The Albums That Stood Out to Us in September

In this episode, we sit down with rapper Sadistik and producer NOWHERE2RUN to talk in depth about their haunting and atmospheric new project The Vacants. The two break down how the collaboration came to life, what inspired the project’s dark and cinematic tone, and how their creative chemistry shaped the final sound. From the lyrical depth and emotional storytelling to the intricate production choices, this conversation gives a rare look into the making of an album that feels both deeply personal and conceptually rich. Myke C-Town also pulled up for the discussion, adding his insight to the mix as we explore the themes, mood, and process behind The Vacants. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Sadistik’s poetic style or new to NOWHERE2RUN’s production, this is a deep dive into how two artists built something hauntingly beautiful together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we dive into the new posthumous Big L album Harlem’s Finest Return Of The King and break down everything it brings to the legacy of one of the greatest lyricists hip hop has ever seen. We discuss the production choices the featured artists and how well this project captures the spirit and raw talent that made Big L a legend in Harlem and beyond. From the storytelling to the punchlines we take a full look at what this release adds to his catalog and whether it does justice to the icon fans have celebrated for decades. Join the conversation and let us know if you think Harlem’s Finest Return Of The King stands tall in the Big L legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are sitting down with Bruiser Wolf for a full episode of The Listening as he joins us fresh off the release of his new album MADE BY DOPE with producer Harry Fraud. We are diving into his one of a kind delivery his approach to storytelling how this new project came together and how he continues to carve out his own space in Detroit hip hop and beyond We will be reacting in real time to the music talking about standout moments and hearing directly from Bruiser Wolf about his creative process and the ideas behind the album. Fans of Bruiser Brigade and anyone who appreciates originality in rap will not want to miss this conversation Become a Patron or a YouTube Member at the Access Level or higher to watch the full replay which includes the music and the exclusive questions asked by supporters. Your support helps us keep these conversations going and continue shining a light on unique voices in hip hop Let us know your favorite tracks from MADE BY DOPE in the comments and what you want us to ask Bruiser Wolf next time he pulls up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruiser Wolf is back with a voice and style that nobody else in hip hop can duplicate and this time he teamed up with the always smooth Harry Fraud for a brand new album titled MADE BY DOPE. We sat down to break down the quotables the production choices and the moments that make this project stand out in a year full of big releases. We talk about the storytelling the Detroit influence the chemistry between Bruiser Wolf and Harry Fraud and whether this album pushes his sound to a new level. Join the conversation and let us know where MADE BY DOPE ranks among the rest of this year’s rap albums. If you heard the album share what tracks hit the hardest for you and who you think should be paying closer attention to Bruiser Wolf moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are talking about a major moment in music history. For the first time since 1990 there is not a single hip hop song in the Billboards Top 40. What does this say about the culture right now. Is hip hop truly falling off or is the genre simply evolving beyond what the charts are measuring. We are diving into the reasons behind this shift including streaming changes shrinking mainstream appeal and the rise of other genres taking up space. Join us as we break down whether hip hop is actually dead or if this is just the start of a new chapter for the culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight at 9 pm EST we are diving into some of the worst freestyles in hip hop history. We are talking about the moments that had fans confused laughing and wondering what went wrong on those mics. From stumbles and forgotten lines to performances that turned into viral memes we are taking a closer look at how even the biggest artists can have a rough day in front of the camera. Join the conversation live and let us know which freestyles deserve to be on the list and if any of these moments are so bad they are actually entertaining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mobb Deep has returned with Infinite, a powerful posthumous album produced by Havoc and Alchemist and executive produced by Nas alongside Mass Appeal. In this 3-man review, we take a deep look at what this project means for hip-hop and for Mobb Deep’s legacy. We talk about how Havoc and Alchemist’s chemistry shapes the sound of the album, the way Nas and Mass Appeal helped bring the vision to life, and how the production pays tribute to the classic Mobb Deep era while still pushing the sound forward. We also get into the emotional weight behind hearing new verses from Prodigy, how his presence is felt throughout the record, and whether Infinite stands as a fitting continuation of what Mobb Deep built together. From the storytelling and lyricism to the sonic direction and guest appearances, we break down what works, what surprised us, and how this album adds to one of hip-hop’s most respected legacies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Listening, we sit down with Mick Jenkins to talk about what life is like as a fully independent artist, how one-producer projects have shaped his artistry, and what true creative control looks like when you’re calling all the shots. Mick opens up about the challenges and freedoms that come with steering his own career, the lessons he’s learned outside of the label system, and how collaboration and intention drive his sound from project to project. If you want to catch the full replay, which includes the music played during the episode along with extra questions from our Patreon and YouTube Members, make sure you join at the Access Level or higher. Support the show and get the complete experience that doesn’t make it to the public version. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OnDeck, Culturalist Theory, and Ken from Dead End get together to watch the No Limit Verzuz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re each sharing the albums that stood out to us the most from September and breaking down why they hit the way they did. Some of our picks might surprise you and others might be the same ones that stayed in your rotation all month. From major drops to underrated releases, this convo covers what really made an impact for us. Let us know in the comments which albums stood out to you and what you’ve had on repeat lately. #HipHop #RapDiscussion #albumreview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices