AFH Ambrosia for Heads

11 Must-Listen To Albums, EPs & Mixtapes So Far In 2016

Approaching this year's midpoint, there has been some incredible music that will be appreciated long beyond 2016. Like the art itself, the year that is has represented some tectonic shifts in how works are released, consumed, and ranked on the charts. Grammy Award-winning artists are dropping albums without warning—with videos ready to... Read more

2 Chainz Leaves The Trap For Statik Selektah’s Soulful Boom Bap (Audio)

2 Chainz' versatility is his marketability. The same Atlanta, Georgia MC who made a smash hit nearly a decade ago with Dolla Boy and Lil Wayne ("Duffle Bag Boy") has since appeared on party tracks ("I'm Different"), Slab tracks ("Money On The Floor"), and even one of the finer 2010s... Read more

ScHoolboy Q & Curren$y Join Mistah F.A.B. For Cold Bars On A Chilly Loop (Audio)

Just hours after he unleashed his Sway In The Morning "5 Fingers Of Death" Golden State Warriors edition freestyle, Mistah F.A.B. promotes his next album in a more old fashioned way. Tomorrow (May 27), the Oakland, California veteran MC will release Son Of A Pimp 2. The star-studded, autobiographical album... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. Slam Dunks His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Like A Warrior (Video)

Tonight (May 26), the Golden State Warriors aim to strike back against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 at home. The 9:00pm EST match-up prompted Bay area native Sway Calloway to bring some home-team turf talk into Sway In The Morning. Mistah F.A.B., who also has an album dropping... Read more

Rittz Waits Out the Storm for a Better, Brighter Day Outside His Window (Audio)

As a roster member of Tech N9ne's Strange Music imprint, Rittz's career as an MC has taken him far outside the confines of his native Gwinnett County, Georgia. The 35-year-old spitter has made a name for himself as a gifted performer whose rapid-fire delivery has led to much comparison to... Read more

Royce 5’9″‘s New Freestyle Shows His Time To “Shine” As A Solo Artist Is Now (Video)

For more than 20 years, Royce 5'9" consistently has been one of the most skilled wordsmiths in Hip-Hop. Coming of age with Eminem as part of Bad Meets Evil in the late 90s, Royce always surrounded himself with the best of the best, and thrived. After his 2000 single "Boom,"... Read more

KRS-One Sounds Off On Da Police As Swizz Beatz Nods To B.D.P. (Audio)

KRS-One proves to be the perfect MC for Swizz Beatz' massive remix for "Jason." The 2015 video single which originally featured Jadakiss gets Boogie Down Productions' "The Bridge Is Over" percussion, and a fiery Blastmasta Kris taking on the crimes of the police department in the 2010s. The MC who... Read more

Phife Dawg From A Tribe Called Quest Passes Away At Age 45

In unbelievably tragic news, Malik Taylor, better known as Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest, passed away on March 22, at the age of 45. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, Phife suffered from Type 1 diabetes for decades, and underwent a kidney transplant in 2008.... Read more

Rittz Threatens Extinction To Competition In This Haunting Single (Audio)

Rittz has been one of the stars of the expanded Strange Music label. The Gwinnett County, Georgia MC is six weeks away from his third album on Tech N9ne's label, Top Of The Line (May 6). First single "Ghost Story" is a great illustration of the versatile Slumerican affiliate's proven... Read more

Joell Ortiz Speaks About Never Dumbing Down His Sound & Standing Up For Hip-Hop (Interview)

In the last 15 years, Joell Ortiz has climbed from a Brooklyn, New York MC releasing 12" Rawkus Records singles to the top of the Pop charts. The pride of the Cooper Houses projects still dazzles with his flow and exudes the highest love for Hip-Hop culture in his art... Read more

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop of February (& January) 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February brought many surprises in Hip-Hop. DJ Premier partnered with ambient songstress Yuna, for some boom bap vibe music. Blu rocked on a 45 King track reminiscent of "Hard Knock Life." Kendrick Lamar and Ice Cube got funky with Funkadelic. The Game waxed poetic with nothing but... Read more

Pusha T Kicks His Icy Flow on Baauer’s “Kung Fu” (Audio)

Pusha T continues on the torrid pace he started last fall. After announcing his presidency of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha Ton proceeded to release a barrage of hot singles leading up to his December album, King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude. He has stayed active this year... Read more

Snow Tha Product Joins Joell Ortiz and Token In Lyrically Killing The Competition (Audio)

Joell Ortiz is readying a new project called That's Hip-Hop. Rather than gathering a host of big name MCs as guests on the album, he has assembled a collection of young and hungry lyrical killers. Last week, he released "Kill At Will," featuring Salem, MA upstart, Token. Now, Ortiz rolls... Read more

Your Old Droog & Termanology Bend A Soulful Statik Selektah Record Till It Curves (Audio)

Although Statik Seleketah said 2015's Lucky 7 would be his final solo album, he is still hard at work producing high quality tracks for other artists. The producer has a full album on the way with Kxng Crooked, and he seems to have a steady supply of sonic goodness at... Read more

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of December 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

The number of Hip-Hop releases in December slowed, but the quality did not. In fact, it was one of the densest months of the year in terms of audio dope. Here's a playlist of the best the month had to offer. You'll hear music from PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce... Read more

Pusha T Interviews With Sway & Spits A Verse For MCs Who Act Like They Don’t Know (Video)

Last Thursday (December 17), Pusha T was a guest on Sway In The Morning. There, just hours before King Push: Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, the Clipse co-founder got really deep about his 2015 headspace. Before leaving, and after 40 minutes of nuggets, Push' spit a freestyle that was very... Read more

Pusha T Brings Crutches, Crosses, & Caskets (& Some Sunshine) to “The Daily Show” (Videos)

Pusha T is closing out 2015 with an impending release that has been getting buzz for what seems like years. King Push: Darkest Before the Dawn arrives Friday (December 18), and in preparation for it, he's been dropping some serious heat. In November, the Timbaland-produced "Untouchable" arrived, followed up with... Read more

Bad Lucc & DJ Rhettmatic Are An Unlikely Pair, But They Make One Bangin’ Tape (Mix)

On paper, Bad Lucc and DJ Rhettmatic may seem like they come from the opposite sides of Los Angeles, California's Hip-Hop. Lucc is a Diamond Lane Music Group flagship, and one of the veterans who first made noise care of Snoop Dogg's Dubb Union. Rhettmatic, is a Beat Junkies and... Read more

With Compelling Photography, An Artist Hopes To Lessen The Stigma Of Mental Illness

Dior Vargas, a self-described "Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist," is bringing much-needed attention to the prevalence of mental illnesses in communities of color through a photography project that asks everyday people to raise awareness about the issue. In general, mental illness is one of those touchy subjects that makes many... Read more

Kurupt Opens Up About Suge Knight & The Man He Killed (Video)

Of all the Death Row Records artists, Kurupt was the most prominent to be with the label for stints in the 1990s and 2000s. While the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native MC only released one solo album at the imprint (2005's Against Tha Grain), he was hugely responsible for the label's success... Read more

Everybody Knows Jadakiss Is an Elite MC. But Did You Know He Can Windmill? (Video)

Jadakiss is often considered one of the greatest MCs in Hip-Hop. The self-proclaimed "Top 5, Dead Or Alive" got there by winning over the streets, the mainstream, and Hip-Hop Heads. As far as the third component, the Yonkers, New York lyricist is one himself. It's why Jada' has been puttin'... Read more

Joe Budden Raps an Open Letter to Eminem That’s As Raw and Real As It Gets (Audio & Video)

Renowned for its bar-power, Shady Records has also become a label that has changed career paths. After its booming beginnings (D12, 50 Cent), Eminem's label appeared confused in part of the late 2000s, unsure if it was trying to breed skills-based Rap, or commercial juggernauts. For much of the decade,... Read more

Daz Dillinger Is Really Serious About A Death Row Biopic…So Much So, He’s Cast It (Photos)

F. Gary Gray's Straight Outta Compton blockbuster biopic of N.W.A. addresses the rise of not only the group, but 1980s West Coast Gangsta Rap. In the film, in addition to the group members (Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren), pivotal Rap figures are portrayed including The D.O.C.,... Read more

2015’s Best Battle On Wax? Funk Volume & Horseshoe Gang Trade Diss Tracks (Audio)

The year 2015 has seen a re-emergence of "beef" or diss records on wax in the world of Hip-Hop. While Mos Def a/k/a Yasiin Bey had a video leaked of him calling out MCs earlier this year, only for him to retract his challenge, 2015 has seen much hype around... Read more

Wu-Tang Affiliate Hell Razah The Subject Of Upcoming Documentary

Since the mid-1990s, Hell Razah (a/k/a Heaven Razah) has been a prominent figure within the Wu-Tang family tree. A founding member of the Sunz Of Man, Razah—alongside Killah Priest, Shabazz the Disciple, Prodigal Sunn, and 60-Second Assassin would eventually tackle the Billboard Top 20 through 1998's The Last Shall Be... Read more

J. Cole Joins Janet Jackson With A Shining Verse For Her No Sleeep Remix (Audio)

In the seven years since Janet Jackson had released new music, J. Cole had transcended from a hopeful MC/producer in North Carolina to one of the genre's biggest stars overall. Part of what delivered Jermaine Cole to the mainstream was his knack for working with singers, showcasing versatility on nearly... Read more

Slaughterhouse Gives New Meaning To Bar-Brawl on Southpaw’s R.N.S. (Video)

Slaughterhouse's "R.N.S." is a lyrical upper-cut within the Southpaw soundtrack. The Just Blaze and araabMUZIK-produced song featuring Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Joe Budden is more of the same pedigree from the hardcore Rap quartet. For the video, it's bars and concrete—beyond the rapping, as the Shady... Read more

Slaughterhouse Make Some Real Fight Music for Southpaw (Audio)

For the last few years, the members of Slaughterhouse have been pursuing their individual muses. Since their album Welcome to: Our House was released, Royce Da 5'9" teamed with DJ Premier to form PRhyme, Joell Ortiz released 2014's House Slippers and human, a collaborative album with !LLmind (in stores now),... Read more

Blu Addresses Passing On A Death Row Deal On The Thriller (Audio)

It has been a quiet three months for Blu. The MC/producer known for a relentless appetite for releasing music may be quiet for good reason. Today (June 29), the Los Angeles, California native announced a Nature Sounds maxi-single, The Return. With some remixes and DJ-goodies, Johnson Barnes delivers "Thriller." Featuring... Read more

Bun B, Styles P & Sean Price Are Top Tier MCs, On A Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

Last year, DJ and producer Statik Selektah released What Goes Around, an album featuring verses from Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, B-Real, Dilated Peoples, Freddie Gibbs, Joey Badass, Logic, N.O.R.E., Posdnuos, and Sheek Louch (just to name a few!). The album was his sixth since the Massachusetts native launched his solo career... Read more

King Los Rips What May Be the Best Freestyle of the Year…Off the Top (Video)

King Los has been responsible for some of the best freestyle moments of the last several years. Just as Supernatural, J.U.I.C.E., Eminem, Crooked I, and Canibus helped certify The Wake Up Show in the 1990s, the Baltimore, Maryland MC legitimized Sway's latest platform with off-the-top bars that drove clicks, interest,... Read more

David Banner & 9th Wonder Planning Death Of A Pop Star 2 (Interview)

Recently, Ambrosia For Heads spoke with David Banner. The Jackson, Mississippi native MC/producer/actor spoke about DJ EFN's Another Time album, particularly his "Warrior" verse. However, while speaking with AFH, the veteran Crooked Lettaz alum spoke about one of his most beloved works, 2010's Death Of A Pop Star LP, a... Read more

Eddie Murphy Returns With Protest Reggae, Inspired By Difficult Headlines (Video)

Eddie Murphy may have avoided the spotlight to humor the masses during this spring's "SNL40" special appearance. However, the iconic comedian/actor wastes no time getting back to one of his other loves, music. The former Columbia and Motown Records singer continues his journey into Reggae with "Oh Jah Jah." The... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Makes A 2-Song Tape That Rocks ‘Til The Tape Pops (Audio)

Even with only mixtapes available, CyHi The Prynce continues to deliver great album-quality music. The G.O.O.D. Music sensation is also among the 2010s' best freestyle performers, making many consider him a total package talent. Teaming with SMH Records (which includes Wake Up Show co-founder King Tech), CyHi unveiled a cool... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

ONYX Are Back and Ready to Revolt Against All Corrupt Authorities (Audio)

Since the days of "Slam," ONYX have always made fighting music. As the years have progressed, so has the message for Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr. The two have returned with more riot music but the target is very different than before. "Against All Authorities," their new release and the... Read more

Inspectah Deck & DJ Revolution Release A Ghostly Visual (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck released a video for his single "These Broken Wings." With cuts brought to you by legendary turntablist (and Wake Up Show alum) DJ Revolution, the Rebel INS flows conceptually on this eerie track about the trials and tribulations of a woman in a "broken" relationship... Read more

MC Eiht, Blu & Kam Come Together To Throw A Lyrical ‘W’ (Audio)

Growing up in the same backdrop of Los Angeles, California, MC Eiht, Kam, and Blu all illustrated the dichotomy of being a wordsmith and a gangsta rapper at the same time. For Eiht, those examples stem back to the mid-1980s in the rise of Comptons Most Wanted, reporting live about... Read more

Now Back In The Studio With Puff, The LOX Bring It Back (Audio)

The LOX continue to win with retro-minded approaches. "Bring It Back" is a simple concept built around a classic live recording of Hip-Hop in its purest essence. The trio hits the mic with confidence, keen wordplay, and that gritty attitude that makes this feel like a D-Block tape highlight from... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Snoop Dogg vs. Guru…Who You Got

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, 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... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Busta Rhymes vs. Jadakiss…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, 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... Read more

Scarface, Stalley & Troy Ave Over a DJ Premier Beat? That’s Crazy (Audio)

DJ EFN is on the precipice of releasing one of the year's best compilation albums. The LP, titled Another Time, features a smorgasbord of artists including MC Eiht, Sean Price, Joell Ortiz, Kxng Crooked (pka Crooked I), Juvenile, Masta Ace, Talib Kweli, Ras Kass, Black Milk, Kurupt, M.O.P., Inspectah Deck... Read more

David Banner’s Pen Literally Burns The Page In The Symbol-Driven Evil Knievel (Video)

David Banner has been championed by many for more than 15 years. The Jackson, Mississippi veteran MC/producer may be hitting some of his finest strides in the last five. Since late 2010's Death Of A Pop Star (with 9th Wonder), the Crooked Lettaz alum maintains his fervor and passionate deliveries,... Read more

David Banner, N.O.R.E., Jon Connor & Sizzla Are Warriors Within DJ EFN’s All-Star Arsenal (Audio Premiere)

Less than a month away from his Another Time superstar-stacked album, DJ EFN premieres "Warrior" with Ambrosia For Heads. The song links longtime EFN affiliate N.O.R.E. together with another former Penalty Records star in David Banner, as well as Flint, Michigan Aftermath Entertainment MC Jon Connor. Jamaican Reggae star Sizzla... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Cam’ron vs. Jadakiss…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

Freeway & Sheek Louch Join Forces with Rap P on Another One (Audio)

Freeway and Sheek Louch form a State Property and D-Block union on Rap P's "Another One." The song, a Shroom production fueled by a 70's soul sample, is high energy and each MC matches the tempo with a spirited flow. Freezer and Sheek are no strangers to one another, having... Read more

Do Remember: Fat Joe, Nas, Big Pun, Raekwon & Jadakiss’ John Blaze (Video)

1998 was a critical turning point for Fat Joe. Two albums deep, the Bronx, New Yorker had made Represent and Jealous Ones Envy with the hardcore Hip-Hop Head in mind and in spirit. With Joe's brazen delivery, sharp cadence, and keen ear for intricate sample-based production, he had risen the... Read more

Royce Da 5’9″, O.C., REKS & Your Old Droog On A Track Together? On A Buckwild Beat No Less! (Audio)

One week after bringing Killer Mike and Crooked I (Kxng Crooked) together on a stick of audio dynamite, the powder kegs are far from depleted. "Revolutionary Ride Music" is orchestrated by EFN, who bridged generations of MCs by combining Royce Da 5'9", O.C., REKS, and Your Old Droog. If that... Read more

Erick Sermon Speaks Openly About Earnings, Helping Create Atlanta’s Scene (Video)

Erick Sermon does not do a ton of interviews. However, when the EPMD and Def Squad co-founder speaks, he's never big on canned, diplomatic answers. E-Dub opens up in a major way when speaking with This Is 50's Jack Thriller. The Brentwood, Long Island MC/producer breaks down his 2000s-era comeback... Read more

There Have Been A Gang Of Death Row Records Documentaries, But This One Stands Tall (Video)

Starting when the label was less than six years old, documentaries started releasing around the creation, controversy, and commercial dominance of Death Row Records. Started by Marion "Suge" Knight and Dr. Dre in late 1991, the Los Angeles, California-based label released classic, multi-platinum albums by Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Tha Dogg... Read more