Richmond's own IAMSU! heads down Interstate 5 to make his second appearance in the Cosmic Zoo. The co-founder of the HBK Crew talks about basketball, the based God, buying weed brownies in Berkeley, Bay Rap, and of course, his new album, "Sincerely Yours." In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about line dancing, Bar-Mitzvah's and the saga of Shia Labeouf. You can purchase "Sincerely Yours" here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sincerely-yours-bonus-track/id861195068

The venerable Ohio architect, Blueprint steps into the Cosmic Zoo to tell stories about the early days of Columbus hip-hop with Camu Tao, RJD2 and MhZ, computer programming, the travails of running an independent label, and his artistic evolution from The Greenhouse Effect and Soul Position to his solo career. In addition, Jeff and Nocando talk about hookahs, Tyga, and Tyga's new album executive-produced by Kanye (that Jeff somehow heard). Purchase Blueprint's latest album, "Respect the...

In advance of this weekend's inaugural Low End Theory Festival, all five residents of the world-renowned beat mecca gather for their first-ever interview together. In turns, Daddy Kev, Gaslamp Killer, Nobody, D-Styles, and Nocando tell stories about the genesis of Low End Theory, the beat scene sound, back-stories behind appearances from Odd Future and Thom Yorke, plans for the club's future, and much more. Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studio in Atwater Village.

After several years spent becoming a household name in Hong Kong, Jin is back on U.S. soil and a guest in the Cosmic Zoo. The first Asian-American rapper to ever release a major label solo record waxes philosophical about growing up in Florida, the fleeting nature of fame, his legendary wins on BET's Freestyle Friday's, working with Kanye West, his time on Ruff Ryders, battle rapping, and what he's learning in the process. Amounted together, it makes for one of the most insightful and...

Oakland's Clyde Carson ("Slow Down)" steps into the Cosmic Zoo to discuss everything from the early days of hyphy and his come up with The Team, to gambling, his favorite Playboy playmate, car culture, and living in LA. In addition, Nocando and Jeff (and intro guest, LA Weekly Music Editor Ben Westhoff) discuss Aguas Frescas, "Street Fighter 2," Macklemore's possibly anti-Semitic incident, and Weezer's "Pinkerton." You can purchase Clyde Carson's "Playboy EP" here:...

For the 70th episode, LA hip-hop radio legends, The Baka Boyz rolled through the Cosmic Zoo to tell stories about their roots as DJs in Bakersfield, hosting the first-ever live hip-hop mix show on Power 106, Latin rap, and producing for Volume 10, Yo-Yo, and The Whooliganz. In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss the Solange Vs. Jay Tae Bo elevator fiasco of 2014. Follow The Baka Boyz on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TheBakaboyz

The New York rap trio Ratking (Wiki, Hak, & Sporting Life) run up through the Cosmic Zoo shortly after their Coachella performance. They discuss their excellent new XL album, "So It Goes," taking inspiration from grime, Big Pun, and Dipset, the Eminem comparisons, Kurt Vonnegut, and how New York factors into their aesthetic. In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss the Donald Sterling saga, why rappers are getting seizures all of a sudden, and the XXL Freshmen Cover. You can buy "So It...

In which Meg Myers and producer/podcaster Dr. Rosen Rosen ("Totally Laime") enter the Cosmic Zoo to discuss everything from life in Tennessee to signing to Atlantic Records, to furries and shamans. Other topics tackled include the impact of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" and random Halloween costumes. In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss Nocando's short career as a wrestler, veganism, punching old people on airplanes, and hipsters who heart hip hop. You can and should listen to Meg...

Jeff and Nocando welcome Open Mike Eagle and author/comedian D.C. Pierson for one of the most candid and real episodes of Shots Fired. They discuss the struggle of making it as a creative person from the depressed lows to drunken highs. They discuss what American culture values in an artist and the absurdity of the Internet world. It's funnier than it sounds. In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about Outkast at Coachella among other random banter. Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studio in...

After a brief hiatus, Shots Fired is back for its Burnout Episode. Daddy Kev, co-founder of Low End Theory and founder of Alpha Pup, joins Nocando and Jeff to discuss Nocando's career and new record. Jeff interviews Nocando about his battle years, his early love of B-Legit and Yukmouth of Luniz, and his evolution as an artist. In addition, they discuss new albums from YG, Vince Staples, and MadGibbs, the gospel of Suga Free, and Benzino getting shot. Go purchase "Jimmy the Burnout" so...

Interscope's Audio Push enter the Cosmic Zoo to talk to Jeff and Nocando about their career evolution from their jerkin' days to recording with Lil Wayne on his tour bus last summer. In between, Oktane and Price talk about the highs and lows of the industry: how they dealt with label turmoil, re-ignited their career on Hit Boy's HS87 imprint, and why they have the Inland Empire on lock. In addition, Nocando calls Jeff from the road for an impromptu banter about Mexican food and the release...

In which House Shoes and Quelle make return visits to the Cosmic Zoo to discuss pro wrestling, Mexican strip clubs, pop music, Detroit techno, selling out, DJ Khaled, and of course rap music. In addition, Nocando calls from the road to give an update on the Hellfyre Club tour and Jeff discusses his displeasure with the new Socialist NBA Slam Dunk format. You can listen to music from House Shoes' Street Corner Music here: https://soundcloud.com/houseshoes You can listen to Quelle Chris...

For the latest Shots Fired, Mibbs of Pac Div visits the Cosmic Zoo to talk about his new solo music, how the Antelope Valley shaped Pac Div, dealing with the major label shuffle, and coming up in the LA rap scene circa 08-09. In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss cures for scurvy, "The College Dropout" at 10 years, and the Hellfyre Club Tour. You can listen to Mibbs latest tunes here: https://soundcloud.com/mibbsoe Be sure to go see Hellfyre Club on tour now. Dates here:...

San Francisco turntablist legend, DJ Qbert steps into the Cosmic Zoo to discuss aliens, the Illuminati, trips to the porn store with a young Kool Keith, and the evolution of his career. Tune in for stories about his early years working with Mixmaster Mike, the formation of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and his classic "Wave Twisters" movie/album. In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about attending an Action Bronson show, pogs, and why DMX should not have fought George Zimmerman. You can...

Dam-Funk makes a return trip to the Cosmic Zoo to talk modern funk, the story behind his new "7 Days of Funk" album with Snoop Dogg (Snoopzilla), social media, independent music, and the idea of stardom. In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss the Grammy's and what it's like to live in a world post-Macklemoorish takeover.

For this week's episode, Nocando and Jeff welcome Isaiah Rashad, the newest member of LA's Top Dawg Entertainment. They discuss Tennessee rap, the glory years of No Limit, how he got signed to TDE, and his debut EP, "Cilvia" (due out Jan. 28). In addition, Nocando and Jeff run down the list of Grammy nominees and outline their respective fear of a post-Grammy world ruled by the Macklemoors. Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studio in Atwater Village.

Nocando and Jeff welcome El-P to the Cosmic Zoo. Over the course of a one hour conversation they discuss pop stars, running an indie-rap label, the greatness of Bell Biv Devoe, his Run the Jewels partnership with Killer Mike, the early years of Company Flow, and more.

In which Jeff and Nocando welcome back Quelle Chris and Open Mike Eagle to discuss a wide range of conspiracy theories include the Illuminati, lizard people, aliens, aliens eating pizza, who shot 2Pac and Biggie, the CIA spreading crack, and who shot JFK (probably 2Pac). In addition, they ramble about yoga and fistfights, the Lakers ongoing futility and the enduring longevity of African Dad. Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studio in Atwater Village.

For their latest episode of errant gunfire, Nocando and Jeff welcome Zilla Rocca, Curly Castro, and Prem Rock for a discussion on Philadelphia hip-hop, noir-rap, their "otherground collective" and the occasional reggaeton digression. In addition, Nocando and Jeff talk about what they did for New Year's and pour out a little hummus for James Avery of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and Benjamin Curtis of The Secret Machines. Recorded at the Cosmic Zoo Studio in Atwater Village.

For the last episode of the year, Nocando and Jeff do a "Holiday Themed" episode. Sadly, no Christmas Trees are smoked nor is any Lean Nog sipped. But there is seasonal discussion including Christmas as a Jew, weird family interactions and hater uncles. They also run down the Top 50 songs of the year -- with tracks from Kevin Gates, Chance the Rapper, Migos, Nas, Tyler and Earl, IAMSU! & Juvenile.

Nocando and Jeff welcome back Busdriver and Milo for a very special Hellfyre Club episode in honor of the release of "Dorner Vs. Tookie." They talk about the rise of light-skinned rappers, assess Future and Rich Homie Quan, discuss the making of Hellfyre's compilation record, and record their highs and lows of 2013. In addition, Jeff and Nocando discuss the recent revelations surrounding R. Kelly's sex scandals, Future, Drake and Juicy J's "S**t Remix," and Wale's phone call freak-out to...

For their second episode in the Cosmic Zoo, Nocando & Jeff welcomed the Far East Movement ("Like a G6," "Girls on the Dance Floor.") They discussed the viral origins of their #1 hit, their roots in the underground K-Town music world, the first time they met Riff Raff, what it's like to be huge in Slovakia, and their new EP with Kurupt, "Murder was the Bass." In addition, Nocando and Jeff discuss the time that Eric Andre made an audience member drink Kreayshawn's breast milk, the return...

After a six week hiatus in which Jeff and Nocando were imprisoned in an third-rate Malaysian jail cell, Shots Fired has returned with 25 percent more references to friendship bracelets. For our first episode in our new home, The Cosmic Zoo Studios, we welcomed Problem and Bad Lucc of Diamond Lane Entertainment. Topics covered included sampling Young Bleed on their hit single, "Like Whaat," how Problem got his start writing for Snoop Dogg, rapping about Molly, and the pros and cons of...

Jeff & Nocando had the pleasure to interview Chicago's own Do or Die (Belo Zero, N.A.R.D. & AK-47) in another special episode recorded LIVE from the Atlanta A3C Hip Hop festival. They discuss their early days selling records independently, getting signed to Rap-A-Lot, recording the first album on a farm outside of Houston, R. Kelly’s basketball skills, the story behind their break out hit “Po Pimp,” and their upcoming solo & group projects. Plus, Jeff & Nocando discuss the...

After revisiting some classic Pharoahe Monch tracks, Jeff & Nocando interview Pharoahe in a special episode recorded LIVE from the Atlanta A3C Hip Hop festival. They discuss Organized Konfusion, East coast hip hop producer Paul C, the Rawkus era, Pharoahe's first retail job at a Macy's, getting served while mowing the lawn due to “Simon Says” sample issues, writing rhymes for Puffy, working with Nate Dogg, and being majorly influenced by Jazz musicians such as John Coltrane. Also, Jeff...