Beats Within

How do I describe my friend? I wish I could just beam the feeling of Yadira into your mind—because Yadira is something you feel. Like a cat stretching into a sunbeam.In this episode, we walk through her music journey—from an early mic handoff by Bavu Blakes at Hip Hop Hump Day at the Hole in the Wall, to opening for Kendrick Lamar, and recently releasing her first collection of songs on an album called YaYa.Yadira shares her story and reflects on her collaborations during key moments in Austin’s independent music scene.

Hailing from the Midwest, Bubs Rubino has planted deep roots in Texas, where he intentionally built the foundation for a hip-hop community he once envisioned as a kid. No gimmicks, no flashy content—Rather Unique Curative goes beyond curation; it’s a remedy.Like his Italian Nonna handpicking the best tomatoes for her Sunday gravy, Bubs selects artists with care, creating a flavorful blend of talent that nourishes both art and community. Through his work with events like Flip A Beat Club, Bubs lays the groundwork for intentional curation that uplifts artists and sustains creativity.In this episode, Misa and Bubs share their serendipitous connection—despite knowing the same people for 15 years, their paths only recently crossed. Their effortless, stoop-sitting-style banter mixes heartfelt conversations with raw, honest storytelling.

Omar Lozano aka Kid Monks has several talents. I call it "Dream Boy" aesthetic. Photography, skateboarding, DJing, and now the founder of Austin's only Latino vinyl record label, Trucha Soul. He also owns the only Sonido Soundsystem that he built with his own manitos with help and guidance from Sonidero Pato, a Sonidero legend. I've known him for years, but I still get nervous around him. I'm like a flailing muppet dancing in a fire to his relaxing demeanor. Oh.. OHHH... that's why they call him Kid Monks. Monks. Monk. Like a Monk. I'm still learning things about him. This interview is your intro guide to a Tejano gem. I would call him the Tejano Rose, but that's what we call Selena- and honestly, if she ever met him, she would probably be okay with it. Ugh, now I'm crying bc I'm thinking about Selena.

Nick Nack is Texas Hip Hop history, and the evidence is in this episode. Starting in the 90s in Dallas, TX, before his journey brought him into Austin, we discuss 30 years of his legacy and how it put Austin's Hip Hop scene on the map with the help of some friends like Bavu Blakes, TeeDouble, DJ Tatsu, and more. Misa came to Austin to live in the Hip Hop culture that Nack helped build and its an honor to sit with him surrounded by his THOUSANDS of records and fabulous origin stories.

Picture it, Austin's Apple campus 2007. Interior shot: Misa and a tall, pleasant dude named Eddie discuss their hip-hop dreams. Eddie says he wants to keep growing his music collection and Dj. After 15 years and multiple awards, Chorizo Funk has lived several lifetimes and evolved into a phenomenal party rocker. If we weren't amid a SAG and AFTRA strike, I would call anyone but Netflix to make a movie about Chorizo Funk. Netflix pays less than peanuts, maybe Hulu. Ai could never replicate him, and we are so lucky he lives with us in our ever-changing city Austin. Get a little dog and shove him in a basket; we are going on a Chorizo journey.

Mez is a legend in his own right. Whenever I see a Mez Data mural or painting, I know that I am still home in a city that changes so quickly, it can be hard to recognize. Before there were 4Chan, Discord, and Russian troll farming facebook ads, there was 1am on the corner of 7th and Red River where Mez and Misa would smoke ciggys and HARMLESSLY pontificate. This episode has a bit of the old days but it's more of two friends catching up on the evolution of art, politics, and music over the last 15 years. Hear about his path from the kid who cataloged hip hop at a young age while everyone was bad news bearing it on the pitch. The first time he had to sneak his first experience of drum & bass and how it was the beginning of the gifts he gave Austin through different residencies where he supplied eager ears with a unique sound.

BoomBaptist is a prodigiously gifted, multi-instrumentalist artist who also makes excellent cocktails that he mixed with a mezcal that Misa brought back specifically for this conversation. They discuss his extensive musical career featuring connections and collaborations with notable artists, his newfound friendship with NBA Jam's Tim Kitzrow, a timeless beef with Mr. Worldwide, and multiple layers of discussion over the mental strength and resilience of maintaining momentum as an artist and a human. This episode also features Mr. Prince, the legendary corgi that he gifted to his fiancee despite his allergies. That's love, baby - and BoomBaptist is a shining beacon of love, friendship, and ingenuity.

Yescka is a painter and printmaker from Oaxaca, Mexico.He is an iconic artist whose works can be found from the streets to galleries in Mexico, the United States, and Germany.We discuss how the 2006 resistance, Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO), was the catalyst for his transition from his studies in traditional folkloric art to socio-politico imagery. Yescka is the voice of the people, using his art to amplify the reality of governmental and institutionalized oppression from Oaxaca and beyond.As of this episode release, the resistance in Oaxaca is ongoing with humanitarian violations that include death squads, summary executions, disappeared people, and violations of the Geneva conventions.This interview is not all heavy because Misa spent two weeks in Oaxaca with Christina (BeatsWithin Producer) traversing the city through the hospitality of the Oaxaqueños and we were able to throw a little Pressure Point rave featuring Yescka who is an absolute party rocker.Yescka es un pintor y grabador de Oaxaca, México.Es un artista icónico cuyas obras pueden encontrarse desde en las calles hasta en galerías de México, Estados Unidos y Alemania.Hablamos de cómo la resistencia de 2006, la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO), fue el catalizador de su transición de sus estudios de arte folclórico tradicional a la imaginería sociopolítica. Yescka es la voz del pueblo, que utiliza su arte para amplificar la realidad de la opresión gubernamental e institucionalizada de Oaxaca y más allá.A partir de la publicación de este episodio, la resistencia en Oaxaca continúa con violaciones humanitarias que incluyen escuadrones de la muerte, ejecuciones sumarias, personas desaparecidas y violaciones de las convenciones de Ginebra.Esta entrevista no es del todo pesada porque Misa pasó dos semanas en Oaxaca con Christina (productora de BeatsWithin) recorriendo la ciudad gracias a la hospitalidad de los Oaxaqueños y pudimos organizar una pequeña rave de Pressure Point con Yescka, que es una absoluta rockera de la fiesta.Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor www.DeepL.com/Translator

HomeSick travels way south from Alberta to Austin with a message of self love but Misa derails him to open up about ghosts and therapize her inner demons. There is also some discussion about Limp Bizkit. It's a well rounded golden hour discussion.

The interview went well, so I won't follow through on my threat of spreading a vicious rumor - that he prefers American over Lafayette. Find out what that means on this episode. I'm baiting you. But it's a cute interview. As you know, I love Detroit so we talk a little smidge about Sinistarr's upbringing, GhettoTech, dancing and more.