Dad Bod Rap Pod

This week we are joined by MC, storyteller and personality Fat Tony. Tony helps us understand the intricacies of his new concept album Exotica. The album is a unique collection of character based short fiction rap songs, an intriguing listen. The fellas also address election worries, celebrate Demone's first EP with his group Lackadaisical being re-issued on vinyl, and share some initial thoughts...

This week we delve into the legacy of Aceyalone's seminal album All Balls Don't Bounce on its 25th anniversary. After that we have dual interviews with the members of new group Small Bills. Producer The Lasso, whose work you may know from collaborations with Lando Chill, Chris Orrick and Psypiritual, is a multi-instrumentalist with restless creativity who has crafted a new sound for Elucid on this...

We are joined this week by hip-hop writer and columnist for Spin and Bandcamp Max Bell to discuss the major rap releases from last week. The rap universe was blessed with albums from Benny The Butcher, Black Thought, Homeboy Sandman, Open Mike Eagle, Kenny Segal, among others. We offer initial reactions to these releases and discuss how some of them invite comparison based on subject matter. Next...

This week we focus in on the idiosyncratic rap stylings of MC Paul Barman. We've been following Paul's career since his life-changing collaboration with venerable producer Prince Paul in 2000. Paul's intricately written rhymes have consistently improved over the course of many releases and he is one of hip-hop's most unique characters. We were very pleased to speak with Paul and he proved himself...

Surprise mini-episode where DBRP producer and co-host Nate LeBlanc interviews friend of the program Alaska about his past and present as an indie MC and member of groups Atoms Family and Hangar 18. Alaska is the co-host of our fellow indie hip-hop podcast Call Out Culture and has a new album with his partner in that show Zilla Rocca as group Cargo Cults. Their new album Nihilist Millennial feature...

This week we have two special interviews. First up we have an interview with Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop. Kathy shares insights on hip-hop form her unique perspective as someone who has studied the contributions of women throughout hip-hop history. Next up we have an interview with MC Sa-Roc on her career, her writing process, and her new...

This week the fellas are joined at the virtual table for the first segment by hip-hop writer Abe Beame who published a major piece this week ranking all of the original albums that received coveted 5-mic ratings in The Source magazine. Here's a link to the piece https://www.passionweiss.com/2020/09/29/a-definitive-ranking-of-all-the-original-5-mic-albums-in-the-source/ we have a lively discussion...

This week we're very pleased to be joined by Compton's Most Wanted himself, MC Eiht. The legendary gangster rapper told us amazing stories form his long career, touches on his friendship with DJ Premier, and promotes his new album Lessons. In the third segment the guys touch on the recent Sotheby's hip-hop memorabilia auction and discuss new records. DBRP is a proud part of the Stony Island Audio...

This week's show is built around an interview with super-producer Dan The Automator. We have been longtime fans of his luxurious approach to beatmaking. Before the chat we delve into a few of his projects, with discussion on Deltron 3030, the Lovage instrumentals, and Handsome Boy Modeling School's debut collaboration with Prince Paul and a global cast of characters. Dan gives a lot of insight abo...

Very special episode of Dad Bod Rap Pod this week, the first on our new home, Open Mike Eagle's Stony Island Audio which is part of the illustrious Starburns Industries umbrella. We're excited about this new chapter for the show and to celebrate we switched a few things up. We have new artwork by Arthur Banach, a new introduction by the legendary hip-hop announcer Don Newkirk, and we have a great...

Welcome to the Dad Bod Rap Pod, where a writer, an MC and a record collector approach the world of hip-hop with respect for creators and an intellectual curiosity. This week our hosts discuss the new Nas album King's Disease in the first segment. Next up is an interview with author Marcus Moore who wrote The Butterfly Effect: Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America which will be released...

Great show this week, we are joined in the first segment by writer and host of the Serious Rap Shit Podcast, John Morrison. John is a music lover and an excellent writer and we had him on to share some of his recent news on projects we're excited about. After that we have one of the best interviews ever on the show, a deep talk with Detroit's Sterling Toles, producer of Manger on McNichols with Bo...

Special crossover episode this week! We are joined by Rob & E of the Next Movement Podcast for a discussion about the Juice original motion picture soundtrack, which has its moments but is frankly not nearly as good as we remembered. This is part 1 of a 2-part series, make sure to tune into the second half of the show where we discuss the Boyz-N-The Hood soundtrack on their program. Beats this wee...

This week the fellas Discuss Raekwon's Only Built for Cuban Linx, one of the greatest records of all time. They also discuss the recent lists from Levels about rappers over 40 years old. Our first interview this week is with journalist and historian Dart Adams about his career and his approach to music writing. Next us we have a great interview with legendary MC Self Jupiter of Freestyle Fellowshi...

We have two great interviews this week. First up we have a conversation with artist/MC/producer Oddisee, whose new album Odd Cure is one of the most interesting of the Covid era. The album explores the social and personal sides of life under quarantine and includes brief recordings of him calling to check in on his loved ones, a good reminder for all of us to do what we can to stay connected in th...

This week the fellas are joined at the virtual table by DJ/Producer Weezmatic in the first segment where they discuss the mixtape hustle and how to best support artists during the pandemic. Weezy has a new remix project out called (Re)Visions, look for it on Bandcamp. After that we are joined by MC Blu and Producer Exile who have a great new album out called Miles. This jazz-themed odyssey is real...

This week we have built an episode around the city of Los Angeles. First up the fellas tell some stories of memorable visits to LA. Then we have an interview with Sean Kantrowitz and DJ Steve 1der of LA-based trivia game The Questions Hip Hop. The Questions began as a live event that has now morphed into a popular live stream that combines interviews with an interactive trivia game. They have had...

Great episode this week, the fellas discuss the impacts of shelter-in-place on their relationships to food, talk a bit about newly released music, and just generally catch up. Next up is an interview with The Koreatown Oddity. His new album Little Dominiques Nosebleed is a masterful self-produced concept album about his life to this point. It's unique, richly detailed, and must be heard to be beli...

This week the guys review of Bloo & Spanish Ran's MF Bloo album on the yah/meh/nah scale and then interview producer Apollo Brown. Apollo is a prolific and gifted producer, an engaging interviewee, and most importantly, a person of integrity. The main thing that came across in this interview was that he knows who he is, how he wants to work, and has used those principles to build an impressive car...

This week the fellas are joined by music journalist Gary Suarez for a wide-ranging conversation in the first segment. They talk about the recent J. Cole and Noname tracks, music journalism, and Gary's hip-hop newsletter Cabbages, which you should subscribe to: https://cabbages.substack.com/ Next up is an interview with Seattle-based producer Jake One. The incredibly prolific producer has made beat...

Special Monday mini-episode! DBRP host Demone Carter takes the reigns today for an interview with Hen Boogie and Iz of The Dereliks. They have a new song out called Better Place (I'll Fly Away) that you can hear at the end of the episode.

This week we have a rangy interview with billy woods and Elucid, the members of group Armand Hammer, whose new record Shrines is among the year's best. They provide insight into the album's origins, artwork, and their trusted circle of collaborators among many other topics. In the second segment the fellas discuss the best rap records of the year so far, a check-in on the state of the art as we re...

This week we have two special guest interviews. First up we speak with Nappy Nina, an MC with Oakland roots currently located in Brooklyn, about her life and her excellent new record 30 Bag. Then the fellas do a quick over/under segment on the careers of CL Smooth, Domino from Hiero, and Gucci Mane. Next up is an interview with one of upstate New York's finest, Che Noir. The Buffalo-based MC has w...

This week Dave, Demone and Nate have a conversation about the state of the world at this crucial and potentially overwhelming moment. Between the pandemic, the global protests, and the police reform movement, there is a lot to consider. The fellas share their perspectives on issues local and national, as these events were unfolding in real time. Please note that this episode was recorded Monday Ju...

This week the guys welcome special guest Tajai from Souls of Mischief to the show! We are all huge fans of his work and look up to him as an entrepreneur, MC, and just general extremely smart person. In the second segment we take a closer look at Souls' 1998 album Focus, their first independently-distributed work. The beats for this week's show were submitted by Deuce Ellis and Camoflauge Monk fro...