dmc ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

200 MCs Celebrate DJ Kay Slay On The Ultimate Posse Cut

Last year, Hip-Hop lost DJ Kay Slay. The Harlem legend passed away on April 17, 2022. His 40+ year legacy began with graffiti and evolved into him becoming one of the biggest mixtape DJs in the world. The self-proclaimed "Drama King" ultimately used his tastemaking skills as a record executive... Read more

November 3, 2023 Video

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

Naturally 7 Remake Run-D.M.C.’s Holiday Classic With Style & Grace

Thirty-five years ago, Run-D.M.C. delivered one of the best holiday songs in any genre. "Christmas In Hollis" brought the mainstream home to the Profile Records trio's Queens, New York neighborhood. The song is charming and accessible without losing the magic that Hip-Hop's superstar trio had after their first three albums.... Read more

November 29, 2022 Video

1984 Was The Year That Changed Everything For Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Heads regularly debate the culture and music's greatest years. There are usual and deserving suspects, of course. However, Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast is launching a series where we make a case for those years—and some others too. As we currently live in what some consider Orwellian times, 1984... Read more

February 10, 2021 Audio, Food for Thought, Video

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Run-D.M.C. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

September 11, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

August 20, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

July 11, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

The Coup’s DJ Pam The Funkstress Has Passed Away

In an already challenging week, Hip-Hop has learned that it has lost another veteran artist. DJ Pam The Funkstress (aka Pamela Warren) has died. A founding member of The Coup, Pam would also work with Prince on tour in recent years. After surviving a critical surgery in the last month,... Read more

December 22, 2017 News

Rob Swift Shows Why “The Breaks” Is The Most Authentic TV Show About Hip-Hop

On April 10, The Breaks completed the airing of its first season as a series. What began as a 2016 film for television extended for eight 2017 episodes. With actor, artist and director Mack Wilds portraying "Daryl 'DeeVee' Van Putten, Jr." in the Vh1 show, the cast also includes Hip-Hop figures such... Read more

April 26, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought

D.M.C. Pays Respect To “The Real Pioneers Of Rap” (Video)

During the mid-1980s, Run-D.M.C. helped put Hip-Hop music and culture in new places across the globe. D.M.C., Run, and the late Jam Master Jay were cultural ambassadors with hit records that brought the grit and fashion of the New York City streets to the worldwide mainstream. While Run-D.M.C. pioneered many... Read more

March 22, 2017 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

Kool Keith, QBert & Dan The Automator Will Perform Dr. Octagon Live For The First Time

In 1996, Kool Keith and his career were at a crossroads. For the last decade, the Bronx, New Yorker had been pushing the envelope of technical rhyme patterns, cadences, and crafty lyricism as the defacto figurehead of the Ultramagnetic MC's. As the group would disband for hiatus (resuming a decade... Read more

February 7, 2017 Exclusive, News

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

Run-DMC & Aerosmith Reveal Why They Didn’t Want To “Walk This Way”

Thirty years ago this month, Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith teamed for "Walk This Way." Eleven years after the Boston, Massachusetts band recorded the initial version of their single, its creators—Steven Tyler and Joe Perry would learn that the drums (courtesy of Joey Kramer) had been re-appropriated by the Hip-Hop community. As... Read more

May 24, 2016 Throwback

Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid In Full vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

March 2, 2016 Finding the GOAT

With Compelling Photography, An Artist Hopes To Lessen The Stigma Of Mental Illness

Dior Vargas, a self-described "Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist," is bringing much-needed attention to the prevalence of mental illnesses in communities of color through a photography project that asks everyday people to raise awareness about the issue. In general, mental illness is one of those touchy subjects that makes many... Read more

October 21, 2015 Lifestyle

Finding the GOAT Album: Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell vs. Whodini’s Escape. Which One Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 20, 2015 Finding the GOAT

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 12, 2015 Finding the GOAT

D.M.C. Once Contemplated Suicide. From Adoption To J.M.J.’s Death, He Embodies Triumph (Video)

Last week, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels stopped by CBC Radio to sit down with Shadrach Kabango (also known by his MC name, Shad) for an interview on Kabango's Q program. For more than 45 minutes, the two discussed the Hip-Hop pioneer's life and career, both past and present. Clad in an... Read more

September 29, 2015 Video

After 30 Years, DMC & DJ Premier Are Finally Working Together (Audio)

After several years of focusing on comics and other passions, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels has been making plans for a comeback to the Rap world. In the next installment of his appearance on Tim Einenkel's On The Library podcast, D talks about his current music projects. The Run-DMC member begins this... Read more

May 26, 2015 Audio

For National Prevention Week, Watch This 1987 Run-DMC Anti-Drug PSA (Video)

Today (May 17) begins National Prevention Week, a seven-day annual event produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With that in mind, Ambrosia For Heads is proud to shed light on not one, but two anti-drug PSA's this week that aired back in 1987, from two... Read more

May 17, 2015 Exclusive, Throwback

DMC Attributes Run-DMC’s “Downfall” to Negative Music, Urges Rick Ross To Own His Past (Audio)

As Hip-Hop continues to rapidly evolve, many of the messages being delivered to its fans today may raise a few eyebrows. This week's The Library Podcast hosted by Tim Einenkel, features pioneering Rap star DMC. Speaking about contemporary Rap music as well as his own catalog with Run-DMC, the Queens,... Read more

May 12, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): LL Cool J vs. DMC…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 26, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Grandmaster Melle Mel vs. DMC…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 24, 2015 Throwback

DMC, Chuck D, PMD, MC Serch & Terminator X Come Together With An Edge (Video)

Twenty five Januaries ago, in 1990...could you have imagined Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Chuck D, Parrish "PMD" Smith, MC Serch, and Terminator X together? The thought alone drains boombox D-batteries, and makes speakers shudder. In 2015, these things are not only possible, but able to be captured on video. "Hellraisers" is... Read more

January 30, 2015 Video

Run-DMC’s King Of Rock Turns 30 Years Old & Remains Great

Run-DMC's sophomore album, King Of Rock, reached record store stands 30 years ago today (January 21, 1985). Released on the Profile label, the effort from the Hollis, Queens trio barely missed the Billboard Top 50, but remained a highlight within the group's discography. Following the self-titled LP's boom-bap style, Run,... Read more

January 21, 2015 Throwback

Rest In Peace Larry Smith, Run-DMC & Whodini’s Iconic Producer

Hip-Hop has lost another pioneer. Yesterday (December 18), iconic producer and songwriter Larry Smith has been confirmed dead. Smith, who was 63 at the time of his death, produced early records for the likes of Run-DMC, Whodini, Jimmy Spicer, and Kurtis Blow. Smith's death comes more than six years following... Read more

December 19, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: The Fresh Prince vs. DMC…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

November 21, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

DJ Craze Is A DMC World Champion Turntablist. Check His Kanye West New Slaves Routine (Video)

If you've seen the film Scratch, you're up on DJ Craze. The Miami, Florida-based DJ is featured amidst competition. Around the time of the Doug Pray film's production, Craze was an undisputed king of turntablism, winning the DMC World Championships in 1999, 2000, and 2001. In 1998, he was also... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels As A Comic Super-Hero Is Coming To Book Shelves…

Nearly one year ago, it was reported the Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (of Run-DMC) is venturing into comic books. The Hollis, Queens Hip-Hop icon stayed the course, and announced that his graphic novel, DMC #1 has a release date. OkayPlayer reports that on October 29, via the self-published house, Darryl Makes... Read more

August 28, 2014 Fresh

Can You Feel It: Why 1984 Is Hip-Hop’s Watershed Moment (Food For Thought)

Last year, Hip-Hop turned 40 years old—as far as we know. In truth, part of the culture’s beauty comes from the fact that there is no genesis moment. From the ancient cave-side hieroglyphics to the late ‘60s tags of TAKI 183, graffiti existed as a fascinating balance of expression and... Read more

August 27, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

DMC Unveiling New Comic Book In New York City

It seems like one of the "Kings of Rock" has found a new area he'd like to conquer. This coming Saturday, October 12, 2013, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels will be signing autographs for Issue #0 of his very own comic book titled DMC. The signing will take place at this year's New York... Read more

October 9, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Run-DMC performed last week at the Made in America Festival and ripped through a bunch of their classics. If you missed it, here’s the full set (Video)

Missed this earlier in the week, but had to post it. Check out the video. Related: Back in the day playlist of 80′s hip-hop classics from Melle Mel, Rakim, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, Whodini and more (Audio)... Read more

September 7, 2012 Video

Chuck D and DMC over nothing but an 808 and some hard scratches?? I’ll take it. Check out the new video for Public Enemy’s RLTK featuring DMC (Video)

Related: Public Enemy - I Shall Not Be Moved (Video)... Read more

August 22, 2012 Video