80z Babies

Episode 75: A Tribute to Purple Haze by Cam’ron

The 80z Babies pay tribute on the 15th anniversary of Cam'ron's Purple Haze in an episode you won't want to miss. #Harlem #80zBabies

Episode 74 - A Tribute to Urban Legend by TI

The 80z Babies pay tribute for the 15th anniversary of TI's Urban Legend, released November 30th, 2004.

Episode 73: A Tribute to 2001 by Dr. Dre

The 80z Babies pay tribute on the 20th anniversary of Dr. Dre's "American classic" album 2001, released on November 16, 1999.

Episode 72: Make it a Classic - Uncontrolled Substance by Inspectah Deck

The 80z Babies attempt to bring the "Make it a Classic" treatment to the debut album by Wu Tang's Inspectah Deck in the wake of the album's 20th anniversary. #80zBabies

Episode 71: A Tribute to Internal Affairs by Pharoahe Monch

The 80z Babies pay tribute on the 20th anniversary of Pharoahe Monch's solo debut album Internal Affairs released October 19th, 1999.

Episode 70: A Tribute to Black on Both Sides by Mos Def

The 80z Babies are joined by special guest Calmont for a special 20 year anniversary tribute to Mos Def's classic album, Black on Both Sides.

Episode 69: Summer Recap 2019 pt. 2 - ft. Da Brat, Dreamville, Coolio, UGK, YBN Cordae and more

Part II of the recap including the following topics:
(:31) Sugarhill Gang - Rapper’s Delight
Not the first Hip Hop release, but the first big hip hop single that pushed the genre into the spotlight; at the time, Hip Hop records were considered "specialty records", and the song was released an R&B/Disco EP.
(2:41) LL Cool J - Walking with a Panther
"Jinglin' Baby" and "Going Back to Cali" are the standouts.
(3:29) The D.O.C. - No One Can Do It Better
Yinka still revisits this album; Yinka ponders if D.O.C. would have contributed as heavily to projects like The Chronic and Doggystyle had D.O.C. not gotten injured; Outlaw poses the question if rappers offer their best bars when they ghost write for other artists.
(7:57) Warren G - Regulate… G Funk Era
Warren G's inclusion on Dej Jam helped save the label; "Regulate" was a summer smash; Outlaw poses the question if certain Hip Hop singles help keep the original sampled songs in the limelight.
(12:05) Da Brat - Funkdafied
Da Brat was the first female artist to go platinum; everything dope that JD did, he copied from someone else that came before him; Yinka feels Da Brat is criminally underrated, as she's one of his favorite female emcees.
(16:47) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Creepin on ah Come Up
Bone had an unparalleled knack of creating intoxicating singles; despite this being an EP, the sound was ubiquitous .
(19:51) Coolio - It Takes a Thief
Coolio is an artist whose singles were way bigger than his albums; despite some middling music, he was a legit popstar; Yinka and Outlaw somehow deviate to a discussion about Hot Ones and Nardwuar.
(25:20) Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction
Outlaw respects Pharoahe Monch, but thinks his fans slightly overrate him; Yinka suggests a "Put You Up" episode for this album.
(28:19) UGK - Super Tight
Pimp C should be in the conversation for Best Producer on the Mic; Outlaw includes Pimp C in his 4th tier; Yinka claims Pimp C is one of Hip Hop's top personalities; in today's cancel culture climate, would UGK still exist if Pimp C were alive?
(33:50) Ja Rule - Venni Vetti Vecci
Ja Rule's pivot to commercial pop was annoying.
(36:36) Missy Elliott - Da Real World
Yinka's favorite Missy Elliott album; we invested money in the artists from the '90s, which is partly why we feel such nostalgia for them; Outlaw asks if this album helped reshape the word "Bitch".
(41:50) Lootpack - Soundpieces: Da Antidote
"Real Hip Hop", but Yinka acknowledges Outlaw probably would get bored with this album.
(44:42) Gang Starr - Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr
Gang Starr deserves a dedicated episode.
(47:36) EPMD - Out of Business
This was Yinka's introduction to EPMD; "The Symphony" is the clear stand out.
(49:06) Memphis Bleek - Coming of Age
A 10 minute rant from Yinka about how disappointing this album is; Outlaw makes the groundbreaking claim that water is wet.
(1:00:27) The Beatnuts - A Musical Massacre
Not as dope as we remembered; the filler is poor but the good tracks are really good; Outlaw reevaluates his stance that Juju is a 4th tier emcees (he's way lower).
(1:03:18) GoldLink - Diaspora
Outlaw likes the project; Yinka likes the idea of the project.
(1:04:51) Chris Brown - Indigo
Neither of us listened to the album; we devote this segment to market manipulation.
(1:07:58) Dreamville - Revenge of the Dreamers III
Yinka says "I told you so"; this project is dope; Dreamville is having a good year.
(1:10:27) Inspektah Deck - Chamber no. 9
Outlaw likes the project; Deck still has bars, but doesn't skip around on the beat as well as he used to.
(1:12:00) YBN Cordae - The Lost Boy
Dope project; Yinka and Outlaw ponder why DMV artists don't collaborate as much as artists from other cities.

Episode 68: Summer Recap 2019 pt. 1 - Jay Z, Rapsody, Burna Boy, Jidenna, Freddie Gibbs, Beyonce

The 80z Babies return with another summer recap where they discuss Jay-Z and the NFL, Lizzo and the VMAs, Beyonce and The Lion King, and much more. Details below:
(1:29) A$AP Rocky Update
A$AP Rocky was released from Swedish prison; his attorney was shot.
(3:04) VMAs - Lizzo
Yinka appreciates the internet for capturing highlights, allowing us to otherwise ignore silly award shows; Lizzo's music isn't for us be respect the artistry; candid responses to Azealia Banks twitter; discussion on Lizzo's status as a sex symbol;
(13:35) VMAs - Missy Elliott
Praise for her performance; middling reviews for her Iconology EP, with a preference for her to zig where others have zagged;
(21:43) Lil Nas X - Record for Most Consecutive Weeks at No. 1
Outlaw uses this segment as an excuse to play the sample from Nine Inch Nails in the backdrop.
(24:56) Jay Z's NFL Deal
The deal is an odd one for Jay Z, but we concede there's probably some nuance we're not seeing; you can support Jay Z without being disrespectful to Colin Kaepernick; Outlaw has hated the NFL for awhile and thinks it's evil; each time Jay Z tries to rationalize the deal, he makes it sound worse; Yinka brilliantly dismantles the false narrative that we're past kneeling and that the protest was ineffectual; Yinka provides a challenge to the "seat at the table" narrative when it comes to systems that were not designed for black people.
(37:49) Beyonce - The Lion King: The Gift
Outlaw the Heartless is not a fan of the original Lion King movie; despite the diverse range of artists and regional sounds, the overall sound feels very Nigerian inspired; songs feature artists from regions that have nothing to do with the subject matter of the songs themselves; it feels like a #travelnoire album; do yourself a favor and explore the catalogs of all the featured artists.
(44:31) Burna Boy - African Giant
'Ye' is still so big, you don't even hear hits from this record when out; 'salute me or shoot me' Yinka claims that Burna Boy will go down as one of the all-time musical greats; Burna Boy has the je ne said qoui.
(50:08) Jidenna - 85 to Africa
Outlaw's favorite album of the summer thus far; the musical growth is evident and the production is dope; Jidenna's "rebrand" has not gone unnoticed; we see you out here, brother.
(53:36) Juls - Colour
Juls is great at merging and re-contextualizing sounds from regions all over the world.
(55:41) Rapsody - Eve
Yinka apologizes to Rapsody for not previously checking for her, but both liked this album a lot; the musical direction and mixing is incredible; even tho Rapsody doesn't push the needle forward as a vocal talent, she manages to find her own voice on the record.
(1:03:03) Little Brother - May the Lord Watch
It's a good album, even Outlaw enjoyed it, but both agree it doesn't offer anything new that we haven't previously heard from this group.
(1:06:49) Freddie Gibbs and Madlib - Bandana
'Album of the Year' thus far according to Yinka, Outlaw wholeheartedly disagrees; while Madlib's production is excellent and Gibbs excels on Madlib beats, ultimately his lyrics are interchangeable between songs as each has the same 'I move weight' subject matter.
(1:11:34) Chance the Rapper - The Big Day
Outlaw, who does not like Chance but is only vaguely familiar with his prior work, found the album palatable; Yinka, who thinks Chance is one of the foremost talents of his generation and is a fan of Acid Rap and Coloring Book, found the album underwhelming.
(1:16:41) Nas - The Lost Tapes 2
As always there is the good and the bad with Nas; he should embrace maturity and just make a throwback album for the old heads.
(1:24:05) Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. Iz Here
KRIT is a generational talent, but needs to take more chances.

Remember R&B?? A Classic R&B Selection by DJ Yinka Diz

Back by Popular Demand: The 80z Babies own DJ Yinka Diz drops another quick mix of classic R&B to cap the summer. #ThatLife

Episode 67: A Tribute to Ready to Die by The Notorious BIG

The 80z Babies pay tribute to one of Outlaw's favorite albums, the classic debut album Ready to Die by The Notorious BIG released September 13th, 1994.
CORRECTION: We mention the song Shy Guy by Diana King in this episode, which was actually released in March of the following year (1995).

Episode 66: Put You Up - Deliverance by Bubba Sparxxx

DISCLAIMER: Due to technical difficulties, the audio quality of this episode is that of a phone screen interview. We apologize and look forward to providing you with the level of audio quality you're used to hearing from us in our future episodes. Thanks for listening.

Episode 65: Word on the Street - The Top 50 Episode

The 80z Babies join the circulating "Top 50" emcees debate. #80zBabies