Explore every episode of the podcast Gems Podcast with Shom

Celebrating Scenery, Ryo Fukui’s timeless jazz piano masterpiece that continues to inspire generations of Japanese jazz enthusiasts and crate diggers around the world.

Exploring Barış Manço’s legendary, futuristic Turkish psych-rock sound.

Gems with Shom celebrates hidden gems—lesser-known music, rare records, and the worlds of jazz, funk, soul, and international heat.

We continue our artist features with Stark Reality—a mind-bending blend of jazz, funk, and psychedelia.

Gems with Shom celebrates hidden gems—lesser-known music, rare records, and the worlds of jazz, funk, soul, and global grooves.

We kick off with Cortex—the French jazz-funk group whose lush grooves became gold for hip-hop producers. Discover how their sound traveled from rare vinyl to iconic samples.

Celebrating hidden gems and giving them their shine. Dive into lesser-known music, rare records, vinyl culture, and the worlds of jazz, funk, soul, rare grooves, and international heat.

This week on Gems with Shom, we're joined by DJ Pari — global crate-digger, DJ, producer, filmmaker, and radio host.

We dive into his early exposure to acid jazz in Germany, the rise of his Soulpower brand, and incredible stories from working with legends like James Brown and Leroy Hutson. From booking global tours for overlooked artists to producing documentary films that spotlight soul’s heroes, Pari’s deep musical knowledge, jazz expertise, and passion for vinyl make this a fascinating listen.

As always, we’re celebrating hidden gems and giving them their shine.

This week on Gems with Shom, we’re joined by B-Man - DJ, producer, editor, remixer, hip-hop enthusiast, and all-around music junkie.
We dig into his journey through his viral sample edits, the evolution of his taste, and the people who inspire his work.
As always, we're celebrating hidden gems and giving them their shine.

In this artist profile episode of Gems with Shom, we explore the lost groove of Rhythm of Life (1977), the rare groove classic by James Mason—former guitarist and keyboardist for Roy Ayers’ Ubiquity band.

We trace the cult classic’s deep influence on the acid jazz movement, its synth-heavy, soul-infused sound, and its journey from overlooked release to crate-digger essential. Along the way, we uncover lesser-known stories behind the record—from the mysterious vocalist Clarice Taylor (was she also on The Cosby Show?) to the game-changing ARP synths and the UK club scene that helped revive it.

Part of a growing series of artist profiles, this episode reflects the show’s broader mission: celebrating hidden gems, rare records, and the cultural stories behind them.

This week on Gems with Shom, we’re joined by Phill Most Chill, aka Soulman or as I call him the “record dealer to the stars” of the golden era.

A true Hip Hop Renaissance Man, Phill is a rapper, record collector, mixtape DJ, magazine writer, producer, and all around artist.

We dig into his unmatched ear for records that make iconic samples, stories from the infamous Roosevelt record conventions, and his journey through hip hop, vinyl culture, and creative hustle. Phill shares how he came up and the new phase of freedom he’s embracing today.

As always, we’re celebrating hidden gems and giving them their shine.

This week on Gems with Shom, we travel to the Netherlands to dig deep with Leon. The mind behind Leonscuration and a true connoisseur of deep cuts.

We explore his unique perspective on music discovery in the Netherlands, how he built his deep musical knowledge, and his experiences at the legendary Utrecht Record Fair. Leon shares his approach to collecting, reflections on cultural blind spots in music, and a few prized grails from his shelves. From deep crates to deep thinking, this episode takes us on a journey through the many ways digging shapes taste, memory, and obsession.

As always, we’re celebrating hidden gems and giving them their shine.

Other Side of the Game: Inside the Life of a Record Dealer

This episode of Gems with Shom features DJ KINETIK aka Secret Sauce Records, a record dealer known for his elusive presence and deep knowledge of global music, who has carved out a unique space in the digging world.

In this conversation, KINETIK shares his journey into record dealing, from early influences through to building a business around rare finds. We explore the differences between digging as a dealer versus as a collector, and the delicate balance between passion for music and the realities of the marketplace.

You’ll hear first-hand stories of rare finds and unusual digging adventures, providing a rare look at the other side of the game.

#SecretSauceRecords #DJKinetik #VinylCulture #RecordDealing #BollywoodRecords #LibraryRecords #Digging #BeatDigging #RareRecords #HiddenGems #GemsWithShom #VinylCommunity #RecordCollectors #Breaks #SampleHunters #CrateDigging #VinylRecords #ObscureRecords

This episode of Gems with Shom features Mike Wallace, producer, DJ, and Library Record expert. Best known for his Theme and Beat series, Mike has also been working to repopularize the genius of Italian soundtrack legend Piero Umiliani.

Starting in 2019, he began recording an LP series that reflects his passion for library and film music, while studying instruments like piano, guitar, bass, and percussion. Over the years, Mike has created music that spans moods from drama and tension to new age, hip hop, and electronics—honoring the past while maintaining a fresh, original approach.

In this conversation, Mike shares his journey as an artist, the historical context of library music, and the overlooked world of Italian soundtracks. We explore the evolution of music production, the ethics of sampling, and the importance of maintaining balance in the creative process. You’ll hear why hidden gems—from vinyl culture to obscure soundtracks—remain a source of endless discovery and inspiration.

Keywords / Tags
#PieroUmiliani #ThemeAndBeat #LibraryRecords #ItalianSoundtracks #MusicProduction #Sampling #DJ #VinylCulture #BeatDigging #Creativity #HiddenGems #GemsWithShom #MikeWallace

MF DOOM’s story is unlike any other in music history. In this episode of Gems with Shom, SKIZ—writer, music producer, and author of The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Rap's Masked Iconoclast [Astra Publishing House] takes us deep into the life of the masked supervillain.

From his early days with KMD and the tragedies that nearly ended his career, to his reinvention, the Madvillainy masterpiece, and his underground-to-global cultural impact, we explore how DOOM became one of the most original and influential artists of all time.

We also dive into SKIZ’s own life as a multi-hyphenate creative, world traveler, and lifelong learner, sharing his perspectives on artistic independence, freedom, and building a life around doing what you love.

This episode of Gems with Shom features House Shoes - DJ, producer, collector and owner of Street Corner Music, a key figure in Detroit’s golden era of hip hop. Known for breaking records and his uncompromising standards, House Shoes shares his journey from Detroit to Los Angeles, becoming one of the most trusted voices in music.

We dive into his early memories of DJing at St. Andrew’s Hall, sharing J Dilla’s iconic beat tapes, early Slum Village demos, and the tightly knit Detroit scene that shaped his career. House Shoes also talks crate digging, running a label, navigating music industry politics, and the artists and records he thinks people are sleeping on today.

Packed with stories behind legendary records and reflections on artistry, this episode is a class in trusting your taste, shaping vision, and staying true to your principles.

#HouseShoes #GemsWithShom #StreetCornerMusic #Jdilla #JayDee #SlumVillage #detroitmusic #DetroitHipHop #goldenerahiphop #CrateDigging #BeatDigging #RecordCollectors #MusicPodcast #HipHopPodcast #RareRecords #MusicDiscovery #ProducerLife #BeatTapes #slumvillage #digging #breaks #digging #jdilla #houseshoes #90shiphop

This episode of Gems with Shom features Arcee — writer, artist, and creative director and one of the creators of CrateryCon, the record-collecting convention that’s become a gathering place for beat diggers and music lovers worldwide.

We trace Arcee’s journey from pause-tapes at the public library and late-night radio to building lasting connections with producers. The conversation explores:

• The lineage from Live Convention to CrateryCon

• Why in-person culture and community still matter

• Creative direction as an extension of crate-digging taste

• Thriving amid “infinite options” by treating creativity as a daily discipline

We also talk about Arcee’s shift into creative direction, his philosophy of creativity as practice, and building projects like the General Principle label with Jake One.

CrateryCon: A Record Wellness Retreat
📍 Toronto, Canada | September 25–28, 2025

👉 Tune in for stories behind the beats, the people who keep the culture alive, and where record collecting goes next.

#BeatDigging #CrateryCon #VinylCulture #HipHopCommunity #RecordCollectors #JazzInfluence #CreativeDiscipline #RareGrooves #GemsWithShom

This episode of Gems with Shom features Diallo Riddle, actor, producer, director, and sometimes DJ, whose creative path spans comedy writing, television, music, and podcasting.

This hilarious and insightful conversation goes deep into the crates as we explore Diallo’s early days DJing in college, his background in history, and the collaborative spirit fueling his creativity. He reflects on iconic moments from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, including the legendary “Slow Jam the News” with President Obama, and takes us behind the scenes of The One Song Podcast, where he unpacks the stories and magic behind his favorite songs.

From the artistry of sampling to the enduring influence of ’90s hip hop, Diallo offers a thoughtful take on music’s evolution and a call for a return to joyful, danceable music.

#DialloRiddle #GemsWithShom #TheOneSongPodcast #HipHopCulture #90sHipHop #MusicDiscovery #CrateDigging #BeatDigging #Sampling #LateNightWithJimmyFallon #SlowJamTheNews #VinylCulture #RecordCollectors #ComedyAndMusic #CreativeJourney #MusicPodcast #RareRecords #StorytellingThroughMusic

This episode of Gems with Shom features Andre Torres — Founder, Publisher, and Editor-In-Chief of Wax Poetics and Editor-In-Chief of Scratch Magazine, two landmark publications that elevated record collecting and hip-hop journalism.

We trace Andre’s journey from discovering beat digging to shaping the culture through a fearless approach. The conversation explores his creative choices, fearless entrepreneurship, community, endless stories of meeting music legends, and how technology and AI are opening infinite possibilities for today’s artists and storytellers.
#InfinitePossibilities #WaxPoetics #ScratchMagazine #MusicCulture #GemsWithShom #HipHopCommunity #AndreTorres #NotoriousBIG #DrDre #JDilla #Prince
#VinylCollectors #CrateDigging #RareRecords #Beatdigging

This episode of Gems with Shom features Oliver Wang — writer, scholar, DJ, collector, museum curator, and author.

We explore his lifelong obsession with records — from De La Soul to Cruising J-Town, his book and museum exhibition celebrating Asian American identity through cars, sound, and community.
Oliver reflects on crate digging, writing, and how the stories behind records help us understand who we are.

Hashtags:
#OliverWang #GemsWithShom #CrateDigging #BeatDigging #Storytelling #VinylCommunity #WaxPoetics #RecordCollectors #HipHopCommunity #DeLaSoul #LilKim #CruisingJTown #AsianAmericanCulture

This episode of Gems with Shom features Dan Charnas — bestselling author of Dilla Time, award-winning music and business journalist, record producer, television creator, and Associate Arts Professor at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute.

From his early days working in the mailroom at Profile Records, to shaping hip-hop journalism at The Source and authoring the definitive hip-hop history The Big Payback, Dan’s fingerprints are all over music culture.

We discuss his life’s work and the creative ethos behind Dilla Time — his landmark biography of J Dilla, which explores how Dilla reshaped rhythm, time, and feel in music. We also reflect on the recent passing of D’Angelo, his connection to J Dilla, and the spirit of soul that ties generations together.

🎙 We dive into:
• The emotional aftermath of D’Angelo’s passing
• J Dilla’s rhythmic genius and the making of Dilla Time
• The birth of hip-hop journalism
• Life inside Profile Records & Def Jam’s golden years
• The rise of Chino XL, The Pharcyde & Slum Village
• Dan’s evolution as author of Work Clean and The Big Payback
• What he cares about most today — creativity, community & conscience

📚 Books by Dan Charnas:

• Dilla Time

• The Big Payback

• Work Clean

🎧 Listen everywhere: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube @GemsPodcast
📸 Follow: instagram.com/gems.podcast

#GemsWithShom #DanCharnas #DillaTime #JDilla #TheBigPayback #WorkClean #BeatDigging #HipHopHistory #MusicJournalism #DefJam #ProfileRecords #TheSourceMagazine #ChinoXL #ThePharcyde #SlumVillage #RaphaelSaadiq #DAngelo #NeoSoul #SoulMusic #MusicDocumentary #ProducerLife #VinylCommunity #CrateDiggers #AnalogAesthetic #MusicCulture #UndergroundHipHop #RareGrooves #HipHopLegends #StayInspired #BlackMusicHistory #CreativeJourney

This episode of Gems with Shom features Skeme Richards — DJ, Funk specialist, collector of artifacts, cinephile, and creator of NostalgiaKing.com. A true connector of culture, Skeme blends hip-hop precision with the soul of funk, jazz, and international grooves — all through an analog lens.

We explore Philly roots, Rock Steady Crew culture, Blaxploitation soundtracks, deep funk, Anthony Bourdain’s travel philosophy, and the stories that shaped his global journey from 90s hip-hop to modern vinyl preservation.

Through NostalgiaKing.com, Skeme continues to spotlight and review music that honors the analog aesthetic — from funk, soul, and jazz to international soundtracks and independent hip-hop.

👉 Listen now for a culture-rich conversation about originality, travel, and keeping analog music alive — yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

This episode of Gems with Shom features Stimulator Jones (aka Samuel Jones Lunsford), a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, DJ & maker of records, an artist devoted to originality and staying true to himself.

Crafting a sound that moves effortlessly between beat-heavy instrumentals and soulful R&B grooves, his catalog spans acclaimed projects across several independent labels, from his breakout track “Soon Never Comes” and the album Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures on Stones Throw Records, to the instrumental Beat Anthology and La Mano, each revealing new layers of artistic evolution.

Before signing to Stones Throw in 2016, he had several successful releases with The Young Sinclairs. His work has earned critical acclaim and unexpected attention, including a spotlight moment when Billie Eilish featured his music on her “At Home” playlist, and now he continues to evolve with his new single “Paradise Untold.”

We explore:

• His beginnings as a beat digger and self-taught musician

• His work with The Young Sinclairs

• The evolution of his artistry across genres

• The unexpected spotlight from Billie Eilish

• The making of “Soon Never Comes” and Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures

• His creative philosophy and how music remains his compass

👉 Tune in for a grounded, soulful conversation about artistry, evolution, and putting music above everything else.

This episode of Gems with Shom features DJ Amir — DJ, producer, record collector, lecturer, and label owner at 180 Proof Records. As one-half of the iconic Kon & Amir, he redefined the art of beat digging through the On Track mixtape series, inspiring generations of collectors.

From growing up in Boston to working at Fat Beats and Wax Poetics, DJ Amir’s journey runs through the heart of beat-digging culture. Amir has become a cultural historian and global ambassador of vinyl — reissuing rare, incredible jazz through Strata Records under his label 180 Proof Records, collaborating with Jazzanova, and lecturing worldwide.

🎙 We dive into:• Creating the On Track series with Kon — and shaping an era of digging• The global competition to be Kings of Diggin’ with DJ Muro• Stories with beat-digging legends • Reviving Strata Records and unearthing Detroit’s deep jazz archives• Digging scenes from Japan to Berlin• Reflections on J Dilla
📸 Follow: instagram.com/gems.podcast

🔖 Hashtags (Optimized for YouTube + Instagram)
#GemsWithShom #DJAmir #OnTrack #OnTrackSeries #180ProofRecords #KonAndAmir #FatBeats #WaxPoetics #StrataRecords #Jazzanova #JDilla #BeatDigging #VinylCommunity #CrateDiggers #RareGrooves #DiggingCulture #DetroitJazz #SoulJazz #UndergroundHipHop #NeoSoul #HipHopHistory #WaxPoeticsMagazine #ProducerLife #VinylCulture #BlackMusicHistory #MusicDocumentary #CreativeJourney #StayInspired #GemsPodcast #MusicCulture

This episode of Gems with Shom features Nashiem Myrick - legendary producer, record collector, and key member of the Hitmen super-producer collective. Also known as your favorite producer’s favorite producer.

From crafting timeless records like The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya,” Capone-N-Noreaga’s “T.O.N.Y.,” Lil’ Kim’s “Queen B,” and Scarface’s “My Block,” Nashiem helped shape the sound of ’90s hip-hop and R&B.

Born in Jamaica, Queens, raised on a deep record collection, and forged in New York’s studios, Nashiem represents the perfect balance of ear, emotion, and engineering - a producer who could find samples, build drums, and elevate every artist he touched.

🎙 We dive into:
• The making of Who Shot Ya - from the Keith Murray promo to Biggie’s version• Teaching Havoc the 950 sub-bass trick that shaped Shook Ones Pt. II

• Creating T.O.N.Y., Queen B, and What You Want with Total & Mase• Digging in Sound Library, A-1, and digging with Pete Rock & Large Pro• Sending Kanye the “Blood on the Leaves” through Carlos Brody• Working within the Hitmen’s collaborative system - the supergroup of sound• His relationships with other Queens hip-hop legends

🌍 Featured artists & crews:
Mary J. Blige | The Notorious B.I.G. | Capone-N-Noreaga | Lil’ Kim | Scarface | The LOX | Mobb Deep | Pete Rock | Q-Tip & Tribe | Large Professor | Kanye West

📸 Follow: instagram.com/gems.podcast

🔖 Hashtags
#GemsWithShom #NashiemMyrick #Hitmen #WhoShotYa #TONY #QueenB #MyBlock #MaryJBlige #MyLife #TheNotoriousBIG #LilKim #Scarface #CaponeNNoreaga #TheLOX #MobbDeep #PeteRock #LargeProfessor #KanyeWest #HipHopHistory #BeatDigging #CrateDiggers #VinylCommunity #QueensNY #ProducerLife #SampleCulture #MusicCulture #CreativeJourney #StayInspired #GemsPodcast #ClassicHipHop #KanyeWest

This episode of Gems with Shom features Andrea Galtieri — extraordinary beat-digger, Italian library and soundtrack specialist, and co-founder of Sonor Music Editions, bringing the golden era of Italy’s library and soundtrack music to a new wave of listeners.

This music is a beat digging treasure box — heavily sampled and rediscovered by legendary producers like The Alchemist, Madlib, and Oh No, who have turned Italian library records into a new vein of modern hip-hop.

From Goblin’s horror-funk soundtracks to Piero Umiliani’s jazz-psych masterpieces, Andrea breaks down the DNA of Italian library and soundtrack culture — how these once-obscure studio projects shaped global sound, inspired generations of producers, and continue to thrive through sampling and modern reissues.

Artists like JJ Whitefield, The Natural Yogurt Band, and Sven Wunder — inspired by the history of library music — continue to bring new life to the sound today.

Andrea’s journey bridges culture, curation, and community, preserving history while pushing the art of beat digging forward into the future.

🎙 We dive into:
• Sampling culture: how hip-hop producers like The Alchemist, Madlib, and Oh No turned Italian library records into incredible modern beats
• Crate-digging philosophy — from NYC’s Sound Library & A-1 Records to Italy’s record fairs
• Goblin & Dario Argento — from Suspiria to Profondo Rosso to Roller, the sound of cinematic fear & funk
• Incredible Italian library artists — Piero Umiliani, Augusto Martelli, Akada Abali Ba, and the rediscovered master tapes
• The infamous I Marc 4 — Italy’s baddest library session band
• Andrea’s personal connections with the original musicians of the era

🏷 About Sonor Music Editions
Founded in 2013 by Lorenzo Fabrizi, joined by Andrea Galtieri, Sonor Music Editions reissues lost Pop, Jazz, Cinematic Lounge, Funk, Easy Listening & Psychedelic gems from the ’70s/’80s — and builds a new production-library series with emerging artists, keeping the analog spirit alive.

🎧 Listen & explore the soundtrack:
Curated Spotify Playlist

📸 Follow: instagram.com/gems.podcast

🔖 Hashtags
#GemsWithShom #AndreaGaltieri #SonorMusicEditions #ItalianLibrary #ItalianSoundtracks #Goblin #PieroUmiliani #IMarc4 # #StelvioCipriani #AlessandroAlessandroni #EnnioMorricone #DarioArgento #ProfondoRosso #Suspiria #Madlib #OhNo #TheAlchemist #JJWhitefield #TheNaturalYogurtBand #SvenWunder #CrateDigging #VinylCommunity #BeatDigging #LibraryMusic #CinematicFunk #JazzFunk #MondoGroove #RecordCollectors #Italy #Milan #Sicily #SampleCulture #AnalogAesthetic #GemsPodcast #MusicCulture #StayInspired #LibraryRecords

This episode of Gems with Shom features Doc Delay — DJ, producer, record dealer, and underground legend whose REM Sleep psych-rock mixtape series opened entire universes for a generation of beat heads.

From psych-rock symptoms to Middle Eastern rarities, Doc takes us inside the hidden corners of record culture — the sounds, stories, and chaotic adventures behind some of the wildest records on Earth.

This one is for the heads — the beat diggers, psych-rock obsessives, sample hunters, and curious newcomers.

• Psych Rock 101 — the symptoms, sounds, backwards guitars, fuzz pedals, tape tricks & stereo experiments that shaped the genre and influenced hip-hop
• REM Sleep — the cult-classic psych-rock mixtape series that producers & DJs literally sampled straight from the CDs
• Record store madness & dangerous digs — foreign imports crawling with insects, unexplained infections, home-based hoards & some of the craziest digging stories you’ll ever hear
• Beat digging in the 90s — DC streets, Richmond warehouses, early eBay hustles, shipping rare heat to Japan & Germany, and the dealer grind that funded his college years
• Middle Eastern & Turkish gems — Barış Manço, Erkin Koray, 45 heat & the cross-continental influences that shaped his ear

#GemsWithShom #DocDelay #PsychRock #REMsleep #BeatDigging #CrateDigging #RecordCollectors #VinylCommunity #TurkishRock #AnatolianRock #MiddleEasternGrooves #BarisManco #ErkinKoray #PsychFunk #RareGrooves #Breaks #SampleCulture #Diggers #VinylOnly #DJCulture #ProducerLife #UndergroundHipHop #DeepCuts #GemsPodcast #MusicCulture #StayInspired #Psychrock #Progrock

This episode of Gems with Shom features Phonte Coleman — Grammy-nominated rapper, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, actor, and one of the most talented, diverse, and prolific voices of his generation. From Little Brother to The Foreign Exchange, from elite MC craftsmanship to deeply soulful compositions, to film and voice acting, Phonte’s career is a masterclass in evolution and risk-taking.

But this conversation is different.
Instead of a traditional interview, Phonte and Shom riff, reflect, and break down the music and life lessons that shaped his journey — creativity, growth, and why reinvention isn’t an act… it’s an intentional practice.

What emerges is rare: an honest, funny, deeply human look at an artist who refuses to stop evolving.

🎙 We dive into:

• Little Brother to Foreign Exchange — how collaboration shaped his sound & worldview• The Art of Reinvention — why your best chapter can still be ahead• Evolution in Real Time — music, acting, creativity & risk-taking• The power of being a lifelong student — entering new fields with humility and courage• His deep crates & love for old records — and his passion for DJing• DIY for life — how Phonte navigates the entertainment business on his own terms• The joy of rediscovery — why he still loves learning, listening, and being surprised

This episode of Gems with Shom features Eilon Paz — photographer, world traveler, storyteller, and creator of Dust & Grooves, the iconic book that became a global celebration of record culture.

From a small desert town in Israel…
to hustling as a photographer in NYC during the 2008 recession…
to documenting over 300 of the world’s most passionate record collectors…

Eilon shares how a personal photo project transformed into a best-selling book and cultural time capsule. This is a conversation about creativity, community, risk-taking, and building something meaningful from scratch.

🎙 Episode Highlights:
• Origins of Dust & Grooves — how one idea sparked a global movement
• The 6-year journey — 300 collectors, 1,000+ pages, endless stories
• Travel adventures — Suriname, Guyana, Cameroon, Japan, France, Israel
• The turning point — Random House calls (after passing), Questlove reaches out
• Photographing private collections — trust, access & storytelling
• Survival mode → creativity — why risk shaped Eilon’s best work
• His next big project — a global deep dive with top collectors
• Passion, purpose & staying true to the craft

A must-listen for fans of vinyl culture, photography, creativity, and long-form storytelling.

📸 Follow the show: instagram.com/gems.podcast

#DustAndGrooves #GemsWithShom #EilonPaz #VinylCommunity #RecordCollectors #PhotographyLife

In this episode of Gems with Shom, we sit down with Rob “Late Bloomer” Geddis - professional record buyer at the legendary Princeton Record Exchange, lifelong beat digger, and the man behind those late-night posts that make collectors everywhere say, “What is that record?!”

From buying thousands of records a week to navigating basement collections across the Northeast, Rob shares what it really means to be a full-time record buyer. We get into the chaos and magic of the Utrecht Record Fair in the Netherlands, the global digging community, and why taste, patience, and curiosity matter more than ever.

This episode goes beyond the crates — into identity, loss, discovery, and the lifelong practice of staying inspired.

In this episode:

• Life as a professional record buyer at Princeton Record Exchange

• Utrecht Record Fair stories: characters, chaos & long-lost grails

• Late-night Instagram digging posts and the art of sharing music

• Early years: skateboarding, MTV raps, sample hunting, college radio

• Evolving taste — jazz-rock, psych, folk, library, global vibes

• Knowledge vs. gatekeeping in digging culture

• Why “peace” is the thing he values most today

If you love vinyl culture, beat digging, hip hop, rare grooves, or just hearing two music obsessives talk with passion — this one is for you.

Follow the show: instagram.com/gems.podcast
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@Gems.Podcast

This episode of Gems with Shom features J Scienide — Charlotte-raised, Washington, DC transplant, MC / producer, and a true student of music.

J Scienide takes us from his earliest days learning through pause tapes and digging through his father’s records… to pressing his first records… to becoming one of the most prolific independent artists in today’s underground.

It’s a story about music obsession and building a real career from passion — even when the path isn’t straight.

🎙 In this episode, we get into:

• Charlotte roots and early studio days

• First exposure to beat digging (drum breaks, grandma’s records, dad’s jazz/funk)

• Pause tapes, early beats, and the moment that made him start creating

• The first vinyl milestone - pooling money to press wax and getting an MF DOOM cosign

• The road to finding his lane

• Atlanta and DC chapters, rebuilding, and linking with Kev Brown + the Low Budget family

• The pandemic shift — setting up a home studio, locking in, and flooding the world with projects

• Major cosigns + momentum (Hot 97 / Flex, Rosenberg, global DJ support)

• Static King Records + Fat Beats distribution — turning the vision into infrastructure

• Flashes in the Dark — his latest project with UK producer Giallo Point

• Why the ear matters more than the equipment — and how limitations created his best work

This one’s for anyone who loves digging culture and the real story of how artists build something lasting from the ground up.

📸 Follow: https://www.instagram.com/gems.podcast/
🎧 Watch / Listen: YouTube @GemsPodcast + Spotify / Apple / everywhere

#GemsWithShom #JScienide #UndergroundHipHop #CrateDigging #PauseTapes #Beatdigging #FatBeats #StaticKingRecords #ProducerLife

In this episode of Gems with Shom, I’m joined by Fleetgotheat — artist, producer, and one of the biggest voices breaking down classic drum breaks and production techniques on the internet right now.

Fleetgotheat built a massive following by sharing drum breaks and beat science without gatekeeping. From breaking down where iconic drums come from, to talking through chopping and sequencing, what started as research and curiosity turned into a global conversation — introducing new generations to the foundations of hip-hop, funk, soul, and beat digging.

We talk about growing up in Chicago, learning music through family record collections, discovering sampling through Nas, Kanye, and soul records, and why drum breaks — and understanding how to use them — still matter today, even in an era where “everything is searchable.”

This is a conversation about ear over equipment, curiosity over gatekeeping, and why sharing information doesn’t dilute culture — it amplifies it.

🎙 In this episode, we get into:
• The rise of Fleetgotheat’s classic drum break series• Chicago roots and early musical exposure• Poetry, writing, and the path into beat-making• Learning production through Ableton + early SoundCloud days• Anti-gatekeeping and knowledge sharing in hip-hop• Why information alone doesn’t replace taste• Drum breaks as history, education, and community

📸 Follow: instagram.com/gems.podcast
🎧 Watch / Listen: YouTube @GemsPodcast + Spotify / Apple / everywhere

#GemsWithShom #Fleetgotheat #DrumBreaks #BeatDigging #HipHopKnowledge #AntiGatekeeping #ProducerCulture #SampleCulture #DrumHistory #VinylCulture

DJ Rashida joins Gems with Shom for an unforgettable conversation about music, magnetization, and staying true to your taste.

From growing up in deeply musical households to being shaped by Atlanta’s 90s underground scene, Rashida shares how DJing became the vehicle that led her to becoming Prince’s longtime DJ — and to a life beyond anything she could’ve planned.

We talk Mama’s Crates, record digging, anti-gatekeeping, vinyl vs digital, and why authenticity is the real cheat code in music and life.

🎙 This episode explores:
• Becoming Prince’s DJ
• Musical mentorship & magnetizing opportunity
• Crate digging, mixtapes & record-store education
• Mama’s Crates and building community through knowledge
• Taste, ritual, and why deep listening still matters
• Redefining success through purpose & motherhood

For anyone who believes music opens doors — and that the right records can change your life.

In this episode of Gems with Shom, I’m joined by Supreme La Rock — DJ, producer, label founder, and one of the originators of beat digging culture.From early hip-hop’s formative years to shaping how generations understand break beats, records, and listening itself, Supreme’s story is tied to the DNA of digging. Long before the term “beat digging” existed, he was building his collection through instinct, risk, and an unmatched ear — pulling grails from obscurity and turning overlooked records into foundational beat digging classics.We dive deep into his Seattle roots, early encounters with hip-hop culture, and the philosophy that guided decades of digging: curiosity over trends, feeling over formulas, and trust in the ear. We unpack Conception Records, its role in creating a sound that would later become globally revered, and Supreme’s behind-the-scenes influence on artists and producers — including early connections with J Dilla, before the world fully understood what it was witnessing.This conversation moves through mixtapes, break culture, global travel, vinyl DJing, technology, and the realities of longevity — how staying true to taste, rather than chasing trends, creates work that lasts. Supreme reflects on discovering records that later became grails by listening deeply when others weren’t.This is a masterclass in taste, patience, and the growth of beat digging culture — from someone who helped build the foundation🎙 In this episode, we get into:Growing up with records before “beat digging” had a nameEarly hip-hop, break culture, and learning through movementBuilding Conception Records and documenting an underground soundFinding grails through instinct, not trendsEarly perspectives on J Dilla and recognizing generational talentMixtapes, break science, and educating without gatekeepingVinyl DJing, technology, and adapting without losing identityLongevity, humility, and staying a student of the musicThis episode is for diggers, DJs, producers, and anyone who understands that culture is built quietly, over time, by people who listen harder than everyone else.

#GemsWithShom #SupremeLaRock #BeatDigging #CrateDigging #ConceptionRecords

This episode of Gems with Shom features Eddie Mac — DJ, founder of The MAC Agency, and the vinyl curator behind DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak).Eddie’s story is a rare one. It starts with growing up in New Jersey surrounded by Motown, soul, and disco records… and leads to decades of DJing, digging, nightlife, and eventually turning a lifelong obsession with vinyl into a global business.We break down how Eddie went from college parties and New York club residencies to curating vinyl sets for Anderson .Paak, helping bring all-vinyl DJ culture to the world’s biggest stages.Eddie Mac's life is about longevity, reinvention, mental health, and building infrastructure around what you love.🎙 In this episode, we dive into:• Early DJ years — New Jersey roots, college parties & learning to read a room• Discovering vinyl — crate digging, record pools & the physical relationship with music• NYC nightlife in the late ’90s — residencies, record stores & legendary mentors• Moving to Las Vegas — DJ burnout, anxiety & the moment everything had to change• Founding The MAC Agency — turning relationships into a real business• The MAC Vinyl Collective — building a roster around vinyl culture• Becoming Anderson .Paak’s vinyl curator (DJ Pee .Wee) — how it actually happened• Touring the world — vinyl DJing at the highest level• Passion vs survival — knowing when to pivot without leaving the culture• Why vinyl still matters — ritual, taste, and the thrill of the digThis episode is for DJs, diggers, music lovers, and anyone trying to turn passion into something sustainable — without losing themselves along the way.📸 Follow:instagram.com/gems.podcast🎧 Watch / Listen:YouTube → @GemsPodcastSpotify • Apple Podcasts • everywhere🔖 Hashtags#GemsWithShom #EddieMac #AndersonPaak #DJPeeWee #CrateDigging #BeatDigging #DJLife #MusicBusiness #RecordCollectors #MACAgency #VinylOnly #HipHopCulture #SoulMusic #DJCulture #PassionToBusiness

In this episode of Gems with Shom, Shomit sits down with Mr. Thing—legendary UK DJ and producer—for a conversation on digging culture, focus, and staying inspired.

Mr. Thing traces his journey from growing up outside London and discovering hip-hop, to winning DMC battles and building the legacy of Scratch Perverts. He shares the reality behind the wins—long practice days, creative sacrifice, and the importance of consistency when momentum disappears and later returns.

A major part of the conversation dives into UK library records—KPM, De Wolfe, Bruton, Conroy, and more—how he first discovered them, why they’re so sample-ready, and what separates surface-level digging from true replay-value records.

We also explore his work with BBE, including the pivotal Kings of Hip Hop release alongside DJ Premier, and how BBE helped shape a defining chapter of his career. Mr. Thing also discusses more recent projects, including the widely loved Surprise Chef mixtape.

Topics include:
• UK library records
• Turntablism, DMCs & Scratch Perverts
• Rare groove, digging philosophy & replay value
• Inspiration, discipline & longevity in music

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on beat digging, records, and other things.

#MrThing
#UKLibraryRecords
#CrateDigging
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#DJCulture
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#BBERecords
#DMCBattles
#GemsWithShom

In this episode of Gems with Shom, we sit down with DJ YNOT—DJ, lifelong beat digger, and owner of Lucky Records Miami—for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, introspective, and packed with deep beat-digging knowledge.

Tony walks through his journey from late-’90s DJing and underground hip-hop shows to club residencies, opening for legends, and ultimately stepping away from nightlife to build one of Miami’s most respected and popular record stores. Along the way, the stories are wild, honest, and genuinely funny—misadventures in DJ life, near-miss moments, and the kind of behind-the-scenes experiences you only get from someone who’s really lived it.

He breaks down what it actually takes to find records in 2026, why digging is harder (and more competitive) than ever, and how he’s not a customer—he’s a record dealer and store owner. From Miami soul history to legendary samples, from dollar-bin gems to grail-level records, this is knowledge you won’t find anywhere else.

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on beat digging, records, and other things.

#GemsWithShom

#DJYNOT

#LuckyRecordsMiami

#VinylCulture

#RecordDigging
#BeatDigging
#HipHopCulture
#DJLife
#RecordStoreLife
#MiamiMusic
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#VinylCommunity
#MusicPodcast
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#VinylPodcast

Rich Medina joins Gems with Shom for a wide-ranging conversation on deep listening, longevity, and building a life rooted in sound, culture, and purpose.

From his early years in New Jersey to becoming one of the most respected DJs and cultural voices of his generation, Rich reflects on a career shaped by curiosity, discipline, and intention. The conversation spans legendary residencies, global travel, poetry, education, mentorship, and the mindset required to remain a lifelong student of music.

A central thread of the episode focuses on Dante’s HiFi, Miami’s Japanese-inspired listening room, where Rich serves as Music Director and partner. We explore listening-bar culture, album-focused listening, and why slowing down to truly hear music feels more necessary than ever.

In the Drop a Gem on ’Em segment, Rich shares insight on records, listening, and moving with purpose across decades.

🎙 Topics include DJing as storytelling, jazz kissa culture, longevity, creative survival, academia, and the power of deep listening.

This episode is for DJs, diggers, music lovers, and anyone seeking a more intentional relationship with sound.

Double Peas joins Gems with Shom for a wide ranging conversation on vinyl collecting, deep soul culture, private press records, and what she calls “record energy.”Born in Santiago, Chile and raised in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, Double Peas traces her journey from a music-filled immigrant household to the underground LA scene of the early ’90s—where house music, acid jazz, hip-hop, jungle, and Detroit techno shaped her ear long before she stepped behind the turntables.Starting as a bedroom DJ, she evolved into a respected vinyl DJ and serious record collector. We explore her move to Las Vegas, building grassroots Funk & Soul parties, and becoming a working vinyl DJ on the Vegas Strip.A major theme of this episode is record energy—the vibe a vinyl record carries based on ownership, history, and lineage. From deep soul “daggers” and rare 45s to regional records and sampling culture, this conversation dives into preservation, community, and staying original in a digital era.In the Drop a Gem on ’Em segment, Double Peas shares personal classics—from jazz and modern soul to rare private press cuts—and reflects on why continuity matters more than clout.🎙 In This Episode:Vinyl collecting & beat digging cultureDeep soul, sweet soul & private press recordsFrom bedroom DJ to vinyl on the Vegas StripRecord trading as currency & communityPortable turntables & analog preservationIntroversion, confidence & growth through musicWhy people matter more than recordsIf you’re into vinyl records, DJ culture, crate digging, rare soul, sampling history, and deep listening, this episode is for you.👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on beat digging, records, and other things.

In this episode of Gems with Shom, a show about beat digging, records, and other things, we sit down with Jaeki Cho, ex rap journalist turned world traveler and founder of Righteous Eats and Creators Lunch, for a wide ranging conversation on rap media, world travel, and cultural identity. Jaeki reflects on growing up in Queens in the late 90s, discovering hip hop before the algorithm era, and entering rap journalism at XXL Magazine during the final years of print media. We discuss storytelling, revision, media literacy, and why journalistic rigor still matters in today’s fast moving media landscape.

As always, the conversation connects back to beat digging and record culture. From Mobb Deep and Wu Tang Clan to jazz samples and global sound exploration, we explore how hip hop sampling opened the door to deeper musical discovery and how digging through records becomes a gateway to understanding history, migration, and identity.

The conversation expands into world travel, from Mongolia to Morocco, Singapore to Istanbul, and how movement across borders reshapes identity. Jaeki breaks down his concept of “third culture,” the remixing of global identities, and why community matters more than ever in a fragmented digital age.

We also dive into:

Mobb Deep, The Alchemist, and Wu-Tang Clan
Sampling as cultural exchange
Record collecting as connection
Running marathons as discipline
Racism abroad and perspective at home
Why storytelling is more important than ever

This is a conversation about hip hop and beat digging, but it is also about global travel, media, philosophy, and building something meaningful.

Listen, rate, and subscribe.
📀 New episodes weekly
🌍 Dig deeper

Wyldeflower, radio host, DJ, and experiential producer, joins the show for a conversation on records, radio, travel, and the rituals that shape her life.

From growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by mariachi to discovering Wu-Tang Clan and the deeper worlds of jazz, soul, and Brazilian music, Wyldeflower reflects on the experiences that shaped her ear.

She also shares stories about her friendship with legendary Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai, and how his music, and the broader world of Brazilian sound, continues to inspire beat diggers, collectors, and musicians.

We explore her journey through the LA creative scene, working alongside communities like Mochilla, Art Don’t Sleep, and Dublab, and how those experiences led her to the airwaves at KCRW, where she continues to champion new and classic sounds from around the world.

We explore:

• Growing up in Los Angeles and discovering hip-hop, punk, and global music
• Finding her voice through DJing, radio, and experiential production
• Record digging trips across Brazil and the thrill of finding rare vinyl
• Traveling the world through music, from Rio and São Paulo to Japan
• The ritual and philosophy behind collecting and playing records

In our “Drop a Gem on ’Em” segment, we touch on:

• Gal Costa
• Alice Coltrane
• Sun Ra
• Funkadelic
• Roy Ayers
• D’Angelo
• Sly & The Family Stone
• And many more

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We sit down with K-Cut of Main Source — producer, DJ, and record collector — for a conversation on the origins of Main Source, the making of the classic album Breaking Atoms, his evolution as a producer, digging culture, and what comes next.

From growing up between Queens and forming Main Source alongside Large Professor and Sir Scratch, K-Cut takes us back to the origins — late-night studio sessions working with Paul C, and building what would become one of the most important albums of the Golden Era: Breaking Atoms.

We explore:

• The early Wild Pitch era and hearing Main Source on the radio• Mentorship under Paul C• The group’s evolution and the second album Fuck What You Think with Mikey D• Reinvention and finding a new wave of success

K-Cut opens up about stepping away from the spotlight and how producer Rashad Smith helped bring him back into the fold, leading to work with LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Big Pun, and more.

We close with the next chapter: new Main Source music arriving around the 35th anniversary of Breaking Atoms.

In our “Drop a Gem on ’Em” segment, we touch on:

• Gang Starr• Bob Power• Jadakiss & Sheek Louch

Listen, rate, and subscribe.
📀 New episodes weekly
🌍 Dig deeper

This episode of Gems with Shom features Cherrystones, a musician, international DJ, soundtrack composer, compiler, private record dealer, and long-running NTS Radio host with one of the deepest ears in underground music.

Cherrystones and Shom get into UK digging culture, Jazzman Records, Camden Market, library music, Italian horror soundtracks, Goblin, Fantastic Planet, Japanese film music, Den Bosch record fair, and the emotional stories attached to rare records.

The conversation also explores his unconventional upbringing between London and Wales, discovering punk, hip-hop, jazz, psych, and rare groove, and how music became a grounding force throughout his life.

🎙 In this episode, we dive into:

• UK digging culture, Jazzman Records, and the world of private record dealing
• Library records, rare European finds, and the search for unusual samples
• Italian horror soundtracks, Goblin, film cues, and darker musical moods
• NTS Radio, record fairs, collecting originals, and music as a healing force

DJ Agile joins Gems with Shom for a conversation on BrassMunk, producing “Heaven” for Nas, film and television work, and how DJing opened up a whole new chapter in his career. They also get into sync, Dilla, Kardinal Offishall, nightlife, and Agile’s new single, “Between The Sheets” ft. Ray Robinson.

This episode of Gems with Shom features Pat Van Dyke, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and bandleader whose music bridges jazz, soul, and hip hop. Known for his live recreations of classic rap records and his deep understanding of musicianship, Pat joins Shom for a conversation about the records, rhythms, and ideas that shaped his sound.

Pat and Shom get into growing up in New Jersey, discovering records at a young age, studying jazz, making beats, and how Pat learned to merge live instrumentation with the DNA of sample-based hip hop. They also talk about his recent live replay videos, the producers and records that inspired him, and what he has learned from breaking down hip hop classics by ear.

🎙 In this episode, we dive into:

• Growing up with records, tapes, and early musical influences
• Studying jazz, making beats, and shaping his sound as a producer
• The gear, records, and producers that influenced his ear
• Recreating hip hop classics with live instruments
• What classic hip hop reveals about feel, phrasing, and musicianship

📌 About Pat Van Dyke

Pat Van Dyke is an artist, producer, composer, and session musician based in New Jersey. His work blends jazz harmony, vintage textures, live instrumentation, and hip hop rhythm into a sound that feels both modern and deeply rooted in classic music traditions. Through solo releases, collaborations, and his live replay series, Pat has built a unique lane that connects musicianship with beat culture.

This episode of Gems with Shom features 7L, one-third of Czarface. 7L is the DJ and producer behind Czarface, the cult-favorite hip-hop supergroup formed by 7L & Esoteric and Wu-Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck. Known for sample-based production, comic-book world-building, and a fiercely independent creative path, 7L has helped build one of the most original and enduring underground rap universes in hip-hop.

In this conversation, 7L and Shom go deep on records, radio, early DJing, obscure samples, underground touring, collaboration, and the long road from Massachusetts mixtapes to Red Rocks and beyond.

We discuss:
• Growing up in Massachusetts and discovering hip-hop through MTV, tapes, and roller rink DJs
• Learning to DJ, making mixtapes, and building an early production process from scratch
• The early 7L & Esoteric years, college radio, indie vinyl, and underground rap in the 90s
• Digging culture, rare records, trial and error, and the records that shaped his ear
• How Czarface came together with Inspectah Deck
• Building a cult following through music, comics, collectibles, and world-building
• Collaborating with MF DOOM, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Kool Keith, and more
• Why staying weird helped sustain a long career
• Why authenticity, curiosity, and consistency still matter in underground music

7L is a Massachusetts-raised DJ and producer whose career stretches from the independent underground rap scene of the 1990s to major collaborative projects in the modern era. Before Czarface, he built his name through 7L & Esoteric, DIY vinyl releases, college radio, and relentless digging and touring. As one-third of Czarface, he helped shape a group that became far more than a rap act. It became a full creative universe rooted in hip-hop, comics, artifacts, and cult loyalty. The group’s major collaborative releases include Czarface Meets Metal Face with MF DOOM in 2018, Czarface Meets Ghostface with Ghostface Killah in 2019, and Super What? with MF DOOM in 2021.

In this episode of Gems with Shom, I sit down with John Morrison — author, journalist, DJ, and sample-flipper from Philadelphia — for a conversation on hip-hop culture, record digging, and the evolution of music and ideas.

John’s journey starts in Philadelphia, coming up in a deeply competitive freestyle and battle rap scene. Those early experiences shaped his approach to music, performance, and creativity.

He later transitioned into writing, building a career as a journalist across platforms like NPR and beyond. We talk about how writing about music changed the way he listens, and how understanding samples, production, and context provides a deeper perspective on the culture.

A key theme in this conversation is the role of politics in art. John reflects on a time when hip-hop carried clear perspectives — when artists engaged with the world and pushed listeners to think. Today, that layer often feels less present. This isn’t about agreement or disagreement, but about the importance of having a point of view.

We also discuss Philly’s influence, beat making as a lifelong practice, the connection between hip-hop and jazz, and why digging and context still matter.

A conversation about music, culture, and really listening.

Diallo Riddle: Music, Comedy & Storytelling | Best Of Episode

One of the most requested episodes of Gems with Shom is back.

In this conversation, I sit down with Diallo Riddle — actor, writer, director, DJ, and host of The One Song Podcast — for a wide-ranging discussion on music, comedy, and storytelling.

From DJing in college to working on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon — including the iconic “Slow Jam the News” with President Obama — Diallo shares stories from across his career and how those experiences shaped his creative perspective.

We also go deep into music.

From sampling and beat digging to the influence of ’90s hip hop, Diallo breaks down how great songs work — where they come from, why they last, and how they connect across genres and eras.

This is a conversation about more than music — it’s about understanding it.

In this episode:
• DJing in college and early influences
• Working on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
• The origins of The One Song Podcast
• Sampling, beat digging, and ’90s hip hop
• Why great music is meant to be studied, not just heard

If you’re into music, culture, and creative storytelling — this is a good one.

Why do STLNDRMS’ drums hit different? This is the story behind the sound.

STLNDRMS — DJ, producer, curator, and Founder/Creative Director — joins Gems with Shom for a conversation on beat culture, creative independence, and building a life through music.

From Detroit roots to a global upbringing across Europe and Japan, STLNDRMS shares how early exposure to records, hip-hop, and Black music shaped his sound and set him on a path of lifelong creation.

We explore his journey from early production and recording to touring, building community, and ultimately transitioning into full-time music — creating multiple revenue streams through drum kits, events, photo and video production, streaming, and creative direction.

At the center of it all is consistency and community — from early live streams that connected him with key figures in beat culture, to collaborating with artists and mentors around the world.

We also dive into:

• Crafting elite drum sounds and signature drum kits
• Analog recording techniques and studio philosophy
• The balance between art and business in a creative career
• Beat culture, live performance, and global community
• Lessons from DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat
• Building consistency and creating your own lane

This is a conversation about discipline, creativity, and longevity — and a real look at what it takes to turn passion into something sustainable.

Listen, rate, and subscribe.

#BeatCulture #DrumKits #MusicProduction #DJCulture #CrateDigging #GemsWithShom

STLNDRMS: Elite Drums, Consistency, and Community

A DJ and record collector with an incredible archive of rare vinyl, Shima brings a deep knowledge of music, culture, and the art of digging. The conversation covers digging in Japan, the collector’s mindset, and the transition from being a bedroom DJ to playing for crowds.

From growing up as a fourth-generation Japanese American in California surrounded by music to discovering hip-hop, Shima reflects on the early influences that shaped his ear and set him on a lifelong path of collecting.

We explore his journey through underground hip-hop, mixtape culture, and college radio, as well as his experiences digging in Japan, from searching for rare records to feeling at home in record stores across Tokyo and beyond.

We explore:

• Growing up in Sacramento and discovering hip-hop
• Underground hip-hop, mixtape culture, and early influences
• Digging in Japan and global record culture
• The collector’s mindset and what separates DJs from collectors
• Record rarity, first pressings, and long-term value
• “Putting up stats” and documenting rare finds
• And more

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In this episode of Gems with Shom, I sit down with Jay Stewart — music executive, DJ, exhibit curator, and founder of one of the most fascinating hip-hop artifact collections in the world: The Jay Stewart Collection.

Jay’s story begins in Queens, New York, growing up during the golden era of hip-hop and the early foundations of the culture. From there, he built a remarkable career across the music industry.

Jay worked as a promotional rep at Rawkus Records, helping break artists like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Big L, before moving into major label marketing roles at MCA, Geffen, Interscope, and Universal. Along the way, he helped promote albums from artists like Common, The Roots, Mary J. Blige, and Blink-182.

Over the years, he quietly built an incredible archive of rare hip-hop promotional posters, memorabilia, and artifacts — items that once lived in record stores, radio stations, and label offices during the golden era of physical music culture.

Today, that archive has become The Jay Stewart Collection, a traveling exhibit celebrating hip-hop’s visual and promotional history. Pieces from his collection have even appeared in the Sotheby’s Hip Hop Auction, placing these artifacts alongside fine art and cultural history.

In this conversation, we explore Jay’s journey through the music industry, the lost art of physical music promotion, and why preserving hip-hop’s visual history still matters today.

🎧 Drop a Gem On ’Em segment includes:
Kenny Burke • M.O.P. • Big L • Mos Def • MF DOOM • J Dilla • Tribe Called Quest • Prodigy & Alchemist • Kid Cudi • Nonchalant

This episode of Gems with Shom features Nicolay, Grammy-nominated producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and one half of The Foreign Exchange alongside Phonte.

From growing up in Utrecht and discovering Prince, to playing in funk bands, studying musicology, making beats after work, and connecting with Phonte on the Okayplayer message boards, Nicolay’s story is one of timing, originality, and deep musical curiosity.

But this conversation isn’t a typical interview.

Nicolay and Shom go deep on The Foreign Exchange, J Dilla, Prince, D’Angelo, Slum Village, keyboard beats, musical space, and the creative risks that helped shape albums like Connected and Leave It All Behind.

They also explore authenticity in the age of AI, the future of music technology, and why human feeling still matters most in soulful music.

#Nicolay #TheForeignExchange #ForeignExchange #Phonte #JDilla #Prince #Okayplayer #Connected #LeaveItAllBehind #DAngelo #Voodoo #SlumVillage #Soulquarians #NeoSoul #HipHopHistory #SoulMusic #BeatMaking #MusicProduction #ProducerLife #GemsWithShom