Gems Podcast with Shom

Hakim Tafari joins GEMS. From sound system culture in the UK to hip-hop, soul, spiritual jazz, DJing, running, Buddhism, and mindfulness, Hakim Tafari has lived a life shaped by music, movement, art, and transformation. In this conversation, Hakim discusses growing up in England with Jamaican roots, discovering hip-hop, traveling to Brooklyn, DJing, making music, and finding refuge in records, sou...

Aki of Cosmos Records joins GEMS. In the world of beat digging, Cosmos Records is considered one of the greatest record stores in the world. Based in Toronto, Cosmos Records has become a destination for DJs, producers, beat diggers, record collectors, and music lovers looking for rare grooves, breaks, soul, jazz, Brazilian records, Cuban records, Latin records, 45s, and the records behind the reco...

On this episode of GEMS, I sit down with producer, DJ, and songwriter Maneesh on the Beat. You may know Maneesh from his work with Drake, J. Cole, Giveon, Rihanna, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Calvin Harris, and many more. We explore his journey from Toronto turntablist to producer, the stories behind Drake's "Shebang" and "Make Them Cry," working with OVO, develo...

This episode of Gems with Shom features Waxvillain, a Seattle-based record collector, interviewer, content creator, and A&R for Fraternity Music Group Records. Waxvillain and Shom get into his journey from hip-hop fan and beatmaker to one of the most passionate voices in the rare soul community. The conversation explores sampling, record digging, Wax Poetics, Amsterdam record culture, Brazilia...

This episode of Gems with Shom features Mikey D , the Queens MC, battle rapper, and member of Main Source and LA Posse. Mikey D and Shom get into his early years coming up in Laurelton, Queens, discovering rap, and building his reputation as one of Queens’ most respected battle MCs. The conversation explores LA Posse, working with the legendary Paul C, joining Main Source, the New Music Seminar Ba...

This episode of Gems with Shom features DJ Flipout, a legendary DJ, producer, radio host, beat digger, and one of Canada’s most respected 45 collectors. Flipout and Shom get into his incredible journey through music, from growing up around Portuguese records, AM radio, and early hip-hop videos to becoming a teenager on the radio, a rapper, dancer, producer, and eventually one of the defining DJs o...

This episode of Gems with Shom features Haas G, aka Fantom of the Beat, the legendary producer, MC, and one half of the hip-hop group UMC’s. Haas G and Shom get into his early years coming up in Staten Island, forming UMC’s, beat digging, and creating classic records like “Blue Cheese” and “One to Grow On” from the Fruits of Nature album. Haas also breaks down his journey from rapper and producer...

This episode of Gems with Shom features Nicolay , Grammy-nominated producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and one half of The Foreign Exchange alongside Phonte. From growing up in Utrecht and discovering Prince, to playing in funk bands, studying musicology, making beats after work, and connecting with Phonte on the Okayplayer message boards, Nicolay’s story is one of timing, originality, and...

This episode of Gems with Shom features Cherrystones, a musician, international DJ, soundtrack composer, compiler, private record dealer, and long-running NTS Radio host with one of the deepest ears in underground music. Cherrystones and Shom get into UK digging culture, Jazzman Records, Camden Market, library music, Italian horror soundtracks, Goblin, Fantastic Planet , Japanese film music, Den B...

DJ Agile joins Gems with Shom for a conversation on BrassMunk, producing “Heaven” for Nas, film and television work, and how DJing opened up a whole new chapter in his career. They also get into sync, Dilla, Kardinal Offishall, nightlife, and Agile’s new single, “Between The Sheets” ft. Ray Robinson.

This episode of Gems with Shom features Pat Van Dyke, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and bandleader whose music bridges jazz, soul, and hip hop. Known for his live recreations of classic rap records and his deep understanding of musicianship, Pat joins Shom for a conversation about the records, rhythms, and ideas that shaped his sound. Pat and Shom get into growing up in New Jersey,...

This episode of Gems with Shom features 7L , one-third of Czarface . 7L is the DJ and producer behind Czarface, the cult-favorite hip-hop supergroup formed by 7L & Esoteric and Wu-Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck . Known for sample-based production, comic-book world-building, and a fiercely independent creative path, 7L has helped build one of the most original and enduring underground rap universes...

In this episode of Gems with Shom , I sit down with John Morrison — author, journalist, DJ, and sample-flipper from Philadelphia — for a conversation on hip-hop culture, record digging, and the evolution of music and ideas. John’s journey starts in Philadelphia, coming up in a deeply competitive freestyle and battle rap scene. Those early experiences shaped his approach to music, performance, and...

Diallo Riddle: Music, Comedy & Storytelling | Best Of Episode One of the most requested episodes of Gems with Shom is back. In this conversation, I sit down with Diallo Riddle — actor, writer, director, DJ, and host of The One Song Podcast — for a wide-ranging discussion on music, comedy, and storytelling. From DJing in college to working on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon — including the iconic...

Why do STLNDRMS’ drums hit different? This is the story behind the sound. STLNDRMS — DJ, producer, curator, and Founder/Creative Director — joins Gems with Shom for a conversation on beat culture, creative independence, and building a life through music. From Detroit roots to a global upbringing across Europe and Japan, STLNDRMS shares how early exposure to records, hip-hop, and Black music shaped...

A DJ and record collector with an incredible archive of rare vinyl, Shima brings a deep knowledge of music, culture, and the art of digging. The conversation covers digging in Japan, the collector’s mindset, and the transition from being a bedroom DJ to playing for crowds. From growing up as a fourth-generation Japanese American in California surrounded by music to discovering hip-hop, Shima refle...

In this episode of Gems with Shom , I sit down with Jay Stewart — music executive, DJ, exhibit curator, and founder of one of the most fascinating hip-hop artifact collections in the world: The Jay Stewart Collection . Jay’s story begins in Queens, New York , growing up during the golden era of hip-hop and the early foundations of the culture. From there, he built a remarkable career across the mu...

Wyldeflower, radio host, DJ, and experiential producer, joins the show for a conversation on records, radio, travel, and the rituals that shape her life. From growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by mariachi to discovering Wu-Tang Clan and the deeper worlds of jazz, soul, and Brazilian music, Wyldeflower reflects on the experiences that shaped her ear. She also shares stories about her friendship...

We sit down with K-Cut of Main Source — producer, DJ, and record collector — for a conversation on the origins of Main Source, the making of the classic album Breaking Atoms , his evolution as a producer, digging culture, and what comes next. From growing up between Queens and forming Main Source alongside Large Professor and Sir Scratch, K-Cut takes us back to the origins — late-night studio sess...

In this episode of Gems with Shom, a show about beat digging, records, and other things, we sit down with Jaeki Cho, ex rap journalist turned world traveler and founder of Righteous Eats and Creators Lunch, for a wide ranging conversation on rap media, world travel, and cultural identity. Jaeki reflects on growing up in Queens in the late 90s, discovering hip hop before the algorithm era, and ente...

Double Peas joins Gems with Shom for a wide ranging conversation on vinyl collecting, deep soul culture, private press records, and what she calls “record energy.”Born in Santiago, Chile and raised in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, Double Peas traces her journey from a music-filled immigrant household to the underground LA scene of the early ’90s—where house music, acid jazz, hip-hop, jungle, a...

Rich Medina joins Gems with Shom for a wide-ranging conversation on deep listening, longevity, and building a life rooted in sound, culture, and purpose. From his early years in New Jersey to becoming one of the most respected DJs and cultural voices of his generation, Rich reflects on a career shaped by curiosity, discipline, and intention. The conversation spans legendary residencies, global tra...

In this episode of Gems with Shom , we sit down with DJ YNOT—DJ, lifelong beat digger, and owner of Lucky Records Miami—for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, introspective, and packed with deep beat-digging knowledge. Tony walks through his journey from late-’90s DJing and underground hip-hop shows to club residencies, opening for legends, and ultimately stepping away from...

In this episode of Gems with Shom , Shomit sits down with Mr. Thing —legendary UK DJ and producer—for a conversation on digging culture, focus, and staying inspired. Mr. Thing traces his journey from growing up outside London and discovering hip-hop, to winning DMC battles and building the legacy of Scratch Perverts . He shares the reality behind the wins—long practice days, creative sacrifice, an...

In this episode of Gems with Shom, I’m joined by Supreme La Rock — DJ, producer, label founder, and one of the originators of beat digging culture. From early hip-hop’s formative years to shaping how generations understand break beats, records, and listening itself, Supreme’s story is tied to the DNA of digging. Long before the term “beat digging” existed, he was building his collection through in...