This Broken Mixtape

Darby Wheeler is an accomplished television producer and filmmaker whose credits include The Strombo Show and Matty Matheson's Dead Set on Life. His latest project, Hip-Hop Evolution, is an award-winning Netflix docu-series that profiles the history of hip-hop music through in-depth interviews with influential artists. We talk to Darby about assuming the enormous responsibility of telling the story of hip-hop music, why host Shad got nervous while interviewing Q-Tip and KRS-One, and that time in high school when he and his friends drove to Detroit to see a Public Enemy concert.

Turntablist and producer DJ Cosmo started as a scratch DJ in the early 2000s, winning the Halifax DMC Competition, before moving on to become the first Canadian Redbull3style Champ in 2009.

As the backup Dj / musical coordinator for rapper Azealia Banks, he has performed at major festivals around the world including Coachella, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza.

Guest co-host Maya Killtron and I talk to DJ Cosmo about his latest EP, what it's like to work with Azealia Banks, and that time he played Karl Lagerfeld's birthday party.

Atlanta's The APX is an electro-funk duo comprised of married couple Dee and Erika Rhodes.

The duo is as equally inspired by funk staples like Zapp and The Gap Band as they are by more contemporary electronic acts like Kaytranada and Chromeo.

I talk to Dee and Erika about their sophomore album Amplified Experiment, drawing the attention of Teddy Riley and Jody Watley, and how to sustain a successful personal and professional relationship.

Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Cornfield combines confessional lyrics with a conversational vocal delivery, reminiscent of icons like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.

Having studied jazz drumming at Concordia University, she is well-versed in a myriad of other instruments, including piano, guitar and French horn.

Guest co-host Tara Kannagara and I talk to Charlotte about her latest album being longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, collaborating with members of Broken Social Scene, and her favourite Kevin Bacon and Jack Nicholson movies.

As an emcee, producer and one-third of hip-hop group The Sorority, Brampton's Haviah Mighty is a force to be reckoned with.

Her solo debut record 13th Floor showcases her versatile delivery and flow, raw lyricism, and innovative production chops.

Justin spoke to Haviah about her album being shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, experiencing racism while growing up in East Toronto, and the hyper-sexuality of female rappers.

To celebrate the two-year anniversary of This Broken Mixtape, we held a live storytelling event in early July.

The event features a talented lineup of musicians, comedians and music industry players, including David Hayman, Tara Kannangara, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Maya Killtron, DJ Cosmo, Rhiannon Archer, Gaurav Sawhney, Chelsey Bennett, and Big Norm.

You'll hear stories about how various albums and songs remind our storytellers about growing up, fitting in, and discovering themselves.

Harnessing a true nomadic spirit, DJ/producer Dre Ngozi has always been moved by music spanning countries and cultures around the world.

In any given set, you'll hear her spin everything from classic hip-hop and R&B, to island riddims and Afrobeat, to electro and house, and everything in-between.

Guest co-host Tara and I talk to Dre about her humble beginnings as a "radio DJ" at the age of nine, opening for Frank Ocean at Wayhome Festival, and practicing and teaching health and wellness -- both in-person and on social media.

On Jeff's final episode, Justin and Jeff discuss the exciting future of This Broken Mixtape, recent concerts and albums they've explored, and the Toronto Raptors' history-making journey to the NBA Finals.

Louis-Philippe Celestin, otherwise known as Lou Phelps, is a Montreal rapper and producer.

Hip hop heads first took notice in 2011 when Phelps and his older brother -- producer Kaytranada -- released their first album as The Celestics. Since then, the Haitian-Canadian brothers have gone on to pursue their own solo careers.

We talked to Lou about his latest album Love Me, the time Madlib compared Kaytranada to the late J Dilla, and the Montreal hip hop scene.

Singer-songwriter Sasha Sloan was only a few months into her studies at Boston's Berklee College of Music before she signed a publishing deal.

After a few years of living in Los Angeles -- writing for some of the biggest pop artists in music -- she decided to focus her energy on her own singing career.

We spoke to Sasha about writing for artists like John Legend and Charli XCX, the folk-Americana music her mom raised her on, and getting a case of the butterflies when she performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.