You searched for black thought freestyle - Ambrosia For HeadsAmbrosia For Heads

Black Thought Freestyles Over Benny’s Beat & Butchers It

Earlier this month, West Philadelphia played host to the 20th Roots Picnic. There, The Roots crew shared the stage with Mary J. Blige and welcomed artists including DJ Jazzy Jeff & Rakim, Freddie Gibbs, Masego, Babyface Ray, and others to their two-day event. On Saturday (June 4), Black Thought and... Read more

June 14, 2022 Video

Black Thought’s Epic Freestyle Is Nominated For A Grammy

The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards were announced Friday (November 10). As the symbolic 50th year for Hip-Hop marches towards its close, there are several nominated albums and songs that exemplify the benchmark year and the culture. In the "Best Rap Performance" category, Black Thought's "Love Letter" is nominated.... Read more

November 10, 2023 News, Trending Stories

Black Thought Recaps 50 Years Of Hip-Hop History In An Epic Freestyle

Earlier this month, The Roots' Black Thought rocked the Grammy stage as part of a massive Hip-Hop 50th-anniversary tribute. The set was curated by Thought's band-mate Questlove (who played along from the drums) and featured Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Rakim, Big Boi, Posdnuos, Busta... Read more

February 21, 2023 Video

Black Thought Pops Up At Rapsody’s Show To Rip Another Incredible Freestyle (Video)

Last night (February 6), Rapsody performed at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, New York. After touring with Big K.R.I.T. in late 2019, the Jamla Records MC is headlining the A Black Woman Created This Tour (dates below), which also features Sa-Roc. Black Thought, who has worked with Rap' several times, appeared on... Read more

February 7, 2020 Fresh, Video

This 1998 Black Thought & Common Freestyle Is An Incredible Hip-Hop Moment In Time

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's own DJ Cosmo Baker is known worldwide for his connection to Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul, frequently creating classic party series such as The Rub and The Remedy. The latter, which he hosted alongside DJ Rich Medina, helped to spotlight artists such as The Roots, J Dilla, Jill Scott, and... Read more

November 23, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Arsonal Says He Has The Best Funk Flex Freestyle…And That Includes Black Thought

Newark, New Jersey Battle Rap star, Arsonal Da Rebel, is the latest MC to flame the mic on Funkmaster Flex’s freestyle segment. However, while most MCs come to prove their worth on the mic, this lyricist—seen in the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards cyphers, is out for symbolic blood. He... Read more

November 29, 2018 Video

Black Thought Discusses His New Album, Epic Freestyle & Years Of Putting In Work (Video)

This past weekend (June 2), The Roots hosted their 11th annual picnic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sadly, just moments into their headlining jam session, hosted by Dave Chappelle, rain, flooding, and lightning storms halted a highly-anticipated affair. However, one day before (June 1), Black Thought showered Hip-Hop Heads with Streams Of... Read more

June 4, 2018 Video

Black Thought Clarifies Whether His 10-Minute Freestyle Was Written Or Off The Top

Nearly two weeks ago, Black Thought set the Hip-Hop world on fire, with a 10-minute freestyle that many considered the best of the year. In fact, Puff Daddy went as far as to say the verse was the greatest freestyle in Hip-Hop history. The video quickly went viral and, to... Read more

December 27, 2017 News

Black Thought Reveals His 10-Minute Freestyle Was Off The Top & Kicks Another Verse (Video)

On Thursday, Black Thought unleashed a freestyle that rocked the world. Unlike Eminem’s politically-charged BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher that became world news, Thought’s verse did not have the benefit of being launched on the world’s biggest stage for Hip-Hop. Instead, his freestyle came courtesy of a digital drop by... Read more

December 16, 2017 Video

Black Thought Can’t Let The Year End Without Spitting Its Best Freestyle (Video)

Black Thought did not release an album in 2017, nor did The Roots. However, Tariq Trotter spent the year at the top of the MC class. He sizzled the mic on albums by Logic, Rapsody, and David Banner. There was a surprise MF DOOM collaboration released, and a deeply meaningful... Read more

December 14, 2017 Video

Black Thought & Method Man Go Verse For Verse In A Freestyle For The Ages (Video)

Even though MCs in groups tend to be overshadowed by the collective, there are few lyricists in Hip-Hop more respected than The Roots' Black Thought and Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man. While each MC has an album in the works, with Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues seeing its release on October 13... Read more

October 5, 2017 Video

Black Thought & Common Have A Freestyle Battle That Goes Off The Wheels (Video)

When it comes to freestyling, few are better than Black Thought and Common. Unlike others who shy away from grabbing an open mic, both Comm' and Thought seize the moment when there's an opportunity to rhyme. And, while neither has anything left to prove, each often goes completely off the... Read more

February 11, 2017 Video

Black Thought & Rahzel Made Us Want More With This 1994 Freestyle (Audio)

It was 1994, and The Roots had delivered their first offering via the previous year's Organix. Released independently, it was stripped-down yet fully developed, and helped land the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania crew a place alongside artists like G. Love & Special Sauce in providing the City of Brotherly Love with a... Read more

August 29, 2016 Audio

Black Thought’s Fresh Freestyle Serves The Good Food To Expect At The Roots Picnic NYC (Video)

This past Saturday (June 4), the ninth annual Roots Picnic took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hosts The Roots played alongside Pop-R&B superstar Usher, while other feature performers included Future, DMX, Swizz Beatz, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kaytranada, Lil Dicky, Migos, Tish Hyman, Willow Smith, and... Read more

June 6, 2016 Fresh, News, Video

Ever See This Freestyle with Black Thought, Phife & Consequence From 1997 (Video)

Here's a look back at a cipher between Black Thought, Phife Dawg and Consequence. The three MCs flowed off the top (for the most part) over a vicious beatbox, courtesy of Rahzel, as Questlove, Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad looked on. Based on Consequence's verse, the moment took place in... Read more

February 22, 2015 Throwback

HuffPost Mashes Up Their Freestyles from Snoop, Black Thought & Wayne Brady (Video)

Oddly, Huffington Post has started collecting freestyles from various guests. You may have caught some, such as Black Thought rhyming over Questlove's pic and table-driven beat, and now they've done a video mashup of freestyles from Snoop, Black Thought and Wayne Brady. The only requirement of each is that he... Read more

July 23, 2014 Video

Questlove & Black Thought Discuss Their Illustrious History & Kick a Freestyle (Video)

Here's an extended interview with The Roots' Questlove & Black Thought. The duo discusses their creative process, performing with Dave Chappelle, fellow music alums from their high school (Bilal, Boyz II Men) and more. They end the session with a freestyle with Thought supplying the off the top rhymes and... Read more

June 28, 2014 Video

Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Killer Mike, Large Professor and More Freestyle on The Combat Jack Show (Video)

Here's a compilation of some of the best freestyles from The Combat Jack Show. Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Large Professor, Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Killer Mike and Maino all drop verses. Check out the video. Related: Large Professor Discusses the Making of Ether on The Combat Jack Show (Video)... Read more

October 10, 2013 Video

Black Thought & J. Period – N.Y. State of Mind Freestyle

Very few MCs should dare to get on a Nas beat. Black Thought is one who has that privilege...Check out how he rips up N.Y. State of Mind. Related: The most underrated MCs of all-time (Audio Playlist)... Read more

January 15, 2013 Audio

Black Thought & The Wurx – Toca Tuesday Freestyle

Black Thought blessed the mic at Toca Tuesday Freestyle yesterday. Check the mathematics below. Click here to download.... Read more

December 28, 2011 Audio

It’s official. Toca Tuesdays Freestyles is the best “freestyle” series in hip-hop. The latest is from Black Thought’s Money Making Jam Boys.

And...this is true freestyling off the dome. The rhymes aren't as complex as they would be if written but hearing the genius associated with spontaneous rhymes makes them much doper. At almost 9 minutes of pure cypher, this is an instant classic. Check it out: Click here to download. Click... Read more

February 17, 2011 Audio

Locksmith Has Already Delivered The Freestyle Of The Year

Richmond, California's Locksmith is a decorated veteran MC who makes music with substance. He has made songs with Xzibit, KXNG Crooked, Ras Kass, Apathy, and others along the way. However, the East Bay lyricist is also known for being the source of incredible freestyles. Over the last decade and a... Read more

January 19, 2024 Trending Stories, Video

Redman Has Released A Series Of Freestyles Over Hip-Hop Classics

Next month will make it eight years since Redman released an album. However, as the Def Squad MC plugs away at Muddy Waters Too and Blackout! 3 with Method Man, he frequently gives his devoted fan-base new music. In 2023, Reggie Noble has teamed with Royce 5'9, Logic, Tony Touch,... Read more

October 17, 2023 Video

Vic Mensa Is 2 Years Sober But His Freestyle Is Still Dope

Last month, Vic Mensa released his latest album, Victor. The Roc Nation Records release features Common, Jay Electronica, Ty Dolla Sign, Chance The Rapper, Thundercat, Rapsody, D Smoke, among others. In the two years since the Chicago, Illinois artist released his last LP, I TAPE, Mensa transitioned his lifestyle. The... Read more

October 2, 2023 Video

Coast Contra Returns With Another Breathtaking Freestyle

After years of paying dues, the Coast Contra group made major inroads during 2022. The quartet of Ras Austin, Taj Austin, Eric Jamal, and Rioloz released their debut album, Apt. 505. That They promoted the self-released LP with a memorable performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and a... Read more

August 22, 2023 Video

LL Cool J & Black Thought Go On A Rampage

This past weekend (August 5), the 2023 Rock The Bells Festival took place in Queens, New York. Performers at the all-day event included Run-D.M.C., Slick Rick, Redman & Method Man, Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Rapsody, Brand Nubian, Boot Camp Clik, and many more. LL Cool J, who produced the... Read more

August 6, 2023 Video

LL Cool J’s Freestyle Shows He Is Still A GOAT MC

This weekend (August 5), LL Cool J is headlining the annual Rock The Bells Festival in his home borough of Queens, New York. L will be joined by The Roots and DJ Z-Trip as he shares the main event with the MC's longtime friends and peers Run-D.M.C. Other performers include... Read more

August 3, 2023 Video

Jack Harlow Calls Out Whites Who Want To Be Black From Afar

Yesterday (April 28), Jack Harlow released third album. Jackman. is a 10-track offering, with zero features that clocks in at 24 minute. DJ Dahi, Boi-1da, and Hollywood Cole were among the producers involved on the Generation Now/Atlantic Records project, which follows Jack's platinum debut and gold follow-up. On the album,... Read more

April 29, 2023 Audio, Video

Black Thought’s Streams Of Thought Vol. 4 Is Done & Packed With All-Stars

On Friday (April 14), Black Thought released his sixth solo project in the last five years. Since 2018, a time when The Roots have not been dropping albums, the co-founder of The Roots has enhanced his solo career with his first-ever projects of this kind. Thought launched the Streams Of... Read more

April 16, 2023 News

Black Thought & Rakim Light Up The Stage With Talib Kweli

Last week, Bob James held a concert residence at New York City's Blue Note alongside Talib Kweli and a live band for the second consecutive year. An esteemed panel of guests joined the Grammy-winning Jazz keyboardist and famed producer during 2023's three-night residency. D.M.C. joined on February 7, Slick Rick... Read more

February 12, 2023 Video

Black Thought Blends Hip-Hop With Afrobeat On A New EP

Black Thought has had a strong showing this 2022. In the summer, The Roots MC partnered with fellow Grammy Award-winner Danger Mouse for Cheat Codes. The album involved Raekon, Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, as well as a verse from the late MF DOOM. Ambrosia For Heads recently pointed out... Read more

December 15, 2022 Audio

Big Tigger & Rapsody Tear Down The Booth In A Rap City Freestyle

The 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards aired tonight (October 4), hosted by Fat Joe. The show has been BET's celebration of the culture since 2006, featuring appearances and performances from Rap's biggest stars, as well as next generation MCs poised to grab the torch. This year's show featured performances by... Read more

October 4, 2022 TV, TV/Film, Video

Megan Thee Stallion Regulates The Competition With A G-Funk Freestyle

In early 2019, Megan Thee Stallion's career was taking shape. The Houston, Texas MC had cracked the pop charts in late '18 with her Tina Snow EP. Meg had also previously worked with Wale. However, the 1501 Certified/300 Entertainment artist would use the year ahead to crack the code, and... Read more

August 9, 2022 Video

CyHi The Prynce Disses Joe Budden On A Blistering Freestyle

For three and a half years, there has been tension brewing between Joe Budden and CyHi The Prynce. The MC-turned-media mogul has been critical of the former G.O.O.D. Music artist. In 2018, Budden criticized CyHi's relationship with Kanye West. “CyHi just tweeted yesterday, ‘Uh oh, masta’ said, I’m gettin’ seven... Read more

May 31, 2022 Video

Black Thought’s Next Album Is Produced By Danger Mouse. Here’s The 1st Single

After a quarter-century of albums with The Roots, Black Thought expanded into a solo catalog in 2018. That year, he released not one but two projects. The first, Streams Of Thought, Vol. 1, was produced by 9th Wonder. The Grammy-winning Salaam Remi handled the beats on the second volume. In 2020,... Read more

May 11, 2022 Video

Black Star Has Released The Best Rap Album Of 2022 So Far

Earlier this week (May 3), one of the most anticipated albums has released. Black Star's No Fear Of Time arrived after nearly a quarter-century since the duo's first and only other album, Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The two MCs have hinted towards a sophomore album sporadically over the last four years, eventually... Read more

May 5, 2022 Video

Benny The Butcher Uses A DMX Beat To Deliver A Punishing Freestyle

Over the last four years, Benny The Butcher has established himself as one of the hottest and most respected MCs in Hip-Hop. With projects like Tana Talk 3, Burden Of Proof, and two volumes of The Plugs I Met, Benny has adhered to the Griselda formula while transcending the underground... Read more

March 9, 2022 Video

Common Resurrects His Place As A Top MC With This Freestyle

Next month makes 30 years since Common received the coveted "Unsigned Hype" column in The Source magazine. As he would do with Biggie Smalls and Mobb Deep, journalist Matty C. found Common Sense a worthy inclusion for the highly-respected Hip-Hop publication. Unlike today, 1991 was a time when MCs from... Read more

September 9, 2021 Video

Kurupt Details The Classic Death Row Songs That Began As Freestyles

For more than 20 years, core fans kept hope that the HRSMN might release an album. As one of Rap's earliest super-groups, the quartet composed of Kurupt, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Canibus hurdled label challenges, leaks, bootlegging, legal woes, and all that comes with four separate lives and careers.... Read more

July 13, 2021 Exclusive, Video

Black Thought Shows He Really Is Every MC On An Unreleased Roots Song

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been. Not only can we go back and... Read more

June 26, 2021 Audio

Royce 5’9 Kicks An Incredible Freestyle With Substance, Swagger & A Few Jabs (Video)

Royce 5'9 knows how to make his lyrics feel a depth charge. Commemorating The L.A. Leakers' 100th freestyle, the veteran MC kicks some rhymes from his album that need to be heard. He also drives home some new heat with an insane freestyle. The Detroit, Michigan rapper, who is celebrating... Read more

February 25, 2020 Video

Black Thought & Rhymefest Have A Grown-Man Conversation In Their Newest Collabo

Che "Rhymefest" Smith was a guest on the World Music Foundation podcast. In addition to a comprehensive look at the veteran MC's career, 'Fest shared a new song called "O.G. Philosophy" featuring Black Thought and R&B veteran Raheem DeVaughn. For episode 17 of the non-profit podcast dedicated to opening minds... Read more

February 16, 2020 Audio

Mick Jenkins Is A Deep MC. His Black Milk-Produced Song Is About Living Carefree

UPDATE: Mick Jenkins has released the video for "Carefree": ORIGINAL JANUARY 4 STORY: It has been over a year since Chicago, Illinois MC Mick Jenkins released Pieces Of A Man. The acclaimed record perfectly encapsulated Jenkins' style as a mellowed-out deep-thinker with an ear for Jazz production. Following a... Read more

January 7, 2020 Video

Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli Detail How Black Star’s Upcoming Album Came To Be

For nearly two years, Hip-Hop fans have heard bits and pieces surrounding a second album by Black Star. In February of 2018, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) told concert-goers in Colorado that he and Talib Kweli were recording. “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib Kweli, Yasiin, coming soon!,” said the... Read more

December 10, 2019 Fresh

Ever Hear When Rakim Went Back To “The Ghetto” With Black Thought (Audio)

Nearly a decade ago, J. Period was commissioned by Sony Records to make a companion mixtape to The Roots & John Legend's WAKE UP! album. That LP, which got The Roots two more Grammy Awards for the trophy case, involved some great MCs such as Common and C.L. Smooth to... Read more

December 8, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Talib Kweli Says The New Black Star Album With Madlib Is Done

Nearly two years ago, Yasiin Bey spilled the beans that Black Star was at work on a sophomore album. In February of 2018, the artist formerly known as Mos Def told Colorado audiences that he and Talib Kweli were working on an album with Madlib. “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib... Read more

November 7, 2019 Fresh, Video

Marlon Craft Says He’s Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Nas Combined In A Fiery Freestyle

Marlon Craft is out to uphold a rich tradition of New York City Hip-Hop. From Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, this MC put in work on last year's exceptional A Breukelen Story album from Masta Ace & Marco Polo—named one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of '18. Previously, Marlon has been behind... Read more

July 29, 2019 Video

Madlib & Freddie Gibbs’ Bandana Tracklist Features Yasiin Bey, Pusha & Black Thought

This Friday (June 28), Madlib & Freddie Gibbs are releasing their sophomore collaborative album, Bandana. Following three preliminary songs and one music video, the Oxnard, California-to-Gary, Indiana pair has unveiled the tracklist to the Keep Cool/RCA Records release. Notably, it reveals that the March drop, "Bandana" is not included among... Read more

June 24, 2019 Fresh

Playtime Is OVER. Oswin Benjamin Has The Best Freestyle Of 2019

Oswin Benjamin has been on the grind in Hip-Hop for years. The New York City lyricist has made his appearances count, whether they were high-profile freestyles, Team Backpack cyphers, or features on Styles P, Anoyd, and Domingo albums. The close affiliate of Chris Rivers has just released his full-length debut,... Read more

April 12, 2019 Video

Black Thought’s New Song With Adrian Younge Reminds He’s A Master Storyteller

Each week this February, producer Adrian Younge (Ghostface Killah, Souls Of Mischief, Luke Cage, PRhyme) has released a series of tracks in celebration and remembrance of Black History Month. Previously, Younge linked up with Georgia Anne Muldrow and Terrace Martin for the Soul-driven, starry-eyed single "February," and most recently with British... Read more

February 15, 2019 Audio

Search Results