News Archives

Big Boi Shows His Boomiverse Is Filled With Space Aged Funk (Audio)

For the last 25 years, Big Boi has been one of Hip-Hop's leading proponents of Funk music. Multiple times, the Outkast co-founder has even worked with "Dr. Funkenstein" himself, Parliament-Funkadelic's George Clinton. Since 2010, stepping into his solo catalog, Daddy Fat Sax struck a hit with some futuristic funking around... Read more

June 13, 2017 Audio

9th Wonder & Salaam Remi Are Co-Producing The Roots’ Next Album

The Roots have not released an album in three years. ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin was the group's 11th album. Now confirmed to be called End Game, the twelfth effort is arriving in the near future. While the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania collective has worked extensively with Phonte on 2010's How... Read more

June 12, 2017 News

Ice Cube Heads Straight Outta Compton To The Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Video)

He may be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Platinum-selling album Death Certificate, but Ice Cube will live forever on the streets of Los Angeles, literally. The Rap icon with a hugely successful career in film has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just a few miles... Read more

June 12, 2017 News

5 Years After “1999,” Joey Bada$$ Is Still Fighting To Restore New York’s Place In Hip-Hop (Video)

Today (June 12) is the fifth anniversary of Joey Bada$$' releasing his 1999 mixtape. The Brooklyn, New York MC used that opportunity to make a powerful impression on Hip-Hop. Starting with debut video single "Survival Tactics," featuring Capital STEEZ, he brought a colorful crew and retro style with him. In... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Snoop Televises The Revolution On The Most Political Song Of His Career (Video)

Snoop Dogg recently released his Neva Left album. However, the always busy Doggfather isn't quite done promoting last year's Coolaid either. "Revolutions" is a Just Blaze-produced track that is among Snoop's most political work, in a season where he's been speaking up. The music video attempts to convey that, chronicling... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

T.C. Izlam, Hipstep Founder & Former Zulu Nation Spokesperson, Has Died

The Hip-Hop, Drum & Bass, and "Hipstep" communities are today mourning the loss of T.C. Izlam, a former longtime member of the Universal Zulu Nation and a celebrated musical innovator in his own right. Born Tony Bell, the New York City representative (born in Connecticut) was a steady presence on... Read more

June 12, 2017 News

AZ, Raekwon & Prodigy Show That Rhymes Are Like Life Or Death To Great MCs (Video)

In April, AZ released a powerful collaboration alongside Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon and Mobb Deep's Prodigy. "Save Them" was guttural East Coast Rap, produced by D.I.T.C. member Buckwild. These three MCs proved that they've been able to stay sharp, make incredible product, and never compromise from who they said they were... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Victory. Puff Daddy Tops Forbes’ Highest Paid Entertainer List

Twenty years ago, Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records dominated the charts, with three #1 albums. Puffy's No Way Out, The Notorious B.I.G.'s Life After Death, and Mase's Harlem World. Tragically, that was the same year that Biggie, Bad Boy's flagship artist, was gunned down in Los Angeles, California. In 2017,... Read more

June 12, 2017 News

MC Eiht Takes It Straight To Compton Right When It’s Most Wanted (Video)

This month, MC Eiht is preparing to release a deeply important album in his career. For nearly 30 years, the Compton's Most Wanted front man has released a plethora of music chronicling life in the gang-ruled streets of Southern California. Whether on a major label or independently, Eiht hit fans... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Ice Cube Gave “Death Certificate” New Life. “Predator” May Be His Next Prey.

This past Friday (June 9), Ice Cube dropped a 25th anniversary edition of his sophomore solo album, Death Certificate. The MC re-released the 1991 Priority Records platinum LP with three new songs. With two tracks dropping prior to today, it's clear that Cube's pen was in a similar space to... Read more

June 11, 2017 Fresh

One MC Seamlessly Flips 27 Different Rap Styles In 8 Minutes (Video)

Mac Lethal makes the art of rapping seem quite fun. A onetime Rhymesayers member, the Kansas City, Missouri lyricist has worked with Tech N9ne, Chamillionaire, Cunninlynguists and others throughout a career that's nearly 20 years deep. Quite often, Mac finds the humor and challenge in Rap, without compromising his supreme... Read more

June 11, 2017 Video

2 Years After PumpkinHead Passed, A New Video Highlights His Undying Wisdom

On June 9, 2015 Robert "PumpkinHead" Diaz died. The Brooklyn, New Yorker had risen the ranks as a battle MC and was well underway into a discography that showed personal depth and creativity. His Rawkus Records-involved Orange Moon Over Brooklyn album with producer Marco Polo was a tremendous late entry... Read more

June 10, 2017 Video

Ice Cube Asks Bill Maher Why He Thought He Could Use The N-Word (Video)

Last night (June 9), Ice Cube appeared as a guest on Bill Maher's program, Real Time. Generally, his appearance on the show alone wouldn't necessarily be newsworthy, but in the wake of Maher's current scandal, the Amerikkka's Most Wanted rapper's presence on this week's episode is particularly notable. Last week, while interviewing Senator... Read more

June 10, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

How Prison Transformed Tupac But Could Not Save Him From Death Row

On Valentines Day 1995, Tupac Amaru Shakur was processed into general population at Clinton Correctional Facility. Approximately eight months later, Pac left the maximum security prison in Dannemora, New York. And nothing was the same. From his cell, Tupac counted his time. Unless he had visitors, Pac was in isolation... Read more

June 10, 2017 Food for Thought

Ice Cube Shows 3 Decades Of Police Brutality & It’s Not Just White Cops (Video)

On June 9, Ice Cube released the 25th anniversary edition of Death Certificate. Featuring three freshly recorded songs, O'Shea Jackson adds to one of his most critically acclaimed bodies of work with some verses that truly fit his '91 message. That is never more true than on "Good Cop Bad... Read more

June 9, 2017 Video

Outkast & UGK Redefined Southern Rap. A New Song Shows Their Work Isn’t Done (Audio)

In the early 1990s, both OutKast and UGK made some incredible records. From Atlanta, Georgia and Port Arthur, Texas, these two duos used Funk, Blues, Rock & Roll to create their brand of Hip-Hop colorful, unpredictable, and highly authentic. Both acts wanted the rest of the Rap map to know... Read more

June 9, 2017 Audio

Chuck D Tells Kool Moe Dee That Spike Lee Did For Public Enemy What Radio Wouldn’t (Video)

Kool Moe Dee is one of the first Hip-Hop solo stars. As Public Enemy's Chuck D points out, Kool Moe Dee went from one third of the Treacherous 3 MCs to a Jive Records soloist, complete with hits, battle beefs, and a career that went from the 1970s into the... Read more

June 9, 2017 Throwback, TV/Film, Video

De La Soul’s Latest Album Produces Another Video With A Dramatic Reveal At The End

It is approaching a year since De La Soul's ...and the Anonymous Nobody album released. In the time since, there have been Grammy nominations, peaks on the Rap charts, and a plethora of talking points for the album crowd-funded by Da.I.S.Y. Heads back in 2015. De La Soul Make A Quirky... Read more

June 9, 2017 Video

Kendrick Lamar & SZA Leave No Doubt That Women Are In Control (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us 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... Read more

June 9, 2017 Audio

Changes To America’s Infrastructure Could Make Our Tap Water Unaffordable

Now they say it got lead and stink in it (New World Water) Fluorocarbons and monoxide Push the water table lopside Used to be free now it cost you a fee Those are lyrics to a song that is 18 years old, yet prescient as ever. In 1999, Mos Def's... Read more

June 8, 2017 Lifestyle

Illa J Welcomes Listeners Into His & J Dilla’s Childhood Home (Video)

Detroit, Michigan’s own Illa J, younger brother of J Dilla, is dropping his third solo studio album Home on Jakarta Records later this month. He has released a fittingly personal video for the project’s title track, shot on the steps of the Yancey boys’ childhood home. Illa J’s Latest is... Read more

June 8, 2017 Video

Kemba Shows Exactly Why He’s Cosigned By Kendrick In “Caesar’s Rise” (Video)

Bronx, New York-bred rapper Kemba, a staple of the city’s Hip-Hop scene, changed his name from former moniker YC The Cynic to release his Negus album last year. More than just an aesthetic decision, his reintroduction symbolized a shift in his musical direction. When Kendrick Lamar pulled him up onstage... Read more

June 8, 2017 Video

Tha Outlawz Say Tupac Declared His Beef With Biggie Was Over Shortly Before He Died (Video)

There has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the last days of Tupac Shakur. There are reports that the superstar rapper had short term plans to squash his beefs, unite the nation's Hip-Hop community, and help mentor an army of other artists. Last Fall, actor Bokeem Woodbine told The... Read more

June 7, 2017 Video

Nocando Goes On A Rap Rampage. He Honors A Freestyle Legend Along The Way (Video)

Throughout the 2010s, Nocando has been one of the most interesting MCs making noise in the West Coast independent Hip-Hop scene. Claiming to have won more than 100 battles, this MC was mentored by members of the Freestyle Fellowship and Project Blowed. However, the Los Angeles, California native is well... Read more

June 7, 2017 Video

Oakland’s Trey Coastal Use A Video Game To Show How Real Life’s Consequences Are (Video)

The Oakland, California trio known as Trey Coastal have a knack for storytelling. For their "R1 R2 L1 L2" visuals, the West Coast collective get pixelated and take us through a retro video-game journey through their hometown, as we all know people love games and some people even play Casino... Read more

June 7, 2017 Ready Or Not

The Original Ending To “Juice” Shows Bishop Choosing His Own Destiny (Video)

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Juice. The film, which starred Omar Epps, Jermaine Hopkins, Khalil Kain, and Tupac Shakur, in his debut role, became an instant classic, both for its gritty portrayals and its high-powered soundtrack, which featured the likes of Eric B. & Rakim,... Read more

June 6, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Kevin Hart Gets Real About His Past Substance Abuse & It’s No Joke (Video)

Kevin Hart is one of the most recognized comedians and actors on the planet. Much of that success has come from Hart's ability to be self-deprecating and poke fun at traits within himself, physical and otherwise. Appearing on The Breakfast Club, Kevin made the hosts laugh as he discussed his... Read more

June 6, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

TLC & Snoop Dogg Take It Way Back For The Group’s 1st Video In 14 Years

As T-Boz sings on TLC's recent single, "Way Back," it's been a long, long time comin' for the legendary group's return. With Chilli in tow, the iconic group will release the long-awaited album first announced in 2016 later this month. In April, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas delighted... Read more

June 6, 2017 Video

Mysterious Ads Cause Fans To Watch The Clock For A New Jay Z Album

Jay Z has not released an album since 2013's Magna Carta...Holy Grail. That album arrived on July 4 of that year, after it was announced June 16, during the NBA Finals. Following Kanye West's own fast-track release of Yeezus that very same month, the other half of Watch The Throne... Read more

June 6, 2017 Fresh

Ice Cube Updates N.W.A.’s Message To Police. But Not Much Has Changed (Audio)

Ice Cube is preparing to release the 25th anniversary edition of Death Certificate this week. Cube's sophomore solo album (which actually dropped in 1991) featured Da Lench Mob MC calling out everything he believed was wrong: in his community, in government, and in the Rap industry--including his former group N.W.A. Since... Read more

June 6, 2017 Audio

Ice Cube Will Tell Bill Maher To Check Himself In Real Time On Friday

It's been a tempestuous few days for comedy, particularly in the careers of Kathy Griffin and Bill Maher. Griffin was recently fired from her CNN job after posing with a prop made to look like the bloody and decapitated head of Donald Trump. Maher, the notoriously outspoken critic and comedian,... Read more

June 6, 2017 News, TV

Kevin Durant Has Inspired His Roc Nation Brother Jay Electronica To Release Music (Audio)

Jay Electronica certainly picks his spots. The MC/producer without an album to his name has used the last decade-plus to release verses that are forced to hold over fans. In that period, the affiliate of Just Blaze, Talib Kweli, and Nas has signed with Roc Nation, thrown high profile jabs... Read more

June 6, 2017 Audio

Watch 40 Years Of Hip-Hop History In 4 Minutes In A Mind-Blowing Mashup (Video)

It ain't nothin' like Hip-Hop music...Over the last 40 years, there have been few forces in pop culture with more impact than Hip-Hop. Like Rock & Roll before it, the music and lifestyle shaped an entire generation and has had untold influence around the world. The Rub: The History of... Read more

June 5, 2017 Video

Method Man Is Releasing The Meth Lab 2. He Recruits Dave East To Cook With Him (Video)

After a relatively quiet 2016, Method Man has started off 2017 on a tear. He has appeared on six songs in as many months, and even signed on to co-host a Rap battle show titled Drop The Mic. Now, it appears Meth is gearing up to release a sequel to... Read more

June 5, 2017 Video

Ice-T Spits Punchy Bars On A Completely Different 6 ‘N The Mornin’ (Audio)

Although there are certainly other contenders, perhaps the verse of Ice-T's career is "6 'N The Mornin'." Thirty-one years ago the O.G. waxed an incredible tale about how his day begins for Techno Hop Records. The Unknown DJ (later of Compton's Most Wanted) laid down a beat that knocked as... Read more

June 5, 2017 Audio, The Bridge

Phonte Raps About How Both Men & Women Are Losing The Battle Of The Sexes (Audio)

As 2017 marches towards its midpoint, Phonte has not released much music. The MC/singer gave us plenty to work with, care of the stellar Tigallerro collaboration in '16, with Eric Roberson. Between albums, Tay has made some crucial feature appearances. Strong Arm Steady's "Best Of Times," The Roots' "The Day,"... Read more

June 5, 2017 Audio

Nick Grant Shows Musicality & Lyricism Live Strong In Hip-Hop In His Tiny Desk Concert (Video)

Much of the well-deserved acclaim surrounding rapper Nick Grant's steady rise in Hip-Hop relates to the South Carolina MC's high-energy delivery and live performances. He recently tore down showcases at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, and his January appearance as the musical guest on The Late Show with... Read more

June 5, 2017 Video

25 Years Ago Today Kid ‘n Play Switched It Up For Class Act (Video)

While Kid 'n Play's Hip-Hop career dates back to 1987's Select Records breakout "Last Night," the '90s would be their definitive decade. Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin brought their showmanship to film, in a big way. In 1990, the pair were incredibly busy. In addition to a self-titled... Read more

June 5, 2017 Throwback, TV/Film, Video

ScHoolboy Q Explains What It Would Take For A Black Hippy Album To Happen (Video)

ScHoolboy Q conducted a recent interview with Montreality. Within the conversation, the Los Angeles, California MC discusses his affinity for '90s wrestling and details of his awkward "first time." However, at the 5:30 mark, Q makes some interesting points when asked about the potential of a Black Hippy album. "Everybody... Read more

June 5, 2017 Video

Killer Mike Says Blacks Have Bigger Problems Than Bill Maher (Video)

This weekend's episode of Real Time With Bill Maher will go down in history as one of the veteran, Emmy-nominated talk show's most memorable episodes. However, the former host of Politically Incorrect was just that when he used the n-word, referring to himself in a conversation with Nebraska Senator Ben... Read more

June 4, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

U.T.F.O. Member Jeffrey “The Educated Rapper” Campbell Has Passed Away

Founding U.T.F.O. MC The Educated Rapper died yesterday (June 3) after a long battle with cancer. He was believed to be 54 years old. The man born Jeffrey Campbell formed the Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop group in the early 1980s, and worked extensively on the 1985 eponymous album. The Educated... Read more

June 4, 2017 News

A 6-Year Old Boy Makes A Plea To End Violence. Pusha T Responds With A Letter & A Check (Video)

Pusha T is often respected for his ruthless lyrics. The member of Clipse, Re-Up Gang, and G.O.O.D. Music has amassed a catalog of hits illustrating the grind of the streets, with an over-arching desire for change. For every "D.D.A.," there's a "Sunshine," with both sides usually presented with advanced deliveries... Read more

June 3, 2017 News, Video

Regina King Aims To Make Dana Dane’s “Cinderfella” Into A Film

Veteran Brooklyn, New York MC Dana Dane is revered as one of Hip-Hop's pioneering storytellers. Along with Slick Rick, Ice-T, Kool G Rap, Dane represented a mid-1980s crop of MCs who used their words to create expanded narratives that grabbed listeners. A member of the Kangol Crew, one of Dana... Read more

June 3, 2017 TV/Film

MC Eiht & DJ Premier Make Some New Music To Driveby (Audio)

For more than 30 years, the city of Compton, California has been a Hip-Hop landmark. While N.W.A. may have first put it on the global scale, MC Eiht, King T, and others were right beside them in the '80s. A contemporary of Eazy-E and Dr. Dre who has worked with... Read more

June 2, 2017 Audio

Kool G Rap, Termanology & Saigon Show They Can Outrun Life’s Biggest Obstacles (Video)

Kool G Rap has just released Return of the Don, and the Juice Crew legend's triumphant return to his solo career does not disappoint. For more than three decades, the Queens, New York MC has remained an influence on any rapper who values complexity of structure and innovation in flow (whether... Read more

June 2, 2017 Video

Big Boi, Killer Mike & Jeezy Are 2017 Atliens On “Kill Jill” (Video)

Big Boi's Boomiverse arrives later this month, and with it come some formidable collabs. On "Kill Jill," the second single from the Outkast MC's first solo LP since 2012's Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, Killer Mike and Jeezy join forces with Daddy Fat Sax for a Quentin Tarantino-inspired record starring... Read more

June 2, 2017 Video

Wu-Tang Is Forever. Check The Mathematics Behind The Clan’s 20 Year Old Double LP

This weekend (June 3) marks 20 years since Wu-Tang Clan released its sophomore album, Wu-Tang Forever. While GZA may have kicked the science to "Make it brief, son: half short and twice strong" on album cut "As High As Wu-Tang Get," this 1997 album was indeed potent, but far from... Read more

June 2, 2017 Throwback

will.i.am Clarifies Fergie’s Status Within The Black Eyed Peas

UPDATE: One day after a will.i.am interview suggested Fergie was no longer in the Black Eyed Peas, the MC/producer/singer now says otherwise. On social media, Will criticized reports stating Fergie left her group since 2003. Instead, the A&M Records superstar and investor in Beats Electronics simply stated that Fergie's absence... Read more

June 1, 2017 News

Ice Cube Says He’s A Top 3 MC, In His First Solo Song In Years (Audio)

As Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball season starts in less than a month, the veteran MC is driving the lane with 2017 music too. Cube has been planning to re-release 1991's Death Certificate with several new songs attached. That's reportedly arriving June 9, but today (June 1), Heads get their first... Read more

June 1, 2017 Audio

Chuck D, B-Real & Rage Against The Machine Will Not Silently Watch The World Go To Hell (Video)

The Prophets Of Rage took 2016 by storm. A new chapter in the careers of Chuck D, B-Real, P.E.'s DJ Lord, and three-fourths of Rage Against The Machine was welcomed by fans of Hip-Hop, Hard Rock, Funk, and simply lovers of woke messages. Following last year's The Party's Over EP,... Read more

June 1, 2017 Video