live ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Black Thought & Rakim Light Up The Stage With Talib Kweli

Last week, Bob James held a concert residence at New York City's Blue Note alongside Talib Kweli and a live band for the second consecutive year. An esteemed panel of guests joined the Grammy-winning Jazz keyboardist and famed producer during 2023's three-night residency. D.M.C. joined on February 7, Slick Rick... Read more

February 12, 2023 Video

Warren G Turns Up The Bass To Show He’s Still Regulating 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years ago this month, Warren G unleashed an album that had a hand in saving Def Jam Records through a commercial drought season. The Long Beach, California MC/producer/DJ may have been wrongfully overlooked at Death Row Records, but the "G" in G-Child may have stood for "Golden" at Russell... Read more

June 22, 2019 Video

Bun B & Statik Selektah Will Make An Album From Scratch For All To See

Last August, Bun B released his first album in five years. Return Of The Trill saw the UGK co-founder and Port Arthur, Texas legend team up with Run The Jewels, 8Ball & MJG, Lil Wayne, the late Pimp C, and others on an album that was musically overseen by executive... Read more

April 11, 2019 News, Video

Wu-Tang Clan Brings Da Ruckus To The Tiny Desk With A Medley Of Their Hits

On their award tour celebrating 25 years of 36 Chambers, the members of the Wu-Tang Clan are keeping the family vibe strong. Lyrical swordsmen including RZA, GZA, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck are joined by Cappadonna and O.D.B.'s son, Young Dirty at the NPR Music Tiny Desk. There,... Read more

December 5, 2018 Video

Lupe Fiasco Paints A Colorful Mural With Words In An A Capella Verse (Video)

Lupe Fiasco is the kind of lyricist that many Hip-Hop Heads hold in high regard. Perhaps the Chicago, Illinois MC earned that trust and respect, given the creativity he injected into Rap music during the mid-2000s. Although Lu' achieved commercial pinnacles while experimenting with Pop, Rock, and other fusions in... Read more

October 22, 2018 Video

DMX Performs For The First Time Ever With A Live Band (Video)

Many of DMX's hits had a distinct sound. Especially in his work with Swizz Beatz, X had a synthetic sound that pulled Rap music away from the sample-covers of the late 1990s. While the Yonkers, New York superstar certainly tried his hand at that style too, tracks like "Ruff Ryders... Read more

December 1, 2017 Video

The Roots’ Tiny Desk Concert Is BIG, Brassy And Beautiful (Video)

The Roots are the latest musicians to perform at NPR's Tiny Desk concert series. Questlove, Black Thought, and the rest of the legendary band brought Bilal along for a moving rendition of 2017 single, "It Ain't Fair." The performance of the song from the film Detroit is bold and brilliant.... Read more

October 30, 2017 Video

The Roots & Bilal Give A Stunningly Powerful Performance With A Full Orchestra (Video)

Late last month, The Roots and Bilal released "It Ain't Fair." The Detroit soundtrack single is jarring, as it applies to racial and social injustice in 1967, as well as in 2017. The song and its message are not going away. This partial Soulquarians reunion is bigger than just one... Read more

August 8, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Digable Planets Go From Cool Like Dat To Cold As Ice In A New Concert (Video)

Even though the Digable Planets have not released an album together in more than 20 years, the trio appears as tight as they ever were. Ladybug Mecca, Doodlebug, and Ish (fka Butterfly) toured this year, tearing down stages across the globe. The Brooklyn-Philadelphia outfit played festivals, and showed why they... Read more

December 22, 2016 Video

Martin Lawrence Is Releasing His First Stand-Up Comedy Special Since 2002

Though Martin Lawrence has been here for years, through daily reruns of his classic 1990s series, Martin, his activities of late are nothing short of an epic comeback. Lawrence enjoyed one of the most prolific careers of any comedian, from 1989 to 2011, starring in films in virtually each of... Read more

August 24, 2016 Lifestyle, News

It’s All The Way Live: Public Enemy To Release Their Second Concert Album

Boogie Down Productions, Tupac, and Lyrics Born are just some of the Hip-Hop artists to release live albums. For the second time in 10 years, Public Enemy is doing the same. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, DJ Lord and company will release Live From Metropolis Studios on September 4,... Read more

August 8, 2015 News

Ludacris’ Personal Revelations Come To Life With The Roots’ Support (Video)

Ludacris truly seems to have something special with Ludaversal (March 31). The DTP founder's most honest, most vulnerable, and most courageous album to date comes at a time when Heads may not be expecting it from him. After all, Luda' seemingly has it all already, after 15 years running things—different... Read more

March 27, 2015 Video

Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Monie Love & Kwame Celebrate AJ Calloway’s Birthday (Video)

On air personality AJ Calloway (106 & Park, Extra) celebrated his 40th birthday in epic fashion during his #lovelivelifeweekend in Martha's Vineyard. During an 80's themed party Saturday night at the Dreamland club in Oak Bluffs, MA, he was treated to performances from Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Monie Love... Read more

August 31, 2014 Video

Souls of Mischief Perform There is Only Now For the First Time Ever (Video)

The Souls of Mischief took the stage at NYC's Le Poisson Rouge tonight (8/28) and performed their new album, There is Only Now, for the first time ever. The Bay Area legends were backed by their producer Adrian Younge's band, Venice Dawn, as well as A Tribe Called Quest's Ali... Read more

August 29, 2014 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Perform Summertime in Vegas (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince reunited to perform their classic "Summertime" in Las Vegas. Will this song ever get old?? Check out the video. Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff Recounts His Surprise Performance with The Fresh Prince on Graham Norton (Video)... Read more

August 16, 2014 Video

Dilated Peoples Perform Music From Their New Album on Sway in the Morning (Video)

Dilated Peoples held a mini concert on the Sway in the Morning show, performing "Show Me the Way" and the DJ Premier-produced "Good as Gone" from their new album Directors of Photography. Welcome back, fellas...Check it out. Related: Dilated Peoples Freestyle Off the Top on Toca Tuesdays (Video)... Read more

August 12, 2014 Video

Disclosure Performs Latch with Sam Smith on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Video)

Disclosure teamed up with Sam Smith on Jimmy Kimmel Live for an animated performance (literally) of their song of the Summer, "Latch." Check out the video. Related: Disclosure Gives Usher’s Good Kisser a Deep House Remix (Audio)... Read more

August 6, 2014 Video

One of the Greats Covers One of the Greats as Beyonce Perform’s Lauryn Hill’s Ex-Factor (Video)

Few women have been more iconic in music over the last 15 years than Lauryn Hill and Beyonce. Last night, during a stop in New Orleans for the On the Run Tour, Queen Bey rendered a heartfelt performance of Ms. Hill's classic, "Ex-Factor." Check out the video. Props on the... Read more

July 29, 2014 Video

DJ Quik Performs a Brand New Song On Skee Live (Video)

DJ Quik made an appearance on Skee Live and performed a brand new song. The song is a departure from his G-Funk roots and features a prominent rock guitar. Quik performed the high energy cut with a full band. Check out "That Ni**az Crazy." What do you think of this... Read more

July 17, 2014 Video

Jay Electronica & Jay Z Perform We Made It Together For the First Time at Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary today in style. In addition to having Raekwon as the headliner, Jay Electronica made a rare appearance, and he brought friends. Mac Miller and J. Cole joined him, and then Jay Z took the stage with Jay E for their first ever... Read more

July 12, 2014 Video

The ’80s & ’90s Versions Connect, As Doug E. Fresh & Snoop Dogg Perform La-Di-Da-Di (Video)

In the 1980s, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick made history with a Reality Records rhyme-routine 12" known as "La-Di-Da-Di." MC Ricky D's introduction to the masses alongside "The Human Beatbox King" was a moment in time, making Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By" forever rooted in the Hip-Hop consciousness. By... Read more

June 11, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Vic Mensa Goes Back to Hollywood LA with a Dynamic Performance (Video)

Vic Mensa renders a dynamic performance of "Hollywood LA," one of the many standout cuts on his Innanet Tape, at Truth Studios in Los Angeles. His dynamic delivery emphasizes the intricate wordplay embedded in the deceptively laid back song. Check out the video. Related: Vic Mensa Releases One of the... Read more

May 27, 2014 Video

Witness a Taste of The Roots “First Opera” (Video)

The Legendary Roots Crew took the stage last week at NYC's Public Theater and did a live rendition of their forthcoming album "...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin." Rather than a straight performance, they presented the work as a high art project, calling it their "first opera." Here's a trailer... Read more

May 19, 2014 Video

Watch Pharrell Perform at Coachella (Video)

Pharrell stepped from behind the boards to center stage at Coachella last night, performing a cross-section of his plethora of hits. He was also joined by Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Puff Daddy, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg and more. Check out the full set below. Part 1 Part 2 Related: Pharrell is... Read more

April 13, 2014 Video

Here’s Some Previously Unreleased D’Angelo That Will Get You Jonesing for More (Audio)

Few artists have had such a huge impact on music with such a small catalog of recordings as D'Angelo. Both Brown Sugar and Voodoo are revered and considered by many to be classics but, sadly, D has not released a new album since 2000. That will change (sorta) next week... Read more

March 21, 2014 Throwback

Arsenio Gets the First Performance of Sanctified From Rick Ross, Kanye West & Big Sean (Video)

Arsenio scored the first ever live performance of Sanctified from Rick Ross, Kanye West & Big Sean (and with a full band, no less). Now THAT'S boss...Check out the video. Related: Rick Ross Finally Speaks on Being a Correctional Officer (Video)... Read more

March 7, 2014 Video

At Age 55, Prince is Still One of the Baddest [“ShutYoMouth’s”] in the Business. See For Yourself (Video)

At the tender age of 55, Prince remains one of the greatest performers in music. The Purple One took over the Arsenio show with a rare interview and performances of She's Always in My Hair and Mutiny. Though he no longer curses, he's still a bad [shutyomouth]. Check out the... Read more

March 6, 2014 Video

TLC Perform What About Your Friends at the Vh1 Super Bowl Blitz (Video)

As the Super Bowl festivities ramp up, the ladies from TLC join the party. Chili and T-Boz performed a high energy rendition of What About Your Friends, and they've still got it. Check out the video. Related: T-Boz & Chilli Invite Lil’ Mama To Perform With TLC As Left Eye... Read more

February 1, 2014 Throwback

Lauryn Hill Performs a Funked Up Version of Final Hour (Video)

Lauryn Hill's latest re-arrangements of her Miseducation classics have been winning. After releasing a scorching reggae-tinged performance version of Ex-Factor in December, she's now released a funked up performance of Final Hour. Check out the video. Related: Lauryn Hill Performs an Inspired 11-Minute Reggae-Influenced Version of Ex-Factor (Video)... Read more

January 30, 2014 Throwback

Method Man Rips Through Bring the Pain During Mack Wilds’ NYC Show (Video)

If you haven't heard Mack Wilds' album, New York: A Love Story, it pays homage to 90's NYC Hip-Hop with tracks from Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Havoc and Salaam Remi, as well as guest verses from Method Man, Raekwon and more. Method Man showed love to Mack last night by... Read more

December 24, 2013 Video

Lauryn Hill Performs an Inspired 11-Minute Reggae-Influenced Version of Ex-Factor (Video)

Over the years, Lauryn Hill has re-arranged her classics many times with varying results. Recently, she performed at New York's Bowery Ball Room and unleashed this version of Ex-Factor. It replaces the tender soul of the original with a muscular reggae-tinged groove. It's different but also very compelling. Check out... Read more

December 18, 2013 TV

Here are the Official Winners of the 2013 Hip Hop Awards and Highlights from the Show (Video)

Last night's BET Hip Hop Awards honored MC Lyte with the I Am Hip Hop lifetime achievement award and featured performances from Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar & Jay Rock, as well as a back in the day medley from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. You can watch Lyte's acceptance speech, view those performances... Read more

October 16, 2013 Video

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Pay Tribute to Eazy-E, Tupac & The Notorious B.I.G. (Video)

Which group in Hip-Hop has recorded with each of Biggie, Tupac and Eazy-E? That's correct...Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The group recently paid tribute to each of the fallen legends by performing a medley of their collabos. Check out the video of Bone performing Foe Tha Love Of $, Thug Luv and Notorious... Read more

September 25, 2013 Video

Kanye West Performs New Slaves, Blood on the Leaves & Bound 2 with Charlie Wilson (Video)

Kanye West performed an amazing acoustic version of New Slaves that featured nothing but Charlie Wilson, an eerie piano and Ye. Even if you weren't checking for the original, this is worth a listen. Brilliant. You can also watch performances of Blood on the Leaves and Bound 2 below. New... Read more

September 21, 2013 Video

Schoolboy Q & Kendrick Lamar Perform Collard Greens (Video)

Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar hit the stage in NYC last night and performed Q's Collard Greens. Check out the video. Related: Stalley – NineteenEighty7 ft Schoolboy Q (Video)... Read more

September 17, 2013 Video

Drake Premieres Too Much on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (Video)

For any Drake fans waiting for him to stop singing and start spitting, this one's for you. Drizzy premiered a new song on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night and he went back to that pre-Started From the Bottom killer flow. Check out Too Much. Related: Drake – Nothing... Read more

September 14, 2013 Video

Public Enemy Performs at the Made in America Festival (Video)

Public Enemy took the stage at the Made in America festival and straight RIPPED IT. After 25 years, this is still riot music. You can watch the performance here. Related: Public Enemy – Rebels Without A Pause Trailer (Video)... Read more

September 1, 2013 Video

Mayer Hawthorne Performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Video)

Mayer Hawthorne's music has hints of The Doobie Brothers and old Hall & Oates, update to feel contemporary and uniquely his own. His album, Where Does This Door Go, is one of the best soul releases of the year. He recently performed his single Her Favorite Song, as well as... Read more

August 11, 2013 Video

Goodie M.O.B. on RapFix Live (Video)

Goodie M.O.B. sat down with Sway on RapFix Live and discussed the old days with OutKast, whether the rumors of a new Andre 3000 album were true and dropped an a capella freestyle. Check out the videos below. Related: Goodie Mob – Special Education ft The Roots (Live Video) Part... Read more

August 8, 2013 Throwback

Pete Rock & CL Smooth Perform at the Rocksteady 36th Anniversary Celebration (Video)

Pete Rock & CL Smooth performed at the Rocksteady 36th Anniversary celebration. You can check out video footage of a performances of They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) and Straighten It Out below. Related: Living Legends: Pete Rock & CL Smooth (Audio Playlist) They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) Straighten It Out... Read more

July 29, 2013 Video

EPMD & Redman Perform Headbanger at the 2013 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

The first time I heard EPMD's Headbanger was the first the first time I heard Redman and his verse DESTROYED me. The 3 united for a performance of the epic posse cut at the 2013 Brooklyn Hip-Hop festival. All that was missing was K-Solo...Check out the video. Related: Redman Performs... Read more

July 20, 2013 Throwback

Schoolboy Q Performs New Song in NYC (Video)

Schoolboy Q performs a super tough new track that is presumably from his forthcoming Oxymoron album and possibly called Gangsta. Check out the video and prepare to get your mean face on with this one. YACH! YACH! YACH! YACH! Related: Schoolboy Q – Collard Greens ft Kendrick Lamar (Audio)... Read more

July 18, 2013 Video

Jadakiss, Styles P & Sheek Louch perform in NYC (Video)

Salute to The Lox who hit the stage at BB King's in NYC earlier this week. Here's some highlight footage of their performance which included many of their joint classics and even some solo joints. Check out the video. D-Block...Related: Peter Jackson – Can’t Get Enough ft Jadakiss, Styles P,... Read more

July 11, 2013 Video

J. Cole Performs Crooked Smile and Power Trip at the BET Awards (Video)

J. Cole also got his shine on the BET Awards. Check out his performances of Crooked Smile and Power Trip with Miguel. Related: J. Cole Discusses and Performs Crooked Smile ft TLC (Video)... Read more

July 1, 2013 Video

Kendrick Lamar Performs at the BET Awards (Video)

Kendrick Lamar had a BIG look at the BET Awards last night, being the only performer to hit the stage 3 times. Check out his performances of Problems with A$AP Rocky & 2 Chainz, How Many Drinks with Miguel, m.A.A.d. city and B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe with the one... Read more

July 1, 2013 Video

J. Cole Discusses and Performs Crooked Smile ft TLC (Video)

Fresh off selling nearly 300,000 copies of Born Sinner and taking the #2 spot on the album chart, J. Cole sat down to discuss Crooked Smile, his uplifting song featuring TLC. He also did a stirring in-studio performance of the song. Check out the video. Related: J. Cole – Let... Read more

June 29, 2013 Video

Mac Miller Performs with The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Video)

Mac Miller rocked with The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Check out his performance of S.D.S. (and do not sleep on that Watching Movies with the Sound Off album...). Related: Mac Miller – Suplexes Inside of Complexes & Duplexes ft Jay Electronica (Audio)... Read more

June 24, 2013 Video

Rakim Performs at Brooklyn SummerStage 2013 (Video)

Rakim recently ripped a set at the Brooklyn SummerStage. Here's some high quality footage of the God MC performing Eric B. is President, Microphone Fiend, Paid in Full and more. Check out the video (starting at the 1:22 mark). Related: Rakim – Get Visual (Audio)... Read more

June 7, 2013 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Performs at the Fever Club in 1993 (Video)

Here's some vintage footage of Wu-Tang Clan performing in 1993, courtesy of DJ Tony Touch. The performance footage kicks in at about the 4 minute mark. Check it out below. Related: The Beatnuts & Big Pun Perform Off The Books in 1997 (Video)... Read more

May 29, 2013 Throwback

Kanye West Performs Black Skinhead & New Slaves on SNL (Video)

Kanye West's new Yeezus album seems like it is going to be even darker than My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. After premiering his song New Slaves on Friday night, Kanye debuted another incendiary new track from the album on SNL Saturday night. You can watch his performances of Black Skinhead... Read more

May 19, 2013 Video