d'angelo ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Questlove Discusses The Time He Changed The Roots’ Entire Show To Impress D’Angelo

D'Angelo is known to be one of the greatest producers, writers, and singers of the last 25 years. He has maintained that status, even with over half of that time spent between albums. His breakthrough soul album Brown Sugar came out in 1995, but it would take the singer five... Read more

February 5, 2020 Audio, Throwback

Rapsody, GZA & D’Angelo Revisit Liquid Swords On A 9th Wonder Produced Song

UPDATE: The same day as Rapsody releases "IBTIHAJ," she and GZA drop the video. Mary J. Blige and Roxanne Shanté (who is shouted out in the lyrics) appear, with clear visual connections to this song's title and inspiration, described below: ORIGINAL STORY: Following 2017's Grammy-nomination run with Laila's Wisdom, Rapsody... Read more

August 2, 2019 Audio, The Bridge, Video

A New Documentary Explains D’Angelo’s 14-Year Absence From The Music Scene (Video)

Despite being one of the most acclaimed vocalists, musicians, and producers of the last 25 years, D'Angelo has released only three studio albums during his career. The 45-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer born Michael Archer debuted with 1995's Brown Sugar, before 1998's Voodoo, before taking 14 years to follow up with... Read more

April 29, 2019 TV/Film, Video

Waka Flocka Flame Uses Classic DJ Premier To Show He Can Really RAP

Few artists can claim to have had as prolific of a mixtape career as Waka Flocka Flame. While the Atlanta, Georgia representative is often recognized for his Trap beat ear and boisterous delivery, he can sometimes unload a track that shows a deft lyricist who often downplays his talent or... Read more

December 27, 2018 Audio

D’Angelo Stands Unshaken In A Spooky New Song From Red Dead Redemption (Audio)

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a video game boasting an unexpected star on its soundtrack. Developed by Rockstar Studios, the game takes place in a fictionalized Wild West at the turn of the 20th century and was released on October 26. For gamers, it's an anticipated prequel to 2010's Red Dead Redemption.... Read more

October 29, 2018 Audio

Common & Questlove Share Stories About Bargaining For Beats From J Dilla & D’Angelo

On January 25, Common was the guest for the first live audience recording of Questlove Supreme. At Manhattan's Gramercy Theater, Questlove, Laiya, Suga Steve, and Boss Bill interviewed Common for nearly two hours. Ambrosia For Heads was front and center for the event. Today (February 21), that interview is available... Read more

February 21, 2018 Fresh

An New Video Shows The Rise Of The Soulquarians & Why Things Fell Apart

During the week of special engagements leading up to last Sunday's Grammy Awards, The Roots held a four-day residency at The Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan. During the day, the three-time Grammy-winners programmed events that included the first live taping of Questlove Supreme with guest Common, as well as a Black... Read more

January 30, 2018 Throwback, Video

GZA & Inspectah Deck’s Cold World Lyricism Still Causes Chills (Video)

Summer may be Hip-Hop's most treasured season. Cookouts, drop-tops, park jams, and "just hangin' out" have spawned plenty of beloved playlist hits. However, the winter section of the year has inspired some incredible Rap music in its own right. Bundled up bars about construction Timbs, 4x4 Landcruisers and Jeeps, skull... Read more

January 18, 2018 Do Remember

Talib Kweli Recalls A Great Story Involving Freestyle Fellowship, Neo-Soul & Rent Money (Video)

There have been several memorable Hip-Hop roommates. During the early 1990s, Gang Starr members Guru and DJ Premier lived together at several New York City residences (one was a Brooklyn home owned by Branford Marsalis). RZA and Ghostface Killah were under the same roof in the days before Enter The... Read more

December 6, 2017 Video

AZ, Redman, Erick Sermon & DJ Premier Make D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar Even Sweeter (Audio)

When D'Angelo's album Brown Sugar was released in 1995, it did not sound like anything out at the time. Hip-Hop was enjoying what many see as its golden age, with music by Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and more lighting up the charts. On the R&B front,... Read more

August 25, 2017 Audio

D’Angelo & DJ Premier Cooked Up This Remix Years Before They Made Devil’s Pie (Audio)

In 1998, D'Angelo cut up a slice of "Devil's Pie" with Gang Starr's DJ Premier. The metaphoric groove appeared in Belly (and its soundtrack), and also on the Virginia singer's sophomore LP, Voodoo. The beat that Canibus reportedly passed on became just the injection the man born Michael Archer hoped... Read more

August 23, 2017 Throwback

D’Angelo’s Sweet Brown Sugar Re-release Includes Redman, AZ & DJ Premier Collabos

Twenty-two years ago this month D'Angelo released his celebrated debut album, Brown Sugar. That EMI Records effort would debut at #22, and march onward to platinum status and four Grammy nominations. The album, and its five-year hold before a follow-up introduced one of the modern stars of Soul music. D'Angelo... Read more

July 14, 2017 Fresh

The Roots, D’Angelo & Erykah Badu Are Hypnotizing On This Throwback Remix (Audio)

In 1996, The Roots dropped Illadelph Halflife, and with it came the D'Angelo collaboration, "The Hypnotic." As its title suggests, it was indeed a hypnotizing record, not only musically but also lyrically. In the song, Black Thought spun a tale of love and loss starring a woman named Alana, who would... Read more

May 11, 2017 Do Remember

Finding The GOAT Producer: J Dilla vs. A Tribe Called Quest. 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 22, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Erykah Badu Discusses The Making Of Baduizm On Its 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago today (February 11, 1997) Erykah Badu opened the doors to her musical house of worship. Baduizm was a way of life, an inviting presentation of Soul music that stood apart from most of what was out there. Despite its refusal to conform to a very formulaic time... Read more

February 11, 2017 Throwback

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

Wale Celebrates Black Women As The Beautiful Gold They Are (Video)

Wale chose the last month of 2016 to find his best stride in some time. Earlier this month, J. Cole released "False Prophets (Be Like This)." Without naming names, the song challenged some of Cole's peers and greatest inspirations. Less than 48 hours after it released, Wale responded with "Groundhog... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

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

Black Thought’s Fresh Freestyle Serves The Good Food To Expect At The Roots Picnic NYC (Video)

This past Saturday (June 4), the ninth annual Roots Picnic took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hosts The Roots played alongside Pop-R&B superstar Usher, while other feature performers included Future, DMX, Swizz Beatz, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kaytranada, Lil Dicky, Migos, Tish Hyman, Willow Smith, and... Read more

June 6, 2016 Fresh, News, Video

D’Angelo Pays Tribute To Prince With A Rendition Of “Venus De Milo” (Audio)

As much as anyone since, D'Angelo is a disciple of Prince. The artist's fingerprints are all over D'Angelo's music, from the falsetto and stacked harmonies of "Me & Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine" to the explicit Prince homage that is "Untitled (How Does It Feel)." D'Angelo also has covered numerous... Read more

April 26, 2016 Audio

D’Angelo & Common Add Grammy Awards To Their Trophy Cases

After a 15 year break, D'Angelo won two Grammy awards tonight (February 15). The RCA Records artist (and his band, The Vanguard) took home the honors in response to 2014's Black Messiah album. The awards included "Best R&B Album" and "Best R&B Song." The latter trophy belonged to the album's... Read more

February 15, 2016 News

Black Thought Reveals What Artists Used To Do To Get J Dilla’s Best Beats (Video)

Between 1999 and 2006, The Roots would work with J Dilla (f/k/a Jay Dee) a number of times. Then label-mates at MCA Records, Dilla produced elements of the Grammy-nominated platinum Things Fall Apart album. While "Dynamite!" would make the LP, "New Year's @ Jay Dee's" would be a hidden jewel... Read more

February 10, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

DJ Premier Tells The Story Of This Photo With D’Angelo, Alchemist & J. Dilla, In His Words

DJ Premier tells Ambrosia For Heads the story about the night he, D'Angelo, Alchemist and J. Dilla gathered in the studio and took what would become an iconic photo. These are his words about the photo, that night, and the other supremely talented men with whom he posed: "Gang Starr... Read more

January 20, 2016 Food for Thought

BJ The Chicago Kid Celebrates D’Angelo On A Special Anniversary (Audio)

BJ The Chicago Kid has stepped into the role of one of Motown Records' biggest male soloists. While the Illinois native's albums have been lower-key in the case of 2012's Pineapple Now-Laters, he is gearing up for a hefty 2016 care of In My Mind. Meanwhile, as BJ's discography is... Read more

January 2, 2016 Audio

Hip-Hop’s Shining Moments of 2015: The Big, The Small, & The Revolutionary

Each and every year, there is no shortage of moments in time which crystallize the development of Hip-Hop's growth, and 2015 is no different. Over the course of the previous 12 months, the culture played larger-than-life roles in film, health, politics, television, and of course, music history. Here are just... Read more

December 21, 2015 Food for Thought

Imagine Pete Rock & Large Professor DJ’ing, While D’Angelo is on the Phone. Q-Tip Made It Happen. (Audio)

On the latest edition of Q-Tip's Abstract Radio show, he treats fans to a mind-blowing experience. He is joined by Pete Rock and Large Professor in the studio, and the collective serves up a smorgasbord of classic break beats, anchored by a healthy dose of James Brown. Before that, Tip... Read more

September 10, 2015 Mixes

D’Angelo & Tavis Smiley Maintain the Groove in Pt. 2 of Their Fascinating Conversation (Video)

Much like the first half of their conversation, part 2 of the discussion between D'Angelo and Tavis Smiley showcases two masters at work. Smiley shows why he has ascended to become one of the best interviewers in the business by asking informed questions and actively listening. In turn, D'Angelo rewards... Read more

September 5, 2015 Video

Tavis Smiley Gets D’Angelo’s First TV Interview in 10 Years and It’s Masterful (Video)

On September 2 and 3, the incomparable D'Angelo sat down with Tavis Smiley for the singer's first long-format television interview in over a decade. The conversation spilled over into two episodes of Smiley's PBS show, which is not surprising considering the magnitude of the subject at hand. In the first... Read more

September 4, 2015 TV/Film, Video

15 Years Later, Common’s “The Light” Remains a Shining Example of Hip-Hop Love

On July 18, 2000, Common released "The Light," and with it came one of Hip-Hop's greatest love songs. Along with Black Star's 1998 track "Brown Skin Lady" and The Roots' breakout 1999 single "You Got Me," "The Light" represented a focus on mutual respect, vulnerability, and a soulful approach to... Read more

July 18, 2015 Food for Thought

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Their Annual Summertime Mix (Download)

When it comes to music, there's nothing that says it's summertime quite like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie's annual mix. Perfect for BBQs, sitting by the pool or cruising down the streets, their Summertime series has provided a soundtrack for the season for the last 5 years. Now, the... Read more

July 4, 2015 Audio

D’Angelo and Bobby Seale Look Backwards to Move Forwards in Race Relations (Video)

The city of Oakland, California, has served as the geographical genesis for much of African-American political history. As the home of the Black Panther Party, its decades-long presence in the consciousness of many Black Americans is inextricably linked to its contemporary socio-political climate. The city once again leaped into headlines... Read more

June 22, 2015 Lifestyle

J Dilla, Common & James Poyser Caught On Questlove’s Camera, Working In The Studio (Video)

One of the definitive albums of J Dilla's career was not his own, but rather, Common's Like Water For Chocolate. Comm's first LP out of the No I.D. and Dug Infinite pocket welcomed Jay Dee, Questlove, D'Angelo, James Poyser and the Soulquarians to the mix, along with DJ Premier and... Read more

February 10, 2015 Throwback

D’Angelo & The Vanguard Perform Really Love & The Charade on SNL (Video)

This season of SNL has featured a parade of Funk. Prince tore down the stage in November and Mark Ronson & Bruno Bars kept it hot a couple of weeks later. Now, D'Angelo takes the stage with his multi-piece band The Vanguard. D performed his smoothed out single "Really Love,"... Read more

February 1, 2015 Video

15 Years Later, D’Angelo’s Voodoo Is Celebrated Through Questlove’s Quirky Tour Diaries

Along with The LOX's We Are The Streets and Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele, yesterday (January 25) marked the 15th anniversary of D'Angelo's sophomore LP, Voodoo. Few could have imagined that of that trifecta of great albums, that D'Angelo would only one month ago follow it up, The LOX have not, and... Read more

January 26, 2015 Throwback

D’Angelo’s One-Hour 2014 AFROPUNK FEST Performance, In Full (Video)

After a career that could be described as largely dormant for more than a decade, 2014 was the great wake-up for D'Angelo's output. While the closing month of the year afforded musically-starving fans with a third album in Black Messiah, August was incredibly telling. It was then that the Richmond,... Read more

January 11, 2015 Video

Do Remember: D’Angelo’s “She’s Always In My Hair” (Audio)

With Black Messiah's top of the week release, D'Angelo has seemingly captured the consciousness of music once more. The Richmond, Virginia star crooner has slowly returned to the scene throughout 2014, abandoning his second sabbatical from music and in the industry of the last 18 years. Given the album's heavy... Read more

December 18, 2014 Audio, Throwback

D’Angelo’s Black Messiah Hits Stores Tonight. Here Are Details and a Review.

The wait is over. After nearly 15 years since the release of his Voodoo album, D'Angelo and The Vanguard's Black Messiah LP will hit stores at midnight (12/15). We were fortunate enough to attend an intimate listening session held at the Dream Hotel in New York's Meatpacking District. The event,... Read more

December 14, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

And Just Like That…D’Angelo Releases His 1st Single from Black Messiah (Audio)

The Internets were set on fire late last week at the announcement that, after 15 years, D'Angelo was releasing his next album, titled Black Messiah, possibly as early as this week. The din is surely to grow louder as he premieres an official studio version of his song "Sugah Daddy"... Read more

December 14, 2014 Audio

It’s Been 15 Years Spent Waiting. Now We MAY Have A D’Angelo Album Next Week… (Video)

Rumors have been swirling surrounding a third D'Angelo album since shortly after 2000's Voodoo. Even those rumors are teenagers now, and D'Angelo Heads have sometimes seemed to abandon all hope that the Soul sensation could, or would ever offer up another LP. Out of thin air, a new album, Black... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Mix of Nothing But Remixes of 90’s R&B. Press Play and Enjoy (Audio)

Part 1 of DJ Harvey Dent's Throwback series features a bevy of some of the choicest 90's R&B cuts. Dent digs deep in the crates though and has pulled together a mix of nothing but remixes. You'll hear music from Brandy, D'Angelo, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Total, Usher, Faith Evans,... Read more

September 13, 2014 Audio, Throwback

D’Angelo & The Roots Cover Prince’s She’s Always in My Hair (Video)

This year's Afropunk Fest in Brooklyn concluded with surprise guests of epic proportions. The festival, which included performances by Me'shell Ndegeocello, SZA, The Internet, Fishbone, Body Count and more, culminated with a performance by D'Angelo with The Legendary Roots Crew. The ensemble tore through some of D's originals and an... Read more

August 27, 2014 Video

GQ Calls Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy The Best Album Of The 21st Century

GQ recently revealed their 21 best albums of the 21st Century that includes some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B. The man at the top of their list may be no surprise, but the album of choice could be. Selecting Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh

Here’s a Video Playlist of Some of the Hip-Hop & Soul Classics Touched by Bob Power (Video)

Here's a video playlist inspired by a recent interview with Bob Power, the legendary producer/engineer, who for more than 30 years has worked with some of Hip-Hop and Soul's most iconic acts. You'll see videos from A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, De La Soul, Me'shell Ndegeocello, The Roots,... Read more

July 11, 2014 Throwback

Ever Heard of Bob Power? He’s Worked on Some of the Best Hip-Hop & Soul Albums Ever. Here’s His Story (Audio)

For more than 30 years, Bob Power has been one of the unsung heroes of Hip-Hop, R&B and Soul. The producer, engineer and composer has worked with many of the most respected and influential artists during that time period, including A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Stetsasonic,... Read more

July 9, 2014 Audio

2014 Afro Punk Fest To Include D’Angelo, Body Count, Me’Shell Ndegeocello & More

Ticket sales and the lineup for 2014's Afro Punk Fest have been announced. On August 23 and 24, Brooklyn, New York's Commodore Barry Park will play host to the third annual event. This year's headliner is none other than D'Angelo, in the midst of a long-anticipated return to the spotlight... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh

D’Angelo Explains Delving Into Funk-Rock, Brotherly Bond With Questlove (Video)

D'Angelo takes the microphone in a much different capacity as the singer-songwriter hits the Red Bull Music Academy in New York for an hour-and-a-half-long talk with journalist/author/filmmaker Nelson George. In front of an energetic audience at the Brooklyn Museum, D'angelo discusses a wide variety of topics including his inspiration from... Read more

May 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Funked Up House Remix of D’Angelo’s Spanish Joint That Will Get You Moving (Prod. Kero One) (Audio)

It's been too long since we had new music from D'Angelo. WAY too long...So, we'll take what we can get. Here's a funked up house remix of D's already funky Spanish Joint, by Kero One. This remix preserves the essence of the original but still gives it a new life.... Read more

April 15, 2014 Audio

D’Angelo Covers Al Green and Reminds Us of Mahogany at the Same Time (Audio)

As we reported last week, a re-issue of D'Angelo's Live at the Jazz Cafe, London album is being released with several additional songs. Among them is an amazing cover of Al Green's I'm Glad You're Mine, which Heads might also recognize as the sample anchoring Eric B & Rakim's Mahogany.... Read more

March 23, 2014 Audio

Here’s Some Previously Unreleased D’Angelo That Will Get You Jonesing for More (Audio)

Few artists have had such a huge impact on music with such a small catalog of recordings as D'Angelo. Both Brown Sugar and Voodoo are revered and considered by many to be classics but, sadly, D has not released a new album since 2000. That will change (sorta) next week... Read more

March 21, 2014 Throwback

If You Like D’Angelo, This SoulQuarian Soul Tribute Mix Will Make Your Month (Audio Mix)

It's been nearly 13 years since D'Angelo released his last studio album. He teased fans with a return to the stage and some tour dates over the last 18 months, but a new album has yet to surface. Not to worry, DJ Mike Rizzy has put together an AMAZING tribute... Read more

January 6, 2014 Audio, Throwback