It's been pretty well-documented that Oprah has had her issue with hip-hop, primarily regarding lyrics she believes to be detrimental to the community. It makes sense then that if she were to do a show about hip-hop, it would be one that was designed to inspire and uplift. Thus, the... Read more
This one is more high art from Kanye. The execution of Nicki Minaj's verse is very dope. This is clearly a work in progress, but you get the picture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WL-J0uo7_Y&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Why is it not a surprise that Jay-Z is all over this one? Jay-Z has been talking about Dead Presidents ever since Reasonable Doubt in 1996 and his relentless pursuit of C.R.E.A.M. has been documented thoroughly on every album. In 2010, he was associated with some major firsts for hip-hop... Read more
These are courtesy of The Rub, one of the dopest DJ collectives around. For 1979-1980, click here. For 1981-1990, click here. For 1991-2000, click here. For 2001-2009, click here.... Read more
This one is a bit of a contradiction. The incredible underground releases this year certainly contributed to the musical strength of the year overall, but underground rap is consistently pretty strong. It's the hits that are more unpredictable. That's confirmed just by looking at Soundscan sales info. This year will... Read more
Oh, and The Brothers Johnson, Dorrough, N.W.A., David Banner, The Ramones, Missy, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and The Doors also jumped on the track. Confused? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMM7tGV9MI&feature=related This is one song from a mix called All Day from Girl Talk. Click here to download the whole mix. ... Read more
Certainly, his potential and talent still would have been present, but there's a big question mark as to whether the public would have given him a second chance or whether the good fellas at Roc-A-Fella would have invested the money to make another "album." Reasonable Doubt the "mixtape" would have... Read more
The intro is crazy long but it's worth the wait: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3m1BZYfQ3o Click here to download. Here's the classic Beatles track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwS_YDzxH3M ... Read more
Props to NahRight.com for the scoop. If you missed The Joy, do yourself a BIG favor and cop it right now here. It's arguably the best of the G.O.O.D. Friday releases. 13 Makings of You by letskeepgoing Click here to download. As dope as Pete Rock's production is, this track... Read more
The mighty Pete Rock talks about working with Kanye on The Joy (arguably the best of the G.O.O.D. Friday gifts). He also reveals that the track will be included on the upcoming Kanye and Jay-Z album called Watch the Throne which is rumored to be dropping this year (good G*d... Read more
This one is not as strong as anything on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (or even G.O.O.D. Friday for that matter) but it's worth a listen. It also features Elly Jackson of La Roux. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVN8WwrSIxI Click here to download.... Read more
The video is the latest episode of Bloomberg's Game Changers series which has featured people like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Sergey Brin (the founders of Google) and Steve Jobs. It tells the story of Jay-Z's rise from the corner to the corner office. Click here to see the video.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGUQk_lZiU Click here to download. And here's another new Jay Electronica joint called The Announcement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfEgoBFGGLg Click here to download.... Read more
I think its time we remember the old school heads who if they could get their sh*t together would still rule the hip hop world. I think we have all forgotten how special DMX was. Let this freestyle remind us: Also, watch how he murders the greatest rapper of all-time,... Read more
Pound for pound I'm the best to ever come around here Excluding nobody Look what i embody The soul of a hustler I really ran the street A CEO's mind That marketing plan was me --Jay-Z - What More Can I Say JAY-Z AND BING CHANGE THE GAME WITH DECODED... Read more
The answer is clearly Jay-Z, but it's closer than you might think. Take a listen: Diggy Simmons - As I Am http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt6wiO3M-HA J. Cole - Dead Presidents II (click here for his original version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNlkVXGAoIU Jay-Z - Dead Presidents (original version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC0_rcoX9XE Jay-Z - Dead Presidents (album version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYIsa_u_C-s Lonnie... Read more
Ambrosia for heads has been keeping tabs on the recent musical influences of hip-hop's biggest stars. Over the next few weeks, we will showcase what is moving those driving hip-hop music. As with many cultural movements, those driving the culture often look to outside influences for their inspiration. Hip-hop is... Read more
At this rate, is Kanye going to have anything left for the album? Word on the street is these are just the outtakes. The best is yet to come... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5FLvOLL_aQ Click here to download.... Read more
This one is visually reminiscent of On to the Next One but the comparisons stop there...unless you think the dope rap/rock collabo also reminds you of this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5UaQCQoOwc&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Decoded was initially written as an in-depth biography but the word is when it was done it was a little too personal for Hov. So, instead, he opted to release Decoded which is still biographical but more indirectly, as it tells his story in large part by breaking down lyrics... Read more
Here's the full interview between hip-hop's richest entertainer and Warren Buffet, one of the wealthiest people in the world. Click here to read the article.... Read more
The collaboration between Rick Ross and Jay-Z titled Free Mason has set the hip-hop world on fire over the last couple of weeks. This has primarily been because the song is straight heat, but obviously their tackling of the Freemason subject matter has also provoked interest due to allegations of... Read more
The first time I saw Kanye West perform in person was when Talib Kweli brought him onstage in 2003. Kanye did not have an album yet but was making a name for himself as a producer. He wanted to be an MC but the gents at Roc-A-Fella thought he was... Read more
Jay's verse may be his best feature since Diamonds from Sierra Leone (yeah, I said it). Teflon Don drops on Tues, 7/20. About 10 songs have leaked from the project and at least 7 have been fire. If you've enjoyed the songs, pick up the album. Art is not free...Props... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLuJYgbw7c&feature=player_embedded#! You may recognize the Quincy Jones track as sampled in this classic Pharcyde joint. Sit back, relax, exhale and be glad the free agency madness is over. Long live the King...The King is dead....Click here to download the track.... Read more
When 1 of the greatest DJs ever links with 1 of the best mixtape DJs ever, you know it's going to be fresh. The tracklist below speaks for itself. Click here to download. 1. Summertime Intro 2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version) 3. Kool & The Gang:... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV1czq6MQVI Really feeling this right now. Definitely a party starter and could end up being the Summer anthem. Diddy still has that ear for ill hip-hop…... Read more
Think of this as hip-hop for chilling, sitting back and relaxing or just marinating. It’s hip-hop for a rainy day. Just hit play, sit back and let it ride. Tracklist is below. Kick it to the Beat – J-Live The Lights – Nicolay & Kay Do You Think About Me... Read more
This Jay-Z documentary is a couple years old, but it remains one of the 2 best ever produced on him (the other being Fade to Black). See a whole different side of Jay as he headlines the Glastonbury festival in the U.K. The life and times of Shawn Carter,... Read more
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
Does anyone else miss Kanye West? I was at the 2009 VMAs where the infamous Taylor Swift bumrush occurred and I still don't get the backlash against Kanye West. Yes, he rushed the stage and yes, Taylor Swift was America's sweetheart, but so what? He had done this so many times... Read more