Best The 5th Element Podcast Network Podcasts (2025)

1
An Interview W/ London-Based Producer Ryder 1:06:20

5d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Hello DITD listeners! Charlie here. As a bonus for this week, I have an interview for you to step to! I - along with "In Search Of Sauce" alum, Music Journalist Miki Hellerbach - talk to Ryder who broke out a few years back with his now iconic #Skeptacore series. Now, he's dropping a new series of EPs named "RYDERHOOD", the first edition dropping t…

1
Ep.324 - "Bringing You Into My World" W/ Ryder 1:06:20

5d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Another interview for you to step to! For this one I am joined by Music Journalist & "In Search Of Sauce" alum Miki Hellerbach to elevate the conversation with Kingston-Upon-Hull born and London-based producer Ryder. With his first of a series of EPs "RYDERHOOD" dropping this Friday, (not the 28th!) we talk about his beginnings, learning production…

1
Ep.313 - The Treacherous Three 1:04:13

6d ago1:04:13

1:04:13

After covering Kool Moe Dee last week, it seemed right to go back and look at the pioneering group that he was a member of: The Treacherous Three. With two albums 10 years apart, they serve as great markers in how much evolution happened from '84 to '94. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:10) Charlie: namesbliss - Signature Sound Boog Brown - Su…

1
Ep.323 - "It Only Gotta Be Three Minutes" W/ Derrick McKenzie 1:05:08

11d ago1:05:08

1:05:08

Another interview for you to step to! For this one, I talk to veteran drummer for modern legends Jamiroquai Derrick McKenzie off the back of a new collaborative EP he participated in called "Soil Samples". We talk his beginnings, a typical Derrick McKenzie day; his early gigs, a bit of Jamiroquai, how "Soil Samples" came about and of course his Top…

1
Ep.322 - Datacentres & "Dire Wolves" 1:09:11

13d ago1:09:11

1:09:11

In a week where: Amadou Bagayoko of music duo Amadou & Mariam dies aged 70. Universal chooses Bedford to be location of its first theme park in Europe. UK Parliament is recalled to map out saving British Steel. US judge rules pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported. Rory McIlroy wins The Masters - achieving a career Grand Slam - the 6…

1
Ep.312 - Kool Moe Dee 1:09:46

13d ago1:09:46

1:09:46

If you were to name a rapper that embodies the word 'confidence', you could probably name at least 10 rappers that fit the word. Is one of them Kool Moe Dee? A case could be made that he's the most confident sounding rapper on wax, all the way from his first album in 1986 to his last in '94. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:57) Ben: Ken Carson…

1
Ep.321 - Boarding School, Chewing Gum & Grand Slam Track 57:17

19d ago57:17

57:17

In a week where: Actor Val Kilmer dies aged 65. National Rally leader Marine Le Pen is convicted of embezzlement, sentenced to four years in prison. Donald Trump goes tariff crazy. Russell Brand is charged with Rape. Elon Musk gets rinsed on his own Live stream. In Tech: (5:21) Kenyan workers are doing something that we're told is impossible to do …

1
Ep.311 - DITD 6th Anniversary Special 1:42:15

20d ago1:42:15

1:42:15

Another year, another DITD Anniversary! For our 6th anniversary, we look back at some of our favourite moments, with clips for you newer listeners. Episodes covered will be below if you want to get into them proper. And as always, whether you've been listening since Ep. 1 or since last week, we appreciate you listening. Here's to six years! TIMESTA…

1
Ep.320 - Korean Adoption, Spanish Houses & Turkish Protests 57:32

26d ago57:32

57:32

In a week where: Oscar-winning Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal is beaten and kidnapped by armed Israeli settlers and IDF soldiers. US government adds a journalist onto their private Signal chat. Ukraine and Russia have agreed to separate deals to pause attacks in the Black Sea. Athletics becomes first Olympic sport to require genetic testing on …

1
Ep.310 - Lords of the Underground 1:09:58

27d ago1:09:58

1:09:58

Jersey-centred trio Lords of the Underground represented a lot of what we now consider the hallmarks of the Golden Age of Hip-Hop: Youthful energy, fast flows and great sample-based production. This led to two great back-to-back projects and two other albums of varying quality. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:41) Ben: Boldy James x Antt Beatz…

1
Ep.319 - "Oh Freedom!" W/ Ovie Okenarhe 1:07:31

1M ago1:07:31

1:07:31

Another interview for you to step to! This episode I talk to Founder of the "OH FREEDOM!" Festival Ovie Okenarhe. We talk about his beginnings, his sporty background, moving to Australia and how the festival came about. Oh, and his Top 5 as standard. The inaugural Oh Freedom! Festival will take place this bank holiday weekend from May 2nd to May 5t…

1
Ep.318 - Benefits, Gang War & Black Women's Hair Care 1:16:08

1M ago1:16:08

1:16:08

In a week where: Author & writer Alex Wheatle dies aged 62. Trump signs order to begin dismantling of US education department. Protests in Istanbul, Turkey break out after its popular mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is arrested. JFK Files are declassified. George Foreman, boxing champion and entrepreneur, dies aged 76. In Politics: (9:05) With Tory Lite's Ben…

1
Ep.309 - Women's History Month '25 - Queen Mother Rage 1:10:13

1M ago1:10:13

1:10:13

We finish our WHM celebrations with an artist that is never talked about. Maybe it's due to her not getting traction off her one studio album? Maybe the message fell on deaf ears? We get to the answer of course but regardless of reason, Queen Mother Rage is Hip-Hop history and we take this opportunity - to finish WHM - covering a small piece of the…

1
Ep.317 - Mahmoud Khalil, Solidarity & Plastic 1:03:12

1M ago1:03:12

1:03:12

In a week where: Keir Starmer scraps NHS England to put it back into ministerial control. Ukraine agree to 30 day ceasefire but Russia doesn't. Meta will launch Community Notes. US conducts strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Tory Lite announces cuts to Disability Benefits. In the first of two Society segments: (7:01) The detainment of Mahmoud Khali…

1
Ep.308 - Women's History Month '25 - The Sequence 1:01:44

1M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

With the recent passing of R&B legend Angie Stone, we thought it was a good time as any - in the midst of our WHM celebrations - to celebrate her pre-solo career with Cheryl "The Pearl" Cook and Gwendolyn "Blondie" Chisholm as the early 80s all-female Hip-Hop trailblazers The Sequence. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:44) Ben: Playboi Carti - …

1
Ep.316 - Ketamine, Wretch 32 & Sustainable Carnival 55:56

2M ago55:56

55:56

In a week where: Roy Ayers, jazz-funk pioneer behind Everybody Loves the Sunshine, dies aged 84. D'Wayne Wiggins, founding member of the Tony! Toni! Toné!, dies aged 64. Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney will become new prime minister of Canada. Anonymous hacks Twitter. Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is flown to The Hague aft…

1
Ep.307 - Women's History Month '25 - MC Trouble 42:45

2M ago42:45

42:45

Continuing our WHM celebrations, we get into MC Trouble who tragically died aged 21, leaving us with her 1990 debut studio album that featured her name on the production credits - a rarity for female rappers at the time - and provided a great thematic mixture of womanhood and Black solidarity. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:50) Ben: Black So…

1
An Interview With Dallas/NYC Rapper EB Rebel 1:04:56

2M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

Hello DITD listeners! I have a bonus episode for you, coming via my Podcast "What's Good?". I talk to Dallas born & raised EB Rebel now sharpening their craft in New York City. We get into their beginnings, talented & gifted programs; their queerness, being 'genre-less' and of course their Top 5. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute t…

1
Ep.315 - "You Have To Love It" W/ EB Rebel 1:04:56

2M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

Another WG interview for you to step to! For this one, I talk to Dallas born & raised EB Rebel now sharpening their craft in New York City. We get into their beginnings, talented & gifted programs; their queerness, being 'genre-less' and of course their Top 5. BUENAS NOCHES (Single) Their EP "Play At Your Own Risk" drops March 28th. Thank you for l…

1
Ep.306 - Women's History Month '25 - Boss 54:41

2M ago54:41

54:41

The story of Boss is one of subversion, devastatingly low levels of luck and an astronomical talent. How we only have one album and some hard-to-find mixtapes from such a skilled MC? TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:19) Ben: KiLLOWEN - six missed calls Charlie: 1,000 UK Artists - Is This What We Want? KiLLOWEN - six missed calls The Doppelgang…

1
Ep.314 - Senegal, "No Other Land" & Colour 1:02:26

2M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

In a week where: A$AP Rocky found not guilty in his two 2021 felony assault charges. Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is charged for inciting a coup. Amazon MGM Studios gains creative control over James Bond film franchise. Conservatives win German General Election with far-right AfD in second. In…

1
Ep.305 - Contemporary Cool, Vol. 16 59:59

2M ago59:59

59:59

For the 16th Contemporary Cool, we get into what many consider to be Lupe Fiasco's best album and a J.PERIOD remix of Kendrick's "GNX". TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:48) Charlie: NAO - Jupiter Smif-N-Wessun - Infinity Kelela - In The Blue Light Amindi - Luvr-but it's on guitar (live) Tetsuo & Youth - (8:00) "J.PERIOD Presents - REINCARNATED…

1
Ep.313 - Angry Opposistion & Stormzy 38:40

2M ago38:40

38:40

No IAWW since I'm recording this early... In Politics: (3:09) In a low-key mask-off moment, the US Democrats - after getting berated by their grassroots orgs - are pissed of about being told to - checks notes - oppose shit? (Article By Jake Johnson) In Music: (13:21) Malcolm X once talked about Black celebrities as leaders. It came back into my min…

1
Ep.304 - Boogie Down Productions 1:08:38

2M ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Boogie Down Productions - led by KRS-One - was an inventive group of the time, taking KRS' superior lyrical ability and combining it with production that was initially highly dynamic at first. With five albums, the death of Scott La Rock marring the history and plenty of lore, it makes for an iconic story in Hip-Hop history. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Musi…

1
Ep.312 - "Guinea Pig Generation" & Prince Charles Cinema 1:05:09

3M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

In a week where: Donald Trump seeks to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Jimmy Butler is finally traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors. Irv Gotti, Music Producer and Murder Inc. Co-Founder, Dead at 54. The remains of Grenfell Tower will be demolished. The Philadelphia Eagles win the SuperBowl. In Politics: (5:16) Kier Starmer's Tory Lite i…

1
Ep.303 - Poor Righteous Teachers 1:09:38

3M ago1:09:38

1:09:38

The story of Poor Righteous Teachers isn't a well documented one, but the music speaks volumes with great production throughout, thought and dexterous lyrics soaked in 5% teachings and an embracing of Toasting that really sets them apart from their more popular peers. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:54) Ben: Larry June x 2 Chainz x The Alchem…

1
Ep.311 - Five Years Since "The Exit" 1:00:52

3M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

In a week where: US suffers two plane crashes within days of each other. Guantanamo Bay will be repurposed to hold undocumented migrants. Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles are 100% contained after 24 days. Ebola outbreaks in Uganda. The Los Angeles Lakers & Dallas Mavericks trade packages which include Luka Doncic & Anthony Davis. In the 1st…

1
Ep.302 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 13 57:54

3M ago57:54

57:54

For this Hip-Hop Neighbours we get into two 00s debut albums. One from Linkin Park, the band that successfully balanced the Hip-Hop infused Rock of the time and Amp Fiddler who quietly took all his experience (experience that made J Dilla into J Dilla) to make a solo debut decades after he started his music career. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup …

1
Ep.310 - Nationality and Borders Act & DeepSeek 1:03:10

3M ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In a week where: Prince Harry gets 8-Figure settlement from The Sun, avoiding trial. Trump threatens Putin to stop 'ridiculous' Ukraine war. Axel Rudakubana is sentenced to 52 years in prison for his Southport stabbing last year. Oscar nominations drop. Madison Keys stuns World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win Australian Open final. In Politics: (7:37)…

1
Ep.301 - Kurtis Blow 1:11:08

3M ago1:11:08

1:11:08

You ever wondered what Kurtis Blow's music - that is not named "The Breaks" - is like? Well, it can be done by looking at Hip-Hop through the lens of Disco and not R&B or Soul. Music aside, the story of Hip-Hop cannot be told without naming Kurtis Blow. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:43) Ben: Boldy James - Permanent Ink Topic Intro/Ben's Res…

1
Ep.309 - RedNote, Social Isolation & Abi Morocco 55:18

3M ago55:18

55:18

In a week where: Hamas & Israel lock in a ceasefire & hostage deal. Drake files another lawsuit. David Lynch, Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive director, dies aged 78. TikTok is banned in the US and then reinstated after 12 hours. Donald Trump officially becomes President... Again. In the first of two Tech segments: (4:23) With the threat of TikTok g…

1
Ep.300 - Run-DMC 1:24:36

3M ago1:24:36

1:24:36

For our 300th episode, we wanted to do a retrospective that was fitting for our 300th. So we landed on one of the most significant groups in Hip-Hop history. Possibly THE most significant. RUN-DMC - in no uncertain terms - brought Hip-Hop to a new stratosphere in popularity and dedication to creating full bodies of work. Combine that with their unm…

1
Ep.308 - LA Wildfires & Andrée Blouin 1:04:29

3M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

In a week where: Multiple wildfires go down in & around the Los Angeles area. OpenAI's Sam Altman denies sexual abuse accusations from his sister, Ann. Four Lynx are illegally released into the Scottish Highlands. Donald Trump gets let off in criminal hush money case sentencing. Sam Moore, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and one-half of soul duo Sam & Da…

1
Ep.299 - DITD Bites, Vol. 21 1:12:14

3M ago1:12:14

1:12:14

Allegedly - for our 21st edition of DITD Bites - we get into a reckoning that is long overdue for the music industry, off the back of Charlie's State of The Hip-Hop Union article: (Allegedly) Acknowledging that Sean Combs (allegedly) did some bad shit and we should endeavour to not prop up people like him. We also go on tangents (Allegedly) related…

1
Ep.307 - Wales, DVD, NBA Coverage & Nay wa Mitego 1:03:21

4M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

In a week where: Investigators try & fail to arrest South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Popeye, Tintin, and "A Farewell to Arms" among popular intellectual properties to enter the public domain. Luke Littler beats Michael van Gerwen to win PDC World Darts Championship. Apple agrees to settle $95M class action lawsuit over Siri recordings.…

1
Ep.298 - Contemporary Cool, Vol. 15 1:31:42

4M ago1:31:42

1:31:42

Happy New Year! We kick-off 2025 as we like to do, by talking about our favourite albums from the year that passed. Our Top 2 Albums of 2024. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:17) Ben: Lil Baby - WHAM Consequence - Movies on Demand Charlie: Hermanos Gutiérrez - Sonido Cósmico Konkolo Orchestra - Future Pasts Charlie's No. 2 - (5:26) Ben's No. 2…

1
Long Read - The Invention of Whiteness 45:01

4M ago45:01

45:01

For this Long Read, we head to The Guardian for "The invention of Whiteness: The long history of a dangerous idea" By Robert P. Baird. In the chunky text, Baird lays out the origins of Whiteness and how it has evolved to fit the purposes for the powers that be. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me…

1
Ep.306 - Dying Arts, Saudi Money & Jared McCain 58:23

4M ago58:23

58:23

In a week where: Azerbaijan opens a criminal investigation after a passenger jet crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people on board. At least 6,000 prisoners escape from a high-security facility in Mozambique. At least 177 people were killed in the deadliest air accident ever in South Korea. Magnus Carlsen, is disqualified from the World Rapid Champ…

1
Ep.297 - 2024 Metacritic Album Score Review 1:44:38

4M ago1:44:38

1:44:38

With it being the last episode of the year, we do our customary look through the Metacritic Album Score Review, looking at the works that were highly acclaimed and the works that were roasted into oblivion. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) Charlie: Novine - Daydreaming Sophye Soliveau - INITIATION SOUFSIDE KATHLEEN - Everything Under My Su…

1
30 Questions - Wolfgang Valbrun 14:31

4M ago14:31

14:31

Friend of 5E - Singer/Songwriter Wolfgang Valbrun - comes through to answer 30 Questions. Spin Wolfgang Valbrun's interview here. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"…

1
30 Questions - Fifidiny 28:45

4M ago28:45

28:45

Friend of 5E - Independent singer/songwriter Fifidiny - comes through to answer 30 Questions. Spin Fifidiny's interview here. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rat…

1
Ep.296 - Coolio 1:14:21

4M ago1:14:21

1:14:21

The story of Coolio is... a lot. But you know what isn't a lot? The variety in his discography once the 00s came around! Tracks appearing in more than one body of work and derivative tropes plaguing that weird decade would severely taint his first three albums that were bursting with personality and obviously "Gangster's Paradise". Lucky for him, i…

1
Long Read - The Deadliest Race 30:24

4M ago30:24

30:24

For this Long Read, we head to Esses Magazine for "The Deadliest Race" by Darrell Hartman. In the piece: A stirring telling of the 1955 Le Mans 24hr Endurance Race; with focus on the manufacturers, drivers and the tidal wave of influence that those 24 hours made. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending …

1
30 Questions - MC Bushkin 22:35

4M ago22:35

22:35

Friend of 5E - Garage Pioneer MC Bushkin - comes through to answer 30 Questions. Spin my initial interview with MC Bushkin here. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" …

1
Ep.295 - WC 1:02:56

4M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

We finish our Westside Connection miniseries with WC who is definitely the more humorous of the three and is an underrated influence on where the West Coast went in the 00s and beyond. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:45) Ben: Snoop Dogg x Dr. Dre - Missionary Roc Marciano x The Alchemist - The Skeleton Key Charlie: Iotosh - FOR THE PEOPLE Kot…

1
Long Read - Tintin & Imperialism 24:28

5M ago24:28

24:28

For this Long Read, we head to Current Affairs for "What 'Tintin' Tells Us About Imperialism" By Andrew Ancheta. In the piece, Ancheta revisits Hergé's popular comic strips, to get to analyse how engrained Imperialism (and a ton of other 'isms') was in the long-running children's comic. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show…

1
30 Questions - Lams 19:00

5M ago19:00

19:00

Friend of 5E - Artist, Poet, Rollerblading Queen Lams - comes through to answer 30 Questions. Spin my interview with Lams here. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" R…

1
Ep.294 - WC and the Maad Circle 1:14:24

5M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Before WC went solo and became one third of the Westside Connection, he was head of WC and the Maad Circle which featured a pre-solo Coolio, Big Gee and DJ/Producer Crazy Toones. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:54) Ben: Rossy - Milwaukee Made Me / Wisconsin Worldwide Charlie: Janset & IKHANA - PROBLEMS Shabaka - Possession Topic Intro/Ben's R…

1
Long Read - The Perfect Webpage 33:17

5M ago33:17

33:17

For this Long Read, we head to The Verge for "The Perfect Webpage" By Mia Sato. In the piece, Sato explores the world of SEO - how bloggers, law firms and marketers alike are always pushing to game it - AI's influence on it all and simply how it all has made the Internet very dull in the chase for perfection. (According to Google) Thank you for lis…

1
30 Questions - Tee Max 27:58

5M ago27:58

27:58

Friend of 5E - Photographer Tee Max - comes through to answer 30 Questions. Be sure to spin my interview with Tee Max here. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate …

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