jay-z ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more

September 16, 2023 Video

JAY-Z & Biggie Battled But It Wasn’t A Fair Fight

For more than 25 years, Hip-Hop fans have debated who is better between The Notorious B.I.G. and JAY-Z. Both men’s names are perennially heard in conversations about who is the greatest MC of all-time. For them, however, there was something bigger than Hip-Hop: Brooklyn. Fans have not been the only... Read more

July 9, 2023 Food for Thought, Throwback

One Of JAY-Z’s Most Infamous Crimes Was A Lie

Since 1999, the world has been led to believe that JAY-Z stabbed record executive Lance "Un" Rivera in the back due to Jay's belief that Un had bootlegged and leaked JAY-Z's Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter album weeks before its release date. The incident occurred at an... Read more

May 21, 2023 News, Video

Roc-A-Fella vs. G-Unit: The Greatest Rap Crew Competition

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all-time, this is your opportunity to collectively make that... Read more

May 1, 2023 Greatest Rap Crew

This AI-Created JAY-Z Verse Sounds So Much Like Him It’s Scary

The recent development of an AI-generated JAY-Z verse that is indistinguishable from the artist himself has sparked concerns about the threat that artificial intelligence poses to intellectual property rights and human artistry. This AI-generated verse is just one example of the increasing capabilities of artificial intelligence to mimic and even... Read more

April 1, 2023 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole & More Share Secrets For Greatness

J. Cole interviews are a rarity these days. Fresh off Dreamville's recent Creed III: The Soundtrack display, J. Cole sat down for a rare public conversation. However, it was not promoting the compilation that includes a new Cole solo song to a vintage, recycled Dr. Dre beat. Instead, Jermaine sat... Read more

March 25, 2023 Video

JAY-Z’s “U Don’t Know” Was Originally Offered To Busta Rhymes & Prodigy

Hip-Hop history is filled with what-ifs, especially concerning beats and production. Tupac's diamond-certified All Eyez On Me once featured verses from Inspectah Deck and The Lady Of Rage. Moreover, Disc 2's Dr. Dre-produced "Can't C Me" was rumored to be created for a shelved Ice Cube collaboration before another iteration had Tha Dogg Pound rapping. Jadakiss'... Read more

March 19, 2023 Video

Melle Mel Explains Why Busta Rhymes Is A Greater MC Than JAY-Z

Just over one month ago, Billboard and VIBE collaborated on one of the most talked-about lists of the last year. The publications and a team of respected journalists ranked "The 50 Greatest Rappers Of All-Time." As predicted, the feature prompted discourse among fans and artists. The criteria for these ranks were written to be: "body of... Read more

March 11, 2023 Fresh, Video

The Best Rap Verses Of 2022

As 2022 winds down to its closing weeks, Ambrosia For Heads begins a celebration of the year with an in-depth conversation about its best Hip-Hop verses. In considering 2022, AFH's What's The Headline podcast spent nearly 90 minutes breaking down some of our favorites. While there is unanimous agreement surrounding six songs, the two hosts... Read more

November 30, 2022 Exclusive, Video

Nas Has Tied JAY-Z In Making Album Chart History

This month, Nas and producer Hit-Boy released King's Disease III. The Mass Appeal Records album finds the MC and producer alone, showing new range and depth within one of Hip-Hop's most respected catalogs. In one song, the Queens, New York-inspired “Thun,” Nas quips, “No beef or rivals, they playin’ ‘Ether’... Read more

November 21, 2022 Fresh, News

JAY-Z & Kendrick Lamar Are Competing For Best Lyricist On Music’s Biggest Stage

Earlier today (November 15), the Recording Academy announced their 65th annual Grammy Awards nominees in an online broadcast featuring Smokey Robinson, John Legend, and others. The precursor to the CBS televised February 5, 2023 event sets the stage for an exciting night for fans, especially those who closely follow the... Read more

November 15, 2022 News, Video

Lupe Fiasco Has The Year’s Best Verse & It’s Only 1 Line

Each year, there are a handful of raps that compete for verse of the year. Sometimes, these extraordinary lyrical displays come in the form of freestyles, like Black Thought's unforgettable 10-minute MC master class for Funkmaster Flex, in 2017. Occasionally, an MC who has been absent for a while drops... Read more

November 12, 2022 Audio

JAY-Z Has Been A Billionaire Too Long A New Video Argues

On August 26, the most talked about Hip-Hop verse of the year released. JAY-Z appeared alongside Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, John Legend, and Fridayy on DJ Khaled's "GOD DID." Jay's part, a four-minute verse, appears to be his most-discussed set of bars since 2017's 4:44—especially after the artist personally revealed... Read more

September 8, 2022 TBD, Video

JAY-Z Says Every Word In His DJ Khaled Verse Is Actual Fact

Less than one week ago, JAY-Z dropped not only one of the finest Rap verses of 2022, but a benchmark set of bars within a legendary career. Hours after "GOD DID" arrived Friday (August 26) on DJ Khaled's album of the same name, associates of JAY-Z, including his engineer, A&R,... Read more

September 1, 2022 Audio, Fresh

Young Guru Explains The Hidden Meanings In JAY-Z’s New Verse

Yesterday (August 26), JAY-Z's astounding verse arrived on DJ Khaled's "GOD DID." The song, a collaboration also featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, John Legend, and Fridayy, arrived on Khaled's album of the same name. The song is produced by Khaled, Tarik Azzouz, Streetrunner, and Fridayy. Within, Jay spits lyrics including:... Read more

August 27, 2022 Fresh, Video

JAY-Z Has Released The Best Verse Of The Year

On January 28 of this year, J. Cole released a verse that had the Rap world buzzing. On "Johnny P's Caddy," Cole rapped about destroying your favorite rappers, killing MCs on their own songs and even saying he would do so to Jesus, if he ever asked for a feature... Read more

August 26, 2022 Audio

Irv Gotti Describes The Night Nas Stood Up JAY-Z

Irv Gotti has been a close associate of JAY-Z for decades. As a DJ, producer, and record executive, the New Yorker worked with Jay during his ascent to stardom. In 1995, DJ Irv produced "Time To Build" for his artist Mic Geronimo. The song from The Natural featured JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.... Read more

August 8, 2022 Video

JAY-Z & Kevin Hart Discuss What Would Happen If Black Celebs United

There are few names that are bigger in entertainment than JAY-Z and Kevin Hart. Both men are at the top of their respective crafts, and each is a business unto himself. Hart is a comedian who is selling out arenas, shepherding multiple companies and has generated more than $5 billion... Read more

July 17, 2022 Video

Funkmaster Flex Is Trying To End Conway The Machine

In mid-2019, Conway The Machine stopped on Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 radio show to deliver a high-profile freestyle. The Buffalo, New York MC was having a pivotal year at the time. That year, he released Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 3 and Look What I Became before eventually teaming with brother Westside... Read more

July 12, 2022 Fresh, News

The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans

Earlier this month, the Hip-Hop community reacted to the latest high-profile lists ranking the greatest Rap albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine and a team of journalists and writers ranked 200 Hip-Hop LPs, prompting plenty of reaction. It was not the first list of this kind, and it certainly will not... Read more

June 21, 2022 Video

Lil Wayne Names His Top 5 & Missy Heads The Pack

Lil Wayne was a recent guest on What's Wright? With Nick Wright. There, the FOX Sports commenter and the New Orleans, Louisiana Rap superstar discussed the Green Bay Packers, Rap peers, and more. For Hip-Hop Heads, Wayne was asked to offer his Top 5 rappers list. “I got...for me, first:... Read more

May 7, 2022 Video

JAY-Z Has Dissed More People Than Any Other MC

Earlier this month, JAY-Z appeared alongside Pharrell Williams on Pusha-T's latest single, "Neck & Wrist." While the G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam Records single initially prompted discourse regarding Jay's lyrics regarding his late friend and collaborator Biggie Smalls, the song also contains diss bars that some may have missed. Jay's guest verse... Read more

April 14, 2022 Video

JAY-Z Raps About Where He’d Stand In Hip-Hop If Biggie Was Alive

On Sunday night (April 3), JAY-Z earned a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Song." The trophy came courtesy of his newsworthy appearance on Kanye West's "Jail" last year. In the last 24 hours, Hov delivered another noteworthy feature verse care of Pusha-T's "Neck & Wrist." The latest look from Pusha's... Read more

April 6, 2022 Audio

J. Cole Says He Is The Best Rapper Alive & He’s Proving It

Last Friday (January 28), Benny The Butcher released one of the most exciting songs by any artist in over a year. "Johnny P's Caddy" is inspired by the formative days when Benny would ride in his father's Cadillac alongside Westside Gunn and listen to Hip-Hop. Over an Alchemist beat, The... Read more

February 1, 2022 Video

Skillz Has Released His 20th & Final Rap Up

In recent years, Skillz continues to diversify. The Virginia mainstay has expanded from elite lyricist (and longtime ghostwriter) to DJ. He maintains a role in academia, working with the University Of Richmond faculty. During the 25 years since From Where???, the MC created Hip-Hop Confessions, building a platform for peers... Read more

January 2, 2022 Video

Nas’ Directorial Debut Celebrates Video Music Box

Tomorrow (December 3), Nas will make his directorial debut with You're Watching Video Music Box. The Showtime documentary, produced by Mass Appeal, celebrates the show created by "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels that initially aired on New York City's WNYC-TV channel. A Queens native, McDaniels launched the show in 1983 and featured music... Read more

December 2, 2021 TV/Film, Video

Joell Ortiz Names His Top 5 Brooklyn MCs

This month, Joell Ortiz delivered a new album, The Autograph. The release, embedded below, marks Ortiz's fourth with indie stalwart Mello Music Group. After a career cultivated by rapping his circumstances directly to the listener, Joell somehow goes even deeper on his new album. As he tells Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast (embedded... Read more

November 23, 2021 Exclusive, Interview, Video

JAY-Z Is Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By More Than 40 Stars

JAY-Z, LL Cool J, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go's and a host of other music legends were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 30. Footage and many of the details from the illustrious night leaked in real time and the days that followed. Hip-Hop owned... Read more

November 21, 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

JAY-Z, Jadakiss & Conway The Machine Are The New Roc Boys

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 and listen... Read more

October 29, 2021 Audio, Trending Stories

Drake’s Formula Sells Records But Will Not Give Him A Classic Album (Video)

Last Friday (September 3), Drake released his sixth album, Certified Lover Boy. More than two years in the making, CLB features Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Future, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Project Pat, Kid Cudi, and others. Like 2018's Scorpion, this Drake LP arrived amid tensions with Kanye West, Pusha-T, and presumably... Read more

September 8, 2021 Video

Kanye West And JAY-Z Have Ended Their Beef

Fans are currently anticipating the arrival of Kanye West's tenth solo album, Donda. Def Jam Records announced today (July 23) is a release date amid several album preview listening parties. However, the general public has yet to receive the LP titled after Kanye's late mother's name as of noon on... Read more

July 23, 2021 News

JAY-Z’s Lawsuit Against Jonathan Mannion Could Change Photography Forever

Several weeks ago, JAY-Z celebrated 25 years since releasing his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Amid the fanfare is a lawsuit against the photographer for the artwork of the Roc-A-Fella Records LP. Jonathan Mannion was behind the lens for the black-and-white photograph of Shawn Carter in the tailored suit, scarf, and cigar.... Read more

July 6, 2021 Video

J. Cole’s Off-Season Has Several Cryptic References To Illmatic

Last Friday (May 14), J. Cole released his sixth album, The Off-Season. Three years removed from his acclaimed KOD, Cole returned with more social commentary, versatile deliveries, and plenty of themes to unpack. Whereas his 2018 outing was an indictment on drug use amid the youth, especially within the Rap community, Cole's... Read more

May 17, 2021 Video

LL Cool J & JAY-Z Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class has been decided, and Hip-Hop has reason to rejoice. After six previous attempts, LL Cool J will enter the hallowed halls today (May 12). Meanwhile, in his first time on the ballot, JAY-Z will be joining his former Def Jam Records... Read more

May 12, 2021 News

Nas & JAY-Z Are Still Competing But For Much Higher Stakes (Video)

JAY-Z and Nas have been competing for more than 20 years. At the turn of the century, the two had razor sharp bars for one another on songs like Jay's "Takeover" and Nas' "Ether." The beef would become one of Hip-Hop's most high profile and well-documented feuds, amongst two of... Read more

April 30, 2021 Video

Hear New Music From Busta, De La, Pharoahe & More Courtesy Of Khrysis

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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... Read more

April 23, 2021 Audio

DMX’s New Album Is Coming This Summer & It’s Filled With Superstars

Last Friday (April 9), family, friends, and millions of Hip-Hop fans mourned the loss of DMX. The 50-year-old rapper born Earl Simmons passed away at age 50. For the previous week, X had been on life support in White Plains, New York hospital, following a cardiac arrest. Decades into a... Read more

April 13, 2021 Video

Here Are Some Reasons Why 2000 May Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Year

At Ambrosia For Heads, we celebrate Hip-Hop throughout the ages. Earlier this year, our What's The Headline podcast launched a series examining the calendar years that made the music and culture reach its full potential. After taking a loving look back at 1984, the next episode drops in on Y2K.... Read more

April 6, 2021 Video

Nas Has Won His First Ever Grammy Award

Today (March 14), Nas wins his first Grammy Award. The Queens, New York veteran received the "Best Rap Album" trophy for 2020's King's Disease, which released through the MC's own Mass Appeal imprint and is produced in full by Hit-Boy. Including studio albums, collaborative projects, and two volumes of Lost Tapes, Nas... Read more

March 14, 2021 News

JAY-Z’s Sale Of TIDAL Will Transform How Artists Are Paid For Music

Just weeks after selling half of his stake in Ace of Spades, JAY-Z made another power move. Hip-Hop's first billionaire mogul sold his stake in Tidal to investor Jack Dorsey's Square company in a reportedly $297 million deal this month. Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, also leads the mobile payment company, which now welcomes... Read more

March 9, 2021 Audio, Video

Will DMX’s Reunion With Def Jam Return Both To Glory?

This month DMX appeared on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's Drink Champs for a second time. Since the Hip-Hop show's inception, X has been a top draw for Drink Champs, sitting at the table and giving a real and raw interview to his past collaborator Noreaga back in episode 3. Great conversations with Puff... Read more

February 23, 2021 Audio, Video

Here Are Our 20 Best Rap Albums Of 2020

We can all agree that 2020 has been something else. But we can also agree music has been a godsend—especially Hip-Hop music. It has been a pivotal year for Ambrosia For Heads, after a decade of dedication to the culture. However—as we like to do about this time, AFH offers our annual list of... Read more

December 15, 2020 Best Rap Albums Of 2020

Kanye West’s Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Turns 10. Is It His Best Album?

One decade ago (November 22, 2010), Kanye West released a blockbuster album in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Whereas 2008's 808's & Heartbreak confronting loss and lust with sounds that veered beyond 'Ye's first three albums, 2010's M.B.D.T.F. marked a return to form, even if it was nothing like the Roc-A-Fella Records mid-2000s run. Just... Read more

November 23, 2020 Fresh

Drake Releases 2 Songs That Pay Respect To JAY-Z & Eminem (Video)

Following this year's "Life Is Good" collaboration with Future (embedded below), Drake releases his first solo music of 2020. It comes in the form of two songs, bridged together for one video. "When To Say When" follows recent footage of Drizzy rapping outside of Brooklyn's Marcy Houses, the onetime home... Read more

March 1, 2020 Video

Jadakiss Confirms That Styles P Once Dissed JAY-Z On His Own Song

Today, The LOX are in a partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation. There's more than 20 years of history between Hov' and The Warlocks. However, as fans are learning, not all of it is rooted in positivity. Back in 1998, JAY-Z dropped his third album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Like... Read more

March 1, 2020 Video

Watch The Throne 2? Jay Electronica’s Album May Be A Collaboration With JAY-Z

One week ago, Jay Electronica teased fans by claiming he is releasing an album on March 18. The MC/producer who has never released a project apart from a MySpace mixtape (2007’s MySpace mixtape Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)), suggested that his album would be called A Written Testimony. A series of... Read more

February 14, 2020 Fresh

Colin Kaepernick To Tell His Story In A Memoir & He’s Helping Others Tell Theirs

Colin Kaepernick is being silent no more. The former NFL quarterback and current civil rights activist announced today (February 13) that he will release an autobiography this year through his own publishing company, Kaepernick Publishing. Amazon's popular audio-book wing, Audible, will release the Spoken version of the as-yet-to-be-revealed title and... Read more

February 13, 2020 Lifestyle, News

Jaz-O Discusses The Record That He & JAY-Z Released In 1986 (Video)

Veteran Brooklyn, New York MC/producer Jaz-O released a new project, The Warmup. In a career that spans work with Rakim, M.O.P., DJ Premier, and others, Jaz-O is best known as the early mentor and rhyme partner of JAY-Z. The two artists with similar names appeared on several songs dating back... Read more

February 8, 2020 Video

Jay Electronica Says He Just Completed His Debut Album & It Drops Next Month

On Thursday night (February 6), Jay Electronica released a series of tweets that confirmed his debut album was complete. The proclamations follow over 10 years of teasing fans, and publicly toying with the possibility of releasing an LP at all, ever. The tweets suggested that on December 26, 2019, Jay... Read more

February 7, 2020 Fresh