Throwback Archives

This Large Professor Mix Celebrates The Explosiveness Of Rap’s Mad Scientist (Mix)

Tomorrow (June 9), Large Professor is releasing his fifth solo album, RE: Living Legend. The Queens, New York iconic MC/producer/DJ is more than 25 years deep in making monumental Hip-Hop albums. As a high school student, the Extra P studied under the late, great Paul C., various techniques of sampling,... Read more

June 8, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a Cypher Between Nas & De La Soul From 1996 (Audio)

Tim Westwood digs in his massive vault and pulls out a 1996 freestyle featuring Nas and De La Soul. In an 11-minute cypher amongst true MCs, they pass the mic, trading verses, all off the top. Notably, this is well after each artist was firmly established, with De La Soul... Read more

June 6, 2015 Throwback

Imagine You’re Bootlegging Tupac’s Music and He Rolls Up on You…Watch What Happens (Video)

Here's a look back at an unbelievable montage of personal footage of Tupac with his friends. The video starts with Pac freestyling as he walks the streets of New York. While doing so, he runs into a bootlegger who is selling his music. Without an ounce of hesitation, he confronts... Read more

June 6, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a VIDEO Mix of 90s Gems For True Lovers of Hip-Hop (Video)

DJ E Double D does it again. The UK-based DJ/VJ has put together an amazing blend of Hip-Hop videos. This is a full-on visual mixtape, complete with cutting, scratching, beat juggling and, above all, some incredible music. He balances classic staples and deep album cuts by De La Soul, Mobb... Read more

June 5, 2015 Throwback

Travel Back To A Funkmaster Flex Playlist With ONYX, Redman & Kool G Rap (Mix)

Even before he was dropping bombs, Funkmaster Flex was explosive to airwaves. On May 7, 1993 the DJ assisted the newly-launched HOT 97 set the weekends off proper. The Bronx, New York mixmaster began an 11pm-2am "Friday Night Street Jam" show on 97.1 FM, bringing the energy of the streets... Read more

June 4, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: Cali Agents’ (Planet Asia & Rasco) Crash The Boards (Audio)

Low key, one of the stronger groups of the Underground Hip-Hop glory years are touring together this summer—and we don't even mean Jurassic 5 (who is also doing a set of dates). The Cali Agents are celebrating the 15th anniversary of How The West Was Won, with a series of... Read more

June 4, 2015 Throwback

On His 73rd Birthday, Curtis Mayfield’s Contributions To Hip-Hop Live On (Audio)

Today (June 3) would have been Curtis Mayfield's 73rd birthday. The iconic Soul, R&B, Doo-Wop and Rock & Roll vocalist died more than 15 years ago. However, his voice, his guitar, and his indelible swagger keep on pushing through the consciousness. Hip-Hop has put Curtis Mayfield on his rightful pedestal,... Read more

June 3, 2015 Throwback

25 Years Later, There’s Still No Party Like a House Party (Video)

Earlier this year, House Party celebrated the 25th anniversary of its release (March 9, 1990). After Wild Style and Breakin’ introduced Hip-Hop to the masses through cinema, similar films proliferated popular culture, but, upon its arrival, House Party was one of a kind. The film was among the first to... Read more

June 1, 2015 Throwback

Nas, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, MC Eiht & More Appear On Mr. Magic’s ’94 Mix (Audio)

John “Mr. Magic” Rivas will forever be respected as a radio pioneer who introduced Rap to the masses. In 1981, "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack" became the first ever exclusive Rap radio show to premiere on a major station (WHBI) and its historic impact on the music industry can still be... Read more

May 30, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: Talib Kweli & DJ Quik’s Put It In The Air (Audio)

Few artists have the excitement leading into their solo debut as Talib Kweli, especially by 2000s standards. Entering Quality, the Brooklyn, New York MC had already found success with two groups, Black Star and Reflection Eternal. Both acts, duos with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek, respectively, had been met with... Read more

May 28, 2015 Throwback

When A$AP Rock Freestyles…Anything Goes. Witness an MC Who is Truly Fearless (Video)

A$AP Rocky is fearless. As sales of his just released AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP album will soon show, he is currently one of the most successful rappers in the game. That said, he is unafraid to freestyle, "off the top," say ANYTHING and have fun. Rocky joined the Sway in the Morning show,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Throwback

DJ Evil Dee Makes A House Birthday Mix For Himself That All Can Celebrate (Mix)

DJ Evil Dee had a birthday recently (May 24). The Bushwick, Brooklyn co-founder of Black Moon and Da Beatminerz celebrated in style. The veteran DJ/producer fired up the Technics 1200s, and pulled out some dance-friendly crates of records for his two-hour "Church" mix-show. The "birthday edition" features the producer for... Read more

May 26, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a Feel Good 90s Hip-Hop and R&B Mix to Kick Off the Summer (Audio)

As the warm rays of the Summer sun start to shine through, soak up the good vibes of this 90s Hip-Hop and R&B mix put together by DJ Rumor. You'll hear music from Groove Theory, SWV, Aaliyah, Missy, Hi-Five, TLC, The LOX, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Faith Evans, Michael Jackson,... Read more

May 24, 2015 Throwback

Finding the GOAT: Here’s a Look at When the Musical Worlds of Tupac and Eminem Collided (Video)

For those paying attention, this past week was suspenseful. Ambrosia For Heads' eight-month undertaking "Finding The GOAT" has reached its championship contenders. Tupac and Eminem are squaring off. Less than a percent separated Rakim from taking 'Pac's place, but in a heated ballot-box blowout, the All Eyez On Me superstar... Read more

May 23, 2015 Throwback

Stream More Than 6 Hours Of DJ Premier’s Mid-’90s Radio Show (Mix)

Between Gang Starr's 1994 album Hard To Earn and 1998's Moment Of Truth, Guru and DJ Premier still stayed incredibly busy. Together, the band-mates would produce enduring albums by proteges Jeru The Damaja, Group Home, and Bahamadia. Guru would release a second volume of Jazzmatazz, while Preemo would provide iconic... Read more

May 22, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT: The Match That Had to Happen – Big Daddy Kane vs. Rakim

The votes have been cast and the decision has been made. Eminem and Tupac will face off against one another in the final battle of the Finding the GOAT competition to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC (as determined by you). Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014,... Read more

May 22, 2015 Throwback

Hear Rakim Rarities, Pete Rock Freestyles From 1996 Future Flavors Set (Mix)

Just like in the late 1980s, Marley Marl and Pete Rock transmitted dopeness into radio waves in much of the 1990s. The Juice Crew founder and The Chocolate Boy Wonder brought their ear for excellence and supreme Rap mixing skills to airwaves for the HOT 97 Future Flavors radio show.... Read more

May 21, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: The Whassup Ad Campaign Was the Hip-Hop Nation’s Greeting to the World

The Sunday (May 17) series finale of "Mad Men" has many thinking about the powers of advertising and messaging. In the early days of its existence, Hip-Hop often was used as a punchline in commercials. Actors would be shown lampooning Rap, beatboxing and other aspects of the culture. In the... Read more

May 21, 2015 Lifestyle, Throwback

For National Prevention Week, Watch This 1987 Public Enemy Anti-Drug PSA (Video)

Beginning May 17, we are in the midst of National Prevention Week, a seven-day annual event produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With that in mind, Ambrosia For Heads is proud to shed light on not one, but two anti-drug PSA's this week that aired briefly... Read more

May 20, 2015 Exclusive, Throwback

Too Close to Call: Tupac Leads Rakim by 1% in the Battle to See Who Reaches The GOAT Final.

Since September 2014, Ambrosia For Heads has been conducting an elimination, bracket-style tournament to name Hip-Hop's greatest of all-time MC (GOAT), as determined by you. More than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of fans have been engaged along the way. After Eminem soundly defeated Big Daddy Kane in... Read more

May 19, 2015 Throwback

Adrian Younge Never Stops Creating. Glimpse Into His Linear Labs (Album Stream)

PRhyme member Adrian Younge is always busy, but never stagnant. The Los Angeles, California-based producer/musician is currently wrapping up the Another Life album with Bilal, he's planning a sequel to Twelve Reasons To Die with Ghostface Killah, and he's reportedly concocting more rawness with his band-mates DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9".... Read more

May 19, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Final 4): Rakim vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

There are now only 4 MCs remaining in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014, including more than 200 overall MCs, there have been six completed rounds, featuring contenders from all eras of Hip-Hop,... Read more

May 18, 2015 Throwback

Wonder What A 1977 New York City Park Jam Sounded Like? Press Play… (Mix)

Bringing the earliest days of Hip-Hop to the digital age is a challenge. While DJ Kool Herc, DJ Red Alert, and Grandmaster Melle Mel (among many others) are highly active in telling the story, and presenting the culture they helped create, other things are harder to find. Pioneering DJs like... Read more

May 17, 2015 Throwback

For National Prevention Week, Watch This 1987 Run-DMC Anti-Drug PSA (Video)

Today (May 17) begins National Prevention Week, a seven-day annual event produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With that in mind, Ambrosia For Heads is proud to shed light on not one, but two anti-drug PSA's this week that aired back in 1987, from two... Read more

May 17, 2015 Exclusive, Throwback

Ever See This Vintage Slick Rick Freestyle With Rahzel On The Beatbox? (Video)

Here's a look back at a vintage freestyle by Slick Rick the Ruler, accompanied by human beatbox extraordinaire and Roots-affiliate, Rahzel. The clip is from a promo campaign for an MTV Hip-Hop week that looks to have taken place in the late 90s. Rick is "fresh dressed like a million... Read more

May 16, 2015 Throwback

N.W.A.’s Raunchiest Song Has An Alternate Version Heads Can Now Hear (Audio)

Released in 1991, N.W.A.'s "She Swallowed It" goes down in history as one of the raunchiest Rap songs ever recorded. Rapped by MC Ren (with background vocals by the rest of the group), the song simulates oral sex in audio, with sound effects. Additionally, the Ruthless Villain chronicles group-sex with... Read more

May 14, 2015 Throwback

Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Brought Their Vibes To HOT 97 In ’96 (Mix)

Throughout the 1990s, DJ Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito The Barber shaped radio weekly. In doing so, from Columbia University's WKCR FM signal, the pair would help introduce those within frequency range to Nas, Big L, Mobb Deep, Cenubites (Kool Keith, Godfather Don and Percee P), and plenty of other legendary... Read more

May 14, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing 2 Album (Audio)

May 18, 1999, Rawkus Records would enter their most definitive year with their fifth full-length release in Soundbombing II. Distributed by the same Priority Records that had been so integral to the successes of Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and Roc-A-Fella, Brian Brater and Jarret Myer's imprint was truly stepping out. 1998 had... Read more

May 14, 2015 Throwback

DJ Red Alert Explains How The Bridge Wars Began, Tells His Story (Audio)

Fresh off of DJ Kool Herc's groundbreaking interview with The Combat Jack Show, another Hip-Hop pioneer is profiled extensively. Kool DJ Red Alert is Combat's guest this week. The Harlem, New York native (not Bronx, as often reported) opens up about his career trajectory, the radio wars evolving into "The... Read more

May 13, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 6): Nas vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

UPDATE: THE POLL IS CLOSED. After an unfortunate event where certain people attempted to skew the results the first time, we are conducting a rematch between Nas and Tupac. With now only 5 MCs remaining, Round 6 is well under-way in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT... Read more

May 12, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a Tribute to Some of the Women MCs Who Raised Hip-Hop (Video Playlist)

Happy Mother's Day. Here's a video playlist celebrating some of the many women who helped to start and grow the culture of Hip-Hop. You'll see clips from pioneers like Sha Rock, Roxanne Shante, Ms. Melodie, Michie Mee, Sweet Tee, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa and Monie Love. Take a look... Read more

May 10, 2015 Throwback

Breakbeat Lou Is A Digging Pioneer. He Spins Run-DMC, James Brown & Snoop Dogg (Mix)

Long before Heads could go digging in the crates with two tabs of YouTube, Louis "Breakbeat Lou" Flores was a trusted source of dusty-sonic knowledge. One of the creators of the Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilation series, the New York City native helped take deep cuts by Dennis Coffey, ESG,... Read more

May 10, 2015 Throwback

Black Sheep’s Mista Lawnge Remixes Pink Floyd, Pat Benatar & Diana Ross 80s Classics (Audio)

Mista Lawnge (f/k/a Mr. Long) is one of Hip-Hop's figures who does not seem to get his just due. One-half of the founding team in Black Sheep, William McLean was responsible, in part, for supplying Queens, New York duo with a sticking sound unlike no other entity in the space.... Read more

May 9, 2015 Throwback

Chuck Chillout Spins De La Soul, Gang Starr, MC Lyte & EPMD in a 1988 Mix (Audio)

The late Mr. Magic is widely considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest radio mix-masters. DJ Marley Marl's mentor dropped the needle on seminal records in the late 1970s, throughout the 1980s, and the early 1990s, helping give many Heads would-be classic songs that he personally deemed important. The same week boogieknight... Read more

May 7, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: The Nonce’s Mix Tapes (Video)

2015's Los Angeles, California Hip-Hop scene includes a plethora of colorful figures. It is now cool (and accepted) to be unconventional. Whether Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, or Blu, plenty of MCs from Southern Cali have come to creative forks in the road, and blazed trails by simply going straight. In... Read more

May 7, 2015 Throwback

Redman Reflects On MTV Cribs and What It Said About Who He Is

Whether you're a Def Squad Head or a lover of pranksters, Redman's episode of "MTV: Cribs" is that of legend. At a time when celebrities—especially rappers were showing gold-leaf wallpaper, infinity pools, personal chefs and garages that looked like Italian car dealerships, Reggie Noble was the antithesis. In year 2001,... Read more

May 6, 2015 Throwback, TV

Finding The GOAT (Round 6): Tupac vs. The Notorious B.I.G.…Who You Got?

With now only 6 MCs remaining, we have entered Round 6 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only two match-up’s—both running this week—remain until the final 4 are revealed. Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014, including more... Read more

May 5, 2015 Throwback

25 Years Ago, Pete Rock Was DJ’ing On Airwaves. Listen In (Mix)

On May 20, 1989, Pete Rock was just 18 years old. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker was Marley Marl's right-hand-man on WBLS' "In Control" show. Two years before he would be making hits alongside CL Smooth for Elektra Records, Pete Rock was a heralded sound-selector, moving New York City and... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Masta Ace Discusses Sittin’ On Chrome 20 Years Later & How It Redefined His Career (Video)

Masta Ace sat down with Watch Loud to discuss the 20th anniversary of his album Sittin' On Chrome, which was released on May 2, 1995. Ace spoke in-depth about the album and how it redefined his career. Specifically, he talked about his attempts to create a new sound on the... Read more

May 3, 2015 Throwback

Ever Hear This Extra-Large 1995 Method Man Freestyle? (Audio)

In 1995, things were reaching a boil for Method Man. The Wu-Tang Clan MC had a hit solo album in Tical, and an onslaught of classic verses with his band-mates. However, even with the presumed millions rolling in, the Iron Lung MC was not at all above ripping up bars... Read more

May 3, 2015 Throwback

Ever See This Rare Cypher With Tupac and Warren G Over a Classic Dr. Dre Beat? (Video)

Here's a look back at some amazing footage of Tupac, Warren G, Big Syke and Richie Rich holding a spur of the moment cypher in the studio, over the "Gz and Hustlas" track Dr. Dre produced for Snoop's Doggystle LP. Tupac and Warren G are the more commonly known of... Read more

May 2, 2015 Throwback

Step Back In Time With This Rugged MC Lyte Freestyle (Video)

Sometimes Hip-Hop is at its best when in its purest form. Few things are more satisfying than hearing a top notch MC shred a verse over nothing but a beat. Here's a look back at a vintage moment from Rap City: Tha Basement where MC Lyte crushes a freestyle over... Read more

April 30, 2015 Throwback

Raekwon Breaks Down the Lyrics to Criminology & Details Some of Its True Stories (Video)

Raekwon sat down with DJ Booth as part of their "Inside The Verse" series and broke down the lyrics to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx's "Criminology." Rather than a standard word for word dissection of the song, Rae' chose select bars and talked about some of the realities on which... Read more

April 30, 2015 Throwback

Do Remember: AZ’s S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) Album (Audio)

Like sports, what a musician does as a free agent often determines his or her future. Some artists privately seek out their next label home, and get right to work. Others use the event as a combine of sorts, publicly postulating where they would like to be, and what it... Read more

April 30, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 5): The Notorious B.I.G. vs. Redman…Who You Got?

With just 11 MCs remaining we have reached the critical Round 5 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only five match-up’s—all running this week—separate Round 5 from the final six MCs, including Round 4 bye winner Big Daddy Kane. Since the elimination,... Read more

April 30, 2015 Throwback

Mister Cee Reveals Slick Rick Once Fully Stepped to Big Daddy Kane…Strapped (Audio)

DJ Mister Cee is the latest guest on Cipha Sounds & Peter Rosenberg's Juan Epstein podcast/show. In Part 2 (Part 1 ran earlier this month), The Finisher speaks to his friends and former HOT 97 colleagues in depth about the two figures most closely associated with the Brooklyn, New York... Read more

April 29, 2015 Throwback

Ever Hear The Single From Dr. Dre & E-A-Ski’s Planned Collabo Album? (Audio)

To say things are "good" for Dr. Dre is a brutal understatement. The Compton, California impresario is breathing down the neck of being a billionaire (if he is not already there), he is the subject and producer of a major studio N.W.A. biopic, and he's got arguably Hip-Hop's best MCs... Read more

April 27, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 5): Rakim vs. Mos Def…Who You Got?

With just 11 MCs remaining we have reached the critical Round 5 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only five match-up's—all running this week—separate Round 5 from the final six MCs, including Round 4 bye winner Big Daddy Kane. Since the elimination,... Read more

April 27, 2015 Throwback

From Groove Theory To Blackstreet, These Retro R&B Blends Welcome Summer (Mix)

In the 1990s, Hip-Hop and R&B flirted with each other in plenty of ways. The decade made an institution out of the cross-genre collaboration, making R&B albums all the more unpredictable, and Hip-Hop albums all the more versatile. Out of the decade, Mary J Blige, Jodeci, and R. Kelly were... Read more

April 26, 2015 Mixes, Throwback

Ever See the Time will.i.am Went Back to the Underground in an Epic Battle of the Beats? (Video)

In 2002, things were getting interesting for will.i.am. Early Black Eyed Peas Heads know that while the group had a major label contract and were working with stars, they were up against the ropes at A&M Records. In two albums, Will, apl.de.apl, and Taboo had not found the success that... Read more

April 26, 2015 Throwback