Don't Alert The Stans

Welcome back to another episode of Don't Alert The Stans!

In this weeks episode we ask the simple questions; what have we listened to for the week, what music we would recommend, and most importantly...why are we so inna? We use the popular West Indian phrase to question why there is such a demand for celebrity scandal, analysing the false tweets surrounding A$AP Rocky, Amina Muaddi, and Rihanna as a popular twitter user created a false story about infidelity in their relationship. Nic and Eden ask the question, why do we care so much? What do we gain from being so inna? 

During the listens section Eden and Nic discuss their favourite albums where Eden controversially questions the hype surrounding Syd's new release 'Broken Hearts Club'. The two couldn't stop talking about Vince Staples new project 'Ramona Park Broke My Hear' leading to a discussion about class, survivors guilt and what it means to become the rich person from a poor community.

Not one to miss! 

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, the boys are joined by Kamica King. Based in Dallas, Texas, Kamica is a board-certified music therapist, speaker, singer and songwriter. King is also the founder of Musically Me Unlimited, a musical self-empowerment program for youth of colour and socio-emotional wellness company King Creative Arts Expressions (KCAE). During the listens section, Sope gushes over Mahalia’s latest single ‘Whatever Simon Says’ and urges her to abandon all attempts at breaking through in the UK by focusing on the states like Ella Mai, Estelle, Daley, Floetry and a plethora of other UK R&B/soul acts before her (00:29:42). In a very short news agenda, the boys deliver a brief review of the 2022 GRAMMY Awards. Congratulating the likes of Jazmine Sullivan, Lucky Daye, Doja Cat, Tyler The Creator and Questlove for their respective awards while questioning awards given to Silk Sonic and once again H.E.R. (00:44:28). Rounding out the episode is an enriching and wide-ranging conversation with Kamica King, where she engages with the boys on an in-depth discussion surrounding all things music therapy. Highlighting the naturally restorative and healing power music has always had in our lives but how its expanded with a clinical approach to bring mental, emotional and physical soothing to our lives. Kamica also provides insight into the misconceptions and usefulness of music therapy as a legitimate path towards healing in comparison to counselling, psychotherapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy and more (00:56:54).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

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Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

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Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

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Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

At long last, the men of DATSPOD have returned after a temporary spell away to individually recuperate. And best of all, the full gang is back together again for Season 8 as Nic returns to rejoin the fold. During the listens section, a tangent surrounding contemporary perceptions of “the debut album” comes to the fore. Inspired by Eden and Nic’s respective listens of Rema’s ‘Rave & Roses’ and Latto’s ‘777’, the boys discuss how we’re currently in an era where the expectations, pressure and significance historically levied onto an artist’s debut album is gradually becoming irrelevant and arbitrary. Due to the way streaming services have blurred the lines on the difference between an album, mixtape or EP in 2022 (00:33:40). In the wake of Remy Ma’s polarising comments on Doja Cat’s eligibility as a rapper, kicking off the news agenda is an examination on what are the qualifiers for those who sing and rap to be seen as authentic rappers and ultimately what complicates these notions. (01:10:19). Closing out the episode is an open-ended exchange on the wave of success Central Cee is currently experiencing and what this means in the wider context of Drill becoming more mainstream. The boys dissect his mind-blowing streams, stats and YouTube views to consider why he’s now being put on a pedestal to fly the flag for UK drill in comparison to some of his contemporaries (01:43:58).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

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Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

The Season 7 finale begins with a heartfelt tribute to author, feminist and professor bell hooks who passed away last week. Long a healing balm for both Eden and Sope, they both take some time to share their individual experiences with hooks’ work and how its impacted their lives (00:08:31). Next up is the trialling of a potential new segment which will focus on books/articles that the boys are reading. Sope highlights Questlove’s recent interview with GQ Magazine centring on his directorial debut with the ‘Summer Of Soul’ documentary. Looking at how its political backdrop mirrors the current state of Black America (00:49:04). Finally kicking off the news agenda is Mariah Carey who has revealed she has no plans to ever tour again. Bringing forth a discussion about whether acts of her calibre and financial capital even need to tour anymore (01:03:16). Following the success of Aaliyah’s catalogue finally making its way to streaming services, Blackground Records are now rolling out a posthumous 4th studio album. The project’s first single ‘Poison’ featuring The Weeknd has received extremely negative reviews from fans for being poorly mixed (01:16:50). Closing out the episode is another new segment which informally taken place a number of times but is now starting to take formal shape; the deep dive. Just as the boys have carried out comprehensive analysis on the career trajectories of Ciara, Chris Brown, Drake and J. Cole, this week Alicia Keys is in the hot seat. Spurred by the news of Alicia Keys missing the top 40 on the Billboard 200 for the first time ever with her latest album ‘KEYS’, Sope and Eden consider the dramatic changes in the way her public and musical persona is perceived in 2021 compared to her glory years in the early 2000s and 2010s (01:27:26).

Not one to miss!

Content Referenced In This Episode:

· GQ Magazine: ‘How Questlove Remixed the Soundtrack of 1968 for the Summer of George Floyd’ (Written by Ben Williams) - https://www.gq.com/story/questlove-year-of-the-brave

· Calvin Michaels: ‘SO WHAT HAPPENED?: JANET JACKSON From "All For You" to "Damita Jo" (PART 1 & 2)’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB585-UBQRc

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

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Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

***DISCLAIMER*** --- Sope had some wi-fi issues which affected his sound during the recording of this episode. Please bear with us as you listen this week and we'll rectify these discrepancies next week.

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, GRAMMY-related news rears its ugly head again in the wake of Drake randomly deciding to pull his two 2022 nominations without explanation. Considering Drake’s status in the industry, the boys ponder whether this will mark the beginning of similar activity from other high-profile artists (00:36:37). Amid this conversation, an age-old dispute between Eden and Sope pre-dating the existence of the podcast is brought up once again as they debate which project is stronger out of Miguel’s ‘War & Leisure’ and dvsn’s ‘Sept 5th’ (00:44:26). Noname has revealed that fans should no longer be expecting to hear her long-awaited second studio album ‘Factory Baby’ and that she possibly might be done with music for good. Although she claimed lack of inspiration was the reason behind this, Sope notes that her increased activity in community organising and dedication to emanating black liberation through literature has perhaps eclipsed her passion for music (00:47:56). Rounding up the episode this week is Travis Scott who to the befuddlement of many, came out of hiding to do an interview with none other than controversial personality Charlamagne Tha God. Eden and Sope discuss what the end goal of this was and whether effective damage control was truly possible considering the ongoing sensitives and lawsuits spurred from the ASTROWORLD Festival tragedies (00:59:43).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

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Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, Eden and Sope are palpably indifferent to the news agenda as multiple award shows are in the mix for a plethora of different reasons. Nonetheless before that, a long overdue dissection and discussion about Cleo Sol’s impeccable album ‘Mother’ commences the proceedings. Eden and Sope share the many ways it’s resonated with them since its release (00:15:31). Kicking off the award-centric news agenda is the BRIT Awards who’ve announced that they will be scrapping gendered categories going forward to be more inclusive and gender-neutral (00:33:50). Off the back of this, Sope lambasts the BRITS for introducing a new category that will see pop and R&B acts competing against one another (00:47:51). Closing out the episode is the 2022 GRAMMY nominations. Rather than going through almost every single category like they usually do, Sope and Eden decide to single out the inclusion of artists they’re really happy for. While also airing out their confusion and shock at some of the other artists who were decorated with nominations this year. Sparking yet another conversation as to whether H.E.R. is an industry plant or not (00:54:33).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, an impromptu but comprehensive review of Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak’s joint ‘Silk Sonic’ project results in a rant from Sope on the rollout and the relative monotony of their sound (00:42:24). In response to Taylor Swift’s massive success with the re-recordings of ‘Fearless’ and ‘Red’, Universal Music have imposed tighter and more restrictive guidelines for artists who would like to follow suit and re-gain control of their artistry after their respective contracts end (01:03:19). Adele’s 4th studio album ‘30’ is officially out and it’s safe to say it was one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Inspiring Eden and Sope to dissect what they call ‘The Adele phenomenon’. Looking at her journey and how she’s reached gargantuan levels of superstardom (01:18:00). As the episode rounds down, Eden makes sure to give his condolences to slain rapper Young Dolph who was murdered last week (01:38:00).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

***DISCLAIMER*** --- We had some issues with sound during the recording of this episode. Please bear with us as you listen this week and we'll rectify these discrepancies next week and beyond.

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

After the longest hiatus in the show’s history thus far, Don’t Alert The Stans is officially back for Season 7. This mini-run of episodes will only feature Sope and Eden, as Nic takes time out for a mental health break. He explains in further detail how he is and that he’ll be back in 2022 (00:00:44). Kicking off the news agenda is the legendary maverick Missy Elliott who was recently awarded with a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame for her indelible contributions to the world of music (00:36:50). In a historic turn of events, Britney Spears’ controversial conservatorship has officially been terminated. Meaning for the first time in 13 years, she is now able to make her own financial, medical, personal, and professional decisions. In the midst of rejoicing at the wonderful news, Sope puts forward a notion about looking at the underdiscussed positives of stan culture. Highlighting that her legion of fans worldwide who kickstarted the #FreeBritney movement are arguably a huge and integral reason as to why Britney was able to freed (00:44:20). Closing out the show is a solemn and emotionally raw dissection of the various stories that have been pouring in since the tragedy at ASTROWORLD festival. Which to date has claimed the lives of 9 people and resulted in over 300 injuries and hospitalisations. Looking at the way the situation has been dealt with PR-wise, allegations of rioting and crowd surges at Travis’ previous concerts and the need for better safety regulations at music festivals in general (01:08:35).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

In this one-off short, we reveal why we've been away, when we're coming back and our individual journeys. 

Speak soon.

DATS TEAM

Enjoy!

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Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

Artwork designed by: @_manlikemike

Episode audio edited by: @TonySupremeuk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For the final episode of Season 6, it’s just Sope and Eden as Nic is feeling unwell. During the listens section, X-Factor alumni Shayne Ward and Leona Lewis have their careers randomly put under the microscope as a result of Eden’s recommendations 26:41). Kicking off the news agenda is VERZUS who have announced their newest battles between Eve and Trina in addition to Bow Wow and Soulja Boy. Puzzled, Sope considers whether these particular match ups make sense (41:12). Next up is GoldLink who used the announcement of his upcoming album ‘HARAM’ to once again fire lyrical shots at Sheck Wes, who at this point he’s been feuding with for a few years (01:02:55). Closing out the show is Snoop Dogg who’s been appointed as Def Jam’s new executive and strategic consultant. Sope notes that this partnership will only reap good fruit if he’s actually dedicated to working and building the artists on his roster. As opposed to it being a cosmetic role, leading to a conversation about Kanye West and Beyonce’s respective fashion lines. Looking at whether they are truly passionate about these projects or are they just boutique celebrity side hustles for the purpose of brand expansion (01:12:54).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

Artwork designed by: @_manlikemike

Episode audio edited by: @TonySupremeuk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get involved!

Don't forget to tweet us your thoughts on the episode at #DATSPOD!

Rate and review us on Soundcloud, Apple Music, Spotify and Anchor

Follow us on:

Twitter - @datspod

Instagram - @datspod

Anchor – @datspodcast

Hashtag - #DATSPOD