Chicago rapper Vic Spencer joins me for this episode of Behind the Beat on the Music & Makeup Podcast.We discuss his latest album, Inspire Your Idols, his extensive catalog and his experiences working with the youth of Chicago.Vic also shares insights on collaboration, longevity in underground rap and inspiring the next generation of artists.Timestamps00:00 Intro00:45 Vic Spencer Shares His Earliest Memories of Falling in Love with HipHop01:28 When He Realized Music Could Be a Career02:25 How He Manages to Stay Consistent 03:45 How He Maintains a Fresh Sound without Compromising Who He Is04:47 The Album He’d Save if His Catalog Disappeared 06:42 The Catalyst for Inspire Your Idols08:28 Why He Chose Up and Coming Talent for Inspire Your Idols10:18 Why He Likes Working with Newer Artists 11:53 How He Curated the Production for Inspire Your Idols and His Creative Process13:29 How He’s Remained Successful without Chasing Trends 14:18 What He’s Learned Through the Years as an Independent Artist 16:20 Advice to Independent Artists 17:42 Working as an Advocate for Chicago’s Youth20:57 Lessons the Applies to Music that he Learned as an Advocate 24:33 The impact he wants to leave on his students24:54 What’s Next for Vic Spencer25:24 OutroWhere to find Vic Spencer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicspencer/Bandcamp: https://vicspencer.bandcamp.com/Follow The Music and Makeup Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicandmakeuppodcast/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-and-makeup-podcast/id1809024400

Asheville, North Carolina rapper Rique Wit Da Wickz joins Music & Makeup for an all-new episode of Behind the Beat.In this conversation, Rique discusses his latest album, Cold Grits You Can't Eat, the meaning behind the title, his creative process, working with multiple producers, and navigating the challenges of being an independent artist. We also talk about his roots in Asheville, his growth as an artist, and the lessons he's learned throughout his journey in hip-hop.

In this episode, I'm reviewing two new hip hop releases: Action Bronson's highly anticipated album Planet Frog and Errol Holden's latest project Supreme Magnetic 2.Join me as I break down the production, standout tracks, and overall listening experience while getting ready on camera.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:13 Review of Action Bronson’s “Planet Frog10:45 Review of Errol Holden’s Supreme Magnetic 2Planet Frog on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/planet-frog/1895978487Supreme Magnetic 2 on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/supreme-magnetic-2/6767704185CONNECT WITH ME:Podcast: Music and Makeup Podcast (Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music)IG : https://www.instagram.com/musicandmakeuppodcast/TikTok: pistolsnpalosantoFor collabs and features: info@musicandmakeuppodcast.com

Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:42 How Tye Got His Start in Hip Hop Media01:55 The Moment He Realized His Work was Connecting with the Public03:08 What Inspired the Name “HipHop Gems TV”03:55 The Early Days of Hip Hop Gems TV05:50 How He’s Stayed Consistent 07:59 What Sets His Platform Apart 09:24 What Catches His Attention When Listening to Music13:11 Past HipHop Gems Guests Trajectories 14:45 The Return to Underground Hiphop 15:38 Tye Shares His Thoughts on the Current State of Hiphop Media 19:43 What Deems a Hiphop Platform as Trustworthy 21:34 Balancing Being a Fan of HipHop while Giving Honest Critiques23:43 His Favorite Interviews 24:51 How Covering HipHop has Changed How He Listens to Music 25:59 What He’s Learned About Himself Through Building HipHop Gems TV29:13 How He Got Started with Videography and Photography 32:26 What Motivates Him Now Vs. When He First Started His Career34:26 How He Protects Himself Against Burnout 39:09 What’s Next For HipHop Gems TV40:02 Where to Find HipHop Gems TV Online/Outro#HipHopGemsTV #TyeLowman #hiphoppodcast #undergroundhiphop #independentartists #hiphopmedia #musicandmakeuppodcast Follow Tye Lowman and HipHop Gems TV: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopgemstv/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCxHGAHZZy3OKCK54AQH5c9g Follow The Music and Makeup Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicandmakeuppodcast/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-and-makeup-podcast/id1809024400

This week I’m joined by Breeze Mantana as we discuss his journey from Mount Vernon, New York to building his name in underground hip hop.We get into the making of Breakfast at Christie’s with Chase N. Cashe, the chemistry behind creating a full collaborative project, and what this album says about where he is creatively right now.Breeze also talks about recently wrapping the Dinner at Belmore Tour with Rome Streetz, performing overseas, connecting with international crowds, and how the experience expanded his perspective as an artist.Outside of music, we also dive into his love for culinary arts, cooking, creativity, and how food connects to his lifestyle and artistry.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:30 How Breeze Got Started in Music05:03 Breeze Shares His Earliest Influences 08:36 Breeze Talks About His Evolution as an Artist 10:45 The Most Pivotal Moment in His Career16:07 Breeze Defines His Meaning of Success 17:51 The Making of Breakfast at Christie’s with Chase N. Cashe/ Meeting Tyson Beckford20:58 The Difference Between Working with One Producer vs. Multiple Producers on an Album 28:16 The Theme of Lifestyle in His Music33:14 Breeze Shares His Love of Culinary Arts39:11 Parallels Between the Cooking and Making Music42:25 European Experience: The Dinner at Belmore Tour w/ Rome Streetz47:25 The Diversity of Dublin, Ireland 49:40 What this Tour Taught Him About Performing 51:23 What’s Next for Breeze53:00 Where to Find Breeze Online/ Outro

In this episode of Behind the Beat, I sit down with underground hip hop artist and Umbrella Collective co-founder Pro Dillinger for a conversation centered on independence, leadership, artistic growth, and legacy.

Pro Dillinger reflects on his upbringing between the Bronx and Rockland County, the origins of The Umbrella Collective, and how necessity inspired the movement’s foundation. He also discusses the importance of collaboration, working closely with producer Futurewave, and why creative chemistry matters when building timeless music.

Throughout the interview, Pro Dillinger shares insight into the mindset behind his consistency, the evolution of underground hip hop, and why he appreciates seeing veteran artists finally receive recognition while still embracing the new generation of talent.

On this episode of Behind the Beat, I sit down with dB Cutlass for a conversation about starting out in production and how understanding song structure helped shape his songwriting, cadence, and overall approach to recording.

He also discusses collaborating with producers including 183rd, Wavy the God, Eric G, and Bambeatz, while crafting Beneath the Concrete across sessions in New York and Miami.

The conversation also explores his long-running creative chemistry with Bambeatz, including their collaborative album Shula and Marino, the importance of confidence and vocal control as an artist, and how kettlebell training influences his mindset, consistency, and discipline both inside and outside the studio.

This episode I sit down with Brooklyn rapper, storyteller, and director Illa Ghee.

Illa reflects on the making of his album Psychedelic Contraband, explaining why he chose to focus more on meaningful topics and substance instead of simplifying his message to appeal to wider audiences. He also opens up about learning how to tell his story responsibly, separating street conversations from his music while still remaining authentic and transparent as an artist.

The conversation also explores his experiences performing overseas, discovering his fanbase in places like Italy, and transitioning into directing with his visual series New York Minute. From music to filmmaking,