In this throwback episode we speak with Baltimore based artists Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals - the duo behind the powerful new album "A City Drowned in God's Black Tears". When we spoke to them in Sept. of 2022 they had just released their album "King Cobra," an equally relevant and politically charged statement about life in the U.S. which utilized instrumental arrangements in a way that has come to define their sound. We talked with them about he creation of that record as well as their album pick for this episode - Outkast's "Stankonia".

McKinley Dixon wants to make rapping fun again. On his new album "Magic! Alive!" he accomplishes this through live instrumentation, a different approach to storytelling, and the childlike innocence of the characters he's written. He spoke with us about how all of this came together with the help of his hometown team and longtime collaborators. Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def.

"Magic! Alive!" is available everywhere on 6/6/25

Neil Drumming is a man of many talents. He has worked as a journalist, radio/podcast producer, and writer/director. And now he can add "rapper" to that list. Sorta. Neil joined us to explain why he doesn't really think of himself as a rapper, despite having recently released his debut rap album "Writing on Airplanes". We discussed the ideas and process behind the album and then talk about Neil's album pick for this episode - "A Book of Human Language" by Aceyalone.

Purchase "Writing on Airplanes" here:

https://neildrumming.bandcamp.com/album/writing-on-airplanes

In a soulful celebration of midlife Blu and August Fanon have teamed up to bring us "Forty". We talked with them both about the process of working on the album, aging with hip hop, legacy, and much more. Then we discuss their album pick for this episode - "Death Certificate" by Ice Cube.

Purchase "Forty" here:

naturesoundsmusic.com/products/forty

miles cooke has a new record out right now called “ceci n’est pas un portrait” which is French. Don’t ask us how to pronounce it. But it means “This is not a portrait” and we try to unpack that with miles in addition to talking about his album pick for this episode, "Fantastic Damage" by El-P.

Purchase "ceci n'est pas un portrait" here:

milescooke.bandcamp.com/album/ceci-nest-pas-un-portrait

In this throwback episode featuring PremRock we spoke with the Wrecking Crew member and Backwoodz veteran in June of 2022 about his collaborative project with Ockham’s Blazer, a jazz heavy genre bender. We also discussed his previous solo project “Load Bearing Crow’s Feet”. Then we talked about his album pick for this episode - “As the World Burns” from the Arsonists.

Purchase Prem's new album "Did You Enjoy Your Time Here...?" at this link: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/premrock-did-you-enjoy-your-time-here

Damon Locks joins us to talk about his new album “List of Demands,” a project that blurs the lines between poetry, hip hop, jazz, and experimental music. We’ll talk about the work that went into this project, the optimism and beauty it demands, and much more. Then we’ll talk about Damon’s album pick for this episode - Mixmaster Mike’s deluxe release “Return of the Cyklops”.

Stream and purchase "List of Demands" here:

https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/list-of-demands

DJ/activist/educator/Philly ambassador Cosmo Baker joins us to talk about life as a DJ in 2025, his recent Book Club gatherings (featuring authors such as Marcus J. Moore and Dan Charnas), the history of The Remedy (a joint venture with Rich Medina) and much more. Then we’ll discuss his album pick for this episode - the Soulquarian era classic “Voodoo” by D’Angelo.

Find all things Cosmo Baker related here: cosmobaker.com

Queen Herawin of the Juggaknots is about to drop her first solo project since 2019's "The Space Between Us". The album is called "Awaken the Sleeping Giant" and has been years in the making. It finds Herawin confronting the many emotions she has experienced in bringing these songs to life. She candidly spoke with us about mental health, creativity in its various forms and much more. Then we get into her album pick for this episode - “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick”.

Stream and purchase "Awaken the Sleeping Giant" here:

https://queenherawin.bandcamp.com/album/awaken-the-sleeping-giant

Hester Valentine joins us to talk about his 2024 output, which includes the projects "Valenta" and "make me, make me". Then we discuss his album pick for this episode - "N***a Please" by Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Stream and purchase Hester's music here:

https://blackval.bandcamp.com/

https://mimizuizuru.bandcamp.com/album/valenta

https://wearethekarmakids.bandcamp.com/album/i-cant-cut-your-hair