Jake Paine

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s 2004 Reunion Is Something We All Can Still Appreciate (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth formally called it quits. After 1994's The Main Ingredient, the pair from Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York, respectively, split due to personal differences. Whereas Pete would churn out tracks, and build a strong solo career, C.L. Smooth would be slower... Read more

December 24, 2015 Do Remember

Pusha T Interviews With Sway & Spits A Verse For MCs Who Act Like They Don’t Know (Video)

Last Thursday (December 17), Pusha T was a guest on Sway In The Morning. There, just hours before King Push: Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, the Clipse co-founder got really deep about his 2015 headspace. Before leaving, and after 40 minutes of nuggets, Push' spit a freestyle that was very... Read more

December 21, 2015 Video

This K’naan & Bob Dylan Mash-Up Gets A Visual That Further Mashes The Message

In 2009, K'naan and J. Period teamed for the third volume of The Messengers. The authorized mixtape series was a promotional vehicle for Troubadour, K'naan's third and United States breakthrough album. The third of three volumes set the A&M Records MC/singer against the work of Bob Dylan, which K'naan deemed... Read more

December 21, 2015 Video

M-Dot May Be The First MC To Release A 360° Video. It’s A Lyrical Terror Dome (Video)

Hip-Hop videos have come a long way since The Sugarhill Gang released a performance visual to 1979's "Rapper's Delight." Budgets have reached the millions with some visuals, while others have tapped the shoulders of Hollywood directors and stars (and some San Fernando Valley stars). Technology has also lit the path... Read more

December 21, 2015 Video

Cooked Ones: Mobb Deep’s Prodigy To Publish Cookbook & Second Memoir

Mobb Deep co-founder Prodigy has been among the group of Hip-Hop artists that have successfully transitioned into publishing. The Queens, New York native born Albert Johnson released 2011 title, My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy with author/journalist Laura Checkoway, through Touchstone/Simon & Shuster Books. More than four... Read more

December 21, 2015 Lifestyle, News

DJ Premier, Slum Village, Royce Da 5’9″, Rapsody & 9th Wonder To Perform At 2016 J Dilla Weekend

The second annual J Dilla Weekend has been announced. The Miami, Florida extension of Detroit, Michigan's longstanding J Dilla Day will take place on February 5-7, 2016. Hosted by Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey (Dilla's mother), the event continues a rich tradition of celebrating James Yancey's life and music through performances,... Read more

December 21, 2015 Exclusive, News

Timbaland & Busta Rhymes Each Announce Christmas Day Mixtapes

While the record labels are traditionally closed over the December holidays, many Hip-Hop artists are hard at work. Christmas Day (December 25) has become a popular release date, especially for digital mixtapes. Two industry vets have eyed up next week's holiday, with major plans. Busta Rhymes and Timbaland worked together... Read more

December 17, 2015 News

Khrysis’ Rhythm Roulette Beats Are Soul Council Scorchers (Video)

Khrysis has been one of Hip-Hop's most consistent producers of the last decade. The Durham, North Carolina representative, and one-half of The Away Team, has put in critical production work on albums such as Little Brother's The Minstrel Show, KRS-One & Buckshot's Survival Skills, and Rapsody's The Idea Of Beautiful.... Read more

December 17, 2015 Video

MC Eiht Hit The Mic Like A Menace In 1993. This Low-Key Remix Dodged The Jackers (Audio)

In 1993, MC Eiht's career was riding high, and in style. Like KRS-One with Boogie Down Productions, "the Compton Psycho" was stepping beyond Compton's Most Wanted and getting his solo name popping. Signed to Epic Records, Eiht never lost sight of his band-mates after Music To Driveby, but went full... Read more

December 17, 2015 Do Remember

Naughty By Nature Reveal The Origin of “O.P.P.” It Really Was Other People’s Property.

Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts of the 1990s. Still together, recording, and touring, Treach, Vinnie Rock, and Kay Gee broke through with three simple letters: "O.P.P." Now, the title to the 1991 Tommy Boy Records single is permanent part of the pop culture lexicon, approaching 25 years... Read more

December 16, 2015 Throwback

Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Details Conflict With RZA & Issues Warning.

Last week, reports emerged of the buyer-seller conflicts surrounding Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. The seventh Clan LP, released as one single copy, was revealed to be purchased by controversial pharmaceutical mogul Martin Shkreli. Wu's abbot, RZA began to criticize the purchase after discovering the 32... Read more

December 16, 2015 News

Masta Ace & Veteran Beneficence Gain Clarity In The Sun (Audio)

Newark, New Jersey veteran MC Beneficence has a career that stems back to the early 1990s. Although Bene's name has not extended as far as peers Redman, Lords Of The Underground, or The Artifacts, the dedicated lyricist is still making good on his dream. Teaming with Ill Adrenaline Records, the... Read more

December 16, 2015 Audio

Tech N9ne & Murs’ Problems Go Up In Smoke, Like Cheech & Chong (Video)

As revealed in last month's interview, Tech N9ne releases a video for Strangeulation, Vol. 2's Murs and Ubiquitous (CES Cru) collaboration. The pair of independent stalwarts use Cheech & Chong's 1978 cult classic Up In Smoke to show why "Blunt And A Ho" is great stress-relief. From the Impala low-rider,... Read more

December 15, 2015 The Bridge, Video

Public Enemy Affiliate Johnny Juice Blends Bruce Lee Samples With Raw Hip-Hop (Audio)

DJ Johnny Juice Rosado has been a critical role-player in Hip-Hop music for nearly 30 years. In addition to his own career and vast production credentials (Son Of Bazerk, On The Shoulders Of Giants, etc.), Juice was a session DJ and turntablist and integral behind-the scenes-player with Public Enemy through... Read more

December 14, 2015 Audio

Duck Down Artists Old & New Celebrate By Performing The Hits, For 3 Hours (Video)

How many labels in Hip-Hop can get all of their artists over the last 20 years back together on stage? Duck Down Music (a/k/a Duck Down Records) celebrated its 20th anniversary this month. On B.B. Kings' Manhattan stage, founders Dru Ha and Buckshot Shorty celebrated this massive milestone accomplishment with a... Read more

December 11, 2015 Video

Stream O.C.’s New EP, Chock Full Of Introspect & Precise Delivery (Audio)

O.C. is an MC whose biggest albums are not necessarily his best selling. While, the Brooklyn/Queens, New York representative's 1994 debut Word...Life is widely considered an incredible album, the Diggin' In The Crates member has made works to follow that have stood just as tall. Recently, O's Trophies effort with... Read more

December 10, 2015 Audio

This Brand Nubian “One For All” Tribute Is An Audio All-In-One (Mix)

Last week, Brand Nubian's celebrated debut album, One For All, reached its 25th birthday. The breakthrough album by Sadat X, Lord Jamar, Grand Puba, and DJ Alamo not only carries the distinction of being a "5 Mic" Source album, but a definitive body of work for New Rochelle, New York,... Read more

December 7, 2015 Mixes, Throwback

Sean Price Music Will Release For Years To Come, According To Duck Down

This month, Duck Down Music (formerly known as Duck Down Records) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It's been a challenging year for the independent label launched by Dru-Ha and Black Moon's Buckshot. Although the label continues to expand its roster and extend its storied catalog, it lost a Duck Down... Read more

December 7, 2015 News

Two 1980s NYC Street Culture Docs Capture The Cool, Even In These Trailers (Videos)

New York City has long been an epicenter for culture. From music, to fashion, to art, the five boroughs and beyond have influenced the world near and far. In the 1980s, the Big Apple was especially influential. Two documentarians of the era are Jamel Shabazz and Manfred Kirchheimer. Shabazz, a... Read more

December 4, 2015 Throwback, TV/Film, Video

Raekwon Politics On Classic Breakbeats In This 1995 Tim Westwood Freestyle (Audio)

Tim Westwood keeps his newly-established tradition of weekly freestyles going strong. Just over one month after sharing his 1995 Method Man freestyle (that would later become elements of some compilation work), the London DJ moves over to another 20 year-old freestyle from Chef Raekwon. Here, Rae' hops on Marley Marl's... Read more

December 3, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Kxng Crooked’s “Dead Or In Jail” Verses Demand A Lyric Video

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Kxng Crooked (f/k/a Crooked I) and Statik Selektah gave Heads some food for thought. "Dead Or In Jail," which features Jessica Quintero, examines the skewed justice system, and how institutional racism is very much around, in the United States and beyond. Less than one week later,... Read more

December 1, 2015 Video

Sheek Louch Discusses Silverback Gorilla 2 & Talks Working With Biggie and DMX (Interview)

Whereas speaking to Jadakiss or Styles P is often a lower key experience, their LOX band-mate Sheek Louch is high-energy. The Yonkers, New York veteran MC did not equate himself to one of the most ferocious members of the animal kingdom by being docile. In the Tommy Boy Entertainment conference... Read more

December 1, 2015 Food for Thought

M.O.P. vs. ONYX May Make Heads Ante Up & Slam Down Some Cash (Video)

M.O.P. and ONYX both emerged on the scene around the same time. These early 1990s New York City Hip-Hop crews won over Rap fans and beyond with an energy that at times, was Punk Rock and Heavy Metal. Both acts loved yelling, screaming, and barking into the microphones, as they... Read more

November 23, 2015 News, Video

Redman Breaks Down “Bars” From His BET Cypher Verse (Video)

Last month, Redman became a trending term after his 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher verse. The Newark, New Jersey veteran MC appeared alongside his Def Squad cohorts Erick Sermon and Keith Murray, where he spit a verse that had Heads replaying the video just to keep up. Related: So... Read more

November 23, 2015 Video

Tech N9ne Evaluates Role Of Cyphers & Talks Next Solo Album (Interview)

Tech N9ne crams as many words and ideas into his energetic bars as he possibly can. It is this feat that has made him one of the most revered MCs of the last 15 years. He has become an independent deity, simultaneously skyrocketing in status, wealth, and respect, while much... Read more

November 20, 2015 Food for Thought

Tech N9ne & Murs Make A Jam About Stresses Building Up & Self-Medicating (Audio)

Tech N9ne and Murs are not MCs who have a discography filled with anthems about smoking and strip clubs. While Tech is a Caribou Lou drink mixologist, and Murray has admitted some vices in the past, a record title like "A Blunt & A Ho" stands out for both lyricists—on... Read more

November 18, 2015 Audio

Mike D Weighs In On Best Beastie Boys MC & Overcoming “Brass Monkey” Hate (Audio)

The Beastie Boys' Mike D was a guest on actor Michael Rapaport's podcast show this week, which taped before a live New York City audience. The man born Michael Diamond discussed Hip-Hop at length, ranging from Drake's groundbreaking response to Meek Mill this summer, to why he feels Busta Rhymes... Read more

November 18, 2015 Audio

Chance The Rapper Affiliate Saba Carves His Own Lane In A Compelling Double Video

Less than a month ago, Chicago, Illinois MC Saba made a giant breakthrough care of Chance The Rapper's "Angels" single. Saba was with C.T.R. for the "Late Show" debut, and it was the perfect opportunity to awaken new music seekers to July, 2014 mixtape ComfortZone. From that same feel-good project,... Read more

November 17, 2015 Video

15 Years After DJ Screw’s Death, Bun B Explains His Influence On “Ridin’ Dirty”

Fifteen years ago today (November 16, 2000), DJ Screw passed away. Before his untimely death, the Houston, Texas turntablist born Robert Earl Davis, Jr. revolutionized a style of music that has influenced much of the 2010s sound. The mixmaster played his records considerably lower than the 33 1/3 RPM standard,... Read more

November 16, 2015 Throwback

Redman Gets Real About Def Squad, Leaving Def Jam & Staying True To Self (Audio)

Approaching this Friday's release of Mudface, Redman's media campaign rages on. The MC extraordinaire appeared on The Combat Jack Show with a one-hour interview that covers Red's career with the questions so many want to know. Reggie Noble goes in, from his support of Fetty Wap, to the break-up days... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

SPOTLIGHT: Nolan The Ninja Aims To Restore Detroit’s Hardcore Rap Legacy (EP Stream)

Today (November 10), Detroit, Michigan MC/producer Nolan The Ninja released his debut vocal EP, F.T.H. The 11-track follow-up to this year's Lo-Fi L∞ps instrumental effort, features veteran MCs such as Phat Kat, Finale, and Hassan Mackey. Also available by iTunes, the F**k The Hype, a Left Of Center release, is... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio

Masta Ace Reflects On A Long Hot Summer & Offers This Re-Release Bonus Track (Premiere)

Tomorrow (November 10), Masta Ace's 2004 LP, A Long Hot Summer is being re-released on CD by Below System Records. Originally released on Ace's M3 imprint, the critically-acclaimed album followed up Disposable Arts with the Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York MC making another conceptual, story-driven LP. 9th Wonder, The Beatnuts, Edo.... Read more

November 9, 2015 Audio, Exclusive, Food for Thought

The Chronic & Efil4zaggin Would Not Sound The Same Without This Man…And It’s Not Dre

Dr. Dre's 30-plus-year career in Hip-Hop has many movements. Andre Young first gained national notoriety for his post-Disco work with World Class Wreckin' Cru, opening up dance-floors across the globe to the energy of Los Angeles' most musically cutting edge clubs. Next, he would co-launch N.W.A., forever changing Hip-Hop and... Read more

November 7, 2015 Throwback

A Redman & Dr. Dre Collaboration? It’s Possible. Redman Speaks (Video)

In his extensive, nearly 25-year career, Redman has worked with a plethora of great producers. A protege of EPMD's Erick Sermon, Red' would eventually help introduce the masses to Rockwilder. Additionally, the Newark, New Jersey MC made songs with The Ummah (J Dilla, Q-Tip & Ali Shaheed Muhammad), RZA, and... Read more

November 5, 2015 Video

The Story Of Hip-Hop’s Creation Is Being Re-Examined By Some Of Its Most Respected Pioneers (Video)

Editor's Note: The first edition of this story credited Crazy Legs as Rock Steady Crew founder. It has been brought to Ambrosia For Heads' attention that Crazy Legs is in fact the president of the organization. The mistake has been corrected, in the story below: Last night (November 2), Crazy... Read more

November 3, 2015 News, Video

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder’s Indie 500 Drives For A Star-Studded Win (Album Stream)

Last year, Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, and Pharaohe Monch announced that they were combining forces and resources to launch Indie 500, an independent label, marketing, and distribution conglomerate. Nearly a year to the date after the announcement, Indie 500 (the album) arrives. While it doesn't release until November 6, Heads... Read more

November 3, 2015 Audio

The D.O.C. Breaks Down His “Formula.” He Says Yawning Helped Him Speak Again (Video)

In late August, it was revealed that The D.O.C. had regained use of his vocal chords. Displaying the regenerated ability in a Sirius XM interview then, the Dallas, Texas native has enjoyed a busy few months since. The former Ruthless Records star and Dr. Dre protege was portrayed in blockbuster... Read more

November 2, 2015 News, Video

If “Netflix & Chill” Has An Anthem, Foreign Exchange Made It (Video)

With temperatures dropping, holiday season kicking in, there is often a tug of war between staying in and going out. Phonte, Nicolay, Zo! and Foreign Exchange know this. Their Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey single "Body" is all about dropping the plans, and picking up some activities... Read more

October 29, 2015 Video

Vince Staples Clarifies “Golden-Era” Remarks. In Doing So, He Raises Some GREAT Questions (Audio)

Vince Staples appears in a Time magazine video that published online yesterday (October 27). In it, the Def Jam Records artist from Long Beach, California was asked to reflect on 1990s pop culture. While admitting that he has never heard an album of Justin Timberlake's work with N*SYNC or Mel... Read more

October 29, 2015 Audio, Food for Thought, News

DJ Premier Recreates Gang Starr’s “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight”…On The Spot (Video)

Earlier this month, DJ Premier joined Royce Da 5'9" and Adrian Younge for the first concert with all three PRhyme members. The October 13 Gramercy Theatre event also marked PRhyme's first public New York City show. AFH was in the building to catch the historic moment, which also included Younge's... Read more

October 27, 2015 Exclusive, Video

PRhyme’s Joy Ride Continues. DJ Premier & Royce Release “Courtesy” In Full (Video)

Eleven months ago, DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" set up their PRhyme album with a visual for "Courtesy." In the midst of a bum-rush of visuals, the pair (as well as third member Adrian Younge) never released the full video single. Instead, it contained just less than 100 seconds... Read more

October 26, 2015 Video

There May Be a Path to De La Soul’s Catalog Going Digital. One Exec Explains.

Sampling and interpolating has been a part of Hip-Hop since Rap's first mainstream hit. Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" relied heavily on replayed elements of Chic's "Good Times" to start a music revolution. However, after late '80s and early '90s lawsuits involving acts like Vanilla Ice, Biz Markie, and De La... Read more

October 25, 2015 News

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Suggest There Is No Such Thing As An Innocent Bystander (Audio/Video)

Alexander Hamilton once said, "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." There is a lot to stand up for in the world around us—and there are some who still seemingly feel like it is not their place, their preference, or their politics to have an opinion. Talib Kweli, 9th... Read more

October 22, 2015 Audio, Video

From Compton To France, MC Eiht & DJ Cam Make “Music To Drive By” (Audio)

In what is close to a 30-year career, MC Eiht has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Pete Rock, and Spice 1, among countless others. The Compton Psycho with two gold albums under his belt continues to make moves, in working towards his long-awaited Which Way Is West LP... Read more

October 22, 2015 Audio

Joyner Lucas Stunned The BET Cyphers. He Brings That Excitement To A Busta Rhymes Collabo (Audio)

Since the 1990s, artists from Massachusetts have aimed to put New England Hip-Hop on the big stage. Between Gang Starr's Guru, Made Men (f/k/a Almighty R.S.O.), and Edo. G, a number of MCs have signed deals large and small. Acts like REKS, Akrobatik, Mr. Lif, 7L & Esoteric, and Termanology... Read more

October 22, 2015 Audio

Pimp C’s Diverse Musical Talents & Mental Health Struggles Remembered in His Definitive Biography (Interview)

This December marks eight years since Pimp C passed away. The man born Chad Butler built a career around making a well-seasoned gumbo with his far-reaching love of music. UGK, the Underground Kingz that Pimp C and Bun B established in the late 1980s, sprinkled Hip-Hop with elements of Blues,... Read more

October 20, 2015 Food for Thought

The Game Tells The Story of The Doctor’s Advocate & Why It’s His Best Album (Video)

This month, Compton, California MC Game is in the midst of releasing two discs to The Documentary 2. Featuring involvement from Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Q-Tip (among others), the LP is an independent homage to Jayceon Taylor's 2005 breakthrough. Speaking with HipHopDX last... Read more

October 12, 2015 Video

Black Sheep Dres & Jaleel Shaw Take Rap-Jazz Fusion To A New Frontier (Audio Premiere)

With his group Black Sheep, Dres helped lead a charge in the early 1990s that brought about awareness in Jazz, Funk, Dance, and a gestalt of Hip-Hop's influence. Nearly 25 years after A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, and D-R-E-S is still at it. Recently, the New York MC veteran came... Read more

October 12, 2015 Audio

N.W.A.’s Other Member Isn’t Bitter. But He Explains His Absence From Biopic (Video)

Hip-Hop Heads seem to know about Jarobi's early role in A Tribe Called Quest. Listeners may remember Kool Fashion (n/k/a Al Tariq) from The Beatnuts. Many know of the cloudy status surrounding Cappadonna and Wu-Tang Clan. So what's the deal with The Arabian Prince? The Los Angeles, California DJ/producer was... Read more

October 10, 2015 Video

Prince Paul & Wordsworth To Feature On “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” Series

This week (October 9), Dreamworks Animation Studio will launch its latest series, "Mr. Peabody & Sherman." Appearing exclusively on Netflix, the series is a reboot of the famed "The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show" time-traveling affiliates which aired from 1959 to 1964. Former "SNL" cast member Chris Parnell is the voice... Read more

October 5, 2015 News, TV/Film