hit boy ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

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

Nas & 21 Savage Make Peace With A Song Together

To say Nas and 21 Savage had a beef would be a grand overstatement. However, the two Grammy Award-winning artists appeared to land in a misunderstanding the same month that each released albums. 21 made the first move, when earlier this month, he appeared in a Clubhouse chat (clip embedded... Read more

November 30, 2022 Audio

Nas Is In His Prime In His 40s

Last Friday (November 11), Nas and Hit-Boy released their fourth project since 2020. The King's Disease campaign, responsible for three of those albums, has taken Nas (and Hit-Boy) to new dimensions with their careers. In that time, Nas won his first Grammy, reunited with The Firm as well as Ms.... Read more

November 16, 2022 Video

Nas Pays Tribute To Takeoff With Powerful Words About Self-PRESERVATION

Yesterday (November 11), Nas and Hit-Boy released their fourth collaborative album since 2020. King's Disease III finds the legendary MC and the acclaimed producing carry on a tradition that earned both men Grammy Awards in 2021. The new collection of songs, released through Nas' Mass Appeal Records imprint, is about... Read more

November 12, 2022 Exclusive, News, Video

Nas Uses 5 Heartbeats For A Song That’s A Perfect 10

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, it’s better than it’s ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

November 11, 2022 Audio

The Game’s Freestyle Shows He’s 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Most Underrated MCs

Tupac and Ice Cube are often cited as 2 of the greatest MCs of their generation, as is Kendrick Lamar. However, the man who bridged those generations, and put West Coast Hip-Hop back on the map, is often omitted from those conversations. When The Game released his debut album, The... Read more

July 30, 2022 Video

Kanye West Wants To Beat Up Pete Davidson In A New Song

During the 2000s, The Game and Kanye West made several amazing songs together. In 2005, 50 Cent's protege and JAY-Z's pupil became some of the new stars of Hip-Hop. Kanye produced "Dreams," a video single from Game's double-platinum debut, The Documentary. A year and a half removed from The College... Read more

January 15, 2022 Audio, News

Nas Has Released A New Album With More Hit-Boy Magic

In the closing days of 2021, Nas has released his second album this calendar. In March, Nas won his first Grammy Award, taking home "Best Rap Album" honors for King's Disease, produced entirely by Hit-Boy. Then, in August, Nas and Hit returned with King's Disease 2. The Mass Appeal Records sophomore effort... Read more

December 24, 2021 Audio

The 14 Best Rap Albums Of 2021…What Did We Miss

As 2021 comes to a close, it is appropriate to reflect on a remarkable year for Hip-Hop music and news. Although we did it slightly differently this year, Ambrosia For Heads shares our list of the best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2021. On episode #72 of the What's The Headline podcast—starting at 1:13:00—we list our... Read more

December 21, 2021 Best Rap Albums Of 2021, 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

JAY-Z & LL Cool J Brought A President & $3 Billion To The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

On Saturday (October 30), LL Cool J and JAY-Z were formally inducted into Cleveland, Ohio's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. While Hip-Hop artists have been entering the Hall for over a decade now, 2021's celebration was truly a standout moment for the culture. As Dave Chappelle suggested while inducting... Read more

November 2, 2021 Video

Nas Is In The Second Prime Of His Career

For the second time in less than a year, Nas has released an album. King's Disease II follows 2020's campaign, which landed Nas his first Grammy award, taking home "Best Rap Album" honors in early '21. Entirely produced by Hit-Boy, KD1 included reuniting the founding members of The Firm (along with the group's album... Read more

August 10, 2021 Video

Nas Releases His King’s Disease Album. Where Does It Rank In His Catalog?

Last Friday (August 21), Nas released his 13th solo album, King’s Disease. Produced entirely by the Inland Empire native Hit-Boy, the project features appearances by Anderson .Paak, Charlie Wilson, Big Sean, and Dr. Dre, among others. The Mass Appeal Records release also marks a surprise reunion of The Firm. The... Read more

August 24, 2020 Fresh

Last Week In Hip-Hop: Nas Has A New Album Coming. How Many Classics Does He Have?

In less than a week (August 21), Nas is slated to release his 13th solo album, King's Disease. With 2019's Lost Tapes 2 serving as a welcomed snack for fans, this marks the first new LP from Nasir Jones since 2018's NASIR-a collection produced entirely by Kanye West. Maintaining that... Read more

August 17, 2020 Fresh

Nas’ Lost Tapes 2 Tracklist Has RZA, Pete Rock, Kanye, Alchemist & More Producing

After teasing fans with a short, cryptic social media video last month, Nas' Lost Tapes has a release date. The legendary and his Mass Appeal Records dropped a trailer for the compilation that is due July 19. The video, which includes a Statik Selektah-produced "Lost Freestyle" as its sound-bed, confirms... Read more

July 2, 2019 Video

Hit-Boy Puts His Raps In Front On Yadda Yadda Featuring Wale (Audio)

Hit-Boy has amassed a number of hit records. The Southern California delegate in the G.O.O.D. Music production family has been a mastermind behind Kendrick Lamar's "Backseat Freestyle," the posse cut "Clique," and Jay Z & Kanye West's "N***as In Paris." However, as Hit has shown in that time, he raps... Read more

January 11, 2016 Audio

Hit-Boy & James Fauntleroy Flip Shanice’s Smile Into a Frown (Video)

Back in 1991, Shanice released "I Love Your Smile" one of the happiest songs released until..."Happy." The song was instantly catchy and, inculcated by its title, put a smile on even the maddest of faces. Now, reigning beatmaker Hit-Boy (Kanye West, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce) has released a song... Read more

October 23, 2015 Audio

Hit-Boy Is Not Your Average Producer/MC. His Lessons From Early Kanye Show (Video)

Fifteen years ago, Kanye West came into Hip-Hop producing for MCs who had very different surroundings and inspiration than him (Beanie Sigel, Jay Z, Dilated Peoples). By the time it came to record his own music, the same quality sounds were there, but 'Ye's message and story stood apart in... Read more

March 25, 2015 Video

Nipsey Hussle Releases a New Mixtape Right Under the Wire. Get Your Mailbox Money (Mixtape)

Nipsey Hussle ends the year with a bang. He drops off his new Mailbox Money mixtape right under the wire. While he offered copies of his last mixtape, Crenshaw, for sale at $100 a pop (100 of which were purchased by Jay Z), he ups the ante with this one.... Read more

December 31, 2014 Mixes

Nipsey Hussle & Rick Ross Enjoy The Perks Of The Spotlight On A Hit-Boy Track (Audio)

Following the precise wordplay and honesty of "50 Niggaz," Nipsey Hussle returns to his (other) form on "1 Hunnit A Show." The sophomore Mailbox Money (December 20) look also incorporates numbers, as the Crenshaw District MC joins Rick Ross on a thumping Hit-Boy track. The two MCs have found fame... Read more

December 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Casey Veggies Gets a New Track From Hit-Boy and It’s a Banger (Audio)

After releasing one of the better mixtapes of the year in 2013, Casey Veggies returns with some new heat, courtesy of Hit-Boy. This is a departure from some of the more melodic and soulful tracks on Life Changes, but it goes hard. Check out "The Boy." Related: Casey Veggies Shows... Read more

July 10, 2014 Audio

HS87 Hits You With Freestyles Over Unreleased Hit-Boy Beats On Sway In The Morning (Video)

It's a family affair when Hit-Boy and HS87 hit the Shade 45 studio. Hit-Boy discusses his love for music, introduces his father, and takes some phone calls with fans on Sway In The Morning. Hit-Boy was the first producer to ever bring his own beats to play for Sway, and... Read more

June 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

G-Unit Releases Their First Song With Young Buck Since 2008 On A Hit-Boy Beat (Audio)

Strategy much? Less than 24 hours after the 2014 Summer Jam onstage reunion, G-Unit entrusts DJ Enuff with their first song (in three years as G-Unit / in six years, with Young Buck). Buck Marley kicks things off with a verse on the quartet's snatching of Hit-Boy's "Know What I'm... Read more

June 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Two Dedicated Artists, Mariah Carey & Nas Cook Up A Little Heat (Audio)

Mariah Carey and Nas have worked together before on the sultry remix to the track, "Make It Last Forever." Now, the mesmerizing songstress and the Queensbridge artist cook up yet another spicy dish to make you sweat with, "Dedicated." The tantalizingly smooth production from Hit-Boy perfectly accentuates Carey's incredibly sharp... Read more

May 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Hit-Boy Makes Another Dope Beat, Rapping About His Career Sacrifices (Audio)

Coming up under Kanye West, Hit-Boy routinely works with one of Hip-Hop's ultimate dues-payers. That "Spaceship" mentality has traveled with Kanye for a decade, nearly eight years after he began shopping beats under D-Dot. The Los Angeles native Hit-Boy, who like 'Ye, also raps, has a similar complex. And why... Read more

April 24, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Almost 22 Years Since The Chronic, Hit-Boy & Nipsey Hussle Claim To Have The Answers (Video)

Like "New York is dead," one of Hip-Hop's armchair critic cliches is that "West Coast Hip-Hop is dead." With everything seemingly about faded trends and death, Heads know better. Two such Heads out to muffle any remaining skeptics (who possibly missed what's going on with Top Dawg Ent., Stones Throw,... Read more

March 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Hit-Boy Compares Himself To The Early Years Of Iron Mike Tyson In Vaulted Song (Audio)

Like Mike Tyson, Hit-Boy certainly has a right and a left. While the Los Angeles, California native is best known for slamming tracks that he's sprinkled throughout his G.O.O.D Music collective, as well as with Kendrick Lamar and Drake, the artist, like his mentor, can push some severe words when... Read more

February 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Hit-Boy Brings Audio Push & Logic Together For Juveniles (Audio)

With the new calendars, everybody is seemingly identifying the major prospects of 2014 Hip-Hop. As few could have predicted the stellar 2013 enjoyed by Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa and Bishop Nehru, this new year is anybody's for the taking. Two artists poised to assume such a position are Inland... Read more

January 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Think Hip-Hop is Dead? Audio Push and Joey Bada$$ Beg to Differ…Tis the Season (Video)

Each time Hip-Hop is proclaimed dead, a new crop of MCs emerge to carry the torch of the 40-year old culture that just multiplies. 2 leaders of the now school are Audio Push and Joey Bada$$. They have a Hit-Boy-produced East Coast/West Coast collabo on Audio Push's stellar Come As... Read more

December 29, 2013 Video

Drake Flexes His Slow Flow on a New Hit-Boy Track. Here’s Trophies (Audio)

Drake has announced he will release a new track on each of the last 5 days of 2013. The latest is the Hit-Boy-produced Trophies, where Drake returns to the slow flow he flexed on Started From the Bottom and Worst Behavior. Hit-Boy supplies a track with hard-hitting horns and drums.... Read more

December 29, 2013 Audio

Hit-Boy & Nipsey Hussle Bring Some New West Coast Heat on Alert (Audio)

Hit-Boy and Nipsey Hussle get rowdy on Alert, claiming it's the hardest ish since The Chronic. That claim is likely aspirational...but it is a a hot track. Check it out. Related: Nipsey Hussle Gives the Real on Growing Up in Crenshaw on The Juan Epstein Show (Video)... Read more

December 12, 2013 Audio

Statik Selektah – Funeral Season ft Styles P, Bun B & Hit-Boy

Statik Selektah releases yet another banger from his upcoming Extended Play album. Check out Funeral Season featuring Styles P, Bun B and Hit-Boy. Related: Statik Selektah – Extended Play (Extended Album Sampler)... Read more

May 20, 2013 Audio

Snoop Lion vs. Nardwaur (Video) + Tha Dogg Pound – Them N*ggas (Remix)

Here's some new product from Snoop Lion and Tha Dogg Pound. First up, Snoop Lion matches wits with Nardwaur (absolutely CLASSIC--who else would discuss a Beyonce blow up doll in an interview?!). Next, is a new song from Tha Dogg Pound over a Hit-Boy beat. Check out both below. Related:... Read more

March 21, 2013 Audio, Video

Snoop Dogg & Hit-Boy Freestyle on the Sway in the Morning Show (Video)

Here's a true cypher from Big Snoop Dogg and Hit-Boy on the Sway in the Morning show. Each goes off the top over DJ Premier's classic "Mass Appeal" beat. Check out the video. Related: Snoop Dogg’s GGN with Talib Kweli (Video)... Read more

March 18, 2013 Video

Hit-Boy – T.U. ft Audio Push, Problem & Juicy J

Hit-Boy saved his latest hot beat for himself. Check out T.U. also featuring Audio Push, Problem & Juicy J. Related: Hit-Boy – Brake Lights (Video)... Read more

February 25, 2013 Audio

Hit-Boy – Brake Lights (Video)

Here's a new video from Hit-Boy's HITstory, one of the better mixtapes of 2012. Check out Brake Lights. Related: Hit-Boy – HITstory (Mixtape)... Read more

January 7, 2013 Video

Hit-Boy – East vs. West (Video)

Here's the video for Hit-Boy's ode to Biggie and Tupac. He dons the look of the 2 icons in the video and, true to the times he's lamenting, the track is a horn-influenced melancholy throw back to the 90's. Check out East vs. West. Related: Hit-Boy – HITstory (Mixtape)... Read more

October 17, 2012 Video

Kendrick Lamar – Backseat Freestyle (Prod. Hit-Boy)

Snippets for Kendrick Lamar's album surfaced earlier today. Now, Hit-Boy has decided to liberate the full version of Backseat Freestyle, the track he produced for Kendrick. Check it out below. Related: Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city album snippets (Audio)... Read more

October 15, 2012 Audio

Hit-Boy – Old School Caddy ft KiD CuDi

Here's the new video for Hit-Boy's Old School Caddy featuring KiD CuDi. Check it out. Related: Hit-Boy - HIStory (Mixtape)... Read more

August 17, 2012 Video

Hit-Boy – HITstory (Mixtape)

Here's the debut mixtape of Hit-Boy, the producer behind N's in Paris, Theraflu/Way Too Cold/Cold and more. The mixtape features Bun B, John Legend, Big Sean, KiD CuDi and more. You can listen to and download all of HITstory below. Related: Kanye West & Jay-Z - N*ggas in Paris (Video)... Read more

August 7, 2012 Audio, Mixes

Hit-Boy – Old School Caddy ft Kid Cudi

Hit-Boy (the producer behind tracks like My God, N's in Paris, A$AP Rocky's Goldie, and Kanye's Thearflu/Way Too Cold/Cold) is stepping from behind the board and up to the mic. Here's a new song from him. Check out Old School Caddy featuring Kid Cudi. Related: A$AP Rocky - Goldie (Video)... Read more

July 30, 2012 Audio

A$AP Rocky – Goldie

Here's a new joint from A$AP Rocky that was produced by Hit Boy. Check out Goldie. Related: Theophilus London and A$AP Rocky - Big Spender... Read more

April 16, 2012 Audio