News Archives

Happy Birthday Rakim. The God MC Turns 50 Years Old (Video)

It is a milestone month for legendary MCs. On January 14, LL Cool J celebrated his 50th birthday. Two weeks to the day after, Rakim also reaches this important mark. Fifty years ago today (January 28, 1968), the master lyricist was born William Michael Griffin, Jr. in New York, and... Read more

January 28, 2018 Fresh, Video

JAY-Z Explains How Saving His Marriage Set A Bigger Example (Video)

In several hours, JAY-Z will learn if he is the winner of his first "Album Of The Year," "Record Of The Year," and/or "Song Of The Year" awards at tonight's Grammy's. 4:44, "Story Of O.J.," and the title track are the vehicles that earned Shawn Carter his nominations. Aside from... Read more

January 28, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Nas Receives Spotlight Award From The New York City Mayor’s Office

On his legendary debut album Illmatic, Nas told listeners that "nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind." The city has played a background in Nasir Jones' lyrics for more than 25 years, and the skyline of his Queensbridge neighborhood and greater New York City has been on some... Read more

January 27, 2018 News

Black Thought & 9th Wonder Confirm A Collabo Project Is On The Way (Video)

In April of 2016, Black Thought and 9th Wonder released "Making A Murderer," featuring Styles P. Posted online by Jamla Records as a song by The Roots' MC, and premiered by Ambrosia For Heads, it marked a rarity in the South Philadelphia MC's catalog that has been tied to Roots... Read more

January 27, 2018 News, Video

Missy Elliott Honored By Janet Jackson. She Opens Up About Her Serious Illness (Video)

Thursday night (January 25), the ninth annual Essence Black Women In Music event took place. As the event's title states, the yearly ceremony celebrates Black women in music and spotlights a specific female artist. Previous years saw honorees such as Erykah Badu, Sylvia Rhone, Golden Globe winner and now 2018... Read more

January 27, 2018 News, Video

Rapsody Explains How Erykah Badu’s “Mama’s Gun” Inspired “Laila’s Wisdom” (Video)

On Sunday, January 28, Rapsody will attend the 60th Annual Grammy Awards as a nominee. Having won trophies for past feature contributions (Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly), the Roc Nation/Jamla MC is up for Best Rap Album for Laila's Wisdom, the only woman in a category which also nominates... Read more

January 26, 2018 Exclusive

Vic Mensa Says His Freestyle Has No Shots At Joe Budden. You Be The Judge. (Audio)

Last week, Drake released a two-song project known as Scary Hours that spawned a very exciting week in music. "God's Plan" set a new record for single-day streams. Meanwhile, "Diplomatic Immunity" reignited year-and-a-half old beef with Joe Budden. It's been an especially busy month for Joe, who some past Shady... Read more

January 26, 2018 Audio

Ice-T Reveals New Jack City Sequel Plot & Why The Film Was Never Made (Audio)

In March of 2016, Ambrosia For Heads celebrated New Jack City's 25th anniversary by examining its creation and legacy with revealing interviews with two men responsible (Barry Michael Cooper and Thomas Lee-Wright) for the film's story, development, and unforgettable characters. One of those conversations, an interview with film screenwriter Barry... Read more

January 25, 2018 Audio, TV/Film

Black Thought & Royce 5’9 Rap About Writing Their Way To Better Lives (Audio)

Hamilton, as a cultural phenomenon, has already done so much for Hip-Hop by way of social awareness, so it’s no surprise that each time its name comes up, there’s always unadulterated talent attached to it. This time it’s by way of Royce 5’9’, Black Thought and Joyner Lucas. Just one... Read more

January 25, 2018 Audio

MRG Pays Respect To Lonzo Ball’s Uncompromising Hustle In His New Video

Queens, New York native Matthew Raymond Guzmán, best known as MRG, is a Dominican-American MC who often brings his own heritage and upbringing to the forefront of his Hip-Hop. His inspiration comes from rappers like Kanye West, Nas and Daddy Yankee, and he distinctly pulls a card from the later... Read more

January 25, 2018 Ready Or Not

Evidence’s Weather Or Not Album Forecasts A Great 2018 In Hip-Hop (Audio)

Evidence has not released a solo album in more than five years. The co-founder of Dilated Peoples and Step Brothers changes that this week with his Weather Or Not. The last in a trilogy of acclaimed LPs that dates back to 2007's The Weatherman LP and also included 2012's Cats... Read more

January 25, 2018 Audio

15 Years Ago Chappelle’s Show Made Its Debut & Changed The Comedy Game (Video)

Just three weeks ago, Dave Chappelle helped fans ring in 2018 with two new stand-up comedy specials, Equanimity, and The Bird Revelation. These were the third and fourth 2017 Netflix specials for the superstar in a full-on return to the stage, screen, and the public eye. This week (January 22)... Read more

January 25, 2018 Do Remember, TV, TV/Film, Video

T.Y.E. Shows His Infatuation With Escapism On “Playground” (Video)

Last year saw T.Y.E. Harris drop his thematic album 32: a cohesive project that saw the Opera-trained MC/singer flip between emotive raps about his bipolar disorder, neighborhood upbringing, and brain chemistry. The Dallas, Texas-raised artist hails from the city's Oak Cliff neighborhood, seemingly using his music to boost toward an... Read more

January 24, 2018 Ready Or Not, Video

Keith Murray Kills This Freestyle Over A Classic Cypress Hill Instrumental (Audio)

Keith Murray seems to be up to something. The Def Squad MC has released a few freestyles in 2018. With DJ Gumba beside him, Keith did a rendition of Eric B. & Rakim's "I Ain't No Joke." After tackling one of Hip-Hop's most beloved 1980s records, Murray and Gumba go... Read more

January 24, 2018 Audio

50 Cent Now Denies Bagging Up On Cryptocurrency

UPDATE: In documents obtained by TMZ, 50 Cent has denied his previous claims that he profited greatly on cryptocurrency. The G-Unit head denied income from the investment in his bankruptcy filing documents. "[I have] never owned and [do] not now own, a Bitcoin account or any Bitcoins," stated the rapper... Read more

January 24, 2018 News

Why Jay Rock Is The Unsung Hero Of Top Dawg Entertainment (Video)

In Hip-Hop, the first is not always the biggest. Just as football has its linemen fighting for every inch, Rap music often has its figures that blaze a trail, light a path, or move the boulders for another artist to shoot the resulting gap. This week, TDE announced its Championship... Read more

January 23, 2018 Food for Thought

Action Bronson To Star Alongside Pacino, De Niro & Pesci In Upcoming Scorsese Film

Queens, New York's Action Bronson is definitely no stranger to the camera. In fact, some could argue that the onetime underground MC gained mainstream recognition as an entertainer, crafting a double life as a lyricist by day and charismatic celebrity icon by night. Bam Bam is currently the star of... Read more

January 23, 2018 News, TV/Film

Sade & Mobb Deep Get Mashed Up By J. Rocc For One Quiet Storm (Audio)

Sade has music that works for just about any mood. Beat Junkies founder, JayLib member, and Soundbombing, Vol. 2 co-host J. Rocc grasps this fact and melded her soulful melodies with the rugged flow of Mobb Deep in Thug Ballads. He combines the right Sade instrumental back-drops and vocals with just... Read more

January 23, 2018 Audio, Mixes

Mary J. Blige Is A Double-Threat. Her Acting & Voice Earn Her 2 Oscar Nominations

Less than one month into 2018, and it appears to be a milestone year for Mary J. Blige. The New York native songstress already received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, with a presentation by Diddy. This took place on the "Family Affair" singer's 47th birthday, January 11.... Read more

January 23, 2018 Audio, News, TV/Film, Video

Erick Sermon’s New Album Features Method Man, AZ, GFK & More. Here’s The 1st Song (Audio)

In 2017, EPMD announced that they were working on a concept album. Dynamic Duos: Big Business is slated to be the Long Island, New York duo's eighth album in a series that dates back more than 30 years. The first LP in almost a decade comes after a reported Roc... Read more

January 23, 2018 Audio, News

Phonte Spits An MVP Verse For Domo Genesis’ “Shaq Carried Kobe” (Audio)

Sports analogies in Hip-Hop are nothing new. Such references can be the lifeblood of a musical genre that often likens itself to a "game” and thrives on competition. Phife Dawg, Chuck D, Kool Keith, and Ice Cube are just some of the masters of sports metaphor and simile. Domo Genesis'... Read more

January 23, 2018 Audio

Get Out, Jordan Peele & Daniel Kaluuya Receive Oscar Nominations (Video)

The 90th Academy Awards will broadcast live on Sunday, March 4 from Hollywood, California's Dolby Theater. Given this morning's (January 23) nominations announcing, Oscar night promises to be exciting, especially for fans of Jordan Peele's Get Out. The thriller examining inter-race relations behind closed doors is up for four Oscar... Read more

January 23, 2018 News, TV, TV/Film

Fabolous & Jadakiss’ New Video Is A Scary Movie For Lesser MCs

Late last year, Fabolous and Jadakiss released their collaboration album, Friday On Elm Street, a project that was several years in the making. The long-anticipated LP was a play on their first names, Freddy and Jason, and the 1980s horror film characters Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees, from the movie... Read more

January 23, 2018 Video

DOOM Punishes Childish MCs On His First Verses Of 2018 (Audio)

Last Friday, Joey Bada$$ paid tribute to MF DOOM on his single, "King To A God." “I sell rhymes like dimes that leaves MFs doomed / Since my first tunes I’ve been raisin’ hell from the tombs / I’m getting hotter every June / You say you with the smoke,... Read more

January 22, 2018 Audio

Cam O’bi Produced For Chance, SZA & Kendrick & Now He’s Flying Solo (Audio)

Chicago has never lost its position as one of the country's biggest exporters of Hip-Hop talent, but its influence isn't limited to global superstars like Common, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper. In the last few years, Chi-town artists like Mick Jenkins, Noname, Jamila Woods, Saba, theMIND, Fredo Santana and... Read more

January 22, 2018 Audio

Star From “Star & Buc Wild” Replaces Joe Budden As “Everyday Struggle” Co-Host (Video)

In the closing days of 2017, Joe Budden announced his departure from The Everyday Struggle. The host, MC, and reality TV personality exited after he was not able to negotiate a new contract with Complex, who produces the weekday talk show. Co-hosts DJ Akademiks and Nadeska Alexis used guests including... Read more

January 22, 2018 News, Video

Redman Rates The Bars & He’s Not Afraid To Hand Out Zeros (Video)

Last week, T.I. rated the bars. The Grand Hustle Records founder put some of his artists and close affiliates ahead of Tupac Shakur, leading to some interesting discourse from fans. This week, it is Redman who sits in the director chair and rates the MCs' bars handed to him on... Read more

January 22, 2018 Video

Step Brothers Evidence & Alchemist Reunite To Salute Biz Markie & Fat Albert (Audio)

Paying homage to Biz Markie and "Fat Albert" at once, the Evidence/Alchemist Step Brothers duo makes a welcomed return with "Lay Some Treats On Us,” a new single that's tricky in the best possible way. Biz Markie’s 1989 sophomore album The Biz Never Sleeps contains a track called “Mudd Foot.”... Read more

January 22, 2018 Audio, The Bridge

TDE’s Roster Is Full Of Champions. The Label Announces A 2018 Award Tour

Just 22 days into 2018 TDE appears sending a message about their top dog status in the music industry. With a Kendrick Lamar and SZA-heavy Grammy Awards airing in less than a week (January 28), and a Black Panther soundtrack to follow on February 9, Top Dawg Entertainment has now announced... Read more

January 22, 2018 Fresh

Drake Re-Ignites His Feud With Joe Budden On A Song Filled With Shots (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

January 20, 2018 Audio

Chicago Rapper Fredo Santana Has Died At The Age Of 27

Fredo Santana has become one of Chicago, Illinois' emerging voices. He was active in his city's 2010s movement and also worked with Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Migos, Juelz Santana, and his cousin Chief Keef throughout his seven-plus-year career. This morning (January 20), sources including Drake have reacted to the reported death... Read more

January 20, 2018 News

Tech N9ne Seamlessly Merges Rap With Breaking To Recreate ’80s Electro-Funk (Video)

Dropping his first music video off of his upcoming solo album, Planet (March 2), Tech N9ne's "Don't Nobody Want None" has him paying homage to that early '80s era when break-dancing and DJing were at the forefront of Hip-Hop. Not only is he going back to Hip-Hop's foundation, but he's... Read more

January 19, 2018 Video

Joey Bada$$ Says His Rhymes Leave MFs Doomed…(Audio)

Joey Bada$$ is taking no days off thus far in 2018. Earlier this month, he earned his first platinum certification, for All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$' "Devastated." Yesterday (January 18), the Brooklyn rapper's bold Prince cover made waves and now, on the eve of his birthday, he's shared new single. "King to a God"... Read more

January 19, 2018 Audio

Nas & Dave East Show How They Wrote Their Way Out In The Video For Their Hamilton Collabo

It's been nearly 3 years since the seminal musical Hamilton took Broadway and the world by storm, and the play's cultural impact continues. While it still plays to sold out shows in New York City, the Hamilton wave will now flow through multiple locales, including Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Washington,... Read more

January 19, 2018 Video

Joey Bada$$ Turns A Prince Classic Into A Cry To Stop The Violence (Video)

UPDATE: Pro Era has released the official audio to "Thugz Cry": ORIGINAL JANUARY 18 STORY: Over the course of his career, Joey Bada$$ has shown himself to be absolutely fearless, when it comes to making music. When he burst onto the scene with his 2012 mixtape, 1999, he eschewed... Read more

January 18, 2018 Video

Melle Mel Explains Why He Didn’t Think “The Message” Would Be Successful (Video)

Grandmaster Melle Mel is regarded as one of Hip-Hop's first generation MC icons. The lyrical front-man of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five helped move the fledgling genre of Rap from the party to a reflection of street reality. In his staggering discography, Melvin Glover was successful in both realms.... Read more

January 18, 2018 Exclusive, Video

Skyzoo & Raheem DeVaughn Serve D’Angelo’s Devil’s Pie With Their Own Recipe (Audio)

Skyzoo has been in the Rap game for over a decade and a half now. Having worked with 9th Wonder, EPMD, and Spike Lee, the MC has devoted his career to sharpening his skills. The Brooklyn, New Yorker is prepping to drop an album, In Celebration Of Us (February 2) via First... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. & Caleborate Release An Anthem For Anyone Fighting For A Dream (Audio)

In the last month, Ambrosia For Heads readers decided by vote that Big K.R.I.T.'s 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time was "the best Hip-Hop album of 2017." Another artist made a really impressive effort last year, among the many. That was Berkeley, California's Caleborate, who is no stranger to that... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio

Common, Brandy & Robert Glasper Re-Make Sounds Of Blackness’ Optimistic & It Soars (Audio)

Common is taking his inherently collaborative spirit onto its next journey. The Chicago MC, along with pianist/producer Robert Glasper and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins have formed a new group, August Greene. Wasting no time, the group announced that they will drop their first, self-titled album on March 9, via Amazon. The... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio, News, The Bridge

Mickey Factz & Royce 5’9 Serve Lyrics That Make Other MCs Say Their Prayers (Audio Premiere)

In 2016, Mickey Factz dropped The Achievement: circa '82, a collaborative album produced entirely by Nottz and featuring Styles P, Phonte, Blu, Smoke DZA and more. "The Sermon" didn't make it to the Soulspazm/W.A.R.Media project's final track listing, but the Bronx-bred rapper is releasing a deluxe edition of the album... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio

TDE’s SiR Leaves Inglewood For A Snowy & Seductive Getaway (Video)

In less than 24 hours, SiR will release his November album. Slated for January 19, this LP marks TDE's first album release of 2018. The Black Panther soundtrack will soon follow on February 9, before Jay Rock's third (presently untitled) album is expected to arrive. Throughout the decade, TDE has... Read more

January 18, 2018 Video

Planet Asia Recruits AZ For One Of His Biggest & Best Collabos (Audio Premiere)

Two qualities define and distinguish the two-decade-plus career of Fresno, California MC Planet Asia. First, his central role within the independent Hip-Hop scene on the West Coast (he is credited with helping reinvigorate the movement back in the late '90s), and his bold production choices. Planet Asia’s 2017 collaboration with... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

Apathy Battles Aliens With Battlestar Bars On A Nottz Beat (Audio Premiere)

It doesn’t matter what planet you’re from, no one is safe from Apathy in “Alien Weaponry.” The first single off his forthcoming LP, The Widow’s Son is produced by Nottz, and the beat is just bizarre enough to take the edge of Ap’s sharp tongue. This track nods to the... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

Scarface & George Clinton Funk It Up For Parliament’s 1st Song In Nearly 40 Years (Audio)

To say George Clinton is a musical mastermind may be putting it lightly. The Funk O.G. is architect to a number of storied groups and unique outlets for his colorful music. On a major scale, the movement began with the Plainfield, New Jersey Doo-Wop product The Parliaments. Then came Funkadelic,... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio

Ras Kass, J57 & El Gant’s Jamo Gang Has Eyes On Them & Scopes Too (Video)

UPDATE: Stream and purchase the Jamo Gang's self-titled EP: Jamo Gang EP by Jamo Gang ORIGINAL JANUARY 17 STORY: It's been a year since Ras Kass, El Gant, and J57 announced they had formed the Jamo Gang. With that news, the trio with the Irish whiskey-inspired name released their first... Read more

January 17, 2018 Ready Or Not, Video

Big Daddy Kane Details The Rich History Of How The Juice Crew Started (Video)

Big Daddy Kane is the latest guest on Drink Champs. The Brooklyn, New York lyrical legend is in a casual mood, often joking during the three-hour episode. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview the Juice Crew MC about a number of highlights from his life and career. There are probing questions... Read more

January 17, 2018 Video

Black Milk Has A New Album Coming. The New Single Is No Joke (Video)

UPDATE: Black Milk has released the video to "Laugh Now, Cry Later." The visual plays on the social media concept of the song. The producer/MC also makes an appearance in the video he directed: JANUARY 17 STORY: In 2014, Detroit's Black Milk released If There's A Hell Below, arguably his... Read more

January 17, 2018 Audio, Video

Public Enemy Are Being Inducted Into The Grammy Hall Of Fame Because They Fought The Power

Public Enemy is a legendary Hip-Hop act that never received a Grammy Award. The Long Island, New York-based collective joins icons such as Eric B. & Rakim, Scarface, Nas, and Snoop Dogg with that distinction. Ahead of this month's 60th Grammy Awards (January 28), it has been announced that Public... Read more

January 17, 2018 News

Superfly Is Being Remade & Future Will Curate The New Soundtrack

1972's Superfly is an important film for many. Gordon Parks, Jr.'s followed in his famed father's footsteps after 1971's Shaft. Whereas "John Shaft" was a private investigator, Superfly focused on the other side of the game. Ron O'Neal's portrayal of "Youngblood Priest," a cocaine dealer trying to exit the illegal... Read more

January 16, 2018 TV/Film

Master P’s Documentary Tells The Real Story Of No Limit. Here’s The Trailer (Video)

In March of 1998, No Limit Records purchased the contract of Snoop Dogg from Death Row Records. It was a landmark move in a time when veteran Hip-Hop stars like LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., A Tribe Called Quest, Scarface, and Cypress Hill were franchise artists that stayed attached to the... Read more

January 16, 2018 TV/Film, Video