AFH Ambrosia for Heads

The Bridge

Rapsody, GZA & D’Angelo Revisit Liquid Swords On A 9th Wonder Produced Song

UPDATE: The same day as Rapsody releases "IBTIHAJ," she and GZA drop the video. Mary J. Blige and Roxanne Shanté (who is shouted out in the lyrics) appear, with clear visual connections to this song's title and inspiration, described below: ORIGINAL STORY: Following 2017's Grammy-nomination run with Laila's Wisdom, Rapsody... Read more

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

Erykah Badu Tempts Fans With A 1980s Pop Cover (Audio)

Erykah Badu is no stronger to cover songs. She and D'Angelo powerfully remade Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's "Your Precious Love" early on in both of their careers. Erykah's 1997 Live! collection includes a harmonic rendition of Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Stay." More recently, the singer covered the likes of... Read more

A$AP Rocky & A$AP Ferg Rework A DMX Classic That Still Barks Loud (Video)

A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky are two New York City rappers whose childhoods coincided with fellow New Yorker DMX's astronomical rise to fame. Both born in 1988, Ferg and Rocky had a front-row seat to the Yonkers MC's chart-topping journey, which began with 1998's quadruple-platinum It's Dark and Hell Is Hot,... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Brings Back Rap City’s Booth With Beast Coast & Big Tigger (Video)

At just 24 years old, Joey Bada$$ has been a purveyor of 1990s and 2000s Rap styles throughout the last decade—even if he was not around to firsthand witness all of it. The Pro Era front-man often represents a Brooklyn not unlike crews such as the Boot Camp Clik and... Read more

Curren$y Pays Tribute To Grand Puba In Grand Style (Audio)

2018 has been a great year for New Orleans, Louisiana's Curren$y. The Jet Life pilot recently became a father. Meanwhile, musically, he released one of his best works to date care of the Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist collaboration Fetti. Spitta also dropped a standout guest verse on Cozz's wavy "Badu,"... Read more

The LOX Flip A BDP Anthem To Bring Back Classic Hip-Hop (Video)

The LOX are three of the most prolific MCs in all of Hip-Hop. Styles P alone has released four projects this year. However, when he, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch come together, it often awakens a spirit in Rap fans that has been burning bright for more than 20 years. On... Read more

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Make An All-New Soul On Ice. It’s As Cold As Ever (Audio)

Ras Kass is overtly re-channeling his landmark debut Soul On Ice on his latest song. "SOI3 (Soul On Ice 3)" is produced by Ras' celebrated Blasphemy collaborator, Apollo Brown. The track deliberately reworks Ras' 1996 remix that presented one of the coldest lyricists in the game. Producer Apollo's dark and ghoulish instrumental... Read more

Remy Ma Samples Mint Condition For A Message About Black Beauty (Video)

Remy Ma has been a respected lyricist since she emerged on M.O.P.'s mash out-turned-mainstream hit, "Ante Up (Remix)." She has multiple career-highs under her belt with verses alongside Fat Joe on platinum-selling bangers "Lean Back" and "All The Way Up." Along with her marriage to venerated Brooklyn spitter Papoose, Remy's... Read more

Step Brothers Evidence & Alchemist Reunite To Salute Biz Markie & Fat Albert (Audio)

Paying homage to Biz Markie and "Fat Albert" at once, the Evidence/Alchemist Step Brothers duo makes a welcomed return with "Lay Some Treats On Us,” a new single that's tricky in the best possible way. Biz Markie’s 1989 sophomore album The Biz Never Sleeps contains a track called “Mudd Foot.”... Read more

Common, Brandy & Robert Glasper Re-Make Sounds Of Blackness’ Optimistic & It Soars (Audio)

Common is taking his inherently collaborative spirit onto its next journey. The Chicago MC, along with pianist/producer Robert Glasper and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins have formed a new group, August Greene. Wasting no time, the group announced that they will drop their first, self-titled album on March 9, via Amazon. The... Read more

Bruno Mars’ Fly Video Is A Throwback Dedication To In Living Color

Few Pop superstars are as nostalgic as Bruno Mars. "Locked Out Of Heaven" called back to Sting and The Police. His Mark Ronson 2016 "Record Of The Year" collaboration "Uptown Funk" channeled Morris Day & The Time. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Bruno traced the Electro-Funk of "24K Magic"... Read more

Jadakiss & Styles P Revamp A Whodini Classic To Show That Loyalty Is Timeless (Audio)

Whodini's biggest hit "Friends" has proven itself to be an ageless Hip-Hop song. The standout single from 1984's Escape album has a message that has endured more than 33 years and a beat (thanks to late keyboardist/producer Larry Smith) that seemingly never went out of fashion either. Rap superstars Tupac... Read more

Scarface Updates A Powerful Public Enemy Classic For The Chaos Of 2017 (Video)

Back in August, Scarface previewed some new music for Ambrosia For Heads and TBD. Backstage at his concert with upcoming EP collaborator DJ Quik, the Houston, Texas Hip-Hop legend played a new song from his phone that showed the Geto Boys O.G. reworking Public Enemy’s 1988 video single “Black Steel... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Takes The Classic Symphony Beat & Makes It A Gangsta Party (Audio)

ScHoolboy Q is putting the finishing touches on his follow-up to the Grammy-nominated The Blank Face LP. In the meantime, Groovy Q makes a welcomed appearance care of longtime collaborator, Traffic. After the pair worked together on 2016 video single "Tookie Knows II," Q is featured on the just-released All... Read more

Lil’ Kim Shows She’s The Original Queen Bee As She & Remy Ma Sting Nicki Minaj (Audio)

Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj have one of Rap music's longest-running beefs. Before Nick' was a YMCMB superstar, she apparently took early shots at Kim on Hoodstarz mixtapes. As Minaj's career rose meteorically in the late 2000s, Kim called out the fellow New Yorker for copying her style of rhyme... Read more

M.O.P.’s Fame & Heltah Skeltah’s Rock Join A Band For A Menacing Beastie Boys Cover (Video)

On his landmark album 1999 Black on Both Sides, Mos Def (nka Yasiin Bey) staked the claim for “Rock n Roll” being Black Music. “Elvis Presley ain’t got no soul,” he declared, but Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Albert King and “James Brown like to rock and roll.” To close, Mos shouted... Read more

Torae & Nick Grant Take The Torch From Big Daddy Kane And Hold It High (Audio)

“Someone tell Praise to bring the bass and the treble in…” From the opening declaration, “Okay, let’s get the figures and facts” made in his typical take-no-prisoners style, Brooklyn, New York MC, Torae makes connections with the past, present, and future on “YGB.” Want That Raw Rap? Torae Delivers The... Read more

Ice-T Spits Punchy Bars On A Completely Different 6 ‘N The Mornin’ (Audio)

Although there are certainly other contenders, perhaps the verse of Ice-T's career is "6 'N The Mornin'." Thirty-one years ago the O.G. waxed an incredible tale about how his day begins for Techno Hop Records. The Unknown DJ (later of Compton's Most Wanted) laid down a beat that knocked as... Read more

Nas Dusts Off A Gil Scott-Heron Sample For A Nasty Look At Addiction (Audio)

Nas is an executive producer (and rhyme-writer) on the series, The Get Down. Set in the 1970s Bronx, the show looks at the earliest days of Hip-Hop music and culture, and the circumstances around its creation. While DJ'ing, MC'ing, breakin', and graffiti are colorful forms of expression, crime, drugs, and... Read more

Ludacris Reworks Sisqo’s Smash Hit To Create A New Type Of Fantasy (Audio)

In 1999, Dru Hill's Sisqó freaked the charts with his solo smash hit "Thong Song." While "Got To Get It" had broken into the Top 40, the veteran Baltimore, Maryland singer crossed over in the biggest way by making a simple song about ladies' lingerie. At the time, Nelly, Lil'... Read more

The Weeknd Takes A Sample DOOM & Biggie Rocked And Freaks It For The Club (Audio)

For lovers of samples, Isaac Hayes sophomore album Hot Buttered Soul is a must-own album. Released during 1969 on Enterprise/Stax Records (where Ike was a major writer and producer), this album was a Top 10 on the charts, and went to #1, even before Hayes gave "John Shaft" his theme... Read more

Fabolous Pays Homage To 2 Lauryn Hill Classics At Once (Video)

Fabolous has been wildly consistent at making songs about relationships, seemingly never alienating the other sides of his audience. Like LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, or T.I., Fab' has been enjoying this duality for 10, going on 15 years. Perhaps the Brooklyn, New Yorker's latest single "Real One" shows how... Read more

King Harris II Colors His Own West Coast Reality Into An Ice-T Classic (Audio Premiere)

Oxnard, California (by way of Long Beach) MC King Harris II is gearing up for the release of his Nightmare On Wolff Street album tomorrow, on "Friday the 13th" no less. After making impactful appearances on albums by Tech N9ne and E-40, the diligent MC (who also happens to be... Read more

Action Bronson’s Latest Is A Blue Chip Off Of Biggie & Super Cat’s Block (Audio)

Action Bronson has garnered some of the strongest acclaim of his career through the Blue Chips mixtape series with Party Supplies. Some of that same chemistry made its way onto 2015's Mr. Wonderful, with Bam Bam and the Fool's Gold Records production team creating four of the Top 10 LP's... Read more

Styles P, Joey Bada$$ & Droog Reload The Clipse On A Black Milk Beat (Audio)

Fifteen years ago, Pusha T and No Malice kicked in the door to the industry with "Grindin'." The Lord Willin' single received some of the most captivating Neptunes production of all time, that took the Brothers Thornton's Virginia Beach attitudes, and projected them upon the world. Your Old Droog finds... Read more

Freddie Gibbs Flips A Jay Z Vol 2. Concept With Some Hard Knock Bass (Audio)

Back in 1998, Jay Z and Swizz Beatz tapped into a musical pocket completely different from Jay's work with DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, Irv Gotti, or Timbaland. The Ruff Ryders' sound provider got busy on the keyboards and sliced into Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life with an electrified, DMX-assisted third... Read more

Snoop Dogg Revisits Donny Hathaway’s “Little Ghetto Boy,” With His Daughter, Lalah (Video)

A recent match-up between Snoop Dogg, Lalah Hathaway, Terrace Martin, and Robert Glasper is a glorious collaboration which in many ways was thought of years ago. Hathaway, the daughter of the late Soul icon Donny, has released an updated version of her dad's 1972 classic, "Little Ghetto Boy." However, it's... Read more

Mack Wilds Does The Right Thing In This Spike Lee-Inspired Music Video

Already, 2016 has started on a high note for Tristan "Mack" Wilds. The actor/sing was one of the stars of Vh1's The Breaks, which premiered last week (January 4). Now available for full stream online, the film (also starring Method Man, Phonte, Torae, Prince Paul, and Chuck Chillout) is set... Read more

Rashida Jones Teleports To ’90s R&B Videos. Catch The TLC, Da Brat & SWV References

Rashida Jones very much grew up around music. She is the daughter of Quincy Jones, sister of QDIII, and almost a sister-in-law to Tupac Shakur (Rashida's sister Kidada was engaged to 'Pac at the time of his murder). However, most Heads know thee Miss Jones from her TV work, thanks... Read more

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

Pimp C, Nas & Juicy J Take TLC’s What About Your Friends And Make It TRILL (Audio)

At the end of his life, Pimp C made no secrets about his unhappiness with the industry, and some of the folks in his circle. While Chad Butler and Bernard Freeman (a/k/a Bun B) maintained a brotherly bond in UGK that lasted nearly 20 years, other folks in Pimp C's... Read more

Blackalicious Mash Up Fantastic Mr. Fox For an Animated Lyrical Explosion (Video)

With their first new album in a decade, Imani, Vol. 1, Blackalicious are pulling out all of the stops. The Sacramento, California mainstays could have just made a typical video. However, given MC Gift Of Gab's propensity for precise lyricism at rapid speeds, isn't it fun to show somebody else... Read more

Fabolous’ New Visual Recreates “Juice” and Guess Who’s Bishop? (Video)

After a series of weekly freestyles, and a comprehensive throwback mixtape alongside DJ Clue, Fabolous is back to work. The Def Jam/Desert Storm MC returns to promoting his The Young O.G. Project. For "Gone For The Winter," Fab' continues a popular trend of honoring 1990s films through contemporary music culture.... Read more

Warren G & Nate Dogg Found Fame Reworking ’80s Grooves. So Why Not An Encore? (Audio)

In 1994, Warren G & Nate Dogg brought the other gifted components of 213 to the forefront with "Regulate." On Warren's Def Jam Records debut, and Death Row Records' Above The Rim soundtrack (Nate's label), the song reverberated in some stylish G-Funk storytelling. With its pounding bassline, weed-scented coolness, and smooth Rap-meets-R&B... Read more

Big Sean, Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign Recreate The Opening Credits To “Martin” (Video)

Big Sean's "Play No Games" is a 1990s experience by design. The Dark Sky Paradise single heavily-samples Guy's "Piece Of My Love." So for the video to the Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign-assisted jam, Sean Don stays in that realm. The video calls back to "Martin." Martin Lawrence's FOX... Read more

DJ Quik & Hi-C Remix Rihanna With A Flair For The Early 1990s (Audio)

Rapper/producer DJ Quik released his own remix of Rihanna's latest single with longtime friend and collaborator Hi-C. The two West Coast natives are remembered for being part of the movement of the same name for Rihanna's most recent record. Quik and C are now back together to do a little... Read more

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

Emilio Rojas Nods To Nas & Kurtis Blow, Imagining If He Ruled The World (Audio)

"If I Ruled The World" is a powerful idea. That is precisely why Kurtis Blow made a hit out of it. Nas followed, honoring Kurtis and the America single 11 years later, on 1996's It Was Written. Now, 19 years later, Emilio Rojas takes the underlying makings of both songs,... Read more

Joey Bada$$ & Nyck Caution Kick The Truth to the Youth Over New School Boom Bap (Audio)

Nyck Caution is the latest member of the Pro Era crew to step towards the spotlight. With help from the original break-out Joey Bada$$ and a nostalgic beat from Chuck Strangers, the rising Rap talent delivers “World in Your Pocket." This cut encourages today's youth to choose their friendships and... Read more

Just Blaze Re-Examines The Musical Magic In Michael Jackson’s Human Nature (Audio)

2015 has seen Just Blaze shake things up with some instrumentals. The New Jersey producer/DJ really became a go-to sound source for flipping, altering, and reinvigorating certain samples, especially in his tenure with Roc-A-Fella Records. Keeping things in the Def Jam building, Just recently laced Ludacris with a Ludaversal closer... Read more

Audio Two’s Milk Dee Is Still Top Billin’, With Sean Price & Murda Mook (Audio)

Not only is Audio Two's 1987 "Top Billin'" a Rap/Hip-Hop classic, Milk Dee and Gizmo's moment in the sun remains an early and critical representation of Brooklyn, New York. From Big Daddy Kane to Jay Z, The Notorious B.I.G. to Foxy Brown, top billin' is a style, an attitude, and... Read more

Tink Reworks A Biggie Favorite With A Timbaland Beat & Big Budget Visual (Video)

Tink has been an eye and ear-grabbing sensation in R&B/Pop for nearly a year. Timbaland's singing pupils rival, if not eclipse some of his Rap proteges over the last 20 years. Tink is a bit of both, delivering an amalgam of genres, attitudes, and styles in one dynamic musical package.... Read more

Action Bronson & Chance Let Their Soul Glow In Spoofing “Coming To America” (Video)

An homage to the Eddie Murphy led film, Coming To America, Action Bronson and Chance The Rapper take their version across the Atlantic to Albania in visuals for Bronsonelli's single, "Baby Blue." After an inexpensive haircut and a jabberjawing session about the upcoming Mayweather/Pacquiao fight, Bronson flips his script in... Read more

Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One Dress Up A Snoop Dogg Hit With A Funky Tuxedo (Video)

One of the low-key, simply amazing collaborations going on right now is Tuxedo. A duo, the group consists of crossover hit DJ-turned-singer Mayer Hawthorne and Seattle, Washington producer Jake One. For years, Jake Uno has lived in the shadow, regardless of whether he was working with G-Unit or Quannum Projects.... Read more

Could Ricky, Raheem and Cain Have Survived? OG Maco Flips the Remix (Audio)

Manolo Rose's "Run Ricky Run" is a sonic tour de force. The song taps characters and storylines from Boyz N the Hood, Menace II Society and Juice, as cautionary tales for how to survive in the streets. Rose's delivery is simultaneously jarring and intoxicating. OG Maco adds a verse to... Read more

Here’s a Flawless Blend of Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige on President’s Day (Audio)

For decades, the president's most mentioned in Hip-Hop are the late ones...So, on Presidents Day here's a look back at a flawless blend of Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige by Heretic East Productions, from 2011. "Dead Presidents Remix" combines Jay's first verse from the original "Dead Presidents," with Nas'... Read more

If You Love The Vid To The Furious 5’s The Message, F.Stokes Is Worth Your Time (Video)

F.Stokes is one of the best kept secrets of Hip-Hop right now. This Madison, Wisconsin native (who has spent a ton of time in Chicago) has a live show where he literally convinces showgoers to sit on the (dirty) floor sometimes. He is energetic, insightful, and original, with an array... Read more

Joey Bada$$’s J Dilla & The Roots-Produced Cut Gets A DMX-Inspired Visual (Video)

With the Dilla Day spirit on high, Joey Bada$$ unleashes the visual for "Like Me." This is his B4.Da.$$ showpiece, boasting production by The Roots and a posthumous J Dilla credit. With the just-released video, it's especially interesting that Badman quite obviously presents his take on DMX's 1998 breakthrough video... Read more

Here’s a Look at Every Member of X-Men Ever…in 12 Minutes (Video)

With new reports that "X-Men" will be coming to the FOX family, from the same team that brought Heads "24," it's a great day to take a long look at the Marvel franchise. This month, IGN celebrated the affair with an incredibly comprehensive chronology of the X-Men character list, dating... Read more