Empire ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

The 10 Best Rap Albums Of 2023

As 2023 comes to its close, it is 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. For 2023, we present a tight list of 10—celebrating the best of the best in the Rap genre.... Read more

December 19, 2023 Best Rap Albums Of 2023, Trending Stories

Tension Is Brewing Between Benny The Butcher & Freddie Gibbs

UPDATE: Hours after the story published, Freddie Gibbs took to Instagram stories to take some apparent more jabs at Benny The Butcher. "Ni**az' marketing plan for they whole album is to beef with Freddie Gibbs. That's cute," he wrote, with love and laughing emojis. Then Gibbs seems to suggest that Benny... Read more

March 27, 2022 Fresh

Benny’s Tana Talk 4 Is A Bold Reminder That The Butcher Is A Cut Above The Rest

This past Friday (March 11) kicked off one of the biggest weekends for Hip-Hop in quite some time. Benny The Butcher released his highly-anticipated Tana Talk 4 album. Released the same day, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz's joint album chronicles the demise of their Slaughterhouse group, conveying frustration and laying... Read more

March 15, 2022 Video

Rap Snubs & Predictions For The 2022 Grammy Awards

Last week, the nominees for the 2022 Grammy Awards were announced, and plenty of people are talking about it. With the awards taking place on January 31, 2022, the eligibility period for the 64th award show ran from September 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. As Hip-Hop Heads know, there... Read more

November 30, 2021 Video

Busta Rhymes Has Made A Classic Album 30 Years Into His Career

Busta Rhymes is one of Hip-Hop's most enduring stars. Named by Chuck D, a fixture within Native Tongues, a requested artist on Tupac's One Nation project, a member of the Aftermath/Shady/G-Unit reign as well as Cash Money/Young Money, and one of J Dilla's closest collaborators, Trevor Smith, Jr. has done... Read more

November 2, 2020 Audio, Fresh, Video

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

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

Eminem Raps A Response To Nick Cannon Claiming He Tried To Beat Him Up Over Mariah

UPDATE: Nick Cannon has now reacted to Eminem's diss today (December 6). “[Eminem] has been doing this forever,” Cannon says in the clip uploaded to Instagram from his Power 106 studio. “He should change his name from Eminem to Percocet—what’s the pills that old people take? We gonna call him... Read more

December 6, 2019 Audio

Murs & 9th Wonder Share The First 2 Songs From Their Final Collabo Album (Premiere)

On July 19, Murs and 9th Wonder will release the seventh and final installment of their collaborative union, The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over. The project, which was announced back in January, is entirely produced by The Soul Council, the collective of 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nottz, Eric G,... Read more

May 29, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

Styles P Has Released A New Album. His Song With Lil Fame Features 2 Pros At Work (Video)

AUGUST 27 UPDATE: Styles P and Lil Fame released a video for "The Professionals: ORIGINAL MAY 3 STORY: Today (May 3), Styles P has released his latest album, S.P. The GOAT: Ghost Of All Time. In recent years, the LOX member has haunted fans with an onslaught of freestyles... Read more

May 3, 2019 Audio, Video

The Charges Against Jussie Smollett Are Dropped

In a breaking story, prosecutors have dropped its felony charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett. The move happened this morning (March 26), following an arrest late last month under the suspicion of making false reports regarding an incident in Chicago, Illinois on January 29. The actor was released on $10,000... Read more

March 26, 2019 News

Jussie Smollett Has Been Arrested & Faces Felony Charges

On January 29, actor/vocalist Jussie Smollett reported a disgusting crime in Chicago, Illinois. The Empire cast member alleged that two men verbally and physically assaulted him near the entrance of the city's Loews Hotel and made reference to his race, sexual orientation, and politics. Per Smollett's report, a rope was... Read more

February 21, 2019 News

Empire’s Jussie Smollett Is The Victim Of A Disgusting Hate Crime

Actor Jussie Smollett is recovering from injuries related to a hate crime. The Empire actor known for playing the role of "Jamal Lyon" was attacked in Chicago, Illinois and hospitalized this morning (January 29). While walking in an undisclosed section of the Windy City, two masked men directed homophobic and... Read more

January 29, 2019 Lifestyle, News, TV, TV/Film

Ready Or Not? ANoyd Shows Eminem Isn’t The Only MC With Venomous Rhymes

Bloomfield, Connecticut native ANoyd may be a sort of new name to some Heads, but he has been consistently churning out quality material for at least five years now. Since kicking a standout verse on Apathy’s 2014 Connecticut Casual album on a song titled “Locals Only!,” he has dropped at least... Read more

January 8, 2019 Ready Or Not

Action Bronson’s White Bronco Is A Different Kind Of Road Trip (Video)

Last Friday (September 21), Action Bronson dropped the lead single to his quickly approaching album White Bronco. The cut bares the same name as the LP, and this ultra jazzy joint was put together by Daringer and Special Victims Unit, Bronson’s house band from his late night show. It’s exactly... Read more

September 27, 2018 Video

The Last XXXTentacion Suspect Surrenders. It’s A New Era For Solving Rap Star Murders.

Just over six weeks after 20-year-old rapper XXXTentacion was fatally shot during a robbery in Deerfield Beach, Florida, all four of his suspects have been arrested and indicted for murder. The incident took place on June 18 just outside of a motorcycle dealership while the #1 charting artist Jahsey Onfroy... Read more

August 8, 2018 News

A Second Suspect In The Murder Of XXXTentacion Has Been Arrested

Less than three days after the June 18 murder of rapper XXXTentacion (aka Jahseh Onfroy) in Deerfield Beach, Florida, local authorities arrested Dedrick D. Williams. The 22-year-old Pompano Beach resident was charged with first-degree murder, in addition to violating probation for a prior charge related to car theft and driving without... Read more

July 11, 2018 News

Skyzoo & Raheem DeVaughn Serve D’Angelo’s Devil’s Pie With Their Own Recipe (Audio)

Skyzoo has been in the Rap game for over a decade and a half now. Having worked with 9th Wonder, EPMD, and Spike Lee, the MC has devoted his career to sharpening his skills. The Brooklyn, New Yorker is prepping to drop an album, In Celebration Of Us (February 2) via First... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio

Rob Markman Says He’s Better Than MCs He’s Interviewed & Freestyles To Prove It (Video)

Rob Markman and "freestyle" typically only appear in the same sentence when the veteran journalist is writing about a hot verse dropped by an established rapper. A longtime presence in Hip-Hop journalism, Markman is currently Head of Artist Relations at Genius, but he has many years of work putting pen... Read more

July 13, 2017 Video

David Banner’s New Album Features Black Thought & K.R.I.T. (Full Audio Stream)

It has been six and a half years since David Banner released an album. In some circles, that Death Of A Pop Star collaboration with 9th Wonder was considered some of D.B.'s finest songwriting. The Mississippi MC/producer with three Top 10 LP releases has thrived without the album format. Now... Read more

May 19, 2017 Audio

Ghostface Joins Raekwon On A Rugged Remix For “This Is What It Comes Too” (Audio)

In just a few days (March 24), Raekwon is set to release his album, The Wild. For the first time in Chef's career, this LP features no involvement from any of his Wu-Tang Clan cohorts. However, while Rae' is preparing a unique album in his catalog, his right-hand man is... Read more

March 21, 2017 Audio

Raekwon Discusses His New Album, Working With OutKast, His Wu-Tang Classics & More

For nearly 25 years, Raekwon has been an elite source of inventive Rap music. The Staten Island MC made his debut on the classic Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by transmitting some of that album's most memorable lines and verses. Following, Rae' pivoted in a different direction with a cinematic... Read more

March 7, 2017 Food for Thought

Raekwon’s J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Single Hints At What Wu’s Next LP May Sound Like (Video)

Raekwon is less than one month away from his album, The Wild. The Chef appears out for growth on the March 24 ICE H20/Empire release. While it is void of any Wu-Tang Clan appearances, Rae' connects with other disciples of his sound and style. Despite the fact that he grew... Read more

March 1, 2017 Video

Eric Biddines Climbs Mountains In This Video. Does This MC’s Single Pique Your Interest?

Florida's Eric Biddines makes his influences of Outkast, UGK, and Goodie Mob clear in his music. This MC uses his southern cadence, regional dialect, and warm weather lifestyle in his songs to his advantage. The single "Peeuurrnn" is derived off of a J.B. Smoove stand-up comedy routine. Leaving haters, crabs,... Read more

February 14, 2017 Ready Or Not

Ball So Hard: Raekwon Is Putting The Rap Game On Notice That He’s Back (Video)

At the top of February, Raekwon The Chef unleashed the first call from The Wild album, coming March 24. The Wu-Tang Clan lyrical assassin examines the jungle around him, and ambushes the attributes in the culture he doesn't like on single "This Is What It Comes Too" (as it is... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Fat Joe Signs To Jay Z’s Roc Nation. Their Beef Is All The Way Over (Audio)

In 2016, Fat Joe and Jay Z made a statement in both of their careers when they recorded the "All The Way Up (Remix)" together (alongside Remy Ma). Reportedly dating back to the late 1990s, the eventual Terror Squad leader and the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder were caught in a beef... Read more

January 18, 2017 Audio, News

With The Highlight Year Anderson .Paak Is Having He Might Never Come Down (Video)

Lately, it seems like so many albums get a visual to just about every song. They arrive in close proximity to each other, and fill up the digital superhighway with traffic not that much different from rush hour commutes. Prior to today, Anderson .Paak's Malibu album is approaching its one-year... Read more

October 31, 2016 Video

Biv & DeVoe Host A BET Cypher With Some New Editions Of Their Empire (Video)

The members of New Edition have been entertaining audiences for nearly 35 years, and they show no signs of slowing down. The group consisting of Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe and, at times Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill has experienced a resurgence in 2016, in anticipation of... Read more

October 5, 2016 Video

Anderson .Paak & T.I. Elevate “Come Down” Through A Dazzling Performance (Video)

Anderson .Paak's Malibu has many charms. "Come Down," produced by Reflection Eternal's Hi-Tek is just one. As the California singer, MC, and drummer continues to take his independent Empire release and garner acclaim, attention, and legions of new fans, the rest of the Hip-Hop space wants in. Now signed to... Read more

May 26, 2016 Video

Anderson .Paak’s “Malibu” Visuals Are Worth Every Bit Of The Wait (Video)

Anderson .Paak's Malibu is far and away one of 2016's most-talked about albums, especially in terms of acclaim. Now signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, the Californian opened the year with an Empire-backed release that features ScHoolboy Q, Rapsody, Game, and others. Independently released, Malibu shot into the Top 100,... Read more

May 1, 2016 Video

“Empire” Star Jussie Smollett Takes The Media To Task For Its Coverage Of Donald Trump (Video)

Last night, Comedy Central was once again the sight of an engrossing, multi-dynamic look at American racial politics, thanks to the perspectives shared on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. With many of today's top news stories approached from perspectives of people of color, the show often delves into the... Read more

March 16, 2016 TV/Film

Xzibit Cast As Crooked Record Executive In Upcoming “Empire” Episodes

Veteran MC Xzibit has made a solid career out of acting. In addition to his hosting on series such as MTV's Pimp My Ride, the onetime Loud Records star lyricist has appeared in XXX: State Of The Union, 8 Mile, and TV reboot Hawaii Five-O. According to Deadline, Mr. X-to-the-Z... Read more

February 25, 2016 News, TV/Film

Freddie Gibbs Has Some Things To Get Off His Chest On “Freddie Gordy” (Video)

Spitting reality Rap is what made Freddie Gibbs pivot from being an Interscope Records castaway to one of the prime independent movers and shakers of Hip-Hop. Gangsta Gibbs epitomizes Gangsta Rap in the 2010s. Shadow Of A Doubt single "Freddie Gordy" is the latest article of evidence in just how... Read more

February 23, 2016 Video

Skillz’s Rap Up Masterfully Covers The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of 2015 (Audio)

Like clockwork, Skillz serves up his annual summary of the year that was, with a masterful rap. There is nothing like his blow by blow rhyme to remind us all of the good, bad and often bizarre happenings of 2015. In his latest installment, Skillz covers seemingly everything that dominated... Read more

December 31, 2015 Audio

Two “Empire” Execs Sign On For Sugar Hill Records / Sylvia Robinson Biopic

As Straight Outta Compton dominated cinema box offices in 2015, another Hip-Hop label biopic is in pre-production. The Sugar Hill Records story is in development with Warner Bros. Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter. For the unnamed script, two executives from FOX's hit series "Empire" have signed on. Producer Malcolm... Read more

October 21, 2015 News, TV/Film

The Government Is Using Hip-Hop To Fight Smoking By Youths (Video)

Earlier this year, the worlds of Hip-Hop and marketing collided when Sprite unveiled a new line of soda cans featuring lyrics from Biggie, Drake, Nas, and Rakim - but that was not the first time Hip-Hop had been used so obviously in a marketing campaign. Artists like Ice Cube, Jay... Read more

October 9, 2015 Lifestyle

Jimmy Fallon Faces Off Against Terrence Howard. There’s Only 1 King on “Jimpire” (Video)

Over the last 6 months, Fox's show Empire has become a runaway hit. The series, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, has transcended race and gender to become as embedded in the cultural zeitgeist as any show in years. Its over-the-top plot twists and outsized characters are only... Read more

September 24, 2015 Video

Abuse, Witnessing Murder & Being Broke: Terrence Howard Lays It All On The Table

Actor Terrence Howard plays complex characters. Whether portraying a hero, a villain, or everything in between, the Academy Award-nominated 46 year-old brings a depth to his roles, behind the green eyes and trademark voice. Currently, Howard is enjoying success on "Empire," one of the nation's biggest television shows. The show... Read more

September 17, 2015 Lifestyle

Skyzoo Discusses His New Album and the Changing Landscape of Brooklyn (Interview)

2015 is a monumental year for Skyzoo. While the journey extends back longer, it has been a decade since much of the Rap consciousness first heard the smooth cadence from the Brooklyn, New York MC. In that span, Sky' has released and appeared on handfuls of acclaimed and charting albums.... Read more

June 26, 2015 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Skyzoo & Jadakiss Put Their Weight Into an Awesome Lyrical Display (Audio)

Skyzoo's Music For My Friends released a week early. Today (June 17), the Brooklyn, New Yorker let fans have it. For those unaware, Sky's self-released affair is largely based on his BK childhood and friendships. While he chose the microphone, some of Skyler's friends chose more literal hustles. The MC... Read more

June 17, 2015 Audio

Skyzoo & Elzhi Fold Hands & Dissect a Beat Together (Audio)

In the last five years (and truly, going back into the mid-2000s), Skyzoo and Elzhi are two of the most consistent do-it-yourself MCs. Brooklyn, New York—meets—Detroit, Michigan beyond Random Axe, as Sky' and El' freak "Hands Folded Together." The song features that linear, detailed imagery both rappers deliver regularly. The... Read more

June 16, 2015 Audio

Skyzoo’s “Music For My Friends” Documentary Opens Up His Circle (Video)

Now fully independent, Skyzoo's EMPIRE-distributed Music For My Friends arrives in less than two weeks. The June 23 album through his own First Generation Rich (FGR) company includes appearances from Jadakiss, Black Thought, and Bilal, among others. However, beyond just collabos, artwork, or titles, there is some very deep meaning... Read more

June 10, 2015 Video

Dynas Gets Busy On ‘Em, Putting His Skills Above All Else (Premiere)

Following his stellar, storytelling collaboration with Slick Rick ("Who U?"), South Florida's Dynas returns with his sophomore single from his EMPIRE-distributed Big and Tall, with producer Tony Galvin. "Busy" welcomes DJ Klassik's aggressive scratching, and Tony's Bomb Squad-influenced beat. Over-top, Dynas uses the moment to describe where he fits within... Read more

May 7, 2015 Audio, Exclusive

Cookie Lyon Meets Cookie Monster. No One on Sesame Street is Safe (Video)

The season might be over for FOX's breakout hit, Empire, but that doesn't mean the show's matriarch, Cookie Lyon (played by Taraji P. Henson), is taking a break. Instead, she's taking over a new show and a new street. In a hilarious SNL spoof, Queen Lyon invaded the world of... Read more

April 13, 2015 TV

Yazz The Greatest aka Hakeem from Empire is a Real MC. Just Watch His Freestyle (Video)

Many do not know the name Yazz the Greatest, but the name Hakeem Lyon, along with the hit show Empire, has taken the nation by storm. Before embodying Hakeem, Bryshere Gray was an MC from West Philadelphia who went by the name Yazz the Greatest. Yazz recently visited the Sway... Read more

March 23, 2015 Video

Diamond D & Grand Daddy I.U. Premiere “The Game,” Talk First Collaboration (Video)

Late last year, Bronx, New York MC/producer/DJ Diamond D released his fourth album, The Diam Piece (which remains available for full, authorized stream on YouTube), in addition to Google Play and iTunes). The Diggin' In The Crates (D.I.T.C.) co-founder produced the album, released on his own Dymond Mine Records and... Read more

January 26, 2015 Video

Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Henson Reunite for Empire…Buckle Up (Full Episode Stream)

Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson are back together again on screen in Fox's new series, Empire, and the show looks to be a wild ride. The duo, who worked together in Hustle & Flow and co-hosted several Soul Train Awards, play an estranged couple waging war over control of... Read more

January 8, 2015 TV, Video

Diamond D & Pete Rock Bring Colorful Images To Sweet Sounds (Video)

Both producer/MCs, Diamond D and Pete Rock seem to get far more props on the boards than on the mic. However, each of these guys has memorable verses, and over 20 years of crowd movin'. "Only Way 2 Go" is one of the finest moments on this year's Diam Piece... Read more

November 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Freddie Gibbs’ Next Studio Album Is Announced

Following his first Top 200 charts appearance, care of 2014's Pinata album with Madlib, Freddie Gibbs is back in the lab. Since the critically-acclaimed March album, a commercial benchmark for the Gary, Indiana native, Gibbs has released The Tonite Show, with producer The World's Freshest. Already, Gibbs released the first... Read more

November 12, 2014 Fresh