AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Why Shaq Is the Greatest Rapper Ever to Enter the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Later this week, Shaquille O'Neal will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a venue which holds tributes to not only players, but also coaches, teams, and others who have made "significant contributions to the game of basketball." O'Neal will join celebrated players such as Bill Russell,... Read more

Daylyt Explains His Face Tattoo & Its Much Deeper Than You Think​ (Video)

In recent years, the interest driving the sport of Battle Rap rivals that of mainstream Hip-Hop. While there are no album sales to track, and less resources to hype a career (the daily stream of songs and videos), Hip-Hop superstars (Eminem, Drake) are showing that they personally are excited by... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Fans Should Not Be Devastated. He Didn’t Sell Out… (Video)

Earlier this week (August 10), Joey Bada$$ released the self-directed video to "Devastated." Dropped in May as a standalone official single, the song is a departure from the sounds of last year's Top 5 charting debut, B4.Da.$$ and previous mixtape work. "Devastated" features a Pop-tinged chorus and an uptempo beat.... Read more

Tish Hyman Has Co-Signs From The Roots, Kanye & More For Good Reason. She Tells Her Story

Over the last 18 months, Tish Hyman has emerged as one of the most promising voices in years. The talented singer, songwriter and MC has earned the respect of Alicia Keys, The Roots, Kanye West, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Fabolous and more, not to mention countless new fans. She also... Read more

Juice’s Director Reveals The Original Ending Hollywood Did Not Want

Earlier this month, The Roots' Black Thought hosted a special event, celebrating the 1992 movie Juice. The afternoon consisted of a screening of the film, a panel discussion moderated by Black Thought, featuring director and co-writer Ernest Dickerson, co-writer Gerard Brown, and actors Khalil Kain (Raheem) and Jermaine Hopkins (Steel),... Read more

Snow Tha Product Is Tired of Waiting for People to Wake Up (Video)

Mexican-American MC Snow Tha Product is no stranger to discrimination. As both a woman and a Latina in Hip-Hop, she's faced her fair share of dismissive remarks, but those who are actually listening know what's really good. The San Jose, California native has made a name for herself for using... Read more

Royce 5’9″, Pusha T & Rick Ross Put A Dirty Politician On Trial By The Streets (Video)

2016 has been a major turning point for Royce 5'9". The Detroit, Michigan MC already has an illustrious career behind him, but with the April release of Layers, he earned his first ever number-one LP. Buoyed by the critical acclaim of his Trust the Shooter EP, his sixth studio album... Read more

DMX Takes Over The Stage & Shows He’s Still Very Much Up In Here (Video)

One of the many highlights of the 2016 Roots Picnic, which took place on June 4, 2016, was seeing DMX back in tip-top form, taking over the stage. Two months prior, Swizz Beatz sent a shockwave through the digital world when he posted that Dark Man X was "focused, clean... Read more

“Hamilton” Is Now a Pulitzer Prize-Winning Piece of Hip-Hop Art

With each passing week, it seems Hamilton is unrelenting in its ability to inspire and transcend. The Hip-Hop inspired Broadway play created by Lin-Manuel Miranda has redefined the term "juggernaut," becoming a sensation in theater - but also in other facets of popular culture. Having earned a Grammy (shared with... Read more

Royce 5’9″ Reintroduces Himself At The Top Of His Game On “Layers” (Album Stream)

Royce 5'9" album Layers is planned for April 15 release. However, the Detroit, Michigan gold-selling MC shares his self-released sixth LP four days early. Layers is the first Nickel Nine album since 2011's Success Is Certain, and unlike previous albums, seemingly covers every facet of Ryan Montgomery's life and career.... Read more

Biggie’s Ready To Die vs. Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

Dr. Dre’s The Chronic vs. The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Jay Z’s The Blueprint. 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

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures Of…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

J Dilla’s Last Rap Album “The Diary” Is Coming. Here’s The First Single & Tracklist (Audio)

On the heels of J Dilla Weekend in Miami, the 10th anniversary of his passing, and the ongoing events in his honor taking place in Canada and elsewhere, J Dilla's name continues to reverberate on and off the MPC. The Detroit heavyweight producer and part-time MC has no doubt established... Read more

A-F-R-O Describes Achieving “Hip-Hop Dreamland” While Still A Teenager (Video Interview)

A-F-R-O was among the performers at this past weekend's second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. The 18 year-old Bellflower, California representative has gotten critical cosigns from DJ Premier, GZA, Jean Grae, and others, as well as being mentored by his personal favorite MC, R.A. The Rugged Man. Speaking... Read more

Rapsody Reacts To Grammy Nomination & Confirms Guest On Next Album (Video Interview)

Last night, Rapsody and 9th Wonder performed at the second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. During Rap's set, her friend and collaborator Jay Electronica took the stage to publicly crown her "the best female lyricist since Lauryn Hill," and bestow her with his chain. Moments later, the Jamla... Read more

9th Wonder Explains How J Dilla Changed The Sound of Hip-Hop and Fathered “Neo Soul” In The Process (Interview)

After the ascendance of greats like DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Q-Tip in the 90s. There was a new wave of producers that would come to prominence in the 2000s who would carry the torch for Hip-Hop and take it in new directions. This new generation of beatmakers included the... Read more

Nick Grant’s Newest Mixtape Proves Why His Buzz is Only the Beginning (Album Stream)

Fledgling Third Coast MC Nick Grant will not have much to prove to anyone soon enough. After positively lighting up Sway in the Morning with a phenomenal freestyle that only supported Sway's personal endorsement of Grant's lyrical prowess, he's been steadily climbing the proverbial rungs and has already left a... Read more

J. Cole Is Brewing Brilliant Lyricism In This Caffeinated Moment Of Clarity (Audio)

Although many may associate dreaming with sleeping, Cole's compilation inclusion is "the best part of waking up." A song called "Folgers Crystals" finds the Roc Nation star in his finest form, showing both passion and thought in his delivery. This song is an inclusion from the surprise-early release of Revenge... Read more

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. 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

Sheek Louch Discusses Silverback Gorilla 2 & Talks Working With Biggie and DMX (Interview)

Whereas speaking to Jadakiss or Styles P is often a lower key experience, their LOX band-mate Sheek Louch is high-energy. The Yonkers, New York veteran MC did not equate himself to one of the most ferocious members of the animal kingdom by being docile. In the Tommy Boy Entertainment conference... Read more

Dot Demo Gets Demonic to Remind Us We’re All Possessed (Video)

22 year-old Bronx MC Dot Demo has yet to release his debut album, but his creativity and fully polished work thus far have earned him considerable buzz. With Somewhere In Nirvana (notice the acronym) expected to arrive very soon, the young artist recently performed for Huffington Post's Freestyle Fridays series,... Read more

Tech N9ne Evaluates Role Of Cyphers & Talks Next Solo Album (Interview)

Tech N9ne crams as many words and ideas into his energetic bars as he possibly can. It is this feat that has made him one of the most revered MCs of the last 15 years. He has become an independent deity, simultaneously skyrocketing in status, wealth, and respect, while much... Read more

Spotlight: HANiF’s Anti-Hipster Rap Brings Boom-Bap Into 2015 & Beyond (Video)

HANiF is a New York City native whose February E.P. 12 Inch Vinyls is a 5-track snapshot of contemporary boom-bap, the sounds reminiscent of a previous era, but the content is unmistakably contemporary. On "Gentrify," the MC unpacks the socio-economic perils of gentrification in cities like the Big Apple, where... Read more

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. MF DOOM’s Operation Doomsday. 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

Yasiin Bey’s ‘Basquiat Ghostwriter’ is Full of Unexpected Negatives (Video)

Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) has released a music video to accompany "Basquiat Ghostwriter," a song he dropped just a few days ago that took many Heads by surprise. The Brooklyn MC hasn't released a solo album since 2009's The Ecstatic and in the years since he's spent much time... Read more

Yasiin Bey Uses Basquiat as His Ghostwriter For an Inspired Song About Injustice & Hope (Audio)

For years, Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) has shown he is an artist who walks his own path. Whether advocating for social justice or lyrically taking out sucker MCs, he has proven to be equally adept. After a private video where he challenged the entire industry to battle himself, King... Read more

Lupe Fiasco & Consequence Show Us How to Make Every Word Count (Video)

It's hard to believe that Queens MC Consequence has only released one solo album (2007's Don't Quit Your Day Job). Heads may remember him from as far back as '96, when he appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's Beats, Rhymes, Life. Nearly 20 years later, he remains respected, both lyrically... Read more

Skyzoo Discusses His New Album and the Changing Landscape of Brooklyn (Interview)

2015 is a monumental year for Skyzoo. While the journey extends back longer, it has been a decade since much of the Rap consciousness first heard the smooth cadence from the Brooklyn, New York MC. In that span, Sky' has released and appeared on handfuls of acclaimed and charting albums.... Read more

Do Remember: Talib Kweli & DJ Quik’s Put It In The Air (Audio)

Few artists have the excitement leading into their solo debut as Talib Kweli, especially by 2000s standards. Entering Quality, the Brooklyn, New York MC had already found success with two groups, Black Star and Reflection Eternal. Both acts, duos with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek, respectively, had been met with... Read more

At 15 Years Old, Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP Still May Reign Supreme

The problem with an incredible work is often following it up. In Hip-Hop, for every Doggystyle, there's a Doggfather, for every Black Album, there's a Kingdom Come, and for every Stankonia, there's well,...wonder. Although he had been plugging away in Hip-Hop starting in the mid-1990s, Eminem skyrocketed to fame in... Read more

Do Remember: The Nonce’s Mix Tapes (Video)

2015's Los Angeles, California Hip-Hop scene includes a plethora of colorful figures. It is now cool (and accepted) to be unconventional. Whether Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, or Blu, plenty of MCs from Southern Cali have come to creative forks in the road, and blazed trails by simply going straight. In... Read more

Hip-Hop Myths: Here Are 5 Common Misbeliefs That Will Surprise You

During its nascent period, Hip-Hop was dismissed by many as simply a passing fad, much like Disco. As we all can see now, those critics were drastically mistaken, and it has not only grown, but has become the most influential cultural presence in fashion, dance, language, art, and of course... Read more

Ever Hear The 5 Deadly Venoms Of Brooklyn? It’s Widely Considered To Be Rap’s Greatest Tape (Mixtape)

1997 was an interesting year for Hip-Hop, especially as far as New York City was concerned. Tragically, The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered just months into the new year, throwing a dark cloud and massive vacancy in the hearts, souls, and earphones of many. Additionally, the part of Biggie's music that... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Joe Budden vs. Jay Rock…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in 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... Read more

Finding the GOAT: Who is Your Wildcard Pick for 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

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

20 Amazing Hip-Hop Projects From 2014, So Far (Videos)

2014 is entering its fourth quarter. As a whole, the year has seen some amazing musical developments in Hip-Hop. Mainstream artists like Common, The Roots, and Rick Ross (coincidentally, all Def Jam Records acts) have made statement albums, adding to respected and evolved catalogs. Veterans such as Cormega, Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

Statik Selektah Assembles Logic, Ab-Soul & Jon Connor For A Soulful Wakeup (Audio)

With What Goes Around three weeks away (August 19), Statik Selektah's roll-out rolls on. In the last seven years, the New England native has rivaled the likes of DJ Khaled and DJ Drama in his ability to make massive collaborations work, all while being thematic. Looking to the new class... Read more

New DJ Quik, Cam’ron, Talib Kweli, ONYX, The Roots…Here’s The Week in Hip-Hop Video (Video Playlist)

This week in Hip-Hop video brought new music videos from DJ Quik, The Roots, Cam'ron, Talib Kweli & Raekwon, unbelievable freestyles from Black Thought and Prevail, a stylized faux trailer from Jay Z & Beyonce and more. See it all in the video playlist below. Related: Last Week in Hip-Hop... Read more

Nas Confirms The Lost Tapes 2, Said To Have Signed Fashawn & Bishop Nehru

A new Billboard report expounds on Nas' Mass Appeal Records partnership. Mr. Jones' latest label is the latest iteration of Decon, a label who worked throughout the last 12 years with Black Milk, Gangrene, Alchemist, Freestyle Fellowship, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples members, and Roc Marciano, among many others. Nasty Nas is... Read more

Souls Of Mischief’s 93 ‘Til Infinity Deluxe Reissues, With A Light Box, Bonus CD & Music Book

In a month that's already announced a deluxe reissue of Mobb Deep's 1995 album, The Infamous, as well fellow Queens native/collaborator Nas' 1994 debut, Illmatic, next up is the Souls Of Mischief's debut, 93 'til Infinity. The Jive Records album by Tajai, Phesto, Opio, and A-Plus featured the breakthrough single... Read more

Large Professor Showcases One Of His Dopest New Beats With Timeless Truth On Wavelength (Video)

From Akinyele to Nas, REKS to Rob Swift, Large Professor helps cultivate lasting talents in Hip-Hop. From his own Queens borough, Extra P provides a scorching track, and some assistance on the chorus for Timeless Truth's "Wavelength." The pair of Solace & Oprime39 have a cool, throwback style that goes... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Might Be Having Some GQ Fun On His Version Of Man Of The Year (Audio)

It would not be a reach to say that ScHoolboy Q is Hip-Hop's "Man Of The Year." However, Quincy's Oxymoron major label debut is still under wraps, and his Black Hippy buddy Kendrick Lamar likely earned that distinction with the "shot heard 'round the world." GQ magazine thought so, and... Read more

J. Period – Rage is Back (Mixtape)

Here's a new mixtape from J. Period that features new music from Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Common, Blu and more, as well as remixes of joints by Nas, Styles P, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest and more. You can check out the track list and listen to the... Read more

Kendrick Lamar. Dr. Dre. Just Blaze. Compton. You are not ready. Check out Kendrick’s latest collabo with Dr. Dre, as well as the full tracklist for good kid, m.A.A.d. city, below (Audio)

Related: A recap of the NYC listening session for Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city Here's the tracklist for good kid, m.A.A.d. city: 1. Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter 2. Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe 3. Backseat Freestyle 4. The Art of Peer Pressure 5. Money Trees feat. Jay Rock... Read more

Cee Lo says he wants to do a tribute show to Liberace in Vegas…Here are 5 reasons why no matter what he will ALWAYS be hip-hop.

Top 5 Cee Lo Rap Verses By J. Locke From the 2011 BET Awards to the 2011 New Year’s Eve Countdown, and, most recently, at the Super Bowl halftime show, Cee Lo increasingly has been getting his Liberace on (and he's about to make it official). His sequin moo moo... Read more

10 reasons why 2010 was the best year ever in hip-hop: #10 Don't call it a comeback…but this was the year for some of the best ever.

Now that the year is winding down and new music is slowing to a trickle, it's the perfect opportunity to take a look back at 2010 and what made it such a phenomenal year for hip-hop.  Stay tuned for 9 more reasons until the end of the year.  First up... Read more