AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Scarface & Willie D Have A Heated Exchange About The Grammy Hip-Hop Tribute

On 1991's We Can't Be Stopped album, the Geto Boys scoffed at Grammy Awards courtesy of their charged-up song "Trophy." Over 30 years later, Scarface—a legendary MC/producer without a trophy—performed at the 2023 Grammy Awards, as part of the Hip Hop 50 tribute curated by The Roots' Questlove. There, Brad... Read more

Black Thought & Rakim Light Up The Stage With Talib Kweli

Last week, Bob James held a concert residence at New York City's Blue Note alongside Talib Kweli and a live band for the second consecutive year. An esteemed panel of guests joined the Grammy-winning Jazz keyboardist and famed producer during 2023's three-night residency. D.M.C. joined on February 7, Slick Rick... Read more

J. Prince Calls Offset A Snake Amidst A Stern Warning

In the last week, Rap-A-Lot Records founder J. Prince and two of his sons appeared on the Million Dollaz Worth Of Game podcast. The three guests used the high-profile space to defend themselves of wrongdoing in the killing of Migos member Takeoff. Takeoff was fatally shot in Houston, Texas late... Read more

LL Cool J Has A New Album Coming That Is Executive Produced By Q-Tip

In the closing days of 2019, LL Cool J revealed that he was working with Q-Tip on an album. The Rock The Bells founder was said to be back at Def Jam Records, the same label where his career launched in the mid-1980s, and working with the famed A Tribe Called... Read more

Hip-Hop Legends From The Last 50 Years Gave The Most Iconic Tribute Ever

Last night (February 5), the Grammy Awards celebrated Hip Hop's upcoming 50th birthday. LL Cool J, one of the culture's first superstars, introduced the special concert, in which he also performed. During the presentation, LL pointed to August 11, 1973, and the Bronx back-to-school jam at a rec center, made... Read more

N.W.A. & Tupac Affiliated Producer Laylaw Has Reportedly Passed Away

Laylaw, a pioneering West Coast Hip-Hop rapper, songwriter, and producer, has reportedly died. Born Larry Goodman, Laylaw was an affiliate of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. He made contributions to albums by Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, Above The Law, Kausion, K-Dee, and Anotha Level. DJ Pooh, Da Lench Mob's J-Dee,... Read more

The 15 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

As 2022 winds down, it comes time to celebrate the best in Hip-Hop music. As is tradition, the Ambrosia For Heads team weighs in on our opinion of the year's best albums. This list of 15 includes some comeback performances, significant sequel efforts, and collaborative tandems. The collection of LPs also shows... Read more

Grand Daddy I.U. Has Passed Away

In a year already marred by loss, Hip-Hop has learned of another tragedy. Long Island, New York's Grand Daddy I.U. has reportedly died. The MC/producer has been mourned publicly by LL Cool J, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Bumpy Knuckles, and others. At this time, no cause of death has been... Read more

The History Of Violence In Hip-Hop: 6 Years Changed Everything

In the last year, Hip-Hop has lost an alarming number of its artists to violence. Young Dolph, PnB Rock, Trouble, and Drakeo The Ruler are just some of the noteworthy examples, among several others. In the last week, Migos member Takeoff was killed in Houston, Texas on November 1—adding to... Read more

Eminem’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Speech Praises Over 100 Hip-Hop Influences

This weekend, Eminem became the latest Hip-Hop artist to enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. At a Saturday (November 5) induction event and concert, Marshall Mathers was celebrated alongside Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Lionel Richie, The Eurythmics, and Carly Simon. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis joined... Read more

Griselda Makes Its Case As Hip-Hop’s Best Crew With 7 MCs On 1 Song

For the last several years, one of Hip-Hop's greatest debates has been who is Rap's best crew, between TDE and Dreamville. Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) held the advantage in the early 2010s, with a roster which included Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, SZA and more. The... Read more

JAY-Z Says Every Word In His DJ Khaled Verse Is Actual Fact

Less than one week ago, JAY-Z dropped not only one of the finest Rap verses of 2022, but a benchmark set of bars within a legendary career. Hours after "GOD DID" arrived Friday (August 26) on DJ Khaled's album of the same name, associates of JAY-Z, including his engineer, A&R,... Read more

Roc Marciano & Alchemist Serve Up Pure & Uncut Hip-Hop

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

The Game’s Manager Caused Him To Lose A Song With Nipsey Hussle

Last Friday (August 12), The Game released his 11th studio album, TRILLMATIC Heart vs. Mind. The sprawling 31-track affair features Kanye West, Cam'ron, Pusha-T, Ice-T, and others along a journey that finds Jayceon Taylor revisiting classic songs by Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Mobb Deep, and others. One guest that was supposed... Read more

The Game Uses Eminem’s Style To Diss Him For 10 Minutes

Nearly 18 years ago, Eminem was among the all-star cast that helped welcome The Game to the top of mainstream Rap. Marshall Mathers co-produced and appeared on The Documentary, courtesy of the song "We Ain't." Much of the G-Unit/Aftermath Entertainment family supported The Game in an album that topped the... Read more

Many Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs

Note: Jadakiss recently appeared on ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby podcast and was asked who his top 5 Hip-Hop groups of all-time were. This article has been updated below with his response, as well as The Game’s top 5 LA Rap albums. A few days ago, during a podcast appearance, Ice... Read more

The D.O.C. Explains The Real Elements Of The Rap Formula

On his 1989 solo debut, No One Can Do It Better, The D.O.C. had a highlight single with "The Formula." The Dr. Dre-produced Ruthless/Atlantic Records track begins with the lyrics, "High energy flowin' with the wisdom / Sense of a rich man, knowledge and the rhythm / This is what... Read more

The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans

Earlier this month, the Hip-Hop community reacted to the latest high-profile lists ranking the greatest Rap albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine and a team of journalists and writers ranked 200 Hip-Hop LPs, prompting plenty of reaction. It was not the first list of this kind, and it certainly will not... Read more

Eminem’s Mind Is Blown As He Raps The D.O.C.’s Lyrics

This week, Hip-Hop veteran The D.O.C. has been in New York City promoting his eponymous documentary film, a debut feature from director David Caplan. The 94-minute doc' is currently screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. The piece covers The D.O.C.'s rise to Rap stardom, his tragic 1989 car accident, his... Read more

DJ Kay Slay Has Passed Away At The Age Of 55

DJ Kay Slay has died. The man born Keith Grayson passed away yesterday (April 17) after a four-month-long battle with COVID-19. Kay Slay's Hip-Hop career stems back more than 40 years from his days as a graffiti icon into a leader in music, radio, and street publishing. The bold personality... Read more

Method Man Brings The Heat With Papoose & RJ Payne

Method Man will celebrate 30 years since making his professional music debut on wax in less than a year. However, the Wu-Tang Clan legend remains incredibly active with music and pursuit of perfection. Iron Lung released the latest look from his upcoming Meth Lab 3, "Butterfly Effect." This one features RJ Payne,... Read more

JAY-Z & LL Cool J Brought A President & $3 Billion To The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

On Saturday (October 30), LL Cool J and JAY-Z were formally inducted into Cleveland, Ohio's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. While Hip-Hop artists have been entering the Hall for over a decade now, 2021's celebration was truly a standout moment for the culture. As Dave Chappelle suggested while inducting... Read more

Nas & JAY-Z Are Still Competing But For Much Higher Stakes (Video)

JAY-Z and Nas have been competing for more than 20 years. At the turn of the century, the two had razor sharp bars for one another on songs like Jay's "Takeover" and Nas' "Ether." The beef would become one of Hip-Hop's most high profile and well-documented feuds, amongst two of... Read more

1984 Was The Year That Changed Everything For Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Heads regularly debate the culture and music's greatest years. There are usual and deserving suspects, of course. However, Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast is launching a series where we make a case for those years—and some others too. As we currently live in what some consider Orwellian times, 1984... Read more

Master P & Baron Davis Want To Buy Reebok To Make It For Us By Us

Master P had a big 2020. The founder of No Limit Records partnered with BET to produce a docuseries on his famed label. The New Orleans, Louisiana native born Percy Miller also remains a partner in Rap Snacks and other ventures. However, the artist whose career expanded to film, sports,... Read more

Kanye West’s Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Turns 10. Is It His Best Album?

One decade ago (November 22, 2010), Kanye West released a blockbuster album in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Whereas 2008's 808's & Heartbreak confronting loss and lust with sounds that veered beyond 'Ye's first three albums, 2010's M.B.D.T.F. marked a return to form, even if it was nothing like the Roc-A-Fella Records mid-2000s run. Just... Read more

Ice Cube Explains Why Storytelling Is The Top Level Of MC’ing (Video)

Ice Cube is no stranger to storytelling with his lyrics. The legendary South Central, Los Angeles MC is responsible for one of Rap's most beloved tales: "It Was A Good Day," as well as penning Eazy-E's breakout anthem, "Boyz-n-the-Hood." Cube's albums, both solo and group, often have songs that follow... Read more

Public Enemy Will Receive A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

For more than 30 years, Public Enemy has been serving hard truth to the people with inspiring, powerful, and evocative music. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, Professor Griff, and DJ Lord are Hip-Hop legends. While the group's music has never won a Grammy (prompting some lyrics on "Terminator X... Read more

Hip-Hop Peers Are Helping Scarface Get What He Needs To Become A Politician

Today (December 4) is the final day allowed for fundraising in Brad Jordan's pursuit to become the District D Councilman in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Like all campaigning politicians, Jordan is letting his supporters know that he needs their help. However, donors from far beyond H-Town are helping the... Read more

Talib Kweli & El-P Recall Rawkus Records Taking A Chance On Underground Hip-Hop

Run The Jewels and Company Flow co-founder El-P is the latest guest on Talib Kweli's The People's Party Podcast, with co-host Jasmin Leigh. The two natives of Brooklyn, New York have plenty of history together, including Hip Hop For Respect. They were label-mates at Rawkus Records during an inflection point... Read more

The Secret Service Visited Eminem After His Threatening Lyrics Toward Donald Trump

Along with YG and Nipsey Hussle, Eminem has been one of the most vocal critics of the sitting US President. Two years ago to the month, Marshall Mathers used the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards as an opportunity to not only condemn Donald Trump, but to also disassociate from the... Read more

Wesley Snipes Explains Why He Refused To Be In The New Jack City Sequel

In 1991's New Jack City, "Nino Brown" tells "G-Money," "It can never go back to the way it was." It's a profound scene in the movie where one character eventually asks the other, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The actor who played "Nino," Wesley Snipes, has a similar sentiment surrounding... Read more

A New Jack City Remake Is Reportedly In The Works. Is It Time For Change?

Among the canon of Hip-Hop lifestyle films, few have had the impact and longevity of New Jack City. The 1991 Warner Bros movie, which was written by Thomas Lee Wright and Barry Michael Cooper, ushered in a new era of cinematic storytelling that not only brought to life the narratives... Read more

Snoop & Slick Rick Join Forces On An Anthem About Self-Pride & Upliftment

Since the very beginning of his career, Snoop Dogg has cited Slick Rick as a top influence. On Snoop's hallmark debut album, the smooth-talking Long Beach, California MC covered one of MC Ricky D's best-known verses in the form of "Lodi Dodi." Crossing coasts, bridging generations, meshing styles, and putting... Read more

Rakim’s “Sweat The Technique” Memoir Will Arrive In Less Than A Month

For several years, Rakim has discussed plans to release a memoir. The text would place the legendary Long Island, New York MC born William Griffin, Jr. in the company of Hip-Hop peers including LL Cool J, KRS-One, Ice-T, Chuck D, Scarface, and the Beastie Boys. After initial plans to release... Read more

Death Row Records Is Now Owned By A Toy Company

In the early 1990s, Dr. Dre broke from N.W.A. and Ruthless Records. After five years of work with Eazy-E taking Gangsta Rap to the top of the charts, Dre wanted an imprint of his own. The producer for J.J. Fad, The D.O.C., Above The Law, and Michel'le moved across town.... Read more

Snoop Explains Why He Loves Suge Knight & How They Rebuilt Their Bond (Video)

Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg released his song, "Let Bygones Be Bygones" from his 17th solo album, I Wanna Thank Me. The 47-year-old Doggfather has been in a nostalgic spirit lately. More than 20 years after parting ways with the label, Snoop has been wearing his Death Row Records medallion,... Read more

Ice Cube Explains Why He Does NOT Want To Be On The Forbes List (Video)

Ice Cube once co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film All About The Benjamins. However, the 50-year-old mogul seemingly does not live his life under that tenant. From a chart-topping music career, to becoming a power-player in film, to launching a professional three-on-three basketball league, O'Shea Jackson is at the... Read more

Eddie Murphy Is Bringing Dolemite To Life In A New Star Studded Film (Video)

For 50 years, Rudy Ray Moore was a force in comedy. A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Moore learned to command audiences as both a preacher as well as a nightclub dancer. Eventually moving to comedy, Moore would begin a recording career in the late 1950s that lasted until his... Read more

A New Video Shows Tupac’s Death Through The Eyes Of His Killer

Nearly 23 years ago, on September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight watched as Mike Tyson defeated Bruce Seldon in the 1st Round by technical knockout. Moments after the fight ended, the superstar rapper who had become Death Row Records' flagship act and the record label's CEO were caught... Read more

Page Kennedy Is An Elite Storyteller MC. His New Video Plays Out Like A Greek Tragedy

Page Kennedy may be most recognized for his TV and film roles, online comedy videos, and advertising campaign appearances. However, he has always been a Hip-Hop Head. In the last few years, the Detroit, Michigan native has been out to show the masses that he's a world class MC with... Read more

Kxng Crooked Reworks An OutKast Song With A Message About Being Driven

Throughout his extensive career, KXNG Crooked may have seemed like a music industry outcast. The Long Beach, California native weathered the storm of "Ringtone Rap" while remaining deeply rooted in his ways of dazzling lyricism. During the 1990s, he was an artist on Death Row Records at a time that... Read more

Do Remember One Of Tupac’s Hardest Cautionary Tales About Life In The Streets

The year was 1993, and Tupac Shakur was tired of knocking on the door asking someone to let him in. Fresh off of his debut album, 2pacalypse Now — a socially conscious effort that revealed strong ties to the Black community with singles like “Brenda’s Got A Baby,” “If My... Read more

Rappers Might Start Going To Jail Because Of Their Lyrics

Rap music is often an art that imitates life. However, there appear to be new legal lines surrounding that freedom of expression. Today, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the case of Jamal Knox v. Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania. That case surrounds Cox, who is a Pittsburgh rapper also... Read more

Audio Push & Nick Grant Look Down On MCs That Just Can’t Keep Up (Video)

Just over one month ago, Inland Empire, California Rap duo Audio Push released their seven-track EP, Audio Mars, featuring Buddy, Rose Gold, Stacy Barthe, and Nick Grant. The drop marks the MCs' first release since 2018's, Inside The Vibe 2, and their first of 2019. With their latest project spinning... Read more

Mannie Fresh Breaks Down The Making Of Juvenile’s Biggest Hit

Just over 20 years ago, on November 3, 1998, Juvenile released his third album, 400 Degreez. The Cash Money Records release would go on to achieve quadruple platinum certification, becoming the label's most commercially successful release. Like all the CMR releases at that time, the entire effort was produced by... Read more

John Singleton Recalls Trying To Convince Tupac To Hang Up His Mic In 1993

While director John Singleton's career spans a hearty three decades and is chock full of incredible stories to revel in, memories surrounding his cherished interactions with Tupac remain as fresh as ever. In a new interview with The Daily Beast's Stereo Williams, which arrived in tandem with his Poetic Justice... Read more

In 1992, Paris Made A Tribute To Black Women That Endures Today

While Gangsta Rap was at its height with acts like N.W.A, Geto Boys and Ice-T leading the charge, other crews such as A Tribe Called Quest, Ultramagnetic MC's and De La Soul were intriguing listeners with cerebral wordplay and quirky, inventive rhyme patterns. Somewhere in between, stood Rap revolutionaries like... Read more

DJ Quik Says Suge Knight Had Diddy’s Child’s Mother In His Room After The Source Awards

On August 3, 1995, that year's Source Awards took place at Madison Square Gardens' Paramount Theater. The event is seismic in Rap music history, as it marks the shots heard 'round, disses from the podium at the magazine's event. In the aftermath of the situation, for those in attendance and... Read more

A New Documentary Shows How Suge Knight’s American Dream Became His Nightmare

This September, Marion "Suge" Knight was sentenced to 28 years behind bars for the killing of music executive Terry Carter. For the Compton, California native, it was the stiffest punishment in a career that has marred by incarcerations, legal roadblocks, and a very public fall from power. Twenty-five years ago,... Read more