Pete Rock & CL Smooth Archives

A DJ Blends 3 Pete Rock Verses With 7 Petestrumentals (Audio)

Pete Rock is one of Hip-Hop's most lethal triple-threats. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker produces, he DJs, and he raps—doing all of the above at a high level over the last 25-plus-years. In response to his recent Petestrumentals 2 release with Mello Music Group, Brooklyn, New York-based DJ Rashiiid cleverly... Read more

July 31, 2015 Audio

Marvel’s Mash-Up’s Continue, Care Of Nas, 50 Cent, The Roots & Pete Rock

Earlier this month, Marvel released a number of mash-up's between their flagship comic book characters, and classic Hip-Hop albums. From Eric B. & Rakim to Wu-Tang Clan, Marvel wove in Spiderman, X-Men, and Squadron Supreme into iconic artwork. Ten days later, Marvel Comic Group's Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso released four more.... Read more

July 24, 2015 News

Pete Rock Reminisces Over “T.R.O.Y.” & Getting Emotional Hearing Tom Scott’s Sample (Audio)

One year ago, Pete Rock appeared on NPR's "Microphone Check" to discuss his catalog, remixes, and James Brown influence. At the midpoint of 2015, the Chocolate Boy Wonder (as he's been deemed) has a fresh batch of Petestrumentals available, care of Tucson, Arizona-based Mello Music Group. An MC/producer who got... Read more

July 22, 2015 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Their Annual Summertime Mix (Download)

When it comes to music, there's nothing that says it's summertime quite like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie's annual mix. Perfect for BBQs, sitting by the pool or cruising down the streets, their Summertime series has provided a soundtrack for the season for the last 5 years. Now, the... Read more

July 4, 2015 Audio

Sit Back & Cool Out To Pete Rock’s Petestrumentals 2 (Album Stream)

Today (June 23), Pete Rock released Petestrumentals 2. The second installment in the series in 14 years finds the Mount Vernon, New York producer/DJ/MC now working with Tucson, Arizona-based Mello Music Group. As reported, the 10-tracks of the instrumental project are a balance between new musical creations, as well as... Read more

June 23, 2015 Audio

Pete Rock Knows Dusty Loops, Hot Bars… & PLENTY About Comics (Video)

Pete Rock is "The Creator." However, the Mount Vernon, New York Hip-Hop legend is also a reader. In preparation for this month's Petestrumentals 2 project, Mello Music Group went shopping with the Chocolate Boy Wonder. The same master crate-digger that put Heads onto Tom Scott & The California Dreamers' "Today,"... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

How Does DJ Premier Rock a Party in Russia? Like an OG…Watch His 90s Boiler Room Set (Video)

DJ Premier recently took his talents to Russia. While there, he produced a track with a local artist and rocked a Boiler Room party. For his hour-long DJ set, Preemo covered the full 90s Hip-Hop spectrum, spinning music by Biggie, Tha Luniz, Nas, Crooklyn Dodgers, Boogie Down Productions, Pete Rock... Read more

May 30, 2015 Video

Pete Rock Fires Up One Of His Finest Verses Of Late Alongside Canibus (Audio)

Pete Rock is ageless. For almost 25 years, the Mount Vernon, New Yorker has been a master at DJ'ing, production, and MC'ing. While many greats of that span can rest on their laurels and celebrate their past glory, the mighty P.R. has always innovated and pushed forward. In 2015, Pete... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Pete Rock’s Heaven & Earth Petestrumental Lives Up To Its Name (Audio)

Pete Rock's Petestrumentals 2 (June 23) is less than one month away. The Chocolate Boy Wonder unleashes another gem, "Heaven & Earth" from the Mello Music Group release. With a strong homage to David Axelrod (if you can call it that), the song is set off with some philosophy, and... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

Hear Rakim Rarities, Pete Rock Freestyles From 1996 Future Flavors Set (Mix)

Just like in the late 1980s, Marley Marl and Pete Rock transmitted dopeness into radio waves in much of the 1990s. The Juice Crew founder and The Chocolate Boy Wonder brought their ear for excellence and supreme Rap mixing skills to airwaves for the HOT 97 Future Flavors radio show.... Read more

May 21, 2015 Throwback

25 Years Ago, Pete Rock Was DJ’ing On Airwaves. Listen In (Mix)

On May 20, 1989, Pete Rock was just 18 years old. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker was Marley Marl's right-hand-man on WBLS' "In Control" show. Two years before he would be making hits alongside CL Smooth for Elektra Records, Pete Rock was a heralded sound-selector, moving New York City and... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Step Into Pete Rock’s Petestrumentals Kitchen & Watch Him Cook (Video)

Less than two months removed from Petestrumentals 2 (June 23), the Mount Vernon, New York living legend lets cameras catch him (dramatically) in action, breaking down some "Cosmic Slop" on the Akai MPC. The song features extensive percussion, and the kind of serious sounds that P.R. has offered Edo G.,... Read more

April 28, 2015 Video

This Throwback Hip-Hop VIDEO Mix Will Blow Your Mind (Video)

Here's an absolutely devastating throwback Hip-Hop video mix from UK DJ E Double D. The mix and song selection, from the late 80s and early 90s, would be enough but, the added layer of overlaying visuals takes it to a completely different level. E Double pulls out clips featuring Eric... Read more

April 20, 2015 Throwback

Pete Rock Signals More Petestrumentals & Unleashes A 20 Year Old Groove (Audio)

It's hard to believe it's been nearly 14 years since Pete Rock released Petestrumentals. Following Jay Dee's (p/k/a J Dilla) Welcome To Detroit, Soul Brother Pete laced BBE (Barely Breaking Even) Records' Beat Generation series (Marley Marl and will.i.am were among those who would follow). Pete struck the Hip-Hop/R&B charts... Read more

March 30, 2015 Audio, News

Pete Rock Brings Out the Best in Edo. G. Listen to the Music They Make (Video)

Edo. G does not just rap about it, he lives it. Roxbury, Boston's star MC for more than 25 years takes his Pete Rock-produced "Make Music" track, and sets it smack dab in his city. Pete also appears in the visual. From the record stores, to the train platform, to... Read more

March 10, 2015 Video

Do Remember: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s The Creator (Video)

In the last week, Android released a new campaign, "Handshake." Notably, phones were not (at all) featured in the one-minute television ads, but rather a series of celebrations from athletes, friends, ballet dancers, families, thespians, and so forth. Premiering during Sunday night's (February 15) NBA All-Star game/ "SNL 40," these... Read more

February 19, 2015 Throwback

Pete Rock & Slum Village Announce A Bunch Of 2015 Tour Dates Together

Collaborators since 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2, Pete Rock and Slum Village are going on the road together. The influential Mount Vernon, New York MC/producer/DJ joined by T3, Illa J, and Young RJ have announced more than 25 United States dates, beginning February 7, with an appearance (both acts) at Dilla... Read more

January 22, 2015 Fresh

Start the New Year with Some Old School Videos (Playlist)

Should old acquaintance be forgot...never that. Today, we ring in the new year with some Old School. Here's a video playlist featuring Nas, Common, OutKast, The Roots, Black Moon, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, The Beatnuts, a rare performance by The Notorious B.I.G. & Method Man and more. Check it... Read more

January 3, 2015 Playlists, Throwback

Bumpy Knuckles Liberates A Pete Rock-Produced Relic With Fresh Rhymes (Audio)

New York City O.G.'s Bumpy Knuckles and Pete Rock made history together on 2000's Industry Shakedown. "Bumpy Knuckles Baby" signaled the name-change, alter-ego from the Freddie Foxxx era. As Pete Rock was amidst his own transition from the Elektra Records era, into a strong solo career, he left the Long... Read more

December 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Pete Rock vs. J. Dilla…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

December 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Diamond D & Pete Rock Bring Colorful Images To Sweet Sounds (Video)

Both producer/MCs, Diamond D and Pete Rock seem to get far more props on the boards than on the mic. However, each of these guys has memorable verses, and over 20 years of crowd movin'. "Only Way 2 Go" is one of the finest moments on this year's Diam Piece... Read more

November 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

CL Smooth Bobs & Weaves On This Bouncy Shuko Beat (Audio)

CL Smooth is not big on an abundance of appearances. Instead the New Rochelle, New Yorker looks on at Hip-Hop from afar, admiring his contributions, especially those over two revered LPs and an EP with Pete Rock. However, Shuko, the German producer whose beats have sounded great alongside the likes... Read more

November 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock Takes A New DJ Residency In New York City, Spinning Rare Grooves

Sometimes Hip-Hop lives all around us... Today (November 6), Pete Rock announced his DJ residency in New York City. This brings the iconic producer/DJ to live audiences monthly, a true reminder of legends working all around us. Moreover, Soul Brother #1 is bringing some of his own inspirations with him.... Read more

November 6, 2014 Fresh

Pete Rock Salutes Nas & The Album He Worked On With Time Is Illmatic (Mixtape)

Back in 1994, Pete Rock notably contributed to the would-be classic debut album, Illmatic, by Nas. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker, who was fully entrenched in a highly-successful career with Pete Rock & CL Smooth stepped aside (with Large Professor, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and L.E.S) to give some of his... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: CL Smooth vs. Posdnuos…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

September 30, 2014 Featured-homepage, 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

All Edo G & Pete Rock Need Is 2 Turntables & A Mic (Video)

Between sparse beats, Edo G thrives. The Roxbury, Boston MC vet once known as just "Ed O.G." has over 23 years cutting tracks that outlasted the times, with wisdom, flare, and pride. For his upcoming After All These Years album (September 9), the Special Teamz member is working with the... Read more

August 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

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

Why Are the 90’s Considered the Best Era of Hip-Hop? Listen to This Mix (Audio)

Here's part 2 of DJ Vadim's stellar back in the day mixtape series. In this installment, he tackles 90's Hip-Hop...with aggression. Rather than strictly catering to the hits, he digs in the crates to craft a mix with diverse but cohesive sonic texture. You'll hear music from Nas, The Roots,... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

De La Soul’s Next Mixtape Is Produced Entirely By DJ Premier & Pete Rock

In March, De La Soul hipped Heads to the fact that Smell The Da.I.S.Y , their mixtape which featured strictly J. Dilla beats, was only the beginning, as far as 2014 is concerned. Posdnous, Dave, and Maseo are hard at work on the group's eighth studio album, rumored to be... Read more

August 5, 2014 Fresh

From One Soul Brother To Another, Pete Rock Salutes James Brown (Audio)

Today (August 1), James Brown biopic Get On Up has its theatrical opening. In celebration of the Mick Jagger-produced film, Pete Rock—who's Soul Brother #1 moniker is a nod to James Brown's own name—made a mix celebrating his love for the late, legend. The mixtape, quite fittingly, is called #GetOnUp,... Read more

August 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock Makes A Roy Ayers Mixtape & It’s Amazing (Mixtape)

Pete Rock knows a thing or two about the great Roy Ayers. The Chocolate Boy Wonder has sampled some of Roy's CTI Records catalog and other material throughout his own vast discography of head-nodding hits. With the release of a new t-shirt at Pete's site (where he has a number... Read more

February 27, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Mixes

CL Smooth Returns With A Solo Track Tailor-Made For His Signature Slow Flow (Audio)

Quietly, CL Smooth has made some stellar solo material, outside of the Pete Rock & CL Smooth discography. The "money-earnin'" Mount Vernon MC released "Anything For You" this morning, featuring some smooth singing from Kier. But with an '80s R&B-inspired beat, CL's crisp vocal tone shines as he goes slow... Read more

February 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a video playlist some classic hip-hop commercials (Video)

Commercials are always a big part of Super Bowl Sunday. With that in mind, here's a video playlist of some vintage hip-hop commercials. You'll hear verses from Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Large Professor, Grand Puba, Biggie, Snoop, 2Pac, Warren G, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang, Ice Cube, EPMD, Geto Boys... Read more

February 5, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Before The Glitter: We asked you what the best year in hip-hop was and you answered. Here’s the first in a series of playlists that will feature music from the era you picked as the greatest in hip-hop…thus far: ’87-’99. This first installment features music from De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Kid N Play, Special Ed, Monie Love, Chubb Rock, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and more. Check it out.

You listen to us on the regular. We listen to you too...We asked a couple of weeks ago what the best year ever in hip-hop was. There was no clear individual year that surfaced (though '93 and '94 got a lot of votes) but there was an overwhelming consensus that... Read more

October 15, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video