Producer, recording engineer and mixing/mastering specialist Steel Tipped Dove joins us to talk about his creative process as it relates to his project "all the weight feather don't have," his recent collection of songs "House of Disorder" with Nosaj from New Kingdom, and his recent full-length project with Alaska called "The Structural Dynamics of Flow". Dove has had a prolific year. So prolific in fact that he dropped another new project called "the trumpet's obviously been drinking" with andr...
May 17, 2023•59 min
The duo sleepingdogs (andrew and Jesse the Tree) released their first full length album "i'm fakin' my own death just to get some rest" in March. They sit down with us to talk about the process behind the album's creation and some of the themes that present themselves throughout the project. Then we discuss the album that sleepingdogs picked for this episode - 2004's "Purple Haze" from Cam'ron. Stream and purchase "i'm fakin' my own death just to get some rest" here: threedollarpistol.com/album/...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 18 min
No guest this time around. Instead our focus is entirely on Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic”. You know it, you love it but you’ve never heard us speak on our memories and personal experiences with it. It’s just two friends talking about one of the greatest debut solo albums of all time.
Apr 19, 2023•39 min
Dan Lish is a UK based artist whose of drawings of some of hip hops greatest creators have become instantly recognizable due to the intricate details and personal touches that go into every piece. The first installment of his book collecting some of these drawings is called "EgoStrip" and it has long been sold out. But you'll recognize the illustrations that grace album covers from artists such as Elzhi, J Period, Raekwon, Blu/Nottz and several others. Dan has a deep love for hip hop and its cul...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 7 min
The latest release from KING VISION ULTRA is called "SHOOK WORLD" and it is just that...a world built out of field recordings, YouTube clips, incredible artistry from a wide range of guest performers, and stem recordings from Algiers recent full length "Shook". GENG PTP aka KING VISION ULTRA sat down with us to discuss how this project came together, how he ended up gathering this collection of talent, and how chosen family and a shared disdain for gentrifiers led to a cohesive sound. Then we at...
Mar 08, 2023•2 hr 3 min
Open Mike Eagle joins us following the release his latest album “Component System With The Auto Reverse”. We start our conversation with some discussion about his live performances since the album’s release. Then we use 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 individual...
Feb 22, 2023•52 min
MidaZ the BEAST joined us on the day that his latest album "The Devil's Playground" was released. We spoke to him about the process behind the creation of this album, his relationship with the album's producer Delle Digga, the album's spiritual themes, and the immediacy with which he claims his spot among current hip-hop greats. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - "The Pick, The Sickle and The Shovel" from Gravediggaz. Stream and purchase "The Devil's Playground" here: midnightsoci...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 43 min
It's time for the end of year episode! This is where we pause to consider some of our favorite albums from the year and, as has become tradition, we ask fellow podcasters to join us to help round out the conversation. This time around we've got Luke Bailey from Fly Fidelity! Each of us chose three albums that ended up being our favorites from 2022. Tune in to hear which albums we picked and get our perspective on what made these projects so memorable. For those unfamiliar, Fly Fidelity is a UK-b...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 13 min
ShrapKnel (Curly Castro and PremRock) sit down to chat about their sophomore album "Metal Lung". We discuss the personal meaning connected to the album and its release as well some of the artistic direction that the duo took with the project. Then we discuss ShrapKnel's album pick for this episode - the second installment from another duo (Murs and Slug) - "Felt 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet" Purchase "Metal Lung" here: backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/shrapknel-metal-lung...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 35 min
Virginia mainstay Blackliq joins us to talk about his new project "What Will It Take" with fellow Richmond native Ohbliv. Liq provided the behind the scenes view of what went into making that project, his process as a writer in general, the work he has done teaching kids to write, and his latest adventure as the lead singer in a hardcore band (Armagideon Time). Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - Danny Brown's fourth full-length "Atrocity Exhibition". Listen to and download "What W...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 41 min
We spoke to Fatboi Sharif in-person at Triple Bottom Brewing Company just before he headed to sound check at Silk City where he later performed with Open Mike Eagle and Video Dave. Sharif spoke with us about his incredible new album “Preaching in Havana” and his album pick for this episode - “MU.ZZ.LE” from Gonjasufi. This was such a fun night! Shout out to Triple Bottom for being so accommodating and to Sharif for being willing to join us. Listen to and purchase "Preaching in Havana" here: fatb...
Dec 07, 2022•31 min
phiik, one of several enigmatic spitters in the New York based Tase Grip collective, joins us to talk about his latest offering called "CHAINLINK", his project from earlier this year with Lungs and Cise Greeny called "WHERE ARE THE BUGS!?" and last years "THAT WAS A TEST" with S!lence. Then we discuss phiik's album pick for this episode - "Below The Heavens" from Blu and Exile. Døøf, Lungs, S!lence, iblss, and Cise Greeny were all in the room with phiik during this interview and a few of them ma...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Nebraska native Sleep Sinatra joins us to talk about his recent release, the Ohbliv produced album "Shadow Self". Sleep discusses the concept behind "Shadow Self" and gave us the story behind his collaboration with Ohbliv. He also talks about the production that he contributed to the recent debut self-titled album from ManDaMyth and offers some insight into the history of the Black arts in Nebraska. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - the 1998 debut album from Big Pun, "Capital Pun...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Caltrops Press is a rap zine and a Tumblr page and a literary vessel that dissects modern hip hop by first joining it seamlessly with world history, classic works of poetry, film, old school lyricism, and razor sharp insight. Joe is the man behind Caltrops and he joins us to talk about his writing, the process behind it, and the story of Caltrops Press. Then we have an unusual discussion about Joe's album pick for this episode, the debut album from Canibus. Check out Caltrops Press at: caltropsp...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Max Heath is one half of the duo Child Actor and is the person responsible for crafting the production behind artists such as Armand Hammer (billy woods and E L U C I D), AKAI SOLO, ShrapKnel, Open Mike Eagle, Serengeti, and amani & robalu. He 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 - t...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 26 min
We talked with Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire about his forthcoming album “VOL. 1: I Love Y.O.U. Cuz Y.O.U. Ugly”. The album signals a new chapter in eXquire’s life and career and he explained to us how understanding has got him feeling more like himself than ever. Then we nerd out over his album pick for this episode “Mama Said Knock You Out” and eXquire makes a compelling case for why LL Cool J is the greatest rapper of all time. Stream and purchase "VOL 1: I Love Y.O.U. Cuz Y.O.U. Ugly" right here....
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Baltimore based Brian Ennals and Infinity Knives are the duo behind the powerfully cathartic "King Cobra". They joined us for a conversation of substance, which is kind of our thing, but this felt especially relevant to the past two years, as is the music that these two artists have created. Plus we had a fun discussion around their album pick for this episode - "Stankonia" Stream and purchase "King Cobra" here: phantomlimblabel.bandcamp.com/album/king-cobra...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Justo the MC and maticulous join us to talk about their forthcoming project “Three” and the collaborative relationship that they have built over the course of the past few years. Then we get into their album pick for this episode - “…And Then There Was X” - the third offering in a historic run for the iconic DMX. Find music from Justo the MC at linktr.ee/Justo_the_mc Find music and merch from maticulous at maticulous21.bandcamp.com...
Aug 31, 2022•1 hr 35 min
E L U C I D (Armand Hammer) joins us to talk about his excellent new solo release "I Told Bessie" and all things related. Then in the second half we do something that we've never done before...we discuss an album chosen by you, the listener. "Guns" by Quelle Chris is the subject of our focus and we ask E L U C I D to tell us his impressions of the album and Quelle's work as a whole. You can find "I Told Bessie" and associated merch/physicals at backwoodzstudioz.com or on E L U C I D's bandcamp p...
Aug 17, 2022•1 hr 16 min
The multi-talented Wavy Bagels joins us to discuss his most recent project "BAVY" on which the producer, song writer, rapper, and singer displays his full arsenal. Wavy also talks a bit about "mutatis mutandis", the album he fully produced for S!LENCE at the end of 2021. Then we discuss a rather meaningful album for Wavy, Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool". Stream/purchase "BAVY" and "mutatis mutandis" from Wavy Bagels on Bandcamp: wavybagels.bandcamp.com...
Aug 03, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Painter, graphic designer, art director and now film director TTK joins us to talk about his recently premiered short documentary called "Just Like Me". The film was made with the purpose of educating and inspiring the next generation of Black creatives and we discuss some of the motivation and inspiration that both contributed to the film and has already come out of it. We also talk a bit about TTK's time at Mass Appeal including his design work for "Nasir" and DJ Shadow/Run The Jewels "Nobody ...
Jul 20, 2022•1 hr 54 min
Ace Cannons and MIGHTYHEALTHY join us to talk about their recent project MIGHTYCANNONS and the idea/inspiration behind it. We discuss how drums and increased BPMs set them apart from the current independent scene while also bringing a sense of nostalgia. Then, of course, we discuss their album pick for this episode - the final full-length from A Tribe Called Quest.
Jul 06, 2022•1 hr 14 min
Staten Island natives Jamil Honesty and Squeegie O join us to talk about their recent debut as the Habor Kidz and the double LP that excited the world in 1997 - Wu-Tang Forever. Jamil and Squeegie have known each other since their childhood days growing up in Mariners Harbor Projects and it was dope to hear perspective on the Wu from people who hail from Shaolin.
Jun 22, 2022•1 hr 5 min
PremRock helps us complete our Wrecking Crew cypher and joins us to talk about his latest release. It's a self-titled album from a group called Ockham's Blazer that lands somewhere between hip-hop, jazz, and electronic music. PremRock tells us how he became involved with the project and how it required a unique approach to writing and recording. Then we dig into Prem's album pick for this episode - the influential full-length debut from the Arsonists - "As the World Burns".
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Writer, editor, critic, and culture curator Timmhotep Aku joins us to talk about his career in hip-hop writing (XXL, Pitchfork, NPR, Afropunk and others). We discuss the importance of context within music reviews, becoming a steward of hip-hop culture, NTS radio, and some of the music that Timm is currently listening to. We also get Timm's take on his album pick for this episode - "RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta" from dead prez.
May 25, 2022•1 hr 13 min
We're joined by AJ Suede who spoke with us about his recent album "Hundred Year Darkness" with Small Professor, his previous album "Metatron's Cube" with Televangel, and his album pick for this episode "The Cold Vein" by Cannibal Ox. Big thanks to Suede for his patience working thru some technical issues and for bringing such thoughtful answers to our questions.
May 11, 2022•1 hr 33 min
Masai Bey is an elusive veteran MC/producer who quietly made incredibly dope music in the late 90's and early 2000's. In a rare interview, Masai joins us to talk about the upcoming re-release of his album "Natural Magic Music" on Uncommon Records, which is set to hit streaming platforms for the first time in June of this year. We'll also talk about an album that heavily influenced his approach to rhyming - the 1988 debut from Native Tongues foundering Jungle Brothers.
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 1 min
We're joined by Dan-O from Freemusicempire who talks with us about a bunch of stuff including his approach to reviewing music and conducting interviews AND we swap stories of admiration for Erykah Badu and Dan-O’s album pick “Mama’s Gun”.
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 26 min
Brooklyn based artist maassai joins us to talk about her recent project "Personal Year 8" and last year's "With the Shifts" - two introspective and vulnerable projects. She shares some of her process for writing and recording, and the importance she places on representation in creating her music. Then we discuss her album pick for this episode - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor - and how it reinforced her desire to make music that pushes boundaries and gives voice to those outside the mainstream.
Mar 30, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Photographer Alexander Richter joins us to talk about his documentary film "Dark Brother Rise", his cover photo for Armand Hammer's "Haram", the stories behind some of our favorite photos from his portfolio, and the reason Sean Price's second solo LP "Jesus Price Supastar" is one of his favorites.
Mar 16, 2022•1 hr 9 min
