News Archives

Ab-Soul Reminds His Pen Is Still Sharp Enough To Draw Blood (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back and listen... Read more

February 12, 2018 Audio

Yasiin Bey Says Black Star Is Working On New Music With Madlib (Audio)

This August makes 20 years since the release of Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The Rawkus Records album is a benchmark album of Hip-Hop's underground uprising, and a key introduction of Mos Def (nka Yasiin Bey), Talib Kweli, and producer DJ Hi-Tek. While Talib and Yasiin have collaborated... Read more

February 11, 2018 Audio, News

Q-Tip & Kendrick Lamar Link On A Song That Sounds Like Vintage ATCQ (Audio)

It’s no secret that Kendrick Lamar is heavily influenced by A Tribe Called Quest. During his To Pimp A Butterfly Tour, Lamar made 18,000 concertgoers in Sydney, Australia pay homage to Phife Dawg the day Tribe's co-founder passed away back in 2016. Later that year, fans heard Phife and Lamar... Read more

February 10, 2018 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Chuck Strangers Kick Red Hot Rhymes Like 2 Pros (Audio)

Since 2018 kicked off, Joey Bada$$ has been steadily trickling out single after single. The latest comes in “80 Blocks” a collaboration with his Pro Era cohort Chuck Strangers, who also produced the sample-heavy beat. The slow, yet edgy track sounds like something that the Brooklyn MC could have churned... Read more

February 9, 2018 Audio

Lyric Jones Is More Proof Of Why This Is A Renaissance Period For Women MCs (Video)

Planet Asia's Gold Chain Miltary has assembled a clan of lyrical assassins, two of which just happen to be women. One of those MCs is L.A. transplant Lyric Jones. "Nat Queen Cole" (as she calls herself in this cut) has been on her grind in the last couple months, dropping... Read more

February 9, 2018 Video

Elzhi & Khrysis’ 1st Collabo Single Shows What Jericho Jackson’s Got…FIRE (Audio)

In two weeks, 9th Wonder's Jamla Records is releasing the first collaborative project from Elzhi and Khrysis. The February 23 album takes its title from the Detroit, Michigan MC to Raleigh, North Carolina producer tandem's group name, Jericho Jackson. The name is a reference to Carl Weathers' character in 1988's... Read more

February 9, 2018 Audio

Skyzoo & Raheem DeVaughn Hit The Bakery To Slice Some Devil’s Pie (Video)

If you haven't listened to Skyzoo's new album, In Celebration of Us, this first music video may be just the nudge you need. Both his 2017 projects, Peddler Themes and The Easy Truth with Apollo Brown, raised the lyrical bar in a time when it often seems to have been lowered.... Read more

February 9, 2018 Video

Jay Electronica, Obie Trice & Bumpy Knuckles To Perform At Dillatroit Tribute Concert

February 10 marks 12 years since the untimely death of J Dilla. In James Yancey's hometown of Detroit, Michigan the third annual Dillatroit concert will take place in his memory. On Sunday, several collaborators, peers, and admirers of the Slum Village co-founder are confirmed to perform at the event held... Read more

February 8, 2018 Fresh

Hip-Hop Pioneer Lovebug Starski Has Passed Away

Lovebug Starski is one of the Hip-Hop pioneers that Biggie Smalls shouts out in the opening verse to "Juicy." According to author/filmmaker Nelson George, the Bronx, New York MC, DJ and producer is responsible for coining the early 1970s youth culture as "Hip-Hop." He also was reportedly one of the... Read more

February 8, 2018 News

Nas Speaks On The Importance Of Black History In EVERY Month (Video)

Just last week, PBS aired an incredible performance with Nas and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The televised special saw the Queensbridge native rap the entirety of his debut, Illmatic – an LP that has been archived as a part of a project at... Read more

February 8, 2018 Video

Big K.R.I.T. & T.I. Show They Are Both Kings Of The South With Rich Rhymes (Video)

In a lofty warehouse, grilled up, talking on his money phone, Big K.R.I.T. flexes his southern rap flavor in the video for “Big Bank,” directed by Music Family. The track, which features T.I., is off K.R.I.T.’s independently successful and critically acclaimed third album, 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time. Although... Read more

February 8, 2018 Fresh, Video

Quincy Jones Details How Michael Jackson Stole Some Of His Best Material (Video)

Quincy Jones turns 85 years old next month. The musician, arranger, producer, and celebrity is showing a side of himself that may be new to most of the public. Q is speaking fearlessly about some of his most sacred collaborators and peers. The creator of 1989's Back On The Block... Read more

February 8, 2018 News

MF DOOM & CZARFACE Are Releasing A Joint Album. Here’s The First Song (Audio)

In 2013, Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck joined forces with 7L & Esoteric to form the group, CZARFACE. Since then, the collective has released four albums filled with grimy, no frills underground Hip-Hop. Along the way, they've worked with a who's who of MCs, including Ghostface Killah, Roc Marciano, Action Bronson,... Read more

February 8, 2018 Audio, News

KXNG Crooked, Tech N9ne, Rittz & Chino XL Go Berserk On A Killer Collabo (Audio)

Nearly 20 years ago, Sway & King Tech released their major label debut compilation album, This Or That. With DJ Revolution behind the Technics 1200s, the album, which nearly broke the Top 100, was a crucial launch-pad in the careers of Eminem, Tech N9ne, Planet Asia, and a Long Beach... Read more

February 7, 2018 Audio

J.I.D.’s Video Is An Animated Cartoon Tribute. But The Raps Are Very Real.

While J. Cole is recognized as one of the best MCs of this generation, his nose for talent is still underrated. Sure, people know who Bas, Cozz, Lute, Omen, and EarthGang are, but heavily due to the fact that they're Cole’s opening acts (and label artists) on any given Dreamville... Read more

February 7, 2018 Video

Common, Brandy, Robert Glasper & Karriem Riggins’ Video Breathes Hope Into Hard Times

Hip-Hop Heads learned about Common’s newest venture, a genre-defying collaboration with pianist/producer Robert Glasper and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins as the group, August Greene. The news came late last month with the drop of their single, "Optimistic" featuring Brandy. The record covers the Twin Cities’ R&B/Gospel group Sounds Of Blackness’ 1991 original... Read more

February 7, 2018 Video

Anderson .Paak Confirms Heavy Dr. Dre Role On Aftermath Debut

Since signing with Aftermath Entertainment back in January of 2016, Anderson .Paak has released a lot of music—but none of it has forecast his chemistry with label founder Dr. Dre. Heads, of course, heard a taste ahead of the contract, thanks to Dre's 2015 Compton album. The good doctor co-produced... Read more

February 7, 2018 News

Chris Rivers & Star Rios Honor Their Father Big Pun With Verses (Audio)

February 7 is a milestone day in Hip-Hop. It marks the birthday of J Dilla (in 1974), and also the day that Big Pun passed away, back in 2000. Typically, Pun's son Chris Rivers uses the date to pay tribute to his father, a personal and controversial figure within the... Read more

February 7, 2018 Audio

Wu-Tang Clan & Redman Are Back To Teach Lessons To Wack MCs (Video)

Last October, Wu-Tang Clan released The Saga Continues. The album marked a first for the Clan, in that DJ Mathematics assumed RZA's role as producer. Using some of The Abbott's same equipment from those early '90s joints, the Queens, New York native producer (and DJ for Red & Meth) orchestrated... Read more

February 7, 2018 Video

Black Panther’s Director Reveals How He Got Kendrick Lamar To Curate The Soundtrack

In less than 48 hours, The Black Panther soundtrack will be released (February 9). The TDE/Interscope Records soundtrack tracklist boasts new music from label acts Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, SZA, and Ab-Soul, as well as other popular acts including Future, 2 Chainz, Travi$ Scott, Vince Staples, and Anderson .Paak. Perhaps... Read more

February 7, 2018 Fresh, TV/Film

Ill Camille Is A Lyrical Soldier. She Fights On For Her Rap Dreams (Video)

Hip-Hop at its best does more than make you move; it makes you think. When a song shares one’s personal experience, listeners going through the same thing don’t feel so alone. And on the other hand, for others, it opens their eyes. Either way, this is the kind of powerful... Read more

February 6, 2018 Ready Or Not

Murs Is Starting A Residency At Duke University (Video)

The long-term partnership between Los Angeles, California MC Murs and producer 9th Wonder is taking a new turn, as the self-described "Captain California" heads to Duke University to start a week-long residency as part of its African and African American Studies program. Finding himself in a college setting is not... Read more

February 6, 2018 News, Video

Jermaine Dupri Will Be The 2nd Hip-Hop Artist Inducted Into Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Last February, JAY-Z was announced as the first Hip-Hop artist headed to the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. In mid-June, when the New York City ceremony took place, former President Barack Obama was among those who affirmed and celebrated Jay's lyrical contributions to music. The major moment was followed by peer... Read more

February 6, 2018 News

Kendrick Lamar & SZA Show The Gorgeousness Of Wakanda In Their New Video

Hip-Hop is poised to win big at the box office when Black Panther hits theaters later this month, replete with a soundtrack boasting features from most of TDE's roster, Vince Staples, Anderson .Paak and more. On Friday, February 9, the official soundtrack drops, and with it an executive producer credit... Read more

February 6, 2018 Video

15 Years Ago, 50 Cent Plotted A Pathway From Underdog To Superstar

Fifteen years ago today (February 6, 2003), Queens, New York's 50 Cent took the world by storm with his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. When Curtis Jackson burst onto the mainstream scene with a survivalist story, vendetta vocals, and Eminem and Dr. Dre in his corner, the industry... Read more

February 6, 2018 Food for Thought, Throwback

DJ Spinna’s Moving 90-Minute Mix Teaches Black History, In Audio

DJ Spinna is well known for his massive record collection, varied musical tastes, and extensive mixes. This Brooklynite has refused to be pigeon-holed and has created essential mixtapes and compilations that focus on a wide variety of genres including Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Deep House, Jazz, Post-Disco, R&B, and more. He... Read more

February 6, 2018 Audio, Mixes

Scarface Rates The D.O.C.’s Rhymes Higher Than His Own (Video)

In the "Rate The Bars" series, guests on the video program are challenged when they are provided excerpts of verses from peers who often happen to be homies, band-mates, or nemeses. It is a test of objectivity set against the craft of MC'ing. This has led to some memorable appearances,... Read more

February 5, 2018 Video

Nas Performs With The National Symphony Orchestra & It’s Truly Illmatic (Video)

Over the years, Nas has had many distinctions. He is the namesake of a Harvard fellowship. He was given BET's "I Am Hip Hop Award." His album, Illmatic was chosen to be preserved in Harvard's library. And, just last week, he was given the Spotlight Award from the New York... Read more

February 3, 2018 Video

Temptations Lead Singer Dennis Edwards Has Passed Away

Dennis Edwards was an unmistakable voice in R&B and Soul music. As a lead vocalist for The Temptations, he was greatly responsible for two of the Motown Records legends' #1 hits: 1969's "I Can't Get Next To You" and 1972's "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." Today (February 2), Edwards died... Read more

February 2, 2018 News

Pharoahe Monch, Apathy & Pete Rock Keep On Repping Boom Bap Hip-Hop (Audio)

In the name of balance, Apathy took a more traditional Hip-Hop approach on “I Keep On,” the second single off his forthcoming LP, The Widow’s Son (March 2). Keeping in line with the precedent he set with the first single, “Alien Weaponry,” Ap’ called on another legendary producer, Pete Rock,... Read more

February 2, 2018 Audio

Snoop Dogg Has Made Reggae, Funk & Retro R&B. Now He’s Going Gospel (Video)

Snoop Dogg is a musical chameleon. Twenty-five years ago, millions of Hip-Hop Heads gravitated to the laid-back delivery and aggressive content in the Gangsta Rap style that they heard on Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Snoopy's solo debut, Doggystyle. In the periods since, Snoop has worked with a litany of musical... Read more

February 2, 2018 News, Video

Busta Rhymes Shows He Still Spits Fire From The Dungeon On A Collabo With Missy (Audio)

Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott are two beloved MCs that transcend the Hip-Hop genre. Since the TV music video-era boom, these lyricists played to the mainstream with bigger than life stage personas and massive bursts of creativity. Pop peers wanted in, and Bussa-Bus and Misdemeanor became household names with catalogs... Read more

February 2, 2018 Audio

DJ Premier & Royce 5’9 Release The First Video From Their Upcoming PRhyme 2 Album

Royce 5'9 and DJ Premier's PRhyme group announced a March 16 release date for PRhyme 2 earlier today (February 1). The news came with the arrival of first P2 single, “Era,” featuring Dave East. Only hours later, the visual, directed by Jacob Arden McClure is unveiled. The dark aesthetic is... Read more

February 2, 2018 Video

Kendrick Lamar & The Weeknd’s Collabo Is Fit For A Superhero Journey (Audio)

One week from today (February 9), The Black Panther soundtrack will release on TDE/Interscope Records. With Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg at the helm, the compilation album has already witnessed strong showings from K-Dot, SZA, and Jay Rock. With the tracklist made available earlier this week, Lamar releases his latest... Read more

February 2, 2018 Audio

Skyzoo’s New Album May Be The Crown Jewel In His Catalog (Audio)

Brooklyn, New York veteran Skyzoo has self-released In Celebration Of Us. With "Baker's Dozen" (an homage to D'Angelo's "Devil's Pie") making great headway, "Crown Holder" is the perfect follow-up punch. Like the Apollo Brown-produced first single, this track is laced by a past full-LP collaborator. This time it is !llmind (who... Read more

February 1, 2018 Audio

Black Thought Lists His Top 5 MCs & The Reasons He’s A GOAT (Video)

The latest episode of the Touré Show podcast released this week, and the guest is none other than Black Thought of The Roots. This insightful conversation (named "How To MC") took place in late 2017 at the Brooklyn Museum and was filmed in front of a live audience of a... Read more

February 1, 2018 Video

Evidence Explains How Weather Or Not Is A Personal & Therapeutic Album (Video)

Just days ago, Evidence released his fourth solo project, Weather Or Not. Featuring Styles P, Alchemist, Rapsody, and his Dilated Peoples cohorts Rakaa and DJ Babu (among others), the Rhymesayers release closes out a nearly 11-year-old album series from Mr. Slow Flow. Last night (January 31), on a Midtown Manhattan... Read more

February 1, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

PRhyme 2 Is Coming Soon & The First Single Signals A New Era (Audio)

In late 2014, DJ Premier and Royce 5'9 released PRhyme, an album that challenged all others that year as one of the best. Preemo launched his first group since Gang Starr, and Nickel Nine extended his exceptional collaborative stride that began with Slaughterhouse and Bad Meets Evil. The tandem used... Read more

February 1, 2018 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Reveals Tracklist & Release Date For “Black Panther” Soundtrack

On January 29, Marvel Studios hosted an early premiere of Black Panther ahead of its February 16 United States release. One of the most anticipated films of 2018, the superhero flick is bound to be a blockbuster success, thanks in no small part to its cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B.... Read more

January 31, 2018 Fresh

Former No Limit Star C-Murder Declares Hunger Strike Protesting Prison Conditions (Audio)

Twenty years ago this March, No Limit Records rapper C-Murder released his platinum solo debut, Life Or Death. The TRU and 504 Boyz member (and brother of label founder Master P) was one of No Limit's homegrown New Orleans, Louisiana success stories. That career trajectory was derailed after the artist... Read more

January 31, 2018 Audio, Lifestyle, News

Redman Says People Who Show Money Don’t Really Have It (Video)

For more than 25 years, Redman has built his public-facing brand as a blue-collar MC. Even as a superstar with How High presumably raking in box office dollars, a handful of platinum and gold albums, and arena tours, Redman still stands as a reflection of his faithful fans' lifestyle. Beyond... Read more

January 30, 2018 Video

How Dave Chappelle Became The Biggest Winner Of The Grammys

The 60th Grammy Awards featured the inclusion of the "Best Comedy Album" award in its telecast, the first such occurrence in the Recording Academy's history. The award went to Dave Chappelle, an icon whose return to comedy after a controversial hiatus has been nothing short of extraordinary. But Chappelle's commanding... Read more

January 30, 2018 Lifestyle, Video

An New Video Shows The Rise Of The Soulquarians & Why Things Fell Apart

During the week of special engagements leading up to last Sunday's Grammy Awards, The Roots held a four-day residency at The Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan. During the day, the three-time Grammy-winners programmed events that included the first live taping of Questlove Supreme with guest Common, as well as a Black... Read more

January 30, 2018 Throwback, Video

Focus The Truth Wants To Know If You’re Down To Ride With Him (Video)

The name Focus The Truth can be read two ways. It could be interpreted as an alias (Focus) coupled with a title (The Truth), or the moniker can be taken as a whole and viewed as a statement of what this MC does — focus the truth. Either way, this... Read more

January 30, 2018 Ready Or Not

A News Traffic Team Thinks Of A Master Plan To Celebrate Rakim’s 50th Birthday (Video)

Yesterday, Rakim celebrated 50 years since being born to be the soul controller of the universe. As a tribute to the God MC, the WSB-TV Atlanta news team of Fred Blankenship and Mark Arum incorporated a number of The R's lyrics into their traffic reports throughout the morning. The dynamic... Read more

January 29, 2018 Video

Murs Celebrates The MCs & Books That Taught Him He Is Powerful (Audio)

Murs is roughly six weeks away from his upcoming album, A Strange Journey Into The Unimaginable. Releasing on the veteran MC's March 16 birthday, the LP is a full collaboration with Missouri-based producer Michael "Seven" Summers, known for producing some of Tech N9ne's most celebrated work. The Strange Music album... Read more

January 29, 2018 Audio, Video

Fabolous & Jadakiss Show That Being A Father To Your Child Is Timeless (Video)

2017's Friday On Elm Street album from Jadakiss and Fabolous was years in the making. As any Hip-Hop Head would expect, the Def Jam Records album is chock full of wordplay, clever punchlines, compound rhyme structures, and grabbing production (especially from Swizz Beatz). However, there is plenty of substance too,... Read more

January 29, 2018 Video

Kendrick Lamar Wins The Grammy For Best Rap Album

Kendrick Lamar was a big winner at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards this evening (January 28). Before the main event was even televised, the DAMN. rapper was already the winner of three awards, with "HUMBLE." nabbing the gold for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video. The... Read more

January 28, 2018 News

Kendrick Lamar Opens The Grammys With Dave Chappelle & A BANG (Video)

Kendrick Lamar opened the 60th Grammy Awards with a performance. Ahead of tonight's live televised event, the Compton, California MC was already awarded three trophies for "Best Music Video," "Best Rap Song," and "Best Rap Performance." In all three categories, it was DAMN. single "HUMBLE" that scored the win. When... Read more

January 28, 2018 Video

Ghostface & Juelz Santana Journey To The Matrix In Killah’s First Verse Of 2018 (Audio)

For his first verse of 2018, Ghostface Killah does the unexpected. Taking on a track by the mysterious Dance music producer, Jesse and The Wolf, he’s also met with the vocal styling of Dipset member, Juelz Santana. “Selecta” features G.F.K., Santana and Telli in the seemingly unattached single. Ghostface has... Read more

January 28, 2018 Audio