The Rap Writers Show

Shawn Setaro, senior staff writer for Complex, joins the show. Recorded before the sentencing of Tekashi 6ix9ine, Shawn discusses with Reed and Eric about his journey into music writing — from being the EIC for Rap Genius to launching the hip-hop podcast The Cipher. Later, Shawn shares his experience covering the 6ix9ine Nine Trey trial, and we predict the rapper’s future career in hip-hop. Good/Bad is on Fivio Foreign and Dai Burger. Eric and Shawn trade horror stories in The Darkest Hour.

Alphonse Pierre, staff writer for Pitchfork, and Regina Cho, a freelance journalist with bylines on Billboard, DJBooth, and more, join the show. In this special episode, the pair discuss with Reed and Eric about Twitter being a tool for music journalists and when hot takes go too far. Later, we do a round of mini year-end lists on unexpected favorites, guilty pleasure songs, and albums we still have on repeat. Finally, Manny, who was on vacation, checks in from Bali.

Michelle Kim, staff writer for Them., joins the show. We discuss the reemergence of Frank Ocean and the purpose of his PrEP+ parties in New York, getting first-hand accounts from Reed and Michelle. Later, we ask ourselves if we really need a Frank Ocean rap album right now. Eric returns with #DiepThoughts and it gets extreme. We also do Good/Bad on Lord Apex, BEAM, MC Kevin O Chris, and Tinashe. The Spice Rack is back to give spicy takes ranking Frank’s discography.

In the Season 4 premiere, TRWS returns as a trio. Veteran journalist and author Kathy Landoli joins the show to talk about her new book ‘God Save the Queens,’ the Nubian Goddess vs. Sex Kitten complex, and the women who are moving hip-hop forward now. In Good/Bad, we review songs by JT, Westside Gunn, Future, and that Joyner Lucas/Eminem leak. Manny rants about the news he clicks on in Random Noise.

Hunter Harris, staff writer at Vulture, breaks out of Twitter jail to join the show. We do a deep dive on Hunter speaking her truth about "A Star Is Born" and Taylor Swift's #Mayochella. We also discuss Lizzo's reaction to a lukewarm Pitchfork review and the importance of critics in today's media landscape. Finally we rate songs from Beyonce, Young Nudy and Rico Nasty.

Timmhotep Aku, venerated writer and curator, joins the show. We examine Lil Uzi’s stint in label purgatory and do a deep dive on how rappers get trapped in bad deals in the primes of their careers. We also rate songs from The BoyBoy West Coast, Mach-Hommy and 2 Chainz. And Eric shares #DiepThoughtz on breaking bad habits. Word to Nav. 

Charles Holmes a.k.a. Otter Gawd, a staff writer for Rolling Stone, joins the show to talk about finding his passion in writing and landing his dream gig after freelancing for MTV, Complex, and more. The 2019 XXL Freshman issue is right around the corner, and the guys talk possible lists, if the publication should have all women rappers on the cover and if it's beneficial to artists who vie for a solo cover. We also rate songs by Dave and Lil Nas X and Reed shares a spicy take on the “beautiful” Solange album.

Frannie Kelley, co-host of Microphone Check, joins the show. We share stories from times we let emotions get in the way of facts, talk about who gets to tell artists' stories and what would happen if writers went independent. We also rate Travis Scott and Earth Wind and Fire’s Grammy performance and Eric shares #DiepThoughtz on turning 31. 

Billboard's news director Dan Rys joins the show. He talks about almost vomiting before interviewing Lil Wayne, ethics in music journalism and hot takes getting in the way of real takes. We also rate songs from Boogie, Czarface and Blueface and Eric shares #DiepThoughtz on setting positive goals all 2019.