Sum'n to Say

It's that time of year again! The Recording Academy announces its Grammy nominees, and hip-hop complains that the Grammys just don't understand. We debate whether these trophies still matter and revisit the best award show moments in hip-hop history: Diana Ross jiggling Lil Kim's breast. Three 6 Mafia thanking their choreographer. And of course, the South's declaration of independence.

'Parasite' intrigued Jah and Christina so much, they saw it again in theaters. They also insisted that Yoh join them. If you've seen this Bong Joon-ho film, and you're obsessing over every detail and still trying to make sense of its symbolism and hairpin turns, this recap and analysis is for you.

QT is the Patreon tier where supporters ask us a question that we tackle in a future episode. (Find out more at patreon.com/sumntosay.) This week patron and longtime listener Jalen K. Wright asks, "What advice would y’all give to an artist like Summer Walker who is not having the best/easiest time dealing with fame?" Critic and community organizer Clarissa Brooks (https://clarissambrooks.contently...

Ain't Gon' Let Up is our Patreon tier where folks can request an episode topic, for any verse, song, album or event taking place in hip-hop and R&B, in the South or otherwise. Find out more at patreon.com/sumntosay. Shoutout to Robbie McClellan for requesting a look back at Things Fall Apart, the Roots album that recently turned 20. Revisiting the album prompted us to look back at the late '90s ba...

DJ OHSO was working at a call center when she stumbled across a Will Smith interview saying, "What's the point of a plan B? It distracts you from a plan A." As this episode's special guest, she explains how that random YouTube clip led to the start of her DJ career (in front of the Fresh Prince himself!) and honoring black women with her signature "Bounce Dat" parties. Catch her at Red Bull Music...

Bringing back Sum'n to Hear, where Jah, Yoh and Christina discuss the newcomers who have caught their attention. This month we discuss GRIP's 'Snubnose,' a full-length exploration of how the allure of even a revolver can change an East Atlanta native, in the age of "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick." Yoh's DJBooth interview with GRIP: https://djbooth.net/features/2019-10-21-grip-snubnose-inside-bullet-riddled...

In his 2009 debut 'Attention Deficit,' Wale wants to be it all: a blog darling who can cross over, the DMV native who can carry go-go's torch. We revisit those impossible expectations and discuss how he's recovered ten years later, to meet his criteria for success — and his alone.

In the time it takes to listen to a DaBaby project, we debate his past life as a Jesus-worshiping Rich Homie Quan soundalike, the best and worst guests on 'KIRK,' and where the Energizer Bunny of hip-hop possibly goes from here.

We've never received an episode request like this. This week producer Michael Saba asked us to discuss how the influence of Phil Collins has played out in '808s and Heartbreak,' intros by Meek Mill and Rapsody, songs by DMX — and an unfortunately named tribute album from 2001. More commentary from Mike here: https://www.youtube.com/user/akhorahilis

Hip-hop history is about how the sphere of influence has migrated, from the East Coast to the West Coast, Midwest to the South. Yoh, Jah and Christina attempt to figure out where that sphere of influence is in 2019. Could Megan Thee Stallion inspire a gold rush to Houston? Atlanta was as productive as ever, but was the music as memorable? And is City Girls' "PERIOD" enough to offset DJ Khaled's te...

Introducing Sum'n to Hear, where Jah, Yoh and Christina discuss the newcomers who have caught their attention. This month's playlist features: Benny the Butcher's "18 Wheeler," Maxo Kream's "Meet Again," Summerella's "Pretty Bitch in the Trap," Ari Lennox's "BMO" and Kenny Mason's "Hit."

The tour itself didn't actually exist. No one was fluent in the Blanguage. And with its DJ interludes, this mixtape could never be mistaken for an album. Yet as we rediscover, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug's 'Rich Gang: Tha Tour, Pt. 1.' sounds as vital as it did in 2014. The question is whether it requires a sequel.

What makes a perfect song of the summer? We reunite to launch season 3 with Chance hats on, debate the merits of Megan Thee Stallion's “Hot Girl Summer,” and submit our picks for 2019: “Act Up” by City Girls (Yoh), “Ballin'” by Mustard and Roddy Rich (Jah), and “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo (Christina).

On the season finale of Sum'n To Say the gang sits down with Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci to talk about his experience growing up in the city, his journey through the music industry, and his new Gangsta Grillz 650 Luc. Produced by Mike Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Put Sum'n On Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm Leary

The opening line to 'Teflon Don' — “I'm not a star” — was a punchline in of itself. In the aftermath of being sued by the actual Freeway Rick Ross and outed as a correctional officer, Rick Ross became more committed to his outlandish persona than ever. Have you ever tried rapping like him? See when your lungs give out. Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: ww...

We used to avoid Tyler, the Creator for how he'd lash out in homophobic and misogynistic anger. But in due time, anyone can learn how to process their emotions differently, to where grief can actually end with acceptance. We discuss how 'IGOR' reminds us of that fact. This episode was requested by Patreon supporter Jalen K. Wright. Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us o...

J. Cole, Cardi B and Drake interpolate his lyrics. Gucci Mane and 21 Savage wouldn't exist without him. But before that, Project Pat was an underground sensation setting the tone for Memphis hardcore rap. To understand the extent of his influence, we go back to where Pat's story begins: 1999's 'Ghetty Green.' Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: www.patreon....

Jah's list of all-time favorite records goes something like this: “Purple Rain.” “Thriller.” “Ain't Gon' Let Up.” We time-travel back to 2006, when DG Yola's self-help to steel drums (“Go get your brain a bath / Go to church”) went diamond in the streets. Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm Leary

Back when Southern artists went platinum off a ringtone, and hip-hop's birthplace was notably absent from radio, Jay Z fired off "Death of Auto-Tune." We reflect on how this anticlimactic warfare forever changed how we view Hov as a business, *man,* T-Pain and noogies. Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm Lear...

What began as an overlooked Project Pat single reemerged in 2007 as the definitive hip-hop wedding song. We look back at how UGK, Three 6 Mafia and OutKast formed a perfect union with "Int'l Players Anthem" — as in, DJ Khaled should stay as far away from this as possible. Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm L...

Crime Mob weren't adults when they arrived in the scene. They drowned in their tall tees. We revisit how, against all odds, this teen group came in the club, shaking their dreads, to create the soundtrack to your smoke with "Knuck If You Buck." Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm Leary

This is a Patreon-exclusive episode, but it's so good that we had to unlock it to share it with everyone. If you're interested in listening to more patron-only content like this, consider contributing to our Patreon crowdfunding page so we have the resources to keep delivering great content like this: https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay Twenty years ago Daniel Dumile slipped a Doctor Doom-inspired m...

When Waka Flocka Flame said, “Drug dealing music / I influence,” he had no idea how right he'd be. We discuss how he and Lex Luger's straight brown liquor energy shook up the music industry ten years ago and can still be heard halfway across the world. Produced by Michael Saba: https://www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Closing music by Slimm Leary

Today Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris' smiling faces appear on a giant digital screen at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to greet the 275,000 passengers flying in on a daily basis. This is the future these homegrown superstars first envisioned in their 2002 hit "Welcome to Atlanta." Plus, a detour through T.I.'s star turn in 'ATL.' Shoutout to new Patreon support Sharod Clerge. Produc...

The term "scrub" wasn't always gender-specific. But in 1999, TLC, Kandi Burress and Tameka Cottle rewrote the definition to put the patriarchy on notice. Jah, Yoh and Christina revisit how "No Scrubs" alerted them to thirst buckets worldwide. Production by Michael Saba: www.youtube.com/c/michaelsaba Music by Slimm Leary