Best The 5th Element Podcast Network Podcasts (2025)

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Ep.360 - "It's All Timing, It's All Destined" W/ NappyHigh 1:28:03

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1d ago1:28:03

1:28:03

Another interview for you to step to! For this one we catch up with one of my favourite producers for a WG record 3rd time! You'd think I'd know that! But I didn't, which is why I encased this interview with the thought that this was our 2nd catch up episode! Regardless, we get into many subjects from the LA Fires early in the year, his music evolu…

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Long Read - Jay-Z & Black Capitalism 42:45

2d ago42:45

42:45

Welcome WG listeners to a Long Read! For this one we head to Current Affairs for "Jay-Z and the Pitfalls of Black Capitalism" written by Yannick Giovanni Marshall. This chunky read is one of the best and most poetic critiques of Black Capitalism, through the lens of Jay-Z and his rise from "Hustler" to Black Capitalist. Thank you for listening! If …

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Charlie's Weekly Music Roundup (Dec 2nd) 23:45

3d ago23:45

23:45

Welcome to Charlie's Weekly Music Roundup to hold you down where I talk about my spins in the past week with a little more detail than I do typically! As per usual, all works talked about are below. Enjoy! Jordyn Simone - REMEMBER WHEN TrueMendous & Tony Bones The Producer - No Round of Applause Gabriel Jacoby - gutta child Vic Santoro - 1000 Burpe…

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Holiday Message 2:01

5d ago2:01

2:01

Hello DITD listeners! Every year, I offer Ben the opportunity to take the month off in the same way I take time off my show and after all these years, he finally took it! So there'll be no new DITD episodes for the remainder of the year, however I'll try to provide you with something else to hold you down. Thanks to Ben and you the listener, have a…

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Ep.359 - Asylum Reform, Pharrell & Black British 'Elders' 1:17:43

9d ago1:17:43

1:17:43

In a week where: Singer D4vd identified as suspect in death of 15-year-old girl found dead in vehicle he owned. Fugees rapper Pras sentenced to 14 years in prison over 1MDB Scandal. Trump Meets Mamdani. Former Reform in Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for pro-Russian bribery. Israel has killed 339 Palestinians in nearly 500 ceasefire violations sin…

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Ep.344 - De La Soul 1:20:30

10d ago1:20:30

1:20:30

From their inventive D.A.I.S.Y. Age run to their new (& probably last) opus dropped last week, the career of De La Soul is unlike any other in Hip-Hop history. With label issues being the only thing that held them back, they always put out Art Official Intelligence when the time was right. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:39) Charlie: Mysie - …

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Ep.358 - Assata Shakur & The Windrush Myth 1:10:02

16d ago1:10:02

1:10:02

In a week where: Tory Lite map out plans for Immigration reform. A copper mine bridge in DRC collapses, killing 32. Anthony Joshua will fight Jake Paul in December. Trump backs vote to release The Epstein Files after more emails are released. Reselling tickets for profit will be outlawed in UK. In Life: (11:38) After Assata Shakur's death last mont…

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Ep.343 - Havoc 58:44

17d ago58:44

58:44

Whilst Prodigy made a genuine attempt to put out solo bodies of work outside of Mobb Deep business, Havoc took until 2007 to drop his first solo record and it wasn't until his third album that he actually put effort into it all. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:35) Ben: Danny Brown - Stardust Charlie: Ukweli & Xenia Mannasseh - MAYBE II REASON…

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Ep.357 - Mayor Mamdani & Dumbasses @ The BBC 1:04:26

23d ago1:04:26

1:04:26

In a week where: Zohran Mamdani wins the NYC Mayoral race. Tesla shareholders agree to give Elon Musk a $1T pay package. ITV are in talks with Sky over a £1.6B sale. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to be released from prison. COP30 in Brazil begins. In Politics: (15:08) That's MAYOR Mamdani to you! After Zohran Mamdani's NYC Mayor win, what…

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Ep.342 - Prodigy 56:56

24d ago56:56

56:56

The solo discography of Prodigy is all over the place to put it lightly. A great debut, a surprisingly good sophomore and then a stretch of albums that go from love songs to dark, philosophical work with a healthy dose of illuminati talk throughout. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:20) Charlie: Tara Lilly - Quiet Nights (Early Takes) Treasure …

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Ep.356 - Hurricane Melissa, Flag Raisers & Andrew 1:12:17

1M ago1:12:17

1:12:17

In a week where: Trump tells The Pentagon to resume nuclear testing after 30+ years. LA Dodgers retain the World Series after Game 7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Grand Egyptian Museum reopens. Drinking water is two weeks away from running out in Tehran, Iran. Online porn showing choking to be made illegal in the UK. In Environment: (6:30) Hu…

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Ep.341 - Mobb Deep 1:14:29

1M ago1:14:29

1:14:29

At 21 years old, two rappers from Queens dropped one of the greatest albums in music history. But some forget that "The Infamous" wasn't Mobb Deep's beginning (Literally! It was their sophomore album!) and it certainly wasn't their end. So past the "capital C" Classic, what is Mobb Deep in totality? TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:22) Ben: Bi…

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Ep.355 - Tigray, Sports Gambling & The Louvre Heist 1:08:59

1M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

In a week where: Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among over 30 people arrested as part of two multimillion-dollar gambling schemes. Left-wing Catherine Connolly wins Ireland presidential election by a landslide. Two men are arrested in suspicion of carrying out The Louvre Heist. Rapper Ghetts is c…

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Ep.340 - #UKBHM 2025: Tinie Tempah 1:12:17

1M ago1:12:17

1:12:17

We finish our UKBHM series for the month of October with an artist of recent memory to see how Hip-Hop and the sheer amount of genre-bleeding in the early 2010s was displayed in spectacular fashion from Tinie Tempah, who went from Underground Grime MC to the most famous UK rapper in the space of a year and kept that title until Stormzy dropped "Vos…

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Ep.354 - The Pelicot Trial & Black Cosplayers 1:09:30

1M ago1:09:30

1:09:30

In a week where: New York GOP disbands Young Republicans over controversial messages. Prince Andrew relinquishes royal titles and honors amid Epstein accusations. OpenAI blocks MLK Jr. deepfakes on Sora 2. The Louvre gets robbed. Sanae Takaichi is sworn in as Japan’s first ever female PM. In War: (6:41) An overview of what is going down in Sudan an…

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Ep.339 - #UKBHM 2025: Credit to the Nation 1:02:06

2M ago1:02:06

1:02:06

Credit to the Nation - led by West Midlands native MC Fusion - was a clear-cut child of Public Enemy but compared to another PE child in Hijack, CTTN was probably more blunt in leftist messaging (akin to Sistah Souljah) along with Brummie & Patios accents to add texture to the unique nature of Fusion and his crew. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup -…

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Ep.353 - West Papua, Chris Brown & Modern Nigerian Art 1:07:47

2M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

In a week where: Tim Westwood is charged with four counts of rape. A Gaza-Israeli ceasefire & hostage deal is approved. Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group is dismissed. Diane Keaton, Oscar-winning actor, dies aged 79. Afghanistan & Pakistan get into conflict. In Life: (9:34) As the ceasefire is already breached by Israel, we look to a st…

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Ep.338 - #UKBHM 2025: Unique 3 57:36

2M ago57:36

57:36

Yorkshire outfit Unique 3 made waves in the dawn of the 90s with a new subgenre "Bleep Techno", the first homegrown EDM subgenre in the UK. Their subsequent debut album blended not just their pioneering sound but also blended Hip-Hop to create a sound that was... Well... Unique for the time. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) Ben - Mobb Deep…

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Ep.352 - "Baltimore Is My Entire Experience" W/ John Wells 1:27:53

2M ago1:27:53

1:27:53

Another WG interview for you to step to! This time, friend of the show - Music Journalist Miki Hellerbach - links me with fellow Baltimorean, rapper John Wells off the back of his new EP "I don't wanna die (Pt. 1)". We get into his beginnings, all things Baltimore; his autobiographical style and of course his Top 5. I recommend that you also peep M…

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Ep.351 - Digital ID, Lee Miller & Jennie Baptiste 1:04:40

2M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

In a week where: World-renowned Zoologist & conservationist Jane Good all dies aged 91. Israel intercept the Global Sumud Flotilla. UK government wins £122m pandemic case against Michelle Mone-linked firm over faulty PPE. “Peanuts” is 75 years old. France PM Sébastien Lecornu resigns after less than a month. In the 1st of two Tech segments: (16:35)…

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Ep.337 - #UKBHM 2025: Wee Papa Girl Rappers 58:18

2M ago58:18

58:18

By The 5th Element Podcast Network

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An Interview W/ Alt-R&B Talent Kairos The Writer 1:04:15

2M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Hello DITD listeners! Charlie here. Just wanted to drop you my latest interview with upcoming Alt-R&B artist Kairos The Writer off the back of his recent EP release "AND STILL I LOVE". Enjoy! Intro Music - "Baxter" By Brock Berrigan Interlude - "Remedy" By Dezaulait ChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN: "What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor In S…

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Ep.350 - "Journey Of A Heartbreak" W/ Kairos The Writer 1:04:15

2M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Another interview for you to step to! For this one we talk to upcoming Alt-R&B talent Kairos The Writer off the back of his latest EP release "AND STILL I LOVE". We get into his beginnings, the constant pendulum swing from singing to rapping; learning production and marketing and of course his Top 5. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribu…

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Ep.349 - Coke Bottles & Hating Your Job 1:06:29

2M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

In a week where: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is sentenced to 5 years in prison for criminal conspiracy. Huntington's disease is successfully treated for first time. Keir Starmer announces plans for a compulsory digital ID system, with every UK adult to be issued a "Brit Card”. Terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is …

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Ep.336 - Stetsasonic 1:22:36

2M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

The Brooklyn-based Hip-Hop group Stetsasonic were one of the premier innovators of the 80s. At any given moment you could hear live instrumentation, sampling and beat-boxing. You could also hear elements of Jazz, R&B, Reggae & Rock. Considering their era, the creative foundations they laid is undeniable. Weekly Music Roundup - (0:42) Charlie: Kairo…

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Ep.348 - Ezra Klein, "Italian" Leather & Instant Ramen 1:01:25

2M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In a week where: ABC suspends "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" then brings it back after boycotts. Two-time Olympic medallist Fred Kerley becomes first track athlete to commit to Enhanced Games. Police search home of singer D4vd after decomposed remains of missing 15-year-old girl found inside his vehicle last week. UK, Canada, France & Australia officially re…

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Ep.335 - The Diplomats 1:13:03

2M ago1:13:03

1:13:03

The 00s was a unique moment in Hip-Hop history and American culture at large. A lot of the hallmarks of 00s Hip-Hop could be seen through Harlem's own DIPSET, led by Cam'Ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana & Freekey Zekey. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02) Ben: Cardi B - Am I The Drama Destroy Lonely - 3 Charlie: Meduulla & Ethan Hill - Tabula …

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Ep.347 - Steve Ballmer, Nintendo & Julia Margaret Cameron 1:10:01

3M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

In a week where: Far-Right influencer Charlie Kirk is assassinated at a University event. UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson is sacked for ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Bolsonaro is sentenced to 27 years for plotting military coup in Brazil. Terence Crawford beats Canelo Alvarez to become first male boxer to be undisputed world champion in three we…

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Ep.334 - Contemporary Cool, Vol. 17 1:12:33

3M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

On this edition of Contemporary Cool: Charlie gets to the bottom of why he's not that into Freddie Gibbs by spinning his debut album and Ben invites torture by having us talk about supergroup Slaughterhouse's poorly aged sophomore effort. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:54) Ben: Ice Cube - Man Up Jermaine Dupri - Magic City Charlie: Yoni Mayr…

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Ep.346 - Your Party, Green Party & IKEA 1:12:35

3M ago1:12:35

1:12:35

In a week where: Scientists discover ordinary ice generates electricity. The Swiss drop open-source LLM Apertus. Google gets $45m to spread Israeli propaganda worldwide. Fashion designer Giorgio Armani dies aged 91. Angela Rayner resigns as Deputy PM & Housing, Communities & Local Government Minister. In the 1st of three Politics segments: (8:16)Th…

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Ep.333 - P.M. Dawn 1:22:19

3M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

The brothers in Prince Be & DJ Minutemix that make up the duo P.M Dawn have been - in hindsight - a marketing casualty. They forever hold the record of being the first African American Hip-Hop act to get No.1 on Billboard. But whilst that track & their debut album traffic in a Hip-Hop fusion, their works after that lean much more into R&B, creating…

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Ep.345 - Octavia Butler, Katrina @ 20 & Legalising Cocaine 1:12:24

3M ago1:12:24

1:12:24

In a week where: Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital kill at least 20 people, including five journalists. Australian PM Anthony Albanese accuses Iran of directing antisemitic arson attacks in Australia. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa calls Trump a “Russian Agent”. Denmark has accused US agents of trying to foment separatism in Greenland.…

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Ep.332 - Group Home 1:03:53

3M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

In the Gang Starr/Guru/DJ Premier universe, there are plenty of artists that have made a name for themselves, some that haven't, and then in the middle is Group Home. With a classic debut and iconic tracks on said album, what did they muster up without Preemo on speedial? TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:50) Charlie: UMI - people stories Danni…

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An Interview W/ Jazztronica Artist Kinzoogianna 1:36:08

3M ago1:36:08

1:36:08

Another WG interview for you to step to! For this truly special conversation, we talk to Jazztronica multi-instrumentalist and Hip-Hop fan Anna Stubbs, AKA Kinzoogianna ahead of her album "The Clique Of '86" dropping 12th September. This nearly 90 minute conversation spans from her beginnings, living in California; being exposed to music early on a…

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Ep.344 - "The Clique Of '86" W/ Kinzoogianna 1:36:08

3M ago1:36:08

1:36:08

Another interview for you to step to! For this truly special conversation, we talk to Jazztronica multi-instrumentalist and Hip-Hop fan Anna Stubbs, AKA Kinzoogianna ahead of her album "The Clique Of '86" dropping 12th September. This nearly 90 minute conversation spans from her beginnings, living in California; being exposed to music early on and …

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Ep.331 - Buckshot 1:10:53

3M ago1:10:53

1:10:53

We finish our Boot Camp Clik exploration with the talisman of the supergroup and co-founder of Duck Down Records: Buckshot. Covering his one and only solo record and the varied collab albums he produced in the 2000s/early 2010s. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:49) Ben: Offset - Kiari Ghostface- Supreme Clientele 2 BigXthaPlug - I Hope You're …

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Ep.343 - "My Life's Work" W/ Marquise Fair 1:18:38

4M ago1:18:38

1:18:38

Another interview for you to step to! For this one we talk to Singer/Songwriter Marquise Fair in anticipation of his sophomore album "BETTER WORLD", dropping September 3rd. We talk his beginnings, how his environment has affected him, being Black in America; his eclectic style and of course his Top 5. Thank you for listening! If you want to contrib…

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Ep.342 - "New Nakba", Zambian Gold & Male Plastic Surgery 1:09:09

4M ago1:09:09

1:09:09

In a week where: Perplexity offers to buy Google's Chrome browser for $34.5 billion. Trump & Putin meet in Alaska for peace talks. Sean Kingston is sentenced to 3.5 years for fraud. Volodymyr Zelenskyy & European leaders visit Trump. Israelis engage in nationwide protests, calling for government to secure ceasefire, return hostages. In the 1st of t…

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Ep.330 - O.G.C. (Originoo Gunn Clappaz) 59:46

4M ago59:46

59:46

The trio of O.G.C. - Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah and Top Dog - never really had the highs of their Boot Camp Clik counterparts. But just because they never dropped a stone cold classic, doesn't mean they didn't drop quality music. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (1:09) Ben: JID - God Does Like Ugly Gunna - The Last Wun DJ Premier & Roc Ma…

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Ep.341 - "Sports & Globalisation" W/ Dr. Joshua Wright 1:22:32

4M ago1:22:32

1:22:32

A #FriendOf5E comes through for his WG debut! Associate Professor of History at Trinity Washington University Dr. Joshua K. Wright comes through off the back of his appearance on "Diggin' In The Digits" in November '22 to plug his new book "The NBA’s Global Empire: How the League Became an International Powerhouse". We get into his beginnings, his …

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Ep.329 - An Interview W/ Intercept Music's Jesse Flores 57:35

4M ago57:35

57:35

We have an interview for you to step to! For this one, we talk to long-time Music Industry leader and currently Intercept Music’s Vice President of Artist and Label Partnerships Jesse Flores. We talk about his beginnings in the industry, the state of the industry as a whole; the steady rise of independents; his Lighter Note & his Top 5. Thanks for …

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Ep.340 - Moral Failures & Engineering Amnesia 1:09:24

4M ago1:09:24

1:09:24

In a week where: Tsunami warnings ring across Pacific after a 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's coast. Cherry Vann becomes UK's first female archbishop after election in Wales. Palestine Action co-founder wins permission to challenge terror ban. Tommy Robinson is arrested over alleged assault at London station. UK will begin implementing migran…

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Ep.328 - Smif-N-Wessun 1:16:02

4M ago1:16:02

1:16:02

With the duo of Smif-N-Wessun, Tek & Steele started off as worthy members of the Boot Camp Clik, delivering a great debut album. And even with roadblocks galore holding them back over the years, they have produced a solid discography, maturing gracefully as a Hip-Hop duo. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:55) Ben: Metro Boomin - A Futuristic Su…

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Ep.339 - Age Verification & Rastafari 1:15:04

4M ago1:15:04

1:15:04

In a week where: Hulk Hogan dies aged 71. Jazz legends Chuck Mangione & Dame Cleo Laine die aged 84 & 97 respectively. ESPN to purchase NFL Network and RedZone for a reported $2B. Actor Michael Ward is charged with rape. The US DoJ mull over giving Ghislaine Maxwell “Limited Immunity”. In Politics: (14:15) As people continue to get arrested for pro…

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Ep.327 - Hip-Hop Neighbours, Vol. 14 1:09:30

4M ago1:09:30

1:09:30

It's time for another edition of Hip-Hop Neighbours where we talk about albums not Hip-Hop, but close to it. For this one, we get into Roots Manuva & Wrongtom's Danchall/Dub remix album "Duppy Writer" & Katy B's debut "On A Mission". TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:58) Ben: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo 2 Charlie: Heno. & Mad Keys -…

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Ep.338 - Orgreave Inquiry, Sudan & "Gen-Z Stare" 1:03:47

5M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

In a week where: Trump sues The Wall Street Journal over an article implicating him with Jeffrey Epstein. Red Tories suspend Diane Abbott over rehashing her “levels to racism” comments. Israel bombs Syria's Ministry of Defence. Government launches Orgreave inquiry, 40 years after clashes at miners’ strike. Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies aged 54 by…

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Ep.326 - Black Moon 1:07:19

5M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

The group that started it all for the Boot Camp Clik, the trio of Black Moon - led by Buckshot - came in with a quintessential Hip-Hop Golden Age debut and sporadically dropped after that, with not much of a drop in quality compared to a stone-cold classic. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59) Ben: Raekwon - The Emperor's New Clothes Charlie R…

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Ep.337 - BBC Outsourcing & Bangladeshi Rap 1:05:14

5M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

In a week where: France & UK agree to "one in, one out” migration deal. A small plane fireballs in Southend Airport, killing four people. Iga Swiatek & Janik Sinner win their 1st Wimbledon Singles titles. Chelsea thrash PSG to win the Club World Cup. Reddit is rolling out age verification in the UK. In TV: (6:56) It has been well documented that th…

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Ep.325 - Heltah Skeltah 1:11:32

5M ago1:11:32

1:11:32

The duo of Rock & Ruck (Sean Price) make Heltah Skeltah, giving us yet another Boot Camp Clik membership that created a consistent quality discography! Not many misses when it comes to one of the best voices in Hip-Hop and a Sean Price that grows into himself as the years go by. TIMESTAMPS: Weekly Music Roundup - (0:58) Ben: Jackboys 2 Clipse - Let…

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Ep.336 - Chinese Students Vs AI, "Akon City" & Arthur Ashe 57:33

5M ago57:33

57:33

In a week where: Sean Combs is found guilty of two of five counts; maximum sentence is 20 years. Liverpool’s Diogo Jota & brother Andre die in a car crash. Actor Michael Madsen - frequent Tarantino collaborator - dies aged 67. MPs Jeremy Corbyn & Zarah Sultana announce intention to form a new party. The US Government says there's nothing to see her…