AFH Ambrosia for Heads

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

YG Bangs On Wax With DJ Quik, Mack 10 & Tha Relativez’ Big Wy (Audio)

YG's My Krazy Life, in many ways, feels like a mid-1990s Gangsta Rap album. The CTE/Def Jam Records experience (which YG felt was Grammy-snubbed), combines strong Compton neighborhood talk with storytelling, sex-centric tracks, and honest revelations of an early twenty-something just trying to live. "Bicken Back Bein Bool" is one... 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

50 Cent Remembers Being Afraid In The Early 2000s, Big Ups KRS-One (Video)

Ninety-second interviews would be irrelevant for most people, let alone celebrities or MCs. Somehow, 50 Cent's lucid admissions defy that logic though. Sitting down with HOT 97, 50 Cent uses a minute and a half to speak so bluntly about 2000, when the Queens, New York hopeful was shot multiple... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Explains Who He is Through Verse and Visuals (Video)

Unless you grew up in or regularly visited Southern California, most Heads have not been to the city of Compton. Kendrick Lamar's rise in Hip-Hop brought renewed attention to Hub-City, making it quite different in some ways, and quite the same in others, as portrayed by N.W.A., DJ Quik, MC... Read more

Kurupt Projects Are A Welcomed Treat. Moon Rock Weighs A Ton (Mixtape)

Although Tha Dogg Pound has been enjoying the free music circuit as of late, co-founder Kurupt is a Rap veteran not typically associated with mixtapes. Out of nowhere, Kuruption's Moon Rock hit Earth today. The 23-track free tape features a plethora of new music from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-born, South Central... Read more

Dr. Dre Named Forbes’ Highest Paid Musician Of 2014 (Video)

"Either everything is workin', or you're workin' for everything." - Edo G. Dr. Dre did not release an album in 2014. In fact, Dre's Aftermath Entertainment did not release an album in 2014. However, Forbes estimates that the Compton, California 30-year Hip-Hop veteran made more money than any musician in... Read more

Ludacris Slows Things Down & Joins John Legend In A Personal Revelation (Audio)

Ludacris is not an artist typically associated with being highly-personal. The Atlanta, Georgia superstar has built a career by making smash hits for the club and radio, and executing thoughtful concept albums that rely more on theme than revelation. After taking a hiatus from making a body of solo work,... Read more

Fabolous’ Lituation Is Inspired By A Great King Of New York Scene (Video)

From The Notorious B.I.G. to Schoolly D, Abel Ferrara's 1990 film, King Of New York, had a profound impact on Hip-Hop. The New Line Cinema picture starring Christopher Walken, Laurence Fishburne, and Wesley Snipes captured a style, grit, and era in New York City. In making his The Young O.G.... Read more

Punch Makes A Potent Song About Living Past 25, With Kendrick Lamar On The Hook (Audio)

President Punch of Top Dawg Entertainment has begun transitioning from independent label executive to a thoughtful MC in 2014. No stranger to TDE's pre-Interscope releases of the early 2010s, Punch was part of the ensemble that made albums by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q so potent. His... Read more

Blu’s soul amazing Returns, With A 31-Track Part Four (Album Stream)

For the fourth time in two years, Blu has released a soul amazing collection. Part Four, as it were, includes 31 songs, stemming from a host of projects, well known and otherwise. Those collaborative efforts include work with Black Milk, Nottz, Cunninlynguists, Rapsody, and even a rare Large Professor remix.... Read more

LL Cool J Refutes Battling Jay Z, Talks 2 Types Of Album Styles & Some Amazing Rumors (Audio)

The Combat Jack Show has left Hip-Hop journalism better than they found it in 2014. In the closing weeks of the year, the show invited LL Cool J for what immediately feels like one of the finest sit-downs. At nearly two hours, LL turns towards his devout Hip-Hop fans, his... Read more

Gangrene’s Oh No Makes A Thumping Beat Out Of Nintendo 64 Samples (Video)

Oh No is the next contestant on the Rhythm Roulette platform. Part of Gangrene, blood brother of Madlib, the Oxnard, California producer/MC wanted to do things a little differently for Mass Appeal's series. That said, Oh No The Disrupt goes D.I.T.C., but not in the record crates. Rather, he uses... Read more

DJ Spinna & J. Rocc Cross The Coasts In 2 Separate ’90s Mixes (Audio)

Two veteran masters of the mix are DJ Spinna and J. Rocc. AFH's faithful are quite familiar with J. Rocc, the SoCal spinner who is part of JayLib, The Beat Junkies, and a frequent affiliate with Stones Throw Records. Across the country, in the borough of Brooklyn, DJ Spinna was... Read more

Joell Ortiz Literally Depicts the Crack Spot with His Latest Visuals (Video)

To date, Joell Ortiz' House Slippers glimpses have charted his growth, improved life outlook, and range as an artist. With "Crack Spot," Joell brings Heads back around the corner from the Bodega, where the villains lurk. Following the age-old dope-to-rap metaphor, Jo's visual shows the literal operation, as he kicks... Read more

Ghostface Killah Compares Himself To Martin Scorsese. Here’s Why (Food For Thought Interview)

Speaking about his upcoming eleventh solo album, Ghostface Killah is in his glory. The Staten Island MC is spirited, especially on the subjects of 1980s Rap and 1990s cinema. The day his 36 Seasons was publicly premiered in a full-length NPR Music stream, Ghost speaks to Ambrosia For Heads, and... Read more

J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive Is Something Meaningful, From Jump (Video)

J. Cole is playing with a different sound on his seeming surprise album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive (December 9). Still almost five days removed from release, Jermaine has taken a page from Taylor Swift, using social media to connect with fans, and personally play them this intimate album–at home. Additionally,... Read more

Yasiin Bey On Recent US Events: “We Are At A Watershed Moment For Humanity”

Besides rapping, singing, and acting, Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) is a Spoken Word artist and a self-proclaimed humanitarian. Deliberately out of the spotlight for much of the last five years, Yasiin opted to put his thoughts to audio, surrounding the murders of Michael Brown and Eric Garner (among others),... Read more

DJ Premier Ranks PRhyme Among Best Albums; Royce Da 5’9″ Talks Sobriety Saving His Life (Video Interview)

We are less than one week away from PRhyme (December 9), the self-titled project by the newly-formed group of Royce Da 5'9", DJ Premier, and Adrian Younge. Late last month, in HeadQCourterz Studios, Nickel and Premo sat down with AFH TV to discuss, at length, the album. In the nearly... Read more

Do Remember: Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Big Daddy Kane With Biz Markie’s Erase Racism Video

For anybody with a pulse, this has been a difficult month. Regardless of political views, ethnic background, or age, the lives lost and the protest has been an awakening of the things America needs to address immediately, if we are to be a better, more loving, just, and harmonious nation.... Read more

Lauryn Hill Does an Energetic Rendition Of The Fugees’ Ready Or Not (Video)

Lauryn Hill is not an artist who frequently looks back into her catalog. A solo artist for more than 15 years, following the disbanding of The Fugees, Ms. Hill simply does not need to rely on her vast body of hits from 1996's The Score. However, while performing with an... Read more

Does Inspectah Deck Know His Wu-Tang History Better Than RZA? (Video)

After MTV News asked RZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna about some of the re-purposed Wu-Tang Clan logos over the years, Rob Markman and his team gave the squadron a little bit of a quiz. The questions range between the order of the solo discography, to how many... Read more

Yes-Men & Soft Rap Lovers Are Poked Fun At Featuring PRhyme, Miguel & Lady Of Rage (Video)

Funny Or Die linking with PRhyme doesn't seem too expected. Still, the online video channel knows their Hip-Hop, and in celebration of the new self-titled album by DJ Premier, Royce Da 5'9", and Adrian Younge, they rolled to the studio. Specifically, Funny Or Die appears to be tongue-in-cheek making fun... Read more

DJ Premier Mixes Up A Special Set For Def Jam’s 30th Anniversary (Audio)

In his career, neither DJ Premier nor his group Gang Starr were ever signed to Def Jam Records. However, the HeadQCourterz Studios producer has worked with an arsenal of Def Jam's talent over the years, ranging from Jay Z and Method Man, Ludacris to Kanye West, to Teflon and WC.... Read more

Gemstones Is No Longer In Lupe Fiasco’s Shadow In Tells A Gripping Story (Video)

Between 2006's Food & Liquor and 2007's The Cool, Lupe Fiasco appeared to have one of the most exciting rosters for fledgling talent at 1st & 15th. Between Gemstones (originally as "Gemini") and Matthew Santos on vocals, and Soundtrakk plus Chris & Drop teased ears with unique, grabbing beats. Sadly,... Read more

Pusha T Aims To Stand Out In Rap Monument, Watch Him Lay The Verse (Video)

Noisey's assembly of "Rap Monument" could be one of the more exciting ideas on Hip-Hop's horizon. With more than 30 rappers from all walks of the industry, all corners of the Rap map, and many sub-genres within the umbrella term, this single track stands to be an exciting time capsule... Read more

Royce Da 5’9″, DJ Premier & Adrian Younge Are In Their PRhyme (Album Review)

In what felt like the last days of Underground Hip-Hop, a relative unknown named Royce Da 5’9” teamed with DJ Premier to release a 1999 12” single, “Boom.” Although Game Recordings placed their trademark bikini-clad “Hip-Hop Honey” on the picture cover single, no alluring marketing tools were necessary, as the... Read more

Run The Jewels’ Blitzing Single Hits The Eyes As Hard As The Ears (Video)

Run The Jewels' RTJ2 could be heard on the horizons before it arrived in October. The free Mass Appeal Records album (also available for purchase) rung in from the mountains with cacophonous second single, "Oh My Darling Don't Cry." Killer Mike and El-P's decimation of "F-boys" got real with dazzling... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Members React To Logo Copycats & Tributes (Video)

The "W" has taken on a life of its own over the last 21 years. Wu-Tang Clan's logo design has become not only a legal trademark, but a brand unto itself. From traditional goods like shirts, posters, skullies to mouse-pads, custom-painted Volkswagen Beetles, and a bevy of tattoos, this logo... Read more

Fabolous Sets His Sights On Christmas Day For Digital-Only Album

Now a Roc Nation artist, Fabolous is reportedly departing from his S.O.U.L Tape style of the last few years. The Brooklyn, New Yorker, still backed by Desert Storm/Def Jam gave short notice today that he will release The Young O.G. on December 25. This Christmas day concept was first exercised... Read more

Killer Mike Stands Up For Rap Lyrics, Pens An Op-Ed For USA Today

If Hip-Hop in 2014 needs a "Man of the year," Killer Mike is steadily beckoning nominations. Less than one week after a powerful, heartfelt reaction to a court decision to not indict Ferguson, Missouri Police Department Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of teenager Michael Brown, Killer Mike is taking... Read more

Blu Makes A Trippy Track That Seems Inspired By De La Soul (Audio)

Although he represents a coast across the country from Amityville, Long Island, Blu is definitely a De La Soul disciple. Johnson Barnes' vulnerability, his love of far-reaching concepts, interludes and skits are surely inspired by Posdnuos, Maseo, and Dave (as well as Prince Paul). A lover of Jazz, Funk, and... Read more

Get A Deeper Look At A Joint From M.O.P.’s New EP With Cuts By DJ Premier (Audio)

M.O.P.'s new EP, Street Certified is now available. Within the Nature Sounds-released effort, executive produced by DJ Premier is "Heistmasters (Still At It)." The cut is produced by DJ Skizz (Your Old Droog, O.C., Roc Marciano), with Preem on the cuts. Within, Billy Danze and Lil Fame kick some classic... Read more

Was Kendrick Lamar’s SNL Performance a Tribute to Method Man & ODB? RZA Speaks (Video)

Last week, Kendrick Lamar took the stage on Saturday Night Live and gave an incredibly dynamic performance of his current single, "i." The rendition featured a live band and Kendrick showcasing some of the choreography from the song's video. Strikingly, K.Dot also wore black eye contacts and his hair in... Read more

Ghostface Killah & AZ Challenge The Law In This Vivid Account (Audio)

Ghostface Killah and AZ came up around the exact same time. Both students of the wild '80s, these two New Yorkers carry a love of name-brand image, decadent fashions, and old school attitudes in their touted music. That being said, 'Face and Sosa sound excellent together on "Double Cross." This... Read more

Crooked I’s Intimate Freestyle Chronicles The Formation Of Slaughterhouse (Audio)

Crooked I, or Kxng Crooked as he's now known, is gearing up for his SMH Records debut, Sex, Money & Drugs. To kick things off in style, Crook' takes the stand, under oath, and tells it like it is in this slow, intimate freestyle. Within, he recalls sitting in his... Read more

Rick Ross & Styles P Bum-Rushed The Mainstream With BMF. Reflect On The Hit (Video)

One of the heaviest-hitting records of the 2010s was undoubtedly Rick Ross' "Blowin' Money Fast." Often simply called "B.M.F.," the Styles P-assisted single was believed to be a wink and a nod towards the legendary criminal street organization. However, to many people in 2010 and 2011, it was simply an... Read more

Jeezy Kicks Raps So Cold That He’s The Black Eskimo (Video)

Jeezy's Seen It All: The Autobiography is still making its rounds. The Atlanta, Georgia Trap star directs attentions to the fourth single from his seventh studio LP. "Black Eskimo" is a simple video, employing Jeezy's longstanding love of black&white (perhaps an allusion to the rights and wrongs of the law).... Read more

Your Old Droog Joins Lil Fame, Sean Price & Milano On This Dusty Throwback (Audio)

Aside from a Mac Miller cut ("Sleepers..."), Your Old Droog got on without much vocal assistance. Droog's staple producer DJ Skizz gave him the ultimate cast of hardcore New York MCs on "Hot Breath." The budding sensation is joined by Heltah Skeltah's Sean Price, M.O.P.'s Lil Fame, and even D.I.T.C.... Read more

Rick Ross, Jay Z & Timbaland’s Movin Bass Began As A Tink Song. Hear It (Audio)

Released one week ago, Rick Ross and Jay Z's latest tandem, "Movin' Bass" premiered. This latest collision happened on a jolting Timbaland beat. However, this week suggests that the high-profile union actually began as a beat and song intended for a much lesser-known artist: Tink. Tink is Timbo's latest protege,... Read more

J. Cole Loves His Fans’ Company More Than Their Money (Video)

Less than a month away from his 2014 Forest Hills Drive album, his third LP, J. Cole and The Fader released this intimate look at J. Cole's reasoning behind his Dollar And A Dream Tour. The North Carolina MC/producer seems to be focused heavily on his own small town beginnings.... Read more

Sadat X & Cormega Can Put Their Feet Up After All They’ve Achieved (Video)

After six months in audio, Sadat X & Cormega's "On Fire" video comes to life. Finding the pair of great MCs in luxurious New York City elements, the song celebrates the consistency, pedigree, and popularity of the two artists with history going back to the late '80s. This comes from... Read more

30 Of Your Favorite Rappers Are Getting Together On One Track (Video)

Just days after the Shady cXVpher rattled the Hip-Hop nation, traveling to five locations to film one grandiose, show-stopping cypher, a new trend in Hip-Hop may be on the rise. Noisey/VICE have announced Rap Monument. With a trailer released, this video plans to combine 30 artists in their element, for... Read more

It’s Official. J. Cole is Releasing His Next Album on December 9th (Video)

After listings for a J. Cole album popped up on iTunes and Amazon earlier, rumors spread that the Roc Nation MC was releasing his 3rd major label album on December 9th. Well, it's official. Jermaine has confirmed via Twitter and YouTube that his next album will be called 2014 Forest... Read more

CL Smooth Bobs & Weaves On This Bouncy Shuko Beat (Audio)

CL Smooth is not big on an abundance of appearances. Instead the New Rochelle, New Yorker looks on at Hip-Hop from afar, admiring his contributions, especially those over two revered LPs and an EP with Pete Rock. However, Shuko, the German producer whose beats have sounded great alongside the likes... Read more

If James Brown Were A Rapper In 2014, He’d Sound Like Mystikal On This Funky Number (Audio)

With his own YMCMB debut, Original, on seeming delay, Mystikal has been a bit mysterious since leaving prison. While he's been at work with Mannie Fresh, and made some Rich Gang appearances, the 1990s star and onetime No Limit free agent acquisition is certainly quiet, relatively speaking. Mark Ronson, the... Read more