kanye west Archives

Kanye West Or Shakespeare: Who Is More Relevant Right Now? (Video)

One made Hamlet, and one made "H•A•M." William Shakespeare and Kanye West may appear to be very different kinds of artists. However, both creators (one an author and playwright, the other an MC, producer, and designer) greatly shaped the popular culture of their times. Across centuries, mediums, and more, both... Read more

May 31, 2017 Food for Thought, Video

Black Thought, Logic & Chuck D Unite To Fight The Power In 2017 (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 5, 2017 Audio, Playlists

Kanye West Has Made Hip-Hop History In The Era Of Streaming Music

In 2017 and beyond, racking up awards and setting records for streaming-only releases will likely become the norm. Chance The Rapper, who just won three Grammy Awards for an album he gave away online for free; and Drake, who shattered streaming records when More Life earned over 89 million plays... Read more

April 6, 2017 News

Killer Mike Casts A Different Perspective On Kanye’s Meeting With Trump (Video)

Killer Mike and Kanye West are two early 2000s Hip-Hop contemporaries. While Mike came up under Outkast and the famed Dungeon Family in Atlanta, 'Ye was attached to Jay Z and the Roc-A-Fella Records boom. Both artists were introduced as different kinds of Rap stars as they transitioned from memorable... Read more

April 3, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

Mary J. Blige & Kanye West’s Collabo Is a True Labor of (Self) Love (Video)

Mary J. Blige has always kept it real in her music, pouring her heart(break) and soul into songs about love. Since her triple-platinum 1992 solo debut What's the 411?, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has blazed a trail for women in music, providing anthem after anthem for anyone who has... Read more

March 30, 2017 Video

10 Years Ago, Rakim, Nas, Kanye West & KRS-One Made A Classic (Video)

This week, a new video with D.M.C. revealed how telling his verse on "My Adidas" truly was. The Hollis, Queens superstar MC pointed back to the lyrics claiming he took the beat of the street and put it on TV. In doing just as Darryl McDaniels said, the world followed,... Read more

March 23, 2017 Do Remember

Drake Releases His More Life Playlist & It’s A Return To More Hard Rapping (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

March 18, 2017 Audio

CyHi Details His Influence & Role In The Creation Of Kanye West’s Discography (Video)

Five-time Grammy nominated rapper CyHi The Prynce will finally be releasing his debut album, No Dope On Sunday, this summer. Having already released singles "Legend" and "Nu-Africa," the Atlanta rapper has dropped a solid body of work in the form of ten mixtapes, as well as his appearances on G.O.O.D.... Read more

March 17, 2017 Video

Kanye West Recalls Watching J Dilla Work. He Compares Him To Quincy (Video)

In 2005, Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music was the label responsible for Common's sixth album, Be. That album, which was Common's first Top 10 release (debuting at #2) was critical to the Chicago, Illinois MC's career, and transformation. While West was responsible for nine of the LP's 11 tracks, the other... Read more

March 8, 2017 Throwback

Murs Uses Kanye West As A Metaphor For The Stress We’re All Facing (Video)

Murs is just days away from his second Strange Music solo album, Captain California. The veteran, with histories tied to Def Jux, Rhymesayers and his own Living Legends squad moves towards a March 10 LP with a powerful single. "God Bless Kanye West" may sound like its simply about 'Ye,... Read more

March 1, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Elite 8 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 20), Round 2 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” This competition, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). The 32 eventually became a pack of 16, and as of now, has reached its Elite 8 in this... Read more

February 21, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Cheers. There’s Still Great Hip-Hop Being Made. Here’s A Bunch (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

February 17, 2017 Audio

Finding The GOAT Producer: Just Blaze vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 9, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

A New List Declares Who’s Been The Best MC Every Year From 1979 to 2016

2017 is still too young to have its best MC crowned, but a new list has named the best MC in each year, since 1979. From Grandmaster Caz to Chance the Rapper, MCs of all generations have found themselves mentioned in the comprehensive list generated by a team of writers... Read more

January 30, 2017 Fresh

Kxng Crooked Is Coming After The #1 Spot. There Are No Friends In Rhyming (Audio)

In 2016, Kxng Crooked (fka Crooked I) released a stellar EP with Statik Selektah in the form of Statik Kxng. But that was last year. In his own words, the Long Beach, California MC is holding himself to a much higher standard in 2-0-1-7. Hopping on Kanye West's "Real Friends"... Read more

January 26, 2017 Audio

Finding The GOAT Producer: Kanye West vs. Scott Storch. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

January 25, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Listen To Some Of The Best Hip-Hop Songs Of 2016 & More In 1 Playlist (Audio)

2016 is officially a wrap. For many it will go down as one of the more challenging years in recent memory, but, no matter what may have transpired, it was a period in which a lot of great music was released. Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s... Read more

January 7, 2017 Audio

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

December 30, 2016 Food for Thought

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

Talib Kweli Takes Donald Trump To Task & Sounds Off On Kanye For Supporting Him (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most engaged social-media users in Hip-Hop, and he can be seen addressing issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression online, using his extensive base of followers to elicit ongoing discussions about any given sociopolitical issue. Of course, fans have loved him... Read more

December 12, 2016 Lifestyle

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

De La Soul Make History With The 1st Hip-Hop Crowdfunded Album Nominated For A Grammy

The nominees for the 59th Grammy Awards have been announced. Taking place on February 12, 2017, these awards appear to have historic implications, especially for Hip-Hop Heads of multiple generations and eras. Perhaps most notably, De La Soul is nominated for "Rap Album Of The Year" for their August release,... Read more

December 6, 2016 News

J. Cole Comes Out Blasting. It Sounds Like Kanye & Drake Are The Targets (Videos)

2016 may be saving its best for last. On the first day of December, it appeared that J. Cole unveiled his plans surrounding his fourth album release. December 9's 4 Your Eyez Only pre-orders hit the web, then quickly and mysteriously disappeared (they are back now). By the time the... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Kanye West Out Of The Hospital & Home Recovering

Early last week (November 21), MC/producer Kanye West was rushed to the hospital for evaluation. Following several strange, abbreviated performances and the subsequent cancellation of his remaining Saint Pablo Tour dates, the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records superstar was hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center reportedly, "for his own health and safety." Something... Read more

November 30, 2016 News

Rhymefest To Transform Kanye West’s Childhood Home Into Studio & Arts Center

For more than a decade, Kanye West and Rhymefest have made substantial records together. The two Chicago, Illinois representatives first caught the Grammy Award wave during writing and demo'ing "Jesus Walks," and followed with tracks including the fully-actualized collaboration "Brand New," as well as lots of writing together. In addition... Read more

November 26, 2016 News

Pusha T Salutes Kanye West. He Suggests Their Paths Twist Back To Musical Paradise

The last five days have been challenging for Kanye West. The superstar entertainer went from one of the biggest creators in 2016, to abruptly canceling his tour (following controversial remarks), and in a matter of hours—entering the hospital. G.O.O.D. Music President Pusha T used today (the same 24 hours that... Read more

November 22, 2016 Fresh

Kanye West Reportedly Transported To The Hospital In Handcuffs For Erratic Behavior

Earlier today (November 21), Ambrosia For Heads reported on the cancellation of the remainder of Kanye West's The Saint Pablo Tour. While many have commented on a number of bizarre incidents regarding the talented artist/producer, the nature and proximity and escalated levels of those incidents suggested that something was very... Read more

November 22, 2016 News

Something Is Very Wrong With Kanye West. He Cancels His Tour. (Video)

2016 has been a whirlwind ride for Kanye West, including #1 albums, game-changing music videos, armed robberies within his family—and that's only some of the "highlights." The Saint Pablo Tour—which corresponds to West's February The Life of Pablo album has been making its rounds across the United States—featuring the artist... Read more

November 21, 2016 News, Video

President Obama Gives His Current Top 5 MCs As He Prepares To Leave Office (Audio)

When President Barack Obama took office in 2008, Hip-Hop was in a widely different place. That was the year that Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III sold more than a million copies in its first week available. That year, T.I. made one of his loudest statements in Paper Trail, before going... Read more

October 28, 2016 Audio, Fresh

Kanye West Rocked Chaka Khan Like Nobody’s Business, Long Before Through The Wire (Audio)

In September of 2003, Kanye West made his solo debut with "Through the Wire," a song he wrote and recorded while his jaw was literally wired shut following a car accident. It famously samples Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire," a 1985 single whose profile with a new generation was raised... Read more

October 11, 2016 Throwback

Common Speaks On Why He’s Not A Conscious Rapper. He’s a Human MC (Video)

In the skit following "The 6th Sense," Common made light of his public image. The Chicago, Illinois MC made a song that fought for Hip-Hop's preservation. Moments after, he made light of the way he appeared to some—as a deeply conscious, lighthearted poet. The same artist who had been involved... Read more

October 10, 2016 Video

Common Reveals The Title And Featured Artists On His Next Album (Video)

In the last 25 years, Common's discography is speckled with a number of award-winning, thematic, and cult-championed albums. The MC has evolved from a beer-drinking, slick-talking rhymer into a reflective lyrical poet, to a hit-maker, and cultural symbol of self and external love. It has been more than two years... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

Kanye West Ends Show After Learning Kim Kardashian Was Held At Gunpoint (Video)

This weekend, two major festivals were being held in the New York City area. The Roots hosted their first ever New York version of their annual picnic, featuring D'Angelo, Wu-Tang Clan, Swizz Beatz, EPMD, The Jungle Brothers, Big Daddy Kane, and many others. Across the river, in Queens, the Meadows... Read more

October 3, 2016 News

Lupe Fiasco Serves Up an Oral History of “Food & Liquor” 10 Years Later (Audio)

For Lupe Fiasco fans, September 19, 2006 marked the arrival of one of the best debut albums from an MC in the 21st century. With Food & Liquor, the Chicago, Illinois storyteller was extending a discography he'd launched a year prior with his Fahrenheit 1/15 Part I: The Truth Is... Read more

September 19, 2016 Audio

Are Kanye West & Kid Cudi Really Beefing Over Drake? (Video)

In the last decade, Kid Cudi was one of G.O.O.D. Music's breakout success stories. The Cleveland, Ohio MC/singer made his debut on Kanye West's 2008 808's & Heartbreak album, before making way for his gold-certified Man On The Moon: The End Of Day first album (released seven years ago, yesterday).... Read more

September 15, 2016 News

A Mini-Documentary Shows How Jay Z’s Blueprint Laid The Plans For A New Era In Hip-Hop

On September 11, Jay Z's The Blueprint will celebrate its 15th anniversary. Its release on what is now an infamous date in American history for other, tragic reasons, marked a time in the Roc-A-Fella leader's career when criminal allegations and frequent diss tracks surrounded his image. However, it has proven... Read more

September 7, 2016 Video

Dame Dash To Produce Roc-A-Fella Series That May Answer A Million & One Questions

It has been more than a decade since Jay Z, Damon "Dame Dash," and Kareem "Biggs" Burke sold Roc-A-Fella Records. The New York City label responsible for introducing the record-buying world to Jay, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, The Diplomats, and others remains alive—only as a division of Def Jam. Its... Read more

August 30, 2016 News, TV/Film

Teyana Taylor Channels Flashdance. Kanye West Fades Away (Video)

Tonight (8/28), Kanye West was given 4 minutes to do anything he wanted at the 2016 VMAs. According to reports, even MTV did not know what Ye was going to do. Given his track record, including embarrassing Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs, when he rushed the stage in protest... Read more

August 28, 2016 Video

Tish Hyman Has Co-Signs From The Roots, Kanye & More For Good Reason. She Tells Her Story

Over the last 18 months, Tish Hyman has emerged as one of the most promising voices in years. The talented singer, songwriter and MC has earned the respect of Alicia Keys, The Roots, Kanye West, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Fabolous and more, not to mention countless new fans. She also... Read more

August 1, 2016 Interview

Kanye West & Vic Mensa Use The Emotion On Their Faces To Keep Wolves Away (Video)

Kanye West's The Life Of Pablo is an album driven by ego, alienation, and an eerie survivalist's mentality. One of the songs that is a cornerstone of this theme is "Wolves." Assisted by Roc Nation's Vic Mensa (who had been pushing his demo tapes to Kanye since he was an... Read more

July 29, 2016 Video

Kanye West Not Only Produced This Consequence Hit, He Once Rapped On It (Audio)

In 2016, Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music is vastly different than it was in the last decade. Around the time 'Ye was gearing up for Graduation, completing his initial collegiate album trilogy, Getting Out Our Dreams boasted the likes of Common, John Legend, and GLC. Queens, New York MC Consequence was... Read more

June 27, 2016 Throwback

Kanye West & Kim Kardashian Are In Bed With Some Of Their Most Famous Friends & Enemies

Kanye West no longer does anything on a small scale. Last night, the mercurial artist held a live streaming party, at The Forum in Los Angeles, for his new video "Famous" from his album, The Life Of Pablo. As has been the case with much of his material since the... Read more

June 25, 2016 Video

ScHoolboy Q’s New Album Features Jadakiss, Tha Dogg Pound & More (Full Tracklist)

Since announcing its release earlier this year, ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP has become one of the most anticipated albums of the Summer. With an in store date of July 8, the LP is just over two weeks away, and details continue to emerge. Along with the first two singles... Read more

June 23, 2016 News

Kanye West Announces The Saint Pablo North American Tour Dates

Kanye West will tour the material he included on February's The Life Of Pablo. This week, the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records superstar announced the North American dates for his corresponding The Saint Pablo Tour. The concert dates come after West has begun promoting his upcoming G.O.O.D. Music compilation, Cruel Winter. Earlier... Read more

June 14, 2016 Fresh

Hear The Best Hip-Hop Of May 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

As May helped us get ready for Summer, it brought the heat for Hip-Hop, too. De La Soul delivered on the promise of their new album And The Anonymous Nobody, with the scorcher, "Pain," and Redman announced a new group called 1000Volts, consisting of himself and DJ Jayceooh, releasing his... Read more

June 7, 2016 Playlists

Talib Kweli Recalls How Blown Away He Was By An Unsigned Kanye West’s Talent (Video)

Talib Kweli and Kanye West have made several notable collaborations. That artistry began 14 years ago, with the release of the Brooklyn, New York MC's first solo album, Quality. Following acclaimed full-length projects with Black Star and Reflection Eternal, the Rawkus Records flagship artist embarked on his first release through... Read more

June 3, 2016 Throwback, Video

Big Sean & 2 Chainz Show Out On A Mega Kanye West Posse Cut (Audio)

It has been four years since Cruel Summer showed the facelift of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music. After a lot of mentions, Cruel Winter appears to be upon fans—in the midst of a heatwave. The same morning that some new 2 Chainz and Statik Selektah premiered, the first verified glimpse of... Read more

June 3, 2016 Audio

Here’s What Biggie Would Have Sounded Like On Kanye West Tracks (Audio)

Last week, a Kanye West beat tape surfaced from 1997. While Kanye would land placements on records by Foxy Brown and Jermaine Dupri a year later, he had yet to break through in '97. Still, the beats contained on the tape showed the promise of what was to come from... Read more

June 1, 2016 Audio