News Archives

“Button Up” For Kevin Gates 2014 XXL Freestyle (Video)

Kevin Gates, creator of the recently released, well-rounded mixtape, By Any Means, steps up to the microphone for his official XXL Freshman Freestyle of 2014. When asked how it feels to be on the cover of XXL's 2014 Freshman Class, the Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records artist responded, “I always been a... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Some Texas Street Musicians Get A Dream Come True Care Of Juicy J, Aloe Blacc & Trey Songz (Video)

It can be easy to roll your eyes at the seemingly-cliche term "viral video." The label is thrown on anything anymore, whether it actually makes its rounds or not. However, in the past week, some phone-cam footage of a sidewalk jam session in Texas. The simple jam about the uncertainty... Read more

May 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Marvelous Mag & Smoovth Ship Off Their Message In A Bottle Dedicated To The Late J Dilla (Audio)

Velvety, relaxing, Jazz-laden production from veteran producer J. Rawls (Black Star, Lone Catalysts) lays the soundscape for Marvelous Mag and Smoovth to take over their latest track dedicated to the late J Dilla. Be sure to "Enjoy Yourself" with Marvelous Mag's latest mixtape, Ocean Front, that washed to shore yesterday.... Read more

May 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nicki Minaj Releases a Deeply Personal Record for Her First Single (Audio)

In many ways, Nicki Minaj has returned to her 2010 form with the release of Pills N Potions, her first single from the forthcoming album The Pinkprint. Her look is toned down, relative to recent styles, and the single is deeply personal akin to songs like Your Love and Moment... Read more

May 21, 2014 Audio

Black Sheep’s Dres Says We Can All Share (Audio)

In what appears to be a revival of Tommy Boy Records, Black Sheep front man Dres begins a new solo venture. The mentor to Chi-Ali and Jarobi's evitaN partner released "We Can All Share" via NahRight. The song shows the 25-year veteran and Native Tongues member has only gained ground... Read more

May 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Stream Terrace Martin’s New LP ft Snoop, Kendrick Lamar & More (Audio)

Terrace Martin has released 3ChordFold Pulse, which features new material from Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Robert Glasper and more. This project showcases Martin's jazz chops even more than the incredibly soulful original 3ChordFold project. Check out the full stream below.... Read more

May 20, 2014 Audio

Logic Shows Off His Lyrical Skills Over a DJ Premier Beat (Video)

Still sleeping on Logic's skills? Watch how he blisters the mic over this DJ Premier track on Statik Selektah's Show Off Radio. Part written. Part off the top. All dope. Related: Logic Re-Interprets a Common Classic In Finding Forever (Audio)... Read more

May 20, 2014 Video

Nitty Scott, MC Takes Flight on U.F.O. (Audio)

Nitty Scott, MC gets busy on a new track with a thumping beat and muted horns. Her new project, The Art of Chill, releases on Friday. Until then, check out U.F.O. (Unfiltered Offering). Related: Nitty Scott, MC’s Second Art Of Chill Single Is Produced By Ski Beatz (Audio)... Read more

May 20, 2014 Audio

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force’s Producers Are Forever Looking For The Perfect (Video)

With DJ Kool Herc credited as founder, Hip-Hop music is often credited with three godfathers. In addition to the Jamaican-born Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash are honored as the two other mixmasters known for bringing the funk to the people. By the '80s, while Kool Herc still played parties,... Read more

May 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Troy Ave Unveils His Own Brand of Gangsta Rap With His 2014 XXL Freestyle (Video)

27 year-old Troy Ave has been waiting for a few years to make it to the cover of XXL magazine, and in 2014, he finally gets his opportunity. Once the photo shoot cleared and the 2014 XXL "Freshman" cover hit the shelves, his wait was over. "I envisioned it. I wanted it... Read more

May 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Two Dedicated Artists, Mariah Carey & Nas Cook Up A Little Heat (Audio)

Mariah Carey and Nas have worked together before on the sultry remix to the track, "Make It Last Forever." Now, the mesmerizing songstress and the Queensbridge artist cook up yet another spicy dish to make you sweat with, "Dedicated." The tantalizingly smooth production from Hit-Boy perfectly accentuates Carey's incredibly sharp... Read more

May 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Jurassic 5 Reunion Continues With All New Visuals Of A Heavy D-Produced Track (Video)

They're back. Jurassic 5 surprised fans by reuniting at Coachella last year, sporadic festival performances throughout the U.S., as well as a mini tour throughout Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. To add to the hype, Jurassic 5 announced an all new album dropping July 5, a/k/a J5 Day. This will... Read more

May 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Roc Marciano Fits Snugly On A Cold To The Bone Apollo Brown Beat (Audio)

Mello Music Group's Apollo Brown lines up with regular label affiliate Roc Marciano for "Lonely & Cold." The bonus cut from Thirty Eight lives up to its name as the Detroit, Michigan mainstay producer/member of The Left links with the U.N. veteran, in his latest in a series of top-shelf feature spots.... Read more

May 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

ScHoolboy Q Depicts His Grim Coming of Age Story in Hoover St (Video)

There have been a number of stories over the years detailing survival tactics in Southern California, from Compton's Most Wanted's "Growing Up in the Hood" to Ice Cube's "How to Survive in South Central" and many others. Recently, Kendrick Lamar's entire good kid, m.A.A.d. city album was dedicated to the... Read more

May 20, 2014 Video

Travel Back To A Different NYC Hip-Hop Climate In Rast RFC’s Across West 3rd Street (Mixtape)

Heads may not know of Rast RFC immediately. However, the Downtown swinger's name means much more in the graffiti world than immediately to most Rap listeners. A member of the RFC crew, Rast represents that late '90s, early 2000s-era New York City youth that made panel vans cringe in horror,... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

J. Rawls & Masta Ace Bemoan The Bills That We All Get (Audio)

As we collectively approach a new first of the month, leave it to Lone Catalysts' J. Rawls & The eMC's Masta Ace to make a funky explanation about how those "Bills" run our lives. Ace, who regularly externalizes his rhymes when he's being self-deprecating, waxes some Everyman poetic. Rawls laces... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharrell Makes An Open-Letter Visual To All The G I R L S He’s Loved Before (Video)

From "Rump Shaker" to "Excuse Me Miss," Pharrell Williams has over 20 years of celebrating the female form through music. In the wake of his G I R L album, complete with its artwork and complementary visuals, Skateboard P continues to salute the fairer sex. "Dear G I R L" is... Read more

May 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Questlove & Black Thought Talk 25 Years Of The Roots, Where The Last 5 Albums Fit In With The First 6 (Video)

Late last week, Heads saw Black Thought freestyle over a Questlove beat, with the funky drummer on the cut, no less. From that same interview, Tariq and Amir sat down with Sway Calloway on his Hip Hop Nation show, to talk about 25 years of the crew. In this hour-plus... Read more

May 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Feel The Wrath Of Bodega Bamz & Raekwon’s Lyrical Assault (Audio)

Just a few short days after Raekwon and Bodega Bamz dropped their infectious Scram Jones-produced track, the New York-bred artists release another winner sporting heavy bass lines, a captivating vocal loop, and an anthemic hook to accentuate Rae and Bamz' lyrical carnage. Catch this and more on Bamz's upcoming collaborative... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Cormega Calls Out The Industry Over A Smooth Large Professor Beat (Audio)

If anybody can be skeptical of record industry tactics, it's Queens veteran Cormega. "'Mega Montana" famously turned down a management offer from Steve Stoute, costing him a founder's spot in The Firm. When Nas, AZ, and Foxy Brown inked a mid-90s deal with Interscope/Aftermath, Cormega was abruptly replaced by The... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Join Lupe Fiasco On A Mission To Fight Cancer (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco has been well known for his spirited involvement in humanitarian ideologies. For instance, his 2011 project, L.A.S.E.R.S., called for the "end of the glamorization of negativity in media" and for "the invisible walls that separate by wealth, race & class to be torn down." In a similar light,... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

T.I. Might Be About The Money, But He’s Still Got His Skills In Making Great Rap Music (Audio)

Few Rap stars have the ability to find the kind of balance that T.I. does. The ATL trap veteran is able to seemingly always appease his core audience, while growing the circle through catchy production, out of genre guest-work, and Euro-Dance samples. Gearing up for Paperwork, Tip continues what he... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Witness a Taste of The Roots “First Opera” (Video)

The Legendary Roots Crew took the stage last week at NYC's Public Theater and did a live rendition of their forthcoming album "...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin." Rather than a straight performance, they presented the work as a high art project, calling it their "first opera." Here's a trailer... Read more

May 19, 2014 Video

Look Back To An Ill 1998 Future Flavas Freestyle From The Last Days Of A Tribe Called Quest (Audio)

Heads may remember the late '90s, early 2000s HOT 97 "Future Flavas" radio show hosted by Marley Marl and Pete Rock. In the glory days of underground Hip-Hop, this show bridged the gap between old school and emerging greats, with two legends on the boards, transmitting to the tri-state. This... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

New DJ Quik, Cam’ron, Talib Kweli, ONYX, The Roots…Here’s The Week in Hip-Hop Video (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought new music videos from DJ Quik, The Roots, Cam'ron, Talib Kweli & Raekwon, unbelievable freestyles from Black Thought and Prevail, a stylized faux trailer from Jay Z & Beyonce and more. See it all in the video playlist below. Related: Last Week in Hip-Hop... Read more

May 18, 2014 Playlists, Video

Here’s a Mix of Some of the Brilliant British Soul From the 80’s & 90’s (Audio)

It's been called Acid Jazz, British Soul and other names. Whatever the description, it was fresh. Here's a mix of the many artists from the 80's and 90's who brought the funk from across the pond. You'll hear music from Soul II Soul, Loose Ends, Jamiroquai, Terrence Trent D'Arby, Incognito,... Read more

May 18, 2014 Audio

Jay Z And Beyoncé Reinvent ’03 Bonnie & Clyde In A Blockbuster Trailer (Video)

Are you ready for 2014's biggest summer blockbuster never to hit theaters? Guns ablaze, Jay Z and Beyoncé go paper chasing, robbing, and stealing through the Brooklyn city streets in a faux trailer boasting a star studded cast including Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Blake Lively. The video,... Read more

May 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Boot Camp Clicks On Ruste Juxx & Rockness Monstah’s Off The Hinges (Video)

Sean Price's onetime understudy Ruste Juxx has broken out and built a nice career for himself. The raspy Brooklyn MC is a no-nonsense street MC, who celebrates the roots of Hip-Hop. In "Off The Hinges," Ruste teams with Sean's Heltah Skeltah partner Rockness Monstah, who together, amidst cuttin' and scratchin',... Read more

May 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Project Blowed’s Open Mike Eagle Channels All Of The The Cosby Show Intros (Video)

From that Freestyle Fellowship-launched Project Blowed camp (Aceyalone, Myka 9, Volume 10, Ganjha K, Abstract Rude, Skee-Lo, etc.), Open Mike Eagle is one of the newer artists. Down with Busdriver and 2Mex, California's O.M.E. (who hails from Chicago originally) is known for bombastic deliveries, precise technical flows, and a sardonic... Read more

May 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cormega’s Releases Raekwon-Assisted Honorable, Mega Philosophy Album To Be Produced Entirely By Large Professor (Audio)

With the release of "Honorable" (embedded below), it's been confirmed that Cormega's upcoming album, Mega Philosophy, will release on July 22. The Queens MC, and former late '90s Def Jam Records hopeful confirmed the news this week, with sites including Ambrosia For Heads. Black Rob, Nature, AZ, Redman, Styles P, Raekwon,... Read more

May 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Take a Trip Back to the G-Funk Era With This Video Playlist (Video)

Here's a video playlist to transport you back to the G-Funk era. You'll see vintage clips from Dr. Dre, Snoop, Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G, 2Pac, Spice 1, The Luniz, DJ Quik and more. Check it out. Related: Here’s a playlist celebrating the 21+ year career of the legendary DJ... Read more

May 17, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Throwback

Skyzoo & Torae Release a Mix From The Barrel Brothers’ Chamber (Audio)

Skyzoo & Torae, The Barrel Brothers, are releasing their joint album on 5/27. Until then, they've released a mix stacked full of some of the heat they've fired off previously. Check out Pre-Loaded: The Best of The Barrel Brothers, mixed by DJ E-Holla, below. Related: Here's a Sampler From The... Read more

May 17, 2014 Audio

Curren$y & Le$ Roll Out Over a Soulful OutKast Track (Audio)

Curren$y and Le$ put their spin on OutKast's Ova Da Wudz track, and they added a little Warren G and Snoop. Check out The Roll Out. Related: Curren$y & Le$ Tell Us It’s Over With A Thumping Cardo Beat (Audio)... Read more

May 17, 2014 Audio

Keep on Movin’: The Story of Soul II Soul

25 years ago, the U.K. collective Soul II Soul released Keep On Movin' and changed the sonic landscape. Wax Poetic caught up with Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler to discuss the making of the album. Check out an excerpt and link to the full article below. Here's an excerpt from... Read more

May 17, 2014 Fresh

Exclusive: Here’s the Real Story About Jay Z And Solange

If you have just clicked this to hear more about the Jay Z and Solange rift that recently exploded all over the Internet, then you have come to the right place but for reasons that may differ from your expectations (but keep reading). Before we begin, ask yourself, "Why did... Read more

May 17, 2014 Food for Thought, Fresh

Alex Trebek Recites Cypress Hill & The Beastie Boys. He Will Keep the Day Job…(Video)

Earlier in the year, a clip of Jeopardy's Alex Trebek reciting lyrics from Biggie, Dr. Dre, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy provided a minute and change of comic relief. Apparently, the show's producers have a dark sense of humor because they've once again given him a Rap category, forcing... Read more

May 16, 2014 Throwback

Here is One of the Best Freestyles You’ve Heard in Weeks. GUARANTEED (Video)

Time and time again, Sway's Five Fingers of Death has been the vehicle that separates the MC's from the wannabes. Prevail, from Swollen Members, has firmly established himself as the former. The elite MC tackled 5 random tracks, of different BPMs and genres, and destroyed them...OFF THE TOP. Many are... Read more

May 16, 2014 Video

Want To Better Understand? Stop And Listen To The Roots In Stop Motion (Video)

The Roots are just a few days away from the release of their eleventh studio album and anticipation is permeating across the internet. The character-driven conceptual album ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin is molded in the same light as their previous release, Undun, except that it features multiple characters satirizing stereotypes in... Read more

May 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nas Confirms The Lost Tapes 2, Said To Have Signed Fashawn & Bishop Nehru

A new Billboard report expounds on Nas' Mass Appeal Records partnership. Mr. Jones' latest label is the latest iteration of Decon, a label who worked throughout the last 12 years with Black Milk, Gangrene, Alchemist, Freestyle Fellowship, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples members, and Roc Marciano, among many others. Nasty Nas is... Read more

May 16, 2014 Fresh

Kanye West Is Recording His Next Album Where?

Kanye West has certainly made the most of his Def Jam Records album budgets. Starting in 2009, G.O.O.D. Music's founder set up shop in Hawaii, living with his collaborators by day, and recording by night the sessions for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. There were accounts of Pete Rock and... Read more

May 16, 2014 Fresh

Blu’s Homecoming Is A Few Days Early (Album Stream)

Blu's Good To Be Home is scheduled to release on May 20. However, one of Johnson Barnes' longtime label affiliates, Nature Sounds, blessed the Heads with an early listen to Disc 1 and Disc 2 of the LP boasting full production by Bombay. Veteran MC guests from the likes of... Read more

May 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Put A Smile On With Terrace Martin & 9th Wonder (Video)

There are feel-good moments from our youth that occasionally seep into our mind's eye and remind us of simpler times. Some days, it's these little nuances in life that make it all the more worth living. That's the tone that Terrace Martin sets with warm visuals cutting between saxophone vignettes, giddy... Read more

May 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Turns Down A “Deal” And Then Breaks Out For XXL’s Freshman Freestyle (Video)

Vic Mensa's been displaying an incredible amount of versatility lately with the releases from the Trance-like, House-inspired "Down On My Luck," to his feature on Donnie Trumpet's jazz heavy, "Pasadena." His talents have definitely not gone unnoticed, as the soon to be 22 year-old Save Money artist has recently earned... Read more

May 16, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Kay Slay Releases a Video for His Grimy ONYX & Outlawz Collaboration (Video)

Last week, DJ Kay Slay released The Last Hip Hop Disciple, a mixtape chock full of grimy goodness. One of the most rugged tracks was an unlikely collaboration between ONYX and 2Pac's Outlawz. That record, My Brother's Keeper, now gets the video treatment. Check it out. Related: Here’s Kay Slay’s... Read more

May 15, 2014 Video

DJ Premier Narrates a Mixtape of Some of His Classic and Rare Cuts (Mixtape)

The LA Leakers have released a new mixtape dedicated to some of the works of the one and only DJ Premier. The Audio Biography Of DJ Premier features 16 Primo productions--some well known and some more rare. Even more dope, the mixtape features commentary from Premier himself about some of... Read more

May 15, 2014 Mixes

After Days of Speculation About Their Altercation, Jay Z , Solange & Beyonce Issue a Statement

The Internet and rumor mill have been ablaze since the now infamous footage of Solange's attack on Jay Z was released. After days of speculation, Jay, Solange and Beyonce have released a joint statement addressing the incident, which you can read in full below. As we said, every family has... Read more

May 15, 2014 Fresh

When’s the Last Time You Heard Nas Kick a Double Time Flow? It Goes a Little Something Like This (Video)

Ever heard of Bliss n Eso? Nas has. He blessed the Australian Rap group with a verse and an appearance in their video for I Am Somebody. This is a very different sound for Nas. Not only does the track have a big Pop feel, it also features Nas rapping... Read more

May 15, 2014 Video

Raekwon Links with Bodega Bamz & SpankJusBizness on a Super Catchy Sram Jones Track (Audio)

Scram Jones combines sped up vocals and a crazy soulful loop on an instantly catch track for Raekwon, Bodega Bamz & SpankJusBizness. Check out Gamble. Related: Can It All Be So Simple: RZA & Raekwon Announce a Truce... Read more

May 15, 2014 Audio

Talib Kweli & Raekwon Cite The Violations From Gravitas (Video)

Two giants of New York Hip-Hop come together, table-side, in a police interrogation-room themed video, "Violations." Talib Kweli and Raekwon bring the Gravitas single to life, in living color. Fifteen years ago, during the earliest days of Black Star and Reflection Eternal, as well as the release of Wu-Tang Forever,... Read more

May 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Adrian Lau Rocks Over a Fresh 70’s Style Soul Sample (Video)

Producer Harry Fraud has been the sonic architect behind some of the stronger mixtapes of the last few years, including Cigarette Boats, his joint project with Curren$y. A lower profile but equally strong release was Projection with Adrian Lau. Their song Under Control showcases the soulful sound that emanates throughout... Read more

May 15, 2014 Video