This is My Years Through My Ears, a series about influential songs that shaped influential lives. Each guest breaks down the soundtrack to their life story, picking the most personally impactful songs to represent each chapter along the way.

Today's guest is Rob Markman, the Vice President of Content Strategy at Genius, where I'm honored to say we work together. He is one of the most respected music journalists in the game but also a motivational emcee who just dropped his newest album, If You Don’t, You’ll Regret It.

In this episode, Rob breaks down the challenges he's faced throughout his life and the optimism that continues to fuel his drive to excel. We talk about rough days but also an unbreakable belief that there's always something to look forward to.

Rob Markman's "My Years Through My Ears" Playlist

Pre-Teens:

Doug E Fresh & MC Ricky D — “La-Di-Da-Di”

Sounds of Blackness — “Optimistic”

Early Teens:

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth — “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”

Nas ft. AZ — “Life’s a B---h”

Late Teens

The Notorious B.I.G. — “Sky’s the Limit”

Scarface ft. 2Pac — “Smile”

Twenties:

Scarface ft. Faith Evans — “Someday”

Lil Wayne — “Hustler Musik”

Thirties:

Rob Markman — “I Don’t Wanna Wait”

JAY Z — “Kill Jay Z”

Credits: 

Creator/Host/Producer/Editor — Andrés Tardio

Theme Song  — Atmosphere — "Anybody That I've Known"

Additional Music — Chase Moore