Featured audio clip: "Something Real" by Sa-Roc ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs : "Yaphet Kotto" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including Rider University and SUNY- Rockland. He has also contributed chapters in Hip Hop in America:...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 22
Resources: Black Reconstruction in America by W.E.B. DuBois The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter Woodson The 1619 Project ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs : "Passin' Time" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including Rider Universi...
Oct 13, 2020•55 min•Ep. 21
Resources: Dr. Kaila Story’s Strange Fruit podcast: https://wfpl.org/category/podcasts/strange-fruit/ Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility (and backlash): https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/magazine/white-fragility-robin-diangelo.html Claudia Rankine: https://time.com/5887426/claudia-rankine-just-us-racism/ Yusuf Hawkins: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/yusuf-hawkins-storm-over-brooklyn Paddy Duke: https://www.complex.com/music/2020/08/hot-97-fires-paddy-duke-after-doc-reveals-alleged-ties-to-mob-...
Sep 29, 2020•59 min•Ep. 20
Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs : "Season of the Vic" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including Rider University and SUNY- Rockland. He has also contributed chapters in Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide ; Expressive Writing: Classroom and ...
Sep 15, 2020•55 min•Ep. 19
Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs : "Mighty Healthy 2010" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including Rider University and SUNY- Rockland. He has also contributed chapters in Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide ; Expressive Writing: Classroom an...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 18
Featured audio clip: "Devil" by Malik B and Mr. Green "Devil" music video ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs : "DOC" ft. Andrew Gould by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including Rider University and SUNY- Rockland. He has also contribut...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 17
Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs : "Trapped" by Traum Diggs
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 16
Ropeadope is a collaborative community, a brand, a moving force with a life of its own that is larger than life. Founded at the close of the last century, Ropeadope has taken the path less traveled, always following the music where it wants to go. From historically significant records with celebrity names to completely unknown artists, Ropeadope has crossed boundaries and defied music business logic to create a truly unique company that continues to release great music. Ropeadope is a story of i...
Jul 21, 2020•53 min•Ep. 15
Soren Baker is the author of 2018's critically acclaimed The History Of Gangster Rap and co-author with Gucci Mane of The Gucci Mane Guide to Greatness , which is slated for release October 13, 2020 via Simon & Schuster. Baker has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, XXL, The Source, and the Chicago Tribune, among many others. In addition, heʼs penned liner notes for albums by 2Pac, Ice Cube, N.W.A, Gang Starr, and others, and has worked on television programs for VH1 and Fuse....
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 14
While Mickey and Dave address the notable deaths that happened in the weeks and days just prior to recording this episode, the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police had not yet occurred at the time of recording. The segment added at the opening of this podcast was recorded in early June to acknowledge Mr. Floyd's death and the demonstrations of protest that resulted both across the United States and around the world. We at A Guest in the House stand in solidarity with all who...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 13
The world is in unprecedented times with the pandemic still looming and massive protests and reaction to the police killing of George Floyd. Dave and Mickey first check-in on each other's mental health and wellbeing and then discuss the magnitude of the moment and steps to heal and reform our country.
Jun 09, 2020•38 min•Ep. 12
Mickey asks Dave to look back at what got him into rap as a kid growing up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn in the 80s and 90s. Dave begins with the early influences like his brother, "J Fresh", and Run DMC, then recounts the stories of his learning, growth and ultimately contributions to the art form. He and Mickey then flow into a discussion of how changes in social and cultural norms have affected the language and expression of hip-hop over the years.
May 26, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 11
Mickey and Dave examine the metaphors, "a guest in the house of hip-hop" and "a seat at the table," deconstructing the foundations that the house of hip-hop was built upon. Hip-hop started out as a predominantly black form of art, but over the years has changed to become more diverse and be seen more broadly as American culture. What is the house of hip-hop? Who are its rightful homeowners? And who exactly is considered a guest and why?
May 12, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 10
Learn more about J'na Jefferson .
Apr 28, 2020•59 min•Ep. 9
The conversation on hip-hop as property continues, and David and Mickey also take some time to discuss their current listening preferences and favorite artists of the moment.
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 8
A "controversial" remark from rapper Jay Electronica on his latest release sparks a conversation between the fellas on what is considered offensive in hip-hop and who has the authority to make those determinations.
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 7
Mickey digs deep into his past as Dave asks him to describe what drew him to hip-hop music in the 80s and 90s as a young white kid in rural Kentucky.
Mar 17, 2020•54 min•Ep. 6
Mickey and Dave discuss the rapper and poet Noname’s proclamation that she will no longer perform for a predominantly White crowd because “I don’t want to dance on a stage for white people” who are more dedicated to enjoying Black art than they are to standing up for Black people. Plus, Lil Wayne’s assertion that the number of White kids at his concerts serves as evidence that “there is no such thing as racism,” and the legacy of the minstrel show.
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 5
In this episode, David and Mickey discuss the origins of Black History Month and the successes and failures of its implementation in schools.
Feb 18, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 4
We rank our favorite Wu-Tang Clan albums and singles and discuss the influence of Popa Wu, the Wu-Tang Clan's spiritual mentor, in the wake of his recent passing.
Feb 04, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 3
Our hosts discuss what brought them to team up to do this podcast and look for the sweet spot in discussing the music itself and the issues it raises. This episode takes on best-of lists as Dave and Mickey consider their favorite hip-hop albums and the “kwai-terria” (criteria) that puts them on the list.
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 2
In this first episode hosts David Shanks and Dr. Mickey Hess discuss how they met, the history of college classes on hip-hop, the dearth of Black professors at U.S. universities, Lord Jamar’s description of White rappers as “guests in the house of hip-hop,” and the responsibilities of White people (from White rappers to fans to professors) who participate in the Black culture of hip-hop.
Jan 07, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1
