interview Archives

ScHoolboy Q Thinks Guns Should Be Taken Away From EVERYBODY (Video)

Anyone who has listened to a ScHoolboy Q album knows that he keeps it all the way real with his vivid depictions of gangsta life. Rather than glorify the lifestyle, like 95% of other rappers, Q's lyrics are grim and mournful, and he is quick to say that, while he... Read more

July 13, 2016 Video

Jamila Woods on Messages From “Heavn” & The Creative Spirit of Chicago’s Artists

Some of the greatest artists in modern music started with careful build-ups. From Nas to Kendrick Lamar, these artists were tapped to play feature roles on others' songs. In time, they broke through with art that showed their individual gifts, visionary qualities, and ability to balance them at a full-length... Read more

July 12, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

KRS-One Explains Making Hits From The Underground, Without Music Videos

KRS-One is widely revered as one of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs of all time. The front-man for Boogie Down Productions has released more than 20 albums—including solo work, group LPs, and collaborative efforts. However in a career that spans over 30 years, he has never had a Top 40 hit, a... Read more

July 6, 2016 Video

Lil Dicky’s Music Is Fearless & So Are His Interviews (Video)

Less than one year ago, Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC Lil Dicky cemented his status on the national scene with Professional Rapper. The fast-flowing lyricist who first began with aspirations in stand-up comedy made an album unlike any other—and fans responded. Dicky's self-released LP hit the Top 10, while urging people... Read more

June 16, 2016 Video

Sadat X & Pete Rock’s Cold Collab Is Just The Tip Of An Album Iceberg (Lyric Video)

After a career that spans more than 25 years, classic singles, 5 mic reviews, and key collaborations, celebrated MC Sadat X is preparing his latest solo album. The Brand Nubian co-founder's latest release is July 15's Agua, his first venture with Tommy Boy Entertainment. A concept 18-track LP (themed around... Read more

June 16, 2016 Video

The Mystery of Madlib Revealed In His Most In-Depth Video Interview

Certain Hip-Hop artists go to an extreme to avoid the media. Dr. Dre and Eminem are two of the more selective artists, who often shun easily-available press, even during album cycles. Kanye West, Drake, and even DOOM will do interviews more regularly, albeit when convenient for themselves. One artist, who... Read more

May 23, 2016 Video

Masta Ace Premieres “Young Black Intelligent” & Champions The Art Of Storytelling (Audio)

This week (May 13), Masta Ace will release his fifth solo album, The Falling Season. Although the LP follows the conceptual storyline of 2012's DOOM-supported MA_DOOM: Son Of Yvonne, it also reportedly also stands in the cult-championed lineage of 2001's Disposable Arts and 2004's Long Hot Summer. Released on Ace's... Read more

May 10, 2016 Audio, Food for Thought

Phonte Explains Why Big Daddy Kane Is The Reason He Became An MC (Audio)

Phonte is the latest guest on The Cipher Show Podcast. For episode #146, the Greensboro, North Carolina native MC/singer spoke about the evolution of his career. A founder of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange, "Tigallo" had an hour-and-a-half discussion with Shawn Setaro on topics ranging from his "Percy Miracles" character,... Read more

March 15, 2016 Audio

LL Cool J Says Dr. Dre Session Is Latest “GOAT” Status Reminder

Over the past three days, a video snippet was released of LL Cool J returning to some of his finest form in the recording studio alongside Dr. Dre. The footage was from 2015, but is only part of the latest comeback effort from the Queens, New York MC superstar. Uncle... Read more

March 14, 2016 News

Joell Ortiz Speaks About Never Dumbing Down His Sound & Standing Up For Hip-Hop (Interview)

In the last 15 years, Joell Ortiz has climbed from a Brooklyn, New York MC releasing 12" Rawkus Records singles to the top of the Pop charts. The pride of the Cooper Houses projects still dazzles with his flow and exudes the highest love for Hip-Hop culture in his art... Read more

March 8, 2016 Food for Thought

New Jack City Is Turning 25. New Revelations From Its Writer Will Blow Your Mind.

Twenty five years ago this month, New Jack City opened to the public. The film, starring Wesley Snipes, Allen Payne, Ice-T, and Chris Rock, was Hollywood's first and arguably its most enduring cinematic glimpse at the crack cocaine epidemic. At a time when Operation Desert Storm dominated the news cycle,... Read more

March 2, 2016 Food for Thought

Elzhi Drops First Visual Dose of “Lead Poison” & Describes Deeply Personal Inspiration

In the nearly five years it's been since Detroit MC Elzhi has released a full-fledged solo project in the form of his Elmatic mixtape, Heads have been eager for his return. So eager, in fact, that many gladly contributed to the rapper's Kickstarter campaign in an effort to raise the... Read more

February 29, 2016 Food for Thought, Video

Fugees Producer Salaam Remi Explains How They Went From Underground MCs To Global Superstars

Twenty years ago, The Fugees released The Score. The February 13, 1996 album transformed the trio of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras from New Jersey Underground Hip-Hop hopefuls to cultural icons. The RuffHouse/Sony Records album would go six-times platinum in the United States alone, and eventually pivot to everything... Read more

February 15, 2016 Food for Thought, Throwback

CyHi The Prynce Freestyles On Kanye’s “Real Friends” & Explains Why Ghostwriting Is Necessary (Video)

CyHi The Prynce is the latest to participate in Montreality's interview series where artists are asked everything from what their first jobs were to what their favorite cartoon characters are. The questions often catch participants off guard and lead to more revealing moments than usual. CyHi's installment yields several gold... Read more

February 10, 2016 Video

Prince Paul Recalls MF DOOM’s “Impostor” Idea & Wu-Tang’s Earliest Days (Audio)

The "devastating" Prince Paul is a living Hip-Hop legend. Although he is a self-professed "shy guy," the Long Island, New Yorker would eventually find himself winning Grammy Awards for cracking jokes around Chris Rock and elite comedians. Listening to Paul is a joy in and of itself; an experience filled... Read more

February 10, 2016 Audio

Black Thought Reveals What Artists Used To Do To Get J Dilla’s Best Beats (Video)

Between 1999 and 2006, The Roots would work with J Dilla (f/k/a Jay Dee) a number of times. Then label-mates at MCA Records, Dilla produced elements of the Grammy-nominated platinum Things Fall Apart album. While "Dynamite!" would make the LP, "New Year's @ Jay Dee's" would be a hidden jewel... Read more

February 10, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

Rapsody Reacts To Grammy Nomination & Confirms Guest On Next Album (Video Interview)

Last night, Rapsody and 9th Wonder performed at the second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. During Rap's set, her friend and collaborator Jay Electronica took the stage to publicly crown her "the best female lyricist since Lauryn Hill," and bestow her with his chain. Moments later, the Jamla... Read more

February 6, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder Explains How J Dilla Changed The Sound of Hip-Hop and Fathered “Neo Soul” In The Process (Interview)

After the ascendance of greats like DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Q-Tip in the 90s. There was a new wave of producers that would come to prominence in the 2000s who would carry the torch for Hip-Hop and take it in new directions. This new generation of beatmakers included the... Read more

February 4, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought

Pharoahe Monch Speaks About His New Album, J Dilla & 25 Years of Organized Konfusion (Interview)

Pharoahe Monch is - without an iota of doubt - one of music's most indelibly unique voices. Sonically and technically there is no other like him, and yet his influence lives within countless MCs who've come after him. As a solo artist he continues to excite fans with his boomerang... Read more

February 2, 2016 Food for Thought

Sheek Louch Discusses Silverback Gorilla 2 & Talks Working With Biggie and DMX (Interview)

Whereas speaking to Jadakiss or Styles P is often a lower key experience, their LOX band-mate Sheek Louch is high-energy. The Yonkers, New York veteran MC did not equate himself to one of the most ferocious members of the animal kingdom by being docile. In the Tommy Boy Entertainment conference... Read more

December 1, 2015 Food for Thought

Tech N9ne Evaluates Role Of Cyphers & Talks Next Solo Album (Interview)

Tech N9ne crams as many words and ideas into his energetic bars as he possibly can. It is this feat that has made him one of the most revered MCs of the last 15 years. He has become an independent deity, simultaneously skyrocketing in status, wealth, and respect, while much... Read more

November 20, 2015 Food for Thought

Just Blaze Tells Snoop Dogg His Desert Island, Top 3 Albums…All Are Rap (Video)

Snoop Dogg's latest segment of GGN features producer/DJ Just Blaze. The same week he graciously offered up a plethora of his coveted 2000s drum sounds and samples, the veteran is out in the land of the sunshine. While Just only worked on Snoop's Paid The Cost To Be The Bo$$... Read more

November 19, 2015 Video

Meet The Man Who Set The Internet On Fire As “The Black Stormtrooper” (Video)

Nearly a year ago, when the first official trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens was released, it was met with the exact type of explosive reaction one might expect to accompany the latest installment of one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history. However, a... Read more

November 10, 2015 TV/Film

Masta Ace Reflects On A Long Hot Summer & Offers This Re-Release Bonus Track (Premiere)

Tomorrow (November 10), Masta Ace's 2004 LP, A Long Hot Summer is being re-released on CD by Below System Records. Originally released on Ace's M3 imprint, the critically-acclaimed album followed up Disposable Arts with the Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York MC making another conceptual, story-driven LP. 9th Wonder, The Beatnuts, Edo.... Read more

November 9, 2015 Audio, Exclusive, Food for Thought

D’Angelo & Tavis Smiley Maintain the Groove in Pt. 2 of Their Fascinating Conversation (Video)

Much like the first half of their conversation, part 2 of the discussion between D'Angelo and Tavis Smiley showcases two masters at work. Smiley shows why he has ascended to become one of the best interviewers in the business by asking informed questions and actively listening. In turn, D'Angelo rewards... Read more

September 5, 2015 Video

Celebrate Aaliyah’s Life and Legacy With This Extended Video of Her Story In Her Words (Video)

Aaliyah passed away fourteen years ago today, when a plane crash claimed her life and those of eight others who were with her. While her music has endured and remains a fixture on radio, video and playlists worldwide, glimpses of Aaliyah Haughton, the person, are more rare. To celebrate her... Read more

August 25, 2015 Throwback

Kevin Hart is Breaking the Mold For Comedy Superstars. He Reveals How He Does It (Video)

Over the last few years, Kevin Hart has become comedy's hottest superstar. And, like Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy before him, he is blazing a new path for what it means to be a comedy mogul. For Hart, that translates to not only keeping his comedic appeal sharp,... Read more

August 2, 2015 Video

45 King Recalls Early Days Of Queen Latifah & Jay Z, Reveals A Hit He Was Not Credited For (Audio)

In the canon of Hip-Hop producers, 45 King is among the most important. From break-beat compilations to remixes, seminal 1980s 12" singles, to Grammy Award-winning hits, the New Jersey-based DJ/producer born Mark James has nearly 30 years of highly-influential digging, sampling, and arranging. Whether Queen Latifah, Gang Starr, Eminem, or... Read more

July 27, 2015 Throwback

Here’s a Look Back at the Amazing Talents of Biz Markie in 1988 (Video)

Biz Markie may be one of Hip-Hop's most underrated talents. Perhaps because he was a perennial jokester, people sometimes overlook his prodigious abilities as both an MC and a human beat box. However, with witty punchlines, far out sonics and a willingness to take on any subject matter, Biz stands... Read more

July 15, 2015 Throwback

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

Happy Birthday Tupac. Watch One of His Earliest TV Interviews (Video)

Happy birthday to Tupac, who would have been 44 years old today. To celebrate his life, here's a look back at one of his earliest TV interviews. Shortly after the release of his film Juice, Pac paid a visit to the set of BET's Video LP. He discusses his complexity... Read more

June 16, 2015 Throwback

DJ EFN Elevates DJ Albums & David Banner Explains One Potent Verse (Interview)

After 20 years of his life devoted to Hip-Hop music and culture, Miami, Florida-based DJ EFN stepped to the front with Another Time. Self-released, the studio album included more than 30 years of MC greats, spanning all regions, styles, and skill-sets. Scarface, Blu, Royce Da 5'9", Killer Mike, MC Eiht,... Read more

June 2, 2015 Food for Thought

Killer Mike Names His Favorite MCs and Talks Deep Hip-Hop History With Snoop (Video)

Killer Mike is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN. The Run The Jewels co-founder brings some flammable treats for Tha Doggfather, as the two wax poetic about a range of topics. Snoop, a confirmed R.T.J. fan, asks Mike about linking up with El-P. "You spend your whole life looking... Read more

May 19, 2015 Video

N.O.R.E. Speaks For the First Time on Squashing His Beef With Nas (Video)

While being known as one Rap's lighter personalities, N.O.R.E. (f/k/a Noreaga) has had his share of rifts. From Nas to Prodigy, Cormega to partner Capone, the Lefrak City, Queens MC has had cold periods with several of his closest associates. Speaking with Doggie Diamonds TV, the onetime Def Jam Records... Read more

May 1, 2015 Video

SPOTLIGHT: DAP The Contract Plays With Genre & Defies Expectations (Audio / Video)

Often times, for as colorful and diverse as Hip-Hop music may appear, there is a constant cry for more originality. There are storytellers, social activists, party-starters, and technically-savvy lyricists, but the genre arguably misses the eclecticism and diversity among the new class, at least at a certain skill level. A... Read more

April 16, 2015 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh, Video

Prince Paul Clarifies an MF DOOM Production Rumor, Revisits Prince Among Thieves (Audio)

Prince Paul is one of the more legendary producers of the last 30 years. Throughout that time, the Long Island, New York native has been involved with an extensive range of music, into Comedy and Spoken Word. His approaches have changed and pioneered the modern Rap sound, with the use... Read more

April 1, 2015 Throwback

Michel’le Says Suge Knight Protected Her, After Dr. Dre Broke Her Nose (Video)

This week marks the 20th anniversary of Eazy-E-'s tragic death (March 26, 1995). With Ruthless Records on the minds of many Heads, the consideration ramps up. Michel'le was an R&B star on a Hip-Hop more than a decade before that become a standard. Her multi-platinum self-titled 1989 LP was a... Read more

March 24, 2015 Video

Producer J-Zone Speaks on Classic Break Beats and How to Chop Samples (Video Premiere)

For more than 15 years, Queens, New York's J-Zone has had a career in music that is as unconventional as his sound. A lover of records, both old Funk, R&B, and other sources of breaks, as well as rugged Hip-Hop (Ultramagnetic MC's, Mob Style, C-Bo), Zone's entrance into the industry... Read more

March 23, 2015 Exclusive, Video

Prince Paul On Which Grammy Album He Got No Credit For, Magic Of Gravediggaz (Audio)

In Hip-Hop production, Prince Paul may be one of the quiet giants. Much like some of the music he's provided for himself and others, Paul Huston is whimsical, at times silly, and yet incredibly soulful. In a sentence filled with laughter and maybe some jokes of his own, the Long... Read more

March 19, 2015 Throwback

DJ Quik Talks Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, Eazy-E and More (Video)

DJ Quik is one of the best interviewees out right now. The same day Kendrick Lamar's early-bird release of To Pimp A Butterfly is drawing some Quik comparisons, Montreality released the interview with the Compton, California musical O.G. In this interview, Quik speaks on some highly topical issues, including T.P.A.B.,... Read more

March 16, 2015 Video

Here’s the Story of How Mello Music Group Defiantly Built a Haven for Real Hip-Hop (Interview)

For the better part of the last decade, as independent label mainstays have been closing up their doors, going on hiatus, or reconfiguring their audience, Mello Music Group has secured a foundation. The Tucson, Arizona-based label has cultivated new voices, redeveloped lyrical legends, and built an industry model rooted in... Read more

March 10, 2015 Food for Thought

15 Years After Big Pun’s Life, Producer Domingo Shares Vivid Memories Off The Books (Interview)

Fifteen years ago today (February 7, 2000), Christopher Rios tragically died from a heart attack, leaving behind his family, friends, and millions of fans. At the time, the Bronx, New York MC known as Big Pun had only released a lone album, 1998's Capital Punishment, but with that body of... Read more

February 7, 2015 Food for Thought

Ghostface Killah Compares Himself To Martin Scorsese. Here’s Why (Food For Thought Interview)

Speaking about his upcoming eleventh solo album, Ghostface Killah is in his glory. The Staten Island MC is spirited, especially on the subjects of 1980s Rap and 1990s cinema. The day his 36 Seasons was publicly premiered in a full-length NPR Music stream, Ghost speaks to Ambrosia For Heads, and... Read more

December 8, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

DJ Premier Ranks PRhyme Among Best Albums; Royce Da 5’9″ Talks Sobriety Saving His Life (Video Interview)

We are less than one week away from PRhyme (December 9), the self-titled project by the newly-formed group of Royce Da 5'9", DJ Premier, and Adrian Younge. Late last month, in HeadQCourterz Studios, Nickel and Premo sat down with AFH TV to discuss, at length, the album. In the nearly... Read more

December 4, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Video

Vic One Hilariously Disses Logic’s Album to His Face (Video)

If you're not familiar with Power 106's Vic One, he is a big persona much in the vein of Ali G, Borat and other Sacha Baron Cohen characters. He recently sat down with Logic and, despite the near universal critical acclaim lauded on Logic's Under Pressure album, proceeds to hilariously... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Video

Vic Mensa Says “Post-Racial Society” Is A Lie, Details Traffic Sound (Video)

While performing recently in Canada, Chicago, Illinois' Vic Mensa swung through Montreality. During the signature interview chronicling everything from video games to academic life, fetishes to romantic gestures, Vic opens up about his Traffic album. Around the 3:40 mark, the Save Money star declares that his full-length will be, in... Read more

October 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Did You Know Big Daddy Kane Produced Nearly All of His 1st Album? Kane Speaks (Audio)

Here's another incredibly dope interview from the archives of Shawn Setaro, former Editor-In-Chief of Rap Genius and current curator of TheCipherShow.com. Early last year, he had a super in-depth interview with Big Daddy Kane--so deep, in fact, that Kane openly said no one had ever asked him some of the... Read more

October 26, 2014 Throwback

Ab-Soul Reveals His Music Industry Family, Getting Radio Fines To Nardwuar (Video)

One week after Ambrosia For Heads' "search for the GOAT" pitted Ab-Soul against Joe Budden, leave it to Nardwuar to present Soulo with a copy of Joe Budden, the album—something the Carson, California MC is apparently a massive fan of. This interview, Nardwuar's latest within the Black Hippy/Top Dawg Entertainment... Read more

October 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

9th Wonder Says Without Phonte, There Is No Drake (Audio)

During A3C week earlier this month, 9th Wonder served as Reggie Osse's latest guest for a live taping of The Combat Jack Show. Per usual, the conversation spanned the career of the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina producer/DJ/sometimes-MC. However, there are certainly some impromptu side discussions and points made that make this... Read more

October 20, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Remy Ma Explains Making Deeper Songs, Papoose’s Unwavering Support (Video)

HOT 97's new series, "The Reflection" is quite amazing. These sort of function something like MTV's "The Diary," VH1's "Storytellers," and NPR's "Fresh Air." However, viewers never get the questions, only the explanations, which are edited together to appear like a cool, seamless autobiographical narrative. For Remy Ma, opening up... Read more

October 16, 2014 Fresh, Video