The Rap Music Plug Podcast

By now you should know that I’m a sucker for vulnerability in music. Where the artist opens themselves up, exposing their vices, their love, their sadness and everything in between. So the music of today’s guest, GDP of West Orange, New Jersey was tailor-made for me. What makes his latest album, Cross Off Matthew, so special, is not only only the sheer quality of it, but the surrounding context, and journey that GDP undertook to get here. In this episode, we discuss the hardcore punk ethos and artistic background that has distinguished his sound and career path, the significant hiatus he took away from the indie music world, before recharging his batteries with none other than Fatboi Sharif with their 2025 album, ENDOCRINE, and how this all set the stage for an album that’s currently fighting for my #1 Album of the Year slot. Intro (0:00). The Plug (0:52). The Interview (2:28). GDP’s hardcore punk ethos (4:29). Useless Eaters and the challenges of indie music (16:46). ENDOCRINE and Sharif re-sparking GDP’s return to rap (23:54). The raw honesty of Cross Off Matthew (31:37). Lessons learnt from creating Cross Off Matthew (38:46). The unique sound of Cross Off Matthew (46:32). When GDP made an engineer cry (54:04). Future outlook of GDP’s creative life (56:26). Buy/stream Cross Off Matthew here: https://g6d6p6.bandcamp.com/album/cross-off-matthew  Follow GDP on Twitter here: https://x.com/G6D6P6  Follow GDP on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/g6d6p6/?hl=en  Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot us an email at [email protected]  Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://www.rapmusicplugpod.com/

As today’s guest and I discussed in this episode, sometimes we throw around superlatives too easily in rap. Crowning certain lyricists as elite, when they’re respectable, but nothing close to great. Grouping the Matt Ryans of the world, with the Dan Marinos. Not every ball player, or rapper, is a true Hall of Fame, gold jacket type of guy. When it comes to lyrics and putting intricate rhymes together, Skyzoo is one of those minted, elite pens. In this episode, we discuss Skyzoo’s love for writing, lessons he’s learnt as a successful independent artist over the past two decades, and the making of his thoughtful new album with Apollo Brown, Luxury Tax. Intro (0:00). The Plug (1:21). The Interview (2:32). Knicks prospects for 2027, and Spurs / Wemby criticism (3:10). Skyzoo’s love for writing (13:52). Lessons from a successful indie rapper, 20 years in the game (25:35). The core theme of Luxury Tax (36:13). The creative connection between Apollo Brown & Skyzoo (51:48). Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:00:48). Buy/stream Luxury Tax here: https://apollobrown.bandcamp.com/album/luxury-tax  Follow Skyzoo on Twitter here: https://x.com/skyzoo  Follow Skyzoo on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/skyzoothewriter/?hl=en  Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot us an email at [email protected]  Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://www.rapmusicplugpod.com/

Speaking to today’s guest genuinely moved me. I was feeling burnt out and uninspired, running on fumes as I hopped on the mic and pressed record, set to speak with the LA-based, Koreatown Oddity. But after hearing fascinating insight, as he guided me through the hallways of his mind with humour and remarkable perspective, spending 2+ hours with me, smiling through constant technical difficulties we were experiencing throughout... his foundational sense of faith, and positive energy was genuinely contagious. I couldn’t help but feel pumped up, and grateful for getting to speak to such talented and interesting artists on this show, such as The Koreatown Oddity. In this episode, we discussed his affinity for gritty lo-fi music, where his unshakeable sense of belief comes from, general life philosophies, the making of THAI TAPE and his latest record on Stones Throw, Purdy, and much, much more. If you’re a fan of Koreatown Oddity’s wildly strange and unique art, or are simply curious to learn more, then this sprawling and genuinely deep conversation is an absolute MUST-listen. Intro (0:00). The Plug (1:23). The Interview (3:36). KTO’s affinity for gritty, lo-fi music (9:22). The Koreatown influence on KTO’s artistic trajectory (20:30). KTO’s unflinching sense of faith (29:38). The Thai influence of THAI TAPE (40:07). The deeply reflective messaging of Purdy (50:00). How KTO’s mind state influenced the making of Purdy (57:48). Advice on how to stay driven to pursue your craft, despite lack of recognition (1:14:44). The dreamy, contemplative sound of Purdy (1:21:34). Support Purdy here: https://www.stonesthrow.com/store/purdy/  Follow The Koreatown Oddity on Twitter here: https://x.com/KoreatownOddity  Follow The Koreatown Oddity on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ktownodd/?hl=en  Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot us an email at [email protected]  Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://www.rapmusicplugpod.com/

Few albums pack in as much musical and lyrical diversity as Yaphet does, the latest Curly Castro album fully produced by Locust, released on Backwoodz Studioz. Castro is as dynamic as ever on this new album, slicing through Locust’s electric, drum-forward production with impassioned energy, delivering one of, not only his most dynamic albums yet, but his most personal. Delving into topics like his recent health issues, challenges with the birth of his daughter, in such a raw and unfiltered way - Castro and Locust created something that feels both futuristic, and indebted to the past, all at the same time. This is one of the strongest releases of the year. In this episode, we delve into their creative relationship, the vulnerablity displayed on Yaphet and its eclectic sound, the greatness found in the new generation of rappers coming up, and much more. Intro (0:00). The Plug (1:23). The Interview (2:50). Castro and Locust’s creative relationship (5:31). Locust’s production style (11:03). Castro’s dynamic MC style (16:40). Locust’s musical background (18:02). The vulnerability found on Yaphet (24:53). Castro reflects on his ability to create art, despite his recent health issues (36:47). B-boy essence on Yaphet (44:41). The greatness of the young generation of rappers, aka ‘new mutants’ (47:15). The sonic vision and chronological progression of Yaphet (52:52). The creative process behind Yaphet’s intro and lead single (1:01:18). Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:06:58). Buy Yaphet here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/yaphet?srsltid=AfmBOopi20q1_xiFyM9mjidgY57MRPUltlcXf843XYH1eXiNV0MI8xj3 Follow Curly Castro on Twitter here: https://x.com/Curly_Castro  Follow Locust on Twitter here: https://x.com/and_Locust  Follow Curly Castro on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/curlycastro/  Follow Locust on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/plain_old_mike_and_locust_/  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot us an email at [email protected]  Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://www.rapmusicplugpod.com/

For all of my life, art that touches on relationships, and existentialism in general, have always been up my cup of tea. So I’m always heavily biased towards music that focuses on these subjects. This is why the latest album by today’s guests, Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal, titled DOOMED, contrary to what the title may suggest, was destined to be an album that would impact me greatly... and impact me greatly it did. Mike’s witty humour combined with lived-in authentic experience surrounding a significant breakup, led to some of his greatest writing to-date. This excellent writing was all layered atop a bed of wonderfully lush, and atmospheric production from Kenny Segal. DOOMED is my current album of the year. In this episode, we discuss why the time was right for the first OME x Kenny Segal full-length collaboration, how the relationship-focused subject matter animated the beats and the rhymes, and much more! DOOMED sees Mike and Kenny at the peak of their powers. This episode is an essential listen to learn and appreciate how they pulled off this landmark achievement. Intro (0:00). The Plug (1:16). The Interview (2:55). Kenny’s recent experience on Tiny Desk (3:25). The recording process and timing of DOOMED (11:33). What Mike learnt through creating DOOMED (19:27). The sense of acceptance displayed on DOOMED (22:06). The non-linear through-line of DOOMED (25:06). What listeners may take away from DOOMED (37:35). The sonic direction of DOOMED (43:19).  The songwriting excellence on DOOMED (52:19). The creative process differences between ATD and DOOMED (1:00:19). Lyrical breakdown of “Watching a Movie called Freedom by Myself” (1:03:20). Extended musical outro to conclude DOOMED - patron q from Kosey (1:07:53). The GOAT relationship rappers, and woods’ feature on “She Swear I’m Colorblind” (1:12:48). Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:17:59). Mike and Kenny tour dates here: https://mikeeaglestinks.tumblr.com/post/89666128320/dates-locations-rap-shows   Buy/stream DOOMED! here: https://openmikeeagle.bandcamp.com/album/doomed  Follow Open Mike Eagle on Twitter here: https://x.com/Mike_Eagle  Follow Kenny Segal on Twitter here: https://x.com/KennySegal  Follow Open Mike Eagle on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/open_mike_eagle/?hl=en  Follow Kenny Segal on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kennysegal/?hl=en  Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot us an email at [email protected]  Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://www.rapmusicplugpod.com/