AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Black Thought, Redman, Doug E. Fresh & More Lead the 2015 Hip Hop Awards Cyphers

Last night (October 9), the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards were taped at Atlanta, Georgia's Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. Hosted by "Uncle" Snoop Dogg, the annual affair honored Scarface with the "I Am Hip Hop Award," and handed out trophies to Rap and R&B's brightest and best. For TV... Read more

Redman, Keith Murray & Erick Sermon Have a Hip Hop Awards Cypher

The BET Hip Hop Awards are taking place tonight (10/9) in Atlanta, and will air on Tuesday, October 13 at 8pm. This year's event is once again being hosted by Uncle Snoop Dogg, and Scarface will be presented the "I Am Hip Hop" Award, honoring his 25-year legacy. As always,... Read more

Ever See This Run-D.M.C. & Whodini Cypher From 1985? (Video)

The year was 1985 and Whodini and Run-D.M.C. were speaking at a seminar. All six members--Run, D and Jam Jam Master Jay for Run-D.M.C., and Jalil, Ecstasy and Grandmaster Dee for Whodini--were present and seated together at a table. Not one to waste an opportunity with a microphone, Jalil decided... Read more

Here Is a Previously Unreleased Sean Price Cypher & A Way to Help His Family (Video)

As the Hip-Hop world still processes the shocking and tragic loss of Sean Price over the weekend, tributes to the Heltah Skeltah co-founder, Boot Camp Clik member and all-around dope MC, are starting to surface. Sean P has already been immortalized by a mural in his hometown of Brooklyn by... Read more

Ever See This Big Pun & Terror Squad Cypher in the Back of a Limo? (Video)

Here's a look back at a behind the scenes moment with Big Pun, Prospect and Cuban Link from Terror Squad, and Charlie Hustle. In an experience that was much like a true to life segment from Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the Wu-Tang Clan: 36 Chambers, the crew was in the back... Read more

Ever See This 1999 Cypher With 50 Cent, Consequence, Punchline & N.O.R.E.? (Video)

Here's a look back at a behind the scenes, true Hip-Hop moment between N.O.R.E., Consequence, Punchline and 50 Cent. The four MCs were gathered in 1999 and launched into an impromptu cypher over a Trackmasters instrumental. This was notably before 50 Cent's 2000 shooting and showcases his delivery without the... Read more

Here’s a Cypher Between Nas & De La Soul From 1996 (Audio)

Tim Westwood digs in his massive vault and pulls out a 1996 freestyle featuring Nas and De La Soul. In an 11-minute cypher amongst true MCs, they pass the mic, trading verses, all off the top. Notably, this is well after each artist was firmly established, with De La Soul... Read more

Joell Ortiz, CyHi The Prynce & Jarren Benton Serve a Cypher for the Backpackers (Video)

Three animated lyricists come together for Team Backpack's latest cypher. Joell Ortiz, CyHi The Prynce, and Jarren Benton all have recent projects to promote. However, on stage together before a hungry, live audience, it's all about simply promoting skills. Jarren kicks things off with a mischievous mosaic of bars, combining... Read more

Ever See This Rare Cypher With Tupac and Warren G Over a Classic Dr. Dre Beat? (Video)

Here's a look back at some amazing footage of Tupac, Warren G, Big Syke and Richie Rich holding a spur of the moment cypher in the studio, over the "Gz and Hustlas" track Dr. Dre produced for Snoop's Doggystle LP. Tupac and Warren G are the more commonly known of... Read more

Ever See This Cypher With Snoop, Kurupt, Daz, Nate Dogg and Dr. Dre? (Video)

Ain't nuthin' like a gangsta party...Here's a look back at an amazing studio moment from The Chronic era. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Kurupt and Daz conduct a crazy off the top cypher, with Dr. Dre holding down the melody on a piano and Nate Dogg in the background with the vocals.... Read more

Chris Rivers, Grandmaster Caz & More Bridge Generations in a Cypher w/ R.A. The Rugged Man (Video)

R.A. The Rugged Man is gearing up to go on his Shoot Me In The Head Tour, but before heading out, he did a show at SOB's in New York City and brought out an all-star cast to join him in a cypher on stage. The cypher bridged together generations... Read more

Ever See This Early 90s 8-Minute Wu-Tang Clan Cypher? You Should…(Video)

When rhymes are razor sharp, there's no need for a track, a beat or even a hand clap. Wu-Tang Clan make that abundantly clear in this eight minute, a cappella cypher from their days in the early 90s. Video Fusion caught up with The Clan in what looks to be... Read more

Ever See This Cypher Between Tupac, Grand Puba and Treach? (Video)

Back in 1992, before the East Coast/West Coast beef was in full effect, Treach, Tupac and Grand Puba found themselves together backstage and decided to have an impromptu cipher. The moment was caught on tape and has made the rounds over the years, but it's still amazing to see the... Read more

Ever See This Cypher with MC Lyte, ATCQ, GURU, Wu-Tang Clan, CL Smooth, KRS-One & More (Video)

The second iteration of Arsenio Hall's show left the air quietly, after an announcement just weeks before that the show had been renewed. However, it was a very different story the first time Arsenio parted ways with the airwaves. After five years of providing one of the only platforms on... 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

Detroit Che Follows Her Cypher with a Monster Backroom Freestyle (Video)

Detroit Che earned her way into the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher by winning the Hot 16 contest sponsored by Sprite. She was grouped with MCs like Logic, Lil Mama, Troy Ave and Dee-1. Undaunted, she stood toe to toe with each and came away with one of the... Read more

Ras Kass Joins Some Detroit Bad Boys Around A Barrel Fire For A Cypher (Video)

This year, West Coast MC vet Ras Kass linked with Detroit, Michigan's Apollo Brown to make a celebrated, highly-cohesive LP in Blasphemy. Keeping things focused on Motor City, Ras circles up around a barrel-fire, Doo Wop-style, to unleash a monstrous cypher. Apollo's beat seems to pay careful homage to Diamond... Read more

Ever See This Cypher with Big Pun, DMX, Mos Def, Canibus, John Forte & Mic Geronimo? (Video)

Some moments are worth re-living...Like this cypher between Big Pun, DMX, Mos Def, Canibus, John Forte and Mic Geronimo. Back in the day, the 6 skilled MCs were at a table sharing a true Hip-Hop moment and decided to have a friendly cypher. Onlookers included Toure, Irv Gotti and others... Read more

CyHi The Prynce, Rapsody & Caskey Light Up This Team Backpack Cypher (Video)

Team Backpack cyphers have become a staple in the Hip-Hop zeitgeist for several years now. The collective's videos have made stars out of fresh-faced artists, and cultivated talent in a format that Heads can respect: the free-form cypher. It's competitive, it's stripped-down, it's pure MC'ing. So how about this? T.B.P... Read more

After Smashing the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Snow Tha Product Releases a New Song (Audio)

For those who were not familiar with Snow Tha Product before her rapid-fire, bilingual Cypher in last night's BET Hip Hop Awards, she made a big impression. For others, she brought the ruckus as expected. Following up on her performance, Snow releases a moody new single with Ty Dolla $ign.... Read more

Here Are the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers. Who Had the Best Verse (Video)

The 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards featured a variety of artists and different styles. From up and comers to grizzled veterans, each had something to prove. Many also had something meaningful to say, with references to the killing of Mike Brown and the protests in Ferguson manifesting throughout several verses.... Read more

Nitty Scott, Chris Webby, Smoke DZA & CJ Fly Cypher With Conviction (Video)

One day after the 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards' Digital All-Stars Cypher (Emilio Rojas, Andy Mineo, Dreezy, Dillon Cooper, Retro Jace, Conceited) premiered, RAW rolling papers' shows another healthy, talented crop of MCs. Nitty Scott, MC, Pro Era's CJ Fly, Chris Webby, and veteran Smoke DZA represent the NY tri-state lovely,... Read more

The Digital Stars Of 2014 Show Out In This BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher (Video)

The first of many 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers has hit the web. Curated as a "Digital All-Star" grouping, this includes the Top 15-selling Andy Mineo, veteran Emilio Rojas, Common-cosigned Dreezy, De La Soul-cosigned Dillon Cooper, Retro Jace, and Conceited. With the exception of Mineo, who rang bells last year... Read more

Who’s Part Of The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cyphers? See The List!

The 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards will air on October 14 at 8pm. Hosted by "Uncle" Snoop Dogg, the affair will reportedly include performances by Jay Electronica, Common, T.I., Mike WiLL Made It, and others. The annual music event will also continue the honored tradition of the annual cyphers. While specifics... Read more

Sit In On a Park Bench Cypher With Apollo Brown & Friends (Video)

Take a walk through the park in New York City and grab a seat next to Apollo Brown's friends Ras Kass, Cav, and fellow Mello Music Group affiliates yU the 78er and Has-Lo as the MC's conduct a good old-fashioned cypher over organ peppered production from Apollo's track, "Cellophane," off... Read more

Locksmith Might Have 2014’s Strongest Freestyle, But Does He Also Have Best Cypher?

Locksmith is out for titles. Richmond, California's own has a great (but slept-on) album out in A Thousand Cuts. He has one of the year's most jaw-droppingly great freestyles, care of DJ Kay Slay's Streetsweeper Radio spot, and now, care of Team Backpack, Lock' is bidding for top cypher. With... Read more

A$AP Mob Drop a Bomb with Flex. This Cypher WILL Get You Gassed!! (Video)

After a busy 2013, A$AP Mob has been keeping it low-key in the 2-0-1-4 thus far. However, the Harlem conglomerate hit Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 show last night (June 5) for the time-tested tradition of crew-freestyles. A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Ant, A$AP Nast and A$AP Twelvyy kicked the seated... Read more

Jon Connor, Troy Ave, Jarren Benton & Lil Bibby Close Down The 2014 XXL Cyphers (Video)

Jon Connor has so much energy. The Flint, Michigan MC sets it off with DJ Drama on the turns, as the tireless Aftermath Entertainment sensation ramps up the final of three 2014 XXL freestyles. Then Jarren Benton is true to form, with his odd-ball humor, and vivid references. Lil Bibby... Read more

Chance The Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Vic Mensa, Kevin Gates & August Alsina Rock A XXL Cypher (Video)

Five of 2014's highest profile XXL Freshmen kick off this week's recurring series of cyphers featuring the magazine's upcoming cover stars. Two Chicago luminaries, Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa unite, joined by Southern guttural spitter Kevin Gates, TDE's Tennessee delegate Isaiah Rashad, and Interscope's breakthrough singer/rapper double-threat, August Alsina.... Read more

Watch Big L & Big Pun in a Never Before Released Cypher (Video)

Yesterday (5/30) would have been Big L's 40th birthday. To celebrate the fallen MC's life and legacy, Complex premiered never before released footage of Big L in the studio dropping a verse AND a previously unreleased cypher that included L, Charlie Hustle and Big Pun. Check out both videos below.... Read more

Tech N9ne Strangles The Microphone In A New Strange-Stacked Cypher (Video)

Few artists who enjoy the commercial success of Tech N9ne keep the artistry as alive. Strange Music's cofounder opted to present a BET-style cypher, showcasing his label's vast talent. Vets of the Missouri imprint such as Kutt Calhoun and Prozack rock the mic, while relative newcomers like Ces CRU's Godemis... Read more

Termanology, Chris Rivers, Papoose & More Get Old School Fresh On A DJ Kay Slay Cypher (Audio)

Coming from Uptown, DJ Kay Slay certainly knows about a lil "Uptown anthem" in the form of The Mohawks' "Champ." Later used as a comeback crossover single for KRS-One in "Step Into A World," this famous Bronx park-jam break is as Hip-Hop as it gets. So are the corresponding cypher... Read more

Slaughterhouse Perform an 8-Minute Cypher on Sway in the Morning (Audio)

Slaughterhouse stopped by Sway in the Morning at SXSW and got into a spirited conversation about the importance of knowing and celebrating Hip-Hop history. At the end of the interview, they took it back to the essence, participating in an 8-minute cypher of a capella bars. Check it out. Part... Read more

Vic Mensa, Mibbs (of Pac Div) & Tokyo Shawn Take it Back to the Real with a True Freestyle Cypher (Video)

When's the last time you saw a good old-fashioned FREESTYLE cypher--not pre-written verses but MCs truly going off the top? Vic Mensa, Mibbs (of Pac Div) and Tokyo Shawn did just that and each had BARS. Check out this video and renew your faith in the art of freestyling. Related:... Read more

Astro Catches Wreck in Another Cypher (Video)

After wrecking shop at the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, Astro gets busy during another one for The Cypher Effect. His verse commences at the 8:40 mark. Check it out below. Related: Astro Speaks on His New Mixtape and Drops a Verse (Video)... Read more

The Pro Era Cypher (Video)

Rather than complain or whine about not being included in the BET Hip-Hop Awards cyphers, the Pro Era Crew did what a group of MCs is supposed to do: take it to the mic. Featuring DJ Statik Selektah on the turntables, Pro Era delivers an 11 minute cypher showcasing the... Read more

Schoolboy Q Discusses the TDE Cypher With Sway and Takes on the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle (Video)

Schoolboy Q chopped it up with Sway about the TDE Cypher, TDE's newest member Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick's Control verse and more. He and Sway also prank called Kendrick on the air. After, Q took a run at the Five Fingers of Death Freestyle. Check out the video. Related: TDE BET... Read more

Jon Connor Explains Chemistry With Dr. Dre & Preparing BET Awards Cypher (Video)

Ambrosia For Heads has been a big fan/supporter of Flint, Michigan MC Jon Connor for some time. Co-signed by Nas years ago, Jon has indeed confirmed that he's the latest act signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Speaking with MTV News to coincide with the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher that... Read more

Did Slaughterhouse Have the Best Overall Cypher? (Video)

Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher verse has gotten the most attention (so far) but which group had the best overall Cypher? We polled Heads and the vote was resoundingly in favor of the SH crew. If you go back and really study their verses, dudes had BARS…for days…ALL of them. Check out... Read more

Can you DeCypher Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher Verse? (Lyrics & Video)

Now that you’ve witnessed Kendrick Lamar’s Cypher verse (Control Pt. 2?), it’s time to de-cypher it. The verse was incredibly complex. Many shots were fired—some specific, some general. Take a look at the Cypher and lyrics below and see if you can crack the Da Vinci code. Before you get... Read more

Wax, Rapsody, Emis Killa, Rittz & Jon Connor Shine in the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher (Video)

2013 was a strong year for up and coming MCs in the Cypher. In addition to Problem, Asia Sparks, Bad Lucc and Astro getting busy in a previously released Cypher, Wax, Emis Killa, Rapsody, Rittz and Jon Connor put in work last night. In the midst of it all, Jon... Read more

Action Bronson’s 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Sneak Preview (Video)

Bam-Bam Bronson goes off the top in a promo for October 15's airing of the recently-shot 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards show. The Queens MC is now on a major label and has a Top 200 digital EP under his belt, but he still hasn't lost his nonchalant flow from... Read more

Kendrick Lamar’s 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher Sneak Preview (Video)

There was a lot of chatter over the weekend from ATL re: Kendrick Lamar's Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Here's the first look at what's to come. K. Dot goes STRAIGHT AT his critics post-Control and let's all haters know he's untouchable...all over the track for Shook One's Pt. 2. Get... Read more

2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher Artists Announced

Taped tonight in Atlanta, BET's 2013 Hip-Hop Awards is coming on October 15 at 8pm EST. With the cyphers already making big noise on Twitter (especially from the Aftermath Entertainment camp), here are all 34 participants, as reported by BET.com. This year's lineup features the usual breakthrough artists (Action Bronson,... Read more

BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher: Asia Sparks, Bad Lucc, Astro & Problem (Video)

The 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards were taped last night and they've released the first Cypher. You can watch Astro, Problem, Asia Sparks and Bad Lucc get it in below. Who do you think had the best verse? Also, check out our interview of Astro discussing the Cypher: Related: Kendrick... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Controls The 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher

Hot off the presses from Atlanta, Kendrick Lamar "killed" this year's BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher, and we were there to witness it. Symbolic of what Kendrick's Control verse did to the industry in August, the entire TDE family (Kendrick, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and new member Isaiah Rashad) spit... Read more

Tony Touch Power Cypher FT A.G., Black Thought, M1, Lil Fame, Sean Price & Illa Ghee (Video)

In honor of his just-released The Piece Maker 3 (Return Of The 50 MC's), Tony Toca brought some albums guests and friends to his Shade 45 show to kick some off the dome bars. This really calls back to the great cassettes Touch used to make in the '90s. Delegates... Read more

Dizzy Wright, Logic & Angel Haze – 2013 XXL Freshmen Cypher (Video)

Say what you want about the 2013 XXL Freshmen Class, overall. There is NO QUESTION Dizzy Wright, Logic and Angel Haze are some of the dopest up and coming MCs in the game. If you have any doubt about their skills, watch this cypher. No question...Related: Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Action... Read more

Redman cyphers with Street Life, Eyes Low, Ready Rock and Mr. Cream (Video)

Redman drops a verse in a good old fashioned cypher with Street Life, Eyes Low, Ready Rock and Mr. Cream . Check out the video.... Read more

Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Action Bronson & Travis Scott – XXL Freshmen Cypher Pt. 1 (Video)

Here's a cypher featuring some of the best of this year's XXL Freshmen. Check out the video featuring Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Action Bronson and Travis Scott blistering the mic. Related: Ab-Soul XXL Freshman Freestyle (Video)... Read more