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In one of the more free-flowing interviews I've had so far, I talk with California born & raised MC - The DU Goddess - Mystic. We talk about her beginnings, her roots as a talented artist and then go on several fascinating tangents including the words "Influencer" & "Content" and what they mean; what Hip-Hop @ 50 means to her, how her albums speak to her growth as a woman and, of course, her Top 5. Mystic's Linktree Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Baxter" By Brock BerriganInterlude - "With You" By TeskChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: Sunak & Macron announce a new detention centre in France.  Russia attack Ukraine with hypersonic missiles.  BBC suspend Gary Lineker after his tweets criticising new Tory immigration plan. The Oscars came and went. Dick Fosbury - High Jump innovator & Olympic champion - dies aged 76. In Politics: (10:00) With #GaryGate taking over the news, it's important to focus on the matter at hand which is this demonic immigration bill. And whilst Gary was wrong about comparing it to 30s Germany, it does compare to an old British Act. In Education: (24:05) Speaking of Tories, another moral panic they're acting on is sex education, which isn't a surprise but a concern nonetheless. In Film: (37:02) Awards SZN has ended with a bang for everyone involved in "Everything Everywhere All At Once", including Best Actress Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh whose role in the film delivers so much depth, including motherhood. Lastly, in Music: (52:50) Music piracy has been a thing since music has been a thing, but there's some stretches of piracy that become legend and change people's lives. Enter Mixed By Erry. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Shorter dies aged 89. Matt Hancock's WhatsApp texts are leaked. Boris Johnson has put his father, Stanley, forward for a knighthood.  70 Year Old Charles Bronson goes for a parole hearing.  UK Government announce immigration overhaul. In Politics: (9:20) The new immigration bill being argued within Parliament has - to say the least - ruffled feathers... Potentially breaking international law, kind of feathers. In TV: (24:25) With the recent success of Chris Rock's live stand up special, it's entirely understandable if Netflix looked more into live broadcasting, which would pose yet another threat to competitors. In Film: (34:26) New Romcom "Rye Lane" is described as a "love letter to South London". And whilst I personally respect romanticising places that deserve it, we must be aware of "The Romcom Effect" and how gentrification can be literally birthed by films like this. Lastly, in Music: (52:29) The Hip-Hop world had the most bittersweet of blessings as De La Soul get their masters back, enter DSPs for the first time, all under the recent news of Trugoy's death. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: R Kelly & Harvey Weinstein rack up more prison time.  James Bond books are being rewritten in sensitivity measures. UK & EU finally agree on a NI Protocol deal.  A 6.2 magnitude earthquake happens off coast of Papua New Guinea.  Over 20 people die in Greece after two trains collide head on. In Media: (12:20) Awards culture is rife in nearly all walks of life. But when you think about it, it's a lot of effort and money to give an award to adults. Are they really worth it? In Music: (27:59) In Hip-Hop culture, the sample diggers are the obsessive minority that spend their days trying to discern samples. But now that they have AI on their side; it's never been so good for a sample digger. In the first of two Life segments: (38:00) Within Black British culture, the dominant sect were the Caribbean contingent, but now that the raw numbers show that Afro-Brits make up more of the wider population, is it time to shift the culture to more of an African slant? Is it already happening? Lastly: (49:17) The Cockney accent - birthed in East London - is one of the biggest cultural exports we have ever produced. But the days of rhyming slang and "Wheeler-dealers" are dwindling; where has the Cockney gone? Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: Bruce Willis is diagnosed with Dementia.  Facebook & Instagram will implement a paid verification feature a la Twitter Blue. Turkey & Syria are hit with two more earthquakes.  Its been a year since the Ukraine-Russo war began. Malcolm X's family to sue the CIA, FBI and NYPD for $100M over his assassination.  In Books: (7:28) This past week saw a fresh moral panic over fresh edits to the works of Roald Dahl. And whilst I'm usually against editing works that don't involve the author, apparently the practice is normal for children's literature. In the 1st of two Media segments: (21:48) I've kept the years-long saga of Shamima Begum at arms length due to the majority of coverage for it to be trash. A good example is the new BBC doc about her and how the media still ignore certain nuances. In the 2nd Media segment: (38:13) One word/term/'occupation' I can't stand is "Influencers". I personally find it a net negative, but regardless of my hate for the term. Influencers might be here to stay as methods of new-age advertising. Lastly, in Life: (52:34) The world average for life expectancy is 72.6 years and going higher. There's more instances of centenaries by the decade. Can you imagine the life lessons packed in 100 years? Look no further. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: 15 people are arrested after violence outside hotel housing asylum seekers. 1/3 of De La Soul, Trugoy dies aged 54.  The US shoots down more objects floating in their airspace. The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in SB57.  Nicola Sturgeon resigns as First Minister of Scotland. In the 1st of two Music segments: (9:32) The SuperBowl has come and gone, with Rihanna taking a majority of the headlines. It's worth critically looking at Rihanna once more as a Billionaire first, artist second. In the 2nd Music segment: (24:14) In the light of Harry Styles cleaning up the BRITS which included "Pop/R&B" act, it is worth wondering why British R&B isn't getting the shine it deserves. In Art: (37:00) We've talked a lot about the health of art in the UK and over in London, it's art sector is under threat from corporate culture. It may already be too late. Lastly, in Life: (54:08) Since it was Valentine's Day on Tuesday, I thought it'd be fun to find a piece on love. So here's a piece a decades-long quest to measure love. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: A Chinese Spy balloon drifts into the US. Netflix changes password sharing rules, get bullied into a u-turn. Liz Truss pipes up again via hilarious essay. Turkey & Syria suffer several earthquakes.  Former Met Police officer David Carrick sentenced to more than 30 years in prison. In Police: (7:37) I talked about the police last episode, wondering what solutions are there to change The Met. And now I have found a potential solution: Breaking up The Metropolitan Police. In Politics: (21:13) For a while I have been lamenting how politicians can be the most incompetent people ever, but can still prosper. So picture my smile when I see a piece with the term I've been shouting into the ether: Failing up. Also in Politics: (34:13) The anniversary of "The Exit" happened a couple weeks ago and attitudes towards it have soured significantly. Cue my victory lap. Lastly, in Books: (47:50) In a development from last episode where I talked about people that don't read, I found a world I wasn't aware of: BookTok. And yes, it's terrible. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: Memphis reels as the video footage of five police officers murdering Tyre Nichols drops. Rishi Sunak sacks Nadhim Zahawi for breaking the ministerial code over his tax affairs. Djokovic wins the Australian Open, a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title. A suicide bomber strikes inside a mosque in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least 59 people and wounding another 150. UK expected to be only major economy to shrink in 2023 according to the IMF. In Society - (6:16) If it wasn't bad enough that the UK is a trash economy, the UN also reports that the UK is institutionally racist! But we knew that already. In Life - (17:22) It's important for everyone to read and keep developing themselves. But for the likes of Kanye & Sam Bankman-Fried, it's apparently not necessary! In Music - (34:10) With Justin Bieber selling his music catalogue, it's a seminal moment for the trend. But it's still a complex issue for high-value artists. Why? Lastly, in Art - (46:20) One of my favourite artists is Edward Hopper and I found this article gassing his work. Do I need a reason to read? Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern announces her resignation. The BBC will keep black local radio stations, after u-turning on consultation proposals to axe the programmes from on-air schedules. Sajid Javid calls for patients to pay for GP and A&E visits. Happy Lunar New Year. The Doomsday Clock is moved to 90 seconds to midnight.  In Society: (9:03) The police - specifically the Metropolitan Police - is back in the limelight after last week's David Carrick news. But of course, this isn't "One Bad Apple" as one ex-Met officer dishes. In Media: (22:57) British media is garbage, plain and simple. Reform is desperately needed. But will it ever happen? If so, what's the roadmap towards a better media? In Music: (42:02) The music industry is horrible in so many ways - but as with most industries - they eventually evolve. So what can the music industry do this year to evolve? Lastly, in TV: (55:02) Now and again, I'm discovering about shows from the past that would be great if made now. And now I'm discovering a show in the 70s called "Open Door" where regular people hosted it to voice their issues. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: Dozens of people killed after a plane with 72 people on board crashes near an airport in central Nepal. Distant cousin of Boris Johnson acted as credit guarantor while in No 10.  Voters in May’s local elections will be required to show photo ID before casting their ballot. UK Police are to be given the power to shut down protests before any disruption begins. Met Police sack David Carrick after admitting to dozens of rape & sexual offences across two decades. In History: (8:52) Did you know that Britain executed or planned 42 coups since World War 2? Well, you do now. In the first of two Film segments: (24:10) The USC Annenberg Inclusion Institute are back again with a fresh report on race/ethnicity & gender diversity amongst directors and... It's not too great. In the 2nd Film segment: (37:57) We have seen AI threaten Graphic Designers and artists, but with the advent of ChatGPT, can AI threaten storytellers? Lastly, in Life: (54:25) We all participate in consumerism, but something we can't grasp as a collective is the dip in quality of even small things like underwear. Is there any ability to call it out? Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

For this Long Read, we head to Complex for "Bottom Feeders Are Preying on Street Rap’s Dominance" By Andre Gee. The piece - off the back of Young Thug & Gunna's YSL RICO case - explores the law using 'Street Rap' lyrics as a precedent for their case & rap media profiting off fanning the flames. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Sometimesoon" By TeskChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

In a week where: Rishi Sunak makes non-specific promises for the UK. Met Office confirms 2022 was UK’s warmest ever year. Bolsonaro supporters storm their Congress. Former Prince Harry hijacks news cycle with memoir quotes & TV interviews.  Earth's ozone layer is expected to return to 1980 levels in the next few decades, according to a UN report. For the first of two segments on The NHS: (12:12) The service's demise is nearing closer and closer, so I wanted to kick off the first WG of 2023 with one piece on the crisis overall. And for the 2nd NHS segment: (21:35) A more analytical piece on how austerity led to the crisis we face. In The Arts: (36:34) There is a noticeable decline in working class people in the arts, which sets a dangerous precedent on how society will see itself over time. Lastly, in Life: (52:54) We're well into the New Year and most of us have already taken an L in some form. Never fear, the Japanese art of Kintsugi will help you navigate failure. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

For this Long Read, we head to Vox for "Why we can’t turn off the NFL" By Dylan Scott. In the piece, Scott meditates on the ubiquity of the NFL and how it will still continue regardless of how many Demar Hamlin-like injuries might happen in the future. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Sometimesoon" By TeskChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

For this Long Read, we head to... *Checks notes* The 5th Element! For "State Of The Hip-Hop Union 2023", written by me. In the 5k essay, I cover several macro topics pertaining to Hip-Hop history, some with love, some with criticism; all in celebration of 2023 being the 50th year of Hip-Hop. Visual Notes: American Music Tree (1:52) Jay's capitalism soliloquy (21:54) My Jay-Z monologue (22:21) Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Sometimesoon" By TeskChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

Artist & Friend of 5E Apex Zero returns to answer 30 Questions. Our interview from November.Apex Zero Music."Drummer Warrior Storyteller" Short Film. Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Together" By PabzzzChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

Lyricist and Friend of 5E Backwood Sweetie comes through to answer 30 Questions. 1st InterviewBackwood Sweetie Music Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Together" By PabzzzChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

Friend of 5E and producer NappyHigh returns once again to answer 30 Questions. 1st Interview2nd Interview Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Together" By PabzzzChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

One of the more recent Friends of 5E comes back through for 30 Questions. I interviewed Osay at the beginning of the year and she returns with a very detailed set of answers. Osay Interview from Jan '22 Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Together" By PabzzzChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

Friend of 5E Ian Kelly comes through for the 3rd edition of 30 Questions. 1st Interview W/ Ian Kelly (Written)2nd Interview (Podcast) Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Together" By PabzzzChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

For this edition of 30 Questions, we talk to someone that has been interviewed within the 5EPN universe, but not by me! We talk to poet Dell Nellson who was part of Ben's "The Beauty of Independence". Dell's TBOI Interview Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?" Rate & Review E-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelement Intro Music - "Together" By PabzzzChillHop Music Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence