News Archives

Hip-Hop Legends From The Last 50 Years Gave The Most Iconic Tribute Ever

Last night (February 5), the Grammy Awards celebrated Hip Hop's upcoming 50th birthday. LL Cool J, one of the culture's first superstars, introduced the special concert, in which he also performed. During the presentation, LL pointed to August 11, 1973, and the Bronx back-to-school jam at a rec center, made... Read more

February 6, 2023 Video

Kendrick Lamar Is Dominating The Grammys

At the 65th Grammy Awards, the winner of the "Best Rap Album" category is Kendrick Lamar for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Wearing a blue pgLang and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap and sunglasses, Kendrick accepted the award from 2019 category winner Cardi B. He thanked his family and fans for... Read more

February 5, 2023 News, Video

KRS-One Has Received The Greatest Award Of His Life

On Sunday (February 5), the 65th annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles, California. There, artists including Kendrick Lamar, JAY-Z, Pusha-T, Future, Gunna, and Doja Cat will compete in the four Rap categories, as K-Dot hopes to win his first "Album Of The Year" category for Mr. Morale & The... Read more

February 2, 2023 Fresh, News, Video

Flavor Flav Explains Why Rap Music Is Much More Dangerous Now

Thirty-five years ago, Public Enemy released a classic album It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. The Def Jam Records LP contained the video single "Night Of The Living Baseheads," which was a stylish and clever indictment on drug use, particularly crack cocaine—which was an epidemic during that decade. Chuck... Read more

January 31, 2023 Video

Black Sheep Dres Explains His $750 Million Lawsuit Against Universal Music

Earlier this month, it was reported that Hip-Hop duo Black Sheep is leading a $750 million class action lawsuit against Universal Music Group over artist royalties related to Spotify streams. Black Sheep Dres (as he is now known) and band-mate Mista Lawnge released two major label albums as Black Sheep... Read more

January 28, 2023 News, Video

Tupac & Biggie Are Being Impersonated By An AI Chatbot

It has been more than a quarter-century since Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls passed. Both Rap legends made an indelible mark on Hip-Hop in their short careers. Long after their tragic deaths (six months apart in 1996 and 1997, respectively), music and art continue to flourish from both slain legends.... Read more

January 27, 2023 News

Cordae & Anderson .Paak Have A Heated Debate About A Woman On Their New Song

In 2019, Anderson .Paak was a crucial guest on Cordae's Grammy-nominated album, The Lost Boy (also named one of Ambrosia For Heads' best albums that year). That collaboration, "RNP (Rich Ni**a Problems)" was produced by J. Cole and evolved to become a music video. The chemistry between Cordae and Paak... Read more

January 26, 2023 Video

Lupe Fiasco Dares You To Try To Understand His Latest Video

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads published our annual best albums list. For 2022, that collection included Lupe Fiasco's stunning DRILL MUSIC IN THE ZION. The 1st & 15th LP also arguably contained the year's best verse, courtesy of "FAUX NEM." As that FnF album marches towards its first birthday, Lupe continues to gather attention to the release.... Read more

January 23, 2023 Video

Macklemore Ponders Hip-Hop’s Bad Influences On A Song With DJ Premier

It has been over a decade since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' mainstream breakthrough, The Heist. Promoted with impressive Backroom freestyles and more, the album dealt with industry triumphs, sexual equality, and more. The against-the-grain LP featuring ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul would eventually (and somewhat controversially) win "Best Rap Album" at the 2014... Read more

January 22, 2023 Video

Joey Bada$$ Performs Mos Def’s Umi Says & Smashes It

In 2022, Joey Bada$$ released one of the year's best albums courtesy of 2000. The spiritual sequel to Joey's breakthrough 1999 mixtape a decade earlier, 2000 was named among Ambrosia For Heads ' best of the year. Although it was an overt snub by the Grammy Awards in their "Best... Read more

January 20, 2023 Video

J. Cole Gifts An Unknown Producer With A Surprise Verse

J. Cole has a knack for being incredibly down to earth, despite his superstardom. Amid his status, the Dreamville founder has offered $1 concerts, recorded albums in the studio where his career began, and protested in the streets alongside his fans and supporters. Kicking off 2023, Cole did something true... Read more

January 18, 2023 Audio

The Final Season Of Wu-Tang’s TV Series Will Show Their Triumph

Since September 2019, Wu-Tang: An American Saga has been some of the most significant Hip-Hop programming on television. The Emmy-nominated Hulu series has traced the Staten Island, New York origins of the Wu-Tang Clan—covering music, crime, and police brutality across 20 episodes. RZA is a series creator, and his character... Read more

January 18, 2023 TV, TV/Film, Video

21 Savage Brags About Committing Serious Crimes During A Clubhouse Argument

21 Savage has had dueling images since his Grammy-winning, chart-topping music career launched. The 30-year-old artist born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph broke through with menacing songs like 2016's "Red Opps" and 2017's "My Choppa Hate Ni**as" with Metro Boomin. Both songs streamed in the hundreds of millions, cementing a new voice... Read more

January 18, 2023 Audio, Fresh

Black Sheep’s $750 Million Lawsuit May Take Down The Music Business

One of the greatest Hip-Hop super crews is undoubtedly the Native Tongues. The New York City collective, reportedly masterminded by The Jungle Brothers' Baby Bam, would grow to include De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Leaders Of The New School, Black Sheep, Chi-Ali, The Beatnuts,... Read more

January 17, 2023 News, Video

Skyzoo Has Released An Entire Album As Snowfall’s Franklin Saint

Skyzoo has been on a tear for the last five years in an already decorated career of elite lyricism and quality album-making. In that time, the Brooklyn, New York veteran MC released In Celebration Of Us, Retropolitan with Pete Rock, and 2021's stunning All The Brilliant Things. 2020 also included two standout EPs within... Read more

January 15, 2023 Audio, TV, TV/Film

Boldy James Is In Recovery After A Serious Car Accident

In recent years, veteran Detroit, Michigan MC Boldy James has been leveling up. After more than a decade in the Rap game, Boldy has made some of his best material at a prolific rate. 2020's The Price Of Tea In China alongside Alchemist was named among Ambrosia For Heads' best... Read more

January 14, 2023 News

N.W.A. & Tupac Affiliated Producer Laylaw Has Reportedly Passed Away

Laylaw, a pioneering West Coast Hip-Hop rapper, songwriter, and producer, has reportedly died. Born Larry Goodman, Laylaw was an affiliate of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. He made contributions to albums by Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, Above The Law, Kausion, K-Dee, and Anotha Level. DJ Pooh, Da Lench Mob's J-Dee,... Read more

January 12, 2023 News

Eddie Murphy Explains Why Making Beverly Hills Cop 4 Was So Hard

More than three years ago, Eddie Murphy revealed that Beverly Hills Cop 4 was in the works, and the onetime superstar actor and comedian was starring and producing in the comedy-action film. Since then, Eddie resurrected Coming To America with a 2021 sequel, which he starred in and co-produced. This... Read more

January 11, 2023 TV/Film, Video

Black Thought Is Continuing His Run With A New Joint Album

In 2022, Black Thought of The Roots teamed with fellow Grammy Award-winner Danger Mouse to release Cheat Codes. The album, named one of the year's best by Ambrosia For Heads, featured Raekwon, MF DOOM, Run The Jewels, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, and many more. The LP marked the fourth album... Read more

January 11, 2023 Audio, News

Erick Sermon Reveals He’s Overcome An Opioid Addiction

One of Hip-Hop's most beloved multi-threats has opened up about his personal life. Erick Sermon revealed this weekend that he is seven months clean from opioid addiction. The EPMD and Def Squad co-founder has not previously shared that he was addicted to painkillers. On Instagram, E-Double shared the news, along... Read more

January 7, 2023 Lifestyle, News

Slick Rick To Receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Slick Rick has become the latest Hip-Hop legend that will receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. On February 5, the iconic MC will join the ranks of Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Run-D.M.C., and Salt-n-Pepa to earn this distinction. The artist born Ricky Walters is known for helping... Read more

January 5, 2023 News

De La Soul Reveals The Date To Stream Their Back Catalog

UPDATE: Hours after De La Soul revealed plans to release their first six albums on digital streaming platforms on March 3, 2023, more information released surrounding their recent work with Prince Paul. In speaking with William E. Ketchum III for Billboard, Posdnuos shared, "We definitely want to get something done... Read more

January 4, 2023 News

Gangsta Boo Has Passed Away At 43 Years Old

Three 6 Mafia alum Gangsta Boo has died. Several sources, including TMZ, report that the 43-year-old rapper born Lola Mitchell was found dead on Sunday (January 1). The Memphis, Tennessee native has been mourned by Three 6's DJ Paul, Ty Dolla $ign, and others. No cause of death has been... Read more

January 1, 2023 News

Trae Tha Truth Is Charged With Assault Following Z-Ro Fight

On August 27 of this year, Trae Tha Truth was caught on video alongside associates apparently attacking fellow Houston, Texas rapper Z-Ro. What made the video and the news particularly interesting is that Trae and Z-Ro are cousins, as well as longtime collaborators who co-founded Guerilla Maab and ABN (Assh*les... Read more

December 30, 2022 News, Video

Keith Murray Details His Alleged Affair With Foxy Brown While She Dated Kurupt

In late 1999, Kurupt released one of the most inflammatory diss songs of that period. "Calling Out Names," an unlisted bonus song from Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha, was a scathing diss by Tha Dogg Pound MC aimed at DMX, Ja Rule, and Irv Gotti—while making disparaging remarks about The... Read more

December 29, 2022 Video

Mickey Factz Freestyles Over Jadakiss’ Classic Like He Owns It

Veteran New York MC Mickey Factz has had a busy 2022. Just over one week ago, the Bronx lyricist partnered with producer Ayo Shamir to self-release It's Only Us Here, an album that features Sy Ari Da Kid and others. Earlier in the year, the artist assembled the conceptual Black History With... Read more

December 24, 2022 Video

Tory Lanez Found Guilty Of Shooting Megan Thee Stallion

After a two-week trial in Los Angeles, California, the jury has reached a verdict in the Megan Thee Stallion case against Tory Lanez. On Friday (December 23), Tory Lanez was found guilty of shooting and wounding Meg in July 2020. The 30-year-old rapper/singer was found guilty of all three felony... Read more

December 23, 2022 News

House Party Is Being Added To The Library Of Congress

The Library Of Congress chooses 25 movies annually to enter its National Film Registry. For 2022, the committee decided to include Kid' N Play's House Party in the hallowed halls. The 1990 film starring Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin, as well as Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Robin Harris, Full Force,... Read more

December 17, 2022 News, TV/Film

Kendrick Lamar’s Video Shows 5 Years In 2 Minutes

The same day his friend and former label-mate Ab-Soul releases his first album in over six years, Kendrick Lamar steps forth with the latest music video from this year's Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers. The short-notice release is for "Count Me Out," the opening from the second half of... Read more

December 16, 2022 Video

Ab-Soul Speaks In Vivid Detail About His Suicide Attempt

Today (December 16), Ab-Soul released his highly-anticipated HERBERT album. The 18-track Top Dawg Entertainment release finds the Carson, California native aiming to reclaim his post among Hip-Hop's most thoughtful, technically advanced MCs. The LP is also incredibly personal, with a previously released "Do Better" music video that alluded to a... Read more

December 16, 2022 Lifestyle, Video

Black Thought Blends Hip-Hop With Afrobeat On A New EP

Black Thought has had a strong showing this 2022. In the summer, The Roots MC partnered with fellow Grammy Award-winner Danger Mouse for Cheat Codes. The album involved Raekon, Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, as well as a verse from the late MF DOOM. Ambrosia For Heads recently pointed out... Read more

December 15, 2022 Audio

Ab-Soul Freestyles Over Tupac & Biggie Disses With Love For Both

Just days before releasing his first album in six years, Ab-Soul makes his first freestyle appearance on the LA Leakers. The TDE mainstay begins as Justin Incredible and DJ Sour Milk drop the beat to Tupac Shakur and Tha Outlawz' "Hit 'Em Up" (as produced by the late Johnny J).... Read more

December 14, 2022 Video

Grand Daddy I.U. Has Passed Away

In a year already marred by loss, Hip-Hop has learned of another tragedy. Long Island, New York's Grand Daddy I.U. has reportedly died. The MC/producer has been mourned publicly by LL Cool J, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Bumpy Knuckles, and others. At this time, no cause of death has been... Read more

December 13, 2022 News

Ab-Soul Confirms Trying To Take His Life

One of 2022's most impressive songs is Ab-Soul's "Do Better," featuring Zacari. Six years removed from his last album, the Top Dawg Entertainment mainstay made an inspirational video single that leads fans to his fifth LP, HERBERT, which arrives this Friday (December 16). In the song, Soulo admits to battling... Read more

December 13, 2022 Fresh, Lifestyle

Prince Paul Confirms He Has Finished His De La Soul Project

In August of 2022, Prince Paul posted an Instagram photo with De La Soul's Posdnuos and Maseo, as well as Dres of Black Sheep, and music engineer Scotty Hard. The Grammy Award-winning producer and DJ wrote, "And then this happened..." prompting speculation that he had reunited with De La Soul.... Read more

December 10, 2022 Fresh, News

SZA Raps Harder Than A Lot Of These Sucker MCs

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

December 9, 2022 Audio

Bill Bellamy Gives New Details About The Fight Between LL Cool & Jamie Foxx

On December 22, 1999, Oliver Stone released Any Given Sunday, a film which took a hard-hitting look into the world of professional football. The project featured a who's who cast, which included Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, Bill Bellamy, Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Matthew Modine, Jim Brown and... Read more

December 6, 2022 Video

An Argument For Why Roc Marciano Is The Greatest MC Of All-Time

The conversation about who is Rap's best MC is Hip-Hop's great debate. As with sports, movies and other categories that lend themselves to rankings, the answer often evolves over time, as new entrants emerge. In the 1980s, names like Rakim, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane and LL Cool J were often... Read more

December 3, 2022 TBD, Video

Multiple Arrests Have Been Made For The Killing Of Takeoff

One month after the killing of Migos rapper Takeoff, the public has learned that an arrest has been made. According to the Houston Police Department, 33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clark, 33 arrested on a murder charge on the city's east side of Houston, Texas, Thursday evening (December 1). The New York Times... Read more

December 2, 2022 News

Drake Publicly Taunted Ye Last Year About Kim’s Alleged Affair

Over the last 13 years, Drake has ascended from a blog-era independent artist to a music superstar of the highest magnitude. This week, Spotify published that Drake is the third-most streamed act of 2022, tailing only leader Bad Bunny and #2, Taylor Swift. Drake has reached that distinction through catchy hit records... Read more

December 2, 2022 Fresh

Black Star & Westside Gunn Join Forces For A Song That’s On 10

Last month, Westside Gunn released 10. What began as a mixtape series a decade turned into a vehicle that delivered the Buffalo, New York MC and label founder to the mainstream. Griselda Records has become a movement to be reckoned with, and WSG has helped usher in a renaissance of... Read more

November 30, 2022 Video

The Best Rap Verses Of 2022

As 2022 winds down to its closing weeks, Ambrosia For Heads begins a celebration of the year with an in-depth conversation about its best Hip-Hop verses. In considering 2022, AFH's What's The Headline podcast spent nearly 90 minutes breaking down some of our favorites. While there is unanimous agreement surrounding six songs, the two hosts... Read more

November 30, 2022 Exclusive, Video

Nas & 21 Savage Make Peace With A Song Together

To say Nas and 21 Savage had a beef would be a grand overstatement. However, the two Grammy Award-winning artists appeared to land in a misunderstanding the same month that each released albums. 21 made the first move, when earlier this month, he appeared in a Clubhouse chat (clip embedded... Read more

November 30, 2022 Audio

50 Cent Uses 2 Songs To Show How Differently Tupac & Eminem Saw The World

Nineteen years ago, 50 Cent joined Eminem as a top artist who made high-profile contributions to the soundtrack belonging to Tupac: Resurrection. The companion to Lauren Lazin's documentary presented Em and 50, two artists who found mainstream success after Tupac Shakur's 1996 death, spiritually aligning with an artist both admired.... Read more

November 29, 2022 Video

Naturally 7 Remake Run-D.M.C.’s Holiday Classic With Style & Grace

Thirty-five years ago, Run-D.M.C. delivered one of the best holiday songs in any genre. "Christmas In Hollis" brought the mainstream home to the Profile Records trio's Queens, New York neighborhood. The song is charming and accessible without losing the magic that Hip-Hop's superstar trio had after their first three albums.... Read more

November 29, 2022 Video

Kurupt, Daz, The Lady Of Rage & RBX Have Formed A Supergroup

During the 1990s, as co-founder and president of Death Row Records, Dr. Dre introduced an incredible crop of new talent. Snoop Dogg would go on to become a superstar and business mogul. However, with Snoop, several other artists were integral to 1992's The Chronic and Snoop's 1993 debut, Doggystyle. Now,... Read more

November 27, 2022 Fresh, News

Kool G Rap & AZ Are The Last Of A Dying Breed Of MCs

As 2022's calendar winds down, there is still plenty of Hip-Hop to look forward to. On December 9, Kool G Rap will release his first album in more than four years. Last Of A Dying Breed will feature the late Sean Price, Vado, and fellow Queens, New Yorker Royal Flush.... Read more

November 27, 2022 Audio

Don Newkirk Of De La Soul & 3rd Bass Fame Has Passed Away

Don Newkirk's music and voice touched vital Hip-Hop records by Stetsasonic, 3rd Bass, De La Soul, and solo releases of his longtime friend and close collaborator Prince Paul. He and Paul co-founded groups, including BROOKZILL! and Baby Elephant. The Bronx-born, Long Island, New York-raised artist has passed away. Paul was... Read more

November 26, 2022 News

Kendrick Lamar Details The Deeper Meanings In His We Cry Together Song

Kendrick Lamar's 2022 double album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is filled with poignant moments and personal revelations. Songs like "Auntie Diaries" and "Mother I Sober" examine unconscious bias and the generational effects of abuse, respectively. "Father Time" revisits the complicated lessons Kendrick learned from his father while growing... Read more

November 25, 2022 Fresh, News

Ice Cube, E-40, Too Short & Snoop Are Giving Free Game

Over the last several years, one of the biggest super-groups in Hip-Hop history has been brewing. Mount Westmore is Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, E-40, and Too Short. To date, the collective has released a handful of singles and performed together. However, now the California delegation from South Central Los Angeles,... Read more

November 25, 2022 Video