Bandini

Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$ Celebrate Success While Staying True (Audio)

It was just 30 months ago that Action Bronson and Joey Bada$$ appeared on A$AP Rocky's "1 Train," a unified front of a new, nostalgic New York City Rap crop. In 2015, a lot's changed, but a lot hasn't. All three MCs have 2015 albums, all garnering a lot of... Read more

June 8, 2015 Audio

Drake Makes Waves Of His Own As The Face Of Apple’s New Music Service

Today (June 8), the forthcoming Apple Music is not starting from the bottom. The electronics giant announced at San Francisco, California's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that Apple Music is on its way—June 30 to be specific. Moreover, Hip-Hop superstar Drake was on hand for the affair. Wearing a vintage Apple... Read more

June 8, 2015 News

The Muppets Shimmy To Some Classic ODB. How Do You Like It? (Video)

ODB had a style that was otherworldly, sometimes cartoonish. Perhaps the Muppets can relate, even though neither entity was a true cartoon. Just days after Ghostface Killah honored his fallen Wu-Tang Clan swordsmen by covering some of the 1995 classics, YouTube user "isthishowyougoviral" is at it again with an O.D.B.... Read more

June 8, 2015 Video

This Large Professor Mix Celebrates The Explosiveness Of Rap’s Mad Scientist (Mix)

Tomorrow (June 9), Large Professor is releasing his fifth solo album, RE: Living Legend. The Queens, New York iconic MC/producer/DJ is more than 25 years deep in making monumental Hip-Hop albums. As a high school student, the Extra P studied under the late, great Paul C., various techniques of sampling,... Read more

June 8, 2015 Throwback

Ice Cube To Perform With MC Ren & DJ Yella For First Time Since 1989

The N.W.A. storyline is most certainly heating up with Summer. It has been more than 15 years since N.W.A. appeared to reunite care of The Next Friday soundtrack's "Chin Check" and Ice Cube's "Hello." However, while both Priority Records-backed songs were billed to media and fans as N.W.A. hallmarks, the... Read more

June 8, 2015 News

Chris Rivers Earns Every Instrumental, From Big Pun To LOX (Audio)

When you're constantly compared against your father, you have to make it count. Chris Rivers has massive shoes to fill as Big Pun's son. So when the Bronx, New York heir to the family microphone takes his dad's instrumental, it's a sign of confidence. In a quick strike, that's just... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

De La Soul & Slum Village Make Magic Together On A J Dilla Beat (Audio)

While Slum Village was never in the Native Tongues crew, they most certainly were an extension of it. More than 600 miles from New York City, Detroit, Michigan's breakthrough Hip-Hop crew made soulful, sample-savvy music combined with lyrics about buggin' out, keepin' the faith, and strobe light honeys. In the... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Villains Unite As MF DOOM & CZARFACE Wreak Havoc On A Beat (Audio)

Two of Hip-Hop's comic-inspired bad boys are MF DOOM and CZARFACE. To be clear, CZARFACE is in fact a trio of Esoteric, Inspectah Deck, and DJ 7L, who together form a force that would love to shoot a fair one with Voltron. From the Bronx-to-Boston crew's sophomore album, Every Hero... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Styles P’s Fierce Flow & J Dilla’s Soultastic Beat Make A Musical Marriage (Audio)

In life, Styles P and J Dilla never got to work together. Presumably, the men respected each others' work. Both artists enjoyed big trucks, all-natural mind elevation, and making that knock amidst music that makes you feel weightless. In his weekly series, S.P. The Ghost has been going for some... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Troy Ave, Jadakiss & Fabolous Talk Like Bosses Over A Catchy Loop (Audio)

Troy Ave's presentation is an extension of the New York City Rap he personally misses. The late '90s-early 2000s reign returns to Troy's ambitious records, mirrored greatly in the image, technique, and subject matter of MCs like 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Jadakiss. Having worked with all aforementioned rappers, Fab' and... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

DJ QBert Massacres A Stack Of ’60s & ’70s Rare Groove Breaks (Mix)

DJ QBert is still on one. The longtime title-winning DJ follows up his April Hard Boiled Scrambled mix with a part two (joined by "DJ Rockit Rooster"). The Invizibl Skratch Piklz co-founder stays in the Rare Groove format, but seems to step a bit more into the '70s/formative Hip-Hop sound.... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Travel Back To A Funkmaster Flex Playlist With ONYX, Redman & Kool G Rap (Mix)

Even before he was dropping bombs, Funkmaster Flex was explosive to airwaves. On May 7, 1993 the DJ assisted the newly-launched HOT 97 set the weekends off proper. The Bronx, New York mixmaster began an 11pm-2am "Friday Night Street Jam" show on 97.1 FM, bringing the energy of the streets... Read more

June 4, 2015 Throwback

Organized Noize Define “Soul,” Recall Moving From Sampling To Instrumentation (Audio)

In the same week that host Frannie Kelley interviewed her co-host Ali Shaheed Muhammad, NPR Microphone Check sat down with Atlanta, Georgia production trio Organized Noize. Interviewed before a live New York City audience, the moment included appearances from Big Rube, Big Boi, and other members of the Dungeon Family.... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio

This 2015 Cover Of Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit Will Give You Chills (Audio)

Billie Holiday's 1939 song "Strange Fruit" is the epitome of captivating. A poem penned two years prior by educator Abel Meeropol (as "Lewis Allan"), the song symbolizes and mourns the lynchings of Black people. In 1999, Time magazine would proclaim Holiday's version "the song of the century." Artistically, it is... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: Cali Agents’ (Planet Asia & Rasco) Crash The Boards (Audio)

Low key, one of the stronger groups of the Underground Hip-Hop glory years are touring together this summer—and we don't even mean Jurassic 5 (who is also doing a set of dates). The Cali Agents are celebrating the 15th anniversary of How The West Was Won, with a series of... Read more

June 4, 2015 Throwback

On His 73rd Birthday, Curtis Mayfield’s Contributions To Hip-Hop Live On (Audio)

Today (June 3) would have been Curtis Mayfield's 73rd birthday. The iconic Soul, R&B, Doo-Wop and Rock & Roll vocalist died more than 15 years ago. However, his voice, his guitar, and his indelible swagger keep on pushing through the consciousness. Hip-Hop has put Curtis Mayfield on his rightful pedestal,... Read more

June 3, 2015 Throwback

Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway & More Set to Perform at The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Ambrosia For Heads is proud to announce our media partnership with the 11th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Kicking off July 8, and running through July 11, this year's series of events drives emphasis to the very spirit of Hip-Hop culture. 2015's gala includes performances by Academy and Grammy award-winning Common,... Read more

June 2, 2015 Exclusive

Eminem Returns With a Phenomenal Song About Never Giving Up (Audio)

As he's done on a plethora of films—including his own, Eminem has been tasked with the soundtrack centerpiece to Antoine Fuqua's Southpaw. The newly-appointed GOAT MC (within nine months of Ambrosia For Heads' readership, anyway) goes 12 rounds, lyrically on "Phenomenal." Produced by DJ Khalil (Self Scientific), the song showcases Em's... Read more

June 2, 2015 Audio

Beanie Sigel’s Latest Verse Since Surviving A Shooting Shows the Broad Street Bully is Back (Audio)

Just six months after a near-fatal shooting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Beanie Sigel is showing signs of a full recovery. Not only is Dwight Grant the man taking stages, reuniting with his mentor and group, and looking healthy, the "Broad Street Bully" persona is back to boot. Teaming with... Read more

June 2, 2015 Audio

Slum Village’s Latest Dilla-Produced Joint Is Hot Like A Day At The Beach (Video)

Detroit, Michigan is a Midwest Motor City that's often portrayed as cold, gray, and with lake-effect wind. For 20 years, Slum Village has been making feel-good, radiating music that warms the ear-buds, the heart, and the speakers. For the J Dilla-produced "Expressive," T3, Illa J and Young RJ (a previous... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

15 Amazing Hip-Hop Albums From 2015, So Far (Video)

2015 is not even at its halfway mark, and already has proven to arguably be even more exciting than last year. Seemingly, we are living in the era of surprise. Drake dropped If You're Reading This It's Too Late on a whim, Kendrick Lamar advanced the release of To Pimp... Read more

June 1, 2015 Food for Thought, Video

Joell Ortiz, CyHi The Prynce & Jarren Benton Serve a Cypher for the Backpackers (Video)

Three animated lyricists come together for Team Backpack's latest cypher. Joell Ortiz, CyHi The Prynce, and Jarren Benton all have recent projects to promote. However, on stage together before a hungry, live audience, it's all about simply promoting skills. Jarren kicks things off with a mischievous mosaic of bars, combining... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

DJ Premier & Jakk Frost Re-Team for Some Throwback Gangsta Rap (Audio)

Jakk Frost is one of many MCs that are currently crafting something big with DJ Premier. The West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran showed something fresh in "Dope Boy Talk." Rooted in the tradition of Schoolly D (who is referenced lyrically and sonically in the song), this is Gangsta Rap that's anything... Read more

June 1, 2015 Audio

EMC Slow It Down for the Ladies on the Zodiac-Driven Signtology (Video)

From May's The Tonite Show, the eMC delivers another one. Having fun with homonyms, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, and Stricklin release "Signtology." Assisted by onetime Hi-Tek protege Dion, the song has a Quiet Storm feel, as the Penalty Entertainment artists rap about love from a Zodiac-perspective. Known for hard-body lyrics, this... Read more

June 1, 2015 Video

GZA Pens An Editorial, Claiming Lyricism Is Absent Today. Do You Agree?

They don't just call him The Genius 'cause it sounds good. Wu-Tang Clan co-founder GZA has used his mental to open many doors. The Brooklyn, New York veteran MC lectures frequently at prestigious academic institutions, including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The gold-certified MCA Records soloist has incorporated many... Read more

May 31, 2015 Fresh

After 20 Years Strong, M.O.P. Are Still Putting It Down (Audio)

M.O.P. are more than 20 years deep in a triumphant career. Always presented as underdogs, Lil Fame and Billy Danze have respected the jux since beginning. The Brownsville, Brooklyn duo snatched the spotlight with songs about snatching chains. Teaming with the United Kingdom's Dr. G, Mash Out Posse and GP100... Read more

May 30, 2015 Audio

What Makes Eminem The GOAT To So Many?

After nearly nine months of questioning, comparing, and lots of debating, the winner of Ambrosia For Heads’ “Finding The GOAT” series, the quest to name Hip-Hop’s Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), has been determined. Yesterday (May 29), Eminem's win against Tupac was confirmed at deadline, thus making the Detroit, Michigan... Read more

May 30, 2015 Food for Thought

Your GOAT Has Been Determined And His Name Is…Eminem (Video)

Today (May 29), the winner of Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series, the quest to name Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), was determined. In the championship round, Eminem defeated Tupac 57.38% to 42.62%, meaning that Marshall Mathers is the GOAT, as voted by AFH readers. Beginning in late... Read more

May 29, 2015 Fresh

Do Remember: Talib Kweli & DJ Quik’s Put It In The Air (Audio)

Few artists have the excitement leading into their solo debut as Talib Kweli, especially by 2000s standards. Entering Quality, the Brooklyn, New York MC had already found success with two groups, Black Star and Reflection Eternal. Both acts, duos with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek, respectively, had been met with... Read more

May 28, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier Returned From Russia With A Joint That’s Universally Dope (Audio)

Last month, DJ Premier made a cool video of him navigating the streets of Moscow, Russia. While there, he crossed paths with St. Petersburg, Russia's BMB Spacekid. Holed up in the studio, Preemo, BMB, and Los Angeles, California funkateer Anderson Paak made "Til' It's Done." Pure collaboration, it's not even... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio

Ghostface Killah Explains Why His Jay Z Collab Fell Through and Why He Won’t Release His Verse (Video)

Ghostface Killah is the Iron Man. That being said, even Tony Starks has his limits. When recently asked why his reported collaboration with Jay Z and Raekwon for 2013's "Heaven" fell through, Ghost admitted taking too long to get the verse to Jay. The song was originally slated to appear... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Yelawolf Is Still Poppin’ The Trunk, But To Get His Guitar (Video)

In the last five years, Yelawolf's style has changed, but not entirely. The Shady Records artist is well-aware of his diverse fan-base. There are those expecting him to rap, incredibly fast at that, with Southern Gothic imagery that only a Gadsden, Alabama native can deliver. Then there are now those... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Alchemist Reveals How Jadakiss, Ras Kass, Nas & Jay Z Tie Into One Hit (Audio)

With a new surprise instrumental album in stores (Israeli Salad), veteran bi-coastal producer Alchemist stays busy. The Gangrene/Step Brothers members is the debut guest on podcast, "A Waste Of Time," created by It's The Real's Eric and Jeff Rosenthal. The Beverly Hills, California native producer/DJ/MC discusses his love for food,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio

Tyler, The Creator Says Odd Future Is No More

UPDATE 2: The plot thickens. Despite Tyler's clarification yesterday, Earl Sweatshirt has seemingly affirmed Tyler's initial statements suggesting that Odd Future is no more. no sympathy for male virgins who're in their feelings about tyler pointing out and solidifying the obvious.— EARL (@earlxsweat) May 29, 2015 UPDATE: Contrary to the... Read more

May 28, 2015 News

Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD Perform 2 Ol’ Dirty Bastard Classics (Video)

For well over a decade, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Ghostface Killah were comrades. Beyond their Wu-Tang Clan bond, these men worked together. G.F.K. was among the guests on 1995's Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. That said, who better than to honor the late MC today? Alongside band... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

As Fabolous Snatches Throwbacks, Capone-N-Noreaga Resuscitate “Breathe” (Audio)

Fabolous and Jadakiss (as well as Papoose, Tony Yayo, and others) have been freestyling within the confines of 1990s New York Hip-Hop hit instrumentals (often recreating the original songs). All of those mentioned names were around in the decade, either making noise on a grand level, or getting their names... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

RZA To Direct Film “Coco,” Starring Common & Jill Scott

In the Fall of 1991, RZA (as Prince Rakeem) had a Tommy Boy Records EP, Ooh, I Love You Rakeem, which would prove to be a jumping off point for the Wu-Tang Clan. That same season, a Chicago, Illinois MC named Common Sense appeared in the October, 1991 "Unsigned Hype"... Read more

May 27, 2015 News

Pete Rock Fires Up One Of His Finest Verses Of Late Alongside Canibus (Audio)

Pete Rock is ageless. For almost 25 years, the Mount Vernon, New Yorker has been a master at DJ'ing, production, and MC'ing. While many greats of that span can rest on their laurels and celebrate their past glory, the mighty P.R. has always innovated and pushed forward. In 2015, Pete... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Pharrell May Have Another One Courtesy Of The Ever-Funky OverDoz (Audio)

OverDoz. is a name to write down right now. The Los Angeles, California quartet of Creamie, Kent Jamz, Joon, and P have worked with Terrace Martin, A$AP Ferg, and now Pharrell. Whether the wavy viral vibes of "Lauren London" or the oddball didactic rapping of "Killer Tofu," the crew shows... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

The Weeknd Uses Wrecks & Explosions To Symbolize A Twisted Love (Video)

The Weeknd's "The Hills" describes a love (or maybe just a lust) that's sincere, but enhanced by intoxication. He only calls when he's messed up, but that's the real him. For the visual, Abel and a female companion escape a flipped '80s Lincoln Towncar, to walk away alive, barely. Dim... Read more

May 27, 2015 Video

Mick Jenkins Puts on a Lyrical Display Reserved for a Rarefied Few (Video)

Mick Jenkins is well aware of Rap concept cliche. The Chicago, Illinois MC says he was out to reach new ground in "P's & Q's." Knowing that Nas famously rewound a story with suspense, and Jay Z rigorously rocked repetition, he wanted to stand apart. Big on literary devices, the... Read more

May 26, 2015 Video

Rapsody, Stacy Epps & Boog Brown Prove Diamond D Beats Are A Woman’s Best Friend (Video)

"Pump Ya Brakes" is another standout from Diamond D's 2014 album, The Diam Piece. On an upbeat composition, the Diggin' In The Crates producer/MC aligns Rapsody, Stacy Epps, and Boog Brown for a lyrical exhibition from some of the nicest in the game. North Carolina to Atlanta to New York... Read more

May 26, 2015 Video

Marco Polo Outdoes Himself On The Reverberating Remix To PRhyme’s Courtesy (Audio)

In four decades, DJ Premier has been remixing tracks. Whether Showbiz & A.G.'s "Next Level," Fat Joe's "Success," or Craig David's "7 Days," some of those very mixes have arguably eclipsed their originals. That said, it's a big deal to remix Premier's handiwork, and few producers would dare. Marco Polo,... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

Kendrick Lamar & Ty Dolla $ign Show Some Dramatic California Love (Audio)

UPDATE: While the May 26, 2015 demo version of Ty Dolla $ign's "L.A." was pulled from the Internet, it now reappears in November. Presently tagged by Big Boy's Neighborhood (and posted below), the upcoming audio is expected to follow. If you were to take the musings behind Tupac and Val... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (The Final Battle): Eminem vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

The championship round of "Finding The GOAT" has arrived. After eight months, 200-plus MCs, and plenty of down-to-the-wire races, the two finalists meet at last. Both Eminem and Tupac have been undefeated in "Finding The GOAT." For Tupac, twice those triumphs came down to a single percent. For Em', those... Read more

May 26, 2015 Fresh

Pete Rock’s Heaven & Earth Petestrumental Lives Up To Its Name (Audio)

Pete Rock's Petestrumentals 2 (June 23) is less than one month away. The Chocolate Boy Wonder unleashes another gem, "Heaven & Earth" from the Mello Music Group release. With a strong homage to David Axelrod (if you can call it that), the song is set off with some philosophy, and... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

DJ Evil Dee Makes A House Birthday Mix For Himself That All Can Celebrate (Mix)

DJ Evil Dee had a birthday recently (May 24). The Bushwick, Brooklyn co-founder of Black Moon and Da Beatminerz celebrated in style. The veteran DJ/producer fired up the Technics 1200s, and pulled out some dance-friendly crates of records for his two-hour "Church" mix-show. The "birthday edition" features the producer for... Read more

May 26, 2015 Throwback

Chris Rivers & Denzil Porter Hold A Lyrical Stick-Up, So Run Your Bars (Video)

It's prime season for "Lootchini." Chris Rivers and Denzil Porter took their Camp Lo-borrowing update, and produce a visual. Perhaps a small nod to Point Break, the pair of lethal MCs flaunt presidential masks as they hold a heist for the dead presidents, at a city building. They take their... Read more

May 25, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Dizzy Wright, Big K.R.I.T., & Tech N9ne Honor Memorial Day With A Deep Message (Audio)

Dizzy Wright, Big K.R.I.T., and Tech N9ne all love a good party record. These three MCs are masters at bringing the vibes of a strip club, a house party, or a festival to a track, with commanding energy. However, part of the reason all three artists are in an elite... Read more

May 25, 2015 Audio

Easy Mo Bee Brought Us Biggie, GZA, & Craig Mack. So Meet Emskee (Audio)

In terms of talented producers with ears for development, Brooklyn, New York's Easy Mo Bee is one of the best. The DJ/producer helped cultivate the careers of The Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, and GZA. Additionally, Mo Bee worked extensively with Tupac during the mid-1990s, in addition to critical work with... Read more

May 25, 2015 Audio