News Archives

Mike Pence Booed At “Hamilton.” The Cast Asks Him To Govern For Us ALL (Video)

Many musicians, athletes, and celebrities have been theatergoers at Broadway's Hamilton. Last night (November 18), United States Vice President-elect Mike Pence was the latest notable attendee at the play created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Presently serving as Indiana's governor, Pence was the recipient of boos from fellow ticket-holders who noticed him.... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, News, Video

Dot Demo’s “Roberto Clemente” Puts The Bass In The Old Ballgame (Video)

Although the late, great Roberto Clemente was no New York Yankee, Bronx MC Dot Demo takes it to a neighborhood park in the new video for his bass-heavy, trap-inspired song titled after the legendary baseball player and humanitarian. Ball bat in hand, one of Ambrosia For Heads's "Ready or Not"... Read more

November 19, 2016 Video

Sharon Jones, Lead Singer of The Dap Kings Has Died At Age 60

Sharon Jones, lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings has died. Today (November 18), the Augusta, Georgia native passed away from complications surrounding pancreatic cancer at the age of 60. In the last 20 years, Jones not only enjoyed a late surge in her extensive career, the Grammy-nominated... Read more

November 18, 2016 News

Eric B. & Rakim Affiliate, MC and Manager Ant Live Has Passed Away

According to several sources, veteran Hip-Hop figure Ant Live (aka Anthony Barrier) has died. Stetsasonic co-founder Daddy-O and podcast host Combat Jack are among those who have confirmed the news on social media. While the details of Ant's passing are not clear at this time, Rakim spoke about Live's health... Read more

November 18, 2016 News

Erykah Badu Gets Real About Producing the Soul Train Awards & More (Video)

Known lovingly by her fans as Queen Badu, Erykah is indeed a reigning force in music and beyond. The devoted mother is deeply involved in promoting the importance of education, and has contributed her energies to solving cold rape cases. A native of Dallas, Texas, Erykah Badu is often promoting... Read more

November 18, 2016 Video

A Powerful New Filtering System Could Help Silence Online Abuse

Harassment in the digital age has become an issue both omnipresent and difficult to address, given the anonymity of the Internet and the relative ease with which we can ignore those with whom we don't wish to communicate. Nevertheless, it remains a toxic and dangerous reality for millions who encounter... Read more

November 18, 2016 Lifestyle

The Next 2 Hours & You Will Decide Whether This Native Tongues Documentary Gets Made (Video)

UPDATE: There are 2 hours left in the campaign to fund the Native Tongues documentary, Speaking In Tongues, and they are only $6,000 short. If you or anyone you know is so inclined, click here to support and help the filmmakers achieve their goal and bring this film to life.... Read more

November 18, 2016 Video

Q-Tip Explains How the Economics of Racism Inspired ATCQ’s Latest LP (Video)

With "We the People," A Tribe Called Quest shared their most political single to date, but it's just one facet of an entire album whose content deals head-on with serious issues. We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service tackles racism, poverty, and struggle but "We the People"... Read more

November 18, 2016 TV, TV/Film, Video

A Tribe Called Quest Make A Stand For The People & Phife’s Spirit Is With Them (Video)

After an 18-year hiatus from making albums, A Tribe Called Quest have once again taken the Hip-Hop world by storm. In August, record industry veteran L.A. Reid very casually revealed that the members of ATCQ had been recording an album, and it would be released before the end of the... Read more

November 18, 2016 Video

Eminem Gives Infinite Respect To His Earliest Music With A Documentary & A Remix (Video)

While Eminem's 1999 and 2000 mainstream takeover is often associated with the production of Dr. Dre, much more of The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP is credited to another act behind the boards. The Bass Brothers, Mark and Jeff—had been with Em' since his career took shape.... Read more

November 18, 2016 Audio, Video

Tish Hyman Shows Sometimes Great Beauty Can Come From Great Pain (Video)

From T.I. to Above To The Law, Murs to Maino, "hustling" is a popular theme in music. It can mean many things, but you'll hear the term—incessantly, from lyrics to interview soundbites. Singer Tish Hyman's single "All That I Can Do" is also about hustling—for survival. She delivers pained vocals,... Read more

November 17, 2016 Video

Donald Glover Is Making Full Fledged Funk. And There’s Nothing Childish About It (Audio)

Last Thursday (November 10), Childish Gambino unveiled the first look from upcoming album, ...Awaken, My Love (December 2). "Me and Your Mama" set aside the raps for a record that had more in common with Parliament or Lenny Kravitz than any Rap contemporary. Singing, screaming, and embedding himself in a... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

Nas, Dave East, & Lin-Manuel Miranda Rhyme Their Way Out of Struggle (Audio)

After taking the world of theater by storm, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton excelled at the Grammys, the Tonys, and even the Pulitzer Prize ceremony, making it one of the most successful pop-culture phenomenons in history. And, speaking of history, its brilliant use of Hip-Hop to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

The Cool Kids & Their Rhymes Really Connect On This Slapper (Audio)

With the reunion in place, The Cool Kids are back to being, well, cool. Their latest single "Connect 4" presents Chuck Inglish and Sir Michael Rocks as the forward-sounding, fashion-forward duo with lush dreams and slick lines. Notably, this track blends the two individual styles that the members built on... Read more

November 17, 2016 Audio

Never-Before-Seen Footage of O.D.B.’s Life Forms One Powerful Portrait (Video)

November 13 marked the 12th anniversary of the passing of O.D.B., the Wu-Tang Clan's most vibrant spirit. Furthermore, November 15 would have been his 48th birthday, making this week ripe with opportunities to reflect on the late MC's legacy. Despite his larger-than-life personality and the undying love he inspires in... Read more

November 17, 2016 Video

A Newly Released ’96 Cypher Shows A Tribe Called Quest Schooling Phony Rappers (Audio)

This month, A Tribe Called Quest released their sixth and said to be final album. We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service appeared to shock to the music world, when it was revealed to exist, less than six months after Phife Dawg's March death. It had been... Read more

November 17, 2016 Throwback

Implanting “Wi-Fi” in the Human Brain Could Cure Paralysis Forever

The marriage of cutting-edge technology and medicine has been one of the most important areas of growth for humankind, allowing us to live far longer and healthier lives. But it's also been one of the most controversial areas of human development, as artificial intelligence and robotics continue to change the... Read more

November 16, 2016 Lifestyle

Talib Kweli & NIKO IS Light Bars On Fire to Smoke Wack MCs (Video)

Earlier this month, Talib Kweli showcased his fortitude as an MC, arranger, record-label executive, and creative director - all in one project. The Javotti Media founder Awful People Are Great At Parties, an audio compilation meant to showcase the vast talents of his signees, who include Cory Mo, K'Valentine, Space... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Ja Rule Makes Better Fun Of Himself Than His Worst Enemies Ever Did (Video)

Ja Rule entered the 2000s in the upper echelon of Rap. He had two back-to-back #1 albums, a record label (with Irv Gotti) that was rumored to be courting Nas, and was part of three #1 records (two with Jennifer Lopez). Whether he made you wanna "Holla" (or not), one... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Rapsody Releases Her New “Crown” EP. Listen Here (Audio)

Just one day after dropping an ambitious double-header with the release of not one, but two singles, Rapsody's Crown EP has arrived. Yesterday (November 15), the Jamla rapper shared two jewels with Heads, first the Ambrosia for Heads-premiered "Mad" and then the Ab-Soul-assisted "2AM." But today (November 16), fans no... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Camp Lo Make Timeless Hip-Hop. With 2 Great Tracks, This Video Doubles Down

In the twentieth year as an act with an album out, Camp Lo has only ramped it up in 2016. They've released a few unique items, including appearing on an incredible song (and music video) with The Avalanches, and started building out solo work. If that's not enough, Sonny Cheeba... Read more

November 16, 2016 Video

Termanology & Kxng Crooked Bring Out The Best In Each Other. Let’s Go! (Audio)

For lovers of lyrics, wordplay, and flow, one of 2016's must-listen-to Hip-Hop albums is Statik Kxng. Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) and Statik Selektah made a 10-song EP that is some of the finest work from either. Termanology, Statik's 1982 band-mate made the lone guest appearance on "Let's Go." Now,... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Takes 3 Beats & An Ab-Soul Verse To Shine At 2am (Audio)

Rapsody and Ab-Soul have great collaborative history that dates back nearly five years. Soulo was one of the higher profile guests from The Idea of Beautiful, appearing on "NonFiction." With Rap's close ties to T.D.E., the pair come back together at "2 a.m." Released just hours after "Mad," this dynamic... Read more

November 16, 2016 Audio

Lauryn Hill Teams Up With Fela Kuti’s Son & Band For A Stunning Tribute (Video)

For many years now, Lauryn Hill has been re-arranging her classic songs during performances. At times, this leads to great frustration for fans who want to hear the hits they know and love performed as they were recorded. On other occasions, however, Hill's changes can lead to the kind of... Read more

November 15, 2016 Throwback

Ski Wants The World…Including Your Undivided Attention. Does This Video Earn It?

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, the MC known as Ski (aka Ski Cobain) blends the 1990s and early 2000s Hip-Hop that influenced him with his own stories, ambitions, and reflections. His latest single "The World Is Mine" ties a fan favorite from within Nas's Illmatic. The artist with two previous... Read more

November 15, 2016 Ready Or Not

Just-Ice Reveals Vivid Details About The Day Scott La Rock Was Killed (Video)

Boogie Down Productions co-founder DJ Scott La Rock is a Hip-Hop luminary that much of the world never got to properly know. On August 27, 1987, the DJ/producer born Scott Sterling was killed, less than six months after B.D.P. released debut Criminal Minded. One of B.D.P.'s close affiliates was MC... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

A New Book Details The Rich Hip-Hop History Of NYC’s Latin Quarter Club

In No Half Steppin': An Oral and Pictorial History of New York City Club the Latin Quarter and the Birth of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, legendary musician, archivist, and activist Claude "Paradise" Gray shares over 175 color photographs and flyers. Along with Giuseppe "u.net" Pipitone, Paradise has provided scholars of Hip-Hop... Read more

November 15, 2016 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

Joe Budden Admits The Failures & Lessons That Can Still Lead To A Happy Home (Video)

Joe Budden has forged his 15-plus-year career by making music that can regularly sound like a journal entry. The difference is, while many artists could exclusively read from the best days of their life, the Slaughterhouse MC often picks ones that show his mistakes, his ignorance, and the more vulnerable... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

Vic Mensa Pens a Powerful Essay on Trump & Why Race Is a Distraction From the Real Problem

Vic Mensa has been one of the most outspoken artists of his generation, with 2016 being his biggest year yet. The Chicago MC's "16 Shots" is a prime example of his using music to bring attention to social and political issues of the day, but it's not just as a... Read more

November 15, 2016 Lifestyle

Rapsody Is Going For The Crown & She Doesn’t Care Who’s Mad (Audio)

Rapsody is in a whole new atmosphere since she last checked in with Beauty and the Beast. Rap' now carries a Grammy award, thanks to her appearance on Kendrick Lamar's T.P.A.B. In addition to mentor 9th Wonder, she is also now backed by Jay Z's Roc Nation. She's been to... Read more

November 15, 2016 Audio

Nick Grant Taps Into His Outkast Influence In A Video Made By Idlewild’s Director

Many artists in the mid-2010s, quickly fill up the digital atmosphere with songs and videos, and see what sticks. Nick Grant is one MC whom the people have taken to. The South Carolina native has almost entirely done it himself, avoiding big name features—and letting his 88 mixtape, as well... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Jay Electronica Kicks A Fertile Rhyme About Love From The Garden (Video)

In the four appearances Jay Electronica has seemingly made in 2016, Emeli Sandé's "Garden" really plants itself in the listener's memory banks. The New Orleans, Louisiana MC/producer appeared on the tune last month, alongside Áine Zion. It's a different kind of look from Jay Elect' than just spitting bars with... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Daveed Diggs, Pharoahe Monch & A Group Of Remarkable Talents Elevate Broadway Through Hip-Hop (Video)

Hamilton breakout star has been doing his thing since before becoming a Grammy- and Tony-winning stage actor. The Berkeley, California native is a founding member of experimental Hip-Hop troupe clipping., who just released Splendor & Misery. He's a celebrated lyricist in his own right, a talent Lin-Manuel Miranda recognized as... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

AZ’s 40 Seconds Of Bars Are Better Than Most Albums These Days (Audio)

AZ is like a special ops soldier. He is low key, stealth and, when he's deployed, it's for maximum impact. It's been a relatively quiet year for the Brooklyn, MC, save for a few select drops, such as his guest turn on A$AP Twelvyy's "Motivation." In September, however, it appeared... Read more

November 14, 2016 Audio

Pusha T & Gucci Mane Join Common To Voice What Makes Black America Great…Again (Audio)

Throughout his career, Common has at times been—at least on paper—a left field featured guest. He appeared on albums like T.I.'s King when the Grand Hustle founder was the monarch of Trap. He made one of several Gil Scott Heron homages on The Game's "Angel" two years after, showing an... Read more

November 14, 2016 Audio

Dave Chappelle, De La Soul & More Celebrate the Obamas With a “Block Party” at the White House (Video)

Earlier this year, Dave Chappelle's Block Party celebrated its tenth anniversary, a milestone which allowed fans to reflect back on the film and its place in Hip-Hop history. A similar history was just made on Saturday Night Live, where the most recent episode sported Chappelle as host and A Tribe... Read more

November 14, 2016 TV/Film

Pharoahe Monch & O.C. Are A Nightmare For Lesser MCs (Video)

In 1991, upon the release of Organized Konfusion's self-titled debut, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po not only laid a strong foundation for themselves, they brought along close affiliate O.C. along for hit single "Fudge Pudge." By the time O.K. geared up for their '94 follow-up, O.C. (who spent part of... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Snoop Dogg DJs A 2 Hour Tribute Mix For 20 Years Of “Tha Doggfather”

This weekend, Snoop Dogg's sophomore album Tha Doggfather celebrated its 20th anniversary. The LP was significant in Snoop's career in that it was his first foray without mentor Dr. Dre behind the boards, and it would be his final Death Row Records release while still at the then reigning label.... Read more

November 13, 2016 Audio, Mixes

UGK Affiliate & Convicts Co-Founder Mr. 3-2 Shot & Killed In Houston

Rapper Mr. 3-2 has been a Houston, Texas Hip-Hop mainstay for more than 25 years. In addition to co-founding The Convicts with Big Mike, and being an official member of Screwed Up Click and Blac Monks, 3-2 has appeared on several critically acclaimed albums. The 44 year-old man born Christopher... Read more

November 13, 2016 News

A Tribe Called Quest Perform On SNL & Phife Dawg Looms Large (Video)

On one of the most highly-anticipated episodes of SNL in recent memory, A Tribe Called Quest joined host Dave Chappelle, as the show's musical guests. It was the group's first major television appearance since their performance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on November 13, 2015, in celebration of... Read more

November 13, 2016 Video

Dave Chappelle Hosts SNL & The Timing Could Not Have Been Better (Video)

Tonight (November 12), Dave Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live. It was the first time for the brilliant comedian whose Chappelle's Show gave SNL, and every other sketch comedy show, a run for its money as the best of all-time, and his appearance could not have come at a better moment.... Read more

November 13, 2016 Video

Ras Kass Sees Lady Liberty Getting Grabbed & Names Those Who Let It Happen (Audio)

For more than 20 years, Ras Kass has been one of Hip-Hop's most steadfast critics of what he perceives as lies and corruption fed to the people. The Carson, California representative has called out organized religion, school-taught history, and the old guard music industry. In a week that has many... Read more

November 12, 2016 Audio

David Blaine Produces A Live Frog From His Stomach. The Roots Freak Out (Video)

David Blaine has been performing for audiences for nearly two decades. While the magician and illusionist is always entertaining, there are times when people find the things he does to be downright scary. Whether it's levitating, taking the heads off of live chickens and re-attaching them, or driving ice picks... Read more

November 12, 2016 Video

Shia LaBeouf Transforms Into The “#1 MC In Hollywood,” With A Monster Freestyle (Video)

Many things come to mind when the name Shia LaBeouf is mentioned. "MC" is not one of them. For years, LaBeouf has been a fixture in Hollywood as an actor and director, who has been involved in major film franchises such as Indiana Jones, Wall Street and, of course, Transformers.... Read more

November 12, 2016 Video

Common Is A Rap Pharaoh Building Pyramids Of Empowerment, With Words (Video)

One week ago today, Common released his 11th album, Black America Again. The LP had many a la carte looks before its release. "Pyramids" was a highlight. Produced by Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper, the track is one of several with reverberating lyrics about the modern day Black experience, the... Read more

November 11, 2016 Video

LaKeith Stanfield Shows There’s More Than 1 Talented Rapper In “Atlanta” (Video)

In 2016, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) showed greater dimension in his repertoire with the launch of Atlanta. Before the show's first season reached its midpoint, the network ordered two more seasons of the series. Accolades and ratings are spilling in, and Glover may have far surpassed his musical profile,... Read more

November 11, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Q-Tip & Phife Release Their Most Political Song Ever & It Ain’t Nothin’ Nice (Video)

It's been a heavy week for America. Donald Trump is President-Elect, a stark reality for the millions who have found themselves in the crosshairs of his vitriolic campaigning. Just three days into his new position, Trump has already inspired protests across the country waged by people who are literally fearing... Read more

November 11, 2016 Video

A Tribe Called Quest Release Their Final Album. Listen Here (Audio)

After a flurry of excitement that kicked off in August and exponentially intensified a couple of weeks ago, A Tribe Called Quest have released their final album. We Got It From Here...Thank You For Your Service is ATCQ's first new album in 18 years, and their first featuring each of... Read more

November 11, 2016 Audio

Rapsody Brings A Fiery Message Of Strength & Resilience Right On Time (Audio)

Two days after an election that stunned people on both sides, many are still reeling as they try to process a Presidency held by Donald Trump, after running a campaign rooted in racism, xenophobia and sexism. To some there is a belief that America is going to return to its... Read more

November 10, 2016 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Termanology Started Out At The Bottom. Now They’re Top Shottas (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ and Termanology remind listeners why they’re some of the “realest top shottas” when it comes to this generation’s true school spitters on the latest release off Term’s upcoming More Politics LP. Both MCs wax poetic about some of their personal struggles. Over a melancholy horn section, jazzy piano... Read more

November 10, 2016 Audio