pete rock ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Common & Pete Rock Are Working On A Joint Album

Common has announced an upcoming collaboration album with Pete Rock. Speaking with MSNBC’s The Beat With Ari Melber, Common said, “I [have] been listening to a lot of ’90s Hip Hop because I [have] been creating a new project. I’m working on a new album with Pete Rock and just,... Read more

September 13, 2023 News

Heavy D’s Impact On Hip-Hop Cannot Be Overstated

There have been a number of valiant attempts to highlight some of the most significant Hip-Hop moments, milestones and people of the last half century. The 2023 Grammy Awards dedicated nearly 15 minutes to an epic tribute featuring performances by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J,... Read more

July 22, 2023 Food for Thought

Diamond D Names His Top 5 Hip-Hop Producers

Today (August 19), Diamond D released his latest album, THE REAR VIEW. The 15-song collection (embedded below) finds the veteran MC/producer flexing his MC chops while playing double duty behind the boards as producer. It features Westside Gunn, De La Soul's Posdnuos, and Diamond's latest protege, Ashtin Martin. The Bronx, New... Read more

August 19, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

Pete Rock & Funkmaster Flex Are Battling Over The Future Of NY Hip-Hop

In the last week, a battle has been going on surrounding Hip-Hop radio in New York. The series of events began with an Instagram Live monologue from Conway The Machine, one of Rap's most promising and acclaimed MCs as of late. The Machine vented frustrations with media gatekeepers, especially on the radio.... Read more

July 19, 2022 Video

Funkmaster Flex Accuses Pete Rock Of Snitching On C.L. Smooth

Earlier this week, Conway The Machine criticized New York City DJs in an Instagram Live video. In particular, the Griselda lyricist and Drumwork Records founder knocked DJ Suss One and Funkmaster Flex by name for their failure to support Hip-Hop music like his—despite being reported fans. As Funk Flex responded... Read more

July 15, 2022 Fresh, News

Pete Rock Blasts Funkmaster Flex For Not Supporting Real Hip-Hop

At the top of this week, Conway The Machine spoke out against several gatekeepers of Hip-Hop at radio. In particular, the Buffalo, New York MC named Funkmaster Flex and DJ Suss One in an Instagram Live monologue venting frustrating with what gets played on radio. Funk Flex responded to Conway... Read more

July 13, 2022 Fresh, News

Pete Rock Blasts Diddy For Disrespecting His Name

Two of Hip-Hop's most significant Mount Vernon, New York representatives are Pete Rock and Diddy—along with Heavy D & The Boyz. Both artists worked closely with Heavy, who is Pete's cousin to give "money-earnin' Mount Vernon" its recognition through music. Years after they cemented the city, there are also ongoing... Read more

June 28, 2022 News

Pete Rock Says He Was Never Paid For His Work On Illmatic

Nas' Illmatic is widely revered as one of the best albums ever recorded. In 2016, the readers of Ambrosia For Heads deemed it the greatest Hip-Hop album in a comprehensive poll. The 1994 LP is the subject of an acclaimed documentary film, Time Is Illmatic. The double-platinum release is in... Read more

January 18, 2022 News

AZ Is Still Keeping It Real On Doe Or Die 2

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

September 10, 2021 Audio

Black Thought Shows He Really Is Every MC On An Unreleased Roots 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, is better than it's ever been. Not only can we go back and... Read more

June 26, 2021 Audio

Kanye West’s Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Turns 10. Is It His Best Album?

One decade ago (November 22, 2010), Kanye West released a blockbuster album in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Whereas 2008's 808's & Heartbreak confronting loss and lust with sounds that veered beyond 'Ye's first three albums, 2010's M.B.D.T.F. marked a return to form, even if it was nothing like the Roc-A-Fella Records mid-2000s run. Just... Read more

November 23, 2020 Fresh

Busta Rhymes Has Made A Classic Album 30 Years Into His Career

Busta Rhymes is one of Hip-Hop's most enduring stars. Named by Chuck D, a fixture within Native Tongues, a requested artist on Tupac's One Nation project, a member of the Aftermath/Shady/G-Unit reign as well as Cash Money/Young Money, and one of J Dilla's closest collaborators, Trevor Smith, Jr. has done... Read more

November 2, 2020 Audio, Fresh, Video

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 9): Skyzoo & Pete Rock 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 17, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Smoke DZA & Benny Take Pete Rock Production To The Streets Of New York (Video)

Smoke DZA and Benny The Butcher are warming up the frigid streets of New York with their brand of bully-bars over dope production. On their latest adventure, Statue Of Limitations, this destructive duo links up with Pete Rock for this collaborative EP that is six songs, 20 minutes of all-killer,... Read more

January 12, 2020 Video

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 1): Skyzoo & Pete Rock vs. Smif-N-Wessun

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 9, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

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

C.L. Smooth Drops New Music & Opens Up About His Relationship With Pete Rock (Video)

C.L. Smooth was a guest on Sway In The Morning this week. The veteran MC/producer released two solo singles, "Too Cold" and "Just In Town" (embedded below) in 2019. While on the show, the buttery-voiced rapper discussed the standing of his relationship with Pete Rock. During the 1990s, Pete Rock... Read more

December 4, 2019 Video

Rakim Is A Top MC, But He Ain’t No Joke As A Producer Either (Video)

Rakim is widely revered as one of the greatest MCs in Hip-Hop history. However, as the lyrical legend continues to speak about his career in a new light, he may also deserve recognition as one of the culture's great producers. Earlier this week, Rakim stopped by HOT 97's Ebro In... Read more

October 26, 2019 Video

Benny, Smoke DZA & Westside Gunn Glide Over Smooth Pete Rock Production (Video)

New York City's Smoke DZA has been a close affiliate of the Griselda team since they first started gaining attention around 2015. He has featured on a number of their tracks and vice versa. So, when The Kushed God announced a joint EP with Benny The Butcher, it was no... Read more

October 19, 2019 Video

Ras Kass Recruits Pete Rock For Some Ice Cold Soul (Video)

Ras Kass has steadily dropped quality material since he came on the scene in the mid-1990s. Soul On Ice 2 is an important album in a respected discography, especially since it was first announced three years ago. When this sequel to 1996's cult-lauded original was released at the beginning of... Read more

October 15, 2019 Video

DZA, Benny & Pete Rock Are Releasing An EP. Here’s The 1st Song & Tracklist (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

October 11, 2019 Audio

Black Thought Details Making The Roots’ “New Years @ Jay Dee’s” Collaboration With Dilla

The Roots have released an expanded edition of Things Fall Apart in honor of the album's 20th-anniversary. The 1999 LP that connected the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania band with their first taste of Grammy gold was recently performed at this year's Roots Picnic. Album collaborators such as Mos Def (aka Yasiin Bey),... Read more

September 27, 2019 Throwback, Video

Skyzoo & Pete Rock Break Down The Making Of Their Brand New Collabo Album (Video)

Heads were gifted an outstanding collaborative album titled Retropolitan last Friday (September 20) by top-tier lyricist Skyzoo and legendary producer/DJ Pete Rock. The 12-track Mello Music Group LP (embedded below) celebrates Hip-Hop culture and the city that birthed it. As Sky' puts it, the project is a love letter that... Read more

September 24, 2019 Exclusive, Video

Skyzoo Gets Pete Rock To Kick A Rare Verse & Both Drop Jewels (Audio Premiere)

Tomorrow (September 20), Skyzoo & Pete Rock are releasing an anticipated collaborative album, Retropolitan. The pair's first outing together features the Brooklyn, New York veteran taking on the lyrics recorded to exclusively P.R. production. Guests on the Mello Music Group LP include Styles P, Raheem DeVaughn, and an already-released posse... Read more

September 19, 2019 Audio, Exclusive

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

Skyzoo, Elzhi & Griselda Body A Pete Rock Beat On 2019’s Hardest Posse Cut (Audio)

In just over two weeks (September 20), Skyzoo & Pete Rock are releasing their joint album, Retropolitan. The 12 all-new songs finish a campaign that began at the top of 2019. Styles P and Raheem DeVaughn are among guests. However, one song contains an arsenal of lyrical talent. "Eastern Conference... Read more

September 5, 2019 Audio

Skyzoo Is Gearing Up For 1 Of The Biggest Albums Of His Career & It’s All Good (Video)

Skyzoo is embarking on one of his biggest albums in an already-decorated discography. Next month, S-K-Y and Pete Rock will release Retropolitan (September 20) on Mello Music Group. Both Sky and Rock have done some of their best work with a single collaborator. In addition to legendary work with C.L.... Read more

August 27, 2019 Video

Skyzoo & Pete Rock’s Album Is Coming Soon. Here’s The 1st Single & Featured Artists

In less than six weeks, Pete Rock & Skyzoo are releasing a joint album. Retropolitan pairs the Brooklyn MC with the Mount Vernon producer, DJ and rapper. After first reported at the top of the year, new details have emerged surrounding the Mello Music Group album as well as its... Read more

August 12, 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

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

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

Pete Rock’s Video For His Instrumentals Album Speaks Much Louder Than Words

In his accomplished career, legendary producer Pete Rock has crafted some of the most renowned tracks in the history of Hip-Hop music. Over three decades, his resume is replete with classic works with C.L. Smooth, Heavy D & The Boyz, Redman, Run-D.M.C., Nas, AZ, Common, Rakim, Raekwon, the late Big... Read more

July 3, 2019 TV/Film, Video

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

Ras Kass’ Soul On Ice 2 Involves Snoop, Pete Rock, Diamond D & Immortal Technique

For more than three years, Ras Kass has teased fans with a sequel to his cult-lauded 1996 debut, Soul On Ice. After an album trailer (with a fundraising drive) and a revival rendition of that Priority Records title track, "the Waterproof MC" takes a giant leap today (June 19). The... Read more

June 19, 2019 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock Recreates “They Reminisce Over You” Behind The Turntables (Video)

Last Wednesday (May 22) at New York City's Chelsea Music Hall, Pete Rock celebrated the release of his latest instrumental album, The Return Of The SP1200, with a party. Of course, Rock had to show off his DJing skills and have some fun of his own. He jammed with a... Read more

May 25, 2019 Exclusive, Video

Here’s The Story Behind The All-Star Cypher That Ended The Arsenio Hall Show

Twenty-five years ago this month, The Arsenio Hall Show dimmed the lights on a massive television platform, especially for Hip-Hop. Since early 1989, the actor/comedian/host planted his flag with a new kind of late-night talk-show with a penchant for the issues, people, and culture that inspired him. From M.C. Hammer... Read more

May 23, 2019 Throwback, Throwback, TV, TV/Film, Video

Stream A Collection Of Previously Unreleased Pete Rock Beats From The 1990s (Audio)

Early samplers and drum machines often have their own distinct sound, which is largely due to the limitations of technology at the time. These constraints yielded the creativity and ingenuity from a generation of legendary Hip-Hop producers. The E-mu Systems SP-1200 and the Akai MPC-60 were the predominant samplers during... Read more

April 27, 2019 Audio

Nas’ Illmatic Turns 25. This New Mix Reminds Why It Might Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Album

Twenty-five years ago today (April 19), Nas released the album that future generations will likely use to measure Rap greatness. At the age of 20, Nasir Jones delivered Illmatic, a 10-track coming of age reflection that pulled images from Rotten Apple-era New York City, emphasized dreams of being a Rap... Read more

April 19, 2019 Audio, Mixes

Pete Rock Has Music With Heavy D That He’s Thinking About Releasing

Pete Rock is a living legend in Hip-Hop. Throughout the last 30 years, Pete has fed a dedicated fan-base with material from his duo with C.L. Smooth, solo albums, remixes, DJ sets, plenty of collaborative albums, and production work. However, like J Dilla, Madlib, Ayatollah, and others, Pete Rock has... Read more

April 16, 2019 Video

Skyzoo & Pete Rock Are Making A Collaborative Album

Last week, legendary producer Pete Rock revealed that he plans to release The Return Of The SP1200. Named after the iconic Emu Systems sampler, the compilation project will include beats that Pete says he made between 1990 and 1998, but never used. JayLib/Beat Junkies member J. Rocc will provide scratches... Read more

January 7, 2019 News

Pete Rock Is Dropping An Album Of Unreleased Beats From The ’90s

Legendary producer, rapper, and DJ Pete Rock helped cement a culture of Instrumental Hip-Hop releases. Since the first volume of Petestrumentals, the Mount Vernon, New Yorker helped shine a light on cohesive album-making without MCs on the track. The first Petestrumentals, released in 2001, followed the 1990s where Pete Rock... Read more

January 4, 2019 News

DJ Premier Reveals He’s The Person Who Sequenced Nas’ Illmatic Album (Audio)

DJ Premier has an extensive background in Hip-Hop music and production. This week the legendary Gang Starr member (deemed "The Greatest Hip-Hop Producer Of All-Time" by Ambrosia For Heads readers) native casually dropped another line to add to his already lengthy resume. On the latest episode of crooner Anderson .Paak's .Paak... Read more

November 6, 2018 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Finding The GOAT Group: Run-D.M.C. vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. 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

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

Pete Rock Says Biggie Wanted The Main Ingredient Interlude Beats For His Album (Audio)

UPDATE: Pete Rock clarified today's earlier report regarding his Touré Show interview. The legendary producer, MC, and DJ points out that it is 1994's Main Ingredient, and not Mecca & Soul Brother, whose interlude beats Biggie Smalls wanted: it was main ingredient not mecca ????????‍♂️ — PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) August 9,... Read more

August 8, 2018 Audio, Throwback

Finding The GOAT Group: The Pharcyde vs. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. 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 30, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Pete Rock & Bootsy Collins Unleash A Storm Of Soul & Funk With Tyler, The Creator (Audio)

Pete Rock may be a Hip-Hop legend, but it certainly isn't the only realm in music he has the ability to reign supreme. The New York producer was tapped to create the remix to songstress Kali Uchis' "After The Storm," a standout track on her recently-released debut album Isolation. As... Read more

June 8, 2018 Audio

Do Remember When Pete Rock & Black Thought Breathed New Life Into Black Star (Audio)

In September, Hip-Hop will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, the album which launched Talib Kweli's solo career and spawned one of the most beloved unions in Rap music. Two decades later, the Rawkus Records masterpiece will be the star of a handful of... Read more

June 7, 2018 Do Remember

Finding The GOAT Group: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth vs. Camp Lo. 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

May 14, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Pete Rock Gives A Fantastic Update On The De La Soul Project He & DJ Premier Are Producing

Hip-Hop luminary and Grammy-winning producer/DJ Pete Rock was on hand for the Seattle, Washington Museum of Pop Culture’s grand opening of their new exhibit, Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes. The legendary beat creator was invited to DJ the engagement and was also an honored guest. While Rock wasn’t conducting interviews... Read more

April 24, 2018 Exclusive, News

Nas, Rakim, Pete Rock & More Break Down Why AZ Is 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best Visualizers (Video)

Twenty years ago this month, AZ released his sophomore album, Pieces Of A Man. The Brooklyn, New York MC, author, and co-founder of The Firm has a decorated career that is still very much in swing. Previously, BET released portions of their #20YrsLtr: Doe or Die documentary featuring AZ, but... Read more

April 17, 2018 Video