big daddy kane ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Legendary DJ Mister Cee Has Passed Away

Legendary DJ, radio personality, and Hip-Hop producer Mister Cee has reportedly died. The Brooklyn, New Yorker born Calvin LeBrun was instrumental to the careers of The Notorious B.I.G. and Big Daddy Kane during a career that lasted over 35 years. He was believed to be 57 years old at the... Read more

April 10, 2024 News, Trending Stories

200 MCs Celebrate DJ Kay Slay On The Ultimate Posse Cut

Last year, Hip-Hop lost DJ Kay Slay. The Harlem legend passed away on April 17, 2022. His 40+ year legacy began with graffiti and evolved into him becoming one of the biggest mixtape DJs in the world. The self-proclaimed "Drama King" ultimately used his tastemaking skills as a record executive... Read more

November 3, 2023 Video

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more

September 16, 2023 Video

Big Daddy Kane Turned Down A $1 Million Death Row Deal

In the mid-1990s, Big Daddy Kane was a free agent. After nearly a decade releasing music through Cold Chillin' Records and its Warner Bros. distributor, the Brooklyn, New York lyricist was a talent for hire. In 1994, he had released a sole MCA Records LP, Daddy's Home, featuring involvement with... Read more

September 13, 2023 Video

Busta Rhymes Is Moved To Tears By His Lifetime Achievement Award

Moments ago tonight (June 25), Busta Rhymes received the BET Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award before delivering an emotional speech. B.R. was presented the prestigious award by Marlon Wayans and Swizz Beatz, who spoke before and after a video vignette featuring testimony from Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Mariah Carey (who praised M.O.P.'s... Read more

June 26, 2023 News, TV, TV/Film, Video

Wu-Tang Clan vs. Juice Crew: The Greatest Rap Crew Competition

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all-time, this is your opportunity to collectively make that... Read more

May 9, 2023 Greatest Rap Crew

Native Tongues vs. The Juice Crew: The Greatest Rap Crew Competition

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all-time, this is your opportunity to collectively make that... Read more

May 1, 2023 Greatest Rap Crew

Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane & Conway Slap The Competition On A New Song

Busta Rhymes approached the 2020s with something to prove. Two years ago, the veteran co-founder of Leaders Of The New School and Flipmode Squad gave fans a classic-level album—arguably the best in his career. Extinction Level Event 2 showed the many sides of Busta Bus, including collaborations with Rakim, Kendrick... Read more

October 28, 2022 Audio, Video

Kool G Rap & Big Daddy Kane Reunite On A New Song

After a 35-plus-year career, Kool G Rap is gearing up for a statement album. On October 14, 2022, the Queens, New York lyrical legend will release Last Of A Dying Breed. The upcoming album features contributions from Sean Price, AZ, 38 Spesh, NEMS, Royal Flush, and Vado. Domingo, a producer... Read more

August 25, 2022 Audio, Exclusive

Chuck D & KRS-One Have Launched A Hip-Hop Union

At a time when labor unions are making a resurgence among companies like Starbucks and Amazon, Hip-Hop is proving no different. Some of the leaders in the culture have established The Hip Hop Alliance, dubbed "Hip-Hop's first official union." The organization, founded by Chuck D and Kurtis Blow, defines itself... Read more

July 27, 2022 News, Video

Many Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs

Note: Jadakiss recently appeared on ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby podcast and was asked who his top 5 Hip-Hop groups of all-time were. This article has been updated below with his response, as well as The Game’s top 5 LA Rap albums. A few days ago, during a podcast appearance, Ice... Read more

July 12, 2022 Video

Big Daddy Kane Says Busta Rhymes Has The Best Flow In Hip-Hop

In late 2021, Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One held a Verzuz battle for the ages. Two of the most influential and respected MCs in Hip-Hop history squared off and made for an epic night that still prompts debate. However, in a recent event, Big Daddy Kane used the spotlight to... Read more

April 12, 2022 Video

Joell Ortiz Names His Top 5 Brooklyn MCs

This month, Joell Ortiz delivered a new album, The Autograph. The release, embedded below, marks Ortiz's fourth with indie stalwart Mello Music Group. After a career cultivated by rapping his circumstances directly to the listener, Joell somehow goes even deeper on his new album. As he tells Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast (embedded... Read more

November 23, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, Video

DJ Scratch Explains The Tension At The Big Daddy Kane & KRS-One Verzuz

On Sunday night (October 17), Hip-Hop fans were treated to a Verzuz match up between 80s Hip-Hop legends, Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One. There were freestyles, surprise guests, and some noteworthy banter between the two participants and their DJs—Kid Capri and DJ Scratch, representing Kris and Kane, respectively. During AFH's recap... Read more

October 19, 2021 Video

Dr. Dre Has Broken Pop Culture Barriers Once Again

Last week, it was revealed that Dr. Dre will be headlining the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. In doing so, Dre becomes the first Hip-Hop artist to headline, after nearly 25 years of various MCs appearing in the feature role. Dre will share the stage with some of his superstar... Read more

October 6, 2021 Video

Biz Markie Has Passed Away At Age 57

A challenging year for the Hip-Hop community continues to become more tragic. In a breaking news story, Biz Markie has died at the age of 57. The legendary MC, DJ, and producer born Marcel Hall passed away this evening (July 16) after a decade-plus-long bout with type 2 diabetes. TMZ reported... Read more

July 16, 2021 News

Immortal Technique Lists His Top 5 MCs & Says A New Album Is Coming (Video)

Immortal Technique is recognized as an MC whose music is informational and at times, extreme. The Harlem lyricist emerged during the rise of independent Hip-Hop in the early 2000s, and his politically-charged brand of Hip-Hop quickly struck a chord with fans worldwide. Further, he is widely acknowledged for his activism... Read more

October 8, 2019 Video

Rakim Raps His Unreleased Lyrics That Were Dissing Big Daddy Kane (Video)

Earlier this week, Rakim published his memoir, Sweat The Technique: Revelations On Creativity From The Lyrical Genius. The God MC's first text tells his life story as well as offers insight into songwriting and rhyming. In promotion of the book (which he wrote with author, activist, and former Source editor Bakari... Read more

September 26, 2019 Video

Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Yasiin Bey, DJ Quik & E-40 Headline 2019’s A3C Festival Lineup

A3C has announced its 2019 lineup. This year the Atlanta, Georgia festival is running for six days and features a host of artists from across the generations of Hip-Hop. Topping the bill of legends we have Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def), who will be putting on a 20th-anniversary Black On... Read more

September 13, 2019 Fresh

Happy Birthday To Big Daddy Kane. Ever Hear His “Raw” Remix With Kool G Rap?

Today (September 10) marks Big Daddy Kane's birthday. Commanding audiences far and wide since he was a teenager, the now 51-year-old living legend continues to be among the culture's best performers. From collaborations with Ghostface Killah and Joell Ortiz, as well as new freestyles, King Asiatic continues to add to... Read more

September 10, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Mike Tyson Shares His Top 50 MCs List…And Joe Budden Is Not On It

At the top of this week, The Brew Podcast disseminated a ranked "Top 50 Greatest Rappers Of All-Time" list (embedded below) that has since captivated much of social media and the conversations around it. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based podcast dedicated to beer-making elicited some fans raising a glass, while other folks... Read more

August 7, 2019 Fresh

Big Daddy Kane For President. He Rocks Russia With R.A.W. Not WAR (Video)

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Big Daddy Kane became a global Hip-Hop ambassador. From his roots in New York City rap battles, Antonio Hardy's brilliant rhyme schemes, supreme confidence, and rich subject matter reached the world, and it left a mark. Across color lines and language barriers, so... Read more

July 30, 2019 Video

Big Daddy Kane & 9th Wonder To Be Inducted Into North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

In the mid-2000s, Little Brother released one of its most significant collaborations to date. "Welcome To Durham" found Big Pooh, Phonte, and 9th Wonder putting on for their city. The Chitlin Circuit inclusion also featured a legendary guest, Big Daddy Kane. Kane, whose work Phonte praised in lyrics on The Listening,... Read more

May 3, 2019 News

Ever See JAY-Z, Busta Rhymes, Biz Markie & Jaz-O Freestyle On The Same Stage? (Video)

In 1993, the Mario Van Peebles film Posse hit theaters. At its release party, some of Brooklyn's finest showed up, along with Biz Markie. One of the film's stars, Big Daddy Kane, hosted the New York City event. He appeared in the Western alongside Van Peebles, Stephen Baldwin, Tone-Loc, Tiny... Read more

January 2, 2019 Throwback

There Were Some Incredible Freestyles In 2018. Here Are The Year’s Best (Video)

For all the chatter about Mumble Rap taking over, there have been a number of MCs who put on incredible lyrical displays in 2018. Artists like Royce 5'9, Styles P, Pusha-T, Evidence, Benny The Butcher, Jay Rock, Logic and J. Cole released projects packed with punchlines and substantive verses, and... Read more

December 29, 2018 Video

Erick Sermon Details EPMD’s Terrible 1st Contract & How They Got The Big Payback

EPMD is one of those groups that are always mentioned among Hip-Hop's legendary duos, however it always seems like they don't quite get their full due. That was especially true of a mid-1980s contract that the pair of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith signed. They later got the big payback... Read more

November 27, 2018 Audio

In 1988, A Dozen Songs By Top Shelf MCs Went Missing. They’ve Been Found (Audio)

Back in 1988, there was a small studio and gathering place in Manhattan's Lower East Side. Top Shelf Studios was reportedly different than the usual places where Rap records were made. At a time when the culture was blossoming, MCs from across New York City liked the energy of the... Read more

November 15, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

Ghostface Killah’s “The Lost Tapes” Album Is Here. Listen Now (Audio)

Wu-Tang Clan has been bringing the ruckus lately. The surviving members of the legendary group appeared on Logic's song "Wu-Tang Forever" last week. Today (October 5), Ghostface Killah dropped his first project of 2018. On The Lost Tapes, Tony Starks enlists Big Daddy Kane, Snoop Dogg, E-40, Raekwon, Masta Killa,... Read more

October 5, 2018 Audio

Happy Birthday Big Daddy Kane. King Asiatic Turns 50 Years Old (Video)

Earlier this year, LL Cool J and Rakim both celebrated their 50th birthdays. Today (September 10), another game-changing lyricist joins the party. Big Daddy Kane (aka Antonio Hardy) turns 50. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Long Live The Kane. At 50, Kane's longevity is cemented. In terms... Read more

September 10, 2018 Fresh, Mixes

Big Daddy Kane Freestyles Raw, Uncut & With A Chip On His Legendary Shoulders (Video)

This Wednesday (June 20), Big Daddy Kane is performing a free concert in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. The living legend of the microphone is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Long Live The Kane. In an era when records are shorter and appear to be more... Read more

June 18, 2018 Video

Big Daddy Kane Details Recording This 1988 Mixtape Collabo With JAY-Z (Video)

Big Daddy Kane and DJ Mister Cee have been performing and recording together for more than 30 years. The two Brooklyn, New York natives appear together on Funkmaster Flex's I Got A Story To Tell series. For more than an hour, one of the greatest MCs of all time revisits... Read more

June 10, 2018 Throwback, Video

Rakim Reveals Nas Called Him For Advice Before He Ethered JAY-Z. Here’s What Ra Said (Video)

Recently, a number of MCs have openly rebelled against those that came before them. Lil Yachty said The Notorious B.I.G. was overrated. Young Dolph openly disrespected Pete Rock. And, too many rappers to count have favorably compared themselves to Tupac. But, it wasn't always that way. There was a time... Read more

April 14, 2018 Video

Roxanne Shanté Describes How Real “The Roxanne Wars” Got In Concerts (Video)

This weekend, Roxanne, Roxanne is now available on Netflix. The biopic, written and directed by Michael Larnell, covers the life of MC Roxanne Shanté (aka Lolita Shanté Gooden). The Juice Crew rapper co-produced the film and worked with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Forrest Whitaker, and Mimi Valdes to tell... Read more

March 24, 2018 Video

Big Daddy Kane Rips A Freestyle At His Tiny Desk Concert (Video)

This June will mark 30 years since the release of Big Daddy Kane's solo debut album, Long Live the Kane. It's an apt title for an MC whose entire solo career is based on a discography that paused with 1998's Veteranz Day but who has never faded from prominence. Despite his not... Read more

February 19, 2018 Video

Big Daddy Kane Details The Rich History Of How The Juice Crew Started (Video)

Big Daddy Kane is the latest guest on Drink Champs. The Brooklyn, New York lyrical legend is in a casual mood, often joking during the three-hour episode. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview the Juice Crew MC about a number of highlights from his life and career. There are probing questions... Read more

January 17, 2018 Video

EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

It has been almost nine years since legendary duo EPMD released an album. Late 2008's We Mean Business marked the seventh group effort for Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The EP/RBC Records release was a departure from the six consecutive gold albums the Long Islanders released dating back to 1988's... Read more

October 1, 2017 News, Video

Torae & Nick Grant Take The Torch From Big Daddy Kane And Hold It High (Audio)

“Someone tell Praise to bring the bass and the treble in…” From the opening declaration, “Okay, let’s get the figures and facts” made in his typical take-no-prisoners style, Brooklyn, New York MC, Torae makes connections with the past, present, and future on “YGB.” Want That Raw Rap? Torae Delivers The... Read more

August 31, 2017 Audio, The Bridge

Ice Cube Recalls N.W.A. Getting Booed At The Apollo. It Was Not A Good Day (Video)

N.W.A may have become one of the biggest, most influential and celebrated Rap groups ever, but they had to pay dues first. Ice Cube recently sat down with Pigeons & Planes to share a less flattering moment in the group’s history, the time the Ruthless Records act got booed off... Read more

July 20, 2017 Video

A Breakdown Of What Makes Big Daddy Kane A Superior MC (Video)

Big Daddy Kane has not released a solo album in nearly 20 years. However, when Antonio Hardy said "Nobody's Equal" in spelling out the acronym of K.A.N.E., the statement was (and remains) irrefutable to many. Big Daddy Kane is one of the greatest MCs to ever touch the microphone, and... Read more

April 9, 2017 Video

Nice & Smooth’s Smooth B Returns With A New Song That Shows He’s Still A Sure Shot (Audio)

Nice & Smooth have officially been a group for 30 years. The Bronx, New York collective "has come back with more and more hits" in the 1980s and 1990s. Now in the 2010s, the clique is highly active still. Last month Greg Nice partnered with Positive K (of "I Got... Read more

April 4, 2017 Audio

Why Kool G Rap Is A True MC’s MC Who Is Criminally Underrated (Video)

Kool G Rap is currently gearing up for his first album in more than five years, The Return Of A Don. Said to be featuring Raekwon, the late Sean Price, and Saigon, this LP already promises to appeal to lovers of lyricism. 2017 marks 31 years of the Queens, New... Read more

March 12, 2017 Video

Everlast, Sick Jacken & Divine Styler Declare War Alongside B-Real, Vinnie Paz & More (Mixtape)

Long before Everlast made the whole world hear and feel "What It's Like," he was a slick-talking MC. The multi-talented Los Angeles, California resident (by way of New York) found major success with House Of Pain, but his days on wax stem back to the late 1980s, running with Ice-T's... Read more

February 21, 2017 Audio

Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap Battle Song-For-Song, In Concert (Video)

Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap go back together more than 30 years. Since the mid-1980s, these two New York City lyricists were some of the most legendary components in Marley Marl's Juice Crew. In 1986, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo let the world hear something special with... Read more

February 21, 2017 Video

From Kane To Whodini, This Mix Celebrates Hip-Hop & Love (Audio)

To those who celebrate it, Valentine's Day is about showing love to the ones you care about. That's why almost all people offer each other gifts such as those on Shop nguoi lon Ha Noi. While stores, radio stations, and restaurants pull out the love songs, nothing says that it... Read more

February 14, 2017 Audio, Mixes, Throwback

A New List Declares Who’s Been The Best MC Every Year From 1979 to 2016

2017 is still too young to have its best MC crowned, but a new list has named the best MC in each year, since 1979. From Grandmaster Caz to Chance the Rapper, MCs of all generations have found themselves mentioned in the comprehensive list generated by a team of writers... Read more

January 30, 2017 Fresh

Finding The GOAT Producer: Marley Marl vs. Rick Rubin. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

January 17, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Here Are The Best Hip-Hop Performances & Videos Of 2016

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 13, 2016 Food for Thought

The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

Domingo Enlists Legends Like Big Daddy Kane To Showcase Tomorrow’s Brightest MCs (Audio)

If you’re a fan of hard-hitting street anthems, you may be familiar with veteran Brooklyn, New York producer Domingo's work. His impressive list of collaborators includes Hip-Hop royalty like Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and Sean Price. He has also worked with a plethora of other accomplished lyricists like... Read more

November 22, 2016 Audio

Eric B. & Rakim Affiliate, MC and Manager Ant Live Has Passed Away

According to several sources, veteran Hip-Hop figure Ant Live (aka Anthony Barrier) has died. Stetsasonic co-founder Daddy-O and podcast host Combat Jack are among those who have confirmed the news on social media. While the details of Ant's passing are not clear at this time, Rakim spoke about Live's health... Read more

November 18, 2016 News