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Rapper Big Pooh Talks His New Album, Little Brother's Status & More Sep 26, 2022

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Rapper Big Pooh joins AFH's What's The Headline to discuss his album To Dream In Color, fighting to keep his dreams alive, working with TDE and Dreamville, the status of Little Brother and more.
0:00 Intro
1:00 Rapper Big Pooh joins the What’s The Headline podcast to discuss his album To Dream In Color
2:00 Rapper Big Pooh details the life lessons he learned from his grandmother
4:24 How becoming a rapper was by divine intervention for him
7:53 The origin story or Little Brother
9:25 Rapper Big Pooh’s advice to the next generation about how to survive in the music business
12:00 Why major record labels are all the same
15:00 On owning his own masters
16:45 Rapper Big Pooh discusses the making of To Dream In Color
18:30 How he became better at writing rhymes over the last six years
24:50 Rapper Big Pooh details how he and Phonte sequence albums
29:40 Which is more important between peace and prosperity
30:40 How the phrase “thoughts and prayers” has lost meaning
35:40 Rapper Big Pooh on working with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul
40:43 What it means to man up and go for your dreams and to dream in color
42:00 How he manages Dreamville’s Lute and maintains his career at the same time
48:28 Rapper Big Pooh speaks about the movement Dreamville has built
50:55 A Little Brother May The Lord Watch documentary is coming in 2023 and it will answer questions
52:30 On whether the rift between Rapper Big Poor and Phonte with 9th Wonder can be repaired
53:45 How Rapper Big Pooh and Phonte resolved their differences
57:40 How Little Brother’s fate would have been different if they started now instead of in the '00s
1:02:20 How his views have changed on material things
1:04:00 Rapper Big Pooh speaks about working other jobs to maintain his Rap career
1:13:00 The joys of the old school CD clubs like Columbia House and BMG
1:15:10 On the legacy of the Justus League
1:19:40 How pride and ego can tear you apart
1:21:40 Rapper Big Pooh gives words of advice to people thinking about quitting their dreams

Cormega Explains Why The Realness 2 Is A True Sequel Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

Cormega joins the latest episode of AFH's What's The Headline to discuss his album The Realness 2. This is one of the realest interviews of the year.

0:00 Intro
1:25 Cormega speaks on what his purpose is in music
3:44 Why it’s important for him to spread wisdom through his music
7:15 Why it was important to make The Realness 2 a true sequel to the original
9:10 Cormega shares his thoughts on the origins of Hip-Hop
15:23 The current state of Cormega’s relationship with Nas
25:30 Why artists lie in their raps
37:00 The balance between keeping it real and snitching on yourself in music
45:00 His evolution as an artist and a man
48:00 The biggest challenge Cormega has overcome
53:50 Some of the biggest distractions Cormega sees in the world
58:20 Working with Large Professor, Sha Money XL, Havoc, Alchemist, Harry Fraud, Streetrunner, Domingo and more as producers on the album
1:06:35 Cormega speaks about things people should be questioning in life
1:09:40 Why Kanye West and others inspire him
1:16:20 Cormega on why innovators are often met with resistance
1:19:00 Why there was no other choice but Biggie and Wu-Tang Clan for him to celebrate on “White Roses”
1:27:00 What success means to Cormega
1:30:45 Why Rod Strickland, Patrick Ewing and Bernard King could have beaten the 1990s Chicago Bulls
1:33:00 On doing wrong to get right

Hip-Hop Is Closer To 100 Years Old Than 50 Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

This week on Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we talk about why we disagree about the quality of JAY-Z's "GOD DID" verse, discuss the three things that happened in 1996 which forever divided Hip-Hop and detail the 100+ year history of the elements of Hip-Hop. We also discuss the alleged theft of MF DOOM's rhyme book and great Rap music from the summer of 2022.

0:00 Intro
1:23 Why we disagree with each other about the quality of JAY-Z’s verse on DJ Khaled’s “GOD DID”
7:58 How JAY-Z’s rap flow has changed over the years
13:00 People celebrated JAY-Z when he talked about drug money but hate on him for talking about corporate money
24:20 The three things in 1996 that split Hip-Hop in two: mainstream & underground
57:28 The elements of Hip-Hop have been around for closer to 100 years not 50 years
1:12:07 Egon has been accused of stealing MF DOOM's rhymebooks
1:25:07 New music from JID, Roc Marciano, Black Thought, Joey Bada$$, Diamond D, Larry June, Meyhem Lauren & Daringer, Rapper Big Pooh, and more

Meyhem Lauren & Daringer Detail Making Their Black Vladimir Album Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

Meyhem Lauren and Daringer have joined forces to create a new album. They speak in detail about the making of Black Vladimir as well as discussing their extensive careers, on the latest episode of AFH's What's The Headline.

0:00 Intro
0:22 Daringer discusses the project that put him on the map as a producer
2:00 Meyhem Lauren and Daringer detail the making of their new Black Vladimir album
5:10 How to make music that’s timeless
7:00 Daringer’s approach to sampling music
8:30 Producers who influenced Daringer
10:30 Meyhem names his favorite Queens MCs
15:00 Daringer explains how he and Westside Gunn created the Griselda sound
18:20 Meyhem Lauren speaks about getting into the food industry
20:00 Meyhem Lauren explains what “million dollar conversations” are
21:12 Daringer discusses how he makes beats
24:00 Black Vladimir is just the beginning for Meyhem Lauren and Daringer
25:10 Daringer has productions in the vault that sound very different than what he has released
26:50 Meyhem Lauren apologizes to Michael Jordan
30:00 Daringer and Meyhem Lauren name the MCs they most want to work with
31:38 How they’ve both stood the test of time in music
33:40 Daringer on how he is able to be so prolific in making beats
36:00 Who Meyhem Lauren and Daringer make music for
40:00 What keeps them motivated
41:40 The meaning of Black Vladimir

Diamond D Speaks About His New Album The Rear View Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

Diamond D speaks in-depth about the making of his album The Rear View. He also discusses the day he spent with Dr. Dre, spending time with Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, names his top 5 producers, and more on this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline.

0:00 Intro 1:15
Diamond D discusses his time with Dave Chappelle during lockdown
7:00 How Diamond D and Westside Gunn connected
8:00 How living in Atlanta has impacted Diamond D’s music
9:20 Diamond D on working with Outkast
10:20 Why Diamond D respects Griselda and what he looks for in new MCs
14:00 Why it was important for him to rap on his new album The Rear View
16:00 What The Rear View means to Diamond D
18:00 Diamond D on keeping your finances right
20:00 How Diamond decides when he wants to work with other producers
21:00 On spending the day with Dr. Dre
22:50 Diamond D names his top 5 Hip-Hop producers
24:30 The role he had in shaping Fat Joe’s career
27:10 On working with Posdnuos on The Rear View
30:00 How Diamond D approaches making remixes
33:34 On being one of the best producer/rappers in Hip-Hop history
38:29 Diamond D’s impact on Rawkus Records
41:10 His experience working with The Fugees and Open Mike Eagle
44:20 What motivates Diamond D today
45:10 The moment Diamond D fell in love with Hip-Hop
47:00 Business tips for being an independent artist

Explaining Pete Rock & Funkmaster Flex's Feud Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

Pete Rock and Funkmaster Flex are at war over the future of New York Hip-Hop. On this week's episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline we explain why the two icons are fighting, and what's at stake. 0:00 Intro 1:20 Funkmaster Flex is in a feud with Conway The Machine and Pete Rock, and it’s turned ugly 2:18 Pete Rock’s Hip-Hop resume 7:30 What Funkmaster Flex has meant for Hip-Hop 13:00 Conway The Machine’s Hip-Hop credentials 17:35 AFH’s relationships with each of Pete Rock, Conway The Machine and Funkmaster Flex 20:16 Why do most Hip-Hop feuds start on social media now? 23:00 Conway The Machine’s beef with Funkmaster Flex 27:23 Why FM radio plays so little variety today 44:10 Funkmaster Flex’s response to Conway The Machine’s attack 49:25 Pete Rock blasts Funkmaster Flex for not supporting “Real Hip-Hop” 58:55 Funkmaster Flex responds to Pete Rock and makes several serious allegations 1:31:20 Where will this feud go next 1:33:00 Does being played on FM radio even matter for artists anymore 1:39:08 DJ Premier released an EP featuring Nas, Rema Ma, Rapsody, Run The Jewels, Lil Wayne and Slick Rick

Many Of Hip-Hop's Greatest Rappers Name Their Top 5 MCs Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

Rappers are fans too...On this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline, we do a deep dive into the Top 5 MC lists of 30 of Hip-Hop's greatest artists. 0:00 Intro 1:10 Ice Cube said Lil Wayne is the greatest rapper of all-time (besides himself) 7:25 The significance of Top 5 MC lists in Hip-Hop 14:44 Jake’s Top 5 MCs 15:37 Reggie’s Top 5 MCs 17:35 The Top MCs for 30 of the greatest artists of all-time 19:08 Ice Cube’s Top 5 MCs 23:40 Black Thought’s Top 5 MCs 26:38 Snoop Dogg’s Top 5 MCs 30:30 Scarface’s Top 5 MCs 33:00 Run’s Top 5 MCs 35:02 J. Cole’s Top 4 MCs 36:45 Nas’ Top 7 MCs and his Top 5 MCs of this generation 42:48 LL Cool J’s Top 5 MCs 46:30 Pharoahe Monch’s Top 5 MCs 48:43 Lupe Fiasco’s Top 3 MCs 51:03 Ab-Soul’s Top 5 MCs 53:48 Raekwon’s Top 5 MCs (not in Wu-Tang Clan) 56:00 Action Bronson’s Top 5 MCs 59:08 Vinnie Paz’s Top 5 MCs 1:01:14 Kurupt’s Top 5 MCs 1:03:04 The D.O.C. names the rapper he would most want to be like if he was still rapping today 1:07:12 Kendrick Lamar’s Top 5 MCs 1:09:09 Jadakiss’ Top 5 MCs 1:12:55 R.A. The Rugged Man’s Top 5 MCs 1:18:22 Drake’s Top 5 MCs 1:21:03 Bun B’s Top 5 MCs 1:22:26 Immortal Technique’s Top 5 MCs 1:23:49 Lil Kim’s Top 10 MCs 1:25:12 Kool G Rap’s Top 5 MCs 1:27:41 Rakim’s Top 5 MCs and who he thinks is the most underrated MC 1:29:50 Eminem’s Top 5 MCs 1:31:38 Lil Wayne’s Top 5 MCs 1:33:52 JAY-Z’s Top 5 MCs 1:35:55 Kool Herc’s Top 5 MCs 1:38:17 Key takeaways

The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time As Determined By Millions Of Fans Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

Rolling Stone recently released an incredibly controversial list of the Top 200 Rap Albums Of All-Time. On this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline, we discuss the list, reveal our own personal Top 10 lists, and lay out the list of the Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time that was decided by millions of AFH readers.
0:00 Intro
1:20 Rolling Stone released a very controversial list of the Top 200 Rap Albums of All-Time
6:50 Why people care about lists
10:55 Ambrosia For Heads has hosted a number of competitions where millions of fans decided the greatest of all-time—MC, Album, Producer, Group
21:00 Why are women not given their proper respect as MCs
23:00 Discussing some of the more questionable Rolling Stone rankings
27:20 Our personal lists of the Top 10 Rap Albums Of All-Time
1:17:42 The Top 20 Rap Albums Of All-Time as decided by millions of AFH readers
1:39:50 Drake and Logic released new album this week

Explaining Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers Albums May 16, 2022

Show notes

After 5 years, Kendrick Lamar has released Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, his long-awaited follow up to DAMN. Like its predecessor, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is 2 albums in one and loaded with hidden references. On this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline, we explain the meanings behind the two albums--Mr. Morale AND The Big Steppers--and explore Kendrick Lamar's career of complex works of art.

0:00 Intro
7:47 Kendrick Lamar started the rollout for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers in August 2021
15:20 The meaning of Kendrick Lamar’s Oklama nickname
18:11 AFH’s personal relationship with Kendrick Lamar
28:00 AFH was among the first publications to report that DAMN was really 2 albums in 1
37:50 “The Heart, Pt. 5” contained a number of hidden clues about Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
45:00 Kendrick Lamar is looking in the mirror in the video for “The Heart, Pt. 5”
51:15 The meaning of the artwork for Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
1:01:56 Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers are 2 separate albums with different artwork and themes, and they are in reverse order
1:11:00 Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is not in the order in which we are supposed to listen
1:24:00 Explaining the Mr. Morale album
1:24:12 Count Me Out
1:25:35 Crown
1:28:30 Silent Hill
1:31:40 Savior Interlude
1:37:20 Savior
1:42:28 Auntie Diaries
1:46:00 Mr. Morale
1:51:10 Mother | Sober
1:55:00 Mirror
1:57:20 Explaining The Big Steppers album
1:57:48 United In Grief
1:59:24 N95
2:01:50 Worldwide Steppers
2:03:40 Die Hard
2:06:36 Father Time
2:10:25 Rich Interlude
2:12:00 Rich Spirit
2:15:40 We Cry Together
2:20:00 Purple Hearts
2:23:40 What is next for Kendrick Lamar

Reviewing Black Star's No Fear Of Time Song By Song May 04, 2022

Show notes

Black Star (Yasiin Bey fka Mos Def and Talib Kweli) have released No Fear Of Time, their first album in 24 years. We review the Madlib-produced album on this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline, and we discuss the history and impact of Black Star and Rawkus Records. We also discuss Kendrick Lamar's forthcoming Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, potentially being a double album.

0:00 Intro 0:33 Recapping the history of Black Star and Rawkus Records
8:42 Reviewing the solo careers of Mos Def and Talib Kweli 12:40 Revisiting the Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star album
18:48 Black Star’s No Fear Of Time album has been at least 4 years in the making
24:25 Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli released No Fear Of Time exclusively on Luminary
32:59 Black Star’s No Fear Of Time does not have curses
35:30 Talib Kweli explains the meaning of the album title
39:13 Reviewing Black Star’s No Fear Of Time song by song
41:36 o.G.
51:31 So be it
56:40 Sweetheart. Sweethard. Sweetodd.
59:19 My favorite band
1:04:52 The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing
1:07:25 Yonders
1:11:06 Supreme alchemy
1:15:32 Freequency featuring Black Thought
1:17:00 No fear of time
1:19:41 Where does No Fear Of Time stand among albums Madlib has produced
1:22:10 Where the album fits alongside Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star
1:23:58 Where Black Star’s No Fear Of Time stands among the best Hip-Hop albums of 2022
1:27:10 Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers may be 2 different albums
1:32:42 Pusha-T has his first number 1 album with It’s Almost Dry

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