Your remedy to the “I don’t have anything good to listen to” problem… below.
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#154 - Armand Hammer INTERVIEW
I’m pleased to have Armand Hammer on the show to discuss what makes their creative connection so special, the makings of one of the best albums I’ve ever heard (no hyperbole) in We Buy Diabetic Test Strips, and much, much more!
#153 - Defcee & Messiah Musik breakdown ‘The Golem of Brooklyn OST’ - Album Alchemy
On The Golem of Brooklyn OST, Defcee successfully has a tough conversation with the community of white Jewish people he is a part of. He uses Adam Mansbach’s new novel as inspiration to depict thoughtful, and funny stories related to Jewish ideals and folklore in a contemporary context.
This concept is bolstered by the mystical, tone-setting instrumentals from the one and only Messiah Musik, who joins me alongside Defcee to dig deep into the makings of one of the best albums of the year, bar none.
Conversation Pieces - A monologue about the raw romance of Leather Blvd.
This edition of the Conversation Pieces series is the most ambitious and personal thing I've ever done. It almost felt a bit too close to home to put out publicly, but honestly... creating this was truly a prime example of that 'writing = therapy' trope.
Through the lens of a recent event in my personal life, I explore the bountiful emotional richness of this album, and how music is so intrinsically intertwined with real emotions, memories, experiences that we have.
#152 - Gabe ‘Nandez INTERVIEW
With one of the most rapper voice rapper voices you’ll ever hear, Gabe has delivered some of my favourite albums of the year. Pangea dropped months ago, fully produced by the electric Tony Seltzer. H.T. III, his latest album fully produced by argov, which just released today (September 20, 2023).
Listen on to hear how Gabe crafted these recent albums, and the inspiring story about how music quite literally saved his life.
Conversation Pieces - The dark genesis of my love for music
This edition of the Conversation Pieces series is a little different, and music-adjacent at best to be honest.
In what was mostly a therapeutic exercise, I explored how my love for music was borne out of a dark place, and what that made me realize about myself.
It may sound like a depressing listen, but I promise that it ends on a happy note.
#149 - Fly Anakin INTERVIEW
In this episode, Richmond-born Frank, otherwise known as rapper-producer Fly Anakin joins the show. We discuss how he found his voice, established his vision for the almighty Mutant Academy, his recent achievements in FlySiifu’s and Frank, and the impressive world-building that went into creating his cheeky and romantic new album, Skinemaxxx.
#148 - Fatboi Sharif & steel tipped dove breakdown ‘Decay’ - Album Alchemy
Decay is a psychedelic masterpiece - a result of two creative minds joining forces at the exact right time in their careers.
Sharif and Dove are here today to breakdown how this excellent new album was created, in the latest installment of the ‘Album Alchemy’ series.
#147 - McKinley Dixon INTERVIEW
Richmond, Virginia-based McKinley Dixon is an artist who folks throughout the years would attempt to classify, as the "conscious rapper", and then after the "jazz rapper".
But with artists like McKlinley Dixon, and his new album Beloved Paradise Jazz?!, whether the music is technically jazz rap, pop rap, big band rap is irrelevant. The mixture of these varying styles of music is so seamless, which makes the end-product defy previous formulas and classifications that your mind may want to tack on to it.
McKinley simply makes good music, following his ambitious artistic vision wherever it takes him. So I am honoured to welcome McKinley Dixon to the show to speak about how he creates such rich eclectic music, his take on music’s ability to inspire change in the world, and the making of his fantastic new album, Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?
#146 - Sleep Sinatra & Televangel breakdown ‘Incorruptible Saints’ - Album Alchemy
Televangel’s creative musical brushstrokes did wonders to bring out Sleep Sinatra’s thoughtful perspectives and vulnerability.
These two joined forces to make music that truly does its beautiful artwork justice, and they joined the show to dig into the making of Incorruptible Saints, in the latest instalment of the 'Album Alchemy' series.
#145 - Kenny Segal INTERVIEW
Kenny Segal’s one-of-one style has enchanted listeners for over a decade, creating soundscapes for some of rap’s most interesting voices in R.A.P. Ferreira, Self-Jupiter, Serengeti, and most recently, billy woods.
The LA-based producer joined the show to provide insight into his eclectic production style, his collaboration style, key learnings he’s gathered from his illustrious career, and the creation of his latest masterpiece with billy woods, Maps.
#144 - Album Alchemy - Ritual (w/ Stik Figa & The Expert)
The sound, however, is not all that makes Ritual notable since it is a project that may have ended up being the last album hip-hop veteran Stik Figa would ever create.
To learn more about Ritual, Stik Figa and The Expert join the show to dive deep into how this album was made, as the next instalment of the Album Alchemy series.
Conversation Pieces - How Affable with Pointed Teeth taught me patience
Affable with Pointed Teeth, by YUNGMORPHEUS and eyedress, is an album I liked quite a bit, and loved in moments for years now. But then out of nowhere, as I prepped for my recent interview with YUNGMORPHEUS himself, the album completely hit a new level for me.
There is a profound beauty that comes from instances like this... and serves as a reminder that patience is everything in life.
#142 - billy woods INTERVIEW
Teaming up with Kenny Segal for a second time, woods has released his latest masterpiece, Maps... and he’s here today on the show, to talk about his experience creating this record, his writing style and the frequent themes found in his work, Armand Hammer, the legacy of Backwoodz, and so much more!
If you’re familiar with me and this show so far, you know how I feel about woods. You know I had to make the most of my opportunity speaking with the GOAT.
You won't wanna miss this...
#141 - Wiki INTERVIEW
New York's Wiki is what they call "a rapper’s rapper". Gifted as a lyricist, with a style that could exist within multiple eras of rap.
Not even having reached his 30th birthday yet, Wiki has already received mass acclaim for his work as RATKING, and as a solo artist with revered projects that showcase his exceptional penmanship, remarkable versatility, and immensely deep passion for this thing called hip-hop, which we all love dearly.
I’m honoured to welcome Wiki to the show to understand his perspectives on his success so far in his career, what rap means to him, and gain interesting insight into his latest projects.
#140 - YUNGMORPHEUS INTERVIEW
MORPH has quickly turned into one of my absolute favourite rappers in the game.
So I’m very pleased to welcome YUNGMORPHEUS on the show to discuss his distinct approach to rapping, his fiery brand of political commentary, and the makings of this upcoming album.
Along with some fun talk on white rap listeners and crackers... you won't wanna miss this!!
Conversation Pieces - Navy Blue’s Alignment - One of rap’s definitive relationship songs
Found on Navy Blue’s excellent personal classic of a record from 2020, Song of Sage: Post Panic!, "Alignment" is not only a shining star of a track on an album full of them, but the best relationship song I’ve ever heard in my time listening to rap music.
#139 - Album Alchemy - SHOOK WORLD (w/ GENG PTP aka King Vision Ultra)
GENG PTP aka King Vision Ultra, is a man of many hats, founder of the revered PTP collective, and creator of this dense epic of an album, SHOOK WORLD.
He joined the show to deep-dive into the creation of this album, in the latest installment of the Album Alchemy series. You won’t wanna miss this.