Claim OwnershipNo Bars Off
Subscribed: 10Played: 81
Subscribe
© 2021
Description
No Bars Off is the home of innovative, insightful, and entertaining breakdowns of hip-hop verses from all eras, regions, and subcultures. Boardwalk Brown (Aki Davis) and Sha Stimuli (Sherod Khaalis) are word connoisseurs and lovers of the technical process of constructing rhymes. Some of your favorite verses are featured, picked apart, analyzed, and most importantly...celebrated. Join us as we salute legendary emcees and their poetic art.
140 Episodes
Reverse
This week, Sha Stimuli sits down with Bernadette Price, wife of the late great Sean P. They take the time to reflect on Sean P’s legacy, the journey through loss, and the triumph of bringing new music to fans
Topics discussed:
New album and how it came together
Preserving Sean Price’s legacy & family perspective
Lessons, healing, and moving forward
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/t8OfUbC-O04?si=yIBcwor7-7pjWzml
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown break down “F.I.C.O.” from Clipse’s new album "Let God Sort Em Out". We cover the craftsmanship in the rhyme schemes, themes, and why this cut stands out. Production choices and quotables get the microscopic NBO treatment.
Topics discussed:
Standout lyrics & layered wordplay
Beat selection and how it frames the verses
Where “F.I.C.O.” ranks on the album
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/1U6We9yGc_4?si=gf2e8G4fJVOvQRrL
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown look at heavy bar work from Clipse on the highly acclaimed "Chains & Whips". We discuss the otherworldly feature from the Boogeyman himself, Kendrick Lamar.
Topics discussed:
Best verse breakdowns & double entendres
Delivery, cadence, and presence
Final verdict: who had the upper hand?
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/t_J7ccCTcl0?si=ABk-FQf3wRLGrEM_
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown revisit Eminem's classic verse from "The Way I Am" to test its timelessness. From internal rhymes to cultural impact, we examine whether the verse still hits in 2025
Topics discussed:
Technical rhyme schemes & pocket control
Punchlines vs. storytelling
Longevity: does it still resonate?
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/ooKm3eNbmnE?si=uwfA4esJhlqIvx2H
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown take a first look at some of this year’s XXL Freshmen freestyles—what worked, what didn’t, and who surprised us. We react to delivery, originality, and standout lines from Eem Triplin, BabyChiefDoIt and Ray Vaughn
Topics discussed:
Eem Triplin’s approach to pocket & tone
BabyChiefDoIt’s energy and quotables
Ray Vaughn’s control and presence
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/HFR5tciZ2h0?si=pWU499WuIgmn0rqd
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, [someone], [someone else] and [another person] cover [topic].....
Topics discussed:
A&R insights from major sessions
The writing process & keeping bars sharp
Career pivots and future plans
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/KkskWr2D7RI?si=hTcYYt-9fa9eXp8p
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown dissect and digest Ghostface Killah's gut-wrenching imagery from his classic "All I Got Is You", featuring the angelic voice of none other than Mary J. Blige.
Topics discussed:
Vivid storytelling & references
The depths of despair contained in the story
Timelessness of Ghost’s style
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/RThkA2UHSoo?si=kIs0hncN-I2dyfhH
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown spontaneously react to Clipse’s chemistry and pen work on their single "Ace Trumpets", and the album stakes. Are we hearing the makings of a classic?
Topics discussed:
Immediate takeaways from the record
Bars vs. beat: who steals the show?
What it signals for the full album
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/6wbUBVbiBNQ?si=A9LXSj73NFmNI8Ep
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown react to “Maria,” from Lil Wayne's "Carter 6". We unpack Wayne’s wordplay and Wyclef’s musical textures. Hooks, structure, and the moments that make this collab pop
Topics discussed:
Wayne’s punchlines & schemes
Wyclef’s arrangement and melodies
Replay value & standout sections
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/5pUG4DqTBYQ?si=WzoD00O4J_KBafkv
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown revisit Nas' hood classic "Shootouts" and see how well it has aged over the last few decades. Does this vivid story from the late nineties hold up today? Is it still as dope as it was then?
Topics discussed:
Multi-syllabic patterns & imagery
Thematic depth and the characters we identify with
How it stacks up against Nas classics
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/s7CNpVxjbj8?si=G_RMCD5-QZT7SPvX
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown sit down with Tracey Lee sits with NBO to unpack his record “The Pivot”: concept, bars, and the life shifts that inspired it. We talk craft, longevity, and growth.
Topics discussed:
Concept & songwriting choices
Bar work and quotables
Career evolution & next moves
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/g7U59Hhqdnk?si=HbARBUGeED1B87r2
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown bring the next installment of our "Still Ill" segment and revisit The Notorious B.I.G.'s otherwordly cameo on Tracey Lee's "Keep Ya Hands High".
Topics discussed:
The sparring session that produced one of the greatest back and forth rap records to date
Were BIG's verses overhyped?
The dichotomy between the Brooklyn flower and the Philly spitter
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/NlfOUB-ax5o?si=sot2zsBVcIKb2DHG
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown introduce a new segment to the No Bars Off show - "Still Ill". We revisti classics of yesteryear to see if they still hold up
Topics discussed:
The insane production and sample origination by Just Blaze
The flow and mastery of Jay's skill set
After all this time, is it still ill?
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/qK8DLBbYMQg?si=MtRTooqyxmwHHApb
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, we revisit Kanye West and his staccato-filled flow on "Pt. 2".
Topics discussed:
Was this verse as dope as we initially thought it was?
How much he revealed of himself in this short 12-bar barrage
Being in the news for everything other than his music, as of late
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/QJ9NcAOl1Ck?si=s_0dnVXBsAv5ME7I
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown revisit Jay Electronica's highly anticipated classic debut, "Exhibit C".
Topics discussed:
How Jay Electronica shook up the hip-hop world back in 2009 with his unorthodox, conversational flow
The infinite amount of cosigns that preceded his arrival
Was the hype worth it? Was "Exhibit C" that great of a song?
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/DyG2CIPEkMM?si=sukTugKX4MqFR44V
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown discuss the return of rap icon Snoop Dogg and his latest song "Missionary".
Topics discussed:
How Snoop flexes his pen game and delivers some of his best bars in years
His iconic status and his ability to still dominate the mic
Giving Snoop his flowers
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/ddwfebq3Jho?si=nZWJqzYH-BmjFcCj
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown dissect and breakdown J.I.D. and Ab-Soul's recent collaboration on the track "Crazier".
Topics discussed:
The dark, eerie and moving beat production
The next-level flows and hard-hitting rhymes that make this song a standout
How J.I.D. and Ab-Soul continue to push the boundaries of the genre.
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/Pd10zg_fOUY?si=xejwRnN6cyxTp1r5
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This episode, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown dive deep into Kendrick Lamar's anthemic "TV Off" track from his latest release "GNX".
Topics discussed:
Why "TV Off" deserves more attention
What makes it a hidden gem on the album
We analyze the production, lyrics and overall vibe of the track
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/lQZw3mnQkz4?si=i5JGOHrLHJH5z3jR
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown get into Kendrick Lamar's surprise project, "GNX" and the topics he addressed on "Wacced Out Murals".
Topics discussed:
GNX and the West Coast victory lap feel of the album
Drake, Snoop and others addressed in "Wacced Out Murals"
Is Kendrick staking claim to the top spot in the game?
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/0KkV8crg8RY?si=vYnDHD99w-U4LTDC
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
This week, Sha Stimuli and Boardwalk Brown sit down with Grammy-award winning producer Focus. Sha and Focus go back over a decade and have collaborated on multiple projects. Focus gets deep and reveals a lot of the pain that went into the featured verse. "N.C" is a soul-stirring song where Focus speaks to the instrumentation as if it's a therapist. Tap in.
Topics discussed:
Focus talks how the song and project came to be.
The pain that went into the verse on the featured song "N.C."
Using music and tattoos as therapy
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://hashtaglegday.com
https://youtu.be/WYnC-qPbh8A?si=RhphNdJJo87-2jBf
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States