Video Archives

Black Thought’s Fresh Freestyle Serves The Good Food To Expect At The Roots Picnic NYC (Video)

This past Saturday (June 4), the ninth annual Roots Picnic took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hosts The Roots played alongside Pop-R&B superstar Usher, while other feature performers included Future, DMX, Swizz Beatz, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kaytranada, Lil Dicky, Migos, Tish Hyman, Willow Smith, and... Read more

June 6, 2016 Fresh, News, Video

Creators of the ‘Roots’ Reboot Get Real About the Need for a Remake (Video)

"King Kunta," one of Kendrick Lamar's stand-out tracks off To Pimp a Butterfly, bears a title that references what is perhaps the most iconic miniseries to ever air on American television. Kunta Kinte was the name of a central character in Roots, a visual requiem about slavery in the United... Read more

June 6, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Fabolous Pays Homage To 2 Lauryn Hill Classics At Once (Video)

Fabolous has been wildly consistent at making songs about relationships, seemingly never alienating the other sides of his audience. Like LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, or T.I., Fab' has been enjoying this duality for 10, going on 15 years. Perhaps the Brooklyn, New Yorker's latest single "Real One" shows how... Read more

June 6, 2016 The Bridge, Video

Vic Mensa Combines Freestyling & Freedom Fighting (Video)

Last week, Vic Mensa released his first project since inking with Jay Z's Roc Nation imprint. The Chicago, Illinois MC's seven-song EP, There's Alot Going On is making its rounds in the first 72 hours. Thereby, the onetime front man of Kids These Days hit HOT 97's Ebro In The... Read more

June 5, 2016 Video

Talib Kweli Recalls How Blown Away He Was By An Unsigned Kanye West’s Talent (Video)

Talib Kweli and Kanye West have made several notable collaborations. That artistry began 14 years ago, with the release of the Brooklyn, New York MC's first solo album, Quality. Following acclaimed full-length projects with Black Star and Reflection Eternal, the Rawkus Records flagship artist embarked on his first release through... Read more

June 3, 2016 Throwback, Video

Maxwell’s New 1990x Lyric Video Is Sealed With A Kiss

After a 7-year hiatus, Maxwell resurfaced in a big way in April, much to the delight of fans. The Soul singer announced he was releasing a new album, blackSUMMERS'night, and launching a Summer tour to support it. He simultaneously released the LP's first single, "Lake By The Ocean." Maxwell Is... Read more

June 3, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q & Kanye West Play THeir Parts (Separately?) In A Creative Video

Last month, ScHoolboy Q and Kanye West collaborated for the first time on a bouncy new song titled "THat Part." The song is the second single from Q's forthcoming, as yet untitled, new album, which is set to be released on July 8. Now, the video has arrived and it... Read more

June 2, 2016 Video

New Details Emerge About Tupac Ambushing A Tribe Called Quest’s Source Awards Speech (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop, the most famous Source Awards is the 1995 year. There, tensions between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records came to a head, after Suge Knight aimed a thinly-veiled criticism at onetime associate Puff Daddy from the microphone podium. Snoop Dogg, Danny Boy, Dr. Dre, and... Read more

June 2, 2016 Video

Pusha T Has Written Vicious Verses…And An Iconic Fast Food Jingle (Video)

Pusha T's catalog of hits includes "Grindin'," "Mercy," and "Runaway." The Virginia Beach, Virginia MC has a discography that spans more than 15 years. However, the same week he released the highly-anticipated single "Drug Dealers Anonymous" from his sophomore studio album, King Push, a new revelation was made surrounding his... Read more

June 2, 2016 Fresh, Video

Chris Rivers Recaps The Week’s News In A Blistering Freestyle (Video)

Bronx, New York MC Chris Rivers has supplied Hip-Hop Heads for years with a steady stream of freestyles, collaborations, and an acclaimed onslaught of mixtapes. The son of Big Pun now is the latest lyricist to accept Ambrosia For Heads' challenge to weave headlines in music, news, and lifestyle from the... Read more

June 2, 2016 Video

Jay Rock Speaks About His Motorcycle Accident For The First Time (Video)

February 15, 2016 was a day of mixed emotions for the Top Dawg Entertainment family. The record label, which is the home to Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, SZA and more, was riding high as Kendrick Lamar took home 5 Grammy Awards, including the one for Best Rap... Read more

June 1, 2016 Video

Common Premieres 2 Powerful New Verses From His Upcoming Album (Video)

Today (May 31) Common was a guest on Sway In The Morning. In the last year and a half, Common has added Oscar awards, Golden Globe awards, and another Grammy to his stash of trophy accolades. Meanwhile, he put a beef to bed and made a blockbuster film and a... Read more

May 31, 2016 Video

Nyck Caution Shows Pro Era Is One of the Deepest Crews On The Beast Coast (Video)

Although Joey Bada$$ may have been the first member of the Pro Era crew to have break out success, the talent in the group runs deep. Since the release of Joey's 2012 mixtape, 1999, Kirk Knight, CJ Fly, Dessy Hinds and, of course, the late Capital STEEZ have all made... Read more

May 31, 2016 Video

No Sucker MCs Can Escape The Wrath Of Joell Ortiz, Token & Big Daddy Kane (Video)

In March, Joell Ortiz and producer Domingo released a high-powered project titled That's Hip-Hop. The collaborative album was a return to hard drums and pure lyricism, what both men saw as the foundation of Rap. In speaking with Ambrosia For Heads, Ortiz said of the LP "Me and Domingo are... Read more

May 31, 2016 Video

This 3-Minute Mix Pleasantly Intersects Top 40 Rap, Old School & Turntablism (Video)

Back in March, San Jose, California's DJ Goodfoot stole the show in the midst of Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT Album" ballots. In a competition to integrate the remaining albums in the bracket, Goodfoot's 21-minute mix made the finals all the more exciting. Ever the competitor, Goodfoot is now... Read more

May 29, 2016 Mixes, Video

Prince Paul Pushed More Boundaries With His Prince Among Thieves Film (Video)

In 1999, Prince Paul raised the stakes in an already illustrious career. After pivotal work with Stetsasonic and Gravediggaz, the Long Island, New Yorker had proven himself to be a visionary. More recognizably, the vet was largely responsible for the sounds of the first three De La Soul LPs, as... Read more

May 28, 2016 Throwback, TV/Film

Da Beatminerz Show How They Made Those Thunderous Boot Camp Clik Beats (Video)

DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt are one of the most successful brotherly groups in Hip-Hop. As Da Beatminerz, the Brooklyn, New York record clerks-turned-DJ/producers have laced ageless knocking beats for Smif-n-Wessun, The Roots, Mos Def, and of course Black Moon (which Evil is one-third of). From Academy Records to... Read more

May 27, 2016 Video

Chance, Wayne & 2 Chainz Make A Video That Even Skeptics Will Have No Problem Liking

Chance The Rapper has changed his career's scenery quite a bit in the years between Acid Rap and this month's Coloring Book. The Chicago, Illinois MC's first single "Angels" stresses that he is still rolling with the same people he always was, but for fans of the fully-independent MC it... Read more

May 27, 2016 Video

T.W.D.Y. Unified The Bay Area To Make For A True Holiday Celebration (Video)

In early 1999, commercial Rap music was evolving. The Bounce music sound of No Limit and now Cash Money Records had greatly influenced what was being played on the coasts. Dr. Dre had yet to release 2001; Suge Knight was incarcerated. Meanwhile DMX, Jay Z, Rakim and Puff Daddy were... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Maxwell Pours His All Into Lake By The Ocean (Video)

Maxwell's return-from-hiatus single "Lake By The Ocean" is worth the seven-year wait. Ever the charmer, the veteran vocalist uses a simple theme for the single's visual. Going to a faraway place where water is at a premium, Max' plays his song—just as he has on recent TV performances—and nourishes one... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Mistah F.A.B. Slam Dunks His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Like A Warrior (Video)

Tonight (May 26), the Golden State Warriors aim to strike back against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 at home. The 9:00pm EST match-up prompted Bay area native Sway Calloway to bring some home-team turf talk into Sway In The Morning. Mistah F.A.B., who also has an album dropping... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

How Token Overcame A Language Disability To Become A Gifted Lyricist (Video)

At 17-years-old, Token has already embarked on a successful journey as an MC, working with Joell Ortiz and Snow that Product in addition to one of the most memorable appearances by any emergent rapper ever on "Sway in the Morning." A chance encounter with T-Pain by way of a Twitter... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Anderson .Paak & T.I. Elevate “Come Down” Through A Dazzling Performance (Video)

Anderson .Paak's Malibu has many charms. "Come Down," produced by Reflection Eternal's Hi-Tek is just one. As the California singer, MC, and drummer continues to take his independent Empire release and garner acclaim, attention, and legions of new fans, the rest of the Hip-Hop space wants in. Now signed to... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Chuuwee Returns to Remind Us It Isn’t All About the Benjamins (Video)

Sacramento, California's Chuuwee is an MC whose stylistic flavor belies the places he's been. His sound is deftly delivered in the lane of his now-native NorCal, but the 25-year-old spent considerable time in Texas, where he was born and lived the first third of his life. Having also lived in Oakland, he has... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Craig Mack Releases A Video & New Song Explaining Why He’s Not A Bad Boy

Last weekend, Bad Boy Entertainment hosted an epic reunion weekend at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Virtually every major artist in the record labels' 20+ year history was in attendance, including Ma$e, The LOX, Total, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, Black Rob and French Montana. Several Bad Boy/Puff Daddy affiliates such as... Read more

May 25, 2016 Video

Killer Mike Explains Why The Trap Does Not Make Dollars Or Sense (Video)

One of the pivotal records of Killer Mike's career was his appearance on Outkast's "Snappin' & Trappin'." Right as the mainstream erupted around 2000's Stankonia release, Mike came in with a song that celebrated the street-life of Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding hoods. Sixteen years later, Killer Mike's personality has... Read more

May 25, 2016 Video

Muslim Women Are Poplocking in Hijabs to Help Eradicate Stereotypes (Video)

Muslim communities around the world today are facing persecution and worse, and rhetoric in the media often contributes to the spread of stereotypes. In the United States, presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has made waves for his views on banning Muslims from entering the country, while across the pond... Read more

May 25, 2016 Video

Invisibl Skratch Piklz Are Releasing Their First Studio Album Ever (Video)

For more than 25 years, Northern California has been an epicenter for turntablism long before the term even existed. Labels like Bomb Hip-Hop put out compilations that celebrated scratching, mixing, and juggling in ways that took the DJ from a featured player in 1980s and 1990s commercial Rap music, and... Read more

May 25, 2016 Video

Imagine Beat Street & Wild Style Embodied In One Man (Video)

The name Jorge "Popmaster Fabel" Pabon, may not be widely-known, but his pioneering work in Hip-Hop has been experienced worldwide since 1982. The acclaimed B-Boy was featured in the 1984 film Beat Street, is a longstanding member of the Rock Steady Crew, co-directed and co-choreographed the first two Hip-Hop musicals,... Read more

May 24, 2016 Video

The Mystery of Madlib Revealed In His Most In-Depth Video Interview

Certain Hip-Hop artists go to an extreme to avoid the media. Dr. Dre and Eminem are two of the more selective artists, who often shun easily-available press, even during album cycles. Kanye West, Drake, and even DOOM will do interviews more regularly, albeit when convenient for themselves. One artist, who... Read more

May 23, 2016 Video

Nas Performs At The Bad Boy Reunion & Stunts On EVERYBODY (Video)

"Escobar Season has returned." With those four words, Puff Daddy launched one of the most epic records in Nas' prized catalog. With a swelling, gothic arrangement, "Hate Me Now" was Nas' middle finger to the world. After taking lumps from certain hardcore Hip-Hop fans for they saw as his selling... Read more

May 21, 2016 Video

Brooklyn Officially Declares May 21 “Christopher ‘The Notorious B.I.G.’ Wallace Day” (Video)

After a star-studded reunion celebrating 20 years of Bad Boy Entertainment Friday night (May 20), which continued into the early morning (May 21), in order to honor The Notorious B.I.G.'s birthday, there is more to celebrate. The New York City borough of Brooklyn, the location of last night's extravaganza and... Read more

May 21, 2016 Video

Nas, Jay Z & More Help Celebrate 20-Years Of Bad Boy In Epic Fashion (Video)

Last month, Puff Daddy joined Hot 97's Ebro In The Morning show to announce that he was reuniting his Bad Boy Entertainment family to celebrate 20 years of the iconic label that dominated music in the mid to late 90s. At the time, the media mogul revealed that, in addition... Read more

May 21, 2016 Video

The Flows of the Best MCs in the World Are Dissected…Brilliantly (Video)

What makes lyricists like Rakim, MF DOOM, Notorious B.I.G. and others stand out? For Heads, reasons can vary but it's a generally accepted tenet that what makes them and others so great at what they do is their ability to play with language - not just in terms of rhyming... Read more

May 20, 2016 Video

Rakim Narrates & The Firm Appears In Documentary On AZ (Video)

In 2004, Nas famously made single "The Unauthorized Biography Of Rakim" for his Street's Disciple album. The Queensbridge MC paid homage to the lyrical half of Eric B. & Rakim through a compelling narrative. In 2016, Rakim emerges to help tell the story of one of Nas' band-mates in The... Read more

May 19, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Greg Nice Reveals Details About The East/West Peace Album Tupac Was Recording When He Died (Video)

In the month of May, the unreleased music of Tupac Shakur has been the topic of discussion. The reported 152 songs belonging to the estate of the slain Hip-Hop superstar are said to now be in the hands of the music executive who signed him to Interscope Records in the... Read more

May 19, 2016 Throwback, Video

A New Documentary On The Making Of J Dilla’s “The Diary” Features The Man, Himself (Video)

While not his first posthumous album, J Dilla's The Diary stands apart from those of the past. The Mass Appeal and PayJay collaboration on the sixth J Dilla album since his 2006 death is comprised entirely of unissued material but what makes it more unique is its inclusion of the late... Read more

May 19, 2016 Video

Michel’le’s Relationships With Dr. Dre & Suge Knight The Subject Of Lifetime Biopic

In 2015 film Straight Outta Compton, the lives and careers of N.W.A. members were profiled to a box office record-breaking response. Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella's recording, touring, and the establishment of Ruthless Records made for much of the film's story. Michel'le was present for... Read more

May 19, 2016 News, TV/Film

20 Years Later, Lil’ Kim & Faith Evans Make Peace After A Notorious Past (Video)

In his life, The Notorious B.I.G. was closely associated with two high-profile women. Faith Evans would marry Christopher Wallace in mid-1994 after just a two-week courtship. Providing vocals to Biggie's 1994 debut, Ready To Die, the Lakeland, Florida native would become one of Bad Boy Records first platinum R&B acts,... Read more

May 18, 2016 Video

DJ Premier’s 1st Fully-Produced Album Since PRhyme Is A Radical Departure. Meet Torii Wolf (Video)

Over the course of his 30 years in music, DJ Premier has been one of the most respected names in Hip-Hop. The iconic DJ and producer has worked with countless revered artists, including Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, Dr. Dre and more, always adding... Read more

May 17, 2016 Video

Fat Joe Reveals The NBA Player Whose Wife Biggie Described On “I Got A Story To Tell” (Video)

In late 2014, former New York Knicks star Point Guard John Starks appeared on ESPN's Highly Questionable. There, host Bomani Jones asked the former all-star about long-speculated rumors that The Notorious B.I.G. was dissing him on 1997's "I Got A Story To Tell." The Buckwild, Chucky Thompson, and Puff Daddy-produced... Read more

May 17, 2016 Throwback, Video

The Juice Crew’s Craig G Remembers The Early Days Of Hip-Hop From East To West (Video)

In the late 1980s, Queens, New York's Craig G was one of the most vibrant members of Marley Marl's Juice Crew. Like MC Shan, Craig was a battle-ready teenager with a chip on his shoulder. Like Kool G Rap, the MC could make lethal, party-rocking songs that displayed his rapid-fire... Read more

May 17, 2016 Video

DJ Quik Makes A Sequel To His Classic “Tonite” & It’s A Problem (Video)

Last month, DJ Quik and Problem released a surprise joint EP titled Rosecrans. As the title suggests, the project is a celebration of their mutual hometown of Compton, and is a sonic bridge between two generations of Hub City MCs. DJ Quik Says Kanye West’s Celebrity Supersedes His Talent &... Read more

May 16, 2016 Video

T.I. & Dr. Dre Rock The Boat With An Aaliyah Sample On A Dope Collaboration (Audio & Video)

Throughout the last five years, T.I. and Dr. Dre have put in documented work together. While Andre Young has no credits on any of Tip's albums, and the Hustle Gang leader did not appear on Compton, these two moguls have verifiable history. Less than six months ago, Dre's "Back To Business" surfaced,... Read more

May 16, 2016 Audio, Video

Ice Cube Wrote For Great MCs, But King T Says He Had Some Help Too (Video)

As depicted in 2015's Straight Outta Compton film, Hip-Hop Heads know that Ice Cube was a prominent writer within the N.W.A. group. The youngest member of the Ruthless Records multi-platinum group penned rhymes such as "Boyz N' The Hood" for Eazy-E, with some reported penmanship for Dr. Dre as well.... Read more

May 15, 2016 Video

Drake vs Everybody: Why He’s The Best Rapper You Love To Hate (Video)

For the 1.2 million people who showed their love for Drake by way of first week sales of his VIEWS album, there are millions more who take great pleasure in deriding his every move. There are countless memes and vitriolic comments aimed at the Toronto MC who has become one... Read more

May 15, 2016 Video

Here’s A 20-Year Celebration Of Tupac’s All Eyez On Me Through Its Samples (Video)

Earlier this year (February 13), Tupac's magnum opus, All Eyez On Me, turned 20-years old. The LP was historic, as Rap's first double album, and it embodied all sides of the enigmatic Tupac that made him beloved to many. There were political statements ("Only God Can Judge Me"), odes to... Read more

May 14, 2016 Video

Nick Grant Takes Erykah Badu’s Window Seat & Destroys It (Video)

Last year, Nick Grant made a name for himself with not one, but two of the finest freestyles of the year. He appeared on the Sway In The Morning show with CyHi The Prynce and others, and literally rhymed like his life depended on it. Months later, he did it... Read more

May 12, 2016 Video

Royce 5’9″ Details Just How Much Eminem Helped Him In Getting Sober (Video)

Over the last few years, Royce 5'9" has been extremely candid about his struggles with alcohol, both in his music and in conversations. Recently, however, Royce opened up about the challenges that accompany sobriety, and how he overcame them. Royce 5’9″ Discusses “The Most Significant Day Of His Life” &... Read more

May 11, 2016 Video

Russell Simmons Reveals His Secret For Balancing Commercial Success With Maintaining Crediblity (Video)

Throughout Russell Simmons' founding tenure at Def Jam Records, the Hollis Queens, New York native developed a number of hugely successful artists and albums. The Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill, DMX's It's Dark And Hell Is Hot and Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood, Method Man's Tical 2000:... Read more

May 10, 2016 Throwback, Video