Originally released: October 6, 2025

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A deep conversation with Mecc Rashawn on artistry, legacy, and the role of mentorship in hip-hop. From his work behind the scenes to shaping influential platforms and moments in the culture, Mecc shares insight on integrity, media, and what it takes to sustain impact over time.

Originally released: May 16, 2024

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A candid conversation with Mandii B on podcasting, public perception, and navigating transitions in media. From creative pressure to industry relationships, Mandii shares insight on building across platforms, handling controversy, and evolving as both a creator and entrepreneur.

Originally released: March 28, 2024

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A return appearance from Eddin for a wide-ranging conversation on music, culture, and the dynamics shaping hip-hop today. The discussion centers around WE DON'T TRUST YOU, unpacking the evolving relationships between Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Future, while also touching on major cultural moments and the broader state of the industry.

From the Need to Know Podcast era — the show has officially come to an end.
This is part of the archive. Enjoy the guest conversations.

A wide-ranging conversation with Joe Budden on music, media, and the evolving creator landscape. The group reflects on industry narratives, platform dynamics, and what it takes to sustain relevance over time.

Topics include:

• Media perception vs. reality
• Streaming, AI, and creator leverage
• The state of R&B and rap
• Building longevity in entertainment

Originally released: November 16, 2023

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A conversation with Eddin on his journey through media, from DJing to working across some of the biggest podcasts in the space. The discussion also touches on the aftermath of the Rory & Mal split, navigating public narratives, and the realities of building a career behind the scenes while maintaining perspective and balance.

From the Need to Know Podcast era — the show has officially come to an end.
This is part of the archive. Enjoy the guest conversations.

A deep conversation with Joe Budden on media, relationships, and the realities behind running one of the most influential podcasts in culture.

Joe reflects on the evolution of his platform, navigating public fallout, and the balance between business, friendship, and integrity. The discussion also touches on industry rankings, creator economics, and the shifting landscape of modern media.

Topics include:

• The evolution of The Joe Budden Podcast
• Business vs. friendship in media
• Creator leverage and monetization
• Industry relationships and public narratives

Originally released: August 24, 2023

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A wide-ranging conversation with Elliott Wilson on hip-hop, media, and legacy. From his perspective on today's rap landscape to building Rap Radar, Elliott shares insight on industry relationships, cultural moments, and the stories behind some of the biggest names in music.

Originally released: August 10, 2023

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A candid conversation with Ish on life before podcasting, navigating success alongside one of the biggest shows in the space, and balancing business, fatherhood, and public perception. The discussion also touches on real estate, media controversies, and his perspective on the evolving hip-hop landscape.

Originally released: July 7, 2025

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

SaVon and Alex sit down with Mero for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on media, ownership, and building in today's creator landscape. From BX stories to real industry insight, this one blends humor with perspective throughout.

Filmed: January 23, 2020

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A wide-ranging conversation with Rainey on creativity, identity, and building across multiple lanes in media. From music and sketch comedy to storytelling and collaboration, Rainey shares perspective on his process, influences, and navigating growth as a creator.

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

Originally released: March 6, 2025

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A wide-ranging conversation with Ian Dunlap on wealth, investing, and navigating the realities of building and maintaining financial leverage. From market outlooks to public perception, the discussion also touches on legacy, risk, and what it takes to sustain success over time.

Originally released: January 2025

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A candid conversation with Elliott Wilson on hip-hop media, independence, and navigating relationships in the industry. From critiques of new media to the evolving landscape of the culture, Elliott shares perspective on legacy, partnerships, and what the future holds for the next era of hip-hop.

Originally released: October 13, 2025

This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast.
Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

A wide-ranging conversation with Ish and Yassy on relationships, media narratives, and the realities behind public perception. From transactional culture to industry power dynamics, the discussion also touches on business, recovery, and navigating life both on and off the mic.

This marks the end of The Need to Know Podcast.
The show is complete, and everything below this episode is part of the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era.

SaVon and Alex reflect on the journey, 2025, and what comes next.

A reintroduction. Past the Headline. Past the Algorithm. Past the Noise.

blankSLATE is what comes next for SaVon, a culture and music commentary podcast going past the headline, past the algorithm, past the noise. A different lens on media, music, and everything happening within the culture. Made to outlast whatever's trending this week.

Two shows. One name. The main pod drops weekly, long conversations, one topic at a time, broken down with the context everyone else leaves out.

blankSLATE Radio is the real-time companion — solo, audio-only, responding to the moment, with the conversation driven by you through mailbag submissions.

Launch date coming soon. Turn on notifications and catch blankSLATE wherever you get your podcasts.

Join the Patreon community for ad-free episodes, early access, and the conversation I been wanting to have all along. Everything blankSLATE lives here: linktr.ee/blankSLATE.HQ

For people who want more than a hot take.

SaVon opens blankSLATE Radio — the reactive lane of blankSLATE, built for the conversation between the deep dives.

In this episode: why Radio exists, how the two-lane system works, the three E's the whole thing runs on — entertain, educate, edify (and the fourth nobody says out loud: evergreen) and the proper close on the Need To Know chapter.

Multiple drops a week! You're not the audience, you're the co-host. Any

Need to Know Podcast questions will be answered on he first two drops only so head over to Patreon and submit any questions you may have.

Become a member of blankSLATE on Patreon — ad-free listening, early access, and a direct hand in shaping the show. Join here: https://www.patreon.com/blankslatehq

SaVon returns with another installment of blankSLATE Radio — breaking down Drake's codependent relationship with hip hop media, the ecosystem connecting Joe Budden, Akademiks, Mal, and why everybody involved benefits from the cycle.

He also dives into the growing war between YouTube and Netflix, paywalls changing podcast visibility, and what independent creator-led media looks like moving forward.

Become a member of blankSLATE on Patreon — ad-free listening, early access, and a direct hand in shaping the show. Join here: https://www.patreon.com/blankslatehq