DJ EFN ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Mos Def Explains How He Knew Kanye West Would Be Great

Yesterday (September 9), Drink Champs aired the audio version its long-awaited episode featuring Black Star and Dave Chappelle. One of the limited press spots that Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey have done surrounding their May album, the Madlib-produced No Fear Of Time featured talk about the LP, but it is... Read more

September 10, 2022 Audio

Snoop Reveals Nas Was Cut From All Eyez On Me

UPDATE: Snoop Dogg's cousin and frequent collaborator, Daz Dillinger, has stepped in to correct Snoop's account. The producer of "Got My Mind Made Up" says it is another song entirely that originally featured Nas, and also included Tupac upon release. ORIGINAL APRIL 17 STORY: Twenty years ago, Tupac Shakur reached... Read more

April 17, 2022 Video

Kanye West Details The Secret Warfare Drake Has Waged On Him

Since releasing Donda this August, Kanye West has not done a sit-down interview. That changes with this morning's (November 5) episode of Drink Champs. Ye (as he is now formally known) sat down with N.O.R.E and DJ EFN for several hours. Throughout the chat, Kanye discusses various aspects of his... Read more

November 5, 2021 News, Video

LOUD Records’ Founder Details Getting Arrested For Bringing The Ruckus For Raekwon

Steve Rifkind, the founder of LOUD Records, is known for creating the record company that introduced much of the world to Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, Funkmaster Flex, and dead prez, among others. The Long Island, New York native is the son of Spring Records executive (Jimmy Spicer, James Brown,... Read more

February 11, 2020 Video

Lil Wayne Says He Refused To Get Bodied By Eminem On Their Collaborations (Video)

In the late 1990s, Eminem and Lil Wayne burst onto the Rap around the same time. Both MCs' careers date back earlier into the decade. However, the same 1999 Marshall Mathers released The Slim Shady LP, The Hot Boys' Weezy dropped breakout solo, Tha Block Is Hot. Each artist had... Read more

February 1, 2020 Video

Memphis Bleek Recalls A Wild Story About JAY-Z’s Early Stash Of Cash (Video)

Under the watchful eye of JAY-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Roc-A-Fella Records first opened its doors in the mid-1990s. At the onset, Jay was the star of his own label. However, as the label expanded, Memphis Bleek—a Marcy Projects neighbor would be among the early additions to the... Read more

January 18, 2020 Video

De La Soul Recall The Origins Of The Native Tongues & The MC Who Started It (Video)

Earlier this month, De La Soul's episode of Drink Champs featured an extensive and newsworthy preview. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN released the part of the discussion where Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo addressed their ongoing, and sometimes public negotiations with Tommy Boy Music surrounding the digital revenue and rights to the... Read more

March 29, 2019 Throwback, Throwback, Video

Xzibit Details How Dr. Dre Operated On His Career & Brought It To Life (Video)

Twenty years ago, Xzibit's career buckled up for a skyrocketing trajectory. Since the mid-'90s, the prodigy of King T had released two albums, worked closely with E-Swift and Tha Alkaholiks, and recorded some incredible freestyles. A California transplant, Mr. X-To-The-Z was a true school MC with major distribution. He was... Read more

March 18, 2019 Video

De La Soul Are Fighting To Own The Music They Created (Video)

In the last two weeks, the three members of De La Soul have been at the center of a discussion surrounding ownership of catalog and the fairness of record label contracts. That discourse stems from the trio of Dave, Maseo, and Posdnuos notifying fans on social media that they are... Read more

March 11, 2019 News, Video

Bun B Reveals How Different MCs Are As Parents Than As Performers

Bun B is widely respected as one of Rap music's pillars of guidance. While the UGK co-founder refused to censor his lyrics throughout his career, the Port Arthur, Texas "Trill O.G." is recognized for his wisdom far more than his '90s vulgarity. In the 15 years between Too Hard To... Read more

January 3, 2019 Audio

Talib Kweli & dead prez Give The Best Explanation Yet Of What’s Happened To Kanye (Video)

For more than two years, Kanye West's career and public image have become a point of discourse in the mainstream, especially for the Hip-Hop and Black communities. Months after the release of 2016's The Life Of Pablo, a turn of events transpired. West's wife, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint... Read more

November 21, 2018 Lifestyle, Video

T.I. Outlines What He Sees As The Positive Aspects Of The Crack Era (Video)

Although the crack epidemic is one of the most tragic times for addiction, poverty, and crime, it has an odd relationship with Rap music. Iconic songs and albums have used the free base form of cocaine as thematic inspiration. This ranges from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's "White Lines... Read more

November 10, 2018 Lifestyle, Video

Swizz Beatz Reveals The Hidden Secrets He Learned At Harvard (Video)

Less than one week ago, Swizz Beatz released his first album in more than a decade. The arrival of POISON has the hit-maker for DMX, JAY-Z, Beyoncé, T.I., and Styles P promoting the Epic Records LP. However, few interviews in Swizzy's 20-plus-year career are as engaging as his second sit-down... Read more

November 5, 2018 Video

Swizz Beatz Explains Why The JAY-Z, Nas & DMX Collabo Has Not Come Out (Video)

Yesterday, Swizz Beatz released his POISON album. For the Bronx, New York representative, it is his third retail release over the last 16 years. Rather than bring attention to his catalog, the Grammy Award-winning producer, rapper, DJ, and musician has spotlit so many moments for his peers in Rap, R&B,... Read more

November 3, 2018 Video

N.O.R.E. Is Already A Drink Champ. He & Fat Joe Go For Dodge Ball Next (Video)

For more than 20 years, N.O.R.E. has been a beacon for New York Hip-Hop. The Lefrak City-born, Queensbridge representative is one half of respected duo in Capone-N-Noreaga who shaped a style in the streets since the late '90s. However, in modern years, the rapper once known by Noreaga is a... Read more

July 27, 2018 Video

Big Daddy Kane Details The Rich History Of How The Juice Crew Started (Video)

Big Daddy Kane is the latest guest on Drink Champs. The Brooklyn, New York lyrical legend is in a casual mood, often joking during the three-hour episode. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview the Juice Crew MC about a number of highlights from his life and career. There are probing questions... Read more

January 17, 2018 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Was Originally RZA, GZA & ODB But Protect Ya Neck Changed Everything (Video)

In one of the most epic installments yet of the Drink Champs podcast, Wu-Tang Clan joined N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN for a conversation that lasted 3 hours and change. While the Clan was not at full strength, Method Man, Raekwon, U-God, Cappadonna, Masta Killa and DJ Mathematics represented well for... Read more

December 28, 2017 Video

Irv Gotti Explains Why Nas & Murder Inc.’s Brief Union Was A Huge Mistake (Video)

Irv Gotti is the latest guest on Drink Champs, and the beverages flowed in a big way. The Queens, New Yorker began as a DJ, became one of Hip-Hop's biggest A&Rs (at Def Jam) along with a producer charging $250,000 per beat. However, Gotti is best known for founding Murder... Read more

November 8, 2017 Video

Bun B Drops Jewels On How An Artist’s First 3 Albums Should Progress (Video)

UGK released three albums in the 1990s. There was great progression between 1992's Too Hard To Swallow, 1994's Super Tight, and 1996's gold-certified Ridin' Dirty. Bun B and Pimp C entered as Port Arthur, Texas' take on Gangsta Rap, and evolved to pioneers of their own sub-genre of Slab Music.... Read more

August 16, 2017 Video

DOOM Is Opening His Missing Notebook Of Rhymes & Releasing 15 New Songs (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

August 9, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

LL Cool J Tells The Full Story Of When He Knocked Out Jamie Foxx (Video)

Over the last couple of years, Drink Champs, hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, has become one of the most popular podcasts, and with good reason. The show, fueled by the hosts' familiarity and respect for their guests, along with a healthy amount of alcohol, often leads to some of... Read more

August 4, 2017 Video

Swizz Beatz Details Why DMX’s Next Album Will “Change The Game” (Video)

DMX has been on the minds of Hip-Hop fans for many reasons in recent days. The legendary rapper is expected to release a new album later this year, an eagerly awaited follow-up to 2012's Undisputed. With five platinum (or better) albums under his belt, the Yonkers, New York icon has left... Read more

April 28, 2017 Video

Pete Rock & DJ Premier Compare Stories On Producing Jay Z, Nas & Biggie (Video)

DJ Premier and Pete Rock are reportedly working on a joint album. The two producers have shared credits, each producing classic singles for Nas' Illmatic. They've also positioned tracks alongside one another on LPs by Heavy D & The Boyz, Rakim, and Non-Phixion, among others. Even when they compete, the... Read more

March 16, 2017 Video

Ice Cube Wants To Make One Last Friday & Bring Back Chris Tucker (Video)

Ice Cube is the most recent guest on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's Drink Champs. The same weekend Cube's Fist Fight opened in theaters, his "Pushin' Weight (Remix)" collaborator asked him about one of his most famous films, Friday. While the 1995 F. Gary Gray-directed film (written by Ice Cube and... Read more

February 26, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Q-Tip Recalls Playing The “One Love” Beat For Nas The First Time They Met

Q-Tip, Jarobi White, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence appear on this week's episode of Drink Champs. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview A Tribe Called Quest members and affiliates about a litany of subjects. Q-Tip, who speaks at length about producing "Bonita Applebum," as well as A.T.C.Q's 2016 material, spoke about his... Read more

January 13, 2017 Throwback

Naughty By Nature Explain How Signing With Sugar Hill Almost Made Them Go New Jack City

Naughty By Nature celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2016. The New Jersey trio released new music, including a reunion with Queen Latifah, and toured multiple times. In truth, the group has been together, and recording professionally much longer than 25 years. In 1989, as The New Style, Treach, Vin Rock,... Read more

January 6, 2017 Video

N.O.R.E. & Havoc Have An Intense Conversation About The C-N-N/Mobb Deep Beef (Video)

More than 20 years ago, Capone-N-Noreaga made their breakthrough care of 25 To Life's "L.A., L.A." The Marley Marl-produced single featured Tragedy Khadafi and Mobb Deep. The remixed song, eventually packaged on 1997's The War Report debut from C-N-N, was a reply to Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg's 1995 single,... Read more

December 23, 2016 Video

DJ Clue Reveals How He May Have Chosen Biggie’s 2 Most Successful Singles (Audio)

DJ Clue was a pivotal figure in bringing Hip-Hop mixtapes from street culture to the charts. The Queens, New York native began in the mid-1990s, and helped pioneer the idea of exclusives. Records by Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. would appear on the mixmaster's unauthorized cassettes and... Read more

November 7, 2016 Audio

Akinyele Suggests An Unkept Promise Planted The Seeds For The Nas & JAY-Z Beef

Queens, New York veteran MC Akinyele has not released an album of new material in more than 15 years. However, the raspy-voice rapper remains very much tied to the Hip-Hop culture he came up through. DJ Khaled and Drake's current hit "For Free" is an homage to a 1997 single... Read more

August 14, 2016 Audio

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

Havoc Reveals That Prince Played Keys On A Mobb Deep Track (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, Queens, New York duo Mobb Deep has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Nas, and 50 Cent. However, it is now learned that Prodigy and Havoc collaborated with late Pop icon Prince. Speaking with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's "Drink Champs" Podcast (Episode #17), Havoc... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio, Video

Talib Kweli Recalls How Blown Away He Was By An Unsigned Kanye West’s Talent (Video)

Talib Kweli and Kanye West have made several notable collaborations. That artistry began 14 years ago, with the release of the Brooklyn, New York MC's first solo album, Quality. Following acclaimed full-length projects with Black Star and Reflection Eternal, the Rawkus Records flagship artist embarked on his first release through... Read more

June 3, 2016 Throwback, Video

New Details Emerge About Tupac Ambushing A Tribe Called Quest’s Source Awards Speech (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop, the most famous Source Awards is the 1995 year. There, tensions between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records came to a head, after Suge Knight aimed a thinly-veiled criticism at onetime associate Puff Daddy from the microphone podium. Snoop Dogg, Danny Boy, Dr. Dre, and... Read more

June 2, 2016 Video

KRS-One Explains Why Drake Is “Underrated” & Says Some The Best MCs Have Writers (Audio)

KRS-One is the latest guest on N.O.R.E. & DJ EFN's Drink Champs Podcast. There, the iconic Boogie Down Productions MC sipped hand-crafted mai tai's and discussed a litany of topics, at incredible length. Known for lecturing at some of the most prestigious universities around the globe, publishing books, and educating... Read more

April 23, 2016 Audio

Ambrosia For Heads Present…Our Picks For The 15 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2015

2015 watched a lot change in the music industry. Streaming culture kept Heads on the edge of their seats, as Hip-Hop superstars "pushed the button" on a whim. Reclusive legends released new product, while patient veterans made massive breakthroughs. No matter large or small, burgeoning or veteran, all artists seemed... Read more

December 22, 2015 Food for Thought

Hip-Hop Is Alive & Well In Haiti. Now Outsiders Can See It In Living Color (Video)

The global influence of Hip-Hop culture has reached every corner of the globe, one could argue easily. From international breakdancing competitions to the international fashion market, hints of its four elements have touched the cultures of other nations, even on the other side of the planet from the United States,... Read more

October 12, 2015 Lifestyle

DJ EFN Elevates DJ Albums & David Banner Explains One Potent Verse (Interview)

After 20 years of his life devoted to Hip-Hop music and culture, Miami, Florida-based DJ EFN stepped to the front with Another Time. Self-released, the studio album included more than 30 years of MC greats, spanning all regions, styles, and skill-sets. Scarface, Blu, Royce Da 5'9", Killer Mike, MC Eiht,... Read more

June 2, 2015 Food for Thought

15 Amazing Hip-Hop Albums From 2015, So Far (Video)

2015 is not even at its halfway mark, and already has proven to arguably be even more exciting than last year. Seemingly, we are living in the era of surprise. Drake dropped If You're Reading This It's Too Late on a whim, Kendrick Lamar advanced the release of To Pimp... Read more

June 1, 2015 Food for Thought, Video

Royce Da 5’9″, O.C., REKS & Droog Make Some Revolutionary Boom Bap (Audio)

New Jersey veteran K-Def has remixed much of DJ EFN's Another Time album. This go-round, the onetime Marley Marl protege invites listeners to revisit "Revolutionary Ride Music," which features verses from Your Old Droog, Royce Da 5'9", REKS, and O.C. In his remix, The Garden State producer takes a more somber... Read more

May 31, 2015 Audio

Watch Crazy Hood’s Award-Winning Short Film, Avaricious: The Story Of Will (Premiere)

Miami, Florida-based Crazy Hood Productions is making a strong foray into film, through the Crazy Hood Film Academy. The collective including DJ EFN and Michael Garcia has released Avaricious: The Story Of Will. The work recently won "Best Short" at Key West Film Festival. Premiering on Ambrosia For Heads, the... Read more

May 15, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Keith Murray, Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers & SKAM2? Vow No Sleep Til’ Success (Audio)

It can be incredibly easy to set a goal for yourself, and rest once you've achieved it. However, the music industry does not sleep—nor can many of those we live in it. Joell Ortiz has a group personally handled by one of the biggest personalities in all of music. Keith... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio

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

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Redman, Talib Kweli & Wrekonize Celebrate a Night In Paradise (Video)

One of the strongest moments from DJ EFN's amazing Another Time album, is "Paradise." The moment links Redman, Talib Kweli, and ¡Mayday!'s Wrekonize. All three MCs are known for big body bars, but the record notably takes aim at the nightlife and club crowd, with a surprising smoothness. In the... Read more

April 17, 2015 Video

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

Along with the start of Spring, the month of March brought much to celebrate in Hip-Hop. Action Bronson released Mr. Wonderful, his major label debut album. DJ EFN hit Heads off with a slew of amazing collaborations on his Another Time LP. Earl Sweatshirt fired the latest salvo from Odd... Read more

April 3, 2015 Audio

DJ EFN Unleashes Another Heavy Collabo with Ras Kass, Black Milk, Black Collar and Cory Gunz (Audio)

For the last several months, DJ EFN has released some of the most interesting collaborations in Hip-Hop. Similar to peers like Statik Selektah and DJ Khaled, EFN has put out his own star-studded project, Another Time, featuring the likes of Killer Mike, Inspectah Deck, MC Eiht, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez,... Read more

April 2, 2015 Audio

Audio Two’s Milk Dee Is Still Top Billin’, With Sean Price & Murda Mook (Audio)

Not only is Audio Two's 1987 "Top Billin'" a Rap/Hip-Hop classic, Milk Dee and Gizmo's moment in the sun remains an early and critical representation of Brooklyn, New York. From Big Daddy Kane to Jay Z, The Notorious B.I.G. to Foxy Brown, top billin' is a style, an attitude, and... Read more

March 26, 2015 The Bridge

MC Eiht, Blu & Kam Come Together To Throw A Lyrical ‘W’ (Audio)

Growing up in the same backdrop of Los Angeles, California, MC Eiht, Kam, and Blu all illustrated the dichotomy of being a wordsmith and a gangsta rapper at the same time. For Eiht, those examples stem back to the mid-1980s in the rise of Comptons Most Wanted, reporting live about... Read more

March 20, 2015 Audio

3 of Cali’s Finest: Kurupt, King T & Fashawn Unite, On A K-Def Remix (Audio)

For his Another Time album, Miami, Florida's DJ EFN created a California super collaboration. "Selfish" features King T, Kurupt, and Fashawn—three masters from the last 25 years of Hip-Hop. With a new album fresh in stores, EFN calls upon veteran producer K-Def for the remix. New Jersey's K-Def is a... Read more

March 11, 2015 Audio

M.O.P., Inspectah Deck, Guilty Simpson & Bernz Rip Shop Together (Audio)

DJ EFN keeps unleashing the power-play collaborations. This time, the Miami, Florida-based DJ/producer asks, how about some hardcore? M.O.P. joins Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck, Random Axe's Guilty Simpson, and ¡Mayday!'s Bernz (f/k/a Bernbiz) for a slow creeper through your aural cavities. The five MCs remind you that they're from "Another... Read more

March 3, 2015 Audio

dead prez, Juvenile & Trick Daddy May Seem Like An Unlikely Team, But They Are Survivalists (Audio)

DJ EFN's been bringing all sorts of worlds together on his Another Time album, which releases tomorrow (March 3). The Miami, Florida-based DJ is fusing generations, styles, and coasts on his Empire-distributed studio LP. "Survival" is no exception. EFN orchestrates a team of Juvenile and Dade County's own Trick Daddy,... Read more

March 2, 2015 Audio