The Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast is back with another cultural deep dive — this time we’re breaking down why the “song of the summer” doesn’t exist anymore and how TikTok changed the entire music economy without boosting streams.We also react to Live Nation’s CEO claiming concerts are “underpriced”, debate whether that’s cap or facts, and talk about the return of house parties as real culture moves offline again.
In Episode 104 of the Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast, AJ & Tone dive into major cultural stories:– Def Jam’s new CEO Tunji Balogun and the label’s pivot toward Afrobeats & global sounds – The Clipse making history as the first hip hop group to perform at the Vatican – Jacksonville’s place in music history + the “Whoomp vs Whoot” controversy of the 90s – Cardi B promoting her upcoming album back in Washington Heights – New music from Knucks, Rapsody x Madlib, Kal Banks x Isaiah Rashad, Joey Bada$$, and more Plus, fresh playlist picks and a debate on preserving vs. evolving Black music history.
Spotify monthly listeners only tell part of the story. On this Rhythm & Rhymes Episode 101 clip, we dive into why YouTube is a better gauge for true global popularity — and the surprising names leading the charts.Artists mentioned: Doechii, Drake, J. Cole, Rema, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj.Full episode streaming now.
🎧 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAIn Episode 103 of the Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast, AJ and Tone break down some of the biggest conversations in global Black music and culture:-Young Thug’s Interview — the trauma in his upbringing, the Gunna fallout, and how the YSL case is being framed in court.-Amapiano’s Identity — is it its own genre, or part of South African house? Why the classification debate matters for cultural ownership.-Drake’s Iceman Rollout — genius new marketing strategy or a confusing misstep?-New Music Picks — Vena’s debut Malik, Elmiene's Heat the Streets, plus fresh amapiano and Chicago rap cuts.Join the conversation as we explore the stories, sounds, and debates shaping global music culture.#YoungThug #Amapiano #Drake #RhythmAndRhymes
This week on Rhythm & Rhymes, AJ and Tone get into DJ culture — from learning how to DJ at home to the rise of TikTok DJs and what it means for live shows, mashups, and internet-driven music scenes. We also dive into Apple Music’s latest playlist moves, Spotify testing DMs, and Joey Bada$$’s new project. Highlights: • Why TikTok DJs are blowing up • The reality of learning how to DJ with limited gear • Mashups, stems, and experimenting with blends • Internet DJs vs. live crowd energy • Streaming platforms shaking things up • Joey Bada$$ and new music drops Follow Rhythm & Rhymes for weekly conversations on music, culture, and the global Black diaspora.
In Episode 101 of the Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast, host AJ Hughes explores the global music landscape and asks the question: who really runs it — YouTube or Spotify?AJ breaks down why Spotify may never reach one billion users, while YouTube already dominates across Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. He also highlights new music from Skepta & Fred Again.., Odumodublvck, Stormzy, Zlatan, and rising UK talent LeoStayTrill.The conversation dives into surprising YouTube streaming stats — including Doechii’s placement above Drake and Rema — and what they reveal about how we measure true artist popularity. The episode closes with shout-outs to Gunna and Burna Boy and fresh track recommendations.🎧 Subscribe and follow Rhythm Ryans for more global music insights and new sounds every week.
🎧 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAFor our 100th episode, we go big: asking whether Pan-Africanism through music is too idealistic, or if the diaspora can truly unite. We start with a raw conversation on doing business within the Black community, the uphill battle of bridging cultural gaps, and how ignorance and education shape music’s global reach. From there, we dive into Chance the Rapper’s Black Star Line project, why house music is back in the spotlight, and standout drops from Kaytranada, Mahalia, and more. We also reflect on two years of building R&R, the lessons learned, and what hitting 100 episodes means for the future.00:00 Timestamps00:40 Is Pan-Africanism Too Idealistic? Diaspora Division vs. Unity06:10 Music as a Bridge: Amapiano, Afrobeats, and U.S. Hip-Hop Crossovers13:00 Chance the Rapper’s Black Star Line Review17:40 Kaytranada's Surprise Project & Black House Legacy21:20 New Music: Mahalia's Lover Girl, K Camp’s KISS 6, Kal Banks’ Producer Tape27:45 Reflections on 100 Episodes: Lessons, Consistency, and the R&R Vision34:00 Songs of the Week
South Africa’s “Coloured” identity and the U.S. term “Colored” aren’t the same. We unpack the Tyla discourse, why first-week sales don’t equal real fandom, and the cost of context collapse. Plus: Gunna’s new project, Skillibeng’s sharp drop, JID’s God Don’t Like Ugly, our Three Step obsession, and fan-owned royalties (Stradebase).Chapters00:00 Cold open01:07 Tyla’s EP sales, cultural misunderstandings & colorism08:38 Royalties, superfans & new label math12:26 New music: Gunna, Skillibeng, JID20:30 Upcoming topics & Songs of the Week24:10 Close + Ep 100 Def Jam→Afrobeats tease
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00:00 Timestamps02:17 Drake's Influence and Cultural Impact13:00 US Dominance in Global Streaming26:06 50 Cent's Legal Moves27:08 New Music Releases and Reviews28:15 Discussing The Clipse Album28:59 Effort in Album Creation30:01 Favorite Tracks and Features33:04 Odeal's EP and Afrobeats Influence35:15 Exploring Amapiano Music37:53 Givēon and R&B Authenticity41:56 J Balvin and Reggaeton Mixtapes43:21 Upcoming Topics and Sign Off
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAThe guys dive into the evolution of music videos and whether anyone actually dances in clubs anymore. They also break down new EPs from Blasst and Naomi Sharon, discuss Yamaha's 50million investment in music startups, and ract to that Red Bull freestyle featuring Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, and Big Sean. Plus, a little fashion roasting to kick things off.Timestamps:00:00 Episode 89 Intro & Outfit Roasts01:26 Discussion on Music Video Evolution & Club Culture05:03 New Music: Blasst's "Unreleased" EP & Naomi Sharon's "The Only Love We Know" EP11:59 Yamaha's Investment in Music Startups14:01 Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, & Big Sean's Red Bull Freestyle & Red Bull's Content Strategy
UK Garage wasn’t just music — it was rebellion.Born in the basements and pirate radio towers of London, UK Garage emerged from Black British struggle and Caribbean sound system culture. It defied the industry, took over the charts, and laid the foundation for Grime, Drill, and more.In this episode of The Black Atlantic series, we trace how UK Garage rose from underground resistance to global force — and how the system tried to erase it.00:00 Introduction00:34 Born British, Treated Foreign02:13 By Any Means: The Pirate Radio Revolution03:55 The Rise: From Side Room to Main Stage05:00 Crossover Chaos07:12 Policed Beats, Suppressed Scenes09:56 Two Dialects of Rebellion11:04 Conclusion#UKGarage #BlackAtlantic #RhythmAndRhymes #BlackBritishMusic #PirateRadio #JungleMusic #Grime #CraigDavid #SoSolidCrew #BritishCulture #SoundSystemCulture #DiasporaMusic #UndergroundMusic #MusicDocumentary #BlackMusicHistory #CultureNotGenre
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAWe recap recent UK concert energy and spotlight Nigerian rising star Shallipopi. From London club nights to global crowd differences — this is a full cultural download.UK music culture, Shallipopi, Nigerian artists, London concerts, Amapiano UK, Afrobeats diaspora
In this episode of Rhythm & Rhymes, we make the case: Chris Brown is our generation’s Stevie Wonder.We get into:-Why Breezy’s legacy is undeniable-The repetitive wave hitting Afrobeats (and how to fix it)-Summer anthem droughts in 2024-JID’s pre-album EP with Eminem-Live Nation’s decline + Spotify/Netflix’s live music play-Who gets to claim “Black culture”? (Eminem, the ghetto, and whiteness)Plus: new music from JT, Odeal, RMC Mike, and a slept-on dancehall gem.🎵 Songs of the week:Antonio:“You Feel Me” – Larry June, Cardo, E-40“Bragging Rights” – RMC MikeAJ: “Yabo/Semi” – Masego“Big Casava” – DahLin Gage00:00 Intro00:24 Bnxn Releases "Captain"01:18 Trends in Afrobeats06:59 Song of the Summer Debate14:30 Debating the Current State of Male R&B15:00 New Music15:45 JID's Pre-Album Release and Eminem's Feature18:10 Netflix and Spotify Collaboration20:14 Live Nation's Decline and Market Shifts24:29 Addressing Comments on Eminem and Black Culture27:29 Weekly Song Recommendations
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAWe debate our Top 5 Chicago rappers — from drill to soul to lyrical legends. Which artists define the city’s story today?Chicago rappers, Top 5 rap lists, drill music, Chance the Rapper, Chief Keef, Common, Midwest hip hop
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrA 00:00 Introduction and Million Dollar Debate00:56 Lyrical Lemonade Lineup Discussion00:56 Lyrical Lemonade Festival Discussion03:57 Saba and No ID Project Review07:12 Nemzzz Project and UK Rap Scene09:31 Burner Boy and TikTok Trends10:40 Weekly Music Recommendations13:07 Chicago's Negative Perception
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAIs Drake still betting on himself? We talk catalog sales, legacy plays, and how Biggie’s name is still moving through the business of rap. Drake 2025, music catalogs, Biggie Smalls, hip hop legacy, rap business, Black music ownership
🎧 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAThis week on Rhythm & Rhymes, we ask: Is the album format losing relevance? From Foggy Raw’s visual-first lyricism to Little Simz’s fractured new LP, we dive into the tension between poetic intent and replay value. We also break down Juls powerful Afro-Brazilian docu-soundtrack, the Spotify x United Airlines deal, and whether Vybz Kartel is still being targeted across the Caribbean.00:00 Introduction and Travel Plans00:35 Foggy Raw's Music Style02:56 Smino Concert Experience07:52 Little Simz's New Album14:13 Juls Baby and Afrobeat17:35 Albums vs Singles Debate22:44 Spotify and United Airlines Partnership23:05 United Airlines and Spotify Partnership25:43 Vibes Cartel Controversy28:28 AJ Tracey's New Project32:52 Roddy Rich's Latest Album34:18 Genevieve's New Music35:31 Stormzy's New Ventures37:21 Music Recommendations and Wrap-Up
Listen to the mix: https://youtu.be/ov0G377bY08From Amapiano’s evolution in UK clubs to country music’s buried Black roots, this week we’re unpacking how Black music travels — and how it gets rewritten.We break down how cities shape sound, how Pirate Radio changed UK genres forever, and why some stories never make it to the mainstream.Plus, new music from Leon Thomas, Goldlink, Lojay, and Clipse — and a Rhythm FM mix to match.
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAFrom the Oscars slap to public redemption — we break down how Will Smith nearly lost it all, and what his comeback says about Black celebrity culture.Will Smith, celebrity scandals, Oscars slap, Black icons, cancel culture, Hollywood redemption arcs