Here it is. I decided to finally take a crack at recording a radio show.

This is something I’ve fantasized about since I was a preteen. I remember listening to Cosmic Kev late night and hear his mixtapes where he would play a bunch of underground hip hop from Philly artists and beyond. I can recall the time he had a young Chris Brown from just down I-95 (Virginia) in the Power 99 studio to push his debut single (“Yo” and “Run It”. Then came The Come Up Show which Cosmic Kev and Q Deezy (shout out Germantown!) developed where hungry rappers or even some singers could showcase their raw talent on the microphone.

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I knew music was my jam and journalism could be my gateway. I watched hours upon hours of Rap City, TRL, 106 & Park, MTV News, all in hopes that I could one day add some perspective to the world as I experienced it. Like every other black kid in Philly, I started rapping. I decided to start writing my own raps for the love of the art but also as a journalist. I eventually got into writing prose and took some journalism and media classes in high school which led to entering college with a broadcast journalism major. I dropped out after my first year because I was more focused on partying than my education.

That was 15 years ago. Since then I’ve found my way into broadcasting through working in sports media with a friend that started his own media brand. (Shout out Next Level Rugby). Since then I’ve been still writing songs and experimenting by producing my own songs and what have you. But the longing for working in media as a journalist, not specifically as an artist, still reaches out me. Maybe it’s the inner critic in me that makes me think my music isn’t good enough, but I don’t ever really desire to be a “star” or the center of the conversation. I want to facilitate the conversation.

Without getting into all of the background shit, I have thoughts. I consume A LOT of media. And journalism in this age is struggling from lack of investment, hyperbole, and misinformation. I’ll stay in hip hop for this tidbit, but we have gotten so wrapped up in reality tv and main character syndrome, that the music is hardly even secondary when it comes to what makes something popular. This Clipse press run is a great example of how spectacle draws more eyes than the music itself. Don’t get me wrong, the Clipse album is great. I just wish the media rollout didn’t have to ride on supposed disses and jabs at Pusha T’s former colleagues. It’s cheap and further feeds into this tabloid style journalism. Push even namedrops TMZ TWICE in his “So Be It” song that added nothing to the quality of the song. It just disappointing.

Alright anyways, you’re here to listen to the radio show. This is a really rough draft, we’re gonna work out some kinks and build something but like the subtitle says, Gotta start somewhere.

I hope y’all enjoy. Most of the music you will hear is from my personal vinyl collection, which I hope to keep a constant feature in the show. So if you decide to support financially, know that it’s probably gonna go to my record collecting budget haha.

Thank you for checking, talk soon!

Nigel aka Nigel Noire aka Tito McCloud

Noire World Radio.

WNWR Episode 1 Tracklist

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Daft Punk (ft. Todd Edwards) - Fragments of Time

Brent Faiyaz - Stay Down

General Degree - More Money

HEEMS - So NY

Fabolous - Keepin It Gangsta

Jaubi - Nafs At Peace

serpentwithfeet (ft. NAO) - Heartstorm

The Beach Boys - Cool, Cool, Water

The Alchemist (ft. Big Body Bes) - Uptown Aquarium

Frank Ocean - Higgs

Clipse - M.T.B.T.T.F.

Luis Santi y su Conjunto - La Norguesera

Ivan Ave - All Season

Slick Rick - Angelic

Open Mike Eagle (ft. Hannibal Buress) - Doug Stamper (Advice Raps)

thesmoothcat - CLEAR SHIT

Coworkers - Legwork

Nigel Noire - HawkinWatchinScopin (unreleased)

Common - Speak My Piece

Nigel Noire - Unreleased beat

The Doobie Brothers - No Stoppin Us Now

Minnie Riperton - Here We Go

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