AFH Ambrosia for Heads

CyHi The Prynce Challenges Joe Budden To A Rap Battle For $500,000 (Video)

In recent episodes of The Joe Budden Podcast, CyHi The Prynce has come up in conversation several times. Joe, along with co-hosts Rory, Mal, as well as Parks, have discussed CyHi's announcement of his Kanye West-produced seven-song follow-up to 2017's No Dope On Sundays. More recently, they addressed 'Ye reportedly gifting... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. May Be The Greatest Off The Top Freestyler EVER. This Will Sway You (Video)

Few MCs have bodied Sway In The Morning's "5 Fingers Of Death" challenge as many times as Mistah Fab. Given Sway's Oakland, California roots, it's only natural that he champions the former Mac Dre pupil. However, make no mistake — Fabby Davis earned his spot as a proven serial killer... Read more

Taylor Bennett Speaks Candidly About Coming Out & Creating His Own Lane (Video)

In the last month, Taylor Bennett released a six-song project called BE YOURSELF. The DIY project is the latest from the Chicago, Illinois MC. For many Hip-Hop Heads, two things come to mind surrounding the 22-year-old. He is the younger brother of Grammy Award-winning Rap star Chance The Rapper. Additionally,... Read more

One Of Biggie’s Final Radio Appearances Is A Moment That Can Never Be Tuned Out (Video)

In today’s Hip-Hop landscape, Sway Calloway is most synonymous with hosting both established and budding MCs at the Shade 45 studios in New York, providing them a globally esteemed platform to showcase their verbal readiness. A successful Sway In The Morning appearance has become somewhat of a seal of approval for... Read more

Tupac Hit Up Many More People Than Biggie In His Original Makaveli Liner Notes

Tupac was not alive for the release of his fifth solo album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. However, he was promoting and working on the LP at the time of his September 13, 1996 death. Fresh off the success of double-album, All Eyez On Me, Tupac wrote and... Read more

Stalley Rates The Bars Of His Former Maybach Music Group Family (Video)

Stalley recently returned to independence, and he seems to love it. The Massillon, Ohio MC has been on a tear ever since, releases a plethora of projects. Promoting last month's Tell The Truth Shame The Devil, Vol. 2, the Blue Collar Gang leader is the latest guest judge on "Rate... Read more

Can You Hear Me Now? Lil Yachty Freestyles With Clear Intent (Video)

Lil Yachty has become one of the most recognized rappers under the legal drinking age. He has endorsement deals, a video approaching 120 million plays, a Top 5 charting album, a Grammy nomination, and platinum singles alongside D.R.A.M. and Kyle. The Quality Control/Capitol Records artist is not without his critics.... Read more

Tory Lanez Delivers The Best Freestyle Of The Year, So Far (Video)

Tory Lanez capped off 2017 with one of the most notable live, on-air freestyles of the year when he went off for eight minutes on Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 series. Now in early 2018, Lanez appears on Sway In The Morning and topped that showing—not only by spitting for one... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Rates The Bars & Hands Pimp C The Lowest Score In The Batch (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest rapper in the hot seat for "Rate The Bars." More than most, Krizzle seems to be a generous rater (handing out almost exclusively 4's and 5's). Heads have long found this artist to be generous with his music, whether giving away acclaimed mixtapes and making... Read more

Stalley Has Left MMG & His Sway Freestyle Shows He’s Self-Made (Video)

Ohio MC Stalley has spent much of his career attached to movements. Most notably, in his days with Rick Ross' MMG squad, he was part of three Top 5 Maybach Music Group Self-Made compilations in the early 2010s. The MC followed with his own Top 40 debut Ohio in 2014.... Read more

CyHi The Prynce’s Gospel Is Designed To Help All Reach Their Dreams (Audio)

CyHi The Prynce's just-released “God Bless Your Heart" is the latest single from his debut LP, No Dope On Sundays due to drop this Friday (November 17). Along with a preview stream of the Sony release, the Atlanta, Georgia MC recently told NPR, “Even though it's rough in our neighborhoods,... Read more

Wyclef Jean Explains Why Country Music Is The Original Gangsta Rap (Video)

Last week, Wyclef Jean released Carnival III: The Rise and Fall of a Fugee. The orator uses a storyteller's title on his eighth album. There have been ups and downs to the man who represents Haiti, Brooklyn, and north New Jersey. However, things are great for him right now. In addition... Read more

Apollo Brown & Planet Asia Bring Out Some Of The Best In Each Other (Video)

Apollo Brown and Planet Asia have struck again with a second single "Aura" from their upcoming album Anchovies. The songs serve as a formidable addition to one of Detroit's best beat-smiths and the Cali Agent MC's mutual catalog and further displays their undeniable synergy. On A Great Night For Cali,... Read more

Why MCs Avoid The Term “Christian Rap” Like It’s A Dirty Word (Video)

Less than three years ago, Lecrae reached the top of the pop charts with Anomaly. The Reach Records release, which subsequently went gold, marked a new pinnacle for what is commonly referred to as "Christian Rap." In this week's episode of TBD, Justin "The Company Man" Hunte examines the weird... Read more

Vic Mensa Once Again Shows He’s 1 Of Today’s Best MCs With A Punishing Freestyle (Video)

Yesterday (July 28), Vic Mensa released his debut album, The Autobiography, but Mensa is far from new on the scene. The Chicago MC first made waves in 2009, as part of the group Kids These Days. In 2013, Vic began his solo career and once again turned heads with his... Read more

Treach Says Biggie Did Not Set Up Tupac & Explains Why (Video)

The night Tupac Shakur was shot in November of 1994, Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts. The East Orange, New Jersey trio had back-to-back platinum albums. Group front-man Treach had appeared on Pac's sophomore album, care of "5 Deadly Venomz," also featuring Apache and Live Squad. Treach's... Read more

Bizzy Says He & Krayzie Are The Ones Capable Of Creating New Waves For Bone Thugs (Video)

One year ago, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released "Coming Home." The reunion single came just days following the Cleveland Cavaliers' first NBA title crown. In the 52 years between championships across major sports in Cleveland, one of its other symbols of success with Bone Thugs. Winning Grammy's, dominating the charts, changing the... Read more

Marsha Ambrosius Explains Why She Will Never Say Yes To Another Floetry Reunion (Video)

In the first half of the 2000s, Floetry was an exciting addition to the Soul genre and Philly's booming scene. Marsha Ambrosious and Natalie Stewart made two Top 20 albums, with 2005's Flo'Ology sophomore peaking at #7. The five-time Grammy-nominated duo made their fans "Say Yes" right along with them,... Read more

Troy Ave Defends His Attacks On Capital STEEZ & Details His Shooting (Video)

Troy Ave's career has massively changed since his 2015 album, Major Without A Deal. The Brooklyn, New York MC independently rose through the ranks to reach the Top 200 charts, with an LP that included appearances by 50 Cent, Puff Daddy, Cam'ron, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Ma$e, and Fabolous. At least... Read more

Wyclef Jean & Lauryn Hill’s Collabo From The Carnival Was 1 Of Their Last And Best (Audio)

In 1997, The Fugees disbanded. At the time, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras were at the peak of their careers, with their multi-platinum and Grammy-winning sophomore LP The Score still clearly visible in the rear-view mirror. That same year, Wyclef released his debut solo LP, also a multi-platinum selling... Read more

CyHi Says He’s Destroying The Rap Game Like Lil Yachty In A Devastating Freestyle (Video)

While CyHi The Prynce may not be a household name (yet), those who know of his work recognize that he has one of the strongest pen games in Hip-Hop. Even those who may be unfamiliar have heard his stellar lyricism on songs like Kanye West's "So Appalled," from My Beautiful... Read more

Wyclef Says He Was Mistaken For a Robber & Handcuffed By Police (Video)

As police brutality and baseless apprehension by law enforcement continue to plague the country's Black and Brown citizens, encounters between officers and Hip-Hop celebrities seem to prove that, regardless of wealth or fame, discrimination is still commonplace. Last summer, Dr. Dre was handcuffed and detained by police in front of... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. DJ Premier. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Johnny Gill Reveals What Was True & False About The New Edition Story (Video)

Singer Johnny Gill joined New Edition in 1987, following the Boston band's firing of Bobby Brown. The Washington, D.C. native who had two solo albums and a collabo with Stacy Lattisaw out prior to 1988's Heartbreak was recently portrayed in The New Edition Story. Part of the group ever since... Read more

Taylor Bennett Comes Out as Bisexual, a Major Step for Inclusiveness in Hip-Hop

LBGTQ visibility has been nearly nonexistent when it comes to Hip-Hop artists. For all of its inclusive, progressive, and positive aspects, Hip-Hop has very few artists in its history who have come out as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or any other sexual identity other than heterosexual. In fact, the... Read more

Jay Pharoah Is Funny But This Freestyle Is No Joke (Video)

Jay Pharoah is not the first comedian who can imitate famous rappers and singers as part of his act. However, it is abundantly clear that the Virginia native is out to be the best. This past week, the former SNL cast member (who ranked #55 in Rolling Stone's all-time funniest... Read more

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than when an MC delivers a vicious verse that's never been heard before, on the spot. It is the equivalent 0f a monster dunk in an NBA game, a one-punch knockout in a fight or an end zone to end zone run in... Read more

Taylor Bennett Turns A Health Scare Into A Beautiful New York City Night (Audio)

Chicago's Taylor Bennett, Chance The Rapper’s talented younger brother, links with Brooklyn’s Stro and singer Jordan Bratton on “New York Nights." The song is the product of a health scare the MC experienced while visiting the city after the release of his debut project, Broad Shoulders. Upon learning that he... Read more

Ab-Soul Pulls Out The Big Guns And Declares War On Jay Electronica & Troy Ave (Video)

Although it endured several fits and starts throughout the year, Ab-Soul's latest album arrived on Friday (December 9), and with it came some of his finest work to date. Do What Thou Wilt, like other Soulo albums, is dense material, requiring several listens, but his varied flows and selection of... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. & Charlie Clips Make It Personal In This Incredible Rap Battle (Video)

Mistah F.A.B. has become one of the best examples of a battle rapper transitioning into a full-on discography. Additionally, Charlie Clips has taken his gifts as one of the premiere MCs in Battle Rap to television through BET Hip-Hop Awards looks as well as appearances on Wild N' Out. On... Read more

Shia LaBeouf Says Compare Him To Eminem. Is He Really Da Bomb? (Audio)

In the last month, Shia LaBeouf's rhyme skills have come into strong focus. Ever since the MC appeared on Sway On The Morning, the Disney actor-turned-X-Men star elicited a lot of opinions across the Rap listening world. The Hollywood fixture (who once wanted to make a film about Eastern Conference/Def... Read more

Shia LaBeouf Transforms Into The “#1 MC In Hollywood,” With A Monster Freestyle (Video)

Many things come to mind when the name Shia LaBeouf is mentioned. "MC" is not one of them. For years, LaBeouf has been a fixture in Hollywood as an actor and director, who has been involved in major film franchises such as Indiana Jones, Wall Street and, of course, Transformers.... Read more

Meek Mill Breaks His Silence On Drake, Game & Beans. He Has A LOT To Say. (Audio)

Last week, Meek Mill released mixtape DC4. The fourth installment of the Dreamchasers series, which began in 2011, finds the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC in a completely different spot than when he began. In the years since, Meek has two gold solo albums, two platinum singles, and his own roster of... Read more

Frank Ocean’s Blond(e) Gets Bleached To Its Roots By !llmind (Audio)

It's safe to say that with the release of Blond(e), Frank Ocean has delivered one of the year's most sought-after musical content of 2016. His inclusion of Andre 3000 only added to the fervor, with music fans justifiably clamoring over any new material from the Outkast MC who has never... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Fans Should Not Be Devastated. He Didn’t Sell Out… (Video)

Earlier this week (August 10), Joey Bada$$ released the self-directed video to "Devastated." Dropped in May as a standalone official single, the song is a departure from the sounds of last year's Top 5 charting debut, B4.Da.$$ and previous mixtape work. "Devastated" features a Pop-tinged chorus and an uptempo beat.... Read more

Taylor Bennett’s Song Highlights How Chance The Rapper Really Is His Brother’s Keeper

Last week, Taylor Bennett made Hip-Hop history as the first MC to double up on Sway In The Morning's "5 Fingers Of Death" freestyle challenge. "10 Fingers Of Death" definitely requires two hands, especially to clap it up for the unsigned Chicago, Illinois MC—who happens to be the younger brother... Read more

Tish Hyman Has Co-Signs From The Roots, Kanye & More For Good Reason. She Tells Her Story

Over the last 18 months, Tish Hyman has emerged as one of the most promising voices in years. The talented singer, songwriter and MC has earned the respect of Alicia Keys, The Roots, Kanye West, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Fabolous and more, not to mention countless new fans. She also... Read more

Tish Hyman’s Striking Soul & Flow Are Reminiscent of Lauryn Hill In The Best Ways (Audio)

Bronx, New York native MC/singer Tish Hyman made a lot of noise in 2015 as the first female to conquer Sway In The Morning's "5 Fingers Of Death." More than just accepting the freestyle challenge, Tish bodied five beats and made a fast name for herself, amidst some new circles.... Read more

Vic Mensa’s Freestyle Causes Sway To Destroy His Studio (Video)

For MCs looking to demonstrate their extemporaneous flow skills, there are few platforms as significant as Sway's "5 Fingers of Death." Much like the clout earned in the "Unsigned Hype" column in the Source a generation ago, this freestyle challenge is, for many Heads, a way to check for who... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. Aims To Hoist The Trophy After This 7-Minute Freestyle (Video)

Mistah F.A.B. is a fixture at Golden State Warriors games. The Oakland, California MC just happened to time his latest album to release in the midst of the NBA franchise's attempt at back-to-back championships. In promoting his star-studded work (Kendrick Lamar, Raekwon, Lupe Fiasco are just one cross-section of guests),... Read more

T.W.D.Y. Unified The Bay Area To Make For A True Holiday Celebration (Video)

In early 1999, commercial Rap music was evolving. The Bounce music sound of No Limit and now Cash Money Records had greatly influenced what was being played on the coasts. Dr. Dre had yet to release 2001; Suge Knight was incarcerated. Meanwhile DMX, Jay Z, Rakim and Puff Daddy were... Read more

ScHoolboy Q & Curren$y Join Mistah F.A.B. For Cold Bars On A Chilly Loop (Audio)

Just hours after he unleashed his Sway In The Morning "5 Fingers Of Death" Golden State Warriors edition freestyle, Mistah F.A.B. promotes his next album in a more old fashioned way. Tomorrow (May 27), the Oakland, California veteran MC will release Son Of A Pimp 2. The star-studded, autobiographical album... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Freestyles a Potent Call for Revolution (Video)

Less than a month after annihilating the infamous "5 Fingers of Death" freestyle exercise while visiting "Sway in the Morning," Brooklyn, New York's Joey Bada$$ has destroyed yet another early-morning radio show. This time around, he's in Los Angeles where he brought his distinctly East Coast sensibilities to the mic for... Read more

On A Great Night For Cali, Planet Asia Is Another Agent Of State Pride (Video)

Planet Asia's career benefited greatly from Sway & King Tech's The Wake Up Show. When P.A. (along with Jurassic 5) were Interscope Records label picks from the West Coast Hip-Hop Underground, they got massive spots on 1999's This Or That, the hallmark album from Sway, Tech, and DJ Revolution. In... Read more

Hear The Best Hip-Hop of March 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For Hip-Hop fans, March 2016 will forever be associated with the loss of Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest. Less than 2 weeks after his sudden passing, fans worldwide are still mourning. While March 22 undoubtedly will become an annual day of reflection and celebration for Hip-Hop, there were... Read more

Daddy-O Says “Rakim Told The Biggest Lie In Hip-Hop,” In An Unfiltered Interview (Video)

Professor Daddy-O is an MC/producer who has been actively working for 30 years. The front man for 1980s Brooklyn, New York pioneers Stetsasonic, Daddy-O would help introduce the world to Prince Paul (the group's DJ and one of its producers), as well as Mary J. Blige, Lil' Kim, and others.... Read more

Wayne Brady Freestyles With Action Bronson & Steals The Show (Video)

This week, Action Bronson made an appearance at Shade 45 on a show hosted by Whoo Kid and DJ'd by Alchemist. Joined by Meyhem Lauren, Bronson was there to promote his VICE cooking web series. While there in the Shade 45 "fish bowl," Bronson spotted none other than the multi-faceted... Read more

R. Kelly Sings His Life Story In A 45 Minute Audiobiography (Video)

R. Kelly is known for going off the dome when crafting his songs. The Chicago, Illinois R&B mainstay has a talk-singing method that pulls from '60s and '70s groups like the Chi-Lites, Billy Paul, and Isaac Hayes. However, Robert Kelly's lyrics have often been a product of his own era,... Read more

Finding The GOAT Album: Jay Z’s The Blueprint vs. Scarface’s The Fix. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more