Epic ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Busta Rhymes’ New Song Is A Statement About 30 Years Of Greatness

Today (November 24), Busta Rhymes has released his 11th solo album. Blockbusta follows a three-year break from Extinction Level Event 2 (aka E.L.E. 2), an album that some Busta fans—including Ambrosia For Heads–considered a classic album well-into his 30-year career. For Blockbusta, Busta returns to a major label, Epic Records,... Read more

November 24, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

Grand Daddy I.U. Has Passed Away

In a year already marred by loss, Hip-Hop has learned of another tragedy. Long Island, New York's Grand Daddy I.U. has reportedly died. The MC/producer has been mourned publicly by LL Cool J, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Bumpy Knuckles, and others. At this time, no cause of death has been... Read more

December 13, 2022 News

Ghostface Killah Recalls Making His Ironman Album 25 Years Later

Yesterday (October 29), Ghostface Killah's debut album Ironman turned 25 years old. In honor of the milestone, the Wu-Tang Clan MC partnered with his former label, Sony Records, with a special video vignette that revisits the RZA-produced Hip-Hop classic from 1996. In the interview, the Staten Island MC says, "[Ironman]... Read more

October 30, 2021 Video

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 25 Rap Albums Of The Decade

In the final hours of a decade, Ambrosia For Heads presents our Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums. The 2010s were a wild ride, with an onslaught of important new voices, and incredible maturation from veteran MCs. It was a 10-year span where artists and songs were discovered new places (including the... Read more

December 30, 2019 Best Rap Album 2010s

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 7): Saba vs. Travis Scott

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

December 13, 2018 Best Rap Album 2018

This Mash-Up Mix Takes A Midnight Maraud With 36 Chambers (Audio)

Yesterday (November 9), Hip-Hop Heads celebrated the 25th birthdays of two landmark albums: A Tribe Called Quest's third LP, Midnight Marauders and Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). On 11-9-93, many fans were eager to digest LPs that were likely shipped together from the same RCA Records distributor. Although... Read more

November 10, 2018 Audio, Mixes

Sir Jinx Reveals That His & Ice Cube’s First Song Plays In Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Video

N.W.A. was not Ice Cube's first Rap group. Years before O'Shea Jackson helped lead an independent Gangsta Rap charge in music, he and longtime producer/DJ Sir Jinx were already major label acts. Although Cube, Jinx, and K-Dee had C.I.A. (Criminals In Action) during the mid-1980s (a trio that worked with... Read more

October 7, 2018 Throwback

Finding The GOAT Group Championship: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Wu-Tang Clan. Who Is Best?

“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 25, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

There Are 2 Remaining In The Competition To Name Hip-Hop’s Best Group

“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 were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot was reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

September 23, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Public Enemy. 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 18, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Jackson 5 Patriarch Joe Jackson Has Passed Away At Age 89

Joseph Walter Jackson, one of music's most famed and successful managers, has died this morning (June 27). The 89-year-old Jackson was battling pancreatic cancer. In the last three years, the longtime executive behind the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson had suffered a stroke and survived an injury in... Read more

June 27, 2018 News

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Souls Of Mischief. 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 9, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Nick Grant Is Feeling Like A Champion On “’96 Bulls” (Video)

Nick Grant delivered one of the strongest debut albums of 2017 in the form of Return Of The Cool. In 2018, he shows that he is not stopping his roll. Last month the Walterboro, South Carolina spitter flipped a classic Lauryn Hill sample for his song "Forever And Always." Now,... Read more

March 22, 2018 Video

Rick Ross Is Home From The Hospital & Continuing Treatment

On Thursday (March 1) Rap star Rick Ross was rushed to a Miami, Florida hospital after a suspected heart attack. Today (March 5), after a quietly concerning weekend, the Maybach Music Group founder is reported to have returned home. TMZ reports that the 42-year-old rapper returned to his residence early... Read more

March 5, 2018 News

Quincy Jones Details How Michael Jackson Stole Some Of His Best Material (Video)

Quincy Jones turns 85 years old next month. The musician, arranger, producer, and celebrity is showing a side of himself that may be new to most of the public. Q is speaking fearlessly about some of his most sacred collaborators and peers. The creator of 1989's Back On The Block... Read more

February 8, 2018 News

Irv Gotti Says He Stopped Suge Knight From Releasing A Jennifer Lopez Sex Tape (Video)

In 2002, Irv Gotti produced two #1 remix singles for Jennifer Lopez. As a supplement to the actress-singer's quadruple-platinum J.Lo LP, she took a page from Mary J. Blige by releasing J To Tha L-O!: The Remixes. Like it's companion, the Epic Records remix album went to #1, featuring Hip-Hop guests... Read more

November 9, 2017 Video

Big Boi Explains Just How Real The OutKast & A Tribe Called Quest Joint Album Was (Video)

Between 2007 and early 2016, two of the most exciting Hip-Hop acts on Epic Records were seemingly inactive. Through a series of label moves, restructuring, and dissolving imprints, Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest were label-mates. LaFace/Arista rolled into Jive, which restructured into Epic. Both groups had fans and media... Read more

June 26, 2017 Video

Westside Connection: DJ Quik & MC Eiht Release Their First Ever Collaborations (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us 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 and... Read more

April 22, 2017 Audio

Rick Ross Threatens Birdman’s Life On A Record That’s Pure Disrespek (Audio)

For the last decade-plus, Rick Ross was widely perceived as a YMCMB affiliate, despite never being an official artist. The Miami, Florida rapper who has released seven albums with Slip-n-Slide/Def Jam Records released hit singles like "Stay Schemin'," "You A Boss," and "Maybach Music 2" with Cash Money/Young Money artists... Read more

March 17, 2017 Audio, News

Nick Grant Spits A Blazing Hot Freestyle That Melts Raekwon’s Ice Cream (Video)

At the top of 2017, Nick Grant released his major label debut album, Return Of The Cool. The Epic Records artist chose a bold title, but he's backed it up. South Carolina's own has made a name for himself through sheer skills above feature-driven guest-work. Through dope freestyle appearances, well-executed... Read more

February 26, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Timbaland. 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 16, 2017 Finding the GOAT

For Those Feenin’ For More R&B Biopics… The Story Of Jodeci Is Coming (Video)

In the last month, New Edition's biopic set ratings records during its three-night television mini-series. The New Edition Story aired on BET, and told the story of Bobby Brown, Michael Bivens, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and later member Johnny Gill with the group functioning as producers. The event... Read more

February 7, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

A Tribe Called Quest & Anderson .Paak Will Rock The Grammy Stage Together

In just a couple of weeks, the 59th Grammy Awards will broadcast on February 12. While De La Soul, Chance The Rapper, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Kanye West, Drake, and other Hip-Hop stars are nominated in various categories, performances have begun to announce. One particularly exciting stage show will... Read more

January 31, 2017 Fresh

Nick Grant Has The Respect Of Hip-Hop’s Greats Because He’s Earned It (Video)

Last Friday (January 13), Nick Grant released his debut album, Return of the Cool. However, as his latest music video indicates, he has been a student of Hip-Hop for years in the making. "Luxury Vintage Rap" finds Nick in a hoodie, in a grimy corridor of a falling apart house.... Read more

January 17, 2017 Video

MC Eiht Reveals Why His Album With DJ Premier Is A Return To Quality Over Quantity (Video)

In the dozen years between 1994 and 2006, MC Eiht released more than 17 albums of new music. The Compton's Most Wanted front man focused on his solo career (while still doing collaborations with C.M.W., Spice 1, Brotha Lynch Hung and others) and did so at a wildly prolific rate.... Read more

December 15, 2016 Video

Decemba Is Here. Andre 3000 Spits An Ice Cold Verse & Directs The Video

In late September, Epic Records artist Divine Council got the career push of a lifetime, care of label-mate Andre 3000. "Decemba (Remix)" escalated the remix that's about some aggressive bedroom maneuvers and stacking chips at the same time. 3 Stacks takes Divine's baton, and turns it to a Rap relay... Read more

December 1, 2016 Video

Nick Grant Taps Into His Outkast Influence In A Video Made By Idlewild’s Director

Many artists in the mid-2010s, quickly fill up the digital atmosphere with songs and videos, and see what sticks. Nick Grant is one MC whom the people have taken to. The South Carolina native has almost entirely done it himself, avoiding big name features—and letting his 88 mixtape, as well... Read more

November 14, 2016 Video

A Tribe Called Quest Drove Each Other To Greatness On Their Final Album (Video)

In less than 12 hours, A Tribe Called Quest will release We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. The group's first album in 18 years (and first with all four founding members in more than 25 years) carries a great deal of anticipation. Last night (November 9)... Read more

November 10, 2016 Fresh, Video

Q-Tip Details The Back Story, Title & Guests On A Tribe Called Quest’s Final Album

A Tribe Called Quest album titles are embedded in the consciousness of popular music and culture. Beats, Rhymes & Life, The Low End Theory, and even The Love Movement are expressions, themes, and reminders of specific times in art. Having announced that the Queens, New York collective completed an album... Read more

November 2, 2016 News

Ghostface Killah’s Ironman Showcased A Rap Superhero & The Man Behind The Mask (Video)

Twenty years ago tomorrow (October 29, 1996), Ghostface Killah released a seminal solo debut album in the form of Ironman. To that point, four Wu-Tang Clansmen (GZA, Method Man, O.D.B., and Raekwon) had all stepped to the front with solo efforts, spreading their creative darts across Rap's board. As the... Read more

October 28, 2016 Food for Thought

A Tribe Called Quest Secretly Recorded An Album That Is About To Be Released

Almost 16 years ago, A Tribe Called Quest released its fifth album, The Love Movement. A Top 3 debut, the album arrived to the public following word from the group that it would be their last. In addition to frustrations with the act's lifelong label, Jive Records, Q-Tip publicly spoke... Read more

August 19, 2016 News

Prophets Of Rage Are Fighting The Power Across The Nation

In less than a month, the Prophets Of Rage have gone from a grassroots digital whisper campaign to the revitalization of at least three legendary music entities. Three-fourths of Rage Against The Machine has merged with Public Enemy's Chuck D and DJ Lord along with Cypress Hill's B-Real to form... Read more

June 6, 2016 Fresh

Chuck D & B-Real Talk Merging With Rage Against The Machine & Significance

This month, it was revealed that members of Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill had come together to form Prophets Of Rage. The band, featuring R.A.T.M.'s Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk merges with the vocals of Chuck D and B-Real for an upcoming project. P.E.'s... Read more

May 31, 2016 News

The Return Of Rage Against The Machine Appears To Be Prophetic.

It has been five years since Rage Against The Machine played a concert together. The Los Angeles, California mainstays of Zack De La Rocha, Tom Morello, Brad Wilk, and Tom Commerford have not released an album since late 2000's cover collection, Renegades. That being said, the onetime Epic Records outfit who... Read more

May 18, 2016 News

Big Boi & Killer Mike Conjure Up Some Of That Dungeon Family Magic On “Born To Shine” (Video)

Late last year, Big Grams (Big Boi + Phantogram) released their self-titled debut EP. The major label hybrid featured two guests: Skrillex and Run The Jewels. One half of R.T.J. is Killer Mike, who 15 years ago, burst on the scene as one of the strongest branches of the Dungeon... Read more

March 28, 2016 Video

Nas’ Illmatic vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 17, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. 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

February 19, 2016 Finding the GOAT

MC Eiht Offers Firsthand Insight Into How Tupac’s Gang Affinities Killed Him (Video)

Although they would never release a song collaboration, MC Eiht and Tupac Shakur worked together in the 1990s. The two Hip-Hop artists would tour, as well as begin production on Menace II Society in the same cast (Shakur would later be fired). Reflecting on their relationship, the Compton's Most Wanted... Read more

February 4, 2016 Video

50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. 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

February 2, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Rick Ross Leaves Def Jam, Signs With Epic Records

For the last decade, Rick Ross has been a star at Def Jam Records. Since releasing breakthrough single "Hustlin'" in 2006, Ross released eight albums with the New York City based label. Five of those albums reached #1 on the charts, while half of those works have been certified gold.... Read more

January 17, 2016 News

Nas’ Life Is Good vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. 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

December 14, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Ghostface Killah’s Ironman vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… 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

December 11, 2015 Finding the GOAT

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death vs. Ghostface Killah’s Ironman. 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

November 20, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt vs. Compton’s Most Wanted’s Music To Driveby. 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

November 10, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Big Boi & Phantogram Aid Daylight Savings With A Sun-Drenched Visual (Video)

Big Boi and Phantogram's full EP collaboration Big Grams has a warm, fuzzy feel to it. The Decatur to New York City collabo uses embracing synths, sweet melodies, and buttery rhymes to envelope the listener in their own Rap/Rock/Electro galaxy. "Fell In The Sun" thrives as an audio single, but... Read more

November 3, 2015 Video

At A Time When So Many Are Angry, Travi$ Scott & Kanye West Can Really Relate (Video)

Travis $cott's Rodeo has been one of the most exciting debut albums—not only of 2015, but in some time. The Epic Records MC/singer/producer brought a ton of rawness to his Top 3 charting LP, which was largely held down by veteran producer Mike Dean (Scarface, Kanye West, Tha Dogg Pound).... Read more

October 30, 2015 Video

Puff Daddy Wants Bad Boy To Be Epic Again. So That’s Where He Signed.

In the more than 20-year history of Bad Boy Records, Puff Daddy has inked deals with a number of distributors. In the 1990s glory years, Clive Davis' Arista helped put multi-platinum, highly-acclaimed albums by The Notorious B.I.G., Ma$e, and Craig Mack in stores. For much of the 2000s, Diddy (as... Read more

October 5, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Big Daddy Kane vs. Kool G Rap…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 24, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Nas vs. Ghostface Killah…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 9, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Kool G Rap vs. Ras Kass…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 11, 2015 Fresh