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This Mix Salutes 1987’s Def Jam Tour With LL Cool J, P.E., Eric B. & Rakim and Whodini

This Mix Salutes 1987’s Def Jam Tour With LL Cool J, P.E., Eric B. & Rakim and Whodini

By 1987 Def Jam Records had solidified a foothold in the Hip-Hop music landscape. While labels like Sugar Hill, Enjoy, Jive, and Profile Records had released some truly incredible singles, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin's three-year-old outfit was fast embracing the Rap album format. Moreover, they had a diverse roster—in... Read more
October 20, 2017 Audio, Mixes, Throwback
Meet Eminem’s Newest Signee In The Rawest BET Cypher Of 2017 (Video)

Meet Eminem’s Newest Signee In The Rawest BET Cypher Of 2017 (Video)

Last night (October 10) Eminem's BET Hip Hop Awards cypher shook the universe, in what stands to be the MC's most political moment in a career that's never shied away from dissing public figures of all kinds. The previous time Marshall Mathers blessed the BET cypher stage, he brought his... Read more
October 11, 2017 Video
Rapsody Says Forget Best Female MC. She Wants The Top Spot (BET Hip Hop Cypher)

Rapsody Says Forget Best Female MC. She Wants The Top Spot (BET Hip Hop Cypher)

Cypher Season is upon us, as the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards is ahead. With one of the most lauded and overall talked about albums of the moment in Laila's Wisdom, Rapsody sets off a grouping of MCs who happen to be women—and DJ Premier resumes his post as cypher... Read more
October 7, 2017 Video
A New Video Shows Why Kanye Was Hip-Hop’s Most Promising Student Upon His Graduation

A New Video Shows Why Kanye Was Hip-Hop’s Most Promising Student Upon His Graduation

Marking a dramatic shift in his career from successful producer to stadium star, Kanye West’s third album Graduation celebrates its 10th anniversary this coming Monday (September 11). Proven with time, the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records LP with the upcoming birthday ushered in a new era in Hip-Hop. With Graduation, 'Ye positioned... Read more
September 5, 2017 Video
Women In Rap Are Back & They Don’t Dance. They Make Money Moves (Video)

Women In Rap Are Back & They Don’t Dance. They Make Money Moves (Video)

2017 may prove to be a watershed year in Hip-Hop. Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. married concept and advanced technical lyricism with commercial dominance in a way that forced the mainstream to conform. As recently as last week, artists from Logic to Bun B to Trae Tha Truth are taking action on... Read more
September 2, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video
Last Of A Dying Breed: Why Scarface Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

Last Of A Dying Breed: Why Scarface Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

Scarface is an MC who is a keystone within a legendary group, the Geto Boys. However, he also maintains a solo catalog that is arguably even more impressive. Brad Jordan's career expands nearly 30 years, and the Houston, Texas legend has made a powerful impact with the fans, the critics,... Read more
July 22, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought, TBD, Video
2 Live Crew’s Fresh Kid Ice Has Died At Age 53

2 Live Crew’s Fresh Kid Ice Has Died At Age 53

After more than 34 years in Hip-Hop, 2 Live Crew founding member and author Fresh Kid Ice died yesterday morning (July 12) in Miami, Florida. The MC and artist born Christopher Wong Won was 53 years old at the time of his death. TMZ confirmed the news after speaking with... Read more
July 13, 2017 News
Producers Rejoice: Legal Sampling Is Now As Easy As Online Shopping (Video)

Producers Rejoice: Legal Sampling Is Now As Easy As Online Shopping (Video)

A potentially game-changing new service is about to hit the digital streets, one that could theoretically help usher in a new golden age for sample-based Hip-Hop. Swedish startup Tracklib has created a one-stop online “crate-digging” marketplace, on which producers can find, buy (at $1.99 a track) and eventually license existing... Read more
July 7, 2017 Exclusive, News, Video
A Harvard Student Made A Rap Album Thesis. Sway Puts Him To The Test (Video)

A Harvard Student Made A Rap Album Thesis. Sway Puts Him To The Test (Video)

Last month, Obasi Shaw graduated from Harvard University. For his thesis, the English major submitted a 10-track Hip-Hop album, Liminal Minds. He wrote and recorded the album for more than a year. Shaw's resulting work tackled the issue of what it means for a young man to be Black in... Read more
June 19, 2017 Video
Scarface Says Jay Z Is The Best Songwriter Of All-Time

Scarface Says Jay Z Is The Best Songwriter Of All-Time

Today (June 15) Jay Z is being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Announced in February, the moment marks the first time a Hip-Hop artist will receive the prestigious honor. In celebration of the achievement, Tidal has compiled some remarkable peer praise for the Roc Nation MC. Common (who... Read more
June 15, 2017 Fresh
DMX Punching Chris Lighty Drew Blood Money From His Album (Audio)

DMX Punching Chris Lighty Drew Blood Money From His Album (Audio)

This spring, the life and death of acclaimed record executive Chris Lighty has been the subject of an investigative podcast series. Combat Jack has created and hosted Mogul, a weekly look at the evolution of the man who managed A Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent,... Read more
May 19, 2017 Audio
Joe Budden Says Kendrick Lamar & Royce 5’9 Are The 2 Best MCs In The World (Video)

Joe Budden Says Kendrick Lamar & Royce 5’9 Are The 2 Best MCs In The World (Video)

The release of Kendrick Lamar's latest album has triggered discussion of where he stands in the Hip-Hop pantheon of MCs. Many consider him to be 4 for 4, in terms of outstanding LPs, including Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, To Pimp A Butterfly and, now, DAMN. As untitled.unmastered. was simply... Read more
April 20, 2017 Video
10 Years Ago, Rakim, Nas, Kanye West & KRS-One Made A Classic (Video)

10 Years Ago, Rakim, Nas, Kanye West & KRS-One Made A Classic (Video)

This week, a new video with D.M.C. revealed how telling his verse on "My Adidas" truly was. The Hollis, Queens superstar MC pointed back to the lyrics claiming he took the beat of the street and put it on TV. In doing just as Darryl McDaniels said, the world followed,... Read more
March 23, 2017 Do Remember
You’ve Decided. DJ Premier Is Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producer Of All-Time (Video)

You’ve Decided. DJ Premier Is Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producer Of All-Time (Video)

Today (March 9), the winner of Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT Producer competition, the quest to name Hip-Hop’s Greatest Of All-Time Producer, was determined. In the championship round, DJ Premier defeated J Dilla 63.41% to 36.59%, meaning that Preemo is the GOAT Producer, as decided by AFH readers. DJ... Read more
March 9, 2017 Finding the GOAT, Video
Preventable Environmental Hazards Are Killing 1.7 Million Kids Each Year

Preventable Environmental Hazards Are Killing 1.7 Million Kids Each Year

In the first report of its kind, the World Health Organization has published some horrendous statistics: every year, more than one-million children under the age of five are dying as a direct result of hazards in our environment. That figure translates to roughly 25% of all deaths of children in... Read more
March 7, 2017 Lifestyle
J Rocc Shows What Biggie And Dilla Would Have Sounded Like Together…Incredible (Audio)

J Rocc Shows What Biggie And Dilla Would Have Sounded Like Together…Incredible (Audio)

In their lives, Biggie Smalls and J Dilla never worked together. Jay Dee would produce for B.I.G. affiliates like Busta Rhymes, Keith Murray, and Heavy D, but would never work with Bad Boy Records in those mid-'90s glory years. While almost all of Biggie's unused reels have been released on... Read more
March 6, 2017 Audio
The Final 4 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producers Has Been Determined By YOU.

The Final 4 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producers Has Been Determined By YOU.

Today (February 28), Round 3 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” This competition, launched in early January, beginning with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). The 32 eventually became a pack of 16, then an Elite 8, and now reaches its Final 4 in this... Read more
February 28, 2017 Finding the GOAT
Swizz Beatz Premieres A New Song Featuring Nas, Jay Z, DMX & Jadakiss And It’s Unreal (Video)

Swizz Beatz Premieres A New Song Featuring Nas, Jay Z, DMX & Jadakiss And It’s Unreal (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 in the long video, or play the short clip just below. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing... Read more
February 25, 2017 Video
Just Blaze & Swizz Beatz Have A Beat Battle For The Ages. Watch The Masters Work (Video)

Just Blaze & Swizz Beatz Have A Beat Battle For The Ages. Watch The Masters Work (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 of the video. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing left to prove behind the boards, each now... Read more
February 25, 2017 Video
Roxanne’s Revenge: Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Causes A Bidding War

Roxanne’s Revenge: Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Causes A Bidding War

More than one week ago (January 22), the biopic of MC Roxanne Shanté, Roxanne Roxanne, screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Produced by Shanté, Pharrell Williams, and Forest Whitaker, the film starring Mahershala Ali and Nia Long traces the story of the prodigious Juice Crew member born Lolita Gooden, and her... Read more
January 31, 2017 News, TV/Film
Marley Marl & Large Professor Supply M-Dot With Golden Sounds From 2 Legends (Audio)

Marley Marl & Large Professor Supply M-Dot With Golden Sounds From 2 Legends (Audio)

This Friday, Boston, Massachusetts MC M-Dot is releasing his EgO anD The eneMy album. The follow-up to 2010's Run MPC features the E.M.S. crew member working with a who's who of Hip-Hop production giants. D.I.T.C.'s Buckwild, Reflection Eternal's Hi-Tek, 7L, and Marco Polo make up some of the sound providers... Read more
January 25, 2017 Audio
Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Shows Hip-Hop History Is Incomplete Without Her Story

Roxanne Shanté’s Biopic Shows Hip-Hop History Is Incomplete Without Her Story

In 2015, the film Straight Outta Compton took N.W.A.'s story and projected it on not only film screens, but the mainstream consciousness. For a group of Gangsta Rap pioneers on an independent label, the record-setting film eclipsed the commercial success ever available to Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren,... Read more
January 22, 2017 News, TV/Film, Video
This Rare 1986 Documentary Is An Amazing Hip-Hop History Lesson (Video)

This Rare 1986 Documentary Is An Amazing Hip-Hop History Lesson (Video)

In 1986, one of the earliest documentaries on Hip-Hop was made by a Dutch TV company. Big Fun In The Big Town, directed by Bram van Splunteren, featured on air Belgian host, Marcel Vanthilt, traveling the streets of New York City to gain a better understanding of the burgeoning culture.... Read more
January 19, 2017 Throwback, Throwback
Outkast Affiliate Mr. DJ Makes A Funky Beat In Stankonia Using Dilla’s Donuts (Video)

Outkast Affiliate Mr. DJ Makes A Funky Beat In Stankonia Using Dilla’s Donuts (Video)

Outkast Heads know Mr. DJ. Not only is the Georgia veteran the mixmaster on stage when Andre 3000 and Big Boi do their rare shows, he's been with the group for more than 20 years. Mr. DJ is also the third member of Earthtone III (fka Earthtone Ideas), the production... Read more
January 13, 2017 Video
Naughty By Nature Explain How Signing With Sugar Hill Almost Made Them Go New Jack City

Naughty By Nature Explain How Signing With Sugar Hill Almost Made Them Go New Jack City

Naughty By Nature celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2016. The New Jersey trio released new music, including a reunion with Queen Latifah, and toured multiple times. In truth, the group has been together, and recording professionally much longer than 25 years. In 1989, as The New Style, Treach, Vin Rock,... Read more
January 6, 2017 Video
Who’s the Greatest Hip-Hop Producer Of All Time? Starting Monday, You Decide.

Who’s the Greatest Hip-Hop Producer Of All Time? Starting Monday, You Decide.

On Monday (January 9), Ambrosia for Heads will launch the third installment of our "Finding the GOAT" competition. It began in 2014, when we asked you, the readers, to vote for the greatest MC of all time. Last year, the tournament-style contest shifted focus to greatest Hip-Hop album of all... Read more
January 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT
The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than when an MC delivers a vicious verse that's never been heard before, on the spot. It is the equivalent 0f a monster dunk in an NBA game, a one-punch knockout in a fight or an end zone to end zone run in... Read more
December 28, 2016 Food for Thought
Cole World: In A Historic Week, His Eyez Have Views Even Drake Can’t See

Cole World: In A Historic Week, His Eyez Have Views Even Drake Can’t See

It has been 12 days since J. Cole released his fourth album, 4 Your Eyez Only. In that time since the Dreamville/Roc Nation released, it has topped the charts for the fourth consecutive time for the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer. This feat also joined an exclusive, three-artist club in Hip-Hop.... Read more
December 21, 2016 Fresh, News
10 Years Later, Nas Says He “Missed The Mark” When He Declared Hip-Hop Is Dead (Video)

10 Years Later, Nas Says He “Missed The Mark” When He Declared Hip-Hop Is Dead (Video)

A decade ago this week (December 19, 2006), Nas released his eighth solo album, Hip Hop Is Dead. The MC's first outing with Def Jam Records (with foe-turned-friend Jay Z at the helm) debuted at #1. Nasir released a title track, denouncing the culture he loved as a 15-year professional... Read more
December 21, 2016 Video
Stillmatic Turns 15. Here’s A Look At Nas’ Return To His NY State Of Mind (Video)

Stillmatic Turns 15. Here’s A Look At Nas’ Return To His NY State Of Mind (Video)

Fifteen years ago today (December 18), Nas released his fifth album, Stillmatic. At a time before popular Rap stars were making albums into series and franchises, Nasir Jones flashed back to his 1994 debut. In the seven years since, the MC had two #1 albums, and gone platinum many times... Read more
December 18, 2016 Food for Thought
The Grammys Finally Realize Straight Outta Compton Was a Great Album

The Grammys Finally Realize Straight Outta Compton Was a Great Album

Over the last two years—largely thanks to a 2015 blockbuster biopic, the mainstream media has apparently reconsidered the merits of N.W.A. The Ruthless Records collective of Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella released two albums, a compilation, and an EP between 1987 and 1991. In that... Read more
November 29, 2016 News
Pusha T & Gucci Mane Join Common To Voice What Makes Black America Great…Again (Audio)

Pusha T & Gucci Mane Join Common To Voice What Makes Black America Great…Again (Audio)

Throughout his career, Common has at times been—at least on paper—a left field featured guest. He appeared on albums like T.I.'s King when the Grand Hustle founder was the monarch of Trap. He made one of several Gil Scott Heron homages on The Game's "Angel" two years after, showing an... Read more
November 14, 2016 Audio
Run The Jewels Will Not Concede. Their New Song Says It All (Audio)

Run The Jewels Will Not Concede. Their New Song Says It All (Audio)

Less than 24 hours after the 2016 US Presidential Election was called, Run The Jewels appears to punctuate the air of a partly astonished nation. "2100" featuring close affiliate Boots has a message of frustration with the same System that Killer Mike and El-P have rebelled against (as a unit)... Read more
November 9, 2016 Audio
President Obama Gives His Current Top 5 MCs As He Prepares To Leave Office (Audio)

President Obama Gives His Current Top 5 MCs As He Prepares To Leave Office (Audio)

When President Barack Obama took office in 2008, Hip-Hop was in a widely different place. That was the year that Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III sold more than a million copies in its first week available. That year, T.I. made one of his loudest statements in Paper Trail, before going... Read more
October 28, 2016 Audio, Fresh
DJ Premier & Prince Paul Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap & Why We All Need Perspective (Video)

DJ Premier & Prince Paul Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap & Why We All Need Perspective (Video)

DJ Premier and Prince Paul are two legendary producers in Hip-Hop (and beyond) with discographies that span back to the 1980s. Back then, Preemo joined Guru to launch the album-making years of Gang Starr. In the very same 1989 that No More Mr. Nice Guy released, Paul celebrated strong accolades... Read more
October 26, 2016 Video
An Argument For Why Kendrick Lamar May Already Be The Greatest MC Of All-Time (Video)

An Argument For Why Kendrick Lamar May Already Be The Greatest MC Of All-Time (Video)

Conversations in Hip-Hop about the Greatest Of All-Time (GOAT) MC are common. In fact, in 2014 and 2015 Ambrosia For Heads hosted a conversation among millions of fans to determine once and for all, who is the GOAT. In that debate, where over 200 MCs were considered, Eminem came out... Read more
October 15, 2016 Video
Common Speaks On Why He’s Not A Conscious Rapper. He’s a Human MC (Video)

Common Speaks On Why He’s Not A Conscious Rapper. He’s a Human MC (Video)

In the skit following "The 6th Sense," Common made light of his public image. The Chicago, Illinois MC made a song that fought for Hip-Hop's preservation. Moments after, he made light of the way he appeared to some—as a deeply conscious, lighthearted poet. The same artist who had been involved... Read more
October 10, 2016 Video
Rahzel Provides Jewels On The History & Evolution Of Beatboxing (Video)

Rahzel Provides Jewels On The History & Evolution Of Beatboxing (Video)

Rahzel The Godfather of Noyze has become one of the household names for beatboxing. The New Yorker and onetime member of The Roots has worked with a range of artists including Erykah Badu, Ben Harper, Common, Rakim, Everlast, and Sean Paul, among many others. With more than 20 years of... Read more
September 26, 2016 Video
D4L’s Shawty Lo Killed In Atlanta Car Crash

D4L’s Shawty Lo Killed In Atlanta Car Crash

UPDATE: Police in Fulton County have determined that Shawty Lo's fatal car accident was not a hit-and-run collision as first reported. Instead, authorities have stated their investigation led them to believe the man born Carlos Walker lost control of his vehicle at an exit ramp, leaving the road. The report... Read more
September 21, 2016 News
What’s The Greatest Opening Line In Hip-Hop History? Here Are 50 (Video)

What’s The Greatest Opening Line In Hip-Hop History? Here Are 50 (Video)

Hip-Hop is built on debates. Who is the greatest MC of all-time? What's the best album? What's the best song? The arguments are endless and often simultaneously the source of great entertainment and great agita. There have been several lists that aim to settle these matters, and The Peak has released... Read more
September 2, 2016 Video
DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

In 1999, Jay Z and DMX embarked (and majorly cashed in) on the Hard Knock Life Tour. Although Jay Z's album gave the tour its name, the lineup was a joint headliner of the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and DMX. Both artists had become the flagship acts at Def Jam Records... Read more
August 13, 2016 Food for Thought, Video
Killer Mike Argues Not Much Has Changed For Blacks Since The Death Of Emmett Till (Audio)

Killer Mike Argues Not Much Has Changed For Blacks Since The Death Of Emmett Till (Audio)

Killer Mike is working to bring real change to a system that may be against him. The co-founder of Run The Jewels is leading a successful, nationwide charge to urge dissatisfied humans of all races to pull their money out of financial institutions that don't value them back. In his... Read more
August 10, 2016 Audio
Nelly’s Country Grammar Is The 9th Rap Album To Be Certified Diamond

Nelly’s Country Grammar Is The 9th Rap Album To Be Certified Diamond

Sixteen years and one month ago, St. Louis, Missouri MC Nelly released his debut album, Country Grammar. Backed by a string of hits beginning with a title single, the melodic Fo' Reel Records flagship artist (and St. Lunatics founder) created a style that arguably paved the way for Kanye West,... Read more
July 26, 2016 News
Elzhi & O.C. Are Underground MC Legends. They Sound Great Together (Audio)

Elzhi & O.C. Are Underground MC Legends. They Sound Great Together (Audio)

Although they run in different circles, Elzhi and O.C. are two highly-skilled MCs who have a lot in common. Over the years, both the Detroit, Michigan native and the Brooklyn, New Yorker have complicated histories with celebrated crews (Slum Village and D.I.T.C., respectively). Both lyricist have history with storied record... Read more
July 5, 2016 Audio
Kanye West Not Only Produced This Consequence Hit, He Once Rapped On It (Audio)

Kanye West Not Only Produced This Consequence Hit, He Once Rapped On It (Audio)

In 2016, Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music is vastly different than it was in the last decade. Around the time 'Ye was gearing up for Graduation, completing his initial collegiate album trilogy, Getting Out Our Dreams boasted the likes of Common, John Legend, and GLC. Queens, New York MC Consequence was... Read more
June 27, 2016 Throwback
This 3-Minute Mix Pleasantly Intersects Top 40 Rap, Old School & Turntablism (Video)

This 3-Minute Mix Pleasantly Intersects Top 40 Rap, Old School & Turntablism (Video)

Back in March, San Jose, California's DJ Goodfoot stole the show in the midst of Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT Album" ballots. In a competition to integrate the remaining albums in the bracket, Goodfoot's 21-minute mix made the finals all the more exciting. Ever the competitor, Goodfoot is now... Read more
May 29, 2016 Mixes, Video
Killer Mike Explains Why The Trap Does Not Make Dollars Or Sense (Video)

Killer Mike Explains Why The Trap Does Not Make Dollars Or Sense (Video)

One of the pivotal records of Killer Mike's career was his appearance on Outkast's "Snappin' & Trappin'." Right as the mainstream erupted around 2000's Stankonia release, Mike came in with a song that celebrated the street-life of Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding hoods. Sixteen years later, Killer Mike's personality has... Read more
May 25, 2016 Video
Kanye West’s 1997 Beat Tape Travels To The Past In A “Spaceship” (Audio)

Kanye West’s 1997 Beat Tape Travels To The Past In A “Spaceship” (Audio)

In 1998, Kanye West the producer broke through in a major way. The hungry artist from Chicago, Illinois landed on two big albums, care of joints on Foxy Brown's platinum #1, Chyna Doll (see: "My Life") and Jermaine Dupri's star-studded solo debut, Life In 1472 (see: the Nas-assisted "Intro [Turn It... Read more
May 23, 2016 Throwback
Russell Simmons Reveals His Secret For Balancing Commercial Success With Maintaining Crediblity (Video)

Russell Simmons Reveals His Secret For Balancing Commercial Success With Maintaining Crediblity (Video)

Throughout Russell Simmons' founding tenure at Def Jam Records, the Hollis Queens, New York native developed a number of hugely successful artists and albums. The Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill, DMX's It's Dark And Hell Is Hot and Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood, Method Man's Tical 2000:... Read more
May 10, 2016 Throwback, Video
Tupac’s Mom, Afeni Shakur, Has Died At The Age Of 69

Tupac’s Mom, Afeni Shakur, Has Died At The Age Of 69

Afeni Shakur, mother of 1990s Hip-Hop superstar Tupac Amaru Shakur, has died early this morning (May 3). She was 69 years old. While a cause of death has yet to be released to the public, the onetime Black Panther and inspiration to 1995 Interscope Records single "Dear Mama" has been... Read more
May 3, 2016 News
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