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Common Did Not Win Another Oscar But His Freestyle Still Gave Him Glory (Video)

Common did not win his second Oscar award last night (March 4). The Chicago, Illinois MC, actor, and author was nominated for “Best Original Song" for his "Stand Up For Something," which appeared in the film, Marshall. That category (also featuring a nomination for past Common collaborator) Mary J. Blige... Read more

Kendrick Lamar & N*E*R*D’s Collabo Is Inspired By Lethal Law Enforcement Stops (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH 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 go back... 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

Justin Timberlake Will Perform At The Super Bowl In The Worst Year He Could Have Chosen

On February 1, 2004, Justin Timberlake was part of arguably the most memorable, and certainly the most controversial Super Bowl halftime concert. In the middle of the halves of battle between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, the fledgling solo star (two years removed from NSYNC) shared the stage... Read more

Colin Kaepernick Formally Files A Grievance Against The NFL & Its Team Owners

Professional football was played today (October 15) and will be tomorrow, but not with Colin Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback remains a free agent, without a team. However, Kaep', who recently reminded fans that he wants to play, believes that the National Football League and owners of its... Read more

Common Has A Big EGO By Being One Of The Most Humble MCs (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

Kid From Kid ‘N Play Apologizes For Mocking Colin Kaepernick In Costume

Earlier this month, MC and actor Christopher "Kid" Reid of veteran duo Kid 'N Play was featured on sports-talk show Speak For Yourself. However, many viewers did not realize it was the House Party co-star. Instead, appearing in an afro wig, a #7 San Francisco 49ers jersey, and a raised... Read more

The NFL Boycott Is Working & Masta Ace Says It’s Bigger Than Colin Kaepernick (Video)

A week ago, the NFL began its first week of the 2017 regular season. Ratings show a serious decline in viewership, year over year. From week 1 kickoff on Thursday Night Football (a 14% decline) to Sunday numbers on FOX and CBS, many less people are watching. Meanwhile, big media seems... Read more

Kid From Kid N Play Impersonates Colin Kaepernick For Jason Whitlock (Video)

Fox Sports 1 host and sports commentator Jason Whitlock is known for his polarizing takes about the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing discourse regarding the embattled NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. On Tuesday (September 5) during the network's show Speak For Yourself, Whitlock discussed the still-unsigned QB. During this,... Read more

Shaq Flagrantly Fouls Lavar Ball With A Rap, Masta Ace Stands Up For Kap & More (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

Masta Ace Calls For A Boycott Until Colin Kaepernick Is Signed

As NFL teams are set to begin their training camps later this month, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and unrestricted free agent Colin Kaepernick has yet to be added to a roster. Many NFL fans, sports media personalities, and celebrities supporting Kaepernick attribute the glaring lack of interest from NFL... Read more

Meek Mill’s Blueprint For A Comeback Is Music With A Powerful Message (Video)

Since initiating a high-profile battle-beef with Drake in 2015, Meek Mill's career has been distinctly different than before. The Philly MC suffered a well-publicized breakup with Nicki Minaj, landed up in another high-profile beef with The Game (plus Beanie Sigel), and also entered his thirties. Once a gold-certified, #1 artist,... Read more

Nas Makes Us Look At The Real Reasons Young Black Men Are Dying Too Young (Audio)

Since his days as a teenager, Nasir Jones has been gifted in telling the stories surrounding his experiences and the lives of others. On "One Love," he put the correspondence between friends—one free and one incarcerated into song. On "U.B.R.," Nas narrated, in verse, the journey and success of Rakim—one... Read more

J. Cole & Ferguson Residents Have A Conversation About How To Fix The System (Video)

On April 15, J. Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only documentary aired on HBO, but it wasn't a concert film despite sharing the title of his most recent LP. Rather, it served as a visual essay on the album's themes. As its trailer showed, conversations with Black Americans in Baton Rouge,... Read more

Murs Uses Kanye West As A Metaphor For The Stress We’re All Facing (Video)

Murs is just days away from his second Strange Music solo album, Captain California. The veteran, with histories tied to Def Jux, Rhymesayers and his own Living Legends squad moves towards a March 10 LP with a powerful single. "God Bless Kanye West" may sound like its simply about 'Ye,... Read more

2016: The Year Chance Stood With The People & Showed He’s So Much More Than A Rapper

In just under two weeks, we will be saying goodbye to 2016, a year during which the world faced turmoil at breakneck speed. From President Obama's announcement of a federal state of emergency in Flint, Michigan during the first month of the year to a summer stained with the blood... Read more

2016’s Boldest & Most Important Political Statements In Hip-Hop & Beyond

2016 has been a rough year. From seemingly endless celebrity deaths to a political campaign unlike any other to racial tensions dominating headlines, these last 12 months have been riddled with great sorrow. But as history continues to remind us, out of great pain comes great resilience, and actors, athletes,... Read more

Rapsody & GQ Team Up & Show That Jamla Is The Squad That’s Saying Something (Audio)

North Carolina's Rapsody and Oakland, California's GQ have been two steadfast members of 9th Wonder's Jamla Records. In the last month, Rap' released her Crown EP. GQ has been quiet for much of 2016, since eloquently speaking his thoughts on an Oaktown' sidewalk in January. The former college basketball star... Read more

Trevor Noah Grills Tomi Lahren On Black Lives Matter & It Gets HEATED (Video)

Conservative media darling Tomi Lahren is not short on fans - nor critics. At only 24, she has made a name for herself as a far-right-leaning media personality, one whose voice has come to represent fiscally and socially conservative millennials. Her outspoken viewpoints have helped make her one of the... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Breaks Down His Most Important Verse & Explains Why We Might Not Be OK (Video)

"Might Not Be O.K." was not a Big K.R.I.T. single, but it's arguably one of the most important songs of his career. On it, he delivers a potent spoken-word-esque verse about police brutality, and the pain in his voice is palpable. Furthermore, he performed it at this year's BET Hip... Read more

Vic Mensa Pens a Powerful Essay on Trump & Why Race Is a Distraction From the Real Problem

Vic Mensa has been one of the most outspoken artists of his generation, with 2016 being his biggest year yet. The Chicago MC's "16 Shots" is a prime example of his using music to bring attention to social and political issues of the day, but it's not just as a... Read more

Vic Mensa Uses 16 Shots To Say “If You Don’t Vote, Racism Wins” (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop music that captures the zeitgeist of American culture in 2016, Vic Mensa's "16 Shots" is as real as any song. The There's Alot Going On single was inspired by the 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald in Vic's hometown of Chicago. The 17 year-old was shot... Read more

Kxng Crooked Shoots Back At Racist Police With A Lyrical Demand For Justice (Audio)

For many this election season, the issues of police brutality and the militarization of law enforcement in this country are front-and-center, as racially charged discourse continues to emerge. Police versus citizens has become a prominent theme in music today, with Hip-Hop artists like T.I., Big K.R.I.T., and Nas making the... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Rhymefest Have A Clear Message For Mr. Officer (Audio)

Producer and turntablist DJ Jazzy Jeff and fellow Grammy Award winner Rhymefest appear to have created a group, Jeff n Fess. The Philadelphia and Chicago link made its debut (and scratched at its band name) nearly a decade ago on The Return Of Magnificent, Jeff's LP. 2016 headlines and tragic... Read more

The U.S. Government Is Going to Start Tracking Violent Police Encounters

Beyond the troubling rate of frequency with which American citizens are killed by police, another piece of the complex social issue presented itself as equally confounding, for many. Earlier this year, the fact that the federal government lacked a comprehensive means of tracking officer-involved violence became more well known than... Read more

Nocando’s Most Important Work to Date Is An Explosive Ride Through Racism (Audio)

Los Angeles, California's Nocando has been releasing solo albums since 2010's Jimmy the Lock, and the work he's put in for the city's local music circuit extends much further. But it's now, in 2016, that the MC has released the most significant song of his career in the form of... Read more

Vic Mensa Vows To Make Change In The Booth…The Voting Booth (Video)

"I'm Vic Mensa. I'm 22 and affecting change in the hood is why I vote." That's the closing statement in a video produced by Vevo's Why I Vote Campaign featuring the celebrated MC. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois Vic Mensa is a young man whose outspoken lyrics and involvement in sociopolitical... Read more

DJ Quik Speaks Up For The Black Community In Troubled Times (Audio)

DJ Quik and Problem excited Rap fans earlier this year with April's generation-bridging Rosecrans EP. A Compton, California affair to the fullest, Quik's production and rhyming called back to some of his 1990s brilliance. In his career, Quik often upholds the convention of releasing music through albums, not just a... Read more

Common & Stevie Wonder’s Snapshot of Black America Is Raw & Uncut (Video)

Common's 2014 album Nobody's Smiling not only signified a reforged musical partnership with producer No I.D., but also a concept record inspired by Chicago. The MC's hometown continues to be plagued by skyrocketing rates of gun violence, and while it manages to be a hotbed for vibrant talent including Chance... Read more

Chance The Rapper Is Giving Fans The Opportunity To Register To Vote At His Shows

Currently on the road for his Magnificent Coloring World Tour, Chicago, Illinois's Chance the Rapper is using the cross-country opportunities to get directly involved in the upcoming election. Along with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the superstar MC has launched the #StayWokeAndVote campaign, which will... Read more

Patriotism For Pay: NFL Teams Were Paid by the Military to Salute the Flag (Video)

There are times - particularly in the internet era, when a story's shelf life sometimes lasts only a few hours - when news in the recent past resurfaces because it coincides perfectly with real-time events. We see it often on social media, when a years-old tweet from Donald Trump suddenly... Read more

T.I.’s New Video Re-Creates Police Killings, Making The Officers Black & The Victims White

As an MC, T.I. has had one of the most successful mainstream career trajectories. His sophomore album, 2001's Trap Musik, set the tone for the rest of the decade, and by 2010 he had the double-platinum Paper Trail under his belt. The Grammy winner's most successful singles have been largely... Read more

Colin Kaepernick’s Jersey Is The NFL’s Best-Seller

This week, the 2016 NFL season will officially begin. According to reports, one of the league's biggest stars of the moment will likely not play for some time—in part due to injury. San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick wears the most-sold NFL jersey entering the season, according to the NFL.... Read more

Colin Kaepernick Takes A Stand By Sitting During National Anthem

Regardless of what the season holds for San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the NFL veteran made a bold statement before it officially begins. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and University of Nevada graduate deliberately sat down through the American national anthem yesterday (August 26). Colin opted to remain seated on... Read more

Mothers of Black Boys Are Uniting to Protect Sons From Police Violence

For millions of Americans, the racial climate in the country today is not only unsettling, but in many instances lethal. In a nation where colonization and slavery were founding principles, there remains a system in place which continues to encourage the economic, political, and social disenfranchisement of people of color... Read more

Killer Mike Argues Not Much Has Changed For Blacks Since The Death Of Emmett Till (Audio)

Killer Mike is working to bring real change to a system that may be against him. The co-founder of Run The Jewels is leading a successful, nationwide charge to urge dissatisfied humans of all races to pull their money out of financial institutions that don't value them back. In his... Read more

Killer Mike Explains How Sneakers Can Be Turned Into Tools Of Financial Empowerment

Since the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile in July, there has been a shift in tone in the protests against police violence towards Black citizens. Amidst the rage, sadness and sense of haplessness, there also has emerged a renewed urgency to act, beyond marches and hashtags. Killer Mike... Read more

Will Smith Says “Racism Isn’t Getting Worse. It’s Getting Filmed.” Is He Right? (Video)

Last week, Will Smith was a guest on "The Tonight Show," where he made a statement about current social affairs that has been resonating on social media for many months. "Racism isn't getting worse," he said. "It's getting filmed." Smith's remarks echo the sentiments of millions of Americans in the... Read more

The LOX Turn The Table On Police Brutality With An Important Question (Audio)

The LOX are known for straight to the jugular hardcore Hip-Hop for the last 20-plus years. However, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch have always seemingly known when to set aside the bully-raps for important, insightful messages. Songs like "Why?" and "The Life" showed depth to these MCs, who could... Read more

The Black Lives Matter Movement Has New Demands for Justice & Calls for Reparations

Today (August 1), many of the social-justice organizations within the civil-rights movement known as Black Lives Matter are unveiling a series of policy goals aimed at redefining and honing the movement's direction. Also being referred to as a list of demands, the platform - officially titled "A Vision For Black... Read more

Michael Jordan Has Made the Boldest Political Statement of His Career

Arguably the world's most iconic living athlete, Michael Jordan dominated the sport of basketball and ventured onto successful careers as a business man, film star, fashion mogul, and sports executive. Along with his prowess on the court, the branding of the Jordan image is one of the most lucrative in... Read more

Ty Dolla $ign & His Incarcerated Brother Reach Through Walls For Justice (Audio)

Ty Dolla $ign named his debut album Free TC. The title of that Atlantic Record/Taylor Gang Top 20 album from last year is a dedication to Ty's younger brother. A singer and songwriter in a deeply-musical family, Big TC was  featured on the LP (see: "Miracle/Whatever"). The Los Angeles, California... Read more

Killer Mike Was Heard. The People Are Fighting The Power With Their Money.

Last week, veteran MC Killer Mike made a strong call to action following the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police officers. Appearing on HOT 107 in his hometown city of Atlanta, Georgia the Run The Jewels co-founder urged his followers and those seeking institutional change to "run"... Read more

After a Tragedy Was Livestreamed, Defining Hate Speech Is Getting Tricky (Audio)

On July 6, Philando Castile lost his life after being shot to death by a police officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, was his front-seat passenger and in what is being acknowledged as a formidable act of strength and foresight, she took out her phone and livestreamed... Read more

Snow Tha Product Is Tired of Waiting for People to Wake Up (Video)

Mexican-American MC Snow Tha Product is no stranger to discrimination. As both a woman and a Latina in Hip-Hop, she's faced her fair share of dismissive remarks, but those who are actually listening know what's really good. The San Jose, California native has made a name for herself for using... Read more

Ice Cube Asked A Question In 1992 That Still Demands Answers (Audio)

In late 1992, Ice Cube would release his third solo album, The Predator. The Priority Records release would become Cube's first (and lone) #1 LP, yielding his highest-charting solo hit, "It Was A Good Day." Keeping the corps of Sir Jinx and DJ Pooh in tact, Cube would also call... Read more

Snoop & The Game Meet With The LAPD To Build Trust Between Police & The Community

On Friday (July 8), mere hours after five police officers were murdered in Dallas, Texas, and the same week two Black men were killed by police officers in separate incidents, Snoop Dogg and The Game led a march of more than 50 people to the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters.... Read more

Police Violence Causes The D.O.C., Bishop Lamont & B-Real To Speak Up. Forcefully (Audio)

The murders of unarmed Black and Brown civilians (many of whom are minors) by law enforcement persists in the United States of America. This week is as disturbing of a reminder as any, following the murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Now, matters have escalated with lethal retaliations, as... Read more

Scarface Has Seen Too Many Young Men Die. He Speaks Up (Audio)

Scarface takes his lyrics places others won't seem to go. The Geto Boy appears on Swizz Beatz' upcoming Choices & Changes album. After years of working with Ruff Ryders, Facemob connects with the superstar producer for "Sad News." The song traces Brad Jordan reading over another Black male dying at... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. Takes Murderous Cops to Task in “6 Shots” (Audio)

On Monday, July 4, millions of Americans observed Independence Day but for some, a celebratory mood was difficult to sustain. What has become known as the Black Lives Matter era is a time in history when past mistakes seem to linger, and when racial injustice becomes recorded on cell-phone video... Read more