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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

Roc-A-Fella vs. G-Unit: 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

JAY-Z’s “U Don’t Know” Was Originally Offered To Busta Rhymes & Prodigy

Hip-Hop history is filled with what-ifs, especially concerning beats and production. Tupac's diamond-certified All Eyez On Me once featured verses from Inspectah Deck and The Lady Of Rage. Moreover, Disc 2's Dr. Dre-produced "Can't C Me" was rumored to be created for a shelved Ice Cube collaboration before another iteration had Tha Dogg Pound rapping. Jadakiss'... Read more

JAY-Z Says Every Word In His DJ Khaled Verse Is Actual Fact

Less than one week ago, JAY-Z dropped not only one of the finest Rap verses of 2022, but a benchmark set of bars within a legendary career. Hours after "GOD DID" arrived Friday (August 26) on DJ Khaled's album of the same name, associates of JAY-Z, including his engineer, A&R,... Read more

Young Guru Explains The Hidden Meanings In JAY-Z’s New Verse

Yesterday (August 26), JAY-Z's astounding verse arrived on DJ Khaled's "GOD DID." The song, a collaboration also featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, John Legend, and Fridayy, arrived on Khaled's album of the same name. The song is produced by Khaled, Tarik Azzouz, Streetrunner, and Fridayy. Within, Jay spits lyrics including:... Read more

Irv Gotti Describes The Night Nas Stood Up JAY-Z

Irv Gotti has been a close associate of JAY-Z for decades. As a DJ, producer, and record executive, the New Yorker worked with Jay during his ascent to stardom. In 1995, DJ Irv produced "Time To Build" for his artist Mic Geronimo. The song from The Natural featured JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.... Read more

JAY-Z Has Dissed More People Than Any Other MC

Earlier this month, JAY-Z appeared alongside Pharrell Williams on Pusha-T's latest single, "Neck & Wrist." While the G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam Records single initially prompted discourse regarding Jay's lyrics regarding his late friend and collaborator Biggie Smalls, the song also contains diss bars that some may have missed. Jay's guest verse... Read more

JAY-Z Raps About Where He’d Stand In Hip-Hop If Biggie Was Alive

On Sunday night (April 3), JAY-Z earned a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Song." The trophy came courtesy of his newsworthy appearance on Kanye West's "Jail" last year. In the last 24 hours, Hov delivered another noteworthy feature verse care of Pusha-T's "Neck & Wrist." The latest look from Pusha's... Read more

JAY-Z & LL Cool J Brought A President & $3 Billion To The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

On Saturday (October 30), LL Cool J and JAY-Z were formally inducted into Cleveland, Ohio's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. While Hip-Hop artists have been entering the Hall for over a decade now, 2021's celebration was truly a standout moment for the culture. As Dave Chappelle suggested while inducting... Read more

Kanye West And JAY-Z Have Ended Their Beef

Fans are currently anticipating the arrival of Kanye West's tenth solo album, Donda. Def Jam Records announced today (July 23) is a release date amid several album preview listening parties. However, the general public has yet to receive the LP titled after Kanye's late mother's name as of noon on... Read more

Kid Capri, Styles P, Clark Kent & Spinderella Discuss The Power Of ’90s Hip-Hop

This Sunday, July 18, Power Book III: Raising Kanan will premiere on STARZ and the STARZ App. Following six seasons of Power, this latest extension travels back to 1991 to focus on the origin story surrounding Kanan Stark. Following a performance by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson in the original series,... Read more

LL Cool J & JAY-Z Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class has been decided, and Hip-Hop has reason to rejoice. After six previous attempts, LL Cool J will enter the hallowed halls today (May 12). Meanwhile, in his first time on the ballot, JAY-Z will be joining his former Def Jam Records... Read more

Here Are Some Reasons Why 2000 May Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Year

At Ambrosia For Heads, we celebrate Hip-Hop throughout the ages. Earlier this year, our What's The Headline podcast launched a series examining the calendar years that made the music and culture reach its full potential. After taking a loving look back at 1984, the next episode drops in on Y2K.... Read more

Kanye West’s Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Turns 10. Is It His Best Album?

One decade ago (November 22, 2010), Kanye West released a blockbuster album in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Whereas 2008's 808's & Heartbreak confronting loss and lust with sounds that veered beyond 'Ye's first three albums, 2010's M.B.D.T.F. marked a return to form, even if it was nothing like the Roc-A-Fella Records mid-2000s run. Just... Read more

The LOX Break Down How To Make A Classic Album (Video)

Three weeks ago, The LOX released their fourth album, Living Off Xperience. The D-Block/Roc Nation release includes contributions from DMX, Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn, Large Professor, T-Pain, Oswin Benjamin, Nottz, Statik Selektah, and their artist, Dyce Payne. Less than a month since its release, the LP from one of... Read more

Jaz-O Discusses The Record That He & JAY-Z Released In 1986 (Video)

Veteran Brooklyn, New York MC/producer Jaz-O released a new project, The Warmup. In a career that spans work with Rakim, M.O.P., DJ Premier, and others, Jaz-O is best known as the early mentor and rhyme partner of JAY-Z. The two artists with similar names appeared on several songs dating back... Read more

Memphis Bleek Recalls A Wild Story About JAY-Z’s Early Stash Of Cash (Video)

Under the watchful eye of JAY-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Roc-A-Fella Records first opened its doors in the mid-1990s. At the onset, Jay was the star of his own label. However, as the label expanded, Memphis Bleek—a Marcy Projects neighbor would be among the early additions to the... Read more

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

Cam’ron Opens Up About Past Beefs With JAY-Z And Nas & How They Made Peace

On December 7, 2019, it will have been 15 years since Cam'ron released what he considers his favorite album in the discography, Purple Haze. The 2004 album was his second with Roc-A-Fella Records, fourth overall, and was arguably when The Diplomats were at their zenith as a New York City... Read more

Why Kanye West Will Be JAY-Z’s Billionaire Brother

Five weeks ago, Forbes determined that JAY-Z has become the first Hip-Hop artist to reach billionaire status. The Roc Nation figurehead with an elaborate and diverse investment portfolio spanning streaming platforms, champagne, ride-share services, and much more. The milestone accomplishment follows a longstanding race between Jay and collaborators Dr. Dre... Read more

Jaz-O Confirms Inking Deal With JAY-Z’s Roc Nation

Some of JAY-Z's early and breakthrough Rap appearances came courtesy of his Marcy projects neighbor, Jaz-O. The Jaz, who was signed to EMI Records, featured his friend Jay on video singles "Hawaiian Sophie" and "The Originators." At the time, the two Brooklyn MCs employed a similar stuttered rhyme style. However,... Read more

Jeezy Flips A Classic Jay & Beans Beat To Launch His TM 104 Campaign (Audio)

AUGUST 2 UPDATE: Jeezy has released the "1 Time" music video: ORIGINAL JULY 3 STORY: It has been a year and a half since Jeezy released Pressure. At the top of this year, the CTE founder partnered with Boston George for a collaborative free mixtape, Boston George & Diego (embedded... Read more

It’s Official: JAY-Z Is Hip-Hop’s 1st Billionaire

Back when JAY-Z was a guest on Freeway's "Roc-A-Fella Billionaires," he confidently declared that he would reach a net worth of "about a billion." His prediction was based on the growth of his real estate holdings and other assets. Fast forward to 2019, and Forbes đăng ký fb88 has confirmed... Read more

Royce 5’9 & Kxng Crooked Discuss Who Was Better On Renegade: JAY-Z Or Eminem (Video)

Kxng Crooked is the latest respected Hip-Hop lyricist to segue into driving dialogue in the music media. Recently, the Long Beach, California lyricist also known as Crooked I launched Crook's Corner. Taking a concept from his hashtag of longstanding Hip-Hop discussions on social media with peers and fans, the MC... Read more

RZA Explains Why He Believes Roc-A-Fella Records Mistreated ODB

This Friday evening (May 10), the documentary, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men will broadcast on Showtime. Veteran music journalist and filmmaker Sacha Jenkins directs the film which retraces the origins involving one of Hip-Hop's greatest groups. The collective of RZA, GZA, Method Man, U-God, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck,... Read more

The Roc Boys In The Building: JAY-Z & Cam’ron Have Ended Their Beef (Video)

Last night (April 26), JAY-Z performed his "B-Sides 2" concert at New York City's newly-reopened Webster Hall. It was the first time the Manhattan venue hosted a Hip-Hop show since Action Bronson took the stage in the summer of 2017. Following his 2015 rarities set, Jay performed songs from his... Read more

Large Professor Reveals Nas Mentioned Aaliyah On The Original Ether

Last year, Rap fans witnessed one of the most personal and ruthless lyrical exchanges in the mainstream. Pusha-T revived his beef with Drake on a large scale with "Infrared." Within hours of the DAYTONA album-closer, Drake responded with "Duppy Freestyle." That track mentioned Pusha's then-fiancee (now his wife), Virginia Williams.... Read more

JAY-Z’s Blueprint Album Will Be Preserved In The Library Of Congress

Every year, The Library Of Congress selects 25 musical titles to add to its National Recording Registry. This act is meant to honor pieces of art for their cultural significance for future generations. A National Recording Preservation Board decides the annual inclusions. This week, JAY-Z's The Blueprint album became the... Read more

M.O.P.’s Ante Up Remix Was Supposed To Feature JAY-Z & Prodigy While They Were Beefing

Although "Ante Up," may not M.O.P.'s highest-charting single, the street anthem is a cornerstone of Billy Danze and Lil Fame's catalog. Released in late 2000, the Loud Records single produced by D/R Period was emblematic of the menacing music that the Brownsville, Brooklyn Rap duo had been making since 1994's... Read more

Just Blaze Says He’s Given M.O.P. All The Beats Intended For Their Roc-A-Fella Album

Just Blaze is the latest guest on Let The Record Show. The highly-respected producer tells hosts Mike Pizzo and Warren Peace about the personal significance of songs by Main Source, Nas, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Genesis, and others, as they play on a turntable. At the end of... Read more

Dame Dash Discusses The Rift R. Kelly Caused Between Him & JAY-Z Because Of Aaliyah

Beginning last Thursday, January 3, the Lifetime network has aired the six-part documentary, Surviving R. Kelly. The series takes viewers through the life of Robert Kelly from 1970 to the present day. More notably, the documentary executive produced by dream hampton examines the sexual allegations and legal actions against the... Read more

15 Years Later The Black Album Is Still JAY-Z’s Perfect Fadeaway (Video)

"Any time you're making an album, especially if this is your last album, every single track has to be a statement. Like, in your mind, you're thinking, I have to make the perfect album," JAY-Z said before Fade To Black cameras during 2003, when the documentary filmed. "Anybody that knows... Read more

Kanye West Confirms That Watch The Throne 2 Is Coming Soon

Seven years and one month ago, JAY-Z and Kanye West released their joint album Watch The Throne. The Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records release arrived at a time when the mentor and onetime pupil were at the top of the Rap game. The 2011 release scored Jay and 'Ye seven Grammy nominations,... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Wu-Tang Clan vs. M.O.P. 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

Kanye West Explains His Mental Breakdown For The First Time (Video)

UPDATE: In a live video interview this afternoon (May 1) with TMZ, Kanye West admitted to an opioid addiction ahead of his 2016 hospitalization. "Two days before [I met with Donald Trump] I was in the hospital, I was on opioids. I was addicted to opioids. I had plastic surgery... Read more

A 1993 JAY-Z Battle Shows He Was Already Dope Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (Video)

Back in the early 1990s, before many MCs had coveted record deals, they got their profiles up and buzzes hot through battling. This is the position JAY-Z was in back in 1993, as he was still two years away from founding his independent label, Roc-A-Fella Records, and was only known... Read more

Kanye West Is Releasing A New Solo Project & A Joint Album With Kid Cudi

It has been two big years since Kanye West released an album. Since The Life Of Pablo, the life of 'Ye has been a wild ride ever since. The period marked one of West's most private periods since abruptly canceling his 2016 tour and reportedly receiving medical treatment. For months,... Read more

Kanye Once Said He Had 40 Songs With Kendrick. 2 Collabos Now Surface. (Audio)

Kanye West is reportedly recording an album in the mountains of Wyoming. According to various sources, Nas, Pusha T, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, and producer/musician/engineer Mike Dean are among the artists who have been in his company for the studio sessions dating back to 2017. Some, including Nas and Cudi,... Read more

Uncle Murda Rates Skillz’ Diss A 1 Out Of 10. So How Does His Response Measure Up? (Audio)

Last week (January 3), veteran Virginia lyricist Skillz dropped a significant and scathing diss towards Brooklyn, New York MC Uncle Murda. The impetus was a two-year-old dispute surrounding the concept of "Year End Raps." Skillz alleged that in late 2015, Murda (who now uses the name "Lenny Grant" on records)... Read more

Skillz Sets Off 2018 By Dissing Uncle Murda For Copying His Rap Up Concept (Audio)

For Hip-Hop Heads, the last days of the year have long belonged to an annual Skillz song. For nearly two decades, the Virginia MC, DJ, and the University Of Richmond's Artist In Residence has deftly created his "Year End Rap" at the close of the calendar. Many followers of the... Read more

After 15 Years Of Disses, JAY-Z & Jaz-O Have Reunited

JAY-Z has reunited with many of the key players from his past—even after bitterness or hostility. In 2005, Jay and Nas famously put beef to bed in New Jersey. The Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder has been photographed with Dame Dash multiple times since the artist and manager parted ways. Beanie Sigel and... Read more

Cam’ron & Jim Jones Are Back In Business. Their Reunion Revives The Dipset Sound (Audio)

Next week (November 21), The Diplomats will perform their first concert in years. The Hammerstein Ballroom reunion performance of Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zekey comes after a very public break-up between Cam' and Jimmy. Late last year, Killa waved off any possibility of reconciliation. “I wish [Jim... Read more

Lyor Cohen Explains How Redman Led Def Jam’s Comeback (Video)

During the 1980s Def Jam Records reigned supreme. The label, which burgeoned in co-founder Rick Rubin's New York University dorm room, issued several classic albums from legendary artists. These include LL Cool J's Radio, Slick Rick's The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Rock & Rock Hall of Fame inductees Beastie Boys and... Read more

Cam’ron & Jim Jones Bury Their Latest Beef For Upcoming Dipset Reunion Concert

In February of this year, Jim Jones sat down with Funkmaster Flex in an emotional interview about his relationship with onetime Diplomats band-mate Cam'ron. As the Dipset Capo got tearful in speaking about the sacrifices he made for Cam', he alleged that the crew's breakout star had not supported his... Read more

Kanye West Killed 50 Cent AND Gangsta Rap 10 Years Ago (Video)

Ten years ago this week, Hip-Hop experienced a real watershed moment. On September 11, 2007, 50 Cent and Kanye West squared off. It was not physical. It did not even include diss tracks or beef of any kind. Instead, Graduation faced off against Curtis. Two of Hip-Hop's biggest stars of... Read more

JAY-Z Reveals He And Prodigy Made Peace Before His Death (Video)

While the JAY-Z vs. Nas battle of the early 2000s may be the one that gets the most ink in the history books, Hov's beef with late Mobb Deep MC Prodigy is one of legend too. From Summer Jam photo reveals to disses on both sides, these two artists had... Read more

A New Video Shows Why Kanye Was Hip-Hop’s Most Promising Student Upon His Graduation

Marking a dramatic shift in his career from successful producer to stadium star, Kanye West’s third album Graduation celebrates its 10th anniversary this coming Monday (September 11). Proven with time, the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records LP with the upcoming birthday ushered in a new era in Hip-Hop. With Graduation, 'Ye positioned... Read more

Long Before DMX, JAY-Z & Ja Rule Were Murdering MCs, They Had Time To Build (Audio)

In the late 1990s, DMX, JAY-Z, and Ja Rule came together for two incredible collaborations. On Jay's Streets Is Watching soundtrack from early 1998, "Murdergram" showed that these grimy, overly irritated MCs hit their marks when they were together. In pivoting to Ja Rule's 1999 debut Venni Vetti Vecci, "It's... Read more

JAY-Z Delivers Raw Truths About Beyonce, Solange, Kanye & Himself (Video)

JAY-Z's "Kill Jay Z" may be the most talked about song on 4:44. While the June album's title track suggested infidelity in his marriage to Beyoncé, this record is thought to be the one that prompted Kanye West to sever exclusive ties with Jay's Tidal service, and pursue legal action... Read more

How JAY-Z’s New Album Is The Blueprint For Grown Man Rap (Video)

In the last eight days, JAY-Z's 4:44 monopolized the Hip-Hop conversation and most of the pop culture space. There are a lot of headlines and developing storylines that can easily get in the way of the fact that a 47-year-old-rapper, mogul, and king of cool reached a definitive career milestone,... Read more