Podcast: "Hip Hop Squares" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we take a moment to celebrate the life of rap legend, Prodigy from the group Mobb Deep. Excited for the BET Awards? We discuss the 2017 BET Nominees and give our projections on which artists will win awards on Sunday. Next, we get into Swizz Beatz calling
Balenciaga out on instagram for replicating a Ruff Ryder shirt in their upcoming line without giving proper credit to the record label or asking to use their logo. We end with our love for DJ Khaled’s new song “Wild Thoughts” featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, which has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode where we give our favorite songs of the moment. Marcus picks tracks from Whitney Houston, DJ Khaled and Little Dragon. While Kyera chooses her favorite cuts from Lizzo, Hiatus Kaiyote and Vince Staples.

Podcast: "For Us" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we discuss Nicki Minaj’s new interview with Marie Claire in which she talks about being an entrepreneur and the double standards for black women in the entertainment industry. We touch upon Kid Cudi’s new video “Frequency” and the awareness he is bringing to mental health. Next, we discuss Emeli Sande’s new song “Garden” ft. Jay Electronica and her upcoming album, which we can’t wait to hear. We run through the nominees for the 2016 American Music Awards--where Drake and Bryson Tiller scored huge nominations. Finally, we plug Michel’le’s movie “Surviving Compton,” which airs on Lifetime this Saturday (October 15th) at 8pm.

Don’t forget to stay tuned in until the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment. Marcus chooses cuts from Aretha Franklin, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston, and DVSN. Kyera gives us some of her favorite songs from Mahalia Jackson, Solange Knowles, and Vince Staples!

Enjoy!

Podcast: "Shut Up & Listen" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we discuss why TI should have just shut the hell up instead of saying his sexist comments about Hillary Clinton & women presidents, we review Bryson Tiller’s new LP Trap Soul, & share our thoughts on the American Music Award nominations, which recognized both Fetty Wap for Best New Artist and D’Angelo’s Black Messiah LP for Soul/R&B Album. We also look out how hip-hop culture is slowly taking over primetime with new shows by Ludacris, Diddy, and Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino are in the works. We get into our feelings over Bobby Brown’s alleged “tell all” book on Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina, as well as highlight the activism of Lady Gaga and Lupe Fiasco through their foundations to serve teenagers struggling with mental illness and bring start-ups to inner city communities.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear what our Songs of The Moment are this week! Marcus chooses some great songs from Amel Larrieux, Tamar Braxton, and Janet Jackson. Kyera dips into the discography of Musiq Soulchild, Lady Leshurr, and The Internet.

Enjoy!