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Why Donald Glover Is 2018’s Hip-Hop Person Of The Year

As 2018 comes to a close, Donald Glover may not only be one of the most brilliant people in entertainment, he is among the most influential. In an era where quantity rules and quality rises, Glover is prolific in a way that rivals few. In three songs, two music videos,... Read more

Snoop Dogg Reveals The Original Beat For Nuthin But A G Thang & Raps To It

UPDATE: DJ Filthy Rich made a blend of the song, based on the Questlove Supreme conversation:  ORIGINAL DECEMBER 19 STORY: The second song Snoop Dogg ever released to the public may be his most iconic. "One-two-three-and to the fo' / Snoop Doggy Dogg, and Dr. Dre is at the... Read more

Erykah Badu Shows Why She’s One Of The Best Performers Alive & A True Legend

Twenty-one years after her debut album, Erykah Badu is actively adding to one of music's most revered catalogs. The Dallas, Texas native Badu sings, she DJs, and she carries her passion for performing with her everywhere. Last month, Erykah received the Soul Train Music Awards "Legend" recognition. Badu was presented... Read more

Black Thought Wastes No Time Releasing His Second Solo Album Of 2018

At the top of June, Black Thought released his first ever solo project. Streams Of Thought, Vol. 1 was years in the making for The Roots' Grammy Award-winning MC. More than two years after Tariq Trotter dropped the 9th Wonder-producer "Making A Murderer" with Styles P, he offered up that... Read more

Erykah Badu Dedicates A Mix To Roy Hargrove & Shares A New Song That’s Money (Audio)

In the last week, a principal musician within the Soulquarians family passed away at 49 years old. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Jr. played on Common’s Like Water For Chocolate, D’Angelo’s Voodoo, and Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun. On the last of the three, the Waco, Texas native played on "Green Eyes" as... Read more

An Argument For Why J. Cole’s KOD Is Already The Album Of The Year (Video)

There are three and a half months left in 2018. However, one album has proven to rise from the pack with time, less than six months since its release. J. Cole's KOD is a compelling body of work that stands to be among the best art from a consistent source.... Read more

Remy Ma Responds To Nas’ Open Letter & Defends Men Who Are Involved Fathers (Video)

During the debut episode of Joe Budden's Revolt show State Of The Culture, he and his co-hosts, Remy Ma, Jinx, and Scottie Beam discuss the last week in Hip-Hop. From the passing of Mac Miller to Cardi B's confrontation-turned-altercation with Nicki Minaj, it has been an eventful week, to say the... Read more

J. Cole’s Tearful Tribute To Mac Miller Becomes A Message To Everybody Suffering (Video)

News of Mac Miller's passing on Friday (September 7) has shaken the music world far beyond the Rap community. Meanwhile, just about everyone in Hip-Hop has paid tribute in some way to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native. Perhaps one of the most emotional and vivid of the tributes was made by... Read more

Mac Miller’s 2013 Off The Top Freestyle Shows His True Love For Hip-Hop (Video)

The 26-year-old Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania MC/producer Mac Miller passed away on Friday (September 7), leaving a handful of essential albums behind, and the Hip-Hop community in total mourning. Born Malcolm James McCormick, Miller had recently released his fifth studio album, Swimming, and was about to kick off a national tour on... Read more

Rap Pioneer Jimmy Spicer Is Fighting Cancer & Needs Hip-Hop’s Help

Jimmy Spicer (born James Bromley Spicer) is one of the first Hip-Hop artists to release a record when “Adventures of Super Rhymes” dropped in 1980. This 15-plus-minute song is full of playful raps and zany storytelling, much of which has been interpolated or sampled over the decades. Not to mention,... Read more

Bun B Has A Very Trill Conversation About Quitting Unhealthy & Deadly Habits (Video)

This Friday (August 31), Bun B is releasing Return Of The Trill. Originally titled "Bernard," the album marks a personal transformation for the UGK co-founder as it pertains to his music. In the last decade, Bun B has expanded his resumé to include teaching at Houston's Rice University, co-authoring a children's... Read more

Former Geto Boys Member DJ Ready Red Has Passed Away

DJ Ready Red, a former member of the Geto Boys, has died. Red's former band-mate Willie D reports that the accomplished producer and DJ suffered a fatal heart attack today (August 24). The man born Collins Leysath was with the group in its mid-1980s debut and stayed with the Rap-A-Lot Records... Read more

Erick Sermon & Parrish Smith Are Still In Business. They Have An EPMD Sneaker (Video)

More than 30 years ago, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith formed EPMD. From dropping some of the most influential tracks in Hip-Hop history to surviving periods of breakup, the E and P are still together, still in business, and currently celebrating their 30-year anniversary in style. The Brentwood, Long Island... Read more

The Last XXXTentacion Suspect Surrenders. It’s A New Era For Solving Rap Star Murders.

Just over six weeks after 20-year-old rapper XXXTentacion was fatally shot during a robbery in Deerfield Beach, Florida, all four of his suspects have been arrested and indicted for murder. The incident took place on June 18 just outside of a motorcycle dealership while the #1 charting artist Jahsey Onfroy... Read more

Boots Riley Is Staging A Coup At The Box Office And With A New Album (Audio)

In 2012, The Coup released their sixth solo studio album with Sorry To Bother You. It marked the first time that the cult-lauded Oakland, California act used no samples in their music and all tracks were of live instrumentation. Now, six years later, Boots Riley's band returns without DJ, Pam... Read more

H-Town MCs Freestyle Their Way. Lil Keke’s Off The Top Rap Is Far From Screwed Up (Video)

Houston, Texas veteran Lil Keke recently appeared on Sway In The Morning. A onetime protege of DJ Screw, this Southside MC has more than 20 years of stock in the game. A member of the Screwed Up Click, Keke made many of his cult-lauded singles like "Pimp Tha Pen," DJ... Read more

A Second Suspect In The Murder Of XXXTentacion Has Been Arrested

Less than three days after the June 18 murder of rapper XXXTentacion (aka Jahseh Onfroy) in Deerfield Beach, Florida, local authorities arrested Dedrick D. Williams. The 22-year-old Pompano Beach resident was charged with first-degree murder, in addition to violating probation for a prior charge related to car theft and driving without... Read more

Drake’s Spotify Scorpion Sting. Are Playlists The New Payola?

Less than one week ago, Drake released his fifth official album, Scorpion. A double-dose signaling Drake's last release in his Young Money/Cash Money contract, the work involves JAY-Z, DJ Premier, Ty Dolla $ign, DJ Paul, and a posthumous vocal appearance from Michael Jackson. In several days, fans will learn if... Read more

The 1st Peak At The Trayvon Martin Film Is A Powerful Look At The Movement He Launched

JAY-Z is in the midst of promoting his joint album EVERYTHING IS LOVE with his wife Beyoncé. The couple is currently on their On The Run 2 Tour this summer. However, at the same time, the legendary Brooklyn, New York MC is continuing his political initiatives to spread awareness of... Read more

Meek Mill Uses His Freedom To Deliver The Year’s Most Powerful Performance (Video)

Moments ago, Meek Mill took the stage at the 2018 BET Awards. Just several weeks since being released from prison, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC was introduced by Black Thought, Questlove, Kevin Hart, and Lil Uzi Vert (who calls the MC by his early hometown mixtape name "Meek Millz"), with statistics... Read more

A Suspect Has Been Arrested For The Murder Of XXXTentacion

Three days after the violent murder of XXXTentacion, many are still reeling at the talented artist's death. Now, the Broward County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that they have a suspect in custody for the shooting. Dedrick D. Williams was arrested Wednesday (June 20) evening and charged with first degree murder,... Read more

Havoc Releases 2 Mobb Deep Freestyles To Celebrate Prodigy 1 Year After His Passing (Audio)

One year ago today Prodigy unexpectedly passed away Hip-Hop has not been the same. It's all been helpful for those who were truly touched by his spirit and life's work. What's also great to help cope is anytime new music surfaces from the Mobb camp, and that's what happened Wednesday... Read more

Craig Mack Explains Why He Chose Redemption Over Revenge, In His Last Interview (Video)

Rapper Craig Mack passed away this March. The Long Island, New York native was deeply mourned in the Hip-Hop community at a time when he had recently reconnected with early mentor Erick Sermon (as well as Method Man and Mr. Cheeks on "Come Thru"), and was said to be working... Read more

Rap Pioneer Jalal Mansur Nuriddin Of The Last Poets Has Passed Away At 74

Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, one of the members of the Spoken Word group The Last Poets, has passed away yesterday (June 4). The native of Fort Greene, Brooklyn was 74. The Last Poets have released a statement on Nuriddin's passing: "It is with extreme sadness and a heavy heart that the... Read more

Anderson .Paak Is A Funky Drummer But He Can Kick A Dope Freestyle Too (Video)

Last week, Anderson .Paak released his first solo single and video under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. "Bubblin" finds the Oxnard, California MC, singer, drummer, and producer in his Rap form over a production by Jahlil Beats and AntMan Wonder. In the video, he finds a broken ATM machine and takes... Read more

Big T, Of “Wanna Be A Baller” Fame, Has Passed Away At Age 52

Big T, born Terence Glen Prejean, never became a household name as a Rap and singing artist. However, it is his part in 1998's "Wanna Be A Baller" that is seemingly the best known. On Monday (May 7), Prejean died in an area hospital at age 52. While his official... Read more

Nas, Rakim, Pete Rock & More Break Down Why AZ Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best Visualizers (Video)

Twenty years ago this month, AZ released his sophomore album, Pieces Of A Man. The Brooklyn, New York MC, author, and co-founder of The Firm has a decorated career that is still very much in swing. Previously, BET released portions of their #20YrsLtr: Doe or Die documentary featuring AZ, but... Read more

Chuck D Is Still Fighting The Power With One Of His Best Verses In Years (Audio)

Today (April 10) marks the 28th anniversary of Public Enemy releasing its third album, Fear Of A Black Planet. The platinum-certified Def Jam Records LP that housed "Fight The Power," "Welcome To The Terrordome," and "911 Is A Joke" contains messages and music that are relevant today. As Public Enemy... Read more

Chuck Freeze Of Early 1980s Rap Group Jazzy 5 Has Passed Away At Age 54

Bronx, New York native MC Chuck Freeze has died. Born Charles Foushee, the founding member of the Jazzy 5 was found unconscious and unresponsive Sunday (April 1) in his Hollis, Queens residence. According to The New York Daily News, he was pronounced dead by emergency responders shortly after arrival. Freeze... Read more

Anticon Co-Founder & MC/Producer Alias Has Passed Away At The Age Of 41

Alias, a producer, MC, and founding member of the independent Hip-Hop collective Anticon, has died. The producer born Brendon Whitney passed away March 30 from a heart attack, according to friend and collaborator, Sage Francis. Alias was 41 years old. Anticon's social media accounts later confirmed the news. A product... Read more

Roxanne Shanté Describes How Real “The Roxanne Wars” Got In Concerts (Video)

This weekend, Roxanne, Roxanne is now available on Netflix. The biopic, written and directed by Michael Larnell, covers the life of MC Roxanne Shanté (aka Lolita Shanté Gooden). The Juice Crew rapper co-produced the film and worked with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Forrest Whitaker, and Mimi Valdes to tell... Read more

U-God Airs Wu-Tang’s Dirty Laundry. It Was Far From Simple Back Then.

The Wu-Tang Clan are in the midst of a 25-year anniversary of their debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The New York City Hip-Hop collective has made it to a silver anniversary not without tragedy, or conflict. Founding member O.D.B. died in November of 2004. Surviving members have been... Read more

Snoop Dogg Tells Martin Lawrence How Much His Show Meant To Hip-Hop (Video)

Martin Lawrence is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN show. The two longtime friends enjoy a half-hour discussion about The Mack and the African American College Alliance clothing brand while revisiting some of Lawrence's films. A majority of the chat is devoted to Martin, Lawrence's 1990s FOX series. Notably, Snoop Dogg... Read more

Turntablist & Producer DJ Devastate Has Passed Away At The Age Of 35

DJ Devastate, a turntablist and producer known for working with several well-known Hip-Hop MCs and DJs, has passed away at the age of 35, per his friend and musical collaborator Matt Diamond. Born Per Ronge, Devastate, passed a day after he returned home to his native Sweeden from a DJ... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Singer Allah Real Has Passed Away

Alfred Lynn (aka Allah Real) is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated educator, advisor, and singer. He died this morning (March 14) of a heart attack at the age of 62. As a singer, Allah Real has appeared on albums such as Ghostface Killah's The Pretty Toney Album ("Holla"), RZA's Birth Of A... Read more

Erick Sermon Reveals The Real Reason Craig Mack Did Not Join The Bad Boy Reunion Tour

On March 12, MC Craig Mack died at the age of 47 (earlier reports listed his age as 46). The Bronx-born, Long Island-raised artist who used his real name on records deceased from what coroner's declared as natural causes at his home in Walterboro, South Carolina. Other sources close to... Read more

Delicious Vinyl Co-Founder & Hit Producer Matt Dike Has Passed Away At Age 55

UPDATE: While the news of Matt Dike's death was revealed to the public yesterday (March 13), the music executive, producer, and DJ is confirmed to have died in mid-January. A report in The Los Angeles Times, which claims Dike was 56 (other sources, including Delicious Vinyl's obituary, suggest he was... Read more

The Coup’s Boots Riley’s Debut Film Looks Like It May Be 2018’s Breakout Movie (Video)

For 25 years, Boots Riley has injected satire into his social, political, and racial commentary into the music of The Coup. In a celebrated catalog, songs like "5 Million Ways To Kill A CEO," "Fat Cats Bigga Fish," and "Me And Jesus The Pimp In A '79 Grenada Last Night"... Read more

Eric B. & Rakim Announce First Tour Dates In 25 Years

Last July, Eric B. & Rakim reunited on stage for the 30th anniversary of Paid In Full. At Harlem's Apollo Theater, the Hip-Hop legends added a new chapter in their history, performing a plethora of hits from their early catalog. Ambrosia For Heads filmed from the audience as more than... Read more

The Book of Ra. Rakim Confirms His Memoir Is Coming This Year. (Audio)

Many of Hip-Hop's best-known and greatest MCs have released autobiographies and memoirs. JAY-Z published Decoded. LL Cool J (I Make My Own Rules), Ice-T (The Ice Opinion), Snoop Dogg (Tha Doggfather), Prodigy (My Infamous Life), Eminem (The Way That I Am), Common (One Day It'll All Make Sense), 50 Cent... Read more

Sean Price & Prodigy’s Posthumously Released Collabo Gets An Animated Send-Off (Video)

Last year, Sean Price's fourth solo album, Imperius Rex, released. The Duck Down Music LP was eventually included in Ambrosia For Heads' "Best 15 Hip-Hop Albums" of 2017 list. It was a bittersweet honor for a collection of songs released two years after the death of the beloved MC and... Read more

Combat Jack’s Friend Details His Bravery & Dignity In His Final Days

Combat Jack, known to his closest friends and acquaintances as Reggie Ossé, passed away on December 20, 2017, after a battle with colon cancer. During the Redman episode of his Combat Jack Show podcast, Ossé revealed to the public that he had been diagnosed and was fighting for his life. Two months... Read more

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

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

DOOM Punishes Childish MCs On His First Verses Of 2018 (Audio)

Last Friday, Joey Bada$$ paid tribute to MF DOOM on his single, "King To A God." “I sell rhymes like dimes that leaves MFs doomed / Since my first tunes I’ve been raisin’ hell from the tombs / I’m getting hotter every June / You say you with the smoke,... Read more

Cam O’bi Produced For Chance, SZA & Kendrick & Now He’s Flying Solo (Audio)

Chicago has never lost its position as one of the country's biggest exporters of Hip-Hop talent, but its influence isn't limited to global superstars like Common, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper. In the last few years, Chi-town artists like Mick Jenkins, Noname, Jamila Woods, Saba, theMIND, Fredo Santana and... Read more

Londell McMillan Responds To JAY-Z’s Diss & Strongly Defends His Partnership With Prince (Video)

Following Prince's death on April 21, 2016, there has been a tug of war regarding the icon's music and assets. One month after the tragic news, JAY-Z made that battle both public and part of his own legendary catalog. On the Grammy-nominated 4:44, Shawn Carter took umbrage with the handling... Read more

Poet Keorapetse Kgositsile, Earl Sweatshirt’s Father, Has Died

UPDATE: Earl Sweatshirt mourned his father publicly with a photo and poem in a tweet. He also thanked fans for their support: thank yall for your thoughts and love pic.twitter.com/qhualj0fjL— thebe kgositsile (@earlxsweat) January 4, 2018 ORIGINAL JANUARY 3 STORY: Keorapetse Kgositsile, father of MC, producer, and DJ Earl Sweatshirt,... Read more

The Coup’s Boots Riley Shares A Heartfelt Statement About Pam The Funkstress

As reported late last week (December 22), the iconic Bay Area DJ, Pam the Funkstress (aka Pamela Warren), tragically passed away after recently undergoing organ transplant surgery. Considered a trailblazer for all subsequent female DJs, Pam was a celebrated member of The Coup, and later became recognized as “Purple Pam”... Read more

The Coup’s DJ Pam The Funkstress Has Passed Away

In an already challenging week, Hip-Hop has learned that it has lost another veteran artist. DJ Pam The Funkstress (aka Pamela Warren) has died. A founding member of The Coup, Pam would also work with Prince on tour in recent years. After surviving a critical surgery in the last month,... Read more