Hard2Earn

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Torae and Bonsu Thompson deliver insightful track by track reviews on new and classic albums!

Hard2Earn


    • Aug 13, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 2m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    If you're looking for a true unbiased account of an album, then look no further than The Hard2Earn podcast. Hosted by the Brothas Torae & Bonsu, this podcast delivers thoughtful and honest reviews with the dare to offend because they understand that artists are sensitive about their work. They bring a refreshing level of authenticity to their assessments, making their reviews entertaining yet real. With their in-depth discussions, they revisit and dissect some of our favorite classics. It's a podcast that truly embodies the phrase "Trust the Process."

    One of the best aspects of The Hard2Earn podcast is the knowledge and insight that Torae and Bonsu bring to each episode. Their quick wit and humor blend seamlessly with their deep understanding of music, making for engaging conversations. They don't shy away from expressing how the music makes them feel, giving listeners a raw and unfiltered perspective. This refreshing honesty sets them apart from other podcasts in the genre.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is the wide range of albums they review. Whether it's a classic hip-hop album or a recent release from an up-and-coming artist, Torae and Bonsu cover it all. This diversity allows listeners to discover new music while also revisiting old favorites. Their ability to provide insightful analysis on both well-known albums and hidden gems is truly impressive.

    While there are many positive aspects of The Hard2Earn podcast, one potential drawback is that it may not appeal to those who are easily offended by strong opinions. Torae and Bonsu do not hold back when it comes to sharing their thoughts on an album, even if it means offending some listeners. However, this can also be seen as a strength for those who appreciate unapologetic honesty in music reviews.

    In conclusion, The Hard2Earn podcast is a must-listen for any music lover seeking genuine and unbiased album reviews. Torae and Bonsu's entertaining and educated conversations provide a unique perspective on the music that is both refreshing and insightful. Their ability to balance humor with knowledge makes for an enjoyable listening experience. So, if you're ready to tap into their world of honest assessments, trust the process and give The Hard2Earn podcast a listen. You won't be disappointed.



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    Latest episodes from Hard2Earn

    Ep 34 - Ice Spice : Y2K

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 51:12


    The guys are taking it back to Y2K for the latest episode of Hard2Earn. Despite her name being Ice, it's no denying Ice Spice has been one of the hottest rappers as of recent, but can the BX baddie deliver on a full length album? Press play and see what Torae and Bonsu have to say on the latest episode of Hard2Earn.

    Ep 33 - Rapsody : Please Don't Cry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 67:41


    After a nearly 5 year hiatus Rapsody is back with a new album PLEASE DON'T CRY. The Snow Hill, NC spitter & Roc Nation representative gives us her most personal work to date, tap in to hear how if gave Bonsu & Torae the feels on the latest episode of #Hard2Earn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ep 32 - Kanye West : The College Dropout

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2024 59:28


    In this NBA Playoffs episode hosts Torae and Bonsu Thompson gather in front of a live audience to revisit Kanye West's THE COLLEGE DROPOUT album for the 20th anniversary. Recorded during the last NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis our hosts had a blast running through this classic for a Midwest audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ep 31 - J Cole : Might Delete Later

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 65:55


    There's been a lot of J Cole talk as of late and with a new 12 song project out the guys will delve into the good, the bad and the blasphemous with the latest episode of #HARD2EARN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ep 30 - Benny The Butcher: Everybody Can't Go

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 67:25


    Season 4 kicks off with Buffalo's Benny The Butcher! He is back with his highly anticipated Def Jam debut. What better way for Torae and Bonsu to set off a new partnership with the Revolt Podcast Network than with a brand new album from one of today's best spitters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ep 29 - Wu-Tang Clan: Enter The Wu-Tang 36 Chambers | 25th Anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 95:39


    It is common belief across the globe that the greatest rap group of all-time is the Wu-Tang Clan. The Killer Bee reign began with a gritty posse cut and transformative debut album Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. On Black Friday 2023, HARD2EARN commemorated the 30th anniversary of Wu's 1993 intro with a live conversation at Brooklyn's historic Billie Holiday Theater (The Billie). Special guests Matty C (the man who discovered Wu-Tang) and Mathematics (Wu producer and DJ) add to the convo with a few historic gems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Celebrating Hip-Hop 50th: Aquemini Anniversary - Live from Stankonia Studios ATL

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 96:24


    The South got something to say and you can't celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th without celebrating the Aquemini Anniversary Live from Stankonia Studios ATL! Hard2Earn sits down with Special Guests Michael Williams and Kawan Prather to break down their most memorable moments from Aquemini and the legacy of Outkast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ep 27 - Drake - Nothing Was The Same (10 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 70:53


    "Give it time, we'll see who's still around a decade from now" - Aubrey Drake Graham A decade later I don't think there's any denying Drake's massive impact and staying power in music. For the latest episode of #Hard2Earn Torae & Bonsu get into Drake's 3rd album NOTHING WAS THE SAME. With so many questioning what is Drake's "classic" album, if any, let's get into this project and see if it's stands the test of time & if this could in fact be the one.

    Ep 26 - Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (LIVE)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 69:33


    Torae & Bonsu gather in front of live audience in New York City to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Lauryn Hill's classic debut.

    Ep 25 - Noreaga - N.O.R.E. (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 67:06


    With the success of their debut album THE WAR REPORT Capone-N-Noreaga had the hip-hop world on notice and the anticipation for their follow up LP was high. There was only one problem, Capone was locked up and he would be for a while. Instead of letting that momentum go to waste Noreaga took matters into his own hands & enlisted some of the hottest artist in the game to come along for the ride on his solo album N.O.R.E. The result was a 13 track project with certified bangers, tap in with the latest episode of #Hard2Earn as Torae and Bonsu revisit Nore's freshman effort. Press play and have a drink, champ.

    Ep 24 - Killer Mike - Michael

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2023 63:41


    There's been some talk about 2023 not producing a hip-hop album with any substance. Some think things are too mundane & other feels the genre is on a decline. Well much like the infamous 1995 Source Awards....the south got something to say! Enter Killer Mike and his latest solo offering MICHAEL, lots of fanfare & acclaim, but let's put it to the #Hard2Earn test & see what the guys have to say.

    Ep 23 - Beyoncé - Dangerously In Love (20th Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 63:31


    A lot of your favorite MC's brag about how many summers they have ran, but 20 years later Beyonce is currently on a sold out world tour. She might have them all beat! On the latest episode Torae and Bonsu take us back to 2003 to a fresh out of Destiny's Child Beyonce hoping to find success as a solo act. For her solo debut she brought in a lot of heavy hitters, but did she knock it out the park? Tap in, see what the guys had to say & leave your feedback as well.

    Ep 22 - DMX - It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 65:01


    DMX has a story unlike any other. From his upbringing and life in the street, to his rise into superstardom and ultimately his passing in 2021 it seems like the Dark Man X had literally done in all. But before he was walking red carpets, he was stalking the streets and serving any MC that dared challenge him. After a few false starts DMX finally got his chance to bark with the big dogs in 1998 when his Ruff Ryders/Def Jam album IT'S DARK AND HELL IS HOT was released. This week the guys take us back to '98 when X dropped his first of two chart topping multi-platinum releases to break down his stellar debut.

    Ep 21 - Jack Harlow - JACKMAN.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 51:19


    Surprise!! Jack Harlow is back with his 3rd major label project JACKMAN. just as his first feature film is about to be released. Great timing and a great time for Torae & Bonsu to drop a new episode of #Hard2Earn. With the success of "What's Poppin" & "First Class" off his first 2 albums respectively, where does JACKMAN. take us? Tap in & check what the guys had to say.

    Ep 20 - Big Pun - Capital Punishment (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 76:17


    In 1998 Big Pun released his groundbreaking debut album CAPITAL PUNISHMENT to critical acclaim and commercial success. He became the first latin solo rapper to go platinum and was Grammy nominated. 25 years later Torae & Bonsu revisit CAPITAL PUNISHMENT track-by-track to see how one of the most lyrically gifted MC's freshman effort holds up today.

    Ep 19 - Various Artists - Who's The Man Soundtrack (30 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 54:18


    For many years the soundtrack has been a great way to break artist, try out records & utilize motion picture studio budgets in the music space. The Who's The Man soundtrack does all of the above. From promoting known Uptown/MCA acts like Mary J. Blige & Jodeci to breaking newer acts the BIG (later known as The Notorious B.I.G.) this soundtrack was the perfect setting for some amazing music to be showcased. 30 years later Torae and Bonsu run it back to see how these records have stood the test of time.

    Ep 18 - Musiq Soulchild & Hit-Boy - Victims & Villains

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 51:26


    With the run that Hit-Boy has been on and with Musiq Soulchild's pedigree of creating brilliant ballads & bops, Torae and Bonsu felt it was necessary to get to VICTIMS & VILLAINS the new collaborative project between the two. Can Hit-Boy truly set himself apart from the crop of producers he's grouped in with? We know Musiq has classics under his belt, but what can his pen and voice do in current times? Only one way to find this all out, tap in to the latest episode of #Hard2Earn.

    Ep 17 - SZA - SOS (Pt. 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 39:35


    To close out Women's History Month, Torae and Bonsu delve into the second half of SZA's 23 track body of work. Fan favs like "Shirt" & "Good Days" are discussed as well as Torae's personal connection to "I Hate U". Don't fret though, you'll love this convo.

    Ep 17 - SZA - SOS (Pt. 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 53:42


    SZA returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album SOS. Already doing record breaking numbers on the charts & just days before her sold out tour, Bonsu & Torae give SZA the #Hard2Earn treatment with a 2 part dissertation on the voice of a generation.

    Ep 16 - 2Pac - Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (30 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 62:26


    Coming off his critically acclaimed role of Roland "Bishop" in the now cult classic film JUICE, 2Pac's sophomore album STRICTLY 4 MY N.I.G.G.A.Z. was highly anticipated. 30 years later Torae and Bonsu revisit the album and get into the complexity of where Pac was upon it's release and ultimately how telling it was for his fate. Tap in now for this very special episode of #Hard2Earn

    EP 15 - 50 Cent - Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (20 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 69:07


    In the early 2000's there was no one or nothing bigger than 50 Cent & the G-Unit in the streets. 50 Mania reached peak levels when "Wanksta" dropped which set the stage for his major label debut. On February 6, 2003 powered by Dr. Dre's Aftermath, Eminem's Shady & Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records 50 Cent released a certified classic with GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN'. 20 Years later Torae & Bonsu tap back into that 50 Mania for the 1st episode of #Hard2Earn season 3.

    Ep 14 - Mase - HARLEM WORLD (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 72:11


    In this bonus episode Torae and Bonsu review Mase's debut album HARLEM WORLD alongside the album's executive producer, special guest Deric 'DDot' Angelettie in front of a live studio audience in Harlem , NY. DDot details how the album came to be, Mase's importance to Bad Boy & what magic he and the Hitmen brought to the table. We had to give you this special live episode celebrating 25 years of M-A-$-E cause it Feels So Good.

    Ep 13 - Dr. Dre - The Chronic (30 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 59:02


    Torae & Bonsu are closing out the year strong, much like Dre & Snoop did in '92 with The Chronic. After NWA disbanded many were left wondering what would come next. Ice Cube was enjoying a successful solo career and the tension between Eazy-E and Dre was pretty high. On the Deep Cover soundtrack we got a glimpse of what was to come when a tall slim rapper from Long Beach stepped on the scene. Dre & Snoop (along with the rest of the Death Row family) created an album that would forever change hip-hop and at the same time set the launching pad for one of the most iconic careers in music history. Tap in to our last episode of 2022 as the guys hit The Chronic and once again prove Hard2Earn ain't Nuthin' But a G Thang.

    Ep 12 - Rihanna - Unapologetic (10 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 47:16


    That Rihanna reign just won't let up and while we're eagerly anticipating a new album, there was a time RiRi was churning them out on the regular basis. Her 7th studio album Unapologetic is a decade old already and the guys decided to give it the anniversary review treatment. Throw on your Fenty and your Savage as Bonsu & Torae run through this one track-by-track. It's Hard2Earn.

    Ep 11 -Jay-Z - In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 61:54


    25 years ago Jay-Z dropped his sophomore effort, IN MY LIFETIME, Vol 1. The follow up to the critically acclaimed REASONABLE DOUBT. With the Notorious B.I.G. recently deceased and the King of NY crown seemingly up for grabs, could Jay-Z step into that space & prove the city was his? Or did he deliver too much sunshine while the streets were watching? Tap in to the latest episode of Hard2Earn to hear what Torae & Bonsu thought & give us your feedback as well.

    Ep 10 - Freddie Gibbs - Soul Sold Separately

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2022 54:21


    Torae and Bonsu are back with another episode of your favorite podcasters favorite podcast Hard2Earn. This week the guys get to the latest offering from Freddie Gibbs - SOUL SOLD SEPARATELY. Does the Grammy nominated Gary, Indiana rhyme slinger deliver AOTY? Or is that too big a feat for Big Rabbit. Tap in and see what the guys had to say.

    Ep 9 - Scarface - The Fix (20 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2022 48:38


    It's been 20 years since Scarface delivered the dope we all needed by way of THE FIX. With production by Face himself, T-Mix, Kanye West & The Neptunes as well as features from Jay-Z, Nas, Faith Evans & Kelly Price the recipe to cook up with maximum potency was all there. Tap in and see how the guys react to taking a hit 2 decades later.

    EP 8 - Frank Ocean - Channel Orange (10 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 65:47


    Frank Ocean's debut album was highly anticipated after the success of his 2011 mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra and its hit single “Novacane”. Upon its 2012 Channel Orange release Mr. Ocean didn't disappoint. As we revisit it for the 10 year anniversary let's see how this Grammy winning, chart topping debut stands up after a decade has passed.

    Ep 7 - Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (Pt.2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 44:53


    A double album calls for double episodes. Tap in for part 2 of our Kendrick Lamar convo as the guys dive into the second half of his latest offering Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Torae and Bonsu breakdown the music unlike anyone else....but they are not your saviors!

    Ep 7 (Pt.1) - Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & the Big steppers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 52:09


    We've been goin through something….but now the wait is over and Kung Fu Kenny has returned with Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. With each album Kendrick Lamar takes us on a different journey musically and conceptually so after a 5 year hiatus the only thing we can expect, is the unexpected. In our first 2 part episode of the season we dive into the first half of the double album from K Dot, his last on TDE. We've been going through something.

    EP 6 - The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 85:08


    For the 25th anniversary of LIFE AFTER DEATH by The Notorious B.I.G. Torae and Bonsu gather in front of a live audience in Big's hometown of Bed Stuy, Brooklyn to celebrate and commemorate this classic LP. Special guests include album contributors Buckwild “Story to Tell” and DJ Enuff “You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)”. Tap in and join the convo it's sicka than your average.

    EP 5 - Pusha T - It's Almost Dry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 74:59


    Pusha T is back with his new album IT'S ALMOST DRY, the follow up to his Grammy nominated DAYTONA. With Pharrell and Kanye West handling production and Pusha's detailed description of the coke game this album arrives with ‘high' expectations. Tap in and hear what Torae and Bonsu had to say, bring yours skis.

    EP 4 - Mary J Blige - Share My World (25 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 66:54


    On episode 4 Torae and Bonsu take it back to April of 1997. Mary J Blige is a bonafide star and her 3rd album Share My World is released. With Rodney Jerkins, Trackmasters and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis at the helm would Puff Daddy's absence be noticable? Could Mary "do it again"? Tap in and hear what the guys had to say.

    EP 3 - Das EFX - Dead Serious (30 Year Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 48:37


    Torae and Bonsu are biggedy back (sorry, I had to) with another episode of #Hard2Earn. This week the guys take it back to 1992, EPMD's Hit Squad is forming and first up are Krazy Drazy and Skoob (Books in reverse) with their debut effort "Dead Serious". How does this groundbreaking, style changing album fare 30 years later? Tap in and siggedy see (sorry again).

    EP 2 - 2 Chainz - Dope Don't Sell Itself

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 49:44


    Torae and Bonsu breakdown the new 2 Chainz album. Is it pure dope or stepped on? Tap in and see what them Hard2Earn boys have to say.

    EP 1 - Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales, Mo' Tales

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 43:02


    Jazmine Sullivan adds some Mo' Tales to her critically acclaimed album "Heaux Tales" for the deluxe edition. Torae & Bonsu take it for a spin & give us a track by track review.

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