News Archives

Heltah Skeltah’s Rock Is Releasing A Star-Studded Solo Album. The New Video Is Heat

Earlier this month, Sean Price's Imperius Rex album released. The Duck Down Music LP debuted in the Top 200 and marked an acclaimed posthumous LP for the beloved Brooklyn, New York lyricist. Sean's longtime Heltah Skelktah partner is next up to bat, with a symbolic tribute for P! Rock has... Read more

August 21, 2017 News, Video

JAY-Z Says Kanye West Crossed The Line When He Talked About Jay’s Wife & Kids (Audio)

JAY-Z has given the most revealing interview since the June 30 release of 4:44. The legendary MC sat down with the Rap Radar Podcast to address everything appearing to linger since dropping his 13th solo album. In the nearly 70-minute conversation available for full stream to the public, Hov' annotated... Read more

August 20, 2017 Audio

O.C.’s “Jewelz” At 20: It May Be The True Diamond In His Discography

Following the assassinations of the Rap industry's biggest stars The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997 and Tupac Shakur one year prior, the genre was a powder keg that exploded. The remaining stars of Hip-Hop were trying to figure out how to clean up the mess. Some hardcore outfits like Wu-Tang Clan... Read more

August 19, 2017 Throwback

Scarface Has A New Album Coming & He Shares Exclusive New Music (Video)

It's been a busy month for Scarface. The Houston, Texas legend closed July with footage of himself and longtime producer N.O. Joe in the studio. The MC/beat-maker pair responsible for “The Diary,” “Seen A Man Die,” “Smile,” and “Mary Jane” (co-productions) is at work on what appears to be 'Face's... Read more

August 19, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

DJ Quik & Scarface Confirm Upcoming Collaborative Project (Video)

DJ Quik and Scarface are two living legends of Hip-Hop, Gangsta Rap, and music, period. Together, the two artists jammed on stage in The Novo in Los Angeles, California last night (August 17). With that show currently on the road, the Geto Boys icon and the producer for Tupac, 2nd... Read more

August 18, 2017 News, Video

JAY-Z Addresses Checking Kanye & Why They Have Not Spoken Since (Audio)

JAY-Z has given the most revealing interview since the June 30 release of 4:44. The legendary MC sat down with the Rap Radar Podcast to address everything appearing to linger since dropping his 13th solo album. In the nearly 70-minute conversation available for full stream to the public, Hov' annotated... Read more

August 18, 2017 Audio

Page Kennedy U-Turns & Dumps Fire With 11 Mixtape Tracks Of Straight Bars (Audio)

Earlier this year, Detroit, Michigan MC Page Kennedy released a strong debut album in Torn Pages. This 20-year rhyme veteran has made a living from acting, with such roles as "U-Turn" in Weeds, "Radon Randell" in Mountain State, and a film spot in S.W.A.T. In all of that time, his... Read more

August 18, 2017 Audio

Lupe Fiasco’s Latest Video Looks At The Country’s Exports, For Better & Way Worse

In a week where the nation appears as divided as its been in ages, Lupee Fiasco releases a different kind of patriotism in "Made In The U.S.A." The Drogas Light single looks at the good and bad exports of the United States. "My Glock came from Smyrna, Georgia (bang, bang,... Read more

August 18, 2017 Video

JAY-Z Presents New Sides Of Himself As Lupita Nyong’o Shows Many Faces (Video)

On recent Fridays, JAY-Z has publicly shared the music videos from June's 4:44 album. Taking a page from Beyoncé's Lemonade, Hov' apparently made visuals to his entire No I.D.-produced 13th solo album. JAY-Z Admits Infidelity & Explains His Issues With Kanye West On His New Album (Audio) The "MaNyfacedGod" music... Read more

August 18, 2017 Video

Grandmaster Flash Calls Out Kool Herc’s DJ Skills In A Push For Peace (Video)

One week ago today, Hip-Hop celebrated its 44th birthday. That day is associated with an August 11 Bronx, New York party where DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) prolonged the dance section of a record by using two turntables with copies of the same disc. For the event, an incredible... Read more

August 18, 2017 News, Video

Apollo Brown & Planet Asia Bring Out Some Of The Best In Each Other (Video)

Apollo Brown and Planet Asia have struck again with a second single "Aura" from their upcoming album Anchovies. The songs serve as a formidable addition to one of Detroit's best beat-smiths and the Cali Agent MC's mutual catalog and further displays their undeniable synergy. On A Great Night For Cali,... Read more

August 17, 2017 Video

Logic’s Latest Music Video Involves Don Cheadle & Luis Guzman For True Life Support

Logic uses a grand scale to tackle one deeply important issue. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Statistics, it's the nation's 10th leading cause of death. For every 25 people attempt to end their own life, one person sadly euthanizes themselves as planned. Joey Bada$$ & Logic Go Bar... Read more

August 17, 2017 Video

Biz Markie Details How He Made The Mazda MPV A Hip-Hop Symbol

Biz Markie sat down with Questlove for the most recent episode of Questlove Supreme. There, the acclaimed MC/DJ/producer and super-collector had a lengthy and lighthearted conversation about his 35-year-career. Throwback: Classic Audio of Rakim and Biz Markie Rhyming in High School (Audio) Quest', a fellow collector, presses Biz about his... Read more

August 16, 2017 Lifestyle, Throwback

Confederate Statues Are Coming Down As Rappers Speak Up

At this very moment, the United States is undergoing an unnerving week of heated political debate. Over the previous weekend, a rally organized by members of White nationalist, KKK, and other extremist groups turned violent and fatal. Charlottesville, Virginia has become the unwitting headquarters for America's latest civil-rights battle, one... Read more

August 16, 2017 Lifestyle, News

50 Cent Claims Responsibility For “Power” Episode Leak

Hip-Hop has a long history of artists bootlegging their own material. During his frustrations with former label Death Row Records, Tha Dogg Pound's Daz Dillinger sold a number of independent albums of material from Tha Row vaults, including Tupac recordings. Rapper Blu threw copies of his No York album into... Read more

August 16, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

Bun B Drops Jewels On How An Artist’s First 3 Albums Should Progress (Video)

UGK released three albums in the 1990s. There was great progression between 1992's Too Hard To Swallow, 1994's Super Tight, and 1996's gold-certified Ridin' Dirty. Bun B and Pimp C entered as Port Arthur, Texas' take on Gangsta Rap, and evolved to pioneers of their own sub-genre of Slab Music.... Read more

August 16, 2017 Video

DOOM Revives KMD With A Jay Electronica Collabo (Audio)

Long before MF DOOM was a name known and celebrated by Rap fans, there was a KMD. The Elektra Records trio consisted of Zev Love X (nka DOOM), brother DJ Subroc, and Onyx The Birthstone Kid. Formed in New York City during the late 1980s, the group would subsequently sign... Read more

August 16, 2017 Audio, News

In A Tumultuous Week, Hip-Hop Remains The Great Unifier (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

August 16, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

Rhyme Pays. Ice-T Offers Rare Access To His High Roller Lifestyle (Video)

Ice-T's album-making career began 30 years ago with Rhyme Pays. Even ahead of his Rap fame, Tracy Morrow had accumulated symbols of wealth from his days in the streets of Los Angeles, California. Those accounts of jewelry store heists and hustlin' gave Ice-T a spectrum of experiences to pull from... Read more

August 15, 2017 Video

Scholito Is Freeway’s New Rothschilds Protege & He’s Got Something Cookin’ (Video)

Philadelphia-based Scholito Envoy and his producer S Frank invaded the Hip-Hop scene connected with State Property/Roc Nation artist Freeway. Being one-third of the New Rothchilds group, 'Lito is here to make his artistry be known in the industry as a whole. Scholito is part of the new talent representing the... Read more

August 15, 2017 Ready Or Not, Video

Jamila Woods’ Colorful “LSD” Video Features Some Chance Acid Rap

Jamila Woods' contributions on Chance The Rapper's 2016 Coloring Book were some of that album's most essential. The Chicago, Illinois singer, poet, and educator has a long history with her peer, friend, and collaborator. From her just-formally released Heavn LP, the Windy City multi-talents re-link for the "LSD" music video.... Read more

August 15, 2017 Video

This Ghostface Killah Verse Makes It Right For Halley Hiatt Alongside A RZA Beat (Audio)

Ghostface Killah has made pure unadulterated Hip-Hop for 24 years and counting. However, the Wu-Tang Clan MC has been highly successful bridging the gap when he works out of the genre. With Amy Winehouse, Ne-Yo, or Fort Minor, Starks Enterprises is steadily open for business and churning out supreme product.... Read more

August 15, 2017 Audio, Exclusive

The Fat Boys Discuss Not Getting Their Props As Hip-Hop Heavyweights

The Fat Boys were some of Hip-Hop's first stars. On wax and on screen, Prince Markie Dee, Buff Love, and Kool Rock-Ski translated as bigger than life personas. However, by the time 1987's Crushin' did just that on the charts, the newly-platinum trio seemed to "Wipeout" with some Hip-Hop purists.... Read more

August 14, 2017 Fresh

J. Cole Is Executive Producing A Rather Unique Coming Of Age Documentary (Video)

J. Cole has written many songs about growing up in North Carolina and later moving to New York City as an adult. Cole, who was born in Germany, is gifted in showing unique perspectives on culture through his revealing writing. Songs like "Ville Mentality" and "A Tale Of 2 Citiez"... Read more

August 14, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Sadat X Drops A Freestyle Filled With The Grown Man Rap He’s Made For Years (Video)

Debates about a so-called "generation gap" in Rap music will likely be a perennial characteristic of the genre. As recently as the June release of JAY-Z's 4:44, vociferous fans and critics engaged in discussions about "grown-man Rap" and how a 47-year-old MC was able to drop one of the best albums... Read more

August 14, 2017 Video

O.C. & Apathy Join Forces As Perestroika. Here’s The Rugged First Look (Video)

It's been two years since Apathy and O.C. announced they have a collaborative full-length album in the works titled Perestroika (the same as their official group name). Their plans are finally coming to fruition with the release of their anticipated album's first single "Soviet Official." Premiering at Ambrosia For Heads,... Read more

August 14, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Why MCs Avoid The Term “Christian Rap” Like It’s A Dirty Word (Video)

Less than three years ago, Lecrae reached the top of the pop charts with Anomaly. The Reach Records release, which subsequently went gold, marked a new pinnacle for what is commonly referred to as "Christian Rap." In this week's episode of TBD, Justin "The Company Man" Hunte examines the weird... Read more

August 12, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Method Man Shows His Skills Are Still Sky High In A New Video From The Meth Lab

It's been more than two years since Method Man has released a project. However, the Wu-Tang Clan MC has been in generous spirits. He has made high impact features with band-mate Masta Killa and another verse this week for late friend Sean Price. Mr. Mef' also continues to help affiliates... Read more

August 12, 2017 Video

Scientists Are Hacking Computers By Converting Malware Into Strands Of DNA

In contemporary society, hacking has become an all-too-familiar aspect of daily life. Unauthorized access to data using computers has been employed for both ethical and unethical purposes by both authorities and the general public, generating massive public interest or remaining unnoticed. The domain of hacking encompasses a wide range of... Read more

August 12, 2017 Lifestyle

DJ Premier’s Singer Torii Wolf Readies Her Album. Preemo Is Producing 9 Joints (Audio)

For the last year and a half, DJ Premier has devoted much of his attention to Torii Wolf. The Gang Starr producer has cemented a reputation for helping great MCs on their debut albums. Whether JAY-Z, Nas, Biggie, Prodigy, J-Live, Jeru The Damaja, or Non-Phixion, Preemo supplied the heat. Torii... Read more

August 12, 2017 Audio, Fresh

Big Boi Is Giving A 5-Year Old Victim Of Gun Violence A Life-Changing Gift (Video)

Outside of his career as a prodigious solo rapper and one-half of the incomparable Outkast, Atlanta, Georgia's Big Boi has been involved in the professional breeding of dogs for many years. Focusing primarily on American Bully breeds, the man born Andre Patton is the owner of Pitfall Kennels where he... Read more

August 11, 2017 Lifestyle

JAY-Z’s Video For “Moonlight” Re-Creates “Friends” With An All-Star Black Cast

In 2003, Aisha Tyler joined the cast of NBC's long-running television series, Friends. She played a recurring character who represented the show's most visible Black character in its then nine-year history. Along with shows like Sex and the City and Seinfeld, the New York City-based sitcom often came under fire for the lack of... Read more

August 11, 2017 Video

Busta Rhymes & Snoop Dogg Take A$AP Ferg’s Song To A New Level (Video)

A$AP Ferg is a student of the 1990s Rap scene. It's in his fashion, his cars, and his frequent choice of features—and more importantly, in his lyrics. Whereas A$AP Rocky was deeply influenced by UGK and Three 6 Mafia, Ferg has openly stated his influence from acts like Wu-Tang Clan,... Read more

August 11, 2017 Video

Bun B Previews The Vulnerability That Will Make His “Bernard” Album Truly Real (Video)

For 25 years plus, Bun B has made music that's been a reality check. Songs like "One Day" coped with short life expectancy and constant loss. "I Left It Wet For You" was a cruel account of creepin' on the low. "Pocket Full Of Stones" was not a story of... Read more

August 11, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

Google Is Throwing A Party For Hip-Hop’s Birthday And Billions Are Invited

Today (August 11), Google has unveiled its first ever Hip-Hop "Doodle." Perhaps better known as the dynamic logo at the top of the search engine, the doodle often changes to celebrate holidays, milestones, and cultural events. For 48 hours, the digital giant will pay homage to Hip-Hop's birthday. That date is celebrated on August 11... Read more

August 10, 2017 Fresh

ManKind Shows That It Is A Rap Collective Aiming To Be Different (Video)

Harlem, New York duo ManKind is a prime example of men that spit verses with a purpose. From the New Rap Order Collective, ManKind’s !LLumiN@te and SciryL thrive to project their art in a way that does not lack luster or meaning. While collaborating with over 50 artists since November... Read more

August 10, 2017 Ready Or Not

Redman, Erick Sermon & Keith Murray Freestyle To The Def Over “Who Shot Ya” (Audio)

1998 was arguably the strongest year of the East Coast's resurgence during the West Coast Gangsta Rap-dominated decade. Radio stations across the map, and music video channels BET and MTV, were putting a diverse mix of music from New York City representatives DMX, N.O.R.E., Nas, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Ma$e, Biggie... Read more

August 10, 2017 Throwback

Joyner Lucas Shows The Journey Of A $100 Bill In 1 Of The Year’s Most Innovative Videos

In the video for his phenomenal record, "Keep It 100," Worcester, Massachusetts rapper Joyner Lucas takes follows the lifespan of a $100 bill. After being printed at the Mint, it emerges through an ATM, then is handed off to a drug dealer, who brings it to a strip club. The... Read more

August 10, 2017 Video

Joey Bada$$ & Logic Go Bar For Bar In A Cypher Strictly For The Love Of Hip-Hop (Full Video)

While much attention has been focused on the unspoken competition between Kendrick Lamar and Drake in the quest for 2017's biggest album, both Logic and Joey Bada$$ released 2 of the finest LPs of the year. Each featured heady concepts, strong lyricism and beats made for the body and the mind.... Read more

August 10, 2017 Video

For The First Time, A Woman Has Won The National DMC DJ Championship

Since 1985 the DMC DJ Championships organization has named DJs representing a vast array of countries the winners of the competition, considered the preeminent battle in the world of turntablism. Roc Raida, Mixmaster Mike, Q-Bert, A-Trak, and Craze are just a few of the gifted disc jockeys to have walked away... Read more

August 9, 2017 News

Kurupt’s New Video Is Him, A Mic & One Nearly Breathless Barrage Of Bars

The last few years have been a relatively quiet period for Kurupt. While Young Gotti has toured and delved in side hustles, Tha Dogg Pound verbal assassin slowed his roll with the albums. "Inferno" shows that as anticipation has built for new music from the Philly to Cali MC, Kuruption... Read more

August 9, 2017 Video

DOOM Is Opening His Missing Notebook Of Rhymes & Releasing 15 New Songs (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

August 9, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

Large Professor Helped Take Nas Over The Top. Now He Tries It With Fashawn (Audio)

In the early 1990s, Large Professor was a master mentor to fellow young MCs. While the Main Source front-man was pivoting to his solo career, he mentored Nas, Akinyele, and Organized Konfusion, among others. Starting with "Live At The Barbeque" in 1991, it was clear by Illmatic that Nas had... Read more

August 9, 2017 Audio

Kendrick Lamar Discusses What Makes A Wack MC & Why No GOAT Uses Writers

Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. reached the top of the charts for a second time in the last month. The April release from the TDE/Aftermath Entertainment artist has set a new benchmark for a decorated 2010s Hip-Hop career. Speaking with Rolling Stone in Georgia, K-Dot touched upon the album, his family dynamic,... Read more

August 9, 2017 Fresh

The 1st Rhyme Masta Killa Ever Wrote Was For Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Chambers (Video)

Masta Killa made a last minute debut on a Rap classic: Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). What Heads may not realize is that was the Brooklyn, New York MC's first rhyme and his first time in the studio. Having described himself as the "little brother" within the Clan,... Read more

August 8, 2017 Exclusive, Now You See Me, Video

Royce 5’9 & Conway The Machine Make Other MCs Sick With Ill Rhymes (Video)

In May, producer and DJ Green Lantern's skills were heard on Conway The Machine's Reject On Steroids project, which featured a collaboration with Royce 5'9. On "iLL," Conway and Royce trade bars that should make lesser MCs sick to their stomachs, each rapper delivering a punishing verse that showcases their respective talents. Conway and... Read more

August 8, 2017 Video

King Los Has Made A Record That’s As Strong As His Best Freestyles (Audio)

King Los holds the mic as his scepter. On his new track "Without Me," the Baltimore, Maryland MC and onetime RCA Records artist outlines the importance of his presence in the Hip-Hop world. The veteran suggests that Rap music isn't nearly as colorful, clever, or exciting if his mic isn't... Read more

August 8, 2017 Audio

One Train Operator Gives New Meaning To “South Bronx Subway Rap” (Video)

In the film soundtrack to Wild Style, Cold Crush Brothers MC Grandmaster Caz famously spit the "South Bronx Rap." That classic track was later used for Nas' Illmatic intro and countless other places. While much has changed in New York City since the early 1980s, the relationship between subway trains... Read more

August 8, 2017 Video

The Roots & Bilal Give A Stunningly Powerful Performance With A Full Orchestra (Video)

Late last month, The Roots and Bilal released "It Ain't Fair." The Detroit soundtrack single is jarring, as it applies to racial and social injustice in 1967, as well as in 2017. The song and its message are not going away. This partial Soulquarians reunion is bigger than just one... Read more

August 8, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Sean Price Passed Away 2 Years Ago Today. A New Video Shows His Legacy Lives On.

Two years ago today, the world lost a true one of a kind human being in Sean Price. To many, he was an elite lyricist first, but the Heltah Skeltah co-founder was also a loving husband, father, mentor, and a seemingly effortless comedian. P's career extended back more than 20... Read more

August 8, 2017 Video