AFH Ambrosia for Heads

King Los Kicks The Best Verse Of The Night In The Last Standing BET Cypher

Last night (October 8), BET broadcast the 2019 Hip Hop Awards. The event included a tribute to Lil' Kim (featuring a Junior M.A.F.I.A. reunion of sorts), performances by Rapsody, YBN Cordae, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, Rick Ross, and a salute to Battle Rap. Notably, a TV event recognized for... Read more

Redman Blasts Critics Of Eminem’s BET Cypher & Says EVERYONE Should Respect It (Video)

Redman and Eminem are friends. Over the years, each has showered the other with praise, great MC to great MC. It started with Eminem showing his love for Reggie Noble's music by remaking "Pick It Up" in 2002, alongside Proof. Years later, Redman returned the favor, by flipping Em's "Just... Read more

Mysonne Used His Turn In The Spotlight To Shed Light In An Underrated BET Cypher (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

Eminem Was A Political Rapper Years Before The BET Cypher. Here’s The Proof (Video)

Tuesday night (October 10), Eminem spit what already appears to be the most talked about freestyle verse of all-time. At Detroit's First Street Parking with Shady Records artists and friends looking on (some would later get their turn to rap), Marshall Mathers went off the rails on an a capella... Read more

Meet Eminem’s Newest Signee In The Rawest BET Cypher Of 2017 (Video)

Last night (October 10) Eminem's BET Hip Hop Awards cypher shook the universe, in what stands to be the MC's most political moment in a career that's never shied away from dissing public figures of all kinds. The previous time Marshall Mathers blessed the BET cypher stage, he brought his... Read more

Mysonne Puts Morality Over Money In One Of The Most Woke BET Cyphers Ever (Video)

Mysonne is a Hip-Hop rarity. After spending seven years in prison, rather than seeking to glorify his stint, as most rappers do, he's used the experience to caution others against following in his footsteps. He also consistently has been one of the more outspoken voices against much of the negative... Read more

Eminem Destroys Donald Trump For 5 Minutes In A Devastating BET Cypher (Video)

Beginning in 2009, the MC cypher has taken center stage at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Exciting groupings of rappers, often tied by region and label affiliation or simply raw talent, freestyle on one of the mainstream Rap world's biggest platforms. Eminem is a cornerstone of the Hip Hop Awards... Read more

Did Chris Rivers Have The Best Verse Of The 2016 BET Cyphers? (Video)

For many Heads, the handful of cyphers that take place during the BET Hip-Hop Awards telecast are some of the most exciting aspects of the event. This year, fans had plenty to look forward to, with State Property, Dead Prez, Biv & Devoe, and others using 2016 to showcase scorching... Read more

Biv & DeVoe Host A BET Cypher With Some New Editions Of Their Empire (Video)

The members of New Edition have been entertaining audiences for nearly 35 years, and they show no signs of slowing down. The group consisting of Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe and, at times Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill has experienced a resurgence in 2016, in anticipation of... Read more

Dead Prez Lead The Most Meaningful BET Cypher Ever. It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop (Video)

Tonight, BET aired its annual Hip Hop Awards. The show honored Snoop Dogg as the recipient of the "I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award," which was presented to him by Kendrick Lamar, and included performances by Gucci Mane, Travis $cott, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Young M.A., Quavo and more. Big... Read more

Freeway, Beanie Sigel & More Made the BET Cypher Their State Property (Video)

With a little help from DJ Premier on the 1s and 2s, Philadelphia's State Property led the charge in a cypher during tonight's (October 4) BET Hip-Hop Awards. Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Neef Buck, and Omillio Sparks each took turns putting on for Philly, but social media was set ablaze with... Read more

Redman Breaks Down “Bars” From His BET Cypher Verse (Video)

Last month, Redman became a trending term after his 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher verse. The Newark, New Jersey veteran MC appeared alongside his Def Squad cohorts Erick Sermon and Keith Murray, where he spit a verse that had Heads replaying the video just to keep up. Related: So... Read more

Joyner Lucas Stunned The BET Cyphers. He Brings That Excitement To A Busta Rhymes Collabo (Audio)

Since the 1990s, artists from Massachusetts have aimed to put New England Hip-Hop on the big stage. Between Gang Starr's Guru, Made Men (f/k/a Almighty R.S.O.), and Edo. G, a number of MCs have signed deals large and small. Acts like REKS, Akrobatik, Mr. Lif, 7L & Esoteric, and Termanology... Read more

Busta Rhymes Leads A Cypher Between His 2 Crews. He’s Still The Top Dragon (Video)

Since his Leaders Of The New School days in the early 1990s, Busta Rhymes has always had a posse surrounding him on stage and in the studio. For most of the last 25 years, it was the Flipmode Squad, which included DJ Scratch, Rampage The, Rah Digga, Baby Sham, Spliff... Read more

Rapsody Says Forget Best Female MC. She Wants The Top Spot (BET Hip Hop Cypher)

Cypher Season is upon us, as the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards is ahead. With one of the most lauded and overall talked about albums of the moment in Laila's Wisdom, Rapsody sets off a grouping of MCs who happen to be women—and DJ Premier resumes his post as cypher... 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

Token Torches The BET Hip-Hop Cypher While DJ Premier Cuts The Record (Video)

The 2016 Hip Hop Awards are airing on BET on Tuesday, October 4, and with them come the annual Cyphers. While this year's Cypher participants have not yet been announced, several details have surfaced about the show which was taped in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, September 17. Snoop Dogg Is... Read more

Here’s a Cypher Between Nas & De La Soul From 1996 (Audio)

Tim Westwood digs in his massive vault and pulls out a 1996 freestyle featuring Nas and De La Soul. In an 11-minute cypher amongst true MCs, they pass the mic, trading verses, all off the top. Notably, this is well after each artist was firmly established, with De La Soul... Read more

Ever See This Cypher Between Tupac, Grand Puba and Treach? (Video)

Back in 1992, before the East Coast/West Coast beef was in full effect, Treach, Tupac and Grand Puba found themselves together backstage and decided to have an impromptu cipher. The moment was caught on tape and has made the rounds over the years, but it's still amazing to see the... Read more

After Smashing the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Snow Tha Product Releases a New Song (Audio)

For those who were not familiar with Snow Tha Product before her rapid-fire, bilingual Cypher in last night's BET Hip Hop Awards, she made a big impression. For others, she brought the ruckus as expected. Following up on her performance, Snow releases a moody new single with Ty Dolla $ign.... Read more

Here Are the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers. Who Had the Best Verse (Video)

The 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards featured a variety of artists and different styles. From up and comers to grizzled veterans, each had something to prove. Many also had something meaningful to say, with references to the killing of Mike Brown and the protests in Ferguson manifesting throughout several verses.... Read more

The Digital Stars Of 2014 Show Out In This BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher (Video)

The first of many 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers has hit the web. Curated as a "Digital All-Star" grouping, this includes the Top 15-selling Andy Mineo, veteran Emilio Rojas, Common-cosigned Dreezy, De La Soul-cosigned Dillon Cooper, Retro Jace, and Conceited. With the exception of Mineo, who rang bells last year... Read more

Who’s Part Of The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers? See The List!

The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards will air on October 14 at 8pm. Hosted by "Uncle" Snoop Dogg, the affair will reportedly include performances by Jay Electronica, Common, T.I., Mike WiLL Made It, and others. The annual music event will also continue the honored tradition of the annual cyphers. While specifics... Read more

Jon Connor Explains Chemistry With Dr. Dre & Preparing BET Awards Cypher (Video)

Ambrosia For Heads has been a big fan/supporter of Flint, Michigan MC Jon Connor for some time. Co-signed by Nas years ago, Jon has indeed confirmed that he's the latest act signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Speaking with MTV News to coincide with the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher that... Read more

Wax, Rapsody, Emis Killa, Rittz & Jon Connor Shine in the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher (Video)

2013 was a strong year for up and coming MCs in the Cypher. In addition to Problem, Asia Sparks, Bad Lucc and Astro getting busy in a previously released Cypher, Wax, Emis Killa, Rapsody, Rittz and Jon Connor put in work last night. In the midst of it all, Jon... Read more

Action Bronson’s 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Sneak Preview (Video)

Bam-Bam Bronson goes off the top in a promo for October 15's airing of the recently-shot 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards show. The Queens MC is now on a major label and has a Top 200 digital EP under his belt, but he still hasn't lost his nonchalant flow from... Read more

Kendrick Lamar’s 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Sneak Preview (Video)

There was a lot of chatter over the weekend from ATL re: Kendrick Lamar's Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Here's the first look at what's to come. K. Dot goes STRAIGHT AT his critics post-Control and let's all haters know he's untouchable...all over the track for Shook One's Pt. 2. Get... Read more

2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher Artists Announced

Taped tonight in Atlanta, BET's 2013 Hip-Hop Awards is coming on October 15 at 8pm EST. With the cyphers already making big noise on Twitter (especially from the Aftermath Entertainment camp), here are all 34 participants, as reported by BET.com. This year's lineup features the usual breakthrough artists (Action Bronson,... Read more

BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher: Asia Sparks, Bad Lucc, Astro & Problem (Video)

The 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards were taped last night and they've released the first Cypher. You can watch Astro, Problem, Asia Sparks and Bad Lucc get it in below. Who do you think had the best verse? Also, check out our interview of Astro discussing the Cypher: Related: Kendrick... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Controls The 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher

Hot off the presses from Atlanta, Kendrick Lamar "killed" this year's BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher, and we were there to witness it. Symbolic of what Kendrick's Control verse did to the industry in August, the entire TDE family (Kendrick, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and new member Isaiah Rashad) spit... Read more

The Making of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards West Coast Cypher (Video)

The West Coast Cypher featuring Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, E-40, Kurupt, YG, Xzibit and DJ Quik was definitely one of the best of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Here's a behind the scenes look at the making of the cypher, that includes interviews with Snoop, E-40, Quik and DJ Premier. Check... Read more

Check out all of the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers featuring DJ Quik, DMX, Mystikal, Eve, Childish Gambino, Ab-Soul, Xzibit, Kendrick Lamar and more below (Video)

There were some strong verses from OGs and young guns in this year’s Cyphers. Below are all the Cyphers, including verses from DMX, Eve, Jean Grae, Ab-Soul, Talib Kweli, Childish Gambino, Driicky Graham, Schoolboy Q, Mystikal, Snoop, DJ Quik, E-40, Kurupt, Xzibit and Kendrick Lamar, starting with the West Coast... Read more

Behind the Scenes with DJ Quik at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers (Video)

DJ Quik talks about the origins of Cyphers, the difference between MCs and rappers and more behind the scenes at the BET Hip Hop Awards West Coast Cypher. Check out the video. Related: Sneak peek of the West Coast and Ruff Ryders Cyphers (Video)... Read more

The Warm Up Cypher Vol. 1 for the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards (Video)

As the premiere date for the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards approaches, BET releases a Warm Up Cypher featuring Tito Lopez, The Kid Daytona, Brianna Perry, Fame, K'la and Relly. Check it out and let us know who you think had the best verse. Related: Preview of West Coast Cypher... Read more

2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher Previews (Video)

The 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards tape tomorrow in Atlanta and air on Tuesday, 10/9. As the show draws closer a couple of Cypher previews have surfaced. First up, is a West Coast cypher featuring Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, E-40, Kurupt, Xzibit and YG. Next is a Ruff Ryders cypher preview... Read more

Here are some of the best of the 2011 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers. These include, Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar, TechN9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, B.o.B., Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Skillz, Blind Fury and of course Shady 2.0. Click below to check them out.

Who had the best verse? Big K.R.I.T., TechN9ne, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar and B.o.B. Reek Da Villain, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes and Ludacris Lady of Rage, Blind Fury, Dom Kennedy and Skillz Yelawolf, Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9" and Eminem Click here for the rest... Read more

You may remember Reek Da Villain from BET's Hip-Hop Awards Cypher. Money is ill. Check out Mechanics (the remix) ft Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beatz

The fact that he's riding the track that Method Man crushed on Bring the Pain just makes it more ill. Here's Meth's joint: And, the original track was called I'm Your Mechanical Man by Jerry Butler (the sampled part comes in at around the 3:00 mark but the whole song... Read more

Check out the Cyphers from BET's Hip-Hop Awards ft Kanye West, Common, Pusha T, Big Sean, Raekwon, Ice Cube, Diggy Simmons, Wiz Khalifa, Yelawolf and many more.

The BET Hip-Hop Awards have been featuring Cyphers for years and they've taken a life of their own. Last year's launched the career of Nicki Minaj. This year's are the best yet. Check them out: [vodpod id=ExternalVideo.971347&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Dord%253D457795567011120900%2526tile%253D2%2526reportPropChannel%253Dhiphop10%2526reportPropSubSection%253Dhiphopawards10%2526reportPropContentType%253Dhha10_videos%2526adAspectRatio%253D2%2526reportDartNValue%253Dhha10_video_showcypher%2526reportDartSubValue%253Dhiphopawards10%2526   [vodpod id=ExternalVideo.971341&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Dord%253D206602806129951520%2526tile%253D2%2526reportPropChannel%253Dhiphop10%2526reportPropSubSection%253Dhiphopawards10%2526reportPropContentType%253Dhha10_videos%2526adAspectRatio%253D2%2526reportDartNValue%253Dhha10_video_showcypher%2526reportDartSubValue%253Dhiphopawards10%2526   ExternalVideo.971338&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Dord%253D48253978693669320%2526tile%253D2%2526reportPropChannel%253Dhiphop10%2526reportPropSubSection%253Dhiphopawards10%2526reportPropContentType%253Dhha10_videos%2526adAspectRatio%253D2%2526reportDartNValue%253Dhha10_video_showcypher%2526reportDartSubValue%253Dhiphopawards10%2526 [vodpod id=ExternalVideo.971339&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Dord%253D119154515025513440%2526tile%253D2%2526reportPropChannel%253Dhiphop10%2526reportPropSubSection%253Dhiphopawards10%2526reportPropContentType%253Dhha10_videos%2526adAspectRatio%253D2%2526reportDartNValue%253Dhha10_video_showcypher%2526reportDartSubValue%253Dhiphopawards10%2526... Read more

Royce 5’9’s New Song Is About How He’s Gotten Better With Time & He May Be The Best

Hip-Hop Heads are less than a month out from Royce 5'9's The Allegory album. The February 21 Heaven Studios/eOne album will feature Benny The Butcher, Kxng Crooked, Vince Staples, Conway The Machine, DJ Premier, and Oswin Benjamin, among others. Dating back to late 2019, Nickel Nine has released two video... Read more

Eminem & Black Thought Release Their 1st Collabo. The Cypher Is Complete (Audio)

After appearing alongside each other in a 2009 BET Award Cypher with Mos Def, Eminem, and The Roots' frontman Black Thought have frequently been mentioned in the same conversation together as two of the best MCs of all time. Since that standout moment, both Em' and Black Thought have continued... Read more

Reason Represents TDE With One Of This Year’s Best Cypher Verses (Video)

2018 has been the year Reason's music career has really started to take off. Beginning the year with an appearance on Top Dawg Entertainment's #1 charting Black Panther Soundtrack, Reason has since gone on to officially sign with the coveted label, re-release his debut album There You Have It with... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. Dilated Peoples. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

Freeway Explains How One Cypher Changed His Career With Roc-A-Fella

On a scorching summer afternoon, Freeway is lounging in a cool recording studio in the Northern Liberties section in the City of Brotherly Love. The smoky lab is in the same high-rise building as accounting firms, law offices, and working folks pausing for a late afternoon snack in the ground... Read more

J.I.D. Makes J. Cole Proud By Demolishing This XXL Cypher (Video)

It has been a busy 2018 for Dreamville Records. J. Cole's K.O.D. set new streaming records upon release, in addition to garnering critical acclaim (including appearing on Ambrosia For Heads' midyear best-of list). Cozz released a strong sophomore in Effected, which features Kendrick Lamar, Curren$y, and Cole. Meanwhile, EarthGang released... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Dilated Peoples vs. Jurassic 5. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

Joyner Lucas’ Video Shows The Raw Dialogue That Needs To Happen Between Blacks & Whites

Joyner Lucas is one of the most cutting-edge MCs to emerge in recent years. The Worcester, Massachusetts native was strongly co-signed by Busta Rhymes, a few years ago. In June, the past BET Hip Hop Cypher participant released 508-507-2209. However, he keeps dropping technically-advanced, thought-provoking bars. Video "I'm Not Racist"... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Shows Why Rap’s Biggest MCs Buy His Rhymes, In A Killer Cypher (Video)

Although CyHi The Prynce might not be a household name yet, his rhymes are already universal. As one of Kanye West's most acclaimed co-writers, CyHi's prodigious pen was a prominent part of West's albums My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus. His contributions would earn him a spot on Kanye's... Read more

Joey Bada$$ & Logic Go Bar For Bar In A Cypher Strictly For The Love Of Hip-Hop (Full Video)

While much attention has been focused on the unspoken competition between Kendrick Lamar and Drake in the quest for 2017's biggest album, both Logic and Joey Bada$$ released 2 of the finest LPs of the year. Each featured heady concepts, strong lyricism and beats made for the body and the mind.... Read more

Vic Mensa Says He Will Slap MCs Who Say They Are Better Than Tupac (Video)

Vic Mensa freestyles are as dynamic as the Roc Nation MC's song-making. Following his new EP, The Manuscript the Save Money MC hits Los Angeles, California's Power 106 FM. There, before the L.A. Leakers, Vic finesses a freestyle flow over Prodigy's "Keep It Thoro." Vic Mensa’s Freestyle Causes Sway To... Read more

BBD Choose The Night Of Their New Edition Biopic To Show They’re Still Betta (Video)

Tonight, the long-awaited New Edition biopic, The New Edition Story, premieres on BET. The 3-part, 6-hour film promises to tell the story of the family, feuds and betrayal that defined New Edition as they grew from boys to men. Members of the group have been involved with the project every... Read more