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Kurupt Details The Classic Death Row Songs That Began As Freestyles

For more than 20 years, core fans kept hope that the HRSMN might release an album. As one of Rap's earliest super-groups, the quartet composed of Kurupt, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Canibus hurdled label challenges, leaks, bootlegging, legal woes, and all that comes with four separate lives and careers.... Read more

Eminem’s 1st Griselda Collaboration Starts With A Bang Alongside Conway (Audio)

It has been more than two years since Eminem inked a partnership with Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine, and their Griselda Records family. The March 2017 announcement followed with a Hall N' Nash (Wes' and Con's duo name) song produced by Just Blaze, "MachineGun Back." The Detroit/Buffalo connection continued... Read more

Keith Murray & Mr. Cheeks Make New Squad Rules On A Lost Boyz Sequel

Over 20 years ago, South Jamaica Queens Rap ensemble, Lost Boyz, gained traction both in New York City and on the FM waves with their 1995 debut single, "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Shameless." After inking a deal with Uptown Records, the foursome found more acclaim as they made their... Read more

What’s The Real Definition Of A Freestyle? The Great Debate Continues (Video)

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads revisited a 1997 conversation between LL Cool J, Redman, DMX, Method Man and MTV News' Abbie Kearse. The interview unpacked the varying definitions of a freestyle, pulling opinions of the MCs from some different eras and backgrounds. As can be seen and heard by the definitions... Read more

LL Cool J, DMX, Redman & Method Man Explain The Real Definition Of A Freestyle

Twenty-one years ago this month, LL Cool J released his "4, 3, 2, 1" single. Not unlike "I Shot Ya" two years prior, one of the most respected figures in Rap recruited a team of ferocious MCs to share the mic. In addition to Canibus, whose early career appearance and... Read more

Canibus & Wyclef Detail Their Beef & How They Squashed It In A New Song (Audio)

When Canibus came on the scene in the late 1990s, he made a name for himself by out-shining MCs on their own tracks. Common, The Lost Boyz, and Heltah Skeltah can all testify to those early, devastating appearances. Then, when the already platinum Wyclef Jean got behind the hungry New... Read more

Tragedy Khadafi Says Marley Marl Did Him Dirty. His New Song Tells All (Audio Premiere)

Tragedy Khadafi (fka The Intelligent Hoodlum) has been releasing music steadily over the three decades but it's been nearly four years since he released his last solo album. That's all changing now though. The Queensbridge legend has been in the booth heavy since 2014's Pre Magnum Opus and is slated... Read more

Happy 50th Birthday To LL Cool J. Celebrate The Original G.O.A.T. (Video)

Today marks the 50th birthday of James Todd Smith, best known as beloved Queens, New York MC, LL Cool J. Born January 14, 1968, "Ladies Love Cool James" has always had an undeniable impact in Hip-Hop. As an adolescent, LL Cool J reportedly recorded his own demos using a mixer... Read more

See The Full Historic Conversation & Cypher Between Mos Def, Big Pun, Canibus & DMX (Video)

Twenty years ago, Hip-Hop was in crosswinds. Microphones were grabbed by emerging voices from across the landscape, geographically, stylistically, and regarding content. As the genre collected itself following the sudden and tragic killings of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, it wanted new sounds, messages, and conversations. Mos Def & Dave... Read more

LL Cool J Wanted To Do A 2nd Collabo With Canibus To Avoid Their Beef (Video)

LL Cool J and Canibus put their beef to bed back in the closing days of 2014. What started out as a rhyme battle (on the very same song) expanded into 17 years of feuding that involved tattoos, subliminal album titles, and a feature on QDIII's Beef DVD series. In... Read more

Kool G Rap, Canibus & Chris Rivers Send An Omen That Real Lyricism Is Back (Audio)

One of 2016's most steadfast MCs, Chris Rivers is a clear disciple of that hard-nosed late '80s and 1990s lyricism. While the Bronx, New Yorker's greatest influence would appear to be his father (Big Pun), there are other clear connections. Pun, after all, was a student of Kool G Rap,... Read more

Lost Boyz, Tha Dogg Pound & Canibus Had Heads High On The Music (Video)

In 1996, Queens, New York's Lost Boyz burst onto the scene with vibe-driven Hip-Hop like no other act out. Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah, Pretty Lou, and Spigg Nice were welcomed distractions to the heated coastal rivalry perceived in Hip-Hop. Like the neighboring Boot Camp Clik, the LB Fam was able... Read more

Redman Believes Canibus Was Not Dissing LL Cool J On 4, 3, 2, 1 (Video)

In 2016, LL Cool J and Canibus have come full circle. In late 1997, Uncle L put the young lyricist on the second single to his Phenomenon album. "4, 3, 2, 1" followed 1995's "I Shot Ya" as another possé cut of the reigning Rap star showcasing MCs he believed... Read more

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

The month of May in Hip-Hop brought the return of some MCs who had been gone for a while and a return to form for some who sought renewed inspiration. There were a slew of 90s freestyles, as well as some previously unreleased tracks that leaked from the vaults. Whatever... Read more

Pete Rock Fires Up One Of His Finest Verses Of Late Alongside Canibus (Audio)

Pete Rock is ageless. For almost 25 years, the Mount Vernon, New Yorker has been a master at DJ'ing, production, and MC'ing. While many greats of that span can rest on their laurels and celebrate their past glory, the mighty P.R. has always innovated and pushed forward. In 2015, Pete... Read more

Canibus’ Career Is Mysterious. So Let Him Tell All In “Audiobiography” (Audio)

It's been almost two decades since rapper Canibus arrived on the scene with his 1998 debut, Can-I-Bus. After quite a few label changes, controversial songs and interviews, and changes in direction, the Jamaican-American emcee has released an album with Wu-Tang affiliate Bronze Nazareth called Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise.   With... Read more

From Outkast To Jeezy, Atlanta Is Decorated With Rap Quotes (Video)

Jay Shells has made history. Part Hip-Hop historian, part avant-garde artist, Shells has hit New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities with his red-and-white Rap Quotes. These signs honor landmarks, as heard in famous Rap lyrics. Now, Shells has hit Atlanta, Georgia. There, he made a video explaining the... Read more

Canibus Hosts An All-Star Track With Raekwon, Kurupt & Craig G (Audio)

Canibus is a well-connected lyricist. For his just-released Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise album (with producer Bronze Nazareth), 'Bis brought in his troops. From the HRSMN collective (f/k/a 4 Horsemen), Canibus taps Kurupt for "The Kings Sent For Me." Along with the HRSMN link, an MC who influenced Canibus' ferocious... Read more

From Battles To Collabos…Canibus Makes Good With Battle Rap Opponent Dizaster (Audio)

Canibus is widely considered one of Hip-Hop's most fearless figures. Fresh into his career, 'Bis challenged LL Cool J in a battle that nearly matched Tim Duncan's NBA career. Canibus has lambasted Eminem, criticized J. Cole, and even left a cult-championed career to enlist in the United States Army in... Read more

Domingo Brings Together Kool G Rap & Canibus for Some Lyrical Sharp Shooting (Audio)

Throughout the last 15-plus years, Kool G Rap and Canibus are never far. For dense lyrics, barbed bars, and overloads of confidence, both are a lot alike. Whether it's Sway & King Tech's This Or That, 'Bis' Mic Club, or Almighty's 2nd Coming LP, they run well together. In 2014,... Read more

Mike Tyson Follows Up His Canibus Cameo 17 Years Later, Rockin’ With…Madonna

Back in 1998, Mike Tyson set the stage for an emerging MC's debut album when he lathered up "Second Round K.O." for Canibus' self-titled Universal Records debut. Seventeen years later, Iron Mike steps into the recording booth alongside Madonna, and another emerging MC, Chance The Rapper. This month it was... Read more

LL Cool J & Canibus Squash Beef After More Than 17 Years (Video)

Very few things in 2014 Hip-Hop culture are the same as they were in 1997. However, for the first time in more than 17 years, Heads can say that LL Cool J and Canibus are cool. At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York last night (December 19), LL Cool... Read more

Finding the GOAT: Who is Your Wildcard Pick for Round 2?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Ever See This Cypher with Big Pun, DMX, Mos Def, Canibus, John Forte & Mic Geronimo? (Video)

Some moments are worth re-living...Like this cypher between Big Pun, DMX, Mos Def, Canibus, John Forte and Mic Geronimo. Back in the day, the 6 skilled MCs were at a table sharing a true Hip-Hop moment and decided to have a friendly cypher. Onlookers included Toure, Irv Gotti and others... Read more

Do Remember: A Great Day In Harlem (Hip-Hop Version, 1998)

This week, the esteemed veteran music and culture journalist Michael A. Gonzalez penned a piece for Red Bull Music Academy about September 29, 1998. The day, deemed by XXL magazine "The Greatest Day In Hip-Hop History," was built around a tribute to Art Kane's 1958 photograph, "A Great Day In... Read more

Canibus Details The End Of The Modern World With “Fait Accompli” (Album Stream)

It's been three years since Canibus dropped his last album, Lyrical Law, and fans of The Hrsmn member can get their fill yet again with his fifteenth studio album, Fait Accompli. Listed as one of the Top 50 Lyricists by The Source Magazine in 2012, the New York City wordsmith... Read more

Canibus, Kurupt, Ras Kass & Killah Priest’s Four Horsemen Unit Is Back With New Music (Audio)

Canibus, Kurupt, Killah Priest and Ras Kass reunite as the Four Horsemen (a/k/a HRSMN) and drop their first single ("Historic") in almost five years from the upcoming Canibus LP, Fait Accompli, releasing one week from today (June 10). Alongside the highly-influential scholarly MC Tragedy Khadafi, The Four Horsemen dive into... Read more

Crooked I Joins Canibus in Wrecking a New Track (Audio)

Lately, there hasn't been a track Crooked I met that he didn't wreck. The trend continues on Canibus' new song, aptly titled Wreck Room, which also features Nino Graye and Flawless the MC. Check it out below. Related: Canibus Proclaims The End Of Days With His Latest Bass Heavy Relaease... Read more

Canibus Proclaims The End Of Days With His Latest Bass Heavy Relaease (Audio)

It's been over 15 years since Canibus dropped his debut project Can-I-Bus. The Four Horsemen affiliate who began as an internet savvy, battle rapping emcee has furthered his interest in the political realm and touches on the current state of our world with this hard hitting track. The grittiness you... Read more

“I Think He Planned It”: Get The Inside Scoop On Canibus’ LL Cool J-Inspired Microphone Tattoo (Video)

Canibus has one of the most famous Hip-Hop tattoos. 'Bis, following an interesting exchange with his Queens idol LL Cool J, decided to copy the Def Jam superstar's bicep ink: a microphone. Moreover, Canibus got "Rip the Jacker" also inked, a clear diss to the "Jack The Ripper" '80s mainstay.... Read more

Canibus Drops The Kind Of Verse That Made Him Famous In New Song (Audio)

So many artists can never seem to find the pocket that made them notable in the first place. Changing time, circumstances, and influences can pull any talent away from their origins. With Canibus, the onetime Fugees/Def Squad/Lost Boyz affiliate certainly has explored conceptually and with his beats. However, the Jamaican-born,... Read more

Almighty (Canibus, Bronze Nazareth, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) – F.A.M. ft. Kool G Rap

It seems like a lifetime ago that Canibus was going blow for blow with LL Cool J and was considered one of the nicest lyricists in the game. But even though times and perceptions may have changed, the New York MC is back with his latest lyrical offering to prove... Read more

The Almighty (Canibus, Cappadonna, Planet Asia, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) – Prelude to the 2nd Coming (Mixtape)

In all the hype over The Verse, this mixtape from The Almighty (Canibus, Cappadonna, Planet Asia, M-Eighty & Nino Graye) might have gotten lost in the shuffle. With tough beats and features from Styles P, Talib Kweli, Keith Murray, Raekwon, RZA and more, it is not to be overlooked. You... Read more

Almighty (Canibus/M-Eighty/Cappadonna/Bronze Nazareth/Planet Asia & Nino Graye) – Immaculate Bosses

Almighty (Canibus/M-Eighty/Cappadonna/Bronze Nazareth/Planet Asia & Nino Graye) return with the second release from their upcoming LP, The 2nd Coming. Check out Immaculate Bosses. Related: Planet Asia & Ras Kass – Kings (Audio)... Read more