News Archives

Fat Joe Calls Himself A “KRS-One Groupie,” Performs Flow Joe On The Spot + Freestyles (Video)

Fat Joe's history can be deceiving. A household name, globally-recognized icon, Joe Crack is also a founding member of D.I.T.C., and has at least two albums that are hardcore Hip-Hop gems. If anybody knows this, it's Sway Calloway, who's has Joe on his shows for over 21 years and counting.... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Questlove Provides the Beat; Black Thought Supplies the BLAZING HOT Lyrics (Video)

The Roots' Questlove and Black Thought joined Sway on Shade 45 and STRAIGHT CAUGHT WRECK. The dynamic duo took it back to the basics, with Quest on the turntable with nothing but a drumbeat and Black Thought spitting that hot fire off the top. This is Hip-Hop. Plain and simple.... Read more

May 14, 2014 Video

Kool Keith Gets A Funny Or Die Show Just Being…Kool Keith. George Clinton Cameos (Video)

If Odd Future's Tyler, The Creator can have his own variety show, what about the pioneer of Rap-weird? As Eminem so eloquently pointed out on "Monster," he hopes to be "kookier than Kool Keith." Well, after the debut episode of the Ultramagnetic MC's frontman's new Funny Or Die show, is... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Is Mayhem Lauren The Next Great Artist Of The Future To Break Through On A Buckwild Beat? (Audio)

If you've seen a 2010-2012 Action Bronson show, you've probably witnessed Mayhem Lauren. The Lefrak City, Queens MC has a longstanding history with Bam-Bam Bronson as two members of The Outdoorsmen. Mayhem's solo career is building strongly lately, and the veteran bully-mouth lyricist has a whole project coming later this... Read more

May 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jay Z, ScHoolboy Q, Drake & Eve Among 2014 BET Awards Nominees

The 2014 BET Awards are scheduled to air live from Los Angeles, California's Nokia Theatre on Sunday, June 29. Six weeks ahead, the network has shared its nominees in the respective categories, including Hip-Hop nods to Jay Z, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Future, Eve, Nicki Minaj, and... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh

RZA Releases A Full Stream To A 4-Track EP Featuring Rockie Fresh, Tinashe & Others (Audio)

Amidst two Wu-Tang Clan albums, RZA refuses to slow down. The Abbott partnered with Dr. Pepper and Complex to make a four-song EP, Only One Place To Get It. The streaming, free downloadable EP finds RZA working with artists outside of the traditional Wu wheelhouse, including Maybach Music Group's Rockie... Read more

May 14, 2014 Audio

Cam’ron & Just Blaze Reunite In What Feels Like A Come Home With Me Leftover (Video)

When Cam'ron told Just Blaze, "You owe me, nigga" on the intro to "Welcome To New York City" back in 2002, Heads might've felt the precursor to tension within Roc-A-Fella Records. After all, Just had just played a critical role in Jay Z's The Blueprint, along with Kanye West. He was... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Justin Timberlake & Legions Of Dancing Fans Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson In Love Never Felt So Good (Video)

Michael Jackson's posthumous Xscape album is available now. However, Epic Records continues to pull out all the stops to make it reach the masses. Justin Timberlake-joined single "Love Never Felt So Good" gets a video, which is more than just a trotted-in montage of moments, or animation. J.T. leads the... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Bun B Defines What It Means To Be A G, His Most Lyrical Verse & Getting Up With 50 Cent In 1999 (Video)

Bun B has over 22 years on record shelves, with over 25 as a professional MC. Bernard Freeman challenged the conventions of what a Southern MC was capable of, and helped define a brand of Gangsta Rap in Texas different than that of UGK's homies, The Geto Boys. Sitting down... Read more

May 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cue Up This New Madlib Instrumental to Get Your Soul Fix (Audio)

Madlib has released an incredibly soulful instrumental gem from the soundtrack to Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton, the documentary on Stones Throw Records. Check out Cue 06 below. Related: Watch The Drummer Get Wicked! Madlib Makes A Beat On The Drums, Turntables & Pads (Video)... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio

Chris Brown’s Loyal Gets a Remix with The Lox and a Dash of Biggie (Audio)

Chris Brown's Loyal record has been all over the radio but it recently got the remix treatment from producer Ted Smooth. The new version plays like a Bad Boy reunion, with The Lox adding verses over the new track, which Heads will recognize as the instrumental for Biggie's I Got... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio

The Roots Let Heads Listen Early To …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin In Its Entirety (Album Stream)

Between Masta Ace's crew, J-Live, and now The Roots' latest album, today (May 13) is a day for the books in terms of album streams. Out of nowhere, ?uestlove, Black Thought, Tuba Gooding, Jr. and the rest of The Roots crew liberated their latest in-house LP (due May 20), ...And Then... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

J-Live Drops A Sun-Sational Sixth Album, Including AFH Favorite Not Listening (Album Stream)

Brooklyn, New Yorker J-Live has released Around The Sun. The former Payday/7Heads Records MC's sixth album features a lot of images and solstice themes, as well as Homeboy Sandman, Boog Brown, and Tanya Morgan. Twelve tracks long, this $8 album is available from Justice's Bandcamp page. After "Not Listening" became one... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Summer Is Cooking Up. Know The Ledge On The Making Of Mtume’s Juicy Fruit (Video)

Whether you're a '60s, '70s, '80s, or '90s baby, Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" means something to you. The Electro-Soul groove is a hit in its own right, before becoming the basis of The Notorious B.I.G.'s breakthrough hit almost of the same name. Red Bull Music Academy sat with James Mtume, the... Read more

May 13, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Get The Story Of Lord Finesse Discovering Big L In A Record Store (Audio)

D.I.T.C.'s history is the kind of tales that legends are made of. From Diamond D discovering a young Fat Joe in the Bronx, "in Forest, across from Morris," and putting him on Ultimate Force's demo, to Afrika Bambaataa's right-hand-man DJ Jazzy Jay taking Lord Finesse, Diamond, and Showbiz under his... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Try Out To Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth & Strick’s Sophomore eMC LP (Album Stream)

Veteran Brooklyn MC Masta Ace is branching out with his latest group, The eMC. The collective including late '90s underground Hip-Hop MCs Wordsworth, Punchline (who were previously a group as Punch & Words), along with Milwaukee, Wisconsin MC Strick (f/k/a Stricklin). The group released a 2008 LP on Fat Beats... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Blu Makes His Return, Discussing West Coast Gangsta Culture (Audio)

For almost a decade, Blu has been a musical chameleon. The Los Angeles native's albums sound wildly different, from one to the next, while his evasiveness from the spotlight only adds to the mystique. For Good To Be Home (cover art pictured), Blu may seem like he's returning to form, but... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Isaiah Rashad Speaks About Life’s Struggles in His XXL Freestyle (Video)

Isaiah Rashad's songs have had a common mixture of pleasure and pain. He consistently demonstrates the ability to honestly address life's ups and downs. His XXL Freshman embodies those characteristics as he touches on the daily struggles and his desire to overcome them for himself and his son. Check out... Read more

May 13, 2014 Video

DJ Quik Makes A New Style Of Beats With Bishop Lamont On The Mic (Video)

Just over six months after DJ Quik threatened to hang up his production talents following two stolen MPCs, the Compton veteran is back in the saddle. "Trapped On The Track" perhaps explains why the longtime Profile Records star who worked closely with 2Pac, Eazy-E, and Hi-C is unable to fully... Read more

May 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Curren$y & Le$ Tell Us It’s Over With A Thumping Cardo Beat (Audio)

Curren$y's slow flow, intricate materialism imagery, and ageless whimsicality on the track has made him a independent Hip-Hop star with several major deals. He partners with Le$ for "It's Over With," a simple song about commanding the attention away from spouses that aren't theirs to begin with. However, Cardo's slow,... Read more

May 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent Makes A Boxing-Inspired Visual for Winner’s Circle (Video)

At its root, 50 Cent's long-awaited album Animal Ambition sounds inspirational. "Winner's Circle" is an autobiographical song about Fif's unyielding drive to be the best. The record looks at the attributes within, and explains why the man never backs down. The song, featuring singing from Guordan Banks, is written in... Read more

May 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Can It All Be So Simple: RZA & Raekwon Are Clan Brothers Once Again!

This morning (May 12), Wu-Tang Clan's website blog has posted some news that Heads can rejoice about, complete unity within the legendary collective. The site writes, "Breaking news : Raekwon and Rza truce : Raekwon scheduled to hit studio to complete verses for album : A Better Tomorrow, Details coming!" While neither... Read more

May 12, 2014 Fresh

Solange Knowles Attacks Jay Z in an Elevator and It’s Caught on Film (Video)

UPDATED: With the full unedited video and a statement from The Standard Hotel. TMZ has leaked footage from a surveillance camera in an elevator which caught Solange Knowles physically attacking Jay Z multiple times, as Beyonce stood by. It is unclear what prompted the heated confrontation that occurred after a... Read more

May 12, 2014 Video

This Week’s Best in Hip-Hop Video Featured Redman, Eminem, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre & More (Video Playlist)

This was quite the week for Hip-Hop video. We got new videos from Redman, Rapsody, 50 Cent & Jadakiss, Eminem & more, got our first taste of the $5MM Wu-Tang Clan album, saw Kanye West give an aspiring rapper a chance, witnessed Dr. Dre celebrating potentially becoming Hip-Hop's first billionaire... Read more

May 12, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Vic Mensa Releases One of the Best Music Videos of the Year (Video)

Vic Mensa is a machine. With many styles in his repertoire, the Kids These Days MC turned star soloist released two different looks in one day. Accompanying longtime collaborator Donnie Trumpet on the Bluesy Jazz-influenced "Pasadena," Mensa also released the pepped-up Hip-House visual to his "Down On My Luck." Think... Read more

May 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jazmine Sullivan Returns with Another Warning Shot for the Unfaithful (Audio)

Jazmine Sullivan and Meek Mill grew up in the same 215 area code surrounding Philadelphia. Both sensations are known for re-channeling their personal pain into strong, energetic music that resonates with the masses. "Dumb," hosted by Sullivan does just this. She burst onto the scene into 2008 with a strong... Read more

May 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Thought Joins Arinze, Rav. P & Queen Ella on a Hot New Track (Audio)

As The Roots ready their next group release, Black Thought drops a quick but typically excellent feature on a song by artist/producer Arinze. Check out Achievements, which also features Rav. P and Queen Ella. Related: The Roots Announce Their Next Album Is Less Than 6 Weeks Away... Read more

May 12, 2014 Audio

Janelle Monae Holds It Down For The Underdogs In Her David Bowie Cover Heroes (Video)

Janelle Monae is always making statements: with music, fashion, lyrics, and more. In her video to "Heroes," the cover of the famed 1977 David Bowie record, Purple Ribbon's secret weapon stands up to bullying. This M*I*A-style video tells a story, and has an upside. Whether the song is about love,... Read more

May 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Stop & Listen To Locksmith’s Bars On Willie Lynch, Get Illuminated (Video)

Locksmith may come across as a new artist, however, the Bay Area MC has been grinding for a handful of calendars. Within the bars of "Willie Lynch," Lock' chronicles his journey, as well as his self-identity. You'll hear about his slept-on album with Original Flavor's Ski Beats, and getting passed... Read more

May 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chicago’s Musical Renaissance Is So Colorful. Donnie Trumpet & Vic Mensa Are Blue For Pasadena (Video)

Chicago has long been a musical crossroads for Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, and even Hip-Hop. Where East meets West, at Lake Michigan, is both a collection and a tributary of so many things. In Hip-Hop's recent years, this is especially true. Two such artists are Donnie Trumpet and Vic... Read more

May 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chance The Rapper Shows That He’s A Senior Freshman In This XXL Freestyle (Video)

Although Miley Cyrus claimed it, it was actually Chance The Rapper who came into 2013 like a wrecking ball. Chicago's melodic native son countered the city's epidemic violence with proof that youth there are insightful, disenfranchised, and longing for the same acceptance and promise that American youth have always sought,... Read more

May 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Kid Daytona Flexes Supremely On A Harry Fraud Beat (Audio)

Another XXL Freshmen cover/list is announced, and Heads know that it's prime real estate for many artists not included to show and prove, driving the conversation. Bronx, New Yorker The Kid Daytona has been moving and shakin' for more than a few moons now, with ties to Lifted Research Group... Read more

May 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Tyler, The Creator Does His Own Rendition Of A 124 Year-Old Song (Video)

Many enduring Hip-Hop artists have interwoven visual artwork and painting into their total package. A Tribe Called Quest had the celebrated figuresque female silhouette, who appeared on stage this year with Q-Tip and Phife as the "real-life" Bonita Applebum. Snoop Doggy Dogg had the family artwork of Joe Cool, while... Read more

May 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

Mac Miller’s Music Has Many Faces, He Displays Some New Ones (Mixtape)

Mac Miller seemingly never stops recording music. Now independent, the Pittsburgh native MC/producer maintains his free reign on releasing product. Over the holiday weekend, M.M. unleashed Faces. Largely self-produced 24 tracks feature some predictable collaborations like Vince Staples, ScHoolboy Q, and Sir Michael Rocks, along with some edgy expansions, including Rick... Read more

May 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

For Mother’s Day, Eminem Gifts The Spike Lee-Directed Headlights Video

After some strong anticipation, Eminem released the Spike Lee-directed "Headlights" video for the Mother's Day holiday. Those familiar with the Marshall Mathers LP 2 single know that it's a powerful and personal song that makes some amends with Em's oft-estranged mother. And that’s what Mother’s Day is all about—those little... Read more

May 11, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

The Beat Junkies’ DJ Rhettmatic Shares His Wedding Mixer Series, Of Family-Friendly Funk (Audio)

Friendly by day, DJ Rhettmatic is nothing nice when he's on the wheels of steel. The Southern California DJ is one of the leaders of The Beat Junkies crew (with J Rocc), and somebody who has worked with J Dilla, Ras Kass, and his other crew, The Visionaries for over... Read more

May 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Freddie Gibbs Premieres His Second Album In Less Than Two Months, The Tonite Show (Album Stream)

As 2014 approaches its midpoint, many Heads are championing Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Piñata as one of the year's best. Gangsta Gibbs linked with the longtime sound of Stones Throw Records and now his own Madlib Invazion imprint to deliver hard-edged reality raps over deeply dusty loops and grooves. As... Read more

May 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Zion I Drops Some Futuristic B-Boy Funk In Masters Of Ceremony (Video)

AmpLive and Zumbi have always been a step ahead. Oakland, California's veteran duo has seemingly looked to the future in finding their pockets of fuzzed out synths, neck-snapping rhythms, and purism MC deliveries. However, their path also has been blazed with Hip-Hop's (and music in general) past in consideration. In... Read more

May 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

After A Def Jam Stint, Big Boi Takes His Solo Deal To L.A. Reid’s Epic Records

Part of OutKast's woes have long said to be legal. In the wake of Arista Records' dissolving, the duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi were designated to Jive Records, where they released Idlewild back in 2006. Reportedly, since the days at Jive, a label which had largely had stripped... Read more

May 11, 2014 Fresh

A Reunited G-Unit Group At Summer Jam? Young Buck Tells DJ Whoo Kid His Thoughts… (Audio)

50 Cent is gearing up for Animal Ambition next month. Although a Game reunion/armistice still appears premature, many Heads speculated that perhaps Fif will shake his hometown with a G-Unit (post-2005, anyway) reunion on the Summer Jam stage. HOT 97's annual concert-spectacular has become the venue for Hip-Hop to do things... Read more

May 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem & Spike Lee Tease Us By Flicking The Headlights On (Video)

Spike Lee's Hip-Hop videography is arguably one of the greatest in the medium. From Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" to Naughty By Nature's "Hip-Hop Hooray," the head of 40 Acres & A Mule Films / A Spike Lee Joint Production Company has made it plain that he loves the culture.... Read more

May 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

Freddie Gibbs Riles Up With Some Rap Vets In Yukmouth & Trae Tha Truth (Audio)

Gangsta Gibbs may be one of Hip-Hop's strongest continuations of Gangsta Rap in the digital age. Growing up in the streets of Gary, Indiana can shape your message and social viewpoints, but so can growing up on strong doses of Rap-A-Lot Records releases. Since 1986, J. Prince's label was designed... Read more

May 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

If You Define Dizzy Wright As Only Lighthearted, Check His Dedication To Lost Children (Audio)

Dizzy Wright has amassed a major (independent) fan-base through commanding concerts, connecting with the attitudes of modern youth culture, and seemingly never ceasing to give away music. However, the Las Vegas, Nevada MC has a lot more depth than some Heads may realize. Funk Volume's Wright dedicated a song this... Read more

May 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

“THE FORBES LIST JUST CHANGED.” Dr. Dre Speaks on Becoming the First Billionaire in Hip-Hop (Video)

In a celebratory video that appears to have been recorded last night, Dr. Dre, along with Tyrese, speaks briefly about the Forbes list changing "in a big way." Dre's comments are no doubt related to the Forbes Hip-Hop list which recently, put Diddy atop with $700MM and Dre at #2... Read more

May 9, 2014 Video

Listen Up. Jeezy’s Got Some Things to Get Off His Chest (and Shoulder) (Audio)

Jeezy gets some things off his chest and dusts off his shoulder a bit on his latest release, Me OK. He talks about his journey from being a subject of XXL magazine to Forbes. He also addresses his next album release and suggests it might not be with his long... Read more

May 9, 2014 Audio

N.O.R.E. Puts His Spin on Believe Me (Audio)

"Where the real Queens at? Shout out Capone-N-Noreaga." Lil Wayne shouted out N.O.R.E. on, Believe Me, his new duet with Drake. N.O.R.E. heard it and ran with it, creating his own version of the Vinylz & Boi-1da track. Check it out. Related: Capone-N-Noreaga Are Back In Business. They Recorded An... Read more

May 9, 2014 Audio

Ready for Some New Slaughterhouse? SayDatThen (Audio)

2 weeks after announcing a new album is coming, Slaughterhouse are back with an incredible new song produced by Nottz. The slow and plodding dark chords and hard drums give Joell, Royce, Crooked and Joe the space to do what they do best. Drop BARS. Ready for the weekend? SayDatThen...... Read more

May 9, 2014 Audio

Is Dr. Dre About to be Hip-Hop’s First Billionaire?

Tonight, reports have hit the web that Apple is in negotiations to buy Beats, owned by Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, for $3.2 billion. Given Dr. Dre's recently estimated net worth of $550 million, it is quite possible sale of his equity stake in Beats could make him Hip-Hop's first... Read more

May 8, 2014 Fresh

Tech N9ne Strangles The Microphone In A New Strange-Stacked Cypher (Video)

Few artists who enjoy the commercial success of Tech N9ne keep the artistry as alive. Strange Music's cofounder opted to present a BET-style cypher, showcasing his label's vast talent. Vets of the Missouri imprint such as Kutt Calhoun and Prozack rock the mic, while relative newcomers like Ces CRU's Godemis... Read more

May 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Featuring Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo & Many More (Mixtape)

DJ Kay Slay has released his new mixtape, The Last Hip Hop Disciple. The project is STACKED with artists of all styles, including Raekwon, Young Buck, ONYX, Jay Rock, Joell Ortiz, Tony Yayo, Papoose, Jon Connor, Memphis Bleek, Sheek Louch, Vado, Gunplay, Trae tha Truth, Saigon, Chi Ali, Locksmith and... Read more

May 8, 2014 Mixes