no i.d. ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Killer Mike Refuses To Let Andre 3000 Out-Rap Him On Their New Song

This week (June 16), Killer Mike is preparing his first solo album in over a decade. Down to its title, Michael promises to be a highly-personal LP from the Run The Jewels cofounder who previously made R.A.P. Music, I Pledge Allegiance II The Grind, and his major label debut Monster.... Read more

June 13, 2023 Audio

Killer Mike’s Video Is A Powerful Statement About Protecting Black Art

In the 2010s, Run The Jewels became one of the most exciting Hip-Hop groups. Across four albums, Killer Mike and El-P reignited their careers with a boisterous sound, hard rhymes, and amazing beats. However, before 2012, Mike had a successful career as a solo artist. Ushered in by OutKast, Killer... Read more

July 5, 2022 Video

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

Nas Celebrates Prodigy & Queens On A Stellar Pete Rock Track (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 it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

July 19, 2019 Audio

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

July 2, 2019 Video

Sade Releases Her First Song In 7 Years & It’s Spectacular (Audio)

Already, 2018 has been a surprisingly big year for soundtracks. Just when that appeared to be a medium misplaced in the decade, some of music's most powerful voices are proving otherwise. Last month, Kendrick Lamar and his Top Dawg family hit fans with the musical companion to Black Panther. The... Read more

March 6, 2018 Audio

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 4): Drake vs. Logic

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

December 21, 2017 Best Rap Album 2017

JAY-Z Presents New Sides Of Himself As Lupita Nyong’o Shows Many Faces (Video)

On recent Fridays, JAY-Z has publicly shared the music videos from June's 4:44 album. Taking a page from Beyoncé's Lemonade, Hov' apparently made visuals to his entire No I.D.-produced 13th solo album. JAY-Z Admits Infidelity & Explains His Issues With Kanye West On His New Album (Audio) The "MaNyfacedGod" music... Read more

August 18, 2017 Video

JAY-Z’s Turns His Apology To Beyonce Into A Powerful Short Film (Video)

JAY-Z has now made his second music video from 4:44 available to the masses. The title track from the No I.D.-produced album comes as a music video that is just as evocative as "The Story Of O.J." with an entirely different medium and aesthetic. How JAY-Z’s New Album Is The... Read more

July 14, 2017 Video

How JAY-Z’s New Album Is The Blueprint For Grown Man Rap (Video)

In the last eight days, JAY-Z's 4:44 monopolized the Hip-Hop conversation and most of the pop culture space. There are a lot of headlines and developing storylines that can easily get in the way of the fact that a 47-year-old-rapper, mogul, and king of cool reached a definitive career milestone,... Read more

July 8, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought, TBD, Video

JAY-Z’s Physical Copies Of 4:44 Include 3 “Revealing” Bonus Songs. Here Are The Titles.

JAY-Z's 4:44 has reached platinum less than one week after release. However, the party is just getting started for the album's roll-out. What began as an exclusive to Tidal subscribers and Sprint customers is now coming to physical release, joining Jay's 12 additional solo titles. JAY-Z’s Video Is A Powder... Read more

July 6, 2017 Fresh

Logic Reveals He Would Not Be A Rapper If It Weren’t For J. Cole (Video)

Logic's Everybody is currently the #1 album in the country. This achievement by the Maryland MC puts him in an elite class of artists. Symbolically, "Young Sinatra" joins 2010s Rap peers such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, ScHoolboy Q, Future, Travi$ Scott, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, and... Read more

May 20, 2017 Video

Black Thought, Logic & Chuck D Unite To Fight The Power In 2017 (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us 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 go back... Read more

May 5, 2017 Audio, Playlists

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: No ID vs. A Tribe Called Quest. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

January 23, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Common Reveals The Title And Featured Artists On His Next Album (Video)

In the last 25 years, Common's discography is speckled with a number of award-winning, thematic, and cult-championed albums. The MC has evolved from a beer-drinking, slick-talking rhymer into a reflective lyrical poet, to a hit-maker, and cultural symbol of self and external love. It has been more than two years... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

Vince Staples’ Long Beach Transforms Into A Metaphoric Apocalypse (Video)

Vince Staples has made several enduring videos already, in his short career. For the Snoh Aalegra-assisted "Senorita," the two No I.D. proteges raise the stakes like never before. The Summertime '06 (June 30) look feels like something out of a '90s Soundgarden visual—only its world is the Long Beach City.... Read more

May 13, 2015 Video

The Tension Is Captured In Common & Snoh’s Bad Things (Video)

In addition to the acclaimed work on Nobody Smiling, and his upcoming (amazing) appearance on Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier's PRhyme, one of Common's more interesting 2014 moments is "Bad Things" alongside Snoh Aalegra. Produced by No I.D., the track is a heavily stylized narrative. So for the video,... Read more

November 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Snoh & Common Say Bad Things Over A No ID Instrumental (Audio)

The history between Common and No ID has been well documented for some years, but their relationship with Swedish R&B songstress Snoh may be a little lesser known to the average Head. Looking up to iconic artists including her all-time hero, Michael Jackson, Snoh Aalegra began honing in on her... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common & Big Sean Put The Diamonds On Display (Video)

Common and Big Sean are no strangers to one another. Having previously worked together on cuts like Big Sean's "Switch Up," the rappers decide to match up again for Common's No I.D.-produced, "Diamonds." Just three days removed from Common's release of his tenth studio album, Nobody's Smiling, the Chicago artist... Read more

July 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common Goes City To City In The Nobody’s Smiling Bonus Track (Audio)

On a concept, fully cohesive like Nobody's Smiling by Common, bonus cuts are really challenging. Like a novel missing a chapter, or deleted scenes from a film, these amendments can affect the whole message, premise, and shape of a narrative. Still fresh in the minds of the Hip-Hop masses, Common... Read more

July 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Listen To Common & No ID Discuss Nobody’s Smiling However You Like (Video)

After over two decades in the game, Common releases his tenth studio album, Nobody's Smiling, to the masses today. Already receiving quite a positive buzz within the community, the Chicago themed project features exclusive production from longtime friend No ID as well as numerous artists including Jhene Aiko, Big Sean,... Read more

July 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common Never Skips A Beat On Sway’s 5 Fingers of Death (Video)

Common stops by the Shade 45 Studio to kick it with Sway Calloway and his team for the third year anniversary of their top of the morning radio syndicate. In this episode, Sway gets Common's take on a few popular entertainment news stories, talks about his upcoming album, Nobody's Smiling... Read more

July 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common & Big Sean Show Off Their Diamonds (Audio)

Following the unveiling of "Speak My Piece" last week (June 30), Common's Nobody's Smiling campaign continues. Teaming with longtime collaborator and onetime G.O.O.D. Music brother (and now Def Jam brother), Big Sean, on "Diamonds," Common's perceived agenda of reaching a new, younger generation with his latest album feels successful, when... Read more

July 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common Explains Why Nobody’s Smiling In Chicago (Video)

Common sits down with HardKnockTV to discuss his upcoming album, Nobody's Smiling, a concept that developed from Rakim's line "I'm in the ghetto, nobody's smiling," and took on a life of its own (0:50). Common's biggest inspiration for the project derives from the increasing crime rate in the Chicago area... Read more

July 1, 2014 Fresh, Video

Common’s Speak My Piece Is A Beautiful Illustration Of His Vision On Nobody’s Smiling (Audio)

Common's sound has evolved over the last 22 years. From working with The Beatnuts to No I.D. and Dug Infinite to The Soulquarians to Kanye West to Pharrell and back... Comm's forever playing with his growth as an artist, surviving the times, and making each body of work stand apart... Read more

June 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nobody’s Smiling On Common’s New Album Artwork, Now Get The Tracklist

Now arriving in less than one month, July 22's Nobody's Smiling from Common visually lives up to its name. Now at Def Jam Records, the 22-year veteran of releasing penetrating Hip-Hop albums mean-mugs on an LP for the first time since his October '92 debut, Can I Borrow A Dollar?.... Read more

June 28, 2014 Fresh

Common Reunites With No ID At Def Jam Records, Nobody’s Smiling Release Date Announced!

With Nobody's Smiling announced in the first days of 2014, Heads weren't sure of any more details. The Chicago Hip-Hop pioneer had fulfilled his deal with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music years ago, before releasing 2011's The Dreamer/The Believer at Warner Bros. Records, an imprint which has since rolled into Atlantic.... Read more

June 4, 2014 Fresh

Heaven Can’t Wait For Common On Kingdom (Audio)

Soothing church house vocals give Common the keys to the "Kingdom" for his latest single. Produced by fellow Chicagoan and frequent collaborator, No I.D., the angelic piece is blessed by Common's new perspective in death as he stands in front of the pearly gates as "Chicago's prodigal son." The track's... Read more

May 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Logic Re-Interprets a Common Classic In Finding Forever (Audio)

Common's longtime producer and collaborator No I.D. is the same music executive who put a Def Jam jacket on Logic's shoulders. Perhaps one of the selling points for the Baltimore, Maryland independent juggernaut to ink with the label was related to No I.D.' closeness to the movement with Comm Sense.... Read more

May 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Jhene Aiko Clears Out The Closet For The Comfort Inn Ending Freestyle (Video)

Jhene Aiko's name is suddenly appearing everywhere. Kim Kardashian is now posting videos putting Aiko's jams on the tabloid shows, while her new material, solo and collaborative, is climbing the charts. Jhene shows that she's a great actress, and her music comes from the heart in the stream of conscious-inspired... Read more

April 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Vince Staples Hits ‘Em With Shyne Coldchain, Vol. 2 Featuring Lots Of No ID Goodness (Mixtape)

Mac Miller and Earl Sweatshirt affiliate Vince Staples is one of the premiere new artists still okay with flooding the masses with free material. Shyne Coldchain, Vol. 2 arrives, boasting numerous original contributions from No ID (Common, Big Sean, Killer Mike), as well as vocal appearances from Jhene Aiko and... Read more

March 13, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Common’s Nobody Smiling Shows Its Teeth With An Ab-Soul Feature On A No ID Jam (Audio)

Fresh off of Rick Ross' Mastermind listening session and album preview, 2014's album landscape is looking quite fertile. Coming up soon is Common's Nobody Smiling, a Chicago-themed conversation piece about the youth violence epidemic. Late today, the L.A. Leakers dropped the digital needle on "Made In Black America." The song,... Read more

February 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Mikkey Halsted & No ID Serve Up Some Raw Salmon Croquettes (Audio)

Chicago, Illinois' Mikey Halsted has been consistently putting out great music for 15 years. A former Cash Money Records artist in waiting, a Virgin Records artist in waiting, and a former rhyme-partner of Rhymefest, Mikkey has a track record paved in almost's. However, if you do some digging, you'll find... Read more

January 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Common & No ID Declare War On The Violence Plaguing Chicago’s Streets (Audio)

We learned mere hours ago that Common is planning his fifth album with early producer No ID Nobody Smiling, taking its name from Rakim's powerful lyrics, the album is an indictment on the street violence epidemic in Chicago, Illinois. Lupe Fiasco, Chief Keef, and a host of other artists have... Read more

January 6, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Contrary to the name, Sweet is one of the hardest songs Common has put out in years. Check it out below.

Sweet may be the hardest rhymes Common has spit since...ever (or at least since Dooinit). When discussing the song, Common said it was 20 years in the making. The Dreamer, The Believer drops in December. It's going to be special. Till then, check out Sweet. As with all the rest... Read more

November 2, 2011 The Bridge

Common – Hard Knock TV Interview (Video)

Here's an extended interview of Common. He discusses why No I.D. produced his entire new album, his current status with G.O.O.D. Music, creative license in writing, how acting opened him up, a potential collabo album with Nas and much more. Check it out. Click here to download Blue Sky, Common's... Read more

October 10, 2011 Video

Pac Div – The Greatness

Here's a hot new joint from Pac Div. It's called The Greatness and features a track from No I.D. that sports gospel-tinged harmonies and lush piano chords. Check it out. Click here to download. ... Read more

October 10, 2011 Audio

Here’s a new joint from Common with No I.D. on the track.

Check out Summer Madness. Click here to download. Also, if you missed our mix of No I.D.'s vintage tracks, click here.... Read more

June 22, 2011 Audio

It’s been 17 years since No I.D. laced Common with the track for the classic I Used to Love H.E.R. Nearly 2 decades later, the Chicago legend that Kanye West cites as his mentor is still going strong. The latest installment of our Producer Series is dedicated to the music of No I.D. Click below to hear the mix.

Nearly 2 decades later, the Chicago legend that Kanye West cites as his mentor is still going strong. The latest installment of our Producer Series is dedicated to the music of No I.D. It's always interesting to listen to a producer's body of work over an extended period of time. ... Read more

June 17, 2011 Audio

The audio for Big Sean’s I Do It dropped about a month ago. Here’s the video.

Common and Lupe Fiasco spit while Jennifer Hudson sings the blues over a No I.D. track. That = dopeness. Check out the video for We Can Do It Now.

Here's a video showing the story behind We Can Do It Now. Click here to see the video courtesy of 2dopeboyz.com.... Read more

November 8, 2010 Video