j. period - Ambrosia For Heads

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

Master P & Baron Davis Want To Buy Reebok To Make It For Us By Us

Master P had a big 2020. The founder of No Limit Records partnered with BET to produce a docuseries on his famed label. The New Orleans, Louisiana native born Percy Miller also remains a partner in Rap Snacks and other ventures. However, the artist whose career expanded to film, sports,... Read more

December 31, 2020 Fresh, News, Video

Ever Hear When Rakim Went Back To “The Ghetto” With Black Thought (Audio)

Nearly a decade ago, J. Period was commissioned by Sony Records to make a companion mixtape to The Roots & John Legend's WAKE UP! album. That LP, which got The Roots two more Grammy Awards for the trophy case, involved some great MCs such as Common and C.L. Smooth to... Read more

December 8, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

dead prez & Andra Day Come Together To Shed Light On Injustice (Video)

Respected DJ/producer J. Period (Black Thought, Common, K'naan) wanted to pump up the activism in Hip-Hop. He rallied peers including DJ Khalil, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Young Guru to executive produce a compilation that reminds fans of music’s power to evoke social change. The 10-track The Rise Up Project brings... Read more

June 15, 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

dead prez Lead The Charge On A Song About Soldiering Through Hard Times

On March 15, California-born, Brooklyn, New York-based DJ/producer J. Period is set to release his LP, The RISE UP Project, co-executive produced by Young Guru, DJ Khalil, Jazzy Jeff along with J. Black Thought, Posdnuos, Pharoahe Monch, and Rhymefest are among the upcoming project's guests. In anticipation, the artist who... Read more

March 2, 2019 Audio

The Live Mixtape With Black Thought, Rakim & Pharoahe Monch Is Here (Audio)

For his latest signature mixtape, J. Period pulled off a historic trifecta: three of Hip-Hop's most venerated MCs on one stage, performing for a sold-out crowd all the way live. Ambrosia For Heads was in attendance for the September 13 concert at New York City's Sony Hall. The Live Mixtape... Read more

November 15, 2018 Audio

Rakim, Black Thought & Pharoahe Monch Will Record A Live Mixtape Onstage

Three of the most respected veteran MCs are coming together to make some history. Throughout the 2010s, DJ J. Period has assembled live mixtapes. He's orchestrated these incredible performances on revered stages, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. These guest-driven affairs have become fixtures at events like The Roots... Read more

August 22, 2018 Fresh, News

J. Period’s New Mix Blends Verses From OutKast With The Sounds Of Wakanda (Audio)

J. Period has made some of the best, most conceptual, and musically-moving mixtapes of the last 15 years. That gift has led the New York City-based California native to work up close and personal with Black Thought, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas, Q-Tip, and others. Having now earned a #1 album... Read more

April 19, 2018 Audio, Mixes

The Kennedy Center Put Q-Tip In Charge Of Hip-Hop Culture & He Built A Dream Team To Help

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. has announced the inauguration of its Hip Hop Culture Council, and the names are nothing short of heavyweights. According to the center's Medium page, the council is comprised of Hip Hop luminaries from across various elements of the culture.... Read more

March 6, 2018 News

The Roots Will Turn 2018’s Picnic Into A Dave Chappelle-Hosted Jam Session

The Roots Picnic has become one of the culture's longest-running artist-run Hip-Hop festivals. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania event has expanded to include New York City satellite festivals, and seen its share of historic moments. The 2018 affair has been announced and will see the event playing out a little differently. On... Read more

February 14, 2018 Fresh

J. Period Celebrates 35 Years Of Hip-Hop Soundtracks With A Mega Playlist (Audio)

Hip-Hop Heads can count on DJ and producer J. Period to curate consistently inventive and entertaining playlists devoted to all aspects of the culture, beyond just the music. From his work on the Hamilton mixtape, which bridged the worlds of Rap and Broadway, to his legacy playlists celebrating the musical footprints of... Read more

June 18, 2017 Audio

An Argument For Why Black Thought Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

For almost 25 years, Black Thought has been putting his raspy voiced verses to record. The constant MC for The Roots crew has made a dozen albums, seemingly performed as much as any Rap artist, and is now typically on television five nights per week. More than just simply hard... Read more

June 17, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought, TBD, Video

J. Period Releases A Mix Of Mashups & Classics Celebrating 23 Years Of OutKast (Audio)

Today (April 26), OutKast's debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik turns 23 years old. The 1994 full length introduction of Andre 3000 and Big Boi was one for the ages. Deemed the "Best New Artists" at the following Source Awards, 'Kast raised the profile of Atlanta, Georgia's contributions to Hip-Hop simply by creating... Read more

April 26, 2017 Audio, Mixes

Black Thought, Posdnuos & Pharoahe Monch Say It’s Time To Rise For Freedom (Audio)

In an increasingly complicated time in the world, The Roots' Black Thought, De La Soul's Posdnuos, and Pharoahe Monch stand up for oppressed people with a truly standout, topical collaboration. Orchestrated and produced by J. Period, "Rise Up!" is as grabbing a collaboration as any in some time. In the... Read more

April 18, 2017 Audio

Celebrate DJ Premier’s Birthday With A 5 Minute Megamix Of His Greatest Hits (Audio)

Today marks the birthday of one of Hip-Hop's most beloved figures. DJ Premier turns 51 years old on March 21. For nearly 30 years, the Prairie View, Texas native-turned-bona fide New York musician has been making Heads nod, along with causing their faces to scrunch up, and air-scratch with their... Read more

March 21, 2017 Audio, Mixes

20 Years Later Here Are So Many Things About Biggie Smalls You Didn’t Know

Twenty years ago today (March 9, 1997), Hip-Hop lost a true king when Biggie Smalls died. The MC also known as The Notorious B.I.G. had risen to form in less than five years, after making early appearances beside Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, and Super Cat. By the time Biggie... Read more

March 9, 2017 Food for Thought, Video

Rhymefest, Xzibit & Jesse Williams Say We Rise Together Or We Fall Apart (Audio)

Back in August, EPIX debuted a trailer for its docu-series America Divided, a politically driven program executive produced by Common, Norman Lear, and Shonda Rhimes. The powerful show has now inspired a corresponding body of music in the form of the J. Period-led mixtape RISE UP! Jesse Williams, Rhymefest, Aloe... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

Here Are The Best Hip-Hop Performances & Videos Of 2016

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 13, 2016 Food for Thought

The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

The Symphony 2016 ft Kane, G Rap, Royce, Monch, Black Thought, Freeway & More (Video)

This weekend, The Roots hosted their first ever Roots Picnic in New York City. Held in Bryant Park, near Times Square, the two-day affair billed D'Angelo, Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Swizz Beatz, EPMD, John Mayer, David Byrne, The Jungle Brothers and many more. There were also a number of... Read more

October 2, 2016 Video

Pharoahe Monch, J.Period & More Will Help Open Historic New Museum

This weekend, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture located in Washington, D.C., will open its doors to the public, making it the first institution of its kind in the United States. As part of its grand opening celebration, some of Hip-Hop's most beloved artists will join... Read more

September 23, 2016 News

In A Past Recording, Q-Tip Shares The Story Of How Phife Convinced Him To Try Rapping (Audio)

Yesterday, after the confirmation of Phife Dawg's passing, the remaining members of A Tribe Called Quest released a statement about his life and what he meant to them. While none of them has spoken individually, yet, J. Period has unearthed a touching recording of Q-Tip sharing some of his earliest... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio

Black Thought & J.Period Are Performing A Live J Dilla Mixtape At Dilla Weekend (Audio)

As announced earlier this week, Black Thought and J.Period have been added to the 2016 J Dilla Weekend lineup. Taking place February 5-7, the Miami, Florida event will feature concert performances, panel discussions, a Discogs record swap meet, art exhibits, and much more. With the addition of The Roots' MC... Read more

January 29, 2016 Audio, Exclusive, Mixes, Video

Black Thought, Jay Electronica, & Bun B Added To 2016 J Dilla Weekend Lineup

There have been some major changes surrounding the 2016 J Dilla Weekend. The second annual event in Miami, Florida will take place February 5-7. The event, hosted by J Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, features concert performances, art exhibits, panels, record swap meets, and more. The main venue for... Read more

January 25, 2016 News

This K’naan & Bob Dylan Mash-Up Gets A Visual That Further Mashes The Message

In 2009, K'naan and J. Period teamed for the third volume of The Messengers. The authorized mixtape series was a promotional vehicle for Troubadour, K'naan's third and United States breakthrough album. The third of three volumes set the A&M Records MC/singer against the work of Bob Dylan, which K'naan deemed... Read more

December 21, 2015 Video

Black Thought & J.Period Honor James Brown Making A Tape, LIVE! (Mixtape)

When it comes to showmanship in Hip-Hop, The Roots' Black Thought is one of the greatest to ever do it. The South Philadelphia MC can rap, he can sing, and he can play with an ensemble—and he does it all, nightly on television. So much of Tariq Trotter's on-stage persona,... Read more

May 4, 2015 Mixes

J. Period Honors The Godfather Of Soul, James Brown (Mixtape)

Brooklyn-based DJ J. Period (who is actually the Music Supervisor for the Brooklyn Nets) loves many shapes and colors of music. Coming up as a DJ affiliated closely with Oakland duo Zion I, J. Period and his True Elements platform have made celebrated tapes for living legends like The Isley... Read more

June 3, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

J. Period Honors The Iconic Biggie Smalls With March 9th Revisited (Mixtape)

DJ J. Period is among the absolute best deejays doing it right now. When he's not providing the sounds for the Brooklyn Nets, the longtime affiliate to Zion I, Black Thought, and Common makes conceptual, fully-produced mixtapes (often released in clever formats like t-shirts, zip drives, etc.) that honor the... Read more

March 10, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Common – The Next Chapter (Still Love H.E.R.)

It's hard to believe, but after more than 20 years in the game, Common is about to release his first ever mixtape. To set it off properly, his first track from the project is a sequel to his classic "I Used to Love H.E.R.," produced by J. Period. Check out... Read more

February 1, 2013 Throwback

Black Thought & J. Period – N.Y. State of Mind Freestyle

Very few MCs should dare to get on a Nas beat. Black Thought is one who has that privilege...Check out how he rips up N.Y. State of Mind. Related: The most underrated MCs of all-time (Audio Playlist)... Read more

January 15, 2013 Audio

Good God. I was not ready for the remake of Eric B. and Rakim’s classic In the Ghetto by The Roots, John Legend and Rakim Allah, himself.

Black Thought's verse alone would have been enough. This is from J. Period's mixtape remix of The Roots and John Legend's Wake Up! album. You can download the full mixtape for free here. Click here to download In The Ghetto. Here's the original--easily one of the best rap records ever:... Read more

February 16, 2011 Audio, Mixes, The Bridge

Black Thought is one of the best MCs ever to do it. Period. Check out his “live mixtape” with J. Period and you’ll get a taste of his greatness.

http://vimeo.com/15492429 Click here to download the J Period & Black Thought Present The Live Mixtape: Illadelph Edition Nahright.com had this to say about Black Thought: Black Thought is the ultimate “emcee.” Ask anybody who is a fan of hip hop and chances are they will note that this man embodies... Read more

October 22, 2010 Mixes, Video

The mighty Skillz drops his new mixtape Infamous Quotes with Jazzy Jeff and J. Period. Check it out here.

Click here to download. Here's the tracklist:... Read more

September 29, 2010 Mixes

J. Period & Nneka – The Madness Mixtape (Download)

Nneka is a Nigerian artist with a soul and soul. Her music is inspired by the political and socio-economic conditions facing her native Nigeria. She has released an eclectic album (Concrete Jungle - click here to purchase) and is a phenomenal performer. Is the world ready for her? Download Mixtape... Read more

April 25, 2010 Audio, Mixes

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