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Kanye West And JAY-Z Have Ended Their Beef

Fans are currently anticipating the arrival of Kanye West's tenth solo album, Donda. Def Jam Records announced today (July 23) is a release date amid several album preview listening parties. However, the general public has yet to receive the LP titled after Kanye's late mother's name as of noon on... Read more

LL Cool J & JAY-Z Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class has been decided, and Hip-Hop has reason to rejoice. After six previous attempts, LL Cool J will enter the hallowed halls today (May 12). Meanwhile, in his first time on the ballot, JAY-Z will be joining his former Def Jam Records... 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

Takeover: JAY-Z & Beyonce Just Released An Album. It’s Their World Now (Video)

Following two confessional albums that put some vulnerable moments of their relationship and marriage on public display, JAY-Z and Beyoncé unite for a collaborative album. Today (June 16), The Carters released their first ever joint project, a nine-track effort with no warning. The move comes as the superstar couple is... Read more

JAY-Z’s Mother Accepts A GLAAD Media Award & Reminds All To Smile (Video)

4:44 stands as JAY-Z's most personal album to date. The work revealed a lot about himself, his marriage and family life, and also, his relationship with his mother as a lesbian parent. While Gloria Carter introduced and was referenced in "December 4th" on 2003's The Black Album, Jay had not... Read more

JAY-Z Explains How Saving His Marriage Set A Bigger Example (Video)

In several hours, JAY-Z will learn if he is the winner of his first "Album Of The Year," "Record Of The Year," and/or "Song Of The Year" awards at tonight's Grammy's. 4:44, "Story Of O.J.," and the title track are the vehicles that earned Shawn Carter his nominations. Aside from... Read more

Londell McMillan Responds To JAY-Z’s Diss & Strongly Defends His Partnership With Prince (Video)

Following Prince's death on April 21, 2016, there has been a tug of war regarding the icon's music and assets. One month after the tragic news, JAY-Z made that battle both public and part of his own legendary catalog. On the Grammy-nominated 4:44, Shawn Carter took umbrage with the handling... Read more

JAY-Z, Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Show How When A Family Feuds, Nobody Wins (Video)

JAY-Z's latest 4:44 video is now available for all to view. "Family Feud" is one of the Grammy-nominated album's richest and most significant moments. The single addresses the infidelity that nearly cost the Carters their marriage. The No I.D.-produced song also alludes to the efforts to rebuild the trust, the... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 12): JAY-Z vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 7): JAY-Z vs. CyHi The Prynce

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

JAY-Z’s Smile Video Is A Tender Portrait Of His Mother’s Struggle With Her Sexuality

After releasing them exclusively via TIDAL a few weeks ago, today (December 22) JAY-Z makes three more 4:44 visuals widely available-- "Marcy Me," "Legacy," and "Smile." Especially in the case of the last of those three videos, these are as polished and artful as any video companion to music in... Read more

What Is The Best Rap Album Of The Year? You Decide. Here Are Our Top 15.

It’s that time of year where “best of” lists abound and, in a year that featured stellar music from artists young and old, 2017 has proven to be one of the finest of the decade. We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list... Read more

After 15 Years Of Disses, JAY-Z & Jaz-O Have Reunited

JAY-Z has reunited with many of the key players from his past—even after bitterness or hostility. In 2005, Jay and Nas famously put beef to bed in New Jersey. The Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder has been photographed with Dame Dash multiple times since the artist and manager parted ways. Beanie Sigel and... Read more

Why Kendrick Lamar & JAY-Z May Destroy Each Others Chances At Winning Album Of The Year

With the 60th Grammy Award nominations being announced this week, and just a little under two months away from crowning the respective victors, the collective post-nomination conversation from those within the music industry and fans alike, has been incredibly rich in both impression and speculation. For the very first time... Read more

9th Wonder Details Producing Kendrick Lamar’s DUCKWORTH & Reveals Its Original Title (Video)

Working on a Kendrick Lamar record requires a vow of secrecy as demanding as any spy code, 9th Wonder shares in the latest Rap Radar Podcast. With longtime colleague and Roc Nation producer/engineer, Young Guru by his side, 9th speaks on how he made “DUCKWORTH.” the closer for this year's Grammy-nominated... Read more

JAY-Z Details The Pain & Progress That Came From Making 4:44 & Lemonade (Video)

Published one day after he led the 2018 Grammy nominations with eight, JAY-Z's latest New York Times interview, with Dean Baquet, has been released. The 35-minute video conversation delves heavily into "The Story Of O.J.," one of the individual 4:44 moments for which Jay was nominated. Additionally, the two Black... Read more

JAY-Z & Kendrick Lamar Dominate 2018 Grammy Nominations

The nominations for the 60th Grammy Awards are in. The event returns to New York City for the first time in 15 years and will broadcast on January 28, 2018. As many Hip-Hop Heads predicted, JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar receive a plethora of consideration, for 4:44 and DAMN., respectively. Jay,... Read more

Vic Mensa’s Latest Performance Makes A Powerful Plea For World Peace (Video)

In between a show in Cleveland and heading onto Quebec as the sole opening act on JAY-Z’s 4:44 Tour, Vic Mensa stopped by the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan for an impassioned performance of "We Could be Free" on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Toting a string quartet, pianist,... Read more

JAY-Z’s 4:44 Tour Is Raising Lots Of Money & Lots Of Questions

UPDATE: Following reports late last week that JAY-Z's 4:44 Tour appeared off to a slow start based on low prices for some tickets and venues with attendance that was far under capacity, new information emerges. Live Nation, who is responsible for the tour, now tells Billboard that Jay's latest campaign... Read more

JAY-Z Combats 1 NFL Owner’s Divisive Words With A Message Of Unity (Video)

This weekend, ESPN magazine reported on just what transpired behind the National Football League's closed doors. Earlier this month, several owners, players, and league officials met to discuss the ongoing National Anthem protests. Criticism, TV boycotts, and declining attendance continue to plague the NFL's revenue and public image. Thereby, the... Read more

Drake Has Thrown Darts At Kendrick & JAY-Z, But Chooses Not To Face Them At The Grammys

Drake's More Life marked his seventh consecutive #1 project on the Top 200. The Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic Records "playlist" (as it was marketed) has already achieved double-platinum certification following its March release. However, Drake—who possesses three Grammy awards—reportedly has opted not to submit More Life for consideration in next... Read more

JAY-Z Celebrates Colin Kaepernick & Bares His Soul In 2 SNL Performances (Video)

Last night, JAY-Z, along with host Ryan Gosling, helped kick off the 43rd season of Saturday Night Live. While Jay is no stranger to the SNL stage, this was the first time he performed music from his recent 4:44 album before a national TV audience, and he made the most... Read more

50 Cent Explains Why Despite Their Beef Prodigy & Tupac Were Truly Alike (Video)

In May of 2006, Mobb Deep would release their seventh album, a first with G-Unit/Interscope Records. Blood Money would be Prodigy and Havoc's lone album with 50 Cent. However, a Queens, New York bond seemed especially strong, when Curtis Jackson—at the top of the Rap food-chain gave his borough neighbors luxury... Read more

JAY-Z Performs Family Feud With A Choir & Restores The Harmony (Video)

JAY-Z recently told BBC's Live Lounge, "I've always tried to push the envelope as an artist, and make new things, and try to make things that's an elevated version of what I've done...I have to be happy with it before I let it go." JAY-Z Reveals He And Prodigy Made... Read more

Scarface Shares A Snippet Of His New Music. It’s About To Get Ugly (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

JAY-Z Says Kanye West Crossed The Line When He Talked About Jay’s Wife & Kids (Audio)

JAY-Z has given the most revealing interview since the June 30 release of 4:44. The legendary MC sat down with the Rap Radar Podcast to address everything appearing to linger since dropping his 13th solo album. In the nearly 70-minute conversation available for full stream to the public, Hov' annotated... Read more

JAY-Z Addresses Checking Kanye & Why They Have Not Spoken Since (Audio)

JAY-Z has given the most revealing interview since the June 30 release of 4:44. The legendary MC sat down with the Rap Radar Podcast to address everything appearing to linger since dropping his 13th solo album. In the nearly 70-minute conversation available for full stream to the public, Hov' annotated... Read more

JAY-Z Presents New Sides Of Himself As Lupita Nyong’o Shows Many Faces (Video)

On recent Fridays, JAY-Z has publicly shared the music videos from June's 4:44 album. Taking a page from Beyoncé's Lemonade, Hov' apparently made visuals to his entire No I.D.-produced 13th solo album. JAY-Z Admits Infidelity & Explains His Issues With Kanye West On His New Album (Audio) The "MaNyfacedGod" music... Read more

Sadat X Drops A Freestyle Filled With The Grown Man Rap He’s Made For Years (Video)

Debates about a so-called "generation gap" in Rap music will likely be a perennial characteristic of the genre. As recently as the June release of JAY-Z's 4:44, vociferous fans and critics engaged in discussions about "grown-man Rap" and how a 47-year-old MC was able to drop one of the best albums... Read more

JAY-Z’s Video For “Moonlight” Re-Creates “Friends” With An All-Star Black Cast

In 2003, Aisha Tyler joined the cast of NBC's long-running television series, Friends. She played a recurring character who represented the show's most visible Black character in its then nine-year history. Along with shows like Sex and the City and Seinfeld, the New York City-based sitcom often came under fire for the lack of... Read more

JAY-Z’s Open Letter To His Father Is About Pain & Progress (Video)

JAY-Z's 4:44 is proving to be a preeminent example of "mature" Rap music. At 47 years old, the iconic MC released a piece of music that is deeply personal and resonant with millions of fans, from his comments about infidelity to financial advice, openness about homosexuality in his family and... Read more

Lord Jamar Is Challenging Hip-Hop To Show Off Stacks Instead Of Racks

One of the unexpected results of JAY-Z's 4:44 was the social-media responses the critically acclaimed album inspired. Of those, perhaps none caught on as quickly as the "money phone challenge" in which users uploaded images of them holding stacks of cash to their ear. Meant to symbolize "money calling," holding up racks... Read more

Andre 3000 Thinks He’s Gotten Too Old To Rap. He’s Wrong.

It has been more than a decade since Andre 3000 released any album. The Outkast co-founder has picked his spots since 2006's Idlewild and used scarce verses to freshen his discography. From UGK to Frank Ocean, DJ Unk to Divine Council, 3 Stacks has made those appearances count. However, at... Read more

JAY-Z Delivers Raw Truths About Beyonce, Solange, Kanye & Himself (Video)

JAY-Z's "Kill Jay Z" may be the most talked about song on 4:44. While the June album's title track suggested infidelity in his marriage to Beyoncé, this record is thought to be the one that prompted Kanye West to sever exclusive ties with Jay's Tidal service, and pursue legal action... Read more

3D Na’Tee Might Have Outrapped JAY-Z On His Own Song & She Drops Knowledge Too (Audio)

"The Story of O.J." continues to prove to be a source of inspiration for artists. The JAY-Z record with some of 2017's most compelling visual accompaniment is one of 4:44's standout tracks, and has already inspired Detroit rapper Page Kennedy's pen. On the original version, the song is akin to Mos... Read more

Rakim Salutes JAY-Z’s Growth On His 4:44 Album (Video)

Over the past 3 weeks, JAY-Z has received near universal acclaim for his album, 4:44. Along with being sonically engaging, the No I.D.-produced album may be Jay's most revealing to date. He touches on matters personal to his family, friends, foes, and upbringing, and also shares plentiful jewels about life... Read more

JAY-Z’s Turns His Apology To Beyonce Into A Powerful Short Film (Video)

JAY-Z has now made his second music video from 4:44 available to the masses. The title track from the No I.D.-produced album comes as a music video that is just as evocative as "The Story Of O.J." with an entirely different medium and aesthetic. How JAY-Z’s New Album Is The... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Ranks Kendrick Lamar’s Albums, As A Fan & Peer (Video)

Joey Bada$$ recently sat down with Montreality to discuss some of his views concerning everything from Kendrick Lamar to mumble rap to suicide. Early in the interview, the 22 year-old MC also expresses his love for JAY-Z’s 4:44 album, as well as the belief that his own music has helped inspire... Read more

JAY-Z Announces North American Tour In Support Of 4:44

Already being called one of the best solo LPs of his 20-plus-year career, 4:44 will be celebrated on a 31-date North American tour beginning in the fall. JAY-Z has announced the details for the 2017 spectacle, which begins in October and spans two months. The Brooklyn, New York icon has been enjoying one... Read more

How JAY-Z’s New Album Is The Blueprint For Grown Man Rap (Video)

In the last eight days, JAY-Z's 4:44 monopolized the Hip-Hop conversation and most of the pop culture space. There are a lot of headlines and developing storylines that can easily get in the way of the fact that a 47-year-old-rapper, mogul, and king of cool reached a definitive career milestone,... Read more

Here Are The Jewels From JAY-Z’s New Album That You Won’t See In The Tabloids

Nearly a week after its release, listeners are still unpacking JAY-Z's new album 4:44. As an MC with a reputation for double and triple entendres and veiled references, lines from all of Jay's songs have plenty to be decoded. But, on this LP he packed an enormous amount of material... Read more

JAY-Z’s Physical Copies Of 4:44 Include 3 “Revealing” Bonus Songs. Here Are The Titles.

JAY-Z's 4:44 has reached platinum less than one week after release. However, the party is just getting started for the album's roll-out. What began as an exclusive to Tidal subscribers and Sprint customers is now coming to physical release, joining Jay's 12 additional solo titles. JAY-Z’s Video Is A Powder... Read more

JAY-Z’s 4:44 Album Has Gone Platinum In Less Than A Week

Less than one week after JAY-Z released his 13th solo album, 4:44 is platinum. That Roc Nation LP was available June 30. As was the case with its 2013 predecessor Magna Carta...Holy Grail, the 10-track offering was accessible on a limited basis. In this case, only Tidal subscribers and Sprint... Read more

JAY-Z’s Video Is A Powder Keg Designed To Blow Up Ugly Stereotypes & Impart Wisdom

In conjunction with JAY-Z's release of 4:44 comes a video to one of its most evocative songs. "The Story of O.J." examines race and the distribution of wealth and power in America. The video recreates the 1930s "Sambo" character from the films and cartoons of the same name. Hov' is... Read more

Game Of Thrones: JAY-Z & Kanye West’s Battle May Be Turning Legal

"Nobody wins when the family feuds" - JAY-Z, "Family Feud." At 47-years-old, JAY-Z released 4:44, an album already being trumpeted as one of his best, and certainly a contender for 2017's most discussed. On it, the mogul offers up some of the most personal content of his career, frankly discussing his... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Names His Top 5 MCs Dead Or Alive (Video)

It's becoming more common to hear Kendrick Lamar's name mentioned in debates about the greatest MCs of all time. Even for those who are not fans of his music, it's become impossible to deny the Grammy winner's critical, commercial, and cultural achievements in Hip-Hop and beyond, and at this point... Read more

People Are Watching The Fire In The Theater…Meanwhile The World Is Burning Down (Video)

Quite a bit happened in the last week. Kendrick Lamar gave his second (and third) interviews about the creation and inspiration behind DAMN. Joe Budden, DJ Akademiks, and Migos played host to the most talked about red carpet event of the year to date at the BET Awards. JAY-Z released... Read more

JAY-Z Admits Infidelity & Explains His Issues With Kanye West On His New Album (Audio)

One of the biggest criticisms JAY-Z faced with the release of his 2013 album Magna Carta Holy Grail was that he had lost touch with the people. While Jay had always engaged in a form of aspirational Rap from the days of his "Big Willie talk" on his debut album... Read more

JAY-Z Officially Announces His New Album & Shares A Preview (Audio)

JUNE 20 UPDATE: It has now been confirmed that No I.D. is producing JAY-Z's 4:44 in its entirety. Billboard confirmed the news. No I.D., a co-founder of group Cocaine 80s, and is best known for his work with Common, Vince Staples, and Jhene Aiko. He is a longtime Def Jam... Read more

Mysterious Ads Cause Fans To Watch The Clock For A New Jay Z Album

Jay Z has not released an album since 2013's Magna Carta...Holy Grail. That album arrived on July 4 of that year, after it was announced June 16, during the NBA Finals. Following Kanye West's own fast-track release of Yeezus that very same month, the other half of Watch The Throne... Read more