Alex + Koku
By Alex Lewis & Koku Asamoah
Alex + KokuSep 18, 2023
Ep 43: Is Hip-Hop Revolutionary?
Had to get a new episode to you before the end of the summer! We're talking our favorite listens from the past few months, Noname's new album, and our thoughts on where hip-hop has been & where it's going. Koku also tells a story about his experience at Earl Sweatshirt's "Doris" 10 Year Anniversary show in Chicago. Enjoy!
Ep 42: Tyler Perry Tethers
Recorded live at Koku's apartment! On this episode, we're talking about AI (that could turn you into AI), Daniel Caesar's controversial return, and the mess that was Frank Ocean's Coachella performance. Koku also asks ChatGPT to describe the Alex + Koku podcast. You gotta hear its response 😂
Follow @alexandkoku on Instagram + Twitter!
Ep 41: Koku Looks Like Jacquees (ft. Vic Young)
If y'all have been wondering how Koku got so BROLIC, boy do we have a treat for you! Got the one and only Vic Young on this episode, a.k.a. KOKU's PERSONAL TRAINER. Vic is the founder of Infinite Training Systems, and he also has a really dope perspective on hip-hop music. On this episode, we're talking experimentation in rap, Lil Yachty's latest album, all of Koku's lookalikes, and how we felt when we thought we lost Datpiff forever. There's a whole lot of good stuff in this episode, and we hope y'all enjoy it!!!
Follow Vic on IG: https://instagram.com/mrtraininfinite
Follow Infinite Training Systems on IG: https://instagram.com/traininfinite
Ep 40: Kirk Franklin Iron Man Suit (ft. Aloe Vera)
EPISODE 40, WE MIDDLE AGED!!! The homie Aloe Vera, who's an incredible musician, poet, and organizer from Columbus, Ohio, blessed us with their presence on the podcast & dropped ALL the gems. Tbh this episode starts poppin off from the jump. We're talking weird AI generated fingers, Black alternative music, finding beauty in gospel music despite many Christian churches' violence towards queer people, and the myth of "new" sounds in music. We loved this conversation a lot & hope y'all enjoy listening!
Follow Aloe Vera on IG: https://instagram.com/aloerenegade
Follow Aloe Vera on Spotify: http://bit.ly/3x2TbDO
Listen to Aloe Vera's album with Steel Tipped Dove, Days Pass Strange: http://bit.ly/3x3oZbw
Ep 39: Lucky Girl Syndrome (ft. Emme Reed)
FIRST EPISODE OF 2023 + EVERYTHING IS GOING IN OUR FAVOR!!! We got Emme Reed, our first guest of the year & resident lucky girl, on the podcast to talk about the artists we want to know everything about, our most memorable celebrity encounters, Frank Ocean headlining Coachella, and more! It's 2023, let's clown around!!!!
Follow Emme on IG: https://www.instagram.com/emmereed
Follow Alex + Koku on IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexandkoku
Ep 38: Lineage of Care (ft. Hanif Abdurraqib)
We're closing out 2022 with a dream guest: Columbus, Ohio's own Hanif Abdurraqib! You probably know Hanif from one of his critically acclaimed essay collections, They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us (2017) & A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance (2021), or his 2019 book, Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes on A Tribe Called Quest. Hanif has also written two poetry collections, The Crown Ain't Worth Much in 2016 & A Fortune for Your Disaster in 2019, in addition to having essays and music criticism published in The FADER, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.
We catch Hanif during his end-of-year break and talk to him about his favorite musical moments in 2022, writing as a communal practice, criticizing art and its artists from a place of love, and more. Lots of gems in this episode. Hope y'all enjoy!
Follow Hanif on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nifmuhammad
Follow Hanif on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NifMuhammad
Follow Alex + Koku on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alexandkoku
Ep 37: THANK YOU VERGE.FM
This is our last episode with Verge.fm. Unfortunately, Verge.fm's weekly volunteer-run radio is coming to an end after November due to it becoming unsustainable for their team to continue operating. BIG thank you to the Verge.fm team for believing in Alex + Koku and giving us a platform to share our show with folks in Columbus and beyond. BUT DON'T WORRY. We're not going anywhere. You can continue to listen to Alex + Koku wherever you stream podcasts!
On episode 37, we're honoring Takeoff and chatting about how we felt before Drake & 21 Savage's Her Loss release. We also get into our thoughts on how the music industry has shifted its focus more towards digital streaming platforms and TikTok.
Ep 36: Knuckingham If You Buckingham
Ep 35: Steve Lacy vs. Casey Lane
Ep 34: Writing Boys
Ep 33: Cookie (Migos Voice)
We've got the homie Via Carpenter of Via's Cookie's on the pod today! We're talking with her about how she launched her own cookie company and which musicians would make the best cooks. Via also tells us a WILD Young Thug story!!! #FreeYSL #FreeEmAll
Catch us every 4th Saturday at 4pm ET on Verge FM and wherever you stream podcasts!
Ep 32: Don Cheadle Won a Grammy
SHOUTOUT TO DON CHEADLE!! We're back for another episode talking the Grammys, Dreamville's new Gangsta Grillz mixtape, and the art of the rap group. Two goofy fellows just here to bless you with this audio magic. Catch us every 4th Saturday at 4pm ET on Verge FM and wherever you stream podcasts!
Ep 31: Quit Your Job
Two of our favorite hip-hop artists, Dom Deshawn & Joey Aich, join us to talk about the highs and lows of their rap journeys and how they both quit their jobs to pursue their passions. We also ask them their thoughts on Keedron Bryant & J Dilla and MAN. THEY DELIVER. Catch us every 4th Saturday at 4pm ET on Verge FM and wherever you stream podcasts!
Listen to Dom Deshawn: https://spoti.fi/3u0jpVJ
Listen to Joey Aich: https://spoti.fi/35YZsGA
Ep 30: RADIO BOYS
For the FIRST TIME EVER on verge.fm, we're talking Dan Charnas' new book Dilla Time and where Bobby Valentino went wrong in the 2005 hit single Slow Down. We're also getting into what we've been writing about bc we're some WRITING BOYS now too. RADIO BOYS. WRITING BOYS. SHORT CORNY BOYS. Catch us every 4th Saturday at 4pm ET on Verge FM and wherever you stream podcasts!
Ep 29: N.O.R.E Was Wet (Taylor's Version)
LMAO PLEASE EXCUSE THE TITLE! Ok this episode is super fun. Catch us talking about The Interview Heard 'Round The World (otherwise known as Kanye's Drink Champs interview), 10 years of Drake's Take Care, and our predictions about what's next for Silk Sonic after their debut album, An Evening With Silk Sonic. Rest in peace, Young Dolph. We also recorded this before Virgil Abloh's passing—rest in peace, Virgil. Hold each other close. We're all we got. Much love, and enjoy.
Ep 28: CLB vs. DONDA
Bringing y'all this audio gold takes time—but thanks for bearing with us! We're BACK with the conversation every Travis Scott Meal-obsessed adolescent can't seem to get enough of: Drake's Certified Lover Boy, or Kanye West's Donda? We get into the buzz around both albums, all that fresh-never-frozen beef between Aubrey & Mr. West, and, as always, we talk about what we've been spinning when we haven't been lost in CLB & Donda's long-ass tracklists. Apologies in advance!
Ep 27: OUR FIRST IN-PERSON EPISODE
If this is your first time hearin' this, you are about to experience something so cold, man. Because we are FINALLY recording together in person. It almost didn't happen. BUT GOD. Honestly we aren't even going to tell you what this episode is about. Just enjoy the immaculate vibes.
Ep 26: J. Cole Raps About Mass Incarceration on Love Songs
First guest of season 2! The homie Michaela Mason joins us on this week's episode to chop it up about imagining Black art beyond melancholy and how to best bully J. Cole fans. This is peak podcasting. It's all downhill from here. Sorry, fam.
Follow Michaela on Instagram: http://instagram.com/michaelalutherking
Ep 25: MLK Interlude (Season 2 Premiere)
SEASON 2! WE BACK, BABY! And cornier than ever. We're talking the Grammys, Justin Bieber's "Justice" album, and whether or not number one hits hold the same weight they once did. Whole squad vaxxed and ready for snacks.
Ep 24: Damn, 2020, Bye! (Live on CH)
For our last episode of 2020, we went live on Clubhouse and chopped it up about our favorite albums of the year. Unfortunately, the screen recording didn't work, so we weren't able to include the voices of our friends who joined us on the pod. Thanks for joining us, though. We started this podcast during the panorama and it's meant a lot to have y'all rocking with us. See you in 2021 for more short corny king antics!
Ep 23: Want a Sprite Cranberry?
SECURED OUR FIRST RETURN GUEST! We welcome our brother Julius Tunstall back on the pod to chop about Paramore getting invited to the cookout, why "Dynamite" by BTS is so good, and we discover DRAM changed his name to Shelley. It's confusing for us all.
Listen to Julius on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35Pozak
Support Julius' Patreon: http://patreon.com/juliustunstall
Follow Julius on Instagram: http://instagram.com/jtulius
Ep 22: No Chill Vibes
All hail the queen. Got the homie Jayde Powell (@jaydeipowell) on this week's episode talking with us about music we grew up on, how our music tastes have changed, and what to listen to while traveling. Koku is also ready to risk it all for Zendaya.
Follow Jayde on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jaydeipowell
Follow Jayde on Instagram: http://instagram.com/jaydeipowell_
Ep 21: We Wanna Vibe
Zineb + Fardowsa (hosts of AROUSE OSU's She Wanna Vibe radio show) join us this week to share memories of artists who have passed and how their careers might have looked different if they were still with us. We also attempt to get to the bottom of Zineb's Drake fan page on Tumblr.
Listen to She Wanna Vibe: http://arouseosu.com
Follow Zineb on Instagram: http://instagram.com/nubzzi
Follow Fardowsa on Instagram: http://instagram.com/fardows4
Ep 20: FDT
Warning: this episode is unhinged. Amber & Gueric join us for some post-election fun to chat this generation's defining artists, why Gueric has never had Popeye's, and the MOST cursed video. Avengers assemble!
Follow Amber on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmberTheeAlert
Follow Amber on Instagram: http://instagram.com/ambermadrid
Follow Gueric on Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamGueric
Follow Gueric on Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamgueric
Ep 19: Black Anime Fans
LaNae, host of The Anime Nae YouTube channel, joins us this week to talk about anime, yoga, and Chicago hip hop. We also discuss hip-hop endorsements of Donald Trump and the mess that is celebrity culture. Draw yourself a bubble bath because this episode is a GOOD one.
Subscribe to The Anime Nae: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv1TpnyO0PJs5wAUDGcwygQ
Follow LaNae on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/the_animenae
Ep 18: Natural Selection
This week, rapper OG Vern joins us to talk about his new album, Natural Selection. Now available on all streaming platforms!
Listen to Natural Selection: https://album.link/i/1528863554
Follow OG Vern on Instagram: http://instagram.com/1ogvern
Follow OG Vern on Twitter: http://twitter.com/1ogvern
Ep 17: Ask Us Anything
You asked questions. We answer them.
Ep 16: We Ain't Cute or Nothing But...
We'll do some things.
Conversation topics include Koku's skincare tips, how Alex met Justin Bieber, and the ethics of leaking music.
Ep 15: Franklin Oceanic
This week, friend of the pod Josh Scott (@jscottyyy) joins us to talk about Frank Ocean. Also, Koku tells us how he broke his wrist. Pray for the boy as he recovers.
Follow Josh on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jscottyyy
Ep 14: The Taylor Swift Episode
We were supposed to post this like a month ago, but Alex forgot... sorry lol. But we're back bringing you this premium audio content. When Alex approached Koku about doing a Taylor Swift episode, he was hesitant but here we are. The people asked for it, and you know we always give the people what they want. Enjoy, fans.
Download Koku's new EP, Rekord.: https://bit.ly/36iSxpp
Ep 13: Bittersweet Poetry
Friend of the pod Kunal Verma joins us this week for a discussion about the parallels and differences between hip-hop and poetry, letting art be what it's going to be for you, and the power of language. This one's for the glizzy gladiators and renaissance ruffians. HIGH ART BOYS.
Follow Kunal on Twitter: http://twitter.com/KunalCanoe
Listen to Kunal's TEDx Talk: https://bit.ly/2P6opnB
Ep 12: Short Corny Kings
We took a few weeks off but we're BACK baby and MESSIER than ever. Bringing you this short corny king content and plenty o' takes on Freddie Gibbs vs. DJ Akademiks, entanglements, and Tory Lanez' alarming stature. Pray for us. Please.
Ep 11: White Blessing
We told our guest Nick Yuhasz (@yuhasznick) we were gonna call this episode "White Blessing" because he was our white blessing on the podcast. We're talking music and politics. Topics include Noname and J. Cole, as well as some of our favorite protest anthems.
Follow Nick on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yuhasznick
Ep 10: Kokuchella
Who's ready for Redbone at sunset? 'Cause that's what you're getting at our first annual Kokuchella music festival. Notable best friend duo Elizabeth Zimmerman (@_zimstagram) + Mary McCutcheon (@marymcclovin) join the pod for a kooky lil' concert budget game. We have $100 to book a concert we'll attend after quarantine ends (...whenever the hell that's going to be). And fun fact: Elizabeth + Alex are engaged; Mary + Koku are not.
Concert game: https://bit.ly/3geDTkN
Follow Elizabeth: http://www.instagram.com/_zimstagram
Follow Mary: http://www.instagram.com/marymcclovin
Ep 9: Let Black Women Dream
Here's to the universal dopeness of Black women and the music they create. This week, Binta (@binta.phydara) makes her Alex + Koku debut to talk with us about her music, her songwriting process, and the Black women she's inspired by. Binta also gives us a sneak peek of one of her new songs LIVE on the pod, so stay tuned for that.
To stream Binta's music, click here: https://bit.ly/3fPFkWP
Ep 8: Heard 'Em Say
James + Carter (former hosts of your favorite podcast's favorite podcast, Heard 'Em Say) join Alex + Koku. There was no way we weren't going to get into Kanye West during this episode, so brace yourself for a kooky Kanye convo—including some HOT GOSS.
Topics also include DM'ing celebrities, and why 2013 might be the cultural reset Y'ALL have been talking about.
Listen to James + Carter on Heard 'Em Say: https://bit.ly/2UTcAo3
Add Carter on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3edvJbO
Follow James on Twitter: http://twitter.com/olderthanhunter
Ep 7: #CancelKoku
This week, local hometown hero Wehseh Juty (@juty_gurl) joins us for an exploration of cancel culture. Doja Cat... Lana Del Rey... Kanye West... oh my!
Follow Wehseh on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/juty_gurl
Ep 6: Future Doesn't Trust Condoms
It's just us this week. And honestly you shouldn't leave the two of us alone. We're talking southern rap and some of its icons, including Meryl Streep's doppelgänger Future Hendrix. Please excuse the mess.
Bonus: Black Lives Matter
Alex + Koku drop in to offer a word of encouragement to black people who are struggling right now as we fight for our lives and process the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor & George Floyd.
We apologize for the audio issues—please bear with us.
If you're looking for causes to donate to, we encourage you to start here:
- Columbus Freedom Fund: https://www.paypal.me/columbusfreedomfund
- Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate
- Sole Classics: https://bit.ly/2ZWs26k
White listeners, if you're looking for ways you can help, start here:
- Anti-racism resources for white people: http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://bit.ly/2Xi9vzx
Ep 5: Out, Damned Spot!
This week, we welcome two of Columbus' finest: Jalen Ramsaw aka Alexander Dreamer (@alexandrdreamr) & Dan Dover (@dapperdandov). Conversation topics include Jalen's new album, Out, Damned Spot!, the mask collaboration Jalen & Dan did for the album's release, and how Jalen was selling mixtapes from the Homage cash register when he and Dan first met. Listen until the end to hear the new Alexander Dreamer track, Midnight.
Listen to Out, Damned Spot!: https://spoti.fi/36pmulW
Follow Jalen on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2A7aVDE
Follow Dan on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2LUEriH
Ep 4: OnlyMans
Sheesh. This episode is wild. The homie Ariel Peguero (@apegdesign) joins us on Alex + Koku this week with flaming hot takes on celebrity culture, fake news, and white Michael Jordan.
To check out Ariel's art + design work, tap here: apegdesign.com
Ep 3: We Don't Have Any XLs
This week on Alex + Koku, we welcome two talented singers/producers, who also happen to be Alex's best friends: Taylor DeBlock (@taylormdeblock) & Julius Tunstall (@jtulius). They talk about their journeys as musicians, creating in quarantine, and share stories from their college years.
Follow Taylor on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2WNCl9p
Follow Julius on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35Pozak
Listen to Julius' new song, Stuck: https://spoti.fi/2YTLfop
Ep 2: Dark Lame Demo Tapes
Alex + Koku triumphantly return for episode 2 and welcome their first guest, Daniel Higuera (@dhigs1), to talk about Mac Miller's breakout mixtape K.I.D.S. finally hitting streaming services, Beyoncé joining Megan Thee Stallion on the Savage (Remix), and Drake's new project Dark Lane Demo Tapes.
