Shots Fired Podcast

Jeff, Nocando, and Open Mike Eagle welcome Dessa of the Minneapolis indie hip-hop collective Doomtree on this week’s Shots Fired! They discuss how Dessa got involved with the Doomtree collective, the different kinds of literature she’s written, and all share their thoughts on the George Zimmerman verdict. Be sure to get yourself a copy of Jeff’s book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com, Open Mike Eagle’s latest EP “Sir Rockabye” at http://openmikeeagle.bandcamp.com, Dessa’s new album “Parts of Speech” at http://www.doomtree.net/dessa/, and keep firing shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

Jeff & Nocando reflect on Jay-Z’s career as they take a look at his latest album, “Magna Carta...Holy Grail” on this week’s Shots Fired! They’ll discuss his early Hawaiian Sophie days with Jaz-O all the way to his grown-up record that samples the likes of Gonjasufi, Adrian Younge, and Nirvana that is the Holy Grail. Plus, they tell us about their 4th of July weekend and Nocando explains why he’s never done molly. Be sure to get yourself a copy of Jeff’s book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com, and keep firing shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

South Central LA based singer/producer/rapper/dancer Tee FLii joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to bring positive energy to Shots Fired! He talks about growing up two blocks from Nocando, krumping with his uncle at age 12, why he believes Michael Jackson is the best, what it means to get a co-sign from DJ Quik, and collaborating with DJ Mustard on his latest mixtape “Fireworks.” Be sure to get yourself a copy of Jeff’s book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com, and keep firing shots by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

On this week’s episode of Shots Fired, Jeff Weiss & MC Nocando discuss Mac Miller’s “Watching Movies with the Sound Off,” J Cole’s “Born Sinner,” and of course Kanye’s “Yeezus.” Plus, they answer your questions regarding LA radio, 2Pac, and Hip-Hop artists defending their art. Be sure to get yourself a copy of Jeff’s book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com, and keep firing shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

The following is a Shots Fired presentation. TV host, radio personality, and entrepreneur DJ Skee joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about how he went from making mixtapes at 15 to working full-time at Loud Records at 16, why producing Game’s infamous “300 Bars” is one of his favorite accomplishments, the current state of DJing, running Skee.TV, which broadcasts worldwide along with being shown in various restaurants, gas stations, & airports, and creating Skee 24/7, a live streaming internet radio. Plus, the guys share their thoughts on “Yeezus.” Be sure to get yourself a copy of Jeff’s book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com, and fire shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

Korean rapper, entertainer, and man behind Knocksteady, Dumbfoundead joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about coming up through the battle rap scene, how Project Blowed taught him to not be shy while on the mic, finding out that he has a huge Nepalese fanbase, being compared to white rappers, and never straying away from his Asian roots. Plus, the guys go through some of the most amazing/ridiculous things Kanye West said in his recent New York Times interview. Be sure to get a copy of Jeff’s new book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/, and fire shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

2Pac’s mentor and first manager Leila Steinberg & 2Pac Vs. Biggie: Rap’s Greatest Battle co-author Evan McGarvey join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss for a LIVE episode from Lot 1 in Echo Park. Jeff explains why 2Pac can wear leather, Evan describes Biggie’s rhyme pattern and style, Leila tells us how meeting 2Pac ultimately changed her life, Nocando shares how both Biggie & 2Pac have influenced him, and everyone discusses the impact that both legendary artists have had on their lives.

Rapper Snow tha Product & MySpace writer Rebecca Haithcoat join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to discuss female rappers and misogyny in Hip-Hop. They talk about the use of the word “bitch” in Hip-Hop, the difficulty of having to be careful of what to say as a woman, the sexualization of women in Hip-Hop, and female rappers having to deal with being looked down upon by male rappers. Be sure to get a copy of Jeff’s new book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/, and fire shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230! If you’re listening to this on the day it drops come to a live taping of Shots Fired, Thursday, May 30 at Lot 1 in Echo Park. 8 p.m. 1533 W. Sunset Blvd. Featuring guests Evan McGarvey, co-author of 2Pac Vs. Biggie: Rap’s Greatest Battle, and 2Pac’s mentor and first manager, Leila Steinberg.

WorldStarHipHop.com gets around 4-6 million hits a day. Q is the man behind this juggernaut of a website and joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about his early beginnings selling mixtapes online with DJ Whoo Kid, where he got his inspiration to make WorldStar a central hub for entertainment, when WorldStar started getting huge, which is the highest trafficked video, how rappers can get on WorldStar, criticisms the site has received from the fight videos, and the future ventures of WorldStarHipHop. Be sure to get a copy of Jeff’s new book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap’s Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/, and fire shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230! Also, come to a live taping of Shots Fired, next Thursday, May 30 at Lot 1 in Echo Park. 8 p.m. 1533 W. Sunset Blvd. Featuring guests Evan McGarvey, co-author of 2Pac Vs. Biggie: Rap's Greatest Battle, and 2Pac's mentor and first manager, Leila Steinberg.

Rapper, producer, and all around internet entity Wax joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about having a number one hit in Europe with his song “Rosana,” the phenomenon of being big in another country, and the truth behind making something go viral. Be sure to get a copy of Jeff’s new book “2pac vs. Biggie: An Illustrated History of Rap's Greatest Battle,” check out Nocando’s mixtape “Tits ‘N Explosions” at http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/, and fire shots of your own by calling us at (424) 216-6230!

Music writer/scholar/DJ Oliver Wang of soul-sides.com & 3rd member of Shots Fired Open Mike Eagle join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss this week to discuss recent controversies in the Hip-Hop community. They talk about Open Mike Eagle being removed from a Hollywood Bar show the day before the performance due to their “no rap” policy, Dr. Boyce Watkins calling Tyler the Creator’s Mountain Dew commercial racist, Lil Wayne receiving backlash from his Emmett Till lyric, Rick Ross losing his Reebok sponsorship over his date rape lyric, and Scarface claiming that record executives are brainwashing a generation of Hip-Hop fans in a conspiracy against black people in Hip-Hop.

West Coast rapper/producer Alexander Spit joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss this week to discuss Psychedelic Rap. They’ll get into the roots of Psychedelic music, what is considered Psychedelic Rap, and which rappers were influenced through the use of Psychedelics. Plus, the guys talk about the first time they got high, burning out on Psychedelics, and bad smelling hippies.

Hellfyre Club artist Taurus Scott & rapper Open Mike Eagle join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss this week to talk about lead singer syndrome. They talk about rappers who live on their own time, how fame effects a rapper’s ego, and why conscious rappers sometimes have the worst case of lead singer syndrome. Plus, Taurus tells us about his time working with G-Unit, Open Mike Eagle shares lead singer syndrome stories from touring, and Nocando tells us about a rapper who had a meltdown while on tour in New Mexico.

Rapper/podcaster Intuition & Grantland writer Alex Pappademas join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about what if scenarios. They talk about what if Biggie were still alive, The D.O.C. never damaged his larynx, Death Row signed Freestyle Fellowship, Ice Cube never left N.W.A, rappers get into performing musicals, Max B never went to jail, Big Pun were still alive, 50 Cent never got shot 9 times, RZA’s basement in Staten Island did not flood, and 2pac were still alive. Plus, Jeff & Nocando take a look at DMX reuniting with his son. Be sure to call and ask us questions at (424) 216-6230.

Richmond, California rapper and producer Iamsu! joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about the Bay area. They’ll talk about the history of Bay area rap, how Mac Dre changed everything for the Bay, and why you can’t hate on Lil B. Iamsu! also tells us which producers influenced him, how the Bay is coming back, and plays a track from his mixtape “$uzy 6 $peed.” Plus, the guys find out that Chris Brown made a “Shots Fired” song, take a listen to Ray J’s Kanye West diss, and are baffled by LL Cool J’s verse on Brad Paisley’s “Accidental Racist.”

I thought I told you that we won’t stop. Andy Rosen (Record Producer & 1/2 of the Totally Laime podcast) joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to talk about the history of Pop Rap and crossovers. They’ll get into what makes something Pop, why certain rappers failed to maintain a stable career after having one crossover hit, and their thoughts on the modern era of Pop. Plus, the guys explain what ratchet is to Andy. Take that. Take that.

Producer/rapper Scoop Deville & Hellfyre Club rapper Rheteric Ramirez join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss this week to discuss the history of latin contributions to Hip-Hop. They start off by talking about several Latin Hip-Hop pioneers such as DJ Disco Wiz, Prince Whipper Whip, The Mean Machine, and Prince Markie Dee of The Fat Boys. Then they explore the West Coast Latin rap boom by talking about Mellow Man Ace, Julio G, Kid Frost, Cypress Hill, Psycho Realm, MC BLVD, and A Lighter Shade of Brown. Next they bridge the gap between the West Coast & East Coast by talking about Delinquent Habits, Big Pun, The Beatnuts, Fat Joe, and N.O.R.E. Finally, they make their way down South as they talk about Baby Bash, Chingo Bling, and South Park Mexican. Plus, we’re treated to some tracks by Scoop & Rheteric.

Rapper extraordinaire Freddie Gibbs joins MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss to discuss athletes trying to rap. They talk about the Chicago Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle,” the LA Rams’ “Ram It,” Darryl Strawberry’s “Chocolate Strawberry,” Shaq’s “You Can’t Stop The Reign,” B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret, Kobe Bryant failed attempt at rap, Deion Sanders’ “Must Be The Money,” Tony Parker ft. Fabolous, Chris Webber ft. Kurupt, Allen Iverson’s “40 Bars,” Metta World Peace’s “Afghan Women,” Kevin Durant’s “Wired,” The Hyperizers’ “Don’t Criticize,” and Delonte West’s KFC Freestyle. Plus, the guys give their reasons for not going to SXSW this year.

Self Jupiter of Freestyle Fellowship & Fatlip of The Pharcyde join MC Nocando & Jeff Weiss this week to talk about their lives, their music, and what they’re doing now. Self Jupiter and Fatlip discuss early beginnings, the Good Life Cafe, and play some classic/current tracks. Plus, they talk about Drake’s trip to the strip club and MTV’s Hottest MC List.

British musician/producer/DJ Bonobo aka Simon Green joins MC Nocando and Jeff Weiss to talk about the electronic music scenes in the UK, how Hip-Hop was his introduction into exploring other genres of music, and learning how to operate a dance floor by playing a bunch of shows in a jazz room in Brighton. Bonobo also tells us why he chose to name himself Bonobo, the birthplace of the original dub-step, and plays a couple tracks from his upcoming album “The North Borders.” Plus, Jeff gives us a quick lesson on moon rocks.