joey badass ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

The 15 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

As 2022 winds down, it comes time to celebrate the best in Hip-Hop music. As is tradition, the Ambrosia For Heads team weighs in on our opinion of the year's best albums. This list of 15 includes some comeback performances, significant sequel efforts, and collaborative tandems. The collection of LPs also shows... Read more

December 20, 2022 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

Joey Bada$$ Calls Out MCs Who Perpetuate Genocide In A Powerful Performance

There have been at least 59 Rap artists who have died from gun violence. That's more than one per year for a Hip-Hop genre which is less than 50 years old. Last night (October 4) at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, during the performance of the night, Joey Bada$$... Read more

October 5, 2022 TV, TV/Film, Video

Joey Bada$$ Has Released The Best Album Of His Career

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... Read more

July 22, 2022 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Celebrates Capital STEEZ With Some Of His Best Work

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... Read more

July 9, 2022 Audio

Chance The Rapper & Joey Bada$$ Are Back In Mixtape Mode

A decade ago, in 2012, two of Hip-Hop's most exciting new voices were Chance The Rapper and Joey Bada$$. From Chicago, Illinois and Brooklyn, New York, respectively, these two MCs each brought something fresh to Hip-Hop, while honoring time-tested traditions. In the decade since his mixtape debut 10 Day, Chance... Read more

June 23, 2022 Video

Black Thought & Joey Bada$$’s Song Is A Hip-Hop Cheat Code

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... Read more

June 10, 2022 Audio

Black Thought’s Next Album Is Produced By Danger Mouse. Here’s The 1st Single

After a quarter-century of albums with The Roots, Black Thought expanded into a solo catalog in 2018. That year, he released not one but two projects. The first, Streams Of Thought, Vol. 1, was produced by 9th Wonder. The Grammy-winning Salaam Remi handled the beats on the second volume. In 2020,... Read more

May 11, 2022 Video

The Wu-Tang Clan Series Will Be A Raw & Uncut Look At The Group’s Origins (Video)

Earlier this month, Heads got a 66-second trailer for the upcoming dramatic series, Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The 10-part biographical account of Wu-Tang Clan's beginnings is slated to premiere on Hulu on September 4. The trailer was a first look at Dave East (playing "Method Man") and Joey Bada$$ (portraying... Read more

July 26, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Joey Bada$$ Has An Updated Sound, But He’s Still A Beast (Video)

Beast Coast united back in May to put out their debut effort as a collective with Escape From New York. One of the standout songs from the Columbia/Sony Records album was "Distance," and now, it's getting the visual treatment. Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, and The Underachievers come together for the... Read more

July 11, 2019 Video

See The 1st Look At Wu-Tang: An American Saga Starring Joey Bada$$ & Dave East

Fresh off of Sacha Jenkins' recent Wu-Tang Clan documentary for Showtime, Of Mics And Men, Hulu has a new development in its dramatic series. Coming to the platform September 4, Wu-Tang: An American Saga unveils its first trailer. The one-minute clip features the origin story of Wu-Tang's founding members. Heads... Read more

July 3, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

Joey Bada$$ Will Play Inspectah Deck In The Upcoming Wu-Tang Clan Bio Series

Last month, following the premiere of Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men, a DJ Juanyto interview for HOT 97 on Staten Island with members of the Clan and its extended family suggested that Dave East would not be the only rapper to appear in an upcoming biopic. Joey Bada$$'s name... Read more

June 5, 2019 News, TV/Film, Video

Joey Bada$$ Brings Back Rap City’s Booth With Beast Coast & Big Tigger (Video)

At just 24 years old, Joey Bada$$ has been a purveyor of 1990s and 2000s Rap styles throughout the last decade—even if he was not around to firsthand witness all of it. The Pro Era front-man often represents a Brooklyn not unlike crews such as the Boot Camp Clik and... Read more

May 10, 2019 The Bridge, Video

Method Man, Joey Bada$$ & J.I.D. Go Nuts On One Of The Year’s Best Collabos

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

November 26, 2018 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Chuck Strangers Kick Red Hot Rhymes Like 2 Pros (Audio)

Since 2018 kicked off, Joey Bada$$ has been steadily trickling out single after single. The latest comes in “80 Blocks” a collaboration with his Pro Era cohort Chuck Strangers, who also produced the sample-heavy beat. The slow, yet edgy track sounds like something that the Brooklyn MC could have churned... Read more

February 9, 2018 Audio

Vic Mensa Says His Freestyle Has No Shots At Joe Budden. You Be The Judge. (Audio)

Last week, Drake released a two-song project known as Scary Hours that spawned a very exciting week in music. "God's Plan" set a new record for single-day streams. Meanwhile, "Diplomatic Immunity" reignited year-and-a-half old beef with Joe Budden. It's been an especially busy month for Joe, who some past Shady... Read more

January 26, 2018 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Turns A Prince Classic Into A Cry To Stop The Violence (Video)

UPDATE: Pro Era has released the official audio to "Thugz Cry": ORIGINAL JANUARY 18 STORY: Over the course of his career, Joey Bada$$ has shown himself to be absolutely fearless, when it comes to making music. When he burst onto the scene with his 2012 mixtape, 1999, he eschewed... Read more

January 18, 2018 Video

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (The Final 4): Kendrick Lamar vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

December 31, 2017 Best Rap Album 2017

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 12): JAY-Z vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

December 29, 2017 Best Rap Album 2017

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 3): Talib Kweli vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

December 20, 2017 Best Rap Album 2017

Joey Bada$$ Named Creative Director Of PONY Sneaker Company

Joey Bada$$ is an entertainer of all sorts, producing, rapping and most recently acting his way through his career at the age of 22. And now, it seems Joey is following in the ranks of fellow rappers-turned-fashion execs Andre 3000 (now a leader at Tretorn), Kanye West, and A$AP Rocky,... Read more

December 19, 2017 Fresh, Lifestyle, News

What Is The Best Rap Album Of The Year? You Decide. Here Are Our Top 15.

It’s that time of year where “best of” lists abound and, in a year that featured stellar music from artists young and old, 2017 has proven to be one of the finest of the decade. We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list... Read more

December 15, 2017 Best Rap Album 2017

Joey Bada$$ & G-Eazy Find Common Ground On A Soulful Statik Selektah Collabo (Audio)

As Q-Tip publicly aired frustrations for A Tribe Called Quest and We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service being omitted from this week's 2018 Grammy nominations, another artist with possible reason to be upset is Joey Bada$$. This year's ALL AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ is another heralded Hip-Hop album (and... Read more

November 30, 2017 Audio

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

Joey Bada$$ Turns His Amerikkkan Idol Into A 2017 Version Of JAY-Z’s Dead Presidents (Video)

Joey Bada$$ is fast at work promoting his 2017 sophomore album. All AmeriKKKan Bada$$ is the Brooklyn, New Yorker's second consecutive #5 debut. While stopping by the BBC, the Pro Era front man performed LP closer "AMERIKKKAN IDOL." The DJ Khalil (of Self Scientific) cut features such strong lyrics as "Now you tryna... Read more

October 26, 2017 Video

In A Tumultuous Week, Hip-Hop Remains The Great Unifier (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 16, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

Joey Bada$$ & Logic Go Bar For Bar In A Cypher Strictly For The Love Of Hip-Hop (Full Video)

While much attention has been focused on the unspoken competition between Kendrick Lamar and Drake in the quest for 2017's biggest album, both Logic and Joey Bada$$ released 2 of the finest LPs of the year. Each featured heady concepts, strong lyricism and beats made for the body and the mind.... Read more

August 10, 2017 Video

The 11 Best Hip-Hop Releases So Far In 2017 (Audio)

At 2017’s midpoint, the year has been generous in substantial art. Some artists have rallied to make the album an unbreakable sequence of songs. Others are seeking new, casual ways to keep fans gratified without the gravity of the longstanding format. Some releases have allowed us to know MCs at... Read more

June 22, 2017 Food for Thought

Vic Mensa Says He Will Slap MCs Who Say They Are Better Than Tupac (Video)

Vic Mensa freestyles are as dynamic as the Roc Nation MC's song-making. Following his new EP, The Manuscript the Save Money MC hits Los Angeles, California's Power 106 FM. There, before the L.A. Leakers, Vic finesses a freestyle flow over Prodigy's "Keep It Thoro." Vic Mensa’s Freestyle Causes Sway To... Read more

June 13, 2017 Video

5 Years After “1999,” Joey Bada$$ Is Still Fighting To Restore New York’s Place In Hip-Hop (Video)

Today (June 12) is the fifth anniversary of Joey Bada$$' releasing his 1999 mixtape. The Brooklyn, New York MC used that opportunity to make a powerful impression on Hip-Hop. Starting with debut video single "Survival Tactics," featuring Capital STEEZ, he brought a colorful crew and retro style with him. In... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Kendrick Lamar’s Album Isn’t Here Yet, But Joey Bada$$’s Is & It’s Amazing (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with the good stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been before. Not only are we able to go... Read more

April 7, 2017 Audio

Troy Ave Defends His Attacks On Capital STEEZ & Details His Shooting (Video)

Troy Ave's career has massively changed since his 2015 album, Major Without A Deal. The Brooklyn, New York MC independently rose through the ranks to reach the Top 200 charts, with an LP that included appearances by 50 Cent, Puff Daddy, Cam'ron, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Ma$e, and Fabolous. At least... Read more

April 5, 2017 Video

Who Is The Leader Of The New School? (Audio Playlist)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with the good stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been before. Not only are we able to go... Read more

March 31, 2017 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Recruits Some All-Star Collaborators For His New Album

More than two years ago, when Joey Bada$$ released his album debut B4.Da.$$, the Brooklyn, New Yorker did so largely free of major guests. Peers such as Raury, Maverick Sabre, and BJ The Chicago filled out the MC's debut. Even his Pro Era cohorts, who were instrumental to acclaimed mixtapes,... Read more

March 13, 2017 Fresh

Joey Bada$$’s Mad Max-Inspired Video Shows Tupac Was His Biggest Influence

Last week, Joey Bada$$ made headlines for saying “I already know I’m a better rapper than Tupac. That’s just facts. One-on-one battle, I’ll flame Pac.” The statement was in the context of him discussing Black History Month's significance to him. One of Joey's central themes in the conversation was that... Read more

March 6, 2017 Video

Joey Bada$$ Says He’s A Better Rapper Than Tupac Was (Video)

In January, Joey Bada$$ released "Land of the Free," by far the most politically-minded song of his career. The record was about self-empowerment, and featured lines like “realize the real games that they tried to show us/300+ years of them cold shoulders/Yet 300 million of us still got no focus/Sorry... Read more

March 1, 2017 Video

Joey Bada$$ Releases The Most Powerful Song Of His Career With “Land Of The Free” (Audio)

For many, this has been a hard week. The celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the start has been juxtaposed with the sense of foreboding doom at where the country is headed after tomorrow's inauguration. There have been countless articles, infinite social media posts and endless debates among... Read more

January 20, 2017 Audio

Joey Bada$$’s 1 Minute Freestyle Goes Long In Staying Woke (Video)

Joey Bada$$'s 2016 single "Devastated" was recently certified gold. The Brooklyn, New Yorker's plaque came from music a bit different than what got the Pro Era MC to the mainstream in the first place. However, make no mistake about it: "Joseph Badmon" is still spitting the kind of lines that... Read more

January 19, 2017 Video

Ab-Soul Hasn’t Forgotten Who Dissed Kendrick. This Black Hippy Goes To War. (Audio)

In February of this year, just hours before Kendrick Lamar's Grammy Awards grabs, Jay Electronica declared war. The Roc Nation veteran, who had stood beside K-Dot during 2013's "Control" moment, turned his pen on his former partner. "Curse Of Mayweather" pulled no punches. The song was out to throw hay-makers,... Read more

December 8, 2016 Audio

Joey Bada$$ & Termanology Started Out At The Bottom. Now They’re Top Shottas (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ and Termanology remind listeners why they’re some of the “realest top shottas” when it comes to this generation’s true school spitters on the latest release off Term’s upcoming More Politics LP. Both MCs wax poetic about some of their personal struggles. Over a melancholy horn section, jazzy piano... Read more

November 10, 2016 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Fans Should Not Be Devastated. He Didn’t Sell Out… (Video)

Earlier this week (August 10), Joey Bada$$ released the self-directed video to "Devastated." Dropped in May as a standalone official single, the song is a departure from the sounds of last year's Top 5 charting debut, B4.Da.$$ and previous mixtape work. "Devastated" features a Pop-tinged chorus and an uptempo beat.... Read more

August 12, 2016 Video

Joey Bada$$ Revamps His Sound For Some Motivational Music (Audio)

For more than five years, Brooklyn, New York's Joey Bada$$ has been credited with taking elements of his city's (and greater New York City) 1990s sound and tweaking it for a resonating update. The formula has worked, as Joey and Pro Era have challenged the charts and become a popular... Read more

May 27, 2016 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Makes The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Into A Fist & Puts It On Troy Ave (Video)

It has been a big month for Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop. After 2015 saw albums by Joey Bada$$ (B4.Da.$$) and Troy Ave (Major Without A Deal), the men began a social media back-and-forth regarding sales versus status that soon escalated. Last month (February 29), Troy brought the late Capital STEEZ... Read more

March 29, 2016 Video

Styles P, Joey Bada$$ & Droog Reload The Clipse On A Black Milk Beat (Audio)

Fifteen years ago, Pusha T and No Malice kicked in the door to the industry with "Grindin'." The Lord Willin' single received some of the most captivating Neptunes production of all time, that took the Brothers Thornton's Virginia Beach attitudes, and projected them upon the world. Your Old Droog finds... Read more

March 24, 2016 Audio, The Bridge

Joey Bada$$’ New Single Shows He’s Ready To Do It All Again, In 2016 (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ has released his first proper single of 2016. "Ready" keeps one of the Pro Era front man MC's strongest music mates close to the fold in Statik Selektah. In the song, the Brooklyn, New Yorker promises to be around a mighty long time, as he stretches out his... Read more

February 22, 2016 Audio

De La Soul Are Performing Together to Honor J Dilla During His Tribute Weekend

In late December, the second annual J Dilla Weekend was announced. The Miami, Florida event will take place the weekend of February 5-7, and will be hosted by Dilla's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey. With Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody & 9th Wonder, Blu & Exile, Chuck Strangers, A-F-R-O,... Read more

January 6, 2016 News

These Videos Made Us Feel Like We Could Fly In 2015 (Video)

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

December 28, 2015 Video

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Picks For The Best Music Videos Of 2015

2015 might very well be remembered as the year the video took over the song in Hip-Hop. While audio platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are growing in strength, high profile mixtapes decreased in number, and an increasing amount of releases were presented as videos even before the audio-only... Read more

December 23, 2015 Video

DJ Premier, Royce Da 5’9″ & Joey Bada$$ Say We’re In a New Golden Era (Audio)

The term is used a lot when discussing Hip-Hop. Generally speaking, the Golden Era or Golden Age is used to describe a bygone era, one that rose to prominence in the mid- to early '90s, when lyricism was considered to be the supreme skill required to be considered a true... Read more

December 9, 2015 Audio

The DJ Premier & DOOM Collaboration Is Almost Here & Black Thought Is Joining the PRhyme Party

DJ Premier, Royce Da 5'9" and Adrian Younge's PRhyme collaboration is the gift that keeps on giving. The album, which featured vocals by Royce and production by Preemo, using samples of Younge's music, was released to critical acclaim near the end of 2014. It featured guest verses from Common, Jay... Read more

October 7, 2015 News

Rapsody Recruits Joey Bada$$ for the Remix to “Don’t Need It” (Audio)

Rapsody brings in Joey Bada$$ for the remix to her song, "Don't Need It" from her 2014 album, Beauty & The Beast. In addition to words from the "Badman," she adds a blistering new third verse that stunts heavily on those who continue to sleep on her outsized lyrical skills.... Read more

August 17, 2015 Audio