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The 25 Most Important Rap Albums Of Hip-Hop’s First 50 Years

Over the years, countless music lists have laid out the "Greatest" of a particular category–album, artist, song, etc. These lists often cite vague criteria and then lay out what they claim to be objective rankings. But, they are subjective. At Ambrosia For Heads, we have generally provided opportunities for the people... Read more

August 17, 2023 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

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

July 26, 2022 Video

LOUD Records’ Founder Details Getting Arrested For Bringing The Ruckus For Raekwon

Steve Rifkind, the founder of LOUD Records, is known for creating the record company that introduced much of the world to Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, Funkmaster Flex, and dead prez, among others. The Long Island, New York native is the son of Spring Records executive (Jimmy Spicer, James Brown,... Read more

February 11, 2020 Video

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 14): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. Benny

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 22, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 11): Little Brother vs. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 19, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 8): Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs. YBN Cordae

Over the last couple of years, Ambrosia For Heads has asked our readers to help us determine the Best Rap Album for 2017 and 2018, respectively. In looking at the top music of 2019, we believe that instead of letting the Grammy Awards—a committee who does not know anything about... Read more

January 16, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Here Are Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 25 Rap Albums Of The Decade

In the final hours of a decade, Ambrosia For Heads presents our Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums. The 2010s were a wild ride, with an onslaught of important new voices, and incredible maturation from veteran MCs. It was a 10-year span where artists and songs were discovered new places (including the... Read more

December 30, 2019 Best Rap Album 2010s

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2019 List

It is that season when “best of” lists abound and, in a year that featured some remarkable music from artists across the landscape, 2019 kept Hip-Hop fans on the edge of our seats. There were reunions, surprise collaborations, and show-stopping debut albums. The year also featured innovative label compilations, unexpected... Read more

December 18, 2019 Best Albums Of 2019

Freddie Gibbs Blows Up His Enemies In His New Video…Literally

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Bandana is among 2019's best Hip-Hop albums. The sophomore outing from the MC/producer battery has been complemented by a series of lighthearted videos starring Gangsta Gibbs. Including some album imagery, these visuals are based on a dr*g kingpin with a complicated past trying to live a... Read more

September 12, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s New Video Shows There’s Truly No Way Out Of The Game

Late last month, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib released one of 2019's best albums so far, Bandana. Made under dire circumstances in real-life, the Keep Cool/RCA Records album's visuals have been documenting "Freddie Caine" trying to exit the dope game. In late May, "Crime Pays" presented Gibbs trying to maintain a... Read more

July 22, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs Sheds Tears In A Deeply Emotional Interview With Madlib (Video)

Last month, Madlib and Freddie Gibbs released their second collaborative album, Bandana. It stands as one of the best albums of 2019 so far. Plenty has happened to the two artists since 2014's Pinata, which also garnered its fair share of acclaim. Since then, the two veterans secured a major... Read more

July 10, 2019 Video

Freddie Gibbs Draws Depictions Of Bandana Songs & He Goes Hard In The Paint (Video)

Freddie Gibbs is a ferocious MC who raps about the ills of hustling, gangland, and no-strings-attached romance. However, the Gary, Indiana veteran has a sense of humor. That wit regularly makes its way into similes and metaphors in lyrics, and music videos like 2018's "Automatic," where he played a dirty... Read more

July 1, 2019 Video

Black Thought, Yasiin Bey & Freddie Gibbs Educate MCs Over A Madlib Beat

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads 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... Read more

June 28, 2019 Audio

Madlib & Freddie Gibbs’ Bandana Tracklist Features Yasiin Bey, Pusha & Black Thought

This Friday (June 28), Madlib & Freddie Gibbs are releasing their sophomore collaborative album, Bandana. Following three preliminary songs and one music video, the Oxnard, California-to-Gary, Indiana pair has unveiled the tracklist to the Keep Cool/RCA Records release. Notably, it reveals that the March drop, "Bandana" is not included among... Read more

June 24, 2019 Fresh

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s 1st Video From Their New Album Is Criminal Minded

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib have released the third single (and first music video) to their upcoming Bandana album. A follow-up to 2014's Pinata, the major label-backed Bandana is arriving on June 28 via Keep Cool/RCA Records. The upcoming collection of songs (available for pre-order) is confirmed to feature Killer Mike,... Read more

May 30, 2019 Video

Buddy May Be One Of The Best Singing MCs. A New Song Shows Both Talents

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH 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

February 8, 2019 Audio

R. Kelly’s Record Label Has Pressed Mute & Told Him To Get To Steppin’

After more than 25 years and over 15 albums, R. Kelly and his record label have reportedly parted ways. The breaking news comes (January 18) after RCA/Sony Records sources confirmed the development to Billboard. The label recently removed the Chicago, Illinois singer from its website roster. The move comes two weeks... Read more

January 18, 2019 News

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 5): Mac Miller vs. Buddy

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our... Read more

December 11, 2018 Best Rap Album 2018

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

November 10, 2018 Audio, Mixes

A New Documentary Shows Why Wu-Tang Is Forever For The Children (Video)

For Hip-Hop devotees across the globe, today (November 9) is annually marked as one of the most notable throughout the genre’s history. Twenty-five years ago today, A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan simultaneously offered up the groundbreaking efforts of Midnight Marauders and Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The legend of November 9 will... Read more

November 9, 2018 TV/Film, Video

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

September 25, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

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

September 23, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: OutKast vs. Wu-Tang Clan. 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

September 21, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

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

September 18, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

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

September 11, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: The Roots vs. Wu-Tang Clan. 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

September 4, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

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

August 7, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Brockhampton Is Making Major Moves. They Blend Old Styles With New Methods (Video)

Lately, Brockhampton has been defying their conventional methods of releasing music. As opposed to collecting up their songs and releasing them at once, the versatile Los Angeles, California-based Hip-Hop collective is tuning up to release their new album, The Best Years Of Our Lives, but have been leaking a bunch... Read more

July 19, 2018 Video

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Black Sheep. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s 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

June 27, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

GoldLink Is In “I Told You So” Mode. His Tiny Desk Concert Shows It. (Video)

GoldLink is seemingly playing it cool everywhere he goes. Since his breakout 2016 hit "Crew" was certified double-platinum (and notably, spawned a standout remix with Sly Glizzy and Gucci Mane that has more than 20-million YouTube plays), GoldLink has been enjoying a gleeful walk into stardom. Of course, a few meticulously placed... Read more

June 13, 2018 Video

A$AP Rocky & Skepta Nod To DMX In An Ocean-Crossing Collabo (Video)

A$AP Rocky's new record Testing deserves recognition amidst almost two weeks worth of narratives driven by peers and their respective new and upcoming releases. Make no mistake that Lord Flacko packaged a few bangers into his latest solo effort. Rocky's hazy, sluggish team-up with Diddy on "Tony Tone" is one... Read more

June 5, 2018 Video

A$AP Rocky’s Diddy Collabo Heats Up The Summer, Harlem Style (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH 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 and listen... Read more

May 26, 2018 Audio

Finding The GOAT Group: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five vs. Whodini. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

May 2, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Group: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Souls Of Mischief. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle 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, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

April 9, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

30 Years Ago DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Gave Hip-Hop Something Brand New (Video)

Thirty years ago this week (March 29, 1988), DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released a landmark double-album courtesy of He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper. At a time when Rap music was just getting comfortable with the album format, an MC/DJ battery from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania raised the... Read more

March 30, 2018 Do Remember

Sway Makes His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Challenge Harder But Dee-1 Keeps The Faith (Video)

Sway & King Tech's Wake Up Show made the freestyle a mandatory calling card for any MC who wanted to promote something. That tradition goes back to the '90s. In the 2010s, Sway In The Morning's 5 Fingers Of Death challenge is what keeps some MCs up at night. The stage has... Read more

November 14, 2017 Video

Busta Rhymes & Snoop Dogg Take A$AP Ferg’s Song To A New Level (Video)

A$AP Ferg is a student of the 1990s Rap scene. It's in his fashion, his cars, and his frequent choice of features—and more importantly, in his lyrics. Whereas A$AP Rocky was deeply influenced by UGK and Three 6 Mafia, Ferg has openly stated his influence from acts like Wu-Tang Clan,... Read more

August 11, 2017 Video

King Los Has Made A Record That’s As Strong As His Best Freestyles (Audio)

King Los holds the mic as his scepter. On his new track "Without Me," the Baltimore, Maryland MC and onetime RCA Records artist outlines the importance of his presence in the Hip-Hop world. The veteran suggests that Rap music isn't nearly as colorful, clever, or exciting if his mic isn't... Read more

August 8, 2017 Audio

Too Short Kept The Funk In The Trunk With This Telling Verse Of His Career (Video)

In 1992, Hip-Hop was changing. The Bay Area, while always an important market for Hip-Hop, had finally produced stars. Oakland's M.C. Hammer had fast become Rap's then all-time best-seller with his Capitol Records Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em campaign. Digital Underground, signed to the same East Coast-based Tommy Boy Records... Read more

April 13, 2017 Do Remember

Finding The GOAT Producer: Alchemist vs. RZA. 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 17, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: A Tribe Called Quest vs. Timbaland. 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 16, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Act 2 Of DJ Premier & Miguel’s Collabo Is For The Love (Video)

March 13 UPDATE: The video has been released to "2 Lovin U" by Miguel & DJ Premier: Original February 21 post: Just over one week ago, Miguel was nominated for two Grammy Awards for his 2015 Wildheart album, and its corresponding single "Coffee." That ByStorm/RCA Records LP featured Tha Dogg... Read more

February 13, 2017 Audio, Video

Unsung Tells The Story Of SWV From Uptown To “Downtown” (Video)

Starting at the top of the 1990s, SWV (aka Sisters With Voices) propelled R&B into Pop. The RCA Records trio of Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" Johnson, and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons hailed from New York. Individually and collectively, they overcame adversity to reach the top of the charts with "Weak"... Read more

January 5, 2017 TV/Film, Video

U-God Hits RZA With A Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit For Unpaid Wu-Tang Clan Royalties

Discussions currently linger if Wu-Tang Clan will release another album. If the New York collective does, it is said to be in the hands of Ghostface Killah. Today, a new snag in the group appears to have presented itself. Wu-Tang's U-God has sued band-mate RZA for a reported $2.5 in... Read more

November 30, 2016 News

Bryson Tiller Has A Shorty Swing His Way In The Video For “Exchange”

Bryson Tiller has become of the fastest-rising faces of R&B music in recent years. However, he does not call his music that. He makes "Trap Soul," also the title of his Top 10 2015 RCA Records album. The Louisville, Kentucky native is able to apply the hustle in his music,... Read more

June 8, 2016 Video

Lupe Fiasco, Big K.R.I.T. & Dee-1 Come Together To Be Real, Righteous & Relevant (Audio)

New Orleans, Louisiana MC Dee-1 has been grinding for years. Now backed by RCA Records, Dee has a knack for making music that knocks in the headphones and trunks, but still packs tremendous fodder for the mind. Fresh off of his club-tinged student loan-inspired "Sallie Mae Back" (a play on... Read more

April 6, 2016 Audio

The Final Battle: Nas’ Illmatic vs. Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). 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

April 4, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas’ Illmatic vs. A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders. 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

April 1, 2016 Finding the GOAT

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