AFH Ambrosia for Heads

B-Real Details How He Developed 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Most Distinctive Voices (Video)

Guru famously proclaimed "It's mostly the voice" on a Gang Starr song of the same name. Like the late, great Keith Elam, Cypress Hill and Prophets Of Rage member B-Real has one of the most recognizable voices in music. The Los Angeles, California veteran raps with clarity and a nasal... Read more

Rappers Might Start Going To Jail Because Of Their Lyrics

Rap music is often an art that imitates life. However, there appear to be new legal lines surrounding that freedom of expression. Today, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the case of Jamal Knox v. Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania. That case surrounds Cox, who is a Pittsburgh rapper also... Read more

L.A. Gangs Have Called A Historic Truce To Honor Nipsey Hussle (Video)

Less than one week after the March 31 passing of Nipsey Hussle, many communities are still recovering from the sudden tragedy. In addition to mourning the slain artist, activist, and entrepeneur, many people are taking action too. Yesterday (April 5), a vigil and peace treaty was held by street leaders,... 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

Scarface Says He Is The GOAT MC & Explains Why

Last month, Justin "The Company Man" Hunte published a special video breaking down his personal "Top 5, dead or alive MCs" list. In the visual essay, the prominent video personality, host, and member of the Ambrosia For Heads team explains his choices, which he asserts are purely music-based. "These five... Read more

Xzibit Details How Dr. Dre Operated On His Career & Brought It To Life (Video)

Twenty years ago, Xzibit's career buckled up for a skyrocketing trajectory. Since the mid-'90s, the prodigy of King T had released two albums, worked closely with E-Swift and Tha Alkaholiks, and recorded some incredible freestyles. A California transplant, Mr. X-To-The-Z was a true school MC with major distribution. He was... Read more

Samuel L. Jackson’s Interview Is Real & Unfiltered…Just Like His Best Characters

On screen, Samuel L. Jackson often plays characters that speak their minds with little compromise. Away from the film, set, the Chattanooga, Tennessee native is no a stranger to voicing his opinions with a similar approach. The unfiltered, often uncensored actor is now 70 years old and is still working... Read more

The Luniz & Krayzie Bone Remake I Got 5 On It As A Horror Theme Song (Video)

When the trailer for Jordan Peele’s upcoming Horror film Us dropped at the tail end of 2018, it nodded to a mid-'90s Rap classic. Many Hip-Hop Heads had the same nostalgic reaction as the dad in the first-look footage when an eerily remixed take of the Luniz classic single “I Got... Read more

MC Eiht & Brady Watt Make A Westside Connection On A New Version Of m.A.A.d. City

Brady Watt is one of the most respected bass players in Hip-Hop. In addition to his role in DJ Premier's Badder Band, the New Hampshire native has played on albums by Joey Bada$$, Curren$y & Ski Beatz, Statik Selektah, as well as Styles P & Talib Kweli's collaborative effort. Apart... Read more

DJ Kool Herc Says He’s Still #1. Hip-Hop’s Godfather Speaks (Audio)

Despite being credited as the Godfather Of Hip-Hop, DJ Kool Herc never pursued a recording career. While he has spun records for more than 45 years, the 63-year-old Clive Campbell never produced music like other pioneering DJs such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grand Wizard Theodore. In 1994, Herc... Read more

In 1992, Paris Made A Tribute To Black Women That Endures Today

While Gangsta Rap was at its height with acts like N.W.A, Geto Boys and Ice-T leading the charge, other crews such as A Tribe Called Quest, Ultramagnetic MC's and De La Soul were intriguing listeners with cerebral wordplay and quirky, inventive rhyme patterns. Somewhere in between, stood Rap revolutionaries like... Read more

James Ingram Has Passed Away At The Age Of 66

UPDATE: According to TMZ, James Ingram succumbed to a lengthy battle with brain cancer. ORIGINAL STORY: Grammy Award-winning R&B/Pop singer, keyboardist and producer James Ingram has died. Debbie Allen, Ingram's longtime creative partner, confirmed the news this afternoon (January 29), according to Consequence Of Sound. A native of Akron, Ohio,... Read more

MC Lyte & Positive K Reunite After 30 Years & They’re Still Not Havin’ It (Video)

Thirty years ago, Positive K linked with MC Lyte to create the memorable video single "I'm Not Having It" from the First Priority Basement Flavor compilation. The conceptual song about suitors getting rejected from women endured. It arrived the same season as MC Lyte's Lyte As A Rock debut, and played... Read more

The Making Of The Self-Destruction Video Shows The Power Of Hip-Hop Unity

In the late 1980s, Rap music had a problem. At the time the genre was exploding with national and overseas tours, incidents were taking place at some of those concerts that were smearing the reputation of the Hip-Hop culture. As the safety of show-goers was a significant concern, mainstream media... Read more

E-40 Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Smartest Hustlers. He Breaks Down His Businesses Beyond Rap

Twenty years ago, E-40 named his album, Charlie Hustle: The Blueprint Of A Self-Made Millionaire. While the moniker and subtitle may have been accurate at the time, the founder of Sick Wid It Records has seemingly lived up to that statement ever since. As 40 Water's career has been going... Read more

The Luniz’ Biggest Hit Is A Backdrop For The Most Anticipated Horror Film Of 2019

More than two decades ago, The Luniz burst onto the scene with their 1995 crossover hit "I Got 5 On It." During a year of releases that included Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... and Mobb Deep's The Infamous, the duo of Numskull and Yukmouth had their debut LP Operation... Read more

Styles P Explains Why Black Thought Is The Most Dangerous MC Alive

Earlier this year, Black Thought and Styles P's remarkable collaboration finally found a project to belong to. At the top of June, The Roots' front-man joined 9th Wonder & The Soul Council for Streams Of Thought, Vol. 1. Heads did not know it two years earlier when "Making Of A... Read more

Hear The Original Version Of California Love & It’s Nuthin’ But A Dre Thang

UPDATE: The same version through an alternate upload has been added. ORIGINAL STORY: When Tupac Shakur got out of prison in late 1995, he boarded a private jet and went straight to Death Row Records' Can-Am Studios in Tarzana, California. After pausing for dinner at Monty's Steakhouse with his new... Read more

This 2003 Conversation With MF DOOM Is The Interview Of His Career

In addition to phenomenal lyricism and one-of-a-kind production, one of DOOM's charms is his mystery. Perhaps as an extension of the metal-faced mask that he has worn for nearly 20 years, the man born Daniel Dumile rarely grants interviews. While verified accounts may exist, DOOM's one great artist of the... Read more

MC Serch Says He Was Once Asked To Write Lyrics For Rakim (Video)

3rd Bass released two gold albums between 1989 and 1991. Twenty-nine years ago this month, Def Jam Records released The Cactus Album, a full-length debut from the New York City collective of MC Serch, Prime Minister Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Rich (aka DJ Daddy Rich). The first single from that... Read more

Reef The Lost Cauze’s Video Shows What’s Golden About Hip-Hop Can Never Fade Away

Bearing a lengthy Hip-Hop resume, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based MC, Reef The Lost Cauze (born Sharif Lacey) is a certified authority when it comes to the genre. From the Army Of The Pharaohs (A.O.T.P.) member's  early days of battling, to his various mixtapes and albums, a current six-year window of podcasting, and... Read more

Ultramagnetic MCs’ Ced-Gee Reveals He Produced Most Of BDP’s Criminal Minded (Video)

There is a bevy of pivotal and highly influential Hip-Hop albums celebrating landmark anniversaries this year. Ambrosia For Heads has recently published articles about the 20 year anniversaries of both Black Star’s self-titled debut and OutKast’s Aquemini. The 25th anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan’s initial offering, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)... Read more

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

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

Apple Rejects Dr. Dre’s Television Show Due To Excessive Violence

Two and a half years ago, Dr. Dre announced plans to tell his life story through a series in partnership with Apple. The show, titled Vital Signs, began pre-production less than three years after Apple's 2014 acquisition of Beats By Dre for a reported $1 billion. In addition to producing, Vital... Read more

Nicki Minaj & Cardi B’s Beef Turns Physical As They Face Off On The Red Carpet (Video)

UPDATE: Following an altercation with Nicki Minaj just hours ago, Cardi B has released a statement. Written to Nicki, the Instagram post alleges that Minaj attempted to black-ball Cardi in the industry. Cardi also says that she confronted Nicki twice about the reported behind-the-scenes tactics to hold back the Bronx,... Read more

Rakim Speaks About Why Artists & Athletes Should Fight For Justice (Audio)

More than 30 years ago, Rakim raised the bar of rapping. The Long Island, New Yorker is regularly associated with his consciousness. Although Ra' may not be remembered for his politics to the degree of peers such as Chuck D or KRS-One, he has been a steadfast symbol of self-empowerment.... Read more

Das EFX Say Fu-Schnickens Stole Their Style & Explain How (Video)

Das EFX was one of the most original Hip-Hop groups of the 1990s. Krazy Drazy and Skoob’s rough and rugged look, animated flows, and especially their “iggity” cadence and stutter-style delivery caught the attention of music fans worldwide. While their unique “sewa'” style nabbed them accolades and a sizeable record... Read more

Redman Releases A New Song That Sounds Like 1990 In All The Best Ways (Audio)

Redman's "Muddy Waters Too Movement" continues. Funk Doc is gearing up for the long-awaited sequel to his 1996 landmark third LP. Following the recent video drops "Ya!" and "I Love Hip Hop," the promotional push for the upcoming album continues with "1990 NOW." This Gilla House Records single, produced by... Read more

Eminem Becomes LL Cool J’s Stan In A Conversation Between Two GOATs (Audio)

Eminem tends to offer impassioned anecdotes when crediting his multiple Rap music influences. For the first episode of LL Cool J's new show, The Influence Of Hip-Hop on Sirius XM's Rock The Bells Radio channel, Eminem tells LL that he is one of the main reasons that he began rapping as a child. "I... 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

Nas Names 5 Of His Favorite Rap Songs In Celebration Of Hip-Hop’s 45th Birthday (Video)

This past Saturday, Hip-Hop celebrated a significant milestone. August 11, 1973, marks the day that DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) rocked a benchmark party in the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. As a result, many Hip-Hop Heads, scholars, and even tech giants honor that day as the culture's... Read more

30 Years Ago, The Source Set A New Standard For Hip-Hop Journalism

This week, Hip-Hop culture is celebrating its 45th anniversary. The first documented South Bronx rec room party with DJ Kool Herc behind the wheels of steel was on August 11, 1973. Like the origins of the culture, that event's significance would live by word of mouth if Hip-Hop had no... Read more

Black Star Show Why One Of Their Defining Messages Remains Timeless (Video)

Black Star represented a needed voice in the late 1990s when Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Talib Kweli first emerged under the group name. Their “Definition” single and its next track reprise, “RE:DEFinition,” spoke out against violence in Hip-Hop at a time when the community was mourning the losses... Read more

Tragedy Khadafi Says Marley Marl Did Him Dirty. His New Song Tells All (Audio Premiere)

Tragedy Khadafi (fka The Intelligent Hoodlum) has been releasing music steadily over the three decades but it's been nearly four years since he released his last solo album. That's all changing now though. The Queensbridge legend has been in the booth heavy since 2014's Pre Magnum Opus and is slated... Read more

J. Prince Reveals How He & Mike Dean Got Dr. Dre’s Secret Production Formula (Video)

From the somber swing of Scarface’s The Diary to the flamboyant complement to JAY-Z & Kanye West's Watch The Throne, Grammy Award-winning producer, mixer, engineer, and musician Mike Dean has been a versatile sound provider for 25 years. Few creators can do as much as Mike in the genre, across... Read more

Busta Rhymes Challenges Veteran MCs To Be True Leaders Of The New School

Busta Rhymes is an active symbol of longevity in Hip-Hop. He was part of the Native Tongues era, endured some of Rap's most significant changes as a solo artist in the 15 years that followed, and still has many Heads eagerly awaiting his tenth LP. According to 9th Wonder, that... Read more

Kid Capri Explains Why He Has Beef With Funkmaster Flex (Video)

Two of the most recognized names in DJ'ing, especially for those in and around the New York City area, are currently beefing. For those following social media, mixtape legend Kid Capri has minced no words in his opinions of Funkmaster Flex. Both men, who each claim Bronx, New York as... 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

Cardi B Is The First Woman Rapper In Hip-Hop History To Have Two #1 Singles

Even as she awaits her first child, Cardi B is steadily making moves that haven’t been made before in Rap. Her latest single, “I Like It” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin has climbed to the #1 slot on the Billboard "Hot 100" chart. This second hit comes after, “Bodak... Read more

Tonedeff Never Got All Of His Props As An MC. Many Can Relate To His Powerful Story (Video)

The late 1990s Underground Hip-Hop movement produced would-be stars like Eminem, Yasiin Bey, El-P, and Aloe Blacc. However, for every one of those examples of the mainstream embracing a particular voice, style, or message, there are hundreds of artists who seemingly never got their just due. Tonedeff is one of... Read more

PMD Discusses Yo! MTV Raps’ Ed Lover Being One Of The Best Freestylers On The Planet (Audio)

From its inception in 1988 to its final episode in 1995, Yo! MTV Raps was a top springboard for Hip-Hop artists. It was an opportunity to showcase skills and unique styles on one of the largest platforms available to the genre. In an interview with HipHopDX, Parrish "PMD" Smith spoke... Read more

Rakim Will Appear In Luke Cage And Perform An Original Song

On June 22, season two of Marvel's Luke Cage series will premiere on Netflix. The record-breaking show, which helped the network's stock soar (and its servers to crash) when it debuted in 2016, was created by Cheo Hodari Coker and implemented Hip-Hop in inventive ways. Season one's episodes were named after Gang Starr... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Boogie Down Productions vs. Ultramagnetic MC’s. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

Bumpy Knuckles & Biz Markie Team Up For A Video With A Purpose. Check It Out, Y’all.

Today (May 18), Bumpy Knuckles releases Pop Duke, Vol. 1. The 10-song concept project is produced by Nottz, and it features a cast of Rap O.G.'s such as Chuck D, Kool G Rap, and M.O.P.'s Lil Fame. It also includes a fellow Long Islander, Biz Markie, who makes a rare... Read more

BET’s Executive Producer Explains What To Expect With The Bobby Brown Story (Video)

Jesse Collins is a television-industry veteran whose eponymous production company is responsible for several acclaimed BET programs including the network's Hip Hop Awards. He also features prominently in the production credits for the network's juggernaut 2017 biopic miniseries The New Edition Story, the historic nature of which led to his being named... Read more

Roxanne Shanté Describes How Real “The Roxanne Wars” Got In Concerts (Video)

This weekend, Roxanne, Roxanne is now available on Netflix. The biopic, written and directed by Michael Larnell, covers the life of MC Roxanne Shanté (aka Lolita Shanté Gooden). The Juice Crew rapper co-produced the film and worked with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Forrest Whitaker, and Mimi Valdes to tell... Read more

Westside Gunn & Mr. Green Partner For An EP. Here’s A Sample From That Stash (Audio)

The Griselda family's breakthrough player, Westside Gunn, seems to be going even harder in 2018 than he did in 2017, and that says a lot. Having dropped several full-length projects, appeared in the Shady Records BET Cypher, as well as a collabo 12” with MF DOOM in 2017, one might... Read more

Saukrates, Pharoahe Monch & Shad Show Why They Are MCs Who Stand The Test Of Time (Audio)

JUNE 25 UPDATE: An official lyric video for "Father Time (2018 Version)" has been created: ORIGINAL MARCH 15 STORY: Last summer Saukrates re-released his 1999 album The Underground Tapes, making it available in digital formats for the first time, while delivering some new remixes and updated versions of those old... Read more

Bumpy Knuckles & Snoop Are Proud To Be O.G.s & Share Their Wisdom (Audio)

With over 50 years in the Rap game combined, Snoop Dogg and Bumpy Knuckles (aka Freddie Foxxx) have immense credibility. They are two MCs who have navigated several eras of Hip-Hop's evolution. Each can spit hard rhymes that chin-check opponents and they both have reputations for offering righteousness. It all... Read more