Another installment of The Questions' 'Making Illmatic' series, in which Sean Kantrowitz and MidaZ the BEAST attempt to improve an album by trimming it down to 10 tracks. They're joined by founder of Memphis collective Unapologetic./producer IMAKEMADBEATS to take on the herculean task of trimming down Wu-Tang Clan's 1997 double-album 'Wu-Tang Forever.'

The Questions: @thequestionshiphop (IG), @questionshiphop (Twitter)

Sean: @seandammit (IG), @seandammit (Twitter)

MidaZ: @midazthebeast (IG), @midaz (Twitter)

IMAKEMADBEATS: @IMAKEMADBEATS (IG), @IMAKEMADBEATS (Twitter)

questionshiphop.com

https://www.weareunapologetic.com/

Classic episode: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson has too many impressive credits to fit here, but in this throwback from our first year of live-streaming episodes, the Roots bandleader makes it evident that there is one foundational role that drives everything he does (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Hamilton, Summer of Soul, Questlove Supreme): he's an encyclopedia of music knowledge! You will learn something cool in this episode!

Original broadcast: July 16, 2020

Original broadcast: June 8, 2020

Classic episode:

World Famous Beat Junkie/DJ/Producer Rhettmatic puts his hop-hop trivia skills to the test and shares stories about the Los Angeles scene, J Dilla, Visionaries, Filipino food recommendations, and more!

Sean is once again joined by co-host MidaZ the BEAST to participate in 'Making Illmatic,' in which they must collectively improve an album by trimming it down to 10 tracks. They're joined by Dad Bod Rap Pod co-host Nate LeBlanc to break down MF DOOM and Danger Mouse's collaborative Danger DOOM album, 'The Mouse and the Mask.'

Sean: @seandammit (IG), @seandammit (Twitter)

MidaZ: @midazthebeast (IG), @midaz (Twitter)

Nate: @nate_leblanc (IG) @natejleblanc (Twitter)

questionshiphop.com

Classic episode: We take a deep dive through some hip-hop minutia with DJ and producer Statik Selektah. Topics covered include: Wu-Tang, Gang Starr, Boston's hip-hop scene, working with Roc Marciano, the unappreciated aspects of DJ Khaled's career, Statik's first placement on a Def Jux record, and much more!

Original broadcast: September 9, 2021

Classic episode: Hip-hop trivia with Hieroglyphics member and indie rap icon Del the Funky Homosapien! Listen in as Del puts his rap trivia skills to the test and talks a variety of topics, including the origin of the Hiero logo, his relationship with his cousin Ice Cube, his P-Funk recommendations, work with the Gorillaz, the future of the Deltron 3030 project, video games, the evolution of his own sound, and more!

Originally broadcast June 17, 2021

In this new sub-series, Sean is joined by co-host MidaZ the BEAST to participate in 'Making Illmatic,' a conceptual experiment to see if a hip hop album is improved by trimming it down to 10 tracks. They're joined by producer Optiks to break down Jay-Z's 2003 LP 'The Black Album.'

Sean: @seandammit

MidaZ: @midazthebeast (IG), @midaz (Twitter)

Optiks: @thisisoptiks

Episode 117:

Hip-hop artist and speaker Brother Ali checks in while in the midst of his Travelers Tour to talk about his new podcast, his history with peers such as Slug, Murs, and Blueprint, his relationship with OG legends like Big Daddy Kane and KRS-ONE, and so much more. And of course – we test his hip-hop trivia skills.

Classic episode: We're joined by hip-hop icon Bun B. Plenty of great stories in this one, as Bun talks about highlights from his career (including the making of UGK's album 'Ridin' Dirty' and the filming of their music video for "International Players Anthem"), his friendship with Biz Markie, the origin of his coloring book (how many rappers have one of those?), and more...and of course, some hip-hop trivia sprinkled throughout!

Originally broadcast July 30, 2020

Classic episode: We're joined by super producer Just Blaze, who proves that his reputation for being a walking hip-hop encyclopedia is indeed warranted. Along the way, he also shares some great stories, including working with MF DOOM, the origin of his iconic producer tag/calling card, his opinion on the last 'Star Wars' trilogy, the intricacies of production, and so much more.

Originally broadcast July 23, 2020