Shows
The Hit Cycle PodcastMC LyteMC Lyte is historic. The first female emcee to release a full solo album. She is one of the most technically gifted rappers of her time, and one of the most revered artists in hip-hop. Join us as we break down her contributions to rap and broader culture. 2025-05-101h 18The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #8: Drake & The BlackberryOne of the most uniquely infamous moments in modern rap history. Drake's Hot97 'freestyle' reading off his blackberry. Today we discuss what we remember about it and it's effects since2025-04-1529 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastGZAThe Wu-Tang Clan revolutionized Hip-hop and broader culture as each member tore through tracks with their own unique and razor sharp wordplay, personality, and imagery. No lyrical blade was sharper than the user of the liquid sword: GZA aka The Genius. Today we look at the anointed 'head of Voltron' to the Wu-Tang Clan with our good friend Shau Booker to discuss his personal contributions to rap and his ongoing mastery of music and science. 2025-04-012h 12The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #8: K Dot vs. Everyone (feat. Jordan Bell)Kendrick Lamar had a hell of year... why not cap it off with one of the most hyped Super Bowl performances in recent memory? Close friend and frequent guest of HCP Jordan Bell steps in for Bill to chop it up with David about the creative choices made, what might have been missing from the show, and how yet another iconic performance on a global stage contributes to Kendrick's legacy as an artist.2025-02-1230 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastNellyNelly was a mega star in the front half of the early 2000s. He checked just about every achievement an artist could want; accolades, hits, publicity, and even a Superbowl performance (more on that in this episode). It's only right that we take a look at one of St Louis's finest. Come ride with us as we roll down memory lane with Nelly. Enjoy2025-02-051h 21
The Hit Cycle PodcastFoxy BrownFoxy Brown left her mark on the culture with her visceral delivery, lyrical depth, and immense swagger. She went toe to toe with some of history's best and always shinned. We wanted to do right by the Ill Na Na by showing our love for her contribution to hip-hop & rap. Today we look at one of rap's most unsung greats.2025-01-161h 18The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #7: Older and WiserHip-hop and Rap are about 50 years old so it's always been thought of as a young man's game. But some of the forefathers of the culture are still paving the way and showing us how to age and still make incredible contributions to the culture, music, and business. On this pinch hit, we examine, gettin' a lil older.2024-12-1521 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastBig BoiToday we are looking at 1/2 of the legendary Outkast. Big Boi sometimes is the more unsung rapper in Hip-Hop's greatest duo but, is every bit as important to the group's success. His hall of fame career is a huge part of not just southern Hip-Hop, Hop-Hop overall. Today we look at one of the all-time greats; the man who is cooler than a polar bear's toenails. Enjoy 2024-12-071h 23
The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #6: February 7th 1974On February 7th 1974 - Two of the greatest Hip-Hop producers were born on opposite sides of the planet. One in Detroit, one in Japan. Both masters and architects of what we would see transform into the Lo-Fi sound. On this Pinch Hit, we show love to J Dilla & Nujabes. May they both rest in peace. Enjoy2024-11-1938 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastSlum VillageOn this episode, the HCP takes its first trip to Detroit to look at Slum Village, one of the most unique hip-hop groups in the culture's history. They are masters of that signature lo-fi sound that producer/group member J-Dilla helped pioneer. They are also adaptors in the face of tragedy as deaths in the group caused change dynamics and personal. However, what is undeniable, is their contribution to hip-hop. Enjoy2024-11-051h 21The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #5: James Earl JonesJames Earl Jones is one of the great actors in history. With his recent passing we wanted to make sure we paid our respects and celebrated his life, skills, and contribution to baseball given his roles in Field of Dreams and The Sandlot. Join us and our special guest Jordan Bell making his HCP debut as we celebrate one of the all timers and give him his flowers. 2024-10-1532 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastBig LToday we go to Harlem and pay homage to one of the borough's finest. Big L is one of the biggest 'what if' or 'if only' cases in Hip-Hop history as he died tragically at the age of 24. One of the funniest but most cutthroat emcees of all time. Join us as we pay respect to one of the HCP's favorite rappers ever. 2024-10-011h 23The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #4: Big Tigg & Rap CityWe're paying homage to one of the most important shows/segments in the early stages of Modern Hip-Hop. Rap City and it's most well known host, Darian 'Big Tigger' Morgan helped expand the notoriety of some of rap's giants. Take some time and help us appreciate this incredibly important show, host, and freestyling segment that created iconic moments in the late 90s and 2000s2024-09-1528 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastYing Yang TwinsWe go back to early 2000s ATL to discuss one of the most unique and high energy groups in modern Hip-Hop. The Ying Yang twins carved their space in the Crunk era and stamped the time with undeniable club bangers. This listen was the maybe the most nostalgic yet. Enjoy as we chop it up and put Kaine and D-Roc's legacy in our scope.2024-09-031h 04The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #3: Adlibs (bow bow bow)There's an endless list of 'em....Every rapper today has at least one that seems pre-loaded in their arsenal. In this Pinch Hit, we're talking Adlibs. Here's some of our favorites. Enjoy.2024-08-1514 minThe Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #2: What are Pinch Hit Episodes?Our final table setting before we get into the game here. Every few weeks we evaluate a prospect, but in-between those episodes, we wanted to use Pinch Hits to take a look at topics, events, anniversaries, or stories from Hip-Hop & Rap overall. So here's the quick 5 mins answering, what is a pinch hit. Enjoy2024-08-1505 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastPinch Hit #1: What is the Hit Cycle Podcast?This is the Rosetta Stone of how we built the idea for this podcast. We encourage you to listen to this first so you get the full breakdown of how we took a new approach to talking about music. Enjoy!2024-07-3013 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastE-40One of the Yay-area's finest; and an emcee whos' style, personality, and lingo are foundational to Hip-Hop. We're leading off our first official season strong with the legend himself; E-40. Enjoy 2024-07-301h 10
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Season FinalePro sports have a draft every year...so we had a draft. Let's see who put out the best lineup as we wrap up The Minor Leagues. We appreciate any and all listeners through this unofficial official season 1 of the HCP. We'll be back in Season 2 with podcasting equipment, new prospects, and some new creative ideas for you. But for now, enjoy.2024-07-2847 min
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Queen LatifahThe final prospect in our Minor League season is the one and only Queen Latifah. Inarguably one of the most important emcees of all time who transcended beyond music into global stardom. Let's dive in and see how she stacks up in our grades.2024-07-281h 21
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - LudacrisBefore the 10 (and counting?) Fast & Furious movies, Ludacris had one of the most interesting visual and sonic styles in Hip-Hop. This listen through was pretty nostalgic and Bill might have had rose tinted glasses on his grades. Let's talk about one of ATL's biggest rappers. 2024-07-281h 18
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - UGKUGK is the first ever group we evaluated on the HCP so we had to call in back up. Our good friend, southern Hip-Hop savant, and UGK historian Seth Goldman joins us to discuss the immortal Pimp C and Bun B.2024-07-281h 34
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - All Star BreakWe took some time to correct some mistakes and get a little better at this podcasting thing. Also, I think this is the episode where we officially named the podcast? Look how far we've come. Happy listening2024-06-222h 01
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Too $hortOne of the west coast's finest. Also, the episode that is probably going to get Bill banished from Oakland because of some of his grades. Forgive him because it's all love. Happy hunting2024-06-221h 21
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Lupe FiascoThis is the first ever recording of what would become the HitCycle Podcast. Lupe Fiasco is one of the main emcees that inspired hosts Bill and David to start writing their own music. This was before we had podcasting equipment so the audio might sound a little bit rough but we still want y'all to hear us at our very beginning stages. Happy Listening2024-06-221h 59
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Gucci ManeGucci Mane needs no explanation. Be warned if you re-listen to his catalog. It's a lot of music. But we had a lot of fun talking about his contributions to hip hop. Enjoy2024-06-221h 22
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - MF DOOMMF DOOM is another favorite artist of ours. We weren't going to talk about him originally because we felt his contributions to hip hop speak for themselves but when he passed, we wanted to honor his memory. Rest well DOOM. Thanks for everything you gave us. Happy Listening2024-06-221h 12
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Lil KimLil Kim is one of the most notable women in hip-hop and so, we had to show our love. This was the HCP's first look into a female emcee. Her music is as great as we remember. Enjoy2024-06-221h 19
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - T-PainT-Pain doesn't fit the mold of a traditional emcee but his influence on hip-hop and popular music is undeniable. Naturally, we dove in and had a nostalgic listen through of one of the most interesting and polarizing artists ever. Happy hunting 2024-06-221h 30
The Hit Cycle PodcastHCP: The Minor Leagues - Slick RickSlick Rick is maybe the single most influential rapper when it comes to storytelling. He was before our time so we brought in our good friend and hip-hip historian, Shau B to discuss the legendary emcee. We hope you enjoy hearing three voices instead of the usual two this time around2024-06-221h 49
Perpetual Chess PodcastBook Recap #14 : The Seven Deadly Chess Sins by GM Jonathan RowsonPerpetual Chess is back with another monthly bonus edition of Chess Books Recaptured. This month Chicago-based law professor, dad, and speed chess specialist, David Franklin joins me. Like me, David is a long-time fan of the writing of GM Jonathan Rowson, and of his 2000 book, The Seven Deadly Chess Sins, in particular. Due to its uniquely philosophical, digressive tone and its advanced chess subject matter, The Seven Deadly Chess Sins is not universally loved. Nonetheless, both podcast hosts and many other chess fans consider it to be a classic. In our conversation, we define and discuss each of GM Rowson’s 7 "...2021-01-291h 29