Digiwaxx Culture Archives

#rewindreview: Black Thought ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3: Cane & Able’ 2020

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

Just when you thought (no pun intended) that it was over, Black Thought returned to his ‘Streams Of Thought…’ series for a third installment. By now the audience realized that each release would be Black Thought teaming with one producer, and this time it was Sean C. Veteran producer, former affiliate with The Hitmen production team of Bad Boy records, and one half of Sean C. & LV, would turn the third and maybe final ‘Streams Of Thought…’ into a large sounding record. One thing that each volume had done was set a stage but the next one would seem bigger musically than the last. Sean C provided a sound for Black Thought that grants an opportunity for crossover audiences to connect with. However this doesn’t mean that ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ abandons what Black Thought has built in this series and throughout his career. This album has the elements that gave The Roots a larger audience by the early 2000’s. It is more acoustic driven, upbeat, and darker at times. Features were something that the listeners had not heard since the first ‘Streams Of Thought…’ and Black Thought enlist the rapping skills of ScHoolboy Q, Ohshun, Pusha T. and Killer Mike. This helps ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ feel more like an album as opposed to an EP or series. What was becoming apparent was that Black Thought was getting very comfortable creating these releases and almost making the audience forget to look for a new Roots album. ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ was released during the first COVID which inadvertently caused listeners to sit with music, as there was nothing else to do. Black Thought delivered what again could have simply been a brand new solo album as this collaboration with Sean C. stood out slightly more than the first two volumes. The Philadelphia M.C. has also stated that it’s not over and a volume four is on the way. It will be interesting to see how the next volume separates itself from the previous three, but I’m personally ready for a new Roots record. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Thought vs. Everybody’ 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: Black Thought ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.2’ 2018

Posted on August 4, 2026August 4, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

The year of 2018 presented a treat to all Black Thought fans. Not only did the elite rapper provide one release but also injected one more of his ‘Streams Of Thought…’ series into the year. On the first volume, Black Thought connected with 9th Wonder and gave a quick but hefty 5 song project. On volume two the Philadelphia M.C. links with Salaam Remi for ten tracks and more “Roots” adjacent music. Salaam Remi understands the assignment on ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.2,’ and from the opening track ‘Fentanyl,’ let’s the listener know that these surprise releases are not just throwaway songs but that care was created behind them. ‘Vol.2’ uses more live band instrumentation for Black Thought to rhyme on. This puts the M.C. in a familiar pocket that almost feels like a wake up call for The Roots to come back outside for an album. Black Thought once again uses this release to get out thoughts and keep his skills sharp. While reminding, or exposing to the general public he is not just a performer on a late night talk show or lead vocalist in a house band. ‘Long Liveth’ is a hard hitting song that puts Black Thought in his rapping bag with no hooks but tough bars. ‘Conception’ on the other hand is Black Thought showing off his crooning skills as him and Salaam Remi create a melo cut that is perfect for coffee shops and black pearls. The issue I have with this release is that it’s a series. Between 9th Wonder’s music on volume one and Salaam Remi’s vibes on this release, a full album would have served a better purpose. As a series the value of the music seems to diminish and does not create the impact that it deserves. For many this won’t matter, and in world of short attention spans the “sugar rush” feeling of getting new Black Thought music is all most care about. Will the success of these releases create more? Find out next week. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Conception’ 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: Black Thought ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.1’ EP 2018

Posted on July 28, 2026August 4, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

One of the most elite M.C.’s in HOP music has been challenged over the years by public perception. Black Thought has been one of the common denominators of The Roots for over thirty years. With multiple classic albums and hits, the question still remained about a solo album form the Philadelphia rapper. The majority who ask these questions are commonly not initial fans of The Roots before their popularity so it SHOULD be a moot point. The rapper in Black Thought accepted the challenge regardless. Twenty-Five years ago Black Thought was working on a solo album which never came to fruition but did produce a couple of twelve inch singles that ended up on The Roots’ ‘Phrenology’ album. The Roots however have been on an album making hiatus for over a decade and although metaphorically speaking Black Thought “stayed in the gym,” the time was now ripe for presenting a solo offering. ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.1’ serves as a sign that more would be coming. In 2018 music was well past the stage of having to go through a drawn out process to get the art to the masses. Black Thought gathered those “streams of thought,” and got with 9th Wonder for an EP that was an “eargasm,” at least on paper for any true Hip-Hop Head. I personally looked forward to a collaboration between Black Thought and 9th Wonder but there was a bittersweet feel as a “volume” was attached to this EP. Series releases in music tend to cheapen the product, and unless it undeniably works, the project can often be forgotten over time. Black Thought has no problem lyrically with this EP, and takes the time to exercise his abilities as he and the public await a new Roots album. With an incredible feature from Rapsody on ‘Dostoyevsky,’ and continuing the chemistry started a decade prior with Styles P. on ‘Making a Murderer,’ features remain limited on this five song EP. 9th Wonder also makes a case for contributing to a Roots album with music he provides on ‘Streams Of Thought…,’ as they seem way more instrument heavy and less sample driven. Will this be enough to satisfy the listeners wanting to simply hear Black Thought rhyme? Will the “volume” be abandoned or more “streams of thought be provided? These questions and more will be revealed in the coming weeks. 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: Kev Brown & J Scienide ‘Stray From The Pack’ 2021

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

Kev Brown and J Scienide proved they were “two peas in a pod” on 2019’s ‘Drum Machine Tape Cassette’ album. They epitomize the idea of grassroots HOP music. Beats and rhymes with no room for filler material. All songs are made with purpose but that purpose is not deep. The outcome of the music seems like practice while Kev Brown and J Scienide sound casual over the beats the two provide. ‘Stray From The Pack’ easily describes the music and it’s position to popular culture. There are no “trap beats” or 808’s that will slightly resemble the common trend in rap music for the past fifteen years. Kev Brown and J Scienide have figured out a way to make rap music sound as grimey and authentic as possible in a digital era of music. Thumping drums and a few heavy piano keys like on ‘Out The Safari’ and ‘Leave It To The Pros,’ catch the audiences ear early on this project. In fact the only time this album “tries” to get mellow is on ‘High Standards,’ and ‘Cutless Supreme’ which simply feels like moments to sit on the bench and rest. This album to me is slightly better than their first effort because songs seem to stand out more. Kev Brown and J Scienide take turns on production, similar to how Madlib and Jay Dee a.k.a. J-Dilla did on 2003’s ‘Champion Sound.’ What also adds attraction to ‘Stray From The Pack’ is the precise cuts from D.J. Jon Doe. He provides the “period (and often exclamation) on the end” of songs like the ultra hype ‘Grand Prize Winners’ and ‘The Set Up.’ It’s really not a complicated decision to make with this album. One is either here for this type of HOP music or they or not. Albums like these are so necessary in a time where the sound of HOP music seems to be getting erased and reshaped to this hybrid form of a genre. Kev Brown and J Scienide remind listeners that it is “ok” to still make rap music even if it means “staying form the pack.” What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Out The Safari’ & ‘Orange Julius Landover Mall’

#rewindreview: Jourden ‘Straight, No Chase’ EP 2024

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

This “Brooklynite” rapper is one to look out for in the future. It always warms my heart to know that there are generations far removed from mine that still respect making real HOP music. Jourden is in her early twenties and given the vibe of ‘Straight, No Chase,’ one can only imagine where she can take her music from here. I was introduced to Jourden through Digiwaxx New Music Wednesdays. A video of her rapping on a set of Brownstone steps, I saw in passing but did not really pay attention. While she was on Digiwaxx that video was played again and slowly I was beginning to realize at the least, she should be in my ear shot. At the time she was promoting this EP and the song ‘Flow’ was played, to which I was now completely invested. ‘Straight, No Chase’ is a quick introduction of Jourden that displays her unique voice, rapping and singing abilities. She has a delivery that seems effortless while providing a vibe that is reminiscent of Simple E’s ‘Play My Funk’ or Bahamadia’s ‘True Honey Buns.’ It’s a breathe of fresh air and adds on to the number of women rappers that can be added to the rogue’s gallery of M.C.’s that deserve respect, dating back to Roxanne Shante. This EP won’t be a waste of your time if you like good HOP music with a little R&B infusion. Jourden keeps the frequency consistent throughout this release and by the end one will more than likely yearn for more. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Flow’ & ‘Minerals’ 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: N.W.A. ‘Straight Outta Compton’ 1989

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

‘Straight Outta Compton’ could quite possibly the most polarizing HOP music album to date. From the idea that music industry standards needed more negative images to sell rap, to pushing the envelope on “freedom of speech,” has been some of the narratives around this album over the years. What it did do without question is create a benchmark in music whether one sees this as good or bad. The roots of this album have sprouted many a career, which in hindsight one has to respect the humble beginnings of a simple twelve track album that was looked at with such skepticism. Admittedly it was until 2014 that I listened to this whole album. Contrary to popular belief not all “youth” is attracted to the most vile music and imagery of their time. This is simply a narrative to often excuse low brow entertainment for the sake of non-accountability but I digress… Over time I had heard the majority of this album in different situations, so by 2014 ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was the equivalent of a “PG-13” film compared to what had come through the pipeline of rap music. N.W.A. was the next step in a blossoming new genre that challenged the term “rebel music” by the late 1980’s. Eazy-E who’s independent label Ruthless Records, took Dr. Dre, M.C. Ren, Ice Cube and D.J. Yella to the height of stardom with this album that could not have been imagined nor prepared for given the lifespan of the group. The imagery of this collective overpowered the actual music. For the most part N.W.A. is simply freestyling many of the tracks with the exception of Ice Cube’s excellent storytelling on ‘I Ain’t Tha 1’ or Eazy-E’s ‘Dopeman (remix).’ The same might also be said for ‘8 Ball (remix)’ which sounds much like a track from Ice Cube’s former group C.I.A. The dichotomy of this album can often lie right next to each other which is a further tale in why this album has been so polarizing. On ‘Express Yourself’ Dr. Dre’s claim of not “smoking weed or ces” has a quote within the same song that states rappers being fake by claiming they don’t do drugs but then go “looking for the dopeman.’ A testament to how fast HOP music was evolving as the next big thing Dr. Dre would do is his own album centered around substance use entitled ‘The Chronic,’ just a mere three years later. ‘Straight Outta Compton’ is a “classic” record that I can honestly say is not a favorite of mine but I’m okay with this. I give my younger self credit that my “audio filter” was working just fine and I heard things when I needed to and thus was able to appreciate and understand albums like this with a more mature ear and mind. To this day I’m not a fan of “cursing” in lyrics for the sake of overcompensating for less rhyme writing or simply trying to engage an audience with “shock value.” It helped that when I did finally lock into this album it was a clean version and I could value the fact that N.W.A. were still simply rappers making solid HOP music at the time, just with an extra layer of “sauce” to gain the world’s attention. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Gangsta Gangsta,’ ‘Express Yourself’ & ‘Straight Outta Compton’ 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: Jungle Brothers ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ 1988

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

This is the beginning of a movement that would go one to create offspring and sub-genre’s within music for generations to come. ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ is often forgotten as the “lead-off runner” in the Native Tongue legacy because the Jungle Brothers had a more subtle debut. This album is sort of the “experiment” or “T-Model Ford” to what members of a Native Tongue would expand and improve on within a years time. Sammy B, Mike G. and Africa Baby Bam made up the Jungle Brothers, who one could here the influences of the The Furious Five, The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron to name a few. They were a different animal in a time of HOP music that was still very gold chain, leather jacket and name brand sports shoe driven. Jungle Brothers represented a real part of Hip-hop Culture that was more grounded, fun and left of center. ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ is a consolidation of those attributes on wax, while keeping the content simple, and a groove ripe for those late high-schoolers and early college attendees. The album is produced by the Jungle Brothers with Africa Baby Bam and Mike G. providing the lyrics. An early Q-Tip is the only feature on this album to make ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ a cohesive product of whatever the Jungle Brothers were set to provide. The title track of the album which was the lead single starts this album off with a sort of familiarity. Jungle Brothers had been dropping singles and making music for this album since 1987 so songs can sound dated if one was introduced to the group through their video singles like myself. The magic of this release as it plays repeatedly you tend to not hear that dated distinction. If anything the issue with the album is that it is mixed low and the quality of how they recorded this release was definitely limited. This quality also gives the album character as the Jungle Brothers don’t take themselves too seriously on the album and the songs have provided memorable quotes that have been used throughout the lifetime of HOP music afterwards. ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ has grown in popularity over the almost forty years since it’s debut. ‘I’ll House You’ was one of the first crossover hits of House music and rap, that would dominate HOP music’s more popular sound as “Hip-House,” for at least the next three years. Jungle Brothers have never been the biggest hit makers but were able to garner the respect of what has made this genre of music exceptional since it’s inception, which is individuality. A testament to how music and movements can fertilize seeds of creativity that might have been looked down on or looked over. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Jimbrowski,’ ‘Because I Got It Like That,’ ‘I’ll House You,’ ‘On The Run’ & ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ 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: Apani B. Fly ‘Story 2 Tell’ 2003

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

To me Apani B. Fly (Emcee) is one of the most unsung voices in HOP music. This is because in a multiverse she is as big a name as Talib Kweli, El-P or a Mos Def. Something happened in our reality where a force unseen created a series of events which prevented “Apani” from becoming one of the most respected rappers and elite woman M.C.’s. Of course this is my fantasy version of events because I was such a fan. I first recognized Apani B. Fly on a mixtape called ‘Hip Hop Independents Day Vol. 1,’ which was mixed by D.J. Eclipse. It was a track called ‘The Woman In Me’ that at the time was a bit odd for a person such as myself, who likes to “soundbomb,” blasting the song loudly the way I did. It was one of the best tracks on the mixtape though but also “connected a dot,” so to speak to the first track on the mixtape from the Polyrhythm-Addicts, which I heard previously on a college radio show. She was in this group and clearly one of the stand out moments of that particular song ‘Not your Ordinary.’ I was becoming a quick fan of this rapper. Towards the end of 1998 her name was next to some of the best underground HOP music acts at the time like Blackstar, Pharoahe Monch, D.J. Spinna and others. Rawkus records was bubbling heavy at the time and truly serving their core audience. With the turn of the millennium being one of the biggest pushes for women rappers; as there would be a “first lady” of the many rap record labels, I figured it was only a matter of time for Apani to be that for Rawkus. This never happened and always had me thinking that the missed opportunity to present her to the world through Rawkus was an error on epic levels. As the years would role by I would still hear Apani B. Fly on features here and there but it felt like her light had dimmed. It was refreshing to come across a release called ‘Story 2 Tell’ which was seemingly an Apani B. Fly album. I say this only because I was very aware of releases at the time and this album I had not heard about. My question became if it was official or did someone just put together songs from the M.C. in the file sharing era the album was released in. ‘Story 2 Tell’ was in fact official but the caveat was it was only released in Japan with no retail in the United States. This for me created a bittersweet moment as I was glad to finally hear a project from “Apani” but would it have the same care had it come out through traditional means. ‘Story 2 Tell’ is a proper way to provide any new person discovering the rapper how talented she is. Apani B. Fly always had a style that was a perfect balance of hardcore while not trying to sound like a man, with a delivery and voice that was so unique, yet reminiscent of early women voices involved in rap music. Apani provides a variety of stories on this record ranging from aspiring tales of being a musician, independence, discovering love and heartbreak. Production is handled by a tight group of beat makers like rapper Celph Titled, Da Beatminerz, Mr. Dibbs, D.J. Spinna and Japanese producers Tamashie Creations and Hiro. The album is a solid listen but I feel it was still pasted together and maybe the sequencing of songs keeps it as simply being an overseas niche release. I would have loved to hear more production form Da Beatminerz, and everyone could always use more D.J. Spinna on their albums. However if this is all I was able to get as a release from Apani B. Fly, I’m not disappointed. Her presence alone provided the experience I had yearned for in those first couple of years of discovering the M.C. Hopefully for those who discover the “time capsule” she’s in, will also see a glimpse of that multiverse where Apani B. Fly is a hall of fame rap legend. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Abracadabra’ 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: The Beatnuts ‘Stone Crazy’ 1997

Posted on June 16, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

It took me a while to get into the sophomore album from The Beatnuts. Their debut album ‘Street Level,’ had provided a certain sound and production style from the duo that I wasn’t prepared to leave by the time ‘Stone Crazy’ released. Psycho Les and Juju claimed, and were a part of the Native Tongue crew but were way more “street” in their content, and this album really leaned into that lane. The Beatnuts are not a “scary” act and the majority of the street content is more fiction sounding than real but the listeners feel the energy. The Beatnuts can also be a bit comical and juvenile which can keep the listener from not taking them too seriously. Prime example is the two lead singles from the album. ‘Do You Believe’ which I initially didn’t care for, grew on me over the years with it’s story of the streets not needing to be trusted. Meanwhile the next single ‘Off The Books’ had a fun vibe while Juju, Psycho Les, Cuban Link and Big Pun traded lyrics over one The Beatnuts first and biggest hits. ‘Stone Crazy’ has a sharp and edgier sound in the production but it is so consistent throughout the record that you have to give respect to their evolution within a three year period. Most production acts always sound better when they rap over their own beats. This usually sounds like beat makers “living out a dream” of being a rapper, but with The Beatnuts one tends to forget that they are in fact playing two roles. “Les” and “Junkyard Ju” clearly like to rap even if just streams of thought and lyrics for rap sake. This album seemed to be the start of them developing a formula for turning their dual abilities into hit making. Listeners might find the song ‘Gimme Tha Ass’ very familiar as Will Smith’s ‘Men In Black’ song from the movie of the same name, used the same sample from Patrice Rushen’s ‘Forget Me Not.’ This was always a confusing time for me because both songs came out the same year but were drastically different in their purpose. It’s a possibility that if The Beatnuts were able to be the sole users of the sample that year, they might have had two hits on this album. Clearly the song was overshadowed by the “Wackmasters” as Psycho Les called them when I asked about this situation a few years ago on the Digiwaxx New Music Wednesday platform. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Find That,’ ‘Do You Believe’ & ‘Off The Books’ 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: Da Beatminerz ‘Stifled Creativity’ 2024

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Quantum Leap Radio

Not to be left behind during the golden years for veteran’s of rap music, Da Beatminerz returned with their first album in twenty years. D.J. Evil Dee and Mr. Walt have been staple’s for “raw rap” since their induction in HOP music with Black Moon’s debut album ‘Enta Da Stage.’ Thirty years later the production team was still creating and brought along a myriad of rappers, for a long play formatted release. ‘Stifled Creativity’ runs like a compilation album with Da Beatminerz solely behind the boards. This is truly an album for those who can appreciate the atmosphere HOP music during the mid to late 1990’s. Features are vast and include veterans such as Ras Kass, A.Z., Keith Murray, KRS-One, Al Skratch and members of Boot Camp Clik. The album does not stay in “the 90’s” with features and provides listeners with acts who made their name in 2000’s like StaHHr, Bishop Lamont and Apathy, while also giving a platform to those rappers that grinded their way through the 2010’s like Mickey Factz, Ruste Juxx and Rasheed Chappell. Da Beatminerz make no attempt to compromise their sound for the sake of gaining younger ears. There can be a disagreement with that path but one has to wonder why? To not have a commercial appeal and still have a respected name after thirty years, it’s safe for one to assume Da Beatminerz know their core audience, and met that audience in the same place with this album. A place that for Da Beatminerz includes production that is very heavy in sample loops, with rappers who know how to rap, and beats that tend to hold back the fullness of the music. A style Da Beatminerz have been using since Black Moon’s ‘War Zone’ album. ‘Stifled Creativity’ is made with the idea that physical purchasing is still an option. It has the play length of many compact disc albums of yesteryear, so be prepared to get a full listening experience. This type of execution for making an album can be a good or bad thing depending on what the listener expects, verses what they have been conditioned to hear over the years. Ironically Da Beatminerz will not have their creativity stifled with this project. 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

Category: Digiwaxx Culture