Breaking Atoms

•

Channel • 4 Shows

Music History

Music History

Updated 25 Jun
Music Commentary

Music Commentary

Updated 30/05/2025
Music History

Music History

Weekly series
Music History

Music History

Updated 13/08/2025

25 Jun

Brooklyn's Finest

In our fifth and final episode, we examine the legacy of Reasonable Doubt 25 years on and why so many people consider it to be one of the most seminal albums in Hip Hop history. Featuring in order of appearance: Pain In Da Ass, Dart Adams, DJ Snips, Jaz-O, Ski Beatz, Rob Markman, Chezik Tsunoda, Sean Kantrowitz, Yoh Phillips, Robyn Mowatt, SK Vibemaker, Maria Davis, Nick Raphael, Christian Tattersfield, Abdul Malik Abbott, Kathy Iandoli, David Lotwin, Ryan Proctor, DJ Shortee Blitz and DJ Clark Kent. Executive Producers: Sumit Sharma and Chris Mitchell for Breaking Atoms Mixing and Mastering: David John Walker for Homework Artwork: Jason Wheeler for Retro Inspired Nonsense Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27/07/2021

Prince Po (Organized Konfusion)

This week's guest is one-half of the most conceptually creative groups in Hip Hop history. Prince Po of Organized Konfusion comes through to talk about his beginnings in Queens, recording the 'Stress' album, working with Danger Mouse and Oh No's superhuman multitasking skills. Crush. Kill. Destroy. You know the rest. Follow Sumit 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchronicle Follow Chris 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkinetik 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamkinetik Connect with Breaking Atoms 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Twitter: https://twitter.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Website: https://www.breakingatoms.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18/12/2024

Philmore Greene

Chris is on a solo mission this week and links up with Chicago's own Philmore Greene! The conversation is rich, and you'd think Chris and Philmore have known each other for years. Philmore deep dives into the making of his new album, The Grand Design, working with Bruiser Wolf, his bond with Rashid Hadee and working with Apollo Brown and why King Von is a great storyteller. The convo gets really real when Chris and Philmore talk about generational trauma and why all Black men should consider accessing therapy. It's deeper than rap, as usual. Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14/06/2021

Episode 2: Politics As Usual | Brooklyn's Finest: The Making of Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z

In our second episode, we look at the process of making the Reasonable Doubt album, the internal struggles, signing to Payday Records, Roc-A-Fella Records renting their first office space, and finding a recording home at D & D Studios. Featuring in order of appearance: Dart Adams, Ski, Rob Markman, Abdul Malik Abbott, David Lotwin, Joe Quinde, Jaz-O, SK Vibemaker, Pain In Da Ass, DJ Clark Kent, DJ Shortee Blitz and Sean Kantrowitz. Chris on Roc-A-Fella signing with Payday Records (0:56) Sumit on Roc-A-Fella renting their first office space and starting to record Reasonable Doubt (1:21) Dart Adams on the demand for Ski’s production and his influence on Jay-Z’s music (1:51) Ski Beatz on the crew making music for Jay-Z and the difference in his sound (2:34) Rob Markman on becoming a fan of Jay-Z's writing ability (3:17) Ski Beatz on discovering the sample for the Dead Presidents beat (4:27) Abdul Malik Abbott on taking the photo that became the cover art for the Dead Presidents single (5:47) Abdul Malik Abbott on the Dead Presidents video being inspired by the film, Heat (6:23) Abdul Malik Abbott on the roundtable scene at the end of the Dead Presidents video (7:19) David Lotwin on watching Jay-Z record the album at D & D (8:33) Joe Quinde on the vibe at D & D and recording Ain't No Nigga (9:48) Jaz-O on the challenges he faced when producing the Ain't No Nigga beat (10:44) Jaz-O on his working relationship with Khadejia Bass (12:11) Jaz-O on singing the hook for Ain't No Nigga (12:42) David Lotwin on the success of Ain't No Nigga (13:12) Abdul Malik Abbott on filming the Ain't No Nigga video in Miami (13:48) Abdul Malik Abbott on Jay-Z becoming comfortable in front of the camera (14:49) Abdul Malik Abbott on Biggie's guest appearance in the Ain't No Nigga video and the bad weather in Miami (15:08) SK Vibemaker on the first impression the Ain't No Nigga video had on him as a young Hip Hop fan (16:17) Pain In The Ass on being asked to feature on Reasonable Doubt (17:23) Dart Adams on Can't Knock The Hustle becoming a part of the Hip Hop lexicon (20:43) Rob Markman on Mary J Blige's feature on Can't Knock The Hustle (21:24) Pain In The Ass on the original version of Can't Knock The Hustle with different lyrics (22:00) Ski Beatz on hearing Hurry Up This Way Again by The Stylistics and sampling the track to create the beat for Politics As Usual (23:13) Ski Beatz on producing Luchini for Camp Lo after they heard Politics As Usual (24:15) DJ Clark Kent on him and Ski sampling the same song used for Politics As Usual without knowing the other had it (24:46) Pain In The Ass on most of Reasonable Doubt being a demo (25:06) DJ Shortee Blitz on receiving Jay-Z promo items from Freeze Records (25:31) Pain In The Ass on Brooklyn's Finest originally being a Jay-Z solo track (25:51) DJ Clark Kent on using Jay-Z to push Biggie to become a better emcee (26:42) Sean Kantrowitz on the impact of Brooklyn's Finest (28:18) Rob Markman on the hometown pride that Brooklyn's Finest made him feel (28:37) DJ Clark Kent on the original version of Brooklyn's Finest, Biggie coming to the studio to record and Jay-Z writing new verses (29:36) DJ Clark Kent on Biggie appearing in the Dead Presidents video just days after recording Brooklyn's Finest (30:56) Pain In The Ass on the key differences between the original version of Dead Presidents and the sequel (31:23) Ski Beatz on producing Feelin' It for his solo album and Jay-Z buying the beat and hook from him (32:46) Produced by Sumit Sharma and Chris Mitchell Mixed and mastered by Dave Walker Updated artwork designed by Jason Wheeler Follow Sumit 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchronicle Follow Chris 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkinetik 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamkinetik Connect with Breaking Atoms 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Twitter: https://twitter.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Website: https://www.breakingatoms.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31/01/2025

Weekly Rap Up: A$AP Rocky assault trial, Akademiks grooming allegations and thought on Central Cee's debut album!

We're back with some of the latest chat. A$AP Rocky's assault trialAkademiks and the grooming allegationsCentral Cee and the early response to his 'Can't Rush Greatness' album. We also discuss the latest music and some 'new old music' by The Almighty Arrogant! Shout out to 90s Tapes! Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12/12/2024

Weekly Rap Up: The sexual assault allegations against Jay-Z

This week, it gets real, and we discuss... The sexual assault allegations against Jay-ZAccusations against lawyer Tony Buzbee of running an extortion plotLinks to Diddy and what could happen next We also touch on this week's new music. Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19/01/2025

Weekly Rap Up: Madlib loses home in LA fires, Cam'ron and Jim Jones fall out again and Drake Vs UMG!

For this week's rap-up, we discuss: Madlib losing his home, music equipment and unreleased music in LA firesCam'rom and Jim Jones fall out... again!More news on Drake's lawsuit against UMG A Donorbox fundraising campaign has been set up to support Madlib and his family. Click here to donate. Look out for more music updates next week! Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Season 1, Episode 1

Rapsody

In the first episode of DNA, we celebrate the creative genius of Jamla representative Rapsody! Starting in Snow Hill, North Carolina, we highlight Rapsody's early family life, musical influences, key themes and artistic skills. We also shed more light on Rapsody's time in the Rap group Kooley High, building a relationship with 9th Wonder, collaborating with Kendrick Lamar, signing with Jay-Z's Roc Nation and more. Most importantly, we champion Rapsody as a gifted writer who has made a name for herself using clever wordplay, poetic devices, pop culture references and innovative storytelling. Created and produced by Sumit Sharma and Chris Mitchell for Breaking Atoms. Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
09/09/2021

Ep. 4: The Ruler's Back | The Ruler's Back: The Making of The Blueprint by Jay-Z

In this fourth and final episode, we’ll look at The Blueprint’s release date coinciding with the World Trade Centre attacks, the album’s critical success and commercial reception, its influence on the artists who came before and after and its enduring legacy 20 years on. Guest appearances by Andrew Barber, Young Guru, Just Blaze, Jayson Buford, Nuface, Oliver Wang, Jesse Bernard, Lily Mercer, Nicolas Tyrell-Scott, Dylan Green, Akaash Sharma, Miki Hellerbach, Shawn Setaro, Pain In Da Ass, Bink, Yemi Abiade, Thandie Sibanda, J’na Jefferson and Carl Lamarre 1:23 - Andrew Barber on Def Jam bringing the release date of The Blueprint forward 1:48 - Young Guru on recording in Miami and receiving physical copies of The Blueprint 2:56 - David Courtney on being the source of inspiration for The Blueprint cover 4:22 - Young Guru on Just Blaze and Freeway discovering their chemistry 4:56 - Just Blaze on seeing the crowd reaction to The Blueprint 5:40 - Young Guru on close Roc-A-Fella friends and family passing away 6:20 - Young Guru on waking up on 911 and learning about the World Trade Centre attacks 7:47 - Andrew Barber on being in college and being excited about a new Jay-Z album 8:44 - Jayson Buford on being in kindergarten on 911 and remembering people being scared 9:46 - Nuface on losing his job on 911 and using music to lift his spirits 10:55 - Oliver Wang on having reservations when first listening to The Blueprint 11:52 - Jesse Bernard on how The Blueprint appeals to various Hip Hop fans 12:42 - Lily Mercer on The Blueprint’s lack of features and commercial success 14:01 - Nicolas Tyrell-Scott on Jay-Z stepping up with another quality album 14:55 - Dylan Green on other artists creating songs inspired by The Blueprint 15:55 - Akaash Sharma on how The Blueprint has inspired a generation of artists and fans 16:31 - Miki Hellerbach on discovering new things on The Blueprint 17:10 - Shawn Setaro on how The Blueprint set up Jay-Z to become the top rapper 17:42 - Pain In Da Ass on The Blueprint being the perfect Jay-Z album 18:15 - Bink on how The Blueprint changed the way people made music 19:11 - Young Guru on the legacy of The Blueprint and his memories of Kamel Abdo 20:06 - Jayson Buford and Bianca Gracie on Jay-Z becoming untouchable 21:24 - Yemi Abiade on Jay-Z’s influence on UK Hip Hop and Grime acts 22:08 - Thandie Sibanda on The Blueprint being a positive representation of Black people 24:28 - Nuface on The Blueprint’s addition to the National Recording Registry 25:18 - J’na Jefferson on Jay-Z’s unapologetic confidence on The Blueprint 26:45 - Shawn Setaro on how The Blueprint links the past and future 27:32 - Carl Lamarre on The Blueprint helping to give New York Hip Hop a new boost 29:13 - Just Blaze on the game-changing legacy of The Blueprint 20 years later Follow Sumit 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchronicle Follow Chris 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkinetik 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamkinetik Connect with Breaking Atoms 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Twitter: https://twitter.com/breaktheatoms 💥 Website: https://www.breakingatoms.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26/01/2025

Weekly Rap Up: Jim Jones on Drake suing UMG, Keefe D's 2Pac murder charge upheld and Roc Nation selling music shares!

For this week's rap-up, we discuss: Jim Jones' thoughts on Drake suing UMGKeefe D’s 2Pac murder charge upheldMadlib teasing new charity projectRoc Nation allowing fans to purchase shares of musicNew music We also talk about the greatness of Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z... again. Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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