The Crate 808 Podcast

This week we welcome back on a great with a dope new album to talk about - Evidence sits down to break down ‘Unlearning Vol. 1’ 🔥 Yet another great chat touching on creative evolution, the process of unlearning, meeting Al Pacino and big love for Phil Collins 👑

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? Checking in with his squirrels and Squirrel Tape Instrumentals 2 is coming! (00:58)
• Diving into his new album ‘Unlearning Vol. 1’ and wanted to make it one 40 minute track (02:00)
• Breaking down ‘Better You’ with Alchemist on the beats…and hints of a new Step Brothers project (10:04)
• How it was working with Conway the Machine, Navy Blue and Boldy James (11:40)
• How ‘Pardon Me’ is actually his demo version, and the three stages of creativity - imitation, emulation and innovation (14:23)
• What’s behind the artwork for the album (19:50)
• Why he loves ‘Lost in the Park’ so much (21:30)
• How Slug got Evidence to add Murkage Dave to the project (24:05)
• How he’s dealt with stage fright (27:25)
• Being named after Al Pacino and meeting him in LA (28:25)
• He’s working on Unlearning Vol. 2, starting his own label and projects with Planet Asia, Domo Genesis, Fly Anakin (31:55)
• Why he loves Phil Collins…and never getting over the album version of ‘Batting Practice’ on ’93 Til Infinity (35:00)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

🔲 Best and worst rap memorabilia?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we’re joined by one of the best culture writers out there to talk on a true 90s cult classic record - Jeff Weiss steps in to speak on Suga Free’s brilliant ‘Street Gospel’ album from 1997 🔥 This is one of the deepest and most passionate chats we’ve recorded, covering the genius of DJ Quik, dealing with hip hop’s problematic lyrics, taking art literally, Burial, Kendrick Lamar and how so much art gets lost through capitalism and restricted journalism. Yes, it got real - tap in! 💥

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (01:22)
• Why Jeff loves ‘Street Gospel’ and Suga Free’s cameo in the ‘Nuthin But a G Thang’ video (04:45)
• What this record mean for DJ Quik at the time (07:14)
• Seeing Quik show off his piano-playing at home and why he’s one of his favourite producers with RZA (09:50)
• Why ‘Tip Toe (Reprise)’ is amazing (13:37)
• How he deals with hip hop’s problematic lyrics, taking art literally and how Suga Free is like Serge Gainsbourg (15:10)
• How ‘Dip Da’ and ‘I Wanna Go Home’ illustrate parts of society like Johnny Cash (20:00)
• Why this is one the most musical rap albums of the 90s (28:48)
• How so much art gets lost through capitalism and restricted journalism, including trying to cover Lil Boosie’s life and career (33:00)
• How hip hop almost all comes from the independent scene (50:30)
• How he heard this album? (54:28)
• How Suga Free and Mausberg influenced Kendrick Lamar (59:10)
• Love for Burial and Kode9 (1:05:28)
• How he discovered his love for writing and text (1:17:30)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

🔲 Best and worst rap memorabilia?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

We made it to 100 episodes! 😱 To celebrate the landmark, we finally bring Ray’s list of 90s Rap Songs You’d Play to an Alien if you were teaching them hip hop…disclaimer, it needs WORK 😂 We also dip into the listener mailbag and look back at our pod highlights, including Westside Gunn crashing our Boldy James interview, DJ Muggs talking about Halloween, Black Thought being slightly scared of Kam, Hip Hop Connection and knowing Andy Cole loved Wu, our Monch trilogy, real talk with Jarobi White and much more.

We’ll be building out this series of 100 Songs on our upcoming Patreon channel, so here’s the current list (which Ray built up during each of our debates, hence there’s numerous artists and albums that we haven’t tackled yet).

Crate 808’s Alien Songs List (So Far…)

1. Ebonics (Big L)
2. Shook Ones Part 2 (Mobb Deep)
3. Let Me Ride (Dr. Dre)
4. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) (Pete Rock and CL Smooth)
5. Simon Says (Pharoahe Monch)
6. Sound of the Police (KRS-One)
7. Deep Cover (Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg)
8. Kick in the Door (Notorious BIG)
9. Unbelievable (Notorious BIG)
10. Drop (Pharcyde)
11. Triumph (Wu-Tang Clan)
12. All I Need (Remix) (Method Man ft. Mary J Blige)
13. Mass Appeal (Gang Starr)
14. Excursions (ATCQ)
15. Banned from TV (Noreaga ft. Nature, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Jadakiss & Styles P)
16. At the Speed of Life (Xzibit)
17. Paparazzi (Xzibit)
18. Carry the Weight (Xzibit)
19. The Foundation (Xzibit)
20. Can I Kick It? (ATCQ)
21. It Was a Good Day (Ice Cube)
22. Twinz (Big Pun)
23. Beware (Big Pun)
24. You Ain’t a Killer (Big Pun)
25. Boomerang (Big Pun)
26. Ms. Fat Booty (Mos Def)
27. Speed Law (Mos Def)
28. Mathematics (Mos Def)
29. Second Round Knockout (Canibus)
30. Who Am I? (What’s My Name) (Snoop Dogg)
31. Pump Pump (Snoop Dogg)
32. Gz and Hustlas (Snoop Dogg)
33. Doggy Dogg World (Snoop Dogg)
34. Gin and Juice (Snoop Dogg)
35. Tha Shiznit (Snoop Dogg)
36. Ain’t No Fun (Snoop Dogg)
37. N.Y. State of Mind (Nas)
38. Represent (Nas)
39. It Ain’t Hard to Tell (Nas)
40. Brain Damage (Eminem)
41. Just Don’t Give a F—k (Eminem)
42. Shame on a N—a (Wu-Tang Clan)
43. Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit (Wu-Tang Clan)
44. C.R.E.A.M. (Wu-Tang Clan)
45. Protect Ya Neck (Wu-Tang Clan)
46. It’s All Good (DMX)
47. Ruff Ryders Anthem (DMX)
48. Machine Gun Funk (Notorious BIG)
49. Everyday Struggle (Notorious BIG)
50. Sky’s the Limit (Notorious BIG)
51. 10 Crack Commandments (Notorious BIG)
52. Hypnotize (Notorious BIG)
53. Ready or Not (Fugees)
54. Fu-Gee-La (Fugees)
55. Electric Relaxation (ATCQ)
56. Incarcerated Scarfaces (Raekwon)
57. Bring the Pain (Method Man)
58. All Eyez on Me (2Pac)
59. Can’t C Me (2Pac)
60. It’s Been a Long Time (Rakim)
61. Know the Ledge (Rakim)
62. Can’t Knock the Hustle (Jay-Z)
63. Brooklyn’s Finest (Jay-Z)
64. Dead Presidents 2 (Jay-Z)
65. D’evils (Jay-Z)
66. Insane in the Brain (Cypress Hill)
67. Hits from the Bong (Cypress Hill)
68. 4th Chamber (GZA)
69. Shadow Boxing (GZA)
70. Rosa Parks (Outkast)
71. Skew It on the Bar-B (Outkast)
72. Da Art of Storytellin' (Pt. 2) (Outkast)
73. Stil D.R.E. (Dr. Dre ft. Snoop)
74. Summertime (DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince)
75. The Message (Nas)
76. Intergalactic (Beastie Boys)
77. Jump Around (House of Pain)

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (05:15)
• Crate 808 Mailbag: A strange dream about Conway the Machine (from Ninja Rose) (11:38)
• Mailbag: Dreaming about Erick Sermon as Colonel Kurtz in ‘Heart of Darkness’ (from Koaste) (14:43)
• Mailbag: Who wins in a Verzuz -  Inspectah Deck or GZA? (From Garry Bacon, Kirk Simons, Sankofafw, Soles of Mischief) (17:06)
• Mailbag: Being in a mosh pit with Freeway and meeting Kurupt (from Matt Moore, Novar Flip and Snail Flip) (19:50)
• Mailbag: Biggest 90s disappointments - ft. Doggfather and Canibus (from Tynan DeLong) (23:08)
• Mailbag: Who could have replaced Prodigy on ‘LA, LA’ (26:05)
• 100 90s rap songs you’d play to an alien ft. Big L, Pharcyde, Pete Rock, Gang Starr, Noreaga, Biggie, Tribe, Method Man and Canibus (28:20)
• Crate 808’s most memorable moments ft. Westside Gunn, DJ Muggs, DJ Premier, Hip Hop Connection, SlimKid3, Pharaohe Monch, Evidence, Black Thought, Jarobi, Ty and Chi Modu (1:01:26)
• Rumour Roulette + Bring Your Whole Crew Quiz (1:10:52)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

🔲 Best and worst rap memorabilia?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we’re joined by a multi-award winning radio, TV and DJing legend, a true household name across the country…Trevor Nelson is in the house! 🔥 Having helped usher in a wave of black music in the UK, we chop it up about 1990s rap, pirate radio, MTV and the incredible legacy of The Lick. Strap in, this one is FUN! Highlights include...

🤯 The Lick, and throwing one of the best parties EVER with Puffy, Missy, Mariah, Whitney and Mary

😂 Getting Jay-Z to do a live PA…but he was too busy raving on the dance floor

❤️ Why he loves Dre, Snoop, Tribe, Biggie, Busta and Illmatic

😔 Why he HATED ‘Hit Em Up’, the Tupac-Biggie beef and how MTV Cribs reinforced rapper stereotypes

😱 Hearing Lauryn Hill do her version of a Sam Cooke classic

❌ How DMX saved so many DJs with his anthems

😳 How top artists act backstage around super producers and a great story about Will I Am geeking out

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (01:30)
• His start in pirate radio and shining a light on black music in the U.K. (03:20)
• How the game changed when hip hop and R&B merged (12:20)
• Starting at MTV and The Lick…and the difficulties in promoting black music on TV (13:21)
• Throwing one of the best parties EVER with Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige in Dublin (26:23)
• Getting Jay-Z to do a live PA…but he was too busy raving on the dance floor (32:04)
• How he suffered burnout and didn’t enjoy promoting black music at one point (39:00)
• Talking 90s hip hop (41:51)
• Why he loves Dre, Snoop, Tribe, Biggie, Busta and Illmatic (44:46)
• How DMX saved so many DJs with his anthems (52:55)
• Why he HATED ‘Hit Em Up’, the Tupac-Biggie beef and how rappers lead a hard life with the game giving them money problems…and why MTV Cribs was also to blame (58:22)
• Why he’d love to have been in the session for ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’…and her version of a Sam Cooke classic (1:06:48)
• Why he’s feeling so content today (1:14:18)
• How top artists act backstage around super producers and a great story about Will I Am geeking out (1:21:26)
• Why Pharrell is his favourite producer, why Trevor hated N’Sync and what could have been with Pharrell on a Michael Jackson project (1:23:50)
• Last great piece of music he heard (1:32:15)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

🔲 Best and worst rap memorabilia?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

To cap our first series on the best three-album runs in 90s hip hop we had to reach out to one our favourite rap channels out there for a roundtable chat - we’re delighted to bring on the Dead End Hip Hop crew 🔥 We speak on runs from MF DOOM, El-P, 8Ball & MJG, The Roots, Nas, Jay-Z and many more! So get ready for some dope chat on classic runs (inside and out of the 90s) with Ken, Rod, Beezy, and Myke.

Show Notes

• Ice Cube and Tupac’s album runs (02:25)
• The Roots and Gang Starr’s album runs (05:20)
• 8Ball & MJG and UGK’s runs (10:03)
• Master P’s album run (17:25)
• Mobb Deep’s album run (21:24)
• What makes a good album run? (25:40)
• MF DOOM, Ka and Roc Marciano’s album runs (28:10)
• El-P’s three-album run (37:10)
• OutKast’s album run (38:39)
• What about Nas and Jay-Z? (44:00)
• Lil Wayne’s album run and who is capable of dropping a classic run now? (47:46)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

🔲 Best and worst rap memorabilia?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we dive into one of the best New York rap records ever with one of our favourite podcasts out there - Curly Castro, Alaska and Zilla Rocca bring the Call Out Culture podcast flavour to talk Jeru the Damaja’s 1994 classic ‘The Sun Rises in the East’ 🔥 This was FUN, so enjoy!

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (01:39)
• How this album works well with Illmatic and how Biggie and Jeru repped Brooklyn hard (02:55)
• How Jeru’s flow stood out (09:45)
• Why ‘Come Clean’ is a masterpiece (18:05)
• Love for the ‘Come Clean’ soap and condoms and Jeru’s style (19:57)
• Diving into DJ Premier’s weird period with this and Group Home (21:30)
• What is Preemo’s 5-Mic Moment? (31:43)
• Feeling on ‘Wrath of the Math’? (37:39)
• The time Alaska brought a spreadsheet to a Nas pod episode (50:16)
• How Zilla caught fire from Sauce Money and the producers of Raekwon’s ‘Immobilarity’ (55:20)
• When Alaska interned for Puff Daddy at Bad Boy (57:58)

Go check out the dope Call Out Culture pod right here: https://li.sten.to/zFtoZbL

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we’re joined by one of our favourite rappers - New York legend Homeboy Sandman 🔥 This one was fun, as we got into it about his latest album ’Don’t Feed the Monster’, as well as….

👑 Speaking on MF DOOM

💪 Rap ethics

👏 His outstanding career

❤️ Love for Lupe and Pharoahe Monch

💥 Working with the likes of Aesop Rock and Edan

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (01:03)
• How ’Don’t Feed the Monster’ has lead to different conversations (02:00)
• How he got so comfortable with Quelle Chris on the album (10:30)
• Breaking down ‘Biters’, ‘Extinction’, fame, the ethics of hip hop and Lupe Fiasco (13:50)
• Reacting to Lupe calling Homeboy Sandman Top 5 atm (19:15)
• When he discovered his love for wordplay through rinsing rap albums (20:00)
• His views on non-conformity and corny money-worshipping (23:55)
• The moment he realised he was good at rapping and what’s behind the name (27:20)
• Did he really deliver a baby in a broken elevator?! (31:25)
• His thoughts on fear and the track ‘Don’t Look Down’ (33:30)
• Working with Aesop Rock and the Lice trilogy (39:10)
• Remembering MF DOOM and why he’s the best ever (42:29)
• His relationship with Edan (47:04)
• How he feels about his album ‘The Good Sun’ (49:06)
• Experiences living in the UK (52:50)
• Last great music he’s heard ft. love for Pharoahe Monch (1:00:50)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we dive into a stone cold 90s classic hip hop album with freelance culture journalist for the likes of The Guardian, VICE, Dazed, Financial Times, BBC and creator and co-host of the Exit the 36 Chambers podcast - Thomas Hobbs. 🔥

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (01:07)
• How Big L was a litmus test for friends and how he could have become Roc Marciano or Benny the Butcher (04:30)
• How this record leans into horrorcore, Big L’s love for horror movies, showcases humour as a coping mechanism and influenced the likes of Eminem, MF DOOM and DMX (09:45)
• Why ‘All Black’ is such a great song and that amazing Psycho 2 reference (14:20)
• Why ‘Put It On’ is L’s 5-Mic Moment (20:00)
• Most Rewindable Moment: The intro to ’No Endz, No Skinz’ and how brilliant the sampling of Big L’s voice has become (23:00)
• Breaking down ‘8 Iz Enuff’ and how Big L is a giant in rap (30:00)
• Hidden Gems: Love for Big Twan (38:40)
• Does Big L body Jay-Z on ‘Da Graveyard’? (40:10)
• Why Big L’s ‘MVP’ video s brilliant ft. a topless Kid Capri and a classic Coogi sweater (41:00)
• Last great music you heard? (55:26)

Also, the Crate 808 Patreon is coming 🚨 To make sure you keep updated on the launch and amazing new hip hop shows we’ll be bringing, go to crate808.com and subscribe to the newsletter - we’ve got episodes looking at hidden gems albums from the 90s, the catalogues of MF DOOM and J Dilla and a new series focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. Yes, it’s gonna be big, so subscribe to the newsletter for all the news 💯

For the next mailbag episode, we’d love to hear from you guys, so email us at [email protected] with your takes on…

🔲 The strangest dreams you’ve had about a rapper

🔲 Where’s the weirdest place you’ve met a rapper?

🔲 What’s the best AND worst merch you’ve ever bought?

🔲 What rapper’s swag would you wear to a wedding, funeral or job interview?

🔲 You have to get a rap song tattooed on you…which one, where and why?

🔲 What’s the worst rap beat of 1995?

Check out the Exit the 36 Chambers podcast right here: https://www.exit36chambers.com/

Quick shoutout to our friend Dan Runcie and his Trapital podcast - the go-to podcast on the business behind hip-hop culture. Check it for some rap gems: https://trapital.co/pod/

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we welcome on a duo that have been killing the underground scene for years - Billy Woods and Elucid jump on to speak their new album ‘Haram’ with The Alchemist 🔥 Along the way we touch on song craft, psychedelics, religion, the band Swans, their incredible body of work…and shepherds pie 😂

Show Notes

• Least hip hop thing in the last 24 hours? (01:35)
• How they feel on the reception of Haram (02:28)
• What it’s like working with The Alchemist (05:38)
• Breaking down the track ‘Stonefruit’ (08:40)
• The difference The Alchemist made and if there’s any added pressure now (14:44)
• Breaking down ‘Aubergine’ and keeping your ego in check eg. Thom Yorke putting Shrines on his playlist…and why Woods would never touch psychedelics (19:32)
• Talking on their style of songwriting (22:25)
• Their relationship with faith, religion and family (26:55)
• Woods on love, hate and ‘Stonefruit’ (31:50)
• Behind the use of film excerpts on the album (33:42)
• Their thoughts on 2020 and supposed sea of change (35:33)
• Talk on common misconceptions on their work (42:00)
• Songs they wished they’d worked on - Elucid on ‘Chicharrones’, Billy Woods on ‘Charms’ (45:20)
• Why does Elucid love the band Swans so much (49:50)
• Why they love the UK, vinegar on their fish and shepherds pie (51:55)

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com

This week we pay tribute to DMX after his recent passing, and as he’s one of the biggest musical icons ever, we had to do it right. So we got together a host of some of the best writers, journalists, rappers, podcasters and cultural commentators to look back at Earl Simmons’ incredible life and legacy, including…

• Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/32cYKQL)
• Dart Adams (https://amzn.to/3sjPp4e)
• Zilla Rocca from Call Out Culture podcast (https://apple.co/3giOBtM)
• Will ‘ill Will’ Lavin (www.illwill.co.uk)
• The Crate 808 crew (crate808.com)
• Jon Bass from The Notorious P.O.D. podcast (https://bit.ly/3wSS6gy)
• Yemi Abiade from Rhymes Like Dimes podcast (https://bit.ly/3wZoAWG)
• Luke James (https://bit.ly/2QqWJOh)

So get ready for some incredible stories, brilliant takes and a celebration of the man’s stunning legacy. 🔥

Rest in power DMX and thank you for the music 🙏

Show Notes

• Justin Hunte (03:00)
• Seeing X perform live and how he was perceived after 2003 (05:20)
• Meeting DMX (11:24)
• Dart Adams and X’s career path (22:28)
• How DMX helped traumatised people and wasn’t clowned for praying and crying (38:30)
• Zilla Rocca from Call Out Culture podcast (41:34)
• How his ex-girlfriend met X in London playing pool (52:19)
• Why DMX has the best voice in rap history, influenced Kendrick Lamar and how he rhymes like listening to disco music (55:45)
• Will ‘ill Will’ Lavin (1:02:08)
• How X was a human and his music was therapy (1:10:00)
• The Crate 808 crew on their Top 5 DMX tracks and favourite X stories (1:24:00)
• Jon Bass from The Notorious P.O.D. podcast (1:49:50)
• Yemi Abiade from Rhymes Like Dimes podcast (2:06:20)
• Luke James (2:25:28)

Be sure to check out our merch - jump on crate808.com to buy a tee or a hoody (or have a look at our Instagram shop), and help support the pod please. It all goes back into the pot for us to try make even more great content for you! 🙌

And our last series talking best 3-album runs in rap can be found here…

Ice Cube with Shawn Setaro (https://bit.ly/3kaYfOq)

Tupac with Andrew Barber (https://bit.ly/2HGr3QT)

De La Soul with Andrew Emery (https://bit.ly/324LJJn)

Gang Starr with Dart Adams (https://apple.co/2Vlx9t1)

A Tribe Called Quest with Rob Pursey (https://bit.ly/3oS73uX)

Redman with Take it Personal Radio (https://bit.ly/3tYFUcL)

OutKast with Justin Hunte (https://bit.ly/3b89bJh)

Mobb Deep with Chris Mitchell from Breaking Atoms (http://shorturl.at/zHIKO)

Catch all our Spotify playlists here…

Slept-On DJ Premier Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iw4yun

Slept-On Wu-Tang Bangers Playlist: https://spoti.fi/32QtAQG

Sample Corner Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3eYfhMd

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3uSa552

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crate808

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crate_808

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crate808

Website: https://www.crate808.com