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David Banner Releases A Powerful New Video From One Of The Best Rap Albums Of 2017

David Banner released a stellar album in 2017's The God Box. Mississippi's mainstream Rap pioneer involved Black Thought, Big K.R.I.T., CeeLo Green, Raheem DeVaughn, and Tito Lo were all involved in the Banner Vision/EMPIRE LP. A focal point of the album (presently included on the official Ambrosia For Heads playlist)... Read more

Maseo Details How Beats Stetsasonic Rejected Helped Form De La Soul’s 1st Album (Video)

De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising is a benchmark Hip-Hop album. The introduction of Posdnuos, Trugoy (nka Dave), and Maseo proved to be a crucial link in the evolution of Native Tongues. It also showcased the producer who Maseo today credits as De La's "fourth member." Following the... Read more

U-God Says The $2 Million Wu-Tang Album Ain’t Nuthin’ To Get Excited Over (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan co-founder U-God is the latest guest on The Breakfast Club. This week, the Staten Island, New York MC published his memoir, Raw: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang. According to Charlamagne Tha God, who read the text, Lamont Hawkins' pre-music days may be the most compelling aspect of the... Read more

Tech N9ne Knows The Plan To End Racism But Questions Whether We Can Follow It (Video)

Last Friday (March 2), Tech N9ne released his album, The Planet. It is a fitting title for the 46-year-old Kansas City, Missouri MC-turned-mogul. With platinum and gold singles now under his belt, Aaron Dontez Yates labored to create a bustling universe that existed beyond commercial radio, music video channels, and... Read more

Vince Staples’ CrowdFunding Campaign Is Doomed To Fail & That’s The Best Thing For Hip-Hop

The Hip-Hop industry is adapting to the times. A-list rappers release albums through cellphone carriers, cryptocurrency is accepted as a form of payment by artists, and the idea of a project being for sale is being challenged by some of the genre’s top earners. Recently, an expert panel discussing emerging... Read more

Luke Cage Season 2 Episodes Are Titled After Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Songs

Fans of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth now have more incentive to watch the upcoming season of Luke Cage. Viewers of the Marvel series know that its soundtrack is heavily inspired by 1980s and 1990s Hip-Hop. Launching June 22, all of Season 2's episodes are titled after Pete Rock &... Read more

ODB’s Estate To Launch “Dirty Coin” Cryptocurrency & It’s For The Children (Video)

Late Wu-Tang Clan member O.D.B. will be among the growing list of Hip-Hop artists to have their own cryptocurrency. The money will be appropriately called Dirty Coin and used to purchase his music and officially authorized merchandise. The announcement was made by O.D.B.'s son and aspiring rapper Young Dirty during... Read more

Common Did Not Win Another Oscar But His Freestyle Still Gave Him Glory (Video)

Common did not win his second Oscar award last night (March 4). The Chicago, Illinois MC, actor, and author was nominated for “Best Original Song" for his "Stand Up For Something," which appeared in the film, Marshall. That category (also featuring a nomination for past Common collaborator) Mary J. Blige... Read more

Ladybug Mecca, Prince Paul & Don Newkirk Bring The Warm Sounds Of Brazil To Brooklyn (Video)

BROOKZILL!, the quartet made up of Digable Planets' Ladybug Mecca, legendary producer Prince Paul, keyboardist Don Newkirk, and Brazilian MC Rodrigo Brandão, is a globally-minded outfit. Nearly two years after their album releases, this exciting group is still spinning its powerful messages. Their 2016 effort Throwback To The Future bridged... Read more

Big K.R.I.T.’s First Recording Proves He’s Always Had Soul For Real (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. brings his double-LP 4Eva Is A Mighty Long Time (deemed the best 2017 Hip-Hop album by the readers of Ambrosia For Heads) to NPR's Washington, D.C. offices. There, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer put on a Tiny Desk concert that is anything but small. Performing “Mixed Messages,” “Keep The... Read more

Sean Price & Prodigy’s Posthumously Released Collabo Gets An Animated Send-Off (Video)

Last year, Sean Price's fourth solo album, Imperius Rex, released. The Duck Down Music LP was eventually included in Ambrosia For Heads' "Best 15 Hip-Hop Albums" of 2017 list. It was a bittersweet honor for a collection of songs released two years after the death of the beloved MC and... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff Explains Why Chance The Rapper Would Be A Great New Fresh Prince (Video)

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air broadcast its 148th and final episode on May 20, 1996. At that time, Will Smith was 27 years old and progressing into film for what has proven to be an incredible entertainment career. The MC-turned-actor from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had won two Grammy Awards. He... Read more

Saba Explores Social Anxiety & Depression In Powerful New Video

For any creator who considers social anxiety a personal adversary, one of life’s grandest conundrums is embracing the opportunity that comes along with the perception of your art, while simultaneously being immune to opinion crippling your creative process. Anxiety, depression, and digesting hardship are lonely climates to navigate, and can... Read more

Tory Lanez Delivers The Best Freestyle Of The Year, So Far (Video)

Tory Lanez capped off 2017 with one of the most notable live, on-air freestyles of the year when he went off for eight minutes on Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 series. Now in early 2018, Lanez appears on Sway In The Morning and topped that showing—not only by spitting for one... Read more

D.I.T.C.’s O.C. Just Dropped A Strong Album. His Video Shows It’s A New Dawn.

Coming off the heels of his latest collaborative project Perestroika with Apathy, along with the first installment of his album trilogy Same Moon, Same Sun in 2017, D.I.T.C. member O.C. has re-upped his stock in 2018. It is evident by way of the second edition of the latter series titled... Read more

Royce 5’9 & DJ Premier Considered Madlib For PRhyme. They Can Rock It Regardless (Video)

Last Sunday night (February 25), Royce 5'9 and DJ Premier unveiled the tracklist for March 16's PRhyme 2 album. The LP is confirmed to involve Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., 2 Chainz, and Yelawolf. It is a cast (also including CeeLo Green) that seemingly favors southern voices. Already, PRhyme 2's first video... Read more

Evidence & Slug Make A Video That Is Both Dope & Sobering

Last month, Evidence seemingly reached a new plateau in his solo career following the release of his fourth solo album, Weather Or Not. The Los Angeles-bred MC/producer's cohesive project contains a wide range of production and cathartic songwriting that addresses fatherhood, the harsh reality of his terminally-ill spouse, and dealing... Read more

Donald Glover Reveals How He’s Hacked The Real Life Matrix

Donald Glover is at the top of his game. The 34-year-old acts, produces, raps, sings, directs, does stand-up, plays instruments, and sometimes DJs. All of those gifts appear to be converging at a career pinnacle for the artist also known to his fans as "Childish Gambino." In the last year,... Read more

Talib Kweli’s New Video Is Incredibly Powerful In Its Silence

Talib Kweli’s newest video for the single “Radio Silence” featuring Amber Coffman and Myka 9, visually mirrors the track’s message in the most artfully accurate way. The visuals for the title track off Kweli’s eighth solo album, Radio Silence (an inclusion in Ambrosia For Heads' Top 15 albums of 2017),... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Is A Rap Superhero With Hopes To Portray A Villain On Film (Audio)

Records are still being broken as Black Panther continues to dominate the box office in its second week. However, the deep connection and response this film created already have many theater-goers calling for a sequel. Kendrick Lamar played a major role in co-executive producing the film's chart-topping soundtrack. If there... Read more

Class Is In Session As Rob Swift Delivers Keynote Speech At Indiana University (Video)

One of the forefathers of the turntablism movement, Rob Swift, gave a keynote speech on “research and teaching as it pertains to the art of DJing” at Indiana University this week. Rob is a co-founder of one of the most influential DJ crews of all time, the X-Ecutioners. That famed... Read more

Big Boi Provides Black Panther Screenings For Hospice Patients & Families (Video)

Big Boi appears to be deeply inspired by the Black Panther film. The OutKast co-founder wanted some viewers who may not be otherwise able to see the Marvel film to experience its power and glory. Yesterday (February 23), Daddy Fat Sax and his Celebrity Trailers company bought out an Atlanta,... Read more

Keith Murray Announces The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World Part 2 (Video)

Following EPMD's temporary breakup and dissolving of the Hit Squad in 1993, MC/producer Erick Sermon set forth on his solo career and formed his triumvirate Def Squad crew with Redman and then-upstart Keith Murray. The latter MC turned Heads made a strong first impression with his home run-hitting clean-up verse... Read more

VERY Few People Can Rap With Method Man. Blimes Brixton Is 1 Of Them (Video)

Blimes Brixton is a versatile MC (and singer) from the heart of San Francisco, California. She has been putting in serious work throughout recent years, including a decorated Battle Rap career and some history with the region's pioneer: Too Short. The daughter of a Blues musician and granddaughter of a... Read more

Nipsey Hussle Rages Against The Machine With A Motivational Music Video

Since the release of his highly-anticipated Victory Lap last week, Nipsey Hussle has been living up to his moniker and then some. Fully immersed in the promotional swing of the well-received project, Nipsey’s concentrated media hustle has seen both his visual releases and recent radio/TV appearances being praised by Heads alike.... Read more

Chris Tucker Confirms Rush Hour 4 & Speaks About Whether He’ll Do Last Friday

Comedian and actor Chris Tucker has made three highly-successful Rush Hour films with Jackie Chan. The stunt-filled comedy franchise has been on an 11-year hiatus. However, in a period where the 46-year-old made a return to stand-up, Tucker has more good news. “[Rush Hour 4 is] happening," Chris Tucker confirmed... Read more

Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Trailer Shows A True Survivor In The Rap Game (Video)

In just over one month, Roxanne, Roxanne will be available to the public via Netflix. On March 23, the film produced by Pharrell Williams and Forest Whitaker will tell the story of MC Roxanne Shanté. The first Rap star of Marley Marl and DJ Mr. Magic's Juice Crew (according to... Read more

Bishop Nehru & DOOM Have A New Album Coming. The 1st Song Raises The Roof (Video)

It's been nearly four years since Bishop Nehru & MF DOOM teamed up for their NehruvianDOOM album, and now they've reunited for Nehru's upcoming project, Elevators: Act I & II, slated for a March 16, 2018 release. The split into two acts signifies themes of "Free Falling" and "Ascension," with... Read more

Ernest Dickerson Explains How A Book & Bus Rides Inspired Juice (Video)

Last year, Ernest R. Dickerson's Juice celebrated its 25th anniversary. The stylish cinematographer for Spike Lee made his directorial debut with the 1992 crime thriller that starred Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur, plus featured music by The Bomb Squad. The cinematographer for Krush Groove brought Hip-Hop culture to his new... Read more

Erick Sermon Raises More Than $60,000 & Will Release His 8th Solo Album

FEBRUARY 22 UPDATE:Erick Sermon and Def Squad Records released the following statement to Ambrosia For Heads: "In today's music business, the climate is everything's based on streaming. We have seen drastic changes in the way consumers listen to content. There [are] all different genres of Hip-Hop now—some with more commercial... Read more

QBert & The Invisibl Skratch Piklz Rock A Party With Breathtaking Turntablism (Video)

The title of “DJ” or disc jockey took on a whole new definition once Hip-Hop got a hold of it. While it started as a way to signify those that played and mixed records, it came to represent so much more in the 1980s and ‘90s as a part of... Read more

Sa-Roc Raps Like A Queen Straight Outta Wakanda (Video)

Sa-Roc has been putting out quality Hip-Hop music for a decade as of this year. And with 13 projects in that time, she stays working on her craft. Roc is dedicated to both mic mastery and self-realization, and her music reflects both pursuits. Now, while she didn’t drop a full-length... Read more

Rapsody’s Chrome Video Is About So Much More Than Car-Jacking

Rapsody is proof that an MC can carry on traditions, while still being current and successful. The Snow Hill, North Carolina native is getting the shine that 9th Wonder and JAY-Z knew she deserved years ago when they each signed her to their respective labels. Her soulful but raw lyricism... Read more

Tech N9ne Rates The Bars & He Punishes A Guest Verse From 1 Of His Songs (Video)

Tech N9ne is the latest guest on "Rate The Bars." The co-founder of Strange Music stresses that he wants to see some gangsta songwriting. The Kansas City, Missouri veteran, Indie Rap juggernaut, and member of The Regime hands out several perfect scores, praising bars that are especially rooted in street-life.... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Rips A Freestyle At His Tiny Desk Concert (Video)

This June will mark 30 years since the release of Big Daddy Kane's solo debut album, Long Live the Kane. It's an apt title for an MC whose entire solo career is based on a discography that paused with 1998's Veteranz Day but who has never faded from prominence. Despite his not... Read more

This Fast-Paced Documentary On 1977 NYC Shows Hip-Hop’s Playground (Video)

From The Get Down to The Deuce, 1970s New York City has become a recent beacon of pop culture inspiration. At the time, the Big Apple seemed defined by countercultures. Within the five boroughs, politics, sex, crime, and the fight for equal rights would help shape critical advancements in music,... Read more

Drake’s New Video Is The Most Important Thing He’s Done In His Career

Drake is among the few Hip-Hop artists who can afford to make a million-dollar music video in 2018. One of the reigning cash kings of popular culture creates all forms of his art with strong intent and frequently does things on a grand level. In making the music video to... Read more

Blu & Exile’s Video Imagines Their Playful Chemistry 20 Years Before “Below The Heavens”

Blu and Exile are back with heartfelt visuals to match the pensive rhymes and nostalgic sounds. "Constellations" weaves a visual tapestry that explores the essence of youth and the knowledge of being star-born. The song is off of their recent album In The Beginning: Before The Heavens. The video takes viewers back... 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

Chris Rock Admits Addiction & Infidelity In A Stand-Up Special That’s Just Released (Video)

Overnight, Chris Rock released Tamborine. The Netflix-backed stand-up special is Rock's first long-form Comedy project since 2008's Kill The Messenger. This release came without announcement, six weeks after two specials from Dave Chappelle. In his latest special, Rock admits marriage infidelity, as well as the damaging effects of his pornography... Read more

Planet Asia Shows Exactly Why His New Album Is Titled The Golden Buddha (Video Premiere)

Stretching back to its foundations, Hip-Hop has often put the spiritual beliefs of its makers front and center. Whether it is adherence to the basic tenets of Islam, the Five-Percent Nation, Rastafari, Pan-African-inspired mysticism, or Christianity, one of the genre's key aspects is the way MCs seek to merge the... Read more

Fabolous & Jadakiss Get Dressed To Kill To Deliver More Lethal Rhymes (Video)

When Fabolous and Jadakiss announced they'd be putting out a collaboration album, fans were initially wondering how it would sound. Sure, the two MCs are about as New York as it can get, but their styles and flows are vastly different. Luckily, with the help of Swizz Beatz' production, what... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Rates The Bars & Hands Pimp C The Lowest Score In The Batch (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest rapper in the hot seat for "Rate The Bars." More than most, Krizzle seems to be a generous rater (handing out almost exclusively 4's and 5's). Heads have long found this artist to be generous with his music, whether giving away acclaimed mixtapes and making... Read more

Lyric Jones Is More Proof Of Why This Is A Renaissance Period For Women MCs (Video)

Planet Asia's Gold Chain Miltary has assembled a clan of lyrical assassins, two of which just happen to be women. One of those MCs is L.A. transplant Lyric Jones. "Nat Queen Cole" (as she calls herself in this cut) has been on her grind in the last couple months, dropping... Read more

Skyzoo & Raheem DeVaughn Hit The Bakery To Slice Some Devil’s Pie (Video)

If you haven't listened to Skyzoo's new album, In Celebration of Us, this first music video may be just the nudge you need. Both his 2017 projects, Peddler Themes and The Easy Truth with Apollo Brown, raised the lyrical bar in a time when it often seems to have been lowered.... Read more

Nas Speaks On The Importance Of Black History In EVERY Month (Video)

Just last week, PBS aired an incredible performance with Nas and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The televised special saw the Queensbridge native rap the entirety of his debut, Illmatic – an LP that has been archived as a part of a project at... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. & T.I. Show They Are Both Kings Of The South With Rich Rhymes (Video)

In a lofty warehouse, grilled up, talking on his money phone, Big K.R.I.T. flexes his southern rap flavor in the video for “Big Bank,” directed by Music Family. The track, which features T.I., is off K.R.I.T.’s independently successful and critically acclaimed third album, 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time. Although... Read more

J.I.D.’s Video Is An Animated Cartoon Tribute. But The Raps Are Very Real.

While J. Cole is recognized as one of the best MCs of this generation, his nose for talent is still underrated. Sure, people know who Bas, Cozz, Lute, Omen, and EarthGang are, but heavily due to the fact that they're Cole’s opening acts (and label artists) on any given Dreamville... Read more

Common, Brandy, Robert Glasper & Karriem Riggins’ Video Breathes Hope Into Hard Times

Hip-Hop Heads learned about Common’s newest venture, a genre-defying collaboration with pianist/producer Robert Glasper and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins as the group, August Greene. The news came late last month with the drop of their single, "Optimistic" featuring Brandy. The record covers the Twin Cities’ R&B/Gospel group Sounds Of Blackness’ 1991 original... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan & Redman Are Back To Teach Lessons To Wack MCs (Video)

Last October, Wu-Tang Clan released The Saga Continues. The album marked a first for the Clan, in that DJ Mathematics assumed RZA's role as producer. Using some of The Abbott's same equipment from those early '90s joints, the Queens, New York native producer (and DJ for Red & Meth) orchestrated... Read more