News Archives

Kendrick Lamar Covers 2Pac and Rocks It. THIS IS CALIFORNIA LOVE (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been consistent in his praise for 2Pac as one of his favorite artists. At the iHeartRadio Awards, he paid homage to Pac and Dr. Dre with a rousing rendition of California Love (and some m.A.A.d. City), backed by a live band. This is the ultimate symbol that... Read more

May 1, 2014 Video

Murs and ¡Mayday! Take Action In Their Own Version of Prison Break (Video)

If you've ever needed to break out of prison, it's highly recommended that you take ¡Mursday! with you. In their video for Tabletops, Murs and ¡Mayday! are slaving away in classic orange jumpsuits before they escape their rock smashing fate. Hyperactive horns and a popping bass line from Strange Music... Read more

May 1, 2014 Fresh

The Roots Have Made a Visually-Arresting Claymation Lyric Video for When the People Cheer (Video)

The Roots continue pushing boundaries with their music and videos. Their latest milestone is a visually-arresting lyric video for When the People Cheer that employs striking colors and claymation as part of the imagery. Check it out. Related: The Roots Open Up A New Chamber With Raheem DeVaughn on Tomorrow... Read more

May 1, 2014 Video

Canibus Proclaims The End Of Days With His Latest Bass Heavy Relaease (Audio)

It's been over 15 years since Canibus dropped his debut project Can-I-Bus. The Four Horsemen affiliate who began as an internet savvy, battle rapping emcee has furthered his interest in the political realm and touches on the current state of our world with this hard hitting track. The grittiness you... Read more

May 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Vic Mensa Kicks the Ill Freestyle with Help From a Human Beat Box (Video)

When's the last time you saw somebody kick a freestyle accompanied by a human beat box? Vic Mensa stopped by Prince Paul's All Purpose Show and, after an insightful interview, dropped some off the top bars with a human beat box version of Biggie's 10 Crack Commandments. Check out the... Read more

May 1, 2014 Video

Witness the Future of Music Videos with Flatbush Zombies & Trash Talk (Video)

Remember the "WTF moment" you had the first time you saw a video that broke through artistically (like The Pharcyde's Drop)? Flatbush Zombies & Trash Talk have released a video that feels like a similar type of game-changer. "97.92" uses a panoramic camera to mind-bending effect. But, enough words. See... Read more

May 1, 2014 Video

Nas’ Illmatic Gets an Infectious Injection of Pure Soul (Mixtape)

Just when you thought the Nas Illmatic tributes were over, Cookin' Soul pulls you right back in...The production team has created a completely re-imagined version of some of the album's key tracks using some of the most soulful beats you will ever hear. This is a MONSTER. No matter how... Read more

May 1, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Mixes

Too Short and Rocko Take it Back to the Freaky Tales Sound on Sucka (Audio)

Early in his career, during the Life is...Too Short and Freaky Tales days, Too Short's sound was based on simple drums and simple bass lines. Rocko's song, Sucka, draws on that "back in the day" sound and he invited Short Dog along for the party. Check it out. Related: The... Read more

May 1, 2014 Audio

Scarface Explains The Deeply Rooted Reasons He Lost All That Weight (Video)

Scarface looks almost as young as he did on those early Geto Boys album covers, which are over 25 years old. The leader of Facemob admits that he weighed almost 300 pounds recently, causing doctors to warn him that he was dangerously close to being in the heart attack danger... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Gary Clark, Jr. Releases a Mixtape ft Big K.R.I.T., Talib Kweli, Bilal & More (Mixtape)

Gary Clark, Jr. has released one of the more interesting projects of the year. The Grammy-winning blues guitarist put together a mixtape featuring Talib Kweli, Big K.R.I.T., Bilal, Robert Glasper and more. It features remixes to his 2012 album of the same name, and adds a few new cuts. You... Read more

April 30, 2014 Featured-homepage, Mixes

Evidence & AWAR Drop Heavy Bars on a Vibe Out Track and Everything’s Awesome (Audio)

Quietly, Evidence has made some of the most consistently good music of anyone in the game. Each of the Dilated Peoples albums was strong, and Ev's 2011 solo project, Cats & Dogs, was one of the best of the year. His recent Lord Steppington collabo LP with Alchemist also did... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio

Chance The Rapper Sings A Simple Song All About Isolation (Audio)

Chance The Rapper releases a song on the anniversary of his Acid Rap mixtape. "I Am Very Very Lonely," is straightforward in its title. Instead of Rap, the song feels more like a moody jam session for Chance. The subject matter, a blue reflection about loneliness and isolation, is something... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent Opens Up About His Interscope Records Fallout With Funkmaster Flex (Video)

50 Cent has stripped down everything to rebuild. Whether it's seemingly parting ways with G-Unit's Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo to go for 'dolo again, exiting Interscope Records rather abruptly (and to some extent, over a three-year exodus), and settling beefs with The LOX and Fat Joe, while turning down... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kurupt, ScHoolboy Q, Bad Lucc & Problem Show Out For Salva On A Bouncy Track (Audio)

Getting to Salva is pretty easy. The producer recruited O.G. Kurupt, as well as white-hot West Coast spitters ScHoolboy Q, Bad Lucc, and Problem for "Drop That Bitch." The song samples an Eazy-E lyric most Heads are familiar with. The unique, bouncy production style stands apart from what's been in... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Slaughterhouse Signals That The Third Album Is Closer Than We Think

The four members of Slaughterhouse tried something new today, digitally-speaking. Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9 all simultaneously reset their Twitter avatars to what is presumed to be the third Slaughterhouse LP. This will be their second album with Shady Records, following their 2009 indie debut... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh

Skyzoo & Torae Take You To Some Public Houses And Rep That Cross-Stitched “NY” (Video)

Torae & Skyzoo's highly-anticipated Barrel Brothers project is on the horizon. After a preview of the audio last week, "Blue Yankee Fitted" arrives in video form, following the Brooklyn pair through a day in the life, filled with symbolism of an 80s-baby's New York upbringing. The !llmind drums smash, as... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Mobb Deep & Big Noyd Come Back Together On A Rich Soundscape (Audio)

Outside of their new Infamous Mobb Deep album, M-O-B-B has been sitting on a cut for the Heads. Produced by, and released through DJ Jean Maron (who is just on a roll lately), "Itinerary" unites Prodigy and Havoc with their original protege, Big Noyd. With a smooth, oft-messed with sample... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

In A Genre Where “Nobody’s Smilin’,” Pharrell Has Another Happy-Go-Lucky Record (Audio)

Have you found yourself in the car, seeking through stations, getting Pharrell's "Happy" on every spin of the roulette wheel? It feels like for more than two months, this Head has. Well, it wasn't a one-off. At a time when there are certainly sad albums, break-up albums, and mourning albums,... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Danny Brown Gives One of the Realest Interviews Ever on the Perils of Drinking Syrup (Video)

Over the years, syrup (or lean) has been glamorized in Hip-Hop. Danny Brown recently sat down with Tim Westwood and gave one of the realest interviews ever on the negative effects of drinking the concoction. Though he is smiling throughout, the details he gives about the ill effects of the... Read more

April 30, 2014 Video

Joell Ortiz, Sheek Louch & Sauce Money Rep New York Overtop James Brown For DJ Kay Slay (Audio)

DJ Kay Slay aligns a strong trio to rep their hometown. The Drama King gathers Sheek Louch, Joell Ortiz and Sauce Money, making a rare appearance, on NYC Shine. Why do you think Kay Slay is so passionate about these ongoing NYC Hip-Hop songs? Related: Joell Ortiz Has Got BARS…But... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Some Recent Headlines About Race & Class Made The-Dream Pen An All-Encompassing Message, Black (Video)

Following the Donald Sterling leaked phone call, along with ongoing crises in the Ukraine, as well as President Nelson Mandela's death, The-Dream felt compelled to make a song. "Black," and its found-footage video, is all about pride in self. However, as the lyrics and images may suggest, this record goes... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Think Hip-Hop Has Grown Too Materialistic? Questlove Does Too. Here’s Why.

The Roots' Questlove is writing a 6-part series for vulture.com called "How Hip-Hop Failed Black America." The title alone let's you know that this is not light reading. Brother Question examines the culture he (and we) love from multiple angles: political, social, philosophical. In the 2nd part, he looks at... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh

People Know Pharrell Cried When Talking to Oprah. Here’s Why (Video)

Leave it to Sway to build on an interview done by OPRAH. Watch how he gets Pharrell Williams to open up about why he cried during the Oprah interview, working with the world's biggest artists and more. Check out the video. Here's the Oprah moment: Related: Pharrell Speaks on His... Read more

April 30, 2014 Video

M.O.P. Still Makes That Bang-Your-Head-Against-A-Wall Music (Audio)

After over 20 years, the Mash Out Posse is still rugged, and never smooth. Billy Danze and Lil Fame linked DJ Jean Maron, who's making some dope cuts with the likes of KRS-One as of late, for "You Can't Hide." Using a sample Heads may know from the '70s (and... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Days After We Lose A Hip-House Pioneer, Vic Mensa Makes A Heartfelt Club Track (Audio)

In the last 48 hours, it was announced that DJ EZ Rock had died. The Harlem native, and musical partner of Rob Base was a prominent, gold-certified part of the late '80s "Hip-House" movement, whereby the genres of Hip-Hop and House music collided for a series of hit singles, albums,... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Mind-Blowingly Comprehensive Oral History of Rawkus Records

Here's a mind-blowingly comprehensive oral history of Rawkus Records, one of the last great Hip-Hop record labels, put together by MySpace. The piece features contributions from DJ Premier, DJ Spinna, El-P, Evil Dee, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip and many, many more. Check out an excerpt and link to... Read more

April 30, 2014 Throwback

Think Country Rappers Aren’t Lyrical? Big K.R.I.T. Ends That Discussion with Mt Olympus (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. has just released arguably his most lyrical record to date...and that's saying a lot. As if he's putting all rappers from the country on his back, K.R.I.T. steps to the mic and delivers a blistering display of wordplay. This record could not be more fitting after a weekend... Read more

April 30, 2014 Audio

GoldLink Shows Once Again That Sex Sells (Mixtape)

Today, GoldLink released an incredibly sexually-charged video. So much so that we're not going to post it (but you can find a link here). We did watch though. Why? Because sex sells and that's why services like free meet and fuck are popular for people looking to date. And, while... Read more

April 29, 2014 Mixes

Wyclef Jean & Troy Ave Make A Strong Statement About Gun Violence (Video)

Wyclef Jean is a seemingly unafraid artist. The Fugees' cofounder envisioned Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers (and Pharoahe Monch) on a cut together. He's covered Pink Floyd on a Hip-Hop album, and he's made a series of autobiographical songs from his perspective as an American immigrant. 'Clef keeps the courage... Read more

April 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

NBA Bans L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling For Life, Hip-Hop Artists React

Earlier today, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime ban sanctioned against 30-plus-year owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling. The streamed and televised press conference took place following a week where racist remarks from Sterling during a phone-called were leaked to website TMZ.com. Additionally, Sterling will be forced... Read more

April 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Bink Remixes Big L & Fat Joe’s Historic D.I.T.C. Moment Together (Audio)

Philadelphia native producer Bink is known for producing joints for nearly 20 years, including Jay Z's "Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)," Mr. Cheeks' "Lights, Camera, Action," and Kanye West's "Devil In A New Dress." The onetime Roc-A-Fella affiliate now takes a hand at D.I.T.C.'s "Da Enemy." The late '90s track was... Read more

April 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Cormega & Sadat X Come Together Nicely With That Everlasting Fire (Audio)

Two giants in the mental: Sadat X and Cormega link up for "Fire." The jazzier track, led by Lanelle Tyler has a cooled-out '70s feel that was re-popularized in the mid-'90s, around the time 'Mega was making a name, and Datty X was trying his hand at solo LPs. The... Read more

April 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Rapper Big Pooh & Roc C Pick Up Some Hitchhikers, Who Get To Party With The Crew (Video)

Today, Little Brother alum Rapper Big Pooh and former Stones Throw Records artist Roc C are unleashing their first LP together, Trouble In The Neighborhood. The Virginia x California collaborative album (available in physical and digital) features MED, Alchemist, T3 of Slum Village, and Infamous Mobb's Big Twinz, in addition... Read more

April 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent & Kidd Kidd Rock In A Snowstorm To Show You How Cold Their Single Is (Video)

No surprise here, but hours after "Everytime I Come Around" audio hit cyberspace, 50 Cent and Kidd Kidd's single gets the visual. The sideshow of spinning Fif's latest luxury car around the parking lot is here, as it was in last week's new video, but this time Fif and K.K.... Read more

April 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Creep To Styles P’s Phantom And The Ghost (Album Stream)

Today (April 29), Styles P releases his eighth solo album, Phantom And The Ghost. The Yonkers, New York veteran lyricist and former Interscope Records star (in addition to his LOX deal with Bad Boy) is also making history, partnering with NMC (New Music Cartel) for the digital LP. Twelve years... Read more

April 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DJ Khaled Releases His Single with Jay Z, Rick Ross, Meek Mill…Does It Live Up to the Hype (Audio)

Earlier today, DJ Khaled was featured in an interview where he went on a bit of a "tirade" about owning the summer with his anthems for the last 8 years, when asked if he could do it again. Khaled said he his streak would continue because he has Jay Z... Read more

April 28, 2014 Audio

Out Of Thin Air, The U.M.C.’s Are Back, And Sound Fresh As Ever (Audio)

While a lot of the Wild Pitch Records alumni are continuously spreading the message (Large Professor, DJ Premier, O.C., The Coup, Kool Keith, etc.), it's been a while since The U.M.C.'s were discussed. The duo released hit single "Blue Cheese" back in the early '90s, over two Wild Pitch LPs,... Read more

April 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Eminem Announces Shady Records Battle Rap League, As Joe Budden Will Take On Hollow Da Don (Video)

Eminem helped take the competition of Battle Rap and make it mainstream almost 15 years ago with his semi-autographical film 8 Mile. As Battle Rap's popularity has grown, it often appears to live in the underground (rather proudly) as names like Loaded Lux, Hollow Da Don, and even Jae Millz... Read more

April 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Talks About The Class Differences In Present Day L.A., Addiction In A Jarringly Real Interview (Video)

ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON is one of 2014's more polarizing albums. Heads might like it, Heads might love it, Heads might not feel it at all. However, it could be argued that in the desensitized space of Hip-Hop, no album from the last five months deserves a closer listen to the... Read more

April 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Action Bronson Kicks Off A New Series All About Cleaning The Plate (Video)

Through Atlantic Records, Action Bronson joined the major label a few years back, courtesy of VICE Records. The imprint to the magazine and digital platform of the same name now partners with Bronsillino for a new food show. "Fuck, That's Delicious" (gotta love VICE's fearlessness) will be a web series... Read more

April 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Rest In Peace DJ E-Z Rock, A Hip-House Pioneer Who Helped Make ’88 So Great

Some sad news broke over the weekend. Yesterday (April 27), it was confirmed that DJ EZ Rock (of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock fame) passed away. The Harlem, New York DJ/producer and onetime Profile Records artist is known as a pillar within the late '80s/early '90s "Hip-House" movement, where... Read more

April 28, 2014 Fresh

8 Rappers Discuss the Impact of OutKast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

The celebration of OutKast's debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, continues. MySpace gathered reflections from B.o.B., Gangsta Boo, Trae the Truth, Big K.R.I.T., Rittz, David Banner, Bubba Sparxx and Freddie Gibbs about the impact of OutKast and the album, track by track. Check out the intro to the article below, along with a... Read more

April 27, 2014 Fresh

Da Brat Jumps on Iggy Azalea’s Fancy Track and Flexes (Audio)

It's been 20 years since Da Brat's debut with Funkdafied, but make no mistake, she can still get the party started. She jumps on Iggy Azalea's Fancy track and smokes that joint like she's trying to prove a point...Check it out. Related: Da Brat Makes a Strong Return on Trae... Read more

April 26, 2014 Audio

Salute to OutKast for 20 Years of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (Video)

Salute to OutKast on the 20th anniversary of their classic debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Here's a look back at their appearance on Yo! MTV Raps from that storied era. Fab 5 Freddy joins Big Boi, Andre and Organized Noize (the production collective behind the album) in Atlanta at the famed Dungeon studio.... Read more

April 26, 2014 Throwback

The Roots Open Up A New Chamber With Raheem DeVaughn on Tomorrow (Audio)

Some say that since 2004's The Tipping Point, Black Thought and The Roots crew have been making nothing short of dark albums. Although the acclaim continues to grow for the Philadelphia mainstays, radio play and Top 40 alludes the former Geffen/MCA Records three-time Grammy Award-winners. Well, as ...& Then You... Read more

April 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Celebrate The 20th Anniversary Of OutKast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik With The Diamond D Remix (Audio)

Twenty years ago today, Big Boi & Andre 3000 (as OutKast) released Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The seminal 1994 debut album, with the LaFace Records label, opened the door for a catalog filled with game-changing greatness, with the promise of possibly more additions coming. Ambrosia For Heads salutes "one of our favorites," by... Read more

April 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Beyonce Liberates The Full Version Of Her Up-Tempo Standing On The Sun (Audio)

In addition to being a Covergirl cover-girl, Beyonce is attached to H&M. With her young, hip, and fashion-forward BeyHive in tow, Beyonce released a snippet of a non-album cut not so long ago. On a breezy Saturday afternoon, Mrs. Carter offers up the full version of "Standing On The Sun."... Read more

April 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Week in Hip-Hop Video (4/26/14) (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video was fueled by the ultimate "tell 'em why you mad" video from Scarface, a vintage Dave Chappelle throwback and the RZA's response to Raekwon's recent criticisms. It also featured words from Chuck D, dope new videos from Rapsody, Locksmith, Jon Connor, Pharrell, Killer Mike, Schoolboy... Read more

April 26, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Besides Styles P & Prodigy, Who Got The Call From 50 Cent? Check The Animal Ambition Tracklist

According to the first publishing of 50 Cent's Animal Ambition track listing, Fif's first post-Interscope Records album is just 11 tracks. That's a detour from the "more is more" approach largely reigning in the late '90s, early 2000s era that Curtis Jackson comes from in Rap. This album features at... Read more

April 26, 2014 Fresh

Close Out The Nas’ Illmatic Celebrations With DJ Moneyshot’s Amazing Sample-Sourced Mega Mix (Mixtape)

In one week, it'll be May, and much of the April coverage celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of Hip-Hop's hallmarks, Nas' Illmatic, will seem out of vogue, or passé, while other things are highlighted. Before the calendars change, Solid Steel's DJ Moneyshot, who has previously re-considered and extensively examined... Read more

April 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes