Send us a text In this episode, Mark, Ali and Isaiah invite you into a rich, conversational breakdown of Talib Kweli’s Quality, his gritty-yet-conscious solo debut that keeps you hooked from the very first beat. Their camaraderie leaps off the mic as they trace Talib’s lyrical agility and his commitment to weaving powerful storytelling with social awareness—everything from Black empowerment to personal introspection flows effortlessly. And when "Get By," the Kanye-produced single that maneuve...
Send us a text In a raw, unfiltered moment straight from the heart of the 909, the Flatliners—Octane and QP—step into the light as true architects of Inland Empire hip-hop culture. This isn't just an interview; it's a brotherhood celebration—a living, breathing testament to twenty years of street-honed lyricism, late-night cipher sessions, and unapologetic local pride. Octane delivers razor-sharp punchlines and pop-culture winks with slick charisma, while QP matches gritty realism with spirit...
Send us a text From the very opening lines—“Good morning, good, good evening...straight from the 909, it’s Mark Ali”—you’re thrust into the infectious energy of two hip-hop heads riffing on the return of Virginia’s legendary duo Clipse. Pusha T and Malice, once known as No Malice, have emerged from fifteen years apart with their 2025 reunion album Let God Sort Em Out, and this conversation captures the thrill of that comeback. The hosts dissect Clipse’s razor-sharp lyricism, their uncanny abi...
Send us a text The MHz Legacy veteran—famed for his venom-laced punchlines, intricate metaphors, and fearless honesty—traces his journey from a 14-year-old freestyler on a karaoke machine to dropping the cult-classic The High Exhaulted. From the moment Copywrite starts talking, it feels like stepping into the heart of the underground—where bars are weapons, beats are battlefields, and every word is earned. Along the way, we hear about shaping verses with surgical precision, building with icon...
Send us a text SUPPORT PERSiNAL BANDCAMP: https://persinal.bandcamp.com/ INSTAGRAM: PERSINALOFFICIAL STREAMING: https://tr.ee/fYne5uIHyf In a raw, energy-charged chat straight out of the 909, Personal (stylized “P E R S I N A L”) opens up beyond the mic—mixing introspective beats with braggadocious bravado, he pulls us into his world. Born from heartfelt intros, trust in community, and the grit of building something from nothing, he’s not just an artist—he’s a sinner and a survivor. From Pom...
Send us a text MERCH & SOCIALS : LINKTR.EE/BIZZWITHTRIZZ PRE-SAVE SLUM DAWN MILLIONIARE: VENICE.INK.TO/SLUM-DAWG-MILLIONAIRE CAVI IN CURSIVE: https://belowsystem.bandcamp.com/album/cavi-en-cursive BASELINE CAVI: https://belowsystem.bandcamp.com/album/baseline-cavi-deluxe Step into the world of Inland Empire’s finest as Trizz sits down for a raw, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation that captures the essence of a West Coast original who’s stayed true to his roots. From his days s...
Send us a text In this deeply reflective and culturally rich episode Mark, Ali, and Isaiah from the 909 dive into the legacy of one of hip-hop’s most legendary figures: The Notorious B.I.G. With reverence and deep knowledge, they explore the lyrical genius, smooth charisma, and haunting storytelling that made Ready to Die a cornerstone of East Coast hip-hop. From the hypnotic flow Biggie brought to both soul-sampled tracks and street anthems, to his uncanny ability to paint vivid pictures of ...
Send us a text In this episode, the crew dives deep into Nelly’s groundbreaking debut Country Grammar, an album that didn’t just introduce a new artist—it announced the arrival of an entirely new sound. Straight out of St. Louis, Nelly brought a melodic, feel-good swagger that fused hip-hop with pop, R&B, and even country. The hosts explore how he redefined early 2000s rap, showing that Midwest artists could command just as much attention as coastal heavyweights. From the band-aid under h...
Send us a text In episode #135, hosts Mark Ali and Nesquik dive deep into one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time: Only Built for Cuban Linx… by Raekwon, co-starring Ghostface Killah. They explore how Raekwon’s 1995 solo debut didn’t just follow the Wu-Tang Clan formula—it innovated it. Framed like a gritty street film, the album blends mafioso narratives, coded slang, and cinematic production into an immersive listening experience. With RZA’s layered and unconventional beats a...
Send us a text Check out @jaykasai 's Work! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCi8pwWh3LvuXu9Q8H4l99Ag WEBSITE: jaykasai.com Audius: @Jaykasai Spotify: @jaykasai Bandamp: jaykasai.bandcamp.com Imagine tuning in from the 909 where Nesquik and Jay Kasai effortlessly embody the Inland Empire’s heart and hustle—introducing listeners to a scene once stagnant, now pulsing with fresh energy. Jay’s introspective lyricism—delving into mental health, vulnerability, ambition, resilience—st...
Send us a text In this vibrant and deeply engaging episode, the hosts of That's Hip-Hop dive into the kaleidoscopic genius of Stankonia, OutKast’s bold and genre-defying fourth studio album. From the electric jolt of “B.O.B.” to the emotional core of “Ms. Jackson,” the crew explores how André 3000 and Big Boi blended Southern hip-hop roots with everything from gospel and funk to rave and psychedelia. They highlight the duo’s dynamic contrast—André’s poetic eccentricity against Big Boi’s groun...
Send us a text The return of Clipse is nothing short of monumental, and the crew from the 909 captures every ounce of that anticipation in this high-energy episode. In #132 LET GOD SORT 'EM OUT ROLLOUT DISCUSSION, Mark, Ali, and Nesquik dive deep into the buzz surrounding the duo’s first album in 15 years, dissecting everything from the Paris Fashion Week sneak previews to Pharrell’s involvement and the Kendrick feature drama that had the industry buzzing. From Push T's ice-cold verse aimed a...
Send us a text In this electrifying breakdown of The Marshall Mathers LP, the crew from the 909—Mark, Ali, and Nesquik—dive deep into the mind of Slim Shady, unraveling the chaos, genius, and controversy that made Eminem’s third studio album a cultural bombshell. With unmatched lyrical precision, raw vulnerability, and blistering satire, Eminem didn’t just bend the rules—he nuked them. From the emotional wreckage of “Stan” to the satirical venom of “The Real Slim Shady,” the team dissects how...
Send us a text In episode #130 of That’s Hip-Hop, the mic heats up with Inland Empire heavyweights Fam Likely—a dynamic duo composed of Tangent Wiggy and Diesel 5K1—bringing stories, lyricism, and legacy straight to the forefront. From the jump, the energy is electric as hosts and guests trade stories about nerdcore rhymes, comic book bars, and the grind of building platforms in a region often overlooked. Tangent fuses cerebral wit with comic book charisma, while Diesel grounds every verse in...
Send us a text In episode #129 of That’s Hip-Hop, the crew dives deep into the cold, concrete world of The Infamous, Mobb Deep’s landmark 1995 album that brought the gritty sound of Queensbridge straight to your eardrums. From the moment Mark, Ali, and Nesquick open the discussion, you know you’re in for more than just a casual review — this is a full-on homage to a record that redefined East Coast hip-hop. With an eerie minimalism in the beats and unflinching storytelling, The Infamous captu...
Send us a text In this powerful and heartfelt interview, Sonnie Babble, the Inland Empire's lyrical architect, sits down with Nesquik for an unforgettable deep dive into music, legacy, and purpose. From humble beginnings freestyling in San Bernardino parks to professionally recording tracks at just 12 years old, Sonnie reveals how his artistry was forged in the fire of personal struggle, mental health battles, and an unyielding need to prove himself. With projects like DV3 and the forthcoming...