pete rock

Pete Rock Gives A Fantastic Update On The De La Soul Project He & DJ Premier Are Producing

Hip-Hop luminary and Grammy-winning producer/DJ Pete Rock was on hand for the Seattle, Washington Museum of Pop Culture’s grand opening of their new exhibit, Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes. The

April 24, 2018 Exclusive, News

Nas, Rakim, Pete Rock & More Break Down Why AZ Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best Visualizers (Video)

Twenty years ago this month, AZ released his sophomore album, Pieces Of A Man. The Brooklyn, New York MC, author, and co-founder of The Firm has a decorated career that

April 17, 2018 Video

Luke Cage Season 2 Episodes Are Titled After Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Songs

Fans of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth now have more incentive to watch the upcoming season of Luke Cage. Viewers of the Marvel series know that its soundtrack is heavily

March 7, 2018 TV, TV/Film

Do Remember When AZ & Pete Rock Made A Gem That Was Rather Unique (Audio)

Almost exactly a year and a half after his show-stopping appearance on Nas’ Illmatic, AZ Tha Visualiza released his debut album, Doe Or Die. In October of 1995, AZ carefully

February 15, 2018 Do Remember

Pharoahe Monch, Apathy & Pete Rock Keep On Repping Boom Bap Hip-Hop (Audio)

In the name of balance, Apathy took a more traditional Hip-Hop approach on “I Keep On,” the second single off his forthcoming LP, The Widow’s Son (March 2). Keeping in

February 2, 2018 Audio

Apathy Battles Aliens With Battlestar Bars On A Nottz Beat (Audio Premiere)

It doesn’t matter what planet you’re from, no one is safe from Apathy in “Alien Weaponry.” The first single off his forthcoming LP, The Widow’s Son is produced by Nottz,

January 18, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

Ambrosia For Heads Presents: G.O.A.T. Producers – The Pete Rock Edition (Playlist)

Ambrosia For Heads’ G.O.A.T. Producers series takes in-depth looks at the production discographies of some of Hip-Hop and R&B’s greatest of all-time producers. As part of an exclusive partnership with Pandora,

January 16, 2018 Audio, Video

MC Lyte, Bahamadia & Yo-Yo’s Pete Rock-Produced Cut Still Speaks Today (Audio)

It’s not all that uncommon for a soundtrack to outshine the movie it was created to accompany. Twenty-one years ago, when the Ice Cube flick, Dangerous Ground was released, the

January 11, 2018 Do Remember

Pete Rock & J Dilla Birthed A Beat Generation That Shaped The Future (Audio)

Within the space of three months in 2001, two of Hip-Hop’s preeminent producers, J Dilla and Pete Rock were in a kind of competition, and this led to the release

January 4, 2018 Do Remember

DJ Premier Says He & Pete Rock May Be Exclusively Producing De La Soul’s Next Album (Video)

DJ Premier has had one of his busiest years in recent memory. The Gang Starr member released and produced albums by MC Eiht and Torii Wolf. He just followed those

December 11, 2017 News, Video

Pete Rock Goes Hard In The Paint At Waka Flocka For Disrespecting Hip-Hop’s OGs

At the top of this month, rapper Waka Flocka Flame appeared in a lengthy video interview with the ThisIs50 staff. Among a host of topics, the gold-certified rapper defended his generation and

November 19, 2017 News, Video

Pete Rock Dusts Off His Mic & Performs “One In A Million” With The Soul Rebels Band (Video)

Pete Rock and his latest partner in rhyme, Harlem’s Smoke DZA performed a B.K. show last month with a band, The Soul Rebels—who headlined the Brooklyn Bowl event. In this

September 20, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Young RJ Is Done Waiting. Pete Rock & Boldy James Help Him Step Forward (Video)

Although not necessarily a household name, the multi-talented Young RJ has had quite a distinguished career. One-half of Slum Village’s reincarnation (with T3), as well as the group B.R. Gunna

June 27, 2017 Ready Or Not

Reminisce On Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s Mecca & The Soul Brother 25 Years Later (Video)

On June 9, 1992, two men from the outskirts of New York City paired up to form an MC-producer duo that remains the benchmark for any pair eager to leave

June 8, 2017 Do Remember

What Happens When You Make An Old Head Listen To New Hip-Hop (Video)

Last November, Long Beach, California hosted ComplexCon, a two-day event featuring performances, panels, and more all devoted to music and culture. As part of the convention, veteran radio personality and

May 28, 2017 Video

Pusha T, Lauryn Hill, T.I. & Others To Headline 2017 Soundset Festival

UPDATE: Mac Miller has announced that he is canceling his Soundset appearance planned for this Sunday. He apologized to fans in a tweet, but did not expound on reasoning. Earlier

April 23, 2017 Fresh

Robert Glasper Shows How J. Dilla Created 2 Of His Most Magnificent Samples (Video)

Hip-Hop music has been one of movements. In its earliest days, Hip-Hop was a fusion of sounds as disparate as Salsa and Punk, Dance Music and Funk. DJs like Kool

April 19, 2017 Video

Pete Rock & DJ Premier Compare Stories On Producing Jay Z, Nas & Biggie (Video)

DJ Premier and Pete Rock are reportedly working on a joint album. The two producers have shared credits, each producing classic singles for Nas’ Illmatic. They’ve also positioned tracks alongside

March 16, 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

March 3, 2017 Finding the GOAT

The Final 4 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producers Has Been Determined By YOU.

Today (February 28), Round 3 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” This competition, launched in early January, beginning with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket).

February 28, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. 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

February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Elite 8 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 20), Round 2 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” This competition, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the

February 21, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Main Source Are Joined By Pete Rock, Just Blaze & More For Their 25-Year Reunion (Video)

Last week (February 1), the founding three members of Hip-Hop group Main Source performed together for the first time in more than 25 years. Large Professor, as well as John

February 8, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. D.I.T.C. 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

February 8, 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

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. 9th Wonder. 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

January 26, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Rick Ross & Smoke DZA Roll Like Superheroes On A Pete Rock Track (Video)

One of the most exciting collaborations of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock’s 2016 release Don’t Smoke Rock is “Black Superhero Car.” This song pairs Rick Ross over “Chocolate Boy Wonder”

January 25, 2017 Video

Raekwon, Pete Rock, Scarface & Vince Staples Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap (Video)

March 13 UPDATE: Complex has released a longer video from the “Discussions” event in November 2016: Last November, Long Beach, California hosted ComplexCon, a two-day event featuring performances, panels, and

January 13, 2017 Video

Listen To Some Of The Best Hip-Hop Songs Of 2016 & More In 1 Playlist (Audio)

2016 is officially a wrap. For many it will go down as one of the more challenging years in recent memory, but, no matter what may have transpired, it was

January 7, 2017 Audio

De La Soul’s New Video Featuring Pete Rock & Estelle Is Masterpiece Theater

Earlier this week, De La Soul learned that their first LP in 12 years is nominated for the Grammy Award for “Best Rap Album.” And The Anonymous Nobody, released in

December 8, 2016 Video

A Tribe Called Quest & Many More Gave Hip-Hop Much To Be Thankful For In November (Audio)

November 2016 was one of the most tumultuous months in a generation. Regardless of one’s political affiliation the world seemingly changed over one long night on November 8 for hundreds

December 7, 2016 Audio, Throwback

Pete Rock Discusses His Smoke DZA Collabo Album & Who Would Be In His Dream Band (Video)

Last Friday (December 2), Smoke DZA & Pete Rock released their first collaborative album, Don’t Smoke Rock. The Babygrande Records LP features Rick Ross, Royce 5’9″, Jadakiss, Mac Miller, Styles

December 5, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

Smoke DZA & Pete Rock Release The Full Stream For “Don’t Smoke Rock” & It’s Crack (Audio)

Don’t Smoke Rock, the long-awaited album by legendary producer Pete Rock and Harlem’s own Smoke DZA, released on Babygrande Records, is finally here — and not since DJ Premier and

December 1, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Have An “Awesome” Third Album Coming In 2017

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest released its first album in 18 years. We got it from Here…Thank You 4 Your service featured the founding three MCs of the Queens,

December 1, 2016 News, Video

Tech N9ne & Smoke DZA Ignite A Cypher On A Fresh Pete Rock Beat (Video)

In less than two weeks, the unit of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock, as well as Tech N9ne will release albums, respectively. As Smoke has become a force to be

November 29, 2016 Video

Questlove Gets Nostalgic About What Makes ’90s Hip-Hop So Important (Video)

When thinking of quintessential Hip-Hop from the 1990s, the Roots are, without question, included in the conversation. That makes it hard to remember that there was a time when Questlove,

November 28, 2016 Video

Rick Ross Raps On His First Pete Rock Track & Smokes It (Audio)

On Rick Ross’s most recent album, 2015’s Black Market, he notably recruited DJ Premier for some scratches. In ’16, Rozay works with another legendary DJ/producer, blessing a Pete Rock track,

November 22, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock & Smoke DZA Look To Create Milestones With Jadakiss & Styles P (Audio)

On December 2, Pete Rock and Smoke DZA will release Don’t Smoke Rock, a collaborative project that’s been in the works for some time. The relationship began in 2014, when the legendary

November 10, 2016 Audio

Snyp Life Reps Mount Vernon & Salutes Heavy D On A Pete Rock Production (Video)

D-Block representative Snyp Life recently dropped some visuals for his Pete Rock-produced, head nod-inducing banger “Oh No,” featuring a catchy, melodic hook from Sheek Louch, that Ambrosia For Heads gave

November 8, 2016 Video

Pete Rock & Smoke DZA Release The 1st Single From Their Joint Album & It’s Limitless (Audio)

A year to the day since Ambrosia for Heads reported that Pete Rock would be producing Smoke DZA’s new album in its entirety, the two have emerged on this Halloween

October 31, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock Comments On Who REALLY Invented The Remix (Video)

Since debuting Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth music in 1990, producer/MC/DJ Pete Rock has always been known to speak on his records. Songs like Nas’ “The World Is Yours,” his

October 26, 2016 Video

Ren Thomas Believes He’s Been Nice. This Pete Rock-Produced Single Wants To Show You (Video)

Ren Thomas is an MC who has divided his years between Philly and neighboring New Jersey. Following a recent standout freestyle appearance and interview on Sway In The Morning, the

October 25, 2016 Ready Or Not

De La Soul Performed Their Pete Rock Joint With Help From The Roots (Video)

Anybody who has gotten the chance to watch De La Soul perform live knows the Long Island, New York trio puts on one of the greatest shows in Hip-Hop. More

September 28, 2016 Video

The LOX Blaze A Path For D-Block’s Snyp Life With Pete Rock & Beatnuts Jams (Audio)

Throughout their careers, The LOX—collectively and individually—have had an ear for great beats. Songs like Jadakiss’ Alchemist-produced “We Gonna Make It,” Styles P’s Ayatollah-laced “The Life,” and the trio’s DJ

September 22, 2016 Audio

9th Wonder Makes A Powerful Case For Tolerance Between Generations In Hip-Hop

In recent weeks, there have been several incidents, primarily on social media, that suggest a generational divide within Hip-Hop. Three of the biggest breakout stars of the last year ran

September 14, 2016 Food for Thought

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Approved This Best-Of Mix & You Will Too (Audio)

Not many groups (in any genre) can warrant a “Best Of” off of just two albums and an EP. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are a clear exception. Between 1991

August 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback

Styles P, Freeway & Torae Get Down On A Pete Rock-Produced Single (Audio)

Back in January, Torae released his Entitled album. One of the focal points to that self-released LP was “Get Down.” First unveiled almost a year ago, the song is the

August 22, 2016 Audio

In 1993, Pete Rock & CL Smooth Helped Run-D.M.C. Reclaim the Throne (Video)

In the early ’90s, Run-D.M.C. was experiencing a relative lull in their career after the lackluster success of the singles from the group’s 1990 LP Back From Hell. However in

August 18, 2016 Do Remember

Celebrate 25 Years Of Pete Rock & CL Smooth With A Souled Out Mix (Audio)

While the mid-90s often get lots of credit for the numerous Hip-Hop classic albums that were released during that period, 1991 was a pivotal year in which many artist debuts

June 29, 2016 Throwback

The Firm’s Nature Bags Up Rarities Featuring Nas, Pete Rock & AZ (Album Stream)

It has been nearly 20 years since The Firm released its one and only album. The collective of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Nature would sign with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath

June 29, 2016 Audio, Throwback

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