playlist Archives

Rawkus and Loud were the 20th and 19th most important hip-hop record labels, respectively. Numbers 18 and 17 are…

Select Records and Fresh Records How can Select Records and Fresh Records be ahead of Rawkus AND Loud??? 2 words: historical context. Without a doubt, both Rawkus and Loud released records by some of the greatest MCs to ever bless the mic, but each of those record labels was building... Read more

November 25, 2011 Audio, Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback

The 19th most important hip-hop record label of all time is…

#19 Loud Records Steve Rifkin may not be a household name like Suge Knight, Sean "Puffy" Combs or Baby aka The Birdman, but his impact on hip-hop is enduring just the same. In the 90's, his Loud Records put out some of the grimiest hip-hop that had ever been heard.... Read more

November 23, 2011 Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback, Video

The Roots – The Undun Videos (Parts 1-4)

Over the last few weeks, The Roots have been dropping videos as a lead up to the release of their album, undun, on December 6. This week, they've released Sleep, which is part 4 of 4 videos. Like the album, the videos tell the story of Redford Stephens, a fictional... Read more

November 22, 2011 Playlists, Video

RIP to the Overweight Lover Heavy D. He was Hip-Hop’s original BIG man. Here’s a tribute playlist featuring some of his many hits.

We wish you a peaceful journey. Also, here was his incredible performance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards just last month.... Read more

November 8, 2011 Playlists, Throwback

Here’s a playlist of songs that have focused a critical eye on the status quo and expressed a desire for something better. Some of the names you would expect (Public Enemy, Talib Kweli, Common, Lupe Fiasco, 2Pac) and others might surprise you (Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West). Regardless of whether or not you share their views or not, it’s food for thought in these interesting times.

With the global economy in chaos, people are standing up for their beliefs across the world. The many "Occupy" protests are just a few examples of this. Throughout time, music has played an important role in such movements. Hip-hop was that voice of unrest for many in the 80's and... Read more

November 1, 2011 Food for Thought, Playlists

Palate Cleanser – AAFH (Playlist)

We asked you a couple of days ago what non-hip-hop music was your favorite right now. Not surprisingly, the responses were INCREDIBLY diverse. So...here's a palate cleanser playlist for you that incorporates some of the artists you mentioned. This is a dark, meditative, beat-driven playlist inspired in part by Halloween... Read more

October 31, 2011 Audio, Playlists

RE-WIN(D): Here’s a video playlist of joints from the early to mid-90’s. You’ll find songs from Mobb Deep, Jeru Tha Damaja, Group Home, The Roots, Jay-Z, De La Soul, Gang Starr, O.C., Diamond D and more. Just press play and let it ride.

Click here for another RE-WIN(D) playlist featuring De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Kid N Play, Special Ed, Monie Love, Chubb Rock, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and more.... Read more

October 25, 2011 Playlists, Throwback, Video

Before The Glitter: We asked you what the best year in hip-hop was and you answered. Here’s the first in a series of playlists that will feature music from the era you picked as the greatest in hip-hop…thus far: ’87-’99. This first installment features music from De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Kid N Play, Special Ed, Monie Love, Chubb Rock, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and more. Check it out.

You listen to us on the regular. We listen to you too...We asked a couple of weeks ago what the best year ever in hip-hop was. There was no clear individual year that surfaced (though '93 and '94 got a lot of votes) but there was an overwhelming consensus that... Read more

October 15, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Kendrick Lamar interview by LRG (Video)

Here's an interview of Kendrick Lamar where he discusses some of his current musical inspirations. He cites artists like Bilal, Floetry, D'Angelo and Erykah Badu as influences on his melody and general sound. That shows in the soulfulness that is heard throughout Section 80. Check out the interview below as... Read more

October 10, 2011 Food for Thought, Playlists, Video

The Tribe & Big Cats! – Good Life ft Smoke DZA (Video)

Minneapolis has a rich music history, but it is not particularly known for hip-hop. The Tribe & Big Cats! are trying to change that. They had their debut earlier this year and now have a series where they will release a new song each month with a special guest. This... Read more

October 4, 2011 Audio, Playlists, The Bridge, Video

We lost the godmother of hip-hop earlier this week. Sylvia Robinson, the co-founder of Sugar Hill Records, passed away on Thursday. Here’s a playlist of some of the music from Sugar Hill. You’ll hear music from The Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Treacherous Three, The Funky 4 +1, The Sequence and more. RIP Sylvia Robinson.

She put out 2 of the most important records in hip-hop history. Rapper's Delight was the first record to put hip-hop on the global map and The Message forever changed the notion of what hip-hop could be. Click below to hear the playlist.... Read more

October 1, 2011 Audio, Playlists

MCs from the West never left but there’s been a resurgence of late from Southern Cali. It’s inspired this playlist which celebrates the contribution that LA-based MCs have made to hip-hop over the last 3 decades. You’ll hear music from Ice-T, NWA, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, DJ Quik, Lady of Rage, Warren G, 2Pac, The Game, The Pharcyde, King Tee, Tha Alkaholiks, Jurrasic 5, Dilated Peoples, DJ Quik, Pac Div, Murs, Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar.

Obviously, there are many other MCs who've helped build the LA legacy but this is a representation of many left coast eras. Just press play, sit back and listen to how the West was won. Related: Snoop Dogg - Reincarnated Official Film Trailer (Video)... Read more

September 24, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Here’s a Playlist of Some of the Best Chappelle Show Performances (Video Playlist)

Chappelle Show gets its much deserved props for its place in sketch comedy history, but it does not get enough recognition for its role as a major platform for showcasing hip-hop and soul performances. In addition to having impeccable taste in acts, the show had a knack for presenting artists... Read more

September 22, 2011 Playlists, Video

Evidence – Inside Cats & Dogs (Video Playlist)

Evidence has put together a series of videos where he discusses each song on his upcoming album, Cats & Dogs (in stores on 9/27). Each episode also features a snippet of the song discussed. Here's a video playlist of each episode in the series, so far (9 in total). Check... Read more

September 21, 2011 Food for Thought, Playlists, Video

OutKast is reuniting??? It’s not certain but their recent signing to Epic Records is a strong signal that some new spaceagehiphopfunk music is coming soon. Until then, here’s an OutKast video playlist as a reminder of just how dope they are.

You'll find songs by OutKast as well as a couple of their guest appearances. Check it out. Also, here's a link to an article that details their rumored signing to Epic. A lot of their videos have been pulled from YouTube, so we've added a few more below.... Read more

September 16, 2011 Playlists, Video

We lost Pac 15 years ago. Here’s a video playlist celebrating his 25 years of LIFE. RIP Tupac Shakur.

September 13, 2011 Playlists, Video

Nas headlined Rock The Bells in NYC. Here’s a video playlist that gives a taste of his performance. You’ll see Represent, Made You Look, It Ain’t Hard to Tell, The World Is Mine, If I Ruled the World, Live at the BBQ, Nas is Like and more.

Rock the Bells touched down in NYC on Saturday. Several iconic artists blessed the stage including Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Mobb Deep, Black Star, Black Moon, Raekwon & Ghostface and more. Nasty Nas had the headlining spot. Here's a playlist of many of his performances. You'll see Represent, Made You... Read more

September 4, 2011 Playlists, Video

Here’s a video playlist inspired by the Rock The Bells festival. You’ll find videos from Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface, Black Star, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Cypress Hill, Souls of Mischief, Common and more. Check it out.

The Rock the Bells festival inspired the Reebok Classic Albums by Classic Artists series and it has inspired this playlist. This year's festival has an insane lineup of Nas, Cypress Hill, Black Starr, Mobb Deep, Souls of Mischief, Raekwon, Ghostface, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Common and many of today's up... Read more

August 31, 2011 Video

It’s hard to believe, but we lost Aaliyah 10 years ago on 8/25. Though she was but the tender age of 22, her impact on music, film and pop culture, generally, cannot be overstated…and her potential was far from being fulfilled. Here’s a video playlist featuring some of her music. Aaliyah, we miss you.

Also, if you missed it, BET did an amazing tribute to Aaliyah, featuring videos, rare footage and interviews from Timbaland, Missy, Ginuwine and many more. You can check out the whole show here.... Read more

August 25, 2011 Playlists, Video

Jay-Z has helped put on a LOT of producers. Very few can say they helped put him on. Ski Beatz is one of them…

The latest installment of our Producer Series is dedicated to the music of the legendary Ski Beatz. If you like Reasonable Doubt-era Jay-Z and Curren$y's Pilot Talk series, this one is for you. Ski Beatz was one of the primary sonic architects of all those projects. He also did one... Read more

June 3, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Can’t wait to see the A Tribe Called Quest documentary? It’s coming soon to a theater near you.

Click here for details on locations and release dates for Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Also, here's a playlist we did celebrating music produced by Q-Tip.... Read more

May 25, 2011 Food for Thought

The 90’s will always be considered the Golden Age of hip-hop. Click below to listen to all 250 songs that XXL named the best of the 1990’s.

That's not to say that decade will always be the best, nor that it contains the best year in hip-hop (in fact, read this if you REALLY want a debate) but, just as the 70's will always be considered Classic Rock (Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, etc.--note other great... Read more

May 24, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Erick Sermon just dropped a new song and it inspired us to take a look back at his career. The latest Producer Series installment is dedicated to the Green Eyed Bandit.

When he first unleashed his sonic imprint in 1988 as part of EPMD, Erick Sermon was one of the first producers to bring P-Funk to hip-hop. Over the better part of the next 2 decades, he went on to give classic tracks to some of the most legendary names in... Read more

May 20, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

“I’d like to know. Are you really ready for some super dynamite soul?” This week’s Soul Cooking playlist (where we explore soul, funk and other music that has influenced hip-hop) is dedicated to the one and only James Brown.

No discussion about Soul and hip-hop is complete without mentioning James Brown. He has been sampled more than any other artist and his impact cannot be overstated. He really needs no introduction (other than the one above). This playlist starts out with a groove and just gets funkier and funkier... Read more

May 14, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Just Blaze is known but he does not often get his props as being 1 of the all time great producers. He is the subject of the latest installment of our Producer Series playlists. You’ll hear Joe Budden, Beanie Sigel, Cam’ron, Freeway, Kanye, Jay Electronica, The Game, Nas, Scarface, Saigon and of course lots of Jay-Z.

Just Blaze's first producer credits were in 1999 but he really caught people's attention in 2000 when he laced Jay-Z with his classic Streets is Talking track. A year later, Just Blaze and another promising young producer named Kanye West combined to produce 9 out of the 15 tracks on... Read more

May 12, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Ready for Summer? This week’s Soul Cooking playlist features the kind of soul and funk music you might hear at a Summer BBQ in the early 80′s. You’ll find songs like Cutie Pie, Rock Creek Park, Watching You, Single Life, Rumors, Double Dutch Bus and more.

Just press play, sit back and here it is, the groove, slightly transformed...... Read more

May 7, 2011 Audio, Playlists

If you like that West Coast G-Funk sound, this week’s Soul Cooking playlist is for you.

It's no secret legendary beat makers like Dr. Dre and DJ Quik were heavily influenced by the likes of Parliament/Funkadelic, Slave, Cameo, Zapp and Rick James, to name a few...You'll find lots of that classic funk sound on this playlist. Just press play, sit back and prepare to get funked... Read more

April 30, 2011 Audio, Playlists

All the recent heat around The Beastie Boys has gotten me thinking about Def Jam of old. You can’t talk about the original Def Jam sound without mentioning Rick Rubin. He is the subject of our latest Producer Series playlist.

Rick Rubin was a purist. He liked BIG thumping 808 drums, hard snares, hard rhymes and not much else on his songs. At the time, when rap was still being recorded mostly over disco and R&B covers, his sound was revolutionary. He was among the first to capture the rawness... Read more

April 29, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Kev Brown is one of those producers who has never gotten the proper level of recognition. He just dropped a new mixtape called Classic Joints that should help change that.

Best known for his incredible remix of Jay-Z's Black Album, The Brown Album, Kev specializes in beats with dirty funky bass lines (reminiscent of his brethren Pete Rock and 9th Wonder). Here's a playlist of some of the Joints from the new mixtape. The tracklist and download link are below.... Read more

April 25, 2011 Audio, Mixes, Playlists, The Bridge

Can’t wait till DJ Quik’s album drops on Tuesday? Maybe this new joint from Quik and Ice Cube will help.

Check out Boogie Till You Conk Out from 2 West Coast OG's. Click here to download. And, if you need more DJ Quik in your life, check out this playlist and mixtape.... Read more

April 16, 2011 Audio

Weekends are for chilling and breaking up the daily routine, right? Welcome to Soul Cooking, where each Saturday you will find playlists featuring some of the finest soul music ever made. In this week’s inaugural edition, you can expect joints from Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Roy Ayers, Rose Royce, The Staples Singers, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, The Brothers Johnson and more.

This playlist was inspired by a cool article by TheWellVersed on The 10 Non Hip-Hop acts to watch in 2011. Ambrosia For Heads will always endeavor to serve you the best in hip-hop (old and new), but as with any good meal, sometimes you need a palate cleanser. Also, as... Read more

April 16, 2011 Audio, Playlists

DJ Quik’s new album drops next week. To support and show love, he is the subject of the latest Producer Series playlist.

Hailing from Compton, DJ Quik is one of the best producers to ever do it--on any coast--period. He's a DJ, a musician, a producer and a rapper. Though his sound is rooted in the P-Funk, the vast majority of his music is original. His range is such that he can... Read more

April 14, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Electro Funk was a key element of early Hip-Hop. It was an essential part of break dancing, particularly on the West Coast. Here’s a playlist of some of the music that used to get the poppers, lockers and breakers going back in the day.

Electro Funk has had a resurgence over the years with groups like Chromeo and games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, but there is nothing like the original joints. And, if you missed Breakin' N Enterin' click here.... Read more

April 5, 2011 Audio, Playlists

OutKast regularly get their props for being one of the greatest artists (of any genre) of all time, and rightfully so.

It's seldom, however, that you hear about Organized Noize, the production team that played a key role in architecting the sonic foundation of OutKast's early music, and that of other influential artists coming out of Atlanta in the 90's. The latest playlist in our producer series is dedicated to Organized... Read more

April 1, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Need more basketball in your life? Check out Soul in the Hole a 90’s documentary on New York street ball. The soundtrack that accompanied it was a classic filled with some of the greatest names in hip-hop: Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian, Mobb Deep, O.C., Common, M.O.P., Big Pun, Organized Konfusion…Check out the full movie and a playlist from the soundtrack below.

Click here to watch the trailer. Here's the movie: And, here's the playlist from the soundtrack:... Read more

March 27, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

The next playlist features music that has more of a groove to it but it’s still head-nodding music. You’ll find new tracks by XV, Dom Kennedy, Sir Michael Rocks, Zion I and The Grouch, The Kid Daytona, E-40 and DJ Quik.

Just press play, sit back and enjoy.... Read more

March 26, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Quietly, a lot of good hip-hop has dropped (or leaked) over the last few months. Here are a couple of playlists with some of the better joints. On this one, you’ll find Pusha T, J. Cole, Kidz in the Hall, Rapper Big Pooh, Phonte, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Chuuwee, Pharoahe Monch and others.

It has more meditative, darker beats--think 9th Wonder-type music. Click here for the second playlist.... Read more

March 26, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Can’t wait for Pete Rock’s new album with Camp Lo next week? Check out this week’s playlist dedicated to some of his best joints.

Pete Rock is a DJ AND a Producer AND and an MC. As a triple threat, he's one of the nicest to do it. Here are some of his best productions (and co-productions) and turns on the mic. 80 Blocks From Tiffany's, his new album, drops Tuesday. Until... Read more

March 24, 2011 Audio, Playlists

My heart is heavy. Hip-Hop has lost 1 of its most important voices. The one and only Nate Dogg. Words alone cannot commemorate Nate Dogg. Here’s a playlist that showcases just a few of his great contributions to rap music. His impact cannot be overstated.

From his start with 213 with Warren G and a young Snoop Doggy Dogg, through his work on The Chronic, through more features than can possibly be counted on some of hip-hop's biggest records, Nate Dogg's silky-smooth gangsta flow is synonymous with the sound that put the West Coast on... Read more

March 16, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Trademark Da Skydiver kicks some more meditative ish on Committed.

Check it out. If you need some more music to meditate to, click here. Click here to download.... Read more

March 15, 2011 Audio

There’s been a lot of chatter about the XXL Freshman class of 2011 but what about the alumni?

One of the most enigmatic of those chosen by XXL as one of its 2009 freshmen is Charles Hamilton. Omar Akil takes a look at the talented Mr. Hamilton and let's the man speak for himself (through his lyrics). Check it out: I'm not sure what to make of the... Read more

February 27, 2011 Food for Thought

This week´s playlist was inspired by incredible soul made by rappers. You´ll find Outkast, The Foreign Exchange, Mos Def, Freestyle Fellowship, Andre 3000 and even Snoop Dog.

Just sit back, press play and liberate your mind. Click here for the full version as intended (some videos were not allowed to be embedded).... Read more

February 24, 2011 Playlists

There is NO WAY I could let this day go by without a tribute to the late, great J. Dilla. Here’s a playlist with some of my favorite Dilla joints.

37 years ago today was his born day and, to the HUGE loss of the hip-hop community, the anniversary of his death is on 2/10/06. In the short time he was with us, he left an indelible sonic imprint on the hip-hip, R&B and general music landscape. Here's a playlist... Read more

February 7, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Been keeping it old school with the playlists, but this week decided to focus on some of the better tracks to drop recently.

You'll find tracks from Stalley, The Kid Daytona, Big K.R.I.T. + Gillade, Saigon, Terrace Martin, Wiz Khalifa, Yelawolf, Reks, Jay Electronica and more. Press play, sit back and enjoy.... Read more

January 28, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Rewin(d) – AFH Samples (Video Playlist)

We recently posted a documentary about sampling so it seems fitting to make this week's playlist one dedicated to some classic samples. You'll find music sampled by Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, DJ Quik, Biggie, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Redman, Black Moon and more. The tracklist... Read more

January 21, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Happy MLK Day. It’s a day of reflection so here’s a playlist that reflects many perspectives on the State of the Union 82 years after the birth of the man named King.

You'll find music from Common, Black Star, Nas, Actual Proof, J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., 2Pac and others. Enjoy and keep the dream alive.... Read more

January 17, 2011 Playlists

Meditations on Hip-Hop, Vol. Too

Think of this as hip-hop for chilling, sitting back and relaxing or just marinating. It’s hip-hop for a rainy day. Just hit play, sit back and let it ride. Tracklist is below. Kick it to the Beat – J-Live The Lights – Nicolay & Kay Do You Think About Me... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Playlists, Video

DJ Premier Guru Tribute Mix

Here's the Guru tribute from the legendary DJ Premier (one of the greats--producer, DJ and person): Keith "Guru" Elam Tribute Mix by Dj Premier Blog Radio on Mixcloud... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Playlists

Gang Starr’s Guru Dead at 43

Keith "Guru" Elam died on April 20, 2010 at the age of 43 after a long battle with cancer. I knew Guru personally and he was always nice and humble when we spoke. Regardless of all the rumors that swirled around his death, he left a lasting musical legacy, both... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Playlists, Video

Let's Go!!! – Playlist

Old school hip-hop playlist guaranteed to get you hyped. Tracklist below. Click here to play. Notorious B.I.G. – Who Shot Ya? Jay-Z – Rock Star Lil Cease ft. Lil Kim and Puff Daddy – Play Around Big Pun – Glamour Life Mase ft. Puff Daddy – Can’t Nobody Hold Me... Read more

June 12, 2010 Audio, Playlists, Video