Fresh Archives

Bilal Portrays A Modern Day Healer In His Charged New Visual (Video)

Since the release of his debut 1st Born Second, Bilal garnered acclaim as a Soul singer. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native's compelling lyrics and beautifully crafted instrumentation, along with his infectious vocal range has made him a consistent crooner. Heads have seen the personal and societal themes of his 2010 LP, Airtight's Revenge.... Read more

May 19, 2015 Video

If Eminem’s Stan Was a Movie About Drake, It Would Look Like This (Video)

Writer and director Christopher Cole has put together an ironic and deeply satirical short film about a man's obsession with Drake. The clip, titled If You're Reading This It's Too Late, simultaneously extols the Young Money MC's virtues as an artist, while making sly puns of his lyrics and song... Read more

May 18, 2015 Video

Murs Evocatively Honors The Life Of A Late, Fellow Rhymesayer (Video)

With the release of Have A Nice A Life, Murs took a moment to remember Eyedea. While they were not frequent collaborators, Murray and Eyedea were label-mates throughout much of the 2000s at Rhymesayers Entertainment. While it's been almost five years since the man born Michael Larsen passed away, Murray uses... Read more

May 18, 2015 Video

Camp Lo Present The Ups & Downs Of A Relationship In Their Latest Ski Beatz Collaboration (Video)

Camp Lo and Ski Beatz have been collaborating for almost 20 years. We first heard Sonny Cheeba, Geechie Suede and Ski combine forces on the groovy 1997 album, Uptown Saturday Night. They subsequently went on to make three more projects together, before venturing in a new direction with 2009's Stone... Read more

May 18, 2015 Video

Busta Rhymes Adds a Bombastic Verse to Fashawn’s Out the Trunk (Audio)

Fashawn has had a banner year. In February, the Fresno, CA MC returned after a nearly 6-year hiatus from solo studio albums to release his first LP as part of Nas' Mass Appeal Records. The Ecology is a diverse offering that ranges from Cali anthems like "Golden State of Mind,"... Read more

May 18, 2015 Audio

Chris Rivers And Denzil Porter Mint Lyrical Gold on Lootchini (Audio)

Being the son of the highly-respected late MC Big Pun, it is no surprise that Chris Rivers is a lyrical wizard. With Denzil Porter alongside, the two New York MC's drop some catchy wordplay in a freestyle over Camp Lo's classic "Luchini" instrumental. Rivers and Porter show us that their rhyming capabilities are as polished... Read more

May 18, 2015 Audio

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

Ghostface Killah, Adrian Younge, Raekwon & RZA Offer Twelve More Reasons To Die (Audio)

Ghostface Killah seemingly does not stop. Now in his mid-forties, the Staten Island, New York "wally champ" is looking at his fourth album in less than nine months. To kick off the new week, the Wu-Tang Clan member announced a sequel to 2013's Twelve Reasons To Die. Planned for July,... Read more

May 18, 2015 Audio

Killer Mike Eloquently Destroys Arguments That Hip-Hop Fosters Violence (Video)

Over the last few years, Killer Mike has firmly established himself as one of Hip-Hop's most impressive spokespersons. Mike was thrust into the spotlight in 2014 as he passionately and eloquently spoke out against police violence, in the wake of the protests that followed the killing of Michael Brown in... Read more

May 17, 2015 Video

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

Devin The Dude Once Again Captures The Soul In The Mundane (Video)

From Queen Latifah to Phonte, plenty of highly-skillful MCs have successfully transitioned into singing careers. Devin The Dude is one—like Pharoahe Monch and Z-Ro—who never conceptually went there. Yet throughout his 21-plus-year-career, the Florida native has dropped those moments on albums where the raps are so secondary. "One For The... Read more

May 17, 2015 Video

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

Ice Cube Reveals He Originally Wanted Dr. Dre to Produce Amerikkka’s Most Wanted (Video)

As we reported earlier, today (5/16) is the 25th anniversary of the release of Ice Cube's debut album, Amerikkka's Most Wanted. To celebrate the milestone, Cube has made a series of videos detailing behind the scenes stories about the making of the landmark LP. In part 1, the rapper born... Read more

May 16, 2015 Video

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

Fabolous Takes On Another Nas Classic And Smashes It (Audio)

After rhyming over It Was Written's "Black Girl Lost," Fabolous re-ups his 90s freestyles series with another Nas classic. This time, he takes on the Pete Rock-produced Illmatic staple, "The World Is Yours." Updating the track with up to the minute references like Derrick Rose's now infamous stoic pose (as... Read more

May 16, 2015 Audio

Once Again It’s On: Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted Rings True At 25

A quarter of a century ago today (May 16, 1990), Ice Cube released his solo debut. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted signaled his post-N.W.A. career, and the acrimonious split left fans eager to hear Cube's perspective. However, what those supporters received was more dynamic than one man's tale of anger and revenge,... Read more

May 16, 2015 Food for Thought

Pharoahe Monch Gives An Enticing Performance In Keep Pushing (Short Film)

Producers of the upcoming film Revolutions Per Minute, have released a prequel to the movie, titled Keep Pushing. The visual is set sometime in the early 1990s. Almost 15 minutes long, the short film follows a Bronx, New York rapper by the name of Billy da Kid. The video starts off with... Read more

May 15, 2015 TV/Film

Jim Kelly Was So Much More Than The World’s First Black Martial Arts Star…

Known for roles in films like Black Belt Jones, Enter The Dragon, and Three The Hard Way, Jim Kelly was a familiar face to lovers of 1970s low-budget films. At drive-in's and grind-houses, these works may be today remembered as Blaxploitation works—statements on race and culture, big on stereotypes and... Read more

May 15, 2015 Lifestyle

Canibus Hosts An All-Star Track With Raekwon, Kurupt & Craig G (Audio)

Canibus is a well-connected lyricist. For his just-released Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise album (with producer Bronze Nazareth), 'Bis brought in his troops. From the HRSMN collective (f/k/a 4 Horsemen), Canibus taps Kurupt for "The Kings Sent For Me." Along with the HRSMN link, an MC who influenced Canibus' ferocious... Read more

May 15, 2015 Audio

Run The Jewels Release a Powerful Animated Visual About Police (Video)

Over the last few years, Run The Jewels (the duo of Killer Mike and El-P), have released some of the most politically-charged music, in any genre. Songs like "Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k)" and "Early," from Run The Jewels 2, explore their complex views on police, given a... Read more

May 15, 2015 Video

Why Did Jay Z Sign Vic Mensa? Watch His Blackout Freestyle Over Roc Boys (Video)

Less than halfway into 2015, it's already been a monster year for Vic Mensa. The multi-talented Chicago MC has collaborated with Kanye West twice, and was recently signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation. To some, the signing may have been a surprising move, but for Heads who have followed Mensa... Read more

May 15, 2015 Video

It’s Hunting Season For Jadakiss on Bang Bang. Wack MCs, Beware…(Audio)

Jadakiss continues his winning streak in his weekly freestyle series. On his latest, he attacks Capone-N-Noreaga's 2000 riot-starter, "Bang Bang," from their album The Reunion. The track which was produced by Alchemist and featured Foxy Brown as a guest vocalist, coaxes one of the most aggressive performances from Jada in... Read more

May 15, 2015 Audio

Watch Crazy Hood’s Award-Winning Short Film, Avaricious: The Story Of Will (Premiere)

Miami, Florida-based Crazy Hood Productions is making a strong foray into film, through the Crazy Hood Film Academy. The collective including DJ EFN and Michael Garcia has released Avaricious: The Story Of Will. The work recently won "Best Short" at Key West Film Festival. Premiering on Ambrosia For Heads, the... Read more

May 15, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Finding The GOAT (Final 4): Eminem vs. Big Daddy Kane…Who You Got?

Update: Polls have now closed There are now only 4 MCs remaining in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Both Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. were dismissed at the winning hands of Tupac (even if it took a second, certified ballot in the Nas... Read more

May 15, 2015 Fresh

In A 1-Minute Trailer, True Detective: Season 2 Gives Goosebumps (Video)

In the opening days of 2014, HBO's "True Detective" came, and rocked worlds with its circular storytelling, gripping suspense, and commanding performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson (who also produced). In just an eight episode format, this show was one that had many Heads talking. By design, Nic Pizzolatto's... Read more

May 15, 2015 TV, TV/Film, Video

The People Have Spoken. Here Are The GOAT Competition Final 4 MCs

It's official. Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" MC competition has its final four. Approaching nine months in the making, and more than 200 MCs vetted, voters are nearing the finale. After some outed cheaters compromised the first run of the poll, Tupac Shakur's faithful fans will be pleased to... Read more

May 14, 2015 Fresh

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

Lil Fame Takes ‘Em To Church On A Funeral Freestyle (Audio)

Lil Fame is more than 20 years deep in making music that speaks to angst, aggression, and abrasive street life. The Brooklyn, New Yorker known for his work with M.O.P. is a close affiliate of Statik Selektah. Fame (a/k/a Fizzy Womack) teamed with Statik's other 1982 half, Termanology for an... Read more

May 14, 2015 Audio

Earl Sweatshirt & BadBadNotGood Reunite For a Televised Live Performance (Video)

While on tour to promote his new album, I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside, Earl Sweatshirt stopped by the Jimmy Kimmel Live show to perform alongside Canadian Jazz band BadBadNotGood. Earl & BBNG have previously collaborated on the song "Hoarse," off 2013's Doris, but this rare performance together... Read more

May 14, 2015 Video

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

Your Old Droog Goes All-City On A Statik Selektah Holdover (Audio)

Your Old Droog crosses paths with Statik Selektah. It's a complementary fit, as these are two Brooklyn, New York-based B-boys strongly pull from past generations and nostalgia, while flipping things with a modern slant. Droog takes a Statik-produced dusty arrangement, and goes all-city with "Unlimited Metrocard." The swipe of the... Read more

May 13, 2015 Audio

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

Murs & King Fantastic Make That Gangsta Rap For Your Mental (Audio)

Murs' ninth studio solo album, Have A Nice Life is in stores next week (May 18). The Living Legends alum furthers his relationship with Tech N9ne and Strange Music, following collaborative works with ¡Mayday! in the last several years. Now a father, husband, and a label leader (Label 316), Murs... Read more

May 13, 2015 Audio

Bilal’s Adrian Younge-Produced Satellites Will Send Your Day Into Orbit (Audio)

Bilal is having one incredible six months. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native assisted Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butterfly, on multiple moments. Now returning to his own work, he teams with PRhyme's Adrian Younge for "Satellites." With hard drums, observational lyrics, and a pensive chorus, this is music that just... Read more

May 13, 2015 Audio

Vince Staples’ Long Beach Transforms Into A Metaphoric Apocalypse (Video)

Vince Staples has made several enduring videos already, in his short career. For the Snoh Aalegra-assisted "Senorita," the two No I.D. proteges raise the stakes like never before. The Summertime '06 (June 30) look feels like something out of a '90s Soundgarden visual—only its world is the Long Beach City.... Read more

May 13, 2015 Video

Lupe Fiasco Combines A Strong Syncopated Flow With Signature Storytelling (Audio)

Lupe Fiasco's creative taps seemingly never run dry. This week, the 1st & 15th founder released "Something That I Never Had." The moment finds Lu' really waxing a fast, deeply syncopated flow as he tells a tale of relationships drifting. It's a lot to keep up with, but the moment... Read more

May 13, 2015 Audio

DMC Attributes Run-DMC’s “Downfall” to Negative Music, Urges Rick Ross To Own His Past (Audio)

As Hip-Hop continues to rapidly evolve, many of the messages being delivered to its fans today may raise a few eyebrows. This week's The Library Podcast hosted by Tim Einenkel, features pioneering Rap star DMC. Speaking about contemporary Rap music as well as his own catalog with Run-DMC, the Queens,... Read more

May 12, 2015 Audio

Adore The Soothing Soul Of Sam And Bobby? Try Leon Bridges (Video)

In nearly every genre of music, it's popular to go back to the future. Whether its the early days of Bluegrass, the Slab music of Houston, or the 1970s L.A. music scene, the past is playing an important role in informing the sensibilities of new music. Somewhere in the delta... Read more

May 12, 2015 Video

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

Melanie Fiona Shoots Down An Open Relationship With Bite The Bullet (Audio)

Fresh off of a Caribbean-flared contribution to Raekwon's F.I.L.A album, Melanie Fiona (who proudly celebrates her Guyanese heritage) stays tropical for her own LP. The former SRC Records' songstress third LP, Free Love, is presumed to include this new Reggae-tinged single, "Bite The Bullet." The song about awakening is written... Read more

May 12, 2015 Audio

Slum Village Find That Fan-Tas-Tic J Dilla Knock, Serenading The Ladies (Audio)

Slum Village's new single “Expressive” gives Heads a lot to look forward to with their new album Yes! (June 16). The tune features a previously unreleased J Dilla production, with two more on the album (from the seemingly endless supply). It's a bittersweet reunion for T3 with his his co-founder, as... Read more

May 12, 2015 Audio

Why Are Women Excluded From the Conversation About Hip-Hop’s Greatest MCs? (Video)

Like nearly everything in life, Rap is co-ed. From the beginning, women have been among the world’s most innovative MCs. They have the ability to offer fresh perspectives to a field often dominated by men. However, rarely, in the debates surrounding the greatest MCs in Hip-Hop history do women get... Read more

May 12, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT: It’s Complicated…When Someone Tries to Cheat the Voting.

Since September of 2014, we at Ambrosia For Heads have been hosting a conversation among countless Hip-Hop fans about a question near and dear to our collective hearts: Who is the greatest of all-time MC (GOAT)? More than anything, this was an opportunity to highlight the careers of hundreds of... Read more

May 11, 2015 Fresh

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Dayne Jordan Encourage Dream-Chasers To Go Harder (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff and frequent collaborator Dayne Jordan recently shared a song, "Harder!!" Dayne was first heard on the Jazzy-produced track "All About The Art," where he teamed up with other Philadelphia, Pennsylvania legends Questlove and James Poyer. Heads have seen (and heard) Jeff and Dayne Jordan work together and put a... Read more

May 11, 2015 Audio

Raekwon & Snoop Dogg Are Still B-Boys, Celebrating Hip-Hop’s Elements (Video)

Raekwon and Snoop Dogg may be in Rap's ruling elite. However, these early 1990s alums still capture the music as they fell in love with it. "1,2 1,2" is a standout moment from The Chef's just-released F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art). Produced by Get Busy Committee's Scoop Deville, the Isaac... Read more

May 11, 2015 Video

Pro Era’s Dessy Hinds Gives Thanks On A Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

As the Pro Era crew continues to diversify, Dessy Hinds is one to watch. The MC has a lot of soul to his step, and seems to wave the Brooklyn, New York clique's flag strong. Dessy kicks off the week with a cut produced by crew big brother, Statik Selektah.... Read more

May 11, 2015 Audio

From Battles To Collabos…Canibus Makes Good With Battle Rap Opponent Dizaster (Audio)

Canibus is widely considered one of Hip-Hop's most fearless figures. Fresh into his career, 'Bis challenged LL Cool J in a battle that nearly matched Tim Duncan's NBA career. Canibus has lambasted Eminem, criticized J. Cole, and even left a cult-championed career to enlist in the United States Army in... Read more

May 11, 2015 Audio

Inspectah Deck, Kool Keith & Headkrack Demand Justice For Unarmed Black Men (Premiere)

Three Bronx, New York MCs unite to speak on very pressing and sensitive issues in American society. Kool Keith, Inspectah Deck, and Headkrack decry the excessive force used by some law enforcement. These incidents, particularly over the last five years, have resulted in the increased death-count of Black men and... Read more

May 11, 2015 Audio, Exclusive

Mystikal & Mark Ronson’s New Visual is Kinda Wrong…But It Feels Right (Video)

In the days when networks were still havens for the music video, it took a lot to command rotation. These days, visuals live online—where they also live forever. In that school of thought, artists often tend to favor quantity over quality, knowing that a view is a view. Mark Ronson,... Read more

May 11, 2015 Video