Racism ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Marlon Craft’s Video Calls Out The REAL American Gangsters

Marlon Craft is an MC from New York City (Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan, to be specific) who appeared on Masta Ace and Marco Polo's November 2018 album, A Breukelen Story. That release was named one of Ambrosia For Heads best of the year, and it involved Craft in an ensemble that... Read more

June 5, 2019 Video

JAY-Z & Roc Nation Took A Big Stand For The Boy Who Sat For The Pledge Of Allegiance

In 2019, JAY-Z is as much a social activist as he is MC, entrepreneur, Puma executive, and social influencer. While Shawn Carter has been close to many issues, especially in the last 15 years, he and Roc Nation are bringing change to families and circumstances that relate to the interests... Read more

March 6, 2019 Lifestyle, News

Jussie Smollett Has Been Arrested & Faces Felony Charges

On January 29, actor/vocalist Jussie Smollett reported a disgusting crime in Chicago, Illinois. The Empire cast member alleged that two men verbally and physically assaulted him near the entrance of the city's Loews Hotel and made reference to his race, sexual orientation, and politics. Per Smollett's report, a rope was... Read more

February 21, 2019 News

Killer Mike & DJ Envy Have A Heated Exchange About Public vs. Private School

Killer Mike appeared on The Breakfast Club this week. The co-founder of Run The Jewels and veteran Atlanta, Georgia MC discussed his new Netflix series, Trigger Warning With Killer Mike. In addition to hosting, Mike co-created and produced the show. The first season's six episodes became available to the public... Read more

January 31, 2019 Lifestyle, Video

Empire’s Jussie Smollett Is The Victim Of A Disgusting Hate Crime

Actor Jussie Smollett is recovering from injuries related to a hate crime. The Empire actor known for playing the role of "Jamal Lyon" was attacked in Chicago, Illinois and hospitalized this morning (January 29). While walking in an undisclosed section of the Windy City, two masked men directed homophobic and... Read more

January 29, 2019 Lifestyle, News, TV, TV/Film

Killer Mike Has Made The Most Dangerous Show On Television (Video)

In just a few hours (January 18), Season 1 of Trigger Warning With Killer Mike will be available. One of the most consistent Hip-Hop artists of the last decade and a leading activist within the culture takes his charisma, his ability to ask hard questions, and his courage to television,... Read more

January 17, 2019 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film, Video

Nas Throws His Hands Up In Solidarity With Those Unjustly Killed By Cops

Near the midpoint of 2018, Nas released his NASIR album, produced entirely by Kanye West. Apart from having one producer, the legendary MC's 11th album saw a different rollout than his other works. It was not until mid-November that fans got a video from the Mass Appeal/Def Jam Records release.... Read more

January 7, 2019 Video

Killer Mike Is Getting His Own TV Show & It’s About Questioning EVERYTHING

For more than 15 years, Killer Mike has been a Rap artist who has proven that he can give people information and then rally them to act. In 2016, the Run The Jewels co-founder led a successful campaign to "Bank Black" in his native Atlanta, Georgia. The statement sent a... Read more

December 12, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Nas Demands A Second Look At His Album With A Stunning Short Film (Video)

Released this June 15, Nas' NASIR album is unique within his catalog. It is the legendary MC's shortest project, clocking in at less than 27 minutes. It is also his first solo album made entirely with a single producer at the helm. For 2018, that was Kanye West, who worked... Read more

November 15, 2018 TV/Film, Video

J-Live Is Making Hip-Hop Great Again With A Song About Hate (Lyric Video)

The triple threat MC/DJ/producer J-Live has demonstrated that he loves concept. The Atlanta, Georgia-based New Yorker's last album, 2015's How Much Water used H20 as a theme throughout, complemented by liquid lyricism and pitter-pattering beats. Justice Allah's biggest single of 2018, "Hating," is both conceptual and topical. In the lyric... Read more

October 13, 2018 Video

The 1st Peak At The Trayvon Martin Film Is A Powerful Look At The Movement He Launched

JAY-Z is in the midst of promoting his joint album EVERYTHING IS LOVE with his wife Beyoncé. The couple is currently on their On The Run 2 Tour this summer. However, at the same time, the legendary Brooklyn, New York MC is continuing his political initiatives to spread awareness of... Read more

July 3, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Roseanne’s Racist Remark Just Got TV’s #1 Rated Show Cancelled

After more than 20 years since its series finale, Roseanne returned to television this year. Comedian and show creator Roseanne Barr reprised her role as the matriarch of the "Conner" family in a show once revered for its portrayal of a blue-collar Midwestern family dealing with unemployment, bill collectors, domestic... Read more

May 29, 2018 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

Colin Kaepernick Receives Amnesty International’s Highest Award (Video)

This past weekend, human rights organization Amnesty International honored Colin Kaepernick with its Person Of Conscience Award. The former NFL star received the distinction for his commitment to social justice and racial discrimination, including public protest and personal sacrifice. "The Ambassador of Conscience award celebrates the spirit of activism and... Read more

April 23, 2018 Lifestyle, Video

Donald Glover’s Deadpool Script Takes Down Racism, Police Violence, Gossip & More

Donald Glover co-created the most-watched comedy on FX during its 23 years as a network. In addition to Atlanta, which is currently in the midst of broadcasting its second season, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Glover (and his TV partner/brother Stephen) were working on an animated Deadpool series for the... Read more

March 28, 2018 Lifestyle, News, TV, TV/Film

David Banner Releases A Powerful New Video From One Of The Best Rap Albums Of 2017

David Banner released a stellar album in 2017's The God Box. Mississippi's mainstream Rap pioneer involved Black Thought, Big K.R.I.T., CeeLo Green, Raheem DeVaughn, and Tito Lo were all involved in the Banner Vision/EMPIRE LP. A focal point of the album (presently included on the official Ambrosia For Heads playlist)... Read more

March 9, 2018 Video

Tech N9ne Knows The Plan To End Racism But Questions Whether We Can Follow It (Video)

Last Friday (March 2), Tech N9ne released his album, The Planet. It is a fitting title for the 46-year-old Kansas City, Missouri MC-turned-mogul. With platinum and gold singles now under his belt, Aaron Dontez Yates labored to create a bustling universe that existed beyond commercial radio, music video channels, and... Read more

March 8, 2018 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Interview, Video

Former No Limit Star C-Murder Declares Hunger Strike Protesting Prison Conditions (Audio)

Twenty years ago this March, No Limit Records rapper C-Murder released his platinum solo debut, Life Or Death. The TRU and 504 Boyz member (and brother of label founder Master P) was one of No Limit's homegrown New Orleans, Louisiana success stories. That career trajectory was derailed after the artist... Read more

January 31, 2018 Audio, Lifestyle, News

Scarface Updates A Powerful Public Enemy Classic For The Chaos Of 2017 (Video)

Back in August, Scarface previewed some new music for Ambrosia For Heads and TBD. Backstage at his concert with upcoming EP collaborator DJ Quik, the Houston, Texas Hip-Hop legend played a new song from his phone that showed the Geto Boys O.G. reworking Public Enemy’s 1988 video single “Black Steel... Read more

December 1, 2017 The Bridge, Video

Joyner Lucas’ Video Shows The Raw Dialogue That Needs To Happen Between Blacks & Whites

Joyner Lucas is one of the most cutting-edge MCs to emerge in recent years. The Worcester, Massachusetts native was strongly co-signed by Busta Rhymes, a few years ago. In June, the past BET Hip Hop Cypher participant released 508-507-2209. However, he keeps dropping technically-advanced, thought-provoking bars. Video "I'm Not Racist"... Read more

November 28, 2017 Video

Twitter Suspends Talib Kweli’s Account Following War Of Words With Texas Lawyer

Social media platform Twitter suspended the account of Talib Kweli this week after it claimed the Black Star and Reflection Eternal MC incited harassment towards a Texas-based lawyer after he posted the attorney’s business address to his more than one million followers online. In an interview with Uproxx, Kweli said... Read more

November 10, 2017 Lifestyle, News

Snoop Dogg Releases One Of His Most Powerful Political Songs Yet (Audio)

Snoop Dogg may not first come to mind as a political rapper. However, since his fame has ascended into household name status, Tha Doggfather has proudly become just that. In recent years, Snoop has called for peace in the streets and the industry. This March, his BADBADNOTGOOD collaboration "Lavender" commented... Read more

October 19, 2017 Audio

Black Thought Explains How The Roots Are Approaching Their Next Album Differently (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the LAST... Read more

October 10, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

NFL Ratings Are Down & Big Media’s Too Scared To Cite The Boycott

With season-opening kickoff and Monday Night Football behind us, what promises to be one of the most politically tinged seasons in the NFL is underway. Still mired in controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick, the league is also defending itself against those who believe the organization is too lenient with players who've committed... Read more

September 12, 2017 Lifestyle

Confederate Statues Are Coming Down As Rappers Speak Up

At this very moment, the United States is undergoing an unnerving week of heated political debate. Over the previous weekend, a rally organized by members of White nationalist, KKK, and other extremist groups turned violent and fatal. Charlottesville, Virginia has become the unwitting headquarters for America's latest civil-rights battle, one... Read more

August 16, 2017 Lifestyle, News

In A Tumultuous Week, Hip-Hop Remains The Great Unifier (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

August 16, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

The Maker Of Boyz N The Hood Shows The Origins Of Crack In The Hood (Video)

There's an epidemic sweeping the country. Headlines refer to it as an opioid issue, and one that is being treated with a gentler response than the U.S. crack epidemic of the 1980s. As Ambrosia For Heads has reported in the past, the rising number of White Americans stuck in the... Read more

July 3, 2017 Lifestyle, TV/Film, Video

Jay Z Is Celebrating Father’s Day By Bailing Out Dads Who Can’t Afford Their Freedom

If you're from neighborhoods like the Brooklyn one I grew up in, if you're unable to afford a private attorney, then you can be disappeared into our jail system simply because you can't afford bail. Millions of people are separated from their families for months at a time — not... Read more

June 16, 2017 Lifestyle

Holler If Ya Hear Me: A Look At Tupac’s Most Revolutionary Calls For Change

“Everything I do I do to represent my people. ” - Tupac Shakur, 1994 In his music, Tupac Shakur brilliantly blended the revolutionary messages of Public Enemy with the shock and awe approach of N.W.A. Shakur's catalog was built on a foundation of hard truths and upsetting the status quo.... Read more

June 16, 2017 Food for Thought

Snoop Televises The Revolution On The Most Political Song Of His Career (Video)

Snoop Dogg recently released his Neva Left album. However, the always busy Doggfather isn't quite done promoting last year's Coolaid either. "Revolutions" is a Just Blaze-produced track that is among Snoop's most political work, in a season where he's been speaking up. The music video attempts to convey that, chronicling... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Ice Cube Asks Bill Maher Why He Thought He Could Use The N-Word (Video)

Last night (June 9), Ice Cube appeared as a guest on Bill Maher's program, Real Time. Generally, his appearance on the show alone wouldn't necessarily be newsworthy, but in the wake of Maher's current scandal, the Amerikkka's Most Wanted rapper's presence on this week's episode is particularly notable. Last week, while interviewing Senator... Read more

June 10, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

Ice Cube Shows 3 Decades Of Police Brutality & It’s Not Just White Cops (Video)

On June 9, Ice Cube released the 25th anniversary edition of Death Certificate. Featuring three freshly recorded songs, O'Shea Jackson adds to one of his most critically acclaimed bodies of work with some verses that truly fit his '91 message. That is never more true than on "Good Cop Bad... Read more

June 9, 2017 Video

Ice Cube Updates N.W.A.’s Message To Police. But Not Much Has Changed (Audio)

Ice Cube is preparing to release the 25th anniversary edition of Death Certificate this week. Cube's sophomore solo album (which actually dropped in 1991) featured Da Lench Mob MC calling out everything he believed was wrong: in his community, in government, and in the Rap industry--including his former group N.W.A. Since... Read more

June 6, 2017 Audio

Ice Cube Will Tell Bill Maher To Check Himself In Real Time On Friday

It's been a tempestuous few days for comedy, particularly in the careers of Kathy Griffin and Bill Maher. Griffin was recently fired from her CNN job after posing with a prop made to look like the bloody and decapitated head of Donald Trump. Maher, the notoriously outspoken critic and comedian,... Read more

June 6, 2017 News, TV

David Banner’s New Album Features Black Thought & K.R.I.T. (Full Audio Stream)

It has been six and a half years since David Banner released an album. In some circles, that Death Of A Pop Star collaboration with 9th Wonder was considered some of D.B.'s finest songwriting. The Mississippi MC/producer with three Top 10 LP releases has thrived without the album format. Now... Read more

May 19, 2017 Audio

David Banner Raps From The Perspective Of A Tree Used To Hang Black Men (Audio)

For nearly 20 years, David Banner has spoken deeply and frequently about issues of race in and out of the recording booth. The MC/producer double-threat hails from Jackson, Mississippi, a place with some ugliness in its past, especially with regards to the prejudice, violence, and institutional racism against Blacks and... Read more

May 16, 2017 Audio

Jeff Sessions Did Not Get Jay Z’s Memo That The War On Drugs Is An Epic Fail

Last fall, Jay Z narrated a powerful animated short about the costly effect of the war on drugs, not just in terms of tax dollars, but also human lives. "The History of the War on Drugs: from Prohibition to Gold Rush" was released by the New York Times, and included troubling statistics... Read more

May 15, 2017 Lifestyle

Nas Makes Us Look At The Real Reasons Young Black Men Are Dying Too Young (Audio)

Since his days as a teenager, Nasir Jones has been gifted in telling the stories surrounding his experiences and the lives of others. On "One Love," he put the correspondence between friends—one free and one incarcerated into song. On "U.B.R.," Nas narrated, in verse, the journey and success of Rakim—one... Read more

May 11, 2017 Audio

A Black Comedian Reflects On Attending A KKK Cross Burning (Video)

W. Kamau Bell is a comedian whose fame is steadily rising, thanks in large part to the success of his CNN series, United Shades of America. Launched in 2016, it's a docuseries following Bell as he interacts with pockets of society not often explored in depth on mainstream television. Past topics... Read more

May 10, 2017 Lifestyle

J. Cole & Ferguson Residents Have A Conversation About How To Fix The System (Video)

On April 15, J. Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only documentary aired on HBO, but it wasn't a concert film despite sharing the title of his most recent LP. Rather, it served as a visual essay on the album's themes. As its trailer showed, conversations with Black Americans in Baton Rouge,... Read more

May 1, 2017 Lifestyle

DJ Yella Says Police Violence Won’t Stop Until A Cop Goes To Jail For A Long Time

During the same week millions of Americans are celebrating (and others rebuking) the removal of Confederate monuments and statues in New Orleans, millions more are acknowledging the anniversary of yet another example of America's complex, racially disparate society. On April 29, 1992, what have since been coined the Los Angeles... Read more

April 28, 2017 Lifestyle

A New Documentary Shows Why The LA Riots Still Matter, 25 Years Later (Video)

In the context of America's grapple with police brutality in 2017, 1992 may seem like a distant era. Before cell-phone cameras were ubiquitous, video footage of violent encounters between police and citizens was mostly relegated to dashboard footage from a police car or a passerby armed with professional recording equipment.... Read more

April 18, 2017 Video

Murs Freestyles About America’s 1st Illegal Immigrants & They Weren’t Mexican (Video)

Los Angeles, California's Murs is one of the most respected voices in Hip-Hop, partly because of his penchant for truthseeking and social commentary. In March, he released his tenth solo LP, Captain California, which addresses topics like mental health in the Black community (on "God Bless Kanye West") and gentrification... Read more

April 18, 2017 Video

Black Thought, Posdnuos & Pharoahe Monch Say It’s Time To Rise For Freedom (Audio)

In an increasingly complicated time in the world, The Roots' Black Thought, De La Soul's Posdnuos, and Pharoahe Monch stand up for oppressed people with a truly standout, topical collaboration. Orchestrated and produced by J. Period, "Rise Up!" is as grabbing a collaboration as any in some time. In the... Read more

April 18, 2017 Audio

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

April 17, 2017 Video

Drug Addicts Today Are Getting More Love & Compassion, Especially If They’re White

With the so-called "War On Drugs" so clearly a political and moral failure, Americans suffering from addiction today live in a more compassionate climate. More and more, drug addicts are seen as struggling with a public health issue, rather than one based on notions of crime and moral ineptitude. As... Read more

April 7, 2017 Lifestyle

Snoop Dogg Fires Shots At The Clown President & America’s Political Circus (Video)

In the colorful, creative, and comedic video for Snoop Dogg's collaboration with BADBADNOTGOOD and Kaytranada, "Lavender," clowns are in abundance - literally and, in the case of Donald Trump, figuratively. Starring Michael Rapaport and co-directed by Jesse Wellens, the mini-movie follows a 1950s-styled suburban family adorned with circus-clown makeup, and... Read more

March 13, 2017 Video

Talib Kweli Discusses Digital Media’s Role In Shifting Discourse To Disagreements (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most active Hip-Hop voices on social media. The Brooklyn artist touted for his lyrical content is also celebrated as a vociferous opponent of racism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other microaggressive and blatant acts of abuse online. On any given day, the MC can... Read more

March 1, 2017 Lifestyle

Oddisee Goes Beyond the Surface of the Muslim Experience in America (Audio)

Born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, producer and rapper Oddisee is a Muslim African-American whose unique experiences with identity and race influence in large part his phenomenal new album, The Iceberg. During a time in U.S. politics when the term "Muslim ban" has become commonplace, Islamophobia and our perceptions of Muslims... Read more

February 28, 2017 Lifestyle

Joey Bada$$ Says Obama Wasn’t Enough. America Needs to Wake Up (Video)

On Inauguration Day, Joey Bada$$ released "Land Of the Free," an exercise in Hip-Hop as political tool. In the song, the Brooklyn, New York MC continues a tradition present throughout his young yet inspiring career, tackling everything from the KKK to personal destiny. As such, the song's lyrics are potent,... Read more

February 23, 2017 Video

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

January 10, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video