Max Weinstein
Tree Plays Lonely Piano in ‘Godlike’ Video
Ever wondered what modern rap would sound like in a speakeasy? Tree shows you on 'God Like,' the second video from his stunning last project, '@MCTREEG EP,' courtesy of Scion AV.
This or That? 100s vs. 100X
Before we were treated to the permed-out pimp rap stylings of 100s there was an obscure rap group of out Philly called 100x.
Who Flipped It Better? Nas vs. Blu
Pete Rock's classic sample flip for Nas's 'The World Is Yours' goes up against Exile's beat for Blu's 'Maybe One Day.'
Who Flipped It Better? Wu-Tang vs. Ratking
What does RATKING have in common with Wu-Tang Clan? Other than reppin' for NY it's this Sweet Inspirations sample.
This or That? Big Mike vs. Killer Mike (a.k.a. Mike Bigga)
For the latest 'This or That?' we travel South for a debate that might have helped open eyes in the mid-2000's, when hip-hop at large seemed to think Lil' Jon and D4L were the only Southern artists worth talking about (and s--ting on).
Michael Santiago Render, or Killer Mike, pulled a 'Live At The BBQ' in 2001 when he caught the beat running on OutKast's 'The Whole World,' quickly making a name fo
Who Flipped It Better? Smoke DZA vs. K-Otix
Smoke DZA and K-Otix both use a sample of Gene Harris' 1977 track 'Peace of Mind' in their respective songs. Who Flipped It Better?
This or That? Jaz-O vs. Jay Z
The history of Jay Z and Jaz-O is not only shrouded in but also defined by mystery. Jay himself has often used his mythical beginnings to his advantage: when ‘Reasonable Doubt’ dropped he was shamed for name-checking local drug kingpins, but later on he’d be accused of falsifying his drug dealing history.
Who Flipped It Better? Drake vs. Just Blaze
For our Who Flipped It Better? column this week, The Boombox takes a look at samples used on songs by Drake and Just Blaze.
YG Talks Making ‘My Krazy Life,’ Rap Beef & White Kids Using the N-Word [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]
The man behind 'Toot It And Boot It' and 'My Hitta' talks about the making of his critically-acclaimed album 'My Krazy Life,' sending shots at other rappers and his gangbanging past.
Who Flipped It Better? Madlib vs. DJ Paul & Juicy J
The Sample: The Manhattans - Wish That You Were Mine
The Manhattans are one of the best slept-on soul groups of the '60s and '70s. Groups with bigger profiles, like The Impressions, The Temptations, and The Blue Notes tend to get more recognition, while other groups like The Emotions and The O'Jays had bigger hits, but The Manhattans kept it simple with a warmth that still glows today...
Who Flipped It Better? Schoolboy Q Vs. Mobb Deep
The Sample: Gary Burton - 'Las Vegas Tango'
The vibraphone. An instrument so seductive it’s both stunning in effect and somewhat rare to find played. Lionel Hampton was one of the first to ever bring the vibraphone to wider audiences in the late 1920s and early '30s, and greats like Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, and Roy Ayers would continue to popularize it’s distinct sound throughout the centur
This or That? Step Brothers (Evidence & Alchemist) vs. Step Brothers (Starlito & Don Trip)
What's the difference between Step Brothers (Starlito and Don Trip) and Step Brothers (Alchemist and Evidence).
Who Flipped It Better? A$AP Rocky vs. Spice 1
This week we pit A$AP Rocky's 'Peso' against Spice 1's 'Welcome To The Ghetto' to see who made better use of an S.O.S. Band sample.
Notorious B.I.G. Vs. Biggy Smallz – This or That?
What you’re about to read is one confusing ass story. It involves Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, the movie ‘Let’s Do It Again,’ Biggy Smallz, Biggy Smalls, and a ton of other Biggy Smallses (none of which should be confused with Big E. Smalls. That’s just how it is sometimes.
Who Flipped It Better? J. Cole vs. Madlib
Who made better use of this obscure string sample, J. Cole or Madlib?
Who Flipped It Better? Nas vs. MF DOOM
Whodini's 'Friends' is a classic song with an everlasting message--watch who you befriend. Booming 808s and crisp claps mark 'Friends' as a trademark of early-to-mid 80's hip-hop that would become dominated by RUN-DMC, but Whodini were some of the first pioneers to blend electronic elements of production with their rapping techniques...
A$AP Rocky vs. Aesop Rock – This or That?
You can’t find two more disparate rappers in the entire world than A$AP Rocky and Aesop Rock. Yes, they both rhyme fast at times, but that’s about the only similarity that the former Def Jukie and the 'Goldie' rapper have in common.
Who Flipped It Better? DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince vs. Digable Planets
In this week's edition of 'Who Flipped It Better?' we reverse the weather and travel back to the sunny days of summer with Kool & The Gang's 'Summer Madness' from their 1974 'Light of Worlds' album.
The lounging, hazy buildup conjures images of fire hydrants spraying in the street and steam rising from pavement as people peel their clothes off to cool down. In...
Mobb Deep vs. Havoc and Prodeje — This Or That?
Our weekly look at rappers with similar names begins with two classic rap crews from New York's Queensbridge Projects and South Central L.A.
Who Flipped It Better? Compton’s Most Wanted vs. Greyson and Jasun
'Who Flipped It Better?' is our new weekly column where we'll take one song and choose two rap records that sampled it. We'll break each one down and decide which song flipped the sample better. Loop diggers, crate lovers and hip-hop heads alike, rejoice.
25 Best Underrated Eminem Guest Verses
When it comes to gripping guest features, Eminem takes the cake. The idea of an elite rapper crashing the party to murder someone on their own joint is arguably the height of constructive competition in rap music. It's survival of the fittest incarnate, the chance for two or more MCs to square off face-to-face and settle debates once and for all (because we all know it’s as clear-cut as that). Any