Height Zone World

Height Zone World 74. My guest is Scottie B. He’s a legendary Baltimore DJ, and the cofounder of Unruly Records. His DJing and his work with Shawn Caesar, Miss Tony, Bob The Equalizer and many more are all a huge part of what made Baltimore what it is today.

He talks about the Baltimore club scene of the 80’s, and how that milieu led to the creation of Baltimore club music. He explains how his and Shawn Caesar’s unique DJ styles blossomed into a recorded art form and a genre of it’s own. He explains how he sees himself as part of the always-evolving culture of dance music, and not just a player within the sub-genre of Baltimore club.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Professor Griff’s Last Asiatic Disciples. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Uncommon Nasa. He’s an MC, a producer, an engineer, a radio host and the guy behind Uncommon Records. We first met when he took part in the NYC Rap Round Robin.

He talks about getting his start interning at NYC’s Ozone Studios, and later mixing many key projects for Def Jux artists. He tells me about his love for 90’s NYC hip-hop radio, and how that influenced his Uncommon Radio show. We discuss his new projects, and his recent drive to tour and to grow as a live performer.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to 3rd Bass’s The Cactus Album. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

Mike Riley and Height spinning some of our favorite tunes from Height Zone World guests.

Mike’s art this week is an homage to Run-DMC’s Christmas In Hollis. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Brzowski. He’s been a staple of the New England hip-hop scene for many years, and he’s made fans/friends across the world through his relentless touring. We first crossed paths in 2004, and I was happy to learn more about his mission.

We talk about his two official full-length albums, as well as his Blood Drive compilations. We discuss the logistics of the DIY touring system, and the pros and cons of being your own booking agent. He breaks down his new project called Vinyl Cape, and explains where he wants to take that project in the near future.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to UGK’s Super Tight. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Jeff Blinder. Jeff is one of the most consistent promoters on the US DIY circuit. He’s been the primary force behind many show spaces, including the Spazzatorium in Greenville, NC, and Danger Danger Gallery in Philadelphia. I’ve been playing his shows since 2003, and I was excited to learn more about how and why he does what he does.

He talks about his first encounters with the world of DIY shows, by way of the vibrant house show scene in New Brunswick, NJ. I ask him about the first shows he set up in Greenville, NC, and we reflect on what made shows in that small college town unique. He talks about restarting his operation in Philadelphia, and makes an announcement about his next move.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Da Bush Babees’ Ambushed. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

This is part two of my interview with Lord Grunge. We recorded this on his front porch in Pittsburgh, on Black Friday.

We start the conversation by talking about Grand Buffet’s B-sides record Dicer, and how it later played a hand in them going on tour with Third Eye Blind. We talk about some of Grand Buffet’s later releases, and some of the frustrations they faced upon putting those records out. We discussed making music as an older guy and his new day job as an EMT.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Black Sheep’s Non-Fiction. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is James Nasty. He’s a DJ and a Baltimore club producer. He’s a mainstay in Baltimore, and his music has made noise all over the world.

He talks about learning to record at UMBC studios, and turning his college dorm room into a night club every weekend. We talk about his early days working in studios and producing for rappers, and why he made the transition to DJing and making club music. We talk about his recent EP’s, and the full-length album he wants to complete in the future.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Seth On Gray Street. Seth is a solo MC and also one half of the group Human Speakers. We first met when I saw his group open for Ghostface in Manchester, NH, and we’ve played many shows together over the years.

He talks about growing up in Farmington, NH and getting his hip-hop education through listening to WUNH’s hip-hop show. He tells me about cutting his teeth through tagging along with NH’s Def Rock, and forming Human Speakers with Eyenine. I also spin a few of my favorite Seth Of Gray Street tunes.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to ED O.G and Da Bulldog’s Life of a Kid in the Ghetto. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Neru. She’s an MC and singer from Baltimore. I saw her perform at The Windup Space last winter, and I’ve wanted to learn her history ever since.

She talks about feeling like a black sheep as a kid, and gradually finding her way into music. She talks about her first group, and how she became a solo artist. We talk about her Enlightenment Era album, and her other forthcoming projects.

This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.

My guest this week is Joshua Emmitt. He’s one half of the group Something Complex, as well as a photographer, a video director and a part of the Reverb Collective. We met when he first moved to Baltimore in 2011. I’ve always dug his work ethic and passion, and I’ve been wanting to get him on the show for a while.

He tells me about growing up in Pine Island, Florida, and his early art and music experiments. He talks about his days in FL metal bands, and his transition from metal to making beats with his bandmate Drew Scott. We discuss the difficulty and the rewards of moving from a small town to a city.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to MOP’s To The Death. This episode is hosted by splicetoday.com.