Mez might be a new artist to you, but his time in Hip Hop has been nothing short of legendary. If you were among the millions that streamed Dr. Dre’s critically acclaimed Compton album, you are already familiar with Mez’s work, as he wrote 14 of its 16 tracks. Aside from being a dope writer, Mez is also an innovative film director, having directed J. Cole’s 8x platinum single, “Middle Child”, as well as music videos for Sir and Ari Lennox, plus commercials for Nike and Jordan Brand, among others. Nice stats indeed. Now the GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, songwriter, music producer ..read more

  Today, multi-platinum R&B iconoclast, style icon, and entrepreneur Brent Faiyaz drops off a new visual for “Best Time” - the most streamed song (97 million+) on his latest album, Larger Than Life. Directed by Lonewolf, in a cinematic yet vlog-like style, “Best Time” follows Brent along on tour, in the club, at afterparties, and behind some of the most exclusive velvet ropes around the world. Bottles pop, cameras snap, models surround the superstar, and fans cheer - all R&B star sh*t. “Best Time” follows in the artistic footsteps of Brent’s “WY@“ music video, starring ..read more

  If you were in Los Angeles last Sunday, April 7th, you were doing with one of two things - sleeping or turning up with EPC Music Group in Hollywood for the Rich in the City tour, featuring Blacbohippie, Gabbedon, Kuratalks, and Myghty. Held at “The World Famous Whisky A Go Go”, where we last covered Mike Jones’ LA show, Sunday exuded three of our favorite words - positivity, hustle, and community. Not only that, the DJ was on point, spinning new hits mixed with throwbacks for the “old heads” (?) Openers, J. Outlaw, 1 Shot Dealz, and Snubbs got the crowd hella hype with lyrical wordpl ..read more

Photo credit: @lowkeyinlosangeles   Last Thursday, April 8th renown journalist and author, Soren Baker linked with Hip Hop legend, Malcolm “EDI” Greenidge for a live Q&A and book signing session. Held at LA’s world famous Delicious Pizza, the book signing brought out an eclectic crowd, full of supporters, Hip Hop fans, and avid readers. Malcolm “EDI” Greenidge (aka E.D.I. Mean), a co-founding member of the legendary rap group the Outlawz, which was founded by Tupac Shakur, has appeared on songs and albums that have sold over 100 million copies, as well as diss track "Hit 'Em Up". S ..read more

  That Girl Lay Lay, known for her roles on Nickelodeon, unveils her latest music video for the track "I Don't Wanna Kiss," featuring Lil Darius. As Lay Lay's Nickelodeon series reaches its final season, she continues to showcase her musical talent and growth as an artist. The music video, adorned with anime frames, enhances the song's vibe and complements Lay Lay's boss-like delivery. Renowned for her infectious energy and musical prowess, Lay Lay's transition from child star to emerging music artist has garnered widespread attention. "I Don't Wanna Kiss" underscores her versatility, bl ..read more

  It's time to turn up the volume and dive into the raw and electrifying world of Benny The Butcher, the mastermind behind Buffalo's iconic Griselda collective. Today, we're taking a front-row seat as Benny delivers a chilling live performance for "Jermanie's Graduation," straight from his latest project, "EVERYBODY CAN'T GO. Unveiling Realness and Raw Talent "EVERYBODY CAN'T GO" isn't just an album; it's a sonic journey through Benny The Butcher's raw and real reality. With 12 tracks, Benny doesn't hold back as he shares his hard-earned wisdom and unfiltered truths. From the haunting o ..read more

Credit: Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1   So, you think you know about Freaknik? Well, think again. It's not just some faded memory or urban legend. It was the ultimate street party that took over Atlanta back in the '80s and '90s. And trust me, it's way cooler than you remember. Ebro Darden recently sat down with two Hip Hop heavy hitters, Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke, on Apple Music 1. They dug deep into the roots of Freaknik, revealing its rise from a humble street gathering to a phenomenon that rocked the city. Now, let's talk about Uncle Luke. Not just your average Hip Hop artist—he ..read more

  In the late 1970s and early 1980s, amidst the concrete landscapes of the South Bronx, a cultural metamorphosis unfolded, giving birth to a movement that would not only redefine music, but also etch its influence onto the canvas of fashion.  Hip Hop emerged as a dynamic expression of creativity, resilience, and identity, born in response to the economic hardships and social struggles facing communities. This cultural revolution, rooted in the urban narrative, paved the way for a unique fusion of music, dance, and style. As Hip Hop evolved, it transcended its auditory origins to bec ..read more

  Still snowballing the momentum of his 2023 project, “City Superstar”, Carson local, QU/NTEN taps one of the city’s hottest stars, Jayson Cash for “Michelin Star”. Directed by CSPR, the extra chill visual finds QU/NTEN and Jayson drape the track in stylish flows, set to a scenic backdrop. “Michelin Star” matches the high vibrational and aspirational tone of QU/NTEN’s music. It is not all too surprising when you discover that his major influence is none other than Hip Hop’s motivational speaker, Big Sean, who also keeps the good vibes going. Like the melting pot of his Black, Mexican ..read more

Photo credit: Steve E.   Ahead of the March 2024 release of his upcoming album “Won’t He Do It: Side B”, Conway The Machine comes through with Joey Bada$$ for the video for “Vertino”. Vivid, raw, and reminiscent of a 90’s Hype Williams video, “Vertino” finds the two New York emcees deliver quality bars over equally hard-hitting production. “Vertino” marks Conway The Machine’s second release of one epic year, following “Give & Give” featuring Cool & Dre. In addition to the much anticipated follow-up to “Won’t He Do It”, Conway recently announced his And Then… There Was The Machin ..read more