Diggin' In The Digits

This is one of those episodes where we knew that we'd have plenty of things to talk about but once we both started listening to Cube's discography and just the solo discography, not even getting into Da Lench Mob or Westside Connection... Ice Cube should be talked about more. Four classics in four years and several more solid projects in the remainder. Ice Cube has consistently been top tier for over 30 years now. We try to do him justice as we gush over "The Classic Four" and due to time constraints, talk about a couple more of his albums.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:12)
Topic Intro - (23:33)
Amerikkka's Most Wanted - (31:34)
Death Certificate - (38:11)
Kill At Will - (47:22)
The Predator & Lethal Injection - (48:08)
Our least favourite & favourite Cube album Post-Classic Four - (56:09)
Overall Thoughts - (1:05:40)
Lighter Note - (1:12:55)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Be sure to let us know that you're supporting us!

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Records for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @5thElement_UK
5E Community Discord
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

We reach the last solo retrospective of Wu-Tang Clan members, finishing with the leader of it all: RZA. In the first of a two-parter, we talk about RZAs leadership as the head of the Wu dragon and his unprecedented production run.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:49) (Ben = Bold / Charlie = Italics)

• Coldxman - Amor Fati
• Nejma Nefertiti & Zenati - Rapoeira (EP)
• Backwood Sweetie - Sweetie Skrewed By DJ 3AM
• BigXthaPlug - AMAR
• The Vitamin Cea - What A Day
• Liv.e - Girl in the Half Pearl
• Lance Skiiwalker - Autodidactic
• Bawo - Legitimate Cause (EP)
• Monster Florence - Master System
• Horseshoe GANG
• Shy Glizzy - Flowers
• Sierra Kid - keep it to yourself
• Shady Blu - Topic of Discussion
• Hus KingPin - A Poem in Ten Books
• Baby Stone Gorillas - The Military
• Kash Doll - Back on Dexter

The Conversation - (26:51)
Lighter Note - (1:18:38)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

Def Jam WAS Hip-Hop for nearly 2 decades. Starting off with Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin, nobody could've predicted the heights Def Jam were going to reach. They were in lockstep with the growth of Hip-Hop itself.

But once the new millennium came through, Def Jam started to lose grip of the rocket that was Hip-Hop, they started to miss out and eventually get left behind. Now Def Jam is just another sub-label with SUB-sub-labels under them. Where did it all go wrong? We try to find out.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:15)
Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (19:16)
Def Jam is too big to fail - (23:39)
What is their identity now? - (29:16)
Their unique approach - (32:11)
The Universal Buyout - (36:04)
Was it their unique approach that kneecapped them? - (38:21)
Was it their size that kneecapped them? - (44:06)
Stats on charting Def Jam albums by President - (47:47)
If you could pick one major issue, which one would you pick? - (58:44)
Lighter Note - (1:11:11)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Be sure to let us know that you're supporting us!

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Records for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @5thElement_UK
5E Community Discord
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

It has been nine years since Jay-Z & Kanye West did the collab album we could only dream of in years prior. Whilst some consider it a classic and some don't, it's undeniable that this is an important album for both artists. A fork in the road for both artists. We dive into the album, track by track, with WORLD EXCLUSIVE statistics from Ben.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:40)
Topic Intro/Ben's Research Corner - (21:44)
No Church In The Wild - (35:36)
Lift Off - (40:44)
Paris - (42:55)
Otis - (46:07)
Gotta Have It -(48:24)
New Day - (52:38)
That's My Bitch - (55:41)
Welcome To The Jungle - (1:00:54)
Who Gon Stop Me - (1:08:07)
Murder To Excellence - (1:11:46)
Made In America - (1:17:49)
Why I Love You - (1:20:42)
Final Thoughts - (1:25:05)
Lighter Note - (1:33:01)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Be sure to let us know that you're supporting us!

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Records for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @5thElement_UK
5E Community Discord
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

With Little Brother now explored, we can now get into the work of the distant 3rd member: Producer 9th Wonder who has spent a couple decades now letting his music do the talking, with many of collaborators in tow. In the first of two parts, we do something a little different and pick out two projects each that exemplify 9th and his legacy.

TIMESTAMPS:
Weekly Music Roundup - (1:29)
Ben:

• Yelawolf - War Story
• Open Mike Eagle - Sir Rockabye
• KAYTRANADA - TIMELESS
• Vince Staples - Dark Times

Charlie:

• KAYTRANADA - TIMELESS
• SHY FX & Mr. Williamz - Rudeboy Design Soundtape
• Pip Millett - Tell Jimmy I'm Fine
• Celine Love - Colouring In

Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (12:30)
God's Stepson - (23:54)
Black Is Back - (35:06)
Murray's Revenge - (48:08)
Cloud 9: The 3 Day High - (1:01:54)
Lighter Note - (1:12:39)

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved.

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUK
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence