We’re joined by Cakes Da Killa to talk about his new project “Black Sheep” which features Cakes rhyming over a diverse array of sound. We asked Cakes about the influence and inspiration that house music provided for the album, the freedom that he’s found in not giving a fuck, the comfortable creative relationship he has with producer Sam Katz and much more. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - “Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front” by Busta Rhymes. Stream and purchase "Black Sheep" here: ⁠https://cakesdakilla.bandcamp.com/album/black-sheep

Oslo based producer Ol' Burger Beats released "74:Out of Time" in February on Coalmine Records. Each track on the project was produced at 74 beats per minute and is deeply inspired by the jazz records of 1974. It's a unique concept with an impressive list of guest emcee's including lojii, Ill Camille, Vic Spencer, billy woods, Pink Siifu, YUNGMORPHEUS, Quelle Chris, Gabe 'Nandez, and Fly Anakin. We spoke with Ol' Burger Beats about the inspiration for this project and his approach to working with his collaborators. Then we talked about his album pick for this episode - "Welcome 2 Detroit" by J Dilla. Stream and purchas "74:Out of Time" here: https://coalminerecords.bandcamp.com/

NAHreally and The Expert have teamed up for an album called "BLIP" that is set to be released by Rucksack Records on March 29th. We spoke to them about the simple yet powerful lyrics/sounds on this project and discussed the process they used to create one of the most relatable albums we have heard in recent memory. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - "6 Feet Deep" from Gravediggaz. Purchase "BLIP" here: https://theexpert.bandcamp.com/album/blip

Cavalier joins us as he prepares to release his new full length album "Different Type Time" on Backwoodz Studioz. It's been five years since his previous solo release and Cav talked with us about what has contributed to the time between projects, how he came to partner with Backwoodz on the new release, some of the collaborators we can expect to hear on the album, and the unique nature of this particular project. Plus, we talked about his joint project with Quelle Chris "Black Cottonwood", his "Bring Back Weed Spots" line of hoodies, and much more. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - Wu-Tang Clan's third group album "The W".

Angry Blackmen is a duo from Chicago who released their latest project "The Legend of ABM" in late January. The project has a unique industrial sound, equally inspired by Nine Inch Nails as it was by the Bomb Squad, over which Brian and Quentin spit urgent bars about their personal lives and larger social struggles. We spoke with the duo about the process of writing this project, their success in balancing the political and the personal, and much more. Then we'll talk about a project from another Chicago native - Kanye West's debut album "The College Dropout". Stream and purchase 'The Legend of ABM" here:

Reef the Lost Cauze has a new album called "The Triumphant" and he says that it is the album that he has been trying to make for years. He joined us to talk about the intentional approach he took towards writing and recording it. He described the sometimes painful process he went through to write it and the emphasis that he placed on giving his audience a variety of narratives and perspectives. And he discusses the resilience and hope that is woven throughout the project. We're gonna talk about all that and Reef's album pick for this episode - the third LP from another Philly legend - Beanie Sigel's "The B.Coming".

H31R (maassai and JWords) have teamed up for two innovative and original projects, the most recent being "HeadSpace" which was released in November of last year. It's a genre bending reflection on a transitional period in both of their lives and the duo was kind enough to join us to talk about the album. An Aquarius and Gemini themselves, H31R also chat with us about their album pick for this episode - "Aquemini" from Outkast. Stream and purchase "HeadSpace" here: https://h31r.bandcamp.com/album/headspace

Q No Rap Name and Philth Spector are two beat makers based in Philadelphia who also co-host the Philly chapter of Flipabeatclub (FABC) which holds monthly meet ups at ⁠Cratediggaz Records⁠ at 711 S. 4th St. FABC has become a nationwide movement with chapters in Sacramento, Toronto, L.A., Washington D.C., Bay Area, Austin, Chicago, and Dallas. Q and Philth talked with us about how the Philly chapter got started and shared some of their experiences in building knowledge and networks. We also talked with Q and Philth about their recent collaborative beat tape called "Color Sound Experiment". Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - "The Unseen" from Quasimoto. Music featured in this episode comes from Q No Rap Name, Philth Spector, Onitram, and Gozo the DJ. Find music from Q No Rap Name here: ⁠https://qnorapname.bandcamp.com⁠ Find music from Philth Spector here: ⁠https://philthspectorxphilly.bandcamp.com⁠ Find music from Flipabeatclub here: ⁠https://flipabeatclub.bandcamp.com

CineMasai (Dyaln Green), host of the Reel Notes podcast, joins us to talk about some of our favorite albums of 2023. We each picked three albums to focus on and discussed what made them our favorites. Pretty straightforward. For all things related to Reel Notes and Dylan's writing follow this link: https://linktr.ee/CineMasai

lojii has been outside doing this rap thing for years and yet he feels like he's just getting started. That's the essential message that runs through his latest project "$TARTER_PACK" produced entirely by Alexander Spit. lojii joined us to explain why he's looking to the past just as much as he's looking toward to the future. Along the way he shares stories from the projects creation (including a great story about Pink Siifu's involvement). Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - "Tical" the 1994 solo debut from Method Man. Stream and purchase "$tarter Pack" here: https://starterpack.bandcamp.com/album/tarter-pack

Oliver Rothstein is an MC from Philadelphia who embodies the city's grit, struggle, and determination. He has a new album called "The Philadelphian" that captures the struggle and beauty that exists in Philly and he joined us to talk about this project. Then we discuss the project that he picked for this episode - the first mixtape chosen on our show - "The Ghost in the Shell" by Styles P. Stream and purchase "The Philadelphian" here: oliverrothstein.bandcamp.com/album/the-philadelphian

DJ Haram has pushed the boundaries of traditional dance, noise, and hip hop music her entire career. Whether as a part of 700 Bliss (with Moor Mother) or producing tracks for Armand Hammer, or creating and releasing music as a solo artist, Haram has always given us something dynamic and powerful to stretch our ears. She joins us as she anticipates the release of a two track EP in December called "Handplay" and talks with us about the perspective behind this music, her work with Armand Hammer, and one of her favorite albums - 2016's "Fetish Bones" by Moor Mother. You can stream and purchase "Handplay," the new EP from DJ Haram here: djharam.bandcamp.com/album/handplay-ep

Kipp Stone has a new project called "66689 Blvd Prequel" that is as raw and emotionally vulnerable as they come. He joined us to talk about the process of freestyling, writing, and recording this album as well as giving some insight into the album's themes. Then we discuss Kipp's album pick for this episode - "Fantastic Vol. 2" from Slum Village. To stream and purchase "66689 Blvd Prequel" go here: closedsessions.bandcamp.com/album/66689-blvd-prequel

Roper Williams is the NJ based production duo who has worked with artists such as Your Old Droog, Navy Blue, YL, AKAI SOLO, and Fatboi Sharif. They've got a new project out called "Infinite Victory Loop" and it features the previously mentioned YL, AKAI SOLO, and Fatboi Sharif along with Pootie. We talked with Roper about this project, his process, his relationships with these artists and his album pick for this episode - Snoop Doggy Dogg's debut album "Doggystyle". You can stream and purchase "Infinite Victory Loop" here: roperwilliams.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-victory-loop

John Morrison is a writer, DJ, sample flipper, podcast/radio host, and deeply passionate about music history, specifically as it concerns his native Philadelphia. We talked with John about his career as a writer, how it has been informed by his experiences growing up in Philly, and how his own music impacts the way he articulates what he hears from others. Then we get into John's album pick for this episode - "Illadelph Halflife" by The Roots. The instrumental music you hear in this episode was made by John Morrison and can be found here: johnmorrison215.bandcamp.com

Defcee joined us to talk about his upcoming project with Messiah Musik called The Golem of Brooklyn. The album is the soundtrack and companion to the book of the same name by Adam Mansbach. Defcee talked with us about working with Adam and Messiah to craft the songs and the meaning that they hold for him as a white Jewish American. This episode really ended up feeling like an intimate conversation about a completely unique and relevant project. The book drops 9/26/23. The album drops 9/29/23. But the episode is available right now!

Cise Greeny is a prolific rapper/producer from Corona, Queens. So far this year he has released two full length albums and two beat tapes. We talked with Greeny about these projects, the way he thinks about his prospective audience, and his consistent attempts to keep his childhood alive through his music. Then we discuss Greeny's album pick for this episode - the debut from fellow Queen's natives Lost Boyz - "Legal Drug Money". Stream and purchase music from Cise Greeny here: garmentrygreeny.bandcamp.com

We're talking a lot about singular artists and sounds! Fatboi Sharif and Steel Tipped Dove recently released their collaborative album "Decay" on Backwoodz Studioz. We spoke with them about the creative teamwork that went into the album, the personal aspects of Sharif's writing, and the importance of incorporating sounds from a wide variety of genres. Then we shatter all expectations for our second segment and find ourselves talking about a non-hip hop album for the first time in our history. System of a Down's flawless 2001 album "Toxicity" is the album that Dove and Sharif picked for this episode. Buy "Decay" directly from Backwoodz Studioz at this link.

Chop The Head is an artist and designer from Philadelphia who has worked on designs for some of today's most interesting independent rappers. His detailed drawings have covered releases from Fatboi Sharif, phiik + Lungs, Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, and Jay NiCe. He's got a design coming as a part of Pink Siifu's re-release of "GUMBO'!" and on top of all that he makes his own beats. We talked with Chop about his history as a designer, the process behind some of his covers and his album pick for this episode - Armand Hammer's collaboration with The Alchemist - "Haram". Purchase originals and prints from Chop The Head here: chopthehead.myshopify.com Stream and purchase Chop The Head's beats here: chopthehead.bandcamp.com

Stik Figa and The Expert released their collaborative album “Ritual” in June. It is a well crafted project that both artists believed was going to be Stik Figa’s last as they were working on it. We talked with them about the creative perspectives they took while writing/producing the album, the dynamics of their working relationship, and what might be lie ahead for Stik. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - Common’s sixth studio album “Be”. You can stream and purchase “Ritual” here: https://theexpert.bandcamp.com/album/ritual