AFH Ambrosia for Heads

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Nas Offers A Very Real Message About Success & Career Longevity

Soon approaching 30 years since he made one of Rap's greatest introductions alongside Main Source (and mentor Large Professor) on "Live At The Barbeque," Nas' career is still heating up. Reports earlier this week suggest that the once-prodigious MC from the Queensbridge Houses stands to earn $40 million from an... Read more

Westside Gunn & Mr. Green Partner For An EP. Here’s A Sample From That Stash (Audio)

The Griselda family's breakthrough player, Westside Gunn, seems to be going even harder in 2018 than he did in 2017, and that says a lot. Having dropped several full-length projects, appeared in the Shady Records BET Cypher, as well as a collabo 12” with MF DOOM in 2017, one might... Read more

Del The Funky Homosapien & Amp Live Form A Duo. They Did Not Come To Play. (Video)

This month, Oakland, California's Del announced the collaborative project with renowned producer/musician, Amp Live (formerly of Zion I). It represents a merging of two very meaningful Hip-Hop artists, especially to the Bay Area. The duo's debut album, Gate 13 is due to drop on April 20, and they teased its... Read more

Nick Grant Is Feeling Like A Champion On “’96 Bulls” (Video)

Nick Grant delivered one of the strongest debut albums of 2017 in the form of Return Of The Cool. In 2018, he shows that he is not stopping his roll. Last month the Walterboro, South Carolina spitter flipped a classic Lauryn Hill sample for his song "Forever And Always." Now,... Read more

Chance Explains How He & Kevin Hart Tackled Racism Differently On “SNL” (Audio)

Last November, Chance The Rapper used his time as host of Saturday Night Live to pen a couple of comedy sketches, including "Wayne Thanksgiving." In it, Chance and SNL cast members Leslie Jones, Keenan Thompson and Chris Redd play concerned members of the community upset with "Bruce Wayne" for being a bit too... Read more

Quadir Lateef & Statik Selektah’s EP Aims To Get An Ugly Reaction (Audio)

Ruff Ryders MC Quadir Lateef has been hovering on the fringes of notoriety for years. This imposing wordsmith has caught the attention of everybody from DJ Green Lantern to Chuck D to Russell Simmons over the years. While he started as a Spoken Word poet, this artist has developed into... Read more

Nas May Earn Over $40 Million From The Sale Of A Company He Funded

Nas is regarded as one of Hip-Hop's shining examples of poetry and advanced rhyme skills. His debut album, Illmatic, was voted by Ambrosia For Heads readers in 2016 as "The Greatest Rap Album Of All Time." That release has been the subject of at least one documentary film. It also... Read more

Murs Drops One Of The Realest & Most Personal Songs Of 2018 (Video)

Less than one week ago, Murs and producer Michael "Seven" Summer released A Strange Journey Into The Unimaginable. The Los Angeles, California native has unloaded several singles and visuals from one of his best albums in a sprawling, dynamic, and highly-impressive catalog. One of the most striking moments of the... Read more

RZA Wrecks A Party. He Freestyles Into Headphones & Scratches (Video)

In the last year, Wu-Tang Clan released an album whereby RZA handed the production reigns to DJ Mathematics. The Abbott executive produced, but the longtime leader of the Wu appears focused on his Hollywood career more than plugging out beats on the ASR-10 in his studios. However, do not get... Read more

JAY-Z & Diddy Built Empires. Now They Aim To Help Other Black Businesses Grow

JAY-Z and Diddy are two pillars of Black Excellence. These men have built empires that began with music careers, then expanded to record labels, and have extended into apparel, liquor, film, sports, TV, and a host of other ventures at the highest level. Since the '90s, these two men often... Read more

dvsn Remind That Prince & Aaliyah Are One In A Million, With A Purple Mash-Up (Video)

Toronto, Ontario R&B duo dvsn is one of the more recognized acts on Drake's OVO roster. Daniel Daley and Nineteen85 made an impact on Views (see: "Faithful") right around the time they began releasing albums together. The pair's latest, Morning After recently snuck into the US charts' Top 40. Nineteen85... Read more

Snoop Dogg Tells Martin Lawrence How Much His Show Meant To Hip-Hop (Video)

Martin Lawrence is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN show. The two longtime friends enjoy a half-hour discussion about The Mack and the African American College Alliance clothing brand while revisiting some of Lawrence's films. A majority of the chat is devoted to Martin, Lawrence's 1990s FOX series. Notably, Snoop Dogg... Read more

MF DOOM, Inspectah Deck & Esoteric Deliver A Video Fit For Villainous Rhymes

In 10 days, CZARFACE and MF DOOM will release CZARFACE Meets METAL FACE. The project fully unites the masked villain with the veteran fusion of Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck with 7L & Esoteric. Previously, Daniel Dumile participated in the cipher (2015's "Ka-Bang!") to a strong reception. On this upcoming go-round,... Read more

Kemba Seeks Salvation During A Trying Time In America (Video)

Some may know Kemba as the artist that shut it down with an acappella after Kendrick Lamar pulled him onstage in the Bronx two years ago. Others may remember the MC from albums including You're Welcome (2010), Fall FWD (2011), and GNK (2013) released under his previous moniker "YC The... Read more

Stalley Rates The Bars Of His Former Maybach Music Group Family (Video)

Stalley recently returned to independence, and he seems to love it. The Massillon, Ohio MC has been on a tear ever since, releases a plethora of projects. Promoting last month's Tell The Truth Shame The Devil, Vol. 2, the Blue Collar Gang leader is the latest guest judge on "Rate... Read more

Jamie Foxx, Migos, & Drake Take 1 Hip Trip Back To Soul Train (Video)

Drake already made one of 2018's best music videos. One month ago, the Toronto superstar gave away just under a million dollars in the "God's Plan" visual. That spirited moment featured some real tears from everyday workin' folks getting a helping hand from the OVO leader. Now, Drake assists Migos... Read more

Sean Price Would Have Turned 46 On Saturday. Celebrate P!’s Life With New Music (Video)

Three days ago, Sean Price dropped his long-awaited EP with friend and frequent collaborator Illa Ghee, in celebration of what would've been the late MC's 46th birthday (March 17). Solidifying his legacy as one of Hip-Hop’s most hardened wordsmiths, and once again proving that not even death can stop his... Read more

Snoop Dogg Provides New Details About 1996 Meeting Between Tupac & Nas (Video)

On September 4, 1996, the MTV Video Music Awards took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Suge Knight were in Manhattan at a time when tensions were strong between their Death Row Records and several top Rap artists from the Big... Read more

Joe Budden’s Son Makes His Own Mood Music About His Father’s Shortcoming (Audio)

From Jaden Smith to Chris Rivers, Hip-Hop is witnessing second-generation MCs flourish on the mic. Joe Budden's son, Trey, is the latest "Rap kid" to come forth with music. Approaching 18 years old, Trey Budden appears to share his father's penchant for venting stress over catchy beats. However, in what... Read more

The Brutal Details Of Meek Mill’s Arrest Are Revealed In His 1st Prison Interview

Months after his most recent incarceration and on the same day as news that his conviction could be overturned, Meek Mill broke his public silence this week in a candid, and surprisingly vulnerable interview with Rolling Stone. With reporting from inside the walls of a Chester, Pennsylvania prison, "#FreeMeekMill" looks... Read more

DJ Envy Attacked Desus & Mero On His Show. Now They Savage Him On Theirs (Video)

Yesterday (March 15), two major forces of media clashed in real-time when Desus and Mero (from their eponymous late-night show) were guests on The Breakfast Club. DJ Envy almost immediately revealed that he felt his wife and family had been disrespected by the two men sitting across from him. On Desus... Read more

Murs Says Hip-Hop Can’t Be Dead If Wu-Tang Is Forever & He’s Still Rapping (Video)

In celebration of his 40th birthday (March 16), Murs drops his latest solo album, A Strange Journey Into The Unimaginable with Strange Music. The project is exclusively produced by longtime Tech N9ne producer Michael "Seven" Summers. Leading up to today, ("Murs 3/16"), the Los Angeles, California veteran MC has leaked... Read more

Saukrates, Pharoahe Monch & Shad Show Why They Are MCs Who Stand The Test Of Time (Audio)

JUNE 25 UPDATE: An official lyric video for "Father Time (2018 Version)" has been created: ORIGINAL MARCH 15 STORY: Last summer Saukrates re-released his 1999 album The Underground Tapes, making it available in digital formats for the first time, while delivering some new remixes and updated versions of those old... Read more

Lil Dicky Switches Bodies With Chris Brown & It Gets Freaky (Video)

Greater Philadelphia MC Lil Dicky is one of Hip-Hop's new kings of concept. Clever ideas, thematic what-if's, and narratives supported by nimble rapping made Professional Rapper a mass-success and a 2015 staff favorite at Ambrosia For Heads. He uses a stand-up comedian's stroke of self-deprecation to enhance his presentation. This... Read more

DJ Envy Blasts Desus & Mero Then Walks Out Of His Own Interview (Video)

Two top forces in modern media are The Breakfast Club and Desus & Mero. These video talk-shows and interview platforms have helped give Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, Desus, and Mero household-name status as cultural pundits. Podcasts, books, traditional television shows and appearances, and endorsements have followed. Those... Read more

Erick Sermon Reveals The Real Reason Craig Mack Did Not Join The Bad Boy Reunion Tour

On March 12, MC Craig Mack died at the age of 47 (earlier reports listed his age as 46). The Bronx-born, Long Island-raised artist who used his real name on records deceased from what coroner's declared as natural causes at his home in Walterboro, South Carolina. Other sources close to... Read more

Roc Marciano & Action Bronson Show Hip-Hop Can Be Grimy & Soulful At The Same Time (Video)

Roc Marciano has piloted a unique lane in Rap. Since his solo debut, Marcberg, in 2010, each consecutive project seems to be more anticipated than the last. With Rosebudd’s Revenge last year, the Hempstead, Long Island MC/producer's buzz reached a new pinnacle in the eyes (and ears) of many. So,... Read more

Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Consequence Explain Why ATCQ Was Angry About The Grammys (Video)

To most, the 2018 Grammys represented a strong field of what Hip-Hop music had to offer in the previous year, but many believed that a few were snubbed in the nominees for Best Rap Album. The decision not to select A Tribe Called Quest was a particular sore spot for... Read more

Kooley High Reach For The Ceiling In The Group’s Newest Video

The “Hip-Hop group” seems to be an endangered species in today’s landscape. There are plenty of collectives comprised of loosely-associated solo MCs, or super-group side projects. However, acts with more than two members are becoming rarer and rarer. Enter Kooley High, a North Carolina Hip-Hop crew who are driven by... Read more

Can You Hear Me Now? Lil Yachty Freestyles With Clear Intent (Video)

Lil Yachty has become one of the most recognized rappers under the legal drinking age. He has endorsement deals, a video approaching 120 million plays, a Top 5 charting album, a Grammy nomination, and platinum singles alongside D.R.A.M. and Kyle. The Quality Control/Capitol Records artist is not without his critics.... Read more

Bumpy Knuckles & Snoop Are Proud To Be O.G.s & Share Their Wisdom (Audio)

With over 50 years in the Rap game combined, Snoop Dogg and Bumpy Knuckles (aka Freddie Foxxx) have immense credibility. They are two MCs who have navigated several eras of Hip-Hop's evolution. Each can spit hard rhymes that chin-check opponents and they both have reputations for offering righteousness. It all... Read more

9th Wonder Speaks On Why Bruno Mars’ Critics Are Fakin’ The Funk

Last month, while accepting his Grammy for "Album Of The Year" for 24K Magic, Bruno Mars made it a point to address the other nominees by name. He shouted out "Kung-Fu Kenny, JAY-Z and Gambino," saying to them "You guys are the reason I'm in the studio pulling my hair out...thank... Read more

For The 1st Time Ever, The #1 & 2 Films In The Country Were Directed By Black Filmmakers

A series of historical firsts for the film industry took place this past weekend, thanks to Black Panther and A Wrinkle In Time. The films are directed by Ryan Coogler and Ava DuVernay, respectively. Black Panther continued its reign hovering atop of the rankings as #1 at the box office... Read more

The Coup’s Boots Riley’s Debut Film Looks Like It May Be 2018’s Breakout Movie (Video)

For 25 years, Boots Riley has injected satire into his social, political, and racial commentary into the music of The Coup. In a celebrated catalog, songs like "5 Million Ways To Kill A CEO," "Fat Cats Bigga Fish," and "Me And Jesus The Pimp In A '79 Grenada Last Night"... Read more

This Mix Takes JAY-Z’s Most Powerful Lyrics & Blends Them Into A New Masterpiece (Audio)

Throughout the ages, many DJs have created mixtapes that artfully honor JAY-Z's vast catalog. In November, MICK and Chi Duly imagined a world in audio where Jay and DJ Premier expanded upon their stellar 1990s collaborative chemistry. The resulting 7:18 is a one-hour crowd-pleaser, placing new and old Hov' verses... Read more

Roc Marciano’s New Album Is The Latest Indie Uppercut To The Streaming Model

Today (March 9), Roc Marciano's RR2: The Bitter Dose became available on all major streaming platforms. The album released late last month, and was contained to Roc's online store for download sale and physical copy pre-order. As a 20-year Hip-Hop veteran, it was calculated move made by the former Flipmode... Read more

David Banner Releases A Powerful New Video From One Of The Best Rap Albums Of 2017

David Banner released a stellar album in 2017's The God Box. Mississippi's mainstream Rap pioneer involved Black Thought, Big K.R.I.T., CeeLo Green, Raheem DeVaughn, and Tito Lo were all involved in the Banner Vision/EMPIRE LP. A focal point of the album (presently included on the official Ambrosia For Heads playlist)... Read more

Maseo Details How Beats Stetsasonic Rejected Helped Form De La Soul’s 1st Album (Video)

De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising is a benchmark Hip-Hop album. The introduction of Posdnuos, Trugoy (nka Dave), and Maseo proved to be a crucial link in the evolution of Native Tongues. It also showcased the producer who Maseo today credits as De La's "fourth member." Following the... Read more

Phonte Has Made An Elite Album For The 99% Of Grown Hip-Hop Fans

It's been more than six years since Phonte released his solo debut. Late 2012's Charity Starts At Home was critically-acclaimed and seemed to indicate that Tigallo was on his way to creating a stellar solo catalog beyond his celebrated work with Little Brother and Foreign Exchange. It did not quite... Read more

U-God Says The $2 Million Wu-Tang Album Ain’t Nuthin’ To Get Excited Over (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan co-founder U-God is the latest guest on The Breakfast Club. This week, the Staten Island, New York MC published his memoir, Raw: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang. According to Charlamagne Tha God, who read the text, Lamont Hawkins' pre-music days may be the most compelling aspect of the... Read more

Tech N9ne Knows The Plan To End Racism But Questions Whether We Can Follow It (Video)

Last Friday (March 2), Tech N9ne released his album, The Planet. It is a fitting title for the 46-year-old Kansas City, Missouri MC-turned-mogul. With platinum and gold singles now under his belt, Aaron Dontez Yates labored to create a bustling universe that existed beyond commercial radio, music video channels, and... Read more

Vince Staples’ CrowdFunding Campaign Is Doomed To Fail & That’s The Best Thing For Hip-Hop

The Hip-Hop industry is adapting to the times. A-list rappers release albums through cellphone carriers, cryptocurrency is accepted as a form of payment by artists, and the idea of a project being for sale is being challenged by some of the genre’s top earners. Recently, an expert panel discussing emerging... Read more

Erick Sermon Is Executive Producing Redman’s “Muddy Waters Too” & Says It Will Be Classic (Audio)

Approaching 30 years since EPMD released Strictly Business, Erick Sermon is in the midst of a creative renaissance. Last month, the Green-Eyed Bandit secured more than $60,000 of crowd-funding for his upcoming ninth solo album (now titled Vernia). As E-Double gets underway on that release promised to feature Method Man,... Read more

Luke Cage Season 2 Episodes Are Titled After Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Songs

Fans of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth now have more incentive to watch the upcoming season of Luke Cage. Viewers of the Marvel series know that its soundtrack is heavily inspired by 1980s and 1990s Hip-Hop. Launching June 22, all of Season 2's episodes are titled after Pete Rock &... Read more

ODB’s Estate To Launch “Dirty Coin” Cryptocurrency & It’s For The Children (Video)

Late Wu-Tang Clan member O.D.B. will be among the growing list of Hip-Hop artists to have their own cryptocurrency. The money will be appropriately called Dirty Coin and used to purchase his music and officially authorized merchandise. The announcement was made by O.D.B.'s son and aspiring rapper Young Dirty during... Read more

Sade Releases Her First Song In 7 Years & It’s Spectacular (Audio)

Already, 2018 has been a surprisingly big year for soundtracks. Just when that appeared to be a medium misplaced in the decade, some of music's most powerful voices are proving otherwise. Last month, Kendrick Lamar and his Top Dawg family hit fans with the musical companion to Black Panther. The... Read more

Common Did Not Win Another Oscar But His Freestyle Still Gave Him Glory (Video)

Common did not win his second Oscar award last night (March 4). The Chicago, Illinois MC, actor, and author was nominated for “Best Original Song" for his "Stand Up For Something," which appeared in the film, Marshall. That category (also featuring a nomination for past Common collaborator) Mary J. Blige... Read more

Ladybug Mecca, Prince Paul & Don Newkirk Bring The Warm Sounds Of Brazil To Brooklyn (Video)

BROOKZILL!, the quartet made up of Digable Planets' Ladybug Mecca, legendary producer Prince Paul, keyboardist Don Newkirk, and Brazilian MC Rodrigo Brandão, is a globally-minded outfit. Nearly two years after their album releases, this exciting group is still spinning its powerful messages. Their 2016 effort Throwback To The Future bridged... Read more

Big K.R.I.T.’s First Recording Proves He’s Always Had Soul For Real (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. brings his double-LP 4Eva Is A Mighty Long Time (deemed the best 2017 Hip-Hop album by the readers of Ambrosia For Heads) to NPR's Washington, D.C. offices. There, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer put on a Tiny Desk concert that is anything but small. Performing “Mixed Messages,” “Keep The... Read more

The Book of Ra. Rakim Confirms His Memoir Is Coming This Year. (Audio)

Many of Hip-Hop's best-known and greatest MCs have released autobiographies and memoirs. JAY-Z published Decoded. LL Cool J (I Make My Own Rules), Ice-T (The Ice Opinion), Snoop Dogg (Tha Doggfather), Prodigy (My Infamous Life), Eminem (The Way That I Am), Common (One Day It'll All Make Sense), 50 Cent... Read more