AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Erick Sermon, Styles P & AZ Team Up To Save The Rap Game (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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... Read more

DMX Announces It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot 20th Anniversary Tour Dates

Last May, DMX's debut album, It's Dark And Hell Is Hot turned 20 years old. Earl Simmons was behind bars for the anniversary, stemming from a violation of bail surrounding a tax evasion conviction. After leaving Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in Glenville, West Virginia last month, Dark Man X is... Read more

What’s The Real Definition Of A Freestyle? The Great Debate Continues (Video)

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads revisited a 1997 conversation between LL Cool J, Redman, DMX, Method Man and MTV News' Abbie Kearse. The interview unpacked the varying definitions of a freestyle, pulling opinions of the MCs from some different eras and backgrounds. As can be seen and heard by the definitions... Read more

There Were Some Incredible Freestyles In 2018. Here Are The Year’s Best (Video)

For all the chatter about Mumble Rap taking over, there have been a number of MCs who put on incredible lyrical displays in 2018. Artists like Royce 5'9, Styles P, Pusha-T, Evidence, Benny The Butcher, Jay Rock, Logic and J. Cole released projects packed with punchlines and substantive verses, and... Read more

Wale Channels Ghostface Killah To Send A Chilly Message To His Competition & Critics

Wale released a series of singles and EPs this year. Apart from a feature on Logic's YSIV, it was a lower profile year for the Warner Bros. Records artist. However, the veteran spitter refuses to let 2018 end without reminding fans and his peers that he's a top-tier spitter. Moreover,... Read more

Juelz Santana Sentenced To Prison For More Than 2 Years

Right as Dipset released its first formal album in 14 years, the Harlem, New York collective has hit a serious roadblock. Today (December 19), a key member of The Diplomats was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. TMZ reports that the former Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records rapper born LaRon James... Read more

Real Hip-Hop Finally Has Its Own Home On TV

“It's like that uh and it sounds so nice. Hip-hop, you the love of my life.” I’ve been on the same mission for 20 years. Having grown up in the 80s, the soundtrack to my coming of age was fueled by the sounds of Grandmaster Melle Mel, Run-D.M.C., LL Cool... Read more

Erick Sermon Details EPMD’s Terrible 1st Contract & How They Got The Big Payback

EPMD is one of those groups that are always mentioned among Hip-Hop's legendary duos, however it always seems like they don't quite get their full due. That was especially true of a mid-1980s contract that the pair of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith signed. They later got the big payback... Read more

Do Remember When EPMD Teamed With Red & Meth For A Rap Symphony (Video)

Def Jam Records had made some of the most iconic Hip-Hop albums of all-time during the 1980s. After some sluggish years in the early 1990s, the label started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin rebounded in a major way in 1998. That was the same year that the imprint forecast... Read more

A New Documentary Shows Why Wu-Tang Is Forever For The Children (Video)

For Hip-Hop devotees across the globe, today (November 9) is annually marked as one of the most notable throughout the genre’s history. Twenty-five years ago today, A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan simultaneously offered up the groundbreaking efforts of Midnight Marauders and Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The legend of November 9 will... Read more

Xzibit Recalls Moving To LA Alone As A Teen & The Likwit Crew Taking Him In (Video)

Falling on Halloween yesterday, the team of Xzibit, B-Real, and Demrick released the second installment in their Serial Killers series since 2015's The Murder Show with the seven-tracked, Day Of The Dead. In promotion of the freshly released project, Xzibit sat down with Adam22, aka Adam Grandmaison, of the No... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Is Decidedly Your Greatest Hip-Hop Group Of All Time

On April, Ambrosia For Heads launched a tournament where Hip-Hop fans were able to vote on their favorite group of all time. After more than 60 match-ups across six rounds, we now have an answer. Wu-Tang Clan is decidedly the readers' greatest Hip-Hop group of all-time. The championship was hard-fought.... Read more

Logic Has Recruited The Whole Wu-Tang Clan For His Next Album (Video)

On 1993's "Wu-Tang 7th Chamber," Ghostface Killah rapped, "I'm hot, top notch, Ghost thinks with logic / Flashback's how I attacked your whole project." That lyric takes on new meaning based on an upcoming collaboration. The rapper known as Logic was just three years old when Wu-Tang Clan released Enter... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: OutKast vs. Gang Starr. 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

Finding The GOAT Group: Eric B. & Rakim vs. Gang Starr. 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

Erick Sermon Previews His Next Album With A Verse That’s As Hard As His Beats (Video)

In addition to new EPMD sneakers, Erick Sermon has been busy promoting his eighth solo album. Now titled Vernia (after being previously called Go), the fan-funded LP promises involvement from AZ, Big K.R.I.T., Xzibit, Too Short, Styles P, and others. At the top of the year, the Long Island legend... Read more

Here Are The 16 Hip-Hop Groups Competing To Be Named The Best Of All-Time

“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 were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot was reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Are Going On Tour To Celebrate 25 Years Of 36 Chambers (Video)

Later this year, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan will celebrate the 25th-anniversary of their classic debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). In November of 1993, nine MCs came together for the Loud/RCA Records release that would lay a foundation for the "killa bees" to swarm the industry with an unconventional... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony vs. The Fugees. 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

Here Are The 32 Hip-Hop Groups Competing To Be Named Best Of All-Time

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups were 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 ensure... Read more

U-God Says The $2 Million Wu-Tang Album Ain’t Nuthin’ To Get Excited Over (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan co-founder U-God is the latest guest on The Breakfast Club. This week, the Staten Island, New York MC published his memoir, Raw: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang. According to Charlamagne Tha God, who read the text, Lamont Hawkins' pre-music days may be the most compelling aspect of the... Read more

Erick Sermon Raises More Than $60,000 & Will Release His 8th Solo Album

FEBRUARY 22 UPDATE: Erick Sermon and Def Squad Records released the following statement to Ambrosia For Heads: "In today's music business, the climate is everything's based on streaming. We have seen drastic changes in the way consumers listen to content. There [are] all different genres of Hip-Hop now some with more commercial... 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

Snoop Dogg Has Made Reggae, Funk & Retro R&B. Now He’s Going Gospel (Video)

Snoop Dogg is a musical chameleon. Twenty-five years ago, millions of Hip-Hop Heads gravitated to the laid-back delivery and aggressive content in the Gangsta Rap style that they heard on Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Snoopy's solo debut, Doggystyle. In the periods since, Snoop has worked with a litany of musical... Read more

An New Video Shows The Rise Of The Soulquarians & Why Things Fell Apart

During the week of special engagements leading up to last Sunday's Grammy Awards, The Roots held a four-day residency at The Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan. During the day, the three-time Grammy-winners programmed events that included the first live taping of Questlove Supreme with guest Common, as well as a Black... Read more

Keith Murray Kills This Freestyle Over A Classic Cypress Hill Instrumental (Audio)

Keith Murray seems to be up to something. The Def Squad MC has released a few freestyles in 2018. With DJ Gumba beside him, Keith did a rendition of Eric B. & Rakim's "I Ain't No Joke." After tackling one of Hip-Hop's most beloved 1980s records, Murray and Gumba go... Read more

Ambrosia For Heads Presents: G.O.A.T. Producers – The Pete Rock Edition (Playlist)

Ambrosia For Heads' G.O.A.T. Producers series takes in-depth looks at the production discographies of some of Hip-Hop and R&B's greatest of all-time producers. As part of an exclusive partnership with Pandora, each installment explores the hits, the deep cuts, the rarities, the remixes and more. This edition showcases the production catalog... Read more

Dipset Uses Their Reunion Video To Show That They’ve Really Made Peace

Last month, Cam'ron and Jim Jones released the single "Once Upon A Time." The song's lyrics reveal that Dame Dash once confronted Harvey Weinstein about his behavior towards women 15 years ago. Dame has since clarified the report to recall a slightly different story. However, it is the symbolism of... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 1): Sean Price vs. Wu-Tang Clan

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

U-God Can’t Let Wu-Tang’s Saga Continue Without Getting Involved. He Joins A Remix (Audio)

Founding Wu-Tang Clan member U-God is missing from this year's The Saga Continues album. Following his $2.5 million lawsuit against RZA and management over unpaid royalties, the MC appeared more than a golden-arm's length away from the rest of his brothers. Meanwhile, longtime Wu family members like Redman, Cappadonna, and... Read more

See The Evolution Of Hip-Hop From 1979 To The Present In 30 Minutes (Video)

Over the years, there have been a number of vehicles that show the transformation of Hip-Hop from its inception to the present. The vast majority of these tend to be either hyper-kinetic mashups that showcase 2-3 second snippets of songs, or exhaustive documentaries that unfold over hours, showcasing years of... Read more

A Near 500-Song Mix Showcases The Magnificent History Of West Coast Hip-Hop (Audio)

West Coast Hip-Hop is incredible. So many of its pioneers are still making albums, doing shows, and adding to their legacy. As a tribute to the Left Coast immense contributions to Hip-Hop, Take It Personal Radio has compiled a four-part episode dedicated to gangsta and underground Rap classics from the... 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

Ghostface Killah’s Mighty Healthy Was Inspired By A Divine Force That Brought Wu Together (Audio)

Earlier this month, Wu-Tang Clan released The Saga Continues. Charting at #15, the album is produced entirely by DJ Mathematics—creator of the Wu logo, and longtime touring mix-master for Method Man as well as Meth & Redman. Originally, in 2016, RZA—who executive produced the project and raps—stated that the next... Read more

Snoop Dogg Releases One Of His Most Powerful Political Songs Yet (Audio)

Snoop Dogg may not first come to mind as a political rapper. However, since his fame has ascended into household name status, Tha Doggfather has proudly become just that. In recent years, Snoop has called for peace in the streets and the industry. This March, his BADBADNOTGOOD collaboration "Lavender" commented... Read more

Cam’ron & Jim Jones Bury Their Latest Beef For Upcoming Dipset Reunion Concert

In February of this year, Jim Jones sat down with Funkmaster Flex in an emotional interview about his relationship with onetime Diplomats band-mate Cam'ron. As the Dipset Capo got tearful in speaking about the sacrifices he made for Cam', he alleged that the crew's breakout star had not supported his... Read more

RZA Explains Why Passing The Wu-Tang Production Torch To Mathematics Adds Up (Video)

Last Friday (October 13), Wu-Tang Clan released The Saga Continues. Executive produced by RZA, the album marks a new label and independent contract for the legendary Shaolin collective. Moreover, RZA entrusted Wu-Elements producer DJ Mathematics with the sounds. Following a year of discussion surrounding the Clan's sound (Ghostface Killah was... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Have Just Released Their Best Album In Years. The Saga Continues (Audio)

Moments ago, members of Wu-Tang Clan released Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues. Executive produced by RZA, with strong role-playing from Method Man, the LP also features Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, and Masta Killa. Redman appeared on the album's first two singles (including one video), adding to a 20-plus-year bond with the... Read more

EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

It has been almost nine years since legendary duo EPMD released an album. Late 2008's We Mean Business marked the seventh group effort for Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The EP/RBC Records release was a departure from the six consecutive gold albums the Long Islanders released dating back to 1988's... Read more

Sean Price & Masta Killa Are Rap Royalty On A 9th Wonder Production (Audio)

Sean Price and Wu-Tang Clan were frequent collaborators throughout the legendary Boot Camp Clik MC's career. "Donkey Sean" has shared verses with prominent and affiliate members of Wu on a total of 12 released tracks since 1998. On Masta Killa's "Down For Me," the latest single for the Wu member's... Read more

A Study Identifies Words That Make Each MC Unique. Here’s What Defines Some Of The Best.

In 2014, data scientist Matt Daniels released a comprehensive study that stirred up intense discourse in the Hip-Hop community. The analysis dissected over 35,000 lyrics to determine which MCs had the most extensive vocabularies in their rhymes. Now, Daniels has returned with another deep dive into Hip-Hop linguistics, and this... Read more

RZA Reveals What Wu-Tang Clan’s Logo Was Before The Iconic W (Video)

Earlier today, Wu-Tang released a single featuring Inspectah Deck and Redman. Produced by Mathematics, "Lesson Learn'd" belongs to next month's Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues... album (October 13). With confirmed involvement from RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Rebel I.N.S., Masta Killa, and Cappadonna (as well as O.D.B. vocals), the effort marks... Read more

Mista Sinista Reminds Why Hip-Hop Was Built By DJs. He Puts On An Amazing Display (Video)

Mista Sinista was a crucial part of the X-Ecutioners in the '90s and early 2000s. Alongside the late Roc Raida, as well as Rob Swift and Total Eclipse, the X-Men were real-life superheroes behind the turntables and mixers. Moreover, their 2002 Built From Scratch album on Loud Records brought turntablism... Read more

RZA Confirms There Will Be Unreleased ODB Vocals On The New Wu-Tang Clan Album (Video)

Last week, Wu-Tang Clan gave Hip-Hop fans a welcomed surprise when they announced that they would be releasing a new album, Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues, in October. Shortly after the announcement, the group released the project's first single, "People Say," their first ever group record featuring Redman. Wu-Tang Clan Are... Read more

See The Full Historic Conversation & Cypher Between Mos Def, Big Pun, Canibus & DMX (Video)

Twenty years ago, Hip-Hop was in crosswinds. Microphones were grabbed by emerging voices from across the landscape, geographically, stylistically, and regarding content. As the genre collected itself following the sudden and tragic killings of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, it wanted new sounds, messages, and conversations. Mos Def & Dave... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Are Releasing A New Album And It’s Coming Soon (Audio)

Yesterday, the Hip-Hop community was set ablaze when a brand new song from Wu-Tang Clan, titled "People Say," mysteriously appeared. The song which featured Method Man, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and honorary Wu member, Redman, came with no indication of whether it was the first release for an upcoming... Read more

The 1st Rhyme Masta Killa Ever Wrote Was For Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Chambers (Video)

Masta Killa made a last minute debut on a Rap classic: Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). What Heads may not realize is that was the Brooklyn, New York MC's first rhyme and his first time in the studio. Having described himself as the "little brother" within the Clan,... Read more

Def Jam Records May Soon Be The Gold Standard For Rap Once Again (Video)

This week, it was announced that Eminem's manager and Shady Records partner Paul Rosenberg will be Def Jam's next CEO. Twenty years ago, the Detroit-based attorney started handling the career of Marshall Mathers when the rapper was self-marketing Infinite. One hundred million units sold later (through Shady Records), and Paul... Read more

Masta Killa’s New Video Reminds Us To Celebrate Rap’s OGs While They’re Still Here

As a member of one of Hip-Hop's most venerated crews, Wu-Tang Clan's Masta Killa is a true original. With his 48th birthday turning the corner next month, he's been releasing music since the 1990s, including three solo LPs beginning with 2004's No Said Date. This December will mark the 5th... Read more

Shaq Comes Out Of Rap Retirement To Ether LaVar Ball. Technical Foul! (Audio)

Over the last couple of months Shaquille O'Neal and LaVar Ball, two of basketball's most colorful personalities, have been exchanging sharp words. Shaq, one of the most dominant big men to ever play the sport, took issue with the Ball family's decision to price the sneakers of LaVar's son, Lonzo... Read more