News Archives

Rapsody – Jedi Code ft Phonte & Jay Electronica

I had to sit down for this one. Seriously. It's not knee-jerk early-edition hyperbole for me to deem this my favorite collaboration of 2013. In the order of appearance, Phonte calls back to Minstrel Show Phonte, not to say that he hasn't had lethal bars since then, but this cocky... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AZ – I Excel

Not since the Disposable Arts-era Masta Ace have I seen artist with an already-heralded career get consistently better with time. No longer signed to the major EMI Records, you cannot help but acknowledge that Tha Visualiza's intricate and vivid imagery is just as good, if not better than "Rather Unique."... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. – 4EvaNADay Instrumentals (Mixtape)

With so much attention being paid to lyrics as of late (thanks to a young MC out of Compton), an entire mixtape without any words whatsoever is quite refreshing to hear. Which brings us to 4EvaNaDay (Instrumentals), Big K.R.I.T.’s latest project that features 15 soothing, self-produced beats from the project... Read more

August 20, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

The History of Rock the Bells: A 10 Year Retrospective (Video)

When a festival’s debut features the entire Wu-Tang Clan as headliners (after a lengthy crew tour hiatus), it’s probably safe to say that it's made for fans, by fans. Fast forward to the year 2013, and almost an entire decade has flew by since Guerilla Union's Rock The Bells Festival... Read more

August 20, 2013 Fresh, Video

Janelle Monae – Prime Time ft Miguel

Here's a new song from Janelle Monae and Miguel that feels a lot like Purple Rain-era Prince, in a GREAT way. Check out Prime Time. Related: Janelle Monae – Q.U.E.E.N. ft Erykah Badu (Video)... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio

Ab-Soul Discusses Growing Up In A Record Shop (Video)

Being a member of one of the biggest groups in Hip-Hop could give some people Alzheimer’s regarding where they came from, but Ab-Soul is not one of those people. In Noisey’s latest episode in the “Turning Points” series, the Black Hippy soldier depicts his childhood and how the majority of... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Video

Big Sean – First Chain ft Nas & Kid Cudi

Big Sean's Hall Of Fame is exfoliating some of its biggest assets. On "First Chain," Sean channels early Kanye West's penchant for Jacob The Jeweler talk, as he links with Def Jam Records big brother Nas, and contemporary/former label-mate Kid Cudi. Since the days of Nice & Smooth's "Gold," this... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Pete Rock Discusses His “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” Sessions

My personal favorite Kanye West album is 2010's My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy. Individually, 'Ye's made songs that I've grown obsessed with on other albums (see: "Gone," "Can't Tell Me Nothing," and "Never Let Me Down"), I thought that his fifth LP hit his greatest stride in making a cohesive,... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Discusses Black Hippy’s Mystique & Purpose (Video)

In the late '90s/early 2000s, there were some cool super-groups that never put albums out: The Four Horsemen (Kurupt, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest) The Golden State Warriors (Xzibit, Saafir, Ras Kass) The Likwit Cru (King T, Xzibit, Tash, E-Swift, J-Ro, Defari, Madlib, Phil Da Agony, Wildchild, DJ Romes) The... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Video

The Weeknd – Live For ft Drake

Together, The Weeknd & Drake can break many hearts, but they also be able to break the Internet when they collaborate. Toronto's newest wave collaborates for "Live For."With a combined age less than 50, how do you think this pair of free-music givers told Universal Motown Group flagship acts stack... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Dizzy Wright – The Golden Age (Mixtape)

Amidst a breakthrough 12 months, Las Vegas' Dizzy Wright delivers his most polished to date. The Golden Age is a freebie that features Wyclef Jean, Joey Bada$$, Honey Cocaine, SwizZz, and his XXL Freshmen classmate Logic. Early Twitter fanfare is calling it Dizzy's best work to date. What we love... Read more

August 19, 2013 Fresh, Mixes

Action Bronson Slams Another Stage Crasher (Video)

Action Bronson has a pro wrestling career waiting for him in the rap thing doesn't work out. He slammed another stage crasher over the weekend and finished it up with an arm bar (and this one looks kinda like pro wrestling...). Check out the video. Related: Action Bronson Demonstrates His... Read more

August 19, 2013 Video

Lupe Fiasco – SLR 3 (Round of Applause)

Lupe Fiasco spits a tough freestyle over a smoothed out jazz track. You can do the math on the subject of the verse. Check out SLR 3 (Round of Applause). Related: Lupe Fiasco – #DopeFrancis (American Trap) (Audio)... Read more

August 18, 2013 Audio

AFH: The Week in Video (8/17/13) (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought one of the best Hip-Hop videos of the year with Just Blaze & Baauer's Higher, a stylish short film featuring some incredible combat scenes. It also featured new music videos from Stalley featuring Schoolboy Q, Dizzy Wright, and Styles P featuring N.O.R.E. and Chris Rivers... Read more

August 17, 2013 Video

Bumpy Knuckles – New York, Where You At?

Bumpy Knuckles goes in on a slowed down version of the beat Diamond D used on I'm Outta Here. It's more OG New York pride than a response to Kendrick. Check out New York, Where You At? Related: The 25 Greatest Diss Records of All-Time (Food For Thought)... Read more

August 17, 2013 Audio

Joe Budden – Control Freestyle

Joe Budden joins his Slaughterhouse brother Joell Ortiz in responding to Kendrick Lamar--and he names names too...He also reps heavy for New York legends he thinks were disrespected like The Lox, State Property, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, Big Pun and more. Check it out below. Who do you... Read more

August 17, 2013 Audio

Nice Guys Finish First…But Not By Playing Nice

Kendrick Lamar and Big K.R.I.T. After the late 2000s breakthrough of Blu, Thurz, Fashawn and Torae, it is these two men that truly opened me up to what I considered the youthful unknown in Hip-Hop. In 2010, I was very much the anti-new-rapper’s fan, convinced that labels (large and small)... Read more

August 17, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

The 25 Greatest Diss Records of All-Time

This has been one of the biggest weeks for Hip-Hop in a long, long time. The foundation was set on Sunday when Hip-Hop turned 40 (at least if you count the first party Kool Herc through in the Bronx as the official anniversary). What became even the bigger story, however,... Read more

August 17, 2013 Audio

Nas Speaks on Kendrick Lamar’s Control Verse (Video)

Miss Info caught up with Nas to discuss the recent influx of discussion of fine art in Hip-Hop (he name checks Wild Style), and he also spoke briefly on Kendrick Lamar's Control verse. Not surprisingly, Nas stays above the fray and talks about the historical context of competitive rap. That's... Read more

August 16, 2013 Video

Dizzy Wright – World Peace

In a week of fierce lyrical warfare, Dizzy Wright changes the tone with his latest release. If you miss that Rawkus-era conscious Hip-Hop. This one's for you. Check out the introspective and insightful World Peace. Related: Dizzy Wright – The Flavor ft SwizZz (Video)... Read more

August 16, 2013 Audio

Papoose – Control (Kendrick Lamar Response)

Out of all the responses to Kendrick Lamar's verse, Papoose's is BY FAR the most personal. Papoose takes aim at K. Dot (and damn near every other commercially successful rapper) claiming Kendrick contributed to the "feminization of the Black male" and more (going in for 4+ minutes). This is more... Read more

August 16, 2013 Audio

Living Legends: Missy Elliott

"Me, I'm supa fly!" With those 4 words, Missy Elliott changed the landscape of Hip-Hop, particularly its depiction of women, forever. In 1997, Missy burst onto the scene with her single The Rain and brought a new sing-songy flow, effortlessly shifting from singing to rhyming then back again, as well... Read more

August 16, 2013 Playlists, Throwback

Goodie M.O.B. – Pinstripes ft T.I.

Goodie M.O.B. gets a verse from fellow Atlien T.I. on their latest release. Check out Pinstripes. Related: Goodie M.O.B. – Special Education ft Janelle Monae (Video)... Read more

August 16, 2013 Audio

Earl Sweatshirt – Sasquatch ft Tyler, The Creator

With the release of Doris just 5 days away, a leaked track featuring Earl Sweatshirt and the leader of Odd Future hit the masses. Earl teams up with band-mate Tyler, The Creator on “Sasquatch," which features laid-back production and some entertaining lyrics. Always the lightning rod for controversy, Tyler spits... Read more

August 15, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) – Clapping for the Wrong Reasons (Short Film)

Here's a short film called Clapping for the Wrong Reasons that was written by Donald Glover that plays like a a day in the life of Childish Gambino. Though the film is fiction, it feels almost like a documentary. The pacing is slow and deliberate (and at times meandering) like... Read more

August 15, 2013 Video

Talib Kweli Speaks on Kendrick Lamar’s Verse (Video)

Talib Kweli has provided one of the most thoughtful responses to Kendrick Lamar's verse so far. In this extended interview, he talks about Kendrick's progression as an MC, the fact that Kendrick was actually quoting a Kurupt verse when he said he was King of New York, how he feels... Read more

August 15, 2013 Video

Goodie M.O.B. – Special Education ft Janelle Monae (Video)

After dropping a lyric video last month, Goodie M.O.B. release the official video for Special Education featuring Janelle Monae. Related: Goodie M.O.B. on RapFix Live (Video)... Read more

August 15, 2013 Video

No Malice – Shame The Devil ft Pusha T

Isn't it amazing that No Malice and Pusha T are releasing debut albums in the same Summer? They have more in common with Outkast than both being stranded in the Arista/Jive Records merger of the mid-2000s now. From his solo album Hear Ye Him which drops August 18, No Malice... Read more

August 15, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Prodigy & Alchemist – Back & Forth (Video)

I remember hearing "Keep It Thoro" for the first time and just wondering who could have possibly made that beat. Enter: The Alchemist. While around on Mobb Deep's seething fourth LP, Murda Muzik, P and Al built chemistry to last careers on H.N.I.C. Fresh off the strength of Albert Einstein,... Read more

August 15, 2013 Fresh, Video

Stalley – NineteenEighty7 ft Schoolboy Q (Video)

Here's the video for the super tough collabo between Stalley and Schoolboy Q. Check out NineteenEighty7. Related: Stalley – Honest Cowboy (Mixtape)... Read more

August 15, 2013 Video

Juvenile – Mo Money ft Curren$y

Juvenile and Curren$y, two generations of New Orleans MCs, unite on Juvie's latest track. Mike Will made the beat. Check out Mo Money. Related: Curren$y – New Jet City (Mixtape)... Read more

August 15, 2013 Throwback

E-40 – All My N*ggas ft Danny Brown & Schoolboy Q (Video)

E-40 is joined by to leaders of the new school in his latest club banger. Check out the video for All My N*ggas featuring Schoolboy Q & Danny Brown. Related: Murder Dog Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary (Food for Thought)... Read more

August 15, 2013 Video

The Almighty (Canibus, Cappadonna, Planet Asia, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) – Prelude to the 2nd Coming (Mixtape)

In all the hype over The Verse, this mixtape from The Almighty (Canibus, Cappadonna, Planet Asia, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) might have gotten lost in the shuffle. With tough beats and features from Styles P, Talib Kweli, Keith Murray, Raekwon, RZA and more, it is not to be overlooked. You... Read more

August 15, 2013 Mixes

Danny Brown – The Old Documentary (Video)

Danny Brown has been on my radar since late 2007, when some homies from Detroit started telling me to put an ear to the MC with the common-sounding name. Upon listening to the early music of Danny Brown (Detroit State Of Mind and Hot Soup), there is nothing common about... Read more

August 14, 2013 Fresh, Video

Drake Says He Won His Battle With Common

Drake and Common’s beef (if we can call it that?) might seem like a pillow fight compared to the atom bomb Kendrick dropped on Hip Hop this week, but in an interview for next month’s XXL, Drizzy claims he came out the victor. In the new issue (which hits stores... Read more

August 14, 2013 Food for Thought

K-Def – The Meeting ft Blu

Need some underground music in your life? K-Def and Blu have you covered. K-Def provides a RZA-like track, complete with eerie strings, and Blu goes in. Check out The Meeting. Related: Slum Village – Let It Go ft Blu (Audio)... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Astro – KONY (Prod. Statik Selektah)

Astro has dropped one of the better response records so far to Kendrick Lamar's verse on Control. In the first verse, Astro answers most of Kendrick's assertions point by point. However, the 2nd verse is even more interesting because he takes New York rappers to task for jocking Kendrick too... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Eminem – Survival

Although it might be background music to a video game commercial, anything Mr. Mathers does usually ends up at the forefront of hip-hop news. As guns are blasting during the latest preview of Call of Duty: Ghosts, a closer listen reveals Eminem himself shooting lyrical bullets off his new track... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Ghostface Killah & Killah Priest Doing A Collaborative Album?

If you would have asked me in the late '90s for a Top 10 of Hip-Hop's elite lyricists du jour, it would have been hard not to praise Killah Priest. From the Sunz Of Man's stellar debut album, to one of the most conceptually-dense LPs of the last 15 years... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rapsody – Kingship (Prod. DJ Premier)

I attended a small listening session for Rapsody's upcoming mixtape She Got Game last night. It is hands down one of the best projects of the year so far (album or mixtape) with production from 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Terrace Martin and more, as well as guest verses from Ab-Soul, Raekwon,... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Murder Dog Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary

For fans of West Coast Hip Hop, especially of the Gangsta Rap variety, Murder Dog filled (and continues to fill) an important void that was left in the coverage of Hip Hop. Artists like Tech N9ne, Brotha Lynch Hung, Daz Dillinger and Twista thrived in the pages of Black Dog... Read more

August 14, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

9th Wonder & Young Guru (and Parfit from AFH…) Discuss Kendrick Lamar’s Control Verse (Video)

36 hours after Kendrick Lamar set the Internet on fire with his verse claiming the title of King of New York (and Hip-Hop generally), the debate continues. I had the privileged of witnessing (and briefly participating in) a lively discussion between Young Guru and 9th Wonder last night about The... Read more

August 14, 2013 Video

Meek Mill – Lil Ni**a Snupe

It’s been almost two months since the Louisiana shooting-murder of Dream Chasers hopeful Lil Snupe (reportedly over a video game), but the memory still rings true for the man who signed him just moments after hearing his demo. In the newly released “Lil Ni**a Snupe” produced by Boi-1da & The... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

A$AP Ferg – Trap Lord (Album Stream)

Following the blazing rise of A$AP Rocky, many wondered who would be next to step to the forefront for the A$AP Mob. But after the success of his recent tracks “Work Remix” and “Shabba,” it certainly appears that the next in line is none other than A$AP Ferg. With his... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio

Lupe Fiasco – #DopeFrancis (American Trap)

What’s your favorite pope-titled Hip-Hop song? If you’re coming up blank or merely thinking of Bishop Lamont mixtapes, Lupe Fiasco has your answer. The Chicago MC presents his latest track “#DopeFrancis (American Trap),” in which religious wordplay and metaphors are prevalent throughout his bars. Always one known for controversial lyrics,... Read more

August 14, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Earl Sweatshirt: The Truth Interview With Elliott Wilson (Video)

With his debut studio album Doris on the way, Earl Sweatshirt has plenty to smile about these days. It’s been a full three years since the Odd Future MC dropped his self-titled solo project, which explains why his fans are anxiously awaiting his new Columbia Records-backed LP which drops next week... Read more

August 14, 2013 Fresh, Video

Styles P – Manson Murder (Remix) ft N.O.R.E. & Chris Rivers (aka Baby Pun)

Styles P drops a video to the remix to Manson Murder featuring N.O.R.E. and Chris Rivers. Check it out below. Related: Jadakiss, Styles P & Sheek Louch perform in NYC (Video)... Read more

August 13, 2013 Video

Tito Lopez – Black Dude Spanish Name (Video)

Tito Lopez pokes fun at himself with the title of his song Black Dude Spanish Name, but the lyrics are no joke. Check out the video. Related: Tito Lopez – Tryna Get On ft Jon Connor (Audio)... Read more

August 13, 2013 Video

J. Cole & Nas Interviewed Together In New VIBE

Longtime VIBE editor/journalist John Kennedy recently shared a recording space with Nas and J. Cole. No, it wasn't for anymore collaborations, but rather to study one of the breakthrough artists of the early 1990s, and one of his disciples, a breakthrough artist of the early 2010s. On the heels of... Read more

August 13, 2013 Fresh

Bonic – Streets Luv Me ft Schoolboy Q & Troy Ave

Here's a new track from Bonic that features Schoolboy Q and Troy Ave. Check out Streets Luv Me. Related: Schoolboy Q – Collard Greens ft Kendrick Lamar (Video)... Read more

August 13, 2013 Audio