Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: Jazz Hop ft. Natayla by Traum Diggs. 1988 ft. Hache ST by Traum Diggs. Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publication…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "My Journal" by Traum Diggs. Available on the Bandcamp Exclusive Deluxe edition of AudioBioGraphic. Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Heartskip" (ft. RES and Hector Mario) by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has partici…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Intro" "Black Champion" "On the Road Again" All music tracks featured in this episode are from Black Champion EP by Traum Diggs Black Champion EP is available for free download on Bandcamp. Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist fr…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Bars" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels …

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Confluence of Insanity" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in confe…

Paying tribute: The Dr. Eugene Marsh Memorial Fund ---------- VERZUZ | TrillerVerz III (verzuztv.com) - Big Daddy Kane vs. KRS-ONE ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Born Alone" by Traum Diggs Available on AudioBioGraphic - Deluxe Bandcamp Exclusive Also available on AudioBioGraphic - EP Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Pi…

Paying tribute: The Dr. Eugene Marsh Memorial Fund ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Arabesque Film Sh@t" by Traum Diggs Available on AudioBioGraphic - Deluxe Bandcamp Exclusive Also available on AudioBioGraphic - EP Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalis…

"Family Ties" by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar • (video) ---------- Special Link: The Dr. Eugene Marsh Memorial Fund ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Trauma Da Block Pro" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began wri…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Worthy" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panel…

Order the book here: Deep in the Dark with the Art: Conversations With The Creators Behind The Best Cover Art From the Wu-Tang Clan and Their Killa Beez Affiliates Learn more about the More than Words organization. ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Ice Cream Melts" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Trapped" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and pane…

Additional Resources: "Biden Signs Law Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday," New York Times, June 17, 2021. "The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth," National Museum of African American History and Culture, blog post. Media References: "Juneteenth," TV Episode, S1-E9, Atlanta, aired October 25, 2016. "Juneteenth," TV Episode, S4-E1, Black-ish, aired O…

Additional Resources: "Whitmire: Alabama lawmaker wants to ban critical race theory, so I asked him what it is," AL.com, June 15, 2021. "How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race Theory," The New Yorker, June 18, 2021. "Fox’s anti-“critical race theory” parents are also GOP activists," Media Matters for America, June 17, …

SELWYN JONES BIO Born in 1966 to sharecroppers in the Jim Crow South, Selwyn Miles Jones was the youngest of seventeen children. In the small town of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Selwyn, and his siblings toiled alongside their parents in the tobacco fields and endured the most desolate and harsh conditions imaginable. The poverty, disrespect, hatred …

Shock G on Apple Music Digital Underground on Apple Music "Super What?" by Czarface & MF DOOM ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "I Declare" by Traum Diggs Our Spotify playlist: A Guest in the House Podcast Picks ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contrib…

Additional Resource: Hip Hop Realness and the White Performer by Mickey Hess Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "On the Road Again" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has partic…

Featured audio clips: "Prayer (Skit)" by DMX "Life Story" (Featuring Cheryl, Pepsi Riley & Racquel) by Black Rob ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and pane…

Official MF DOOM merchandise site: gasdrawls.com Songs highlighted in this episode: "Beef Rap" by MF DOOM "Final Hour" by King Geedorah "Meat Grinder" by Madvillain (Madlib and MF DOOM) "Lactose and Lecithin" by Viktor Vaughn "Fall Back / Titty Fat" by Viktor Vaughn "The Fine Print" by King Geedorah ---------- Show music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "L…

Show music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Block Pro" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including …

Related links: Eugene Marsh ’13, ’18, whose moving personal journey inspired universal admiration, dies at 71 (Rider University) Revisiting Aunt Jemima: 'Slave in a Box' (NPR) Overlooked No More: Nancy Green, the 'Real Aunt Jemima' (NY Times) Nearly 100 years later, original Aunt Jemima gets a headstone (Chicago Crusader) Apple "Black Unity" Watch …

Featured audio clip: "Stick 'Em" by Fat Boys ---------- Additional Resources: Original announcement from SiriusXM radio station, Rock The Bells An Oral History of the Fat Boys’ “All You Can Eat” Official MF DOOM merchandise site: GASDRAWLS.com (Ref: Ep.30) ---------- Show music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Major Journalism" by Traum Diggs ---------- D…

Featured audio clips: "Hey!" by MF DOOM "Gazzillion Ear" (feat. J Dilla) by MF DOOM "Stanley Ipkiss" by Wally Thrasher (aka Jukstapose) ---------- Additional Resources: "Metal Faces, Rap Masks: Identity and Resistance in Hip Hop's Persona Artist" by Mickey Hess. Popular Music and Society, 28:3, 297-311, July 2005. Official MF DOOM merchandise site:…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Prayer Meeting (ft. Ar'Braf & Drea)" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and un…

For additional reading: The Wilmington Massacre: An American Coup D'etat ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Confluence of Insanity" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications an…

In Memory of John "Ecstasy" Fletcher Featured audio clip: "One Love" by Whodini Purchase "One Love" ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Blue Room" by Gas-Lab & Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print an…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Is You Happy" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities including Ri…

Featured audio clip courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Worthy" by Traum Diggs Show music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Trauma Da Block Pro" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has partici…

Steve Sachs spent his years after college playing in a band. Designing flyers, merch and album covers eventually led him to a job in marketing, but after a few years in the field, he needed a change. Prior to marketing, Steve worked with seniors living with memory impairment, and as a vocational trainer for young adults with special needs. He also …

Steve Sachs spent his years after college playing in a band. Designing flyers, merch and album covers eventually led him to a job in marketing, but after a few years in the field, he needed a change. Prior to marketing, Steve worked with seniors living with memory impairment, and as a vocational trainer for young adults with special needs. He also …

Featured audio clip: "Something Real" by Sa-Roc ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Yaphet Kotto" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences a…

Resources: Black Reconstruction in America by W.E.B. DuBois The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter Woodson The 1619 Project ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Passin' Time" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent fe…

Resources: Dr. Kaila Story’s Strange Fruit podcast: https://wfpl.org/category/podcasts/strange-fruit/ Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility (and backlash): https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/magazine/white-fragility-robin-diangelo.html Claudia Rankine: https://time.com/5887426/claudia-rankine-just-us-racism/ Yusuf Hawkins: https://www.hbo.com/documentar…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Season of the Vic" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities includi…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Mighty Healthy 2010" by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and has participated in conferences and panels at several colleges and universities inclu…

Featured audio clip: "Devil" by Malik B and Mr. Green "Devil" music video ---------- Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "DOC" ft. Andrew Gould by Traum Diggs ---------- David Shanks, aka Traum Diggs, is an MC/writer/journalist from Brooklyn, NY. He began writing articles in 2005, contributing correspondent features for print and online publications and…

Music Courtesy of Traum Diggs: "Trapped" by Traum DiggsPor A Guest in the House

Ropeadope is a collaborative community, a brand, a moving force with a life of its own that is larger than life. Founded at the close of the last century, Ropeadope has taken the path less traveled, always following the music where it wants to go. From historically significant records with celebrity names to completely unknown artists, Ropeadope ha…

Soren Baker is the author of 2018's critically acclaimed The History Of Gangster Rap and co-author with Gucci Mane of The Gucci Mane Guide to Greatness, which is slated for release October 13, 2020 via Simon & Schuster. Baker has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, XXL, The Source, and the Chicago Tribune, among many others. In addit…

While Mickey and Dave address the notable deaths that happened in the weeks and days just prior to recording this episode, the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police had not yet occurred at the time of recording. The segment added at the opening of this podcast was recorded in early June to acknowledge Mr. Floyd's death and the d…

The world is in unprecedented times with the pandemic still looming and massive protests and reaction to the police killing of George Floyd. Dave and Mickey first check-in on each other's mental health and wellbeing and then discuss the magnitude of the moment and steps to heal and reform our country.…

Mickey asks Dave to look back at what got him into rap as a kid growing up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn in the 80s and 90s. Dave begins with the early influences like his brother, "J Fresh", and Run DMC, then recounts the stories of his learning, growth and ultimately contributions to the art form. He and Mickey then flow into a discussion of how cha…

Mickey and Dave examine the metaphors, "a guest in the house of hip-hop" and "a seat at the table," deconstructing the foundations that the house of hip-hop was built upon. Hip-hop started out as a predominantly black form of art, but over the years has changed to become more diverse and be seen more broadly as American culture. What is the house o…

Learn more about J'na Jefferson.Por A Guest in the House

The conversation on hip-hop as property continues, and David and Mickey also take some time to discuss their current listening preferences and favorite artists of the moment.Por A Guest in the House

A "controversial" remark from rapper Jay Electronica on his latest release sparks a conversation between the fellas on what is considered offensive in hip-hop and who has the authority to make those determinations.Por A Guest in the House

Mickey digs deep into his past as Dave asks him to describe what drew him to hip-hop music in the 80s and 90s as a young white kid in rural Kentucky.Por A Guest in the House

Mickey and Dave discuss the rapper and poet Noname’s proclamation that she will no longer perform for a predominantly White crowd because “I don’t want to dance on a stage for white people” who are more dedicated to enjoying Black art than they are to standing up for Black people. Plus, Lil Wayne’s assertion that the number of White kids at his con…

In this episode, David and Mickey discuss the origins of Black History Month and the successes and failures of its implementation in schools.Por A Guest in the House

We rank our favorite Wu-Tang Clan albums and singles and discuss the influence of Popa Wu, the Wu-Tang Clan's spiritual mentor, in the wake of his recent passing.Por A Guest in the House