AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Phonte, DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″ Geek Out About Rap, Memories & Battles (Video)

Structure isn't everything in Hip-Hop interviews. Sometimes organic, natural, nonrestrictive discussions go a heck of a lot farther. In their ongoing PRhyme media campaign, DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" get an unlikely guest in Phonte. The Stashed orchestrates a casual discussion about a number of things with these three... Read more

Remember This Rakim, KRS-One, Erick Sermon, Chubb Rock & MC Serch Freestyle (Video)

As we gear up for Round 2 of our Battle for the GOAT, there is no doubt that Rakim and KRS-One will be atop many people's lists of the greatest MCs of all time. So, as a sneak preview, here's a look back at part of one of the legendary... Read more

GOAT: Which One of These MCs Deserves a Shot at Advancing to Round 2?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Chris Rock Names His Top 5 Comedians From a Battle of 10 (Video)

Chris Rock stopped by the Sway in the Morning show to promote his film Top Five (in theaters on December 12th). Ever insightful, he gave some thoughtful commentary on Eric Garner and why there might be less activism in Hip-Hop now as compared to in the 80's and 90's. Rock... Read more

Bizzy Bone Is The Next Star Battle Rap Contestant

Battling, in the traditional, structured setting, has become popular for established, highly-prominent artists. Earlier this year, Def Squad's Keith Murray was planned to battle ONYX's Fredro Starr. Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden took on Hollow Da Don this past summer, taking what many considered to be a major L. The next contestant... Read more

Finding The GOAT: The Fresh Prince vs. DMC…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

The LOX Speak on How Battle Rap Has Changed Over the Years (Video)

Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch, three of Hip-Hop's finest lyrical sharp shooters, sat with Watch Loud to discuss the differences between battle rap now and when they were participants in the verbal sport. Sheek and Styles speak about the differences of battling when accompanied with a beat vs. the... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Says He’ll Finally Battle Rakim For Half A Million Dollars (Video)

This week, VladTV asked Big Daddy Kane, in the multi-part interview, if he'd battle longtime rival, contender as one of the greatest MCs of all-time, Rakim. Specifically, DJ Vlad  proposed the notion of the Brooklyn, New York Juice Crew legend taking on his Long Island, New York contemporary for a... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Says He Asked Kool Moe Dee For A Battle When He Was 14 (Video)

In a new interview with Vlad TV, Big Daddy Kane opens up about what he was doing in 1982 and 1983. Five years before Long Live The Kane, the would-be Brooklyn, New York superstar was traveling the streets of New York, looking for challenges. He even took aim at one... Read more

Tsu Surf vs Hitman Holla: Who Took This Battle? (Video)

At this year's Summer Madness, Smack/URL's "Super Bowl of MC Battling," Tsu Surf and Hitman Holla went head to head in another chapter of their ongoing rivalry. Now, the match has been released in its entirety. Take a look and weigh in on who you think won this battle. Related:... Read more

Watch a Highlight Reel of Some of Eminem’s Greatest Battles (Video)

Though Eminem's 8 Mile movie was fictional, it aligned very closely with several elements in Marshall Mathers' real life, including showcasing that he started as BATTLE RAP BEAST. The battle scenes in the film have been replayed countless times, but there is also real footage of Em's battles that have... Read more

Finding The GOAT: MC Lyte vs. MCA…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Finding The GOAT: MC Eiht Vs. Scarface…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

2000s Southern Rappers Square Off, As Mike Jones Will Battle Bone Crusher

Battle Rap continues to attract onetime major label stars. Following Joe Budden's challenging Hollow Da Don in July, and leading up to Keith Murray's competition against Fredro Starr later this month, two more established acts are entering the proverbial "Rap ring." Mike Jones, the breakout star of 2005's Houston Hip-Hop... Read more

Rah Digga & Young Zee Experiment On A Run-DMC Sample (Audio)

With Treach and Pepa now divorced, is there a better Hip-Hop couple than Young Zee and Rah Digga? The longtime Outsidaz titan and his Flipmode Squad alum (who worked a ton with The Outsidaz too) partner, the two New Jersey natives have made an extensive discography together. "One To The... Read more

Battle Rap Meets Bellator on the Road to Total Slaughter (Video)

Eminem and Shady Films are off on their quest to bring battle rapping back to the forefront and to crown the best of the best with the debut episode of "Road To Total Slaughter." 8 MCs have been picked to live together under one roof to prep their lyrical artillery... Read more

D-Nice Recalls The Day Of Scott La Rock’s Murder, Reveals That After BDP, He Battled Homelessness (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's most resilient figures is D-Nice. The Human TR-808 came into vogue as an MC, down with KRS-One, Scott La Rock, and Boogie Down Productions. Rolling with one of the late '80s most ferocious Hip-Hop outfits, D-Nice became B.D.P.'s most prominent off-shoot, signing a solo deal with Jive... Read more

N.O.R.E. Recalls His First Real Rap Battle, Behind Bars (Video)

If you've ever hung around N.O.R.E., or listened to the Lefrak City, Queens MC discuss Hip-Hop, you'll know he is absolutely, positively, a Head. The man also known as P.A.P.I. has always balanced his Reggaeton transitions, or his club-minded hits with tracks that not only provided major label opportunities to... Read more

Drake Says He Won His Battle With Common

Drake and Common’s beef (if we can call it that?) might seem like a pillow fight compared to the atom bomb Kendrick dropped on Hip Hop this week, but in an interview for next month’s XXL, Drizzy claims he came out the victor. In the new issue (which hits stores... Read more

Here is our list of the underground MCs who had the biggest come up in the last year: The AFH Torch Bearers list. These MCs include Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, A$AP Rocky, Childish Gambino, Chuuwee, Dom Kennedy, The Jets (Tradeamark Da Skydiver, Young Roddy, Sir Michael Rocks), The Kid Daytona, Rittz, Schoolboy Q, Smoke DZA, Stalley and XV. Click here to see why we chose these MCs and to hear some of their music.

There have been a lot of lists declaring top MCs lately; some for the mainstream and some for the underground. In our opinion (and each list is just that--opinions) each list left some things to be desired. So...we decided to take matters in our own hands. Partly in response to... Read more

15 Years Later The Black Album Is Still JAY-Z’s Perfect Fadeaway (Video)

"Any time you're making an album, especially if this is your last album, every single track has to be a statement. Like, in your mind, you're thinking, I have to make the perfect album," JAY-Z said before Fade To Black cameras during 2003, when the documentary filmed. "Anybody that knows... Read more

Kurupt Recalls Snatching The “New York, New York” Beat Back From Biggie

In September of 1995, Tha Dogg Pound released the first single from their debut album, Dogg Food. "New York, New York" proved to be a controversial record, even if it is rooted in a 1983 Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five single. The '95 Death Row Records version arrived five... Read more

The Coup’s Boots Riley Shares A Heartfelt Statement About Pam The Funkstress

As reported late last week (December 22), the iconic Bay Area DJ, Pam the Funkstress (aka Pamela Warren), tragically passed away after recently undergoing organ transplant surgery. Considered a trailblazer for all subsequent female DJs, Pam was a celebrated member of The Coup, and later became recognized as “Purple Pam”... Read more

Nas Was Only 16 When He Wrote Illmatic. He Reminisces On The Music That Made Him (Video)

Since his days of being "too scared to grab the mics in the park" and "breakin' into candy factories," Nas' youth is legendary. Since Illmatic, the son of Jazz trumpeter Olu Dara and Anne Jones chronicled his adolescence in rhyme. The Hip-Hop culture listened, and apparently related to an MC... Read more

RESPECT THE DJ: Rob Swift Speaks Out Against Those Who Should Not Be Called “DJ”

Words By DJ Rob Swift I started out as a fan first. I grew up around the art of DJing since I came out my mother’s womb. There hasn’t been a day in my life that I haven’t been exposed to the art form in some way, NOT ONE DAY.... Read more

“The Breaks” Is Returning For Another Season And Moving To A New Channel

This month, The Breaks aired its first season as an episodic show. Set at the top of the 1990s, the series follows the lives and movements of several young people trying to make it in the music industry. From DJ/producers, aspiring record execs, to radio, the show created by author... Read more

Rob Swift Shows Why “The Breaks” Is The Most Authentic TV Show About Hip-Hop

On April 10, The Breaks completed the airing of its first season as a series. What began as a 2016 film for television extended for eight 2017 episodes. With actor, artist and director Mack Wilds portraying "Daryl 'DeeVee' Van Putten, Jr." in the Vh1 show, the cast also includes Hip-Hop figures such... Read more

Joe Budden Explains Why He Dissed Drake & Warns He’s Well Prepared For ANY Response (Audio)

At the top of June, Drake shocked the Hip-Hop space when he apparently dissed Joe Budden and Puff Daddy on a la carte release "4PM In Calabasas." For Joe's part, the lines were presumed to be a response to Budden's criticism of Views on his "I'll Name This Podcast Later" (Episode... Read more

Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP. 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

Finding The GOAT Album: Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music. 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

Finding The GOAT Album: Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. T.I.’s King. 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

Dee Barnes’ Role in Hip-Hop is Much Bigger Than an Incident with Dr. Dre (Video)

For past generations of Heads, the story of reporter Dee Barnes and her reported physical altercations with Dr. Dre 25 years ago remains one of the most well-documented scandals in Hip-Hop history. Today, new generations are growing up in a time when an incident from a quarter of a century... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Final 4): Eminem vs. Big Daddy Kane…Who You Got?

Update: Polls have now closed There are now only 4 MCs remaining in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Both Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. were dismissed at the winning hands of Tupac (even if it took a second, certified ballot in the Nas... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Claims Drake Has More Secret Children

Less than a full day after Kendrick Lamar released "6:16 in LA," Drake has responded to it, and “euphoria,” which arrived Tuesday (April 30). Drake's third jab at Kendrick comes after April's "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made"—which was removed from digital streaming platforms and online accounts after threat of legal... Read more

Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss Title Has 5 Different Meanings

This morning (May 3), Kendrick Lamar dissed Drake with the second song in less than a week. Following Tuesday's "euphoria," Friday morning's "6:16 in LA" arrived around the time-stamp. The title borrowed from Drake's longstanding series, which he has used in the past during his battles and beefs with Joe... Read more

Drake Disses Kendrick Lamar & Makes It Personal

Over a day after the Hip-Hop world anticipated Drake's response to Kendrick Lamar, Future, Metro Boomin, and others, the OVO superstar has seemingly delivered. Although Drake has yet to claim ownership of a verbal attack that leaked online Saturday (April 13), sources close to the entertainer claims its authenticity as... Read more

J. Cole Has Released A Record Dissing Kendrick Lamar

Two weeks ago, Kendrick Lamar used a feature verse on Future & Metro Boomin's album to leave no questions about a Rap rivalry with peers J. Cole and Drake. While K-Dot has collaborated with both Drake and Cole (and competed with both in not-so-subtle lyrics more than a decade ago),... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Re-Gains Control By Dissing Drake & J. Cole

This morning, Kendrick Lamar broke his musical silence for 2024, and he did so in a major way. The Compton, California superstar appears on Future & Metro Boomin's WE DON'T TRUST YOU album. The tracklist, which does not include guests, finds K-Dot confronting his biggest peers on the song "Like... Read more

Slum Village Shares New Details About Making Get Dis Money

A quarter-century ago, Slum Village was in the process of following up their Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1) debut. That underground album became a calling card for a new sound coming out of Detroit, Michigan — and three artists bringing the change. T3, J Dilla, and Baatin were in the process of following up and... Read more

Benzino Accuses Eminem Of Doing Shady Business On A Diss Record

Eminem and Ray Benzino have been beefing for well over 20 years. In the first month of 2024, tensions have been back on the boiler after Em used an a la carte verse on a Lyrical Lemonade compilation to jab at the co-founder of Almighty RSO, Made Men, and former... Read more

Masta Ace & Coast Contra Unite On A Certified Banger

This weekend (January 26), Masta Ace & Marco Polo have released Richmond Hill. The longtime MC/producer battery's second album is a thematic sequel to 2018's A Breukelen Story. That concept LP, named one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of that year, looked at Brooklyn, New York's history—including as a home... Read more

Kid Capri Was Fighting For His Life Last Year

As Hip-Hop celebrated its symbolic 50th birthday, one of its pioneers revealed he battled a life-threatening illness. Kid Capri, one of Hip-Hop's mixtape pioneers, legendary party-rockers, and celebrated personalities of the last 30 years, shared that he is now cancer-free. It was a fight that included multiple surgeries that Kid... Read more

Masta Ace Releases A Song Filled With Positivity

In 2018, Masta Ace and Marco Polo released their first album as a unit. A Breukelen Story was a concept album—something the Brooklyn, New York MC has done for much his 35-year career. That LP was named by Ambrosia For Heads among the best of '18, and it featured Smif-n-Wessun,... Read more

Diddy Steps Down As Revolt Chairman

This month, one of Hip-Hop's most influential and successful moguls is the center of multiple accusations from two women, including one of his artists and ex-girlfriends. In the wake of these allegations, including a recent eight-figure settlement, Sean "Diddy" Combs has stepped down as Chairman of Revolt. The decision comes... Read more

Treach Details How He & Tupac Were Ending The East/West Feud

Treach and his group Naughty By Nature were a linchpin of 1990s Hip-Hop. The Grammy Award-winning East Orange, New Jersey trio had ties with a cross-section of the Rap scene, including Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. These connections especially mattered by the mid-1990s, when Tupac and Biggie had entered a... 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

Krayzie Bone Has Survived His Very Serious Hospitalization

Late last month, it was reported that Krayzie Bone was fighting for his life in a Los Angeles, California hospital. The 50-year-old Grammy Award-winning MC and co-founder of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was suffering from an ongoing battle with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease in which the immune system overreacts, causing groups of... Read more

Vic Mensa Is 2 Years Sober But His Freestyle Is Still Dope

Last month, Vic Mensa released his latest album, Victor. The Roc Nation Records release features Common, Jay Electronica, Ty Dolla Sign, Chance The Rapper, Thundercat, Rapsody, D Smoke, among others. In the two years since the Chicago, Illinois artist released his last LP, I TAPE, Mensa transitioned his lifestyle. The... Read more

Nick Grant Has Released One Of The Year’s Best Albums

Nick Grant has been making waves since the mid-2010s. His 2017 debut, Return Of The Cool, garnered praise from Ambrosia For Heads and others at a time when the South Carolina MC was getting cosigns from Andre 3000, Nas, Bun B, and others. Since that Epic Records debut, Nick worked... Read more

Diddy Has Given Bad Boy Artists Their Publishing Back

In the last decade, Diddy has reunited members of the Bad Boy Records family on tour and on televised concerts. The label founder has worked with Ma$e, The LOX, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, Total, and others years after they stopped releasing projects through the famed label. However, while Bad... Read more