interview Archives

DJ Quik Discusses His Extensive History, Details Origins Of MC Eiht Beef (Audio)

DJ Quik is on the media circuit once again. David Blake swung through New York City, appearing on Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds' Juan Epstein podcast. Working chronologically (beginning from 28:00), Quik goes from his days of slanging tapes that covered the left side of the Mississippi River, into Quik... Read more

October 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Lil’ Kim Clarifies Biggie Smalls Writing Her Verses, Wants Credit From Beyonce (Video)

With her new mixtape, Hard Core 2K14 starting some talk and grabbing lots of listens, Lil' Kim has plenty to speak about. The highly-acclaimed female MC soloist, the Notorious K.I.M took her saved seat at The Breakfast Club. There, Kim took the hard questions, and handled them all. In the... Read more

September 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nardwuar & Aziz Ansari Talk Master P, Hootie & The Blowfish and Much More (Video)

Nardwuar turned his offbeat interview style and impeccable research on Aziz Ansari. Rather than strictly talk comedy, the two also covered a broad range of musical topics spanning from Master P to Hootie & The Blowfish to Q-Bert and more. Check out the video. Related: Nardwuar vs. ?uestlove (Video)... Read more

September 8, 2014 Video

Childish Gambino Drops a Scorching Freestyle on Hot 97 (Video)

Childish Gambino does not get enough credit as one of the illest lyricists out right now. Whether its the Cypher, on wax or on radio shows, Mr. Glover shreds mics. After shutting down the Internet last year with his Sway in the Morning Pound Cake freestyle, he's back at it.... Read more

September 8, 2014 Video

Remy Ma Fact Checks Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black (Video)

During a recent interview with MTV News, Remy Ma fact checked the Netflix original series Orange is the New Black, which is set in a women's prison. The recently returned MC looked at several clips, breaking down what was real or fake about each. Check out the video. Related: Remy... Read more

September 2, 2014 Video

Talib Kweli BLASTS CNN for Skewed Media Coverage on Ferguson (Video)

Talib Kweli and CNN's Don Lemon got into a very heated exchange on national TV. Kweli expressed a high level of frustration at what he perceives to be skewed coverage by the media of the events in Ferguson, MO, and the "narrative and language of the oppressors taking over." Kweli... Read more

August 21, 2014 Video

Cam’ron Calls New York City “Soft” With Respect to Police Violence (Video)

Cam'ron spoke with Montreality about a litany of matters recently. He answered their standard questions regarding his "first job," "previous life," "realest line he wrote," etc. In between, however, Cam revealed some very personal nuggets. Among them, he discussed the unorthodox way he "obtained" his G.E.D., which was rendered particularly... Read more

August 19, 2014 Video

Remy Ma Reveals Her Post-Prison Plans, Confirms Record With Jadakiss (Video)

Yesterday (August 11), Remy Ma made her first televised appearance since being released from prison earlier this month. The artist formerly known as Remy Martin sat on the "106 & Park" stage opposite one of her loyal supporters in Shad Moss (fka Bow Wow). The former Terror Squad member who... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy (Video)

The Notorious B.I.G.'s seminal single Juicy turned 20 years old last week (8/8). The song would catapult Biggie from an MC who was respected amongst Heads to one of Hip-Hop's biggest stars. To celebrate this landmark in Hip-Hop history, here's an interview of Big from 1994 on Atlanta's 411 Knowledge... Read more

August 10, 2014 Throwback

Who are the Top 5 Rappers of All Time? Raekwon Names His (Video)

There's nothing quite like a conversation at the barber shop. Raekwon sits down with GQ for a little sharp shop talk. He speaks on his new album (Snoop has a verse), the $5MM Wu-Tang Clan album, what the age limit should be for a rapper and more. He also names... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

You Know Snoop’s a Boss When Jimmy Kimmel Guests on GGN (Video)

Jimmy Kimmel can have any guest he wants on his show, but only a Big Boss Dogg like Snoop can get Kimmel to come on to his show. Jimmy joined Snoop on GGN and the 2 chopped it up about Snoop smoking in the White House, Kimmel getting his start... Read more

July 22, 2014 Video

7 Years Ago Today, Blu & Exile Released Below The Heavens & Changed The Game. AFH Celebrates The Back-story & Impact With Exile (Food For Thought Interview)

Seven years ago today, the Hip-Hop faithful was formally introduced to an obscure assemblage of 15 tracks, constructed by an equally arcane Los Angeles rooted duo, Blu & Exile, that over the subsequent years from its unveiling, would prove to be one of the most compelling and dynamic collections of... Read more

July 18, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Jeezy Speaks on His New Album, Jay Z, Freddie Gibbs & More (Video)

Young Jeezy gave an extended interview to Life + Times, as part of Elliott Wilson's The Truth series. Jeezy spoke at length about his upcoming Seen It All album, the deterioration of his relationship with Freddie Gibbs, working with YG and more. He also spoke to MTV about Jay Z... Read more

July 17, 2014 Video

Ja Rule Claims He Beat Down 50 Cent When They Fought Years Ago (Video)

During a recent stop at NYC's Hot 97 in promotion of his new book, "Unruly," Ja Rule spoke about a physical altercation he and 50 Cent had years ago. He claims that, contrary to statements made by 50 Cent at the time, he actually beat 50 down and told him... Read more

July 7, 2014 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Breaks Down Their Film Connections, Early RZA & GZA Singles (Videos)

Nardwuar's infinite pursuit of interviews continues. The Human Serviette catches the Wu-Tang Clan backstage in Vancouver, British Columbia for a Q&A that RZA admits he greatly evaded. Perhaps Heads can see why in the final third of the interview. However, for the first 10 minutes, Nardwuar goes in on Kung-Fu... Read more

July 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big K.R.I.T. Speaks About His Upcoming Album Cadillactica and More (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. ended his Week of KRIT in March, when he dropped 6 new songs in as many days, with an announcement for a new album titled Cadillactica. He recently sat down in Seattle and discussed the album in detail, including the title, the sound, working with other producers and... Read more

July 5, 2014 Video

Questlove & Black Thought Discuss Their Illustrious History & Kick a Freestyle (Video)

Here's an extended interview with The Roots' Questlove & Black Thought. The duo discusses their creative process, performing with Dave Chappelle, fellow music alums from their high school (Bilal, Boyz II Men) and more. They end the session with a freestyle with Thought supplying the off the top rhymes and... Read more

June 28, 2014 Video

Kendrick Lamar Discusses His Growth as an Artist and a Person (Video)

Kendrick Lamar celebrated his 27th birthday last week. As part of a recent interview with Devi Dev, he discussed his growth both as an artist and a person since Hip-Hop took the good kid out of the mad city and into the world. He also discussed the new album, the... Read more

June 23, 2014 Video

Think Kevin Hart is Funny? Ice Cube Doesn’t. Here’s Why (Video)

Last week, both Ice Cube and Kevin Hart made appearances on Conan. While the 2 may not agree on much, they do share 1 belief: Ice Cube does not think Kevin Hart is funny. Here's a look at each breaking down how and why Cube gives Hart the mean face... Read more

June 22, 2014 Video

Dave Chappelle Recalls Being Mistaken As A Member Of The Roots, Prince Laughing At Himself (Video)

Dave Chappelle had two critical media appearances in the past week. At the top of things, the Ohio native appeared on "The Late Show With David Letterman," discussing his absence from the spotlight, and walking away from $50 million from Comedy Central to fulfill a "Chappelle Show" contract. Later appearing... Read more

June 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Can You See Danny Brown in G-Unit? It Almost Happened…(Video)

Danny Brown keeps it as real as it gets in his interviews. His laid-back demeanor and complete "lack of filter" are magnetic and highly-engaging. He sat down for an extended conversation with The Breakfast Club and touched on several things, including being the unofficial "5th member of Black Hippy," choosing... Read more

May 23, 2014 Video

Logic’s Story May Be Even More Compelling Than His Verses. Here’s Why (Video)

Logic has been blistering microphones lately as he makes the rounds in NYC. Many are just starting to understand the talent the MC commands. It turns out, his story is every bit as compelling as his verses. He spoke to Sway about being biracial, growing up in an all Black... Read more

May 22, 2014 Video

50 Cent to Diddy: “Ma$e Ain’t Worth $2MM with $2MM in His Pocket” (Video)

Part 2 of 50 Cent's extended interview with Funkmaster Flex is even more revealing than part 1. 50 touches on several controversial topics, including commentating on the Jay Z/Drake beef, Tony Yayo skipping bail, ghostwriting for LL Cool J and tense business negotiations with Diddy regarding Ma$e. Flex interrupts 50.... Read more

May 3, 2014 Video

Joe Budden Names His Favorite Battle Rappers, Speaks on Upcoming Battle with Hollow Da Don (Audio)

There was a big reaction when Eminem announced he would launch his new battle rap league with Joe Budden facing off against Hollow Da Don. Though he has not battled on stage before, Budden has a longstanding relationship with the art of battle rap, both as a fan and through... Read more

May 2, 2014 Audio

Vic Mensa Kicks the Ill Freestyle with Help From a Human Beat Box (Video)

When's the last time you saw somebody kick a freestyle accompanied by a human beat box? Vic Mensa stopped by Prince Paul's All Purpose Show and, after an insightful interview, dropped some off the top bars with a human beat box version of Biggie's 10 Crack Commandments. Check out the... Read more

May 1, 2014 Video

Danny Brown Gives One of the Realest Interviews Ever on the Perils of Drinking Syrup (Video)

Over the years, syrup (or lean) has been glamorized in Hip-Hop. Danny Brown recently sat down with Tim Westwood and gave one of the realest interviews ever on the negative effects of drinking the concoction. Though he is smiling throughout, the details he gives about the ill effects of the... Read more

April 30, 2014 Video

People Know Pharrell Cried When Talking to Oprah. Here’s Why (Video)

Leave it to Sway to build on an interview done by OPRAH. Watch how he gets Pharrell Williams to open up about why he cried during the Oprah interview, working with the world's biggest artists and more. Check out the video. Here's the Oprah moment: Related: Pharrell Speaks on His... Read more

April 30, 2014 Video

Salute to OutKast for 20 Years of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (Video)

Salute to OutKast on the 20th anniversary of their classic debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Here's a look back at their appearance on Yo! MTV Raps from that storied era. Fab 5 Freddy joins Big Boi, Andre and Organized Noize (the production collective behind the album) in Atlanta at the famed Dungeon studio.... Read more

April 26, 2014 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Speaks on the Status of His New Album & Music From Black Hippy (Video)

MTV caught up with Kendrick Lamar on the red carpet for The Amazing Spider Man 2 premiere. Kendrick spoke on the status of his new album, forthcoming music from Black Hippy and more. Check out the video. Related: SZA Offers Up The Dreamy & Thoughtful Kendrick Lamar-Assisted Babylon (Audio)... Read more

April 25, 2014 Video

RZA Asks Several Fans’ Burning Questions Online

RZA steps into Reddit realm as aunthenticRZA for his first AMA Q&A in which he attempts to get answers to the simple question, "How can someone who is Hip-Hop stop being Hip-Hop?" Redditors, Wu-Tang, and RZA fans alike got rare access to The Abbott and sound off their thoughts on... Read more

April 24, 2014 Fresh

Pharoahe Monch Opens Up About His Darker Side On The Combat Jack Show (Audio)

Queens, New York rapper Pharoahe Monch sits down with Combat Jack and his radio team to discuss a wide variety of topics including his asthma issues, his fascination with "scary, real, horrific," violence, and the truly personal and introspective direction behind his latest project, P.T.S.D. Pharoahe has been in the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

RZA Responds to Raekwon’s Heated Comments with Class & Respect. Get This Knowledge (Video)

Last week, Rolling Stone released an interview with Raekwon where he had some incredibly sharp and heated words toward RZA, including Rae saying he was "on strike" from the Wu. Now, RZA has responded and he does so with class and dignity. This is a lesson in constructiveness from the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Video

Nas Discusses His First Trip to the Studio in 1989 (Video)

Here's a look at a 20-year old Nas (1994) discussing his first trip to the recording studio in 1989, with his pops, Olu Dara. He also speaks on meeting Large Professor and MC Serch, and the impact they had on his career. The celebration of 20 years of Illmatic continues...Check... Read more

April 19, 2014 Throwback

Public Enemy’s Chuck D Discusses Being 1 of the 1st Internet Rap Artists (Video)

Public Enemy are often cited as being lyrical and sonic pioneers. However, their trend-setting career moves are sometimes overlooked. Chuck D speaks to HardKnock TV about the group being one of the first major label Rap acts to go independent and embrace the Internet as the distribution platform of the... Read more

April 19, 2014 Video

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

April 19, 2014 Throwback

Here Are Words From Nas During the Illmatic Era, Raw and Uncut (Video)

Today (4/19) is the 20th anniversary of the release of Nas' Illmatic. As part of our celebration of this landmark date for Hip-Hop, here's an amazing extended look at Nas in the Illmatic era. In this candid interview, young Nas talks about the Hip-Hop legacy of Queensbridge, how he connected... Read more

April 19, 2014 Throwback

Scarface Talks Weight Loss, Depression & Rick Ross Being Underrated With Combat Jack (Audio)

Just like in his raps, Scarface tends to give it to you raw in an interview. The only catch is, you have to catch him first. Not always big (read: trusting) on interviews, the Houston, Texas Hip-Hop legend, and core member of The Geto Boys has never minced his words... Read more

April 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharrell Speaks on His Musical Beginnings, Remaining Humble, Being Called an “Oreo” and More (Video)

Pharrell Williams provided an in-depth interview to CBS and spoke candidly about several issues. He talked about his struggles as a student, his disappointment with his first solo album, being called an "Oreo" when growing up, music transcending race and more. He addresses each question with wisdom, complexity and humility.... Read more

April 13, 2014 Video

Nas Talks 20 Years of Illmatic with Bill Maher (Video)

Nas was a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher and spoke in-depth about the upcoming 20th anniversary of Illmatic. Hip-Hop's ambassador showed incredible humility in discussing one of the greatest albums of all-time. Check out the video. Related: Here’s an Alternate Take of Mobb Deep’s Eye For an Eye... Read more

April 7, 2014 Video

I Used to Love HER…Rick Rubin Speaks on How Hip-Hop Has Changed.

Rick Rubin, along with Russell Simmons, started what is arguably the most important Hip-Hop record label ever created in Def Jam Recordings. So, who better to commentate on the state of the culture today? Rubin gave a rare interview to Vulture and spoke about the early days of Def Jam,... Read more

March 29, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Nas Discusses the 20-Year Impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (Video)

Nas discusses the 20-year impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the world renowned scholar and author of "Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic." Knowledge meets knowledge...Check out the video. Related: If You’ve Never Heard Nas’ 1993 Freestyle On The Stretch & Bobbito Show, You Must (Audio)... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Did You Know Bushwick Bill Was Declared Dead for Nearly 3 Hours When He Shot Himself? (Video)

Bushwick Bill has given Nardwaur one of his most fascinating interviews, ever. Bill gives in-depth details on Rap-A-Lot, MC Lyte and Audio Two, his intro on The Chronic and more. However, one of the most incredible revelations is that when Bill shot himself in 1991, he was pronounced dead for... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Vic Mensa Pulls Off the Craziest Ending Yet to a Nardwaur Interview (Video)

Vic Mensa got the Nardwaur treatment while at SXSW. He spoke about everything from J Dilla to Louis Farrakhan. And, in the end, he put Nardwaur to the ultimate test with a blow up doll...Check out the video. Related: How Does Vic Mensa’s SAVEMONEY Crew Fit Into Chiraq? They Don’t... Read more

March 26, 2014 Video

50 Cent Still Has 1 Artist He Wants to Destroy. Guess Who? (Video)

"When you destroy, destroy completely." --50 Cent quoting the 48 Laws of Power. Few, if any artists, have had more beefs than 50 Cent. Fif recently sat down and explained why he had beef with Styles P, Jadakiss and Fat Joe, and why he has now squashed those disagreements. In... Read more

March 21, 2014 Video

Bun B Interviews Himself and Asks Some Totally Inappropriate Questions (Video)

Mass Appeal has launched a new series called Time Alone where artists interview themselves. First up, is Bun B who WENT IN on himself...He asked himself about how he felt after Pimp C's death, how to save the inner cities of America and why he's such a bad rapper. You... Read more

March 20, 2014 Video

Slaughterhouse Perform an 8-Minute Cypher on Sway in the Morning (Audio)

Slaughterhouse stopped by Sway in the Morning at SXSW and got into a spirited conversation about the importance of knowing and celebrating Hip-Hop history. At the end of the interview, they took it back to the essence, participating in an 8-minute cypher of a capella bars. Check it out. Part... Read more

March 15, 2014 Audio

RIP Nate Dogg. Here’s a Look Back at the Hip-Hop Hook King Discussing His Career (Video)

Rest in peace to Nate Dogg who passed away 3 years ago on 3/19. Here's a rare look at Hip-Hop hook king discussing his career. Check out the video. Related: Snoop Dogg, Warren G & Nate Dogg – It Ain’t No Fun (Original Version) ft Kurupt... Read more

March 14, 2014 Throwback

On the Anniversary of Biggie’s Death, Here’s a Look at His Final Interview with Sway (Video)

March 9th is an ominous date for the Hip-Hop Nation. Today marks the 17th anniversary of Biggie's death. Rather than lament his passing, we will be celebrating his life and legacy, starting with a look back at his final interview with Sway in March of 1997. Big speaks on being... Read more

March 9, 2014 Throwback

Here’s a Rare EPK of Gang Starr From 1990 (Video)

As we continue our celebration of Gang Starr on the 20th anniversary of their landmark Hard to Earn album, here's a look at a vintage EPK of the duo from 1990, the era of Step in the Arena. GURU and DJ Premier discuss the mission of Gang Starr and Step... Read more

March 8, 2014 Throwback

N.W.A.’s DJ Yella Speaks on the Last Time He Saw Eazy-E (Video)

Montreality spoke to N.W.A. OG, DJ Yella, in the latest installment of their in-depth interview series. Yella spoke on many topics, including his current relationship with Dr. Dre, the upcoming N.W.A. movie, becoming a porn producer, the last time he saw Eazy-E and more. Check out the video below. Related:... Read more

March 7, 2014 Throwback