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Buddy Starts 2019 By Showing Why He Was 1 Of 2018’s Best

Buddy's Harlan and Alondra was named one of Ambrosia For Heads' favorite albums of 2018. The Compton rapper and singer showed off his appreciation for Funk and Soul on his debut full-length project, which paired him with everyone from Snoop Dogg to Khalid. Though rooted distinctly in Rap music, the album... Read more

January 9, 2019 Video

There Were Some Incredible Freestyles In 2018. Here Are The Year’s Best (Video)

For all the chatter about Mumble Rap taking over, there have been a number of MCs who put on incredible lyrical displays in 2018. Artists like Royce 5'9, Styles P, Pusha-T, Evidence, Benny The Butcher, Jay Rock, Logic and J. Cole released projects packed with punchlines and substantive verses, and... Read more

December 29, 2018 Video

Teyana Taylor’s Video Shows Her In A Love Triangle With Method Man & Ghostface

With the release of a new video, Teyana Taylor single-handedly revived the style of New York in the ‘90s while also breathing life back into R&B classics of the same era. The G.O.O.D. Music artist self-directed the video for “Gonna Love Me (Remix)” that features Ghostface Killah, Method Man and... Read more

December 14, 2018 Video

Masta Ace Opens Up About His Battle With MS & How He Fights Back

This month, Masta Ace and longtime collaborating producer Marco Polo released A Breukelen Story. The Fat Beats LP, embedded below, examines the New York City borough that Ace (a Brownsville native) and Marco Polo (a Fort Greene resident) hold so dear. This week, Ambrosia For Heads’ founder Reggie Williams visited... Read more

November 29, 2018 Exclusive, Video

Masta Ace Is A Hip-Hop King. He Raps Royally On A Marco Polo Track (Video Premiere)

With 30-plus years of being one of Rap's most consistent (and profoundly influential) lyricists in the game, Masta Ace teamed up with longtime collaborating producer Marco Polo to pay homage to the borough of Brooklyn. They did this by collectively constructing a full-length body of work that is conceptual, cohesive,... Read more

November 12, 2018 Exclusive, Video

Dave Chappelle & Jon Stewart Talk Politics Unusual (Video)

As comedians, Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle are inherently political. Both have led illustrious careers in their respective fields, utilizing humor to comment on and critique policies, politicians, social movements and more. As the anchor of Comedy Central's Daily Show, Stewart brought high-brow, intricate political topics into everyday discourse. With Chappelle's... Read more

November 1, 2018 Lifestyle

Jimmy Fallon Details How He Convinced The Roots To Be His Show’s House Band (Video)

Next March marks a decade for The Roots and Jimmy Fallon working together five nights a week. The partnership began in 2009 when the Grammy Award-winning band from Philadelphia joined The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon in the midst of one of their strongest album-making strides. That relationship carried over... Read more

October 30, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Posdnuos Delivers A Vintage Guest Verse On A Song That’s From The Soul (Video)

The eclectic Hip-Hop vets known as De La Soul have done some unexpected, yet outstanding collaborations in the last two decades. From their various cuts with the Gorillaz, to lesser-known ditties with Yo La Tengo, Propellerheads, and Oliver, to their own tracks with amazing vocalists like Chaka Khan, Little Dragon,... Read more

October 11, 2018 Video

D.I.T.C.’s O.C. Recreates The Year In Hip-Hop That Was 1988 In His New Video

1988 was a special year in Hip-Hop. EPMD, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Big Daddy Kane, N.W.A., Eric B. & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, Ice-T, Slick Rick, Jungle Brothers, and Biz Markie all released landmark albums. O.C. was listening, as was P.F. Cuttin. Both artists made their critical... Read more

October 9, 2018 Video

Masta Ace, Marco Polo & Smif-n-Wessun Team Up To Salute Bucktown (Video)

Twenty-eight years ago, Masta Ace released his debut album, Take A Look Around. From that title onward, the gifted MC has always made Brooklyn, New York an essential muse in his art. The neighborhoods, people, and landmarks have been more than just a backdrop too. Ace was in the founding... Read more

October 2, 2018 Video

Saba & His Band Bring One Of 2018’s Best Albums To LIFE (Video)

In the first week of April, Chicago, Illinois MC Saba released his sophomore album, CARE FOR ME. The 24-year-old artist many Heads first heard on Chance The Rapper's Acid Rap or his Coloring Book has stood out on his own with a strong and growing body of work. Following 2016's... Read more

October 1, 2018 Video

Pharoahe Monch Discusses Early Hip-Hop Experiences & Why He Still Loves H.E.R. (Video)

Last week, respected DJ/producer J. Period orchestrated a "live mixtape" Hip-Hop event featuring Rap performances by Rakim, Black Thought, and Pharoahe Monch. Surprise guest performers included Smif-n-Wessun, Dres and Chi-Ali, Eric B., as well as Mumu Fresh. Yasiin Bey appeared on stage, but did not perform. In addition to rapping and... Read more

September 18, 2018 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Smif-N-Wessun Show Boom Bap Sounds Amazing With Live Instruments (Video)

The group Smif-n-Wessun is preparing the release of their forthcoming album, The A.L.L., and they promise it will be soon. The Duck Down Music LP is produced by 9th Wonder and his North Carolina-based Soul Council collective (Khrysis, Eric G., Kash, Amp, E. Jones, Nottz, and others). Last Friday (September... Read more

September 17, 2018 Video

RZA & GZA Support Chicago’s Joey Purp With Some Exceptional Verses (Audio)

Twenty-five-year-old Chicago MC Joey Purp first made waves when he dropped his sophomore mixtape iiiDrops in 2016. His buzz-worthy project balanced socially conscious, often braggy lyricism with gritty Windy City realism with a punchy delivery. The beat selection ranged from addicting dance rhythms to horn-laden production akin to an explosive early-2000s... Read more

September 17, 2018 Audio

Rasheed Chappell’s Latest Kenny Dope-Produced LP Finds Him At Work With The Masters (Audio)

While New Jersey's Rasheed Chappell hasn’t dropped a proper album since his Kenny Dope-produced debut Future Before Nostalgia in 2011, he seems to pop up on dope albums regularly. Check his molten lava stanzas on recent projects by Recognize Ali (The Shining) and Napoleon Da Legend (Steal This Mixtape 4).... Read more

September 16, 2018 Audio

Happy Birthday Big Daddy Kane. King Asiatic Turns 50 Years Old (Video)

Earlier this year, LL Cool J and Rakim both celebrated their 50th birthdays. Today (September 10), another game-changing lyricist joins the party. Big Daddy Kane (aka Antonio Hardy) turns 50. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Long Live The Kane. At 50, Kane's longevity is cemented. In terms... Read more

September 10, 2018 Fresh, Mixes

Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko Don’t Need Bells And Whistles To Annihilate A Set (Video)

NPR’s "Tiny Desk Concerts" have steadily forced musicians outside of their comfort zones for years. On paper, the series’ latest display, the oft-bigger than life Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko seem like outlandish candidates for the intimate show, but the Strange Music pair proved they don’t get uncomfortable. Over the... Read more

August 29, 2018 Video

Erykah Badu Reminds That Live Music Is Supposed To Sound BETTER Than The Record (Video)

Erykah Badu is the latest guest at the Tiny Desk. With some gold-accented fronts in, the veteran singer brought her grace, style, and showmanship right along with her singing gifts to the Washington, D.C. bureau. The Dallas, Texas native also brought her incredible band. The ensemble includes a flutist (Dwayne... Read more

August 15, 2018 Video

A.G.’s New Album Features Sounds By Alchemist, Lord Finesse & Diamond D. Listen Here (Audio)

A.G. may be best known for his classic material with partner Showbiz from the 1990s, but Heads who have not checked out his solo and collaborative catalog are missing out. The Bronx, New Yorker, and D.I.T.C. co-founder has done projects with O.C., Koss, Ray West, and others. Meanwhile, 'Dre has... Read more

June 27, 2018 Audio

Rakim Performs With A Live Band & It Sounds INCREDIBLE (Video)

Rakim's making his most recent return to Hip-Hop in a big way. The Long Island, New York legend's latest release was a song called "King's Paradise" which is being used for Marvel's Luke Cage Season 2 soundtrack. Now, the oft-praised God MC has decided to participate in NPR's "Tiny Desk... Read more

June 25, 2018 Video

Jorja Smith Sings From The Soul About Love, Loss & Police Brutality (Video)

Just days after Toronto native Daniel Caesar delivered a brilliant, Gospel-driven set as a part of NPR's Tiny Desk series, enter 21-year-old English singer/songwriter Jorja Smith. Jorja has already received co-signs and work alongside the likes of Drake, Kali Uchis, and, most recently, Kendrick Lamar on this year's #1-charting Black... Read more

June 11, 2018 Video

Big Daddy Kane Details Recording This 1988 Mixtape Collabo With JAY-Z (Video)

Big Daddy Kane and DJ Mister Cee have been performing and recording together for more than 30 years. The two Brooklyn, New York natives appear together on Funkmaster Flex's I Got A Story To Tell series. For more than an hour, one of the greatest MCs of all time revisits... Read more

June 10, 2018 Throwback, Video

Daniel Caesar Has The Makings Of A Great Modern-Day Soul Singer. Just Watch (Video)

Daniel Caesar's Freudian has made him one of contemporary Soul's biggest names. Since releasing the album in August 2017, the Toronto singer-songwriter became a Grammy-nominated musician thanks to the success of singles like "Get You," featuring the inimitable Kali Uchis, and "We Find Love." At just 23, he's found tremendous success (he's got... Read more

June 4, 2018 Video

Big K.R.I.T.’s First Recording Proves He’s Always Had Soul For Real (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. brings his double-LP 4Eva Is A Mighty Long Time (deemed the best 2017 Hip-Hop album by the readers of Ambrosia For Heads) to NPR's Washington, D.C. offices. There, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer put on a Tiny Desk concert that is anything but small. Performing “Mixed Messages,” “Keep The... Read more

March 5, 2018 Video

Common & Questlove Share Stories About Bargaining For Beats From J Dilla & D’Angelo

On January 25, Common was the guest for the first live audience recording of Questlove Supreme. At Manhattan's Gramercy Theater, Questlove, Laiya, Suga Steve, and Boss Bill interviewed Common for nearly two hours. Ambrosia For Heads was front and center for the event. Today (February 21), that interview is available... Read more

February 21, 2018 Fresh

The Roots Will Turn 2018’s Picnic Into A Dave Chappelle-Hosted Jam Session

The Roots Picnic has become one of the culture's longest-running artist-run Hip-Hop festivals. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania event has expanded to include New York City satellite festivals, and seen its share of historic moments. The 2018 affair has been announced and will see the event playing out a little differently. On... Read more

February 14, 2018 Fresh

Tyler, The Creator’s Best Rap Album Contender Sounds Even Better Live (Video)

Two weeks ago, Tyler, The Creator's Flower Boy album was nominated in the Grammy category for "Best Rap Album." The nod marks a first for the 26-year-old MC/producer. In 2013, Tyler was part of Frank Ocean's Channel Orange cast that received an "Album Of The Year" nomination. Looking into next... Read more

December 11, 2017 Video

DJ Premier & His Band Rock Funky Beats From Nas To Gang Starr To KRS (Video)

As Hip-Hop celebrates its 44th birthday this month, NPR "Tiny Desk" concert honors the DJ in a way that Heads can appreciate. DJ Premier is the first mix-master on the popular video series, but he did arrive alone. This summer, DJ Premier & The Badder Band toured the United States... Read more

August 21, 2017 Video

Nick Grant Enters A House Of Horrors & Spits Vicious Verses Before Bouncin’ (Video)

South Carolina's Nick Grant is one of the most exciting new faces in Hip-Hop at the moment. He has cosigns from Andre 3000, Nas, Bun B, and others. However, it is his recent Return Of The Cool album that may speak the loudest. The MC follows up his 88 mixtape... Read more

June 19, 2017 Video

Tank & The Bangas Combine The Soul Of Jill Scott With The Chemistry Of Run-D.M.C. (Video)

New Orleans, Louisiana has been a musical hot-bed for as long as it's been a cultural destination. This melting pot made Jazz an institution, and took that same free-form musicality and threaded it through Funk, Soul, and Bounce. From Louis Armstrong to Fats Domino, Juvenile to Jay Electronica, this soul... Read more

March 10, 2017 Video

Common Is A Rap Pharaoh Building Pyramids Of Empowerment, With Words (Video)

One week ago today, Common released his 11th album, Black America Again. The LP had many a la carte looks before its release. "Pyramids" was a highlight. Produced by Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper, the track is one of several with reverberating lyrics about the modern day Black experience, the... Read more

November 11, 2016 Video

Common Wants Solange’s “Cranes” To Find Forever In His Remix (Audio)

Solange Knowles earned her first #1 album earlier this month. A Seat At The Table contains thoughtful, assertive, and incredibly timely music. Video single "Cranes In The Sky" is the entry point to many on the younger Knowles sister's latest dissertation in sound, with an album that truly owns her... Read more

October 18, 2016 Audio

Common Releases The Artwork & Tracklist For His Black America Again Album

Common has taken one of the defining singles of his career and extended it to an album title. Black America Again is the name of Comm's 11th album. Common Speaks On Why He’s Not A Conscious Rapper. He’s a Human MC (Video) To be released in less than one month... Read more

October 14, 2016 Fresh

Common Speaks On Why He’s Not A Conscious Rapper. He’s a Human MC (Video)

In the skit following "The 6th Sense," Common made light of his public image. The Chicago, Illinois MC made a song that fought for Hip-Hop's preservation. Moments after, he made light of the way he appeared to some—as a deeply conscious, lighthearted poet. The same artist who had been involved... Read more

October 10, 2016 Video

Anderson .Paak & Free Nationals Transport NPR’s Offices To “Malibu” (Video)

Having one of the most exciting albums of the year is one thing. To see Anderson .Paak perform live is another world in of itself, which takes the album Malibu and casts a new shade entirely on the rich Empire-released LP. On the road, the Southern California native plays the... Read more

August 15, 2016 Video

Anthony Hamilton’s One-Of-A-Kind Voice Will Brighten Your Day (Video)

Over the last few years, NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series has become one of the richest platforms for showcasing great music, in its purest form. The franchise allowed artists like Oddisee and Rapsody to demo the richness and depth in their song-making, and completely re-introduced T-Pain to the world as... Read more

March 31, 2016 Video

Anthony Hamilton Sings The Kind Of Soul Music That Makes You Say “AMEN” (Video)

Over the last few years, NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series has become one of the richest platforms for showcasing great music, in its purest form. The franchise allowed artists like Oddisee and Rapsody to demo the richness and depth in their song-making, and completely re-introduced T-Pain to the world as... Read more

March 29, 2016 Video

Rapsody Reacts To Grammy Nomination & Confirms Guest On Next Album (Video Interview)

Last night, Rapsody and 9th Wonder performed at the second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. During Rap's set, her friend and collaborator Jay Electronica took the stage to publicly crown her "the best female lyricist since Lauryn Hill," and bestow her with his chain. Moments later, the Jamla... Read more

February 6, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

Take A Trip To The Sweet Spot With The Internet (Video)

The Internet have made it clear that they are one of the most stylistically creative bands out today and continue to match that creativity with undeniable talent. Led by former OFWGKTA members Syd tha Kid - a skilled songstress whose own personal image beautifully destroys stereotypes of what a Soul... Read more

October 15, 2015 Video

Oddisee Delivers One of Hip-Hop’s Standout Performances in 2015. This Is Special (Video)

Oddisee's The Good Fight is touted as one of 2015's most cohesive, relateable albums. Beyond simply Hip-Hop, the Diamond District member's latest solo outing dabbles in Jazz, R&B, and Spoken Word. Moreover, from the independent label of Mello Music Group, the mainstream is taking notice. The perfect example of that... Read more

June 27, 2015 Video

Here’s an Amazing Stripped Down Concert Session From The Foreign Exchange (Video)

Though Phonte was introduced to the world as part of the iconic underground group Little Brother, 2014 marks his 10th year as a part of The Foreign Exchange, which also includes Nicolay and now Zo! The Foreign Exchange trio gave an amazing stripped down performance of "On A Day Like... Read more

July 9, 2014 Video

Allen Stone – Kiss From a Rose (Video)

It takes stones to cover Seal's Kiss From a Rose...actually, just one Stone. Allen Stone re-imagines Seal's classic and does a rousing acoustic version. Check out the video. Related: Miguel performs on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series (Video)... Read more

July 28, 2013 Video

Miguel – Candles in the Sun (Video)

Fresh off winning a Grammy, Miguel is back with a powerful new video that showcases his "concerns of life." Check out Candles in the Sun below. Related: Miguel performs on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series (Video)... Read more

February 20, 2013 Video

Tobe Nwigwe Makes Some Of The Best Music Videos In Hip-Hop & He Does It Weekly

In the modern music age, many artists are dropping at a grueling pace. From Hip-Hop legends like DJ Muggs and Ghostface Killah to dominant emerging voices such as Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine, staying prolific is seemingly part of the daily operation. Tobe Nwigwe has released three albums since... Read more

September 30, 2019 Video

Lil Dicky Kicks A Freestyle With Comedy Without Sacrificing The Bars (Video)

This year, Lil Dicky took an Earth Day-themed song about saving the planet to the top of the charts. Even though the corresponding music video to "Earth" features Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande, and a host of others, the Greater Philadelphia native is still very in touch with his... Read more

June 27, 2019 Video

Rakim Reveals The Verse That Most Defines Him (Video)

This November marks 10 years since Rakim released an album. The Seventh Seal involved Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, and Styles P, alongside production from Nottz, Jake One, and Ty Fyffe. At the time, that SMC Recordings LP followed a 10-year-break since The Master. Unlike his first dozen or so years on wax,... Read more

June 24, 2019 Video

Tech N9ne Discusses His N9na Album & Being A B-Boy For Life

Tech N9ne is one of the most prolific Rap artists in his class. For 20 years, the Kansas City, Missouri MC has fed his devoted technicians with 20 albums, handfuls of collaborative projects, EPs, and group work. Notably, every release from Aaron Yates is a mapped out universe and part... Read more

April 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Dave Chappelle Refuses To Apologize After Calling Singer Daniel Caesar Gay (Video)

Sunday night (March 10), Dave Chappelle and R&B singer Daniel Caesar made guest appearances on John Mayer's Instagram Live show Current Mood. The encounter between the comedian and the "Get You" singer, however, was fumbling and awkward. The moment Mayer introduces Daniel Caesar for a performance, Chappelle interjects and comments,... Read more

March 12, 2019 Food for Thought, Video

Smif-N-Wessun Detail The Making Of The Album Where They Truly Gave Their All (Video)

In the mid-1990s, Smif-N-Wessun burst onto the scene brandishing two barrels locked-and-loaded with raw Rap talent. Following a breakthrough appearance on Black Moon's seminal Enta Da Stage, the skills of Tek and Steele shimmered on their 1995 debut, Dah Shinin'. Da Beatminerz-produced album balanced vigor, street-smarts, and just the right... Read more

March 5, 2019 Exclusive, Interview

Madlib And Mac Miller Have An Unreleased Joint Album

Several Hip-Hop artists have been at work on special projects at the time of their passing. In the last year of his life, Tupac had begun recording a One Nation project that involved his Outlawz, as well as East Coast Rap luminaries including Buckshot, Smif-n-Wessun, and Greg Nice, among others.... Read more

February 20, 2019 News

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