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The 10 Best Rap Albums Of 2023

As 2023 comes to its close, it is 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. For 2023, we present a tight list of 10—celebrating the best of the best in the Rap genre.... Read more

Nas Is Releasing A New Album For His 50th Birthday

Less than two months ago, Nas and Hit-Boy released Magic 2. The mid-July release was Nas and Hit's fifth album since summer 2020, and followed up a late 2021 LP. The latest installment featured a reunion with 50 Cent, as well as the inclusion of the 21 Savage peace-offering collaboration... Read more

Lauryn Hill Shows She’s Somebody To Nas & The World

Last night (August 11), Hip-Hop culture took over Yankee Stadium. There, a host of legends performed songs in the same Bronx borough that is credited with birthing Hip-Hop as Heads know it, 50 years ago this weekend. Kool Herc and his sister Cynthia Campbell were part of the festivities. It... Read more

Nas Shows What Real Black Magic Is On A New Song

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

Phonte Delivers 1 Of The Year’s Most Personal Verses

Yesterday (July 18), Black Milk released his latest album, Everybody Good?. The heralded Detroit, Michigan producer, MC, and musician involved the likes of Mick Jenkins, Karriem Riggins, and Quelle Chris on the 12-song LP. However, a highlight from the Everybody Good? release is "No Wish," a collaboration with Phonte and Raphael Saadiq. Black Milk... Read more

Nas & Hit-Boy Are Making More Magic Together

Nas and Hit-Boy have announced their fifth collaboration album since 2020. This week (July 21), the MC/producer tandem is slated to release Magic 2. It marks the follow-up to Magic, released in the closing days of 2021. That nine-song collection featured DJ Premier and A$AP Ferg. After speculation online, Hit-Boy... Read more

Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface & Inspectah Deck Reunite On A New Song

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

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

Nas & 21 Savage Make Peace With A Song Together

To say Nas and 21 Savage had a beef would be a grand overstatement. However, the two Grammy Award-winning artists appeared to land in a misunderstanding the same month that each released albums. 21 made the first move, when earlier this month, he appeared in a Clubhouse chat (clip embedded... Read more

Nas Is In His Prime In His 40s

Last Friday (November 11), Nas and Hit-Boy released their fourth project since 2020. The King's Disease campaign, responsible for three of those albums, has taken Nas (and Hit-Boy) to new dimensions with their careers. In that time, Nas won his first Grammy, reunited with The Firm as well as Ms.... Read more

Nas Pays Tribute To Takeoff With Powerful Words About Self-PRESERVATION

Yesterday (November 11), Nas and Hit-Boy released their fourth collaborative album since 2020. King's Disease III finds the legendary MC and the acclaimed producing carry on a tradition that earned both men Grammy Awards in 2021. The new collection of songs, released through Nas' Mass Appeal Records imprint, is about... Read more

Nas Uses 5 Heartbeats For A Song That’s A Perfect 10

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

Nas & DJ Premier’s New Song Takes Hip-Hop Back To Its Golden Era

It has been over a decade Hip-Hop Heads received a Nas song produced by DJ Premier. In late 2011, Nas connected with Premier and The Berklee Symphony Orchestra for "REgeneration." Four years prior, in 2007, Preemo supplied Nasir Jones, KRS-One, Rakim, and Kanye West with "Classic," a promotional video single for... Read more

The Tracklist For DJ Premier’s Upcoming EP Features Nas, Slick Rick & More

UPDATE: DJ Premier has confirmed the project arriving July 15. DJ Premier: Hip Hop 50 features five songs, all produced by Preemo, arriving on Mass Appeal. The Gang Starr O.G. works with everlasting voices from the '80s, '90s, 2000s, and 2010s. The tracklist is as follows: Tracklisting: 1. "Lettin’ Off... Read more

Nas Has Released A New Album With More Hit-Boy Magic

In the closing days of 2021, Nas has released his second album this calendar. In March, Nas won his first Grammy Award, taking home "Best Rap Album" honors for King's Disease, produced entirely by Hit-Boy. Then, in August, Nas and Hit returned with King's Disease 2. The Mass Appeal Records sophomore effort... Read more

The 14 Best Rap Albums Of 2021…What Did We Miss

As 2021 comes to a close, it is appropriate to reflect on a remarkable year for Hip-Hop music and news. Although we did it slightly differently this year, Ambrosia For Heads shares our list of the best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2021. On episode #72 of the What's The Headline podcast—starting at 1:13:00—we list our... Read more

Nas’ Directorial Debut Celebrates Video Music Box

Tomorrow (December 3), Nas will make his directorial debut with You're Watching Video Music Box. The Showtime documentary, produced by Mass Appeal, celebrates the show created by "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels that initially aired on New York City's WNYC-TV channel. A Queens native, McDaniels launched the show in 1983 and featured music... Read more

Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele 2 Will Be Executive Produced By Kanye West

For nearly a decade, Ghostface Killah has been teasing fans with Supreme Clientele 2. On Sunday (September 26), the Staten Island, New York MC offered a concrete update surrounding the sequel to his 2000 classic sophomore LP. During a Reddit "AMA," GFK told fans that the LP would arrive in... Read more

Nas Is In The Second Prime Of His Career

For the second time in less than a year, Nas has released an album. King's Disease II follows 2020's campaign, which landed Nas his first Grammy award, taking home "Best Rap Album" honors in early '21. Entirely produced by Hit-Boy, KD1 included reuniting the founding members of The Firm (along with the group's album... Read more

Lauryn Hill Gave Nas Her Best Verse In 20 Years

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, is better than it's ever been. Not only can we go back... Read more

Nas & Eminem Are Rapping Together For The 1st Time Ever

As many music fans have shifted focus on Friday, August 6 for Kanye West's Donda release—two weeks after initially planned—another artist has occupied the attention for the day. Last week, Nas announced that Kings Disease 2 will be arriving on Friday. Today (August 3), the tracklisting for the Mass Appeal... Read more

Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Are Giving Ownership In Verzuz To All Past Participants

It was an exciting week for Hip-Hop. Sunday culminated with a first-time Grammy win for Nas, a poignant second win for Anderson .Paak (as well as a show-stopping performance), and more. As many looked back at a year defined by the pandemic, the week also saw the acquisition of one... Read more

Nas Has Won His First Ever Grammy Award

Today (March 14), Nas wins his first Grammy Award. The Queens, New York veteran received the "Best Rap Album" trophy for 2020's King's Disease, which released through the MC's own Mass Appeal imprint and is produced in full by Hit-Boy. Including studio albums, collaborative projects, and two volumes of Lost Tapes, Nas... Read more

Nas Releases His King’s Disease Album. Where Does It Rank In His Catalog?

Last Friday (August 21), Nas released his 13th solo album, King’s Disease. Produced entirely by the Inland Empire native Hit-Boy, the project features appearances by Anderson .Paak, Charlie Wilson, Big Sean, and Dr. Dre, among others. The Mass Appeal Records release also marks a surprise reunion of The Firm. The... Read more

Last Week In Hip-Hop: Nas Has A New Album Coming. How Many Classics Does He Have?

In less than a week (August 21), Nas is slated to release his 13th solo album, King's Disease. With 2019's Lost Tapes 2 serving as a welcomed snack for fans, this marks the first new LP from Nasir Jones since 2018's NASIR-a collection produced entirely by Kanye West. Maintaining that... Read more

Boldy James & Vince Staples Get Personal On An Alchemist Beat (Video)

Around the time that Boldy James was among the first rappers to sign to the rebranded Mass Appeal Records (formerly Decon) alongside Bishop Nehru and Fashawn, the Detroit, Michigan MC released his first studio album, My 1st Chemistry Set. James' 2013 LP was entirely produced by The Alchemist, and released... Read more

Boldy James & Alchemist Bring The Best Out Of Each Other On Their New Album (Audio)

It has been over a decade since Boldy James first debuted his raps for the world to hear. In the blog era, Boldy James released Trapper’s Alley: Pros & Cons in 2011 with illRoots. The mixtape showed off the cold life of a drug dealer (see the obvious "I Sold... Read more

Jay Electronica & Dave East Have Experienced Homelessness. Now They Help Others

As December rolls in, many Americans across the country are experiencing the chill and snowy weather of the year's winter months. While many are lucky enough to warm themselves up during these cold, long nights, there are an estimated half a million people in the U.S. who are experiencing homelessness... Read more

Pusha-T Bodied Features In 2019. He Keeps The Trend Going Over DJ Shadow Production

Following last year's Grammy nomination for DAYTONA, Pusha-T has been a Rap role-player in 2019. He appeared on lauded albums by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Benny The Butcher, GoldLink, and YBN Cordae. At the same time, Push' released a collaboration with Lauryn Hill, plus reunited with brother NoMalice for Kanye... Read more

Nas & Pharoahe Monch’s 1st Collabo Unites 2 Hip-Hop Kings From Queens (Audio)

Nas and Pharoahe Monch each grew up in Queens, New York. While Nasir reps Queensbridge, Pharoahe hails from another section, South Jamaica. Both MCs made impact in 1991. The same year that Monch's crew, Organized Konfusion, released its self-titled debut, Nas famously appeared on Main Source's "Live At The Barbeque."... Read more

Nas & Dave East Say They’re Cut From The Same Cloth On A New Collaboration (Audio)

Dave East is gearing up for his most significant album to date. Survival will arrive on November 8 through Mass Appeal/Def Jam Records. To get there, East unleashes his latest collaboration with Nas, "Godfather 4." It was Nas and his label that helped sharpen a spotlight on the East Harlem... Read more

DJ Shadow’s Next LP Features Ghostface, Raekwon, Plus A Nas & Pharoahe Monch Collab

In July, veteran producer and mixmaster DJ Shadow released a collaboration with De La Soul. The Davis, California native who was part of the Solesides/Quannum Projects family released "Rocket Fuel" prompting fans to assume that a new album was on the way. Now, Heads learn that it's going to be... Read more

The Wu-Tang Clan Series Will Be A Raw & Uncut Look At The Group’s Origins (Video)

Earlier this month, Heads got a 66-second trailer for the upcoming dramatic series, Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The 10-part biographical account of Wu-Tang Clan's beginnings is slated to premiere on Hulu on September 4. The trailer was a first look at Dave East (playing "Method Man") and Joey Bada$$ (portraying... Read more

Black Milk Is Evolving. His Latest Song Shows Where He’s Heading (Audio)

Last year, Detroit producer/MC Black Milk released his seventh studio album, FEVER, marking his first full length project since 2014's, If There's A Hell Below. In an already acclaimed career, the Computer Ugly/Mass Appeal Records LP was received as some Black Milk's best work to date, including a spot on... Read more

See The 1st Look At Wu-Tang: An American Saga Starring Joey Bada$$ & Dave East

Fresh off of Sacha Jenkins' recent Wu-Tang Clan documentary for Showtime, Of Mics And Men, Hulu has a new development in its dramatic series. Coming to the platform September 4, Wu-Tang: An American Saga unveils its first trailer. The one-minute clip features the origin story of Wu-Tang's founding members. Heads... Read more

Nas’ Lost Tapes 2 Tracklist Has RZA, Pete Rock, Kanye, Alchemist & More Producing

After teasing fans with a short, cryptic social media video last month, Nas' Lost Tapes has a release date. The legendary and his Mass Appeal Records dropped a trailer for the compilation that is due July 19. The video, which includes a Statik Selektah-produced "Lost Freestyle" as its sound-bed, confirms... Read more

Nas Holds Lost Tapes 2 In A Video. Could It Be In Our Hands Soon?

Five years ago, Nas confirmed that Lost Tapes 2 would be happening. The announcement came at a time when the MC's Mass Appeal Records was rapidly expanding its roster. Since that May 2014 report, Nas has been at work on several projects. Nasir, a collaborative album with Kanye West's production,... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Just Released An EP. Listen Here (Audio)

During the last week, the members of the Wu-Tang Clan have snatched the spotlight. Amid a 25th-anniversary campaign surrounding their classic debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killa, Method Man, and Ghostface Killah produced documentary series Wu-Tang: Of Mics And Men. The... Read more

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

Dave East Will Play Method Man In The Upcoming Wu-Tang Clan TV Series

Last month, several cast members were confirmed for Hulu's upcoming 10-part dramatic series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The series is created, written, and executive produced by RZA as well as Alex Tse–the screenwriter of the 2018’s Superfly remake. Method Man and The Abbott are billed as executive producers. Meanwhile, Ghostface... Read more

Fashawn Freestyles A Powerful Message To Young MCs Who Are Acting Reckless

Fresno, California's Fashawn is currently on tour with his Mass Appeal Records label-mates. Approaching the tenth anniversary for his and Exile's stellar Boy Meets World debut, the MC delivers a clean and lyrically exploratory freestyle. Fresh off of his latest Nas collaboration (this month's "Apostles"), Fashawn hits Power 106's L.A. Leakers... Read more

Nas Shows Why He May Be The Greatest MC To Own A Record Label

This year, Nas' Mass Appeal Records is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The New York City-based label has put out a steady stream of releases since 2014. Some highlights include Run The Jewels' RTJ2, Dave East's Kairi Chanel, and the posthumous J Dilla LP, The Diary. The imprint has also worked... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan’s Documentary Trailer Shows 9 MCs’ Triumph Through Life With Mics

Wu-Tang Clan is in the midst of celebrating the crew's 25th anniversary award tour. Two months ago, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) turned 25. The Clan came together for a short film, and is currently on the road commemorating the milestone. This Spring, acclaimed Hip-Hop journalist, author, and filmmaker Sacha... Read more

This Video From Nas’ Most Recent Album Is Everything

After a mid-November short film compromised of more than half of his Kanye West-produced Nasir album, Nas continues to release the music videos a la carte. Earlier this week, the lyrical legend dropped the jarring and provocative "Cops Shot The Kid" visual, including a Slick Rick cameo. He has since... Read more

Stro Is With Nas Now & He’s Ready For Mass Appeal (Video)

Booklyn's Stro The MC signed to Mass Appeal last October. It was the culmination of several years of work, and now the New York spitter is releasing his first content of the new year. Off of his Mass Appeal-released Nice 2 Meet You, Again EP, the rapper formerly known as... Read more

Nas Throws His Hands Up In Solidarity With Those Unjustly Killed By Cops

Near the midpoint of 2018, Nas released his NASIR album, produced entirely by Kanye West. Apart from having one producer, the legendary MC's 11th album saw a different rollout than his other works. It was not until mid-November that fans got a video from the Mass Appeal/Def Jam Records release.... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 6): Black Milk vs. Evidence

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

Nas Demands A Second Look At His Album With A Stunning Short Film (Video)

Released this June 15, Nas' NASIR album is unique within his catalog. It is the legendary MC's shortest project, clocking in at less than 27 minutes. It is also his first solo album made entirely with a single producer at the helm. For 2018, that was Kanye West, who worked... Read more

Nas Has Made The Forbes Hip-Hop List For The First Time In His Career

Nas told his fans what he would do if he ruled the world. In the 22 years since his Lauryn Hill-assisted single, Nasir Jones has stacked paper in a way that has put him in a very powerful position. Like peers JAY-Z and Eminem, one of Hip-Hop's most respected MCs... Read more

Nas Has Another Album Coming & RZA And Swizz Beatz Are Involved (Video)

Six weeks ago, Nas released his twelfth solo album, NASIR. Produced by Kanye West, the seven-track effort is part of the five albums recorded in Wyoming over the last year. Rolling with the G.O.O.D. Music team of producers marked a distinct creative moment for the Queens, New York legend. It... Read more