havoc ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Ras Kass, Method Man, Lil Fame & RJ Payne Roll On MCs

Ras Kass knows a thing about super-groups. The Southern California veteran MC co-founded HRSMN with Kurupt, Killah Priest, and Canibus 25 years ago. He also linked with Xzibit and Saafir for several memorable songs, amid onetime reports of an album in the works. In 2024, Razzy Kazzy has teamed Philly-by-way-of-Brooklyn... Read more

March 29, 2024 Audio, Trending Stories

Cormega Explains Why The Realness 2 Is A True Sequel To The Original

Upon its mid-2001 arrival, Cormega's The Realness lived up to its title. After years of waiting his turn, the MC asserted himself to step forth with a body of work that combined a passion for wisdom-drenched lyricism with a survivor's tale of life in New York City streets and the Rap industry. The independently... Read more

September 20, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Griselda Have Made A Sequel To A Mobb Deep Classic

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift 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 can we go back... Read more

September 25, 2021 Audio

As Tical Turns 25, Method Man Brings The Pain To A Havoc Beat (Video)

Twenty-five years ago today (November 15, 1994), Method Man gave fans his Tical album. The Def Jam Records album was the first Wu-Tang Clan solo album following Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) almost exactly a year earlier. Meth's RZA-produced debut would achieve platinum status and earn the Shaolin representative a... Read more

November 15, 2019 Video

A 20-Year-Old Hears Mobb Deep For The 1st Time & It Brings Him To Tears (Video)

Kvng Guap is 20 years old. Like many folks of that age, he may not have been regularly exposed to some of the Rap music released before his birth. Guap has a video account that includes first-watch reactions to some of the artists, groups, and songs that he wishes to... Read more

November 6, 2019 Video

Wu-Tang, Pete Rock & Others Reunite To Celebrate 25+ Years Of Loud Records

Loud Records dominated the Rap music landscape in the 1990s and early 2000s. Steve Rifkind's label has some of the greatest all-time albums in the genre. To do so, Loud took chances by signing and supporting acts that defied the model at the major labels. Rifkind had been a leader... Read more

August 12, 2019 Fresh

Nas Celebrates Prodigy & Queens On A Stellar Pete Rock Track (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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... Read more

July 19, 2019 Audio

20 Years Ago, Mobb Deep, G Rap & Alchemist Made 1 Of The Realest Collabos (Audio)

Mobb Deep has released two highly-acclaimed albums in the mid-1990s. Prodigy and Havoc's sophomore set, The Infamous, is one of the most beloved LPs of all-time. A year and a half later, they delivered Hell On Earth, a menacing follow-up that stayed the course. By the close of the 1990s,... Read more

May 11, 2019 Do Remember

Cormega Breaks Down His Evocative New EP & Why The Fans Matter The Most

In the closing week of 2018, Cormega self-released Mega. The five-song project (that also includes the instrumentals) marked the MC's first in more than four years. The New Yorker partnered with Streetrunner, the veteran Grammy Award-winning producer co-credited for Meek Mill, JAY-Z, and Rick Ross' "What's Free?" in addition to... Read more

March 10, 2019 Exclusive, Interview

Common Brings His A-Game On A Cold Collabo With Joell Ortiz

DJ Absolut has been a sound provider who in addition to playing others' records is dropping heat of his own. Previously, Ambrosia For Heads presented Rap fans with some unearthed Mobb Deep freestyles via the New York mixmaster. Now, Heads can get a taste of more Big Apple-inspired heat headed... Read more

February 26, 2019 Audio

Method Man & Havoc Reunite For A Song All About That Street Life

Throughout the last 23 years, Method Man and Havoc have rich built a collaborative chemistry. Mr. Mef' was a guest on Mobb Deep's Hell On Earth in 1996, courtesy of "Extortion." Two years after that, Hav' produced "Play IV Keeps" from Method's chart-topping sophomore solo LP. Since then, the Staten... Read more

February 12, 2019 Audio

Ain’t No Such Thing As Halfway KXNG Crooked Verses. He Goes All In With Mobb Inspiration

KXNG Crooked has always been nice on the mic, but he's not above paying respects to the greats who shaped his style. The Slaughterhouse MC formerly known as Crooked I just released a freestyle that would make Mobb Deep proud. Titled "Halfway Me," the song is an homage to the Queensbridge... Read more

January 11, 2019 Audio

Cormega Releases His 1st Project In 4 Years & It’s Full Of Realness

Early in this decade, Cormega proved that one could still make major noise through the independent channel. The Queensbridge veteran accomplished more on his own than any famed label could seemingly do for the unique spitter. Throughout the last 20 years, Mega has fed his faithful fan-base with award-winning gems... Read more

December 27, 2018 Audio

A Video Shows Mobb Deep’s Lethal Sampling For “Murda Muzik,” On Its 19th Birthday

Mobb Deep's fourth album, Murda Muzik, remains their best-selling album to date. It began the duo's transition from New York street poets into a pair capable of making records that played on the radio, video shows, and the clubs at once. Havoc didn't forfeit his gift for sampling in the... Read more

August 17, 2018 Throwback, Video

The Mobb Deep vs. N.W.A. GOAT Match-Up Is Too Close To Call. Decide Who Advances.

“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 16, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: Mobb Deep vs. N.W.A. 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 14, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: Mobb Deep vs. The LOX. 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 2, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Havoc Releases 2 Mobb Deep Freestyles To Celebrate Prodigy 1 Year After His Passing (Audio)

One year ago today Prodigy unexpectedly passed away Hip-Hop has not been the same. It's all been helpful for those who were truly touched by his spirit and life's work. What's also great to help cope is anytime new music surfaces from the Mobb camp, and that's what happened Wednesday... Read more

June 20, 2018 Audio

Finding The GOAT Group: Mobb Deep vs. Black Moon. 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 27, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

M.O.P.’s Lil Fame Releases His First Solo Video & Billy Danze Is Still By His Side

Lil Fame and Billy Danze have endured many eras of Hip-Hop while consistently giving audiences that hardcore Rap that they entered with during the mid-1990s. While the Mash Out Possé has made songs that brought Brownsville Brooklyn attitudes and antics into the mainstream, the two artists have never done solo... Read more

April 3, 2018 Video

Sade & Mobb Deep Get Mashed Up By J. Rocc For One Quiet Storm (Audio)

Sade has music that works for just about any mood. Beat Junkies founder, JayLib member, and Soundbombing, Vol. 2 co-host J. Rocc grasps this fact and melded her soulful melodies with the rugged flow of Mobb Deep in Thug Ballads. He combines the right Sade instrumental back-drops and vocals with just... Read more

January 23, 2018 Audio, Mixes

Havoc, Fabolous & Lil Kim Perform “Quiet Storm (Remix)” In Tribute Of Prodigy (Video)

In June, the Hip-Hop world was rocked by the sudden death of Prodigy from Mobb Deep. The veteran MC had just performed at the Art Of Rap festival in Las Vegas, days before his passing. Although he was hospitalized shortly thereafter, those close to him believed the visit to be... Read more

September 18, 2017 Video

Alchemist & Mobb Deep’s New Song Is A Reminder Of Prodigy’s Quiet Storm (Audio)

In 1999, Mobb Deep released Murda Muzik, the duo's fourth LP and one that featured production from The Alchemist. On the album's eponymous track as well as the Kool G Rap-assisted "The Realest," the producer with a Los Angeles provenance vibed perfectly with Havoc and Prodigy, two of Queensbridge's most notorious... Read more

July 21, 2017 Audio

Hip-Hop Notables Support Havoc As He Does His 1st Show Without Prodigy (Video)

Last November, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi took the Saturday Night Live stage, A Tribe Called Quest's first major appearance since the death of Phife Dawg in March of 2016. For many, watching a beloved group perform new material for the first time in decades without one of its... Read more

July 3, 2017 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Pay Respects To Prodigy & Vow To Preserve His Legacy (Video)

In the early 1990s, Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan were symbolic brothers in arms for rugged Hip-Hop music and attitudes. Eventually, Loud Records label-mates, the two New York City Rap collectives began collaborating at a time when both crews were mostly keeping things in-house. Raekwon and Ghostface Killah would appear... Read more

June 28, 2017 Video

Mobb Deep’s Havoc Speaks About His Devastation Over Losing Prodigy (Video)

This week will go down as one of the hardest of 2017 for the Hip-Hop community, as it brought the unexpected and tragic death of Prodigy from Mobb Deep. Together, with his musical partner Havoc, the Queens MC was one of the most influential artists in defining Rap's New York... Read more

June 24, 2017 Video

A News Traffic Report Gives Up The Goods For Prodigy In An Amazing Tribute (Video)

Family, friends and fans of legendary Hip-Hop veteran Prodigy are all mourning his death in their own ways. One of the more unique tributes came from an unlikely source — a pair of Atlanta news anchors, who referenced P's music and quoted some of his lyrics throughout their traffic report... Read more

June 22, 2017 Fresh, Video

Do Remember When Prodigy Reminded Us He Was One Of The Realest (Audio)

The Hip-Hop community remains in a state of collective mourning, still reeling from the unexpected loss of Prodigy earlier this week. The 42-year-old Queensbridge MC - who at only 18 penned some of Rap's most prolific rhymes - passed away due to complications from his lifelong battle with sickle-cell disease... Read more

June 22, 2017 Do Remember

Prodigy Reveals Nas’ Illmatic Was A Blueprint For Mobb Deep’s The Infamous (Video)

In April of 1995, Mobb Deep released The Infamous, a legacy-ensuring sophomore LP that kept the rugged, unadulterated reputation of Queensbridge alive and well. Featuring Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Nas, and others, Prodigy and Havoc's second album would arrive the same year as equally enduring albums from Smif-n-Wessun (Dah Shinin), Big L... Read more

May 2, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Havoc vs. RZA. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

January 13, 2017 Finding the GOAT

N.O.R.E. & Havoc Have An Intense Conversation About The C-N-N/Mobb Deep Beef (Video)

More than 20 years ago, Capone-N-Noreaga made their breakthrough care of 25 To Life's "L.A., L.A." The Marley Marl-produced single featured Tragedy Khadafi and Mobb Deep. The remixed song, eventually packaged on 1997's The War Report debut from C-N-N, was a reply to Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg's 1995 single,... Read more

December 23, 2016 Video

Havoc Reminds He’s 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best Double Threats With A Tough Beat & Verse For Cormega (Audio)

Queens, New York meets the Queen’s country on this collaboration between Queensbridge veterans Cormega and Havoc and British MC Giggs. “Ironic” is the latest reminder that while Havoc is beloved for his Mobb Deep beats, dating back to Juvenile Hell, he was first introduced as a rapper—and a really good... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio

Prodigy Details Mobb Deep’s Journey From “Embarrassed” Juveniles To Infamous Stars (Video)

Mobb Deep experienced one of Hip-Hop's largest growths between their first and second albums. 1993's Juvenile Hell debut boasted production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, and a fledgling Havoc. However, the 4th & B'Way Records release did not chart, and was not the album response the teenage duo from Queens,... Read more

October 12, 2016 Video

Bokeem Woodbine Reveals Tupac Was Fed Up With Record Labels Profiting On Beef

Tuesday's September 13th date marked 20 years since the death of Tupac Shakur. In addition to his circle that included Madonna, M.C. Hammer, and actor Mickey Rourke, The Rap superstar had many burgeoning famous people around him in the last year of his life. Keyshia Cole, Rashida Jones, and Kxng... Read more

September 15, 2016 News

Havoc Reveals That Prince Played Keys On A Mobb Deep Track (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, Queens, New York duo Mobb Deep has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Nas, and 50 Cent. However, it is now learned that Prodigy and Havoc collaborated with late Pop icon Prince. Speaking with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's "Drink Champs" Podcast (Episode #17), Havoc... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio, Video

Havoc Details How He & Prodigy Overcame 2012 Mobb Deep Breakup (Video)

Just over four years ago, a group that had been together for 20-plus-years, Mobb Deep, called it quits. To make matters more complicated, Prodigy and Havoc engaged in a feud that started on social media, and led to diss records aimed at each other. By 2014, however, the M-O-B-B was... Read more

June 14, 2016 Video

Havoc & Alchemist’s Joint Album “The Silent Partner” Is Available For Full Stream (Audio)

Tomorrow (May 20), Havoc & Alchemist release their first joint album, The Silent Partner. Whereas Hav's other half in Mobb Deep, Prodigy, has released two full-length projects with ALC, this is a first for the MC often praised for his own production skills. The 11-track Babygrande Records effort includes appearances... Read more

May 19, 2016 Audio

EPMD, Public Enemy, Mobb Deep, Naughty By Nature & More Announce Tour

In 2015, Ice-T launched the Art Of Rap Tour. Taking its name from Ice's acclaimed Hip-Hop documentary, the summer tour featured Rakim, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, and a number of other acts. For 2016, the O.G. is keeping The Art Of Rap Tour strong. Several '15... Read more

May 9, 2016 Fresh

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of April 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For years to come, April 2016 will be remembered as the month that brought purple snow in the form of Prince's death. In the wake of his departure, there have been countless tributes in the form of covers of his songs, new releases dedicated to him, and vaulted gems that... Read more

May 3, 2016 Audio

Havoc & Method Man Spray Lyrical Bullets Over A Cold Alchemist Beat (Audio)

Twenty years ago, Mobb Deep tapped Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man for Hell On Earth's "Extortion." The song was bombastic blackmail, as some of Loud Records' stars came together to tackle a chilly M-O-B-B string arrangement. In 2016, Mr. Meth' and Havoc still maintain that chemistry. From Hav' and Alchemist's The... Read more

April 27, 2016 Audio

11 Veteran Lyricists Break Ground In One Video With Another In MC Spiritual Essence

In today's musical age, assembling collaborations seems relatively easy. Translating that to a compelling, well-produced video is not quite as accessible. Especially in hardcore, purebred Hip-Hop, making videos like Sway & King Tech's "The Anthem" seems implausible without big budgets like the one the two iconic radio personalities had at... Read more

April 18, 2016 Video

Havoc & the Alchemist Maintain a Laid-Back Groove & Hurt Some Feelings (Audio)

As a producer, Queens, New York producer Havoc has earned more than enough stripes to warrant him consideration as one of the most influential, thanks in no small part to his work on the boards as one half of Mobb Deep. His rhyming skills are also celebrated, and he's got... Read more

April 5, 2016 Audio

Prodigy Returns With A New Sound And A Heady New Message on “Tyranny” (Audio)

For more than 2 decades, Prodigy and his Mobb Deep partner Havoc have been associated with grimy tales from the streets of New York. From Juvenile Hell to The Infamous Mobb Deep, Havoc has flipped dark samples while Prodigy laid verses about survival in the hood and fallen comrades. As... Read more

February 17, 2016 Audio

This Mobb Deep “Infamous”-Themed Mix Celebrates Havoc’s Visionary Sampling

Mobb Deep just announced a series of tour dates celebrating the 20th anniversary of their third album, Hell On Earth. As they do, the Beat Junkies' J. Rocc (whose logo plays off of the M-O-B-B) examines some of the key ingredients of the duo's sophomore LP, 1995's The Infamous. This... Read more

February 11, 2016 Mixes

Mobb Deep Announce Hell On Earth 20th Anniversary Tour Dates

One day after Bone Thugs-N-Harmony announced a "Crossroads" 20th anniversary tour, another 1996 giant hits the road in style. Beginning next week, Queens, New York duo Mobb Deep will begin more than two months of touring in recognition of Hell On Earth. Prodigy and Havoc's third album was released on... Read more

February 5, 2016 Fresh

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) vs. Mobb Deep’s The Infamous. 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 8, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Mobb Deep’s The Infamous vs. Big Pun’s Capital Punishment. 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 4, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Gangrene & Havoc Opt for Solemn Tribute to Sean Price on “Sheet Music” (Video)

The tragic passing of rapper Sean Price earlier this month has left much of the Hip-Hop community reeling, including those who have collaborated with P over the years. Gangrene, the duo comprised of the Alchemist and Oh No, are among those who established not only a musical relationship with the... Read more

August 18, 2015 Video

Watch Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway & More At The 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video Stream)

Today (July 11), the 2015 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is ongoing. The 11th annual festival in Dumbo, Brooklyn features headliners including Common, Mobb Deep, Freeway, Skyzoo, Charles Hamilton, John Robinson & PVD, Stro, Lion Babe, Consequence, and more. The event is hosted by Uncle Ralph McDaniels and Torae, with DJ sets... Read more

July 11, 2015 Video

Havoc Makes A Rumbling Beat Evoking Papoose & Troy Ave’s War Cries (Audio)

Every few years, Havoc switches it up on us. The Mobb Deep producer/MC's sound on the boards changed greatly from The Infamous to Infamy, and both ways, the M-O-B-B still had grime that wiped across the charts. Gearing up for Papoose's You Can't Stop Destiny (July 17), Hav' hits the... Read more

June 11, 2015 Audio