Best The 5th Element Podcast Network Podcasts (2025)

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Ep.333 - "Millionaire Exodus", White/Black Genius & Spotify 1:17:00

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23h ago1:17:00

1:17:00

In a week where: The Beach Boys’ architect Brian Wilson dies aged 82. Air India flight to London Gatwick crashes in Ahmedabad with all but one of the 242 people dead. Ballymena, Northern Ireland is engulfed in violent protests. Israel launches strikes at Iran. Two Minnesota Lawmakers are assassinated. In Politics: (10:42) For around a decade now, t…

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Ep.321 - Slick Rick 1:26:18

1d ago1:26:18

1:26:18

At 60 years old, Slick Rick dropped his 5th Studio Album and his 1st since 1999. He's a master storyteller, respected by everyone. So how TF is he still underrated?! TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:07) Ben: Lil Tecca - Dopamine Charlie - Karl Benjamin - To What End? MRCY - VOLUME 2 Jords - Mixtape J edbl - Archives Mixtape Syf of Talking Knot…

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Ep.332 - Italian Citizenship, New Media & Fairer Fashion 1:07:14

8d ago1:07:14

1:07:14

In a week where: THE GIRLS (Trump & Musk) ARE FIGHTING!!! Kilmar Abrego Garcia is returned to the U.S. to face federal criminal charges. Trump activates National Guard on ICE Protesters in Los Angeles. Israel kidnaps activist flotilla. Pioneering funk and soul musician Sly Stone dies aged 82. In Journalism: (7:40) The BBC higher ups continue to shi…

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Ep.320 - DJ Quik 1:13:22

9d ago1:13:22

1:13:22

G-Funk pioneer one of the most consistent dual artists in Hip-Hop history, it could be said that DJ Quik hasn't gotten the props his peers has, even though his quality of production and bars has (for the most part) been great, just as long as you jump over the mines labelled "Songs with oddly detailed sex bars". TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (…

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Ep.331 - Death Of Google, Otaku & NBA Europe 1:13:29

15d ago1:13:29

1:13:29

In a week where: 1. Microplastics are found in bugs for the first time. 2. Michael Sumler, member of iconic band Kool & the Gang, dies in car crash aged 71. 3. The UK bans disposable vapes. 4. PSG demolish Inter Milan to win their 1st Champions League. 5. Brazil pilots data savings accounts to let users monetize their digital footprint. In Politics…

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Ep.319 - MC Shan 1:11:34

16d ago1:11:34

1:11:34

Whilst MC Shan spends a lot of his recent days lamenting the past in some form, he actually has a leg to stand on! Just not in the ways he thinks... TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:44) Ben: Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams - Trainspotting Bruiser Wolf - POTLUCK Masta Killa - Balance Charlie: Silas Short - LUSHLAND Rebecca Vasmant - Who We Ar…

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Ep.330 - "Diamond Chapters" W/ Iris Gold 1:24:51

21d ago1:24:51

1:24:51

Another interview for you to step to! For this one we talk to London-born, Copenhagen-raised artist Iris Gold in conjunction with her recent single release "Andre 3K". We talk her beginnings, her individuality; live performance, why she made a song about Andre 3000 and of course her Top 5. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the s…

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Ep.329 - Face Recognition, Centrism & Sebastião Salgado 1:05:34

22d ago1:05:34

1:05:34

In a week where: The UK hands Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. Sacha Jenkins, Director and Hip-Hop Journalist, dies aged 53. Russia ramps up on Ukraine, targeting Kyiv with a large drone strike. It's been five years since the murder of George Floyd. Nearly 50 injured as car ploughs into crowd at Liverpool victory parade. In Society: (8:53) In 2019…

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Ep.318 - dead prez 1:12:58

23d ago1:12:58

1:12:58

The legacy of dead prez - for better or worse - has been condensed down to their classic track in "Hip Hop". Zoom out a little and you'll find a classic song on a classic album that is definitely not talked about enough. Zoom out even more and you find... Actually, let's just stay at that first zoom out... TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:00) …

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Ep.328 - Stadium Concerts & Final Destination 1:14:24

29d ago1:14:24

1:14:24

In a week where: Kier Starmer reveals plans to send refused asylum seekers to overseas ‘return hubs’. Crystal Palace win their 1st major trophy, beating Man City 1-0 in the FA Cup Final. An estimated 600,000 people march in London, calling on the UK government to end its complicity in Gaza Genocide. A Mexican Navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge.…

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Ep.317 - Will Smith 1:19:36

30d ago1:19:36

1:19:36

After calling it a day being "The Fresh Prince", Will Smith went under his own name for his solo stint. The results are mixed; proving that Hip-Hop could go Pop, but even then managing to have frequent misfires within his music, creating a frustrating discography that gives more questions than answers... TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:10) Be…

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Ep.327 - "Stop The Boats", India/Pakistan & Sycamore Gap 1:07:40

1M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

In a week where: US & UK strike a trade deal. 80th VE Day comes & goes. A new Pope is announced: Robert Francis Prevost, first from the USA is now Leo XIV. India & Pakistan agree to a ceasefire after days of retaliatory attacks. Keir Starmer echoes Enoch Powell in speech announcing another Immigration crackdown. In Politics: (8:22) Before I sink my…

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Ep.316 - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince 1:30:11

1M ago1:30:11

1:30:11

The legendary duo of Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince have been somewhat locked into this singular thought ever since their run ended in '93: That their music is squeaky clean, completely devoid of edge. But when you actually listen to some of the lyrics and subject matter told in the litany of storytelling tracks, they broach some interesting ground.…

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Ep.326 - Oscar Voters (Not) Watching Films & Hiroshige 1:05:17

1M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

In a week where: USA & Ukraine agree on a minerals deal. The FA is banning transgender women from participating in Women's Football. Reform dominates UK Local Elections. TikTok is fined €530m for sending EU user data to China. Labor retains power in Australian Federal Elections. In the 1st of Two Film Segments: (13:13) For seven years I have been r…

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Ep.315 - Schoolly D 1:20:26

1M ago1:20:26

1:20:26

The discography of Schoolly D is one of the most diverse and lengthy that we've ever covered on DITD. Where he begins providing the seeds of what eventually becomes known as "Gangsta Rap", he then goes through a more pro-Black phase in the 90s and nowadays operates as a relative experimentalist for somebody whose debut came out in 1985. TIMESTAMPS:…

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Ep.325 - Ryan Coogler & Copyright 1:30:06

2M ago1:30:06

1:30:06

In a week where: EU hits Apple and Meta with €700m of fines. India revokes all visas issued to Pakistani nationals after an attack in Kashmir. Pakistan suspends visas for Indian nationals after Kashmir attack. Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser, dies aged 41. Liverpool lock up the Premier League with four games left. In Soc…

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Ep.314 - Spoonie Gee 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

In what is probably our shortest retrospective in DITD history, we cover another Treacherous Three member in Spoonie Gee who is apparently a precursor to Gangsta Rap but when listening to his work, it seems to paint a different picture... TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:49) Ben: Wu-Tang - Black Samson Vinnie Paz - God Sent Vengeance Charlie: …

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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 …

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

2M 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…

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

3M 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 …

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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 - …

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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Ep.313 - Angry Opposistion & Stormzy 38:40

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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…

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

4M 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 …

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

5M 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)…

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Ep.301 - Kurtis Blow 1:11:08

5M 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…

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

5M 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…

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

5M 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…

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

5M 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…