AFH Ambrosia for Heads

20 Years Ago Black Star Released A Gold Standard For Hip-Hop (Audio)

Twenty years ago today (September 29, 1998), Mos Def and Talib Kweli joined forces and waved the Black Star flag courtesy of an incredible album. Time-tested, that same flag is forever planted in ears, hearts, and consciousness of so many Hip-Hop Heads. After two decades, Mos Def & Talib Kweli... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Challenges Joe Budden To A Rap Battle For $500,000 (Video)

In recent episodes of The Joe Budden Podcast, CyHi The Prynce has come up in conversation several times. Joe, along with co-hosts Rory, Mal, as well as Parks, have discussed CyHi's announcement of his Kanye West-produced seven-song follow-up to 2017's No Dope On Sundays. More recently, they addressed 'Ye reportedly gifting... Read more

Eminem Fires A Killshot Diss At MGK & Diddy Gets Caught In The Crossfire (Audio)

On Wednesday, Eminem told Sway Calloway he was going to think things over before replying to MGK. “I’m gonna sit back, and I’m gonna wait for a second, just to see…because if people start firing off, and I try to answer every-f*cking-body that I dissed on Kamikaze, I’ma be [in... Read more

Joell Ortiz, Jon Connor & Locksmith Are Bringing Bars Back To Hip-Hop (Video)

In a time where name-dropping and direct disses are getting all the attention in Hip-Hop, a group of independent MCs is bringing back some old fashioned, cypher-oriented raps with hard punches aimed at no one in particular. The song "Back To The Bars (Intro)" features East Coast spitters MCs Joell... Read more

Eminem’s Rage Against The Machine Has Overshadowed The Sad Demise Of D12 (Video)

In less than a week, Eminem's Kamikaze created a chain reaction of events in the Rap space. From one sneak-attack 13-track album, Marshall Mathers stirred the pot. On Labor Day, MGK responded to Em's verse on "Not Alike" with some blistering bars and personal attacks on "Rap Devil." Then, two... Read more

Mysonne Is Removed By Police As He Protests At Supreme Court Nominee Hearing (Video)

No longer relegated to the streets with picket signs, modern-day activists are taking their protests to where they can be heard the loudest, and it seems to be working. This population includes prominent Rap artists. Today (September 4), Bronx, New York MC Mysonne stood up to oppose Donald Trump’s latest... Read more

Eminem Has Just Released A Surprise Album To Silence His Critics. Listen Here (Audio)

When Eminem released his Revival album last December, the project was met with tepid reception from critics and fans alike. Em had set the bar exceedingly high, even for him, after a BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher in early October that nearly broke the internet, and dominated world news cycles... Read more

Canibus & Wyclef Detail Their Beef & How They Squashed It In A New Song (Audio)

When Canibus came on the scene in the late 1990s, he made a name for himself by out-shining MCs on their own tracks. Common, The Lost Boyz, and Heltah Skeltah can all testify to those early, devastating appearances. Then, when the already platinum Wyclef Jean got behind the hungry New... 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

Token Blacks Out On One Of His Most Lyrical Songs Yet (Video)

Since his emergence in 2016, the profile of Token continues to rise with his immense vocal talent as one of the fastest spitters in Rap. The Salem, Massachusetts-born MC seamlessly delivers a technical, multi-layered fusillade of bars with a great storytelling ability has organically grown his fan base, not solely based on... Read more

Kanye West Shows He Still Does Some Of His Best Work With Kid Cudi (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight 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, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

A$AP Rocky’s Diddy Collabo Heats Up The Summer, Harlem Style (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight 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, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back and listen... Read more

Method Man Explains Wu-Tang Clan’s Tiered Pay Scale & The Rationale Behind It

Wu-Tang Clan is a diverse collective. In addition to an assembly of MCs from different sections of New York City, the Wu brothers signed to different labels and reached varying levels of success. The members of the Clan also split their money differently. When it comes to touring and other... Read more

N.O.R.E. & Pharrell Playfully Honor Robert Palmer’s Addicted To Love Video

N.O.R.E. has diversified his brand and repertoire in the 2010s. The Lefrak City, Queens rapper now reaches the masses with his Drink Champs platform alongside DJ EFN and his On The Run Eatin' food series. However, the same MC who impressed the Hip-Hop masses alongside partner Capone for C-N-N's 1997 debut, The... Read more

DJ Premier Speaks About How Real Moment Of Truth Was For Hip-Hop & Gang Starr (Video)

On March 30, 1998, Gang Starr stepped forth with Moment Of Truth. Guru and DJ Premier had taken four years since giving the masses their seminal album, Hard To Earn, and Hip-Hop was at a pivotal place in history. "We had platinum-respect. You'd think we were platinum artists that sold... Read more

Mysonne Channels Killmonger Following Arrest At Immigration Rally

In the months since his stirring appearance on the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher, rapper Mysonne has continued to garner tremendous support for his steadfast dedication to the cause. He's voiced his support for civil rights of all kinds, frequently speaking out against injustices in housing, prisons, education, politics and... Read more

Yasiin Bey Says Black Star Is Working On New Music With Madlib (Audio)

This August makes 20 years since the release of Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The Rawkus Records album is a benchmark album of Hip-Hop's underground uprising, and a key introduction of Mos Def (nka Yasiin Bey), Talib Kweli, and producer DJ Hi-Tek. While Talib and Yasiin have collaborated... Read more

15 Years Ago, 50 Cent Plotted A Pathway From Underdog To Superstar

Fifteen years ago today (February 6, 2003), Queens, New York's 50 Cent took the world by storm with his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. When Curtis Jackson burst onto the mainstream scene with a survivalist story, vendetta vocals, and Eminem and Dr. Dre in his corner, the industry... Read more

Skillz Releases His 2017 Rap Up & It’s An Epic End To A Crazy Year (Audio)

As years come to a close, no Hip-Hop tradition has become more anticipated that Skillz's annual Rap Up. After much cajoling, the VA MC has released his 2017 installment, and it does not disappoint. More than just a summary of the year's events, Skillz's song often provides much needed reminders... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (The Final 4): Kendrick Lamar vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 12): JAY-Z vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

Black Thought Clarifies Whether His 10-Minute Freestyle Was Written Or Off The Top

Nearly two weeks ago, Black Thought set the Hip-Hop world on fire, with a 10-minute freestyle that many considered the best of the year. In fact, Puff Daddy went as far as to say the verse was the greatest freestyle in Hip-Hop history. The video quickly went viral and, to... Read more

Black Thought Reveals His 10-Minute Freestyle Was Off The Top & Kicks Another Verse (Video)

On Thursday, Black Thought unleashed a freestyle that rocked the world. Unlike Eminem’s politically-charged BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher that became world news, Thought’s verse did not have the benefit of being launched on the world’s biggest stage for Hip-Hop. Instead, his freestyle came courtesy of a digital drop by... Read more

Phonte & Elzhi Reunite On A New Song & They Are Razor Sharp (Audio)

When Little Brother released The Minstrel Show, it was a huge moment for many Hip-Hop Heads. The North Carolina-based trio that won the hearts of fans with 2003's The Listening joined Atlantic Records and seemingly represented a real chance for putting a disenfranchised side of the genre back on radio,... Read more

Eminem’s New Song Is A Scathing Rebuke Of Racism & White Privilege (Audio)

For the second time in 2 months, Eminem has delivered some of the most potent commentaries in music. In October, his BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, a freestyle titled "The Storm" that was a 5-minute takedown of Donald Trump, became headline news around the world. Em was not the first... Read more

Joyner Lucas Takes The Drug Pushing Rappers Of His Generation To Task (Audio)

Joyner Lucas is an MC who likes causes and concepts. Last week, the Worcester, Massachusetts native released the captivating video to "I'm Not Racist."  That symbolic visual created a dramatic face-off out of some of the conversations that exist on social media and used Lucas' songwriting to put the two... Read more

Why Eminem Is His Own Toughest Critic (Video)

After great anticipation, Eminem began his Revival yesterday (November 10). "Walk On Water" is a single with a fitting title. Until the song released, no one knew that Beyoncé would be on the track, or that its production would be unlike anything Marshall Mathers ever rocked from Dr. Dre, the... Read more

Irv Gotti Explains Why Nas & Murder Inc.’s Brief Union Was A Huge Mistake (Video)

Irv Gotti is the latest guest on Drink Champs, and the beverages flowed in a big way. The Queens, New Yorker began as a DJ, became one of Hip-Hop's biggest A&Rs (at Def Jam) along with a producer charging $250,000 per beat. However, Gotti is best known for founding Murder... Read more

Erick Sermon Reveals The Source Of The Def Squad Album Samples To Prince Paul (Video)

Recently, Redman told New Jersey's Grass Routes Podcast that he hopes Def Squad can record a sophomore album. Next year marks 20 years since he, Keith Murray and mutual mentor Erick Sermon came together for El Niño. The album debuted at #2, following the group's covering of 1979 breakthrough Hip-Hop... Read more

Drake Has Thrown Darts At Kendrick & JAY-Z, But Chooses Not To Face Them At The Grammys

Drake's More Life marked his seventh consecutive #1 project on the Top 200. The Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic Records "playlist" (as it was marketed) has already achieved double-platinum certification following its March release. However, Drake—who possesses three Grammy awards—reportedly has opted not to submit More Life for consideration in next... Read more

Redman Says Phife Dawg’s Final Album Is “RIDICULOUS” & He’s On One Of The Songs (Audio)

In 1998, Redman was among the guests on A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement album. He appeared alongside Busta Rhymes on The Ummah-produced "Steppin' It Up." For nearly 20 years, Heads perceived the gold-certified, Grammy-nomimated Jive Records LP would be the last from Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed... Read more

DJ Premier Credits Nas With Helping Choose 2 Very Illmatic Samples (Video)

Production is more than just making beats and shopping them to artists. By 1994, DJ Premier had produced three Gang Starr albums, in addition to important records for KRS-One, Heavy D & The Boyz, and Lord Finesse. Nas and his team would seek out the Works Of Mart for three... Read more

Pusha T Details Grindin’ A Clipse Breakup Into Putting G.O.O.D. Numbers On The Board (Video)

Today, Pusha T is president of one of Hip-Hop's most recognized labels of the last dozen years. He's launched enduring fashion brands, committed himself to causes and charities, all in the path of a career built on elite Rap lyricism. In the latest episode of The Blueprint, King Push' sits... Read more

Colin Kaepernick Formally Files A Grievance Against The NFL & Its Team Owners

Professional football was played today (October 15) and will be tomorrow, but not with Colin Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback remains a free agent, without a team. However, Kaep', who recently reminded fans that he wants to play, believes that the National Football League and owners of its... Read more

DOOM & Westside Gunn Sting With Bars On Alchemist Production (Audio)

Following Eminem's show-stopping, highly-political cypher which aired less than 24 hours ago, one of his latest Shady artists (Westside Gunn) refuses to let the party stop. Everything is muted, quiet like a beautiful, twisted lullaby on “2Stings,” the most recent single from the forthcoming WestsideDOOM (DOOM and Gunn) collaboration, produced... Read more

Some Of Royce 5’9″ & Black Thought’s Best Work Is Side By Side In This Killer Mix

In the last two decades, two of Hip-Hop's most extraordinary MCs are The Roots' Black Thought and Slaughterhouse's Royce 5'9". Each rapper puts their working-class cities in the bars about survival, pain, addiction, and perseverance. These great minds have come together before, such as PRhyme's "Wishin' II," Statik Selektah's 2014... Read more

An Argument For Why Snoop Is The Greatest MC Of All-Time (Video)

Despite the fact that he is one of Rap music's most widely recognized faces, voices, and outright brands, somehow many overlook the lyrical merits of Snoop Dogg. For 25 years, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. has given Hip-Hop Heads different looks within one of the genre's most sprawling and versatile catalogs.... Read more

Redman Wants Another Def Squad Album & He Explains The Muddy Waters 2 Delay (Audio)

2018 marks 20 years since Def Squad released its one and only album. El Niño debuted at #2 on the Top 200 and marked a long time coming for Erick Sermon and his star pupils, Redman and Keith Murray. A strong branch from the EPMD family tree, that LP featured... Read more

Yasiin Bey Discusses The Drama That’s Caused Him To Fall Back From The Music Business (Video)

Even since his days as mighty Mos Def, Yasiin Bey does not do many interviews. However, the Black Star MC recently gave Ebro In The Morning more than one hour of his time—reportedly impromptu. The MC/actor/poet and activist jumped in a cab and appeared before Ebro and company to speak... Read more

Don Flamingo Has Co-Signs From JAY-Z & The LOX Because He’s That Good (Video)

JAY-Z's Roc Nation roster has a deep bench. The days when it was Jay, plus J. Cole and Jay Electronica have long passed. From The LOX to Vic Mensa, Jim Jones and so forth, there's a lot going on. Louisiana's Don Flamingo may not be a name Heads hear as... Read more

Long Before DMX, JAY-Z & Ja Rule Were Murdering MCs, They Had Time To Build (Audio)

In the late 1990s, DMX, JAY-Z, and Ja Rule came together for two incredible collaborations. On Jay's Streets Is Watching soundtrack from early 1998, "Murdergram" showed that these grimy, overly irritated MCs hit their marks when they were together. In pivoting to Ja Rule's 1999 debut Venni Vetti Vecci, "It's... Read more

Royce 5’9 & Tech N9ne Are Barely Human On A Song That Shows Their Elite Skills (Audio)

Six years ago this week, Royce 5'9 released a critical album in his catalog: Success Is Certain. The Bad Meets Evil MC was suddenly in a great place and needed to write a new chapter to follow the brooding Death Is Certain LP five years earlier. At the time, that... Read more

Page Kennedy, Elzhi, Kxng Crooked, Cassidy, King Los & Mickey Factz vs. EVERYBODY (Audio)

Earlier this month, Page Kennedy dropped jaws when he added an unofficial (but very compelling) new chapter to JAY-Z's "The Story Of O.J." The Detroit, Michigan actor/MC is clearly out to keep his profile buzzing and pushing this year's Torn Pages LP along. This time, he rallies up a crop... Read more

LL Cool J Wanted To Do A 2nd Collabo With Canibus To Avoid Their Beef (Video)

LL Cool J and Canibus put their beef to bed back in the closing days of 2014. What started out as a rhyme battle (on the very same song) expanded into 17 years of feuding that involved tattoos, subliminal album titles, and a feature on QDIII's Beef DVD series. In... Read more

Last Of A Dying Breed: Why Scarface Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

Scarface is an MC who is a keystone within a legendary group, the Geto Boys. However, he also maintains a solo catalog that is arguably even more impressive. Brad Jordan's career expands nearly 30 years, and the Houston, Texas legend has made a powerful impact with the fans, the critics,... Read more

ONYX May Have Never Slammed If They Weren’t Stuck In Traffic With Jam Master Jay (Video)

Run-D.M.C.'s Jam Master Jay was instrumental in the development of fellow Queens, New York Hip-Hop group ONYX. Later on, Jay would ink Jayo Felony and 50 Cent, but no artist experienced more success on JMJ Records than Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and company. Jay signed ONYX and secured the Def... Read more

Hear How Warren G Saved Def Jam Records (Audio)

Warren Griffin, III is revered as a  Hip-Hop underdog. The MC/producer/DJ better known as Warren G came up as the shy half-brother of Dr. Dre. Raised in Long Beach, California Warren is the man many believe is responsible for the introduction of Snoop Dogg. Warren, keeping the music going at... Read more

Joe Budden Says Kendrick Lamar & Royce 5’9 Are The 2 Best MCs In The World (Video)

The release of Kendrick Lamar's latest album has triggered discussion of where he stands in the Hip-Hop pantheon of MCs. Many consider him to be 4 for 4, in terms of outstanding LPs, including Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, To Pimp A Butterfly and, now, DAMN. As untitled.unmastered. was simply... Read more

Six Years After His Passing, We Still Have Much Love For Nate Dogg (Video)

Six years ago today, music lost a true talent in Nathaniel Hale. The singer better known as Nate Dogg has one of the richest voices of the last 25 years. Alongside Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Ludacris, Fabolous, Pharoahe Monch, Eminem, and his right-hand-man Warren G, the crooner within Tha Dogg... Read more

Oswin Benjamin Is A Nice Guy With Mean Rhymes. His New EP Is Heavy. (Audio)

"I don't want to be the greatest, I want to be the realest," raps Oswin Benjamin on the just-released mixtape, HueMan. After making one of 2016's truly standout freestyles (a cypher turned into an all-out battle) alongside Chris Rivers and Denzil Porter, Benjamin eventually hit the BET Hip Hop Awards... Read more