Desmond is back this week with a brand new element to H2DG: "The CROSSover," where his love for Hip-Hop intertwines with his faith journey. These episodes will connect shared themes found in Hip-Hop songs and Bible stories to help us all see how God can work in every one of us. Today, Desmond pulls from the chorus of J. Cole's "h u n g e r. o n. h i l l s i d e" to inspire us to be secure in our identity and focus on the Lord as we find ourselves in the midst of challenge, much like Shadrach,...

Today, Desmond shares his thoughts on some more hot topics in and around the NBA including: Prime Derrick Rose vs Ja MorantJaren Jackson Jr. and the DPOY criteriaKings vs WarriorsThe Knicks up 3-1 over ClevelandWhat If?...Lakers in the Conference Finals?!NBA makes Draft Combine mandatory in 2024---Good or bad? Enjoy and don't hesitate to share your thoughts! I appreciate your support! - Dez This episode is brought to you by 19 Media Group in partnership with: SHARPZ Connect with other...

YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS! The 2023 NBA Playoffs are here! And H2DG veterans Devaughn & Johnny are back for the third straight year to help Dez dive into all 12 teams who solidified spots in the Playoffs. Each of them received two teams from the West and two teams from the East to discuss & assign challenges and Hip-Hop theme songs to. Listen and see what the fellas came up with this year! Get ya popcorn (or other snack) ready! Enjoy and share your thoughts on any and everything...

For today's episode, Desmond continues with more love for women in Hip-Hop as he breaks down "Freedom," a posse cut from the soundtrack for the 1995 film Panther. The song features rap verses from Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, MC Lyte, Nefertiti, and Salt-N-Pepa, who all make a point to profess unity, strength, self-love, and of course, freedom for women. Enjoy and share your thoughts! Thanks for your support! Everyday is a great to honor and celebrate women! - Dez REPRESENT...

Desmond is back with a special song breakdown in light of Women's History Month: Queen Latifah's 1993 single from her third album, Black Reign, and what has served as the most successful and impactful song of her career, "U.N.I.T.Y." Enjoy and share your thoughts! Thanks for your support! Let's continue to honor, respect, and celebrate the women in our lives! - Dez REPRESENT THE H2DG LIFESTYLE!...

In this episode, Desmond shares thoughts on what the near and distant future could look like for some teams and players as the season enters its last month and some change. Desmond touches on the following topics: The new-look Phoenix Suns (or the Mid-Range Avengers)Have the Lakers found their pieces?Kyrie & Luka: They can create for themselves, but can they create a bright future for Dallas?Don't sleep on Brooklyn!Kevin Love's fit in MiamiRussell Westbrook's impact on the ClippersEnjoy!...

Today, Desmond is joined by 19 Media Group teammate and co-host of Gimmick Infringement Tyler McDowell-Blanken to help provide some insight on Drake's place in Hip-Hop. Together they share thoughts on the following: First impressions of DrakeWhat makes Drake so polarizingWhy they have outgrown DrakeWhere Drake stands in Hip-Hop vs. RapDrake's best workFavorite Drake bar(s)Enjoy! We appreciate and welcome any and all thoughts and support. All for the love of Hip-Hop on this side - Dez Follow...

Today, Desmond is joined by Shaw Calhoune for his second appearance on the show to preview his latest project Fly Langston, a Harlem Renaissance inspired album that includes similar themes of dreams, unity, and growth as seen in the 1920s and 30s. Dez and Shaw come together to give a small preview of how Shaw fuses the hungry, smooth emcee with the observant poet. LISTEN TO FLY LANGSTON HERE: https://shawcalhoune.bandcamp.com/ REPRESENT THE H2DG LIFESTYLE!...

For the first episode of 2023, Desmond returns with more HOT NBA topics as the season reaches the halfway point to discuss the following: Shoutouts to some All-Star caliber forwards/bigmen (Randle's Redemption, Zion's Vengeance AND MORE)The STACKED MVP Race (Does Luka have a real shot? Did Jokic just lock it up? What about KD? AND MORE)The State of the Modern NBA (Ridiculous stat lines - good or bad? + Pros & Cons between recent eras)Enjoy! Don't hesitate to share your...

For the last episode of 2022, Desmond travels with you back to 1991 to shed light on a gem from 2Pac's first album 2Pacalypse Now: "Words of Wisdom." Enjoy and share your thoughts! Thanks for your support! - Dez REPRESENT THE H2DG LIFESTYLE! https://19-media-group.myspreadshop.com/hip+2+da+games+alternate+logo?idea=631a866ea7e9275a6f9af96c&color=black

This week, Desmond is joined by two very special guests: the hosts of Hip-Hop Hidden Gems, TheMojoKing and Willie Freeman. The guys link up to have an insightful, genuine, and fun conversation that bridges Hip-Hop's past and present. They share early memories of Hip-Hop, touch on topics regarding the standard of emcees and the evolution of the culture/genre, give flowers to several dope emcees, and much more. As always, enjoy and share your thoughts! Tap in with Mo & Willie! Mo's...

Desmond is back this week with more thoughts regarding the 2022-23 NBA season as December approaches: - Shoutouts to six guys who are BALLIN'! - Cleveland losing winnable games? Health? Donovan Mitchell dominance - Dez admits he was WRONG about the Suns - Celtics are ROLLING! Tatum MVP? - Trae Young & Dejounte Murray: Fun, but is it sustainable basketball for ATL? - LIGHT THE BEAM SACTOWN! Enjoy! Don't hesitate to share your thoughts! Listen to Ullnevano's The Ghost of Reggie...

To celebrate H2DG's 50th episode, Dez followed up with what some of you suggested and brought back Devaughn and Johnny to flip to the other side of the H2DG spectrum, talking about a range of Hip-Hop topics such as what makes Hip-Hop great, which artists do they wish they rocked with more, whether or not Hip-Hop is losing recipes, and MUCH MORE fun conversation. Enjoy and share your thoughts! Here's to FIFTY of them thangs! Follow Devaughn: (Instagram)...

Today, Desmond shares his *early* thoughts on the following NBA topics this season: - Should the Lakers and Nets hit the panic button? - Bulls analysis - The LA Clippers: It's not how you start, but how you finish! - The immediate success of Paolo Banchero and Bennedict Mathurin - Are the Jazz and Blazers legit? - Miami's struggles - The Bucks continue to show that familiar faces win games Enjoy! Don't hesitate to share your thoughts! Links to H2DG Featured Artist singles/projects...

In today's episode, Desmond decides it's finally time to sit down and breakdown the song that inspired the name of the podcast: the 1995 single from Lord Finese's third album The Awakening, "Hip 2 Da Game." H2DG MERCH! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING! https://19-media-group.myspreadshop.com/hip+2+da+games+alternate+logo?idea=631a866ea7e9275a6f9af96c&color=black

Desmond flips back to the other side of the H2DG spectrum to share seven things that has him most excited for the upcoming NBA season. ALSO - TUNE IN TO THE NBA BASELINE'S 2022-23 WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW W/ DESMOND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-baseline-nba-podcast/id909831649 H2DG MERCH!! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING! https://19-media-group.myspreadshop.com/hip+2+da+games+alternate+logo?idea=631a866ea7e9275a6f9af96c&color=black

Desmond returns this week to celebrate and shoutout the people, moments, and albums across basketball & Hip-Hop history that were born the week of September 18th-24th. ALSO, CHECK OUT THE H2DG MERCH! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING! https://19-media-group.myspreadshop.com/hip+2+da+games+alternate+logo?idea=631a866ea7e9275a6f9af96c&color=black

In today's breakdown, Desmond quite literally brings a breath of fresh air with Black Star's poetic song, "Respiration," which details the cities of Brooklyn/New York and Chicago through the eyes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Common.

Today, Desmond takes you back to 1999 to break down one of the most intelligent and complete albums of its time, Mos Def's Black On Both Sides.

Desmond is back this week to give flowers to and celebrate some of the people and moments that were born during the week of August 7th-13th throughout basketball & Hip-Hop history.

In this episode, travel with Desmond back to 1996 and dive into what is considered one of Hip-Hop's many dope State of the Union-esque songs. This one is "Stakes Is High," the title track from De La Soul's 4th studio album, where the trio boldly reflects on life and Hip-Hop in a timeless fashion.

Desmond & Devaughn are back to reminisce on another basketball video game series: NBA 2K. They share their Top 5s, discuss the good, the bad, and everything in between, and Desmond delivers a special message for 2K at the end of it all. ENJOY!

In today's episode, Desmond dives into Hip-Hop's dopest love story: "I Used to Love H.E.R," the classic song from Common.

Desmond is back with an artist from Houston, Texas and the FIRST female emcee to join the show: Emcee Millz. The two discuss her January mixtape "Don't Think...Just Create," her love for Michael Jordan, and much more.

The title says it all! In today's episode, Dez hand picks five verses from five NBA players who happened to drop bars during their playing careers. He analyzes their styles, breaks down their bars, and ultimately declares whether or not they have legit skill on the mic.