Diggin' In The Digits
518 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 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.
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Episodes
23: Ep.23 - Come Talking That Trash, We'll Pull Your Card
September 10, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBOn Ep.23 of DITD: The word "Trash" is used very liberally in the Hip-Hop community. So we dive into the word and find context to what we really consider "trash". FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/2efe1ab8
Ep.22 - Common - To The Beat Com Sense'll Be The Sure Shot
September 03, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 78.5 MBThe DITD "Retrospective" series continues with Chicago's own Common. On the back of his latest Studio Album "Let Love", Common has long solidified his place in Hip-Hop history. Multiple classics, iconic songs and a model of consistency. Now, in recent years, he's evolved to become the signature lyricist to *sound* like he's pushing 50. Themes of Love, introspection & life experience has always been in Common's wheelhouse but being an "elder statesman" in Hip-Hop has only made him b...
Ep.22 - To The Beat Com Sense'll Be The Sure Shot
September 03, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 78.5 MBThe DITD "Retrospective" series continues with Chicago's own Common. On the back of his latest Studio Album "Let Love", Common has long solidified his place in Hip-Hop history. Multiple classics, iconic songs and a model of consistency. Now, in recent years, he's evolved to become the signature lyricist to *sound* like he's pushing 50. Themes of Love, introspection & life experience has always been in Common's wheelhouse but being an "elder statesman" in Hip-Hop has only made him b...
22: Ep.22 - To The Beat Com Sense'll Be The Sure Shot
September 03, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 78.5 MBOn Ep.22 of DITD: The duo talks Common, one of the most consistent Hip-Hop artists in history with classic works and in high regard by many who listen to him. But how exactly has he moulded this consistency & what does his work say about him? FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/a359f15a
Ep.22 - Common
September 03, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 78.5 MBThe DITD "Retrospective" series continues with Chicago's own Common. On the back of his latest Studio Album "Let Love", Common has long solidified his place in Hip-Hop history. Multiple classics, iconic songs and a model of consistency. Now, in recent years, he's evolved to become the signature lyricist to *sound* like he's pushing 50. Themes of Love, introspection & life experience has always been in Common's wheelhouse but being an "elder statesman" in Hip-Hop has only made him b...
Ep.21 - Storytelling
August 27, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.5 MBStorytelling is a foundation in how we communicate. It gives us the ability to inform others of the past. But past that very basic understanding, we can use Storytelling to however we see fit. We can tell the outright truth, we can give a completely fabricated recount. We can make it funny, make it sad. It's all up to the storyteller. So imagine that ability to mould a story and then throw some beats on it. Maybe stretch the story over an album? Maybe over several? The possibilitie...
Ep.21 - Once Upon A Time, Not Long Ago
August 27, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.5 MBStorytelling is a foundation in how we communicate. It gives us the ability to inform others of the past. But past that very basic understanding, we can use Storytelling to however we see fit. We can tell the outright truth, we can give a completely fabricated recount. We can make it funny, make it sad. It's all up to the storyteller. So imagine that ability to mould a story and then throw some beats on it. Maybe stretch the story over an album? Maybe over several? The possibilitie...
21: Ep.21 - Once Upon A Time, Not Long Ago
August 27, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.5 MBOn Ep.21 of DITD - Storytelling in Hip-Hop. How it's woven into the fabric of the music since the beginning and how it has changed over the decades. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/64a081b8
Ep.21 - Storytelling - Once Upon A Time, Not Long Ago
August 27, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.5 MBStorytelling is a foundation in how we communicate. It gives us the ability to inform others of the past. But past that very basic understanding, we can use Storytelling to however we see fit. We can tell the outright truth, we can give a completely fabricated recount. We can make it funny, make it sad. It's all up to the storyteller. So imagine that ability to mould a story and then throw some beats on it. Maybe stretch the story over an album? Maybe over several? The possibilitie...
Ep.20 - S-N Double O-P, D-O Double G
August 20, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBThe DITD duo continues their "Retrospective" series with one of the most visible figures in Hip-Hop history. Snoop Dogg. There's plenty of ways to hail Snoop Dogg, from his music to his cultural ubiquity, to his business acumen, to his activism. Ben & Charlie cover all of these (In a "We are not worthy" fashion) and more as they figure out why Hip-Hop fans don't rate him as heavy in today's landscape. Is it because he's constantly evolved his persona? Is it because of his diverse p...
Ep.20 - Snoop Dogg
August 20, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBThe DITD duo continues their "Retrospective" series with one of the most visible figures in Hip-Hop history. Snoop Dogg. There's plenty of ways to hail Snoop Dogg, from his music to his cultural ubiquity, to his business acumen, to his activism. Ben & Charlie cover all of these (In a "We are not worthy" fashion) and more as they figure out why Hip-Hop fans don't rate him as heavy in today's landscape. Is it because he's constantly evolved his persona? Is it because of his diverse p...
Ep.20 - Snoop Dogg - S-N Double O-P, D-O Double G
August 20, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBThe DITD duo continues their "Retrospective" series with one of the most visible figures in Hip-Hop history. Snoop Dogg. There's plenty of ways to hail Snoop Dogg, from his music to his cultural ubiquity, to his business acumen, to his activism. Ben & Charlie cover all of these (In a "We are not worthy" fashion) and more as they figure out why Hip-Hop fans don't rate him as heavy in today's landscape. Is it because he's constantly evolved his persona? Is it because of his diverse p...
20: Ep.20 - S-N Double O-P, D-O Double G
August 20, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBOn Ep.20 of DITD: Snoop is a Hip-Hop legend, respected by everybody in music, but how did he manage to become one of the most recognisable figures in the culture? FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/588da4e1
Ep.19 - Dr. Dre - It's The D-R-E The Spectacular
August 13, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBDr Dre is a consensus Top 5 Producer in Hip-Hop history. Where some try to cement their legacy by either being business geniuses or creative geniuses, Dr Dre has done both. A residency on Forbes' Hip-Hop cash kings and countless artists that have Dre to thank for their careers are testaments to that. Ben & Charlie continue their retrospective series with a breakdown of Dr Dre's accomplishments and trying to quantify how influential he is, how he's done what he's done and how is he ...
19: Ep.19 - It's The D-R-E The Spectacular
August 13, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBOn Ep.19 of DITD, the duo takes a look at the career of Dr Dre, quantifying just how much of a force he has been in the past few decades. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/faf75eb4
Ep.19 - Dr. Dre
August 13, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBDr Dre is a consensus Top 5 Producer in Hip-Hop history. Where some try to cement their legacy by either being business geniuses or creative geniuses, Dr Dre has done both. A residency on Forbes' Hip-Hop cash kings and countless artists that have Dre to thank for their careers are testaments to that. Ben & Charlie continue their retrospective series with a breakdown of Dr Dre's accomplishments and trying to quantify how influential he is, how he's done what he's done and how is he ...
Ep.19 - It's The D-R-E The Spectacular
August 13, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBDr Dre is a consensus Top 5 Producer in Hip-Hop history. Where some try to cement their legacy by either being business geniuses or creative geniuses, Dr Dre has done both. A residency on Forbes' Hip-Hop cash kings and countless artists that have Dre to thank for their careers are testaments to that. Ben & Charlie continue their retrospective series with a breakdown of Dr Dre's accomplishments and trying to quantify how influential he is, how he's done what he's done and how is he ...
18: Ep.18 - Hot Damn, Cold Album, Flat Arc
August 06, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBOn Ep.18 of DITD: A dive into Chance The Rapper's "The Big Day". Why doesn't it work? What is the main problem with it? FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/4f092861
Ep.18 - Hot Damn, Cold Album, Flat Arc
August 06, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBIt's been a week since the release of Chance The Rapper's much-anticipated debut Studio Album "The Big Day". But the responses towards the album have been... Mixed, to say the least. There are people saying it's trash, (Ben) there are people that don't like it but can find positives in it (Charlie) and there are people that are ready to put on the capes to fight for their boy Chance. It's been a while since an album this highly touted has seen all sides of the opinion spectrum. ...
Ep.18 - Chance's "The Big Day"
August 06, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBIt's been a week since the release of Chance The Rapper's much-anticipated debut Studio Album "The Big Day". But the responses towards the album have been... Mixed, to say the least. There are people saying it's trash, (Ben) there are people that don't like it but can find positives in it (Charlie) and there are people that are ready to put on the capes to fight for their boy Chance. It's been a while since an album this highly touted has seen all sides of the opinion spectrum. ...
Ep.18 - The Big Day - Hot Damn, Cold Album, Flat Arc
August 06, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBIt's been a week since the release of Chance The Rapper's much-anticipated debut Studio Album "The Big Day". But the responses towards the album have been... Mixed, to say the least. There are people saying it's trash, (Ben) there are people that don't like it but can find positives in it (Charlie) and there are people that are ready to put on the capes to fight for their boy Chance. It's been a while since an album this highly touted has seen all sides of the opinion spectrum. ...
17: Ep.17 - I Was At XXL Just Trying To Excel
July 30, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBOn Ep.17 of DITD - An epic weekly music recap & a discussion on the concept of the XXL Freshman List. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/89c495b7
Ep.17 - I Was At XXL Just Trying To Excel
July 30, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBIf you're into Hip-Hop in any format, whether you follow certain artists, writers, YouTubers or even just your mate that's really into Hip-Hop, you know about the yearly content dump that is the XXL Freshman List. 10 artists who are on the come up get the opportunity to say "Hey World, I'm here!" They drop a quick freestyle, attend the Freshman Cyphers and of course, join together for a cover shoot. But why is this still a thing? Is the List simply moonlighting as something for Hi...
16: Ep.16 - Nas' Raps Should Be Locked In A Cell
July 23, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBOn Ep.16 of DITD: In honour of Nas dropping "The Lost Tapes 2", Ben & Charlie talk about Nas' music, artistic choices and common perceptions of him. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/007ae8d5
Ep.16 - Nas' Raps Should Be Locked In A Cell
July 23, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBNas has recently dropped "The Lost Tapes 2", which is considered a breath of fresh air, especially after the terrible project that was "NASIR". So, in celebration of this, the DITD duo explores Nas' music that's not named "Illmatic". What are the best ones? Why doesn't Nas get respect from the "Genius Generation"? Is the tired "Nas picks terrible beats" comment the real reason why people don't put Nas in their Top 5? Ben & Charlie give a retrospective of Nasty Nas, Esco, Nastradamu...
Ep.15 - Some Make Millions, Others Make Memes
July 17, 2019 00:00 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBIt's been a few months since Lil Nas X's explosion onto the mainstream. Since then, "Old Town Road" is now the longest-running No.1 Hip-Hop track on the Billboard Hot 100 and is quickly closing in on the All Genre record. Memes are the most fluid element of Social Media, which in itself is the most fluid form of communication. So what happens when that meme is based around an artist we've never heard of? Like a Lil Nas X or Blueface? Ben & Charlie explore Meme culture in Hip-Hop....
15: Ep.15 - Some Make Millions, Others Make Memes
July 17, 2019 00:00 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBOn Episode 15 of DITD. Ben & Charlie tackle meme culture in Hip-Hop and how it's influenced us, even when we didn't want it to. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/34738b70
14: Ep.14 - Dreamville Is The Team, Iller Than Fiends
July 09, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBEpisode 14 of DITD is all about the new "Label Album" by Dreamville. "Revenge Of The Dreamers 3" is a cohesive work in a notoriously awkward concept. We talk the album and the purpose of "Label Albums". FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/04fe2ca9
Ep.14 - ROTD3 - Dreamville Is The Team, Iller Than Fiends
July 09, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBOne of the most anticipated releases of 2019 has come & gone. "Revenge of The Dreamers 3", led by J.Cole, has been received very well. So well in fact, that it got Ben & Charlie thinking about the concept of "Label Albums" or "Collaborative Albums" to word it differently. If we look back at albums such as ROTD3, they're rarely remembered as being high-quality projects. They're more remembered as moments in time, moments in an artist's career, not as a great album that people will ...
Ep.14 - Label Albums
July 09, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBOne of the most anticipated releases of 2019 has come & gone. "Revenge of The Dreamers 3", led by J.Cole, has been received very well. So well in fact, that it got Ben & Charlie thinking about the concept of "Label Albums" or "Collaborative Albums" to word it differently. If we look back at albums such as ROTD3, they're rarely remembered as being high-quality projects. They're more remembered as moments in time, moments in an artist's career, not as a great album that people will ...
Ep.14 - Dreamville Is The Team, Iller Than Fiends
July 09, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBOne of the most anticipated releases of 2019 has come & gone. "Revenge of The Dreamers 3", led by J.Cole, has been received very well. So well in fact, that it got Ben & Charlie thinking about the concept of "Label Albums" or "Collaborative Albums" to word it differently. If we look back at albums such as ROTD3, they're rarely remembered as being high-quality projects. They're more remembered as moments in time, moments in an artist's career, not as a great album that people will ...
Ep.13 - Ride Wit Me, Through The 2010s & The Noughties
July 02, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBWith the 2010s edging closer and closer to its end, it is a consensus thought to say that Drake has owned this decade from a commercial standpoint. He came around just before the start of the decade and the (commercial) rise has been at a steady upward trend. But you know the deal, commercial success isn't everything. But unfortunately, the commercial success, for some reason, has gotten people comparing Drake to Jay-Z. This prompted a collective shaking of heads from many people (...
Ep.13 - Nelly vs. Drake? Ride Wit Me, Through The 2010s & The Noughties
July 02, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBWith the 2010s edging closer and closer to its end, it is a consensus thought to say that Drake has owned this decade from a commercial standpoint. He came around just before the start of the decade and the (commercial) rise has been at a steady upward trend. But you know the deal, commercial success isn't everything. But unfortunately, the commercial success, for some reason, has gotten people comparing Drake to Jay-Z. This prompted a collective shaking of heads from many people (...
13: Ep.13 - Ride Wit Me, Through The 2010s & The Noughties
July 02, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBEpisode 13 of DITD is all about Nelly, Drake, how they're more similar than you think, who had the better decade of dominance and why Drake is nowhere near Jay-Z in any fashion. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/41bea6b1
Ep.12 - Independence - Tell 'Em FTI When Anybody Ask You
June 25, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 65.2 MBIn Part 2 of DITD's mini-series "Major vs Independent", we finally get to talking about the side that we cherish so much. The Independents. As independent writers and Podcasters, we value the fact that we don't have anybody to tell us what we should do because it helps the bottom line. The thing that we forget is that Hip-Hop is, was and forever will be a culture & lifestyle. NOT a business. With that in mind, we begin with defining "Independent". What is an Independent artist ex...
Ep.12 - Independence
June 25, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 65.2 MBIn Part 2 of DITD's mini-series "Major vs Independent", we finally get to talking about the side that we cherish so much. The Independents. As independent writers and Podcasters, we value the fact that we don't have anybody to tell us what we should do because it helps the bottom line. The thing that we forget is that Hip-Hop is, was and forever will be a culture & lifestyle. NOT a business. With that in mind, we begin with defining "Independent". What is an Independent artist ex...
12: Ep.12 - Tell 'Em FTI When Anybody Ask You
June 25, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 65.2 MBEp.12 of DITD is Part 2 of our "Major vs Independent" mini-series and it is time to highlight the daunting but rewarding nature that is being Independent. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/33a3ff3d
Ep.12 - Tell 'Em FTI When Anybody Ask You
June 25, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 65.2 MBIn Part 2 of DITD's mini-series "Major vs Independent", we finally get to talking about the side that we cherish so much. The Independents. As independent writers and Podcasters, we value the fact that we don't have anybody to tell us what we should do because it helps the bottom line. The thing that we forget is that Hip-Hop is, was and forever will be a culture & lifestyle. NOT a business. With that in mind, we begin with defining "Independent". What is an Independent artist ex...
Ep.11 - The Wyoming Sessions
June 18, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBLast year, Kanye West unloaded the clip. We knew that he was working on something, the hype train was picking up speed. He then announced three "albums" that we now know as "DAYTONA", "ye" & "KIDS SEE GHOSTS". A couple of weeks later, he announced two more! Nas' "Project That Shall Not Be Named" & Teyana Taylor's "KTSE". So since we're in the space of a year anniversary of the whole thing, Ben & Charlie decide to go through every project, give thoughts (& statistics) on them and ...
Ep.11 - Wyoming Sessions - It Was 1 Year Ago, If You Know You Know
June 18, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBLast year, Kanye West unloaded the clip. We knew that he was working on something, the hype train was picking up speed. He then announced three "albums" that we now know as "DAYTONA", "ye" & "KIDS SEE GHOSTS". A couple of weeks later, he announced two more! Nas' "Project That Shall Not Be Named" & Teyana Taylor's "KTSE". So since we're in the space of a year anniversary of the whole thing, Ben & Charlie decide to go through every project, give thoughts (& statistics) on them and ...
11: Ep.11 - It Was 1 Year Ago, If You Know You Know
June 18, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBOn Episode 11 of DITD, in the expansive Year anniversary of the "Wyoming Sessions", Ben & Charlie discuss the five projects headed by "New" Kanye West. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/124c74da
Ep.11 - It Was 1 Year Ago, If You Know You Know
June 18, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBLast year, Kanye West unloaded the clip. We knew that he was working on something, the hype train was picking up speed. He then announced three "albums" that we now know as "DAYTONA", "ye" & "KIDS SEE GHOSTS". A couple of weeks later, he announced two more! Nas' "Project That Shall Not Be Named" & Teyana Taylor's "KTSE". So since we're in the space of a year anniversary of the whole thing, Ben & Charlie decide to go through every project, give thoughts (& statistics) on them and ...
Ep.10 - Major Labels - This Is The Real When You Get A Record Deal
June 11, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBIn a 2-part series, DITD tackles the one topic that has been clouding over every other topic Ben & Charlie has talked about so far on DITD. Major Labels. In the 90s, the US "Big Three", Universal Music Group, Warner & Sony consumed Hip-Hop as soon as it became a cultural force. From '86 to '96, there were 17 No.1 Hip-Hop albums, 11 of them were under Major Labels. It's even more clear looking at singles. Moving onto now, the numbers of Major Labels owning charting artists are in t...
Ep.10 - This Is The Real When You Get A Record Deal
June 11, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBIn a 2-part series, DITD tackles the one topic that has been clouding over every other topic Ben & Charlie has talked about so far on DITD. Major Labels. In the 90s, the US "Big Three", Universal Music Group, Warner & Sony consumed Hip-Hop as soon as it became a cultural force. From '86 to '96, there were 17 No.1 Hip-Hop albums, 11 of them were under Major Labels. It's even more clear looking at singles. Moving onto now, the numbers of Major Labels owning charting artists are in t...
10: Ep.10 - This Is The Real When You Get A Record Deal
June 11, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBIn a 2-Part series, Episode 10 of DITD is all about Major Labels. Do we realise how powerful they are & how much has Hip-Hop changed because of them? FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/0f85221b
Ep.10 - Major Labels
June 11, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBIn a 2-part series, DITD tackles the one topic that has been clouding over every other topic Ben & Charlie has talked about so far on DITD. Major Labels. In the 90s, the US "Big Three", Universal Music Group, Warner & Sony consumed Hip-Hop as soon as it became a cultural force. From '86 to '96, there were 17 No.1 Hip-Hop albums, 11 of them were under Major Labels. It's even more clear looking at singles. Moving onto now, the numbers of Major Labels owning charting artists are in t...
Ep.9 - Revolution Means Change, Don't Look At Me Strange
June 04, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 61 MBIn the times we live in right now, it could be said that we're in a golden age of protest. All around the world, there are protests of large numbers being held. They're so prevalent now, you could probably name a few of them. When it comes to Hip-Hop, it too is on the frontline. From Kendrick's Grammy performances to Stormzy's BRIT Awards performance. Music has always been a place to protest and Hip-Hop is definitely no different. Ben & Charlie (The main subject starts @ 5:23) ta...
9: Ep.9 - Revolution Means Change, Don't Look At Me Strange
June 04, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 61 MBEpisode 9 of "Diggin' In The Digits" is all about Hip-Hop as protest, how & why artists make statements about Politics or injustice in their music. FULL SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS - https://share.transistor.fm/s/80446b77
8: Ep.8 - The Women Got Something To Say
May 28, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBOn Ep.8 of DITD, Ben & Charlie talk about women in Hip-Hop. Why their mainstream presence has dropped since the '90s and wonder if the scales can ever balance out. FULL SHOW NOTES - https://share.transistor.fm/s/444aab08
Ep.8 - The Women Got Something To Say
May 28, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBEpisode 8 of DITD is all about the women. In the '90s, there was a healthy contingent of women getting the job done in the Hip-Hop space. There were many female Hip-Hop artists to name, some of them got to the point where they had genuine, landmark chart success. But in the two decades since, the numbers have been cut by more than half. If we look at it from the broadest scope, there's only been six No.1 Albums from female Hip-Hop artists, it's even worse on the production side. B...