Diggin' In The Digits

The duo of Dres & Mr. Lawnge nailed a balance of ATCQ's production language with De La Soul's lyrical humour with their debut album. But after creative differences, the name was carried by Dres into the 21st Century, to mixed results.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:03)
Ben:

• Hit-Boy - HITStory

Charlie:

• DC - All Things Can Be True
• Treasure Bloom - Bloomin'
• Tavaras Jordan - 72 Hours In Houston 
• Anaïs Cardot - Map Of Her Shadow
• Rashmeet Kaur - PARINDA
• Dezarie - 7th Heaven
• The Womack Sisters - The Womack Sisters
• insyt. - Rite of Passage 
• Jungle - Sunshine 
• Marvaless - Still Marvaless
• Hit-Boy - HITStory 
• Channel Tres - Enigma POV
• Arin Ray - LIMBO
• Ballad - Soul-Fi, Vol. 2
• Mick Jenkins - Type Shit
• Mick Jenkins & GreenSLLIME - BLACK ASS KUNG FU FLICK

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (17:33)
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - (22:41)
Non-Fiction - (34:46)
8WM/Novakane - (44:00)
From the Black Pool of Genius - (50:01)
Tortured Soul - (55:41)
Lighter Note - (1:01:56)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

The story of Chi-Ali is one containing a few but ultimately pivotal highlights: Brought up as a talented teenage rapper - within the most notable collectives in Hip-Hop history - dropping one album before his career was derailed by label BS. One can wonder, what if he was better treated after his one & only release, would he still end up on the America's Most Wanted List? (Twice!)

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:13)
Ben:

• CFCF - LUV
• Yard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little Music
• Rico Nasty - RX
• Cakes Da Kill - NEW BITCH
• Ken Carson - xperiment
• Pooh Shiesty - All Eyes on Shiest

Charlie:

• Brittney Carter & 14KT - family pack
• Dinner Party - Whatchu Bringing?
• Joyce Moreno, Tutty Moreno & Adrian Younge - Joyce e Tutty Moreno JID027
• Leah Music - Life After Love
• FLO - THERAPY AT THE CLUB
• Runkus - SUPERNOVA
• Juicy J & Project Pat - Dem Goats
• Terri Lyne Carrington & Social Science - Trip the Night Fantastic

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (16:51)
The Fabulous Chi-Ali - (20:02)
Lighter Note - (43:10)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

There's certain names in music that bridge the gap between one era and the next. Greg Nice & Smooth Bee were one of those. Taking fun-natured Hip-Hop of the old and mixing it with new production practices: heavy on sampling and occasionally fusing R&B into their work.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:15)
Charlie:

• DAMEDAME* - DREAMS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT
• Kota The Friend - JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE!
• K.A.A.N. & D-Ace - THE MODERN ODYSSEY 
• Apollo Brown - No Pressure, No Diamond
• Masego - Fix Your Face
• Fana Hues - Catch n' Release

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (8:45)
Nice & Smooth - (12:50)
Ain't A Damn Thing Changed - (27:02)
Jewel of the Nile - (34:13)
IV: Blazing Hot - (42:09)
Lighter Note - (53:57)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

Before Jaz-O's legacy was watered down to "the guy who put Jay-Z on", Jaz-O had a career of his own and highlights of his own that deserved be looked at with a fresh lens.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:21)
Charlie:

• Chenayder - Outdated 
• Yard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little Music 
• Captains of the Imagination - You Owe Me Tears
• Namesbliss - where's bliss? 
• Mad Skillz - A Hero And A Villain
• Nines - Lost Tapes
• Mellow Mood & Paulo Baldini DubFiles - 7 DUB
• Rico Nasty - RX
• WILLOW - The Thread

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (10:33)

Word to the Jaz - (15:48)

To Your Soul - (25:23)

Kingz Kounty - (35:06)

Lighter Note - (50:42)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

It's our 15th edition of Neighbours where we talk about records that aren't technically Hip-Hop but either share elements or are influential in Hip-Hop circles. This edition, we go full British, getting into a Trip-Hop essential and a Downbeat classic. 

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)
Ben:

• Rome Streetz - Sock it 2 My Pocket
• Rick Ross - Set in Stone
• Syd - Beard
• Steve Lacy - Oh yeah?

Charlie:

• Nomi. - sweet talk
• JamesThe3rd - Salute
• Adrian Younge - Afro-Disco Makossa
• BackRoad Gee - Live In The Flesh
• Ambré - PEYOTE
• CK The Spitta - Strictly 4 The Underground
• Nia Archives - Emotional Junglist
• Steve Lacy - Oh yeah? 
• Syd - Beard

Dummy - (12:44)
In A Space Outta Sound - (36:43)
Lighter Note - (56:23)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

Initially under the wing of KRS-ONE, the duo Channel Live made minor waves in the mid-90s but due to lack of sonic identity, their three albums all feel drastically different, even if their lyrical content contained a healthy amount of substance & social commentary.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (0:42)
Charlie:

• Olympia Vitalis - Lady Luck
• Jaz Karis - Twenty Something
• GUINEVERE - Kiss The Sun
• Nate Smith, Kiefer, CARRTOONS & Kenneth Blume - FATHERS
• Tenderlonious - Africa/Brass (Live) (Artwork By Charlie!)
• Kelela - new avatar
• Baby Rose - YEARNALISM
• Joe James - The Ends, Never Ends

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (9:21)
Station Identification - (12:46)
Armaghetto - (21:15)
Secret Science Rap - (28:30)
Lighter Note - (38:14)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

We're officially halfway through 2026, so it's time for our Mid-Year report where we take stock of the year so far - from the music dropped to some of the stories that transpired - and look forward to the rest of the year! 

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02)
Ben:

• Future - The Real Me
• Lance Skiiiwalker - #invite,sessions,only!!

Charlie:

• The Deli - Kaleidoscope
• Alewya - Zero
• Naomi Sharon - No Sleep In Paradise 

Revisiting Hip-Hop Media - (8:45)
Notable Projects So Far - (31:11)
Projects We're Looking Forward To - (1:07:51)
Lighter Note - (1:16:14)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

In our Geto Boys double bill, we now get into the most notable artist in the group: Scarface. One of the least talked about legends in Hip-Hop history where Scarface acolytes can make a case for him being the GOAT. So, does the discography warrant such praise?

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)
Ben:

• NappyHigh - REDaze

Charlie:

• Gwen Bunn - The Interim, Vol. 1
• Ryder - RYDERHOOD 3
• Nia Smith - Payback Is A Dog
• Common Saints - Age of Illusions
• EAST WEST Honey (Lyric Jones & Wake The Wild) - Nothin' Sweeter
• NappyHigh - REDaze
• Madeon - Victory
• The Offline - Révisé
• The Doppelgangaz - Beats For Brothels, Vol. 9
• BALTHVS - Transmutations
• kwn - and all pride aside 
• RASiDA - POTENTIAL
• Tia Gordon - i asked the stars for this. x
• Zilo - Ready To Bloom
• Kelissa - THE GOOD SIDE OF THINGS
• The League of Rebelz - Jam House
• LOX - The Eight Gates

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (20:11)

Mr. Scarface Is Back - (24:53)

The World Is Yours - (28:06)

The Diary - (33:42)

The Untouchable - (38:43)

My Homies - (43:41)

The Last of a Dying Breed - (46:28)

The Fix - (50:01)

My Homies Part 2 - (53:44)

Made - (1:00:08)

Emeritus - (1:03:14)

Deeply Rooted - (1:10:02)

Lighter Note - (1:12:52)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

Hailing from 5th Ward, Geto Boys went through a few line-ups before settling on the three we consider the full cast: Willie D, Bushwick Bill and Scarface. But a whole lot of music happened in the nearly 20 year run and a whole lot of movement between them and a supporting cast happened as well.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup -(0:50)
Ben:

• Benny the Butcher- The Plugs I Met 2.5
• Hard-Fi - Sweating Someone Else's Fever
• YG - The Gentleman's Club
• T.I. - Kill the King

Charlie:

• Mild Temperance & intrepid.fox - Daydream
• Kaicrewsade - kranberry
• Tierra Whack - WHACK'S MUSEUM
• Jah Version - Gather Round
• Orbital Ensemble - Continua
• PJ Morton - Saturday Night / Sunday Morning 
• Aza Lineage - Rebel Daawta

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (19:14)

Making Trouble - (23:14)

Grip It! On That Other Level - (32:35)

We Can't Be Stopped - (40:59)

Till Death Do Us Part - (52:05)

The Resurrection - (1:01:20)

Da Good da Bad & da Ugly - (1:07:41)

The Foundation - (1:15:01)

Lighter Note - (1:21:57)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

What began as a Grammy Award-winning group out of the gate, Arrested Development - led by rapper/producer Speech - are still the same in their ethos even though many members have come & gone and the mainstream binned them after their sophomore album. Nearly 40 years later, they're still creating accessible Hip-Hop with positive and incisive commentary.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:33)
Ben:

• Death Cab for Cutie - I Built You a Tower

Charlie:

• Awon & The Other Guys - Solidified
• Will Kobus & Mettaworldzeke - it's only as deep as you make it 
• Seu Jorge - The Other Side
• Khrysis - Khrysis On The Boards v.3
• aja Monet - the color of rain

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (8:05)
3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... - (11:06)
Zingalamaduni - (18:02)
Heroes of the Harvest - (22:23)
Among the Trees - (24:52)
Since the Last Time - (28:13)  
Strong - (31:00)
Standing at the Crossroads - (34:08)
Changing the Narrative - (36:06)
This Was Never Home - (39:29)
Craft & Optics - (42:36)
Don't Fight Your Demons - (46:58)
For the Fkn Love - (49:09)
Bullets In The Chamber - (53:57)
Adult Contemporary Hip Hop - (56:39)
Lighter Note - (1:02:38)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence