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Warren G Details His Many Contributions To The Chronic

In late 1992, Dr. Dre released his solo debut The Chronic. The album launched Death Row Records, and the careers of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, RBX, and others. It also marked the first full-length release from Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records imprint. In videos such... Read more

Method Man Explains Why He Did Not Want To Do All I Need

Method Man won a Grammy Award for his Mary J. Blige collaboration "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By." The song, which originated as a track on Meth's 1994 solo debut Tical, went on to receive a Puff Daddy remix, and become a classic in both... Read more

Pete Rock Says He Was Never Paid For His Work On Illmatic

Nas' Illmatic is widely revered as one of the best albums ever recorded. In 2016, the readers of Ambrosia For Heads deemed it the greatest Hip-Hop album in a comprehensive poll. The 1994 LP is the subject of an acclaimed documentary film, Time Is Illmatic. The double-platinum release is in... Read more

Little Shawn Describes The 1994 Tupac Shooting & Insists He Was Not Involved (Video)

Rapper Little Shawn has an incredible Hip-Hop story. A native of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the veteran MC-turned-dietician sat with Drink Champs for more than three hours. Over the course of the discussion, the guest (who now goes by Shawn Pen) details the mutual respect he shares with JAY-Z. Shawn recalls... Read more

Benny, Conway & 38 Spesh Rewrite A Page Out Of Scarface’s Diary (Audio Premiere)

Rochester, New York MC/producer 38 Spesh has made a hard push in the last two years to reach the forefront of underground Hip-Hop. Be it releasing a litany of solo and collaborative albums or mentoring promising young talent like Che Noir, T.C.F. Music Group's founder has established himself as a... Read more

25 Years Later, Easy Mo Bee & Mister Cee Recall Making Biggie’s Ready To Die (Video)

This week (September 13) marks the 25th-anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, Ready To Die. Part of Bad Boy Records' "B.I.G. Mack" campaign, Biggie Smalls and Craig Mack took the fledgling label to new places in September of 1994. Since its release, Biggie's breakthrough LP has been certified six-times-platinum... Read more

Skyzoo & Pete Rock’s Album Is Coming Soon. Here’s The 1st Single & Featured Artists

In less than six weeks, Pete Rock & Skyzoo are releasing a joint album. Retropolitan pairs the Brooklyn MC with the Mount Vernon producer, DJ and rapper. After first reported at the top of the year, new details have emerged surrounding the Mello Music Group album as well as its... Read more

Watch The Beastie Boys’ Documentary Celebrating 25 Years Of Ill Communication

Following the release of the Beastie Boys Book in late 2018, Michael Diamond (aka Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (aka Ad-Rock) have been in the public eye. Since the book hit store shelves, the two MC/producers expounded on the Beasties' bitter split with Def Jam, the group very nearly calling... Read more

Here’s The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show

Twenty-five years ago this month, The Arsenio Hall Show dimmed the lights on a massive television platform, especially for Hip-Hop. Since early 1989, the actor/comedian/host planted his flag with a new kind of late-night talk-show with a penchant for the issues, people, and culture that inspired him. From M.C. Hammer... Read more

The Cast Of In Living Color Reunites To Discuss Changing TV 25 Years Ago (Video)

Next month marks 25 years since In Living Color wrapped its fifth and final season. The FOX sketch comedy series started by Keenen Ivory Wayans introduced two handfuls of household names. The series, which debuted 29 years ago this month, also broke more boundaries in television than even its most... Read more

Nas’ Illmatic Turns 25. This New Mix Reminds Why It Might Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Album

Twenty-five years ago today (April 19), Nas released the album that future generations will likely use to measure Rap greatness. At the age of 20, Nasir Jones delivered Illmatic, a 10-track coming of age reflection that pulled images from Rotten Apple-era New York City, emphasized dreams of being a Rap... Read more

DJ Premier Discusses The Making Of Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years ago this month (March 8, 1994), Gang Starr released its fourth album, Hard To Earn. A rightful inclusion in one of the Rap genre's most celebrated calendar years, the work displays some of the finest chemistry between Guru and DJ Premier, who had already galvanized a creative and... Read more

1 Year After Craig Mack’s Passing, Look Back At Another Song That Has Flava

One year ago today (March 12, 2018), the late-night news of Craig Mack's passing felt like an essential piece of 1990s Rap fabric was ostensibly gone forever. The 47-year-old Long Island, New York representative died from natural causes. His legacy was connected to the genre's elite from the genesis of... Read more

How OutKast Begrudgingly Made One Of The Best Christmas Rap Records Of All-Time

Twenty-five years ago this season, OutKast released their first single, "Player's Ball." Big Boi and André 3000 had appeared on TLC's remix to "What About Your Friends" as teenagers in 1992. Like that opportunity, "Player's Ball" was birthed out of LaFace Records trying to cross-promote its fledgling Rap duo. For... Read more

Travel Back To The Early ’90s & Hear Casual Paint Hieroglyphics With Words On His Demo

A few years before there Mistah F.A.B. burst onto the scene, it was Casual who turned a Bay Area reputation for battling into a successful music career that has lasted ever since. "Smash Rockwell" continues to put in work with his Hieroglyphics crew, as Fear Itself approaches its 25th anniversary.... Read more

Pete Rock Says Biggie Wanted The Main Ingredient Interlude Beats For His Album (Audio)

UPDATE: Pete Rock clarified today's earlier report regarding his Touré Show interview. The legendary producer, MC, and DJ points out that it is 1994's Main Ingredient, and not Mecca & Soul Brother, whose interlude beats Biggie Smalls wanted: it was main ingredient not mecca ????????‍♂️ — PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) August 9,... Read more

Warren G’s Documentary Trailer Shows How The G-Funk Era Is Forever (Video)

Nearly a year and a half ago, Warren G's G-Funk documentary made waves at the 2017 South By Southwest Film Festival. A partnership with filmmaker Karam Gill, the movie examines how a sub-genre of Hip-Hop largely credited to Warren, half-brother Dr. Dre, as well as an artists and producers such... Read more

Prince Paul Explains Why He’s Bothered By 1 Important Gravediggaz Credit (Video)

Prince Paul was a founding member of The Gravediggaz. At a time when he was still very active in producing De La Soul records, the Long Island, New Yorker assembled a quartet with Stetsasonic band-mate Frukwan (aka "The Gatekeeper"), as well as onetime Tommy Boy Records label-mate Poetic (aka "The... Read more

Nas & The National Symphony Are Taking Illmatic From QB To The Kennedy Center (Video)

Back in 1994, Nas' debut Illmatic peaked at #12 on the charts. The commercial performance was highly respectable for an emerging Rap artist, but Hip-Hop Heads who heard and loved the album knew those 10 songs meant so much more than any chart, music review, or record store display could... Read more

Michael Rapaport Reveals Tupac, Leo & More Were Part Of The Original “Higher Learning” Cast (Video)

Michael Rapaport's acting career goes back nearly 30 years. In an array of roles, one of his most memorable is that of 1995's Higher Learning. In the John Singleton film about college and diversity, Rapaport played "Remy," a student who transforms into a skinhead. However, that role was first attached... Read more

Steve Stoute Explains Why He Took Nas From The Underground To The Mainstream (Video)

Music industry veteran Steve Stoute recently launched UnitedMasters, a company that allows musicians to market directly to their fans across digital platforms. The service promotes artists keeping their master recordings and provides resources for the modern market that once seemed reserved for major label acts. Stoute is the latest guest... Read more

The Roots Want To Score The Star-Studded New Lion King Remake

UPDATE: Following this month's news of a 2019 Lion King remake by Disney, Questlove says The Roots crew want to be down. With an exciting cast in place (as reported below), Quest believes his band makes perfect sense to score the film. On social media, the Grammy Award-winning drummer, composer, producer, DJ, and... Read more

DJ Premier Credits Nas With Helping Choose 2 Very Illmatic Samples (Video)

Production is more than just making beats and shopping them to artists. By 1994, DJ Premier had produced three Gang Starr albums, in addition to important records for KRS-One, Heavy D & The Boyz, and Lord Finesse. Nas and his team would seek out the Works Of Mart for three... Read more

Nas & Ghostface Killah’s Collabos Set The Stage For A Strong A3C (Audio)

Two of New York's finest MCs, Nas and Ghostface Killah, have a great history of bringing out the best in each other when they're on the same track. Both possess intricate storytelling ability, effortless wordplay, and immense street credibility. They've only rhymed together but a few occasions. However, the synergy... Read more

Slick Rick’s Most Cautionary Tale Was His Own, Told Over Warren G Funk (Video)

Slick Rick is a master storyteller with quite a tale to tell from his own life. The Ruler maintains a unique physical aesthetic which consists of Kangol caps, eye-patch, designer wardrobe, and enough gold jewelry to make Mr. T blush. His signature look was as magnetic as his laconic delivery,... Read more

Treach Says Biggie Did Not Set Up Tupac & Explains Why (Video)

The night Tupac Shakur was shot in November of 1994, Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts. The East Orange, New Jersey trio had back-to-back platinum albums. Group front-man Treach had appeared on Pac's sophomore album, care of "5 Deadly Venomz," also featuring Apache and Live Squad. Treach's... Read more

Hear How Warren G Saved Def Jam Records (Audio)

Warren Griffin, III is revered as a  Hip-Hop underdog. The MC/producer/DJ better known as Warren G came up as the shy half-brother of Dr. Dre. Raised in Long Beach, California Warren is the man many believe is responsible for the introduction of Snoop Dogg. Warren, keeping the music going at... Read more

A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

It could be argued that Craig Mack is one of Hip-Hop's greatest one-hit wonders. 1994's "Flava In Ya Ear" and star-studded remix helped make a name for Craig, as well as his label-mate The Notorious B.I.G., and their leader Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. However, Craig's career and Hip-Hop philosophy has... Read more

Ed Gordon Recalls Building Closeness With Tupac After Questioning His “Thug” Life (Video)

Tomorrow (September 13), veteran broadcast journalist Ed Gordon will launch his new, self-titled series for Bounce TV. Throughout the last 30 years, the Detroit, Michigan native has been a pillar of news and information, as a longtime host and correspondent on BET, plus contributor to "60 Minutes," "Today," and other... Read more

Ed Lover’s Tupac Stories Will Make You Cover Your Mouth (Audio)

Contemporary Hip-Hop has a plethora of media personalities presenting, dissecting, and analyzing the music and culture. Names such as Sway Calloway, Charlamagne Tha God, Miss Info, and DJ Vlad come to mind in breaking news, discourse, and reaction to the daily stream of events. These personalities use different media platforms... Read more

This Notorious B.I.G. & Lord Finesse Cypher Will BLOW YOUR MIND (Video)

The Notorious B.I.G. (a/k/a Biggie Smalls) is revered as one of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs. The Brooklyn, New Yorker beautifully inserted wit, wordplay, and lots of self-confidence into his most memorable rhymes. Somebody who started out just a couple years before Biggie was Bronx, New Yorker Lord Finesse. The MC/DJ/producer who... Read more

Gang Starr Hit Yo! MTV Raps Amidst Their 1994 Mass Appeal, With A Freestyle (Video)

Throughout the history of Gang Starr, there were a host of important albums and movements. In the late 1990s, Guru and DJ Premier went gold (with a Top 10) in Moment Of Truth, gathering the award tour of a much-deserved greatest hits look follow-up, Full Clip. A decade prior, it... Read more

This ’90s Hip-Hop Mix Reminds Fans Why They Were Ready to Die for H.E.R. (Mixtape)

In the mid-1990s, Hip-Hop underwent a bit of a transition. Some of the most skilled MCs on the scene (Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Grand Puba, Andre 3000, Scarface, etc.) started trading rowdy, raucous production for the laid-back cuts. Producers like Easy Mo Bee, DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Da Beatminerz,... Read more

Close Out The Nas’ Illmatic Celebrations With DJ Moneyshot’s Amazing Sample-Sourced Mega Mix (Mixtape)

In one week, it'll be May, and much of the April coverage celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of Hip-Hop's hallmarks, Nas' Illmatic, will seem out of vogue, or passé, while other things are highlighted. Before the calendars change, Solid Steel's DJ Moneyshot, who has previously re-considered and extensively examined... Read more

Here’s Footage from 1994 of Nas, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, Premier & Large Professor Discussing Illmatic (Video)

Remember that iconic shot of Nas, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Pete Rock and Large Professor in the studio together? Here's footage from that day, as well as each discussing the making of Illmatic in 1994. Check out these historic visuals as we celebrate today's 20th anniversary of the release of Illmatic.... Read more