Helio-Tropes
sometimes we talk about music
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Chris Gayomali
11/19/2025
Chris Gayomali
Chris Gayomali is the editor of SSENSE and runs a health and wellness Substack called HEAVIES. Previously an editor at GQ, he’s also written for Fast Company, Highsnobiety, and more. Live from Bed-Stuy, Chris joins us to break down the recent GRAMMY nominations—his predictions about who deserves to win versus who will actually emerge the victor in some of the major categories. We also get into Sydney-based hardcore band SPEED, whom he recently profiled for SSENSE: how he first clocked them through their merch, what makes them stand out, and why having a real vision (and years of experience) still matters in a landscape that often rewards the opposite. We also talk about “Weird Drink,” his ever-evolving concoction, how “link in bio” is a total mindf**k by design, and his Top 5 songs at them moment featuring Rosalía, End It, 2Hollis, Joyce Manor, and Satellite Lovers.
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Dylan Green
10/21/2025
Dylan Green
Dylan Green is a journalist, critic, and podcaster, as well as the founder, writer, and editor of Hearing Things, a thoughtful music publication. He’s also the host and producer of the Reel Notes podcast. Dylan joins HT today to talk about Yash’s favorite rap group of all time—the infamous Mobb Deep—and their new album Infinite, which Dylan recently reviewed for Pitchfork. We break down the album in detail: how it arrives as part of Mass Appeal's Legend Has It series, and what it means to the legacy of Mobb Deep more than eight years after the untimely passing of Prodigy. We dive into the album’s highlights, production elements, and Alchemist’s golden touch, as well as the challenges of putting together a posthumous record. We also get into Nas’s role, for better or worse, and how referential music can succeed when it’s done right. Dylan also shares his Top 5, featuring tracks from the late D’Angelo, Khadija Al Hanafi, FOHDH Matthew, and KrispyLife Kidd.
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Melissa Emert-Hutner
10/14/2025
Melissa Emert-Hutner
Melissa Emert-Hutner lives in New York and is an SVP of Creative at Kobalt Music, one of the largest music publishers in the world. She joins us today to clear the smog-filled air on music publishing and share what she does day to day to help artists and songwriters make lasting connections and collect royalties. She explains how every artist feels their music is syncable but it's rarely the case, and breaks down the variables that should be considered when thinking about signing a publishing deal—whether before or after a record deal. Truly a crash course episode for both curious music minds and the temporarily misguided. Melissa also drops her Top 5 songs of the moment, including new music from Florence and The Machine, Blondshell, Machine Girl, Lamb of God, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
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Tal Kamara & Jocelyn Motley of SoundFynd
10/07/2025
Tal Kamara & Jocelyn Motley of SoundFynd
SoundFynd is a music discovery platform putting their own spin on the meaning of new media. Founder Tal Kamara and community leader Jocelyn Motley join us to talk about the platform and the broader digital landscape in music coverage of emerging artists. We dig into whether modern-day payola for social media placements is making or breaking the business model, corporate music power structures monopolizing the game, and community building IRL. We also chat about New York indie rock outfit Geese—their not-so-sudden impact and how they stack up against some of the indie rock buzz bands of the blog era. To wrap things up, the SoundFynd gang share their Top 5 songs of the moment, featuring tracks by Jim Legxacy, Mannequin Pussy, Dijon, Sly and The Family Stone, and Cleo Reed.
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Theravada
09/15/2025
Theravada
Theravada is a rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. Fresh off the release of his new album The Years We Have, he joins us from a Brooklyn studio for a wide-ranging conversation to discuss all things in his orbit as of late —from Nike Foamposites to his production on Earl Sweatshirt’s latest album Live, Laugh, Love. We also dig into his background as a DJ, including his inventive use of the software Virtual DJ as his weapon of choice for making beats. Theravada walks Yash through his new album track by track, sharing the stories and creative processes that shaped the project over the past two years. A special deep-dive episode for the heads.
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Mike Isaac
08/25/2025
Mike Isaac
Mike Isaac is a music writer and technology correspondent for The New York Times. He joins us from sunny San Francisco to discuss his recent story on the Deftones, their resurgence, and what it was like to kick it with the band as they dug through crates of vinyl at Atomic Records in Burbank, Calif. We also dive into the idea of digital streaming platforms as tech companies, exploring how Spotify and Bandcamp are the same, but wildly different. We dive into The Armed’s ferocious new album, THE FUTURE IS HERE AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED, and why this particular moment feels primed for music that lashes back against corruption and the endless flood of toxic social media slop. Finally, we get into Mike's rollercoaster of a Top 5 (songs of the moment) with heat from Teen Mortgage, Desire and Johnny Jewel, Wine Lips, The Osees, and Creed....oh yes we did.
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Yash
07/31/2025
Yash
Helio-Tropes 50. Please excuse the audio quality as we continue to experiment with ways to get this plane off the ground. This rare solo episode features Yash, kicking off a new chapter for Helio-Tropes — and life itself. Yash discusses the return of Clipse and their new album Let God Sort 'Em Out: what worked, what didn’t, and what was left to be desired. He also explores the pros and cons of streaming platforms; how we’re still grappling with the flawed, technological evolution of modern music consumption. The episode dives into Turnstile’s ambitious new album Never Enough, and the way it’s reshaping hardcore music for mainstream success. Yash shares thoughts on his latest Yak Ballz singles, and wraps up with his current Top 5 — featuring music from Shoreline Mafia, Tony Bontana, Glare, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, and Alaska, Jason Griff & Alex Ludovico.
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Justin Staple
07/14/2025
Justin Staple
Justin Staple is for the culture. A journalist, director, and documentarian, Justin’s days at VICE led him to shoot his 2020 Hulu documentary American Rapstar, where he chronicled a rebellious new wave of young rappers who used SoundCloud to build intense stan armies — from XXXTentacion to Lil Peep. We get into how this era turned internet fame into million-dollar record deals and opened the door for a whole new generation of artists. We also talk about the producer F1lthy and his huge impact on modern rap, going back to the SoundCloud days and working with everyone from Matt Ox to Drake to Playboi Carti. We touch on how Bhad Bhabie went from viral rap sensation to OnlyFans cash cow, and Jane Remover’s Revenge Seekers album, which sits right at the crossroads of the internet and experimental sound. Plus, we talk about the wild new EP from Varg2™ and DJ Smokey, Psychological Musical Warfare 2, and wrap it up with Justin’s Top 5 — packed with bangers from Carti, Double Virgo, Edward Skeletrix, and more.
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EricTheYoungGawd
06/23/2025
EricTheYoungGawd
EricTheYoungGawd is a media personality and journalist with bylines in COMPLEX and a YouTube channel that you should definitely subscribe to. We get right down to business, unpacking the return of Clipse, their new deal with Roc Nation, and how Pusha T is using familiar tricks to stir up controversy. We also talk about Brooklyn rapper MIKE and Tony Seltzer’s impressive collaborative album Pinball II and the way MIKE has turned underground buzz into a fledgling rap career. We dive into Lil Wayne's epic brick Tha Carter VI; the disconnected nature of the music and the unexpected collaborations that couldn’t save the album from itself. We talk In-N-Out versus Fatburger, and Eric shares his Top 5 songs of the moment—from Moskino, Nourished By Time, Angelo Leroi, Brother Ali, Cameron Winter, and El Cousteau. Follow Helio-Tropes on Instagram @helio__tropes Follow Yash on Instagram @yashzadeh Follow Eric on Instagram @youaintpackinmeat
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Stephen Malbon of Malbon Golf
06/09/2025
Stephen Malbon of Malbon Golf
Stephen Malbon is a golf addict who will never recover from it. The founder of Malbon Golf joins us to talk about his interest in music and art—starting from the days of co-founding FRANK 151 to building a golf brand inspired by whatever lifestyle interests cross his mind. We get into his history growing up in Virginia and the early sounds and brands that helped shape his identity. Yash explains how he was captivated by the Futura2000 collaboration with Malbon and what it meant to those in the know. Stephen shares the backstory of how a failed collaboration ended up leading to a collab with Ghostface Killah, and how the Chief Keef Glo Gang collab came out of a longstanding relationship. We also talk about Bieber catching the golf bug, Alice Cooper’s obsession with the game, and how one putt set Yash on his fairway journey in this special golf edition of HT.
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Anna Zanes
05/05/2025
Anna Zanes
Anna Zanes is the editor in chief of Alternative Press Magazine. She joins us to talk about honoring the magazine’s legacy while driving it forward—diversifying coverage, spotlighting new voices, and pushing the envelope beyond the sausage fest of yesteryear. We also chat about Corbin's very good new album 'Crisis Kid' and some of the history Yash has with the artist formerly known as Spooky Black. We break down Deafheaven’s stellar new album Lonely People With Power—what makes it so powerful, their leap from indie to major label, and how they've stayed true to heavy music without compromise. Anna also shares her Top 5 songs of the moment including tracks by Comet, Mould, Viagra Boys, and Sextile. Don't sleep.
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SAD PRT
04/14/2025
SAD PRT
On this week’s episode our guest is the founder of SAD PRT, a platform based on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube that showcases emerging underground artists. We talk about how the platform highlights artists and storylines that often don’t appear in traditional media, and the ways in which they’ve successfully built a community of passionate followers around niche music. We get into the rise of 2Hollis and his polarizing major label debut album star, the intentions behind how albums are crafted, and how clips of crowd reactions at live shows have become a critical marketing tool in breaking new artists. We also talk about buzzing UK rapper Fakemink, the sonic world he’s built, the art of actually writing down raps, and how he’s become a mystical figure to fans, with a dedicated following that continues to grow worldwide. Genre-bending artist Crucify April is also is discussed and we explore the influences and sounds that shape his music, from video game samples to Crystal Castles. And of course, we dive into the current SAD PRT Top 5, featuring tracks from Ghost Mountain, Feng, LUCKI, Eric Aharzoth, and Stiffy & PILF (Zell, Turrobaby, Agus). Banger.
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Kieran Press-Reyonlds
03/31/2025
Kieran Press-Reyonlds
Kieran Press-Reynolds is a writer with a weekly column at Pitchfork called "Rabbit Holed," exploring songs and scenes at the intersection of music and digital culture. He has written for publications such as The New York Times, Business Insider, No Bells, and more. This episode of HT is a journey into the sprawling world of ASMR, as documented in one of Kieran's latest stories on the topic. Yash admits he is an ASMR truther, while Kieran expands on the many layers and complexities of the styles he has encountered in his everyday life—and those thriving beneath the surface. We also discuss how music relates to ASMR and the bright future of this potential billion-dollar industry. Kieran shares his Top 5 picks, including Crucify April, Kurtains, Playboi Carti, Smerz, and EQ (Estratosfera, Qiri).
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Andrew Matson of Finals
03/18/2025
Andrew Matson of Finals
Andrew Matson is the co-founder of Finals, a music blog that is rumored to be among the best. He joins us to talk about J Critch and long-time producer cohort Laron's expansive collaborative album titled Plus Ultra and the evolution of both their sound and chemistry, which has history that pre-dates college and record deals. We go deep into contemporary New York rap and how pre-drill artists have had a hard time staying relevant as rap shapeshifts in the city. We also get into Fish Narc's excellent new album Frog Song and how his GothBoiClique roots with Lil Peep don't define him but inform a not-so-completely-new, authentic sound. We also talk about Andrew's website Finals as a publication that is irreverent to the status quo, how blogs are back, and Andrew shares his Top 5 songs by Oklou, 1010benja, Steph X, Ksuuvi, RealYungPhil, and more. Lotta gems.
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Will Schube of The Hobbyist
02/25/2025
Will Schube of The Hobbyist
Will Schube is The Hobbyist—a writer and music critic based in New York with bylines in GQ, FLOOD, Pitchfork, Passion of the Weiss, and many more. He joins us from Austin following the launch of his aptly titled newsletter, The Hobbyist, to talk about the best hobby we both indulge in: Golf—with a capital G. We discuss how the culture has co-opted golf in the fashion space while somehow leaving music out of the equation. We also dive into Life Is Beautiful—the new album from Larry June, The Alchemist, and 2 Chainz—and how 2 Chainz steals the show by design. We explore the "playlistification" of our lives in relation to Apple Music's newly launched radio show and playlist called… wait for it… Chill. The show is hosted by none other than the legendary Brian Eno and Apple Music’s resident therapist, Zane Lowe. Will shares insights from his conversations with both hosts about using the show as a means to find peace in the chaos of our lives. We also attempt to get to the bottom of the eternal debate: art vs. commerce under the guise of wellness. Will shares his Top 5, featuring music from Venturing, Skrilla, Eiko Ishibashi, Ghais Guevara, and EBK Jaybo.
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Steffanee Wang
02/10/2025
Steffanee Wang
Steffanee Wang joins us today to talk about 67th GRAMMY Awards that aired earlier this month and more. She is a New York City-based professional editor, writer, and reporter who currently is an associate editor at The FADER. She previously served as the music editor at NYLON, has written for Teen Vogue, The FACE, Billboard, NPR Music, and other notable publications. We talk about the best looks at the GRAMMY's, Kanye and Bianca's shenanigans on the carpet, Rap Album of The Year nominees, Chappell Roan's controversial speech, world-building via performances, YouTube's algorithm vs Spotify's, and Steffanee's Top 5 songs of the moment including heat from Theodora, YHWH Nailgun, Yves and more.
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Jane Marie
01/28/2025
Jane Marie
This is the first podcast of 2025 and we're calling it Monetizing Hope with Jane Marie, an award-winning podcaster, podcast producer, writer, and author of Selling The Dream: The Billion Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans. Jane joins us from her home in LA, just after the devastating wildfires had somewhat subsided. This episode was recorded a few weeks prior to its release. Jane shares stories from her formative years in Michigan where she grew up, including her experiences seeing Nirvana live at The Blind Pig, watching LL Cool J hump women uncontrollably on stage, Insane Clown Posse, and her close encounter with a vertically challenged Eminem. We also get into her book, which pulls back the curtain on MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) and the origins of pyramid schemes. We dive into the companies that continue to thrive by preying on people looking to make an extra buck, using mind control tactics, empty promises of future wealth, and celebrity and political endorsements to bolster their deceptive pitches. Press play.
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Gary Suarez of CABBAGES
12/26/2024
Gary Suarez of CABBAGES
Gary Suarez is a writer and podcaster who founded CABBAGES, a media outlet and podcast dedicated to covering independent artists. A Queens, New York native, Gary has contributed to esteemed publications such as The Quietus, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, The New York Times, NPR, and more. In this special two-hour year-end finale, Gary joins us to share his favorite albums of 2024—including standout projects from Cavalier, Roc Marciano, Vayda, and Your Old Droog—and reflect on the journey of launching his own publication and podcast via a newsletter during the pandemic, back when having a Substack wasn’t as common for journalists as having a cellphone. We explore his experiences breaking into music writing in the days when advance copies arrived by USPS, his perspective on covering independent artists, the use of samples in Jersey club and drill music, the “rap trap” that is pain music, and his Top 5 songs of the moment. Come for the year-end album breakdown, and stay for the tangents on cringe vulnerability in hip-hop and the legacy of Jay-Z and more.
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Aurielle Sayeh
12/16/2024
Aurielle Sayeh
Aurielle Sayeh is a mom, creative director, brand consultant, strategist, creator, and DJ based in Los Angeles. A true multi-hyphenate, she shares how she got her start in culture through modeling and DJing in Paris and Amsterdam back in 2013. As an Atlanta native who hustled her way through the global zeitgeist, Aurielle reflects on her journey of tapping into different creative scenes and building relationships and collaborating with brands like Adidas and VFILES. To be in the club—or not to be in the club—north of 30: that is the question. We also dive into topics like patriotism, how it’s kind of like an ex, as well as the differences in creativity between LA and NY. Aurielle talks about her work in the wellness space, while Yash shares his own self-care regimen and more in this soothing episode—arguably the closest thing to a sound bath we’ve ever had.
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Yak Ballz on 'YOUNG YASHAR'
11/18/2024
Yak Ballz on 'YOUNG YASHAR'
Yash breaks down the newly released Yak Ballz EP titled 'YOUNG YASHAR' produced by longtime collaborator Mondee. This marks the first official Yak Ballz music in over a decade. Listen to 'YOUNG YASHAR' Follow Helio-Tropes - Follow Yash - Follow Yak Ballz -
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Cambrian "Bam" Strong
10/29/2024
Cambrian "Bam" Strong
Cambrian Strong can't be boxed in. The Memphis, TN native and co-CEO of Drumatize Music Group with Tay Keith, whom he also manages, comes on the show to talk about how he figured out being of service in the music industry is the way he would build his brand. He tells us how being an athlete in high school gave him his work ethic and despite having a family who all pursued music as a career, he never saw being an artist as a viable path for himself. Instead he explains that his pursuit of advertising, graphic design, and media lead him to where he is today. He tells about Memphis' love for Gucci Mane and how his relationship with Tay Keith developed. We talk about how they took it from the local scene in the city to the masses with BlocBoy JB's "Look Alive" in just one year as a team and then to the moon. He also gets into how they were early on Sexyy Red which blossomed into a partnership with her team. Tap in for all of the above and much more game on this banger.
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Joseph Pepin of Pepin.Works
10/14/2024
Joseph Pepin of Pepin.Works
Joseph Pepin is a music manager extraordinaire and A&R consultant from New Jersey. He joins us from Austin, Texas where he is based to talk all things music industry related; from his background as a kid enamored by bands and shows happening in Asbury Park to street teaming and managing bands which lead to his days as a plucky A&R at Island Def Jam Mercury. We talk about the differences between being a music manager and an A&R person and how he helps Primary Wave's catalogue music get re-imagined by contemporary artists. He tells us about his management clients including Kumo99 and Goldford, how Johan Lenox adds the sauce to huge songs and albums, and the not so secret weapons that are producers Donny Bravo and Charlie Heat. We talk about him co-founding 'Nowhere Coffee Club' coffee company, the ritual that involves making French Press, and Yash's fastidiousness about barista blend almond milk consistency. Capping off the episode is Joe's Top 5 featuring songs from Quadeca, Jamie XX, Maruja and more.
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Yash Mega Mix
09/23/2024
Yash Mega Mix
This week Yash returns with a solo pod mega mix featuring 10 songs to cruise to in your car or commute. Let it rock.
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Alaska & Steel Tipped Dove
09/03/2024
Alaska & Steel Tipped Dove
This episode features Yash’s friend, rapper and co-host of 'Call Out Culture' podcast Alaska and producer Steel Tipped Dove. Their new album titled ‘Reverberations of a Dead Man’s Ego’ is out now on Fused Arrow Records. We talk about the relationship between bandcamp and selling merch hand to hand, the divide between what is considered real hip hop vs contemporary rap, Stan Van Gundy’s ball handling, and getting better at rap with age. We go in on day jobs influencing art, how spreadsheets have revolutionized Doves’ process, the album concept’s dark humor, developing a figurative mid-range rap style like Jordan, and that an aging Fat Joe continues to cap in his rap. We wax poetic about the 90's underground rap scene at the Nuyorican Poets cafe in NYC and how certain songs on the album represent the artists and spirit of that time. Dove tells us where he gets his samples from and Alaska lists a few new rappers and pop songs he can rock with and much more. This one is for the heads. All praises due.
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Drew Millard
08/19/2024
Drew Millard
Drew Millard is a writer, editor, podcaster (co-host of Nersey) and author of a very good book called 'How Golf Can Save Your Life.' On this episode we delve into his time at VICE's music website 'Noisey' and an unprecedented time of stunt blogging in the blog era. We also get into Drew's new blog called 'Media Events' and his recently posted story that takes a deep dive on The Black Eyed Peas in a way that you or Yash (or anyone) has never seen before. Yash also shares his experience with BIP when they attempted to take it back to the essence on one of their albums and dropped a forgettable dud. We also talk about Drew's book, the game of golf and how it can change your life for better or worse; but mostly for the better after it gets worse. Drew flips the script and questions Yash about his time as a rapper in New York. We also discuss the new Denzel Curry album being indebted to Three 6 Mafia and conclude the show with Drew's Top 5 songs of the moment including highlights from Skrilla, Cavalier, Sematary and more. banger.
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Kyle Ng of Braindead
08/12/2024
Kyle Ng of Braindead
Back to our regularly scheduled program. This week we are joined by none other than Kyle Ng, vibe curator, co-founder and creative director of the cutting edge, trippy, music forward, and multi-product clothing brand Braindead. He tells us about his trip to Paris for the Olympics with Oakley and goes on to break down the culture-first ethos of the brand. His passion for indie rock, hardcore and punk is still one of the driving forces behind everything that happens at Braindead and there are no plans to deviate from his personal taste any time soon. From sponsoring Sound and Fury Festival in Los Angeles, to collaborations with Dickies, Magic The Gathering and musicians like Toro Y Moi, Morbid Angel and Devo, Braindead is subverting the subculture. Yash tells him how he discovered the brand after stumbling into an NTS Radio x Braindead event one night out drinking and Kyle breaks down 7 songs he's rocking to right now including bangers from Faye Webster, Big Boy, Clairo, Julia Holter, Thom Yorke and more.
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Sissòn
07/15/2024
Sissòn
This week Sissòn joins us to talk about some of the influences that shaped his identity and the things that inspire him most. Hailing from Arizona and now based in Los Angeles, Sissòn is a multi-disciplinary artist whose paintings and works have graced galleries and museums worldwide over the past decade. In our conversation, he discusses the intrinsic relationship between art and music in his world, particularly with how he depicts the Black experience. He tells us about Arizona being more gangster than people are aware of, and his personal transition from a life of crime to fine art. From portraying Sociopolitical subjects to capturing the spirit of 4PF on canvas, his range knows no bounds. We talk about how lack of representation in his youth was a driving force in the development of his subject matter, and the overlooked importance of Lil Baby personifying the American dream. He explains how French composer Eric Satie along with Philip Glass provide the soundtracks to concentration, and describes Jay-Z's significance in his life and work. He also breaks down how 'fake humble' is the least genuine form of humility and a lesson he may have learned from Mk.Gee. instagram.com/helio__tropes instagram.com/roodnewyork
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Suzy Exposito
07/03/2024
Suzy Exposito
Fresh off the scorching BET Awards red carpet Yash is back with special guest Suzy Exposito AKA Brujacore. Suzy is a New Jersey born, Miami raised, and LA based freelance writer and editor who has bylines Rolling Stone, LA Times, Vogue, Elle, NPR, Remezcla, Revolver and more. We get right down to business about all girls band camp, how Goth is no longer exclusive to Goths and abuelas with crazy visions. We get into Charli XCX's return to form on 'BRAT,' her PC music past, and the time it takes for popstars to bake. We also talk about Coi Leray twerking herself out of her XXL Freestyle and Lana being a Larp Goddess. Of course we get into At The Drive In's impact and the lack of a contemporary post-hardcore wave — but we remain hopeful. Spotify raised its prices again? the rich get richer, the artists don't, and Suzy explains why she switched sides. We dig in on Nourished By Time, Eyedress, Lil Yachty and James Blake plus Suzy shares her Top 5 songs of the moment including entries by Girl Ultra, Omar Apollo, Nia Archives, Angelíca Garcia, and Juggler on this holiday week episode. instagram.com/helio__tropes instagram.com/roodnewyork
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Yash
06/25/2024
Yash
Smack in the middle of a heatwave Yash returns from a trip to New York with even more flames. We talk about a forthcoming Clipse reunion album and the prospect of a Re-up Gang come back, opting out of Kendrick's 'The Pop Out' show, 2Hollis' excellent 'boy' album, Wu Tang's long lost album that has now somehow been converted to an $1 NFT, and the the factors at play when an artist/band cancels an arena tour due to low ticket sales. We talk about major labels WMG, UMG and SONY taking legal action against artificial intelligence companies Suno and Udio for alleged copywright infringement by using licensed music as source material to train their models. As AI start ups continue to hatch their insidious plans with big funding in attempts to usurp real human creativitiy, we at Helio-Tropes are welcoming the AI revolution with open arms and pockets. Yash also lets his Top 5 songs ring off with entries from Chicken P, MCVERTT, Lucki, NXCRE & The Villains, Joanne Robertson, and Lelo.
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Matthew Ritchie
06/10/2024
Matthew Ritchie
Matthew Ritchie is a music, culture and sports writer who is also a contributor at Pitchfork and has written stories for GQ, Chicago Reader, Rolling Stone, Passion of The Weiss, and others. In this episode we try our damndest to focus on one body of work and cannonball directly into Mach-Hommy's #RICHAXXHATIAN album which Matthew reviewed for Pitchfork. We talk about how an 8.0 is the "peoples champion" score even if it's not given the Best New Music championship belt. We break down why the title track is the most streamed song on the album and how streams aren't indicative of the qualitative factors that must be considered when it comes to Mach Hommie lore. Could this album have come out on the now defunct, storied Rawkus Records label? Definitely. are we talking Grammy album? possibly. Is the bar low in the 'real hip-hop alert' space? probably. We discuss. We also break down how Mach enlists the top dogs in this lane to deliver guest verses including features from Roc Marciano, Black Thought, Your Old Droog, The God Fahim and more. We tap into the urgency and revolutionary nature of the music fueled by pointed lyrics on the current social and political turmoil in Haiti. We conclude that it's totally fine to like what hasn't aged well like the 1989 cult classic Wrestling movie No Holds Barred. And before it's too late Matt gives us his top 5 songs of the moment, which turn out to be in the name of love (for the most part) with choice cuts from Ghostface, Crime Mob, Michael Urbaniak, and more.
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