Fresh Archives

Eazy-E Put Compton On The Map & Now The City Is Returning The Favor

During the late 1980s, Eazy-E helped take the city of Compton, California, to the mainstream. The N.W.A. co-founder and Gangsta Rap solo star was famed for wearing Compton hats, titling game-changing albums and songs after his city, and recruiting talent from Hub City. Ruthless Records artists, including Dr. Dre, MC Ren,... Read more

November 14, 2023 News, Trending Stories

Killer Mike Is Grammy-Nominated For “Best Rap Album”

The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards announced this weekend (November 10). As the symbolic 50th year for Hip-Hop marches towards its close, there are several nominated albums and songs that exemplify the benchmark year and the culture. Killer Mike’s album, MICHAEL, is a noteworthy inclusion in the “Best Rap... Read more

November 11, 2023 News, Trending Stories

Shaq & Dame Lillard Face Off On A Song After Years Of Trading Disses

Rick Ross and Meek Mill have teamed up for a full-length collaboration album, Too Good To Be True. The Maybach Music Group founder and one of his star artists have made massive hits together for the last dozen-plus years. Now, they unleash a new chapter for the label—now distributed by the... Read more

November 11, 2023 Audio

Black Thought’s Epic Freestyle Is Nominated For A Grammy

The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards were announced Friday (November 10). As the symbolic 50th year for Hip-Hop marches towards its close, there are several nominated albums and songs that exemplify the benchmark year and the culture. In the "Best Rap Performance" category, Black Thought's "Love Letter" is nominated.... Read more

November 10, 2023 News, Trending Stories

Missy Elliott Is The First Female Hip-Hop Artist Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

This weekend (November 3), Missy Elliott became the first female Hip-Hop artist to enter the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The Virginia veteran MC/producer appeared at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center, where she was presented the honor by her "Fast Car" collaborator Queen Latifah. The presenter credited Missy Elliott... Read more

November 5, 2023 News, Video

J. Cole Explains Why His New Album Is Called The Fall Off

Over five years, ago, J. Cole's acclaimed KOD included a song "1985 ('Intro To The Fall Off')." At the time, the song made headlines as a response song to Lil Pump and others, that defied the convention of traditional Rap disses. In the days that followed, J. Cole revealed that... Read more

November 5, 2023 Video

DJ Kool Herc Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By LL Cool J

This weekend, Hip-Hop pioneer and architect DJ Kool Herc officially entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The Jamaican-born, Bronx, New York-raised Clive Campbell was joined by his sister Cynthia at a ceremony at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. There, Herc was inducted into the Hall by an artist with that... Read more

November 5, 2023 News, Trending Stories, Video

200 MCs Celebrate DJ Kay Slay On The Ultimate Posse Cut

Last year, Hip-Hop lost DJ Kay Slay. The Harlem legend passed away on April 17, 2022. His 40+ year legacy began with graffiti and evolved into him becoming one of the biggest mixtape DJs in the world. The self-proclaimed "Drama King" ultimately used his tastemaking skills as a record executive... Read more

November 3, 2023 Video

Alchemist Names His Top 5 Producers

Alchemist has had a busy 2023. The acclaimed producer (and MC/DJ) has released albums alongside Larry June, Earl Sweatshirt, and MIKE and Wiki—along with fresh solo material. Amid the prolific year, Al spoke to Genius' Andres Tardio to list his Top 5 Hip-Hop producers—including one of his mentors. Along the... Read more

November 1, 2023 Video

AZ’s New Album Is Weeks Away. Here’s The First Video

It's been two years since AZ released his Doe Or Die II album. The legendary Brooklyn MC had not released an album for ten years, prior to the long-awaited project. AZ has stayed active in the two years since Doe Or Die II, appearing on Westside Gunn's "99 Avirex," Statik... Read more

October 31, 2023 Trending Stories, Video

Rapsody Has Released One Of The Realest Songs Of The Year

It's been more than four years since Rapsody released her critically-acclaimed album, Eve. In the time that she's been away, Hip-Hop has seen a proliferation of women MCs. Names like Ice Spice, Latto, Glorilla, Sexyy Red and Scar Lip, now dominate Rap charts and playlists. Though the traditionally male-dominated genre... Read more

October 30, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

Just Blaze Has Released 2 Songs From Slaughterhouse’s Glass House Album

In 2009, four of Hip-Hop's sharpest lyricists joined forces to form one of the most beloved super group's of the last 15 years. Joe Budden, Royce 5'9, Joell Ortiz and Kxng Crooked (then known as Crooked I) each had well-established careers, but Slaughterhouse propelled the collective to mythical heights. By... Read more

October 24, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

Jay Rock & Ab-Soul’s New Songs Are Reminders Of TDE’s Greatness

Over the last 10+ years, Top Dog Entertainment has proven itself to be not just one of the greatest record labels of the 2010s, but one of the greatest in the history of Rap music. Built around the Black Hippy collective of Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and ScHoolboy Q,... Read more

October 21, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

Del The Funky Homosapien & Living Legends Shine On A New Song

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... Read more

October 20, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

C.L. Smooth Returns In A Verse With Rough Words

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... Read more

October 17, 2023 Audio

Redman Has Released A Series Of Freestyles Over Hip-Hop Classics

Next month will make it eight years since Redman released an album. However, as the Def Squad MC plugs away at Muddy Waters Too and Blackout! 3 with Method Man, he frequently gives his devoted fan-base new music. In 2023, Reggie Noble has teamed with Royce 5'9, Logic, Tony Touch,... Read more

October 17, 2023 Video

Westside Gunn, JID & Conway Make 1 Of 2023’s Great Collabos

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... Read more

October 13, 2023 Audio

Rakim & LL Cool J Perform A Boomin’ Tribute To Marley Marl

Earlier this month (October 3), the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards taped in Atlanta, Georgia. The awards show now aired tonight (October 10). Among its highlights was producer/DJ Marley Marl winning the coveted I Am Hip Hop Award in the culture's ceremonial 50th year. Marley Marl is the Queens, New... Read more

October 10, 2023 TV, TV/Film, Video

Lil Yachty Shows He Can Really Rap On A Song With J. Cole

Earlier this year, Lil Yachty released one of 2023's more surprising albums from an artist often categorized in Rap. January's Let's Start Here. deviated from the sound that the Atlanta, Georgia had established over the last decade. On this go-round, the Quality Control/Motown Records artist delved into contemporary Psychedelic Rock... Read more

October 7, 2023 Audio, Video

Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist’s Album Was Worth The Wait

Since 2019, Earl Sweatshirt and Alchemist claimed a collaborative album existed under a fake name. Two years later, the production half of the duo confirmed its existence. “We hid a whole album on YouTube under a fake name and YouTube page. Fake album cover, song titles, the whole nine. Nobody... Read more

October 7, 2023 Audio

J. Cole & Drake Go Head To Head On A Heavyweight Song

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... Read more

October 6, 2023 Audio

Drake Returns To His Rap Roots With A Griselda Producer

Tomorrow (October 6), Drake is slated to release his eighth solo album, For All The Dogs. The superstar's first full length since mid-2022's Honestly Nevermind is promoted in signature Drake fashion, with a time-stamp song arriving days before the OVO LP. "8am In Charlotte" follows catalog gems such as "4pm... Read more

October 5, 2023 Video

Vic Mensa Is 2 Years Sober But His Freestyle Is Still Dope

Last month, Vic Mensa released his latest album, Victor. The Roc Nation Records release features Common, Jay Electronica, Ty Dolla Sign, Chance The Rapper, Thundercat, Rapsody, D Smoke, among others. In the two years since the Chicago, Illinois artist released his last LP, I TAPE, Mensa transitioned his lifestyle. The... Read more

October 2, 2023 Video

Skillz Raps Up Hip-Hop’s Golden Age With A Tribute To H.E.R.

For over 20 years, MC/DJ/academic Skillz helped Hip-Hop process its yearly legacy through his Rap Up verses, which typically arrive in late December or early January. In a milestone year, Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary, the Richmond, Virginia veteran takes it a step further, with a song produced by The Roots. Skillz... Read more

September 23, 2023 Video

Nick Grant Has Released One Of The Year’s Best Albums

Nick Grant has been making waves since the mid-2010s. His 2017 debut, Return Of The Cool, garnered praise from Ambrosia For Heads and others at a time when the South Carolina MC was getting cosigns from Andre 3000, Nas, Bun B, and others. Since that Epic Records debut, Nick worked... Read more

September 22, 2023 Audio

Inspectah Deck Returns With Another Victory

Buffalo, New York MC Elcamino has been making noise for well over five years. In 2017, when the then-Shady Records-backed Griselda trio of Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine toured the country, Elcamino was supposed to join them. However, as he later told Bandcamp's Jordan Commandeur, house... Read more

September 21, 2023 Audio

Chuck D Details How He’s Kept The BASS In His Voice For 35 Years

Along with penning some of the most impactful Hip-Hop songs, Chuck D has displayed an incredible voice. The Long Island, New Yorker has demonstrated a commanding delivery on Public Enemy songs for over 35 years and more recently worked with Prophets Of Rage. Mistachuck’s vocals are distinct, precise, and treated... Read more

September 20, 2023 Exclusive, Fresh

Little Brother Have Released Their 1st New Music In 4 Years

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... Read more

September 19, 2023 Audio

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more

September 16, 2023 Video

Big Daddy Kane Turned Down A $1 Million Death Row Deal

In the mid-1990s, Big Daddy Kane was a free agent. After nearly a decade releasing music through Cold Chillin' Records and its Warner Bros. distributor, the Brooklyn, New York lyricist was a talent for hire. In 1994, he had released a sole MCA Records LP, Daddy's Home, featuring involvement with... Read more

September 13, 2023 Video

ScHoolboy Q Discusses How Kendrick Lamar Saved His Life

ScHoolboy Q is preparing his fourth album in over four years. However, despite his lengthy breaks between projects, the Los Angeles, California MC's career remains as a leader in the Rap game. Groovy Q appeared on Top Dawg Entertainment-affiliated podcast Back On Figg this week to speak with T-Rell, Smac,... Read more

September 4, 2023 Video

Warren G Details His Many Contributions To The Chronic

In late 1992, Dr. Dre released his solo debut The Chronic. The album launched Death Row Records, and the careers of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, RBX, and others. It also marked the first full-length release from Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records imprint. In videos such... Read more

August 29, 2023 Video

Warren G Reveals Who Introduced Him To G-Funk

For decades, Hip-Hop artists have spoken about the G-Funk musical style and its origins. While not often credited in the mainstream press, Pomona, California's Above The Law implemented the sound in their catalog, especially on 1993's Black Mafia Life and 1994's Uncle Sam's Curse. The first album reportedly began recording... Read more

August 28, 2023 Video

C.L. Smooth Delivers 1 Of His Best Verses In Years Alongside Blu

In the mid-2000s, C.L. Smooth released two independent solo albums. The New Rochelle, New York MC had previously dropped three acclaimed projects with his partner Pete Rock and feature work with Johnny Gill and DJ Krush before cultivating his own catalog. In the last decade, The Mecca Don has chosen... Read more

August 27, 2023 Audio

Ghostface Killah Is A 60 Second Assassin In His New Verse

Yesterday (August 25), Ghostface Killah teamed with Westside Gunn and DJ Muggs for "Sicilian Gold." The collaboration between members of Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, and Griselda appears on the new Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley album and is embedded below. GFK, who released a Remy Ma collaborative single "YUPP!" this month,... Read more

August 26, 2023 Video

Ghostface Killah & Westside Gunn Give Golden Age Raps To DJ Muggs

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... Read more

August 25, 2023 Audio

Coast Contra Returns With Another Breathtaking Freestyle

After years of paying dues, the Coast Contra group made major inroads during 2022. The quartet of Ras Austin, Taj Austin, Eric Jamal, and Rioloz released their debut album, Apt. 505. That They promoted the self-released LP with a memorable performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and a... Read more

August 22, 2023 Video

Ambrosia For Heads Is Partnering With Vevo To Come To TV Screens

Ambrosia For Heads is proud to announce a new partnership with Vevo—the world's leading music video network. For more than 13 years, AFH has been dedicated to providing the best in Hip-Hop music, news, videos, and culture through the site and corresponding socials. We have partnered with Vevo to deliver... Read more

August 21, 2023 Exclusive, Fresh

The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more

August 17, 2023 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Lauryn Hill Shows She’s Somebody To Nas & The World

Last night (August 11), Hip-Hop culture took over Yankee Stadium. There, a host of legends performed songs in the same Bronx borough that is credited with birthing Hip-Hop as Heads know it, 50 years ago this weekend. Kool Herc and his sister Cynthia Campbell were part of the festivities. It... Read more

August 12, 2023 Video

Snoop Performs La Di Da Di With Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick

Last night (August 11), Hip-Hop took over Yankee Stadium. There, a host of legends performed songs in the same Bronx borough that is credited with birthing Hip-Hop as Heads know it, 50 years ago this weekend. Kool Herc and his sister Cynthia Campbell were part of the festivities. It was... Read more

August 12, 2023 Video

Questlove Names His Top 4 Rap Albums Of All-Time

This morning, ahead of their The F.O.R.C.E. Live Tour, LL Cool J, Questlove, and Black Thought appeared on The Breakfast Club for an 80-plus-minute conversation. After discussing Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary, their collaboration Rock The Bells performance with The Roots and DJ Z-Trip, and the earliest days of LL's career, the... Read more

August 9, 2023 Video

Melle Mel Flexes His OG Status On An Eminem Diss

Last week (August 4), Eminem unleashed some diss bars at Grandmaster Melle Mel. Marshall Mathers, who thanked Melle in his Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction speech less than a year ago, clearly took umbrage with some of the comments his fellow Hall of Famer has made in the... Read more

August 8, 2023 Audio, News

LL Cool J & Black Thought Go On A Rampage

This past weekend (August 5), the 2023 Rock The Bells Festival took place in Queens, New York. Performers at the all-day event included Run-D.M.C., Slick Rick, Redman & Method Man, Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Rapsody, Brand Nubian, Boot Camp Clik, and many more. LL Cool J, who produced the... Read more

August 6, 2023 Video

Redman Remakes A Slick Rick Classic For A New Adventure

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... Read more

August 5, 2023 Audio

Eminem Sends A Message To Melle Mel With A Furious Diss

Since entering August, Hip-Hop celebrations are in high gear as Heads march to August 11's symbolic 50th anniversary. Notably, one of the superstars of Rap is dissing a legendary MC from the culture's formative years. On the new song "Realest," Eminem serves a diss to Grandmaster Melle Mel, his fellow... Read more

August 4, 2023 Audio

LL Cool J’s Freestyle Shows He Is Still A GOAT MC

This weekend (August 5), LL Cool J is headlining the annual Rock The Bells Festival in his home borough of Queens, New York. L will be joined by The Roots and DJ Z-Trip as he shares the main event with the MC's longtime friends and peers Run-D.M.C. Other performers include... Read more

August 3, 2023 Video

Souls Of Mischief Freestyle New Verses To 93 Til Infinity

The Souls Of Mischief have been celebrating 30 years of Hip-Hop respect with the fans that provided it. Tajai, A-Plus, Phesto Dee, and Opio are in the midst of a tour with 93 stops (dates below) celebrating the 30th anniversary of 93 Til' Infinity, the quartet's acclaimed debut album—and its... Read more

August 2, 2023 Video

Atmosphere Producer Ant Made Music For A Decade Before Making A Dollar

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Brother Ali's incredible album, Shadows On The Sun. The 2003 Rhymesayers Entertainment release was produced by Ant of Atmosphere—a producer and DJ known to deliberately avoid the spotlight. In a two-part conversation with Brother Ali's The Travelers Podcast, Ant opens up about his... Read more

July 31, 2023 Video

New Unreleased Footage Shows Tupac Hours Before He Was Shot

The night of September 7, 1996 changed history. Tupac Shakur, one of the biggest stars of Rap, was fatally struck that night in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The attack happened the same night Tupac and his label co-founder, Suge Knight, were in an altercation outside the MGM... Read more

July 27, 2023 Video