News Archives

The 1st Look At Death Row Series Shows Suge Strong-Arming Eazy-E To Get Dre (Video)

The Death Row Chronicles is an upcoming six-part series on one of music's most successful and most controversial record labels. Airing on BET February 20 (beginning with part one and two), a two-minute video trailer released, featuring commentary from some of the people closest to Death Row Records' former CEO... Read more

January 16, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Ambrosia For Heads Presents: G.O.A.T. Producers – The Pete Rock Edition (Playlist)

Ambrosia For Heads' G.O.A.T. Producers series takes in-depth looks at the production discographies of some of Hip-Hop and R&B's greatest of all-time producers. As part of an exclusive partnership with Pandora, each installment explores the hits, the deep cuts, the rarities, the remixes and more. This edition showcases the production catalog... Read more

January 16, 2018 Audio, Video

Donald Glover’s “Atlanta” Returns In March. Here Is The Latest Trailer (Video)

UPDATE #2: A second trailer to Atlanta Season 2 (aka "Robbin Season") has been released to the public by FX. This one stars Donald Glover. The 30-second music-bedded video shows "Earnest 'Earn' Marks" falling into several different environments, alluding to the season ahead: heavy rotation pic.twitter.com/Rcl9xadwjl — AtlantaFX (@AtlantaFX) January... Read more

January 15, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Lupe Fiasco vs. Kendrick Lamar: Why “Stealing” Is Not A Crime For Artists (Video)

Lupe Fiasco took umbrage with Marvel's upcoming Black Panther soundtrack on social media last week, arguing the cover artwork for the film's Kendrick Lamar and SZA-led soundtrack single, "All the Stars," bears a remarkable resemblance to the artwork for his forthcoming album Drogas Wave. Visual grievances aside, Lupe's and Kendrick's... Read more

January 15, 2018 Exclusive, TBD, Video

T.I. Rates The Bars. He Gives Iggy Azalea More Love Than Tupac (Video)

"Rate The Bars" is a fun series that can test a rapper's objectivity. MCs are often handed lyrics by artists in their crews, from their same cities, or even rivals and past enemies. Raekwon, Royce 5'9 and Rah Digga have all had potent things to say about excerpts that are... Read more

January 15, 2018 Video

Happy 50th Birthday To LL Cool J. Celebrate The Original G.O.A.T. (Video)

Today marks the 50th birthday of James Todd Smith, best known as beloved Queens, New York MC, LL Cool J. Born January 14, 1968, "Ladies Love Cool James" has always had an undeniable impact in Hip-Hop. As an adolescent, LL Cool J reportedly recorded his own demos using a mixer... Read more

January 14, 2018 Fresh

Lena Waithe Is The First Black Woman To Win An Emmy For Comedy Writing (Video)

"TV teaches you how to dream," Lena Waithe said in her recent interview with The Breakfast Club. The Chicagoan actor and writer just made television history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing, for her work on the "Thanksgiving" episode of Master of None. Now... Read more

January 13, 2018 TV

SiR & 1 Of Kendrick’s Favorite Singers Team With Drumhedz For A Job Well Done (Audio)

The drummer, Chris “Daddy” Dave has kept time on many major projects in his prolific career, but until now, had yet to release his own project. Chris Dave & The Drumhedz is set to drop on January 26 and will feature Anderson .Paak, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Phonte, Elzhi and more.... Read more

January 12, 2018 Audio

Nas & The National Symphony Are Taking Illmatic From QB To The Kennedy Center (Video)

Back in 1994, Nas' debut Illmatic peaked at #12 on the charts. The commercial performance was highly respectable for an emerging Rap artist, but Hip-Hop Heads who heard and loved the album knew those 10 songs meant so much more than any chart, music review, or record store display could... Read more

January 12, 2018 News, TV, TV/Film, Video

Evidence & DJ Premier Show They’re True Masters Of This Thing Called Hip-Hop (Video)

Evidence is just two weeks away from his third solo album, Weather Or Not. Coming January 26 on Rhymesayers Entertainment, the Dilated Peoples and Step Brothers member's first solo LP in more than six years already promises to be something serious. In 2017, Heads got a taste of the realness... Read more

January 12, 2018 Video

Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar Go Off Again In Their Latest Collaboration (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 12, 2018 Audio

Raekwon Goes Back To The Good Ol’ Days Of His Youth Over ’70s Soul (Audio)

Raekwon is three songs deep in a young 2018. Just over one week after the Wu-Tang Clan swordsman hit Heads off with a combo punch in "The Sky" and "The Biz," the Staten Island, New Yorker is back for more. Like those previous sample-based records joints, the quick-strike "It's A... Read more

January 11, 2018 Audio

Your Old Droog & Conway Kick Rhymes That Are Hard Like Cement (Audio)

Brooklyn, New York's Your Old Droog has in the past labeled a lot of his songs as "Outsider Music," not Hip-Hop or Rap. However, his latest single, featuring Conway the Machine, is an exception: he has categorized “Cement 4's” as Metal. Music of this kind is often called “gritty" or... Read more

January 11, 2018 Audio

Planet Asia Sets Off 2018 With Some Lyrical Fireworks (Video)

Approaching 20 years since the release of his debut self-titled EP, Planet Asia has unveiled the first visuals from his forthcoming (January 19) album, The Golden Buddha. The LP’s introductory single, appropriately titled “Fireworks,” is a thunderous and radiant commencement of the Cali Agents MC’s soon-to-be gainful 2018. With a... Read more

January 10, 2018 Video

Joe Budden Says Eminem Did Not Diss Him & There Is No Beef (Video)

This week, a series of events have signaled one of 2018's first Rap conflicts. Eminem's "Chloraseptic (Remix)" verse was very clearly aimed at those who seem to be criticizing his latest direction and Revival album. Hours later, one of Em's former D12 band-mates, and onetime Shady Records artists, Bizarre, said... Read more

January 10, 2018 News, Video

Londell McMillan Responds To JAY-Z’s Diss & Strongly Defends His Partnership With Prince (Video)

Following Prince's death on April 21, 2016, there has been a tug of war regarding the icon's music and assets. One month after the tragic news, JAY-Z made that battle both public and part of his own legendary catalog. On the Grammy-nominated 4:44, Shawn Carter took umbrage with the handling... Read more

January 10, 2018 News, Video

D12’s Bizarre Says Eminem Sent Shots At Joe Budden On His New Song (Video)

Yesterday (January 8) Eminem released the "Chloraseptic (Remix)." In a grabbing new verse alongside bars from 2 Chainz and Phresher, Marshall Mathers confronts critics, haters, and naysayers of his artistic direction, especially 2017 album, Revival. According to at least one Shady Records artist (and somebody with more than 20 years... Read more

January 9, 2018 News, Video

The Black Eyed Peas Return To Their Jazzy Hip-Hop Roots Without Fergie (Video)

The thing about change is you can react to it, or you can cause it. The Black Eyed Peas choose the latter. Sans Fergie, will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo revert to their original style of Jazz-infused Hip-Hop with a new track and video, “Street Livin’.” Through the re-imagination and animation of... Read more

January 9, 2018 Video

Lyric Jones Celebrates Solidarity & Getting By In “Got Bills” (Video)

Boston-born, L.A.-based Lyric Jones describes herself as “MC, Vocalist, Drummer,” while also noting that she is the only MC around these days who can play the drums, while she delivers her rhymes. Now this visual for “Got Bills” directed by Jones also shows she is an artist with a strong... Read more

January 9, 2018 Ready Or Not, Video

Keith Murray Pays Tribute To Rakim With His “I Ain’t No Joke” Freestyle (Audio)

Rappers often borrow productions popularized by other MCs, to put their own spin on the record. Sometimes they give credit. Sometimes they don't. What Keith Murray has done with Rakim's classic "I Ain't No Joke," however, is different. Rather than simply jack the classic beat, Murray makes his "I Ain't... Read more

January 9, 2018 Audio

Jon Connor Is Dr. Dre’s Next Lyrical Monster. Get Ready For The Aftermath (Audio)

At the beginning of Jon Connor’s first track of his own in over a year Dr. Dre sets the stage for the drama that the Flint, Michigan MC is about to bring. The Aftermath Entertainment artist since 2013 will be dropping Vehicle City this year, and the first single, “I’m... Read more

January 8, 2018 Audio

Cozz Reverses Roles And Arrests The Cops In His New Video

Only days after dropping his new single, “Questions,” the Dreamville MC, Cozz delivered the accompanying visuals. The simple premise doesn’t offer the usual imagery to a song. Instead, "Questions" weaves a loose story-line that will inspire fans to ask additional questions. In the video, Cozz turns his inquiries into an... Read more

January 8, 2018 Video

Eminem Responds To His Critics With A Remix That Revives His New Album (Audio)

Three weeks after Eminem released Revival, he knows that his ninth album may have some fans questioning their faith in Marshall Mathers' music-making. Although Em' stayed mostly quiet since December 15, the Shady Records founder breaks his silence with a new verse courtesy of the "Chloraseptic (Remix)." It arrives with... Read more

January 8, 2018 Audio

Uncle Murda Rates Skillz’ Diss A 1 Out Of 10. So How Does His Response Measure Up? (Audio)

Last week (January 3), veteran Virginia lyricist Skillz dropped a significant and scathing diss towards Brooklyn, New York MC Uncle Murda. The impetus was a two-year-old dispute surrounding the concept of "Year End Raps." Skillz alleged that in late 2015, Murda (who now uses the name "Lenny Grant" on records)... Read more

January 8, 2018 Audio

Lupe Fiasco Says Kendrick Lamar Is Not A Top Tier Lyricist

In the eyes of many Hip-Hop fans, Chicago's Lupe Fiasco was an exciting addition to the music and culture during the mid-2000s. In his first two albums, a slew of mixtapes, and a la carte songs, the Chicago, Illinois native won over the masses and represented a new guard of... Read more

January 8, 2018 News

Dreamville’s Cozz Has Questions As He Gets Closer To His Rap Dreams (Audio)

Cody Osagie, better known as Cozz, has a lot of “Questions.” The Los Angeles, California Dreamville MC’s latest single poses quite a few queries about the industry, the idiosyncrasies of others and the future of Rap in general. One of J. Cole's longer-tenured artists dropped Nothin’ Personal exactly two years... Read more

January 5, 2018 Audio

Nipsey Hussle Explains Why He’s Joining Forces With A Major Label (Video)

Nipsey Hussle, who has created his success independently, is on the verge of dropping his first album backed by a major label. Victory Lap is poised to release on February 16, 2018, via All Money In No Money Out/Atlantic Records, and many Heads have wondered why someone who has time... Read more

January 5, 2018 Video

Mary J. Blige To Be Presented Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star By Puff Daddy

Thirty years ago, Mary J. Blige recorded an Anita Baker cover at a kiosk in a Westchester, New York mall. From that teenager's rendition of "Caught Up In The Rapture" (which would get her signed by Uptown Records), the Bronx native has taken her talents to the Walk Of Fame... Read more

January 5, 2018 Fresh

JAY-Z, Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Show How When A Family Feuds, Nobody Wins (Video)

JAY-Z's latest 4:44 video is now available for all to view. "Family Feud" is one of the Grammy-nominated album's richest and most significant moments. The single addresses the infidelity that nearly cost the Carters their marriage. The No I.D.-produced song also alludes to the efforts to rebuild the trust, the... Read more

January 5, 2018 Video

Bruno Mars’ Fly Video Is A Throwback Dedication To In Living Color

Few Pop superstars are as nostalgic as Bruno Mars. "Locked Out Of Heaven" called back to Sting and The Police. His Mark Ronson 2016 "Record Of The Year" collaboration "Uptown Funk" channeled Morris Day & The Time. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Bruno traced the Electro-Funk of "24K Magic"... Read more

January 4, 2018 The Bridge, TV, TV/Film, Video

Kendrick Lamar & Top Dawg Will Produce Black Panther Soundtrack. Here’s The 1st Song.

Although 2018 is only a few days old, Marvel's Black Panther is already one of the most anticipated films of the year. The movie is directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed), and features an all-star lineup that includes Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, The Walking Dead's Danai... Read more

January 4, 2018 Audio

Poet Keorapetse Kgositsile, Earl Sweatshirt’s Father, Has Died

UPDATE: Earl Sweatshirt mourned his father publicly with a photo and poem in a tweet. He also thanked fans for their support: thank yall for your thoughts and love pic.twitter.com/qhualj0fjL— thebe kgositsile (@earlxsweat) January 4, 2018 ORIGINAL JANUARY 3 STORY: Keorapetse Kgositsile, father of MC, producer, and DJ Earl Sweatshirt,... Read more

January 3, 2018 News

Daz Dillinger & The Twinz’ Funky Video Is 3 OG’s Kicking Street Wisdom In The LBC

Tha Dogg Pound's Daz Dillinger makes a lot of music after 25 years. The MC/producer who reps Long Beach, California starts off 2018 with some of that G-Funk that his fans crave. "Hard Life" reunites one of the most recognized voices of the DPG family with Warren G's onetime proteges,... Read more

January 3, 2018 Video

Raekwon Wastes No Time Opening The New Year. He Cooks Up 2 New Tracks (Audio)

Mere days into 2018, Raekwon Da Chef serves up two brand new dishes, each with its own distinct flavor. The first, “The Sky,” recommends that we keep our eyes open and heads up. Rae' eloquently (and subtlety) touches on the scary reality that we’re living in presently, but his soothing... Read more

January 3, 2018 Audio

Skillz Sets Off 2018 By Dissing Uncle Murda For Copying His Rap Up Concept (Audio)

For Hip-Hop Heads, the last days of the year have long belonged to an annual Skillz song. For nearly two decades, the Virginia MC, DJ, and the University Of Richmond's Artist In Residence has deftly created his "Year End Rap" at the close of the calendar. Many followers of the... Read more

January 3, 2018 Audio, News

Timbaland Describes The Musical Chemistry Between Him & JAY-Z (Video)

Timbaland hopes that 2018 will signal a true comeback season. The four-time Grammy Award-winner recently revealed that he battled a nearly fatal Oxycontin addiction in 2014. Once a mainstay on the singles charts by way of his hit-making productions and collaborations, Tim Mosley had a much quieter 2017. Now the... Read more

January 2, 2018 Video

Elzhi & Khrysis Announce Their Collabo Group With A Musical Preview (Audio)

In the hours leading up to 2018, some Hip-Hop news was announced that Heads might have missed. Jamla Records' founder 9th Wonder revealed that this new year promises an exciting collaborative group from two esteemed veterans of Rap music and verse. Detroit, Michigan MC Elzhi and North Carolina producer Khrysis... Read more

January 2, 2018 Audio, News

Skillz Releases His 2017 Rap Up & It’s An Epic End To A Crazy Year (Audio)

As years come to a close, no Hip-Hop tradition has become more anticipated that Skillz's annual Rap Up. After much cajoling, the VA MC has released his 2017 installment, and it does not disappoint. More than just a summary of the year's events, Skillz's song often provides much needed reminders... Read more

December 31, 2017 Audio

The Coup’s Boots Riley Shares A Heartfelt Statement About Pam The Funkstress

As reported late last week (December 22), the iconic Bay Area DJ, Pam the Funkstress (aka Pamela Warren), tragically passed away after recently undergoing organ transplant surgery. Considered a trailblazer for all subsequent female DJs, Pam was a celebrated member of The Coup, and later became recognized as “Purple Pam”... Read more

December 30, 2017 News

Drake Spits His Best Verse Of The Year While Lil Wayne Blasts Birdman (Audio)

Earlier this week, Lil Wayne released his Dedication 6 mixtape with DJ Drama. Unlike most of the mixtapes of today, which feature original productions and are basically free albums, Wayne’s project was a return to the days when MCs jacked other rappers for their beats and made them their own.... Read more

December 29, 2017 Audio

Wu-Tang Clan Was Originally RZA, GZA & ODB But Protect Ya Neck Changed Everything (Video)

In one of the most epic installments yet of the Drink Champs podcast, Wu-Tang Clan joined N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN for a conversation that lasted 3 hours and change. While the Clan was not at full strength, Method Man, Raekwon, U-God, Cappadonna, Masta Killa and DJ Mathematics represented well for... Read more

December 28, 2017 Video

Hip-Hop Is Good For The Brain. A New Study Proves It.

As the world's most dominant musical culture, Hip-Hop is permeating more than our earbuds. Generations of people around the world have been raised on Rap music or muzica hip hop as well as the fashion, dance, clothing and personal choices it inspires — which, in effect, changes the way we... Read more

December 28, 2017 Lifestyle

Black Thought Clarifies Whether His 10-Minute Freestyle Was Written Or Off The Top

Nearly two weeks ago, Black Thought set the Hip-Hop world on fire, with a 10-minute freestyle that many considered the best of the year. In fact, Puff Daddy went as far as to say the verse was the greatest freestyle in Hip-Hop history. The video quickly went viral and, to... Read more

December 27, 2017 News

Busta Rhymes, Black Thought & MC Lyte Give A Knockout Tribute To LL Cool J (Video)

Earlier this month, LL Cool J became the first Hip-Hop artist to be celebrated as a Kennedy Center Honoree. Last night (December 27), the full ceremony aired on CBS, and LL’s tribute was one fit for a GOAT. While it is customary to have a celebrity introduce honorees at these... Read more

December 27, 2017 Video

The Coup’s DJ Pam The Funkstress Has Passed Away

In an already challenging week, Hip-Hop has learned that it has lost another veteran artist. DJ Pam The Funkstress (aka Pamela Warren) has died. A founding member of The Coup, Pam would also work with Prince on tour in recent years. After surviving a critical surgery in the last month,... Read more

December 22, 2017 News

Nipsey Hussle & Swizz Beatz’s New Anthem Says The Sky Is The Limit (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

December 22, 2017 Audio

Murs’ New Video Is For Those Who Are Down & Cannot Get Into The Holiday Season

Murs is not new to putting his life into his art. On those early DIY albums, the Los Angeles, California MC pulled no punches when talking about violence in the streets, the perils of love, or his frustrations with less-deserving rappers always getting more looks. Down the line, 2015's Have... Read more

December 22, 2017 Video

What’s Better Than 1 New Dave Chappelle Comedy Special? Two. Here’s A Preview (Video)

For the last several weeks, there has been high anticipation for the release of Dave Chappelle's upcoming standup comedy special. Titled "Equanimity," the show is slated to premiere on Netflix on New Year's Eve. Earlier in the week, Chappelle released the first clip from the special. Now, it turns out... Read more

December 22, 2017 TV

JAY-Z’s Smile Video Is A Tender Portrait Of His Mother’s Struggle With Her Sexuality

After releasing them exclusively via TIDAL a few weeks ago, today (December 22) JAY-Z makes three more 4:44 visuals widely available-- "Marcy Me," "Legacy," and "Smile." Especially in the case of the last of those three videos, these are as polished and artful as any video companion to music in... Read more

December 22, 2017 Video

Kendrick Lamar’s Latest Video Shows The Many Complexities Of Love

Kendrick Lamar continues to roll out videos in promotion and celebration of DAMN. The Grammy Awards are a little more than a month ahead, and the TDE/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records #1 album is a focal point of the January 28 evening, including being an "Album Of The Year" contender. After several... Read more

December 22, 2017 Video