diggin in the crates ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

AZ Reintroduces Himself With Amazing New Music

Today (December 1), Brooklyn, New York veteran MC AZ released a new album. However, unlike AZ's respected back-catalog, Truth Be Told marks his first album-long partnership with a producer. Diggin' In The Crates legend Buckwild has been working with S.O.S.A. since "Ho Happy Jacky" on Doe Or Die. The Bronx... Read more

December 1, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

KRS-One Joins Forces With AZ & O.C. To Save The Culture

Last week, Ambrosia For Heads premiered "Represent The Real," a powerhouse collaboration between AZ, KRS-One, and O.C. That song, produced and released by Dublin, Ireland's Stylistic Murder (and the A-side to a special 7" vinyl single, with a B-side featuring ONYX, has now released a music video, which conveniently begins... Read more

August 19, 2022 Video

Diamond D Names His Top 5 Hip-Hop Producers

Today (August 19), Diamond D released his latest album, THE REAR VIEW. The 15-song collection (embedded below) finds the veteran MC/producer flexing his MC chops while playing double duty behind the boards as producer. It features Westside Gunn, De La Soul's Posdnuos, and Diamond's latest protege, Ashtin Martin. The Bronx, New... Read more

August 19, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Diamond D Speaks About His New Album & Spending A Day With Dr. Dre

This year marks 30 years since Diamond D's debut album, and he is celebrating in style. The Bronx, New York native MC/producer/DJ is releasing THE REAR VIEW on Friday, August 19. Arriving on D's Dymond Mine Records imprint, the 13-song collection demonstrates Diamond D as a true multi-talented artist. The co-founder... Read more

August 16, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

KRS-One, AZ & O.C. Represent Real Hip-Hop With Style

UPDATE: Stylistic Murder has released the music video for "Represent The Real," featuring AZ, KRS-One, and O.C.: ORIGINAL AUGUST 11 STORY: Today (August 11) marks Hip-Hop's birthday. In celebration of the date, three elite MCs who have stood for the culture come together for a special collaboration premiering at Ambrosia For... Read more

August 11, 2022 Exclusive, Video

DMX’s New Album Features Nas, JAY-Z, Griselda & More. Here’s The Tracklist

UPDATE: Swizz Beatz has released the full tracklist for DMX's Exodus album, which will be released on May 28, and it is even more star-studded than previously reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swizz Beatz (@therealswizzz) Here is the full tracklist: 1. “That’s My Dog” feat.... Read more

May 11, 2021 Video

D.I.T.C.’s Buckwild Releases An Album Of Abandoned Beats. Listen Along.

Like fellow veteran Hip-Hop producers Pete Rock and DJ Premier, Buckwild has a vault of unreleased heat. The Diggin’ In The Crates veteran DJ/producer has stayed busy in the last two decades contributing bangers to albums by O.C., Black Rob, The Game, JAY-Z, and others, to name only a few.... Read more

January 27, 2020 Audio

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 7): Little Brother vs. Diamond D

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 15, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

D.I.T.C. Show They Are Still Juggernauts On A New Compilation Album (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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 its ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

December 2, 2019 Audio

Talib Kweli Is Recording An Album Produced By Diamond D. Take A Look. (Video)

Earlier this year, Diamond D released his latest album, The Diam Piece 2. On that LP, "The Zone" features Talib Kweli as well as Terror Van Pooh, and Niko Is. The Bronx, New York producer, MC, and DJ and the Brooklyn, New York MC, entrepreneur, and show host have some... Read more

November 25, 2019 Exclusive, Fresh, News, Video

Twista & A-F-R-O Bridge 2 Generations Of Rapid Fire Flows To A Diamond D Beat (Video)

In May of 2019, Diggin’ In The Crates co-founder Diamond D released The Diam Piece 2 album. The 16-track LP features Raekwon, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Elzhi, David Banner, and Xzibit, as well as many more that have worked with the Bronx producer/MC/DJ over a career that dates back 30... Read more

November 18, 2019 Exclusive, Video

O.C. Releases 3+ Hours Of ’90s Rarities, Demos & Freestyles. Dig In. (Audio)

For more than 25 years, O.C. has been a vicious MC. From JAY-Z to Big L, Pharoahe Monch to Murs, rappers across the Hip-Hop landscape have been eager to work with the Diggin' In The Crates member. O' has fed the masses, from the acclaimed Word...Life and Jewelz one-two punch,... Read more

June 18, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Diamond D Released A New Album Filled With Great MCs. Listen Here.

Yesterday (May 10), Diamond D released his first album in nearly five years, The Diam Piece 2. On the producer/MC/DJ's Dymond Mine Records imprint, the release features Talib Kweli, Xzibit, Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg, Styles P, Raekwon, A-F-R-O, Elzhi, Twista, David Banner, and Fat Joe, among a host of others.... Read more

May 11, 2019 Audio, Interview, Video

Diamond D’s New Album Features Erick Sermon, Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli & More

It has been nearly five years since D.I.T.C. co-founder Diamond D released a solo album. The self-proclaimed "best producer on the mic" dropped one of his most exciting albums in the form of 2014's The Diam Piece. Producing all but one of the tracks (which was by DJ Scratch), the... Read more

March 16, 2019 Exclusive, Fresh

A.G.’s New Album Features Sounds By Alchemist, Lord Finesse & Diamond D. Listen Here (Audio)

A.G. may be best known for his classic material with partner Showbiz from the 1990s, but Heads who have not checked out his solo and collaborative catalog are missing out. The Bronx, New Yorker, and D.I.T.C. co-founder has done projects with O.C., Koss, Ray West, and others. Meanwhile, 'Dre has... Read more

June 27, 2018 Audio

A.G.’s Next Album Will Have Magic From Alchemist & Diamond D. Here’s The New Video.

Last June, when JAY-Z accepted his place as the first Hip-Hop artist to enter the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, he thanked the peers that inspire him by name, online. One of the acts Jay saluted was Showbiz & A.G. While Show has focused solely on production (and running D.I.T.C. Entertainment),... Read more

May 18, 2018 Video

O.C.’s Tiny Desk Concert Shows Time Is Never Up For Classic Hip-Hop (Video)

There’s a special kind of flavor required for an MC to shine at one of NPR’s "Tiny Desk" concerts, and Brooklyn, New York spitter, O.C. really spreads it on for his five-song set. The low-key backdrop provided by Soul'D U Out, a Jazz band headed by Maurice “Mobetta” Brown (Talib... Read more

April 19, 2018 Video

Dillon Has A Feast Over Diamond D’s Serving Of Fresh Beats (Video)

Diamond D is currently doing concerts with Sadat X in support of Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop's recent 25th anniversary. In the meantime, the Bronx, New Yorker and founding member of Diggin' In The Crates is still supplying heat for up-and-coming talent. D was there early for producing Fat Joe,... Read more

October 17, 2017 Ready Or Not, Video

O.C. & Apathy’s New Concept Album Boasts Cold Rhymes & Rugged Beats (Audio)

From Russia with love...of beats and rhymes. Two-and-a-half years after the collaborative album was announced O.C. (D.I.T.C.) and Apathy (Army Of The Pharaohs/Demigodz) release Perestroika. Evident from the first single, which premiered at Ambrosia For Heads, the Brooklyn-to-Connecticut LP plays around with the Soviet/Evil Empire theme. Titles on the record include... Read more

September 25, 2017 Audio

Big L’s First Verse On Wax Showed Heads That He Was A Rookie MVP (Audio)

Big L lived to see just one of his albums release. 1995's Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous has become something of a cult classic. The Columbia/Sony Records LP has early JAY-Z and Cam'ron appearances and lethal D.I.T.C. production from Lord Finesse, Showbiz, as well as Buckwild. However, all of... Read more

September 7, 2017 Do Remember

O.C. & Apathy Join Forces As Perestroika. Here’s The Rugged First Look (Video)

It's been two years since Apathy and O.C. announced they have a collaborative full-length album in the works titled Perestroika (the same as their official group name). Their plans are finally coming to fruition with the release of their anticipated album's first single "Soviet Official." Premiering at Ambrosia For Heads,... Read more

August 14, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Fat Joe Explains Why KRS-One Is Still #1 To Him (Video)

Fat Joe is one of Hip-Hop's most recognizable stars. A member of both Terror Squad and Diggin' In The Crates, the veteran has taken his dynamic brand of Hip-Hop across the world. Throughout the 2000s, he has been one of the biggest representatives from the Bronx borough. Fat Joe Airs... Read more

July 10, 2017 Video

On Big L’s 43rd Birthday, This Freestyle Shows Why His Rhymes Are Immortal (Video)

May 30 marks the birthday of Lamont "Big L" Coleman. The Harlem, New Yorker was born 43 years ago today. While he died more than 18 years ago, at a time when many believe his career was reaching its next level, the member of D.I.T.C. and Children Of The Corn... Read more

May 30, 2017 Throwback

Showbiz Keeps It 100 About The Emotions That Got In The Way Of D.I.T.C. Business (Video)

The Diggin' In The Crates collective released their first album in more than 15 years in 2016. While Big L died in February of 1999, surviving members Lord Finesse, Showbiz, A.G., Diamond D, O.C. Fat Joe, and Buckwild came together for a reunion album in celebration of the group's Bronx,... Read more

May 24, 2017 Video

Showbiz & A.G. Plan Their First Album In 5 Years. Soul Clap To The Single. (Audio)

Twenty five years ago last month, Showbiz & A.G. released the Soul Clap EP. The first release from the Bronx, New York duo would launch a strong catalog, and give Lord Finesse some esteemed company in making Diggin' In The Crates a stacked crew. Show and 'Dre have stayed a... Read more

April 19, 2017 Audio

Fat Joe Airs Out Terror Squad’s Dirty Laundry & Defends His Name (Video)

Fat Joe is one of Hip-Hop's most controversial figures. The Bronx, New Yorker has roots in some of the hardest Rap music of the '90s, starting with his '93 debut, Represent. However, in the days after Big Pun's sudden 2000 death, Joe stepped forward to become a mainstream giant, making... Read more

March 3, 2017 Video

O.C. Tells The Heartbreaking Story Of How He Learned Of Big L’s Death (Video)

O.C. recently released his album Same Moon Same Sun. Available without cost for download, the D.I.T.C. Entertainment LP is the latest in a career that spans back more than 25 years. The Brooklyn, New York representative has been a key MC within Diggin' In The Crates, and made important records... Read more

February 24, 2017 Video

Main Source Are Joined By Pete Rock, Just Blaze & More For Their 25-Year Reunion (Video)

Last week (February 1), the founding three members of Hip-Hop group Main Source performed together for the first time in more than 25 years. Large Professor, as well as John Browne high school classmate, K-Cut, plus guest DJ Rashad Smith (of Bad Boy Records fame) blessed Lower Manhattan's S.O.B.'s stages... Read more

February 8, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. D.I.T.C. 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 8, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Diamond D Passes The Torch To Kev Brown For A Thumping Remix (Audio)

In addition to producing his first full album for Sadat X, Diamond D is hard at work on his upcoming sequel to 2015's The Diam Piece. That album earned the D.I.T.C. co-founder some of the greatest accolades he's received in the 2000s and 2010s. Still a double-threat extraordinaire, the self-proclaimed... Read more

February 7, 2017 Audio

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

Producer David Axelrod Has Passed Away. He Leaves Massive Legacy In Hip-Hop.

This evening (February 5), it has been reported that David Axelrod has died. The Roots' Questlove took to social media moments ago to announce the death of iconic music producer, songwriter, and arranger. A native of South Central Los Angeles, California, Axelrod's own music, as well as his productions for... Read more

February 5, 2017 News

Sadat X & Diamond D Are Releasing A Joint Album. The 1st Song Is A Warning (Video)

Brand Nubian's Sadat X and D.I.T.C.'s Diamond D go back a long way. From "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down" remixes to Wild Cowboys, these two veterans from Uptown make some great music together. In April of this year, they will release a whole LP together, The Sum of... Read more

January 31, 2017 Video

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

O.C. Is A Great MC. He Makes A Song About What Makes A Good Man (Audio)

In early 2016, Diggin' In The Crates started promoting their Sessions album with a series of Monday song releases. Some of those tracks made the self-released album and some were just pieces for D.I.T.C. Heads to enjoy. That formula appears to be upheld for O.C.'s Same Moon Same Sun. Releasing... Read more

January 23, 2017 Audio

O.C. Has A New Album Coming. The First Song Is SERIOUS (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates veteran O.C. has a new album arriving later this month. Same Moon Same Sun (January 30) follows a rich pedigree that includes at least two cult-championed independent albums. The MC who grew up in both Queens and Brooklyn, New York uses his lead single "Serious" to... Read more

January 17, 2017 Audio

Dres, Ras Kass, ONYX & More Bring Great ’90s Rap Back (Audio)

The Snowgoons are gifted in helping veteran Hip-Hop artists find new dimension in their catalogs. That is precisely why M.O.P., Parrish "PMD" Smith, ONYX, Reef The Lost Cauze and others have trusted the German quarter with major albums in their respective discographies. On their own, Det Gunner, Sicknature, DJ Illegal,... Read more

December 21, 2016 Audio

Pharoahe Monch & O.C. Are A Nightmare For Lesser MCs (Video)

In 1991, upon the release of Organized Konfusion's self-titled debut, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po not only laid a strong foundation for themselves, they brought along close affiliate O.C. along for hit single "Fudge Pudge." By the time O.K. geared up for their '94 follow-up, O.C. (who spent part of... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

Wu-Tang Meets D.I.T.C. Two Legendary Crews Ain’t Nuthin’ To Mash Up (Audio)

Ever go Diggin’ In The Crates for some Wu-Tang? On this ambitious mashup of two legendary New York crews who both emerged at the onset of the 1990s, Memory Man shows us what would happen if you took members of the Wu-Tang Clan and D.I.T.C. and threw their styles in... Read more

November 8, 2016 Audio, Throwback

The LOX & Termanology Have Dreams Like Biggie, But Keep It Grimy (Audio )

The LOX were present in the last days of Biggie Smalls. Before he left the world mourning his personality, rhyme skills, and giving heart, Christopher Wallace helped clear a path for Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch to succeed. At the time, they were his hopeful label-mates at Bad Boy... Read more

October 7, 2016 Audio

Diamond D Puts His Rap Skills Back In Front Alongside D.I.T.C. Brother A.G. (Audio)

Diamond D once proclaimed he was "the best producer on the mic." Even in his own D.I.T.C. crew, the Bronx, New York native is brothers with producing/rapping double-threats like Lord Finesse and Showbiz. While Show ceased rapping on Showbiz & A.G.'s Runaway Slave album, Finesse has also scaled back his rhyming to... Read more

September 21, 2016 Audio

Vinnie Paz Is Releasing A New Album To Fill A Void In Hip-Hop (Video)

Always one to embrace and shine light on the roots of Hip-Hop culture, Vinnie Paz has enlisted Diggin' In The Crates' very own Buckwild on his new single, "The Void." The single presents a hard percussion-driven beat that brings back the classic D.I.T.C. sound while fitting Vinnie's aggressive delivery perfectly.... Read more

September 12, 2016 Video

Fat Joe, O.C., & A.G. Go Diggin’ With Substance On A Showbiz Beat (Audio)

Earlier this year, the Diggin' In The Crates collective released a compilation album surrounding their new Bronx, New York recording studio. With all living members involved more (17 years after the death of Big L), the LP also showcased some new producers down with D.I.T.C. On "It's Cold Outside (Remix),"... Read more

September 4, 2016 Audio

Elzhi & O.C. Are Underground MC Legends. They Sound Great Together (Audio)

Although they run in different circles, Elzhi and O.C. are two highly-skilled MCs who have a lot in common. Over the years, both the Detroit, Michigan native and the Brooklyn, New Yorker have complicated histories with celebrated crews (Slum Village and D.I.T.C., respectively). Both lyricist have history with storied record... Read more

July 5, 2016 Audio

This Notorious B.I.G. & Lord Finesse Cypher Will BLOW YOUR MIND (Video)

The Notorious B.I.G. (a/k/a Biggie Smalls) is revered as one of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs. The Brooklyn, New Yorker beautifully inserted wit, wordplay, and lots of self-confidence into his most memorable rhymes. Somebody who started out just a couple years before Biggie was Bronx, New Yorker Lord Finesse. The MC/DJ/producer who... Read more

June 20, 2016 Throwback

D.I.T.C. Goes Diggin’ In The Crates For Rare Photos & Footage (Video)

The Diggin' In The Crates crew has released its second completely crew-inclusive album in 16 years. That LP, D.I.T.C. Studios celebrates the newly-opened Bronx, New York recording studio where Showbiz, Lord Finesse, and Buckwild regularly craft dusty tracks. Also home to O.C., A.G., Diamond D, and Fat Joe, the legendary... Read more

June 20, 2016 Video

REKS Gets A D.I.T.C. Beat Care Of Buckwild & Digs In (Video)

Lawrence, Massachusetts MC REKS has worked with some of Hip-Hop's most celebrated producers. From DJ Premier to Large Professor, Pete Rock to Alchemist, the ShowOff/Brick Records MC has had access to the kind of beats that has peers could dream of. "Jump Shots" is a single, produced by D.I.T.C.'s Buckwild.... Read more

June 8, 2016 Video

Showbiz Recounts The Trauma Of Seeing Big L Moments After He Was Killed

Big L would make one of his first album appearances care of 1992's "Represent" on Showbiz & A.G.'s Runaway Slave album. Appearing alongside Show, A.G., Deshawn, and mentor Lord Finesse, Lamont Coleman proved to be an unsigned, teenage MC with great promise. Three years later, on Big L's 1995 debut... Read more

May 11, 2016 Throwback

Diamond D & O.C.’s Freestyle Makes D.I.T.C. Say “Yo, That’s That ish” (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates, better known as D.I.T.C., has been a unit for more than 20 years. However, since the 2000s, the New York City producer and MC collective has been building individual careers, including Fat Joe's platinum rise, a slew of O.C. cult-championed LPs, and the ongoing celebration of... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

O.C. & AG Embrace Their Years Of Experience & Say They Are Only Getting Better (Audio)

Hip-Hop has not been good to its legends. Instead of being celebrated, artists who helped build the culture are often relegated to the background or cloaked in backhand terms like "Old School." The practice of ageism has been ingrained in the culture from its earliest days, and continues even though... Read more

March 28, 2016 Audio