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 compelli...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 15 min
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 Hi...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 18 min
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
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 25 min
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/...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 7 min
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 al...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 16 min
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
May 28, 2025•57 min
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...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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
Apr 30, 2025•51 min
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
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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-...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 15 min
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
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 41 min
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 "Awak...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 42 min
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...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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....
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 31 min
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...
Jan 08, 2025•59 min
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 v...
Dec 25, 2024•52 min
Donwill, host of The Almanac of Rap and one half of Tanya Morgan, joins us to talk about some of our favorite albums of 2024. We each picked three albums to focus on and we discussed what made them our favorites. Nothing fancy. All things Donwill can be found here: https://www.donwill.me
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 26 min
In this throwback episode from November of 2022, Nebraska native Sleep Sinatra joined us to talk about his release, the Ohbliv produced album "Shadow Self". Sleep discussed the concept behind "Shadow Self" and gave us the story behind his collaboration with Ohbliv. He also talked about the production that he contributed to the debut self-titled album from ManDaMyth and offered some insight into the history of the Black arts in Nebraska. Then we discussed his album pick for this episode - the 199...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In this throwback episode from April of 2021 we're talking with Nappy Nina about her latest project "Double Down" which was fully produced by JWords. Nina also shares some of her early influences and talks about her relocation from Oakland to Brooklyn. Then she helps us dive into one her favorite albums - Isaiah Rashad’s sophomore effort "The Sun’s Tirade".
Dec 04, 2024•46 min
E L U C I D joins us to talk about his latest project "REVELATOR". We discuss some of the unlikely sources of inspiration for the album including the Japanese art of flower arrangement and a negligent Zionist landlord. We talk about the powerful effects of chanting, the specific quality of live instrumentation, and how recording in a room full of strangers provides new challenges. Then we chat about the first album from Kool G Rap and DJ Polo - "Road to the Riches" Purchase "REVELATOR" here: fat...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Rapper/poet/producer shemar joins us to talk about his recent work with Money For Water on “Traveling Light”, his collaboration with Child Actor earlier this year on “sunscreen” and his album pick for this episode, “Flower Boy” by Tyler, the Creator. Stream and purchase "sunscreen" here: https://shemar1.bandcamp.com/album/sunscreen
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Wahid joins us to talk about his new project "THEY ALL GO MAD!" The Orlando based artist opens up about the energy and emotion that went into a project that he freely admits was an outlet for his anger. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - and an album we've been waiting for a guest to pick for a long time - "Things Fall Apart" by The Roots. Stream and purchase "THEY ALL GO MAD!" here: https://wahid.bandcamp.com/album/they-all-go-mad...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Rob Cave has a new project out right now called "God Dose" that was produced in large part by 88-Keys. Rob joined us to talk about how this project came together, the art of writing motivational music, and how an MC from Brooklyn managed to make one of the most Philly songs of all time. Then we discuss Rob's album pick for this episode - the solo debut from Pharoahe Monch - "Internal Affairs". Stream and purchase "God Dose" here: https://robcavejr.bandcamp.com/album/god-dose...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Algernon Cornelius and CLYDE join us to talk about their new collaborative effort "STICK A FORK IN IT". The UK-based artists break down their writing and beat making process and discuss some of the inspiration behind the album. Then we talk about their album pick for this episode - Injury Reserve's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix". Stream and purchase "STICK A FORK IN IT" here: https://algernoncornelius.bandcamp.com/album/stick-a-fork-in-it...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min
August Fanon and blackchai have joined forces on the recently released "OTHERWISE A BLUR". We spoke with the duo about how the project came together, the inspiration for blackchai's flows, and the energy that has gone into August Fanon's production. Then we talked about their album pick for this episode - "Vaudeville Villain" by DOOM's alter ego Viktor Vaughn. Stream and purchase "OTHERWISE A BLUR" here: https://augustfanon.bandcamp.com/album/otherwise-a-blur...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Bruiser Brigade's J.U.S recently dropped "3rd Shift" produced entirely by Squadda B. We talked with J.U.S about how the album came together, his progression as a writer, the inspiration behind his previous project "Lord of the Streams Pt. 1: Greed in the Kingdom" and his album pick for this episode - "XXX" by Danny Brown. Download "3rd Shift" here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/3rd-shift/1760963511...
Sep 04, 2024•58 min
"No Options: Hip Hop in Appalachia" is a new compilation of original music by artists specifically from Appalachia. The project aims to break the stereotypes typically associated with an overlooked and misunderstood region of the country while also shedding a light on some of its rising and veteran artists. Producers Ted Olson and William H. Turner, executive producer JK Turner, and rapper/producer Monstalung talked with us about putting this project together, the history of Black music in the r...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Rich Jones has a new album out called "Sour Dub". It's fully produced by SINAI (aka Sleep Sinatra) and it's not the weed smoking album that you might assume it to be. We talked with Rich about how the album's laid back sound makes it's "dripping" with "venom" somewhat sneaky. Then we talk about Rich's album pick for this episode - "Big Shots" by Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf. Stream and purchase "Sour Dub" here: https://5oclockshadowboxers.bandcamp.com/album/sour-dub...
Aug 07, 2024•58 min
RJD2 is a dynamic producer with a legendary history. His newest project continues to build on his reputation for blending genres. "Visions Out of Limelight" feels like a culmination of all of RJ's influences whether its Funkadelic or Redman, 70's TV theme songs or the Bomb Squad, the album invites the listener to join in the celebration throughout. We talked with RJ about the making of this album and then we discuss one of his favorite albums of all time - Common's "Resurrection". Stream and pur...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min
