It can be easy to forget that Lauryn Hill only put out one solo album. And that's because of its unbelievable impact on hip-hop and people's lives. Today on the podcast, A. harmony helps break down what was going on behind the scenes of the album production and why it continues to be so relevant to this day. Plus, how one art historian is questioning, what i ... Show More
Aug 22
KPop Demon Hunters sing-along takes over theatres, and Ne Zha 2 is here
Korean-culture writer Regina Kim, film critic Rachel Ho, and CBC entertainment reporter Jackson Weaver join the Group Chat to discuss the massive impact of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters as it transitions to the big screen; and whether the new English-dub version of the hugely succ ... Show More
27m 8s
Aug 21
Spike and Denzel reunite on Highest 2 Lowest, and Oasis cover bands
With the release of ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ the latest collab between Oscar-winners Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, Commotion guest host Rad Simonpillai is joined by culture critic Jay Smooth and film critic Sarah-Tai Black to discuss the reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s classic film ... Show More
24m 58s
Jan 2017
Ben Westhhoff, “Original Gangtas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap” (Hachette, 2016)
The real story behind the origin of gangsta rap is difficult to discern. Between the bombastic rhetoric and imagery, the larger-than-life characters, and the subsequent success of many of the individuals, it is hard to know exactly what to believe.
Ben Westhoff’s new book, Origin ... Show More
46m 28s
May 2024
Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and the Benefits of Beef
The rap superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been on a collision course for a decade, trading periodic diss tracks to assert their superiority—but earlier this month the long-simmering beef erupted into a showdown that said as much about the artists as it did about the art. O ... Show More
46m 16s
Dec 2024
#Throwback Episode - w/ Dame Dash | (Ep. 34)
N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN are the Drink Champs. In this episode the guys drink it up with hip hop mogul Dame Dash! This episode is pure hip-hop, straight raw and unfiltered. Dame keeps it a buck about his journey from running Roc-A-Fella Records to his ventures in fashion, film, and be ... Show More
2h 34m
Dec 2024
BIG FACTS feat. DAVID BANNER
The Black Effect Presents... Big Facts! In a powerful and heartfelt Big Facts episode, David Banner delivers an unfiltered conversation about his journey, the importance of legacy, and the transformative power of self-love and community. Banner discusses the trials and triumphs o ... Show More
1h 46m
Aug 2022
Beyoncé's 'Renaissance': The Controversies and Triumphs of a Blockbuster Album
Producer Hit-Boy discusses making "Thique" and much more. Plus, how does one song end up with 24 writers? And what are the consequences of changing albums after their release? Also, a discussion of the best songs on 'Renaissance' and its spiritual themes, with Mankaprr Conteh and ... Show More
54m 27s