AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Fresh

Fire Up the BBQ and Let This Old School Mix Turn Up the Heat (Audio)

A few years ago, DJ Spinbad put together this short but killer Memorial Day BBQ Mix. Its Old School blends featuring The Jackson 5, Soul II Soul, Eric B. and Rakim, Main Source, Nas, Gap Band, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Biggie, Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and much more... Read more

Jeru The Damaja Tells the Story of the Making of The Sun Rises in the East (Audio)

Today (5/24), marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Jeru The Damaja's album The Sun Rises in the East. Here's a super dope podcast, by Up North Trips, featuring Jeru, himself, narrating the stories behind the making of the album, track by track. Check out the podcast below and... Read more

From Yeezus to God Level: New Music From Kanye West (Audio)

Update: Sources have confirmed the track is in fact called "God Level" and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer 88-Keys. Both friends and collaborators, this is not the first time Kanye and 88 have worked together. Most people know 88-Keys for his stellar production on Ye and Jay's "No... Read more

Crooked I Joins Canibus in Wrecking a New Track (Audio)

Lately, there hasn't been a track Crooked I met that he didn't wreck. The trend continues on Canibus' new song, aptly titled Wreck Room, which also features Nino Graye and Flawless the MC. Check it out below. Related: Canibus Proclaims The End Of Days With His Latest Bass Heavy Relaease... Read more

Nas & Journey? Sounds Crazy But It Sounds CRAZY. Check This (Mixtape)

There have bend some incredible blend mixtapes over the years from Danger Mouse's Grey Album fusing Jay Z's verses with Beatles music to the Keys Open Doors project which mixed The Clipse with The Doors. Here's another project that was brought to our attention by @djskinnykitchen. Journey with Nas, released... Read more

D’Angelo Explains Delving Into Funk-Rock, Brotherly Bond With Questlove (Video)

D'Angelo takes the microphone in a much different capacity as the singer-songwriter hits the Red Bull Music Academy in New York for an hour-and-a-half-long talk with journalist/author/filmmaker Nelson George. In front of an energetic audience at the Brooklyn Museum, D'angelo discusses a wide variety of topics including his inspiration from... Read more

Barrel Brothers Collide With Random Axe In All In Together (Audio)

All In Together Now was one of the pre-Wu-Tang names for the beginnings of the Wu-Tang Clan. Two established cliques made in the spirit of super-groups, Barrel Brothers (Torae & Skyzoo) and Random Axe (Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk) cross paths on "All In Together." As expected, the... Read more

Discover The Art Of Chill With Nitty Scott, MC (Mixtape)

Nitty Scott, MC unleashes her latest mixtape, The Art Of Chill. From the smooth, Electronic samples of "Apex" to the powerful, horn laden cut, "U.F.O.," this 15 track project is great way to kick off the long weekend. The Brooklyn, New York-based artist is definitely well on her way to... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Goes to South Africa For His Mandela Visuals (Video)

When Kanye West was named executive producer of CyHi The Prynce's Black Hystori Project mixtape, Heads may have been confused. After all, the G.O.O.D. Music founder who inked CyHi some years back was not a track-by-track producer on the project, or a guest. However, when it's come time to make... Read more

Can You See Danny Brown in G-Unit? It Almost Happened…(Video)

Danny Brown keeps it as real as it gets in his interviews. His laid-back demeanor and complete "lack of filter" are magnetic and highly-engaging. He sat down for an extended conversation with The Breakfast Club and touched on several things, including being the unofficial "5th member of Black Hippy," choosing... Read more

Jon Connor Hits His 2014 XXL Freestyle At 100 Miles Per Hour & Runnin’ (Video)

Among 2014 XXL Freshmen, Jon Connor appears to have the most exciting situation. The Flint, Michigan MC is inked to Aftermath Entertainment. While the world has yet to hear #ConnorSeason on a truly-produced Dr. Dre track, Jon has put his skills and output in high gear. So it's only natural... Read more

Domingo Sets The Table For 3 Legends In KRS-One, Kool G Rap & Greg Nice (Audio)

In the late 1980s, the notion of KRS-One and Kool G Rap on the same track was unheard of. In the midst of "The Bridge Wars," KRS-One was in the middle of a war of the boroughs, championing The Bronx against Queens' Marley Marl and MC Shan, surrounding the birthplace... Read more

D-Nice Recalls The Day Of Scott La Rock’s Murder, Reveals That After BDP, He Battled Homelessness (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's most resilient figures is D-Nice. The Human TR-808 came into vogue as an MC, down with KRS-One, Scott La Rock, and Boogie Down Productions. Rolling with one of the late '80s most ferocious Hip-Hop outfits, D-Nice became B.D.P.'s most prominent off-shoot, signing a solo deal with Jive... Read more

J Dilla’s Sought-After Collaboration With Supa Dave West Comes To The Light (Audio)

Not even at the halfway mark, 2014 has been especially big in unreleased J Dilla/Jay Dee music. The Slum Village co-founder's unheard gems continue to surface, this time by way of a collaboration with "Supa" Dave West. The De La Soul, Talib Kweli, and E-40 producer had a particular knock... Read more

Logic’s Story May Be Even More Compelling Than His Verses. Here’s Why (Video)

Logic has been blistering microphones lately as he makes the rounds in NYC. Many are just starting to understand the talent the MC commands. It turns out, his story is every bit as compelling as his verses. He spoke to Sway about being biracial, growing up in an all Black... Read more

Give Some Wrek-ognition To New Tracks From Kap Kallous, ¡Mayday! & Murs (Audio)

Spirited, emotive instrumentals captivate listeners with an experimental single from ¡Mayday! and Murs that strays away from the stereotypical. "Here" boasts introspective lyrics from Murs, Bernz, and Wrekonize that may be a deeper look into their past, addressing the artists' attempt to find their place in life and in music.... Read more

Ab-Soul & Action Bronson Do Damage On Soulo’s New Track (Audio)

Ab-Soul's new album, These Days, is coming. Soon. As TDE readies the release for next month, here's a new song that features Soulo, Action Bronson and Asaad getting busy on a dark and moody track. Check out Stigmata below. Related: Ab-Soul Breaks Down the Tree of Life on His Latest... Read more

The LOX Reminisce on Working with The Notorious B.I.G. (Video)

Today, The LOX are giants in Hip-Hop. However, back in 1996, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P were still on the come-up. Two years removed from an uncredited (pre-Styles) feature on Main Source's sophomore LP, F**k What You Think, the Yonkers, New Yorkers were the new acts on Puff Daddy's... Read more

Here’s Yet Another Reason to Pick Up The Roots’ Dope New Album (Audio)

The Roots released their dope new concept album, ...and then you shoot your cousin, earlier in the week. It stands up to their finest work in quality and concept. They have released another single in support of the album. Check out The Dark (Trinity). You can pick up the full... Read more

Kanye West Is Recording, But Who Is Involved & What Does It Sound Like?

All Heads know right now is that Kanye West is recording his seventh solo album, and it's allegedly going down in Florence, Italy. Early on, reports stated that Q-Tip and Rick Rubin were sitting in the executive producer's chairs, following Rubin's role in Yeezus, and G.O.O.D. Music inking The Abstract... Read more

Ready for Another Ill Freestyle? eMC Abuse Some DJ Premier Tracks (Video)

Here's another ill freestyle session courtesy of Statik Selektah's Showoff Radio. Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth & Strick (aka eMC) bless the mic over some DJ Premier goodness, off the top...Check out the video.... Read more

Boot Camp Clik Meets Pro Era, As Buckshot Crosses Paths With Joey Bada$$ & CJ Fly (Video)

Whether it be with Black Moon, Boot Camp Clik, or just on his own two as the B.D.I. Thug, Buckshot Shorty has been dropping music for over two decades and has worked with a slew of notable artists including 9th Wonder and KRS-One. To add to his extensive catalog, the... Read more

De La Soul Presented With Webby Awards’ Artist Of The Year By Questlove (Video)

Only releasing a mixtape and a handful of loose tracks in the last 12 months, De La Soul received Artist Of The Year honors at the 18th annual Webby Awards. The Long Island, New York trio was presented with the award (by De La disciple, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of The... Read more

Tim Westwood’s Reggae, Dub & Classic Hip-Hop Vinyl Weighs A Ton (Video)

To younger Heads, Tim Westwood may be known for his wild enthusiasm during guest-stops from the likes of Eminem, Drake, and Jay Z. However, the London-based BBC DJ has nearly 30 years rooted in bridging the gap and crossing the oceans in making Hip-Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Dub, and House mixes.... Read more

GQ is Next Up in 9th Wonder’s Jamla Army (Audio)

10+ years after the release of Little Brother's debut album, The Listening, 9th Wonder is still making moves behind the boards and behind the scenes. His Jamla Records roster includes artists like Rapsody and one of the most talented producer corps in the game. GQ is another soldier in 9th's... Read more

Slaughterhouse Release a Surprise New Mixtape (Mixtape)

Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden take mics by force. On a somewhat sleepy week, the Shady Records lyrical quartet swarmed to claim the conversation with House Rules. The 10-track mixtape features no names (no gimmicks, either) featuring original production from Just Blaze, Nottz, Emanny, and... Read more

Erykah Badu Traced Her DNA to Determine Her Ancestry. Here’s What She Found (Video)

Erykah Badu took a DNA test to get a better sense of her full ancestry. OkayPlayer accompanied her on her journey and it yielded some fascinating results. Not only did Ms. Badu come away with a deeper understanding of her roots, she also learned that some of the things that... Read more

Logic Destroys the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle. Did He Even Take a Breath?? (Video)

Logic took on Sway's 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle challenge and did what real MC's do...BODIED IT. Not only did he deliver some crushing off the top lyrics, it almost seemed like he didn't even take a breath. True lyrics of fury. Check it out. Related: Logic Shows Off His... Read more

KRS-One Returns Alongside Domingo, Chris Rivers, Bamboo & R.A. The Rugged Man (Audio)

From the raw streets of East New York, Domingo is a veteran producer known for sharing an updated boom-bap sound with the likes of KRS-One, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, and Canibus. A frequent worker on major label and independent LPs, Domingo has also released an assortment of his own... Read more

M.K. Asante Recruits Talib Kweli, Ras Kass & Bishop Lamont For Godz In The Hood (Video)

Multi-talented M.K. Asante is an MC, author, filmmaker, professor, and scholar surrounding Hip-Hop and modern race relations in America. The Philadelphia native recruited MCs from Brooklyn to C-Arson in Talib Kweli, Ras Kass, and Bishop Lamont. "Godz In The Hood" is a song that explores the ulterior motives to some... Read more

Ice-T & Body Count Are Back To Making Threatening Rock-Rap. But Who’s Their New Target? (Video)

When some Heads talk about Ice-T's songs, they inevitably mention "Cop Killer." It's not a celebrated street-anthem like "6 'N The Mornin'," "Colors," or "New Jack Hustler." It's a song made by Tracy's Metal/Rock-Rap outfit, Body Count. The 1992 single about retaliation from police violence prompted strong reactions from everybody... Read more

The Roots’ Never Gets A Live Choral Flip, With DJ A-Trak On The Cut (Video)

Released yesterday, The Roots' ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin steps further in the direction that the group has been heading since parting ways with MCA/Geffen Records a decade ago. Dark, thoughtful, and often veiled in the perspectives and voices of others, the Philadelphia group is making quite different music... Read more

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Earliest Mentor, DJ Mister Cee Laid Down A Biggie Birthday Mix (Audio)

Before Puff Daddy, before Heavy D, before even Easy Mo Bee, it was DJ Mister Cee who took musical interest in a young Christopher Wallace. Mister Cee was a Brooklyn big-shot back in 1992, known as a fixture for DJ'ing and producing for Big Daddy Kane and others, as part... Read more

Think You Know A Hard Rap Verse? Tech N9ne & Murs Raise The Ante (Video)

With Strangeulation making its round, Tech N9ne unleashed a rough-edged exterior video to his Murs-assisted "Hard." Strange Music's co-founder and the label's most recent signee link for this skills-forward single. Tech puts on his paint for this video, letting Heads know it's real, while Murs goes back to some of... Read more

“Button Up” For Kevin Gates 2014 XXL Freestyle (Video)

Kevin Gates, creator of the recently released, well-rounded mixtape, By Any Means, steps up to the microphone for his official XXL Freshman Freestyle of 2014. When asked how it feels to be on the cover of XXL's 2014 Freshman Class, the Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records artist responded, “I always been a... Read more

Some Texas Street Musicians Get A Dream Come True Care Of Juicy J, Aloe Blacc & Trey Songz (Video)

It can be easy to roll your eyes at the seemingly-cliche term "viral video." The label is thrown on anything anymore, whether it actually makes its rounds or not. However, in the past week, some phone-cam footage of a sidewalk jam session in Texas. The simple jam about the uncertainty... Read more

Marvelous Mag & Smoovth Ship Off Their Message In A Bottle Dedicated To The Late J Dilla (Audio)

Velvety, relaxing, Jazz-laden production from veteran producer J. Rawls (Black Star, Lone Catalysts) lays the soundscape for Marvelous Mag and Smoovth to take over their latest track dedicated to the late J Dilla. Be sure to "Enjoy Yourself" with Marvelous Mag's latest mixtape, Ocean Front, that washed to shore yesterday.... Read more

Nicki Minaj Releases a Deeply Personal Record for Her First Single (Audio)

In many ways, Nicki Minaj has returned to her 2010 form with the release of Pills N Potions, her first single from the forthcoming album The Pinkprint. Her look is toned down, relative to recent styles, and the single is deeply personal akin to songs like Your Love and Moment... Read more

Black Sheep’s Dres Says We Can All Share (Audio)

In what appears to be a revival of Tommy Boy Records, Black Sheep front man Dres begins a new solo venture. The mentor to Chi-Ali and Jarobi's evitaN partner released "We Can All Share" via NahRight. The song shows the 25-year veteran and Native Tongues member has only gained ground... Read more

Stream Terrace Martin’s New LP ft Snoop, Kendrick Lamar & More (Audio)

Terrace Martin has released 3ChordFold Pulse, which features new material from Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Robert Glasper and more. This project showcases Martin's jazz chops even more than the incredibly soulful original 3ChordFold project. Check out the full stream below.... Read more

Logic Shows Off His Lyrical Skills Over a DJ Premier Beat (Video)

Still sleeping on Logic's skills? Watch how he blisters the mic over this DJ Premier track on Statik Selektah's Show Off Radio. Part written. Part off the top. All dope. Related: Logic Re-Interprets a Common Classic In Finding Forever (Audio)... Read more

Nitty Scott, MC Takes Flight on U.F.O. (Audio)

Nitty Scott, MC gets busy on a new track with a thumping beat and muted horns. Her new project, The Art of Chill, releases on Friday. Until then, check out U.F.O. (Unfiltered Offering). Related: Nitty Scott, MC’s Second Art Of Chill Single Is Produced By Ski Beatz (Audio)... Read more

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force’s Producers Are Forever Looking For The Perfect (Video)

With DJ Kool Herc credited as founder, Hip-Hop music is often credited with three godfathers. In addition to the Jamaican-born Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash are honored as the two other mixmasters known for bringing the funk to the people. By the '80s, while Kool Herc still played parties,... Read more

Troy Ave Unveils His Own Brand of Gangsta Rap With His 2014 XXL Freestyle (Video)

27 year-old Troy Ave has been waiting for a few years to make it to the cover of XXL magazine, and in 2014, he finally gets his opportunity. Once the photo shoot cleared and the 2014 XXL "Freshman" cover hit the shelves, his wait was over. "I envisioned it. I wanted it... Read more

Two Dedicated Artists, Mariah Carey & Nas Cook Up A Little Heat (Audio)

Mariah Carey and Nas have worked together before on the sultry remix to the track, "Make It Last Forever." Now, the mesmerizing songstress and the Queensbridge artist cook up yet another spicy dish to make you sweat with, "Dedicated." The tantalizingly smooth production from Hit-Boy perfectly accentuates Carey's incredibly sharp... Read more

The Jurassic 5 Reunion Continues With All New Visuals Of A Heavy D-Produced Track (Video)

They're back. Jurassic 5 surprised fans by reuniting at Coachella last year, sporadic festival performances throughout the U.S., as well as a mini tour throughout Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. To add to the hype, Jurassic 5 announced an all new album dropping July 5, a/k/a J5 Day. This will... Read more

Roc Marciano Fits Snugly On A Cold To The Bone Apollo Brown Beat (Audio)

Mello Music Group's Apollo Brown lines up with regular label affiliate Roc Marciano for "Lonely & Cold." The bonus cut from Thirty Eight lives up to its name as the Detroit, Michigan mainstay producer/member of The Left links with the U.N. veteran, in his latest in a series of top-shelf feature spots.... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Depicts His Grim Coming of Age Story in Hoover St (Video)

There have been a number of stories over the years detailing survival tactics in Southern California, from Compton's Most Wanted's "Growing Up in the Hood" to Ice Cube's "How to Survive in South Central" and many others. Recently, Kendrick Lamar's entire good kid, m.A.A.d. city album was dedicated to the... Read more

Travel Back To A Different NYC Hip-Hop Climate In Rast RFC’s Across West 3rd Street (Mixtape)

Heads may not know of Rast RFC immediately. However, the Downtown swinger's name means much more in the graffiti world than immediately to most Rap listeners. A member of the RFC crew, Rast represents that late '90s, early 2000s-era New York City youth that made panel vans cringe in horror,... Read more

J. Rawls & Masta Ace Bemoan The Bills That We All Get (Audio)

As we collectively approach a new first of the month, leave it to Lone Catalysts' J. Rawls & The eMC's Masta Ace to make a funky explanation about how those "Bills" run our lives. Ace, who regularly externalizes his rhymes when he's being self-deprecating, waxes some Everyman poetic. Rawls laces... Read more