juice crew Archives

Finding The GOAT: The Match That Had to Happen – Big Daddy Kane vs. Rakim

The votes have been cast and the decision has been made. Eminem and Tupac will face off against one another in the final battle of the Finding the GOAT competition to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC (as determined by you). Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014,... Read more

May 22, 2015 Throwback

Hear Rakim Rarities, Pete Rock Freestyles From 1996 Future Flavors Set (Mix)

Just like in the late 1980s, Marley Marl and Pete Rock transmitted dopeness into radio waves in much of the 1990s. The Juice Crew founder and The Chocolate Boy Wonder brought their ear for excellence and supreme Rap mixing skills to airwaves for the HOT 97 Future Flavors radio show.... Read more

May 21, 2015 Throwback

Canibus Hosts An All-Star Track With Raekwon, Kurupt & Craig G (Audio)

Canibus is a well-connected lyricist. For his just-released Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise album (with producer Bronze Nazareth), 'Bis brought in his troops. From the HRSMN collective (f/k/a 4 Horsemen), Canibus taps Kurupt for "The Kings Sent For Me." Along with the HRSMN link, an MC who influenced Canibus' ferocious... Read more

May 15, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Final 4): Eminem vs. Big Daddy Kane…Who You Got?

Update: Polls have now closed There are now only 4 MCs remaining in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Both Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. were dismissed at the winning hands of Tupac (even if it took a second, certified ballot in the Nas... Read more

May 15, 2015 Fresh

The People Have Spoken. Here Are The GOAT Competition Final 4 MCs

It's official. Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" MC competition has its final four. Approaching nine months in the making, and more than 200 MCs vetted, voters are nearing the finale. After some outed cheaters compromised the first run of the poll, Tupac Shakur's faithful fans will be pleased to... Read more

May 14, 2015 Fresh

DJ Red Alert Explains How The Bridge Wars Began, Tells His Story (Audio)

Fresh off of DJ Kool Herc's groundbreaking interview with The Combat Jack Show, another Hip-Hop pioneer is profiled extensively. Kool DJ Red Alert is Combat's guest this week. The Harlem, New York native (not Bronx, as often reported) opens up about his career trajectory, the radio wars evolving into "The... Read more

May 13, 2015 Throwback

Agallah Gets A Career Highlight With A Fiery Big Daddy Kane (Audio)

While the EPMD family tree can quickly point to Redman, Das-EFX, DJ Scratch and Keith Murray as successful proteges, there are plenty more. As K-Solo was a verbal varsity "letterman," Craig Mack blossomed under the fold. Later on, in the '90s, "8-Off The Assassin" l/k/a "Agallah" was within the last... Read more

April 29, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Big Daddy Kane vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 21, 2015 Throwback

Domingo Brings Together Kool G Rap & Canibus for Some Lyrical Sharp Shooting (Audio)

Throughout the last 15-plus years, Kool G Rap and Canibus are never far. For dense lyrics, barbed bars, and overloads of confidence, both are a lot alike. Whether it's Sway & King Tech's This Or That, 'Bis' Mic Club, or Almighty's 2nd Coming LP, they run well together. In 2014,... Read more

April 18, 2015 Audio

Ghostface Killah, AZ & Kool G Rap Go to Battle in This Comic-Style Visual (Lyric Video)

It's hard to believe that Ghostface Killah has released two albums in less than four months. Before Sour Soul, it was all about 36 Seasons. The narrative-style G.F.K. effort was an ensemble effort, part fiction, part seemingly fact about a character returning to Staten Island's Stapleton Projects after nine years... Read more

April 6, 2015 Video

eMC Aviate & Elevate In Their Aerospace-Inspired New Visual (Video)

Masta Ace has two videos in one day. Following his Diamond D-laced "Ace Of Diamonds" video single, Brownsville Brooklyn MC extraordinaire joins Wordsworth and Stricklin for The eMC's "Fly Thoughts" visual. Taking the idiomatic expression quite literally, the NYC-Milwaukee trio takes to the skies, the airfields, and the cabin to... Read more

March 30, 2015 Video

Masta Ace Hits The Pocket With Diamond D, Cutting In Some Classic Footage (Video)

Masta Ace and Diamond D are two the greatest Hip-Hop contributions from 1989. As Masta Ace hit with "Letter To Better," Raheem dropped "I'm The King," produced by the would-be Bronx O.G. For one of 2014's sweetest long-players, The Diam Piece, these longtime collaborators linked up again for "Ace Of... Read more

March 30, 2015 Video

Bumpy Knuckles & Big Daddy Kane Scorch Mics Over An Oddisee Beat (Audio)

For Heads paying attention, Bumpy Knuckles' Soundcloud page is the place to be. The Long Island, New York MC/producer regularly shares gems from his 29 years of catalog. From circa the mid-2000s, Freddie Foxxx shares a track ("The Fires Gettin' High") he made with his longtime friend Big Daddy Kane.... Read more

March 27, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Big Daddy Kane vs. Kool G Rap…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 24, 2015 Throwback

Kool G Rap & Mic Geronimo Support Nutso On A Hardcore Queens Cut (Audio)

Kool G Rap may have the Midas touch of cosigns. From Nas to Papoose, Large Professor to MF Grimm, the Kool Genius has an ear for fellow lyricists on the come-up. Fellow Queens, New Yorker Nutso is far from new, having worked with G, along with Trae Tha Truth, Psycho... Read more

March 22, 2015 Audio

The Very First Time Jay Z Performed On TV, They Didn’t Even Say His Name (Video)

Before 1990, Jay Z was not on too many radars. The guest on The Jaz' "Hawaiian Sophie" was in the place that a lot of hopeful artists can relate to. He had a moment in the sun (of a whimsical EMI Records single of his then-rhyme mentor), and was trying... Read more

February 18, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Kool G Rap vs. Ras Kass…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 11, 2015 Fresh

Masta Ace Kills Sounds Sharp Alongside DJ Rob A on Put to Paper (Audio)

If you look at Masta Ace's complete discography, you will likely note that the Brownsville, Brooklyn MC/producer gives the same attention to detail and craft in guest work that he does on his own acclaimed releases. Kid Tsunami's "TwoThousand40," DJ K.O.'s "Ladder Of Success," and R.A. The Rugged Man's "The... Read more

January 18, 2015 Audio

Crooklyn Dodgers ’94 & Crooklyn Dodgers ’95 Trade Uniforms In This ILL Blend (Audio)

DJ Hellee Hooper (a play on famed Soul II Soul/Bjork/No Doubt producer Nellee Hooper), swapped the vocals of Special Ed, Masta Ace, and Buckshot from "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers" with the instrumental to the 1995 original (Chubb Rock, O.C., Jeru The Damaja). The results (thus "94.5") trick your mind,... Read more

January 12, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): KRS-One vs. Masta Ace…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 12, 2015 Throwback

Big Daddy Kane Doesn’t Make Songs Often, So When He Does…Listen. (Audio)

Big Daddy Kane verses, especially of the solo variety, are true rarities. The Brooklyn, New York MC icon spits only when he's got something to say, and that's been his M-O since the Juice Crew days. In the wake of some spiritually and mentally challenging happenings that affect the heart,... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Big Daddy Kane vs. Kool Keith…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

Tragedy Khadafi’s Pre Magnum Opus Features Lil Fame, Royal Flush & Meyhem Lauren (Album Stream)

While Tragedy Khadafi's Pre Magnum Opus is truly a 40-minute set-up for the Queens, New York super-veteran's next album (2015's Magnum Opus) it's better than that. The Juice Crew affiliate, Capone-N-Noreaga mentor, and Black Market Militia founder maintains a reputation for quality since the Intelligent Hoodlum A&M Records days. With... Read more

December 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big Daddy Kane Undresses His Madonna Story, Scrap Lover’s Knuckle Game (Video)

Part of Big Daddy Kane's mystique is that he's not a terribly outspoken guy. Although Antonio Hardy is one of Hip-Hop most innovative, commanding, and influential MCs, the Brooklyn, New Yorker often shuns the media circuit, and enjoys his smooth persona, with a cool guard up. It's almost always just... Read more

December 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Do Remember: Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Big Daddy Kane With Biz Markie’s Erase Racism Video

For anybody with a pulse, this has been a difficult month. Regardless of political views, ethnic background, or age, the lives lost and the protest has been an awakening of the things America needs to address immediately, if we are to be a better, more loving, just, and harmonious nation.... Read more

December 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Masta Ace vs. Bumpy Knuckles…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

December 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Marley Marl Remembers Giving Nas Some Key Demo Pointers, Talks Sample Revenue Loophole (Video)

Marley Marl might just be Hip-Hop's greatest producer. The Queens, New York legend is not easily accessible these days, so when he appeared in Tokyo, Japan before a live, engaged audience, it's "kind of like a big deal." Red Bull Music Academy/ego trip!'s "Chairman" Jeff Mao sat down with the... Read more

November 26, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Tragedy Khadafi Is Still Running Strong (Audio Exclusive)

In less than one month, Queens, New York MC veteran Tragedy Khadafi is releasing his latest album, Pre-Magnum Opus (December 16). In his 25-plus-year career, Tragedy (p/k/a The Intelligent Hoodlum) has garnered strong acclaim, both as a major label artist in the early 1990s, as well as during his extensive independent... Read more

November 25, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Beat Junkies’ DJ Melo-D Makes An Ill Quick Mix Tribute To Big Daddy Kane (Audio)

Along with J. Rocc, Rhettmatic, and Babu, DJ Melo-D is one of the ferocious sets of wrists behind the Beat Junkies. The Los Angeles, California-based collective is one of the most skilled turntablist outfits of all-time, and boast ties to J Dilla, Ras Kass, and of course, Dilated Peoples to... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Big Daddy Kane Says He’ll Finally Battle Rakim For Half A Million Dollars (Video)

This week, VladTV asked Big Daddy Kane, in the multi-part interview, if he'd battle longtime rival, contender as one of the greatest MCs of all-time, Rakim. Specifically, DJ Vlad proposed the notion of the Brooklyn, New York Juice Crew legend taking on his Long Island, New York contemporary for a... Read more

November 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big Daddy Kane Says He Asked Kool Moe Dee For A Battle When He Was 14 (Video)

In a new interview with Vlad TV, Big Daddy Kane opens up about what he was doing in 1982 and 1983. Five years before Long Live The Kane, the would-be Brooklyn, New York superstar was traveling the streets of New York, looking for challenges. He even took aim at one... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Kool G Rap vs. Sadat X…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 31, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Saigon Offers A Stripped-Down DJ Premier Remix Of His Big Daddy Kane Collab (Audio)

Following last month's original, DJ Premier-produced version of "One Foot In The Door," Saigon has a remix. Still maintaining the same opening intro, an early 2000s on-the-spot cosign from Jay Z, this mix has an organic, piano-driven beat. This allows Heads to hear the wrath of Kane, and Sai Giddy's... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Tragedy Khadafi Remains An Intelligent Hoodlum On Free Thinkers 2 (Audio)

In addition to his integral role with Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi (p/k/a The Intelligent Hoodlum) was an influential MC to the likes of Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, and Nature dating back to Juice Crew days. Signed to a major label, mentored by Marley Marl, blending smooth rhymes with highly-informed lyrics, Trag'... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Hear The Rap Attack: Mr. Magic & Marley Marl That Inspired Biggie Smalls (Audio)

Quietly, as Marley Marl became one of Hip-Hop's most pivotal producers and Juice Crew creator, he was doubling as a master of transmitting sounds over tri-state radio. Marl and Mr. Magic were at the control switches at WBLS in New York City. Their "Rap Attack" Show (launched by Mr. Magic... Read more

September 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Saigon & Kool G Rap Reunite, With Memphis Bleek & Lil Bibby (Audio)

A decade after "The Letter P," Saigon and Kool G Rap are back to their hard-hittin' double-dopeness on "Mechanical Animals (4 Generations)." Speaking to the subtitle, also on the cut is Memphis Bleek, and a surprising fourth (to some, anyway) in XXL freshman Lil Bibby. The song plays as its... Read more

September 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap & Spe$h Get Mafiaso In Their DJ Premier-Produced Meeting (Video)

In late May, artist Spe$h linked with Kool G Rap to drop "The Meeting." Produced by DJ Premier, the track was an account of some mob business, with lyrics to go. Two months and some change later, the video arrives, finding Spe$h and G waiting in idling cars, tailing victims,... Read more

August 6, 2014 Fresh, Video

Masta Ace Explains Transitioning From Masta Ace Inc. To The eMC, Making Slaughtahouse (Video)

Masta Ace's career spans three highly-respected crews. The Brownsville, Brooklyn MC came up alongside Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, MC Shan, and the rest of Marley Marl's Juice Crew. However, between 1990's Take A Look Around and 1993, The Juice Crew was largely dissolved, due to financial disputes and... Read more

May 26, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Domingo Sets The Table For 3 Legends In KRS-One, Kool G Rap & Greg Nice (Audio)

In the late 1980s, the notion of KRS-One and Kool G Rap on the same track was unheard of. In the midst of "The Bridge Wars," KRS-One was in the middle of a war of the boroughs, championing The Bronx against Queens' Marley Marl and MC Shan, surrounding the birthplace... Read more

May 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Tim Westwood’s Reggae, Dub & Classic Hip-Hop Vinyl Weighs A Ton (Video)

To younger Heads, Tim Westwood may be known for his wild enthusiasm during guest-stops from the likes of Eminem, Drake, and Jay Z. However, the London-based BBC DJ has nearly 30 years rooted in bridging the gap and crossing the oceans in making Hip-Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Dub, and House mixes.... Read more

May 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

J. Rawls & Masta Ace Bemoan The Bills That We All Get (Audio)

As we collectively approach a new first of the month, leave it to Lone Catalysts' J. Rawls & The eMC's Masta Ace to make a funky explanation about how those "Bills" run our lives. Ace, who regularly externalizes his rhymes when he's being self-deprecating, waxes some Everyman poetic. Rawls laces... Read more

May 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DJ Cash Money & DJ Scratch Rock The Bells, With Some Biz Markie Hilarity (Video)

Although he made one classic Hip-Hop single, Philadelphia's DJ Cash Money is a turntable innovator to the highest degree. Along with DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinbad, and DJ Code Money, Cash ushered in a Philly dominance in the scratching and mixing in the mid-late 1980s that's still up there with... Read more

April 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

Miguel Hazily Covers An Elton John Classic. How’s It Stack Up Against Biz Markie’s Version? (Audio)

Miguel is one of the more powerful voices in R&B right now. Blu's homie is hard at work on a follow-up from 2012's critically-acclaimed Kaleidoscope Dream. However, in between some soundtrack work, Miguel remade an Elton John classic, "Bennie & The Jets." The 1973 original (that still sounds timeless) got... Read more

March 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap Recalls Delivering Chinese Food, Financial Strategies, & His Realest Verse Ever (Video)

Kool G Rap interviews are getting better with the Queens MC's career. Once guarded in the '90s and early 2000s, the Juice Crew alum—who influenced a generation of rhyme spitters—is seemingly unafraid to be who he is, when the setting and questions call for it. Recently, Montreality sat with the... Read more

March 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

DJ Marley Marl Details What Started the Wars Between BDP & The Juice Crew (Video)

DJ Marley Marl has been speaking about the early days of Hip-Hop, lately. He recently sat down on The Juan Epstein show, as well as with Mister Cee, and spoke on everything from working with artists like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap and LL Cool J, to how the... Read more

March 9, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Kermit The Frog As Kool G Rap? Watch The Sesame Street Crew Tackle The Juice Crew’s Symphony (Video)

Admit it or not, plenty Heads grew up on Sesame Street. PBS' afternoon learning and entertainment show raised many of us long before we later recognized Gordon in Willie Dynamite, or laughed at Dave Chappelle's impersonation of The Count. Well, in the tradition of Bert & Ernie playing Billy Danze... Read more

February 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punch & Stricklin Make A Complex Metaphoric EMC Joint (Audio)

Masta Ace is a true master of metaphor. Since his days as the "music man" in the Juice Crew, the Brownsville, Brooklyn MC has evolved into an artist that critics and fans could never pin down—introspective one minute, braggy the next, Jeep music here, and sweet Soul there. When Ace... Read more

February 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Like Bully Bars? Reef The Lost Cauze, Masta Ace & Jaysaun Got Somethin’ For Ya (Audio)

Reef The Lost Cauze never seems to stop working, and that's a great thing. The MC who went to the same high school at Will Smith (at a later era) linked with Masta Ace and Special Teamz' Jaysaun for "Power Moves." Over a hard, brassy beat the three take mics... Read more

February 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

With Temperatures Dropping, Kool G Rap, Cormega, Roc Marciano & J-Love Want You To Look Outside (Audio)

Roc Marciano and Cormega have a great working relationship. Although Queensbridge's 'Mega has about a 10-year jump in the game from Hempstead's Marci, the two are very much about the intricacies of street life. Both of these qualities hail from the Kool G Rap archetype, dating back to the '80s.... Read more

January 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Juice Crew Masters The Ceremony & Orchestrates The Symphony On Stage (Video)

The same night Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Geto Boys, The Pharcyde, Blackstreet, and Ma$e and Diddy reunited in Los Angeles, another seminal Hip-Hop crew came together in New York City. While they never released an album, Heads know the Juice Crew's impact as the sum of its parts, including Big Daddy Kane,... Read more

January 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback