Extraordinary Rap Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Epic has incited many a hardcore head to clench their cheeks and shout, "This shit ain't hip hop!"  But a look into Epic's work reveals him as a deep admirer of the culture and a learned student of the craft.  Instead of adopting inner city affectations, as so many other white rappers have, Epic chose to be himself and lean into his Canadian prairie roots.

While not shying away from humor, and rapping about such un-hip-hop subjects as snow sledding, Epic is also no stranger to rap battles, shit-talking with the best of them, and at other times his rhymes gets so raw and real you might be brought to tears.

After a near-decade hiatus Epic is readying several new albums, and his work sounds as fresh as ever.  Nassau Manor, a collaboration with producer robcrooks, comes out later this month on Hand'Solo Records.

In our conversation (which Epic described as "heavy"), we discuss his outlook on the haters, his approach to the craft, aging as it relates to rap, and much more.

Also in this episode, a look at the excellent debut album by Wave Generators (AKA Nosaj of New Kingdom and Height Keech).

Our bonus episode reviews a slew of past releases that may deserve another glance, including works by Rob Base, X-Ecutioners, Jamalski, Ween, Devin The Dude, Tricky, Beck, Method Man, Mike Ladd, Slick Rick, King Geedorah, Biz Markie & more.  Exclusively at http://patreon.com/extraordinaryrap.

For Kool Keith shirts, Rammellzee and StapleMouth records, pedestrian tapes and zines, and much more, visit http://extraordinaryrap.org.

pedestrian doesn't work well with the algorithm.  Web searches for his indistinct moniker are useless; his small number of music releases is poorly-distributed; and while he's received a fair amount of critical praise, most was never, or is no longer, online.  Even before the internet was so integral to a musician's career, James Brandon Best, as he was born, didn't play ball with the music industry.  With no press photos, no music videos, rare and often-bewildering public performances, obscure lyrics, only two albums in over two decades, and not being the type of guy who gets invited to industry social gatherings, pedestrian's music hasn't reached nearly the amount of listeners it deserves.

While the collective that he named, anticon, blew up in the early 00s, establishing an unprecedentedly poetic, rough-hewn brand of hip hop, and his cohorts toured the globe, releasing a torrent of critically-praised projects, seemingly reaching the extent of popularity that could be achieved with cryptic, trend-eschewing rap music at that time, Brandon, as he's known personally, opted out of most of the opportunities afforded by popularity.  The now-long-disbanded group of artists remain successful in their individual music careers, each settling into their own contemporary art ecosystems, except, that is, for pedestrian, who remains on the fringes of obscurity, quietly allowing his artistic legacy to wither.

Unwilling to bend to the norms of a modern career artist, Brandon is arguably self-defeating in the extent to which he's made his work inaccessible.  Even if one manages to track down any of his recordings, cursory listens will leave the vast majority of rap listeners confused, as much of the language is coded and chock-full of highly specific references.

UnIndian Songs Volume I has been expanded and remastered for digital and cassette release, accompanied by a lyric/photo booklet.  (Pre-order it now at http://extraordinaryrap.bandcamp.com.)

In this episode, we sit down with pedestrian to unpack the album's many layers, references, and hidden meanings.

The album comes out digitally, on May 1, 2024, May Day, a day commemorating the historic struggles and gains of the workers and labour movement.  The album itself being largely focused on the United States' atrocities against its land's native peoples, it's a fitting day of solidarity and protest against imperialist forces.

In this spirit, all profits of the album will be donated directly to providing drinking water and search-and-rescue efforts to those desperate enough to attempt unlawful crossing of the southern US border, courtesy of the South Texas Human Rights Center.

Our Patreon bonus includes another 40 minutes with pedestrian, plus a rundown of your host's recent rap listenings.  Past bonus material includes even more talks with pedestrian, his unreleased Stuffed Animals album, interviews with other anticon members, and much more.  Access it all for 3 lousy bucks at http://patreon.com/extraordinaryrap.

All things Extraordinary Rap at http://extraordinaryrap.org.

In this amazing episode we speak with Jel and Mr. Yote.

Music recs:
Strawberry Shortemper: Bottled Oxygen
https://strawberryshortemper.bandcamp.com/album/bottled-oxygen
Decuma: Let's Play Pretend
https://decuma.bandcamp.com/album/lets-play-pretend
Dug Yuck & Babelfishh: Cold Labor
https://vivivii.bandcamp.com/album/cold-labor
Serengeti: Ajai II
https://kennydennis.bandcamp.com/album/ajai-ii
DJ 0.000001: Recombinant Shangaan
https://nyegenyegetapes.bandcamp.com/album/recombinant-shangaan-mixtape

Mr. Yote doesn't make rap songs; he has been constructing a rap universe.  Yoteland is a magical, musical world of wizards, goblins, and ghouls.  With his sidekick Yungeth Dre, the producer/MC/graphic artist gives us a glimpse at the methods to his madness.  http://yoteland.bandcamp.com

Jel, beat-maker extraordinaire of Themselves, Subtle, Glass Cutters, etc., has remained one of hip hop's most well-respected producers since the late 90s.  In our discussion he covers his formative years in Chicago to later developments in the Bay Area, sharing tales of his days with the Anticon collective, overcoming creative stagnation, and he announces some exciting future projects.  https://jelsmusic.bandcamp.com

In the bonus episode we spend an additional half-hour with Jel, your host shares some dicey thoughts and personal stuff, and we've got a slew of additional music recommendations including Raiden X, Algernon Cornelius, Seina Sleep, JUNE!, Celestaphone, Blue Lanternz, Nosaj & Steel Tipped Dove, Robcrooks, Ugggy, Mestizo, Another Planet, and Nappy Nina.  For $3 get this hour-and-a-half-long episode plus all our past bonus episodes including exclusive interviews with Doseone, Pedestrian, Mike Ladd, Billy Woods, and many more, at http://patreon.com/weirdrap.

The continuing Great Adventures Of Kounterclockwise is brought to you by MC/producer/screenwriter Deacon Burns.  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZPnW-PHzA7W_-uaCzZOr-gO-k65pJXbt

Please check out http://weirdrap.com, and rate/review at http://weirdrap.com/rating.

This episode is a motherlode, featuring interviews with ELDON (Ruby Yacht) & Guy Albino (Hawd Gankstuh Rappuhs), plus a slew of music recommendations, a rant about melodramatic rap, & the continued Adventures Of Kounterclockwise.

Wet Jet Seymour - Broken Balancer
https://crossingdoubleyellows.bandcamp.com/album/broken-balancer

Ghais Guevara - There Will Be No Super Slave
https://ghais.bandcamp.com/album/there-will-be-no-super-slave

Rural Internet - Saint Anger
https://ruralinternet.bandcamp.com/album/saint-anger

Teether & Kuya Neil - Stressor
https://teetherkuyaneil.bandcamp.com/album/stressor

Superego - Nautilus
https://superegoaus.bandcamp.com/album/nautilus

Death Insurance - I'm In Your Walls
https://deathinsurance.bandcamp.com/album/im-in-your-walls

Abbatia - Fugazi!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l8fseIcP0VEsi0iqzMw28EGHuwhs3SUqM

ORA77K - C0DESW1TCH 2
https://ora77k.bandcamp.com/album/c0desw1tch-2-night-owls-only-2

Skech185 - He Left Nothing For The Swim Back
https://skech185.bandcamp.com/album/he-left-nothing-for-the-swim-back

Marrow - Fission Two
https://marrowraps.bandcamp.com/album/fission-two

Sampa The Great - As Above So Below
https://sampathegreat.bandcamp.com/album/as-above-so-below

Carmen Xía - La Herida
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBTXrY2N5jI

Haez One - Can't Find The Remote
https://haez1.bandcamp.com/album/cant-find-the-remote

Noob Saibot - 1
https://illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/album/1-4

ケケケッ - Monsta
https://illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/album/monsta-ep

New Cocoon (V/A) - Apotheosis
https://newcocoon1.bandcamp.com/album/apotheosis

Onoe Caponoe - Concrete Fantasia
https://onoecaponoe.bandcamp.com/album/concrete-fantasia

DeathIRL - Fresh Flowers For Ill Fruit II
https://deathirl.bandcamp.com/album/fresh-flowers-for-ill-fruit-ii 

King Vision Ultra - Shoo World (Hosted by Algiers)
https://algierstheband.bandcamp.com/album/shook-world-hosted-by-algiers

Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy
https://youngfathersofficial.bandcamp.com/album/heavy-heavy

ELDON - Do't Be No Hero (And You Will Live Long)
https://eldonsound.bandcamp.com/album/dont-be-no-hero-and-you-will-live-long

Hawd Gankstuh Rappuhs MC's Wid Ghatz - 2 Hype 2 Wype
https://wordsoundrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/hawd-gankstuh-rappuh-mcs-2-hype-2-wype

Rapper/producer/DJ ELDON (AKA Eldon Somers) is a member of Ruby Yacht
& Cold Light.  https://linktr.ee/eldonsomers

Devin Flynn, AKA Guy Albino, founded The Shape Shifters and Hawd
Gankstuh Rappuhs MC's Wid Ghatz, & is an animator (best known for the
Super Deluxe series Y'all So Stupid) & visual artist.  We're joined by
guest correspondent Pedestrian to explore Devin's history, spanning
from the Los Angeles graffiti world to NYC's Wordsound Recordings to
gallery exhibits in Japan.  His story includes Loud Records,
Sensational, Bud Bundy, & much more.  https://linktr.ee/pixeltan

Kounterclockwise makes beats, rhymes and cartoons.
https://linktr.ee/kounterclockwise

Our 50-minute bonus episode includes more talk with Eldon & Albino, plus even more music recommendations (Andrew Mbaruk & Rhys Langston, Decuma, AFK, Freestyle Fellowship, DJ Crabhat, Digital Deejays, Negashi Armada, black, Rich Jones & Iceberg Theory, Cold Light, Birthmark, Xay Cole, Robert Price, Babyfang, KFC Murder Chicks, Ash Vestal, DJ Rozwell, Cake!, creepysusie, doin' fine, sulffffffur, & AOL).  This & all past bonus material for $3 at patreon.com/weirdrap.

Get Rammellzee vinyl, Kool Keith shirts, and more at weirdrap.com!

And check out the Weird Rap playlists on Soundcloud, Youtube and Spotify!!

A7PHA - II

Ace Cannons & Mightyhealthy - Mightycannons
http://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ndf6V49S44vyscU5VfXj9S50xQWf9Z_sc

Aloe Vera & Steel Tipped Dove - Days Pass Strange

Azarias - Of The Chasm

billy woods - Aethiopes

Black Thought & Dangermouse - Cheat Codes

Cise Greeny, Phiik, Lungs - WHERE ARE THE BUGS​!​?

Dälek - Precipice

The Difference Machine - Unmasking The Spirit Fakers

E L U C I D - I Told Bessie

Fatboi Sharif x noface - Preaching In Havana

Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals - King Cobra

Joshua Virtue - Rama

Moor Mother - Jazz Codes

Open Mike Eagle - Component System...

Pan Amsterdam & Damu The Fudgemunk - EAT

Paten Locke - Americancer

Pretty V - Forever

Quelle Chris & Cavalier - Black Cottonwood
http://cavwins.com/black-cottonwood

Realname & Teether - What I'm About To Say...

Rhys Langston - Grapefruit Radio

Wilma Vritra - GROTTO

In our bonus episode we cover honorable mentions, remix projects, & much more at http://patreon.com/weirdrap.

Th' Mole's 2022 productions:

David Liebe Hart - The Wonderful World...

Chief & TheDoomsdayDevice - Flux Populi

Volume 10 - Volume 10 As Dean Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nGcEo95NxMxnkbNiiVamKOumcViRntPas

Rammellzee - Cosmic Flush [reissue]
http://weirdrap.com

DJ 0.000001 - Super Duper Whatever Breaks

StapleMouth & Th' Mole - Estuary

Please rate/review at http://weirdrap.com/rating. <3

In this episode, we speak with Rhys Langston, plus Lt. Headtrip discusses some new music reviews, and Kounterclockwise returns.

Music releases:
black - In All Its Messiness
https://blackval.bandcamp.com/album/in-all-its-messiness
Rhys Langston - Grapefruit Radio
https://rhyslangston.bandcamp.com/album/grapefruit-radio
Cise Greeny, Phiik, & Lungs - WHERE ARE THE BUGS​!​?
https://7deadlung7.bandcamp.com/album/where-are-the-bugs-full-tape-cise-greeny-phiik-lungs-prod-by-lonesword
Algernon Cornelius - Me No Sen You No Come
https://algernoncornelius.bandcamp.com/album/me-no-sen-you-no-come
Vulture Lung - Musidora's Shroud
https://pwrecks.bandcamp.com/album/musidoras-shroud
billy woods x Messiah Musik - Church
https://billywoods.bandcamp.com/album/church

Lt. Headtrip raps and runs the WATKK label: https://wearethekarmakids.bandcamp.com.

Rhys Langston - MC, author, producer, and visual artist - may just be too smart for his own good.  We attempt to humanize and provide some context for understanding his high-minded, poetically abstract, expansive takes on rap music.  Tracking his multicultural roots in Los Angeles and trials as a teenage misfit, following his creative development and industry ups-and-downs, we finally find Rhys embracing his individualism and looking towards further experimentation on his own terms.  http://langstonia.org

Our bonus episode features an additional 20 minutes with Rhys Langston, discussing his artistic intentions, critical acceptance and wider appeal, and more.  This and past exclusive interviews with ELUCID, Sensational, Bigg Jus, Odd Nosdam, Volume 10, and more for just three tiny dollars at http://patreon.com/weirdrap.

Kounterclockwise makes music, animation and more: http://youtube.com/user/kounterclockwise

Please, oh please, won't you visit http://weirdrap.com/rating?  Give us a rating/review and check out our music, apparel and more to support this barely-surviving, independent operation.

In this episode...
LoDeck (of jOHNNY23) shares his epic life story, Andrew Mbaruk interviews himself, The Great Adventures Of Kounterclockwise continues, and we review some recent releases.

Recent Releases:
The Koreatown Oddity: ISTHISFORREAL?
https://thekoreatownoddity.bandcamp.com/album/isthisforreal
The Koreatown Oddity: Aggro Crag
https://thekoreatownoddity.bandcamp.com/album/aggro-crag
Myka 9: My Kaleidoscope Interviews
https://parkerpubs.bandcamp.com/album/my-kaleidoscope-interviews
Andrew Mbaruk: Fact and Facticity
https://andrewmbaruk.bandcamp.com/album/fact-and-facticity
Rapscapers "Merry Men Maligned"
https://weirdrap.bandcamp.com/track/merry-men-maligned

LoDeck takes us through the wild ups and downs of his journey as a Belarusian immigrant fleeing the Chernobyl disaster to the hostile slums of Brooklyn, growing into an angry battle MC, experiencing underground notoriety, winding up destitute in Las Vegas, and finally finding peace and stability.  https://lodeck.bandcamp.com

Our bonus episode features extra time with LoDeck as he dishes on some spicy rap beef between himself and Aesop Rock and Lil B.  He also shares an otherwise unavailable track, "North Of Damascus Gate."  This and past bonus episodes featuring Cambatta, Doseone, Mike Ladd, Orko Eloheim, and more, are available for just $3 at http://patreon.com/weirdrap.

Andrew Mbaruk, poet, MC, and author, picks his own brain regarding the form, symbology, and inspirations for his new book, Canadian Unrealism, and he also explores the concept of "foam scholarship."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62208954-canadian-unrealism

Finally, The Great Adventures Of Kounterclockwise, a weird rap radio play, continues.
https://kounterclockwise.bandcamp.com

Please, pretty please, rate and review Weird Rap at http://weirdrap.com/rating.

Music, shirts and whatnot at http://weirdrap.com.

In this gargantuan episode, Weird Rap Podcast brings you interviews with E L U C I D and StapleMouth, music recommendations, the debut of The Great Adventures Of Kounterclockwise radio play series, and more!

Music recommendations:
Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals - King Cobra
https://phantomlimblabel.bandcamp.com/album/king-cobra
Clipping - CLBBNG
https://clppng.bandcamp.com/album/clbbng
jOHNNY23 - No Scope
https://lodeck.bandcamp.com/album/no-scope
Infinite Livez - First They Came For The Programmers
https://infinitelivez.bandcamp.com/album/first-they-came-for-the-programmers
Andrew Mbaruk - Unclassified
https://andrewmbaruk.bandcamp.com/album/unclassified
StapleMouth & Th' Mole - Estuary
https://weirdrap.bandcamp.com/album/estuary

Enigmatic Hawaiian MC StapleMouth emerges to detail his unique approach to music, also covering the islands' little-known but exceptional experimental rap scene, the Proliteariots collective, and much more.
https://instagram.com/staplemouth_killwendigo

E L U C I D of Armand Hammer, currently standing as a pillar in the alt-rap scene, recounts his upbringing and early life experiences, and reflects on his current success and critical reception.  We also probe into his artistic intentions and approaches to writing, vocalizing, and production.
https://elucid.bandcamp.com

We respond to some recent listener pushback.  (Let us know your thoughts at weirdrap3000@gmail.com.)

We recommend the new Myka 9 book, My Kaleidoscope.
http://myka9book.com

And finally, Deacon Burns presents the first in his satirical rap radioplay series, The Great Adventures Of Kounterclockwise.
https://youtube.com/kounterclockwise

Check out our bonus episode for more time with StapleMouth and E L U C I D as well as an entire 22 tracks of rare StapleMouth music, in addition to our past bonus material, for just $3 at http://patreon.com/weirdrap.

If you care about the Weird Rap project, your support would be much appreciated.  Please visit http://weirdrap.com/rating to rate/review and otherwise help us battle the algorithms.

In this action-packed episode Volume 10 interviews St. Louis Gibbor, plus Old Grape God, Slick Devious, and Lt Headtrip discuss their music and new releases by others.

New releases:
Buck 65: King Of Drums
https://buck65.bandcamp.com/album/king-of-drums
E L U C I D: I Told Bessie
https://elucid.bandcamp.com/album/i-told-bessie
Pan Amsterdam and Damu The Fudgemunk: EAT
https://panamsterdam.bandcamp.com/album/eat
Moor Mother: Jazz Codes
https://moormother.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-codes
The Difference Machine: Unmasking The Spirit Fakers
https://fullplate.bandcamp.com/album/fp022-unmasking-the-spirit-fakers
Ace Cannons and MIGHTYHEALTHY: MIGHTYCANNONS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ndf6V49S44vyscU5VfXj9S50xQWf9Z_sc

MC/producer Old Grape God of Portland OR describes himself as the Laotian Beyonce or a less horny Kool Keith. Joining in our conversation is his frequent collaborator Slick Devious (https://slickdevious.bandcamp.com).
https://grape-god.com

Lt Headtrip is a producer/MC and CEO of WATKK (Karma Kids, label/collective) of NYC, newly relocated to Portland OR.
https://ltheadtrip.bandcamp.com

St. Louis Gibbor, hailing from Pasadena CA, is a seasoned yet relatively unknown MC with a checkered past and bright future. Guest interviewer Volume 10 (Good Life/Project Blowed, https://volume10.bandcamp.com) navigates Gibbor's history as a listener, an artist, and a survivor.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-supernatural-progression-of-the-boom-bap/1548006445

BONUS EPISODE: More with Old Grape God, Slick Devious, Lt Headtrip, St Louis Gibbor, and Volume 10, plus past bonus episodes ft. Antipop Consortium, Rob Sonic, billy woods, Bigg Jus, Doseone, Mike Ladd, New Kingdom, etc. $3 at http://patreon.com/weirdrap.

Weird Rap apparel, music, socials, etc. at http://weirdrap.com.

In this episode of Weird Rap we interview First Degree The D.E., plus Volume 10 joins us for music reviews, and Kool Keith returns with your monthly horoscope reading.

We cover the following:
Quelle Chris: DEATHFAME
quellechris360.bandcamp.com/album/deathfame
Fatlip & Blu: Live From The End of The World, Vol. 1 Demos
gbastudios.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-end-of-the-world-vol-1-demos
Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjB_8hSS2lEMY-ap4zdPv0-mbTwxtN7KW
Chief & TheDoomsdayDevice: Flux Populi
fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/flux-populi
Phelimuncasi: Ama Gogela
nyegenyegetapes.bandcamp.com/album/ama-gogela
themselves: Crowns Down & Company
doseone.bandcamp.com/album/crowns-down-company

First Degree The D.E., hailing from Sacramento, has one of the most strangely unique voices, sonically and lyrically, in rap, with beautiful self-composed production.  Clearly a smart and prolific dude, he's been a math teacher, orchestrated a gang truce, written a book, directed films, runs a record label and news service, and has led various community organizing efforts, while continuing to progress and remain unpredictable as a musician for nearly 30 years now.  His new album, The Backman, features the artist at the peak of his craft.
firstdegreethede.com

While musicologists agree that much of the Los Angeles underground's quick-paced "chop" style can be traced back to Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship, Volume 10 can be credited with the chop's antithesis: the "stretch".  The exaggerated swing collides with the speed-rap to form an infectious brew of opposites that spread like wildfire after 10's "Pistolgrip-Pump" hit the charts in '94.
volume10.bandcamp.com

Kool Keith might be considered the godfather of weird rap music, having introduced his wildly unorthodox take on hip hop in the late 80s with Ultramagnetic MC's, further developing his bizarre styles and subject matter in the 90s, and continuing to expand his range through today.
koolkeith.bandcamp.com

This month's bonus episode features additional time with First Degree, plus an amazing behind-the-scenes tale featuring several well-known rappers, as related by Volume 10.  This and much more at patreon.com/weirdrap.

Weird Rap endeavors to bring you out-of-the-norm rap music, new and old.
weirdrap.com

Please support Weird Rap at weirdrap.com/rating