Kevin Cortez, Author at Ambrosia For HeadsAmbrosia For Heads

Jadakiss Confirms That Styles P Once Dissed JAY-Z On His Own Song

Today, The LOX are in a partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation. There's more than 20 years of history between Hov' and The Warlocks. However, as fans are learning, not all of it is rooted in positivity. Back in 1998, JAY-Z dropped his third album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Like... Read more

March 1, 2020 Video

Boldy James & Alchemist Bring The Best Out Of Each Other On Their New Album (Audio)

It has been over a decade since Boldy James first debuted his raps for the world to hear. In the blog era, Boldy James released Trapper’s Alley: Pros & Cons in 2011 with illRoots. The mixtape showed off the cold life of a drug dealer (see the obvious "I Sold... Read more

February 10, 2020 Audio

Questlove Discusses The Time He Changed The Roots’ Entire Show To Impress D’Angelo

D'Angelo is known to be one of the greatest producers, writers, and singers of the last 25 years. He has maintained that status, even with over half of that time spent between albums. His breakthrough soul album Brown Sugar came out in 1995, but it would take the singer five... Read more

February 5, 2020 Audio, Throwback

Ice Cube Explains Why Storytelling Is The Top Level Of MC’ing (Video)

Ice Cube is no stranger to storytelling with his lyrics. The legendary South Central, Los Angeles MC is responsible for one of Rap's most beloved tales: "It Was A Good Day," as well as penning Eazy-E's breakout anthem, "Boyz-n-the-Hood." Cube's albums, both solo and group, often have songs that follow... Read more

February 3, 2020 Video

Reason Shows Off A New Song With Kendrick Lamar On Backup Vocals (Video)

UPDATE: Reason has now released the music video to "Show Stop": ORIGINAL JANUARY 24 STORY: 2020 is proposed to be an exciting year for TDE. The California-based label is known for teasing albums without much warning and dropping surprise singles with only days notice. This comes at a time... Read more

January 29, 2020 Video

T3 Shares Fantastic Memories Of Dilla & Slum Village On A Song That Features Baatin

Slum Village began out of a dream from three Pershing High School classmates living in the Constant Gardens section of Detroit, Michigan. J Dilla, Baatin, and T3 would organically garner attention in the mid-1990s. At the same time that Dilla (as "Jay Dee") was sought out to produce for A... Read more

January 25, 2020 Audio

Eminem & Black Thought Release Their 1st Collabo. The Cypher Is Complete (Audio)

After appearing alongside each other in a 2009 BET Award Cypher with Mos Def, Eminem, and The Roots' frontman Black Thought have frequently been mentioned in the same conversation together as two of the best MCs of all time. Since that standout moment, both Em' and Black Thought have continued... Read more

January 17, 2020 Audio

Mick Jenkins Is A Deep MC. His Black Milk-Produced Song Is About Living Carefree

UPDATE: Mick Jenkins has released the video for "Carefree": ORIGINAL JANUARY 4 STORY: It has been over a year since Chicago, Illinois MC Mick Jenkins released Pieces Of A Man. The acclaimed record perfectly encapsulated Jenkins' style as a mellowed-out deep-thinker with an ear for Jazz production. Following a... Read more

January 7, 2020 Video

Your Old Droog’s New Song Features Prodigy Over Alchemist Production (Audio)

2019 showcased that Brooklyn, New York rapper Your Old Droog seemingly never stops working. The veteran artist dropped three full-length albums in the year to keep fans eating: It Wasn't Even Close in April, Transportation two months later, and his latest album, Jewelry, which released in the closing days of... Read more

January 2, 2020 Audio

Earl Sweatshirt Explains How Being “Woke” Isn’t Enough To Confront The Issues (Video)

A few days before the conclusion of 2019, MC/producer Earl Sweatshirt scheduled a public talk at the Museum Of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, California, with his mother, Cheryl Harris, a law professor at the University of California. The talk was called “In/between us: a conversation on art, music, and life."... Read more

January 2, 2020 Lifestyle, Video

D Smoke Shows He’s Much More Than A Winner Of A Rap Competition (Video)

After impressing judges T.I., Cardi B. and Chance the Rapper and winning Netflix's Hip-Hop competition show, Rhythm & Flow, D Smoke has finally released his first music video this week in support of his debut album, Inglewood High. The LP was released back in October, a few weeks after the... Read more

December 28, 2019 Video

The Game Describes His Shootout With 50 Cent In Detail (Video)

Late last month, Compton rapper Game released his ninth (and reportedly final) album, Born 2 Rap. The LP, clocking in at 90 minutes in length, showcases the many sides and versatile styles of the veteran Compton, California MC. It features the late Nipsey Hussle (who also has a song dedicated... Read more

December 20, 2019 Throwback

Andre 3000 Speaks On Not Having The Confidence To Make New Music (Audio)

Andre 3000 has not released an album in more than 13 years. While Outkast co-founder Big Boi has enjoyed a successful solo career with four titles of his own, "3 Stacks" has pursued work in film and fashion. In recent years, Andre's music is often a departure from Rap, venturing... Read more

December 17, 2019 Audio, Fresh

Reason’s Latest Freestyle Reminds Us Why He Is TDE’s Ace In The Hole (Video)

Carson, California MC Reason has been quietly dropping bombs since signing with Top Dawg Entertainment. After TDE's re-release of his debut mixtape, There You Have It, 2019 has been a year in which Reason spent sharpening his Rap abilities before gearing up to release his first batch of single under... Read more

December 15, 2019 Video

Conway Details Nearly Losing His Life & Rap Dream (Video)

Just under three weeks ago (November 29), Griselda released their debut collaborative album on Shady Record, WWCD. The trio comprised of Buffalo, New York rappers Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher released their first LP as a unit. WWCD arrived on Eminem's Shady Records imprint and featured 50... Read more

December 12, 2019 Video

The Roots Release Their 1st Song In 2 Years. Can You Feel It? (Audio)

In the last several years, The Roots have been busy. While the hardest working band in Hip-Hop is on television five nights a week, fans have not heard the music that they've been making behind the scenes. Producers, including 9th Wonder, Salaam Remi, and J. Period, have been previously attached... Read more

December 10, 2019 Audio

Ever Hear When Rakim Went Back To “The Ghetto” With Black Thought (Audio)

Nearly a decade ago, J. Period was commissioned by Sony Records to make a companion mixtape to The Roots & John Legend's WAKE UP! album. That LP, which got The Roots two more Grammy Awards for the trophy case, involved some great MCs such as Common and C.L. Smooth to... Read more

December 8, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Royce Tells Joe Budden He Has A New Album & It Will Bring Budden Out Of Retirement

Just over two weeks ago (November 14), Royce 5'9 released his second single of 2019. Now a music video, "Black Savage" features Sy Ari Da Kid, White Gold, CyHi The Prynce and T.I. The song re-contextualized the disparaging term by instead, wearing it as a proud title. The song now... Read more

December 1, 2019 Audio, Fresh, News, Video

Elzhi Sounds Superhuman On His First Song With Madlib (Audio)

Although the two are brothers, Madlib and Oh No have only collaborated on a handful of tracks over the years. The Oxnard, California Brothers Jackson first introduced themselves as The Professionals on Madlib's 2008 "Beat Generation" series album, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip, with their track "I Want It... Read more

November 30, 2019 Audio

Earl Sweatshirt’s Surprise EP Packs Alchemist Production For A Bold Artistic Trip

Yesterday (October 31), Earl Sweatshirt took to social media to announce a surprise seven-track EP dropping. In a statement to fans, he elaborated on the project with one sentence: "[Feet Of Clay] is a collection of observations and feelings recorded during the death throes of a crumbling empire." With less... Read more

November 1, 2019 Audio

Joell Ortiz Makes Art Out Of Anxiety. He Puts His Darkest Thoughts On The Table (Video)

If there is anything that these past few have proven, it's that Slaughterhouse co-founder Joell Ortiz abides by an incredible work ethic. Last year, the Brooklyn, New York veteran MC linked up with Michigan producer Apollo Brown for a joint record, Mona Lisa. At the top of 2019 came Ortiz'... Read more

October 24, 2019 Video

A New Book Presents The Oral History Of The Juice Crew & Cold Chillin’ Records

It was in the mid-1980s that Hip-Hop saw domination by one of New York's most prominent and influential collectives, The Juice Crew. Founded by radio DJ Mr. Magic and his engineer/producer Marley Marl, the crew pioneered the posse cut and chased provocation by way of beef and answer records. Their... Read more

October 24, 2019 Fresh

Black Moon Make Their Return And Bring Method Man With Them (Audio)

Black Moon has just released its first album in more than 16 years. Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, and 5ft made Rise Of da Moon, produced entirely by Da Beatminerz (Evil and his brother, Mr. Walt). The 15 songs include two video singles, "Creep Wit Me" and "Black Moon Rise." As... Read more

October 18, 2019 Audio

Danny Brown Reminds He’s Got Lyrics To Go With A Beat & An Assist From Q-Tip

Yesterday (October 4), Danny Brown released his highly anticipated fifth studio album, uknowhatimsayin¿. The Detroit, Michigan MC garnered some very strong acclaim after 2012's far-reaching X.X.X. mixtape presented his unique style as an inventive, profane, and boisterous rapper with an ear for spaced-out beats and abstract productions. Seven years removed... Read more

October 5, 2019 Audio

J. Cole, Lute & DaBaby Show Why NC Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Hottest States Under The Sun

Dreamville continues to celebrate this year's release of Revenge Of The Dreamers III with more and more visuals. The label's collaborative record dropped this summer and presented vocals from each member of the collective: J. Cole, J.I.D, Bas, Lute, Ari Lennox, Cozz, Omen, and EarthGang. Just a month ago, Heads... Read more

September 16, 2019 Video

RZA Breaks Down 10 Kung Fu Films That Wu-Tang Clan Sampled (Video)

It's on the introduction of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) that listeners first hear a vocal sample that heeds a threat: "The Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous." The rough and unpolished sample, taken from the martial arts movie Ten Tigers from Kwangtung, presents a taste of cinematic flavor that... Read more

September 6, 2019 TV/Film, Video

The 1st Look At Bad Boys For Life Is Pretty Epic. Will & Martin Are Back (Video)

The trailer for the third and final installment in the Bad Boys trilogy has been revealed. Titled Bad Boys For Life as both a nod to a Bad Boys II quote and an excuse to employ a cinematic remix of P. Diddy's "Bad Boys For Life." The movie is slated... Read more

September 4, 2019 TV/Film, Video

The 1st Episode Of Vince Staples’ New Show Makes It Clear He’s One To Watch (Video)

Earlier this week, Long Beach, California MC Vince Staples teased a seemingly formless upcoming project titled The Vince Staples Show (embedded below). No one seemed to quite know what The Vince Staples Show would become, but many speculated that it would be Staples' newest record. After his latest music video... Read more

August 22, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Murs Is A Super Hero. A Short Film Shows Lyricism Is Just 1 Of His Powers.

After 15 long years together, Murs & 9th Wonder are reportedly taking their final ride. If that's the case, it's a truly great and memorable trip into the sunset. One week ago (August 9) saw the release of what appears to be Murs, 9th Wonder, and The Soul Council's latest... Read more

August 16, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Daveed Diggs Won Big Awards For Hamilton. His Hip-Hop Group’s New Song Is Pure Drama

A few months after bowing out of his final Hamilton performance on Broadway in 2016, rapper Daveed Diggs released an album with his Hip-Hop group, clipping. Following previous work with King T, Gangsta Boo, and Guce, the '16 album Splendor & Misery was produced alongside his band-mates William Hutson and Jonathan... Read more

August 16, 2019 Audio, Video

YBN Cordae’s Powerful Video Shows How The World Can Treat You When You’re Broke

YBN Cordae is currently enjoying his breakout success since dropping his debut solo album, The Lost Boy, late last month. The concept LP looks back at the 21-year-old's life seasons and the hardships he has overcome. In the last year and change, he processed those pains into power, now with... Read more

August 15, 2019 Video

J. Cole, Saba, EARTHGANG & Smino Bring 1 Of Dreamville’s Most Heartfelt Songs To Video

Earlier this year, when J. Cole and his label Dreamville set out to make another entry in their Revenge Of The Dreamers compilation series, many fans and critics were ecstatic. Apart from its diverse and increasingly sprawling roster, the label sending invites to a reported 343 artists and producers to... Read more

August 12, 2019 Video

Do Remember When RJD2 Showed A New & Different Side Of Def Jux (Video)

By the top of the 2000s, Rawkus was beginning to permeate the mainstream. Meanwhile, one of that label's former flagship artists had left to create an imprint with the same sort of early DIY aesthetic and unpredictability. New York-based indie label Definitive Jux released a crate full of classic records... Read more

June 20, 2019 Do Remember

B.o.B. Tributes O.D.B. & Bumrushes The Set To Shame Fake Rappers (Video)

In the mid-2000s, Decatur, Georgia teenager B.o.B. was one of Hip-Hop's most exciting and versatile voices. With a stylized name inspired by an OutKast Stankonia single, sang, he played guitar, he produced, and the protege of hit-making producer Jim Jonsin could certainly rap. Early mixtape standout "Haters" took everybody by storm,... Read more

June 18, 2019 The Bridge, Video

Chance & YBN Cordae’s Lyrics & Beat Prove They’re Making Hip-Hop For All Ages (Video)

Maryland-raised 21-year-old rapper YBN Cordae has been making a name for himself these past few years. His Young Boss Ni**as collective has been booming for several years, breaking through many walls care of YBN Nahmir's debut viral 2017 hit, "Rubbin Off The Paint." Then came follow-up looks such as "Have... Read more

June 18, 2019 Video

Kool Keith, B-Real & Joell Ortiz Show MCs How To Level Up (Audio Premiere)

Next month (July 12), veteran MC innovator Kool Keith will see the release of his latest album, simply titled KEITH. Produced entirely by The Beatnuts' Psycho Les, KEITH will feature appearances by Houston's Paul Wall, Cypress Hill front-man B-Real, and Crooklyn Dodger lyrical slugger, Jeru The Damaja. Following last month's... Read more

June 4, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

B-Real & Brady Watt Add Some Dr. Dre & DJ Premier To Cypress Hill’s Biggest Hits

Renowned bass player, producer, and member of DJ Premier's Badder Band Brady Watt has been bringing his groove to video lately, linking up with MCs and singers for a series of videos he's calling "Bass & Bars." Each entry has Watt laying down a bassline for a guest to recite... Read more

May 31, 2019 Video

Watch The Beastie Boys’ Documentary Celebrating 25 Years Of Ill Communication

Following the release of the Beastie Boys Book in late 2018, Michael Diamond (aka Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (aka Ad-Rock) have been in the public eye. Since the book hit store shelves, the two MC/producers expounded on the Beasties' bitter split with Def Jam, the group very nearly calling... Read more

May 30, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Alabama MC Chika Makes Her TV Debut With A Fight For Women’s Rights (Video)

Last year, then-21-year-old Montgomery, Alabama MC Chika took to Twitter to drop a mighty freestyle. Using one of Kanye West's breakthrough instrumentals, Chika criticized the superstar's controversial political views of the time: "It don’t matter how much you have or you lack, when that check clears don’t forget your children... Read more

May 25, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Pete Rock Recreates “They Reminisce Over You” Behind The Turntables (Video)

Last Wednesday (May 22) at New York City's Chelsea Music Hall, Pete Rock celebrated the release of his latest instrumental album, The Return Of The SP1200, with a party. Of course, Rock had to show off his DJing skills and have some fun of his own. He jammed with a... Read more

May 25, 2019 Exclusive, Video

Injury Reserve’s New LP Shows They Deserve A Spot In 2019’s Starting Lineup (Audio)

Tempe, Arizona Rap trio Injury Reserve formed in 2013, but it wasn't until the release of their 2015 mixtape Live From The Dentist Office that the crew started turning heads. Their use of Jazz samples, eclectic choice of guest features, and sporadic spazz-out vocal tendencies helped push forth a signature... Read more

May 18, 2019 Audio

Quelle Chris Self-Reflects On Life & Legacy In A Dreamy New Video (Premiere)

Just over one month ago, New York-raised but Detroit, Michigan-famed rapper Quelle Chris dropped his latest LP, Guns (embedded below). The record is his sixth solo album to date, although including collaborations and production credits, Chris has more than two dozen projects under his belt. This latest Mello Music Group... Read more

May 8, 2019 Exclusive, Video

T.I. Helped Bail Out 23 Non-Violent Inmates To Spend Easter With Their Families

Over this past weekend, thanks to the help of T.I., an Atlanta church, and VH1's Love and Hip Hop personality Scrapp Deleon, 23 non-violent offenders were able to spend the Easter holiday with their respective families. Thanks to contributions raised by Tip and others, bail was made for these offenders, as... Read more

April 22, 2019 Lifestyle, News

20 Years Ago Today, MF DOOM Was Born

MF DOOM's Operation: Doomsday came to the surface 20 years ago today, on April 20, 1999. Birthed out of tragedy and commercial frustrations, Metal Face DOOM, real name Daniel Dumile, created a solo album shrouded in mystery, multi-syllabic rhymes, and technically rough, back-to-the-future production. The display was weird, cartoonish, and... Read more

April 20, 2019 Food for Thought

MF DOOM, Your Old Droog & Mach-Hommy Body A Beat Like King Kong (Audio)

Brooklyn, New York's Your Old Droog surprised Hip-Hop Heads today with a track featuring MF DOOM and star sensation Mach-Hommy. Produced by V Don, "RST" shows off the talented trio flowing over a soulful, synth-heavy beat. For Droog, who has put in work throughout to mid-to-late 2010s, this work stands... Read more

April 18, 2019 Audio

Oddisee Explains Why He’s NOT Underrated Or Underground

Oddisee has spent the 2010s making some of the most cohesive and thoughtful albums in Hip-Hop. 2012's People Hear What They See, 2015's The Good Fight, and 2017's The Iceberg are a three-album run as formidable as any in Rap. Meanwhile, the artist born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa has showered his fans with handfuls... Read more

April 10, 2019 Fresh

Red Bull Music Academy & Red Bull Radio To Shut Down

After 20 years of operation, Red Bull has announced that the Red Bull Music Academy will be closing its doors later this year. The decision was reportedly made to “phase out the existing structure” and introduce a new tactic for Red Bull's position within music. Additionally, Red Bull Radio, the... Read more

April 4, 2019 News

In 1996, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Made An Anthem About Love & Survival (Video)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony dominated the mid-1990s with a unique style of Rap music. Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, Bizzy Bone, and Flesh-N-Bone put Ohio on the global Rap map with a harmonic sound that pulled from the church and the street alike. While 1994's Creepin' On Ah Come Up achieved gold-certification... Read more

March 28, 2019 Do Remember

Do Remember The Lady Of Rage Rocking The Mic Rough With Her Afro Puffs (Video)

It was a monumental year when Dr. Dre released The Chronic on his Death Row Records imprint in 1992. The multi-platinum album was a street sensation that marked a new era of Rap. It delivered G-Funk to the mainstream, with videos that displayed the laid back vibes, set against menacing... Read more

March 21, 2019 Do Remember

Missy Elliott Assists Lizzo For A Banger That Sounds Large & In Charge

UPDATE: Lizzo and Missy Elliott release the music video for "Tempo": ORIGINAL MARCH 20 STORY: Minneapolis, Minnesota rapper Lizzo is no stranger to embracing individuality. The artwork to her upcoming album, Cuz I Love You, showcases the artist sitting in the nude in front of a blank photo backdrop. That... Read more

March 20, 2019 Audio