1989 was one of the greatest years in hip hop.

De La Soul.
Big Daddy Kane.
Public Enemy.
The DOC.
Queen Latifah.
EPMD.
Slick Rick.

Rap music was evolving in REAL TIME.

New episode of The Rap Soul Podcast available now.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com

Los Angeles gave hip hop some of the greatest albums ever recorded — but which ones belong at the top?

On this episode of The Rap Soul Podcast, 12Kyle is joined by Baylor from the BTG For President Podcast to break down and debate the 25 greatest LA hip hop albums of all time.

From N.W.A., Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Quik, and Snoop Dogg to Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, The Game, and more — the fellas discuss classic albums, cultural impact, West Coast history, gang politics, CD era nostalgia, and why certain albums still hit decades later.

Topics include:

• Why Doggystyle changed everything
• Is The Chronic better than Doggystyle?
• Kendrick Lamar’s place in LA rap history
• Why Dogg Food deserves more respect
• The impact of Eazy-E and N.W.A.
• The greatest rookie run in hip hop history
• Why LA hip hop is still dominating today

West Coast hip hop fans — this one's for you.

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, 12Kyle shares his nostalgic experience with the BMG music service in the 90s, exploring how it offered free CDs for a penny and its impact on music consumption and piracy. 

12Kyle discusses the business model, personal anecdotes, and the shift to digital file sharing that changed the music industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Rap Soul Podcast
02:47 The BMG Experience: A Journey into Free Music
16:39 The Impact of BMG on Music Consumption

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com

YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/-Yl633G2O-Y

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, host 12Kyle explores the controversial topic of banning cell phones at concerts, examining the impact on the live experience, safety, and the culture of recording moments. 

12Kyle shares personal insights and examples from music and comedy events, advocating for being present over recording.

Chapters

00:00 The Cell Phone Debate at Concerts
19:02 Conclusion: Embracing the Moment Without Phones

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com

YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/PiAyqgyUkJU

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, host 12Kyle discusses the year 1987, highlighting its significance in hip hop history.

He explores breakout artists, apex figures, essential albums, and classic releases that defined 1987.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Greatest Year in Hip Hop
04:22 Breakout Stars of 1987
11:37 Apex Rappers of 1987
17:54 Essential Albums of 1987
26:26 Certified Classics of 1987

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com
YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/GA8Jj5hWFY0

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, host 12Kyle discusses his personal list of the 12 greatest Southern rappers, emphasizing the criteria of lyricism, flow, and delivery. 

He reflects on the historical context of Southern rap, its evolution, and the artists who have shaped the genre. The conversation includes a countdown of his top picks, providing insights into each rapper's contributions and significance in hip hop.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Southern Rap Legends
04:22 Criteria for Ranking Southern Rappers
10:51 The Countdown Begins: Rappers 12 to 7
14:07 Continuing the Countdown: Rappers 6 to 1
23:50 Recap and Conclusion

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com
YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/o5A01XEx-6U

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, host 12Kyle and guests Britt and Baylor explore the concept of a unique restaurant called the Hip Hop Cafe, where each menu item is inspired by hip hop artists and their music. 

The conversation flows through various topics, including favorite songs from iconic artists, the influence of hip hop on culture, and personal anecdotes related to the music discussed. 

They delve into the influence of various hip hop legends, discussing their favorite songs and the impact these artists have had on the genre. The dialogue flows seamlessly from one topic to another, highlighting the nostalgia and significance of hip hop in their lives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Rap Soul Podcast
05:28 Menu Items and Favorite Songs
10:34 Hot Wings and Their Significance
15:45 The Importance of Whiting and Heavy D
18:37 The Last Movie and Music Memories
21:35 Eric B and Rakim's Influence
24:43 Will Smith's All-American Hits
26:27 Marley Marl's Musical Legacy
32:42 Hip Hop Cafe Menu: Salmon Burger and Uncle Luke
33:43 Dance Floor Anthems: Uncle Luke's Impact
37:04 Turkey Burgers and Houdini's Classics
39:02 Friendship in Hip Hop: LL Cool J's Influence
42:09 A Tribe Called Quest: Culinary Favorites
43:05 Ghetto Boys: Mind Playing Tricks on Me
43:50 EPMD: Classic East Coast Vibes
44:29 Nas: The Essence of Hip Hop Fries
45:50 Public Enemy: Fight the Power and Chili Cheese Fries
47:15 Tupac's Legacy: Crab Cakes and Iconic Tracks
49:36 Nostalgic Hip-Hop Memories
50:56 The Hip-Hop Cafe Menu: Salads and Sides
52:23 Iconic Hip-Hop Storytellers
53:55 Desserts and Female Hip-Hop Legends
55:24 West Coast Flavor and E-40's Influence
56:27 ODB: The Unique Flavor of Hip-Hop
59:16 Public Enemy and the Power of Hip-Hop
01:00:56 Biz Markie's Legacy in Hip-Hop
01:01:56 Ice-T: A Hip-Hop Pioneer
01:03:32 The Hip-Hop Cafe: A Fond Memory
01:06:07 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com
YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/Whz23H0Mt0I

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, hosts 12Kyle and C-Recks explore the impact and legacy of two iconic albums by Common, 'Like Water for Chocolate' and 'Be'. 

They discuss the albums' production, lyrical depth, replayability, and influence on hip-hop and neo-soul, sharing personal stories and insights into their significance in hip-hop history.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Appreciation for Podcasting
03:02 Early Influences and Love for Hip-Hop
05:57 Reviewing 'Like Water for Chocolate' - Emotional Connection
08:51 Impact of 'Like Water for Chocolate' on Hip-Hop
11:08 Nostalgia and Personal Connections to Music
11:09 Replayability of 'Like Water for Chocolate'
13:14 Lyrics and Storytelling in 'Like Water for Chocolate'
15:22 Production Quality of 'Like Water for Chocolate'
17:49 Cohesion and Intentionality in 'B'
20:05 Impact of 'Be' on Common's Career
22:52 Replayability of 'Be'
24:15 Lyrics and Themes in 'Be'
26:05 Production Quality of 'Be'
27:31 Final Thoughts and Comparisons of Both Albums

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com/
YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/hvPdjd0RYZE

16 Bars Game...https://www.16barsgame.com/play?source=rspod

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, the host 12Kyle explores the nuanced differences between crossing over and selling out in hip hop, examining how artists navigate commercial success while staying true to their roots. 

The discussion includes historical perspectives, key examples like Hammer and Vanilla Ice, and the evolution of hip hop culture.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview
00:33 Big Gip's thought on crossing over in hip hop
01:24 Hip hop's origins and initial resistance to mainstream success
02:44 The rise of commercial success in the 90s and artists' pushback
05:27 MC Hammer's crossover success and perceptions of sellout
08:07 Vanilla Ice and the question of crossing over
09:03 EPMD's song 'Crossover' and staying true to roots
11:21 The shift in hip hop's acceptance of commercial success
12:44 Criticism of artists who sell out versus crossover artists
13:59 Modern artists and the pursuit of success in a capitalist society
17:27 Conclusion and final thoughts on crossing over and selling out

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com/
YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/5HkuzG9plXA

In this episode of THE RAP SOUL PODCAST, host 12Kyle discusses the intersection of music and culture, focusing on iconic hip hop logos from both record labels and artists. 

He reflects on the influence of Nipsey Hussle and his brand, The Marathon, and explores the significance of various logos in hip hop history, including those of Def Jam, Bad Boy, Death Row, and artists like OutKast and Wu-Tang. 

The conversation highlights the cultural impact of these logos and their connection to the artists' identities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Rap Soul Podcast
01:45 Nipsey Hussle and The Marathon Brand
04:37 Iconic Hip Hop Logos: Record Labels
12:56 Iconic Hip Hop Logos: Artists
25:59 Conclusion 

Links

AUDIO https://therapsoulpodcast.riverside.com/
YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/8Rhtr6jRguQ