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Black Thought Explains Why He Believes He’s Never Been Better (Video)

Less than one month since it was released, Black Thought's "Dostoyevsky" shines as a brilliant 2018 Hip-Hop song and the latest great Tariq Trotter and Rapsody collaboration. From The Roots MC's Streams Of Thought, Vol. 1 EP with 9th Wonder and The Soul Council, the work is on Ambrosia For Heads'... Read more

Busta Rhymes & Westside Gunn Break Bones With Verses, Not Sticks & Stones (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight 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, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

The 14 Best Hip-Hop Releases So Far In 2018 (Audio & Video)

Approaching 2018’s midpoint, the year has been absolutely incredible for Hip-Hop and Rap music. For many artists, the album is now shorter than it has ever been. Releases are more concentrated and digestible than they have been been in decades. Moreover, the MC/producer double-threat is winning, as is the chemistry... Read more

9th Wonder Brings Smif-n-Wessun & Rick Ross Together For A Song That’s Super Fly (Audio)

9th Wonder is a master mixer—not just behind the turntables or in the swivel chair in front of the tracking boards, the North Carolina native is gifted at fusing worlds together. At the height of "mixtape Lil Wayne," he brought Weezy F. Baby to Little Brother for a meaningful collaboration... Read more

Kooley High Keep Ascending & Will Never Come Down (Video Premiere)

From the hills of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kooley High have ascended with Never Come Down, a 14-track album with features from fellow Tar Heels Rapsody and Carlitta Durand and 9th Wonder as executive producer. The quintet made up of MCs Charlie Smarts and Tab-One; producers Foolery and The Sinopsis; and DJ... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Atmosphere vs. Little Brother. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

Black Thought Discusses His New Album, Epic Freestyle & Years Of Putting In Work (Video)

This past weekend (June 2), The Roots hosted their 11th annual picnic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sadly, just moments into their headlining jam session, hosted by Dave Chappelle, rain, flooding, and lightning storms halted a highly-anticipated affair. However, one day before (June 1), Black Thought showered Hip-Hop Heads with Streams Of... Read more

Black Thought Is Releasing Two More Projects And They Are Coming Soon (Audio)

Earlier today (June 1), Black Thought released his first solo project in the form of Streams of Thought, vol. 1, a five-song E.P. featuring production from 9th Wonder and The Soul Council. With it, the longtime MC and founding member of the legendary Roots crew has given fervent Heads a taste... Read more

Black Thought Has Released His 1st Ever Solo Project & It’s Everything (Audio)

Black Thought has partnered with 9th Wonder to release a project outside of his award-winning, critically-acclaimed work with The Roots. Beyond his consistent, yet demanding gig with the hardest-working band in show business, including a daily spot on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon along with an acting career, the... Read more

Drake Goes From 0 To 100 Over 9th Wonder’s Beats (Audio)

Hailing from Montreal, DJ Critical Hype has been perfecting the craft of blending for nearly a decade. His The Art Of… series of mixes has highlighted luminaries of the game such as Talib Kweli, Danny Brown, and Kendrick Lamar. Then, a couple of years ago he moved onto mash-ups and... Read more

Black Thought & 9th Wonder’s Collabo Album Arrives In Less Than 1 Week

Black Thought and 9th Wonder started the year off with a mammoth announcement. Both stated as much during a panel back in January. Today, it has been revealed that the first fruits of that project will harvest in less than one week. It seemed to be mounting anyway as The... Read more

The Roots’ SXSW Concert Cancels After Bomb Threat. A Suspect Is In Custody.

Saturday night (March 17), Grammy Award-winning Hip-Hop band The Roots were scheduled to headline a South By Southwest concert. Black Thought, Questlove, and their group-mates had announced "The Roots & Friends" at Austin, Texas' Fair Market. The concert planned to feature Roots' jam session performances with Ludacris, Rapsody & 9th... Read more

Early In His Career, Drake Rhymed With Phonte & Elzhi And It Was All Good (Audio)

In 2007, three years before releasing his studio debut Thank Me Later, Drake was still a relatively new rapper with only one mixtape under his belt. That year he dropped his sophomore tape, Comeback Season, an under-appreciated offering from a future global superstar during his budding career. With guest spots from Dwele,... Read more

Kooley High Reach For The Ceiling In The Group’s Newest Video

The “Hip-Hop group” seems to be an endangered species in today’s landscape. There are plenty of collectives comprised of loosely-associated solo MCs, or super-group side projects. However, acts with more than two members are becoming rarer and rarer. Enter Kooley High, a North Carolina Hip-Hop crew who are driven by... Read more

9th Wonder Speaks On Why Bruno Mars’ Critics Are Fakin’ The Funk

Last month, while accepting his Grammy for "Album Of The Year" for 24K Magic, Bruno Mars made it a point to address the other nominees by name. He shouted out "Kung-Fu Kenny, JAY-Z and Gambino," saying to them "You guys are the reason I'm in the studio pulling my hair out...thank... Read more

Phonte Has Made An Elite Album For The 99% Of Grown Hip-Hop Fans

It's been more than six years since Phonte released his solo debut. Late 2012's Charity Starts At Home was critically-acclaimed and seemed to indicate that Tigallo was on his way to creating a stellar solo catalog beyond his celebrated work with Little Brother and Foreign Exchange. It did not quite... Read more

The Kennedy Center Put Q-Tip In Charge Of Hip-Hop Culture & He Built A Dream Team To Help

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. has announced the inauguration of its Hip Hop Culture Council, and the names are nothing short of heavyweights. According to the center's Medium page, the council is comprised of Hip Hop luminaries from across various elements of the culture.... Read more

Elzhi & Khrysis’ 1st Collabo Single Shows What Jericho Jackson’s Got…FIRE (Audio)

In two weeks, 9th Wonder's Jamla Records is releasing the first collaborative project from Elzhi and Khrysis. The February 23 album takes its title from the Detroit, Michigan MC to Raleigh, North Carolina producer tandem's group name, Jericho Jackson. The name is a reference to Carl Weathers' character in 1988's... Read more

Murs Is Starting A Residency At Duke University (Video)

The long-term partnership between Los Angeles, California MC Murs and producer 9th Wonder is taking a new turn, as the self-described "Captain California" heads to Duke University to start a week-long residency as part of its African and African American Studies program. Finding himself in a college setting is not... Read more

Black Thought & 9th Wonder Confirm A Collabo Project Is On The Way (Video)

In April of 2016, Black Thought and 9th Wonder released "Making A Murderer," featuring Styles P. Posted online by Jamla Records as a song by The Roots' MC, and premiered by Ambrosia For Heads, it marked a rarity in the South Philadelphia MC's catalog that has been tied to Roots... Read more

Rapsody Explains How Erykah Badu’s “Mama’s Gun” Inspired “Laila’s Wisdom” (Video)

On Sunday, January 28, Rapsody will attend the 60th Annual Grammy Awards as a nominee. Having won trophies for past feature contributions (Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly), the Roc Nation/Jamla MC is up for Best Rap Album for Laila's Wisdom, the only woman in a category which also nominates... Read more

Elzhi & Khrysis Announce Their Collabo Group With A Musical Preview (Audio)

In the hours leading up to 2018, some Hip-Hop news was announced that Heads might have missed. Jamla Records' founder 9th Wonder revealed that this new year promises an exciting collaborative group from two esteemed veterans of Rap music and verse. Detroit, Michigan MC Elzhi and North Carolina producer Khrysis... Read more

Murs & 9th Wonder’s 3:16 Album Set An Everlasting Trend In Hip-Hop (Video)

Collaboration albums between Hip-Hop artists across style, geography, and subject matter have become more commonplace than ever. Creators from aesthetically different sub-genres who have joined forces in the recent past include Madlib and Freddie Gibbs, Vince Staples and No I.D., and Killer Mike and El-P's 2010s formation of Run The... Read more

9th Wonder Details Producing Kendrick Lamar’s DUCKWORTH & Reveals Its Original Title (Video)

Working on a Kendrick Lamar record requires a vow of secrecy as demanding as any spy code, 9th Wonder shares in the latest Rap Radar Podcast. With longtime colleague and Roc Nation producer/engineer, Young Guru by his side, 9th speaks on how he made “DUCKWORTH.” the closer for this year's Grammy-nominated... Read more

Q-Tip is FURIOUS. He Calls Out The Grammys For Snubbing A Tribe Called Quest (Video)

Last February, A Tribe Called Quest were joined by Busta Rhymes and Anderson .Paak for a show-stealing Grammy Awards performance that included "We The People," "Movin Backwards," and splashes of "Can I Kick It?" and "Award Tour." Nine months later, neither A.T.C.Q. nor their final album (released one year ago... Read more

GQ Is Next Up In 9th Wonder’s Jamla Army (Video Premiere)

GQ is the artist 9th Wonder calls his “secret weapon” at Jamla Records. Over the past few years, the Bay area native has released several records (including 2014's Rated Oakland) as part of the label roster that have cemented his reputation as an artist with fine lyricism and a clearly defined... Read more

Reuben Vincent Is Jamla’s Teenage Prodigy. He Hits His Target On “BB Guns” (Video)

After signing with 9th Wonder's Jamla Records, Charlotte North Carolina teenager Reuben Vincent released  “Chains On Me,” produced by one the most innovative producers around, Khrysis – another member of the Jamla Records family, Soul Council, and The Away Team. “Chains On Me” showed off the 15-year-old’s supreme confidence and precocious... Read more

Rapsody Has All The Power In A Stunning New Video

Rapsody's newly-released Laila's Wisdom remains a centerpiece album in the 2017 Hip-Hop space. In a career that's seen notable releases in nearly every format, the Jamla/Roc Nation MC brought out the strongest presentation in an effort that features Kendrick Lamar, Black Thought, and Busta Rhymes just to name a few.... Read more

9th Wonder Explains Why Soundbombing & Rawkus Kept His Hip-Hop Dreams Alive (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the LAST... Read more

Problem Blows The Top Off Over A Thunderous 9th Wonder Production (Video)

While 9th Wonder may be best known for his productions in the 00s for artists like Little Brother, JAY-Z, Erykah Badu and Destiny's Child, over the last few years, the North Carolina producer has been quietly and diligently releasing some of the best work of his illustrious career. In 2016, his... Read more

Sean Price & Masta Killa Are Rap Royalty On A 9th Wonder Production (Audio)

Sean Price and Wu-Tang Clan were frequent collaborators throughout the legendary Boot Camp Clik MC's career. "Donkey Sean" has shared verses with prominent and affiliate members of Wu on a total of 12 released tracks since 1998. On Masta Killa's "Down For Me," the latest single for the Wu member's... Read more

Rapsody Explains Why Overnight Success Is A Myth & Only The Grind Is Real (Video)

During a recent Breakfast Club interview, host Charlamagne Tha God asked Rapsody to explain one of her Laila's Wisdom lyrics: “People enjoy the car more than the drive.” Near the 24:00 mark, Rap’ unpacked the line and spoke about the disconnect some have between aspiring for success and being both patient... Read more

Rapper Big Pooh Releases A Phonte Collabo He Held For 7 Years & Explains Why (Audio)

The saga of Little Brother appears to be a complicated one. 9th Wonder exited shortly after The Minstrel Show. He appeared on one song from The Getback. Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh carried on with the Justus League in tow. In the 2010s, Phonte and 9th worked together, and soon... Read more

9th Wonder Compares The Impact Of Kendrick’s DAMN To P.E.’s It Takes A Nation (Video)

9th Wonder's introduction to the Hip-Hop industry (by way of Little Brother's The Listening) is not even 15 years old. However, in that time, the producer/DJ/professor has become a powerful voice in the music and culture. Like his discography, 9th has been an advocate for the songs, albums, and musicians he... Read more

Rapsody Shows Once Again That Few MCs Can Hang With Her Whether Male Of Female (Audio)

For fans of Rapsody, the last couple of weeks have been golden. The North Carolina MC is celebrating her two musical families, Jamla and Roc Nation, with #JamRocFridays, releasing new music for what are now two consecutive weeks. As fans continue to anticipate the impending release of her first full... Read more

Murs Revives Paid Dues. Raekwon, Ghostface, PRhyme & More To Perform

Starting in 2006, Murs created and curated the Paid Dues Music Festival in and around Los Angeles, California. The Living Legends MC made a stage for many of his independent peers, friends, and acts whose music he liked. By 2007, Paid Dues teamed with Guerilla Union to do a full-on... Read more

An Argument For Why Black Thought Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

For almost 25 years, Black Thought has been putting his raspy voiced verses to record. The constant MC for The Roots crew has made a dozen albums, seemingly performed as much as any Rap artist, and is now typically on television five nights per week. More than just simply hard... Read more

9th Wonder & Salaam Remi Are Co-Producing The Roots’ Next Album

The Roots have not released an album in three years. ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin was the group's 11th album. Now confirmed to be called End Game, the twelfth effort is arriving in the near future. While the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania collective has worked extensively with Phonte on 2010's How... Read more

9th Wonder Releases 7 Beats Custom Made For Redman. It’s Time 4 Sum Aksion!! (Audio)

Redman's classic catalog includes some heavy-hitting producers. With a lot of co-production to his credit, Red' made many of his most celebrated hits with Def Squad mentor Erick Sermon. RZA, Pete Rock, Parrish Smith, DJ Scratch, and Rockwilder (who made a critical early appearance on Dare Iz A Darkside) are... Read more

9th Wonder Releases His Lost Tapes With Mr. Cheeks & They Are Found Jewels (Audio)

With their debut album, Legal Drug Money, The Lost Boyz were one of the most exciting groups in Hip-Hop, in the mid-90s. Songs like "Renee", "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" and "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless" had clubs, radios and car stereos on lock in 1996. Their run... Read more

9th Wonder Confirms Kendrick Lamar’s Story About Top Dawg Plotting To Kill Kendrick’s Father

After nearly 48 hours since Kendrick Lamar released his latest album, DAMN., the Hip-Hop world is still unpacking the dense LP. Like most Kendrick Lamar albums, the project is multi-layered and deeply complex. On its face, DAMN. is arguably Kendrick's most straight-forward work, sonically. It has 3 club-ready beats from... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Reveals Top Dawg Planned To Rob Kendrick’s Father Years Ago (Audio)

In the closing hours of April 13, Kendrick Lamar released his DAMN. album. Less than 24 hours old, the MC's latest major label title is clearly another example of rich concept, leaving music fans some unpacking as they listen for the days ahead. Fourteen songs, all of which are one-word,... Read more

KXNG Crooked, Elzhi, Rapsody, Nick Grant & More Will Take The AFH Stage At SXSW

On Wednesday, March 15, Ambrosia for Heads will be cohosting its first official showcase at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. The Ambrosia For Heads x My Executive Room Showcase will feature headlining appearances from Kxng Crooked, Elzhi, Rapsody, 9th Wonder and Nick Grant. The event will... Read more

Mark Steele Is Vowing To Gain Your Attention. He’s Prepared at Every Turn (Video)

As a former pupil in 9th Wonder's Hip-Hop in Context 101 class at North Carolina State University, Mark Steele is quite literally a student of the game. In fact, the North Carolina MC has already collaborated with his former professor, as well as Rapsody and Cory Gunz. Perhaps best recognized... Read more

Nas’ “Illmatic” Is 1 of 4 Hip-Hop Albums Being Preserved in Harvard’s Library

Five years ago, producer 9th Wonder was named a Harvard fellow, a position which has endowed him with the responsibility of preserving Hip-Hop music and culture within the Ivy League university's cherished library. At the onset of his tenure, 9th began working on an initiative for the Dubois Institute at... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. 9th Wonder. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

Rapsody & GQ Team Up & Show That Jamla Is The Squad That’s Saying Something (Audio)

North Carolina's Rapsody and Oakland, California's GQ have been two steadfast members of 9th Wonder's Jamla Records. In the last month, Rap' released her Crown EP. GQ has been quiet for much of 2016, since eloquently speaking his thoughts on an Oaktown' sidewalk in January. The former college basketball star... Read more

Rapsody Releases Her New “Crown” EP. Listen Here (Audio)

Just one day after dropping an ambitious double-header with the release of not one, but two singles, Rapsody's Crown EP has arrived. Yesterday (November 15), the Jamla rapper shared two jewels with Heads, first the Ambrosia for Heads-premiered "Mad" and then the Ab-Soul-assisted "2AM." But today (November 16), fans no... Read more

9th Wonder Makes A Powerful Case For Tolerance Between Generations In Hip-Hop

In recent weeks, there have been several incidents, primarily on social media, that suggest a generational divide within Hip-Hop. Three of the biggest breakout stars of the last year ran into isolated incidents, and collided with some of Rap's veterans. Beyond simply music, age played a factor in the conflicts... Read more

Rapsody Becomes The First Woman MC To Sign To Jay Z’s Roc Nation Label

For almost a decade, Snow Hill, North Carolina MC Rapsody has been paying dues in her Hip-Hop career. After acclaimed album The Idea Of Beautiful, standout mixtape She Got Game, and a key appearance on Kendrick Lamar's platinum #1 album To Pimp A Butterfly, Rapsody has landed her next major... Read more