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Here Are Some Reasons Why 2000 May Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Year

At Ambrosia For Heads, we celebrate Hip-Hop throughout the ages. Earlier this year, our What's The Headline podcast launched a series examining the calendar years that made the music and culture reach its full potential. After taking a loving look back at 1984, the next episode drops in on Y2K.... Read more

T Dot Eric Recalls Documenting The 1995 Source Awards Clash From The Front Row

Photographer T Dot Eric has taken some of the pictures that have defined how Hip-Hop thinks of its heroes. His work includes legendary flicks of Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Gang Starr, De La Soul, and Black Star—only to name a few. T.... Read more

No MC Has Been Better Than Benny The Butcher The Last 2 Years

Benny The Butcher has just released his first 2021 album, The Plugs I Met 2. The Black Soprano Family founder teamed with Brooklyn, New York veteran producer Harry Fraud for the nine-track LP, which features 2 Chainz, Fat Joe, Jim Jones, French Montana, the late Chinx, and Benny's protege, Rick Hyde.... Read more

Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Are Giving Ownership In Verzuz To All Past Participants

It was an exciting week for Hip-Hop. Sunday culminated with a first-time Grammy win for Nas, a poignant second win for Anderson .Paak (as well as a show-stopping performance), and more. As many looked back at a year defined by the pandemic, the week also saw the acquisition of one... Read more

JAY-Z’s Sale Of TIDAL Will Transform How Artists Are Paid For Music

Just weeks after selling half of his stake in Ace of Spades, JAY-Z made another power move. Hip-Hop's first billionaire mogul sold his stake in Tidal to investor Jack Dorsey's Square company in a reportedly $297 million deal this month. Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, also leads the mobile payment company, which now welcomes... Read more

Raekwon Will Take On Ghostface Killah In An Upcoming Verzuz

On Saturday (February 28), D'Angelo participated in a new type of Verzuz set. The veteran singer, musician, and producer performed at Harlem's Apollo Theater in a concert that included a surprise Method Man & Redman appearance as well as turntable work from DJ Scratch. True to form, one of Verzuz'... Read more

Will DMX’s Reunion With Def Jam Return Both To Glory?

This month DMX appeared on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's Drink Champs for a second time. Since the Hip-Hop show's inception, X has been a top draw for Drink Champs, sitting at the table and giving a real and raw interview to his past collaborator Noreaga back in episode 3. Great conversations with Puff... Read more

Pharoahe Monch Explains The Hidden Meanings In His New Album

Three weeks ago (January 22), Pharoahe Monch released his first album in nearly seven years. The Queens, New York veteran MC/producer partnered with esteemed guitarist Marcus Machado and Grammy-winning drummer Daru Jones as Th1rt3en. The band, involving two overlapping musicians from Pete Rock's The Soul Brothers collective, has been releasing... Read more

DMX’s New Album Will Feature Griselda

For nearly 5 years, rumors have been swirling about the next DMX album. In May of 2016, Swizz Beatz set social media ablaze, when he posted that Dark Man X was clean, focused and working with himself, Kanye West and Dr. Dre. Nearly a year later to the day, in... Read more

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

Pharoahe Monch Delivers The Long-Awaited Album Alongside His Band Th1rt3en

In the last week, 2021's Hip-Hop release calendar got an exciting jump-start. Pharoahe Monch treated fans with his first album in more than six-and-a-half years. Since that time, the Queens, New York lyricist and producer had described a dark, Hard Rock-influenced album. In 2021, that presumed material surfaced alongside Monch's... Read more

Snoop Dogg & Eminem Have Been Feuding For Months. Here’s Why

Two of Dr. Dre's greatest proteges are Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. He developed one esteemed lyricist at the top of the 1990s during the establishment of Death Row Records and the other at the tail-end of that decade, solidifying his Aftermath Entertainment imprint. Ever since, Snoop and Em partnered... Read more

How MF DOOM Became Hip-Hop’s Biggest Hero

On December 31, the family of MF DOOM (aka Daniel Dumile) publicly announced that the legendary MC/producer/visual artist had died two months earlier. While information surrounding DOOM's passing may still be forthcoming, the hurt felt around the Hip-Hop community was immediate and profound. At just 49 years old at the... Read more

Dr. Dre Is Hospitalized After Suffering A Brain Aneurysm

Hip-Hop lost another legend in 2020. In the closing hours of the year, MF DOOM's wife and onetime record label, Rhymesayers Entertainment, confirmed that the man born Daniel Dumile passed away on October 31. No cause of death has been made public at this time. However, news of DOOM's death... Read more

Master P & Baron Davis Want To Buy Reebok To Make It For Us By Us

Master P had a big 2020. The founder of No Limit Records partnered with BET to produce a docuseries on his famed label. The New Orleans, Louisiana native born Percy Miller also remains a partner in Rap Snacks and other ventures. However, the artist whose career expanded to film, sports,... Read more

A New Phife Dawg Album Is Coming In 2021

This week, Ambrosia For Heads recorded what is likely the final What's The Headline episode of the year. In the season 2 finale, we react to some of the LPs that our readers told us we missed after our "Best Albums List" for 2020. Additionally, we discuss next month's 63rd... Read more

Statik Selektah Explains What We Have To Do To Protect Hip-Hop

Less than two weeks ago, Statik Selektah released his ninth compilation-style album, The Balancing Act. The esteemed producer/DJ/Showoff Records founder involves a cast that includes Nas, Black Thought, Killer Mike, Sean Price, Jack Harlow, Method Man, Benny The Butcher, Evidence, Joey Bada$$, and Jadakiss, to name a few. However, the album,... Read more

Kanye West’s Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Turns 10. Is It His Best Album?

One decade ago (November 22, 2010), Kanye West released a blockbuster album in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Whereas 2008's 808's & Heartbreak confronting loss and lust with sounds that veered beyond 'Ye's first three albums, 2010's M.B.D.T.F. marked a return to form, even if it was nothing like the Roc-A-Fella Records mid-2000s run. Just... Read more

Busta Rhymes Opens Up About His Near Death Experience

Less than three weeks since releasing the highly-acclaimed Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, Busta Rhymes continues to give fans greater context about a comeback album like no other. In speaking with Van Jones' The Messy Truth, the veteran MC/producer discussed how Public Enemy and The Bomb Squad mentored Leaders... Read more

Busta Rhymes Has Made A Classic Album 30 Years Into His Career

Busta Rhymes is one of Hip-Hop's most enduring stars. Named by Chuck D, a fixture within Native Tongues, a requested artist on Tupac's One Nation project, a member of the Aftermath/Shady/G-Unit reign as well as Cash Money/Young Money, and one of J Dilla's closest collaborators, Trevor Smith, Jr. has done... Read more

MC Eiht Details Lessons He Learned From EPMD, Rakim, Menace II Society & More

MC Eiht is the latest guest on Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast. In a 90-minute discussion, Eiht revisits highlights from his entire 30-plus-year-career. The Hub City O.G. details the formative years of Compton's Most Wanted and how he assumed the writing responsibilities for both MCs in the collective.... Read more

Is Ice Cube Still True To The Game?

Less than three weeks before the upcoming election, Ice Cube made his way into the news through politics. On October 13, one of Donald Trump's advisors, Katrina Pierson, revealed online that Cube was working with the current administration's "platinum plan." She praised the MC-turned-mogul's actions and cooperation: Shoutout to @icecube... Read more

Scarface Is Sick & He’s Asking Hip-Hop For Help

Rapper Scarface has had a challenging 2020. He is a Hip-Hop legend who was infected by the COVID-19 virus back in late March. In the weeks that followed, the Houston, Texas-based icon's fight was so strong that it led to pneumonia in both of his lungs, kidney failure, a 103-degree... Read more

Jay Electronica Kept Fans Waiting For A Decade. In 2020, He Has Released 2 Albums

Hours ago, Jay Electronica released the long-vaulted Act II: Patents Of Nobility (The Turn) album. Following this year's proper debut album, A Written Testimony in March, Jay Electronica officially shared an album that has been touted for release since 2012. The release reached Tidal, the streaming platform led by JAY-Z,... Read more

Joe Budden Has Made 1 Of The Biggest Moves In Podcasting (Again)

The Joe Budden Podcast with Rory & Mal (and Parks) is officially off of Spotify. While many listeners and Hip-Hop fans speculated that the former MC would take his show to a high-profile competitor, the Jersey City representative and cohorts have opted to go DIY instead. While taking a breather... Read more

The LOX Break Down How To Make A Classic Album (Video)

Three weeks ago, The LOX released their fourth album, Living Off Xperience. The D-Block/Roc Nation release includes contributions from DMX, Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn, Large Professor, T-Pain, Oswin Benjamin, Nottz, Statik Selektah, and their artist, Dyce Payne. Less than a month since its release, the LP from one of... Read more

Conway The Machine Collides With DJ Premier For Something That’s Nothin’ Less Than Dope

Last Friday (September 11), Conway The Machine released his third project of 2020. Following March's Alchemist-produced LULU and May's Ghost LTD-helmed No One Mourns The Wicked, the Buffalo, New Yorker steps forth with From A King To A God. In one of the busiest seasons in Hip-Hop history, Griselda continues the... Read more

With Help From Eminem & Royce, Big Sean’s New Album Is Still Detroit Vs. Everybody

Last Friday (September 4), Big Sean released his fifth album, Detroit 2. One day before the eighth birthday of his 2012 mixtape that launched the series, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records LP is another ensemble affair. Like the freebie, Royce 5'9" offers some big-brother-support from Detroit. Meanwhile, Eminem, Lil Wayne,... Read more

The LOX Flaunt Their Experience On A New Album Featuring DMX & Griselda

Last Friday (August 28), The LOX released their fourth studio album, Living Off Xperience. Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P released two albums by the end of 2000, ahead of a 16-year-hiatus. Now in a distribution partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation, their second LP in nearly four years has some... Read more

Nas Releases His King’s Disease Album. Where Does It Rank In His Catalog?

Last Friday (August 21), Nas released his 13th solo album, King’s Disease. Produced entirely by the Inland Empire native Hit-Boy, the project features appearances by Anderson .Paak, Charlie Wilson, Big Sean, and Dr. Dre, among others. The Mass Appeal Records release also marks a surprise reunion of The Firm. The... Read more

Last Week In Hip-Hop: Nas Has A New Album Coming. How Many Classics Does He Have?

In less than a week (August 21), Nas is slated to release his 13th solo album, King's Disease. With 2019's Lost Tapes 2 serving as a welcomed snack for fans, this marks the first new LP from Nasir Jones since 2018's NASIR-a collection produced entirely by Kanye West. Maintaining that... Read more

Little Shawn Describes The 1994 Tupac Shooting & Insists He Was Not Involved (Video)

Rapper Little Shawn has an incredible Hip-Hop story. A native of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the veteran MC-turned-dietician sat with Drink Champs for more than three hours. Over the course of the discussion, the guest (who now goes by Shawn Pen) details the mutual respect he shares with JAY-Z. Shawn recalls... Read more

Mike Tyson Explains Using Hypnotism To Become The World’s Best Boxer

Mike Tyson is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN. Like Snoop, the celebrity has become a force in media with his Hotboxin With Mike Tyson Podcast platform. There, the 53-year-old former champion interviews other celebrities, athletes, and media personalities. It also is a celebration of Tyson's longtime affinity for... Read more

Drake Releases 2 Songs That Pay Respect To JAY-Z & Eminem (Video)

Following this year's "Life Is Good" collaboration with Future (embedded below), Drake releases his first solo music of 2020. It comes in the form of two songs, bridged together for one video. "When To Say When" follows recent footage of Drizzy rapping outside of Brooklyn's Marcy Houses, the onetime home... Read more

Jadakiss Confirms That Styles P Once Dissed JAY-Z On His Own Song

Today, The LOX are in a partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation. There's more than 20 years of history between Hov' and The Warlocks. However, as fans are learning, not all of it is rooted in positivity. Back in 1998, JAY-Z dropped his third album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Like... Read more

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

Royce 5’9 Explains Why He’s A GOAT Rapper (Video)

Just over one week ago, Royce 5'9 released his eighth album, The Allegory. It marks a benchmark LP in a discography decorated with greatness. On one single, "I Don't Age," the Detroit, Michigan MC proclaims, "They say you are what you eat, but I never ate goat." Speaking with Ambrosia... Read more

RZA Explains Why Ghostface Was Hip-Hop’s Best MC When He Made Supreme Clientele

Twenty years ago this month, Ghostface Killah released his sophomore album, Supreme Clientele. The Razor Sharp/Epic/Sony Records LP has proven to be one of the greatest solo works in the Wu-Tang Clan catalog. Three and a half years removed from Ironman, the album is a benchmark for G.F.K. and the... Read more

Madlib Speaks. He Reveals That He & Pusha-T Are Planning More Music Together (Video)

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads decided that Madlib & Freddie Gibbs' Bandana was the Best Album Of 2019. Announced the same night as the Grammy's, the sophomore collaboration between the two veterans bested another producer/MC battery, Gang Starr, in the championship round. The decision came after the annual Sweet 16-themed... Read more

Boldy James & Vince Staples Get Personal On An Alchemist Beat (Video)

Around the time that Boldy James was among the first rappers to sign to the rebranded Mass Appeal Records (formerly Decon) alongside Bishop Nehru and Fashawn, the Detroit, Michigan MC released his first studio album, My 1st Chemistry Set. James' 2013 LP was entirely produced by The Alchemist, and released... Read more

Snoop & Jada Pinkett Have An Emotional Conversation About Kobe, Gayle King & Misogyny

Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg made global headlines after a fiery reaction to Gayle King's controversial CBS This Morning interview with retired basketball star Lisa Leslie. During that interview, which broadcast on February 4, the network anchor brought up Kobe Bryant's 2003 sexual assault charge while speaking to the two-time... Read more

John Forté Brought Talib Kweli To Rawkus. Now Kweli Assists Him In A Beautiful Collab

When John Forté had his 14-year prison sentence commuted more than a decade ago, he immediately went to the studio with longtime friend and fellow Brooklyn, New York native Talib Kweli. It was there that the former Fugees affiliate recorded "Homecoming," a personal cover to Kanye West's one-year-old Graduation cut.... Read more

Royce 5’9 Kicks An Incredible Freestyle With Substance, Swagger & A Few Jabs (Video)

Royce 5'9 knows how to make his lyrics feel a depth charge. Commemorating The L.A. Leakers' 100th freestyle, the veteran MC kicks some rhymes from his album that need to be heard. He also drives home some new heat with an insane freestyle. The Detroit, Michigan rapper, who is celebrating... Read more

Conway & Benny Torch Their Fire In The Booth Freestyle With Hot Verses (Video)

Fresh off of a dominating 2019, the Griselda squad continues their win streak with a quick jaunt across the pond to the UK for an appearance on DJ Charlie Sloth's Beats 1 Radio. With the industry's focused attention and Rap fans rooting the family-rooted label of MCs on, Benny The... Read more

Eminem Tells Kxng Crooked About His Deep Love For The Craft Of Rapping (Video)

"What I would say to any up-and-coming rapper? I would say that it is hard to get it, and it's even harder to maintain it." Eminem shares those words in the closing minutes of a one-hour-plus interview with Kxng Crooked on Crook's Corner. The video interview takes place in Dr.... Read more

Jadakiss & Pusha-T Go Head-Hunting For MCs On A Fierce New Collabo (Audio)

As one-third of the iconic trio The Lox, Jadakiss is not only renowned for his impressive discography with Sheek Louch and Styles P, but also for his solo work. It is through this combined catalog work that 'Kiss has earned the rankings of—in his own words—"Top 5 dead or alive."... Read more

Elzhi, Chris Dave & The Drumhedz’ Tiny Desk Concert Could Never Be Tainted (Video)

After well over 20 years of work, Elzhi is one of the most skilled MCs in Hip-Hop. Alongside the always-impressive Chris "Daddy" Dave and his Drumhedz crew, the onetime Slum Village member has a story unlike many in the game, which makes this episode of NPR's Tiny Desk one not... Read more

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

50 Cent Recalls Going From Making $800 Per Month To Earning 8 Figures Within Weeks

This month marks 17 years since 50 Cent released his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. The Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records LP has since been certified six-times platinum. The 2003 album remains a benchmark in the genre and touchstone of Rap. 50 Cent appeared on Cigar Talk with host Naji Chill.... Read more

Big Sean Opens Up About The Depression That Nearly Caused Him To Retire From Rapping

Big Sean's Rap hiatus is over as the Detroit, Michigan MC recently was a guest on Joe Budden's Pull Up. In his first interview of 2020, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam artist spoke about dealing with depression, losing passion for rapping, and closing himself off to his family. This came after... Read more