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Today Is International Boombox Day. Celebrate With the Volume WAY PAST TEN (Video)

Today (7/20), is International Boombox Day. Whether the day of recognition is an official holiday or not, it seems as good a time as any to celebrate one of the most iconic devices in Hip-Hop history. Whether it was adorning the shoulder of LL Cool J, used as a metaphor... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Their Annual Summertime Mix (Download)

When it comes to music, there's nothing that says it's summertime quite like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie's annual mix. Perfect for BBQs, sitting by the pool or cruising down the streets, their Summertime series has provided a soundtrack for the season for the last 5 years. Now, the... Read more

LL Cool J Classics Are Mixed While He’s Interviewed…by Marley Marl (Audio)

LL Cool J and Marley Marl go back. These two Queens, New York icons crossed paths in the late-1980s, when LL Cool J was widely touted as one of Hip-Hop's finest MCs, and Marley Marl was the go-to producer. From mixes of "Jinglin' Baby," to "Around The Way Girl," these... Read more

Here’s a Feel Good 90s Hip-Hop and R&B Mix to Kick Off the Summer (Audio)

As the warm rays of the Summer sun start to shine through, soak up the good vibes of this 90s Hip-Hop and R&B mix put together by DJ Rumor. You'll hear music from Groove Theory, SWV, Aaliyah, Missy, Hi-Five, TLC, The LOX, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Faith Evans, Michael Jackson,... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Who Is the Greatest MC Of All-Time & Why Do We Care? (Video)

Chances are, if you are a Hip-Hop fan, at some point in your life, you've been embroiled in a conversation about who is Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time (GOAT) MC. Whether it was in a lunch room, on a school bus, in a barber shop or in a board room, there... Read more

Finding the GOAT: None of These MCs Have Made the Top 10…Yet

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 10+1 bye (Rakim, bringing the tally to 11) contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in this... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): LL Cool J vs. Redman…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

Finding the GOAT: These MCs Are Going to Round 4

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 3, there are only 21 MCs remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began in September, more than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of Hip-Hop fans have... Read more

Common & John Legend Are Friends…But Not in This Lip Sync Battle (Video)

Spike TV has launched a new show called Lip Sync Battle that is hosted by none other than LL Cool J. As the title suggests, the show pits contestants against one another in epic fake verbal jousts. In its premiere episode, oft-collaborators and joint Grammy/Oscar winners Common and John Legend... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): LL Cool J vs. DMC…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

Here’s the Inside Story of the Making of LL Cool J’s Classic Rock the Bells (Video)

In Ambrosia For Heads' ongoing GOAT ballot series to determine Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All Time MC, LL Cool J is facing off with Run (of Run-DMC) in Round 2. In this search to let fans decide the real winner, it is actually 30 years removed from a rivalry between the... Read more

Rick Rubin Reveals His Insider Stories Behind Songs He Produced

In recent years, RapGenius has been the go-to website to decipher your favorite Rap lyrics, but it often works best when the artists themselves log on to give their insight. Artists who have created verified accounts to do this include Nas, Kendrick Lamar, GZA, Common, Joey Bada$$, and many more,... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): LL Cool J vs. Run…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Ever Heard This LL Cool J Freestyle From the 80’s? He’s in Ripper Mode (Audio)

From the moment he walked into the scene in Krush Groove and yelled "BOX," LL Cool J established himself as one of Hip-Hop's most magnetic and fearsome MCs. Before the love songs and the radio appeal, there was Jack the Ripper who was nothing but a microphone destroyer. Here's a... Read more

LL Cool J: Do You Prefer the Lover or the Fighter? (Audio)

Over the last 30 years (yep, you read that right...), there has not been an MC who better straddled the line between lover and fighter than LL Cool J. James Todd Smith has been both the rapper that ladies loved with Hip-Hop ballads like "I Need Love" and "Hey Lover,"... Read more

LL Cool J & Canibus Squash Beef After More Than 17 Years (Video)

Very few things in 2014 Hip-Hop culture are the same as they were in 1997. However, for the first time in more than 17 years, Heads can say that LL Cool J and Canibus are cool. At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York last night (December 19), LL Cool... Read more

LL Cool J Refutes Battling Jay Z, Talks 2 Types Of Album Styles & Some Amazing Rumors (Audio)

The Combat Jack Show has left Hip-Hop journalism better than they found it in 2014. In the closing weeks of the year, the show invited LL Cool J for what immediately feels like one of the finest sit-downs. At nearly two hours, LL turns towards his devout Hip-Hop fans, his... Read more

DJ Premier Mixes Up A Special Set For Def Jam’s 30th Anniversary (Audio)

In his career, neither DJ Premier nor his group Gang Starr were ever signed to Def Jam Records. However, the HeadQCourterz Studios producer has worked with an arsenal of Def Jam's talent over the years, ranging from Jay Z and Method Man, Ludacris to Kanye West, to Teflon and WC.... Read more

LL Cool J Tells How He Got His Name & Survived a Brutal Diss By a Little Girl (Video)

James Todd Smith. LL Cool J. Ladies Love Cool James. How in the world did he come up with that name? In this semi-animated video from Vevo, LL details the origins of his now household moniker and tells how he moved past a potentially crushing diss...by a little girl. Check... Read more

Chris Rock & Tracy Morgan Name Their Top 5 MCs of All-Time (Video)

"Tupac might be in a Tyler Perry movie right now (if he were alive today)." The Chris Rock written and directed film, Top Five, is getting rave reviews and there is already Oscar chatter. Here's a sneak preview clip from the film which features some lively discussion between Rock and... Read more

LL Cool J Bridges Mulitple Generations of New York Hip-Hop with Troy Ave on You Already (Audio)

LL Cool J teams up with Troy Ave for a generation-bridging New York coalition. L, never short on swagger, brings the heat on this one. He rides the contemporary track while staying true to his sound that has endured for 30 years. Is this a passing of the torch from... Read more

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of October 2014 (Audio)

October yielded some of the hardest Hip-Hop of the year. Whether it was seasonal, Mercury in retrograde or something in the water, MCs brought their A-games. Here's a playlist of some of the best music of the month. You'll hear tracks from Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Logic, The Lox, Rah Digga,... Read more

LL Cool J Wants to Tell Tha World He’s Back In a Great Way (Audio)

LL Cool J continues his return to Hip-Hop with another strong release. "Tell Tha World" is a song of hope and encouragement. Both the soulful track and L's words make this feel good music. Check it out. Related: LL Cool J is in Ripper Mode With Raekwon & Murda Mook... Read more

Rick Rubin Returns to the Dorm Room Where Def Jam Was Founded for the First Time in 30 Years (Video)

In a year of tributes to Def Jam, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, this might just be the best. Rolling Stone followed Rick Rubin to the NYU dorm room where he started the legendary record label and had not returned to since. Rather than just interviewing Rubin, RS used the journey... Read more

LL Cool J is in Ripper Mode With Raekwon & Murda Mook on I’m Nice (Video)

LL Cool J's "I'm Nice," featuring Raekwon, Murda Mook and Ron Browz was a return to form for the 30-year veteran. LL is in full Jack the Ripper mode as he, Rae and Mook take turns lacing the grimy cut. Check out the video. Related: LL Cool J Showcases Some... Read more

Time Travel Back To 1987 With This Rare Taped DJ Red Alert Radio Show (Mix)

The site Medium is cookin' up some great content. Less than a week after their breakdown at 2Pac's breaking records (literally) at the short-lived Suge Knight-owned Club 662, Medium liberates some ephemeral greatness from 10 years prior. One of the true juggernauts of Hip-Hop radio, DJ Stretch Armstrong (of Stretch... Read more

DJ Clark Kent Remembers Junior M.A.F.I.A’s Player’s Anthem With A Funny LL Cool J Story (Video)

DJ Clark Kent is one of Hip-Hop's most consistent veterans. A DJ, a record executive, a producer, and a sneaker-head, Clark's hands (and more importantly, his ears) have shaped the careers of many, ranging from Jay Z and Rakim, to Saafir and Canibus. Sitting down with Hip-Hop Wire's Alvin Blanco,... Read more

LL Cool J Showcases Some Storytelling On The Ills Of Street Life (Video)

In the '80s reign of Def Jam Records, LL Cool J was credited for many things: a ferocious delivery, the ability to engage both sexes as fans, and of course, this ability to put together stellar albums. However, storytelling was more label-mate Slick Rick's gift, not something regularly associated with... Read more

Here is an Unbelievable Mix of 90’s Hip-Hop Remixes. Press Play and Get Ready (Audio)

SoulBounce's DJ Harvey Dent has put together an incredible mix of 90's Hip-Hop, featuring nothing but remixes. You'll hear music from Method Man & Redman, Common, Pete Rock & CL Smooth,The Fugees, Ice Cube, Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, LL Cool J, House of Pain, Lil Kim, Craig Mack, The Luniz, The... Read more

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of August 2014 (Audio)

August was a banner month for Hip-Hop. Not only was there good music but several artists used their talents to speak out against the killing of Michael Brown and the events that transpired in Ferguson, MO. Though the Summer is fading, the heat generated from the music in August lingers.... Read more

Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin Discuss LL Cool J & T La Rock’s Impact (Video)

Def Jam Records is finishing its thirtieth year strong. The label worked with Noisey to gather thoughts from its founders in a four-part series. In the first vignette, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin sit side-by-side on a couch to discuss the label's earliest days. The guys who started the imprint... Read more

Jermaine Dupri Discusses His Role With Kris Kross, TLC, & Fresh Fest ’84 (Audio)

Jermaine Dupri hits the Hot 97 studio for an in depth interview with Peter Rosenberg to introduce his new artist Rolls Royce Rizzy in which they discuss his latest single, "Hot Damn," and his upcoming EP. The interview quickly shifts focus from Rizzy to Jermaine as Rosenberg and his cohorts... Read more

LL Cool J Jumps on a Mashup of Tinashe’s 2 On & Ain’t Nuthin’ But a G Thang (Audio)

LL Cool J drops a couple of verese on the G Mix of Tinashe's "2 On," which is set to the tune of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Nuthin' But a G Thang." Check it out. Related: In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes... Read more

In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes I’m Nice (Audio)

Every few years, LL Cool J really drops the gloves on 'em. The onetime Def Jam Records pioneer built his career on the kind of bravado that took on all challengers in the mid-1980s. As LL's base grew to truly celebrate the fact that "Ladies Love" Cool J something special,... Read more

Here’s an Incredible 80’s Hip-Hop Mix From DJ Vadim (Audio)

Here's a wide-ranging and incredibly dope mix of 80's Hip-Hop from DJ Vadim. Focusing primarily on artists from the mid to late 80's, the mix includes Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, MC Lyte, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Slick Rick, N.W.A., Biz Markie, Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Boogie Down... Read more

Ep. 3 of The Message Documentary Looks at the Complicated Relationship Between Women & Hip-Hop (Full Video)

Episode 3 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, examines the treatment of women in Hip-Hop, as well as the rise of mega Hip-Hop entrepreneurs. Artists like Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Missy are discussed, as well as Jay Z, Puff Daddy, Wu-Tang Clan and more. Guests include Nas,... Read more

Ep. 2 of The Message Documentary Covers East vs. West Beef, The Rise of The South & More (Full Video)

Part 2 of The Message, BET's 4-part documentary chronicling the history of Hip-Hop, covers the Bad Boy vs. Death Row beef, the rise of Southern Hip-Hop, the "bling" era, the attempted censorship of Rap music and more. The episode features commentary from Snoop, Uncle Luke, Master P, Juicy J, The... Read more

Episode 1 of The Message Documentary Speaks on Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., LL Coo J & Much More (Full Video)

Episode 1 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, covers roughly the first decade of Hip-Hop. It addresses pioneers like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., Cold Crush Brothers and more. It also features several luminaries including Doug E Fresh, Fab 5 Freddy, Ice Cube, DJ Premier,... Read more

Ep 2 of The Message Documentary Covers The East/West Coast Beef, The Rise of Southern Hip-Hop, Censorship & More (Video)

Episode 2 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, covers the turbulent times in the 90's including the East Coast/West Coast feuds, misogyny in lyrics, corporate attacks on Rap music and more. It also details the rise of Southern Hip-Hop. Guests include Snoop, Uncle Luke, Master P, Juicy J, The Game,... Read more

Nas, RZA & More Discuss The Earliest Days of Hip-Hop in The Message Hip-Hop Documentary (Video)

BET's 4-part Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, premieres tonight at 10pm. Part 1 focuses on the early days of Hip-Hop and features Doug E Fresh, Fab 5 Freddy, Ice Cube, DJ Premier, Grand Wizard Theodore, Nas, MC Lyte, Questlove, Russell Simmons, Snoop, RZA, Sway, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, Eve, Swizz Beatz... Read more

The Message: The Complete Story of the Evolution of Hip-Hop (Video)

Next week (6/4 at 10pm EST), BET is premiering part 1 of a 4 part documentary on the evolution of Hip-Hop. The film will cover all 40+ years of the Hip-Hop era and will examine how it spread across the country, region-by-region. Participants include Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Kendrick... Read more

50 Cent to Diddy: “Ma$e Ain’t Worth $2MM with $2MM in His Pocket” (Video)

Part 2 of 50 Cent's extended interview with Funkmaster Flex is even more revealing than part 1. 50 touches on several controversial topics, including commentating on the Jay Z/Drake beef, Tony Yayo skipping bail, ghostwriting for LL Cool J and tense business negotiations with Diddy regarding Ma$e. Flex interrupts 50.... Read more

“I Think He Planned It”: Get The Inside Scoop On Canibus’ LL Cool J-Inspired Microphone Tattoo (Video)

Canibus has one of the most famous Hip-Hop tattoos. 'Bis, following an interesting exchange with his Queens idol LL Cool J, decided to copy the Def Jam superstar's bicep ink: a microphone. Moreover, Canibus got "Rip the Jacker" also inked, a clear diss to the "Jack The Ripper" '80s mainstay.... Read more

DJ Cash Money & DJ Scratch Rock The Bells, With Some Biz Markie Hilarity (Video)

Although he made one classic Hip-Hop single, Philadelphia's DJ Cash Money is a turntable innovator to the highest degree. Along with DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinbad, and DJ Code Money, Cash ushered in a Philly dominance in the scratching and mixing in the mid-late 1980s that's still up there with... Read more

LL Cool J Makes A New Love Ballad Over Some Chipmunk Soul (Audio)

While Drake makes his way, can anybody in Hip-Hop ever really dethrone LL Cool J's status as the Rap-Ballad king? While he never sang, Ladies Love Cool James has been a master since he "needed love" just as much as he "needed a beat." Just about 30 years later, Uncle... Read more

Here’s a True Old School Playlist. You will find nothing post-1988 here (Audio Playlist)

If names like Whodini, The Fat Boys, Eric B. and Rakim, LL Cool J, Ice-T, 2 Live Crew, Schoolly D, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane and Run-DMC mean something to you, this should move you. Press play, sit back and nod your head. Related: Big Daddy Kane vs. Rakim:... Read more

Def Jam Records Started With A Smash. 30 Years Ago Today T La Rock Declared It’s Yours

The same week that LL Cool J hosted the Grammy Awards, there is another important memory milestone for Def Jam Records. Thirty years ago today (January 28), the label started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin (in a New York University dorm room), released blockbuster single "It's Yours" by Manhattan/Bronx... Read more

Snoop Interviews Russell Simmons and the Conversation is a Stone Krush Groove. Get This Knowledge (Video)

Snoop Dogg's amazing GGN series continues with whom he calls the "Godfather of Hip-Hop," Def Jam Records co-founder Russell "Uncle Rush" Simmons. Anybody who has read Rush's Life & Def knows that Simmons has lived an interesting life. From managing his brother's group, Run-DMC, through founding Hip-Hop's most enduring mainstream... Read more

A Look At Bill Adler’s Def Jam Records Archives (Video)

Bill Adler was among the first folks hired at fledgling early 1980s label Def Jam Records. The house that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin built, in its earliest days, would include T. La Rock, LL Cool J, and the management of Rap superstars Run-DMC. Adler directed the label's Publicity department... Read more

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of June 2013 (Audio Playlist)

As we ease into July 4th weekend, here's a look back at the best hip-hop that dropped in June. You'll hear music from J. Cole, Nas, Curren$y, Mac Miller, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Posdnuos, Kid Tsunami, Drake, LL Cool J, Slum Village, Wale, Lupe Fiasco, Joey Bada$$,... Read more