Jay Smooth

As many of you know, The Cipher is going on an indefinite hiatus following this episode. For more information about why, visit us on Twitter or Facebook, or just listen to this episode. But in short, we have no plans to make any more new episodes after this one. Our archives, however, will still be available and free on our website, on iTunes and other podcast apps, and on SoundCloud.For this goodbye episode, we called up our friend and episode 201 guest Jay Smooth to interview The Cipher’s host Shawn Setaro and its producer Josh Kross. Jay, as you’ll hear, did an amazing job, and got us to touch on so many aspects of the show’s history, and of ways we thought about it over the years.So here’s the end of the road, for now. Thanks for listening.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/252/ for full show notes and comments.

As many of you know, The Cipher is going on an indefinite hiatus following this episode. For more information about why, visit us on <a href="https://twitter.com/theciphershow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCipherShow/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, or just listen to this episode. But in short, we have no plans to make any more new episodes after this one. Our archives, however, will still be available and free on our <a href="http://theciphershow.com/archive/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>, on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cipher/id530017639?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> and other podcast apps, and on <a href="https://soundcloud.com/theciphershow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a>.For this goodbye episode, we called up our friend and <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/201/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">episode 201 guest</a> Jay Smooth to interview The Cipher’s host Shawn Setaro and its producer Josh Kross. Jay, as you’ll hear, did an amazing job, and got us to touch on so many aspects of the show’s history, and of ways we thought about it over the years.So here’s the end of the road, for now. Thanks for listening.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/252/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/252/</a> for full show notes and comments.

252: Shawn and Josh With Jay Smooth

Bill Adler

Every Christmas since 2013, we’ve sat down with Bill—who is the former head of PR at Def Jam, among numerous other accomplishments—to talk about his world-famous Xmas Jollies mix. Bill spends the whole year scouring record stores, flea markets, the internet, and everywhere in between to find the perfect batch of great holiday music, and then shares it with his select mailing list, and with us. Now, we talk to him about some of this year’s selections.You can hear Bill’s mix in its entirety at our Soundcloud page.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/251/ for full show notes and comments.

Every Christmas since 2013, we’ve sat down with Bill—who is the former head of PR at Def Jam, among numerous other accomplishments—to talk about his world-famous Xmas Jollies mix. Bill spends the whole year scouring record stores, flea markets, the internet, and everywhere in between to find the perfect batch of great holiday music, and then shares it with his select mailing list, and with us. Now, we talk to him about some of this year’s selections.You can hear Bill’s mix in its entirety at <a href="https://soundcloud.com/theciphershow/2018-xmas-jollies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">our Soundcloud page</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/251/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/251/</a> for full show notes and comments.

251: Xmas Jollies 2018 With Bill Adler

Masta Ace is a legendary rhymer whose career began with the Juice Crew and has continued through a series of beloved solo and group albums. Marco Polo is a Toronto-born producer who moved to New York City in the early 2000s, and took his adopted hometown’s traditional boom-bap aesthetic to heart. Marco has brought his rugged sound to Torae, Pharoahe Monch, Ruste Juxx, Sean Price, Vinnie Paz, Rah Digga, and many more.Now, Marco and Ace have joined up for a new album. A Breukelen Story combines a set of incredible songs with a series of skits that follow Marco’s journey from Toronto to NYC—an Ace-written storyline that both mirrors and features people from the producer’s real life.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/250/ for full show notes and comments.

Masta Ace is a legendary rhymer whose career began with the Juice Crew and has continued through a series of beloved solo and group albums. Marco Polo is a Toronto-born producer who moved to New York City in the early 2000s, and took his adopted hometown’s traditional boom-bap aesthetic to heart. Marco has brought his rugged sound to Torae, Pharoahe Monch, Ruste Juxx, Sean Price, Vinnie Paz, Rah Digga, and many more.Now, Marco and Ace have joined up for a new album. <a href="https://fatbeatsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-breukelen-story" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Breukelen Story</a> combines a set of incredible songs with a series of skits that follow Marco’s journey from Toronto to NYC—an Ace-written storyline that both mirrors and features people from the producer’s real life.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/250/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/250/</a> for full show notes and comments.

250: Masta Ace and Marco Polo

Mike Heron

Mike “Heron” Herard is a record exec, producer, manager, label owner, and all-around music business legend. He first came to the attention of underground hip-hop fans when he was the co-founder of Hydra Records, which released music by Screwball, Godfather Don, and many others. He then moved over to Rawkus Records, where he played a key role in Big L’s posthumous album The Big Picture. He has also managed Joell Ortiz, and is currently the Vice President of A&amp;R at Shady Records. In addition, he runs the company BeatHustle, a firm that manages composers who compose music specifically for rap producers to sample.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/249/ for full show notes and comments.

Mike “Heron” Herard is a record exec, producer, manager, label owner, and all-around music business legend. He first came to the attention of underground hip-hop fans when he was the co-founder of Hydra Records, which released music by Screwball, Godfather Don, and many others. He then moved over to Rawkus Records, where he played a key role in Big L’s posthumous album The Big Picture. He has also managed Joell Ortiz, and is currently the Vice President of A&amp;R at Shady Records. In addition, he runs the company BeatHustle, a firm that manages composers who compose music specifically for rap producers to sample.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/249/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/249/</a> for full show notes and comments.

249: Mike Heron

Jonah Hill

Mid90s, which opened this past Friday, October 19th, is a film Hill wrote and directed about a group of skateboarding friends in—you guessed it—the mid-1990s. The incredibly authentic period piece features plenty of nods to the skateboarding scene and the music of the time period, including songs from the Pharcyde and the Gravediggaz, and a memorable cameo appearance by Del the Funkee Homosapien.This is Jonah’s first film as a writer/director. He has, of course, starred in tons of films, from Superbad to Moneyball to The Wolf of Wall Street. For this interview, Hill was joined by Sunny Suljic, who plays Stevie; Na-kel Smith, who plays Ray; Olan Prenatt, who plays Fuckshit; Gio Galicia, who plays Ruben; Ryder McLaughlin, who plays Fourth Grade; and Alexa Demie, who plays Estee. To rap fans, Na-Kel Smith’s name and voice may sound familiar—he has a music career of his own, and has appeared on songs with Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/248/ for full show notes and comments.

<a href="https://a24films.com/films/mid90s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mid90s</a>, which opened this past Friday, October 19th, is a film Hill wrote and directed about a group of skateboarding friends in—you guessed it—the mid-1990s. The incredibly authentic period piece features plenty of nods to the skateboarding scene and the music of the time period, including songs from the Pharcyde and the Gravediggaz, and a memorable cameo appearance by Del the Funkee Homosapien.This is Jonah’s first film as a writer/director. He has, of course, starred in tons of films, from Superbad to Moneyball to The Wolf of Wall Street. For this interview, Hill was joined by Sunny Suljic, who plays Stevie; Na-kel Smith, who plays Ray; Olan Prenatt, who plays Fuckshit; Gio Galicia, who plays Ruben; Ryder McLaughlin, who plays Fourth Grade; and Alexa Demie, who plays Estee. To rap fans, Na-Kel Smith’s name and voice may sound familiar—he has a music career of his own, and has appeared on songs with Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/248/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/248/</a> for full show notes and comments.

248: Jonah Hill and the 'Mid90s' Cast

Jericho Jackson

Jericho Jackson is a group made up of producer Khrysis and rapper Elzhi. Khrysis is best known for his work with the rap collective the Justus League, which counts among its members 9th Wonder. He is currently a member of 9th’s production team the Soul Council. In addition to his North Carolina crew, Khrysis has produced for Sean Price and Heltah Skeltah, Jean Grae, Evidence, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, and many others.Dedicated Cipher listeners will remember Elzhi from our talk with him on episode 152. The Detroit rapper came to a lot of fans’ attention during his time as a member of Slum Village. He followed that up with a staggering series of solo albums, including the Nas reinvention Elmatic and the deeply personal Lead Poison.Khrysis and Elzhi’s recent joint album is called Khrysis and Elzhi Are Jericho Jackson.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/247/ for full show notes and comments.

Jericho Jackson is a group made up of producer Khrysis and rapper Elzhi. Khrysis is best known for his work with the rap collective the Justus League, which counts among its members 9th Wonder. He is currently a member of 9th’s production team the Soul Council. In addition to his North Carolina crew, Khrysis has produced for Sean Price and Heltah Skeltah, Jean Grae, Evidence, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, and many others.Dedicated Cipher listeners will remember Elzhi from our talk with him on <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/152/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">episode 152</a>. The Detroit rapper came to a lot of fans’ attention during his time as a member of Slum Village. He followed that up with a staggering series of solo albums, including the Nas reinvention Elmatic and the deeply personal Lead Poison.Khrysis and Elzhi’s recent joint album is called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/khrysis-elzhi-are-jericho-jackson/1346865155" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Khrysis and Elzhi Are Jericho Jackson</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/247/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/247/</a> for full show notes and comments.

247: Jericho Jackson (Khrysis & Elzhi)

K-Salaam is a producer and DJ who, both by himself and with his production partner Beatnick, has made beats for some of your favorite artists. A short, by no means complete list includes Nas, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Murs, Bun B, Sizzla, and Young Buck.K-Salaam got his start in Minneapolis, where he was an integral part of the early years of the Rhymesayers label. He DJ’d for many of the label’s acts, as well as for their signature radio show. In recent years, he and Beatnick also worked extensively with Ms. Lauryn Hill, and even had one of their tracks featured in the 2016 Summer Olympics.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/246/ for full show notes and comments.

K-Salaam is a producer and DJ who, both by himself and with his production partner Beatnick, has made beats for some of your favorite artists. A short, by no means complete list includes Nas, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Murs, Bun B, Sizzla, and Young Buck.K-Salaam got his start in Minneapolis, where he was an integral part of the early years of the Rhymesayers label. He DJ’d for many of the label’s acts, as well as for their signature radio show. In recent years, he and Beatnick also worked extensively with Ms. Lauryn Hill, and even had one of their tracks featured in the 2016 Summer Olympics.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/246/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/246/</a> for full show notes and comments.

246: K-Salaam

Nick, as you undoubtedly already know, is a musician, actor, comedian, TV executive, and all-around entertainer. He got his start doing stand-up comedy while still a teenager. He parlayed that into work at Nickelodeon, where he wrote for and starred in now-classic shows like All That, Kenan &amp; Kel, and the appropriately-named Nick Cannon Show. He moved from that into starring in movies like Drumline and Love Don’t Cost a Thing, putting out several stand up specials, and even hosting America’s Got Talent.But, as you’ll hear, Nick has always thought of himself as a musician first. He has released numerous albums and mixtapes, written and produced for other artists, and has worked with everyone from Biz Markie to Gucci Mane to the Neptunes to Kanye West. And, of course, he combined his loves of hip-hop and improv comedy into the long running hit TV show Wild ‘N Out. Nick’s latest musical project, released earlier this year, is Calling All Models: The Mixtape.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/245/ for full show notes and comments.

Nick, as you undoubtedly already know, is a musician, actor, comedian, TV executive, and all-around entertainer. He got his start doing stand-up comedy while still a teenager. He parlayed that into work at Nickelodeon, where he wrote for and starred in now-classic shows like All That, Kenan &amp; Kel, and the appropriately-named Nick Cannon Show. He moved from that into starring in movies like Drumline and Love Don’t Cost a Thing, putting out several stand up specials, and even hosting America’s Got Talent.But, as you’ll hear, Nick has always thought of himself as a musician first. He has released numerous albums and mixtapes, written and produced for other artists, and has worked with everyone from Biz Markie to Gucci Mane to the Neptunes to Kanye West. And, of course, he combined his loves of hip-hop and improv comedy into the long running hit TV show Wild ‘N Out. Nick’s latest musical project, released earlier this year, is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0xHbtWiu0yzx4gfZ4WaYdi?si=bD5V25aGRNixFg9ctFqoQA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calling All Models: The Mixtape</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/245/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/245/</a> for full show notes and comments.

245: Nick Cannon

Glen “Daddy-O” Bolton is a rapper, producer, executive, and all-around hip-hop Renaissance man. He formed the ground breaking Stetsasonic in 1981, and the group went on to release several classic albums and become the first great hip-hop band.As a producer and remixer, he worked with everyone from Audio Two to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to They Might Be Giants. He was an executive at MCA and Motown, and continues to consult with a number of companies. And he’s still releasing music to this day. Daddy-O’s latest album, released this past May, is No Tablecloths.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/244/ for full show notes and comments.

Glen “Daddy-O” Bolton is a rapper, producer, executive, and all-around hip-hop Renaissance man. He formed the ground breaking Stetsasonic in 1981, and the group went on to release several classic albums and become the first great hip-hop band.As a producer and remixer, he worked with everyone from Audio Two to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to They Might Be Giants. He was an executive at MCA and Motown, and continues to consult with a number of companies. And he’s still releasing music to this day. Daddy-O’s latest album, released this past May, is <a href="https://professordaddyo.bandcamp.com/album/no-tablecloths" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No Tablecloths</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/244/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/244/</a> for full show notes and comments.

244: Daddy-O

Joan Morgan

Joan is a writer who got her start in the 1990s, helping to create what came to be known as “hip-hop journalism” with her articles at places like Vibe and the Village Voice. Whether she was writing about the Mike Tyson trial, profiling TLC, or investigating the sex trade in Jamaica, Joan brought her keen, Bronx-raised sensibility to everything she touched.Joan pioneered hip-hop feminism—and came up with the phrase “black girl magic,” to boot—in her classic 1999 book When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down. And now she has a brand new book, a reflection on Ms. Lauryn Hill’s classic debut album. It’s called She Begat This: 20 Years of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/243/ for full show notes and comments.

Joan is a writer who got her start in the 1990s, helping to create what came to be known as “hip-hop journalism” with her articles at places like Vibe and the Village Voice. Whether she was writing about the Mike Tyson trial, profiling TLC, or investigating the sex trade in Jamaica, Joan brought her keen, Bronx-raised sensibility to everything she touched.Joan pioneered hip-hop feminism—and came up with the phrase “black girl magic,” to boot—in her classic 1999 book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AK78QL8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down</a>. And now she has a brand new book, a reflection on Ms. Lauryn Hill’s classic debut album. It’s called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/She-Begat-This-Miseducation-Lauryn-ebook/dp/B078M5HZWH/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1534035415&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=she+begat+this" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">She Begat This: 20 Years of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/243/</a> for full show notes and comments.

243: Joan Morgan

The Cipher is a podcast featuring in-depth conversations with the most interesting figures in Hip-Hop and culture

In depth, informative, and entertaining interviews with hip hop greats

Top shelf

This podcast has gotten me thru so many 8 hour shifts it’s not funny

The perfect podcast

The Cipher

This episode, we talk to one of hip hop’s most honored rappers — Rakim Allah, the God MC. Rakim was only a teenager when he broke into the New York rap scene as part of famed Golden Era duo Eric B &amp; Rakim, with Eric B sampling and mixing, Rakim as the MC. From the MC’s beginning, he was influential — credited with creating the technique of internal rhyming in rap music. While his Long Island neighbors in Public Enemy were setting the stage with black nationalism in rap, Rakim, a member of the Five Percent Nation of Islam, explored a mindful spirituality of his own.Eric B &amp; Rakim released 4 albums together, including Paid in Full, Follow the Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em, and finally Don’t Sweat the Technique. Their perhaps most famous album, Paid in Full, is credited with revolutionizing what old school rappers had done before them. Rakim led what one NY Times writer called “a quiet musical revolution, introducing a soft-spoken rapping style”. In 1993, he and Eric B. split up, Rakim changed record companies, and after four years of silence, he embarked upon a solo career, releasing 4 albums. His most recent album, released in 2009, The Seventh Seal grapples with many emotions: optimism about President Obama’s election, mixed with the struggles of people losing jobs and homes.We talked to the legendary MC about some of his most famous lines, his experience growing up in a musical home, breaking into the NY rap scene from Long Island, triple stage darkness, writing rhymes in graffiti, and much more.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/65/ for full show notes and comments.

This episode, we talk to one of hip hop’s most honored rappers — Rakim Allah, the God MC. Rakim was only a teenager when he broke into the New York rap scene as part of famed Golden Era duo Eric B &amp; Rakim, with Eric B sampling and mixing, Rakim as the MC. From the MC’s beginning, he was influential — credited with creating the technique of internal rhyming in rap music. While his Long Island neighbors in Public Enemy were setting the stage with black nationalism in rap, Rakim, a member of the Five Percent Nation of Islam, explored a mindful spirituality of his own.Eric B &amp; Rakim released 4 albums together, including Paid in Full, Follow the Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em, and finally Don’t Sweat the Technique. Their perhaps most famous album, Paid in Full, is credited with revolutionizing what old school rappers had done before them. Rakim led what one NY Times writer called “a quiet musical revolution, introducing a soft-spoken rapping style”. In 1993, he and Eric B. split up, Rakim changed record companies, and after four years of silence, he embarked upon a solo career, releasing 4 albums. His most recent album, released in 2009, The Seventh Seal grapples with many emotions: optimism about President Obama’s election, mixed with the struggles of people losing jobs and homes.We talked to the legendary MC about some of his most famous lines, his experience growing up in a musical home, breaking into the NY rap scene from Long Island, triple stage darkness, writing rhymes in graffiti, and much more.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/65/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/65/</a> for full show notes and comments.

65: Rakim

Allah B is a longtime member of the Nation of Gods and Earths, formerly known as the Five Percenters.  He grew up in Harlem in the 1950s and 60s, a time when the Nation of Islam had huge influence thanks to its minister, Malcolm X. Clarence 13X Smith was an NOI member who became disenchanted with the group around 1963, and formed his own organization the following year. Clarence quickly became known as “Allah” or “The Father,” and most of his early disciples were teenage boys, Allah B among them.The group, originally known as the Five Percenters and now as the Nation of Gods and Earths, grew steadily until Allah’s murder in June 1969. It would have a rebirth in the 1980s and 90s, as many of the young children raised in the group’s beliefs would go into hip-hop and spread Five Percenter beliefs, slang, and practices far and wide.If you’ve ever listened to Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, or the Wu-Tang Clan, said “Peace” or “word,” or stood in a b-boy stance, you owe a huge debt to the Gods and Earths, whether you realize it or not. Allah B has been there for the group’s whole history, and shares it with us in this interview.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/151/ for full show notes and comments.

Allah B is a longtime member of the Nation of Gods and Earths, formerly known as the Five Percenters. He grew up in Harlem in the 1950s and 60s, a time when the Nation of Islam had huge influence thanks to its minister, Malcolm X. Clarence 13X Smith was an NOI member who became disenchanted with the group around 1963, and formed his own organization the following year. Clarence quickly became known as “Allah” or “The Father,” and most of his early disciples were teenage boys, Allah B among them.The group, originally known as the Five Percenters and now as the Nation of Gods and Earths, grew steadily until Allah’s murder in June 1969. It would have a rebirth in the 1980s and 90s, as many of the young children raised in the group’s beliefs would go into hip-hop and spread Five Percenter beliefs, slang, and practices far and wide.If you’ve ever listened to Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, or the Wu-Tang Clan, said “Peace” or “word,” or stood in a b-boy stance, you owe a huge debt to the Gods and Earths, whether you realize it or not. Allah B has been there for the group’s whole history, and shares it with us in this interview.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/151/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/151/</a> for full show notes and comments.

151: Allah B of the Nation of Gods and Earths

Skeff Anselm

Skeff is a producer and engineer who worked on some of the best hip-hop to come out of New York in the 1980s and 90s. He started out as the in-house engineer for the label Strong City Records and its associated recording studio, both of which were run by the legendary Bronx DJ Jazzy Jay.Skeff has worked on records by Brand Nubian, De La Soul, Mos Def, Heavy D, MC Serch, D-Nice, Busy Bee, Diamond D, Tragedy, and countless others. But he is perhaps best known for his work with A Tribe Called Quest. On the group’s classic second and third albums, The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders, Skeff was one of only two non-group-members to produce songs—the other one was Large Professor. Skeff also worked very closely with the late Phife Dawg in the vocal booth, helping to turn Phife into the iconic rapper he is remembered as today.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/198/ for full show notes and comments.

Skeff is a producer and engineer who worked on some of the best hip-hop to come out of New York in the 1980s and 90s. He started out as the in-house engineer for the label Strong City Records and its associated recording studio, both of which were run by the legendary Bronx DJ Jazzy Jay.Skeff has worked on records by Brand Nubian, De La Soul, Mos Def, Heavy D, MC Serch, D-Nice, Busy Bee, Diamond D, Tragedy, and countless others. But he is perhaps best known for his work with A Tribe Called Quest. On the group’s classic second and third albums, The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders, Skeff was one of only two non-group-members to produce songs—the other one was Large Professor. Skeff also worked very closely with the late Phife Dawg in the vocal booth, helping to turn Phife into the iconic rapper he is remembered as today.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/198/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/198/</a> for full show notes and comments.

198: Skeff Anselm

Talib Kweli

An in-depth interview with rap icon Talib Kweli.  We talk to the veteran emcee about Black Star, similes, the Occupy movement, and lots more.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/9/ for full show notes and comments.

An in-depth interview with rap icon Talib Kweli. We talk to the veteran emcee about Black Star, similes, the Occupy movement, and lots more.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/9/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/9/</a> for full show notes and comments.

9: Talib Kweli

Oscar “Paris” Jackson Jr. is a rapper, songwriter, and producer who has been a militant voice for justice in the rap world since the 1980s. He came out of the Bay Area’s small but diverse and creative hip-hop scene towards the end of that decade, and made a splash with his 1990 debut album The Devil Made Me Do It, which mixed innovative musical choices with Black Panther-inspired politics and a Nation of Islam-influenced spiritual bent.But it was his second album, 1992’s Sleeping With the Enemy, that really brought Paris to the notice of the masses. A song from that album called “Bush Killa,” about assassinating then-President George H.W. Bush, and another one about revenge killings of police officers called “Coffee, Donuts and Death,” got him attention from the Secret Service and dropped from his label.But that didn’t stop Paris, who continues to release albums, including this fall’s Pistol Politics, and to rail against injustice in his rhymes.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/136/ for full show notes and comments.

Oscar “Paris” Jackson Jr. is a rapper, songwriter, and producer who has been a militant voice for justice in the rap world since the 1980s. He came out of the Bay Area’s small but diverse and creative hip-hop scene towards the end of that decade, and made a splash with his 1990 debut album The Devil Made Me Do It, which mixed innovative musical choices with Black Panther-inspired politics and a Nation of Islam-influenced spiritual bent.But it was his second album, 1992’s Sleeping With the Enemy, that really brought Paris to the notice of the masses. A song from that album called “Bush Killa,” about assassinating then-President George H.W. Bush, and another one about revenge killings of police officers called “Coffee, Donuts and Death,” got him attention from the Secret Service and dropped from his label.But that didn’t stop Paris, who continues to release albums, including this fall’s <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pistol-politics/id1032317658" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pistol Politics</a>, and to rail against injustice in his rhymes.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/136/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/136/</a> for full show notes and comments.

136: Paris

Fred is a rapper who can say that hip-hop is in his blood, literally. Not only is he from the home of hip-hop, the Bronx, but his father also used to work at the NYC nightspot The Tunnel, whose hip-hop nights on Sundays, presided over by Funkmaster Flex, were legendary.So it only makes sense that Fred would grow up to become one of the best rappers out there. His intricate punchlines and metaphors are the stuff of mixtape legend, and his talent has led him to collaborate with some of the biggest rappers, DJs, and producers in the game. Fred’s talent has also been recognized by XXL, who annointed him one of their Freshman class in 2011, alongside Mac Miller, Meek Mill, Yelawolf, and some guy named Kendrick. Fred’s newest project, out this past August, is Gordo.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/217/ for full show notes and comments.

Fred is a rapper who can say that hip-hop is in his blood, literally. Not only is he from the home of hip-hop, the Bronx, but his father also used to work at the NYC nightspot The Tunnel, whose hip-hop nights on Sundays, presided over by Funkmaster Flex, were legendary.So it only makes sense that Fred would grow up to become one of the best rappers out there. His intricate punchlines and metaphors are the stuff of mixtape legend, and his talent has led him to collaborate with some of the biggest rappers, DJs, and producers in the game. Fred’s talent has also been recognized by XXL, who annointed him one of their Freshman class in 2011, alongside Mac Miller, Meek Mill, Yelawolf, and some guy named Kendrick. Fred’s newest project, out this past August, is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5GDCwd7HCgXaLWXABBBlQm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gordo</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/217/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/217/</a> for full show notes and comments.

217: Fred the Godson

The Seattle-based producer Jake One got his start as an in-house beat-maker for the influential local label Conception Records. His work there quickly caught the ear of 50 Cent’s camp, and Jake’s beats for 50 and G-Unit led to other high-profile tracks with De La Soul, Rakim, T.I., MF DOOM, and more, as well as whole album collaborations with the likes of Freeway and Brother Ali.Most recently, Jake has produced hits for Wale (“The Matrimony”), Drake (“Furthest Thing”), Chance the Rapper (“Acid Rain”), and Rick Ross (“3 Kings”). He’s also joined forces with singer Mayer Hawthorne to form the group Tuxedo, who just released their self-titled debut.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/129/ for full show notes and comments.

The Seattle-based producer Jake One got his start as an in-house beat-maker for the influential local label Conception Records. His work there quickly caught the ear of 50 Cent’s camp, and Jake’s beats for 50 and G-Unit led to other high-profile tracks with De La Soul, Rakim, T.I., MF DOOM, and more, as well as whole album collaborations with the likes of Freeway and Brother Ali.Most recently, Jake has produced hits for Wale (“The Matrimony”), Drake (“Furthest Thing”), Chance the Rapper (“Acid Rain”), and Rick Ross (“3 Kings”). He’s also joined forces with singer Mayer Hawthorne to form the group Tuxedo, who just released their <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tuxedo/id946559925" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">self-titled debut</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/129/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/129/</a> for full show notes and comments.

129: Jake One

Eric Biddines

This episode, we have a two-fer. We begin with a really awesome interview with a true West Coast legend, DJ Quik. He has a new album, The Midnight Life, and we talk to him about that, his relationships with longtime collaborators Suga Free and guitarist Robert Bacon, “Hitler microphones,” that time Dr. Dre broke his speakers, and a lot more.In the second half of the show, we introduce a new artist. Eric Biddines is a Florida-based rapper whose new project, Planet Coffee Bean 2, came to our attention recently. Eric’s futuristic, imaginative, and caffeinated music — and personality — are not to be missed.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/77/ for full show notes and comments.

This episode, we have a two-fer. We begin with a really awesome interview with a true West Coast legend, DJ Quik. He has a new album, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-midnight-life/id912629394" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Midnight Life</a>, and we talk to him about that, his relationships with longtime collaborators Suga Free and guitarist Robert Bacon, “Hitler microphones,” that time Dr. Dre broke his speakers, and a lot more.In the second half of the show, we introduce a new artist. Eric Biddines is a Florida-based rapper whose new project, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/planetcoffeebean-2-deluxe/id914175365?ls=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Planet Coffee Bean 2</a>, came to our attention recently. Eric’s futuristic, imaginative, and caffeinated music — and personality — are not to be missed.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/77/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/77/</a> for full show notes and comments.

77: DJ Quik and Eric Biddines

Jarobi White is the mysterious fourth member of A Tribe Called Quest. He was a founding member of the group with his childhood best friend Phife Dog. Jarobi appeared on the group’s debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, introducing the world at large to the group’s revolutionary vision. After that, his role in the group was intermittent - contributing ideas in the studio, showing up for some performances, and generally keeping people guessing about what he was up to.During that whole period, and continuing until today, Jarobi was also pursuing his other passion, food. He is an experienced cook who has worked as a private chef and in Michelin-starred restaurants. He currently runs an events company called Eats, Rhymes &amp; Life that brings together his passions for food and music in live events.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/165/ for full show notes and comments.

Jarobi White is the mysterious fourth member of A Tribe Called Quest. He was a founding member of the group with his childhood best friend Phife Dog. Jarobi appeared on the group’s debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, introducing the world at large to the group’s revolutionary vision. After that, his role in the group was intermittent - contributing ideas in the studio, showing up for some performances, and generally keeping people guessing about what he was up to.During that whole period, and continuing until today, Jarobi was also pursuing his other passion, food. He is an experienced cook who has worked as a private chef and in Michelin-starred restaurants. He currently runs an events company called <a href="http://www.eatsrhymesandlife.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eats, Rhymes &amp; Life</a> that brings together his passions for food and music in live events.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/165/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/165/</a> for full show notes and comments.

165: Jarobi White

Our interview with the enigmatic Divine Styler starts with him present, via his DJ father, at the very beginnings of hip-hop. He then became a part of Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate crew, which included a pre-House of Pain Everlast. His second album, Spiral Walls Containing Autumns of Light, drastically expanded the range of what a hip-hop artist could do with its spoken word-industrial-rock hybrids.His latest record Def Mask comes after a 15-year hiatus. From NYC park jams to getting arrested the day after signing a record deal to having a front-row seat for “Jump Around“‘s massive success to pushing musical boundaries to making pilgrimages to Mecca, Divine Styler shares his whole fascinating story.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/88/ for full show notes and comments.

Our interview with the enigmatic Divine Styler starts with him present, via his DJ father, at the very beginnings of hip-hop. He then became a part of Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate crew, which included a pre-House of Pain Everlast. His second album, Spiral Walls Containing Autumns of Light, drastically expanded the range of what a hip-hop artist could do with its spoken word-industrial-rock hybrids.His latest record <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/def-mask/id937760381" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Def Mask</a> comes after a 15-year hiatus. From NYC park jams to getting arrested the day after signing a record deal to having a front-row seat for “Jump Around“‘s massive success to pushing musical boundaries to making pilgrimages to Mecca, Divine Styler shares his whole fascinating story.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/88/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/88/</a> for full show notes and comments.

88: Divine Styler

This episode, we have a wide-ranging convo with Gene “No Malice” Thornton of Clipse. No Malice (formerly just Malice, before a religious epiphany several years back) and his brother Terrance, a.k.a. Pusha T, form one of rap’s greatest duos. Their smart, vicious raps — often about their real-life experiences dealing cocaine — first brought them to prominence with the massive hit “Grindin’” back in 2002. The group quickly became a critical and commercial favorite, thanks to the brothers’ rhymes and some production help from The Neptunes.But after some label issues and legal problems, Clipse went on hiatus. No Malice released his solo debut and a memoir, while his brother joined forces with Kanye West. We talk to No Malice about God, going solo, the past (and future) of Clipse, which lyric he regrets most, and more.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/78/ for full show notes and comments.

This episode, we have a wide-ranging convo with Gene “No Malice” Thornton of Clipse. No Malice (formerly just Malice, before a <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/502870/clipses-malice-changes-name-to-no-malice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">religious epiphany</a> several years back) and his brother Terrance, a.k.a. Pusha T, form one of rap’s greatest duos. Their smart, vicious raps — often about their real-life experiences dealing cocaine — first brought them to prominence with the massive hit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjWAWcx4xdE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“Grindin’”</a> back in 2002. The group quickly became a critical and commercial favorite, thanks to the brothers’ rhymes and some production help from The Neptunes.But after some <a href="http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/10/news_pf/Artsandentertainment/Escape_from_purgatory.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">label issues</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/1610201/clipses-ex-manager-charged-with-leading-10-million-drug-ring/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">legal problems</a>, Clipse went on hiatus. No Malice released his <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hear-ye-him/id687503414" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">solo debut</a> and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wretched-Pitiful-Poor-Blind-Naked-ebook/dp/B004SIQSVU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">memoir</a>, while his brother <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/1647697/pusha-t-signs-with-kanye-wests-good-music/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">joined forces with Kanye West</a>. We talk to No Malice about God, going solo, the past (and future) of Clipse, which lyric he regrets most, and more.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/78/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/78/</a> for full show notes and comments.

78: No Malice

Eligh Nachowitz and Corey Scoffern, a.k.a. The Grouch, are rappers best known for their affiliation with the Living Legends crew. The group, which also included our recent guest Murs, were pioneers in the independent West Coast rap scene in the 1990s. Eligh began his career with Murs and fellow future Living Legend member Scarub in a group called Three Melancholy Gypsys while still a teenager. That crew joined with another group called Mystik Journeymen, picked up a few members including The Grouch, and formed the Living Legends. Their lo-fi albums, made initially on four-tracks, plus their self-booked international tours, set a template that independent rappers follow to this day.Eligh and The Grouch began releasing music as a duo in in 1998, and have released a number of albums together, most recently 2014’s triple album The Tortoise and the Crow. Together, separately, and with the rest of the Living Legends, their sprawling discography is one of the finest of the era.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/143/ for full show notes and comments.

Eligh Nachowitz and Corey Scoffern, a.k.a. The Grouch, are rappers best known for their affiliation with the Living Legends crew. The group, which also included our <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/107/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recent guest Murs</a>, were pioneers in the independent West Coast rap scene in the 1990s. Eligh began his career with Murs and fellow future Living Legend member Scarub in a group called Three Melancholy Gypsys while still a teenager. That crew joined with another group called Mystik Journeymen, picked up a few members including The Grouch, and formed the Living Legends. Their lo-fi albums, made initially on four-tracks, plus their self-booked international tours, set a template that independent rappers follow to this day.Eligh and The Grouch began releasing music as a duo in in 1998, and have released a number of albums together, most recently 2014’s triple album <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-tortoise-and-the-crow/id787613167" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Tortoise and the Crow</a>. Together, separately, and with the rest of the Living Legends, their sprawling discography is one of the finest of the era.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/143/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/143/</a> for full show notes and comments.

143: The Grouch & Eligh

Tom Silverman

Tom is the “Tommy” in Tommy Boy Records—he founded the label in 1981. After several early hip-hop and dance records, the label found success with “Planet Rock.” But it was in hip-hop’s Golden Age of the late 1980s and early 90s that the label would really blow up, signing acts like Queen Latifah, Digital Underground, House of Pain, Coolio, Naughty by Nature, and De La Soul.Silverman also founded the New Music Seminar, the influential and long-running music conference whose annual rap and DJ battles would become the stuff of legend. His latest project is Tracklib, a whole new way of dealing with sampling.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/208/ for full show notes and comments.

Tom is the “Tommy” in Tommy Boy Records—he founded the label in 1981. After several early hip-hop and dance records, the label found success with “Planet Rock.” But it was in hip-hop’s Golden Age of the late 1980s and early 90s that the label would really blow up, signing acts like Queen Latifah, Digital Underground, House of Pain, Coolio, Naughty by Nature, and De La Soul.Silverman also founded the New Music Seminar, the influential and long-running music conference whose annual rap and DJ battles would become the stuff of legend. His latest project is <a href="https://www.tracklib.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tracklib</a>, a whole new way of dealing with sampling.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/208/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/208/</a> for full show notes and comments.

208: Tom Silverman

!llmind first gained notice for making beats for some of underground rap’s best talent like Little Brother, Akrobatik, Heltah Skeltah, and two-time Cipher guest Skyzoo. But it didn’t take long for him to break into the mainstream, creating songs for Kanye West, Drake, J. Cole, Ludacris, and more.!llmind also has a group of businesses aimed at helping aspiring producers, from his B.L.A.P. beat battles to his Blap-kits drum sound packages to personal mentorships. In addition, he’s an accomplished educator, and now a label head with his Roseville Music Group.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/163/ for full show notes and comments.

!llmind first gained notice for making beats for some of underground rap’s best talent like Little Brother, Akrobatik, Heltah Skeltah, and two-time Cipher guest Skyzoo. But it didn’t take long for him to break into the mainstream, creating songs for Kanye West, Drake, J. Cole, Ludacris, and more.!llmind also has a group of businesses aimed at helping aspiring producers, from his B.L.A.P. beat battles to his Blap-kits drum sound packages to personal mentorships. In addition, he’s an accomplished educator, and now a label head with his Roseville Music Group.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/163/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/163/</a> for full show notes and comments.

163: !llmind

Michael Holman

This episode, we talk to hip-hop impresario Michael Holman.  Holman was instrumental in bringing the burgeoning culture in Uptown NYC in the late 1970s — the breakdancers, the DJs, the rappers, and the aerosol artists — to a Downtown crowd and, shortly afterwards, to the rest of the world.  He wrote books, made short films, hosted TV shows, made albums, managed breakdance troupes, acted in movies, hosted live shows, you name it.  Holman also co-founded the band Gray, whose members have included the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and film director Vincent Gallo.He is perhaps best known for Graffiti Rock, a TV show he created and hosted in 1984, which was a Soul Train-style show for hip-hop.  While it only aired for one episode, its influence is still being felt.  In fact, Holman is currently putting together a documentary on the making of Graffiti Rock.  You can find out more about the project, and help him make it, here.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/45/ for full show notes and comments.

This episode, we talk to hip-hop impresario Michael Holman. Holman was instrumental in bringing the burgeoning culture in Uptown NYC in the late 1970s — the breakdancers, the DJs, the rappers, and the aerosol artists — to a Downtown crowd and, shortly afterwards, to the rest of the world. He wrote books, made short films, hosted TV shows, made albums, managed breakdance troupes, acted in movies, hosted live shows, you name it. Holman also co-founded the band Gray, whose members have included the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and film director Vincent Gallo.He is perhaps best known for Graffiti Rock, a TV show he created and hosted in 1984, which was a Soul Train-style show for hip-hop. While it only aired for one episode, its influence is still being felt. In fact, Holman is currently putting together a documentary on the making of Graffiti Rock. You can find out more about the project, and help him make it, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/michaelholman/graffiti-rock-30th-anniversary" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/45/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/45/</a> for full show notes and comments.

45: Michael Holman

Mickey Hess

Live from Bed Stuy’s Restoration Plaza, we bring you a very special event with Buddha Monk and Mickey Hess, authors of a new biography of the Wu’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Occurring only blocks from Dirty’s childhood home, this conversation features not only the authors, but also special appearances from the Wu member’s family and friends. Buddha Monk was Dirty’s close friend since they were children, and had a front row seat to the artist’s rise and fall. His book, co-written with Rider professor Mickey Hess, is The Dirty Version: On Stage, In the Studio, and In the Streets With Ol’ Dirty Bastard, published by Harper Collins. You can buy it here.If you like this episode, be sure to check out our recent article on the Wu for Radio.comSee http://theciphershow.com/episode/83/ for full show notes and comments.

Live from Bed Stuy’s Restoration Plaza, we bring you a very special event with Buddha Monk and Mickey Hess, authors of a new biography of the Wu’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Occurring only blocks from Dirty’s childhood home, this conversation features not only the authors, but also special appearances from the Wu member’s family and friends. Buddha Monk was Dirty’s close friend since they were children, and had a front row seat to the artist’s rise and fall. His book, co-written with Rider professor Mickey Hess, is The Dirty Version: On Stage, In the Studio, and In the Streets With Ol’ Dirty Bastard, published by Harper Collins. You can buy it <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062231413/the-dirty-version" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.If you like this episode, be sure to check out our recent <a href="http://radio.com/2014/12/01/wu-tang-clan-interview-rza-a-better-tomorrow/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">article on the Wu for Radio.com</a>See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/83/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/83/</a> for full show notes and comments.

83: Buddha Monk & Mickey Hess on Ol' Dirty Bastard

Shea Serrano

Shea Serrano is a Houston-based writer and illustrator whose funny, insightful work on rap, sports, and even action movies has appeared almost everywhere – you undoubtedly saw his brilliant holiday piece Three Wise Migos. In addition, he wrote Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book and created the viral Tumblr sensations Drake-ing Bad and Sex Questions From Seventh Graders.We spoke to Serrano about his life and career, why ‘94 will always be r&amp;b’s peak year, and why he’s okay with you loving J. Cole, even if you’re wrong.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/90/ for full show notes and comments.

Shea Serrano is a Houston-based writer and illustrator whose funny, insightful work on rap, sports, and even action movies has appeared almost everywhere – you undoubtedly saw his brilliant holiday piece <a href="http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/three-wise-migos-a-very-special-holiday-tale-for-our-times/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Wise Migos</a>. In addition, he wrote <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bun-Rapper-Coloring-Activity-Book/dp/1419710419" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book</a> and created the viral Tumblr sensations <a href="http://mashable.com/2013/09/06/drake-breaking-bad-tumblr/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drake-ing Bad</a> and Sex Questions From Seventh Graders.We spoke to Serrano about his life and career, why ‘94 will always be r&amp;b’s peak year, and why he’s okay with you loving J. Cole, even if you’re wrong.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/90/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/90/</a> for full show notes and comments.

90: Shea Serrano

Jack Thriller

Jack Thriller is a comedian who most people know from his time doing funny—and often outrageous—interviews on 50 Cent’s website ThisIs50. He’s talked to everyone from porn actors to fellow comedians to rap stars to athletes and beyond.But in addition to that, Jack is also a talented sketch comedian and writer, stand-up, and even a singer. He got his start working as a writer, warm-up act, and all around right hand man to comedian Lil Duval, before breaking out on his own and moving from Atlanta to New York City. 50 quickly noticed his popular skits, and soon Jack had become the website’s breakout star.He quickly moved from the computer screen to the television screen, starring in several seasons of Nick Cannon’s show Wild ‘N Out. And his latest venture is a singing career. He’s released a song with Nore, and has shared the stage with Musiq Soulchild.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/221/ for full show notes and comments.

Jack Thriller is a comedian who most people know from his time doing funny—and often outrageous—interviews on 50 Cent’s website <a href="http://www.thisis50.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ThisIs50</a>. He’s talked to everyone from porn actors to fellow comedians to rap stars to athletes and beyond.But in addition to that, Jack is also a talented sketch comedian and writer, stand-up, and even a singer. He got his start working as a writer, warm-up act, and all around right hand man to comedian Lil Duval, before breaking out on his own and moving from Atlanta to New York City. 50 quickly noticed his popular skits, and soon Jack had become the website’s breakout star.He quickly moved from the computer screen to the television screen, starring in several seasons of Nick Cannon’s show Wild ‘N Out. And his latest venture is a singing career. He’s released a song with Nore, and has shared the stage with Musiq Soulchild.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/221/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/221/</a> for full show notes and comments.

221: Jack Thriller

Brian Coleman

This episode, we talk to author Brian Coleman. Coleman has written three volumes of what he calls “invisible liner notes” — blow-by-blow accounts of the making of classic hip-hop records from the people who were there. The newest entry in the series is Check the Technique, Vol. 2, which you can (and should!) cop here.We discuss KMD, the differences between the two emcees in Black Star, the reason Licensed to Ill never made it into his books, why first or second albums are always a group’s best, and plenty more.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/80/ for full show notes and comments.

This episode, we talk to author Brian Coleman. Coleman has written three volumes of what he calls “invisible liner notes” — blow-by-blow accounts of the making of classic hip-hop records from the people who were there. The newest entry in the series is Check the Technique, Vol. 2, which you can (and should!) cop <a href="http://www.goodroadgoods.com/product/brian-coleman-s-check-the-technique-volume-2-book-autographed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.We discuss KMD, the differences between the two emcees in Black Star, the reason Licensed to Ill never made it into his books, why first or second albums are always a group’s best, and plenty more.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/80/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/80/</a> for full show notes and comments.

80: Brian Coleman

Jermaine Dupri

Jermaine Dupri got his start in hip-hop very young. As a pre-teen, he was a dancer on the Fresh Fest tours of the mid-1980s. He went from there to rapping himself, but quickly found that his real talent lay in writing and producing hits for others.J.D. had his first real success with the group Kriss Kross, who he discovered in 1991. He formed So So Def Records, where he guided the careers of Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, and Bow Wow. He also had many hits as a producer with the likes of Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, and Usher. Dupri is now a key part of two unscripted TV shows, The Rap Game and Music Moguls.See http://theciphershow.com/episode/167/ for full show notes and comments.

Jermaine Dupri got his start in hip-hop very young. As a pre-teen, he was a dancer on the Fresh Fest tours of the mid-1980s. He went from there to rapping himself, but quickly found that his real talent lay in writing and producing hits for others.J.D. had his first real success with the group Kriss Kross, who he discovered in 1991. He formed So So Def Records, where he guided the careers of Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, and Bow Wow. He also had many hits as a producer with the likes of Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, and Usher. Dupri is now a key part of two unscripted TV shows, The Rap Game and Music Moguls.See <a href="http://theciphershow.com/episode/167/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theciphershow.com/episode/167/</a> for full show notes and comments.

167: Jermaine Dupri

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