Special Interest Archives

J Dilla’s Donuts Gets The Ultimate 44-Minute Fan-Made Visual Companion (Video)

Besides the posthumously-released "Last Night Of The Donut," J Dilla's 2006 album Donuts was not the kind of album that yielded videos. Stones Throw Records, who are independent greats at making compelling, cool visuals to match their extensive, dynamic discography, let the music do the talking when it came to... Read more

January 18, 2015 Throwback

Beanie Sigel To Make A Follow-Up To Public Enemy #1 Mixtape

Just over one month since he was shot in New Jersey, Beanie Sigel has new material on the table. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC survived what is believed to be a near-fatal shooting, at least the second such attack in his lifetime, and has returned to work. What's more, according to... Read more

January 14, 2015 Fresh

Phonte & Oddisee Channel Pain Into Beautiful Art, Reacting To The World Today (Audio)

In the wake of the 2014 murders of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and so many other Black men at the hands of law enforcement, there was a large outcry for artists to react, reflect, and somehow find the words we, the people, could not. Those expressions are indeed... Read more

January 13, 2015 Audio

Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon A Time In Shaolin Going To January Online Auction

Even after a reported (by RZA) $5 million offer, the Wu-Tang Clan wants to see if their guarded, completed album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin can draw more interest. Dazed Digital reports that the Clansmen will take the single-copy LP, recorded in Marrakesh, Morocco, produced by Cilvaringz, will appear... Read more

January 13, 2015 Fresh

Erick Sermon Speaks Openly About Earnings, Helping Create Atlanta’s Scene (Video)

Erick Sermon does not do a ton of interviews. However, when the EPMD and Def Squad co-founder speaks, he's never big on canned, diplomatic answers. E-Dub opens up in a major way when speaking with This Is 50's Jack Thriller. The Brentwood, Long Island MC/producer breaks down his 2000s-era comeback... Read more

January 13, 2015 Throwback

Common & John Legend Capture The Glory Of “Selma” (Video)

Less than 48 hours after Common and John Legend carried Golden Globe trophies (presented by Prince) off of the stage for their song "Glory," they offer up the video. The "Best Original Song" winner from the film Selma cross-promotes Ava DuVernay's latest work in the visual. Along the way, there... Read more

January 13, 2015 Video

This Might Be Grand Puba’s Best Song In 10 Years & It Resonates (Audio)

Unlike Sadat X and Lord Jamar, both of whom stay incredibly active in songmaking and social media, respectively, Grand Puba plays the background. Stud Doogie is the faction of Brand Nubian who often wants his silence and privacy, taking an extended break since 2009's Retroactive. However, recent events and world... Read more

January 12, 2015 Audio

Picture Everything Great & Wrong About the ’80s in One Video Set to Wu-Tang Music (Video)

New York City-based store Turntable Lab and Adult Swim's "TV Carnage" have come together to mash-up some '80s and early '90s-skewed pop culture, with a Hip-Hop slant, in quite a cool way. Part DJ-themed, part VJ-themed, the resulting "War Inna Discoteca" is expertly beat-matched and synchronized to the instrumental from... Read more

January 12, 2015 Video

Breaking Bad Spin-off Better Call Saul Begins Next Month. Catch The Official Trailer (Video)

"Breaking Bad," in all of its glory, was one of the most captivating, cliff-hanging, and entrancing television series of all times. Within Vince Gill's cross-over hit for AMC there were some splashes of comic relief from Walter White and Jesse Pinkman's meth-cooking madness: attorney Saul Goodman. The mass-advertised phone-book lawyer... Read more

January 12, 2015 TV/Film

Lil Wayne Apologizes For The Wait With A Song To Appease All Of His Fans (Audio)

Lil Wayne is out for 2015. Only brandishing the Young Money flag for the year ahead, Mr. Carter will crack open the calendar with his upcoming mixtape, Sorry 4 The Wait 2. After a slow last year, Weezy F. goes to his YM site and takes Future's hit "Sh!t," and... Read more

January 12, 2015 Audio

Eminem Grants One Teenage Fan’s Final Wish

Many Eminem Heads know how much the superstar admires the life and music of Tupac Shakur. Eminem even worked extensively, as a producer, on some of 'Pac's posthumous albums, including 2006's Pac's Life. Although a lot can be said about the final years of 2Pac's life, one moment always speaks... Read more

January 12, 2015 Fresh

E-40 & Too Short Dust Off The T.W.D.Y. Tag and Co-Sign IamSu! (Video)

In the late 1990s, when the Bay area was largely ignored by mainstream radio and video outlets, T.W.D.Y. formed. Ant Banks' super-collective The Whole Damn Yay included icons such as Rappin' 4-Tay and Captain Save'Em, with strong involvement from the likes of Too Short, E-40, Mac Mall, B-Legit, Spice 1,... Read more

January 12, 2015 Video

Common & John Legend Are Presented With Golden Globes…By Prince (Video)

Moments ago this evening (January 11), it was a historic moment for the careers of Common and John Legend. The former G.O.O.D. Music label-mates, as a pair, took home "Best Original Song" Golden Globes for the song "Glory" from the film Selma. Not only does the honor put John and Comm'... Read more

January 12, 2015 Video

There Have Been A Gang Of Death Row Records Documentaries, But This One Stands Tall (Video)

Starting when the label was less than six years old, documentaries started releasing around the creation, controversy, and commercial dominance of Death Row Records. Started by Marion "Suge" Knight and Dr. Dre in late 1991, the Los Angeles, California-based label released classic, multi-platinum albums by Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Tha Dogg... Read more

January 11, 2015 Throwback

GZA Freestyles, While Ol’ Dirty Bastard Beat-Boxes In A Bathroom In 1991 (Video)

In 1991, GZA (as "The Genius") was on the same Cold Chillin' Records that he would later diss on "Labels." The future was bright for the Brooklyn, New York MC who was working with Easy Mo Bee on Words From The Genius at the time. Released in February of that... Read more

January 9, 2015 Throwback

See Some Rare, HQ & Vintage Footage Of The Funky 4 + 1 Rockin’ (Video)

One of the many things in Hip Hop today that takes a track to the next level is the artist video. It provides the MC or group with exposure of not only the voice and production, but gives the audience a face to put along with it. We often take... Read more

January 9, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

CyHi The Prynce Says He Was Wrongfully Left Off Year-End Lists & Shows Out (Audio)

Although he is the fourth inclusion on Ambrosia For Heads' Best Mixtapes Of 2014 list, CyHi The Prynce is feeling passed over in the year that was. Does he have a point though? Black Hystori was among the year's strongest and most cerebral projects (albums and mixtapes combined). While it... Read more

January 9, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Do Remember: TRU & C-Bo – That’s How We Break Bread (Audio)

In truth, it's been a pretty quiet decade for Master P. For the most part, the No Limit Records founder seems to have chosen a pathway out of the Rap-Race rat-race, living the good life in that Southern California sun. Although P has developed some new acts at No Limit,... Read more

January 8, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Big Daddy Kane Doesn’t Make Songs Often, So When He Does…Listen. (Audio)

Big Daddy Kane verses, especially of the solo variety, are true rarities. The Brooklyn, New York MC icon spits only when he's got something to say, and that's been his M-O since the Juice Crew days. In the wake of some spiritually and mentally challenging happenings that affect the heart,... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Capone-N-Noreaga Bust Through A Thematic Blend Of Nas & Mary J. Blige (Audio)

Late last year, N.O.R.E. found a cool pocket, when he and Royal Flush flexed on a Queens instrumental, courtesy of borough brethren The Beatnuts. The sound was fresh, but nostalgic, and something that resonated with the voices of the '90s MCs. Now with Capone in tow, Capone-N-Noreaga are back in... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

MC Lyte Provides Perspective On Education, What Government Needs To Do (Video)

You know MC Lyte's background as a legendary voice in Hip Hop, but she's also been an avid proponent with mentoring and community activism for the youth as well. Where opportunities for youth to extend their education have been difficult, Lyte has used her Hip Hop Sisters Foundation to give... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh, Video

The End Of An Era For Hardcore Hip-Hop…DJ Premier’s Studio Closes Its Doors Today

Nas' Illmatic recorded there. The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die recorded there. Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt recorded there. And nearly every song by Gang Starr, in addition to every track produced by DJ Premier since 1992 was recorded there. Today, on January 7, 2015, Premo announced that D&D Studios a/k/a HeadQCourterz... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh

Red Pill Speaks From His Heart On Race & Differences On An Apollo Brown Groove (Audio)

Red Pill has been one of the budding forces at Tucson, Arizona-based Mello Music Group. A member of Ugly Heroes with Verbal Kent and Apollo Brown, the Lansing, Michigan native announced this young week that he has signed a multi-album deal with the label that's been a home/outpost for Oddisee,... Read more

January 6, 2015 Audio, Fresh

After More Than 25 Years, DJ Premier & MF DOOM Will Work Together

Twenty five years ago, DJ Premier and MF DOOM (then known as Zev Love X) were getting comfortable in the industry. Premier, care of the group Gang Starr, was less than a year removed from releasing debut LP No More Mr. Nice Guy on Wild Pitch Records with partner and... Read more

January 5, 2015 Fresh

M.O.P. & Maino Cinematically Show You The Brooklyn They Love (Video)

As 2014 year-end lists flood the Internet, magazines, and more...one Hip-Hop album that seemingly deserved more recognition is M.O.P.'s Street Certified. Billy Danze and Lil Fame's first foray with Nature Sounds Records brought in DJ Premier as an executive producer, without simply aiming to push the Mash Out Posse back... Read more

January 5, 2015 Fresh, Video

Lil Wayne to Release a Song With…Master P. Catch the Snippet (Video)

In the same two-week span that saw LL Cool J and Canibus set aside more than 17 years of differences, another Hip-Hop beef may be coming to an end. Lil Wayne and Master P have never exactly been nemeses, New Orleans, Louisiana has played host to a longstanding rivalry between... Read more

January 2, 2015 Fresh, Video

Do Remember: Killer Mike & M.O.P. – Push Back (Audio)

With Killer Mike on the minds of Ambrosia For Heads staff and readers this week, "Do Remember" looked deep within the Adamsvillain's catalog this week. Back in 2008, Killer Mike was in a major transition. The MC now stealing the show alongside El-P with Run The Jewels was in the... Read more

January 2, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Dipset’s Core 4 Members Are Together, Recording A New Mixtape

2015 marks five years since Cam'ron and Jim Jones laid to rest their differences, and began what has become a slow crawl back to restoring The Diplomats activity. In 2010, the clique was photographed in the studio with Dr. Dre, an artist who had never previously worked with Cam'ron, Jim... Read more

January 2, 2015 Fresh

Kool Keith Officially Supports This Limited Edition Dr. Octagon Action Figure

While some Kool Keith fans—including Ice-T—tend to celebrate the Bronx, New Yorker's Ultramagnetic MC's days, a large contingency asserts that Keith's finest work was in fact in the mid-1990s. After all, it was then, in the early days of a solo career, that the lyricist made Sex Style, as well... Read more

January 2, 2015 Fresh, Throwback

David Banner Shuts Decembers Down. Burning Thumbs Is An Uncomprising Look Back At ’14 (Audio)

One of the greatest albums released after the year-end album lists in recent years was 2010's Death Of A Pop Star by David Banner & 9th Wonder. Not out for media accolades, the jarring commentary resonated with many, in an odd year for music. Now, for 2014, the Crooked Lettaz... Read more

December 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Macklemore Gets Deep About Race, White Appropriation, Grammy Awards & His Biggest Mistake (Video)

In addition to all of the great things that happened in music, especially Hip-Hop, for 2014, there have been some uncomfortable moments. As art parallels life, and life parallels art, America witnessed murders, arrests, protests, actions (and non-actions) and other public issues raise the question of racial equality. In Hip-Hop... Read more

December 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

A Year Isn’t A Year Until Skillz’ Wraps It Up With His Rap. 2014, Salute! (Audio)

In less than 48 hours, 2014 is in the bag. Even though he reportedly swore he wouldn't do it anymore a few years back, Skillz pleased the people with a signature "Rap Up." For 2-0-1-4, the Virginia MC chronicles everything, from the lighter hearted (Rick Ross' weight loss, Pharrell's takeover,... Read more

December 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

MC Ren Calls Out Lazy Radio DJs & Wack Playlists In A New Song (Audio)

Since the N.W.A. days, MC Ren has never run from the issues. The iconic Compton, California lyricist has asserted equality for race, religion, and understanding for nearly 30 years. Taking a look at the present day commercial radio format, Ren decries "Burn Radio Burn" on a fresh and charged E-A-Ski... Read more

December 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

5 Things That Made Hip-Hop Proud in 2014 (Food For Thought)

Looking at the culture, 2014 had plenty to offer. In addition to the albums, the mixtapes, the songs, and the videos, there was real action. The year, from the Hip-Hop vantage point, brought everlasting history in some areas, and demanded change in others. The culture, the players, and the people... Read more

December 30, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Phonte, DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″ Geek Out About Rap, Memories & Battles (Video)

Structure isn't everything in Hip-Hop interviews. Sometimes organic, natural, nonrestrictive discussions go a heck of a lot farther. In their ongoing PRhyme media campaign, DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" get an unlikely guest in Phonte. The Stashed orchestrates a casual discussion about a number of things with these three... Read more

December 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pimp C Remembered On His 41st Birthday By Bun B, Too Short, Paul Wall & More (Video)

Today (December 29), Chad "Pimp C" Butler would have turned 41 years old. Sadly, the UGK icon passed away seven years ago this month from a heart attack. However, even without him in the flesh, the Port Arthur, Texas MC/producer's impact upon music continues to permeate, from Drake and Big... Read more

December 29, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Late Producer of Run-D.M.C., Whodini & The Fat Boys Honored by DJ Eclipse Mix (Audio)

Over the Christmas holiday, Non-Phixion member and Halftime Radio Show DJ/host DJ Eclipse paid homage to Larry Smith, the iconic bassist and Hip-Hop producer who died earlier this month (December 18). Smith is remembered for helping cultivate the sound of the mid-1980s, through work with Whodini, Run-DMC, The Fat Boys,... Read more

December 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Waka Flocka Jacks Beats From Nas, Tribe, D.O.C., Mobb Deep and SPITS?? That’s Right…(Audio)

Almost two weeks ago, Waka Flocka Flame rattled even his biggest skeptics with "3:30," a lyrical clinic over-top of J. Cole's "Fire Squad" instrumental. The response was overwhelming for the Brick Squad Monopoly rapper who isn't given his credit as "an MC" just every day. So what does he do... Read more

December 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Revisit The Mind-Melting Beastie Boys VHS Classic, Skills To Pay The Bills (Video)

Often living in the shadow of other Beastie Boys releases, Check Your Head is an excellent progression for the New York City trio. The April, 1992 Capitol Records release maintained a chunk of the sampling and technical advancements made on 1989's Paul's Boutique, but also welcomed some of the group's... Read more

December 28, 2014 Throwback

Do Remember: Shaqueen – Shaqueen Rules (Audio)

From Bumpy Knuckles, to MF DOOM, to NYOIL, Hip-Hop has seen some powerful re-inventive forces with artists. To Heads with deeper knowledge of mid-1990s New York Hip-Hop, Shaqueen certainly comes to mind. In the early 2000s, Shaqueen was reinvented as "Ma Barker," a member of (her spouse) Kool G Rap's... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Throwback

Hopsin’s Rap Retirement Revealed To Be A Prank…

UPDATE: Following Hopsin's December 18 Instagram retirement announcement and photograph (as reported below), the Funk Volume MC now calls his declaration "a prank." In a new 78-second video titled "The REAL Reason Hopsin Left The Music Industry," alongside Hopsin's artist Jarren Benton and inspired by the film Dumb and Dumber To,... Read more

December 26, 2014 Fresh

Funkmaster Flex, DJ Red Alert & Chuck Chillout Hit Airwaves With 5 Hours Of Master-Mixes (Audio)

For Funkmaster Flex's Christmas Eve show (December 24) Wednesday night on HOT 97, the Bronx, New York DJ invited some of his peers and inspirations to the Manhattan studios. Hip-Hop pioneers Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout joined Flex for five hours of merry Hip-Hop from three icons of... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

LL Cool J & Canibus Squash Beef After More Than 17 Years (Video)

Very few things in 2014 Hip-Hop culture are the same as they were in 1997. However, for the first time in more than 17 years, Heads can say that LL Cool J and Canibus are cool. At the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York last night (December 19), LL Cool... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Black Thought’s Sunglasses Produced In Limited Edition, For A Great Cause

Rappers love sunglasses. But over the last 20 years, has any MC worn shades more consistently than The Roots' Black Thought? The South Philadelphia MC star often dresses the part of a Soul/Jazz band front man, which is exactly what The Roots pull from, in presenting their grooves. Thought (a/k/a... Read more

December 20, 2014 Fresh

Rest In Peace Larry Smith, Run-DMC & Whodini’s Iconic Producer

Hip-Hop has lost another pioneer. Yesterday (December 18), iconic producer and songwriter Larry Smith has been confirmed dead. Smith, who was 63 at the time of his death, produced early records for the likes of Run-DMC, Whodini, Jimmy Spicer, and Kurtis Blow. Smith's death comes more than six years following... Read more

December 19, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Big Daddy Kane Undresses His Madonna Story, Scrap Lover’s Knuckle Game (Video)

Part of Big Daddy Kane's mystique is that he's not a terribly outspoken guy. Although Antonio Hardy is one of Hip-Hop most innovative, commanding, and influential MCs, the Brooklyn, New Yorker often shuns the media circuit, and enjoys his smooth persona, with a cool guard up. It's almost always just... Read more

December 19, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Questlove Animates His Journey To Eat Patti Labelle’s Soul Cooking (Video)

Beyond a drummer, DJ, musical supervisor, and producer, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is a foodie. Followers of the Grammy Award-winning Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native's social platforms know, as well as his friends and acquaintances, that ?uest is out for the finest in global culinary offerings. Never shy from a celebrity story, Questlove... Read more

December 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

A Long Way Away From 21st & Lewis, How Does Warren G Regulate Today? (Video)

It has been more than 20 years since Warren G & Nate Dogg released "Regulate" in the film, Above The Rim. The storytelling track on a funktafied Michael McDonald sample gave a proper stepping out for Warren and Nate, after some strong assistance a year prior on their 213 homie,... Read more

December 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Chris Rock Dramatically Quotes Ice Cube & N.W.A. In This “Top 5” Clip (Video)

Clearly based largely on his own life and experiences, Chris Rock's Top 5, from title alone is built around opinions and rankings. Evident in the currently-screening film's roll-out, Rock loves ranking comedians, rappers, acts, albums, and more—as does his Andre Allen character in the film. The authenticity in this role... Read more

December 17, 2014 Fresh, Video

Planet Asia Pops Off Over Beats That Sound Straight Outta The Rhyme Pays Era (FreEP)

When Planet Asia eloquently stated "My mind shine harder than your chain" back in 2000, on Dilated Peoples' "Ear Drums Pop," it was clear that the Fresno, California MC was special. Trading an Interscope Records deal for full creative control, this Cali Agent has achieved strong independent success. Late in... Read more

December 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes