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Every journey has a beginning. Our new documentary, Where It All Began, takes a look at the musical journey of many hip-hop luminaries. In part 1 (of 5), we asked them who first introduced them to hip-hop. You’ll hear from DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, Termanology, Ski Beatz, The Kid Daytona, Chuuwee, Serius Jones, Skyzoo, and Stic Man (from Dead Prez). Check it out below.

In upcoming installments, you'll hear about other important moments in their journey to hip-hop. In addition to the above personalities, you'll also hear from Big Daddy Kane, Murs, Freddie Gibbs, XV, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Skillz, tabi Bonney, Statik Selektah, Fashawn and Rapsody in parts 2 -5. Stay tuned each week... Read more

EVITAN (Dres & Jarobi) – P.T.I. (Occupy Wall Street)

Dres from Black Sheep and Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest team up as EVITAN to put out a strong song about the Occupy Wall Street movement. Check out the video for P.T.I. (Occupy Wall Street). Salute to them for still making great music.... Read more

Aftermath Entertainment kicks off the Top 10 as the 10th most important hip-hop record label of all time.

#10 Aftermath Entertainment In 1996, Dr. Dre was wounded from his departure from Death Row Records. He had virtually given up everything (ownership of his masters, future revenues and equity interest) to extricate himself from the madness that had swallowed up Death Row, not the least of which was the... Read more

yU – Blind

Here's a dope track from an artist named yU called Blind. It was produced by Kev Brown so it's got that funk and knock to it. Check it out. Blind by yU... Read more

Snoop Dogg – You and You

Snoop Dogg goes harder than he has in a minute on You and You. Check it out below. Click here to download.... Read more

B.o.B. – Strange Clouds ft Lil Wayne (Video)

Here's the video for B.o.B's collabo with Lil Wayne. Check out Strange Clouds.... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. – 5 Fingers of Death

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest MC to participate in the 5 Fingers of Death series on the Sway in the Morning show on Shade 45.  Check out how he flows over 5 beats below. Click here to download.  Also, click here to check out Kendrick Lamar's 5 Fingers of Death.... Read more

Common – The Believer ft John Legend

Here's the latest track from Common's upcoming The Dreamer/The Believer album (in stores on 12/20). Check out The Believer featuring John Legend.... Read more

1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) – Play Your Role ft Reks

1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) and Reks each had strong albums last year. The two combine on a new 1982 song. Check out Play Your Role. Also, you can catch Statik Selektah and Termanology in our new documentary, Where It All Began, on Tuesday. Click here to see the preview.... Read more

Ed Lover – Yo! MTV Raps Old School Mix (Mixtape)

Yo! MTV Raps is making a return for 1 night only tonight at midnight on MTV2, right after the Sucker Free Awards. To commemorate the event, Ed Lover got on the wheels at New York's Hot 97 to do an old school mix of music from the Yo! era (Nice... Read more

Here’s a (mostly) video playlist celebrating the nearly 20-year career of The Legendary Roots Crew

The Legendary Roots Crew's new album, undun, drops on 12/6.  Although they have been around for nearly 20 years, it still seems very likely their best material is still ahead of them...and that's saying a lot because their past material is DAMN GOOD.  In anticipation of the new album, here's... Read more

Terrace Martin – Do It Again ft Kendrick Lamar & Wiz Khalifa (Video)

Terrace Martin dropped his new song with Kendrick Lamar and Wiz Khalifa a couple of months ago. Here's the video. Check out Do It Again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fmkIziXMSmg... Read more

Here’s a sneak preview for our new documentary Where It All Began which takes a look at the journey to hip-hop by Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, Stic Man (from Dead Prez), Skillz, XV, Statik Selektah, Termanology, Murs, J-Live, The Kid Daytona, Termanology, Chuuwee, 9th Wonder and many more.

Every journey has a beginning. Ambrosia For Heads' documentary Where It All Began is a look at the journey to hip-hop by many of its current stars, rising stars and reigning legends.  For the next several weeks, starting next week, Ambrosia For Heads will show you where the love for... Read more

Today most people know Jive Records for Britney and Justin. Here’s why they’re the 11th most important hip-hop record label of all time.

Long before Clive Calder built Jive Records into the pop music juggernaut that featured Britney Spears, Nsync, The Backstreet Boys, R. Kelly and Justin Timberlake, the label was the home to some of the most important acts in hip-hop. These artists achieved both commercial and critical success and some went... Read more

Affion Crockett – Drake “Headlines” Spoof (Video)

It's been a minute since Affion Crockett did a hip-hop spoof but he's back...This time he takes on Drake's Headlines and gives the title a whole new meaning. Check out the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DSVh8BNd_ps... Read more

Fashawn – Generation F

Here's a hot new joint from Fashawn.  Check out Generation F. Click here to download.... Read more

Rap-A-Lot Records was the 17th most important hip-hop record label. Also holding down the South at #12 is…

#12 No Limit Records While Rap-A-Lot was the first major label to rise from the South, No Limit Records was the record label that put the "Dirty Dirty" on the MAP. No Limit established the South as a stronghold for hip-hop that many might argue has never been relinquished. Despite... Read more

Eminem, Slaughterhouse & Yelawolf – 2.0 Boys (Video)

Here's a video for Shady 2.0's 2.0 Boys. It features footage of Eminem, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9" and Yelawolf performing in Detroit (though the soundtrack is the actual recording, not their performance). Check it out below. Also, if you missed their cypher from the 2011... Read more

The 13th most important hip-hop record label of all time would have been #1 in 1988. Cold Chillin’ Records featured hip-hop legends like Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Kool G. Rap, Masta Ace and more. Check out more on Cold Chillin’ and a playlist featuring its key artists below.

#13 Cold Chillin' Records Many people say the golden age of hip-hop was in the late 80's and early 90's. If you fall into that category, there's no doubt Cold Chillin' Records featured some of your favorite artists of all time (in any genre). In fact, many would argue that... Read more

Can’t wait to hear that new Roots undun album? Check out a sneak preview of the album below.

Can't wait to hear that new Roots undun album?  Say no more.  Click here to hear a stream of the full album.  Click here to see all 4 videos from the album.      ... Read more

Blu – ez

New tracks from Madlib featuring dope MCs continue to surface. Recently, his collabo with Freddie Gibbs, Thuggin', dropped. Here's another, with Blu. Check out ez. You may recognize the track as the one Black Star just rocked over on their new song Fix Up (but rumor is Blu's version was... Read more

Schoolboy Q – To The Beat (F’d Up) (Video)

Here's the latest video from Schoolboy Q. Check out To The Beat (F'd Up) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FRUR5kyK4-s... Read more

The 14th most important hip-hop record label of all time might be the most controversial on the list…

...but not because they didn't put out dope music. #14 Uptown Records Uptown Records did not make its mark with rap music, though it was founded by former rapper Andre Harrell (one half of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and was home to some significant rappers. Uptown Records was extremely... Read more

The Roots – One Time ft Phonte & Dice Raw

New music from The Roots with Phonte?? Nuff said. Check out One Time (stream only). undun drops on 12/6.... Read more

Common – Freedom Project Documentary (Video)

Last week, Common dropped his video for Sweet which was shot in Haiti. He solicited donations to benefit the country, in order to view the video. Here's a documentary showing Common's visit to Haiti which is still greatly suffering the effects of the earthquake that devastated the country nearly 2... Read more

Mary J. Blige – Feel Inside ft Nas

Mary J. Blige, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, returns with her new album My Life II. Check out the full version of her single, Feel Inside, below featuring verses from Nas.... Read more

Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Goodie M.O.B., Big Daddy Kane & Kurtis Blow – Soul Train Awards All Star Tribute to Heavy D (Video)

The legends came out at the 2011 Soul Train Awards to pay tribute to Heavy D. Big Daddy Kane, Naughty By Nature, Goodie M.O.B. and Kurtis Blow performed some of Mr. Big Stuff's classics. Check out the video. Click here for our Heavy D tribute video playlist.... Read more

Arguably the most acclaimed artist in hip-hop was on the 15th most important hip-hop record label of all time.

#15 Ruffhouse Records Ruffhouse Records is another one of those record labels where few outside the music industry knew the label, but EVERYBODY knew its artists. Ruffhouse was founded in 1989 by Chris Schwartz and Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo who got his nickname due to his skills at chopping up... Read more

The Dirty South began playing a major role in rap music long before No Limit and Cash Money. The #16 most important record label in hip-hop music is Rap-A-Lot Records. Check out a playlist of their key artists below.,

#16 Rap-A-Lot Records Not from Houston but I Rap-A-Lot...Long before Cash Money and long before No Limit, Rap-A-Lot records was the voice of hip-hop in the South. Founded by J Prince in 1986, the label put Houston on the map. That was no small feat given that rap music was... Read more

Amy Winehouse – Halftime

Halftime is another previously unreleased track from Amy Winehouse's upcoming album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures. What a loss. Check it out below (stream only).  ... Read more

Here’s another new song from Black Star. Check out You Already Knew.

Two new Black Star joints in 2 days?? Good lawd! Yesterday brought Fix Up. Now check out You Already Knew. Click here to download.... Read more

The Weeknd – The Knowing (Video)

The Weeknd's House of Balloons album (click here to download it for free) is the gift that keeps on giving. Check out the video for The Knowing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W_nDYKsexo&feature=player_embedded... Read more

Chuuwee – Reign (Long Live the King) (Video)

Here's a soulful track from Chuuwee's Watching The Throne project. Check out the video for Reign (Long Live the King). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GmKKZdaZiw&feature=player_embedded... Read more

Rawkus and Loud were the 20th and 19th most important hip-hop record labels, respectively. Numbers 18 and 17 are…

Select Records and Fresh Records How can Select Records and Fresh Records be ahead of Rawkus AND Loud??? 2 words: historical context. Without a doubt, both Rawkus and Loud released records by some of the greatest MCs to ever bless the mic, but each of those record labels was building... Read more

Black Star – Fix Up

Here's a brand new joint from Black Star, produced by Madlib. Check out Fix Up.... Read more

The Fat Boys – All You Can Eat (Video)

Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you get your grub on and enjoy the day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu-s-SeigWs... Read more

The 19th most important hip-hop record label of all time is…

#19 Loud Records Steve Rifkin may not be a household name like Suge Knight, Sean "Puffy" Combs or Baby aka The Birdman, but his impact on hip-hop is enduring just the same. In the 90's, his Loud Records put out some of the grimiest hip-hop that had ever been heard.... Read more

J-Live – The Authentic (Video)

J-Live was one of my favorite rappers in the late 90's/early00's.  Dude always brought something fresh to the game whether it was ill metaphors, intricate stories or just plain spittin' flames.  10 years later, nothing has changed.  He's still one of the dopest (and most underrated) MCs in hip-hop (click... Read more

Here’s a look at the 20 most important hip-hop record labels of all time, starting with #20: Rawkus Records.

Before record labels were considered "the enemy" their brands actually meant something.  Artists dreamed of being on the same label as the MCs they grew up idolizing and some labels had such credibility fans would buy the record just because it was on that label. Over the next several days... Read more

Terrace Martin – On Some Other Sh*t ft Problem and TayF 3rd (Video)

Terrace Martin is holding it down for that new West Coast sound. Here's the new video for his song On Some Other Sh*t featuring Problem and TayF 3rd. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=42Q99Sgas5w... Read more

Freddie Gibbs & Statik Selektah – Keep It Warm For Ya ft Smoke DZA & Chace Infinite (Video)

Here's another soulful joint from Freddie Gibbs & Statik Selektah. This time, Smoke DZA and Chace Infinite join Gangsta Gibbs on the track. Check out the video for Keep It Warm For Ya.... Read more

Kendrick Lamar – Rigamortus ft Busta Rhymes (Remix)

FINALLY! The full CD quality version of Kendrick Lamar's remix of Rigamortus featuring Busta Rhymes is here. There have been a few videos of K. Dot playing this in concert with a taste of Busta's rhyme. Now, here's Busta's whole verse and it is FIRE. Salute to Busta Rhymes. After... Read more

The Roots – The Undun Videos (Parts 1-4)

Over the last few weeks, The Roots have been dropping videos as a lead up to the release of their album, undun, on December 6. This week, they've released Sleep, which is part 4 of 4 videos. Like the album, the videos tell the story of Redford Stephens, a fictional... Read more

JIM-E-O – I’m On featuring Bluu Suede

Here's another hot record from Austin's JIM-E-O. It's about grinding hard in pursuit of your dreams. Check out I'm On featuring Bluu Suede.... Read more

Yelawolf’s In This World is a bonus cut from the iTunes release of Radioactive, which is in stores now. Check it out below.

Yelawolf's Radioactive is in stores now. If you haven't scooped it, you can buy it here. Below is one of the bonus cuts from the iTunes release. Check out In This World.... Read more

T.I. – Pyro

Pyro is the latest from T.I. Click here to download.... Read more

Common – Celebrate

After going HARD with Sweet, Common smooths it out on Celebrate. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2sX22KEkkE&feature=player_embedded... Read more

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Thuggin’

Here's another ill collabo. Check out Madlib and Freddie Gibbs' Thuggin'. Gangsta Gibbs sounds good on Madlib's stripped down, introspective production. If you like this, be on the look out for a full album from them early next year. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Thuggin' by Rappcats... Read more

Statik Selektah & Action Bronson – Not Enough Words (Video)

Here's another tough Statik Selektah/Action Bronson collabo. Check out the video for Not Enough Words. Their joint album, Well Done, drops tomorrow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8APYF0kkas&feature=player_embedded... Read more

You’re All I Need–the prequel. Before Mary J. Blige blessed the track, Method Man held it down solo. Check out this demo version of his classic.

The essence is there, but it feels very different from the final version. His tempo is slower and more deliberate, the track is stripped down and there's a spoken exchange between some women at the end. Click here to download.... Read more