j. cole Archives

An Argument For Why J. Cole’s KOD Is Already The Album Of The Year (Video)

There are three and a half months left in 2018. However, one album has proven to rise from the pack with time, less than six months since its release. J. Cole's KOD is a compelling body of work that stands to be among the best art from a consistent source.... Read more

September 15, 2018 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Lute’s 2 New Freestyles Show J. Cole’s Ear For Talent Is Impeccable (Audio)

Lute made a strong impression with his debut album, West 1996 Pt. 2. The LP was released one year ago under J. Cole's Dreamville Records. Back in 2015 while scouting talent in North Carolina, Cole stumbled across Charlotte's Lute via YouTube. At the time, the MC was still employed at... Read more

September 11, 2018 Audio

J. Cole’s Tearful Tribute To Mac Miller Becomes A Message To Everybody Suffering (Video)

News of Mac Miller's passing on Friday (September 7) has shaken the music world far beyond the Rap community. Meanwhile, just about everyone in Hip-Hop has paid tribute in some way to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native. Perhaps one of the most emotional and vivid of the tributes was made by... Read more

September 10, 2018 Video

Donald Glover’s New Video Shows Hip-Hop America & How Great It Could Be

Just under four months ago, Donald Glover released one of the most unforgettable music videos of 2018. "This Is America" is artful, symbolic, and it is certainly jarring. The visual was a return to Rap for the versatile, genre-defying also artist also known as Childish Gambino. Since then, Glover released... Read more

September 2, 2018 Video

J. Cole & Bas Are From A Hip-Hop Tribe Where Being Able To RAP Still Matters (Video)

For Hip-Hop Heads, especially Dreamville fans, Friday (August 24) is an exciting day. Longtime label artist Bas will release his third album, Milky Way. The Queens representative who appeared on J. Cole's "New York Times" alongside 50 Cent more than five years ago has steadily built a following of his... Read more

August 22, 2018 Video

J. Cole Says He Has The Best Flow Since Biggie On A Devastating New Freestyle (Video)

J. Cole is about to embark on his KOD Tour, hitting 36 cities across North America, and has been strategically building anticipation as the days get closer to the kickoff in Miami (August 9, 2018). Having previously tweeted out "Feed me beats. Everything gettin murdered.," Cole has now dropped a... Read more

August 7, 2018 Video

Will Smith Gives 1 Of His Realest Interviews. He Says He’s Finally Being Authentic (Video)

Will Smith is at a crossroads in his career. Throughout the last 33 years, the West Philadelphia native has balanced music, film, TV, philanthropy, and a celebrity family. In all of those fields, the 49-year-old has seemingly thrived on the highest level. Recently, two freestyles showed a fierce return to... Read more

July 16, 2018 Video

J.I.D. Makes J. Cole Proud By Demolishing This XXL Cypher (Video)

It has been a busy 2018 for Dreamville Records. J. Cole's K.O.D. set new streaming records upon release, in addition to garnering critical acclaim (including appearing on Ambrosia For Heads' midyear best-of list). Cozz released a strong sophomore in Effected, which features Kendrick Lamar, Curren$y, and Cole. Meanwhile, EarthGang released... Read more

July 10, 2018 Video

J. Cole’s Passionate Performance Calls For Meditation Instead Of Medication (Video)

Tonight (June 24), J. Cole performed at the 2018 BET Awards. Cole used the televised stage to lead with the introduction to April's K.O.D album. Wale was the first person that viewers saw, sitting on a stage chair, staring at a television. The moment comes a year and a half... Read more

June 24, 2018 Video

The 14 Best Hip-Hop Releases So Far In 2018 (Audio & Video)

Approaching 2018’s midpoint, the year has been absolutely incredible for Hip-Hop and Rap music. For many artists, the album is now shorter than it has ever been. Releases are more concentrated and digestible than they have been been in decades. Moreover, the MC/producer double-threat is winning, as is the chemistry... Read more

June 21, 2018 Food for Thought

Jay Rock & J. Cole Are A Deadly Combination Lyrically And In Their New Video

With June 15's Redemption, Jay Rock released his first album since suffering a nearly fatal dirt-bike accident in 2016. The album's title and much of its content deal with themes of triumph over adversity, including singles "King's Dead," "WIN" and "The Bloodiest." With his J. Cole collabo, "OSOM (Out Of Sight,... Read more

June 20, 2018 Video

Jay Rock’s Bloodiest Video Shows That Sometimes Nothing Is What It Seems

Jay Rock's just-released album, Redemption, has fans rejoicing. It's also a reminder why Top Dawg Entertainment built its foundation off his talents as an MC. The Watts, California native's latest LP has many real-life tales, but perhaps the grimiest and most vivid come from album opener, "The Bloodiest." Now, Heads... Read more

June 16, 2018 Video

Jay Rock Gets His Redemption Alongside J. Cole. Nothing Can Stop Him Now (Audio)

Jay Rock has just released his third album Redemption. In addition to his Black Hippy and TDE label-mates, the LP includes highly anticipated collaborative single, "OSOM (Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind)" featuring J. Cole. The song examines Johnny's rise to fame, which began a dozen years ago with a... Read more

June 15, 2018 Audio

DJ Premier Takes J. Cole’s Lil Rapper Diss & Makes It Even More O.G. (Audio)

One of the focal points of J. Cole's chart-topping 2018 gold album, KOD, is "1985 - Intro To 'The Falloff.'" The song is a wisdom-drenched reply to Lil Pump, Smokepurrp, and others who had defamed Cole's name in recent years. While Jermaine's issues with Pump now appear to be squashed... Read more

May 29, 2018 Audio

J. Cole & Lil Pump End Childish Beef With A Grown Man Conversation (Video)

Five weeks ago, J. Cole released KOD. The now gold-certified #1 album featured Cole responding to his critics. Those critics were not journalists or fans, but rather, peers. Lil Pump and Smokepurrp, two Miami, Florida-based Rap artists had condemned Cole for some time on social media and in songs, most... Read more

May 25, 2018 Video

J. Cole Explains Why He Made His 1985 Diss Record Of Lil Rappers (Video)

When J. Cole speaks, it is not to be taken lightly. In recent years, the North Carolina superstar MC/producer and Dreamville label founder has shunned the public eye, or at least many of their questions. After decidedly not allowing interviews altogether for late 2016's 4 Your Eyez Only, Cole posted... Read more

May 16, 2018 Video

Royce 5’9’s Book Of Ryan Is A New Chapter & Proof That He Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest MCs

At the top of this decade, Royce 5’9 began tying up loose ends in the interest of personal growth and legacy. Slaughterhouse had recently taken shape, exciting the possibilities for Royce and three MCs with like-minded verbal values. Next, Nickel Nine and Eminem revived Bad Meets Evil, their short-lived duo... Read more

May 10, 2018 Food for Thought

J. Cole Is King Of The Charts With 2018’s Best Opening Week

Ten days after KOD released, J. Cole topped the charts as many fans anticipated. The lead marks Cole's fifth consecutive album to reach #1. For the third straight time, the Dreamville Records founder and Roc Nation MC/produced achieved this feat without any guests on his album. KOD, an acronym for Kids... Read more

April 30, 2018 News

J. Cole Reveals Who Kill Edward Is And It’s Deeper Than Rap

On J. Cole's newly-released KOD, there is one guest by the name of kiLL edward. The character appears on two songs: "The Cut Off" and "FRIENDS." These are two powerful cuts on an album that carries three titles: Kids On Drugs, Kill Our Demons, and King Overdose. For an artist... Read more

April 25, 2018 Food for Thought

Miguel & J. Cole Build On Their Musical Chemistry With A Seductive Video

In an act of phenomenal timing, Miguel dropped a crisp new video to accompany the single, “Come Through And Chill” featuring J. Cole. The track is off the singer’s fourth album, War & Leisure which dropped last December. It also features producer Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy Winehouse, No Panty). Cole’s... Read more

April 25, 2018 Video

Kevin Hart Feels The Full Sting Of His Infidelity In J. Cole’s Powerful New Video

J. Cole season is in full force. Starting with Friday's (April 20) release of KOD, the Dreamville MC/producer followed with a video for "ATM" that paid with rich symbolism. Now, just a handful of days since his fifth solo album released, Cole releases his second visual from KOD. "Kevin's Heart"... Read more

April 24, 2018 Video

J. Cole Has Broken The Record For Most First Day Album Streams Ever

On Friday (April 20), J. Cole released his fifth solo album, KOD. The Dreamville/Roc Nation release has people talking, from its thematic "4/20" commentary on drug use to its lesson-filled attack on unnamed peers who have criticized the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer. As chart watchers see if J. Cole will... Read more

April 23, 2018 News

J. Cole Gives A Verbal Beat Down With A Lesson. But Who Is The Target? (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH 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... Read more

April 21, 2018 Audio

J. Cole Cashes In With One Of The Most Creative Videos Of The Year

Historically, April 20 is an unofficial holiday celebration for mental relaxation and controlled substances. J. Cole's just-released 4/20 album frames that conversation differently. Songs address deadly recreational drug use, such as pill-popping, without any glorification. Instead, on the LP reported to partly mean Kidz On Drugz and King Overdose (in... Read more

April 20, 2018 Video

J. Cole Has Just Released His New Album. Listen To All Of KOD (Audio)

Mere moments ago, the five time Grammy award nominated-J. Cole dropped K.O.D., his fifth full-length album. Once again approaching his project roll-out in perplexing and unpredictable fashion, Cole shook the Hip-Hop community with an abrupt announcement just four days prior to K.O.D.’s unveiling. With 16 months between his last release (4 Your Eyez Only) and... Read more

April 20, 2018 Audio

J. Cole Is Dropping His Fifth Album Later This Week

J. Cole is one of Hip-Hop's biggest stars. He is also one of the genre's most unpredictable figures. Less than a year and a half after releasing #1 LP 4 Your Eyez Only, the Dreamville founder and Roc Nation artist has announced his fifth album—and it will release this week.... Read more

April 16, 2018 News

Bas Is More Proof That J. Cole Has Assembled One Of The Best Rosters In Hip-Hop (Audio)

With 2016's Too High to Riot, Bas released a gem of an album that was as much of a visual triumph as it was sonic. He released music videos for nine of the LP's 12 tracks and produced documentaries following his expansive world tours in support of the album. The Dreamville... Read more

April 10, 2018 Video

Royce 5’9 & J. Cole Are At Their Best In A Nostalgic Video About Escape

Last Friday (March 23), Royce 5'9 formally released his anticipated J. Cole collaboration, "Boblo Boat." The MC intersection is the first single to Nickel's May 4 album, The Book Of Ryan, releasing on the heels of PRhyme 2. Cole is the album's lone guest, and the collabo' is anything but... Read more

March 26, 2018 Video

Royce & J. Cole Prove Hip-Hop Has Never Been Better On Their 1st Collabo (Audio)

Royce 5'9 shares the first single from the upcoming album he is proclaiming to be his "greatest piece of work." In a career filled with memorable and celebrated releases, those words begin validation with the unveiling of "Boblo Boat," featuring J. Cole. Arriving just one week after PRhyme 2, this... Read more

March 23, 2018 Audio

Conscious Rap Is Back & Writing New Chapters In Black History

In honor of Black History Month 2018, Ambrosia For Heads is highlighting some of the most inspiring Black entertainers, athletes, and artists whose contributions to Black history extend far beyond their artistic talents. These Black heroes have dedicated their time, resources and platforms to uplift Black communities, inspire young people and create... Read more

February 21, 2018 Food for Thought

Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Stand With Cozz On An Album That Shows He’s In Full Effect (Audio)

Top Dawg Entertainment and Dreamville Records are two of the most talent-packed rosters in Hip-Hop. Both labels have taken chances on lesser known MCs and provided them the resources to make cohesive, highly-conceptual albums with major label distribution, marketing, and touring. In an industry often chasing buzz, Top Dawg and... Read more

February 13, 2018 Audio

J. Cole & Kendrick Lamar Join Jeezy On An All-Star Collabo (Audio)

UPDATE: After video footage previewed a sizable clip of the song, Jeezy's full, official "American Dream" releases. The Pressure single is a pointed collaboration with both J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. This song may not be as Heads expected on paper. Kendrick Lamar provides some melodic singing near the track's... Read more

December 14, 2017 Audio, Video

Standing Tall: Colin Kaepernick Is GQ’s 2017 Citizen Of The Year (Video)

In September, the NFL Players Association gave Colin Kaepernick "The Community MVP" award. The gesture came during a season where the former NFC champion is not playing and is not even attached to any team in the league. Today (November 13), those humanitarian efforts are echoed as GQ magazine crowns... Read more

November 13, 2017 Last 7, Lifestyle

Big K.R.I.T.’s New Collabo Shows He’s A True Descendant Of The Dungeon Family (Audio)

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

October 27, 2017 Audio

J. Cole Releases A Powerful Statement About Why The NFL Boycott Remains The Focus

In the wake of Donald Trump's comments lambasting NFL players who have been exercising their right to free speech by protesting during the national anthem, the protests went to a completely different level today (September 24). Players, coaches and owners who have been ambivalent over the last year, unified in... Read more

September 24, 2017 Lifestyle

The Game Drops His Best Verse In Years & Lil Dicky Is At Least As Good (Audio)

Two years ago, Lil Dicky released one of the most creative records in some time with his song "Pillow Talking." Housed on his album, Professional Rapper, the song was a whopping 10 minutes and, not only featured Dicky rapping a conversation between himself and a date, but also sported an... Read more

September 14, 2017 Audio

Meet J. Cole’s Newest Artists & Hear Their New Music (Audio & Video)

At the top of this year, J. Cole and his Dreamville Records label signed Atlanta, Georgia MC J.I.D. Quickly after, The Never Story followed, an Interscope-distributed debut LP from the Spillage Village member, which has garnered strong praise, including from Ambrosia For Heads. That album also debuted in Top 200.... Read more

September 3, 2017 News, Video

Rapsody Is Releasing A New Album. Her Single With Busta Rhymes Is Downright Scary (Audio)

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

September 1, 2017 Audio

Saba May Be The Next Great Chicago MC. Just Ask Andre 3000 (Audio)

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

August 23, 2017 Audio

J. Cole Is Executive Producing A Rather Unique Coming Of Age Documentary (Video)

J. Cole has written many songs about growing up in North Carolina and later moving to New York City as an adult. Cole, who was born in Germany, is gifted in showing unique perspectives on culture through his revealing writing. Songs like "Ville Mentality" and "A Tale Of 2 Citiez"... Read more

August 14, 2017 TV/Film, Video

DOOM Is Opening His Missing Notebook Of Rhymes & Releasing 15 New Songs (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

August 9, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

J. Cole Gives 2 Fans A Shot To Rap With Him. It Does Not Go Well… (Video)

J. Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only Tour hit Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center last night (August 1). The sold out show was a testament to the MC/producer's draw following his fourth consecutive #1, platinum-certified album. Dreamville's Bas and J.I.D. opened, with an appearance by Cozz. Then, the stage gave way... Read more

August 2, 2017 Exclusive, Fresh, Video

Vic Mensa Once Again Shows He’s 1 Of Today’s Best MCs With A Punishing Freestyle (Video)

Yesterday (July 28), Vic Mensa released his debut album, The Autobiography, but Mensa is far from new on the scene. The Chicago MC first made waves in 2009, as part of the group Kids These Days. In 2013, Vic began his solo career and once again turned heads with his... Read more

July 29, 2017 Video

Meek Mill’s New Conscious Rap May Be His Most Important Song Yet (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH 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

July 22, 2017 Audio

J. Cole Reveals The Beat For “Neighbors” Is 1 Of His Other Songs Played Backwards (Video)

Sometimes the best place to hide something is in the most obvious place. A prime example of that adage occurred during J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only Tour stop in Anaheim, California last night (July 9) when the Dreamville founder revealed a gem for that particular crowd’s ears only regarding... Read more

July 10, 2017 Video

Pusha T & Jadakiss Move Major Keys On A Heavyweight Collabo With DJ Khaled (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... Read more

June 23, 2017 Audio

Snoop Dogg & KRS-One Release Their First Ever Collabo & It’s Lights, Camera, Action (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... Read more

May 22, 2017 Audio

Logic Reveals He Would Not Be A Rapper If It Weren’t For J. Cole (Video)

Logic's Everybody is currently the #1 album in the country. This achievement by the Maryland MC puts him in an elite class of artists. Symbolically, "Young Sinatra" joins 2010s Rap peers such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, ScHoolboy Q, Future, Travi$ Scott, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, and... Read more

May 20, 2017 Video

Big K.R.I.T. & B.O.B. Ask When Exactly Was America Great On “Peace Piece” (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... Read more

May 16, 2017 Audio

Wale Acknowledges The Truth In The Shots J. Cole Sent His Way On “False Prophets” (Video)

In December of 2016, J. Cole released "False Prophets (Be Like This)," an aggressive record that was clearly aimed at someone - though he never dropped a name. Following its release, rumors began to swirl that Cole was addressing Wale, at least in a particular passage. "I got a homie,... Read more

May 8, 2017 Video