On today’s episode we catch up with French-born, London-based singer / songwriter and producer Léa Sen. We talk about Léa gearing up for her first ever US tour dates, her journey to songwriter in English — her second language — plus what inspired her two part EP “You Of Now” and her signature sound, balancing often melancholy subject matter with a hopeful tone and playful energy. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by ...
Sep 21, 2023•25 min•Season 9Ep. 28
Welcome back to NOT 97 on today’s episode we’re joined by Aja Monet, a surrealist blues poet, an organizer, storyteller, and more. Aja recently released her debut album “when the poems do what they do” — an expansive work, featuring Aja collaborating with a prolific crew of jazz musicians to bring her poems to life. We discuss Aja’s journey from entering the poetry scene in high school with Urban Word NYC, to winning the Nuyoricans Poets Cafe Grand Slam, to the process of putting this album toge...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 9Ep. 27
On today’s episode we’re joined by Montreal-based boundary pushing trio Planet Giza. We talk through their latest record Ready When You Are, how they found their Retro Futuristic sound, breaking out of their city & the tribulations of being an English-speaking artist in a culture built to only support French-speaking creators. Plus Planet Giza hits the studio for a live performance of Elevator. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their right...
Aug 21, 2023•23 min•Season 9Ep. 26
On today's episode we're joined by rappers Fly Anakin & YUNGMORPHEUS while in New York on their joint tour. The two rappers and producers talk through approach to rap, what goes into creating such a prolific body of work, co-headlining a tour, and the process of putting together their recent collab, "Cassava Bread." Plus, a live in-studio performance of the song as well. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 9...
Aug 10, 2023•29 min•Season 9Ep. 25
Today’s episode features Harlem-based singer/songwriter, poet, and storyteller Mamadou. Mamadou talks through his introduction to music after years of writing poetry. His commitment to telling his unique story, building world for his audience to take part in, confronting the pressures of visibility, and finding peace in his creative process. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow...
Aug 03, 2023•27 min•Season 9Ep. 24
On our final roundtable of Season Nine we're joined by TDE's own Reason — on the verge of releasing his sophomore studio album “Porches," out everywhere on August 11th. We talk to Reason about the journey to releasing this record, the pressures of being a part of such an iconic and influential record label, and what it means to be a true writer and storyteller in music today. Reason introduces & plays snippets of two unreleased songs from the record — in addition we play standout songs from ...
Jul 27, 2023•44 min•Season 9Ep. 23
On today’s episode we catch up with London-based singer/songwriter, producer, and filmmaker Wesley Joseph. We talk through his recently release GLOW and what it means to now have the Secretly Canadian label team supporting him and his music. Wesley discusses his hands on process of writing, producing, and directing, and what that do it yourself mentality has taught him. As well, we talk about what this moment means to him, touring North American for the first time playing sold out dates in New Y...
Jul 20, 2023•33 min•Season 9Ep. 22
Today we're joined by BLK ODYSSY, the Austin based duo building conceptual worlds & blending genre from funk to hip-hop to soul and everything in between. We caught up with BLK ODYSSY on the heels of releasing their latest album Diamonds & Freaks — a deeply personal project grappling with lust, sex, masculinity and more. We highlight a standout off their record titled ADAM & EVE and a new single from frequent collaborator Eimaral Sol. In addition, we introduce Philly’s Black Buttafly...
Jul 13, 2023•56 min•Season 9Ep. 21
Today we’re sitting down with RnB’s rising star Reggie Becton. We discuss his hometown of PG County and what that community means to him, breakdown the eras of his budding career from the iconic Orange Beanie to now, and talk through his creative process & the stories behind his latest release Sadboy Vol. 1 — out now everywhere. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: ...
Jul 06, 2023•22 min•Season 9Ep. 20
Today’s episode features brothers Eric & Jeff Rosenthal of ITSTHEREAL, influential voices for over a decade in hip-hop media as interviewers, sketch writers & actors, rappers, and more — now with their ten part podcast series The Blog Era, tracking the years between mixtapes and streaming when independent writers and publications held the reins of the music industry — introduces artists from Drake to Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, and J Cole to name a few! We talk through ITSTHER...
Jun 29, 2023•47 min•Season 9Ep. 19
On today’s episode we sit down with budding Atlanta singer/songwriter DaVionne. We talk through DaVionne’s career from being featured on Dreamville’s Grammy-nominated album Revenge Of The Dreamers III to recently being a part of UNCHARTED, the documentary produced by Alicia Keys’ She Is The Music organization that premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. DaVionne discusses her journey as a songwriter, what we can expect from her upcoming debut EP “Good Grief," and even plays us an unrelea...
Jun 22, 2023•35 min•Season 9Ep. 18
Our Community Check-In series continues with Kei Henderson — known as an artist advocate, a creative executive, strategist, entrepreneur, and more. Kei is a Grammy-award winning manager for her work with 21 Savage, one of the founders and former president of the influential Atlanta-label Since The 80s, and currently running her own ship at Third & Hayden, a creative incubation hub serving as a label, management, and publishing company. We talk through Kei's prolific career from Complex, to 1...
Jun 20, 2023•28 min•Season 9Ep. 17
Today’s guest is the legendary Atlanta artist KEY! With outsized influence across the industry for over a decade, KEY! talks about his come up in Atlanta, to working with artists from 21 Savage to A$AP Rocky, Juicy J & Gucci Mane. We discuss what this moment means for him and his career as he gears up to release his forthcoming record Marquis. Plus he puts us on to Atlanta’s next generation. Stay tuned after KEY! for a snippet of our conversation with another young Atlanta artist — DaVionne ...
Jun 15, 2023•48 min•Season 9Ep. 16
On today’s episode we tap in with RnB’s breakout star Alex Vaughn as she visits New York at the height of opening for Ari Lennox on the sold out Age / Sex / Location tour. Alex discusses her hometown of Washington, DC and how that community shaped the artist she is. Known for open & honest lyricism, we talk through the power of owning your vulnerability. Alex tells us about her experience working with icons like Rodney Jerkins on her latest record “The Hurtbook,” as well as collaborating wit...
Jun 08, 2023•24 min•Season 9Ep. 15
On today’s episode we sit down with Lolo Zouaï in the midst of her Playgirl World Tour. We talk through her experiences performing her new album all around the world, as well as what it was like opening sold out arenas for Dua Lipa. We discuss Lolo’s new energy now that she’s officially independent after two major label albums. And what it means as an artist to touch everything from creative direction, to production, to video editing. Lolo introduces her own song “Room” as well as puts us to a y...
Jun 01, 2023•59 min•Season 9Ep. 14
On today’s episode we sit down with rising R&B artist Fana Hues as she visits New York, fresh from London, in the midst of her first ever international headlining tour. We talk through her childhood, performing music with her siblings in their family band and how she still keeps her family close & connected to her music, Fana speaks on exploring different forms of creativity from learning guitar, to dance, to musical theater, PLUS how her career & confidence has changed since getting...
May 25, 2023•27 min•Season 9Ep. 13
This is the second episode of our new Community Check-In series, where we bring back past guests — influential voices, industry insiders, essentially people who inspire us and many others. Today's guest is Sidney Madden, a writer & reporter at NPR Music and the host of the excellent podcast Louder Than A Riot: a show that puts a magnifying glass to Hip-Hop, examining and questioning the culture and industry from all angels — from mass incarceration in season one to misogynoir in their curren...
May 22, 2023•52 min•Season 9Ep. 12
Today's episode features Kari Faux, a singer/songwriter, rapper, and producer who we first introduced in 2017 on the 2nd episode of NOT 97 ever. Kari joins us as she gears up to release her upcoming album "Real Bitches Don't Die," out everywhere May 26th. She introduces two standout singles — "Me First" and "Turning Heads." We talk working with legends like Big K.R.I.T. and the late Gansta Boo, plus puts us on to an explosive breakout single from Rodney Chrome, another artists repping her hometo...
May 18, 2023•56 min•Season 9Ep. 11
On today's episode we catch up with DC's own dreamcastmoe on the day he opened for the legendary Roy Ayers in Brooklyn. We talk through his perspective shift that came last year after turning 30 and releasing his most recent project "Sound Is Like Water," what the city of DC represents to him, the influence Go Go music had on his come up and still has on his sound today, as well as what it means to open for the visionary Roy Ayers. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 9...
May 11, 2023•21 min•Season 9Ep. 10
We're starting a new series today called Community Check-In where we tap in with guests who have been on NOT 97 in the past — cultural shifters, tastemakers, influential voices, ultimately people who inspire us and many others. The first guest is Jamz Supernova, known for her work on BBC Radio as a DJ, previously 1Xtra now BBC 6 Music as well as Selector Radio. Jamz is also the owner of the Future Bounce record label. We talk through Jamz's current post at BBC 6, how she discovers music these da...
May 08, 2023•30 min•Season 9Ep. 9
Today's episode features visionary New York-based artist Araya. If you've been tapped in with us for some time you might remember when we played Araya's breakout single "Color Palette" two years and two seasons ago. Or when he stopped by The Flower Shop for a live session in 2021. Today, we catch up with Araya as he gears up to release his latest project Arena, dropping May 16th. He introduces both singles: "Cameo" & "Forget" — as well as puts us on to his friend Sticktype. In addition we en...
May 04, 2023•56 min•Season 9Ep. 8
We sit down with St. Louis's own Jordan Ward on the release day of his debut album "Forward." We talk through the many meanings behind the title of his album, and what this record represents for him and his career. What it means to come from St. Louis and the importance of giving back to his hometown. And what life has been like on tour opening sold out dates for JID and Smino. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NO...
Apr 27, 2023•20 min•Season 9Ep. 7
At the roundtable today is Armon Sadler, a reporter currently covering hip-hop at Vibe Magazine with a byline that has graced the pages of Billboard, Pitchfork, Uproxx, and more. Sadler also hosts his own podcast "Stay Busy with Armon Sadler." Armon introduces the timeless sounds of Ashlee White and an explosive Flex bomb-worthy delivery from Jacques Laine. We spin a nostalgic, angsty anthem from Oakland's King Isis, a statement on the state of London's new sound from Rushy, and a cinematic soun...
Apr 20, 2023•56 min•Season 9Ep. 6
We sat down with Kayla Steen to talk through her creative process, the meaning behind her new song "Pussy," and how she juggles music, working towards a career in sync licensing / music supervision, and being a content creator. Kayla also offers an intimate live in-studio performance of her latest single. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok You...
Apr 13, 2023•16 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Today's episode features a contagious joint from Berlin-based Cody Currie, a UK-football ready anthem by Finn Foxell, an explosive debut from Vanessa Tha Finessa, & more. Plus a sit down with Kayla Steen discussing everything from her latest single "Pussy" to her newfound passion fro music supervision. 01 "HUNTER SCHAFER" by Ray Laurél 02 "Money" by Cody Currie 03 "WHAT'S YOUR POISON?" by Finn Foxell 04 "Run It' By Vanessa Tha Finessa 05 "YOURS" by Nyota Parker 06 "Mongkong Madness" by Jianb...
Apr 06, 2023•50 min•Season 9Ep. 5
We sat down with rising hip-hop artist Ben Reilly to discuss the genesis of his name and what it represents, his commitment to creating deep conceptual worlds with his music, and what's next for his body of work. Tap in with Ben & listen to his debut "Freelance" and last year's follow up "Freelance: Charlie." *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter Ti...
Mar 30, 2023•17 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Season Nine of The Only Music Discovery Podcast starts now. Today's episode features our new co-host Athena Yasaman, who introduces a dynamic young creative collective from Ghana called Superjazzclub, as well as Σtella, a rising artist pushing the sounds of her hometown of Athens, Greece forward. We highlight Indian-Australian artist Ashwarya with an explosive new single, and get lost in offerings from Bliss Samsa and Arima Ederra, amongst more. Plus a snippet of our sit down interview with risi...
Mar 23, 2023•54 min•Season 9Ep. 3
The Only Music Discovery Podcast™ is back. Season Nine of NOT 97 drops this Thursday, March 23rd. Featuring new music, interviews, roundtables, and live sessions from some of the most promising young talents in the industry — from Ben Reilly to Kayla Steen, Jordan Ward to Fana Hues, Dreamcastmoe and more. March 23, 2023. Subscribe now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 21, 2023•52 sec•Season 9Ep. 2
Question — What do Baby Keem, King Princess, Giveon, Arlo Parks, Tierra Whack, Mach-Hommy, Yebba, and Fousheé all have in common? They were discovered on NOT 97. The only Music Discovery Podcast is back. Season Nine starts March 23rd, 2023 on all platforms. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 16, 2023•30 sec•Season 9Ep. 1
On today's episode we sit down with genre blending LA trio Your Grandparents, known for pushing nostalgic sounds far into the future. We discuss their home city and how its shaped their journey, the drive to make music unlike anything else out, and we hear who their grandparents put them on to growing up. Plus a snippet of their upcoming single "Livin In Hell." *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explici...
Sep 06, 2022•40 min•Season 8Ep. 21
