The Grey Area

We’re diving into the fascinating connections between hip hop and its diverse cultural influences.  We explore how these genres have helped shape hip hop’s evolution, pointing out the back-and-forth nature of the genre and its ties to dancehall & West Indian music. There's also a focus on the powerful impact of jazz and funk on hip hop, with legends like James Brown playing a major role.&...

It’s release recap time and this month we are discussing Kendrick Lamar's new track and its cultural implications, the allegations against Diddy and the industry's complicity, the evolution of hip-hop album structures, LL Cool J's recent album, Alchemist's rapping skills, and Nines' retirement.  Watching the Party Die: A few months on from the Drake v. Kendrick beef, and in light of the recen...

We break down how certain artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Tyler, The Creator, and Lupe Fiasco have stood the test of time, analysing their impact and evolution. We discuss timeless projects like Lupe’s The Cool and Big Sean’s Detroit , and dive into the UK rap scene with legends like Kano, Wretch 32, and J Hus. We also debate the “top five” rappers, Big Sean's longevity, and Nas’ resurgence wit...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nX7JGSrzQRi8nRpt1VOOW?si=df0c1a8cc2264c89 JPEGMAFIA - I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU (1 Aug): Is Peggy the best Hip-Hop producer working today? Big Sean - Better Me Than You (30 Aug): Considering the sales and some of the responses from fans, why do we think Sean’s music isn’t quite connecting with the masses? Lack of volume/consistency, leaving GOOD Music… Honourabl...

Another episode of GOAT Talks for your head top! This time, we are talking about the crazy freestyles from the LA Leakers series. Standout performances, legendary bars, and why these moments are a must-listen. If you’re all about hearing rap at it's highest level, raw talent and high energy, this episode is a must listen! Our LA Leakers Picks Neil: Cordae - https://youtu.be/kvNgwgyidpY?si=WQ2...

July has been a crazy month for the Hip Hop scene! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6kdIfmXPs0FLuZ0WjgnZo0?si=BRcYgsH1SN-feAbyq-FWYg&pi=e-h9Ae4bGhQ0Os This episode, we discuss Eminem's and Childish Gambino's latest albums, offering mixed reviews on both. We dive into the tension between Drake and Childish Gambino, praise Wretch 32's most recent freestyle, and appreciate Bashy's authentic albu...

We are back for the fourth time with more of our favourite posse cuts! Some modern classics and some old school bangers too! The picks Kiran Westside Gun's 'Red Death.' Theo - 'John Blaze' Sean - 'Blow Your Trumpet, Sam - Denzel Curry's 'Ain't No Way'

June 2024 Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3tvcPTZdmoBI7YX2GZaleo?si=455ed5a9c4e94c7b Order of play: Discuss top, recurring picks Highlight some of our individual, non-recurring selections Kendrick Lamar's performance ‘The Pop Out: Ken & Friends’ concert in Los Angeles More Drake Vs. Kendrick Talk (sorry it's still going on) Touch upon this weekend’s/June’s releases - KAYTRANADA, Act...

Despite the ease and affordability of streaming, why do we still purchase physicals, merchandise, attend live shows etc? We discuss James Blake’s comments, the ‘Living Wage for Musicians’ act, Vultures 2 release etc. as well as address the impact of TikTok, social media in general, and on-demand services on our attention span, and the impact this has on the quality and quantity of music.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/78Cqzayx8dw1q8vp57tRIB?si=f17bb37a9e7748a4 Featured Albums Discussed:  Mach-Hommy - #RichAxxHaition (17 May)  Rapsody - Please Don't Cry (17 May)  Vince Staples - Dark Times (24 May) Honourable Mentions (albums):  Conway the Machine - SFK  Bugzy Malone - THE GREAT BRITISH DREAM  Chief Keef - Almighty So 2  M Huncho & Potter P...

What's our earliest memories of recognising adlibs and appreciating them? When and how did adlibs become such a prevalent part of the craft? Are producer-tags also adlibs? What are some of our favourite adlibs? Origins:  Touch on the likes of James Brown and Michael Jackson  Call and response / MCs and their hype men or DUs

meet the grey area Recap the events since 3 May: Kendrick Lamar – 6:16 in LA Drake – Buried Alive Interlude, Pt. 2 Drake – Family Matters Kendrick Lamar – meet the grahams Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Drake – The Heart Part 6 Has it gone too far, and has the beef changed the way we look at both artists? Is this feud good or bad for Hip-Hop?

The month of April was engulfed by the ever-escalating beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Joined by our first ever special guest, we breakdown the timeline of events that followed Kendrick’s verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s  ‘Like That’. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Jz6DOwDMRQT7GnCVjPeN4?si=848809a1dfa14d69

We are back with more of our favourite posse cuts! Some modern classics, some new? well we think they're new and not AI artists?

What a month March has been Kendrick’s feature on ‘Like That’ Why now, and why Cole? ScHoolboy Q - Blue Lips Did Hip-Hop need this album? Tierra Whack - World Wide Whack Was this worth the wait? Future & Metro Boomin - We Don’t Trust You Feuds aside, how we feeling about this one? Don't be a bum listen to our playlist of what we were listening to in March! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4eC...

Do industry plants exist? We explore the fine line between industry-backed success stories and genuine grassroots growth, looking at artists who might be made by the labels as opposed to found by them. This episode sheds light on the implications for authenticity, opportunity, and how the concept shapes our view of the music landscape.

It's release recap time! There's so much music that we didn't get to discuss that we've included a list of all the music we've listened to that came out in Feb Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose (23 Feb) ¥$ - Vultures 1 (10 Feb): Little Simz – Drop 7 EP (9 Feb): Standout Singles ScHoolboy Q’s Blue Lips rollout J. Cole – Might Delete Later, Vol. 1 Stove God Cooks – Melo Chip and a Brick Skrapz – Roc...

The Barbs in us are out in this episode as we discuss Nicki Minaj's discography! One of the greatest rappers of our time and still able to drop fire verses after well over a decade in the game.

We are back with another release recap covering all the latest hip hop releases from Jan 2024! From 21 Savage's new vibes to Tierra Whack's experimental sounds. We are also asking whether Dave could be the first to break out globally - his lyrical lemonade track with Jack Harlow could be the start of it. We talk about on the latest beef between Nicki Minaj and Meg the Stallion and music from other...

GOAT Talk is back, this time spotlighting the ultimate Funk Flex freestyles. Brace yourself for a deep dive into the most iconic and explosive performances ever to hit the legendary show that is Funk Flex.

We look ahead and share which projects and artists we are looking forward to and hoping to hear from in 2024!

The third annual grey awards is upon us. We share some of our favourite albums, artists and beats of the year. This years awards were full of the usual chaos this year the sound board didn't work and award winners were changed live on air due to a user input error! If you're listening on spotify join in on the discussion and tell us your favourites from this year.

The spirit got us and we "reviewing" Sampha's latest release, Lahai! This is less of a review and more of a celebration of the great artist that Sampha is as well as a dive in to the themes of the album. This episode was recorded on 13/11/2023.

We are back with another release recap covering all the latest hip hop releases from Sept - Oct 2023, the year is closing strong! Nas is back with more magic, Drake has given us a something ... and we talk about the latest Armand Hammer releases and so much more. Below is a list of what came out and we cover at least half of that list (at least we tried to). Albums: Nas & Hit-Boy - Magic 3 (14...

Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, and Jay Rock are just a. few of the artists signed to the great record label that is TDE. GET TOP ON THE PHONE! In this episode, we take a closer look at the vibrant history and exciting prospects of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). From their peak in the 2010s to addressing any 'downfall' rumours, we discuss it all. Envisioning artists who could have thrive...