80z Babies

Episode 164: A Tribute to Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson

The 80z Babies are joined by Haas to discuss the 25 year anniversary of Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson.
Timestamps:
(0:47) Is this a "woman empowerment" album? What does a "woman empowerment" album feel like?
(5:04) Where was Jaz?
(11:09) Where was Yinka?
(16:15) Where was Outlaw?
(19:25) Critical reception
(34:33) Overarching highlights
(36:40) Is Velvet Rope the crown jewel of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' production catalog?
(43:06) Overarching lowlights
(47:14) Track for track analysis
(50:35) Did Janet make any money from Got 'Til It's Gone?
(1:20:47) Obligatory Madonna rant

Episode 163: 10 Second Takes - Soul Sold Separately by Freddie Gibbs

The 80z Babies tackle the latest album from Freddie Gibbs, Soul Sold Separately.  
 
Timestamps:
(0:21) Is it fair to call this his first major label album?(1:57) Don't let the trolls win(3:45) Yinka didn't know how Outlaw would receive the album(4:24) Outlaw feels the high volume of output devalues the art(6:58) Yinka was salty that Couldn't Be Done uses the same sample as his song God Willin'(8:40) Overarching lowlights(9:40) What does Soul Sold Separately even mean? Is the theme even fully explained or explored?(11:15) Does Gibbs offer anything more than just a good sampler platter?(13:25) How much thought did Gibbs put into the lyrics?(14:38) Were the voicemail personalities questionable?(18:27) Overarching highlights(20:50) What is muzak?(22:13) Is Freddie Gibbs the breath control king?(28:47) Track for track analysis(1:02:29) Closing thoughts and album rating

Episode 162: Put You Up - Jesus Price Superstar by Sean Price

The 80z Babies discuss Jesus Price Superstar by the legendary Sean Price.
Disclaimer:  Yinka was under the weather during the recording of this episode so please bear with us.  #80zBabies
 
Timestamps:
(0:49) Why this album? Who is Sean Price? Does he have the best rebrand in Hip Hop history?(1:48) Boot Camp Click discussion
(6:05) Where was Yinka?
(7:20) Where was Outlaw?
(10:50) Sean Price was a man of the people
(12:22) Critical reception
(14:55) Overarching highlights: Sean Price, skits, production, features, length, sequencing, cohesiveness(27:03) Overarching lowlights: no "mainstream" records, dull stretches, redundancy and lack of substance
(36:08) Track for track analysis
(43:15) Circa 2007, a lot of these albums from underground rappers came from mixtapes
(1:04:34) A discussion on the Young White Avatar
(1:19:05) Closing thoughts

Episode 161: A (Random) Conversation with (and about) Nick Rosenberg

The 80z Babies are joined by Nick Rosenberg in a full on rap nerd discussion stemming from the conversation on Madvillainy.  The conversation takes us from Nick's hiphop beginnings as a fan of "Parents Just Don't Understand" to the early days of the Low Budget crew and even a stint at Rawkus Records.  Enjoy the tangents!  
 
(1:20) Introducing Nick Rosenberg
(3:05) Rap radio and WOL
(5:15) Reminiscing about the DMC Hip Hop scene
(8:02) What was it like being at an underground label?
(8:45) The lost Kool G Rap album on Rawkus
(10:58) Was Mos Def too "anti" for trying to level up? Why is his album on Luminary?
(12:12) Did Mos have the most potential of any Hip Hop artist ever?
(13:05) The beginnings of Rawkus Records
(14:47) Why didn't Rawkus sign Kanye West?
(17:28) Was there a Hot 97 reality show?
(19:25) How does Nick get into music and entertainment law?
(22:18) When did Nick start "managing" Peter?
(23:43) What is Nick's relationship to Eminem and Paul Rosenberg?
(25:14) Is there a lot of money in sample packs? The headache of sample clearances
(33:33) Music nerd tangent discussing Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys
(39:45) A random tangent discussing how music breaks cultural barriers
(44:30) A random tangent discussing Lootpack and Planet Asia
(46:16) Do you ever cringe at your takes from your younger years? Outlaw defends the younger, pretentious Outlaw from high school and college
(50:09) Is Yinka too manly to bang Meg the Stallion in the car?
(52:25) Nick shares his Spotify streaming challenge guessing game he plays with his friends
(53:07) MF DOOM is inexplicably popular with Gen Z
(56:40) Is Phonte one of the most talented artists around?
(59:50) Turn it up to 11, Spinal Tap appreciation
(1:02:45) Obligatory Biggie appreciation chat
(1:03:45) Biggie ghost wrote every person's lyrics in Junior M.A.F.I.A
(1:05:09) Is Biggie a "god"? Must you be dead before your portrait is painted on walls?
(1:08:32) Ready to Die vs Life After Death
(1:09:12) What's your top 5 albums?
(1:10:36) Carter I vs Carter II vs Carter III
(1:11:42) Mos Def and Mannie Fresh did an album together? Did Mos revoke his citizenship?
(1:12:57) Did Pusha T live in Bethesda, MD?
(1:14:18) Nick shares the most apt Nas description of all time
(1:15:15) Revisiting the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip Hop and Rap
(1:19:50) The run of music circa 2005
(1:21:45) G-Unit discussion
(1:25:18) One last Doom story

Episode 160: A Tribute to The Fix by Scarface

The 80z Babies pay tribute to The Fix which is the seventh studio album from the legendary Scarface.
 
Time Stamps:
(0:38) We're finally doing a Scarface episode. Why the long wait?
(3:40) Where was Outlaw? Is Scarface big in Chocolate City DC?
(7:12) Where was Yinka? Is "My Block" Scarface's most representative song of what the artist is about?
(10:00) Critical reception. Was this album catered to an East Coast audience? How did his traditional fans receive the album? Did Scarface sellout with this record?
(13:15) Why was Scarface on Def Jam South?
(16:40) Overarching highlights
(20:57) Overarching lowlights. Is Scarface better in tandem? Is The Fix too accessible to New York listeners?
(26:40) Track for track analysis
(27:00) Is that Scarface singing on the intro!?!?!
(28:08) Does Scarface grow tiresome on "Safe", or is it one of the best songs on the album?
(32:38) Is "In Cold Blood" the start of the strongest run on the album?
(33:51) Talk to me, man. Is "Guess Who's Back" a perfect song? Is Beanie Sigel's verse a necessary inclusion on this song? Does Outlaw even like Beans?
(37:04) Is "My Block" universally relatable?
(40:04) Is "Keep Me Down" the thematic start to the album?
(42:47) Is Scarface too dramatic on "What Can I Do?" Should Pimp C be on this track?
(44:57) Does Nas outshine Scarface on "In Between Us"?
(48:15) Why does Outlaw hate "Someday"? Did Scarface phone it in on this song?
(51:00) Is Scarface just talking shit on "Sellout"? Is Outlaw a square? Does any other rapper keep track of their win/loss record in fights?
(53:42) Why did Scarface add the T-Mix production to "Heaven"?
(56:30) Is "I Ain't the One" WC's worst verse? Does Scarface's last verse do a good job wrapping up the album?
(59:45) Closing thoughts. Should we do more tributes for Scarface?

Episode 159: A Tribute to Below the Heavens by Blu & Exile

The 80z Babies pay tribute to the debut album from supergroup Blu & Exile.
 
Timestamps:
(0:57) This is an album we think our fans will enjoy
(1:13) Is this the last great underground hip hop album?
(3:40) Where was Yinka?
(4:45) Where was Outlaw?
(10:42) Critical reception
(11:22) Is this a throwback album even for 2007?
(12:15) Overarching highlights
(18:00) Track for track analysis
(1:06:22) Closing thoughts

Episode 158: Make it a Classic - Kingdom Come by Jay-Z

The 80z Babies attempt to tackle the 9th studio album from hiphop titan Jay-Z, entitled Kingdom Come, with another Make it a Classic.  
 
Timestamps:
(0:32) What was Jay Z doing before this release?
(1:45) Did anyone actually believe Jay Z was retired?
(2:40) Why do we cover so many Jay Z albums? What can you expect from every project?
(6:15) Can a rapper make 14 studio albums and NOT make a few mistakes?
(8:07) Had Jay Z actually grown up by this point?
(9:30) Was there any potential to make this a classic? Did he execute the themes? Breaking down the Kingdom Come title
(14:15) Is Jay Z the Mike Jordan of recordin?
(15:15) Where was Yinka?
(18:19) Where was Outlaw?
(20:55) Is this the start of Jay Z's worst period? Is the Black Album a classic?
(22:25) Critical reception
(23:53) Highlights
(26:30) Lowlights
(27:40) Yinka breaks down all of Jay Z's poor stylistic flow choices
(31:49) Track for track analysis
(58:00) Yinka makes it a classic
(1:01:28) Outlaw makes it a classic
(1:07:47) Closing thoughts

Episode 157: A Tribute to 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 3 by Funkmaster Flex

The 80z Babies pay tribute to Funkmaster Flex's 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 3.
 
Timestamps:
(0:30) Why this Funk Flex project?
(2:53) Where was Yinka?
(5:30) Where was Outlaw?
(10:53) Is Vol 3 Funk Flex's best mixtape?
(12:02) Critical Reception
(14:52) Overarching Lowlights
(18:44) Overarching Highlights
(20:27) Track for track analysis
(21:36) Do we need to have a discussion about Wylcef as an executive producer?
(24:20) Was Cam'ron great before Dipset?
(25:36) West Coast artist over East Coast beats vs East Coast over West Coast beats, who's better?
(26:27) Does any other verse embody KRS-One like this freestyle? Is it the only actual freestyle on the mixtape?
(29:42) Was Busta Rhymes a good executive producer? How did Rampage get on the 'Flava in ya Ear remix'?
(37:40) Did Smif n Wesson fall off when they changed to Cocoa Brovaz?
(38:38) Do we appreciate Mariah Carey's artistry enough? What was the inspiration for this hook?
(43:10) Is "Get Money" Biggie's best verse?
(54:27) Who is DJ Pooh? Who is Kam? Was Kam responsible for the W?
(1:03:15) Is Shaq the best ballplayer/rapper of all time?
(1:05:10) What artists did this mixtape introduce you to? How did it inform what kind of rapper you wanted to be?
(1:06:30) Is 1998 peak KRS-One as an emcee?
(1:08:35) Why wasn't Eminem on this project?
(1:09:08) Closing thoughts

African Hendrix II...Another African Diaspora Mix by DJ Yinka Diz

Back by Popular Demand: The 80z Babies own DJ Yinka Diz drops another summer selection with an eclectic blend of AfroBeats, Trap, Dance, and.....y'all get the picture. #ThatLife
 
#AH2 Tracklist
Yinka Diz – Black Panther Intro
Eazi – Thank You (Acoustic)
Ckay – Love Nwantiti
Burna Boy – Last Last
Drake – Controlla
Tems – Free Mind
Capella Grey – Gyalis
Wizkid – Ginger
Ckay – Emiliana
Burna Boy – Pull Up
Joeboy – Sip (Alcohol)
Wizkid – Come Closer
Juls – Give You Love
Burna Boy – Secret
Pheelz – Finesse
Wizkid – Mood
Wizkid – Energy (Stay Far Away)
Burna Boy – Soke
Rotimi – In My Bed
K Da Great – Never Too Much
Wizkid – Essence
LADIPOE – Feeling
Burna Boy – On the Low
Olakira – Maserati (Remix)
Fireboy DML – Peru
Young T – Don’t Rush
Asake – Sungba (Remix)
Burna Boy – Killin Dem
Lojay – Monalisa
DJSPINALL – PALAZZO
Kizz Daniel – Buga (Lo Lo Lo)
Gravez – All These Girls
Davido – Skelewu
Master KG – Jerusalema
Wande Coal – Iskaba
Wantigga – Maisons a Horta
Vitus Tribe – Calor
Goldlnk – Crew (Sango Edit)
Blckflwr - Heist
Yaeji – Raingurl
TRVE HILL – Que Se Sepa (Rmx)
KiaBHN – Jersey Anniversary

Bonus Episode: Thoughts on Funkmaster Flex vs. Conway

The 80z Babies discuss the "Gatekeepers" conversation as is relates to the tiff between Conway and Funkmaster Flex

Episode 156: A Tribute to Da Real World by Missy Elliott

The 80z Babies pay tribute to "Da Real World", the sophomore album by legendary VA emcee/producer Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott released June 22nd, 1999.
 
Timestamps:
(0:30) Why this Missy Elliott album?
(1:38) How were you introduced to new artists?
(3:00) Thoughts on Timbaland & Magoo debut album
(5:15) Where was Yinka?
(9:43) Where was Outlaw?
(11:11) Critical Reception? Was the 'battle of the sexes' theme overdone?
(12:23) Outlaw puts his foot in his mouth
(15:11) Which is Missy's best album from the first three?
(21:52) Does Missy get enough credit as a producer?
(22:43) Overarching lowlights
(24:45) Overarching highlights
(28:22) Track for track analysis
(30:45) Was Eminem the first incel rapper?
(35:18) Could Eminem and Timbaland done a project together?
(35:37) "All N My Grill"
(37:10) Is "Dangerous Mouths" Missy's best verse on the album?
(38:54) Why wasn't the "Hot Boyz remix" on the album? Why aren't the Hot Boyz on either version? Was the battle of the sexes theme played out in the 90s?
(41:28) Did we need "You Don't Know" given that the "The Boy Is Mine" was released the prior year? The song highlights a double standard between the sexes. What was it that Missy was actually trying to say regarding the sexes? Her themes felt inconsistent
(45:22) Timbaland created his own vibe with Caribbean artists
(46:08) Was Lil Kim's inclusion on the record necessary? Has her featured appearance aged well?
(53:13) "She's a Bitch"
(56:55) Did Beyonce outperform Missy Elliott on "Crazy Feelings"?
(58:35) Outlaw attempts to briefly Make It a Classic
(1:01:30) Yinka attempts to briefly Make It a Classic
(1:02:52) Closing thoughts
 
Socials:
80z Babies: @the80zbabies
Yinka Diz: @YinkaDiz
Outlaw: @outlawbebe

Episode 155: Make it a Classic - Ghetto Fabolous

Fan Sourced:  As requested, the 80z Babies tackle the debut album from Brooklyn emcee Fabolous entitled Ghetto Fabolous, released September 11, 2001.  
Timestamps:
(0:42) Why this Fabolous album to Make a Classic?
(1:35) Remembering the William Holla family
(3:09) Does Fabolous have a classic album in his catalog? Is he a better mixtape artist?
(4:45) Where was Yinka?
(5:10) DJ Clue introduces Fabolous Sport. Origins of the name 'Fabolous'
(7:37) Remembering 106th & Park's Freestyle Fridays
(10:53) Where was Outlaw? His thoughts on DJ Clue
(11:58) DJ Clue vs Funkmaster Flex
(13:53) Superwoman remix with Lil' Mo
(15:00) Ghetto Fabolous vs Blueprint
(17:15) Who started the trend of the throwback jerseys and fitted hats?
(21:52) Critical Reception
(22:18) Did we anticipate Fabolous albums?
(24:09) Overarching Highlights
(24:40) Did Fabolous force his rhymes? Were the MA$E comparisons fair? What was Fabolous' image?
(28:28) Overarching Lowlights
(29:49) Does an album need to have themes to be great? Does Fabolous have any substance?
(32:25) Track for track analysis
(34:47) Remembering the Harlem Shake (Holla back, young'n)
(37:10) Outlaws recalls how he first learned to Shake
(42:45) Who is Fabolous? Does anybody actually know anything about him?
(47:00) Is Timbaland given his proper flowers? Timbaland vs Pharrell
(50:33) Fabolous vs Ludacris? Can you take either seriously? Did Fabolous ever see himself as having a rap career? Would Fabolous have been more successful today?
(53:15) East coast artists on West coast beats vs West coast artists on East coast beats
(58:54) Is Fabolous believable as a 'bad guy'?
(1:03:11) Yinka attempts to Make it a Classic
(1:14:55) Closing thoughts
 
Socials:
80z Babies: @the80zbabies
Yinka Diz: @YinkaDiz
Outlaw: @outlawbebe