AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Eminem Tells Kxng Crooked About His Deep Love For The Craft Of Rapping (Video)

"What I would say to any up-and-coming rapper? I would say that it is hard to get it, and it's even harder to maintain it." Eminem shares those words in the closing minutes of a one-hour-plus interview with Kxng Crooked on Crook's Corner. The video interview takes place in Dr.... Read more

Big Sean Opens Up About The Depression That Nearly Caused Him To Retire From Rapping

Big Sean's Rap hiatus is over as the Detroit, Michigan MC recently was a guest on Joe Budden's Pull Up. In his first interview of 2020, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam artist spoke about dealing with depression, losing passion for rapping, and closing himself off to his family. This came after... Read more

Jay Electronica Says He Just Completed His Debut Album & It Drops Next Month

On Thursday night (February 6), Jay Electronica released a series of tweets that confirmed his debut album was complete. The proclamations follow over 10 years of teasing fans, and publicly toying with the possibility of releasing an LP at all, ever. The tweets suggested that on December 26, 2019, Jay... Read more

Royce 5’9’s New Song Is About How He’s Gotten Better With Time & He May Be The Best

Hip-Hop Heads are less than a month out from Royce 5'9's The Allegory album. The February 21 Heaven Studios/eOne album will feature Benny The Butcher, Kxng Crooked, Vince Staples, Conway The Machine, DJ Premier, and Oswin Benjamin, among others. Dating back to late 2019, Nickel Nine has released two video... Read more

How J. Cole Used Drake’s Playbook To Score His Biggest Hit & Win A Grammy

Sunday night (January 26), J. Cole won his very first Grammy Award. The 2020 "Best Rap Song" trophy was for the "a lot" collaboration from 21 Savage's i am > i was. While 2019's category winner, Drake, was included in the televised portion of the show (giving an impassioned and... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 5): Dreamville vs. Griselda

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 4): Rapsody vs. Add-2

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 25 Rap Albums Of The Decade

In the final hours of a decade, Ambrosia For Heads presents our Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums. The 2010s were a wild ride, with an onslaught of important new voices, and incredible maturation from veteran MCs. It was a 10-year span where artists and songs were discovered new places (including the... Read more

The Game Describes His Shootout With 50 Cent In Detail (Video)

Late last month, Compton rapper Game released his ninth (and reportedly final) album, Born 2 Rap. The LP, clocking in at 90 minutes in length, showcases the many sides and versatile styles of the veteran Compton, California MC. It features the late Nipsey Hussle (who also has a song dedicated... Read more

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2019 List

It is that season when “best of” lists abound and, in a year that featured some remarkable music from artists across the landscape, 2019 kept Hip-Hop fans on the edge of our seats. There were reunions, surprise collaborations, and show-stopping debut albums. The year also featured innovative label compilations, unexpected... Read more

Reason’s Latest Freestyle Reminds Us Why He Is TDE’s Ace In The Hole (Video)

Carson, California MC Reason has been quietly dropping bombs since signing with Top Dawg Entertainment. After TDE's re-release of his debut mixtape, There You Have It, 2019 has been a year in which Reason spent sharpening his Rap abilities before gearing up to release his first batch of single under... Read more

Griselda’s Shady Records Debut Is Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny At Their Most Raw

In early 2017, Shady Records Eminem and Paul Rosenberg partnered with Griselda Records. The move was surprising to some, and exciting to many more. At a time when so many labels use data and metrics to inform their decisions, Griselda's foothold in the Rap game was certified in the streets... Read more

Add-2’s “Jim Crow: The Musical” Is A Stunning Concept Album With A Message. Listen In.

In a year that’s already seen some incredible albums, another chapter has been written in the book of 2019. Chicago’s own Add-2 (also known as Andre Daniels) follows up his acclaimed 2015 release Prey For The Poor with a conceptual, timely, and socially conscious effort titled Jim Crow: The Musical.... Read more

Rapsody Details Making Eve & Describes The Big Response To 1 Of 2019’s Best LPs

In late August, Rapsody released her Eve album. The North Carolina native's third full-length raised the stakes on a critically-acclaimed discography with a profound concept. Across 16 songs, Rapsody celebrated Black women with namesake titles, open to varying interpretations and connections. Whether they were clear-cut tributes or loose homages, the... Read more

TDE’s Top Dawg & Punch Henderson Will Co-Chair The Revolt Summit In Los Angeles

The 2019 Revolt Summit descends on Los Angeles October 25 through 27. Sponsored by AT&T, this year’s conference is co-chaired by Top Dawg Entertainment CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith and President Terrence “Punch” Henderson and will feature scores of panelists including Snoop Dogg, Van Jones, DJ Mustard, Rich Paul, Killer... Read more

King Los Kicks The Best Verse Of The Night In The Last Standing BET Cypher

Last night (October 8), BET broadcast the 2019 Hip Hop Awards. The event included a tribute to Lil' Kim (featuring a Junior M.A.F.I.A. reunion of sorts), performances by Rapsody, YBN Cordae, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, Rick Ross, and a salute to Battle Rap. Notably, a TV event recognized for... Read more

Rapsody Says She’s The GOAT In A Verse That Proves She’s 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best MCs

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

Danny Brown Reminds He’s Got Lyrics To Go With A Beat & An Assist From Q-Tip

Yesterday (October 4), Danny Brown released his highly anticipated fifth studio album, uknowhatimsayin¿. The Detroit, Michigan MC garnered some very strong acclaim after 2012's far-reaching X.X.X. mixtape presented his unique style as an inventive, profane, and boisterous rapper with an ear for spaced-out beats and abstract productions. Seven years removed... Read more

T.I. Kicking Metaphors Over A Soul Sample Is Pure Money (Video)

Hip-Hop loves a metaphor. From Kendrick Lamar to Common, Tupac to Nas, the great MCs love to make songs that seem like they are about one thing, that double as another. From “I Used To Love H.E.R.” (and Common's latest iteration in the saga) to Kanye West's "Homecoming," many metaphors... Read more

J. Cole, Lute & DaBaby Show Why NC Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Hottest States Under The Sun

Dreamville continues to celebrate this year's release of Revenge Of The Dreamers III with more and more visuals. The label's collaborative record dropped this summer and presented vocals from each member of the collective: J. Cole, J.I.D, Bas, Lute, Ari Lennox, Cozz, Omen, and EarthGang. Just a month ago, Heads... Read more

Danny Brown’s Q-Tip Produced Song Yields 1 Of The Year’s Weirdest Videos

This month marks three years since Danny Brown's last album, Atrocity Exhibit. After four solo releases, celebrated mixtapes, and a collaborative catalog that includes Black Milk-assisted project, D.B. is embarking on an exciting close to 2019. The Detroit, Michigan MC's Uknowhatimsayin¿ is the name of his fifth album. As reported... Read more

Jidenna Takes His Time To Make Music With A Message. This Video Is Worth The Wait

Jidenna recently released his first project in more than two years. 85 To Africa thematically connects the singer, rapper, actor, and scholar's Atlanta lifestyle to his African heritage. Following a Grammy-nominated 2016-2017 campaign, the 34-year-old Wisconsin native has taken his time since The Chief and later EP, Boomerang. With involvement... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Talks Greasy To Impatient Fans On A Smooth Alchemist Beat (Audio)

Thanks to the way music is made and released, artists can easily drop multiple projects in a single year. In the underground, some artists release whole efforts in consecutive weeks. Others create daily, weekly, and monthly series of songs to engage fans. This culture can often leave fans focused on... Read more

Big Sean Absolutely Blacks Out On 1 Of The Best Verses Of The Year (Audio)

Big Sean's last solo album was his second-consecutive chart-topper. I Decided achieved platinum status, and was named among Ambrosia For Heads' "Best Albums Of 2017." The veteran Detroit, Michigan lyricist continued a journey in making personal, cohesive albums that addressed a life in the spotlight. Approaching his upcoming Don Life,... Read more

JAY-Z, Beyoncé & Childish Gambino Are In A Royal Mood (Audio)

This weekend, The Lion King opens to the masses. Starring the voices of Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, James Earl Jones, and others, Disney's 25th-anniversary update on a classic franchise is expected to ring cash registers at box offices everywhere. In conjunction with the film, Beyoncé is at the helm... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. & J. Cole Prove Substance Is What Truly Makes MCs Great (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

Cardi B & Rapsody Are Continuing Queen Latifah’s Tradition Of U.N.I.T.Y. (Video)

Over the last few years, Cardi B has achieved one of the top spots in music. The recent and first female rapper to take home the Grammy's "Best Rap Album" title, care of 2018's triple-platinum Invasion Of Privacy, went on social media tonight (July 11) to call attention to some... Read more

Freddie Gibbs Sheds Tears In A Deeply Emotional Interview With Madlib (Video)

Last month, Madlib and Freddie Gibbs released their second collaborative album, Bandana. It stands as one of the best albums of 2019 so far. Plenty has happened to the two artists since 2014's Pinata, which also garnered its fair share of acclaim. Since then, the two veterans secured a major... Read more

Jeezy Flips A Classic Jay & Beans Beat To Launch His TM 104 Campaign (Audio)

AUGUST 2 UPDATE: Jeezy has released the "1 Time" music video: ORIGINAL JULY 3 STORY: It has been a year and a half since Jeezy released Pressure. At the top of this year, the CTE founder partnered with Boston George for a collaborative free mixtape, Boston George & Diego (embedded... Read more

Tired Of Waiting: Reason & Cozz Scheme To Rob J. Cole & Top Dawg (Audio)

Reason and Cozz are two rising sensations on stacked rosters. In 2018, Cozz played a respectable role in Dreamville's takeover, thanks to his Effected album. That LP saw the Los Angeles, California veteran working with Kendrick Lamar as well as the artist who signed him, J. Cole. Shortly after Effected,... Read more

ScHoolboy Q May Need Numb Numb Juice After Taking The Hot Wings Challenge (Video)

ScHoolboy Q admits that he was never one for the fanfare in the first part of his career. Like much of TDE, Groovy Q typically shuns the spotlight. He enjoys making his art, living a relatively private life, and occasionally roasting some of his friends and Rap peers on and... Read more

Rapsody Announces Her New Album & Shows Why She’s A Top Rated MC (Video)

Earlier today (June 27), Rapsody endorsed a video through his social platforms. The montage visual features a series of Black women appear, including Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Grace Jones, Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Whoopi Goldberg, Maxine Waters, Aretha Franklin, and others. Available at Genesis320, the video features cryptic wording,... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. & Lil Wayne’s New Song Takes A Deep Dive Into A Form Of Addiction

Throughout the ages, some great Hip-Hop music has been made about the topic of addiction. From The Roots' "The Water" to Eminem's "Going Through Changes," J. Cole's "Once An Addict," to Royce 5'9's "C*caine," these songs are honest, vulnerable, and powerful hallmarks in all of the creators' careers. Hip-Hop also... Read more

TDE vs. Dreamville: Who Wins The Battle With These 2 New Songs?

Last November, J.I.D. admitted that competition between Dreamville Records and TDE is a very real thing. During his DiCaprio 2 campaign, the Georgia MC described his primary motivation was helping his squad, started by J. Cole, outshine the team that includes Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and others. “Being... Read more

A New Documentary Shows Why Clarence Avant Is The Godfather Of Black Music (Video)

Clarence Avant is a man whose pioneering work behind the scenes has helped shape the careers of everyone from Quincy Jones to Barack Obama. Lauded as a trailblazing Black executive, Avant and his rise to fame are the subject of a forthcoming documentary called The Black Godfather, which aims to tell... Read more

Menace II Society Director Allen Hughes Will Make A New Tupac Docuseries

In 2017, director Allen Hughes directed The Defiant Ones. The HBO docuseries traced the lives of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, who would make millions (and later billions) together at Death Row Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Beats Music. The N.W.A. co-founder and onetime Chairman of Interscope Records were interviewed, as... Read more

DJ Khaled Releases 1 Of Nipsey Hussle’s Last Songs (Audio)

On March 31, the day of Nipsey Hussle's tragic and untimely passing, Ermias Asghedom had given the music world his grandest statement. The month prior, 2018's Victory Lap was nominated for a Grammy Award. While he did not get the trophy for "Best Rap Album," Nip' attended the ceremony in... Read more

Rapsody Dedicates A Song To The Strong Women Who Make Life Possible (Audio)

Rapsody has let the first half of 2019 on an unusually quiet note when it comes to music. Apart from a standout appearance on Smif-n-Wessun's The All album alongside Musiq Soulchild (see: "Ocean Drive"), the North Carolina native has been working behind the scenes, presumably on work that follows up... Read more

Anderson .Paak Helps Flying Lotus’ Sound Soar On A Soulful Collab (Audio)

On 2016's Malibu Anderson .Paak vowed that he was cooling out on doing features. By that point, the versatile singer, MC, producer, and musician had made key cuts with Dr. Dre, TOKiMONSTA, The Game, MED, and Busdriver, among plenty of others. Between Malibu's early '16 drop and the Grammy nomination... Read more

ScHoolboy Q Chops A DJ Premier And Royce 5’9 Sample & Adds Some Boom

In less than 48 hours (April 26), ScHoolboy Q is releasing his fifth album, CrasH Talk. The Grammy-nominated TDE artist had previously dropped two video singles in his LP campaign. Less than six weeks ago, Q led with “Numb Numb Juice." He followed with the Travis Scott-assisted "CHopstix." Now he... Read more

Dr. Dre & LL Cool J Have Recorded More Than 40 Songs Together (Audio)

Dr. Dre rarely grants interviews. He admits it, and adds that he does not enjoy talking about himself in public. Since 2017's The Defiant Ones documentary on HBO, Andre Young has participated little in the way of press, beyond product or album promotion. If there is one Rap peer who... Read more

Mack 10 Is Releasing His 1st Album In 10 Years & It Has His Old Sound (Video)

This coming September marks a decade since Mack 10 released a solo album. The Inglewood, California veteran and Westside Connection co-founder made 2009's Soft White, which involved Rick Ross, Anthony Hamilton, and former Cash Money Records label-mate. Since then, the founder of Hoo-Bangin' Records self-released a joint-effort with Glasses Malone,... Read more

A 300+ Song Mix Gives The Definitive History Of Southern Hip-Hop (Audio)

For more than 30 years, Rap music from the South has stood out. Many cities have their own sound, slang, and influences. During the 1980s and 1990s, many Southern Hip-Hop artists had to assert that their communities "had something to say" in the Rap music conversation. However, by the late... Read more

Playtime Is OVER. Oswin Benjamin Has The Best Freestyle Of 2019

Oswin Benjamin has been on the grind in Hip-Hop for years. The New York City lyricist has made his appearances count, whether they were high-profile freestyles, Team Backpack cyphers, or features on Styles P, Anoyd, and Domingo albums. The close affiliate of Chris Rivers has just released his full-length debut,... Read more

2 Chainz, E-40 & Lil Wayne Show Lyricism Lives In All Regions (Video)

2 Chainz may have taken more than a year to deliver his latest full-length album, Rap Or Go To The League, but most fans and critics agreed it has been a highlight within the 2019 Rap landscape. There would have been plenty of buzz behind a new release from the... Read more

Oddisee Explains Why He’s NOT Underrated Or Underground

Oddisee has spent the 2010s making some of the most cohesive and thoughtful albums in Hip-Hop. 2012's People Hear What They See, 2015's The Good Fight, and 2017's The Iceberg are a three-album run as formidable as any in Rap. Meanwhile, the artist born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa has showered his fans with handfuls... Read more

Los Angeles Will Name The Intersection Of Crenshaw & Slauson Nipsey Hussle Square

Today (April 9), a little over a week after the death of artist and activist Nipsey Hussle, Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson has announced that the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and West Slauson Avenue in South L.A. will be named after Hussle. The area is home to Hussle's The... Read more

L.A. Gangs Have Called A Historic Truce To Honor Nipsey Hussle (Video)

Less than one week after the March 31 passing of Nipsey Hussle, many communities are still recovering from the sudden tragedy. In addition to mourning the slain artist, activist, and entrepeneur, many people are taking action too. Yesterday (April 5), a vigil and peace treaty was held by street leaders,... Read more

Red Bull Music Academy & Red Bull Radio To Shut Down

After 20 years of operation, Red Bull has announced that the Red Bull Music Academy will be closing its doors later this year. The decision was reportedly made to “phase out the existing structure” and introduce a new tactic for Red Bull's position within music. Additionally, Red Bull Radio, the... Read more

Russell Westbrook Fills The Stat Sheet With 60 In Dedication To Nipsey Hussle

Last night (April 2), Russell Westbrook mourned the death of his friend Nipsey Hussle the best way that he knows how, with a historic performance on the basketball court. The 30-year-old Point Guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder finished his team's defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers with a stat... Read more