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

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
The History Of Violence In Hip-Hop: 6 Years Changed Everything

The History Of Violence In Hip-Hop: 6 Years Changed Everything

In the last year, Hip-Hop has lost an alarming number of its artists to violence. Young Dolph, PnB Rock, Trouble, and Drakeo The Ruler are just some of the noteworthy examples, among several others. In the last week, Migos member Takeoff was killed in Houston, Texas on November 1—adding to... Read more
November 7, 2022 Video
The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans

The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans

Earlier this month, the Hip-Hop community reacted to the latest high-profile lists ranking the greatest Rap albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine and a team of journalists and writers ranked 200 Hip-Hop LPs, prompting plenty of reaction. It was not the first list of this kind, and it certainly will not... Read more
June 21, 2022 Video
A New Documentary Shows How Suge Knight’s American Dream Became His Nightmare

A New Documentary Shows How Suge Knight’s American Dream Became His Nightmare

This September, Marion "Suge" Knight was sentenced to 28 years behind bars for the killing of music executive Terry Carter. For the Compton, California native, it was the stiffest punishment in a career that has marred by incarcerations, legal roadblocks, and a very public fall from power. Twenty-five years ago,... Read more
December 7, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video
Suge Knight To Serve 25 Years In Prison For The Killing Of Terry Carter (Video)

Suge Knight To Serve 25 Years In Prison For The Killing Of Terry Carter (Video)

Suge Knight has spent more than a third of the last 20 years behind bars. He will now likely spend all of his next 20 in the same place. Today (September 20), the co-founder of Death Row Records and onetime manager of Dr. Dre, Tupac, DJ Quik, and others accepted... Read more
September 20, 2018 News
The D.O.C. Sings Beautifully In A Video That Shows Anything Is Possible.

The D.O.C. Sings Beautifully In A Video That Shows Anything Is Possible.

For decades, Hip-Hop Heads have known that The D.O.C. has a golden pen. The Dallas, Texas native MC is credited with writing songs and lyrics for Dr. Dre and other artists on Death Row and Ruthless Records. However, in the 1980s, the artist born Tracy Curry was a rapper with... Read more
August 28, 2018 Fresh, Video
John Singleton Reveals He Wanted N.W.A. To Star In Boyz N The Hood

John Singleton Reveals He Wanted N.W.A. To Star In Boyz N The Hood

Thirty years ago today, on August 8, 1988, the N.W.A. released its proper debut album, Straight Outta Compton. Bursting onto the scene with rawness and aggression fueled by the Reagan-era Compton climate and lifestyle, Ni**az Wit' Attitudes presented an LP that would shape the sound and narrative in Rap for... Read more
August 8, 2018 Throwback, Throwback, TV/Film
Dr. Dre’s Next Film Project Is Bringing Marvin Gaye’s Life To The Big Screen

Dr. Dre’s Next Film Project Is Bringing Marvin Gaye’s Life To The Big Screen

Dr. Dre has a great history of mixing music and film, and he's using that experience in attempting to bring to life the story of Marvin Gaye on the big screen. Dre famously was a producer for the 2015 N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, and now he's reportedly in the... Read more
June 19, 2018 News, TV/Film
The 1st Look At Death Row Series Shows Suge Strong-Arming Eazy-E To Get Dre (Video)

The 1st Look At Death Row Series Shows Suge Strong-Arming Eazy-E To Get Dre (Video)

The Death Row Chronicles is an upcoming six-part series on one of music's most successful and most controversial record labels. Airing on BET February 20 (beginning with part one and two), a two-minute video trailer released, featuring commentary from some of the people closest to Death Row Records' former CEO... Read more
January 16, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video
Suge Knight Indicted For Threatening Straight Outta Compton Director F. Gary Gray

Suge Knight Indicted For Threatening Straight Outta Compton Director F. Gary Gray

On January 29 of 2015, Suge Knight was an uninvited guest on the film set of Straight Outta Compton. After being asked to leave, Knight used his Ford Raptor truck as a weapon in the parking lot of nearby Tam's Burgers. The events that followed left veteran music industry manager... Read more
August 3, 2017 News
Ice Cube Heads Straight Outta Compton To The Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Video)

Ice Cube Heads Straight Outta Compton To The Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Video)

He may be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Platinum-selling album Death Certificate, but Ice Cube will live forever on the streets of Los Angeles, literally. The Rap icon with a hugely successful career in film has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just a few miles... Read more
June 12, 2017 News
DJ Yella Says Police Violence Won’t Stop Until A Cop Goes To Jail For A Long Time

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
N.W.A. & Ruthless Records Producer & Keyboardist L.A. Dre Has Passed Away

N.W.A. & Ruthless Records Producer & Keyboardist L.A. Dre Has Passed Away

Ruthless Records affiliate L.A. Dre, who in the 1980s and '90s worked as a producer and keyboardist on albums like N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton, Efilzaggin, The D.O.C.'s The Formula, and Eazy E's Eazy-Duz-It (as well as on works from Above the Law, Michel'le, and more) has passed away. A longtime friend and... Read more
April 5, 2017 News
N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton Album Heads To The Library Of Congress

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton Album Heads To The Library Of Congress

Approaching its 30th anniversary of release, N.W.A.'s album Straight Outta Compton continues to be rather suddenly treated as a classic album in the mainstream. The 1988 Ruthless Records LP by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella has always been a grassroots success. However, the album that... Read more
March 29, 2017 News
Ice Cube Names Chuck D His Favorite Rapper & Bomb Squad His Favorite Producers (Audio)

Ice Cube Names Chuck D His Favorite Rapper & Bomb Squad His Favorite Producers (Audio)

February 21 UPDATE: The video interview of Ice Cube from The Combat Jack Show has been added below, along with the existing audio stream. Original Post: Starting in 1990's "Endangered Species (Tales From The Darkside)," Ice Cube made some of his most notable collaborations with Chuck D and the producers... Read more
February 14, 2017 Audio, Video
Yo! MTV Raps Host Doctor Dré Calls Straight Outta Compton “Straight Outta Fiction” (Audio)

Yo! MTV Raps Host Doctor Dré Calls Straight Outta Compton “Straight Outta Fiction” (Audio)

Hip-Hop is big enough to have some artists with multiple names. Notably, Mobb Deep and South Central Cartel were each compromised of duos Prodigy and Havoc (or "Prodeje" in S.C.C.'s case). There have been two Guru's, a couple Jay Dee's, and several Mike D's. Perhaps no tandem is more famous... Read more
January 24, 2017 Audio
The Grammys Finally Realize Straight Outta Compton Was a Great Album

The Grammys Finally Realize Straight Outta Compton Was a Great Album

Over the last two years—largely thanks to a 2015 blockbuster biopic, the mainstream media has apparently reconsidered the merits of N.W.A. The Ruthless Records collective of Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella released two albums, a compilation, and an EP between 1987 and 1991. In that... Read more
November 29, 2016 News
Suge Knight Files A Law Suit Claiming Dr. Dre Tried To Have Him Killed In 2014

Suge Knight Files A Law Suit Claiming Dr. Dre Tried To Have Him Killed In 2014

Twenty five years ago, Suge Knight and Dr. Dre were business partners at the burgeoning Death Row Records. Two Compton, California natives came together as manager and artist to build one of modern music's largest empires, in less than five years. Today (October 24), Suge and his lawyers sued Dr.... Read more
October 24, 2016 News
Ice Cube, The D.O.C. & Cold 187um Make A Ruthless 2016 Collabo (Audio)

Ice Cube, The D.O.C. & Cold 187um Make A Ruthless 2016 Collabo (Audio)

In 1989, Ruthless Records boasted one of the finest rosters in Rap music history. With N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton in heavy rotation (with a massive tour behind it), Eazy-E's independent label was fast expanding to include The D.O.C., Above The Law, and J.J. Fad. By 1990, everything had changed. Ice... Read more
October 6, 2016 Audio
Michel’le’s Biopic Shows Her Being Abused By Dr. Dre & Her Relationship With Suge Knight (Video)

Michel’le’s Biopic Shows Her Being Abused By Dr. Dre & Her Relationship With Suge Knight (Video)

Despite its commercial success and critical acclaim, N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton also drew criticism for some of the misogyny seen in the film, as well as that which was withheld. In particular, there was a renewed focus on Dr. Dre's past abuse of women. As a result, in August... Read more
September 18, 2016 TV, Video
Jerry Heller, Co-Founder Of Ruthless Records & N.W.A. Manager, Dead At 75

Jerry Heller, Co-Founder Of Ruthless Records & N.W.A. Manager, Dead At 75

Longtime music industry veteran, Jerry Heller has died at the age of 75. Earlier today (9/3), Heller's cousin, Gary Ballen, confirmed to Billboard that Heller passed away on Friday (9/2). While Heller was most known as the co-founder of Ruthless Records with Eazy-E, and the manager of N.W.A., he worked... Read more
September 3, 2016 News
Another Scarface Remake Is Planned For The Near Future

Another Scarface Remake Is Planned For The Near Future

February 1, 2017 UPDATE: Approaching six months after Antoine Fuqua was first attached to the latest remake of the film Scarface, the director has stepped away from the project. Variety reports that the director of Training Day and Brooklyn's Finest disassociated himself from the film, which is still in pre-production,... Read more
August 11, 2016 TV/Film
N.W.A. Will Not Perform At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

N.W.A. Will Not Perform At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Tonight (April 8), N.W.A. will be inducted into Cleveland, Ohio's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Ice Cube has announced that they will not perform. "Nah, we’re not performing," Ice Cube told The New York Times. "I guess we really didn’t feel like we were supported enough to do the... Read more
April 8, 2016 News
Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back vs. N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton. Which Is Better?

Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back vs. N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more
March 14, 2016 Finding the GOAT
This Is The Only Way Straight Outta Compton Stood A Chance For a Best Picture Nomination

This Is The Only Way Straight Outta Compton Stood A Chance For a Best Picture Nomination

Despite the fact that the film Straight Outta Compton featured a predominantly Black cast, Black producers and a Black director, the only people nominated for an Academy Award in conjunction with the movie were its White writers. Many believe the film was worthy of several nominations, including Best Picture, Best... Read more
February 27, 2016 Video
Kendrick Lamar Confirmed To Induct N.W.A. Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Kendrick Lamar Confirmed To Induct N.W.A. Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

One week ago today (February 15), Ice Cube and O'Shea Jackson, Jr. presented Kendrick Lamar with the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Album Of The Year." The honors went to To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick's latest work. In the speech that followed, the Compton, California MC thanked Ice Cube (along... Read more
February 22, 2016 News
Dr. Dre Returns To Acting In A Semi-Autobiographical Mini Series

Dr. Dre Returns To Acting In A Semi-Autobiographical Mini Series

Although he is widely recognized for music production and his electronics line, Dr. Dre is also a veteran Hollywood actor and director. Following Dre's acclaimed run of early 1990s music videos, the Compton, California native would star in films such as his directorial debut short Murder Was The Case, plus... Read more
February 12, 2016 News
Leave It To SNL To Provide Comic Relief To Oscar Controversies (Video)

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
January 24, 2016 TV/Film, Video
Ice Cube Promises N.W.A. On Stage Reunion In 2016 (Video)

Ice Cube Promises N.W.A. On Stage Reunion In 2016 (Video)

In 2015, N.W.A.'s story was told through the F. Gary Gray-directed film, Straight Outta Compton. With that, the group that has been in factions since 1989 made steps towards reunion. Although the platinum group's founder, Eazy-E, died in 1995, the surviving four members appeared together through the film's summer '15... Read more
January 18, 2016 News, Video
Straight Outta Compton Gets An Oscar Nomination

Straight Outta Compton Gets An Oscar Nomination

Although N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton was not included in the recent Golden Globes Awards (or even its nominations), the Academy Awards see the film differently. This morning (January 14), the nominations for the 88th Academy Awards were announced. Variety reports that the F. Gary Gray-directed film is nominated for... Read more
January 14, 2016 News, TV/Film
Skillz’s Rap Up Masterfully Covers The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of 2015 (Audio)

Skillz’s Rap Up Masterfully Covers The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Of 2015 (Audio)

Like clockwork, Skillz serves up his annual summary of the year that was, with a masterful rap. There is nothing like his blow by blow rhyme to remind us all of the good, bad and often bizarre happenings of 2015. In his latest installment, Skillz covers seemingly everything that dominated... Read more
December 31, 2015 Audio
Hip-Hop’s Shining Moments of 2015: The Big, The Small, & The Revolutionary

Hip-Hop’s Shining Moments of 2015: The Big, The Small, & The Revolutionary

Each and every year, there is no shortage of moments in time which crystallize the development of Hip-Hop's growth, and 2015 is no different. Over the course of the previous 12 months, the culture played larger-than-life roles in film, health, politics, television, and of course, music history. Here are just... Read more
December 21, 2015 Food for Thought
N.W.A. are 100 Miles & Runnin’…Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

N.W.A. are 100 Miles & Runnin’…Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Straight Outta Compton may not have earned any Golden Globe nominations, but N.W.A.'s legacy is being recognized by another prestigious organization, one who has overlooked the Compton Rap group in years past. Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the inductees for 2016 who also include Cheap Trick,... Read more
December 17, 2015 News
“Straight Outta Compton” Dominated 2015 in Many Ways. So Why the Golden Globes Snub?

“Straight Outta Compton” Dominated 2015 in Many Ways. So Why the Golden Globes Snub?

Just a few days after the Recording Academy left many Heads scratching their, well...heads, over Grammy nominations, the Hollywood Foreign Press has got many people asking "what were they thinking?" The organization behind the Golden Globes announced its list of nominees for the best in film and television of 2015,... Read more
December 10, 2015 News
Jerry Heller Is Still Ruthless. He Sues Dre & Cube For Straight Outta Compton Biopic Profits

Jerry Heller Is Still Ruthless. He Sues Dre & Cube For Straight Outta Compton Biopic Profits

2015 film blockbuster Straight Outta Compton has developed a cultural appreciation for the music, careers, and social obstacles of N.W.A., as well as its individual members. In addition to becoming the highest-grossing music biopic, several of the group's 1980s singles have charted at new highs on Billboard charts. Attention has... Read more
October 30, 2015 News
Here Are Your Top 10 Rap Albums of the 80s. Get Ready For The 90s…

Here Are Your Top 10 Rap Albums of the 80s. Get Ready For The 90s…

Today (October 25) closes Round 2 of the 1980s bracket of Finding The GOAT Albums. In the closing hour, there were no ties, and not even a race within even 5% of two candidates. You—the voter—definitively decided which 10 albums go forth to the final 32 albums across all eras.... Read more
October 25, 2015 Finding the GOAT
In What Could Be Straight Outta Compton’s Night, Chris Rock Will Host The Oscars

In What Could Be Straight Outta Compton’s Night, Chris Rock Will Host The Oscars

In a year that may see Straight Outta Compton get Academy Award consideration, the creator and star of CB4 will play a major role in the ceremony. Rock, who spoofed N.W.A. and all of Hip-Hop in his 1993 film, has signed on to host the Oscars (the 88th Academy Awards)... Read more
October 21, 2015 News
N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. Which Is Better?

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Run-D.M.C.’s Run-D.M.C. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more
October 12, 2015 Finding the GOAT
N.W.A.’s Other Member Isn’t Bitter. But He Explains His Absence From Biopic (Video)

N.W.A.’s Other Member Isn’t Bitter. But He Explains His Absence From Biopic (Video)

Hip-Hop Heads seem to know about Jarobi's early role in A Tribe Called Quest. Listeners may remember Kool Fashion (n/k/a Al Tariq) from The Beatnuts. Many know of the cloudy status surrounding Cappadonna and Wu-Tang Clan. So what's the deal with The Arabian Prince? The Los Angeles, California DJ/producer was... Read more
October 10, 2015 Video
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominates N.W.A. Again. Will They Get It Right Now?

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominates N.W.A. Again. Will They Get It Right Now?

The nominations for inductees into the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced, and among the names offered up as possible choices is N.W.A. The group who is globally famous for bringing "Reality Rap" to mainstream consciousness may not seem like an obvious choice, but as many... Read more
October 8, 2015 News
N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Geto Boys’ Grip It! On That Other Level. Which Is Better?

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton vs. Geto Boys’ Grip It! On That Other Level. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more
October 2, 2015 Finding the GOAT
What Makes A Hip-Hop Album A Classic? (Editorial)

What Makes A Hip-Hop Album A Classic? (Editorial)

In all genres of music, the term "classic" prompts debate. Cultural conservatives argue it is used too freely, and often stamped on works of art prematurely. On the other hand, liberally-minded art patrons maintain that placing restrictions on calling an item classic misses the point entirely. Especially with so much... Read more
September 19, 2015 Food for Thought
Grab Your Charles Dickens. Ice Cube Is The Next Mr. Scrooge.

Grab Your Charles Dickens. Ice Cube Is The Next Mr. Scrooge.

In music, in film, and in life, Ice Cube is many things. Some of his greatest successes in each have come with the Los Angeles, California native as cranky, irritable, and just downright mad. Whether that's film roles in Higher Learning, 21 Jump Street, or Ride Along, or songs through... Read more
September 17, 2015 News, TV/Film
For Ice Cube, It Was A Big Step In Small Time From C.I.A. To N.W.A. (Audio)

For Ice Cube, It Was A Big Step In Small Time From C.I.A. To N.W.A. (Audio)

Straight Outta Compton viewers had a glimpse of what Ice Cube did in his days after school in circa 1987. Before it was Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella he surrounded himself with, it was Sir Jinx and K-Dee (a/k/a Kid Disaster) that O'Shea Jackson favored. They were... Read more
September 10, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback
A New Mini-Documentary Explores the History of N.W.A.’s ‘F the Police’ & its Influence in Compton (Video)

A New Mini-Documentary Explores the History of N.W.A.’s ‘F the Police’ & its Influence in Compton (Video)

In the weeks since Straight Outta Compton hit theaters, the discussions about N.W.A.'s role in Hip-Hop history have become commonplace, and rightfully so. While arguments have been made that the film omitted much of their story, what has prevailed are the Compton, California group's contributions to politically driven, reality rap.... Read more
September 9, 2015 Video
Daz Dillinger Is Really Serious About A Death Row Biopic…So Much So, He’s Cast It (Photos)

Daz Dillinger Is Really Serious About A Death Row Biopic…So Much So, He’s Cast It (Photos)

F. Gary Gray's Straight Outta Compton blockbuster biopic of N.W.A. addresses the rise of not only the group, but 1980s West Coast Gangsta Rap. In the film, in addition to the group members (Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren), pivotal Rap figures are portrayed including The D.O.C.,... Read more
September 8, 2015 News
A Missy Elliott Biopic? Here’s Why Her Story Bridges Women & Hip-Hop in a Powerful Way

A Missy Elliott Biopic? Here’s Why Her Story Bridges Women & Hip-Hop in a Powerful Way

Since Straight Outta Compton's meteoric rise to dominance in discussions of contemporary American film, music, sexual politics, and more, the concept of the Hip-Hop biopic is one that has flooded channels of communication and is seemingly inescapable. News of a Master P biopic and a cinematic exploration of Death Row... Read more
September 5, 2015 Lifestyle
Straight Outta Compton Becomes The Top-Earning Musical Biopic, Ever.

Straight Outta Compton Becomes The Top-Earning Musical Biopic, Ever.

James Brown. Johnny Cash. Ray Charles. Ritchie Valens. The Doors. Buddy Holly. These are just some of the subjects surrounding Hollywood's musical biopics of the last 25 years. That said, N.W.A. and their biographical depiction in Straight Outta Compton boasts the distinction of being the highest-earning, ever. In theaters for... Read more
August 31, 2015 News
Master P Says He Saved Snoop Dogg’s Life, Wants Tyler Perry To Direct Biopic (Video)

Master P Says He Saved Snoop Dogg’s Life, Wants Tyler Perry To Direct Biopic (Video)

To a skeptic, Master P's upcoming biopic King Of The South may appear to too closely follow the success of Straight Outta Compton. With No Limit built upon much of the Ruthless model, and TRU following N.W.A., one could argue that the New Orleans, Louisiana rapper/mogul/actor is simply pulling a... Read more
August 29, 2015 Video
“Straight Outta Compton” Lands N.W.A. On Top 40 Charts…27 Years Later

“Straight Outta Compton” Lands N.W.A. On Top 40 Charts…27 Years Later

Both of N.W.A.'s two studio full-length albums carry platinum plaques. 1988's Straight Outta Compton and 1991's Ni**az4Life have this distinction, as does 1990 EP 100 Miles & Runnin', while 1987's N.W.A. & The Posse, and two separate greatest hits volumes are gold. With their sophomore LP boasting a #1 on... Read more
August 26, 2015 News
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