AFH Ambrosia for Heads

The Game’s New Album May Be The Most Star-Studded Ever. Here’s The Tracklist for The Documentary 2.5

After months of anticipation, The Game is releasing The Documentary 2, the sequel to his heralded debut album, tonight at midnight (EST). As reported earlier, however, this will just be the first in a 1-2 punch combination. The Game also will release The Documentary 2.5 exactly a week later. With... Read more

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

As the Fall set in, the hot Hip-Hop continued to flow. September brought not one, but two songs from the elusive DOOM, one of LL Cool J's strongest verses in years, a power collabo between Nas and Scarface, an unreleased track from Jay Electronica, Redman's release from his forthcoming album... Read more

Erykah Badu’s Drake Cover Breaks New Ground & Returns Home At Once (Audio)

Preparing her alleged upcoming mixtape, Erykah Badu appears to be trying some new things. "Hotline Bling" covers Drake's recent scorcher, but on Badu's terms. From the mixtape reportedly called But U Cain't Use My Phone, Erykah offers some "Buduism" in a song co-written with her son, Seven Benjamin (Andre 3000's... Read more

The Game is Not Playing. Here’s Another Hit Featuring Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, & will.i.am (Audio)

By now, the news of the Game's forthcoming double-disc release, The Documentary 2, is standard fare for Heads. The anticipation for the Compton MC's seventh album will serve as the follow-up to his 2005 debut, and the anniversary's timing has once again brought the Los Angeles neighborhood into the forefront... Read more

Ras Kass & King Midas Clique Are Setting off Alarms on Police Brutality (Video Premiere)

Last year, Ras Kass released Blasphemy, a collaborative album with Apollo Brown, a widely acclaimed effort that wonderfully paired the Carson, California MC's mastery with the Detroit producer's soulful, boom-bap. Now, the former is gearing up for another Mello Music LP, this time a collaborative effort with Jack Splash, a... Read more

Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

Hip-Hop and art have once again merged in an exciting way, thanks to the inventive mind of a graduate student. Regina Flores Mir is the brains behind the Hip-Hop Project, a new program being implemented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that allows visitors to navigate the various collections with... Read more

Narcos Supplies the Raw Power & Grit of the Purest Form of Hip-Hop (Video)

Since Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's seminal 1982 song, "The Message," Hip-Hop, in its purest form has been a window into worlds otherwise unseen. It was that raw and uncut reporting that catapulted acts like N.W.A. and Public Enemy, with their commentary on their respective worlds, as well as... Read more

The Game Says Doctor’s Advocate Was Better Than The Documentary (Video)

The Game was in New York City last week and he stopped by The Breakfast Club to promote the forthcoming release of his highly-anticipated album, The Documentary 2. Without an ounce of pretense, Game kept it 100 about anything and everything DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlemagne Tha God threw... Read more

Flying Lotus, Shabazz Palaces, Thundercat Join Forces & Enlist George Clinton (Audio)

In what may be Hip-Hop's newest and most exciting triad, three individually incredible artists have formed a singular unit to form a three-headed hybrid that incorporates multiple genres and aesthetics into WOKE. Featuring producer and DJ Flying Lotus, experimental Hip-Hop duo Shabazz Palaces, and Psychedelic Funk multi-instrumentalist Thundercat, WOKE has... Read more

The Game Tells the Story of His Life Through The Documentary’s Iconic Photos (Video)

The Game has had a celebratory few weeks and as he settles in to the home stretch before his next album drops October 9, fans are being treated to what feels like wonderful news with every passing day. Just this week it was announced that The Documentary 2 will be... 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

The Game’s Documentary 2 Tracklist Packs The Same Star-Power As The First

In January, 2005, The Game—then a G-Unit member, made his major label debut with The Documentary. Executive produced by Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, the album was among the most profiled debut Hip-Hop albums of the 2000s. The Grammy-nominated, double-platinum LP produced major singles "How We Do" and "Hate It... Read more

Regardless Of When It’s From, Unreleased Jay Electronica Songs Stay Fresh (Audio)

Since Dr. Dre released an album in 2015, what is taking the place of Detox? Compton can still be referred to by that, as many Heads debated (heatedly) whether the Aftermath Entertainment founder would release an LP by any title. With that out of the way (and on the charts),... Read more

Run the Jewels Perform on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ & Bring Along a Big Name Backup Band (Video)

Now in his second week of his new tenure as host of the "Late Show," Stephen Colbert has already amassed an impressive list of musical guests including Toby Keith and Kendrick Lamar. Last night, El-P and Killer Mike graced the stage as Run the Jewels, performing "Angel Duster" off their... Read more

Finding The GOAT Album: Here Are The 120 Albums Being Initially Considered

2 Live Crew - 2 Live Is What We Are 2Pac - All Eyez On Me 50 Cent - Get Rich Or Die Tryin' A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill Beastie Boys - Paul's... Read more

Jay Rock Refuses To Compromise. Even His Freestyles Are Hard-Body (Audio)

Throughout the weekend, many Hip-Hop Heads are making visits to the 90059 zip code, listening to Jay Rock's sophomore solo album. The breakthrough Top Dawg Entertainment artist for nearly a decade swings through L.A. Leakers. Not often recognized as much as onetime pupil Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul in the freestyle... Read more

Jay Rock Flashes The Black Hippy Sign In The Booth For 90059 (Audio)

On TDE albums, Heads often flip over the digital covers in search of that coveted Black Hippy posse cut. On tomorrow's (September 11) 90059 album by Jay Rock, it does exist. "Vice City" is no video game homage, but rather a verbal sin-bin for Jay, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and... Read more

Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake are Back at It: Check Out Part 6 of Their History of Rap (Video)

It was a big day for Hip-Hop in late-night television yesterday. With Kendrick Lamar's awe-inspiring performance on Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" last night and the return of the Fallon-Timberlake duo to the "Tonight Show," there is plenty to go around. Since 2010, the two have partnered in medley-style performances of... Read more

Public Enemy’s Latest is an Homage to the Motherland & All of Her Pain (Video)

In July, Public Enemy released Man Plans God Laughs, the 13th studio album from the Long Island, New York icons. Reportedly inspired by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Run the Jewels, the album is replete with the content familiar to P.E. Heads - politics, thought-provoking content, and unbridled depictions... Read more

Melle Mel & Big Daddy Kane Vouch For Macklemore & Say Other Rappers Should “Hang Their Heads”

Throughout the last 10 days, a lot of attention has fallen upon Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Downtown." Already a video single from the Seattle, Washington, Grammy Award-winning, platinum act, the pair performed the song to open the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards two Sundays ago (August 30). Perhaps most pertinently,... Read more

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of August 2015 in 1 Playlist (Audio)

August 2015 was an incredibly complex month for Hip-Hop. On the one hand, it was filled with tragedy and will forever be remembered as the month when we lost the great Sean Price. On the other hand, the month also brought a new album from Method Man, the first album... Read more

King Los Always Had Bars. Now He’s Got Hooks Too. MCs, Beware…(Audio)

Over the last few years, King Los has established himself as an elite MC. When Kendrick Lamar took out an entire generation of MCs with one verse and caused even more to respond to his taking "Control," it was Los' verse that Kendrick deemed to be the best reply. Los... 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

RBX Reveals He Was The First To Leave Death Row & The First To Sign With Aftermath (Video)

"The Narrator" RBX is one of Rap's most distinct voices. While the MC has only one Top 200 album (1995's The RBX Files, a #62 debut), he is widely recognized for his appearances on widely-considered classics. From The Chronic to Doggystyle to The Marshall Mathers LP, the Long Beach, California... Read more

Jay Rock Gives 2 Very Different But Equally Compelling Interviews (Video)

Jay Rock made a trip to New York City yesterday (8/27) to play his imminently forthcoming 90059 album in its entirety for the first time on the East Coast. Prior to his jam-packed listening session last night at ALIFE, he made stops at both Hot 97 and Power 105 for... Read more

Ras Kass’ Lyrics Burn Like Acid In This Psychedelic Side Project Single (Audio)

Ras Kass stays busy. Beyond the Carson, California MC's sprawling independent catalog, he has a host of side projects, including HRSMN (with Kurupt, Killah Priest, and Canibus), White Crows (with Mista Lawnge), and Golden State Warriors (with Saafir and Xzibit). Heads can now add another Razzy Kazzy vehicle to the... Read more

Lil Dicky Explains What Led Him to Hip-Hop In 5 Questions (Video)

Lil Dicky has had a charmed career in Hip-Hop, thus far. His first video ever ("Ex-Boyfriend") racked up a million views...on the first day. His debut album, Professional Rapper, was the number 1 Rap album in the country, the first week of its release, and the album was perched atop... Read more

The Politics of Rap: Political Hip-Hop’s Long & Outspoken History Didn’t Begin or End with N.W.A. (Audio)

The marriage of political engagement and Hip-Hop culture has been a permanent fixture ever since artists began using the mic as a means of delivering dispatches from inner-city life, where systemic problems of economic disparity, educational inequality, poverty, and racism remain far too common for far too many. For many,... Read more

Jungle Brothers Are Often The Forgotten Tongues Who Helped Teach The Native Lingo (Video)

For a collective that never made an album, and rarely performed under their decided moniker, the Native Tongues' relevancy has never waned. Despite the fact that A Tribe Called Quest has exclusively (and sporadically) been a touring group since The Love Movement, De La Soul existed without formal releases for... Read more

Jay Rock Releases the Artwork & Tracklist for His New Album 90059

After more than four years since his 2011 album Follow Me Home, Jay Rock is on the verge of releasing his new LP, 90059. Named after the zip code from Rock's hometown of Watts, CA, the songs he has shared thus far signal that the album is going to be... Read more

Rare 25-Year Old N.W.A. Photos & Collectibles Resurface, Care of a Longterm Fan (Interview)

Only now, in 2015, is N.W.A. a group that can test the waters of the digital era. It's been nearly 25 years since the group existed, and more than that since it had its famous five member lineup including Ice Cube. In 1988, there were no blogs, no streams, no... Read more

Rapsody Recruits Joey Bada$$ for the Remix to “Don’t Need It” (Audio)

Rapsody brings in Joey Bada$$ for the remix to her song, "Don't Need It" from her 2014 album, Beauty & The Beast. In addition to words from the "Badman," she adds a blistering new third verse that stunts heavily on those who continue to sleep on her outsized lyrical skills.... Read more

Jay Rock Releases the Visual For His Wu-Tang-esque 90059 Album Title Track (Video)

TDE continues its run of cinematic videos. After releasing the short films for Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" and Jay Rock's "Money Trees Deuce," among others, they follow up with another clip for the label's OG, with the title track to Rock's forthcoming 90059 album. The track sounds much more like vintage... Read more

Yasiin Bey Uses Basquiat as His Ghostwriter For an Inspired Song About Injustice & Hope (Audio)

For years, Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) has shown he is an artist who walks his own path. Whether advocating for social justice or lyrically taking out sucker MCs, he has proven to be equally adept. After a private video where he challenged the entire industry to battle himself, King... Read more

Ma$e Rallies For Hardcore NYC Hip-Hop On Tupac & Dr. Dre’s Track (Audio)

With reports lingering that the 1990s Puff Daddy & The Family/Bad Boy Records team may be reuniting for a tour following the BET Awards performance, Ma$e cracks the mic once more. The former multi-platinum, #1 album-maker aims to return to his roots with "When NY Was NY." A freestyle over... Read more

Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late Is First 2015 Hip-Hop Project To Reach Platinum

Just weeks following his social media ambush from collaborator-turned-foe Meek Mill, Drake adds another accolade to his resume. Drake's February, 2015 release, If You're Reading This It's Too Late has been certified platinum, according to respected source, Chart News. Drake also confirmed the news: Platinum off the tape. Views up... Read more

Fabolous’ New Visual Recreates “Juice” and Guess Who’s Bishop? (Video)

After a series of weekly freestyles, and a comprehensive throwback mixtape alongside DJ Clue, Fabolous is back to work. The Def Jam/Desert Storm MC returns to promoting his The Young O.G. Project. For "Gone For The Winter," Fab' continues a popular trend of honoring 1990s films through contemporary music culture.... Read more

Dr. Dre Put Compton On The Map. Now He’s Immortalizing Its Legacy (Album Stream)

Announced just days ago, Dr. Dre's third studio album, Compton, has released as planned. The N.W.A. co-founder named his first LP in nearly 16 years after the Hub City that he hails from. Now, the Beats By Dre namesake drops off the deeply-anticipated work to Apple Music for an exclusive... Read more

Dr. Dre, Nas, KRS-One, B-Real, Scarface & RBX Came Together In The Aftermath Of Coastal Conflict (Video)

Tomorrow (August 7), Dr. Dre is slated to drop his first album in 16 years. Compton, as it is called, follows 2001 in a career that has emphasized quality over quantity. In conjunction with next week's Straight Outta Compton biopic (August 14), Dre returned to his studios and invited friends... Read more

Don’t Wear Purple Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Sneakers On Rainy Dayz…

This past weekend, Raekwon's solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Staten Island, New Yorker and co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan released his Loud/RCA Records debut to Top 5 fanfare and an eventual gold plaque. Famously called "The Purple Tape," the RZA-produced effort was manufactured... Read more

House Shoes Offers A Free-Form Mix Featuring Skillz, Wu-Tang Clan & Ohio Players (Mix)

Detroit, Michigan-to-Los Angeles, California DJ mainstay House Shoes is as versatile as they come. The longtime right-hand man to J Dilla kicks off a new series with Dublab called "Magic." Last month's inaugural edition features House Shoes pullin' out cuts new and old, ranging from Kendrick Lamar and D'Angelo, to... Read more

It’s Official. Dr. Dre’s First Album in 16 Years Will Be Released Friday.

As we reported earlier today, Dr. Dre announced the release of his first album since 1999's 2001 today on his The Pharmacy show on Apple Music. The album is titled Compton: The Soundtrack and will hit stores on August 7. He confirmed the album is completely different than the infamous... Read more

Dr. Dre’s New Album Will Not Be Released Today…But It’s Coming Soon (Audio)

Earlier this week, Ice Cube set the web on fire when he stated during an interview that Dr. Dre had created an album inspired by the forthcoming motion picture Straight Outta Compton (8/14), and that it would be released on August 1. However, new information suggests the album will not... Read more

Here’s a 50-Song Playlist to Get the Weekend Started (Audio)

2015 has been an exciting year in music. Emerging voices have transmitted powerful messages against times of change. Veterans have stepped in to further solidify legendary legacies with Hip-Hop culture. Whether for thought-provoking purposes, or much-needed escape, the music has been loud, proud, and colorful. Ambrosia For Heads is proud... Read more

From the Court to the Mic, NBA Star Damian Lillard Brings the Heat (Audio)

As a Trail Blazer for Portland's NBA team, Damian Lillard is a point guard and Oakland native whose talents extend beyond basketball games. Earlier this year, the 25-year-old former Rookie of the Year and two-time All Star visited Sway Calloway over at SiriusXM's Shade 45 radio show and surprised listeners... Read more

Entrepreneurialism & Technology Discussed At Hip-Hop Institute Conference (Video)

Earlier this month, the 11th annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival took place in a series of events, beginning July 8. Leading to the July 11 concert featuring Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway, and others, the week of discussion, education, and engagement included the first-ever Hip-Hop Institute Conference. Hosted at the borough's Medgar... Read more

Straight Outta Cooperstown: Hip-Hop Meets Baseball in These Mashup Cards

Earlier this month, it was announced that Marvel comics would be recreating comic-book covers with inspiration from classic Hip-Hop albums. Now, in the latest mash-up of pop and Hip-Hop culture, the faces of Rap stars have found themselves in the world of classic baseball cards. Similar to the concept behind... Read more

Eminem Slated To Take Eazy-E’s Spot As Honorary N.W.A. Member On Tour.

UPDATE: One day later (July 23), an unnamed Eminem and Dr. Dre representative has told Rolling Stone magazine that the reports regarding Eminem and an N.W.A. are not true. The original report: For the most part, attentions surrounding August 14's Straight Outta Compton are focused on the film. The F.... Read more

Meek Mill Says Drake Does Not Write His Own Rhymes. Pillow Talk?

The same week that watched former collaborators Ghostface Killah and Action Bronson enter at least a one-sided beef, the trend continues. Meek Mill was at Drake's side in the famed 2012 club incident that resulted in lawsuits, and an all-out attack between Drake and Chris Brown. On July 22, via... Read more

Thundercat & Flying Lotus Make Heartbreak Sound Unusually Cool (Video)

Less than one month ago, Thundercat released The Beyond/Where The Giants Roam. The Kendrick Lamar collaborator is hard to pin down. The Brainfeeder release involves his Los Angeles, California contemporary Flying Lotus, as well as Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (the classically-trained musician responsible for the incredible Suite For Ma Dukes Dilla-inspired album/DVD).... Read more