Diggin' In The Digits

Happy holidays one & all! To celebrate, we keep it simple and review the Metacritic Hip-Hop album scores for the year of 2023. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:47) Ben: Conway x Wun Two - Palermo Wizkid - S2 Layzie Bone - Hypnotic Rhythms Charlie: Ruinz Ason - Airplane Mode (Deluxe) Morena Santi - Santi Sounds List Review - (4:55) Last minute recommendations of the year - (1:15:47) Lighte...

The first two albums by J-Live are some of the most consistent works in Hip-Hop history. What's even more impressive is that they're both over 70 minutes. But what about the rest of his work as he walked through the desert that was the 00s Hip-Hop scene. Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) Ben: Bas - We Only Talk About... Curren$y x Trauma Tone - Highway 600 ASAP Twelvvy - Kids Gotta Eat Da Deluxe BigWa...

With the genocide/ethnic cleansing of Gaza/Palestinians ongoing, we have a conversation that we previously had in the heat of the protests in 2020 (You can listen here) and felt that we needed to have again: What is the place of our favourite entertainers/celebrities when it comes to issues as large as the ones happening in 2023? The answer ironically involves all of us. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music R...

Large Professor is an interesting solo case in Hip-Hop history; an artist with a solid solo discography but his legacy is instead tied into being of service to a litany of legends. Where do you place someone like that in the annals of Hip-Hop history? ( Check our Main Source episode for more LargePro ) TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:00) Ben Conway x Conductor - Conductor Machine Sexyy Red -...

It's time to take a trip into the future - to the year 3030 - through the sonic landscape painted by a trio that combine to make Deltron 3030: Del The Funky Homosapien, Dan The Automator & DJ Kid Koala. Weekly Music Roundup - (0:58) Charlie: FloFilz & Bokoya - Soft Encounter Gianni Brezzo & Bokoya - Minari Backwood Sweetie & K!NG jvmes - Syzygy Layfullstop - RUGGED Karl Benjamin -...

For the 11th Contemporary Cool, we get into Bey & Jay's "EVERYTHING IS LOVE" & Hempress Sativa's debut album "Unconquerebels. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (2:20) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) J57 - If I Should Wake Before I Die André 3000 - New Blue Sun Drake - Scary Hours 3 Protoje & Zion I Kings - In Search Of Zion Skipp - Summer Of Love: An Audio Experience Of A Hip-Hop Sor...

The legacy of Nujabes is one of how music should feel. That essence of when you listen to it, it instantly feeds your soul; whilst dubbing Nujabes as "The Godfather of Lo-Fi" is fine, he should be recognised as something, higher. A person that linked Hip-Hop and Jazz as good as anyone, providing the perfect example of why knowing the roots always produces better work. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roun...

On the 9th edition of Neighbours, we get into two works wildly different in sound but share the fact of their sounds being reminiscent of their time, for better or worse... Post Malone's "Stoney" and Groove Theory's self-titled "one & done" gem. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:52) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Suni MF - Hollywood The Alchemist - Flying High, Part 2 All Day Breakfast C...

For our final UKBHM retrospective of the month of October, we cover late 80s UK group Hijack who were - like many of our subjects for this edition of UKBHM retrospectives - were ready to hit the US and make something of themselves but were stymied by the powers that be. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:08) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Chlothegod - Nearly Straight Lilblackkids (Georgia Ann...

As Hip-Hop in the US was booming in the 90s, Hip-Hop in the UK were searching for a new voice after a good class in the late 80s/early 90s. Enter Blak Twang who was not just winning awards before his 1st album dropped, but his 1st album took nearly 20 years to actually drop! In the time between, Blak Twang crafter a solid solo discography that shows personal growth the deeper it goes. TIMESTAMPS:...

Lisa Maffia - The First Lady of So Solid Crew - made a genuine attempt to go it solo. Her one and only album was clearly meant to provide a runway for more but media perception of her and chiefly her affiliation with So Solid, kept her career consistently in a state of friction. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:41) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) BIGBABYGUCCI - When You Wake Up Westside Gunn...

UK Garage had a special moment from 99-02, it seemed that every notable Garage track was hitting the charts. But only one track hit no.1 and that was "21 Seconds" by So Solid Crew. They could've easily been a one-hit wonder but with their sheer numbers as a group, two albums and a whole lot of retrospective influence, So Solid will forever be noted in the history of Black British Music. TIMESTAMPS...

In our first UK Black History Month retrospective of 2023, we get into the artist that attempted to put UK Hip-Hop on his back and carry it into the mainstream. Whilst in many ways he succeeded both personally and for the genre, it was short-lived. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Lil Wayne - Before Tha Fix Tyga x YG - Hit Me When U Leave the Klub SANITY -...

Del The Funky Homosapien (Or Del Tha Funkee Homosapien; pick a lane) is a mainstay in the "Alternative" and Independent Hip-Hop scene. His voice is one of the most unique and always delivers when the word "Feat." is next to his name. But does his solo discography tell us anything new about his artistry? Weekly Music Roundup - (0:52) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Lizzie Berchie - Am I An Adult Y...

For the 20th Bites, we switch it up a little and talk about a TV show! After nearly 12 years, a hiatus and two versions, Top Boy is done after five seasons. We talk about the show in as many angles as possible. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Ehua - Clouds Heather Victoria - I Can't Make This Up Khazali - Born For This  Jalen Ngonda - Come Around and Love...

Hieroglyphics hold a very interesting spot in Hip-Hop history. A collective that has been around for a couple decades now but still have a "if you know, you know" essence to them. From their merch to the music, Hiero stay ever-present but still hold some mysticism to the average Hip-Hop fan. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:47) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) A-F-R-O - AFRODEEZIAK (EP) 38 Sp...

For this edition of Hip-Hop Neighbours, we get into two 00s classics in Craig David's "Born to Do It" and Gnarls Barkley's "St. Elsewhere". TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:05) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Smoke DZA & Flying Lotus - Flying Objects Blu & Real Bad Man - Bad News Xenia Manasseh - LOVE / HATE Pt. 1  9th Wonder - Zion IX Fay Victor - Blackity Black Black Is Beautiful I...

Souls of Mischief are the rare group that - after 30 years - are still together and going strong. Along with a seminal Hip-Hop track and a relatively consistent discography overall, it's no wonder why Souls have kept a really dedicated fanbase. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) D2x - Hotel 1105 Digga D - Back to Square One Burna Boy - I Told Them… DJ Muggs...

Immortal Technique is an essential artist to listen to. He stays ever-present with constant touring and putting his Leftist lyrics to the sword, genuinely doing work for people in the world that need it. And that's not even getting into some of the most vivid storytelling you'll ever hear.  TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (00:50) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Quavo - Rocket Power Giggs - Zer...

In a very special DITD Bites, we get into Lizzo, Tory Lanez getting 10 years; REASON & Moosa's debate on wax and Hip-Hop turning 50.   TIMESTAMPS:  Weekly Music Roundup - (1:24) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) REASON - Porches Backwood Sweetie - Ancestral Aspect Noname - Sundial Fredo - Unfinished Business CLIP - APPETIZER PGF GlizzyMoe - Rapping & Drilling YTB Fatt - Who is Fatt Gloss Up...

Whilst the stories of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and - for different reasons - Eazy-E are thoroughly documented, the story of MC Ren is something different from the others. From his embrace of Islam & the Nation of Islam, to his content that presents a conflicting and kind of gross persona; Ren is a voice that is unmistakable and truly earns him the "Villain" moniker, for better or worse. TIMESTAMPS: W...

The legacy of N.W.A runs so deep in Hip-Hop that it's hard to say something fresh about it; but their music still connects Ren, Cube, Eazy, Dre, Yella & Arabian Prince together into a fascinating tapestry of collaborations, collective vision; beef and now acknowledgement that N.W.A was one of the most talented groups in Hip-Hop history. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:27) (Ben = Bold / C...

It can be said that Masta Ace is underrated in many facets of the music but one that needs to be hailed forever is his unique long-form storytelling. Since "The Symphony", Masta Ace has continued to put his life on wax in a way nobody else in Hip-Hop has done: With detail and heart. Weekly Music Roundup - (2:13) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Cherise - Calling Mahalia - IRL Nas & Hit-Boy - M...

It's time for another Hip-Hop Neighbours, highlighting non-Hip-Hop albums that Hip-Hop fans can get into. For this one, we get into the work of Gil Scott-Heron and Chase & Status. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:46) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics) Adrian Younge & Tony Allen - Tony Allen JID018 Cookin Soul - Whateva, Vol. 5  Kota The Friend - Protea  Melonyx - Soul Glow P Money - Mon...

In this chunky episode, we get into the work of The Roots where whilst we would make an effort to bomb through discographies for the sake of time, we simply couldn't for The Roots because they seemed to depart from their past album nearly every time. The subtle switches in their music over time would end up creating a wide reach. From "Jam Session" Hip-Hop to dense concept albums, it was certainly...