Episode 161: A (Random) Conversation with (and about) Nick Rosenberg
Listen now
Description
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
Just in time for summer solstice, Yinka drops what has now become an annual selection of sounds spanning the African diaspora.
The summer starts now.
#ThatLife
Kick your summer off right with a nostalgic mix of West Coast classics featuring legendary music from West Coast luminaries such as Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound, Tha Eastsidaz, Mack 10, WC, Mr. Short Khop, and more....
#ThatLife