Episode 122: Mind Games (ft. Quincy OG & Paul Stephan)

We have not one but TWO guests this week: Quincy OG and Paul Stephan. Representing Thamesmead, South London, and the SMF collective they co-founded, Quincy and Paul are two talented MCs and personalities who navigate the game with charm, personality and weighty bars. Their music and cultural takes has had the whole scene buzzing and millions of fans flocking and they’re only getting more praise and plaudits as the days go by. For the keen eye, Quincy was one of our very first guests!We dig into their history as friends, their relationship with Peter, how the SMF collective came about, Paul’s music with mellow grime producer Bexblu and Quincy’s pivot to hosting and comedy. In addition to HEATED debates about the UK rap scene, Baby Keem, whether there’s been a UK rap classic this decade, and much more!Music: Paul Stephan & Wilfried - Talk My What3:02 Icebreaker12:07 Quincy and Paul’s top 5 favourite rappers25:55 Paul and Quincy’s come up45:00 SMF and Quincy’s pivot to comedy59:02 Paul linking up with Bexblu and embracing soulful beats1:11:12 Paul breaks down melody1:18:17 The guys break down Chip vs Ambush1:22:57 Paul and Quincy’s thoughts on the UK rap scene1:36:51 Paul and Quincy’s dream collaborations1:46:30 SMF’s essential songs1:49:54 Quincy’s GENERATIONAL rap rant1:55:23 Paul and Quincy which area of London has the best MCs1:59:44 Outro Follow Quincy OG:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quincy_smf/Follow Paul Stephan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulstephan_smf/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod/Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

This week, we're joined by DeeRiginal, one of the most unique artists coming out of the UK today with an original blend of grime, R&B and spoken word helping him carve a lane that is all his own.He’s been active for over a decade and is only starting to hit his stride, having dropped two projects in 2025, 'London Borough of Bewm' and 'Bereavement Blues.' He’s also part of itsleftfield, a collective of artists pushing lyrical and sonic boundaries, alongside the likes of Namesbliss, SAMSON and more.We dig into DeeRiginal's journey with music, his fascination with his home city of London, his rapping style, dream collaborations, his favourite rappers ever and more!Music: DeeRiginal - Balance & Symmetry2:12 London geography8:03 Icebreaker16:19 DeeRiginal's favourite rappers ever25:52 DeeRiginal's music, style and come up55:34 DeeRiginal's approach to live shows and creative influences1:04:55 What part of London does DeeRiginal think has the best rappers?1:22:37 DeeRiginal's approach to his music videos1:27:58 DeeRiginal's dreams for his career1:30:35 Three essential DeeRiginal tracksFollow DeeRiginal:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeriginal/X: https://x.com/DeeRiginalFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod/Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

A little bit of an emergency episode, but we had to do it. This week, we react to one of the most anticipated rap albums of the decade: J. Cole’s ‘The Fall Off.’ We recorded this reaction immediately after listening to the album - billed as the North Carolina MC’s final album - together in the studio. We share our initial thoughts, our expectations and whether the album succeeded or fell short.1:57 Intro7:09 Expectations for 'The Fall Off'20:39 Review of 'The Fall Off'58:49 HEATED debate about toxic internet culture with rap fans1:11:09 Final verdict on 'The Fall Off'Music: J. Cole - The Fall Off Is InevitableFollow 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 ponder the responsibilities of artists to live up to the political positions they put out publicly, following Stormzy’s decision to revisit the backlash surrounding his deal with McDonald’s last year and the criticism he got for deleting pro-Palestine posts on his social media. We talk about the phenomenon of streamers like Adin Ross and Kai Cenat and how hip-hop has made problematic streamers comfortable. Later we go down memory lane and talk about our favourite vixens. There’s J. Cole anticipation, Peter and Moe lay down a CHALLENGE to each other, and more!2:16 What we’ve been listening to14:38 Stormzy and artists taking responsibility for their actions43:54 Has hip-hop made problematic streamers comfortable?1:04:20 Our favourite video vixensWhat we’ve been listening toPeterJames Brown - HellFrank Ocean - Channel OrangeSinners OSTJay Z - Vol 3: The Life & Times of S. CarterMoeJ. ColeYemiA$AP Rocky - Don’t Be DumbBXKS - Moment of EclipseNujabesFollow 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 a returning guest, the one and only Kofi Stone! The Mayor of Brum has had a busy time since we last linked up with him in 2020, dropping two incredible albums after a four year wait, including ‘All The Flowers Have Bloomed,’ which was released in 2025.We talk to Kofi about the time spent putting his new album and the current creative run he’s in after some time away. He breaks down his latest album track by track, operating as an independent artist, the dynamics of the rap game outside of London, linking up with the likes of Children of Zeus and Chuck Strangers, his Tru Community record label, future plans and much more!3:16 Kofi's journey through the years24:25 Kofi breaks down 'All The Flowers Have Bloomed'55:13 Kofi's album artworks1:07:39 Kofi's 'Flow' song series1:11:46 Kofi's writing skill1:19:41 Kofi on being an independent artist1:37:10 Kofi talks new music1:39:29 Quickfire Q+AFollow Kofi:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kofistone_/X: https://x.com/KofiStone_Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespod/Follow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

2025 is over and our end of year episode is here! We’re joined by Chris The Capo as we recap our favourite albums and rappers from the UK and USA, our most disappointing albums, our favourite non-rap albums and our predictions for 2026. We put together a Mount Rushmore for the year, discuss the biggest winners and losers of 2025 and whether we’ll look back on the year fondly.ChaptersReview of 2025 (5:21)Biggest winners and losers of 2025 (26:12)2025 Mount Rushmore (29:02)Favourite UK albums of 2025 (42:19)Favourite US albums of 2025 (52:50)Favourite US rappers of 2025 (1:10:39)Favourite UK rappers of 2025 (1:17:49)Most disappointing albums of 2025 (1:27:17)Favourite non-rap albums of 2025 (1:43:56)Predictions for 2026 (1:52:16)Follow Chris The Capo:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christhecapo/X: https://x.com/ChrisTheCapoFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on X: https://x.com/rhymesdimespodFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhymesdimespod

This week, we review friend of the pod Kofi Stone’s new album ‘All The Flowers Have Bloomed,’ assessing our favourite moments, tracks, verses and how we see Kofi now. Later, we discuss South London rapper ENNY’s controversial marketing ploy where she faked retiring from music in order to promote her new single. We share our thoughts and whether these extreme moves are what artists have to pull these days to drum up attention. We name side hustles for rappers, discuss a hip-hop logo and more!Chapters2:37 What we’ve been listening to7:33 Kofi Stone - All The Flowers Have Bloomed Album Review48:20 Was ENNY Wrong?1:06:17 What Side Hustles Would Your Favourite Rapper Have?1:08:36 Who Goes On A Hip-Hop Logo?1:15:42 OutroWhat we’ve been listening toPeterD’Angelo - VoodooJames BrownParliament FunkadelicAl GreenPrinceMoeThe Game & DJ Drama - Gangsta GrillzCigarettes After SexAscoYemiClipse - Hell Hath No FuryLord Apex - Smoke Sessions 4Chance The Rapper - STAR LINEFollow 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: Knucks' 'A Fine African Man' and Ceebo's 'blair babies.' We share our thoughts, expectations and the music that moved the most the most on both projects.In between, Yemi shares a weird exchange with a Trap Lore Ross, we recap their times seeing Clipse and Ruff Sqwad and share what we've been listening to this week.Chapters0:39 Yemi vs Trap Lore Ross2:57 What we've been listening to6:31 Clipse and Ruff Sqwad concert reviews12:04 Knucks 'A Fine African Man' album review48:07 Ceebo 'blair babies' mixtape review1:23:22 OutroWhat we've been listening toPeterKnucks - A Fine African Manceebo - blair babiesKofi Stone - All The Flowers Have BloomedMoeceebo - blair babiesKofi Stone - All The Flowers Have BloomedThe Notorious B.I.G - Life After DeathYemiKnucks - A Fine African Manceebo - blair babiesKofi Stone - All The Flowers Have Bloomeddexter in the newsagent - time fliesFollow 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: Knucks' 'A Fine African Man' and Ceebo's 'blair babies.' We share our thoughts, expectations and the music that moved the most the most on both projects.In between, Yemi shares a weird exchange with a Trap Lore Ross, we recap their times seeing Clipse and Ruff Sqwad and share what we've been listening to this week.Chapters0:39 Yemi vs Trap Lore Ross2:57 What we've been listening to6:31 Clipse and Ruff Sqwad concert reviews12:04 Knucks 'A Fine African Man' album review48:07 Ceebo 'blair babies' mixtape review1:23:22 OutroWhat we've been listening toPeterKnucks - A Fine African Manceebo - blair babiesKofi Stone - All The Flowers Have BloomedMoeceebo - blair babiesKofi Stone - All The Flowers Have BloomedThe Notorious B.I.G - Life After DeathYemiKnucks - A Fine African Manceebo - blair babiesKofi Stone - All The Flowers Have Bloomeddexter in the newsagent - time fliesFollow 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 our brother Abiade and spend this episode reviewing one of the most anticipated UK rap albums of the year: Dave's 'The Boy Who The Played The Harp.' The project is the South London rapper's third studio album and first since 2021's 'We're All Alone In This Together.'Taking a deep dive into our expectations, the musicality, our favourite verses and songs, we also examine Dave's state of mind, lyrical status and position in the game.Chapters0:00 Intro2:16 What we've been listening to10:23 Dave 'The Boy Who The Played The Harp' album review1:07:34 OutroWhat we've been listening to:AbiadeKnucks - A Fine African ManPeterD'AngeloYemiMobb Deep - InfiniteTame Impala - DeadbeatkeiyaA - hooke's lawLeon Thomas - PHOLKSMoeJuvenile - 400 Degreezafrosurrealist - BUYBRITISHLil Wayne - 500 DegreezFollow 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