freestyle - Ambrosia For Heads

Vic Mensa Kicks The Year’s Two Best Freestyles Back To Back

Over the last decade, Vic Mensa has cemented himself as one of the most exciting freestylers of his generation. The Chicago, Illinois MC often uses the free-form opportunities to provide substantial commentary—whether notes about ugly Hip-Hop history, his personal conflicts, or systemic oppression. Just days after a fellow Roc Nation... Read more

May 28, 2023 Video

Conway The Machine Gives Funkmaster Flex The Year’s Best Freestyle

Earlier this month, Conway The Machine released his first solo album of 2023. WON'T HE DO IT arrived on Conway's Drumwork Music Group label, and features Fabolous, Juicy J, Ransom, and Sauce Walka, as well as his longtime Griselda crew cohorts Westside Gunn and Benny The Butcher. To promote the... Read more

May 12, 2023 Video

Alchemist’s Freestyle Shows He’s Magic On The Mic Too

This Friday (March 31), Larry June and Alchemist are teaming up for The Great Escape. After four singles ahead of Friday's Escape and a documentary video (embedded below), fans are anticipating the LP, which is slated to feature Joey Bada$$, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Curren$y, Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign, Slum Village, Boldy James, Evidence... Read more

March 28, 2023 Video

Black Thought Recaps 50 Years Of Hip-Hop History In An Epic Freestyle

Earlier this month, The Roots' Black Thought rocked the Grammy stage as part of a massive Hip-Hop 50th-anniversary tribute. The set was curated by Thought's band-mate Questlove (who played along from the drums) and featured Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Rakim, Big Boi, Posdnuos, Busta... Read more

February 21, 2023 Video

Mickey Factz Freestyles Over Jadakiss’ Classic Like He Owns It

Veteran New York MC Mickey Factz has had a busy 2022. Just over one week ago, the Bronx lyricist partnered with producer Ayo Shamir to self-release It's Only Us Here, an album that features Sy Ari Da Kid and others. Earlier in the year, the artist assembled the conceptual Black History With... Read more

December 24, 2022 Video

Ab-Soul Freestyles Over Tupac & Biggie Disses With Love For Both

Just days before releasing his first album in six years, Ab-Soul makes his first freestyle appearance on the LA Leakers. The TDE mainstay begins as Justin Incredible and DJ Sour Milk drop the beat to Tupac Shakur and Tha Outlawz' "Hit 'Em Up" (as produced by the late Johnny J).... Read more

December 14, 2022 Video

Westside Boogie’s Freestyle Makes Other MCs Look this Big

Nearly four years ago, Westside Boogie made a major impression with his first album on Shady Records. 2019's Everythings For Sale joined the Griselda crew in expanding Eminem's roster with new depth and range. That move had been happening since both parties smashed a 2017 BET Cypher. While the Buffalo,... Read more

November 9, 2022 Video

Symba Calls Funkmaster Flex Out While Freestyling For Him

This week marks the 26th anniversary of the death of Tupac Shakur. On September 13, 1996, the MC, actor, poet, and pop culture superstar died in a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital following a drive-by shooting one week earlier. While many Tupac affiliates, insiders, and law enforcement officials have opined who... Read more

September 15, 2022 Video

Joyner Lucas Raps Forwards & Backwards On A Crazy Freestyle

Over the last five years, Joyner Lucas has gone from a standout independent lyricist to a Grammy-nominated artist. The Worcester, Massachusetts native MC released ADHD to a Top 10 charting response, following "Best Rap Song" and "Best Music Video" Grammy nods for Eminem collaboration "Lucky You" and "I'm Not A... Read more

September 7, 2022 Video

Coast Contra’s Scenario Freestyle Is Scary Good

Coast Contra has been one of the most exciting breaking acts of 2022. The high-energy quartet has been around for several years—including an appearance on 2019’s acclaimed and charting Queen & Slim soundtrack. However, after a punctuating appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Apt. 505 album, alongside work... Read more

September 5, 2022 Video

Lloyd Banks Freestyles Over A Classic Dr. Dre Beat & Crushes It

After years of crushing the streets with mixtapes, G-Unit released its major label debut in late 2003. Beg For Mercy was a commanding display from 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck. At the time, Tony Yayo was still locked up, though his image appeared projected on the artwork of... Read more

August 11, 2022 Video

Megan Thee Stallion Regulates The Competition With A G-Funk Freestyle

In early 2019, Megan Thee Stallion's career was taking shape. The Houston, Texas MC had cracked the pop charts in late '18 with her Tina Snow EP. Meg had also previously worked with Wale. However, the 1501 Certified/300 Entertainment artist would use the year ahead to crack the code, and... Read more

August 9, 2022 Video

Ras Kass’ Sons Destroy Mics Just Like He Does

This summer, the Hip-Hop quartet Coast Contra is on a rapid rise. The collective of Ras Austin, Taj Austin, Rio Loz, and Eric Jamal has been releasing songs alongside Tobe Nwigwe, Ciara, and BJ The Chicago Kid amid the release of their LP, Apt. 505. Dave Chappelle also personally requested... Read more

July 26, 2022 Video

Conway The Machine & Funkmaster Flex Release A Freestyle But Have They Made Peace?

Earlier this month, Conway The Machine called out Funkmaster Flex on Instagram Live. The Buffalo, New York MC demanded new Hip-Hop gatekeepers. This came after the artist reportedly saw Flex publicly say he was not a fan of Griselda while speaking to Wallo, the high-profile podcast host who recently appeared... Read more

July 22, 2022 Audio, Fresh, News

Black Thought Freestyles Over Benny’s Beat & Butchers It

Earlier this month, West Philadelphia played host to the 20th Roots Picnic. There, The Roots crew shared the stage with Mary J. Blige and welcomed artists including DJ Jazzy Jeff & Rakim, Freddie Gibbs, Masego, Babyface Ray, and others to their two-day event. On Saturday (June 4), Black Thought and... Read more

June 14, 2022 Video

CyHi’s Freestyle Shows Why He Is A GOAT Ghostwriter

This month, Atlanta, Georgia veteran MC CyHi released a four-track EP, EGOT. No longer officially using "The Prynce" in his name, CyHi's latest release follows 2017's acclaimed No Dope On Sundays—named among Ambrosia For Heads' best of that year. Nearly five years removed from that major-label drop, the highly-respected writer... Read more

June 11, 2022 Video

CyHi The Prynce Disses Joe Budden On A Blistering Freestyle

For three and a half years, there has been tension brewing between Joe Budden and CyHi The Prynce. The MC-turned-media mogul has been critical of the former G.O.O.D. Music artist. In 2018, Budden criticized CyHi's relationship with Kanye West. “CyHi just tweeted yesterday, ‘Uh oh, masta’ said, I’m gettin’ seven... Read more

May 31, 2022 Video

Brandy Outraps Jack Harlow On His Own Beat

Earlier this month (May 10), Jack Harlow promoted his recently-released Come Home The Kids Miss You with a HOT 97 appearance. While appearing on Ebro In The Morning, the multi-platinum Louisville, Kentucky MC was asked to guess artists while hearing songs. As Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez played Brandy's... Read more

May 25, 2022 Audio, News

Nick Grant Shows Why He Is One Of The Best Freestylers Of His Generation

South Carolina's Nick Grant has been one of the most promising MCs to burst on the scene over the last five or so years. His major-label debut, Return Of The Cool, was a praiseworthy release back in 2017. Since then, Grant put his career on the independent route, where he... Read more

May 21, 2022 Video

Benny The Butcher Uses A DMX Beat To Deliver A Punishing Freestyle

Over the last four years, Benny The Butcher has established himself as one of the hottest and most respected MCs in Hip-Hop. With projects like Tana Talk 3, Burden Of Proof, and two volumes of The Plugs I Met, Benny has adhered to the Griselda formula while transcending the underground... Read more

March 9, 2022 Video

Cordae Freestyles Over Biggie’s Beat & Blacks Out

As 2022 gets underway, Cordae has delivered the freestyle to beat. Approaching his star-studded sophomore album, From A Bird's Eye View, releasing tomorrow (January 14), Cordae swung by the L.A. Leakers to demonstrate his skills. From the top, he warns that there should be a two-month waiting period before another MC... Read more

January 13, 2022 Video

Damian Lillard Freestyles About His Real Life Hoop Dreams

Damian Lillard continues to be one of the all-time great double threats. With his tenth NBA season underway, the Portland Trailblazers' franchise superstar hopes to bring the team its first championship since 1977. As an artist, Dame D.O.L.L.A recently released his latest album, Different On Levels The Lord Allowed. The... Read more

October 29, 2021 Lifestyle, Video

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

Jadakiss Had A Career Defining Moment With LOX Verzuz Dipset

For the last 20-plus years, Jadakiss has long been revered as one of Hip-Hop's top MCs. The co-founder of LOX and D-Block went as far as naming his 2015 fourth solo album, Top 5 Dead Or Alive. The proclamation, taken from Jadakiss' frequent mention in such lists among Rap fans,... Read more

August 5, 2021 Video

Kurupt Details The Classic Death Row Songs That Began As Freestyles

For more than 20 years, core fans kept hope that the HRSMN might release an album. As one of Rap's earliest super-groups, the quartet composed of Kurupt, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Canibus hurdled label challenges, leaks, bootlegging, legal woes, and all that comes with four separate lives and careers.... Read more

July 13, 2021 Exclusive, Video

J. Cole Just Kicked The Best Freestyle Of 2021 (Video)

J. Cole's new album, The Off-Season, is aptly-titled, because he is not playing. After announcing last week that his project would be available on May 14, the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer has wasted no time re-establishing he is one of the greatest rappers of his generation. J. Cole’s New Album... Read more

May 12, 2021 Video

Black Thought Pops Up At Rapsody’s Show To Rip Another Incredible Freestyle (Video)

Last night (February 6), Rapsody performed at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, New York. After touring with Big K.R.I.T. in late 2019, the Jamla Records MC is headlining the A Black Woman Created This Tour (dates below), which also features Sa-Roc. Black Thought, who has worked with Rap' several times, appeared on... Read more

February 7, 2020 Fresh, Video

King Los Kicks The Year’s Best Freestyle. MCs Should Be Shook (Video)

When it comes to the freestyle, King Los is one of the most exciting artists of all-time. Although the Baltimore, Maryland native has made some potent songs and revered projects, his calling card has always been what he does on the spot. Following last month's standout showing at the 2019... Read more

November 23, 2019 Video

This 1998 Black Thought & Common Freestyle Is An Incredible Hip-Hop Moment In Time

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's own DJ Cosmo Baker is known worldwide for his connection to Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul, frequently creating classic party series such as The Rub and The Remedy. The latter, which he hosted alongside DJ Rich Medina, helped to spotlight artists such as The Roots, J Dilla, Jill Scott, and... Read more

November 23, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Rapsody’s Latest Freestyle Shows Why She Is Already In The Winner’s Circle (Video)

Yesterday (November 20), Rapsody expressed her disappointment following the announcement of the 2020 Grammy Award nominations. While late 2017's Laila's Wisdom earned two nominations, 2019's exceptional LP Eve was not included in Wednesday's list. In a social media post, the Jamla/Roc Nation MC admitted that she was "frustrated" and "disappointed."... Read more

November 21, 2019 Video

Homeboy Sandman Is A True Original. Watch Him Spit A Freestyle Like No Other MC.

Fresh off the release of his Dusty album (embedded below), Queens, New York's Homeboy Sandman popped by Peter Rosenberg’s HOT 97 late show to converse about life, his artistic journey, the importance of uniqueness, and monotony in today’s Hip-Hop climate. The 39-year-old Elmhurst representative, who has solidified himself as one... Read more

November 10, 2019 Video

DNA Is A Champion In Battle Rap & His Latest Freestyle Is A Victory Lap (Video)

Last week Battle Rap veteran DNA beat Geechi Gotti and T-Top in the URL battles that were held as part of the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards (embedded below). On top of the bragging rights, the Queens, New York MC walked away with $25,000 in prize money. DNA is clearly... Read more

October 16, 2019 Video

Happy Birthday To Big Daddy Kane. Ever Hear His “Raw” Remix With Kool G Rap?

Today (September 10) marks Big Daddy Kane's birthday. Commanding audiences far and wide since he was a teenager, the now 51-year-old living legend continues to be among the culture's best performers. From collaborations with Ghostface Killah and Joell Ortiz, as well as new freestyles, King Asiatic continues to add to... Read more

September 10, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Boogie’s Freestyle Questions Whether Buying Back The Block Is The Right Thing (Video)

Boogie made one of 2019's better albums in Everything's For Sale. The Long Beach, California native who was later raised in the streets of Compton, confronts the issues of our time with wisdom and witty cynicism. A young father who spent years grinding on Soundcloud on a path that's ultimately... Read more

September 4, 2019 Video

Logic Runs A Pharcyde Beat In A Freestyle Announcing He’s About To Be A Dad

In May, Logic released Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. The MC/producer's fifth album topped the charts, including appearances from Eminem, YBN Cordae, Wiz Khalifa. However, the 29-year-old refuses to touch the brakes, even with some very exciting family news to share. Logic released "No Pressure Freestyle" today. The standalone video... Read more

August 19, 2019 Video

Common Takes An MC From The Streets To The Tonight Show For A True Cypher

Anybody who has ever attended a Common concert knows that the Chicago, Illinois veteran is one of the best improvisers with the mic. For years, Comm' has impressed audiences with his knowledge of local landmarks, street names, and fun facts, no matter in what city he was performing. Meanwhile, even... Read more

August 13, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Big K.R.I.T. Explains How Platinum Rappers Can Be Broke In A Complex Freestyle

Big K.R.I.T. released his latest solo studio album K.R.I.T. IZ HERE last month. The campaign began with a title track video that put the MC/producer's former major label in the cross-hairs, visually equating artist bidding wars to slave auctions. K.R.I.T. has done it on his own, and never relied on... Read more

August 5, 2019 Video

YBN Cordae Freestyles Over 3 Generations Of Beats To Show He’s 1 Of A Kind

YBN Cordae has one of the most talked-about albums of the summer. The Lost Boy released less than a week and features Pusha-T, Anderson .Paak, and Chance The Rapper. Cordae realizes that he is still taking his sound new places. He stopped by Funkmaster Flex's freestyle platform to drop one... Read more

August 1, 2019 Video

Marlon Craft Says He’s Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Nas Combined In A Fiery Freestyle

Marlon Craft is out to uphold a rich tradition of New York City Hip-Hop. From Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, this MC put in work on last year's exceptional A Breukelen Story album from Masta Ace & Marco Polo—named one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of '18. Previously, Marlon has been behind... Read more

July 29, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs Freestyles Holding His Baby & Crowns Himself The Best Rapper Alive

Freddie Gibbs is not playing. Just under one month after releasing Bandana with Madlib, the veteran MC from Gary, Indiana is in a very confident stride. After more than a dozen years on the grind, the lyricist appears on The L.A. Leakers' show to freestyle, with his baby on his... Read more

July 27, 2019 Video

Common Joins A Street Performer In An Off The Top Cypher That’s GREAT!

Common is a Hip-Hop legend who carries his love of the art-form. No matter how many plaques, spokesman gigs, or hits that the Chicago, Illinois veteran achieves, he has never been too big to freestyle, participate in the culture, and spread awareness of its foundation. In the last month alone,... Read more

July 9, 2019 Fresh, Video

Lil Dicky Kicks A Freestyle With Comedy Without Sacrificing The Bars (Video)

This year, Lil Dicky took an Earth Day-themed song about saving the planet to the top of the charts. Even though the corresponding music video to "Earth" features Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande, and a host of others, the Greater Philadelphia native is still very in touch with his... Read more

June 27, 2019 Video

The Game Freestyles Over Old Town Road. This Ain’t Country (Video)

The Game is officially in album mode. The veteran Compton, California MC formally announced his ninth outing, Born 2 Rap this week. What's more, the onetime Dr. Dre protege asserts that it will be his final album in a dominant 15-year career of provocative music and actions. A press release... Read more

June 22, 2019 Video

Black Thought, Yasiin Bey, Pharoahe Monch & Tobe Nwigwe Make A New Live At The BBQ

Yesterday (June 1), The Roots hosted their 12th-annual picnic in the legendary group's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event moved this year to the Mann Center, in the same West Philly that Questlove represents. With active three stages, the day was filled with incredible performances, including a 20th-anniversary rendition of... Read more

June 2, 2019 Exclusive, 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

4-IZE Is Dropping Daily Freestyles Better Than Most MCs Have Rapped In Years

Going on 20 years ago, more than 3 million people purchased an album with 4-IZE on it. He joined UGK, Foxy Brown, and Shawnna as a guest on Ludacris' triple-platinum debut, Back For The First Time. Following the path of his early 1990s Loudmouth Hooligans band-mate Luda', 4-IZE had relocated... Read more

May 18, 2019 Video

Tierra Whack Is Far From It With A Superior Freestyle

North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's Tierra Whack made one of 2018's more original and unconventional albums in Whack World. While that independent release was 15 songs at approximately one minute apiece, this lyricist has a reputation for going off the rails with freestyles. Stopping by Tim Westwood's Capital XTRA studios, Tierra's clever... Read more

May 13, 2019 Video

JAY-Z Celebrates Nipsey Hussle With A Freestyle About Self-Empowerment (Video)

JAY-Z and Nipsey Hussle had a special bond. In many ways, the two men mirrored one another, albeit from different generations and different coasts. Both were entrepreneurs imbued with a hustler's spirit, who used the lessons they learned from the streets, both good and bad, as tools of motivation for... Read more

April 27, 2019 Video

Kxng Crooked Reworks An OutKast Song With A Message About Being Driven

Throughout his extensive career, KXNG Crooked may have seemed like a music industry outcast. The Long Beach, California native weathered the storm of "Ringtone Rap" while remaining deeply rooted in his ways of dazzling lyricism. During the 1990s, he was an artist on Death Row Records at a time that... Read more

April 26, 2019 Audio

Playtime Is OVER. Oswin Benjamin Has The Best Freestyle Of 2019

Oswin Benjamin has been on the grind in Hip-Hop for years. The New York City lyricist has made his appearances count, whether they were high-profile freestyles, Team Backpack cyphers, or features on Styles P, Anoyd, and Domingo albums. The close affiliate of Chris Rivers has just released his full-length debut,... Read more

April 12, 2019 Video