AFH Ambrosia for Heads

In A Past Recording, Q-Tip Shares The Story Of How Phife Convinced Him To Try Rapping (Audio)

Yesterday, after the confirmation of Phife Dawg's passing, the remaining members of A Tribe Called Quest released a statement about his life and what he meant to them. While none of them has spoken individually, yet, J. Period has unearthed a touching recording of Q-Tip sharing some of his earliest... Read more

Celebrate Phife Dawg’s Life & Legacy Through His Music With This Tribute Mix (Audio)

For many of us, today has been one of deep mourning and reflection, as we process the death of Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor. The "5ft Assassin" was a co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest, one of the most influential groups in music of any genre. Many words have been written... Read more

Nas’ Illmatic vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Chambers vs. A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

Eric B. Defends His Legacy & Claims His Credit In History (Audio)

Eric B. may be one of the most misunderstood figures in Hip-Hop. An Elmhurst Queens, New York native, Eric Barrier formed one of the genre's most technically advanced groups in Eric B. & Rakim. Furthermore, the DJ/producer established a brand in Rap music that not only pivoted towards the materialism... Read more

Phonte Explains Why Big Daddy Kane Is The Reason He Became An MC (Audio)

Phonte is the latest guest on The Cipher Show Podcast. For episode #146, the Greensboro, North Carolina native MC/singer spoke about the evolution of his career. A founder of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange, "Tigallo" had an hour-and-a-half discussion with Shawn Setaro on topics ranging from his "Percy Miracles" character,... Read more

Many Have Never Seen Mos Def’s First Music Video. Here It Is.

The mighty Mos Def (n/k/a Yasiin Bey) has a Hip-Hop career that spans well over 20 years. The Brooklyn, New York MC burst on the scene care of major appearances alongside De La Soul, Da Bush Babees, and DJ Honda—but he had his own thing brewing, even before Rawkus Records... Read more

Heavy D Tells Some Untold Stories About Cutting Classic Records & Self-Love (Video)

November will mark the fifth anniversary of Heavy D's death, a loss which continues to elicit pangs of grief throughout the Hip-Hop community. The money earnin' Mount Vernon native made his indelible mark as a Jamaican-born MC whose contributions in the late '80s and early '90s with Heavy D &... Read more

Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… 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

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

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, TLC, & More (Video)

March is Women's History Month, and as we get closer and closer to the presidential election in the United States, the likely reality of the country electing its first female president is a topic of excited discussion. Furthermore, 2020 will mark the centennial of women's suffrage in the U.S., making... Read more

Chris Rock & Ice-T Discuss Making “New Jack City” On Its 25th Anniversary (Audio)

Twenty five years ago tomorrow (March 8, 1991) New Jack City was released to theaters. Largely conceived and written by Barry Michael Cooper, and directed by Mario Van Peebles, the film starring Wesley Snipes would live well beyond its impressive theatrical run. A quarter century later, the Warner Bros. movie... Read more

New Jack City Is Turning 25. New Revelations From Its Writer Will Blow Your Mind.

Twenty five years ago this month, New Jack City opened to the public. The film, starring Wesley Snipes, Allen Payne, Ice-T, and Chris Rock, was Hollywood's first and arguably its most enduring cinematic glimpse at the crack cocaine epidemic. At a time when Operation Desert Storm dominated the news cycle,... Read more

Elzhi Discusses His Battle With Depression and It’s A Testament To His Courage (Interview)

In the nearly five years it's been since Detroit MC Elzhi has released a full-fledged solo project in the form of his Elmatic mixtape, Heads have been eager for his return. However, Lead Poison, his highly-anticipated follow up, is on its way (March 25), and with it comes Elzhi's most... Read more

Tupac’s All Eyez On Me vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Which One 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

O.D.B. Put The “Free” In Freestyle In This 1995 Outburst (Audio)

Twenty years ago this week, O.D.B. was waiting to see if he would win the Grammy for "Best Rap Album." The 1995 debut, Return To The 36 Chambers (The Dirty Version) would ultimately lose to Naughty By Nature's Poverty's Paradise, but the unconventional Brooklyn, New York MC was clearly reaching... Read more

Phonte’s New Solo Album Is Just The Next Step In His Already Incredible Career.

Phonte Coleman has taken on many roles in his nearly 20-year career, including founding member of both Little Brother and the Foreign Exchange. Relatively quiet on the solo front, the North Carolina singer and MC hasn't released his own album since 2011's Charity Starts at Home, but he has just announced... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) vs. Gang Starr’s Moment Of Truth. 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

Krayzie Bone’s Top 3 MCs Defy The Typical “Best Rapper” List (Video)

Krayzie Bone has been a professional Hip-Hop artist for nearly 25 years. The Cleveland, Ohio native and founding member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony recently did an interview with longtime group manager Steve Lobel for his new web series. Within, the multi-platinum MC broke down a few of his favorites, from songs... Read more

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

Pete Rock Receives The First Annual J Dilla Imhotep Award From Ma Dukes (Video)

Last night (February 5), the first annual J Dilla Imhotep Award was presented at J Dilla Weekend Festival in Miami, Florida. The event is hosted and partially organized by J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. Just five days before the 10th anniversary of her son's untimely death, Ma Duke's... Read more

9th Wonder Explains How J Dilla Changed The Sound of Hip-Hop and Fathered “Neo Soul” In The Process (Interview)

After the ascendance of greats like DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Q-Tip in the 90s. There was a new wave of producers that would come to prominence in the 2000s who would carry the torch for Hip-Hop and take it in new directions. This new generation of beatmakers included the... Read more

New York City DJ Icon Big Kap Has Passed Away

In a developing story, multiple sources have confirmed that veteran DJ and producer Big Kap has died.The New York mixmaster born Keith Carter was a DJ for The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and others. Kap was also a fixture of 1990s NYC venue The Tunnel, a club notable for introducing some... Read more

Imagine If The CREAM Sample Wu-Tang Used Went to KRS Instead. It Almost Happened… (Audio)

K-Def is one accomplished producer. The New Jersey native is known for his extensive discography, which includes work with Lords Of The Underground, UGK, and Puff Daddy. The onetime protege of Marley Marl, K-Def has maintained a career in music for nearly 25 years. In 1993, Def was hard at... Read more

Vince Staples Gets Lifted From His Surroundings Without Ever Leaving Them (Video)

In recent months, Long Beach, California MC Vince Staples was at the helm of a discussion about generational perspective in Hip-Hop. In October, he made a statement which seemed to suggest that the '00s were the greatest years in Rap music, prompting artists and fans representing previous eras to voice... Read more

Kanye West’s First Kendrick Lamar & Madlib Collabo Is Worth The Wait (Audio)

"I know some fans thought I wouldn't rap like this again / But the writers block is over, MCs cancel your plans." - Kanye West Last Friday (January 8) Kanye West showcased the 2016 return of "G.O.O.D. Fridays" in the Ty Dolla $ign assisted-"Real Friends." After the song finished playing... Read more

A Never Released DJ Premier Interview About “Step In The Arena” Surfaces For Its 25th Anniversary

Gang Starr's second album, Step In The Arena, was released 25 years ago. The album was one of transition for the late Guru (Keith Elam) and his partner DJ Premier (Christopher Martin). The LP was the collective's first of the 1990s, a decade they would massively influence on the musical... Read more

O.C. Looks At A World Gone Wrong & Vents In The Best Way Possible (Audio)

Veteran D.I.T.C. artist O.C. is highly-respected for his crisp cadence and masterful way about rapping about life and art. Acclaimed albums like Word...Life, Trophies, Jewelz, and Starchild have honed in on O's experiences and vision, and done so eloquently. On the just-released "My City," the former Payday Records artist takes a more universal approach.... Read more

Rest In Peace David Bowie. Through Rock, Funk & Glam, He Discovered New Musical Planets.

Rock & Roll legend David Bowie has died. The 69 year-old British vocalist, guitarist, and producer had been battling an undisclosed form of cancer for 18 months. He passed away two days after his birthday, and less than one week after releasing his 25th studio album, Blackstar (January 8). In... Read more

This Little Boy Blues Record Was A Seed Of Love For Some Brooklyn Rap Giants (Audio)

Little Boy Blues released a single album, 1968's In The Woodland Of Weir. The Psychedelic Garage Rock outfit fronted by "Little Boy Blue" Ray Levin, would eventually rise to open for the Rolling Stones, The Association, and Lovin' Spoonful. Formed four years before the Fontana Records LP, the band was... Read more

Dr. Dre Leaks A New Song With T.I. To Show He’s Back To Business (Audio)

Although not much music has officially been released by them, Dr. Dre and T.I. have been collaborating for years. T.I. is rumored to have been in the lab often with Dre, during the Detox years, and a number of tracks and snippets from those sessions have hit the web, since... Read more

RZA Responds To Martin Shkreli’s Hostile Words And Encourages Him To Let Wu Fans Hear Album

Last month, it was revealed the controversial business leader Martin Shkreli is the owner of the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. After Bloomberg Business reported on the $2 million purchase of the special album, Shkreli began criticizing the RZA for his reaction to the purchase. At... Read more

President Obama Is Taking Gun Control Seriously With New Regulations. Hear Them In His Own Tearful Words (Video)

Earlier today, President Obama outlined his new executive actions on gun control, putting into motion one of the most aggressive plans to curb the frequency with which Americans are killed by gun violence in recent memory. In his speech, he stated his explicit support for the 2nd amendment, which gives... Read more

Freeway’s Soulful Mixtape Features Beats By J Dilla & A Jake One Reunion (Audio)

It has been nearly four years since Freeway released an official mixtape. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC and State Property member returned to the medium in early 2016 with Fear Of A Free Planet. Following a year that witnessed Freezer publicly battle kidney disease and lose close friend and collaborator The... Read more

One Year Later The World Misses Stuart Scott, But No One More Than His Daughters (Video)

It's been one year since the world lost Stuart Scott, a trailblazing sportscaster whose love for his industry was trumped only by the love of his fans. He became a household name and a personality with whom millions shared countless hours, thanks to his many years as an integral part... Read more

These Videos Made Us Feel Like We Could Fly In 2015 (Video)

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

Columbia House May Go Back To Its Roots…Mailing Vinyl Records

Many music Heads undoubtedly remember Columbia House Music. In junk mail and in magazine tear-out ads (with lick-and-stick album covers), the distributor offered vinyl, 8-tracks, cassette tapes, and eventually compact discs to consumers by mail. To gain subscribers, the Terre Haute, Indiana-based company often promised bulk mailings of music, for... Read more

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Picks For The Best Music Videos Of 2015

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

Ambrosia For Heads Present…Our Picks For The 15 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2015

2015 watched a lot change in the music industry. Streaming culture kept Heads on the edge of their seats, as Hip-Hop superstars "pushed the button" on a whim. Reclusive legends released new product, while patient veterans made massive breakthroughs. No matter large or small, burgeoning or veteran, all artists seemed... Read more

Hip-Hop’s Shining Moments of 2015: The Big, The Small, & The Revolutionary

Each and every year, there is no shortage of moments in time which crystallize the development of Hip-Hop's growth, and 2015 is no different. Over the course of the previous 12 months, the culture played larger-than-life roles in film, health, politics, television, and of course, music history. Here are just... Read more

Supreme Is Knocking Out The Streetwear Competition & Providing Re-Seller Gold (Videos)

In the "hype-beast" era of street-wear, Supreme has lived up to its name. The New York City-originated brand is 21-plus years deep in the game, and popularized by everybody from the late Harold Hunter, to Slick Rick, to Mike Tyson. Behind the red-and-white lettering, is a sub-culture. Supreme's cache extends... Read more

Naughty By Nature Reveal The Origin of “O.P.P.” It Really Was Other People’s Property.

Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts of the 1990s. Still together, recording, and touring, Treach, Vinnie Rock, and Kay Gee broke through with three simple letters: "O.P.P." Now, the title to the 1991 Tommy Boy Records single is permanent part of the pop culture lexicon, approaching 25 years... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Pens Letter Expressing Why He Feels Chosen To Lead

As 2015 comes to a close, Kendrick Lamar has been one of the leading voices in not only Hip-Hop, but all of music. K-Dot's #1 album, To Pimp A Butterfly was a monumental album long before its 11 Grammy nominations, or year-end lists laud it. In looking back at the... Read more

15 Years Ago, Xzibit’s Restlessness Helped Make Him a Household Name (Editorial)

On December 12, 2000, Los Angeles, California-based MC Xzibit dropped his third album, one that arrived at a curious juncture in his musical and professional careers. Already considered a West Coast favorite thanks to the grassroots and Underground support of his sophomore effort 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz, the streets... Read more

Ghostface Killah’s Ironman vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… 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

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) vs. Mobb Deep’s The Infamous. 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

A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders vs. Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. 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

10 Years Ago Lil Wayne Released Tha Carter II & It Made Him A Hip-Hop Superstar

A decade ago, it could certainly have been argued that Lil Wayne had nowhere near the body of work to be considered one of the game's best lyricists. However, 10 years after releasing Tha Carter II, he helped Billboard break the Internet after taking the 10th slot on the publication's... Read more

The Next Great Brooklyn MC Has Arrived. Jay Lonzo Is the TRUTH! (Video)

Of all the geographical regions in Hip-Hop, few have a greater lineage than Brooklyn. As the home to Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, Jay Z and far too many esteemed MCs to name, the burrough continues to produce strong talent from Joey Bada$$ to Stro. Now, there is a new arrival... Read more

Rick Ross Gets Livid About Billboard’s Disrespect of Tupac (Video)

Rick Ross joined The Breakfast Club for one of his rawest and most spirited interviews in years. Ross was so forthright that, by the end of the conversation, Charlemagne The God referred to him as "fearless." The MMG boss discussed a number of topics and did not mince words. Not... Read more