News Archives

Just Blaze Makes Classic Breakbeats Sound Brand New In A Jamming Mini-Mix (Video)

Just Blaze is a producer's producer. The New Jersey native DJ-turned-beat creator has made hit records for Jay Z, Ghostface Killah, Fat Joe, and others using some of the same break-beats and samples that helped get Hip-Hop music started. Moreover, through work for Fabolous, Freeway, and Saigon, Just has brought... Read more

March 28, 2017 Mixes, Video

Brother Ali Notes Some Of Our Biggest Heroes Are Muslim & They Should Be Celebrated

Islam and Hip-Hop have coexisted for the entirety of the culture's existence. The Nation of Islam is one of the Universal Zulu Nation's greatest influences, as is the Five-Percent Nation. From Afrika Bambaataa to Oddisee, generations of MCs, producers, and DJs have incorporated their religious beliefs into their music and... Read more

March 28, 2017 Lifestyle

Nas Still Carries Rhymes In His Pockets. Greatness Is Never Done (Video)

In 2002, Nas released the Alchemist-produced song "Book Of Rhymes." Within, the Queens, New York MC rapped bits and pieces from stored composition books of verses. Whether or not that moment was staged or real, it appears that Nasir Jones still literally carries his rhymes with him. More than 25... Read more

March 27, 2017 Video

Devin The Dude Explains How Without Scarface, He Would Have Rapped A Lot Less

Devin The Dude and Scarface are two Houston, Texas icons who are credited with helping elevate Southern Hip-Hop and making it as competitive as any other city on Rap's map. Both born in 1970, the two are equally synonymous with Rap-A-Lot Records, where 'Face found a home with Geto Boys... Read more

March 27, 2017 Throwback

Rock Star: Pharrell’s Childhood Story To Be Adapted Into Major Film Musical

Long before he donned some pretty memorable accessories, Pharrell Williams wore many hats. Fifteen years ago, emerging from hit-production duo The Neptunes, the Virginia Beach native built a full-on Rock force with N*E*R*D, he established his Star Trak label (which was hard at work with The Clipse, Fam-Lay, and Roscoe... Read more

March 27, 2017 News, TV/Film

Shawn Wayans Recalls Robin Harris Roasting Him For Getting Booed Off Stage (Video)

Since his earliest days as DJ SW-1 on In Living Color, Shawn Wayans was immersed in entertainment business at a young age. Still in his teens when older brothers Keenen Ivory and Damon Wayans secured the FOX sketch comedy show, Shawn would eventually leave the DJ booth to become part... Read more

March 27, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

RZA Tackles The Human Cost Of War In A Powerful Pro-Refugee Music Video

Earlier this month, RZA (along with his Wu-Tang Clan cohorts) appeared at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, where Hip-Hop's abbot made an impassioned speech about refugees. "I wanna talk about the refugees for one quick second," the producer and MC told the crowd. "How can you ban... Read more

March 27, 2017 Lifestyle

Chris Rock & Dave Chappelle Perform Together For A Watch The Throne Moment

This past weekend, Chris Rock made his Total Blackout stand-up comedy tour stop in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prior to Rock's Saturday night (March 25) set at the Saenger Theatre, Dave Chappelle walked out on stage, to perform a reported 10 minutes of material. After Rock took the microphone, Dave remained... Read more

March 27, 2017 Lifestyle

Tupac Shakur Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By Snoop Dogg

UPDATE: The original March 26 story erroneously reported that Mopreme Shakur was recently deceased. We apologize for that mistake and any confusion it may have caused. In fact, Mopreme's Thug Life band-mate Big Syke is the artist whose obituary we linked to in that statement, and intended to report. In... Read more

March 26, 2017 News

Diddy Explains Why Prince Refused To Be On Biggie’s Life After Death (Video)

Today (March 25) marks the 20th anniversary of the release of The Notorious B.I.G.'s album, Life After Death. Released just two weeks after he was killed in Los Angeles, the album served as a bittersweet tribute to the MC the world had just lost. For inhabitants of NYC, and likely... Read more

March 25, 2017 Video

AZ Spits Hot Fire On A Red Hot Mix To “Starboy,” Just In Time For The Weeknd (Audio)

It's been 8 years since AZ released an album, and in that time, his output has been extremely scarce. In fact, over the last couple of years, the Brooklyn MC has only released a handful of songs, and they typically are care of DJs who coax him into blessing their... Read more

March 24, 2017 Audio

Page Kennedy Aims To Rewrite The Pages Of His Life That Were Inked In Pain & Vices (Video)

Earlier this month, Page Kennedy released his breakthrough Torn Pages album. The Detroit, Michigan MC (and Weeds actor) teamed with Slaughterhouse's Kxng Crooked and Royce 5'9 as well as Elzhi, King Los, Trick Trick, and Mr. Porter on the self-released LP. Through freestyles and other singles, Page has already proven... Read more

March 24, 2017 Video

Bone Thugs Are In Bizzy & Krayzie’s Hands. They Announce New Joint Album.

It has been nearly seven years since Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released Uni5: The World's Enemy. That album marked a complete reunion of the full Ohio collective, including both Bizzy Bone and Flesh-N-Bone, whose status within the group had been compromised by contracts, incarceration, and alleged turmoil. The effort (following a stint... Read more

March 24, 2017 Audio, News

Raekwon Names His 10 Favorite Albums & 36 Chambers Isn’t One Of Them (Audio)

Today, Raekwon releases his seventh solo album, The Wild. This is the first release of Rae's nearly 22-year solo career where he has not collaborated with any Wu-Tang Clan band-mates. The brotherhood and chemistry remains strong, indicative of this week's Ghostface Killah appearance on the remix of lead single "This... Read more

March 24, 2017 Audio, Fresh

J. Cole’s New Documentary Aims to Give a Voice Back to the People (Video)

In true J. Cole fashion, he released his most recent LP without much pomp. 4 Your Eyez Only arrived quietly in December of 2016, but the response was emphatic, debuting at number one and becoming his fourth consecutive number-one album. In the months since, he's maintained a low profile, focusing... Read more

March 24, 2017 Video

Kendrick Lamar Says He’s The Best Rapper Alive & Leaks His Album Release Date (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar began the last 24 hours with a curious social media post. While the Roman numerals "IV" were a hint towards a fourth album in the eyes of many, Lamar followed almost a full day later with a song: "The Heart Part 4." Whether it belongs to the fourth... Read more

March 24, 2017 Audio

Talib Kweli Stands Up To Make The World A Better Place, Starting With Beautiful Music (Audio)

Talib Kweli has joined forces with Jazz trumpeter and rapper Maurice Brown for "Stand Up," a brooding call to action for strength during turbulent times. Brown is a Grammy-winning musician whose tutelage under the great Wynton Marsalis has helped him become one of the most successful musicians of his class,... Read more

March 23, 2017 Audio

The White House’s Proposed Budget Cuts Prioritize War Over the American People (Video)

Since announcing proposed slashes to the federal budget last week, the White House has ignited a maelstrom of bipartisan concern due to what the New York Times calls "bone-deep cuts." Indeed, what's being called the "America First" budget blueprint would see huge reductions in (and in some cases, complete removal... Read more

March 23, 2017 Lifestyle

Kendrick Lamar’s 4th Album May Be Coming Soon…Very Soon

Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment love the element of surprise. While the Internet has arguably compromised some of the excitement that was long attached to releasing music (going to the store, reading the credits and examining the artwork in your hands, no leaks), K-Dot and TDE have made their... Read more

March 23, 2017 Fresh

Run The Jewels Bear Down On A Legal System That’s Stacked Against Us (Video)

Run The Jewels and powerful visuals have become synonymous. Since taking the Hip-Hop world by storm with their eponymous 2014 debut, El-P and Killer Mike have established the RTJ brand as one that is politically minded, unafraid to push boundaries, explosive on stage, and artfully innovative in video form. Fans... Read more

March 22, 2017 Video

D.M.C. Pays Respect To “The Real Pioneers Of Rap” (Video)

During the mid-1980s, Run-D.M.C. helped put Hip-Hop music and culture in new places across the globe. D.M.C., Run, and the late Jam Master Jay were cultural ambassadors with hit records that brought the grit and fashion of the New York City streets to the worldwide mainstream. While Run-D.M.C. pioneered many... Read more

March 22, 2017 Video

Phife Dawg’s Spirit & Legacy Remain A Powerful Presence, 1 Year After His Death

On March 22, 2016, Phife Dawg (born Malik Taylor) passed away due to complications with kidney disease, itself a result of his lifelong battle with diabetes. The A Tribe Called Quest rapper and radiant Hip-Hop personality left behind a legacy not easily calculated in words. However, over the course of... Read more

March 22, 2017 Throwback

Murs & Curtiss King Turn The Dating Game Into A Player Haters Ball (Video)

Earlier this month, Murs released his Captain California album. The L.A. veteran has showcased several moments from his latest Strange Music work, but none as sour-sweet as "Lemon Juice." The Curtiss King-assisted single now comes to visual with a Dating Game-theme. Both MCs appear dressed to impressed, as two bachelors... Read more

March 22, 2017 Video

CyHi Says He’s Destroying The Rap Game Like Lil Yachty In A Devastating Freestyle (Video)

While CyHi The Prynce may not be a household name (yet), those who know of his work recognize that he has one of the strongest pen games in Hip-Hop. Even those who may be unfamiliar have heard his stellar lyricism on songs like Kanye West's "So Appalled," from My Beautiful... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Cellis Calls Back To Childhood To Help Us Overcome Growing Troubles (Video)

Baltimore, Maryland artist Cellis is known as "The Beardest" MC. While artists like Freeway, Stalley, Drake, and others may raise an eyebrow to that claim, he joins a respected class of artists who kick wisdom and substance in their rhymes. Belonging to his newly released Snow Day EP, "Inner Child"... Read more

March 21, 2017 Ready Or Not

If This Freestyle Is Any Indicator, Joey Bada$$’ New LP Will Be Incredible (Video)

Come April 7, Joey Bada$$ will have released All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ (A.B.B.A.), the Brooklyn rapper's follow-up to his 2015 debut album, B4.Da.$$. At just 22, Joey is touted as not only one of the most promising of his generation, but he's gotten co-signs (and collabs) with some of Hip-Hop's most seasoned,... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Murs Details Watching Biggie Smalls Lose A Rap Battle To An Unsigned MC (Video)

Many Heads have seen the footage of a pre-deal Biggie Smalls ripping into an opponent in his own neighborhood, outside a Brooklyn storefront (posted below). The Notorious B.I.G. was clearly a battle-tested MC who brought his confidence, wit, and commanding delivery to a decorated career that includes a diamond-certified double... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Wyclef Says He Was Mistaken For a Robber & Handcuffed By Police (Video)

As police brutality and baseless apprehension by law enforcement continue to plague the country's Black and Brown citizens, encounters between officers and Hip-Hop celebrities seem to prove that, regardless of wealth or fame, discrimination is still commonplace. Last summer, Dr. Dre was handcuffed and detained by police in front of... Read more

March 21, 2017 News

Ice-T & T.I. Do A Live Mashup Of “O.G.” And “Bring Em Out” (Video)

By 1991, West Coast icon Ice-T was already on his fourth solo album. O.G. Original Gangster cracked the top ten on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was home to unapologetically outspoken records like "Body Count" and "Escape From The Killing Fields." Its title track would become a single and... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Ghostface Joins Raekwon On A Rugged Remix For “This Is What It Comes Too” (Audio)

In just a few days (March 24), Raekwon is set to release his album, The Wild. For the first time in Chef's career, this LP features no involvement from any of his Wu-Tang Clan cohorts. However, while Rae' is preparing a unique album in his catalog, his right-hand man is... Read more

March 21, 2017 Audio

Celebrate DJ Premier’s Birthday With A 5 Minute Megamix Of His Greatest Hits (Audio)

Today marks the birthday of one of Hip-Hop's most beloved figures. DJ Premier turns 51 years old on March 21. For nearly 30 years, the Prairie View, Texas native-turned-bona fide New York musician has been making Heads nod, along with causing their faces to scrunch up, and air-scratch with their... Read more

March 21, 2017 Audio, Mixes

Slick Rick’s Children’s Story To Be Re-Released As Actual Children’s Book

In the ears of many, Slick Rick's biggest solo hit is 1988's "Children's Story." The video single from The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick is a mainstream-welcomed example of Ricky Walters' imagery, wit, and conversational style of rapping stories. The Def Jam Records single (produced by Rick himself) went to... Read more

March 21, 2017 Fresh

A New Auction Acknowledges Tupac As 1 Of America’s Most Important Historical Figures (Video)

People are willing to spend considerable amounts of money on collectible items, especially thanks to online auctions. Within Hip-Hop alone, collecting items belonging to rappers and others has become a multi-million-dollar industry, particularly when it involves artists who have passed away. Unsurprisingly, Tupac Shakur is one of the most highly... Read more

March 20, 2017 Lifestyle

Bad Boy Records Documentary To Debut At Tribeca Film Festival With Reunion Concert

Just over one week ago, Warren G's G-Funk documentary screened at South By Southwest. Another major Rap development of the early 1990s, Bad Boy Records will be the next Hip-Hop doc' to hit screens this season. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: The Bad Boy Story, directed by Daniel Kaufman is scheduled... Read more

March 20, 2017 TV/Film

Dave Chappelle Opens Up About Key & Peele And Why Their Show Hurt His Feelings (Video)

Tomorrow (March 21), Dave Chappelle fans will be treated to the comedy giant's first stand-up specials in over a decade. Over the course of his multi-decade career - and certainly in the years immediately following his infamous departure from Comedy Central in 2005 - Chappelle has maintained a relatively low... Read more

March 20, 2017 Video

Divine Intervention: Blu & Exile Are Back Together, Recording In The Studio

This July marks 10 years since Blu & Exile released Below The Heavens. The Sound In Color album did not make the charts, but in a year remembered by Kanye West and 50 Cent's famous battle for commercial supremacy, it may be one of the last and most celebrated entries... Read more

March 20, 2017 News

Why Every Rapper Owes A Debt To Grandmaster Melle Mel (Video)

To those who closely study the history of Hip-Hop and embrace the earliest days of Rap, Grandmaster Melle Mel is a living legend and pioneer. The Bronx New York MC has a name that is often mentioned, whether in academic texts like Can't Stop, Won't Stop or Netflix series Hip... Read more

March 19, 2017 Video

Drake Releases His More Life Playlist & It’s A Return To More Hard Rapping (Audio)

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

March 18, 2017 Audio

A New Video Explores The Villainous Greatness Of MF DOOM

MF DOOM has a career that spans nearly 30 years. Even before Heads get to the mask, Daniel Dumile is an anomaly. He is British-born, New York-raised, and signed a major label deal as a teenager with twin brother Subroc and third member Onyx in KMD at the top of... Read more

March 18, 2017 Video

Rock & Roll Pioneer Chuck Berry Has Passed Away

Chuck Berry is the man many associate with the pioneering of and early popularity surrounding Rock & Roll music. Today (March 18), the key innovator of modern music has died. Chuck Berry passed in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He was 90 years old. The cause of his death... Read more

March 18, 2017 News

Nas Powers Up With His First Verse Of The Year (Audio)

Last month, during a DJ battle between Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz, the Ruff Ryders producer brought out the big guns. Swizzy played a never-before heard song by Nas, Jay Z, Jadakiss, and DMX. On one hand, the record called back to the late '90s and early 2000s, when Ruff... Read more

March 18, 2017 Audio

Oddisee Releases The First Video From His Extraordinary New Album

In subject matter, Oddisee's "NNGE" is quite serious, with the D.C. rapper and producer opening the song with "I mean what is there to fear? I'm from Black America this is just another year," likely a reference to the election of Donald Trump and the political fracas that has ensued.... Read more

March 17, 2017 Video

CyHi Details His Influence & Role In The Creation Of Kanye West’s Discography (Video)

Five-time Grammy nominated rapper CyHi The Prynce will finally be releasing his debut album, No Dope On Sunday, this summer. Having already released singles "Legend" and "Nu-Africa," the Atlanta rapper has dropped a solid body of work in the form of ten mixtapes, as well as his appearances on G.O.O.D.... Read more

March 17, 2017 Video

Let Your Soul Glow, Again. Eddie Murphy Is Writing Coming To America Sequel

Throughout his career, Eddie Murphy launched several film franchises. First it was 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. Later, it was The Nutty Professor, Dr. Doolittle, and Shrek. It appears now that Eddie will reprise one of his most beloved, critically acclaimed, and downright funny roles (as "Prince Akeem Joffer")... Read more

March 17, 2017 TV/Film

Sean Price’s New Single Reminds Us Why He’s The Definition Of A Rap God (Audio)

Today (March 17) would have been Sean Price's 45th birthday. The Brownsville, Brooklyn MC's presence in Hip-Hop was already huge before his untimely passing, but in the year nd a half since his death, his memory is downright unavoidable. After passing away in his sleep at the age of 43,... Read more

March 17, 2017 Audio

Rick Ross Threatens Birdman’s Life On A Record That’s Pure Disrespek (Audio)

For the last decade-plus, Rick Ross was widely perceived as a YMCMB affiliate, despite never being an official artist. The Miami, Florida rapper who has released seven albums with Slip-n-Slide/Def Jam Records released hit singles like "Stay Schemin'," "You A Boss," and "Maybach Music 2" with Cash Money/Young Money artists... Read more

March 17, 2017 Audio, News

Pete Rock & DJ Premier Compare Stories On Producing Jay Z, Nas & Biggie (Video)

DJ Premier and Pete Rock are reportedly working on a joint album. The two producers have shared credits, each producing classic singles for Nas' Illmatic. They've also positioned tracks alongside one another on LPs by Heavy D & The Boyz, Rakim, and Non-Phixion, among others. Even when they compete, the... Read more

March 16, 2017 Video

Fabolous Gets Ceremonial Key To Brooklyn & A Street Named After Him

In 2007, Fabolous released the song "Brooklyn" with Jay Z and Uncle Murda. That moment was one of many places where the Street Fam/Desert Storm/Def Jam Records artist pays homage to the borough that raised him. Throughout the 2000s, 'Loso has become one of BK's most successful musical sons. In... Read more

March 15, 2017 News

Method Man Hopes To Bring The Pain To Celebrity Battle Rap Game Show

One day after Action Bronson was confirmed to host a dating show, one of his influences is part of a similar announcement. Wu-Tang Clan veteran Method Man has been slated to co-host Drop The Mic, a celebrity Battle Rap game show series co-developed by The Late Show host James Corden.... Read more

March 15, 2017 News, TV/Film

Donald Trump Didn’t Like Being Clowned By Snoop Dogg. He Responds (Video)

Earlier this week, Snoop Dogg released a brilliant music video in the form of "Lavender." In it, suburbia is populated by literal clowns, men, women, and children whose faces are adorned to look like circus entertainers. Starring Michael Rapaport, the video is a remix to BADBADNOTGOOD's Kaytranada produced song of... Read more

March 15, 2017 Lifestyle