Hip Hop Raised Me

Coach K is the COO of Quality Control, a highly successful label from Atlanta responsible for the success of Migos and Lil Yachty. Their influence is evident within the clubs and across radio. It can be witnessed at any of the live shows around the world or online via social media, but it wasn’t always like this. Before the raging chart success of ‘Bad and Boujee’ or ‘1 Night’ the creative merit of both acts were questioned, doubted, and ridiculed at different points within their career. The internet is a gift and a curse. Within moments you can be internationally known and heralded as 'the next one', but you can be bullied into conforming and condemned just as quick by social media and 'rap supremacists'. Most MC's will tell you that when they started out it wasnt easy, that it was challenging, that they were either dissed, booed, advised to call it a day, or blocked at some point. Despite the challenges, most artists eventually climb their mountain and get to the other side. Even though they don't know it, every hater is a potential fan that needs to be turned, convinced, or won over by a moment that will override any doubt. The high streaming skip rate eventually evolves into the highest searched title. The countless mixtapes and guest features eventually pay off, and it has for Migos and Lil Yachty. The adversity is the necessary battery in the back needed to power the journey down the road to the riches. But that journey requires a team that will ride with an act all the way. People that will help an act navigate the journey of an act, guide them, and help develop aspiring MCs evolve into genre defining artists. Coach K and the team at his Quality Control label do this very well. Before Coach K secured the signatures of two of the hottest successful Hip Hop acts; Migos and Lil Yachty, Coach K's own personal journey was equally complex and he had to traverse down his own path of adversity. This podcast is a priceless insight into what it takes to manage and guide the careers of overtly creative artists. How to find the right artists at the right time, to crack that code, be the COO of your own label, and launch successful international acts across the world. Sit back and listen to Coach K speak .

Cipha Sound is a legendary New York DJ/Broadcaster and longstanding supporter of UK rap. Cipha was the first US DJ to support UK rap on Hot 97 and put people on to So Solid and the energy of Grime back when it was starting to emerge. Kardinal Offishall is a pioneering MC from Toronto Canada, one of the first to breach the US and UK when it looked like a dream to others. He has lived the UK experience. Recorded, collaborated, and performed out here for years. So what happens next? Is this really the best time ever for music? Is the UK responsible for making skinny jeans a thing? A few guys from Toronto, New York, and London connect…

In an age of streaming services and the rise of the algorithm, the role of the DJ is taken for granted more than ever before. The tireless yearn to support new talent, the lightning speed ability to select music, build momentum, and create an environment to perfectly rock a crowd, then anticipate and determine what happens next are processes that cannot be taught or programmed. Only true passion and dedication can elevate a mere mortal to the esteemed role of a DJ. The DJ is the unsung hero of your life. Last night a DJ could have saved your life, but the morning after you’ve already forgotten what they did like it was all a dream. And that's cool, that's understandable. You are back to reality where the daily grind consumes your attention and soul. Just know that your static playlist isn’t the antidote though. It isn’t going to change your life, it isn’t going to move you, or take you on a journey. Fuck the word curation. Curation is a term the digital world embraced and utilised to justify their dehumanised sanitised approach to compiling music. DJs are selectors… Mistajam is a selector supreme. He is one of the hardest working people I know and one of the few people that has the tenacity to endure the infinite grind. Mistajam has powers that enable him to research, select, and motivate audiences on a daily basis. He is a champion of music that does not play, whether its AI algorithm, or human…I pity that fool that tries to compete with him.

Behind the biggest artists are some of the dopest producers in the game. As Drake ascended into the upper echelons of success so did 40 and Boi 1da. Both producers have 2 very unique sounds, and both producers have attained their own respected positions within the culture and the music industry. Boi 1da owned 2016 and most people don't know why. Most people don't know that he is responsible for the soundtracks to their lives, or realise that his drums have the hardest knock in the game and have fuelled the careers of Drake, Jay-z, Kanye West, Eminem, and more. This is how he did it. This is how he started from the bottom, developed his production skills and changed the game. Catch Boi 1da performing at the Camden Assembly, London March 5th. Tickets available here https://dice.fm/event/boi-1da-5th-mar-camden-assembly-london-tickets

Behind the biggest artists are some of the dopest producers in the game. As Drake ascended into the upper echelons of success so did 40 and Boi-1da. Both producers have 2 very unique sounds, and both producers have attained their own respected positions within the culture and the music industry. Boi-1da owned 2016 and most people don't know why. Most people don't know that he is responsible for the soundtracks to their lives, or realise that his drums have the hardest knock in the game, those same drums have fuelled the careers of Drake, Jay-z, Kanye West, Eminem, and more. For season 2 of the 'Hip Raised Me' podcast we kick it of with Boi-1da, an architect of sound who has changed the game, but stuck to the same method of perfecting the beat that enabled him to enter the game. This is an insight into how he does it. This is how he started from the bottom, developed his production skills, and cracks codes. Catch Boi-1da performing at the Camden Assembly, London March 5th. Tickets available here https://dice.fm/event/boi-1da-5th-mar-camden-assembly-london-tickets

Some of the biggest moments in Hip Hop and Grime took place recently and it's the end of summer 16, so its only right we wrap this season up the right way. Parris is a soldier out here in the UK. She's at every show, always working, and constantly grafting to bring through the next wave of artists. This week we dissected the Kanye and Cudi beef, attempted to understand Wayne's money problems, and why Ye' really signed Tyga. Stream & subscribe now...

Some of the biggest moments in Hip Hop and Grime took place recently and it's the end of summer 16, so its only right we wrap this season up the right way. Parris is a soldier out here in the UK. She's at every show, always working, and constantly grafting to bring through the next wave of artists. This week we dissected the Kanye and Cudi beef, attempted to understand Wayne's money problems, and why Ye' really signed Tyga. Stream & subscribe now...

I liked 'Classic Man', it was one of key sounds of Summer 15', and even with a Kendrick Lamar remix I didn't get who or what Jidenna was. Whether he was an R&B dude or something more. Whether he was here for a minute or if was going to go the distance and evolve into one of the great ones. Having heard the album and connected with him for this podcast it’s clear that although 'Classic Man' was a smash, it was also very misleading. Jidenna is a much deeper artist than the Summer 15' classic. Born in Nigeria, moving to America, raised on a diet of Hip Hop, R&B, and Naija sounds has given him a greater creative edge and perspective than other US artists. There is no doubt that Jidenna is talented, has his own swank, and will be successful, but what's more interesting is that he could be the artist that bridges the gap between intercontinental genres, to mix the US sounds and African sounds with integrity. It's cool that artists like Drake have featured Wizkid on a track, or Akon merged sounds a while ago, but the end result was still leaning to a more US sound. As a rapper/singer/producer Jidenna can go in the studio with Kanye West in the US, or with Team Salut in the UK. He can have a hit in the US, but launch his debut album in Nigeria, unheard of moves by a new US artist. Jidenna could be that artistic ambassador to successfully cross cultures.

I liked 'Classic Man', it was one of key sounds of Summer 15', and even with a Kendrick Lamar remix I didn't get who or what Jidenna was. Whether he was an R&B dude or something more. Whether he was here for a minute or if was going to go the distance and evolve into one of the great ones. Having heard the album and connected with him for this podcast it’s clear that although 'Classic Man' was a smash, it was also very misleading. Jidenna is a much deeper artist than the Summer 15' classic. Born in Nigeria, moving to America, raised on a diet of Hip Hop, R&B, and Naija sounds has given him a greater creative edge and perspective than other US artists. There is no doubt that Jidenna is talented, has his own swank, and will be successful, but what's more interesting is that he could be the artist that bridges the gap between intercontinental genres, to mix the US sounds and African sounds with integrity. It's cool that artists like Drake have featured Wizkid on a track, or Akon merged sounds a while ago, but the end result was still leaning to a more US sound. As a rapper/singer/producer Jidenna can go in the studio with Kanye West in the US, or with Team Salut in the UK. He can have a hit in the US, but launch his debut album in Nigeria, unheard of moves by a new US artist. Jidenna could be that artistic ambassador to successfully cross cultures.

I recently caught up with the very dope Cali native Casey Veggies whilst he was supporting Chris Brown on his European tour..

I recently caught up with the very dope Cali native Casey Veggies whilst he was supporting Chris Brown on his European tour..

When Immortal Technique hit me up to say he was in town I had to connect. I needed to speak to someone who had a very different educated perspective on what is happening in the world today. Tech is the Chuck D of this generation, a hard rhymer who edutains through his music. He is a scholar of the world, a walking library of knowledge past and present. Very few artists leave me speechless with words of sobering reality. This was much more than an interview or a conversation. We talked on everything from Hip Hop in the White House to knife crime in the UK. Open your ears and minds; hear Immortal Technique kick knowledge for the Nation of Billions. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th

When Immortal Technique hit me up to say he was in town I had to connect. I needed to speak to someone who had a very different educated perspective on what is happening in the world today. Tech is the Chuck D of this generation, a hard rhymer who edutains through his music. He is a scholar of the world, a walking library of knowledge past and present. Very few artists leave me speechless with words of sobering reality. This was much more than an interview or a conversation. We talked on everything from Hip Hop in the White House to knife crime in the UK. Open your ears and minds; hear Immortal Technique kick knowledge for the Nation of Billions. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th

How did a US West coast rapper like Tupac influence the mind of a 15 year old kid from County Wexford, Ireland? The kid would go on to become a successful singer/songwriter who would ignite his own fires, influence other artists, and share his own form of conscious lyricism across the world. Maverick Sabre is a very dope artist, an amazing singer/songwriter. He’s only in his 20s, but he is one of those artists that has definitely walked the planet before. An ageing soul who knows how to channel emotions through his music, he can arrange and conduct musicians in a studio session or on stage with ease, but before all of this he was a rapper. Like T-Pain and Aloe Blacc, Maverick Sabre is a ‘rapper turnt singer’ who couldn’t escape his Hip Hop roots if he wanted too. Raised on the psalms of Tupac and the raw energy of Dizzee Rascal, it was necessary to chop it up with my favourite Irish man about the most significant MCs right now. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th.

How did a US West coast rapper like Tupac influence the mind of a 15 year old kid from County Wexford, Ireland? The kid would go on to become a successful singer/songwriter who would ignite his own fires, influence other artists, and share his own form of conscious lyricism across the world. Maverick Sabre is a very dope artist, an amazing singer/songwriter. He’s only in his 20s, but he is one of those artists that has definitely walked the planet before. An ageing soul who knows how to channel emotions through his music, he can arrange and conduct musicians in a studio session or on stage with ease, but before all of this he was a rapper. Like T-Pain and Aloe Blacc, Maverick Sabre is a ‘rapper turnt singer’ who couldn’t escape his Hip Hop roots if he wanted too. Raised on the psalms of Tupac and the raw energy of Dizzee Rascal, it was necessary to chop it up with my favourite Irish man about the most significant MCs right now. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th.

Grime dominates the streets of the UK, it’s influence is growing overseas, and a lot of MCs are enjoying unprecedented levels of success. Artists such as Skepta, Stormzy, Bugzy Malone, etc are forging their own unique paths and changing the game in the UK, but there is only one MC that has managed to achieve mainstream coverage across the US. Lady Leshurr is one of the hardest working artists in the game. She is brutal on the mic, a savage lyricist when it comes to flows. After moving from her Birmingham hometown to London Leshurr defined her own triumph through perseverance, hard work and sheer determination. Many thought she would never succeed in the UK, let alone infiltrate the US market, but she did. Leshurr breaks down how she did it by herself with no label, or A-list songs. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th.

Grime dominates the streets of the UK, it’s influence is growing overseas, and a lot of MCs are enjoying unprecedented levels of success. Artists such as Skepta, Stormzy, Bugzy Malone, etc are forging their own unique paths and changing the game in the UK, but there is only one MC that has managed to achieve mainstream coverage across the US. Lady Leshurr is one of the hardest working artists in the game. She is brutal on the mic, a savage lyricist when it comes to flows. After moving from her Birmingham hometown to London Leshurr defined her own triumph through perseverance, hard work and sheer determination. Many thought she would never succeed in the UK, let alone infiltrate the US market, but she did. Leshurr breaks down how she did it by herself with no label, or A-list songs. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th.

Many Afrobeat artists have emerged from Nigeria and across Africa. Premiere artists such as Wizkid and Davido are edging closer to global domination, whilst Mr Eazi together with Eugy have owned the summer with their genre defining smash ‘Dance For Me'. I wanted to hook up with Eazi because I’ve seen what his music does to a club. I saw what his music did to the crowd at the Wireless Festival this year, and I've heard people talk about him like he is a mythical figure who is huge in Nigeria and blowing up the UK. Mr Eazi is an exciting artist, incredibly confident but not that cocky type of confidence. He has that authoritative type of confidence which may explain the secret to the success of his cultural takeover of the UK. Mr Eazi has an international overview which is rare for an emerging artist. He describes London as a “Hub of different cultures” and understands how to break music in London, Accra, Toronto, Lagos, etc. He recently sold out the Forum in London with his ‘Life is Eazi’ show...that’s 2000 people who paid to see him. Most signed UK artists cant pull that kind of crowd in their own Country, and he is already planning to put on a show at the Brixton academy which holds 5000 people. For me this podcast is as important as any of the previous podcasts with Stormzy, Alan Kingdom, or Yo Gotti. Eazi is changing the game across several different continents at the same time. He is influencing our sound and working with our artists. Without any kind of deal or US co-sign he is a self made international artist, breaking his own records...with ease.

Many Afrobeat artists have emerged from Nigeria and across Africa. Premiere artists such as Wizkid and Davido are edging closer to global domination, whilst Mr Eazi together with Eugy have owned the summer with their genre defining smash ‘Dance For Me'. I wanted to hook up with Eazi because I’ve seen what his music does to a club. I saw what his music did to the crowd at the Wireless Festival this year, and I've heard people talk about him like he is a mythical figure who is huge in Nigeria and blowing up the UK. Mr Eazi is an exciting artist, incredibly confident but not that cocky type of confidence. He has that authoritative type of confidence which may explain the secret to the success of his cultural takeover of the UK. Mr Eazi has an international overview which is rare for an emerging artist. He describes London as a “Hub of different cultures” and understands how to break music in London, Accra, Toronto, Lagos, etc. He recently sold out the Forum in London with his ‘Life is Eazi’ show...that’s 2000 people who paid to see him. Most signed UK artists cant pull that kind of crowd in their own Country, and he is already planning to put on a show at the Brixton academy which holds 5000 people. For me this podcast is as important as any of the previous podcasts with Stormzy, Alan Kingdom, or Yo Gotti. Eazi is changing the game across several different continents at the same time. He is influencing our sound and working with our artists. Without any kind of deal or US co-sign he is a self made international artist, breaking his own records...with ease.

DDot Omen is a blogger/Producer/Manager from the US. He is one of the leading voices within the online Hip Hop community who has played a significant role in establishing new music and artists over the years...and we don't agree on much. We don't agree on much because we have our own opinions and perspective. In a space that is virtually lawless, where monetary value is governed by the highest ranking site or traffic, opinion is king. A respected opinion introduces the new new to a new audience… its a very simple but productive powerful dynamic. The opinion carries more weight than any marketing campaign, it has a greater legacy than any spot play on a radio station or article in a disposable publication. It provides a historical reference point that tells the story of that moment. Bloggers are like open source coders that loosely, but collectively document the culture. They are the unsung heroes that are constantly writing history. Because of their spontaneity and ability to post in real time, they overshadow but fuel the content for magazines and radio stations that still work on an archaic 9 to 5 time frame. Like DJs they rarely get the respect that they deserve, they perform a thankless task that often goes unnoticed by the music industry and the artists that benefit from it. Established artists that were established thanks to a series of posts by a collective of online voices often 'forget' who helped build their fanbase or empowered their artistry to attract enough heat to get a deal. So why do they do it? Out of love? In some cases yes, but probably more out of demand. Fans are starved of a concise perspective and want some type of context. In an age where once relevant publications scrape for relevance via click bait and re-hashed tweets and instagram posts are passed of as news, agenda free articulate opinions are valued more than ever. Whilst in the UK, I caught up with my good friend DDot Omen who broke down his own online journey, the impact of the net, and of course the current developing story/trending topic, Joe Budden. The official ‘Hip Hop Raised Me’ book is released October 6th via Thames & Hudson, the album drops October 7th.