AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Archives

How Nas & De La Soul Battled For The Future Of Hip-Hop & Splintered It Forever (Video)

Last month, producer 9th Wonder remembered July 2, 1996's impact on the Hip-Hop community. During one of the biggest commercial booms of Rap albums, Nas released It Was Written the same Tuesday that De La Soul dropped Stakes Is High. Those two releases, coming from artists running in the same... Read more

Chris Rivers’ New Video Shows The Type Of Abuse His Family Suffered

Chris Rivers is his own man and has proved it time and again. The Bronx, New York MC is the son of legendary lyricist Big Pun. However, like the documentaries on the late Terror Squad founder have suggested, that's not always a good thing. Videos and family testimony have chronicled... Read more

Wu-Wear Returns After 10 Years (Video)

In June, it was reported that one of the biggest intersections of Hip-Hop music and apparel was coming back to the masses. Wu-Wear Renaissance marked a return for one of Wu-Tang Clan's most successful merchandising divisions. Spearheaded by Wu-Tang executive producer Oliver “Power” Grant, Wu-Wear burst on the scene in... Read more

Mick Jenkins Calls Out Blood Suckers In His Circle & Still Spreads Love (Audio)

Mick Jenkins is up to something. The Chicago, Illinois MC released "Vampire In Brooklyn." It is neither a Halloween hangover or an homage to Eddie Murphy's film. Instead, Mick emphatically spits about those not showing love within his circle. The creator of 2014's acclaimed The Water[s] and strong '15 follow-up... Read more

Defari Unleashes His First Album In 11 Years, Produced By Evidence. Stream It All. (Audio)

In 1999, Defari was one of the most exciting emerging voices in Hip-Hop. Mentored by The Alkaholiks' E-Swift, the southern California MC appeared on Dr. Dre's massive 2001 the same year he released Focused Daily on Tommy Boy Records. Like affiliates Xzibit and Dilated Peoples, the Likwit MC appeared capable... Read more

N*E*R*D Return With A New Bounce That’s Got Rihanna Rapping (Video)

In the early 2000s, N*E*R*D put forth one of the ultimate fusions of Hip-Hop, Rock & Roll, and Pop. Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley brought their infectious Neptunes rhythms and melodies to the live stage. Two gold albums followed, along with major radio singles that showed just another room... Read more

All Signs Say Eminem’s New Album Is Less Than 3 Weeks Away (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

Andre 3000 Explains Why Big Boi Is The Best Rapper In OutKast

OutKast's André 3000 is in a season of transformation. The Georgia—born MC, producer, actor, and fashion designer now calls New York City his home. He's leading a line with Tretorn and breaking some of his silence surrounding beats, rhymes, and life. Following his summer conversation with Complex, 3 Stacks spent... Read more

JAY-Z Combats 1 NFL Owner’s Divisive Words With A Message Of Unity (Video)

This weekend, ESPN magazine reported on just what transpired behind the National Football League's closed doors. Earlier this month, several owners, players, and league officials met to discuss the ongoing National Anthem protests. Criticism, TV boycotts, and declining attendance continue to plague the NFL's revenue and public image. Thereby, the... Read more

An Argument For Why Ghostwriting Is Good Starting With Exhibit D-R-E (Video)

The biggest MCs in Hip-Hop are talking about ghostwriting more than ever right now. Sixteen years after Puff Daddy proudly proclaimed, "Don't ask me if I write rhymes, I write checks," authorship in Rap verses is not something that anybody takes lightly. Since Meek Mill outed Drake's involvement of emerging... Read more

Rapsody Has All The Power In A Stunning New Video

Rapsody's newly-released Laila's Wisdom remains a centerpiece album in the 2017 Hip-Hop space. In a career that's seen notable releases in nearly every format, the Jamla/Roc Nation MC brought out the strongest presentation in an effort that features Kendrick Lamar, Black Thought, and Busta Rhymes just to name a few.... Read more

Jermaine Dupri Describes Biggie Threatening Lil’ Kim At Gunpoint (Video)

NOVEMBER 4 UPDATE: Lil' Kim has since confirmed Jermaine Dupri's report, with some additional clarifications. ORIGINAL OCTOBER 27 STORY: The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. protege, Lil' Kim had a complicated relationship. Biggie Smalls groomed Kim in his group offshoot, and had a documented romantic affair, despite the rapper's marriage... Read more

Drake Has Thrown Darts At Kendrick & JAY-Z, But Chooses Not To Face Them At The Grammys

Drake's More Life marked his seventh consecutive #1 project on the Top 200. The Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic Records "playlist" (as it was marketed) has already achieved double-platinum certification following its March release. However, Drake—who possesses three Grammy awards—reportedly has opted not to submit More Life for consideration in next... Read more

IDK’s Freestyle Delivers Knowledge With Some Humor & Ignorance Too (Video)

IDK (formerly Jay IDK) is one of 2017's more exciting voices. This month, the artist whose acronym means "Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge" released IWASVERYBAD, a 12-track-album that features luminaries such as DOOM, Del The Funky Homosapien, and Swizz Beatz. Following in Logic's path, the MC born Jason Mills intends to re-brand... Read more

Daz Tells B-Real Who Supplied The Chronic For Dr. Dre’s Masterpiece (Video)

Dr. Dre named his 1992 solo debut album The Chronic and had millions of consumers aiming to catch a contact. The first LP released on Death Row Records took its name from a notoriously powerful strain of marijuana circulating around Southern California at the time. Combined with old Funk records... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Turns His Amerikkkan Idol Into A 2017 Version Of JAY-Z’s Dead Presidents (Video)

Joey Bada$$ is fast at work promoting his 2017 sophomore album. All AmeriKKKan Bada$$ is the Brooklyn, New Yorker's second consecutive #5 debut. While stopping by the BBC, the Pro Era front man performed LP closer "AMERIKKKAN IDOL." The DJ Khalil (of Self Scientific) cut features such strong lyrics as "Now you tryna... Read more

Kxng Crooked & Royce 5’9 Are More Than Enough To Slaughter Most MCs (Audio)

As fans eagerly await a third Slaughterhouse album, Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) and Royce 5'9 get ready for Halloween with a bloodbath of bars. "Truth (Why You Mad)" is the first glimpse of Crooked's Good vs. Evil 2: The Red Empire (December 8) the follow-up to 2016's RBC Records... Read more

9th Wonder Explains Why Soundbombing & Rawkus Kept His Hip-Hop Dreams Alive (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

Justin Timberlake Will Perform At The Super Bowl In The Worst Year He Could Have Chosen

On February 1, 2004, Justin Timberlake was part of arguably the most memorable, and certainly the most controversial Super Bowl halftime concert. In the middle of the halves of battle between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, the fledgling solo star (two years removed from NSYNC) shared the stage... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Has The Subs In The Trunk. Pass The Aux Cord To Hear This Jam (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH fight 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 are we able to go back... Read more

This Mix Salutes 1987’s Def Jam Tour With LL Cool J, P.E., Eric B. & Rakim and Whodini

By 1987 Def Jam Records had solidified a foothold in the Hip-Hop music landscape. While labels like Sugar Hill, Enjoy, Jive, and Profile Records had released some truly incredible singles, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin's three-year-old outfit was fast embracing the Rap album format. Moreover, they had a diverse roster—in... Read more

Snoop Dogg Releases One Of His Most Powerful Political Songs Yet (Audio)

Snoop Dogg may not first come to mind as a political rapper. However, since his fame has ascended into household name status, Tha Doggfather has proudly become just that. In recent years, Snoop has called for peace in the streets and the industry. This March, his BADBADNOTGOOD collaboration "Lavender" commented... Read more

Dancer For Many Classic Hip-Hop Videos, Voodoo Ray, Has Passed Away At Age 50

Throughout the decades, Voodoo Ray (born Raymond Ultarte) brought the dance moves he displayed in New York City clubs in the 1980s to some of Hip-Hop culture's more memorable late 1990s videos. Formerly known as Boogie Ray, Ultarte's dancing eventually went on to appear in visuals such as Run-D.M.C. &... 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... Read more

Cam’ron & Jim Jones Bury Their Latest Beef For Upcoming Dipset Reunion Concert

In February of this year, Jim Jones sat down with Funkmaster Flex in an emotional interview about his relationship with onetime Diplomats band-mate Cam'ron. As the Dipset Capo got tearful in speaking about the sacrifices he made for Cam', he alleged that the crew's breakout star had not supported his... Read more

Talib Kweli Reflects On A “Train Of Thought” Song That Remains Eternal 17 Years Later (Audio)

Last week, Mos Def's solo debut Black On Both Sides celebrated its 18th birthday. Meanwhile, today (October 17), Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey's Black Star partner, and DJ Hi-Tek honor the 17th anniversary of Reflection Eternal's Train Of Thought. Both Rawkus Records releases are benchmark albums to Hip-Hop, as well as... Read more

Dillon Has A Feast Over Diamond D’s Serving Of Fresh Beats (Video)

Diamond D is currently doing concerts with Sadat X in support of Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop's recent 25th anniversary. In the meantime, the Bronx, New Yorker and founding member of Diggin' In The Crates is still supplying heat for up-and-coming talent. D was there early for producing Fat Joe,... Read more

Colin Kaepernick Formally Files A Grievance Against The NFL & Its Team Owners

Professional football was played today (October 15) and will be tomorrow, but not with Colin Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback remains a free agent, without a team. However, Kaep', who recently reminded fans that he wants to play, believes that the National Football League and owners of its... Read more

RZA & Ghostface Killah Continue The Wu-Tang Saga With Help From The Roots (Video)

Just hours after releasing The Saga Continues, Wu-Tang Clan was on network television promoting an album that stands as one of their best in several years. While Method Man is a key lyrical component on the LP with his DJ, Mathematics at the helm, it was the Wu Abbott, The... 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

Prince Paul Remixes An Album Featuring Guru, DOOM & More And Gives It Away For Free (Audio)

Prince Paul has a legendary career in Hip-Hop. A member of Stetsasonic, Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School, BROOKZILL! and many other projects, the Long Island, New Yorker revolutionized the way producers approached sampling in the 1980s. He mentored and produced De La Soul, in addition to work with Chris Rock,... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Have Just Released Their Best Album In Years. The Saga Continues (Audio)

Moments ago, members of Wu-Tang Clan released Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues. Executive produced by RZA, with strong role-playing from Method Man, the LP also features Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, and Masta Killa. Redman appeared on the album's first two singles (including one video), adding to a 20-plus-year bond with the... 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

Prince Paul Shares Unreleased De La Soul Music That Stands With Their Best Work (Audio)

Last month, Prince Paul dropped a knocking alternate mix of “Chubb Rock Please Pay Paul His $2200 You Owe Him (People, Places, and Things),” a 14-year-old album cut featuring DOOM, Chubb Rock, and Wordsworth. The Grammy Award-winning member of Stetsasonic, Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School, and BROOKZILL is not done. Paul... Read more

Black Thought Explains How The Roots Are Approaching Their Next Album Differently (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

Doughboyz Cashout Member Roc Shot & Killed In Detroit

Yesterday (October 9) Doughboy Roc of CTE-affiliated group Doughboyz Cashout was fatally shot in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The veteran rapper born Rodney Yeargin was 29 years old. Reports from the local CBS affiliate claim that Roc was fired upon while sitting in a car at Stoepel Street and... Read more

The LOX Inhale The Wisdom & Exhale The Stress On A New Loosie (Audio)

One month ago, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch showcased a must-listen single from Statik Selektah's upcoming 8 album. Featuring '70s-'80s legend James Mtume, "But You Don't Hear Me Tho" is a nostalgic walk-back to yesteryear in New York City, Hip-Hop, and life in general. "Hit A Roach" honors LOX... Read more

Q-Tip Explains Why The Institutionalization Of Hip-Hop Is A Good Thing (Audio)

In March of 2016, A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip was named Artistic Director of Hip-Hop Culture at Washington, D.C.'s famed Kennedy Center. With fellow Queens, native LL Cool J already confirmed as a center honoree for December, Tip spoke with NPR and explained why the looks are validations at a... Read more

Some Of Royce 5’9″ & Black Thought’s Best Work Is Side By Side In This Killer Mix

In the last two decades, two of Hip-Hop's most extraordinary MCs are The Roots' Black Thought and Slaughterhouse's Royce 5'9". Each rapper puts their working-class cities in the bars about survival, pain, addiction, and perseverance. These great minds have come together before, such as PRhyme's "Wishin' II," Statik Selektah's 2014... Read more

Nelly Rape Charges Have Been Dropped

UPDATE #2: More than two months after Nelly was taken in by authorities in Washington state, the rape charges against Nelly have been dropped. As of the second week of December, The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office declined to file charges against Cornell Haynes, Jr. According to E!, the action... Read more

Bun B & Everlast Join Slaine & Termanology On A DJ Premier Production (Video)

UPDATE: Less than one week after the audio released, Slaine and Termanology's DJ Premier-produced title track featuring Bun B (UGK) and Everlast (House Of Pain) comes to video. Directed by John Columbo, the visual is built around seamless cuts (despite two distinct locations) and in-your-face bars on Preemo drums and... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & Chance The Rapper’s Place On The Forbes List Shows Conscious Rap Pays Off (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

The Wu-Tang Flag May Be The Only One Uniting The Hip-Hop Nation (Video)

In two weeks, Wu-Tang writes the next page in their saga by way of a new project. The Saga Continues is just that, with DJ Mathematics trusted by RZA behind the boards, and working with many of the Clan members to make an LP to excite the masses. If "People... Read more

Bun B Kicks True Reality Rap In A Sea Of Fakers & It Sounds Incredible (Audio)

Production duo Beatnick & K-Salaam is gearing up to release The Bluest Flame album (October 13). The Canadian pair works with Talib Kweli, Blu, Tech N9ne, and others on the upcoming self-released project. Following the "Fight Night (Remix)" with Kweli and Blu, they drop "Keep It 100" with Bun B... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Kills And Buries Himself In A New Video

In the last 24 hours, Big K.R.I.T. has rallied. The Meridian, Mississippi multi-threat dropped the first single to an upcoming project. "Confetti" showered down good news that there is some exciting life after Def Jam ahead for one of the greatest emerging artists of the last decade. Just mere hours... Read more

The Outlawz & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Are Still Riding Hard For Makaveli & Eazy (Video)

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and The Outlawz have a long collaborative history. Both groups, West Coast transplants, are mourning their figureheads: Eazy-E and Tupac Shakur, respectively. In the third installment of Thug Brothers, that's just the idea. Bizzy Says He & Krayzie Are The Ones Capable Of Creating New Waves For Bone... Read more

Nas Was Only 16 When He Wrote Illmatic. He Reminisces On The Music That Made Him (Video)

Since his days of being "too scared to grab the mics in the park" and "breakin' into candy factories," Nas' youth is legendary. Since Illmatic, the son of Jazz trumpeter Olu Dara and Anne Jones chronicled his adolescence in rhyme. The Hip-Hop culture listened, and apparently related to an MC... Read more

Rah Digga’s Lost Album Featuring J Dilla & No ID Production Has Been Released (Audio)

There were 10 long years between Rah Digga's celebrated 2000 debut Dirty Harriet and her follow-up collaboration with producer Nottz, Classic. In that time, Digga left her post as "the First Lady of Flipmode Squad" alongside Busta Rhymes and went fully independent, where she remains today. Rah Digga Rates Nicki... Read more

Mathematics Explains How Dr. Dre’s 2001 Influenced His Production On The New Wu Album (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

Royce 5’9 & His Brother Kid Vishis Show BARS Are The Family Business (Video)

In early July, brothers Kid Vishis and Royce 5'9" dropped a single "Go Off," belonging to the since-released The Purge album. As that LP, featuring Conway The Machine, Horseshoe Gang, and Nolan The Ninja makes its rounds, the Bros. Montgomery double up the visual. The video finds Vishis, Nickel, and... Read more