#WhoIs with DJ Quicksilva

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we sit down with one of the most outspoken, entertaining, and respected personalities in comedy and hip-hop culture—the legendary TK Kirkland. Known to many as the "Gangsta of Comedy," TK has spent more than four decades building a career that goes far beyond telling jokes. From his early days touring with Eazy-E and N.W.A. to sharing stages with some of the biggest names in music, including Tupac, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent, TK has had a front-row seat to some of the most important moments in hip-hop history. But TK's story doesn't stop at comedy. As an actor, entrepreneur, writer, and podcast host, he's built a reputation for speaking his mind, telling unforgettable stories, and dropping the kind of life lessons that make people laugh, think, and sometimes feel a little uncomfortable. Whether it's relationships, money, the entertainment business, or the realities of life, TK has never been afraid to tell it like he sees it. With comedy specials like Are There Any Questions? and Who Raised You?, along with memorable appearances on The Breakfast Club, Drink Champs, VladTV, and his own TK Kirkland Show, he's introduced his unique perspective to multiple generations. In this episode, we go beyond the comedy to talk about his early years in the entertainment business, his relationships with hip-hop legends, the stories behind the success, the mistakes, the lessons learned, and how he's managed to stay relevant in an industry that constantly changes. He's funny, controversial, brutally outspoken, and always has something to say. And when TK Kirkland starts talking, you never know where the conversation might go. This is the legendary TK Kirkland on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we sit down with one of the defining voices of Baltimore hip-hop—Travis “Bossman” Holifield. Coming out of Northeast Baltimore, Bossman first made noise as Jimmy Hash with N.E.K.—the Northeast Kings—before stepping out on his own and becoming one of the city's biggest independent rap success stories. His 2004 album Law & Order became a Baltimore classic, fueled by records like “Off da Record” and the Rod Lee-produced “Oh,” better known throughout the city as the “Baltimore Anthem” or “Land of the O.” Bossman's movement was built from the streets up. Local radio embraced the records, Law & Order moved more than 10,000 copies independently with initial distribution thru Unruly Records, and the buzz eventually caught the attention of Jermaine Dupri, who signed him to Virgin Records. His music would also become connected to the sound and culture surrounding HBO's The Wire, further putting a Baltimore voice in front of a national audience. But the Bossman story is bigger than a record deal. It's about what happens when a Baltimore artist builds his own movement, gets the attention of the industry, experiences the highs and setbacks of the major-label system, and keeps moving forward. In this episode, we go back to N.E.K., Law & Order, “Oh,” Baltimore radio, the major-label years, the people who helped shape the journey, and what Bossman has learned from more than two decades in the game. Baltimore knew the name before the rest of the industry came calling—this is Bossman on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome one of Baltimore's biggest personalities and one of the most recognizable voices in comedy and radio—Jess Hilarious. Born and raised in Baltimore, Jess took the personality, humor, honesty, and unmistakable attitude of her hometown and turned it into a national brand. What started with hilarious videos and her breakout Jess with the Mess commentary on social media quickly grew into sold-out stand-up shows, Wild 'N Out, television roles including FOX's Rel, and appearances across some of entertainment's biggest platforms. Today, Jess is bringing that same unfiltered energy to millions of listeners as a co-host of the nationally syndicated The Breakfast Club, alongside DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God. And she's continuing to expand beyond radio and comedy as an actress, entrepreneur, and now author with 'Til Death Do We Parent, sharing her own funny, real, and sometimes complicated journey through parenting and co-parenting. In this episode, we take it all the way back to Baltimore and talk about the grind before the fame, going viral before everybody was trying to go viral, breaking into stand-up and television, navigating success, motherhood, The Breakfast Club, and what happens when the world gets to know Jess Hilarious—but Baltimore already knew who she was. Funny, fearless, outspoken, and always unapologetically Baltimore—this is Jess Hilarious on Who Is.

In this episode of WhoIs, DJ Quicksilva sits down with DMV nightlife icon and cultural connector Phat Cat for a deeply personal, unfiltered conversation. From shaping the golden era of D.C. club culture and rubbing shoulders with music legends to sharing the raw, inspiring reality of his journey living with chronic kidney disease, Phat Cat opens up like never before. Tap in for a masterclass on loyalty, legacy, resilience, and the power of real relationships.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we sit down with one of the most powerful voices helping shape the future of Baltimore—entrepreneur, business leader, strategist, and change-maker Shelonda Stokes. A proud Baltimore native and Morgan State University graduate, Shelonda's journey has taken her from earning a degree in electrical engineering to building greiBO Media into an award-winning marketing and production company, working with major brands and organizations while establishing herself as one of the city's most respected entrepreneurs. Today, as President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Executive Director of the Downtown Management Authority, she's taken that same entrepreneurial mindset and put it to work for the city. Under her leadership, the organization has more than doubled its revenues, created programs to support minority-owned businesses, helped bring major investment and development back Downtown, and played a central role in reimagining what the heart of Baltimore can become. But behind the titles, awards, boardrooms, and major projects is a Baltimore story—one built on ambition, resilience, relationships, and a belief in the potential of her hometown. In this episode, we talk about the journey from entrepreneur to civic leader, the business of rebuilding Downtown, the challenges facing Baltimore, and her vision for where the city goes next. She's not just talking about Baltimore's future—she's helping build it. This is Shelonda Stokes on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we shine the spotlight on one of the DJs who helped define Baltimore's legendary club era—DJ Cornbread. Long before Baltimore Club Music became a global sound, Cornbread was putting it down on Baltimore dance floors, including the legendary Club Choices, where his sets became part of the city's emerging club-music culture. From his early days sneaking into his mother's house parties in Baltimore to building his own go-karts and eventually betting on himself as a DJ, Cornbread shares the grit and passion that defined his career. He talks about falling in love with music at age 10, getting his first set of turntables in 1988, and the importance of staying humble and true to the craft. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his story, this introduction sets the stage for an inspiring conversation about dedication, creativity, and nearly four decades of musical influence.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome Baltimore entrepreneur, visionary, mentor, and community advocate Carlmichael “Stokey” Cannady. Known throughout the city simply as Stokey, his journey is one of resilience, redemption, and transformation. As the CEO of The Stokey Project, he has built a platform centered around business, marketing, mentorship, entertainment, and creating opportunities for others. But Stokey's story is about much more than entrepreneurship. A proud product of Baltimore, he has experienced the challenges of the streets, adversity, and incarceration—and transformed those experiences into a mission to give back, inspire change, and help others find new paths to success. From community activism and mentoring to business ventures and his run for Mayor of Baltimore, Stokey has continued to use his voice, relationships, and life experience to make an impact. In this episode, we sit down with Stokey to talk about his journey, his transformation, Baltimore, entrepreneurship, the power of second chances, and his vision for creating opportunities for the next generation. This is the story behind the man, the mission, and the movement—this is Stokey on Who Is.

To celebrate Hip-Hop's 53rd birthday, Quicksilva brought the #WhoIs podcast to the National Hip Hop Museum's Official birthday celebration in Baltimore, MD. This legendary sit-down was with some of the hip-hop greats including Grand Wizzard Theodore, Grap Luva, DJ Doo-Wop, Jay Quan, and DJ Kool.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we shine the spotlight on Baltimore native, rapper, songwriter, and music industry veteran Marquise “Da Kidd” Collins. A product of Baltimore's rich music culture, Da Kidd has spent years making his mark behind the microphone and behind the scenes, building relationships with some of the biggest names connected to the city's music and entertainment scene. His journey includes notable connections to Bossman, Mya, and Baltimore R&B legends Dru Hill, giving him a unique perspective on the intersection of hip-hop, R&B, songwriting, and the business of music. In this conversation, Da Kidd takes us back to his Baltimore roots, talks about his experiences navigating the music industry, trouble he ran into along the way, the artists and relationships that helped shape his career, and what it really takes to build a lasting presence in the business. This is Marquise “Da Kidd” Collins on Who Is.

       This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome Baltimore Club Music pioneer and veteran DJ, DJ Spice. For more than three decades, Spice has been one of the defining voices behind Baltimore's legendary club scene, helping introduce the city's unmistakable sound to audiences across the region and beyond. As one of the original DJs on Baltimore's X105.7 during the station's groundbreaking embrace of Baltimore Club Music, he helped bring the culture from the clubs to the airwaves, expanding its reach to an entirely new generation of fans. Throughout his career, DJ Spice worked alongside some of the biggest names in Baltimore Club history, including the legendary DJ K-Swift, and became a trusted member of the extended Unruly Records family led by Shawn Caesar and Scottie B—the architects of the Baltimore Club movement. From unforgettable nights behind the turntables to helping grow one of the city's most influential musical genres, Spice has earned the respect of DJs and fans alike through his passion, consistency, and love for the culture. In this episode, we revisit the golden era of Baltimore nightlife, the rise of Baltimore Club Music, the friendships and collaborations that shaped the movement, and the legacy of a DJ who helped keep the city's sound alive. This is DJ Spice on Who Is.