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:

• Children of Zeus - Balance

• Tiffany Evans - All Me

• Lalah Hathaway - Let Go

• Faith Evans - Something About Faith

• Faith Evans - Faithfully

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• N/A

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Children of Zeus - Balance

• Mereba - Rider

• Shayne Ward - Breathless, If That’s Okay With You, No U Hang Up

• Eva Cassidy - Fields Of Gold

Remember to RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoy!

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

Intro Music by: @Jmzofficial

Artwork designed by: @_manlikemike

Episode audio edited by: @TonySupremeuk

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Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For the penultimate episode of Season 6, an impromptu conversation about the history and erasure of black rock indie musicians comes to the fore following Nic’s recommendation of Willow Smith’s new single Transparent Soul (30:08). Officially kicking off the news agenda this week is Mary J. Blige who’s partnered with Amazon Prime for a documentary centred on her 1994 classic and era defining sophomore album ‘My Life’ (42:40). In news that is music to Sope’s ears, Chris Brown has shared that he’s not in an immediate rush to release a new album and would rather wait until he feels his fans truly miss him (50:33). Swizz Beatz who in recent months has emerged as a corny and exasperating figure has called out Justin Timberlake to do a VERZUS battle to make up for his “crimes” against black culture (58:15). Closing out the show is an extensive conversation about RapCaviar who named Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Nicki Minaj as the Mount Rushmore rappers of the 2010s. Sope, Eden and Nic discuss in-depth the criteria for the list and weigh up if this line-up is wholly indicative of Hip-Hop’s cultural landscape across that decade (01:08:16).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• Juls - Chance

• Michelle Williams - Journey To Freedom + Do You Know

• Teedra Moses - Make Me, California Vibes, Clair Voyant

• Alicia Keys - Troubles, Goodbye, Butterflyz, Typewriter, I Won't (Crazy World)

• Dawn Richard - Boomerang

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• Tora-I - Serial

• Emotional Oranges Feat. Becky G – Down To Miami

• Willow Smith - Transparent Soul

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Beres Hammond - Music Is Life

• Sam Wills - Breathe

• SiR - Chasing Summer

• ((( O ))) - ((( 2 )))

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

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Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, the news agenda begins with a #RespectingLegends discussion around Alicia Keys’ performance at the Billboard Music Awards. She took to the stage to perform a medley of tracks from her classic debut album ‘Songs In A Minor’ commemorating it’s 20th anniversary (29:17). Next up is Nas who has announced that his independent label imprint Mass Appeal Records has inked a new strategic and distribution partnership with The Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony Music (39:10). Much to the dismay of BTS’ fervent and overzealous fanbase, Spotify has discounted 10 million streams from the initial 24-hour tally of their new single ‘Butter’ because of artificial activity (48:08). Closing out the episode is a wide-ranging conversation about the 2021 BET Award nominations with each of the boys sharing their predicted winners and losers across many of the categories (01:06:13). Upon seeing H.E.R.’s nomination in the ‘Best Gospel Song’ category, Sope and Eden open up a debate about the long-running rumours that H.E.R. is an industry plant (01:30:33).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• Kadeem Tyrell - Simple Man

• Labelle - Chamelon

• Mereba - Rider

• Doja Cat & SZA - Kiss Me More

• Lauryn Hill - Tell Him

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• Mustafa - When Smoke Rises

• Mustafa - The Hearse

• Mustafa - Stay Alive

• No Tourists - Ultraviolet

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Children Of Zeus - Travel Light

• The Whispers - More Of The Night

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

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Hashtag - #DATSPOD

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, it’s finally a full house as Eden, Sope and Nic are together again as a trio for the first time in over a month. Kicking off the news agenda this week is T.I. and Tiny who are now being investigated by the LAPD over unrelenting sexual assault allegations. As a response to the accusations, T.I. has released a new single ‘What It’s Come To’ lambasting their accusers (41:35). A year following a viral clip showing 3LW’s Kiely Williams and Destiny Child’s Farrah Franklin engaging in a shade fest, which was later revealed to be from an aborted reality show pilot, BET have announced that the show has now been picked up and is set to air in June. Starring ex-members from groups like 702, Blaque, Total, Cherish, Danity Kane and more (53:23). Rounding out this week’s episode is a sequel to the J. Cole centred ‘Groupchat Convo’ which began with Eden and Sope a few weeks ago. With Nic back in the fray, the boys delve into an comprehensive discussion about his new album ‘The Off Season’. While Sope focuses on why musically it misses the mark, Eden and Nic dissect the project as a wider extension of the person and man J. Cole has grown into over the last decade. Examining his politics, financial stature and consistent misogyny (01:03:00).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• Xscape - Off The Hook

• J. Cole - The Off Season

• Nicki Minaj - Beam Me Up Scotty

• Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale

• LSDXOXO - Dedicated 2 Disrespect

• En Vogue - Let It Flow

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• Latto - The Biggest

• KAM-BU - Dumpling

• Malibu Mitch - I Like What I Like

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Iman Omari - Energy

• Robin Thicke - On Earth, and in Heaven

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

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, Eden and Sope hold it down as a duo once again as Nic is absent. Kicking off the news agenda this week is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who have officially announced that Tina Turner, Jay Z, LL Cool J, Clarence Avant and Gil-Scott Heron will be among their newest inductees (34:00). One week on from Sope singing the praises of Tank and his catalogue, the R&B veteran has revealed that he is going completely deaf in his right ear and starting to lose hearing in his left ear (42:05). Brimming with happiness, excitement and admiration, Sope offers an emphatic and comprehensive review of the latest VERZUS battle between legendary girl groups SWV and Xscape (46:08). Despite a lack of care from both Eden and Sope, they close out this week’s proceedings by discussing this year’s BRIT Awards. Delving into the logic behind those who won and lost (01:00:18) before taking an impassioned detour to discuss Leigh Anne Pinnock of Little Mix’s documentary ‘Race, Pop & Power’ which aired on BBC last week (01:09:36).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• SWV - I Missed Us

• D’Angelo - Alright

• Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale

• Jessie Ware - What’s Your Pleasure

• Xscape - Work Me Slow + Can’t Hang

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• N/A

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color

• J. Cole - The Off Season

• Kano - Hoodies All Summer

• Hira - Y

• Lianne La Havas - Seven Times (Wu-Lu Remix)

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

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, Eden and Sope hold it down as a duo while Nic takes another week off to regroup. Kicking off the news agenda this week is Tion Wayne and Russ Millions whose collaborative single ‘Body’ has topped the UK Singles Chart. Becoming the first ever drill song to achieve this feat (35:00). Next up it has been announced that the likes of Quincy Jones, James Brown, Missy Elliott, Beyonce, Usher and many others are among the inaugural inductees of the Black Music and Entertainment Hall Of Fame. A first-of-its-kind tribute to the trailblazing artists, iconic entertainers, and legendary luminaries who have impacted black culture at large. (42:02) Tory Lanez’s lack of shame continues to take heed as he has revealed that he has a joint album with Chris Brown in the works. Rather than focusing on the obvious downsides to this controversial pairing, Sope uses this topic to speak out against Chris Brown’s lack of musical growth and the immaturity that continues to pervade his new releases (49:55). Closing the episode is a return to the ‘Groupchat Convo’ format where Eden and Sope use the announcement regarding J. Cole’s imminent new album to discuss their thoughts on what they need from Cole this time round and why some of his previous projects like ‘4 Your Eyez Only’ and ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’ fell short (01:03:02).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• Little Simz - Woman

• Little Simz - Introvert

• JoJo - good to know (Deluxe)

• Rochelle Jordan - Play With The Changes

• TGT - Hurry

• Tank - Foreplay, If That’s What It Takes, Somebody Else, Already In Love

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• N/A

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• James Fauntleroy - Monin

• Coldplay - Higher Power

• Jaz Karis - Let Me Down

• Common - Let Love

• Lucky Daye - Table For Two

• Kenyon Dixon - Loving You

India COVID-19 Relief Resources + Support:

•https://www.vogue.in/culture-and-living/content/indian-charities-to-support-those-affected-by-the-coronavirus-crisis

•https://covid.giveindia.org/oxygen/

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

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, Eden and Sope hold it down as a duo while Nic takes this week off to regroup. Kicking off the episode is the latest developments in what seems to be a long-running saga. Justin Timberlake’s questionable antics from years before, continue to bite him where it hurts almost 20 years later. A stylist has come forward stating the infamous wardrobe malfunction with Janet Jackson at the Superbowl was deliberately planned by Justin. In order to one up Britney’s headline grabbing three-way kiss with Madonna and Christina Aguilera the previous year. (00:21:58). For the second and final topic of this shorter episode is the ongoing fallout from the tragic death of Hip-Hop legend DMX. Sope and Eden initially offer condolences to his family while sharing their personal memories and attachment to his music and persona. Before discussing the legions of unauthorised and greedy people online creating falsified narratives and stories to financially gain from his passing (00:58:38).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• serpentwithfeet - DEACON

• Xscape – Traces Of My Lipstick

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Jill Scott – Golden

• Tom Misch – Sunshine

• Odunsi (The Engine) – Decided

• Chronixx – Chronology

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• N/A

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

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, the boys are joined by Sharine Taylor. Based in Toronto, Taylor is an award-winning music + culture writer/critic of Jamaican origin. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, WePresent, Dazed, Nylon, Noisey, The FADER, Shondaland, Pitchfork, and many other notable publications. Before commencing the episode’s usual proceedings, Eden takes time to shout out dear friend of the show Alex Holmes who’s just published his debut book ‘Time to Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection’ (00:02:21). Next up is a sprawling dissection of the intense hysteria around Lil Nas X’s controversial for ‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’ (00:20:56). Rounding up the episode is an in-depth interview with Sharine where she elaborates on Jamaica’s cultural presence in Toronto, the role physical spaces and communities have played in the innovation and development of music from the West Indies, the commercialisation of dancehall, the inherently political origins of soca and more (01:00:27).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens For The Week:

• serpentwithfeet - DEACON

• Gallant - Neptune

• Willow Smith - WILLOW

• Willow Smith - Ardipithecus

• Miguel - Art Dealer Chic EPs

Nic’s Listens For The Week:

• Shantel May - Don’t Let Them See You Cry

Eden’s Listens For The Week:

• Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

• Justin Bieber - Justice

• Joyce Wrice - Overgrown

• Jon Bellion – The Human Condition

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

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, the boys kick off the news agenda discussing The U.S. National Library of Congress. It has been announced that select works from LaBelle Janet Jackson, Nas and Jimmy Cliff are among the newest inductees into their catalogue for their cultural and historical significance. Sope initially sets the conversation in motion, regarding how it’s a monumental feat to have their music archived on such a huge scale. Eden, however, turns the focus onto the cognitive dissonance at play. Remarking at how it is odd to have music included from artists who have at times criticised American/western politics be celebrated by an institution who is yet to truly recognise their harmful actions on marginalised communities (00:19:40). VERZUS is continuing to make a huge splash in the digital sphere a year on from its debut. The next 3 battles have been revealed and they are - Redman Vs Method Man, SWV Vs Xscape and Earth Wind & Fire Vs The Isley Brothers (00:41:51). Rounding up this week’s episode is Cardi B who with her latest single ‘Up’ recently made history as the first female rapper to rack up 5 #1’s on Billboard Hot 100. This news eventually parlays into an in-depth conversation about Cardi’s sophomore album, and the journey she’s made artistically and as a strategist in the time since the closure of the ‘Invasion of Privacy’ era (01:04:38).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens for the Week:

• Hiatus Kayote - Get Sun

• Jennifer Hudson - I Remember Me

• Joyce Wrice - Overgrown

Nic’s Listens for the Week:

• Radamiz - Drill For Oil

• Joyce Wrice - Overgrown

Eden’s Listens for the Week:

• Saba – FIGHTER

• Silk Sonic – Leave The Door Open

• Kadeem Tyrell - Simple Man

• Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor

• Justin Bieber - Justice

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

Welcome back to Don’t Alert the Stans!

For this week’s episode, the boys are joined by Yaw Owusu who is the Senior Manager at The PRS Foundation’s Power Up. The new initiative tackling Anti-Black racism and racial disparities within the UK Music Industry. A #RespectingLegends topic kicks off the news agenda this week. Anita Baker is telling her fans across the globe to stop streaming her music as she’s currently locked in a legal battle with her former record label about obtaining her masters (00:08:00). R&B veteran Keyshia Cole has announced that she’ll be retiring after the release of her forthcoming 8th studio album. Leading to a discussion where Sope and Nic speak on why her catalogue and previous successes are deserving of better retrospective dialogue (00:26:05). A review of the 2021 GRAMMYs closes out the news agenda. The boys offer unfiltered and unorganised thoughts on the various winners, losers and performances as their investment into the show as a whole continues to wane. (00:40:54). Rounding up this week’s episode is an in-depth interview with Yaw Owusu where they discuss the roots and origins of Power Up’s existence, its dedication to progressing conversations offline about racist practices in the music industry into tangible change, their partnership with the Black Music Coalition and targeting black creators/professionals who fall out of typical moulds (01:09:03).

Not one to miss!

Sope’s Listens for the Week:

• N/A

Nic’s Listens for the Week:

• N/A

Eden’s Listens for the Week:

• N/A

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