kool g rap Archives

Rare Photographs Of Rakim Show Why He’s Hip-Hop Royalty

Last summer, in conjunction with the theatrical release of Straight Outta Compton, Ambrosia For Heads spoke to Stephan Armleder (a/k/a The Genevan Heathen). A B-Boy to the core (who also DJs and produces), The Genevan Heathen has been documenting N.W.A. and its members through scanning photographs, advertisements, trading cards, and... Read more

June 18, 2016 Throwback

Stretch & Bobbito Recall Expectations Around Nas’ Illmatic Release (Audio)

Last night (June 13), Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito The Barber returned to radio, in a new way. The legendary New York City duo conducted two hours of live radio via Samsung 837 approximately 26 years after the pair began with a historic eight-year run at Columbia University's WKCR 89.9FM radio... Read more

June 14, 2016 Audio, Throwback

Craig G Details The Making Of “The Symphony,” Including Who Wrote What (Video)

This month, Queens, New York MC Craig G released his seventh studio album, I Rap And Go Home. The Soulspazm Records effort features Buckshot, Ras Kass, and Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest, among others. The battle-tested lyricist has enjoyed a professional recording career that has endured more than 30... Read more

June 10, 2016 Throwback, Video

11 Veteran Lyricists Break Ground In One Video With Another In MC Spiritual Essence

In today's musical age, assembling collaborations seems relatively easy. Translating that to a compelling, well-produced video is not quite as accessible. Especially in hardcore, purebred Hip-Hop, making videos like Sway & King Tech's "The Anthem" seems implausible without big budgets like the one the two iconic radio personalities had at... Read more

April 18, 2016 Video

Meet The Secret Weapon To Hits By Nas, Eric B. & Rakim & Main Source (Audio)

Anton Pukshansky is a name that likely appears in your music library—even if you don't know it. Born in Russia, raised in New York City, the producer, engineer, bassist, and keyboardist would work on heralded albums including Nas' Illmatic, Eric B. & Rakim's Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em, Kool G Rap &... Read more

March 26, 2016 Audio

Kool G Rap Flaunts His Signature Imagery & Wordplay In Another Key Feature (Video)

Kool G Rap is a master of taking a feature opportunity, and prying the track open. Throughout his career, on tracks by Mobb Deep, Akinyele, and The X-Ecutioners, the Corona, Queens MC is never afraid to assert his skills at the top of the bill. At the same time, from... Read more

February 11, 2016 Video

If Kool G Rap & DJ Polo Released This ’87 Demo Cut, Things May Be Way Different (Audio)

In 1986, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (then, as "DJ Polo & Kool G Rap") made noise with "It's A Demo." The Cold Chillin'/Prism Records release was part of the mid-'80s unilateral attack that was The Juice Crew. G Rap joined MC Shan, Roxanne Shante, Biz Markie, Big Daddy... Read more

October 4, 2015 Throwback

Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane vs. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s Road To The Riches. What Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

September 18, 2015 Finding the GOAT

15 Years Ago, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common & More Used Hip-Hop for Justice. The Fight Continues.

Police officers (and law enforcement officials) murdering unarmed people of color has been a resounding issue, especially since the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. However, while mainstream media has not always looked at the issue that extends back throughout the United States' history, other media has. One of those sources... Read more

September 7, 2015 Food for Thought

Travel Back To A Funkmaster Flex Playlist With ONYX, Redman & Kool G Rap (Mix)

Even before he was dropping bombs, Funkmaster Flex was explosive to airwaves. On May 7, 1993 the DJ assisted the newly-launched HOT 97 set the weekends off proper. The Bronx, New York mixmaster began an 11pm-2am "Friday Night Street Jam" show on 97.1 FM, bringing the energy of the streets... Read more

June 4, 2015 Throwback

From the 70s to the 90s…There’s No Beat Styles P Can’t Wreck (Audio)

Styles P continues his streak of weekly freestyle with a double feature. "Give Me Your Ghost" features Styles flowing over Curtis Mayfield's ultra-soulful "Give Me Your Love" from the Superfly soundtrack. Ghost sounds right at home over Mayfield's laid back groove. For the 2nd release of the day (third if... Read more

May 1, 2015 Audio

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

Spit Gemz & Kool G Rap Host A Wordplay Clinic In Latest Collab (Audio)

Spit Gemz is one of Hip Hop's rising rugged Rap voices. In his track “Legacy," he teams up with veteran supreme lyricist Kool G Rap to deliver some of that classic New York under-belly flavor. The two MCs both represent Queens, but it's not the only thing they have in... Read more

April 15, 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

Big Daddy Kane Names His List of the Greatest MCs of All-Time. Who Made the Cut? (Video)

"Me, KRS and Rakim changed the whole way people rhymed..."--Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane is widely considered to be one of the greatest MCs of all-time and, for many, he is the GOAT. So, when Kane speaks about his list of Hip-Hop's best lyricists, it takes on a different... Read more

March 24, 2015 Video

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

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

Blu, Skyzoo & Kool G Rap Get Remixed By Large Professor, Diamond D & More (Album Stream)

Coalmine Records loves a remix. The Brooklyn, New York-based independent label mined their catalog, including joints from Blu, Heltah Skeltah, El Da Sensei, Guilty Simpson, Kool G Rap, Royce Da 5'9", Skillz, and more, and issued up some new remixes. The handiwork on the flips comes from the heralded likes... Read more

January 21, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: Shaqueen – Shaqueen Rules (Audio)

From Bumpy Knuckles, to MF DOOM, to NYOIL, Hip-Hop has seen some powerful re-inventive forces with artists. To Heads with deeper knowledge of mid-1990s New York Hip-Hop, Shaqueen certainly comes to mind. In the early 2000s, Shaqueen was reinvented as "Ma Barker," a member of (her spouse) Kool G Rap's... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, 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

Ghostface Killah Unleashes a Full Album Stream of 36 Seasons (Audio)

Over the last few weeks, Ghostface Killah has released banger after banger after banger from his forthcoming 36 Seasons album. Few, if any, projects have been more anticipated. Now, the wait is over. Similar to DJ Premier & Royce Da 5'9" with their PRhyme EP, Ghost has released a full... Read more

December 1, 2014 Audio

Cookin’ Soul Adds Some BOOM BAP to Kool G. Rap, Large Professor & Big Noyd’s Naturally Born (Audio)

Nearly two years ago, Kool G. Rap, Large Professor and Big Noyd released "Naturally Born" as part of Coalmine Records' Unearthed compilation. The track, which was produced by Ayatollah, featured a soulful sample and strong verses from each of the veteran wordsmiths. Now, Cookin' Soul, the production duo known for... Read more

November 28, 2014 Throwback

Ghostface Killah, Kool G Rap & AZ Provide A Cautionary Street Tale (Audio)

All of the 36 Seasons are heating up! For the second weekday in a row, Ghostface Killah unleashes some new content. "The Battlefield" is one of the several appearances by Kool G Rap and AZ on the Tommy Boy Records LP. Also including The Revelations' vocalist Tre Williams, this cut... Read more

November 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of October 2014 (Audio)

October yielded some of the hardest Hip-Hop of the year. Whether it was seasonal, Mercury in retrograde or something in the water, MCs brought their A-games. Here's a playlist of some of the best music of the month. You'll hear tracks from Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Logic, The Lox, Rah Digga,... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage

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

Kool G. Rap & Guilty Simpson Play Chess Never Checkers Over Some Boom Bap (Audio)

Sometimes the best Hip-Hop involves little more than some fire lyrics over a hard beat. That's exactly what "Chess Never Checkers" provides. Kool G. Rap and Guilty Simpson lay down dense and grimy verses over a BOOM BAP beat and intermittent minimalist chords. If you want that rough and raw... Read more

October 8, 2014 Audio

Kool G Rap and Nature Unite on a Timeless Track with Gotham Green (Audio)

Relative newcomer, Gotham Green, has a dream come true as his Hip-Hop heroes Kool G. Rap and Nature join him on a track: "I grew up in New York during a time where lyrics and talent ruled hip hop. As a result, I gravitated towards artists who could verbally amaze... Read more

September 26, 2014 Audio

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

Cormega Juices Up Industry, With A Kool G Rap, Masta Ace & Craig G Remix (Audio)

After the tremendous acclaim of Mega Philosophy single, "Industry," Cormega (as promised) is hard at work on some jaw-dropping remixes. Cory starts off looking at his own native borough of Queens, New York. There, 'Mega links with Craig G (who he worked with on QB's Finest's single, "Da Bridge 2001"),... Read more

July 29, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Action Bronson & Meyhem Lauren Kick A Freestyle At Peter Rosenberg’s Birthday Bash (Video)

In celebration of Peter Rosenberg's day of birth, Action Bronson and Meyhem Lauren hit the stage at Best Buy Theater for some never before heard bars over Mobb Deep's Alchemist produced single, "The Realest." With some decent footage behind it, fans get to hear some stellar lyricism that was once... Read more

July 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Best Hip-Hop in May Included Slaughterhouse, KRS-One, Ghostface, Ab-Soul, Common, Cormega, The Roots & Much More (Audio Playlist)

Before we get too deep into June, here's a look back at some of the best Hip-Hop to drop in May and there was an abundance...You'll hear new music from Slaughterhouse, Cormega, KRS-One, Ab-Soul, Rapsody, Ghostface, Common, Mac Miller, De La Soul, Nitty Scott, MC, The Roots, Blu, Freddie Gibbs,... Read more

June 5, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Kool G Rap & DJ Premier Make Another Joint, Courtesy Of Spe$h. Scratch Chorus Lovers Rejoice (Audio)

Since "First Nigga" back in the Rawkus Records era, DJ Premier has been one of the masters in showcasing Kool G Rap's genius. The former partner of DJ Polo came in the game destroying the silence over beats by Marley Marl, Large Professor, and Dr. Butcher, but these days, Giancana... Read more

May 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

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

Here’s a Mind-Blowingly Comprehensive Oral History of Rawkus Records

Here's a mind-blowingly comprehensive oral history of Rawkus Records, one of the last great Hip-Hop record labels, put together by MySpace. The piece features contributions from DJ Premier, DJ Spinna, El-P, Evil Dee, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip and many, many more. Check out an excerpt and link to... Read more

April 30, 2014 Throwback

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

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

Kool G Rap Hits That Roots Of Evil Flow On A New Track With Maffew Ragazino (Audio)

Kool G Rap has many styles. From his social consciousness on "Erase Racism," to his dazzling MC bravado on "Men At Work," to those grimy street tales heard on "Thug Love Story." Along the way, Giancana's flow has evolved, as he's staked a claim as one of Hip-Hop's best, dating... Read more

January 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

The Godfathers (Kool G Rap & Necro) – Once Upon A Crime (Album Stream)

Kool G Rap's career has had a lot of twists and turns. After three heralded albums with DJ Polo, G Rap went solo in '94. Without Marley Marl and Large Professor, the Queens MC went for a darker sound on subsequent albums. In the late '90s, Kool moved to Arizona... Read more

November 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap Discusses Nas, Big Pun and His Top 10 MCs (Video)

When one of the most highly-regarded MCs of all-time discusses his top 10 MCs, the world listens. Kool G. Rap sat down on the Juan Epstein Show and discussed his first meetings with Nas and Big Pun, as well as his top 10 MCs of all time. Surprisingly, Biggie and... Read more

November 2, 2013 Video

Kool G Rap & Necro Pull Back The Hammers On Trigga 4 Hire (Audio)

Kool G Rap is often pigeonholed to the innovative lyricism of his Cold Chillin' years with DJ Polo. While those albums, singles, and individual verses cannot be overstated for their importance to the craft of Rap, sometimes the Queens, New Yorker is overlooked for his straight-up gangsterism. As G pointed... Read more

October 31, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Grand Theft Audio V (Mixtape)

Here's the official mixtape for Grand Theft Auto V. It features verses from Jadakiss, Kool G. Rap, Prodigy, Jon Connor, Vado, Action Bronson, Fredro Starr, Cormega, Lil Fame from M.O.P. and more. You can listen to the entire mixtpae and download it below. Related: GTA 5 Franklin Trailer ft Jay... Read more

September 20, 2013 Mixes

Vado – Fast Lane ft Raekwon (Video)

Vado and Raekwon channel Kool G Rap and Nas for "Fast Lane." The lyrics from this Slime Flu 4 mixtape are just as lush and illustrious over signature 1995 Buckwild production. These two sound really great together. Rae is so versatile, as is Vado. Certain songs are untouchable, but this... Read more

September 8, 2013 Fresh, Video

Almighty (Canibus, Bronze Nazareth, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) – F.A.M. ft. Kool G Rap

It seems like a lifetime ago that Canibus was going blow for blow with LL Cool J and was considered one of the nicest lyricists in the game. But even though times and perceptions may have changed, the New York MC is back with his latest lyrical offering to prove... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kool G Rap, Papoose, Savant & Justin Tyme – Iron Bars

People tend to forget: Papoose is a lyrical O.G. Just like Nas, just like Akinyele, MF Grimm, B-1, Jinx Da Juvy, and others, Pap cut his teeth on the come-up with one of Hip-Hop's all time lyrical giants: Kool G Rap. "Home Sweet Funeral Home." 1998. Roots Of Evil. Arizona.... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Kid Tsunami – The Chase (Full Album Stream)

With all the commotion about Kanye, J. Cole, Mac Miller and Statik Selektah's album, it was easy for Kid Tsunami's to get lost in the shuffle. But, with guest appearances from Masta Ace, OC, J-Live, Bahamadia, Sadat X, Kool Keith, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Chubb Rock, Pharoahe Monch, Buckshot and... Read more

June 23, 2013 Audio