AFH Ambrosia for Heads

X-Vandals & Chuck D Always Have A Plan B Up Their Sleeves (Video)

As leader of Public Enemy, Chuck D is no stranger to getting involved with some politically charged, socially aware Hip-Hop. Enter into the fold, New York's self coined "NuYoRicans," the X-Vandals, who consider themselves a refurbishing of political Punk Rock and Hardcore Hip-Hop into an all new genre of their... Read more

Chuck D Links With Mavis Staples Of The Staple Singers To Groove (Video)

Both Public Enemy and The Staple Singers have made uplifting jams for the people of their audience. Whether it's "Don't Believe The Hype" or "Respect Yourself," Chuck D and Mavis Staples made timeless songs of hope, truth, and unification. On Mistachuck's new self-released EP, The Black In Man, he teamed... Read more

Chuck D Lends His Voice To Something That Sounds Like Bomb Squad Glory (Audio)

One of the attributes that's made Public Enemy great is that the beats and sonic vibe always seemed to bulldoze the moment for Chuck D's verbal essay. A big part of that is The Bomb Squad, the production collective of the Brothers Shocklee (which also included Chuck) to obliterate samples... Read more

Dear Nicki Minaj: An Open Letter From a Father (Who Runs a Major Hip-Hop Site)

Chuck Creekmur, owner and founder of allhiphop.com, one of the longest standing Hip-Hop sites, recently wrote an open letter to Nicki Minaj about her self-portrayal on her cover for the song "Anaconda." The reaction to the imagery has spanned the entire spectrum, ranging from ovations to outrage. Creekmur falls more... Read more

Chuck D Uses Acronyms & Wordplay To Talk About Race, Radio & Rosenberg (Audio)

Last week, HOT 97 radio host, DJ, and member of the Low Budget Crew, Peter Rosenberg publicly apologized to Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. The words followed a month-long social media debate, which bled its way onto airwaves and interviews, following HOT 97's 2014 Summer Jam. After the Long Island,... Read more

MC Eiht & Outlawz Shut Em Down, West Coast Style (Video)

After collaborating with Snoop last month, MC Eiht lends the assist to Outlawz on "Shut Em Down." Though the song bears the same title as Public Enemy's 1991 classic, the similarities stop there. This is a straight West Coast thang. Check out the video. Related: Two Former Death Row Factions... Read more

Peter Rosenberg Apologizes To Chuck D (Video)

Throughout June, Public Enemy's Chuck D and HOT 97's Peter Rosenberg had a debate-possibly perceived as a war of words on social media. The Hip-Hop legend—who has long run an online radio platform, RapStation.com, called out the New York City station's 2014 Summer Jam event, in regards to the station's... Read more

With 2Pac’s Activism In The Conversation Again, Broadway Cries Holler If Ya Hear Me

While Tupac's music is perennially celebrated, it is his activism that has once again come to the foreground, recently. A month ago, 2Pac's previously-unreleased conversation with Sanyika Shakur (Monster Kody) provided 20 minutes of deep insights, reflections, and admissions from the final year of the iconic "Thug Angel's" life. Over... Read more

Rick Rubin’s 1-Hour Conversation With Zane Lowe Leaves No Question Unanswered (Video)

To some extent, Rick Rubin is something of Hip-Hop's Howard Hughes, and that's not just the beard. The music mogul went from starring (as a hybrid of himself) in Krush Groove to basically shunning press and spotlights throughout the '90s and 2000s. That started to change, especially as far as... Read more

Check Rare Footage Of The Notorious B.I.G. Cosigning Lil’ Kim’s Solo Career & Raekwon Stories Wu-Tang Clan’s Logo (Video)

Gearing up for the next segment in BET's "The Message," clips are meshed together in the preview featuring everybody from the late Notorious B.I.G., to Birdman, to 2 Chainz, to Kendrick Lamar, to Jermaine Dupri. Included are Biggie recalling (to Joe Clair) a candid convo with Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Lil' Kim... Read more

Rest In Peace Father Shaheed, Of Poor Righteous Teachers

A news story from HipHopDX.com has quoted Public Enemy's Facebook account as confirming Father Shaheed dead. The Trenton, New Jersey native was a founding member of P.R.T., and a DJ/producer of the crew also including Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom, and Mike Peart. Per P.E.'s reports, Shaheed died following a motorcycle... Read more

Alex Trebek Recites Cypress Hill & The Beastie Boys. He Will Keep the Day Job…(Video)

Earlier in the year, a clip of Jeopardy's Alex Trebek reciting lyrics from Biggie, Dr. Dre, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy provided a minute and change of comic relief. Apparently, the show's producers have a dark sense of humor because they've once again given him a Rap category, forcing... Read more

Eminem & Spike Lee Tease Us By Flicking The Headlights On (Video)

Spike Lee's Hip-Hop videography is arguably one of the greatest in the medium. From Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" to Naughty By Nature's "Hip-Hop Hooray," the head of 40 Acres & A Mule Films / A Spike Lee Joint Production Company has made it plain that he loves the culture.... Read more

How Did Lorde Signify the Death of “Black Cool?” Questlove Has the Answers…

Questlove is in the middle of a 6-part essay series for Vulture called "How Hip-Hop Failed Black America." The first 2 parts were dense, challenging, and deeply thought-provoking. The 3rd installment, titled "What Happens When Black Loses Its Cool?," is no less engaging and philosophical. Quest attempts to define and... Read more

Memory Lane: Noah Uman & Making Nas’ Illmatic XX & The Hip-Hop Reissue (Food For Thought Interview)

With some competition, in the 12 month radius of its release alone, Nas' Illmatic is commonly argued as Hip-Hop's greatest album. The debut from the Queensbridge MC was made in a place and time where the genre of Rap and the album format was changing shape. Surrounded by a council... Read more

I Used to Love HER…Rick Rubin Speaks on How Hip-Hop Has Changed.

Rick Rubin, along with Russell Simmons, started what is arguably the most important Hip-Hop record label ever created in Def Jam Recordings. So, who better to commentate on the state of the culture today? Rubin gave a rare interview to Vulture and spoke about the early days of Def Jam,... Read more

N.W.A.’s DJ Yella Speaks on the Last Time He Saw Eazy-E (Video)

Montreality spoke to N.W.A. OG, DJ Yella, in the latest installment of their in-depth interview series. Yella spoke on many topics, including his current relationship with Dr. Dre, the upcoming N.W.A. movie, becoming a porn producer, the last time he saw Eazy-E and more. Check out the video below. Related:... Read more

Ice Cube Says He’s Reverting Back To The Old Days On Sic Them Youngins On ‘Em (Video)

Approaching the release of Everythang's Corrupt on May 13th, Ice Cube unloads some more new music. "Sic Them Youngins On 'Em" sports a new, sped-up flow by Cube. Moreover, on this song, Cube says a few really curious things, from "trying to go ham on Porky Pig" in a way... Read more

Action Bronson Stage-Tossing Continues. This Time With A Little Person (Video)

Great Hip-Hop artists have stage-show conventions. Public Enemy has the SW1s. Method Man has a reputation for climbing to the top of speaker towers to deliver his verses. Common freestyles, usually incorporating street names and venues local to whatever city he's in. Jay-Z has Memphis Bleek. Is Action Bronson the... Read more

Def Jam Records Started With A Smash. 30 Years Ago Today T La Rock Declared It’s Yours

The same week that LL Cool J hosted the Grammy Awards, there is another important memory milestone for Def Jam Records. Thirty years ago today (January 28), the label started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin (in a New York University dorm room), released blockbuster single "It's Yours" by Manhattan/Bronx... Read more

UMG is Re-Releasing Several Classic Hip-Hop Albums on Vinyl. Which is Your Favorite?

During last night's 53rd Grammy Awards, show host LL Cool J took a moment to acknowledge Def Jam Records, a label he helped build through his 1985 debut, Radio (and over a dozen Def Jam albums to follow). That LP, which includes "I Need Love" (a song LL also referenced... Read more

Jam Master Jay’s Son Carries On Tradition, Deejaying On A NYC Subway Train (Video)

Over a decade since the tragic murder of Run-DMC's DJ, JMJ's son is carrying on tradition. TJ Mizell recently hopped on a New York City MTA train (from the Essex Avenue stop on the J to Marcy Ave. for those playing at home), with turntables and a camera in tow.... Read more

What is a Hilarious Game Show Clip? Alex Trebek Doing Biggie & Dr. Dre Raps on Jeopardy. Seeing is Believing (Video)

This week on "Jeopardy," Hip-Hop lyrics were a trivia category. The contestants' knowledge may not impress you, but listening to famed host Alex Trebek stiffly rapping lyrics from Biggie, Dr. Dre, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy is a hilarious way to spend a minute of your time. Is Mary... Read more

One Of The Source’s Co-Founders & DJ Mighty Mi Lay Down A 2 Hour Golden Era Mix (Audio)

Back in arguably the greatest year for all things Rap (1988), The Source magazine, the onetime "Bible Of Hip-Hop," started by Publisher Dave Mays and Jon Shecter at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With some friends (and allegedly Ray Benzino), the magazine would go on to become thee paper of... Read more

The Top 10 Most Compelling Hip-Hop Photographs Of 2013 (Food For Thought)

The old adage, "a picture's worth a thousand words" often proves to be true. Let's hope so for 2013, which by way of Instagram, Twipic, and some inner-circle released photos, told Heads plenty of stories. From unlikely reunions to time-pieces, to first steps for Hip-Hop kind, what a year... Here... Read more

Madlib Goes Rock & Roll On Hold The Organ (Audio)

When Hip-Hop producers get their Rock on, the response is strong. Whether it's the early days of Rick Rubin on LPs from LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Run-DMC, or contemporary efforts like Just Blaze's "PSA" and Kanye West's "Takeover" for Jay Z, Just's "Come On, Baby" for Saigon, and... Read more

DJ Premier Cuts The Scratches To Who’s Gonna Take The Weight Live (Video)

Asking a Head to name their favorite Gang Starr tracks can be a lot like Sophie's Choice. From the joints included on the duo's two greatest hits compilations onto the album cuts from 1986 to 2003, it was all pretty revolutionary for beats, rhymes, style, charisma, and "tha voice." One... Read more

A Look At Bill Adler’s Def Jam Records Archives (Video)

Bill Adler was among the first folks hired at fledgling early 1980s label Def Jam Records. The house that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin built, in its earliest days, would include T. La Rock, LL Cool J, and the management of Rap superstars Run-DMC. Adler directed the label's Publicity department... Read more

Remembering Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

There are certain albums in Hip-Hop that were complete game-changers. Run-DMC’s 1983 self-titled album ripped the Disco out of Rap and, with a new look of Kangol hats, leather jackets and shell-toed Adidas along with crossed arms and boasts of college pursuits, took ownership of the culture.  Five years later,... Read more

Busta Rhymes Combines Cash Money With Native Tongues Alongside Q-Tip On Thank You (Audio)

Busta Rhymes' career is truly dynamic. Christened his name by Public Enemy's Chuck D; a Leader Of The New School tied to Native Tongues; an animated solo star; constant major label provider to J Dilla; onetime Dr. Dre affiliate; once signed Raekwon; forever tied to EPMD's DJ Scratch; mentor to... Read more

Def Jam’s Bill Adler Remembers Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures… 25 Years Later

You might know Bill Adler, and you might not. "Ill Badler," as his maroon Def Jam Records varsity jacket used to read, was the original (and the best) head of Publicity Def Jam ever had. Russell Simmons hired Bill, who would help acts like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, The... Read more

Kentyah Presents Evolutionary Minded: Furthering the Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron (Video)

There are certain projects that have the power to embody more than just music, whether it be a place in time or an overall energy.  With Evolutionary Minded: Furthering the Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron, it seems that Kentyah has accomplished just exactly that. The video below plays not only as a... Read more

Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Miguel Perform at Made in America (Video)

The Made in America festival had a strong line up this year. You can catch full performances from Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Miguel below. Kendrick Lamar A$AP Rocky Wiz Khalifa Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Miguel Related: Public Enemy Performs at the Made in... Read more

Eminem Announces “The Marshall Mathers LP 2” (Video)

While Justin Timberlake tore down the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with his medley of hits, old and new, and reuniting that group we all pretended we didn't like (N*Sync), the biggest story may have happened between the breaks. Beats By Dre announced Eminem's upcoming album, in a very "All... Read more

Suicide Kings – Savages ft M.O.P.

Anybody who knows me knows that M.O.P. is one of my favorite groups in all of music. The same way that Public Enemy channeled Hard Rock angst and chutzpah in the '80s, Billy Danze and Lil Fame rocked out in the '90s. While I hope we get another LP with... Read more

De La Soul Interview with Hardknock TV (Video)

Meenie, meenie, meenie, meenie, meenie... Here's a dope interview of De La Soul from HardKnock TV. They talk about how their classic "Buddy" came about, their motivations early in their career, friendly competition with A Tribe Called Quest, their upcoming tour with LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Ice Cube... Read more

The Battle for LA – Back in the Day vs. Current Day (Playlist)

As you watch the Clippers and the Lakers battle for LA on the court, here's a playlist of some back in the day LA hip-hop (NWA, Dr. Dre, Snoop) and some current day LA hip-hop (Black Hippy, Still Dre) that symbolizes the proverbial passing of the torch. No matter who... Read more

This is…the REMIX (Audio Playlist)

It used to be remixes were a BIG deal. Unlike now, where an extra verse from a featured rapper constitutes a remix, remixes were often wholly-different takes on a song. The track was substantially different than the original and sometimes there were completely new verses. Here's a playlist of some... Read more

9th Wonder: Politics As Usual (Video)

9th Wonder is a legendary producer AND a Harvard professor. Who better to discuss the nexus between hip-hop and socio-political commentary? We sat down with the icon and he talked about the role music plays in change, how hip-hop has bridged the races, the importance of social media and more...and... Read more

Ice Cube – Everythang’s Corrupt (Video)

As the election approaches, Ice Cube releases a video for a song with his thoughts on the state of the Union...Check out Everythang's Corrupt. Related: Ice Cube vs. Public Enemy (Audio Playlist)... Read more

What makes an album a classic? Here are our criteria and 15 albums we think make the cut (with songs from each) (Food For Thought)

With the release of Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city album, many are using the word "classic" (including us--though we said "modern day classic"...more on that later) about a hip-hop album for the first time in a long, long time. No doubt, just the utterance of the "c" word is... Read more

Nas – A Queens Story (Live in Paris)

Need some more Nas in your life? Here's a clip of Nasir speaking about some of his earliest influences like Public Enemy, Melle Mel, Run-DMC, Eric B. and Rakim as well as soul influences like Nat King Cole, James Brown and Marvin Gaye...and speaking of Marvin, Nas premieres part of... Read more

We asked the AFH community who the best rap group of all time was and (not surprisingly) the response was strong and varied. Here’s a playlist featuring music from (almost) all of the groups mentioned. (Playlist)

You'll hear 32 groups including Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, EPMD, Tha Dogg Pound, ATCQ, De La Soul, Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, The Pharcyde, Jedi Mind Tricks, Mobb Deep, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Whodini, Eric B & Rakim, NWA, Black Star, Slaughterhouse and MANY MORE. You can listen to the whole thing below.... Read more

The Making of Nas’ It Ain’t Hard to Tell Video as told by Video Music Box’s Ralph McDaniels

Here's an incredible article on the making of Nas' It Ain't Hard to Tell video.  It features in-depth input from Ralph McDaniels, founder and host of NYC's Video Music Box, who produced and directed the video.  Below is an excerpt from the article and you can read the whole article... Read more

Q-Tip – Black Fist Friday Mix (Mixtape)

New York's Hot 97 has been bringing in legendary DJs/Producers as a part of its Black Fist Fridays series in celebration of Black History Month.  Thus far, guests have included Pete Rock, DJ Premier and Questlove, and they have been given free reign to play whatever they were feeling that... Read more

Complex has a great series where they have legendary producers breakdown their hits. The latest installment features Diamond D.

Past installments included DJ Premier and Pete Rock. Below is an excerpt. Click here to read the full article. Also, if you missed our latest mix which features a lot of early 90's A Tribe Called Quest and Diamond D, click here. Here's what Diamond D had to say about... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie dropped a crushing July 4th mix last year. Here’s part 2…

Click here to listen to and download Summertime 2.  The tracklist is below.  Here's Part 1 if you didn't get it last year. Here's the tracklist: 1 Intro: Summer Breeze 2 Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince: Summertime 3 Smif–n-Wessun: Bucktown 4 Jagged Edge: Where The Party At? 5 R. Kelly:... Read more

Rapper Big Pooh got his shine earlier. Now it’s 9th Wonder and Phonte’s turn.

Check out Lil B's Base For Your Face ft Jean Grae and Phonte (RHYMING) and produced by 9th Wonder. Throw in an old Public Enemy sample and it = Fire. Click here to download. Wanna here that PE original? HERE IT IS...BAM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyR09SP9qdA And, if you missed Rapper Big Pooh's... Read more

The art of sampling is nearly as fundamental to hip-hop as MCing. Check out this documentary on the history of sampling and its impact.

In the early days of sampling, it was done liberally and, at its finest, was used to create completely new sonic landscapes. Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us back was groundbreaking in its sound and was one of the most sample-heavy albums of all time.... Read more

Drake Returns To His Rap Roots With A Griselda Producer

Tomorrow (October 6), Drake is slated to release his eighth solo album, For All The Dogs. The superstar's first full length since mid-2022's Honestly Nevermind is promoted in signature Drake fashion, with a time-stamp song arriving days before the OVO LP. "8am In Charlotte" follows catalog gems such as "4pm... Read more