Ep.371 - Mid-Year Report 2026

With a fresh aesthetic and all the support you could want, Busta Rhymes took his solo opportunity and ran with it, becoming one of the most in-demand Hip-Hop voices of the late 90s/early 00s along with a visual track record that holds up to this day. However, being in-demand as a feature meant his albums followed the trend of the day, for better or worse.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)Charlie:Blu & Sndtrak - LAAaron May - Enjoy The RideDizzee Rascal - We Want BassSylvan LaCue - Depths of a Man : A Memoir by Sylvan LaCueLiana Flores - And so it goes...corto.alto - SOME SMALL FORTUNEI Am An Instrument - Wonder, WanderChildren of Zeus - As The World Burns... Dezarie - Power ShiftA-F-R-O - Trap Door 2Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (16:39)The Coming - (22:48)When Disaster Strikes... - (27:58)Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front - (31:36)Anarchy - (36:42)Genesis - (40:51)It Ain't Safe No More... - (45:34)The Big Bang - (51:09)Back on My B.S. - (57:13)Year of the Dragon - (1:00:37)Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God - (1:04:50)Blockbusta - (1:11:09)Lighter Note - (1:20:09) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Leaders of the New School - the group that now historically serves as the proving ground for a future Busta Rhymes solo career - was a peppy bunch of rappers with great chemistry. Surprising considering the creative differences that would eventually cut their existence short.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:42)Ben:E-40 - Turning my Money OverThe Game - The Documentary IIIMick Jenkins & Greenslime - Black Ass Kung Fu FlickChelsea Wolfe - The DarkeJula Holter - MateriaDenzel Curry x Kenny Beats - IIRapsody - God Gotta Afro & Gold HoopsCharlie:Headie One - MMMAaron Taylor - "Tell Me of Love!"Kabaka Pyramid - Rebel Music - The Lyrics TapeBishop Nehru - I Hate My Birthday: Moments Before Forever Alabama Shakes - I Must Be Dreaming Nyota Parker & Jay Jody - Confused Admirationflowerovlove - MINI SKIRT WARRIORDahi - Black Boy (Alternative)Busta Rhymes & J Dilla - DILLAGENCE IIErykah Badu & The Alchemist - Before The World BlowsTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (18:39)A Future Without a Past... - (23:47) T.I.M.E. - (35:24) Lighter Note - (47:27) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

A foundational member of the Native Tongues collective - releasing two of the first three albums under that collective umbrella - Jungle Brothers were sonically ahead of their time and have kept steady up until this decade.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:10)Charlie:Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats - iiJohn Wells - F*CK The ALGORITHMthreetwenty - separate from the noise (side b)Adanna Duru - THE NAIJAMERICAN DREAMJorja Smith - What Are The OddsZenesoul - Under the Same SkyQueen Ifrica - Breath Of LifeRapsody - God Gotta Afro & Gold HoopsCleo Sol - GentlewomanTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (14:36)Straight out the Jungle - (19:04)Done by the Forces of Nature - (28:23)J Beez wit the Remedy - (36:48)Raw Deluxe - (43:29)V.I.P. - (50:15)All That We Do - (56:36)I Got U - (1:01:39)Keep It Jungle - (1:06:09Lighter Note - (1:12:08) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The duo of Dres & Mr. Lawnge nailed a balance of ATCQ's production language with De La Soul's lyrical humour with their debut album. But after creative differences, the name was carried by Dres into the 21st Century, to mixed results.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:03)Ben:Hit-Boy - HITStoryCharlie:DC - All Things Can Be TrueTreasure Bloom - Bloomin'Tavaras Jordan - 72 Hours In Houston Anaïs Cardot - Map Of Her ShadowRashmeet Kaur - PARINDADezarie - 7th HeavenThe Womack Sisters - The Womack Sistersinsyt. - Rite of Passage Jungle - Sunshine Marvaless - Still MarvalessHit-Boy - HITStory Channel Tres - Enigma POVArin Ray - LIMBOBallad - Soul-Fi, Vol. 2Mick Jenkins - Type ShitMick Jenkins & GreenSLLIME - BLACK ASS KUNG FU FLICKTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (17:33)A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - (22:41) Non-Fiction - (34:46) 8WM/Novakane - (44:00) From the Black Pool of Genius - (50:01) Tortured Soul - (55:41) Lighter Note - (1:01:56) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The story of Chi-Ali is one containing a few but ultimately pivotal highlights: Brought up as a talented teenage rapper - within the most notable collectives in Hip-Hop history - dropping one album before his career was derailed by label BS. One can wonder, what if he was better treated after his one & only release, would he still end up on the America's Most Wanted List? (Twice!)TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:13)Ben:CFCF - LUVYard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little MusicRico Nasty - RXCakes Da Kill - NEW BITCHKen Carson - xperimentPooh Shiesty - All Eyes on ShiestCharlie:Brittney Carter & 14KT - family packDinner Party - Whatchu Bringing?Joyce Moreno, Tutty Moreno & Adrian Younge - Joyce e Tutty Moreno JID027Leah Music - Life After LoveFLO - THERAPY AT THE CLUBRunkus - SUPERNOVAJuicy J & Project Pat - Dem GoatsTerri Lyne Carrington & Social Science - Trip the Night FantasticTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (16:51)The Fabulous Chi-Ali - (20:02) Lighter Note - (43:10) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

There's certain names in music that bridge the gap between one era and the next. Greg Nice & Smooth Bee were one of those. Taking fun-natured Hip-Hop of the old and mixing it with new production practices: heavy on sampling and occasionally fusing R&B into their work.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:15)Charlie:DAMEDAME* - DREAMS ON THE PASSENGER SEATKota The Friend - JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE!K.A.A.N. & D-Ace - THE MODERN ODYSSEY Apollo Brown - No Pressure, No DiamondMasego - Fix Your FaceFana Hues - Catch n' ReleaseTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (8:45)Nice & Smooth - (12:50) Ain't A Damn Thing Changed - (27:02) Jewel of the Nile - (34:13) IV: Blazing Hot - (42:09) Lighter Note - (53:57) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Before Jaz-O's legacy was watered down to "the guy who put Jay-Z on", Jaz-O had a career of his own and highlights of his own that deserved be looked at with a fresh lens.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:21)Charlie:Chenayder - Outdated Yard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little Music Captains of the Imagination - You Owe Me TearsNamesbliss - where's bliss? Mad Skillz - A Hero And A VillainNines - Lost TapesMellow Mood & Paulo Baldini DubFiles - 7 DUBRico Nasty - RXWILLOW - The ThreadTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (10:33)Word to the Jaz - (15:48)To Your Soul - (25:23)Kingz Kounty - (35:06)Lighter Note - (50:42) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

It's our 15th edition of Neighbours where we talk about records that aren't technically Hip-Hop but either share elements or are influential in Hip-Hop circles. This edition, we go full British, getting into a Trip-Hop essential and a Downbeat classic. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)Ben:Rome Streetz - Sock it 2 My PocketRick Ross - Set in StoneSyd - BeardSteve Lacy - Oh yeah?Charlie:Nomi. - sweet talkJamesThe3rd - SaluteAdrian Younge - Afro-Disco MakossaBackRoad Gee - Live In The FleshAmbré - PEYOTECK The Spitta - Strictly 4 The UndergroundNia Archives - Emotional JunglistSteve Lacy - Oh yeah? Syd - BeardDummy - (12:44) In A Space Outta Sound - (36:43) Lighter Note - (56:23) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Initially under the wing of KRS-ONE, the duo Channel Live made minor waves in the mid-90s but due to lack of sonic identity, their three albums all feel drastically different, even if their lyrical content contained a healthy amount of substance & social commentary.TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:42)Charlie:Olympia Vitalis - Lady LuckJaz Karis - Twenty SomethingGUINEVERE - Kiss The SunNate Smith, Kiefer, CARRTOONS & Kenneth Blume - FATHERSTenderlonious - Africa/Brass (Live) (Artwork By Charlie!)Kelela - new avatarBaby Rose - YEARNALISMJoe James - The Ends, Never EndsTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (9:21) Station Identification - (12:46) Armaghetto - (21:15) Secret Science Rap - (28:30) Lighter Note - (38:14) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

We're officially halfway through 2026, so it's time for our Mid-Year report where we take stock of the year so far - from the music dropped to some of the stories that transpired - and look forward to the rest of the year! TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02)Ben:Future - The Real MeLance Skiiiwalker - #invite,sessions,only!!Charlie:The Deli - KaleidoscopeAlewya - ZeroNaomi Sharon - No Sleep In Paradise Revisiting Hip-Hop Media - (8:45)Notable Projects So Far - (31:11) Projects We're Looking Forward To - (1:07:51) Lighter Note - (1:16:14) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence