talib kweli ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

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

Black Star’s New Album Has Been Liberated

In early 2022, Black Star released their first album in nearly a quarter century. No Fear Of Time was produced entirely by Madlib and featured a guest verse from Black Thought. By the end of '22, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli's sophomore LP was one of the year's best albums and signaled a growing... Read more

June 29, 2023 Audio

Madlib Says Madvillain Sequel Is Coming Soon & Gives Details

Earlier this month, Talib Kweli and Madlib released Liberation 2. Available exclusively on the Luminary podcast app (where Black Star released 2022's Madlib-produced No Fear Of Time), the new LP features Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Q-Tip, Roy Ayers, and the late Mac Miller. The project is a sequel to the... Read more

March 30, 2023 Fresh, News, Video

Black Thought & Rakim Light Up The Stage With Talib Kweli

Last week, Bob James held a concert residence at New York City's Blue Note alongside Talib Kweli and a live band for the second consecutive year. An esteemed panel of guests joined the Grammy-winning Jazz keyboardist and famed producer during 2023's three-night residency. D.M.C. joined on February 7, Slick Rick... Read more

February 12, 2023 Video

The 15 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

As 2022 winds down, it comes time to celebrate the best in Hip-Hop music. As is tradition, the Ambrosia For Heads team weighs in on our opinion of the year's best albums. This list of 15 includes some comeback performances, significant sequel efforts, and collaborative tandems. The collection of LPs also shows... Read more

December 20, 2022 Best Rap Albums Of 2022

Black Star & Westside Gunn Join Forces For A Song That’s On 10

Last month, Westside Gunn released 10. What began as a mixtape series a decade turned into a vehicle that delivered the Buffalo, New York MC and label founder to the mainstream. Griselda Records has become a movement to be reckoned with, and WSG has helped usher in a renaissance of... Read more

November 30, 2022 Video

Black Star Make SNL Chappelle’s Show With 2 Stellar Performances

In 2016, the Saturday following a pivotal American election, Dave Chappelle hosted SNL in one of the sketch show's more memorable moments of the last decade. That November 12 night, the musical guest was the recently reunited A Tribe Called Quest, making a rare performance following the death of Phife... Read more

November 13, 2022 TV, TV/Film, Video

Black Star & Westside Gunn Join Forces On A Collabo That’s Hot Fire

Today (October 28), Westside Gunn delivers 10, the completion of his cult-lauded #HWH series. The Griselda Records founder's second LP of 2022 is a star-studded affair that features Run The Jewels, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, A$AP Rocky, Ghostface Killah in a cast that also includes The Goo Goo Dolls' Robby Takac... Read more

October 28, 2022 Audio

Mos Def Explains How He Knew Kanye West Would Be Great

Yesterday (September 9), Drink Champs aired the audio version its long-awaited episode featuring Black Star and Dave Chappelle. One of the limited press spots that Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey have done surrounding their May album, the Madlib-produced No Fear Of Time featured talk about the LP, but it is... Read more

September 10, 2022 Audio

N.O.R.E. Discusses The Music Video That Divided Hip-Hop

Today (September 9), Drink Champs released its long-awaited interview with Black Star and Dave Chappelle. Recorded at Dave Chappelle's Yellow Springs, Ohio garage space, the interview covers the release of Black Star's 2022 album No Fear Of Time, and more. In the last 15 minutes, N.O.R.E. brings up a November... Read more

September 9, 2022 Audio

MF DOOM’s Wife Confirms His Rhyme Books Were Stolen

In the last week, Talib Kweli publicly called out music executive Eothen "Egon" Alapatt for allegedly stealing rhyme books belonging to the late MF DOOM. Egon is Madlib's manager and business partner, who was formerly the A&R and general manager of Stones Throw Records, before launching Now-Again, Rappcats, and assisting... Read more

September 8, 2022 News

DJ Quik Details Almost Losing His Life Over Tupac Bootlegs

In 1996, DJ Quik was among the cast of acclaimed producers to work on Tupac's All Eyez On Me. The double album would reach #1 on the charts and eventually be certified diamond (10 million units sold). However, it experienced a leak that involved Quik, who produced "Heartz Of Men"... Read more

August 29, 2022 Video

Rawkus Records’ Rise & Fall Is Detailed In A New Video

It was 15 years ago this fall that Rawkus Records stopped releasing albums. The "Rawkus 50" campaign allowed a new generation of MCs and producers to digitally release product with the same label that introduced many Hip-Hop Heads to names like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Company Flow, High & Mighty,... Read more

August 28, 2022 Video

Diamond D Speaks About His New Album & Spending A Day With Dr. Dre

This year marks 30 years since Diamond D's debut album, and he is celebrating in style. The Bronx, New York native MC/producer/DJ is releasing THE REAR VIEW on Friday, August 19. Arriving on D's Dymond Mine Records imprint, the 13-song collection demonstrates Diamond D as a true multi-talented artist. The co-founder... Read more

August 16, 2022 Exclusive, Interview, Video

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

Redman Explains Why He Used To Keep A Tissue In His Nose

Redman is known for keeping it real. The New Jersey veteran MC/producer/DJ had a moment over 20 years with arguably the most memorable MTV Cribs episode. Reggie Noble invited audiences into his modest Staten Island, New York home—complete with a box of dollar bills, fish sticks in the freezer, and... Read more

July 11, 2022 Video

Black Star Has Released The Best Rap Album Of 2022 So Far

Earlier this week (May 3), one of the most anticipated albums has released. Black Star's No Fear Of Time arrived after nearly a quarter-century since the duo's first and only other album, Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The two MCs have hinted towards a sophomore album sporadically over the last four years, eventually... Read more

May 5, 2022 Video

Dave Chappelle Was Attacked On Stage Last Night

Last night (May 3), comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked during a performance at Los Angeles, California's Hollywood Bowl. Based on The New York Times reports, a man from the audience accessed the stage where he tackled the 48-year-old comedian and actor. TMZ and other sources have reported that the man was armed with a... Read more

May 4, 2022 News, Video

Black Star Release The Featured Artists On Their New Album

In less than a month, one of the most anticipated Hip-Hop albums of all time is set to release. On May 3, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli will wave the Black Star flag once more with the duo's second album in nearly 24 years. Late last week, the Brooklyn, New York... Read more

April 12, 2022 Video

Black Star’s Madlib-Produced Album Gets A Title & Release Date

After years in the making, Black Star's sophomore album has a title and release date. Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli are scheduled to follow-up their 1998 debut nearly 25 years later with No Fear Of Time. As anticipated since early 2018, the Brooklyn, New York duo is teaming with producer... Read more

April 8, 2022 Fresh

A Timeline Of How Slaughterhouse Became A Broken Home

For a group that has not released a project in almost eight years, Slaughterhouse is currently making big waves in Hip-Hop news. The collective of Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Kxng Crooked, and Royce 5'9 is presently at odds, and the disagreement is playing out in real-time. This Friday (March 11),... Read more

March 8, 2022 Video

Dave Chappelle Was Abused & No One’s Talking About It

Last month, Dave Chappelle released his first standup special in more than a year. The Closer features material that the star comedian had been performing for a couple of years before delivering it for his sixth (and allegedly final) installment of his current blockbuster Netflix contract. Notably, the specials open... Read more

November 28, 2021 Lifestyle

De La Soul Confirms Acquiring Catalog & Will Re-Release Albums On DSPs This Year

UPDATE: Just days after Talib Kweli announced that De La Soul had acquired its back catalog (story below), the group took to Instagram Live (embedded below) to confirm reports. After some technical difficulties, Dave, Posdnuos, and Maseo broadcast to over 3,000 fans in real-time. The audience included Common, DJ Drama, DJ... Read more

August 10, 2021 News

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

April 6, 2021 Video

MC Eiht Details Lessons He Learned From EPMD, Rakim, Menace II Society & More

MC Eiht is the latest guest on Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline podcast. In a 90-minute discussion, Eiht revisits highlights from his entire 30-plus-year-career. The Hub City O.G. details the formative years of Compton's Most Wanted and how he assumed the writing responsibilities for both MCs in the collective.... Read more

October 27, 2020 Exclusive, Video

John Forté Brought Talib Kweli To Rawkus. Now Kweli Assists Him In A Beautiful Collab

When John Forté had his 14-year prison sentence commuted more than a decade ago, he immediately went to the studio with longtime friend and fellow Brooklyn, New York native Talib Kweli. It was there that the former Fugees affiliate recorded "Homecoming," a personal cover to Kanye West's one-year-old Graduation cut.... Read more

February 25, 2020 Audio

Ice Cube Explains Why Storytelling Is The Top Level Of MC’ing (Video)

Ice Cube is no stranger to storytelling with his lyrics. The legendary South Central, Los Angeles MC is responsible for one of Rap's most beloved tales: "It Was A Good Day," as well as penning Eazy-E's breakout anthem, "Boyz-n-the-Hood." Cube's albums, both solo and group, often have songs that follow... Read more

February 3, 2020 Video

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2019 (Battle 7): Little Brother vs. Diamond D

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 15, 2020 Best Albums Of 2019

Supernatural Details How Losing A Battle To Craig G Prepared Him To Defeat J.U.I.C.E.

MC Supernatural is widely recognized as one of the greatest improvisational freestyle rappers ever to pick up a microphone. Since he came on the scene in the early 1990s, the Marion, Indiana native has won epic battles, made music with some of Hip-Hop’s elite while living on both coasts, and... Read more

January 4, 2020 Throwback, Throwback, Video

The Game Describes His Shootout With 50 Cent In Detail (Video)

Late last month, Compton rapper Game released his ninth (and reportedly final) album, Born 2 Rap. The LP, clocking in at 90 minutes in length, showcases the many sides and versatile styles of the veteran Compton, California MC. It features the late Nipsey Hussle (who also has a song dedicated... Read more

December 20, 2019 Throwback

J Roc Punches Wack 100 In Defense Of Nipsey Hussle’s Legacy (Video)

Wack 100 is a music industry veteran. A onetime street enforcer, the Los Angeles, California native made inroads to entertainment as part of The Game's management team. More recently, Wack staked Blueface, another City Of Angels product who has signed with Cash Money Records. Although Wack 100 spent much of... Read more

December 17, 2019 Fresh, News, Video

The Game Explains Why He Wants To Battle Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole (Video)

Less than a month ago, The Game released his Born 2 Rap album. What is currently being touted as the Compton, California's final LP features various homages to other songs. "The Light" (embedded below) flips the same Bobby Caldwell song as Common's J Dilla-produced 2000 track of the same name.... Read more

December 15, 2019 Video

Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli Detail How Black Star’s Upcoming Album Came To Be

For nearly two years, Hip-Hop fans have heard bits and pieces surrounding a second album by Black Star. In February of 2018, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) told concert-goers in Colorado that he and Talib Kweli were recording. “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib Kweli, Yasiin, coming soon!,” said the... Read more

December 10, 2019 Fresh

Talib Kweli Is Recording An Album Produced By Diamond D. Take A Look. (Video)

Earlier this year, Diamond D released his latest album, The Diam Piece 2. On that LP, "The Zone" features Talib Kweli as well as Terror Van Pooh, and Niko Is. The Bronx, New York producer, MC, and DJ and the Brooklyn, New York MC, entrepreneur, and show host have some... Read more

November 25, 2019 Exclusive, Fresh, News, Video

Talib Kweli & El-P Recall Rawkus Records Taking A Chance On Underground Hip-Hop

Run The Jewels and Company Flow co-founder El-P is the latest guest on Talib Kweli's The People's Party Podcast, with co-host Jasmin Leigh. The two natives of Brooklyn, New York have plenty of history together, including Hip Hop For Respect. They were label-mates at Rawkus Records during an inflection point... Read more

November 12, 2019 Video

Talib Kweli Says The New Black Star Album With Madlib Is Done

Nearly two years ago, Yasiin Bey spilled the beans that Black Star was at work on a sophomore album. In February of 2018, the artist formerly known as Mos Def told Colorado audiences that he and Talib Kweli were working on an album with Madlib. “New Black Star with Madlib, Talib... Read more

November 7, 2019 Fresh, Video

Brother Ali Surprises Fans With An Evidence-Produced Album. Listen Here. (Audio)

The giving season came early for Hip-Hop Heads, as Brother Ali and Evidence dropped a surprise album titled Secrets & Escapes. The two Rhymesayers artists gave fans 10 brand new tracks, including appearances from Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch, as well as a vocal feature from the Dilated Peoples co-founder.... Read more

November 4, 2019 Audio

Gang Starr’s Album Is Here & It’s One Of The Best Yet (Audio)

Less than six weeks ago, Hip-Hop Heads suddenly learned that a Gang Starr album was on its way. DJ Premier had spent more than a year producing songs around previously unreleased vocals from his longtime creative partner, Guru. The MC/producer had passed away in 2010, nearly seven years removed from... Read more

November 1, 2019 Audio

Gang Starr Has An Album Coming & Their New Song Is Classic Material (Audio)

Gang Starr's legacy is everlasting. What Guru and DJ Premier assembled more than 30 years ago has influenced and informed Hip-Hop culture. In early 2010, the group's creator, Keith "Guru" Elam passed away from cancer in a New York City hospital. At the time, it had been more than six... Read more

October 18, 2019 Audio, News

Kxng Crooked Explains Why Slaughterhouse Needs To Release One Last Album

It was nearly a year-and-a-half ago that Kxng Crooked suddenly announced his exit from Slaughterhouse. In April of 2018, the group's co-founder disbanded from the collective formed a decade earlier by Joe Budden, Royce 5'9, and Joell Ortiz. Although the Shady Records act had been relatively idle since 2014's House... Read more

October 7, 2019 Video

Evidence Talks About The Time Kanye West Jacked His Beat (Video)

Twenty-five years ago, The College Dropout put a long-striving Kanye West the spotlight. 2004 proved to a breakthrough for the Roc-A-Fella Records artist who had been stacking credits since the late '90s. After some critical production work on albums by JAY-Z, Beanie Sigel, Scarface, and Talib Kweli, 'Ye was able... Read more

August 25, 2019 Video

Marlon Craft Says He’s Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Nas Combined In A Fiery Freestyle

Marlon Craft is out to uphold a rich tradition of New York City Hip-Hop. From Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, this MC put in work on last year's exceptional A Breukelen Story album from Masta Ace & Marco Polo—named one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of '18. Previously, Marlon has been behind... Read more

July 29, 2019 Video

De La Soul Rock A DJ Shadow Beat Like An ’80s Park Jam (Audio)

Although formed in the late 1980s, De La Soul has always paid tribute to Hip-Hop's pioneers. The presentation of Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo often honor the tight routines, slang, and style that came out of New York City in the '70s and early '80s. Many of the Native Tongues groups... Read more

July 24, 2019 Audio

T.I. Says Blacks Should Celebrate Veterans Day For Surviving The Drug War

T.I. is the latest guest on People's Party With Talib Kweli. In a nearly one-hour conversation that also involves co-host Jasmin Leigh, Tip discusses how his cult-lauded debut album, I'm Serious, lit a path to Rap superstardom. The three-time Grammy winner also explains the risks (and rewards) of putting his... Read more

July 23, 2019 Lifestyle, Video

Talib Kweli & B-Real Discuss People Of Color Being Blocked Out Of Legal Cannabis

B-Real is the latest guest on People's Party With Talib Kweli. There, the member of Cypress Hill and Prophets Of Rage tells the co-founder of Black Star and Reflection Eternal about the origins of his groups. The Los Angeles, California native breaks down Cypress' distinction among the the handful of... Read more

July 2, 2019 Lifestyle, Video

Bun B Tells Talib Kweli Why T.R.O.Y. Is The Biggest Hip-Hop Song Of All Time (Video)

Back in 2011, Bun B accepted a position at Rice University to co-teach a class about Religion and Hip-Hop Culture. Since then, the UGK co-founder has imparted his knowledge in these areas to hundreds of Texas. Beyond academia, Bun regularly reflects on his experiences as an MC, a father, and... Read more

June 10, 2019 Interview, Video

Stream Bun B & Statik Selektah’s Star-Studded TrillStatik Album

In the middle of this month, UGK's own Bun B and highly-respected producer Statik Selektah hosted a live recording and taping for their collaborative album, TrillStatik. The two veterans have extensively worked together in the past on Statik albums as well as his group with Termanology, 1982. This collaboration was... Read more

April 30, 2019 Audio

Diamond D’s New Album Features Erick Sermon, Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli & More

It has been nearly five years since D.I.T.C. co-founder Diamond D released a solo album. The self-proclaimed "best producer on the mic" dropped one of his most exciting albums in the form of 2014's The Diam Piece. Producing all but one of the tracks (which was by DJ Scratch), the... Read more

March 16, 2019 Exclusive, Fresh

Talib Kweli & dead prez Give The Best Explanation Yet Of What’s Happened To Kanye (Video)

For more than two years, Kanye West's career and public image have become a point of discourse in the mainstream, especially for the Hip-Hop and Black communities. Months after the release of 2016's The Life Of Pablo, a turn of events transpired. West's wife, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint... Read more

November 21, 2018 Lifestyle, Video

Yasiin Bey, Talib Kweli & Anderson .Paak Rock The Stage With Robert Glasper (Videos)

Robert Glasper's ongoing Blue Note residency in New York City is bringing out some of the illest talent Hip-Hop, R&B, and Jazz has to offer. The two-time Grammy Award-winning keyboardist, songwriter, and producer showed that on Saturday night (October 13). Glasper had Black Star and Anderson .Paak as guests on... Read more

October 15, 2018 Exclusive, Video