big pun Archives

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Big Pun vs. RZA…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 16, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a Remix of Big Pun’s Beware by Legendary Producer Domingo (Audio)

Domingo opens up his bountiful vault and releases another Big Pun gem. The remix to "Beware" is from Domingo's Pun EP, Bronx Legends Never Die. Related: Domingo Re-Releases Some Rare Big Pun, Fat Joe, Shaq & Easy Mo Bee (Audio)... Read more

December 29, 2014 Audio

Chris Rivers Samples Nas and Channels Pun on His Latest (Video)

Chris Rivers (formerly Baby Pun) has had a breakout year in 2014. Big Pun's son has shown that the apple did not fall far from the tree with his razor sharp lyrics and eerily similar tone. On "Ain't Hard to Tell," he puts a Nas sample to good use and... Read more

December 7, 2014 Video

Ever Heard Cookin’ Soul’s Big Pun & J. Dilla Mixtape? You Should…(Mixtape)

Big Pun and J. Dilla share status as Hip-Hop icons. The two also have a significant date in common: February 7th is Dilla's birthday and the day Pun passed away. One connection Pun and Dilla did not have was working on a record together. A few years ago, the production... Read more

December 7, 2014 Mixes

M.O.P. & Chris Rivers Remake A Hardcore Big Pun Album Cut (Audio)

Back in 2000, just months after Big Pun's death, his gold-certified sophomore LP, Yeeeah Baby released. Within the LP, there was an album cut, "New York Giants." This track, co-produced by Bronx, New York producer/MC Minnesota (Mos Def, Diamond D, Money Boss Players), featured Pun's Loud Records label-mates, M.O.P. Although... Read more

November 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

In Honor Of Big Pun’s Birthday, His Son Chris Rivers Hops On Super Lyrical (Audio)

Forty three years ago today (November 10), Christopher Rios was born. The Bronx, New York MC perhaps better known as Big Pun shook the world ablaze in the next 29 years. The pinnacle of Pun's career, according to many Heads, is his solo debut, 1998's Capital Punishment. The platinum Terror... Read more

November 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ever See This Cypher with Big Pun, DMX, Mos Def, Canibus, John Forte & Mic Geronimo? (Video)

Some moments are worth re-living...Like this cypher between Big Pun, DMX, Mos Def, Canibus, John Forte and Mic Geronimo. Back in the day, the 6 skilled MCs were at a table sharing a true Hip-Hop moment and decided to have a friendly cypher. Onlookers included Toure, Irv Gotti and others... Read more

October 25, 2014 Throwback

G.O.O.D Music’s Hudson Mohawke Lays Down A Mix Featuring Madlib, Rah Digga & D.I.T.C (Audio)

Hudson Mohawke is one of the plethora of artists in the G.O.O.D Music ensemble. Heads who like "Mercy" and "Blood On The Leaves" are familiar with his handiwork within the fold of hits, however the Glasgow, Scotland producer/DJ has a decade of work in the game, with ties to (other)... Read more

September 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

50 Cent Taught Everybody How To Rob MCs 15 Years Ago This Week

Months after 50 Cent survived getting shot nine times in his own front yard, the Southside, Queens rapper released one of the decades most memorable diss tracks with the Trackmasters-produced cut, "How To Rob." Fif released the single 15 years ago yesterday (August 10). The jux-meets-jokes record, which was featured most... Read more

August 11, 2014 Throwback

After A Plethora Of Recent Standout Appearances, Chris “Baby Pun” Rivers Offers Up Wonderland Of Misery 2 (Mixtape)

Although Chris Rivers has yet to release a studio album, the Bronx, New Yorker is already part of arguably the best father/son battery in Hip-Hop history. While any offspring of the legendary Big Pun could seemingly be poised for such an honorable recognition, Chris has earned his stars and bars... Read more

June 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Watch Big L & Big Pun in a Never Before Released Cypher (Video)

Yesterday (5/30) would have been Big L's 40th birthday. To celebrate the fallen MC's life and legacy, Complex premiered never before released footage of Big L in the studio dropping a verse AND a previously unreleased cypher that included L, Charlie Hustle and Big Pun. Check out both videos below.... Read more

May 31, 2014 Throwback

KRS-One Returns Alongside Domingo, Chris Rivers, Bamboo & R.A. The Rugged Man (Audio)

From the raw streets of East New York, Domingo is a veteran producer known for sharing an updated boom-bap sound with the likes of KRS-One, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, and Canibus. A frequent worker on major label and independent LPs, Domingo has also released an assortment of his own... Read more

May 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Want To See The Roots Of Big Pun? Check Out This Slept-On Documentary Featuring DMX & Redman (Video)

Because his time in the spotlight was so brief, there's often times a lot left out in the representation of Big Pun in the mainstream media. He's a Bronx, New Yorker, a protege of Fat Joe, who is the first Latin solo Hip-Hop artist to go platinum, and his Capital... Read more

February 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

RIP Big Pun. Here’s Mister Cee’s 2014 Tribute Mix (Audio)

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the day Big Pun passed away. Here's a new tribute mix celebrating the life and legacy of the big man, courtesy of Mister Cee. Check out the stream and download below. Related: Here’s a Rare Demo Version of Big Pun’s Still Not a Player... Read more

February 7, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Terror Squad’s Armageddon Is Coming Back Strong, With A Biographical Album (Video)

One of the more under-told stories in Hip-Hop is The Terror Squad. A big part of that is the tragic death of Big Pun, 14 years ago, next month. In Pun's absence, lineup changes and power-struggles have greatly affected the group which was once revered as a top crew out... Read more

January 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Rare Demo Version of Big Pun’s Still Not a Player Featuring Cuban Link (Audio)

Before Big Pun recorded his classic with Joe on the hook, he and Cuban Link laid down a reference track in the studio mapping out how the song was going to go. It features Pun riffing the hook and the 2 trading playful freestyle verses over those oh so familiar... Read more

December 8, 2013 Audio, Throwback

Kool G Rap Discusses Nas, Big Pun and His Top 10 MCs (Video)

When one of the most highly-regarded MCs of all-time discusses his top 10 MCs, the world listens. Kool G. Rap sat down on the Juan Epstein Show and discussed his first meetings with Nas and Big Pun, as well as his top 10 MCs of all time. Surprisingly, Biggie and... Read more

November 2, 2013 Video

Raekwon Discusses Participating on Fat Joe’s John Blaze Track (Video)

When Fat Joe released John Blaze back in 1998, it instantly became one of the best posse cuts of all-time (back when posse cuts mattered). The track also featured Raekwon, Big Pun, Jadakiss and Nas, and each stepped his game up to a different level. Here's a video of Raekwon... Read more

June 1, 2013 Video

The Beatnuts & Big Pun Perform Off The Books in 1997 (Video)

Here's another unbelievable gem from the vault of Tony Touch as part of his #50daysto50MCs series. This episode is a video of The Beatnuts and Big Pun performing Off the Books at the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Rocksteady Crew back in 1997. It also features some footage of the... Read more

May 24, 2013 Throwback

Big Pun’s Capital Punishment Album Turns 15 Years Old (Video)

Today is the 15th anniversary of the release of Big Pun's classic Capital Punishment album. Here's a piece MTV did in August of 1998 just after the album went platinum. Sadly, it foreshadowed what was to come for Pun. Check out the video. Related: Peter Rosenberg – #DillaPun Mix (Audio)... Read more

April 28, 2013 Video

Peter Rosenberg – #DillaPun Mix

Since yesterday marked the anniversary of both J Dilla's birthday and Big Pun's passing, Peter Rosenberg celebrated both legends with a mix dedicated to their music. You can listen to and download the #DillaPun mix below. Related: Big Dilla (Big Pun and J Dilla Tribute Mixtape)... Read more

February 8, 2013 Audio

Mister Cee – Big Pun Tribute Mix

Today is the 13th anniversary of Big Pun's untimely passing. As has become tradition, Mister Cee did a mix celebrating Pun's life and music. You can listen to and download the mix below. Related: Mister Cee's 2012 Big Pun Tribute Mix (Audio)... Read more

February 7, 2013 Audio

Happy Birthday Big Pun

Salute to Big Pun who would have turned 41 today. Below is the tribute mix Mister Cee did earlier in the year to celebrate the life of the big man. Related: A look at the legacy of Loud Records... Read more

November 9, 2012 Audio

J Dilla Tributes – Donuts (as performed by the Stray Phrases jazz band) + J Dilla Playlist + Big Dilla Mixtape ft Big Pun over J Dilla Beats

And, let's not forget that today was also J Dilla's birthday. Here's a triple tribute to one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time. Below you'll find an incredible live jazz band version of Donuts, our playlist of J Dilla produced tracks and a link to a project featuring... Read more

February 7, 2012 Audio, Mixes, Playlists

Big Pun – Mister Cee’s Tribute Mix (Mixtape)

Today marks the 12th anniversary of Big Pun's untimely passing. To celebrate his LIFE, Mister Cee put together this tribute mix. Listen to it and download it below.... Read more

February 7, 2012 Audio, Mixes

The 19th most important hip-hop record label of all time is…

#19 Loud Records Steve Rifkin may not be a household name like Suge Knight, Sean "Puffy" Combs or Baby aka The Birdman, but his impact on hip-hop is enduring just the same. In the 90's, his Loud Records put out some of the grimiest hip-hop that had ever been heard.... Read more

November 23, 2011 Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Here are The 50 Best Radio Freestyles, according to Complex. They discuss each freestyle AND provide audio for each one. It includes freestyles from Tribe, Wu, Snoop, Kanye, Common, Biggie, Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z and many, many more. It’s unbelievable. Just classic.

Complex has been doing a "best of" series for a while but THIS ONE is the best yet. They recently compiled The 50 Best Radio Freestyles and each entry is accompanied by the audio. This compilation would have been worth it for the legendary Common/Kanye battle, alone. The fact that... Read more

October 7, 2011 Audio, Food for Thought

Here is a mix of the most underrated MCs of all time, according to YOU. You’ll find music from Black Thought, Phonte, Lauryn Hill, J-Live, Big Daddy Kane, Pharoahe Monch, Ras Kass, Big Pun, AZ, Devin the Dude, Big L, MF Doom, Guru, Blu, Kool G. Rap, Elzhi, Jean Grae, Ghostface Killah, Mos Def, Redman, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, Common and more.

We asked. You answered. Check it out.... Read more

July 30, 2011 Audio

Jay-Z has helped put on a LOT of producers. Very few can say they helped put him on. Ski Beatz is one of them…

The latest installment of our Producer Series is dedicated to the music of the legendary Ski Beatz. If you like Reasonable Doubt-era Jay-Z and Curren$y's Pilot Talk series, this one is for you. Ski Beatz was one of the primary sonic architects of all those projects. He also did one... Read more

June 3, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Need more basketball in your life? Check out Soul in the Hole a 90’s documentary on New York street ball. The soundtrack that accompanied it was a classic filled with some of the greatest names in hip-hop: Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian, Mobb Deep, O.C., Common, M.O.P., Big Pun, Organized Konfusion…Check out the full movie and a playlist from the soundtrack below.

Click here to watch the trailer. Here's the movie: And, here's the playlist from the soundtrack:... Read more

March 27, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Let's Go!!! – Playlist

Old school hip-hop playlist guaranteed to get you hyped. Tracklist below. Click here to play. Notorious B.I.G. – Who Shot Ya? Jay-Z – Rock Star Lil Cease ft. Lil Kim and Puff Daddy – Play Around Big Pun – Glamour Life Mase ft. Puff Daddy – Can’t Nobody Hold Me... Read more

June 12, 2010 Audio, Playlists, Video