Interview - Ambrosia For Heads

Cormega & Nas Have Reunited On A Song & It’s Glorious

Today (October 7), Cormega has delivered The Realness II. As Cormega recently detailed to Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast, the album was carefully made to be a true sequel to the original—which arrived just over 21 years ago. Beloved song “American Beauty" gets a stylish update on "Her... Read more

October 7, 2022 Audio, Interview, Video

Rapper Big Pooh Explains Why Little Brother Is Only 2 Members Now

Last month, Rapper Big Pooh released one of the standout solo albums within his extensive career. To Dream In Color addresses personal growth, family, sacrifice, and dedication to music. The 10-song album was sequenced by Pooh's Little Brother partner Phonte. Three years removed from May The Lord Watch, the two... Read more

September 29, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Rapper Big Pooh Talks His New Album, Little Brother’s Status & More

Last month, Rapper Big Pooh released one of the most spirited works of his extensive 20-year career. The North Carolina-based Virginia native MC delivered To Dream In Color. The 10-song album features some powerful commentary on the pursuit of dreams, the value of family support and the will to succeed. Blakk Soul,... Read more

September 26, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Cormega Explains Why The Realness 2 Is A True Sequel To The Original

Upon its mid-2001 arrival, Cormega's The Realness lived up to its title. After years of waiting his turn, the MC asserted himself to step forth with a body of work that combined a passion for wisdom-drenched lyricism with a survivor's tale of life in New York City streets and the Rap industry. The independently... Read more

September 20, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Meyhem Lauren & Daringer Break Down Their New Album

Less than two weeks ago, Queens, New York MC Meyhem Lauren partnered with producer Daringer, architect of the Griselda Records sound, for Black Vladimir (embedded below). The 15-track album involves Action Bronson, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Flee Lord, Elcamino, and Hologram and finds brilliant chemistry between two artists that go... Read more

September 7, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Diamond D Names His Top 5 Hip-Hop Producers

Today (August 19), Diamond D released his latest album, THE REAR VIEW. The 15-song collection (embedded below) finds the veteran MC/producer flexing his MC chops while playing double duty behind the boards as producer. It features Westside Gunn, De La Soul's Posdnuos, and Diamond's latest protege, Ashtin Martin. The Bronx, New... Read more

August 19, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Diamond D Speaks About His New Album & Spending A Day With Dr. Dre

This year marks 30 years since Diamond D's debut album, and he is celebrating in style. The Bronx, New York native MC/producer/DJ is releasing THE REAR VIEW on Friday, August 19. Arriving on D's Dymond Mine Records imprint, the 13-song collection demonstrates Diamond D as a true multi-talented artist. The co-founder... Read more

August 16, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Joell Ortiz Names His Top 5 Brooklyn MCs

This month, Joell Ortiz delivered a new album, The Autograph. The release, embedded below, marks Ortiz's fourth with indie stalwart Mello Music Group. After a career cultivated by rapping his circumstances directly to the listener, Joell somehow goes even deeper on his new album. As he tells Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast (embedded... Read more

November 23, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Mickey Factz Details The Strategy He Used In His Battle With Royce 5’9 (Video)

This week (August 20), Mickey Factz partners with Blu for The Narrative, a six-song project produced entirely by Nottz. Ahead of Friday's album, Mickey and Blu released two singles: June's "Stay Down" and July's "Reign." The latter, a video, features Asher Roth and reunites three MCs from the 2009 XXL... Read more

August 18, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, News, Video

Evidence Discusses Starting Over After Dilated Peoples (Video)

Last Friday (June 25), Evidence released his latest solo album, Unlearning, Vol. 1. The Rhymesayers Entertainment release featuring Conway The Machine, Alchemist, Boldy James, and others has already been met with applause, including Ambrosia For Heads' 10 Best Albums of 2021 (so far) list. Notably, Unlearning breaks from Ev's Weatherman series, dating back to his first solo album,... Read more

June 29, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Skyzoo Explains How Phonte Talked Him Out Of Retiring

Earlier this month, Skyzoo released his latest album, All The Brilliant Things. Already named as one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of 2021 so far, the Mello Music Group LP is reportedly three years in the making. In a run that includes the Pete Rock-produced Retropolitan and 2020's standout The... Read more

June 22, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, News, Video

RZA Explains How Words From The Genius & Walks Around Shaolin Unlocked His Potential

This week RZA released a different kind of audio project. Guided Explorations finds Wu-Tang Clan's Abbott offering listeners some meditations. Read by RZA, these are journeys that mirror his path, both in entertainment, as well as in spirituality. It is a partnership with tea-maker TAZO. Beyond the six-song album (which... Read more

February 27, 2020 Interview

Shad & The Creators Of Hip-Hop Evolution Detail Making A Truly Standout Docuseries

Less than a week ago, Hip-Hop Evolution premiered its fourth season of episodes to Netflix. The series, which came to the platform in late 2016, has been one of the most comprehensive, far-reaching Hip-Hop documentaries ever produced. What's more, it lives in a place that's accessible to the mainstream, shining... Read more

January 23, 2020 Interview

Cypress Hill Tour Manager Dan McKay Applies His DIY Punk Background To Rap Legends

It is important to draw a line in the sand when aiming to be ahead of your time. For Dan McKay, the hardworking tour manager behind Cypress Hill, he saw how becoming a well-oiled machine was key to becoming the "King James" of touring Hip-Hop talent. Getting his start as... Read more

December 22, 2019 Interview

Rapsody Details Making Eve & Describes The Big Response To 1 Of 2019’s Best LPs

In late August, Rapsody released her Eve album. The North Carolina native's third full-length raised the stakes on a critically-acclaimed discography with a profound concept. Across 16 songs, Rapsody celebrated Black women with namesake titles, open to varying interpretations and connections. Whether they were clear-cut tributes or loose homages, the... Read more

November 26, 2019 Interview

Little Brother Discuss Their New Album, Personal Growth, 9th Wonder & More

With less than 24 hours of notice to fans, Little Brother released its fifth album, May The Lord Watch two weeks ago. Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh reunited after nearly a decade to make a record that honors the group's legacy with skill and wit. Meanwhile, the body of work... Read more

September 3, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Murs Details Making The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over With 9th Wonder (Video)

Over the past 15 years, Murs and 9th Wonder have made some of the best collaboration albums between an MC and a producer. These works have become standouts in their respected catalogs. In the mix of both men's careers and personal lives, they carved out time to make The Iliad... Read more

August 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Spice 1 Recalls Discussing Heaven’s Ghettos With Tupac (Video)

Less than a week ago, Spice 1 released his latest album, Platinum O.G. For this collection of songs, the East Bay lyricist works with Kurupt, MC Eiht, Devin The Dude, and his mentor, Too Short. Notably, the Elder Entertainment release also features some fallen comrades, including UGK's Pimp C, Outlawz... Read more

August 1, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Drake References Kevin Durant’s Injury In A Line As Cold As His City

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads fight 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, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

July 26, 2019 Audio, Exclusive, Interview, Video

Blimes Tells One Of The Best Method Man Stories Ever (Video)

San Francisco, California's Blimes (fka Blimes Brixton) and Seattle, Washington's Gifted Gab have only known each other for five years, but they have established the kind of bond that is much deeper than Rap. As B.A.G. (Blimes And Gab), the two recently performed at 2019 Soundset, one of their biggest... Read more

July 23, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Benny The Butcher Explains Why Rap Is A Grown Man’s Game (Video)

Last Friday (June 21), Benny The Butcher released The Plugs I Met. The Black Soprano Family LP marks Benny's follow-up to his acclaimed 2018 album, Tana Talk 3. On this go-round, the Buffalo, New Yorker involved A-list Rap peers including Pusha-T, Black Thought, and Jadakiss, all over-top of Daringer and... Read more

June 25, 2019 Interview, Video

Bun B Tells Talib Kweli Why T.R.O.Y. Is The Biggest Hip-Hop Song Of All Time (Video)

Back in 2011, Bun B accepted a position at Rice University to co-teach a class about Religion and Hip-Hop Culture. Since then, the UGK co-founder has imparted his knowledge in these areas to hundreds of Texas. Beyond academia, Bun regularly reflects on his experiences as an MC, a father, and... Read more

June 10, 2019 Interview, Video

EPMD Are Working On A New Album & It’s Big Business (Video)

Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith are back to work more than 30 years since the release of EPMD's debut album, Strictly Business. At Long Island, New York's Def Squad Studios, speaking to AFH TV, Erick and Parrish dropped some new information about the duo's upcoming eighth album, said to be titled... Read more

May 28, 2019 Interview, News, Video

Westside Gunn Discusses The Possibility Of An Entire Griselda Album With DJ Premier

Just over two years ago, Buffalo, New York MCs Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher formed a partnership with Eminem's Shady Records. The three artists have been busy ever since, independently releasing a string of acclaimed hardcore Hip-Hop albums on their Griselda Records imprint, including Wes' Supreme Blientele,... Read more

May 21, 2019 Interview, Video

Locksmith Explains Why He Was Relieved Not To Get A Deal From Dr. Dre (Video)

Locksmith is one of the Bay Area's most prolific MCs. Since the early 2000s, the Richmond, California rapper has laid forth a slew of mixtapes, albums, and freestyles to bolster his catalog and put his expert lyricism on full display. In 2018, Locksmith kept especially busy, releasing full-length Ali, and... Read more

May 20, 2019 Interview, Video

Diamond D Released A New Album Filled With Great MCs. Listen Here.

Yesterday (May 10), Diamond D released his first album in nearly five years, The Diam Piece 2. On the producer/MC/DJ's Dymond Mine Records imprint, the release features Talib Kweli, Xzibit, Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg, Styles P, Raekwon, A-F-R-O, Elzhi, Twista, David Banner, and Fat Joe, among a host of others.... Read more

May 11, 2019 Audio, Interview, Video

Erick Sermon Has Released A New Album Filled With All-Stars. Listen Here (Audio)

Erick Sermon has just released his eighth solo album, Vernia. Earlier this month, at Long Island, New York's Def Squad Studios, the Green-Eyed Bandit extensively details his LP featuring Raekwon, N.O.R.E., Too Short, Devin The Dude, No Malice, Big K.R.I.T., Pharrell, Styles P, AZ, Shaquille O'Neal, Xzibit, Keith Murray, and... Read more

April 19, 2019 Interview, News, Video

Tech N9ne Discusses His N9na Album & Being A B-Boy For Life

Tech N9ne is one of the most prolific Rap artists in his class. For 20 years, the Kansas City, Missouri MC has fed his devoted technicians with 20 albums, handfuls of collaborative projects, EPs, and group work. Notably, every release from Aaron Yates is a mapped out universe and part... Read more

April 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

DJ Premier Discusses The Making Of Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years ago this month (March 8, 1994), Gang Starr released its fourth album, Hard To Earn. A rightful inclusion in one of the Rap genre's most celebrated calendar years, the work displays some of the finest chemistry between Guru and DJ Premier, who had already galvanized a creative and... Read more

March 16, 2019 Interview

Boogie Is Compton’s Next Great MC & He Plans To Be The Biggest One Of All (Video)

"This world will take your dream from you quick if you don't stay locked in," Boogie says on a cold day in Lower Manhattan. He is referring to a lesson intended for his young son, but it comes from personal experience. For five years, the Compton representative has been persistently... Read more

March 12, 2019 Exclusive, Interview

Cormega Breaks Down His Evocative New EP & Why The Fans Matter The Most

In the closing week of 2018, Cormega self-released Mega. The five-song project (that also includes the instrumentals) marked the MC's first in more than four years. The New Yorker partnered with Streetrunner, the veteran Grammy Award-winning producer co-credited for Meek Mill, JAY-Z, and Rick Ross' "What's Free?" in addition to... Read more

March 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview

Smif-N-Wessun Detail The Making Of The Album Where They Truly Gave Their All (Video)

In the mid-1990s, Smif-N-Wessun burst onto the scene brandishing two barrels locked-and-loaded with raw Rap talent. Following a breakthrough appearance on Black Moon's seminal Enta Da Stage, the skills of Tek and Steele shimmered on their 1995 debut, Dah Shinin'. Da Beatminerz-produced album balanced vigor, street-smarts, and just the right... Read more

March 5, 2019 Exclusive, Interview

MC Ren Is Making New Music & He Is Doing It On His Own Terms

Late last week, N.W.A member MC Ren dropped his latest single "King Villain." Produced by Hushdegod, the song marks the first solo track in nearly five years from the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inducted MC, an accolade that the artist born Lorenzo Patterson addresses in his lyrics. In speaking with Ambrosia... Read more

February 18, 2019 Audio, Exclusive, Interview

Killer Mike Has Made The Most Dangerous Show On Television (Video)

In just a few hours (January 18), Season 1 of Trigger Warning With Killer Mike will be available. One of the most consistent Hip-Hop artists of the last decade and a leading activist within the culture takes his charisma, his ability to ask hard questions, and his courage to television,... Read more

January 17, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film, Video

Del The Funky Homosapien, Domino & Dante Ross Detail The Making Of No Need For Alarm

The cornerstone of Del The Funky Homosapien’s career and artistic identity belongs to his second album, No Need For Alarm. Released 25 years ago last month, the Elektra Records LP may not be remembered as a commercial triumph. However, the record increased the profiles of Del’s Hieroglyphics cohorts, establishing a... Read more

December 2, 2018 Exclusive, Interview

Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz Discuss Their Album, Slaughterhouse & More (Video)

Apollo Brown and Joell Ortiz released their Mona Lisa album on Friday, October 26 (embedded below). These two stalwarts of the culture have put together 11 tracks of soulful, insightful, and competitive-spirited Hip-Hop. Having had a chance to digest this nuanced body of work, Ambrosia For Heads' Editor-in-Chief Jake Paine... Read more

October 31, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Slug Unpacks Atmosphere’s New Album & Puts His Rumored Alchemist LP To Bed (Video)

Atmosphere dropped their seventh studio album Mi Vida Local earlier this month. It was the conclusion to a trilogy of thematic full-lengths that, according to Slug, "are based around the idea of mortality." The trio began with 2014's Southsiders and followed in the form of 2016's Fishing Blues, before this month's final... Read more

October 30, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Reason Describes His Journey From Hungry MC To TDE’s Next Top Dawg (Video)

Six weeks ago, the dominant Hip-Hop label of the 2010s announced that it had added a new MC to its tight-knit family. Carson, California's Reason signed to Top Dawg Entertainment. The imprint with five #1 releases, including this year's Black Panther soundtrack held no press conferences nor staged a chain-awarding... Read more

September 25, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Pharoahe Monch Discusses Early Hip-Hop Experiences & Why He Still Loves H.E.R. (Video)

Last week, respected DJ/producer J. Period orchestrated a "live mixtape" Hip-Hop event featuring Rap performances by Rakim, Black Thought, and Pharoahe Monch. Surprise guest performers included Smif-n-Wessun, Dres and Chi-Ali, Eric B., as well as Mumu Fresh. Yasiin Bey appeared on stage, but did not perform. In addition to rapping and... Read more

September 18, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Freeway Explains How One Cypher Changed His Career With Roc-A-Fella

On a scorching summer afternoon, Freeway is lounging in a cool recording studio in the Northern Liberties section in the City of Brotherly Love. The smoky lab is in the same high-rise building as accounting firms, law offices, and working folks pausing for a late afternoon snack in the ground... Read more

July 11, 2018 Food for Thought, Interview

Bumpy Knuckles & Biz Markie Team Up For A Video With A Purpose. Check It Out, Y’all.

Today (May 18), Bumpy Knuckles releases Pop Duke, Vol. 1. The 10-song concept project is produced by Nottz, and it features a cast of Rap O.G.'s such as Chuck D, Kool G Rap, and M.O.P.'s Lil Fame. It also includes a fellow Long Islander, Biz Markie, who makes a rare... Read more

May 18, 2018 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Interview, Video

DJ Premier Speaks About How Real Moment Of Truth Was For Hip-Hop & Gang Starr (Video)

On March 30, 1998, Gang Starr stepped forth with Moment Of Truth. Guru and DJ Premier had taken four years since giving the masses their seminal album, Hard To Earn, and Hip-Hop was at a pivotal place in history. "We had platinum-respect. You'd think we were platinum artists that sold... Read more

April 4, 2018 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Interview, Throwback, Video

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

March 8, 2018 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Interview, Video

Evidence Explains How Weather Or Not Is A Personal & Therapeutic Album (Video)

Just days ago, Evidence released his fourth solo project, Weather Or Not. Featuring Styles P, Alchemist, Rapsody, and his Dilated Peoples cohorts Rakaa and DJ Babu (among others), the Rhymesayers release closes out a nearly 11-year-old album series from Mr. Slow Flow. Last night (January 31), on a Midtown Manhattan... Read more

February 1, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Big K.R.I.T.’s 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time Is Your Best Rap Album Of 2017. K.R.I.T. Speaks

Throughout the 2010s, Big K.R.I.T. branded himself as a voice from the underground. He represented the "third coast" of Mississippi and proudly brandished his Southern Rap name and dialect. However, K.R.I.T. showed and proved that he was an anomaly. Throughout his career, he's rapped about family, faith, and police profiling,... Read more

January 4, 2018 Best Rap Album 2017, Interview

Wu-Tang Clan Have Just Released Their Best Album In Years. The Saga Continues (Audio)

Moments ago, members of Wu-Tang Clan released Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues. Executive produced by RZA, with strong role-playing from Method Man, the LP also features Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, and Masta Killa. Redman appeared on the album's first two singles (including one video), adding to a 20-plus-year bond with the... Read more

October 13, 2017 Audio, Interview

Black Thought Is A Triple Threat. He Acts As Well As He Raps.

"I feel like whether acting or making music or visual arts or fashion, I feel like you're sort of using the same muscles, with emphasis on different elements at different times," Black Thought tells Ambrosia For Heads. It's the day after his birthday, and the man who always seems to introduce... Read more

October 12, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film

Method Man Details The Life Experiences That Influenced His Complicated Role On The Deuce

For 13 episodes of The Wire, Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man played Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff. Well into a career that included film and television roles, "Cheese" showed Meth build on his portrayal of a Baltimore drug dealer over multiple seasons. He is back at work with The Wire's creator, executive producers, and many... Read more

October 10, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film

Stretch & Bobbito Are Back To Show A Whole New Audience What’s Good About Music & Life

Stretch & Bobbito changed lives. Their 1990s New York City radio show (via Columbia University's WKCR) had legions of fans staying up to all hours of the night, with fingers on tape recorders. On air (and off) DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber were perhaps Hip-Hop's greatest A&R men.... Read more

September 27, 2017 Exclusive, Interview

Wyclef Jean Explains Why Country Music Is The Original Gangsta Rap (Video)

Last week, Wyclef Jean released Carnival III: The Rise and Fall of a Fugee. The orator uses a storyteller's title on his eighth album. There have been ups and downs to the man who represents Haiti, Brooklyn, and north New Jersey. However, things are great for him right now. In addition... Read more

September 17, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, Video

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