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Run The Jewels Teams With Police Academy’s Michael Winslow For Some AMAZING Bully-Rap (Audio)

Run The Jewels constantly lives up to their name the way that Killer Mike and El-P can steal the show. Kicking off the week with "Oh My Darling Don't Cry," Heads get a greater glimpse of just what kind of delightful audio brutality RTJ2 holds. The song features hard-nosed, blitzkrieg... Read more

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

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

Wu-Tang Clan Heads & Film Buffs Know This Lyric Compilation Ain’t Nothing Ta F’ Wit (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan is currently gearing up for A Better Tomorrow. Well, this compilation of film dialogue certainly makes for a better today. Released a while back, this amazing cut-and-paste video recreates the exact lyrics to 1993's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nothing Ta F' Wit." What's as impressive is that the editor... Read more

MC Serch Is Selling His 25-Year Sneaker Collection…For The Price Of A Porsche

So many Hip-Hop stars of yesteryear were freshly dressed. MC Serch is no exception, as the 3rd Bass MC/producer had that "Brooklyn-Queens" style from the fade, to the baseball jerseys, of course, to the kicks. That last part as it were, Serch's sneaker collection is now up for sale by... Read more

Beat-Master Paul Nice Makes An Ill Sade Blend With 3 Turntables (Audio)

Heads need to be up on Paul Nice. The Upstate New York veteran producer cut his teeth in Hip-Hop making breakbeat/battle-break records a la 45 King and DJ Rectangle. In the nearly 25 years since, Paul has accrued production credits with the likes of Biz Markie, Masta Ace, Cali Agents,... Read more

R.I.P. To Joan Rivers. Remember Her Partying With The Beastie Boys? (Video)

This week, pop culture lost an icon in Joan Rivers. Known for self-deprecating humor, as well as a fearless comedic critique of her peers, the 81 year-old Brooklyn, New Yorker died yesterday (September 4) after complications from a heart attack and subsequent coma. In the late 1980s, Rivers hosted a... Read more

Do Remember: Mystic’s The Life (Video)

Thirteen years after its release, Mystic's Cuts For Luck And Scars For Freedom continues to be a stone in the sand of the fast-paced 2000s. The only album released by the Bay area MC/songstress, this album has been reissued twice since its June, 2001 release by Good Vibe Records (at... Read more

2000s Southern Rappers Square Off, As Mike Jones Will Battle Bone Crusher

Battle Rap continues to attract onetime major label stars. Following Joe Budden's challenging Hollow Da Don in July, and leading up to Keith Murray's competition against Fredro Starr later this month, two more established acts are entering the proverbial "Rap ring." Mike Jones, the breakout star of 2005's Houston Hip-Hop... Read more

Suge Knight May Know Who Shot Him, But He Says “It’s Not Important”

Now released from the hospital following last month's  shooting, Marion "Suge" Knight was interviewed publicly for the first time by the outlet who broke the August 24 incident: TMZ. The Compton, California native discussed the event that led public response ranging from Chris Brown to Katt Williams. However, if you... Read more

It’s A Pizza Party When Action Bronson Salutes Dani’s In Queens (Video)

In the fourth installment of Action Bronson & VICE's "Fuck, That's Delicious," Bam Bam enjoys the fruits of New York City's food scene. The former professional chef visits his aunt on a precise, and pain-staking method in making baklava from scratch. Then, the Queens MC takes a sheet of the... Read more

Lupe Fiasco, Common & Jennifer Hudson Honor Cancer Survivors (Video)

Hip-Hop is stepping up with its voice and power. Lupe Fiasco joins fellow Chicago Hip-Hop superstar Common and songstress Jennifer Hudson for "Remission." In conjunction with Stand Up 2 Cancer, the 3 have come together for a fundraising song. With The Notorious B.I.G and the late Poetic ("Grym Reaper" of... Read more

STS & DJ Jazzy Jeff Know How Philly Use To Sound & Bring It Back (Audio)

Regardless of genre, some cities just have a certain style. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania most certainly is one such place. "The City Of Brotherly Love" has a great deal of harmony and fusion, dating back to the colonial period. In more recent times, the city—a patchwork of cultures, races, faiths, and customs... Read more

Capone-N-Noreaga Talk Chasing Fame With Big L, Say AZ Stole Sugar Hill (Video)

Capone-N-Noreaga always give incredible interviews, together and apart. 'Pone and N.O.R.E hit Power 105's The Breakfast Club this week, to talk some history. Forever animated, the Queens duo talks fighting each other (just one time, physically, for the record), how N.O. feels Capone's prison pick-up tops Suge Knight's, and how... Read more

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

Big Gipp & Cee-Lo Spoof Doublemint & Pepsi Commercials With Charm (Video)

Heads may remember the Doublemint Gum commercials of the '80s and early '90s. Matching twins regularly had fun, in the silly ads for Wrigley's green-packed breath-freshener. That appears to be the source of inspiration for Big Gipp & Cee-Lo's "Shine Like Gold" video. Compare: With the country gas station and... Read more

Can You Feel It: Why 1984 Is Hip-Hop’s Watershed Moment (Food For Thought)

Last year, Hip-Hop turned 40 years old—as far as we know. In truth, part of the culture’s beauty comes from the fact that there is no genesis moment. From the ancient cave-side hieroglyphics to the late ‘60s tags of TAKI 183, graffiti existed as a fascinating balance of expression and... Read more

Katt Williams Defends Suge Knight In Shooting, Chris Brown To Cooperate

On Sunday morning (August 24), Marion "Suge" Knight was shot six times in West Hollywood, California, at a club. The former music mogul, and co-founder of Death Row Records was stated to be in critical condition upon his hospitalization, while rumors swirled surrounding the events at a party at 10AK... Read more

50 Cent & Young Buck Talk The Crying Phone Call, 6 Years Later (Video)

Every break-up has its ugliest moment. For the dominant G-Unit group, that happened in 2008. Group-leader 50 Cent famously unveiled a taped phone-call from Young Buck, which was a smoking gun to the Nashville, Tennessee rapper's dire financial straits, along with his confused relationship with his then-mentor. With the release... Read more

What Do You Think About Common Accepting Drake’s VMA Award? (Video)

Hip-Hop beefs, after they've been squashed, always seem to have an interesting denouement. Following the jaw-dropping on-stage appearance between Jay Z and Nas in 2005 (and subsequent Sway Calloway MTV interview), the ultimate 2000s Rap rumble still has afterburners. Heads prodded at Nas, when as a Def Jam artists making... Read more

Eminem Recalls Accusations of Biting AZ & Nas In New Record About Courage (Audio)

Rarely do Hip-Hop soundtrack singles say much anymore. The years of music-attached records like Ice-T's "Colors," Naughty By Nature's "Uptown Anthem," 2Pac's "Pain" or Ice Cube's "How To Survive In South Central" seem like a vestige of the past. Eminem, who famously attached "Lose Yourself" to 8 Mile, is out... Read more

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

Do Remember: Mountain Brothers’ Galaxies: The Next Level (Video)

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Hip-Hop Heads were well-versed with The Jungle Brothers. By the late '90s and early 2000s, it was the Mountain Brothers on many radars. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native trio of CHOPS, Peri-L, and Styles Infinite released only two albums, but these MCs were Asian... Read more

Chuck D Goes DVD & Book Shopping, What’s He Cop? (Video)

Chuck D, a major supporter of Record Store Day, hit up the famed Amoeba Records in California. Public Enemy's main vocalist and a member of the record-slaughtering Bomb Squad group, Mista Chuck admits that his trips to stores like Amoeba are more for books and DVDs these days. However, the... Read more

Guess Which Oscar-Nominated Actor Will Play Jerry Heller In N.W.A’s Biopic…

Jerry Heller, a famed mogul of Gangsta Rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s, helped Eazy-E and N.W.A crossover into mainstream America, as well as a global audience. A veteran record executive who had worked with the likes of Elton John and Ike & Tina Turner, the Cleveland, Ohio... Read more

Method Man & R.A. The Rugged Man Talk Music Industry Black-Balling (Video)

R.A. The Rugged Man, who's been a longtime label-mate of Masta Killa at Nature Sounds, predates a lot of Wu-Tang Clan members, as far as record contracts. The early 1990s Jive Records sensation known as Crustified Dibbs recently got up with Method Man backstage on the road, recalling their circa-1993... Read more

Vic Mensa Makes Some Rock & Soul With Frequent Collaborator Michael Uzowuru (Audio)

In his young career, Vic Mensa has defied being categorized. Once a front-man of a truly organic Rap-Rock group, Kids These Days, Mensa's 2014 lead single has been inspired by Chicago House. He's also tackling some Jazz tracks this year to boot. So why should Heads be surprised when the... Read more

Diamond District’s yU Makes A Heartfelt Dedication To His Late Father (Audio)

Diamond District's yUthe78er has been one of Mello Music Group's best kept secrets. As a soloist, yU made one of the best Hip-Hop songs about Native American heritage in "Natives," and gave Heads hope in "Fine." In "Never Burning Out," one of the rare songs released by the Washington D.C.... Read more

Punch Reacts To Michael Brown’s Murder With Historical Illustrations (Audio)

Deeply affected by this week's tragic news of the killing of teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson, Top Dawg Entertainment President Punch joined label collaborator J. Cole in reacting through music. Born in the post-riots Watts, Punch made a Steinski-like audio-essay remembering the 1965 Watts Riots. Set... Read more

How About Some Weird & Powerful History Around Madvillain 10 Years Later?

By 1999, MF DOOM began a comeback of superhero proportions. Once a major label artist, ZevLoveX of KMD had a core fanbase, but was (rather ironically), not a highly recognizable figure of Hip-Hop in face or name. After the tragic death of his brother Subroc, DOOM was born. Inspired by... Read more

What Becomes Of A Hallucinating Fan Who Punches DJ Premier? Babu Explains (Video)

In 1999 Dilated Peoples joined Gang Starr and Rage Against The Machine on tour. These experiences were well-chronicled on the later track, "Gang Starr Bus" by Bumpy Knuckles, produced by DJ Premier. Three legendary outfits toured in a well-remembered time in music. Gearing up for his own new release with... Read more

Questlove Says That The Late, Great Robin Williams Was A Roots Head

In the last 24 hours, the world mourns the death of Robin Williams. On August 11, the Academy Award-winning film actor, television star, voice-actor, and stand-up comedian was found dead in his Hollywood, California. While reports are still confirming the cause of death from what appears to be suffocation, an... Read more

DJ Skee Quits Radio, Says The Platform Has Fallen Off

For more than 10 years, DJ Skee has been an integral touchstone to Hip-Hop culture. A native of Minnesota, Skee and his SkeeTV platform have been deeply responsible for the careers of Game, Freddie Gibbs, and Skeme, among others. Once a top mixtape DJ, Skee has expanded into production, his... Read more

What If ALL Of Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique Was A Video? (Video)

File this under: "What Makes The Internet Amazing: August 2014." Twenty five years later, so much can be said about The Beastie Boys' sophomore album, Paul's Boutique. The Def Jam Records departure found the Downtown/Brooklyn, New York trio out west, living in a Hollywood hills estate, eating fast food burgers... Read more

Afrika Bambaataa’s Record Crates Helped Create The Hip-Hop Genre. Get A Look (Video)

Hip-Hop's three forefathers are often remembered as pioneers DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. With all three men tied to the Bronx, New York of the 1970s, each brought a unique flare to the sound of the culture, with varying personal backgrounds. Herc, a native of Jamaica, had... Read more

Your Old Droog Has A Heavy News Crush On Tamron Hall (Audio)

Heads can relate to this one... no matter your preferences, chances are at some point in your life, you've crushed on a news anchor, if not a weather-person, on the scene reporter, sports, etc. Well, leave it to the soulful Your Old Droog to seemingly be the first Hip-Hop artist... Read more

2Pac, Ruthless & Priority Records To Be Honored At Indie Entertainment Summit Conference

Three pillars of Gangsta Rap are among those slated to be honored at 2014's Indie Entertainment Summit & Hip-Hop Honors. Iconic artist 2Pac is included, along with two 1980s labels, Priority Records and Ruthless Records. Notably, all three of these acts are tied together. 2Pac appeared on Above The Law's... Read more

2Pac’s Classic Double-Album All Eyez On Me Certified Diamond By RIAA

Over 18 years ago, 2Pac released his "out on bail, fresh outta jail, California-dreamin'" double-album, All Eyez On Me. Today, according to a spokesperson and e-mail from the RIAA, it has been reported that the Death Row/Interscope Records effort has now achieved diamond status, scanning over 10 million copies sold... Read more

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

Aaron McGruder’s Black Jesus Series Prompts Protests & Scholarly Discussion

One week from today (August 7), Aaron McGruder's "Black Jesus" will arrive on Adult Swim. The "Boondocks" creator's latest venture is a satirical look at Jesus Christ, returning to physical form, as a Black man. With the trailer already out and stirring up both promotion and controversy, not everybody is... Read more

For Americans, Nintendo’s Game Boy Turns 25 Years Old Today

July 31, 1989 might seem like an ordinary day. However, for the United States market, it was a literal game-changer. It was on that day—25 years ago today, if you're keeping high-score, that Nintendo brought the Game Boy stateside. The major breakthrough in handheld video-gaming, the 8-bit device was introduced... Read more

Snoop Dogg Freshens Up William Bell’s Stax Records Classic Breakdown (Audio)

Stax Records Heads know that William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" is one of the most moving, timeless, and downright beautiful songs of the period. The 1968 hit has since been a basis of samples by Dilated Peoples, Brand Nubian, and even Ludacris and Scarface, among plenty of... Read more

Do Remember: Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud’s Girls, I Got ‘Em Locked (Video)

Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud's "Girls, I Got 'Em Locked" was hardly what would constitute a hit by today's radio standards. However, like so many 12" plates of the 1980s, the 1988 Elektra Records single was known amongst inner-circles. With the New York City duo signed to a major... Read more

Amidst Kids’ Anniversary, A Documentary Is In Production By One Of The Film’s Stars

Yesterday (July 28), Larry Clark's film, Kids, turned 19 years old. The July, 1995 theatrical release resonated with generations of Heads, ranging from those who watched it, those who lived it, and even those who watch now, and simply learn from it. One of the film's stars, Hamilton Harris, is... Read more

Joe Budden & Ransom Squash Differences, Reunite In The Vietnam Trenches (Audio)

Two Garden State greats, Joe Budden and Ransom, came from the same circles in the mid-2000s. Ransom was poised to be one of "Jumpoff Joe's" early proteges, in between his Def Jam Records fallout and what would become his Slaughterhouse lead-in's. Around 2008, the two lyricists ran afoul and entered... Read more

Kids Hit Theaters 19 Years Ago Today, Watch The Raw NYC Coming Of Age Film (Video)

On July 28, 1995, Larry Clark's first film, Kids, hit theaters. The movie starring Rosario Dawson, Chloe Sevigny, the late Justin Pierce, and Leo Fitzpatrick followed the very adult consequences of a group of teens living in then-present-day New York City. Produced in part by Gus Van Zandt (Good Will... Read more

45 King Plays The Classics & The Breaks, Rocking An Hour-Long DJ Set For Boiler Room NYC (Video)

One of the true links in Hip-Hop's chain from the mid-1980s to today is 45 King. Often credited as the founder of the original Flavor Unit, 45 King is also the man responsible for discovering MCs like Queen Latifah, Chill Rob G, and others, all while producing classic material for... Read more

Kanye West Tells GQ Why New Slaves Is The Greatest Rap Verse Of All-Time & Why Being A Dad Is Cool

Today (July 21) GQ magazine published their latest interview with longtime subject, Kanye West. A pillar of contemporary music, fashion, celebrity, and arguably—masculinity, the superstar rapper inadvertently touched on all of the subjects. While the interview uses 'Ye's bringing Jay Z and Mos Def to the same studio the same... Read more

RZA & Faulkner Show What It Means To Be A New Yorker (Video)

Even with residences in New Jersey and California as well as extensive travel abroad, RZA is always a New Yorker. The Wu-Tang Clan Abbott helped helm a sound identifiable with the city in the early 1990s, and stayed shining a light on the unheard and under-represented parts of the city... Read more

Chuck D Uses Acronyms & Wordplay To Talk About Race, Radio & Rosenberg (Audio)

Last week, HOT 97 radio host, DJ, and member of the Low Budget Crew, Peter Rosenberg publicly apologized to Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. The words followed a month-long social media debate, which bled its way onto airwaves and interviews, following HOT 97's 2014 Summer Jam. After the Long Island,... Read more