Cherrystones: Library Records, Horror Soundtracks, and UK Digging Culture

MIKEY D: A CREATIVE LIFE, MAIN SOURCE & BATTLING

This episode of Gems with Shom features Mikey D, the Queens MC, battle rapper, and member of Main Source and LA Posse. Mikey D and Shom get into his early years coming up in Laurelton, Queens, discovering rap, and building his reputation as one of Queens’ most respected battle MCs. The conversation explores LA Posse, working with the legendary Paul C, joining Main Source, the New Music Seminar Battle for World Supremacy, and stories about LL Cool J, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, and Melle Mel. 🎙 In this episode, we dive into: • Growing up in Laurelton, Queens • Battle rap and the New Music Seminar • LA Posse and Paul C • Joining Main Source • LL Cool J, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, and Queens legends • Creativity, authenticity, and leading a life focused on music over the years For fans of battle rap, Main Source, LA Posse, Paul C, Queens hip-hop, golden era rap, and deep hip-hop culture, this is a real gem.

DJ FLIPOUT: RECORD DIGGING, RADIO LIFE, AND THE ART OF THE 45

This episode of Gems with Shom features DJ Flipout, a legendary DJ, producer, radio host, beat digger, and one of Canada’s most respected 45 collectors. Flipout and Shom get into his incredible journey through music, from growing up around Portuguese records, AM radio, and early hip-hop videos to becoming a teenager on the radio, a rapper, dancer, producer, and eventually one of the defining DJs of Vancouver’s hip-hop scene. The conversation explores his deep roots in Canadian radio, including The 5 O’Clock Traffic Jam, his early work on college and commercial radio, and how he built a decades-long career through curiosity, taste, and a lifelong commitment to DJing. They also dive into record digging, sample culture, 45s, De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Nardwuar, The Alchemist, Mad Child, and Vancouver hip-hop history. 🎙 In this episode, we dive into: • Vancouver hip-hop, Canadian radio, and Flipout’s early DJ roots • Record digging, 45s, samples, and musical memory • Rapping, dancing, producing, and coming up through the local scene • The 5 O’Clock Traffic Jam and a life built through radio • Stories about De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Nardwuar, The Alchemist, Mad Child, and more

Haas G (of UMC’s): Fantom of the Beat

This episode of Gems with Shom features Haas G, aka Fantom of the Beat, the legendary producer, MC, and one half of the hip-hop group UMC’s. Haas G and Shom get into his early years coming up in Staten Island, forming UMC’s, beat digging, and creating classic records like “Blue Cheese” and “One to Grow On” from the Fruits of Nature album. Haas also breaks down his journey from rapper and producer to becoming a two-time Grammy-nominated, Billboard, RIAA Double Platinum and Gold-certified hitmaker. The conversation explores Staten Island’s early hip-hop foundation, UMC’s and their place in hip-hop, the connection between UMC’s and the Wu-Tang era, producing Ghostface Killah and Raekwon’s “Apollo Kids,” creating Lil’ Kim and 50 Cent’s massive hit “Magic Stick,” and working with artists like Busta Rhymes, Inspectah Deck, Sadat X, and more. For fans of sample-based production, beat digging, Wu-Tang history, UMC’s, Lil’ Kim, 50 Cent, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, and deep hip-hop culture, this is a real gem.

Nicolay: Foreign Exchange, J Dilla, and Prince

This episode of Gems with Shom features Nicolay, Grammy-nominated producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and one half of The Foreign Exchange alongside Phonte. From growing up in Utrecht and discovering Prince, to playing in funk bands, studying musicology, making beats after work, and connecting with Phonte on the Okayplayer message boards, Nicolay’s story is one of timing, originality, and deep musical curiosity. But this conversation isn’t a typical interview. Nicolay and Shom go deep on The Foreign Exchange, J Dilla, Prince, D’Angelo, Slum Village, keyboard beats, musical space, and the creative risks that helped shape albums like Connected and Leave It All Behind. They also explore authenticity in the age of AI, the future of music technology, and why human feeling still matters most in soulful music. #Nicolay #TheForeignExchange #ForeignExchange #Phonte #JDilla #Prince #Okayplayer #Connected #LeaveItAllBehind #DAngelo #Voodoo #SlumVillage #Soulquarians #NeoSoul #HipHopHistory #SoulMusic #BeatMaking #MusicProduction #ProducerLife #GemsWithShom

Cherrystones: Library Records, Horror Soundtracks, and UK Digging Culture

This episode of Gems with Shom features Cherrystones, a musician, international DJ, soundtrack composer, compiler, private record dealer, and long-running NTS Radio host with one of the deepest ears in underground music. Cherrystones and Shom get into UK digging culture, Jazzman Records, Camden Market, library music, Italian horror soundtracks, Goblin, Fantastic Planet, Japanese film music, Den Bosch record fair, and the emotional stories attached to rare records. The conversation also explores his unconventional upbringing between London and Wales, discovering punk, hip-hop, jazz, psych, and rare groove, and how music became a grounding force throughout his life. 🎙 In this episode, we dive into: • UK digging culture, Jazzman Records, and the world of private record dealing • Library records, rare European finds, and the search for unusual samples • Italian horror soundtracks, Goblin, film cues, and darker musical moods • NTS Radio, record fairs, collecting originals, and music as a healing force