Fresh Archives

Yasiin Bey Makes A Clutch Appearance Alongside The Vibrant Golden Rules (Lyric Video)

Whether with De La Soul, High & Mighty, Gorillaz, or DJ Honda, Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) knows how to elevate tracks from a feature role. The Brooklyn, New York native plays guest on Golden Rules' "Never Die." The Lex Records-backed project from producer Paul White (Homeboy Sandman, Danny Brown,... Read more

June 10, 2015 Video

Skyzoo’s “Music For My Friends” Documentary Opens Up His Circle (Video)

Now fully independent, Skyzoo's EMPIRE-distributed Music For My Friends arrives in less than two weeks. The June 23 album through his own First Generation Rich (FGR) company includes appearances from Jadakiss, Black Thought, and Bilal, among others. However, beyond just collabos, artwork, or titles, there is some very deep meaning... Read more

June 10, 2015 Video

MC Ren Gets Ruthless About N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton” Trailers

N.W.A. had four MCs: founder Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and MC Ren. In the marketing materials for August 14's Straight Outta Compton biopic, Ren feels as though he is not getting proper billing. Specifically, Ren attacked some of the Universal Pictures trailers. The promotional artwork, however, featured Embossed Sticker... Read more

June 10, 2015 News, TV/Film

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon Are In Vintage Form Over a Dusty Adrian Younge Track (Audio)

Ghostface Killah is hard at work on his third album in 12 months, fourth if his contributions on Wu-Tang Clan's A Better Tomorrow are counted. His latest project is the second installment of his acclaimed Twelve Reasons to Die series with artist and producer, Adrian Younge. Younge's reputation has grown... Read more

June 10, 2015 Audio

The End of an Era? Homer and Marge Simpson Are Separating.

From money problems, to troubled children, FOX's "The Simpsons" have been built on dealing with the problems facing many modern families. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Santa's Little Helper, and Snowball have been making it work for more than 500 episodes (574, if you're counting at home). However, one of... Read more

June 10, 2015 TV

Vic Mensa & Kanye West Make ‘Em Mad, But They Love It Though (Video)

Vic Mensa is hitting 2015's midpoint on a whole other level from where he started. The Save Money MC/vocalist went from Kids These Days to a Roc Nation solo deal in no easy steps. He made groundbreaking music, and Rap's elite took notice. While Jay Z inked Vic, Kanye West... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Usher Says Meeting and Being Around Biggie Made Him More Driven (Video)

While there are elements of Hip-Hop in Usher's music, in listening to the R&B superstar one might not guess that The Notorious B.I.G. was one of his biggest influences. However, in a recent interview with Montreality, he spoke at length about how meeting Biggie changed his life. When asked if... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Pete Rock Knows Dusty Loops, Hot Bars… & PLENTY About Comics (Video)

Pete Rock is "The Creator." However, the Mount Vernon, New York Hip-Hop legend is also a reader. In preparation for this month's Petestrumentals 2 project, Mello Music Group went shopping with the Chocolate Boy Wonder. The same master crate-digger that put Heads onto Tom Scott & The California Dreamers' "Today,"... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Large Professor Details His Role in Bringing Nas to the World on In the Scrolls (Video)

Though Large Professor brought the world Main Source, his solo works and countless classic productions for others, his greatest contribution likely will always be considered his role in bringing Nas to the world. As Heads know, Large Pro was one of the first to put Nasir Jones on a high... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Lost Ones: How A Flood Destroyed Inspectah Deck’s RZA-Produced Solo Debut (Video)

Listen to Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Like, really listen hard. Then, listen to Wu-Tang Forever. All of it, both discs. Revisiting those 1990s Rap gems should not come as a menial task to many. However, the contents of those two Loud Records releases are rich soil for debate. Often... Read more

June 9, 2015 Food for Thought

Stro & Bishop Nehru Take Aim At All Those Exploiting Hip-Hop (Video)

Stro (f/k/a Astro) and Bishop Nehru are '90s babies, but they are clearly historians. "K.I.N.G. (Keeping Ignorant Niggas Glorified)" is a collaboration tasked with speaking on some of the pitfalls existing in the mid-2010s, especially for Black folks. Lyrically, the two New York natives attack status symbols like sneakers, exotic... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Common, Nicki Minaj and More Will Join Ice Cube in Barbershop 3 (Behind The Scenes Video)

Out of Ice Cube's many film franchises, Barbershop is one of the most beloved. The original film debuted in 2002, starring Anthony Anderson, Cedrick the Entertainer, Eve and more, along with Cube. The movie went on to gross $75 million in theaters and spawned a sequel in 2004, a Beauty... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Are We Overdue For That Lil Fame Solo Album? Hear This Freestyle (Audio)

For nearly five years, there has been talk of M.O.P. pausing to do solo albums by Billy Danze and Lil Fame. The problem? The Brownsvillians simply love mashing out, together. After a series of albums, EPs, and even a joint effort between Fame and Termanology, the MC/producer also known as... Read more

June 8, 2015 Audio

Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$ Celebrate Success While Staying True (Audio)

It was just 30 months ago that Action Bronson and Joey Bada$$ appeared on A$AP Rocky's "1 Train," a unified front of a new, nostalgic New York City Rap crop. In 2015, a lot's changed, but a lot hasn't. All three MCs have 2015 albums, all garnering a lot of... Read more

June 8, 2015 Audio

The Muppets Shimmy To Some Classic ODB. How Do You Like It? (Video)

ODB had a style that was otherworldly, sometimes cartoonish. Perhaps the Muppets can relate, even though neither entity was a true cartoon. Just days after Ghostface Killah honored his fallen Wu-Tang Clan swordsmen by covering some of the 1995 classics, YouTube user "isthishowyougoviral" is at it again with an O.D.B.... Read more

June 8, 2015 Video

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

Kendrick Lamar & Fabolous Shut Down Summer Jam 2015 (Video)

Much has been made of the unfortunate events that took place outside Met Life Stadium last night during Hot 97's 2015 Summer Jam, but inside, there was a raucous party led by Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Fabolous, 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Chris Brown, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Mobb... Read more

June 8, 2015 Video

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

The Real War On Drugs. Two Men Are Taking On Cartels…And Winning (Video)

Arriving in theaters next month, the Sundance Award-winning documentary Cartel Land is the result of a partnership between Vice and the Orchard, a film and television distribution studio. Both entities are known for their global approach to film-making in an effort to provide audiences with intimate portrayals of life around... Read more

June 6, 2015 TV/Film

From Acid Jazz to House, Hiatus Kaiyote & DJ Spinna Are Breathing Underwater (Audio)

Much like Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai before them, Australia's Hiatus Kaiyote bring a special brand of Acid Jazz and Soul to the table. Under the guidance of label chief Salaam Remi (The Fugees, Nas, Amy Winehouse, Miguel, Usher), the group is quickly becoming an intercontinental sensation. In March, they... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers Earns Every Instrumental, From Big Pun To LOX (Audio)

When you're constantly compared against your father, you have to make it count. Chris Rivers has massive shoes to fill as Big Pun's son. So when the Bronx, New York heir to the family microphone takes his dad's instrumental, it's a sign of confidence. In a quick strike, that's just... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

De La Soul & Slum Village Make Magic Together On A J Dilla Beat (Audio)

While Slum Village was never in the Native Tongues crew, they most certainly were an extension of it. More than 600 miles from New York City, Detroit, Michigan's breakthrough Hip-Hop crew made soulful, sample-savvy music combined with lyrics about buggin' out, keepin' the faith, and strobe light honeys. In the... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Villains Unite As MF DOOM & CZARFACE Wreak Havoc On A Beat (Audio)

Two of Hip-Hop's comic-inspired bad boys are MF DOOM and CZARFACE. To be clear, CZARFACE is in fact a trio of Esoteric, Inspectah Deck, and DJ 7L, who together form a force that would love to shoot a fair one with Voltron. From the Bronx-to-Boston crew's sophomore album, Every Hero... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

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

Keeping It Real: How A Facebook Policy Is Changing The Name Of The Game

In recent months, viral campaigns have addressed Facebook's crackdown on users posting on the site under false names, most of which are monikers or stage names. Facebook's policies can have a far-reaching effect, particularly for those who use social media as not only a means of communication, but also self-expression. According... Read more

June 5, 2015 Lifestyle

Styles P’s Fierce Flow & J Dilla’s Soultastic Beat Make A Musical Marriage (Audio)

In life, Styles P and J Dilla never got to work together. Presumably, the men respected each others' work. Both artists enjoyed big trucks, all-natural mind elevation, and making that knock amidst music that makes you feel weightless. In his weekly series, S.P. The Ghost has been going for some... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Troy Ave May Be Without A Deal, But His LP Feels Major (Album Stream)

For several calendars, Brooklyn, New York's Troy Ave has been steadily climbing the rungs, garnering a considerable amount of buzz. With more than a dozen mixtapes under his belt, the outspoken rapper has been putting in some serious work, work that has been noticed by some of Hip-Hop's biggest names. His... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Troy Ave, Jadakiss & Fabolous Talk Like Bosses Over A Catchy Loop (Audio)

Troy Ave's presentation is an extension of the New York City Rap he personally misses. The late '90s-early 2000s reign returns to Troy's ambitious records, mirrored greatly in the image, technique, and subject matter of MCs like 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Jadakiss. Having worked with all aforementioned rappers, Fab' and... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

DJ QBert Massacres A Stack Of ’60s & ’70s Rare Groove Breaks (Mix)

DJ QBert is still on one. The longtime title-winning DJ follows up his April Hard Boiled Scrambled mix with a part two (joined by "DJ Rockit Rooster"). The Invizibl Skratch Piklz co-founder stays in the Rare Groove format, but seems to step a bit more into the '70s/formative Hip-Hop sound.... Read more

June 5, 2015 Audio

Method Man Releases His Second Song in a Week. Summertime is Heating Up (Audio)

Earlier this week, Method Man announced a release date for The Meth Lab, his first solo album in 9 years. Using an animated trailer that spoofed the series Breaking Bad to reveal the news, Meth quickly followed up the video with the release of the LP's title track. Now, he's... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio

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

One Week Later, Ea$y Money Is Still The Motive (Audio)

Bars come easy for Ea$y Money as the Show Off recording artist unloads a brand new single just one week removed from the release of his album, The Motive Of Nearly Everybody, Yo. The aptly-titled "One Week Later" conjures a looming Boom-Bap production from Billy Loman, allowing the Haverhill MC... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Rapper Big Pooh Shows 1 of the Scariest Things in Life for Black Men…Being Pulled Over By the Police (Video)

For decades, Hip-Hop has played a pivotal role as a voice for the people and especially so during tough, critical moments in United States history. Most recently, that role has come to the forefront due to consistent acts of police brutality and violence against, most specifically, young black men. That... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Organized Noize Define “Soul,” Recall Moving From Sampling To Instrumentation (Audio)

In the same week that host Frannie Kelley interviewed her co-host Ali Shaheed Muhammad, NPR Microphone Check sat down with Atlanta, Georgia production trio Organized Noize. Interviewed before a live New York City audience, the moment included appearances from Big Rube, Big Boi, and other members of the Dungeon Family.... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio

If OG Maco Has 15 Seconds of Fame, He’s Going to Live It to the Fullest (Video)

Recently-announced inductee of the XXL's Freshmen Class of 2015 OG Maco, has released a new video for his single "15." The Atlanta, Georgia MC, who also authored the intense club banger "Run Ricky Run," is well aware of what his detractors think...he has 15 seconds of fame, and the time... Read more

June 4, 2015 Video

This 2015 Cover Of Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit Will Give You Chills (Audio)

Billie Holiday's 1939 song "Strange Fruit" is the epitome of captivating. A poem penned two years prior by educator Abel Meeropol (as "Lewis Allan"), the song symbolizes and mourns the lynchings of Black people. In 1999, Time magazine would proclaim Holiday's version "the song of the century." Artistically, it is... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio

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

Dizzy Wright Goes Above The Clouds With Demrick & DJ Hoppa (Audio)

Currently on the road for his Growing Process Tour, Dizzy Wright is steadily accumulating a national following, thanks complex artistry such as his new album. The tour is simultaneously promoting Wright's latest album and the work of Demrick and DJ Hoppa, an MC/producer duo with ties to Wright's past work.... Read more

June 3, 2015 Audio

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

Where Ya Wanna Go: Anderson .Paak Releases New Visual for “The City” (Video)

Still busy promoting the 2014 release of Venice, Los Angeles-based Anderson .Paak has shared visuals for “The City,” a syrupy electro-soul joint representative of his ability to navigate several sonic worlds at once. Also featuring the trap-tinged party record “Drugs” and the up-tempo, breezy “Luh You,” Venice has all the... Read more

June 3, 2015 Video

Odd Future’s The Internet Bring a New Form of Soul for a Special Affair (Audio)

The Odd Future collective is as diverse as any in music. On one side of the spectrum, there are MCs like Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt who've brought a new brand of rebellion and nihilism to Hip-Hop. On the other side, there are the soothing and soulful sounds of... Read more

June 3, 2015 Audio

CZARFACE & A Self-Help Guru Aim To Improve YOUR Life Through Hip-Hop (Video)

It's been nearly two years since Inspectah Deck officially announced that a second CZARFACE album was in the works. Ramping up for this month's release, Esoteric participated in a hilarious parody of a late night TV paid program. CZARFACE's Eso' sits down with infomercial entrepreneur and author Michael Alden for... Read more

June 3, 2015 Video

Is It the Shoes?? It’s GOTTA Be the Shoes…The Smart Clothes Era Is Here (Video)

Back in the late 80s, Mars Blackmon famously asked Michael Jordan if it was his shoes that allowed him to do the things he did on the court. Now, nearly 30 years later, the days of "smart" sneaks just might be here. From streetwear to haute couture, Hip-Hop has surely... Read more

June 3, 2015 Lifestyle

Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway & More Set to Perform at The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Ambrosia For Heads is proud to announce our media partnership with the 11th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Kicking off July 8, and running through July 11, this year's series of events drives emphasis to the very spirit of Hip-Hop culture. 2015's gala includes performances by Academy and Grammy award-winning Common,... Read more

June 2, 2015 Exclusive

Eminem Returns With a Phenomenal Song About Never Giving Up (Audio)

As he's done on a plethora of films—including his own, Eminem has been tasked with the soundtrack centerpiece to Antoine Fuqua's Southpaw. The newly-appointed GOAT MC (within nine months of Ambrosia For Heads' readership, anyway) goes 12 rounds, lyrically on "Phenomenal." Produced by DJ Khalil (Self Scientific), the song showcases Em's... Read more

June 2, 2015 Audio

Ali Shaheed Muhammad Details Native Tongues’ Split and Much More (Audio)

Ali Shaheed Muhammad is among the most high-profile artists-turned-music media host. The founding member of A Tribe Called Quest is part of NPR's Microphone Check. Along with Frannie Kelley, Ali asks the questions, drives the discussion, and presents the culture through national radio's far-reaching lens. In a strange turn of... Read more

June 2, 2015 Audio

Jay Rock Releases a Sequel to Money Trees. The TDE OG Is Back (Audio)

Before ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul or Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock paved the way for the Hip-Hop juggernaut that is now TDE. In fact, many first heard Kendrick on Rock's anthemic "Hood Gone Love It." Sadly, it's been four long years since Jay Rock's album Follow Me Home was released, and he... Read more

June 2, 2015 Audio

Noreaga Speaks on Why Eminem is a King of Hip-Hop (Video)

Eminem was recently voted by AFH readers as the greatest MC of all-time. Noreaga recently spoke in detail about why he believes Eminem is a King of Hip-Hop and why he's been so successful over the years. In an animated discussion with DJ Vlad, Nore spoke point by point on... Read more

June 2, 2015 Video

DJ EFN Elevates DJ Albums & David Banner Explains One Potent Verse (Interview)

After 20 years of his life devoted to Hip-Hop music and culture, Miami, Florida-based DJ EFN stepped to the front with Another Time. Self-released, the studio album included more than 30 years of MC greats, spanning all regions, styles, and skill-sets. Scarface, Blu, Royce Da 5'9", Killer Mike, MC Eiht,... Read more

June 2, 2015 Food for Thought