AFH Ambrosia for Heads

MTV’s 2012 Hottest MCs in the Game (Video)

MTV dropped its 7th annual installment of its hottest MCs in the game last night. They were: 1. Rick Ross, 2. Drake, 3. Kanye West, 4. Nicki Minaj, 5. Lil Wayne, 6. Jay-Z, 7. Meek Mill, 8. Big Sean, 9. Wiz Khalifa, 10. Wale. And by now, you probably already... Read more

Here’s an in-depth interview of XV where he breaks down his earliest musical interests and some of the events that inspired him to become an artist. This is Where It All Began in hip-hop for XV.

XV is going to win. He has just started to get his props over the last couple of years but you can tell he is a longtime student of music. We talked to him about his earliest influences and he spoke of everyone from The Delphonics to Marvin Gaye to... Read more

The 10 Most Anticipated Hip Hop Albums Of 2012

Here's a really dope article from The Well Versed listing their 10 most anticipated hip-hop albums of 2012, including Big K.R.I.T., Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Kendrick Lamar and more. Check out what they said about Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid in a Mad City below. Which album are you looking... Read more

Statik Selektah and Termanology collaborated as 1982 to release one of the best albums of 2010. We caught up with each of them to talk about their earliest experiences with hip-hop. Check out the videos below where each discusses Where It All Began for him in hip-hop.

Statik Selektah Statik Selektah is one of the hardest working and illest producers around. Made in the mold of legendary producers like DJ Premier and Pete Rock, his tracks have defined today's underground sound. And, he has worked with everyone from Freddie Gibbs, Termanology, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T. and Reks... Read more

Schoolboy Q – Hands on the Wheel ft A$AP Rocky

Schoolboy Q's album Habits & Consequences dropped last Friday. It's a solid album, if you haven't checked it out yet. Here's his new video for Hands on the Wheel featuring A$AP Rocky. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGd9DTTrX4U&feature=player_embedded Also, click here for our interview of Kendrick Lamar.... Read more

Schoolboy Q – Grooveline Pt. 1 ft Dom Kennedy & Curren$y

Here's some new heat from Schoolboy Q. It's a laidback, soulful joint from Lex Luger that is a completely different sound than what you're used to hearing from him. Check out Grooveline Pt. 1 ft Dom Kennedy & Curren$y. Schoolboy Q's album Habits & Contradictions hits tonight at midnight. Based... Read more

Terrace Martin – Thoughts From Detention ft Yung Shep (Video)

Terrace Martin drops some more of that new West Coast heat on Thoughts from Detention featuring Yung Shep. Check out the video. You can also check out our playlist of the evolution of the West Coast sound from Ice-T to Kendrick Lamar here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l735zqqB9s&feature=player_embedded... Read more

Decoded: Big K.R.I.T. — Time Machine (Video)

Here's a really dope interview of Big K.R.I.T. where he breaks down the lyrics to Time Machine. It really showcases the depth of his music. K.R.I.T., along with others like Kendrick Lamar and Stalley, is part of the new crop of MCs with a message to their music. It's part... Read more

Skillz – 2011 Wrap Up

Meant to post this Skillz 2011 wrap up a couple of days ago but it slipped through the cracks. It seems fitting as the last of our 2011-related posts anyway. If you missed it, this is vintage Skillz. If you heard it before, it's worth another listen. Check it out... Read more

Ambrosia For Heads’ 2011 Best Hip-Hop Albums/Mixtapes of the Year: Here’s a look at our picks for the best of the best in 2011. You’ll find words on each as well as samples of the music. Tell us your picks for 2011.

It's that time of year again, when you're hit with a ton of year end, best of lists. We're going to keep it simple. We have 2 lists: best hip-hop albums/mixtapes of the year and songs of the year. First up, here are our picks for the best hip-hop albums/mixtapes... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. – 5 Fingers of Death

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest MC to participate in the 5 Fingers of Death series on the Sway in the Morning show on Shade 45.  Check out how he flows over 5 beats below. Click here to download.  Also, click here to check out Kendrick Lamar's 5 Fingers of Death.... Read more

Common – When I Was 17 (Video) + DJ Drama Interview

Here are a couple of cool pieces on Common. First is his appearance on MTV's When I Was 17. Next, is an interview of him by DJ Drama where he talks about the motivation behind So Sweet, G.O.O.D. Music, his approach to his upcoming The Dreamer, The Believer album, rhyming... Read more

Schoolboy Q – My Hatin’ Joint

Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar have all dropped hot albums in the last year. Schoolboy Q has got next. Here's his latest song, My Hatin' Joint.... Read more

Rapsody – For Everything (Mixtape)

A lot of hot joints have dropped from Rapsody's For Everything project, including many produced by 9th Wonder.  It also has features from Kendrick Lamar, Freeway and more.  You can listen to and download the whole thing below. Download Mixtape... Read more

M*Knight – KnightVision Vol 2 (Video Mix)

Here's another incredible video mix from M*Knight. This one features a lot of current music from Kendrick Lamar, ElZhi, Stalley, Dom Kennedy, David Dallas, Freddie Gibbs, Pac Div, Murs, tabi Bonney, Curren$y, J*Davey, Erykah Badu, Black Milk and more (see below for the full tracklist). Once again, it's a true... Read more

Peter Rosenberg – What’s Poppin’ Vol. 1 (Mixtape)

Here's a new mixtape presented by Peter Rosenberg which features songs by Kendrick Lamar, Action Bronson, Skyzoo, The Kid Daytona, Asher Roth, Homeboy Sandman, J. Cole, Smiff N Wessun and more. Click here to download What's Poppin Vol. 1.... Read more

Schoolboy Q – My Homie

Top Dawg Entertainment is killing the game right now.  The LA indie label is fresh off two high quality releases from Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock this Summer, as well as a solid album from Ab-Soul in the Spring.  Next up is Schoolboy Q.  Check out his new song, My... Read more

Stalley – Chevys & Spaceships (Video)

Stalley dropped the audio for Chevys & Spacehips a few months ago.  Here's the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYpmsOGlrzc&feature=player_embedded Stalley rocks over a Stevie Wonder joint that Terrace Martin, Kendrick Lamar and CyHi The Prynce also killed last winter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMnpBMCa2U&feature=player_embedded Click here to download and check out the original Stevie Wonder song.... Read more

Black Hippy – Toca Tuesdays Freestyle

The audio for this one dropped last week. The visuals make it even better. Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q show that the West Coast is in good hands with this new generation. Jay Rock's Follow Me Home album is in stores now. Click here to buy it.... Read more

Jay Rock is joined by his Black Hippy crew on Say Wassup.

Check out the video ft Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar. Jay Rock's album, Follow Me Home, drops on 7/26. Top Dawg Entertainment is killing it. Support good hip-hop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UziocaSimyc&feature=player_embedded... Read more

You know how Black Hippy gets down. You know how Toca Tuesday Freestyles go down. Here’s the combo of the 2.

Check out Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q kicking verses (some true freestyles, some not...but all good) with Tony Touch.  10 minutes strong... Click here to download.  And, if you need more Toca Tuesday Freestyles in your life, click here. Update: Here's another freestyle from Kendrick Lamar and... Read more

Here’s Skewby’s new video for his verse on Actual Proof’s Super Genius.

Last Halloween, Actual Proof dropped Super Genius, a song with socially conscious lyrics and a meditative 9th Wonder track. The song featured Skewby, Cutlass Reid, Naledge, Add2TheMC, Kendrick Lamar, Brittany Street, The Kid Daytona & Law. Skewby just created a new video for his verse. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGAWOZ0T9rc&feature=channel_video_title Click... Read more

Here’s the remix to Jay Rock’s Hood Gone Love It. Rick Ross and Birdman join him on the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League track. Check it out.

Jay Rock's Follow Me Home album hits stores on 7/26. Click here to download.  The original featured Kendrick Lamar.  Click here for the video.... Read more

Jay Rock dropped his heat rock Hood Gone Love It a couple of days ago. Here’s the video.

Kendrick Lamar drops a verse and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League supply the track. Check it out.  This new Cali generation has a bright future. Click here to download.... Read more

Stalley is one of my favorite MCs of the last 12 months. Aside from just being plain dope, he has 2 incredibly rare distinctions in today’s hip-hop landscape.

1. He does not curse, and 2. The vast majority of his music does not contain samples. No judgements against either cursing or sampling (some of the greatest to ever do it do both to the fullest) but it's hard to find a credible rapper post 1987 who does this.... Read more

It’s a great day for Little Brother fans. Here’s an incredible interview of Phonte sharing his thoughts on 9th Wonder and a new joint from Rapper Big Pooh.

The interview is from a forthcoming documentary on 9th Wonder called The Wonder Year. Phonte talks about their friendship, 9th Wonder's ear for music, their future in music and much more. Check it out. http://vimeo.com/21349706 Click here for the new joint from Rapper Big Pooh ft Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul.... Read more

Some of these XXL 2011 Freshman Cyphers are pretty tight (especially parts 2 and 3). Check out all 3 below.

YG, Mac Miller, Diggy Simmons and Lil Twist Yelawolf, Kendrick Lamar, Lil B and CyHi Da Prynce Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and Fred Da Godson... Read more

CyHi Da Prynce dropped one of the 3 strongest XXL freestyles so far…

The other 2 belonged to Kendrick Lamar and Yelawolf. The XXL one still doesn't hold a candle to this one, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY4BAz4MlJg... Read more

Ab-Soul continues drawing on a slinky 70´s soul sound…and that´s a great thing.

Check out Moscato ft Kendrick Lamar. If you like that old stanky funky Outkast like Funky Ride and SpottieOttieDopalicious you´ll dig this. Click here to download. Here´s some of that Outkast for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXmqauitBkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1e967ThSFs... Read more

XXL just released their 2011 Freshmen list. Who did they miss?

This years 11 includes Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., Cyhi Da Prynce, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Twist, Big K.R.I.T., Diggy Simmons, Fred the Godson, Yelawolf, Lil B, Mac Miller, and YG.... Read more

Here’s a double dose of playlists this week. First up are some of the hotter new leaks of the last few weeks.

If you like cinematic tracks and that West Coast G-Funk/R&B-influenced sound, this one is for you. You'll find new joints from Terrace Martin, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, Chuwee, Kendrick Lamar and a few curve balls that fit like Consequence and Pusha T. Press play, sit back and enjoy.... Read more

TiRon & Ayomari dropped their hot joint Good Food last month. Here’s the video.

Between them, Terrace Martin, Kendrick Lamar and Dom Kennedy, the West Coast is on a major come up. http://vimeo.com/19852767... Read more

Are you a lyrics person? If so this track by Donwill of Tanya Morgan is for you.

Donwill blesses Kendrick Lamar's Heaven or Hell and gives Kendrick props (Donwill's track is called Buy Kendrick Lamar's Album) but kinda makes it his own...Check out what Donwill had to say about it below. Click here if you indeed want to buy Kendrick Lamar's album. Click here to download.  Here... Read more

Actual Proof’s Talented Tenth album dropped on Dr. King’s birthday. There have been a lot of great leaks from this one the last few days. Here’s one more and a link to download the album. They’re giving the album away for free but it would have been worth buying.

Click here to download the album from DJ Booth's site.  Here's the official description of the album: Fresh off their DJ Booth approved single Breathe, Sundown and Enigma, together known as Actual Proof, are proud to present The Talented Tenth. The project is comprised of two sides - The Dr.... Read more

Common & DJ Premier Reunite On A New Song

Over the last quarter-century, Common and DJ Premier have made magic together. In 2000, Premier was a guest within The Soulquarians ensemble for Comm's benchmark Like Water For Chocolate album. On Comm's fourth LP, Preemo produced the masterful "The 6th Sense," which featured Bilal. The video single showed new range... Read more

Drake Disses Kanye, Joe Budden & Pusha-T With His Best Raps In Years

Today (November 17), Drake has released one of his most potent bodies of pure lyricism in years. Scary Hours 3 is the third installment in a series of EPs Drake began releasing in 2018. Drake does not treat these song bundles as throwaways. 2018's Scary Hours contained "God's Plan." The... Read more

Drake and J. Cole Have Released The Year’s Best Rap Video

While there are a lot of them releasing every week, music videos appear to be a lost art. While some artists deliver original and clever concepts, it appears commonplace for many videos to feature rapping to the camera, street scenes, and the cliché models and entourage. Two artists who defy... Read more

Missy Elliott Is The First Female Hip-Hop Artist Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

This weekend (November 3), Missy Elliott became the first female Hip-Hop artist to enter the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The Virginia veteran MC/producer appeared at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center, where she was presented the honor by her "Fast Car" collaborator Queen Latifah. The presenter credited Missy Elliott... Read more

Lil Yachty Shows He Can Really Rap On A Song With J. Cole

Earlier this year, Lil Yachty released one of 2023's more surprising albums from an artist often categorized in Rap. January's Let's Start Here. deviated from the sound that the Atlanta, Georgia had established over the last decade. On this go-round, the Quality Control/Motown Records artist delved into contemporary Psychedelic Rock... Read more

Vic Mensa Kicks The Year’s Two Best Freestyles Back To Back

Over the last decade, Vic Mensa has cemented himself as one of the most exciting freestylers of his generation. The Chicago, Illinois MC often uses the free-form opportunities to provide substantial commentary—whether notes about ugly Hip-Hop history, his personal conflicts, or systemic oppression. Just days after a fellow Roc Nation... Read more

The LOX & Dipset Want A Verzuz Rematch…Here’s Why They Shouldn’t Do It

On August 3, 2021, Verzuz's 33rd battle proved to be one of its best. In the second season of the music battle format co-created by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, The LOX competed against Dipset at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theater. With Verzuz having launched the same month that the pandemic... Read more

J. Cole Teases His New Album On A Knockout Verse

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

Joey Bada$$ Performs Mos Def’s Umi Says & Smashes It

In 2022, Joey Bada$$ released one of the year's best albums courtesy of 2000. The spiritual sequel to Joey's breakthrough 1999 mixtape a decade earlier, 2000 was named among Ambrosia For Heads ' best of the year. Although it was an overt snub by the Grammy Awards in their "Best... Read more

Black Thought Blends Hip-Hop With Afrobeat On A New EP

Black Thought has had a strong showing this 2022. In the summer, The Roots MC partnered with fellow Grammy Award-winner Danger Mouse for Cheat Codes. The album involved Raekon, Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, as well as a verse from the late MF DOOM. Ambrosia For Heads recently pointed out... Read more

SZA Raps Harder Than A Lot Of These Sucker MCs

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

Eminem Discusses His Conflict With Snoop. He Reveals When & Why They Made Peace

In 2021, Eminem and Snoop Dogg went from collaborators to opposing forces in Hip-Hop. In January of that year, each superstar MC made comments about one another. Just over a year later, they shared the stage for an Emmy-winning Superbowl Halftime Show performance. Then, they released their first collaboration in over a... Read more

Jill Scott Goes Bar For Bar With Conway & Holds Her Own

One of the better Hip-Hop albums of 2022 is Conway The Machine's God Don't Make Mistakes. Years in the making (with plans to arrive in late 2021), Conway's Shady Records solo debut is one of his most complete albums in an impressive and extensive catalog. Along with Griselda cohorts Westside... Read more

Chance The Rapper & Joey Bada$$ Are Back In Mixtape Mode

A decade ago, in 2012, two of Hip-Hop's most exciting new voices were Chance The Rapper and Joey Bada$$. From Chicago, Illinois and Brooklyn, New York, respectively, these two MCs each brought something fresh to Hip-Hop, while honoring time-tested traditions. In the decade since his mixtape debut 10 Day, Chance... Read more