AFH Ambrosia for Heads

O.C. May Be One Of The Only Artists Who Can Claim To Have Received A Free Jay Z Feature

D.I.T.C. MC O.C. has several championed releases, stemming from his 1994 Wild Pitch Records debut, Word...Life, his 1997 Payday follow-up, Jewelz, his near-bootleg release Starchild, to his Apollo Brown tandem, Trophies. 2001's Bon Appetit is not one of O's more celebrated works, though the Brooklyn, New Yorker maintains it's the... 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

A.O.T.P. Meets D.I.T.C. As Apathy Announces Collaborative LP With O.C., Perestoika

Veteran Willimantic, Connecticut MC/producer has announced—via a new video—that he is planning three albums for 2015. A member of veteran charting act Army Of The Pharaohs, recent super-group Get Busy Committee, and founder of Demigodz, Apathy has stayed quite busy since his shelved tenure at Atlantic Records in the early-mid-2000s.... Read more

Waka Flocka Jacks Beats From Nas, Tribe, D.O.C., Mobb Deep and SPITS?? That’s Right…(Audio)

Almost two weeks ago, Waka Flocka Flame rattled even his biggest skeptics with "3:30," a lyrical clinic over-top of J. Cole's "Fire Squad" instrumental. The response was overwhelming for the Brick Squad Monopoly rapper who isn't given his credit as "an MC" just every day. So what does he do... Read more

Do Remember: O.C.’s “Born 2 Live” (Video)

Twenty years ago today (October 18), O.C. released his debut album, Word...Life. On the now-defunct-but-legendary Wild Pitch Records, the Organized Konfusion affiliate (who would later become an integral part of Diggin' In The Crates) made his debut featuring involvement from emerging producer Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry... Read more

Finding The GOAT: The D.O.C. vs. Redman…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

Catch Animated O.C., A.G. & Roc Marciano In DJ Skizz’s Dope Visual (Video)

Last year, veteran New York City radio DJ Skizz released B.Q.E., a compilation-style LP, featuring a plethora of NYC lyricists. This underground favorite continues to make noise a year later, as Skizz and Soulspazm Records continue the looks. For the D.I.T.C./The U.N.-look "Light Years," a Futprnts Workshop-produced animation features portraits... Read more

Alchemist Remixes A D.I.T.C. Gem From A.G. & O.C. (Audio)

It's been 15 years since D.I.T.C.'s (Diggin' In The Crates) one and only album. Released on Tommy Boy Records, the self-titled LP (often called "World Class" by some Heads) featured all members of the crew including Big L, Showbiz, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, O.C., A.G., Buckwild, and Diamond D. After... Read more

Right As Pharoahe Monch Readies P.T.S.D., Prince Po Releases A Video With Organized Konfusion & O.C. (Video)

Tomorrow, Pharoahe Monch will release his fourth solo album, P.T.S.D. Earlier todays, fans were (and still are) treated to an early listen. However, quite cleverly, Prince Po released the video to "Smash" from his own 2014 LP, Animal Serum, produced and starring by Oh No. The two members of Organized... Read more

O.C. Is Forever A B-Boy. He Toasts To Lifetime Hip-Hop Heads In New Song (Audio)

O.C.'s been working lately. After dropping Ray's Cafe, an album with Bronx, New York producer/D.I.T.C. affiliate Ray West, Mush is back with "B-Boy Stance." The Brooklyn and Queens native (he's always claimed both) recalls his '80s childhood, and undying obsession with Hip-Hop at its purist level. Interestingly enough, the whole... Read more

A Rare 1994 Remix Surfaces From O.C.’s Word…Life Album By DJ Eclipse (Audio)

O.C.'s 1994 debut album, Word...Life, is among one of the albums that makes the year so special in the Hip-Hop memory. Known then as a longtime affiliate of Organized Konfusion, O stepped to the front with some help from Buckwild on the boards, Lord Finesse filling in, Roc Raida on... Read more

Suge Knight Talks About D.O.C., DJ Yella, Kendrick Lamar & Game, But What’s He Saying? (Video)

So many interviews with Marion "Suge" Knight are predictable. The Compton, California native will usually find a way to spill controversy into any statement he makes, likely focusing on defaming targets ranging from former partners like Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, to longtime foe Diddy. Enter Arsenio Hall, a longtime... Read more

It’s Organized Konfusion As Pharoahe Monch & O.C. Rock With Prince Po & Oh No (Audio)

Just last year, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po cracked the mic together on Marco Polo's PA2: The Director's Cut. The Queens, New York vets have been in the news a lot lately, with last week's reunion show in NYC, celebrating the 20th anniversary of cult-championed sophomore LP, Stress: The Extinction... Read more

Organized Konfusion To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of Stress: The Extinction Agenda With O.C. & Large Professor

In August of 1994, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry released their second of three albums as Organized Konfusion. The Queens, New Yorkers followed their self-titled 1991 LP with a sophomore joint featuring involvement from Q-Tip, O.C., Buckwild, and a young producer entering the scene named Rockwilder. Within five years the... Read more

O.C. Reflects On His Day With A Whole New Flow On A Dreamy Ray West Beat (Audio)

If you listen to O.C.'s 1994 debut album Word...Life you'll get some deeply introspective MC'ing. O is a master at calling back to childhood memories, or analyzing a situation differently after the fact. While he's worked with production kingpins like DJ Premier, Buckwild, and Da Beatminerz, O's beat-selection always puts... Read more

O.C. Time-Travels With Ray’s Cafe (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates alum O.C. has a few styles and approaches. The MC who spent his youth in both Brooklyn and Queens may be best known for his "cap cocked" cockiness on Buckwild beats in a B-Boy stance. However, the longtime friend of Dame Dash and Jay-Z also has... Read more

Large Professor, O.C., Inspectah Deck & Tragedy Khadafi Team Up On Marco Polo’s Astonishing (Audio)

Could you imagine this between 1993 and 1998? Large Professor (Main Source), Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan), Tragedy Khadafi (Capone-N-Noreaga fam), and O.C. (Diggin' In The Crates) on one song? Well, in 2013, Canadian producer Marco Polo hooks it up. From his PA 2: The Director's Cut album coming next month,... Read more

Neek the Exotic – Hello Everybody ft O.C., Sadat X & Satchel Page

Neek the Exotic brings out O.C., Sadat X and Satchel Page on a hot new track. Check out Hello Everybody. Related: Large Professor & Neek the Exotic - Still on the Hustle (Video)... Read more

DJ Skizz – Light Years ft Roc Marciano, A.G., O.C. & Godfather Pt. 3

Here's a grimy new track from DJ Skizz featuring Roc Marciano, A.G., O.C. & Godfather Pt. 3. Check out Light Years. Related: DJ Skizz – Vio-Lence ft Lil Fame & Ill Bill (Video)... Read more

Kid Tsunami – Catch Wreck ft O.C.

OC gets busy on a track produced by Kid Tsunami. Don't know Kid Tsunami? Well he's about to put out a project with verses from KRS-One, Sadat X, Bahamadia, Pharoahe Monch, Craig G, Chubb Rock, Buckshot, AG, Jeru Tha Damaja and more. You can check out the tracklist and OC's... Read more

Ruthless Records re-defined the boundaries of rap music, making them the 7th most important hip-hop record label of all time. Click here to read more about Ruthless and to hear a playlist of some of its key artists: NWA, Eazy-E, The D.O.C., Bone Thugs N Harmony and more.

#7 Ruthless Records Ruthless Records, founded by Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and Jerry Heller, in 1987 re-defined rap music in several ways. The label was the first to put the West Coast on the map as a force to be respected in hip-hop. Before Ruthless, there were outliers like Ice-T, but... Read more

RE-WIN(D): Here’s a video playlist of joints from the early to mid-90’s. You’ll find songs from Mobb Deep, Jeru Tha Damaja, Group Home, The Roots, Jay-Z, De La Soul, Gang Starr, O.C., Diamond D and more. Just press play and let it ride.

Click here for another RE-WIN(D) playlist featuring De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Kid N Play, Special Ed, Monie Love, Chubb Rock, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and more.... Read more

Time to Dig In The Crates. Rock with me for a minute. The Kid Daytona just murdered a track O.C. once used as a dope intro. Check out Lifted ft Styles P and Vaughn Anthony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWjeQsDR_NQ Click here to download. Up on O.C.?  He was a part of D.I.T.C. (the Diggin' in the Crates crew).  Here's Born to Live, which features the intro on the album (but unfortunately not in the video...still a dope song): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4jg7oY9RvQ ...and his timeless classic, ironically called Times Up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzyaaMUCpWs... Read more

DJ Premier Recruits Snoop Dogg For His Latest Song

Snoop Dogg and DJ Premier have been working together for over a quarter-century. Both artists are cemented leaders in distinct sounds within Rap, but they collaborate well. The two first came together on Jermaine Dupri's debut album for "Protectors Of The 1472" (alongside Warren G and R.O.C.). In 2002, Preemo... Read more

N.W.A. Will Receive The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

N.W.A. changed culture in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The collective, launched by Eazy-E, included Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, and helped bring the city of Compton, California to the mainstream entertainment lexicon. While superstar careers emerged out of the Gangsta Rap outfit,... Read more

AZ’s New Album Is Weeks Away. Here’s The First Video

It's been two years since AZ released his Doe Or Die II album. The legendary Brooklyn MC had not released an album for ten years, prior to the long-awaited project. AZ has stayed active in the two years since Doe Or Die II, appearing on Westside Gunn's "99 Avirex," Statik... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more

Common & Pete Rock Are Working On A Joint Album

Common has announced an upcoming collaboration album with Pete Rock. Speaking with MSNBC’s The Beat With Ari Melber, Common said, “I [have] been listening to a lot of ’90s Hip Hop because I [have] been creating a new project. I’m working on a new album with Pete Rock and just,... Read more

Warren G Details His Many Contributions To The Chronic

In late 1992, Dr. Dre released his solo debut The Chronic. The album launched Death Row Records, and the careers of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, RBX, and others. It also marked the first full-length release from Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records imprint. In videos such... Read more

Warren G Reveals Who Introduced Him To G-Funk

For decades, Hip-Hop artists have spoken about the G-Funk musical style and its origins. While not often credited in the mainstream press, Pomona, California's Above The Law implemented the sound in their catalog, especially on 1993's Black Mafia Life and 1994's Uncle Sam's Curse. The first album reportedly began recording... Read more

Dr. Dre Names The 8 Artists He Would Most Like To Work With

Throughout his career, Dr. Dre has worked with some of the music greats that came before him. Dre made important music with George Clinton, The Dramatics, and Rick James, to name a few. However, the producer/artist known for his reclusive nature and hard-to-reach status, has also been selective about some... Read more

JAY-Z & Biggie Battled But It Wasn’t A Fair Fight

For more than 25 years, Hip-Hop fans have debated who is better between The Notorious B.I.G. and JAY-Z. Both men’s names are perennially heard in conversations about who is the greatest MC of all-time. For them, however, there was something bigger than Hip-Hop: Brooklyn. Fans have not been the only... Read more

Immortal Technique & Ill Bill Send A Powerful Message About Breath Control

Brooklyn, New York veteran MC/producer Ill Bill recently released his latest album, BILLY®. The Uncle Howie/Fat Beats Records LP features Kool G Rap, Tragedy Khadafi, Vinnie Paz, NEMS, Lord Goat (fka Goretex), Skam2, Slaine, Q-Unique, and others. It also packs production from DJ Muggs, Statik Selektah, Stu Bangas, and more.... Read more

Death Row Defeats Wu-Tang Clan To Be Named Greatest Rap Crew

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. Rather than having "experts" tell you who is the greatest of all time, this is your opportunity to collectively make... Read more

Snoop Dogg Reveals The Record Deal He Nearly Took Before Dr. Dre Called

In 1992, Snoop Dogg made his debut alongside Dr. Dre on "Deep Cover," the title song from the soundtrack of the same name. The song arrived as Dr. Dre made a high-profile exit from N.W.A. and Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. Dre would join manager Marion "Suge" Knight at Death Row, a... Read more

KRS-One Has Received The Greatest Award Of His Life

On Sunday (February 5), the 65th annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles, California. There, artists including Kendrick Lamar, JAY-Z, Pusha-T, Future, Gunna, and Doja Cat will compete in the four Rap categories, as K-Dot hopes to win his first "Album Of The Year" category for Mr. Morale & The... 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

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

Snoop Dogg Confirms Details Of Upcoming Album With Dr. Dre

During the summer, one of Death Row Records' financiers, Michael "Harry-O" Harris revealed that Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are making an album together. The revelation came on Kevin Garnett's KG Certified talk show. The man who supplied funds for a label intended to be Godfather Entertainment, spoke about reconnecting... Read more

Latinos Have Played A Critical Role In Hip-Hop History. There’s No Debate

Last Friday (August 26) Fat Joe posted a video online that celebrated the contributions of Latino Hip-Hop pioneers. The slideshow acknowledged figures ranging from the Cold Crush Brothers' DJ Charlie Chase to DJ Disco Wiz to early producer/musician Pumpkin to The Fearless Four's Master O.C. and Tito. With the video,... Read more

Snoop Explains Why He Lets Other MCs Write His Rhymes

This year, Snoop Dogg has released lots of new music while also acquiring the label that birthed his career, Death Row Records. Among his songs on BODR (Bacc On Death Row), which released in conjunction with the announcement, Snoop solicited writing from other artists. Although not in the official credits,... Read more

Celebrate Hip-Hop’s Birthday In A BIG Way With These 40 Mixes

Earlier this week, on August 11, Hip-Hop celebrated its 49th birthday. Now deemed a holiday, August 11 honors the 1973 date that DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cynthia Campbell hosted a Back To School Jam at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue's rec center in New York's Bronx borough. Approaching 50 years... Read more

Remy Ma & Rapsody Are Rap’s New Dynamic Duo

Last month (July 15), DJ Premier released an exceptional five-song collection. Hip-Hop 50, Vol. 1 kicks off Mass Appeal's series marching towards Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary in 2023. Today (August 11) marks the culture's 49th birthday as many Heads and historians celebrate it, honoring the day that DJ Kool Herc through a Saturday... Read more

Death Row Records Investor Says Dr. Dre & Snoop Are Making An Album

In the early 1990s, Michael "Harry-O" Harris was as an alleged financier of Dr. Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records. An early iteration of the label was named Godfather Entertainment, in the incarcerated Harry-O's honor. Michael's then-wife, Lydia Harris, was to have a hand in the musical direction of... 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 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 Raps About How He & Elvis Are Alike While Blasting His Haters

Twenty years and one month ago, Eminem's single "Without Me" spoofed the late singer Elvis Presley. In the Bass Brothers-produced song, he rapped, "But it's just me, I'm just obscene / Though I'm not the first king of controversy / I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley / To... Read more