AFH Ambrosia for Heads

News

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

Conway The Machine Collides With DJ Premier For Something That’s Nothin’ Less Than Dope

Last Friday (September 11), Conway The Machine released his third project of 2020. Following March's Alchemist-produced LULU and May's Ghost LTD-helmed No One Mourns The Wicked, the Buffalo, New Yorker steps forth with From A King To A God. In one of the busiest seasons in Hip-Hop history, Griselda continues the... Read more

With Help From Eminem & Royce, Big Sean’s New Album Is Still Detroit Vs. Everybody

Last Friday (September 4), Big Sean released his fifth album, Detroit 2. One day before the eighth birthday of his 2012 mixtape that launched the series, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records LP is another ensemble affair. Like the freebie, Royce 5'9" offers some big-brother-support from Detroit. Meanwhile, Eminem, Lil Wayne,... Read more

The LOX Flaunt Their Experience On A New Album Featuring DMX & Griselda

Last Friday (August 28), The LOX released their fourth studio album, Living Off Xperience. Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P released two albums by the end of 2000, ahead of a 16-year-hiatus. Now in a distribution partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation, their second LP in nearly four years has some... Read more

Nas Releases His King’s Disease Album. Where Does It Rank In His Catalog?

Last Friday (August 21), Nas released his 13th solo album, King’s Disease. Produced entirely by the Inland Empire native Hit-Boy, the project features appearances by Anderson .Paak, Charlie Wilson, Big Sean, and Dr. Dre, among others. The Mass Appeal Records release also marks a surprise reunion of The Firm. The... Read more

Last Week In Hip-Hop: Nas Has A New Album Coming. How Many Classics Does He Have?

In less than a week (August 21), Nas is slated to release his 13th solo album, King's Disease. With 2019's Lost Tapes 2 serving as a welcomed snack for fans, this marks the first new LP from Nasir Jones since 2018's NASIR-a collection produced entirely by Kanye West. Maintaining that... Read more

Little Shawn Describes The 1994 Tupac Shooting & Insists He Was Not Involved (Video)

Rapper Little Shawn has an incredible Hip-Hop story. A native of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the veteran MC-turned-dietician sat with Drink Champs for more than three hours. Over the course of the discussion, the guest (who now goes by Shawn Pen) details the mutual respect he shares with JAY-Z. Shawn recalls... Read more

Mike Tyson Explains Using Hypnotism To Become The World’s Best Boxer

Mike Tyson is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN. Like Snoop, the celebrity has become a force in media with his Hotboxin With Mike Tyson Podcast platform. There, the 53-year-old former champion interviews other celebrities, athletes, and media personalities. It also is a celebration of Tyson's longtime affinity for... Read more

Drake Releases 2 Songs That Pay Respect To JAY-Z & Eminem (Video)

Following this year's "Life Is Good" collaboration with Future (embedded below), Drake releases his first solo music of 2020. It comes in the form of two songs, bridged together for one video. "When To Say When" follows recent footage of Drizzy rapping outside of Brooklyn's Marcy Houses, the onetime home... Read more

Jadakiss Confirms That Styles P Once Dissed JAY-Z On His Own Song

Today, The LOX are in a partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation. There's more than 20 years of history between Hov' and The Warlocks. However, as fans are learning, not all of it is rooted in positivity. Back in 1998, JAY-Z dropped his third album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Like... Read more

Ambrosia For Heads Is Dead…Long Live Hip-Hop

After 10 years of striving to serve up the best that Hip-Hop has to offer each and every day, today (March 2) is the last day we will be updating ambrosiaforheads.com. It's been an amazing journey since I first registered the URL back in June of 2009. I was sitting... Read more

Royce 5’9 Explains Why He’s A GOAT Rapper (Video)

Just over one week ago, Royce 5'9 released his eighth album, The Allegory. It marks a benchmark LP in a discography decorated with greatness. On one single, "I Don't Age," the Detroit, Michigan MC proclaims, "They say you are what you eat, but I never ate goat." Speaking with Ambrosia... Read more

RZA Explains Why Ghostface Was Hip-Hop’s Best MC When He Made Supreme Clientele

Twenty years ago this month, Ghostface Killah released his sophomore album, Supreme Clientele. The Razor Sharp/Epic/Sony Records LP has proven to be one of the greatest solo works in the Wu-Tang Clan catalog. Three and a half years removed from Ironman, the album is a benchmark for G.F.K. and the... Read more

Madlib Speaks. He Reveals That He & Pusha-T Are Planning More Music Together (Video)

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads decided that Madlib & Freddie Gibbs' Bandana was the Best Album Of 2019. Announced the same night as the Grammy's, the sophomore collaboration between the two veterans bested another producer/MC battery, Gang Starr, in the championship round. The decision came after the annual Sweet 16-themed... Read more

Boldy James & Vince Staples Get Personal On An Alchemist Beat (Video)

Around the time that Boldy James was among the first rappers to sign to the rebranded Mass Appeal Records (formerly Decon) alongside Bishop Nehru and Fashawn, the Detroit, Michigan MC released his first studio album, My 1st Chemistry Set. James' 2013 LP was entirely produced by The Alchemist, and released... Read more

Snoop & Jada Pinkett Have An Emotional Conversation About Kobe, Gayle King & Misogyny

Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg made global headlines after a fiery reaction to Gayle King's controversial CBS This Morning interview with retired basketball star Lisa Leslie. During that interview, which broadcast on February 4, the network anchor brought up Kobe Bryant's 2003 sexual assault charge while speaking to the two-time... Read more

John Forté Brought Talib Kweli To Rawkus. Now Kweli Assists Him In A Beautiful Collab

When John Forté had his 14-year prison sentence commuted more than a decade ago, he immediately went to the studio with longtime friend and fellow Brooklyn, New York native Talib Kweli. It was there that the former Fugees affiliate recorded "Homecoming," a personal cover to Kanye West's one-year-old Graduation cut.... Read more

Royce 5’9 Kicks An Incredible Freestyle With Substance, Swagger & A Few Jabs (Video)

Royce 5'9 knows how to make his lyrics feel a depth charge. Commemorating The L.A. Leakers' 100th freestyle, the veteran MC kicks some rhymes from his album that need to be heard. He also drives home some new heat with an insane freestyle. The Detroit, Michigan rapper, who is celebrating... Read more

Conway & Benny Torch Their Fire In The Booth Freestyle With Hot Verses (Video)

Fresh off of a dominating 2019, the Griselda squad continues their win streak with a quick jaunt across the pond to the UK for an appearance on DJ Charlie Sloth's Beats 1 Radio. With the industry's focused attention and Rap fans rooting the family-rooted label of MCs on, Benny The... Read more

Eminem Tells Kxng Crooked About His Deep Love For The Craft Of Rapping (Video)

"What I would say to any up-and-coming rapper? I would say that it is hard to get it, and it's even harder to maintain it." Eminem shares those words in the closing minutes of a one-hour-plus interview with Kxng Crooked on Crook's Corner. The video interview takes place in Dr.... Read more

Jadakiss & Pusha-T Go Head-Hunting For MCs On A Fierce New Collabo (Audio)

As one-third of the iconic trio The Lox, Jadakiss is not only renowned for his impressive discography with Sheek Louch and Styles P, but also for his solo work. It is through this combined catalog work that 'Kiss has earned the rankings of—in his own words—"Top 5 dead or alive."... Read more

Elzhi, Chris Dave & The Drumhedz’ Tiny Desk Concert Could Never Be Tainted (Video)

After well over 20 years of work, Elzhi is one of the most skilled MCs in Hip-Hop. Alongside the always-impressive Chris "Daddy" Dave and his Drumhedz crew, the onetime Slum Village member has a story unlike many in the game, which makes this episode of NPR's Tiny Desk one not... Read more

Royce 5’9’s Allegory Album Sets The Bar Extremely High For 2020. Listen Here

For years, there was an industry adage that Hip-Hop was a young person's game. While labels may forever seek teenage and early twenty-something talent, the 2010s more than put that notion to bed. More than ever, Hip-Hop Heads showed that balance was needed when it came to perspective. At a... Read more

50 Cent Recalls Going From Making $800 Per Month To Earning 8 Figures Within Weeks

This month marks 17 years since 50 Cent released his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. The Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records LP has since been certified six-times platinum. The 2003 album remains a benchmark in the genre and touchstone of Rap. 50 Cent appeared on Cigar Talk with host Naji Chill.... Read more

Big Sean Opens Up About The Depression That Nearly Caused Him To Retire From Rapping

Big Sean's Rap hiatus is over as the Detroit, Michigan MC recently was a guest on Joe Budden's Pull Up. In his first interview of 2020, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam artist spoke about dealing with depression, losing passion for rapping, and closing himself off to his family. This came after... Read more

Pop Smoke Has Been Shot And Killed During Home Invasion

Twenty-year-old rapper Pop Smoke was reportedly killed this morning (February 19). Per developing reports, the Brooklyn, New York native born Bashar Jackson was fatally shot at a Hollywood Hills, California home that he had been renting. TMZ reports that two men wearing masks and hoodies unlawfully entered the home, an... Read more

“Good Times” Actress Ja’Net DuBois Has Passed Away At Age 74

Emmy Award-winning actress Ja'Net DuBois has passed away at the age of 74 today (February 18). She may be best remembered for playing "Willona Woods" on television's Good Times series. DuBois played the neighbor character on all six seasons of the show, which premiered between 1974 and 1979. Additionally, she... Read more

Dr. Dre Produces A Tribute Video That Shows Love To Kobe Bryant

This past weekend's NBA All-Star festivities paid major tribute to Kobe Bryant. Kobe, an 18-time all-star selection, passed away last month (January 26) along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, and seven others aboard a helicopter. Shortly after takeoff, the vessel crashed in Calabasas, California. For Sunday (February 16)... Read more

Black Thought & Rhymefest Have A Grown-Man Conversation In Their Newest Collabo

Che "Rhymefest" Smith was a guest on the World Music Foundation podcast. In addition to a comprehensive look at the veteran MC's career, 'Fest shared a new song called "O.G. Philosophy" featuring Black Thought and R&B veteran Raheem DeVaughn. For episode 17 of the non-profit podcast dedicated to opening minds... Read more

D Smoke’s Latest Video Sends A Powerful Message About Ownership

"Buy land, not jewels" is a "Black Habit" that many of us can get behind. It's been just over a week since D Smoke's debut album, Black Habits, hit streaming services, and the Inglewood, California MC/singer doesn't show any signs of slowing down. A fan-favorite and standout representative of this... Read more

Floyd Mayweather Got Out Of A $750K Deal & Then Made $750 Million (Video)

Following a high-profile interview with Lil Wayne, champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the latest guest on Drink Champs. As a guest on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's series, "Money Mayweather" opened up for over two hours on the show during Super Bowl weekend. Although he did not drink or smoke, he... Read more

A New Mix Blends Benny The Butcher & J Dilla To Perfection

Every February, Hip-Hop Heads remember J Dilla. Producer/MC James Yancey was born on February 7, 1974, and passed away just days after his 32nd birthday, on February 10, 2006. Around the country are official and unofficial Dilla events, with many of the artists who best knew Jay Dee paying tribute.... Read more

Watch The Throne 2? Jay Electronica’s Album May Be A Collaboration With JAY-Z

One week ago, Jay Electronica teased fans by claiming he is releasing an album on March 18. The MC/producer who has never released a project apart from a MySpace mixtape (2007’s MySpace mixtape Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)), suggested that his album would be called A Written Testimony. A series of... Read more

Consequence Takes A Tour Of Queens In The Video For His Last Phife Dawg Collaboration

In March, it will have been four years since Phife Dawg passed away. The MC/producer born Malik Taylor was not able to see the final album release from A Tribe Called Quest, 2016's We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. However, he worked on the LP that... Read more

Pusha-T & Dame Lillard Take A Page From Allen Iverson & Jadakiss (Video)

Nearly 20 years ago, Allen Iverson made one of the great Rap-and-basketball spots for his shoe, The Answer. Recruiting Jadakiss, the then-Philadelphia 76er showed off his handle while The LOX MC rapped to cameras (also embedded below). It was a one-minute ad that only created more mystique to the popular... Read more

J. Cole’s Short Film Is About Basketball & The Drive To Make Dreams Come True (Video)

While many Heads are waiting for The Fall Off to make its way, J. Cole, the face of Dreamville Records, is making his own dreams come true. The now-Grammy Award-winning MC/producer announced this morning (February 13) a multi-year partnership with Puma. Notably, Cole's Roc Nation family member JAY-Z is the President... Read more

Colin Kaepernick To Tell His Story In A Memoir & He’s Helping Others Tell Theirs

Colin Kaepernick is being silent no more. The former NFL quarterback and current civil rights activist announced today (February 13) that he will release an autobiography this year through his own publishing company, Kaepernick Publishing. Amazon's popular audio-book wing, Audible, will release the Spoken version of the as-yet-to-be-revealed title and... Read more

LOUD Records’ Founder Details Getting Arrested For Bringing The Ruckus For Raekwon

Steve Rifkind, the founder of LOUD Records, is known for creating the record company that introduced much of the world to Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, Funkmaster Flex, and dead prez, among others. The Long Island, New York native is the son of Spring Records executive (Jimmy Spicer, James Brown,... Read more

Ava DuVernay Is Making A Documentary On The Life Of Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle's life story is being told in the form of a documentary film by a fellow hometown visionary. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay is confirmed to produce and direct an upcoming film on the slain Los Angeles, California MC, entrepreneur, and activist. It will be a collaboration between Ava's ARRAY... Read more

Rage Against The Machine & Run The Jewels Announce Tour Dates

One of the hottest tickets in music for 2020 has been announced. The recently-reunited Rage Against The Machine has announced more than 35 dates, worldwide. They are touring with Run The Jewels, who have previously worked with Zack de la Rocha. Previously, Zack recorded extensively with El-P following the departure... Read more

Boldy James & Alchemist Bring The Best Out Of Each Other On Their New Album (Audio)

It has been over a decade since Boldy James first debuted his raps for the world to hear. In the blog era, Boldy James released Trapper’s Alley: Pros & Cons in 2011 with illRoots. The mixtape showed off the cold life of a drug dealer (see the obvious "I Sold... Read more

Chubb Rock Gets Political Alongside Dumi Right (Audio)

MC Dumi Right first burst on the scene as a member of Zimbabwe Legit, along with Akim Ndlovu. The group made Hip-Hop history when they among the first African Hip-Hop artists to gain recognition in the United States. The duo debuted just as Afro-Centrism was on the rise in 1992... Read more

Jaz-O Discusses The Record That He & JAY-Z Released In 1986 (Video)

Veteran Brooklyn, New York MC/producer Jaz-O released a new project, The Warmup. In a career that spans work with Rakim, M.O.P., DJ Premier, and others, Jaz-O is best known as the early mentor and rhyme partner of JAY-Z. The two artists with similar names appeared on several songs dating back... Read more

Lute Says If J. Cole Made It, There’s No Telling How Far HE Can Go (Video)

On the video single "Under The Sun" from Dreamville’s 2019 acclaimed Revenge Of The Dreamers III album, Charlotte, North Carolina native Lute smashed the second verse, sandwiched between the high-profile home-state likes of J.Cole and DaBaby. Now with a new single titled "G.E.D. (Gettin Every Dolla)," Lute continues to show... Read more

Royce 5’9 & Benny The Butcher Reunite For A Collaboration That Packs A Punch (Video)

Today (February 7), Royce 5'9 showcases the fourth single from this month's album, The Allegory. While January's "Overcomer" video single featured Westside Gunn, "Upside Down" involves Benny The Butcher. Notably, all three Griselda members appear on separate tracks from the February 21 LP that also boasts appearances by Vince Staples,... Read more

Black Thought Pops Up At Rapsody’s Show To Rip Another Incredible Freestyle (Video)

Last night (February 6), Rapsody performed at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, New York. After touring with Big K.R.I.T. in late 2019, the Jamla Records MC is headlining the A Black Woman Created This Tour (dates below), which also features Sa-Roc. Black Thought, who has worked with Rap' several times, appeared on... Read more

Jay Electronica Says He Just Completed His Debut Album & It Drops Next Month

On Thursday night (February 6), Jay Electronica released a series of tweets that confirmed his debut album was complete. The proclamations follow over 10 years of teasing fans, and publicly toying with the possibility of releasing an LP at all, ever. The tweets suggested that on December 26, 2019, Jay... Read more

D Smoke Spits A Freestyle That’s Hard As Nails & In 2 Different Languages (Video)

Before rapper D Smoke's new album, Black Habits, drops tomorrow (February 7), the bilingual MC drops another attention-grabbing freestyle to promote the cause. The winner of Netflix's Rhythm + Flow connected with The L.A. Leakers to lay down some Black History-inspired bars over the OutKast's self-produced 22-year-old Southern-fried jam, "Rosa... Read more

Diamond D Recruits Raekwon, Fat Joe & More For A Video About Being Built To Last

Last year, veteran Bronx, New York MC/producer/DJ Diamond D released his sixth studio album, The Diam Piece 2. The sequel follows 2014's first Diam Piece, a record that predominantly featured Diamond's musical talents behind the boards. The D.I.T.C. co-founder has already confirmed that a third installment is coming soon. With... Read more

Questlove Discusses The Time He Changed The Roots’ Entire Show To Impress D’Angelo

D'Angelo is known to be one of the greatest producers, writers, and singers of the last 25 years. He has maintained that status, even with over half of that time spent between albums. His breakthrough soul album Brown Sugar came out in 1995, but it would take the singer five... Read more