BackStory with Colby Colb

On this special episode of The Backstory Podcast, Colby Colb takes listeners on a rare audio journey through Jay-Z’s evolution using his classic Philadelphia radio interviews, freestyles, listener moments, and behind-the-scenes stories recorded between 1995 and 2006.

Long before the sold-out stadiums, billionaire status, Roc Nation, and global influence, Philadelphia was one of the first cities outside of New York to embrace Jay-Z and document his rise in real time. Through these conversations, listeners hear the transformation of Shawn Carter from a hungry independent artist promoting Roc-A-Fella before the release of Reasonable Doubt, into one of the most important figures in music and culture.

The episode features Jay-Z discussing the making of Reasonable Doubt, building Roc-A-Fella Records, working with The Notorious B.I.G., The Blueprint era, Michael Jackson, the fallout surrounding the R. Kelly tour, becoming President of Def Jam, and launching his historic Kingdom Come seven-city tour in one day.

Along the way, Colby shares personal stories and memories from Jay-Z’s many visits to Philadelphia, highlighting the city’s role in his journey and the deep connection he built with Philly audiences over the years.

More than just a collection of interviews, this episode serves as a time capsule of Jay-Z’s growth, ambition, confidence, and evolution making his upcoming Roots Picnic performance feel like a true full-circle moment between Jay-Z and a city that believed in him early.

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In this poignant episode of The Backstory Podcast, host Colby Colb pays tribute to Voletta Wallace, the mother of The Notorious B.I.G., who recently passed away. Throughout the episode, Colby highlights various interview clips with Voletta, where she reflects on her life raising her son, Christopher Wallace (Biggie), in Brooklyn. She shares touching memories of Biggie’s childhood, his love of reading and writing, and her pride in watching his rise to fame.

Voletta opens up about the challenges of being a mother while navigating the dangers of the streets and the music industry, and she offers powerful advice to other parents who have lost children to gun violence, sharing her emotional journey of grief and resilience.

This episode is a heartfelt tribute to Voletta Wallace's legacy and the profound impact she had as a mother to one of the greatest rappers in history. It’s a testament to her strength and love, providing listeners with an intimate look into the life of Biggie and the woman who raised him.

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Rest in peace, Irv Gotti. In this special re-release, originally published in 2022, Colby Colb shares an exclusive interview with the legendary music producer, label owner, and filmmaker. Irv Gotti recounts his journey from a Queens DJ to discovering Jay-Z and DMX, bringing them to Def Jam, and founding his own label, Murder Inc., which achieved staggering success.

Irv Gotti, the legendary co-founder of the influential Hip-Hop label Murder Inc., passed away at 54. According to sources, Gotti was recently placed on a ventilator in the ICU after suffering another stroke earlier this week. The shocking news has sent waves through the music community, as Gotti’s contributions to the genre were immense. 

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Rest in peace to the legendary Quincy Jones. In this special re-release of this episode of The Backstory, originally published in 2018, Colby Colb shares a rare interview with the greatest producer of all time. Quincy Jones takes us through his journey from poverty to producing timeless music across genres and generations. What was it like working with Michael Jackson? How did he recover from a brain hemorrhage? What is his process as a producer? This is the Backstory of an icon whose impact on music will live on forever.

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International super star actor and rapper LL Cool J talks up his first album in 14 years “The FORCE” and the creative process around this project. They also discuss his legendary rap career and some of his most impactful moments including how he stole a role on one of Hip Hop’s first feature films Krush Groove.

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Colby Colb returns with a special episode of The Backstory featuring the inspiring journey of Gamma CEO Larry Jackson, a seasoned radio, Tech and record executive who raised a billion dollars to launch Gamma, a game-changing media and technology company whose business model is changing the landscape of the music business. His roster of artists include Usher, Sexyy Redd, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, October London and 4Batz. He also entered into creative partnerships with label executives like LA Reid and who is also featured on this episode discussing his unique partnership with Larry Jackson.

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NWA had one of the greatest debut albums in history, following Straight Outta Compton they released two solo artists The D.O.C. and Michelle then their follow up EP and then their second album Niggaz For Life then it all fell apart. In this episode Colby Colb digs into the reasons behind the break up of the worlds most dangerous group plus the unprecedented success of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre and the entry of Suge Knight and Death Row which would all come to a climax with the death of Eazy E of AIDS in 1995.  It sounds like a movie but it happened in real life.

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In this episode Colby Colb explores the story behind one of the greatest collection of music artists NWA and the legacy they built collectively. It starts with a lucky drug dealer in Compton who was tired of hustling and wanted to use his drug proceeds to get into the music business. He saw the success RunDmc was having and had an idea for a supergroup with Ice Cube, DJ Yella and MC Ren surrounding a DJ/Producer Dr. Dre. They conquered the music business on their own terms and was so controversial with their song “Fuck The Police” that the FBI came after them. This is their story, comradely around Hip Hop led to stunning success and an incredible musical and cultural legacy. 

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-with-colby-colb/id1339943923

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Golden era Hip Hop producer, DJ and original member of Heavy D and The Boyz Eddie F gives the backstory of the early days of Heavy D plus his illustrious career as a producer and A&R for LaFace and Motown.

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Singer, songwriter, producer and actor NE-YO talks about his career, his humble beginnings in Arkansas and rise from writer/producer to artists. The hits he has written for several artists and the impact his songs have had. He tells a story about Michael Jackson calling him and signing his favorite NE-YO song.

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-with-colby-colb/id1339943923

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