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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

Tupac Shakur’s Formative Years: The Young Man Before The Myth (Video)

"I loved my childhood, even though it was bad. I love it. I feel like it's taught me so much. Nothing can faze me. Nothing in this world can surprise me. It might set me back, but only momentarily can it set me back. I think it's helped me to... Read more

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

Brother Ali Details How Our Pleasures Are Used By Those In Power To Control Us

After a nearly five-year break, Brother Ali will release All The Beauty In This Whole Life this Friday (May 5). The Rhymesayers Entertainment mainstay has crafted an album that confronts so many issues in the modern universe. Ali Newman has a lot to say on what's happening with the world, and while... Read more

J. Cole Keeps It 100% Real. He Shares Footage Of S.W.A.T. Raiding His Home (Video)

Last week, Kendrick Lamar released the song "DUCKWORTH." The 9th Wonder-produced DAMN. track recounts a story of K-Dot's musical mentor, Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith plotting to rob his own father many years ago at a fast food restaurant in Los Angeles. In a twist of fate, Lamar's father was spared... Read more

Nick Cannon Refuses To Be Silenced By NBC. He Leaves America’s Got Talent

After eight years of hosting America's Got Talent for NBC, Nick Cannon has left the show, amidst a firestorm. Today, Cannon posted a searing message on Facebook and other social platforms, explaining his departure: "I write this from a deeply saddened and dolorous mindset. After days of deliberating over some... Read more

Stephen Colbert’s New Trailer Shows What To Expect From “Hidden Fences” (Video)

Amidst the excitement over Golden Globe wins from Viola Davis, Donald Glover, and Tracee Ellis Ross and projects like Atlanta, Fences, and Moonlight, some are sensing that Hollywood's long history of overlooking African-American storytelling in film and television may be nearing its end. However, there still remains a general sense... Read more

Trevor Noah Grills Tomi Lahren On Black Lives Matter & It Gets HEATED (Video)

Conservative media darling Tomi Lahren is not short on fans - nor critics. At only 24, she has made a name for herself as a far-right-leaning media personality, one whose voice has come to represent fiscally and socially conservative millennials. Her outspoken viewpoints have helped make her one of the... Read more

Erykah Badu Gives A Message Of Love & Inclusion. She Says There’s No Need For Alarm. (Video)

This week, Erykah Badu appeared on Ebro In The Morning. The veteran singer, producer, and DJ spoke about the world. She considers herself "an observer," and the mother of three had some hopeful sentiments to those who may be emotionally downtrodden, given current political, social, and environmental developments. Approaching the... Read more

Vic Mensa Pens a Powerful Essay on Trump & Why Race Is a Distraction From the Real Problem

Vic Mensa has been one of the most outspoken artists of his generation, with 2016 being his biggest year yet. The Chicago MC's "16 Shots" is a prime example of his using music to bring attention to social and political issues of the day, but it's not just as a... Read more

“Atlanta”’s Paper Boi Just May Be Even Cooler In Real Life (Video)

The accolades for Donald Glover's FX series Atlanta keep piling up. Not only is he being heralded as the series creator, one of its writers, and its lead star, but Glover is making television history across the board with the new show, which focuses on the come-up of a rapper... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. Details Being Moved To Tears For His BET Performance (Video)

Last week, Big K.R.I.T. seemingly delivered the musical performance of his career to date. During the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Mississippi MC/producer performed a remix to Kenneth Whalum's "Might Not Be OK" dressed as an officer of the law. In addition to the highly evocative lyrics, Krizzle's delivery... Read more

Spike Lee Makes A Bold Call In Updating Mars Blackmon To Reflect Changing Times

30 years ago, Spike Lee's first feature length film appeared in theaters, and with it came a groundbreaking depiction of Black womanhood and sexuality. She's Gotta Have It starred Lee himself as one of the film's male characters, a Brooklynite named Mars Blackmon whose affinity for Jordans made him so... Read more

A New Documentary Examines How American Prisoners Are the New Slaves (Video)

"The 13th Amendment to the Constitution makes it unconstitutional for someone to be held as a slave. There are exceptions, including criminals." That is but one of the many powerful statements shared in the trailer for a forthcoming documentary called "13th." Directed by Selma's critically acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, it... Read more

DJ Quik Speaks Up For The Black Community In Troubled Times (Audio)

DJ Quik and Problem excited Rap fans earlier this year with April's generation-bridging Rosecrans EP. A Compton, California affair to the fullest, Quik's production and rhyming called back to some of his 1990s brilliance. In his career, Quik often upholds the convention of releasing music through albums, not just a... Read more

Marshawn Lynch Makes A Profound Statement in Support of Colin Kaepernick (Video)

"I'd rather see him take a knee than stand up with his hands up and get murdered." With just those few words, spoken on last night's (September 19) episode of "Conan," Marshawn Lynch made a powerful statement in support of his NFL brethren Colin Kaepernick and other players who have... Read more

Jay Z Explains How The War On Drugs Really Is A War On People Of Color (Video)

Jay Z, one of the world's most successful artists and businessmen, made his way into the Rap game in part by spinning true-to-life tales about hustling in the streets, spending a considerable amount of his time coming up as a self-proclaimed D-Boy. Far from an unfamiliar trope in Hip-Hop music,... Read more

The Entire Seattle Seahawks Team Could Be Protesting the National Anthem

There are times in modern history when things seem to be happening at a clip never before seen, with intensity that leaves many questioning when the fight began and why it only seems to be happening today, in the here and now. Most would argue that it's technology's presence in... Read more

Childish Gambino Is Now The Man & He’s Calling The Shots For His Own Show (Video)

In a year when diversity in Hollywood has been a major point of discussion, creators like Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Nate Parker, Viola Davis, and others have helped present projects which incorporate the nuanced and varied experiences of Black Americans in mainstream popular culture. Donald Glover (also known as rapper... Read more

Marc Lamont Hill Wants to Build a Society Without Police & Prisons (Video)

Marc Lamont Hill, one of the pre-eminent scholars and media personalities of his generation, arrived in Ferguson, Missouri one day after the killing of Mike Brown. It was 2014, and the 18-year-old was fatally shot by police and left in the middle of the street for more than four hours,... Read more

Georgetown Is Making Amends To The Descendants Of Slaves From Whom It Profited

In a speech that will go down in history as one of the greatest examples of political oratory, Michelle Obama referenced the building of the White House by slaves. It was a potent point, and one that is often forgotten when Americans are swept up in patriotism and pride. Slaves... Read more

Snow Tha Product’s Masterful Spanish Rapping Is A Wake Up Call For English-Only Speakers (Video)

For more than five years, Snow The Product has become one of the hardest rapping lyricists of her generation. However, unlike most Hip-Hop artists with major label backing, Snow raps in two languages. The San Jose, California native and Mexican-American MC cut her teeth in the early 2000s showcasing her... Read more

Will Smith Says “Racism Isn’t Getting Worse. It’s Getting Filmed.” Is He Right? (Video)

Last week, Will Smith was a guest on "The Tonight Show," where he made a statement about current social affairs that has been resonating on social media for many months. "Racism isn't getting worse," he said. "It's getting filmed." Smith's remarks echo the sentiments of millions of Americans in the... Read more

The Black Lives Matter Movement Has New Demands for Justice & Calls for Reparations

Today (August 1), many of the social-justice organizations within the civil-rights movement known as Black Lives Matter are unveiling a series of policy goals aimed at redefining and honing the movement's direction. Also being referred to as a list of demands, the platform - officially titled "A Vision For Black... Read more

Even With All His Wealth, Dr. Dre Still Gets A Bad Beat From The Police

The 2015 film Straight Outta Compton depicted some of Dr. Dre's past troubles with the law. It was last in 1994, while wrapping the Murder Was The Case film and soundtrack that Compton, California's Andre Young was fined and placed on eight months of police-ordered house arrest for a reckless, drunk-driving... Read more

Ice Cube Asked A Question In 1992 That Still Demands Answers (Audio)

In late 1992, Ice Cube would release his third solo album, The Predator. The Priority Records release would become Cube's first (and lone) #1 LP, yielding his highest-charting solo hit, "It Was A Good Day." Keeping the corps of Sir Jinx and DJ Pooh in tact, Cube would also call... Read more

Minority Report: Babies of Color Officially Outnumber Whites Now

Several years ago, National Geographic made headlines for its cover story about what people of the future will look like. Far from a science-fiction based approach, the story rather examined the very real evolution of interracial coupling. Essentially, the thesis was that by 2050, the vast majority of people will... Read more

The Supreme Court Has Held Up Affirmative Action in College Admissions

In December of 2015, a case involving affirmative action at a Texas university headed to the Supreme Court. At play was the central issue of how race, if at all, should be applied in the university admissions process. As previously reported by Ambrosia for Heads, the December hearing was related... Read more

Killer Mike Explains Why The Trap Does Not Make Dollars Or Sense (Video)

One of the pivotal records of Killer Mike's career was his appearance on Outkast's "Snappin' & Trappin'." Right as the mainstream erupted around 2000's Stankonia release, Mike came in with a song that celebrated the street-life of Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding hoods. Sixteen years later, Killer Mike's personality has... Read more

Jackie Robinson Made History Nearly 70 Years Ago, But His Story Is Far From Over (Video)

Next week will mark the 69th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's history-making entry into the Major League Baseball organization as the first Black player to ever do so, and a new documentary will serve as a reminder as to why that achievement was so important back in 1947, and why his... Read more

Killer Mike Says “Jim Crow Is Still Very Much Alive” (Video)

By now, even casual fans of Killer Mike's music have likely become familiar with his robust proclamations in his daily life, whether on social media, political speeches, or media appearances. Along with his extensive work on the campaign trail for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Killer Mike has been fighting... Read more

Black Donald Trump Supporters Are Put On The Spot & Defend Their Candidate (Video)

Political double-talkers abound, and it's no surprise why. Politicians have to appeal to so many different kinds of people, that often times they end up tangled in humorous hypocrisy. One need not look far for examples of hypocrites in our political arena, like the elected officials who vote anti-gay only... Read more

A Documentary on the Black Panthers Depicts Events That Are Still Happening Today (Video)

Last year, a documentary film on the earliest days of the Black Panther Party hit select theatres across the country. Directed by Stanley Nelson, the celebrated filmmaker behind such powerful social examinations as Freedom Riders and The Murder of Emmett Till, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution is an... Read more

Nas & Usher’s Demand For Social Revolution Gets A Symbolic Video

Usher's single "Chains" is as heartfelt as anything ever released from the R&B/Pop icon. Joined by Nas and Bibi Bourelly, the record is a cry for not just change, but revolution. The 2015 song's intricate lyrics reference "The Pledge Of Allegiance," and some of the martyrs (Eric Garner, Tamir Rice,... Read more

Activist DeRay McKesson Calls “All Lives Matter” A Distraction (Video)

DeRay McKesson has become a key voice in contemporary American race politics. The former teacher and current social activist began to amass a considerable Twitter following in the wake of the shooting death of Mike Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri in the summer of 2014, and as... Read more

Leave It To SNL To Provide Comic Relief To Oscar Controversies (Video)

Since its days known as Saturday Night Live, SNL has been a podium for making light of headline news and strong social discourse. This month, the specific 2016 Oscar nominations (and lack thereof) prompted very public dialogue surrounding the diversity of its nominating committees. Meanwhile, the Academy of Motion Picture... Read more

Macklemore Releases a New Song About White Privilege And It’s a Powder Keg (Audio)

Recent events have made it exceptionally clear that we are living in a modern-day Civil Rights Era. Despite all the progress American society has made in many ways - a Black President, LGBTQ rights, allowing women to serve in the military, and so forth - there is still an untenable... Read more

RZA Responds To Critics Of His Remarks Surrounding Race & Police Brutality

Earlier this week, Wu-Tang Clan member RZA spoke in depth with Bloomberg in a multi-part video interview. The veteran MC/producer responded to the arrest of Martin Shkreli, who purchased Wu's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album for a reported $2 million. Speaking about the new possibilities for the single... Read more

Killer Mike Schools Stephen Colbert on Systemic Racism in America & How To End It (Video)

On last night's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) dropped some knowledge on the state of race relations in this country, something he's been doing for years through his music but which has only recently become something that mainstream media have begun to acknowledge.... Read more

“12 Years a Slave” Writer John Ridley Is Turning Real-Life Tragedy Into Powerful Forms of Art (Audio)

John Ridley is an award-winning screenwriter whose celebrated works in film include 12 Years a Slave, a powerful film for which he won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Longtime fans of his love him for the writing he did on iconic television shows like The Fresh Prince... Read more

Affirmative Action in Education is Eliciting Heated Debate by the Supreme Court (Audio)

Earlier today, the Supreme Court presided over a discussion about affirmative action within the jurisdiction of higher education. For many years, the issue of race has played a large role in the process of college and university admissions, and as any Heads who have applied to such a school can... Read more

Time Magazine Could Name Black Lives Matter Activists as Person of the Year, But Will They?

Time magazine is a classic piece of American journalism, a long-standing publication that covers all aspects of social and political life and the annual selection of "Person of the Year" was first launched by the magazine in 1927 (the first being aviator and American icon Charles Lindbergh). It's hard to... Read more

Batman Returns To Do What Politicians Won’t: Fight Police Brutality

As 2015 nears its end, the year's biggest political stories include issues of race, from the ongoing instances of police brutality waged disproportionately on people of color to the racist undercurrents found on campuses like the University of Missouri and others across the country. The deaths of Sandra Bland, Freddie... Read more

Talib Kweli & Niko Is Are Attacked In Copenhagen As Part Of Alleged Hate Crime

2015 has been a year filled with hate crimes—from vitriolic hate speech to racially-motivated massacres, across the globe. Veteran MC Talib Kweli and his latest Javotti Media protege Niko Is say that they are two of the most recent victims. The Brooklyn, New Yorker and Orlando, Florida-based MCs were recently... Read more

Jill Scott’s In Concert Rendition Of Strange Fruit Echoes Through The Eras (Video)

Recently, A&E aired Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America. The televised concert featured Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Sting, John Legend, and Bruce Springsteen, among others. In that special, Jill Scott performed a cover of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit." A standard of modern music, Jill Scott's... Read more

Norman Lear’s TV Shows Inspired the Hip-Hop Generation, But It Wasn’t Always “Good Times” (Audio)

As television royalty goes, there are few whose pedigrees compare to that of Norman Lear. Quite literally a living piece of Americana, Lear is the 93-year-old creative zeitgeist whom we have to thank for All in the Family, Diff'rent Strokes, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Sanford & Son. But that's... Read more

More Faces of Color Are On Screen But Diverse Writers Are Still Treated Like The Walking Dead

Great strides have been made in the visibility of diverse characters on television in recent months, but many would justifiably argue that it's too little too late, and that much work is left to be done. Viola Davis recently became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for Best... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Defends Macklemore, Praises Inclusion Of Rap Pioneers

In 1994, Big Daddy Kane—a major label, gold-certified artist, appeared on the Treacherous Three's first album in a decade, Old School Flava. "We Wit' It" featured Kane, alongside Chuck D, Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Heavy D, Tito, and the Treacherous Three lineup of Kool Moe Dee, Special K, and... Read more

Yelawolf Lashes Out Against Burning Of Confederate Flag & Cites Others in Hip-Hop Who’ve Worn It

Throughout his career, Yelawolf has celebrated his Southern roots. The Gadsden, Alabama MC/singer made songs that embraced his heritage in patriotism, such as "Made In The U.S.A." and "Back To Bama." The Shady/Ghet-O-Vision/Interscope Records artist has never been above embracing less than glamorous lifestyle qualities, heard in "Slumerican Shitizen." On... Read more

Do Remember: Black Star’s K.O.S. (Determination) (Audio)

1998's breakthrough album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star introduced the Hip-Hop masses, and eventually the mainstream, to two brilliant Brooklyn, New York creative visionaries. The Rawkus Records release followed a season of 12" singles, compilation appearances, and in the case of Mighty Mos, some high-profile features (De... Read more