Bandini

Chris Rock & Dave Chappelle Perform Together For A Watch The Throne Moment

This past weekend, Chris Rock made his Total Blackout stand-up comedy tour stop in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prior to Rock's Saturday night (March 25) set at the Saenger Theatre, Dave Chappelle walked out on stage, to perform a reported 10 minutes of material. After Rock took the microphone, Dave remained... Read more

March 27, 2017 Lifestyle

Page Kennedy Aims To Rewrite The Pages Of His Life That Were Inked In Pain & Vices (Video)

Earlier this month, Page Kennedy released his breakthrough Torn Pages album. The Detroit, Michigan MC (and Weeds actor) teamed with Slaughterhouse's Kxng Crooked and Royce 5'9 as well as Elzhi, King Los, Trick Trick, and Mr. Porter on the self-released LP. Through freestyles and other singles, Page has already proven... Read more

March 24, 2017 Video

Raekwon Names His 10 Favorite Albums & 36 Chambers Isn’t One Of Them (Audio)

Today, Raekwon releases his seventh solo album, The Wild. This is the first release of Rae's nearly 22-year solo career where he has not collaborated with any Wu-Tang Clan band-mates. The brotherhood and chemistry remains strong, indicative of this week's Ghostface Killah appearance on the remix of lead single "This... Read more

March 24, 2017 Audio, Fresh

Kendrick Lamar Says He’s The Best Rapper Alive & Leaks His Album Release Date (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar began the last 24 hours with a curious social media post. While the Roman numerals "IV" were a hint towards a fourth album in the eyes of many, Lamar followed almost a full day later with a song: "The Heart Part 4." Whether it belongs to the fourth... Read more

March 24, 2017 Audio

10 Years Ago, Rakim, Nas, Kanye West & KRS-One Made A Classic (Video)

This week, a new video with D.M.C. revealed how telling his verse on "My Adidas" truly was. The Hollis, Queens superstar MC pointed back to the lyrics claiming he took the beat of the street and put it on TV. In doing just as Darryl McDaniels said, the world followed,... Read more

March 23, 2017 Do Remember

Kendrick Lamar’s 4th Album May Be Coming Soon…Very Soon

Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment love the element of surprise. While the Internet has arguably compromised some of the excitement that was long attached to releasing music (going to the store, reading the credits and examining the artwork in your hands, no leaks), K-Dot and TDE have made their... Read more

March 23, 2017 Fresh

D.M.C. Pays Respect To “The Real Pioneers Of Rap” (Video)

During the mid-1980s, Run-D.M.C. helped put Hip-Hop music and culture in new places across the globe. D.M.C., Run, and the late Jam Master Jay were cultural ambassadors with hit records that brought the grit and fashion of the New York City streets to the worldwide mainstream. While Run-D.M.C. pioneered many... Read more

March 22, 2017 Video

Cellis Calls Back To Childhood To Help Us Overcome Growing Troubles (Video)

Baltimore, Maryland artist Cellis is known as "The Beardest" MC. While artists like Freeway, Stalley, Drake, and others may raise an eyebrow to that claim, he joins a respected class of artists who kick wisdom and substance in their rhymes. Belonging to his newly released Snow Day EP, "Inner Child"... Read more

March 21, 2017 Ready Or Not

Murs Details Watching Biggie Smalls Lose A Rap Battle To An Unsigned MC (Video)

Many Heads have seen the footage of a pre-deal Biggie Smalls ripping into an opponent in his own neighborhood, outside a Brooklyn storefront (posted below). The Notorious B.I.G. was clearly a battle-tested MC who brought his confidence, wit, and commanding delivery to a decorated career that includes a diamond-certified double... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Bad Boy Records Documentary To Debut At Tribeca Film Festival With Reunion Concert

Just over one week ago, Warren G's G-Funk documentary screened at South By Southwest. Another major Rap development of the early 1990s, Bad Boy Records will be the next Hip-Hop doc' to hit screens this season. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: The Bad Boy Story, directed by Daniel Kaufman is scheduled... Read more

March 20, 2017 TV/Film

Divine Intervention: Blu & Exile Are Back Together, Recording In The Studio

This July marks 10 years since Blu & Exile released Below The Heavens. The Sound In Color album did not make the charts, but in a year remembered by Kanye West and 50 Cent's famous battle for commercial supremacy, it may be one of the last and most celebrated entries... Read more

March 20, 2017 News

Why Every Rapper Owes A Debt To Grandmaster Melle Mel (Video)

To those who closely study the history of Hip-Hop and embrace the earliest days of Rap, Grandmaster Melle Mel is a living legend and pioneer. The Bronx New York MC has a name that is often mentioned, whether in academic texts like Can't Stop, Won't Stop or Netflix series Hip... Read more

March 19, 2017 Video

A New Video Explores The Villainous Greatness Of MF DOOM

MF DOOM has a career that spans nearly 30 years. Even before Heads get to the mask, Daniel Dumile is an anomaly. He is British-born, New York-raised, and signed a major label deal as a teenager with twin brother Subroc and third member Onyx in KMD at the top of... Read more

March 18, 2017 Video

Rock & Roll Pioneer Chuck Berry Has Passed Away

Chuck Berry is the man many associate with the pioneering of and early popularity surrounding Rock & Roll music. Today (March 18), the key innovator of modern music has died. Chuck Berry passed in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He was 90 years old. The cause of his death... Read more

March 18, 2017 News

Nas Powers Up With His First Verse Of The Year (Audio)

Last month, during a DJ battle between Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz, the Ruff Ryders producer brought out the big guns. Swizzy played a never-before heard song by Nas, Jay Z, Jadakiss, and DMX. On one hand, the record called back to the late '90s and early 2000s, when Ruff... Read more

March 18, 2017 Audio

Let Your Soul Glow, Again. Eddie Murphy Is Writing Coming To America Sequel

Throughout his career, Eddie Murphy launched several film franchises. First it was 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop. Later, it was The Nutty Professor, Dr. Doolittle, and Shrek. It appears now that Eddie will reprise one of his most beloved, critically acclaimed, and downright funny roles (as "Prince Akeem Joffer")... Read more

March 17, 2017 TV/Film

Rick Ross Threatens Birdman’s Life On A Record That’s Pure Disrespek (Audio)

For the last decade-plus, Rick Ross was widely perceived as a YMCMB affiliate, despite never being an official artist. The Miami, Florida rapper who has released seven albums with Slip-n-Slide/Def Jam Records released hit singles like "Stay Schemin'," "You A Boss," and "Maybach Music 2" with Cash Money/Young Money artists... Read more

March 17, 2017 Audio, News

Pete Rock & DJ Premier Compare Stories On Producing Jay Z, Nas & Biggie (Video)

DJ Premier and Pete Rock are reportedly working on a joint album. The two producers have shared credits, each producing classic singles for Nas' Illmatic. They've also positioned tracks alongside one another on LPs by Heavy D & The Boyz, Rakim, and Non-Phixion, among others. Even when they compete, the... Read more

March 16, 2017 Video

Fabolous Gets Ceremonial Key To Brooklyn & A Street Named After Him

In 2007, Fabolous released the song "Brooklyn" with Jay Z and Uncle Murda. That moment was one of many places where the Street Fam/Desert Storm/Def Jam Records artist pays homage to the borough that raised him. Throughout the 2000s, 'Loso has become one of BK's most successful musical sons. In... Read more

March 15, 2017 News

Method Man Hopes To Bring The Pain To Celebrity Battle Rap Game Show

One day after Action Bronson was confirmed to host a dating show, one of his influences is part of a similar announcement. Wu-Tang Clan veteran Method Man has been slated to co-host Drop The Mic, a celebrity Battle Rap game show series co-developed by The Late Show host James Corden.... Read more

March 15, 2017 News, TV/Film

Julius Erving Signs On To Make Sure Ice Cube’s BIG3 Basketball League Is A Slam Dunk (Video)

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Julius Erving helped make NBA basketball have mass appeal. The man affectionately dubbed "Dr. J" made the slam dunk an institution, long before SportsCenter and other programs were there to celebrate its art. Aside from flare and pageantry, Erving was an incredible basketball player. He... Read more

March 15, 2017 Lifestyle

Redman Explains Why He & Method Man ALWAYS Put The People First (Video)

Between 2010 and 2015, Redman did not release an album. As he has done throughout his 25-plus-year career, the platinum Def Squad veteran maintained his post as one of Hip-Hop's most respected MCs largely through performance. Whether kicking bars on TV or to worldwide venues, Redman and his partner Method... Read more

March 14, 2017 Video

Action Bronson Is About To Be A Dating Matchmaker. Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

UPDATE: The official trailer for Action Bronson's Hungry Hearts: ORIGINAL MARCH 14 STORY: Action Bronson has been one of the most successful 2010s Hip-Hop stars to branch out in media beyond music. While the VICE/Atlantic Records MC is presumably working on his follow-up to 2015's Top 5 Mr. Wonderful, the... Read more

March 14, 2017 News, TV/Film

Styles P, Joe Young & Termanology Are Poetry In Motion On A Dame Grease Burner (Audio)

Last year, Joe Young released his Invincible Armour album. On it, the Wu-Tang Clan affiliate brandished his associations, through features from Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, and a posthumous O.D.B. verse. Moreover, the MC who spent part of his youth in Germany is extensively produced by Dame Grease, the... Read more

March 14, 2017 Audio, Exclusive

Joey Bada$$ Recruits Some All-Star Collaborators For His New Album

More than two years ago, when Joey Bada$$ released his album debut B4.Da.$$, the Brooklyn, New Yorker did so largely free of major guests. Peers such as Raury, Maverick Sabre, and BJ The Chicago filled out the MC's debut. Even his Pro Era cohorts, who were instrumental to acclaimed mixtapes,... Read more

March 13, 2017 Fresh

The G-Funk Documentary Pulls Warren G From The Background & Makes Him The Pioneer (Video)

For nearly 25 years, Warren G has been a powerful force within Hip-Hop. A multi-platinum MC, a hit producer, and an accomplished DJ, Warren Griffin joined his 213 band-mates (Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg) and Daz Dillinger in putting Long Beach, California on the Hip-Hop map. While Warren's first three... Read more

March 13, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Biggie Smalls Joins Brooklyn’s Other Finest In The Rafters Of Barclays Center (Video)

Last week (March 9) marked 20 years since The Notorious B.I.G. was tragically killed. In a professional music career that lasted fewer than five years, the man born Christopher Wallace used his commanding voice, advancing rhyme schemes, and intricate storytelling to put Brooklyn, New York at the top of the... Read more

March 13, 2017 Fresh, Video

Chris Rivers Raps About Survival Tactics In A Hood That Keeps On Jumping (Video)

Chris Rivers is one of the busiest MCs in Hip-Hop. While the Bronx, New Yorker continues to win over a litany of listeners while flexing a lot of his late father's (Big Pun) attributes, his output is staggering. In late 2016, he joined a respected a cast of MCs (Method... Read more

March 12, 2017 Video

Tank & The Bangas Combine The Soul Of Jill Scott With The Chemistry Of Run-D.M.C. (Video)

New Orleans, Louisiana has been a musical hot-bed for as long as it's been a cultural destination. This melting pot made Jazz an institution, and took that same free-form musicality and threaded it through Funk, Soul, and Bounce. From Louis Armstrong to Fats Domino, Juvenile to Jay Electronica, this soul... Read more

March 10, 2017 Video

Kris Kasanova Is A Brooklyn MC Whose New EP Is All Killer, No Filler (Audio)

In the last three years, Kris Kasanova has made a name for himself. The Brooklyn, New Yorker (Red Hook, specifically), has worked with the likes of Flatbush Zombies, Skeme, and SZA. Starting with 2013's 24K, Kris has supplied the masses with mixtapes that have album-worthy attention, focus, and theme. The... Read more

March 9, 2017 Audio

Elzhi Reunites With Elmatic’s Band To Bring Some Serious Knowledge (Audio)

Between 2008's Black Milk-produced The Preface and last year's celebrated Lead Poison album, Elzhi made a conceptual mixtape that stood as tall as any during those eight years. Elmatic paid tribute to Nas, and his Illmatic, with El' making himself comfortable in homages to the lyrics, while reworking them for... Read more

March 9, 2017 Audio

Kanye West Recalls Watching J Dilla Work. He Compares Him To Quincy (Video)

In 2005, Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music was the label responsible for Common's sixth album, Be. That album, which was Common's first Top 10 release (debuting at #2) was critical to the Chicago, Illinois MC's career, and transformation. While West was responsible for nine of the LP's 11 tracks, the other... Read more

March 8, 2017 Throwback

Trina & Trick Daddy Aim To Take It To Da House With Reunion Collabo Album

In the early 2000s, Miami, Florida-based Slip-N-Slide Records was a Rap power-house. Before they would help introduce Rick Ross and Pitbull, Ted Lucas' label was a higher profile home to local artists-turned-mainstream stars Trick Daddy and Trina. Between 2001 and 2004, Trick dropped three Top 10 albums, while Trina's peak... Read more

March 7, 2017 News

Finding The GOAT Producer (The Final Battle): DJ Premier vs. J Dilla. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

March 7, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Page Kennedy & Elzhi Are Microphone Assassins From The Murder Mitten (Audio)

Yesterday (March 6), AFH announced its South By Southwest stage. Right in step with that, two of the March 15 showcase performers unleash their collaboration. Page Kennedy and Elzhi are elite MCs who both represent Detroit, Michigan. While El' is a decorated veteran whose career spans back to the '90s,... Read more

March 7, 2017 Audio

J Rocc Shows What Biggie And Dilla Would Have Sounded Like Together…Incredible (Audio)

In their lives, Biggie Smalls and J Dilla never worked together. Jay Dee would produce for B.I.G. affiliates like Busta Rhymes, Keith Murray, and Heavy D, but would never work with Bad Boy Records in those mid-'90s glory years. While almost all of Biggie's unused reels have been released on... Read more

March 6, 2017 Audio

DJ Premier & J Dilla Are The Finalists In The Finding The GOAT Producer Competition

Today (March 6), Round 4 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” This competition, launched in early January, beginning with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). The 32 eventually became a pack of 16, then an Elite 8, next a Final 4, and now presents its... Read more

March 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

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

DJ Red Alert Offers Some Deep History About Why The Bridge Wars Really Started (Video)

Hip-Hop's biggest story-line in March of 2017 is a Bronx MC apparently responding to an MC from Queens on the microphone in back-to-back disses. Thirty years ago today (March 3, 1987), that tactic was introduced by Boogie Down Productions' two-song arsenal on Criminal Minded used against MC Shan, producer Marley... Read more

March 3, 2017 Throwback, Video

Fat Joe Airs Out Terror Squad’s Dirty Laundry & Defends His Name (Video)

Fat Joe is one of Hip-Hop's most controversial figures. The Bronx, New Yorker has roots in some of the hardest Rap music of the '90s, starting with his '93 debut, Represent. However, in the days after Big Pun's sudden 2000 death, Joe stepped forward to become a mainstream giant, making... Read more

March 3, 2017 Video

Two Dave Chappelle Comedy Specials Are Coming In March. Here’s The Trailer (Video)

Late last year, news broke that comedian Dave Chappelle was releasing his first stand-up special in 12 years. Three different programs were confirmed, with at least two planned for 2017. While the Half Baked star and creator of Chappelle's Show has not been active in the format of specials or... Read more

March 2, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

Method Man, Redman, Snoop & Cypress Hill Are Touring As The Mount Kushmore Of Rap

As concert heats up, a legendary lineup has just been announced and is hitting the road. The duo of Redman & Method Man will join Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, and Wiz Khalifa as headliners for the first annual Mount Kushmore Wellness Retreat Tour. Other artists involved include Taylor Gang's Berner,... Read more

March 2, 2017 Fresh

Finding The GOAT Producer: J Dilla vs. Dr. Dre. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

March 2, 2017 Finding the GOAT

As Eve, DMX, Swizz, Drag-On & The LOX Plan A Ruff Ryders Reunion, Here’s The Scenario (Audio)

This week, the Ruff Ryders announced their reunion homecoming, planned for April. The Hip-Hop collective (which began first as a party promotions company in the late 1980s) is largely responsible for the careers of DMX, Swizz Beatz, The LOX, Eve, Cassidy, and others. Approaching the turn of the millennium, the... Read more

March 2, 2017 Do Remember

Sha Stimuli Raps About The Mighty Movers Of Change In This Brilliant Freestyle (Video)

Sha Stimuli is the latest MC to create a topical freestyle verse on video for Ambrosia For Heads. The Brooklyn, New Yorker was asked to cover something from the news in the previous week that meant something to him. Instead, the former Virgin Records MC and Just Blaze affiliate focused... Read more

March 1, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Raekwon’s J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Single Hints At What Wu’s Next LP May Sound Like (Video)

Raekwon is less than one month away from his album, The Wild. The Chef appears out for growth on the March 24 ICE H20/Empire release. While it is void of any Wu-Tang Clan appearances, Rae' connects with other disciples of his sound and style. Despite the fact that he grew... Read more

March 1, 2017 Video

The Final 4 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producers Has Been Determined By YOU.

Today (February 28), Round 3 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” This competition, launched in early January, beginning with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). The 32 eventually became a pack of 16, then an Elite 8, and now reaches its Final 4 in this... Read more

February 28, 2017 Finding the GOAT

J. Cole Announces 4 Your Eyez Only World Tour Dates

In December, J. Cole released his fourth consecutive #1 album. 4 Your Eyez Only, the Roc Nation/Dreamville MC/producer's fourth album overall, featured no significant vocal features. Since its December 9 release, the Interscope-distributed LP has been certified gold. Last October, Cole announced a hiatus from performing while at The Meadlowlands... Read more

February 28, 2017 Fresh

Nick Grant Spits A Blazing Hot Freestyle That Melts Raekwon’s Ice Cream (Video)

At the top of 2017, Nick Grant released his major label debut album, Return Of The Cool. The Epic Records artist chose a bold title, but he's backed it up. South Carolina's own has made a name for himself through sheer skills above feature-driven guest-work. Through dope freestyle appearances, well-executed... Read more

February 26, 2017 Video