battle Archives

EPMD Detail The Night Their Beef With Eric B. & Rakim Almost Got Physical (Video)

Earlier this year, EPMD joined Flava Flav, Large Professor, Bumpy Knuckles and more than 20 MCs at the 30th anniversary concert for Eric B. & Rakim's Paid In Full. Rakim and Eric's first concert together in years, also marked a historic armistice in 1980s Hip-Hop folklore. On this week's episode... Read more

September 21, 2017 Video

Kanye West Killed 50 Cent AND Gangsta Rap 10 Years Ago (Video)

Ten years ago this week, Hip-Hop experienced a real watershed moment. On September 11, 2007, 50 Cent and Kanye West squared off. It was not physical. It did not even include diss tracks or beef of any kind. Instead, Graduation faced off against Curtis. Two of Hip-Hop's biggest stars of... Read more

September 9, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

See The Full Historic Conversation & Cypher Between Mos Def, Big Pun, Canibus & DMX (Video)

Twenty years ago, Hip-Hop was in crosswinds. Microphones were grabbed by emerging voices from across the landscape, geographically, stylistically, and regarding content. As the genre collected itself following the sudden and tragic killings of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, it wanted new sounds, messages, and conversations. Mos Def & Dave... Read more

August 28, 2017 Throwback, Video

Joey Bada$$ & Logic Go Bar For Bar In A Cypher Strictly For The Love Of Hip-Hop (Full Video)

While much attention has been focused on the unspoken competition between Kendrick Lamar and Drake in the quest for 2017's biggest album, both Logic and Joey Bada$$ released 2 of the finest LPs of the year. Each featured heady concepts, strong lyricism and beats made for the body and the mind.... Read more

August 10, 2017 Video

LL Cool J Wanted To Do A 2nd Collabo With Canibus To Avoid Their Beef (Video)

LL Cool J and Canibus put their beef to bed back in the closing days of 2014. What started out as a rhyme battle (on the very same song) expanded into 17 years of feuding that involved tattoos, subliminal album titles, and a feature on QDIII's Beef DVD series. In... Read more

July 28, 2017 Video

Vic Mensa Wilds Out On Method Man & Nick Cannon With A Savage Freestyle (Video)

Vic Mensa is the latest guest on Nick Cannon's Wild 'N Out show. Promoting his Manuscript EP, the Roc Nation MC participated in one of the show's longstanding Rap battles. With Method Man on stage, Mensa was out to annihilate the competition on behalf of his team. Vic Mensa Says... Read more

July 7, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Remy Ma Sends Shots From The Podium Like It’s The Source Awards (Video)

Twelve years since her last BET Awards win, Remy Ma took home "Best Female Hip-Hop Artist" honors in 2017. The complement to Kendrick Lamar's male win, Remy celebrated the accolade with some controversy. For starters, upon winning she broke a seven-year streak held by foe/rival Nicki Minaj. And Remy knew... Read more

June 26, 2017 Video

The Woman At The Center Of The JAY-Z & Nas Beef Speaks Up & Tells Truths (Video)

Carmen Bryan is not a household name. However, she was strongly referenced in one of the most famous feuds in music history. In 2001, Jay Z launched "The Takeover" as part of his Blueprint campaign. The opening song to the acclaimed album put a reportedly longstanding tension with Nas out... Read more

May 1, 2017 Video

Kid Capri Details Exactly How B.D.P. Hijacked The Stage From P.M. Dawn (Video)

Kid Capri's vocals can be heard multiple times on the current #1 album in the country. The Bronx, New York DJ, producer, and onetime MC put his voice on multiple tracks belonging to Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. In a career that spans 30 years of mixtapes, Def Comedy Jam, production for... Read more

April 24, 2017 Video

Nicki Minaj Re-Asserts Her Claim As The Queen Of Rap In Her New Video

Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma's beef quieted down in the last five weeks. The two New York MCs went from throwing apparent subliminal jabs to throwing heavy verbal artillery this year. After Rem' appeared to throw some televised shade Nick's way this month on Hip Hop Squares, Barbie brings her... Read more

April 19, 2017 Video

Murs Details Watching Biggie Smalls Lose A Rap Battle To An Unsigned MC (Video)

Many Heads have seen the footage of a pre-deal Biggie Smalls ripping into an opponent in his own neighborhood, outside a Brooklyn storefront (posted below). The Notorious B.I.G. was clearly a battle-tested MC who brought his confidence, wit, and commanding delivery to a decorated career that includes a diamond-certified double... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. DJ Premier. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” 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... Read more

March 3, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Joey Bada$$ Says He’s A Better Rapper Than Tupac Was (Video)

In January, Joey Bada$$ released "Land of the Free," by far the most politically-minded song of his career. The record was about self-empowerment, and featured lines like “realize the real games that they tried to show us/300+ years of them cold shoulders/Yet 300 million of us still got no focus/Sorry... Read more

March 1, 2017 Video

Swizz Beatz Premieres A New Song Featuring Nas, Jay Z, DMX & Jadakiss And It’s Unreal (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 in the long video, or play the short clip just below. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing... Read more

February 25, 2017 Video

Remy Ma Is Out To Ether Nicki Minaj. These 7 Minutes May Make Nick Lean Back (Audio)

In the last 48 hours, Nicki Minaj's fiery appearance on "Make Love" led many to believe that the Cash Money/Young Money Queen was gunning for crosstown MC, Remy Ma. Going strictly off ill subliminals, it would be hard to say who struck first, in a series of raps where the... Read more

February 25, 2017 Audio

Just Blaze & Swizz Beatz Have A Beat Battle For The Ages. Watch The Masters Work (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 of the video. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing left to prove behind the boards, each now... Read more

February 25, 2017 Video

Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap Battle Song-For-Song, In Concert (Video)

Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap go back together more than 30 years. Since the mid-1980s, these two New York City lyricists were some of the most legendary components in Marley Marl's Juice Crew. In 1986, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo let the world hear something special with... Read more

February 21, 2017 Video

Drake Opens Up For The First Time About Ghostwriting & Forcefully Defends His Pen (Audio)

In 2016, Drake does not often do interviews. The Canadian MC/singer was guarded upon his 2008-2009 entrance into the music industry. With the best-selling Hip-Hop album of 2016 in VIEWS, that wall has apparently only heightened. Drake typically addresses his life through lyrics, occasionally social media, and a few limited... Read more

February 20, 2017 Audio

Black Thought & Common Have A Freestyle Battle That Goes Off The Wheels (Video)

When it comes to freestyling, few are better than Black Thought and Common. Unlike others who shy away from grabbing an open mic, both Comm' and Thought seize the moment when there's an opportunity to rhyme. And, while neither has anything left to prove, each often goes completely off the... Read more

February 11, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: J Dilla vs. Madlib. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer," 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... Read more

February 7, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

In 1997, at Cincinnati, Ohio's annual Scribble Jam Festival, Eminem and MC J.U.I.C.E. faced off in what is often considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest battles. At the time, the two Midwestern lyricists were both independent artists looking for a title, and some shine to boot. J.U.I.C.E., the Chicago, Illinois native... Read more

February 3, 2017 Audio

Finding The GOAT Producer: Dr. Dre vs. DJ Muggs. 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

February 3, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Alchemist vs. Mannie Fresh. 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

February 2, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Alchemist & DJ Muggs Win The Wild Card Battle To Join Finding The GOAT Producer

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” 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 have been reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving beat... Read more

February 1, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Quik vs. Warren G. 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

January 27, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Bomb Squad vs. DITC. 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

January 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: No ID vs. A Tribe Called Quest. 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

January 23, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Neptunes vs. Just Blaze. 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

January 20, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: J Dilla vs. MF DOOM. 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

January 19, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Noah “40” Shebib vs. Puff Daddy & The Hitmen. 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

January 18, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Marley Marl vs. Rick Rubin. 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

January 17, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Havoc vs. RZA. 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

January 13, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Madlib vs. Prince Paul. 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

January 12, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon. Who Is Better?

UPDATE: The original vote was within 1%, so a tie-breaker was held to determine the winner. Erick Sermon won that vote by 6%. “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... Read more

January 11, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland. 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

January 10, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Stillmatic Turns 15. Here’s A Look At Nas’ Return To His NY State Of Mind (Video)

Fifteen years ago today (December 18), Nas released his fifth album, Stillmatic. At a time before popular Rap stars were making albums into series and franchises, Nasir Jones flashed back to his 1994 debut. In the seven years since, the MC had two #1 albums, and gone platinum many times... Read more

December 18, 2016 Food for Thought

Kendrick Lamar Gives An Aspiring MC The Opportunity Of A Lifetime & He Shines (Video)

2016 has been a relatively quiet year for Kendrick Lamar. After releasing one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of all-time, with 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick's only LP of the year was his untitled.unmastered compilation of outtakes from TPAB. He also maintained a low profile, only doing select performances... Read more

December 17, 2016 Video

Mistah F.A.B. & Charlie Clips Make It Personal In This Incredible Rap Battle (Video)

Mistah F.A.B. has become one of the best examples of a battle rapper transitioning into a full-on discography. Additionally, Charlie Clips has taken his gifts as one of the premiere MCs in Battle Rap to television through BET Hip-Hop Awards looks as well as appearances on Wild N' Out. On... Read more

December 9, 2016 Video

J. Cole Comes Out Blasting. It Sounds Like Kanye & Drake Are The Targets (Videos)

2016 may be saving its best for last. On the first day of December, it appeared that J. Cole unveiled his plans surrounding his fourth album release. December 9's 4 Your Eyez Only pre-orders hit the web, then quickly and mysteriously disappeared (they are back now). By the time the... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Meek Mill Breaks His Silence On Drake, Game & Beans. He Has A LOT To Say. (Audio)

Last week, Meek Mill released mixtape DC4. The fourth installment of the Dreamchasers series, which began in 2011, finds the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC in a completely different spot than when he began. In the years since, Meek has two gold solo albums, two platinum singles, and his own roster of... Read more

October 31, 2016 Audio

Drake Is Out To Break Pusha T With Words & Stones (Audio)

Last week, Pusha T took his latest shots at Drake in "H.G.T.V." A byproduct of a longstanding beef between The Clipse and Lil Wayne/Cash Money, the President of G.O.O.D. Music knocked one of Kanye's other friends and collaborators, seemingly poking fun about Drake's beef with Puff Daddy. "Two Birds, One... Read more

October 23, 2016 Audio

Charlamagne Nearly Pushes Beanie Sigel To The Point Of Getting Physical (Video)

Beanie Sigel has experienced one of the highest profile months of his extensive musical career. The South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC started September as an esteemed veteran, reportedly in plans to make a collaborative album with former foe Jadakiss. However, after briefly appearing on Meek Mill and Omelly's "Ooouuu" reply to... Read more

October 11, 2016 Video

Beanie Sigel Speaks The Truth. He’s Out To Put Meek Mill To Sleep. (Audio)

Rap disses seem to come in bursts these days. Before Meek Mill addresses Beanie Sigel's midweek attack "I'm Coming," his opponent has gotten even closer on "Good Night." With Sigel's new, softer spoken delivery (following a 2014 shooting), Beans is out to deliver a career lullaby to the fellow Philly... Read more

October 7, 2016 Audio

Beanie Sigel Reveals How Texts & Photos Led To Violent Beef With Meek Mill (Audio)

Following a documented altercation this past weekend, Beanie Sigel has broken his silence. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hit-maker appeared on the latest episode of the Taxstone Podcast. There, the former Roc-A-Fella Records star broke down his changing position in the beef between The Game and Meek Mill, and why he feels... Read more

September 28, 2016 Audio

The Game Disses Meek Mill & Beanie Sigel In Their Own Backyard (Video)

When The Game was at war with former mentor and boss 50 Cent, he was not above the heavy-handed antics. In one mid-2000s DVD, the Compton, California rapper trespassed on 50's Connecticut mansion grounds, and filmed the whole thing (posted below). Game was apparently showing his former G-Unit leader that... Read more

September 27, 2016 Video

Beanie Sigel Allegedly Attacked For Saying He Wrote Lyrics For Meek Mill’s Game Diss Record (Video)

Just over one week ago, Beanie Sigel made his way into the beef between The Game and Meek Mill. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran appeared alongside Meek and Dream Chasers affiliate Omelly's in their their reply to Game's "92 Bars" diss, rapping over Young. M.A.'s "Ooouuu." Beanie Sigel spit just a handful... Read more

September 26, 2016 Video

The Game Blasts Meek Mill, Beanie Sigel & Sean Kingston On The Hardest Diss Record In Years (Audio)

On Sunday night (September 18), Meek Mill responded to The Game. Completing the first round of disses, Meek's "Ooouuu" featured Dream Chasers protege Omelly, as well as a symbolic appearance from another former Game collaborator, Beanie Sigel. Game wastes no time bringing out a new attack, and "Pest Control" is... Read more

September 20, 2016 Audio

Meek Mill Replies To The Game’s Diss & He Has Beanie Sigel Riding With Him (Audio)

Last week (September 16), The Game declared beef with former collaborator Meek Mill. The Compton, California veteran rapper made his position clear on "92 Bars," a controversial inclusion on upcoming album 1992. In the same song, Game name-checked a number of Hip-Hop artists, including Beanie Sigel, while vowing plans to... Read more

September 19, 2016 Audio, News

Never Scared To Face Off: Bone Crusher To Battle Pastor Troy (Video)

Last year, fans from many different corners of Hip-Hop looked on as ONYX's Fredro Starr defeated Keith Murray in a Brooklyn, New York Rap battle. The two 1990s MCs (who both remain actively recording today) squared off in a wild, at times uncomfortable competition. The same promotions company responsible for... Read more

September 16, 2016 News, Video