Kinda Neat

This week we had the pleasure of sitting with the talented Allan Kingdom. Allan's has a unique rap voice, angelic falsetto, and a cold climate upbringing. This leads to music that can be dense, dark, contemplative and uplifting all at once. He's a young man with an aged veteran's demeanor. His career has already had a number of individual peaks (i.e The Stand4rd with Corbin neé Spooky Black, and a feature on Kanye's “All Day” that lead to 3 Grammy noms) with surely many more to come. Hear us talk about his small familial unit, why he felt “African” in Canada and “Black” in America, and recording his first raps at a church while his mom watched over his shoulder. –Lee

The 1st bar of the 1st song I heard from Cozz convinced me he was the truth. His sparse, dark, and deeply South Central LA looking video for “Dreams” came out of nowhere in 2014. We've been trying to get him on the show ever since. His story is a modern rarity in the music world. While most folks toil in obscurity for a few years working out their sound, Cozz came out of the blue with a powerfully developed voice and the first song he put out in the world started an industry bidding war. He talked to a number of labels and ended up finding a home in Dreamville, J.Cole's imprint. His first tape, Cozz & Effect, is a surprisingly masterful debut of youngster with a fully formed outlook. His latest release Nothin Personal finds him pushing his sound and limits and continuing to develop. I'm looking forward to a long fruitful career from Cody. Hear us talk about the contrasts of South Central living and Redondo Beach schooling, how getting a record deal doesn't mean you're instantly rich, and ho

This week we sat with East Atlanta's own JID. Always happy to show you guys someone with so much potential so early in their career. He has industry insiders buzzing without even putting a tape out yet (it's coming in the fall, in the meantime check out the Spillage Village tapes Bears Like This and Bears Like This Too). His style is so effortlessly confident and cocky it almost distracts from the fact the he's a technical wizard with words. The dude bars out. Hear us discuss being the youngest of 7 siblings, his fateful meeting with Earthgang while he was in college on a football scholarship, and the age old debate of who won the Jay / Nas battle. –Lee

Rebecca Haithcoat has steadily become a trusted voice in music journalist. She's written for Billboard, SPIN, Pitchfork, Noisey, Complex and countless others. I met her weeks after she arrived in LA. We were frequently attending rap shows around the turn of the decade. I was instantly drawn to her warm personality and easy conversation style. Those traits helped her become a excellent interviewer. It surely put folks like Nicki Minaj, YG, and Miguel at ease while covering them. She's a prime example of hard work and being open to opportunities. Hear Rebecca Haithcoat talk about growing up in the South, heading to Chicago to pursue her acting dreams, and writing her Master's thesis on LA rap music.  –Lee

One of my favorite subjects to harp on is becoming a middle aged rap fan. I try to stay open minded and excited about the evolution of the art. Last week I was at a $uicideboy$ show, feeling extra old. It was there I saw Ghostemane come out and kill a quick guest appearance during an opening dj set. I'm only surface level familiar with the burgeoning sub-genre of aggressively dark underground rap I would compartmentalize him in. It's amazing to see this younger generation of underground rappers make their audience go berserk. The shows feel more like hardcore or metal performances than a rap show in a traditional sense. Hence I wanted to talk to the new Los Angeles transplant about this scene, and how he got involved in it. Listen to us talk about how the prescription opioid epidemic affected his family, moving to LA 3 weeks ago, and why most young goths have it all wrong about satan. –Lee

Van Styles is a king of Instagram. He's garnered 700K followers on the app by expertly photographing the feminine figure. He's translated that success into a thriving upstart clothing brand “Visual Apparel.” But it doesn't seem like that was ever the end goal. As a young man he loved skateboarding but ended up directing porn. It seems the only common theme in his career path is “stay open to any opportunity.” Hear us discuss his outlier-like opportunity to learn how to photograph women on the job (of a porno set). Also how he bought two cars and a condo in his early 20s. He also reveals why Instagram started to feel too formulaic. –Lee

K.Flay is Dope. Couldn’t really think of another way to start this blurb. If you mention Kristine Flaherty to musicians you'll hear nothing but praise for her talent and personality. Since she's been a road warrior for a few years now. Due to that she's crossed paths with plenty of artists to sing those praises. K.Flay is Ivy League level intelligent and rap star level swagged out. Our conversation proves the former, and her performance of “FML” on proves the latter. Hear us talk about the beginnings of her rap career at Stanford, being a member of the real life Brady Bunch, and listen as we go absolutely apeshit with the “shoutouts.” Shoutout former guest Clayton Blaha for facilitating this episode. –Lee

Bobby Hundreds and Ben Hundreds have created a brand you can't help but root for. Bobby's diligent content creation over the years has created a cast of characters that revolve around planet Hundreds. Being cool is the baseline, and being talented is the norm. While known for creating one of the preeminent streetwear brands of the last 2 decades, take a closer look and you realize he's prodigious writer, photographer, and cultural curator. This was a very open and enjoyable conversation with a lot of insight into emotional themes of successful people. Felt very much like reading Outliers while listening to his story.   –Lee

This week we sat down with friend of the show Johnny Polygon. Always fun to sit and have a rambling conversation with a friend. We talk about his (very original) sleep over shows, my current rap existential crisis (honestly I kinda blacked out on this one and he became the therapist), and how it's far more intimidating to perform to 10 people than 1000 people.  –Lee

We talked to Awful Record's own Tommy Genesis. She began making music after leaving her small Canadian hometown for art school. While living in Vancouver she eventually caught the ear of Father. Last summer's World Vision gave us a glimpse of what's to come. She's been in LA busy at work on World Vision 2. She'll be joining Father on tour starting in a couple weeks, so catch them in a city near you. Hear us talk about astrology (yeah yeah I know), growing up as a mixed kid, and demolishing walls in art school.   –Lee

Our guy Sol is on tour in support of his new record The Headspace Traveler. He's a “welcome whenever” friends. So it was good to catch up. We talk about him moving into the studio where The Heist was recorded. He explains what it was like to watch a local friend become extremely famous. And he talks about moving to a cabin in the woods with no phone to help his writing. –Lee

This felt like one of the best conversations I've had in a while. JMSN had just finished his record and was re-entering society after his self induced creative hermitude. There was next to no small talk and we dove right into anxiety, depression, and loneliness like we were old friends catching up (we'd never met). Even when I know better, occasional I make the mistake of assuming things work out immediately for talented people. When I first started hearing JMSN a few years ago I thought “hmm a dude with a great voice, great songs, great hair, and no vowels in his name?…people must've rolled out a red carpet to fame for him.” Turns out like any good success story, JMSN had plenty of failures in the industry. That eventually led him to finding himself and his voice. Hear us talk about being creative loners, mental health coping strategies, and wishing every show could be in his backyard. –Lee

An interview with Adam22 long before No Jumper was a household name.

We talked to the man that helps it all happen for our 100th episode. Daddy Kev is a staple of the Los Angeles music scene. Bringing shine and helping artists in LA for over 2 decades. He's been hugely influential in pushing the boundaries of electronic music as the proprietor of Low End Theory. He's also released 100s of records into the universe as the proprietor of Alpha Pup Records. Furthermore Kev's mixed and mastered records you've surely heard as the owner of Cosmic Zoo studio. Not only has he provided us a platform, but he's provided a working space for some of your favorite musicians. Kev's passion for music and deft business maneuvers have inspired countless people. Listen in as we talk about balancing so many tasks, self-motivation, and how to reboot after a failed venture.  –Lee

Dizzy Wright's life has not been a cake walk. He understands what it is to struggle. Diz was raised by a single mother of five children while his biological father was imprisoned. Yet and still, his attitude is refreshingly positive and his work ethic extremely strong. He's mature far beyond his years. It's no wonder he's gathered such a huge following in a short amount of time. Wisdom and Good Vibes makes perfect sense as an EP title after hearing his life perspective. We're happy to finally get him on the show. He's been one of the most requested guests. Listen to us discuss his family in Flint dealing with the water crisis, meeting his father for the first time at age 20, and his mother's ghostwriting skills. –Lee

Wiki Talks Growing Up In NY, Putting The Right Team Together, Misconceptions About Quakers and Performs “Seedy Motherfucker” Live In Studio I've wanted to interview our guest Wiki for a while now. The “Wikispeaks” video blew me away. It was so authentic, so New York, and seemed to come out of nowhere. The music was firmly planted in the now while still reminding me of music I grew up on. Fast forward 4 years, a few EPs, an album, tours, mixtapes, and Wiki is a grizzled veteran at 22. His work with Ratking has made him one of the leading voices of the next generation of rap musicians. The new mixtape “Lil Me” further proves that. Hear us talk about growing up growing up on the Upper West Side, the power of putting together the right team, and misconceptions about Quakers. –Lee

Prayers have become known as the originators of “Cholo Goth.” Rafael is quick to remind you the connection between dark emotional music and the Chicano community is nothing new.  The connection is well established and widely known in Southern California. Rafael has been many things in his life. To date he's been a gang member, restauranteur, inmate, and now rock star. Prayers is clearly on a roll. They sold out the El Rey the day before this interview. Days after the conversation it was announced they'll be performing at Coachella. Rafa has stories for days so I had a great time with this episode. Listen to us talk about his history as a San Diego gang member. He explains the difference between gangster and criminal. There's also a moving story about coming to terms with his father's passing –Lee

Brought my mom back in for the first episode of 2016. May be biased, but these are my favorite. We are ramblers, so we only make it through about a 6 year span in this conversation. Hear her talk about the birth of my brother, our move to Alaska, and give awkward shoutouts to family friends. –Lee

Wax put out a new record called Livin Foul. We've done a whole bunch of podcasts in the last 4 or 5 years, so this one breaks format and we essentially don't talk about anything. But that's cool. He definitely sings the Full House theme at some point. Go get that new album, I'm on a song. HAPPY HOLIDAYS HOMIES. –Lee

I was very excited to talk to The Grouch. He was the first “underground rapper” (read: independent artist) I heard of after moving to California. Living Legends performing at KAOS Network was the first underground rap show I ever attended.  It was at the home of Project Blowed, before I even knew what Project Blowed was. He was the first artist I ever ordered online merch from. Also the first rapper I ever photographed at a show. Not to mention the first rapper that made me think “underground rapper” could be a feasible career. As a fresh faced California transplant, The Grouch was someone I immediately looked up to, revered, and learned from. Needless to say, I geeked out a bit during this conversation. He was very open during our talk and it was a real pleasure to converse with someone I hold in such high esteem. Listen to us talk about music in his genes and buying a house at age 23 from slanging CDs out the trunk. Of course we also dove deep into the Livin