Episode 111 - Spirit & Ego (ft. Jords)

We dig into the recent trend of underground UK artists repping the British flag, including Jim Legxacy, YT and Skaiwater, as a way of reclaiming and crafting their own idea of Britishness. We discuss whether they need to dig deeper in order to portray the realities of Black British life and our personal feelings about the history of the Union Jack.Later, we review Milton Keynes-born, South London-based producer afrosurrealist’s debut album ‘BUYBRITISH’ which features the likes of Ceebo, Zino Vinci, Tay Jordan and more.We wrap up by naming our favourite hip-hop related films.Music: afrosurrealist ft Ceebo & ehsi - wunbludWhat we've been listening toPeterVenna - MalikJay Electronicaafrosurrealist - BUYBRITISHRedman - Muddy WatersOdeal - The Summer That Saved MeYemiVenna - Malikafrosurrealist - BUYBRITISHDeftonesNirvanaTurnstileNatanya - Feline's ReturnBINA - Chaos Is Her NameMoeJoey Bada$$ - Lonely At The TopClipseYFN LucciRich Homie QuanFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod/Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCJ7nCCI3LVlfRXDiSJ2L3CA

We have a little fun and pick the best rappers in their prime and who we prefer.Follow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

This week we’re in our album review bag and take a look at three of the most anticipated hip-hop projects of the year. First, we review Clipse’s first album in over a decade, Let God Sort Em Out, following up with Little Simz’s new project Lotus and Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist’s collaborative tape, Alfredo 2.We dive into our likes and dislikes and where the albums leave these artists. Music: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - 1995 (Instrumental)Follow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod  Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod  Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

We’re joined by Jords, a Croydon-born MC whose music style blends several genres, including grime, jazz, R&B, garage, gospel and drill. He went from just wanting to rap to becoming a multifaceted artist who made history in 2023 when he became the first rapper to be signed by the legendary Motown Records. His talents go beyond music and he's an active member of his community, having founded the ‘Pickni Uniforms’ foundation which aims to deliver free school uniform to disadvantaged young people, as well as running creative writing workshops within prisons. Jords reveals his journey from the streets of Croydon to becoming one of the most respected UK MCs in the game, his experience with Motown and Universal, his new project Mixtape J, his past catalogue, being a target in his own ends, his community activity, his favourite rappers ever and more.Music: Jords - Fuji (ft. Kojey Radical & Bashy)Stream Jords’ new project ‘Mixtape J’: https://link.tldrecords.com/mixtapej Follow Jords:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordsonline/ X: https://x.com/JordsOnline Follow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

This week, we review two UK rap albums that recently dropped: 'HOME?' by Wretch 32 and 'Keep The Change' by Youngs Teflon. We dive into our likes and dislikes and where the albums leave both artists. Later, we do some fantasy rap booking and play a game of 'Guess Who Won A Grammy.'Chapters1:15 Wretch 32 'HOME?' album review36:11 Youngs Teflon 'Keep The Change' album review1:06:56 Fun topicFollow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

We’re joined by Newham-based rapper Zino Vinci, one of the fastest rising artists in the UK rap scene, blending youthful exuberance, razor-sharp wordplay, piercing observation and a love of comic books and superheroes to create his own immersive musical world.He's a few projects deep and his latest, ‘The Late Bloomer,’ is out now. He's had everyone from Complex to Dazed saying his name and he's only getting started.Zino opens up about his journey, finding himself through comic books and superheroes, how experimental his music is, his new project and more.Chapters3:42 Zino’s favourite rappers ever15:37 Zino’s Mount Rushmore of Newham rappers28:33 Zino’s journey through music1:24:31 Zino ơn new project ‘The Late Bloomer’Follow Zino:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zinovinci/X: https://x.com/ZinoVinciFollow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

We're joined by the amazing Darcus Beese. Darcus is one of the most distinguished and successful record label executives in the UK, signing and developing the likes of Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Florence + The Machine and Sabrina Carpenter, having also played a role in introducing the likes of Drake, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande to UK audiences.He is the son of the honourable British Black Panthers Darcus Howe and Barbara Beese and brought that revolutionary zeal with him to Island Records where he begin his career in the late 1980s, moving up the ranks to eventually become the president and CEO of the legendary label, the first black person to do this, and he now heads up his own label Darco Artist Partnerships (DAP) and his memoir 'Rebel With a Cause,' a detailed telling of his story is out now.Darcus breaks down his career in music and the machinations and major record labels, working with Amy Winehouse, his favourite rappers ever, his thoughts on the Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef, his time in America, DAP and much more.Chapters4:31 Darcus' favourite rappers11:05 Darcus on the Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef25:09 Darcus on the current state of music43:26 Darcus on Amy Winehouse51:26 Darcus on why the UK hasn't produced a superstar in years1:04:14 Darcus on gatekeeping1:11:54 Darcus on what a typical record label deal is1:27:52 Darcus' beginnings as an A&R and time in America2:07:03 Darcus on his parents, his book 'Rebel With A Cause' and DAPFollow Darcus and DAP:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darcuscbInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/darcoartistpartnershipsFollow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

We’re joined by the incredible Tiffany Calver. Tiffany is one of the most recognisable DJs, broadcasters and personalities in the UK with over 10 years in the game, having gone from music journalism to becoming the host of her very own radio show ‘The Tiffany Calver Show’ on BBC Radio 1Xtra, having made history when she became the first woman to host Radio 1's ‘Rap Show.’ She throws parties and releases records under the No Requests banner and has DJ'd for the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce and Drake.Tiffany breaks down her career, from uploading her first mixes on Soundcloud and navigating the industry in the mid 2010s to landing at the BBC, via finding herself as a DJ and a commentator. She names her favourite rappers, has her say about the Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef, reminisces about growing up in Telford and pinpoints the biggest no-nos she’s seen from DJs. Later, we play another game of hip-hop trivia, with CONTROVERSIAL results.Chapters2:54 Tiffany’s favourite rappers and thoughts on Drake-Kendrick and the new grime renaissance50:15 Tiffany’s journey from Telford to the BBC1:35:13 Tiffany on making music, her radio show and being a woman in the industry1:41:07 Tiffany’s proudest career moments1:46:09 Tiffany’s ‘No Requests’ party and record label and working with major labels1:56:38 Tiffany’s thoughts on gatekeepers in the music industry + future plans2:04:08 Hip-hop triviaFollow Tiffany:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanycalverFollow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespod Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

We're joined by Ceebo, a South London-based rapper with bags of wordplay, storytelling and an expansive rhyming style that has marked him out as one on the rise. His 2024 project 'LAMBETHNOTLA' was celebrated as one of the strongest to come out of the UK, portraying his experiences with love, nostalgia and the anxieties of being a young Black man existing in South London.Ceebo shares his journey through music, how he started rapping, his writing process, his favourite rappers, putting together 'LAMBETHNOTLA,' his thoughts on the UK rap scene, critical acclaim and more!Follow Ceebo:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theceebogram/X: https://x.com/CeeboSWeezyFollow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod/Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

We start by giving our flowers to Kendrick Lamar who won five Grammys for Not Like Us, including the coveted Record of the Year and Song of the Year. We give our thoughts on the track now and our feelings about a diss track becoming the most awarded song in Grammys history.We then pay our respects to the one and only Irv Gotti, the founder of Murder Inc who sadly passed away at the age of 54. Providing a home for the likes of Ja Rule and Ashanti, we assess his impact on the game. Then, we break down the curious case of Joey Bada$$ and the smoke he’s been on since the start of the year. We end with a CONTROVERSIAL game of hip-hop trivia.Chapters1:00 Kendrick Lamar sweeps the Grammys18:13 R.I.P. Irv Gotti28:00 Joey Bada$$ is on smoke!54:40 Hip-hop triviaFollow Rhymes Like Dimes: https://linktr.ee/rhymesdimespodFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespodListen to our weekly playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UgEmgPF1WEVPGywTWI7HA?si=58b59e4496f34cde