L.A. Rap Radar

L.A. Rap Radar

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L.A. Rap Radar episodes

  • Reddnthabuilding Talks Fatherhood, Growth, Producing Goated & Becoming Top 5 in LA

    Reddnthabuilding sits down with Crystal for another episode of What’s Hot in LA to talk growth, fatherhood, music, production, and his next chapter.

    In this interview, Red opens up about leaving old energy behind, preparing for his first child, selling exclusive beats, and locking in on his music career. He also breaks down his upcoming project Goated, producing the entire project himself, working with features like Airplane James, Avenue, GTA Tray, Donnie Solo, The Maestro, and more.

    Red also speaks on his Mic Drop record, making music for the ladies, taking a Dr. Dre-style approach to his albums, and why he feels he belongs in the Top 5 producers coming out of L.A.

    Tap in with Reddnthabuilding and watch the full interview now on trapLA.

    Follow Reddnthabuilding:
    @reddnthabuilding

    Hosted by Crystal
    Presented by trapLA / L.A. Rap Radar

    10 min
  • Alex Thomas On Fresh Prince, Soul Train, 30 Years In Comedy & Being Verified In Real Life

    LA Rap Radar / trapLA sits down with legendary comedian, actor, writer, and South Central LA native Alex Thomas for a real conversation about comedy, Hollywood, legacy, and how long he’s been putting points on the board.

    Alex breaks down 30 years in stand-up comedy, being a Soul Train dancer before the world knew him, writing on the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, working on some of the biggest Black TV shows and movies, and why real longevity matters more than internet hype.

    From South Central to Soul Train, Fresh Prince, Jamie Foxx, classic Black films, Netflix animation, stand-up stages across the country, and now South Central Country Club — Alex Thomas has lived multiple eras of entertainment and still sounds sharp, funny, and relevant.

    Tap in for the full interview and catch the stories, game, and comedy you won’t get from a short clip.

    Presented by trapLA / LA Rap Radar
    Hosted by PoonDaga

    Subscribe to trapLA for more interviews, artist conversations, comedy, music, culture, and real LA stories.

    24 min
  • Akon Introduces The Gang w/ T Money & Eastside K-Boy | West Coast Music, Longevity + More

    Akon pulled up to trapLA with The Gang, featuring longtime collaborator T Money and L.A. rap veteran Eastside K-Boy, for an exclusive conversation with JessWest.

    Akon breaks down why he believes the West Coast has been missing a certain sound, what immediately stood out to him about K-Boy, and why now was the right time to put the pieces together.

    The conversation goes deeper than the music. They talk about longevity, navigating the modern music industry, the difference between being hot and building something sustainable, music industry politics, giving back to at-risk youth, Akon meeting Michael Jackson, T Money’s years behind the scenes, and the vision behind their upcoming project “We Govern Ourselves Vol. 1.”

    The Gang also talks about bringing that authentic West Coast feeling back without sounding dated—and why they’re focused on making good music, doing good business and building something bigger than themselves.

    Their single “Gangsters” featuring Akon is out now.

    🎤 Interviewed by JessWest
    📍 Presented by trapLA

    Subscribe to trapLA for more exclusive interviews, West Coast hip-hop, independent artists, performances and conversations you won’t get anywhere else.

    Drop a comment: Is the West Coast missing that authentic sound Akon is talking about?

    34 min
  • Jason Weaver on The Lion King, Michael Jackson, Biggie, Jay-Z, Motown & Surviving Hollywood

    ason Weaver has been part of Black entertainment history for more than three decades — and in this conversation with trapLA’s Poon, he takes us behind the scenes of a career most people only know pieces of.

    Jason talks about getting started as a child actor, playing a young Michael Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream, becoming the singing voice of young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King, his years at Motown, and what it was really like growing up in the entertainment industry.

    He also remembers being in the clubs and rooms with Biggie, Jay-Z, Dame Dash, DJ Clark Kent and others while hip-hop history was unfolding in real time.

    The conversation goes deeper into maintaining his integrity in Hollywood, turning down roles that didn’t align with him, what today’s influencers and content creators should understand about acting, and why preparation has played such a huge role in his longevity.

    Jason also opens up about what’s next, including his move into directing, developing new animated content, and building a new late-night-style platform with the 85 South team.

    This is more than an interview — it’s a firsthand look at multiple eras of Black music, television, film and culture from somebody who actually lived through them.

    Hosted by Poon
    Presented by trapLA / trapLAxRadio

    ▶️ Watch the full interview.
    👍🏾 Like the video
    💬 Drop your favorite Jason Weaver role or moment in the comments
    🔔 Subscribe for more exclusive interviews, throwbacks and conversations from the trapLA archives.

    38 min
  • **L.A. ARTISTS: THIS Is How You Get Your Record on the Radio 📻**

    Everybody keeps asking why L.A. radio doesn't play more local, up-and-coming artists. The problem is, a lot of artists don't understand how commercial radio actually works — or the business behind breaking a record.

    Coming from radio promotion and my experience with the Hitmen DJs, I'm breaking down some of the game behind the scenes: why radio is really an advertising business, the difference between mix-show spins and rotation, how radio promoters and DJs help build records, and why REAL audience demand matters.

    I also talk about why L.A. artists need to support DJs like DJ Carisma who are already giving local artists opportunities. If somebody plays your record, mobilize your audience. Support the show. Support the DJ. Show up to station events. Build relationships and turn every spin into momentum.

    Stop waiting for radio to create your movement.

    Build a movement that radio can't afford to ignore.

    Subscribe for more conversations about the REAL business behind music, marketing, radio and breaking records.

    9 min
  • Adrian Marcel Throwback Interview With Neeko On trapLA | East Oakland, “GMFU” & “Mobin”

    Before the platinum moments and major recognition, trapLA caught up with East Oakland’s own Adrian Marcel for a real conversation with Neeko. In this throwback interview, Adrian talks about his project GMFU, the single “Mobin,” and linking heavy hitters like Too Short, Lil Boosie, and MCity Jr. for the record. He also breaks down his creative process, the West Coast influence behind his sound, and why he wanted to make music that brings people together instead of dividing them.

    This one is a real time capsule for fans of Adrian Marcel and anybody who appreciates West Coast R&B with game, soul, and purpose.

    Watch, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive throwback interviews, music talk, and culture from trapLA.

    Follow @trapxla for more exclusive content.

    10 min
  • Jay Rock Before The Fame: Rare Watts Interview 🔥 (Before Grammys & TDE Rise)

    Before the plaques, before the Grammys, before the world knew his name… this is Jay Rock in his rawest form.

    Trap LA pulled up to Watts and tapped in with Jay Rock early in his journey — talking about his upbringing, street life, unity, and the realities behind the lifestyle that later shaped his music.

    From speaking on growing up in his neighborhood to giving real advice to the youth, this interview captures a moment in time before everything changed.

    What stands out most is the mindset — even back then, you could hear the awareness, the perspective, and the hunger that would later take him to the top.

    “This shit is consequences and repercussions… you gotta think about what you doing.”

    This is more than an interview — this is history.

    📍 Shot on location in Watts, Los Angeles
    🎤 Exclusive throwback content from trapLA archives

    7 min
  • Larry Jayy Talks Mustard, Kendrick, RJmrLA, Leeky2x & West Coast Hits | L.A. Rap Radar

    L.A. Rap Radar taps in with Grammy-winning West Coast producer Larry Jayy for a quick but solid sit-down about his production run, his work with Mustard, Kendrick Lamar, RJmrLA, G Perico, and more. In this interview, Larry Jayy keeps it real about his catalog, working behind the scenes on some of L.A.’s hardest records, and how he approaches making music without forcing a “hit record” mindset.

    He also talks about producing “Get Your Walk On” with Leeky2x, shares a funny but painful studio war story about spilling a drink on his computer, and opens up about how records come together naturally when the chemistry is right. Larry Jayy even breaks down how the song “Flex” came together with RJ and why so much of his best work comes from just having fun in the studio.

    If you’re into West Coast music history, producer interviews, studio stories, and behind-the-scenes game from real L.A. legends, this is one you need to watch.

    Tap in with trapLA and L.A. Rap Radar for more exclusive interviews, artist stories, and West Coast culture.

    Follow trapLA for more content:
    Instagram: @trapxla

    #LarryJayy #LARapRadar #trapLA #WestCoastHipHop #Mustard #KendrickLamar #RJmrLA #Leeky2x #GPerico #ProducerInterview

    11 min
  • Yes Men Will Destroy Your Success | DJ Crash D Speaks on Fake Support

    In this real talk clip, DJ Crash D breaks down why surrounding yourself with “yes men” can ruin your success, your business, and your entire movement.

    Too many people keep the wrong circle around them—people who agree with everything, hype bad decisions, and disappear when things fall apart. In this video, Crash explains why you NEED real ones around you… people who will check you, challenge you, and help you grow.

    If you’re serious about leveling up as an artist, entrepreneur, or brand… this is something you need to hear.

    🎯 Key Gems:

    • Why yes men keep you stuck
    • The importance of real accountability
    • How the right circle helps you elevate
    • Real-life example from DJ Crash D’s journey

    Tap in with trapLA for more game on music, business, and culture.

    👉 Follow trapLA:
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/trapxla
    Website: https://trap.la

    3 min
  • Drip_YBC Talks His Grind at TrapLA Content & Connect w/ PoonDaGa 🎤🔥

    L.A. rapper Drip_YBC taps in with PoonDaGa at one of TrapLA’s Content & Connect nights for a quick but real conversation about his music, grind, and what he’s pushing right now.

    This is what TrapLA is all about — bringing artists together to create content, network, and build real opportunities. No clout-chasing… just creators working 🤝🏾

    If you’re an artist in L.A. and you’re serious about your career, you need to be in the room.

    🎥 Shot at TrapLA Content & Connect
    🎤 Interview by PoonDaGa
    📍 Los Angeles, CA

    👉 Follow TrapLA everywhere:
    Instagram: @trapxla
    Instagram: @trapLA_uncut

    🚨 Want promo, interviews, or performance videos? Tap in now.

    2 min

About L.A. Rap Radar

From the publisher's feed

L.A. Rap Radar is the #1 digital podcast for L.A. rap culture, hosted by radio vet PoonDaga. We spotlight top artists, music execs, and the city’s underground scene. Tap into segments like "What’s Hot L.A." with Christal, highlighting the next generation, and Liq Segments with Kaliq Scott, host of the L-I-Q Podcast, featuring exclusive interviews with artists from his show. Get hip to the culture, the business, and the real L.A. wave.