Exit the 36 Chambers Podcast

The final episode of our first season is a UK drill special! We chat to UK drill pioneer AM about censorship, being part of the UK's coolest rap duo (alongside Skengdo), the gentrification of Brixton, and drill music's continuing political relevance. There's also an interview with rising star Lavida Loca, a 22-year-old female drill rapper who calls herself the "King of Drill". She talks to us about solidarity among women in rap, emotive storytelling, and the lessons she learned from going to prison. And with 2020 (finally) coming to an end, we look at our favourite rap albums, producers and moments that each defined the year + made lockdown a lot more bearable. This week's pair of atmospheric drill beats comes courtesy of the great RizlyBeats.  P.S. You can find a playlist with all the songs that defined the first season of Exit the 36 Chambers right here. Play it loudly: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KoCRIwRqQ2MUBQQ2PowyI?si=M9C0JQOvR0ei1ntyoARPbg 

In the penultimate episode of our first season, we have a very special interview and live performance courtesy of Ohio soul legend Norman Whiteside. While serving a highly contentious prison sentence, music from Norman's 1977 masterpiece You Can Fly On My Aeroplane (recorded under the moniker of Wee) began to be sampled by the likes of Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Jay Electronica, Madlib, and Freddie Gibbs. Now a free man, Norman tells us how hip hop sampling changed his life, helping him to fall in love with music again, while he also plays some of his best songs live on our show. We also discuss our favourite rap conspiracy theories + review Rico Nasty's Nightmare Vacation. This episode's beautiful beat is by Andemoii Sama.

Welcome to Episode eight! We interview Drillminister, an outspoken political rapper from south London who thinks Boris is a "p*ssio", wears a balaclava, and is running for London Mayor. We also go deep on the career of the inimitable Ghostface Killah with Irish rap writer Dean Van Nguyen, share our thoughts on the rise of TikTok, and review Megan Thee Stallion's Good News LP. This episode's beat comes from Kilasi.  

On episode seven we chat to underrated UK rap duo OthaSoul about channelling psychedelics, the revival of jazz rap, and working with Frank Ocean. There's also an interview with Olumide, who is one of PG County's trippiest rappers, a discussion on the timelessness of OutKast with writer Tara Joshi, a segment on why rappers love Stone Cold Steve Austin so much, and a review of the new Roc Marciano. This episode's beat comes courtesy of Asendo. 

On episode six we chat to brilliant Chicago emcee Jayaire Woods about how rapping helps him to be less introverted + what it was like being label mates with the Migos. There's also a discussion on misogyny in rap with US writer Jaelani Turner-Williams, a review of the new Busta Rhymes LP, and a chat with UK music journalist Jesse Bernard about whether British hip hop has finally left America's shadow. This episode's beat comes from Oscar Kemanci. 

On episode five we chat to Picaso and TK Kimbro about running the R Baron Group, a pioneering rap management firm that's discovered legendary west coast artists such as 03 Greedo and Drakeo the Ruler. There's also an interview with Jamaican rapper Five Steez about the revolution that fuels his music, a review of the new Ty Dollar $ign LP, and we give our thoughts on the rise and rise of rap reality TV shows. This episode's beat comes courtesy of Killer Bee. 

On episode four we chat to rising punk rapper Bobby Vylan, who talks us through his love for DMX and how his own music tries to make sense of a broken Britain. There's also a review of the Smoke Boys final album, a look at the importance of 2Pac's unreleased One Nation project, and a discussion with music journalist Trey Alston about how music journalism can change for the better. This episode's beat comes courtesy of Alex Sil. 

On episode three we interview Lord Apex, one of rap's most prolific rising artists and a man w/ unparalleled levels of waviness. There's also a review of Benny the Butcher's new LP, debates on whether Eminem has the best flow ever + the idea that grime is dead, and a discussion with writer Donna-Claire Chesman about the importance of her hero Mac Miller. This week's beat comes courtesy of Ill Move Sporadic.  

On episode two, we interview Master Peace, a UK artist just as comfortable rapping as he is singing indie anthems. There's also a review of Headie One's Edna, a debate on emcees supporting Trump, and a discussion with US rap writer Taylor Crumpton about why women in rap find solace in alter-egos. This week's beat comes courtesy of Erskine Lynas. 

On episode one, we interview Chicago's subversive rapper / "R&B thug" Chris Crack. There's also a review of Savage Mode II, a debate on whether Drake should be considered a GOAT emcee, and a discussion with openly gay UK rapper Mista Strange and music journalist Emma Madden on homophobia in hip hop. This week's music comes courtesy of Beatnick Dee.