Breaking Atoms: The Hip Hop Podcast

From we were knee-high, one thing we were taught in our respective communities (Black, Asian and Hip Hop) is that you have to look good. Anything less was uncivilised. Real talk, Hip Hop and Fashion are so intertwined. Don't believe us? How many trash rappers get a pass because they look the part and dress well? No questions. We have too many answers. This week, we're joined by Journalist, Writer...

On Monday 14th August 2023, we were invited to be special guests on BBC Radio 2’s Midnight Mastermind with OJ Borg. Midnight Masternind is a format where the host is asked three questions about a specialist subject and he has to research the answers live on air. Our subject was none other than Nas! Oh yeah, we got The World Is Yours played on Radio 2. We did. that! We had a lot of fun on...

We're back with another episode, and this week, we're not speaking to a Rapper, DJ or Producer. We're branching out a little and speaking with an official fashionista and fly thread connoisseur in general. Franklin Boateng, aka The King of Trainers, joins us to share his Hip Hop origin story and shares memories of spending summers in Brooklyn, getting the latest mixtapes and even pulls out old cop...

Sumit is flying solo this week and connects with the 'natural born storyteller', Grea8gawd! For those who are unfamiliar with the name, consider this your education for the day. Grea8gawd opens up about his Hip Hop origin story, joining The Fiver Percent Nation, gaining knowledge of self, signing with Roc Marciano and more! Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/bre...

The theme for this week's episode is family. First family, to be exact. We're honoured to welcome Brooklyn's very own, Teflon, to the pod to take us down memory lane and bring us up to speed. Teflon talks us through the making of his excellent new LP, 2 Sides To Every Story , splitting production duties between DJ Premier and Jazimoto and why now is the right time for him to reintroduce himself. H...

We're back in our boom-bap bag of tricks, and we're joined by Amadeus 360! The MPC Jedi talks about the longevity of the boom bap sound, working with Termanology, inspiring Kool G Rap's pen. his love for UK Hip Hop, applying Star Wars philosophy to beat-making and more! Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/breaktheatoms Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bre...

In the last decade, the city of Buffalo has proven to be a hotbed of talent. Griselda obviously kicked in the door, but they also held it open. One of the brightest stars to come out of the upstate scene is Jae Skeese. We spoke to the Buffalo MC about his Hip Hop roots, meeting and being mentored by Conway The Machine, his love of the written word and future plans. Connect with Breaking Atoms Inst...

We're fortunate enough to be part of a thriving international Hip Hop community, and this week, we're spreading the love to Eastern Europe. Phat Phillie is a Hip Hop ambassador in the truest sense and has been representing the culture in Croatia and beyond for three decades. Tap in and listen to stories of how he discovered Hip Hop in Zagreb, his travels to New York, meeting his heroes and providi...

There are a select few people who have been on the show twice and Vice Beats is now one of them. We caught up with the Musician, Producer and friend of the show as he gears up to release his new album, Aspects (which is dope by the way). Vice shares what it was like to produce an album during the pandemic, having to adjust to recording alone, the importance of family and being hands-on with every...

Bucket list alert! We FINALLY got to speak with the legendary DJ Spinna! Look, fam. People keep throwing around the word underrated all willy-nilly, but this man is a God-level producer who is before his time, of his time and ahead of his time. We chatted about his early life in Brooklyn, becoming a DJ, transitioning into production, the 90s indie Hip Hop scene, working with J-Live and got into so...

On Sunday 2nd April 2023, YouTube star, KSI, was featured in a video with the Sidemen where he was heard using the word, 'p***', which is a racial slur aimed at people of South Asian descent and Brown skinned people in general - particularly in the UK. KSI's use of the slur has understandably caused a great deal of hurt in the South Asian community, many of whom are and were fans of his. Whilst KS...

People love to say “I don’t see colour”. Yeah, right. But when it comes to music, it’s true for us. When the music bangs, it bangs. Don’t fight the feeling. We're Hip Hop heads, but we're music lovers first. This week’s episode is a fun conversation about some of our favourite songs by White artists. Some of our Caucasian brothers have been trained in the ancient art of The Funk™️, and we are here...

In his first ever UK interview, we linked up with the future legend, Reuben Vincent, to talk about the making of his new album, 'Love Is War', advice he received from Terrace Martin (a reeeaaaallll music man), rolling deep with Young Guru and lots more. Thank you to Young Guru for the assist. Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/breaktheatoms Facebook:  https...

We stay in touch with the streets, and the streets said, "we want House Shoes on the podcast". So we made it happen. We linked up with the man to talk about his life, career, and everything in between. We go back to the early scene in Detroit, making his debut solo album, Let It Go, the importance of record stores in the community, and, as always, you can expect some good old-fashioned Rap nerd ta...

Before we took our hiatus, we spoke to Writer Justin Tinsley, who had just released his book, It Was All A Dream. The book about the life of the late great Notorious B.I.G. was published in time for his 50th birthday. Brian Nolan from Motown Records calls it "a must-read for any hip-hop fan who seeks to understand the journey of one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. There are...

We caught up with our guy Sean Kantrowitz to celebrate the release of his brand new board game, The Questions Hip Hop. Sean breaks down how he's expanded his brand, the level of planning that goes into putting a project like it together, and we even play a round live on air.    Pick up your copy of The Questions here: https://amzn.to/3l8FKzv   Follow Sumit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiph...

We told you we were back, and we meant it. So let's continue... this week's guest is A & R extraordinaire, M-Eighty. If you don't know who he is, then you were never inside the house reading those liner notes, and you should have your Hip Hop card revoked or defaced at the very least. You can see M-Eighty's name in the credits of some of the biggest and best indie Hip Hop records post-2000, and we...

We're back! The kings have returned with the newest edition of what you've been missing! Shout out to Low Budget Crew. We originally wanted to take six weeks off but ended up taking six months off. No beef. No tension. Just some well-earned rest and a chance to handle some life admin. For our return episode, we talk more about what we were doing during our hiatus, why we like and don't like other...

In the first of our 'Classic' series, we revisit our September 2020 interview with Mic Geronimo.    The Masta I.C. revisits the making of his first album, 'The Natural', nearly signing to Loud Records, working with Jay-Z and DMX and much more!   We're taking a few weeks off, so look out for more classic episodes coming soon!   Follow Sumit   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle Twi...

We're back with a familiar face and voice. Dylan Green is a serious writer and friend of the show. He featured heavily in our series on The Blueprint, and we really wanted to learn more about him, his passions and what makes him tick. We got into music (obviously), but we also chopped it up about films, Mario Kart and more.  Follow Sumit   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle Twitt...

Either the pandemic is over, or Jesus is coming back, or both. We recorded our first episode together live in the flesh for the first time in 3 years! Only someone who is a descendant of official tissue can pull a power move like this. We sat down with Premium Pete to talk about his early life in New York, his time on The Combat Jack Show, the genius of Just Blaze, the importance of Hip Hop in Cor...

Another friend of the show pulls up to share his story and promote his wares. K-Nite 13 is one of the most talented people we know. With the beats, with the rhymes, he's always on point! We spoke to him about the latest instalment of his 'Nitefall' instrumental series, the influence of Calypso in his life and household, working with Your Old Droog and his relationship with Homeboy Sandman.    You...

Today, we pay homage to a fantastic writer, great mind and friend of the show. We rolled out the red carpet for none other than Kathy Iandoli. Kathy's work in the culture and heart for helping people makes her a real one in a world of fakery and posturing. We wanted to show love while she's still living in the flesh and let her know she gets props over here. Expect a fun chat, candid insight, sill...

Originally recorded for Black Sheep Magazine in 2010.   To celebrate the release of Phife's new album, 'Forever', Chris unearths this interview with the Five Foot Assassin from his headline London show at the Jazz Cafe back in 2010.   Phife speaks on the legacy of A Tribe Called Quest, his solo work, managing his Diabetes, healthcare and much more.    RIP Phife.    Follow Sumit   Instagram: https:...

We've wanted to speak to Buckwild for a long time. His name often comes up in our Rap Nerd conversations, and the legacy of D.I.T.C. is something that fans or critics cannot quantify. Buck graciously spared some of his time to go through his career and life highlights. As expected, we talked about his classic work on 'Word... Life' and 'Jewelz' by O.C., 'Nineteen Ninety Now' by Celph Titled, 'Life...