Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler was born in Seattle, WA, but had a portal into the east coast thanks to his father. From there, he learned the coolest in Jazz music, fashion, and Hip-Hop - all in which he studied from a young age. He took the determination he formed through his love for basketball, and turned that into his pursuit of becoming a full-time musician. Come on a journey through his life and hear how he plotted out Digable Planets years before they became the platinum selling, Grammy Award winning trio and fully realized his vision after discovering Doodlebug and Ladybug Mecca through a chance encounter in the early 90's.

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If you're loving Fresh Era, please check out the newest Stupid Fly podcast "Gold Rush" where we dig deep into the understated moments of Hip-Hop history. In our premier episode, we examine the Sprite campaign that changed it all. Before the "Obey Your Thirst" campaign, Hip-Hop in advertisements was perceived as "corny". In this episode of Gold Rush, Sean Kantrowitz talks to the people involved in the making of this legendary, game-changing campaign, as well as the artists featured in the spots, to discuss what made this such an important part of Hip-Hop history.

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Peter "Gunz" Pankey didn't just come up with his MC moniker out of nowhere. As an aspiring artist in 1980's New York, Peter used gun-running as a means to survive. Come on a journey through his life and find out what it was like seeing the crack-epidemic ravage his world, how he and Lord Tariq first met, what Steely Dan wanted for the use of his samples, and how Shaq Diesel became the godfather of his son and future superstar, Corey Gunz.

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Grand Puba, born Maxwell Dixon, is an iconic figure in Hip-Hop who has lived a life filled with "balance". As a youth he "balanced" street life with an enriched education of black history. As an artist he created a lyrical style "balancing" uplifting, positive, black messages with suave, pimpalicious wordplay. And as a human he "balances" spreading love to his compatriots in Rap while trying to climb the ladder of success for himself.

Come on a journey into Grand Puba's life to celebrate Black History Month with us!

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Kim "Kool Kim" Sharpton was born, not only with an amazing gift in poetry, but with an uplifting, positive attitude that made it easy for him to make friends in his neighborhood of Staten Island in the 70's and 80's. Unfortunately, in the early 90's, Hip-Hop culture didn't make it easy on the people or groups that tried to uplift and have fun. Come on a journey through the life of Kool Kim to hear how he navigated through the tough waters of the music business in the early 90's to create one of the most amazing albums, Fruits of Nature, how he went from changing the game to getting changed by the game, and all the shenanigans that came along with it.

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Peter "Pete Rock" Phillips continues to be one of the most legendary Hip-Hop producers ever. He developed his own sound early on and never waivered from who he is and what he's about. One of the most important influences that contributed to his identity was his older cousin, Heavy D. Come take the aduio journey through his life and career and find out what it was like growing up with a Hip-Hop icon int he family, how he and CL met, and what it was like being a part of the creative process of Nas' "Illmatic" album.

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Don't forget to check out our new podcast launching February 7th, entitled Gold Rush (@hiphopgoldrush on social)!

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Fresh Era had an amazing 2022. We got to speak with 90’s legends from coast to coast, help tell their stories, and build some new friendships along the way. One important connection we made, was with fellow podcaster, and hip-hop giant, DJ EFN (Drink Champs) who was nice enough to suggest his favorite episode from season 2 and leave us a message telling us why. Enjoy and see you in 2023!

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Todd "Speech" Thomas was destined to be an entrepreneur. With two parents who showed him how to be successful on their own terms, Speech took the torch they gave him and ran with it. Come on a journey through his life and find out what it was like growing up in Milwaukee, becoming the first MC to release a record in the City of Cream, why he ventured south to start Arrested Development, and what it was like to be the first rap group to win Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards.

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