The Rap Music Plug Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

As I get closer and closer to my 30s, mortality, the future outlook of society. and my fading youth are consistently ideas that are occupying my mind. So art that speaks to these topics in a thoughtful and insightful way have been especially appreciated as of late.

But unlike other genres out there, rap is still quite young. Therefore, there isn’t necessarily a ton of artists out there who are even old enough to provide such an aged perspective. And among those who are, many of whom are the likes of Jay-Z, Nas... who’s primary wisdom seems focused more on wealth-building and respectability politics.

That’s why the album we will be spotlighting in today’s episode, Reverberations of a Dead Man’s Ego, is such a breath of fresh air.

The mature perspectives we get from Alaska on this album are thoughtful, provocative, and remarkably honest. And they are accompanied by some of the best production we’ve heard from producer steel tipped dove to-date.

Listen on to learn about the making of this new album, the generational divide between Gen X and Gen Z, maturing with age, a sober outlook on the future of our society, and much more.

The Plug (0:45).

The Interview (3:10).

Aaron Rodgers’ broken COVID brain (5:01).

How Alaska and steel tipped dove’s relationship first formed, and what inspired it (7:58).

The shared worldviews between Alaska and dove (15:59).

Alaska breaks down a poignant line on “I Don’t Care No More” (19:46).

The overarching sentiment of the heavy subject matter on ROADME (26:09).

The future outlook for younger generations (31:16).

The inspiration of the Reverberations of a Dead Man’s Ego title (38:13).

Alaska and dove go back and forth on if ROADME is improvement on their debut (40:19).

Favourite songs on ROADME (51:29).

Upcoming projects / merch from Alaska and steel tipped dove (54:04).

Buy Reverberations of a Dead Man's Ego here: https://thatrapperalaska.bandcamp.com/album/reverberations-of-a-dead-mans-ego 

Follow Alaska on Twitter here: https://x.com/Alaska_Atoms 

Follow steel tipped dove on Twitter here: https://x.com/steeltippeddove 

Follow steel tipped dove on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/steeltippeddove/?hl=en  

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

The Plug (0:21).

The Conversation (2:01).

NxWorries’ Why Lawd came to me at the perfect time in my life. A time where I find myself in the best most healthy and rewarding relationship I’ve ever had with a remarkably beautiful and smart woman, who is sweeter than [insert sweet substance]. So the thought of it ever coming to an end feels mortifying.

It’s for all these reasons that Why Lawd has had a profound impactful on me. It is an ode to appreciating the special person I have in my life… that is masquerading as one of the most beautifully crafted, most gorgeous-sounding albums I’ve heard in a long long time.

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Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

The Plug (0:40).

The Interview (2:08).

An iconic rap album is more than just beats and rhymes. It’s the interludes, the cover artwork that set the foundation for the image we as listeners associate with the music.

All of those elements combined, when done exceptionally well, are the ingredients to leaving a true lasting impact on the game.

Today’s guests, DøøF and NCL-TM, are determined to leave a similar level of imprint on the underground with their series of NCL​-​D​Ø​Ø​FUS albums.

In this episode, we get insight into what sparked this duo to form, why they mesh so well creatively, and learn about how their new album, BULLETPROOF KUFFLINX, further builds on NCL​-​D​Ø​Ø​FUS world they have created.

The spark for the NCL-DØØFUS pairing (2:53).

The secret sauce that makes the NCL-DØØFUS work (8:19).

The musical world of NCL-DØØFUS (13:02).

How being in Barcelona impacted what DøøF (18:39).

The vintage sound signature of BULLETPROOF KUFFLINX (25:16).

How BULLETPROOF KUFFLINX connects to the other NCL-DØØFUS records (38:57).

Upcoming projects / merch / tour (51:44).

Buy BULLETPROOF KUFFLINX here: https://safdoofus.bandcamp.com/album/ncl-d-fus-3-bulletproof-kufflinx 

Follow DøøF on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/757doofus 

Follow NCL-TM on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/UNCLETiMband 

Follow DøøF on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/757doofus/ 

Follow NCL-TM on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ncl_tm/ 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

Balens Cho showcases that Mach’s album-making skills have really improved here in 2021, which I definitely think can be attributed to him reuniting with Westside Gunn.

This influence was clearly felt on Pray for Haiti, and I believe that influence is found here on Balens Cho too, as the album’s flow, consistency, and lyrical focus is on point.

Balens Cho is the result of someone who put their 10 000 hours in. Mach sounds so remarkably comfortable and in control of what he wants to accomplish, where he can now effectively execute his ideas into music form with ease.

As listeners, we are reaping the benefits of a master at work. 

RMPP Preferred Cut: "Self Luh"

Stream Balens Cho here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3lYDlFILOCtV39ompt2uRs 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

After a stellar 2019 and 2020 that saw Your Old Droog drop his magnum opus, Dump YOD: Krutoy Edition, Droog’s music has been on the decline since then.

Thankfully, Space Bar corrects just about every issue I’ve had with Droog’s recent output, through better production, rapping, and guest features.

Space Bar’s beats, although not as captivating as Dump YOD or what was on Jewelry for sure, are much more up my alley.

Droog also tweaked his approach lyrically, showing improvement in this respect as well on Space Bar. 

There’s a fun braggadocios looseness that is more present here, that Droog has always thrived in, allowing him to up the bar quality in comparison with his last couple of projects.

He’s less personal on this album, and instead is more aggressive, airing out some grievances that he has with the rap game, and wack collaborators as well. Above all, YOD gives us punchlines on punchlines on punchlines.

Space Bar doesn’t try to do too much, and is better off for it.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "Meteor Man"

Buy/stream Space Bar here: https://yourolddroog.bandcamp.com/album/space-bar 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

Although I wasn't a huge fan of The Circus, I think Mick really learnt something from creating that album, as it relates to being more concise.

Elephant in the Room doesn't overstay its welcome. The songs are refined as hell, with no wasted space, showing his most finely tuned blend of melodic soul singing, and rap.

There's a great seamless flow to this album that is accentuated beautifully by the wonderful smoothness in the melodies and hooks. These hooks are all so well put-together, even by Mick's standards, which are high as this has always been a key strength in his artistic arsenal.

At its fundamental level, Mick is COMFORTABLE on Elephant in the Room.

What was a bit of a drawback on previous projects like Pieces of a Man, where I felt he didn't push himself as much stylistically, on this album he keeps certain elements like the production mostly familiar, while giving himself the room to be more natural and less forced, ditching the rigid themes and concepts found in his past records.

While not a project I think that reaches the highs of THC or The Water(s), Elephant in the Room is an album that manages to say more and do more, with less.

If Mick can find a way to marry this more looser approach with some more musical experimentation, I believe that he can still deliver the true classic album that I've always felt he's been capable of delivering.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "Reflection"

Buy/stream Elephant in the Room here: https://themickjenkins.bandcamp.com/album/elephant-in-the-room 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

On All My Heroes are Cornballs there was such an irresistible earworm effect to me, where so many of the glitches, weird transitions, and short bursts of melody did a great job of creating variety and maintaining my deep engagement. It made for a highly entertaining and colourful listen.

But LP! feels significantly more plain and bland by comparison.

There is a more live and organic feeling in these instrumentals on LP! though, which is pretty cool for the most part. There is significant usage of live drums and true basslines that elevate the size of this sound, making it fit for a stadium.

However, it's precisely this move away from less glitchiness and noise that makes this album feel much more tame than I would've liked.

Lyricism and pure rapping have never been JPEGMAFIA's selling point. He's always been a capable rapper, with fiery and often militant lyricism that was engaging. However, on this album, these songs are more dependent on this dimension of his music more than ever before.

LP! is an album that doesn't play its best hand, it's an album that doesn't put JPEG in the best position to succeed. It lacks the explosive aggression of Veteran, as well as the sugary sweetness of the melodies on Cornballs.

LP! mixes all of his previous styles, and adds some new live musical elements into the blender too, but unfortunately it lacks the charms of his previous work, and instead comes off a bit dry.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "TIRED, NERVOUS & BROKE!"

Buy/stream LP! (offline version) here: https://jpegmafia.bandcamp.com/album/lp 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

In Episode 86, we are joined by a true lyrical tactician, teacher, and newest signee of the ever-impressive Backwoodz Studioz label, Defcee. 

Defcee discusses being embraced by the Chicago hip-hop community as an outsider, and what he appreciates about the Chicago scene (4:01).

Defcee opens up about the reasoning behind taking a break from music, following 2015's Damn Near Grown (26:30).

Defcee details how he's been able to consistently improve his craft into his middle-age, and gives his take on the health of rap game currently, given the fact that so many other rappers have been producing quality music well into their "senior" years (31:52).

Defcee discusses how he sees competitiveness in hip-hop, and when that competitive spirit can turn destructive (39:38).

Defcee speaks on how vital graffiti is to the overall hip-hop culture, and how he tried to approach We Dressed the City with Our Names (44:38).

Defcee explains the influence of Backwoodz Studioz on his first album as a new signee of this groundbreaking label (51:05).

Defcee details the significance of the Trapdoor album title, and the overall intention behind the record (56:37).

Defcee reflects on the therapeutic nature of creating Trapdoor (1:01:36).

Defcee speaks on the importance of teaching the youth, and drops knowledge of some of the ills afflicting the modern education system (1:06:00).

Defcee gives his take on the complementary soundscape of Trapdoor, created by Messiah Musik, and why Messiah is such a great producer (1:19:03).

Defcee gives props to Nick Arcade and August Fanon's amazing talents, and waxes poetic about Messiah Musik once again (1:24:49).

Defcee gives a sneak peak to upcoming projects he has in store for us (1:29:03).

Support Defcee's music here: https://defcee.bandcamp.com/ 

Follow Defcee on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/defcee?s=20 

Follow Defcee on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/defcee/?hl=en 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

In Episode 85, we are joined by Virginia's effortlessly funny, multi-talented, rapper, producer, skater, and model, DøøF. On the heels of his tremendously dope new album with NCL-TM, SWAMP PHONK, he has dropped straight heat for the past year. His work includes his previous collaboration with NCL-TM, Hoodrat Noir, as well as Radioactive Spinach with none other than the talented Graymatter.

Getting to know DøøF's style and story is a must, if you want to stay updated on one of the underground's brightest stars. 

DøøF details the catalyst that led to him pursuing his music career more seriously in 2020 (7:43).

DøøF breaks down how he developed his one-of-a-kind rapping style (12:37).

DøøF gives his take on what defines the Virginia rap scene (26:19).

DøøF breaks down why he gravitates towards the warm, dusty, and warped sound that his beats feature (32:13).

DøøF details what he needs to see in another producer, in order for him to relinquish beat-making duties for a project (35:43).

DøøF explains why he messes with Graymatter's production style, as well as the backstory behind the lengthy recording process for Radioactive Spinach (39:25).

DøøF details what he learnt from working with NCL-TM on Hoodrat Noir, and how he applied any learnings to their latest album, SWAMP PHONK (43:37).

DøøF explains why SWAMP PHONK ended up being double the length of Hoodrat Noir (50:25).

DøøF gives a peak at what he has in store for fans in the near future (1:15:39).

Support DøøF's music here: https://safdoofus.bandcamp.com/music 

Follow DøøF on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/757doofus 

Follow DøøF on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/safdoofus/ 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

Beginning of Episode (0:49).

Speaking with GENG PTP, aka King Vision Ultra, was a deeply rich and knowledgeable journey into hip-hop culture, and the coalition of hip-hop that he builds with, from a man who clearly treats the art form with the utmost respect that it deserves. There is a lot to learn and engage with in this conversation, so sit back and enjoy!

GENG breaks down the reasoning behind his strong affinity towards hip-hop culture, and how he grew up embedded in the community (3:08).

Why GENG feels a sense of duty to give back to the hip-hop community, in a myriad of different ways (18:11).

GENG gives his perspective on the foundational traits that underpin the PTP umbrella (26:20).

GENG provides the backstory of the genesis of PTP, and its overall mission (34:25).

GENG walks us through his key inspiration behind his unique visual design work (41:45).

GENG expands on this idea of the importance of language, as it relates to to the way we consume and discuss music (57:18).

GENG gives his perspective on how recent underground waves have developed over the years (1:10:22).

GENG details the process of collaborating with AMANI, and executing the complex ideas they cultivated on An Unknown Infinite (1:27:08).

GENG discuses the reception and high praise An Unknown infinite received, from the likes of Ka and more (1:38:15).

GENG talks about his FOUND SOUND art of sampling course, and the importance of this concept to music generally (1:45:28).

GENG details what he has in store for us in the near future (1:56:29).

Support GENG's music, and PTP label here: https://purpletapepedigree.bandcamp.com/artists 

Follow GENG on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/purpicide 

Follow GENG on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/genggrizzly/ 

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patreon, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com