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Jam Master Jay’s Killers Have Been Convicted

In a breaking story, this afternoon (February 27), a Brooklyn, New York jury has convicted two men for the murder of Hip-Hop legend Jam Master Jay (aka Jason Mizell). Karl Jordan, Jr. and Ronald Washington are the two men the court deemed responsible for the murder of the Run-D.M.C. co-founder... Read more

The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more

Naturally 7 Remake Run-D.M.C.’s Holiday Classic With Style & Grace

Thirty-five years ago, Run-D.M.C. delivered one of the best holiday songs in any genre. "Christmas In Hollis" brought the mainstream home to the Profile Records trio's Queens, New York neighborhood. The song is charming and accessible without losing the magic that Hip-Hop's superstar trio had after their first three albums.... Read more

1984 Was The Year That Changed Everything For Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Heads regularly debate the culture and music's greatest years. There are usual and deserving suspects, of course. However, Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast is launching a series where we make a case for those years—and some others too. As we currently live in what some consider Orwellian times, 1984... Read more

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

A New Documentary Investigates Who Killed Jam Master Jay. See The Trailer

Sixteen years ago, Run-D.M.C. co-founder Jam Master Jay (aka Jason Mizell) was murdered in his Queens, New York studio. He was just 37 years old. The murder remains unsolved. A new documentary by Brian Oakes (Abstract: The Art Of Design, Jim: The James Foley Story) aims to take a closer... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Run-D.M.C. 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

Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. 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

Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. 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

Run-D.M.C.’s Third Album Will Now Be Raising Hell In The Library Of Congress

In what has seemingly become a yearly tradition, another Hip-Hop album is selected to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. Like last year's selection of N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton, 2018's induction is a seminal 1980s Rap LP from a group that shaped music, fashion, and Hip-Hop culture. Run-D.M.C.'s third... Read more

This Run-D.M.C. Beatboxing & Rapping Session Is Tougher Than Leather (Video)

It was 1988, and Run-D.M.C. were already four albums into a genre-defining discography. In May of that year, the Kings of Rock (who were previously raising hell on airwaves across the world) dropped what would become the platinum-selling Tougher Than Leather, home to fan favorites like "Mary, Mary" and "Run's House."... Read more

Bone Thugs Pay Respect To Hip-Hop’s Fallen Heroes & All Those Gone Too Soon (Video)

The biggest hit of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's career was a soulful tribute. "Tha Crossroads" honored the dead within the Ohio collective, as well as their late mentor, Eazy-E. With an emotional music video, the spiritual song propelled the group for the next 20-plus-years. Bizzy Says He & Krayzie Are The Ones... Read more

ONYX May Have Never Slammed If They Weren’t Stuck In Traffic With Jam Master Jay (Video)

Run-D.M.C.'s Jam Master Jay was instrumental in the development of fellow Queens, New York Hip-Hop group ONYX. Later on, Jay would ink Jayo Felony and 50 Cent, but no artist experienced more success on JMJ Records than Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and company. Jay signed ONYX and secured the Def... Read more

This Alternate Version Of “How Long Will They Mourn Me” Has An Unreleased Tupac Verse (Audio)

Long before they were label-mates at Death Row, Tupac Shakur and Nate Dogg made a jam together. Thug Life's 1994 single "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" is eerie, given that Shakur, Nate, and now Big Syke have all died since the record released. Furthermore, Jam Master Jay (who is... Read more

Chuck D Explains How Public Enemy #1 Was Made & Got Them Signed To Def Jam

Public Enemy has a litany of power-packed jams. 1987's "Public Enemy #1" is one of the singles that showcased the Long Island, New York collective as something different—in vocals, production, and command. Appearing in "Once Upon A Rhyme" for B-Real TV, Chuck D gives his Prophets Of Rage band-mate's platform... Read more

Run-DMC & Aerosmith Reveal Why They Didn’t Want To “Walk This Way”

Thirty years ago this month, Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith teamed for "Walk This Way." Eleven years after the Boston, Massachusetts band recorded the initial version of their single, its creators—Steven Tyler and Joe Perry would learn that the drums (courtesy of Joey Kramer) had been re-appropriated by the Hip-Hop community. As... Read more

Witness The Greatness Of Run-DMC With This Rare 1985 Concert (Video)

On this day in 1984 (March 27), Run-D.M.C. released their seminal debut eponymous album. In the canon of game-changing Hip-Hop albums, that album is one of the first, and possibly the biggest. Run, D.M.C., and Jam Master Jay synthesized the hardness they heard in the genre's pioneers, and adapted it... Read more

Rakim May Be The God MC But He’s A Devil On The Turntables. This. Is. Hip-Hop (Video)

If you read ego trip's Book Of Rap Lists, and bluntly speaking, all Heads should, page 52 has a great list of MCs with supreme DJ skills. Rakim, often revered as one of—if not thee greatest rapper—proves himself to be one such double-threat. Recently, the Long Island, New York legend... Read more

Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid In Full vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell. 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

Jam Master Jay To Be Honored With Limited Edition Adidas Superstar

Run-D.M.C. helped bring the Adidas brand to the forefront of urban fashion. Even before 1986's "My Adidas," the Queens, New York trio embraced the German sneaker and apparel maker during the 1980s wave of Rap-endorsed sneaker fashion. That connection, which many say started from the late Jam Master Jay (a/k/a... Read more

50 Cent Writes A Letter To His Younger Self & Notes Lessons From Jam Master Jay

Last week marked the 13th anniversary of Jam Master Jay's murder. J.M.J.'s tragic death coincided with the same 2002 that saw the meteoric rise of one of his former pupils, 50 Cent. For The Big Issue, Fif conceptually wrote a piece aimed at advice toward his younger self and he... Read more

This DJ’s Dedication To Jam Master Jay & MCA Rocks To The Heavens (Mix)

Today (October 30) marks the 13th anniversary of the day Jam Master Jay (a/k/a Jason Mizell) was murdered. The iconic Run-D.M.C. co-founder profoundly influenced Hip-Hop's sound, turntable techniques, and fashion—in addition to helping along the careers of ONYX, 50 Cent, and even Jayo Felony. In the 13 years without Jay,... Read more

Finding the GOAT Album: Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell vs. Whodini’s Escape. Which One 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

The Numbers Show Police Don’t Care About Dead Rappers

For millennia, mankind has been at war. Whether in the name of religion, territory, love, greed, revenge, or duty, human casualties have remained constant throughout civilization, and as society is said to progress, murder remains a dark spot on our collective report card. For many Americans, particularly those of color,... Read more

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. 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

D.M.C. Says Hip-Hop on the Radio is Waging Genocide on Young People (Audio)

Run-D.M.C. made Rap's first platinum album. Thanks to "My Adidas," the Queens, New York trio became some of the culture's first brand ambassadors. Teaming with Aerosmith for "Walk This Way," the Profile Records act helped mash Hip-Hop with Rock & Roll on a mainstream level. However, when Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels... Read more

Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. vs. Ultramagnetic MC’s Critical Beatdown. Which Album 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

Ever See This Run-D.M.C. & Whodini Cypher From 1985? (Video)

The year was 1985 and Whodini and Run-D.M.C. were speaking at a seminar. All six members--Run, D and Jam Jam Master Jay for Run-D.M.C., and Jalil, Ecstasy and Grandmaster Dee for Whodini--were present and seated together at a table. Not one to waste an opportunity with a microphone, Jalil decided... Read more

For National Prevention Week, Watch This 1987 Run-DMC Anti-Drug PSA (Video)

Today (May 17) begins National Prevention Week, a seven-day annual event produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). With that in mind, Ambrosia For Heads is proud to shed light on not one, but two anti-drug PSA's this week that aired back in 1987, from two... Read more

Run-DMC’s King Of Rock Turns 30 Years Old & Remains Great

Run-DMC's sophomore album, King Of Rock, reached record store stands 30 years ago today (January 21, 1985). Released on the Profile label, the effort from the Hollis, Queens trio barely missed the Billboard Top 50, but remained a highlight within the group's discography. Following the self-titled LP's boom-bap style, Run,... Read more

Rest in Peace to the Legendary Jam Master Jay. Here’s a Tribute Mix (Audio)

Jam Master Jay, legendary DJ for Run-D.M.C., was tragically taken from us twelve years ago today (10/30/02). There's not much to say about Jay that hasn't already been covered, so we decided to let the music do the talking. Here's a Run-D.M.C. tribute megamix that goes hard. Check it out.... Read more

Can You Feel It: Why 1984 Is Hip-Hop’s Watershed Moment (Food For Thought)

Last year, Hip-Hop turned 40 years old—as far as we know. In truth, part of the culture’s beauty comes from the fact that there is no genesis moment. From the ancient cave-side hieroglyphics to the late ‘60s tags of TAKI 183, graffiti existed as a fascinating balance of expression and... Read more

Discover The Origins Of ONYX Straight From The Source (Audio)

One of the first groups to show the East Coast exactly what wilin' out means was the fearsome foursome known as ONYX. Formed in 1988, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza, and Big DS would go on to create their critically acclaimed, Def Jam released, debut album, Bacdafucup in '93... Read more

Jam Master Jay Would Be 49 Years Old This Week. See His Son & DJ Scratch Pay Tribute (Video)

Yesterday (January 21) was Jam Master Jay's birthday. The late DJ/founding member of Run-DMC would have been 49 years old—which is a reminder of just what kind of turntable prodigy he was. In memory of JMJ, his son TJ Mizell (who is a rising sensation behind the wheels of steel... Read more

Jam Master Jay’s Son Carries On Tradition, Deejaying On A NYC Subway Train (Video)

Over a decade since the tragic murder of Run-DMC's DJ, JMJ's son is carrying on tradition. TJ Mizell recently hopped on a New York City MTA train (from the Essex Avenue stop on the J to Marcy Ave. for those playing at home), with turntables and a camera in tow.... Read more

Mister Cee Pays Tribute to Jam Master Jay with a Mix (Mixtape)

As has become customary on the anniversary of the loss of Hip-Hop icons, Mister Cee has put together a mix celebrating the legacy of Jam Master Jay. You can stream and download the collection of Run-D.M.C. classics below. Related: EPMD’s DJ Scratch Speaks About His Friend and Mentor Jam Master... Read more

EPMD’s DJ Scratch Speaks About His Friend and Mentor Jam Master Jay (Video)

Rest in Peace to Jam Master Jay who we lost 11 years ago today. Jay was a friend and mentor to EPMD's DJ Scratch while Run-D.M.C. and EPMD toured together. Scratch recently sat down to discuss their friendship and how Jay looked out for him in the beginning of Scratch's... Read more

Jam Master Jay Tribute (Video Playlist)

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the day we lost Jam Master Jay. Here are some videos celebrating the life of one of hip-hop's most iconic DJs. Related: Run-D.M.C. performs at the Made in America Festival (Video)... Read more

Here’s a tribute mix to Jam Master Jay by Funkmaster Flex (Mixtape)

The late, great Jam Master Jay would have been 47 years old yesterday. In celebration of his birthday, Funkmaster Flex did a tribute mix filled with Run-D.M.C. classics. You can listen to the mix and download it below.  When asked who's best, y'all should say....Also, click here to listen to... Read more