Rhythm and Rhymes

Music is officially a global sport. In Episode 115 of Rhythm & Rhymes, we explore the growing globalization of music — from major label expansion into Africa and emerging markets, to The Weeknd’s reported $1B catalog deal , and what it reveals about music as an asset class. We also react to recent releases from 21 Savage, Conway the Machine, J Hus , and highlight movements within Amapiano , wh...

Your Spotify Wrapped might not be telling you the truth — and in this episode we explain why. We break down the hidden metric behind Wrapped (weighted streams), how 30-second listens distort your rankings, and why your true top artists might look completely different once you recalculate them. We also get into the Jorja Smith AI impersonation scandal, Asake’s viral “fake dreads” moment, Leon Thoma...

Episode 113 — This week, we react to the wild news that 50 Cent is executive producing the new Diddy trial documentary for Netflix. How did he get the footage? Why would Diddy’s team approve this? We break down the business, the beef, and the strategy behind it. We also dive into Suno AI generating a full Spotify catalog every two weeks, what AI really means for music creators, and why Spotify is...

Episode 112 | Rhythm & Rhymes This week we get into Tyler, The Creator being named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year — did he really earn it, or were there stronger contenders? We also break down the UK’s proposed ban on ticket resale markups, Chicago Juke making a comeback, and some of the best new drops of the week: Tems, Odeal, Aya Nakamura, DBN Gogo & more. Chapters: 0:00 Thanksgiving P...

Episode 111 breaks down Summer Walker’s Finally Over It , Wale’s Everything Is A Lot , and whether Hip-Hop&B is officially back. AJ & Antonio also talk A Boogie’s influence, the state of Black love, rising artists, and whether listeners can still tell the difference between AI-generated and human-made music.

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The Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast is back with another cultural deep dive — this time we’re breaking down why the “song of the summer” doesn’t exist anymore and how TikTok changed the entire music economy without boosting streams. We also react to Live Nation’s CEO claiming concerts are “underpriced” , debate whether that’s cap or facts, and talk about the return of house parties as real culture mov...

In Episode 104 of the Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast, AJ & Tone dive into major cultural stories: – Def Jam’s new CEO Tunji Balogun and the label’s pivot toward Afrobeats & global sounds – The Clipse making history as the first hip hop group to perform at the Vatican – Jacksonville’s place in music history + the “Whoomp vs Whoot” controversy of the 90s – Cardi B promoting her upcoming album b...

Spotify monthly listeners only tell part of the story. On this Rhythm & Rhymes Episode 101 clip, we dive into why YouTube is a better gauge for true global popularity — and the surprising names leading the charts. Artists mentioned: Doechii, Drake, J. Cole, Rema, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj. Full episode streaming now.

🎧 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAIn Episode 103 of the Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast, AJ and Tone break down some of the biggest conversations in global Black music and culture:-Young Thug’s Interview — the trauma in his upbringing, the Gunna fallout, and how the YSL case is being framed in court.-Amapiano’s Identity — is it its own genre, or part of South Africa...

This week on Rhythm & Rhymes, AJ and Tone get into DJ culture — from learning how to DJ at home to the rise of TikTok DJs and what it means for live shows, mashups, and internet-driven music scenes. We also dive into Apple Music’s latest playlist moves, Spotify testing DMs, and Joey Bada$$’s new project. Highlights: • Why TikTok DJs are blowing up • The reality of learning how to DJ with limit...

In Episode 101 of the Rhythm & Rhymes Podcast , host AJ Hughes explores the global music landscape and asks the question: who really runs it — YouTube or Spotify? AJ breaks down why Spotify may never reach one billion users, while YouTube already dominates across Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. He also highlights new music from Skepta & Fred Again.., Odumodublvck, Stormzy, Zlatan...

🎧 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAFor our 100th episode, we go big: asking whether Pan-Africanism through music is too idealistic, or if the diaspora can truly unite. We start with a raw conversation on doing business within the Black community, the uphill battle of bridging cultural gaps, and how ignorance and education shape music’s global reach. From there, w...

South Africa’s “Coloured” identity and the U.S. term “Colored” aren’t the same. We unpack the Tyla discourse, why first-week sales don’t equal real fandom, and the cost of context collapse. Plus: Gunna’s new project, Skillibeng’s sharp drop, JID’s God Don’t Like Ugly , our Three Step obsession, and fan-owned royalties (Stradebase). Chapters00:00 Cold open01:07 Tyla’s EP sales, cultural misundersta...

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00:00 Timestamps02:17 Drake's Influence and Cultural Impact13:00 US Dominance in Global Streaming26:06 50 Cent's Legal Moves27:08 New Music Releases and Reviews28:15 Discussing The Clipse Album28:59 Effort in Album Creation30:01 Favorite Tracks and Features33:04 Odeal's EP and Afrobeats Influence35:15 Exploring Amapiano Music37:53 Givēon and R&B Authenticity41:56 J Balvin and Regga...

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAThe guys dive into the evolution of music videos and whether anyone actually dances in clubs anymore. They also break down new EPs from Blasst and Naomi Sharon, discuss Yamaha's 50million investment in music startups, and ract to that Red Bull freestyle featuring Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, and Big Sean. Plus, a little fashion roasti...

UK Garage wasn’t just music — it was rebellion. Born in the basements and pirate radio towers of London, UK Garage emerged from Black British struggle and Caribbean sound system culture. It defied the industry, took over the charts, and laid the foundation for Grime, Drill, and more. In this episode of The Black Atlantic series, we trace how UK Garage rose from underground resistance to global for...

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrA We recap recent UK concert energy and spotlight Nigerian rising star Shallipopi. From London club nights to global crowd differences — this is a full cultural download. UK music culture, Shallipopi, Nigerian artists, London concerts, Amapiano UK, Afrobeats diaspora

In this episode of Rhythm & Rhymes, we make the case: Chris Brown is our generation’s Stevie Wonder. We get into:-Why Breezy’s legacy is undeniable-The repetitive wave hitting Afrobeats (and how to fix it)-Summer anthem droughts in 2024-JID’s pre-album EP with Eminem-Live Nation’s decline + Spotify/Netflix’s live music play-Who gets to claim “Black culture”? (Eminem, the ghetto, and whiteness)...

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrA We debate our Top 5 Chicago rappers — from drill to soul to lyrical legends. Which artists define the city’s story today? Chicago rappers, Top 5 rap lists, drill music, Chance the Rapper, Chief Keef, Common, Midwest hip hop

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrA 00:00 Introduction and Million Dollar Debate00:56 Lyrical Lemonade Lineup Discussion00:56 Lyrical Lemonade Festival Discussion03:57 Saba and No ID Project Review07:12 Nemzzz Project and UK Rap Scene09:31 Burner Boy and TikTok Trends10:40 Weekly Music Recommendations13:07 Chicago's Negative Perception

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrA Is Drake still betting on himself? We talk catalog sales, legacy plays, and how Biggie’s name is still moving through the business of rap. Drake 2025, music catalogs, Biggie Smalls, hip hop legacy, rap business, Black music ownership

🎧 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFItqWQx8ts6Fg_yErvXsrAThis week on Rhythm & Rhymes, we ask: Is the album format losing relevance? From Foggy Raw’s visual-first lyricism to Little Simz’s fractured new LP, we dive into the tension between poetic intent and replay value. We also break down Juls powerful Afro-Brazilian docu-soundtrack, the Spotify x United Airlines deal, and whethe...

Listen to the mix: https://youtu.be/ov0G377bY08From Amapiano’s evolution in UK clubs to country music’s buried Black roots, this week we’re unpacking how Black music travels — and how it gets rewritten. We break down how cities shape sound, how Pirate Radio changed UK genres forever, and why some stories never make it to the mainstream. Plus, new music from Leon Thomas, Goldlink, Lojay, and Clipse...