News Archives

Recordings By Eminem, Tupac, Rakim & The Roots Were Secretly Destroyed In Fire

Eleven years ago this month, a fiery blaze at Universal Studios Hollywood made national news. The flames started following a blowtorch repair to some homes used in old film and television shows. As the fire grew, a King Kong attraction was damaged. Reports also circulated that an archive of old... Read more

June 11, 2019 News

Nas Holds Lost Tapes 2 In A Video. Could It Be In Our Hands Soon?

Five years ago, Nas confirmed that Lost Tapes 2 would be happening. The announcement came at a time when the MC's Mass Appeal Records was rapidly expanding its roster. Since that May 2014 report, Nas has been at work on several projects. Nasir, a collaborative album with Kanye West's production,... Read more

June 11, 2019 Fresh

Bun B Tells Talib Kweli Why T.R.O.Y. Is The Biggest Hip-Hop Song Of All Time (Video)

Back in 2011, Bun B accepted a position at Rice University to co-teach a class about Religion and Hip-Hop Culture. Since then, the UGK co-founder has imparted his knowledge in these areas to hundreds of Texas. Beyond academia, Bun regularly reflects on his experiences as an MC, a father, and... Read more

June 10, 2019 Interview, Video

Spread Love The Brooklyn Way. A Street Is Named After Biggie Smalls (Video)

Just over 47 years ago, on May 21, 1972, Christopher Wallace was born at St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. As a youth, Wallace was raised by his mother, Voletta, a preschool teacher, at 226 St. James Place in Clinton Hill. From his booming stage entrance during a pivotal... Read more

June 10, 2019 News, Video

Spice 1, Kurupt & Devin The Dude Are Proud To Be Hip-Hop OGs (Audio)

For more than 30 years, Spice 1 has been giving fans his brand of raw, uncut Hip-Hop. The Hayward, California representative released three gold-certified albums at the top of the 1990s, venting on the anxieties of staying strapped in the 'hood. Throughout that time, the onetime protege and label-mate of... Read more

June 10, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

Bushwick Bill Has Passed Away At The Age Of 52. His Family Confirms.

The Hip-Hop community is mourning the loss of Geto Boys member Bushwick Bill (aka Richard Shaw). Earlier this year, the Jamaican-born, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York-raised MC was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Although a premature announcement was widely circulated this morning (June 9), according to TMZ, the veteran dancer-turned-rapping... Read more

June 9, 2019 News

Scarface Announces He’s Running For Houston City Council

For more than 30 years, Houston, Texas has long been a significant player in the Rap music space. Crews ranging from the Geto Boys to Screwed Up Click to Swishahouse have led musical movements far beyond the city. Artists like Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Lil Keke, Mike Jones, Trae Tha Truth,... Read more

June 8, 2019 News

Joell Ortiz & Hit-Maker Salaam Remi Have Released A New EP. Take A Listen.

This past year has been busy for Brooklyn, New York's Joell Ortiz. Last year, the Slaughterh*use co-founder linked up with veteran Michigan producer Apollo Brown for the release of their joint venture, Mona Lisa. Then at the beginning of 2019, Joell caught a wave with Dipset affiliates The Heatmakerz and... Read more

June 8, 2019 Audio

Big K.R.I.T.’s Video Shows How Record Companies Treat Rappers Like Slaves

Less than 24 hours after announcing his upcoming K.R.I.T. Iz Here album, Big K.R.I.T. delivers the first video from the July 12 affair. A title song of sorts, "K.R.I.T. Here" is an affirmation of all that the Meridian, Mississippi double-threat has accomplished in the last decade. Ten years ago, K.R.I.T.,... Read more

June 7, 2019 Video

The Truth About Kanye West: He’s Andy Kaufman (Video)

David Letterman and Kanye West's 2019 interview is available to the public. The highly-publicized My Next Guest Needs No Introduction episode includes footage filmed at West's California home as well as an on-stage conversation before a live audience. Notably, during the revealing interview, the MC/producer/fashion designer makes a striking self-comparison... Read more

June 7, 2019 Food for Thought, TV/Film, Video

GoldLink & Tyler Are 2 Of Music’s Most Versatile Voices. They Collaborate To Elevate

GoldLink is preparing to drop his forthcoming album Diaspora next week (June 12). In anticipation, he's giving fans another strong sampling of what's to come. The Washington, D.C. native teamed up with Tyler, The Creator and Jay Prince for "U Say." The track features transient Bossa Nova-inspired instrumentals that slowly... Read more

June 6, 2019 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Honors His Mixtape Roots With Upcoming “KRIT IZ Here” Album

Nine years ago, Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer Big K.R.I.T. made one of the most-acclaimed mixtapes of the 2010s courtesy of K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. The 2010 freebie (later released on CD and vinyl) involved Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, Devin The Dude, Smoke DZA, and Krizzle affiliate Big Sant. The release was supported by... Read more

June 6, 2019 News

Joey Bada$$ Will Play Inspectah Deck In The Upcoming Wu-Tang Clan Bio Series

Last month, following the premiere of Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men, a DJ Juanyto interview for HOT 97 on Staten Island with members of the Clan and its extended family suggested that Dave East would not be the only rapper to appear in an upcoming biopic. Joey Bada$$'s name... Read more

June 5, 2019 News, TV/Film, Video

Marlon Craft’s Video Calls Out The REAL American Gangsters

Marlon Craft is an MC from New York City (Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan, to be specific) who appeared on Masta Ace and Marco Polo's November 2018 album, A Breukelen Story. That release was named one of Ambrosia For Heads best of the year, and it involved Craft in an ensemble that... Read more

June 5, 2019 Video

Meek Mill Is Getting A Chance To Prove His Innocence In Front Of A New Court & Judge

For more than a decade, Meek Mill's freedom has rested in the hands of a single judge, Genece Brinkley. After multiple lengthy stays behind bars (including one that just ended in 2018), Meek, Roc Nation, his record company, legal team, and legions of fans have campaigned that the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania... Read more

June 5, 2019 News, Video

Griselda & DJ Premier Put The Boom Bap Back In New York Rap (Video)

Last month, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher dropped the Griselda trifecta's highly-anticipated DJ Premier-produced single "Headlines." The Payday Records collaboration linked the three MCs with a producer who had a major hand in inspiring their sound and Rap aesthetic. The first union between the Gang Starr... Read more

June 5, 2019 Video

TDE vs. Dreamville: Who Wins The Battle With These 2 New Songs?

Last November, J.I.D. admitted that competition between Dreamville Records and TDE is a very real thing. During his DiCaprio 2 campaign, the Georgia MC described his primary motivation was helping his squad, started by J. Cole, outshine the team that includes Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and others. “Being... Read more

June 5, 2019 Audio

Locksmith Is A Fiercely Independent MC. His Symbolic New Video Shows It

Richmond, California's Locksmith had a busy 2018. He partnered with Mello Music Group's Apollo Brown to release the eight-song project No Question. Later last year, Lock' followed with Ali, a hard-hitting collection of solo songs that features Jedi Mind Tricks' Vinnie Paz, Jarren Benton, and Murs. Notably, in spring of... Read more

June 4, 2019 Video

Kool Keith, B-Real & Joell Ortiz Show MCs How To Level Up (Audio Premiere)

Next month (July 12), veteran MC innovator Kool Keith will see the release of his latest album, simply titled KEITH. Produced entirely by The Beatnuts' Psycho Les, KEITH will feature appearances by Houston's Paul Wall, Cypress Hill front-man B-Real, and Crooklyn Dodger lyrical slugger, Jeru The Damaja. Following last month's... Read more

June 4, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

Erykah Badu Tempts Fans With A 1980s Pop Cover (Audio)

Erykah Badu is no stronger to cover songs. She and D'Angelo powerfully remade Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's "Your Precious Love" early on in both of their careers. Erykah's 1997 Live! collection includes a harmonic rendition of Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Stay." More recently, the singer covered the likes of... Read more

June 3, 2019 Audio, The Bridge

Wale Uses Roy Ayers For Inspiration To Ramp Up The Summer (Lyric Video)

Last year Wale kept his fan-base satiated with three EPs worth of music. From Spring to Fall, the veteran MC delivered It's Complicated, Self Promotion, and Free Lunch. In 2019, the Warner Records artist has been working on some things behind the scenes. However, in a new Thelonius Martin-produced single,... Read more

June 3, 2019 Audio

It’s Official: JAY-Z Is Hip-Hop’s 1st Billionaire

Back when JAY-Z was a guest on Freeway's "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires," he confidently declared that he would reach a net worth of "about a billion." His prediction was based on the growth of his real estate holdings and other assets. Fast forward to 2019, and Forbes đăng ký fb88 has confirmed... Read more

June 3, 2019 Lifestyle, News

Black Thought, Yasiin Bey, Pharoahe Monch & Tobe Nwigwe Make A New Live At The BBQ

Yesterday (June 1), The Roots hosted their 12th-annual picnic in the legendary group's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event moved this year to the Mann Center, in the same West Philly that Questlove represents. With active three stages, the day was filled with incredible performances, including a 20th-anniversary rendition of... Read more

June 2, 2019 Exclusive, Video

Common Premieres A J Dilla-Produced Song About The State Of Hip-Hop In 2019

Since the release of his 1994 song "I Used To Love H.E.R.," Common has had a complex and well-documented relationship with Hip-Hop. At first listen, the song played like Common Sense's ode to a woman with whom he'd had a life long affair, which was a love-hate relationship. At the... Read more

June 2, 2019 Exclusive, Video

B-Real & Brady Watt Add Some Dr. Dre & DJ Premier To Cypress Hill’s Biggest Hits

Renowned bass player, producer, and member of DJ Premier's Badder Band Brady Watt has been bringing his groove to video lately, linking up with MCs and singers for a series of videos he's calling "Bass & Bars." Each entry has Watt laying down a bassline for a guest to recite... Read more

May 31, 2019 Video

25 Years Ago, Snoop & Tha Dogg Pound Barked At All The Biters (Video)

Twenty-five years ago, in 1994, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight's record label was giving the mainstream music world an electric charge from the streets of Los Angeles. 1992 saw Dr. Dre's solo debut, The Chronic. Eleven months later, Snoop Doggy Dogg presented his style with a game-changing D*ggystyle LP with Dre and... Read more

May 31, 2019 Do Remember, Video

Watch The Beastie Boys’ Documentary Celebrating 25 Years Of Ill Communication

Following the release of the Beastie Boys Book in late 2018, Michael Diamond (aka Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (aka Ad-Rock) have been in the public eye. Since the book hit store shelves, the two MC/producers expounded on the Beasties' bitter split with Def Jam, the group very nearly calling... Read more

May 30, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Smif-n-Wessun Take Brooklyn To South Beach In A Perfect Video For Summer

Back in February, Ambrosia For Heads premiered Smif-n-Wessun's "Ocean Drive" as a part of the Boot Camp Clik duo's latest album, The All. As Heads would later learn, the Duck Down Music release was one of SnW's best works to date. Now the Brooklyn, New Yorkers are treating fans to the... Read more

May 30, 2019 Video

Royce 5’9 & Kxng Crooked Discuss Who Was Better On Renegade: JAY-Z Or Eminem (Video)

Kxng Crooked is the latest respected Hip-Hop lyricist to segue into driving dialogue in the music media. Recently, the Long Beach, California lyricist also known as Crooked I launched Crook's Corner. Taking a concept from his hashtag of longstanding Hip-Hop discussions on social media with peers and fans, the MC... Read more

May 30, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s 1st Video From Their New Album Is Criminal Minded

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib have released the third single (and first music video) to their upcoming Bandana album. A follow-up to 2014's Pinata, the major label-backed Bandana is arriving on June 28 via Keep Cool/RCA Records. The upcoming collection of songs (available for pre-order) is confirmed to feature Killer Mike,... Read more

May 30, 2019 Video

Jeru The Damaja Returns With A Message That’s Right On The Money (Video)

Twenty-five years to the month after unveiling his acclaimed debut album, The Sun Rises In The East, Jeru The Damaja has returned with a critically potent message for the masses in a new track titled “Harriet Tubman." Never timid to recount social, political, and worldly malpractice throughout his career, the... Read more

May 29, 2019 Video

Murs & 9th Wonder Share The First 2 Songs From Their Final Collabo Album (Premiere)

On July 19, Murs and 9th Wonder will release the seventh and final installment of their collaborative union, The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over. The project, which was announced back in January, is entirely produced by The Soul Council, the collective of 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nottz, Eric G,... Read more

May 29, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

Conway The Machine’s Freestyle Wrecks Shop Alongside Benny & Rick Hyde (Video)

Earlier this month, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher released "Headlines," a standalone single produced by the legendary DJ Premier. The Payday Records song stands as a benchmark intersection between the three self-made stars of Griselda Records and the Gang Starr O.G. According to Wes' recent interview... Read more

May 29, 2019 Video

J. Cole & Ty Dolla $ign Cash In With A Modern Spin On A Classic Message (Video)

UPDATE: Ty Dolla $ign and J. Cole have released the music video for "Purple Emoji," nine days following the single. Both artists appear in the music video that also includes a variety of romantic couples: ORIGINAL MAY 20 STORY: J. Cole's collaborative spirit continues. While the platinum MC/producer's albums... Read more

May 29, 2019 Video

Bushwick Bill Reveals The Reason The Geto Boys Tour Was Canceled (Video)

UPDATE: Following last Friday's (May 24) announcement that the Geto Boys' recently announced reunion tour plans have canceled, longtime group member Bushwick Bill has clarified those initial reports. “For all y’all out there that thought I was healthy enough to make a tour, I’ve been in the hospital since May... Read more

May 28, 2019 News, Video

EPMD Are Working On A New Album & It’s Big Business (Video)

Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith are back to work more than 30 years since the release of EPMD's debut album, Strictly Business. At Long Island, New York's Def Squad Studios, speaking to AFH TV, Erick and Parrish dropped some new information about the duo's upcoming eighth album, said to be titled... Read more

May 28, 2019 Interview, News, Video

Alabama MC Chika Makes Her TV Debut With A Fight For Women’s Rights (Video)

Last year, then-21-year-old Montgomery, Alabama MC Chika took to Twitter to drop a mighty freestyle. Using one of Kanye West's breakthrough instrumentals, Chika criticized the superstar's controversial political views of the time: "It don’t matter how much you have or you lack, when that check clears don’t forget your children... Read more

May 25, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Pete Rock Recreates “They Reminisce Over You” Behind The Turntables (Video)

Last Wednesday (May 22) at New York City's Chelsea Music Hall, Pete Rock celebrated the release of his latest instrumental album, The Return Of The SP1200, with a party. Of course, Rock had to show off his DJing skills and have some fun of his own. He jammed with a... Read more

May 25, 2019 Exclusive, Video

Benny The Butcher Welcomes RJ Payne To His Team. They Celebrate By Bodying A Beat

Benny The Butcher and his Griselda Records team are in the midst of a banner year. After a Westside Gunn mixtape (Fourth Rope) and a new Conway The Machine project (EiF3), this month saw the release of "Headlines," featuring the three of them alongside DJ Premier production. Later in 2019,... Read more

May 25, 2019 Audio

Joyner Lucas & Logic Make Peace To Go To War With Wack MCs (Video)

Two years ago, Logic and Joyner Lucas were engaged in a publicized Rap beef. While both MCs made appearances on Tech N9ne's 2016 song "Sriracha," problems were seemingly lingering at the time. Joyner, during a breakout rise, had been critical of the MC/producer already with two gold albums under his... Read more

May 24, 2019 Video

A New Documentary Shows Why Clarence Avant Is The Godfather Of Black Music (Video)

Clarence Avant is a man whose pioneering work behind the scenes has helped shape the careers of everyone from Quincy Jones to Barack Obama. Lauded as a trailblazing Black executive, Avant and his rise to fame are the subject of a forthcoming documentary called The Black Godfather, which aims to tell... Read more

May 23, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Here’s The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show

Twenty-five years ago this month, The Arsenio Hall Show dimmed the lights on a massive television platform, especially for Hip-Hop. Since early 1989, the actor/comedian/host planted his flag with a new kind of late-night talk-show with a penchant for the issues, people, and culture that inspired him. From M.C. Hammer... Read more

May 23, 2019 Throwback, Throwback, TV, TV/Film, Video

Menace II Society Director Allen Hughes Will Make A New Tupac Docuseries

In 2017, director Allen Hughes directed The Defiant Ones. The HBO docuseries traced the lives of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, who would make millions (and later billions) together at Death Row Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Beats Music. The N.W.A. co-founder and onetime Chairman of Interscope Records were interviewed, as... Read more

May 22, 2019 News, TV, TV/Film

Lil’ Kim & Lil’ Cease Make Peace After 15 Years On Biggie’s Birthday (Video)

In 1995, Junior M.A.F.I.A. released a Top 10-charting debut album in Conspiracy. Executive produced by The Notorious B.I.G. (who vocally participated on more than half of the project), the LP made key introductions from rapping members Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease. Both Brooklyn representatives, Kim and Cease would follow Conspiracy... Read more

May 22, 2019 News

Denzel Curry Delivers A Wrecking Ball Verse While Flying Lotus Flips Quasimoto (Audio)

Last year, Denzel Curry released TA13OO, featuring appearances from GoldLink, J.I.D, JPEGMAFIA, and more. In 2019, Curry linked has with Australian radio station Triple J to reprise Rage Against The Machine's "Bulls On Parade," adding his spin with a verse from TA13OO's "SIRENS [Z1RENZ]" and an added personal touch of... Read more

May 21, 2019 Audio

Westside Gunn Discusses The Possibility Of An Entire Griselda Album With DJ Premier

Just over two years ago, Buffalo, New York MCs Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher formed a partnership with Eminem's Shady Records. The three artists have been busy ever since, independently releasing a string of acclaimed hardcore Hip-Hop albums on their Griselda Records imprint, including Wes' Supreme Blientele,... Read more

May 21, 2019 Interview, Video

Phonte & Rapper Big Pooh Are Making New Little Brother Music

Last September, the three founding members of Little Brother performed a last-minute reunion concert in Durham, North Carolina. In the backdrop of the place where the collective formed, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, and 9th Wonder got back together for The Art Of Cool Festival. It was the first show of... Read more

May 21, 2019 News

Locksmith Explains Why He Was Relieved Not To Get A Deal From Dr. Dre (Video)

Locksmith is one of the Bay Area's most prolific MCs. Since the early 2000s, the Richmond, California rapper has laid forth a slew of mixtapes, albums, and freestyles to bolster his catalog and put his expert lyricism on full display. In 2018, Locksmith kept especially busy, releasing full-length Ali, and... Read more

May 20, 2019 Interview, Video

Billionaire Robert Smith Will Pay The Student Loans For An Entire College Class

At today's (May 19) graduation keynote address, 56-year-old billionaire Robert Frederick Smith made a monumental pledge to the 2019 Morehouse University grads in Atlanta, Georgia. The CEO of the San Francisco, California-based Vista Equity Partners told approximately 396 students at the historically Black, all-male college that he wanted to provide... Read more

May 19, 2019 Lifestyle, News, Video

Oakland, California Declares May 17 To Be Phife Dawg Day

Phife Dawg was a product of Queens, New York who represented for his borough and St. Albans section throughout his 25-plus-year music career. However, the co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest also lived other places during his 45 years of life. One place Malik Taylor made his home was Oakland,... Read more

May 18, 2019 Fresh, News, Video