puff daddy Archives

The 2017 Forbes Rap List Shows Drake Has Passed Wayne & Has Birdman In His Sights

The 2017 rankings for the Top 5 wealthiest Hip-Hop artists have been released. Compiled through estimation and public record, Forbes and its longtime editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg take an annual look at the assets and estimated wealth surrounding some of Rap music's leading artists, producers, and some of its multi-threat... Read more

May 10, 2017 News

Diddy Explains Why Prince Refused To Be On Biggie’s Life After Death (Video)

Today (March 25) marks the 20th anniversary of the release of The Notorious B.I.G.'s album, Life After Death. Released just two weeks after he was killed in Los Angeles, the album served as a bittersweet tribute to the MC the world had just lost. For inhabitants of NYC, and likely... Read more

March 25, 2017 Video

Bad Boy Records Documentary To Debut At Tribeca Film Festival With Reunion Concert

Just over one week ago, Warren G's G-Funk documentary screened at South By Southwest. Another major Rap development of the early 1990s, Bad Boy Records will be the next Hip-Hop doc' to hit screens this season. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: The Bad Boy Story, directed by Daniel Kaufman is scheduled... Read more

March 20, 2017 TV/Film

20 Years Later Here Are So Many Things About Biggie Smalls You Didn’t Know

Twenty years ago today (March 9, 1997), Hip-Hop lost a true king when Biggie Smalls died. The MC also known as The Notorious B.I.G. had risen to form in less than five years, after making early appearances beside Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, and Super Cat. By the time Biggie... Read more

March 9, 2017 Food for Thought, Video

A New Documentary Shows Rap Has Been Around For More Than 70 Years (Video)

Ron "Amen Ra" Lawrence may not be a household name producer, but he's made hits that many know. The Dominica-born, Queens, New York-raised producer is an integral part of Puff Daddy's Hitmen collective at Bad Boy, with credits on Biggie Smalls' "Hypnotize," Puffy's "Been Around The World," and The LOX's... Read more

February 22, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Dr. Dre vs Puff Daddy & The Hitmen. 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 13, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Puffy Daddy Details How He Helped Biggie Walk The Line Between Hardcore & Mainstream

During his life, The Notorious B.I.G.'s three Top 10 solo singles were all produced by Puff Daddy. The founder and CEO of Bad Boy Records worked with his "Hitmen" on each of "Big Poppa," "One More Chance (Remix)" and 1997's "Hypnotize." Those three records, as well as 1994's "Juicy" (which peaked... Read more

January 26, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Noah “40” Shebib vs. Puff Daddy & The Hitmen. 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 18, 2017 Finding the GOAT

A New Film Shows Craig Mack’s Career Ended Because Of His Bad Flava With Puffy & Biggie (Video)

It could be argued that Craig Mack is one of Hip-Hop's greatest one-hit wonders. 1994's "Flava In Ya Ear" and star-studded remix helped make a name for Craig, as well as his label-mate The Notorious B.I.G., and their leader Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. However, Craig's career and Hip-Hop philosophy has... Read more

January 15, 2017 TV/Film, Video

Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans & More Recall The Making Of Biggie’s One More Chance Remix (Video)

Approaching a year after The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die released, Biggie Smalls, Puff Daddy, and the Bad Boy Records family were still hard at work delivering it to the masses. While Junior M.A.F.I.A. was fast at work on their own offshoot debut, Puffy commissioned an album-cut remix. "One More... Read more

January 11, 2017 Video

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

December 30, 2016 Food for Thought

The LOX Were Courted By Suge & Death Row. They Explain Why They Passed (Video)

This month, The LOX shocked Heads with the announcement of a partnership with Jay Z and Roc Nation. That news broke December 1, with an album coming just over two weeks later. The D-Block/Roc-backed Filthy America...It's Beautiful marked the Yonkers, New York trio's first full-length album in more than 16... Read more

December 27, 2016 Video

Puffy Details Stepping To Suge Knight After The Source Awards & Suge Backpedaling (Video)

On August 3, 1995, many historians believe that the East Coast and West Coast Hip-Hop Beef was declared. Accepting the Source Award in Madison Square Garden for the Above The Rim soundtrack, Death Row Records CEO and co-founder Suge Knight told attendees, “Any artist out there that want to be an... Read more

November 30, 2016 Video

Q-Tip Describes The Shift In Music That Caused The End Of A Tribe Called Quest (Video)

This month has returned A Tribe Called Quest to album-making for the first time in 18 years. We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service is the current #1 album, and A.T.C.Q's first in 20 years—achieving a new chart feat within the Hip-Hop genre. The LP reunited Q-Tip... Read more

November 23, 2016 Video

DJ Clue Reveals How He May Have Chosen Biggie’s 2 Most Successful Singles (Audio)

DJ Clue was a pivotal figure in bringing Hip-Hop mixtapes from street culture to the charts. The Queens, New York native began in the mid-1990s, and helped pioneer the idea of exclusives. Records by Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. would appear on the mixmaster's unauthorized cassettes and... Read more

November 7, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock Comments On Who REALLY Invented The Remix (Video)

Since debuting Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth music in 1990, producer/MC/DJ Pete Rock has always been known to speak on his records. Songs like Nas' "The World Is Yours," his group's own "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," and AZ's "Rather Unique" all feature notable background vocals from the Mount Vernon,... Read more

October 26, 2016 Video

Puff Daddy Credits Nas With Saving Hip-Hop & More In A Bold Tribute Speech (Video)

More than 15 years ago, Nas and Puff Daddy made a triumphant anthem together in "Hate Me Now." Appearing on Nas' third album, I Am... the record symbolically closed out the 1990s with an MC once allocated to the Underground shining as a reigning figure of Hip-Hop. Although Nas and... Read more

October 17, 2016 Video

Bad Boy’s Hitmen Justify Taking Hits From The ‘80s & Making ‘Em Feel So Good (Audio)

Since the earliest days of Bad Boy Records there has was a production team in place known as The Hitmen. Sometimes known as "Puffy's Hitmen," the collective included Puff Daddy as a figurehead with a decorated staff that has at times included Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, Nashiem Myrick, Sean C &... Read more

October 12, 2016 Audio

Prodigy Details Mobb Deep’s Journey From “Embarrassed” Juveniles To Infamous Stars (Video)

Mobb Deep experienced one of Hip-Hop's largest growths between their first and second albums. 1993's Juvenile Hell debut boasted production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, and a fledgling Havoc. However, the 4th & B'Way Records release did not chart, and was not the album response the teenage duo from Queens,... Read more

October 12, 2016 Video

Beanie Sigel Allegedly Attacked For Saying He Wrote Lyrics For Meek Mill’s Game Diss Record (Video)

Just over one week ago, Beanie Sigel made his way into the beef between The Game and Meek Mill. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran appeared alongside Meek and Dream Chasers affiliate Omelly's in their their reply to Game's "92 Bars" diss, rapping over Young. M.A.'s "Ooouuu." Beanie Sigel spit just a handful... Read more

September 26, 2016 Video

DMX Joins Puff Daddy & Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour For Remaining Dates

With at least more than eight US concert dates remaining, Puff Daddy has upped the ante on his Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour. The label's founder and CEO added DMX to the list of headliners this week. Besides Puff, the artists on the tour include Ma$e, The LOX, Faith Evans,... Read more

September 17, 2016 Fresh

Bokeem Woodbine Reveals Tupac Was Fed Up With Record Labels Profiting On Beef

Tuesday's September 13th date marked 20 years since the death of Tupac Shakur. In addition to his circle that included Madonna, M.C. Hammer, and actor Mickey Rourke, The Rap superstar had many burgeoning famous people around him in the last year of his life. Keyshia Cole, Rashida Jones, and Kxng... Read more

September 15, 2016 News

Snoop Wanted To End The Death Row/Bad Boy Beef In 1996 But Was Shut Down By Suge (Video)

Over the last few weeks, Snoop Dogg has been very vocal about his complicated relationship with Suge Knight, both past and present. Two weeks ago, he sat down with The Breakfast Club and explained how he was able to forgive the Death Row Records CEO for literally trying to have... Read more

August 25, 2016 Video

Drake Fires Back At Puff Daddy & Joe Budden With His Hardest Rhyme In Years (Audio)

When Drake's VIEWS album was released last month, it was met with ambivalence. On the commercial side, it was a massive success, becoming the first Hip-Hop album to sell more than one million copies in a week since Lil Wayne's The Carter III in 2008. Since then, the album has... Read more

June 5, 2016 Audio

Here’s What Biggie Would Have Sounded Like On Kanye West Tracks (Audio)

Last week, a Kanye West beat tape surfaced from 1997. While Kanye would land placements on records by Foxy Brown and Jermaine Dupri a year later, he had yet to break through in '97. Still, the beats contained on the tape showed the promise of what was to come from... Read more

June 1, 2016 Audio

Nas Performs At The Bad Boy Reunion & Stunts On EVERYBODY (Video)

"Escobar Season has returned." With those four words, Puff Daddy launched one of the most epic records in Nas' prized catalog. With a swelling, gothic arrangement, "Hate Me Now" was Nas' middle finger to the world. After taking lumps from certain hardcore Hip-Hop fans for they saw as his selling... Read more

May 21, 2016 Video

Nas, Jay Z & More Help Celebrate 20-Years Of Bad Boy In Epic Fashion (Video)

Last month, Puff Daddy joined Hot 97's Ebro In The Morning show to announce that he was reuniting his Bad Boy Entertainment family to celebrate 20 years of the iconic label that dominated music in the mid to late 90s. At the time, the media mogul revealed that, in addition... Read more

May 21, 2016 Video

These Rarely Seen Snapshots Document Iconic Hip-Hop Looks & Candid Moments

Fans of Hip-Hop photography have had a lot to celebrate of late. In addition to the advent of Instagram, where iconic photographers like Jamel Shabazz, Joe Conzo, Chi Modu, and others share the snapshots they've taken of the culture's earliest days, museums and similar institutions have begun the process of... Read more

May 20, 2016 Fresh

Puff Daddy, The LOX, Ma$e, Lil’ Kim & More Announce Bad Boy Reunion Tour Dates

It was almost one year ago that Puff Daddy reunited with much of his Bad Boy Worldwide hit-makers for a medley concert at the 2015 BET Awards. The televised June event featuring followed a co-headlined Snoop Dogg concert at Madison Square Garden in February. Symbolically, that concert was at the... Read more

May 16, 2016 Fresh

Drake Knocks 50 Cent Off Forbes’ List Of The Five Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists

Many laughed at Drake and his dance moves in the video for "Hotline Bling," but the Toronto rapper is laughing all the way to the bank. Forbes has released its annual list of the wealthiest artists in Hip-Hop, and while the usual suspects remain atop of their tally, there has... Read more

May 4, 2016 News

Action Bronson’s Latest Is A Blue Chip Off Of Biggie & Super Cat’s Block (Audio)

Action Bronson has garnered some of the strongest acclaim of his career through the Blue Chips mixtape series with Party Supplies. Some of that same chemistry made its way onto 2015's Mr. Wonderful, with Bam Bam and the Fool's Gold Records production team creating four of the Top 10 LP's... Read more

April 12, 2016 Audio, The Bridge

Biggie’s Ready To Die vs. Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 30, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Here Are The Final 4 Greatest Of All-Time Hip-Hop Albums, As Decided By You

In September of 2015, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with... Read more

March 29, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Dr. Dre’s The Chronic vs. The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 24, 2016 Finding the GOAT

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Jay Z’s The Blueprint. 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

March 15, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Mister Cee Explains Why Biggie’s “Ready To Die” Sounds Like 2 Different Albums

This morning (March 9), Brooklyn, New York DJ/producer/radio personality Mister Cee appeared on Sway In The Morning. On the 19th anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.'s tragic (and unsolved) murder, Cee recalled his hand in turning a street-corner MC into arguably Rap's greatest ever. Beginning the interview, Mister Cee recalls friend... Read more

March 9, 2016 Throwback

It’s A Bad Boy/Junior M.A.F.I.A. Reunion on “Auction” With Puff, Kim, Styles & Los (Video)

With the shiny jackets, posse camera shots, and braggadocious lyrics, the Bad Boy family certainly left its imprint on the Rap video canon, and the Jiggy Era for many Heads will always symbolize a heyday of mainstream New York City Hip-Hop. A key player in that movement was, of course,... Read more

February 22, 2016 Video

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures Of…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

February 18, 2016 Finding the GOAT

LL Cool J & Puff Daddy Learn About Their Complex Family Trees & Are Deeply Humbled (Video)

Having launched in 2012, the PBS television series Finding Your Roots merges genealogy and celebrity in a reality show which documents notable people tracing their ancestral heritage. Hosted by well-known public intellectual Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the show provides its guests with research-based documentation about where their respective families originated... Read more

February 17, 2016 TV/Film

A Documentary On Organized Noize Looks At The Genius & Drama In The Dungeon (Video)

Organized Noize is one of the most impactful musical groups of the last 25 years. The Atlanta, Georgia-based trio of Sleepy Brown, Rico Wade, and Ray Murray would be deeply responsible for the mainstream (and critical) success of Outkast, TLC, Goodie Mob, and a litany of other acts, ranging from... Read more

February 9, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Andre 3000 & Kanye West Are Surfing “Waves” In The Studio Together

Kanye West albums are often ensemble affairs. 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and 2004's The College Dropout are two specific albums known for their sprawling personnel. While the album now known as Waves has a February 11, 2016 release date, an alleged corresponding fashion show concert, and one bold... Read more

January 30, 2016 News

Which Cheryl Lynn Disco Hit Fueled These 2 90s Hip-Hop Party Starters?

In the fall of 1978, Disco was going on strong. While a lot of the 1970s genre's biggest hits have not translated to Hip-Hop, some have. Cheryl Lynn was one such singer. In the middle of the decade, the Los Angeles, California songstress was instrumental to The Wiz. Later a... Read more

January 17, 2016 Sample Sundays

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. 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

December 3, 2015 Finding the GOAT

King Los Is A Fugitive With The Flow On This P.E. #1 Freestyle (Audio)

King Los is one of this generation's most revered freestyle MCs. Joining the man who first gave him a major contract, Puff Daddy, the Baltimore, Maryland MC takes on the "P.E. 2000" instrumental. With Diddy talkin' slick on the intro, Los gets to work on the pepped-up Public Enemy basis... Read more

November 28, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Explains What It Takes To Be Top 5 Dead Or Alive (Video)

Jadakiss' Top 5 Dead Or Alive releases today (November 20). The long-anticipated Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records album is a conversation piece for The LOX MC's own place in the game. With a plethora of peers on board, "You Don't Eat" is a song that's mostly about the skills and approach that... Read more

November 20, 2015 Video

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death vs. Ghostface Killah’s Ironman. 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 20, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Puff Daddy Says New York Is Reclaiming Its Sound & Asserts He Is #1 Hip-Hop Producer (Video)

On his 46th birthday (November 4, 2015), Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs spent the early hours with Sway In The Morning. There, the Bad Boy Records founder and CEO spoke about his MMM (Money Making Mitch) release, which released online later that day (and is available for stream below). Additionally, the... Read more

November 10, 2015 Video

Through Thick & Thin Puff Daddy & The LOX Still Make Great Music Together (Audio)

Last week, Puff Daddy released a surprise free album on his birthday (11/4) titled, MMM, an ode to "Money Making Mitch," from the film Paid In Full. While the entire project might not appeal to all, there are 2 tracks featuring some of his greatest proteges, that stand above the rest.... Read more

November 8, 2015 Audio

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. MF DOOM’s Operation Doomsday. 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

October 30, 2015 Finding the GOAT