AFH Ambrosia for Heads

DJ Red Alert Explains How The Bridge Wars Began, Tells His Story (Audio)

Fresh off of DJ Kool Herc's groundbreaking interview with The Combat Jack Show, another Hip-Hop pioneer is profiled extensively. Kool DJ Red Alert is Combat's guest this week. The Harlem, New York native (not Bronx, as often reported) opens up about his career trajectory, the radio wars evolving into "The... Read more

Ras Kass Salutes The O.G.’s Of Hip-Hop (Video)

Southern California veteran Ras Kass celebrates his 20-plus-year run in "So OG." As the West Coast Rap mainstay reminisces over a laid-back lavish beat, several critical figures of the 1990s Hip-Hop scene appear in the form of VHS footage. This gives the viewer the impression they are watching a Rap... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 5): Rakim vs. Mos Def…Who You Got?

With just 11 MCs remaining we have reached the critical Round 5 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only five match-up's—all running this week—separate Round 5 from the final six MCs, including Round 4 bye winner Big Daddy Kane. Since the elimination,... Read more

GQ & Locksmith Drive Rhymes From The Backseat Of A Lyft (Video)

In the latest installment of the increasingly popular "HipHopLyft" series, Bay Area MCs Locksmith and GQ (of Jamla Records) drop conscious gems in freestyle form as they are driven around the streets of San Francisco. The two spitters both represent Team BackPack, a musical conglomerate that is dedicated to connecting... Read more

Sean Price Shows True Grit In His Latest Freestyle (Audio)

Sean Price releases a track where he collaborates (again) with the veteran DJ PF Cuttin (Blahzay Blahzay) in his latest freestyle, "Garbanzo Beans." Another name for "chickpeas" Sean P pummels his bars, making hummus out of this one. The Brooklyn MC definitely demonstrates his strength and prowess lyrically on the... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Nas vs. Black Thought…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH's bracket-style series towards... Read more

Finding The GOAT: What We’ve Learned So Far & Why No MC is Safe

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 21 contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in Round 3 will get a bye in Round... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Game vs. Ludacris…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

Rodney Hazard, DANSE & King Mean Glimpse Into Victim Volunteer (Video)

Following his four-part, "Learn From Legends" interview-advice series, emerging producer Rodney Hazard releases video, “Two Lanes” featuring DANSE and King Mean. The Brooklyn, New York natives are seen going off during a live showcase, and looking the lens dead on, delivering their bars over Rodney's beat. The shotbythethird-directed visual is off... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Big Daddy Kane vs. Kool G Rap…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Black Thought vs. Beanie Sigel…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Keep An Eye Out For Raz Simone And The Rest Of “Them” (Video)

It appears that Raz Simone is gearing up for 2015 to be his true coming out party. Powerful and intuitive, Raz stacks content chocked full of social and cultural commentary within incredibly insightful track work, including his recent, "Drake & Macklemore's Platform" and "Macklemore & Chief Keef." To add to... Read more

Kanye West Says His Next Album Returns To Music, Opens Up About Class, Religion & Dame Dash (Video)

A lover of surprises, Kanye West popped in on The Breakfast Club this morning (February 20), and the superstar sat in the hot seat for nearly an hour. In a particularly light mood (especially compared to his November 2013 visit), 'Ye takes any and all questions—including some penetrating inquiries from... 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

88-Keys Has Helped Shape Sounds For Q-Tip, Kanye West & Black Star, Here’s His Story (Audio)

Whether he's breaking ground with artists like Theophilus London with "Can't Stop," putting heat down for Jay Z & Kanye West's Watch The Throne album or helping architect songs that remain heavy in conversation after more than 15 years (see: Black Star "Thieves In The Night") 88-Keys' production credits make him... Read more

Random New Yorkers Recite Raunchy Sean Price Lyrics for Valentine’s Day (Video)

It's been 10 years since Heltah Skeltah's Ruck redefined himself with Monkey Barz. The Brownsville, Brooklyn MC went for broke (quite literally, as he tells it), and made a low-budget album that Heads loved. With production by 9th Wonder, Khrysis, "8-Off" Agallah, and others Monkey Barz may have missed the... Read more

Maestro Fresh Wes & Rich Kidd Unite The Toronto Hip-Hop Scene (Video)

Toronto's Hip-Hop scene has been making some noise lately, with Drake skipping the Grammy Awards to host a King Of The Dot battle-rap event, and now Maestro Fresh Wes and Rich Kidd releasing a new music video for "Born In Toronto". For those who don't know, Maestro Fresh Wes is... Read more

A Hungry Rapper Steps To Kanye West Looking For A Deal & Might Get A Job (Video)

Last May, on the streets of New York, an aspiring rapper pushed through the masses and tried to rap for Kanye West on the sidewalk, with entourage in tow, headed home for the night. To the surprise of many, 'Ye not only listened, he complimented the assertive hopeful. Nearly a... Read more

Ras Kass Joins His Twin Sons, Davincci & SKAM2? For A Nonstop Bar Salute To J Dilla (Audio)

In honor of J Dilla's annual birthday weekends celebration(s), Ras Kass is one artist who joined in on the tributes. Running in some of the same circles back in the late '90s and 2000s, emerging MC Davincci laced "Dilla," a sharp-tongued salute to James Yancey with one of his bouncing... Read more

D’Angelo & The Vanguard Perform Really Love & The Charade on SNL (Video)

This season of SNL has featured a parade of Funk. Prince tore down the stage in November and Mark Ronson & Bruno Bars kept it hot a couple of weeks later. Now, D'Angelo takes the stage with his multi-piece band The Vanguard. D performed his smoothed out single "Really Love,"... Read more

Want to Hear Snippets of Run the Jewels’ Remix Project? Cat Got Your Tongue? (Video)

Is there any musical act bolder than Run the Jewels? In just two short years, the lethal combination of El-P and Killer Mike, has established itself as one of the most innovative, risk-taking and hard-hitting musical acts...in any genre. Their music is dark and aggressive, without sacrificing melody. Their lyrics... Read more

Ever See These Big L, O.C. and Lord Finesse Freestyles? Get Down with D.I.T.C. (Video)

D.I.T.C. The name stood for Diggin' in the Crates, in part because of the membership of acclaimed producers like Diamond D, Showbiz and Buckwild, but make no mistake, the crew was also about those BARS. Here's a look back at some vintage interviews of Big L and Lord Finesse, two... Read more

Detroit Vs. Everybody: How One City Staged a Hip-Hop Takeover (Editorial)

Detroit, Michigan is historically, a fighter’s city. The sharp elbows of the Bad Boy-era Pistons, the unbreakable spirit of the autoworkers through the decline of the industry’s bountifulness, and the cold, harsh conditions of everyday life make for the Great Lakes State to be rugged, never smooth. In the context... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): MCA vs. Slick Rick…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

DMX is Returning with a New Album…And It’s Coming Next Week

DMX has announced he's releasing his eighth studio album and it's coming next week (January 13th). After starting off at a torrid pace, releasing his first three albums in three months, X's output has slowed a bit over the years, with his last album, Undisputed, coming over two years ago.... Read more

Stream and Download More Than 35 of the Best Mixtapes of 2014 (Mixtapes)

2014 was a year of incredibly diverse mixtape offerings. There were amazing blend projects like Yasiin Gaye which combined Mos and Marvin, beat-jacking tapes like Jon Connor's amazing takeover of Kanye West tracks, albums in disguise like Travi$ Scott's Days Before Rodeo, remix wonders like Soul Cookin's complete re-imagination of... Read more

Finding the GOAT: Pick The Final Legendary Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Wale Says Life is a Chess Match. Are You a King or a Pawn? (Audio)

Wale has a mixtape called Festivus coming tomorrow (12/22). By the sounds of his new song "The Chess Match," the MMG soldier, like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T. and others in his peer group, is going to a new depth of substantive lyrics. In little over a minute, Wale... Read more

Finding the GOAT: Pick Another ’90s Great Wild Card For Round 2?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Finding the GOAT: Who is Your Wildcard Pick for Round 2?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... 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

Action Bronson & Danny Brown Bring The Bad News On An Alchemist Jam (Audio)

Traditionally, Action Bronson favors retro-styled production, whether it's the dusty loops of Tommy Mas or the hazy '60s psychedelia of Party Supplies. Close affiliate and Rare Chandeliers collaborator Alchemist has a style all of his own, but has provided sounds somewhere in the middle. For the GTA V game, which... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Mac Miller vs. ScHoolboy Q…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Big L vs. Fat Joe…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Funk Volume Turns Up With Fresh, Thoughtful Dizzy Wright & Hopsin Freestyles (Videos)

Funk Volume continues to dig in their foot-hold in the Hip-Hop game. While Hopsin and Dizzy Wright are polar opposites in many ways, they both uphold this time-tested truth: say somethin' when you touch the microphone. Stopping through Tim Westwood's London booth at the BBC, each MC blazes up with... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Slick Rick vs. Shock G…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Pulp Fiction, Still Cool, Compelling & Game-Changing 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

Twenty years ago today (October 14), the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction opened in theaters. The film starring a Hollywood re-tread (John Travolta), a character actor (Samuel L. Jackson), and a relative unknown (Umma Thurman), as well as a host of other actors, would go on to become an icon... Read more

Hear A Rare Masta Ace Track From 1987 (Audio)

For more than 25 years, Masta Ace has been a "Music Man." Back in 1988, Brownsville, Brooklyn's master storyteller appeared on the archetypal posse cut, Marley Marl's "The Symphony," alongside his Juice Crew cohorts. However, the would-be star of Masta Ace Inc. and The EMC was cutting records in Marley's... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Raekwon vs. Black Thought…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Finding The GOAT: CL Smooth vs. Posdnuos…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Yelawolf Flexes A Very New Sound On His Love Story First Single (Audio)

Yelawolf's hard at work on his third studio solo album, Love Story. In addition to a new look and the motorcycles in lieu of Caprices, the recording for this album has paralleled some personal growth, including an engagement, a return to his Classic Rock roots, and a healthy avoidance of... Read more

20 Amazing Hip-Hop Projects From 2014, So Far (Videos)

2014 is entering its fourth quarter. As a whole, the year has seen some amazing musical developments in Hip-Hop. Mainstream artists like Common, The Roots, and Rick Ross (coincidentally, all Def Jam Records acts) have made statement albums, adding to respected and evolved catalogs. Veterans such as Cormega, Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pharoahe Monch & More Remember J. Dilla As He Enters The Smithsonian

Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey recently sat down with The Huffington Post to discuss her son, the late J. Dilla, and his recent enshrinement into The Smithsonian alongside his signature beat making equipment. m, In it, the affectionately nicknamed Ma Dukes highlighted their musically inclined family, his early experiences with instruments,... Read more

MC Tree & Lennon Grace Us With Some Chicago Grown Soul-Trap (Video)

From it's burgeoning "drill" scene fostered by the likes of Chief Keef, to the rise of Save Money's Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa, and the continued success of the city's all-stars including Common, Kanye, and the like, Chicago is relentless as a hotbed for Hip-Hop. One such member of... Read more

Pro Era Uncovers Unreleased Music From The Late Capital STEEZ (Audio)

Retro samples from MF Doom's "?" and retro flows from the late Capital STEEZ and Jakk Tha Rhymer, who began their rapping careers as the group 3rd Kind in 2009, hit the airwaves in the form of the track, "Shooting Stars." STEEZ's bars have been cleaned up for the single,... Read more

Cormega Breaks Down Themes Of Mega Philosophy, Solidifying Legacy, & Addresses Flow (Food For Thought Interview)

In Phoebe Hoban's biography, Basquiat: A Quick Killing In Art, the New York painter is remembered, at the pinnacle of his fame, hiring stretch limousines, and riding around Manhattan self-medicating and watching cartoons—alone in the back. He yearned for the world around him, but only could experience it on his... Read more

These Days… Ab-Soul Is Aiming For Album Of 2014 Status (Album Stream)

Ab-Soul heats years up. Two years and a month after #ControlSystem, the Carson, California MC returns with another independent release given away for free stream, in These Days... The "Black lipped pastor" of Black Hippy bypasses traditional promotional strategies, and lets the lyrics come first. These Days... is an expanded... Read more

Read 2Pac’s 1995 Letter From Prison To Public Enemy’s Chuck D

In September 1995, Tupac Shakur was in New York's Clinton Correctional Facility, with less than a month remaining on a sexual assault conviction, stemming from 1993. Maintaining that he was innocent of the accusations against him, 'Pac rallied in his year leading up to the sentencing, while working hard at... Read more

Game Means Everything He Said In Bigger Than Me, Cause He Filmed It (Video)

What could've been dismissed as yet another "feeling myself in the booth" moment, Game's "Bigger Than Me" is bigger than that. The Compton star visioned the song as a single, with a Matt Alonzo-directed visual as deliberate and dramatic as the bars themselves. Themed in Horror-style, Game chainsaws his way... Read more

AK of The Underachievers Proves Why He’s A “Winner” (Audio)

AK, one half of the New York duo The Underachievers, releases the cut "Winner" as a gift to his fans and to celebrate the artist's upcoming birthday (June 13). Cloud like, ambient production from The unKKKnown cushion AK's lyrical dissection, boasting bars of a mic manipulation and features elegant vocals... Read more