News Archives

Redman Talks With Heather B About Being Consumed By The Darkside & How He Escaped (Video)

Redman recently sat down with his fellow New Jersey Hip-Hop native Heather B on "The Happy Hour" for Soul Food Thursdays to discuss healthy eating, his on-stage energy (inspired by Run-D.M.C., Busta Rhymes, and De La Soul) and what keeps him going as an artist. The Def Squad MC also... Read more

December 18, 2016 Video

Chance The Rapper’s Christmas In Hollis Spoof Is A Drop The Mic Moment (Video)

Chance The Rapper returned to SNL. Now Grammy-nominated, the versatile MC/singer did more than just perform select pages from his acclaimed Coloring Book. In one sketch, Chance perfectly nailed a copycat image of D.M.C., while Kenan Thompson takes on the Rev Run part. Together, these artists expertly spoof Run-D.M.C.'s indelible... Read more

December 18, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Kool G Rap, Canibus & Chris Rivers Send An Omen That Real Lyricism Is Back (Audio)

One of 2016's most steadfast MCs, Chris Rivers is a clear disciple of that hard-nosed late '80s and 1990s lyricism. While the Bronx, New Yorker's greatest influence would appear to be his father (Big Pun), there are other clear connections. Pun, after all, was a student of Kool G Rap,... Read more

December 17, 2016 Audio

The Beatnuts, Rapper Big Pooh & Termanology Announce January 2017 US Tour Dates

Three respected independent Hip-Hop acts are hitting the road together, next month. Queens, New York veteran duo The Beatnuts have announced their first US tour in some time. Psycho Les (who released his Dank God, Vol. 1 album in 2016) and Juju will hit the road with Rapper Big Pooh... Read more

December 17, 2016 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Gives An Aspiring MC The Opportunity Of A Lifetime & He Shines (Video)

2016 has been a relatively quiet year for Kendrick Lamar. After releasing one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of all-time, with 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick's only LP of the year was his untitled.unmastered compilation of outtakes from TPAB. He also maintained a low profile, only doing select performances... Read more

December 17, 2016 Video

De La Soul Make A Quirky Video For A Song That Hurts So Good

De La Soul is a group that embraces the music video format as well as any. Over the last 27 years, the Long Island, New York trio has played with colorful animation, The Wizard of Oz, and spoofing Rap at a time when it arguably took itself way too seriously.... Read more

December 16, 2016 Video

Apollo Brown, Skyzoo & Stalley Are On the Grind For An Overdue Payout (Video)

With September's The Easy Truth, Apollo Brown and Skyzoo released one of 2016's standout Hip-Hop offerings, collaborative or otherwise. While the Brooklyn, New York MC and Detroit, Michigan producer have worked together before in the past, the LP is the pairing's largest body of work to date and cracked the... Read more

December 16, 2016 Video

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Say They Are Working On The Next Wu-Tang Clan Album

The second half of 2016 has been interesting for Wu-Tang Clan. Two Decembers ago, the New York collective released their first album in six years, A Better Tomorrow. The album entered the charts at the Top 30, but did not produce a hit single. In the 24 months since, Wu... Read more

December 16, 2016 News

For Wale, Either You’re With Him Or You Get The Heisman (Audio)

From Phife Dawg's Bo Jackson and Joe Namath name-checking verse on "Scenario" to Kanye West's "Barry Bonds," Hip-Hop loves sports (and vice versa). While artists like Master P chased sports dreams, Jay Z has become a sports agent, and former standout athletes like Nelly, GQ, and Ice Cube have found... Read more

December 16, 2016 Audio

Jay Z’s Examination of How the Justice System Fails People of Color Is a Must Watch (Video)

Far too often, a person's story of pain and struggle only receives its due attention when it's too late. It's true for Kalief Browder, who at 16 was arrested for a crime he didn't commit. After spending three years in prison without ever being convicted (let alone awarded his right... Read more

December 16, 2016 Lifestyle

Redman Is Back Behind The Boards. This Gilla House Track Has Red’s Bars & Beat (Audio)

While Redman's rapping abilities are nearly impossible to miss, people tend to overlook Reggie Noble's production. The artist who began as a DJ for Lords Of The Underground's DoItAll evolved from turntables to beat machines. While closely tied to Erick Sermon and Rockwilder, Redman is credited with producing (at least... Read more

December 16, 2016 Audio, Video

This Alternate Version Of “How Long Will They Mourn Me” Has An Unreleased Tupac Verse (Audio)

Long before they were label-mates at Death Row, Tupac Shakur and Nate Dogg made a jam together. Thug Life's 1994 single "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" is eerie, given that Shakur, Nate, and now Big Syke have all died since the record released. Furthermore, Jam Master Jay (who is... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

Oddisee Has Announced a New Album & Tour. Here’s the First Single Off “The Iceberg” (Audio)

Oddisee has been making major moves in 2016. The celebrated producer and MC dropped his Alwasta EP and the instrumental The Odd Tape this year, projects which continue to make him one of Hip-Hop's best kept secrets. But today's (December 15) announcement marks something truly major on his horizon: on... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

MC Eiht Reveals Why His Album With DJ Premier Is A Return To Quality Over Quantity (Video)

In the dozen years between 1994 and 2006, MC Eiht released more than 17 albums of new music. The Compton's Most Wanted front man focused on his solo career (while still doing collaborations with C.M.W., Spice 1, Brotha Lynch Hung and others) and did so at a wildly prolific rate.... Read more

December 15, 2016 Video

Madvillain Returns With A Full Version Of A Song That’s A Blizzard Of Bars (Audio)

It has been more than a dozen years since Madvillain released its debut album. DOOM and Madlib made as interesting (and complementary) a duo as any in Hip-Hop since. The Stones Records tandem dropped Madvillainy, which served as a subpoena to all those sleeping on DOOM for the 15 years... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

Common’s Latest Video Envisions a World With Empty Prisons & A True End to Slavery

With his eleventh studio album, Common continued the conceptual theme he began with 2014's Nobody's Smiling, in which he addressed gun violence and other racially disproportionate issues plaguing his native Chicago. November's Black America Again takes a broader view of sociopolitical Hip-Hop, inspired in part by the gravity of 2016's... Read more

December 15, 2016 Video

Taylor Bennett Turns A Health Scare Into A Beautiful New York City Night (Audio)

Chicago's Taylor Bennett, Chance The Rapper’s talented younger brother, links with Brooklyn’s Stro and singer Jordan Bratton on “New York Nights." The song is the product of a health scare the MC experienced while visiting the city after the release of his debut project, Broad Shoulders. Upon learning that he... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

U-God Spits Venom Toward Some Wu-Tang Brothers But Warns No One Else Can (Audio)

Last month, Wu-Tang Clan's U-God went public with a multi-million dollar suit against RZA and the group's manager (RZA's brother, Divine). For six years, the Brooklyn, New York veteran says he has gone unpaid on Wu group work, despite several albums—including ones with major label backing-- being released. On new... Read more

December 15, 2016 Audio

2016’s Boldest & Most Important Political Statements In Hip-Hop & Beyond

2016 has been a rough year. From seemingly endless celebrity deaths to a political campaign unlike any other to racial tensions dominating headlines, these last 12 months have been riddled with great sorrow. But as history continues to remind us, out of great pain comes great resilience, and actors, athletes,... Read more

December 14, 2016 Food for Thought

Scarface & Lil Troy Have Ended Their 15 Year Beef. Troy Breaks It Down. (Audio)

Scarface is a 30-year living legend MC. Over the years, there have been certain lyrics where Heads have wondered who the Houston, Texas rapper/producer/DJ may be speaking to. In other cases, especially over the last 15 years, many of those diatribes were not so subliminally aimed at rapper/executive Lil Troy.... Read more

December 14, 2016 Audio

Eminem Shows Just How Much Juice Masta Ace Had In Influencing Him (Video)

Heads who have closely followed history know how influential Masta Ace is. The Brooklyn, New York MC whose career spans more than 30 years helped bring Rap cadence to its glory. This is the same man, tied to groups such as The Juice Crew, Masta Ace Incorporated, Crooklyn Dodgers, and... Read more

December 14, 2016 Video

Masta Killa Is Releasing A New Album. Method Man & Redman Join Him On His 1st Single (Audio)

Wu-Tang Wednesday, indeed. Already today (December 14), Heads have heard from Method Man, who joined Juelz Santana, Jadakiss, and Redman on "Ol Thing Back." Now, fans have even more new material from the legendary MC, this time in conjunction with fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Masta Killa and, once again, longtime... Read more

December 14, 2016 Audio

Method Man, Redman, Jadakiss & Juelz Santana Bring That Ol Thing Called Hip-Hop Back (Audio)

At the height of the mid-2000s Dipset reign, Juelz Santana brought an edge to Diplomats/Def Jam Records. There, the Harlem, New Yorker with the punchlines, unforgettably ad-libs, and youthful charms went to Top 10 and garnered a gold album in 2005's What The Game's Been Missing. In the 11 years... Read more

December 14, 2016 Audio

Meagan Good Is Reprising Pam Grier’s Role As “Foxy Brown”

More than 40 years since Foxy Brown was released to theaters, the film continues to permeate popular culture. Pam Grier's portrayal of the fearless Black heroine who avenges her husband's wrongful death has inspired a Quentin Tarantino homage, a Rap moniker for Inga Marchand, and an iconic Willie Hutch film... Read more

December 14, 2016 News, TV/Film

Ab-Soul Pulls Out The Big Guns And Declares War On Jay Electronica & Troy Ave (Video)

Although it endured several fits and starts throughout the year, Ab-Soul's latest album arrived on Friday (December 9), and with it came some of his finest work to date. Do What Thou Wilt, like other Soulo albums, is dense material, requiring several listens, but his varied flows and selection of... Read more

December 13, 2016 Video

Here Are The Best Hip-Hop Performances & Videos Of 2016

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 13, 2016 Food for Thought

The Lessondary Is A Veteran Collective. Does This Hazy Music Video Give You A Contact?

Especially in the wake of Slaughterhouse, the Rap super-group has become quite the rage. In the independent scene, The Lessondary features a number of trusted veteran spitters, producers, and multi-threats hitching their fortunes together. Tanya Morgan's three founders: Von Pea, Donwill and Ilyas Nashid have joined Rob Cave (fka Spec... Read more

December 13, 2016 Ready Or Not

Killer Mike Explains the Racist History of the Chronic War Against Legalization

In a new essay he penned for Rolling Stone, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) addresses the racially motivated disproportions in the marijuana industry, a topic that has become a major talking point as the movement for nationwide legalization continues to gain steam. By 2020, the recreational marijuana industry is expected... Read more

December 13, 2016 Lifestyle

Mac Miller & Ariana Show Off Their Real-Life Chemistry And It Gets Steamy (Video)

In a new video for Mac Miller’s “My Favorite Part” featuring Ariana Grande, off his conceptual project The Devine Feminine, the MC flexes his own vocal abilities — kickin’ game to the pop superstar, who performs as his neighbor, through their apartment walls via song. The sleek, dark-lit, retro visuals... Read more

December 13, 2016 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Joe Young Drops One Mighty Music Video With Masta Killa.

The Wu-Tang Clan was once sprawling with talented affiliates. The nine-MC collective from New York City quickly made a way for others after establishing themselves in 1993. From Shyheim to La The Darkman, Sunz Of Man to Bronze Nazareth, there have been talented MCs, producers, and voices emerging from that... Read more

December 13, 2016 Video

Busta Rhymes Unleashes The Dragon On A Fiery Swizz Beatz Track (Audio)

Last month, Busta Rhymes made key contributions to A Tribe Called Quest's We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service album. In an usually slow five year period for Bussa' Bus, the veteran MC currently thrives through features and compilation work. His skills have never wavered, even if it's... Read more

December 13, 2016 Audio

Wale Celebrates Black Women As The Beautiful Gold They Are (Video)

Wale chose the last month of 2016 to find his best stride in some time. Earlier this month, J. Cole released "False Prophets (Be Like This)." Without naming names, the song challenged some of Cole's peers and greatest inspirations. Less than 48 hours after it released, Wale responded with "Groundhog... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

The LOX Release The 1st Video For Their New Album. The Foundation Is ROC Solid.

At the end of this week, The LOX will release their highly-anticipated third album, Filthy America...It's Beautiful (December 16). Their first album in more than 16 years comes on their third different label. Striking success in the late '90s with Puff Daddy and Bad Boy, the Yonkers, New York trio... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

Talib Kweli Takes Donald Trump To Task & Sounds Off On Kanye For Supporting Him (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most engaged social-media users in Hip-Hop, and he can be seen addressing issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression online, using his extensive base of followers to elicit ongoing discussions about any given sociopolitical issue. Of course, fans have loved him... Read more

December 12, 2016 Lifestyle

Token Releases An Explosive And Powerful Music Video About The Effects Of Bullying

Token has made his struggles with a learning disability well known, sharing with his fans that there was a time when anxiety, depression, obesity, and a learning disability once controlled his life. Though he continues to struggle with some of those elements today, he's managed to not only launch a... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

Casual Is Tired Of Facing Lesser MCs, So He Battles Himself (Audio)

Casual stays busy. The Oakland, California veteran MC and co-founder of the Hieroglyphics crew recently released a project with Detroit, Michigan's Phat Kat as Ron Jon Bovi (Neaux Mursi). In late '16, he's back on his solo tear. Attacking Capone-N-Noreaga's famed 1997 "T.O.N.Y. (Top Of New York)" instrumental, "GodKilla" is... Read more

December 12, 2016 Audio

Sha Stimuli Releases 1 Of The Most Intelligent Songs Of The Year. Hip-Hop At Its Finest (Audio)

When Sha Stimuli released his 2009 debut album My Soul To Keep, Just Blaze was one of the star contributors. "Move Back" / "The Reason" featured Roc-A-Fella Records alums Freeway and Young Chris on a two-part track, co-produced by Just. While Sha was never a Roc artist (he formerly interned... Read more

December 12, 2016 Audio

The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes & Consequence Perform “Dis Generation” & “Mobius” (Video)

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest gave the world its first taste of Tribe's new album, We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service, live. The crew joined Dave Chappelle on Saturday Night Live, accompanied by Busta Rhymes and Consequence. During their performances of both "The Space Program" and... Read more

December 10, 2016 Video

Parrish Smith Has Hit Squad Heat On A New Solo Single (Audio)

Parrish Smith (aka PMD) has been building a solo career for more than 22 years. Whenever legendary group EPMD was on hiatus, both Parrish and partner Erick Sermon struck with side projects. Three albums, starting with 1994's Shadé Business showed just was PMD was able to do on his own,... Read more

December 10, 2016 Audio

Oh No & Tristate Join Evidence For A Song That Shows Wack MCs The Front Door (Audio)

Gangrene co-founder, producer/MC Oh No has teamed up with Tristate of Planet Asia’s bi-coastal super-group Gold Chain Military for a collaborative LP on the Hieroglyphics' imprint. Oh No will reportedly handle the entirety of its production. If the first single is any indication, for those who suffer from a lack... Read more

December 10, 2016 Audio

Mistah F.A.B. & Charlie Clips Make It Personal In This Incredible Rap Battle (Video)

Mistah F.A.B. has become one of the best examples of a battle rapper transitioning into a full-on discography. Additionally, Charlie Clips has taken his gifts as one of the premiere MCs in Battle Rap to television through BET Hip-Hop Awards looks as well as appearances on Wild N' Out. On... Read more

December 9, 2016 Video

Pharrell Williams Says Women Will Lead the Revolution in 2020 (Video)

In what is proving to be a monumental year for African-American visibility in Hollywood, films like The Birth of a Nation and Moonlight exist side-by-side with television shows like Luke Cage and Atlanta. On January 6, Hidden Figures will join those ranks as a significant piece of storytelling in Black... Read more

December 9, 2016 Lifestyle

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede Kicks An Amazing Freestyle & It’s Deeper Than Rap (Video)

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede is one of the game’s more consistent lyricists. Without losing a breath, the seasoned Bronx, New York veteran delivers an incredible fast-flow verse, firing off bars like an automatic weapon with a “broken safety.” Using an intricate, multi-syllabic rhyme scheme and his signature highly-coded poetic wordplay,... Read more

December 9, 2016 Exclusive, Video

Dr. Dre & Jimmy Iovine Have Made $1 Billion Together. A New Film Tells Their Story

Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine go back 25 years. Combined, they have made more than a billion dollars in ventures ranging from music to headphones and consumer electronics to film. That story of a friendship and business relationship from two producers-turned-moguls will be the subject of upcoming HBO documentary The... Read more

December 9, 2016 News, TV/Film

Ab-Soul Freestyles & Breaks Down His Exceptional BARS For Ras Kass (Video)

Today (December 9), Ab-Soul released Do What Thou Wilt, his first solo album in two years. He stopped by Sway in the Morning to discuss the new LP, and the interview included a very special guest in the form of Ras Kass, who called in to hear a Soulo record... Read more

December 9, 2016 Video

J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only Album Is Great For The Ears Too. (Audio)

This morning (December 9), J. Cole released his fourth album, 4 Your Eyez Only. The 10-track, 44 minute effort features no guest verses. This feat is also true of Cole's double-platinum #1 2014 Forest Hills Drive, released two years ago today. Approaching his 32nd birthday next month, 4 Your Eyez...... Read more

December 9, 2016 Audio

Ab-Soul Hasn’t Forgotten Who Dissed Kendrick. This Black Hippy Goes To War. (Audio)

In February of this year, just hours before Kendrick Lamar's Grammy Awards grabs, Jay Electronica declared war. The Roc Nation veteran, who had stood beside K-Dot during 2013's "Control" moment, turned his pen on his former partner. "Curse Of Mayweather" pulled no punches. The song was out to throw hay-makers,... Read more

December 8, 2016 Audio

Kazi’s Madlib-Produced 1996 Song “To Be Lost” Gets A Video 20 Years Later

In 1996, Madlib's career was taking shape. In addition to his spot in Lootpack, the Oxnard, California producer/MC was selling tracks to Tha Alkaholiks and Boot Camp Clik's O.G.C. Appearing on albums, the dusty beats from Otis Williams, Jr. were alluring. He was welcomed to the burgeoning Likwit Crew, alongside... Read more

December 8, 2016 Video

Brian Tyree Henry Drops Gems About Why All Of Us Are Paper Boi (Video)

One of television's standout offerings in 2016 was Atlanta, the FX series created by and starring Donald Glover, who is joined on-screen by Brian Tyree Henry. Henry plays Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles, an up-and-coming MC who juggles his fledgling Rap career with a street-life mentality. As a guest on yesterday's... Read more

December 8, 2016 Lifestyle