In this throwback episode we're joined by Max Heath of Child Actor. At this point its almost a given that you will see Child Actor's name in the credits on many of the most anticipated rap releases of the year. Take Earl Sweatshirt's new "Live, Laugh, Love" for example, where Child Actor contributes production alongside Theravada, Navy Blue, Black Noise and Earl himself. At the time of our interview with Max in October of 2022 he had crafted production for artists such as Armand Hammer (billy woods and E L U C I D), AKAI SOLO, ShrapKnel, Open Mike Eagle and Serengeti. Max joined us for a thoughtful conversation about the art of beat making and shared some of the stories behind songs like "Charms" (Armand Hammer), "Sun 2 Moon" (AKAI SOLO), and "Old Magic" (E L U C I D). Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - the 2005 release from Count Bass D - "BEGBORROWSTEEL".
We’ve got Olskool Ice-Gre and E.P. the Hellcat AKA Abstract Mindstate joining us to talk about their new album with Young RJ of Slum Village called “The Art Project”. We’ll hear about the process of creating the album, their approach to addressing a new generation of rappers and much more. Then we have an energetic discussion about their album pick for this episode - “One For All” by Brand Nubian, which includes a never before told story about Abstract Mindstate opening a show for Grand Puba and 2Pac at Tougaloo College in the early '90s.Purchase "The Art Project" here:https://abstractmindstate.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-project
We've got Devine Carama and Amadeus360 talking about their new album "Guardians of the Boom Bap" and the importance of preserving the culture. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - "It Was Written" by Nas.Stream and purchase "Guardians of the Boom Bap" here:https://soulspazm.bandcamp.com/album/guardians-of-the-boom-bap
In this throwback episode featuring Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire we spoke to the Brooklyn native in September of 2022 as he was getting ready to drop “VOL 1: I Love Y.O.U. Cuz Y.O.U. Ugly”. At that time he was experiencing something of an awakening and it was apparent in the music that he had found a new perspective. Your Own Understanding. It’s become a mantra of sorts. And “Vol. 2: The Y.O.Uprint” just dropped on July 11th. We’ll revisit our conversation about volume one and hear eXquire’s compelling case as for LL Cool J as the greatest of all time.
We’re joined by journalist, author and curator Vikki Tobak. From her time at Payday Records in the early ‘90s to her days as a music journalist with published work in Vibe, ego trip, Paper, Rolling Stone and Mass Appeal, Vikki has been immersed in hip hop culture. That wealth of experience made it possible for her to publish landmark books “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop” and “Ice Cold: A Hip Hop Jewelry History” (not to mention her book with LL Cool J “The Streets Win: 50 Years of Hip Hop Greatness”). Our conversation with Vikki focuses mainly on Contact High and its background but we also touch on some of the other work she has accomplished in her impressive career. Then we discuss her album pick for this episode - an album she reviewed for Vibe when it was released in 1994 - “My Life” by Mary J. Blige.
Sunmundi and Sasco join us to talk about their new project "Contacting" (coming 7/11/25). The emcee and producer talked with us about the thematic elements of the project as well as their creative partnership. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - “Church” by billy woods.Purchase "Contacting here:https://sasco.bandcamp.com/album/contacting
Cymarshall Law is a fiery emcee based in NJ and he has a new with U.K. based producer Slimline Mutha called “The Peaceful Warrior 2: Raw Self-Expression”. We talked with Cy about this project, his emphasis on personal growth and positive self-expression, and how being himself has led to artistic freedom. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - “Black Star” by Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Purchase "The Peaceful Warrior 2: Raw Self-Expression" here:https://cyvision.online/
In this throwback episode we speak with Baltimore based artists Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals - the duo behind the powerful new album "A City Drowned in God's Black Tears". When we spoke to them in Sept. of 2022 they had just released their album "King Cobra," an equally relevant and politically charged statement about life in the U.S. which utilized instrumental arrangements in a way that has come to define their sound. We talked with them about he creation of that record as well as their album pick for this episode - Outkast's "Stankonia".
McKinley Dixon wants to make rapping fun again. On his new album "Magic! Alive!" he accomplishes this through live instrumentation, a different approach to storytelling, and the childlike innocence of the characters he's written. He spoke with us about how all of this came together with the help of his hometown team and longtime collaborators. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def."Magic! Alive!" is available everywhere on 6/6/25
Neil Drumming is a man of many talents. He has worked as a journalist, radio/podcast producer, and writer/director. And now he can add "rapper" to that list. Sorta. Neil joined us to explain why he doesn't really think of himself as a rapper, despite having recently released his debut rap album "Writing on Airplanes". We discussed the ideas and process behind the album and then talk about Neil's album pick for this episode - "A Book of Human Language" by Aceyalone. Purchase "Writing on Airplanes" here:https://neildrumming.bandcamp.com/album/writing-on-airplanes
In a soulful celebration of midlife Blu and August Fanon have teamed up to bring us "Forty". We talked with them both about the process of working on the album, aging with hip hop, legacy, and much more. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - "Death Certificate" by Ice Cube.Purchase "Forty" here:naturesoundsmusic.com/products/forty
miles cooke has a new record out right now called “ceci n’est pas un portrait” which is French. Don’t ask us how to pronounce it. But it means “This is not a portrait” and we try to unpack that with miles in addition to talking about his album pick for this episode, "Fantastic Damage" by El-P. Purchase "ceci n'est pas un portrait" here:milescooke.bandcamp.com/album/ceci-nest-pas-un-portrait
In this throwback episode featuring PremRock we spoke with the Wrecking Crew member and Backwoodz veteran in June of 2022 about his collaborative project with Ockham’s Blazer, a jazz heavy genre bender. We also discussed his previous solo project “Load Bearing Crow’s Feet”. Then we talked about his album pick for this episode - “As the World Burns” from the Arsonists.Purchase Prem's new album "Did You Enjoy Your Time Here...?" at this link: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/premrock-did-you-enjoy-your-time-here
Damon Locks joins us to talk about his new album “List of Demands,” a project that blurs the lines between poetry, hip hop, jazz, and experimental music. We’ll talk about the work that went into this project, the optimism and beauty it demands, and much more. Then we’ll talk about Damon’s album pick for this episode - Mixmaster Mike’s deluxe release “Return of the Cyklops”. Stream and purchase "List of Demands" here:https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/list-of-demands
DJ/activist/educator/Philly ambassador Cosmo Baker joins us to talk about life as a DJ in 2025, his recent Book Club gatherings (featuring authors such as Marcus J. Moore and Dan Charnas), the history of The Remedy (a joint venture with Rich Medina) and much more. Then we’ll discuss his album pick for this episode - the Soulquarian era classic “Voodoo” by D’Angelo.Find all things Cosmo Baker related here: cosmobaker.com
Queen Herawin of the Juggaknots is about to drop her first solo project since 2019's "The Space Between Us". The album is called "Awaken the Sleeping Giant" and has been years in the making. It finds Herawin confronting the many emotions she has experienced in bringing these songs to life. She candidly spoke with us about mental health, creativity in its various forms and much more. Then we get into her album pick for this episode - “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick”.Stream and purchase "Awaken the Sleeping Giant" here:https://queenherawin.bandcamp.com/album/awaken-the-sleeping-giant
Hester Valentine joins us to talk about his 2024 output, which includes the projects "Valenta" and "make me, make me". Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - "N***a Please" by Ol' Dirty Bastard. Stream and purchase Hester's music here: https://blackval.bandcamp.com/ https://mimizuizuru.bandcamp.com/album/valenta https://wearethekarmakids.bandcamp.com/album/i-cant-cut-your-hair
We're joined by director Jacob Rosenberg whose work you’ve likely seen without even knowing it. His new book is called “RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES” and is “an immersive, decade long journey capturing the vibrancy of skate and hip hop culture from ‘88 to ‘98”. It documents much of Rosenberg’s work in film, photography, and journalism during this key period of his career and features notable names such as Chuck D, the Hieroglyphics Crew, De La Soul, Mike Carroll, Sean Sheffey, Sal Barbier and many more. We’ll talk with Jacob about this book and the stories associated with it, as well as his album pick for this episode - “No Need for Alarm” by Del the Funky Homosapien. Purchase "RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES" here: https://www.jacobrosenberg.tv/shop
We talked with the Chicago based producer Spectacular Diagnostics about the three projects he released in 2024 - the instrumental album “If You Feel Like a Lost Soul”, the guest heavy “Appetites” and his latest collaboration with Kid Acne “TOTEMIC TEMPLATE (Edna & Friends Vol. 1)”. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - DJ Shadow’s undisputed classic “Endtroducing”. Stream and purchase Spectacular Diagnostic's music here: https://spectacular-diagnostics.bandcamp.com
In this throwback episode from Feb. 2023, Open Mike Eagle joins us following the release his album “Component System With The Auto Reverse”. We started our conversation with some discussion about his live performances since the album’s release. Then we used elements from the album to discuss larger themes - The importance of his relationships with his peers and his admiration of their skills. The overarching goal of his writing as being present to his own thoughts and experiences. The inherent value he sees in everyone as individuals and how that contributes to his creative endeavors. And we wrapped our conversation by discussing Busta Rhymes’ solo debut and the impact it had on Mike as a fan. You can stream and purchase "Component System With The Auto Reverse" here: openmikeeagle.bandcamp.com