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Guilty Simpson Eviscerates New Track In Less Than Two Minutes (Audio)

Since his appearance on Slum VIllage's 2002 album Dirty District: Vol. 1, Guilty Simpson has aligned himself with the grimey boom-bap of Detroit, even after signing to the West Coast-based Stones Throw label. Two solo and five collaboration albums later, the Motor City native has released "Vanguard Organization," a song... Read more

J Rocc Pays Homage to Pete Rock with a PeteStrumentals 2 Megamix (Audio)

Almost 15 years after releasing PeteStrumentals, Pete Rock released a follow-up album on June 23, and with it came an infusion of the sampling and hard-hitting beats for which the Hip-Hop icon is revered. Released by Mello Music Group, PeteStrumentals 2 serves as not only a reminder of why the... Read more

Madlib Salutes African Grooves with New Project (Album Stream)

The Beat Konducta is back with another installment of his signature Mind Fusion mixtape series, this one penetrating deeply into the sounds of African beats and rhythms. African Earwax showcases the vast and seemingly endless lode of innovative music coming from all corners of the Great Continent, and at over... Read more

From Underground MC to Superstar Singer: The Winding Path & Secret Songs of Aloe Blacc

For more than a decade, Aloe Blacc has proven himself as an elite singer-songwriter with a passionate voice and compelling lyrics. Blacc's stunning range as a musician goes from an enriching soulful sound, to a Folk and Pop fusion. He appeared on the big screen as Bobby Byrd in the 2014... Read more

Bob James May Love Hip-Hop, But He Calls Foul On Madlib’s Sampling

Who can deny that sampling has become a fundamental element that has put numerous Hip-Hop classics on the map? Since the very earliest days of Hip-Hop music, sampling has been integral. With it have often come lawsuits, allegations of copyright infringement, and a series of settlements. Recently (April 10, 2015)... Read more

Knxwledge Lives Out His Hud Dreems After Producing Rap’s A-List (Audio)

Los Angeles, California-residing producer Knxwledge has been an active member of his city's eclectic beat/instrumental scene. His distinct method of blending Jazz record, psychadelic riffs and unique rhythms have gained him quite a bit notoriety and Hip-Hop heads may recognize him for his work with noteworthy MCs like Kendrick Lamar,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Mos Def vs. MF DOOM…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

Rediscover Madlib’s Yesterdays’ New Quintet Thanks To Stones Throw (Audio)

Madlib. Quasimoto. The Loop Digga. The man born Otis Jackson, Jr. has many names, identities, and personas. Back in the early 2000s, one of Madlib quietly emerged with one of his most illusive groups, Yesterday's New Quintet. A consummate sampler, Madlib began experimenting with a Fender Rhodes keyboard. As Stones... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Jay-Z vs. MF DOOM…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, 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... Read more

Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One Dress Up A Snoop Dogg Hit With A Funky Tuxedo (Video)

One of the low-key, simply amazing collaborations going on right now is Tuxedo. A duo, the group consists of crossover hit DJ-turned-singer Mayer Hawthorne and Seattle, Washington producer Jake One. For years, Jake Uno has lived in the shadow, regardless of whether he was working with G-Unit or Quannum Projects.... Read more

Blu & MED Release a Mixtape Strictly for the Underground. No Fakers Allowed (Audio)

While they're both old soul MCs, both Blu and MED utilize the digital age to the fullest. The two sunny Southern California lyricists release music at a pace that would make 2Pac proud. Whether the albums are on major labels, legendary indies, or bootlegged by the men who made them,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): J. Dilla vs. Guru…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in 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... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): MF DOOM vs. Elzhi…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in 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... Read more

The Beat Junkies Honor J Dilla With A Scorching 2015 Remembrance Mix (Audio)

One of the subtleties that makes Dilla Day (February 10) so special in recent years is majorly due to The Beat Junkies and DJ J. Rocc. The Los Angeles, California DJ, who was the third—often uncredited—member of JayLib, finds new and innovative ways to praise his friend, collaborator, and Stones... Read more

Raise It Up: Grasping The Entire Greatness Of J Dilla In Retrospect (Food For Thought)

On the heels of the first expanded Dilla Weekend, it is difficult to ignore the growth in posthumous fame that James Yancey (a/k/a Jay Dee or J Dilla) has accrued since passing away on this date, nine years ago. Like Amadeus Mozart's and Vincent Van Gogh's before him, Dilla's legacy... Read more

J Dilla’s Donuts Gets The Ultimate 44-Minute Fan-Made Visual Companion (Video)

Besides the posthumously-released "Last Night Of The Donut," J Dilla's 2006 album Donuts was not the kind of album that yielded videos. Stones Throw Records, who are independent greats at making compelling, cool visuals to match their extensive, dynamic discography, let the music do the talking when it came to... Read more

Snoop Dogg Makes 2015 Funktafied With A Dam-Funk & Daz Dillinger Double-Take (Audio)

It's always a celebration for Snoop Dogg. Tha Doggfather brings in the new year by heating up one of his many, many side projects. 7 Days Of Funk brought Snoop to Stones Throw Records to link with producer/vocalist Dam-Funk for a retro, free-form 2013 Funk project that brought each Southern... Read more

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

Blu, MED & J. Rocc Make A Sparse Ill AXEL F Cut & Shine (Audio)

Add another dope release to the November Rap calendar. AXEL F, the tandem of MED and J. Rocc (Jaylib) will release Theme Music on November 24 on Bang Ya Head Entertainment. After some work in late 2013, the tandem links again with close affiliate Blu for "Omega." Blu sets things... Read more

Nas Is Recording Over J Dilla Donuts Beats. Now In CDQ (Video/Audio)

Nasty Nas is a rebel to convention. Since investing a stake in Mass Appeal (the magazine), the Queens icon has been making some really interesting, Hip-Hop culturally-minded moves. Deeply involved in Mass Appeal Records, Nas reportedly hand-picked signings of Fashawn, Bishop Nehru, and Boldy James...three artists that have been making... Read more

Action Bronson, Joey Bada$$ & Ransom Hop On Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s Knicks Remix (Audio)

If a few months made you forget how incredible Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata was, this remix of "Knicks" is a reminder with sharp elbows like Charles Oakley. Those 'bows come in the form of a new Gibbs verse (where Gary, Indiana's own doesn't mince words about the Ferguson, Missouri... Read more

Homeboy Sandman Makes Great Visuals, But This May Be The Best (Video)

Like his verses, Homeboy Sandman is almost always animated in the video medium. He's rapped on MTA subways, played with motion and color. However, in "Refugee," H.B.S hits faraway locales to meet some strange strangers in this amazing polished narrative video that nods to the 1990s efforts from Skee-Lo, Fatlip,... Read more

Homeboy Sandman, J-Live & Kurious Jorge Run An MC Clinic (Audio)

Elmhurst, Queens' Homeboy Sandman released Hallways, his fifth album, on September 2 via Peanut Butter Wolf's Stones Throw Records. The loquacious MC teamed with two New Yorkers who blazed his trail that he's followed and adapted with. J-Live and Kurious (f/k/a Kurious Jorge) joined H.B.S on "Enough." The sweet, melodic... 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

For Harold’s, Freddie Gibbs Throws His Pinata Party Right In Indiana (Video)

With Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata still a popular favorite in the discussion of 2014's best Hip-Hop albums, they release their latest visuals. The single "Harold's" was one of the LP's stronger points. The track referenced a Midwestern fried chicken restaurant and used it as an illustration for the streets... Read more

Homeboy Sandman Flips Patriotism On Its Head In America, The Beautiful (Audio)

Homeboy Sandman loves a concept. Teaming with fellow Stones Throw Records artist Jonwayne on the boards, H.B.S. takes a long look at America as She stands today. While it's not the most optimistic, it's heavily researched, and spans many attributes of culture. "America, The Beautiful" is the latest in a... Read more

Freddie Gibbs Shows The Crime & The Punishment On The Madlib-Produced Deeper (Video)

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata is still dropping jewels since being busted back in March. One of the album's earliest singles, "Deeper" is Freddie Gibbs' storytelling at his finest, with a signature Madlib concoction of Soul, Funk, and avant-garde Jazz. For the visual, the ESGN (Evil Seeds Grow Naturally) family... Read more

Kanye West Explains How J Dilla Influenced Yeezus (Video)

Back in 2005, during the launch of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, 'Ye inked a deal with one of his influences, Common. During the making of Comm's Be LP, two producers worked on the album: Kanye and J Dilla. The gold-certified, Grammy-nominated album would eventually feature two Jay Dee production, and... Read more

Like Food Raps? Homeboy Sandman Speaks To Your Belly (Video)

Stones Throw Records has had a lot of buzz swinging around the internet lately with the impending release of their documentary film, Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton, May 27. The Peanut Butter Wolf directed team consistently releases content that is highly regarded in the underground music scene and continues to... Read more

Watch The Drummer Get Wicked! Madlib Makes A Beat On The Drums, Turntables & Pads (Video)

When Heads of a certain age were young, we watched Grandmixer DST cut it up in Herbie Hancock's legendary video to "Rockit." That single moment, putting scratching and cutting in the mainstream (Herbie would later score awards galore for the fresh LP), prompted many DJs to gravitate towards the record... Read more

Kanye West, Common & Madlib Discuss Stones Throw Records In Part 1 Of Documentary (Video)

Peanut Butter Wolf's Stones Throw Records is a special imprint. The California-based indie label has been a release house for work ranging from acclaimed J Dilla Instrumental albums (Donuts), MF DOOM comeback collaborations (Madvillainy), debut LPs from NYC legends like Percee P (Perseverance), and a host of small one-offs ranging... Read more

Homeboy Sandman’s Range Is Growing Further. Just Look At Bad Meaning Good (Video)

Comparisons can get us all into trouble. However, as Homeboy Sandman continues to do amazing work on record and on stage, when will Heads see the fact that the Queens, New Yorker is as close as any independent artist on veering into Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) versatility. He raps, fast,... Read more

Homeboy Sandman Breathes New Life Into An Old Breakbeat In This Freestyle (Audio)

Pound for pound, Homeboy Sandman is one of the most dynamic MCs to emerge in the last 10 years. The Elmhurst, Queens rapper/activist has a Native Tongues way about him, standing up for issues, while still clearly having fun with every microphone rendezvous and video. In honor BoySand's new Stones... Read more

Homeboy Sandman Puts A Hip-Hop Spin On A Choir Classic (Audio)

Homeboy Sandman never seems to slow down. After one or more projects every year dating back to 2009, BoySand moves from 2013 acclaim of Kool Herc: Fertile Crescent and right into WHITE SANDS, with frequent producer/collaborator, Paul White. To kick things off proper, H.B.S. and Paul drop "Wade Into The... Read more

Blu & MED Might Use Peroxide, But This Dam-Funk & Madlib Assisted Track Is Funky (Audio)

MED has churned out a lot of records in 2013. Between work with J. Rocc, Oh No, and others, the former Stones Throw Records artist has stayed busy and quite versatile. Blu knows that sort of schedule and strategy well. The two California natives link with a third, in Madlib,... Read more

Blu, MED & Mayer Hawthorne Link With Madlib For The Buzz (Audio)

Three Stones Throw Records artists (past and present) link with another staple of the Southern California independent scene (who was signed to a major label briefly). In more specific terms, MED and Mayer Hawthorne hop on a Madlib beat to be joined by Blu. "The Buzz" lives up its name,... Read more

Madlib The Beat Konducta Provides A Psychedelic Time Machine Interlude In Black Widow (Audio)

Much has been written about J Dilla's Donuts. Seemingly, it's the most-discussed instrumental Hip-Hop project since DJ Shadow's Entroducing. With volumes upon volumes of "Beat Konducta" albums, it's disheartening that Madlib's works are often picked and chosen, as far as acclaim and notoriety. Now veering into a "Rock Konducta" series,... Read more

7 Days Of Funk (Snoop Dogg + Dam Funk) – Faden Away

I cannot say that I saw this coming. However, as Snoop Dogg links with Eddie Murphy, why not do a song with Electro-Funk contemporary artist Dam Funk? Dam has been on Stones Throw Records for a number of years, upholding that spacey, stoned style that's more Egyptian Lover and Arabian... Read more

MED – MEDical Card ft J. Rocc, Balance And The Traveling Sounds (Video)

Once seemingly in the shadow of Madlib, Lootpack, Oh No, and the rest of the Stones Throw/Oxnard contingency, MED has truly stepped it up since 2010's Classic. The low-key collaborator of Diamond D, Just Blaze, and The Beat Konducta recently went to an in-store to plug in and play "MEDical... Read more

MED – MEDical Card ft J. Rocc, Balance And The Traveling Sounds (Video)

Once seemingly in the shadow of Madlib, Lootpack, Oh No, and the rest of the Stones Throw/Oxnard contingency, MED has truly stepped it up since 2010's Classic. The low-key collaborator of Diamond D, Just Blaze, and The Beat Konducta recently went to an in-store to plug in and play "MEDical... Read more

Homeboy Sandman – Men Are Mortal (Video)

From his Stones Throw EP from this year, Kool Herc, BoySand kicks an scorching verse while jump-roping. If you find walking and chewing bubblegum simultaneously to be a challenge, you will definitely find this video to be a thrill. The retail album named after Hip-Hop's founder has throwback production with... Read more