Take It Personal Podcast

This is our New Year’s Eve edition of our Anniversary Show. Same show, just NO talking. Remember those days of rocking a DJ Clue mixtape in your whip and then you get to a red light and this dude starts yelling and doing his bullshit over the tracks? Well, that won’t happen on this version of episode 20. This was a celebration that featured a dozen of call-ins and our drank asses of course, but on this mix, you get almost 3 hours of straight classics so you can rock for your New Year’s Eve party. This music cold rocks a party or can make you cold cock somebody. It’s a non-stop celebration. Happy holidays and have a healthy New Year to all!

Our first year is in the books! Take It Personal has released 20 episodes, including two 6+ hour tributes to both DJ Premier and Prodigy. We featured 8 exclusive interviews and dropped 8 tributes. We put together not 1, but 4 West Coast Classics, clocking in over 17 hours long. We had some fun giveaways, too. We celebrated Wu-Tang, ATCQ, Atmosphere, the architects, indie hip-hop and Philly hip-hop, but the biggest celebration we had was right here on episode 20 with you---the listeners. On Episode 20, our anniversary special, we bring it back to the essence with the music that speaks our names. The music that cold rocks a party or makes you want to cold cock somebody. It’s a non-stop celebration and best of all, we did it with your support. Thanks to all of you who called-in and chopped it up with us on the air. We had people from all over calling in and we even had a surprise call-in from Super Bowl XLVIII champion and Legion of Boom member, Walter Thurman. Your stories, your energy and your appreciation is

This 2-part Slug interview featured on our Atmosphere tribute show can now be heard in its entirety. We delve into a different side of Sean Daley. We talk Al Franken, ironically, a day before the allegations came out. We talk critics, family, touring, his relationship with ANT outside of the tour bus and studio. We also talk about staying indie, Soundset, DJ Premier, Randy Moss and some crazy stories like the time Rick Rubin was courting them. You don't want to miss this!

Over the past two decades, Atmosphere has been touring the globe, making music, making fans and one member, especially, making babies. Hailing outta Minneapolis, Slug and Ant aren’t just a group, they’re Minnesota Nice! The slept-on beatmaker and storyteller have accumulated copious amounts of success throughout the years, so it was time Take It Personal took you on a tribute trip down Atmosphere lane. We cover the classics, the obscure, fan favorites and even some collaborations. We promise you, there will never be another Atmosphere tribute quite like this one. To further cement that, we invited Slug on the show to break bread with us. The 2-part interview plays throughout this 4+ hour tribute show. We delve into a different side of Sean Daley. We talk Al Franken, ironically, a day before the allegations came out. We talk critics, family, touring, Soundset, DJ Premier and some crazy stories like the time Rick Rubin was courting them. When you think Minnesota musicians, you immediately think of Prince, The

Meyhem Lauren is extended family to Take It Personal. He was one of our first supporters dating back to episode 1, when we were podcast rookies shaking off decade old rust from when we last did radio. Meyhem and DJ Muggs just dropped one of the best albums of the year titled “Gems From The Equinox.” They all have been busy doing promo and we were fortunate to catch up with Meyhem while he was on tour with Action Bronson. We talk music, Muggs, pizza, watches, Viceland, Macho Man vs. Ric Flair, Kelly Kapowski vs. Lisa Turtle and we even managed to sneak on stage with him as he performed Hot Pepper. Meyhem is always honest, always witty and 100% good peoples. We strongly encourage you to listen to Episode 18 in its entirety, but for those who want to hear just the interview, here you go!

After spending the last 4 episodes on the West Coast, we return to the boom-bap for episode 18. Hip-hop has been very good this year and it’s because of guys like Meyhem Lauren and Planet Asia. Both Gems From The Equinox and Anchovies are up there for album of the year, so it only made sense to have these guys as our special guests interviews. We have new music from Apathy & O.C., Sean Price, Meyhem Lauren & DJ Muggs, MF DOOM, Conway, Benny, Westside Gunn, Fashawn, Da Flyy Hooligan, Edo. G, SmooVth & Giallo Point, Defari, Apollo Brown & Planet Asia, Masta Killa, Hus Kingpin, Heavy Metal Kings, Big Twins, Bermuda Triangle and Mach-Hommy to name a few, plus a ridiculous DJ 360 remix of Winter Winds. Keep it locked as the TIP crew entertains you for the next 3 hours with hip-hop and hilarity.

It's exactly a year today, we debuted our Take It Personal show and here we are with Episode 17. This is the final installment of our West Coast Classics series. That's 4 shows total clocking in over 17 hours of everything West Coast. NOBODY, let me repeat, NOBODY has ever done this kind of tribute before and I don't see anyone dumb enough to try. On this show we have tributes to the great West Coast indie/underground scene, another Bay Area homage and we couldn't forget about Death Row Records. We also have classics from Blu, Suga Free, Styles of Beyond, Zion I, Spice 1, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, DJ Shadow, Madlib, Mac Dre, Tha Dogg Pound, Eazy-E, Dru Down, Odd Future, 2Pac, The Jacka, Kendrick Lamar, The Coup, Souls of Mischief, Paris, C-Bo, Living Legends, Fashawn and E-40.

Episode 16 is the 3rd installment of our West Coast Classic series. We thought a trilogy would work, but there is just so much to cover that we'll be blessing you with WCC IV in a few weeks. On this show we have tributes to N.W.A., 2Pac and Golden State Warriors (Ras Kass, Saafir & Xzibit). We also have classics from Compton's Most Wanted, Da Lench Mob, DJ Quik, Spice 1, J5, Mac Mall, Kam, E-A-Ski, People Under The Stairs, Threat, Above The Law, Kendrick Lamar, Tash, Brotha Lynch Hung and Warren G to name a few. We plan to drop part IV real soon, so make sure you catch up to all 3 installments first. We hope this goes down as one of the most complete and entertaining tributes ever assembled of West Coast hip-hop.

Episode 15 is the 2nd installment of our West Coast Classics. This XL edition features tributes to Ice Cube, The Pharcyde, Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship, House of Pain, Dilated Peoples and the entire Bay Area. We got joints from Jayo Felony, Spice 1, Mac Dre, Too $hort, RBL Posse, Luniz, Andre Nickatina, 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound, Defari, Planet Asia, DJ Quik, E-40, Dr. Dre & Ras Kass to name a few. This episode clocks in at 4 1/2 hours, so make sure you listen in its entirety, because before you know it, WCC III drops this October!

Episode 14 is the first installment of our West Coast Classics. Dust off those Chucks, throw on your khakis and strap-in for this for this west side roller-coaster ride. We got tunes from N.W.A., Ice T, Too $hort, King Tee, DJ Quik, Digital Underground, Above The Law, 2Pac, Cypress Hill, W.C., Murs, Kurupt, People Under The Stairs, MC Eiht, Nate Dogg, The Game, Ras Kass, The B.U.M.S., plus special tributes to Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre, Hieroglyphics and The Likwit Crew. Keep it locked, cuz the TIP crew is just getting started on this WCC series and even though there is a lot to cover, we tackle this muthf*cker like Lyle Azado.

Episode 13 has no tributes, no interviews and it's not 6 hours long. We bring it back to basics and focus on the music. With new joints by Perestroika, Supastition, Conway, Hus Kingpin, Everlast and MC Eiht, plus 90s classics from Redman, Organized Konfusion, Ultramagnetic MC's, Big L, Diamond D and A Tribe Called Quest, we got you covered. At the break, we discuss The Defiant Ones, which kind of turns into a Jimmy Iovine slob fest, but entertaining nonetheless. Please remember to rate and review our show if you're feeling it. West Coast Classics coming up next!

After putting together a 6+ hour tribute to the man, it was only right he stopped by Take It Personal to shoot the shit with us. Unfortunately, this happened during our Prodigy Tribute (another 6+ hours), so Preem was kind enough to share some great stories about Mobb Deep, and of course, his rather illustrious career. Now, you can listen to the exclusive DJ Premier interview in its entirety, right here. RIP P!

After our 6+ hour DJ Premier show, we swore we were done with tributes for a while. Then, on June 20th, hip-hop suffered another tremendous loss. We usually celebrate the careers of the artists we do tributes on, but in this show, we wanted to celebrate the life of Albert “Prodigy” Johnson as well. Like the Preem tribute, this was no easy feat. Prodigy’s career was remarkable filled with longevity and a ridiculously extensive catalog. He started making music as a teen and went out doing exactly what he loved at aged 42. This tribute was an emotional one, and we know many of you will get to re-live moments when you first heard these Mobb classics. If there is one thing our listeners should know by now about Take It Personal, it’s that we take it SERIOUSLY! We have 5 extraordinary guests, each one sharing unique, personal stories about Prodigy. Shouts out to DJ Premier, Bonz Malone, Meyhem Lauren, Domingo and Ras Kass for being a huge part of this proper send-off. You all helped make this a masterpiece. And sin

After our 6+ hour DJ Premier show, we swore we were done with tributes for a while. Then, on June 20th, hip-hop suffered another tremendous loss. We usually celebrate the careers of the artists we do tributes on, but in this show, we wanted to celebrate the life of Albert “Prodigy” Johnson as well. Like the Preem tribute, this was no easy feat. Prodigy’s career was remarkable filled with longevity and a ridiculously extensive catalog. He started making music as a teen and went out doing exactly what he loved at aged 42. This tribute was an emotional one, and we know many of you will get to re-live moments when you first heard these Mobb classics. If there is one thing our listeners should know by now about Take It Personal, it’s that we take it SERIOUSLY! We have 5 extraordinary guests, each one sharing unique, personal stories about Prodigy. Shouts out to DJ Premier, Bonz Malone, Meyhem Lauren, Domingo and Ras Kass for being a huge part of this proper send-off. You all helped make this a masterpiece. And sin

Episode 11, I didn't think we'd make it after our vainglorious DJ Premier 6-hour tribute, but with some much needed time-off --we're back. Apathy of The Demigodz joins us, and what was supposed to be a 20 minute interview turned out to be 75 minutes unedited. Ap gets personal with us, holding nothing back, while discussing everything from his come-up, the trials and tribulations of an indie rapper, being courted by Jimmy Iovine, signing with Atlantic records, being a Freemason, his production process, his mental health, his love for Don Mattingly, all the way to his future projects, including his collaboration with O.C., Perestroika. Of course, a Take It Personal episode has to include dopeness, so we've included music by Ghostface Killah, Shyheim, Kurious, De La Soul, Black Moon, Fashawn, Open Mike Eagle, Brother Ali and a bunch of slept-on goodies and new heat rocks to keep you entertained.

Episode 10, The DJ Premier Tribute, is our magnum opus. It’s only right: the greatest producer of all-time receives the greatest tribute of all-time. It was no easy feat selecting and sequencing tracks for this massive 380+ minute show. We hope after listening to the incredible Work of Mart homage, you'll agree, DJ Premier is the GOAT. We've broken Episode 10 into 2 parts because when you cover Premo's illustrious career, it's impossible to include every masterpiece in just one show. But don't worry- within both episodes, we've made sure to include all the ill-collabos, obscure remixes and of course, your favorite classics too!

Episode 10, The DJ Premier Tribute, is our magnum opus. It’s only right: the greatest producer of all-time receives the greatest tribute of all-time. It was no easy feat selecting and sequencing tracks for this massive 380+ minute show. We hope after listening to the incredible Work of Mart homage, you'll agree, DJ Premier is the GOAT. We've broken Episode 10 into 2 parts because when you cover Premo's illustrious career, it's impossible to include every masterpiece in just one show. But don't worry- within both episodes, we've made sure to include all the ill-collabos, obscure remixes and of course, your favorite classics too!

Episode 9 might be titled the Calm Before The Storm, but it’s anything but. Our next show will be a DJ Premier tribute, so we wanted to take a short break from the tributes and get back to the traditional potpourri show. Special guest, Aaron Wade, sat in with us as we discussed and dissed each other’s Hip-Hop Mount Rushmore. We also announced the winner of our Evolution of The B-Boy Sticker pack contest and play some ridiculously dope music from Mobb Deep, Jeru The Damaja, Brand Nubian, Kool G. Rap, Gang Starr, Ice Cube, Das EFX, People Under The Stairs, Insight, J-Zone and Supastition. Plus, we threw in some new jawns by King Magnetic, Kendrick Lamar and a special K-Def/DJ 360 Beneficence remix. So, while you’re listening. think of who you’d put on your Mount Rushmore and then share your picks with us in the comment section. RIP Don Rickles!

Episode 8 is our Jansport (backpack) special. A tribute to the independent hip-hop movement that helped spawn labels like Fondle ‘Em, Hydra, Rawkus, Stones Throw, Def Jux and ABB records. A time, where the internet played a major role in the music. This era allowed people to DIY, giving them an outlet never had. This movement created dreams, jobs, life-long careers and of course, some amazing music too. Speaking of music, if we covered everything this episode would be 20 hours instead of 2. We picked obscure cuts all the way to classics heard from the late 90s to the early 00s. We got everybody from Mos Def, Company Flow, MF Doom, Murs, Planet Asia, J-Live, Juggaknots, Weatherman, Saukrates, Jigmastas, Cannibal Ox, L-Fudge, Godfather Don, All Natural, Non-Phixon, Cage, Latryx, Mr. Voodoo, K-Otix, and Vakill to name a few. You don’t want to miss this!

Episode 7 might sound more like Drink Champs cuz we were highly intoxicated while recording this, but the music, like always, is on point Phife. We don’t necessarily have a theme this show, but we do focus on MC's making dope music these days. It’s our passing of the torch episode, so-to-speak. We got joints from Your Old Droog, Nick Grant, Apathy, Killer Mike, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano and Milano Constantine to name a few. And it wouldn’t feel right dropping this show on March 9th without paying homage to Biggie, so keep it locked as we try to entertain you once again on Take It Personal.