kendrick lamar Archives

Macklemore Believes Race & Other Factors Contributed To His 4 Grammy Award Wins

From Macklemore's texts of solidarity to friend/peer Kendrick Lamar before last night's (January 26) 56th Grammy Awards to his words following winning in four categories competing against the Compton, California MC, it's hard not to love the way the Seattle, Washington veteran (who happened to win Best New Artist) handled... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh

Macklemore Tells Kendrick Lamar He Got Robbed By Not Winning Best Rap Album. See the Texts (Photos)

Did the 56th Grammy Awards leave the Head in you feeling some kind of way? Especially if you're a Kendrick Lamar fan, watching Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' four awards sweep early in the night, talk of the town performance, and Daft Punk's Random Access Memories taking the Album Of The... Read more

January 27, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Steals The Show At The Grammys. Who Needs An Award? (Video)

So with controversy already in the air after some categorical losses early in the night, what would Kendrick Lamar do with his performance slot? The Compton, California good kid (with a reputation for competition) performed a Heads-approved album cut from his major label debut, "m.A.A.d city." With Imagine Dragons backing... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win The 2014 Grammy Award For Rap Song & Album

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have cause for some early celebration at Los Angeles, California's Staples Center. The Seattle, Washington pair's 2012 album The Heist won Rap Album Of The Year and their breakthrough hit "Thrift Shop" won Rap Song Of The Year. The wins were controversial when coupled with two... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Details His Reaction To The Grammy Awards Nomination (Video)

Where was one of 2013's hardest-working artists when he caught wind of his Grammy Award nomination for "Album Of The Year"? Take one good guess... Hint: Not the recording studio... Kendrick Lamar discusses to The Hollywood Reporter what he expects from his first Grammy nods and first time attending, as... Read more

January 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s an MLK Day Playlist That Looks at the State of the Nation Through Hip-Hop (Audio & Video)

As we've done on MLK day over the last few years, we've put together a playlist that reflects the increasingly complex state of the nation more than 50 years since Dr. King's march on Washington. There's cause for celebration and reason for lamentation, and everything in between. Here are various... Read more

January 20, 2014 Audio, Video

Today It All Makes Sense: A Retrospective on the Chicago Hip-Hop Sound (Food For Thought)

Published by: Bandini “This the city of Chicago, the state of confusion The style I'm using is free or at least it would be if my mind was…” – Malik Yusef, “My City” (One Day It’ll All Make Sense) Since the 1990s, Common Sense has always been among my favorite... Read more

January 19, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought

Kendrick Lamar Says He Was Once Scared To Say He’s From Compton. Here’s Why (Video)

Like he does in his verses, Kendrick Lamar can do a lot in two minutes of video. In a new Pepsi-sponsored series leading up the Grammy Awards, "Day In The Life." While on the Yeezus Tour, K-Dot runs people through his tireless schedule, as he explains that most of his... Read more

January 15, 2014 Video

Here’s a Video Recap of Kendrick Lamar’s CES Experience Set to a Remix of Westside, Right On Time (Video)

In the Summer of 2012, Kendrick Lamar dropped his Westside, Right On Time single with Young Jeezy during TDE's fan appreciation week. That song got the remix treatment as part of a video recap of Kendrick's experience at CES last week. Check out the video and remix below. Related: Kendrick... Read more

January 12, 2014 Video

Check Out Jay Shells Hitting L.A. With Street Signs Of Lyrics By Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Xzibit & Kendrick Lamar (Video)

Previously, artist Jay Shells canvased the streets of New York at Hip-Hop lyric landmarks with street signs reminding those in the know. These discreet-looking acts of guerilla street art were a hit to Heads in passing, as well as on the Internet. Now Shells hits the streets of L.A., placing... Read more

December 31, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Should Drake Step Up and Name Kendrick Lamar’s Name in His Ongoing War of Words? Peter Rosenberg Weighs In (Video)

By now, EVERYONE in Hip-Hop knows Kendrick Lamar dropped bombs on an entire generation of MCs with his Control verse--and he named names. Since then, many of those mentioned have responded loudly and explicitly. Drake, however, has never responded on wax--or has he? Drizzy has spit many verses over the... Read more

December 26, 2013 Video

Got BARS? These MC’s Do. Here Are The Best Freestyles of 2013 (Video)

There are few things more satisfying in Hip-Hop than a killer verse. It's why Kendrick Lamar shook up the Internet for 3 weeks (an eternity these days) with his Control verse...and then again with his BET Cypher. We've assembled a collection of the best freestyles (mostly "writtens") of 2013. Check... Read more

December 24, 2013 Fresh, Video

The Top 10 Most Compelling Hip-Hop Photographs Of 2013 (Food For Thought)

The old adage, "a picture's worth a thousand words" often proves to be true. Let's hope so for 2013, which by way of Instagram, Twipic, and some inner-circle released photos, told Heads plenty of stories. From unlikely reunions to time-pieces, to first steps for Hip-Hop kind, what a year... Here... Read more

December 24, 2013 Food for Thought, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Releases an Amazing New Video for Sing About Me Pt. 1 That Includes a New Verse (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has partnered with artist Eddie Peake to create a compelling new video for Sing About Me Pt. 1. Part of the video features Kendrick taking a tour of his native Compton while the other half shows art being created by Eddie Peake that was inspired by the song.... Read more

December 24, 2013 Video

Does Kendrick Lamar Have a New Album Coming? TDE’s Top Dawg Announces 6 New Releases for 2014.

More than any other artist in Hip-Hop, 2013 was the year of Kendrick Lamar and, by proxy, TDE. Kendrick took the title of MTV's Hottest MC in the game and his Control verse reigned fire on an entire generation of MCs. Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q got some overdue love from... Read more

December 23, 2013 Fresh

Suge Knight & Snoop Hanging Out?? Yeah, 2013 Was a Crazy Year For Hip-Hop. Here’s a Photo Recap (Food For Thought)

The old adage, "a picture's worth a thousand words" often proves to be true. Let's hope so for 2013, which by way of Instagram, Twipic, and some inner-circle released photos, told Heads plenty of stories. From unlikely reunions to time-pieces, to first steps for Hip-Hop kind, what a year... Here... Read more

December 23, 2013 Food for Thought

This Week’s Hip-Hop Round Up is Strictly About the Music Videos…Kendrick, Eminem, K.R.I.T., Rapsody and More (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video was highlighted by several visually-compelling music videos. Rapsody transformed into The Joker, Kendrick Lamar had an artist create a piece for Sing About Me, Eminem sought out Dr. Dre and Rihanna for therapy and more. Check out the video playlist below. Related: Last Week in... Read more

December 22, 2013 Playlists, Video

Guess Who’s Coming to The Grammy Awards? Kendrick Lamar Will Take the Stage

For some folks, watching the Grammy Awards in their dens, bedrooms and livingrooms is as close to an actual concert as they get all year. Additionally, the annual Winter performance opens up Heads in all different genres to each other's breakthrough artists. How many folks first saw Adele through Grammy's?... Read more

December 19, 2013 Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Makes Breaks Away From Birdman & Detail On 100 Favors (Video)

Kendrick Lamar has been down with YMCMB family for almost three years, courtesy of recordings and touring with Drake. With Jay Rock's early collaborations with Lil Wayne, the whole TDE and Young Money team share some affinities. On Cash Money's first label compilation since 2000's Baller Blockin' Soundtrack, the greatly-expanded... Read more

December 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

50 Cent Speaks on the Differences Between Him and Kendrick Lamar…and Offers Some Advice to Kanye West (Video)

50 Cent spoke with XXL about his latest business venture, SMS headphones. During the conversation, he touched on Kanye West's recent frustrations and offered some wise words of advice. He also spoke about Kendrick Lamar and detailed some of their differing qualities. Check the video for 50's always unique perspective.... Read more

December 11, 2013 Video

This Week in Video Brought New Music From Dr. Dre & Kendrick Lamar, Method Man & A$AP Mob and More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought new music from Dr. Dre & Kendrick Lamar, as well as new videos from Method Man & A$AP Mob, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, Talib Kweli, Stalley, Astro and more. Check out the Video Playlist. Related: This Week in Video Was Dominated By Kanye West’s... Read more

December 8, 2013 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Here’s an Extended Version of the Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar Beats Commercial with Their MONSTER New Track (Video)

Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar released one of the hardest commercials of the year earlier in the week, featuring Dre and Dot in the studio going to work on a monster track. It surely left Heads wanting for more and our request has been granted. Here's nearly a minute and... Read more

December 8, 2013 Video

Kendrick Lamar Gets an Album of the Year Nomination from the Grammy’s. Jay Z Gets 9 Noms. Here’s the List of All Nominees in Hip-Hop’s Strongest Showing Ever.

Though he released good kid, m.A.A.d. city in 2012, 2013 has belonged to Kendrick Lamar. In the Spring, he was named MTV's Hottest MC of the Year. By Summer, his Control verse became the biggest story in Hip-Hop in the last several years. In the Fall, he again shook up... Read more

December 8, 2013 Fresh

Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar Star in One of the Illest Commercials in Years. Could the Song Be a Preview of What to Expect From Kendrick’s Next Album? (Video)

Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar star in a new commercial for the Beats line. It features the 2 in the studio with Kendrick spitting a new verse over a hard-hitting new Dr. Dre beat. Could this be a preview of what's to come on Kendrick's new album? Detox, anyone? Related:... Read more

December 5, 2013 Video

Kendrick Lamar Raps About The Winners Circle With Old Partner Kanin (Audio)

Throughout the last three years, Kendrick Lamar frequently lends his vocal talents to artists on the come-up. Whether Y.G. Hootie, Mann, or Nitty Scott, MC, K-Dot is generous with the look, but hoards the spotlight as he famously promised earlier this year. "Winners Circle" is an Old School New single... Read more

December 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of November 2013 (Audio Playlist)

The year is winding down, no doubt, but the good music kept coming in November. Here's a playlist of the best Hip-Hop to drop last month, including songs from Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Joey Bada$$, Eminem, Masta Ace, Raekwon, Posdnuos, Rah Digga, Elzhi, Jay Z, Childish Gambino, Mac Miller, Jhene Aiko,... Read more

December 1, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Kendrick Lamar Has a Compton Reunion with YG Hootie on Two Presidents (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar teams up with YG Hootie, who went to Centennial High with K. Dot in Compton, on Two Presidents. Check it out below. Related: Kendrick Lamar Performs Swimming Pools / Poetic Justice Medley At 2013 AMAs (Video)... Read more

November 30, 2013 Audio

Snoop Dogg Refutes TDE & Death Row Records Comparisons (Video)

After GQ magazine's "Man Of The Year" Kendrick Lamar cover story, Top Dawg, founder of TDE, along with K.L. dismissed the reporting. In the article, the author compared Dawg to Marion "Suge" Knight. While TDE has connections to Tha Row care of Dr. Dre, and the late Flipside (of O.F.T.B.),... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar Performs Swimming Pools / Poetic Justice Medley At 2013 AMAs (Video)

Kendrick Lamar had one of the most-talked up about performances last night (November 24) at the 2013 American Music Awards. TDE's "Man Of The Year" blessed televised audiences with two of his biggest hit singles of the last 12 months, "Swimming Pools (Drank)" and "Poetic Justice," sans Drake. Those who... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

Marshall Mathers LP 2 Goes Platinum, Eminem Talks Love Game To Zane Lowe (Video)

After two consecutive daily parts of Eminem's sit-down with the BBC's Zane Lowe, the in-studio Q&A video rolls out with part three, just hours after it was confirmed that Marshall Mathers LP 2 reached platinum in less than two weeks at retail (with Em's catalog rocking the charts too). In... Read more

November 20, 2013 Fresh, Video

ScHoolboy Q Might Be Having Some GQ Fun On His Version Of Man Of The Year (Audio)

It would not be a reach to say that ScHoolboy Q is Hip-Hop's "Man Of The Year." However, Quincy's Oxymoron major label debut is still under wraps, and his Black Hippy buddy Kendrick Lamar likely earned that distinction with the "shot heard 'round the world." GQ magazine thought so, and... Read more

November 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Freestyles for GQ as Their Rapper of the Year (Video)

GQ announced their Men of the Year last week and Kendrick Lamar was selected as Rapper of the Year. Here's a video where Kendrick spits a brief a capella verse and physically and lyrically changes his image. Related: Jhene Aiko & Kendrick Lamar Stay Ready On The Latest Link (Audio)... Read more

November 13, 2013 Video

Jhene Aiko & Kendrick Lamar Stay Ready On The Latest Link (Audio)

Def Jam's Jhene Aiko has been in the industry for over 15 years. In addition to links with Childish Gambino and Drake, it was really her versatility as heard with Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul that showed the L.A. native's versatility, and market with today's Hip-Hop consumer. A K.Dot... Read more

November 11, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kanye West & Kendrick Lamar’s Yeezus Tour To Resume Later This Month

This just in from Def Jam Records and Kanye West's spokesperson: "Yesterday (October 30), on the road to Vancouver, a truck carrying The Yeezus Tour’s custom-made video truss and 60-foot circular LED screen was in an accident that damaged the gear beyond repair. This gear is central to the staging... Read more

November 6, 2013 Fresh

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of October 2013 (Playlist)

Here's a look back at some of the Hip-Hop highlights from October. You'll hear new music from Eminem & Kendrick Lamar, Scarface, Jadakiss, Meek Mill, J. Cole, Dead Prez, Tha Dogg Pound, Common, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Large Professor, Childish Gambino, Rapsody, Crooked I, Jean Grae, Game and many, many more.... Read more

November 5, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

TDE and A$AP Mob Squash All the Rumors in an Interview with The Breakfast Club (Video)

Making it crystal clear that there's no beef between their crews (nor with Drake), Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Jay Rock, A$AP Ferg and Schoolboy Q conducted a joint interview where they addressed all the speculation point blank. They also discussed upcoming projects from Q and Ab-Soul, Ferg's album and the... Read more

November 4, 2013 Video

Kendrick Lamar Joins Fredo Santana on Jealous (Audio)

Here's the 2nd featured appearance for Kendrick Lamar in 2 days. Fredo Santana releases his song Jealous, which features a trap beat and him and Kendrick Lamar lamenting the crab in a barrel mentality that accompanies success. Kendrick puts perspective on "rap beefs" by contrasting them with real life problems... Read more

October 31, 2013 Audio

Here’s Love Game, the Much Anticipated Collabo Between Eminem & Kendrick Lamar (Audio)

As the release date for Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP 2 draws near, arguably the most anticipated song from the album has hit the 'nets. Em, one of the illest ever, teams up with Kendrick Lamar, one of the illest of the now school. The track is built on a playful... Read more

October 30, 2013 Audio

Schoolboy Q Discusses the TDE Cypher With Sway and Takes on the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle (Video)

Schoolboy Q chopped it up with Sway about the TDE Cypher, TDE's newest member Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick's Control verse and more. He and Sway also prank called Kendrick on the air. After, Q took a run at the Five Fingers of Death Freestyle. Check out the video. Related: TDE BET... Read more

October 17, 2013 Video

Here are the Official Winners of the 2013 Hip Hop Awards and Highlights from the Show (Video)

Last night's BET Hip Hop Awards honored MC Lyte with the I Am Hip Hop lifetime achievement award and featured performances from Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar & Jay Rock, as well as a back in the day medley from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. You can watch Lyte's acceptance speech, view those performances... Read more

October 16, 2013 Video

Can you DeCypher Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher Verse? (Lyrics & Video)

Now that you’ve witnessed Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher verse (Control Pt. 2?), it’s time to de-cypher it. The verse was incredibly complex. Many shots were fired—some specific, some general. Take a look at the Cypher and lyrics below and see if you can crack the Da Vinci code. Before you get... Read more

October 16, 2013 Featured-homepage, Video

Kendrick Lamar: The Grammy Interview (Video Playlist)

Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city album wasn't eligible for a Grammy last year, but it's clear the talented MC is on the Grammy radar for this year's ceremony. Compton's current Most Wanted MC was the subject of an extensive interview by the organization. Kendrick discussed why he starts every... Read more

October 13, 2013 Video

A Behind the Scenes Look Inside a Concert With Kendrick Lamar (Video)

Here's a look inside a concert with Kendrick Lamar, as described by K. Dot, himself. Kendrick discusses how he prepares for shows, how he involves the crowd, his writing process and more. The video also features a lot of high quality footage from Kendrick's live show which now includes a... Read more

October 11, 2013 Video

Pusha T Decodes Nosetalgia (Video)

In the ongoing series, Pusha T sits with Life + Times to discuss "Nosetalgia," his much-talked about Kendrick Lamar collaboration from My Name Is My Name, released today. This is one of the biggest collaborations of 2013. Related: Pusha T – Decodes King Push (Video)... Read more

October 8, 2013 Throwback, Video

AFH: The Week in Video (10/6/13) (Video Playlist)

The week in video brought a sneak peek of Kendrick Lamar's controversial Cypher verse, an in-depth interview with Astro, DJ Quik decoding Justify My Thug, footage of Rakim and DMX recording their new song, music videos from Pusha T, Young Buck, Ka, Wale, Organized Konfusion and more. Catch up on... Read more

October 6, 2013 Playlists, Video

Pusha T Speaks on My Name is My Name (Video)

Pusha T discusses the prospect of his album leaking, Nosetalgia and not being a "sensitive rapper" when it comes to Kendrick Lamar's Control verse, The Wire connection to the title of his album and wanting, MNIMN to be regarded as the best album of the year. Check out the video.... Read more

October 5, 2013 Video

Pusha T – Nosestalgia ft Kendrick Lamar (Video)

When it comes to a lyrical roundhouse, few tracks provide a better kick than Pusha T's "Nosestalgia" featuring Kendrick Lamar. King Push now provides the visual for the standout track, which has him and Mr. Lamar walking the streets of Compton while spitting that ever so eloquent crack music. The... Read more

October 3, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Video

Kendrick Lamar’s 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Sneak Preview (Video)

There was a lot of chatter over the weekend from ATL re: Kendrick Lamar's Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Here's the first look at what's to come. K. Dot goes STRAIGHT AT his critics post-Control and let's all haters know he's untouchable...all over the track for Shook One's Pt. 2. Get... Read more

October 3, 2013 Video

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of September 2013 (Audio Playlist)

Summer brought the official start of Fall but the heat kept coming, musically. Here's a playlist of the best Hip-Hop to drop in September, including Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Jay Z, The Lox, Cam'ron, AZ, Rapsody, Juvenile, Freddie Gibbs, Common and Organized Konfusion. And even though it's not Hip-Hop,... Read more

October 2, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage

2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher Artists Announced

Taped tonight in Atlanta, BET's 2013 Hip-Hop Awards is coming on October 15 at 8pm EST. With the cyphers already making big noise on Twitter (especially from the Aftermath Entertainment camp), here are all 34 participants, as reported by BET.com. This year's lineup features the usual breakthrough artists (Action Bronson,... Read more

September 29, 2013 Throwback