jay-z Archives

5 Things That Made Hip-Hop Proud in 2014 (Food For Thought)

Looking at the culture, 2014 had plenty to offer. In addition to the albums, the mixtapes, the songs, and the videos, there was real action. The year, from the Hip-Hop vantage point, brought everlasting history in some areas, and demanded change in others. The culture, the players, and the people... Read more

December 30, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

FOX News Calls Jay Z a Crack Dealer. Jon Stewart Smacks Them Down (Video)

After FOX News' Sean Hannity recently had some inflammatory descriptors for Jay Z in a story, a surprising ally came to his defense. Jon Stewart played clips of FOX coverage referring to Jay as a "drug dealer" and "guy who shot a man," as well as several clips of FOX... Read more

December 19, 2014 Video

LL Cool J Refutes Battling Jay Z, Talks 2 Types Of Album Styles & Some Amazing Rumors (Audio)

The Combat Jack Show has left Hip-Hop journalism better than they found it in 2014. In the closing weeks of the year, the show invited LL Cool J for what immediately feels like one of the finest sit-downs. At nearly two hours, LL turns towards his devout Hip-Hop fans, his... Read more

December 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

M.O.P. Discuss Their History with Jay Z & Dame Dash, Perform Ante Up & More with Sway (Video)

M.O.P. sat down with Sway and had an extended conversation amongst Hip-Hop O.G.'s. They discussed their extensive history, including some real talk about their history with Jay Z and Dame Dash and how they handled the fall out of the Roc-A-Fellas. The Mash Out Posse also spoke about the current... Read more

December 7, 2014 Video

Happy Birthday to Jay Z. Take (Another) Listen to The Brown Album (Audio)

Salute to Jay Z who turned 45 today. To celebrate his birthday, here's a look back at Kev Brown's remix project, The Brown Album. As many know, Jay released the a cappella vocals to The Black Album with the hopes that producers take them and create their own spins on... Read more

December 4, 2014 Audio

DJ Premier Mixes Up A Special Set For Def Jam’s 30th Anniversary (Audio)

In his career, neither DJ Premier nor his group Gang Starr were ever signed to Def Jam Records. However, the HeadQCourterz Studios producer has worked with an arsenal of Def Jam's talent over the years, ranging from Jay Z and Method Man, Ludacris to Kanye West, to Teflon and WC.... Read more

December 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Eminem & DJ Whoo Kid Have Released an Epic 66-Song Mixtape of Shady Classics (Mixtape)

Eminem is pulling out all the stops for the 15th anniversary celebration of Shady Records. In the span of two weeks, he released an instant classic 18-minute cypher featuring himself, Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf, and he's released some absolute killer records. He has an anniversary album coming soon and, as we... Read more

November 22, 2014 Mixes

Rick Ross, Jay Z & Timbaland’s Movin Bass Began As A Tink Song. Hear It (Audio)

Released one week ago, Rick Ross and Jay Z's latest tandem, "Movin' Bass" premiered. This latest collision happened on a jolting Timbaland beat. However, this week suggests that the high-profile union actually began as a beat and song intended for a much lesser-known artist: Tink. Tink is Timbo's latest protege,... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jay Z & Rick Ross Are Out To Move Mountains Over A Bass-Heavy Timbaland Beat (Audio)

In two weeks, Rick Ross will release his second album of the year. November 24's Hood Billionaire promises to finish where Mastermind left off. As has become rather customary on Rawss albums, Jay Z is a guest (though only on the hook). Def Jam's breakout artist of 2006 and (then)... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Who Wants Some Rare Early Cuts From Jay Z, DMX, The Beatnuts & Black Sheep? (Mixtape)

A lot of the would-be Hip-Hop stars of the 1990s put in studio recording work years before their names got hot. Moreover, the artists, their early labels, and teams had to go to risky expense of pressing these moments to wax in hopes of breakin' even, or perhaps giving them... Read more

November 9, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

In the Ultimate Kiss Off to Cristal, Jay Z Now Owns Ace of Spades

In the late 90's, you would be hard-pressed to find a more ardent proponent of high-end Champagne Cristal, than Jay Z. Fast forward to 2006, however, and things took a very negative turn when Frederic Rouzaud, managing director of Louis Roederer, the company that produces Cristal, had some not too... Read more

November 5, 2014 Fresh

Jeezy Brings Out Jay Z for a Charged Performance of Seen it All (Video)

Jeezy performed at this year's Power 105 Powerhouse concert in Brooklyn, and during "Seen It All," brought out fellow collaborator, Jay Z. Check out professional quality footage of Jay's verse below. Related: Jeezy & T.I. Hint That Their Joint Album Is Finally Coming… (Video)... Read more

November 1, 2014 Video

Ja Rule Details Why His Super Group With DMX & JAY-Z Fell Apart (Video)

JUNE 2, 2021 UPDATE: While the original interview has been scrubbed from the Internet, here is a recent discussion of Ja Rule addressing Murder Incorporated: ORIGINAL OCTOBER 19, 2014 STORY: Ja Rule performed during the Def Jam 30th Anniversary celebration at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last week. After, he... Read more

October 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Cozz & J. Cole Say You Can’t Knock Tha Hustle (Audio)

Much as J. Cole's mentor and label head Jay Z said emphatically on 1996's Reasonable Doubt, Cole and his mentee/label signee Cozz join forces to remind Heads you "Can't Knock Tha Hustle" on the remix to Cozz's track. Cole and Cozz unite over a smokey, jazz-flavored beat to speak on... Read more

October 3, 2014 Audio

Nas Opens Up About His Life With Angie Martinez; Says New Music Possible Coming Today (Video)

Nas has always been an open book through his art, narrating not only for himself but for the streets. However, he typically has been a little less forthcoming in interviews. Yesterday, he sat down with Angie Martinez and the two had an intimate conversation amongst friends. Nas opened up about... Read more

October 2, 2014 Video

Dr. Dre Estimated To Have Made More Than Next 24 Wealthiest Hip-Hop Stars, Combined

It's Dre Day, and everybody's celebratin'. Following 2013's announcement that Jay Z and Puff Daddy were the Forbes Cash Kings (top earners) of the year, they can watch the throne now. As anticipated, Dr. Dre assumes the pole position—following a year where Apple bought his Beats By Dre Electronics line... Read more

September 23, 2014 Fresh

DJ Clark Kent Says There Are No Lies On Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt (Video)

After a titillating first chapter, Hip-Hop Wired returns with a second segment of "Off The Record" with DJ Clark Kent. HHW's Aqua Boogie asks Clark about a more obscure cut, in Mad Skillz' (n/k/a Skillz) 1995 single, "Move Ya Body." Interestingly enough, while LL Cool J had hoped to swack... Read more

September 22, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Jay Electronica Says He’s Sitting On Many Albums Worth Of Music, Elaborates On Drug Use (Video)

The always elusive Jay Electronica hit the 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards red carpet leading up to his performance of "Kingdom Remix," alongside Common and Vince Staples. MTV News was able to speak to the Roc Nation artist about the latest developments surrounding his long-awaited Act II: Patents Of Nobility (The Turn)... Read more

September 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big Sources Are Saying That Jay Z & Beyonce Have Collaborative Album Coming

On his new platform, Dash Radio, DJ Skee is doing—rather saying big things. The DJ closely associated with the careers of Game and Freddie Gibbs announced today (September 16) that he has confirmed that husband and wife duo, Jay Z and Beyonce, are at work on an album. Given a... Read more

September 17, 2014 Fresh

DJ Doo Wop Takes Everybody Back To School With Another Great Mix (Audio)

DJ Doo Wop marks the Back to School season with the second installment of his Coolout series. Within, Doo Wop goes free form with the New York City Hip-Hop he helped distribute and bring awareness throughout the '90s and early 2000s. Doo Wop touches a lot of hits from the... Read more

September 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jay Z & Beyonce’s Latest On The Run Trailer Takes A Page From McQueen & MacGraw (Video)

Following their fast-paced heist film-inspired trailer in May, Beyonce & Jay Z's "On The Run" HBO special gets a second trailer, pulling from other types of film. Deliberately off-beat, the first 45 seconds seem to draw from the early days of Hollywood, somewhere alluding to original pin-up starlets like Mae... Read more

September 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big Sean Joins The Roc Nation Family

Wale might be out, but one of his star contemporaries of the 2010s is in. News broke last night (September 11) that Detroit, Michigan MC Big Sean has joined Roc Nation management. Sean, like Roc Nation flagship artist Rihanna, is signed to Def Jam Records, but Sean is inked through... Read more

September 12, 2014 Fresh

Do Remember: Original Flavor & JAY-Z’s Can I Get Open? (Video)

In the story of Roc-A-Fella Records, there is often an under-played element in the story: Ski Beatz. A Greensboro, North Carolina native, Ski (as he was known for more than a decade) hailed from the group Original Flavor. Previously, he was in The Bizzie Boys. Joined by Suave Lover, the... Read more

September 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Here is an Unbelievable Mix of 90’s Hip-Hop Remixes. Press Play and Get Ready (Audio)

SoulBounce's DJ Harvey Dent has put together an incredible mix of 90's Hip-Hop, featuring nothing but remixes. You'll hear music from Method Man & Redman, Common, Pete Rock & CL Smooth,The Fugees, Ice Cube, Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, LL Cool J, House of Pain, Lil Kim, Craig Mack, The Luniz, The... Read more

September 7, 2014 Audio, Throwback

The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Nominees Announced

The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards will air Tuesday, October 14 at 8pm EST. Leading up to the annual affair, the network has announced its categories and nominees. Hip-Hop elite, including Drake (leading all nominees), Kanye West, Eminem, and Jay Z are prominently nominated, while stars of the last year including... Read more

September 4, 2014 Fresh

Beyonce’s Dad Says Jay Z & Solange’s Elevator Fight Was Staged For Sales (Video)

Springtime did not blossom as Jay Z and Beyonce may have planned. On Sunday night (August 24), the Carter couple seemingly laid to rest paparazzi speculation that they, young parents, were in currently facing a divorce. Beyonce closed the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with a jaw-dropping medley, and... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh

Beyonce’s Legacy Just Earned An Exclamation Point At The 2014 VMAs (Video)

Tonight's (August 24) live airing of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards was met with some early, real-time criticism. Audio problems, comedic missteps from presenters, odd red carpet segments, and lackluster performances marred some of the show's social media impact. Then, Lorde won "Best Rock Video" for a song featuring... Read more

August 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

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

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2014 (Audio)

July brought the heat in Hip-Hop, including new music from Jeezy & Jay Z, Black Thought, Raekwon, G-Unit, Rah Digga, Q-Tip, Cormega, Wale, "Your Old Droog," Elzhi, Chubb Rock, KRS-One, Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa, Common, Dilated Peoples, Souls of Mischief, Scarface and more. Check out a playlist of the Best... Read more

August 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Who Has Rap’s Biggest Vocabulary On The Hip-Hop Flow Chart?

Remember the intricate infographic that data scientist and Hip-Hop enthusiast Matt Daniels compiled displaying the artists with the biggest vocabularies in the game? Including the likes of the statistically most lyrical wordsmith, Aesop Rock, as well as the Wu-Tang Clan, Drake, Eminem, and Jay-Z, Daniels broke down over 75 artists'... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

GQ Calls Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy The Best Album Of The 21st Century

GQ recently revealed their 21 best albums of the 21st Century that includes some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B. The man at the top of their list may be no surprise, but the album of choice could be. Selecting Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

Vic Mensa Raps About How He & Chief Keef Are Of The Same Water, Jay Z Meetings In SBTV Freestyle (Video)

After last week's 10-minute freestyle, Vic Mensa keeps things a bit more simple and concentrated for SBTV's Warm Up Sessions. While in the United Kingdom, the Save Money standout uses his cue to rap about Chicago's violent epidemic, and reminds Heads that just 'cause he might not talk about the... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

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

Time Travel To ’96 & See Kanye West Rapping At Fat Beats In New York (Video)

From the under belly of Hip-Hop history rises an unreleased video of a youthful, 19 year old Kanye West rapping at the grand opening of Fat Beats Record shop in New York City back in August of 1996. The video comes just a few months before the release of fellow... Read more

July 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Michael Jordan, Jay Z, Action Bronson, & Billy Crystal Show Respect 2 Derek Jeter (Video)

After 20 seasons in a New York Yankees uniform, the 2014 All-Star break marks the home-stretch for Derek Jeter's career. One of the greatest Yankees, greatest Shortstops, and greatest ball-players to ever lace up, #2 has been in pinstripes since it was a very different New York, and a very... Read more

July 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

This Week in Video Brought Visuals of Jay Z & Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Phonte, Crooked I & More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought lots of variety, ranging from Jay Electronica & Jay Z's first live performance of "We Made It," to a scaled down acoustic set by Phonte and his Foreign Exchange crew. Here's a video playlist of some of the best including a freestyle from Elzhi, Peter... Read more

July 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Here’s the Full Video of Jay Electronica & Jay Z Performing at The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

Some early footage surfaced yesterday of a snippet of Jay Electronica and Jay Z performing together at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Now, here's the full video, which includes Jay Z doing his own version of Big Daddy Kane's "Young, Gifted & Black" as well as the full performance of the... Read more

July 13, 2014 Video

Jay Electronica & Jay Z Perform We Made It Together For the First Time at Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary today in style. In addition to having Raekwon as the headliner, Jay Electronica made a rare appearance, and he brought friends. Mac Miller and J. Cole joined him, and then Jay Z took the stage with Jay E for their first ever... Read more

July 12, 2014 Video

Joe Budden Talks His Battle Rap Past & Preparation For Total Slaughter (Video)

Joe Budden chops it up as part of Life + Times' The Truth series, in his stomping grounds of New Jersey. The artist who began his career as the battle rapper who went on to join Eminem's Shady Records and the Hip-Hop foursome Slaughterhouse discusses his past with battle rap... Read more

July 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay Z & Beyonce Are Superstar Entertainers. See Rehearsals From The On The Run Tour (Video)

From their ongoing On The Run Tour, Jay Z and Beyonce allowed some cameras to capture some exclusive, behind-the-scenes access. See how the longtime collaborators-turned-married power-couple prepares for their arena tour, at a stop in Miami, Florida. In between some chizzled choreography, precise timing, Heads can see some tenderness between... Read more

June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Ep. 3 of The Message Documentary Looks at the Complicated Relationship Between Women & Hip-Hop (Full Video)

Episode 3 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, examines the treatment of women in Hip-Hop, as well as the rise of mega Hip-Hop entrepreneurs. Artists like Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Missy are discussed, as well as Jay Z, Puff Daddy, Wu-Tang Clan and more. Guests include Nas,... Read more

June 25, 2014 Video

Rick Rubin’s 1-Hour Conversation With Zane Lowe Leaves No Question Unanswered (Video)

To some extent, Rick Rubin is something of Hip-Hop's Howard Hughes, and that's not just the beard. The music mogul went from starring (as a hybrid of himself) in Krush Groove to basically shunning press and spotlights throughout the '90s and 2000s. That started to change, especially as far as... Read more

June 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Sadat X Talks Brand Nubian, Biggie, ‘Pac & Jay Z On Juan Epstein (Audio)

Sadat X sits down with Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg to listen to some old Sadat cuts and discuss a wide variety of topics including his influences, early stories surrounding Brand Nubian including his initiation with Grand Puba and Lord Jamar and their subsequent '90s break-up, as well as some... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Jay Z Adds A Soccer-Themed Verse To Remix X Ambassadors & Jamie N Commons’ Hit Jungle (Audio)

Between The Black Album and Kingdom Come, Jay Z picked and chose his spots to keep a reigning lyrical spot in Hip-Hop strong. From addressing the Roc-A-Fella break-up on "Diamonds Are Forever (Remix)" to the illusive, Hip-Hop and relationship-driven "Dear Summer" solo track on Memphis Bleek's 534 LP (which began... Read more

June 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Disclosure Puts a House Spin on Pharrell & Jay Z’s Frontin and It’s a Stone Cold Groove (Audio)

Though 2014 witnessed the death of Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House, the year has produced quite the resurgence in the Chicago-born form of soulful dance music. There have been some stellar releases, including Vic Mensa's Down on My Luck, and now Disclosure return with a deep remix of Pharrell... Read more

June 6, 2014 Audio

Ab-Soul Strips Jay Z Lyrics To Break Down Stigmata (Video)

Ab-Soul, the introspective Carson, California MC, sits down with Jay Z's "Life and Times" to break down the lyrics to his recently released Action Bronson-assisted track, "Stigmata," just days after he dropped the official video. "The Black Lip Pastor" takes this as an opportunity to change up the game and... Read more

June 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Don Cheadle Is Campaigning To Push His Directorial Debut Film “Miles Ahead” (Video)

This summer, Don Cheadle is working on his feature directorial debut with a film about the life and music of Miles Davis entitled, Miles Ahead. "I’ve taken my marching orders from Miles’ mandates," Don explains, referring to “play what’s not there,” and “fear no mistakes. There are none," "and focused... Read more

June 4, 2014 Fresh, Video

Did Drake Just Blow Up Jay Z & Kanye’s Throne? 0 to 100. You Do the Math…(Audio)

Drake just released a new track that is deceptively catchy and lyrical. On first listen to the 2-part song, it's easy to get caught up in the dual personality of the track (a la Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2) and skip over the lyrical content. Upon review, however, what's revealed... Read more

June 2, 2014 Audio

New DJ Quik, Cam’ron, Talib Kweli, ONYX, The Roots…Here’s The Week in Hip-Hop Video (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought new music videos from DJ Quik, The Roots, Cam'ron, Talib Kweli & Raekwon, unbelievable freestyles from Black Thought and Prevail, a stylized faux trailer from Jay Z & Beyonce and more. See it all in the video playlist below. Related: Last Week in Hip-Hop... Read more

May 18, 2014 Playlists, Video

Jay Z And Beyoncé Reinvent ’03 Bonnie & Clyde In A Blockbuster Trailer (Video)

Are you ready for 2014's biggest summer blockbuster never to hit theaters? Guns ablaze, Jay Z and Beyoncé go paper chasing, robbing, and stealing through the Brooklyn city streets in a faux trailer boasting a star studded cast including Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Blake Lively. The video,... Read more

May 18, 2014 Fresh, Video