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Why Eminem Is His Own Toughest Critic (Video)

After great anticipation, Eminem began his Revival yesterday (November 10). "Walk On Water" is a single with a fitting title. Until the song released, no one knew that Beyoncé would be on the track, or that its production would be unlike anything Marshall Mathers ever rocked from Dr. Dre, the... Read more

The Kennedy Center Is Celebrating Rap’s Pioneers With A Concert Series

The John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center has gradually created a bona fide space for Hip-Hop within its gates over the past year. It has appointed A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip as its First Artistic Director of Hip-Hop Culture in 2016 and is awarding LL Cool J as the first ever... Read more

This Mix Salutes 1987’s Def Jam Tour With LL Cool J, P.E., Eric B. & Rakim and Whodini

By 1987 Def Jam Records had solidified a foothold in the Hip-Hop music landscape. While labels like Sugar Hill, Enjoy, Jive, and Profile Records had released some truly incredible singles, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin's three-year-old outfit was fast embracing the Rap album format. Moreover, they had a diverse roster—in... Read more

LL Cool J To Receive W.E.B. DuBois Medal From Harvard University

Nas and LL Cool J are not only two of Hip-Hop's most revered lyricists. Not only are both men from the borough of Queens, New York, they each will carry Harvard University's W.E.B. DuBois Medals. LL was announced as a 2017 recipient, alongside Oscar-winning filmmaker Ava Duvernay, artist Kara Walker,... Read more

Mista Sinista Reminds Why Hip-Hop Was Built By DJs. He Puts On An Amazing Display (Video)

Mista Sinista was a crucial part of the X-Ecutioners in the '90s and early 2000s. Alongside the late Roc Raida, as well as Rob Swift and Total Eclipse, the X-Men were real-life superheroes behind the turntables and mixers. Moreover, their 2002 Built From Scratch album on Loud Records brought turntablism... Read more

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

Parrish Smith Discusses LL Cool J Dissing EPMD ON THEIR OWN SONG (Video)

For decades, LL Cool J has been known as one of the most ferocious MCs ever to pick up a microphone...or ink one on his arm. Long before 50 Cent, LL Cool J was the bully from Queens, taking on all comers, old and new. LL's beefs with Kool Moe... Read more

DOOM Is Opening His Missing Notebook Of Rhymes & Releasing 15 New Songs (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

LL Cool J Tells The Full Story Of When He Knocked Out Jamie Foxx (Video)

Over the last couple of years, Drink Champs, hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, has become one of the most popular podcasts, and with good reason. The show, fueled by the hosts' familiarity and respect for their guests, along with a healthy amount of alcohol, often leads to some of... Read more

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

Snoop Dogg May Receive An Emmy Award Before Getting A Grammy

After 18 nominations, Snoop Dogg has never received a Grammy award in his 25-year music career. Tha Doggfather, whose trophy case does boast an American Music Award and a BET Award, may soon earn an Emmy. The Grammys Are Making Changes To Do Better By Rap. Now Maybe Snoop &... Read more

Puffy Explains How He Landed On Tribe’s Midnight Marauders Cover Before Fame (Video)

The week of Puff Daddy's 24th birthday, the would-be mogul ended up on his first album cover. In late 1993, before Bad Boy Records ever released a single, and No Way Out was a distant dream, Sean Combs appeared on the outer artwork to A Tribe Called Quest's third album,... Read more

Watch 40 Years Of Hip-Hop History In 4 Minutes In A Mind-Blowing Mashup (Video)

It ain't nothin' like Hip-Hop music...Over the last 40 years, there have been few forces in pop culture with more impact than Hip-Hop. Like Rock & Roll before it, the music and lifestyle shaped an entire generation and has had untold influence around the world. The Rub: The History of... Read more

LL Cool J Recites The 1st Rhyme He Wrote. He Was Already A GOAT At 11 (Video)

2017 makes 33 years since LL Cool J released debut single "I Need A Beat." James Todd Smith was not old enough to drive a car when he signed his contract with Def Jam Records, where he would remain a superstar into the 2000s. The Queens, New York MC elevated... Read more

Why LL Cool J Is The Original GOAT (Video)

Like Will Smith, Ice-T, and Queen Latifah, it may be easier to name an LL Cool J role in the last decade, than a song. However, James Todd Smith continues to make time for Hip-Hop (right now, with Dr. Dre), and when he's right, he's really sharp. Aside from that,... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Premier vs. Rick Rubin. 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

From Kane To Whodini, This Mix Celebrates Hip-Hop & Love (Audio)

To those who celebrate it, Valentine's Day is about showing love to the ones you care about. That's why almost all people offer each other gifts such as those on Shop nguoi lon Ha Noi. While stores, radio stations, and restaurants pull out the love songs, nothing says that it... Read more

A New List Declares Who’s Been The Best MC Every Year From 1979 to 2016

2017 is still too young to have its best MC crowned, but a new list has named the best MC in each year, since 1979. From Grandmaster Caz to Chance the Rapper, MCs of all generations have found themselves mentioned in the comprehensive list generated by a team of writers... Read more

LL Cool J & Dr. Dre Have Over 10 Songs Completed According To LL’s DJ

In early 2016, Hip-Hop Heads were teased with a vicious LL Cool J freestyle over top of some fresh Dr. Dre production. Two of Hip-Hop's 32-plus-year professional veterans, James Todd Smith and Andre Young have been rumored to be up to something together. L's DJ and collaborator, Z-Trip, just spilled... Read more

This Rare 1986 Documentary Is An Amazing Hip-Hop History Lesson (Video)

In 1986, one of the earliest documentaries on Hip-Hop was made by a Dutch TV company. Big Fun In The Big Town, directed by Bram van Splunteren, featured on air Belgian host, Marcel Vanthilt, traveling the streets of New York City to gain a better understanding of the burgeoning culture.... Read more

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

The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than when an MC delivers a vicious verse that's never been heard before, on the spot. It is the equivalent 0f a monster dunk in an NBA game, a one-punch knockout in a fight or an end zone to end zone run in... Read more

Atmosphere’s Slug Breaks Down The Real Meaning Of “Lucy Ford.” (Audio)

In year 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota Hip-Hop duo Atmosphere released two seminal EPs, Ford One and Ford Two. Produced by group member Ant, as well as Anticon's Jel, Moodswing 9, and others, these Rhymesayers Entertainment releases (later released together as Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs) helped pivot a Midwest Underground Hip-Hop... Read more

A New Book Details The Rich Hip-Hop History Of NYC’s Latin Quarter Club

In No Half Steppin': An Oral and Pictorial History of New York City Club the Latin Quarter and the Birth of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, legendary musician, archivist, and activist Claude "Paradise" Gray shares over 175 color photographs and flyers. Along with Giuseppe "u.net" Pipitone, Paradise has provided scholars of Hip-Hop... Read more

Fabolous Wants To Release His Joint Album With Jadakiss Before The End Of The Year (Video)

Throughout the years, Fabolous and Jadakiss have had a close working relationship. Two veteran acts at Def Jam Records, these New York City MCs have appeared together on songs like DJ Khaled's "Don't Ever Play Yourself," Jeezy's "OJ," and Uncle Murda's "Right Now (Remix)." Both close associates of Allen Iverson,... Read more

What’s The Greatest Opening Line In Hip-Hop History? Here Are 50 (Video)

Hip-Hop is built on debates. Who is the greatest MC of all-time? What's the best album? What's the best song? The arguments are endless and often simultaneously the source of great entertainment and great agita. There have been several lists that aim to settle these matters, and The Peak has released... Read more

Redman Believes Canibus Was Not Dissing LL Cool J On 4, 3, 2, 1 (Video)

In 2016, LL Cool J and Canibus have come full circle. In late 1997, Uncle L put the young lyricist on the second single to his Phenomenon album. "4, 3, 2, 1" followed 1995's "I Shot Ya" as another possé cut of the reigning Rap star showcasing MCs he believed... Read more

Russell Simmons Reveals His Secret For Balancing Commercial Success With Maintaining Crediblity (Video)

Throughout Russell Simmons' founding tenure at Def Jam Records, the Hollis Queens, New York native developed a number of hugely successful artists and albums. The Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill, DMX's It's Dark And Hell Is Hot and Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood, Method Man's Tical 2000:... Read more

KRS-One Responds To MC Shan’s Battle Bars With A Brutal Diss Record (Audio)

For one week now, MC Shan has asked for a proper battle with KRS-One. Thirty years removed from the genesis of "The Bridge Wars," Shan revealed some bars he had for Kris last week. This morning, the onetime Juice Crew MC released an acapella verse that pulled no punches in... Read more

MC Shan Spits 4 Minutes Of Battle Bars With Shots Aimed Directly At KRS-One’s Head (Audio)

One week ago (April 1), MC Shan appeared on the Murder Master Music Show. The Queens, New York MC veteran vehemently denied the history that he ever lost a battle to KRS-One. First referring to Kris as "my man," the Juice Crew MC explained why the "Bridge Wars" battles with... Read more

Remember When LL Cool J Jacked A Commercial And Made It “For Us By Us On The Low?” (Video)

Earlier this week, Ambrosia For Heads spoke with Chris Latimer, who is looking to bring back the iconic and socially-minded African American College Alliance clothing brand. Latimer, who is seeking to raise $100,000 to re-launch the company that helped fund the educations of countless students, mentioned a moment in time... Read more

MC Shan Challenges KRS-One To Settle The Bridge Wars Once & For All…With A Battle (Audio)

In the late 1980s, the Juice Crew and Boogie Down Productions were involved in one of Hip-Hop's most legendary battles. KRS-One and Scott La Rock released records dissing Marley Marl, Mr. Magic, Roxanne Shante, and MC Shan, among others. However, nearly 30 years later, MC Shan refutes the history that... Read more

LL Cool J Says Dr. Dre Session Is Latest “GOAT” Status Reminder

Over the past three days, a video snippet was released of LL Cool J returning to some of his finest form in the recording studio alongside Dr. Dre. The footage was from 2015, but is only part of the latest comeback effort from the Queens, New York MC superstar. Uncle... Read more

LL Cool J Proves He’s The Original GOAT On A Blistering Freestyle Over A Dre Beat (Video)

LL Cool and Dr. Dre go back. The pair are in a select class of MCs who had professional musical careers in 1985 and in 2016, having only risen. James Todd Smith has gone from Def Jam Records breakthrough artist to a network actor star and host of the Grammy's.... Read more

Finding The GOAT Album: Nas’ Illmatic vs. LL Cool J’s Radio. Which 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

Rick Rubin Shares Memories Of His First Time Ever Recording With LL Cool J

LL Cool J's career is greatly owed to Rick Rubin, at least his discovery. And perhaps Rick Rubin's own success is largely owed to the gravitas of LL Cool J. The breakthrough Def Jam Records artist would be one of the earliest label acts, on the fledgling imprint launched by... Read more

LL Cool J & Puff Daddy Learn About Their Complex Family Trees & Are Deeply Humbled (Video)

Having launched in 2012, the PBS television series Finding Your Roots merges genealogy and celebrity in a reality show which documents notable people tracing their ancestral heritage. Hosted by well-known public intellectual Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the show provides its guests with research-based documentation about where their respective families originated... Read more

Channing Tatum Lip Sync Battles With “Run The World (Girls) & Beyonce Appears…(Video)

Last night (Jan 7), Spike TV's show, Lip Sync Battle, hosted Channing and Jenna Dewan-Tatum. The spouses went head to head in an epic showdown. Given that they both had the chops to star in the dance film, Step Up, each was able to execute both elaborate lip-synching and choreography.... Read more

EPMD Are Working On New Music & Hope To Do A Mega 25-Year Anniversary Tour

Last week, EPMD celebrated the 25th anniversary of the release of their album, Business As Usual. The vaunted duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith recently spoke with Billboard about the album, as well as some exciting things they are working on, presently. While albums like Strictly Business and Unfinished... Read more

KRS-One Apologizes to LL Cool J For Dissing Him, With A Detailed Freestyle (Video)

On Saturday night (November 21), KRS-One performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In a concert joined by Rakim, Ras Kass, Domingo, DJ JS-1, and others, KRS was filmed (by Akil Esoon) as he welcomed a fan to the stage to perform some rhymes. That fan, dressed in a white track-suit and matching... Read more

Nearly 25 Years Ago, KRS-One & Friends Urged Us to Heal Ourselves. Have We? (Video)

It was the early '90s and KRS-One had spearheaded the formation of H.E.A.L., a group of artists whose ideologies promoted knowledge, self-awareness, political involvement, and truth seeking. In fact, H.E.A.L. stood for Human Education Against Lies, and as KRS shared with Vibe back in 2012, the inspiration for H.E.A.L.'s formation... Read more

LL Cool J’s Radio Turns 30. Watch His 1st Ever Interview & Other Early Moments (Video)

Thirty years ago today (November 18), LL Cool J released his debut album Radio and launched not only one of Hip-Hop's most enduring careers, but also one of its most iconic record labels in Def Jam Recordings. While the company that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin built had released prior... Read more

LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out vs. DMX’s It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot. Which 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

Here Are Your Top 10 Rap Albums of the 80s. Get Ready For The 90s…

Today (October 25) closes Round 2 of the 1980s bracket of Finding The GOAT Albums. In the closing hour, there were no ties, and not even a race within even 5% of two candidates. You—the voter—definitively decided which 10 albums go forth to the final 32 albums across all eras.... Read more

LL Cool J’s Radio vs. MC Lyte’s Lyte As A Rock. Which 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

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of September 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

As the Fall set in, the hot Hip-Hop continued to flow. September brought not one, but two songs from the elusive DOOM, one of LL Cool J's strongest verses in years, a power collabo between Nas and Scarface, an unreleased track from Jay Electronica, Redman's release from his forthcoming album... Read more

LL Cool J’s Radio vs. Kurtis Blow’s Ego Trip. Which 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

LL Cool J Returns With a Strong Verse on the Smooth Tip (Audio)

The last five years of LL Cool J's music career have been, in large part, a search. The MC icon and self-proclaimed "GOAT" has tried Country collaborations, he's tried mash-up boom-bap, and he's further delved with a R&B sound. With 2013's Authentic coming as the lowest charting album since LL's... Read more

LL Cool J’s Album Mama Said Knock You Out Turns 25. Here’s How It Re-Defined His Career

"DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK!! I'VE BEEN HERE FOR YEARS!!!" Despite his protest in the opening lines of the title song to Mama Said Knock You Out, a triumphant return is exactly what that album was for LL Cool J when it was released 25 years ago on August 27,... Read more

Your Old Droog Puts Together A Playlist Featuring Mobb Deep & Miles Davis

Anybody familiar with the music of Brooklyn, New York's Your Old Droog knows that that the MC enjoys music beyond his own. Admittedly a fan of Rock & Roll music first, this MC draws inspiration from 1990s East Coast Hip-Hop, and dusty Jazz and Funk breaks. All of these forms... Read more