Y'all: how are scammers still a thing in Hip-Hop? And how is Akademiks still here? And how could anyone who claims to work in this business question Freddie Gibbs' relevance in the game? Also: is Yeezy back? CAN he come back?

What three rappers are poised to own the next decade? And if we took J. Cole out of the "Drake x Kendrick x Cole" conversation of the last decade, who could we legitimately replace him with? The criteria are: 1) lyrical ability/rap skills; 2) cultural impact & 3) commercial appeal. And while we're here: have the last 20 years produced less classic material than the previous 20? 

These are just some of the many questions Ciz and Tai are tackling on today's episode, fueled and sponsored by that first coffee of the day, lol. Plus we're talking new music by Ty Dolla $ign, Toni Braxton, Big Boi & Sleepy Brown, Boog Brown and more.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard

The creative genius that is Blue Ivy Carter gifted the world with a new Black power anthem of joy, penned by both of her parents ON Juneteenth. And still, f**kery abounds in the world. 

So Ciz and Tai had plenty of other things to talk about this week: from the music industry's disjointed front and possibly out-of-touch goals; to the double-edged sword that is tone policing, thanks to No Name and J. Cole. We're also talking about the evolution of Guwop, the return of Weezy, the gift that is Teyana Taylor and... City Girls' new album?

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard

Are you not entertained? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? Did you not ask for J. Cole to jump into the protest playlist. Well, he pulled up this week, and Twitter isn't pleased. Which leads Tai and Ciz to a conversation about freedom of speech and differences of opinions. Plus, we're taking a look at the mass adaptation of Juneteenth, talking about the real protest songs that have emerged and why Lil Baby's voice is necessary and the importance of voting and what The Roots are doing to get you to the polls this November.

Also taking a look at new singles by T-Pain, Da Baby, Buddy, Usher and Cee-Lo and gearing up for this week's new albums, including Teyana Taylor and the only 23-track album Tai is actually looking forward to.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard

"Not only is the revolution HERE, but we're seeing results. From legislation to social media campaigns, to weird-ass flexes (We're looking at you, PornHub), where change is definitely coming. As we pondered, what's next, AWAL A&R Eddie Blackmon got some of the most respected A&R's of our generation together to talk about how the music industry should address its internal systemic racism. 

We picked up some jewels from that convo, courtesy of Chris Hicks, No ID, Sha Money and Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua. Plus we're talking Billboard firsts and this week's protest music. 

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS. 

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA. 

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie 

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard

“If I lived in China, or even Russia, or any Totalitarian country…maybe I could understand some of these illegal Injunctions. Maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic 1st Amendment privileges, because they haven’t committed themselves to that, over there. But somewhere I read, of the Freedom of Assembly. Somewhere I read, of the Freedom of Speech. Somewhere I read, of the Freedom of Press. Somewhere I read, that the greatness of America is The Right to Protest For Right! And so just as I say we aren’t gon’ let any dogs or water hoses turn us around, we aren’t gonna let any injunction turn us around!” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

We finally got the Verzuz Battle we deserved, courtesy of Jamaican internet. And then Jagged Edge and 112 brought us back to the struggle. And the question: can we elevate this thing once and for all? Also, while we're on Instagram, let's talk about this ongoing conversation about copyright infringement and shutting down the DJs.

Elsewhere in the music world, Future, Beyonce, and Meg the Stallion all hit career milestones this week, Polo G had an impressive second week. All kinds of Deluxe editions are coming. And we're talking new music by Ludacris, Big Boi, French Montana, the middle brothers of Slaughterhouse, Gunna, The 1975 and Young M.A.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

Each week, Tai's been really reluctant about talking about the ongoing Verzuz battles, while Ciz has been holding us all down, watching each battle for the sake of our convos. Well,  Ring The Alarm! The Soundclash we all deserve is finally coming! As we lead up to the upcoming Beenie Man vs Bounty Killer battle this weekend, we're discussing Nelly's fail against Ludacris and all the other preposterous ideas being thrown around.

We've also got chart and RIAA talk, and new music from Tory Lanez, AZ, Snoop Dogg, Anthony Hamilton, Lloyd, and more. Plus we're breaking down Future's latest album, High Off Life, and taking a look at next week's releases.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

The beginning of this week was nothing less than a roller coaster, all centered around Black Excellence. Just hours after all of the Black Girl Magic of Shea Butter Twitter manifested into the highest viewed Verzuz battle thus far - between Jill Scott & Erykah Badu - we learned of the untimely death of iconic music mogul and pioneer Andre Harrell. The news of his death was quickly followed by the passing of legends Little Richard and Betty Wright.

Then hours after that, we learned that, for the first time in the one hundred year history of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, four Black women are holding the top spots. This week, Doja Cat became the 8th female rapper to ever reach the No. 1 position on that chart with the "Say So" Remix. And somehow, after over 100 entries on the Hot 100,  this song also became Nicki Minja's first No. 1! Beyonce's addition to "Savage" brought the song and Megan Thee Stallion to the No. 2 spot. Elsewhere in chart news, Nav and Khelani are expected to top this week's Billboard 200 list., with albums that both make an appearance on our Credit Check this week. Just in case you needed a reminder that it's never too late to make your mark.

We're running through new singles by Lloyd Banks, BROCKHAMPTON, Buju, Daniel Caesar, and confirmation that Takeoff IS the best of the Migos. Plus we're discussing new and upcoming releases from Larry June & Cardo, Deante Hitchcock, and Future.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard

Ok, we're now entering month three of this lockdown. It's time for a shift. As the Verzuz battles shift in a direction we're not quite sure about, Ciz and Tai are looking ahead at a few other ways in which artists and creatives are connecting with fans and getting the art out! Also, we've got some not-so-surprising facts about Disney and music streams.

Plus, Drake back or whatever. And one of our hosts is less than impressed. Can you guess who? We're also talking new music by Chris Brown, Jojo, Machine Gun Kelly, Khalid, and more.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard

Beyonce gave us a rap verse on a true Megan Thee Stallion remix. That's it. That's the whole show.  

Of course that couldn't be the whole show, but it brings up a great conversation about real remixes, the power of TikTok and the importance of rappers as songwriters. Also there's a wave of new albums coming, a few favorites have been re-released, and the industry is showing signs of moving past the quarantine.

Also, as always, we're talking about this week's new releases including a TDE multipack, new EPs by Terrace Martin, Stalley, Tek and more. And all the new albums you should be on right now.

Make sure you visit www.istandardproducers.com to check out our full Credit Checks and Chopping Block reviews... and, as always SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CREATORS.

This episode was recorded at Twelve Studios in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by @Cizzurp215 and @SaintBoogie

Produced by Anatomē for @istandard