Sneaks, Rhymes and Life

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This podcast is hosted by your truly, Lionel K. McDonald Jr and I will discuss Sneakers, Rhymes and Life. Hip Hop, Sneakers and Life (family, sports, pop culture etc) make me who I am. I will share guests, opinions and hopefully we can learn together.

Lionel K. McDonald Jr.


    • May 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 211 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sneaks, Rhymes and Life

    Szn 5 Ep 49 - Outkast are Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Bound

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 13:56


    In this episode, we celebrate the announcement that Outkast will be joining the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year along with the 31st bday of the their debut album by duo Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

    Szn 5 Ep 48 - Revisiting Big Pun's Capital Punishment on it's 27th birthday

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 13:56


    In this episode, we dive into the cultural impact of Big Pun's Capital Punishment.

    Szn 5 Ep 47 - May Sneaker Releases

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 16:20


    We review the exciting month of May and the big energy sneakers that will be available.

    Szn 5 Ep 46 - Mobb Deep forever - 30 years of the game changing album, The Infamous

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 20:26


    In this episode, we look back to how Mobb Deep moved from their debut Juvenile Hell to following up with one of the greatest LPs in the history of rap.

    Szn 5 Episode 45 - A Shaolin Surprise: When I Met Method Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 33:52


    In this episode, I talk about my chance encounter with legendary rap artist and actor Method Man.

    Szn 5 Ep 44 - The Mount Rushmore Debate

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 93:59


    As there is a growing trend with discussing the Mount Rushmore, Isaac returns and we do a deep categories in hip hop.

    Szn 5 Ep 43 - 2025 NFL Draft Preview and Mock Draft

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 12:14


    In this episode, it is another life episode and once again we are talking sports. The NFL Draft is this week and I will take you through my predictions of the first round.

    Szn 5 Ep 42 - My favourite Hip Hop Features

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 21:21


    In this episode, I take you through some of my favourite hip hop features crossing multiple decades and eras

    Szn 5 Ep 40- Kicks and Kick Flips with Rocio aka RoReckless

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 50:03


    In today's episode, we continue our extension of Women's History Month and catch up Rocio Gomez-Solar aka Ro (@RoReckless) and discuss her sneaker journey, her passion the culture and love her skate culture. Another amazing episode you don't want to miss.

    Szn 5 Ep 38 - It's Episode 200 feat. Karen, Phily, Thomas and Michael!!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 84:38


    We have arrived at Episode 200!!! Almost hard to believe that we have it this milestone.Today we celebrate and bring in the gang (Karen Leroux, Philip Dos Santos, Thomas Wade West and Michael Neblett) as we talked about some of current events of the first 3 months of 2025. Crack open your favourite drink (water, beer, wine or henny) and put your feet up and celebrate with us.

    Szn 5 Ep 37 Public Service Announcement - End Sneaker Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 6:45


    In this episode, we talk about the growing crime and violence in Sneakers.

    Szn 5 Ep 36 Hip Hop Concerts in 2025 Jan-Mar

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 27:42


    Hip Hop fans, I give you some insights to the great shows that have happened already in 2025 and what is to come.

    Szn Ep 35 - Happy Air Max Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 21:39


    In this episode, I share my unique choices for my top 10+ sneakers in my collection.

    Szn 5 Ep 34 - Health and Wellness feat. The Mindset Gym Podcast Host Emily Irwin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 42:40


    In this episode as I continue to focus and amplifiy people in my various communities, we connect with the host of The Mindset Gym Host Emily Irwin. This fellow Canadian from the fitness community ( huge passion of mind in the Life segment of Sneaks, Rhymes and Life) highlight her fitness, journey, time management, the power of wellness and so much more.

    Szn 5 Ep 33 - Sneakers and Sports with Shireen Edross

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 62:13


    In this episode as we have another incredible guest during our Women's History Month Series, we sit down with Shireen Edross and talk about her sneaker journey, her passion for the Jordan Brand and how sneaker intertwines with the world of sports

    Szn 5 Ep 32 - Sneakers and Hoops with Jessie Matkovich

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 99:34


    In this episode, Jessie Matkovich, a hoops and sneaker enthusiast joins the pod. We get into her early love for sneakers and and basketball along with Air Max Month, pro and college hoops and so much more.

    hoops sneakers air max month
    Szn 5 Episode 31 Salute to Smif N Wessun's Dah Shinin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 20:58


    In this episode, I dive deep into the history of the Boot Camp Clik and Smif N Wessun's debut album the Dah Shinin and how it would set the stage for hip hop in one of its most important years - 1995.

    Szn 5 Episode 30 - Everything NBA All Star

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 23:56


    I have been marinating and colleting my thoughts on this one. In this episode, we will recap All Star weekend - the sneakers that debuted, the sneaker releases, All Star Saturday Night and what to do about the All Star game. I have the solution on how to fix the All Star game.

    Szn 5 Ep 29 March Sneaker Releases

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 11:06


    In this episode, we talk about my thoughts on the Jordan Brand line up, what is hitting and what is a hard pass.

    Szn 5 Ep 28 - Giving Flowers to J Dilla

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 10:49


    In this episode, I share a brief history of J Dilla as February comes to a close and give him his flowers.

    Szn 5 Ep 27 - Wu Tang is forever and so is Diana Taurasi

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 35:19


    All good things come to an end. Wu Tang announces their final time they clan will be on tour this year - the Final Chamber. The most decorated Women's basketball player of all time, Diana Taurasi announces her retirement after 20 years. On this episode, we celebrate both Wu and DT. My worlds collide this week as two of my legends call it an end of a chapter.

    Szn 5 Ep 26 - Rap Artists with the best 4 Album runs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 16:48


    Just like the titles says, I take a deep dive into the top 4 album runs from the rap game's elite

    Szn 5 Episode 25 - Sneaks, Rhymes and Building a Brand feat. Tahnee Hipel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 42:07


    This is a fun episode. In this episode, I collaborate with Entrepreneur Unlimited host and friend Tahnee Hipel. We talk about building a brand, staying authentic and take a deep dive to the my brand Sneaks, Rhymes and Life.

    Szn 5 Ep 24 - Unpacking Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Half Time Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 39:14


    In this episode, I talk about everything Super Bowl - what happened in the game and unpack everything that was Kendrick Lamar's Performance

    Szn 5 Ep 23 - It's Super Bowl Weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 18:55


    In this episode, I discuss the Metallic 5 Madness, Kendrick performing at Halftime of Super Bowl LIX and my thoughts on who wins the Super Bowl today.

    Szn 5 Ep 22 My list of Best Rapper by Year 1984-2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 21:40


    This is a fun episode to really get your mind going. Let's start the debate. Inspired by Complex's best rapper by year, I give you my own list choosing the top emcee by year over a 40 year period.

    Szn 5 Ep 21 - Kendrick, Beyonce and Doechii and my Grammy Reactions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 25:26


    In this episode, I will share my reactions to the winners and losers from the 67th edition of the Grammys. You might not like the Grammys but there were some interesting takeaways from the event.

    Szn 5 Ep 19 - Top 10 albums in 2024 for the OGs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 24:53


    In this episode, I share my final notes on music in 2024 and highlight the key albums for the OGs. It has been a hot topic for many people on the standards we hold 80s and 90s to when they drop new music the 2020s. I open the discussion a new category of music that many people have discussed including LL Cool J - Rap Contemporary or Post Modern Rap.

    Szn 5 Ep. 18 - Bred Jordan 1 1985 is limited to 10K pairs and only 23 doors?!?!?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 20:16


    In this episode, I review the stunning news that the Jordan 1 Bred (Banned) is going to be limited to only 23 doors on a limited pair count (feels like Titanium XX3 all over again). What does mean for securing a pair and the rest of the energy launches for Jordan Brand in this 40th year of business. Recorded live at Henry's Camera's Studio 185!!!

    Szn 5 Ep 17 - Commanders beat the Lions and the Power of Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 12:55


    In the episode, I talk about the Commanders big win the divisional round and the power of music.

    Szn 5 Ep 16 - Jordan Brand in 2025 w/Thomas Wade West, Phillip Dos Santos and Dretheshoegod

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 59:25


    Jordan Brand and Nike are celebrating 40 years in the game in 2025 and to commemorate the big they are opening the vault and dropping an unpresented number of sneakers. But is it too much? Will this turn the sneaker game back in Nike's favour? We will deep dive into this topic with the help of today's panel - Thomas Wade West and Phillip Dos Santos (solepurpose) from Toronto and Andre Johnson (Dretheshoegod) from Chicago. Cant miss this episode!

    Szn 5 Ep 15 Is the Anta Kai 1 Speed the best performance basketball sneaker?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 14:24


    In this episode, I show love to the people at Anta for their creation of the best basketball sneaker on the market - signature sneaker for one Kyrie Irving, the Anta Kai 1 Speed.

    Szn 5 Episode 14 January Sneaker Releases including the Jordan 3 Black Cat (kind of) and the Diamond Turf Trainer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 17:04


    In this episode, I talk about the beginning of one of the biggest years in sneakers with Nike's 40th anniversary. January has some bangers and I will take you through some of the January heat to keep you warm with all of these frigid temperatures across much of North America. Kobes, Diamond Turf and Jordan 3 Black Cat (sort of) among others.

    Szn 5 Ep 13 - Joey Bada$$ takes a stand vs Kendrick and the West

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 22:31


    In this episode, I talk about Joey Bada$$ dropping the Ruler's Back, a track that takes dead aim at Kendrick Lamar and TDE. Do we have a modern day East Coast/West Coast beef coming our way? Check out the episode to hear my thoughts.

    Szn 5 Ep 12 Top 10 Sneaker releases in 2024 - The OG Edition featuring Professor Skoola

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 63:58


    This is a special one and strictly for the homies. There have been some amazing collaborations so far in Season 5 and this one might be the best. Professor aka Uncle Skoola joins the podcast as we break the 10 best sneaker releases for 2024 exclusively for the OG collectors.

    Szn 5 Ep 11 - Sneakernomics - The Jordan 12 Blueberry and the Law of Supply and Demand in Sneaker world

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 24:00


    In this episode, I will discuss the Jordan 12 Blueberry release. and the Law of Supply and Demand in Sneaker world

    Szn 5 Ep 10 The Best Albums in Hip Hop in 1994 with David Nagayo (IG @Wax_Curator

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 110:57


    In this deluxe episode, dive deep into one of the greatest years of hip hop culture as it turns 30 years old - 1994. One of the our favourite guests, David Nagayo returns and we break down this epic year of music. It is deep episode but it has something for everyone full of history notes and stories. This year truly helped shape the culture we know today. If you are fan of 90s rap, this is a must listen!!

    Szn 5 Ep 9 - The Legend of the Jordan 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 14:02


    n this episode, we talk about the history of the Legendary Jordan 11 with the anticipated Jordan 11 Legend Blue releasing on December 14th 2024.

    Szn 5 Episode 8 - Everything Jay-Z with Isaac Owusu

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 101:01


    Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z turns 55 on December 4th. Isaac Owusu joins the podcast as we peel the layers back on the rap career, discography, controversies and business ventures of one of the most important figures in hip hop history.

    Szn 5 Ep. 7 - A breakdown of Hip Hop's best record labels w/Anthony Martinez

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 45:51


    After the IG post by 92 Bricks which suggested that Aftermath is the best record label, Anthony and I got talking about the history of the best record labels in rap music. Check out our conversation of the best of the best. A great episode any hip hop enthusiast.

    Szn 5 Ep 6 Stock X admits to selling fakes w/Michael Neblett

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 52:59


    Stock X admits to selling fake sneakers??? What is going on here. The accusations over the years are apparently true. In this episode, we have our first guest of Szn 5 - Michael Neblett aka Big Mike. We get into the whole Stock X mess, reselling and the the state of the sneaker game.

    Szn 5 Ep 5 The History of the Jordan 3 and the Black Cement 3 Release Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 31:05


    In this episode, we talk about the highly anticipated Jordan 3 Black Cement release along with the history of this critically acclaimed sneaker. From OGs to those new to the game, the Jordan 3 Black Cement remains in the upper echelon of sneakers that shaped the game.

    Szn 5 Ep 4 First reaction to Kendrick Lamar's Surprise Album GNX

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 21:07


    New Kung Fun Kenny!!! On November 22nd we got a surprise album from hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar who has dominated much of the headlines in 2024. In this episode, I will share my initial thoughts on the album and how this stacks up against some of Kendrick's previous projects.

    Szn 5 Episode 3 - Saucony x Griselda Collab and the world of Sneaker Collaborations

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 14:45


    In this episode, we get into the world of collaborations in sneakers with other brands particularly in music. We will talk about some of the past collabs and where we are today on the heels of the hip hop group Griselda announcing their new partnership with Saucony.

    Szn 5 Ep. 2 Common and Pete Rock and the Hip Hop Grammy Nominations

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 19:44


    In the latest episode, we celebrate this year's hip hop album of the year contender - The Auditorium Vol. 1 by Common and Pete Rock. These two legends of the game have come together to create an album full of soulful and conscious hip hop - essentially hip hop for the soul. We will talk more about the field of Grammy nominees, their two nominations and what this means for the culture.

    Szn 5 Episode 1 - November Jordan Releases and the history of the Wu Tang Dunk

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 20:41


    We are back!!! Welcome to Season 5 of the Sneaks, Rhymes and Life Podcast. In this episode, we will talk about the great launches happening in November along with the history of the Wu Tang Dunk.

    Szn 3 Ep 20 - The Air Max 95

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 15:12


    In this episode, I share some of the history of the Air Max 95 and talk about the latest release of the Air Max 95 Toronto.

    Szn 4 Ep 19 - Spike Lee created Mars Blackmon and how it has impacted sneaker and sports culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 31:25


    In this episode, as many continue to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the movie Do the Right Thing, I will take you through some of the highlights of director Spike Lee. I will discuss how he has impacted black, hip hop, sneaker, sports and film culture through his work particularly in the creation of fictional character Mars Blackmon.

    Szn 4 Ep 18 - The Countdown Pack Revised

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 26:32


    In this episode, I discuss some potential ideas Nike could try to reclaim market share including revising the highly celebrated Countdown packs from 2008.

    Szn 4 Ep 17 July Hip Hop Anniversaries and N.O.R.E - from rapper to podcaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 14:21


    In this episode, share many of the hip hop album anniversaries at the beginning of July. I also highlight the War Report and career of N.O.R.E.

    Szn 4 Ep 16 Kendrick Lamar's Pop Out on Juneteenth - Hip Hop, Sneakers and Culture Relevance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 16:58


    In this episode, I give you a recap of the Kendrick's Juneteenth Pop Out Concert from music to sneakers to the cultural relevance of the show.

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