News Archives

Roc Marciano & Apollo Brown Link Again For That Grim Apocalyptic Flyness (Audio)

As O.C., Ghostface Killah, and Kool G Rap have all sounded extra-crispy on Apollo Brown tracks, perhaps one of the tightest fits has been Roc Marciano. Marci's nostalgic delivery, bygone images of street codes and fly attire complement the Detroit, Michigan-based producer's dusty loops, vocal samples, and hissy presentation. Following... Read more

June 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

G-Eazy Shows Out On A BET 106 & Park Backroom Freestyle (Video)

In part of Oakland, California's latest wave in Hip-Hop comes MC/producer G-Eazy. Having worked with E-40 and A$AP Ant, this week's These Things Happen is a barn-stormer of a debut from the latest Rap innovator from the Pacific Northwest. Hitting BET's "106 & Park" Backroom Freestyle. The stylish MC showcases... Read more

June 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here is One of the Best Articles on Kendrick Lamar Ever Written. Guaranteed.

There have been thousands of articles written about Kendrick Lamar; maybe tens of thousands. This comprehensive piece by the New York Times' Lizzy Goodman is hands down one of the best you will ever read, if not the best. Goodman was granted unprecedented access to Kendrick over several months and... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh

5 Years Ago Today, The World Lost The King Of Pop: Michael Jackson (Video Playlist)

Although his Xscape album is currently knocking on charts, with new singles still rocking on radio, it was five years ago today (June 25) the world lost one of the greatest entertainers its ever known in Michael Jackson. The pride of Gary, Indiana lives on through decades of timeless hits,... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Tech N9ne Dedicates New Video To Late Mother (Video)

Back in November of last year, Tech N9ne wrote "Fear," a track he refers to as the most emotional of his career. Dedicated to his ailing mother who was battling a number of illnesses, Tech and his team completed shooting the music video to the track just days before he... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Weeknd Delivers His Own Brand Of Sensuous R&B With New Single (Audio)

Grammy nominated artist, The Weeknd, is an individual who strives to push the edges of Hip-Hop and R&B with a brand of music that has garnered the attention of a myriad of artists from Juicy J to Drake. Now, the XO recording artist and producer unleashes his latest cut, "Often,"... Read more

June 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent Hints Toward A G-Unit Mixtape In Near Future, Opens Up About Reunion (Video)

50 Cent talks about his new love interest in film, Tatted Up Holly (3:00), his new fighting regimen (6:00), his new movie with Lionsgate, BMF (Black Mafia Family) (12:00), and the rough release date for a brand new G-Unit album (17:50), as well as a mixtape. The Animal Ambition artist... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

2014 Afro Punk Fest To Include D’Angelo, Body Count, Me’Shell Ndegeocello & More

Ticket sales and the lineup for 2014's Afro Punk Fest have been announced. On August 23 and 24, Brooklyn, New York's Commodore Barry Park will play host to the third annual event. This year's headliner is none other than D'Angelo, in the midst of a long-anticipated return to the spotlight... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh

Ep. 3 of The Message Documentary Looks at the Complicated Relationship Between Women & Hip-Hop (Full Video)

Episode 3 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, examines the treatment of women in Hip-Hop, as well as the rise of mega Hip-Hop entrepreneurs. Artists like Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Missy are discussed, as well as Jay Z, Puff Daddy, Wu-Tang Clan and more. Guests include Nas,... Read more

June 25, 2014 Video

Tech N9ne Dedicates His Kimmel Set To His Mom, Like A True Mental Giant (Video)

This month, Tech N9ne lost his mother to Lupus. The Kansas City, Missouri MC/independent label mogul — whose home state has been in the spotlight for debates on online sports betting Missouri legislators continue to push — took to “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to dedicate his nationally-televised performance to her. Rather... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joell Ortiz Passes Out House Slippers & Talks Dr. Dre On Shade 45 (Video)

On Eminem's Shade 45, Slaughterhouse's Joell Ortiz sits down with Sway Calloway to discuss his new battle rapping series, Total Slaughter (0:30), his upcoming solo album, House Slippers (5:40), his recent weight loss (6:40), and the first time he wrote a rhyme (12:15). Joell also dove into a story about... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ab-Soul Explains That Black Lip Pastor Is Actually Disease-Related, Never Fighting (Video)

Ab-Soul lives like his music. The self-proclaimed "hippiest" of Black Hippy stopped by Power 105's Breakfast Club the week of his These Days... release to discuss some non-musical issues. The Carson, California native confirmed a relationship with fellow guest, model Yaris Sanchez. However, aside from gossip and juicy innuendo, the... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Yasiin Gaye’s Amerigo Gazaway Is The Latest DJ To Honor James Brown (Mixtape)

The same month Amerigo Gazaway released the second volume (or "Side Two," as he called it) to Yasiin Gaye, the Marvin Gaye and Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) mash-up, he's back for more. After two acclaimed volumes on his free downloadable Y.G. series, Amerigo sets his sights on another late Soul/R&B... Read more

June 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Faith Evans & Missy Elliott Combine for Some New Hip-Hop Soul (Audio)

In 2001, Faith Evans and Missy Elliott connected to cook up some dynamic Hip-Hop Soul on the remix to "Burnin' Up." 13 years later, the pair are at it again on Faith's new single, "I Deserve It." The result? Another party-starter...Check it out. Related: Missy Elliott is Working on a... Read more

June 25, 2014 Audio

Blueprint Drops The Visual For One Of 2014’s Most Awakening Rap Songs, Perspective (Video)

If you're not up on Blueprint, now's as good of a time as any to familiarize yourself with the Columbus, Ohio veteran. The front-man for the Greenhouse crew, this MC/producer is also RJD2's partner in Soul Position, and a veteran artist down with the Rhymesayers collective. After conceptual works like... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Blu, MED & Dam-Funk Are Buzzin’ Over Madlib Beats (Video)

Madlib, the producer, MC and DJ who has worked collaboratively in the past with the likes of MF DOOM (Madvillain) and J Dilla (JayLib), stayed close to home to work with MED and Blu to produce most of their 2013 joint project, The Burgundy EP. Just nine months later, The... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Side of Kanye West You May Have Never Seen…and It Might Just Be the Most Authentic (Video)

Kanye West is celebrated for fashion, art, braggadocio, rants, Kim and, most importantly, music. What is often overlooked, and possibly the thread through each of these elements, is his formidable intelligence. Kanye recently sat on a panel at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity with Steve Stoute (Tanning of America,... Read more

June 24, 2014 Video

Buckshot, P-Money & T’Nah Apex Remind That Hip-Hop is a Living Spectrum…and It’s the Sweetest Thing (Video)

There's a lot of chatter about which era is better in Hip-Hop. Truth is, Hip-Hop is and always will be a living, breathing spectrum of the music that is made, one day at a time. There was great Hip-Hop in the 90's. There was TERRIBLE Hip-Hop then too. There is... Read more

June 24, 2014 Video

Emilio Rojas States What He’s ‘Bout In A Tony Touch Toca Tuesday Freestyle (Video)

With yet another self-released street project, care of Zero Fucks Given, Rochester, New York's Emilio Rojas is counting on a hot Summer. After a recent ShowOff Radio freestyle with Statik Selektah, Ro' joins another highly-respected DJ/producer at satellite radio, care of Tony Touch. Rockin' for Toca Tuesdays (after the "Taino... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pusha T Kicks His 40 Acres Verse To Silence, Deserving Closer Attention (Video)

Pusha T is among Hip-Hop's most championed present-day lyricists. His solo studio debut, My Name Is My Name was regularly mentioned among 2013's best Rap albums. Strangely, the album has seemingly quieted down a bit since. Performing in studio for REVOLT TV, King Push left the beat behind to showcase... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Trey Songz Jumps The Gun With Brand New Album, Trigga (Album Stream)

The sensual and emotive vocalist Trey Songz, who turns 30 this November, has been keeping busy this year working with the likes of Young Jeezy on "Ordinary," a remix to Mariah Carey's "You're Mine (Eternal)," and 50 Cent on his latest project, Animal Ambition. Now, 2 years removed from Trey... Read more

June 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Locksmith Turns The Key And Sets Himself Free (Video)

Locksmith hits the sun-drenched shores of Southern California and lets his fans take a "peek inside the soul of a loner" in visuals to his latest single featuring Rebecca Noel. The introspective cut falls off of his latest album, A Thousand Cuts, and delves into the trials and tribulations of... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Souls Of Mischief Let Off Their First There Is Now Look & Snoop Dogg’s Down (Audio)

One of 2014's more anticipated albums appears to be Souls Of Mischief's There Is Only Now. Opio, Tajai, A-Plus, and Phesto spent last year celebrating 20 years of 93 'Til Infinity, with a tour, a box set, and a lot of much-deserved attention from the former Jive Records sensations. While... Read more

June 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Two Former Death Row Factions Unite, As Tha Outlawz Re-Link With Snoop Dogg (Video)

In the days following 2Pac's 1996 murder, Tha Outlawz, missing their leader and suffering the additional loss of slain member Khadafi were literally "stranded on Death Row." Label-mates with Snoop Dogg, both parties lost the love with the label that had once been so bountiful and successful at breaking talent.... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Black Sheep’s Dres Claims Skills Ownership Alongside Some Hip-Hop Founding Fathers (Video)

Dres, of Black Sheep, who is now going by "Black Sheep Dres" gives the visual treatment to an all new cut from his solo efforts, "We Can All Share." Dres hosts a crew of cameos from Hip-Hop's Godfather, Kool Herc, as well as MC pioneers Grandmaster Caz (Cold Crush Brothers),... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Angie Martinez Interviewed By Power 105 Team, Talks 2Pac (Video)

Since her recent resignation from her longtime seat at HOT 97, Angie Martinez steps into the other side of the booth and fields questions from her new colleagues, Power 105's DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, and the rest of the gang. In the interview, Angie discusses her desire for growth... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

With 2Pac’s Activism In The Conversation Again, Broadway Cries Holler If Ya Hear Me

While Tupac's music is perennially celebrated, it is his activism that has once again come to the foreground, recently. A month ago, 2Pac's previously-unreleased conversation with Sanyika Shakur (Monster Kody) provided 20 minutes of deep insights, reflections, and admissions from the final year of the iconic "Thug Angel's" life. Over... Read more

June 24, 2014 Food for Thought, Fresh

These Days… Ab-Soul Is Aiming For Album Of 2014 Status (Album Stream)

Ab-Soul heats years up. Two years and a month after #ControlSystem, the Carson, California MC returns with another independent release given away for free stream, in These Days... The "Black lipped pastor" of Black Hippy bypasses traditional promotional strategies, and lets the lyrics come first. These Days... is an expanded... Read more

June 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Two of 50 Cent’s Animal Ambition Deluxe Edition Songs Are Without Videos. Make That 1… (Video)

Including the bonus cuts, only two 50 Cent Animal Ambition songs are without videos. The ScHoolboy Q-assisted "Flip On You" still lacks a visual, while Fif's "You Know" was audio-only as well...until this morning (June 24). With some Italian machinery and some model mayhem, 50 steps onto the sound-stage to... Read more

June 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

M.O.P. Assaults A Soul-Sample Track By Domingo (Audio)

Two of Brooklyn, New York's roughest neighborhoods have been East New York and Brownsville. In the face of NBA teams, celebrity hotspots, and ongoing gentrification, lovers of "old New York," highlight those two locales as being places that still live by their own rules. M.O.P., representatives of the 'Ville, continue... Read more

June 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Beard Gang Shines, With Cameos By Ed Lover, Kurupt, Action Bronson (Video)

Still without an album in stores, The Beard Gang continues to demand awareness. The Philadelphia collective features gold and platinum-selling artists Malik B and Freeway, as well as self-proclaimed leader, Jakk Frost, and relative newcomer, Tana Da Beast. With allusions to the common facial trait of Philly's Sunni Muslim community,... Read more

June 24, 2014 Video

Read 2Pac’s 1995 Letter From Prison To Public Enemy’s Chuck D

In September 1995, Tupac Shakur was in New York's Clinton Correctional Facility, with less than a month remaining on a sexual assault conviction, stemming from 1993. Maintaining that he was innocent of the accusations against him, 'Pac rallied in his year leading up to the sentencing, while working hard at... Read more

June 23, 2014 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Delivers One of His Most Aggressive Verses Since Control (Audio)

Since Summer of 2012, Hip-Hop has been knocked off of its axis from two potent MCs. Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul have been at the forefront of injecting thoughtful, researched, culturally-relevant lyrics back into the mainstream conversation, and each has the bravado and self-confidence akin to Rap's brightest moments in history.... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Lox Release Some New Fighting Music with D-Block Survivors (Audio)

The Lox are out to break some necks with their latest, literally and figuratively. "D-Block Survivors" is fighting music, plain and simple. The boom bap drums and horn sounds grab you by the throat from jump and don't let go. This is the 2nd release in 3 days from Styles,... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio

Hear The Story Of Q-Tip, With Some A Tribe Called Quest & Last Zulu News (Audio)

The BBC keeps covering Hip-Hop with an elite edge. Benji B of the 1Xtra platform curated an extensive narrative audio mix, telling the Abstract story that is Q-Tip. With the playlist on display for "The Story Of Q-Tip," Benji cues records from the 1980s to set the stage for what... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Battle Rap Meets Bellator on the Road to Total Slaughter (Video)

Eminem and Shady Films are off on their quest to bring battle rapping back to the forefront and to crown the best of the best with the debut episode of "Road To Total Slaughter." 8 MCs have been picked to live together under one roof to prep their lyrical artillery... Read more

June 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jhene Aiko Releases a New Song To Live & Die For (Audio)

Though Jhene Aiko quotes a bit of 50 Cent in her latest single, the song is irrefutably all hers. As Ms. Aiko prepares for her first performance at the BET Awards on Sunday and her forthcoming debut album, she lets this ethereal mid-tempo track fly. Check out To Live &... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio

Curren$y Releases Drive In Theatre, 5 Music Shorts In One Exhale (Videos)

Since taking his career into his own hands, Curren$y is a master of surprise. The New Orleans MC with a penchant for herbs and horsepower has released a 5-act, 13-minute short film from his Drive In Theatre. The film's acts are comprised of "MPR," "Stolen," "Intermission," "Stovetop," and "Hi-Top Whites."... Read more

June 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Discusses His Growth as an Artist and a Person (Video)

Kendrick Lamar celebrated his 27th birthday last week. As part of a recent interview with Devi Dev, he discussed his growth both as an artist and a person since Hip-Hop took the good kid out of the mad city and into the world. He also discussed the new album, the... Read more

June 23, 2014 Video

Rick Rubin’s 1-Hour Conversation With Zane Lowe Leaves No Question Unanswered (Video)

To some extent, Rick Rubin is something of Hip-Hop's Howard Hughes, and that's not just the beard. The music mogul went from starring (as a hybrid of himself) in Krush Groove to basically shunning press and spotlights throughout the '90s and 2000s. That started to change, especially as far as... Read more

June 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Fresh Back in the Day Mix of 90’s R&B. Reminisce to This (Audio)

Here's a fresh back in the day mix of 90's R&B from DJ Max October. It features sounds from Aaliyah, Usher, Xscape, SWV, Brandy, Case, Total, Blackstreet, 702, Lauryn Hill, Monica and more. This one is guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Check it out. Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff &... Read more

June 23, 2014 Throwback

Ab-Soul Talks “These Days” On NPR Before Tomorrow’s Release (Audio)

In anticipation of the release of his third album, These Days (6/24), Top Dawg Entertainment’s Ab-Soul sits down with Frannie Kelley and Ali Shaheed Muhammad from NPR’s Microphone Check series to discuss nuances of the album, his career, and his art as a whole. Ab delves into a particularly captivating... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Sadat X Talks Brand Nubian, Biggie, ‘Pac & Jay Z On Juan Epstein (Audio)

Sadat X sits down with Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg to listen to some old Sadat cuts and discuss a wide variety of topics including his influences, early stories surrounding Brand Nubian including his initiation with Grand Puba and Lord Jamar and their subsequent '90s break-up, as well as some... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

What’s the Biggest Way the Internet Has Changed Hip-Hop? (Video)

The final installment of BET's 4-part Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, discusses how the digital revolution transformed Hip-Hop. Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, Mac Miller and many of the Internet's biggest benefactors discuss its impact on their careers and the culture, generally. The episode also features Nas, Wyclef,... Read more

June 23, 2014 Video

This Week Brought Videos From J. Cole, G-Unit, T.I., Ab-Soul, Joell Ortiz, Dilated Peoples, Common & More (Video)

This week was a strong one for video. New visuals rolled in from Common, Ab-Soul, G-Unit, T.I., Joell Ortiz, Dilated Peoples, The Game and more. There were also throwbacks from J. Cole & Michael Jackson. Additionally, Black Thought tackled the Harry Potter theme and Chris Rock announced a new tour.... Read more

June 22, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Think Kevin Hart is Funny? Ice Cube Doesn’t. Here’s Why (Video)

Last week, both Ice Cube and Kevin Hart made appearances on Conan. While the 2 may not agree on much, they do share 1 belief: Ice Cube does not think Kevin Hart is funny. Here's a look at each breaking down how and why Cube gives Hart the mean face... Read more

June 22, 2014 Video

Chris Lighty Speaks on How He Started Violator (Video)

As part of its Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, BET conducted the last ever televised interview with Chris Lighty, prior to his death in 2012. As part of that session, Lighty spoke on how he made the transition from working with Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen at Def Jam/Rush Management to... Read more

June 22, 2014 Video

Souls of Mischief Are Releasing Their First New Album in More Than 5 Years (Artwork & Tracklist)

2013 was a landmark year for Souls of Mischief, as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their beloved album, '93 til Infinity. 2014 is shaping up to be another banner year for the group, as they are gearing up to release their first new album in more than 5 years.... Read more

June 22, 2014 Fresh

Celebrate A Humble Genius, With A 3-Hour 1989-1999 Large Professor Mix (Audio)

Like many great artists, Large Professor is somewhat of a Hip-Hop recluse. He's never hard to find (especially if you're a Head who regularly attends NYC Rap concerts), but the man also known as "Extra P" is quick to dodge the spotlight, and take long breaks from releasing (or even... Read more

June 22, 2014 Audio, Throwback

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Summertime Vol. 5 (Mixtape)

Could a Summer really be a Hip-Hop Summer without DJ Jazzy Jeff and the DJ formerly known as Mick Boogie dropping their signature mixtape? For the fifth straight solstice, the Philly and Ohio natives, respectively, let go of the block party-to-go mix series. This year's includes joints from Parliament-Funkadelic, The... Read more

June 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes