Compound Conversations

April Walker didn’t just witness the birth of hip-hop—she helped dress it. From creating custom designs out of her Brooklyn shop to outfitting legends like Tupac, Biggie, and Mike Tyson, April's influence on streetwear and hip-hop culture is undeniable. In this episode of Compound Conversations, she breaks down her Brooklyn upbringing, the birth of Walker Wear, her styling era at Def Jam, and her evolution into an educator, author, and cultural icon.

This is more than a fashion story—it’s a blueprint of resilience, authenticity, and vision, told by one of the first women to truly move the needle in a male-dominated industry.

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Harlem’s own Smoke DZA joins Compound Conversations for a deep dive into his multi-layered journey—where hip hop, weed culture, wrestling, and fashion collide. From hearing Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle as a kid to ghostwriting hits for Sean Kingston, Smoke DZA shares how he went from battle rap ciphers to a respected solo artist with a fully branded identity as the “Kush God.” 

He talks about his earliest inspirations, personal losses, the legacy of Biggie, and his dream-like transition into the business of wrestling alongside Westside Gunn. This is a raw, inspiring look at how to evolve as an artist without losing your essence.

00:00:00 -  Intro

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In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with hip-hop pioneer Daddy-O, the frontman of Stetsasonic, known as the first hip-hop band and one of the earliest groups to merge rap with live instrumentation, jazz, and philosophy. Daddy-O speaks candidly about the birth of sampling, the brilliance of Rakim, how Public Enemy’s sound was crafted in competition, and why today’s artists still don’t understand the real power of the art form. A deep dive into the business, the brilliance, and the blueprints that shaped hip-hop’s golden era.

00:01:10 – Discussing Creativity & Revolutionary Funk Beats

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#theroots #publicenemy

Compound Conversations welcomes Angelo Baque — founder of Awake NY, former brand director at Supreme, and one of the most influential creative storytellers in modern street culture.

In this episode, Angelo breaks down his journey from Queens latchkey kid → downtown creative → brand founder, sharing wisdom on authenticity, creativity, street culture, fashion, art direction, and the business of building a community through purpose.

00:00:00 – Welcome to Compound Conversations  

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In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with the legendary Futura — the artist who helped shape the foundation of modern graffiti and redefine what street art could be. From painting NYC subway cars in the '70s to collaborating with punk bands, fashion houses, and global brands, Futura shares his story of artistic evolution, rebellion, and timeless relevance. They discuss the roots of graffiti, the power of abstraction, and what it means to stay original in a world obsessed with replication. This isn’t just a history lesson — it’s a blueprint for fearless creativity.

00:00:00 – Intro

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#grafitti   #offwhite   #grafittiart

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Hebru Brantley, the Chicago-born artist whose work has redefined how we see heroes, Black identity, and imagination. Known for his signature character Flyboy, Hebru opens up about his early influences in comics and graffiti, the evolution of his storytelling, and why his art lives at the intersection of fine art and futurism. From massive installations to collaborations with cultural icons, this is a conversation about legacy, imagination, and creating art that transcends time.

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#mobbdepp   #wutang   #bigpun

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud Records and one of the most influential executives in hip-hop history. From signing Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun, to launching marketing powerhouse SRC and breaking artists like Akon, Rifkind reflects on his unique approach to artist development, street-level marketing, and building real cultural moments. This isn’t just music industry talk — it’s a masterclass in trust, risk, and vision.

00:00:00 Intro

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#mobbdepp   #wutang   #bigpun

In this episode, we sit down with DJ Clark Kent — the legendary producer, sneaker connoisseur, and cultural architect whose fingerprints are all over hip-hop's foundation. From his early days growing up in Brooklyn to sharing turntables with Grandmaster Flash at age 11, Clark shares rare stories about his rise as a DJ, his obsession with sneakers, and how he helped shape the sound, style, and soul of hip-hop.

Whether you're a fan of music history, sneaker culture, or Brooklyn storytelling, this conversation dives deep into the legacy of a true icon who’s been instrumental behind the scenes — and in front of the crowd.

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#DJClarkKent #HipHopLegend  #SneakerCulture

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Joseph Patel — Emmy and Oscar-winning writer, director, and producer — to talk about the power of storytelling, the importance of cultural preservation, and his lifelong love affair with music. 

From documenting the rise of hip-hop as a journalist, to co-producing Summer of Soul with Questlove, to directing the A Tribe Called Quest documentary, Patel breaks down the responsibility of capturing culture the right way. This is a conversation about memory, identity, and making stories that stand the test of time.

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#theroots  #oscars  #musicjournalism

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with iconic DJ and producer Statik Selektah to talk about the moment the turntables stopped and the beat machines took over. Statik breaks down how he went from crushing mixtapes during the golden era to crafting albums for legends like Nas, Q-Tip, Freeway, and Styles P. He opens up about leaving the mixtape hustle behind, how DJ Drama’s raid pushed him toward full-time producing, and why creating timeless records became his mission. This is a story of adaptation, grit, and knowing when it’s time to flip the record.

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#statikselektah  #nyc  #nychiphop