Fresh Archives

Big K.R.I.T. Shows How He Makes A Beat From Start To Finish Then Drops A Killer Verse (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest guest on Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette beat-making challenge. In the series, producers are blindfolded, asked to choose 3 random records and then tasked with making a track using their selections. Many have participated in the series, including Erick Sermon, Just Blaze, El-P and Black Milk,... Read more

March 25, 2016 Video

Wyclef Jean Freestyles Off The Top Of The Head…In 5 Different Languages (Video)

As one third of The Fugees, Wyclef Jean is one of the most successful artists in Hip-Hop. In his solo career and with the group, Jean has sold tens of millions of albums and garnered numerous Grammy Awards. He is also among Hip-Hop's elite in talent, with his ability to... Read more

March 25, 2016 Video

Prodigy Gives Away An Album Bundle Featuring Ghostface, Slick Rick, KRS-One & DJ Premier

Two weeks after Prodigy released the first R.I.P. album bundle, he completes the trilogy with his third and final installment. R.I.P. 3 features major Hip-Hop influences upon Mobb Deep such as KRS-One and Slick Rick, as well as peers ranging from Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, to Alchemist, Cormega,... Read more

March 25, 2016 Fresh

This Journalist Who Was Encouraged By Eazy-E Releases A Book Comparing Hip-Hop & Chess

From the Wu-Tang Clan to Wale, Fresh to Dilated Peoples, Hip-Hop's music, film, and lifestyle maintain strong ties to chess. The 64 squares relate to many aspects of life. Northern California veteran author, speaker, scholar, and music journalist Adisa "The Bishop" Banjoko has made a career out tying Hip-Hop, chess,... Read more

March 25, 2016 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

A$AP Ferg & ScHoolboy Q Flash Back To 1996 With O.D.B.’s Son (Video)

A$AP Ferg just premiered his Always Strive And Prosper (April 22) single, "Let It Bang." Assisted by ScHoolboy Q, the song examines the ruggedness within both MC's families, and how addiction, incarceration, and the wild life were impressed upon Ferg and Quincy at a ripe, young age. Less than 24... Read more

March 25, 2016 Video

In A Past Recording, Q-Tip Shares The Story Of How Phife Convinced Him To Try Rapping (Audio)

Yesterday, after the confirmation of Phife Dawg's passing, the remaining members of A Tribe Called Quest released a statement about his life and what he meant to them. While none of them has spoken individually, yet, J. Period has unearthed a touching recording of Q-Tip sharing some of his earliest... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

Any Questions About Whether Elzhi Is Back End With The Intro To His New Album (Audio)

After a few fits and starts, Elzhi's new album Lead Poison will be released tonight at midnight (March 25). The album was paid for by a crowd funding campaign that threatened to go really badly. After some missed deadlines, questions arose as to whether the LP would ever be released,... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

BJ The Chicago Kid & Kendrick Lamar Fight Hannibal Buress’ Cupid With An Old-Fashioned Love Song (Video)

Ever think about the kind of chaos that could happen if Cupid went rogue? That's exactly what happens in BJ The Chicago Kid's video for "The New Cupid." The song is a throwback old school Soul ballad, with BJ joined by Kendrick Lamar on a verse and Raphael Saadiq on... Read more

March 24, 2016 Video

Royce 5’9″ Savages A Track For Nearly 5 Straight Minutes. Playtime Is Over (Audio)

Royce 5'9" has gone to another level. Since announcing the release of his forthcoming album, Layers, here on Ambrosia For Heads in February, the Detroit MC has been on a mission to destroy anything that gets in his path to be recognized as one of the greatest lyricists in Hip-Hop,... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

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

March 24, 2016 Audio, The Bridge

Common & Ice Cube Demonstrate How “Real People” Move Past Beef (Audio)

Many artists have gone from fierce beefs to collaborating. Artists like Jay Z and Nas, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel, and Three 6 Mafia and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony have simply just turned the page. The songs these once bitter rivals made after the truce was just music—with the past best unaddressed. For... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

Ice Cube & Kendrick Lamar Keep George Clinton’s Funk Torch LIT (Video)

Even though he is straight out of New Jersey, George Clinton has had a profound impact on West Coast Hip-Hop. The colorful grooves, dynamic showmanship, and heavy bass hits of Parliament, Funkadelic, and Clinton's solo work deeply influenced the music of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and... Read more

March 24, 2016 Video

Rakim May Be The God MC But He’s A Devil On The Turntables. This. Is. Hip-Hop (Video)

If you read ego trip's Book Of Rap Lists, and bluntly speaking, all Heads should, page 52 has a great list of MCs with supreme DJ skills. Rakim, often revered as one of—if not thee greatest rapper—proves himself to be one such double-threat. Recently, the Long Island, New York legend... Read more

March 24, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q & Ferg Make The Latest TDE & A$AP Molotov Cocktail (Audio)

Before they were major label stars, A$AP Mob and Top Dawg Entertainment were making moves together. ScHoolboy Q has been especially close to the Harlem, New York collective. After appearing on Trap Lord's "Work Remix," Groovy Q and Ferg re-up for April 22's Always Strive And Prosper. "Let It Bang"... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

Ras Kass, Bumpy Knuckles & ONYX Take It Back To The Days Of Hard-Nosed Hip-Hop (Audio)

Yesterday, Ras Kass announced that he is working on Soul On Ice 2, a sequel to his heralded debut album, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Ras has started a crowd funding campaign to raise money to record the album and he is seeking $35,000. He wastes no time... Read more

March 23, 2016 Audio

Problem Demands That His Time Is NOW, Or Else… (Audio)

Compton's Problem may be one of the dominant new voices in 2010s Gangsta Rap, but the patient veteran has more to say than the baseline. The Diamond Lane Music Group sensation, and longtime affiliate to Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, 9th Wonder, and Wiz Khalifa makes his latest statement single in... Read more

March 23, 2016 Audio

Celebrate Phife Dawg’s Life & Legacy Through His Music With This Tribute Mix (Audio)

For many of us, today has been one of deep mourning and reflection, as we process the death of Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor. The "5ft Assassin" was a co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest, one of the most influential groups in music of any genre. Many words have been written... Read more

March 23, 2016 Audio

Oddisee Releases A Stellar New EP For Full Stream & Announces A New Album (Audio)

Oddisee is not yet a household name, but the MC/Producer is one of the most talented artists in Hip-Hop, currently. His 2015 album, The Good Fight, stood with the best of the year, and his stunning videos and performances only built on the narrative. Now, he returns with a new... Read more

March 23, 2016 Audio

How Organized Noize Created The Atlanta Hip-Hop Sound With Outkast & Goodie Mob

In looking at Rap superstars, their producers are never far behind in recognition. Rick Rubin was the musical architect that would have a hand in the success of Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Beastie Boys. Dr. Dre's "Midas Touch" with N.W.A., Snoop Dogg (and to a lesser extent) Tupac cleared... Read more

March 23, 2016 Food for Thought

Action Bronson & Meyhem Lauren Heat Up A DJ Shadow Beat (Audio)

Last week (March 15) marked five years since Action Bronson formally introduced himself with the self-released Dr. Lecter album. On that celebrated LP, Bam Bam also brought his Outdoorsmen crew along with him. "Chuck Person" and "Bag Of Money" would shine a light on one member in particular: Meyhem Lauren.... Read more

March 23, 2016 Audio

DOOM Performs An Alternate Version Of His JJ DOOM Single At SXSW 2016 (Video)

DOOM was a showcase headliner at last week's 2016 South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. There, the reclusive MC/producer did not appear in the flesh, but through video display. As part of a DOOMStarks (DOOM & Ghostface Killah) set March 17 at Elmo's, DOOM unveiled an alternate version... Read more

March 22, 2016 Video

Pharrell Gives NYU Music Students A Lifetime Of Knowledge In 30 Minutes (Video)

As part of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts' 50th anniversary, Pharrell Williams was named Artist in Residence. The school celebrated by inviting him to speak at length in front of the student body, where he shared tremendous insight into his own vulnerabilities as well as his vision and... Read more

March 22, 2016 Video

Rittz Threatens Extinction To Competition In This Haunting Single (Audio)

Rittz has been one of the stars of the expanded Strange Music label. The Gwinnett County, Georgia MC is six weeks away from his third album on Tech N9ne's label, Top Of The Line (May 6). First single "Ghost Story" is a great illustration of the versatile Slumerican affiliate's proven... Read more

March 22, 2016 Audio

Chance The Rapper & Skrillex Keep The Love Movement In Motion (Video)

Since late 2014, esteemed MCs throughout Hip-Hop have been heavily talking about love. Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, Oddisee and Big K.R.I.T. are just some of the elites with big records that remind listeners to love themselves, others, and the world at large. Chance The Rapper has made heartfelt music... Read more

March 22, 2016 Video

Black Donald Trump Supporters Are Put On The Spot & Defend Their Candidate (Video)

Political double-talkers abound, and it's no surprise why. Politicians have to appeal to so many different kinds of people, that often times they end up tangled in humorous hypocrisy. One need not look far for examples of hypocrites in our political arena, like the elected officials who vote anti-gay only... Read more

March 22, 2016 TV/Film

Ras Kass Plans “Soul On Ice 2,” Featuring Unreleased Songs (Video)

This year marks the 20th anniversary since Ras Kass' debut album, Soul On Ice. The native of both Carson, California would ink a contract with Priority Records to release what some still consider his greatest lyrical work—and a benchmark of intellectual songwriting. In the time since, Razzy Kazzy has released... Read more

March 22, 2016 News, Video

This Mix Of The 16 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time Is 21 Minutes of Heaven (Audio)

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the '80s, '90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 22, 2016 Audio, Finding the GOAT

New Jack City Turns 35. These Secrets We Learned From The Writer Will Blow Your Mind

UPDATE: Since this article was published, Barry Michael Cooper passed away on January 22, 2025. He would have been 68 at the time of this publishing. Twenty five years ago this month, New Jack City opened to the public. The film, starring Wesley Snipes, Allen Payne, Ice-T, and Chris Rock,... Read more

March 22, 2016 Food for Thought

Scarface’s New Video Makes It Clear You Do Not Want To Be On His Bad Side

2015 was one of the biggest years in Scarface's storied career. Facemob released a critically-acclaimed book, put out a new album and was given the "I Am Hip-Hop" Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards. The Geto Boy even flirted with reuniting and going on tour with his old group.... Read more

March 21, 2016 Video

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Invites Camp Lo, Mack Wilds & Rick Ross to Dance & the Result is Money (Audio)

The League calling themselves Just Undeniably Some of the Illest Composers Ever have been establishing their own brand of superheroism for more than ten years, ever since scoring their first major production breakthroughs with Mary J. Blige's "No One Will Do" (which helped them nab a Grammy Award for Best... Read more

March 21, 2016 Audio

A-F-R-O’s Razor Sharp Flow Cuts Right Into Vinyl Grooves. Literally. (Video)

Bellflower, California MC A-F-R-O has gone from Internet-fan obscurity to downright stealing the show with his inventive rhyme patterns and nimble flow. After a prominent part in Vh1's The Breaks, the R.A. The Rugged Man protege now has captivated the attention of Colin Hanks. Heads may know Hanks from his... Read more

March 21, 2016 Video

Royce 5’9″ Proves Being Lyrical Is Cool While Destroying New School MCs (Video)

Shortly after releasing a video for the lead single for his forthcoming album Layers starring his son, Royce 5'9" is back with another video centered on intergenerational perspective, this time focused on taste and trends. While in "Tabernacle" Royce takes a micro approach to telling a story, "Which Is Cool" is broader... Read more

March 21, 2016 Video

Too Short Gives Some Real Game To 2 Young Boys With Questions (Video)

Too Short has been giving up "game" for nearly 35 years. Songs like "Gettin' It," "The Ghetto," and "So You Want To Be A Gangster" educated audiences on the thrills and perils of a life in the underworld. However, while many of Too Short's tales are freaky, he still shows... Read more

March 21, 2016 Video

Kanye West Didn’t Break The Rules With The Life Of Pablo. He Changed Them

Five weeks ago, Kanye West released his eighth solo album, The Life Of Pablo. What had long been anticipated as a follow-up to 2013's Yeezus was quite different than its predecessor. For starters, T.L.O.P. was never released to CD, vinyl, or digital download marketplaces (and reportedly never will be). For... Read more

March 21, 2016 Food for Thought

Joell Ortiz & Chris Rivers Studied The ’90s To Blaze Mics In 2016 (Audio)

Last week, Joell Ortiz and producer Domingo released That's Hip-Hop. As the Slaughterhous vet told Ambrosia For Heads, the project is about keeping purebred Rap in the front of the consumer consciousness. In the post-release single "Say What I Want," Ortiz is joined by Bronx, New York MC Chris Rivers... Read more

March 21, 2016 Audio

Fat Joe, Lord Finesse & Diamond D Keep That Crate Chemistry Strong (Audio)

Every Monday of 2016, D.I.T.C. has blessed Heads with new tracks. Today (March 21), the Diggin' In The Crates crew may have unleashed the best yet. "Rock S**t" marks the lyrical return of Lord Finesse, whose witty and confident punchline-driven flow would be the blueprint for his star pupil, the... Read more

March 21, 2016 Audio

Usher Performs A Stunning Medley As A Tribute To L.A. Reid (Video)

Together with his creative and business partner, Babyface, L.A. Reid was one half of one of the most formidable production duos in recorded music history, and a co-founder of LaFace Records. As an executive, Reid's imprint has been on the career's of some of music's biggest stars, having signed Toni... Read more

March 20, 2016 Video

Musiq Soulchild Is BACK & His New Song Will Take Your Heart Away (Audio)

Musiq Soulchild is one of the foremost talents in the Neo-Soul movement, helping to spearhead the influx of the genre in the late '90s and early '00s. Like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and others, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania crooner flawlessly blends the stylings of contemporary R&B with traditional Soul and Hip-Hop, a... Read more

March 18, 2016 Audio

Prodigy Releases Another Free Album Bundle Featuring Jay Electronica, 50 Cent & Bun B

One week to the day after Prodigy released the first R.I.P. album bundle, he follows with the second of three installments. R.I.P. 2 features the Mobb Deep co-founder working with the likes of 50 Cent, Jay Electronica, Bun B, Styles P, Killer Mike, and the late Chinx, among others. Besides... Read more

March 18, 2016 Fresh

This Virtual Crate Digging Is Like Touching And Feeling Your Favorite 90s Hip-Hop Records

Crate digging is an inseparable part of Hip-Hop culture. Whether or not there is a local record store in your vicinity, chances are you've heard or seen your favorite artists taking part in the tradition. In the days before digital music, Serato, and USB drives, record stores provided producers and... Read more

March 18, 2016 Fresh

Obama Reminds the Nation of His Presidential Power Over the Supreme Court (Video)

As if the current political goings-on in the United States needed any more hullabaloo, the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has resulted in a showdown between President Obama and Congress. As the presidential campaign heats up with presumptive nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump entering what promises... Read more

March 18, 2016 Lifestyle

Nas Plays A New J Dilla Collabo, Produced By Madlib (Video)

In October of 2014, Nas began a public pursuit of bringing recognition to the music of J Dilla. During a Mass Appeal Records release party for Run The Jewels' second album, the investor in the label shared his take on a Dilla "donut" beat. The track would be called "The... Read more

March 18, 2016 Video

Ghostface Killah Keeps O.D.B.’s Raw Spirit Alive In His Stage Show (Video)

Last night (March 17), Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ghostface Killah performed live in Austin, Texas as part of 2016 South By Southwest. There, Ambrosia For Heads captured the Staten Island, New York veteran MC paying tribute to his late band-mate with a performance of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya." G.F.K. teamed with the... Read more

March 18, 2016 Exclusive, Video

Royce 5’9″ Blacks Out on Another Song & Announces Free EP (Audio)

In just under a month, Royce 5'9" will be releasing Layers, his sixth studio album and first since 2011's Success Is Certain. In the years since, he has proven himself to be an integral part of various groups like PRhyme and Slaughterhouse,but his longtime fans have always known of his... Read more

March 17, 2016 Audio

Here’s A Never Before Released Fugees Freestyle From 1995 That Settles The Score (Audio)

In 1995, The Fugees were in between Underground Hip-Hop obscurity and super-stardom. The year prior, they had released Blunted On Reality. In early '96, they would rake in the multiple platinum plaques with the aptly-titled The Score. According to mentor and producer Salaam Remi, it was in '95 that the New Jersey... Read more

March 17, 2016 Throwback

Eric B. Defends His Legacy & Claims His Credit In History (Audio)

Eric B. may be one of the most misunderstood figures in Hip-Hop. An Elmhurst Queens, New York native, Eric Barrier formed one of the genre's most technically advanced groups in Eric B. & Rakim. Furthermore, the DJ/producer established a brand in Rap music that not only pivoted towards the materialism... Read more

March 16, 2016 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Leads A Freestyle Cypher With Musicians In The UK & Rocks It (Video)

With all the chatter around the political themes embedded in Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, and the album's immense critical acclaim, it's sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that, at his core, Kendrick is an MC who loves the sport of rhyming. But, before he showcased the... Read more

March 16, 2016 Video

“Empire” Star Jussie Smollett Takes The Media To Task For Its Coverage Of Donald Trump (Video)

Last night, Comedy Central was once again the sight of an engrossing, multi-dynamic look at American racial politics, thanks to the perspectives shared on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. With many of today's top news stories approached from perspectives of people of color, the show often delves into the... Read more

March 16, 2016 TV/Film

Big Sean Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is. One Man Really Can Change the World. (Video)

Always repping his hometown of Detroit in his music, Big Sean (born Sean Anderson) is making major moves behind-the-scenes as it pertains to giving back to his community. The Sean Anderson Foundation is a non-profit founded with a Motor City focus in mind, with programs and initiatives aimed at the... Read more

March 16, 2016 Lifestyle

Forget Presidential Candidates. Are Our Computers Also Racist and Sexist? (Audio)

Austin, Texas is currently the place to be for music industry insiders, with a whole host of artists performing across a spectrum of genres. However, the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival is not just a place to get put up on the next hottest artist; it's also a well-established platform... Read more

March 16, 2016 Lifestyle