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Puff Daddy Says New York Is Reclaiming Its Sound & Asserts He Is #1 Hip-Hop Producer (Video)

On his 46th birthday (November 4, 2015), Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs spent the early hours with Sway In The Morning. There, the Bad Boy Records founder and CEO spoke about his MMM (Money Making Mitch) release, which released online later that day (and is available for stream below). Additionally, the... Read more

Necro, Vinnie Paz & Immortal Technique Take Hip-Hop Back To Its Essence (Video)

Remember when hardcore MCs were at the forefront of Hip-Hop? Necro, Vinnie Paz and Immortal Technique are bringing Heads back to those days with their new music video for "Take HipHop Back." Filmed in New York City, the video features all of the Hip-Hop elements: MCing, DJing, breakdancing and graffiti.... Read more

University of Missouri Students Fight the Power & Take Aim at the Media (Video)

Recent events that have transpired at the University of Missouri have turned the town of Columbia into a flashpoint of racial tension and political discourse surrounding what continues to become a standoff between school administrators and the student body. The university's football team made headlines when it walked away from... Read more

Just Blaze Spins It All, From M.O.P. To ESG, Jay Z To Madvillain, In This DJ Set (Video)

Producer/DJ Just Blaze recently hit London, England as the latest installment of the Boiler Room traveling party. There, the man responsible for hits by Jay Z, Freeway, Fabolous, Jay Electronica, and Cam'ron rocked an hour-long set that spoke to his vast array of sonic interests. Captured on video, Heads can... Read more

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of October 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

When the year is tallied, October 2015 likely will be remembered as the month where The Game released not one, but two heralded sequels to his The Documentary album. And, while the accolades will be well deserved, there were a number of other strong releases in the first full month... Read more

Erykah Badu Makes Another Song About Phones & It’s Off The Hook (Audio)

Erykah Badu has pushed back her plans to release the But You Caint Use My Phone mixtape. While it did not release at the top of November as first reported, the presumed freebie will now be coming as a post-Thanksgiving leftover. Sometimes anticipation works in listeners' favor. Ms. Badu releases... Read more

Talib Kweli Says INDIE 500 Would Not Exist Without the Native Tongues

Talib Kweli has expanded his writing portfolio in recent years, taking to the web to publish thoughtful pieces on current events, particularly as they relate to things like culture, racism, and politics. In the past, he has written on topics ranging from fans' treatment of Lauryn Hill to the recent... Read more

ScHoolboy Q & Anderson .Paak Link & Urge All To Use Time Wisely (Audio)

Fresh off a two-pronged weekend single that has reached plenty of new listeners, Anderson .Paak follows with another strong Malibu look. "Am I Wrong" links the Compton collaborator formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy with another Interscope Records major player, in ScHoolboy Q. Q, as he does so well, plays an... Read more

De La Soul Is Alive & Working On The Album Of Its Career (Interview)

This past weekend, New York was the site for a listening party for fans of De La Soul who contributed to the group's historic Kickstarter campaign. Their crowdfunding campaign for their forthcoming album, and the Anonymous Nobody, raised more than six hundred thousand dollars and as a thank you, Maseo, Posdnuos,... Read more

Masta Ace Reflects On A Long Hot Summer & Offers This Re-Release Bonus Track (Premiere)

Tomorrow (November 10), Masta Ace's 2004 LP, A Long Hot Summer is being re-released on CD by Below System Records. Originally released on Ace's M3 imprint, the critically-acclaimed album followed up Disposable Arts with the Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York MC making another conceptual, story-driven LP. 9th Wonder, The Beatnuts, Edo.... Read more

Pusha T Named President Of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music

Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music has appointed Pusha T to label president today (November 9). The announcement came via press release from Pusha's spokesperson. The Grammy-nominated veteran MC has released one album with the label, 2013's My Name Is My Name, after signing in 2010. Speaking with Billboard, Pusha T revealed... Read more

Through Thick & Thin Puff Daddy & The LOX Still Make Great Music Together (Audio)

Last week, Puff Daddy released a surprise free album on his birthday (11/4) titled, MMM, an ode to "Money Making Mitch," from the film Paid In Full. While the entire project might not appeal to all, there are 2 tracks featuring some of his greatest proteges, that stand above the rest.... Read more

N.W.A.’s Anti-Police Hit Began As An Ice Cube Demo. Hear Part Of The Original (Audio)

In the span of N.W.A., the group released radio-friendly hits, made famous videos, and defined Gangsta Rap with a series of their own (and Eazy-E) singles. But as the film Straight Outta Compton showed, none of these records can take ownership as the group's most famous song. "Fuck Tha Police"... Read more

Anderson .Paak Blends Soul Power With Rap Reality On A 9th Wonder Groove (Audio)

This weekend, Anderson .Paak released his first official solo single following a booming three months of attention. With both Dr. Dre and DJ Premier in his corner, the part singer, part MC unleashed "The Season / Carry Me," which is incredibly demonstrative of his style and range. Dr. Dre dropped... Read more

KRS-One Is Releasing His First Album Since 2012. Hear The Hard-Hitting 1st Single (Audio)

In a series of tweets, KRS-One has announced a new album and released the first single. The LP will hit stores on November 24 and will be titled Now Hear This! The first song from the project is a hard-hitting track attacking the war on drugs, stating that in reality... Read more

The Chronic & Efil4zaggin Would Not Sound The Same Without This Man…And It’s Not Dre

Dr. Dre's 30-plus-year career in Hip-Hop has many movements. Andre Young first gained national notoriety for his post-Disco work with World Class Wreckin' Cru, opening up dance-floors across the globe to the energy of Los Angeles' most musically cutting edge clubs. Next, he would co-launch N.W.A., forever changing Hip-Hop and... Read more

GZA’s Liquid Swords Stays Sharp After 20 Years & This Rare 1995 TV Appearance Is Genius. (Video)

Tomorrow (November 7), GZA's sophomore album, Liquid Swords, turns 20 years old. The now-platinum-plus Geffen Records release is a benchmark in the Hip-Hop landscape, as well as in the career of the Brooklyn, New York lyricist, and RZA. While plenty has been written in books and online surrounding the Wu-Tang... Read more

Spike Lee Says Don’t Get It Twisted. “Chi-Raq” Is NOT A Comedy. (Video)

Earlier this week, film director Spike Lee released the trailer for Chi-Raq, a film that takes a look at Chicago's seemingly incessant gun violence, which hasn't gotten so bad, the city has earned itself a moniker that draws parallels to war-torn Iraq. The trailer, which included several comedic moments, earned... Read more

Chris Rivers’ & Sheek Louch’s I Got It Made Video Salutes Many More Legends Than Just Special Ed

Over the Summer, Chris Rivers released a slew of sizzling freestyles featuring both original and throwback tracks. Out of many quality offerings, one stood out in particular. The son of Big Pun teamed with one of his father's contemporaries in The LOX's Sheek Louch. Together, Chris and Donnie put on... Read more

Business Owners Are Using Graffiti To Prevent Graffiti. A New Book Examines How.

As an art form, graffiti has certainly climbed the rungs of prestige since the days in the '70s when it was generally considered to be an eyesore and a form of vandalism, primarily by those who didn't live in the neighborhoods where tagging was born. And, while wall etchings and... Read more

Noname Gypsy’s Latest Proves It’s All About Talent, Not Chance (Audio)

She may go by Noname, but Ms. Gypsy is far from unidentifiable. From her very raw, almost heartwrenching verse on Chance the Rapper's 2013 Acid Rap track "Lost" and her appearance alongside J. Cole on "Warm Enough" from Surf, the album Chance released as Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment,... Read more

Jadakiss’ “Top 5 Dead Or Alive” Tracklist Features Nas, Young Buck & More

Dating back to 2001's Kiss The Game Goodbye, Jadakiss solo albums have always been star-studded affairs. This month's Top 5 Dead Or Alive (November 20), 'Kiss' fourth studio effort is no exception. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam effort will feature the likes of Nas, Puff Daddy, and both of his LOX cohorts... Read more

Logic Will Not Fade Away. He’s Just Getting Started (Audio)

Logic's forthcoming new album The Incredible True Story hits stores next week on November 13. For the last several weeks, the talented Maryland spitter has been releasing quality songs and innovative videos in support of the project. His latest addition to the campaign is "Fade Away." More than any of... Read more

Outkast Turned Down a Super Bowl Performance & It’s Ms. Jackson Who’s Sorry

Big Boi was a guest this week on ESPN's The Dan Le Batard Show. As he's done in the past, he made predictions about this week's NFL match ups but, in between the sports talk, he made a revelation about something that could have changed Super Bowl history. Halfway through... Read more

Joell Ortiz Warns That Surviving Life in the Hood Isn’t Child’s Play (Audio)

Toronto, Ontario's MoSS is one of those longtime producers whose works are immediately known but not easily attributed to a name. With notches under his beatmaker belt that include Obie Trice's album Special Reserve, Ghostface Killah's "Kilos" from 2006's Fishscale, and Raekwon's "Have Mercy" off of Only Built 4 Cuban... Read more

Snoop Dogg Is Still Giving Up Game. This Time, It’s Not Even For Sale (Audio)

Just over one week removed from the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Powder On My Clothes," Snoop Dogg appears to be really returning to his concrete roots. Snoop appears several times on DJ Drama's latest Beach City mixtape. Within, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native-turned-Atlanta Georgia mainstay DJ aims to shine a light on the... Read more

Add-2 & Rapsody Go Back & Forth In Lyrics, And In This Cool Visual (Video)

Add-2 released his Prey For The Poor two months ago. The Chicago, Illinois native and Jamla Records artist continues a streak of poignant Rap over soulful beats. "Stop Play Rewind" is one such track that maintains the strong chemistry established by he and Rapsody over recent compilations, and each other's... Read more

Vice’s New TV Channel Re-Invents the Way the World is Shared (Video)

Vice has unveiled a bold, ambitious new venture that aims to change the way stories about the world are shared on television. Viceland - a 24-hour cable channel - will piece together thousands of video packages covering a host of topics, all of which tell the stories, both big and... Read more

Pimp C’s Latest Posthumous Single Is Still Years Ahead Of Its Time (Audio)

Part of Pimp C's tremendous Hip-Hop legacy is making outrageous songs. UGK classics like "Feel Like I'm The One Who's Doin' Dope" and "I Left It Wet For You" played like The Wolf Of Wall Street in richly-produced audio. Chad Butler rhymed about drugs, sex, and violence unabashedly, influencing his... Read more

A Redman & Dr. Dre Collaboration? It’s Possible. Redman Speaks (Video)

In his extensive, nearly 25-year career, Redman has worked with a plethora of great producers. A protege of EPMD's Erick Sermon, Red' would eventually help introduce the masses to Rockwilder. Additionally, the Newark,  New Jersey MC made songs with The Ummah (J Dilla, Q-Tip & Ali Shaheed Muhammad), RZA, and... Read more

From ‘93 Til Infinity: Ludacris’ Acura Legend Is A Hip-Hop Museum On Wheels

The Acura Legend, alongside Beemers, Benz Wagons, Cadillac Escalades, Lincoln Navigators, and a host of other vehicles has been name-dropped throughout Hip-Hop's history, particularly during the 1990s through present day. From A Tribe Called Quest's 1991 "Jazz" ("Boomin' in ya Jeep or ya Honda or ya Beemer or ya Legend... Read more

Jam Master Jay To Be Honored With Limited Edition Adidas Superstar

Run-D.M.C. helped bring the Adidas brand to the forefront of urban fashion. Even before 1986's "My Adidas," the Queens, New York trio embraced the German sneaker and apparel maker during the 1980s wave of Rap-endorsed sneaker fashion. That connection, which many say started from the late Jam Master Jay (a/k/a... Read more

Eminem’s Lyrical “Genius” Only Grows With His Latest Partnership

For many years, Rap Genius was the go-to place for Heads looking to peep the lyrics to favorite songs, making the website one of the first to cater to the needs of a particular genre demographic. Now they're just Genius, and their user-submitted arsenal of song lyrics continue to be... Read more

Bad Lucc & DJ Rhettmatic Are An Unlikely Pair, But They Make One Bangin’ Tape (Mix)

On paper, Bad Lucc and DJ Rhettmatic may seem like they come from the opposite sides of Los Angeles, California's Hip-Hop. Lucc is a Diamond Lane Music Group flagship, and one of the veterans who first made noise care of Snoop Dogg's Dubb Union. Rhettmatic, is a Beat Junkies and... Read more

A New Book Catalogs The History of Hip-Hop Through Hard To Find T-Shirts

Forever an influence on fashion, nostalgia for a certain era is prevalent in all elements of couture, from the high-brow clothing found on catwalks to the mass-produced tour tees sold at concert venues. It used to be that in order to purchase your favorite artist's merchandise, you had to attend... Read more

An Attorney Is Seeking to Re-Open an Investigation of RZA & Raekwon For Murder

In 1999, two reported Staten Island, New York drug dealers, Jerome "Boo Boo" Estella and Corey "Shank Bank" Brooker were murdered in unrelated incidents. Two rival drug dealers, Anthony and Harvey Christian have been convicted of running a 20-year drug empire, as well as ordering the fatal Estrella attack. According... Read more

The Story Of Hip-Hop’s Creation Is Being Re-Examined By Some Of Its Most Respected Pioneers (Video)

Editor's Note: The first edition of this story credited Crazy Legs as Rock Steady Crew founder. It has been brought to Ambrosia For Heads' attention that Crazy Legs is in fact the president of the organization. The mistake has been corrected, in the story below: Last night (November 2), Crazy... Read more

50 Cent Writes A Letter To His Younger Self & Notes Lessons From Jam Master Jay

Last week marked the 13th anniversary of Jam Master Jay's murder. J.M.J.'s tragic death coincided with the same 2002 that saw the meteoric rise of one of his former pupils, 50 Cent. For The Big Issue, Fif conceptually wrote a piece aimed at advice toward his younger self and he... Read more

Anonymous Released Names of Alleged KKK Members. Are They Right & Who Should Be Next? (Video)

Anonymous, by its very existence, is a paradox. Meaning, quite literally, "unknown" or "unnamed," Anonymous has made one of its main tenets the identification, by name, of those involved in illegal, elicit, or embarrassing activities. The decentralized, loosely organized team of activists and hactivists has risen to prominence over the... Read more

Norman Lear’s TV Shows Inspired the Hip-Hop Generation, But It Wasn’t Always “Good Times” (Audio)

As television royalty goes, there are few whose pedigrees compare to that of Norman Lear. Quite literally a living piece of Americana, Lear is the 93-year-old creative zeitgeist whom we have to thank for All in the Family, Diff'rent Strokes, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Sanford & Son. But that's... Read more

Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq Comedy Stars Dave Chappelle, Wesley Snipes & More. See The Trailer (Video)

Spike Lee is fast at work in his first film in more than a year. Following 2014's Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus, the heralded Brooklyn, New York filmmaker is using the violence epidemic of Chicago to apparently elicit some comic relief and food for thought in Chi-Raq. The feature film... Read more

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder’s Indie 500 Drives For A Star-Studded Win (Album Stream)

Last year, Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, and Pharaohe Monch announced that they were combining forces and resources to launch Indie 500, an independent label, marketing, and distribution conglomerate. Nearly a year to the date after the announcement, Indie 500 (the album) arrives. While it doesn't release until November 6, Heads... Read more

Big Boi & Phantogram Aid Daylight Savings With A Sun-Drenched Visual (Video)

Big Boi and Phantogram's full EP collaboration Big Grams has a warm, fuzzy feel to it. The Decatur to New York City collabo uses embracing synths, sweet melodies, and buttery rhymes to envelope the listener in their own Rap/Rock/Electro galaxy. "Fell In The Sun" thrives as an audio single, but... Read more

Thousands of Released Prisoners May Help Reform America’s Criminal Justice System (Video)

Criminal justice reform has been an agenda-topping issue for many Americans for decades, and it's only in recent months that its visibility has landed into the living rooms of mainstream American politics. Just this year, President Obama became the first sitting president to visit federal inmates, a touching exchange caught... Read more

Mac Miller & His Multiple Personalities Show Up For A Dreamy, Supernatural Affair (Audio)

Mac Miller's contributions to "Creatures of the Night," an ambitious track that sounds like it could belong to an album from the Gorillaz, make it one of those joints that Heads and Hip-Hop novices can all dig their musical heels into. The track is actually a single from Njomza, a... Read more

Here’s A Difficult DJ Quik Quiz, Even If There Are Eazy Questions

DJ Quik's career has a lot of bends and turns. One of Compton, California's finest artists can rap, he can produce, and he has always been a dope behind the two turntables. Along the way, Q-U-I-K has been attached to several incredible albums (his own, and others'), and multiple groundbreaking... Read more

Royce Da 5’9″ & Killer Mike Are Hungry…& They Leave Nothing For Other Rappers To Eat (Audio)

Ever since their collaboration on "Underground Kings" from PRhyme's 2014 eponymous LP, Royce Da 5'9" and Killer Mike have left plenty of Heads wanting more. On tracks together, toe to toe is an understatement, and the two ridiculously skilled MCs continue to release unrelenting bar after bar on their respective... Read more

The D.O.C. Breaks Down His “Formula.” He Says Yawning Helped Him Speak Again (Video)

In late August, it was revealed that The D.O.C. had regained use of his vocal chords. Displaying the regenerated ability in a Sirius XM interview then, the Dallas, Texas native has enjoyed a busy few months since. The former Ruthless Records star and Dr. Dre protege was portrayed in blockbuster... Read more

Gentrification Is Giving the Boogie Down New Meaning & Not Everybody’s Feeling the Message

For decades, just the name "South Bronx" conjured up images of inner city turmoil, with all of its abandoned buildings, overcrowded schools, high crime rates, and a disproportionate level of poverty and its side effects - lack of access to healthy food, healthcare, and jobs. In fact, films like "80... Read more

Your Old Droog Shows Why He Looks Back to Move Hip-Hop Forward (Video)

Over the last year, Your Old Droog has carved out a lane that is reminiscent of 90s-era New York Hip-Hop, but which is distinctly contemporary. Droog's cadence is influenced by predecessors like Kool G Rap and Nas, but his subject matter and wry sense of humor have allowed him to... Read more