Dad Bod Rap Pod

Another rap year is in the books! In part 2 of Quibble Jam 2024, the three bad brothers you know so well hand out more fictional awards and share big, sincere laughs. This is the last Dad Bod Rap Episode of 2024. On behalf of the squad, I would like to thank everyone for their time, attention, and support this year. We will return in early 2025 with new episodes and a new format! We are proud members of Open Mike Eagle's terror cell, also known as Stony Island Audio. Dave does the booking. Nate's the cute one. I be producing. That's me and DJ Cutso on the theme song with some help from Don Newkirk (R.I.P) -DEM

2024 was an amazing year for this podcast and rap as an art form. After a brief hiatus, the best fake awards show in Hip Hop is back. It's Quibble Jam 2024, and the bros have created a gang of hilarious categories and figurative trophies to hand out. Did your favorite albums from this year get mentioned? Tune in and find out. It's the first episode of a two-parter! Dad Bod Rap Pod is a proud member of the podcast crime family known as Stony Island Audio. The theme song is by DEM and Cutso, with help from the late great Don Newkirk

We begin this week's episode paying tribute to the recently passed Saafir. The Saucee Nomad is a Bay Area legend, an actor, and an MC with a unique sense of rhythm. DBRP hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc share memories from Saafir's career, a few personal run-ins, and discuss his legacy as an undeniably interesting rhymer. Our interview is a one-on-one conversation between Nate and Dutch journalist and author Jaap Van Der Doelen about the soon-to-be-released book Kill Your Masters: Run The Jewels and the World That Made Them from University of Georgia Press. We delve into El-P and Killer Mike as MCs, musicians and cultural figures. The book is dropping December 1st, make sure to grab a copy. This episode of Dad Bod Rap Pod was produced by Nate LeBlanc. Theme song by DEM ONE and Cutso. Image by David Ma. Part of the Stony Island Audio network. If you like what you hear please visit us at www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod

For many hip-hop heads of a certain vintage, the first Wu-Tang record and the subsequent solo albums represent the pinnacle of musical grittiness, lyrical density, and impressive business acumen. Watching RZA and the supremely talented Clan members take over the world with an uncompromising sound and vision was extremely impressive and brought some undeniable classic records into being. During this period, RZA's basement studio was flooded, and that event impacted a few of the albums' final versions. Tical is one of those records, and this week Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter, David Ma, Nate LeBlanc guest Cutso gather to share their thoughts on Method Man's debut. Method Man was poised to be the breakout star from the Wu, and Tical is perhaps not the album that the market expected from this undeniably charismatic and dynamic rhymer. We discuss the lyrics, the beats, the tone, and the circumstances surrounding this release 30 years ago. As you will hear, our opinions on this record are somewhat divided, which always makes for a more interesting discussion. This episode was produced by Paolo "Cutso" Bello. Theme song by DEM ONE and Cutso. Brought to you by Stony Island Audio.

Dad Bod Rap Pod is back with a double dose of interviews. We kick off this week's show with some thoughts on the passing of the legendary music producer and raconteur Quincy Jones. Then we have an interview with Prince Po, one half of the almighty Organized Konfusion. We had a chance to interview Pharoahe Monch a few years back, and we have been looking forward to completing the cypher on this legendary group for some time. Po was kind enough to join us for a conversation, and we discussed his influences, the changes between albums that led to the making of the legendary Stress: The Extinction Agenda, as well as his ties to our hometown of San Jose. On the back half of the program we have a chat with friends of the program Fat Tony and Fatboi Sharif, who recently released a project with Steel Tipped Dove called Brain Candy. We get into how these underground stalwarts originally connected, the importance of in-person recording, and more. Please note that this episode was recorded before we knew the results of the election. Like many of you, we are trying to make sense of the dark reality of this political moment. Hopefully our show can help provide a moment of solace in these trying times. DBRP is hosted by Demone Carter, David Ma, and Nate LeBlanc. Theme song produced by Cutso and DEM ONE. Brought to you by Stony Island Audio.

It's a good idea to check in with your favorite works of art as you get older. You may find that you have outgrown certain albums, or that they haven't aged well. Maybe the meaning will deepen over time, as certain aspects of a record mean something different as you move through life with a different perspective. That is the goal with our occasional retrospective episodes... we take a look back at records after 30 years and see what we make of them as adults. This week we are apply9ng that lens to Gravediggaz masterpiece, the misunderstood 6 Feet Deep. DBRP hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc are joined by collaborator Cutso to dissect the album that kicked off the horrorcore movement accidentally. 6 Feet Deep (known by a title we're not at liberty to type in Europe) is one of Prince Paul's masterworks, a theme album about resurrecting rappers who suffered from mismanagement by adopting horror film atmospherics, wild sing song flows, and razor sharp lyrics from his collaborators. Of course, we all know that RZA would go on to change the sound and business environment of hip-hop with Wu-Tang, but fellow Diggaz Frukwan and Too Poetic were perhaps the group members most committed to the bit. The resulting album is one of the most unique in the genre and we're happy to detail why we feel that way. For further discussion on this topic please check out DBRP 77 which contains an interview with Frukwan and any of our previous episodes with Prince Paul interviews as well. This episode was produced by Paolo "Cutso" Bello and we deeply appreciate his involvement. Theme song by DEM ONE and Cutso. Episode art by David Ma. Brought to you by Stony Island Audio, the only podcast network with shows that have featured interviews with both Jerry Seinfeld and Boom Bap Project.

This week, we are recapping our experience attending History Of The Bay, an event organized by fellow Bay Area hip-hop podcaster Dregs One. While it did not result in any usable interviews, DBRP co-hosts David Ma and Nate LeBlanc were glad to spend an afternoon immersed in the Bay Area's unique musical culture and to see performances from rappers such as Rappin' 4-Tay, B-Legit, and Kamaiyah. For this week's interview, DBRP host Demone Carter caught up with recurring guest and brilliant rapper Nappy Nina. Getting to know Nina and watching her level up her career has been one of the highlights of creating our show. We have been checking in with her in person and online for the past few years, and we are excited about her new collaborative project with producer Swarvy Nothing Is My Favorite Thing, out now. Dad Bod Rap Pod is produced by Demone Carter. Theme song by DEM ONE and Cutso. Brought to you by the good homies at Stony Island Audio

We must begin this week by paying tribute to Ka, a truly great rapper and producer who made uncompromising music for the real heads. May he rest in peace. The first segment of the show this week acts as a real-time processing of the incredibly sad news of Ka's passing. DBRP hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc share some thoughts on Ka's music, his legacy, and the distinct unfairness that he released his art at a time when it will only be appreciated by a niche audience. After that we are joined for a second time by rapper Kurious. We are discussing his new record Majician, which drops October 18th on MF DOOM's Metal Face Records via Rhymesayers. Kurious really opens up here, detailing his previous struggles with overthinking, his decades-long friendship with DOOM, and even at one point has to pause the interview to resume parenting duties, something Demone can relate to! Majician finds Kurious, who has always had a refined flow, in a deeply creative space, playing off of sample based beats from producer Mono En Stereo with a freewheeling nature not heard since his earliest work in the 90s. DOOM's presence looms large, on the record and in this conversation, which gives the entire affair a distinctly bittersweet edge. If you like what you hear, please consider giving us a 5-star review on the podcast app of your choice, we would really appreciate it! We also have a Patreon www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod where we post exclusive segments, review records, make playlists, and interact with our audience in a more direct way than other social media platforms. DBRP is produced by Demone Carter. Theme song by DEM ONE and Cutso. Our show is one of the many great podcasts on the Stony Island Audio network. Add reaction

Even though we have dedicated quite a few episodes of this show talking about contemporary hip-hop, especially the left field, intensely wordy variety, we have not been able to settle on a name for what we see as a movement of like-minded artists at its cutting edge. One of our struggles in talking about this kind of music is that it defies easy categorization. Sure, it is "underground hip-hop" in the broadest sense, but that term has little meaning in the streaming economy, and is a somewhat outdated term aesthetically as well. As we were beginning to learn the lay of the land of who were the best abstract or "thoughtful" rappers of this era were a few years ago, we started calling the cluster of Backwoodz-associated rappers and their affiliates The Vanguard. The name didn't stick, it's probably too generic to describe the florid and intricate music that is being made. Pretty much everyone got mad when it was referred to as "Art Rap" in a piece in Complex written by friend of the program Shawn Setaro that quoted DBRP host Nate LeBlanc several times. That leaves us, who pride ourselves on a keen ability to describe this music, without an effective banner term. And frankly, these artists are too independent-minded to fall into easy categories, that is part of the reason why we fuck with them. However you try to define this sound, this scene, ELUCID is one of the premier artists of our time, a leading voice in this indescribable tangle of abstract MCs and Producers making challenging, interesting music that pushes hip-hop forward. We have interviewed ELUCID multiple times on DBRP in the past, and we have always found him to be engaging and willing to discuss his art on a bit of a deeper level than most other artists. Today we're talking to him about his new album, Revelator. The album drops October 18th, and in fact we conducted the first interview about it, kind of an unofficial kickoff of the rollout of the record. We look forward to many more listens to this album soon, to unlock its mysteries. Hopefully this interview provides some helpful context for you to consider when you are able to hear it upon release. This week's episode also has a surprise bonus interview with the Previous Industries crew. DBRP hosts Demone Carter and David Ma were able to catch up with Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and Still Rift at their show in San Francisco recently for a very loose conversation about their recent album Service Merchandise, one of our favorites of the year thus far. The rest of the audio can be found on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod DBRP is produced by Demone Carter. Theme song by Cutso and DEM ONE. Brought to you by Stony Island Audio

Real heads know J Sands as a true vet who's built a solid, no-compromise career. Hailing from Cincinnati and making waves with the group Lone Catalyst, he's back with a new project called Cash Flow, Buddha, and Shelter. This time, he's leaning into classic 90s boom-bapery. We chopped it up with him about how the game's evolved, his adventures making a name for himself in New York, and what he thinks about today's rap scene. We also talk about some of our favorite new(ish) rap albums. If you're digging the vibras, it's the perfect moment to join our Patreon fam at [www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod](www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod). Rap Nerds Of The World Unite! DadBodRapPod is proudly part of the Stony Island Audio Elks Lodge. The theme song is a DEM ONE x Cutso collabo

Since dropping his debut album Hazardous in 1991, Godfather Don has been popping periodically and reminding us that his sword remains sharp. His latest project, Thesis, is a testament to the enduring power of hard beats and straight-ahead rhymin'. Not content with just killing it lyrically, GFD has also become a saxophonist of note in the NYC scene. The Godfather took a break from his gig in Brooklyn to chat about his long career, and rapping and playing sax feed off each other. In the intro, the crew goes deep on the best rapper second acts and what they'd do if they ever had to trade in the super glamorous podcast life. Big shoutout to everyone who still tunes in to our humble little show. If you're feeling generous, hit up our Patreon at www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod, where just $5 a year unlocks a treasure chest of content and an exclusive membership in the most elite rap nerd club on the internet. Oh, and because rolling with the posse is the only way to do it, DadBodRapPod is proudly part of Stony Island Audio. P.S. Cutso and I, the birthday twins, made the theme song.

Xiên chào, welcome to Đặc Biệt Rap Pod, a miniseries about music, food, and travel. Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc recently traveled to Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam. We received a grant to participate in a cultural exchange program, and since we are a hip-hop podcast, we decided to seek out the DJ and b-boy culture in District 1, Saigon. And here is what we found. Part 3- A Saigon Travelogue We were lucky enough to be able to make this trip and create this 3-episode miniseries thanks to a grant from the City of San Jose's Office Of Cultural Affairs. We flew halfway around the world in search of hip-hop in an unlikely location and to learn more about the cross-cultural conversation between our hometown of San Jose and the creative center of Vietnam, Saigon. Today on the thrilling conclusion to our travel miniseries, we are back in our hometown of San Jose, California reflecting on our experiences, with some tips and tricks that may help you plan an excursion to this fascinating part of the world. We are extremely grateful to everyone who assisted us in any way on our travels, especially DJ Style D, a true gentleman and a very good DJ who helped us gain insight into how the indomitable hip-hop culture is expressed in Ho Chi Minh City. Please check out our interview with him on Episode 1 of the miniseries for more on that. We will be back to our regular programming next week, with a good interview with an underground MC/producer legend and some conversation about notable hip-hop second acts. DBRP host Demone Carter spearheaded this entire trip, David Ma curated our experiences and translated things as they were occurring, and Nate LeBlanc produced this miniseries. DBRP is merely a single stone on the island that gives Stony Island Audio network its name. Perhaps next time you're looking for a good rap podcast you'll give one of the others a try.

Xiên chào, welcome to Đặc Biệt Rap Pod, a miniseries about music, food, and travel. Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc recently traveled to Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam. We received a grant to participate in a cultural exchange program, and since we are a hip-hop podcast, we decided to seek out the DJ and b-boy culture in District 1, Saigon. And here is what we found. Part 2- The Lady In The Alley Is A Mind Reader Welcome to the second of three parts of our special miniseries about travel in Vietnam from a hip-hop perspective. This week we are diving deep into the endless wonders of South Vietnamese cuisine. We were in Saigon for a little under two weeks, and spent much of the time exploring the incredible street food, tropical fruit, juices, coffee, and restaurants that define the bustling city. Here we share some of the highlights of our trip, including some of the best versions of pho, vermicelli bowls, broken rice plates, and soft shell crab that we have ever tasted, and much more. We hope you enjoy this thematic left turn for the show. Hip-hop heads have to eat too, and there are still the rap puns, camaraderie and banter that you have come to expect from DBRP tucked within all the food talk. This miniseries would not possible without a grant from the City of San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs. Huge thanks to everyone behind the scenes who helped us make this journey possible. Huge thanks to our Patreon homies! Join the squad at www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod for much more content from our trip abroad as well as regular music review segments, exclusive playlists, and the only fake radio show that matters, Fly Sporadic. DBRP host Demone Carter spearheaded this entire trip, David Ma curated our experiences and translated things as they were occurring, and Nate LeBlanc produced this miniseries. We ride with Stony Island Audio, a fine purveyor of hip-hop storytelling.

Xiên chào, welcome to Đặc Biệt Rap Pod, a miniseries about music, food, and travel. Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc recently traveled to Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam. We received a grant to participate in a cultural exchange program, and since we are a hip-hop podcast, we decided to seek out the DJ and b-boy culture in District 1, Saigon. And here is what we found. Part 1- Subcultural Exchange We were lucky enough to be able to make this trip and create this 3-episode miniseries thanks to a grant from the City of San Jose's Office Of Cultural Affairs. We flew halfway around the world in search of hip-hop in an unlikely location and to learn more about the corss-cultural conversation between our hometown of San Jose and the creative center of Vietnam, Saigon. We are thrilled to note that breakbeat DJing and B-Boying are alive and well in Southeast Asia, and in this episode we will introduce you to DJ Style D, an extremely influential DJ, record collector, and venue owner who is helping keep the elements of hip-hop at the forefront of the city's culture one record at a time. While we were abroad, we were able to book a DJ gig with Style D at a really cool restaurant along the river and to bring our brand of curated funk, soul and hip-hop musical taste to a completely new audience. We also participated in a few more relatively minor acts of cultural exchange, including an odd experience trying to buy records which gave us some insight into the gargantuan effort that hip-hop producer Onra put into crafting his masterpiece, Chinoiseries. We also briefly discuss Sublime Frequencies' reissue of incredibly rare 45s by Phuong Tam, a talented and courageous rock n' roll singer who began her career in Saigon and now resides in San Jose. Huge thanks are due to the City of San Jose OCA, as well as our Patreon subscribers for their continued support. Shout out to all of the scooter drivers, kindly grandmothers, sullen teens, and clueless tourists who helped make this trip special. DBRP host Demone Carter spearheaded this entire trip, David Ma curated our experiences and translated things as they were occurring, and Nate LeBlanc produced this miniseries. DBRP is one of the many great hip-hop related podcasts on the Stony Island Audio network. Please tune in next week for Part 2 of Đặc Biệt Rap Pod, with a focus on Saigon's justifiably legendary street food. Cảm un!

On this week's episode, DEM chops it up with Ant, the producer half of the iconic rap duo Atmosphere. His debut instrumental album, Collection of Sounds Vol.1, is the first release of a four-part series dropping via Rhymesayers Entertainment on September 6th. Ant talks about DJing, his obsessive record-collecting habit, and how he stays healthy on tour. During the banter segments, we learn about Nate's L.A. food journey, the patron saint of lost wallets, and Nebraskan Reggae. Dad Bod Rap Pod reps Stony Island Audio to the fullest. Birthday twins DEM and Cutso linked up on the theme song. That's the late great Don Newkirk at the top of the song.

We'll be the first to admit it... the rumors are true, we do have a Patreon. Behind the paywall there is a shadow universe of exclusive audio segments, record reviews, polls, discussion, and one very special fake radio show. DBRP co-host Nate LeBlanc will occasionally reach into the record shelves to play some jams and talk about them a little. Today we pull back the curtain to bring the eclectic selections to the main pod feed. On this episode, we are focusing on features, sharing some songs with notable guest verses. In what was meant to be a clever twist, the show itself features guest appearances from the rest of the Dad Bod conglomerate. David Ma drops by to talk about the all time classic guest shots on Cuban Linx, while Demone Carter leads us on a reconsideration of a monster EPMD joint. If you like what you hear this week, please consider joining the Dad Bod Rap squad at patreon.com/dadbodrappod DBRP is produced by Demone Carter. Theme song by Dem One and Cutso. We are in cahoots with Stony Island Audio in a podcast network type of way.

What makes a spy creamy? How important is it for lyrics to make grammatical sense? Has any record ever had a better vibe than this one? These among many other questions are answered by Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter, David Ma, and Nate LeBlanc on this week's look back at Digable Planets' 1994 album Blowout Comb. This record was the last official release for the Planets after their hit debut, Reachin' changed the sound of hip-hop briefly a few years earlier. Blowout Comb is another animal (insect?) entirely, a reflective, subtly swaggering tribute to Trouble Man-era Blaxploitation suffused with Panther politics and a warm, analog sonic palette. While reaction to the album was somewhat muted at the time, this album has become something of a cult classic for folks who like their rap records thoughtful and adventurous. Join us as we reconsider the themes, design, lyrics, beats, and messaging of an excellent slab of Brooklyn bohemianism. DBRP is produced by Demone Carter and released by Stony Island Audio, a swell group of hip-hop know-it-all's. Theme song produced by Cutso, who is in our hearts this week. Love you, P.

Welcome to Dad Bod Rap Pod, a years-long hip-hop related conversation between three 40-somehting friends. This week the fellas Nate LeBlanc, David Ma and Demone Carter re-listened to Dare Iz A Darkside by Redman and were somewhat surprised by what they heard. In the 30 years since this record was released, Red has gone on to become a beloved character even outside of the rap realm, and we are huge fans of him and his work. That said, listening to this album with fresh ears, we found that we were not really able to tune into its very specific frequency. We digest all of this and discuss some of this challenging work's peculiarities over the course of a nuanced conversation. And in the second segment, we debut a new game we are working on to see how well we know each other after seven years of working together on the show. Please feel free to tell us how wrong we are @dadbodrappod on IG and Twitter, or to attain truly next level hating credentials, you can subscribe to our Patreon www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod and tell us that we are idiots to our digital face behind the paywall. Dad Bod Rap Pod is brought to you by Stony Island Audio, which is named after a street in Chicago but I always picture it like a bunch of rappers and rap writers all getting high together on a stereotypical desert island like the ones from the Far Side cartoons.

It's pretty rare for a rapper of Skyzoo's caliber to perform live in downtown San Jose where our podcast is based, so we made sure to not only attend the show but to hang out in the green room a bit and have a conversation with one of NY's finest. Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter and David Ma chat with the gifted lyricist about his recent record The Mind Of A Saint (Deluxe), a fascinating concept album that is based on the television program Snowfall. This is our second time interviewing Skyzoo, please check out DBRP 180 for an in-depth conversation about his great album All The Brilliant Things. We here at Dad Bod Rap Pod are huge proponents of artists swinging for the fences, and this record is a great example of a mid-career MC doing something a little different and succeeding. We encourage you to check out the album whether you have seen the TV show or not, it works as a standalone project, and we imagine it would be all the more enjoyable if you're well versed in the lore of the show as well. In the bracketing banter segments we review the album, talk about Skyzoo's live show, and delve into a near tragedy with co-host Nate LeBlanc's air pod headphones, which he insists on calling the Dad Bod Air Pods. DBRP is a Stony Island Audio experience, please make sure to check out the other fine programs on the network.

This week we stagger in the gathering to discuss Common's classic 1994 release Resurrection. This is an important record for DBRP hosts David Ma, Demone Carter, and Nate LeBlanc, who collectively cannot believe this album is 30 years old. We discuss the incredible synergy between rapper Common Sense (as he was then known), producer NO I.D. and scratchmaster Mista Sinista, as well as the relative merits of Common's father's outro contributions, some of the samples used, and so much more. Common was on the rebound from the reception to his debut album Can I Borrow A Dollar when he was creating Resurrection, so we spend a bit of time discussing the reception to that misfire and how he came back hard with this album, which all of us view as an unimpeachable classic. Time has been pretty kind to almost all of this record, with the possible exception of its best known track, the narrative masterwork "I Used To Love H.E.R." We also get into Com's beef with Ice Cube, which is interesting to look back on given the current state of blockbuster rap rivalries at the moment. As you will probably notice, we recorded this episode from the Harmony Hotel in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City in the beautiful country of Vietnam. We will be rolling out a miniseries documenting more of our travels and experiences there soon, be on the lookout for that. DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng, contains a theme song by Cutso and DEM ONE and is produced by Demone Carter. You would not be hearing this without the efforts of Stony Island Audio. To our comp we're a ton, we get amped like stones on an island. Our patreon is a commodity so buy it: www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod

T3 and Young RJ of Slum Village join us this week to talk about their new album F.U.N, their extensive history, their Detroit MC Mount Rushmore, and much more. Along the way we dive into the mythology of them rhyming to a click track early in their career, the musical fullness of the new record, and modern day roller skating jams. In the banter segments, we talk about the new LL Cool J song produced by Q-Tip, which winds into a long digression about Tip's musical legacy and who may be hip-hop's version of Stevie Wonder, should such such a thing exist. We also get into the ideal grown man short length, beach activities, and the first of what is sure to be many breakdancing competitions at the Olympics. We also spend some time talking about dreadlock etiquette, cooking shows, and of course plug our Patreon, which you can find at www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng. Theme song by Cutso & DEM ONE. Produced by Demone Carter. Brought to you by Stony Island Audio.

*Note: This episode originally dropped on June 18th, 2020* This week we have a rangy interview with billy woods and Elucid, the members of group Armand Hammer, whose new record Shrines is among the year's best. They provide insight into the album's origins, artwork, and their trusted circle of collaborators among many other topics. In the second segment the fellas discuss the best rap records of the year so far, a check-in on the state of the art as we reach the halfway point of this chaotic but increasingly inspiring year. Beats for this week's show were submitted by Controller 7 and we thank him for the contributions. Our theme song is composed by DJ Albert Jenkins.

It's a tale of two halves on Dad Bod Rap Pod this week. In the intro segment we take a look back at The Fugees' first album Blunted on Reality, released 30 years ago in the thick of one of hip-hop's best overall years, 1994. For now, let's charitably call it an uneven debut from a group still finding its voice. Please click play on the episode to hear a lot more of our thoughts. This album is full of baffling decisions, yelling, and very few cool moments. After the break, hosts Nate LeBlanc, Demone Carter and David Ma turn our frowns upside down and discuss some of our favorite underground hip-hop releases of 2024 thus far, kind of a halfway through the year check in. We have nuanced takes on and praise for Heems' album LAFANDAR, Mach-Hommy's brilliant RICHAXXHATIAN, and Schoolboy Q's occasionally floaty Blue Lips. If you're reading this please consider supporting DBRP by joining our Patreon, where for a few dollars a month you get exclusive access to a steady stream of bonus audio segments, eclectic and well-researched playlists, as well as tons of music recommendations from us as well as our community of homies. www.patreon.com/dadbodrappod DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng, produced by Demone Carter, explained via theme song by Cutso and DEM ONE, has art by Dewey Saunders, is booked by David Ma, contains the high pitched and extra loud laughter of Nate LeBlanc, and is heard via the mighty Stony Island Audio podcast network.

You wanna see a dead body? All you need to do is listen to this week's guest, one of hip-hop's most unique MCs, Brotha Lynch Hung. Hailing from the under-discussed rap bastion of Sacramento, California, Lynch is the creator of his own unique brand of horror-centric rap music, which he calls Ripgut. Lynch's music is extremely popular in the Bay Area where we grew up, and while we may not be everyday listeners to the music, we certainly respect his consistency, hustle, and vivid writing style. For those unfamiliar with Lynch's output, be warned, it can be extremely graphic and maybe even a somewhat disturbing for the uninitiated. That said, we respect the fact that BLH has created his own musical universe, self-producing and releasing many of his landmark albums. This is one of our most unique interviews to date, and a must-hear for fans of Lynch's horror movie-inspired art. Speaking of horror films, that is the topic for this week's intro segment, as DBRP hosts Demone Carter, Nate LeBlanc and David Ma discuss their takes on the ubiquitous genre, from formative experiences as kids, to a predilection for psychological thrillers nowadays. In the outro, we dig deeper into the so-called "horrorcore" hip-hop subgenre, a style that is often discussed but one that no prominent artists seem to self-apply to their music. Along the way we touch on such artists as Viper, ICP, Esham, and a few others you may not be expecting us old head classical rap fans to mention. DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng. Theme song by Cutso and DEM ONE. Brought to you by the letter 'S' which stands for Stony Island Audio, a gut-rippingly good podcast network.

There are few people who have contributed as much to hip-hop culture and received as little recognition as our guest this week, Breakbeat Lou. He was born in the Bronx, steeped in hip-hop culture from the moment it was created, and eventually went on to develop a record series called Octopus Breaks. That series morphed into the mighty Ultimate Breaks & Beats, a hugely formative series for DJs, Producers, and listeners to familiarize themselves with the canonical breaks, or open drum parts, on which hip-hop is built. Lou has some great memories to share, including stories about the legend Scott La Roc, Afrika Islam's role in break record history, and more recent tales about touring with Sous of Mischief. For true fans of hip-hop culture, this interview is not to be missed. In the intro segment, DBRP hosts Demone Carter and Nate LeBlanc (David Ma is on assignment this week) discuss breakbeats and break culture. As an MC, Demone has been tracking down and trying to unlock the secrets of the breaks for decades. LeBlanc has an extensive record collection that includes some of the holy grail break records, though he is conflicted about hoarding them when perhaps they could be better used by someone who actually, you know, makes beats. DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng. DBRP has a theme song produced by Cutso and rapped by our very own DEM ONE. DBRP guests are booked by David Ma. DBRP is produced by Demone Carter. Most if not all of the puns on the show are provided by Nate LeBlanc. We are down with Stony Island Audio, the finest hip-hop podcast network in all the land.

This week we are going to the movies... actually we're discussing rap portrayals in the movies, a somewhat fraught subject. We were inspired to think about rap on the silver screen by our guest, Marv Won. Among other accolades, Marv was famously part of the movie 8 Mile. We enjoyed our conversation with this Detroit battle rap mainstay who recently signed with Mello Music Group and has a new album entitled "I'm Fine, Thanks For Asking. " One of the highlights of our chat was Mar's lightning-quick assembly of his all-time Detroit MC Mount Rushmore. In the intro segment, DBRP hosts David Ma, Demone Carter and Nate LeBlanc riff about rap movies, verisimilitude, decrepit warehouses, strange bedfellows, and much much more. Big thanks to our theme song composer Cutso. DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng. Dad Bod Rap Pod is probably the 4th or 5th most popular podcast on the Stony Island Audio network.

"you can tell that the East Bay was his home."  Spice One doesn't have the wealth and accolades that some of his West Coast contemporaries like E-40, Too Short, and Snoop have, but he has maintained every bit of his respect in the rap game for over 30 years. The Hayward, California rapper came to prominence in the early nineties, pioneering a dark new gangster arch type that is still mimicked today. Tune in to hear him talk about rolling with Tupac, almost being cast in a major motion picture, and why he is still going so hard in 2024.  The Dad Bod Rap Pod is a production of the Stony Island Audio Podcast Network. Shout out to the honorable Open Mike Eagle. The theme song was created by DEM ONE and DJ CUTSO. Taylor Weng is on the mix (c'mon, kick it!) 

So it's come to this... A Dad Bod Rap Pod mailbag episode. We are celebrating our 300th episode by fielding questions from some people we respect. Show hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc are extremely grateful to have met and interacted with so many talented and cool people over the past few years and we reached out to a few of them to send in some open-ended questions about hip-hop music and culture. Underground rap luminaries such as rappers Open Mike Eagle, Illogic, Rob Sonic, and Fat Tony, as well as producers Blockhead, Roper Williams, Cutso, and Maker, as well as comedian and top tier podcast guest across genres Josh Gondelman provided some funny, insightful and in some cases rather odd opportunities for us to bring you the nuanced rap discussion we have been working on for the last few hundred recording sessions. For this special episode we are also layering in some extremely humbling voice messages from a colorful cast of characters who were kind enough to call in and tell us what they like about the show. We were blown away to receive entries from such great artists as Daedelus, Murs, and Tajai from Souls of Mischief, among others. We would like to thank everyone who has ever listened to this program, everyone who's ever told a friend about us, everyone that's ever written us a check, all of the folks behind the scenes who help us out every week, all of the people who gave us advice over the years, especially in the beginning, and all of our past contributors, whether they were interview subjects, contributed music, or just interacted with us online. This has been one hell of a ride and we are very grateful to hip-hop itself, especially the underground scene that birthed us and has taught us so much about life and provided us with so many great opportunities. We love making this show and contributing in a small way to the culture that we have been obsessed with our entire lives. It's an honor and a privilege to get these takes off and to examine this amazing music, and while we're not planning on stopping anytime soon, we are in a reflective mood since we reached a round number in the episode run. Huge shouts out to Cutso and DEM ONE for our theme song, Taylor Weng for the audio adjustments, OME and the entire Stony Island massive for providing us a home. We hope you enjoy this week's episode. If you like what you hear and would like to support the show directly please visit patreon.com/dadbodrappod for hundreds of hours of exclusive podcasts, playlists, discussion, and more.

Chuck Strangers has been making noise from the Pro Era to the current era. Originally known primarily as a producer, Chuck is also nice on the mic and has released several acclaimed solo albums. Today he joins Dad Bod Rap Pod hosts Demone Carter, David Ma, and Nate LeBlanc to discuss his most recent album, A Forsaken Lover's Plea. It's more fun than it sounds. We discuss his Brooklyn rap Mt. Rushmore, the absurdity of modern vinyl culture, his friendship with underground man of mystery Ka, and the importance of honesty in writing and delivering raps. In the intro segment, your hosts roll up for a magical mystery tour. That's right, we spend the segment talking about hip-hop's undisputed drug of choice, the mostly legal but slightly controversial marijuana. We often ask our guests whether they prefer indica or sativa, and we begin there before talking about the haphazard nature of national legalization, and how music and weed have intertwined in our lives. Our theme song is spoken in a syncopated rhythmic manner by DEM ONE and the sounds were arranged in a slightly different rhythmic grid by our dear friend Cutso. The podcast itself was mixed by Taylor Weng. The podcast is available everywhere through access provided by Stony Island Audio, a super dope group of independent hip-hop commentators and practitioners to be associated with.

Who does't like a good spin-off? Last season we piloted a first of its kind (we think) podcast that deals with the precarious intersection between Rap music and sex/relationships.It's called Talk Like Sex. This week DBRP host DEM ONE and full time producer part time sex therapist Blockhead have a wide ranging conversation about music and the age old question "To Eat Or Not To Eat" They answer questions from fans and relate about their own experiences as men of a certain age. Special guest contributor Steph Roars also gets on the mic to give a female perspective. I guess we should mention this isn't safe for work but what good podcast is? anyway....enjoy responsibly and JOIN OUR PATREON.....Patreon.com/dadbodrappod

This week we are taking our talents into the sporting realm. DBRP hosts Nate LeBlanc, Demone Carter and David Ma are joined for an interesting conversation with DJ D-Sharp, a Bay Area stalwart who has new music out now. However, he also has a "day job" as the in-arena DJ for the Golden State Warriors, the best basketball team in the world. We discuss his history as an in-demand tour DJ for many prominent acts including a long stint with one of our favorites, Blackalicious. We enjoyed chatting with D about his prominent DJ gigs, including playing for President Obama multiple times, as well as his front row seat to history as the man behind the wheels for so many major sports moments. Our hosts discuss "jock jams" aka the music that is played in arenas and stadiums all over the world, as well as some takes on what has been an odd Warriors season so far. Our theme song is produced by Cutso and rapped by DEM ONE. DBRP is mixed by Taylor Weng. Stony Island Audio is the home for hip-hop storytelling, please make sure to check out the other shows on the network.

Cavalier is a little bit of a mysterious figure in the modern rap ecosystem. He was raised in Brooklyn, now located in New Orleans, with significant time spent in Oakland along the way. He has worked extensively with DBRP fave Quelle Chris, collaborating on 2023's excellent Black Cottonwood album. We have been wanting to speak to Cav since 2018's Private Stock was released, which we consider to be one of the strongest albums of the modern era. He will have the chance to top that shortly, when his next opus, Different Type Time is released on the mighty Backwoodz Studioz. We spoke to Cavalier about his life and music, his innate sense of style, and his collaborators in a lively and interesting conversation. DBRP hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc also take some time to debate the best albums of the year so far, with special attention paid to Schoolboy Q's divisive Blue Lips and Roc Marciano's exciting return to form Marciology among others. Theme song production and moral support by Cutso. Mixing (turning down the laughing) by Taylor Weng. Podcast infrastructure provided by Stony Island Audio.

Now that we've been around for a number of years, we've had the chance to interact with rappers and producers at various stages of their careers. Sometimes we catch people on the ascent, still forging their legacy, and sometimes we speak to legends whose time influencing the culture is likely behind them. And sometimes, we engage with early-career artists right as they begin to level up and make a name for themselves to a wider audience. We have seen this happen with friends of the program like Defcee and Fatboi Sharif, and this week we have a conversation with rapper NAHreally and producer The Expert, who feel like they are on the verge of a similar breakthrough. They are promoting their new collaborative album Blip! out now on Rucksack Records. For NAH, this is his first release on vinyl, his first foray into securing features from other indie artists he admires, and just a lot of firsts in general. For producer The Expert, this is the latest in a line of collab albums, including recent tomes with Stik Figa and Jermicide, where he has consistently displayed a knack for psych-tinged knocking beats. In the bookending segments, DBRP hosts David Ma and Nate LeBlanc (Demone Carter is on assignment his week) discuss new music, an upcoming book project they are both working on, and the concept of "Regular Guy Rap" and what makes an artist relatable in the modern world of hip-hop. This episode was mixed by Taylor Weng. Theme song by Cutso and DEM ONE. Announcements by Don Newkirk. Dad Bod Rap Pod is brought to you by Stony Island Audio. Any rebroadcast, retransmission, or account of this podcast, without the express written consent of Open Mike Eagle, is prohibited.

Dad Bod Rap Pod is experiencing a little bit of redemption this week. A few years ago, right around the time we were starting to interview guests on the show, we had scheduled a chat with a newcomer to the underground rap scene, a cat who rapped equally well in English and Spanish, with an impressive vocabulary and a deft hand with storytelling raps. That dude was Crimeapple, and we were huge fans of his Perfect EP series. We got on the line, but only for a few minutes, when his phone died and we couldn't re-connect. That attempt at an interview has loomed large in our internal mythology as "one that got away." Well, we're happy to say that circumstances have brought us back together, as Crime joins us for a full length chat alongside returning guest Preservation to discuss their first (but likely not last!) collaborative album El Leon. We dig into the album's inception, dissect a few tracks, and discuss the potential pitfalls of traveling in Crime's ancestral home of Colombia. Pres drops knowledge on sampling sounds from the Latin diaspora and a few moments of serendipity that emerged in the making of this special project. DBRP hosts David Ma, Demone Carter and Nate LeBlanc spend the intro segment discussing the state of the recording industry, asking ourselves if it matters whether or not MCs record in the same physical space with their producers. Big shouts to the homie Cutso for producing our theme song (rapped by Demone) and for being the Plug 4 of the DBRP Cinematic Universe. This episode was mixed by Taylor Weng and we appreciate her helping us sound a lot better. DBRP is a rap music podcast that focuses on nuanced conversation, and as such it has a home on Open Mike Eagle's Stony Island Audio podcast network. Anything else would be uncivilized.

We here at Dad Bod Rap Pod like nothing more than when an established artist takes a big swing, and makes an ambitious record outside of their comfort zone. That is certainly the circumstance that our guests this week find themselves in. For their first collaborative project, entitled Temple Needs Water Village Needs Peace, Memphis rapper Lukah and LA-based producer Real Bad Man have cooked up a compelling exploration of history and myth. The album, out March 29th, with some exclusive snippets debuting here, exists in its own unique sonic landscape, and Lukah brings his storytelling prowess to the forefront. We're excited about this swerve in direction from two artists we have interviewed before and whose work we admire. We also spend a few minutes with RBM breaking down last year's Serpent album with Kool Keith, an unexpected late-career triumph for the artist formerly known as Rhythm X. In the intro segment, hosts Nate LeBlanc, David Ma and Demone Carter name some of their favorite one MC + one producer albums and after the interview, we get into some of our least favorite of those kind of projects, something we talk about about often but don't usually record. Our theme song was produced by the homie Cutso and rapped by DEM ONE. This episode was mixed by Taylor Weng. DBRP is a palm tree on Stony Island, the single best hip-hop related audio platform to ever exist.

This week's Dad Bod Rap Pod episode revolves around the under-discussed golden era rap group X Clan and contains an insightful interview with the group's leader, Brother J. The Grand Verbalizer is a contemporary of groups like The Jungle Brothers but has had a different career path, as he has balanced music-making with deeply involved community work for decades. In the intro segment DBRP hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc reflect on their fandom of X Clan and Brother J's later project Dark Sun Riders. Next up we have a slightly-longer-than usual interview where Brother J gives us a Funkin' Lesson on his approach, his rhyme style, his time providing security for public speakers, and what he has been up to lately. Our theme song is rapped by DEM ONE over a beat by friend of the program Cutso. This episode was edited by Taylor Weng and we appreciate her assistance. DBRP is brought to you by Open Mike Eagle's podcast network, Stony island Audio.

Many times we have had guests that we consider to be proverbial brothers, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time we have interviewed literal siblings. Of course we're referring to Brooklyn's finest, the production duo of DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt, collectively known as Da Beatminerz. This was a great conversation, as the hilarious, gregarious brothers have been involved in so many classic hip-hop moments and releases. We get deep on Soundbombing, Smif N Wessun, the division of labor among the crew, and much much more. DBRP hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc list their favorite Beatminerz beats (kind of a tough choice when there are so many great ones to choose from) and discuss various other hip-hop sibling groups and family bands. This podcast is only one of the fine programs available due to the largess of the Stony Island Audio network.

It's quite rare for us to be able to talk to a true pioneer in the rap game, especially one so vital and engaged as the legendary Schoolly D. We were able to get some time with the literal father of gangster rap to talk about his self-drawn album art, his influence on the genre, his work in TV, his diet, and so much more. DBRP hosts David Ma, Nate LeBlanc and Demone Carter have been longtime fans of Schoolly's work and have referenced his seminal tracks (and the Edan song "Schoolly D Knew The Time") many times throughout our few hundred episodes, so it was surreal to actually speak with him. He was full of energy, unsurprisingly ribald, and a deep well of knowledge on the fundamentals of rap. Overall, a great interview. In the intro segment we discuss tattoo etiquette, commitment phobia, the infantilization of NBA coaches, and the terror of the wrestling unit in middle school P.E. class. Our theme song was produced by Cutso and rapped by DEM ONE (Demone's rap guise) Dad Bod Rap Pod is a proud member of the Stony Island Audio network

Dad Bod Rap Pod is back after our brief winter break. This week we have a great interview with returning guest Bruiser Wolf. Since bursting onto the scene as part of Danny Brown's Bruiser Brigade a few years ago, Wolf has carved out a unique lane for himself with a lilting, melodic flow comprised of off kilter couplets and observational wordplay that can skew either funny, enlightening, or devastating. His last record, Dope Game Stupid, is a cult classic and a favorite of ours, something we often find ourselves re-listening to. Now Bruiser is back, stepping his game up with the new LP My Story Got Stories. Featuring production from Raphy, Harry Fraud and others, this outing sees Wolf expanding his sonic palette while doubling down on his storytelling chops, his delightfully off the wall rhyme schemes, and his relatable tales of Detroit street life. This is a really fun episode, as DBRP hosts Demone Carter, Nate LeBlanc and David Ma share a palpable excitement to be back recording together. We catch up on what we have been up to since we last spoke, as well as the non sequitur pop culture breakdowns you have come to expect. Big shouts as always to Stony Island Audio, the hip-hop podcast network with shows you can actually listen to.

It's not the heat its the dust.... This is it y'all. Part 2 of the DBRP 50 year-end extravagangsta. The last episode of 2023! This week the bros dissect the Top 25 songs that make up the whole DBRP vibe. Thanks to all those who rocked with us this year. The three bad brothers you know so well are gonna take a break and return February 2024.Cheers! If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

With this being the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop and all the bros figured it was time to put together a Top 50 list of some sort. In lieu of talking about the same amazing but over-discussed rap songs/albums they thought it would be cool to list the top 50 songs that make up the DBRP aesthetic. Because 6th years in Dad Bod Rap Pod has become a staple podcast with fans of a certain age and sensibility. This part one of two part jammy jam. Happy 50th to Hip Hop and long live Dad Bod Rap Pod! If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

but when it come to nights like this.... To conclude the 93' Retro series the bros talk about arguably the most perfect rap album of all-time A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders. Coming off the commercial and artistic triumph that was Low End Theory many wondered if Tribe could raise the bar yet again. Nate, Dave, and DEM talk about their favorite joints from this nocturnal masterpiece. In a year where rap music delivered several classic album Midnight Marauders still stands alone. If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

This is a dedication to you wack emcees...... Del's second album, No Need For Alarm, was a departure of sorts from his debut LP, I Wish My Brother George Was Here. Eschewing the Ice Cube/George Clinton funk aesthetic, Del went deep into his backpack and pulled a record for the ages. The head of the Hiero Voltron launched a full-scale attack on inferior rappers over raw no-nonsense beats. This week, the bros reflect fondly on an album that lives in their collective DNA.  If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

As you reflect on gratitude, colonialism, and cranberry sauce enjoy this Patreon Freeview of Nate Le Blanc's radio show Fly Sporadic. Our Patreon subscribers know that Nate drops these themed (or non themed) music mixes every so often. Just one the perks of membership when you join the Dad Bod Rap Pod Patreon. You can get Fly Sporadic, Demone's playlist series DEM'S GEM's, special podcast segments (like our Wu Tang post game), and much, much, much. Patreon.com/dadbodrappod ($5 a month is nothing to a boss) We are thankful for YALL!

Outkast is perhaps Hip Hop's closest corollary to the Beatles. Their musical journey, commercial success, and geographic origins (the south got something to say) make them a one-of-one rap group. On this week's epsiode the bros take a walk down memory lane and dissect Outkast's 25 year old classic album Aquemini. Joining the dad bods on the b side of the episode is Fat Tony who shares how this album was huge influence on his artistic development. If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

It might blow up but it won't go

Time to Enter The 7th Chamber: In last weeks episode the four man wrecking crew (Nate, Dave, DEM, and DJ Cutso) talked about when the Tao of the WU first found them and their favorite tracks off of this classic album. This week they delve into the best three song runs from the album and consider this blasphemous question: are their skippable tracks on the album?? Tune in for all the high jinx. If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

Wu Tang Aint Nuthin' to Fuck It! Have a song ever had truer title!? 30 years after its release Wu Tang Clan's Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers) remains a musical achievement without parallel. The 9 man rap cartel ripped a hole in the fabric of Hip Hop space-time and delivered a masterpiece. Eschewing the polished rap sound for something more guttural and dangerous. In this episode Nate, Dave, DEM, and special guest DJ Cutso talk about when they first heard the Wu Tang and their favorite jams off the album. Part 1 of a two part WU banger. If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso

If you weren't outside then, it's difficult to comprehend how highly anticipated Snoop Dog's first album was. In the era before the internet, the buzz surrounding Doggystyle could have powered a major metropolitan area. The Dr. Dre industrial complex had already delivered The Chronic a year earlier, so there was a notion that with rookie of the year from Long Beach in tow, Doggystyle would be one for the ages. Now, with 30 years of hindsight, we ask the following question: Is this a timeless record or a record of its time? 

Rather be co-dependent than co-defendants.... Armand Hammer's ascent to critical acclaim has neatly paralleled with the existence of this podcast. There is no causation of course but it has been fun to watch woods and E L U C I D's come up in real time. We have also had the privilege of talking to both artists during our 5+ year run. On this special mini-episode of DBRP the bros share their takes on Armand Hammer's new album We Buy Diabetic Test Strips. If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive!

Don't front you know we got you open! Hopefully yall have been enjoying or 1993 retro series thus far. This week we examine Black Moon's album Enta Da Stage. Buckshot Shorty, 5 FT, and Evil Dee combined to create a dark and gritty album that spawned a visual aesthetic (two strap backpacks) and a sound that is still relevant today (lo-fi beats that you can study to) Was this a timeless album or an album of its time? The bros are joined by author Adam Mansbach and rapper Defcee to parse through this question and talk about their new record The Golem of Brooklyn Original Soundtracks (and the accompanying novel). If you like what you hear please like, rate, review, and subscribe on your platform of choice. If you really down with the team please subscribe to our Patreon (patreon.com/dadbodrappod) Big ups to Stony Island Audio massive! Theme song was produced by the homie DJ Cutso