For the second year in a row, Hoop & Hang was a resounding success and our personal highlight for SXSW. Yes, watching people rock on stage is a delight, but hanging out with genuinely cool people for a few hours away from the festival’s hustle and bustle is easily the most fun we can think of having. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s an icebox where the artist formerly known as PUSH! Montana’s heart used to be. Now unencumbered by his surname and feelings for random women, PUSH! get’s all Mr. Freeze on would be conquests on “ICEMAN!” Read the rest of this entry »

With black flags stashed in the back pocket of their indigo denim, Maino and PUSH! are doing BK proud by riding through the streets like Indians at high noon — in a Bentley. There’s no need for spears or bows and arrows when it boils down to repping their set. Just brolic rhymes and a few unchecked firearms. Read the rest of this entry »

Dubbed as “the album before the album,” Maino partners with DJ Green Lantern and DJ Infamous to release his I Am Who I Am mixtape. The Bed-Stuy guy gets help from the likes of PUSH! Montana, T.I., Meek Mill, Wale and more. Read the rest of this entry »

PUSH! proves that streets kids dream big too and he lays out a manuscript for making those hopes reality with “Dreamerzzz,” his latest video directed by Ron Adkins. It’s good to see Vol. 2 receiving the coordinated push it deserves and getting this guy’s name and face into the mix more Read the rest of this entry »

“Fam trust me, I ain’t playin’ wit’ you boys, I leave that to Sandusky.”

PUSH! takes a Weeknd instrumental and re-appropriates it for rap use. Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t forget that Statik Selektah is trying to have total control of the rap population these days. To commence the release of his latest compilation, he didn’t the club and waste champagne on some broad’s borrowed Armani dress, he put on for Hip-Hop culture and every single rapper you see here–from Styles P. to the LEP Bogus Boys to Reks to Termanology–is featured on Population Control. It’s an old fashioned rap reunion. Read the rest of this entry »

PUSH! got a Gangsta Grillz, you bastards! The self-proclaimed “Fresh Prince of New York” links with DJ Drama to reup for the sequel to his 2008 mixtape. Read the rest of this entry »

With the rap game so crowded, I guess Labor Day tracks are the now and Groundhog Day releases will be what’s next. Statik Selektah assembles a lot of names for abbreviated but fantastic bars from each invited guest. Read the rest of this entry »

“FRESSHH” as always, Push! Montana delivers “The Next One” from When Push! Comes To Shove Vol. 2. Instead of relegating himself to painting pictures of concrete and corners, Push! takes listeners a little closer to home Read the rest of this entry »

“Got a jail record, so we can’t find work, So we buy work…watching our hopes turn around in a circle.”

More Fresh!Dope music from PUSH! Read the rest of this entry »

Over the years I’ve came to a conclusion that it’s impossible for any song more than three and a half minutes to not be good. On the flip side, anything falling under the three minute mark is the reason God invented the skip button. Whether there’s any logic to that line of thinking or just my imagination getting the best of me is a question for another day.

What I do know is Smoke DZA challenges my preconceived notions Read the rest of this entry »

If you were running low on your daily “medicine” in Tri-State New York, never fear, PUSH! Montana is always making his rounds to serve the geekers and tweakers. You may not love and appreciate his efforts, but you will respect the FreshDope parcel service as it continues to excel in delivering packaged goods. A few minutes over you time is all the Black Flag Gang needs to persuade you to utilize their services. Read the rest of this entry »

Damn, Dan.

– All week, the big news in the sports world centered around LeBron James’ return to Cleveland. Three quarters, 38 points and eight assists later, fans were left only to reminisce when it was all so simple.

– Where there are success stories in sports, there are also heartbreaks. The crew thought of 10 that still tug at our emotions.

– Soulja Boy’s choice of groupies is only overshadowed by his choice of albums. Read the rest of this entry »

Words by C. Paicely

Sometime in 1995, Tupac said he was striving to be the realest rather than the best. Less than two months ago, PUSH! Montana stated that he had similar ambitions as a rider. Rappers coming from truly dark places aren’t motivated by popularity contests as much as by telling the best story. PUSH! will never be another Tupac, and that probably isn’t his goal, but in the year that we’ve gotten to know him as a rhymer he has rapidly gained credibility as something more than “Maino’s friend,” and the proof lies in a story entitled FreshDope. Read the rest of this entry »