Kinda Neat

This week we sat down with friend of the show Busdriver. Been meaning to have him on since the release of his excellent new record Thumbs. Moments before we started I saw the video of Mario Woods being executed by a firing squad of police officers. This is another in a long line of video taped police killings. We discussed race and politics issues before we began recording. It carries over into this conversation. This episode is different than our usual direction. Bus and I explore opinions more than life stories. There are probably some moments that we're wearing our hearts on our sleeves. We talk about some sensitive subjects that many Americans would rather avoid. That being said, I always have a great time talking to Busdriver because he's such an amazing thinker, artist, and poet. –Lee

I met Illmaculate when he was 16 years old on his first trip to California. He was already getting flown out of state by promoters to battle in their events. The Portland bred rapper has spent half his life pursuing a career as a rapper. He started in middle school. It felt like he put the whole world onto our West Coast scene when he won Scribble Jam in '04. He's still considered one of the best working battle rappers a decade later. The current KOTD champion talks about dropping out of school and his history of ultra backpacker crew names. We also go really deep into the pivotal moment he won Scribble Jam. –Lee

Nacho Picasso is a Seattle raised rapper. He's a clear alternative to what comes to mind when discussing “Seattle Rap.” Seattle is known for churning out safe, marketable, pseudo-uplifting, boom-bap inspired rap. Nacho's music lives in a dark world of gun violence, drugs, and sexual deviance. After talking to him it seems that art truly imitates life. I'm aware many of our listeners are quickly turned off by those tropes and themes in rap music. But Nacho's music is filled with layered lyricism and obscure pop culture references. He's undeniably charismatic and has one of the most unique voices currently rapping. On top of that the raps are often over thumping Blue Sky Black Death instrumentals. Hear Nacho Picasso talk about his late start to rap, getting his first tattoo at 13, and the abusive mom's ex-boyfriend that stole Christmas one year. –Lee

In our 90th episode we talked to Matt Martians and Syd of The Internet. Soon they're heading for a city near you on tour. Their new record, Ego Death, is a breezy dreamscape of a soul album. It finds Syd more mature, more comfortable, and more revealing than their prior releases. It's easy to pick up on why these two would work together creatively so well. Their energies almost seem opposite. Syd is laid back, cool and quiet, seemingly scoping things out. At the same time Matt is boisterous and opinionated, speaking with authority on a myriad of subjects. But the longer you talk, the more you see their dynamic occasionally flip flop and realize there's a definitive give and take that alludes to their obvious teamwork. Hear The Internet talk about learning as you go and improving along the way, first impressions being hard shake, and why you should be nice to venue security. –Lee

When we last spoke to Milo he'd recently won the favor of his rap heroes and joined their team. At the time he was thinking of moving to LA. He eventually did, but things didn't go quite as planned. He's since moved back to Wisconsin and begun to regroup and rebuild. Hear Milo talk about record label woes, neighborhood threats, and the great tape debate. –Lee

This week we sat down with singer-songwriter Marc E. Bassy. Kendrick tweeted the link to his East Hollywood EP. Due to that I spent the afternoon listening to it twice in a row. The record is filled with vibey stylized pop music. Furthermore you can tell it was written by someone who grew up loving rap music. The tape seemed to come out of nowhere. But like any good music story, there were many years of hard work behind the scenes. He got signed after moving to from the Bay to LA a decade ago. His band ended up scoring a Top 40 song, and people left surprisingly great jobs to join the band. They eventually parted ways since all good things must end. Mark's finally found a renewed passion as an artist after taking his turn writing for others. EHEP is a sign of that. Listen to us talk about touring frat houses to garner buzz and throwing a blazer over his t-shirt to play the mid-2000's image game. –Lee

I've known Sahtyre for almost a decade now. We've never been close. If anything there's always been a strange tension between us. Because of that learning about his background during our discussion was a bit of a mind fuck. His childhood was tumultuous to say the least. While I'd heard murmurs about his upbringing, hearing the extent of his family's dark moments directly from the source was moving. We came to realize our past differences probably stem from similarities in our character. This was a very open and cathartic conversation that we waited far too long to have. Hear us talk about his drug addled early family life, starting kindergarten at age 3, and our mutual textbook need for validation. –Lee

This week we sat down with Rome Fortune. The Atlanta rapper was in LA to escape for a bit. But he ended up in a few studios, like any hard working artist would. Sometimes it's just harder for artists not to work. To be honest I'd labeled him a “fashion rapper” in my head. In my bias I feared he would be snobby or overly egotistical. He proved me very wrong. Rome Fortune is jovial, warm, thoughtful, skilled and humble. He's a true student of the game. He's a rapper not afraid to experiment, and striving to make his music as open and personal as it can be. Listen to us talk about his jazz lineage, Home Depot hustles, and how the beard ended up green. –Lee

pennybirdrabbit was our sixth episode ever. Her performance went a bit viral. It was our first to hit a hundred thousand views. Major life changes have taken place since we last spoke. It was high time for a catch-up conversation. We talk about her new motherhood and how she balances it with music. We also discuss maneuvering through the music industry. –Lee

We're happy to welcome Danny Seth to the show. He's been back and forth between LA and London working hard. He's collab'd with the likes of G-Eazy and A$AP Ferg. In addition to being a talented lyricist, his live show is electric. But he's working diligently on an album that will show he's a very well-rounded artist. He further proves that heartfelt song he performed. Listen to us talk about a miserable mushroom trip and being detained for 9 hours in an airport. We also discuss having the foresight to remove his first viral song from the internet. –Lee

This week we talk with saxophonist, composer, and jazz aficionado Kamasi Washington. His latest record The Epic is a 3 hour dreamscape through the mind of a master craftsman. LA's jazz scene seems to revolve around a group of friends who've been playing music together since childhood. For example Kamasi has known Thundercat “since he was in his mom's belly.” The players–Kamasi, Terrace, Thundercat, Ronald, Miles, Ambrose, etc–have been getting a lot of shine lately. Many of them worked on Kendrick's To Pimp A Butterfly. But make no mistake, they've been honing their craft in a vibrant LA scene for years. Hear Kamasi Washington talk about how he almost ended up as a physicist instead of a musician, how playing hip hop live changed his thoughts on how to play jazz, and how the saxophone chose him and not the other way around. –Lee

Daye Jack recently moved to LA. Born in Nigeria, raised in Atlanta, and schooled in New York. Consequently his music is as eclectic as the places he resided. He represents a new breed of rap artists as comfortable singing as they are barring out. Comparisons could be drawn to previous guest Pell. Listeners will appreciate his dense lyrics and ear worm melodies. Listen as we talk about leaving NYU, his first show 6 months ago, and his surprising love for John Mayer. –Lee

I enjoyed Marvel Alexander's last project Don't Die Yet. It has avant-garde sounds from the likes of Sango, Kaytranada, and features from Wiki and Hodgy. There's a lot of great self-production as well, and it turns out he's also behind the scenes making hit records as a producer. I had no idea. Really fun conversation with a perfect stranger, the dude can spin a yarn. Hear us talk about basketball scholarships, his friend Dennis' advice on getting girls, and waking up in the hospital with shaved pubes. –Lee

We always love when we get to link with an artist you guys request. POS gets requested a lot. He's been a road warrior for a long time. So of course we caught him as he traveled with Doomtree in support of All Hands.  Listen to us talk about touring at the tender age of 14, why Minneapolis has such a strong history of music, and how the video for Guns N' Roses “Paradise City” changed his life. –Lee

This is the 2nd time I've interviewed Kreayshawn. We did a podcast with her 4 years ago the same week that “Gucci Gucci” blew up. She was only 21 years old then. One of her first songs had become a smash hit. Is anyone is ever ready for that? A lot has changed since. She got signed, she toured, put out an album, became a media punching bag, got dropped, became a mom, and has been out of the public eye for a bit now. But here's the thing about Kreayshawn: she wasn't cool because she had a hit record. Her record became a hit because she's cool as fuck. This conversation is proof of that. I hope it serves as a reminder that media figures are still human beings. Life goes on after fame. We talk about having a punk rock goddess for a mom, Job Corp gangs, and her journey through the major label system. –Lee

This week we talk to Long Beach native Boogie. Found out about him last year when our old pal Clayton started tweeting out his songs and vids. I knew listeners needed to hear Thirst 48 when it dropped last summer . The tape lays his cynical outlook on the social media generation over soulful, summery beats. Littered with production and features from former Kinda Neat guests, it's the perfect soundtrack to your next long drive. Listen to us talk about singing in church, raising his son, and the difference between cliques and gangs. –Lee

Mr. Muthafuckin Exquire had a palpable buzz in 2011. The video for “Huzzah” was so raw, grimy, and stylized. It skyrocketed him into the limelight of every major music publication. Every rap fan I knew was excited by his potential. Then, somewhat surprisingly, he signed with a major. Things seemed to get a bit quieter. From the outside looking in it seemed like the label didn't know what to do with him. Eventually he announced he was no longer signed to Universal. I find the early 2010's to be an amazingly interesting time in music. The labels really started to see themselves losing their stronghold and began trying to get their hands on anything that was building a buzz on the internet. These stories are so intriguing and relatable, it goes without saying I was excited to hear his side. Highly recommend this convo, we had a great time talking about his rolling stone of a father, his stint on Universal, and his success being anything but “overnight.” –Lee

Michael Christmas joined us on this most fitting of occasions. The 20 year old Boston bred emcee recently moved to Los Angeles. He's already being talked about in all the right circles. He started gaining traction last year with videos like “Michael Cera” and “Daily” before releasing his Is This Art? mixtape early in 2014. If you don't already love him you will after listening. We talk about his early aspirations of being the next Soulja Boy, watching his dad and step dad play Madden together, and freezing up at mansion party full of fine model chicks. –Lee

Father was our 75th guest. My favorite tape of the year might be Young Hot Ebony. The project is filled with infectious hooks, a cohesive sound, and clever wordplay. It's no wonder the Atlanta rapper was able to kick the door down after his frequent collaborator iloveMakonnen got his foot in it. We discuss his self-inflicted isolation as a youth, and meeting the Awful Media affiliates in college. We also talk about the whirlwind life has become since the rest of the world found out about their enclave. –Lee

My main hustle is photography. I travel a lot with my best friend and photographer Dominic Cooley. This is our first non-music guest. But his story of hard work and perseverance is going to inspire you to follow your dream whatever the dream may be. I love this guy like a brother and respect his hustle and work ethic. We talk about being a social chameleon, raising a son with autism, and why our rag tag crew of knuckleheads keeps getting hired on photo jobs. –Lee