Bandini

Dave East’s “It Was Written” Details The Journey That Led Him To Nas (Video)

One of the true jewels of Dave East's patient career is "It Was Written." The opening track to 2016's Top 40 Kairi Chanel album showed that Dave did not need to write a story to make convincing raps. The Harlem, New Yorker looks within and traces his journey from hustling,... Read more

January 30, 2017 Video

Camp Lo’s Debut Album Turns 20 Today. Hear The Demo That Got Them Uptown (Audio)

Today (January 28) marks the twentieth anniversary of Camp Lo's Uptown Saturday Night debut. The Profile Records LP was a carryover from the 1996 success of retro-flare single "Luchini (This Is It)." That track, produced by Ski Beatz (coming off his Jay Z Reasonable Doubt and Original Flavor waves) made... Read more

January 28, 2017 Throwback

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Quik vs. Warren G. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 27, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Missy Elliott Is Just Better When It Comes To Making Music Videos

Last week, Bell Biv DeVoe released a song (followed by a video) called "I'm Betta." That superiority complex is a popular vibe in the music space right now. Missy Elliott names her own single "I'm Better," and jumps right to a visual. 2017 marks 20 years of the Virginia MC/producer... Read more

January 27, 2017 Video

Lupe Fiasco & Big K.R.I.T. Reconnect For A High Powered Message (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco is less than a month away from his sixth album, Drogas Light (February 10). That 1st & 15th/Atlantic Records LP has an interesting collaboration in the form of "Tranquillo." The song features Big K.R.I.T. as well as Rick Ross. In 2016, Lu' and Krizzle teamed up for Dee-1's... Read more

January 27, 2017 Audio

Puffy Daddy Details How He Helped Biggie Walk The Line Between Hardcore & Mainstream

During his life, The Notorious B.I.G.'s three Top 10 solo singles were all produced by Puff Daddy. The founder and CEO of Bad Boy Records worked with his "Hitmen" on each of "Big Poppa," "One More Chance (Remix)" and 1997's "Hypnotize." Those three records, as well as 1994's "Juicy" (which peaked... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. 9th Wonder. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 26, 2017 Finding the GOAT

War & Hip-Hop: Papoose Unleashes Lyrics Of Mass Destruction With Fat Joe (Video)

Fat Joe not only reunited with Remy Ma in the biggest way possible last year, he made a connected collaboration with her husband. Following the Grammy-nominated success of "All The Way Up," Joe and Pap' linked for "Back On My B.S." For two MCs who were spitting rugged raps in... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

Marley Marl & Large Professor Supply M-Dot With Golden Sounds From 2 Legends (Audio)

This Friday, Boston, Massachusetts MC M-Dot is releasing his EgO anD The eneMy album. The follow-up to 2010's Run MPC features the E.M.S. crew member working with a who's who of Hip-Hop production giants. D.I.T.C.'s Buckwild, Reflection Eternal's Hi-Tek, 7L, and Marco Polo make up some of the sound providers... Read more

January 25, 2017 Audio

Rick Ross & Smoke DZA Roll Like Superheroes On A Pete Rock Track (Video)

One of the most exciting collaborations of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock's 2016 release Don't Smoke Rock is "Black Superhero Car." This song pairs Rick Ross over "Chocolate Boy Wonder" production for the first time in his career. Ross, who has long been an advocate of Smoke DZA's, sounds great... Read more

January 25, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Kanye West vs. Scott Storch. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 25, 2017 Finding the GOAT

The LOX Will Tour “Filthy America…” & It’s Beautiful For Fans Around The Country

Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P have announced their first United States tour of 2017. Fresh off of touring with their former Bad Boy Records family (and Ruff Ryders mentor DMX) in '16, The LOX will perform at more than 20 stops, beginning later this month. The LOX’s “What Else... Read more

January 25, 2017 Fresh

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Bomb Squad vs. DITC. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

In Observance Of National DJ Day, DJ Scratch Rocks The Bells With Body Tricks (Video)

DJ Scratch was recently knighted as "Grandmaster" by Kool Herc for a reason. The longtime DJ for EPMD and Flipmode Squad, who has become a highly accomplished producer has been at the peak of his craft for nearly 30 years. For a HOT 97 segment with DJ Enuff in honor... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

WorldStarHipHop Founder Lee “Q” O’Denat Has Passed Away At Age 43

The Hip-Hop community has learned that one of its digital moguls has died. Lee O'Denat, better known as Q is reported dead by TMZ. The 43 year-old passed away in his sleep, and was discovered this morning (January 24). The Haitian-American O'Denat was raised in the same Hollis, Queens community... Read more

January 24, 2017 News

The Internet’s Syd Shows It All In Solo Single “Body” (Audio)

Syd The Kid is no kid. One of the standouts of Odd Future (aka OFWGKTA) and one half of The Internet continues to make some of the most sophisticated R&B/Pop music in the space. Gearing up towards her solo debut Fin, the Los Angeles, California native releases latest single, "Body."... Read more

January 24, 2017 Audio

Consequence’s Freestyle Has A Clear Message For Mumble Rappers: “You’re A Customer” (Video)

Consequence finished out 2016 strong. The Queens, New York veteran released his A Good Comeback Story at mid-year. However, in the closing weeks of the year, his numerous appearances on A Tribe Called Quest's We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service put the 20-plus-year affiliate of the group... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

LL Cool J & Dr. Dre Have Over 10 Songs Completed According To LL’s DJ

In early 2016, Hip-Hop Heads were teased with a vicious LL Cool J freestyle over top of some fresh Dr. Dre production. Two of Hip-Hop's 32-plus-year professional veterans, James Todd Smith and Andre Young have been rumored to be up to something together. L's DJ and collaborator, Z-Trip, just spilled... Read more

January 23, 2017 News

Finding The GOAT Producer: No ID vs. A Tribe Called Quest. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 23, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Snoop Dogg Recalls Meeting Tupac & Nearly Battle Rapping (Video)

In 1996, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg would release several collaborations, beginning with All Eyez On Me video single "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted." Snoop has previously credited himself with recruiting Shakur to join Death Row Records in 1995, when the Long Beach, California MC was the standout MC at... Read more

January 22, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Neptunes vs. Just Blaze. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 20, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Method Man Cleans House On This “Eviction” Collabo With Dave East & Max B (Audio)

Some things in Hip-Hop just don't age. For example, consider 808 drum sounds, Pharrell Williams, or Method Man's flow. "Iron Lung" laces his first track of 2017 in full form. "Eviction" features the Wu-Tang Clan MC alongside Dave East, Max B, as well as Meth's own apparent proteges of late,... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

Joey Bada$$’s 1 Minute Freestyle Goes Long In Staying Woke (Video)

Joey Bada$$'s 2016 single "Devastated" was recently certified gold. The Brooklyn, New Yorker's plaque came from music a bit different than what got the Pro Era MC to the mainstream in the first place. However, make no mistake about it: "Joseph Badmon" is still spitting the kind of lines that... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Main Source Will Perform Together For The First Time In 25 Years

It has been nearly 25 years since Large Professor left Main Source. In that time, the Queens, New York MC/producer/DJ has not worked with his breakthrough group, consisting of Toronto, Ontario brothers, K-Cut and Sir Scratch. That will be changing, as the Wild Pitch Records trio announced its first show... Read more

January 19, 2017 News

Finding The GOAT Producer: J Dilla vs. MF DOOM. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 19, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Noah “40” Shebib vs. Puff Daddy & The Hitmen. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 18, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Fat Joe Signs To Jay Z’s Roc Nation. Their Beef Is All The Way Over (Audio)

In 2016, Fat Joe and Jay Z made a statement in both of their careers when they recorded the "All The Way Up (Remix)" together (alongside Remy Ma). Reportedly dating back to the late 1990s, the eventual Terror Squad leader and the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder were caught in a beef... Read more

January 18, 2017 Audio, News

Nick Grant Has The Respect Of Hip-Hop’s Greats Because He’s Earned It (Video)

Last Friday (January 13), Nick Grant released his debut album, Return of the Cool. However, as his latest music video indicates, he has been a student of Hip-Hop for years in the making. "Luxury Vintage Rap" finds Nick in a hoodie, in a grimy corridor of a falling apart house.... Read more

January 17, 2017 Video

Juice Turns 25 Years Old. This Collection Shows Why It’s Still Hard As Steel (Video)

Twenty five years ago today (January 17, 1992), Ernest R. Dickerson's directorial debut film Juice hit theaters. Starring Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur (in addition to Samuel L. Jackson), the film adapted a classic story-line of deception, betrayal, and greed within a circle of friends. For Shakur, a trained actor,... Read more

January 17, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Marley Marl vs. Rick Rubin. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 17, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Taxstone Arrested After DNA Discovered On Weapon In Troy Ave Shooting

Last May 25, Ronald "Banga" McPhatter was killed backstage at New York City's Irving Plaza. The fatal incident took place during a concert headlined by T.I. Troy Ave, one of the guest performers (along with Anderson .Paak, Maino, and Uncle Murda) and a close friend and reported employer of McPhatter,... Read more

January 17, 2017 News

Royce Takes The Keys From Khaled & Jay Z And Unlocks A New Level (Audio)

Royce 5'9" says he's starting to have fun young again. That is deeply apparent on his "I Got The Keys" freestyle. In what may be shaping up to be a weekly song series from Nickel Nine, the Detroit, Michigan veteran takes one of the biggest records of 2016 (by DJ... Read more

January 16, 2017 Audio

A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

It could be argued that Craig Mack is one of Hip-Hop's greatest one-hit wonders. 1994's "Flava In Ya Ear" and star-studded remix helped make a name for Craig, as well as his label-mate The Notorious B.I.G., and their leader Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. However, Craig's career and Hip-Hop philosophy has... Read more

January 15, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Havoc vs. RZA. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 13, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Outkast Affiliate Mr. DJ Makes A Funky Beat In Stankonia Using Dilla’s Donuts (Video)

Outkast Heads know Mr. DJ. Not only is the Georgia veteran the mixmaster on stage when Andre 3000 and Big Boi do their rare shows, he's been with the group for more than 20 years. Mr. DJ is also the third member of Earthtone III (fka Earthtone Ideas), the production... Read more

January 13, 2017 Video

This Throwback Playlist Celebrates The Hip-Hop That Is Never Played-Out. (Audio)

What is classic never goes out of style. In its 44th year, Hip-Hop music has plenty of that. There are records in five different decades that Rap music fans keep in rotation, no matter the medium (vinyl, CD, cassette, or digital). For those who are about the flows, beats, and... Read more

January 13, 2017 Audio, Throwback

A Producer Reimagines The Music Of A.T.C.Q.’s Midnight Marauders (Audio)

A Tribe Called Quest's third album, Midnight Marauders is one of their most beloved. The late 1993 Jive/RCA Records release picked up where '91's Low End Theory left off, featuring easy-to-relate-to rhymes and incredible sample-based musical compositions. Large Professor and Skeff Anslem each contributed a single track, while guests included... Read more

January 12, 2017 Audio

Allen Iverson Will Play In Ice Cube’s New BIG 3 Basketball League (Video)

This morning (January 11), Ice Cube and his partners in his new BIG3 basketball league held a private press conference in New York City. There, details emerged about the emerging half-court 3-on-3 league designed for professional players who have since retired from the NBA. Late last month, Cube's league, a... Read more

January 11, 2017 Exclusive, Lifestyle, News

Dave East Is A Dose Of Reality In An Era Of Rap Distractions (Video)

Whether it goes down in history as a mixtape or an album, Dave East's Kairi Chanel left a lasting mark on 2016. Mass Appeal Records' Harlem, New Yorker artist inked a deal with Def Jam partnership. Upon the '16 announcement, he waited one day to release 15 tracks featuring Fabolous,... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon. Who Is Better?

UPDATE: The original vote was within 1%, so a tie-breaker was held to determine the winner. Erick Sermon won that vote by 6%. “Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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... Read more

January 11, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Ran Reed Has No Time For Doo-Doo, Pathetic MCs. He Fights For Skills. (Video)

New Jersey MC Ran Reed epitomizes patience. It was in the 1980s that Double-R had one of his first songs ("You Might As Well Forget It" by The Young M.C.'s) played on radio. Throughout the 1990s, Ran (tka "Hitman") was cutting tracks, many of which with producer Nick Wiz (Cella... Read more

January 10, 2017 Ready Or Not

Finding The GOAT Producer: Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 10, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Alicia Keys Makes One Sweet F’ing Collaboration With KAYTRANADA (Audio)

At the start of his career, Canadian producer KAYTRANADA has been responsible for making appealing beats for Mobb Deep, Freddie Gibbs, and especially Vic Mensa. In time, official remixes and broader productions for Rihanna, AlunaGeorge, and The Internet pushed him into circles well beyond Hip-Hop. 2016's exceptional 99.9% album cemented... Read more

January 10, 2017 Audio

D.L. Hughley Uses Comedy & Intelligence To Show How Hypocritical We’ve Become (Video)

D.L. Hughley has built a career on making light of current events. The creator of The Hughleys has been active for more than 25 years, using his family, personal life, and world at large to illustrate powerful points, sprinkled with humor. Recently, the Los Angeles, California native stopped by Sway... Read more

January 9, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

This Is It. Hear Camp Lo’s Original “Luchini” Demo. They Have New Grooves Too. (Audio)

After a very busy 2016, Camp Lo recently released some pre-Uptown Saturday Night demo recordings, On The Way Uptown. It features this demo version of "This Is It (Luchini)." Presumably recorded in 1995-1996, this is the Ski Beatz-produced material that would catch Profile Records' attention, and make Sonny Cheeba and... Read more

January 6, 2017 Audio, Throwback, Video

Swizz Beatz Says He & DMX Are Seriously Working & He “Can’t Wait” To Release The Music (Video)

2017 marks five years since DMX has released an album. Swizz Beatz has been involved in all seven of Dark Man X's albums, and his eighth will be no exception. Appearing on DJ Whoo Kid's Whoolywood Shuffle show on Shade 45, Swizzy confirmed collaborations coming forth between he and the... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

Ab-Soul Breaks Down Why He Dissed Jay Electronica & Releases A New Video

From the very onset of his career, Ab-Soul has been gifted on making his real-life situations tangible to listeners. Whether coping with the death of loved ones, living with medical setbacks, or being overlooked in the industry, the Carson, California MC is honest with his Hip-Hop. On the newly-released Do... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

Unsung Tells The Story Of SWV From Uptown To “Downtown” (Video)

Starting at the top of the 1990s, SWV (aka Sisters With Voices) propelled R&B into Pop. The RCA Records trio of Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" Johnson, and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons hailed from New York. Individually and collectively, they overcame adversity to reach the top of the charts with "Weak"... Read more

January 5, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Pharrell & Ellen Aren’t Runnin’ From Homophobia. They Tackle It Head On. (Video)

This morning (January 5), Pharrell Williams appeared on Ellen. The Neptunes/N*E*R*D co-founder was not joined by "Runnin'" collaborator Kim Burrell, as originally planned. Earlier this week, the Grammy-nominated Gospel/Christian singer was cancelled from appearing on Ellen DeGeneres' show, following her sermon at Love and Liberty Fellowship Church International. After those... Read more

January 5, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video

Rain910 Brings The Thunder On The Latest Funkmaster Flex Freestyle (Video)

From the same city of Fayetteville, North Carolina as J. Cole, Rain910 has been grinding just as long. The 2015 Ambrosia For Heads Spotlight artist has worked with Cory Gunz and Paul Wall, in between some standout performances at the BET Hip Hop Awards in years past. The 20 Best... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video