Breaking Atoms: The Hip Hop Podcast

In this fourth and final episode, we’ll look at The Blueprint’s release date coinciding with the World Trade Centre attacks, the album’s critical success and commercial reception, its influence on the artists who came before and after and its enduring legacy 20 years on.   Guest appearances by Andrew Barber, Young Guru, Just Blaze, Jayson Buford, Nuface, Oliver Wang, Jesse Bernard, Lily Mercer, Ni...

In this third episode, we’ll break down the second half of The Blueprint album, dive even deeper into the creative process and explore the relationships among some of the album’s key contributors. Guest appearances by Carl Lamarre, Jesse Bernard, Young Guru, Pain In Da Ass, Miki Hellerbach, Jayson Buford, Nuface, Shawn Setaro, Big Hass, Akaash Sharma, Just Blaze, Bink, Yemi Abiade, Nicolas Tyrell-...

In this second episode, we look at The Blueprint’s creation, the marketing strategy ahead of its release, Jay-Z declaring war with Nas and Prodigy on the big stage and revisit an urban legend that refuses to rest.   Guest appearances by Andrew Barber, Just Blaze, Young Guru, Pain In Da Ass, Yemi Abiade, Akaash Sharma, Bianca Gracie, Nicolas Tyrell-Scott, Lily Mercer, Miki Hellerbach, Carl Lamarre,...

From Breaking Atoms comes our new original podcast series celebrating the 20th anniversary of Jay-Z’s sixth album, The Blueprint .    In this first episode, we double back to a post-Millenium New York where triumph and tragedy were both served in ample amounts. We’ll look at Jay-Z ascending to the top of the Rap kingdom, Roc-A-Fella Records becoming a dynasty, more people than ever listening to wh...

Chris sits down for a quick chat with Sonny Cheeba of Camp Lo! Hardcore listeners of the pod know how much Chris loves this duo and what the Uptown Saturday Night album means to him as a head. Chris and Sonny Cheeba talk Ski, Camp Lo's influence on Migos, working with The Neptunes and more!   Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com...

This episode has been a long time coming, and we're excited to have Thomas Hobbs on the Breaking Atoms! We've had a few writers on the show, but he's our first UK based guest. We talked about his writing career, the white gaze of music criticism and why many of those who claim they come in the name of Hip Hop are faking the funk. Like Prince Paul says, this is the politics of the business.  Follow...

Ever since we were young whippersnappers, we've been enamoured at the way Kurupt so eloquently expressed his sense of financial restraint on Ain't No Fun. The bucket list gets smaller, and we're honoured to have Kurupt on the show! 25 years later, he is still who he is.    In this interview, Young Gotti talks about HRSMN's debut finale, working with Snoop and Dre, Death Row's family feel and messi...

This week, we link up with a friend of the show, James Kennaby, better known as Vice Beats. The host of 'Diggin' The Crates' (one of our favourite pods) stops by to talk beat making, producing music for TV and film and even name drops the Cunninlynguists. Serious rap chat incoming.  Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchr...

Tony Touch will be performing at Metrofest on Sunday 8th August 2021 in London at Trent Park from 11:00 am to 9 pm. The lineup also includes Fat Joe, Fatman Scoop, Blackstreet, Mya, Horace Brown and more.    Get your tickets here: https://www.themetrofest.com/pages/tickets   Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchronicle  ...

Fatman Scoop will be performing at Metrofest on Sunday 8th August 2021 in London at Trent Park from 11:00 am to 9 pm.  The lineup also includes Fat Joe, Blackstreet, Mya, Tony Touch, Horace Brown and more.    Get your tickets here: https://www.themetrofest.com/pages/tickets   Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchronicle...

This one is for the Producers. We linked up with Wes Pendleton, Founder of Soul Surplus, to discuss some of the legalities of sampling, sample packs, and going into partnership with Splice. The long arm the sampling police law is out to get us all, so we're here to help you duck the opps.    Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/...

This week's guest is one-half of the most conceptually creative groups in Hip Hop history. Prince Po of Organized Konfusion comes through to talk about his beginnings in Queens, recording the 'Stress' album, working with Danger Mouse and Oh No's superhuman multitasking skills. Crush. Kill. Destroy. You know the rest.    Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twit...

Following our epic 'Reasonable Doubt' series, we're excited to welcome back the very first voice you hear on that album, Pain In Da Ass! He digs even deeper into his story and adventures at Roc-A-Fella Records, how he became an intern, almost starring in the cult classic, 'Belly', and other shenanigans. The streets asked for this. You're welcome.    Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagr...

Special Appearance: Dom Pachino (Killarmy) Our adventures through Shaolin continue, as we connect with, the rugged child himself, Shyheim! Now, he's all grown up, he has a lot of life experience to share. He talks about adapting to the new world after being incarcerated, the 25th anniversary of his sophomore album, being in the video for Ice Cream and more. Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www...

Believe it or not, when it comes to the Wu-Tang sound, RZA had a few trusted chefs with him in the kitchen. For this episode, we are joined by the 4th Disciple, who fills in the gaps on some key Shaolin history. From hearing early Wu demos to developing the Killarmy sound, Breaking Atoms show gratitude to one of the greatest producers of all time.  Follow Sumit   💥 Instagram: https://www.instagra...

Evidence is someone who once proudly proclaimed he would "sit up in the shadows and rebel against fame". Ironically, his star has continued to rise in the 20+ years he's been in the game and slowly, but surely, he's opening up even more.    We got to have a quick chat with Evidence about his new album, his love of photography and some rarely discussed sections of his music history.    Follow Sumit...

The next Breaking Atoms original podcast series is coming in September 2021! Look out for The Ruler's Back: The Making of The Blueprint by Jay-Z! Follow Sumit 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopchronicle 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hiphopchronicle Follow Chris 💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkinetik 💥 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iamkinetik Connect with Breaking...

In our fifth and final episode, we examine the legacy of Reasonable Doubt 25 years on and why so many people consider it to be one of the most seminal albums in Hip Hop history. Featuring in order of appearance: Pain In Da Ass, Dart Adams, DJ Snips, Jaz-O, Ski Beatz, Rob Markman, Chezik Tsunoda, Sean Kantrowitz, Yoh Phillips, Robyn Mowatt, SK Vibemaker, Maria Davis, Nick Raphael, Christian Tatters...

In our fourth episode, we’ll be examining the initial and retrospective response to Reasonable Doubt, shining a light on the tight-knit vibes of the Roc-A-Fella Records staff and connecting with original members of the US street team. Featuring in order of appearance: Ryan Proctor, DJ Snips, Dart Adams, Charlie Braxton, Nick Raphael, Christian Tattersfield, DJ Shortee Blitz, Pain In Da Ass, Maria...

In our third episode, we continue our deep dive into the album’s tracklist and key themes. We also analyse the people, places and things that made the album happen, including early live performances, leftover songs and promo campaigns. Featuring in order of appearance: Charlie Braxton, Ryan Proctor, Yoh Phillips, Pain In Da Ass, Maria Davis, Ski Beatz, Rob Markman, DJ Clark Kent, Jaz-O, DJ Snips a...

In our second episode, we look at the process of making the Reasonable Doubt album, the internal struggles, signing to Payday Records, Roc-A-Fella Records renting their first office space, and finding a recording home at D & D Studios. Featuring in order of appearance: Dart Adams, Ski, Rob Markman, Abdul Malik Abbott, David Lotwin, Joe Quinde, Jaz-O, SK Vibemaker, Pain In Da Ass, DJ Clark Kent, DJ...

From Breaking Atoms comes a new original podcast series celebrating the 25th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut album,  Reasonable Doubt . In this first episode, we travel back in time to a pre-gentrified Brooklyn, New York and explore Jay-Z’s early musical roots. We’ll also learn about how he came to a fork in the road and had to choose between the rap game and the crack game - even with all their simi...

This week's guest is a true musician and we don't use that term lightly. Nicolay stops by to talk about leveraging the internet to create music, evolving the +FE sound, some of his lesser-known underground collaborations and working with Phonte. You're about to witness the strength of music knowledge.    Our very first original podcast series, "Brooklyn's Finest: The Making of Reasonable Doubt by...

Breaking Atoms are excited to announce our brand new original podcast series celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of the most seminal debut Hip Hop albums of all time; Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z.   Across five episodes, you’ll hear from the people directly involved in the conception of this five mic masterpiece. Jaz-O, Ski Beatz, Maria Davis, Pain In Da Ass, Abdul Malik Abbott, Nick Raphael, Chr...

We often mention the term "hip hop journey" on the podcast and this week's guest is fundamental to our individual and collective Rap adventures. Big Pooh pulls up the pod to talk about his career including unreleased LB songs from "The Listening" sessions, working on "Dirty Pretty Things", providing fan service while evolving and artist management. We even take it back to the days of The Lawn. If...