AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Murs Is Starting A Residency At Duke University (Video)

The long-term partnership between Los Angeles, California MC Murs and producer 9th Wonder is taking a new turn, as the self-described "Captain California" heads to Duke University to start a week-long residency as part of its African and African American Studies program. Finding himself in a college setting is not... Read more

An Argument For Why Ghostwriting Is Good Starting With Exhibit D-R-E (Video)

The biggest MCs in Hip-Hop are talking about ghostwriting more than ever right now. Sixteen years after Puff Daddy proudly proclaimed, "Don't ask me if I write rhymes, I write checks," authorship in Rap verses is not something that anybody takes lightly. Since Meek Mill outed Drake's involvement of emerging... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK’s Summertime 8 Mix Gets The Cookout Party Started (Audio)

2017 marks eight years since DJ Jazzy Jeff and MICK (fka Mick Boogie) started their Summertime series. From jump, these became some of the best things to look forward to in 2010s Hip-Hop. True to the sets of each acclaimed DJ, these mixes flex Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Funk, Jazz, and... Read more

Jermaine Dupri Penned Hits For Many. He Explains Why Using Writers Ain’t A Thang (Video)

In recent years, Hip-Hop has called into question the use of additional writers on songs. In 2015, Meek Mill created a beef when he publicized Drake's working with Atlanta, Georgia MC Quentin Miller on #1 album If You're Reading This It's Too Late. In turn, Meek and Drake's relationship disintegrated,... Read more

20 Years Later, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah & Magoo Still Boogie Down (Video)

With their platinum-selling 1997 debut LP Welcome to Our World, Timbaland & Magoo invited millions of music fans into their native Norfolk, Virginia, a city (not to mention, a state) that had not made the kind of splash in the culture as had other Southern cities. With Timbo's innovative, electronic style... Read more

Kxng Crooked Cuts Loose With Another Razor Sharp Freestyle (Audio)

Kxng Crooked is on a relentless streak of music. The Long Beach, California veteran fires up freestyles like he enjoys his stogies. This Friday (March 3), he revisits an early Slaughterhouse instrumental (the Mr. Porter-produced "Cut You Loose") for some detaching bars. He uses addresses alcoholism, hunger pains and poverty,... 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

DJ Jazzy Jeff Shows NOBODY Rocks A Party Like He Can (Video)

For more than 30 years, DJ Jazzy Jeff has been one of the most formidable turntablists in Hip-Hop. Jeff's techniques literally transformed the way DJs approached moving crowds. As one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Jeff was one of the last grandmasters to warrant top billing... Read more

Listen To Some Of The Best Hip-Hop Songs Of 2016 & More In 1 Playlist (Audio)

2016 is officially a wrap. For many it will go down as one of the more challenging years in recent memory, but, no matter what may have transpired, it was a period in which a lot of great music was released. Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s... Read more

Tony Touch Shows Where The New Boom Bap Lives In His Latest Mix (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Brooklyn, New York's Tony Touch was one of the most prominent mixtape DJs. One of the original promoters of the MC freestyle, Tony Touch played records he liked, featured great signed and underground talent, and kept the culture organic. In 2016, Tony is one of the only... Read more

Large Professor Broke More Than Atoms 25 Years Ago. He Broke New Ground.

By the early 1990s, Wild Pitch Records proved to be one of the most exciting labels in Hip-Hop. It was their logo at the center of the record that made key introductions for Gang Starr, Lord Finesse, and Flavor Unit lyricist Chill Rob G. Stu Fine’s label appeared to be... Read more

Black Thought’s Fresh Freestyle Serves The Good Food To Expect At The Roots Picnic NYC (Video)

This past Saturday (June 4), the ninth annual Roots Picnic took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hosts The Roots played alongside Pop-R&B superstar Usher, while other feature performers included Future, DMX, Swizz Beatz, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kaytranada, Lil Dicky, Migos, Tish Hyman, Willow Smith, and... Read more

Large Professor Gifts Powerule With A Knocking Beat & He Makes The Most Of It (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, Large Professor tracks have maintained the gravitas to introduce Hip-Hop Heads to the likes of Nas, Mobb Deep, Akinyele, Non-Phixion, Mad Skillz, and REKS, among others. Powerule is a veteran MC, who many listeners are still coming around to discover. He has appeared on a... Read more

One Of J Dilla’s Most Respected Collaborative Peers Makes A Beat From Scratch In His Style (Video)

Nottz and J Dilla had a colorful history. Both production purists, these MC/producer double-threats each benefited from the support of Busta Rhymes, Skillz, and Ghostface Killah placements at critical career junctures. Thereby, the artists from Norfolk, Virginia and Detroit, Michigan (respectively) ended up on a few albums together. More than... Read more

Miilkbone Kept It Real With Something Big L, Jay Z & Logic Could Feel (Video)

Perth Amboy, New Jersey's claim to Hip-Hop fame lies in Miilkbone. Fans of 1990s Hip-Hop may recall the Naughty By Nature affiliate for his Capitol Records debut, Da' Miilkrate. With production by N.B.N.'s KayGee as well as Nick Wiz (Cella Dwellas, Rakim, Skillz), the major label album struck the Rap... Read more

Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city vs. Clipse’s Lord Willin’. 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

M.O.P. Always Rhyme Like Their Lives Depend On It (Audio)

The M.O.P. co-sign is big in Hip-Hop. Lil Fame and Billy Danze have helped introduce acts ranging from Teflon to Termanology in their illustrious 25-year career. The Brownsvillains come out to support Patterson, New Jersey veteran MC/producer Ran Reed. Ran produced his own single, "Gun Boy Interlude." With a distorted... Read more

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of December 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

The number of Hip-Hop releases in December slowed, but the quality did not. In fact, it was one of the densest months of the year in terms of audio dope. Here's a playlist of the best the month had to offer. You'll hear music from PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce... Read more

Finding The GOAT Album: Clipse’s Lord Willin’ vs. T.I.’s Paper Trail. 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

Prince Paul Slices Into A Stack Of Wax By Camp Lo, Inspectah Deck & Big L (Mix)

It's been since April that the devastating Prince Paul gave Heads another latest installment of It's Not The Size Of Your Mix, It's How You Use It. The free-form mix series by the Stetsasonic/Gravediggaz member returns, with #4. Clocking just under 40 minutes, this version finds the onetime Tommy Boy... Read more

Meek Mill Reveals the Ghost Writer He Claims Wrote Drake’s R.I.C.O. Verse (Video)

From The D.O.C. to Royce Da 5'9", Skillz to Ice Cube, Hip-Hop has a long line of famous ghostwriters. High profile albums such as Dr. Dre's 2001, Salt-n-Pepa's Very Necessary, and Kanye West's Yeezus are assembled around raps written by artists besides those who voiced the words. Drake, who has... Read more

This Large Professor Mix Celebrates The Explosiveness Of Rap’s Mad Scientist (Mix)

Tomorrow (June 9), Large Professor is releasing his fifth solo album, RE: Living Legend. The Queens, New York iconic MC/producer/DJ is more than 25 years deep in making monumental Hip-Hop albums. As a high school student, the Extra P studied under the late, great Paul C., various techniques of sampling,... Read more

Do Remember: Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing 2 Album (Audio)

May 18, 1999, Rawkus Records would enter their most definitive year with their fifth full-length release in Soundbombing II. Distributed by the same Priority Records that had been so integral to the successes of Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and Roc-A-Fella, Brian Brater and Jarret Myer's imprint was truly stepping out. 1998 had... Read more

Ever Hear This Extra-Large 1995 Method Man Freestyle? (Audio)

In 1995, things were reaching a boil for Method Man. The Wu-Tang Clan MC had a hit solo album in Tical, and an onslaught of classic verses with his band-mates. However, even with the presumed millions rolling in, the Iron Lung MC was not at all above ripping up bars... Read more

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

Along with the start of Spring, the month of March brought much to celebrate in Hip-Hop. Action Bronson released Mr. Wonderful, his major label debut album. DJ EFN hit Heads off with a slew of amazing collaborations on his Another Time LP. Earl Sweatshirt fired the latest salvo from Odd... Read more

Rhymefest Now Has A Grammy & An Oscar. Is He One Of The Ghostwriter Greats?

Remember that time Rhymefest beat Eminem in a Rap battle at the 1997 Scribble Jam? Unless you were there, likely not. It seems now that the two Midwest MCs have more in common all these years later. During the 87th Academy Awards this past weekend, Rhymefest and Common simultaneously became... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): DMX vs. Fabolous…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in 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... Read more

Detroit Vs. Everybody: How One City Staged a Hip-Hop Takeover (Editorial)

Detroit, Michigan is historically, a fighter’s city. The sharp elbows of the Bad Boy-era Pistons, the unbreakable spirit of the autoworkers through the decline of the industry’s bountifulness, and the cold, harsh conditions of everyday life make for the Great Lakes State to be rugged, never smooth. In the context... Read more

Happy Birthday to DJ Jazzy Jeff. Celebrate with This Amazing Mix (Mixtape)

Happy Birthday to the incomparable DJ Jazzy Jeff who turned the tender young age of 50 today (1/22). If you've ever had the privilege of attending a set spun by Jeff, you know NOBODY goes harder or digs deeper in the crates than him. So, on his birthday, what better... Read more

Blu, Skyzoo & Kool G Rap Get Remixed By Large Professor, Diamond D & More (Album Stream)

Coalmine Records loves a remix. The Brooklyn, New York-based independent label mined their catalog, including joints from Blu, Heltah Skeltah, El Da Sensei, Guilty Simpson, Kool G Rap, Royce Da 5'9", Skillz, and more, and issued up some new remixes. The handiwork on the flips comes from the heralded likes... Read more

David Banner Shuts Decembers Down. Burning Thumbs Is An Uncomprising Look Back At ’14 (Audio)

One of the greatest albums released after the year-end album lists in recent years was 2010's Death Of A Pop Star by David Banner & 9th Wonder. Not out for media accolades, the jarring commentary resonated with many, in an odd year for music. Now, for 2014, the Crooked Lettaz... 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

Royce Da 5’9″, DJ Premier & Adrian Younge Are In Their PRhyme (Album Review)

In what felt like the last days of Underground Hip-Hop, a relative unknown named Royce Da 5’9” teamed with DJ Premier to release a 1999 12” single, “Boom.” Although Game Recordings placed their trademark bikini-clad “Hip-Hop Honey” on the picture cover single, no alluring marketing tools were necessary, as the... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Rick Ross vs. Fabolous…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

DJ Clark Kent Says There Are No Lies On Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt (Video)

After a titillating first chapter, Hip-Hop Wired returns with a second segment of "Off The Record" with DJ Clark Kent. HHW's Aqua Boogie asks Clark about a more obscure cut, in Mad Skillz' (n/k/a Skillz) 1995 single, "Move Ya Body." Interestingly enough, while LL Cool J had hoped to swack... Read more

Chubb Rock Made Some Party Joints. Here’s A Brand New Remix With Chubb & DJ Mighty Mi That Pleases (Audio)

Chubb Rock and his booming vocals made Hip-Hop great in the five-year-run between 1988 and 1993. With his Caribbean influence, Chubb's wit, precise delivery, and fast flow made him a Select Records flagship artist, and a staple voice in Hip-Hop's most animated era. With some key spots through recent years,... Read more

A VA Bounce Battle Begins With This Timbaland Vs. Neptunes Mix By Five Deez’ Pase Rock (Mixtape)

In the late 1990s, Cincinnati, Ohio was a keystone tributary to the Underground Hip-Hop movement's pinnacle. The River City produced DJ Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal, Mood, Black Star), as well as Anticon co-founder Dose.One and others. Blueprint would relocate to Cincy from nearby Columbus, Ohio, along with Illogic, forming the Greenhouse... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff Lists Some Of His Prized Celebrity Equipment, Covers Nirvana In A Jam With Travis Barker (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is the farthest thing from a braggart. When he shares jewels from his personal and professional life, it's always matter of fact. So when the A Touch Of Jazz founder crosses paths with Travis Barker (Blink 182), the two are just talking shop. In the process, Jeff... Read more

In The Mood For Some Pharoahe Monch, Blu, Royce Da 5’9 & More? Stream Coalmine Records’ Unearthed LP (Audio)

Brooklyn-based Coalmine Records has been consistently working with Hip-Hop luminaries from coast-to-coast, and abroad. The label has facilitated projects ranging from The Artifacts' El Da Sensei to Blu & Nottz' EP, to Rah Digga releases, and of course the Guilty Simpson x Small Professor collision. Celebrating a decade in indie... Read more

REWIND: What’s the First Music You Bought with Your Own Money? (Video)

What's the first music you bought with your own money? We asked Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Fashawn, Stic Man, Skillz, Murs and more. Their answers might surprise you...Watch what they had to say and weigh in with what music you first bought. Related:... Read more

Michael Jackson’s Archives Are Going To Be Produced By Which Hip-Hop Super-Producer? (Video)

It's soon to be five years since "The King Of Pop" Michael Jackson tragically passed away. In addition to a diamond-paved catalog of hit songs and blockbuster albums, M.J. is soon to have a second posthumous LP. Named Xscape (no relation to the '90s girl group), details are starting to... Read more

Ever Wanted To See DJ Jazzy Jeff Grumpy? Catch Him On A Travel Day With No Sleep (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is one of Hip-Hop's friendliest guys. Like his music video persona for almost 30 years, the West Philadelphia native is big on smiles, jokes, and a cool, calm, pleasant demeanor. However, the latest episode of "Vinyl Destination" finds Skillz, Rich Medina, and Jeff a bit browbeat from... Read more

How Does DJ Jazzy Jeff Handle A Fender-Bender In Russia & What’s He Eat Abroad? (Video)

In the latest episode of Vinyl Destination Season 2, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Skillz and crew hit a frigid Russia to cold rock the party. There, the troop encounters a van-accident, and mixes some McDonald's abroad with some fine wine and cheeses. All that character drives the behind-the-scenes vignette. Related: DJ... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff Shows The Link Between DJ’ing & Technology, Visits Sway In The Morning (Video)

In the newest episode of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination, the A Touch Of Jazz crew hits the Bay area, one of the basins for technology. There, in the backyard of DJ Q-Bert, Mixmaster Mike, and Shortkut, the clique discusses how the innovations on the turntable over the last 30... Read more

One Of The Source’s Co-Founders & DJ Mighty Mi Lay Down A 2 Hour Golden Era Mix (Audio)

Back in arguably the greatest year for all things Rap (1988), The Source magazine, the onetime "Bible Of Hip-Hop," started by Publisher Dave Mays and Jon Shecter at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With some friends (and allegedly Ray Benzino), the magazine would go on to become thee paper of... Read more

See the WORLD with DJ Jazzy Jeff…While Listening to DOPE Beats (Video)

If you saw any of the episodes of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Vinyl Destination series, you know it was one of the better Hip-Hop web series of 2013. It chronicled Jeff's world travels (literally the WORLD) in various exotic places, often accompanied by Skillz. Here's a "best of" recap of those... Read more

Like Pink Floyd? Like George Washington & Ben Franklin Getting It In? Check This (Video)

DJ House Shoes' affiliate DertBeats made a very cool flip of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon hit "Money." The re-imagined beat has that thump, and serves as a true MPC clinic to anybody who studies arrangement. Well, there's a fantastic new video to capture the street vibe of... 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

Lyrical Breakdown With Los (Video)

Although many MCs are respected for their lyrical prowess, it’s always interesting being able to discover what goes on inside their head before they spit those bars. In a recent interview with Diddy's Revolt TV,  one of Diddy's artists, Los (aka King Los) dropped some knowledge on lyrical styles and... Read more

AFH: The Week in Video (8/25/13) (Video Playlist)

This week brought one of the strongest freestyles of the year from Astro, some jewels from Skillz about Kendrick's Control verse, new videos from MC Lyte, Talib Kweli, Robin Thicke and REKS and more. Check out the best of the week in video below. Just hit play and lean back.... Read more