Last night I went to the store opening event for Union Sound, an interactive storefront/boutique/studio for the Boston beat culture in Somerville's Bow Market next to 7L's (7L & Esoteric/CZARFACE) record store Vinyl Index. While there, some conversations and interactions I had made me realize that one of my childhood passions led me on a path I still follow well into middle age. This episode is dedicated to my undying obsession with music.
Apr 05, 2019•50 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Being a writer of a particular age, the way the pieces we write are consumed and scrutinized by the modern audience often makes us frustrated with the state of journalism as a whole. While in the process of transitioning into the next phase of my career and highlight the differences between being a Gen X writer who grew up reading older cats and listening to music on the radio and on vinyl or cassette before CD's and digital formats devoid of liner notes, album credits and print journalism that ...
Mar 29, 2019•48 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity Dart discusses the challenges of trying to get above the noise and constantly having to sell yourself, art, ideas/concepts or culture as if it were a product/commodity to an audience to those who might not either respect it, value it or understand it so they see enough value in it to purchase it or enough potential profit in it to invest in it or sponsor it. Also Dart explores the moral compromises that come with having to frame, sell or market a cultu...
Mar 22, 2019•56 min•Season 3Ep. 4
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity we discuss the transition from the Winter mindstate into Spring and how it changes your mood, the constant struggle that comes from being a writer/creative and how I can't just enjoy things without examining them on a cellular level. I explain why comparison is NOT the thief of joy, but a necessity/inevitability in my field. I also touch on the perils of being a serious person plus explain why I put so little effort into trying to be published.
Mar 15, 2019•55 min•Season 3Ep. 3
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity, I discuss the new Marvel film "Captain Marvel" without any spoilers, discuss the unique challenge of being a journalist in the age of real time social media and how the entire space affects me when I try to pursue work/drum up interest in my pieces vs. how it affects athletes or artists and the odd dynamic between creatives and the media that cover them. Ultimately it boils down to how much the audience cares about the subject. If the audience no long...
Mar 08, 2019•47 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Dart Against Humanity returns for Season 3 after a 3 month hiatus. I discuss what I've been working on in the interim, why I haven't tried to turn this podcast into a "brand" yet. I answer the questions behind where the merch is, my thoughts on attempting to monetize the podcast and the philosophy behind my entire approach to what other people in this space refer to as "content creation". Enjoy... Or don't. It's still a free country. At least for now it is.
Mar 01, 2019•48 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On the last episode of Dart Against Humanity Season 2 I discuss what opportunities I'm going to be pursuing over this break to hopefully further my career. I talk about why I don't love Christmas music and my favorite Christmas memories. I also go down a list of my previous podcast appearances before Dart Against Humanity started up. I also explain that I've gotten the opportunity to monetize the podcast so there will be ads now. Thanks for rockin' with Dart Against Humanity and hopefully you'll...
Dec 10, 2018•57 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity I discussed two recent incidents in which I critiqued two recent articles written in my space of Rap journalism where the young authors both had took them as personal attacks and couldn't get out of their own feelings or past their egos to learn from the incidents.
Dec 04, 2018•56 min
Dart recorded an entire episode of Dart Against Humanity that was trash before this one so he simply deleted it & started all over again. He discusses the transitional period he's currently going through and how he's navigating it before talking about the 2nd season of Mike Judge's Tales From The Tour Bus which focuses on Funk. This leads Dart to talk about the highly influential Boston Funk scene and how history repeats itself even within the continuum of Black music.
Nov 26, 2018•51 min
Dart Adams explains his struggles with being in his own head 24/7, how overthinking affects his creative process and how it makes him second guess everything. In addition, he also discusses the evolution of Madden Culture.
Nov 17, 2018•49 min
On this episode Dart ponders questions regarding the valuation of art/music/film by critics vs. fan response then extends that question to Black art when it's viewed through a mainstream lens and how it isn't given the same regard or valued the same way Blacks & Latinos do but how Blacks & Latinos don't readily acknowledge which art we embrace that may or may not be that great qualitywise. It's a discussion that's long overdue...
Nov 08, 2018•49 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity, Dart outlines his problems with the entire horror movie genre while offering a list of films that he actually does consider worthy of consideration over the old horror staples, standards and tropes while killing time before the Boston Red Sox' victory parade begins.
Oct 31, 2018•50 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity, I walk people through my contributions to the Greatest Rap Producer Alive Every Year list on Complex. I also give my take on the World Series with Game 3 happening tonight in Dodger Stadium, the Boston Celtics' offensive & defensive struggles, the concept of high art vs. waning Black support in terms of Black music throughout the years then I close out the episode by discussing my Medium piece about the 15th anniversary of Amy Winehouse's classic ...
Oct 26, 2018•55 min
In today's Dart Against Humanity, I break down the happenings with Netflix cancelling recent Marvel series' and what they mean for the future with Disney's Play streaming platform tentatively set to launch in Fall 2019. I also bring up what bothers me about the lyricism in Rap question Rob Markman of Genius asked Styles P & Dave East in a recent interview then broke down why he asked the wrong question.
Oct 22, 2018•50 min
Dart talks about his frustrations regarding Drake saying he studies Rap battles for a living and LeBron James claiming he's a Hip Hop historian on the latest episode of his HBO series "The Shop". He also talks about the upcoming NBA season premiere, ALCS Game 3 in Houston, Cuffing Season, his attempts to go viral marketing Cuffing Season themed beat tapes, his failed IP The Cuffington Post and a closing rant for the ages.
Oct 16, 2018•53 min
Today I discuss the aftermath of the BOS vs. NYY ALDS series with special guests Screamin' A. Smith & Shammin' Sharpe providing commentary. I then switch it up and discuss beat tape culture and why I'm not worried much about discussing ideas for articles in public (I then declined to actually do so)
Oct 10, 2018•52 min
In this episode Dart previews the Red Sox/Yankees ALDS that begins tonight, addresses the recent developments with Kyrie Irving then previews the upcoming 2018-19 NBA season while discussing how to manage expectations for the Boston Celtics. Other topics include an odd exchange with Carl Chery of Spotify on Twitter from which this episode got its name.
Oct 05, 2018•51 min
On today's episode Dart discusses his latest articles running on Medium & Okayplayer, micro generations in Rap history, why they'll never be another Golden Era & the 20th anniversary of the last great Rap release date. Other topics include faulty Rap release dates, why there's no effort put into fact checking/research, the 25th anniversaries of "Return Of The Boom Bap" & "93 Til Infinity" and why I'm still in this space even after quitting Rap journalism multiple times in the past.
Sep 29, 2018•49 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity, I discuss the frustrations involved with trying to set everyone straight when they're dead set on being wrong in the space of Rap journalism, being annoyed by people projecting their expectations onto you, plus my excitement over the upcoming Red Sox postseason and Boston Celtics preseason. I also discuss my upcoming writing assignments and prioritizing paid gigs over...well, everything else.
Sep 25, 2018•50 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity I discuss deconstructing the idea of being an expert vs. being a purist, snob or an elitist which actually have negative connotations in my mind. They're often dismissive of things or close minded which, in turn, stunts your ability to learn and limits your opportunity for growth. I then discuss LL Cool J's Rap career, the phenomenon of the "tap out", why I fell out with Keith Nelson Jr. and more talk about the Red Sox.
Sep 19, 2018•49 min
On today's episode of Dart Against Humanity I discussed the latest Twitter arguments re: "Ether" vs. "Takeover", telling me to "stick to my lane", "Iron Fist" Season 2 on Netflix, my thoughts on Mac Miller's passing, "Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode" and why I study things obsessively for hours rather than sleeping.
Sep 12, 2018•49 min
On today's installment of Dart Against Humanity, I first recount my harrowing experience with Twitter trolls after tweeting about searching for Black Panther on Netflix, my reaction to the first part of BET's "The Bobby Brown Story", more frustrated Black Bostonian talk, thenI explore the whole Eminem debate raging after he released a surprise album and the subsequent backlash and my take on a subject I don't even care much about.
Sep 05, 2018•45 min
On this latest episode of Dart Against Humanity, I discuss what I learned from the loss of my mother two years ago and how it changed my life going forward and how I cope with real time social media followed getting a verified Twitter account a year ago and the online harassment that ensued shortly afterwards. I also touch on how to navigate having an online presence in the era of Cancel Culture.
Aug 29, 2018•46 min
On today’s episode Dart discusses his love of Boston sports, the frustrations involved with being a Black Bostonian, the recent Twitter controversies over the meaning of the word “freestyle”, Rap’s obsession with sales numbers & chart position then the Eagles surpassing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in sales.
Aug 24, 2018•45 min
Today on Dart Against Humanity, Dart Adams rants about people not being aware of the Lauryn Hill lawsuit over the writing/arrangement/production credits for “The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill” then the conversation turns to all-time great Rap Summer albums & why Rap is considered seasonal whereas R&B isn’t.
Aug 18, 2018•45 min
Dart Adams explains that the age range, experience level & knowledge base of the audience determines their perspective thus determining their sophistication level. This sophistication level dictates the art/music/media/film/literature marketed to them. This is why no one wants to address ghostwriting in this space
Aug 13, 2018•49 min
If I had to describe this episode I don’t know if I could. I update everyone on what I’ve been doing lately & my present frustrations
Aug 08, 2018•47 min
Dart Adams opens up Season 2 of Dart Against Humanity explaining what he did during the break & outlining his philosophy for his creative process going forward
Aug 01, 2018•51 min
Dart is fed up with people spreading false information on social media about classic film and album release dates so he dispels the myths by providing context with evidence. This concludes Season 1 of Dart Against Humanity. See you all again for Season 2!
Jun 28, 2018•1 hr
On today’s episode of Dart Against Humanity I discuss the MCU (especially “Luke Cage” season 2), the frustrations of podcasting/content creation x metrics/numbers then wax poetic about the Summer of 1988. There will be ranting...
Jun 25, 2018•53 min
