Episode 33 - Queen Lisa Lee

My guest this week is pioneering MC, Queen Lisa Lee. She was a member of the Cosmic Force, the Soulsonic Force, and a mainstay on countless Zulu Nation live tapes. She was also a key part of the movies Wildstyle and Beat Street. Today, she contributes to William & Mary’s hip-hop library and Cornell University’s hip-hop museum, as well as doing speaking engagements across the country.

She tells me about learning to scratch and quick-mix at age 11, and about rocking the mic at a Zulu Nation party for the first time at age 13. We talk about what the early landscape of hip-hop was like, and how she fit into it. She talks about putting music to the side and becoming entrenched in street life, and how telling the truth about her story helped her to heal and start over.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Gladys Knight and The Pips’s Neither One of Us. This episode was hosted by Splicetoday.com.

Episode 32 - Passalacqua

My guests this week are Blak Smith and Mister of Passalacqua. I’ve been a fan since I first played with them back in 2011. We laid this episode down on Saturday March 7th, one hour before hitting the road together for our tour.
We talk about Blak Smith’s start as a poet, and Mister’s background as a horrorcore fan. They tell me how they formed into a duo, and how they gained a foothold in their hometown of Detroit. We discuss the challenge of touring as the lone rap group on rock bills, and how they look forward to this current rap round robin tour.
Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Leaders Of The New School’s “A Future Without A Past.” Once again, this episode is hosted by Splicetoday.com.

Episode 31 - Kevin Sherry

My guest this week is Baltimore-based author and illustrator Kevin Sherry. He’s been writing and illustrating children’s books since 2006. I’ve always liked his artwork, and I was excited to learn about his grind.

He talks about starting at MICA, and moving into Baltimore’s copycat building with other visual artists at a young age. We discuss his career in children’s books and his former company Squidfire. He tells me about his future plans, including collaborating with Ed Schrader on an animated series based on Ed’s “A Family Affair,” podcast.

Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Kid ‘n Play’s “Funhouse.”

Episode 30 - Chiffon

My guests this week are Amy Reid and Chase O’Hara of Chiffon. They’ve made a big impact in Baltimore (and elsewhere) since forming in 2012. I’ve seen them play a few times, but I had never really talked to them and I was happy to get a chance to find out what they’re all about.

We talk about the local punk scenes they were part of as kids, as well as Chases’s past (and my present) dabbling in juggaloism. They explain how their previous band, INEVERYROOM, morphed into Chiffon. We talk about their relentless touring, and how they feel that hard work and self-sufficiency are the spirit of Baltimore.

The art this week (by Mike Riley Comics) is an homage to Digable Planets’ “9th Wonder” single.Check this episode out at SpliceToday.com.

Episode 29 - Vans_Westly

My guest this week is Vans_Westly, an up-and-coming MC out of Baltimore. He’s released three EP’s, and is currently working on his debut full-length. I first met him when he hopped on a show I helped set up in Baltimore, and I was excited to learn more about him.
He talks about his past life as a professional wrestling teen, and how his health issues forced him to change gears and focus on writing rhymes. We talk about learning the ropes of being a part of the local music scene, and the challenge of making a name for himself in an over-saturated rap world. I ask him about his forthcoming Loserisms album, and he tells me what separates this project from his past work.
Mike Riley’s art this week is an homage to Whodini’s “Open Sesame.”