Episode 14 - Drew Scott

Drew Scott is a member of Black Sage and Something Complex. I talked to him as he was putting the finishing touches on his Drewcifer Scott solo album.

He talked about starting out as a producer in New Jersey, starting Something Complex in Fort Myers, Florida, and entering the Baltimore music world. He talked about the challenge of navigating a new scene, and about the rapid success of Black Sage. He told me about how he pushes past the feelings of being burned out on rap, a topic on which I often need advice.

This week, Mike Riley cooked up an homage to Gangstarr’s Step In The Arena. It all went down at The Lineup Room.

Episode 13 - Height Spinning Tunes

A special episode of me spinning tight tunes in my basement.

Passalacqua – The Baptism
CX Kidtronik – A Weapon
Tuff Turf – Dead ’14
Al Lover – Snake Hands
Eze Jackson – Rappin’ Over Dan Deacon
Lord Grunge – Gorilla Man
Ms. Paintbrush – Rick’s
Jack Toft and Lil Cake – Bettin’ On An E-Cig
King Rhythm – Gone Days

Mike Riley paid tribute to Biz Markie’s The Biz Never Sleeps with this week’s cover art.  As always, this podcast is brought to you by The Lineup Room and Mike Riley Comics.

Episode 12 - Secret Weapon Dave

Secret Weapon Dave, aka Dave Barresi, is a DJ and producer based in Baltimore. He is one half of the production duo The Adults, with Mickey Free. Dave was my main collaborator on the last three Height albums; Versus Dynamic Sounds, Versus Electric Rockers and Versus The Continental MC’s.

We talk about his early days in the hardcore scene in Massachusetts. He breaks down his move to Baltimore, and why it’s a paradise for crate-diggers. We also build on how it isn’t true that everything is on the internet

For this week’s art, Mike Riley came with an homage to Kool G Rap and DJ Polo’s Wanted: Dead Or Alive. It all went down at The Lineup Room.

Episode 11 - Ricky Ray

Ricky Ray is one half of The Doc and The Desperado. He’s a seasoned MC who is most widely known for his work on CX Kidtronik’s Krak Attack albums. He got his start at Morehouse, working with Lil Jon, Saul Williams, Zion-I and others.

He has a unique perspective on hip-hop, and he broke down what groups like UTFO, Mantronix and Run-DMC felt like to a young kid in Cherry Hill in the 80’s. He explains his disillusionment with “drug dealer instruction music,” and how he seeks out rap that feels more fun. He talked about how he’s liberated himself from his past writing constraints to find a more natural way of making music.

Mike Riley came correct with this homage to Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell. This was recorded atThe Lineup Room.

Episode 10 - Black Zheep DZ

Black Zheep DZ is a young Baltimore MC from the 7th Floor Villains collective. He’s got a prolific output, and he’s been making noise all over the globe through his thorough internet presence.

He had a fresh perspective on the music grind, and an optimistic view on how things work. He talked about learning the ropes from studying his brother-in-law, Baltimore legend Tim Trees. I was curious how he’s managed to pop off so many tight videos and gain so much traction, at a young age. He talked about carving out his own aesthetic in the youtube age, and gave me some details on his new album, 8th World.

This time, Mike Riley hooked up an homage to Eric B and Rakim’s Paid In Full. We laid it all down with the help of The Lineup Room.