AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Anderson .Paak’s New Song Is Co-Produced By Alchemist & Features Smokey Robinson

In a little over a week, Anderson .Paak will release his second album in six months. April 12's Ventura promises to live in a different musical zip code than late 2018's Oxnard. Andy has made an impression in Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, R&B, Electronic, Rock & Roll, and more. Within, he... Read more

Red Bull Music Academy & Red Bull Radio To Shut Down

After 20 years of operation, Red Bull has announced that the Red Bull Music Academy will be closing its doors later this year. The decision was reportedly made to “phase out the existing structure” and introduce a new tactic for Red Bull's position within music. Additionally, Red Bull Radio, the... Read more

Open Mike Eagle’s New TV Show To Feature MF DOOM, Phonte & Method Man

Chicago, Illinois MC Open Mike Eagle has inserted wit and drama into his music for years. The artist behind such releases as 2016's Hella Personal Film Festival (with producer Paul White), 2017's Brick Body Kids Still Daydream, and last year's What Happens When I Try To Relax EP has partnered... Read more

Cormega Breaks Down His Evocative New EP & Why The Fans Matter The Most

In the closing week of 2018, Cormega self-released Mega. The five-song project (that also includes the instrumentals) marked the MC's first in more than four years. The New Yorker partnered with Streetrunner, the veteran Grammy Award-winning producer co-credited for Meek Mill, JAY-Z, and Rick Ross' "What's Free?" in addition to... Read more

Big Boi Announces Dungeon Family Tour With Goodie Mob & Organized Noize

Big Boi recently purchased the home that included The Dungeon Studio. In the basement of Rico Wade's family's house back in the early 1990s, OutKast, Goodie Mob, and other artists recorded some of their earliest music. Wade's Organized Noize, with Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray, was at the helm, mentoring... Read more

Common Brings His A-Game On A Cold Collabo With Joell Ortiz

DJ Absolut has been a sound provider who in addition to playing others' records is dropping heat of his own. Previously, Ambrosia For Heads presented Rap fans with some unearthed Mobb Deep freestyles via the New York mixmaster. Now, Heads can get a taste of more Big Apple-inspired heat headed... Read more

Questlove Gives The Inside Story Behind The Making Of Things Fall Apart

This weekend marks 20 years since The Roots released their fourth album, Things Fall Apart. In celebrating the album's 20th-anniversary, Questlove spoke with Urban Legends' Maxwell Dartey to break down Things Fall Apart, track-by-track. That oral history is a journey that takes place in Philly, New York City, and Detroit. The... Read more

Vinnie Paz, Ill Bill, O.C. & Rasheed Chappell Make Hip-Hop Music To Blast On The Corner

Rasheed Chappell has been in the game for a lot longer than most Heads may realize. He is from the era of J-Love mixtapes that birthed Outdoorsmen members Action Bronson and Meyhem Lauren. However, when iconic producer Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez took him under wing, he evolved from simply a dope... Read more

20 Years After Big L’s Passing, This Rarity Showcases The Man Behind The Punchlines

Twenty years ago today (February 15, 1999) Big L was fatally shot just steps from his childhood home at 45 West 139th Street in Harlem. It was the block he prophetically deemed the "The Danger Zone" in his early songs. On that fateful Monday night, Lamont Coleman was struck nine... Read more

JAY-Z & Beyoncé Are Challenging Fans To Go Vegan

Yesterday (January) JAY-Z and Beyoncé challenged their fans in a new way. The Carters are offering at least one fan a grand prize of concert tickets for life. There is a catch, Jay and Bey' want those competing to commit to at least a partial vegan lifestyle. Several pledges suffice... Read more

Ever See This ’91 Cypher With Leaders Of The New School, Biz Markie & More? (Video)

At the top of the 1990s, many Hip-Hop artists were coming together in the name of peace, unity, love, understanding, and having fun. Collectives like the Native Tongues and Diggin' In The Crates (which was not even minted yet) earned the respect of the pioneers by keeping alive the 1970s... Read more

Edwin Birdsong Has Passed Away. His Music Has Been Sampled In Several Hip-Hop Hits

Edwin Birdsong is a Jazz, Funk, and Disco keyboardist who made a series of albums in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of those songs earned wide recognition as the basis of samples in hit songs by Daft Punk, De La Soul, and Kanye West, among others. OkayPlayer has confirmed that... Read more

Boogie Shows Why Eminem Signed Him With An Off The Top Freestyle (Video)

After years of resilience and balancing fatherhood with logging long hours at the studio, Compton, California's Boogie is gearing up to see his hard work pay off. Just a week and a half away from making his anticipated debut on Shady Records (Everything's For Sale), the 29-year-old rapper born Anthony... Read more

Ain’t No Such Thing As Halfway KXNG Crooked Verses. He Goes All In With Mobb Inspiration

KXNG Crooked has always been nice on the mic, but he's not above paying respects to the greats who shaped his style. The Slaughterhouse MC formerly known as Crooked I just released a freestyle that would make Mobb Deep proud. Titled "Halfway Me," the song is an homage to the Queensbridge... Read more

Ready Or Not? ANoyd Shows Eminem Isn’t The Only MC With Venomous Rhymes

Bloomfield, Connecticut native ANoyd may be a sort of new name to some Heads, but he has been consistently churning out quality material for at least five years now. Since kicking a standout verse on Apathy’s 2014 Connecticut Casual album on a song titled “Locals Only!,” he has dropped at least... Read more

Alchemist Tells B-Real About Just How Much His Time With Cypress Hill Shaped Him

B-Real can get some interviews on his Smokebox TV that go beyond typical taped conversations. Beyond the obvious reasons included in the title, "Dr. Greenthumb" asks great questions and seems engaged in wanting to understand his guests' story. The Cypress Hill MC's latest episode with Alchemist does not disappoint. In... Read more

Del The Funky Homosapien, Domino & Dante Ross Detail The Making Of No Need For Alarm

The cornerstone of Del The Funky Homosapien’s career and artistic identity belongs to his second album, No Need For Alarm. Released 25 years ago last month, the Elektra Records LP may not be remembered as a commercial triumph. However, the record increased the profiles of Del’s Hieroglyphics cohorts, establishing a... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Releases 2 Songs That Nod To UGK, Too Short & The Isley Brothers

Two weeks ago Big K.R.I.T. surprised fans with a three-track EP called Thrice X. It was the first time since the Meridian, Mississippi native released solo music since his third LP, 2017's 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. Now, Big K.R.I.T. is dropping even more music to finish off 2018... Read more

Do Remember When Ice Cube Wanted This Crew To Take West Coast Rap To Anotha Level

In early 1994 the world was introduced to Anotha Level, a five-person Rap group from Los Angeles had something alluring. Veteran N.W.A. affiliate/producer Laylaw and Gangsta Rap icon Ice Cube discovered this quintet, and they recognized that the young squad strafed the line between that classic West Coast sound and... Read more

T.I. Outlines What He Sees As The Positive Aspects Of The Crack Era (Video)

Although the crack epidemic is one of the most tragic times for addiction, poverty, and crime, it has an odd relationship with Rap music. Iconic songs and albums have used the free base form of cocaine as thematic inspiration. This ranges from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's "White Lines... Read more

Former Rap Exec Jimmy Henchman Sentenced To Life For Murder

Less than two months after Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight was sentenced to 28 years behind bars for the 2015 killing of music executive Terry Carter, another former, sometimes feared Hip-Hop manager is formally ordered to serve the rest of his life behind bars. James Rosemond, Jr., perhaps better... Read more

ScHoolboy Q, Westside Gunn & Conway Stick A Fork In The Competition Over An Alchemist Production (Video)

Today (October 25) is The Alchemist's birthday. The legendary producer, DJ, and artist has had the Midas touch in Hip-Hop for over 20 years, across the Rap landscape. From California to a New York City tenure, and an eventual return to the Cali' sunshine, ALC has made so many unforgettable... Read more

Teddy Riley Details Losing His Fortune & Moving Back To The Projects (Video)

In addition to his crucial role in Guy and Blackstreet, Teddy Riley may be best known for pioneering the "New Jack Swing" sound (a term coined by journalist/screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper). The 51-year-old Riley is a product of Harlem's St. Nicholas housing projects, a backdrop for the new-jack slang and... Read more

Mysonne’s Statement On Rape Culture Shows He’s Smarter Than Most Senators (Video)

The Bronx, New York rapper Mysonne is in headlines once again for vocalizing in protest of Brett Kavanaugh's nomination for Supreme Court Justice. The veteran rapper spoke with journalist Chuck Modi on his position in a video. What Modi seemingly thought he was getting was a quick take on Mysonne's... Read more

Comedian AJ Johnson Explains How Spoofing Eazy-E Caused A Serious Problem (Video)

Actor Anthony "A.J." Johnson has had memorable roles in films such as Friday, House Party, and Master P's I Got The Hook Up, among others. From Compton, California, the comedian who had appeared in the first and third House Party film was used in the early 1990s beef between Dr.... Read more

Jay Electronica Threatens Eminem For Saying Puffy Had Tupac Killed

Earlier today (September 14) Eminem sent shock waves through the Rap community with his latest MGK diss, "Killshot." The second Em offensive aimed at the Cleveland, Ohio rapper in the last three Fridays was in response to the Bad Boy Records artist's "Rap Devil," a scathing reply to Slim Shady's... Read more

Nike’s Stock Is At An All-Time High After Its Support Of Colin Kaepernick

While some upset parties have attempted to ignite their Nike products, the apparel giant's stock is what is really on fire. Nike's stock just reached an all-time high, and the apparel company can thank their recent signing of Colin Kaepernick and the powerful social media, print, digital, and television ads... Read more

Eminem Says His Homophobic Tyler, The Creator Diss Went Too Far (Video)

So far, the first two parts of Sway Calloway's Kamikaze interview with Eminem has provided insight into his now high-profile beefs with MGK and Joe Budden. The rare public conversation also unpacks his more recent musical output, which the Detroit native admits hasn't been as on point as work from... Read more

Kool G. Rap, Nine & Smoothe Da Hustler Breathe Fire & Melt A Snowgoons Track (Audio)

Veteran Bronx, New York rapper Nine has long possessed one of Hip-Hop's illest voices. When his debut album Nine Livez dropped on Profile Records in 1995, it seemed like he was at the beginning of a successful career, bringing "redrum" to the game. Instead, he quickly slipped into obscurity after... Read more

Pharrell Reveals 2 Of His Biggest Hits Were Made For Prince & CeeLo

Interviews with Pharrell Williams can be rare, but when new ones surface, they usually impart some pretty profound knowledge or perspective. That remained the case with one he did recently with Clash Magazine's Grant Brydon. The 45-year-old producer/singer from Virginia Beach revealed some pretty interesting tidbits about a couple of... Read more

Black Thought, Phonte & Rhymefest Have Formed A Super-Group

Producer S1 (aka Symbolyc One) has worked with some of the biggest and brightest in Hip-Hop. He is one-third of Waco, Texas group the Strange Fruit Project. Outside of that, S1 co-produced Kanye West's "Power," Eminem's "Bad Guy," The Game's "Last Time You Seen," and Royce 5'9's recent hit, "Caterpillar."... Read more

Do Remember When King T Toasted Tha Alkaholiks & Spilled Great Lyricism (Video)

When West Coast vets are being discussed, King T’s name does not come up nearly enough. The Compton, California native released a robust major label debut, Act A Fool, in late 1988. This puts him in scarce company indeed, as Ice-T’s essential first album Rhyme Pays had dropped only a... Read more

Colin Kaepernick Is The New Face Of Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign

Historically, Nike's "Just Do It" campaign captured the gravitas of courage in sport. Upon its 30th anniversary, the brand is celebrating the principles and sacrifice of an athlete who is more than a year removed from his field of competition. Colin Kaepernick has been officially announced as one of several... Read more

Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Mannie Fresh & More To Perform At 7th Annual Hiero Day

The 7th annual Hiero Day Music Festival & Block Party is taking place Labor Day, September 3. The event performers have officially been unveiled. Oakland, California's legendary Hieroglyphics crew will be performing at their festival, and joining them will be Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Freddie Gibbs, Mannie Fresh, Elzhi, Georgia... Read more

J. Cole & Bas Are From A Hip-Hop Tribe Where Being Able To RAP Still Matters (Video)

For Hip-Hop Heads, especially Dreamville fans, Friday (August 24) is an exciting day. Longtime label artist Bas will release his third album, Milky Way. The Queens representative who appeared on J. Cole's "New York Times" alongside 50 Cent more than five years ago has steadily built a following of his... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Public Enemy vs. Boogie Down Productions. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin Has Passed Away At The Age Of 76

The Queen Of Soul has died this morning (August 16) at her Detroit, Michigan home. Aretha Franklin's powerful voice, timeless songwriting, and ability to carry Rhythm & Blues music from its sound in the 1960s into the decades that followed made her a legend. The 76-year-old had been battling undisclosed... Read more

Lakeith Stanfield Returns To His Hip-Hop Roots Alongside Tune-Yards (Video)

Before Lakeith Stanfield was an actor best known for his roles as "Darius Epps" in Donald Glover's FX comedy Atlanta, "Cassius 'Cash' Green in the sci-fi comedy Sorry to Bother You, Civil Rights activist "Jimmie Lee Jackson" in Selma, and a young "Snoop Dogg" in Straight Outta Compton, Stanfield rapped as... Read more

Killer Mike Is Running Fine Art Now Too

In the world of visual and fine art, some if not all topics of discussion revolve around the grey area between traditional and nontraditional forms of art. Museum culture is often depicted as intensely exclusive with a missing link to the world of music, specifically in Hip-Hop. In recent years,... Read more

B-Real’s Next Solo Album Will Be Produced By Scott Storch

Things are ramping up in the Cypress Hill camp. Tomorrow, DJ Muggs is releasing Dia Del Asesinato, his latest Soul Assassins creation. Meanwhile, last week, C.H. gave fans the first real taste of next month's Elephants On Acid album. The psychedelic video single "Band Of Gypsies" shows the crew with... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. A Tribe Called Quest. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

Black Thought Explains Why Kool G Rap’s “Road To The Riches” Is His Favorite Verse (Video)

In 2004, The Roots released their sixth album, The Tipping Point. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania group's final album for Geffen Records contained an Easter egg of sorts for Hip-Hop Heads. The Dice Raw-assisted "Boom!" featured band front-man Black Thought paying homage to two of his MC inspirations: Big Daddy Kane and... Read more

The NFL Won’t Even Let Colin Kaepernick Play In A Video Game

Madden NFL 19 won't be released until August 10 but is already making headlines. Advance copies of the forthcoming EA Sports NFL game were released to criticism relating to its soundtrack (or, rather, something missing from the soundtrack). The game has developed a reputation for pairing its technology with music... Read more

The Internet Keep On Truckin’ With Another Stone Cold Groove (Video)

Riding the mint wave of momentum after the release of Hive Mind, which is the Los Angeles-based Funk/R&B/Soul collective’s fourth studio album, The Internet has dispensed the third set of visuals tied to the freshly unveiled project. Swiftly following up the videos for “Roll (Burbank Funk)” and “Come Over,” “La... Read more

Scott Storch Explains His Role On Dr. Dre’s 2001 & Defends Dre’s Production Contributions (Video)

Scott Storch's documentary Still Storch reveals a lot of things about the producer. On the surface, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native is talented and was able to use his ability as a musician to create some of the biggest hits of the late '90s and 2000s. He also let the fortune... Read more

Black Star’s Talib Kweli & Yasiin Bey Define What Hip-Hop Means To Them Today (Audio)

Celebrating 20 years since their landmark album, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Talib Kweli have been busy taking their show on the road. On Saturday (July 14), the pair rocked the hometown stage at the 2018 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. The day before (July 13), the former Rawkus Records... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. Dilated Peoples. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

Black Thought Assists Roots Affiliate Mumu Fresh In A Moving Tiny Desk Concert (Video)

For the latest in their Tiny Desk series, NPR recruits DMV artist Mumu Fresh who, despite her name, is already a seasoned veteran when it comes to the local cubicle concert. In February, Mumu teamed up with August Greene, the super-group featuring Common, Karriem Riggins, and Robert Glasper, in a... Read more

Listen To A Hard-Hitting New Album Featuring Prodigy, Ghostface & Freddie Gibbs (Audio)

For those that may not be familiar, Vanderslice is a sample-savvy Hip-Hop producer with the respect of Heads (especially crate-diggers) across the map. He has rocked tracks with celebrated MCs like Vinnie Paz, Evidence, Planet Asia, Roc Marciano, Apathy, and the various members of Infamous Mobb. This Phoenixville, Pennsylvania native... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Run The Jewels vs. Boogie Down Productions. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more