Sum'n To Say

The UK rap scene is reaching critical mass. Jah has noticed, as he's dropped albums like Little Simz's 'GREY Area' in the group text. But when will the States embrace rap in the Queen's English, embrace Stormzy as much as Oasis, much less embrace some actual Black Beatles? To quote Yoh: Buy foreign verses, not foreign cars.

Fun fact: One artist who has more monthly Spotify listens than Chris Brown, J. Cole, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne is... Tyga. Against our better judgment, we discuss how he inexplicably became the Fashion Nova of rap, Pornhub bars and all. Follow us on Twitter @SumnSay.

Ten years ago rap game's Adam Sandler released his crowning achievement: a winning jock jam. But could his playbook use an update? We revisit “All I Do is Win” and how DJ Khaled has suffered from success ever since.

Just when we had grown accustomed to trap becoming the post-recession soundtrack of our lives, we now had to figure out how to pronounce “Rae Sremmurd.” Ebro would rather have pulled the covers over his head. Critics felt old as fuck. For our season 4 premiere, special guests Marz and Ducko McFli of Ear Drummers discuss the making of 'Sremmlife' and the duo who reminded hip-hop how to have fun again, no matter how hard we resisted.

Ten years ago next week, just when Clipse managed to escape label purgatory and release an album without years of delays ('Til the Casket Drops'), Gucci Mane confirmed his status as the South's new cult rap hero (with 'The State vs. Radric Davis'). In our final episode of 2019, we compare and contrast the two releases to revisit how an era of cocaine rap came to a close, and listeners instead got white boy “Wasted.”

It's that time of year again! The Recording Academy announces its Grammy nominees, and hip-hop complains that the Grammys just don't understand. We debate whether these trophies still matter and revisit the best award show moments in hip-hop history: Diana Ross jiggling Lil Kim's breast. Three 6 Mafia thanking their choreographer. And of course, the South's declaration of independence.

'Parasite' intrigued Jah and Christina so much, they saw it again in theaters. They also insisted that Yoh join them. If you've seen this Bong Joon-ho film, and you're obsessing over every detail and still trying to make sense of its symbolism and hairpin turns, this recap and analysis is for you.

QT is the Patreon tier where supporters ask us a question that we tackle in a future episode. (Find out more at patreon.com/sumntosay.) This week patron and longtime listener Jalen K. Wright asks, "What advice would y’all give to an artist like Summer Walker who is not having the best/easiest time dealing with fame?" Critic and community organizer Clarissa Brooks (https://clarissambrooks.contently.com/) joins us to discuss the reluctant star's rapid rise, coupled with the high music business expectations facing an female R&B singer today.

Ain't Gon' Let Up is our Patreon tier where folks can request an episode topic, for any verse, song, album or event taking place in hip-hop and R&B, in the South or otherwise. Find out more at patreon.com/sumntosay. Shoutout to Robbie McClellan for requesting a look back at Things Fall Apart, the Roots album that recently turned 20. Revisiting the album prompted us to look back at the late '90s battle lines between mainstream and alternative hip-hop — and how the Roots found commercial and critical acclaim, despite being firmly on the "losing" side of that battle.

DJ OHSO was working at a call center when she stumbled across a Will Smith interview saying, "What's the point of a plan B? It distracts you from a plan A." As this episode's special guest, she explains how that random YouTube clip led to the start of her DJ career (in front of the Fresh Prince himself!) and honoring black women with her signature "Bounce Dat" parties. Catch her at Red Bull Music Festival Atlanta 11/7: https://www.redbull.com/us-en/music/events/red-bull-music-festival-atlanta-ohsos-bounce-dat

Bringing back Sum'n to Hear, where Jah, Yoh and Christina discuss the newcomers who have caught their attention. This month we discuss GRIP's 'Snubnose,' a full-length exploration of how the allure of even a revolver can change an East Atlanta native, in the age of "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick." Yoh's DJBooth interview with GRIP: https://djbooth.net/features/2019-10-21-grip-snubnose-inside-bullet-riddled-world

In his 2009 debut 'Attention Deficit,' Wale wants to be it all: a blog darling who can cross over, the DMV native who can carry go-go's torch. We revisit those impossible expectations and discuss how he's recovered ten years later, to meet his criteria for success — and his alone.

In the time it takes to listen to a DaBaby project, we debate his past life as a Jesus-worshiping Rich Homie Quan soundalike, the best and worst guests on 'KIRK,' and where the Energizer Bunny of hip-hop possibly goes from here.

We've never received an episode request like this. This week producer Michael Saba asked us to discuss how the influence of Phil Collins has played out in '808s and Heartbreak,' intros by Meek Mill and Rapsody, songs by DMX — and an unfortunately named tribute album from 2001. More commentary from Mike here: https://www.youtube.com/user/akhorahilis

Hip-hop history is about how the sphere of influence has migrated, from the East Coast to the West Coast, Midwest to the South. Yoh, Jah and Christina attempt to figure out where that sphere of influence is in 2019. Could Megan Thee Stallion inspire a gold rush to Houston? Atlanta was as productive as ever, but was the music as memorable? And is City Girls' "PERIOD" enough to offset DJ Khaled's temper tantrum about bundles? Check out Sum'n to Say on Is the Mic Still On: https://deadendpodcasts.com/tekashi-snitch-nine-ft-christina-and-yoh-sumn-to-say/

Introducing Sum'n to Hear, where Jah, Yoh and Christina discuss the newcomers who have caught their attention. This month's playlist features: Benny the Butcher's "18 Wheeler," Maxo Kream's "Meet Again," Summerella's "Pretty Bitch in the Trap," Ari Lennox's "BMO" and Kenny Mason's "Hit."

The tour itself didn't actually exist. No one was fluent in the Blanguage. And with its DJ interludes, this mixtape could never be mistaken for an album. Yet as we rediscover, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug's 'Rich Gang: Tha Tour, Pt. 1.' sounds as vital as it did in 2014. The question is whether it requires a sequel.

What makes a perfect song of the summer? We reunite to launch season 3 with Chance hats on, debate the merits of Megan Thee Stallion's “Hot Girl Summer,” and submit our picks for 2019: “Act Up” by City Girls (Yoh), “Ballin'” by Mustard and Roddy Rich (Jah), and “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo (Christina).

On the season finale of Sum'n To Say the gang sits down with Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci to talk about his experience growing up in the city, his journey through the music industry, and his new Gangsta Grillz 650 Luc. Produced by Mike Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Put Sum'n On Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm Leary

The opening line to 'Teflon Don' — “I'm not a star” — was a punchline in of itself. In the aftermath of being sued by the actual Freeway Rick Ross and outed as a correctional officer, Rick Ross became more committed to his outlandish persona than ever. Have you ever tried rapping like him? See when your lungs give out. Produced by Michael Saba: www.patreon.com/michaelsaba Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/sumntosay Closing music by Slimm Leary