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Nas’ New Song With DJ Premier Shows Time Is Illmatic

Nas’ New Song With DJ Premier Shows Time Is Illmatic

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Nas' Illmatic. In April of 1994, Nas debuted with a panel of legendary producers to deliver a debut album that Ambrosia For Heads readers determined to be the "Greatest Hip-Hop Album Of All-Time" through a poll in April of 2016. Thirty years later, Nas... Read more
April 19, 2024 Audio, Trending Stories
DJ Premier Recruits Snoop Dogg For His Latest Song

DJ Premier Recruits Snoop Dogg For His Latest Song

Snoop Dogg and DJ Premier have been working together for over a quarter-century. Both artists are cemented leaders in distinct sounds within Rap, but they collaborate well. The two first came together on Jermaine Dupri's debut album for "Protectors Of The 1472" (alongside Warren G and R.O.C.). In 2002, Preemo... Read more
March 30, 2024 Audio, Trending Stories
Common & DJ Premier Reunite On A New Song

Common & DJ Premier Reunite On A New Song

Over the last quarter-century, Common and DJ Premier have made magic together. In 2000, Premier was a guest within The Soulquarians ensemble for Comm's benchmark Like Water For Chocolate album. On Comm's fourth LP, Preemo produced the masterful "The 6th Sense," which featured Bilal. The video single showed new range... Read more
November 17, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories, Video
Alchemist Names His Top 5 Producers

Alchemist Names His Top 5 Producers

Alchemist has had a busy 2023. The acclaimed producer (and MC/DJ) has released albums alongside Larry June, Earl Sweatshirt, and MIKE and Wiki—along with fresh solo material. Amid the prolific year, Al spoke to Genius' Andres Tardio to list his Top 5 Hip-Hop producers—including one of his mentors. Along the... Read more
November 1, 2023 Video
The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more
August 17, 2023 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary
JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole & More Share Secrets For Greatness

JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole & More Share Secrets For Greatness

J. Cole interviews are a rarity these days. Fresh off Dreamville's recent Creed III: The Soundtrack display, J. Cole sat down for a rare public conversation. However, it was not promoting the compilation that includes a new Cole solo song to a vintage, recycled Dr. Dre beat. Instead, Jermaine sat... Read more
March 25, 2023 Video
Macklemore Ponders Hip-Hop’s Bad Influences On A Song With DJ Premier

Macklemore Ponders Hip-Hop’s Bad Influences On A Song With DJ Premier

It has been over a decade since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' mainstream breakthrough, The Heist. Promoted with impressive Backroom freestyles and more, the album dealt with industry triumphs, sexual equality, and more. The against-the-grain LP featuring ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul would eventually (and somewhat controversially) win "Best Rap Album" at the 2014... Read more
January 22, 2023 Video
The Best Rap Verses Of 2022

The Best Rap Verses Of 2022

As 2022 winds down to its closing weeks, Ambrosia For Heads begins a celebration of the year with an in-depth conversation about its best Hip-Hop verses. In considering 2022, AFH's What's The Headline podcast spent nearly 90 minutes breaking down some of our favorites. While there is unanimous agreement surrounding six songs, the two hosts... Read more
November 30, 2022 Exclusive, Video
Remy Ma & Rapsody Are Rap’s New Dynamic Duo

Remy Ma & Rapsody Are Rap’s New Dynamic Duo

Last month (July 15), DJ Premier released an exceptional five-song collection. Hip-Hop 50, Vol. 1 kicks off Mass Appeal's series marching towards Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary in 2023. Today (August 11) marks the culture's 49th birthday as many Heads and historians celebrate it, honoring the day that DJ Kool Herc through a Saturday... Read more
August 11, 2022 Video
DJ Premier & Benny The Butcher Have Made A Rough & Tough New Song

DJ Premier & Benny The Butcher Have Made A Rough & Tough New Song

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more
August 5, 2022 Audio, Video
Lil Wayne & Slick Rick Show Lyricism Is The Root Of Hip-Hop

Lil Wayne & Slick Rick Show Lyricism Is The Root Of Hip-Hop

Yesterday (July 15), DJ Premier released his five-song Hip Hop 50: Volume 1. The five songs feature Preemo beats with an array of MCs from different generations, regions, and styles. The last song on the Mass Appeal Records release unites Slick Rick and Lil Wayne. “The Root Of It All” bonds... Read more
July 16, 2022 Audio
Remy Ma & Rapsody Go Scorched Earth Over A Preemo Beat

Remy Ma & Rapsody Go Scorched Earth Over A Preemo Beat

Today (July 15), DJ Premier released his first solo project in years. Hip Hop 50: Volume 1 is a five-song EP from the Gang Starr legend. Each cut features top MCs representing over 35 years of rapping greatness. Along with appearances by Nas, Run The Jewels, Lil Wayne, Slick Rick, and others,... Read more
July 15, 2022 Audio
Nas & DJ Premier’s New Song Takes Hip-Hop Back To Its Golden Era

Nas & DJ Premier’s New Song Takes Hip-Hop Back To Its Golden Era

It has been over a decade Hip-Hop Heads received a Nas song produced by DJ Premier. In late 2011, Nas connected with Premier and The Berklee Symphony Orchestra for "REgeneration." Four years prior, in 2007, Preemo supplied Nasir Jones, KRS-One, Rakim, and Kanye West with "Classic," a promotional video single for... Read more
July 15, 2022 Audio, Trending Stories
The Tracklist For DJ Premier’s Upcoming EP Features Nas, Slick Rick & More

The Tracklist For DJ Premier’s Upcoming EP Features Nas, Slick Rick & More

UPDATE: DJ Premier has confirmed the project arriving July 15. DJ Premier: Hip Hop 50 features five songs, all produced by Preemo, arriving on Mass Appeal. The Gang Starr O.G. works with everlasting voices from the '80s, '90s, 2000s, and 2010s. The tracklist is as follows: Tracklisting: 1. "Lettin’ Off... Read more
July 11, 2022 Fresh, Video
Joey Bada$$’s Next Album Is A Sequel To His Classic Mixtape

Joey Bada$$’s Next Album Is A Sequel To His Classic Mixtape

In June of 2012, Joey Bada$$ launched what has become a highly-respected catalog with 1999. The mixtape from the Brooklyn, New York MC helped usher in the Pro Era movement, with appearances by Capital STEEZ, CJ Fly, Chuck Strangers, Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, Dessy Hinds, and more. As a 17-year-old... Read more
May 12, 2022 Audio, Fresh, News
DJ Premier Blasts A Company For Copying Gang Starr’s Logo

DJ Premier Blasts A Company For Copying Gang Starr’s Logo

Gang Starr has one of the most iconic logos in Hip-Hop. Over a dozen years since group co-founder Guru passed away, that logo on official Gang Starr merchandise provides for the late MC/producer's family, including his son and his longtime musical partner, DJ Premier. This week, Preemo took umbrage with a major... Read more
April 27, 2022 News
Benny The Butcher Adds 10 Crack Commandments To Biggie’s List

Benny The Butcher Adds 10 Crack Commandments To Biggie’s List

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more
March 11, 2022 Audio
Kanye West Wants To Beat Up Pete Davidson In A New Song

Kanye West Wants To Beat Up Pete Davidson In A New Song

During the 2000s, The Game and Kanye West made several amazing songs together. In 2005, 50 Cent's protege and JAY-Z's pupil became some of the new stars of Hip-Hop. Kanye produced "Dreams," a video single from Game's double-platinum debut, The Documentary. A year and a half removed from The College... Read more
January 15, 2022 Audio, News
Nas Has Released A New Album With More Hit-Boy Magic

Nas Has Released A New Album With More Hit-Boy Magic

In the closing days of 2021, Nas has released his second album this calendar. In March, Nas won his first Grammy Award, taking home "Best Rap Album" honors for King's Disease, produced entirely by Hit-Boy. Then, in August, Nas and Hit returned with King's Disease 2. The Mass Appeal Records sophomore effort... Read more
December 24, 2021 Audio
2 Chainz Kicks Words Of Wisdom Over A DJ Premier Track

2 Chainz Kicks Words Of Wisdom Over A DJ Premier Track

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back and listen... Read more
December 13, 2021 Audio
Russ Releases A Late Contender For Rap Album Of The Year

Russ Releases A Late Contender For Rap Album Of The Year

In many years for music, some of the best albums arrive towards the end of the calendar. For Ambrosia For Heads readers, 2020's best-of list included late-year albums from Statik Selektah, Nana, 2 Chainz, and Your Old Droog. 2019's AFH tally involved three November titles from Griselda, Gang Starr, and... Read more
December 8, 2021 Audio
Snoop & Big K.R.I.T. Unite On A DJ Premier Production

Snoop & Big K.R.I.T. Unite On A DJ Premier Production

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back and listen... Read more
December 8, 2021 Audio
JAY-Z Is Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By More Than 40 Stars

JAY-Z Is Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By More Than 40 Stars

JAY-Z, LL Cool J, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go's and a host of other music legends were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 30. Footage and many of the details from the illustrious night leaked in real time and the days that followed. Hip-Hop owned... Read more
November 21, 2021 Video
Common Resurrects His Place As A Top MC With This Freestyle

Common Resurrects His Place As A Top MC With This Freestyle

Next month makes 30 years since Common received the coveted "Unsigned Hype" column in The Source magazine. As he would do with Biggie Smalls and Mobb Deep, journalist Matty C. found Common Sense a worthy inclusion for the highly-respected Hip-Hop publication. Unlike today, 1991 was a time when MCs from... Read more
September 9, 2021 Video
MC Eiht Details Lessons He Learned From EPMD, Rakim, Menace II Society & More

MC Eiht Details Lessons He Learned From EPMD, Rakim, Menace II Society & More

MC Eiht is the latest guest on Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast. In a 90-minute discussion, Eiht revisits highlights from his entire 30-plus-year-career. The Hub City O.G. details the formative years of Compton's Most Wanted and how he assumed the writing responsibilities for both MCs in the collective.... Read more
October 27, 2020 Exclusive, Video
Conway The Machine Collides With DJ Premier For Something That’s Nothin’ Less Than Dope

Conway The Machine Collides With DJ Premier For Something That’s Nothin’ Less Than Dope

Last Friday (September 11), Conway The Machine released his third project of 2020. Following March's Alchemist-produced LULU and May's Ghost LTD-helmed No One Mourns The Wicked, the Buffalo, New Yorker steps forth with From A King To A God. In one of the busiest seasons in Hip-Hop history, Griselda continues the... Read more
September 14, 2020 Audio, Fresh
Method Man & Redman Join Gang Starr For A Remix That Stands Up For Real Hip-Hop

Method Man & Redman Join Gang Starr For A Remix That Stands Up For Real Hip-Hop

On November 1, Gang Starr released its first album in more than 16 years. DJ Premier carefully crafted sounds around some previously unreleased vocals from Guru. In the autumn, Heads got two singles before One Of The Best Yet, the album which was later named to Ambrosia For Heads' Best... Read more
January 30, 2020 Audio
Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Championship Round): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. Gang Starr

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Championship Round): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. Gang Starr

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 24, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019
Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 13): Rapsody vs. Gang Starr

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 13): Rapsody vs. Gang Starr

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 21, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019
Screwball Member Hostyle Has Passed Away At The Age Of 47

Screwball Member Hostyle Has Passed Away At The Age Of 47

Hostyle, a founding member of Queens, New York Hip-Hop group Screwball, has died. R.A. The Rugged Man, Cormega, and other collaborators of the man born Frederick Ivey have acknowledged his passing. He was reportedly 47 years old. His cause of death has not been made public at this time. With... Read more
January 20, 2020 News
Royce 5’9’s Tracklist For “The Allegory” Features Griselda, Vince Staples & DJ Premier

Royce 5’9’s Tracklist For “The Allegory” Features Griselda, Vince Staples & DJ Premier

Yesterday (January 17), Royce 5'9 released the second video single to his 2020 album, The Allegory. The follow-up to 2018's acclaimed The Book Of Ryan has thus far included "Black Savage" (featuring T.I., CyHi The Prynce, Sy Ari Da Kid, and White Gold) as well as "Overcomer" (featuring Westside Gunn).... Read more
January 18, 2020 Fresh
Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 9): Skyzoo & Pete Rock vs. Gang Starr

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 9): Skyzoo & Pete Rock vs. Gang Starr

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 17, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019
Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 3): Gang Starr vs. Murs & 9th Wonder

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 3): Gang Starr vs. Murs & 9th Wonder

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 11, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019
Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2019 List

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2019 List

It is that season when “best of” lists abound and, in a year that featured some remarkable music from artists across the landscape, 2019 kept Hip-Hop fans on the edge of our seats. There were reunions, surprise collaborations, and show-stopping debut albums. The year also featured innovative label compilations, unexpected... Read more
December 18, 2019 Best Albums Of 2019
DJ Premier Reveals All The MCs He Asked To Be On The Gang Starr Album & What Happened

DJ Premier Reveals All The MCs He Asked To Be On The Gang Starr Album & What Happened

At the top of the month, Gang Starr released One Of The Best Yet. The seventh album by Guru and DJ Premier features familiar collaborators such as Big Shug, Group Home, Jeru The Damaja, M.O.P., and Freddie Foxxx. Additionally, J. Cole, Talib Kweli, Royce 5'9, Q-Tip, and Nitty Scott, MC... Read more
November 24, 2019 Audio, Fresh
Guru’s Son Transforms Into His Father For Gang Starr’s New Video

Guru’s Son Transforms Into His Father For Gang Starr’s New Video

A week after releasing One Of The Best Yet, Gang Starr delivers the second visual from the album. In the first video, "Family And Loyalty," DJ Premier, guest J. Cole, and Gang Starr Foundation's Big Shug were joined by Guru's son, Keith Casim "K.C." Elam. Heads may have noticed a... Read more
November 8, 2019 Video
DJ Premier Details The Secret Battle Of The Beats He Had With RZA (Video)

DJ Premier Details The Secret Battle Of The Beats He Had With RZA (Video)

Who is Hip-Hop's greatest producer of all-time? It's a question that has generated endless debate, over the years. In 2017, Ambrosia For Heads hosted a discussion among millions of readers, and let them decide by voting in an NCAA-style round robin tournament. DJ Premier emerged the victor in a 32-contender... Read more
November 2, 2019 Video
Gang Starr’s Album Is Here & It’s One Of The Best Yet (Audio)

Gang Starr’s Album Is Here & It’s One Of The Best Yet (Audio)

Less than six weeks ago, Hip-Hop Heads suddenly learned that a Gang Starr album was on its way. DJ Premier had spent more than a year producing songs around previously unreleased vocals from his longtime creative partner, Guru. The MC/producer had passed away in 2010, nearly seven years removed from... Read more
November 1, 2019 Audio
A New Report Details How DJ Premier Rescued Guru’s Lost Recordings

A New Report Details How DJ Premier Rescued Guru’s Lost Recordings

On Friday (November 1), Gang Starr will release its first album in more than 16 years. On One Of The Best Yet, the vocals of Guru are reunited with the producer/mixmaster DJ Premier for a final sendoff from one of Hip-Hop's most trusted sources of sound and style. Old friends and... Read more
October 30, 2019 Fresh
Gang Starr Has An Album Coming & Their New Song Is Classic Material (Audio)

Gang Starr Has An Album Coming & Their New Song Is Classic Material (Audio)

Gang Starr's legacy is everlasting. What Guru and DJ Premier assembled more than 30 years ago has influenced and informed Hip-Hop culture. In early 2010, the group's creator, Keith "Guru" Elam passed away from cancer in a New York City hospital. At the time, it had been more than six... Read more
October 18, 2019 Audio, News
Black On Both Sides Is Still Mos Def After 20 Years

Black On Both Sides Is Still Mos Def After 20 Years

Twenty years ago today (October 12, 1999), Mos Def released his solo debut, Black On Both Sides. After two decades of testing time, the Rawkus Records album remains a hallmark from the Underground Hip-Hop boom. On his own strict terms, Dante Smith crafted an LP driven by creativity, piercing commentary,... Read more
October 12, 2019 Food for Thought
Gang Starr’s New Video With J. Cole Keeps Guru’s Legacy Alive (Video)

Gang Starr’s New Video With J. Cole Keeps Guru’s Legacy Alive (Video)

More than 15 years since the last Gang Starr video, DJ Premier releases "Family and Loyalty." It's a Fab 5 Freddy-directed visual featuring DJ Premier, J. Cole, Big Shug, and plenty of memories surrounding the impact Guru's life made on others. The video begins with Guru's family (including his son,... Read more
October 2, 2019 Video
DJ Premier Details Why He Chose J. Cole For Gang Starr’s New Song (Audio)

DJ Premier Details Why He Chose J. Cole For Gang Starr’s New Song (Audio)

On Friday (September 20), Gang Starr released its first single in more than 16 years. "Family And Loyalty" features two verses from Guru (who passed away in 2010), a DJ Premier-produced track, and a guest appearance from J. Cole. Calling into Sway In The Morning, Premier explained some background on... Read more
September 23, 2019 Audio, News
Gang Starr Has New Music. J. Cole Joins This Moment Of Truth (Audio)

Gang Starr Has New Music. J. Cole Joins This Moment Of Truth (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 it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more
September 20, 2019 Audio
Nas & DJ Premier May Have Just Announced A New Gang Starr Album. Aiight? Chill

Nas & DJ Premier May Have Just Announced A New Gang Starr Album. Aiight? Chill

Twenty-five years ago, Nas left a voicemail on DJ Premier's answering machine that the fans got to hear. The smoky-voiced Rap phenom joined DJ Scratch, MC Eiht, and A.G., among others, on the "Aiight Chill" interlude for Gang Starr's fourth album, Hard To Earn. A few weeks later, Nas dropped... Read more
September 18, 2019 Fresh
Krayzie Bone & Brady Watt Perform 2 Classic BTNH Songs For The Love Of Music (Video)

Krayzie Bone & Brady Watt Perform 2 Classic BTNH Songs For The Love Of Music (Video)

Renowned bassist, producer, and member of DJ Premier’s Badder Band Brady Watt has been bringing his groove to video lately, linking up with MCs and singers for a series of videos he's branded “Bass & Bars.” Each entry has the New Hampshire native (who has worked with Statik Selektah, Talib... Read more
July 13, 2019 Video
Griselda & DJ Premier Put The Boom Bap Back In New York Rap (Video)

Griselda & DJ Premier Put The Boom Bap Back In New York Rap (Video)

Last month, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher dropped the Griselda trifecta's highly-anticipated DJ Premier-produced single "Headlines." The Payday Records collaboration linked the three MCs with a producer who had a major hand in inspiring their sound and Rap aesthetic. The first union between the Gang Starr... Read more
June 5, 2019 Video
Conway The Machine’s Freestyle Wrecks Shop Alongside Benny & Rick Hyde (Video)

Conway The Machine’s Freestyle Wrecks Shop Alongside Benny & Rick Hyde (Video)

Earlier this month, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher released "Headlines," a standalone single produced by the legendary DJ Premier. The Payday Records song stands as a benchmark intersection between the three self-made stars of Griselda Records and the Gang Starr O.G. According to Wes' recent interview... Read more
May 29, 2019 Video
Westside Gunn Discusses The Possibility Of An Entire Griselda Album With DJ Premier

Westside Gunn Discusses The Possibility Of An Entire Griselda Album With DJ Premier

Just over two years ago, Buffalo, New York MCs Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher formed a partnership with Eminem's Shady Records. The three artists have been busy ever since, independently releasing a string of acclaimed hardcore Hip-Hop albums on their Griselda Records imprint, including Wes' Supreme Blientele,... Read more
May 21, 2019 Interview, Video
DJ Premier & Griselda Have Released One Of 2019’s Best Songs. Listen Here (Audio)

DJ Premier & Griselda Have Released One Of 2019’s Best Songs. Listen Here (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 it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more
May 16, 2019 Audio
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