Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel (Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel)

This week we replay an episode Tim produced, wrote, edited early on in the pandemic. How has the lives of Hip Hop artists and creatives been impacted by Covid-19? We hear from Black Moon's Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, Ras Kass, Smif N Wessun's General Steele, Kwame, Masta Ace, Bobby J from Far Rockaway, Termanology and DJ Neil Armstrong on the effects this pandemic has had, not just on their lives but the lives of other artists.

Producer, MC, Curator, composer, journalist and historian; Siba Giba wears many hats. This week on Library Rap, the Get Open member discusses his group's latest album, Front & Center, hip hop in France vs. in the U.S., working with legends such as Daddy O and Everlast, and takes us through his hip hop life story. The episode exemplifies hip hop journalism at it's finest.

Big Daddy Kane, Queen Latifah, Public Enemy, Miles Davis, Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Craig Mack, Lost Boyz, Heavy D, and the Wu-Tang Clan. These are just some of the artists Easy Mo Bee has produced in his 30 years in the business. Easy Mo Bee sits down on Library Rap from a coffee shop in Harlem for an extraordinary interview which covers the producer's early beginnings, working with Miles Davis, Tupac, Biggie, and Big Daddy Kane; and what similarities he was able to find in each of these artists. Mo Bee also discusses why we should appreciate 90s commercial hip hop, and the reason he decided to stop using samples when creating beats.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with Masta Ace and Marco Polo. Marco talks about moving to Brooklyn in 2001, Ace talks about his childhood in Brooklyn and how the borough has changed. They also discuss their new album, A Breukelen Story, Masta Ace holding on to a Marco Polo beat for more than 10 years, working with Pharoahe Monch, bringing old and new school hip hop generations together, responsibility of hip hop during a Trump Presidency, writing and beat making process and so much more.

Tim sits down with Mekka Don to talk about his latest single, “Still Dope”, going from practicing law to being a hip hop artist, the business side of hip hop, navigating the music industry, appearing on Sway in the Morning and much more.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tek , one half of the legendary group Smif-N-Wessun joins Tim from Brooklyn, New York. The two discuss the purpose of Hip Hop culture and Rap music, his solo and group career, working with Pete Rock, Sean Price's impact and his own must have music.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks with DJ Illegal from the German Production team known as the Snowgoons. Illegal joins Tim via Skype from Germany to talk about what brought him to Hip Hop culture and beat creation. He talks about working with artists of different languages, the late Pumpkinhead, the importance of album's artwork and how collaborating with American artists helps the growth of Hip Hop culture in Germany.

“Kid Capri’s advice to me was 'less is more" - Producer, Amadeus360 tells Library Rap this week. On May 12th, Amadeus will release "The MPC Jedi" which features a powerhouse lineup that includes Buckshot, M.O.P, Masta Ace, Craig G, Termanology, and many more. Tim and the Brooklyn based producer break down the beat making process, getting cosigned by De La Soul, and why he got on Craig G’s nerves.

This week on Library Rap, Tim Talks to Femme Deadly Venoms about their new album, Femmenomenon, women in hip hop, the power of women in hip hop, music as therapy, the impact sexual assault has on saviors and their families and so much more.

Detroit MC, ZotheJerk and Canadian producer, Frost Gamble join The Library with Tim Einenkel this week for a sit down interview in between studio sessions. Zo and Frost discuss using hip hop as a tool to escape, their influences, their collaboration process, their album “Black Beach” and much more.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with New York artist, AWAR. AWAR talks to Tim about his Hip Hop beginnings as a student at Fordham University,  his newest album, The Spoils of War and working with artists such as Jadakiss, Scarface, Raekwon, Anthony Hamilton, CyHi the Prynce, Cormega, Alchemist, Jake One, Nottz, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, Statik Selektah and many more.  AWAR also talks about appreciating Styles P, not just as an artist but someone who is taking the lead on mental and physical health in the community.    

Organized Konfusion. Solo Artist. Lyricist. Artist. Genius. He’s Pharoahe Monch and this week he joins Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel. For the full video interview, go to AllHipHop.com

This week on The Library, we replay Tim's interview with Pharoahe Monch. The Queens rapper discusses his deeply personal 2014 concept album PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Red Bull Music Academy Daily contributor, Tim Einenkel.
Make sure you check out more from the interview here http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/08/key-tracks-pharoahe-monch-ptsd
 

This week on Library Rap, hip hop artist, Lyric Jones joins Tim. Lyric talks about the impact of Church, Gospel Music , Jazz, Jay Z, Angela Bassett and Queen Latifah have had on her as an artist and what made her want to be an MC. The Boston artist talks about her NPR Tiny Desk (Home) performance, her vision board, new album, Closer Than They Appear, Phonte (From Little Brother) as an Executive Producer and an artist, track placement, female MCs, contradictions in hip hop and how creating timeless tracks can be depressing.

This week on The Library, Tim talks to Killa Kyleon about his music, lyrics, David Banner, Bun B, Race Relations, Dr. King, Malcolm X and much more.

The week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to The Godfather of Noyze, Rahzel. The former member of The Roots, joins Tim backstage at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY at his Rahzel and Friends show, to discuss why he started beatboxing, his take on where Hip-Hop started, how he's found his own path through diversity, why he loves the live performance and working with Pete Rock, Large Professor, Bjork and others.

Tim Einenkel and Cee Lo Green talk about his days with Goodie Mob, transitioning to a solo career and much more on this week’s episode on The Library. Check out the full interview on https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary

This week on Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with Statik Selektah who dropped his latest album, The Balancing Act. Statik discusses working with Nas, Freddie Gibbs, Joey Bada$$, Termanology, the late Mac Miller and Sean Price. The veteran record producer shares inspirational pandemic stories from his fans, SiriusXM, the cover art, cancelled culture, new project with Black Thought, music of The Balancing Act and much more.

This week on Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel, Dr. Octagon himself, Kool Keith. The cofounding member of Ultramagnetic MCs talks about the origins of the group, his evolution and development as an artist, why he respects and appreciates what new MCs and producers are doing, what's holding back old school artists and talks about the legacy of the late, Tim Dog.

Actress, entrepreneur and artist, Yo Yo, joins Tim this week to talk early influences, using hip hop to empower the youth, what Doug E Fresh, MC Lyte and Roxanne Shante mean to her and the culture and of course Tupac.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim welcomes a man who has won a Tony, a Peabody, and an Emmy Award, Black Ice. The Poet speaks on all his influences, from his parents to Gil Scott Heron. He talks about the poems he performed during his many appearances on Russell Simmons HBO Def Poetry Jam and on Broadway. The Philly native also discusses his 2006 debut album The Death to Willie Lynch, new projects he's currently working on and what brought him out to Amsterdam.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Albany, GA artist, Cantrell. The Mass Appeal artist talks his early beginnings Jam Skating in Georgia, lessons learned from Nas, his mom's music,  breaks down his lyrics, his new album Devil Never Even Lived and much more.  

Journalist, screenwriter, record producer, teacher Dan Charnas was one of the first writers for The Source and part of a generation of young writers who helped create hip-hop journalism. Dan is the author of a new book called The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip Hop. He joins Library Rap this week.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, artist, Mikey D. The Queens, NY Legend, has released a new album—Day Of D'struction. Tim talks with MIKEY D about the album, developing his own style, battling, and how Chuck D, Grand Daddy I.U and LL Cool J have played important roles in his life.

This week on Library Rap, Tim sits down with Connecticut. based MC and producer Apathy who speaks on Pharoahe Monch being a "wizard" with words, what it was like meeting and working with artists like O.C. and DJ Premier and what his friend and business partner Celph Titled means to him. He also speaks on learning financial responsibility and how he balances a hectic new real estate career with his love for hip hop music and his family.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, 2016 XXL Freshman Denzel Curry joins Tim to talk about the hard copy release of his album Imperial, spitting on the same track as Rick Ross, his plans for the future, what music his fans might be surprised he listens to and how a Trump presidency will influence his lyrics.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to Leaders of The New School members Charlie Brown and Dinco D from their Queens, NY studio. The legendary MCs talk about Dinco D's new album, Cameo Flows, the impact singer Frankie Beverly has had on Hip Hop, Chuck D's influence, and the formula for making timeless music. They also let us in on the group's plans for 2017.

Two legendary hip-hop forces – Talib Kweli and Diamond D – have come together to form the new group Gotham. Check out this interview where they explain why they started the group, their chemistry together and much more! Check out the full interview here https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary/talib-kweli-and-diamond-d-discuss-their-new-group-gotham-making-music-together-favorite-duos-and-more/

Two legendary hip-hop forces – Talib Kweli and Diamond D – have come together to form the new group Gotham. Check out this interview where the dynamic duo talks about their all time great duos, why they tour and so much more. Check out the full interview here https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary/talib-kweli-and-diamond-d-discuss-their-new-group-gotham-making-music-together-favorite-duos-and-more/

This week on The Library, Tim sits down with hip hop artist and host of the Netflix’s series, Hip-Hop Evolution, Shad. Shad talks about his hip hop journey as host of the series, what he’s learned as a fan and as an artist, and talks about who are the MC’s MC. Shad also discusses his own music, his new album, A Short Story About a War, the creative process and his favorite lyric of all time.

The Queens rapper discusses his deeply personal 2014 concept album PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Red Bull Music Academy Daily contributor, Tim Einenkel.

Make sure you check out more from the interview here http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/08/key-tracks-pharoahe-monch-ptsd

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with producer, engineer, label and studio owner and much more, Rich Ahee. Rich and Tim discuss the history of both 7888 Recording Studio and Yosumi records. Rich also talks about his long collaboration with Masta Ace that started back in 2001 with the album Disposable Arts. Rich talks about meeting and recording Sean Price for the first time, adjusting to new technology, having MCs rap over video game beats, and when Eminem and Masta Ace met for the first time. Rich tells the story behind Prodigy dissing Roc-A-Fella Records which led to Jay Z's "The Takeover." Rich Ahee also talks the difference between working with a producer and a beat making, while breaking down why he doesn't use the traditional MC recording booth.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with Godz Chyld who just released his latest project, Reborn. The EP, entirely produced by the city of Amsterdam's Jordan River Banks, features Loaded Lux and Killah Priest, and really highlights the lyrical talent of the Bronx MC. Godz Chyld tells Tim what it was like working with those two artists and also explains his long term goals an a MC.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Southern MC, Jackie Spade. Spade first gained recognition from the 2015 BET Hip-Hop Cypher. He talks about DJ Premier cutting it while in the cypher, the influence of Lil Wayne, and wanting to be a fly on the wall for Tupac's Hit Em Up. Jackie Spade gets into what makes up the soulfulness of Southern Hip Hop, his writing process, and his new album, Aurafication

On this episode of Library Rap, Brother Ali discusses his latest album Satisfied Soul and his creative journey. He reflects on his long-time collaboration with producer Ant, whose unique sound has shaped his music. Brother Ali shares why he chose to release this album through Mello Music Group while explaining the significance behind its title, and how his faith impacts his art. The conversation also touches on the album’s themes of vulnerability, self-reflection, and growth, as well as his songwriting process. Brother Ali opens up about tracks like "Deep Cuts" and "D.R.U.M," revealing his deep emotional investment in his work. He discusses the importance of the drum in his music, his evolving fan base, and the challenges of staying authentic while shifting his lyrical content. Throughout the episode, Brother Ali talks about the spiritual themes in his music, especially on songs like "Head Heart Hands" and "Mysterious Things," and reflects on the role of vulnerability in his art. He also shares insights into his career, his personal growth, and the deeper purpose of his music.

Ice-T made a name for himself bringing his life as a hustler on the streets onto his debut album, 1987’s Rhyme Pays. He was and is a pioneer in hip hop as it went from regionally popular music to nationally recognized art form. Since then he has become one of only a handful of hip hop MCs to create a highly visible and successful entertainment career, creating music, acting in television and film, and writing a memoir. In this 2016 interview, Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel, sits down with the legend to discuss the many lanes he's taken throughout his career. He talks about his single-minded drive to find freedom from the poverty and violence of the streets, why you should never battle an unsigned rapper, and what the real lesson of Marlon Brando’s Godfather was

Jeff Chang and Dave “Davey D” Cook are hip hop history. Their new book  “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (Young Adult Edition) has just hit the stores.  This week they join Tim on Library Rap to tell the story of hip hop culture, how it intersects with cultures in different regions of the world and the political and social movements that thrive because of hip hop. The two also break down how hip hop has used technology to disintegrate barriers, the creation of hip hop journalism, the importance of being true to the culture and how the story of hip hop is very much the story if the immigrant and his/her importance to the story of America. And that’s just the start.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with legendary MC, Sadat X, live from Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, New York to talk about his new album, Agua, executive produced by Will Tell and featuring Pete Rock, Lord Jamar, Dres, R.A. The Rugged man, Rahzel, A.F.R.O., Wordsworth, Shabaam Sahdeeq and many more. The Bronx, NY MC also discusses why A.F.R.O. is on the road to greatness, how Sadat has stayed in the game for so long, why Hip-Hop should not be your only source of income and the perfect wine for certain situations.

MC Lyte's career has spanned almost 30 years. When her debut album, Lyte as a Rock debuted in 1988, she was, the first woman to release a solo rap album with a major label. Lyte has not lost a lyrical step and continues to stay at the top of her game. This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, the hip hop legend from Brooklyn, NY joins Tim to talk music, her first hip hop group, the different artists which helped shaped the MC Lyte sound, her first major label audition which involved a book of poetry, career longevity and the record which completely blew her away

This week Tim continues his conversation with the legendary Ice-T. Check it out now!

This week on Library Rap, we replay part 1 of Tim's interview with DMC. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer discusses still touring, the importance of the DJ in hip hop and the 30th anniversary of “Tougher Than Leather”.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks with Hipnott Records artist, Substantial. The Maryland MC talks to Tim about his new album The Past Is Always Present In The Future, breaks down the subtext of each track, the hypocrisy of people who claim to support the troops and how he is honoring the legacy of the late producer Nujabes..

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim sits down with two legends, Grandmaster Caz and Grandmaster Melle Mel. The progenitors of hip hop talk about what inspired them, Top Shelf records and the media tour, what differentiated them from others and share some great hip hop history.

"Why is it so hard for us to earmark the things that are important in our culture?" - Canibus telling Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interview with Tim Einenkel.

This week, in part 1 of his interview, Tim talks to Canibus about end of the world survival, recording hip hop history, music and personal journey.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim is joined by Ghost of the Machine. Ghost has worked with Skyzoo, Reks and many more. He's a talented MC who I didn't know much about until I sat down with him and had this incredible conversation. 

Atlanta rap gods Goodie Mob ( Bigg Gipp, Khujo, T-mo and CeeLo) break down their iconic careers, their latest release and what’s in the store for the group. CeeLo also talks about origins of Trap Music, a term first coined by the rap group.

Master lyricist K.A.A.N. checks in on Library Rap to discuss his writing process throughout the years, the greats who have inspired him, like Tupac and O.C., what he learned via studio sessions with Dr. Dre and talk about his new album, Long Time No See.

On October 8th, 2021, Smooth B was Inducted Into The Hip-Hop Museum in DC along with Rakim, Kool Moe Dee, Nice & Smooth, Pete Rock & DJ Kid Capri. This week, the legendary MC discusses being inducted, the importance of each of his fellow inductees, origin of his name, Smooth B, the impact going to his first Grandmaster Flash park jam and much more.

For the full video interview go to https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary/

When I interviewed Reggie Ossé a.k.a. Combat Jack back in June 2017, he told me that what had made Chris Lighty so attractive for the upcoming season of Mogul was that his life's trajectory had mirrored the hip hop culture he loved. Mogul, his podcast series about Chris Lighty had been released and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to him about it. I met Reggie for our interview at a coffee shop near Union Square in New York City. I was nervous because after all he was “COMBAT JACK.” We shook hands and I thanked him for agreeing to be interviewed. Instead of saying “you're welcome,” he said “No, thank you for doing this.” It was a small but incredibly generous gesture. My nervousness abated; he offered to buy me a cup of coffee, which I politely declined, and he purchased a cup of tea for himself. We sat down and began the interview.

On October of 2017, Reggie learned he had cancer. On December 20, 2017 the Hip Hop community, the podcast community lost a legend. Reggie Ossé a.k.a. Combat Jack was 53 years old. The following is my interview with him.

Combat Jack, thank you.

Music heard on this episode - Produced and Scored by Jason Cowit. Check out all his music on his Bandcamp page

The legendary group, De La Soul has said this about my next guest “J.PERIOD mixtapes transcends just mixing records.” This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, J. Period joins the conversation to discuss his origins as a DJ, what artists like Nas, The Roots, Mobb Deep, Lauryn Hill, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip, Big Daddy Kane and Pete Rock mean to him, and how was he able to flip the music from the 11-time Tony Award winning play “Hamilton” into a groundbreaking mixtape.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim continues his conversation with legendary Evil Dee. Evil Dee talks about how Rawkus Records could have succeeded, learning the business aspect of the music industry, Black Moon's history, Beatminez Radio history, embracing technological development as a DJ and a new Black Moon Album.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to Slug, co-founder of the indie label Rhymesayers Entertainment and one half of the group Atmosphere. Slug and Tim discuss the art of growing a beard, Atmosphere's new album - Fishing Blues-, learning to make music fun again, balancing tour life and family life, and why if Biggie was still a live today, he might not make 5 lists. People put Biggie in the top 5. "I'll never be in the top 5. I'll never be Biggie. It's okay, I'm okay with that. I can never be Biggie because I lived. If Biggie were alive right now, he wouldn't be Biggie. It [“No Biggie”] basically was about when an artist is cut short, it doesn't give us an opportunity to poke holes in them. He didn't give us a chance to watch him fall off. He never gave us that 5th album where we can be like “well, Biggie lost it.” And then the 6th album where we can be like “He got it back.” We put him in the top 5 by default, where really we don't know where it would have went from there.”

This week on Library Rap, Joseph Abajian aka DJ Jab founder of the famed hip hop record store Fat Beats. Abajian gives a history of the record store scene back in 1990s New York City. He explains the importance of Fat Beats to the independent hip hop artist.

18 year old MC/artist, Token is taking the hip hop world by storm. His real name is Ben Goldberg and his video 'No Sucka MC's" has already been watched over one million times. He's been a guest on Sway in the Morning, and was featured on BET's 2016 Hip Hop Awards Cyphers. This week on The Library, Tim talks to Token about his debut album Eraser Shavings, overcoming obstacles in order to live his dream, what he loves about performing, and getting mentioned in the sentence as Joell Ortiz, Big Daddy Kane, and Sway in the Morning. He talks about his writing process and clears up some misconceptions he sees between the older and younger Hip Hop generations.

This week on Library Rap, Tim talks to Public Enemy frontman. Hip-Hop Legend. Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Roosevelt, Long Island's own Chuck D. In the interview Chuck D. talks to Tim about Hip-Hop modern vocabulary, why commercial radio is still important, the 20th anniversary of Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age and and his place and responsibility in hip hop culture.

Even though T. Calmese has released his debut album, Time and Time Again, at the age of 40, he’s is no rookie. Coming from the hip hop collective, The Black Opera, Calmese continues to hone his craft. This week on Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel, the Detroit MC talks about releasing a debut album at the age of 40, breaks down tracks from the album, answers whether hip hop is still a young person’s game, the Detroit hip hop scene while he was growing up, influence of Church music on him, mental health in the Black community and much more.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to Canadian Hip-Hop artist, Classified, who has released his latest album "Greatful." Tim and Classified talk about the album and what it was like working with Snoop Dogg and DJ Premier. He talks about the differences between working with artists in the studio versus over the internet, how Canadian music laws have helped and hurt independent artists, and how quitting weed for 10 days allowed him to write one of his favorite versus for the album.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim is joined by Grandmaster Caz. The Hip Hop legend talks to Tim about the birth of the culture, what he expected out of it, the night he became "Grandmaster", which Hip Hop elements he's grown to appreciate, whether the disconnect between each Hip Hop generation is organic or industry made, being referenced in a Jay Z song and featured on a Macklemore song, and we get his reaction to Tupac's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

This week on Library Rap, Tim talks to Rasheed Chappell about his new album, A Portrait Of. Chappell breaks down each track on the project, growing up hip hop in New Jersey, the geniuses of Slick Rick, Statik Selektah, the importance of the DJ, and so much more.

In 1991, when Cypress Hill released their self titled debut album, Cypress Hill, the group’s members had no idea that almost 30 years later they would still be going strong. This week, B- Real sits down with Tim Einenkel to discuss the early days of the group, writing in Spanish and English, the MC that made B Real want to quit, his beef with Ice Cube and the legendary California MC that had him squash it.

For full interview go to https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary/

Tim Einenkel has a dope conversation with rap legend Daddy-O from Stetsasonic on this week’s episode of The Library.

Full interview at AllHipHop.com

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to Mark Steele who recently released his 2nd album, Almost Time - featuring Rapper Big Pooh, Raheem Devaughn and more. The North Carolina MC talks to Tim about the album, his ode to Juvenile's "Ha", lessons learned from 9th Wonder and Christopher "Play" Martin. Mark Steele also discusses how he confronts police brutality in his art and the importance of the date, December 5th.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Jay Z’s former tour DJ, DJ Neil Armstrong.  In Part 1 of the interview the Queens, New York native begins by explaining why he needs three phones to play Pokémon Go and then we get into DJ Armstrong’s history in Hip Hop. Armstrong talks about first hearing Newcleus’ Jam on It played on New York City radio as a kid. He covers his years going to church as a child and the many early hip hop legends that played a part in his education. Armstrong remembers a time when radio and MTV refused to play rap, a time when Fat Beats ruled, and DJs actually had battles to decide who was supreme. The 5th Platoon member talks about touring with Jay Z and what songs make a DJs set daring.

There are lyricists, and then there's OC. In a class by himself, the veteran emcee stops by Library Rap with Tim Einenkel to speak on everything from his debut album, to the role of the producer, to how he comes up with concepts and writes his rhymes. He also speaks on working with fellow artists such as AG, Buckwild, Ray West, Apollo Brown, Apathy and much more. It's in-depth and informative, much like the top tier rhymes of the great OC, and it absolutely should not be missed. 

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to NYU Professor, Producer, Composer and Engineer, Bob Power. The music legend talks to Tim about working with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and J Dilla, the importance of hearing everything when mixing an album, what drew him to these artists and whether he still enjoys listening to music.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, In part 1, Tim sits down with two legends, Grandmaster Caz and Grandmaster Melle Mel. The progenitors of hip hop talk about what inspired them, what differentiated them from others, and what the world was like when they were helping to form what we now know as hop hip. They discuss hearing new artists, what rocks their boats, and the surprising influences they continue to find outside of hip hop.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Smif-N-Wessun/Boot Camp Clik's General Steele. The Bucktown MC sits down with Tim at a coffee shop in Harlem, NY to talk about his new collaboration with Vermont producer Es-K Building Bridges. They talk about writing, Sean Price (R.I.P), almost retiring from the game and the impact gentrification and a Donald Trump presidency might have on Hip Hop culture and rap music.

Chicago artist, Philmore Greene has just released his latest project, Knowledge & Power. This week on Library Rap, he sits down with Tim to discuss the project, working with Skyzoo, growing up in West Garfield, Park, Chicago, his plans to continue to empower his community, finding beauty in your surroundings and balancing family life with artist life during a pandemic.

Skyzoo and Apollo Brown recently sat down with The Library with Tim Einenkel to discuss their new album, The Easy Truth. During the interview Tim attempted to recite lyrics by Skyzoo; Skyzoo helped him out. Find out what the lyrics mean and more soon when the entire interview is posted.

Here's the lyrics from the track "A Couple of Dollars"

[Verse 2: Skyzoo]
And it sounds like beautiful like the truth
Like "she bad but even more beautiful in the coupe"
And seeing that was seeing all that I would need to pursue
The e-class that was used to corner me off the stoop
Was as clean as the book that your hand on
When you prayed that we stayed away from them anthems
Fuck is left for us except for us to go stand on
A box with a rope and a bottle of Spade
Carpe diem, carpe diem, make it pop it for the day
I threw money to jeweler, sneaker box full of change
Know me, I'm no better I'm about it the same
Cause on a box with a rope is how we got in this frame
Now flick it up, one time for 'em, one time for 'em
Know...

Legendary trailblazing emcee Michie Mee stops by Library Rap with Tim Einenkel for an in-depth conversation about her early teenage years visiting The Bronx, getting co-signed by KRS-One and the late, great Scott La Rock, what the music of Public Enemy means to her, the marriage of hip hop and reggae in her music and how she balances and highlights those styles on her highly acclaimed new album, Bahdgyal's Revenge.

In June 2017, Tim Einenkel had the opportunity to interview the late Reggie Osse a.k.a Combat Jack for his Mogul series which highlighted the late Chris Lighty. This week on Library Rap; The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel, Tim replays part of his interview with Reggie. On December 20, 2017, the Hip Hop community, the podcast community lost a legend. Reggie Ossé a.k.a. Combat Jack was 53 years old.

Veteran emcee Eternia has returned with a new album, Free (with Rel McCoy), her first in 11 years, The Canadian artist discusses the creation of it, why she walked away from music, the importance of artists such as: Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, DJ Premier, Murs, Mr. Lif and DJ Eclipse are to her, the music grant writing process, what she gives and gets from hip hop culture, the reason she's able to hold her own in a cypher and on stage and why Astoria, Queens, NY is her home away from home.

Rap legend Chill Rob G is a pioneer from New Jersey. Read up on his history, the story behind his groundbreaking song “The Power,” and more! Check out the entire interview here https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary/

Tim Einenkel sits down with Paris, the black panther of hip hop, on the latest installment of Library Rap. They discuss his classic debut The Devil Made Me Do It and the controversy surrounding his second album Sleeping With The Enemy, as well as working with a young DJ Shadow. They also talk about his influences , politics, the future of political hip hop and the prevalent and powerful subject matter on his latest album Safe Space Invader which is a no holds barred audio assault featuring multiple casualties and incredible food for thought. 

This week we replay an episode Tim produced, wrote, edited early on in the pandemic. How have the lives of Hip Hop artists and creatives been impacted by Covid-19? We hear from Black Moon's Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, Ras Kass, Smif N Wessun's General Steele, Kwame, Masta Ace, Bobby J from Far Rockaway, Termanology and DJ Neil Armstrong on the effects this pandemic has had, not just on their lives but the lives of other artists.

What happens when you take the soul of gospel, the lyricism of Def poetry and the heart of hip hop? Oswin Benjamin is what happens. His debut album, Godfrey just dropped. This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, we sit down for an interview with the young MC to talk about his new album, where he draws inspiration from and drives him to be so open in his art. Oswin also breaks down a few of his verses for Tim and explains why his freestyle on Sway in the Morning was his favorite of all time.

This week, Tim talks with Full Force for a really great, deep interview about the group’s amazing career, which spans almost 40 years! Check out the full interview right here https://allhiphop.com/thelibrary/full-force-breaks-down-their-legendary-careers-from-utfo-and-nicki-minaj-to-selena-and-house-party/

This week on Library Rap, Tim is joined by Hieroglyphics' legend, Casual to discuss the Hieroglyphics, new music (The Art Of Reanimation with Dead Perry) , bitcoins, Hierocoin, NFTs, the business of music, going camping and the importance of silence. Casual talks about his history in music, the art of the freestyle and shares stories about working with Pharaohe Monch, Prince Po, Prince Paul, Dan the Automator, Ed O.G. , Sadat X, Del the Funky Homosapian, Souls of Mischief and many more.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to hip hop artist, Nino Graye about his newest album No Peace For Kings. Nino talks about lessons learnt from being part of the supergroup, Almighty which consisted of Cappadonna, Planet Asia, Bronze Nazareth, M-Eighty and Canibus. Breaks down songs and lyrics in his new album and much more.

Journey into the mind of legendary emcee Craig G as he sits down on Library Rap to discuss his new album The Fragile Ego. But much more than that, listen in as he documents his personal journey and recent growth, the importance of education, what he admires most about Masta Ace and find out why he doesn't want to treat hip hop like his life depends on it. All that and so much more on this in depth, brutally honest conversation with a certified hip hop legend.

The King of Chill is a composer, producer, engineer, MC, radio host and more. He started his career in the 1980s, as an MC/producer with The Alliance, then transitioned into a producer when he worked with MC Lyte and Audio Two on their early albums. He has continued making an impact on music working with a range of artists from Pharoahe Monch to DJ Premier. King of Chill sat down with Tim Einenkel from Preemo's HeadQCourterz Studios to talk about his career, working with MC Lyte and Audio Two, early days of rap being played on the radio, and collaborating with DJ Premier. We also find out why King of Chill went to a recording session handcuffed to a woman.

Jim Jones Speaks On Ending Feud With French Montana And More On Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews With Tim Einenkel. Go to AllHipHop.com for the full interview

"The minute I heard [Trump] say 'China Virus' and 'Kung Flu' I knew it was going to be open season on Asians," Lyrics Born tells Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews during their must-listen conversation this week.

"ANTI" by Lyrics Born and Filipino-American DJ Cutso is a new track denouncing the criminal epidemic that shines a light on this troubling rise in their communities, with hope that it spreads awareness to stop the violence against AAPI.

Lyrics Born discusses the false narrative of conflict between Asian-Americans and other communities, the pinning by White America of communities of Color against each other, the minimizing of racism in the United States by pushing the idea of the “Model Minority”, lack of Asian-American history in American History Books, the toll racism has on mental health and much more.

“Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel” is like “Inside the Actor’s Studio” for hip hop. Every week, Tim gets inside the art of hip hop in interviews with the most influential emcees, artists, producers, DJs, and sound engineers. Notable guests have included, Ice T, Royce Da 5’9″, Joell Ortiz, Talib Kweli, Chuck D, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, David Banner, Scarface, Rah Digga, Rapsody, Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot, along with many more.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to artist, Dan Lish, the creator of Egostrip. Dan talks about discovering his artistry and who helped foster his talents as a child, finding the best place to sit in class, blending the Hip Hop and fantasy worlds, using color vs. black and white, and working on Raekwon's upcoming album.

Here are a few joints Jemini has done over the years here & abroad that people  may not have heard

Emergency 911: JEMINI 

https://youtu.be/9SebWB4G6uk?si=35HUbTZQHbuAkUMN

LOVE YOU BETTER:Mary j blidge feat jemini U.K rmx

https://youtu.be/JYPaZtx_B5A?

si=FGY5AZAP9ay1TTj7
 

BLACK STABBERS:Mark morrison feat jemini U.K rmx

https://youtu.be/AE-iGjKqOV8?si=MaDC95_C6Eprbdj_
 

ALL YOU NEED:Jemini feat r&b singer Glen lewis

https://youtu.be/Nbij_siclhU?si=Zxuj9m5GzxY1amrp

KNOW BOUT US: City aka Jemini

https://youtu.be/Id5ywVBvebY?si=OgOu6dXLoVtW1KES
 

SHOOT: Ree up feat jemini aka City
https://youtu.be/AQqgHzLsezY?si=lISmtPDG6B_Sn0Iz
 

FALL BACK: Prince Po feat jemini

https://youtu.be/ZEBerojVfQw?si=xJFzLp8XTmnlra7U

KEEP THAT SAME ENERGY: Ree Up feat Big City aka Jemini & warchild sinister https://youtu.be/yW9u2K53zis?si=k1pXVryJbL1qB92V

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim talks to DJ Kay Slay. The Drama King talks to Tim about the history of the Graffiti Hall of Fame, how he went from an incredible graffiti artist to a highly respected DJ and breaks down the importance of every hip hop element. Kay Slay also talks about his new album, Hip Hop Frontline, working with artists such as: Bun B, Joell Ortiz, Jon Connor, Lil Wayne, The Lox, his thoughts on streaming services and why artists need to educate themselves about the all aspects of Hip Hop culture.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, DJ Rob Swift. He's a Turntablist, an innovator and a guest lecturer at The New School in New York City. He's also worked with the X-ecutioners, Linkin Park, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Large Professor, Supanatural and many others. Rob sits down with Tim, outside The New School and gives a really in-depth interview about his career. The artist from Queens, NY talks to Tim about album concepts, how he got into teaching, and the music he's most proud of. This is definitely a must listen interview.

This week, Tim talks to Sol Messiah about his new album God CMPLX, working with TLC, Dead Prez, Nappy Roots, Boyz II Men and Madonna. Sol also breaks down the art of the scratch, which Public Enemy track is the greatest record ever made and much more.

Hip Hop journalist, author, and historian S.H. Fernando Jr. aka Skiz Fernando has just published his second book, From the Streets of Shaolin: The Wu-Tang Saga. Fernando’s comprehensive history of legendary group Wu Tang Clan, chronicles their lives as children in the streets of Shaolin, the genius behind their art, the genius behind their entrepreneurship, the genius behind the groundbreaking record deals they signed, and the genius of each member of the group. Check out this must hear interview if you want to hear the entire history of Wu Tang Clan.

A few months back The Library with Tim Einenkel sat down with Smif-N-Wessun/Boot Camp Clik's General Steele. The Bucktown MC joined Tim at a coffee shop in Harlem, NY to talk about his new collaboration with Vermont producer Es-K Building Bridges. During their conversation Tim asked General Steele “What did Hip Hop lose when Sean Price passed away?” Have a listen.

Check out the entire interview here https://www.acast.com/library/thelibrary-generalsteeleisbuildingbridges

In his book, “L.A. Sunshine: A True Story, The Real Accounts” legendary hip-hop artist LA sunshine of the Treacherous Three delves into his sexual victimization at the age of seven, as well as his rise to fame as a member of The Treacherous Three.

Jeru The Damaja checks in this week from Berlin, Germany with Tim Einenkel. Jeru talks career, working with artists such as DJ Premier, his early beef with Puffy, why it was never about Biggie, life in quarantine and newest project. This interview was recorded in April of 2020, beginning of Covid Pandemic. Full interview at AllHipHop.com

This week Tim talks with Pawz One about his new project RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE, composed with Evolve, features Trizz, Casual, Mykill Miers, Copywrite & DJ Eyeball. Pawz talks about going from Graf to MCing, lessons learned from serving time in prison, what he learned from Ras Kass while he was there, importance of lyrics and much more.

"Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel" is like "Inside the Actor's Studio" for hip hop. Every week, Tim gets inside the art of hip hop in interviews with the most influential emcees, artists, producers, DJs, and sound engineers. Notable guests have included, Ice T, Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, Talib Kweli, Chuck D, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, David Banner, Scarface, Rah Digga, Rapsody, Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot, along with many more.

This week Tim continues his conversation with legendary, Ice-T. They to discuss turning points in his career, music, acting, the power of the B-side, MCs that have had big impacts on his career and whether or not he would do a Verzuz.

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Chip Fu from the Legendary group Fu-Schnickens. In part one of the interview, the East Flatbush, Brooklyn MC talks about rap, reggae, UTFO’s Educated Rapper, recording with Bob Power, and shares some gems about working with Phife Dawg and Shaq. 

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Termanology. The Lawrence, Massachusetts. MC talks about the hip hop scene in his hometown,  writing lyrics, meeting and working with DJ Premier, making the next Illmatic, the legacies of Big Pun, Fat Joe, Mac Miller, his favorite lyrics and much more.  

This week on The Library with Tim Einenkel, Tim is joined by Combat Jack himself, Reggie Ossé. The Combat Jack Show has been going strong for four years now and he drops by The Library to talk about his new podcast series Mogul: The Life & Death of Chris Lighty. Osse talks about what he's learned in the research and production of this six part series, and what he's learned about his own story during the process. The two podcasting veterans also discuss mental health awareness in not just the hip hop community but also the black community.

Dan the Man is an Engineer, Producer, Composer and Mixer who has worked with Kanye West, Nas, Lil Kim, Ice T, Kool G. Rap, M.O.P, 50 Cent, Redman, Jadakiss, Mobb Deep, Pete Rock, Timbaland, the late, great Sean Price and many more. On the latest episode of The Library with Tim Einenkel, Dan sits down with Tim in his recording studio and talks about how he first got into the music industry, the best way to listen to a mix, and working with Timbaland, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Pete Rock. He also talks about his first meeting with the late Sean Price, working with Price on all of his albums, and the completion of posthumous album, 'Imperius Rex", which drops on August 8.

Credits:
Host: Tim Einenkel​
Producer: Tim Einenkel
Editor: Tim Einenkel
Sound Design: Tim Einenkel
Research: Tim Einenkel
Engineer: Tim Einenkel