Diggin' In The Digits
508 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsWelcome to "Diggin' In The Digits", where Creator of 'Hip-Hop By The Numbers' Ben Carter and Director of 'The 5th Element' Charlie Taylor deliver entirely unique retrospectives behind Hip-Hop's biggest artists, stories & its roots, discussing them in detail.
From Australia to the UK and beyond.
A 5EPN Original.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ep.262 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 11
April 23, 2024 11:50 - 1 hour - 139 MBFor this Hip-Hop Neighbours - linked to our Ice-T exploration - we cover the self-titled album Body Count and we also get into the first album from the UK based collective SAULT: "5". TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) Ben: Backwood Sweetie - Burn One Berner - The Farmer's Market Gangrene - Heads I Win, Tails You Lose Hus KingPin - In a State of Nirvana Baby Rose x BADBADNOTGOOD - Slow Burn Taylor Swift - Tortured Poets Deptartment Charlie: Oscar #Worldpeace - Mum, P...
Ep.261 - Ice-T, Part 1
April 16, 2024 11:50 - 1 hour - 209 MBWe stay in the West Coast AND the late 80s/early 90s to do a two-parter on one of the most authentic voices to ever represent Hip-Hop: Ice-T. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:55) Ben: NappyHigh - Burgundy Future x Metro Boomin - We Still Don't Trust You Charlie: DRAGG - Mixed Feelings NappyHigh - Burgundy Nia Archives - Silence Is Loud Terri Walker & Zed Bias - My Love Story (Zed Bias Remixes) Summers Sons - Still Nothing Still Shabaka - Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowled...
Ep.260 - DITD 5th Anniversary Special
April 09, 2024 11:50 - 1 hour - 228 MBThis week, we celebrate DITD's 5th birthday with a pop quiz from Ben, thoughts on the Pod in general and yes, we talk about the Cole response to Kendrick. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:46) Ben: J.Cole - Might Delete Later GloRilla - Ehhthang Ehhthang Chris Patrick - The Calm Doja Cat - Scarlet 2 Claude Charlie: Dizzy Wright - Harsh Reality Khruangbin - A LA SALA Keen - Feel Good. Do Better. Louis Culture - I Can't Wait To See U Again Amy Gadiaga - All Black Everyt...
Ep.259 - Paris
April 02, 2024 11:50 - 1 hour - 220 MBAfter exploring The Conscious Daughters last week, it seemed fitting to explore the career of their biggest advocate and one of the most controversial voices in 90s Hip-Hop: Paris. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:01) Ben: Beyoncé - COWBOY CARTER Bfb Da Packman - Forget Me Not Rico Nasty - HARCORE DR3AMZ Roc Marciano - Marciology Charlie Paolo Baldini DubFiles - In The Shell Super Helpful Kwame - Greetings From Tatooine Reggie Becton - Sadboy, Vol. 2 Jordy - SNM Fifi...
Ep.258 - Women's History Month '24 - The Conscious Daughters
March 26, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 152 MBTo finish our Women's History Month celebrations, we stay in the West Coast to talk about a duo that oozed chemistry and confidence, only to be washed out by the industry changing direction. We talk The Conscious Daughters. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:48) Ben: Future x Metro Boomin - WE DON'T TRUST YOU SiR - HEAVY Elbow - Audio Vertigo Joyner Lucas - Not Now I'm Busy Charlie: Summers Sons - Epiletric King Isis - shed MyCompiledThoughts - Soul Brother Chapter 1 Si...
Ep.257 - Women's History Month '24 - Marvaless
March 19, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 194 MBWe continue our WHM celebrations with a trip to the West Coast, but not Oakland or Los Angeles. For the first time, we head to Sacramento for the story of Marvaless and the litany of Sac Town representers that come with her through her discography. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:56) Ben: yeat - 2093 Kembe x Hippie Sabotage - Sleep Paralysis Tierra Whack - WORLD WIDE WHACK Four Tet - Three Kenny Mason - 9 Yung Lean x Bladee - Psykos Nejma - Animal Barz 24kGoldn - Grow...
Ep.256 - Women's History Month '24 - Hurricane G
March 12, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 147 MBContinuing our WHM celebrations during the month of March, we get into another artist with one solo album, no longer with us after her passing in 2022: Hurricane G TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup: (1:17) Ben: MIKE - Pinball ScHoolboy Q - Blue Lips Cookin Soul x Raz Fresco - Bakin' Soul Kaiser Chiefs - Easy Eighth Album MGMT - Loss of Life KYLE - Smyle Again Skyzoo & The Other Guys - Mind of a Saint (Deluxe) Jean Dawson - Boohoo Charlie: speedrun - Love's Latest News BXK...
Ep.255 - Women's History Month '24 - Sister Souljah
March 05, 2024 12:50 - 57 minutes - 132 MBHappy March one & all! You know what that means... Women's History Month on DITD is back and to kick off this year's set, we begin with the one & done Sister Souljah who took the political climate of her time to produce one of the most honest & politically scathing records in Hip-Hop history. No timestamps for this episode as we don't have a WMR or a substantial Lighter Note, reason being that we recorded this on the same day as the previous episode. Thanks for listening. Below ar...
Ep.254 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 10 (Live From London)
February 27, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 146 MBLIVE FROM LONDON, we get into one special work from a true "If you know, you know" group: Cymande. We also get the low down on Ben's 1st week in London. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:39) Charlie: Jordan Mackampa - WELCOME HOME, KID! dreamcastmoe - MOLLY'S SON The Silhouettes Project - The Silhouettes Project, Vol. 2 Joel Ross - nublues Kelela - RAVE:N, The Remixes John Glacier - Like A Ribbon Bishop Nehru - 4 The NONERS LaRussell & Hit-Boy - RENT DUE Cymande - (7:...
Ep.253 - Public Enemy (#3)
February 20, 2024 12:50 - 57 minutes - 133 MBWe finish our Public Enemy three-parter with their most recent output with more friction from the inside and the outside but somehow, Public Enemy still continue to drop and tour the world; never dead, never deterred. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:00) Ben: Yeat - 2093 Conway x Big Ghost - Speshal Machinery the Chronic Edition 2nd Generation Wu x Dom Archey - This May Sting! Charlie: Fatima - Love On Acid (EP) Ol' Burger Beats - 74: Out of Time Shae Universe - Love's ...
Ep.252 - Public Enemy (#2)
February 13, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 218 MBIn our 2nd part of the Public Enemy retrospective, we see how PE should have imploded and become one of the many groups in the 90s to break up; but not only did they not break up, they kept dropping (to mixed results) and predicting the future of the music industry still to come to fruition. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:09) Ben: Little Simz - Drop 7 Fivio Foreign - Pain & Love 2 Dizzee Rascal - Don't Take It Personal Blu & Roy Royal - Royal Blu Charlie: Little Simz -...
Ep.251 - Public Enemy (#1)
February 06, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 186 MBIn part one of three, we get into the beginnings of Public Enemy and their first three albums, two of which considered to be consensus classics and some of the most authentically Hip-Hop albums ever made. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:39) Ben: Skelbeats - What goes on in the Dark Lee "Scratch" Perry - King Perry Icewear Vezzo - Live from the 6 Hit-Boy x Alchemist - THEODORE & ANDRE The Musalini x 38 Spesh - In God We Trust Che Noir - The Color Chocolate, Vol. 1 Kevin...
Ep.250 - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo
January 23, 2024 12:50 - 57 minutes - 132 MBTW: Lyrics/talk referencing Sexual Assault. After last episode's foray into the solo career of Kool G Rap, we now look into the work that he did before with DJ Polo: Three albums of ground-breaking work for KGR and his peers. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:31) Ben: Zaddytc - A LOT Fredo Bang - Yes, I'm Sad Elcamino - Here You Go Eldorado Red - 48 Hours in San Francisco Hus KingPin x 9th Wonder - The Supergoat Charlie: Da Flyy Hooligan & Wun Two - Nocturnal Hooli Vol....
Ep.249 - Kool G Rap
January 16, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 201 MBKool G Rap: The ultimate "If you know KGR, you know ball". Whilst KGR never got the commercial success, his legacy as a lyrical pioneer is rooted deeply in your favourites and your favourites' favourite. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:07) Ben: Kid Cudi - INSANO C-Scripture - Penalty of Leadership Teezo Touchdown - How Do You Sleep At Night Deluxe Unknown T - Blood Diamond DJ Booker x NLE Choppa - The Chosen Ones D-Block Europe - Rolling Stone 21 Savage - american dre...
Ep.248 - Big Daddy Kane
January 09, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 228 MBThe King Asiatic Nobody's Equal. Brooklynite Big Daddy Kane came through the 80s as one of the best freestylers in the Five Boroughs and once he got with Cold Chillin' and the Juice Crew, Kane would prove that he is one of the most complete rappers of all time. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:56) Ben: Westside Gunn, Conway, Alchemist - Hall & Nash 2 The Game x Big Hit - Paisley Dreams Ufo361 - SONY Charlie: (All released in '23) Butcher Brown - Solar Music Bloody Civili...
Ep.247 - Contemporary Cool, Vol. 12
January 02, 2024 12:50 - 1 hour - 189 MBHappy New Year one and all! We hope that your year is full of progression, growth and 52 episodes of DITD! But before we go forward, we look back one more time to 2023, talking about our Top 2 albums of 2023. Ben's No.2 - (3:25) Charlie's No. 2 - (26:20) Ben's No. 1 - (39:08) Charlie's No. 1 - (1:00:11) Lighter Note - (1:11:27) Charlie's Top 10 Albums of 2023 Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus ...
Ep.246 - 2023 Metacritic Album Score Review
December 26, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 205 MBHappy holidays one & all! To celebrate, we keep it simple and review the Metacritic Hip-Hop album scores for the year of 2023. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:47) Ben: Conway x Wun Two - Palermo Wizkid - S2 Layzie Bone - Hypnotic Rhythms Charlie: Ruinz Ason - Airplane Mode (Deluxe) Morena Santi - Santi Sounds List Review - (4:55) Last minute recommendations of the year - (1:15:47) Lighter Note - (1:23:38) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all par...
Ep.245 - J-Live
December 19, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 186 MBThe first two albums by J-Live are some of the most consistent works in Hip-Hop history. What's even more impressive is that they're both over 70 minutes. But what about the rest of his work as he walked through the desert that was the 00s Hip-Hop scene. Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) Ben: Bas - We Only Talk About... Curren$y x Trauma Tone - Highway 600 ASAP Twelvvy - Kids Gotta Eat Da Deluxe BigWalkDog - Playoff Gucci Mane x B.G. - Choppers & Bricks Peter Gabriel - i/o Kylie...
Ep.244 - A Referendum On Celebrity
December 12, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 185 MBWith the genocide/ethnic cleansing of Gaza/Palestinians ongoing, we have a conversation that we previously had in the heat of the protests in 2020 (You can listen here) and felt that we needed to have again: What is the place of our favourite entertainers/celebrities when it comes to issues as large as the ones happening in 2023? The answer ironically involves all of us. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:56) Ben: Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday 2 Charlie: Ayanna - In A Perfect Wo...
Ep.243 - Large Professor
December 05, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 159 MBLarge Professor is an interesting solo case in Hip-Hop history; an artist with a solid solo discography but his legacy is instead tied into being of service to a litany of legends. Where do you place someone like that in the annals of Hip-Hop history? (Check our Main Source episode for more LargePro) TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:00) Ben Conway x Conductor - Conductor Machine Sexyy Red - Hood Hottest Princess Deluxe Dave East x Cruch Calhoun - 30 for 30 Charlie BigXth...
Ep.242 - Deltron 3030
November 28, 2023 12:50 - 58 minutes - 133 MBIt's time to take a trip into the future - to the year 3030 - through the sonic landscape painted by a trio that combine to make Deltron 3030: Del The Funky Homosapien, Dan The Automator & DJ Kid Koala. Weekly Music Roundup - (0:58) Charlie: FloFilz & Bokoya - Soft Encounter Gianni Brezzo & Bokoya - Minari Backwood Sweetie & K!NG jvmes - Syzygy Layfullstop - RUGGED Karl Benjamin - There In 5 Astrocolor - Moonlighting - AstroJazz Vol. 1 Tapioca - Samba em Kigali Nicholson. ...
Ep.241 - Contemporary Cool, Vol. 11
November 21, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 190 MBFor the 11th Contemporary Cool, we get into Bey & Jay's "EVERYTHING IS LOVE" & Hempress Sativa's debut album "Unconquerebels. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (2:20) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) J57 - If I Should Wake Before I Die André 3000 - New Blue Sun Drake - Scary Hours 3 Protoje & Zion I Kings - In Search Of Zion Skipp - Summer Of Love: An Audio Experience Of A Hip-Hop Sort Black Pumas - Chronicles of a Diamond Ego Ella May - FIELDNOTES PT III BJ The Chicago Ki...
Ep.240 - Nujabes
November 14, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 187 MBThe legacy of Nujabes is one of how music should feel. That essence of when you listen to it, it instantly feeds your soul; whilst dubbing Nujabes as "The Godfather of Lo-Fi" is fine, he should be recognised as something, higher. A person that linked Hip-Hop and Jazz as good as anyone, providing the perfect example of why knowing the roots always produces better work. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:58) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Tee Grizzley - Tee's Coney Island (Delu...
Ep.239 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 9
November 07, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 164 MBOn the 9th edition of Neighbours, we get into two works wildly different in sound but share the fact of their sounds being reminiscent of their time, for better or worse... Post Malone's "Stoney" and Groove Theory's self-titled "one & done" gem. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:52) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Suni MF - Hollywood The Alchemist - Flying High, Part 2 All Day Breakfast Café - Have You Seen This Queen Resavoir - Resavoir Arlissa - The OPEN-HEARTED TOBi ...
Ep.238 - #UKBHM 2023: Hijack
October 31, 2023 12:50 - 1 hour - 148 MBFor our final UKBHM retrospective of the month of October, we cover late 80s UK group Hijack who were - like many of our subjects for this edition of UKBHM retrospectives - were ready to hit the US and make something of themselves but were stymied by the powers that be. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:08) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Chlothegod - Nearly Straight Lilblackkids (Georgia Anne Muldrow & Keith Rice) - Planet Of The Blues: Part Two Dirty Needles - Happy Acci...
Ep.237 - #UKBHM 2023: Blak Twang
October 24, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 139 MBAs Hip-Hop in the US was booming in the 90s, Hip-Hop in the UK were searching for a new voice after a good class in the late 80s/early 90s. Enter Blak Twang who was not just winning awards before his 1st album dropped, but his 1st album took nearly 20 years to actually drop! In the time between, Blak Twang crafter a solid solo discography that shows personal growth the deeper it goes. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:53) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) YawnyBlew & AMIR. - DR...
Ep.236 - #UKBHM 2023: Lisa Maffia
October 17, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 162 MBLisa Maffia - The First Lady of So Solid Crew - made a genuine attempt to go it solo. Her one and only album was clearly meant to provide a runway for more but media perception of her and chiefly her affiliation with So Solid, kept her career consistently in a state of friction. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:41) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) BIGBABYGUCCI - When You Wake Up Westside Gunn - And Then You Pray For Me Offset - Set it Off Ken Carson - A Great Chaos Bad Bu...
Ep.235 - #UKBHM 2023: So Solid Crew
October 10, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 174 MBUK Garage had a special moment from 99-02, it seemed that every notable Garage track was hitting the charts. But only one track hit no.1 and that was "21 Seconds" by So Solid Crew. They could've easily been a one-hit wonder but with their sheer numbers as a group, two albums and a whole lot of retrospective influence, So Solid will forever be noted in the history of Black British Music. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:09) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Earl x Alchemist - V...
Ep.234 - #UKBHM 2023: Derek B
October 03, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 176 MBIn our first UK Black History Month retrospective of 2023, we get into the artist that attempted to put UK Hip-Hop on his back and carry it into the mainstream. Whilst in many ways he succeeded both personally and for the genre, it was short-lived. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Lil Wayne - Before Tha Fix Tyga x YG - Hit Me When U Leave the Klub SANITY - Bruises to Blossoms Armand hammer - We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Rome Streetz - N...
Ep.233 - Del The Funky Homosapien
September 26, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 183 MBDel The Funky Homosapien (Or Del Tha Funkee Homosapien; pick a lane) is a mainstay in the "Alternative" and Independent Hip-Hop scene. His voice is one of the most unique and always delivers when the word "Feat." is next to his name. But does his solo discography tell us anything new about his artistry? Weekly Music Roundup - (0:52) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Lizzie Berchie - Am I An Adult Yet? Indigo Phoenyx & PA. Dre - The Conjuring : REVAMPED OTG - MAN OF A FEW Guvna ...
Ep.232 - DITD Bites, Vol. 20
September 19, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 212 MBFor the 20th Bites, we switch it up a little and talk about a TV show! After nearly 12 years, a hiatus and two versions, Top Boy is done after five seasons. We talk about the show in as many angles as possible. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Ehua - Clouds Heather Victoria - I Can't Make This Up Khazali - Born For This Jalen Ngonda - Come Around and Love Me Cleo Sol - Heaven Corinne Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows E. Jones - Deadstock ...
Ep.231 - Hieroglyphics
September 12, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 140 MBHieroglyphics hold a very interesting spot in Hip-Hop history. A collective that has been around for a couple decades now but still have a "if you know, you know" essence to them. From their merch to the music, Hiero stay ever-present but still hold some mysticism to the average Hip-Hop fan. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:47) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) A-F-R-O - AFRODEEZIAK (EP) 38 Spesh & Conway The Machine - Speshal Machinery The Good People - A Good Year Irrever...
Ep.230 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 8
September 05, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 164 MBFor this edition of Hip-Hop Neighbours, we get into two 00s classics in Craig David's "Born to Do It" and Gnarls Barkley's "St. Elsewhere". TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:05) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Smoke DZA & Flying Lotus - Flying Objects Blu & Real Bad Man - Bad News Xenia Manasseh - LOVE / HATE Pt. 1 9th Wonder - Zion IX Fay Victor - Blackity Black Black Is Beautiful ILLA J & Harleighblu - Second Record ILLA J - No Traffic Beenie Man - Simma Blac Young...
Ep.229 - Souls of Mischief
August 29, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 214 MBSouls of Mischief are the rare group that - after 30 years - are still together and going strong. Along with a seminal Hip-Hop track and a relatively consistent discography overall, it's no wonder why Souls have kept a really dedicated fanbase. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) D2x - Hotel 1105 Digga D - Back to Square One Burna Boy - I Told Them… DJ Muggs - Soul Assassins 3 Nyck Caution - NYCKSTAPE Open Mike Eagle - another triumph of...
Ep.228 - Immortal technique
August 22, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 174 MBImmortal Technique is an essential artist to listen to. He stays ever-present with constant touring and putting his Leftist lyrics to the sword, genuinely doing work for people in the world that need it. And that's not even getting into some of the most vivid storytelling you'll ever hear. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (00:50) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Quavo - Rocket Power Giggs - Zero Tolerance Unknown T - Before the Smoke Genesis Owusu - STRUGGLER EST Gee - El T...
Ep.227 - DITD Bites, Vol. 19
August 15, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 221 MBIn a very special DITD Bites, we get into Lizzo, Tory Lanez getting 10 years; REASON & Moosa's debate on wax and Hip-Hop turning 50. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:24) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) REASON - Porches Backwood Sweetie - Ancestral Aspect Noname - Sundial Fredo - Unfinished Business CLIP - APPETIZER PGF GlizzyMoe - Rapping & Drilling YTB Fatt - Who is Fatt Gloss Up - Shades of Gloss Humble Soles - Humble Soles Trippie Redd - ALLYT5 Joell Ortiz L'O...
Ep.226 - MC Ren
August 08, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 191 MBWhilst the stories of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and - for different reasons - Eazy-E are thoroughly documented, the story of MC Ren is something different from the others. From his embrace of Islam & the Nation of Islam, to his content that presents a conflicting and kind of gross persona; Ren is a voice that is unmistakable and truly earns him the "Villain" moniker, for better or worse. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:01) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) CHIKA - SAMSON: THE ALBUM ...
Ep.225 - N.W.A
August 01, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 215 MBThe legacy of N.W.A runs so deep in Hip-Hop that it's hard to say something fresh about it; but their music still connects Ren, Cube, Eazy, Dre, Yella & Arabian Prince together into a fascinating tapestry of collaborations, collective vision; beef and now acknowledgement that N.W.A was one of the most talented groups in Hip-Hop history. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:27) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Hamzaa & 1SRAEL - RUSH Damon Locks & Rob Mazurek - New Future City Rad...
Ep.224 - Masta Ace
July 25, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 275 MBIt can be said that Masta Ace is underrated in many facets of the music but one that needs to be hailed forever is his unique long-form storytelling. Since "The Symphony", Masta Ace has continued to put his life on wax in a way nobody else in Hip-Hop has done: With detail and heart. Weekly Music Roundup - (2:13) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Cherise - Calling Mahalia - IRL Nas & Hit-Boy - Magic 2 J Hus - Beautiful and Brutal Yard Big Boss Vette - Resilience Ice Spice - Lik...
Ep.223 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 7
July 18, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 169 MBIt's time for another Hip-Hop Neighbours, highlighting non-Hip-Hop albums that Hip-Hop fans can get into. For this one, we get into the work of Gil Scott-Heron and Chase & Status. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:46) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Adrian Younge & Tony Allen - Tony Allen JID018 Cookin Soul - Whateva, Vol. 5 Kota The Friend - Protea Melonyx - Soul Glow P Money - Money Over Everyone 4 Lo Village - Yellow Brick Road rum.gold - U Street Anthology King V...
Ep.222 - The Roots
July 11, 2023 11:50 - 2 hours - 315 MBIn this chunky episode, we get into the work of The Roots where whilst we would make an effort to bomb through discographies for the sake of time, we simply couldn't for The Roots because they seemed to depart from their past album nearly every time. The subtle switches in their music over time would end up creating a wide reach. From "Jam Session" Hip-Hop to dense concept albums, it was certainly worth taking the time. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:08) (Ben = Bold / Charli...
Ep.221 - Tambo & Bones Interview
July 05, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 145 MBIn a change of pace from usual DITD proceedings, Charlie was invited to see a play in Theatre Royal Stratford East called "Tambo & Bones", written by West Philly's own Dave Harris. And as you can imagine from the episode title, Charlie was also given the opportunity to interview the director and lead actors of the show. In an episode that's split into two: the 1st half is a one-on-one with director Matthew Xia and the 2nd half involving Xia; actors Rhashan Stone and Daniel Ward. O...
Ep.220 - Canibus
June 27, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 235 MBThe story of Canibus is probably the best suited for a podcast built on retrospectives such as this. Whilst his music can easily be passed off as "rapper has verbal diarrhoea", the storyline combined with selected songs really highlight how misunderstood Canibus is as a rapper, entrepreneur and person. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:27) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Miles. - Everywhere and Nowhere At All (EP) PRICE - NO SLEEP IN THE CITY PRICE - GOSPEL IN THE GHETTO R...
Ep.219 - DITD Bites, Vol. 18
June 20, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 176 MBOn the 18th edition of DITD Bites: Tyler, The Creator hopped on Rap Radar recently and made some interesting quotes that we wanted to unpack. So we do that, getting into his beef with playlists, "Rap Twitter" and his past work. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Marquis Hill - Rituals + Routines Charlie Smarts & DJ Ill Digitz - Charlietape Hit-Boy & Big Hit - SURF OR DROWN 2 Statik Selektah - Round Trip Jamal Gasol & Vic Spencer - The Ri...
Ep.218 - Wu-Tang Clan: The Book Of Wu - Chapter 11
June 13, 2023 11:50 - 2 hours - 276 MBAfter 10 chapters, we've finally reached the conclusion of our "Book Of Wu" series. If you haven't spun the series, feel free to spin all 12 episodes here. For the final chapter, we look at the Wu albums and the group as a unit. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:52) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) WIINSTON - THE LAST DAYTONA 7xvethegenius & DJ Green Lantern - The Genius Tape Janelle Monae - The Age of Pleasure Mungo's HiFi - Past and Present Amaarae - Fountain Baby ...
Ep.217 - Mid-Year Report '23
June 06, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 223 MBHappy June! We're nearly halfway through the year, which means it's time for our Mid-Year Report! How the 50th Year of Hip-Hop has been faring, what albums we rate so far an other general discussion. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:17) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) ECKOES - Fractals Mnelia - Closure Tapes K.Zia - Kintsugi Heart McKinley Dixon - Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? Green Kanine - Two Jords - DIRT IN THE DIAMOND Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine CJ Fly - Healing Fr...
Ep.216 - Chamillionaire
May 31, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 181 MBHouston's Chamillionaire was a child of 8 Ball & MJG, UGK and Geto Boys. His single "Ridin" was one of the most ubiquitous songs of the 00s. But after a couple of albums and a bevvy of mixtapes, Chamillionaire's story gets much more interesting when you look at his entrepreneurial track record. Weekly Music Roundup - (1:37) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) KYE - Ribena Monaleo - Where The Flowers Don't Die Tayah - Still Wonders Kassa Overall - ANIMALS Lil Durk - Almost Healed ...
Ep.215 - Wyclef Jean
May 23, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 225 MBAfter covering Pras last week, we thought it was a good a time as any to look into the Fugees member that seems to have no issue in dropping music on a consistent basis. With nine studio albums, Wyclef Jean has used his many tastes to create a fascinating musical tapestry of himself, to varying degrees of success. Weekly Music Roundup - (1:42) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Tora-i - & what else? Madison McFerrin - I Hope You Can Forgive Me Apex Zero - Drummer Warrior Storytell...
Ep.214 - Pras
May 16, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 176 MBPras has been in the news in recent years, but not for anything music related. So since he was formally found guilty in a foreign influence case, now seems a good a time as any to listen to the music and wonder how in the hell did Pras go from Fugees to illegal bankrolling?! Weekly Music Roundup - (1:22) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Kuzco - I Vibe, She Vibes Amadeus360 - The MPC Jedi Klwn cat x unruly - Don’t Go Outside Deante’ Hitchcock - Once Upon A Time Vado - A Good F...
Ep.213 - Is Hip-Hop Right Wing?
May 09, 2023 11:50 - 1 hour - 205 MBAll answers begin with a question and sometimes that question needs to be blunt. But never fear, we try and break the question down as only we can. It's not a question that caters for a straight "yes" or "no", but a conversation starter for what is probably the least music-based episode yet. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:16) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) siegfried komidashi - the mundane, surreal ! DEACON - What's The Music Ting Saying JONES - Magic In My Hand JFlame...