This is the debut episode of The Check In featuring Marcel Allen. Marcel is fresh off the release of his debut album "Ebony Goddess" — out now everywhere. You may have heard the opening track "Dinner Wit Hov" on the latest episode of NOT 97. We catch up with Marcel to hear about his introduction to rap through an elementary school project, leaving messages rapping through the phone to Soulja Boy, & the organic connections that led to his project produced by Thelonious Martin & Jacob Rochester, as well as featuring Boldy James & Havoc of Mobb Deep. 



Enjoy the interview and check out "Ebony Goddess" now. 
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The Check In ft. Marcel Allen

NOT 97 is a home for discovering new music from talented, under-the-radar artists around the world. Biweekly episodes feature intimate conversation with rising artists from around the world, as well as exclusive in-studio live performances. Season Ten of NOT 97 will include a range of artists from Amindi, to FELIX!, Shae Universe, and more. NOT 97 is produced in partnership with The Orchard & Human Re Sources.

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Music Interviews

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Today's guest is making moves across the world for their breakout song "Slide" and the latest "Baddies" — Toronto’s own Sadboi. We discuss Sadboi’s career from releasing covers on YouTube and entering singing competitions as a young teen to being cosigned by Drake. We discuss her relationship with her mom who has helped manage and develop her career for years, releasing music under Ebhoni before reintroducing herself, Toronto’s multi-cultural influence, and her upcoming project “BARE CHAT.” Plus, an in studio performance of the contagious “Slide.”



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Sadboi: On Toronto, making music for the girls, Drake's advice, & her debut debut project BARE CHAT.

Baltimore’s own Brandon Woody & his band Upendo have made a name for themselves across the world and have yet to drop an album. The trumpet virtuoso, band leader, and composer talks through his mindset in music and the importance of presenting art live to his audience. He breaks down his philosophy, thinking beyond genre, and working to express raw emotion & energy through sound. Amongst more.



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Brandon Woody: On creating his own sound, Baltimore, releasing music on his own time, and more.

Back in March when we launched this season, we threw an event at NuBlu to celebrate 10 Seasons and Boston-born Palestinian artist Neemz came down to perform with her band. We caught up with Neemz the day before the show to talk through her evolution in music since her start in 2020, we discuss her vision and what goes into creative directing all of her visuals, and representing herself and her culture as a proudly Palestinian artist, amongst more. Plus Neemz gives a high energy performance performance of her track “Big Steppa." 



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Neemz: On identity, intention, discipline, & world-building

Today we’re joined by a very special guest — TDE’s own SiR, on the heels of releasing his latest, critically acclaimed album HEAVY. We talk through SiR’s journey from his debut Seven Sundays until now, the trial and tribulations of navigating this industry, and what this moment means to him, with his most vulnerable, introspective project to date.



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SiR: On the his record "Heavy," family, growth, vulnerability, and more.

Queens-bred singer/songwriter Amal Zenab joins the show. We talk through Amal’s earliest memories making music, what inspired her to follow this dream, collaborating with Nathan Bajar on her latest body of work Safe & Sound and how that helped her find her own voice. As well, Amal performs BOSSA ANDALE for us.



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The Check In ft. Marcel Allen

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