large professor ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Alchemist Names His Top 5 Producers

Alchemist has had a busy 2023. The acclaimed producer (and MC/DJ) has released albums alongside Larry June, Earl Sweatshirt, and MIKE and Wiki—along with fresh solo material. Amid the prolific year, Al spoke to Genius' Andres Tardio to list his Top 5 Hip-Hop producers—including one of his mentors. Along the... Read more

November 1, 2023 Video

C.L. Smooth Returns In A Verse With Rough Words

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

October 17, 2023 Audio

Main Source Has Released A Collection Of Their Lost Tapes

Hip-Hop trio Main Source released an acclaimed 1991 debut album in Breaking Atoms. Large Professor, Sir Scratch, and K-Cut teamed with The Wild Pitch Records to release earned a coveted four-and-a-half mic rating from The Source magazine upon release for an LP that introduced the world to Nas (as well as Akinyele), along with... Read more

July 27, 2023 Audio

Cormega Explains Why The Realness 2 Is A True Sequel To The Original

Upon its mid-2001 arrival, Cormega's The Realness lived up to its title. After years of waiting his turn, the MC asserted himself to step forth with a body of work that combined a passion for wisdom-drenched lyricism with a survivor's tale of life in New York City streets and the Rap industry. The independently... Read more

September 20, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Large Professor Delivers Bars That Are Hard As Steel On A New Song (Audio)

Large Professor is a legend on the mic, behind the boards, and manning the turntables. While this triple-threat has not dropped an album since 2015’s Re:Living, he has still been contributing beats and rhymes to other artists’ projects. Be it kicking a dope verse on The Good People’s recent Good... Read more

May 17, 2019 Audio

Large Professor Lights The Fuse For Tragedy Khadafi & Truth On A Remix That Bangs

Queens, New York MC Truth has been rapping for more than half of his life and is influenced by the likes of Mobb Deep, Run-D.M.C., Nas, Kool G. Rap, A Tribe Called Quest, Organized Konfusion and other local legends that have played a significant role in shaping his style. While... Read more

April 25, 2019 Video

Nas’ Illmatic Turns 25. This New Mix Reminds Why It Might Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Album

Twenty-five years ago today (April 19), Nas released the album that future generations will likely use to measure Rap greatness. At the age of 20, Nasir Jones delivered Illmatic, a 10-track coming of age reflection that pulled images from Rotten Apple-era New York City, emphasized dreams of being a Rap... Read more

April 19, 2019 Audio, Mixes

Large Professor Reveals Nas Mentioned Aaliyah On The Original Ether

Last year, Rap fans witnessed one of the most personal and ruthless lyrical exchanges in the mainstream. Pusha-T revived his beef with Drake on a large scale with "Infrared." Within hours of the DAYTONA album-closer, Drake responded with "Duppy Freestyle." That track mentioned Pusha's then-fiancee (now his wife), Virginia Williams.... Read more

March 28, 2019 Video

Large Professor Speaks About His Lost Tapes With Nas (Video)

Nas typically keeps it strictly business when it comes to his social media usage so when he does take a moment to pause and get personal, it is notably with intention. On Thursday (March 21), the prolific MC took to Instagram to wish Large Professor and DJ Premier a happy... Read more

March 22, 2019 Video

Stream The New Good People LP. It Features Great Guests Including Large Pro & Lil Fame

The Good People are two Hip-Hop purists. Together, DJ/MC Emskee and producer/MC The Saint make music with throwback sensibilities that refuses to pander. The music feels good, is accessible and it sounds really good. That is especially true of Good For Nuthin', the just-released LP that features Large Professor, M.O.P.'s... Read more

January 20, 2019 Audio

Large Professor Confirms That Main Source Is Making New Music

In 1991, Hip-Hop group Main Source released a landmark album in the form of Breaking Atoms. The Wild Pitch Records release from Large Professor, Sir Scratch, and K-Cut formally introduced the music-buying community to a teenage MC named Nas, as well as other wordsmiths Akinyele, and Joe Fatal. Apart from... Read more

November 19, 2018 Fresh

Video Music Box Is Celebrating Its 35th Anniversary With A Concert Packed With Legends

It is an obligation for music historians and Heads alike to acknowledge the evolution of music video shows largely began with "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels and his pioneering TV show Video Music Box. The Queens, New York-born McDaniels is the founder and host of the show, which first aired on New York... Read more

June 27, 2018 Fresh

Havoc Releases 2 Mobb Deep Freestyles To Celebrate Prodigy 1 Year After His Passing (Audio)

One year ago today Prodigy unexpectedly passed away Hip-Hop has not been the same. It's all been helpful for those who were truly touched by his spirit and life's work. What's also great to help cope is anytime new music surfaces from the Mobb camp, and that's what happened Wednesday... Read more

June 20, 2018 Audio

The Black Sheep vs. Main Source GOAT Match-Up Is Too Close To Call. Decide Who Advances.

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

June 20, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: Black Sheep vs. Main Source. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

June 8, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

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

Nas’ Original Demo For “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” Left No Doubt He Would Prevail (Audio)

It's not uncommon for rappers to commence in their teens or even become famous in those years. Rakim was 19 when Paid In Full was released. LL Cool J was 17 when his debut arrived. Big Boi and André 3000 from OutKast were teens when they started, as was Joey... Read more

November 30, 2017 Do Remember, Throwback

Large Professor Supplies Fashawn With A Vintage Beat & He Skates On It (Video)

Decked out in a red t-shirt supporting one of Mobb Deep's favorite spirits and bandana as a sign of respect to the “late, great Prodigy, The H.N.I.C,” Fashawn takes to Flushing, Queens with a local, Large Professor, in this new eponymous visual. One of XXL magazine’s 2010 Freshmen, Fashawn has... Read more

October 19, 2017 Video

Large Professor Remixes Masta Ace’s Trip Down Memory Lane (Audio)

Nostalgia and looking back on teenage years is a recurring theme in Hip-Hop, inspiring some of the best work of artists such as Nas and Black Milk and now Masta Ace and Large Professor on this "Extra P Remix" of UK production collective, Son of Sam’s “Come A Long Way.”... Read more

October 18, 2017 Audio

Large Professor Speaks On The Targets Of “Fakin’ The Funk” & Why He Attacked The Wack

It goes without saying that 1992 was a turning point year for Hip-Hop. The hardcore and underground Rap scenes from the East, West, Midwest, and South each boasted a myriad of artists with memorable singles and albums to define their respective region's sound. Simultaneously, this period was when Pop music... Read more

October 12, 2017 Do Remember, Exclusive

Large Professor & Craig G Put Hip-Hop On A Pedestal & Celebrate H.E.R. (Audio)

Belgian DJ and producer Koss has been linking with some of the most defiant MCs in the game for many years now. With inspiration from Soul, Funk, Jazz, and Psychedelic Rock from the 1960s and the '70s, he intertwines these musical genres with the infectious boom bap of Hip-Hop from... Read more

September 6, 2017 Audio

Large Professor Helped Take Nas Over The Top. Now He Tries It With Fashawn (Audio)

In the early 1990s, Large Professor was a master mentor to fellow young MCs. While the Main Source front-man was pivoting to his solo career, he mentored Nas, Akinyele, and Organized Konfusion, among others. Starting with "Live At The Barbeque" in 1991, it was clear by Illmatic that Nas had... Read more

August 9, 2017 Audio

Fat Joe, MC Lyte, DJ Premier & MC Eiht To Headline Final Rocksteady Anniversary Weekend

Next weekend, the Rocksteady Crew will celebrate its 40th anniversary. The yearly New York City event was announced by Crazy Legs to be the organization's final concert event of this kind. While the R.S.C. lives on, Crazy Legs suggested there would be new platforms put in place to show its... Read more

July 23, 2017 Fresh

Large Pro Details The Bobby Brown & Kool G Rap Album That Didn’t Happen & Why (Video)

In mid-1990, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo released their sophomore album, Wanted: Dead Or Alive. Heavily produced by Large Professor (then of Main Source), the LP is widely considered one of G Rap's best works. The Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records release spawned dynamic singles like "Streets Of New York"... Read more

July 10, 2017 Video

Large Professor Discusses The Productions He Made For Eric B. & Rakim (Video)

Main Source's 1991 debut album Breaking Atoms made several key developments for Rap music. The album that introduced Nas and Akinyele also ushered in Large Professor as one of Hip-Hop's greatest multi-threats. The Queens, New Yorker rapped, he produced, and later on, he showed the masses that he could cut... Read more

June 28, 2017 Video

Listen To The Sure Shot Verse From MCA’s Career Through Large Professor’s Remix (Video)

Five years ago today (May 4, 2012), the world was shocked to learn about the death of Adam "MCA" Yauch. It is a loss that Hip-Hop is very much still mourning. The co-founder of the Beastie Boys impacted lives on and off the microphone, across mediums. However, from Tibetan Freedom... Read more

May 4, 2017 Do Remember

Main Source Discuss The Impact Of Breaking Atoms, 25 Years Later (Video)

This month, Main Source's Large Professor and K-Cut reunited for their first concert together in 25 years. With Cut's brother Sir Scratch, the three men made what is widely considered a classic album in 1991's Breaking Atoms. That LP introduced the world to Large Pro's sharp lyricism, as well as Nas,... Read more

February 23, 2017 Video

Main Source Are Joined By Pete Rock, Just Blaze & More For Their 25-Year Reunion (Video)

Last week (February 1), the founding three members of Hip-Hop group Main Source performed together for the first time in more than 25 years. Large Professor, as well as John Browne high school classmate, K-Cut, plus guest DJ Rashad Smith (of Bad Boy Records fame) blessed Lower Manhattan's S.O.B.'s stages... Read more

February 8, 2017 Video

Marley Marl & Large Professor Supply M-Dot With Golden Sounds From 2 Legends (Audio)

This Friday, Boston, Massachusetts MC M-Dot is releasing his EgO anD The eneMy album. The follow-up to 2010's Run MPC features the E.M.S. crew member working with a who's who of Hip-Hop production giants. D.I.T.C.'s Buckwild, Reflection Eternal's Hi-Tek, 7L, and Marco Polo make up some of the sound providers... Read more

January 25, 2017 Audio

Main Source Will Perform Together For The First Time In 25 Years

It has been nearly 25 years since Large Professor left Main Source. In that time, the Queens, New York MC/producer/DJ has not worked with his breakthrough group, consisting of Toronto, Ontario brothers, K-Cut and Sir Scratch. That will be changing, as the Wild Pitch Records trio announced its first show... Read more

January 19, 2017 News

Q-Tip Recalls Playing The “One Love” Beat For Nas The First Time They Met

Q-Tip, Jarobi White, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence appear on this week's episode of Drink Champs. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview A Tribe Called Quest members and affiliates about a litany of subjects. Q-Tip, who speaks at length about producing "Bonita Applebum," as well as A.T.C.Q's 2016 material, spoke about his... Read more

January 13, 2017 Throwback

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Premier vs. Large Professor. Who Is Better? (Audio)

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads' 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 2 slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to insure no deserving... Read more

January 9, 2017 Finding the GOAT

REKS Returns Home With A Large Professor Track To See What Is Gone (Video)

REKS lets the “lyricals” shine on this fittingly back-to-basics video for “Gone Baby Gone.” This is his latest Large Professor-produced song and is about some of the issues that this generation faces, deemed "critical" by the Massachusetts MC. REKS' hometown, the City of Lawrence, provides an industrial, seemingly desolate backdrop... Read more

November 8, 2016 Video

REKS Mourns The Good Things Gone On A Standout Large Professor Beat (Audio)

Double albums are never out of style. Today (September 9), REKS releases his tenth LP, The Greatest X. The New England MC is a 15-year veteran, who enjoyed a strong surge in his career eight summers ago with Grey Hairs. On that album, the Statik Selektah/ShowOff affiliate got critical cosigns... Read more

September 9, 2016 Audio

The Main Sources Of Sounds Behind “Breaking Atoms” Get BBQ’d (Mix)

Today (July 23) marks the 25th anniversary of Main Source's Breaking Atoms. The only album recorded the trio's lineup as Large Professor, K-Cut, and Sir Scratch remains a colorful cult classic in the Hip-Hop space. The Wild Pitch Records release would be an awakening to Large Pro's multi-talents, as well... Read more

July 23, 2016 Mixes

Large Professor Broke More Than Atoms 25 Years Ago. He Broke New Ground.

By the early 1990s, Wild Pitch Records proved to be one of the most exciting labels in Hip-Hop. It was their logo at the center of the record that made key introductions for Gang Starr, Lord Finesse, and Flavor Unit lyricist Chill Rob G. Stu Fine’s label appeared to be... Read more

July 19, 2016 Food for Thought

Large Professor Gifts Powerule With A Knocking Beat & He Makes The Most Of It (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, Large Professor tracks have maintained the gravitas to introduce Hip-Hop Heads to the likes of Nas, Mobb Deep, Akinyele, Non-Phixion, Mad Skillz, and REKS, among others. Powerule is a veteran MC, who many listeners are still coming around to discover. He has appeared on a... Read more

May 7, 2016 Video

It Ain’t Hard To Tell… Nas’ Illmatic Is Decidedly Your Greatest Of All-Time Hip-Hop Album

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

April 6, 2016 Finding the GOAT

The Final Battle: Nas’ Illmatic vs. Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

April 4, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas’ Illmatic vs. A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

April 1, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Here Are The Final 4 Greatest Of All-Time Hip-Hop Albums, As Decided By You

In September of 2015, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with... Read more

March 29, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas & Large Professor Still Barbeque 25 Years Later, With One Lyric Change (Video)

This month, Nas hosted a 2016 South By Southwest event called "Live At The BBQ." The same night Nasir Jones premiered his collaborator with J Dilla, he invited mentor Large Professor to the stage. Large Pro and his early '90s group Main Source would introduce Nas to the ears of... Read more

March 28, 2016 Video

Meet The Secret Weapon To Hits By Nas, Eric B. & Rakim & Main Source (Audio)

Anton Pukshansky is a name that likely appears in your music library—even if you don't know it. Born in Russia, raised in New York City, the producer, engineer, bassist, and keyboardist would work on heralded albums including Nas' Illmatic, Eric B. & Rakim's Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em, Kool G Rap &... Read more

March 26, 2016 Audio

Nas’ Illmatic vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 23, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas’ Illmatic vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 17, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Eric B. Defends His Legacy & Claims His Credit In History (Audio)

Eric B. may be one of the most misunderstood figures in Hip-Hop. An Elmhurst Queens, New York native, Eric Barrier formed one of the genre's most technically advanced groups in Eric B. & Rakim. Furthermore, the DJ/producer established a brand in Rap music that not only pivoted towards the materialism... Read more

March 16, 2016 Audio

Finding The GOAT Album: Nas’ Illmatic vs. LL Cool J’s Radio. 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

March 1, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Album: Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP vs. Nas’ Stillmatic. 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

January 29, 2016 Finding the GOAT

DJ Premier Tells The Story Of This Photo With D’Angelo, Alchemist & J. Dilla, In His Words

DJ Premier tells Ambrosia For Heads the story about the night he, D'Angelo, Alchemist and J. Dilla gathered in the studio and took what would become an iconic photo. These are his words about the photo, that night, and the other supremely talented men with whom he posed: "Gang Starr... Read more

January 20, 2016 Food for Thought

Large Professor Demonstrates His Beat-Making Process. Watch The Master At Work (Video)

Large Professor is the latest producer to try his hand at Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette challenge. In the ongoing series, beatmakers are blindfolded, asked to pick 3 random records and tasked to produce a track using their selections. Past installments have included everyone from Just Blaze to Mannie Fresh to... Read more

November 24, 2015 Video