Compound Conversations is where culture meets legacy. Hosted by creative visionary Set Free, this series brings you behind the scenes with the artists, entrepreneurs, and disruptors shaping the worlds of music, fashion, art, and beyond. From iconic names like Ferg, Lenny S, Hebru Brantley, and Greg Yuna, to rising legends and unsung heroes, each episode dives deep into the moments that defined their journey — and the philosophies driving them forward. More than just interviews, Compound Conv ...
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Compoundconversations Podcasts
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Daddy-O: Stetsasonic, Sampling, The First Hip-Hop Band | Compound Conversations
56:35
56:35
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56:35
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with hip-hop pioneer Daddy-O, the frontman of Stetsasonic, known as the first hip-hop band and one of the earliest groups to merge rap with live instrumentation, jazz, and philosophy. Daddy-O speaks candidly about the birth of sampling, the brilliance of Rakim, how Public Enemy’s sound w…
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Angelo Baque: The Mind Behind Supreme’s Rise & The Vision Powering Awake NY | Compound Conversations
43:27
43:27
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43:27
Compound Conversations welcomes Angelo Baque — founder of Awake NY, former brand director at Supreme, and one of the most influential creative storytellers in modern street culture. In this episode, Angelo breaks down his journey from Queens latchkey kid → downtown creative → brand founder, sharing wisdom on authenticity, creativity, street culture…
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Futura: From Subway Tunnels to Global Galleries | Compound Conversations
56:14
56:14
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56:14
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with the legendary Futura — the artist who helped shape the foundation of modern graffiti and redefine what street art could be. From painting NYC subway cars in the '70s to collaborating with punk bands, fashion houses, and global brands, Futura shares his story of artistic evolution, r…
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Hebru Brantley: Painting Power, One Flyboy at a Time | Compound Conversations
37:18
37:18
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37:18
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Hebru Brantley, the Chicago-born artist whose work has redefined how we see heroes, Black identity, and imagination. Known for his signature character Flyboy, Hebru opens up about his early influences in comics and graffiti, the evolution of his storytelling, and why his art lives a…
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Steve Rifkind: Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep & Building Loud Records | Compound Conversations
56:34
56:34
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56:34
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud Records and one of the most influential executives in hip-hop history. From signing Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun, to launching marketing powerhouse SRC and breaking artists like Akon, Rifkind reflects on his unique approach to artist develo…
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DJ Clark Kent: The DJ Behind Hip-Hop’s Evolution & Street Style Legacy | Compound Conversations
1:03:26
1:03:26
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1:03:26
In this episode, we sit down with DJ Clark Kent — the legendary producer, sneaker connoisseur, and cultural architect whose fingerprints are all over hip-hop's foundation. From his early days growing up in Brooklyn to sharing turntables with Grandmaster Flash at age 11, Clark shares rare stories about his rise as a DJ, his obsession with sneakers, …
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Joseph Patel: From Music Journalist to Oscar Winner | Compound Conversations
45:34
45:34
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45:34
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Joseph Patel — Emmy and Oscar-winning writer, director, and producer — to talk about the power of storytelling, the importance of cultural preservation, and his lifelong love affair with music. From documenting the rise of hip-hop as a journalist, to co-producing Summer of Soul with…
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Statik Selektah: DJ Culture, Beatmaking & Evolution | Compound Conversations
38:42
38:42
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38:42
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with iconic DJ and producer Statik Selektah to talk about the moment the turntables stopped and the beat machines took over. Statik breaks down how he went from crushing mixtapes during the golden era to crafting albums for legends like Nas, Q-Tip, Freeway, and Styles P. He opens up abou…
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Greg Yüna: From Queens to Celebrity Jeweler | Compound Conversations
45:07
45:07
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45:07
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Greg Yuna, the Queens-born jeweler whose name has become synonymous with luxury, precision, and culture. From boxing to bodega life, to an unexpected entry into the jewelry game, Greg shares how he transformed a chance opportunity into a world-recognized brand. He talks legacy, New …
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Danny Cortes: Miniature Memories of NYC | Compound Conversations
46:58
46:58
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46:58
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Brooklyn-based artist Danny Cortes, whose intricate miniature models of NYC bodegas, graffiti walls, and ice cream trucks have gone viral across the art world. What started as a creative outlet during the pandemic became a full-fledged movement — blending nostalgia, storytelling, an…
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Steven Barter: Legacy by Design | Compound Conversations
41:31
41:31
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41:31
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Steven Barter — the visionary behind the streetwear brand Barriers, known for weaving Black history and cultural empowerment into every thread. Barter opens up about his journey from Queens to creating a globally recognized movement rooted in resistance, truth, and storytelling. Fro…
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Johnny Nunez: The Eye Behind Hip-Hop’s Icons & Untold Stories of Culture | Compound Conversations
48:59
48:59
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48:59
Johnny Nunez is a legendary celebrity photographer whose journey from abandonment and foster care to becoming the go-to lensman for icons like Jay-Z, Nas, and Naomi Campbell is nothing short of cinematic. Raised in a Puerto Rican household after being rescued from a dangerous early childhood, Johnny endured racism, poverty, and personal loss before…
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Tara McRae: The Woman Steering PUMA into the Future | Compound Conversations
34:19
34:19
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34:19
Before she was running PUMA, she was building relationships, crafting stories, and learning every layer of the business. Tara McRae’s journey to the top wasn’t about shortcuts—it was about deep insight, emotional intelligence, and a relentless drive to create impact. As President of PUMA North America, she now leads with a people-first approach—bal…
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Vikki Tobak: Turning Hip-Hop’s Rawest Moments Into Visual Masterpieces | Compound Conversations
48:12
48:12
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48:12
In this episode, we dive into the story of Vikki Tobak — the acclaimed author, curator, and journalist behind iconic works like Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop to Ice Cold. From her early days as a music journalist to shaping how we view hip-hop photography and culture today, Vikki opens up about her journey, influences, and the stories t…
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Lenny S: The Visionary Behind Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, Roc Nation & More | Compound Conversations
1:03:15
1:03:15
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1:03:15
Lenny Santiago—better known as Lenny S.—has been one of hip-hop’s most trusted culture shapers for over two decades. Starting out in the Bronx as a kid with a camera and a passion for music, he turned his love for the culture into a lifelong journey. From printing his own stickers for street teams to landing a position at Bad Boy Records, to eventu…
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Ferg: The Art & Heart of The Hustle | Compound Conversations
49:57
49:57
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49:57
On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free and A$AP Ferg connect the dots between Harlem, hip-hop, and high fashion. From painting on Jordans as a kid to drawing every cover of his latest album by hand, Ferg reveals how art and entrepreneurship were passed down through his family. They dive into the early A$AP Mob days, battle rap beginnin…
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Datwon Thomas: From VIBE to Voice In Hip-Hop | Compound Conversations
54:17
54:17
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54:17
Datwon Thomas has been telling the story of hip-hop for over two decades. As the Editor-in-Chief of VIBE and a staple voice across media, he’s been in the room for the culture’s biggest moments—chronicling the rise of icons, movements, and legacy. From the streets to the page to the airwaves, Datwon doesn’t just report on hip-hop—he protects it. 00…
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Eric Haze: The Foundation of Style, Graffiti, & Design | Compound Conversations
53:28
53:28
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53:28
From bombing trains in NYC to designing logos that defined an era, Eric Haze helped shape the visual identity of hip-hop itself. As one of the first graffiti artists to step into the design world with precision and style, his fingerprints are on everything from Run-DMC’s branding to Supreme drops and Nike collabs. Haze isn’t just an artist—he’s a c…
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Jonathan Mannion on Photographing Greatness | Compound Conversations
51:17
51:17
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51:17
Photographer Jonathan Mannion has captured some of the most iconic moments in hip-hop history—from Jay-Z’s debut to Kendrick’s rise. On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with the man behind the lens to talk about storytelling through imagery, the trust it takes to photograph legends, and what it means to document a culture …
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Jeff Staple: Design, Disruption & Building Culture | Compound Conversations
55:11
55:11
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55:11
Jeff Staple built more than a brand—he built a language for a generation. On Compound Conversations, Set Free unpacks Jeff’s journey from NYC’s Lower East Side to international acclaim. They explore design as a tool for storytelling, the business of authenticity, and what it takes to make your mark without selling out. - 0:00 Intro 1:10 The Compoun…
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Prince Paul: Innovation, Humor, and Hip-Hop History | Compound Conversations
57:37
57:37
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57:37
In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free taps in with hip-hop legend and sonic architect Prince Paul. A creative force behind De La Soul, Gravediggaz, and countless groundbreaking records, Prince Paul reflects on a career defined by humor, risk-taking, and pure originality. This is a conversation about breaking the mold, staying weird, a…
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Dave East: Loyalty, Legacy & Life Beyond Rap | Compound Conversations
56:45
56:45
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56:45
Dave East pulls up to Compound Conversations to talk real life with Set Free. From grinding in Harlem to navigating fame, fatherhood, and film, East opens up about what it takes to survive—and thrive—without losing your soul. This is an unfiltered conversation on loyalty, evolution, and never folding. 00:00 Interview Start / Welcome & The Compound …
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King Saladeen: Art, Hustle, and Vision | Compound Conversations
43:55
43:55
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43:55
Welcome to the debut episode of Compound Conversations, a new show from TmrO Network hosted by legendary creative director Set Free. Known for his boundary-pushing work in basketball, music, and media, Set Free sits down with visual artist King Saladeen to explore the power of purpose-driven creativity. From painting in West Philly to building a gl…
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