madlib ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Black Star’s New Album Has Been Liberated

In early 2022, Black Star released their first album in nearly a quarter century. No Fear Of Time was produced entirely by Madlib and featured a guest verse from Black Thought. By the end of '22, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli's sophomore LP was one of the year's best albums and signaled a growing... Read more

June 29, 2023 Audio

Madlib Says Madvillain Sequel Is Coming Soon & Gives Details

Earlier this month, Talib Kweli and Madlib released Liberation 2. Available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app (where Black Star released 2022's Madlib-produced No Fear Of Time), the new LP features Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Q-Tip, Roy Ayers, and the late Mac Miller. The project is a sequel to the... Read more

March 30, 2023 Fresh, News, Video

The 15 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

As 2022 winds down, it comes time to celebrate the best in Hip-Hop music. As is tradition, the Ambrosia For Heads team weighs in on our opinion of the year's best albums. This list of 15 includes some comeback performances, significant sequel efforts, and collaborative tandems. The collection of LPs also shows... Read more

December 20, 2022 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

Black Star Make SNL Chappelle’s Show With 2 Stellar Performances

In 2016, the Saturday following a pivotal American election, Dave Chappelle hosted SNL in one of the sketch show's more memorable moments of the last decade. That November 12 night, the musical guest was the recently reunited A Tribe Called Quest, making a rare performance following the death of Phife... Read more

November 13, 2022 TV, TV/Film, Video

The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans

Earlier this month, the Hip-Hop community reacted to the latest high-profile lists ranking the greatest Rap albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine and a team of journalists and writers ranked 200 Hip-Hop LPs, prompting plenty of reaction. It was not the first list of this kind, and it certainly will not... Read more

June 21, 2022 Video

Black Star Has Released The Best Rap Album Of 2022 So Far

Earlier this week (May 3), one of the most anticipated albums has released. Black Star's No Fear Of Time arrived after nearly a quarter-century since the duo's first and only other album, Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The two MCs have hinted towards a sophomore album sporadically over the last four years, eventually... Read more

May 5, 2022 Video

Black Star Release The Featured Artists On Their New Album

In less than a month, one of the most anticipated Hip-Hop albums of all time is set to release. On May 3, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli will wave the Black Star flag once more with the duo's second album in nearly 24 years. Late last week, the Brooklyn, New York... Read more

April 12, 2022 Video

Black Star’s Madlib-Produced Album Gets A Title & Release Date

After years in the making, Black Star's sophomore album has a title and release date. Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli are scheduled to follow-up their 1998 debut nearly 25 years later with No Fear Of Time. As anticipated since early 2018, the Brooklyn, New York duo is teaming with producer... Read more

April 8, 2022 Fresh

Dave Chappelle Was Abused & No One’s Talking About It

Last month, Dave Chappelle released his first standup special in more than a year. The Closer features material that the star comedian had been performing for a couple of years before delivering it for his sixth (and allegedly final) installment of his current blockbuster Netflix contract. Notably, the specials open... Read more

November 28, 2021 Lifestyle

The 10 Best Rap Albums Of 2021 So Far

As 2021 quickly approaches its midpoint, it is tradition to evaluate the year's best Hip-Hop albums—so far. So on the latest episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast, we did just that. As we did in deciding the best albums of 2020, the AFH team uses the platform to publicly discuss the best... Read more

June 15, 2021 Exclusive

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

JAY-Z’s Sale Of TIDAL Will Transform How Artists Are Paid For Music

Just weeks after selling half of his stake in Ace of Spades, JAY-Z made another power move. Hip-Hop's first billionaire mogul sold his stake in Tidal to investor Jack Dorsey's Square company in a reportedly $297 million deal this month. Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, also leads the mobile payment company, which now welcomes... Read more

March 9, 2021 Audio, Video

How MF DOOM Became Hip-Hop’s Biggest Hero

On December 31, the family of MF DOOM (aka Daniel Dumile) publicly announced that the legendary MC/producer/visual artist had died two months earlier. While information surrounding DOOM's passing may still be forthcoming, the hurt felt around the Hip-Hop community was immediate and profound. At just 49 years old at the... Read more

January 11, 2021 Audio, Fresh, Video

Madlib Speaks. He Reveals That He & Pusha-T Are Planning More Music Together (Video)

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads decided that Madlib & Freddie Gibbs' Bandana was the Best Album Of 2019. Announced the same night as the Grammy's, the sophomore collaboration between the two veterans bested another producer/MC battery, Gang Starr, in the championship round. The decision came after the annual Sweet 16-themed... Read more

February 28, 2020 Video

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s Bandana Is YOUR Best Rap Album Of 2019

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 26, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Championship Round): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. Gang Starr

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 24, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Madlib & Oh No’s Album Shows That Making Great Hip-Hop Is Their Family Business

The Brothers Jackson have blessed listeners with one-off tracks for years now. Ever since 2008 on Madlib's WLIB AM: King Of The Wigflip, the two Oxnard, California natives have teamed up as a killer producer-rapper combo. Late last year, Otis Jackson, Jr. shared word that he and his younger brother... Read more

January 23, 2020 Audio

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 14): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. Benny

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 22, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 11): Little Brother vs. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 19, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 8): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. YBN Cordae

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 16, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 25 Rap Albums Of The Decade

In the final hours of a decade, Ambrosia For Heads presents our Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums. The 2010s were a wild ride, with an onslaught of important new voices, and incredible maturation from veteran MCs. It was a 10-year span where artists and songs were discovered new places (including the... Read more

December 30, 2019 Best Rap Album 2010s

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2019 List

It is that season when “best of” lists abound and, in a year that featured some remarkable music from artists across the landscape, 2019 kept Hip-Hop fans on the edge of our seats. There were reunions, surprise collaborations, and show-stopping debut albums. The year also featured innovative label compilations, unexpected... Read more

December 18, 2019 Best Albums Of 2019

Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli Detail How Black Star’s Upcoming Album Came To Be

For nearly two years, Hip-Hop fans have heard bits and pieces surrounding a second album by Black Star. In February of 2018, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) told concert-goers in Colorado that he and Talib Kweli were recording. “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib Kweli, Yasiin, coming soon!,” said the... Read more

December 10, 2019 Fresh

Madlib & Freddie Gibbs’ Tiny Desk Concert Is An Education On 1 Of 2019’s Best Albums

In the eyes of many fans, one of 2019's best Hip-Hop albums is Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Bandana. Five years after Pinata, the duo reunited with a product that built on the genuinely unique chemistry from two prolific artists. At a time when both men make so much music, fans... Read more

December 6, 2019 Video

Elzhi Sounds Superhuman On His First Song With Madlib (Audio)

Although the two are brothers, Madlib and Oh No have only collaborated on a handful of tracks over the years. The Oxnard, California Brothers Jackson first introduced themselves as The Professionals on Madlib's 2008 "Beat Generation" series album, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip, with their track "I Want It... Read more

November 30, 2019 Audio

From Dreams To Reality…J. Cole’s Squad Has Been Nominated For A Grammy

The nominations for the 2020 Grammy Awards have been announced. The upcoming year's contenders celebrate a host of potential first-time winners, especially in Rap and Hip-Hop. In the "Best Rap Album" category, there are several key contenders. Notably, J. Cole (who has never previously won a Grammy) earned that distinction... Read more

November 20, 2019 News

Talib Kweli Says The New Black Star Album With Madlib Is Done

Nearly two years ago, Yasiin Bey spilled the beans that Black Star was at work on a sophomore album. In February of 2018, the artist formerly known as Mos Def told Colorado audiences that he and Talib Kweli were working on an album with Madlib. “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib... Read more

November 7, 2019 Fresh, Video

Tha Alkaholiks Recall Discovering & Mentoring Madlib (Video)

Madlib & Freddie Gibbs have made one of 2019's best Hip-Hop albums in the form of Bandana. The Keep Cool/RCA Records album is a benchmark release in both artists' discography. While Gangsta Gibbs' journey dates back to the mid-2000s, Madlib's credits date back more than 25 years. In 1993, Madlib's... Read more

October 1, 2019 Throwback, Video

Freddie Gibbs Blows Up His Enemies In His New Video…Literally

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Bandana is among 2019's best Hip-Hop albums. The sophomore outing from the MC/producer battery has been complemented by a series of lighthearted videos starring Gangsta Gibbs. Including some album imagery, these visuals are based on a dr*g kingpin with a complicated past trying to live a... Read more

September 12, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s New Video Shows There’s Truly No Way Out Of The Game

Late last month, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib released one of 2019's best albums so far, Bandana. Made under dire circumstances in real-life, the Keep Cool/RCA Records album's visuals have been documenting "Freddie Caine" trying to exit the dope game. In late May, "Crime Pays" presented Gibbs trying to maintain a... Read more

July 22, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs Sheds Tears In A Deeply Emotional Interview With Madlib (Video)

Last month, Madlib and Freddie Gibbs released their second collaborative album, Bandana. It stands as one of the best albums of 2019 so far. Plenty has happened to the two artists since 2014's Pinata, which also garnered its fair share of acclaim. Since then, the two veterans secured a major... Read more

July 10, 2019 Video

Westside Gunn’s New Album Involves Madlib, Evidence, Alchemist & More (Audio)

While Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher have already dropped well-received releases this year, Westside Gunn has waited until halfway through 2019 to give heads his distinct brand of hardcore Hip-Hop. While he did give fans the Fourth Rope mixtape in mid-April, it was a collection of his previously... Read more

July 6, 2019 Audio

Freddie Gibbs Draws Depictions Of Bandana Songs & He Goes Hard In The Paint (Video)

Freddie Gibbs is a ferocious MC who raps about the ills of hustling, gangland, and no-strings-attached romance. However, the Gary, Indiana veteran has a sense of humor. That wit regularly makes its way into similes and metaphors in lyrics, and music videos like 2018's "Automatic," where he played a dirty... Read more

July 1, 2019 Video

Black Thought, Yasiin Bey & Freddie Gibbs Educate MCs Over A Madlib Beat

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

June 28, 2019 Audio

Madlib & Freddie Gibbs’ Bandana Tracklist Features Yasiin Bey, Pusha & Black Thought

This Friday (June 28), Madlib & Freddie Gibbs are releasing their sophomore collaborative album, Bandana. Following three preliminary songs and one music video, the Oxnard, California-to-Gary, Indiana pair has unveiled the tracklist to the Keep Cool/RCA Records release. Notably, it reveals that the March drop, "Bandana" is not included among... Read more

June 24, 2019 Fresh

Freddie Gibbs & Anderson .Paak Freak A Madlib Beat Like Giannis (Audio)

Everything leading up to Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's highly-anticipated sophomore collaborative album Bandana (June 28) has proven that the work has been worth the wait. First announced in 2016, the RCA/Keep Cool Records LP has already seen three of its singles drop with "Flat Tummy Tea" in February and the... Read more

June 13, 2019 Audio

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s 1st Video From Their New Album Is Criminal Minded

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib have released the third single (and first music video) to their upcoming Bandana album. A follow-up to 2014's Pinata, the major label-backed Bandana is arriving on June 28 via Keep Cool/RCA Records. The upcoming collection of songs (available for pre-order) is confirmed to feature Killer Mike,... Read more

May 30, 2019 Video

Diamond D Released A New Album Filled With Great MCs. Listen Here.

Yesterday (May 10), Diamond D released his first album in nearly five years, The Diam Piece 2. On the producer/MC/DJ's Dymond Mine Records imprint, the release features Talib Kweli, Xzibit, Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg, Styles P, Raekwon, A-F-R-O, Elzhi, Twista, David Banner, and Fat Joe, among a host of others.... Read more

May 11, 2019 Audio, Interview, Video

Red Bull Music Academy & Red Bull Radio To Shut Down

After 20 years of operation, Red Bull has announced that the Red Bull Music Academy will be closing its doors later this year. The decision was reportedly made to “phase out the existing structure” and introduce a new tactic for Red Bull's position within music. Additionally, Red Bull Radio, the... Read more

April 4, 2019 News

MF DOOM Says He & Madlib Have Recorded Several Albums Worth Of Songs

This past weekend, Madvillain's Madvillainy celebrated its 15th-anniversary. Having released on March 23, 2004, the union of Madlib and MF DOOM marked a transformative moment in the careers of two Hip-Hop veterans with a passion for reinvention, character creation, and wildly inventive Rap music. Both of these artists rarely speak... Read more

March 25, 2019 Fresh

Peanut Butter Wolf Speaks About Parting Ways With Madlib & Egon

Stones Throw Records founder Peanut Butter Wolf is the latest guest on Questlove Supreme. Taped in Los Angeles, California, the episode finds Questlove, Phonte, Boss Bill, Laiya, Suga Steve asking the San Jose native Chris Manak about his label and its incredible catalog. Highlights include specific discussion on Lootpack's Soundpieces:... Read more

March 21, 2019 Audio

Madlib Previews Some Of The Music He Made With Mac Miller

UPDATE: Following the recent footage of Madlib playing some unreleased collaborative music with Mac Miller, his team has released a statement. Rapp Cats, a California-based store and label run by Madlib’s manager and business partner, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt published a statement today (March 20). "What exists is what the two... Read more

March 19, 2019 Trending Stories, Video

Freddie Gibbs Shows He’s His Most Deadly Over Madlib Beats (Audio)

Fewer than two weeks ago, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib delighted Hip-Hop fans with their first collaborative single since the pair's 2014 album, Piñata. That song, "Flat Tummy Tea," will appear on Bandana, an album that promises to remind Heads of the remarkable chemistry between Gangsta Gibbs and the Beat Konducta. The formula cooked... Read more

March 5, 2019 Audio

Blu’s Next LP Is Produced By Oh No. The 1st Single Is A Dedication To Cali’s Lost Angels

UPDATE: Blu & Oh No have released the music video for "The Lost Angels Anthem": ORIGINAL FEBRUARY 4 STORY: 2018 proved to be a busy year for veteran Los Angeles, California MC/producer Blu. The 35-year-old released two albums: Gods In The Spirit, Titans In The Flesh with Nottz, and... Read more

February 28, 2019 Audio, Video

Madlib And Mac Miller Have An Unreleased Joint Album

Several Hip-Hop artists have been at work on special projects at the time of their passing. In the last year of his life, Tupac had begun recording a One Nation project that involved his Outlawz, as well as East Coast Rap luminaries including Buckshot, Smif-n-Wessun, and Greg Nice, among others.... Read more

February 20, 2019 News

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib Put On The Bandana To Take Hip-Hop Back

Five years ago, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib teamed for Pinata. The release was several years in the making for the two prolific creatives. The pair had released "Thuggin'" in 2011, and whet the appetites of fans for what would become a benchmark in both artist's discographies. Throughout the last 25... Read more

February 20, 2019 Audio

Madlib & Oh No Are Brothers Doing Big Things In Their New Video

On March 1, the Dublin based outfit, All City Records, is set to release their compilation record, Gangster Music Vol. 1, featuring Blu, Exile, Kaytranada, Quelle Chris, Max B, and Mndsgn, amongst others. In addition to the guest production and MC features for the project, each track will be accompanied... Read more

February 16, 2019 Video

Heavily Sampled Hall Of Fame Songwriter Galt MacDermot Passes Away At 89

Galt MacDermot has died at the age of 89 today (December 17). It was one day before his 90th birthday. Although family members confirmed the news, according to Rolling Stone, a cause of death has not been made public. The Montreal, Quebec native may be best remembered as the composer of... Read more

December 17, 2018 News

Madlib Meets 1 Of His Biggest Influences & You’ve Never Heard Of Him

"Madlib The Bad Kid," as he introduces himself in the video below, is one of only a handful of producers from this generation who can be credited with shaping modern Hip-Hop music. Noisey recently released a special titled Madlib’s Medicine Show in which the Oxnard, California beat chief meets a... Read more

December 13, 2018 Video

All It Takes Is 1 Drink To Get MF DOOM & Madlib Animated (Video)

Next year marks the 15th anniversary of MM.. Food, one of MF DOOM's most celebrated solo albums. It dropped in 2004, the same year DOOM's collaborative album with Madlib, Madvillainy arrived and was the first of his solo works to be released via Rhymesayers Entertainment. Somewhat conceptual in its delivery, the album... Read more

November 17, 2018 Video