The Rap Music Plug Podcast

The Rap Music Plug
The Rap Music Plug Podcast

The Rap Music Plug Podcast is the remedy to the “I don’t have anything good to listen to” problem. Through in-depth artist interviews, album reviews, and general rap commentary on the best that the underground rap scene has to offer, this is your one-stop shop to knowing what to add to your queue, play next, or pop into your record player. Are you a rap music fan? And not just any fan... but a true rap music fan that wants to move past the surface level discussion, and get into the nitty-gritty of what makes rap music so great? Are you someone who loves the feeling of discovering new music, but find it hard to navigate through the thousands upon thousands of new albums that get released every single day? If any of this applies to you, this show is EXACTLY what you need.  My absolute PASSION is music. So I gladly do the dirty work of virtual crate digging, searching for the next great rap album... so you don’t have to. My name is Rohan. I am The Rap Music Plug, at your service. -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

  1. NOV 13

    #182 - Frankie Jax No Mad INTERVIEW

    One of the best things about starting this podcast has been the genuine connections I’ve been able to make with the artists that soundtrack so much of my life. A most recent example of this is can be found in my most recent trip to Chicago, where I had the pleasure of spending time with today’s guest, Frankie Jax No Mad. The warm and thoughtful personality that I witnessed in my time with Frankie Jax No Mad translates directly through his music. His extremely unorthodox production style and stream of consciousness rhymes are key markers of his style, which I feel have come together in its most complete package yet, on his latest album THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING. In this episode, we discuss his journey from Kenya to the UK to finally LA, what inspires his distinct approach to rap, and the creation of his new album. If you're unfamiliar with Frankie, get hip now!! The Plug (0:35). The Interview (2:04). My recent trip to Chicago with Rich Jones and Frankie Jax No Mad (3:16). Frankie’s journey from Kenya, to the UK, and finally to America (8:18). Key influences throughout Frankie’s musical journey (14:29). Frankie’s writing process (18:16). Frankie’s uniquely unorthodox production style (23:26). How off-kilter production influences Frankie’s rap style (28:10). How THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING stands out amongst Frankie’s discography (29:07). What listeners can takeaway from THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING (32:21). Frankie’s future musical direction (36:17). Buy/stream THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING here: https://nomadjax.bandcamp.com/album/thanks-for-understanding  Follow Frankie Jax No Mad on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/frankiejaxnomad  Follow Frankie Jax No Mad on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/frankiejaxnomad/  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    51 min
  2. OCT 30

    #181 - phiik & Lungs/LoneSword breakdown 'Carrot Season' - Album Alchemy

    On the heels of their first Euro trip, today’s guests, phiik and Lungs/LoneSword, have seen their brand of innovative one-of-one rap garner its most success yet. They have impressed new crops of listeners with each and every passing day, who are spellbound by their lyrical wizardry, sharp sense of humour, and unique production choices. On their latest album Carrot Season, the phiik & Lungs world of rap expands to incorporate wrinkles of more traditional boom bap drums, but still with a contemporary twist, and still with the alien-level rap acrobatics we’ve come to know and love from the New York-based duo. In today’s episode, we discuss their thoughts behind their polarizing style of rap, working with producer savant OLASEGUN on Carrot Season, how the shift in sound from the Another Planet series to Carrot Season influenced their approach to their raps, and much more! The Plug (0:56). The Interview (2:26). The recent BIGGER THREE TOUR phiik & Lungs completed in Europe (2:34). phiik & Lungs’ perspective on polarizing audiences, and the infamous Top Shelf Premium freestyle (10:59). The heightened accessibility of Carrot Season (16:51). How important the value of doing something new and fresh is for phiik & Lungs’ creative process (20:39). Partnering with OLASEGUN on Carrot Season (25:18). The thought process behind the consistent beat switches on Carrot Season (29:57). How the drums and beat switches influenced phiik & Lungs’ rapping approach on Carrot Season (46:08). Upcoming projects from phiik & Lungs (57:19). Buy/stream Carrot Season here: https://powrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/carrot-season  Follow phiik on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/phiik_  Follow Lungs/LoneSword on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/big_dead_lung  Follow phiik on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/phiiik_/?hl=en  Follow Lungs/LoneSword on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/big_dead_lung/?hl=en  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    1h 13m
  3. OCT 16

    #180 - E L U C I D breaks down "REVELATOR" - Album Alchemy

    If I had to think of one word to describe today’s guest, E L U C I D, and his latest album, REVELATOR, it would be “fearless” in every sense of the word. Fearless in its sonic direction that infuses industrial noise, South Asian / Middle Eastern instrumentation and more, into this one-of-a-kind take on hip-hop. Fearless in its boundaryless, ultra-poetic vocal stylings. And also fearless in its subject matter that processes all of the darkness happening in this world, while never ceasing to lose faith in love and a better tomorrow. With REVELATOR, E L U C I D achieved something rare - total creative realization, where the lyrical messaging, the sound, the tone, the songwriting, all feel perfectly in tune with one and other... all building towards this overarching artistic vision that is so powerful and affecting. Just two days before the new album dropped, E L U C I D gives us an in-depth look into the making of REVELATOR, the genesis of its bold sonic direction, how the state of affairs in our world feed into this art, and so much more. After hearing this album 30, maybe 40 times now, as of the time of recording, I’m 100% comfortable saying that REVELATOR is my Album of the Year. And honestly, it is a contender for being one of the very best albums of the entire decade. This album and this artist are just that special, so you do not wanna miss this! The Plug (1:04). The Interview (3:09). Partnering with Fat Possum Records for such an experimental record (3:53). The philosophy behind the sound of REVELATOR (9:50). The distinct Indian Classical / Middle Eastern influence on the production of REVELATOR (16:30). The collaborative recording process of REVELATOR (18:01). How We Buy Diabetic Test Strips influenced the creation of REVELATOR (20:35). The key inspirations behind the poignant lyricism of REVELATOR (26:50). The sense of more direct and clear lyrical messaging on REVELATOR (29:54). What inspires E L U C I D to take risks and experiment in his art (40:00). What E L U C I D is most proud of, regarding the creation of REVELATOR (46:52). The upcoming E L U C I D x Sebb Bash album (52:04). Upcoming merch / tour dates from E L U C I D (54:00). Why E L U C I D always has that s*** on - RMPP patron q from TreDoes (56:48). Support REVELATOR here: https://fatpossum.com/products/revelator  Follow E L U C I D on Twitter here: https://x.com/elucidwho  Follow E L U C I D on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cobratoof/?hl=en  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    1h 4m
  4. OCT 2

    #179 - ØKSE INTERVIEW (w/ Dash Lewis)

    When thinking about today’s guest, it reminds me of that famous Shakespearian saying, “what’s in a name?” Since for certain artists, their name can be completely meaningless, having no bearing on the kind of music they make, or has no insightful backstory for how the name came about. But for ØKSE, our guest in today’s episode, their name actually says a lot about their art, and what they stand for. ØKSE means Axe in Danish, which is also Ashe; the life-force that runs through all things, living and inanimate. It’s a current or flow, a groove that initiates can channel so that it carries them along their road in life. This is beautifully symbolic name perfectly encapsulates what makes this experimental jazz group so damn great. Throughout their self-titled debut album, released on Backwoodz Studioz, there’s a special energy that is bottled up in each song that makes the listening experience truly invigorating. ØKSE is a 4-person group, comprised of NYC based drummer Savannah Harris, Danish saxophonist Mette Rasmussen, Haitian electronic musician Val Jeanty, and Swede Petter Eldh on bass, synths and sampler. This worldwide supergroup of musicians brought their specific influences to the table, creating a musical vision that defies any and all convention With me today is 3 of the 4 bandmates, Savannah, Mette, and Petter. Additionally Dash Lewis, talented writer for the likes of Pitchfork, HipHopDX, The Guardian, PassionWeiss, helped me co-host this interview once again, as he did in the last episode… and just like the last episode, this is a conversation you do not want to miss! We dive into the intriguing backstory behind the band’s formation, their artistic north star, the Backwoodz Studioz connection, and their unique approach to blending avant-garde jazz with hip-hop on their fantastic new album… which is absolutely one of the best records of the year. The Plug (0:44). The Interview (3:28). The band’s formation (5:15). Backstory of ØKSE’s connection with Backwoodz Studioz (7:53). The philosophical ‘north star’ behind ØKSE’s music (18:29). The recording process of ØKSE (22:01). Mixing studio and live creation on ØKSE (29:28). The thought process behind adding vocalists to ØKSE (33:19 ). Core messages from ØKSE (39:04). Follow-up ØKSE album? - RMPP patron q from Ryan aka LEVITATOR (42:08). Upcoming solo works from the band members (44:27). Support ØKSE here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/okse?srsltid=AfmBOoqyiTu1wL3FyAWbXJNT60uvA0wsplRSBi6R_2TDadZDsSCkLCYy   Follow ØKSE on Twitter here: https://x.com/OOKSEOOKSE  Follow ØKSE on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/o__kse/  Follow Dash Lewis on Twitter here: https://x.com/gardenerjams?lang=en  Follow Dash Lewis on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gardenerjams/?hl=en  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    52 min
  5. SEPT 18

    #178 - Yungwebster INTERVIEW (feat. Dash Lewis)

    The worlds of electronic and ambient music have been guests within the world of hip-hop for a long time now. Artists like Travis Scott have successfully integrated these two previously separate guests into hip-hop to great effect. Though at its core, the music of a Travis was hip-hop first, with other ambient and electronic sounds added into the mix on top of that. But with the music from today’s guest, Yungwebster, the math has changed. New York’s Yungwebster shows us what it sounds like when ambient music is the fundamental foundation, with hip-hop weaved as an addition. This leads to music, such as Yungwebster’s latest self-titled album from 2023, which is a one-of-a kind exploration of what is being dubbed “ambient rap”. It boasts thick washed out synths, cavernous basslines, and beautiful ethereal vocals evoking some of the prettiest moments of the cloud rap era. Yungwebster’s melodic auto-tuned vocals serve as an instrument, fully submerged into the beat, yet still making an impact with its songwriting pop that is reminiscent of the best work of a Future or Young Thug. To learn more about something so exciting and wholly fresh, I invited Dash Lewis, talented writer (Pitchfork, HipHopDX, The Guardian, PassionWeiss, and more) to co-host this conversation with Yungwebster, bringing his refined knowledge of electronic music to the table. Listen to this episode to familiarize yourself with an artist that is surely like nothing else you’ve heard before! The Plug (0:53). The Interview (3:03). The intersection between ambient and rap in Yungwebster’s music (5:47). How Yungwebster linked up with premier electronic music label, sferic (8:49). Yungwebster’s key influences in the ambient space (12:33). Yungwebster’s mindstate when creating Yungwebster (14:21). Yungwebster’s instrument-like vocals (17:11). The inspiration behind the different time-shifted versions of songs on Yungwebster (21:40). How Yungwebster nurtured a global network of producers on his self-titled album (24:39). Yungwebster viewing himself as an ambient artist first (27:34). Other ambient rappers Yungwebster recommends (29:20). Upcoming projects from Yungwebster (30:34). Buy/stream Yungwebster here: https://sferic.bandcamp.com/album/yungwebster  Follow Yungwebster on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/yungwebster_/    Follow Dash Lewis on Twitter here: https://x.com/gardenerjams?lang=en  Follow Dash Lewis on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gardenerjams/?hl=en  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    37 min
  6. SEPT 4

    #177 - J.U.S & Squadda B INTERVIEW

    Bruiser Brigade has been slowly but surely building a killer crew and catalogue of work - with us today are two of its rising stars. J.U.S is an entertaining and distinctly unique lyricist, producer, and engineer. Squadda B, formerly of Main Attrakionz fame, helped shape the dominating 2010s psychedelic cloud rap scene, and is still innovating and pushing his craft to new places as a solo rapper and producer. Together they’ve created one of 2024’s most wildly fun and entertaining records in 3rd Shift, an album that demands that you play it back to back to back... In this episode, they discuss life in the Bruiser Brigade, their strong synergy as a duo, and their approach to creating their fantastic new album, 3rd Shift. The Plug (0:57). The Interview (2:21). What prompted J.U.S’ focus on rapping (3:21). Squadda B’s ambitions in the latest chapter of his career (5:52). What inspired Squadda B’s recent move to joining Bruiser Brigade (9:43). J.U.S’ perspective on the success and growth of Bruiser Brigade (11:10). The special sauce that J.U.S and Squadda B bring to the Bruiser Brigade collective (15:11). The creative synergy between J.U.S and Squadda B (17:27). How J.U.S and Squadda B levelled up on 3rd Shift (20:16). Sonic experience of 3rd Shift and the Oakland-Detroit connection (23:03). How Squadda B’s production pushed J.U.S’ pen to new heights (35:01). Squadda B’s beatmaking process (38:18). Key takeaways from 3rd Shift (42:16). Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (45:41). Stream 3rd Shift here: https://open.spotify.com/album/09pLRBbz0UprwveJpmImPT?si=sd6vuOPoQOGzJLnZZ7syAw  Follow J.U.S on Twitter here: https://x.com/i_am_j_u_s  Follow Squadda B on Twitter here: https://x.com/SquaddaB  Follow J.U.S on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/J_U_S/  Follow Squadda B on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/squaddab/?hl=en  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    52 min
  7. AUG 21

    #176 - Alaska & steel tipped dove breakdown 'Reverberations of a Dead Man's Ego' - Album Alchemy

    As I get closer and closer to my 30s, mortality, the future outlook of society. and my fading youth are consistently ideas that are occupying my mind. So art that speaks to these topics in a thoughtful and insightful way have been especially appreciated as of late. But unlike other genres out there, rap is still quite young. Therefore, there isn’t necessarily a ton of artists out there who are even old enough to provide such an aged perspective. And among those who are, many of whom are the likes of Jay-Z, Nas... who’s primary wisdom seems focused more on wealth-building and respectability politics. That’s why the album we will be spotlighting in today’s episode, Reverberations of a Dead Man’s Ego, is such a breath of fresh air. The mature perspectives we get from Alaska on this album are thoughtful, provocative, and remarkably honest. And they are accompanied by some of the best production we’ve heard from producer steel tipped dove to-date. Listen on to learn about the making of this new album, the generational divide between Gen X and Gen Z, maturing with age, a sober outlook on the future of our society, and much more. The Plug (0:45). The Interview (3:10). Aaron Rodgers’ broken COVID brain (5:01). How Alaska and steel tipped dove’s relationship first formed, and what inspired it (7:58). The shared worldviews between Alaska and dove (15:59). Alaska breaks down a poignant line on “I Don’t Care No More” (19:46). The overarching sentiment of the heavy subject matter on ROADME (26:09). The future outlook for younger generations (31:16). The inspiration of the Reverberations of a Dead Man’s Ego title (38:13). Alaska and dove go back and forth on if ROADME is improvement on their debut (40:19). Favourite songs on ROADME (51:29). Upcoming projects / merch from Alaska and steel tipped dove (54:04). Buy Reverberations of a Dead Man's Ego here: https://thatrapperalaska.bandcamp.com/album/reverberations-of-a-dead-mans-ego  Follow Alaska on Twitter here: https://x.com/Alaska_Atoms  Follow steel tipped dove on Twitter here: https://x.com/steeltippeddove  Follow steel tipped dove on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/steeltippeddove/?hl=en   Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

    1 hr
5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Rap Music Plug Podcast is the remedy to the “I don’t have anything good to listen to” problem. Through in-depth artist interviews, album reviews, and general rap commentary on the best that the underground rap scene has to offer, this is your one-stop shop to knowing what to add to your queue, play next, or pop into your record player. Are you a rap music fan? And not just any fan... but a true rap music fan that wants to move past the surface level discussion, and get into the nitty-gritty of what makes rap music so great? Are you someone who loves the feeling of discovering new music, but find it hard to navigate through the thousands upon thousands of new albums that get released every single day? If any of this applies to you, this show is EXACTLY what you need.  My absolute PASSION is music. So I gladly do the dirty work of virtual crate digging, searching for the next great rap album... so you don’t have to. My name is Rohan. I am The Rap Music Plug, at your service. -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

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