Take It Personal Podcast

Episode 68 is reminder to always think big. This was a long time in the making and sometimes, dreams become reality. Black Thought isn't just one of our favorites, he is arguably the greatest rapper in the game. And despite where he might be on your top list, there is no doubt that after you listen to our Black Thought Tribute, he will be bumped up in your ranking. A rapper of this magnitude deserves a proper tribute, which is why we're breaking this jawn up into a 2-parts. Not only do we celebrate the G.O.A.T., we got a chance to talk to him for hours, too. We discuss the new album Streams of Thought, Vol. 3. We discuss working with Danger Mouse and the late Kobe Bryant, as well as the upcoming musical he wrote and will be starring in titled "Black No More". We find out if there's a new Roots album on it's way, delve into some Roots stories such as Malik B, Razhel, getting signed to Geffen and what the "actual" release date was for "Do You Want More?!!!??!". We talk Philly, food, classic hip-hop and much

Last week we hit you with the Street Level Tribute featuring both Al' Tariq and Psycho Les and now we're giving you the full isolated interviews. In addition to the Street Level discussion, we talk to Les about the brilliant production he's done throughout the years. His particular rhyme style, why they hated "You Get Props" and his favorite Beatnuts record. We also learn more about the notorious J-Lo jack move, we hear some Big Pun stories and towards the end we're joined by Al' Tariq. This was the first time in many years these guys even had a conversation, so to hear this happen in real-time, to witness the their love and admiration for one another is great. We all get to hear Les & Tariq relive their memories together that makes for one amazing show.

Last week we hit you with the Street Level Tribute featuring both Al' Tariq and Psycho Les and now we're giving you the full isolated interviews. In addition to the Street Level discussion, we talk life after The Beatnuts, the God Connection album, as well as Big City and Missin' Linx. We discuss everything from the Q-Tip "beef" to working with Necro, Alchemist, Freddie Foxxx and Prodigy. We also find out Al's favorite Nirvana tracks and if there ever be a Beatnuts reunion album. You don't want to miss this!

Episode 67 is tribute to the timeless Beatnut's classic Street Level. For the first time on Take It Personal, we decided to do an album spotlight show and what better way to relive this '94 release than with some of the guys responsible for creating it?   We get to relive this classic album track-by-track with special guests Al' Tariq aka Kool Fashion and Psycho Les. We speak to Al Tariq first and later Les joins with his own perspective. Then, in typical Take It Personal fashion, we reunite the guys for the first time in many, many years. In '94, we became immune to classic releases because they were dropping weekly, sometimes twice daily. Street Level isn’t just a classic album, it’s damn near perfect, front to back. The production is some of the finest you'll ever hear, too. While The Nuts went on to have greater success as a duo with chart-topping hits such as Off The Books and Watch Out Now, their energy and wit always seemed the best when they were a trio. In a week, we will be releasing both stand-alo

Episode 66 is an emergency episode we felt a responsibility to produce. Whether you're in Minneapolis, Houston, Philly, New York, Atlanta, L.A., Oakland or Chicago, we see you, we feel you and we want this episode to become the soundtrack for these current times. I usually write-up a lengthy episode description, but we'll let the music do the talking. #JusticeForGeorge

Remember the remix? Remember buying that cassette single because you needed that b-side featuring that new remix? Remember the remix that breathed new life into a track you had just starting grown tired of? Remember hearing the debut of a new rapper on a remix? Remember splurging and buying that maxi-single because it had not just 1 remix, but 2? And don't get me started on the unreleased b-side gems. That's a whole nother episode. The remix is a lost art today, but in the 90s it meant something. Some remixes had different vocals, and some different beats. Some remixes were just flat-out better than the originals. Some remixes started and even saved careers for many rappers and producers. Remember the first time you heard On The Run? What about the incredible Stress remix? Remember hearing Mos Def on the Stakes Is High Remix? Episode 65 is our first installment of our Remix series. Thanks to guys like Pete Rock, Marley Marl, DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, Salaam Remi, Large Pro, Da Beatminerz, Diamond D and Buck

One of my favorite tributes on Take It Personal has been our West Coast Classic series. Two years ago, on West Coast Classics III (episode 16), we dropped this 2Pac mini-mix. It's no secret that I'm a huge Pac fan. I know that's really not something people who love Kool Keith or MF DOOM willingly admits, but I do. From 1993-1995, Pac was an absolute beast. His Death Row material is cool, but I felt like we got the real Pac before joined Suge and the gang.  I've always felt his voice, his delivery and his storytelling ability made him extremely special. Much like Ice Cube or Scarface, Pac was just as talented in painting that vivid tale on wax. This mix is JUST an appetizer(we promise). It does NOT feature everything, especially some of my favorite Pac collaborations, but it's a reminder of what we do when it comes to tributes. This summer, we'll be honoring the late Tupac Shakur. I strongly suggest you to revisit our West Coast Classic series (episode 14-17), where we featuring many other mini-tributes

Episode 64 is the 4th show we've recorded during this damn quarantine. Despite some technical difficulties and R.A. battling what we thought was the coronoavirus, we put together a 30-track homage, including a lengthy comedic and sometimes contentious interview. We discuss the new album All My Heroes Are Dead. We talk Biggie and boxing. We discuss the days of Jive Records and working with Rawkus. We even learn about the super-group he was once apart of with Prince Paul & Bumpy Knuckles. Like most of our interviews, we do a chronological trip back to memory lane. Check-out R.A.The Rugged Man's new album All My Heroes Are Dead. It happens to be our favorite of the year (so far). www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal Follow us on Instagram @ takeitpersonalradio

Episode 64 is the 4th show we've recorded during this damn quarantine. Despite some technical difficulties and R.A. battling what we thought was the coronoavirus, we put together a 30-track homage, including a lengthy comedic and sometimes contentious interview.  We discuss the new album All My Heroes Are Dead. We talk Biggie and boxing. We discuss the days of Jive Records and working with Rawkus. We even learn about the super-group he was once apart of with Prince Paul & Bumpy Knuckles. Like most of our interviews, we do a chronological trip back to memory lane.  Check-out R.A.The Rugged Man's new album All My Heroes Are Dead. It happens to be our favorite of the year (so far). www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal Follow us on Instagram @ takeitpersonalradio

Episode 63 is our very long, but very necessary MF DOOM tribute. It clocks in at 6+ hours and features over 130 classics and collabos. It also features 7 special guests who stopped by to share stories as well as navigate you through our DOOM tribute. We're going to remember these times for years to come. What we listened to or watched during the infamous quarantine. There have been some amazing hip-hop moments because of it, specifically Club Quarantine with D-Nice and most recently the DJ Premier vs. RZA live battle. We hope this masterpiece will be up there with them. Please, be sure to spread the word if you're enjoying this tribute. Tell some friends who may not be familiar with us but love DOOM. This is all we ask of you! Special shouts to Prime Mister Pete Nice, Kurious Jorge, Bobbito aka Kool Bob Love, Lord Sear, Jake One, Slug & MC Serch for being apart of this. www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal Follow us on Instagram @ takeitpersonalradio

Episode 62 is our Doomsday episode. Our MF DOOM tribute is dropping next - we promise! The Doomsday title seemed to fit these days. It feels like we're all stuck in one bad Walking Dead episode. We know many of our listeners are based in California, New York and across the globe- China, Italy and Spain. While we're far from getting back to normal, we're going to continue producing episodes to keep you entertained through the madness.  We've got joints from Organized Konfusion, A Tribe Called Quest, The Beatnuts, Keith Murray, Common, Omniscience, Redman, De La Soul, Big Noyd, Outkast, The Roots, Finsta Bundy, Guru, Hieroglyphics, Rob-0, Boogiemonsters, Zion I, Phonte, Evidence, Lords of The Underground and Jay Electronica Allow us to free ya mind from all this crazy shit, at least for a few hours. Then, get ready for the biggest, baddest, muthafuckin' MF DOOM Tribute you'll ever hear!    www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal   Follow us on Instagram @ takeitpersonalradio 1. Keith

Episode 61 was recorded prior to all this madness. We don't know how many episodes we'll be able to produce during these times, but we'll try our best to keep you entertained for awhile. Our MF DOOM and D.I.T.C. tributes are still in the works, but there is always a little calm before the storm and the next two episodes are definitely that calm. Let's all try to relax and enjoy this time we all have to ourselves as we get lost in some hip-hop music. We got 90s flavor from Tha Alkaholiks, Brand Nubian, Double X Posse, Diamond D, Ghostface Killah, Funkdoobiest, Kool G. Rap, Real Live, Royal Flush, World Renown, Yaggfu Front, The Artifacts, Al Tariq, Mic Geronimo, Big Noyd, Smoothe Da Hustler, GZA and King Just. We also got some "newer" tracks from Meyhem Lauren, Eto, Ill BIll, Vinnie Paz, Royce Da 5'9 and Grafh. Plus we had a impromptu phone call with fan favorite, Meyhem Lauren. He stopped by briefly to talk food, fitness and Florida with us. Our friend Vanderslice also hoped on a call. If you know Slice,

Episode 60 is the 2nd installment of our indie hip-hop tribute. This time we’re joined by Shawn J. Period, a major player in the indie movement. Shawn has given us with countless classics and we discuss each and every one of them. Only on TIP will you get to hear Shawn tell his story like this. We discuss his days on Big Beat, his first group Down South and his collabos with Mos Def, Heltah Skeltah, Bush Babees, Mad Skillz and The Artifacts.. www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal Follow us on Instagram @takeitpersonalradio

Episode 60 is the 2nd installment of our indie hip-hop tribute. This time we’re joined by Shawn J. Period, a major player in the indie movement. Shawn has given us with countless classics and we discuss each and every one of them. Only on TIP will you get to hear Shawn tell his story like this. We discuss his days on Big Beat, his first group Down South and his collabos with Mos Def, Heltah Skeltah, Bush Babees, Mad Skillz and The Artifacts. This is an XXL episode clocking in over 5 ½ hours of music and discussion. We got joints from Company Flow, Kool Keith, Mos Def, Blackalicous, Talib Kweli, Non Phixon, MF DOOM, J-Live, Aceyalone, Lootpack, Styles of Beyond, Wee Bee Foolish, The Arsonists, Eminem, People Under The Stairs, 7L & Esoteric, Jedi Mind Tricks, Natural Elements, Godfather Don, Buc Fifty, Defari, Juggaknots, Aesop Rock, Rasco, Royce Da 5’9, Pharoahe Monch, Common, Sir Menelik, Mr. Lif, Atmosphere and so much F*CKING MORE! We’re talking 5 ½ hours of music, with over 100 tracks of quintessential

On Episode 58, we continue with Part 2 our Homage to Collabos special. We’re joined by one of the greatest lyricists to bless the mic, Ras Kass. We discuss collaborating with Xzibit, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre and Saafir. We learn about his relationship with Coolio and the initial concerns with appearing on Chino XL’s Riiot. We find out 2Pac once requested 50 tickets to his show and learned what happened with The Horseman. www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.instagram.com/takeitpersonalradio www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal

Episode 59 is a homage to 80s hip-hop. This show plays like your favorite mixtape, as we selected classic album cuts and anthems from the old school, as well as the Golden Era. We reminisce over all things 80s, including movies and our embarrassing choice of apparel. DJ 360 hits you with mixes featuring Run-DMC, Schoolly D, Ultramagnetic MC’s, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Stezo, Steady B, Just-Ice, The D.O.C., Tuff Crew, Eric B. & Rakim, Stetsasonic, BDP, Jungle Brothers, Gang Starr, Ice-T, T-La Rock & EPMD to name a few. The crew debates some of our favorite movies like Goonies, The Breakfast Club, Back To The Future, Coming To America, Die Hard and Stand By Me. But most importantly, we celebrate the 80s in true Take It Personal fashion. Take It Personal x T.R.O.Y. Blog give you the ultimate throwback to the 80s. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @takeitpersonalradio for all the latest updates, giveaways and exclusives! www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal

The passing of Kobe Bryant have gutted so many of us. The last few days have been joyless and while we recorded this show prior to his death, we felt a last minute edit was in necessary to properly pay respects. On Episode 58, we continue with Part 2 our Homage to Collabos special. We’re joined by one of the greatest lyricists to bless the mic, Ras Kass. We discuss collaborating with Xzibit, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre and Saafir. We learn about his relationship with Coolio and the initial concerns with appearing on Chino XL’s Riiot. We find out 2Pac once requested 50 tickets to his show and learned what happened with The Horseman. We got music by Big L, Tha Alkaholiks. Mic Geronimo, Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, Mobb Deep, DMX, Noreaga, The Roots, Organized Konfusion, Ras Kass and we show extra love to The Abstract. RIP Kobe www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal

On Episode 57, we’re joined by the legendary Spice 1. His resume runs deep and features some of the biggest and best collabos such as Jealous Got Me Strapped, The Murda Show, Dusted N Disgusted, Nuthin But The Gangsta, Santa Rita Weekend, Hard 2 Kill and the I Got 5 On It remix to name a few. Spice 1 shares stories about working with 2Pac, Method Man, MC Eiht, E-40 as well as some of his favorite collabos he’s done. We also talk Menace To Society, his Houston roots and his newest album Platinum OG. www.takeitpersonalradio.com www.patreon.com/TakeItPersonal

The art of collaborating is nothing new. It’s actually more prominent than ever, but mainly to mask the lack of talent these days. Guest spots can offer important co-signs, sometimes a necessary one. Whether it’s initiated by the label or the artist, “the collabo” was a beautiful thing in the 90s. There’s an unwritten rule that if you gave a verse, you’d later receive a verse. The “friends and favors” card was often used back then. Collabos helped gain exposure, the ability to cross-sell and increased your album sales. Sometimes, you jumped started your career off a guest appearance, like Busta Rhymes on ATCQ’s Scenario. If you had the pull, the budget or just wanted to put on someone from your own camp, you did that. Classic collabos helped launch the careers of Nas, Big L, Redman, Keith Murray, AZ and Snoop Doggy Dogg. You had memorable collabos verses from Kid Hood (Scenario Remix), LL Cool J (Rampage), Biggie (Flava In Ya Ear Remix), Inspectah Deck (Above The Clouds), Capadonna (Winter Warz), R.A. The Rug

This is our New Year's Eve Edition of episode 56. 100% music and 0% talking. We put out a NYE version every year so you can let it ride in your whip or at one of your house parties on New Year's Eve! 1. Diamond D - Fuck What You Heard 2. Grand Puba - That's How We Move It 3. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Creator 4. Das EFX - Jussumen 5. Showbiz & A.G. - Soul Clap feat. Diamond D 6. EPMD - Crossover 7. LL Cool J - Nitro 8. De La Soul - Ring Ring Ring 9. Ice Cube - Jackin' For Beats 10. Nice And Smooth - Hip Hop Junkies 11. Redman - Tonight's Da Night 12. Common - Soul By The Pound (Remix) 13. Dr. Dre - A Nigga Witta Gun 14. Beastie Boys - Pass The Mic 15. Souls of Mischief - '93 Til Infinity (Remix) 16. Method Man - Method Man 17. KRS-One - Hip Hop vs. Rap 18. Funkmaster Flex - 6 Million Ways To Die feat. Nine 19. Snoop Doggy Dogg - Serial Killa feat. The D.O.C., RBX & Tha Dogg Pound 20. Ice Cube - Really Doe 21. Digital Underground - The Return of The Crazy