AFH Ambrosia for Heads

Archives

Dear Mama Shows There Is Still So Much We Don’t Know About Tupac

On Friday (April 21), the first two episodes of Dear Mama premiered. The docuseries, covering the parallel journeys of Tupac Shakur and his mother, Afeni Shakur, is directed by Allen Hughes, one-half of the Hughes Brothers team that gave viewers Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, and documentaries, including The Defiant Ones. In addition to the live broadcast... Read more

Symba Calls Funkmaster Flex Out While Freestyling For Him

This week marks the 26th anniversary of the death of Tupac Shakur. On September 13, 1996, the MC, actor, poet, and pop culture superstar died in a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital following a drive-by shooting one week earlier. While many Tupac affiliates, insiders, and law enforcement officials have opined who... Read more

Allen Hughes Says Tupac Was Delusional & Lost Himself In A Role

This week, Allen Hughes' anticipated Tupac and Afeni Shakur docuseries Dear Mama will make its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. The series, announced in 2019, is expected to arrive on Netflix by year's end. Hughes knew and worked with Shakur. Allen and his brother Albert had met Pac... Read more

Many Of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs

Note: Jadakiss recently appeared on ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby podcast and was asked who his top 5 Hip-Hop groups of all-time were. This article has been updated below with his response, as well as The Game’s top 5 LA Rap albums. A few days ago, during a podcast appearance, Ice... Read more

RZA Explains Why Tupac Was More Dangerous Than The Notorious B.I.G.

Wu-Tang Clan's RZA was a contemporary of both Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. The Abbott produced "Long Kiss Goodnight" from Biggie's diamond-certified double-album Life After Death, a song that many Hip-Hop Heads interpreted to be one of the Brooklyn, New York MC's responses to Pac—even after Shakur was fatally... Read more

T Dot Eric Recalls Documenting The 1995 Source Awards Clash From The Front Row

Photographer T Dot Eric has taken some of the pictures that have defined how Hip-Hop thinks of its heroes. His work includes legendary flicks of Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Gang Starr, De La Soul, and Black Star—only to name a few. T.... Read more

Little Shawn Describes The 1994 Tupac Shooting & Insists He Was Not Involved (Video)

Rapper Little Shawn has an incredible Hip-Hop story. A native of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the veteran MC-turned-dietician sat with Drink Champs for more than three hours. Over the course of the discussion, the guest (who now goes by Shawn Pen) details the mutual respect he shares with JAY-Z. Shawn recalls... Read more

Spice 1 Recalls Discussing Heaven’s Ghettos With Tupac (Video)

Less than a week ago, Spice 1 released his latest album, Platinum O.G. For this collection of songs, the East Bay lyricist works with Kurupt, MC Eiht, Devin The Dude, and his mentor, Too Short. Notably, the Elder Entertainment release also features some fallen comrades, including UGK's Pimp C, Outlawz... Read more

DJ Quik Recalls Making Tupac’s All Eyez On Me & The Advice Dr. Dre Gave Him (Video)

DJ Quik and Hi-C recently appeared on Los Angeles, California's KDAY radio station. The Compton, California natives who have a long collaborative history spoke to host Romeo about the shows they have been doing together in the Midwest. Quik also praised the upcoming Suga Free album that he worked on.... Read more

Hear The Original Version Of California Love & It’s Nuthin’ But A Dre Thang

UPDATE: The same version through an alternate upload has been added. ORIGINAL STORY: When Tupac Shakur got out of prison in late 1995, he boarded a private jet and went straight to Death Row Records' Can-Am Studios in Tarzana, California. After pausing for dinner at Monty's Steakhouse with his new... Read more

Jay Electronica Threatens Eminem For Saying Puffy Had Tupac Killed

Earlier today (September 14) Eminem sent shock waves through the Rap community with his latest MGK diss, "Killshot." The second Em offensive aimed at the Cleveland, Ohio rapper in the last three Fridays was in response to the Bad Boy Records artist's "Rap Devil," a scathing reply to Slim Shady's... Read more

TDE’s President Makes A Compelling Argument For Why Cardi B Is Like Tupac

Cardi B released her major label debut album, Invasion Of Privacy, last Friday (April 6). Within hours, the Bronx, New York rapper achieved gold certification for the Atlantic Records LP featuring YG, Chance The Rapper, Migos, and SZA, among others. In the days ahead the music industry will see if... Read more

Coolio Explains Why His Tupac Collaboration Was Deliberately Erased (Video)

In the mid-1990s, two of the biggest stars in music were rappers, Coolio and Tupac Shakur. At the 38th Grammy Awards in February of 1996, the two men competed for "Best Rap Solo Performance." Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" took the trophy home, while Tupac's "Dear Mama" joined singles by Biggie, Dr.... Read more

Jimmy Iovine Reveals He Was Behind Suge Knight Bailing Tupac Out Of Jail

In October of 1995, Tupac Shakur signed with Death Row Records. Reportedly inking his deal on a napkin, Pac joined Dr. Dre and Suge Knight's reigning and equally notorious record label. In that transaction, Shakur was able to post bail and leave Clinton Correctional Facility. In a matter of days,... Read more

Treach Says Biggie Did Not Set Up Tupac & Explains Why (Video)

The night Tupac Shakur was shot in November of 1994, Naughty By Nature was one of Hip-Hop's biggest acts. The East Orange, New Jersey trio had back-to-back platinum albums. Group front-man Treach had appeared on Pac's sophomore album, care of "5 Deadly Venomz," also featuring Apache and Live Squad. Treach's... Read more

Tupac’s Spoken Words: Why His Interviews Are Even More Compelling Than His Music (Video)

"I want when they see me, they know that every day that I'm breathing, it's for Us to go farther. Every time I speak, I want the truth to come out. Every time I speak, I want a shiver. I don't want them to [predict] what I'm gonna say 'cause... Read more

Tupac Shakur’s Formative Years: The Young Man Before The Myth (Video)

"I loved my childhood, even though it was bad. I love it. I feel like it's taught me so much. Nothing can faze me. Nothing in this world can surprise me. It might set me back, but only momentarily can it set me back. I think it's helped me to... Read more

Treach, Snoop & T.I. Bring Tupac Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame In Style (Video)

Friday night (April 7) at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center, Tupac Shakur was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. More than 20 years after the legendary rapper, actor, and revolutionary was killed in Las Vegas, Nevada, his name and music will live on forever, positioned alongside The... Read more

Teasers For The Tupac Movie Have Been Really Good. The Official Trailer Is GREAT (Video)

Tupac Shakur's life story is coming to theaters in less than 10 weeks. The film, All Eyez On Me will chronicle the rise and fall of one of Hip-Hop's immortal voices. The movie traces a timeline from 'Pac's impressionable childhood to his sudden, tragic death. Following several teasers, the June... Read more

Tupac Shakur Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By Snoop Dogg

UPDATE: The original March 26 story erroneously reported that Mopreme Shakur was recently deceased. We apologize for that mistake and any confusion it may have caused. In fact, Mopreme's Thug Life band-mate Big Syke is the artist whose obituary we linked to in that statement, and intended to report. In... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Quik vs. Warren G. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. 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 deserving... Read more

Snoop Dogg Recalls Meeting Tupac & Nearly Battle Rapping (Video)

In 1996, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg would release several collaborations, beginning with All Eyez On Me video single "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted." Snoop has previously credited himself with recruiting Shakur to join Death Row Records in 1995, when the Long Beach, California MC was the standout MC at... Read more

Tupac Will Enter The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Gene Simmons Can Kiss Off.

In just five years of releasing albums, Tupac Shakur transformed Hip-Hop music and culture. The New York-born lyricist made songs about love, family, decadence, teenage pregnancy, police brutality, and humiliating his enemies, among a litany of other topics. The music of Shakur's is as complex as the man, and often... Read more

This Alternate Version Of “How Long Will They Mourn Me” Has An Unreleased Tupac Verse (Audio)

Long before they were label-mates at Death Row, Tupac Shakur and Nate Dogg made a jam together. Thug Life's 1994 single "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" is eerie, given that Shakur, Nate, and now Big Syke have all died since the record released. Furthermore, Jam Master Jay (who is... Read more

Thug Life Co-Founder & Tupac Associate Big Syke Has Passed Away

Thug Life co-founder Big Syke (aka Tyruss Himes) has died today (December 6). A Hip-Hop veteran of nearly 25 years, Syke was a close associate of Tupac Shakur. In addition to Thug Life's 1994 album, Syke appeared on Tupac tracks like "All Eyez On Me," "When We Ride," and the... Read more

Tupac Approved The Artwork For Makaveli’s Don Killuminati A Day Before He Was Shot (Audio)

Twenty years ago this month, Tupac Shakur was confirmed dead seven days after a Las Vegas, Nevada drive-by shooting. At the time, Shakur had released one of the biggest albums of 1996 care of double LP All Eyez On Me. However, the Death Row Records artist had recently completed an... Read more

Bokeem Woodbine Reveals Tupac Was Fed Up With Record Labels Profiting On Beef

Tuesday's September 13th date marked 20 years since the death of Tupac Shakur. In addition to his circle that included Madonna, M.C. Hammer, and actor Mickey Rourke, The Rap superstar had many burgeoning famous people around him in the last year of his life. Keyshia Cole, Rashida Jones, and Kxng... Read more

Why Tupac Is The Most Influential MC Of All-Time 20 Years After His Death

Twenty years ago (September 13, 1996) Tupac Amaru Shakur died in the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. The last year of his life had been his most successful, his most active, and certainly bid to be his most controversial. Shakur, who was born in New York, became a young... Read more

Tupac’s Latest All Eyez On Me Trailer Shows A Fast Life At Full Speed (Video)

Today (September 13) marks exactly 20 years since the death of Tupac Shakur. As his theatrical biopic gears up for screenings, an expanded, second trailer to All Eyez On Me releases. In the film, Heads can see the portrayals of important figures to Shakur's life including his mother Afeni Shakur,... Read more

Ed Gordon Recalls Building Closeness With Tupac After Questioning His “Thug” Life (Video)

Tomorrow (September 13), veteran broadcast journalist Ed Gordon will launch his new, self-titled series for Bounce TV. Throughout the last 30 years, the Detroit, Michigan native has been a pillar of news and information, as a longtime host and correspondent on BET, plus contributor to "60 Minutes," "Today," and other... Read more

Ed Lover’s Tupac Stories Will Make You Cover Your Mouth (Audio)

Contemporary Hip-Hop has a plethora of media personalities presenting, dissecting, and analyzing the music and culture. Names such as Sway Calloway, Charlamagne Tha God, Miss Info, and DJ Vlad come to mind in breaking news, discourse, and reaction to the daily stream of events. These personalities use different media platforms... Read more

Snoop Dogg Claims He Is The Reason Tupac Signed To Death Row

In 1995 and 1996, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur were label mates at Death Row Records. Notably, 'Pac had made a cameo in Snoop's 1994 film, Murder Was The Case—which was directed by Dr. Dre. He would also release a hit video single on Above The Rim soundtrack in "Pour... Read more

Police Violence Causes The D.O.C., Bishop Lamont & B-Real To Speak Up. Forcefully (Audio)

The murders of unarmed Black and Brown civilians (many of whom are minors) by law enforcement persists in the United States of America. This week is as disturbing of a reminder as any, following the murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Now, matters have escalated with lethal retaliations, as... Read more

Tupac Left Prison A Superstar On A Vendetta. Gucci Mane Uses Him For Inspiration (Audio)

In the last year of his life, Tupac Shakur left Clinton Correctional Facility to claim the pole position in Rap music. While Me Against The World would go to #1 when 'Pac was incarcerated, his 1996 follow-up All Eyez On Me, is the (diamond-certified) double album he is largely remembered... Read more

All Eyez Can Watch A Trailer To Tupac Shakur’s Biopic (Video)

After years of development, the Tupac Shakur biopic is completed. Today (June 16) would have been the music and film star's 45th birthday. In conjunction, All Eyez On Me unveils its first official film trailer. The Morgan Creek Production is said to reach theater screens on November 11, 2016—more than... Read more

New Details Emerge About Tupac Ambushing A Tribe Called Quest’s Source Awards Speech (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop, the most famous Source Awards is the 1995 year. There, tensions between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records came to a head, after Suge Knight aimed a thinly-veiled criticism at onetime associate Puff Daddy from the microphone podium. Snoop Dogg, Danny Boy, Dr. Dre, and... Read more

Easy Mo Bee Confirms Tupac Was Trying To End The East/West Beef

Easy Mo Bee is one of the artists who worked with Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. the closest, during the mid-1990s. While acts like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Method Man, and Buckshot would record with both MCs, the Brooklyn, New York producer was deeply responsible for the soundscapes of Biggie Smalls'... Read more

Tupac’s Original Version Of “Dear Mama” Emerges & It Features A Sample Of Yo-Yo On The Chorus (Audio)

In 1995, Tupac Shakur would release what may be the most definitive song of his career in "Dear Mama." Appearing on the #1, multi-platinum Me Against The World album, the Tony Pizarro-produced first single countered the Shakur portrayed in the media. While the Thug Life front-man was in prison for... Read more

Tupac Shakur’s Estate Is Now In The Hands Of The Man Who Signed Him

Late Monday (May 2), Afeni Shakur died in Marin County, California at the age of 69. The mother of Tupac and Sekyiwa Shakur had become a mainstream figure, not just because of her high-profile son's life (and death), but also due to her years as a Black Panther, social activist,... Read more

Tupac’s Mom, Afeni Shakur, Has Died At The Age Of 69

Afeni Shakur, mother of 1990s Hip-Hop superstar Tupac Amaru Shakur, has died early this morning (May 3). She was 69 years old. While a cause of death has yet to be released to the public, the onetime Black Panther and inspiration to 1995 Interscope Records single "Dear Mama" has been... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Tells The Story Of The Night He & Tupac Recorded Together (Video)

Throughout the 1990s, Tupac Shakur and Big Daddy Kane maintained a friendship. It was during Kane's 1993 Manhattan show that  'Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., with Scoob and Shyheim The Rugged Child, famously spit their iconic freestyles together. However, Tupac and Kane would also record together. One song, reportedly titled "Too Late... Read more

The Role Of Biggie Is Cast In The Tupac Biopic. And You’ve Seen Him Before…

In 2016, the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez On Me is slated to reach movie theaters. Starring Demetrius Shipp, Jr. as the late Hip-Hop superstar, the L.T. Hutton-produced film also stars veteran Hollywood actor Hill Harper. The role of Tupac's close friend-turned-nemesis has also now been cast. Jamal Woolard has... Read more

The Role Of Tupac Shakur Has Been Cast For His Biopic. Here Are Photos.

Following a year that saw Tupac Shakur briefly portrayed in N.W.A. film Straight Outta Compton, production of the late Rap star's own biopic is well under way. All Eyez On Me is the title for the Morgan Creek Entertainment work that chronicles the life, music, and controversy surrounding Shakur. The... Read more

It’s Been 19 Years Since We Lost Tupac Shakur. Re-Live His Brilliance (Audio)

Nineteen years ago today (September 13, 1996), Tupac Amaru Shakur was pronounced dead in a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital. In his final year of life, 'Pac transcended from incarcerated poet to Rap's reigning superstar. In his wake, the MC left some of the most dramatic, fiery, and profound music and... Read more

Hussein Fatal’s Range & Versatility Remembered In A Successful Career, Below The Radar (Audio)

Less than one week ago (July 10), Outlawz member Hussein Fatal died in a Gainesville, Georgia car accident. The 38 year-old born Bruce Edward Washington, Jr. had nearly 20 years invested in a Rap career at the time of his death, with nearly two dozen releases, including albums, collaborative projects... Read more

Information Released In Hussein Fatal’s Death. Girlfriend Charged With DUI.

Outlawz member Hussein Fatal (a/k/a Bruce Edward Washington, Jr.) was confirmed dead this weekend. At the time of the late July 11 report, little information was available surrounding the automobile-related fatality of the 38 year-old Montclair, New Jersey veteran MC. Additional information has been made public. According to a report... Read more

Rest In Peace To Longtime Tupac Affiliate & Outlawz Member Hussein Fatal

Veteran Montclair, New Jersey MC Hussein Fatal (born Bruce Washington) has died. A founding member of Tha Outlawz, Fatal was reportedly killed in a recent automobile accident. Details surrounding the fatal crash are still pending. Tha Outlawz' official social media accounts have confirmed the tragic news, also addressing Fatal's surviving... Read more

Your GOAT Has Been Determined And His Name Is…Eminem (Video)

Today (May 29), the winner of Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series, the quest to name Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time MC (GOAT), was determined. In the championship round, Eminem defeated Tupac 57.38% to 42.62%, meaning that Marshall Mathers is the GOAT, as voted by AFH readers. Beginning in late... Read more

Finding The GOAT (The Final Battle): Eminem vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

The championship round of "Finding The GOAT" has arrived. After eight months, 200-plus MCs, and plenty of down-to-the-wire races, the two finalists meet at last. Both Eminem and Tupac have been undefeated in "Finding The GOAT." For Tupac, twice those triumphs came down to a single percent. For Em', those... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Final 4): Rakim vs. Tupac…Who You Got?

There are now only 4 MCs remaining in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014, including more than 200 overall MCs, there have been six completed rounds, featuring contenders from all eras of Hip-Hop,... Read more