Your remedy to the “I don’t have anything good to listen to” problem… below.
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#121 - Vic Spencer INTERVIEW
Turning nothing into something, overcoming your surroundings, exhibiting incredible perseverance, have all served as major components to the stories of hip-hop's greats throughout the years. Today I am joined by someone who absolutely fits that bill. That man is Vic Spencer. If you’re interested in feeling inspired or enlightened right now, this conversation with Vic Spencer is for you!
#119 - Alexander Richter INTERVIEW
Album artwork and the visual side of hip-hop has always played a key role in how music lovers engaged with the art form.
In today’s episode we are joined by someone who’s work has provided visuals for some of rap’s finest. From legends such as Prodigy, Clipse, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, and most notably as of late, many Backwoodz Studioz artists such as Armand Hammer and ShrapKnel.
I hope you enjoy today’s illuminating conversation with the incredibly talented photographer and film director, Alexander Richter.
#118 - Album Alchemy - Metal Lung (w/ ShrapKnel)
Few albums build an entirely fresh and distinct musical universe quite like ShrapKnel’s Metal Lung.
Within seconds, the duo of PremRock and Curly Castro bring you on a 40+ minute journey that features a combination of A1 lyricism, and production that is wildly psychedelic and atmospheric.
The dynamic duo of Curly Castro and PremRock joined the show to deep-dive into the creation of Metal Lung, in the 3rd installment of the Album Alchemy series.
Listen on to hear how one of the best albums of 2022 was conceived.
Conversation Pieces - The importance of representation in hip-hop
Whether it was back in 2005 when I was first starting to develop a distinct affection for the art form, or even now, a whole 17 years later.
When I look at the artists that soundscape so much of my life that I admire, who I lean on to process trauma, to escape my day to day, to instill some fun and confidence into my life... these artists rarely, if ever, look like me.
And that is why I want to take you on a quick journey through the looking glass of an Indian lover of hip-hop, and discuss the importance of representation through the art form we all love, hip-hop.
Throughout, I will also highlight a few pivotal albums and artists along the way.
#117 - Album Alchemy - NBA STREETZ: GANGSTA EDITION (w/ BLOODBLIXING)
In my opinion, NBA STREETZ is the definitive BLOODBLIXING experience, which is why I’m pleased to have BLOODBLIXING re-join the show as the first repeat guest we’ve ever had, to deep-dive into this record in the second installment of the Album Alchemy series.
#116 - Lupe Fiasco - DRILL MUSIC IN ZION REVIEW
Lupe worked with a producer named, Soundtrakk, a frequent longtime collaborator of his, to create DRILL MUSIC IN ZION in just three days.
Lupe stated that his goal with this album was to find a balance between the "whimsy and the profound". That is very telling, and serves as a useful lens to apply to this album as a whole.
Listen on to see if stepping outside of his comfort zone unlocked some new magic for Lupe… or left me wanting more.
#115 - E L U C I D INTERVIEW
Picking the brain of the artist who created Paraffin, Save Yourself, Haram and most recently I Told Bessie, would’ve sounded like a pipe dream just a year and a half ago...
But now, off the strength of the love and support you the listener have provided me, I was able to sit down with South Jamaica Queen’s E L U C I D for an interview in Ep. 115 of the show.
We dove deep into his one-of-a-kind lyricism, his creative relationship with billy woods, his spirituality, and his latest album of the year contender, I Told Bessie.
Simply put, this was a fantastic conversation with one of the best rappers of all time.
#114 - Album Alchemy - MIGHTYCANNONS (w/ Ace Cannons & MIGHTYHEALTHY)
In Ep. 114, we debut the first instalment of a new series on this show, Album Alchemy, which deep-dives into some of rap's best albums, with the creators themselves.
This instalment spotlights the fiercely aggressive MIGHTYCANNONS, discussing the ins-and-outs of its development with its creators, Ace Cannons and MIGHTYHEALTHY.
#113 - Sleep Sinatra INTERVIEW
The ever-thoughtful and intelligent Nebraska MC, Sleep Sinatra, joined the show to dive into his upbringing and worldview that informs his music, such as this year's BRAINSTORMZ and Spirit Box, that are among some of the genre's strongest releases of 2022.
#112 - E L U C I D - I Told Bessie REVIEW
Since the stock of Armand Hammer and the Backwoodz Studioz name has risen exponentially in recent years, this latest album from E L U C I D presented a real opportunity for him.
A prime opportunity for E L U C I D to solidify his perch in rap lore as one of the best artists of his generation, by delivering an album that amazes when the spotlight is beaming at its brightest.
I Told Bessie was not only a highly-anticipated album, but felt like one of, if not, THE most important moments in hip-hop this year.
#111 - Rich Jones INTERVIEW
In Episode 111, I am joined by a beloved musical act from Chicago, Rich Jones, who’s thoughtful and diverse talents have really impressed me over the past couple years.
#110 - Quelle Chris - DEATHFAME REVIEW
Detroit’s Quelle Chris is currently on a run that has already cemented himself as one of the most important hip-hop artists of the past decade.
His oddball eccentristy, insightful perspective lyrically, and musical mastery has powered his music to amazing heights... delivering some of my favourite records in recent memory.
Quelle has been at the forefront of hip-hop’s creative renaissance for the better part of the last decade.
#109 - Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers REVIEW
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
That is a serious question, because for as much as Kendrick has given us of him in his music... there has always been a certain protective barrier shielding us the audience, from this talented 34 year-old guy from Compton.
On Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Kendrick leaves no stone unturned, putting an hour-long therapy session on wax, for the world to see and criticize as they please.
This is Kendrick at his most daring and human, which makes Big Steppers feel vastly different than anything else he's created thus far.
Conversation Pieces - A hip-hop head’s perspective on Rosalìa and MOTOMAMI
The first edition of the Conversation Pieces series, which aims to shine a light on some inspired gems of creativity in hip-hop that I’ve encountered, provides a hip-hop head's perspective on Rosalìa and MOTOMAMI.
#108 - Vince Staples - RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART REVIEW
Vince Staples is an MC with immense potential, who has never fully cashed in on his potential.
I prognosticated on how Vince could take the leap on my previous review of his self-titled album, however, Vince kept his head down and ended up making the most complete album of his career... RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART.
#107 - AJ Suede INTERVIEW
In Episode 107, we were joined by the esoteric, abstract, and incredibly smooth rapper from Seattle, AJ Suede. Suede has delivered two of my absolute favourite albums of this year, in his Televangel-produced collaborative album, Metatron’s Cube, and his collaborative album with Small Professor, Hundred Year Darkness.
BONUS - LOECC: Pusha T - It’s Almost Dry REVIEW
In the first installment from the LOECC, we discuss the highly-anticipated album from Virginia's Pusha T, It's Almost Dry.