m.o.p. ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Ras Kass, Method Man, Lil Fame & RJ Payne Roll On MCs

Ras Kass knows a thing about super-groups. The Southern California veteran MC co-founded HRSMN with Kurupt, Killah Priest, and Canibus 25 years ago. He also linked with Xzibit and Saafir for several memorable songs, amid onetime reports of an album in the works. In 2024, Razzy Kazzy has teamed Philly-by-way-of-Brooklyn... Read more

March 29, 2024 Audio, Trending Stories

200 MCs Celebrate DJ Kay Slay On The Ultimate Posse Cut

Last year, Hip-Hop lost DJ Kay Slay. The Harlem legend passed away on April 17, 2022. His 40+ year legacy began with graffiti and evolved into him becoming one of the biggest mixtape DJs in the world. The self-proclaimed "Drama King" ultimately used his tastemaking skills as a record executive... Read more

November 3, 2023 Video

M.O.P. & Cormega Are Cut From A Different Cloth Of MCs

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, 2023 Audio

Here Are Some Reasons Why 2000 May Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Year

At Ambrosia For Heads, we celebrate Hip-Hop throughout the ages. Earlier this year, our What's The Headline podcast launched a series examining the calendar years that made the music and culture reach its full potential. After taking a loving look back at 1984, the next episode drops in on Y2K.... Read more

April 6, 2021 Video

Redman Samples “Da Rockwilder” & M.O.P. Adlibs To Make A New Banger (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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 its ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

January 10, 2020 Audio

Sean Price & Lil Fame Take “Center Stage” On A New Release From P! (Audio)

It has been more than four years since the incomparable Sean Price, but thankfully, his name continues to ring bells through new music reaching the fans. Right in time for the holidays, Ruckdown/Duck Down Music will release Price Of Fame, a collaborative album from P and fellow Brownsville MC/producer Lil... Read more

December 8, 2019 Audio

D.I.T.C. Show They Are Still Juggernauts On A New Compilation Album (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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 its ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

December 2, 2019 Audio

Sean Price & Lil Fame’s “Price Of Fame” Collabo Album Is Arriving Very Soon

Ahead of Sean Price's passing in 2015, the Brooklyn, New York veteran was said to be at work on several albums, including solo material and collaborative projects. Sean's fourth solo album, Imperius Rex, eventually released in 2017. That Duck Down LP was named by Ambrosia For Heads among the best of... Read more

November 22, 2019 Fresh, News

Gang Starr’s Album Is Here & It’s One Of The Best Yet (Audio)

Less than six weeks ago, Hip-Hop Heads suddenly learned that a Gang Starr album was on its way. DJ Premier had spent more than a year producing songs around previously unreleased vocals from his longtime creative partner, Guru. The MC/producer had passed away in 2010, nearly seven years removed from... Read more

November 1, 2019 Audio

Gang Starr Has An Album Coming & Their New Song Is Classic Material (Audio)

Gang Starr's legacy is everlasting. What Guru and DJ Premier assembled more than 30 years ago has influenced and informed Hip-Hop culture. In early 2010, the group's creator, Keith "Guru" Elam passed away from cancer in a New York City hospital. At the time, it had been more than six... Read more

October 18, 2019 Audio, News

Ras Kass’ Soul On Ice Sequel Uses Lyricism To Confront New Threats (Audio)

Over two decades ago, Ras Kass planted a flag for lyricism that balanced accounts of life in the streets of South Central with information found in the books that upset the setup. That unique gift culminated on Soul On Ice, the MC's 1996 debut that has been heralded in circles... Read more

September 7, 2019 Audio

Wu-Tang, Pete Rock & Others Reunite To Celebrate 25+ Years Of Loud Records

Loud Records dominated the Rap music landscape in the 1990s and early 2000s. Steve Rifkind's label has some of the greatest all-time albums in the genre. To do so, Loud took chances by signing and supporting acts that defied the model at the major labels. Rifkind had been a leader... Read more

August 12, 2019 Fresh

Ras Kass Rhymes With A Vengeance. He Vows To Make 2019 His Year (Video Premiere)

Twenty-three years ago, Ras Kass dropped his first studio album, Soul On Ice. The LP brilliantly balanced wordplay with rich information about history, religion, race, and life in the Southern California streets from the MC who reps both Watts and Carson. The Priority Records album featured production from Battlecat, Vooodu, Bird,... Read more

July 9, 2019 Exclusive, Video

In 2000, M.O.P. Went Hunting For CD Bootleggers To Mash Out (Video)

M.O.P. released their debut LP 25 years ago with To The Death. While the Select Records drop remains discussed by Rap purists, Lil Fame and Billy Danze seemed to widen their reach with every album since, culminating with Y2K's fourth effort, Warriorz. The Mash Out Posse's fourth and most commercially successful... Read more

June 14, 2019 Do Remember, Video

Styles P Has Released A New Album. His Song With Lil Fame Features 2 Pros At Work (Video)

AUGUST 27 UPDATE: Styles P and Lil Fame released a video for "The Professionals: ORIGINAL MAY 3 STORY: Today (May 3), Styles P has released his latest album, S.P. The GOAT: Ghost Of All Time. In recent years, the LOX member has haunted fans with an onslaught of freestyles... Read more

May 3, 2019 Audio, Video

M.O.P. & Benny Up The Ante On A Beat That’s As Hard As Nails (Audio)

Much of the Rap community has been celebrating the Griselda Records movement in recent years. While brothers Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine have made their Buffalo, New York team one of the more exciting collectives in Rap, Benny The Butcher's 2018 Tana Talk 3 LP only added to the... Read more

April 1, 2019 Audio

M.O.P.’s Ante Up Remix Was Supposed To Feature JAY-Z & Prodigy While They Were Beefing

Although "Ante Up," may not M.O.P.'s highest-charting single, the street anthem is a cornerstone of Billy Danze and Lil Fame's catalog. Released in late 2000, the Loud Records single produced by D/R Period was emblematic of the menacing music that the Brownsville, Brooklyn Rap duo had been making since 1994's... Read more

March 13, 2019 Audio, Throwback

Billy Danze Takes A Classic Rick James Sample & Hammers It

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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... Read more

March 11, 2019 Audio

Billy Danze Is Releasing A Solo EP But Lil Fame Helps Him Mash Out This Song

Some Heads have stated in recent years that Hip-Hop seems to lack a certain rowdy spirit and energy. So who better than the group that epitomizes that hardcore East Coast strain of Rap to step up? After all, the M.O.P. has kept its Timberland boots planted on the face of... Read more

February 27, 2019 Audio

Termanology & Lil Fame Mash Out A Tough Statik Selektah Beat

When the trio of Termanology, Lil Fame, and Statik Selektah connect, it is an energetic affair. Term' has been down with Statik Selektah throughout his career, and the same goes for M.O.P.'s Lil Fame. Not surprisingly, the Lawrence, Massachusetts MC has side groups with both artists, 1982 and Fizzyology respectively.... Read more

January 31, 2019 Video

Do Remember When EPMD Teamed With Red & Meth For A Rap Symphony (Video)

Def Jam Records had made some of the most iconic Hip-Hop albums of all-time during the 1980s. After some sluggish years in the early 1990s, the label started by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin rebounded in a major way in 1998. That was the same year that the imprint forecast... Read more

November 15, 2018 Do Remember

Pharoahe Monch & Lil Fame Team Up To Make A Record Executive Pay (Video)

Pharoahe Monch is wrapping up 2018 in a big way, and just in time to celebrate his birthday (October 31). This past September, Pharoahe Monch sat down with Take It Personal Radio for a tribute episode dedicated to the Queens MC in which he revealed the release of his latest... Read more

October 31, 2018 Video

Eric B. & Rakim Name Their 5 Most Important Hip-Hop Songs Of All-Time (Video)

Eric B. & Rakim were on-hand for a celebration at Mikey Likes It Ice Cream shop in New York City's Lower East Side last week. Currently celebrating 30 years since Follow The Leader, the Queens DJ/producer and the Long Island MC/producer collaborated in listing five of the most important Rap... Read more

August 21, 2018 Video

Finding The GOAT Group: Wu-Tang Clan vs. M.O.P. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ 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 (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

July 27, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

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

Finding The GOAT Group: ONYX vs. M.O.P. 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

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

DJ Premier Speaks About How Real Moment Of Truth Was For Hip-Hop & Gang Starr (Video)

On March 30, 1998, Gang Starr stepped forth with Moment Of Truth. Guru and DJ Premier had taken four years since giving the masses their seminal album, Hard To Earn, and Hip-Hop was at a pivotal place in history. "We had platinum-respect. You'd think we were platinum artists that sold... Read more

April 4, 2018 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Interview, Throwback, Video

M.O.P.’s Lil Fame Releases His First Solo Video & Billy Danze Is Still By His Side

Lil Fame and Billy Danze have endured many eras of Hip-Hop while consistently giving audiences that hardcore Rap that they entered with during the mid-1990s. While the Mash Out Possé has made songs that brought Brownsville Brooklyn attitudes and antics into the mainstream, the two artists have never done solo... Read more

April 3, 2018 Video

Heather B. Told The Rap Game To Put Down The Guns Decades Ago (Video)

In light of the gun violence that has plagued our nation and culture, Ambrosia For Heads is in the midst of a pledge to not play any music that glorifies gun violence for one week (beginning the past Monday, March 5). Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day, and in the... Read more

March 8, 2018 Do Remember

M.O.P.’s Lil Fame Is Releasing His 1st Solo Album But He’s Still Mashing Out MCs (Audio)

Twenty-five years ago, M.O.P. asked "How About Some Hardcore?" They have been offering it ever since. Lil Fame and Billy Danze appear to have one of Rap's strongest group bonds. The Brownsville, Brooklyn duo has remained in tact through the independent grind, mainstream recognition surrounding 2000's Warriorz, and fruitless tenures... Read more

March 3, 2018 Audio

M.O.P., Apathy & Celph Titled Warn They’ll Stomp Out Rappers Like Godzilla (Audio)

Next week, Apathy is releasing The Widow's Son. The celebrated member of Demigodz and Army Of The Pharaohs has promoted his upcoming release with a plethora of exciting looks. It began with the Nottz-produced "Alien Weaponry" last month (which premiered on Ambrosia For Heads). Then, the Connecticut vet' followed up... Read more

February 23, 2018 Audio

Apathy Battles Aliens With Battlestar Bars On A Nottz Beat (Audio Premiere)

It doesn’t matter what planet you’re from, no one is safe from Apathy in “Alien Weaponry.” The first single off his forthcoming LP, The Widow’s Son is produced by Nottz, and the beat is just bizarre enough to take the edge of Ap’s sharp tongue. This track nods to the... Read more

January 18, 2018 Audio, Exclusive

EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

It has been almost nine years since legendary duo EPMD released an album. Late 2008's We Mean Business marked the seventh group effort for Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The EP/RBC Records release was a departure from the six consecutive gold albums the Long Islanders released dating back to 1988's... Read more

October 1, 2017 News, Video

M.O.P.’s Fame & Heltah Skeltah’s Rock Join A Band For A Menacing Beastie Boys Cover (Video)

On his landmark album 1999 Black on Both Sides, Mos Def (nka Yasiin Bey) staked the claim for “Rock n Roll” being Black Music. “Elvis Presley ain’t got no soul,” he declared, but Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Albert King and “James Brown like to rock and roll.” To close, Mos shouted... Read more

September 29, 2017 The Bridge, Video

Lil Fame, Styles P & Conway Wage Mortal Kombat With The Mic & Finish It (Audio)

Just days after M.O.P.'s Lil Fame and The LOX's Styles P appeared together on Chris Rivers' behalf, they're back for more. The Brooklyn and Yonkers connection resumes alongside Buffalo's Conway The Machine for "Finish Him." This track is inspired by Mortal Kombat for producer Planit Hank's LP. Styles, Conway, and... Read more

July 17, 2017 Audio

Chris Rivers, Styles P, Sheek Louch & Lil Fame Unite On A Track & It’s Far From Fair (Audio)

M.O.P. and The LOX. Those are two New York City institutions for making "wild out" street music. The angst, the imagery, and the aggressive deliveries for each group have been storied for well over 20 years. Three members from those groups come out to support somebody who carries on tradition.... Read more

July 14, 2017 Audio

Kool G Rap Strikes With 1st Single In 6 Years. Lil Fame & Freeway Back Up The Bars (Audio)

Lyrical Rap legend Kool G Rap has released his first official solo single in more than six years. Approaching June 2's Return Of The Don album, G Rap prepares his first album with a single producer since his heralded 1989 Marley Marl-produced debut, Road To The Riches. This time around, the onetime mentor to... Read more

May 2, 2017 Audio, Exclusive

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Reveals His Mother Inspired The Theme For 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Hardest Anthems

Between 1994 and 2000, M.O.P. was climbing up the Pop charts with each release. Lil Fame and Billy Danze released their 1994 debut To The Death on the same Select Records responsible for introducing Chubb Rock, U.T.F.O., and Kid 'n Play. While that effort did not chart, the Brownsville, Brooklyn... Read more

October 31, 2016 Throwback

Lil Fame Mashes Out Alongside Termanology & Demands Respect On His Name (Video)

Besides his work with M.O.P. partner Billy Danze, one of Lil Fame's closest musical affiliates is Termanology. Several years back, the two MCs released a joint album in Fizzyology, which boasted some DJ Premier production, and appearances by Busta Rhymes, Styles P, and Bun B, among others. That bond is... Read more

October 9, 2016 Video

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Takes His Message From Brownsville To The White House (Video)

After more than 20 years of M.O.P., Billy Danze has made the strongest solo statement of his career. "6 O'Clock Briefing" is a directional shift for the co-founder of Mash Out Possé, and First Family member. Known for speaking bluntly to the streets, the Brooklyn, New Yorker wants a meeting... Read more

September 20, 2016 Video

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Ups The Ante In A New Politically-Charged Song (Audio)

Several years ago, M.O.P.'s Lil Fame made a side project with Termanology. Billy Danze, the other half of Mash Out Posse, has never stepped out of First Family. With a long anticipated solo album on the way, "Berkowit," as the Brooklyn, New Yorker also goes by shows his unique sound.... Read more

September 6, 2016 Audio

Ras Kass Plans “Soul On Ice 2,” Featuring Unreleased Songs (Video)

This year marks the 20th anniversary since Ras Kass' debut album, Soul On Ice. The native of both Carson, California would ink a contract with Priority Records to release what some still consider his greatest lyrical work—and a benchmark of intellectual songwriting. In the time since, Razzy Kazzy has released... Read more

March 22, 2016 News, Video

Just Blaze Plays Some Unreleased Jay Electronica, Busta & M.O.P. And More In A Mix (Video)

Earlier this week (March 7), Just Blaze stopped by the studio to spin a nearly hour-long set for DJ City, after which the Paterson, New Jersey record producer and master of the decks indulged his hosts with an interview. DJ City, a digital record pool for DJ professionals - is... Read more

March 11, 2016 Video

M.O.P. Always Rhyme Like Their Lives Depend On It (Audio)

The M.O.P. co-sign is big in Hip-Hop. Lil Fame and Billy Danze have helped introduce acts ranging from Teflon to Termanology in their illustrious 25-year career. The Brownsvillains come out to support Patterson, New Jersey veteran MC/producer Ran Reed. Ran produced his own single, "Gun Boy Interlude." With a distorted... Read more

January 17, 2016 Audio

M.O.P. vs. ONYX May Make Heads Ante Up & Slam Down Some Cash (Video)

M.O.P. and ONYX both emerged on the scene around the same time. These early 1990s New York City Hip-Hop crews won over Rap fans and beyond with an energy that at times, was Punk Rock and Heavy Metal. Both acts loved yelling, screaming, and barking into the microphones, as they... Read more

November 23, 2015 News, Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of August 2015 in 1 Playlist (Audio)

August 2015 was an incredibly complex month for Hip-Hop. On the one hand, it was filled with tragedy and will forever be remembered as the month when we lost the great Sean Price. On the other hand, the month also brought a new album from Method Man, the first album... Read more

September 8, 2015 Mixes

M.O.P. & Apollo Brown Collaborate on Detonate and It’s Explosive (Audio)

In recent years, M.O.P. have explored with their sound. The Brownsville, Brooklyn duo of Lil Fame and Billy Danze have made some of their hit records with the likes of DJ Premier, D/R Period, Just Blaze, and manager/producer Laze E. Laze, in addition to board-work with Statik Selektah, Snowgoons, and... Read more

August 5, 2015 Audio

Sean Price Confirms Upcoming Album Entirely Produced By M.O.P.’s Lil Fame (Audio)

Brownsville, Brooklyn is a legendary Hip-Hop locale. The same streets that raised Mike Tyson have afforded Rap music some of its most rugged sounds, courtesy of M.O.P., Heltah Skeltah, and Smoothe Da Hustler, among others. In the mid-1990s, both Mash Out and Heltah were working with fellow Brooklynites Da Beatminerz,... Read more

July 25, 2015 News

Sheek Louch, Billy Danze, Trae Tha Truth & Joell Ortiz Represent Their Hoods & You Can Too (Audio)

Sheek Louch has announced his September 18 album, Silverback Gorilla 2. A sequel to his LP released in 2008, Sheek rolls with Tommy Boy Entertainment for this outing. "Hood Nigga" is the album's lead single, featuring M.O.P.'s Billy Danze (a fellow 20-year veteran), along with Trae Tha Truth, and Joell... Read more

June 30, 2015 Exclusive

Rah Digga & Lil Fame Bully Weak MCs On A Meticulous Track (Audio)

Rah Digga and Lil Fame both stand for hardcore Hip-Hop, no matter what the trends out. The Mash Out Posse and Flipmode Squad go back, so why wouldn't Fizzy Womack and Harriet Thugman come together seamlessly on an equally charged track from Fat Beats alum Maticulous (who makes some meticulous... Read more

June 27, 2015 Audio