def jam Archives

Why LL Cool J Is The Original GOAT (Video)

Like Will Smith, Ice-T, and Queen Latifah, it may be easier to name an LL Cool J role in the last decade, than a song. However, James Todd Smith continues to make time for Hip-Hop (right now, with Dr. Dre), and when he's right, he's really sharp. Aside from that,... Read more

April 1, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Ludacris Reworks Sisqo’s Smash Hit To Create A New Type Of Fantasy (Audio)

In 1999, Dru Hill's Sisqó freaked the charts with his solo smash hit "Thong Song." While "Got To Get It" had broken into the Top 40, the veteran Baltimore, Maryland singer crossed over in the biggest way by making a simple song about ladies' lingerie. At the time, Nelly, Lil'... Read more

March 31, 2017 Audio, The Bridge

Logic’s Next Album Is Coming & The 1st Single Reminds Everybody He’s An Elite MC (Video)

In the last year two and a half years, Logic has released two gold-certified, Top 5 albums on the charts. The Gaithersburg, Maryland MC is now ready to follow 2014's Under Pressure and 2015's The Incredible Story with his third album. Today (March 29), Visionary Music Group and Def Jam... Read more

March 31, 2017 News, Video

Slick Rick’s Children’s Story To Be Re-Released As Actual Children’s Book

In the ears of many, Slick Rick's biggest solo hit is 1988's "Children's Story." The video single from The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick is a mainstream-welcomed example of Ricky Walters' imagery, wit, and conversational style of rapping stories. The Def Jam Records single (produced by Rick himself) went to... Read more

March 21, 2017 Fresh

Rick Ross Threatens Birdman’s Life On A Record That’s Pure Disrespek (Audio)

For the last decade-plus, Rick Ross was widely perceived as a YMCMB affiliate, despite never being an official artist. The Miami, Florida rapper who has released seven albums with Slip-n-Slide/Def Jam Records released hit singles like "Stay Schemin'," "You A Boss," and "Maybach Music 2" with Cash Money/Young Money artists... Read more

March 17, 2017 Audio, News

Fabolous Gets Ceremonial Key To Brooklyn & A Street Named After Him

In 2007, Fabolous released the song "Brooklyn" with Jay Z and Uncle Murda. That moment was one of many places where the Street Fam/Desert Storm/Def Jam Records artist pays homage to the borough that raised him. Throughout the 2000s, 'Loso has become one of BK's most successful musical sons. In... Read more

March 15, 2017 News

The G-Funk Documentary Pulls Warren G From The Background & Makes Him The Pioneer (Video)

For nearly 25 years, Warren G has been a powerful force within Hip-Hop. A multi-platinum MC, a hit producer, and an accomplished DJ, Warren Griffin joined his 213 band-mates (Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg) and Daz Dillinger in putting Long Beach, California on the Hip-Hop map. While Warren's first three... Read more

March 13, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Hank Shocklee Reveals Don’t Believe The Hype Wouldn’t Have Been Released Without D.M.C.

Producer Hank Shocklee is attached to some of Hip-Hop (and R&B's) biggest records. As a founding member of The Bomb Squad, the Long Island, New Yorker made history with Public Enemy, as well as produced hits for 3rd Bass, Eric B. & Rakim, and Ice Cube, among many others. In... Read more

March 2, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Erick Sermon vs. DJ Quik. 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 15, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Premier vs. Rick Rubin. 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 14, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Ice Cube Names Chuck D His Favorite Rapper & Bomb Squad His Favorite Producers (Audio)

February 21 UPDATE: The video interview of Ice Cube from The Combat Jack Show has been added below, along with the existing audio stream. Original Post: Starting in 1990's "Endangered Species (Tales From The Darkside)," Ice Cube made some of his most notable collaborations with Chuck D and the producers... Read more

February 14, 2017 Audio, Video

An Oral History Of Yo! Bum Rush The Show Reveals How P.E. Launched A Revolution

Thirty years ago today, one of Hip-Hop's most consistent forces unleashed its game-changing first album. On February 10, 1987, Public Enemy debuted Yo! Bum Rush The Show. The story began half a decade before. Meanwhile, 30 calendars deeper, Heads are still learning interesting facts and anecdotes about the Def Jam... Read more

February 10, 2017 Throwback

Finding The GOAT Producer: Just Blaze 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 9, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

EPMD Reveal Eric B. & Rakim Used The Rhythm To Hit Them With A Diss (Video)

Last Fall, Rakim spoke before a special live event with the Juan Epstein Podcast. There, the lyrical half of Eric B. & Rakim told Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds about a number of highlight moments surrounding his 30-plus-year career. To fans of 1980s Rap rivalries and supreme lyricism, one section... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Quik vs. Warren G. 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 27, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Kanye West vs. Scott Storch. 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 25, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Bomb Squad vs. DITC. 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 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Yo! MTV Raps Host Doctor Dré Calls Straight Outta Compton “Straight Outta Fiction” (Audio)

Hip-Hop is big enough to have some artists with multiple names. Notably, Mobb Deep and South Central Cartel were each compromised of duos Prodigy and Havoc (or "Prodeje" in S.C.C.'s case). There have been two Guru's, a couple Jay Dee's, and several Mike D's. Perhaps no tandem is more famous... Read more

January 24, 2017 Audio

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

Finding The GOAT Producer: Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon. Who Is Better?

UPDATE: The original vote was within 1%, so a tie-breaker was held to determine the winner. Erick Sermon won that vote by 6%. “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... Read more

January 11, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Chance The Rapper & Jeremih Modernize A Jackson 5 Classic For Their Christmas Mixtape (Audio)

Chance The Rapper is honored with the distinction of 2016's most anticipated and most acclaimed Hip-Hop mixtape. Coloring Book takes the notion of "not for sale music" to the Grammy stages in 2017, thanks to its captivating messages from the Chicago, Illinois MC/singer. Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay Electronica, and... Read more

December 22, 2016 Audio

10 Years Later, Nas Says He “Missed The Mark” When He Declared Hip-Hop Is Dead (Video)

A decade ago this week (December 19, 2006), Nas released his eighth solo album, Hip Hop Is Dead. The MC's first outing with Def Jam Records (with foe-turned-friend Jay Z at the helm) debuted at #1. Nasir released a title track, denouncing the culture he loved as a 15-year professional... Read more

December 21, 2016 Video

Fabolous Drops A Big Clue That His Collabo Album With Jadakiss Is Weeks Away (Video)

2017 promises to have a number of Hip-Hop projects to be excited about. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth will release their first album since 1994, according to Pete. Redman said that Muddy Waters 2 will dirty up the new year, after close to a decade of anticipation. Talib Kweli and... Read more

December 20, 2016 News, Video

Chance The Rapper’s Christmas In Hollis Spoof Is A Drop The Mic Moment (Video)

Chance The Rapper returned to SNL. Now Grammy-nominated, the versatile MC/singer did more than just perform select pages from his acclaimed Coloring Book. In one sketch, Chance perfectly nailed a copycat image of D.M.C., while Kenan Thompson takes on the Rev Run part. Together, these artists expertly spoof Run-D.M.C.'s indelible... Read more

December 18, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Method Man, Redman, Jadakiss & Juelz Santana Bring That Ol Thing Called Hip-Hop Back (Audio)

At the height of the mid-2000s Dipset reign, Juelz Santana brought an edge to Diplomats/Def Jam Records. There, the Harlem, New Yorker with the punchlines, unforgettably ad-libs, and youthful charms went to Top 10 and garnered a gold album in 2005's What The Game's Been Missing. In the 11 years... Read more

December 14, 2016 Audio

DMX Made Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood Because Of A $1 Million Wager

In the span of seven months, DMX released two albums which combined went platinum seven times. It was 1998, and the Yonkers, New York rapper was taking the industry by storm, establishing himself as a domineering presence with uncompromising virility. First with May's It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and... Read more

December 5, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Statik Selektah Remixes Some Older Dave East That Shows The Talent Nas Saw (Audio)

Today, Dave East is an MC who is cosigned by Nas, backed by Mass Appeal, and working with a who's who of Hip-Hop. In 2014, the Harlem, New Yorker was simply talented, hungry, and looking to kick in the industry door. At that time, he released video single "Stretched Out"... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

Something Is Very Wrong With Kanye West. He Cancels His Tour. (Video)

2016 has been a whirlwind ride for Kanye West, including #1 albums, game-changing music videos, armed robberies within his family—and that's only some of the "highlights." The Saint Pablo Tour—which corresponds to West's February The Life of Pablo album has been making its rounds across the United States—featuring the artist... Read more

November 21, 2016 News, Video

Pusha T & Gucci Mane Join Common To Voice What Makes Black America Great…Again (Audio)

Throughout his career, Common has at times been—at least on paper—a left field featured guest. He appeared on albums like T.I.'s King when the Grand Hustle founder was the monarch of Trap. He made one of several Gil Scott Heron homages on The Game's "Angel" two years after, showing an... Read more

November 14, 2016 Audio

Big Sean Wants All The Attention On His Lyrics, NOT His Life (Audio)

Big Sean has become a pop culture juggernaut of the 2010s. The Detroit, Michigan delegate for G.O.O.D. Music has seemingly always made clever Hip-Hop music that appeases lyric lovers and vibe seekers at once. However, Sean's personal life has started to eclipse the art—who he's dating, who he may be... Read more

October 31, 2016 Audio

Common & The Roots Join Forces To Break The Cycle Of Ills Facing Black America (Video)

Earlier this month, Common was a surprise guest at The Roots Picnic New York. There, the Things Fall Apart, Rising Down, and Wake Up! featured MC performed his single "Black America Again" with The Roots crew in the misty rain for all of Bryant Park to hear. Last night (October 27),... Read more

October 28, 2016 Video

Common’s New Song Hits Home With A Strong Message Of Excellence & Empowerment (Audio)

Over the years, Common and Bilal have a strong working chemistry. Since Like Water For Chocolate's DJ Premier-produced "The 6th Sense," the MC and singer have together to make each other shine brightly. "Home" is one of three songs featuring Bilal on Black America Again (November 4). Within, Common raps... Read more

October 20, 2016 Audio

Kendrick Lamar And Rick Rubin Meet & Have A Conversation For The Ages (Video)

Kendrick Lamar is a complex individual. The 29 year-old Compton, California MC makes music that is richly inventive, blending personal thoughts and intricate storytelling. He approaches the listener's ear with a variety of vocal tones, tempos, and styles of presenting his rich, often literary songwriting. On albums like good kid,... Read more

October 20, 2016 Video

Puff Daddy Credits Nas With Saving Hip-Hop & More In A Bold Tribute Speech (Video)

More than 15 years ago, Nas and Puff Daddy made a triumphant anthem together in "Hate Me Now." Appearing on Nas' third album, I Am... the record symbolically closed out the 1990s with an MC once allocated to the Underground shining as a reigning figure of Hip-Hop. Although Nas and... Read more

October 17, 2016 Video

Common Releases The Artwork & Tracklist For His Black America Again Album

Common has taken one of the defining singles of his career and extended it to an album title. Black America Again is the name of Comm's 11th album. Common Speaks On Why He’s Not A Conscious Rapper. He’s a Human MC (Video) To be released in less than one month... Read more

October 14, 2016 Fresh

Biggie, Method Man & Redman Are 3 Eternal Rap Phenomenons (Audio)

In the life and times of The Notorious B.I.G., outside of his Bad Boy and Junior M.A.F.I.A. families, two close associates were Method Man and Redman. Long before album plans existed from the members of Wu-Tang Clan and Def Squad, respectively, they were rolling with Biggie Smalls to concerts and... Read more

October 13, 2016 Do Remember

Common Reveals The Title And Featured Artists On His Next Album (Video)

In the last 25 years, Common's discography is speckled with a number of award-winning, thematic, and cult-championed albums. The MC has evolved from a beer-drinking, slick-talking rhymer into a reflective lyrical poet, to a hit-maker, and cultural symbol of self and external love. It has been more than two years... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

Beanie Sigel Reveals How Texts & Photos Led To Violent Beef With Meek Mill (Audio)

Following a documented altercation this past weekend, Beanie Sigel has broken his silence. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hit-maker appeared on the latest episode of the Taxstone Podcast. There, the former Roc-A-Fella Records star broke down his changing position in the beef between The Game and Meek Mill, and why he feels... Read more

September 28, 2016 Audio

The Game Disses Meek Mill & Beanie Sigel In Their Own Backyard (Video)

When The Game was at war with former mentor and boss 50 Cent, he was not above the heavy-handed antics. In one mid-2000s DVD, the Compton, California rapper trespassed on 50's Connecticut mansion grounds, and filmed the whole thing (posted below). Game was apparently showing his former G-Unit leader that... Read more

September 27, 2016 Video

Chuck D Explains How Public Enemy #1 Was Made & Got Them Signed To Def Jam

Public Enemy has a litany of power-packed jams. 1987's "Public Enemy #1" is one of the singles that showcased the Long Island, New York collective as something different—in vocals, production, and command. Appearing in "Once Upon A Rhyme" for B-Real TV, Chuck D gives his Prophets Of Rage band-mate's platform... Read more

September 24, 2016 Video

Dante Ross Wanted To Make O.D.B. & Method Man “The Next Run-D.M.C.”

In the canon of Hip-Hop music, Dante Ross may be what we now know as "the plug." From De La Soul to Missy Elliott, MF DOOM to Digital Underground, Lil Dicky to Brand Nubian, Dante has discovered some of Hip-Hop's most respected artists. Beyond simply the exploration, Ross has thrived... Read more

September 23, 2016 Fresh

Joey Purp & Chance The Rapper Make A Def Jam Like Back In The Day (Video)

Chicago, Illinois artist Joey Purp is having a banner year in 2016. His iiiDrops project is the latest in a series of Windy City freebies that balances substance, swagger, and a lot of originality. He releases one of the effort's standouts as a visual, the Chance The Rapper-assisted "Girls." While... Read more

September 21, 2016 Video

The Game Blasts Meek Mill, Beanie Sigel & Sean Kingston On The Hardest Diss Record In Years (Audio)

On Sunday night (September 18), Meek Mill responded to The Game. Completing the first round of disses, Meek's "Ooouuu" featured Dream Chasers protege Omelly, as well as a symbolic appearance from another former Game collaborator, Beanie Sigel. Game wastes no time bringing out a new attack, and "Pest Control" is... Read more

September 20, 2016 Audio

Meek Mill Replies To The Game’s Diss & He Has Beanie Sigel Riding With Him (Audio)

Last week (September 16), The Game declared beef with former collaborator Meek Mill. The Compton, California veteran rapper made his position clear on "92 Bars," a controversial inclusion on upcoming album 1992. In the same song, Game name-checked a number of Hip-Hop artists, including Beanie Sigel, while vowing plans to... Read more

September 19, 2016 Audio, News

Fabolous Wants To Release His Joint Album With Jadakiss Before The End Of The Year (Video)

Throughout the years, Fabolous and Jadakiss have had a close working relationship. Two veteran acts at Def Jam Records, these New York City MCs have appeared together on songs like DJ Khaled's "Don't Ever Play Yourself," Jeezy's "OJ," and Uncle Murda's "Right Now (Remix)." Both close associates of Allen Iverson,... Read more

September 15, 2016 Video

Nas’ Album Is Done & The Video Is MAJOR

DJ Khaled's latest album is a three-ring circus of Rap excitement. Major Key has Jay Z throwing subliminal shots in the directions of those testing his prowess. The #1 release has Drake re-popularizing an Akinyele street single just as he did for Rappin' 4-Tay a few years back. However, for... Read more

September 9, 2016 Video

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

August 31, 2016 Video

Redman Highlights Cypress Hill’s Green Thumb In Cultivating His Career (Video)

In the early 1990s, Cypress Hill and Redman would two Hip-Hop artists who launched careers that have lasted well into today. While Cypress Hill hailed from Southern California and Red' from Northern New Jersey, these acts helped expand the Rap genre's mind with songs about mind elevation. 1991's Cypress Hill... Read more

August 19, 2016 Video

DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

In 1999, Jay Z and DMX embarked (and majorly cashed in) on the Hard Knock Life Tour. Although Jay Z's album gave the tour its name, the lineup was a joint headliner of the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and DMX. Both artists had become the flagship acts at Def Jam Records... Read more

August 13, 2016 Food for Thought, Video