nas Archives

Rick Ross & Nas Refuse To Lose In A “Black Market” Showdown (Audio)

Next month (December 4), Rick Ross will release his eighth studio solo album, Black Market. Just over one year removed from Hood Billionaire, Ricky Rozay's latest LP aims to restore the MC's status as a consistent #1 seller (five of his seven efforts have achieved this feat). Today (November 16),... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

20 Years Later, Life Is Good For AZ Too (Video)

Though both have gone on to have long, successful and deeply respected solo careers, AZ and Nas will always be connected. After all, for many, AZ was introduced through his possibly scene-stealing guest verse on Nas' "Life's A Bitch," from Illmatic. The two reunited periodically throughout the years, including in a... Read more

November 16, 2015 Video

Nas Blesses Jeezy’s Remix To Bring Some God’s Son To “GOD” (Audio)

Over the last 10 years, Young Jeezy and Nas have maintained a strong working relationship. Longtime Def Jam Records label-mates, Nasir and Snowman both feed on giving the masses inspirational words, that apply whether you're on the bottom or at the top. "My President" saluted the Commander-In-Chief during Jeezy's Recession... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

The Golden Era of Hip-Hop Is RIGHT NOW. Logic Proves It With His “Innermission” (Audio)

The Golden Era of Hip-Hop is RIGHT NOW. That statement will always be true no matter when it is uttered because in addition to enjoying today's great music (and there is plenty), we also always can look back and revisit the phenomenal Hip-Hop that came from the 70s, 80s, 90s... Read more

November 14, 2015 Audio

Nas’ Illmatic vs. GZA’s Liquid Swords. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

November 2, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Relive The Game-Changing Moments & Freestyles Of Stretch & Bobbito’s Show (Audio)

Yesterday (October 25) marked an even 25 years since DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito The Barber first took airwaves together. Beginning on that date in 1990, their Columbia University WKCR radio show would eventually change the sound and faces of Hip-Hop, thanks to major introductions of talent–including Nas, Big L... Read more

October 26, 2015 Mixes

Ever Hear This 1996 Nas & Cormega Cypher? (Audio)

Nas and Cormega have been linked for more than 20 years, ever since Nasir shouted out Mega on Illmatic's "One Love" in 1994. Although the two would go on to have a rift that was eventually resolved, their microphone alchemy was always undeniable. This was, perhaps, never more apparent than... Read more

October 24, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier Made Others’ Albums Great. Now Nas, Snoop & Dre Are There For Preemo. (Video)

In January of this year, it was revealed that Gang Starr's DJ Premier would step to the front with his solo debut, Last Session @ 320. The forthcoming LP's title serves as an homage to the West 37th Street address of Midtown Manhattan's HeadQCourterz Studios—Premier's resident studio since the early... Read more

October 10, 2015 News, Video

The Game’s New Album May Be The Most Star-Studded Ever. Here’s The Tracklist for The Documentary 2.5

After months of anticipation, The Game is releasing The Documentary 2, the sequel to his heralded debut album, tonight at midnight (EST). As reported earlier, however, this will just be the first in a 1-2 punch combination. The Game also will release The Documentary 2.5 exactly a week later. With... Read more

October 8, 2015 News

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of September 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

As the Fall set in, the hot Hip-Hop continued to flow. September brought not one, but two songs from the elusive DOOM, one of LL Cool J's strongest verses in years, a power collabo between Nas and Scarface, an unreleased track from Jay Electronica, Redman's release from his forthcoming album... Read more

October 5, 2015 Mixes

Dave East Is A Standout New Artist. With Nas, Pusha T & LOX, He Has an Army With Him (Mixtape)

Even before he was co-signed by Nas and Mass Appeal Records, Spanish Harlem's Dave East showed tremendous promise. An insightful street MC, Dave combines 2015's appreciation for grit with the present-day demand for intellectual verses. In an era when New York City is fast changing, East is a product of... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio, Mixes

5 Decades Later, Muhammad Ali Remains The People’s Champ. He is Celebrated in a New Documentary (Video)

Muhammad Ali was not only considered to be the greatest boxer of all-time. To many, he is the greatest athlete in history. While there are arguably those who have been gifted with more technical expertise and more raw ferocity, it is what Ali did outside of the ring that cemented... Read more

September 23, 2015 Video

Nas & Dave East Celebrate Their Inevitable Rise to the Top on ‘Forbes List’ (Audio)

It takes a billionaire's mentality to achieve the unachievable, and for countless aspiring artists who hope to one day rise above the mediocre, there is perhaps no better gauge of "making it" than being listed alongside tycoons and moguls on Forbes magazine's list of the wealthiest in the world. Earlier... Read more

September 18, 2015 Audio

Scarface & Nas Make Another Amazing Cross-Country Collab (Audio)

Scarface's Deeply Rooted is less than 48 hours away from release. However, the Houston, Texas lyrical legend offers the album's most anticipated song. "Do What I Do" extends a rich tradition in 'Face's collaborative history with Nas. From 1999's "Favor For A Favor," 2002's "In Between Us," 2012's "Hip Hop,"... Read more

September 2, 2015 Audio

Dr. Dre, Nas, KRS-One, B-Real, Scarface & RBX Came Together In The Aftermath Of Coastal Conflict (Video)

Tomorrow (August 7), Dr. Dre is slated to drop his first album in 16 years. Compton, as it is called, follows 2001 in a career that has emphasized quality over quantity. In conjunction with next week's Straight Outta Compton biopic (August 14), Dre returned to his studios and invited friends... Read more

August 6, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback

Scarface’s Deeply Rooted Tracklist Includes Nas, Cee-Lo Green & More

Scarface's twelfth studio album, Deeply Rooted will arrive on September 4. For the second time in Brad Jordan's 25-plus-year career, the MC will release a studio album apart from Rap-A-Lot Records. While the follow-up to 2008's Emeritus may be released on his own Facemob Music imprint, the trimmings of the... Read more

July 29, 2015 News

Marvel’s Mash-Up’s Continue, Care Of Nas, 50 Cent, The Roots & Pete Rock

Earlier this month, Marvel released a number of mash-up's between their flagship comic book characters, and classic Hip-Hop albums. From Eric B. & Rakim to Wu-Tang Clan, Marvel wove in Spiderman, X-Men, and Squadron Supreme into iconic artwork. Ten days later, Marvel Comic Group's Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso released four more.... Read more

July 24, 2015 News

You Can Hate Me Now: How Early Nas Critics Show the Intricacies of Hip-Hop Nostalgia

In a recent article, writer Lucas Garrison explored the underbelly of '90s Internet forums, focusing specifically on the discussions about Hip-Hop music. What he finds of particular interest are the conversations that developed around Nas and the critical diatribes related to the Nas of 1994 versus the Nas of 1997.... Read more

July 15, 2015 Throwback

Relive The First Time Main Source, Nas, Akinyele & Fatal Performed Live At The BBQ (Video)

Is there a Hip-Hop album cut more definitive than Main Source's "Live At The BBQ"? The 1991 Breaking Atoms track would be an introduction to not only Nas, not only Akinyele, but also MC-turned-producer Joe Fatal. Large Professor's bars were especially lethal on a song that has become an important... Read more

July 11, 2015 Throwback

Dave East & Nas Aren’t Just Running Together, They Overlap In Narratives… (Audio)

Dave East is one of the newer artists to join Nas' Mass Appeal Records family. The Spanish Harlem, New York MC may have serious buzz right now, but that clearly is not the only reason he's running with Nasir Jones. The "NY State Of Mind Freestyle (East Mix)" takes Dave's... Read more

July 11, 2015 Audio

The Mystique & Mystery Behind Your Old Droog Is Unveiled In A Mini-Doc (Video)

Your Old Droog took Hip-Hop lovers by storm in 2014. Faceless throughout several Internet-buzzing releases, some Heads even went as far as thinking that the clearly New York City narrative was a new pseudonym for Nas. That even had Nasir Jones speaking up. Not the case. And to quote Ghostface... Read more

June 28, 2015 Video

Fresh Dressed Continues To Make Rounds, A Film As Colorful As Its Fashion Focus

From Run-DMC rapping about their Adidas to A$AP Rocky's self-proclaimed status as a Fashion Killa, the merging of clothing and Hip-Hop has been a mainstay throughout the culture's history. From track suits, gold rope chains, over-sized shirts, Kangol hats, and entire lines like Sean John and Rocawear, Hip-Hop artists have... Read more

June 27, 2015 TV/Film

What Would A Nas And AZ Album Sound Like? This Is The Closest You’ll Get (Mixtape)

Ever since the Firm disbanded in the late nineties, Heads have voiced a desire for an AZ/Nas collaboration album, though one has never materialized. However, a new mixtape has been released which may prove to be the next best thing. Thanks to DJ Rhude (who is also a contributing writer... Read more

June 20, 2015 Mixes

Imagine Classic Rap Records In A Vinyl Jukebox? It’s Happening (Video)

Regardless of whether it's a cocktail lounge or a dive-bar, jukeboxes have been a staple of nightlife for more than 80 years. Like a DJ or a curated playlist, these public vending machines are great ways to expose yourself and others to new music, while hearing exactly the music you... Read more

June 17, 2015 Throwback

Large Professor Names His Top 5 Producers & Details Rakim’s Recording Process (Video)

Large Professor recently released his new album titled Re: Living. He joined the Sway in the Morning show to discuss the album and his career, generally. The conversation between Extra P and Sway begins on the subject of P's new album. He explains that after touring, he returned to Queens... Read more

June 16, 2015 Video

Obey Your Thirst, And Some Nas, Biggie, Drake, & Rakim Lyrics While You’re At It…

One of the first companies to respect and reflect Hip-Hop for the force that it is will be honoring the culture again. Soon, cans with lyrics by Rakim, Nas, Biggie and Drake will be in stores across the nation. Sprite has launched a new line of limited edition products sporting... Read more

June 11, 2015 News

Large Professor Details His Role in Bringing Nas to the World on In the Scrolls (Video)

Though Large Professor brought the world Main Source, his solo works and countless classic productions for others, his greatest contribution likely will always be considered his role in bringing Nas to the world. As Heads know, Large Pro was one of the first to put Nasir Jones on a high... Read more

June 9, 2015 Video

Here’s a Cypher Between Nas & De La Soul From 1996 (Audio)

Tim Westwood digs in his massive vault and pulls out a 1996 freestyle featuring Nas and De La Soul. In an 11-minute cypher amongst true MCs, they pass the mic, trading verses, all off the top. Notably, this is well after each artist was firmly established, with De La Soul... Read more

June 6, 2015 Throwback

GZA Pens An Editorial, Claiming Lyricism Is Absent Today. Do You Agree?

They don't just call him The Genius 'cause it sounds good. Wu-Tang Clan co-founder GZA has used his mental to open many doors. The Brooklyn, New York veteran MC lectures frequently at prestigious academic institutions, including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The gold-certified MCA Records soloist has incorporated many... Read more

May 31, 2015 Fresh

Nas, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, MC Eiht & More Appear On Mr. Magic’s ’94 Mix (Audio)

John “Mr. Magic” Rivas will forever be respected as a radio pioneer who introduced Rap to the masses. In 1981, "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack" became the first ever exclusive Rap radio show to premiere on a major station (WHBI) and its historic impact on the music industry can still be... Read more

May 30, 2015 Throwback

How Does DJ Premier Rock a Party in Russia? Like an OG…Watch His 90s Boiler Room Set (Video)

DJ Premier recently took his talents to Russia. While there, he produced a track with a local artist and rocked a Boiler Room party. For his hour-long DJ set, Preemo covered the full 90s Hip-Hop spectrum, spinning music by Biggie, Tha Luniz, Nas, Crooklyn Dodgers, Boogie Down Productions, Pete Rock... Read more

May 30, 2015 Video

Alchemist Reveals How Jadakiss, Ras Kass, Nas & Jay Z Tie Into One Hit (Audio)

With a new surprise instrumental album in stores (Israeli Salad), veteran bi-coastal producer Alchemist stays busy. The Gangrene/Step Brothers members is the debut guest on podcast, "A Waste Of Time," created by It's The Real's Eric and Jeff Rosenthal. The Beverly Hills, California native producer/DJ/MC discusses his love for food,... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio

Busta Rhymes Adds a Bombastic Verse to Fashawn’s Out the Trunk (Audio)

Fashawn has had a banner year. In February, the Fresno, CA MC returned after a nearly 6-year hiatus from solo studio albums to release his first LP as part of Nas' Mass Appeal Records. The Ecology is a diverse offering that ranges from Cali anthems like "Golden State of Mind,"... Read more

May 18, 2015 Audio

Fabolous Takes On Another Nas Classic And Smashes It (Audio)

After rhyming over It Was Written's "Black Girl Lost," Fabolous re-ups his 90s freestyles series with another Nas classic. This time, he takes on the Pete Rock-produced Illmatic staple, "The World Is Yours." Updating the track with up to the minute references like Derrick Rose's now infamous stoic pose (as... Read more

May 16, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 6): Nas vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

UPDATE: THE POLL IS CLOSED. After an unfortunate event where certain people attempted to skew the results the first time, we are conducting a rematch between Nas and Tupac. With now only 5 MCs remaining, Round 6 is well under-way in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT... Read more

May 12, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT: It’s Complicated…When Someone Tries to Cheat the Voting.

Since September of 2014, we at Ambrosia For Heads have been hosting a conversation among countless Hip-Hop fans about a question near and dear to our collective hearts: Who is the greatest of all-time MC (GOAT)? More than anything, this was an opportunity to highlight the careers of hundreds of... Read more

May 11, 2015 Fresh

Fabolous Updates Nas’ Black Girl Lost With His Best 90s Freestyle Yet (Audio)

It takes a brave heart to follow Nas on a track. For the latest in his top notch series of 90s throwback freestyles, that's exactly what Fabolous does and he responds with his best to date. On Nasir's "Black Girl Lost," from It Was Written, Esco weaves a mournful tale... Read more

May 9, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 6): Nas vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

UPDATE: Due to attempts to tamper with the voting, this post has been updated with a new poll, which can be found here. With now only 5 MCs remaining, Round 6 is well under-way in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). The second of... Read more

May 8, 2015 Fresh

Can An MC Be Considered The Greatest of All-Time After 5 Years? This Short Film Says YES (Video)

“Can it be that it was all so simple then?” The nostalgia effect is a strong one in Hip-Hop, and causes us not only to look back with optimistic revision, but also, at times, prevents us from embracing the greatness of late. It is not uncommon to hear someone argue... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

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

May 7, 2015 Video

Emilio Rojas Nods To Nas & Kurtis Blow, Imagining If He Ruled The World (Audio)

"If I Ruled The World" is a powerful idea. That is precisely why Kurtis Blow made a hit out of it. Nas followed, honoring Kurtis and the America single 11 years later, on 1996's It Was Written. Now, 19 years later, Emilio Rojas takes the underlying makings of both songs,... Read more

May 7, 2015 The Bridge

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Finding the GOAT: The Final 6 MCs Have Been Decided By YOU. Who Will Be The 1?

Round 5's polls have closed today (May 4). Although there was a late push, the definitive margins (and projected winners) held, by and large. With that, Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series has its final 6 MCs. The Round 5 bye (Big Daddy Kane) returns to competitive combat for... Read more

May 4, 2015 Fresh

These MCs Are Nearing Elimination in the Finding The GOAT Competition. Round 5 Ends Tomorrow.

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 6 contestants. At 4:59pm EST on Monday May 4, Round 5 polls will close, and Round 6 will kick... Read more

May 3, 2015 Fresh

N.O.R.E. Speaks For the First Time on Squashing His Beef With Nas (Video)

While being known as one Rap's lighter personalities, N.O.R.E. (f/k/a Noreaga) has had his share of rifts. From Nas to Prodigy, Cormega to partner Capone, the Lefrak City, Queens MC has had cold periods with several of his closest associates. Speaking with Doggie Diamonds TV, the onetime Def Jam Records... Read more

May 1, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 5): KRS-One vs. Nas…Who You Got?

With just 11 MCs remaining we have reached the critical Round 5 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Now, only five match-up’s—all running this week—separate Round 5 from the final six MCs, including Round 4 bye winner Big Daddy Kane. Since the elimination,... Read more

May 1, 2015 Fresh

Finding the GOAT: Here Are Your Top 10 MCs + 1

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 4, 10 MCs advance to Round 5 (along with Rakim who had a bye), making a grand total of 11 rappers remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop’s greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began... Read more

April 26, 2015 Fresh

Mobb Deep’s Infamous 20 Years Later is Still 1 of Hip-Hop’s Grittiest Classics (Food For Thought)

In the late 1980s, artists like Just-Ice, ScHoolly D, the Geto Boys, N.W.A., Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, and Public Enemy started testing the power of their words, profane and dense alike. The human condition was explored, and Hip-Hop planted a flag in the ground that stated—to quote Ice... Read more

April 25, 2015 Food for Thought, Throwback

Nas & AZ’s Illmatic Collabo Was Supposed to Be Over Juicy. Hear What Could Have Been (Audio)

Though the sample has now been used countless times, Heads will forever associate the deep bass line and knock from Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" with The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy" flip on his debut album, Ready to Die. However, a lesser known fact is that the song was originally supposed to be... Read more

April 22, 2015 Throwback

De La Soul & Nas Are Hip-Hop Gods & Their Collaboration Is Heavenly (Audio)

De La Soul and Nas have been two of the most dependable sources of Hip-Hop music, with nearly 50 years, combined. Crossing paths in one of 2015's biggest collaborations so far, Posdnous, Dave, Maseo, and Nasir sound incredible together on "God It." Presumably the first 2015 public presentation from De... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio