AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Archives

Eazy-E Put Compton On The Map & Now The City Is Returning The Favor

During the late 1980s, Eazy-E helped take the city of Compton, California, to the mainstream. The N.W.A. co-founder and Gangsta Rap solo star was famed for wearing Compton hats, titling game-changing albums and songs after his city, and recruiting talent from Hub City. Ruthless Records artists, including Dr. Dre, MC Ren,... Read more

André 3000 Is Releasing A New Album On Friday

Less than one week after earning two Grammy nominations for his 2023 collaboration with Killer Mike, André 3000 has surprised fans with an announcement that he is releasing his first album in over 15 years, New Blue Sun, which will arrive Friday (November 17). The OutKast co-founder's album is eight tracks... Read more

Killer Mike Is Grammy-Nominated For “Best Rap Album”

The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards announced this weekend (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. Killer Mike’s album, MICHAEL, is a noteworthy inclusion in the “Best Rap... Read more

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

Missy Elliott Is The First Female Hip-Hop Artist Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

This weekend (November 3), Missy Elliott became the first female Hip-Hop artist to enter the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The Virginia veteran MC/producer appeared at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center, where she was presented the honor by her "Fast Car" collaborator Queen Latifah. The presenter credited Missy Elliott... Read more

J. Cole Explains Why His New Album Is Called The Fall Off

Over five years, ago, J. Cole's acclaimed KOD included a song "1985 ('Intro To The Fall Off')." At the time, the song made headlines as a response song to Lil Pump and others, that defied the convention of traditional Rap disses. In the days that followed, J. Cole revealed that... Read more

DJ Kool Herc Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By LL Cool J

This weekend, Hip-Hop pioneer and architect DJ Kool Herc officially entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The Jamaican-born, Bronx, New York-raised Clive Campbell was joined by his sister Cynthia at a ceremony at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. There, Herc was inducted into the Hall by an artist with that... Read more

Alchemist Names His Top 5 Producers

Alchemist has had a busy 2023. The acclaimed producer (and MC/DJ) has released albums alongside Larry June, Earl Sweatshirt, and MIKE and Wiki—along with fresh solo material. Amid the prolific year, Al spoke to Genius' Andres Tardio to list his Top 5 Hip-Hop producers—including one of his mentors. Along the... Read more

Del The Funky Homosapien & Living Legends Shine On A New 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

Legendary Hip-Hop Producer 45 King Has Passed Away

As Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, of the most music's legendary producers has reportedly died. 45 King, aka Mark James, is known for founding the original Flavor Unit—a launchpad for the careers of Queen Latifah, Lakim Shabazz, Apache, Chill Rob G, and Latee. The Bronx native (who relocated to New... Read more

C.L. Smooth Returns In A Verse With Rough Words

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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

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

Westside Gunn, JID & Conway Make 1 Of 2023’s Great Collabos

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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

Rakim & LL Cool J Perform A Boomin’ Tribute To Marley Marl

Earlier this month (October 3), the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards taped in Atlanta, Georgia. The awards show now aired tonight (October 10). Among its highlights was producer/DJ Marley Marl winning the coveted I Am Hip Hop Award in the culture's ceremonial 50th year. Marley Marl is the Queens, New... Read more

Drake Disses Joe Budden’s Rap Career Following Album Criticism

Yesterday (October 7), Drake released his eighth album, For All The Dogs. The OVO/Republic Records LP contains songs such as "7969 Santa," which finds the superstar speaking to an ex-lover and blaming differences on her being 25 years old. He opens the 21 Savage-assisted "Calling For You" with suggestive wordplay:... Read more

Lil Yachty Shows He Can Really Rap On A Song With J. Cole

Earlier this year, Lil Yachty released one of 2023's more surprising albums from an artist often categorized in Rap. January's Let's Start Here. deviated from the sound that the Atlanta, Georgia had established over the last decade. On this go-round, the Quality Control/Motown Records artist delved into contemporary Psychedelic Rock... Read more

Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist’s Album Was Worth The Wait

Since 2019, Earl Sweatshirt and Alchemist claimed a collaborative album existed under a fake name. Two years later, the production half of the duo confirmed its existence. “We hid a whole album on YouTube under a fake name and YouTube page. Fake album cover, song titles, the whole nine. Nobody... Read more

J. Cole & Drake Go Head To Head On A Heavyweight 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

Drake Returns To His Rap Roots With A Griselda Producer

Tomorrow (October 6), Drake is slated to release his eighth solo album, For All The Dogs. The superstar's first full length since mid-2022's Honestly Nevermind is promoted in signature Drake fashion, with a time-stamp song arriving days before the OVO LP. "8am In Charlotte" follows catalog gems such as "4pm... Read more

Krayzie Bone Has Survived His Very Serious Hospitalization

Late last month, it was reported that Krayzie Bone was fighting for his life in a Los Angeles, California hospital. The 50-year-old Grammy Award-winning MC and co-founder of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was suffering from an ongoing battle with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease in which the immune system overreacts, causing groups of... Read more

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

A Suspect Has Been Arrested In Tupac’s Murder Investigation

SEPTEMBER 30 UPDATE: In the day since the arrest of Duane Davis (aka Keffe D), more details have emerged. According to legal documents obtained by Ambrosia For Heads (embedded below) and other publications, Keefe D has been formally charged murder with the use of a deadly weapon with the intent... Read more

Krayzie Bone Is In The Hospital Fighting For His Life

It has been reported that Bone Thugs-n-Harmony co-founder Krayzie Bone is currently fighting for his life in a Los Angeles, California hospital. According to AllHipHop, sources close to Bone have revealed that the Grammy Award-winning veteran MC checked into medical care on Friday (September 22), and his condition has worsened. The 50-year-old... Read more

Skillz Raps Up Hip-Hop’s Golden Age With A Tribute To H.E.R.

For over 20 years, MC/DJ/academic Skillz helped Hip-Hop process its yearly legacy through his Rap Up verses, which typically arrive in late December or early January. In a milestone year, Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary, the Richmond, Virginia veteran takes it a step further, with a song produced by The Roots. Skillz... Read more

Nick Grant Has Released One Of The Year’s Best Albums

Nick Grant has been making waves since the mid-2010s. His 2017 debut, Return Of The Cool, garnered praise from Ambrosia For Heads and others at a time when the South Carolina MC was getting cosigns from Andre 3000, Nas, Bun B, and others. Since that Epic Records debut, Nick worked... Read more

Inspectah Deck Returns With Another Victory

Buffalo, New York MC Elcamino has been making noise for well over five years. In 2017, when the then-Shady Records-backed Griselda trio of Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine toured the country, Elcamino was supposed to join them. However, as he later told Bandcamp's Jordan Commandeur, house... Read more

Chuck D Details How He’s Kept The BASS In His Voice For 35 Years

Along with penning some of the most impactful Hip-Hop songs, Chuck D has displayed an incredible voice. The Long Island, New Yorker has demonstrated a commanding delivery on Public Enemy songs for over 35 years and more recently worked with Prophets Of Rage. Mistachuck’s vocals are distinct, precise, and treated... Read more

Little Brother Have Released Their 1st New Music In 4 Years

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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more

Common & Pete Rock Are Working On A Joint Album

Common has announced an upcoming collaboration album with Pete Rock. Speaking with MSNBC’s The Beat With Ari Melber, Common said, “I [have] been listening to a lot of ’90s Hip Hop because I [have] been creating a new project. I’m working on a new album with Pete Rock and just,... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Turned Down A $1 Million Death Row Deal

In the mid-1990s, Big Daddy Kane was a free agent. After nearly a decade releasing music through Cold Chillin' Records and its Warner Bros. distributor, the Brooklyn, New York lyricist was a talent for hire. In 1994, he had released a sole MCA Records LP, Daddy's Home, featuring involvement with... Read more

Nas Is Releasing A New Album For His 50th Birthday

Less than two months ago, Nas and Hit-Boy released Magic 2. The mid-July release was Nas and Hit's fifth album since summer 2020, and followed up a late 2021 LP. The latest installment featured a reunion with 50 Cent, as well as the inclusion of the 21 Savage peace-offering collaboration... Read more

Slick Rick’s First New Album In 24 Years Is Reportedly On The Way

Slick Rick has had a busy 2023. The legendary lyricist received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys back in February, marking his first win from the Recording Academy. Less than a month ago, Rick The Ruler also shared the Yankee Stadium stage with Doug E. Fresh and Snoop Dogg... Read more

Diddy Has Given Bad Boy Artists Their Publishing Back

In the last decade, Diddy has reunited members of the Bad Boy Records family on tour and on televised concerts. The label founder has worked with Ma$e, The LOX, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, Total, and others years after they stopped releasing projects through the famed label. However, while Bad... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Discusses How Kendrick Lamar Saved His Life

ScHoolboy Q is preparing his fourth album in over four years. However, despite his lengthy breaks between projects, the Los Angeles, California MC's career remains as a leader in the Rap game. Groovy Q appeared on Top Dawg Entertainment-affiliated podcast Back On Figg this week to speak with T-Rell, Smac,... Read more

Dr. Dre & The D.O.C. Are Reuniting To Finish Snoop’s New Album

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have the formula—especially when The D.O.C. is involved. After his 1989 debut solo album No One Can Do It Better, the Dallas, Texas native was highly involved in the direction and songwriting of Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle. He offered lyrics to... Read more

Warren G Details His Many Contributions To The Chronic

In late 1992, Dr. Dre released his solo debut The Chronic. The album launched Death Row Records, and the careers of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, RBX, and others. It also marked the first full-length release from Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records imprint. In videos such... Read more

Warren G Reveals Who Introduced Him To G-Funk

For decades, Hip-Hop artists have spoken about the G-Funk musical style and its origins. While not often credited in the mainstream press, Pomona, California's Above The Law implemented the sound in their catalog, especially on 1993's Black Mafia Life and 1994's Uncle Sam's Curse. The first album reportedly began recording... Read more

C.L. Smooth Delivers 1 Of His Best Verses In Years Alongside Blu

In the mid-2000s, C.L. Smooth released two independent solo albums. The New Rochelle, New York MC had previously dropped three acclaimed projects with his partner Pete Rock and feature work with Johnny Gill and DJ Krush before cultivating his own catalog. In the last decade, The Mecca Don has chosen... Read more

Ghostface Killah Is A 60 Second Assassin In His New Verse

Yesterday (August 25), Ghostface Killah teamed with Westside Gunn and DJ Muggs for "Sicilian Gold." The collaboration between members of Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, and Griselda appears on the new Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley album and is embedded below. GFK, who released a Remy Ma collaborative single "YUPP!" this month,... Read more

Ghostface Killah & Westside Gunn Give Golden Age Raps To DJ Muggs

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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

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

Clarence Avant “The Black Godfather Of Music” Has Passed Away

Clarence Avant, one of the most influential and respected figures in Black Music's history, has died at age 92. The famed executive "passed away gently at home" yesterday (August 13), according to a family statement given to The Los Angeles Times. "Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as 'The... Read more

Magoo Has Passed Away At Age 50

Magoo, one-half of Timbaland & Magoo, has reportedly passed away. The Chesapeake, Virginia artist born Melvin Barcliff died yesterday (August 13) at 50 years, according to friends and collaborators, including Ginuine and Playa producer Digital Black. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. “I don’t even know... Read more

Lauryn Hill Shows She’s Somebody To Nas & The World

Last night (August 11), Hip-Hop culture took over Yankee Stadium. There, a host of legends performed songs in the same Bronx borough that is credited with birthing Hip-Hop as Heads know it, 50 years ago this weekend. Kool Herc and his sister Cynthia Campbell were part of the festivities. It... Read more

Snoop Performs La Di Da Di With Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick

Last night (August 11), Hip-Hop took over Yankee Stadium. There, a host of legends performed songs in the same Bronx borough that is credited with birthing Hip-Hop as Heads know it, 50 years ago this weekend. Kool Herc and his sister Cynthia Campbell were part of the festivities. It was... Read more

Questlove Names His Top 4 Rap Albums Of All-Time

This morning, ahead of their The F.O.R.C.E. Live Tour, LL Cool J, Questlove, and Black Thought appeared on The Breakfast Club for an 80-plus-minute conversation. After discussing Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary, their collaboration Rock The Bells performance with The Roots and DJ Z-Trip, and the earliest days of LL's career, the... Read more

Melle Mel Flexes His OG Status On An Eminem Diss

Last week (August 4), Eminem unleashed some diss bars at Grandmaster Melle Mel. Marshall Mathers, who thanked Melle in his Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction speech less than a year ago, clearly took umbrage with some of the comments his fellow Hall of Famer has made in the... Read more

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

Redman Remakes A Slick Rick Classic For A New Adventure

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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more