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 Jan 11, 2023
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Plug (0:21).
Main Body of Review (2:28).
You may be thinking, why am I, an esteemed member of the rap journalism industrial complex… reviewing the music of an artist historically known as an R&B artist in SZA?
You may want me to just shut up and dribble, and only cover what you consider rap enough… but I will not comply. Discussing SZA’s new album SOS is my god given right protected by the Constitution!
I felt inspired to discuss this record because, for one it’s really good. And this album features many straight up rap or rap crossover moments, so I thought it was appropriate to cover on a rap podcast.
But most importantly, this album hit me at a very pivotal time in December of last year when I needed it most, where I was fragile, spiraling, and deeply ashamed.
Yet SOS managed to give me a bit of juice, providing me with sweet sounds and honest perspective related to emotions I directly was processing at the time, genuinely keeping me afloat throughout a rough time.
It’s funny how all that self-love and acceptance talk starts to actually resonate… when you stop loving yourself, and can’t accept mistakes you’ve made in the past.
If you're intrigued to know why SZA’s SOS left such a mark on me, listen on...
RMPP Preferred Cut: "Snooze"
Stream SOS here: https://open.spotify.com/album/07w0rG5TETcyihsEIZR3qG?si=djgcWQd4Sf6uIARTm35faA
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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 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
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (1:04).
Relatability in art is often erroneously mistaken for this idea of “x artist explicitly talking about things that are directly relevant to my life, talking only about things I dealt with personally".
Obviously this is a form of relatability, but I’d argue that relatability is a concept more broad and less rigid than that. Relatability to me is simply the idea of identifying with what an artist stands for.
This edition of Conversation Pieces examines the boy, Drizzy Drake and his latest collaborative album with 21 Savage, Her Loss, through the lens of relatability to see what has gone wrong for the 6 God in recent years.
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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 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
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
Beginning of Episode (1:04).
Encountering music that you immediately feel connected to is akin to meeting someone cool for the first time. Where you say to yourself, “this person is going to be a part of my life moving forward, they’re good people”.
Great music has the ability to give me that exhilarating feeling similar to when I make a new friend… it’s priceless, it gives me life.
This is what I experienced when I first heard "Little Boy" by SAULT.
This was one of those instant “Rohan canon” first listens. In the world of me, I know this song will be with me forever, and will be a part of a myriad of playlists that I send with more than platonic intentions in the future...
This song, "Little Boy" also did more than just impress me with its beauty. It made me re-examine how I view the idea of having children.
Yea… I had a lotttt of thoughts when this little boy first entered my world.
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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 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
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Plug (0:21).
The Interview (1:26).
There are few rappers that I consider true aliens of the rap game. By aliens, I mean rappers who’s style feels one of one, incomprehensible, otherworldly. The kind of rapper that sounds good on any beat you throw at them.
I was honoured to be joined by one of said rappers, Mutant Academy’s Koncept Jack$on, who gave us a peak inside the mind of one of rap’s most unique lyricists.
Listen on to hear how the incredible Koncept Jack$on does what he does.
The development of Koncept’s style and his approach to rap (2:50).
How Koncept gets inspired to write (9:44).
Advice Koncept would give to up and coming rappers to further hone their skills (12:37).
Koncept on his experience with Mutant Academy (18:10).
How Koncept and Ohbliv created the great JET MagaZINE Reissue ‘21 (25:37).
Koncept and noface’s musical connection (30:08).
How risk-taking inspires Koncept (33:16).
How HTR Vol. 1 was created (35:55).
Looking ahead to Koncept’s dream collaborations and future projects to look out for (38:35).
Support Koncept Jack$on's music here: https://konceptjackson.bandcamp.com/
Follow Koncept Jack$on on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/konceptjackson_
Follow Koncept Jack$on on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/konceptxjackson/?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 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
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Plug (0:21).
Main Body of Discussion (1:44).
Weirdness and experimentation in music is a tricky thing. It’s very easy to go too far and make music that is so unlistenable to many listeners.
It is also easy to make music that feels pushes musical boundaries, but to no meaningful end. Where the end product doesn’t come together into a cohesive statement that says anything coherent.
Lucky for us listeners of Fatboi Sharif and noface’s latest album, Preaching in Havana, none of the above applies.
Havana is a true mindf*** of an album that is stunning, and I'm pleased to be joined by the creators of this record, Fatboi Sharif and noface, to explain how the h*** this twisted record was made.
The vision of Preaching in Havana (4:09).
The creative process of the Havana beats (10:58).
Why Sharif selected these beats to rap over (22:41).
Sharif’s increasingly abstract and impressionistic rapping style (28:07).
The importance of GENG’s post-production work on Havana (29:51).
Sharif and noface’s favourite songs (38:06).
Buy/Stream Preaching in Havana here: https://fatboisharif.bandcamp.com/album/preaching-in-havana
Follow Fatboi Sharif on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/fatboyprospect?s=20&t=8z_cs72jtyE_XhbqtUwQUw
Follow Fatboi Sharif on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/fatboi_sharif/?hl=en
Follow noface on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/dough.face/?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 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
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Plug (0:21).
Main Body of Review (1:45).
You know the saying of, “it’s not how what you say, but how you say it”. This is a point that is being proven time and time again, in politics and certainly in music.
I think this dynamic applies very nicely to R.A.P. Ferreira. Although his witty philosophical musings have been present in his music since the beginning of his decade-plus long career, I don’t think his music has ever sounded better.
The packaging, from the beats to the way Ferreira rhymes, has evolved tremendously from when I first heard him on things that happen at day // things that happen at night in 2013… to where he is now, with his latest album 5 to the Eye with Stars.
Ferreira has continuously sculpted his sound to great results, and I can’t wait to explain how.
RMPP Preferred Cut: "mythsysizer instinct"
Buy/stream 5 to the Eye with Stars here: https://afrolab9000.bandcamp.com/album/5-to-the-eye-with-stars
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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 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
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Plug (0:21).
The Interview (2:10).
Not only are topics like philosophy, spirituality, knowledge of self, difficult things to learn in and of itself... it’s an entirely different challenge to be able to communicate these topics with clarity. Not to mention with grace and humility to boot. Today’s guest, AKAI SOLO, does just that.
Something I told AKAI, and what bares repeating, is that an idea sounds simple when it is presented in his music. He’s that special.
With a fresh, and raw rap style that is reminiscent of Vordul Mega, and that’s not my words… that comes from the Backwoodz Studioz head honcho himself.
On the topic of Backwoodz, this artist joins the growing list of amazing artists dropping their best projects to-date. Since AKAI just released the beautiful Spirit Roaming just a couple of weeks ago, ne of the absolute best projects of the year, period.
This conversation was as insightful as you’d expect it would be with an artist like AKAI. Enjoy!
AKAI’s writing process (4:59).
How AKAI characterizes his style of rap (16:13).
What AKAI’s music stands for (20:17).
AKAI’s creative connection with Navy Blue on True Sky (28:26).
AKAI’s mentality that he employs when approaching his career (31:49).
AKAI on being mindful of not alienating the audience (37:07).
The key inspiration behind the creation of Spirit Roaming (42:40).
The sound of Spirit Roaming (51:02).
The importance of woods executive producing Spirit Roaming (54:38).
How it feels being part of the Backwoodz Studioz run (1:00:47).
AKAI’s new album coming soon (1:05:36).
Support AKAI's music here: https://akaisolo.bandcamp.com/music
Follow AKAI on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/shinlonered?s=20&t=ShYlpWtroe-E2kxSzfflag
Follow AKAI on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/shinlonered/?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 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
Wednesday Nov 09, 2022
Wednesday Nov 09, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Hook (0:21).
The Interview (1:42).
The Mutant Academy collective has been the launching point for many of rap’s most innovative creators over the past half decade. With uber-talented spitters such as Fly Anakin, and Koncept Jack$on, and captivating beatmakers such as ohbliv, Tuamie, Foisey, and our guest on today’s show... ewonee.
ewonee has fueled the sound for not only Mutant Academy releases, but has also worked with the brightest stars in the game right now. From Mach-Hommy to Estee Nack, to YUNGMORPHEUS, crafting beats for their outstanding collaborative album, Thumbing Thru Foliage.
If you’re interested in hearing how one of the finest producers in the game approaches their craft, make sure you check this out.
ewonee’s initial inspirations to make beats (3:30).
How coding is similar to producing (7:42).
Putting the “ewonee sound” in his own words (9:30).
How ewonee approaches a sample when considering it for a beat (11:24).
ewonee’s perspective on the drumless beats trend emerging in hip-hop (13:02).
ewonee speaks on what makes Mutant Academy special (16:42).
ewonee speaks on his favourite beats that he’s produced (22:31).
The difference in process when creating an instrumental album (23:54).
What makes YUNGMORPHEUS an inspiring artist to work with (26:33).
ewonee’s upcoming jazz album, and other projects to look out for (33:09).
Support ewonee's music here: https://ewonee.bandcamp.com/music
Follow ewonee on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ewonee_
Follow ewonee on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ewonee_/?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 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
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Hook (0:21).
Main Body of Review (2:13).
Vulnerability is an interesting concept. The more vulnerable you get, the likelihood of you achieving true happiness and connection rises... just as the likelihood you get deeply hurt and traumatized rises as well.
In other words, vulnerability is a double-edged sword.
This is precisely why I gravitate so strongly to music that is personal. It’s because that’s where the magic happens, both in life and in music.
My home base has and will always be music that plays with that double-edged sword.
Since, as I just said at the beginning, vulnerability is what truly enables connection... connection between an artist and a listener surely, but more importantly, connection between a person and their true self.
Vulnerability is the only true path to acceptance, healing, and growth.
This is the path that we find billy woods on in his latest album Church, in collaboration with producer phenom Messiah Musik.
Listen on to see where this path took us…
RMPP Preferred Cut: "Pollo Rico"
Buy/stream Church here: https://billywoods.bandcamp.com/album/church
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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 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
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Video animation by: Big Flowers
Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING
The Hook (0:21).
The Interview (2:27).
When I first heard today's guest on the show on El-P's "Oh Hail No" off of Cancer 4 Cure… I was sold immediately.
Even if it was just one feature, without me being aware of who this guy was and what projects he had under his belt, his flows, his bars, and his charisma were off the charts.
The talent of Mr. Muthaf*****’ eXquire was undeniable.
And luckily for me, he also had a catalog to back up this strong first impression by the time I tapped in around the year 2012, since eXquire had already dropped a fun and rugged mixtape in Lost in Translation, and then soon after would drop the terrifically thoughtful Kismet.
From then on I was a fan for life.
Now a decade later Brooklyn’s eXquire has released his most mature and reflective album yet, and is here today to discuss that and much, much more.
eXquire illustrates how he presents himself in his music vs. how he is in his regular life (3:58).
eXquire speaks on the influence of later 2000s era rappers on his musical style (7:51).
eXquire details the influence that artists such as El-P and the Definitive Jux crew had on his artistic development (12:00).
eXquire speaks on the differences between making music now (15:31).
eXquire speaks on some lessons that he learnt throughout his career (17:23).
eXquire illustrates the inspiration behind his latest album I Love Y.O.U Cus Y.O.U Ugly Vol. 1 (22:31).
eXquire opens up about how his daughter and uncle has inspired his music (25:48).
eXquire dives into the concept of Y.O.U, and why he is so proud of his latest album (28:23).
eXquire illustrates the musical direction of I Love Y.O.U (32:59).
eXquire speaks on some current active artists that inspire him (40:57).
eXquire answers a RMPP Patron question from Dan-O on the most heinous s*** talker in hip-hop (45:29).
Stream Mr. Muthaf*****’ eXquire's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Sq6VkcHqHAuFvURbH3sXQ?si=I7672d0jR16qXsmKyRg5Ew
Follow Mr. Muthaf*****’ eXquire on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/mrmfnexquire
Follow Mr. Muthaf*****’ eXquire on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mynameishughie/
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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 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