LFOD Radio

What is the #StateOfNEHH? For the past four years, we’ve gathered with artists and industry professionals to discuss the State of New England Hip-Hop. This year we’re back to ask: what does it mean to be a regional artist in 2020? How do you cut through the digital noise to reach your listeners? Our goal, as always, is to pull back the curtain and push the convo forward. This year, we're joined by by Brandie Blaze, Brandon Matthews, CAEV, and Jessica Richards. Huge shoutout to Arielle Gray & Amelia Mason from WBUR for helping to put this together.

In the Season VI Finale, Sam and A-Ball take a look back at this year's adventures, both on and off the mics. With 25 episodes spanning from Boston to Pensacola, there was a lot to talk about. What stood out from each conversation? What is everyone up to now? Tune in to find out. Thank you for growing with us this year.

HelloSIXX and Miles Stone are two Atlanta artists with very different stories and likewise, different perspectives on the city. SIXX grew up in Atlanta & focused her energy on basketball through college, switching gears after graduation. Miles grew up in the North Carolina countryside and rode his trombone playing to a scholarship in the city, where he found his creative partners. Lots of game within!

We met a LOT of artists in Florida. In addition to E-Turn and Big Lo, we also connected with Scrilla H and DJ Ross Lougee while we were in the Sunshine State. Scrilla is from Massachusetts but makes his home in Miami these days, producing, managing, and creating music of his own. Ross is something of a NH/VT legend, who also finds himself down south these days, although for much different reasons. Atlanta next week!

Big Lo is an independent producer/rapper/gentleman born and raised in the state of Florida. From there, he's used his talents to travel the continent, build up his community, and educate other artists aspiring to do the same.

We chopped it up with DJ Deadeye about what he's learned in his 20 years in the game, observations on the current climate, advice to upcoming DJs, and what he's got cooking for 2020. Healthy amount of Sean talk, too. RiP.

Hard to believe that just a few months ago, we were traveling around the country interviewing artists. In fact, Sam spoke to E-Turn exactly two months ago in Orlando, Florida after a show with her Fake Four compadres, Ceschi, Gregory Pepper, Bluebird, and Juanchi. Good people!

Brandie Blaze joined us fresh off the release of Late Bloomer. We unpacked the emotions and experiences behind the album and dove deep into the meaning behind her namesake and the music she creates. It's been a long journey already and this is just the beginning.

Three years ago today, we released our first album. That sentence feels like an understatement. Three years ago, we got 24 of our favorite artists together to record 24 songs in 24 hours and today is the three year anniversary of its release. We reached out to the artists involved, and here's what they had to say looking back.

DJ, educator, afro-futurist, and overall hip-hop head TROY Frost is our guest this week. There's no way you could ever predict the direction this convo went. We were certainly caught off guard... Press play and learn some things.

Award-winning podcasters, ItsLitBoston, join Sam & A-Ball to share their story with ya'll. It's been quite a ride. They also asked some very thoughtful questions of us, and raised a lot of good points about their (and our!) role in the discourse.

Eyenine threw on the snow tires and braved some rugged weather to get down for this one. And we're glad he did. We got into it about writing styles, creative boxes, insomnia, being a pillar of the NH Hip-Hop community, the RZA's birthday parties and a whole lot more. Stay safe out there, ya'll and show love to your favorite artists this week, they're going through it.

From the Road!! Sam has been traveling around the country interviewing artists in different cities. While he was in Charlotte, he linked up with Cyanca & Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon - two very different individuals who highlight not only the diversity of talent in the city, but the different experiences for artists coming out of it.

We're always looking to learn more about the artists around us, so we can introduce them to you, each other, and connect the dots between us all. Dancing & music are such a natural combo, but there still seems to be separation between the dancers & the musicians up here. Ever since we met A-Ball, he's been telling us about the vibrant community that exists and Stiggity Stackz' role in it, so it was a pleasure to have him on to talk about the realities of life for him. We touched on a lot of things in this one. Recommended listening for anybody looking to find their way.

C Wells joined us to talk about his journey as an artist from Lynn, MA, expressing himself through his music, and how his beliefs have carried him forward. We also got into habits, small acts that can spark creativity, and a whole lot more. Very glad we got to link up. Keep an eye out for new music from Wells soon.

Nightworks is one of our favorite events in Boston. We rolled through the two year anniversary and sat down with a few of the artists that performed. Here's our conversations with Obuxum & Daedelus, as well as an update from Atlanta.

Durkin joins Sam to talk about his experiences over the last 15 years in Boston - from DJing Zuzu, to working with Black El, Michael Christmas, meeting Maka, releasing their projects through Fool's Gold, and more. He shared his penchant for positivity and plenty of advice for aspiring DJs as well. Turn it up.

Choppa Tha Beatboxa & D-Koy came through to shine some light on the art of beatboxing. Once an integral part of the culture, it's role has shifted over the years, but the craft is stronger than ever. This convo was inspired by some IG comments of Choppa's, so it was cool to be able to collab like this. The two boxers have very unique styles, but lots of common ground. Great talk... and you best believe we let them go off as well. Even had an impromptu jam sesh. Turn it up.

Najee Janey popped in to talk about the The Purple Earth Theory, Most High Kingdom, his musical journey, recording 100 songs a year, and... well, you've just gotta press play.

Do you know who Rilla Force is? If the answer is "no", please press play to learn about one of New England's hidden gems. If the answer is "yes", press play to gain an even deeper understanding of the internationaly renowned super producer and his sound. We talked past, present, and future. Plus he hit us with an exclusive #LFODMix.