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Coast Contra Returns With Another Breathtaking Freestyle

After years of paying dues, the Coast Contra group made major inroads during 2022. The quartet of Ras Austin, Taj Austin, Eric Jamal, and Rioloz released their debut album, Apt. 505. That They promoted the self-released LP with a memorable performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and a... Read more

LL Cool J’s Freestyle Shows He Is Still A GOAT MC

This weekend (August 5), LL Cool J is headlining the annual Rock The Bells Festival in his home borough of Queens, New York. L will be joined by The Roots and DJ Z-Trip as he shares the main event with the MC's longtime friends and peers Run-D.M.C. Other performers include... Read more

Soulquarians vs. Hypnotize Minds: The Greatest Rap Crew Competition

In recognition of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, BET Digital, in partnership with Ambrosia For Heads, is celebrating the culture by hosting a bracket-style competition that allows you to determine Hip-Hop’s greatest crew. Rather than having “experts” tell you who is the greatest of all-time, this is your opportunity to collectively make that... Read more

LL Cool J Rocks A Q-Tip Beat With Force

In the closing days of 2019, Hip-Hop Heads learned that LL Cool J had returned to the label he helped make legendary. James Todd Smith was back on Def Jam Records. Moreover, the Queens, New York icon has teamed with another borough great to work on music, with Q-Tip producing... Read more

LL Cool J Has A New Album Coming That Is Executive Produced By Q-Tip

In the closing days of 2019, LL Cool J revealed that he was working with Q-Tip on an album. The Rock The Bells founder was said to be back at Def Jam Records, the same label where his career launched in the mid-1980s, and working with the famed A Tribe Called... Read more

Ali Shaheed Muhammad Reveals The Hidden Meaning Of Low End Theory

A Tribe Called Quest co-founder Ali Shaheed Muhammad recently released Katalyst JID013 on his Jazz Is Dead imprint. It's Ali's latest partnership with Jazz band Katalyst and producer/musician Adrian Younge. Shaheed spoke about the new LP while on The People's Party With Talib Kweli. The two Hip-Hop artists spoke about ATCQ's sophomore LP, The Low... Read more

Many Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs

Note: Jadakiss recently appeared on ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby podcast and was asked who his top 5 Hip-Hop groups of all-time were. This article has been updated below with his response, as well as The Game’s top 5 LA Rap albums. A few days ago, during a podcast appearance, Ice... Read more

The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans

Earlier this month, the Hip-Hop community reacted to the latest high-profile lists ranking the greatest Rap albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine and a team of journalists and writers ranked 200 Hip-Hop LPs, prompting plenty of reaction. It was not the first list of this kind, and it certainly will not... Read more

Experience Black Music Month Through These Documentaries

Black Music inspires, informs, and permeates each genre and every corner of the globe with an undeniable force. From complex rhythms and sweet melodies to lyrics versed in a unique experience, Black Music has given all music a blueprint—including Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll, Soul, and Hip-Hop. In celebration of... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan & ATCQ’s Albums Will Be In The Library Of Congress

Two more classic Hip-Hop albums are headed to the Library Of Congress. On April 13, the National Recording Registry added Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and A Tribe Called Quest'sThe Low End Theory to its portion of The Library Of Congress. Every year 25 recordings are added, and... Read more

Phife Dawg’s Final Album Releases. It Features Q-Tip, Little Brother & More

Today (March 22) marks six years since Phife Dawg tragically passed away at 45 years old due to kidney failure. At the time, the A Tribe Called Quest co-founder was secretly working on a reunion album with Q-Tip, Jarobi, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. That 2016 LP, We got it from... Read more

J. Dilla’s Life Story Has Been Told Like Never Before

February is widely celebrated among Hip-Hop Heads as a month dedicated to J Dilla. James Yancey was born February 7, 1974, and passed just after his 32nd birthday on February 10. Traditionally, there are concerts and events around the globe honoring the producer/MC who co-founded Slum Village, JayLib, J-88, The... Read more

A Tribe Called Quest & Eminem Are Nominated For The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Following an incredible 2021 that saw LL Cool J and JAY-Z inducted into Cleveland, Ohio's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Hip-Hop stands to make an encore in '22. A Tribe Called Quest and Eminem are among the nominees for the induction—which will be confirmed in May. The legendary Queens,... Read more

J. Cole Says He Is The Best Rapper Alive & He’s Proving It

Last Friday (January 28), Benny The Butcher released one of the most exciting songs by any artist in over a year. "Johnny P's Caddy" is inspired by the formative days when Benny would ride in his father's Cadillac alongside Westside Gunn and listen to Hip-Hop. Over an Alchemist beat, The... Read more

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

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

Consequence Takes A Tour Of Queens In The Video For His Last Phife Dawg Collaboration

In March, it will have been four years since Phife Dawg passed away. The MC/producer born Malik Taylor was not able to see the final album release from A Tribe Called Quest, 2016's We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. However, he worked on the LP that... Read more

Eminem & Black Thought Release Their 1st Collabo. The Cypher Is Complete (Audio)

After appearing alongside each other in a 2009 BET Award Cypher with Mos Def, Eminem, and The Roots' frontman Black Thought have frequently been mentioned in the same conversation together as two of the best MCs of all time. Since that standout moment, both Em' and Black Thought have continued... Read more

LL Cool J Is Back On Def Jam & Q-Tip Is Producing His Music

Between 1984 and 2008, LL Cool J released 12 albums at Def Jam Records. James Todd Smith had been a flagship artist at the label launched by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. His discography, which also includes multiple greatest hits volumes, boasted platinum and gold accolades, as well as a... Read more

Go Behind The Scenes Of Robert Glasper’s Star-Studded Blue Note Residency (Video)

Robert Glasper is an extremely busy man. If he’s not putting out new work like his latest project, F*ck Yo Feelings, he’s assisting friends such as Terrace Martin, Herbie Hancock, and PJ Morton with their own projects. One would wonder just how the award-winning composer and pianist spend his downtime... Read more

DJ Premier Reveals All The MCs He Asked To Be On The Gang Starr Album & What Happened

At the top of the month, Gang Starr released One Of The Best Yet. The seventh album by Guru and DJ Premier features familiar collaborators such as Big Shug, Group Home, Jeru The Damaja, M.O.P., and Freddie Foxxx. Additionally, J. Cole, Talib Kweli, Royce 5'9, Q-Tip, and Nitty Scott, MC... Read more

Consequence Trades Rhymes With Phife On One Of His Last Songs (Audio)

The late Phife Dawg would have turned 49 years old tomorrow (November 20). Sadly, Malik Taylor passed away more than three-and-a-half years ago. The MC/producer was not able to see the final album from A Tribe Called Quest, 2016's We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. However,... Read more

Danny Brown Is Living His Best Life Rapping Over 1 Of Q-Tip’s Best Beats (Video)

Last month, Danny Brown delivered a strong addition to his respected discography. uknowhatimsayin¿ features Run The Jewels, Consequence, and JPEGMAFIA, among others. Q-Tip, who provides some vocals, executive produced the collection of songs. The Abstract, who began working on this LP with Danny years ago, also laced the Warp Records... Read more

Gang Starr’s Album Is Here & It’s One Of The Best Yet (Audio)

Less than six weeks ago, Hip-Hop Heads suddenly learned that a Gang Starr album was on its way. DJ Premier had spent more than a year producing songs around previously unreleased vocals from his longtime creative partner, Guru. The MC/producer had passed away in 2010, nearly seven years removed from... Read more

Gang Starr Has An Album Coming & Their New Song Is Classic Material (Audio)

Gang Starr's legacy is everlasting. What Guru and DJ Premier assembled more than 30 years ago has influenced and informed Hip-Hop culture. In early 2010, the group's creator, Keith "Guru" Elam passed away from cancer in a New York City hospital. At the time, it had been more than six... Read more

Black On Both Sides Is Still Mos Def After 20 Years

Twenty years ago today (October 12, 1999), Mos Def released his solo debut, Black On Both Sides. After two decades of testing time, the Rawkus Records album remains a hallmark from the Underground Hip-Hop boom. On his own strict terms, Dante Smith crafted an LP driven by creativity, piercing commentary,... Read more

Danny Brown Reminds He’s Got Lyrics To Go With A Beat & An Assist From Q-Tip

Yesterday (October 4), Danny Brown released his highly anticipated fifth studio album, uknowhatimsayin¿. The Detroit, Michigan MC garnered some very strong acclaim after 2012's far-reaching X.X.X. mixtape presented his unique style as an inventive, profane, and boisterous rapper with an ear for spaced-out beats and abstract productions. Seven years removed... Read more

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

Danny Brown’s Q-Tip Produced Song Yields 1 Of The Year’s Weirdest Videos

This month marks three years since Danny Brown's last album, Atrocity Exhibit. After four solo releases, celebrated mixtapes, and a collaborative catalog that includes Black Milk-assisted project, D.B. is embarking on an exciting close to 2019. The Detroit, Michigan MC's Uknowhatimsayin¿ is the name of his fifth album. As reported... Read more

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

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

20 Years Ago, Prince, Q-Tip & The Neptunes Made A Great Love Song (Audio)

As the third anniversary of Prince’s passing approaches (April 21), the Purple One's legacy continues to be celebrated across genres. He had jam sessions with some of the elites in modern music, especially within Hip-Hop. He reportedly ministered to Talib Kweli while partying at an L.A. club. He played uncredited... Read more

Red Bull Music Academy & Red Bull Radio To Shut Down

After 20 years of operation, Red Bull has announced that the Red Bull Music Academy will be closing its doors later this year. The decision was reportedly made to “phase out the existing structure” and introduce a new tactic for Red Bull's position within music. Additionally, Red Bull Radio, the... Read more

De La Soul Recall The Origins Of The Native Tongues & The MC Who Started It (Video)

Earlier this month, De La Soul's episode of Drink Champs featured an extensive and newsworthy preview. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN released the part of the discussion where Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo addressed their ongoing, and sometimes public negotiations with Tommy Boy Music surrounding the digital revenue and rights to the... Read more

Q-Tip Explains The Changes In Hip-Hop That Led To ATCQ’s Breakup

Q-Tip and Elton John have worked together on music. Elton appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's final album, courtesy of the song "Solid Wall Of Sound." The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted British songwriter, singer, and pianist provided additional vocals to the track that sampled his "Bennie And The... Read more

Dave Chappelle Teaches Will Smith How To Do Standup Comedy (Video)

Will Smith is many things. Actor, MC, humanitarian, father, social media influencer and husband are some of the titles he holds. However, the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native says that standup comedy is a fascination of his that gives him fear. Smith's role on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, in film,... Read more

Anderson .Paak’s Song With Q-Tip & Dr. Dre Is A Reason To Celebrate (Audio)

Anderson .Paak fans across the globe can go ahead and let out a collective “Yes Lawd!” Just minutes ago, and nearly two years removed from the release of his celebrated sophomore effort, the multi-faceted musician has officially delivered his third solo album (and Aftermath Entertainment debut) titled Oxnard. This much anticipated follow... Read more

This Mash-Up Mix Takes A Midnight Maraud With 36 Chambers (Audio)

Yesterday (November 9), Hip-Hop Heads celebrated the 25th birthdays of two landmark albums: A Tribe Called Quest's third LP, Midnight Marauders and Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). On 11-9-93, many fans were eager to digest LPs that were likely shipped together from the same RCA Records distributor. Although... Read more

The Perfect Day In Hip-Hop: When Wu-Tang & A Tribe Called Quest Dropped Classic Albums

November 9 may as well be a day of observance for Hip-Hop Heads. With A Tribe Called Quest’s third album Midnight Marauders and Wu-Tang Clan’s debut Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) both dropping on that day 25 years ago, it's a date that seems hard to imagine. While many release dates... Read more

Q-Tip Explains How His Renaissance Birthed A New Movement In Hip-Hop

November 4, 2008 was a day laced in change. Marking the Presidential election that led Barack Obama to Office, American politics and culture was in the midst of a transformation. Hip-Hop artists became increasingly vocal in the conversation of change in America. In addition to US politics, Rap music seemed... Read more

Anderson .Paak’s Oxnard Album Tracklist Features Dr. Dre, Q-Tip, J. Cole & More

Anderson .Paak is gearing up to release his highly-anticipated third solo studio album, Oxnard, on November 16. Earlier this month, the singer, MC, drummer, and producer dropped the single "Tints" with Kendrick Lamar. Now, fans get to find out all who are slated to be on the Cali native's Aftermath Entertainment... Read more

Jonah Hill’s Top 5 MCs Shows He’s A True ’90s Hip-Hop Head (Video)

Jonah Hill is an Oscar-nominated actor whose career in film almost began behind the camera. Instead, appearances in comedies like Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Pineapple Express blazed a path that led him to become one of his generation's most sought-after comedic actors. Turns in dramatic roles for Moneyball and The Wolf Of Wall... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group Championship: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Wu-Tang Clan. Who Is Best?

“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... Read more

There Are 2 Remaining In The Competition To Name Hip-Hop’s Best Group

“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 were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot was reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Public Enemy. 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... Read more

Which One Of These Hip-Hop Groups Will Be Named The Best Of All-Time?

“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 were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot was reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Run-D.M.C. 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... Read more

Ski Beatz Admits To Throwing Away An Entire Pre-Reasonable Doubt JAY-Z Album & Big L Music

Hip-Hop lore often provides Heads with stories of triumph, classic moments, and past situations that, at the time, those involved didn't know how legendary they'd be. Sometimes though, disheartening news will emerge when the greats do recall their musical past. RZA's studio was flooded multiple times, which caused the creation... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: De La Soul vs. A Tribe Called Quest. 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

One Of The Most Sampled Songs In Hip-Hop Now Has A Sequel (Audio)

Since the early 1970s, pioneering Hip-Hop DJs played records with specific instrumental breakdown sections that could make B-boys and B-girls dance. As the culture grew, one of the artists who created breaks that DJs—and later, producers, gravitated towards was Bob James. The keyboardist, arranger, and record producer has since become... Read more