AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Your Old Droog Is A Throwback. It’s Only Right He Freestyles On Camcorder. (Video)

Your Old Droog is a brilliant time machine back to a place in Hip-Hop and New York City associated with the 1990s. The Brooklyn, New Yorker uses a slang, conjures images, and favors beats that very much align with a mid-1990s movement heard in Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and Gang Starr... Read more

KRS-One Apologizes to LL Cool J For Dissing Him, With A Detailed Freestyle (Video)

On Saturday night (November 21), KRS-One performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In a concert joined by Rakim, Ras Kass, Domingo, DJ JS-1, and others, KRS was filmed (by Akil Esoon) as he welcomed a fan to the stage to perform some rhymes. That fan, dressed in a white track-suit and matching... Read more

Def Diggin’ It. Redman & Lord Finesse Kick A Freestyle Together (Audio)

Following last month's BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, so many people are talking about Redman's freestyle skills. Tech N9ne told AFH this past week that Reggie Noble "murdered everything" in regards to the Beanie Sigel instrumental track, alongside Def Squad comrades Erick Sermon and Keith Murray, as well as DJ... Read more

D12 Discuss Their History With Eminem, Battle Rap, Their New Mixtape & Freestyle (Video)

D12 is an appropriate guest for a Halloween week edition of Sway In The Morning. Swifty McVay, Bizarre, and Kuniva swung through the kick it with Sway Calloway and Heather B, for what is one of the Dirty Dozen's best interviews. In celebration of their upcoming Devil's Night Mixtape (October... Read more

Relive The Game-Changing Moments & Freestyles Of Stretch & Bobbito’s Show (Audio)

Yesterday (October 25) marked an even 25 years since DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber first took airwaves together. Beginning on that date in 1990, their Columbia University WKCR radio show would eventually change the sound and faces of Hip-Hop, thanks to major introductions of talent–including Nas, Big L... Read more

Gang Starr Hit Yo! MTV Raps Amidst Their 1994 Mass Appeal, With A Freestyle (Video)

Throughout the history of Gang Starr, there were a host of important albums and movements. In the late 1990s, Guru and DJ Premier went gold (with a Top 10) in Moment Of Truth, gathering the award tour of a much-deserved greatest hits look follow-up, Full Clip. A decade prior, it... Read more

Freestyle Aside, Eminem Dropped “Infinite” Jewels On Sway (Audio)

Last week, Eminem stormed the Sway In The Morning show, throwing Southpaw promotion, and delivering one T.K.O. of a freestyle. However, there was a whole hour of the diamond-certified-selling MC at Sway, and Heads may have missed the rare interview. What makes the interview especially notable is the superstar went... Read more

DJ Quik & Hi-C Remix Rihanna With A Flair For The Early 1990s (Audio)

Rapper/producer DJ Quik released his own remix of Rihanna's latest single with longtime friend and collaborator Hi-C. The two West Coast natives are remembered for being part of the movement of the same name for Rihanna's most recent record. Quik and C are now back together to do a little... Read more

King Los Rips What May Be the Best Freestyle of the Year…Off the Top (Video)

King Los has been responsible for some of the best freestyle moments of the last several years. Just as Supernatural, J.U.I.C.E., Eminem, Crooked I, and Canibus helped certify The Wake Up Show in the 1990s, the Baltimore, Maryland MC legitimized Sway's latest platform with off-the-top bars that drove clicks, interest,... Read more

Styles P Shows His Love for the West Coast on His Latest Freestyle (Audio)

In a game where MC's regularly stick their necks out to prove their talents to the rest of the competition, Hip-Hop can be an unforgiving, constant grind. Styles P is one of those MCs who has stood the test of time and continues to drop quality lyricism as a potent,... Read more

Emilio Rojas Releases a Freestyle Packed With Knowledge and Unfiltered Social Commentary (Audio)

There have been a ton of 90s freestyles of late (perhaps too much), but none like this. Emilio Rojas has released a powerhouse social commentary over The Geto Boys' "Mind Playing Tricks On Me." Just as Scarface did on the original, Rojas digs deep to speak candidly about issues most... Read more

Styles P’s Friday Freestyles Borrow Beats From Redman and Kendrick Lamar (Audio)

Styles P continues his Friday double feature freestyles. This week's installments find him taking on beats from a recent Kendrick Lamar release and a vintage Redman throwback. On "Ghost Night," he carries on the recent tradition of covering 90s classics, borrowing Redman's "Tonight's Da Night," from 1992's Whut? Thee Album.... Read more

Fabolous & DJ Clue Compile Friday Freestyles With Plenty Of Bonus Songs (Mixtape)

In the last five years, few high-profile MCs have used the free-mixtape format as effectively as Fabolous. He's gone retail too, but the Brooklyn, New York star is gifted in assembling material aimed at his core fans, in between his mainstream-tinged albums and features. Never one to shy away from... Read more

Stream More Than 6 Hours Of DJ Premier’s Mid-’90s Radio Show (Mix)

Between Gang Starr's 1994 album Hard To Earn and 1998's Moment Of Truth, Guru and DJ Premier still stayed incredibly busy. Together, the band-mates would produce enduring albums by proteges Jeru The Damaja, Group Home, and Bahamadia. Guru would release a second volume of Jazzmatazz, while Preemo would provide iconic... Read more

Hear Rakim Rarities, Pete Rock Freestyles From 1996 Future Flavors Set (Mix)

Just like in the late 1980s, Marley Marl and Pete Rock transmitted dopeness into radio waves in much of the 1990s. The Juice Crew founder and The Chocolate Boy Wonder brought their ear for excellence and supreme Rap mixing skills to airwaves for the HOT 97 Future Flavors radio show.... Read more

Ever See This Vintage Slick Rick Freestyle With Rahzel On The Beatbox? (Video)

Here's a look back at a vintage freestyle by Slick Rick the Ruler, accompanied by human beatbox extraordinaire and Roots-affiliate, Rahzel. The clip is from a promo campaign for an MTV Hip-Hop week that looks to have taken place in the late 90s. Rick is "fresh dressed like a million... Read more

Jadakiss Is Out To Top Everybody On The Throwback Freestyle Circuit (Audio)

Jadakiss continues to light up Fridays, handing Heads more than a paycheck with his freestyles. As L.O.X./D-Block partner Styles P is in the thick of it, Jada' clearly is out to shine in a classic of throw-back minded players including Fabolous (who recently tackled a LOX joint), Tony Yayo, and... Read more

From the 70s to the 90s…There’s No Beat Styles P Can’t Wreck (Audio)

Styles P continues his streak of weekly freestyle with a double feature. "Give Me Your Ghost" features Styles flowing over Curtis Mayfield's ultra-soulful "Give Me Your Love" from the Superfly soundtrack. Ghost sounds right at home over Mayfield's laid back groove. For the 2nd release of the day (third if... Read more

Lloyd Banks Perfectly Matches The Pharcyde’s Flow on His Passin’ Me By Freestyle (Audio)

Lloyd Banks has released some of the best freestyles of the month, but he's outdone himself with the latest. Banks picks The Pharcyde's seminal "Passin' Me By" track, produced by J-Swift, and perfectly mimics the flows and cadences of multiple members of the group. As the G-Unit member tailors his... Read more

Lloyd Banks Drops a Killer Freestyle on a Vintage Dr. Dre Beat (Audio)

Of the many 90s Hip-Hop freestyles over the last few weeks, Lloyd Banks has released some of the best. After tackling classics by Black Moon and Raekwon, Banks sets his sights to the Left Coast and unleashes a powerhouse verse over the "Serial Killa" track Dr. Dre produced for Snoop... Read more

No 90s Beat is Safe. Tony Yayo Sparks Up Channel Live (Audio)

While it's fairly common in Hip-Hop for MCs to jack each other for beats, the practice is usually directed at the hot track of the moment. Last year, songs like Drake's "0 to 100," Troy Ave's "All About the Money" and Bobby Schmurda's "Hot N*gga" were all regular targets. However,... Read more

Freestyle Fellowship Are Often Revered As MC Innovators. They Still Push The Envelope (Audio)

Los Angeles, California's Freestyle Fellowship is a legendary outfit. Although it really never showed up in sales, and only sporadically in critical acclaim the collective including Aceyalone, Myka 9, Self Jupiter, and P.E.A.C.E. are among Rap's greatest MC innovators. Their leading role in The Good Life Cafe in South Central... Read more

Ever See This Show-Stopping Rakim Freestyle? (Video)

Imagine you're in a crowd on the street witnessing one of the greatest MCs of all-time unleashing a vintage verse. What would you do? If that MC's name was Rakim, you would probably join in the chant of "Go Ra" with those others fortunate enough to witness the event, creating... Read more

Styles P Calls In A Ghost Attack With 2 New Freestyles (Audio)

For the second consecutive weekend, Styles P refuses to go quietly. Following last week's "Still Bangin' Freestyle," the Yonkers, New York blesses some industry beats with his street-tested wisdom. Dropping two Friday efforts, "Ghost Pills" adds the D-Block touch to Nicki Minaj's "Pills N Potions." "Bad Ass Ghost" is a... Read more

Ever See This Big Daddy Kane Freestyle with Biz Markie Beatboxing? (Video)

The history between Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie runs deep. As Cold Chillin' Records label-mates, the two were featured on some classic collaborations in the late 80s and early 90s, including "Just Rhymin' with Biz" and "Erase Racism." They also did countless shows together during this period and a... Read more

There’s Not Much To Show For K-Solo’s Time On Death Row…Except This Rare Freestyle With Kurupt (Audio)

By mid-1996, Suge Knight's record label started calling themselves "The New & Untouchable Death Row Records." From 12" singles to posters, the branding was widespread—especially on the label's (first, of way too many) Greatest Hits compilations. Inside the double-album compilation's inserts, Heads saw the expanded roster of the reigning Rap... Read more

Here Are the Best Freestyles of 2014. Nothing. But. BARS (Video)

Contrary to popular belief, a freestyle does not have to be an "off the top" verse, at least according to Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee, if you take them as credible sources. Says Kool Moe Dee in his book, There's a God on the Mic: "There are two... Read more

Finding the GOAT: Pick Yet 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

Raekwon Slices Off A Piece Of The New Dej Loaf Single In A Freestyle (Audio)

Chef Raekwon is far from resigned in giving Heads some mid-week freestyle looks. While it was '70s, '80s, and '90s Pop-R&B earlier in the calendar, Rae' is now about the hot street records from new voices. After he and Ghostface Killah gave Troy Ave the nod, Shallah takes aim at... Read more

Ras Kass’ Razor Sharp Freestyle Streak Continues… (Video)

Ras Kass is moving like its the '90s again. In the splashing wake of Blasphemy (with producer Apollo Brown), Rap's answer to Vincent Van Gogh throws some verbal paint on Toca Tuesdays, with a cocky freestyle. What else would you expect from the sharp-tongued vet? Related: Ras Kass Flips A... Read more

Ras Kass Flips A Classic Jay Z Lyric On Its Head In A Masterful Freestyle (Video)

Mello Music Group has been around for almost a decade. After acclaimed involving O.C., Oddisee, and Planet Asia, the just-released Blasphemy by Ras Kass & Apollo Brown seems to be reaching the furthest into the industry, just days in. After stopping through the "106 & Park" Backroom, Ras Kass appears... Read more

RZA Freestyles Out Of The Blue During An Interview, Talks Battling Inspectah Deck (Video)

So MTV News opted to ask RZA about reported battles during the Wu-Tang Clan studio sessions for next month's A Better Tomorrow. The Abbott revealed that in a particular moment with Inspectah Deck, both RZA and Rebel INS turned to their phone files to pull out some rhymes and verses... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Says He’s Bringin’ Brooklyn Back In A Tony Touch Freestyle (Video)

Some things just make sense. If Joey Bada$$ was around, in the industry, in the late '90s, he would have sounded right and exact on Tony Touch cassette tapes. The Taino Turntable Terrorist and the Pro Era front-man linked on Toca Tuesdays. On a loop-based beat made famous by Lootpack... Read more

Doo Wop Features A New DJ Premier & Tony Touch Joint, Freestyles From Cory Gunz, Termanology & Planet Asia (Mixtape)

Legendary game-changing DJ, Doo Wop has always been vocal. The New Yorker, who boasts being a longtime member of both Bounce Squad and Flip Squad DJ's has rapped alongside Tony Touch (Diaz Brothers), toured the world with the late Guru, and made a host of certified classic mixtapes in the... Read more

Mayhem Lauren Tears Down Two Ultra-Rare Vintage 1994 Buckwild Beats With Freestyles (Audio)

Throughout the just-released Silk Pyramids album, Queens' Mayhem Lauren ripped through some timeless Buckwild production on their shared bill. For two bonus cuts on the limited edition vinyl, 'Hem got to touch two rare Buck' (pictured) beats from the mid-1990s. Claiming freestyle, Mayhem went all the way in, in true... Read more

Look Back To An Ill 1998 Future Flavas Freestyle From The Last Days Of A Tribe Called Quest (Audio)

Heads may remember the late '90s, early 2000s HOT 97 "Future Flavas" radio show hosted by Marley Marl and Pete Rock. In the glory days of underground Hip-Hop, this show bridged the gap between old school and emerging greats, with two legends on the boards, transmitting to the tri-state. This... Read more

Biggie Smalls, Suge Knight, Puff Daddy, Snoop Dogg In The Same Room In The Early ’90s? Check The Tapes (Video)

Much has been written, speculated, and sadly, testified in the rift between Bad Boy Records and Death Row Records in the mid-to-late 1990s. While Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. were once friends and collaborators, Heads often fail to realize that prior to the 1995 Source Awards, things were not... Read more

Prodigy Kicks A Funkmaster Flex Freestyle Over An Odd Future Gem (Video)

Mobb Deep's Prodigy has made millions off of his verses, for over 20 years. The Queens MC/author stopped by Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 show 19 years after both Mobb members appeared on the gold-certified 60 Minutes Of Funk, Vol. 1. The self-proclaimed H.N.I.C. appears to come off the dome, with... Read more

Grand Daddy I.U. Still Talks Slick In This P.I.M.P. Freestyle (Audio)

Cold Chillin' Records was the label home to the Juice Crew, and all the individual stars like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, early Masta Ace, Biz Markie, and Roxanne Shante. "Fly" Ty Williams' label was also home to GZA (as the Genius) and Grand Daddy I.U.... Read more

Lord Finesse – Heavyweights Radio Freestyle (Video)

Lord Finesse drops a super quick off the top verse over Brand Nubian's Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down track. Check out the video. Related: Lord Finesse – Fat for the 90′s ft AG (Original Version) + No Gimmicks ft KRS-One... Read more

20 Years Ago Black Star Released A Gold Standard For Hip-Hop (Audio)

Twenty years ago today (September 29, 1998), Mos Def and Talib Kweli joined forces and waved the Black Star flag courtesy of an incredible album. Time-tested, that same flag is forever planted in ears, hearts, and consciousness of so many Hip-Hop Heads. After two decades, Mos Def & Talib Kweli... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of May 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of May in Hip-Hop brought the return of some MCs who had been gone for a while and a return to form for some who sought renewed inspiration. There were a slew of 90s freestyles, as well as some previously unreleased tracks that leaked from the vaults. Whatever... Read more

Fabolous Takes On Another Nas Classic And Smashes It (Audio)

After rhyming over It Was Written's "Black Girl Lost," Fabolous re-ups his 90s freestyles series with another Nas classic. This time, he takes on the Pete Rock-produced Illmatic staple, "The World Is Yours." Updating the track with up to the minute references like Derrick Rose's now infamous stoic pose (as... Read more

Fabolous Needs to Do an Album With Havoc. Listen to Him WRECK This Mobb Deep Track (Audio)

Over the last several weeks, there have been a slew of artists dropping freestyles over classic 90s Hip-Hop beats, but Fabolous has been the author of some of the very best. Two weeks ago, he set the internet on fire with is explosion over Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones Pt. II."... Read more

Snoop Dogg & DJ Premier Recall Making The Final Gang Starr Song, An MC Eiht Battle (Video)

Snoop Dogg's GGN interview series is reaching that whole other level. Tha Doggfather welcomes DJ Premier to the guest seat. Snoop and Premo, who have worked together a number of times, still find a way to unearth some really grabbing stuff here. Going back to the final Gang Starr album,... Read more

Want To Hear Unreleased Dopeness From When Death Row & Rap-A-Lot Were Tight? (Audio & Video)

Despite the fact that Rap-A-Lot Records was born in Houston, Texas and Death Row Records was founded by two men from Compton, California, there's been a lot of cross-over. In the mid-1990s, Death Row artists like 2Pac, Danny Boy, and Tha Dogg Pound were cleared to appear on Rap-A-Lot releases,... Read more

Redman’s New Verse Reminds He’s A Top Storyteller

Despite going over eight years without a new album, Redman stays incredibly active. During 2023, the Def Squad MC showered fans with a series of great video freestyles to top-notch beats. He also paid a Def Jam Records homage to a Slick Rick catalog classic and put in work with... Read more

Griselda Has Made A G-Funk Mixtape Inspired By The Chronic

In the late 1980s, Dr. Dre and N.W.A. led a movement that put Compton, California on the map for Rap fans. Dre and his crew described a place with vivid detail—from its hard-nosed reputation to the perils of life in the street. That movement ultimately propped the door for artists... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Turned Down A $1 Million Death Row Deal

In the mid-1990s, Big Daddy Kane was a free agent. After nearly a decade releasing music through Cold Chillin' Records and its Warner Bros. distributor, the Brooklyn, New York lyricist was a talent for hire. In 1994, he had released a sole MCA Records LP, Daddy's Home, featuring involvement with... Read more

Page Kennedy Makes A Song So Real It Hurts

For more than six years, Detroit, Michigan MC Page Kennedy has been making noise. A purebred MC, Page embodied a pivot to Hip-Hop. The actor from S.W.A.T., Weeds, Blue Mountain State, and countless other roles began releasing albums with 2017's Torn Pages, and his Straight Bars mixtape series. He made... Read more