Diggin' In The Digits

The trio of Naughty By Nature walked the tightrope better than anybody... Mainstream appeal but still Hip-Hop to the core; everybody and their grandmother has swayed to "Hip-Hop Hooray" and Naughty By Nature had the recipe for a few albums. But the tightrope walk didn't last forever.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57)Ben:Paris Hilton - Infinite IconCharlie:Ian Kelly - A Summer Pack With LoveAmethyst - DaydreamingLARA' - LuvologyTerrace Martin - Nintindo SoulTalib Kweli & J. Rawls - The Confidence Of KnowingRAYE - Live at Montreux Jazz FestivalIndependent Leaders - (14:21)Naughty by Nature - (22:16)19 Naughty III - (31:42)Poverty's Paradise - (40:13)Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury - (47:15)IIcons - (54:22)Anthem Inc. - (1:01:45)Lighter Note - (1:10:14) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

It's time for another edition of Contemporary Cool! For this one, we get into the Griselda project that arguably put them on the map in Benny The Butcher's "Tana Talk 3" & the absurdly stacked "D.I.T.C. - The Remix Project".TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:52)Ben:LL Cool J - THE FORCERansom x Conway - Chaos Is My Ladder 2Sleazyworld Go - More Than a ShooterCharlie:Slowly Rolling Camera - Silver Shadow Marquis Hill - Composers Collective: Beyond The JukeboxWill Kobus - the marble n' the sculptorLL Cool J - THE FORCELaila! - GAP YEAR!Nala Sinephro - EndlessnessThe Doppelgangaz - G Pack, Vol. 5Demae - Deliver MeTana Talk 3 - (16:02)'D.I.T.C. - The Remix Project' - (34:41)Lighter Note - (53:21) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

For the solo career of Guru, it is one that is - compared to Gang Starr - everything but consistent; mix it in with debates about how his relationship with Solar was in truth and you have a bit of a sad end to the life & career of one of the most distinctive voices in Hip-Hop.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:40)Ben:Big Sean - Better Me Than YouJuicy J - Ravenite Social ClubDoechii - Alligator Bites Never HealMozzy - Brash DummiesOcean Wisdom - Fight ClubCharlie:Audrey Powne - From the FireJuicy J - Ravenite Social ClubStephon Alexander - Spontaneous FruitJoya Mooi - Open HeartsLESiA - Affirmations To RealityK.A.A.N. & DJ Hoppa - In Due TimeK.A.A.N. & DJ Hoppa - Delusions Of GrandeurTank and The Bangas - The Heart, The Mind, The SoulDoechii - Alligator Bites Never HealCurren$y & DJ.Fresh - The Tonite Show The Sequel Big Sean - Better Me Than You Ocean Wisdom - Fight ClubTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (23:17)Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 - (32:31)Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality - (43:35)Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul - (52:29)Baldhead Slick & da Click - (58:19)Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures - (1:02:21)Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future - (1:05:23)Guru 8.0: Lost and Found - (1:07:51)Lighter Note - (1:19:48)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The phrase "One of the Best Yet" has never been so apt. Maybe THE quintessential Golden Age Hip-Hop duo, Gang Starr started off with multiple iterations but once it was just the twosome of DJ Premier & Guru, it was over and it all culminated in projects from the late 80s to the late 2010s with the 90s work providing a shining example of what Hip-Hop was in the Golden Era.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:23)Ben:Planet Asia - Trust the Chain IIEminem - The Death of Slim ShadyCharlie:Hamzaa - 25!Rachel Chinouriri - Live From KOKOJWords - Beauty In EverythingMad Skillz - The Seven Number OnesThee Heart Tones - Forever & EverTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (9:48)No More Mr. Nice Guy - (18:15)Step in the Arena - (27:12)Daily Operation - (36:15)Hard to Earn - (44:47)Moment of Truth - (51:56)The Ownerz - (1:01:41)One of the Best Yet - (1:08:18)Lighter Note - (1:19:29)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Brooklynite Jeru The Damaja is a rapper that practiced what he preached. Whilst dropping two iconic "All Killer, No Filler" albums of the 90s, he watched Hip-Hop go commercial and made a point to not get swayed. Instead, he continued as an independent voice and cultivate a dedicated fanbase that love him to this day.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:56)Ben:Denzel Curry - King of the Mischievous South Vol. 238 Spesh - Mother & GunCharlie:Awon & Phoniks - Golden Era 2OneDa - Formula OneDa (Drops October 4th)Enough Cereals - ImpulseDiamond D - THE DIAM PIECE 3: INITIUM 38 Spesh - Mother & GunKalisway - A Kid From TorontoThe Allergies - Freak The Speaker (Drops September 27th)Essosa - Essie's WorldTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (12:41)The Sun Rises in the East - (18:18)Wrath of the Math - (25:32)Heroz4Hire - (34:39)Divine Design - (42:54)Still Rising - (48:17)Lighter Note - (57:20) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Twista is a fascinating case study. With his first four albums that drastically aim in different directions - only to settle on riding the wave of the 00s Hip-Hop sound - (for better or worse) it creates a frustrating picture of one of the most talented deliverer of words that instead made a full-throated push for the mainstream.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:54)Ben:MAVI - shadowboxBenny the Butcher - Summertime ButchBIGBABYGUCCI - Baby 5Charlie:Phonte - Pacific Time 2Ambré - i do this sh*t in my sleepChelsea Reject & T'nah - RogueWais P & Khrysis - HoecaineKaylan Arnold - If You Say SoRae Khalil - CRYBABYLogic - Ultra 85Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding - Milton + esperanzaTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (11:53)Runnin' Off at da Mouth - (19:55)Resurrection - (27:04)Adrenaline Rush - (34:42)Kamikaze - (39:13)The Day After - (51:34)Adrenaline Rush 2007 - (58:28)Category F5 - (1:00:32)The Perfect Storm - (1:02:44)Dark Horse - (1:04:05)Crook County - (1:05:38)Summer 96 - (1:06:39)Lighter Note - (1:13:52)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Chino XL passed away at the age of 50 last week. So we pushed back the others to celebrate the career and artistry of one of the most respected names in the New York underground.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:48)Ben:JPEGMAFIA - I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOUQ Da Fool - King GeorgeCharlie:Elsy Wameyo - Saint SinnerBadbadnotgood - Mid SpiralSamm Henshaw - For Someone Somewhere Who Isn't UsMoses Sumney - SophcoreCecily - Awakening Pt. IICaoilfhionn Rose - ConstellationsEssa & Pitch 92 - ResonanceCruza - CruzifedMeshell Ndegeocello - No More Water: The Gospel of James BaldwinTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (13:01)Here to Save You All - (20:31)I Told You So - (33:17)Poison Pen - (40:15)Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary - (47:18)Lighter Note - (1:06:23) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The story of Ja Rule is one that can only be described as a contextual nightmare. Whilst we can boil it down to "He had hits then 50 took his soul" and call it a day, there's so much under that surface that deserves a look, including music that perfectly exemplifies how fucking weird the 00s were.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:07)Ben:Mustard - Faith of a Mustard SeedRakim - G.O.Ds NETWORK - REB7RTHIce Spice - Y2k!Vic Spencer - The Apes That Was Left BehindDJ Muggs x Raz Fresco - The Eternal NowFlee Lord - Raised in the SandC Stunna x DJ Drama - Still StuntinCharlie:Splurgeboys - LOW MAINTENANCEMoses Ideka - Working OrderBrandee Younger - Serenity: A Collection Of Mindful MeditationsJayahadadream & Zoutr - Redemption SongsRakim - G.O.Ds NETWORK - REB7RTHDaniel Casimir - BalanceVic Spencer - The Apes That Was Left BehindTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (14:12)Venni Vetti Vecci - (22:27)Rule 3:36 - (32:15)Pain Is Love - (44:07)The Last Temptation - (57:00)Blood in My Eye - (1:02:54)R.U.L.E. - (1:09:55)Pain Is Love 2 - (1:17:25)Lighter Note - (1:28:28)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

King Tee's legacy is an underrated one. A West Coast darling, respected by his peers that put on a fair share of artists; you'd think his music would be more known? Especially when it's great for the most part! So was it a case of his peers just making better music or something deeper?TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:56)Ben:L'Orange - The ManipulationCharlie:Amindi - LuvrChenayder - Maybe In Another Life (EP)Lakecia Benjamin - Phoenix Reimagined (Live)Tha Dogg Pound - W.A.W.G. (We All We Got)Dizzy Wright - Emotional Discipline (EP) BLK ODYSSEY - 1-800 FANTASY L'Orange - The ManipulationJerome Thomas & Pitch 92 - Submerge Denzel Curry - King Of The Mischievous South Vol. 2Lava La Rue - STARFACETopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (16:54)Act a Fool - (22:32)At Your Own Risk - (30:20)Tha Triflin' Album - (39:04)IV Life - (45:28)Thy Kingdom Come - (51:18)Lighter Note - (1:12:03)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

We head to the West Coast to cover the story of Tha Alkaholiks, a fun, don't-take-too-serious group that produced some of the most underrated gems of the 90s and managed to drop albums well into the 00s.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:18)Ben:Rema - HEISJuicy J x Xavier Wulf - Memphis ZooBlu x Evidence - Los AngelesZacari - BlissJay Worthy x Dam Funk - Magic HourIsaiah Falls - Drugs n LullabiesDemrick x DJ Hoppa - Stoney Point 4Common x Pete Rock - The Auditorium Vol. 1Charlie:Tank and The Bangas - The HeartHak Baker - Nostalgia Death Act 1Nayla Savannah - Savy WorldAntsLive - Real LifeJ.Rawls - Bump The FloorAction Bronson - JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTORBashy - Being Poor is Expensive Berwyn - WHO AM Iedbl - 2010 MixtapeBlu & Evidence - Los AngelesCommon & Pete Rock - The Auditorium Vol. 1Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (25:10)21 & Over - (33:49)Coast II Coast - (44:38)Likwidation - (49:34)X.O. Experience - (54:55)Firewater - (1:02:30)Lighter Note - (1:08:24) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Albeit a bit late, we take stock of 2024 in Hip-Hop so far, trying not to talk about the whale in the room for as long as we possibly can and instead talk about literally anything else.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:29)Ben:42 Dugg - 4eva Us Neva ThemThe Streets - Fabric PresentsCharlie:Gary Clark Jr. - JPEG RAWTyler Daley - Son of ZeusStefflon Don - Island 54Headie One - The Last OneNappyHigh & Maggie Kiing - EnigmaticAdia - Stubborn NatureSAULT - ACTS OF FAITH 0.0Ben's Album monologue - (18:46)Other topics - (49:38)Lighter Note - (1:24:24)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

We kick back with another edition of Hip-Hop Neighbours, getting into the album that sent Jamiroquai into the stratosphere and a 90s UK Big Beat album from The Wiseguys, using both albums as foundations for a bigger conversations for music that's rooted in Black origin.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:35)Ben:Lupe Fiasco - SamuraiBoldy James x Conductor Williams - Across the TracksLil Yachty x James Blake - Bad CameoCharlie:PRICE & Kota The Friend - SANCTIONED VOL. 1OTG - No ScriptLupe Fiasco - Samurai Channel Tres - Head RushMarsha Ambrosious - CASABLANCOMegan Thee Stallion - MEGANTravelling Without Moving - (20:18)The Antidote - (46:44) Lighter Note - (1:11:07) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The story of 2 Live Crew is one of response. Response to reactionary pearl-clutching over their work which dared to talk out *checks notes* eating ass, among other things. This lead 2 Live Crew to lean all the way into being the flagbearers of the Miami Bass subgenre whilst getting everybody to free up their sexual inhibitions.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:54)Ben:da beatminerz - Stifled CreativityCharlie:John Glacier - Duppy GunCJ Fly - baitedCJ Fly & NasteeLuvzYou - thePhaRaOh'S return 2: NUBIA SuperJazz Club - MONOCHROME RADIOMaeta - Endless NightKaelin Ellis - You Are Here, StartLebra Jolie - What Was Said?Sango - North Vol. 2Homeboy Sandman - Rich IIDon Glori - Don't Forget to Have FunTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (10:44)The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are - (21:54)Move Somethin' - (29:51)As Nasty as They Wanna Be - (39:55)Banned in the U.S.A. - (51:43)Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2 - (1:00:12)Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4 - (1:05:44)Lighter Note - (1:21:24)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Charlie's Photography, mentioned during the WMR.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

We finish our five-part miniseries on the Little Brother universe with Part 2 of our 9th Wonder retrospective, looking at a Blog Era Mixtape, a solo album bursting with features, another - albeit odd choice of - Remix album and a Supergroup EP. Capping off a beginner's guide to one of the best "Death, Taxes & (Artist Name) dropping" careers in recent memory.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:12)Ben:Moby - Always Centered at Night$uicideboy$ - New World DepressionNormani - DOPAMINELUCKI - GeminiJason Martin - ChupacabraNxWorries - Why Lawd?u-ziq - GrushCharlie:Khrysis & Silent Snipers - Perfect TimeVanilla Is Black - U.Aint.Never.Lied!PJ Morton - Cape Town To CairoFana Hues - MothNormani - DOPAMINEZara McFarlane - Sweet Whispers: Celebrating Sarah VaughanNxWorries - Why Lawd? Kooley High & Tuamie - All InfiniteLalah Hathaway - VANTABLACKTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (19:24)Back To The Feature - (23:32)The Wonder Years - (35:53)Black American Gangster - (54:42)Dinner Party - (1:04:13)Lighter Note - (1:26:45)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

With Little Brother now explored, we can now get into the work of the distant 3rd member: Producer 9th Wonder who has spent a couple decades now letting his music do the talking, with many of collaborators in tow. In the first of two parts, we do something a little different and pick out two projects each that exemplify 9th and his legacy.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:29)Ben:Yelawolf - War StoryOpen Mike Eagle - Sir RockabyeKAYTRANADA - TIMELESSVince Staples - Dark TimesCharlie:KAYTRANADA - TIMELESSSHY FX & Mr. Williamz - Rudeboy Design SoundtapePip Millett - Tell Jimmy I'm FineCeline Love - Colouring InTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (12:30) God's Stepson - (23:54)Black Is Back - (35:06)Murray's Revenge - (48:08)Cloud 9: The 3 Day High - (1:01:54)Lighter Note - (1:12:39)Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence