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C.L. Smooth Returns In A Verse With Rough Words

C.L. Smooth Returns In A Verse With Rough Words

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more
October 17, 2023 Audio
C.L. Smooth Delivers 1 Of His Best Verses In Years Alongside Blu

C.L. Smooth Delivers 1 Of His Best Verses In Years Alongside Blu

In the mid-2000s, C.L. Smooth released two independent solo albums. The New Rochelle, New York MC had previously dropped three acclaimed projects with his partner Pete Rock and feature work with Johnny Gill and DJ Krush before cultivating his own catalog. In the last decade, The Mecca Don has chosen... Read more
August 27, 2023 Audio
Pete Rock & Funkmaster Flex Are Battling Over The Future Of NY Hip-Hop

Pete Rock & Funkmaster Flex Are Battling Over The Future Of NY Hip-Hop

In the last week, a battle has been going on surrounding Hip-Hop radio in New York. The series of events began with an Instagram Live monologue from Conway The Machine, one of Rap's most promising and acclaimed MCs as of late. The Machine vented frustrations with media gatekeepers, especially on the radio.... Read more
July 19, 2022 Video
Funkmaster Flex Accuses Pete Rock Of Snitching On C.L. Smooth

Funkmaster Flex Accuses Pete Rock Of Snitching On C.L. Smooth

Earlier this week, Conway The Machine criticized New York City DJs in an Instagram Live video. In particular, the Griselda lyricist and Drumwork Records founder knocked DJ Suss One and Funkmaster Flex by name for their failure to support Hip-Hop music like his—despite being reported fans. As Funk Flex responded... Read more
July 15, 2022 Fresh, News
C.L. Smooth Drops New Music & Opens Up About His Relationship With Pete Rock (Video)

C.L. Smooth Drops New Music & Opens Up About His Relationship With Pete Rock (Video)

C.L. Smooth was a guest on Sway In The Morning this week. The veteran MC/producer released two solo singles, "Too Cold" and "Just In Town" (embedded below) in 2019. While on the show, the buttery-voiced rapper discussed the standing of his relationship with Pete Rock. During the 1990s, Pete Rock... Read more
December 4, 2019 Video
Pete Rock’s Video For His Instrumentals Album Speaks Much Louder Than Words

Pete Rock’s Video For His Instrumentals Album Speaks Much Louder Than Words

In his accomplished career, legendary producer Pete Rock has crafted some of the most renowned tracks in the history of Hip-Hop music. Over three decades, his resume is replete with classic works with C.L. Smooth, Heavy D & The Boyz, Redman, Run-D.M.C., Nas, AZ, Common, Rakim, Raekwon, the late Big... Read more
July 3, 2019 TV/Film, Video
Pete Rock Recreates “They Reminisce Over You” Behind The Turntables (Video)

Pete Rock Recreates “They Reminisce Over You” Behind The Turntables (Video)

Last Wednesday (May 22) at New York City's Chelsea Music Hall, Pete Rock celebrated the release of his latest instrumental album, The Return Of The SP1200, with a party. Of course, Rock had to show off his DJing skills and have some fun of his own. He jammed with a... Read more
May 25, 2019 Exclusive, Video
Here’s The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show

Here’s The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show

Twenty-five years ago this month, The Arsenio Hall Show dimmed the lights on a massive television platform, especially for Hip-Hop. Since early 1989, the actor/comedian/host planted his flag with a new kind of late-night talk-show with a penchant for the issues, people, and culture that inspired him. From M.C. Hammer... Read more
May 23, 2019 Throwback, Throwback, TV, TV/Film, Video
Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more
August 20, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT
Pete Rock Says Biggie Wanted The Main Ingredient Interlude Beats For His Album (Audio)

Pete Rock Says Biggie Wanted The Main Ingredient Interlude Beats For His Album (Audio)

UPDATE: Pete Rock clarified today's earlier report regarding his Touré Show interview. The legendary producer, MC, and DJ points out that it is 1994's Main Ingredient, and not Mecca & Soul Brother, whose interlude beats Biggie Smalls wanted: it was main ingredient not mecca ????????‍♂️ — PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) August 9,... Read more
August 8, 2018 Audio, Throwback
Finding The GOAT Group: The Pharcyde vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Group: The Pharcyde vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more
July 30, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT
Finding The GOAT Group: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth vs. Camp Lo. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Group: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth vs. Camp Lo. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more
May 14, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT
Turntablist & Producer DJ Devastate Has Passed Away At The Age Of 35

Turntablist & Producer DJ Devastate Has Passed Away At The Age Of 35

DJ Devastate, a turntablist and producer known for working with several well-known Hip-Hop MCs and DJs, has passed away at the age of 35, per his friend and musical collaborator Matt Diamond. Born Per Ronge, Devastate, passed a day after he returned home to his native Sweeden from a DJ... Read more
March 18, 2018 News
Luke Cage Season 2 Episodes Are Titled After Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Songs

Luke Cage Season 2 Episodes Are Titled After Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Songs

Fans of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth now have more incentive to watch the upcoming season of Luke Cage. Viewers of the Marvel series know that its soundtrack is heavily inspired by 1980s and 1990s Hip-Hop. Launching June 22, all of Season 2's episodes are titled after Pete Rock &... Read more
March 7, 2018 TV, TV/Film
Ambrosia For Heads Presents: G.O.A.T. Producers – The Pete Rock Edition (Playlist)

Ambrosia For Heads Presents: G.O.A.T. Producers – The Pete Rock Edition (Playlist)

Ambrosia For Heads' G.O.A.T. Producers series takes in-depth looks at the production discographies of some of Hip-Hop and R&B's greatest of all-time producers. As part of an exclusive partnership with Pandora, each installment explores the hits, the deep cuts, the rarities, the remixes and more. This edition showcases the production catalog... Read more
January 16, 2018 Audio, Video
Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” 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... Read more
February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT
Pete Rock Discusses His Smoke DZA Collabo Album & Who Would Be In His Dream Band (Video)

Pete Rock Discusses His Smoke DZA Collabo Album & Who Would Be In His Dream Band (Video)

Last Friday (December 2), Smoke DZA & Pete Rock released their first collaborative album, Don't Smoke Rock. The Babygrande Records LP features Rick Ross, Royce 5'9", Jadakiss, Mac Miller, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., and Cam'ron (among others) on 13 brand-new Pete Rock productions. DZA, who has known Pete since he... Read more
December 5, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Have An “Awesome” Third Album Coming In 2017

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Have An “Awesome” Third Album Coming In 2017

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest released its first album in 18 years. We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service featured the founding three MCs of the Queens, New York collective. The Epic Records LP debuted at #1, setting a new feat for the genre. Pete Rock &... Read more
December 1, 2016 News, Video
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Approved This Best-Of Mix & You Will Too (Audio)

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Approved This Best-Of Mix & You Will Too (Audio)

Not many groups (in any genre) can warrant a "Best Of" off of just two albums and an EP. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are a clear exception. Between 1991 and 1994, the New York City Hip-Hop duo released just a few handfuls of songs. That material left a lasting... Read more
August 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback
Reminisce Over Pete Rock & CL Smooth 24 Years After Mecca & The Soul Brother (Video)

Reminisce Over Pete Rock & CL Smooth 24 Years After Mecca & The Soul Brother (Video)

Today (June 9), Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's full-length debut, Mecca & The Soul Brother turns 24 years old. The Elektra Records album would represent a zenith for the pair of MC/producers from above the Bronx (Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York respectively). The LP included one of Hip-Hop's... Read more
June 9, 2016 Do Remember
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Nice & Smooth Each Announce Tour Dates

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Nice & Smooth Each Announce Tour Dates

Spring and summer concert season is officially upon us. Two acclaimed Hip-Hop duos who have not released albums together in decades have each announced tour dates. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth have announced a series of West Coast dates for their 2016 All Souled Out Tour. HipHopDX announced the concert... Read more
May 5, 2016 Fresh
C.L. Smooth & Skyzoo Have “Perfect Timing” With A Record Store Day Remix (Audio)

C.L. Smooth & Skyzoo Have “Perfect Timing” With A Record Store Day Remix (Audio)

Today (April 16) is Record Store Day. One artist whose catalog has long been celebrated on vinyl albums is C.L. Smooth. With partner Pete Rock, throughout the early 1990s (and for a couple 12" singles in the early 2000s), the pair made sought-after Elektra Records wax. Today, the New Rochelle,... Read more
April 16, 2016 Audio
C.L. Smooth’s Latest Song Shows He Is Still A Rap King (Audio)

C.L. Smooth’s Latest Song Shows He Is Still A Rap King (Audio)

While Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are back in the studio in this young 2016, the New Rochelle half of the highly respected duo pushes on with some solo material. "King" finds C.L. Smooth celebrating his knack for making songs for the ladies, earning a nice living, and cruising the... Read more
April 10, 2016 Audio
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Are Back In The Studio, Together

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Are Back In The Studio, Together

It has been more than a decade since Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth released music together. The early 1990s Elektra Records duo released a handful of songs since 1994's The Main Ingredient. While the Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New Yorkers have been guarded about adding to their celebrated catalog... Read more
February 26, 2016 News
A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s Mecca And The Soul Brother. Which Is Better?

A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s Mecca And The Soul Brother. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more
December 1, 2015 Finding the GOAT
Pete Rock Confirms “Mecca & The Soul Brother” Live Re-Make (Video)

Pete Rock Confirms “Mecca & The Soul Brother” Live Re-Make (Video)

A true Hip Hop classic is getting re-consideration. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's 1992 full-length debut is getting re-made, with a live band. The on-again, off-again duo from money-earnin' Mount Vernon is going to back to their Elektra Records gem (which featured "T.R.O.Y." and others), which the Chocolate Boy Wonder... Read more
July 19, 2013 Fresh, Throwback