Just when we thought apartheid in the A was over, Omeretta the Great's "Sorry Not Sorry" turned "We grew here, you flew here" into a song. In this 911 emergency episode, the crew came out of pod-tirement to discuss with entertainment manager Steven Dingle (@stevozone4).

Omeretta the Great's Border Patrol vs. The Illegal ATLiens

Just the other night at the Local, Yoh was wondering what it would take for the crew to hop back on the mic. One week later, that reason came, courtesy of Andre 3000. 

In this reunion episode, we unpack New Blue Sun and wonder how Dre's debut solo album will function in our lives—as we age, as we mature, and as hip-hop enters its next 50 years.

Watch 'May the Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_LQmpx5l-E

The Woodwind Rises: On Andre 3000's New Blue Sun

SPOILER ALERTS ABOUND. We couldn't help ourselves. We discuss the themes of Boots Riley's standout debut film and the scenes that had us reeling in our seats. Run to a theater near you: https://tickets.sorrytobotheryou.movie/

Produced by Michael Saba.

BONUS: We Just Saw 'Sorry to Bother You' and WTF

Dave Matthews rapping Migos lyrics on TV. Sounds like one of the seven signs of the apocalypse, right? But Jimmy Fallon's basic ass forced us Atlanta residents and rap critics to reckon with how trap catapulted into the mainstream. While you're here, put on DG Yola's  "Ain't Gon' Let Up" for Jah one time: https://youtu.be/ipvkHY9VXOM

Produced by Michael Saba.

Trap To The Future

This week on the Sum'n To Say podcast, Jah, Christina and Yoh talk about the possibility of Drake becoming a "house show" TV host, the potential future for up-and-coming Atlanta artists like Keenon Rush, Wiley From Atlanta and Boregard. We also plan to make a field trip to Magic City's open mic night and explain why record labels should hire strippers to be A&Rs.

The Kids Are Alright

WE'RE BACK. Today we revisit OutKast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,' the sprawling tour de force where Big Boi relegates Jay Z to hook duty and Andre 3000 completes his transformation to elite grand wizard ATLien. Plus, we discuss the historic Grammy win in what Jah calls the "white" category: Album of the Year.

Production by Michael Saba: www.youtube.com/user/akhorahilis
#Free21Savage: https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/free-and-stop-the-deportation-of-21-savage-now-1
Intro music by Slimm Leary

Speakerboxxx/The White Grammy

"Lollipop" wasn't the Lil Wayne that anyone knew when he recorded it on March 13, 2008. But it would be the Lil Wayne that took over the world. Yoh, Jah and Christina revisit how Weezy bet on himself to become the Auto-Tuned alien force whose DNA can still be found in rap and even rock (I'm sorry, Framing Hanley, for getting your name wrong).

Lighter flicks by Michael Saba: www.youtube.com/user/akhorahilis
Closing music by Slimm Leary

Lil Wayne and the Good Ship Lollipop

MS. KERI, BABY! joins us to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her debut 'In a Perfect World.' She talks about balancing music with her Emory University studies, catching Timbaland's attention when he was actually considering retirement, and reckoning with how R&B has changed since "Turnin Me On." 

Feelings of "Intuition" by Michael Saba: www.youtube.com/user/akhorahilis
Opening music by Slimm Leary

The Gang Meets Keri Hilson

Today Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris' smiling faces appear on a giant digital screen at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to greet the 275,000 passengers flying in on a daily basis. This is the future these homegrown superstars first envisioned in their 2002 hit "Welcome to Atlanta." Plus, a detour through T.I.'s star turn in 'ATL.'

Shoutout to new Patreon support Sharod Clerge.
Production by Michael Saba: www.youtube.com/c/michaelsaba
Music by Slimm Leary

How Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris and T.I. Welcomed Us to Atlanta

When Waka Flocka Flame said, “Drug dealing music / I influence,” he had no idea how right he'd be. We discuss how he and Lex Luger's straight brown liquor energy shook up the music industry ten years ago and can still be heard halfway across the world. 

Produced by Michael Saba: https://www.patreon.com/michaelsaba
Closing music by Slimm Leary

Waka Flocka Seagulls

This is a Patreon-exclusive episode, but it's so good that we had to unlock it to share it with everyone. If you're interested in listening to more patron-only content like this, consider contributing to our Patreon crowdfunding page so we have the resources to keep delivering great content like this: https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Twenty years ago Daniel Dumile slipped a Doctor Doom-inspired mask in the fight against the mainstream. We revisit MF Doom's debut album 'Operation Doomsday' (“The character is there, but he is still finding the voice and finding the flow,” says Yoh) and how, despite its limited release, its outsized impact on independent rap. 

Produced by Michael Saba: https://www.youtube.com/c/michaelsaba

Patreon Unlocked: Holy MF Doom, Batman!

What makes a perfect song of the summer? We reunite to launch season 3 with Chance hats on, debate the merits of Megan Thee Stallion's “Hot Girl Summer,” and submit our picks for 2019: “Act Up” by City Girls (Yoh), “Ballin'” by Mustard and Roddy Rich (Jah), and “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo (Christina).

Hot Girl Bummer

In his 2009 debut 'Attention Deficit,' Wale wants to be it all: a blog darling who can cross over, the DMV native who can carry go-go's torch. We revisit those impossible expectations and discuss how he's recovered ten years later, to meet his criteria for success — and his alone.

Ten Years of Wale. Wow... That's Crazy

DJ OHSO was working at a call center when she stumbled across a Will Smith interview saying, "What's the point of a plan B? It distracts you from a plan A." As this episode's special guest, she explains how that random YouTube clip led to the start of her DJ career (in front of the Fresh Prince himself!) and honoring black women with her signature "Bounce Dat" parties.

Catch her at Red Bull Music Festival Atlanta 11/7: https://www.redbull.com/us-en/music/events/red-bull-music-festival-atlanta-ohsos-bounce-dat

How DJ OHSO's Life Got Twisted Upside Down (w/DJ OHSO)

Ain't Gon' Let Up is our Patreon tier where folks can request an episode topic, for any verse, song, album or event taking place in hip-hop and R&B, in the South or otherwise.  Find out more at patreon.com/sumntosay.

Shoutout to Robbie McClellan for requesting a look back at Things Fall Apart, the Roots album that recently turned 20. Revisiting the album prompted us to look back at the late '90s battle lines between mainstream and alternative hip-hop — and how the Roots found commercial and critical acclaim, despite being firmly on the "losing" side of that battle.

Patreon Unlocked: Getting Back to the Roots

'Parasite' intrigued Jah and Christina so much, they saw it again in theaters. They also insisted that Yoh join them. If you've seen this Bong Joon-ho film, and you're obsessing over every detail and still trying to make sense of its symbolism and hairpin turns, this recap and analysis is for you.

Why Refinance, When You Can Refinesse? ('Parasite' Film Review)

Ten years ago next week, just when Clipse managed to escape label purgatory and release an album without years of delays ('Til the Casket Drops'), Gucci Mane confirmed his status as the South's new cult rap hero (with 'The State vs. Radric Davis'). In our final episode of 2019, we compare and contrast the two releases to revisit how an era of cocaine rap came to a close, and listeners instead got white boy “Wasted.”

Snowed Out: Revisiting 'The State vs. Radric Davis' and 'Til the Casket Drops'

Fun fact: One artist who has more monthly Spotify listens than Chris Brown, J. Cole, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne is... Tyga. Against our better judgment, we discuss how he inexplicably became the Fashion Nova of rap, Pornhub bars and all. Follow us on Twitter @SumnSay.

Tyga's Nine Lives

Weeks after The New York Times discovered Renegade dance creator Jalaiah Harmon, we discuss the song that inspired it all. Yes, we're talking  "Lottery (Renegade)" by K Camp, the 2015 XXL Freshman behind Mykko Montana's "Do It," "Cut Her Off," "Money Baby" and "Comfortable." Where does he go from here? We play armchair A&Rs to discuss further.

K Camp's Unlikely Jackpot

There are two types of people. Yoh and Christina are Lil Baby people. They think that twinge of sadness in his voice makes you root for him, which makes the resolve in his lyrics all the more satisfying. But Jah is a DaBaby person. He catches flights, not feelings. This week: a (slightly) grown discussion about baby shit.

Lil Babies 'R' Us

Exactly how well can a posthumous album reflect the artist in question? We compare the new Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD to the closest hip-hop has seen to a platonic ideal: Notorious B.I.G.'s Life After Death. 

Support on Sum'n to Say's Patreon went directly to purchasing new mics for Jah and Yoh — what's made it possible to restart season 4 during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Stranger Things

Between "Savage" and Quarantine Radio, Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez were behind some of America's greatest quarantine pastimes. Then there was a shooting. We discuss how, between the tasteless takes and Megan's tears of disbelief, the world doesn't deserve a "Hot Girl Summer."

Taylor Crumpton for Harper's Bazaar: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a33471010/megan-thee-stallion-shooting-misogynoir/

Support on Sum'n to Say's Patreon went directly to purchasing new mics for Jah and Yoh — what's made it possible to restart season 4 during the COVID-19 pandemic. www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Hot Girl Bummer 2: Revenge of the Bummer

By now it's easy to take Young Money's biggest success stories for granted. But we should remember how strange it was a decade ago to see Lil Wayne handpick his successors. We revisit the strange family portrait that is 2009's 'We Are Young Money,' disgusting CollegeHumor bars and all.

The Howard University of Frat Rap

This episode is different because these times are difficult. We're not talking new releases. Instead, Jah tasked us with creating five-song EPs that actually speak to how we're feeling right now. Which songs would be on yours? Let us know at twitter.com/SumnSay.

Jah's EP, 'AmeriKKKa the Usual' (5:20): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64HP462XtOZ5rZa8OgDVKP?si=pVCXe33lQJ-DDohd6onm1A
Christina's EP, 'Shaun King Can Go Fuck Himself' (28:59): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22au1CZwQqBGicHFPj1ler?si=eVDJduI0RRqJ6O4Ki74zcQ
Yoh's EP, 'Rome is Burning' (46:04): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0SZHVpQrmx03nwY59ij3N6?si=k-TiAPk7SZGiEJ4uFI9EZA

In Our Feelings

It's disappointing when an artist's debut project doesn't match the hype, like when Nick Grant, a lyricist by trade, raps about cufflinks in 2017's 'Return of the Cool.' But 2020's 'God Bless the Child' marks the return of Nick Grant as we know it. This is part of Sum'n to Hear, where we discuss the not-yet-household names who have caught our attention.

Sum'n to Hear: God Bless Nick Grant

In her 2020 XXL Freshman freestyle, Mulatto says, “Who else do you know that came from a TV show, turned down a deal and still taking off?” We talk about all the twists and turns in her career, from skating rink gigs(shoutout to Yoh's parents) to scoffing at a scarcity mindset. Help support the show at https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Freestyles Still Matter. Ask Mulatto.

This week we attempt to solve some mysteries, from Kanye West's war against Universal and Sony [6:24] to Baby Keem's new deal with Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free as label bosses [29:17]. We also check out the latest mashup project by DJ Critical Hype, 'ANDRE,' featuring Andre 3000 raps and Tyler, the Creator instrumentals [53:21]. Support for Sum'n to Say comes from https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Baby Keem's Mystery Machine

On one hand, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin double down on what made them bankable stars in the first place. But those searching for the introspection that earned 21 Grammy nods might only find dust and cobwebs. This week we debate the merits and Morgan Freeman interludes of 'Savage Mode II.'

The Savage Mode 2 Spooktacular

Once OutKast got its 5-mic review in The Source, what else was left to do? As Jah put it, the resulting sound wasn't Organized Noize — it was disorganized, to its biggest mainstream successes yet. We look back at how 20 years ago, Stankonia fundamentally changed our ideas of what the South had to say. 

Read Yoh's "Stankonia: The OutKast Album That Defies Reality," on Vinyl Me Please: http://magazine.vinylmeplease.com/magazine/outkast-stankonia-yoh-liner-notes/ 

Support for Sum'n to Say comes from: https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay

How OutKast Split the Atom in 'Stankonia' 20 Years Ago

We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, in honor of T.I.'s new album The L.I.B.R.A., we're bringing back Episode 9 (!) from 2018, exploring 'Trap Muzik' 15 years later. Support for Sum'n to Say comes from: www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Sum'n to Replay: T.I's Preaching to Pushers and Proletariats

"We hear T.I.'s voice all the time. And depending on your perspective, sometimes we've heard too much of T.I.'s voice," says Jah. This week we debate whether his new album, The L.I.B.R.A., is essential listening. Support for this podcast comes from: https://www.patreon.com/sumntosay

Who is T.I. Doing This Verzuz?

Chester Watson released his new album 'A Japanese Horror Film' this past Halloween. Halloween was a Saturday this year, though as the music makes clear, he navigates time and space by his own rules. We discuss how Samurai Champloo, astral projection experiences and a good talking-to from an ex informed his heady personal journey. Support Sum'n to Say at patreon.com/sumntosay

From Nujabes to Atlantis (w/ Chester Watson)

After feuding for 15 or 20 years (hell, they argued over that too), Gucci Mane and Jeezy met at Magic City to settle the score by way of Verzuz. We wrap our heads around the night that was part reunion, part reconciliation and part retaliation. Support for Sum'n to Say comes from patreon.com/sumntosay

Icefinity War: The Gucci Mane-Jeezy Verzuz Recap

Edit: This is our season 3 finale. See y'all in 2021.

When we talk about Southern rap’s evolution, we tend to focus on Atlanta’s contributions in particular. Cultural critic Taylor Crumpton reminds us that  there are other Southsides — stories about this genre that still need to be told and amplified. As one of five writers selected for Shea Serrano's Halfway Books pilot program, she maps out Dallas rap history by way of Big Tuck's 'Purple Hulk.'  Buy Taylor's essay at www.taylorhalfway.com

Support for Sum'n to Say is provided by patreon.com/sumntosay

The Legacy Route (w/ Taylor Crumpton)

Since 2018, Sum'n to Say has discussed and debated notable events in Southern hip-hop and R&B, right out the SWATS. Hosts Jah, Yoh and Christina draw from their experiences as Atlanta-based music journalists, their memories of growing up below the Mason-Dixon and whatever libations may be on hand. Produced by Michael Saba: https://www.youtube.com/c/michaelsaba

Sum'n to Say

Popular tracks