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Blu & Exile Reunite For A Soulful Song About How Hip-Hop Is True & Livin’ (Audio)

After meeting in the early 2000s, Los Angeles, California MC Blu and fellow native producer Exile recorded and released their first studio album in 2007 with the critically acclaimed, Below The Heavens. One album (2012's Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them) and a decade after, Blu... Read more

May 4, 2019 Audio

Fashawn Freestyles A Powerful Message To Young MCs Who Are Acting Reckless

Fresno, California's Fashawn is currently on tour with his Mass Appeal Records label-mates. Approaching the tenth anniversary for his and Exile's stellar Boy Meets World debut, the MC delivers a clean and lyrically exploratory freestyle. Fresh off of his latest Nas collaboration (this month's "Apostles"), Fashawn hits Power 106's L.A. Leakers... Read more

February 14, 2019 Video

Nas Shows Why He May Be The Greatest MC To Own A Record Label

This year, Nas' Mass Appeal Records is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The New York City-based label has put out a steady stream of releases since 2014. Some highlights include Run The Jewels' RTJ2, Dave East's Kairi Chanel, and the posthumous J Dilla LP, The Diary. The imprint has also worked... Read more

February 5, 2019 Audio

Murs Says Hip-Hop Can’t Be Dead If Wu-Tang Is Forever & He’s Still Rapping (Video)

In celebration of his 40th birthday (March 16), Murs drops his latest solo album, A Strange Journey Into The Unimaginable with Strange Music. The project is exclusively produced by longtime Tech N9ne producer Michael "Seven" Summers. Leading up to today, ("Murs 3/16"), the Los Angeles, California veteran MC has leaked... Read more

March 16, 2018 Exclusive, Video

Fashawn Is An Introspective Gangsta Rapper & Demonstrates Both Sides (Video)

Fashawn rose to form through 2009's acclaimed Boy Meets World, produced by Exile. The Fresno, California MC used that album to discuss poverty, rotating father figures, and a deep introspective take on the world around him, through the eyes of his younger self. However, on both his Grizzly City mixtapes... Read more

November 13, 2017 Video

A Near 500-Song Mix Showcases The Magnificent History Of West Coast Hip-Hop (Audio)

West Coast Hip-Hop is incredible. So many of its pioneers are still making albums, doing shows, and adding to their legacy. As a tribute to the Left Coast immense contributions to Hip-Hop, Take It Personal Radio has compiled a four-part episode dedicated to gangsta and underground Rap classics from the... Read more

November 4, 2017 Audio, Mixes

Large Professor Supplies Fashawn With A Vintage Beat & He Skates On It (Video)

Decked out in a red t-shirt supporting one of Mobb Deep's favorite spirits and bandana as a sign of respect to the “late, great Prodigy, The H.N.I.C,” Fashawn takes to Flushing, Queens with a local, Large Professor, in this new eponymous visual. One of XXL magazine’s 2010 Freshmen, Fashawn has... Read more

October 19, 2017 Video

Large Professor Helped Take Nas Over The Top. Now He Tries It With Fashawn (Audio)

In the early 1990s, Large Professor was a master mentor to fellow young MCs. While the Main Source front-man was pivoting to his solo career, he mentored Nas, Akinyele, and Organized Konfusion, among others. Starting with "Live At The Barbeque" in 1991, it was clear by Illmatic that Nas had... Read more

August 9, 2017 Audio

Fashawn’s Mother Amerikkka Shows A Nation Neglecting 1 Of Its Native Sons (Video)

In less than a month, Fashawn will release his Manna EP (August 18). In preparation, the Fresno, California veteran drops a charged video that looks at the flaws of our nation, especially in its treatment of people of color. The MC creates a metaphor where he is a malnourished son,... Read more

July 24, 2017 Video

Nas Still Carries Rhymes In His Pockets. Greatness Is Never Done (Video)

In 2002, Nas released the Alchemist-produced song "Book Of Rhymes." Within, the Queens, New York MC rapped bits and pieces from stored composition books of verses. Whether or not that moment was staged or real, it appears that Nasir Jones still literally carries his rhymes with him. More than 25... Read more

March 27, 2017 Video

Black Thought, Del, Murs & Fashawn Make An All-Star Collabo About The Fight Within (Video)

One of 2016's most exciting collaborations crosses the coastline. The Roots' Black Thought, Hieroglyphics' Del The Funky Homosapien, Felt's Murs, and Fashawn all come together for "Rise Up." The song is for Street Fighter V, the game, but it is by no means a simple marketing ploy. Instead, this visual—which... Read more

February 16, 2016 Video

The Best Freestyles of 2015 Left Heads Spinning and Microphones Smoking (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than watching an MC get on the mic and spit a freestyle. The definition of the word "freestyle" has been fluid over the years. Originally, the term was used to denote any rhyme, written or off the top, that was not about... Read more

December 29, 2015 Video

Celebrate Run The Jewels’ Tour With Music By Big Boi, Fashawn & TV On The Radio (Mixtape)

Run The Jewels are currently ruling the road. The duo of Killer Mike and El-P are taking the stage throughout October with their DJ, Trackstar The DJ, alongside proteges Boots and Cuz Lightyear, as well as Mass Appeal Records label-mates Fashawn. Appearing in Miami, Florida tonight (October 10), R.T.J. and... Read more

October 10, 2015 Mixes

Fashawn Revisits Some ’96 Jay Z for a 5-Minute Freestyle (Audio)

Since releasing his second studio album, The Ecology, last year, Fresno MC Fashawn has continued to grow his fan base, one that has been expanding steadily since he released his 2009 debut Boy Meets World, a collaborative LP with producer Exile. In the years since, his visibility has grown exponentially... Read more

August 27, 2015 Audio

Markis Precise’s Debut Features Elzhi, Fashawn, Brother Ali & Ras Kass (Album Stream)

Fresno, California producer/musician Markis Precise just released his debut album, The Feeling Of Flying. The Ineffable Music Group LP is no compilation, but a carefully-crafted album featuring a cross-section of lyricists including fellow Fresno native Fashawn, as well as Elzhi, Brother Ali, Ras Kass, Murs, Strong Arm Steady, and Oddisee,... Read more

August 7, 2015 Audio

DJ EFN Elevates DJ Albums & David Banner Explains One Potent Verse (Interview)

After 20 years of his life devoted to Hip-Hop music and culture, Miami, Florida-based DJ EFN stepped to the front with Another Time. Self-released, the studio album included more than 30 years of MC greats, spanning all regions, styles, and skill-sets. Scarface, Blu, Royce Da 5'9", Killer Mike, MC Eiht,... Read more

June 2, 2015 Food for Thought

15 Amazing Hip-Hop Albums From 2015, So Far (Video)

2015 is not even at its halfway mark, and already has proven to arguably be even more exciting than last year. Seemingly, we are living in the era of surprise. Drake dropped If You're Reading This It's Too Late on a whim, Kendrick Lamar advanced the release of To Pimp... Read more

June 1, 2015 Food for Thought, Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of May 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of May in Hip-Hop brought the return of some MCs who had been gone for a while and a return to form for some who sought renewed inspiration. There were a slew of 90s freestyles, as well as some previously unreleased tracks that leaked from the vaults. Whatever... Read more

May 31, 2015 Audio

Pharoahe Monch, Murs & Fashawn Assist J57 In Supplying Sample-Free Dope (EP Stream)

After releasing them over the course of the year, Brooklyn, New York-based J57 has culminated his series of official sample-free remixes into one conveniently packaged EP. The producer/MC re-designed four tracks, each with an original arrangement that includes a fresh beat and original vocals in the place of what were... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Busta Rhymes Adds a Bombastic Verse to Fashawn’s Out the Trunk (Audio)

Fashawn has had a banner year. In February, the Fresno, CA MC returned after a nearly 6-year hiatus from solo studio albums to release his first LP as part of Nas' Mass Appeal Records. The Ecology is a diverse offering that ranges from Cali anthems like "Golden State of Mind,"... Read more

May 18, 2015 Audio

Fashawn Takes An Above The Law Classic & Hits Freestyle Switches (Video)

Fashawn stopped by Tim Westwood's crib to freestyle. The mainstay British DJ knew just what to hit Fash' with. Beginning with Above The Law's "Black Superman," the Mass Appeal Records artist gets to work. Finding his own G-Funk lyrics, the Fresno, California MC seems to come off the dome in... Read more

May 9, 2015 Video

Fashawn’s Touching Single Is A Strong Vignette About Young, Black Fatherhood (Video)

Within Fashawn's The Ecology, "Higher" is one of the everlasting gems. Fashawn looks at fathers—as a parent himself, with some profound insights. The song is personal, heartfelt, and touching. To core fans of the Fresno, California MC, the DJ Exile-produced "Higher" is a deep extension of his Boy Meets World... Read more

April 23, 2015 Video

3 of Cali’s Finest: Kurupt, King T & Fashawn Unite, On A K-Def Remix (Audio)

For his Another Time album, Miami, Florida's DJ EFN created a California super collaboration. "Selfish" features King T, Kurupt, and Fashawn—three masters from the last 25 years of Hip-Hop. With a new album fresh in stores, EFN calls upon veteran producer K-Def for the remix. New Jersey's K-Def is a... Read more

March 11, 2015 Audio

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of February 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February had less days, but it was not short on good music. The tight four weeks brought new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, Talib Kweli, Logic, Big K.R.I.T., Slum Village, Rah Digga, Action Bronson, Kanye West, Cannibal Ox, Drake, GZA, Fashawn, Nas,... Read more

March 4, 2015 Audio

Fashawn Adds To A Major Week In His Career With A Dazzling Freestyle (Video)

With The Ecology out, Fashawn may be having the week of his career. The Fresno, California MC hit Statik Selektah's ShowOff Radio show. There, the 100 Proof collaborators linked up to allow Fash' to kick a quite-nice freestyle over beats by Souls Of Mischief and Gang Starr. With wit, impeccable... Read more

February 26, 2015 Video

A Mini-Doc With Nas Behind It Shows Fashawn’s World, From An Addict Mom To Years Of The Grind (Video)

Although it's been available for days for stream, today (February 24) is the true release date for Fashawn's The Ecology. The sophomore studio album finds the MC now backed by Nas (care of Mass Appeal Records), releasing a plethora of visuals, and clearing his samples. As was the case with... Read more

February 24, 2015 Video

Fashawn’s New Album Features Nas, Busta Rhymes & More. Take a Listen (Album Stream)

Five days before release, Fashawn's sophomore solo LP, The Ecology comes to full stream. The Fresno, California MC celebrates his first go-round with Nas' Mass Appeal Records, and updates fans after a near six-year break from solo studio releases. After a Duck Down Music venture with Murs, co-signs from Wiz Khalifa,... Read more

February 20, 2015 Audio

Nas & Fashawn Give Us Something To Believe In With Support From Aloe Blacc (Audio)

When he released his first album, Boy Meets World, Fashawn garnered comparisons to the introspective Nas. When Fash' followed with Ode To Illmatic mixtape, the influence was overt. Last year, Nas signed Fashawn to his Mass Appeal imprint, making the proverbial cypher complete. Clearly, Nas something in Fashawn that he... Read more

February 19, 2015 Audio

Fashawn & Exile Add Busta Rhymes To Their Sound, Getting Trunks To Rattle (Audio)

Between Boy Meets World and The Ecology (February 24), Fashawn experimented with an array of sounds and styles. The Black Bart Simpson came from a place where not just introspective or personal raps were the method. With DJ Exile still right beside him, The Ecology embraces this dichotomy. "Out The... Read more

February 17, 2015 Audio

Follow Fashawn Home To Fresno, California As He Stakes His Claim (Video)

Two Tuesdays away from Fashawn's sophomore studio solo LP, The Ecology (February 24), the Fresno, California MC brings the cameras home. From the streets of the Central Valley, Fash' hops on his skateboard and hits the streets for "Guess Who's Back," showing that he's the same low-profile lyrical visionary from... Read more

February 10, 2015 Video

Fashawn Unleashes A Captivating Ecology Single, With A Release Date Too (Audio)

Over five years removed from Boy Meets World, Fashawn solo product may feel estranged from record store shelves, but the Fresno, California MC has been anything but stagnant. Ranging from charting joint efforts with Murs to two Alchemist-assisted mixtapes, to a host of videos, singles, and Grizzly City projects, Fash'... Read more

January 27, 2015 Audio

Stream and Download More Than 35 of the Best Mixtapes of 2014 (Mixtapes)

2014 was a year of incredibly diverse mixtape offerings. There were amazing blend projects like Yasiin Gaye which combined Mos and Marvin, beat-jacking tapes like Jon Connor's amazing takeover of Kanye West tracks, albums in disguise like Travi$ Scott's Days Before Rodeo, remix wonders like Soul Cookin's complete re-imagination of... Read more

December 29, 2014 Mixes

Fashionably Late Into 2014, Fashawn & Alchemist Give Up Some Goods (FreEP)

Just over one week after Fashawn & Alchemist hinted at their "Dreams," the FASH-ionably Late EP is here. 2014 was a game-changing year for the Fresno, California MC—even if he did not drop an album. Secured at what is now is Mass Appeal Records, Fash' went from making an Ode... Read more

December 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

GOAT: Which One of These MCs Deserves a Shot at Advancing to Round 2?

As we continue 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 in a sequence not... Read more

December 15, 2014 Fresh

Fashawn Finds His Boy Meets World Form Alongside Evidence (Audio)

Now with Nas in the fold, things look especially interesting for Fashawn's studio sophomore LP, The Ecology (February 24). After two tracks have rolled out in the course of the last year and a half, Mass Appeal Records dropped off an ear-grabber in "Dreams." This track, touted to be an... Read more

December 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Murs & Fashawn Beast Up For DJ JS-1, Telling It Like It Is (Audio)

While they've connected in recent years, Murs & Fashawn go back in the bag for the Rocksteady Crew's DJ JS-1. Murs gets back in that Varsity Blues mindstate, chronicling his days selling herb in the gang-infested streets of early 1990s Los Angeles. Fashawn does the same, reviewing how he was... Read more

October 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Choosey & Fashawn Got Mind Over Matter Over A Likewise Beat (Audio)

Exile's camp produces a potent collaboration from Choosey and Fashawn. The two MCs look at some inconsistencies and head scratchers in their lives with a smooth shrug in "Matters." Like (a/k/a Likewise) of Pac Div supplies the quirky beat. This song is one of the many moments from Choosey that... Read more

October 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Boaz Travels The West Coast With Murs, Crooked I & Fashawn To Remix Like This (Audio)

Boaz's !llmind-produced "Like This" is the Pittsburgh MC's door opener to afar. The Rostrum Records artist hits the West Coast for the first remix to find a diverse trio of highly-talented, street-respected MCs in Mid City, Los Angeles' Murs, Fresno's Fashawn, and Long Beach's Crooked I. The three MCs team... Read more

October 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fashawn and Dom Kennedy Deliver Some New G-Funk on Golden State of Mind (Audio)

As if to reinforce DJ Quik's assertion that G-Funk is alive and well, Fashawn and Dom Kennedy stand up and deliver some new age Cali Funk. In a North/South left coast collaboration, the two MCs release "Golden State of Mind." Check it out. Related: Fashawn & Exile Bring Out The... Read more

September 30, 2014 Audio

Fashawn & Exile Bring Out The Boom Bap For C.O.B’s Niqle Nut (Video)

Fresno breakout Fashawn has been getting a little retro lately. The MC links with his longtime producer battery brother Exile for "Niqle Niqle Nine." Not Royce Da 5'9's "nick-name," Niqle is one of several artists in the Circle Of Bosses collective that's closely associated with another Slaughterhouse MC: Crooked I.... Read more

September 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Fashawn & Wrekonize Pay Respects To EPMD’s Headbanger & Lyrically Leave Lumps (Audio)

From Warren G, to Tha Dogg Pound, to Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek, EPMD made records that made MCs feel compelled to cover throughout the ages. Erick Sermon and Parish Smith remain giants in the lyrical and production circles of Hip-Hop. The duo's impact (through on-again, off-again status) is galactic,... Read more

July 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

REWIND: What’s the First Music You Bought with Your Own Money? (Video)

What's the first music you bought with your own money? We asked Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Fashawn, Stic Man, Skillz, Murs and more. Their answers might surprise you...Watch what they had to say and weigh in with what music you first bought. Related:... Read more

April 11, 2014 Video

Fashawn & Exile Make Some Fight Music, For The Bradley Vs. Pacquiao Fight (Audio)

On 2009's Boy Meets World, Fashawn rhymed quite a bit about gettin' picked on in his younger days, over DJ Exile production. As the Fresno, California MC got older and was taken under the wings of older Heads, he started fighting back, and a few harassers got punched in the... Read more

April 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Check Dag Savage’s E&J Album, Which Features Fashawn, Blu, Aloe Blacc & Ras Kass (Album Stream)

Just weeks after their Warning mixtape, Exile & Johaz's Dag Savage unit offers up an early listen to their album, E&J. The duo brought along family including Blu, Fashawn, MED, Aloe Blacc, and Ras Kass for this LP. Which do you prefer between the two? Is Johaz Exile's next great... Read more

February 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Fashawn Unveils The Ecology With The Evidence-Produced Single, The Beginning (Video)

Fresno's Fashawn has let four years slide between Boy Meets World and his studio sophomore album. After dabbling with many styles in between on mixtapes and joints with the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Murs, and Alchemist, Fash comes home to start rolling out The Ecology. Taking its name from the... Read more

November 6, 2013 Fresh, Video

Murs & Fashawn Perform on Standing Room Only (Video & Audio)

Here's something dope for the Murs & Fashawn fans out there. They performed 3 tracks from their ridiculously slept on Lost Generation album with a live band on a new web show called Standing Room Only. You can check out the video for The Other Side and listen to live... Read more

May 14, 2013 Audio, Video

Murs & Fashawn – ’64 Impala (Video)

Here's the latest video from Murs & Fashawn's very slept on This Generation collaboration album. Check out '64 Impala. Related: See why we picked Murs & Fashawn's This Generation as one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.... Read more

February 13, 2013 Video

Fashawn – Champagne & Styrofoam Cups (Mixtape)

Two months after dropping his album with Murs, Fashawn is back with a melodic (some dope 90's R&B samples) and moody mixtape. You can listen to and download all of Champagne & Styrofoam Cups below. Related: Fashawn, Murs & Chris Webby rhyme on the Sway in the Morning Show (Video)... Read more

November 20, 2012 Audio, Mixes

Rah Digga – Never Back Down ft Fashawn & REKS (Original Version)

Rah Digga has been releasing some heat lately. Last week she dropped a track with Nitty Scott, MC called Never Back Down. Here's the original version of the song and it features Fashawn and REKS. Check it out below. Related: Rah Digga – And Another One ft Rapsody (Audio)... Read more

November 20, 2012 Audio

Fashawn, Murs & Chris Webby rhyme on the Sway in the Morning Show (Video)

Fashawn, Murs and Chris Webby stopped by the Sway in the Morning Show and dropped a few verses over some live beats from Ski Beatz. Check out the video. Related: Murs & Fashawn – This Generation (Video)... Read more

October 3, 2012 Video