Breaking Atoms

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Channel • 5 Shows

Music History

Music History

Complete Series
Music History

Music History

Weekly Series
Music History

Music History

Complete Series
Music History

Music History

Updated 08/13/2025
Music Commentary

Music Commentary

Updated 05/30/2025

Episode 5

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.
08/13/2025

Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth

Back for the first time... together are two friends of the pod... Apollo Brown and Bronze Nazareth! Fresh off the release of their amazing Funeral For A Dream album, the two producers pull up to discuss making music as a duo, their 40-year friendship, memories of Kevlaar 7 (RIP), and who they would like to produce albums for in the future. Respect to Andy Kettle from Steaming Kettle PR for patterning up the interview schedule. Purchase your copy of 'Funeral For A Dream' (Vinyl and CD) directly from the artists: https://escapismrecordings.com/ 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.
Episode 1

Hola' Hovito

In this first episode, we double back to a post-Millennium New York where triumph and tragedy were both served in ample amounts. We’ll look at Jay-Z ascending to the top of the Rap kingdom, Roc-A-Fella Records becoming a dynasty, more people than ever listening to what the South had to say, and Hip Hop evolving into a Unicron-like commercial juggernaut. Guest appearances by Andrew Barber, Shawn Setaro, Oliver Wang, Nuface, Carl Lamarre, J’na Jefferson, Thandie Sibanda, Jayson Buford, Bianca Gracie, Deborah Mannis-Gardner, Young Guru, Bink, Miki Hellerbach, Just Blaze, Lily Mercer and Dylan Green. Executive Producers: Sumit Sharma and Chris Mitchell for Breaking Atoms Mixing and Mastering: David John Walker for Homework Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Season 1, Episode 3

Lady London

For Episode 3, we show love to and shine an even bigger light on The Aristotle of Bravado... Lady London! We explore her early life in New Jersey, being mentored by Clark Kent, her love of poetry, academic brilliance and much more! 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.
Episode 4

Can't Knock The Hustle

In our fourth episode, we’ll examine the initial and retrospective responses to Reasonable Doubt, shine a light on the tight-knit vibes of the Roc-A-Fella Records staff, and connect with original members of the US street team. Featuring in order of appearance: Ryan Proctor, DJ Snips, Dart Adams, Charlie Braxton, Nick Raphael, Christian Tattersfield, DJ Shortee Blitz, Pain In Da Ass, Chezik Tsunoda, Maria Davis, DJ Clark Kent, Robyn Mowatt, David Lotwin, Kathy Iandoli and Ski Beatz. 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.
Episode 3

Bring It On

In our third episode, we continue our deep dive into the album’s tracklist and key themes. We also analyse the people, places and things that made the album happen, including early live performances, leftover songs and promo campaigns. Featuring in order of appearance: Charlie Braxton, Ryan Proctor, Yoh Phillips, Pain In Da Ass, Maria Davis, Ski Beatz, Rob Markman, DJ Clark Kent, Jaz-O, DJ Snips and Dart Adams. 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.
Episode 1

Coming Of Age

In this first episode, we travel back in time to a pre-gentrified Brooklyn, New York and explore Jay-Z’s early musical roots. We’ll learn about how he came to a fork in the road and had to choose between the rap game and the crack game - even with all their similarities and pitfalls. We’ll also find out when and how Jay-Z met his future business partners, Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, and eventually started Roc-A-Fella Records. Featuring in order of appearance: Jaz-O, DJ Clark Kent, Ski Beatz, Abdul Malik Abbott and Dart Adams. 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.
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.
Episode 2

Politics As Usual

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. 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.
05/10/2024

The Great Rap War Breakdown: Drake Vs Kendrick Lamar

A few weeks ago, we linked up to talk about the burgeoning Hip Hop triple-threat match that we all thought was about to go down with Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. Well, a lot has happened since then. J. Cole said "Sorry, nah" and left Drake and Kendrick to it. Bwoy... it's been a mad couple of weeks. Diss records have been made, shows have been fired, egos bruised, tea spilt, business exposed, family members violated and sleep has been lost. We're here to break it down to the very last compound, from the songwriting, strategy, best lines and more. As much as we love the music, we also explore the cultural themes around culture, identity, appropriation and history that remained prevalent throughout what we think will go down as the best battle in Hip Hop history. 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.

Where art, culture and storytelling are broken down to the very last compound.