Crate 808

Mos Def vs. Big Pun vs. Ice Cube

This week, we pit 'Black on Both Sides' (1999) against 'Capital Punishment' (1998) and 'The Predator' (1992).

Xzibit vs. Mobb Deep vs. Onyx

This episode, 'At the Speed of Life' (1996) is up against 'Hell on Earth' (1996), and both face 'All We Got Iz Us' (1995).

DMX vs. 2Pac vs. Raekwon

This week, DMX's 'It's Dark and Hell is Hot' is up against 2Pac's 'All Eyez on Me' and Raekwon's 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'.

Killa Kela Interview

Killa Kela, worldwide beatbox icon and street culture podcaster, gives the lowdown on his journey deep into hip hop culture.

Pavan (Foreign Beggars) Interview - Orifice Vulgatron

U.K. Hip Hop mainstay, Pavan Mukhi A.K.A. Orifice Vulgatron, goes deep into the 90's Hip Hop culture.

Dr. Dre vs. Notorious B.I.G. vs. The Fugees

Classics go head-to-head as host, Kambi Thandi, is joined by resident Ray and Pras to debate which album gets into Crate 808.

DJ Spoony Interview

Legendary Garage DJ and BBC Radio & TV presenter, DJ Spoony, sits down to talk all things 90’s Hip Hop and Garage.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib 'Bandana' Review

The pod regulars review the highly anticipated follow-up to 2014's 'Pinata' album by MadGibbs, but with a Crate 808 twist.

Chi Modu Interview: Photographer for Tupac/Biggie etc.

Kam talks to the man behind some of the most iconic Hip Hop images of Tupac, Biggie, Wu, Dre, Snoop, Mobb Deep and more.

Andy Cowan Interview: Former Hip Hop Connection Editor

Hip Hop Connection's former editor sits down to chart it's rise and fall as the longest running rap monthly mag on the globe.

A Tribe Called Quest vs. Eminem vs. Method Man

Classics go head-to-head: ‘Midnight Marauders’ (1993) against ‘The Slim Shady LP’ (1999) versus ’Tical’ (1994).

Nas 'The Lost Tapes 2' Album Review

The Crate 808 crew dive into Nas' latest record in this track-by-track review.

Is Eminem Still Relevant?

Marshall Mathers: The best rapper alive or a great who's passed his prime? Get ready for sparks to fly...

Ty Interview: UK Rap Legend

A seriously deep chat spanning the decades with UK Rap pioneer Ty.

Blak Twang Interview: UK Hip Hop Legend

A fun and insightful conversation with UK Rap pioneer Blak Twang.

Rodney P Interview: Godfather of UK Rap

The Godfather of UK Rap and bonafide Hip Hop legend Rodney P sits down to talk…

Dan Lish Interview: Cypress Hill/Raekwon Illustrator

We sit down with the creator of the Ego Strip illustration series, who’s worked with Raekwon, Cypress Hill and De La Soul.

Skyzoo Interview: Rapper, Lyricist, Ghostwriter

Skyzoo is one of the most consistent Hip Hop artists of the decade - collaborations include Dr. Dre, Pete Rock and 9th Wonder.

Mase vs. Rakim

Classics go head-to-head: Mase’s ‘Harlem World’ (1997) versus Rakim’s ’The 18th Letter’ (1997).

Ice Cube's 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted' with MysDiggi

This week we revisit Ice Cube's seminal debut album with UK rapper, actor, host and all-round entertainer MysDiggi.

Outkast's 'Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik' Review

This week we revisit Outkast’s debut album ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’ with DJ and promoter Rob Pursey.

Open Mike Eagle Interview: Hip Hop Artist/Comedian

This week we were blessed by one of our favourite artists & comedians - Open Mike Eagle! We sat down and talked...

DJ Muggs Interview: Legendary Cypress Hill Producer

90’s Rap icon and man behind that Cypress Hill sound, DJ Muggs, sits down with host Kambi Thandi to chat all things Hip Hop.

Meyhem Lauren Interview

This week Queens spitter, chef and TV personality from 'F*ck, That's Delicious' Meyhem Lauren joins the show.

Jay-Z vs. GZA vs. Cypress Hill

'Reasonable Doubt’ (1996) vs. ‘Liquid Swords’ (1995) vs. ’Black Sunday’ (1993) - which gets into Crate 808?

Pharoahe Monch Interview: Hip Hop GOAT

Hip Hop GOAT Pharoahe Monch blesses the pod to talk ‘Simon Says’, how he got his name and so many more things!

Erick Sermon Interview: Legendary Rap Producer

Erick Sermon talks on his musical legacy including signing Redman, his friendship with Ice Cube and checking Biggie first.

Andrew Emery Interview: Hip Hop Writer

Hip Hop journalist, Andrew Emery, touches on topics such as chatting to Dilla about porn and why RZA is so good to interview.

Doc Brown (Ben Bailey Smith) Interview

This week we chat to UK rapper, comedian and entertainer - Ben Bailey Smith aka Doc Brown.

Album of 2019: Tyler vs. Denzel Curry vs. Danny Brown

A look back at the Crate 808 crew’s favourite albums of 2019. Which one gets crowned Album of the Year? Listen to find out…

Eminem ‘Music to Be Murdered By’ Album Review

Check out the track-by-track review of Eminem’s 11th album, touching on many topics, including the argument for corny punchlines and producer collabs.

LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' w/ Vie Marshall

This week we speak to Vie Marshall - journalist for Hip Hop Connection, Blues & Soul, i-D (among many others) and founder of Muthaland club nights.

Organized Konfusion's 'Stress: The Extinction Agenda'

The UK’s First Lady of rap - Sarah Love - comes to Crate 808! The MOBO Award-nominated DJ talks about one of her favourite albums of the 90's.

Gang Starr’s ‘Hard to Earn’ with Philaflava

This week we dip into Gang Starr’s quintessential classic boom bap record ‘Hard to Earn’, with Take It Personal Radio’s very own Philaflava.

Warren G's 'Regulate...G Funk Era' with Luke James

Crate 808 back to 1994 with guest, Luke James - YouTuber and seasoned rap critic. Get ready for major G Funk chat as well as rap reviewing on YouTube and Luke’s Top 5 MCs.

MF Doom's 'Operation: Doomsday' with Dad Bod Rap Pod

We revisit the 1999 classic with guests Nate LeBlanc, David Ma and Demone Carter from the Dad Bod Rap Pod.

Fliptrix (Four Owls) Interview: Founder of High Focus

This week we chat to the man behind one of the UK’s top hip hop labels (High Focus Records) and member of The Four Owls - Fliptrix.

Nas vs. Snoop Dogg vs. Wu-Tang Clan

The Crate 808 crew dive into their biggest debate so far - pitting Nas' 'Ill matic', Snoop's 'Doggystyle' and Wu-Tang Clan's 36 Chambers against one another.

D.I.T.C. - Coronavirus Pt. 1

The Crate 808 crew go digging in the crates while in self-isolation due to the coronavirus.

D.I.T.C. - Coronavirus Pt. 2

Crate 808 duo, Kambi Thandi & Ray Ridge, dig in the crates while in quarantine due to COVID-19, talking on Lil Wayne’s new lyrics and Run The Jewels' return.

Prince Paul Interview: De La Soul Producer/Rap Pioneer

Living hip hop GOAT, Prince Paul, talks on his journey with De La Soul, Gravediggaz and Eazy E, winning Grammys with Chris Rock, his relationship with RZA and more.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s ‘E. 1999 Eternal’

We revisit the 1995 classic with former Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX and creator of the famous DX Breakdown - Justin Hunte.

Jay Electronica ‘A Written Testimony’ Album Review

Former contributing editor for Hip Hop Connection, Rob Pursey, joins Crate 808 for a track-by-track review of Elec's debut album.

Biggie vs. Dr. Dre vs. Nas - Part 1

The Crate 808 team gear up for a ‘Sophomore Special’ debate - pitting three 90s rap classics against one another, to see which gets into Crate 808. First up - Life After Death!

Biggie vs. Dr. Dre vs. Nas - Part 2

The Crate 808 team drop their second episode of a ‘Sophomore Special’ debate, focusing on Dr. Dre’s ‘2001’ album.

Biggie vs. Dr. Dre vs. Nas - Part 3

The final episode in the 3-part debate focuses on Nas’ ‘It Was Written’ - the team argue for why this should get into Crate 808.

Just Blaze Interview: Legendary Hip Hop Producer

This week we welcome Just Blaze to the show, a long-time collaborator for the rap alumni including Jay-Z, Eminem, Jay Electronica and many, many more.

Jarobi White Interview: Founding Member of ATCQ

This week we welcome ‘the spirit’ of A Tribe Called Quest, Jarobi White. He’s a man who doesn’t do many interviews, but we managed to sit down with him and talk all things Tribe.

State of 2020: A Conversation About Racism & Hip Hop

This week we break from our regular programming to focus of the biggest issue in hip hop right now - racism and the George Floyd murder.

State of 2020: Blak Twang Interview on Racism/COVID-19

This week we are honoured to sit and talk with UK Hip Hop legend, Blak Twang. Taking a break from our regular 90s shows, we hope to listen, learn and act during this chaotic times.

Steve Rifkind Interview: Founder of Loud/SRC Records

Wu-Tang Clan. Mobb Deep. Big Pun. Xzibit. MOP. Dead Prez. Three Six Mafia. We talk to Steve Rifkind who helped break these artists (and many more) on his legendary labels.

State of 2020: MysDiggi Interview on Pandemic and More

This week we’re joined by UK rapper MysDiggi to talk about managing our anxiety levels, why we need to question the powers that be, and try to make sense of a crazy 2020.

R.A. The Rugged Man Interview: Legendary Rapper

This week we’re honoured to have on a bars behemoth from New York, a man who’s spat with the best of them - R.A.The Rugged Man - to talk on his new album 'All My Heroes Are Dead'.

Best Albums of 2020 + Bangers of the Year (So Far)

The crew bring their Top 5 albums of 2020 so far, as well as list their fave tracks of the year.

Boldy James Interview (+ Westside Gunn Cameo)

Boldy James gave talks 90's Hip Hop, his incredible run of projects with the likes of The Alchemist and Griselda, before our amazing chat gets hijacked by Westside Gunn himself!

DJ Yoda Interview: Award Winning Hip Hop DJ

This week we’re joined by a legend of turntablism, DJ Yoda - a man who loves to push the craft into new areas constantly.

Evidence Interview: Rapper, Producer (Dilated Peoples)

This week we’re joined by underground rap legend, Evidence. As well as winning Grammt's with Kanye, he's one half of Step Brothers with The Alchemist and member of Dilated Peoples.

ATCQ’s ‘Midnight Marauders’ with Kwame Kwaten

Having worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones and Seal, as well as discovering Shola Ama at a London tube station, Kwame brings his deep insight to Crate 808.

Sophia Chang Interview: Ex-Manager of ODB, RZA & ATCQ

Sophia Chang, author of ‘The Baddest Bitch in the Room’, and former manager of rap legends such as RZA, ODB, GZA, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest (to name a few) comes to Crate 808!

Slimkid3 Interview: Founding Member of The Pharcyde

Slimkid 3, sits down to talk through the classic rap group’s history, wokring with Dilla, as well as celebrating the sheer quality and variety of Hip Hop music in the 90's.

Ras Kass’ ‘Soul on Ice’ with Andy Cee (B-Boy Document)

Founder of B-Boy Document magazine, Andy Cee, discusses why he loves 90'scult classic - Ras Kass’ ‘Soul on Ice’ so much.

The Infamous (Mobb Deep) vs. Aquemini (OutKast) Part 1

The squad return to talk classic 90's albums with fellow rap podcaster, Jon Bass (The Notorious P.O.D.), to see which record we can put into our very own Hall of Fame - Crate 808.

The Infamous (Mobb Deep) vs. Aquemini (OutKast) Part 2

The final part of this week's debate dives into OutKast’s incredible ‘Aquemini’ album now we've heard Jon Bass’ case for why Mobb Deep’s ‘The Infamous' should get into Crate 808.

Ice Cube’s 3-Album Run with Shawn Setaro

This new series discusses who had the best three-album run in 90's Hip Hop? We start with the argument for one of the most important MC's, Ice Cube with The Cipher's Simon Setaro.