Shots Fired Podcast

After their traditional three-month hiatus, Shots Fired has resurrected to bring you a conversation taped earlier this year with modern funk legend-in-the-making, Dam-Funk. They talk about the nature of the contemporary music industry, Todd Rundgren, what it means to be original in the post-modern world, and of course, all things funk-related. In addition, Jeff and Nocando mourn the loss of Prince. You can and should pre-order Dam-Funk's new DJ Kicks compilation coming out on May 27. http://www.amazon.com/Dam-Funk-DJ-Kicks/dp/B01EDH70DU Follow Dam-Funk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaMFunK

For the first episode of the New Year, we're excavating the last one from 2015. Our guest is DJ Trackstar of Run the Jewels, a renowned turntablist and one of the best mixtape DJs of the last decade. They talk about how he joined Run the Jewels, his roots in the St. Louis hip-hop world, the best rap groups, the Atlanta rap scene and much more. (Interview starts at the 38 minute mark) In addition, Jeff and Nocando talk horror-core, pimping, tamales, one-hit wonders, Future, Drake and Hellfyre Club, See Also: djtrackstar.com/

After a near-death experience, Shots Fired has once again returned with glorious malice. They welcome the legendary slam poet, actor, and musician, Saul Williams. They discuss meeting Leonard Cohen and Allen Ginsberg, religion, 2Pac, the late 90s hip-hop scene in New York, and his forthcoming album, MartyrLoserKing (due out 1/29). In addition, Jeff and Nocando talk about darts, Drake Vs. Meek and ghostwriting, and the greatness of Young Thug. Check out more of Saul Williams here: saulwilliams.com/

After taking a break to track down Octogenarian poets and burn down stages, the Shots Fired duo are back in Dash Studios with their guest, Oakland rap star, G-Eazy. They talk about his roots selling mixtapes in the Bay, the early days of the Hyphy movement, the legend of Mac Dre, and the many times he tried to explain Bay Area rap to confused Southerners during his college days in New Orleans. G-Eazy also charts his rise from hawking mixtapes on Telegraph to selling out tours across America. (Interview starts at the 23:40 mark) In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about the pros and cons of growing Afros, Jared Leto playing the Joker, and why the most important rule of parenthood is making sure that your kids don't snitch.

Last Fall, Scroobius Pip traveled from Essex to LA to record his new album and pay a visit to Shots Fired. The British rapper and poet talks about his roots in punk, spoken word, going from the HMV to being one of the UK's big rappers, British hip-hop, major labels versus indies and miscellaneous cultural differences. (Interview starts at the 20:18 mark) In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about scurvy, jazz, and old Scandinavian folk songs. The usual. Subscribe to Scroobius Pip's Distractions Pieces Podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/distraction-pieces-podcast/id929136539 Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scroobiuspipyo

With the release of his "Dena Tape 2," Hodgy Beats comes through Dash Studios to talk to Shots Fired about growing up in Pasadena, parenthood, Odd Future, his new music, and his anti-marriage stance. (Interview starts at the 17:40 mark) In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about whipped coffee beverages, drugs, Big Sean, and comics. Note: Nocando couldn't make the interview w/ Hodgy Beats, so Paul Thompson was the guest co-host. Download Hodgy Beats' "Dena Tape 2:" http://www.datpiff.com/Hodgy-Beats-Dena-Tape-2-mixtape.686957.html Follow Hodgy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/niggurache

In advance of his new album "Action," the legendary Aceyalone of Freestyle Fellowship came by Dash Studios to tape an episode of Shots Fired. (The interview begins at the 35:19 mark) The innercity griot touches on everything from the early days of LA hip-hop (Egyptian Lover, Mixmaster Spade) to the roots of The Good Life, Project Blowed and how Freestyle Fellowship formed. The conversation spans from his personal views on art, media misperceptions, dealing with major labels, "The Book of Human Language," and his evolution over the last two decades. You don't want to miss this one. In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk "To Pimp a Butterfly." Pre-order Aceyalone & Bionik's "Action" here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/action/id972391757 Follow Aceyalone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aceyalone

The Shots Fired squad return to the Cosmic Zoo for an episode with Martin Kierszenbaum, Chairman of Cherrytree Records, Senior VP of A&R at Interscope, and the producer known as Cherry Cherry Boom Boom. The episode covers the twists and turns of Kierszenbaum's career from the Michigan rap duo Maroon (http://www.fresherthanthis.com/maroon_current.html) to his work as A&R and record executive who played a vital role in the discovery and eventual stardom of artists such as Lady Gaga, Far East Movement, Feist, and Disclosure. It's a must listen for anyone interested in the inner-workings of the music industry and the backstory behind the come-ups of some of the biggest pop artists of the last decade. In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss Drake, Sam Smith, Blossom, and the art of flocking. Only on Shots Fired.

Last fall, the charismatic hair god from the Moreno Valley, Speak! came through the Cosmic Zoo to chop it up with Nocando and Jeff about Suga Free, hip-hop's messiah complex, hookers in Tijuana, the San Fernando Valley, the categories on XVideo, the online music peanut gallery, and what it means to "make it" in the music industry. Once you listen to this episode, you won't ever need to go to summer school or grad school. You can just play it for the administrators and they'll give you a diploma. But first get a copy of SPEAK'S! Sexquest EPs on Bandcamp. Available now. http://momporn.bandcamp.com/album/sex-quest-ep

Shortly before the year ended, The Bug (Kevin Martin) stopped by the Cosmic Zoo amidst his U.S. tour for his latest stellar album, "Angels & Devils." Over the last two decades, Martin has cut one of the most singular and innovative paths in electronic music, grime, and UK hip-hop. If none of that makes any sense to you: think the British analogue to El-P. During this one-hour interview, he talks to Nocando and Jeff about moving to Berlin, contemporary music culture, the time he almost worked with M.I.A., his love of The Weeknd, and other great stories and insight from his legendary career. Listen to The Bug: https://soundcloud.com/ninja-tune/sets/the-bug-angels-devils-tracks Follow The Bug on Twitter (https://twitter.com/thebugzoo) Purchase "Angels & Devils:" https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/angels-devils/id888302987

After a nearly two-month break which Nocando and Jeff spent embroiled a hot air balloon contest around the world (separate balloons), the Shots Firedians are back with a two-part episode. Yes, a 2-part episode. Think of it as like a very special "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," but with more Carlton dancing. In this hour-long mini-episode, Jeff and Nocando catch up and talk about their holidays, Nocando's recent tour, Utah strip clubs, snitching, cops, and the movies -- including "Inherent Vice" and "Birdman." There's more but you probably should just listen.

After a brief hiatus, Shots Fired returns with the legendary Souls of Mischief crew. They talk about Oakland, the roots of Hieroglyphics and their Hiero Imperium imprint, their stylistic evolution and their new collaborative album with Adrian Younge, "There is Only Now." Plus, much more. (Interview starts at the 30 minute mark) In addition, Nocando and Jeff catch up about the latter's trip to Lil Wayne's island mansion in Miami and Ferguson. Buy: Souls of Mischief & Adrian Younge's - "There is Only Only Now" https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/there-is-only-now-deluxe/id890335149 Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studios in Atwater Village

For his third appearance on Shots Fired, Nocando and Jeff welcome back Busdriver, the LA art rap impresario, perfect hair icon, and Hellfyre Club Secretary of State. Topics discussed include: Iggy Azalea's whiteness, regional rap vis a vis Young Thug and Kevin Gates, Busdriver's long-standing ties to the LA bass music scene, the early days of Project Blowed, Barack Obama, Hellfyre Club, the meaning of "perfect hair" and his new album with the same title. In addition, Nocando and Jeff (finally) discuss Kendrick Lamar's "i." They are not fans. Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studio in Atwater Village. Buy Busdriver's "Perfect Hair": https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/perfect-hair-bonus-track-version/id889170746 Subscribe to Shots Fired YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCbd7VXWPG13AbTiL8BSV5jg Follow Shots Fired Instagram: instagram.com/shotsfiredpodcast

Thanks to the mighty squad at Greenroom Magazine, Shots Fired took a trip out to the Twin Cities to do a live podcast with P.O.S., Open Mike Eagle, and Dam-Funk. The episode covers everything from the Minneapolis sound of Prince to the underground movements of Rhymesayers and Doomtree -- it circles back to LA to cover the origins of Hellfyre Club and the broader world surrounding Dam-Funk's Funkmosphere. There are stories about day jobs, the difficulties and benefits of running indie labels, and the artist's different ways in which they to try influence and motivate people. This is one that won't want to miss unless you were there, in which case, carry on. You can check out Greenroom Magazine here: http://greenroommagazine.com/ Listen to Dam-Funk: https://soundcloud.com/damfunk Listen to P.O.S. http://www.doomtree.net/p-o-s/ Listen to Open Mike Eagle: https://soundcloud.com/open-mike-eagle

FOR THE MOST HiGHLY ANTiCIPATED AND NEON TANGERiNE SCENTED PODCAST IN THE HiSTORY OF PODCASTDOM, RiFF RAFF, AKA JODY HiGHROLLER, AKA THE RAP GAME HUCKLEBERRY FiNN, STEPS iNTO THE COSMiC ZOO. TOPiCS DiSCUSSED iNCLUDE HiS iCONOGRAPHY, FREESTYLiNG, DRUGS, HATERS, CHRIS FARLEY'S GENiUS, JEFF BAGWELL AND CRAiG BiGGiO, BRiTiSH KNiGHTS, JODY HUSKiE, CREATiVE DiVERSiTY, AND WHEN AND WHEN NOT TO THROW THE RiCE OUT. iF YOU MiSS THiS EPiSODE, YOU WiLL BE SENTENCED TO LiVE IN THE KALAHARi DESERT AND BARRED FROM WEARING VERSACE JORDANS, VERSACE JEWELRY OR VERSACE HABERDASHERY. (iNTERViEW STARTS AT THE 23 MiNUTE MARK) iN ADDiTiON, NOCANDO AND JEFF DiSCUSS ATTENDiNG THE DRAKE VS. WAYNE SHOW, THE RiSE OF iLOVEMAKONNEN, AND MORE. BUY RiFF RAFF'S "NEON iCON": https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/neon-icon/id879705653 Subscribe to Shots Fired YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbd7VXWPG13AbTiL8BSV5jg Follow Shots Fired Instagram: instagram.com/shotsfiredpodcast