#I found some black gel icing and had to go with the classic cat

[talesfromthebandgeekmafia]

It’s 2am but it’s done!! Finale cake!! Can’t wait to watch the episode tomorrow. This season has been such a joy to experience <3 🏴‍☠️🍊🌊

[runyousillydetective]

Answer all of them you coward

Well fuck. I gotta answer them all now.

1. Who was the last person you held hands with? @justlivingforthemoment​2. Are you outgoing or shy? Hrm. Classic introvert so... I’m pretty shy until I get to know you.3. Who are you looking forward to seeing? @justlivingforthemoment​ 4. Are you easy to get along with? Don’t be an asshole and we’re golden5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you? If she isn’t drunker than I am. And even then, I think she’d still try6. What kind of people are you attracted to? Personality and humor always comes before physical appearance for me. Idk7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? If I’m not I will be extremely surprised and heartbroken8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind? Is there really an “opposite” gender...?9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? Not really. Especially when it comes to telling women all the shit they don’t know about their own anatomy because American sex ed is the most terrible thing on Earth stg10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? ... @justlivingforthemoment​ (do you see a theme because I do....)11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? “Yeah!”12. What are your 5 favorite songs right now? “Lydia” Highly Suspect, “Slow Hands” Niall Horan, “Thump Thump Thump” Natt & Alex Wolff, “Glitter in the Air” P!nk, and "Beam Me Up” P!nk (You get four because I suck)13. Do you like it when people play with your hair? Totally14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? Kind of?15. What good thing happened this summer? This summer has barely started16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Many, many times17. Do you think there is life on other planets? I find it hard to believe there isn’t18. Do you still talk to your first crush? No19. Do you like bubble baths? I fucking love bubble baths20. Do you like your neighbors? I mean, I don’t really know them? But they know my parents and they are nice21. What are you bad habits? Idk I’m defensive and emotionally stunted and easily distracted22. Where would you like to travel? Is everywhere an acceptable answer?23. Do you have trust issues? Lol depends on shit and stuff24. Favorite part of your daily routine? Ignoring my first alarm25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with? My smile26. What do you do when you wake up? Slowly pry my eyes open and feel like screaming27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? Nope28. Who are you most comfortable around? @justlivingforthemoment​29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? Nope.30. Do you ever want to get married? I mean, I could definitely see it happening. That’d be nice if I found the right person31. If your hair long enough for a pony tail? A short one but I’m growing it out again32. Which celebrities would you have a threesome with? I’m... not really a threesome person33. Spell your name with your chin. z nvged,l,lkjc az34. Do you play sports? What sports? Lolololol35. Would you rather live without TV or music? Shit, idk man36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them? Not recently37. What do you say during awkward silences? I generally make terrible jokes and make everybody feel angry with me38. Describe your dream girl/guy? @justlivingforthemoment​39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? Erhm, the internet?40. What do you want to do after high school? Well, my next step in getting a doctorate in educational anthropology41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? Yeah, people can fuck up. It’s how you change/fix it that really matters42. If your being extremely quiet what does it mean? Sometimes nothing, sometimes I’m sad, sometimes I’m angry43. Do you smile at strangers? Depends on how introverted I’m feeling (or if I’m working)44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean? The ocean fucking terrifies me, space it is45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning? The fact that I live in a capitalist society and if I don’t go to work I will die and nobody will mourn my death because I was “lazy” and “deserved it”46. What are you paranoid about? Things and stuff47. Have you ever been high? Nope48. Have you ever been drunk? Yup49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about? Probably though I can’t think of what it might be right now50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore? Black and pink51. Ever wished you were someone else? Sometimes yeah52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself? My absolutely paralyzing fear of authority figures53. Favourite makeup brand? honey I don’t make up often enough for that54. Favourite store? I have no idea, I’m too broke to spend money55. Favourite blog? probs @thebootydiaries​56. Favourite colour? Blueee57. Favourite food? Bread58. Last thing you ate? Ravioli59. First thing you ate this morning? Honey Bunches of Oats60. Ever won a competition? For what? Erhm, uh, I mean, I won reader of the month quite a few times in elementary school. And I’ve probably won something since then but it wasn’t that important idk61. Been suspended/expelled? For what? Nope62. Been arrested? For what? Nope63. Ever been in love? Yeahhhh64. Tell us the story of your first kiss? It was in my basement, watching a Disney movie, idk65. Are you hungry right now? Nah66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends? Most of my tumblr friends are my real friends but the couple of friends that aren’t irl friends are just as important to me67. Facebook or Twitter? Uh, neither?68. Twitter or Tumblr? Tumblr69. Are you watching tv right now? Well, I’m watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix but I don’t really watch tv anymore70. Names of your best friends? Alexa, Jenny, Becca, Caitlyn, and Cory71. Craving something? What? @justlivingforthemoment​72. What colour are your towels? My towels are all the colors of the rainbow. My parent’s towels are light green, light blue, white, and pink. Idk they are old72. How many pillows do you sleep with? I sleep weird. I use a body pillow for my head (it is so long that it doesn’t slip out from under my head 73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Not always but I often have either my childhood teddy bear, Hug Me, or my puppy (which @justlivingforthemoment​ has right now)74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? I’ve got at least ten75. Favourite animal? It sounds terrible when there are so many amazing animals out there but I honestly just love dogs so much (and hedgehogs)76. What colour is your underwear? Striped light and dark pink77. Chocolate or Vanilla? Both (I’m bi and we are indecisive, remember)78. Favourite ice cream flavour? I really like the black raspberry and chocolate flavor79. What colour shirt are you wearing? Fluorescent green80. What colour pants? Black81. Favourite tv show? Sense8 (A Netflix original but it counts!!!)82. Favourite movie? I can’t choose just one, honestly83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2? I don’t even remember Mean Girls 2 so Mean Girls84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street? Mean Girls85. Favourite character from Mean Girls? Mrs. George86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo? The starfish (I’m terrible with names and I’m so sorry)87. First person you talked to today? Texting? @justlivingforthemoment​ In person? My dad88. Last person you talked to today? My dad89. Name a person you hate? A couple of people90. Name a person you love? @justlivingforthemoment​ (in case you couldn’t guess from all the times they’ve been mentioned already)91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? I can think of a couple92. In a fight with someone? Nope93. How many sweatpants do you have? A couple94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have? A lot95. Last movie you watched? Sully96. Favourite actress? Idk97. Favourite actor? Idk98. Do you tan a lot? Sweetie, I don’t tan, I burn99. Have any pets? Two dogs and a cat and a beta fish but none of them live with me rn100. How are you feeling? Alright, thanks for asking101. Do you type fast? I mean, average?102. Do you regret anything from your past? Nah, not really. I learned from it103. Can you spell well? W-E-L-L104. Do you miss anyone from your past? Yeah, sometimes105. Ever been to a bonfire party? Lots, I’m from the middle of nowhere so we have a lot of bonfires106. Ever broken someone’s heart? Yeah but they hurt me first107. Have you ever been on a horse? Yep!108. What should you be doing? Finishing my online essay exam109. Is something irritating you right now? Some stuff110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt? Yeah111. Do you have trust issues? Didn’t I already answer this?112. Who was the last person you cried in front of? My dad (my brother left me out of his wedding almost entirely and then left me out of something else and my feelings were really hurt)113. What was your childhood nickname? Gels, Gel Belle, Jelly Bean, Beaners, various other such names, and Thumpy114. Have you ever been out of your province/state? Yeah115. Do you play the Wii? ANIMAL CROSSING116. Are you listening to music right now? Nope117. Do you like chicken noodle soup? I do118. Do you like Chinese food? I have a Chinese food date with @aceincorporated tonight119. Favourite book? Anything by @tamorapierce120. Are you afraid of the dark? No but I know who is!121. Are you mean? I’m too nice, actually122. Is cheating ever okay? Nope, if you’re cheating there is a reason and you need to prioritize your life123. Can you keep white shoes clean? NOPE124. Do you believe in love at first sight? No, it is just attraction. Love comes from knowing somebody125. Do you believe in true love? Yeah, but I don’t necessarily believe there is only one person out there for you126. Are you currently bored? A little127. What makes you happy? Dogs and @justlivingforthemoment128. Would you change your name? Nope, I like it129. What your zodiac sign? Sagittarius130. Do you like subway? Yup131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? I’m gay and taken so... they have to get over it132. Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? I already answered this question, too.133. Favourite lyrics right now? I am blanking134. Can you count to one million? I’m sure I could if I had to but I don’t want to135. Dumbest lie you ever told? I’m sure I’ve told some really dumb ones but I don’t know what they were now136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? CLOSED. THE MONSTERS CAN GET ME IF THEY ARE OPEN.137. How tall are you? 5′4″138. Curly or Straight hair? Curly139. Brunette or Blonde? Dirty blonde but I’ve colored my hair dark auburn140. Summer or Winter? Summer141. Night or Day? Night142. Favourite month? Either April or October143. Are you a vegetarian? Nope144. Dark, milk or white chocolate? Dark145. Tea or Coffee? Tea tea tea tea146. Was today a good day? It’s my day off so I guess so147. Mars or Snickers? Both?148. What’s your favourite quote? “The world is before you, and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.” -James Baldwin149. Do you believe in ghosts? Sometimes, maybe? Kind of?150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page?“’-way, you know. It don’t matter. And when the gov-’” -Stephen King, Different Seasons

[airadam]

Episode 126 : None More Black

"These evil streets don't sleep..."

- Pharoahe

Here's an idea I've been holding for a while - an episode showcasing Hip-Hop tracks that took a rock sample or influence! I thought it'd be an interesting one to select and mix without reaching for the most obvious standby picks, and we've got tracks spanning almost thirty years at the extreme ends. Don't worry, the guitars come along with plenty of bars and beats!

Links for the month... Michelle Grace Hunder - wicked music photographer!

The Flyest Xmas party on Dec 20th, featuring The Soul Twins

Twitter : @airadam13

Playlist/Notes

Ice-T ft. Jello Biafra : Shut Up, Be Happy

One of those tracks that seems more relevant now than ever, this was the opener on Ice-T's underrated 1989 album "The Iceberg". A great marrying of elements, as Jello Biafra of the punk band Dead Kennedys delivers a totalitarian announcement (based on his own "Message From Our Sponsor" over a Black Sabbath loop. I couldn't put this anywhere but as the intro to the episode!

Camp Lo : 82 Afros

Kicking the pace up a touch, we move straight into a killer Camp Lo cut from the "Black Hollywood" LP, with Ski cooking up a banging rock-based beat. The kick and snare are straight boom-bap, but the toms add an unexpected extra element on top of the distorted guitar and vocal sample. Cheeba and Geechi might be known for their smooth styles, but this is just one demonstration of the fact that they can get busy over any kind of beat.

J-Zone : Moonwalk / Gel N' Weave Remix (Instrumental)

I was struggling to find just the right instrumental for this spot, but went back to "The Headband Years" to find this beat from a producer who could make a beat our of almost anything. He's full-time on his funk drumming now, but has a great catalogue of Hip-Hop that can't be fronted on.

Kobaine : Ko.Bain

This is an artist I know very little about, as as far as I'm aware this is his only release to date, a nice little contribution to the 2002 "Subway Series Vol.1" compilation on Major League Entertainment. I got this on digital release which had no credits included, so I'm not sure who produced it - I can imagine it being a Nick Wiz or Tribeca track though.

Agallah : Ag Season

Brownsville's Agallah has often channelled the rockstar vibes in his career, and this woozy-guitared track from "Bo : The Legend of the Water Dragon" sounds entirely natural for him. Self-produced as always, it's short, rock solid, and to the point.

Fabolous : Breathe

Fifteen years old, already? This was a huge single for Fabolous, taken from his "Real Talk" album, and is one of his best-known tracks even after all these years. Just Blaze laced him with a beat based around Supertramp's "Crime of the Century", and got a surprise when Fab told him he'd written his lyrics around the "breathe" vocal sample on the track...because that's not what it said! However, on hearing the bars, Just went back and made some changes to align the audio with what Fab thought he heard!

Ras Kass ft. Killah Priest : Milli Vanilli

Ras Kass' "Quarterly" was collection of tracks he released once a week, finally brought together in late 2009 - and there are some great cuts in there. Here's one, with Veterano's beat sounding like a cybernetic heavy metal group trying to destroy the speaker stack! Ras cuts through it regardless, and special guest Killah Priest (fellow member of THE HRSMN) matches him bar for bar as always. The hook of course channels the then-recent Lil Wayne track "A Milli", which was a heavily-used beat for freestyles around this time.

Body Count : C-Note

This was one of the shorter and gentler tracks on the debut Body Count album, but was always one of my favourites - Ernie C makes that guitar cry for real. Ice-T's metal project was waved off by some doubters in the beginning, but the music was solid from their first appearance on the "OG: Original Gangster" album and they're still killing it to this day.

Bumpy Knuckles : Swazzee

This one is so aggro, you have to love it. Seriously, you'd better. Bumpy Knuckles is in fine form on this guaranteed weight-training motivational track from "Konexion", taking out sucker MCs, snitches, haters, and pretty much everyone else. The hook is reminiscent of an old Sly Stone cut, and Knockout's beat is ferocious - precise, measured drums with the harsh guitar over the top. Bumpy might be the king of the third verse but a track like this lets you know he can handle the first two just fine!

Public Enemy : Go Cat Go

The "He Got Game" soundtrack was unfairly overlooked by too many heads, but is an absolutely worthy entry in Public Enemy's long and storied discography. Chuck D's political awareness and love of sports (he actually wanted to be a sportscaster at one point) combined for a really interesting listen. Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto and Danny Saber of Black Grape cover this one in heavy guitars which would drown out most MCs, but not Chuck! As the album subtitle says, this one is about the game behind the game...

Boogie Down Productions : Ya Slippin

It's hard to think now of BDP being a crew with a future in doubt, but this is how it was back in 1988 as "By All Means Necessary" was released, not long after the murder of founding DJ Scott La Rock. KRS might be young here but he rhymes with the confidence of someone who left home as a child to become an MC, survived homelessness, and achieved his goal. He scolds weak MCs like "The Teacha" he is, and gets down on the production too - the rock heads will recognise this guitar sample a mile off!

Pharoahe Monch : Got You

Shout out to Vicky T for reminding me of this tune! The lead single from the "Training Day" soundtrack is one where I think the radio version (as heard here) surpasses the original. Monch perfectly encapsulates the essence of Denzel Washington's character, who is one of the classic movie villains of modern times - and strikingly, is based on real police.

[J-Zone] Boss Hog Barbarians : Celph Destruction (Instrumental)

Zone again, and while it one didn't come to mind immediately, the aggressive sonics of this instrumental get it the nod here. The Boss Hog Barbarians (J-Zone and Celph Titled) album is an absolute tribute to ignorance (intentionally), but if you can deal with that then it's an excellent addition to your collection.

LL Cool J : Go Cut Creator Go

Another 80s classic hard rocking track, from LL's "Bigger And Deffer" album. It's the kind of track we don't get now - the MC just bigging up the DJ. DJ Cut Creator was with LL from the very beginning, and was the one who actually helped him to get him name known, so it's nice to hear the appreciation. The scratches still stand up today and cut through even the loudest of the guitar samples on the track!

Sly Boogy : Fatal Mistake

Sly may not have put anything out for a while, but the San Bernadino native did drop a few nice tracks in the early 2000s. This one has him totally disregarding the common standards of Hip-Hop song structure, opening up with a thirty-two bar first verse just to show he's not playing. DJ Revolution provides the cuts, and production is courtesy of a then-emerging Jake One. This actually doesn't have a rock influence, but is here because of how well it goes with the next instrumental...

[Rick Rubin] Jay-Z : 99 Problems (Instrumental)

The combination of this and "Fatal Mistake" is one I discovered while doing a mix years and years ago, and wanted to bring out again when the opportunity arose! You probably all know the vocal version of this track, which appeared on Jay-Z's "The Black Album". While working with the legendary Def Jam co-founder and producer Rubin, Jay said he wanted something like the flavour he used to give to the Beastie Boys and this was the result - a meshing of several ideas that came together perfectly.

Public Enemy : She Watch Channel Zero?!

Let's be real - the sexism is heavy on this track! It'd be entirely reasonable to argue that spending all day watching sports on TV isn't any better than soap operas, but that's just my opinion :) 1988's "...Nation of Millions..." yields this song which had an interesting connection - sampling the group Slayer, who were produced by Def Jam founder and major PE supporter Rick Rubin. 

Lacuna Coil : The Game

Going pure rock on this selection from this veteran Milanese gothic metal band! I actually learned about this group from "Guitar Hero" of all places, and "Our Truth" led me to the 2006 "Karmacode" album that included this track. It always reminded me a little of "Channel Zero", and while the guitar riffs are definitely fire and the drums bang, it's the combined and contrasting vocals of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro that can't fail to grab your ear.

RJD2 : Exotic Talk

Prog rock meets Hip-Hop sensibilities as RJD2 twists and turns, chilling things out in parts before bringing the thunder crashing back in. Definite standout from 2004's "Since We Last Spoke".

Z-Trip : Rockstar

We close with a standout track from the "Return of the DJ, Volume II" compilation, with Phoenix's Z-Trip putting together a masterpiece of DJ/producer song construction. The sample list is long, and since I don't know what was and wasn't cleared, I won't give anything away here!

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!