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by Rhythm and Rhymes
Rhythm & Rhymes is your global hub for all black music.From discussing new releases and trends to exploring the business side of music, we provide dynamic & enlightening perspectives.Join us as we explore the connections between the past and present, unearthing the stories that have profoundly shaped our diverse musical landscape. Get ready to embark on a rhythmic journey that celebrates black music's powerful legacy and evolving influence worldwide.
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- 3 days ago4 min
Juan Atkins: Detroit Techno’s Black Roots and Global Legacy
How did a sound created in Black Detroit become so closely associated with Europe?In this solo R&R episode, AJ remembers techno pioneer Juan Atkins and explores the city, communities, and imagination behind his music. From the Belleville Three to Cybotron, Model 500, and Metroplex, the story follows Detroit techno’s beginnings and its journey to Berlin’s dance floors.Along the way, AJ connects Cybotron’s “Clear” to Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control” and reflects on what happens when music reaches a global audience while its origins become less visible.A tribute to Juan Atkins—and to the Black creative worlds that helped make the future sound possible.Follow R&R for more conversations about Black music, history, and culture. If this episode introduced you to something new, share it with someone who loves the music.
- Oct 9, 202621 min
A 9AM Party, Spotify Superfan Shows, NoCap & Asake
What happens when a party starts at 9AM? AJ recaps 9AM Banger, from the music and open bar to the ticket prices and the crowd. He and Antonio also talk about Spotify’s intimate Lagos show for selected Premium listeners, Seyi Vibez’s streaming-led No. 1 in Nigeria, NoCap’s Heaven on Mars, what they’ve had on repeat, and Asake’s bars.
- Oct 2, 202629 min
The Hip Hop Police, Where Conscious Rap Went & Tiakola's WpointM
Listen everywhere: https://linktr.ee/RealRandRAJ and Antonio go from COINTELPRO to the hip hop police to rap lyrics on trial, and ask who decides what gets pushed. Plus the debunked 1991 "secret meeting" letter, where conscious rap went, and a review of Tiakola's WpointM.0:00 Cold open0:45 COINTELPRO and the hip hop police2:40 Lyrics on trial: Young Thug and Lil Durk5:30 Do the cases build the careers?11:50 The 1991 "secret meeting" letter and SoundScan14:40 What happened to Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Common?18:10 Is anybody putting money behind positive music?22:00 LaRussell23:50 Tiakola's W.M. reviewR&R is Modern Radio for global black sounds.
- Sep 24, 202623 min
Afrobeats, the CIA & the Politics of Popular Music
Is Afrobeats’ global rise a story of talent, label investment, political influence, or overlapping forces? AJ and Antonio debate the Chocolate City/CIA claim, what counts as evidence, and how soft power might operate through music. Plus: AI tributes to deceased artists and a BXKS discovery.CHAPTERS00:00 Cold open and introduction01:00 The Spearhead video and its claims02:00 Chocolate City: connections versus evidence08:00 Can soft power work without political lyrics?11:00 CKay, label promotion and “industry plants”13:00 Tems and connecting the dots15:00 Who is Afrobeats being made for?17:00 Soft power wrap-up and AI tributes19:00 Discovering BXKS22:00 Final thoughts and music recommendationsRhythm & Rhymes is modern radio for global black sounds.
- Sep 20, 202626 min
UMG's AI Remix Deal, Jay-Z In 8, Jhené Aiko & Unknown T
Antonio breaks down UMG's licensing deal with ElevenLabs for a fan remix platform, what it could mean for DJs, and whether AI is a boost or just ease. Then: Rick Rubin's Jay-Z In 8 and whether song by song beats start to finish, AJ plays Antonio his first Bouyon, Jhené Aiko's Westside Whimsy, Rio The Young OG, and Unknown T's Listen.Subscribe + listen everywhere: https://linktr.ee/RealRandRR&R is Modern Radio for global black sounds.
- Sep 9, 202633 min
Afro+ Fest, Kanye’s Reunion & Beyoncé’s B’Day at 20
Join the R&R newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/rhythmandrhymesWe wanted to be at Afro Plus Fest. Then we saw how the weekend unfolded.AJ and Antonio discuss the storm, entry problems, and attendee reactions—and why criticizing one festival shouldn’t become an indictment of Black-led events.Also: Kanye West’s Chicago reunion, why Big Sean keeps catching strays, and whether Nemzzz’s Locked In would work better as a shorter project. We unpack the NAACP’s new African award categories and revisit Beyoncé’s B’Day at 20, including Antonio discovering the Spanish version of “Irreplaceable.”Modern radio for global Black sounds00:00 Cold open & introduction01:00 Afro Plus Fest: expectations vs. reality08:00 Did Afro Plus grow too fast?11:00 The devil or poor project management?12:00 Kanye West’s Chicago reunion17:00 Why does Big Sean keep catching strays?19:00 Nemzzz’s Locked In & the case for shorter projects23:00 NAACP’s new African award categories26:00 Beyoncé’s B’Day at 20 & Spanish “Irreplaceable”31:00 The Beyoncé AI debate33:00 Closing
- Sep 4, 202643 min
The House Whitney Built: Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston & “I Will Always Love You” | EP 150
Subscribe to R&R on Substack: https://substack.com/@rhythmandrhymesDolly Parton refused to give Elvis Presley’s team half the publishing rights to “I Will Always Love You.” Years later, Whitney Houston transformed the song into a global phenomenon—and reportedly made Dolly roughly $10 million in royalties.AJ and Antonio break down the ownership decision behind “the house that Whitney built” before discussing Kelvin Momo’s dispute with Kabza De Small and what it reveals about Amapiano’s economic ecosystem.They also ask how old is too old for undergraduate homecoming parties, investigate Ty Dolla $ign’s mysterious hair transformation, explain the difference between sampling and interpolation, debate whether Rod Wave needs more collaborators and discuss how AZ Chike capitalized on Kendrick Lamar’s co-sign.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston and “I Will Always Love You”03:20 When do you become “unc” at homecoming?06:50 Kelvin Momo and Kabza De Small’s dispute12:20 Is Amapiano bigger than its economy?25:20 The Ty Dolla $ign hair investigation30:45 Rod Wave, Boosie and interpolation36:35 Has Rod Wave’s independence become a limitation?39:00 AZ Chike and the Kendrick Lamar co-signModern radio for global Black sounds.
- Aug 27, 202625 min
Notting Hill Carnival Turns 60. Can London Keep It Alive?
What allows Black music and cultural institutions to last?AJ and Antonio discuss Notting Hill Carnival’s 60th anniversary, Machel Montano’s new Brooklyn exhibition, Victony avoiding the sophomore slump, Ransom’s late-career consistency and whether Anderson .Paak and Cordae have lost creative momentum.
About Rhythm and Rhymes
Rhythm & Rhymes is your global hub for all black music.From discussing new releases and trends to exploring the business side of music, we provide dynamic & enlightening perspectives.Join us as we explore the connections between the past and present, unearthing the stories that have profoundly shaped our diverse musical landscape. Get ready to embark on a rhythmic journey that celebrates black music's powerful legacy and evolving influence worldwide.
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