Episodes

*Originally recorded in 2023* Welcome back to The Record Report! For Episode 2, we’re diving into the syrupy depths of Future’s Dirty Sprite 2 (DS2). Released in 2015, DS2 was the project that catapulted Future from an artist on the rise to a full-fledged superstar, defining the sound of trap music for a new generation. Building on the momentum from mixtapes like Monster and 56 Nights, DS2 showcased Future’s ability to blend raw emotion with heavy-hitting beats, creating anthems that dominated ...

Welcome back to the Record Report! This week, we're turning back the clock to 1997 to explore Missy Elliott's iconic debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. A true pioneer in hip-hop and R&B, Missy, along with Timbaland's production genius, crafted an album that pushed boundaries and set a new standard in the music industry. From the infectious beats of "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" to the energetic "Sock It 2 Me," Missy’s debut is a masterclass in creativity and innovation. Timbaland’s experimental productio...

Welcome back to Episode 10 of the Record Report! This week, we're reviewing Freddie Gibb and Madlib's first collaborative album, Pinata. With the album dropping reasonably early in March of 2014, it quickly became a standout gem in a very buzzing year in music. Pinata garnered critical acclaim thanks to a surprising blend of raw street rhymes from Gibbs with eclectic beats made by Madlib coated with Blaxploitation-themed skits and clips. From hustling out the streets of Gary, Indiana to build...

Welcome Back to the Record Report! For this episode, we're taking the train to Queens with our guest DJ Rugby Segal to review Nas' sophomore project It Was Written. Dropping in 1996, It Was Written reached both critical and commercial success thanks to a blend of beats from household names like DJ Premier, Trackmasters, and Dr. Dre, as well as Nas' ability to tell vivid street stories. As always, we choose their top three tracks, Howard talks about the album's immediate impact, and Vance talks...

Welcome back to the Record Report! This week, we're going back in time to listen to a Funky classic. We're talkin' about Maggot Brain, the 3rd studio album by Funkadelic. Dropping 2 years before Hip Hop was born in 1971, this album would later inspire the next generations in the genre. The 7-track LP is completely produced by George Clinton and is a journey through cosmic keys, crazy guitar riffs, and aggressive drums but with a savory soulful undertaste. While it managed to come out strong w...

Welcome back to the Record Report! This week, we're going overseas to hear a rebel's sound. We're talking about British artist M.I.A.'s 2013 Matangi to be exact. M.I.A's career was at a very weird period in the later part of the Blog Era. While the artist's diverse array of sound helped contribute to the early rise of international influence in the 2000s, her success also made her a target for controversy. Fortunately, Matangi was both a daring response to her criticism while still also managi...

Welcome back to the Record Report! This week, we're gonna take you back to 1996 with Tupac's first posthumous album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. When this album dropped, it was a very confusing point in time for the music world. It dropped two months after Tupac's death, and it wasn't even with his actual stage name. This was the first (and last) album under the moniker Makaveli, and for many fans, The Don Killuminati started the spreading of rumors that speculated Tupac was alive. H...

Welcome to Episode 3 of your favorite music podcast, The Record Report. This week, we'll be taking a BUS RIDE (all puns intended) through Kaytranada's debut studio album, 99.9%. Following a slew of SoundCloud flips to get people to the dancefloor in the early 2010s like his flip of Teedra Moses' track "Just Wanna Be Your Girl," Kaytranada was on a steady rise in the music industry. The hype only kicked into a second gear when he signed to XL Recordings in 2014 and the label eventually announce...

Welcome back to the Record Report Season 3! Episode 3 is a real homecoming. We're reviewing Goldlink's debut studio album, At What Cost. This project was pivotal to the DMV for many reasons. On paper, "Crew" is currently certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA and even earned a Grammy nomination in 2018. But each song on the 14-track LP provides a different side to the city through versatile sounds and a slew of talent from the area from Lil Dude to Mya. We also have our special guest DJ Marauder i...

Welcome back to the Record Report We've made it to season 3, and thank you all for staying with us! For this episode, we'll be diving into Chance the Rapper's sophomore mixtape Acid Rap. When Chance the Rapper dropped Acid Rap in 2013, music was in a transitional period. It was a time when Chicago already had its lead star in Kanye West, who made mainstream headlines for My Dark Twisted Fantasy, and the growth of the GOOD Music record label. The Chi also had a budding internet music scene tha...

Welcome back!! After a too log break Vance and Ahmad are back for season 3 of The Record Report Podcast. They detail on the things they have been working, the LOST episode, what took so long and recap their favorite music moments of 2021. We're happy to be back!