Shady Archives

DOOM & Westside Gunn Are Releasing An Album. Here’s A Taste (Audio)

In the midst of DOOM's weekly music series, it appears there is going to be even more product from the masked villain. While the veteran MC has his Missing Notebook roll-out underway, his latest collaboration project has been announced: with Griselda/Shady Records rapper Westside Gunn and producers Alchemist and Daringer.... Read more

September 7, 2017 Audio, News

Royce 5’9 & Tech N9ne Are Barely Human On A Song That Shows Their Elite Skills (Audio)

Six years ago this week, Royce 5'9 released a critical album in his catalog: Success Is Certain. The Bad Meets Evil MC was suddenly in a great place and needed to write a new chapter to follow the brooding Death Is Certain LP five years earlier. At the time, that... Read more

August 8, 2017 Audio

Def Jam Records May Soon Be The Gold Standard For Rap Once Again (Video)

This week, it was announced that Eminem's manager and Shady Records partner Paul Rosenberg will be Def Jam's next CEO. Twenty years ago, the Detroit-based attorney started handling the career of Marshall Mathers when the rapper was self-marketing Infinite. One hundred million units sold later (through Shady Records), and Paul... Read more

August 5, 2017 Video

Eminem’s Manager Paul Rosenberg To Be Def Jam’s New Leader

From the very beginning of Eminem's late 1990s meteoric rise, Paul Rosenberg became more than a manager. Even for those disinterested in industry figures, "Paul" is widely known through his skits on every Em' album dating back to 1999's The Slim Shady LP of that name. Variety reports that Rosenberg... Read more

August 3, 2017 News

Royce 5’9 Rates The Bars Of Today’s Rappers & It Gets Ugly (Video)

Royce 5'9 has secured a place at the top of Hip-Hop's present day songwriters. The Detroit, Michigan MC has proven exceptional at writing from personal places and, at times, simply showing off wordplay, clever punchlines, and cunning jabs at lesser lyricists. Royce 5’9 Sets The Bar 4 2017 With The... Read more

July 28, 2017 Video

Eminem Welcomes Westside Gunn & Conway To Shady Records With A Just Blaze Track (Audio)

Eminem shook up the Hip-Hop space in the early 2010s when he renovated Shady Records. As 50 Cent's tenure with the label was ending, Em' brought a long-awaited Bad Meets Evil album to light with Royce 5'9, inked Slaughterhouse, and provided a major home for Yelawolf. Between 2010 and 2012,... Read more

March 3, 2017 Audio, News

Kxng Crooked Cuts Loose With Another Razor Sharp Freestyle (Audio)

Kxng Crooked is on a relentless streak of music. The Long Beach, California veteran fires up freestyles like he enjoys his stogies. This Friday (March 3), he revisits an early Slaughterhouse instrumental (the Mr. Porter-produced "Cut You Loose") for some detaching bars. He uses addresses alcoholism, hunger pains and poverty,... Read more

March 3, 2017 Audio

Stat Quo Reveals The Disagreement With Eminem That Destroyed His Shady/Aftermath Career (Video)

At the top of the 2000s, Eminem was building Shady Records into a juggernaut of a label. From D12's double-platinum, #1 debut Devil's Night to the 8 Mile soundtrack, Shady expanded from simply Eminem's efforts into a multi-faceted force. In 2003, through a joint venture with Dr. Dre and Aftermath... Read more

February 7, 2017 Throwback, Video

J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

In 1997, at Cincinnati, Ohio's annual Scribble Jam Festival, Eminem and MC J.U.I.C.E. faced off in what is often considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest battles. At the time, the two Midwestern lyricists were both independent artists looking for a title, and some shine to boot. J.U.I.C.E., the Chicago, Illinois native... Read more

February 3, 2017 Audio

UndergroundHipHop.com Will Remain Open After A Hip-Hop Artist Purchases Store

UPDATE: Following the December 28 report (below), UndergroundHipHop founder Adam "Quest" Walder has announced that the vendor and website will have some new ownership, preventing its previously announced closing. In a January 3 update, Walder discussed the outpouring of support from customers, forum users, and artists. "I had a fantastic... Read more

December 28, 2016 News

Eminem Shows Just How Much Juice Masta Ace Had In Influencing Him (Video)

Heads who have closely followed history know how influential Masta Ace is. The Brooklyn, New York MC whose career spans more than 30 years helped bring Rap cadence to its glory. This is the same man, tied to groups such as The Juice Crew, Masta Ace Incorporated, Crooklyn Dodgers, and... Read more

December 14, 2016 Video

Eminem Gives Infinite Respect To His Earliest Music With A Documentary & A Remix (Video)

While Eminem's 1999 and 2000 mainstream takeover is often associated with the production of Dr. Dre, much more of The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP is credited to another act behind the boards. The Bass Brothers, Mark and Jeff—had been with Em' since his career took shape.... Read more

November 18, 2016 Audio, Video

Yelawolf Tells A Haunting Tale Of What Really Lives Beyond The Shadows (Video)

When Yelawolf first popped the trunk in 2010, he flashed a lot more than iron. The Gadsden, Alabama MC had a nimble flow and an observant eye and pen for the multiple worlds and cultures around him. Well before he was backed by Eminem and Shady Records, "Catfish Billy" carved... Read more

October 28, 2016 Video

Redman Salutes Shaq’s Raps. He Also Knights 50 Cent As The Last Of His Era (Video)

Redman is a true Hip-Hop character. When the Def Squad MC sits in front of a camera, he commands attention. Appearing in First We Feast's "Hot Ones" hot wings challenge, Reggie Noble is no exception. As the hot sauces turn up the spice, Funk Doctor gets teary, he puts his... Read more

July 7, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Explains Why He Dissed Drake & Warns He’s Well Prepared For ANY Response (Audio)

At the top of June, Drake shocked the Hip-Hop space when he apparently dissed Joe Budden and Puff Daddy on a la carte release "4PM In Calabasas." For Joe's part, the lines were presumed to be a response to Budden's criticism of Views on his "I'll Name This Podcast Later" (Episode... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio

Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… 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

March 11, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP. 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

February 16, 2016 Finding the GOAT

50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. 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

February 2, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Album: Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP vs. Nas’ Stillmatic. 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

January 29, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Eminem & Proof’s Legendary 1999 Freestyle Is Re-Released In Its Entirety (Video)

1999 was thee year for Eminem's career. Three years removed from Infinite, the Detroit, Michigan MC would team with Dr. Dre and Aftermath Entertainment to unleash The Slim Shady LP in February and things have only exploded since. That year, Em' would travel overseas, including making a stop to Tim... Read more

January 28, 2016 Throwback

Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP vs. Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. 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

January 20, 2016 Finding the GOAT

50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ vs. Rick Ross’ Teflon Don. 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

January 15, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Eminem’s Lyrical “Genius” Only Grows With His Latest Partnership

For many years, Rap Genius was the go-to place for Heads looking to peep the lyrics to favorite songs, making the website one of the first to cater to the needs of a particular genre demographic. Now they're just Genius, and their user-submitted arsenal of song lyrics continue to be... Read more

November 4, 2015 News

50 Cent Writes A Letter To His Younger Self & Notes Lessons From Jam Master Jay

Last week marked the 13th anniversary of Jam Master Jay's murder. J.M.J.'s tragic death coincided with the same 2002 that saw the meteoric rise of one of his former pupils, 50 Cent. For The Big Issue, Fif conceptually wrote a piece aimed at advice toward his younger self and he... Read more

November 3, 2015 Fresh

D12 Discuss Their History With Eminem, Battle Rap, Their New Mixtape & Freestyle (Video)

D12 is an appropriate guest for a Halloween week edition of Sway In The Morning. Swifty McVay, Bizarre, and Kuniva swung through the kick it with Sway Calloway and Heather B, for what is one of the Dirty Dozen's best interviews. In celebration of their upcoming Devil's Night Mixtape (October... Read more

October 29, 2015 Video

Joe Budden Raps an Open Letter to Eminem That’s As Raw and Real As It Gets (Audio & Video)

Renowned for its bar-power, Shady Records has also become a label that has changed career paths. After its booming beginnings (D12, 50 Cent), Eminem's label appeared confused in part of the late 2000s, unsure if it was trying to breed skills-based Rap, or commercial juggernauts. For much of the decade,... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Did You Know An Unsigned Eminem Slid Fat Joe Demo Tapes, More Than 6 Times?

As unsigned Eminem lived in New Jersey in the late 1990s. Running with Pacewon and The Outsidaz, doing 12" singles on small New York City independent labels, the Detroit, Michigan MC made a lot of impact trying to earn a lasting spot in the Hip-Hop/music industry. As fate would have... Read more

September 6, 2015 Fresh

Freestyle Aside, Eminem Dropped “Infinite” Jewels On Sway (Audio)

Last week, Eminem stormed the Sway In The Morning show, throwing Southpaw promotion, and delivering one T.K.O. of a freestyle. However, there was a whole hour of the diamond-certified-selling MC at Sway, and Heads may have missed the rare interview. What makes the interview especially notable is the superstar went... Read more

July 27, 2015 Audio

Slaughterhouse Gives New Meaning To Bar-Brawl on Southpaw’s R.N.S. (Video)

Slaughterhouse's "R.N.S." is a lyrical upper-cut within the Southpaw soundtrack. The Just Blaze and araabMUZIK-produced song featuring Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Joe Budden is more of the same pedigree from the hardcore Rap quartet. For the video, it's bars and concrete—beyond the rapping, as the Shady... Read more

July 20, 2015 Video

Happy 40th Birthday To 50 Cent. Play His Definitive Street LP (Album Stream)

Today (July 6), 50 Cent turns 40 years old. The Queens, New York superstar born Curtis Jackson may have broken through later in his life than some peers, however as an MC, an investor, and a record executive, Fif' has blessed the last 13 years with an edge that massively shaped Hip-Hop's... Read more

July 6, 2015 Throwback

Eminem Attacks A Track In A Reminder That His Crown Is In Tact (Audio)

From the Southpaw soundtrack, Eminem is truly clearing house. The Detroit, Michigan superstar follows his "Phenomenal" single with a song that also fits nicely for a boxing film. "Kings Never Die" teams Em' with his Interscope family label-mate, Gwen Stefani. Produced by Self-Scientific's DJ Khalil, this record has pop appeal, with... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Eminem Helps Signal The Return Of Epic Blockbuster Visuals, But Can All Enjoy? (Video)

Eminem has released a 30-second trailer for his "Phenomenal" video. Part music video, part short-film, the moment alludes to its place as the latest big budget, high concept visual from an A-list artist. Kanye West, Drake, and Vic Mensa have been doing this throughout recent years. Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" video,... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Yelawolf Speaks With Brutal Honesty About His Alcoholism and Why He Will Not Stop Drinking (Video)

Yelawolf was recently a guest on ESPN's Highly Questionable. The show has yielded several noteworthy Hip-Hop-related moments over the last year, including John Starks' revelation that Biggie's "I Got a Story to Tell" was a true story, and ScHoolboy Q discussing his scariest moment as a gang banger. Yelawolf's appearance... Read more

June 15, 2015 Video

What Makes Eminem The GOAT To So Many?

After nearly nine months of questioning, comparing, and lots of debating, the winner of Ambrosia For Heads’ “Finding The GOAT” series, the quest to name Hip-Hop’s Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), has been determined. Yesterday (May 29), Eminem's win against Tupac was confirmed at deadline, thus making the Detroit, Michigan... Read more

May 30, 2015 Food for Thought

Your GOAT Has Been Determined And His Name Is…Eminem (Video)

Today (May 29), the winner of Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series, the quest to name Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), was determined. In the championship round, Eminem defeated Tupac 57.38% to 42.62%, meaning that Marshall Mathers is the GOAT, as voted by AFH readers. Beginning in late... Read more

May 29, 2015 Fresh

Yelawolf Is Still Poppin’ The Trunk, But To Get His Guitar (Video)

In the last five years, Yelawolf's style has changed, but not entirely. The Shady Records artist is well-aware of his diverse fan-base. There are those expecting him to rap, incredibly fast at that, with Southern Gothic imagery that only a Gadsden, Alabama native can deliver. Then there are now those... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (The Final Battle): Eminem vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

The championship round of "Finding The GOAT" has arrived. After eight months, 200-plus MCs, and plenty of down-to-the-wire races, the two finalists meet at last. Both Eminem and Tupac have been undefeated in "Finding The GOAT." For Tupac, twice those triumphs came down to a single percent. For Em', those... Read more

May 26, 2015 Fresh

At 15 Years Old, Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP Still May Reign Supreme

The problem with an incredible work is often following it up. In Hip-Hop, for every Doggystyle, there's a Doggfather, for every Black Album, there's a Kingdom Come, and for every Stankonia, there's well,...wonder. Although he had been plugging away in Hip-Hop starting in the mid-1990s, Eminem skyrocketed to fame in... Read more

May 23, 2015 Food for Thought

Finding the GOAT: Here’s a Look at When the Musical Worlds of Tupac and Eminem Collided (Video)

For those paying attention, this past week was suspenseful. Ambrosia For Heads' eight-month undertaking "Finding The GOAT" has reached its championship contenders. Tupac and Eminem are squaring off. Less than a percent separated Rakim from taking 'Pac's place, but in a heated ballot-box blowout, the All Eyez On Me superstar... Read more

May 23, 2015 Throwback

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

D12’s dEnAuN Empties His Backpack & The Contents Slam (FreEP)

Producer/MC dEnAuN (a/k/a Mr. Porter) released a new six-song EP today (May 7), Stuff In My Backpack. The EP offers a refreshing and crisp sound that displays the evolution of the Detroit, Michigan native's lengthy career (despite several name-changes) Compelling lyricism along with gritty beats gives dEnAuN a chance to shine apart... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 5): Eminem vs. Busta Rhymes…Who You Got?

With just 11 MCs remaining we have reached the critical Round 5 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only five match-up’s—all running this week—separate Round 5 from the final six MCs, including Round 4 bye winner Big Daddy Kane. Since the elimination,... Read more

April 28, 2015 Fresh

Yelawolf & Eminem Serve Revenge Cold With Red Hot Flows (Video)

Yelawolf has released the official video for "Best Friend," his mournful prayer with Eminem. The song is part sorrowful reflection and part vengeful sermon about past transgressions each has suffered the forthcoming consequences for their enemies--a one way trip for a meeting with the Maker. Staying with the theme of... Read more

April 24, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Eminem vs. DMX…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 22, 2015 Fresh

Yelawolf & Eminem Bring Great Vengeance & Furious Anger To Verse (Lyric Video)

The biggest song of this week—at least evident by the AFH readership—has been Yelawolf & Eminem's "Best Friend." At the intersection of high concept and skillful rapping, the Love Story (April 21) single plays like a prayer—but not of the traditional form. Instead, both of these childhood outcasts ask the... Read more

April 15, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Eminem vs. Talib Kweli…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 27, 2015 Fresh

Yelawolf Gets The Led Out As He Uncoils A Dazed & Confused Freestyle (Audio)

In 2014, Yelawolf revived his tradition of busting raps over Classic Rock tracks. Pink Floyd, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and a more contemporary backdrop in Primus were some of the textures the Alabama MC/singer sourced. In 2015, he's back at it yet again. Led Zeppelin's "Dazed & Confused" was one... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

It’s A Backroads Drag Race For Yelawolf’s Down (Video)

In the Ghet-O-Vision days, cars added a ton to Yelawolf's videos. Now with the added value of Shady Records backing, ain't nothin' changed. For "Down," the Shady XV single, a lifted '70s K-series Chevrolet pick-up truck and a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle (as seen in other Yela' videos) lead the charge... Read more

February 9, 2015 Video

Eminem’s Marshall Mathers 2 LP Crowned Rap Album Of The Year, Take A Closer Look

At last night's (February 8) 57th Grammy Awards, Eminem's Marshall Mathers 2 LP grabbed "Rap Album Of The Year" honors. This is the fifth time Em has received these honors, in a career that has witnessed seven studio albums (not including Infinite). The Detroit, Michigan superstar MC/producer was not on... Read more

February 9, 2015 News

Here’s a Short Film on the Making of 50 Cent & Eminem’s Patiently Waiting (Video)

This one slipped through the cracks...If you didn't catch it when it hit the web last month, Complex's short film on the making of 50 Cent & Eminem's "Patiently Waiting," is well worth 15 minutes of your time. The song from Get Rich or Die Tryin', which featured menacing production... Read more

January 25, 2015 Video