News Archives

Edo G Says He’s Going Back To Da Bulldogs-Era Sound & Using 5 Never Heard Vintage Pete Rock Beats (Video)

Boston Hip-Hop pioneer Edo G (formerly Ed O.G.) is at work on his 11th album. The "Be A Father To Your Child" songwriter, and maker of "Gotta Have It" has done a lot of music since parting ways with Da Bulldogs. He's worked closely with Masta Ace, Diamond D, DJ... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

DJ Premier Shows The Untouched Remnants Of D&D Studios, How A Fight With Guru Made A Gang Starr Classic (Video)

In Gang Starr's Hard To Earn 20th anniversary year, DJ Premier has done some special press concerning the group, the album, and the legendary status of his group with Guru. Today, DJ Premier, along with a host of others, work out of Midtown Manhattan's HeadCourterz Studios. Named after the late... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Veteran Kentucky-Georgia Hip-Hop Group Cunninglyguists Makes Their Latest Strange Journey Available For Free Listen (Audio)

Heads might not be all the way up on Cunninglyguists. However, this Atlanta, Georgia-meets-Lexington, Kentucky Hip-Hop outfit has been around for over 15 years, with strong ties to Freddie Gibbs, Big K.R.I.T., Masta Ace, and Cee-Lo Green. DJ Kno, Deacon The Villain and Natti—the three current members of the QN5... Read more

March 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

I Used to Love HER…Rick Rubin Speaks on How Hip-Hop Has Changed.

Rick Rubin, along with Russell Simmons, started what is arguably the most important Hip-Hop record label ever created in Def Jam Recordings. So, who better to commentate on the state of the culture today? Rubin gave a rare interview to Vulture and spoke about the early days of Def Jam,... Read more

March 29, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

This Week in Hip-Hop Video Brought Vintage Interviews of Death Row & Bad Boy and Much More (Video)

This week in Hip-Hop video unearthed some extremely rare footage of Biggie, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Suge and Puffy...all in the same room. There were also stellar videos from Talib Kweli, Doppelgangaz, Trae Tha Truth, Slum Village, The Lox, Hi-Tek and Rakim, as well as great pieces on Bushwick Bill and... Read more

March 29, 2014 Playlists, Video

106 & Park Launches Freestyle Battle Partnership with Smack URL (Video)

106 & Park launched season 2 of its Ultimate Freestyle Friday partnership with Smack URL, bringing Smack URL's gritty battle rap to the big screen. The first battle pitted Sno against Ha Double and it got RAW. Check it out below. Related: Loaded Lux Freestyles on Sway in the Morning... Read more

March 29, 2014 Video

Nas Discusses the 20-Year Impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (Video)

Nas discusses the 20-year impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the world renowned scholar and author of "Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic." Knowledge meets knowledge...Check out the video. Related: If You’ve Never Heard Nas’ 1993 Freestyle On The Stretch & Bobbito Show, You Must (Audio)... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

REKS Wrecks The Backroom with Some Heavy Bars (Video)

"Old school like Tigger in the basement. Rap often changes like Lil Kim's facelift..." REKS dropped bars on bars on bars during the latest Backroom freestyle. Check out the video. Related: N.O.R.E. and REKS Speak Their Minds About the Hip-Hop Industry and the People Who Run it In Jesus Takes... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Did You Know Bushwick Bill Was Declared Dead for Nearly 3 Hours When He Shot Himself? (Video)

Bushwick Bill has given Nardwaur one of his most fascinating interviews, ever. Bill gives in-depth details on Rap-A-Lot, MC Lyte and Audio Two, his intro on The Chronic and more. However, one of the most incredible revelations is that when Bill shot himself in 1991, he was pronounced dead for... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Termanology Breaks Down His Relationship with Money on the Silky Smooth Dear Money (Audio)

2010's 1982 project showcased a special chemistry between Statik Selektah and Termanology. The duo is back with a silky smooth new track laced with some ill bars from Termanology about his relationship with the almighty dollar. Check out Dear Money. Related: Statik Selektah and Termanology collaborated as 1982 to release... Read more

March 28, 2014 Audio

Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets His Stanky Legg On…Terminate That (Video)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Manganiello stopped by 106 & Park to promote their movie Sabotage and their Hip-Hop dance skills were put to the test. Arnold put on his Terminator face and gamely did the Nae Nae and the Stanky Legg. Though he was a bit stiff, he's still a... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

DJ Cassidy & R. Kelly Show Why Soul Makes the World Go ‘Round (Audio)

As we reported, DJ Cassidy has put together an amazing new project called Calling All Hearts which pairs contemporary singers with the legendary musicians behind 80's hits by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Chic and more. In his latest offering, Cassidy serves up some feel good soul featuring R.... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

Black Milk Gives Herb Alpert A Hit Of Tronic For Rhythm Roulette Challenge (Video)

Black Milk is on a roll. Fresh off of some major acclaim for 2013's No Poison No Paradise, the Detroit beat-master launched into 2014 with a fresh, low-key release in Glitches In The Break. The Random Axe member, who's made full albums in his career with Slum Village, Danny Brown,... Read more

March 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

J Dilla’s Omnipresence Continues This Week, With Slum Village’s Yes Yes (Video)

Just a day removed from De La Soul's J Dilla-produced Smell The Da.I.S.Y. mixtape, Slum Village also unveils their continuing posthumous working relationship with the group co-founder. Jay Dee, along with the late Baatin, and T3 brought the Villa from the underground Hip-Hop waters of Detroit in the early '90s.... Read more

March 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Smoke DZA and Cam’ron Resurrect the Ghost of Dipset (Audio)

Harlem is in the building. Smoke DZA and Cam'ron resurrect the Ghost of Dipset on this slow, grimy burner. Check it out. Related: Smoke DZA & Ab-Soul Hop On A DJ Dahi-Produced Cloud For Hearses (Audio)... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

N.W.A. Royalty Reigns, As MC Ren Premieres His Single From The New Album (Audio)

MC Ren has been relatively quiet over the last five years. The Compton, California legend and N.W.A. alumni released Renincarnated a few years back, and since—as Ren's likes to do—has laid relatively low. Now, "The Ruthless Villain" is back with "Rebel Music." The record is produced by longtime Spice-1/Ice Cube... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Trae Tha Truth and Snoop Dogg Take it Back to the Old School (Video)

Trae Tha Truth and Snoop Dogg celebrate vintage cars in the video for Old School. Lean back and vibe to this one. Related: The Lox & Trae the Truth Go HAM on a New Track (Audio)... Read more

March 27, 2014 Video

Method Man Lends a Buttery Verse to The Wow on Masterpiece (Audio)

It's been years since Method Man has released a full album but Tical has stayed relevant through collaborations and guest verses. He had an epic return with A$AP Mob on Trillmatic. Now, he's back with his trademark buttery flow on Masterpiece by The Wow. Check it out below. Related: Method... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

Vic Mensa Pulls Off the Craziest Ending Yet to a Nardwaur Interview (Video)

Vic Mensa got the Nardwaur treatment while at SXSW. He spoke about everything from J Dilla to Louis Farrakhan. And, in the end, he put Nardwaur to the ultimate test with a blow up doll...Check out the video. Related: How Does Vic Mensa’s SAVEMONEY Crew Fit Into Chiraq? They Don’t... Read more

March 26, 2014 Video

The Doppelgangaz Live Rugged on This 90’s Throwback Track (Video)

It's interesting to hear the 90's influence on so many of Hip-Hop's children of the 90's. Whether due to exposure by their parents or just the era's celebration as the "Golden Age," many of today's MC's pay homage to that celebrated time period in their sound. The Doppelgangaz's Live Rugged... Read more

March 26, 2014 Video

Talib Kweli Addresses the Complicated Relationship Between Women & Hip-Hop in State of Grace (Video)

The relationship between women and Hip-Hop is a complex one. The genre is clearly male-dominated in terms of the proportion of its performers. And, to describe many of the lyrics as misogynistic would be a euphemism at best. Talib Kweli addresses some of these complexities head on with State of... Read more

March 26, 2014 Video

Problem is Back with His First Release of 2014 (Audio)

Problem had a big year last year with the release of his stellar mixtape The Separation and an appearance in the BET Cypher. He's back with his first release of 2014. Check out Too On to Be Off. Related: Problem – The Separation (Mixtape)... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Lend Their Talents to the Remix of Fabolous’ Thim Slick (Audio)

Raekwon and Ghostface pull a Wu takeover and add a couple of verses to Fabolous' Thim Slick. Check out the remix. Related: RZA & Wu-Tang Clan Have A Recorded Album That Nobody Knows About, And They’re Only Selling 1 Copy?... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio

RZA & Wu-Tang Clan Have A Recorded Album That Nobody Knows About, And They’re Only Selling 1 Copy?

Ready for the craziest news you've likely heard in 2013? Okay, here goes: Wu-Tang Clan has a new album. No, it's not the delayed A Better Tomorrow. Instead, this 31-track, 128-minute album was allegedly recorded in the country of Morocco, according to an exclusive report by Forbes staff writer and... Read more

March 26, 2014 Fresh

De La Soul Unleashes Their J Dilla-Produced Smell The D.A.I.S.Y. (Mixtape)

During a relatively quiet year for the mixtape medium, three Long Island veterans and a late Detroit mainstay have shattered the tranquil waters. As planned, De La Soul released Smell The D.A.I.S.Y. today (March 26th). The 30-minute mixtape pairs Posdnuos, Maseo, and Dave (fka Trugoy) with the music of their... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh, Mixes

Biggie Smalls, Suge Knight, Puff Daddy, Snoop Dogg In The Same Room In The Early ’90s? Check The Tapes (Video)

Much has been written, speculated, and sadly, testified in the rift between Bad Boy Records and Death Row Records in the mid-to-late 1990s. While Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. were once friends and collaborators, Heads often fail to realize that prior to the 1995 Source Awards, things were not... Read more

March 26, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

The Future Is Bright As SZA & Chance The Rapper Find Their Pocket In Childs Play (Audio)

TDE's SZA is off to a great start this year. She creates a smooth, spacey world in "Childs Play" with soft, sensuous vocals. Then, Chance The Rapper enters with one of the best verses post-#AcidRap from him. The two look at their (ever-changing) lives now, as set against their days... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

!llmind Brings Bob James’ Into The Modern Era With This Tribute Remix (Audio)

New Jersey professor/educator !llmind has been knocking around the music industry for over a decade. In addition to full-length work with Skyzoo, 'Mind has credits with G.O.O.D Music's Cruel Summer release, Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP 2, and joints with Boot Camp Clik, Redman, and Pharoahe Monch. After letting The Roots'... Read more

March 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Prodigy Kicks A Funkmaster Flex Freestyle Over An Odd Future Gem (Video)

Mobb Deep's Prodigy has made millions off of his verses, for over 20 years. The Queens MC/author stopped by Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 show 19 years after both Mobb members appeared on the gold-certified 60 Minutes Of Funk, Vol. 1. The self-proclaimed H.N.I.C. appears to come off the dome, with... Read more

March 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

King Los Kicks Another Ridiculous Off the Top Freestyle. Who Wants It? (Video)

King Los is quickly establishing himself as 1 of the illest freestylers in the game right now. After completely snapping on Sway in the Morning's 5 Fingers of Death, he's back with another true off the top verse. And, just like last time, he just gets better as he goes.... Read more

March 25, 2014 Video

J-Live Smashes Every Cliche in Hip-Hop in 1 Verse But Wack Rappers Are Not Listening (Audio)

J-Live doesn't just rhyme, he tells stories--stories with a point. In his latest release, he attacks virtually every cliche in Hip-Hop, all in 1 verse. Unfortunately, most wack rappers are Not Listening. Check it out. Related: J-Live Makes A Topical Video About Trying To Get Over With Money Matters (Video)... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio

Here’s Mobb Deep’s First Ever Full Collaboration with The Lox (Audio)

Mobb Deep have released their first ever full collaboration with The Lox. As if that weren't enough, they loop Biggie on the chorus. Check out All a Dream. Related: Mobb Deep & Big Noyd’s 1994 Version Update Of MC Shan’s Classic Is Liberated (Audio)... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio

Asher Roth Tries To Help People Get The Message In Fast Life (Video)

This morning, Asher Roth and Vic Mensa released "The Fast Life." Quite a different message and tone than Kool G Rap and Nas' song of the same title from nearly 20 years ago, this record challenges fast-paced living for an ode encouraging the celebration of the simple things. For the... Read more

March 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Mobb Deep & Big Noyd’s 1994 Version Update Of MC Shan’s Classic Is Liberated (Audio)

The Bridge Wars were very real. Most Heads know about the Juice Crew vs. Boogie Down Productions main event featuring MC Shan, Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante and more versus KRS-One, Scott La Rock, Just-Ice, DJ Kenny Parker and others. However, throughout the late '80s and early '90s, other artists were... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk & Young Chris Get Mean On A New State Property Track (Audio)

State Property had a style all their own in the late '90s and early 2000s. Roc-A-Fella's Philly army never shied from fast tracks that required deft rapping. Such is the case with the Mike Jerz-produced "Reputation." This sounds like vintage S.P., with Young Chris, Peedi Crakk, Freezer, rapping off the... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Sean C & LV – Loud Dreams Vol. 1 Features Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, Big K.R.I.T. & Plenty More (Mixtape)

On his own, Sean C produced "Can't Knock The Hustle" and "Roc Boys" for Jay Z. The New Yorker not only co-founder the legendary X-Ecutionerz DJ crew (R.I.P. Roc Raida), but he was a major hand in Loud Records' success, thanks to his A&R role. Once he teamed with LV,... Read more

March 25, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

50 Cent Is The Literal Captain Of His Craft In Pilot (Video)

It certainly appears that every song on 50 Cent's Animal Ambition will have a corresponding video. Beyonce and Rick Ross aren't the only artists taking on this multimedia approach, as Fif drops the video to "Pilot" approximately 12 hours after the third official look from his forthcoming studio album hit... Read more

March 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Catch The Snippets & Full Stream To Prodigy & Havoc’s Throwback Album The Infamous Mobb Deep (Audio)

On April 1st, Prodigy & Havoc are releasing The Infamous Mobb Deep. The album will be Mobb Dizzle's first full-length release since 2006's G-Unit one-off, Blood Money. Additionally, the carefully-titled LP also includes some unreleased material recorded from 1994 and 1995, for the duo's cult-championed masterpiece, The Infamous. The two... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Give Chance The Rapper’s Homies Social Experiment A Home Studio, You’ll Get New Music (Audio)

Chance The Rapper rolls with band/production crew Social Experiment. Last week, the collective came with an alternate, O.G. mix of the James Blake collaboration "Life Around Here." In the days since, Social Experiment opened up their own home studio and invited C.T.R. over. Together they made the appropriately-titled "Home Studio."... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Asher Roth & Vic Mensa Sing and Rap About the Fast Life on a Lush Musical Track (Audio)

Asher Roth and Vic Mensa sing and rap on an incredibly lush track. And, while the song is soulful and instantly catchy, it is not light fare. It tackles what can happen when dealing with low self esteem. Check out Fast Life. Related: The Video For Asher Roth’s Tangerine Girl... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio

Mobb Deep Makes a Legendary North/South Connection with Bun B & Juicy J (Audio)

Mobb Deep teams up with Bun B and Juicy J to form a strong North/South connection over a Boi-1da track. This is 4 O.G.s going to work on a banger. Check out Legendary. Related: Catch The Snippets To Prodigy & Havoc’s Throwback Album The Infamous Mobb Deep (Audio)... Read more

March 25, 2014 Audio

80s Slow Jam Lovers Will Groove Along To This Soul Train-Inspired Pharrell Happy Remix (Audio)

Atlanta, Georgia party-rockers ForteBowie are known throughout Fulton and Dekalb counties. However, following this flip of Pharrell's Oscar-nominated "Happy," word is expanding. This "1988 Soul Train Remix" features a flip of Keith Sweat's Make it Last Forever in a way that would make father Don Cornelius proud. If Pharrell is... Read more

March 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

50 Cent Pilots A Third Single From Animal Ambition, But Does It Land? (Audio)

50 Cent is in full beast mode promoting Animal Ambition. After two singles, and two subsequent videos to each of the records, a third look emerges. "Pilot" may be a step closer to Curtis and Before I Self Destruct. After some of the recent excitement surrounding Fif's return to pre-2005/mixtape... Read more

March 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Blu Drops Off 39 More Tracks In soul amazing part three (Audio)

Blu does it against. The forever unpredictable MC/producer who bootlegs himself was not done with the 77 songs he gave away in January and February, respectively. Johnson Barnes drops off 39 more, topping out at over 100. This batch of heard (but plenty rare) joints includes work with Kendrick Lamar,... Read more

March 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The LOX Rep New York City With Nightlife Style (Video)

The LOX takeover may be upon us. Just hours after Styles P and Jadakiss unleashed their "Sour" ode to a burnable of choice, the crew (complete with Sheek Louch) drops the video for "New York City." Black & white, with some color splashed in, the party is real, and the... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Kanye West, Macklemore & More Make Appearances on Ep. 1 of the New Hot 97 Reality Show (Video)

NYC's Hot 97 is a Hip-Hop institution, having played a key role in launching the careers of Biggie, Jay Z, Kanye West and just about anyone else who's come up through the ranks over the last 20 years. They've landed a new reality series and it's quite entertaining. Rather than... Read more

March 24, 2014 Video

Alchemist & Budgie Invite Blu, Action Bronson & Domo Genesis In For Some G Code Talk (Audio)

The jewels from Budgie's Alchemist-produced The Good Book continue to stack up. Over a groovy piano loop, Budgie meshes in with guests including Blu and Odd Future's Domo Genesis, in addition to recurring cast member Action Bronson. "The G Code," applies to the streets and the skies, if you listen... Read more

March 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

45 King, Chill Rob G & Lakim Shabazz Share Flavor Unit Memories, Talk 45’s Heart Attack & Collaborations (Video)

Two New Jersey Hip-Hop legends came together over 25 years after their first link. 45 King and Lakim Shabazz, the founder and one of the star MCs of the first wave of The Unit, respectively, did a new episode of 45's "Making The Beat." While playing some joints, the pair... Read more

March 24, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Styles P Recruits Rocko and His Lox Brother Jadakiss on Sour (Audio)

Fresh off his project with The Lox, Styles P is readying his solo LP, Phantom and the Ghost. His latest release from the project is a slow burner featuring Rocko and Jadakiss. Check out Sour. Related: With A LOX Album Brewing, Mister Cee Honors Styles, Jadakiss & Sheek With A... Read more

March 24, 2014 Audio

Rakim Joins Op1 on a Walk With God (Video)

Rakim is often referred to as Rakim Allah or The God MC. Well, The R has joined Op1 on a rap some would call "spiritual" or at a minimum, "high-minded." No matter the terminology, this is a song with a positive message that has been blessed with a verse from... Read more

March 24, 2014 Video