AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Professor Bun B Talks Rap, Religion and Oscars with Intelligence and Humor (Video)

What isn't Bun B a novice expert on? The UGK co-founder and Trill O.G. loves sneakers, sports, street-wear, cars, music, and even film. In preparation for tomorrow's 87th Academy Awards (February 22), the Bun Beata weighs in for The Fader on who he thinks will get Oscar gold. Claiming that The... Read more

Talib Kweli Freestyles About Suge Knight. Too Soon? (Video)

Featured in the 2000 film, Freestyle: The Art Of Rhyme, Talib Kweli has built his skills in the cyphers, and with the impromptu improvisation that is freestyling. These days, Kwe' is busy touring, making albums, and co-running a label conglomerate. The days in the parks may be few and far... Read more

Watch De La Soul Play A Dutch Game Show In Their Earliest Days (Video)

Twenty six years ago, De La Soul was bringin' brand new funk. The Long Island, New York collective had just released 3 Feet High And Rising on Tommy Boy Records, which was a Top 25 debut on its March 3 release. Posdnuos (or Posdnous), Trugoy, and Maseo were still getting... Read more

Inspiration Is The Theme Behind Big Sean, Kanye West & John Legend’s Next Hit (Audio)

Things may look pretty easy for Big Sean these days. The G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam sensation is living the good life, running at the top, with more industry movers and shakers in his corner than ever before. However, Sean is from Detroit, Michigan, and not so many years removed from just... Read more

Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Big L with This Lord Sear Tribute Mix (Audio)

Big L Rest in Peace...Sixteen years ago today (February 15, 1999), the world lost a true lyricist in Lamont "Big L" Coleman. The Harlem, New York native, with just a lone album under his belt, was in the process of what many Heads believe, was a push to the top,... Read more

Whet Your Appetite With A Tiny Sampling Of Nas & Timbaland’s Latest Creation (Audio)

Dating back to 1998's Tim's Bio: Life From The Basement album, Timbaland and Nas have worked together nearly a half-dozen times. The Queens, New York MC extraordinaire called upon the Virginia producer/rapper for his Nastradamus single, "You Owe Me," in addition to work together alongside everybody ranging from Jay Z... Read more

Ras Kass Explains Why He Wrote How To Kill God. It’s Not What You Think.

One of the more celebrated independent Hip-Hop albums of 2014 was Ras Kass & Apollo Brown's Blasphemy. The Mello Music Group release returned Ras Kass to the studio album format, and—after work with O.C., Guilty Simpson, and The Left, gave Brown a West Coast collaborative full-length. Part of Blasphemy's charm... Read more

Drake Upstages Everybody With The Ultimate Sneak Attack Move

Despite all the major fanfare transpiring in Manhattan tonight with NBA All Star activities and the march to Fashion Week, Drake (who was in attendance at Roc City Classic) may be out for the gusto. Just as he did more than five years ago, Drizzy delivered a mixtape, cleverly titled... Read more

J-Live Finds The Smoothest Way To Say That He’s Out Of Eff’s To Give (Audio)

Like Eminem's first Aftermath Entertainment single, J-Live "just don't give a fuck." The Brooklyn, New York triple-threat released a new track today saying as much. However, in the case of Justice Allah, the track is about all the judges, perhaps in his personal life or in his musical life. He's... Read more

Phife Dawg Proclaims Himself Hip-Hop’s Biggest UNC Fan, Reflects On Dean Smith

In a recent interview with The Shadow League, A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg shared his relationship with sports and how he eventually got into basketball after dabbling in baseball and football. Most could tell Phife was a sports fanatic by the many sports references in his raps, but Phife... Read more

GZA & Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello Rock Out Amidst The Dark Matter (Audio)

The Wu-Tang Clan's GZA has been working on his seventh solo album for a few years, and has now released the first single from the upcoming Dark Matter album. The song, "The Mexican", is a remake of Babe Ruth's 1972 song of the same name, and features Rage Against The... Read more

Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD Deliver Tone’s Rap and a Bundle of Goodness (Audio)

Ghostface Killah's blatant disregard for convention has made him a true Hip-Hop original. Since his Enter To Wu-Tang flows, which stood apart from all others on the track, Dennis Coles proved he wasn't the typical rapper. Playing with a hot hand, he blesses "Tone's Rap" (as premiered at 2DopeBoyz) with... Read more

Eminem’s Marshall Mathers 2 LP Crowned Rap Album Of The Year, Take A Closer Look

At last night's (February 8) 57th Grammy Awards, Eminem's Marshall Mathers 2 LP grabbed "Rap Album Of The Year" honors. This is the fifth time Em has received these honors, in a career that has witnessed seven studio albums (not including Infinite). The Detroit, Michigan superstar MC/producer was not on... Read more

One Producer Took AZ’s Whole A.W.O.L. Album & Gave It A Facelift (Album Stream)

Ten years ago, AZ Tha Visualiza left the major label system (after a decade in) and found an independent stride. After success under Kedar Massenburg's Motown Records with "Problems," The Firm lyricist was a blue-chip acquisition for eOne Entertainment. There, AZ made an album in A.W.O.L. seemingly apathetic towards radio support.... Read more

It Turns Out Missy Elliott is The Real Super Bowl Winner. Here’s Why.

During Katy Perry's Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, the Pop princess notably did not include Juicy J or Snoop Dogg (who was at the championship game) for her medley of hits. However, the EMI/Capitol Records multi-platinum mainstay did turn the microphone over to an unlikely guest from the Hip-Hop genre:... Read more

DMC, Chuck D, PMD, MC Serch & Terminator X Come Together With An Edge (Video)

Twenty five Januaries ago, in 1990...could you have imagined Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Chuck D, Parrish "PMD" Smith, MC Serch, and Terminator X together? The thought alone drains boombox D-batteries, and makes speakers shudder. In 2015, these things are not only possible, but able to be captured on video. "Hellraisers" is... Read more

Pete Rock & Slum Village Announce A Bunch Of 2015 Tour Dates Together

Collaborators since 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2, Pete Rock and Slum Village are going on the road together. The influential Mount Vernon, New York MC/producer/DJ joined by T3, Illa J, and Young RJ have announced more than 25 United States dates, beginning February 7, with an appearance (both acts) at Dilla... Read more

Cannibal Ox Returns With Sophomore LP, MF DOOM & The Artifacts Are Involved

Nearly 15 years removed from The Cold Vein, New York City underground Hip-Hop heroes Cannibal Ox have announced their return. Vast Aire and Vordul Mega announced today (January 20), that Blade Of The Ronin will commemorate their return, March 3, 2015. The release will come from the artists' own IGC... Read more

Sadat X Is Making Moves With King T, Black Rob, Cormega & Skyzoo. Sample His New LP (Audio)

In less than 48 hours (January 20), Sadat X will release his tenth solo album, Never Left on CD and digitally. The Loyalty Digital effort features the Brand Nubian MC (who is also part of Trinity) making his first LP since 2012's Love, Hell Or Right. 'Datty X teams with... Read more

10 Years Ago Today, The Game Released The Documentary. Consider It A Classic?

Ten years ago today (January 18, 2005), The Game (n/k/a Game) released The Documentary. His major label debut would garner double-platinum status, and afford Dr. Dre his first star protege from the same Compton, California streets—more than six years before Kendrick Lamar. Game's debut quite definitively remains his highest-profile and... Read more

Masta Ace Kills Sounds Sharp Alongside DJ Rob A on Put to Paper (Audio)

If you look at Masta Ace's complete discography, you will likely note that the Brownsville, Brooklyn MC/producer gives the same attention to detail and craft in guest work that he does on his own acclaimed releases. Kid Tsunami's "TwoThousand40," DJ K.O.'s "Ladder Of Success," and R.A. The Rugged Man's "The... Read more

Here’s the Story of How KRS-One & Scott La Rock Met…Comic Book Style

Here's something incredibly dope for fans of Comics, Hip-Hop or both. Ed Piskor, renowned cartoonist and author of the Hip-Hop Family Tree graphic novel, has released the account of how KRS-One and Scott La Rock met, in the form of a comic. The story was assembled from several of KRS-One's... Read more

This Might Be Grand Puba’s Best Song In 10 Years & It Resonates (Audio)

Unlike Sadat X and Lord Jamar, both of whom stay incredibly active in songmaking and social media, respectively, Grand Puba plays the background. Stud Doogie is the faction of Brand Nubian who often wants his silence and privacy, taking an extended break since 2009's Retroactive. However, recent events and world... Read more

Crooklyn Dodgers ’94 & Crooklyn Dodgers ’95 Trade Uniforms In This ILL Blend (Audio)

DJ Hellee Hooper (a play on famed Soul II Soul/Bjork/No Doubt producer Nellee Hooper), swapped the vocals of Special Ed, Masta Ace, and Buckshot from "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers" with the instrumental to the 1995 original (Chubb Rock, O.C., Jeru The Damaja). The results (thus "94.5") trick your mind,... Read more

Eminem Grants One Teenage Fan’s Final Wish

Many Eminem Heads know how much the superstar admires the life and music of Tupac Shakur. Eminem even worked extensively, as a producer, on some of 'Pac's posthumous albums, including 2006's Pac's Life. Although a lot can be said about the final years of 2Pac's life, one moment always speaks... Read more

E-40 & Too Short Dust Off The T.W.D.Y. Tag and Co-Sign IamSu! (Video)

In the late 1990s, when the Bay area was largely ignored by mainstream radio and video outlets, T.W.D.Y. formed. Ant Banks' super-collective The Whole Damn Yay included icons such as Rappin' 4-Tay and Captain Save'Em, with strong involvement from the likes of Too Short, E-40, Mac Mall, B-Legit, Spice 1,... Read more

Domingo Unleashes Some Heltah Skeltah Era Sean Price & Ruste Juxx On A Dope Beat (Audio)

Domingo has been incredibly active in Hip-Hop production for more than 20 years. The East New Yorker combines far-reaching samples with quality arrangements. On February 17, he's releasing Sessions & Lessons, a compilation of rare and unreleased work, featuring some of the gold that the longtime KRS-One affiliate has shared... Read more

Action Bronson Acts Crazy With A New Vibe On His REAL Mr. Wonderful Single (Audio)

Although Mr. Wonderful will mark Action Bronson's major label full-length debut, the Queens MC has a host of projects to offer. Whether you seek the stripped down raps of Dr. Lecter, the freewheeling sampling of Blue Chips, or the waviness of Saaab Stories, Bam Bam has product. So for the... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Doesn’t Make Songs Often, So When He Does…Listen. (Audio)

Big Daddy Kane verses, especially of the solo variety, are true rarities. The Brooklyn, New York MC icon spits only when he's got something to say, and that's been his M-O since the Juice Crew days. In the wake of some spiritually and mentally challenging happenings that affect the heart,... Read more

Ice-T Interviews Chief Rocka Busy Bee, Talks Wild Style, Pioneering Swag & More (Audio)

Many Heads know the importance and impact of Chief Rocka Busy Bee Starski. The Bronx, New Yorker was among the Rap voices who was relevant and top-notch, dating back to the 1970s. Ice-T, who would break through beginning with Breakin', calls the MC born David Parker a "Cornerstone of Hip-Hop,"... Read more

Eightball & MJG Are Back Doin’ Thangs. This Cut Is Space Age Fresh (Audio)

It was a largely quiet 2014 for Eightball & MJG. The latter of the duo released a 2.0 version of his late 2013 LP, Too Pimpin', while 'Ball saved his spit for a really cool Bar-Kays feature that bridged the gap from 1970s Memphis and 1990s Memphis music. 2015 is... Read more

Beanie Sigel Home From The Hospital, After Near-Fatal Shooting

Veteran Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC Beanie Sigel was reportedly shot this morning (December 5), and is seriously injured. NBC 10 Philadelphia has reported that the State Property co-founder and onetime Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records star was struck in the stomach by gunfire in at a shore-house in Pleasantville, New Jersey. Reports add... Read more

When Stitched Together, Ludacris’ Ludaverses Is A Sharp Reminder Of Lyrical Prowess (Audio)

For several weeks now, Ludacris has been dropping little tidbits of promotion. "Ludaverses" have been one and two-minute drops of the Atlanta, Georgia mainstay freestyling with tracks. On their own, these nuggets spoke to core DTP fans, especially those wanting to see the Def Jam Records superstar free from concept... Read more

Dipset’s Core 4 Members Are Together, Recording A New Mixtape

2015 marks five years since Cam'ron and Jim Jones laid to rest their differences, and began what has become a slow crawl back to restoring The Diplomats activity. In 2010, the clique was photographed in the studio with Dr. Dre, an artist who had never previously worked with Cam'ron, Jim... Read more

Kool Keith Officially Supports This Limited Edition Dr. Octagon Action Figure

While some Kool Keith fans—including Ice-T—tend to celebrate the Bronx, New Yorker's Ultramagnetic MC's days, a large contingency asserts that Keith's finest work was in fact in the mid-1990s. After all, it was then, in the early days of a solo career, that the lyricist made Sex Style, as well... Read more

Macklemore Gets Deep About Race, White Appropriation, Grammy Awards & His Biggest Mistake (Video)

In addition to all of the great things that happened in music, especially Hip-Hop, for 2014, there have been some uncomfortable moments. As art parallels life, and life parallels art, America witnessed murders, arrests, protests, actions (and non-actions) and other public issues raise the question of racial equality. In Hip-Hop... Read more

Pimp C Remembered On His 41st Birthday By Bun B, Too Short, Paul Wall & More (Video)

Today (December 29), Chad "Pimp C" Butler would have turned 41 years old. Sadly, the UGK icon passed away seven years ago this month from a heart attack. However, even without him in the flesh, the Port Arthur, Texas MC/producer's impact upon music continues to permeate, from Drake and Big... Read more

Do Remember: Shaqueen – Shaqueen Rules (Audio)

From Bumpy Knuckles, to MF DOOM, to NYOIL, Hip-Hop has seen some powerful re-inventive forces with artists. To Heads with deeper knowledge of mid-1990s New York Hip-Hop, Shaqueen certainly comes to mind. In the early 2000s, Shaqueen was reinvented as "Ma Barker," a member of (her spouse) Kool G Rap's... Read more

Black Thought’s Sunglasses Produced In Limited Edition, For A Great Cause

Rappers love sunglasses. But over the last 20 years, has any MC worn shades more consistently than The Roots' Black Thought? The South Philadelphia MC star often dresses the part of a Soul/Jazz band front man, which is exactly what The Roots pull from, in presenting their grooves. Thought (a/k/a... Read more

Witness a Cypher with Kenny Smith, Grant Hill, Ernie Johnson, Shaq & Nicki Minaj (Video)

Nicki Minaj paid a visit to the set of Inside the NBA and the hosts put together a Cypher in her honor. Kenny Smith, Grant Hill and Shaq flexed their skills to varying degrees of success. Kenny, ever the competitor, actually came with some BARS (relatively speaking) and Shaq took... Read more

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Just Dropped The Visual To A Blasphemy Centerpiece (Video)

To understand Blasphemy, "Deliver Us From Evil" is an appropriate starting point. Beyond just some of the finest rapping Ras Kass has displayed in an already-illustrious career, the track deals with organized religion, contradiction, and the themes that made this Mello Music Group a true highlight within 2014. Capturing all... Read more

Bumpy Knuckles Liberates A Pete Rock-Produced Relic With Fresh Rhymes (Audio)

New York City O.G.'s Bumpy Knuckles and Pete Rock made history together on 2000's Industry Shakedown. "Bumpy Knuckles Baby" signaled the name-change, alter-ego from the Freddie Foxxx era. As Pete Rock was amidst his own transition from the Elektra Records era, into a strong solo career, he left the Long... Read more

Pusha T Is Taking Lunch Money, Not Losses (Video)

Pusha T's new Kanye West-produced single "Lunch Money" is simply put, the raw uncut. For the video, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records star took a similar approach. With some dancing intermissions, Pusha tells his tale to a handheld camera, which may be or simply look like an early '90s RCA... Read more

Lupe Fiasco & Nikki Jean Make A Dedication To The Modern Madonnas (Audio)

Ten days from the Christmas holiday, Lupe Fiasco and Nikki Jean release a track that seems to examine the concept of Holy Mothers. Titled, "Madonna [And Other Mothers In The Hood]," this song uses lots of religious and spiritual imagery and lexicon, while chronicling a modern experience of how today's... Read more

Erick Sermon Is Back To Giving Fans Some Green-Eyed Inspiration (Audio)

Erick Sermon stayed largely quiet in 2014. The EPMD co-founder did play Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette, but the Long Island legend largely shunned output this year. In the last two weeks of the year, that suddenly changed with "One Shot." Almost 30 years deep in the game, E-Double offers up... Read more

22 Years Ago Today, Dr. Dre Fired Up The Chronic & We’ve Inhaled Ever Since

Twenty-two years ago today (December 15, 1992), Dr. Dre released The Chronic. Dre's solo debut, after parting ways with N.W.A., also marked the premiere release for Death Row Records, a would-be hundred-million-dollar label he founded with bodyguard-turned-manager Marion "Suge" Knight. Now boasting more than 3,000,000 copies sold, The Chronic may... Read more

Cam’ron Announces Purple Haze 2, Plans To Retire Afterwards

Based on who you ask, Cam'ron's late 2004 album, Purple Haze, is the Harlem, New York MC's best work. The second of Cam's two Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam releases, this gold-certified album featured the Diplomats' General in top lyrical form. Beyond his emerging Dipset collective, the LP featured Roc label-mates Kanye West,... Read more

Ice-T Gives Mobb Deep An Amazing Interview, From Police To Hip-Hop (Audio)

Did you know that Ice-T is one of the biggest Mobb Deep Heads out? The O.G. is a big fan of the M-O-B-B. If you didn't know, it becomes abundantly clear in this recent Final Level Podcast episode (#24). Ice welcomes Prodigy and Havoc into his sponsored podcast. Joined by... Read more

Do Remember: Beanie Sigel, Grand Puba & Sadat X’s Bread & Butter (Audio)

With Beanie Sigel currently in our hearts and on our minds, this week's "Do Remember" seemed fitting to dedicate to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC born Dwight Grant. Following two Top 5 charting albums (2000's The Truth, 2001's The Reason, respectively), Beanie Sigel took a break from the catalog. A gold-certified... Read more

Nipsey Hussle & Rick Ross Enjoy The Perks Of The Spotlight On A Hit-Boy Track (Audio)

Following the precise wordplay and honesty of "50 Niggaz," Nipsey Hussle returns to his (other) form on "1 Hunnit A Show." The sophomore Mailbox Money (December 20) look also incorporates numbers, as the Crenshaw District MC joins Rick Ross on a thumping Hit-Boy track. The two MCs have found fame... Read more