elzhi ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Slum Village Discuss Their First Album In Nearly A Decade

During the 2010s, Hip-Hop fans speculated what the future held for Slum Village. At the top of the decade, the Detroit, Michigan crew released a special album in Villa Manifesto—a collection of songs that featured kaleidoscopic contributions from the six artists who had claimed the group since its early 1990s... Read more

February 24, 2024 Exclusive, News, Trending Stories

The 15 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

As 2022 winds down, it comes time to celebrate the best in Hip-Hop music. As is tradition, the Ambrosia For Heads team weighs in on our opinion of the year's best albums. This list of 15 includes some comeback performances, significant sequel efforts, and collaborative tandems. The collection of LPs also shows... Read more

December 20, 2022 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

With Help From Eminem & Royce, Big Sean’s New Album Is Still Detroit Vs. Everybody

Last Friday (September 4), Big Sean released his fifth album, Detroit 2. One day before the eighth birthday of his 2012 mixtape that launched the series, the G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records LP is another ensemble affair. Like the freebie, Royce 5'9" offers some big-brother-support from Detroit. Meanwhile, Eminem, Lil Wayne,... Read more

September 7, 2020 Audio, Fresh

Elzhi, Chris Dave & The Drumhedz’ Tiny Desk Concert Could Never Be Tainted (Video)

After well over 20 years of work, Elzhi is one of the most skilled MCs in Hip-Hop. Alongside the always-impressive Chris "Daddy" Dave and his Drumhedz crew, the onetime Slum Village member has a story unlike many in the game, which makes this episode of NPR's Tiny Desk one not... Read more

February 21, 2020 Video

Madlib & Oh No’s Album Shows That Making Great Hip-Hop Is Their Family Business

The Brothers Jackson have blessed listeners with one-off tracks for years now. Ever since 2008 on Madlib's WLIB AM: King Of The Wigflip, the two Oxnard, California natives have teamed up as a killer producer-rapper combo. Late last year, Otis Jackson, Jr. shared word that he and his younger brother... Read more

January 23, 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

Elzhi Sounds Superhuman On His First Song With Madlib (Audio)

Although the two are brothers, Madlib and Oh No have only collaborated on a handful of tracks over the years. The Oxnard, California Brothers Jackson first introduced themselves as The Professionals on Madlib's 2008 "Beat Generation" series album, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip, with their track "I Want It... Read more

November 30, 2019 Audio

Apollo Brown’s Album Features Royce, Elzhi, Slum Village & More. Listen Here (Audio)

Apollo Brown continues to be one of the most trusted and most consistent producers in Hip-Hop. The Michigan native, based in Detroit, has made heralded albums alongside Joell Ortiz, O.C., Ras Kass, Planet Asia, and others. Additionally, the Mello Music Group mainstay has been the backbone in groups such as... Read more

October 29, 2019 Audio

Elzhi Rapping To Diamond D Production Is A Winning Combination (Video Premiere)

Diamond D’s status as an icon in Hip-Hop is forever etched in stone. Since his classic debut Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-Hop released in 1992, his groundbreaking work with the D.I.T.C. (Digging In The Crates Crew) and his production on multi-platinum album, The Score by The Fugees, Diamond D has consistently... Read more

July 2, 2019 Exclusive, Video

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

Elzhi Releases A Verse That Wins Like G Money On The Court (Audio)

On top of dropping a celebrated joint album with Khrysis last year under the group name Jericho Jackson, Elzhi also spent a lot of 2018 keeping MCs on their toes with vicious guest verses. He more than delivered on Masta Ace & Marco Polo’s A Breukelen Story, Conway The Machine’s... Read more

February 25, 2019 Audio

Elzhi, Ras Kass & Large Professor Rap About The Enduring Problems From Reaganomics

Some really good Hip-Hop music can be found on producer albums. From unknown beat-makers to those getting commercial placements, these compilations of tracks can often feature a wide variety of MCs that also range from underground to legend. In this case, relative newcomer B Leafs has brought together two different... Read more

January 21, 2019 Audio

Which Of These Albums Deserves To Compete For Best Of 2018? You Decide.

Earlier today, Ambrosia For Heads announced our picks for the 15 Best Albums Of 2018. As we did last year, we are having you decide which one of these albums (or any one that we missed) is the album of the year, based on your votes in an NCAA-style tournament... Read more

December 4, 2018 Best Rap Album 2018

Elzhi & Conway Team Up On A Soul Classic & It’s Nothing Sweet (Audio)

9th Wonder's Jamla Records continues to reach new levels with its talent and exciting releases. Yesterday (November 8) the collective released Jamla Is The Squad II, a sequel to the first project of the same name. Every MC and producer currently with the North Carolina-based label makes an appearance on... Read more

November 9, 2018 Audio

Elzhi & Ace Clark Rap A Story Of Betrayal. This Is Master Storytelling From Two Gifted MCs

Ace Clark is a triple threat from Brooklyn, New York who has got some impressive co-signs within his short time in the game. This MC/singer/producer dropped his debut The Good Fight back in 2015. He has taken his time crafting his follow-up, Black Privilege, but it will finally drop next... Read more

September 5, 2018 Audio

Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Mannie Fresh & More To Perform At 7th Annual Hiero Day

The 7th annual Hiero Day Music Festival & Block Party is taking place Labor Day, September 3. The event performers have officially been unveiled. Oakland, California's legendary Hieroglyphics crew will be performing at their festival, and joining them will be Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Freddie Gibbs, Mannie Fresh, Elzhi, Georgia... Read more

August 30, 2018 Fresh

Page Kennedy, Elzhi & Nick Grant Hold A Master Class In Storytelling (Audio)

In 2017, Detroit's Page Kennedy released Torn Pages. Featuring Royce 5’9, KXNG Crooked, Elzhi, Mr. Porter, Kuniva, Marsha Ambrosious and others, it was an intimate breakthrough from an MC who openly tackled heavy topics like police violence, sex addiction and more. Since then, his independent releases have been robust and sometimes explosive.... Read more

July 25, 2018 Audio

Finding The GOAT Group: Black Star vs. Slum Village. 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 9, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Busta Rhymes & Westside Gunn Break Bones With Verses, Not Sticks & Stones (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH 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 go back... Read more

June 22, 2018 Audio

Finding The GOAT Group: Slum Village vs. Jedi Mind Tricks. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

April 18, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz Reunite For A Collabo That Is Brooklyn To The Bone (Audio)

ChanHays is a producer from Halifax, Nova Scotia and someone who likes to feature spitters on his high tech, boom-bap instrumentals. At the end of last year, he dropped his debut project, Here, which touted some legendary MCs. Everyone from Ras Kass and Pharoahe Monch to Elzhi, Masta Ace, and... Read more

March 28, 2018 Audio, Fresh

Early In His Career, Drake Rhymed With Phonte & Elzhi And It Was All Good (Audio)

In 2007, three years before releasing his studio debut Thank Me Later, Drake was still a relatively new rapper with only one mixtape under his belt. That year he dropped his sophomore tape, Comeback Season, an under-appreciated offering from a future global superstar during his budding career. With guest spots from Dwele,... Read more

March 15, 2018 Do Remember

Vince Staples’ CrowdFunding Campaign Is Doomed To Fail & That’s The Best Thing For Hip-Hop

The Hip-Hop industry is adapting to the times. A-list rappers release albums through cellphone carriers, cryptocurrency is accepted as a form of payment by artists, and the idea of a project being for sale is being challenged by some of the genre’s top earners. One of the tech trends that... Read more

March 7, 2018 Food for Thought, News, Video

Elzhi & Khrysis’ 1st Collabo Single Shows What Jericho Jackson’s Got…FIRE (Audio)

In two weeks, 9th Wonder's Jamla Records is releasing the first collaborative project from Elzhi and Khrysis. The February 23 album takes its title from the Detroit, Michigan MC to Raleigh, North Carolina producer tandem's group name, Jericho Jackson. The name is a reference to Carl Weathers' character in 1988's... Read more

February 9, 2018 Audio

Elzhi & Khrysis Announce Their Collabo Group With A Musical Preview (Audio)

In the hours leading up to 2018, some Hip-Hop news was announced that Heads might have missed. Jamla Records' founder 9th Wonder revealed that this new year promises an exciting collaborative group from two esteemed veterans of Rap music and verse. Detroit, Michigan MC Elzhi and North Carolina producer Khrysis... Read more

January 2, 2018 Audio, News

Phonte & Elzhi Reunite On A New Song & They Are Razor Sharp (Audio)

When Little Brother released The Minstrel Show, it was a huge moment for many Hip-Hop Heads. The North Carolina-based trio that won the hearts of fans with 2003's The Listening joined Atlantic Records and seemingly represented a real chance for putting a disenfranchised side of the genre back on radio,... Read more

December 8, 2017 Audio

Eminem’s New Song Is A Scathing Rebuke Of Racism & White Privilege (Audio)

For the second time in 2 months, Eminem has delivered some of the most potent commentaries in music. In October, his BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, a freestyle titled "The Storm" that was a 5-minute takedown of Donald Trump, became headline news around the world. Em was not the first... Read more

December 8, 2017 Audio

Madlib, Talib Kweli & More Released New Music Today. Here’s Some Of The Best (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH 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 go back... Read more

November 17, 2017 Audio

Big K.R.I.T.’s New Collabo Shows He’s A True Descendant Of The Dungeon Family (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH 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 go back... Read more

October 27, 2017 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Has A New Album Coming And His First Single Is Worth Celebrating (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH 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 go back... Read more

September 29, 2017 Audio

Page Kennedy, Elzhi, Kxng Crooked, Cassidy, King Los & Mickey Factz vs. EVERYBODY (Audio)

Earlier this month, Page Kennedy dropped jaws when he added an unofficial (but very compelling) new chapter to JAY-Z's "The Story Of O.J." The Detroit, Michigan actor/MC is clearly out to keep his profile buzzing and pushing this year's Torn Pages LP along. This time, he rallies up a crop... Read more

July 31, 2017 Audio

Elzhi-Era Slum Village Rip The Mic In A Never Before Released 2002 Freestyle (Audio)

Few Hip-Hop groups have experienced the setbacks of Slum Village. Two founding members, J Dilla and Baatin, died from health complications in the 2000s. Elzhi left the group, with reports of a less than amicable split between himself and anchor T3. Dilla's brother Illa J also had a stint in... Read more

May 26, 2017 Audio

Drake Releases His More Life Playlist & It’s A Return To More Hard Rapping (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with the good stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been before. Not only are we able to go... Read more

March 18, 2017 Audio

Elzhi Reunites With Elmatic’s Band To Bring Some Serious Knowledge (Audio)

Between 2008's Black Milk-produced The Preface and last year's celebrated Lead Poison album, Elzhi made a conceptual mixtape that stood as tall as any during those eight years. Elmatic paid tribute to Nas, and his Illmatic, with El' making himself comfortable in homages to the lyrics, while reworking them for... Read more

March 9, 2017 Audio

Page Kennedy & Elzhi Are Microphone Assassins From The Murder Mitten (Audio)

Yesterday (March 6), AFH announced its South By Southwest stage. Right in step with that, two of the March 15 showcase performers unleash their collaboration. Page Kennedy and Elzhi are elite MCs who both represent Detroit, Michigan. While El' is a decorated veteran whose career spans back to the '90s,... Read more

March 7, 2017 Audio

KXNG Crooked, Elzhi, Rapsody, Nick Grant & More Will Take The AFH Stage At SXSW

On Wednesday, March 15, Ambrosia for Heads will be cohosting its first official showcase at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. The Ambrosia For Heads x My Executive Room Showcase will feature headlining appearances from Kxng Crooked, Elzhi, Rapsody, 9th Wonder and Nick Grant. The event will... Read more

March 6, 2017 News

Finding The GOAT Producer: J Dilla vs. A Tribe Called Quest. 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 22, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Cheers. There’s Still Great Hip-Hop Being Made. Here’s A Bunch (Audio Playlist)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with the good stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been before. Not only are we able to go... Read more

February 17, 2017 Audio

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

December 30, 2016 Food for Thought

Hip-Hop Stood Tall In July. Here’s Some Of The Best Of The Month (Audio Playlist)

July was a tense and complicated month. The killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police, both captured on film, led to national protests, heated discourse and some misguided shootings of police officers, presumably in retaliation. Political conventions held by the Democratic and Republican parties further divided the nation... Read more

August 2, 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

Elzhi Freestyles Off The Top Of The Head To A J Dilla Donut (Video)

With his sophomore studio album Lead Poison now released, Elzhi is the latest guest on Tony Touch's Toca Tuesdays radio show. There, the Detroit, Michigan MC veteran was not immune to the hot seat. He tackles two beats. Fans of Motown music will particularly enjoy El' buckling down on Dilla's... Read more

April 12, 2016 Video

Hear The Best Hip-Hop of March 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For Hip-Hop fans, March 2016 will forever be associated with the loss of Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest. Less than 2 weeks after his sudden passing, fans worldwide are still mourning. While March 22 undoubtedly will become an annual day of reflection and celebration for Hip-Hop, there were... Read more

April 3, 2016 Audio, Playlists

Any Questions About Whether Elzhi Is Back End With The Intro To His New Album (Audio)

After a few fits and starts, Elzhi's new album Lead Poison will be released tonight at midnight (March 25). The album was paid for by a crowd funding campaign that threatened to go really badly. After some missed deadlines, questions arose as to whether the LP would ever be released,... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

Elzhi Only Needs Two 16s to Deliver Unmatched Storytelling (Audio)

March 25 will signal the arrival of Elzhi's Lead Poison, a scenario for which "highly anticipated" is an understatement. His first full-length release since 2011's Elmatic, the upcoming LP is equal servings of vulnerability and dominance, as the Detroit MC's gimmick-free lyrical abilities take on everything from mental illness to... Read more

March 9, 2016 Audio

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop of February (& January) 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February brought many surprises in Hip-Hop. DJ Premier partnered with ambient songstress Yuna, for some boom bap vibe music. Blu rocked on a 45 King track reminiscent of "Hard Knock Life." Kendrick Lamar and Ice Cube got funky with Funkadelic. The Game waxed poetic with nothing but... Read more

March 7, 2016 Audio

Elzhi Discusses His Battle With Depression and It’s A Testament To His Courage (Interview)

In the nearly five years it's been since Detroit MC Elzhi has released a full-fledged solo project in the form of his Elmatic mixtape, Heads have been eager for his return. However, Lead Poison, his highly-anticipated follow up, is on its way (March 25), and with it comes Elzhi's most... Read more

March 1, 2016 Food for Thought

Elzhi Drops First Visual Dose of “Lead Poison” & Describes Deeply Personal Inspiration

In the nearly five years it's been since Detroit MC Elzhi has released a full-fledged solo project in the form of his Elmatic mixtape, Heads have been eager for his return. So eager, in fact, that many gladly contributed to the rapper's Kickstarter campaign in an effort to raise the... Read more

February 29, 2016 Food for Thought, Video

Elzhi Announces New Album, Struggle with Depression & Drops a Bold New Single (Audio)

For fans of Detroit, Michigan MC Elzhi, it's been a long and brutally quiet few years since he released his Nas-inspired masterpiece Elmatic in 2011. Since dropping his debut solo LP The Preface in 2008, he's taken on a reputation of nearly mythical proportions (a la Jay Electronica) by maintaining... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of October 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

When the year is tallied, October 2015 likely will be remembered as the month where The Game released not one, but two heralded sequels to his The Documentary album. And, while the accolades will be well deserved, there were a number of other strong releases in the first full month... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio, Playlists