Step Off! Radio

When discussing the pioneering figures in Hip-Hop, there is perhaps no artist who exemplifies longevity more than Masta Ace. For over thirty years, Masta Ace has released a steady stream of solo albums and collaboration projects that have solidified his status as one of the most talented and consistent artists in the genre. With well over a dozen releases to his name, perhaps no album in his discography is more well-known and revered than his 1995 release Sittin’ On Chrome. Released in the midst of the East Coast/West Coast rivalry, Sittin’ On Chrome was highly influential in the West Coast Hip-Hop scene of the mid-'90s. Influencing everything from music, fashion trends, to celebrating car culture, popular on the West Coast as well. The album is notable for performing particularly well in California, especially with Chicano/Mexican-American communities in L.A. and all throughout the Southwest. The album also spawned three popular singles: 'Sittin’ On Chrome’, ‘The I.N.C. Ride’, and ‘Born to Roll’, and to date, the album remains Masta Ace’s most commercially successful album. To celebrate the album’s 30th anniversary, we had the chance to talk with Masta Ace and discuss how Masta Ace came to be signed to Delicious Vinyl out in L.A., the origins of Masta Ace Incorporated, the recording process of Sittin’ On Chrome’, and why the project was the last for Masta Ace Incorporated. As well as Ace’s decision to go independent following the album’s release, and his reflections on his highest charting album and its legacy thirty years later.

Returning to Step Off! Radio, we are joined again Calmplx and Ina of Hip-Hop duo Indigenous Cats, who returned to the show to discuss the release of their latest album Indigenious State of Mind. Nearly six years after the release of their mixtape Traveling Souls Project, Plx and Ina dive into the recording process of their most intimate and personal project yet. During our talk on the show, we catch up with Calmplx and Ina to talk about the album, the process of recording with new producers, challenges of making a cohesive album together, and the importance of making music that brings messages of Indigenous empowerment and decolonization in our current era. Likewise, we also discuss how the project pushed Calmplx and Ina to step into new waters concept-wise, behind-the-scenes accounts discussing the album’s long recording process, as well as some exciting future plans for their music in 2025 and beyond. With that said, we here at Step Off! Radio hope that you all enjoy our conversation with Calmplx and Ina of Indigenous Cats.

Returning to Step Off! Radio, we are joined again by none other than emcee Jag Arreola of Kozmik Force who returns to the show to discuss his latest album ‘Unmasked’. More than five years after the release of his debut solo album 'Maria's Seed', Jag is back with his intimate and personal project yet to date. During our talk on the show we catch up with Jag to talk about the album, his experience as a member of the Justice 8, the challenges of losing his job as a middle school history teacher following his arrest, and making music while fighting the charges that were brought against him. Likewise, we also discuss how the project pushed him to step into new waters concept-wise, behind-the-scenes accounts discussing the album’s long recording process, as well as what the future holds for his music in 2025 and beyond. With that said, we here at Step Off! Radio hope that you all enjoy our conversation with Jag Arreola.

More than twenty-five years ago Brother Ali stepped on the music scene in the early 2000s as a fresh-faced emcee. As a noted community activist and an early member of Atmosphere’s Rhymesayers Entertainment hip-hop collective, the acclaimed Minneapolis-based independent record label, Brother Ali quickly gained a reputation as one of hip-hop’s most outspoken and profoundly authentic artists for his biting critiques of the U.S. government, white supremacy, and treatment of the working class. Along with his revolutionary politics, Brother Ali’s albinism and legal blindness have made him one of the genre’s most unique, distinguishable, and enduring emcees. Over the years the Minneapolis-based activist and rapper has a released string of over a dozen critically acclaimed studio albums and mixtapes which have garnered him a reputation for incorporating complex lyricism, honesty, and unapologetic humanity into his music. Much like his other musical contemporaries such as Immortal Technique, an outspoken social justice message is present throughout much of Brother Ali's music. Discussing themes such as racial inequality, slavery, and critiquing the U.S. government has often put him at odds with the greater music industry for the past twenty years. Most recently his vocal support for Palestine and speaking out against genocide in Gaza has affected his career greatly; resulting in him being blackballed by the music industry for over a year. In today’s episode, Brother Ali joins Step Off! Radio to discuss his new album 'Satisfied Soul' (with long-time collaborator producer Ant of Atmosphere). As well as his early life growing up with albinism, taking shahadah at 15, the origins of his music career, and his thoughts on a litany of social issues taking place both here in the U.S. domestically and abroad. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Brother Ali.

Since October 7th, 2023, the world has borne witness to some of the most horrific images broadcast from Gaza, in what is perhaps the first genocide to be broadcast live across social media. Over the past thirteen months, we have all seen some of the most vile videos and imagery that have brought the brutality of Israeli apartheid in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Likewise, we have also seen a cascade of solidarity with the Palestinian people from across the globe on a level never seen before. At the forefront of this movement has been the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), a transnational, independent, grassroots movement of young Palestinians in Palestine and in exile worldwide as a result of the ongoing Zionist colonization and occupation. In today's episode, we’re joined by Subrein Tamanhoury, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement’s San Diego chapter who stopped by the show to discuss her experiences as a member and the movement's mission of obtaining justice and liberation which has motivated millions of young people across the diaspora to take an active role in the national struggle for the liberation of occupied Palestine. During our interview with Subrein, we were able to discuss PYM San Diego’s involvement with the student-led Gaza solidarity encampment at UCSD last Spring, as well as the ‘Mask Off Maersk’ campaign. The Palestinian Youth Movement’s campaign to get Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping and logistics companies to end shipping military cargo that facilitate Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. We also discussed how being in San Diego geographically puts the chapter in a very unique position to directly address both militarism and arms manufacturing. The region is home to the nation’s largest concentration of military personnel (over 111,000 active-duty service people stationed within the city). It is also home to a litany of manufacturers such as Northrop Grumman and the Maersk which are contracted out by the U.S. military to both produce and ship weaponry across the globe to places like Gaza. All of this and so much more are ahead, so with that said, we are proud to present our conversation with Subrein Tamanhoury of the San Diego Palestinian Youth Movement.

For the past several years, rapper A.B. Raps has been one of the most unique up-and-coming emcees in the Underground Hip-Hop scene of Houston, Texas. In a scene more commonly associated with artists such as the Geto Boys, UGK, and DJ Screw among others, A.B. Raps has made a name for himself incorporating witty lyrics and introspective themes into his music. Pulling influence from legendary Hip-Hop artists such as Eminem, Nas, and artists hailing from his native Texas. Likewise, A.B. Raps has worked with artists such as Chop the Father, NVY JONEZ LKR, D-Rell, and Riverside-based producer Accosta the Man. A.B.'s attention to nuance and detail is not illustrated through his appreciation for classic Boom Bap production, but his ability to craft heartfelt songs that resonate with listeners. In today’s episode, A.B. joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up in Houston, Texas. As well as his path to becoming an emcee. Likewise, we also got to discuss his brand-new album 'Leatherfaces'. A collaborative album exclusively produced by Accosta the Man. As well as discuss what the future holds for his music. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with A.B. Raps.

For the past several years, D-Rell has been one of the most versatile up-and-coming emcees in New York's fabled underground Hip-Hop scene. D-Rell is no stranger to the culture and has spent the better part of the last eighteen years fine-tuning his craft. His love and appreciation for the art make him one of the most versatile, lyrically gifted emcees both on the East and the West Coast. With a vintage backpack rap style that recalls the sounds of Hip-Hop's Golden Era which we all love It comes as no surprise that D-Rell has worked with artists such as NVY JONEZ LKR, Chop the Father, and has released a string of mixtapes produced by Riverside-based producer Accosta the Man. D-Rell's attention to nuance and detail has only illustrated his appreciation for classic Boom Bap production and proof that the sound's popularity extends well outside of the boundaries of his native New York City and the East Coast. In today’s episode, D-Rell joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up as a child in Harlem, New York in the 90's and early 2000s. As well as his path to becoming an emcee. Likewise, we also got to discuss upcoming projects and chat with longtime collaborators and friends of the show NVY JONEZ LKR and Accosta the Man. As well as discuss what the future holds for his music. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with D-Rell.

Like clockwork, with every election cycle immigration becomes a lightning rod for politicians on both sides of the aisle to take advantage of and exploit. Beyond the empty often vitriolic rhetoric, seldom are the nuances, intricacies, and perhaps most importantly the shortcomings of the nation's immigration ever system truly explored in-depth by our public leaders and officials. However, for decades artists have taken to a plethora of mediums to explore not just the effects of the U.S. immigration system, but what it means to be an immigrant in the U.S.. Art is not only a reflection of our society. It is also a means by which we air our frustrations, channel our grief, and collectively document the general sentiment that is often held at a given time. In our latest episode, we are joined by Dr. Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana, an assistant professor of Chicano Studies in the Department of Black and Latino Studies at Baruch College in New York City. Dr. De La Cruz Santana is also the director of both the Playas De Tiajuana and the El Paso del Norte Mural Projects, as well as a researcher for the Humanizing Deportation project. A community-based digital storytelling project and the world’s most robust public qualitative archive that documents the human consequences of contemporary migration and border control in the U.S. and Mexico. Dr. De La Cruz Santana joins us on Step Off! Radio to not only share her work as an academic but, also as someone who regularly spends her time on the ground at the border to work with disaffected communities. All too often the conversation around immigration is told by people who don’t come from immigrant backgrounds, who are not from border communities, and people who simply do not understand the complexities and nuances of what is the busiest and most consequential border crossing on the entire planet. So here to discuss that and so much more we are proud to present to you our conversation with Dr. Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana.

There is perhaps no artist in Hip-Hop's Underground scene more highly touted and revered than Felipe Coronel, better known by the stage name Immortal Technique. As one of the most prolific, self-made independent artists, for the past twenty-plus years Immortal Technique has explicitly used his music as a vehicle for politics. It goes without saying most of Technique's music focuses on issues pertaining to U.S. and global politics. His views expressed in his lyrics largely share commentary on issues such as class struggle, socialism, poverty, religion, government, imperialism, and institutional racism. Over the years the Peruvian-born, Harlem-raised activist and rapper has a released string of three critically acclaimed studio albums and a mixtape which have garnered him a reputation for incorporating complex lyricism, unfeigned humanitarianism, and highly intellectual historical analysis within his music. Likewise, Immortal Technique not only talks the talk but backs his lyrics with concrete action. Immortal Technique's humanitarianism has reached far and wide – from mentoring youth in prison to building an orphanage in Afghanistan funded by his third album, The 3rd World, to helping to rebuild Haiti after 2010’s devastating earthquake and delivering life-saving supplies for migrants traveling in the treacherous deserts of the U.S.-Mexico border, Technique's life's work both inside and outside of the recording booth have truly been with the people. Likewise, during the height of the pandemic in 2020, he started his own charity, The Rebel Army Runs to take care of the elders in his community of Harlem NY, and many others around the U.S. In today’s episode, Immortal Technique joins Step Off! Radio to discuss Joe Biden and Democrat's Democrats’ hard-right turn on immigration, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, student solidarity encampments that have cropped up in universities throughout the country, and the creeping rise of far-right authoritarianism and fascism in the United States. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Immortal Technique.

In our latest installment of Step Off! Radio, Stacey Uy of the Radical History Club returns to discuss her role as the founder, researcher, writer, and illustrator of the series. And discuss its humble origins, as well as what drove her to spotlight understudied historical legacies. We also discuss the importance of curating a curriculum for students that not only challenges false narratives but centers communities that have traditionally been marginalized and ignored in U.S. history books. Lastly, we also discuss how her research methodology has changed since first starting the series in 2019, and what the future hold for The Radical History Club.

For the past several years, Sham Blak has made a name for himself as one of the most versatile emcees in San Diego’s Underground Hip-Hop scene. Originally hailing from Southeast San Diego, Sham has made it his mission to deliver raw, unapologetic Hip-Hop with the sensibilities of today’s modern audiences. Over the years Sham Blak has pulled influence from a plethora of classic artists and his peers in the local Hip-Hop scene. He has also consistently shown his appreciation for dark beats and incorporating clever rhymes into his music to create a unique tapestry of sounds that has set his catalog apart from the standard run-of-the-mill music heard throughout much of the region. As a member of the Hip-Hop collective Spooky Gaang and having released a slew of mixtapes over the years; Sham Blak has quickly made a name for himself with his use of dark production and sharp lyrical wit which has further set him apart from his contemporaries in the local San Diego underground scene. In today’s episode, Sham Blak joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up as an aspiring emcee in Southeast San Diego, his time in the military, and the backstory behind some of his works. Likewise, we also got to discuss upcoming projects and what the future holds for his music. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Sham Blak.

In the ever expanding realm of New York's infamous underground Hip-Hop scene artist S.K. Winter Yat has made a name for himself. Hailing from Washington Heights, Manhattan and pulling influence from legendary Hip-Hop artists such as Nas, Big Pun, and the Notorious B.I.G., S.K. Winter Yat has slowly built up a profile as a both a freelance journalist and an adept emcees. Having worked with artists such as Kozmik Force, Rojoz, and releasing a string of mixtapes S.K winter Yat illustrated that the appreciation for raw rhymes and classic Boom Bap production still extends well outside on the boundaries of his native New York and the broader East Coast. In today’s episode, S.K. Winter Yat joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up as a child in New York City, his path to becoming an emcee, his experience as a freelance journalist, and his latest EP FKISUTALKINBOUT. Likewise, we also got to discuss his Mayan ancestry, decolonization in Hip-Hop, and what the future holds for his music.

Since the rise of the Chicano Movement in the late 60s, Chicano artists have used a variety of mediums to express historical counter-narratives, encourage political activism, and educate communities. Fifty-three years ago on April 22, 1970, in San Diego, California the residents of Logan Heights, alongside a coalition comprised of hundreds of students, community activists, Brown Berets, and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) collectively staged a successful 12-day people’s land takeover to thwart the construction of a California Highway Patrol substation on land where the city of San Diego had promised to build a public park for barrio residents. Thanks in part to the protest, the city of San Diego agreed to acquire the site from the state and develop it into a park for the Chicano community. In 2023, Chicano Park is widely regarded as a monument to the self-determination and self-empowerment of Chicano people in the U.S. The concrete pillars that uphold the Coronado Bridge that once sliced and divided the community are now adorned with the iconic murals that have made Chicano Park an anchor for the community’s strong Chicano identity and its revolutionary spirit and history. Although while Chicano Park has grown and expanded alongside the neighborhood and received a National Historic Landmark designation from the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2017, the park and its illustrious collection of intricate murals continued to lack an official space dedicated to documentation and preservation of its history until Chicano Park opened the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center (CPMCC) last Fall. Unsurprisingly, Chicano artists have continued this legacy of Chicanismo into today’s contemporary artistic and political movements—taking the moment to express political autonomy, cultural solidarity, and pride in being of Indigenous descent. Lucas Cruz, Chairman of the Chicano Park Steering Committee joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center, the struggle to make the museum a reality, and what the museums means to the residents of Barrio Logan and Logan Heights.

For the past several years, Chop the Father has been one of the most unique up-and-coming emcees in the Underground Hip-Hop scene of Houston, Texas. In a scene that is more commonly associated with artists such as the Geto Boys, UGK, and DJ Screw among others. Chop the Father has fired his own path. Pulling influence from legendary Hip-Hop artists such as Big L, Nas, and the Notorious BIG, Chop the Father has made a name for himself incorporating high brow punchlines and colorful pop culture references into his songs. As well as crafting to solemn stories of self reflection and past hardships into his music. Incorporating his appreciation for dark, brooding production Chop the Father has creates a unique tapestry of projects that have set his catalog apart from run-of-the-mill artists in Houston’s local Hip-Hop scenes. Having worked with artists such as D-Rell, NVY JONEZ LKR, and releasing a string of mixtapes produced by Riverside-based producer Accosta the Man; Chop the Father has illustrated that the appreciation for classic Boom Bap production extends well outside on the boundaries of New York City and the East Coast. In today’s episode, Chop the Father joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up as a child in Houston, Texas’ Latino community, and his path to becoming an emcee. Likewise, we also got to discuss upcoming projects and what the future holds for his music. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Chop the Father.

It can be argued that with every passing year, groups and duos within Hip-Hop are increasingly becoming less common within the genre. As more more artists and producers opt for more solo careers or one-off collaborations, the sight of the quintessential Hip-Hop crew is now a rare sight . Challenging this notion however, are the Neighborhood Kids (Amon the Emcee, Verde, DJ JG, Niko Rosy, Gatoz Locoz, and Emerson). A crew of emcees, producers, DJs and live musicians who have not only challenged status quo through their music. But also blend genres and push the boundaries of conventional Hip-Hop. After years of collaborating and working adjacent with one another, this one of a kind crew of crew has quickly made a name for themselves as one of San Diego’s busiest and most promising up-and coming group’s in the region’s underground Hip-Hop scene. In our latest installment of Step Off! Radio, group members Amon the Emcee, Verde and DJ JG came on to the show to talk about their experiences as emcees, producers, DJs and to reflect on their general experiences as independent artists in San Diego’s underground Hip-Hop community. In this episode we dive into the member's early years, their influences, their journey into Hip-Hop, and what eventually led to them founding of the Neighborhood Kids and their quest to be innovators and envelope pushers in the local scene. Likewise, we also discuss what it means to the group to be socially conscious artists, the power to teach and make change through music, discuss upcoming projects and what the future holds for his music. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with the Amon, Verde, and DJ JG of the Neighborhood Kids!

For the past several years, NVY JONEZ LKR (Navy Jonez Locker) has been one of the most unique up-and-coming emcees in the Southern California’s Underground Hip-Hop scene. Originally hailing from Williamsburg, Brooklyn the New York rhyme spitter has made it his mission to give music lovers a taste of "NY HIP-HOP", with the new sounds and delivery of for today’s audiences. Having With toured and performance in places such as Copenhagen Denmark, Malmö Sweden, Tokyo Japan, and of course New York and Los Angeles, Navy Jonez experiences both inside and outside of Hip-Hop have taken him across the world and provided a unique world-view few Hip-Hop artists, let alone people can fully appreciate. Pulling influence from legendary Hip-Hop artists such as Roc Marciano and Griselda and Navy Jonez incorporated his appreciation for dark beats and clever rhymes into music to create a unique tapestry of sounds that has set his catalog apart from the standard run-of-the-mill West Coast artists in Southern California’s local Hip-Hop scenes. Having worked with artists such as D-Rell, Chop the Father, and releasing a slew of mixtapes produced by Riverside-based producer Accosta the Man; Navy Jonez has quickly made a name for himself with his use of dark production and sharp lyrical wit. In today’s episode, Navy Jonez joins Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up as an aspiring emcee in Brooklyn New York, his time in the service, and the backstory behind some of his favorite songs. Likewise, we also got to discuss upcoming projects and what the future holds for his music. So with that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Navy Jonez Locker.

With every passing year, groups and duos within Hip-Hop are increasingly becoming a rarity within the genre. Especially as more more artists and producers opt for more solo careers or one-off collaborations. Challenging this notion however, are rapper, KILLcRey and, producer, Gene Flo. Both hailing from San Diego, California (Barrio Logan and Chula Vista). Together the rapper/producer duo makeup The Invisible Panchos, the live performance project of the long time collaborators. After years of collaborating and working adjacent to one another in San Diego's underground Hip-Hop scene, the duo decided to come together to create a live performance art piece using their individual and collective music as the canvas. In our latest installment of Step Off! Radio, KILLcRey and Gene Flo came on to the show to talk about their experiences as emcees, producers, podcast hosts and their general experiences as independent artists in San Diego’s Hip-Hop scene. In this interview you will be able to hear our conversation diving into KILLcRey and Gene Flo's early years, their influences, their journey into podcasting, and great general insight from two incredible artists that have made a name for themselves as innovators and envelope pushers in the local scene. Likewise, you also hear from both artists what it means to them to be futurists, artists, rappers, podcast hosts. With thats said, we present to you our conversation with the Invisible Panchos!

Returning to Step Off! Radio, we are joined again by none other than emcee and singer Selene Selah. For close to the past decade Selene Selah has made her rounds in the underground Hip-Hop scenes of Los Angeles, California. Hailing from Hawthorne, California, Selene Selah regularly uses her platform to incorporate a blend of various philosophies from decolonization, to Indigenous empowerment, and new age spirituality into her unique brand of Hip-Hop. We had Selene return to the show to talk about her brand new album, Taste of Satorí, the follow-up to her debut project Xōchitl Blossoms which dropped back in 2019. Selene discusses the ten-track album, as well as talk about she has updated the Boom Bap and soulful production that she has made a name for herself both singing and rapping over. Likewise, we also discuss how the project pushed her to step into new waters concept-wise, behind-the-scenes accounts discussing the album’s long recording process, as well as her move from L.A. to Oklahoma. And talk about future upcoming projects and what the future holds for her music in the upcoming year. With that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Selene Selah.

For the past several years underground hip hop duo Indigenous Cats, composed of recording artists Ina and Calmplx (pronounced Complex), have made their rounds in the underground hip-hop scenes of Los Angeles, California. Drawing inspiration from classic Boom Bap Jazz, and Reggae, interwoven with with unique takes on decolonization; the duo’s incorporation of Indigenous empowerment in their music has crafted a unique sound setting them apart from virtually all of their peers in L.A.’s burgeoning underground hip-hop scene. Invoking the nostalgia of hip-hop’s heyday, conjuring memories of a by-gone era while still addressing dilemmas of the 21st century. In her first solo project entitled The Ina Project, Ina treads into new territory, pushing her craft to new heights, and exploring a different side of her music outside of Indigenous Cats. In our latest installment, Ina returns to Step Off! Radio to discuss the seven track EP that utilizes all of the classic Boom Bap and soulful production that the Southern California emcee/songstress has made a name for herself both singing and rapping over. Likewise, we also discuss how the project pushed her to step into new waters sonically, behind the scenes accounts discussing the EP’s recording process, as well as talk about future upcoming projects and what the future holds for Ina and Indigenous Cats in the upcoming year. With that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Ina of Indigenous Cats.

For the past five years musician and producer Accosta the Man has been one of the most unique, and prolific up-and-coming producers hailing from Southern California's Inland Empire (IE), comprised of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Pulling influence from legendary Hip-Hop groups and producers such as Cypress Hill, Jedi Mind Tricks and Adrian Younge; Accosta the Man has incorporated his love for Horror, Exploitation and rare cinema into his music to create a unique tapestry of sounds and obscure samples. Crafting dark, moody sonic collages that have set his production apart from the standard run-of-the-mill production created in much of Southern California's local Hip-Hop scenes. Having produced for groups and artists such as Kozmik Force, Nvy Jonez LKR, D-Rell, Chop the Father and a slew of beat tapes; the the Riverside-based producer has quickly made a name for himself with his dark production and keen ear for left-field samples. Accosta the Made made his first appearance on Step Off! Radio to discuss the inspirations behind his music, growing up as a Hip-Hop and Horror movies lover, and the backstory behind some of his favorite songs. Likewise, we also got to discuss upcoming projects and what the future holds for Accosta's music. With that said, we are proud to present to you our conversation with Accosta the Man.