Take It Personal

31 episodes ago we hit you with the first installment Respect The Architects. On II, we pay homage to the legendary Slick Rick, Beastie Boys and EPMD. In addition, we have one of the most exciting, informative and legendary guest interviews in the show's history - Erick Sermon! The Green-Eyed Bandit is an open book and doesn't hesitate to "go there" on many topics you'll want to hear about. We talk about the early years of meeting PMD and landing their first record deal for $1500. We talk about how Russell brought them to Def Jam and then how Clive Davis forked over a cool 4 million to sign Erick after Music had dropped.

We talk about touring with Run-DMC. We talk Craig Mack, Biggie, 50 Cent, Lyor Cohen, Ludacris, Nas and of course, Redman. We touch on the PMD beef and the possibility of a reunion. Erick says his best years of his life was when they broke-up and he went solo. We find out that Erick and Ice Cube were best friends and that E helped him prepare for going solo as well. We find out that Dr. Dre had originally turned down the opportunity to remix "The Platform" by Dilated Peoples, so E stepped in and cashed out after making the beat in just 30 minutes. We also learn many great (GOAT) producers turned down to work with Shaq, but Erick was game.

We talk about Erick's rim shop and what it meant to Atlanta and specifically, the hip-hop scene. And yes, Keith Murray kicked David Banner out of the shop once too! Erick doesn't hold back about anything. Whether he was messing around with Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes or Wendy Williams, he goes there. We learn Eric B. is still the guy to get things done and was responsible for getting Marvin Gaye's family to clear the sample. We talk Def Squad and learn Erick isn't a big fan of their cover of Rapper's Delight. We find out how Red & Meth also derailed the Def Squad.

And we finally find out why we aren't hearing more of Erick and Redman. This description sounds like I gave it all away, but we haven't even scratched the surface. You don't want to miss this interview!

We sat down with Brooklyn legend Masta Ace and beat maker extraordinaire, Marco Polo to discuss their new album "A Breukelen Story." We talk Juice Crew, how Dr. Dre messed things up for the Slaughterhouse album, if Ace regrets dissing High & Mighty, and how he became a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan. We also chop it up with Marco about his MPCs, cats and new production crew. You don't want to miss this!

Episode 35 features Juice Crew legend Masta Ace and beat maker extraordinaire, Marco Polo. Their new album "A Breukelen Story" drops this Friday (11/9/18), but Take It Personal was lucky enough get the jump, so we have a handful of exclusives that can only be heard on this show! We also have new music from Pharoahe Monch, Action Bronson, DJ Muggs & Roc Marciano, Black Eyed Peas, O.C., Ghostface Killah and Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz. Peace to Masta & Marco, and please support "A Breukelen Story" when it drops!

After pumpin' out 33 boom-bap filled episodes, we're deviating our signature sound on #34 to present The Crossover. On this episode, we highlight the sounds of the late 90s and early 2000s. Think back when major labels were still relevant. When Def Jam was owning the charts. When No Limit and Cash Money were battling for southern supremacy. Back when you heard a beat and immediately knew if it belonged to The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Dr. Dre or Timbaland. Back when the indie movement was slowly bridging the gap and when the underground starting becoming more mainstream with the help of Mos, Kweli, The Roots and Common. Back when Busta would appear on every remix and Nas Made You Look! We're taking it back when 50 dominated the airwaves and the beefs and DMX set off that whole Ruff Ryders movement. At the break we discuss the impact this era had on hip-hop, mainstream America and we get into a heated discussion about Jay-Z. We all lived through this era. Love it or hate it, in typical TIP fashion, we guarantee to entertain while bringing back plenty of memories for ya'll.

We're joined by the multi-talented Open Mike Eagle on episode 33. We find out how OME linked up with Project Blowed. We found out the Philaflava message board played a big role in his come up. We discuss the music, the comedy, the famous friends, doing podcasts, possibly doing Halle Berry and learn about his influences, including love for 80s commercials as well.

We're joined by the multi-talented Open Mike Eagle on episode 33. We find out how OME linked up with Project Blowed. We found out the Philaflava message board played a big role in his come up. We discuss the music, the comedy, the famous friends, doing podcasts, possibly doing Halle Berry and learn about his influences, including love for 80s commercials.

Occasionally, we get asked to beef up the talking segments, so on episode 33 (Pardon The Interruption) we do just that. Thanks to extended show member and producer extraordinaire, Vanderslice, who recently fought off the grim reaper, for sitting in with the crew during our hot topic discussion. We take on various topics ranging from dead rappers to female rappers all the way to the recent beef with Eminem and MGK. This episode, unlike the previous ones, focuses on newer music too! We got joints by Bun B, Everlast, Nine, Apathy, Czarface & MF DOOM, Atmosphere, and Roc Marciano to name a few. RIP Mac Miller!

What would a Take It Personal tribute be without the man of the hour stopping by to share some stories? We talk Paul C., Extra P, and even Kool Keith. We find out what it was like being passed on by Russell Simmons (along with Nas) and signing with Disney. We break down the Stress: Extinction Agenda album cover. We touch on his relationship with O.C. and the fact he thought the Time's Up beat was pretty wack. We talk Rawkus, ghostwriting for Puffy, sampling, sports, what went wrong on The Equinox; yes, we went there. We asked everything and he answered everything, including the possibility of an OK reunion. We have 86 tracks displaying the brilliance of Pharoahe Monch; we're proud as hell of this tribute, and honored to have had Pharoahe Monch as our guest. We usually say, we hope you enjoy, but it would be damn near impossible if you didn't. This is - our Pharoahe Monch Tribute!

Episode 32 has been long overdue. Pharoahe Monch is a part of the lyrical elite, and yet, still doesn't quite receive the props he deserves. After this tribute, that WILL end today! There has never been a Pharoahe Monch tribute of this magnitude before. We felt it was not only necessary, but equally important to do. We have 86 tracks displaying the brilliance of Pharoahe Monch; we're proud as hell of this tribute, and honored to have had Pharoahe Monch as our guest. We usually say, we hope you enjoy, but it would be damn near impossible if you didn't. This is - our Pharoahe Monch Tribute!

Our longtime friend Supastiton stops by to shares some stories about touring, eating healthy, life after music, moving on from past producers, working with The Roots and being sued for The Williams as well as his upcoming projects.

As the summer comes to an end, we felt the best way to transition was to let the music do the talking. We have new joints by Redman, Westside Gunn, DJ Muggs, Redman, Dres, Blueprint, Apollo Brown & Locksmith, plus we sprinkle in smooth favorites by Little Brother, Hieroglyphics, Felt, O.C. and take it back to '93 with classics by Fat Joe, Ultramagnetic MC's, Brand Nubian, MC Breed, Tha Alkaholiks and KMD to name a few. We also catch-up with our longtime friend Supastiton, who shares some great stories and was kind enough to allow us to remix one of his tracks too. Sit back, relax and enjoy the musical journey and peace to all of the Stevie Wonder fans out there - this cover is for you!