Food for Thought ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss Title Has 5 Different Meanings

This morning (May 3), Kendrick Lamar dissed Drake with the second song in less than a week. Following Tuesday's "euphoria," Friday morning's "6:16 in LA" arrived around the time-stamp. The title borrowed from Drake's longstanding series, which he has used in the past during his battles and beefs with Joe... Read more

May 3, 2024 Audio, Food for Thought, Trending Stories

The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more

August 17, 2023 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Heavy D’s Impact On Hip-Hop Cannot Be Overstated

There have been a number of valiant attempts to highlight some of the most significant Hip-Hop moments, milestones and people of the last half century. The 2023 Grammy Awards dedicated nearly 15 minutes to an epic tribute featuring performances by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J,... Read more

July 22, 2023 Food for Thought

JAY-Z & Biggie Battled But It Wasn’t A Fair Fight

For more than 25 years, Hip-Hop fans have debated who is better between The Notorious B.I.G. and JAY-Z. Both men’s names are perennially heard in conversations about who is the greatest MC of all-time. For them, however, there was something bigger than Hip-Hop: Brooklyn. Fans have not been the only... Read more

July 9, 2023 Food for Thought, Throwback

Latinos Have Played A Critical Role In Hip-Hop History. There’s No Debate

Last Friday (August 26) Fat Joe posted a video online that celebrated the contributions of Latino Hip-Hop pioneers. The slideshow acknowledged figures ranging from the Cold Crush Brothers' DJ Charlie Chase to DJ Disco Wiz to early producer/musician Pumpkin to The Fearless Four's Master O.C. and Tito. With the video,... Read more

August 30, 2022 Food for Thought

Record Companies Are Replacing Corny Rappers With Cornier Virtual Ones

Capitol Records has announced the signing of a Rap artist named FN Meka this month. However, this signing is noteworthy because FN Meka is a virtual artist who, using artificial intelligence, has made songs that have gone viral on TikTok, where Meka has over 10 million followers. Ryan Ruden, Capitol... Read more

August 21, 2022 Food for Thought, News

1984 Was The Year That Changed Everything For Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Heads regularly debate the culture and music's greatest years. There are usual and deserving suspects, of course. However, Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast is launching a series where we make a case for those years—and some others too. As we currently live in what some consider Orwellian times, 1984... Read more

February 10, 2021 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Ambrosia For Heads Is Dead…Long Live Hip-Hop

After 10 years of striving to serve up the best that Hip-Hop has to offer each and every day, today (March 2) is the last day we will be updating ambrosiaforheads.com. It's been an amazing journey since I first registered the URL back in June of 2009. I was sitting... Read more

March 1, 2020 Food for Thought

Royce 5’9’s Allegory Album Sets The Bar Extremely High For 2020. Listen Here

For years, there was an industry adage that Hip-Hop was a young person's game. While labels may forever seek teenage and early twenty-something talent, the 2010s more than put that notion to bed. More than ever, Hip-Hop Heads showed that balance was needed when it came to perspective. At a... Read more

February 21, 2020 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh

How J. Cole Used Drake’s Playbook To Score His Biggest Hit & Win A Grammy

Sunday night (January 26), J. Cole won his very first Grammy Award. The 2020 "Best Rap Song" trophy was for the "a lot" collaboration from 21 Savage's i am > i was. While 2019's category winner, Drake, was included in the televised portion of the show (giving an impassioned and... Read more

January 29, 2020 Food for Thought

Black On Both Sides Is Still Mos Def After 20 Years

Twenty years ago today (October 12, 1999), Mos Def released his solo debut, Black On Both Sides. After two decades of testing time, the Rawkus Records album remains a hallmark from the Underground Hip-Hop boom. On his own strict terms, Dante Smith crafted an LP driven by creativity, piercing commentary,... Read more

October 12, 2019 Food for Thought

Rapsody’s Eve Is 1 Of The Year’s Best Albums In Any Category

In terms of receipts from paying dues, Rapsody possesses suitcases full of them. Her career dates back to an inconspicuous debut on 9th Wonder's Dream Merchant 2 interludes a dozen years ago. That look came after years of studying under the famed producer, long before she ever touched one of his beats... Read more

September 9, 2019 Food for Thought

Snoop Explains Why He Loves Suge Knight & How They Rebuilt Their Bond (Video)

Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg released his song, "Let Bygones Be Bygones" from his 17th solo album, I Wanna Thank Me. The 47-year-old Doggfather has been in a nostalgic spirit lately. More than 20 years after parting ways with the label, Snoop has been wearing his Death Row Records medallion,... Read more

August 19, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Ice Cube Explains Why He Does NOT Want To Be On The Forbes List (Video)

Ice Cube once co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film All About The Benjamins. However, the 50-year-old mogul seemingly does not live his life under that tenant. From a chart-topping music career, to becoming a power-player in film, to launching a professional three-on-three basketball league, O'Shea Jackson is at the... Read more

August 14, 2019 Food for Thought, Lifestyle, Video

The Truth About Kanye West: He’s Andy Kaufman (Video)

David Letterman and Kanye West's 2019 interview is available to the public. The highly-publicized My Next Guest Needs No Introduction episode includes footage filmed at West's California home as well as an on-stage conversation before a live audience. Notably, during the revealing interview, the MC/producer/fashion designer makes a striking self-comparison... Read more

June 7, 2019 Food for Thought, TV/Film, Video

20 Years Ago Today, MF DOOM Was Born

MF DOOM's Operation: Doomsday came to the surface 20 years ago today, on April 20, 1999. Birthed out of tragedy and commercial frustrations, Metal Face DOOM, real name Daniel Dumile, created a solo album shrouded in mystery, multi-syllabic rhymes, and technically rough, back-to-the-future production. The display was weird, cartoonish, and... Read more

April 20, 2019 Food for Thought

Rappers Might Start Going To Jail Because Of Their Lyrics

Rap music is often an art that imitates life. However, there appear to be new legal lines surrounding that freedom of expression. Today, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the case of Jamal Knox v. Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania. That case surrounds Cox, who is a Pittsburgh rapper also... Read more

April 15, 2019 Food for Thought, News

Nipsey Hussle Proved His Dedication Far Beyond His Music

Less than 24 hours ago (March 31), Nipsey Hussle was the victim of a fatal shooting in South Los Angeles, California. More specifically, 33-year-old Ermias Davidson Asghedom, a father of two, a family man, an entrepreneur, a community activist, and a beloved figure of unity in Hip-Hop lost his life.... Read more

April 1, 2019 Food for Thought

KRS-One Speaks About The Power Of Hip-Hop To Change The World (Video)

Few Rap legends seem to have as much to say, especially beyond their lyrics, as KRS-One. However, in recent years, Blastmasta KRS has seemingly stepped away from the media spotlight. Equally, Kris Parker is sparse on social media. Last year he was said to be working with Dr. Dre, following... Read more

March 30, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Dave Chappelle Refuses To Apologize After Calling Singer Daniel Caesar Gay (Video)

Sunday night (March 10), Dave Chappelle and R&B singer Daniel Caesar made guest appearances on John Mayer's Instagram Live show Current Mood. The encounter between the comedian and the "Get You" singer, however, was fumbling and awkward. The moment Mayer introduces Daniel Caesar for a performance, Chappelle interjects and comments,... Read more

March 12, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Why Donald Glover Is 2018’s Hip-Hop Person Of The Year

As 2018 comes to a close, Donald Glover may not only be one of the most brilliant people in entertainment, he is among the most influential. In an era where quantity rules and quality rises, Glover is prolific in a way that rivals few. In three songs, two music videos,... Read more

December 21, 2018 Food for Thought

Joe Budden Had The Biggest Come Up In A Year He Was Supposed To Struggle

It was one year ago this week that Joe Budden exited the show Everyday Struggle. On December 18, 2017, DJ Whoo Kid unceremoniously took Budden's seat on the Complex weekday talk series alongside co-hosts Nadeska Alexis and DJ Akademiks. The guest known best as a G-Unit DJ and radio personality told... Read more

December 17, 2018 Food for Thought

15 Years Later The Black Album Is Still JAY-Z’s Perfect Fadeaway (Video)

"Any time you're making an album, especially if this is your last album, every single track has to be a statement. Like, in your mind, you're thinking, I have to make the perfect album," JAY-Z said before Fade To Black cameras during 2003, when the documentary filmed. "Anybody that knows... Read more

November 14, 2018 Food for Thought, Throwback, Throwback, Video

Mac Miller Was A Shining Example To All That Authenticity Always Triumphs

“Like how could he go? He was part lion.” That lyric, pulled from Mac Miller’s 2013 track “REMember,” was a heartfelt inquiry addressed to the universe. How, at such a young age of 20-years-old and a future so bright, could it be possible for his dear friend Ruben Eli Mitrani to... Read more

September 12, 2018 Food for Thought

Bun B Gives His Old Verse A 1 Out Of 5 Because Of A Trump Reference (Video)

"I should've known better back then; I should've had better foresight." That's what Bun B said while participating in BET's Rate The Bars series. He was referring to lyrics that he wrote during the early 1990s for the cult-classic "Pocket Full of Stones" from UGK's debut album Too Hard to... Read more

September 4, 2018 Food for Thought, Video

Charlamagne’s DNA Was Not Found On The Person Accusing Him Of Sexual Assault

This weekend, media personality and author Charlamagne Tha God declared his innocence regarding a very serious accusation from more than 17 years ago. At that time, in C.T.G.'s home state of South Carolina, the radio station employee was accused of rape by a then-15-year-old girl named Jessica Reid. Those charges... Read more

July 29, 2018 Audio, Food for Thought, News

20 Years Ago, The Beastie Boys Reminded Rap Fans That 3 MCs & 1 DJ Is A Winning Formula

1998 was a changing time for Hip-Hop. The attitude of the period was recovering from the killings of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Groups like The Fugees and A Tribe Called Quest separated for solo pursuits. Meanwhile Black Star emerged. Master P's No Limit Records led a marketing battalion that... Read more

July 14, 2018 Food for Thought, Throwback, Throwback

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

Electric Relaxation: A Hip-Hop Guide To Meditation

With mental health and self-care being at the center of so many conversations, it’s no surprise that lots of folks are talking about meditation. Schools, corporations, sports teams and many of your favorite MC’s have incorporated some sort of meditation practice into their lives. Big Sean spits “life got me... Read more

July 8, 2018 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

Drake’s Spotify Scorpion Sting. Are Playlists The New Payola?

Less than one week ago, Drake released his fifth official album, Scorpion. A double-dose signaling Drake's last release in his Young Money/Cash Money contract, the work involves JAY-Z, DJ Premier, Ty Dolla $ign, DJ Paul, and a posthumous vocal appearance from Michael Jackson. In several days, fans will learn if... Read more

July 5, 2018 Food for Thought, News

Why Kanye West Is A Genius Regardless Of His Views Outside Of Music

Kanye West's cultural influence is undeniable. Few artists, especially in Hip-Hop have had a reign as long or as far-reaching as the artist who locked himself in a room doing five a beats a day for three summers. Remember when everyone wore those terrible shutter shade sunglasses after Graduation dropped?... Read more

June 30, 2018 Food for Thought

The 14 Best Hip-Hop Releases So Far In 2018 (Audio & Video)

Approaching 2018’s midpoint, the year has been absolutely incredible for Hip-Hop and Rap music. For many artists, the album is now shorter than it has ever been. Releases are more concentrated and digestible than they have been been in decades. Moreover, the MC/producer double-threat is winning, as is the chemistry... Read more

June 21, 2018 Food for Thought

Did Drake Bring Malice Out Of Retirement? The Clipse Have New Music In The Chamber.

For most of the decade, The Clipse have been on ice. Pusha-T stepped forth with a bustling solo and executive career. Meanwhile, Malice (nka No Malice) penned a memoir on his personal and spiritual transformation and began making music to reflect his life outlook. In 2017, No Malice did an... Read more

June 1, 2018 Audio, Food for Thought

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

Royce 5’9’s Book Of Ryan Is A New Chapter & Proof That He Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest MCs

At the top of this decade, Royce 5’9 began tying up loose ends in the interest of personal growth and legacy. Slaughterhouse had recently taken shape, exciting the possibilities for Royce and three MCs with like-minded verbal values. Next, Nickel Nine and Eminem revived Bad Meets Evil, their short-lived duo... Read more

May 10, 2018 Food for Thought

J. Cole Reveals Who Kill Edward Is And It’s Deeper Than Rap

On J. Cole's newly-released KOD, there is one guest by the name of kiLL edward. The character appears on two songs: "The Cut Off" and "FRIENDS." These are two powerful cuts on an album that carries three titles: Kids On Drugs, Kill Our Demons, and King Overdose. For an artist... Read more

April 25, 2018 Food for Thought

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

Erick Sermon Reveals The Real Reason Craig Mack Did Not Join The Bad Boy Reunion Tour

On March 12, MC Craig Mack died at the age of 47 (earlier reports listed his age as 46). The Bronx-born, Long Island-raised artist who used his real name on records deceased from what coroner's declared as natural causes at his home in Walterboro, South Carolina. Other sources close to... Read more

March 14, 2018 Food for Thought

9th Wonder Speaks On Why Bruno Mars’ Critics Are Fakin’ The Funk

Last month, while accepting his Grammy for "Album Of The Year" for 24K Magic, Bruno Mars made it a point to address the other nominees by name. He shouted out "Kung-Fu Kenny, JAY-Z and Gambino," saying to them "You guys are the reason I'm in the studio pulling my hair out...thank... Read more

March 12, 2018 Food for Thought

Roc Marciano’s New Album Is The Latest Indie Uppercut To The Streaming Model

Today (March 9), Roc Marciano's RR2: The Bitter Dose became available on all major streaming platforms. The album released late last month, and was contained to Roc's online store for download sale and physical copy pre-order. As a 20-year Hip-Hop veteran, it was calculated move made by the former Flipmode... Read more

March 9, 2018 Food for Thought

Phonte Has Made An Elite Album For The 99% Of Grown Hip-Hop Fans

It's been more than six years since Phonte released his solo debut. Late 2012's Charity Starts At Home was critically-acclaimed and seemed to indicate that Tigallo was on his way to creating a stellar solo catalog beyond his celebrated work with Little Brother and Foreign Exchange. It did not quite... Read more

March 8, 2018 Audio, Food for Thought

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

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

March 7, 2018 Food for Thought, News, Video

Hip-Hop Needs To Take A Stand On Gun Violence. We’ll Go First.

Since the February 14, 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL that took the lives of 17 people, the discourse around gun violence, and how to lessen it, is as engaged as it’s ever been. The fact that the story has stayed in the news cycle... Read more

February 28, 2018 Food for Thought

Conscious Rap Is Back & Writing New Chapters In Black History

In honor of Black History Month 2018, Ambrosia For Heads is highlighting some of the most inspiring Black entertainers, athletes, and artists whose contributions to Black history extend far beyond their artistic talents. These Black heroes have dedicated their time, resources and platforms to uplift Black communities, inspire young people and create... Read more

February 21, 2018 Food for Thought

Black Panther Is Not A Movie. It’s A Movement & It’s Bigger Than Box Office Success.

There have been literally hundreds of interviews with the cast of Black Panther, and thousands of write-ups about the film's commercial and cultural impact. However, there’s a moment that occurs in a Sway In The Morning town hall discussion with the entire cast that captures the essence of why this... Read more

February 20, 2018 Food for Thought

15 Years Ago, 50 Cent Plotted A Pathway From Underdog To Superstar

Fifteen years ago today (February 6, 2003), Queens, New York's 50 Cent took the world by storm with his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. When Curtis Jackson burst onto the mainstream scene with a survivalist story, vendetta vocals, and Eminem and Dr. Dre in his corner, the industry... Read more

February 6, 2018 Food for Thought, Throwback

Why Jay Rock Is The Unsung Hero Of Top Dawg Entertainment (Video)

In Hip-Hop, the first is not always the biggest. Just as football has its linemen fighting for every inch, Rap music often has its figures that blaze a trail, light a path, or move the boulders for another artist to shoot the resulting gap. This week, TDE announced its Championship... Read more

January 23, 2018 Food for Thought

Why Kendrick Lamar & JAY-Z May Destroy Each Others Chances At Winning Album Of The Year

With the 60th Grammy Award nominations being announced this week, and just a little under two months away from crowning the respective victors, the collective post-nomination conversation from those within the music industry and fans alike, has been incredibly rich in both impression and speculation. For the very first time... Read more

December 2, 2017 Food for Thought

By All Means Necessary: How Boogie Down Productions Was Formed Against All Odds (Video)

"You could call a man a bum with disgust on your morning run. 'Cause he lives outside in the street, you don't know this, but you've failed to realize that the one you so despise reflects yourself 'cause every Black man is homeless." KRS-One has never hidden the fact that... Read more

November 23, 2017 Food for Thought, Throwback