The Rap Music Plug Podcast

When you have a catalog as deep and renowned as billy woods, finding a way to top your past work can be a difficult thing. But as has been the case with woods for many years now… the man did it again. It’s not like woods has reinvented himself on this latest album. His wry wit, sharp storytelling, and great ear for production are still present on this record. But now these elements are funnelled through an ambitious horror-themed experience shrouded in darkness, ripe with poignant political insight and introspection. All culminating in an album that has an argument for being the best of woods’ storied career. In today’s episode, woods provides colour to the inspiration for his new album, the horror influence, his take on being viewed as an abstract artist, pivotal moments of the album, and much more. woods is one of the most fascinating people to talk to on many subjects, such as music, politics, and sports. So listening to this episode is a no-brainer. Make sure you lock in and get a glimpse into the mind of a living legend. The Plug (1:10). The Interview (2:58). Being perceived by an increasingly large audience with different life experiences (3:18). How the idea and album title came to be (9:16). woods’ upbringing, and re-evaluating political perspectives of the past (11:21). Afro-pessimism and the humanity found in woods’ music (27:06). The unique methodology used to woods’ new album (34:34). What horror unlocks for woods as a writer (37:05). “Maquiladoras” and the meaning behind the concept of ‘amputation’ (49:08). The picture painted by “Dislocated” and why it was chosen as the final track (54:50). woods’ perspective on his music being labelled ‘abstract’ (1:00:45). The power of storytelling (1:08:26). Cultivating the horror surrealist atmosphere on the production / Marshawn Lynch vs. Shaun Alexander - RMPP patron q from Shaun Alexander (1:010:05). The importance of Willie Green to the creative process of the new album (1:19:10). woods’ trademark sports bars, Knicks playoff hopes, mobile QBs (1:21:45). woods’ upcoming book - RMPP patron q from Cian Walker and Joshua Davis (1:26:15). Upcoming Armand Hammer album, E L U C I D solo, and other Backwoodz work in 2025 (1:27:27). Support Backwoodz Studioz here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/ [https://backwoodzstudioz.com/]  Buy GOLLIWOG here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/billy-woods-golliwog [https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/billy-woods-golliwog]  Follow billy woods on Twitter here: https://x.com/BackwoodzHipHop [https://x.com/BackwoodzHipHop]  Follow Backwoodz Studioz on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/backwoodzstudioz/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/backwoodzstudioz/?hl=en]  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ [https://rmpp.squarespace.com/] Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast [https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast]  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com [qlctv.podcast@gmail.com]

Today’s guest, Fly Anakin, is no stranger to delivering albums that leave a distinct imprint on the listener. As seen on past records like Frank that envelop you in dusty old soul records and introspection, and FlySiifu’s that welcomed you into this record shop concept with two homies who enjoy trading bars over some sick jazz rap instrumentals. But on his latest album, (The) Forever Dream, Fly Anakin takes a noticeably different approach. Opting not to follow a distinct concept or theme, Frank traded pre-meditated forethought for a more free-wheeling approach, allowing for the album to reveal itself through fun studio sessions with the album’s executive producer, Detroit legend Quelle Chris. The results of this approach were terrific, as this new album sees Fly Anakin operate with so much freedom, embracing new sounds and collaborators, resulting in an incredibly loose and dynamic album that manages to push all the right buttons, balancing spontaneity with expertly crafted cohesion. In this episode, we dive into how Frank's relationship with Quelle was formed, the effortlessly natural collaborative process creating this new album, and much more! The Plug (0:45). The Interview (2:44). Frank’s feelings towards the release of (The) Forever Dream (4:58). Frank touring with his partner, bbymutha (7:09). The formation of Fly Anakin and Quelle Chris’ relationship (11:48). What makes Quelle special as an artist and collaborator (16:50). How Quelle and Fly Anakin are ‘opposites’ (22:27). Creative decision-making responsibilities between Fly Anakin and Quelle (24:13). The musical direction of (The) Forever Dream (26:30). Fly Anakin’s mindset when creating (The) Forever Dream (30:42). The heartfelt and open nature of (The) Forever Dream (35:00). Why Fly Anakin feels his latest album is his best (39:54). The key collaborations on (The) Forever Dream (43:18). The thinking behind Quelle executive producing (The) Forever Dream (45:22). Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch, including a project with Real Bad Man (49:23). Buy/stream (The) Forever Dream here: https://flyanakin.bandcamp.com/album/the-forever-dream [https://flyanakin.bandcamp.com/album/the-forever-dream]  Follow Fly Anakin on Twitter here: https://x.com/flyanakin [https://x.com/flyanakin]  Follow Fly Anakin on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/flyanakin/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/flyanakin/?hl=en]  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ [https://rmpp.squarespace.com/] Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast [https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast]  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com [qlctv.podcast@gmail.com]

Few artists epitomise the word, ‘prolific’, quite like today’s guest, Blu. Hailing from Los Angeles, this West Coast legend has truly done it all, delivering countless records that span the sounds of soulful boom bap, lo-fi, avant-garde electronic hip-hop, and more. And in 2025, Blu is not letting up… expecting to drop another 3 albums this year. The first of which is titled, Forty, and is fully produced by the great August Fanon. This new album dropped April 18th, and Blu joins me today to discuss the making of what he dubs his 'grown man' album, along with covering other key aspects of his legendary career, such as delving into experimental cutting-edge sounds, his strong lasting relationship with Exile, and much more. Blu is a legend, listen to this episode… what more do you need me to say?! The Plug (0:41). The Interview (2:35). The most essential Blu releases (3:54). Blu’s approach to collaborating with producers (8:20). How Blu maintains consistent creative inspiration (14:21). Blu’s affinity to the lo-fi hip-hop sound (18:14). Blu’s bold experimental risk-taking appetite (22:06). Blu’s long-lasting relationship with Exile - RMPP patron q from Jorden (25:25). The correct pronunciation of August Fanon’s name (29:29). The lyrical focus of Forty (30:56). How August Fanon and Blu built the sound for Forty (33:19). The collaboration-heavy approach to Forty (40:35). 3-4 new projects to expect from Blu in 2025 (43:02). Blu’s shift away from production in recent years (44:43). Buy/stream Forty here: https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/forty [https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/forty]  Follow Blu on Twitter here: https://x.com/HerFavColor [https://x.com/HerFavColor]  Follow Blu on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bluherfavcolor/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/bluherfavcolor/?hl=en]  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ [https://rmpp.squarespace.com/] Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast [https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast]  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com [qlctv.podcast@gmail.com]

The fiery no hold-barred spirit that today’s guests, Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals, showcase in each and every track of theirs, is something that you can expect to hear in this conversation. As fierce truth-tellers and creators of bold clashes of sound, we had a sprawling conversation that covered everything from bad faith criticism, their ambitious sound and unique group dynamic, the difficult process involved in making their new album, A City Drowned in God’s Black Tears, and much more. ... And as a reminder, if you’re in Toronto on April 17th, PremRock + friends will be performing at BSMT 254 with some DJ support from yours truly!! Tickets found here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/premrock-friends-live-tickets-1279555287309?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/premrock-friends-live-tickets-1279555287309?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl]  The Plug (0:49). The Interview (2:14). The Ennals family history (2:52). Being throttled by the algorithm, and their political subject matter (9:03). Bad faith criticism (12:09). The dark place that A City Drowned in God’s Black Tears (17:52). How the creation of ACDIGBT intertwined with King Cobra (22:53). Brian’s unfiltered approach to rap (28:37). Knives’ composer-led approach to production (35:45). The non-rap songs on ACDIGBT (45:20). The background behind the USSR-inspired track, “Тревога/Trevoga” (50:58). When Infinity Knives will be moving back to South Africa - patron q from rap man gavin (52:42). The background behind a specific eyebrow-raising line off of King Cobra - patron q from Fick (54:29). Examining the 87% statistic claimed on ACDIGBT (1:04:41). Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:06:59). Buy/stream A City Drowned in God's Tears here: https://infinityknives666.bandcamp.com/album/a-city-drowned-in-gods-black-tears [https://infinityknives666.bandcamp.com/album/a-city-drowned-in-gods-black-tears]  Follow Infinity Knives on Twitter here: https://x.com/infinitykniives [https://x.com/infinitykniives]  Follow Brian Ennals on Twitter here: https://x.com/BrianEnnals [https://x.com/BrianEnnals]  Follow Infinity Knives on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/infinityknives/ [https://www.instagram.com/infinityknives/]  Follow Brian Ennals on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/brianennals/ [https://www.instagram.com/brianennals/]  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ [https://rmpp.squarespace.com/] Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast [https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast]  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com [qlctv.podcast@gmail.com]

Listening to the latest album of today’s guest, PremRock, is more than just a great experience. It feels like spending time with an old friend. That saying, coined by the great Dan-O of Freemusicempire [https://freemusicempire.com/], couldn't be more spot on a descriptor for PremRock’s latest opus, Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…? PremRock’s lyrics are immaculately written, treating the listener with melancholic existential reflections that have a way of grounding you in a lucid state of calm, On top of that, the guest list is an all-star cast of collaborators we’ve grown to know and love in the Backwoodz universe, who provide the canvasses and guest verses to elevate this album to indelible heights. Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…? is one of the best albums of the decade. So it’s of course an honour to have the man of the hour, PremRock, here to speak on his mindset creating this latest album, how vulnerability is his superpower, and much more! Andddd… if you’re in Toronto on April 17th, join us at BSMT254 to see him and friends perform this album live! Your boy might also be making his DJ debut that night too, so it’ll be a night to remember! Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/premrock-friends-live-tickets-1279555287309?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/premrock-friends-live-tickets-1279555287309?aff=oddtdtcreator]  The Plug (0:51). The Interview (3:08). The backstory of the album title, Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…? (4:58). PremRock’s mindset when creating DYEYTH (8:11). The making of “Receipts” with billy woods (16:24). The initial spark that inspired PremRock’s love for writing - patron q from Joshua Davis (36:13). How PremRock carves out brain space to create, while also balancing a day job - patron q from Ryan aka LEVITATOR (40:13). The musical tone and focus of DYEYTH (44:18). The key producers / beats that set the foundation for the sound of DYEYTH (49:46). Areas of artistic growth PremRock is most proud of (58:34). PremRock’s upcoming show in Toronto + other tour dates, and projects to look out for (1:05:23). Buy/stream Did You Enjoy Your Time Here...? here: https://planetpremrock.bandcamp.com/album/did-you-enjoy-your-time-here [https://planetpremrock.bandcamp.com/album/did-you-enjoy-your-time-here]    Follow PremRock on Twitter here: https://x.com/PlanetPremRock [https://x.com/PlanetPremRock]  Follow PremRock on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/premrock/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/premrock/?hl=en]  Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING -- Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/ [https://rmpp.squarespace.com/] Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast [https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast]  Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com [qlctv.podcast@gmail.com]