AFH Ambrosia for Heads

De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising vs. Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique. 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

Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick vs. Biz Markie’s Goin’ Off. 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

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. 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

These 1980s Hip-Hop Albums Reach Round 2, With One Battle Left To Be Decided

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads returned to "Finding The GOAT," our annual voting series that polls readers and fans to determine the Greatest Of All-Time. Following 2014-2015's quest to use votes to determine the GOAT MC, we are asking readers to determine the greatest of all-time Hip-Hop album. “Finding The... Read more

Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid In Full vs. Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary. 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

Eminem Says Tupac “Was a Superstar in Every Aspect of the Word,” In a Moving Tribute

Since he was teenager, Eminem has felt a special bond with Tupac. The young Marshall Mathers grew up idolizing the immortalized MC and, years later as a well-established artist and producer, Em would have the opportunity to produce an album full of Tupac material. Thus, it was fitting that Paper... Read more

The D.O.C.’s No One Can Do It Better vs. King T’s Act A Fool. 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

Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back vs. Jungle Brothers’ Straight Out The Jungle. 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

Slick Rick’s Great Adventures Of Slick Rick vs. Too Short’s Life Is…Too Short. 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

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Geto Boys’ Grip It! On That Other Level. 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

Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell vs. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Rock The House. 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

Big Daddy Kane’s It’s A Big Daddy Thing vs. Queen Latifah’s All Hail The Queen. 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

LL Cool J’s Radio vs. Kurtis Blow’s Ego Trip. 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

Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded vs. Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush The Show. 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

Funkadelic & Kendrick Lamar Release the Funk Jam of the Year. Just Try Not to Move (Audio)

Besides his appearance on "Wesley's Theory," it is clear that George Clinton (and Parliament, Funkadelic) are major inspirations in To Pimp A Butterfly. The New Jersey native's ability to balance heavy subject matter with the need to groove is something that the Compton, California MC is out to do. Previously,... Read more

Think You Know Hip-Hop? This Quiz Will Separate Teachers From Students

When it comes to Hip-Hop, fans take their knowledge of the culture very seriously. The never-ending quest for information and competitive desire to flex that knowledge have spawned a wealth of literature and resources, like Dan Charnas' The Big Payback, a phenomenal history of the evolution of the Hip-Hop music... Read more

MC Lyte’s Lyte As A Rock vs. Just-Ice’s Back To The Old School. 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

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper vs. Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique. 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

De La Soul’s 3 Feet High And Rising vs. Stetsasonic’s In Full Gear. What’s 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

What Makes A Hip-Hop Album A Classic? (Editorial)

In all genres of music, the term "classic" prompts debate. Cultural conservatives argue it is used too freely, and often stamped on works of art prematurely. On the other hand, liberally-minded art patrons maintain that placing restrictions on calling an item classic misses the point entirely. Especially with so much... Read more

Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane vs. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s Road To The Riches. What 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

Ice-T’s Rhyme Pays vs. Too Short’s Born To Mack. What’s 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

LL Cool J Returns With a Strong Verse on the Smooth Tip (Audio)

The last five years of LL Cool J's music career have been, in large part, a search. The MC icon and self-proclaimed "GOAT" has tried Country collaborations, he's tried mash-up boom-bap, and he's further delved with a R&B sound. With 2013's Authentic coming as the lowest charting album since LL's... Read more

Salt-N-Pepa’s Hot, Cool & Vicious vs. Biz Markie’s Goin’ Off. What’s 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

Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. vs. Ultramagnetic MC’s Critical Beatdown. Which Album 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

Eric B. & Rakim’s Follow The Leader vs. EPMD’s Unfinished Business. What’s 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

Space Out To A Parliament-Funkadelic Mind-Melting Journey (Mix)

With N.W.A. and Dr. Dre celebrating the mass attention in the Straight Outta Compton (and just Compton) renaissance, with about one of Dre's leading inspirations? In addition to heavy influence from Curtis Mayfield, David Axelrod, and Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Dre's career has been molded... Read more

Gang Starr Hit Yo! MTV Raps Amidst Their 1994 Mass Appeal, With A Freestyle (Video)

Throughout the history of Gang Starr, there were a host of important albums and movements. In the late 1990s, Guru and DJ Premier went gold (with a Top 10) in Moment Of Truth, gathering the award tour of a much-deserved greatest hits look follow-up, Full Clip. A decade prior, it... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Defends Macklemore, Praises Inclusion Of Rap Pioneers

In 1994, Big Daddy Kane—a major label, gold-certified artist, appeared on the Treacherous Three's first album in a decade, Old School Flava. "We Wit' It" featured Kane, alongside Chuck D, Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Heavy D, Tito, and the Treacherous Three lineup of Kool Moe Dee, Special K, and... Read more

Eminem’s Latest Freestyle is an Exercise in Lyrical Stamina (Audio)

Since being named the winner of AFH's user-generated GOAT competition, Eminem has been busy promoting Southpaw, a Boxing film starring Jake Gylenhaal and 50 Cent, and for which he is the soundtrack's executive producer. Previously slated to become an honorary member of N.W.A. as he joins them on their forthcoming... Read more

Read Eminem’s Heartfelt Letter & Illustration Sent To Tupac’s Mother

In 1997, Tupac Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur established the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, a performing-arts based community program in Stone Mountain, Georgia that focuses on bringing children opportunities to explore dance, drama, creative writing, and more. As part of the organization's role in preserving Tupac's legacy, the... Read more

LL Cool J Classics Are Mixed While He’s Interviewed…by Marley Marl (Audio)

LL Cool J and Marley Marl go back. These two Queens, New York icons crossed paths in the late-1980s, when LL Cool J was widely touted as one of Hip-Hop's finest MCs, and Marley Marl was the go-to producer. From mixes of "Jinglin' Baby," to "Around The Way Girl," these... Read more

Rick Ross Facing Assault, Battery, & Kidnapping Charges After Arrest

Rapper Rick Ross (a/k/a William Roberts) was apprehended outside of what is reported to be his Atlanta, Georgia home by a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force earlier today (June 24), along with his bodyguard. According to Jim Joyner, a task force supervisor, more details on the arrest would come... Read more

Method Man Gets 100% Real About His Album, The Media & Why He No Longer Curses on Songs (Interview)

We had the opportunity to speak at length with Method Man to discuss his forthcoming new album, The Meth Lab, and more. The veteran MC had a lot on his mind and did not hesitate to touch on several issues with candor and depth. In addition to talking about his... Read more

Eminem Returns With a Phenomenal Song About Never Giving Up (Audio)

As he's done on a plethora of films—including his own, Eminem has been tasked with the soundtrack centerpiece to Antoine Fuqua's Southpaw. The newly-appointed GOAT MC (within nine months of Ambrosia For Heads' readership, anyway) goes 12 rounds, lyrically on "Phenomenal." Produced by DJ Khalil (Self Scientific), the song showcases Em's... Read more

Noreaga Speaks on Why Eminem is a King of Hip-Hop (Video)

Eminem was recently voted by AFH readers as the greatest MC of all-time. Noreaga recently spoke in detail about why he believes Eminem is a King of Hip-Hop and why he's been so successful over the years. In an animated discussion with DJ Vlad, Nore spoke point by point on... Read more

Pharoahe Monch, Murs & Fashawn Assist J57 In Supplying Sample-Free Dope (EP Stream)

After releasing them over the course of the year, Brooklyn, New York-based J57 has culminated his series of official sample-free remixes into one conveniently packaged EP. The producer/MC re-designed four tracks, each with an original arrangement that includes a fresh beat and original vocals in the place of what were... Read more

Grandmaster Melle Mel Has An Unpleasant Message For Grandmaster Flash

Thirty-three years ago, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 made one of Hip-Hop's seminal singles, "The Message." In 2015, two of the Furious 5's MCs, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio, have a message for Flash: pay up. “No matter what happens, if you say ‘Grandmaster Flash,’ you think of ‘Grandmaster... Read more

Rapsody Uses TVs As A Metaphor For The Message In The Music (Video)

"What we chase ain't the same / I'm still that rapper / That your favorite rapper's scared to rap after." - Rapsody At a pinnacle point in her career, Rapsody releases the video for "Hard To Choose." The 9th Wonder-produced track is a topical examination of where Rap' is at, and... Read more

For National Prevention Week, Watch This 1987 Public Enemy Anti-Drug PSA (Video)

Beginning May 17, we are in the midst of National Prevention Week, a seven-day annual event produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With that in mind, Ambrosia For Heads is proud to shed light on not one, but two anti-drug PSA's this week that aired briefly... Read more

Killer Mike Names His Favorite MCs and Talks Deep Hip-Hop History With Snoop (Video)

Killer Mike is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN. The Run The Jewels co-founder brings some flammable treats for Tha Doggfather, as the two wax poetic about a range of topics. Snoop, a confirmed R.T.J. fan, asks Mike about linking up with El-P. "You spend your whole life looking... Read more

Killer Mike Eloquently Destroys Arguments That Hip-Hop Fosters Violence (Video)

Over the last few years, Killer Mike has firmly established himself as one of Hip-Hop's most impressive spokespersons. Mike was thrust into the spotlight in 2014 as he passionately and eloquently spoke out against police violence, in the wake of the protests that followed the killing of Michael Brown in... Read more

Wonder What A 1977 New York City Park Jam Sounded Like? Press Play… (Mix)

Bringing the earliest days of Hip-Hop to the digital age is a challenge. While DJ Kool Herc, DJ Red Alert, and Grandmaster Melle Mel (among many others) are highly active in telling the story, and presenting the culture they helped create, other things are harder to find. Pioneering DJs like... Read more

For National Prevention Week, Watch This 1987 Run-DMC Anti-Drug PSA (Video)

Today (May 17) begins National Prevention Week, a seven-day annual event produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With that in mind, Ambrosia For Heads is proud to shed light on not one, but two anti-drug PSA's this week that aired back in 1987, from two... Read more

DJ Red Alert Explains How The Bridge Wars Began, Tells His Story (Audio)

Fresh off of DJ Kool Herc's groundbreaking interview with The Combat Jack Show, another Hip-Hop pioneer is profiled extensively. Kool DJ Red Alert is Combat's guest this week. The Harlem, New York native (not Bronx, as often reported) opens up about his career trajectory, the radio wars evolving into "The... Read more

Why Are Women Excluded From the Conversation About Hip-Hop’s Greatest MCs? (Video)

Like nearly everything in life, Rap is co-ed. From the beginning, women have been among the world’s most innovative MCs. They have the ability to offer fresh perspectives to a field often dominated by men. However, rarely, in the debates surrounding the greatest MCs in Hip-Hop history do women get... Read more

Fabolous Updates Nas’ Black Girl Lost With His Best 90s Freestyle Yet (Audio)

It takes a brave heart to follow Nas on a track. For the latest in his top notch series of 90s throwback freestyles, that's exactly what Fabolous does and he responds with his best to date. On Nasir's "Black Girl Lost," from It Was Written, Esco weaves a mournful tale... Read more

Can An MC Be Considered The Greatest of All-Time After 5 Years? This Short Film Says YES (Video)

“Can it be that it was all so simple then?” The nostalgia effect is a strong one in Hip-Hop, and causes us not only to look back with optimistic revision, but also, at times, prevents us from embracing the greatness of late. It is not uncommon to hear someone argue... Read more

De La Soul Explain Their Criteria For What Makes a Great MC. Do You Agree? (Video)

Many have opinions about what criteria makes a great MC, but few have the credentials to back them up like De La Soul. As Hip-Hop survivors and thrivers for more than 20 years, Posdnuous, Dave and Maseo are among Rap's most influential artists, and when they speak, Heads listen. As... Read more

Yasiin Bey Explains His New Creative Process and Worldview in Detail (Video)

Yasiin Bey is a true creative anomaly. The artist formerly known as Mos Def spent the late 1990s and early 2000s churning out material, basking in the collaborative spirit, and touring relentlessly. The world responded, and the onetime Brooklyn, New York underground MC garnered gold plaques, Top 5 debuts, and... Read more