the last seven years, the New England native has rivaled the likes of DJ Khaled and DJ Drama in his ability to make massive collaborations work, all while being thematic. Looking to the new class... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Plays With His Vocals Guesting On Jasmine V’s New Single (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar continues to help R&B singers reach new crowds. This time, he joins Jasmine V (a/k/a Jasmine Villegas) on "That's Me Right There," a song that walks the line between reminding Heads to consider the other person's feelings, and just a track about showing out for originality. K-Dot comes... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

For The First Time, Hear J. Dilla & Phat Kat’s – Detroit’s Finest EP Snippets (Audio)

Back in 1996 and 1997, Slum Village was not the only group that occupied the time belonging to J. Dilla (then known as Jay Dee). Dilla had established a longstanding partnership with fellow Detroit MC, Phat Kat. Known as 1st Down, the pair inked a contract with Payday Records (Jeru... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

It’s No Dream… Mobb Deep & The LOX Are Living Lush (Video)

Fifteen years after Mobb Deep and Nas brought out the Scarface-inspired cigarette racing boats and island grandeur in "It's Mine," Prodigy and Havoc invite Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch to a Northeast mansion party in "All A Dream." The Notorious B.I.G.-sampling single from The Infamous Mobb Deep album features... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joe Budden & Ransom Squash Differences, Reunite In The Vietnam Trenches (Audio)

Two Garden State greats, Joe Budden and Ransom, came from the same circles in the mid-2000s. Ransom was poised to be one of "Jumpoff Joe's" early proteges, in between his Def Jam Records fallout and what would become his Slaughterhouse lead-in's. Around 2008, the two lyricists ran afoul and entered... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nicki Minaj Morphs Into Sugilite On Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe (Video)

Cartoon Network has had it's fair share of history with Hip-Hop in it's recent past. Back in 2011, an episode titled "Rap It Up" in the series, Regular Show, featured an animated version of Tyler, the Creator, Childish Gambino, and MC Lyte as a part of a fictional group, CrewCrew,... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Wiz Khalifa Releases a Brooding Song About Success (Video)

For many, their first exposure to Wiz Khalifa came by way of his massive 2010 single, "Black and Yellow." But, long term fans know that Wiz had put in work for several years before reaping the fruits of his labor. Now, some 4 years later, as he embarks on the... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio

Kids Hit Theaters 19 Years Ago Today, Watch The Raw NYC Coming Of Age Film (Video)

On July 28, 1995, Larry Clark's first film, Kids, hit theaters. The movie starring Rosario Dawson, Chloe Sevigny, the late Justin Pierce, and Leo Fitzpatrick followed the very adult consequences of a group of teens living in then-present-day New York City. Produced in part by Gus Van Zandt (Good Will... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Nas Discovers His Third Great Grandmother: Pocahontas

Like Erykah Badu before him, Nas inks up his time slot on PBS' television series, Finding Your Roots, in which the New York born artist traces back his family lineage far beyond the reaches of his own personal discoveries. The host of the show and Harvard professor, Dr. Henry Louis... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh

Apollo Brown Gives The Perfect Visual Illustration For His Latest Roc Marciano Link (Video)

Apollo Brown's beats are just so grim. The Mello Music Group mainstay has this amazing ability to create a frigidness on the track, even in the dead of Summer. For "Lonely & Cold," his latest link with Roc Marciano, Brown hit the parks for a street-stuck journey in gritty black... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Raps About How He & Chief Keef Are Of The Same Water, Jay Z Meetings In SBTV Freestyle (Video)

After last week's 10-minute freestyle, Vic Mensa keeps things a bit more simple and concentrated for SBTV's Warm Up Sessions. While in the United Kingdom, the Save Money standout uses his cue to rap about Chicago's violent epidemic, and reminds Heads that just 'cause he might not talk about the... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Asher Roth Makes Some Retro Soul as He Parties at the Disco (Video)

Asher Roth has come a long way since his days of loving college. Along the way, the ever-changing free spirit has tapped into his gritty side with Nottz, has jazz influences on Pabst & Jazz, and now he's taking a dive into 70's Soul. Though his latest is called "Parties... Read more

July 28, 2014 Video

50 Cent & G-Unit Are Outstanding, On A Feel-Great Gap Band Instrumental (Audio)

After tackling some contemporary production from DJ Mustard, Hit-Boy, and Mike MiLL Made It, 50 Cent and G-Unit wanted to take a page from Raekwon's recent book. The quintet (with Kidd Kidd now square in the mix) hopped on a Gap Band "Outstanding" instrumental, and popped bottles in lyrical form,... Read more

July 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Get Ready for The Simpsons vs. The Family Guy (Video)

Fisticuffs fly when Homer meets Peter. The Family Guy's Griffin family are making a trip this fall to Springfield where they meet and spend some extended time with The Simpsons--enough for a one hour special. This is one of the many announcements that came out of this year's Comic Con.... Read more

July 27, 2014 Video

45 King Plays The Classics & The Breaks, Rocking An Hour-Long DJ Set For Boiler Room NYC (Video)

One of the true links in Hip-Hop's chain from the mid-1980s to today is 45 King. Often credited as the founder of the original Flavor Unit, 45 King is also the man responsible for discovering MCs like Queen Latifah, Chill Rob G, and others, all while producing classic material for... Read more

July 27, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Chubb Rock Made Some Party Joints. Here’s A Brand New Remix With Chubb & DJ Mighty Mi That Pleases (Audio)

Chubb Rock and his booming vocals made Hip-Hop great in the five-year-run between 1988 and 1993. With his Caribbean influence, Chubb's wit, precise delivery, and fast flow made him a Select Records flagship artist, and a staple voice in Hip-Hop's most animated era. With some key spots through recent years,... Read more

July 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

It’s An Arsonists Party As Jise Takes On A Homeless Perspective On A Dope Q-Unique Loop (Video)

The Arsonists' impact lives on, years after the New York City graffiti-inspired collective parted ways. While D-Stroy is making big noise on DJ Premier beats, care of Doo Wop mixtapes, Freestyle, Jise One, and Q-Unique stay working. From The Passion Of Jise, Jise hopped on a Q-Unique chop of a... Read more

July 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

This Week in Hip-Hop Brought a Righteous Verse from Lecrae, Videos from Common, Cormega, ONYX, YG & More (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought some heavy hitters, including Lecrae conquering Sway's 5 Swingers of Death MC challenge with a righteous verse, 19-year old Kanye freestyling, new music videos from Cormega, Common, ONYX, YG, 2 Chainz, Chance the Rapper and more, Snoop interviewing Jimmy Kimmel, short clips on Apollo... Read more

July 26, 2014 Playlists, Video

Count Bass D is Back and You Need To Know (Audio)

Count Bass D is an incredibly dope artist who (along the lines of DOOM, J-Live, People Under the Stairs and more) is revered by Heads in the know but never penetrated the mainstream. He is returning with a new EP, The Count in Cologne, which is his first project of... Read more

July 26, 2014 Audio

It’s Official. Iron Mike Tyson is a Super Hero Courtesy of Adult Swim (Video)

In addition to the return of Aaron McGruder via his new Black Jesus series, Adult Swim is launching a show featuring Iron Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson Mysteries will portray Tyson as an idiosyncratic problem solver with some super human powers (namely, his fists). As with most Adult Swim fare, it... Read more

July 26, 2014 Video

Who’s the King of Guest Verses? Here’s a Playlist of Some of the Best of the Best (Playlist)

Over the years, there have been a number of great guest verses, but there are some that stand above others. When done properly, a killer guest verse can become career-defining (just ask Busta and Kendrick). Here's a playlist of some truly standout guest verses. You'll hear music from Andre 3000,... Read more

July 25, 2014 Audio, Playlists