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HS87 Hits You With Freestyles Over Unreleased Hit-Boy Beats On Sway In The Morning (Video)

It's a family affair when Hit-Boy and HS87 hit the Shade 45 studio. Hit-Boy discusses his love for music, introduces his father, and takes some phone calls with fans on Sway In The Morning. Hit-Boy was the first producer to ever bring his own beats to play for Sway, and... Read more

Mack Wilds Recruits Pusha T For A My Crib Remix Themed After A Famous Roc-A-Fella Moment In Time (Audio)

"Jigga flow, who better to jack it?" raps Pusha T on the "My Crib remix," which features a Salaam Remi-blend over Mack Wilds' original. Pusha T bookends the appearance with two short verses, channeling back (with the beat) to the glory days of Jay Z, Beanie Sigel, and Memphis Bleek... Read more

Blood Orange Goes Back To The Future with You’re Not Good Enough (Video)

Grammy Award-winning artist Blood Orange has this seemingly effortless ability to transcend time with his latest visual effort, "You're Not Good Enough." Visuals that live and breathe in the air of the 80's cut between shots of the British singer in an all white suit performing with members of the... Read more

Mary J. Blige Links With Some Smooth Pharrell Production For A Jam About Missed Connections (Audio)

Everybody's had those missed connections. Since before the days of Craigslist, there have been those fatalistic encounters with others that pass all too quickly, without contact information exchanged. For the Think Like A Man Too Soundtrack, Mary J. Blige and Pharrell Williams recount experiences in a song called "See That... Read more

Emilio Rojas Shows A Strong Confidence On A ShowOff Freestyle (Video)

Although he deems it "light work," Rochester, New York's Emilio Rojas' stunts on a ShowOff Radio freestyle alongside collaborator, Statik Selektah. Combining his challenging upbringing with some bravado surrounding women and skills, one of Hip-Hop's most championed unsigned artists continues his recent run of strong material. Related: Emilio Rojas –... Read more

Buckshot & P-Money Have “Just Begun” With Raz Fresco (Audio)

Buckshot and P-Money, who recently released a video with Pro Era's CJ Fly and Joey Bada$$ for their upcoming project, BackPack Travels, continues the trend of working with up and coming Hip-Hop youth with 19 year old Toronto producer and MC Raz Fresco on the cut, "Just Begun." Smooth vocal... Read more

Marsha Ambrosius Spreads Hope In The Poweful Visual To Run (Video)

Floetry alum Marsha Ambrosious remains super versatile. The singer who's been close to the productions from both Dr. Dre and DJ Hi-Tek over the years is an R&B purist at heart. With tinges of Pop, Marsha makes an inspirational song about escaping the confines in life for true spiritual freedom.... Read more

Childish Gambino Reveals That He’s Making An EP With Chance The Rapper

Following 2013's "Worst Guys" video single, Childish Gambino took to Twitter in the last six hours (June 8) to reveal that he and Chance The Rapper's collaborative discography is far from over. The two stars of recent-Rap are reportedly at work on an EP together. Details are sparse, but is... Read more

Tyler the Creator is Not a Rapper. He’s an Artist…Here’s Why (Video)

Tyler the Creator recently appeared on Larry King Now and gave one of his most compelling interviews to date. He spoke about the importance of authenticity to him, defusing the power of derogatory words, his desire to be known as an artist of many talents (rather than just a rapper),... Read more

Sir Mix-A-Lot Brings Booty Bass To Classical, As He Performs Baby Got Back With An Orchestra (Video)

Applaud Seattle Hip-Hop pioneer Sir Mix-A-Lot. For 30 years, the MC/DJ/radio personality and producer has been making a unique brand of Rap music, helping co-pioneer Booty Bass (with the L.A. faction of 2 Live Crew) just about as far from Miami as an American can get. Although S.M.A.'s hits go... Read more

This Week Brought a Mind-Blowing Freestyle from Lupe Fiasco, Deep Knowledge From Ab-Soul & More (Video)

This week, Lupe Fiasco delivered a freestyle that put him in Sway's top 10 of ALL-TIME. Ab-Soul decoded his Stigmata verse using strictly Jay Z lyrics. Pharoahe Monch flexed his surprisingly strong singing skills. M.O.P. blew out Summer Jam with The Roots. A$AP Mob rocked an off the dome cypher.... Read more

Imagine Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Bill Bellamy & Marlon Wayans on 1 Stage. Or Just Read About It…

Dave Chappelle is returning to Radio City Music Hall later this month for an 8-night run with several guests, including Erykah Badu, The Roots, DJ Premier, Janelle Monae and more. As part of his prep, he assembled a dream team of comedy for 1 night only in February that included... Read more

People Under The Stairs Release A Mix Of Rarities For Their 12 Step Album (Mixtape)

DJ Day's limited edition 12 Step Program mixtape was released to 100 physical copies at People Under The Stairs' recent shows. Now, P.U.T.S. liberates the mix to the web. Featuring some rarities and new material, this mix promotes the just-released 12 Step Program album (of the same name). The veteran... Read more

Murs & Mayday Release Yet Another Subversive Video. Here it is…(Video)

Murs & Mayday have been putting out some of the most challenging music and videos of the year. Thus far, each video has addressed a prison theme...of sorts. In "Tabletops," they staged a prison break and "Serge's Song" took a stand against the U.S. prison system. "Here," their latest, deals... Read more

Here is an Incredibly Candid Previously Unreleased Conversation Between 2Pac & Sanyika Shakur (Audio)

This is a an amazing find. Here's a previously unreleased 20 minute conversation between Tupac and Sanyika Shakur (pka Monster Kody). They speak about the perils of prison life, the Hughes brothers, Yummy Sandifer, signing to Death Row, his rape case, Pac's desire to help the community and more. This... Read more

Disclosure Puts a House Spin on Pharrell & Jay Z’s Frontin and It’s a Stone Cold Groove (Audio)

Though 2014 witnessed the death of Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House, the year has produced quite the resurgence in the Chicago-born form of soulful dance music. There have been some stellar releases, including Vic Mensa's Down on My Luck, and now Disclosure return with a deep remix of Pharrell... Read more

YC The Cynic Is A Nightmare Literally And Lyrically In “Night Thoughts” (Video)

Brooklyn artist YC The Cynic dons the sinister rabbit mask from the movie "Donnie Darko" in his latest visual effort, "Night Thoughts." The video, directed by Breeze Embalm, boasts mischievous production, fantastical vocal loops, and a taste of Black Moon's "How Many MC's," powered by Yuri Beats. The stage is... Read more

Ep 2 of The Message Documentary Covers The East/West Coast Beef, The Rise of Southern Hip-Hop, Censorship & More (Video)

Episode 2 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, covers the turbulent times in the 90's including the East Coast/West Coast feuds, misogyny in lyrics, corporate attacks on Rap music and more. It also details the rise of Southern Hip-Hop. Guests include Snoop, Uncle Luke, Master P, Juicy J, The Game,... Read more

AFH Celebrates 30 Years of Beat Street (Video Playlist)

30 years ago, on June 6, 1984, Orion Pictures released the seminal film, Beat Street. While there had been other movies about Hip-Hop culture (including Wild Style, Style Wars and Breakin'), because Beat Street was backed by a major distribution company and came at the near peak of mainstream recognition... Read more

Sheek Louch Takes it Back to the Basics with Two Turntables & A Mic (Audio)

Sheek Louch teams up with DJ OP on a throwback track that sounds just like it's named, Two Turntables & a Mic. DJ OP scratches and old school drum loop and Sheek does what he does best. Check it out. Related: The LOX Reminisce on Working with The Notorious B.I.G.... Read more

A$AP Mob Drop a Bomb with Flex. This Cypher WILL Get You Gassed!! (Video)

After a busy 2013, A$AP Mob has been keeping it low-key in the 2-0-1-4 thus far. However, the Harlem conglomerate hit Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 show last night (June 5) for the time-tested tradition of crew-freestyles. A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Ant, A$AP Nast and A$AP Twelvyy kicked the seated... Read more

Jon Connor, Troy Ave, Jarren Benton & Lil Bibby Close Down The 2014 XXL Cyphers (Video)

Jon Connor has so much energy. The Flint, Michigan MC sets it off with DJ Drama on the turns, as the tireless Aftermath Entertainment sensation ramps up the final of three 2014 XXL freestyles. Then Jarren Benton is true to form, with his odd-ball humor, and vivid references. Lil Bibby... Read more

In Terms Of Geographical Themes, This Might Be The Most Fully Executed. Hi-Tek Brings Bow Wow & Krayzie Bone Together, With Bootsy Collins Over An Ohio Players Sample (Audio)

From Ja Rule, Jadakiss and Fat Joe's "New York" to Dr. Dre's "Some L.A. Niggaz" to T.W.D.Y.'s "Player's Holiday," there have been some cool geographically-driven collaborations. Still, those seem within a pocket of talented friends, even if guys like Dre and Defari don't often run in the same circles. For... Read more

Dizzy Wright, Bishop Nehru, 9th Wonder and Jamla Create “BrILLiant” Music (Audio)

LRG Clothing releases BrILLiant Youth, a quick, 3 track EP with Funk Volume's Dizzy Wright and New York artist Bishop Nehru. The project is produced entirely by 9th Wonder and also features fellow Jamla Army members Big Remo and Add-2. Dizzy and Bishop mesh like water and ice, providing enough... Read more

King Los Won’t Back Off The Mic On 106 & Park’s “The Backroom” (Video)

Former Bad Boy Records affiliate King Los takes a break from Kid Ink's "My Own Lane Tour" to stop by BET's The Backroom and goes on a lyrical tirade for the 106 & Park freestyle series. The talents of the Baltimore wordsmith were recently given high praise by Lupe Fiasco... Read more

Ab-Soul Kicks A ShowOff Freestyle Along with Dame Dash’s Family, Da$h (Video)

ShowOff Radio freestyles continue to impress, in this Carson, California-to-New Jersey link. Damon Dash's latest family member foray into the music industry is Da$h, who came up appearing on some of Curren$y/Jet Life's get-down with BluRoc/DD172. Now solidifying his own lane, Da$h gets on the mic with Ab-Soul... both of... Read more

6 Highly-Skilled Veteran MCs Tear Down The Beat On Army Of The Pharoahs New Single (Video)

In the conversation surrounding super-groups, perhaps A.O.T.P. is the most overlooked. After over 15 years, this perennial Top 200-selling collective known as Army Of The Pharaohs spans the East Coast including Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks), Esoteric (CZARFACE), Apathy (Demigodz), Planetary (Outerspace), Blacastan, Celph-Titled, and more. Moreover, highly-respected producers by... Read more

The Best Hip-Hop in May Included Slaughterhouse, KRS-One, Ghostface, Ab-Soul, Common, Cormega, The Roots & Much More (Audio Playlist)

Before we get too deep into June, here's a look back at some of the best Hip-Hop to drop in May and there was an abundance...You'll hear new music from Slaughterhouse, Cormega, KRS-One, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, Ghostface, Common, Mac Miller, De La Soul, Nitty Scott, MC, The Roots, Blu, Freddie Gibbs,... Read more

The Celebration Of Illmatic Is Far From Over! Charlie Rose Gets Deep With Nas (Video)

While Nas is among Hip-Hop's most introspective MCs of all time, Heads know that Nas interviews are not always on the same level. While artists like 50 Cent, Tupac, and KRS-One have never struggled to open up for interviews at all outlets, the Queensbridge superstar (much like his formal Brooklyn,... Read more

Lupe Fiasco Rocks A True Off The Dome Freestyle That Sway Says Makes His Top 10, Ever (Video)

Following his Sway In The Morning appearance this a.m. (June 4), Lupe Fiasco honored The Wake Up Show-tested tradition of kickin' a freestyle. Oh, and after that, Lupe reveals when his next album is coming too. Asking for a smooth beat, Lu' insisted he's off the dome, as he falls... Read more

Devin the Dude Makes a New Video About One of His Favorite Pastimes (Video)

Over his 2+ decade career, Devin the Dude has been unabashed about his love for the medicinal. His latest video continues the longstanding theme. Check out I'm Just Gettin' Blowed. Related: Here’s Some Soulful New Goodness From Devin the Dude to Get You Lifted (Video)... Read more

Locksmith Waxes The Art Of Storytellin’ In 2014 (Video)

Locksmith continues his strong 2014 campaign with a brand new music video, "Fuckin' Idols," from his recently released album, A Thousand Cuts. The Richmond, California (word to Master P's In-A-Minute Records imprint of wayback) artist audibly pens his sexually charged story of a man debating a potential affair with a... Read more

Pharrell’s Apollo Concert Is Available In Full Stream & Directed By Spike Lee (Video)

American Express's #AmexUNSTAGED is an incredibly dope concert series pairing innovative, chart-topping artists with exciting musical halls and cinematic visionaries for a very public, unedited, concert in full. After doing The Roots & John Legend's Amex-backed show some years back, iconic filmmaker Spike Lee hops on to show the light... Read more

Ab-Soul Strips Jay Z Lyrics To Break Down Stigmata (Video)

Ab-Soul, the introspective Carson, California MC, sits down with Jay Z's "Life and Times" to break down the lyrics to his recently released Action Bronson-assisted track, "Stigmata," just days after he dropped the official video. "The Black Lip Pastor" takes this as an opportunity to change up the game and... Read more

Don Cheadle Is Campaigning To Push His Directorial Debut Film “Miles Ahead” (Video)

This summer, Don Cheadle is working on his feature directorial debut with a film about the life and music of Miles Davis entitled, Miles Ahead. "I’ve taken my marching orders from Miles’ mandates," Don explains, referring to “play what’s not there,” and “fear no mistakes. There are none," "and focused... Read more

The Marvin Gaye & Mos Def Mash-Up Gets A Bonus Round In Yasiin Gaye: The Return Side Two (Mixtape)

Less than three months after musical-mixologist Amerigo Gazaway unleashed Yasiin Gaye: The Departure: Side 1, the mythical, digital tape gets turned over for the B-side. Yasiin Gaye: The Return: Side Two really captures Marvin Gaye's studio and vocal innovations, while deeply considering the late '90s Mos Def material often overlooked in... Read more

Common Remembers Maya Angelou In This Touching Letter (Food For Thought)

In the wake of Maya Angelou's death last week, Common published a heartfelt reaction. Comm's words explain everything they need to, but Ambrosia For Heads felt this was something too heartfelt, important, and eloquent not to share: "Since I was 5 years old I have loved reading good writing. I... Read more

The Giant Is Greater, As A.G. Steps Into DJ Premier’s Bars In The Booth Series (Video)

After rocking out with The Black Sheep's Dres and Papoose, DJ Premier keeps things in that New York City gritty getting down with A.G. The Diggin' In The Crates crew/Showbiz & A.G. MC goes back over 25 years with Preem, when the two worked together in some of the Bronx... Read more

Stalley Makes A Case For Himself As Man Of The Year Over ScHoolboy Q’s Track (Video)

Even honest cowboys can get a lil' cocky sometimes. ScHoolboy Q's homie Stalley seizes an opportunity to slam some bars over the OXYMORON single's beat. The visual, featuring an old Fleetwood Cadillac, shows why Stalley has had one of the best June-to-June years one can imagine, given his acclaimed mixtape... Read more

Nas, RZA & More Discuss The Earliest Days of Hip-Hop in The Message Hip-Hop Documentary (Video)

BET's 4-part Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, premieres tonight at 10pm. Part 1 focuses on the early days of Hip-Hop and features Doug E Fresh, Fab 5 Freddy, Ice Cube, DJ Premier, Grand Wizard Theodore, Nas, MC Lyte, Questlove, Russell Simmons, Snoop, RZA, Sway, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, Eve, Swizz Beatz... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff Lists Some Of His Prized Celebrity Equipment, Covers Nirvana In A Jam With Travis Barker (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is the farthest thing from a braggart. When he shares jewels from his personal and professional life, it's always matter of fact. So when the A Touch Of Jazz founder crosses paths with Travis Barker (Blink 182), the two are just talking shop. In the process, Jeff... Read more

Common Reunites With No ID At Def Jam Records, Nobody’s Smiling Release Date Announced!

With Nobody's Smiling announced in the first days of 2014, Heads weren't sure of any more details. The Chicago Hip-Hop pioneer had fulfilled his deal with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music years ago, before releasing 2011's The Dreamer/The Believer at Warner Bros. Records, an imprint which has since rolled into Atlantic.... Read more

DJ Scratch Goes Into The Crates With An All-45 James Brown Mix (Mixtape)

In one of the cooler reveals in Hip-Hop as of late, it turns out that J. Period was not alone in honoring James Brown this week. As the True Elements DJ went in on #The Legend Of James Of Brown, EPMD/Flipmode Squad alum DJ Scratch offered up a companion mix,... Read more

Ameriie Is A B-Girl At Heart. Just Listen To Her New Incredible Bongo Band-Sampling Single (Lyric Video)

So Ameriie (who, throughout the 2000s, was simply known as Amerie) has always been on the outskirts of Hip-Hop. The longtime Sony Records songstress has teamed with producers ranging from Roc-A-Fella Records hit-man Bink! to Cee-Lo to Teddy Riley. And who could forget the early 9th Wonder, albeit unofficial, remix... Read more

If You Like Gritty, 90s-Rooted New York Hip-Hop, Your Old Droog May Be Your Best New Artist (Mixtape/EP)

DJ Skizz, whose keen ear, made some AFH favorites of 2013, is out with a relatively unfamiliar artist. Brooklyn MC Your Old Droog (or just "Droog" for short/ease) is fresh on the scene. With straightforward honesty, raspy, streetwise deliveries, Droog is rooted in that Group Home, Akinyele, and Ghostface Killah... Read more

Take A Journey With The Serial Killers, Better Known As B-Real, Xzibit & Demrick (Video)

Slightly (and perhaps intentionally) under the radar, multi-platinum super-group The Serial Killers are still plotting. The trio of B-Real, Xzibit and Demrick are approaching music with the steel-sharpens-steel approach, as two '90s lyrical giants in B and X-to-the-Z find excitement in Young De to call back to those earlier lyrical... Read more

G-Unit’s Engine Just Started And They’re Already Gunning From 0 To 100 (Audio)

As if their performance at Summer Jam, an all new track, and subsequent reunion announcement wasn't enough for fans of 50 Cent and G-Unit, don't worry, your day just got better. With an exclusive release on ThatsEnuff.com, the squad takes over the recently released Drake single, "0-100," and provides that... Read more

J. Period Honors The Godfather Of Soul, James Brown (Mixtape)

Brooklyn-based DJ J. Period (who is actually the Music Supervisor for the Brooklyn Nets) loves many shapes and colors of music. Coming up as a DJ affiliated closely with Oakland duo Zion I, J. Period and his True Elements platform have made celebrated tapes for living legends like The Isley... Read more

Homeboy Sandman Makes An Oceanic Cut Over Some ’70s-Tastic Blu Production (Audio)

Two of the most versatile voices in the contemporary Underground Hip-Hop world are Homeboy Sandman and Blu. Running in similar circles (Stones Throw Records, Sene, etc.), the pair comes together nicely on "Atlantis." H.B.S. states why underwater is the place to be, given some of the goings-on to be found... Read more

Canibus, Kurupt, Ras Kass & Killah Priest’s Four Horsemen Unit Is Back With New Music (Audio)

Canibus, Kurupt, Killah Priest and Ras Kass reunite as the Four Horsemen (a/k/a HRSMN) and drop their first single ("Historic") in almost five years from the upcoming Canibus LP, Fait Accompli, releasing one week from today (June 10). Alongside the highly-influential scholarly MC Tragedy Khadafi, The Four Horsemen dive into... Read more