Quantum Leap Radio, Author at DigiWaxx

#rewindreview: The Village ‘Summers In The South’ 2022

Posted on November 3, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

Time flies with no prejudice these days. It feels like it was two years ago (at best) when the Texas trio The Village dropped ‘Summers In The South.’ A release that should be elevated to the highest degree in the lexicon of HOP music out of the “Lone Star State.” Sean Lexima, Shaad Rogers and Keelon Donnel had reached a tipping point with ‘Summers In The South,’ as they managed to not only capture a regional feeling, but put listeners within their individual experiences. This album is only thirty minutes long but the texture of the music makes it seem longer. From the opening track ‘Children Of The Sun’ to the closing ‘Coming Down,’ and everything in between, listeners get The Village evolved but not straying from what fans are familiar with. Sean Lexima has a maturity that does not feel “preachy” while still giving jewels for life. Shaad Rogers gives an energy that can draw in a youthful audience who are “outside,” but urge responsibility and caution while enjoying life. Keelon Donnel gives both M.C.’s a canvas of music that is slightly different from what they are used to while challenging himself to expand in his music making. ‘Summers In The South’ will feel more “southern” than previous records from The Village. Often what happens with groups like The Village is they are grouped into a certain category because of the region they come from. The challenge is not being ostracized by the Texas audience but also not compromising their sound, mission statement, and content simply to fit in. This is where ‘Summers In The South’ shines brightly as The Village manage this dichotomy to a science. ‘Window Seat,’ ‘Southern Comfort’ and ‘O.U.T.S.I.D.E.’ turn into “two for one” songs as “It’s Keelon” gives Sean Lexima and Shaad Rogers changing music to express on. This coupled with the interludes that drive this “summer experience” throughout the record creates the atmosphere for the listener to be totally emersed in. The Village continue their “Astro-Hop” movement with ‘Summers In The South.’ I was honored to be asked to take part in this release which is apart of a Texas time capsule that will be discovered and cherished years down the line. The Village created a benchmark for themselves which can only go upwards from this release. The pressure is on but “dem Texas boy’s” will be steadfast for the next challenge. what did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: H.I.S.D. (Hueston Independent Spit District) ‘Summer So Good’ EP 2008

Posted on October 27, 2026October 27, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

A movement was happening in Houston T.X. that was so grassroots and not backed by any known names, that it’s value was growing like a properly watered seed within two years. H.I.S.D. (Hueston Independent Spit District) was a group of individuals who came together through various avenues and stories, and created some of the best moments and HOP music out of #HUEston. With their debut album ‘The District’ in 2007 making a solid fanbase, and an impact among the underground Hip-Hop scene in Houston, the group gifted new fans with a surprise release a year later. What was clear on ‘Summer Sessions’ was that H.I.S.D. had grown more confident in the music they were making and the chemistry among them was becoming undeniable. Savvi, L Da Voice, Equality and Scottie Spitten were four voices that distinguished themselves with style and lyrics. It’s how a rap group should be. The audience knowing who is who and having their own idea of who is their favorites. The four M.C.’s make ‘Summer Sessions’ one of those releases that might have been simply “practice” for the people, into one of the groups most valuable products. The cover art displays a sense of happiness and serenity while the album is rough around the edges with tracks like ‘Never Die,’ Bring It Back’ and ‘Bang Out Music.’ It all blends together with songs that one might associate with Summertime like ‘Sweet,’ ‘Break Of Dawn’ and the lead single ‘Summer So Good’ featuring K-Otix. The musical backdrop is spearheaded and brought to you by King Coz (King Midas & D.J. Cozmos) with a sole contribution from J “8 Months” Lewis who also provides some lyrics along with Kay of The Roux. This release provides a bit of satire with the ear catching ‘Gon Off Patron,’ that is like a summary of how popular rap music sounded in the late 2000’s. Another attribute that displays the fun creativity the audience could expect from this unique collective. H.I.S.D. (Hueston Independent Spit District)’s ‘Summer Sessions’ was the perfect bridge to what they had done before and what they were about to do with their next release (The Weakend). The group also could not be contained within #HUeston any longer as ‘Summer Sessions’ made it to Questlove of The Roots, who also couldn’t deny what he heard while in an interview. ‘Summer Sessions’ is one of “The Districts” most underrated and solid projects, and still sounds sharp to this day. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Summer so Good’ & ‘Gon Off Patron’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Joey Bada$$ ‘Summer Knights’ 2013

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

The 2010’s was a time in HOP music that did not interest me much in terms of new acts. The internet had made music so accessible that not only was it easy to obtain music, which just devalued the product, but everyone was making music. Rarely anything felt discernible which also presented a great opportunity for any “cream” to rise to the top. During this time there were names consistently mentioned around the internet. Joey Bada$$ was one of these names but this seemed to be due to his “unique” style of music. As a young adult in the 2010’s, “Joey” and his crew PRO Era seemed to be “stuck in the 90’s.” Something that should have easily “moved them out of the paint” as the “old head verses new heads” conflict was really showing face during that decade. Joey Bada$$ and crew made it work somehow and gave a familiarity for those “old heads” while standing out among their peers with the “new heads.” ‘Summer Knights’ is the first release I gave a listen to. Up to this point I had to make sure that this throwback style of PRO Era was not just a gimmick. As I went through this particular release it became apparent to me that Joey Bada$$ was genuine in the music he was creating, but apart of me felt concerned that him and his crew might in fact be shooting themselves in the foot. On ‘Summer Knights’ the production and rhymes is truskool hip-hop music with no compromise. I truly questioned how the younger audience, and older audience who were trying their hardest to seem like they embraced the new acts, would respond to this style of music from Joey Bada$$. I hoped that he was not trying to go so against the grain that it ostracized his creations. Nevertheless he seemed to endure, and ‘Summer Knights’ was like a “stamp;” that him and his crew would lead the charge for the next generation of listeners to not forget a genuine sound of HOP music. I enjoyed this release and as someone who can’t stand when artist put out projects like this and call it a “mixtape,” I try to look past that and see the bigger picture. Joey Bada$$ created an album that had it been dropped just a decade earlier would have fit right into the days of physical releases. ‘Summer Knights’ is over an hour long with beats and lyrics that would have made for repeated listens. Instead the release had to strive to keep the attention of a new round of listeners that wanted quick audio payoffs. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Unorthodox,’ ’95 Til Infinity,’ Hilary $wank’ & ‘My Yout’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Sach ‘Suckas Hate Me’ 2002

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

This is the first release from Sach, after the death of Yusef Afloat, his partner in the group The Nonce. Sach has always been the more abstract out of the duo and ‘Suckas Hate Me’ continues that attribute. Gathering up a list of rappers associated with ‘The Good Life’ movement to expand on this release makes this album not only a reflection of Sach but the culture he was bred from. My initial feeling on this release was that it was too short. In 2002 it was quite rare to release an album of twelve tracks and it was only about thirty minutes. I felt back in 2002 I wanted more but what was provided is a piece of music that feels like a modern day jazz record. The abstractionism in lyrics are complimented by the production which was mainly provided by Sach and also Adlib. The music pallet sets the tone of the record which might not be everyone’s “cup of tea,” but if one is a fan of The Nonce’s previous recordings, ‘Suckas Hate Me’ does not feel foreign. Although there is a very laid back feel to the project, songs like ‘Uh 3, Uh2, 1’ featuring Suga B. give a more hardcore presence to the album. ‘Illustrations’ featuring Zagu Brown recognize the women who leave lasting impressions on men’s lives, while rapper Medusa shows up on ‘For The Love Of Hip Hop’ with a very confident and regal air. The album feels eerily beautiful with ‘Introducing The Topology Crew,’ which features Yusef Afloat. With his passing and the title of that song, it makes The Nonce fans have a sense of nostalgia that will no longer be. Yusef sounds like he was still in the physical as the “Topology Crew” was an alias for The Nonce. Sach put together a solid piece of work that gives the listener just enough to want and expect more. No need for hate, just a need for one’s ears with this assortment of music. What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Diamond D. & The Psychotic Neurotics ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’ 1992

Posted on October 6, 2026October 6, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

I was twelve years old when I was introduced to Diamond D. with the hit single ‘Sally Got A One Track Mind.’ This was a descriptive tale of a girl from the inner-city whose seductive lifestyle caught up with her quickly, but this was over a very energetic track which drove the message home in a danceable atmosphere. At the time I was only making tapes, mainly off of video shows so for many years Diamond D. just seemed like “that guy with that one song.” It wasn’t until I got a bit older in my teens that I realized how important “Diamond” was to just my own personal listening of HOP music. In 1997 Diamond D. dropped his second album ‘Hatred, Passions And Infidelity,’ which would be the first album I heard from him. Although that album provided a couple of solid singles, as a whole it left me underwhelmed. I say this because at that time I’m not thinking about hearing anything previous from Diamond D., or at least I was not in the correct mind frame yet. Enter Quasimoto, the alias of the legend “beatconductor” Madlib, that dropped a debut album ‘The Unseen’ in the year 2000. That album I could not put down and when looking back, it served as an audio library to the samples it used to create such a unique record. It also brought me down a “rabbit’s hole” of the vocal samples it used. A good thirty percent of it came from ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop,’ which by the early 2000’s I finally got around to. There is something about when you hear where samples came from, it can enhance one’s experience of the original. ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’ can seem very intimidating due to it having twenty-three tracks. Along with that the songs themselves, a lot is going on as during the early to mid-1990’s, stacking samples and using horns was simply the sound of HOP music at the time. ‘Stunts…’ on the other hand is just a different beast. Diamond D. put together an album that one could almost say shaped that very sound those years in HOP music were known for. He raps but doesn’t outrap the music; in fact like most producer/rappers he sounds the best over his own works. For just over an hour, the album doesn’t have a dull moment. Diamond D. unlocked the code to service the listener with the “dope sound,” that as a person who heard the album almost a decade later could appreciate as if I was hearing it in it’s first years. Diamond D. doesn’t do this all on his own as he gets assistance from Large Professor, Jazzy Jay, The 45 King, Q-Tip, Lakim Shabazz and fellow D.I.T.C. member Showbiz. “Diamond” is still captain of the ship and to this day ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’ is still regarded as one of the more important albums in HOP music. It’s never too late to get what’s served on this menu from one of the silent greats in Hip-hop production. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Best-Kept Secret,’ ‘Sally Got A One Track Mind’ & ‘What U Heard’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Denaun Porter ‘Stuff In My Backpack’ EP 2015

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

My audio experience with Denaun Porter has been complicated over the years. The Detroit producer/rapper has been in the game thirty years but my introduction to him was D12. A group that was put on by Eminem in the early 2000’s to which I was never a fan of. To my surprise his name would pop up after D12 as a producer on albums from people I was a fan of. What he provided to those albums was pure HEAT and more of what I would want to hear. Yet when I would hear his production on an Eminem albums, the soul of that music he created elsewhere was not present. In 2015 Denaun released an EP that really showcased the diversity of his music making. ‘Stuff in My Backpack’ is not limited to a major label or one artist outside of Denaun himself, to provide a quick reminder of how he gets down. With features from Royce Da 5’9,” Phonte, Young Roc, Pharoahe Monch and Rapsody, this project is not only satisfying musically but lyrically as well. Denaun also gets on the mic to rap and also display his harmonic side. Lyrically you will not get “superthug” street raps from him but the audience will hear a more comedic side to the producer. A couple of skits provide that side of Denaun as we go on a journey with him to locate “stuff in his backpack.” This EP is a quick consolidation of what Denaun Porter can really do when in focus. As I’ve said before, anytime his name comes up in the credits of an album, I look forward to what he will provide. Acts like Eminem clearly want a different sound from Denaun which has confused me for many years. The stuff in “Mr. Porter’s” backpack is why I like the ‘Infinite’ album from “Slim Shady” and might have liked albums after that had he wanted the evolution of that sound. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Hey’ & ‘Cooking’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Darkside Preme ‘Stuck In 1995’ 2026

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

This release by Darkside Preme is seemingly a love letter to the year of 1995, on face value. One would think it is about the sounds and moments that the year had for HOP music. The importance of a time that birthed a benchmark in where the culture turned. This release however is just as the title states which is a perspective that simply will not leave that specific year. Darkside Preme uses ‘Stuck In 1995’ as a way to either live out a reality that has passed, or act out a movie he wished to star in from that time. The album might start off a bit curmudgeonly with the very catchy ‘This Can’t Be New York.’ A track that poses the obvious question of what happened to the sound and appearance of what outsiders thought of the city that birthed Hip-Hop culture. While ‘One Time For The 90’s’ presents the perfect opportunity for those to claim “old heads” don’t want to acknowledge later era’s in HOP music. This project isn’t just about chastising what things evolved to. Darkside Preme focuses on telling stories that range from trust in the streets, betrayal, and the influence those things can have on even the kid who didn’t grow up in the worst conditions. Fullblast Muzik provides the beats for the entire project and gives Darkside Preme the “New York” sound one might recognize from the 2000’s. Often Fullblast Muzik will insert samples that bring the listener back to Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt.’ An album that this release seems heavily influenced by. Although there are twenty tracks, this album is only about forty minutes long. The reason for this is due to the skits on this record; which tries to tell a story of a character, recently released from prison that is catching up on what has been happening in the neighborhood. Depending on how one likes to take in music, these skits can enhance the story of ‘Stuck In 1995’ like Organized Konfusion’s ‘Equinox’ album, or keep the pace of the record sedated. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘This Can’t Be New York’ & ‘One Time For The 90’s’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: String Theory (Hex One & BBZ Darney) ‘String Theory’ 2014

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

The deep underground of HOP music had it’s best years in the mid to late 1990’s. As the new millennium began, that underground scene was bittersweet because there was more exposure to acts that didn’t have huge media exposure, but it was also hard to keep up with the emerging scene. By the end of the 2000’s, the term “underground hip-hop” did not mean the same as it once did and due to the internet audiences just broke off into “tribes.” The deep underground scene remains to this day, and during the 2010’s some names entered that category who had a good buzz within the culture of underground HOP listeners. Epidemic was a two rapper group I was put on to during the last decade. consisting of Hex One and Tek-nition. They represented Florida which only showed how far along the “underground Hip-Hop” scene expanded. Ironically I was put on to them when they dropped their last album ‘4 Dimensions On A Paper’ in 2016. This release was enough to have me interested in the crew which lead me to Hex One’s collaboration with beatmaker BBZ Darney. ‘String Theory’ is the name of the album and group with Hex One and BBZ Darney. This 12 track, forty minute album is HOP music that reminds me of the early 2000’s in terms of its execution. One M.C. with one producer, and a few features from their close crew that the public are then put on to. Hex One has a style of rapping that is syllable heavy while BBZ Darney’s beats compliment Hex’s style with a nice balance of mellow with slightly dark textures for the more serious content on the album. Where this album could have been better is making sure that songs sound more distinguished. At times Hex One’s style can seem like it is one dimensional, so if listening for the first time one might think they heard a song twice from the vibe created. The listening of this album is not a failure as it is often “edutainment” with songs like ‘Used To Be,’ ‘Realities’ and others. String Theory might operate from a small cog in HOP music’s atmosphere but that has a relation to the ears that want to hear the fundamentals to what makes this music last. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Currents,’ ‘Reminisce’ & ‘Art Of Rap’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: E.P.M.D. ‘Strictly Business’ 1988

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

It’s the debut album from the legendary duo from Long Island, New York, who carved their own lane with hard hitting beats and their signature “slow flow” delivery. E.P.M.D. which stands for Erick and Parrish Making Dollars, was seemingly a perfect combination for a time in HOP music where not only the aesthetics were changing but the music as well. Comparatively to a Run D.M.C., Erick and Parrish were more stripped down with less resources for distributing music but this also made them a bit more relatable. ‘Strictly Business’ is an album that not only sets a standard for the group but allowed for some of the most memorable quotes and songs in HOP music. From the b-boy anthem of ‘It’s My Thing,’ the infectious ‘You’re A Customer,’ and the inception of what would become a theme on their later albums ‘Jane.’ Even turning comedic actor Steve Martin into a dance; E.P.M.D. marked their territory for what was at the time an “underground audience” but the music would soon reach a worldwide fever pitch. My earliest memory of the group were the videos for ‘You Gots To Chill’ and ‘Strictly Business.’ At the time my only method of hearing HOP music was through video shows so seeing the dancers in ‘You Gots To Chill’ was an overstimulating factor in me wanting to dance just like them. To this day I still quote the passive aggressive introduction of the “M.C. Sherriff, the best in town” from the ‘Strictly Business’ video. However I did not get around to hearing this album in full until 2007. Ironically enough (and I promise not planned) I finally bought this album the day Little Brother’s ‘Get Back’ released. That album’s cover art paying homage to E.P.M.D.’s debut. E.P.M.D. would have a bit of a roller-coaster ride in their careers as a group and solo acts. At current date they are still a group and tour, but best believe when performing songs from an album almost 40 years old, the crowd, whether new or old still have the same exhilaration. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘It’s My Thing,’ ‘You Gots to Chill,’ ‘Strictly Business’ & ‘I’m Housin’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Organized Konfusion ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’ 1994

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

The second album from the Queens New York duo, Organized Konfusion has been considered a classic over the years and with good reason. It was Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po establishing their rightful footing in rap music. Having released their debut album three years prior, it did not seem to make the impact that ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’ made. For on this album the group seemed to be hitting on all cylinders and did with limited resources. I was first introduced to Organized Konfusion in the summer of 1994 through the Video Jukebox. A program that ran videos all day everyday, but the caveat was the playlist was controlled by how many people called in to pay and request the videos shown. In rotation at one point was the first and only single from this album ‘Stress.’ What made the video and song unique was how chaotic it felt. The hook for the song is like a build up to something cataclysmic while the video expressed this same feeling by how it edits the two M.C.’s on the streets of New York, to hiking in borrowed snow in the woods. For me this was all new and a bump in evolution of rap music back then. The album continues this theme while not going too far off the deep end. ‘Stress…’ is produced mainly by Organized Konfusion and Buckwild, with Rockwilder closing the album with the emotion felt ‘Maintain.’ O.C. and Q-Tip show up on ‘Let’s Organize,’ which gives the listener a full on experience of Organized Konfusion. Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po utilize their voices as distinct instruments while providing some vivid moments in storytelling and rhyming abilities. ‘Why’ is that moment every man has to face concerning trusting the opposite sex while ‘Black Sunday’ gives a dark origin of the two coming together to “organize” and create the brand audiences know today. ‘Stray Bullet’ is the track that truly shines the light on the talent of the duo as they take the listener on a journey of a single bullet, and the consequences it creates within inner city neighborhoods. This album is a jewel that has aged extremely well over the years. My biggest issue has always been the stretch from ‘Black Sunday’ to ‘Bring it On.’ It’s the only moment in the album where there is a bit of a lull; and ‘Drop Bombs’ and ‘Bring It On’ are tracks that feel “suspended in time.” There is also a remix to ‘Bring it On’ that I wish could have been the original on this album. Nevertheless Organized Konfusion created a piece of art that is solidified among HOP music listeners. A timeless album cover created by “Matt Doo” who also created Company Flow’s ‘Funcrusher Plus’ cover art, classic moments that are embedded in listener’s ears, and music that sparks universal familiarity when played. All this while having simply one single for the release. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Stress’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

Author: Quantum Leap Radio