The S.H.I.T.T.S Podcast

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Time is the one bill you can’t pay later, and we start there. I’m DJ Monsoon, and I’m joined by two independent artists with real scars and real goals: Henny Z from Seattle and DGM Nutt, Detroit raised and now holding it down in Las Vegas. We open with our weekly check-in and it turns into a bigger conversation about growth, second chances, and why protecting your mental health is part of being a serious creator. 

We get honest about music as therapy and why so much rap and hip hop feels trend-chained right now. Henny Z breaks down how chasing what’s viral can erase personality, while DGM Nutt talks about writing from lived experience and telling the truth even when people close to you don’t want to hear it. We also go deep on vulnerability in rap, the double standards artists face, and how songwriting has evolved from coded lines to today’s blunt transparency. 

Then we zoom out to the independent music grind: pay-to-play shows, weak local support, overpriced studio time, and the division that keeps scenes from winning together. Henny Z lays out a mission to put Seattle back on the map with a sound that stands out, and DGM Nutt focuses on unity and timeless music that actually helps people. If you care about authentic storytelling, artist development, and the business side of independent hip hop, this one hits. 

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next drop, share this with an artist who needs it, and leave a review telling us what topic you want us to go even deeper on next.

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Everybody says they want “real hip hop,” but what does that actually mean when every song is fighting to sound like the same playlist? I’m chopping it up with Retro Joe, a Massachusetts MC with a sharp ear for lyricism and an even sharper view on what’s missing right now: personality, originality, and the courage to stop copying what’s popular. We talk about why the 90s felt so distinct artist to artist, how regional identity got blurred, and why chasing flexes can leave the music feeling hollow. 

We also get practical for independent artists trying to build a buzz today. We discuss payola, the pressure to fake momentum, and a smarter path that still works: consistent content, clear niches, and letting people watch your real growth. If you’re pushing music on YouTube, Spotify, or any streaming platform, you’ll hear actionable advice on how to move without a giant budget while keeping your integrity intact. 

Then the conversation turns personal. Retro Joe opens up about a childhood message, “never snitch,” and how taking that literally shaped years of bullying, silence, and anxiety before mental health conversations finally gave it a name. That honesty connects directly to his next project, 75 Summers 2, built on the idea that time is the most valuable currency we have and peace is something you choose, not something you stumble into. 

Tap in, share this with a friend who cares about bars and truth, and leave a review if the conversation hits. What do you think hip hop needs most right now: better writing or more real personality?

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment. 

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A lot of artists talk about “the grind,” but Drizz Kid starts somewhere more real: your mindset. We get into what he’s working on internally, why family and daily interactions shape his writing, and how being present in your own life can make your music hit harder than any trend ever could.

From Somerville, Massachusetts to the wider hip hop world, he walks through the sounds that raised him and the moments that made music feel like real life. We debate the Clipse “Grindin” era and why timeless production and simple hooks can move an entire culture. Then we go deeper on responsibility in rap, including the trap of self-snitching, the power of your voice, and why intention matters even when the story is dark.

Movies come up as a surprisingly practical tool for songwriting and storytelling. Drizz Kid explains how quotes, scenes, pacing, and character arcs help him “paint” with lyrics, and he breaks down his own records to show how he writes for different audiences without losing the core message. We also talk about the streaming era, oversaturation, and the one strategy that still works when everyone is chasing clout: building real relationships and turning listeners into true fans.

If you’re into hip hop storytelling, rap writing, music production talk, and artist mindset, tap in, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of hip hop do you miss most right now?

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A lot can happen in two months, and when I finally got back on the mic, I wanted to pick up where life left off, with somebody who’s been building quietly and winning loudly. My guest is my son, Bryce Barnett, an award-winning student podcaster, emerging journalist, and graphic designer who’s already stacked real accomplishments while most people are still figuring out what they even want to be. We talk like family, but we also get specific about the work: how he started podcasting in high school, how he learned to tell stories that matter, and how he turned creativity into a skill set with results. 

Bryce breaks down what it felt like to switch high schools after freshman year, the anxiety and identity shake-up that comes with starting over, and the mindset shift that helped him rebuild at Homewood-Flossmoor. We also get into the assumptions people make, especially when you “look like” you should be doing one thing, and why Bryce chose journalism, radio, and podcasting over chasing basketball expectations. If you’re navigating a big change, a new school, or a new chapter, this conversation is a real reminder that discomfort can be training, not punishment. 

Then we go into the creative lane: graphic design. Bryce explains how making podcast cover art on Canva became a gateway into branding, poster design, and eventually Photoshop, plus what beginners should learn first if they want to start designing today. We even have some fun with his WWE fandom and a top five wrestlers debate, before I close with what I’m learning too: purpose, patience, and trusting the long game. Subscribe, share this with someone who’s mid-pivot, and leave a review with the one leap of faith you’re taking next.

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The funniest part of comedy is supposed to be the laughter, not the analytics, but that’s not the world we’re working in anymore. We sit down with comedian Stephanie Robertson to talk about hitting her five-year mark in stand-up, what the comedy community gives you that the internet never can, and why the live room still tells the only truth that matters.

Stephanie shares what life looks like during a forced slowdown: moving back from Austin, Texas, staying in the suburbs, and losing access to her car for a week. That simple problem turns into long walks, heavy journaling, and a lot of clarity about momentum, creativity, and what you actually need to keep writing. We also get into her experience producing a weekly show at The Vixen in McHenry, dealing with regulars who know your act, and the constant push to keep evolving.

Then we go straight at the big modern headache: the social media algorithm. We talk Instagram Reels, TikTok, stand-up clips, retention time, and how editing for “the first two seconds” can distort a joke and chip away at creative integrity. We also unpack why huge follower counts still don’t guarantee ticket sales, and we debate the thin line between offensive jokes and comedic freedom through the Kevin Hart roast backlash. If you care about stand-up comedy, comedy clubs, marketing as a comedian, and building a career without selling your soul to metrics, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who lives online, and leave a review with your take on where the line should be.

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Time is the one thing nobody can refund, and that truth sits underneath everything we talk about with Race Bannon. We start with a real check-in: what we’re working on mentally and emotionally, how mortality changes the way we move, and why being present is a skill you have to practice. From there we get into what “real wealth” actually means when the flex fades: health, peace, and relationships that are still standing 20 years later. 

Then we zoom out to Chicago hip hop, independent radio, and the behind-the-scenes friction that comes with institutions, gatekeepers, and control. We talk about why some stations want to own your information, why online radio can be freer than corporate airwaves, and how cities build “safe bubbles” that protect money while squeezing everybody else. If you care about culture carrying, artist ownership, and building something that lasts, this part hits hard. 

We also get into the internet attention economy: algorithms, outrage marketing, and why posting isn’t the same as connecting. Race Bannon shares what it takes to build community outside the feed, plus what he’s dropping now with Super Sounds, including the Roping release and where to get it direct. Tap in, share this with someone who needs it, and subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment. 

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Losing someone you love can reorder your whole day, and sometimes the only way through is to build a routine that holds you up. We sit with Chicago’s own Teefa for a conversation that starts with grief and self-care and quickly opens into something bigger: what it means to be a real artist, a real person, and a real voice in Chicago hip hop. From sauna time and meditation to building a home that feels like a retreat, Teefa breaks down how healing becomes a practice, not a slogan. 

We also dig into her journey through the Chicago music scene, from early access to DJ gear and recording, to barbershop freestyles, ciphers, and first shows that made the dream feel reachable. The talk turns to how the city’s hip hop spaces have changed, how drill music reshaped attention, and why “balance” in music matters for youth, culture, and mental health. If you care about lyricism, vulnerability, and storytelling that reflects real life, you’ll hear why Teefa believes words carry weight and why growth should never have an age limit. 

Then we get practical about the music business: Chicago radio support, local artist ecosystems, fair opportunities, and why every step toward success can’t come with a price tag. We close on the joy of sound with “International” and Teefa's house music and hip hop blend that’s built to move a room without losing bars. Subscribe for more real conversations, share this with a Chicago music fan, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

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Most people think a great live show is just great music. We don’t. A great show is communication, timing, sound, and a lineup that actually makes sense, and Lyric Versatile pulls back the curtain on how Chicago nights go right (or fall apart). We start with a real check-in on pacing and mental balance, then get into the personal story behind his name, his North Side roots, and how community shaped his style.

From there we get practical about event curation and live show promotion in the Chicago hip hop scene: what promoters forget to do, why the DJ workload matters, how many acts is too many, and the uncomfortable truth that your vision has to match your budget. Lyric also breaks down Sunday Service Social, the open jam session built around musicians, vocalists, and MCs creating in real time with a house band, plus what that kind of space does for confidence, freestyling, and artistic growth.

Then we go deeper on vulnerability in rap and what a healthy relationship looks like when conversations get uncomfortable. And yes, we still make room for left-field comedy, including a rapid-fire “Bitch I Got Options” game and some opinions that probably should’ve stayed off-mic. If you’re building a fanbase, booking shows, or just love Chicago culture and live music, you’ll leave with both gems and laughs.

Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this. What’s the one thing that instantly ruins a live show for you?

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Ever yell at your screen because the boom mic is right there? We sat down with Chicago filmmaker Will Adams to unpack how he turned the internet’s favorite “bad movie” moments into a sharp, self-aware comedy that has audiences laughing with the filmmakers instead of at them. From fake eating and no-blood gunfights to the infamous not-really-kissing kiss, Will bakes the jokes into the script, then lets pros like Damon Williams, Adele Givens, and B. Cole deliver them with perfect timing.

We dig into why writing is the single biggest lever for indie film quality and how a tight script can survive rough edges that fancy cameras can’t hide. Will lays out a practical blueprint—write first, lock locations, then cast with dates—and explains why unstructured improv often wrecks continuity and pacing. As a director, he owns the vision, coaching performances until the line clicks because “that’s a cut” is a promise to the audience. His Chicago upbringing—code-switching between grandma’s grammar lessons and South Side cadence—shows up in dialogue that sounds lived-in, not lab-built, and in his refusal to box Black stories into endless gangster reruns.

We also talk distribution and discoverability, the power of watching comedy with a crowd, and the music puzzle: why he partners with a composer to nail tone while dodging rights landmines. Will’s influences span Pulp Fiction and Snatch, structures where every character is the star of their own thread before everything collides. That DNA shapes the film’s spine, preventing sketch chaos and rewarding attention with layered payoffs. Before we wrap, Will teases Fluke—think Atlanta meets Curb Your Enthusiasm—about an out-of-work actor who keeps failing upward, proof that there’s room for fresh, funny, human stories that don’t recycle the same tired tropes.

If you’re hungry for smarter laughs and better craft, hit play, share the link with a note, and tell a friend what gag destroyed you. And if you’re new here, tap follow, rate the show, and drop a review—your words help more curious listeners find us.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment. 

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The moment you decide to end something beloved is the moment your standards get loud. We talk with author-engineer-artist Steve Sxak about closing the Marston House Cipher after 15 years of free, culture-first sessions—and why a final-season victory lap and documentary are the right way to honor it. The reasons are honest: parenthood, touring, writing, and an unwillingness to do a half-speed version of a pillar that helped define Philly’s underground hip-hop.

From there we dive into the shifting DNA of battle rap. Steve’s watched the scene evolve from off-the-top, on-beat warfare to intricate, months-in-the-making a cappella performances. We break down the pros and cons of both, the real boundaries—words are open, hands are not—and the intangible skills that separate a punchline from a moment: timing, breath, and crowd control. Philly is the backdrop for it all—late nights, tight roads, and tighter communities that push you to grow or get left.

Creation doesn’t stop at the booth. Steve’s touring with The Heroes League into SXSW’s Nerdcore Days, carrying a mobile studio to capture spontaneous collabs. He’s dropping a project every month across hip-hop, R&B, folk, and punk, plus a hard-knock record with Amsterdam’s Skinny Bones the Godfather that’s taking him to Europe and beyond. We also unpack the surprise hit of his YA novel, Invasion Of The Punk Rockers Who Drink Blood, how a joke title became a serious story about belonging and real-world monsters, and what it took to bring it to life.

Underneath the accolades is a working parent’s blueprint: homeschooling for flexibility and focus, kids in the room learning engineering and rhythm, and a studio practice that values preparation over posturing. If you’ve ever wrestled with when to close a chapter, how to protect your standards, or how to build a creative life that still makes room for Nerf wars and bedtime, this conversation lands. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves hip-hop and books with bite, and leave a review with your take: is anything off-limits in battle rap?

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.