AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Finding The GOAT Group: Mobb Deep vs. The LOX. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

It’s No Dream… Mobb Deep & The LOX Are Living Lush (Video)

Fifteen years after Mobb Deep and Nas brought out the Scarface-inspired cigarette racing boats and island grandeur in "It's Mine," Prodigy and Havoc invite Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch to a Northeast mansion party in "All A Dream." The Notorious B.I.G.-sampling single from The Infamous Mobb Deep album features... Read more

Here’s Mobb Deep’s First Ever Full Collaboration with The Lox (Audio)

Mobb Deep have released their first ever full collaboration with The Lox. As if that weren't enough, they loop Biggie on the chorus. Check out All a Dream. Related: Mobb Deep & Big Noyd’s 1994 Version Update Of MC Shan’s Classic Is Liberated (Audio)... Read more

Prodigy Confirms Mobb Deep’s First Ever Full-Out Collaboration With The LOX (Video)

Prodigy sat in on Sway In The Morning this week. Sway, Reef, Heather B, and DJ Wonder played some joints they brought to the table for some listener A&R. To kick things off is the Tragedy Khadafi & JuJu (of The Beatnuts) track ("Thriller"). Those who know their Queens history... Read more

DJ Kay Slay Unifies Members Of Wu-Tang Clan, LOX, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga & M.O.P. To Honor The ’90s (Audio)

DJ Kay Slay has a deep network, in and out of New York City. From his appearance in Style Wars to his longtime Thursday night show on HOT 97, the Uptown DJ has fought to keep his city rugged. That quest is ongoing on "90s Flow," which features Ghostface Killah,... Read more

The LOX & Dipset Want A Verzuz Rematch…Here’s Why They Shouldn’t Do It

On August 3, 2021, Verzuz's 33rd battle proved to be one of its best. In the second season of the music battle format co-created by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, The LOX competed against Dipset at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theater. With Verzuz having launched the same month that the pandemic... Read more

The LOX Use A Public Enemy Beat To Terminate The Competition

In addition to a respected group album catalog, The LOX collective is known for devastating loosies. Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P kept the L-O-X brand strong for a 15-year-period between We Are The Streets and the Roc Nation return Filthy America...It's Beautiful. Since then, the Yonkers, New York trio has been in overdrive, evident... Read more

The LOX Break Down How To Make A Classic Album (Video)

Three weeks ago, The LOX released their fourth album, Living Off Xperience. The D-Block/Roc Nation release includes contributions from DMX, Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn, Large Professor, T-Pain, Oswin Benjamin, Nottz, Statik Selektah, and their artist, Dyce Payne. Less than a month since its release, the LP from one of... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Mobb Deep vs. N.W.A. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

The LOX Will Tour “Filthy America…” & It’s Beautiful For Fans Around The Country

Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P have announced their first United States tour of 2017. Fresh off of touring with their former Bad Boy Records family (and Ruff Ryders mentor DMX) in '16, The LOX will perform at more than 20 stops, beginning later this month. The LOX’s “What Else... Read more

The LOX Were Courted By Suge & Death Row. They Explain Why They Passed (Video)

This month, The LOX shocked Heads with the announcement of a partnership with Jay Z and Roc Nation. That news broke December 1, with an album  coming just over two weeks later. The D-Block/Roc-backed Filthy America...It's Beautiful marked the Yonkers, New York trio's first full-length album in more than 16... Read more

Sheek Louch Takes a Mobb Deep Beat and Sets It On Fire (Audio)

As a collective, The LOX have had a lock on freestyles over the last couple of months. Styles P and Jadakiss kicked things off with their regular Friday drops but, as of late, Sheek Louch has been adding some real heat to the collection. In addition to taking on 90s... Read more

From Yonkers to Brooklyn: Fabolous Has Got These 90s Freestyles on Lox (Audio)

After several weeks of stellar freestyles over 90s beats, Fabolous remains at the head of the pack. Loso has delivered some of his best verses in years over tracks by Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan and Puff Daddy and the Family. His latest strikes close to home, literally and figuratively. Fab... Read more

The LOX’s We Are The Streets Turns 15 Years Old, Is It Their True Best Work?

In a weird twist of fate, the same Tuesday January 25, 2000 that Ghostface Killah released Supreme Clientele, The LOX released their own sophomore effort, We Are The Streets. Fifteen years ago, few could have thought that Wu-Block would ever be a thing, let alone that Ghost and Sheek Louch... Read more

Alchemist Digs in the Vault for Some Unreleased Mobb Deep Music (Audio)

Drake is not the only one celebrating his birthday this weekend by releasing new music. Alchemist turned 37 today and dug in his vaults to unearth this previously unreleased Mobb Deep gem. Check out "Biology." Related: It’s No Dream… Mobb Deep & The LOX Are Living Lush (Video)... Read more

The Lox Get in Goon Mode in the Video for Talk About It (Video)

The Lox release the latest video from their EP, The Trinity. Check out Talk About It. Related: Here’s Mobb Deep’s First Ever Full Collaboration with The Lox (Audio)... Read more

Mobb Deep Give Gritty Insight Into Life on Their Block (Audio)

Mobb Deep's deluxe re-packaging of their classic, The Infamous, hit stores today. They've included several stellar bonus cuts with the re-release, including My Block, produced by up and coming hit maker Kaytranada, which you can hear below. Check it out and you can pick up the entire bonus album at... Read more

The Lox & Trae the Truth Go HAM on a New Track (Audio)

A collabo between The Lox and Trae the Truth might sound like a head-scratcher on paper, but the actual product BANGS. Rather than select a compromise track to bridge their differing styles, they chose an East Coast-style banger by Cy Fyre and proceeded to go HAM. Check out Reckless. Related:... Read more

Mobb Deep Have Chinese Food With a Side of Murder in the Video for Taking You Off Here (Video)

Mobb Deep's video for Taking You Off Here is a short film where the duo decides what to do with a potential enemy, over a meal of Chinese food. It's not a happy ending. Check it out. Related: Prodigy Confirms Mobb Deep’s First Ever Full-Out Collaboration With The LOX (Video)... Read more

Feel Like Fighting After That Wack Super Bowl? M.O.P. & Mobb Deep Got You Covered (Audio)

The Super Bowl was wack. What way to take out some unreleased aggression than a new collabo from M.O.P. and Mobb Deep? Check out Street Certified. Props on the spot: 2DBZ Related: DJ Kay Slay Unifies Members Of Wu-Tang Clan, LOX, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga & M.O.P. To Honor The ’90s... Read more

JAY-Z’s “U Don’t Know” Was Originally Offered To Busta Rhymes & Prodigy

Hip-Hop history is filled with what-ifs, especially concerning beats and production. Tupac's diamond-certified All Eyez On Me once featured verses from Inspectah Deck and The Lady Of Rage. Moreover, Disc 2's Dr. Dre-produced "Can't C Me" was rumored to be created for a shelved Ice Cube collaboration before another iteration had Tha Dogg Pound rapping. Jadakiss'... Read more

Black Thought & Rakim Light Up The Stage With Talib Kweli

Last week, Bob James held a concert residence at New York City's Blue Note alongside Talib Kweli and a live band for the second consecutive year. An esteemed panel of guests joined the Grammy-winning Jazz keyboardist and famed producer during 2023's three-night residency. D.M.C. joined on February 7, Slick Rick... Read more

Method Man, Busta Rhymes & 18 Other MCs Perform A Medley Of Their Classics

Many would like to forget the events of 2020, with good reason. The year brought a lot of challenges. However, amidst the trials and tribulations, there were a number of culture-shifting events and personalities that arose. D-Nice captivated the world with an Instagram Live DJ set that entertained millions. The... Read more

Cormega Explains Why The Realness 2 Is A True Sequel To The Original

Upon its mid-2001 arrival, Cormega's The Realness lived up to its title. After years of waiting his turn, the MC asserted himself to step forth with a body of work that combined a passion for wisdom-drenched lyricism with a survivor's tale of life in New York City streets and the Rap industry. The independently... Read more

Why 1996 Had The Perfect Storm To Split Hip-Hop In Two

On the most recent episode of Drink Champs, co-host N.O.R.E. told guests Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle about the moment he felt Hip-Hop became divided. The co-founder of Capone-N-Noreaga opined to Black Star that he feels The Roots' 1996 "What They Do" music video was a dividing line... Read more

Daringer Explains How He & Westside Gunn Created The Griselda Sound

Late last month, Queens, New York veteran MC Meyhem Lauren partnered with producer Daringer for a collaboration album, Black Vladimir (embedded below). The 15-track album involves Action Bronson, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Flee Lord, Elcamino, and Meyhem's brother Hologram and finds brilliant chemistry between two artists that go back... Read more

Many Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs

Note: Jadakiss recently appeared on ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby podcast and was asked who his top 5 Hip-Hop groups of all-time were. This article has been updated below with his response, as well as The Game’s top 5 LA Rap albums. A few days ago, during a podcast appearance, Ice... Read more

DJ Kay Slay Has Passed Away At The Age Of 55

DJ Kay Slay has died. The man born Keith Grayson passed away yesterday (April 17) after a four-month-long battle with COVID-19. Kay Slay's Hip-Hop career stems back more than 40 years from his days as a graffiti icon into a leader in music, radio, and street publishing. The bold personality... Read more

Snoop Dogg Has Signed Benny The Butcher To Def Jam

Based on Kanye West's latest interview, the superstar artist has fulfilled his Def Jam Records contract, isolating Ye from Def Jam for the first time in nearly 20 years. However, in recent days, it's been revealed that the iconic label founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin has signed an... Read more

JAY-Z, Jadakiss & Conway The Machine Are The New Roc Boys

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back and listen... Read more

Kid Capri, Styles P, Clark Kent & Spinderella Discuss The Power Of ’90s Hip-Hop

This Sunday, July 18, Power Book III: Raising Kanan will premiere on STARZ and the STARZ App. Following six seasons of Power, this latest extension travels back to 1991 to focus on the origin story surrounding Kanan Stark. Following a performance by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson in the original series,... Read more

Evidence Discusses Starting Over After Dilated Peoples (Video)

Last Friday (June 25), Evidence released his latest solo album, Unlearning, Vol. 1. The Rhymesayers Entertainment release featuring Conway The Machine, Alchemist, Boldy James, and others has already been met with applause, including Ambrosia For Heads' 10 Best Albums of 2021 (so far) list. Notably, Unlearning breaks from Ev's Weatherman series, dating back to his first solo album,... Read more

Skyzoo Explains How Phonte Talked Him Out Of Retiring

Earlier this month, Skyzoo released his latest album, All The Brilliant Things. Already named as one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of 2021 so far, the Mello Music Group LP is reportedly three years in the making. In a run that includes the Pete Rock-produced Retropolitan and 2020's standout The... Read more

The 10 Best Rap Albums Of 2021 So Far

As 2021 quickly approaches its midpoint, it is tradition to evaluate the year's best Hip-Hop albums—so far. So on the latest episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast, we did just that. As we did in deciding the best albums of 2020, the AFH team uses the platform to publicly discuss the best... Read more

Dame Grease Has 50 DMX Songs He Wants To Release

Late last month, Hip-Hop Heads received the album that DMX was working on during the final several years of his life. Overseen by Swizz Beatz, Exodus involves JAY-Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, The LOX, Griselda, and others. The album also marked a reunion between X and Def Jam Records, where his career skyrocketed during... Read more

Swizz Beatz Explains Why He Will Not Release His Vault Of DMX Music

Last Friday (May 28), DMX's final album, Exodus, was released. DMX's reunion with Def Jam Records album was made over years and overseen by Swizz Beatz. Beyond their mutual ties to the Ruff Ryders, X and Swizz shared a brotherhood. From the onset of DMX's late 1990s skyrocket to fame,... Read more

J. Cole’s Off-Season Has Several Cryptic References To Illmatic

Last Friday (May 14), J. Cole released his sixth album, The Off-Season. Three years removed from his acclaimed KOD, Cole returned with more social commentary, versatile deliveries, and plenty of themes to unpack. Whereas his 2018 outing was an indictment on drug use amid the youth, especially within the Rap community, Cole's... Read more

DMX’s New Album Features Nas, JAY-Z, Griselda & More. Here’s The Tracklist

UPDATE: Swizz Beatz has released the full tracklist for DMX's Exodus album, which will be released on May 28, and it is even more star-studded than previously reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swizz Beatz (@therealswizzz) Here is the full tracklist: 1. “That’s My Dog” feat.... Read more

DJ Quik Makes It Hot In Herre By Burning His Death Row Royalty Check

It has been 30 years since DJ Quik burst onto the music scene. The Compton, California triple-threat has supplied fans with a plethora of LPs, including three gold albums as well as his platinum 1991 debut, Quik Is The Name. However, after decades in the game and heralded work alongside... Read more

New York Has Made December 18 Earl “DMX” Simmons Day

This April continues to deliver significant losses to music fans, especially in the Hip-Hop community. The month has included the passings of DMX, Black Rob, and now, Shock G. On this week's episode of What's The Headline (embedded below as video and audio), the Ambrosia For Heads team remembers the... Read more

Redman & Method Man Are Making Blackout 3

Last night (April 20), Method Man and Redman proved to be the big dogs of Verzuz, with one of the most anticipated displays since the platform's creation. The performance was part concert, part competition. Two of Hip-Hop's closest figures made all who tuned in feel their chemistry as they ran... Read more

DMX’s New Album Is Coming This Summer & It’s Filled With Superstars

Last Friday (April 9), family, friends, and millions of Hip-Hop fans mourned the loss of DMX. The 50-year-old rapper born Earl Simmons passed away at age 50. For the previous week, X had been on life support in White Plains, New York hospital, following a cardiac arrest. Decades into a... Read more

Here Are Some Reasons Why 2000 May Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Year

At Ambrosia For Heads, we celebrate Hip-Hop throughout the ages. Earlier this year, our What's The Headline podcast launched a series examining the calendar years that made the music and culture reach its full potential. After taking a loving look back at 1984, the next episode drops in on Y2K.... Read more

T Dot Eric Recalls Documenting The 1995 Source Awards Clash From The Front Row

Photographer T Dot Eric has taken some of the pictures that have defined how Hip-Hop thinks of its heroes. His work includes legendary flicks of Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Gang Starr, De La Soul, and Black Star—only to name a few. T.... Read more

No MC Has Been Better Than Benny The Butcher The Last 2 Years

Benny The Butcher has just released his first 2021 album, The Plugs I Met 2. The Black Soprano Family founder teamed with Brooklyn, New York veteran producer Harry Fraud for the nine-track LP, which features 2 Chainz, Fat Joe, Jim Jones, French Montana, the late Chinx, and Benny's protege, Rick Hyde.... Read more

Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Are Giving Ownership In Verzuz To All Past Participants

It was an exciting week for Hip-Hop. Sunday culminated with a first-time Grammy win for Nas, a poignant second win for Anderson .Paak (as well as a show-stopping performance), and more. As many looked back at a year defined by the pandemic, the week also saw the acquisition of one... Read more

JAY-Z’s Sale Of TIDAL Will Transform How Artists Are Paid For Music

Just weeks after selling half of his stake in Ace of Spades, JAY-Z made another power move. Hip-Hop's first billionaire mogul sold his stake in Tidal to investor Jack Dorsey's Square company in a reportedly $297 million deal this month. Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, also leads the mobile payment company, which now welcomes... Read more

Raekwon Will Take On Ghostface Killah In An Upcoming Verzuz

On Saturday (February 28), D'Angelo participated in a new type of Verzuz set. The veteran singer, musician, and producer performed at Harlem's Apollo Theater in a concert that included a surprise Method Man & Redman appearance as well as turntable work from DJ Scratch. True to form, one of Verzuz'... Read more

Will DMX’s Reunion With Def Jam Return Both To Glory?

This month DMX appeared on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's Drink Champs for a second time. Since the Hip-Hop show's inception, X has been a top draw for Drink Champs, sitting at the table and giving a real and raw interview to his past collaborator Noreaga back in episode 3. Great conversations with Puff... Read more

Pharoahe Monch Explains The Hidden Meanings In His New Album

Three weeks ago (January 22), Pharoahe Monch released his first album in nearly seven years. The Queens, New York veteran MC/producer partnered with esteemed guitarist Marcus Machado and Grammy-winning drummer Daru Jones as Th1rt3en. The band, involving two overlapping musicians from Pete Rock's The Soul Brothers collective, has been releasing... Read more