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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

Hear Some Rare, Early ’70s Demo Versions From Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Catch A Fire (Audio)

#126 on Rolling Stone magazine's "Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All-Time," The Wailers' Catch A Fire is a benchmark Reggae album. Released in April of 1973, the album written primarily by Bob Marley, with two penned efforts by Peter Tosh featured a carefully-crafted concoction of hope, seduction, and social chronicle.... Read more

REKS Teams With Saigon & N.O.R.E. For Some Message Music With Garvey (Audio)

The revolutionary comparisons drive the musical car, as REKS links with Saigon and N.O.R.E. on "Garvey," named after the Jamaican leader of the Black Star Line. N.O.R.E.is in form, Saigon stamps down one of his signature thought-provoking verses, while REKS shows one of his many sides—in a lengthy career that's... Read more

The-Dream Shows Real, Active Change In His Powerful Visual For Black (Video)

After April's lyric video, The-Dream shows that he had some truly massive plans for "Black." The song, a message of Black empowerment, uses modern illustrations for racism (the violence in Chicago, materialistic stereotypes, Tommy Hilfiger's racist remarks) as well as iconic mentions of Marvin Gaye, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin... Read more

Raphael Saadiq Honors Bobby Womack With A Touching Tribute Song (Audio)

For over 25 years, Raphael Saadiq has been a true master at honoring the natural lineage of great '60s and '70s Soul and R&B music. The Bay area native has made albums that seem anachronistic at times, like time capsules from the Motown and Essex record label days, with sweet... Read more

Prince Puts On A Private Show For Apollonia’s First-Ever Visit To Paisley Park (Audio)

Over the last 48 hours, Prince concluded the week celebrating 30 years since the film and soundtrack of Purple Rain. While many Heads could speculate that any benchmark anniversary would be business as usual for an Artist such as Prince, they also know that the Twin Cities icon is big... Read more

Yo! Bum Rush The News Show. Watch Erykah Badu Vid-Bomb A News Reporter (Video)

Erykah Badu's music videos are avant-garde. So is the Dallas, Texas native's daily life. While in New York City recently, Badu video-bombs a news report in Midtown Manhattan (seemingly reporting about Cage's homie, actor Shia LaBouf). She even goes as far as to attempt kissing PIX11's Mario Diaz, who does... Read more

9th Wonder Honors The Life Of Bobby Womack With An Amazing Sonic Collection (Mixtape)

Following this week's sad news regarding the death of R&B/Soul icon Bobby Womack, Hip-Hop reacted. Since Little Brother's The Listening, 9th Wonder has quietly and carefully alluded to his love (and listening) of Bobby's music. Thereby, 11 years later, it was 9th who was among the first to honor the... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Is A Backpacker Indeed. He Sells OXYMORON CDs Hand To Hand In Times Square (Videos)

Frequently, the four members of Black Hippy are compared to the underground Hip-Hop stars of 15-plus years ago—well, maybe not Jay Rock so much. While the Watts lyricist is more aggressive in style and approach than is commonly associated with the Soundbombing era of Rap music, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and... Read more

With 2Pac’s Activism In The Conversation Again, Broadway Cries Holler If Ya Hear Me

While Tupac's music is perennially celebrated, it is his activism that has once again come to the foreground, recently. A month ago, 2Pac's previously-unreleased conversation with Sanyika Shakur (Monster Kody) provided 20 minutes of deep insights, reflections, and admissions from the final year of the iconic "Thug Angel's" life. Over... Read more

Read 2Pac’s 1995 Letter From Prison To Public Enemy’s Chuck D

In September 1995, Tupac Shakur was in New York's Clinton Correctional Facility, with less than a month remaining on a sexual assault conviction, stemming from 1993. Maintaining that he was innocent of the accusations against him, 'Pac rallied in his year leading up to the sentencing, while working hard at... Read more

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

Tariq Trotter Meets Harry Potter, As Black Thought Has Latenight TV Fun (Video)

The Roots are so much more than a "house band" for "The Tonight Show." The Philadelphia crew, long-labeled as one of host Jimmy Fallon's favorite acts, has been interwoven into the show's nightly sketches, comedy, and a heavy hand in collaborating with various musical guests. At the request of one... Read more

Add-2 & Nitty Scott, MC Channel The Depression-Era Sound For A Bonnie & Clyde Cut (Audio)

Aside from OutKast's Idlewild LP, Hip-Hop rarely goes back to the 1930s for inspiration. Add-2 and Nitty Scott, MC ignored the memo, as the Chi-City voice of hope and the Brooklyn-based flower-child put on new costumes in art and in verse. Not like Jay Z & Beyonce's rendition of Bonnie... Read more

Angie Martinez Announces Final Day On Air, Resigns From HOT 97

After nearly 25 years at HOT 97, Angie Martinez announced today via social media platforms that she is resigning. Dating back to the 1980s, as a teenager, Angie, a Bronx native, began at the New York City-based station in one of their lowest capacities: answering phones, and paying dues. A... Read more

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

Dave Chappelle Recalls Being Mistaken As A Member Of The Roots, Prince Laughing At Himself (Video)

Dave Chappelle had two critical media appearances in the past week. At the top of things, the Ohio native appeared on "The Late Show With David Letterman," discussing his absence from the spotlight, and walking away from $50 million from Comedy Central to fulfill a "Chappelle Show" contract. Later appearing... Read more

Check Rare Footage Of The Notorious B.I.G. Cosigning Lil’ Kim’s Solo Career & Raekwon Stories Wu-Tang Clan’s Logo (Video)

Gearing up for the next segment in BET's "The Message," clips are meshed together in the preview featuring everybody from the late Notorious B.I.G., to Birdman, to 2 Chainz, to Kendrick Lamar, to Jermaine Dupri. Included are Biggie recalling (to Joe Clair) a candid convo with Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Lil' Kim... Read more

Dave Chappelle Says He Didn’t Quit, He’s Just 7 Years Late To Work (Video)

With new shows in New York City on the horizon, including several joined by The Roots, DJ Premier, and Erykah Badu, comedian/actor Dave Chappelle appears to climbing back to the spotlight after nearly a decade of public hiatus. The Ohio native appeared on "Late Show With David Letterman" last night... Read more

30 Minutes Of Kanye West’s Off-The-Mic Inspiration, War-Cries & Chest-Thumping (Video)

Sometimes, the same thing that's great about an artist's music is what makes their personality and stardom so strong. Tupac Shakur had a courage in his music as he did in his life, and it's a big part of the reason why his face is printed on thousands of posters... Read more

Sir Mix-A-Lot Brings Booty Bass To Classical, As He Performs Baby Got Back With An Orchestra (Video)

Applaud Seattle Hip-Hop pioneer Sir Mix-A-Lot. For 30 years, the MC/DJ/radio personality and producer has been making a unique brand of Rap music, helping co-pioneer Booty Bass (with the L.A. faction of 2 Live Crew) just about as far from Miami as an American can get. Although S.M.A.'s hits go... Read more

In Terms Of Geographical Themes, This Might Be The Most Fully Executed. Hi-Tek Brings Bow Wow & Krayzie Bone Together, With Bootsy Collins Over An Ohio Players Sample (Audio)

From Ja Rule, Jadakiss and Fat Joe's "New York" to Dr. Dre's "Some L.A. Niggaz" to T.W.D.Y.'s "Player's Holiday," there have been some cool geographically-driven collaborations. Still, those seem within a pocket of talented friends, even if guys like Dre and Defari don't often run in the same circles. For... Read more

Common Remembers Maya Angelou In This Touching Letter (Food For Thought)

In the wake of Maya Angelou's death last week, Common published a heartfelt reaction. Comm's words explain everything they need to, but Ambrosia For Heads felt this was something too heartfelt, important, and eloquent not to share: "Since I was 5 years old I have loved reading good writing. I... Read more

DJ Scratch Goes Into The Crates With An All-45 James Brown Mix (Mixtape)

In one of the cooler reveals in Hip-Hop as of late, it turns out that J. Period was not alone in honoring James Brown this week. As the True Elements DJ went in on #The Legend Of James Of Brown, EPMD/Flipmode Squad alum DJ Scratch offered up a companion mix,... Read more

J. Period Honors The Godfather Of Soul, James Brown (Mixtape)

Brooklyn-based DJ J. Period (who is actually the Music Supervisor for the Brooklyn Nets) loves many shapes and colors of music. Coming up as a DJ affiliated closely with Oakland duo Zion I, J. Period and his True Elements platform have made celebrated tapes for living legends like The Isley... Read more

Bishop Nehru Is The Latest & One Of The More Unlikely MCs To Tackle Iggy Azalea’s Fancy (Audio)

There is Smif-N-Wessun with Mary J. Blige, Ol' Dirty Bastard with Mariah Carey, so how about Bishop Nehru and Iggy Azalea? Although the Australian T.I. affiliate is not a singer as much as she is a rapper, the Island Records star has a Pop pocket, and has at least two... Read more

David Alan Grier Provides A Dramatic Reading Of Some Of Kanye West’s Classic Tweets (Video)

Since I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, David Alan Grier has been supplying Heads with laughs. In actuality, this classically-trained actor's resume spans over 30 years, long before he was an integral part of the "In Living Color" cast from beginning to end, and star of such films as Blankman and... Read more

Everything That’s Great About The ’80s Comes To New Life In R.A. The Rugged Man’s Ill New Visual (Video)

Coming up in the mid-1980s New York City Hip-Hop era, R.A. The Rugged Man traveled from Long Island to Brooklyn to experience his favorite MCs. The friend of The Notorious B.I.G. and longtime collaborator of Havoc and Sadat X loved Hip-Hop's history, and collected tapes and studied flows. The 20-plus-year... Read more

Beats Music x Apple Deal Is Confirmed. Dr. Dre To Become Apple Executive

After three weeks of speculation, Dr. Dre is believed to have officially become Hip-Hop's first billionaire. Today (May 28), USA Today confirmed the Beats Electronics (previously Beats By Dre) buyout by Apple for a reported $3 billion. The latter company's CEO, Tim Cook declared, "This [deal] is about music and... Read more

Rest In Peace Father Shaheed, Of Poor Righteous Teachers

A news story from HipHopDX.com has quoted Public Enemy's Facebook account as confirming Father Shaheed dead. The Trenton, New Jersey native was a founding member of P.R.T., and a DJ/producer of the crew also including Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom, and Mike Peart. Per P.E.'s reports, Shaheed died following a motorcycle... Read more

Ice-T & Body Count Are Back To Making Threatening Rock-Rap. But Who’s Their New Target? (Video)

When some Heads talk about Ice-T's songs, they inevitably mention "Cop Killer." It's not a celebrated street-anthem like "6 'N The Mornin'," "Colors," or "New Jack Hustler." It's a song made by Tracy's Metal/Rock-Rap outfit, Body Count. The 1992 single about retaliation from police violence prompted strong reactions from everybody... Read more

Some Texas Street Musicians Get A Dream Come True Care Of Juicy J, Aloe Blacc & Trey Songz (Video)

It can be easy to roll your eyes at the seemingly-cliche term "viral video." The label is thrown on anything anymore, whether it actually makes its rounds or not. However, in the past week, some phone-cam footage of a sidewalk jam session in Texas. The simple jam about the uncertainty... Read more

Janelle Monae Holds It Down For The Underdogs In Her David Bowie Cover Heroes (Video)

Janelle Monae is always making statements: with music, fashion, lyrics, and more. In her video to "Heroes," the cover of the famed 1977 David Bowie record, Purple Ribbon's secret weapon stands up to bullying. This M*I*A-style video tells a story, and has an upside. Whether the song is about love,... Read more

If You Define Dizzy Wright As Only Lighthearted, Check His Dedication To Lost Children (Audio)

Dizzy Wright has amassed a major (independent) fan-base through commanding concerts, connecting with the attitudes of modern youth culture, and seemingly never ceasing to give away music. However, the Las Vegas, Nevada MC has a lot more depth than some Heads may realize. Funk Volume's Wright dedicated a song this... Read more

There Is A Pop Superstar Heads Might’ve Missed From The Wu-Tang Clan Once Upon A Time In Shaolin Teaser…

Yesterday (May 6) brought the first listen (by "any civilians" anyway) of the upcoming Wu-Tang Clan album, Wu—Once Upon A Time In Shaolin. Recorded and under lock and key in Marrakesh, Morocco, this one-of-one, open-market auction LP is helmed by longtime Wu affiliate Cilvaringz, who shared just under a minute of... Read more

Get A Closer Listen To The Sidewalk Rapper Kanye West Complimented (Audio)

Even Heads immune to daily paparazzi rundowns and celebrity gossip sites seemed to direct some interest to yesterday's (May 5) video footage of Kanye West listening to a street rapper deliver seemingly-endless bars while 'Ye walked the New York streets with spouse, Kim Kardashian. Headed home after a long night... Read more

The Open Auction Wu-Tang Clan Album Is Under Vaulted Lock & Key, But You Can Get A Taste (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan has announced two albums coming down the pipeline. One, said to be called A Better Tomorrow, is the subject of a rift between RZA and Raekwon that might leave the Chef out of Wu's studio kitchen for the first time in 21 years. The other, already completed recording,... Read more

Get Some NYC Pasta & Milk Shakes With Action Bronson (Video)

Besides the stage-tosses and body-slams, Action Bronson's recent global touring including some amazingly picturesque stops. The Queens, New Yorker went diving in Australian waters, whilst kicking it with Alchemist and some of his homies in the food industry. In the premiere episode of "Fuck, That's Delicious," A.B. shares some footage... Read more

How Does Kanye West Treat An Aspiring Street-Rapper Who Runs Up On Him With Bars? (Video)

Legend has it that Kanye West signed Big Sean to G.O.O.D. Music after a chance meeting in an elevator at a Detroit, Michigan radio station. On the spot, Big Sean saw his chance to be "finally famous" and bombarded 'Ye with some signature bars that did the unthinkable. History was... Read more

Action Bronson Kicks Off A New Series All About Cleaning The Plate (Video)

Through Atlantic Records, Action Bronson joined the major label a few years back, courtesy of VICE Records. The imprint to the magazine and digital platform of the same name now partners with Bronsillino for a new food show. "Fuck, That's Delicious" (gotta love VICE's fearlessness) will be a web series... Read more

Former Roc-A-Fella Engineer Reportedly Uses Extortion To Give Back Vintage Jay Z Master Recordings

In the late '90s and early 2000s, Chauncey Mahan was a name Heads would certainly find in the insert booklets of their albums. A recording engineer, Mahan was by no means a household name, even to level of an Eddie Sancho, Young Guru, or DURO, but he worked on Jay... Read more

Method Man & Redman Play Tongue Twisters Game With Cotton-Mouth (Video)

Montreality can seemingly get legendary rappers to do just about anything. Fresh off of getting Kool G Rap to recall delivering Chinese food, the Great North site got Redman & Method Man (Meth's not always the biggest fan of media either) to play Tongue Twisters. The Def Jam O.G.'s battle... Read more

Check Out This Tender Hip-Hop Moment That Will Make You Smile (Video)

Family is an important part of Hip-Hop. So is having fun. Large Professor this video from Brooklyn Bowl of he and his daughter vibin' out to DJ Premier on the wheels of steel (playing some Run-DMC and some Big L). If this don't bring a smile, check your pulse... #FunFact:... Read more

RZA & Wu-Tang Clan Have A Recorded Album That Nobody Knows About, And They’re Only Selling 1 Copy?

Ready for the craziest news you've likely heard in 2013? Okay, here goes: Wu-Tang Clan has a new album. No, it's not the delayed A Better Tomorrow. Instead, this 31-track, 128-minute album was allegedly recorded in the country of Morocco, according to an exclusive report by Forbes staff writer and... Read more

Peep The Words From The Genius. GZA Gives A Teen TED Talk About Hip-Hop Helping His Love Of Science (Video)

GZA has kicked since for 23 years and counting. The Genius, since his days running with Marley Marl and Cold Chillin' Records' Fly Ty Williams, has been an MC who stuffed a lot of information in his verses. Now, since the boom of the Wu-Tang Clan, GZA joins the likes... Read more

Kermit The Frog As Kool G Rap? Watch The Sesame Street Crew Tackle The Juice Crew’s Symphony (Video)

Admit it or not, plenty Heads grew up on Sesame Street. PBS' afternoon learning and entertainment show raised many of us long before we later recognized Gordon in Willie Dynamite, or laughed at Dave Chappelle's impersonation of The Count. Well, in the tradition of Bert & Ernie playing Billy Danze... Read more

Enjoy Some Killa Cam Antics? Watch Cam’ron Kick A Guy In The Crotch For A Price (Video)

File this along with your Action Bronson stage tossing, bodyslams, and other violent ejections. Cam'ron, who may be Bam Bam's label-mate in the Warner Bros/Atlantic Records family tree, is usually known to be a cool-tempered dude. While Dipset was not above acting rowdy, Cam's not the type to be seen... Read more

Shut ‘Em Down: DMX & George Zimmerman Boxing Match Canceled After Protest

Last week, it was announced that acquitted murderer George Zimmerman would battle rapper/actor DMX in the boxing ring for a three-round, refereed fight. X immediately hyped the event, forecasting that he would not only beat up the former Florida resident, but would urinate on the man responsible for the death... Read more

Action Bronson Stage-Tossing Continues. This Time With A Little Person (Video)

Great Hip-Hop artists have stage-show conventions. Public Enemy has the SW1s. Method Man has a reputation for climbing to the top of speaker towers to deliver his verses. Common freestyles, usually incorporating street names and venues local to whatever city he's in. Jay-Z has Memphis Bleek. Is Action Bronson the... Read more

It Was A Good Day Indeed, Ice Cube Finally Got His Name On A Good Year Blimp (Photos)

While you might never see "the Lakers beat the Supersonics" again, there's still a lot at play in Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day" 21 years later. From the trip to Fat Burger, to pick-up basketball, to that triste with the girl he forever lusted for, the DJ Pooh-produced... Read more