Elliott Wilson Experience

While Elliott was making a trip home to NYC, he caught up with the legendary but still potent Common & Pete Rock who just dropped a collab album called, The Auditorium, Vol. 1.  Elliott gets to get in his Hip-Hop fandom bag as he celebrates his first Pete Rock interview while praising the duo for delivering a masterpiece. He talks to Common about his favorite Common, making up a slight to him by crowning “BE” a XXL, and talks to the group about how they’re staying inspired to still find new cadences and new parts of golden classics to sample.  More of a conversation than a sit down, this episode represents what Hip-Hop talks are really about and they didn’t let anything stop the flow of ideas… or the conversation.  The Elliott Wilson Experience live from Brooklyn, NY. 

On the eve of the release of his album, Play Cash Cobain, Elliott pulls up on the Bronx-bred artist. From Summer Jam to getting the coveted J. Cole feature, Cash talks about his recording process, how he got started as a producer, and what made him eventually step out to make his own music as a rapper. His mom and the women in his life heavily influenced him and it translates into why he is so intentional about sharing his platform with the women in his crew. The vibes are just as strong in the room with Ca$h and his crew, as they are on stage. You’ll want to listen to this.. twice. 

Elliott keeps his New York tour going with a pit stop to see Mr. On The Radar himself, Gabe P. They talk about a topic near and dear to them both, being snubbed on “lists”, and ultimately what it takes to build a platform in this climate. Elliott asks about some of On The Radar’s biggest guest appearances, and how they came about, and you’d be shocked about how some of them worked out. Gabe P. started his platform while still working at iHeart Music Radio in New York then branched out to build what has become the biggest freestyle platform in the game. He talks in depth about the journey, how he stays grounded, how he stays motivated, and how being willing to take recommendations from his team keeps him up to date on new music. Elliott Wilson Experience, live from Brooklyn, NY

Welcome to Chicago and get a front-row view of one of the best summer music festivals right now, Summer Smash, founded by Cole Bennett. Elliott takes you with him to parts of a music festival very few people get access to as he talks to Chance The Rapper on the side of the stage, Bia as she’s heading to the stage, Waka Flocka Flame, DJ Whoo Kid, and Anycia in their respective dressing rooms, and Bay Swag in the talent only lounge backstage. The Elliott Wilson Experience is a unique one, and this episode is a great example of it.

Back on the west coast, Elliott pulls up on two of the best on the West, Jason Martin (formerly known as Problem) and Jay Worthy to discuss this next season of West Coast Hip-Hop. Still riding a high off the Kendrick win, it was a great conversation about the history of their sections, where they sit now, and how the rebrands factor in to what we'll see over the next few months and years. JasonMartin (@problem345), formerly known by the stage name Problem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Compton, California. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside YG and Iamsu! on E-40's 2012 single, "Function", which entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), along with his guest appearance on Childish Gambino's single, "Sweatpants" the following year. His 2013 single, "Like Whaaat" (featuring Bad Lucc) also entered both the chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and led his debut extended play (EP), Understand Me (2013). Jay Worthy’s (@jayworthy142) musical trajectory has been marked by unexpected moments. The Compton, by way of Vancouver, B.C, artist has helped craft a half-dozen collaborative mixtapes over the last half-decade — including Aktive from his LNDN DRGS duo with producer Sean House, an album with Left Brain (Brain On DRGS), and his work with G-Perico and Cardo as GWorthy. There are also the more serendipitous connections in his ever-growing network of friends, like the time he recorded in Sarah McLachlan’s house, or when he was roommates with The Game’s brother, Big Fase, or attended private parties at Paris Fashion Week with Freeway Rick Ross. Live from Los Angeles, CA

If you want to know how to build your podcast into a business in 2024, look no further to Ian Schwartzman, the second half of the Joe Budden Podcast Network empire. Ian, first and foremost was Joe's manager. After building a managing company representing great artists like Papoose, DJ Premier, and Royce Da 5'9, Ian would become full-time manager for Joe as he had his last run in music and then transitioned to podcast super-stardom. Elliott met with Ian to talk about everything from not being your typical manager, how he chooses who to work with, the secret to building a podcast and network like the JBP and the JBN, and where this world of podcasts is going. Ian, forever the enthusiast and forward thinker, even reassures Elliott of how strong and important his voice is, and why he has to continue to build out his platform. Live from Brooklyn, NY

  The most mysterious rapper in the game right now, Mach-Hommy, invited Elliott to a covert location to discuss how he's been able to move how he has as he's slowly becoming a star in this game. They also talk about what's most important to him, how he approaches producing his own records, Black Thought proving to be just as real as his skillset, and what we can come to expect from him. Unlike any of the other interviews, this is truly a unique experience that only Elliott could bring to you. We won't tell you where it took place exactly but a lot of your other questions are sure to be answered during this conversation.

With the biggest record of the year, Mustard is having another moment. The "Not Like Us" producer, breathes new life into an already legendary career, and he and Elliott had to do their 10-year check-in. Live from the tennis court at Mustard's house, they discuss the impact of "Not Like Us", the history of West Coast Hip-Hop, Mustard's great partners YG and Ella Mai, and how tennis has become a passion and safe haven for the mastermind.

Queens will always be infamous, so it only makes sense for Elliott to go see Havoc during his New York trip. Havoc recently announced that he and Alchemist will be releasing a final Mobb Deep album, with blessings from Prodigy's family.  Elliott talked with Havoc about the great history of Mobb Deep, how Alchemist came into the fold, how he's still committed to the excellence of his craft, and how important this last project is.

My next stop is Rapsody. The greatest underrated MC, Marlanna is always a pleasure to hear from on any microphone but I wanted to have a conversation with her before she left the country for her international tour.  With the release of her latest project, Please Don’t Cry, we saw a more active Rapsody during the rollout to promote her most vulnerable project to date. I wanted to discuss the state of her career, mental health, how she feels about the current climate, and what it was like building this project out without the same involvement of 9th Wonder.  Live from the Roc Nation offices in LA, this is the Elliott Wilson Experience 

The Elliott Wilson Experience is an audio and visual, journalistic, and cultural experience like no other in the landscape. Considered by many, the best Hip-Hop journalist of all time, Elliott’s unique journey and skill sets allowed him the opportunity to make relationships with the most talented artists in the culture for over 30 years. Those relationships will be on display as Elliott takes a different approach to the podcast marketplace by having informal conversations, mostly in organic spaces, without the rigorous structure of just sitting down and having a few podcast mics.  Elliott travels freely to speak freely with all of the friends that are currently inspiring him. From heavyweight legacy acts like Common, Pete Rock, and Havoc to young legends and lightning rods like Rapsody, Problem, and Ca$h Cobain. You never know if he’ll pop up at a studio session, a music festival, a New York City rooftop, or a label office to ask the questions only he can ask. To still be curious and driven is Elliott’s best skill, and the Elliott Wilson Experience puts both on full display for the world. Enjoy.