The Rap Music Plug Podcast is the remedy to the “I don’t have anything good to listen to” problem. Through in-depth artist interviews, album reviews, and general rap commentary on the best that the underground rap scene has to offer, this is your one-stop shop to knowing what to add to your queue, play next, or pop into your record player. Are you a rap music fan? And not just any fan... but a true rap music fan that wants to move past the surface level discussion, and get into the nitty-gritty of what makes rap music so great? Are you someone who loves the feeling of discovering new music, but find it hard to navigate through the thousands upon thousands of new albums that get released every single day? If any of this applies to you, this show is EXACTLY what you need. My absolute PASSION is music. So I gladly do the dirty work of virtual crate digging, searching for the next great rap album... so you don’t have to. My name is Rohan. I am The Rap Music Plug, at your service. -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Episodes
Wednesday Mar 09, 2022
Wednesday Mar 09, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
It’s rare that you find an artist that truly sounds like nothing else you’ve heard before. In Episode 99, not only was able to find such an artist, but I was blessed to speak to one of them.
Philly’s andrew is a unique artist whose music features a blend of melody and eclectic tastes that are infuse into a brand of hip-hop that is irresistibly catchy, and remarkably honest.
andrew discusses the origins of his eclectic influences (2:25).
andrew describes how he learnt how to write raps, and make beats (6:15).
andrew speaks to the influence that blog era hip-hop has had on his music (10:48).
andrew explains the experience of being so open and honest in his art, and a public forum (15:17).
andrew illustrates how producing his own music unlocked new potential in his artistry (19:35).
andrew details his progression as an artist over the past few years, and his feelings towards the acclaim The Rain Knows What It’s Doing has received (26:37).
andrew explains how the more lush and grand production of The Rain Knows What It’s Doing came to be (32:24).
andrew explains what his mindset was while creating The Rain Knows What It’s Doing, and the primary message he was trying to convey (38:12).
andrew talks about his experience releasing his latest album under Zilla Rocca’s Three Dollar Pistol label, and the impact Zilla had on this album’s rollout (42:59).
andrew details a slew of upcoming projects in 2022 that you should be excited about (54:57).
Support andrew's music here: https://rapperandrew.bandcamp.com/music
Cop andrew's latest album here: https://threedollarpistol.com/album/the-rain-knows-what-its-doing
Follow andrew on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/andrewwwdotnet
Follow andrew on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/searchableandrew/
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
In Episode 98, I was joined by one of the most fascinating artists in the underground, DMV's Rahiem Supreme. This is an artist whose buzz has never been bigger, having just signed to a label, and recently dropping countless quality projects with the likes of Ohbliv, Al.divino, and more.
He’s also a car enthusiast, and generally cool dude who made this a fun and entertaining conversation!
Rahiem gives us details on the new label he signed with (2:32).
Rahiem discusses how he cultivated his eccentric artistic style (6:36).
Rahiem discusses why he has such an affinity for the vintage sound, and the importance he places on the performance aspect of rapping (14:10).
Rahiem explains why he pays attention to his creativity outside of just the music (21:26).
Rahiem details how him and Ohbliv approached the creation of Black Keys wit Melodies (28:34).
Rahiem illustrates why he’s so drawn to this old school funk vibe (33:52).
Rahiem explains why Black Keys wit Melodies could’ve only been made now in his career, after a decade plus of mastering his craft, and accumulating different life experiences (37:47).
Rahiem speaks on the making of the wild and nutty Splash Bandicoot, and what makes an Al.divino beat so special (40:40).
Rahiem discusses his latest album, Dogon Sirius, and his relationship with producer axpuzzles (48:14).
Rahiem details how involved he gets in the sound of his albums (54:06).
Rahiem details what upcoming projects to expect from him in 2022 (58:20).
Support Rahiem Supreme's music here: https://rahiemsupreme.bandcamp.com/
Follow Rahiem Supreme on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/rahiemsupreme?s=20
Follow Rahiem Supreme on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/godzillasupreme/?hl=en
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
SICK! still works in typically depressive content that Earl’s music has been synonymous with over the years, but there is a clarity and acceptance that reigns supreme with the mindstate Earl communicates on this album.
No longer is he seemingly drowning in an ocean of sorrow and confusion, like he was on Some Rap Songs. Instead he sounds more self-assured, and triumphant... like he has successfully made it through those dark times he had dealt with in the past. And now has a more mature and positive outlook on life, influenced heavily by his new son that entered his life, and the COVID pandemic.
This isn’t cheap vapid “I love my wife” positivity from the likes of a Chance the Rapper let’s say, it’s far from it. Instead, there is a dynamic that makes this optimism of sorts from Earl on SICK! feel authentic and earned, where the listener can easily feel the depth behind this hope, and know it’s been derived from real life experiences.
The way Earl communicates all of this is with his trademark brand of succinct poetry that allows him to jam so much impact into each and every bar. It’s this dense style of writing that has always made Earl’s music have such high replay value, and SICK! is no exception.
RMPP Preferred Cut: "Fire in the Hole"
Stream SICK! here: https://open.spotify.com/album/51heTwkSfb4Z5dRIgwU2bd?si=mQrEouNAQqmjtdYOm_cJTA
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Feb 16, 2022
Wednesday Feb 16, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
In Episode 96, I was joined by PremRock who is a prolific artist with a catalog that includes an album full of Tom Waits re-interpretations, a collaborative album with Curly Castro as ShrapKnel, and his latest truly incredible body of work, Load Bearing Crow’s Feet.
Prem is the latest artist to join and add to the recent Backwoodz Studioz and Wrecking Crew invasion of guests that have come on the show. We were very happy to have him!
PremRock dives into his key artistic influences (2:05).
PremRock gives insight into his writing process (9:55).
PremRock details when he realized that there was a true career for him in hip-hop (16:19).
PremRock explains why the dynamic between him and Castro, as ShrapKnel, is so special (25:38).
PremRock previews the upcoming follow-up record from ShrapKnel (30:44).
PremRock gives his take on what he believes the legacy of Backwoodz Studioz will be, when it’s all said and done (34:11).
PremRock illustrates how his past life experience impacted the lyricism on Load Bearing Crow’s Feet (39:29).
PremRock explains how he approached the creation of Load Bearing Crow’s Feet differently than past albums (47:17).
PremRock speaks to the important role that Willie Green played on Load Bearing Crow’s Feet (54:42).
PremRock details the meaning of the Load Bearing Crow’s Feet title (56:24).
PremRock details what new projects we can expect from him in 2022 (1:01:43).
Support PremRock's music here: https://planetpremrock.bandcamp.com/
Follow PremRock on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/PlanetPremRock?s=20
Follow PremRock on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/premrock/?hl=en
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
In Episode 95, I was joined by a very special guest with me who has authored two entries into my best of 2021 list, in Never at Peace and Vegas Vic, and is a member of the Wrecking Crew, and a host of the Call Out Culture podcast.
He hails from the home of the cheesesteak, and Nick Foles... this man is Philly’s own Zilla Rocca.
Zilla delves into how he first got into hip-hop as a fan when he was younger (2:10).
Zilla explains how Philly influenced his music and his career (6:08).
Zilla describes the meaning behind the Vegas Vic album title (12:31).
Zilla illustrates Disco Vietnam’s influence on the creation of Vegas Vic (19:47).
Zilla discusses the art of the hook game in hip-hop (26:58).
Zilla discusses how his fellow Wrecking Crew members impact his creative process (33:59).
Zilla details the meaning behind the Career Crooks group name, and the importance of a group name generally (38:15).
Zilla details how he got connected to Small Pro (43:43).
Zilla explains why exactly Small Pro beats resonate with him so much (47:12).
Zilla gives his take on the self-sufficient DIY movement that is developing in the indie scene (49:11).
Zilla discusses why the 1 rapper-1 producer model has taken off over the past decade in hip-hop (57:19).
Zilla details what he has learnt through hosting the Call Out Culture Podcast (1:06:10).
Zilla outlines what projects he has upcoming in 2022 (1:13:11).
Support Zilla Rocca's music here: https://threedollarpistol.com/music
Follow Zilla Rocca on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ZillaRocca?s=20
Follow Zilla Rocca on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/zillarocca/?hl=en
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Feb 02, 2022
Wednesday Feb 02, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
When it comes to Nas, I feel rap fans are constantly in a state of trying to diagnose his career... figuring out what’s the best situation and collaborators to yield the best results from one of rap’s inarguable brightest talents.
So in Episode 94 I was joined by the ever-insightful SonRaw to do continue this long-lasting hip-hop tradition, by discussing Nas' latest album Magic. SonRaw is - writer, DJ, producer who has written for Complex, Passion of the Weiss, FactMag, and more!
Our conversation spanned multiple topics that exceeded the bounds of just this single album, or even Nas, so you will surely want to tune in!
RMPP Preferred Cut: "Meet Joe Black"
Stream Magic here: https://open.spotify.com/album/1tiCHRx9AI11hfcLmkGEXT?si=hYar0YDBRm2XgEaDhNDHig
Support SonRaw's music here: https://son-raw.bandcamp.com/
Follow SonRaw on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/SonRaw?s=20
Check out SonRaw's various written work and projects here: https://linktr.ee/sonraw
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
In Episode 93, I was joined by a very special guest with me who has had a particularly affect on me as a brown hip-hop head growing up: Big Baby Gandhi.
Hailing from Flushing, Queens, formerly of Heems of Das Racist’s Greedhead label, you may have heard him on his solo work through well-received projects such as, Big F****** Baby, No1 2 Look Up 2, or We Live in a Society... or on a track with the Das Racist crew. He is thoughtful, charismatic, and funny as hell, and is also currently a practicing medical writer.
Hear a sneak peak at the outspoken nature of Big Baby Gandhi, as I began recording prior to us even legitimately beginning the interview like normal (0:49).
An introduction to Big Baby Gandhi (7:08).
Gandhi speaks on his upbringing and exposure to hip-hop as a Bangladeshi immigrant, growing up in New York (8:42).
Gandhi breaks down the fantasy that lies in rapper finances (17:37).
Gandhi dives deep into the increasingly standardized methods in which much of music is created these days (26:24).
Gandhi discusses changes in how people consume music (29:52).
Gandhi details his belief that music and culture generally is stuck in a loop, leading to nonsensical “culture wars” that distract the common man (particularly minorities) from the real issues (33:58).
Gandhi discusses his views on brown representation in hip-hop, and generally finding a way to being authentic as brown person in American society (50:35).
Gandhi describes how he came up with the moniker of “Big Baby Gandhi” as a rapper name (1:03:40).
Gandhi describes how it felt to release his first project, Big Fucking Baby, to critical acclaim (1:06:21).
Gandhi describes his relationship with Heems and Das Racist (1:11:08).
Gandhi discusses his recent NFT drops, and his thoughts on NFTs as a general concept (1:17:25).
Gandhi gifts us with a dope FREESTYLE (1:21:45).
Support Big Baby Gandhi's music here: https://bigbabygandhi.bandcamp.com/
Follow Big Baby Gandhi on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/BIGBABYGANDHI?s=20
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
In Episode 92, we are pleased to present to you the 2nd Annual Rap Music Plug Podcast Awards!
Note: This is a personal view of my favourite music to come out of 2021. There is no implied objectivity with any of the following discussion.
Enjoy!
Year-end thoughts (0:49).
Favourite musical discoveries of the year (7:25).
Best Rap in a Supporting Role (12:18).
Beat of the Year (14:15).
Song of the Year (15:54).
Producer of the Year (17:16).
Rapper of the Year (19:04).
Top 125 Albums of the Year structure (21:07).
Honourable Mentions (24:33).
Sub-15 (25:11).
The Majors (29:15).
Entertainment (33:29).
Butter (38:18).
For the Soul (41:33).
Grown Man Raps (46:43).
Grimy Shit (52:07).
Lyrical Wizardry (58:15).
Mind Activation (1:03:41).
- Note: I mistakenly said the wrong title for WOLFOXE's Naked Machines album, which appears at #11 in this tier. Also while you're here, check out the ‘3 Keys’ piece on this album, in collaboration with jouquin fox and Virgil Wolfe here.
Final thoughts (1:10:18).
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
In Episode 91, I had the utmost pleasure to speak with JWords. She is the producer of Double Down with Nappy Nina, one half of the H31R duo with maassai, who is an artist whose sound spans many styles, from hip-hop, electronic, and drum and bass.
JWords is a trailblazer whose style is a taste of the future. I am absolutely certain of it. I hope this interview helps you get acclimated to the next wave.
JWords describes her feelings towards the thriving underground movement currently taking place in the greater New York area (2:45).
JWords details her musical upbringing (5:16).
JWords speaks on the connections she sees between the various styles of art that she explores in her music, and how she’s been able to synthesize it into one cohesive style (7:26).
JWords explains why she is so passionate towards understanding the nitty-gritty nuts and bolts of the technical side of musical production (10:24).
JWords depicts how the pandemic may have influenced her music-making process (17:29).
JWords details why maassai was such a good fit for her unique sound, as her partner in H31R, and what skills a rapper needs to possess to thrive over this sound (20:25).
JWords shouts out some other rappers she would love to work with in the future (26:50).
JWords explains the significance behind the H31R name, and their upcoming project (29:07).
JWords explains why Nappy Nina have such a great connection (30:51).
JWords gives insight into the creation of Double Down and the reasoning behind the shorter song structure of the album (35:07).
JWords gives us a look into her future musical exploration, discussing if she will continue working with multiple styles of music in the future (37:32).
JWords gives her thoughts on the very glowing reception that she her music has received in recent years (41:04).
JWords details what to expect from her in this upcoming year (43:30).
Support JWords's music here: https://jwords.bandcamp.com/
Cop a Double Down vinyl here: https://nappynina.bandcamp.com/album/double-down
Follow JWords on Twitter here: https://www.instagram.com/_jwords/?hl=en
Follow JWords on Instagram here: https://twitter.com/_jwords?lang=en
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (0:49).
Balens Cho showcases that Mach’s album-making skills have really improved here in 2021, which I definitely think can be attributed to him reuniting with Westside Gunn.
This influence was clearly felt on Pray for Haiti, and I believe that influence is found here on Balens Cho too, as the album’s flow, consistency, and lyrical focus is on point.
Balens Cho is the result of someone who put their 10 000 hours in. Mach sounds so remarkably comfortable and in control of what he wants to accomplish, where he can now effectively execute his ideas into music form with ease.
As listeners, we are reaping the benefits of a master at work.
RMPP Preferred Cut: "Self Luh"
Stream Balens Cho here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3lYDlFILOCtV39ompt2uRs
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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/
Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast
Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com