AFH Ambrosia for Heads

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“Rubble Kings” Album Features Ghostface Killah, Run The Jewels, Bun B & More (Stream & Download)

Back in June, Heads got a serious history lesson with the release of Rubble Kings, a documentary exposing the real-life events in '70s New York City that led to the formation of what we now recognize as Hip-Hop culture. Now, the highly acclaimed film has an official soundtrack, featuring new... Read more

Stream “The Breaks” and Hear DJ Premier’s First Film Score (Video)

On Monday night (January 4), Vh1 premiered The Breaks. The film, inspired by Dan Charnas' book, The Big Payback, dramatically captures three Hip-Hop hopefuls living in 1990 New York City. One dreams to work at a hit Rap management firm. Another character wants to be a successful producer, and discover... Read more

“12 Years a Slave” Writer John Ridley Is Turning Real-Life Tragedy Into Powerful Forms of Art (Audio)

John Ridley is an award-winning screenwriter whose celebrated works in film include 12 Years a Slave, a powerful film for which he won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Longtime fans of his love him for the writing he did on iconic television shows like The Fresh Prince... Read more

Quentin Tarantino Says Victims of Police Brutality Are Not Statistics & Murders Have to Stop (Video)

Quentin Tarantino has never been a film director shy of controversy. He has, however, been a steadfast proponent of his creative license and the freedom to use the silver screen to create not only some of the most iconic films of his generation, but also those which ruffle some feathers... Read more

Macaulay Culkin Spoofs Home Alone…By Channeling Reservoir Dogs. (Video)

Film Home Alone has become a holiday classic. The John Hughes-directed Macaulay Culkin franchise is full of elaborate pranks, family-friendly humor, and always a feel-good takeaway. After multiple films (two starring Culkin), several scenes, lines, and Wet Bandits pitfalls are etched in the hearts of generations. Twenty five years later,... Read more

“Straight Outta Compton” Dominated 2015 in Many Ways. So Why the Golden Globes Snub?

Just a few days after the Recording Academy left many Heads scratching their, well...heads, over Grammy nominations, the Hollywood Foreign Press has got many people asking "what were they thinking?" The organization behind the Golden Globes announced its list of nominees for the best in film and television of 2015,... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Returns To Acting, Opposite Keanu Reeves In This Trailer (Video)

In addition to one of Rap's most respected musical careers, Big Daddy Kane is also a professional actor. The Brooklyn, New York native starred in 1990s films like Meteor Man and Posse, before making a return to Hollywood in the 2000s. Recently, Big Daddy Kane has been touring, recording, and... Read more

Spike Lee Says Don’t Get It Twisted. “Chi-Raq” Is NOT A Comedy. (Video)

Earlier this week, film director Spike Lee released the trailer for Chi-Raq, a film that takes a look at Chicago's seemingly incessant gun violence, which hasn't gotten so bad, the city has earned itself a moniker that draws parallels to war-torn Iraq. The trailer, which included several comedic moments, earned... Read more

Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq Comedy Stars Dave Chappelle, Wesley Snipes & More. See The Trailer (Video)

Spike Lee is fast at work in his first film in more than a year. Following 2014's Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus, the heralded Brooklyn, New York filmmaker is using the violence epidemic of Chicago to apparently elicit some comic relief and food for thought in Chi-Raq. The feature film... Read more

The Hotel That Inspired ‘The Shining’ Is Now A True American Horror Story & Museum

It was to the delight of millions of fans that FX announced its current season of its hit show "American Horror Story" would take place in a hotel, a setting familiar to anyone who has traveled. And yet, despite its familiarity and comforting aspects, there is something about a hotel's... Read more

Quentin Tarantino Makes His Films With No Apologies…To Anyone

As a director, Quentin Tarantino has contributed timeless films, most of which are considered cult classics. Movies like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction have carved indelible marks into popular culture while Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained have taken a more mainstream, Academy-Award nomination route. What they all have in common,... Read more

20 Years Later, Dead Presidents’ Depiction About Life for War Veterans Still Resonates

20 years ago today (October 6, 1995) Dead Presidents was released in theaters and with it arrived one of the most powerful depictions of Black Veterans in the history of American cinema. Starring Terrence Howard, Larenz Tate, Chris Tucker, and Bookeem Woodbine among others, the film was directed by brothers... Read more

36 Years Later, The Warriors Take Their Last Subway Ride Home. Can You Dig It? (Video)

A lot has changed in New York City since Walter Hill filmed The Warriors. While the Wonder Wheel remains, much of Coney Island has changed when standing on Stillwell Avenue. More than 35 years after the cult classic released, Rolling Stone filmed as cult fans organized "Swan" (Michael Beck), "Cochise"... Read more

Grab Your Charles Dickens. Ice Cube Is The Next Mr. Scrooge.

In music, in film, and in life, Ice Cube is many things. Some of his greatest successes in each have come with the Los Angeles, California native as cranky, irritable, and just downright mad. Whether that's film roles in Higher Learning, 21 Jump Street, or Ride Along, or songs through... Read more

A New Def Jam Biopic May Be in the Works. The Choices For Russell & Rick May Surprise You

By now, the news of Straight Outta Compton's success is common knowledge; the N.W.A. biopic soared into film history by becoming the highest-grossing music biopic ever, beating out films about superstars like Ray Charles and Johnny Cash. That success has opened up space for ongoing discussions about the Hip-Hop Biopic... Read more

A Missy Elliott Biopic? Here’s Why Her Story Bridges Women & Hip-Hop in a Powerful Way

Since Straight Outta Compton's meteoric rise to dominance in discussions of contemporary American film, music, sexual politics, and more, the concept of the Hip-Hop biopic is one that has flooded channels of communication and is seemingly inescapable. News of a Master P biopic and a cinematic exploration of Death Row... Read more

Straight Outta Compton Becomes The Top-Earning Musical Biopic, Ever.

James Brown. Johnny Cash. Ray Charles. Ritchie Valens. The Doors. Buddy Holly. These are just some of the subjects surrounding Hollywood's musical biopics of the last 25 years. That said, N.W.A. and their biographical depiction in Straight Outta Compton boasts the distinction of being the highest-earning, ever. In theaters for... Read more

Tower Records’ Place in Music History Is Being Remembered in New Doc (Video)

It goes without saying that every generation of music fan has its earliest, almost primordial memories of when and how it fell in love with music. For some, these memories conjure up images of a live show or a particular lyric that sounded like it was written just for the... Read more

New Jack City & Boyz N the Hood to Be Honored as Hip-Hop’s Influence in Film Continues to Grow

With Straight Outta Compton breaking box-office records and asserting itself as perhaps the summer movie this year, it is hard to ignore the role Hip-Hop has played not only as a cultural phenomenon, but one that commands great attention in the world of film. In a recent announcement, the African-American... Read more

Quentin Tarantino & Sam Jackson Are Re-Teaming For The Hateful Eight (Video)

Today (August 12), filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has released the trailer for his eighth studio film, The Hateful Eight. Set in the 1800s, the Western stars leading men Samuel L. Jackson (who has worked with the writer/director for more than 20 years), along with Kurt Russell (Escape From New York, Tombstone).... Read more

‘Kids’ Turns 20 Today & Still Has Plenty of Surprises in its History

On this day in 1995, a film entered theaters that, while under-performing at the box office, left an impression on viewers that has yet to subside. Even though it is one of the most discussed films in a generation (if not more), there are still aspects of Kids' history, production,... Read more

Will Smith & Jay Z To Produce Mini-Series On Life & Murder Of Emmett Till

Today (July 25) is the birthday of Emmett Till. He would have been 74 years old. The Chicago, Illinois native was murdered on August 28, 1955 while visiting family in Money, Mississippi. Then just 14 years old, Emmett—who was Black—spoke to 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant. In the hours that followed, Till... Read more

A Week Before it Turns 20, the Movie ‘Kids’ is Being Remembered as a Classic

Rolling Stone called it "the most controversial film of the Nineties." With mid-'90s New York City as its setting, the Larry Clark-directed film Kids struck a chord with an entire generation, candidly portraying the sexual lives of a handful of teenagers. Released nationwide on July 28, 1995, the NC-17 drama... Read more

Want To See How Hip-Hop Started? Two New Shows Document Its Beginnings (Video)

It's New York City in the late '60s and early '70s, and there is an underbelly of criminal and gang activity plaguing the Big Apple's neighborhoods, a combination of socioeconomic and political environments that, years later, will help birth what is today the world's most influential culture. This particularly dangerous... Read more

The Eminem Show: Marshall Mathers To Produce & Music Supervise New Series

As one of Motor City's most well-known representatives in Hip-Hop, Eminem has put Detroit, Michigan on the proverbial map with projects like the 2002 blockbuster film 8 Mile and its soundtrack (quintuple-platinum selling "Lose Yourself," anyone?). Thirteen years later, he's doing it again - this time for television - taking... Read more

RZA To Direct Film “Coco,” Starring Common & Jill Scott

In the Fall of 1991, RZA (as Prince Rakeem) had a Tommy Boy Records EP, Ooh, I Love You Rakeem, which would prove to be a jumping off point for the Wu-Tang Clan. That same season, a Chicago, Illinois MC named Common Sense appeared in the October, 1991 "Unsigned Hype"... Read more

If Eminem’s Stan Was a Movie About Drake, It Would Look Like This (Video)

Writer and director Christopher Cole has put together an ironic and deeply satirical short film about a man's obsession with Drake. The clip, titled If You're Reading This It's Too Late, simultaneously extols the Young Money MC's virtues as an artist, while making sly puns of his lyrics and song... Read more

Jim Kelly Was So Much More Than The World’s First Black Martial Arts Star…

Known for roles in films like Black Belt Jones, Enter The Dragon, and Three The Hard Way, Jim Kelly was a familiar face to lovers of 1970s low-budget films. At drive-in's and grind-houses, these works may be today remembered as Blaxploitation works—statements on race and culture, big on stereotypes and... Read more

Rhymefest Made A Film About Finding His Homeless Father. Watch The Trailer (Video)

The Academy Award-winning and Grammy Award-winning Rhymefest has a lot going for him. Che Smith isn't rushing back into the lab to make another album. With the hot hand, 'Fest is instead opening up into his compelling story. At the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival, Rhymefest will premiere In My Father's... Read more

Professor Bun B Talks Rap, Religion and Oscars with Intelligence and Humor (Video)

What isn't Bun B a novice expert on? The UGK co-founder and Trill O.G. loves sneakers, sports, street-wear, cars, music, and even film. In preparation for tomorrow's 87th Academy Awards (February 22), the Bun Beata weighs in for The Fader on who he thinks will get Oscar gold. Claiming that The... Read more

Pulp Fiction, Still Cool, Compelling & Game-Changing 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

Twenty years ago today (October 14), the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction opened in theaters. The film starring a Hollywood re-tread (John Travolta), a character actor (Samuel L. Jackson), and a relative unknown (Umma Thurman), as well as a host of other actors, would go on to become an icon... Read more

25 Years Later Here’s an Amazing Look at the Making of Do the Right Thing (Video)

Spike Lee has teamed with Beats Music to put together an amazing short film on the making of Do the Right Thing, in celebration of the film's 25th anniversary this year. The video features Spike doing a guided tour of all the Brooklyn landmarks featured in the movie, as well... Read more

Joey Bada$$ & Rik Cordero Release a Film About Living Life with No Regrets (Video)

Joey Bada$$ and writer/director Rik Cordero, have teamed up for a short film about living life to the fullest and pursuing your dreams. In "No Regrets," Joey plays a character based on himself who time travels (It's a Wonderful Life-style) from the future to present day to re-live some of... Read more

Amidst Kids’ Anniversary, A Documentary Is In Production By One Of The Film’s Stars

Yesterday (July 28), Larry Clark's film, Kids, turned 19 years old. The July, 1995 theatrical release resonated with generations of Heads, ranging from those who watched it, those who lived it, and even those who watch now, and simply learn from it. One of the film's stars, Hamilton Harris, is... Read more

Kids Hit Theaters 19 Years Ago Today, Watch The Raw NYC Coming Of Age Film (Video)

On July 28, 1995, Larry Clark's first film, Kids, hit theaters. The movie starring Rosario Dawson, Chloe Sevigny, the late Justin Pierce, and Leo Fitzpatrick followed the very adult consequences of a group of teens living in then-present-day New York City. Produced in part by Gus Van Zandt (Good Will... Read more

30 Minutes Of Kanye West’s Off-The-Mic Inspiration, War-Cries & Chest-Thumping (Video)

Sometimes, the same thing that's great about an artist's music is what makes their personality and stardom so strong. Tupac Shakur had a courage in his music as he did in his life, and it's a big part of the reason why his face is printed on thousands of posters... Read more

Snoop Dogg & Seth Rogen’s Interests Overlap, Talking Origins Of “The Chronic” (Video)

Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen. One of the coolest figures of pop culture from the '90s and one of the coolest pop culture icons of the 2000s cross paths on D-O-Double G's GGN segment. The two men share a love of medicinals, as the joints burn slow. As Snoop calls... Read more

Eminem & Spike Lee Tease Us By Flicking The Headlights On (Video)

Spike Lee's Hip-Hop videography is arguably one of the greatest in the medium. From Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" to Naughty By Nature's "Hip-Hop Hooray," the head of 40 Acres & A Mule Films / A Spike Lee Joint Production Company has made it plain that he loves the culture.... Read more

Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad & SZA Discuss OXYMORON (Video)

There have been several videos promoting the release of Schoolboy Q's OXYMORON, but this is one of the best. As they did when Kendrick Lamar released good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Google Play has put together a short film about Q and OXYMORON. He speaks candidly about battling addiction, the process... Read more

Kanye West & Hype Williams Have Made a Film of the Yeezus Tour. Here’s the Trailer (Video)

Kanye West's Yeezus tour was one of the most visually-inspiring of all concerts (in any genre) in the last few years. If you didn't have an opportunity to see it live, not to worry. Kanye has teamed with acclaimed director Hype Williams to bring the tour to the screen. Check... Read more

John Singleton Is Taking Over The Tupac Shakur Biopic

Director/writer John Singleton has been reported as the latest visionary at the helm of Tupac Shakur's biopic. After years in pre-production, the film, which is partially in the hands of veteran Hip-Hop producer L.T. Hutton (Eazy-E/Snoop Dogg) now goes to the director of Boyz N The Hood. John will re-write... Read more

You Got the Juice Now…Here is the Most Definitive Piece Ever Written on The Making of Juice.

"Tupac, Fist Fights and the Making of Juice" is an amazing oral history which features inside commentary from many of the film's key contributors. MySpace interviewed Ernest Dickerson (the film's director and co-writer), Omar Epps (Q), Treach, key producers, the actors who played Raheem and Steel, as well as soundtrack... Read more

Jaz-O, Mister Cee, Bobbito Appear In New Unauthorized Jay Z Documentary (Video)

A trailer has been released to A Genius Leaves The Hood, The Unauthorized Story Of Jay Z. Not at all endorsed by Jay or Roc Nation, the film features some folks close to Hova's career. Included are early mentor Jaz-O, mixtape DJ and radio personality Mister Cee, as well as... Read more

The Ultimate 1970s Grimy New York City Movie Megamix (Video)

The old New York influenced a lot of Hip-Hop. While Grandmaster Melle Mel may have been talking about The Bronx in "The Message," the vibes of "people pissin' on the street 'cause they just don't care" was not exclusive to any of the five boroughs throughout the 1970s and early... Read more

Nipsey Hussle Releases Crenshaw & Slauson Video With Crenshaw Mixtape (Video & Mixtape)

The visuals for Nipsey Hussle's song Crenshaw & Slauson are part documentary and part music video, but all tribute to Nipsey's neighborhood. Nipsey gets testimonials from several local folks and walks the streets hitting places he still frequents. You can watch the video and stream and download Nipsey's new Crenshaw... Read more

Ice Cube Discusses the Upcoming N.W.A. Film (Video)

Ice Cube sat down on the new Arsenio Hall show and discussed the upcoming film on N.W.A. which will be directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday) and more. Check out the video. Related: The Album Heard ‘Round the World: N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton Turns 25-years Old... Read more

Jay Z and Ron Howard Present: Made in America (Trailer)

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard has done a documentary chronicling the first Made in America festival. The doc features artists like Run-D.M.C., Skrillex, Rita Ora and festival founder Jay Z. Check out the trailer for the film below. Related: Jay Z – Holy Grail ft Justin Timberlake (Video)... Read more

Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) – Clapping for the Wrong Reasons (Short Film)

Here's a short film called Clapping for the Wrong Reasons that was written by Donald Glover that plays like a a day in the life of Childish Gambino. Though the film is fiction, it feels almost like a documentary. The pacing is slow and deliberate (and at times meandering) like... Read more

Scratch (Video)

As we continue our all day celebration of Hip-Hop on the weekend of its 40th birthday, it's time to show some love to the DJ. The documentary Scratch is one of the best films ever on turntabilism.  Scratch gives an in-depth look at the art of working the 1s and... Read more

See Shabba-Doo Before Breakin’, In The Breakin’ N Enterin’ Documentary

The movie Breakin’ introduced many to the West Coast break dancing scene but before Breakin’ there was the documentary Breakin’ N Enterin’. Breakin’ N Enterin’ is a film from 1983 that documented the then nascent LA B-boy scene and inspired the landmark dance film Breakin’. It featured many of the... Read more