HeyJaredRhythm and Rhymes
Rhythm & Rhymes is your global hub for all black music.From discussing new releases and trends to exploring the business side of music, we provide dynamic & enlightening perspectives.Join us as we explore the connections between the past and present, unearthing the stories…
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 12
- Latest publication
- Sep 24, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 4, 2026
Latest episodes
Afrobeats, the CIA & the Politics of Popular Music (opens the original)
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Is Afrobeats’ global rise a story of talent, label investment, political influence, or overlapping forces? AJ and Antonio debate the Chocolate City/CIA claim, what counts as evidence, and how soft power might operate through music. Plus: AI tributes to deceased artists and a BXKS discovery. CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open and introduction 01:00 The Spearhead video and its claims 02:00 Chocolate City: connections versus evidence 08:00 Can soft power work without political lyrics? 11:00 CKay, label promo
UMG's AI Remix Deal, Jay-Z In 8, Jhené Aiko & Unknown T (opens the original)
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Antonio breaks down UMG's licensing deal with ElevenLabs for a fan remix platform, what it could mean for DJs, and whether AI is a boost or just ease. Then: Rick Rubin's Jay-Z In 8 and whether song by song beats start to finish, AJ plays Antonio his first Bouyon, Jhené Aiko's Westside Whimsy, Rio The Young OG, and Unknown T's Listen. Subscribe + listen everywhere: https://linktr.ee/RealRandR R&R is Modern Radio for global black sounds.
Afro+ Fest, Kanye’s Reunion & Beyoncé’s B’Day at 20 (opens the original)
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Join the R&R newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/rhythmandrhymes We wanted to be at Afro Plus Fest. Then we saw how the weekend unfolded. AJ and Antonio discuss the storm, entry problems, and attendee reactions—and why criticizing one festival shouldn’t become an indictment of Black-led events. Also: Kanye West’s Chicago reunion, why Big Sean keeps catching strays, and whether Nemzzz’s Locked In would work better as a shorter project. We unpack the NAACP’s new African award categories and
The House Whitney Built: Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston & “I Will Always Love You” | EP 150 (opens the original)
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Subscribe to R&R on Substack: https://substack.com/@rhythmandrhymes Dolly Parton refused to give Elvis Presley’s team half the publishing rights to “I Will Always Love You.” Years later, Whitney Houston transformed the song into a global phenomenon—and reportedly made Dolly roughly $10 million in royalties. AJ and Antonio break down the ownership decision behind “the house that Whitney built” before discussing Kelvin Momo’s dispute with Kabza De Small and what it reveals about Amapiano’s economi
Notting Hill Carnival Turns 60. Can London Keep It Alive? (opens the original)
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What allows Black music and cultural institutions to last? AJ and Antonio discuss Notting Hill Carnival’s 60th anniversary, Machel Montano’s new Brooklyn exhibition, Victony avoiding the sophomore slump, Ransom’s late-career consistency and whether Anderson .Paak and Cordae have lost creative momentum.
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