Merkeba’s latest project “a Metal Snake” is the product of years of transformation, intentional study and an artist challenging himself as a producer. He spoke with us about the many influences that led to the album, the layers of symbolism it involves and the ways in which it is, in some sense, neverending. Then we talked about his album pick for this episode - the breakout “In a Major Way” by E-40.
Purchase "a Metal Snake" here:
The crew from Chicago has come together again to launch a verbal assault! Tomorrow Kings are back with their first new album since 2013's "N.R.T.M." and while much has changed over the past 12 years, their ability to verbally de-construct systems and weak minded emcees is as brutal and blunt as ever. We talked with Tomorrow Kings members SKECH185, Gilead7, Collasoul Structure, and I.B. Fokuz about how the new album was created and much more. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - Illogic's "Celestial Clockwork".
Purchase the new Tomorrow Kings album "SALT" here:
In this throwback episode we go all the way back to September of 2020. At that time we linked with beat smith Kenny Segal who was coming off of an incredible run of releases with Serengeti, R.A.P. Ferreira, and billy woods. We talked with Kenny about his early work with folks from Project Blowed and Team Supreme and explored the process behind the creation of his intricate soundscapes. Then we discussed his album pick for this episode - the Omid produced Project Blowed comp “Beneath the Surface”.
The multi-talented Tony Bontana joins us from Birmingham (UK) to chat about his prolific and diverse 2025 output. Whether he's self-producing his own rap projects ("Sunday Service" and "TUMPET") or collaborating with Psychedelic Ensemble ("The Beautiful Maliase") or playing with one of his bands (Spew and Pay the Stranger), Tony finds a way to channel feeling into powerful lyrics and tunes. We touch on a number of subjects connected to the music mentioned above and then discuss his album pick for this episode - "LIVE.LOVE.A$AP" by A$AP Rocky. Listen
Support Tony's music here:
In this throwback episode we're joined by Max Heath of Child Actor. At this point its almost a given that you will see Child Actor's name in the credits on many of the most anticipated rap releases of the year. Take Earl Sweatshirt's new "Live, Laugh, Love" for example, where Child Actor contributes production alongside Theravada, Navy Blue, Black Noise and Earl himself. At the time of our interview with Max in October of 2022 he had crafted production for artists such as Armand Hammer (billy woods and E L U C I D), AKAI SOLO, ShrapKnel, Open Mike Eagle and Serengeti. Max 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 - the 2005 release from Count Bass D - "BEGBORROWSTEEL".
We’ve got Olskool Ice-Gre and E.P. the Hellcat AKA Abstract Mindstate joining us to talk about their new album with Young RJ of Slum Village called “The Art Project”. We’ll hear about the process of creating the album, their approach to addressing a new generation of rappers and much more. Then we have an energetic discussion about their album pick for this episode - “One For All” by Brand Nubian, which includes a never before told story about Abstract Mindstate opening a show for Grand Puba and 2Pac at Tougaloo College in the early '90s.
Purchase "The Art Project" here:
https://abstractmindstate.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-project
We've got Devine Carama and Amadeus360 talking about their new album "Guardians of the Boom Bap" and the importance of preserving the culture. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - "It Was Written" by Nas.
Stream and purchase "Guardians of the Boom Bap" here:
https://soulspazm.bandcamp.com/album/guardians-of-the-boom-bap
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 compelling case as for LL Cool J as the greatest of all time.
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 Hip Hop Greatness”). Our conversation with Vikki focuses mainly on Contact High and its background but we also touch on some of the other work she has accomplished in her impressive career. Then we discuss her album pick for this episode - an album she reviewed for Vibe when it was released in 1994 - “My Life” by Mary J. Blige.
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:
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:
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 album pick for this episode - Outkast's "Stankonia".
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
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" here:
https://neildrumming.bandcamp.com/album/writing-on-airplanes
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:
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:
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-you-enjoy-your-time-here
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:
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
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 "Awaken the Sleeping Giant" here:
https://queenherawin.bandcamp.com/album/awaken-the-sleeping-giant