OptimalAudio

embraced

Today, OptimalAudio is joined by returning fellow guest embraced to

discuss, once again, the state of the Soundcloud and the artists found

in it's Rap scene. With the continued rise and variations of Jerk,

Lowend, and various Plugg subgenres by said artists, your hosts battle

against the narrative of Rap, and Soundcloud Rap specifically, becoming

stale and highlight some of their favorite (and least favorite) artists

dominating their attention, and who they could see blowing up in the

future. Artists discussed include Yeat, OsamaSon, Lazer Dim 700,

Glokk40spaz, Ian, Xaviersobased, Nettspend, Shed Theory, Corey Lingo,

and many others. Along the way the podcast also comments on the growing

variations and evolution found in the Soundcloud Rap scene and how it

compares to the initial older artists and scenes that broke the platform

into the mainstream initially.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro / Soundcloud Rap in 2024

9:08 - Yeat

19:34 - Ian

29:19 - Shed Theory in 2024

44:25 - Nettspend

52:18 - Xaviersobased

59:47 - Phreshboyswag

1:14:23 - OsamaSon

1:28:48 - Glokk40spaz

1:40:40 - Lazer Dim 700

1:57:44 - Who is Gonna Blow Up Next?

2:09:35 - Yeat (Part 2)

2:15:19 - Corey Lingo

2:17:05 - Final Thoughts on Current State of Soundcloud Rap

2:20:34 - Thanks / Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

destroyxme

embraced

Once again, the podcast is back and joined by and to continue their

spotlight discography deep dive on the output of everyone's favorite

Swedish rap collective, Drain Gang. Picking back up from where they left

off last time, your hosts discuss Drain Gang's output from Ecco2k's

"PXE" EP, and collaboration with Bladee in "Crest", up to Bladee's most

recent, and epic, release in "Cold Visions". Along the way they also

discuss Bladee and frequent collaborator Yung Lean's Post-Punk side

project "Psykos", Thaiboy Digital's three year follow up in "Back 2

Life", and the evolution of each DG member's musical output.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro / Feelings on Drain Gang Recently

15:15 - "PXE" EP by Ecco2k

30:54 - "Crest" by Bladee & Ecco2k

1:01:09 - "Spiderr" by Bladee

1:18:33 - "Back 2 Life" by Thaiboy Digital

1:32:09 - "Psykos" by Bladee & Yung Lean

1:47:23 - "Cold Visions" by Bladee

3:02:53 - Thanks & Outro

Patrique

Thoughtful

And special guest: Curly Castro

That's right. It's quite possibly the biggest episode the podcast has

had yet. In a special overview of the man's own catalogue the podcast is

joined by CURLY CASTRO HIMSELF. We cannot thank him enough here at the

podcast for allowing your hosts Patrique, and returning guest

Thoughtful, to probe his mind about his varied catalogue and his

evolution as an artist. Going in detail from his early group beginnings,

to his stylistic evolutions from his early career to his late career,

when he first met and collaborated with Billy Woods, and the dealings

being involved with various groups later in his career with Wrecking

Crew, ShrapKnel, and Grift Company. It's good times and vibes all around

and we hope you too enjoy this personal deep dive as much as our hosts

did.

PLEASE SUPPORT CURLY CASTRO AND ALL BACKWOODZ STUDIOZ EFFORTS THROUGH

THESE LINKS AND ALL STREAMING MUSIC PLATFORMS:

Curly Castro's Bandcamp - https://curlycastro.bandcamp.com

ShrapKnel Bandcamp - https://shrapknel.bandcamp.com

Wrecking Crew Bandcamp - https://wreckingcrew.bandcamp.com

Backwoodz Studioz Bandcamp - https://backwoodzstudioz.bandcamp.com

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro / Introducing: Curly Castro

8:18 - Patrique on Trial (Little Robert Hutton [Part 1])

13:48 - Thanks to All Artists That Listen and Give Feedback

16:05 - Operating Independently (Wu-Tang Pulp by Wrecking Crew [Part 1])

25:34 - Curly Castro's Early Days / Bohemian Fifth

28:23 - Winston's Appeal

40:47 - Wu-Tang Pulp by Wrecking Crew (Part 2)

48:04 - Fidel

54:42 - Brody EP

1:03:44 - Restroy & Debuild w/ Fakts One

1:14:10 - Tosh

1:23:01 - Grift Company w/ Zilla Rocca

1:27:09 - Cobalt EP by ShrapKnel

1:30:17 - Self-Titled by ShrapKnel

1:41:19 - Bluue Edwards & Backwoodz Operating During the COVID Pandemic

1:48:46 - Little Robert Hutton (Part 2)

1:59:09 - Metal Lung by ShrapKnel

2:07:56 - Thanks to Curly Castro & Project Link Plugs / Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

TooBrokeToCare

The podcast is joined once again by TooBrokeToCare to celebrate the

recent release of the sequel to one of the most seminal mixtapes ever

made, by one of Chicago's most important Rap artist. "Almighty So 2" by

Chief Keef. The gang keeps it quick and neat to gush as much as they can

about not only this album, and what it shows in the musical growth when

stacked in comparison to the original Almighty So mixtape, but also how

it signifies the incredible and continuing journey of Chief Keef as a

person and rap persona. Listen along as the the pod celebrates one of

Drill's biggest forefathers and how he's honed his own production skills

over the years to become a unique entity in the Drill all his own, and

how this alum stacks up to other previous Chief Keef releases for those

on the podcast.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro / History with Chief Keef

21:33 - "Almighty So 2" by Chief Keef

57:03 - Thanks & Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

TooBrokeToCare

The podcast is back! It was impossible to avoid, the gang, along with

guest host TooBrokeToCare, returns to discuss all the drama, backstory,

and tracks associated with the big Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake beef

debacle. Beginning with Kendrick's guest feature pop-off on Future and

Metro Boomin's album, and from there plowing through the many facets of

this spiral into back and forth degeneracy and spilled tea. Including J

Cole return shots, and subsequent take back-sies, Metro Boomin and Rick

Ross's outside the ring interference, and how the whole thing has left

the hosts feelings on all the artists involved afterwards.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro / Welcome Back / Topic Overview

6:13 - "Like That" Diss Feature / Pre-Disses History of Kendrick and Drake

24:35 - "Might Delete Later" by J Cole

32:32 - "Push Ups" by Drake

37:29 - "Euphoria" by Kendrick Lamar

46:08 - "6:16 in LA" by Kendrick

50:27 - "Family Matters" by Drake

1:02:42 - "Meet the Grahams" by Kendrick

1:27:04 - "Not Like Us" by Kendrick

1:37:47 - "The Heart Part 6" by Drake

1:39:37 - "BBL Drizzy" by Metro Boomin / The Aftermath of This Beef and Going Forward

1:50:18 - Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

Traviud

It's that time of the (new) year again, the annual year end episode

where the podcast is joined by returning guest Traviud to once more

discuss they're top 10 favorite releases of the past year of 2023. This

episode is packed to the brim, as each host goes over their own unique

inclusions from Danny Brown, Earl Sweatshirt, Home is Where, Carly Rae

Jepsen, Parannoul, Jeff Rosenstock, MIKE, Kelela, and many more. As well

the guys discuss the dirt worst releases this year dishonorably going

to Macklemore's attempts at self reflection, Fall Out Boy's AI

excursions, and the recent slew of Bro, Trap Alt-Right leaning-Country

tunes. We hope you enjoy this diverse and intricate episode and await

future content in this new year of 2024!

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro

2:17 - Fall Out Boy in 2023

12:28 - "One Thing At a Time" by Morgan Wallen

16:18 - "How Do You Sleep at Night?" by Teezo Touchdown

18:43 - "The Age of Pleasure" by Janelle Monáe

22:53 - "Ben" by Macklemore

26:59 - "Rush!" by Maneskin

33:43 - "Praise a Lord Who Chews..." by Yves Tumor

34:24 - "That! Feels Good!" by Jessie Ware

35:47 - "Paranoïa, Angels, True Love" by Christine and the Queens

38:06 - "Fountain Baby" by Amaarae

39:09 - Getting Into Our Top 10

40:57 - "Heaven Knows" by PinkPantheress (Traviud's #10 & OptimalAudio's #9)

48:39 - "Paper Cut From the Obit" by Celestaphone (Patrique's #10)

59:20 - "Victory Music" by RealYungPhil (Optimal's #10)

1:04:28 - "Me chama de gato que eu sou sua" by Ana Frango Elétrico (Trav's #9)

1:09:45 - "This Stupid World" by Yo La Tango (Pat's #9)

1:21:29 - "Voir Dire" by Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist (Optimal's #8 & Pat's 8)

1:36:58 - "The Whaler" by Home Is Where (Trav's #8)

1:46:53 - "The Loveliest Time" by Carly Rae Jespsen (Optimal's #7)

1:47:23 - "He Left Nothing for the Swim Back" by SKETCH185 7 Jeff Markey (Pat's #7)

1:52:32 - "Madres" by Sofia Kourtesis (Trav's #7)

2:01:01 - "Burning Desire" by MIKE (Optimal's #6)

2:20:19 - "53 Dove Instrumentals From 2023" by Steel Tip Dove (Pat's #6)

2:24:35 - Patrique's Beat Tape Recommendations of the Year

2:32:21 - "After the Magic" & "After the Night" by Parannoul (Trav's #6)

2:45:33 - "Maps" by Billy Woods & Kenny Segal (Optimal's #5)

2:46:23 - "DJ E" by Chuquimamani-Condori Honorable Mention

2:54:03 - "Quaranta" by Danny Brown (Pat's #5)

3:22:45 - "Perfect Picture" by Hannah Diamond (Trav's #5)

3:34:28 - "The Aux" by Blockhead (Pat's #4)

3:42:01 - "Alexandria" by Izaya Tiji (Optimal's #4)

3:54:32 - "All This Will End" by Indigo De Souza (Trav's #4)

3:59:01 - "Faith is a Rock" by MIKE, Wiki & The Alchemist (Pat's #3)

4:04:59 - "Sisterhood" by Lostrushi (Optimal's #3)

4:14:12 - "HELLMODE" by Jeff Rosenstock (Trav's #3)

4:22:32 - "The Loveliest Time" by Carly Rae Jepsen (Pat's #2 & Trav's #2)

4:36:19 - "Raven" by Kelela (Optimal's #2)

4:42:45 - "My Back Was a Bridge For You to Cross" by ANOHNI and the Johnsons (Trav's #1)

4:53:16 - "Ganger" by Veeze (Optimal's #1)

4:57:28 - "We Buy Diabetic Test Strips" by Armand Hammer & "Maps" by Billy Woods & Kenny Segal (Pat's #1s)

5:05:44 - Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

The podcast is back to give their annual year end kudos (and

dismissals)! This episode they cover their honorable mentions from the

past year before they get to their big 10, as well as discussing the

2023's disappointments, surprises, and down right awful. Your hosts

cover it all from Hip Hop, R&B, and Jazz (thank you Andre3000), as

well as going off the beaten path for a bit to discuss some of their

favorite movies and books they consumed this past year as well. They

also discuss what a great year 2023 was for Rap despite what the popular

critical narrative spouted by some notable figures and journalists in

the industry would tell you and analyze why such is even being posited

in the first place.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro

10:40 - The Narrative on Rap "Dying" / "Let's Start Here" by Lil Yachty

25:20 - "Snot or Not" by Homixide Gang

26:03 - "King of the Graveyard" by Sematary

26:27 - "10,000 Gecs" by 100 Gecs

28:56 - Jack Harlow: Movie Star

32:53 - "For All the Dogs: Scary Hours Edition" by Drake

43:09 - "Another Triumph of Ghetto Engineering " by Open Mike Eagle

45:41 - "Almighty So 2" Not Coming Out

46:12 - Playboi Carti Rollout Singles

56:02 - "AR EP" by Addison Rae

56:59 - "Quest for Fire" by Skrillex

57:58 - "New Blue Sun" by Andre 3000

1:08:44 - Lil B 2023 Releases

1:11:12 - The Bear (TV Show)

1:23:25 - The Curse (TV Show)

1:15:03 - Reservation Dogs (TV Show)

1:16:15 - Barbie & Oppenheimer (Movies)

1:22:04 - "The Undertow" by Jeff Sharlet (Book)

1:25:27 - "Raw Dog" by Jamie Loftus (Book)

1:27:17 - Killers of the Flower Moon (Movie)

1:46:59 - "Life After Neph" by RXK Nephew & Harry Fraud

1:58:41 - "Ways of Knowing" by Navy Blue

2:01:02 - "Choppers & Bricks" by Gucci Mane & B.G.

2:03:22 - "The Great Escape" by Larry June & The Alchemist

2:06:57 - "Gospel Overture" by Dazegxd & Mon

2:10:08 - "Quazel" by Zelooperz & Quadie Diesel

2:14:56 - "Glorious Game" by Black Thought & El Michels Affair

2:16:19 - "Black Ops ZRV1" by Moh Baretta

2:19:36 - "Sex Money Drugs" by Lucki

2:20:52 - "This is Why" by Paramore

2:22:25 - "A Great Chaos" by Ken Carson

2:28:42 - Ayoolii & the Milwaukee Rap / Bounce Scene

2:32:35 - "Utopia" by Travis Scott

2:33:20 - "Duwap So Based" by Duwap Kaine

2:34:34 - "Utopia" Part 2

2:37:16 - "What We Didn't Have" by Summrs

2:38:40 - "Took the Biggest Risk" by Glokk40spaz

2:39:46 - "Isn't It Now?" by Animal Collective

2:41:44 - "Fast 5" by 454 & Surf Gang

2:42:14 - "Summer's Mine" by Baby Face Ray

2:42:47 - Kynlary and Jovan 2023 Releases

2:44:04 - Osquinn 2023 Releases

2:45:26 - "Watch the Head" by Milieu

2:46:47 - "Gag Order" by Kesha

2:47:34 - "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd" by Lana Del Rey

2:48:24 - "BB/ANG3L" by Tinashe

2:53:11 - "I Thought I Lost You" by Mars Kumari

2:59:57 - Thanks & Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

The podcast is back after a small break, and in turn it's time for another recap episode with the guys going over all the notable releases while they were away in the music world! This includes recaps going over the rise of trash Right-wing Country bros, the middling feelings they've had towards Travis Scott's comeback record "Utopia", and recent records they've fallen hard for such as Carly Rae Jepsen's recent sequel album, Veeze's breakout Detroit Rap project, Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist's long awaited collaboration album, and their semi-conflicted love for Noname's new album. They also discuss some live shows they've caught in recent months time, and the online discussions going on about the state of Rap music in its 50th anniversary as a genre and in the year 2023.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro / While We Were Away

8:29 - "Try that in a Small Town" by Jason Aldean

13:32 - "Rich Men North of Richmond" by Oliver Anthony

22:09 - "Utopia" by Travis Scott / Is Rap in a lull? / Hip Hop Doomer-ism

48:23 - "Sundial" by Noname

1:07:54 - "The Loveliest Time" by Carly Rae Jepsen

1:19:00 - "Sisterhood" by Lostrushi

1:22:20 - "Stacking Chips" by Zilla Rocca & Jason Griff

1:24:34 - "Another Triumph of Ghetto Engineering" by Open Mike Eagle

1:27:53 - Live Shows Discussion

1:31:36 - "Ganger" by Veeze

1:49:34 - "Voir Dire" by Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist

2:14:27 - Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

Once again the podcast takes a look back at some of the releases from the first half of the year and discuss their biggest surprises, disappointments, favorites. Ranging from discussions on waning off Killer Mike, the continuing high quality output of Billy Woods, and the expanding underground Plugg scene and it's various subgenres, the podcast digs in deep and pulls out all the gems (and coal) they've had the time to mine throughout the year. In a bonus intro segment as well, the podcast looks at the 10th Anniversary of controversial figure Kanye West's equally divisive (at the time of its release) Yeezus and how it stacks up now in the wake of Kanye's antics, politics, and the changed music landscape since.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

0:00 - Intro

2:03 - Yeezus 10th Anniversary

32:45 - Midyear 2023 Review

33:47 - "Match Made in Heaven" by DJ Smokey, Christ Dillinger, and V-Nasty

35:49 - "Mother" by Meghan Trainor

38:37 - "Blackland Radio 4" by Spaceghostpurrp

41:50 - The Dime Square / American New Rave Scene

43:28 - "Won't He Do It" by Conway the Machine

47:16 - "Liberation 2" by Talib Kweli & Madlib

48:52 - "Michael" by Killer Mike

55:22 - "Grails EP" by Pi'erre Bourne

57:21 - "In Times New Roman" by Queens of the Stone Age

58:06 - "This Is Why" by Paramore

1:02:10 - "Serpent" by Kool Keith and Real Bad Man

1:03:06 - "Champagne for Breakfast" by Mayhem Lauren, DJ Muggs and Madlib

1:05:39 - "Blood Rain" by Rodeoglo

1:06:33 - "Victory Music" by RealYungPhil

1:14:00 - "'Til I'm Dead" by RXK Nephew

1:17:02 - "Scaring the Hoes" by Danny Brown and JPEGMafia

1:18:43 - More RXK Nephew

1:20:44 - "Green Thumbs" by Vic Spencer

1:21:31 - "And 3 Ty for 10k!!!!" by xaviersobased

1:23:42 - "Paper Cut from the Obit" by Celestephone

1:28:15 - "Microphone Fiend" by Zelooperz

1:30:45 - "36 Chambers of Pressure Vol. 2" by Wifigawd and Soudiere

1:33:01 - "Notorious Dump Legends: Volume 2" by Tha God Fahim and Mach-Hommy

1:37:03 - "Homeless N*gga Pop Music" by Jim Legxacy

1:41:31 - "Prisoner of Circumstance" by Boldy James and Chanhays

1:43:40 - "Nacksaw Jim Duggan" by Estee Nack

1:47:48 - "Ways of Knowing" by Navy Blue

1:49:26 - "This Stupid World" by Yo La Tengo

1:56:03 - "Sabrina's Hits #1" DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ

1:56:40 - "Riddim Seeker" by Gum.mp3

1:58:20 - "KEF 33" by R.A.P. Ferreira & Scallops Hotel

2:00:58 - "Northxan" by Northxan

2:01:58 - "Interstate 185" by Quinn

2:02:27 - "New Jazz" by Lunchbox

2:03:39 - "OG" by Smokingskul

2:05:58 - "Dispatches From Da Nang" by Batsauce

2:07:23 - Good Vibes / Bad Vibes" by Oh No and Roy Ayers

2:07:58 - "Just Tired" by Samurai Banana

2:09:27 - "Notes & Tones" by DJ Muggs

2:12:04 - "High Bias" by Backwoodz Studioz

2:14:23 - "jane_remover_remixes.zip" by Jane Remover

2:19:16 - "Desire, I Want to Turn Into You" by Caroline Polachek

2:20:48 - "All the Weight Feathers Don't Have" by Steel tip Dove

2:24:03 - "Glorious Game" by Black Thought and El Michaels Affair

2:28:46 - "If Looks Could Kill" by Destroy Lonely

2:36:24 - "Lovestreak" by Tony Shhnow

2:37:58 - "Maps" by Billy Woods and Kenny Segal

2:52:27 - "Raven" by Kelela

2:58:10 - Year in Review / Outro

Patrique

OptimalAudio

lookAghost (Whole Lotta Leaks & Beyond)

bodgahermosa (Whole Lotta Leaks & Beyond)

santurce (Whole Lotta Red)

leftlane (Whole Lotta Red)

It's the final part to the podcast's rundown and celebration of the career of Playboi Carti, and what better way to end it then a super-sized episode going over what has so far been arguably the biggest era for Carti? This episode the podcast is joined along by the wide cast of lookAghost, bodgahermosa, santurce, and leftlane to cover Carti's most controversial, inspirational and experimental release so far "Whole Lotta Red", as well as the epic bootleg compilation "Whole Lotta Leaks & Beyond" which fans curated and hyped in the wake of the build up to the shocking left turn Carti would eventually take. The gang discusses how defining this era was for Carti's relationship with leaks, his artistic evolution in changing up nearly everything about his sonic style, and especially how the reception of this album has changed form it's initial mixed reviews when it dropped. As well, how important this album ended up being legacy-wise in the creation of Rage and future rapper's sounds today.

Intro Music: Junclassic - "Borrowed Time (Instrumental)"

Outro Music: Kankick - "Stagnated Pace"

Edited / Produced by: Kittenpuke

Find us on RYM through our provided Profile names!

(Phasewave's "Opium Cult" bootleg as mentioned by Patrique: https://soundcloud.com/eeternalsaddness/sets/playboi-carti-opium-cult-vol-1-prod-phasewave)

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro / Getting Into Carti / Carti & His Leaks

13:30 - Whole Lotta Leaks & Beyond Bootleg

1:41:37 - Interlude

1:42:23 - Intro / Getting Into Carti / The Lead Up to WLR and It's Background

2:15:48 - Whole Lotta Red

3:12:03 - WLR's Influence on Rage and It's Legacy With Other Artists

3:47:10 - Thanks & Outro