kendrick lamar Archives

Nas Hops On ScHoolboy Q’s Studio & Gives Fans The Latest News (Audio)

The members of Black Hippy look up to Nas something fierce. All four members of the California collective have said as much over the last five years. With this in mind, Nasir pops onto the official "G Mix," or official Top Dawg Enterainment remix of ScHoolboy Q's "Studio," which also... Read more

September 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

Kendrick Lamar Joins Jeezy’s Holy Ghost For A Power-Packed Remix (Audio)

Yesterday (September 2) Jeezy released his Seen It All: The Autobiography album. One of the standouts from the Def Jam/CTE Records release is "Holy Ghost." With a cold Trap beat from Don Cannon, Jeezy immortalizes his Rolls Royce, while speaking to some of his cohorts who caught cases. Keeping the... Read more

September 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar & Flying Lotus Cannot Be Caught Creatively (Audio)

It's been widely reported that Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus are hard at work. For each Southern California artist's respective projects, the two prodigies are collaborating and finding a pocket that's allegedly led to more than just casual "one-off's." While the two are believed to have dabbled before, this is... Read more

September 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock On Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city Follow-Up? Yep

Pete Rock is an esteemed source of inspiration within Black Hippy. After all, Ab-Soul (who worked on 80 Blocks From Tiffany's) has a tattoo of the Mount Vernon, New York artist known for making some seminal 1990s songs alongside then-partner CL Smooth. However, Kendrick Lamar is also up on things.... Read more

August 12, 2014 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

West Coast Hip-Hop and R&B Has Never Been Stronger. Take a Listen (Audio)

The West Coast established itself as a Hip-Hop powerhouse in the late 80's and early 90's. Artists like Ice-T, N.W.A., DJ Quik, Too Short, Spice 1, Snoop and more were household names, nationwide. That presence has never faded but in the last few years there has been a Cali Renaissance... Read more

August 9, 2014 Audio

Celebrate the Genius of No ID With This 52-Song Mix (Audio)

"Yes yes, y'all, and you don't stop." Ever since the beat dropped after those words were uttered by Common (Sense) on "I Used to Love H.E.R.," No ID has been establishing himself as one of Hip-Hop's all-time great producers, one song at a time. Fakeshore Drive and The Smoking Section... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio

Kendrick Lamar To Debut m.A.A.d. Film At Sundance’s New Film Festival

Almost as quickly as Kendrick Lamar's good kid m.A.A.d. city swept the nation in 2012, the rumor mill was spinning with fervor as talks swirled about an accompanying film with the album, supposedly directed by former Transformers star, Shia LaBeouf. The rumors of Shia LaBeouf's handiwork with the Top Dawg... Read more

July 31, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Plays With His Vocals Guesting On Jasmine V’s New Single (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar continues to help R&B singers reach new crowds. This time, he joins Jasmine V (a/k/a Jasmine Villegas) on "That's Me Right There," a song that walks the line between reminding Heads to consider the other person's feelings, and just a track about showing out for originality. K-Dot comes... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar’s Complex Cover Story Breaks Down What A Guest Verse Will Cost Ya

To coincide with their new relaunch, Complex.com shared its August/September cover story, with Kendrick Lamar. The event follows a Monday morning that perhaps featured some GQ competition with a Kanye West cover story. Both efforts, with arguably two of the current Kings in Hip-Hop (in very different ways, with differing... Read more

July 21, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Attempts To Karaoke Eminem, Jay Z & 50 Cent on XXL (Video)

For those of us who have had those moments after a cocktail or two in which we've gotten the gusto to step up to an empty microphone in front of a cohort of friends and other intoxicated strangers to belt out our favorite tune, this is for you. Despite the... Read more

July 3, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in June 2014 (Audio Playlist)

June brought some of the best Hip-Hop of the year, so far. We got new music from G-Unit, Common, Marsha Ambrosius & Dr. Dre, Ab-Soul & Kendrick Lamar, Souls of Mischief, Cormega, Mac Miller & Pete Rock, Black Thought, The Lox, Buckshot, Yasiin Bey & Mannie Fresh, Black Milk, Ice... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh, Playlists

After Many TDE Album Appearances, Label President Punch Makes A Solo Song (Audio)

When ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad are making big moves, Heads don't have to look too far to find Punch. Top Dawg Entertainment's President, and right-hand to Top Dawg himself, Punch has over a decade of experience in the game, understanding the business, the politics, and in large... Read more

June 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here is One of the Best Articles on Kendrick Lamar Ever Written. Guaranteed.

There have been thousands of articles written about Kendrick Lamar; maybe tens of thousands. This comprehensive piece by the New York Times' Lizzy Goodman is hands down one of the best you will ever read, if not the best. Goodman was granted unprecedented access to Kendrick over several months and... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh

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

Kendrick Lamar Delivers One of His Most Aggressive Verses Since Control (Audio)

Since Summer of 2012, Hip-Hop has been knocked off of its axis from two potent MCs. Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul have been at the forefront of injecting thoughtful, researched, culturally-relevant lyrics back into the mainstream conversation, and each has the bravado and self-confidence akin to Rap's brightest moments in history.... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

What’s the Biggest Way the Internet Has Changed Hip-Hop? (Video)

The final installment of BET's 4-part Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, discusses how the digital revolution transformed Hip-Hop. Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, Mac Miller and many of the Internet's biggest benefactors discuss its impact on their careers and the culture, generally. The episode also features Nas, Wyclef,... Read more

June 23, 2014 Video

Kendrick Lamar’s Versatility Continues To Expand, Appearing Alongside Lil Wayne & Future On A Mike WiLL Made It Beat (Audio)

Heads may forget, but one of Kendrick Lamar's breakthrough performances was all the way back in 2009, alongside Black Hippy cohort/mentor Jay Rock, and Lil Wayne on "Colors." Five years later, and the self-proclaimed "The Best Rapper Alive" on that cut may be feeling some pressure from his Compton cohort... Read more

June 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Episode 1 of The Message Documentary Speaks on Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., LL Coo J & Much More (Full Video)

Episode 1 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, covers roughly the first decade of Hip-Hop. It addresses pioneers like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., Cold Crush Brothers and more. It also features several luminaries including Doug E Fresh, Fab 5 Freddy, Ice Cube, DJ Premier,... Read more

June 11, 2014 Throwback

Kendrick Lamar Confirms New Album; Talks Investment Strategies (Video)

Kendrick Lamar spoke with Revolt about a number of topics, including his new album (Dre is working on it), comments about him from Troy Ave and Lupe Fiasco, the good Dr. Dre's Apple/Beats transaction and more. In one of the most interesting exchanges, he discusses his investment strategies as he... Read more

June 10, 2014 Video

Reek Da Villain, Kendrick Lamar & Ace Hood “Go Off” Over Swizz Beats Production (Video)

Reek Da Villain , apprentice to fellow New York artist Busta Rhymes, Kendrick Lamar and Ace Hood "Go Off" with bars filled with more than enough Hip-Hop braggadocio to take over the world "from the South, to the West, to the East, to the North" over classic Boom-Bap production from... Read more

June 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

King Los Won’t Back Off The Mic On 106 & Park’s “The Backroom” (Video)

Former Bad Boy Records affiliate King Los takes a break from Kid Ink's "My Own Lane Tour" to stop by BET's The Backroom and goes on a lyrical tirade for the 106 & Park freestyle series. The talents of the Baltimore wordsmith were recently given high praise by Lupe Fiasco... Read more

June 5, 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

Nas, RZA & More Discuss The Earliest Days of Hip-Hop in The Message Hip-Hop Documentary (Video)

BET's 4-part Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, premieres tonight at 10pm. Part 1 focuses on the early days of Hip-Hop and features Doug E Fresh, Fab 5 Freddy, Ice Cube, DJ Premier, Grand Wizard Theodore, Nas, MC Lyte, Questlove, Russell Simmons, Snoop, RZA, Sway, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, Eve, Swizz Beatz... Read more

June 4, 2014 Throwback

The Message: The Complete Story of the Evolution of Hip-Hop (Video)

Next week (6/4 at 10pm EST), BET is premiering part 1 of a 4 part documentary on the evolution of Hip-Hop. The film will cover all 40+ years of the Hip-Hop era and will examine how it spread across the country, region-by-region. Participants include Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Kendrick... Read more

May 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Video

Kendrick Lamar Resurfaces for a Performance of Babylon with SZA (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been quiet lately. The TDE MC who largely owned 2013 has been holed up in the lab preparing to control 2014...He recently resurfaced, however, in support of his TDE label mate, SZA. Check out the video of their performance of Babylon from her album. Related: SZA Makes... Read more

May 29, 2014 Throwback

Stream Terrace Martin’s New LP ft Snoop, Kendrick Lamar & More (Audio)

Terrace Martin has released 3ChordFold Pulse, which features new material from Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Robert Glasper and more. This project showcases Martin's jazz chops even more than the incredibly soulful original 3ChordFold project. Check out the full stream below.... Read more

May 20, 2014 Audio

Jay Z, ScHoolboy Q, Drake & Eve Among 2014 BET Awards Nominees

The 2014 BET Awards are scheduled to air live from Los Angeles, California's Nokia Theatre on Sunday, June 29. Six weeks ahead, the network has shared its nominees in the respective categories, including Hip-Hop nods to Jay Z, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Future, Eve, Nicki Minaj, and... Read more

May 14, 2014 Fresh

The Week in Hip-Hop Video Featured Scarface, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, The Roots & More (Video Playlist)

The past week in Hip-Hop video featured Scarface discussing how he avoided having a massive heart attack, Kendrick Lamar performing California Love, Danny Brown speaking about the disturbing side effects of sipping lean, new music videos from The Roots, Styles P, J. Cole, and much more. Check out the video... Read more

May 3, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Kendrick Lamar Covers 2Pac and Rocks It. THIS IS CALIFORNIA LOVE (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been consistent in his praise for 2Pac as one of his favorite artists. At the iHeartRadio Awards, he paid homage to Pac and Dr. Dre with a rousing rendition of California Love (and some m.A.A.d. City), backed by a live band. This is the ultimate symbol that... Read more

May 1, 2014 Video

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

The Week in Video Featured 50 Cent Detailing Why G-Unit Split, Drake Being Fake, Illmatic Celebrations & More (Video)

The week in video featured 50 Cent calling out members of G-Unit by name and explaining the demise of the crew, Drake in disguise on the street clowning himself, Jhene Aiko living out the ultimate revenge fantasy against a cheating ex, an Illmatic documentary featuring Nas and Kendrick Lamar, killer... Read more

April 18, 2014 Playlists, Video

Suge Knight Expands on Why He Believes Game & Kendrick Lamar Have “Slave” Record Deals (Video)

In February, Suge Knight started a controversy by saying artists like Game and Kendrick Lamar were "slaves" to their record companies. Now, he expands on those comments, explaining his aim was not to disrespect those artists but to call out their record company, specifically Interscope and Jimmy Iovine. Of course,... Read more

April 16, 2014 Video

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

Here’s an Amazing Mini-Documentary on Illmatic, Featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne & More (Video)

There have been several amazing pieces of content surrounding the 20th anniversary of Illmatic. This is one of the best of them. Google Play has put together a mini-documentary about Nas and his magnum opus, featuring insightful commentary from Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Peter Rosenberg, among... Read more

April 10, 2014 Video

SZA Offers Up The Dreamy & Thoughtful Kendrick Lamar-Assisted Babylon (Audio)

In less than 12 hours, (the opening ticks of April 8th), TDE's songstress SZA will deliver her Z EP. With a nice sampling already in the marketplace, fans were treated to "Babylon" today. The track features star label-mate Kendrick Lamar with some incredibly dense, personal-feeling rhymes, while SZA's cloudy vocals... Read more

April 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in March 2014 (Audio)

As we ease our way into April, here's a playlist of the best Hip-Hop to drop in March. You'll hear new music from Jay Z, Jay Electronica, Wu-Tang Clan, Crooked I, The Lox, Mobb Deep, Jon Connor, Devin the Dude, Big K.R.I.T., Nitty Scott, MC, Kendrick Lamar, YG, 50 Cent,... Read more

April 6, 2014 Audio, Playlists

Kendrick Spazzes Out With Alicia Keys On The Pharrell-Produced New Spiderman Anthem (Audio)

Many times, rapping (even incredibly dope, innovative, skillful rapping) comes after the chorus, tucked away in the song when it comes to mainstream R&B/Pop/Hip-Hop blends. This is not at all the case with the single from The Amazing Spiderman 2 film. Kendrick Lamar goes in to the nucleus to kick... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

King T Says That He Was Originally Supposed To Be On Kendrick Lamar’s Compton

2012's good kid, m.A.A.d city major label debut from Kendrick Lamar featured more than one Compton legend. Dr. Dre, whose Aftermath Entertainment co-released the album, appeared on "Compton," while MC Eiht provided chilly vocals to one of the LP's two title tracks. A new interview with DJ EFN's Crazy Hood... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

If You Aren’t Up On YG, This Kendrick Lamar-Assisted Track Will Put Your Attention In A Chokehold (Audio)

Although he's still a relatively new face in Hip-Hop, Kendrick Lamar has fast found the ability to knight other artists into the spotlight. While K.Dot has many pockets of fans, some Heads gravitate towards the Compton MC for his unpredictable flows, honesty, and eloquent wordplay that align him with the... Read more

March 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar & Tame Impala Refuse to Go Backwards (Audio)

After an amazing pairing with Imagine Dragons at The Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar teams with rock band, Tame Impala, and the results are similarly intense. Check out Backwards below. Related: Kendrick Lamar Steals The Show At The Grammys. Who Needs An Award? (Video)... Read more

March 7, 2014 Audio

Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad & SZA Discuss OXYMORON (Video)

There have been several videos promoting the release of Schoolboy Q's OXYMORON, but this is one of the best. As they did when Kendrick Lamar released good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Google Play has put together a short film about Q and OXYMORON. He speaks candidly about battling addiction, the process... Read more

March 2, 2014 Throwback

TDE Plans to Release New Albums From Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Black Hippy & Kendrick Lamar in 2014

Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar cover this week's issue of Billboard Magazine, but the story is a full report on the rise of their label, Top Dog Entertainment. After releasing albums from both Isaiah Rashad and Schoolboy Q already, TDE also plans to release new LPs from Jay Rock, Ab-Soul,... Read more

February 28, 2014 Fresh

Schoolboy Q & Kendrick Lamar Discuss the Early Days of Performing for Only 9 People (Audio)

Schoolboy Q sat down with LA's Power 106 last night to discuss OXYMORON. In one of the more poignant moments of the interview, Kendrick Lamar called in to congratulate his label mate and the 2 had a humble and real discussion about how hard they had to work to reach... Read more

February 26, 2014 Audio, Video

James Blake Takes A Stab At Remixing Kendrick Lamar’s m.A.A.d city (Audio)

For an album cut that Heads celebrated in 2012, "m.A.A.d city" has come into the spotlight in February of 2014. After Imagine Dragons live-mashed-up the MC Eiht-assisted joint at the Grammy Awards, James Blake is reworking the partial-title track from K-Dot's platinum major label debut. After performing with Drake at... Read more

February 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

9th Wonder Prepares For His Hip-Hop Fellowship At Harvard, Kendrick Lamar & DJ Premier Speak On It (Video)

In addition to the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship at Harvard, 9th Wonder is currently a fellow at the Ivy League university. He will spend three years working on a research project at Harvard’s W.E.B. Dubois Institute. 9th, who has taught for years at North Carolina Central University (alongside Kid, from... Read more

February 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Suge Knight Talks About D.O.C., DJ Yella, Kendrick Lamar & Game, But What’s He Saying? (Video)

So many interviews with Marion "Suge" Knight are predictable. The Compton, California native will usually find a way to spill controversy into any statement he makes, likely focusing on defaming targets ranging from former partners like Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, to longtime foe Diddy. Enter Arsenio Hall, a longtime... Read more

February 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Drake Thinks Macklemore’s Post-Grammy Text To Kendrick Lamar Was “Wack As F*ck”

Throughout the last five years, Drake has artfully dodged controversy. Even when seemingly playing back and forth with Rap contenders and foes, the polished Toronto actor-turned-MC knows when to hold 'em, and rarely folds 'em. However, in the young 2014, he picked an odd time to step out of character.... Read more

February 12, 2014 Fresh