In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyson Jones discusses his journey in music commentary, focusing on hip hop and the current landscape of the genre. He shares insights on the challenges of consuming music today, the resurgence of hip hop in 2023, and the impact of live performances on album sales. The conversation also delves into the Billboard 'Tr…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host B-Side Channel interviews Patrick Hicks, a music storyteller known for his engaging TikTok videos. They discuss Patrick's journey from starting on TikTok to evolving his storytelling style, focusing on influential artists like Juan Gabriel and Nina Simone, and exploring the impact of various musicians througho…

In this episode, B-Side Channel interviews Mike Tee, a prominent music reviewer known for his engaging commentary on platforms like TikTok. They discuss various recent album releases, including Black Country New Road's new direction, Will Smith's unexpected return to music, and Lucy Dacus's exploration of love in her latest work. The conversation a…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, host B-Side Channel welcomes Ty, a TikTok creator known for his insights into rock, metal, and alternative music. The conversation explores Ty's musical journey, his favorite artists, and the evolution of his tastes over the years. They delve into the impact of iconic bands like The Cure and LCD Sound System, discu…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, we’re diving headfirst into the chaos: from the worst popular rappers to our most controversial music takes. Honeybee Reviews joins me again as we debate Yeat, Koi Leray, Lil Yachty, and even icons like Lady Gaga and Drake. Plus, we play three rounds of blind ranking featuring Kendrick Lamar songs, Kanye West bange…

Playboi Carti FINALLY dropped his long-awaited album MUSIC—but was it worth the hype? 🤔 In this episode of B-Side Banter, I’m joined by Honeybee Reviews as we break down Carti’s newest project, the biggest surprises, and whether it lived up to five years of anticipation. From Kendrick Lamar’s unexpected feature to AI conspiracy theories surrounding…

🎙️ B-Side Banter is back with an exclusive look inside one of the most influential music publications—Pitchfork! In this episode, I sit down with Olivier Lafontant, an editorial fellow at Pitchfork, to discuss what goes on behind the scenes of music journalism, the controversy surrounding his reviews, and why Playboi Carti fans are growing impatien…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, I sit down with Kasey from Kasey’s Playlists, one of TikTok’s go-to curators for indie music discovery. With over five years of experience filtering through the endless sea of indie rock, folk, and pop, Kasey shares how she finds hidden gems, what defines “indie” today, and why some artists break while others strug…

In this episode of B-Side Banter, I sit down with Aidan Nelson, the mastermind behind the viral New Music Friday TikTok series, to dive deep into the world of live music and 2025's most anticipated releases. Aidan shares his experiences attending 80 concerts in one year, revealing what makes live music so addicting and the culture shifts he's notic…

🔥 I messed up. BIG TIME. 🔥 In this episode of B-Side Banter, I’m coming clean about one of the WORST takes I’ve ever made as a music reviewer. I originally ranked Chappell Roan’s album and totally got it wrong—especially when it comes to the song “Coffee”. After dozens of listens, I’ve completely changed my mind, and I owe Chappell Roan and her fan…

Mac Miller’s Balloonerism is here—but is it the best posthumous album ever? We break down his legacy, the hidden connection between Balloonerism and Good A.M., and where it ranks among the greatest posthumous releases. Plus, The Weeknd’s surprise Grammy appearance—was it a strategic comeback? And is Hurry Up Tomorrow really his final album? We also…

🎤 Did we just witness the greatest hip-hop run of all time? 🎤 In this bonus episode of B-Side Banter, we break down Kendrick Lamar’s historic year, from his record-breaking Grammy sweep to the viral rap beef with Drake that took over the internet. We discuss: ✅ The explosive impact of Kendrick’s Not Like Us ✅ How the beef transcended hip-hop into p…

🔥 Welcome to the FIRST episode of B-Side Banter! 🔥 In this episode, we’re diving DEEP into the 2025 Grammy Awards—breaking down the biggest winners, biggest snubs, and the most controversial moments. I’m joined by Honeybee Reviews, a top-tier music reviewer known for their in-depth takes on New Music Friday releases. We debate whether Kendrick Lama…

Superlady extraordinaire Lisa Timmons (@timmonslisa) joins Ben to discuss local elections in LA: why people should get involved, what they should think about, and what's the deal with Measure S anyway??? (Spoiler: we're both against it). It's a very civic-minded episode, and even if you don't live in LA, hopefully it'll give you things to think abo…

Oh hello there. 2016 received such terrible reviews that this podcast decided to sit the year out. But when guest Jessica Ogilivie suggested that it was time to record a Banter episode, I realized that yes, it was time to return. Come listen to an hour of petty complaints (the onerous perils of cracking eggs, for instance) and drunken frustrations …