Hyphen Nation

I tried to make this rhyme but not everything is meant to be. On this episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, Aaron Rodgers finally gets what he wants, Russell Wilson is a Bronco and Khalil Mack is a Charger, I completely failed to mention the Slaughterhouse drama and the end of the MLB lockout... and I give my spoiler free opinion on The Batman!

In this episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, I catch up on a few things I missed, discuss Russia and Texas, go over the difference in Bieber's Changes and Justice albums, tell you to watch Bel-Air, put y'all up on Toni Stone, and finish the show by talking about the classic album Like Water For Chocolate.

I couldn't start this episode without detailing the end of the Raiders season and also going over the losing streak the Bulls were on (we did get that W against Cleveland). But then, it's been 30 days since the release of SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME. You've been warned. I don't break down the whole film but I talk about Peter's conflict with one of the returning villains (three guesses who). I also dive into a little comic history and then share two of my favorite Spidey trades. I cap things off with a recommendation to read Amanda Huber's tribute to her late husband Jon.

Hyphen Nation is officially 6 and just won't die! Within, I cover all the recommendations I kept forgetting, talk briefly about the I Can't Feel My Face project that never materialized from Juelz and Wayne, move on to how I've turned the corner on The Weeknd thanks to Dawn FM, have what was supposed to not be a State of the Podcast Address, and talk about the next step in my hair growth journey.

Switching gears entirely, George and Marcus continue to put up with my shenanigans as I crack open some wine for our 2021 sports recap. I encourage you to do the same (or coffee or water if you don't drink wine in the mornings) as we toss around our picks for athlete of the year, biggest surprise, disappointing teams and more. And get ready for some of my (worst) hottest takes yet as I ignore what a category is really supposed to mean just so I can complain about two of the most dominant players in their respective sports! Seriously, it's really bad.

The time has arrived for the annual Numbers On The Board episode! Started in 2017 as a yearly wrap up by Marcus, George was added to the mix last year, and now we're rolling in the deep like Adele when she was 21! *Crickets* Anyway, we talk some of our favorite music, movies, and about the elephant that's been on everyone's chest for the last 2 years, that damn Coronavirus. Plus, Marc Rob sings!

Merry Christmas! I return to the parking lot where it all started almost 6 years ago on Christmas Eve. As the grocery store closes for the night, I call up Michael Lamerique, talk a little about Nas' new album Magic and his growth since linking up with Hit-Boy, discuss my love of the Back To The Future trilogy, and wrap up by announcing the 2021 winner of my Best In The World award!

I've been listening to more music in 2021 compared to recent years, so I had to jump in and share my thoughts on Mac Miller's Faces and Wale's Floarin II. But I lead off things with a fun ride through Nas' discography that sees me steal The Source's mic rating system while calling them irrelevant, and ends with my thoughts on King's Disease II.

I miss my friend Derrick Ferguson. Today I talk about how I met Derrick, how much he meant to me, and explain why I’ve been gone so long. Thank you for everything Derrick. Rest easy my friend.

I'm joined by my wife Angel and our daughter Aaliyah as we remember our first dog Brooklyn, who passed away in April 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

On a Sunday afternoon, I sat down with my semi-regular co-host Marcus "Showinmadlov" Robinson so we could complete our quest to discuss the anniversaries of two more Jigga albums! As we continue on, Marcus and I cover Jay-Z's 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt and his 2001 LP The Blueprint. What was the best Biggie/Jay-Z collaboration? OG U Don't Know or the remix? Was Can I Live II or Jigga That N*gg* really necessary? And which one of us hated Jay-Z before changing their mind? Recommendations: Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint. Backstage. Fade To Black. Can't Knock The Hustle (Fool's Paradise Remix). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AALIYAH! Lawry and Burnett. Corleone and Hagan. Kiss and Styles. Enough of the iconic duos, Marcus is back in the semi-regular co-host chair! For the 184th episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, we're talking Jay-Z. 2006's Kingdom Come. 2011's Watch The Throne. Am I hearing things or did Jay rap lighter the whole album? Was WTT peak Kanye? How old is Curren$y? This is only part 1, as next episode, we discuss Reasonable Doubt. And The Blueprint OG. Recommendations: Marcus - "Anything" - Kingdom Come. Kelen - "Hollywood" - Kingdom Come. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

As we proceed into a new episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, I have a guest! And not just any guest, I have No Name Tim, the producer of the last two theme songs you hear at the start of every episode! This was his fee: free beat; have him on as a costar. No problem! Tim and I discuss how he got into producing, his friendship with Marcus D'Tray, what it's like selling beat leases, how he got to produce for Tama Tonga, he mentions his buddy Simon from WhatCulture... I could go on. But this is a really great conversation. I'll let you check it out yourself. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

In this episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, I take some time to tell DMX just how important his music was to a kid growing up in West Virginia. Then, I share how overjoyed I was when I watched Bad Boys For Life. After that, I spend some time eulogizing Elgin Baylor. And then I do an off the dome recap of House Party 2 for its 30th anniversary. Get well soon X. Recommendations: It's Dark And Hell Is Hot. ...And Then There Was X. Bad Boys For Life. Hang Time: My Life in Basketball. House Party 2. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

In this week's episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, I've found a gem of a conversation featuring Gawd's Favorite, Marcus "Showinmadlov" Robinson! After we recorded Episode #173, the mic was still on and we had more to say. We talk about my exploits into the streaming world, our monthly HPG conference call that Marcus runs, our disinterest in the NFL, Common, Wale, Freddie Gibbs, and more! Plus, a sobering intro when I rediscover an old email from my dad. Recommendations: Freddie Gibbs - Piñata, Bandana & Alfredo. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

So no Morgantown weather report. It was weird for me too. Maybe I'll keep doing it. Instead, I talked about how I'm trying to clean up my act on social media. Then, in the BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST proper, I've been listening to music, so you get reviews! Evermore, Positions, Plastic Hearts, Chromatica, and Folklore are all discussed and ratings are dished out. But wait! In the middle of reviewing all this music, I run a Jodeci bracket! What's your favorite Jodeci song? Recommendations: Gaga: Five Foot Two and every album mentioned in this pod. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

It's Tuesday and you know what that means! THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST is back! And just in time. While I slept Monday night, Bobby Lashley captured his first WWE Championship, making him the third black WWE Champion in history. I discuss this incredible moment and then I pivot right into crowning the winner of my 2020 Best In The World award. So after a super thorough wrestling pod, I whine about not being smarter than my video equipment and then we out! I forgot recommendations though, so... Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell? Hope I don't miss on that one. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

Five years later, here we are. Hyphen Nation is officially five years old! So how else should we celebrate but than to do belatedly! On this episode, in its sapphire year, THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST goes back to its roots. Just me and the microphone, I detail what caused the hiatus at the end of 2020, I deliver what may be the best State Of The Podcast Address yet, and I even deal with the hate for a little ditty you may have heard called The Last Of Us Part 2. Here's to five years... and many more: Recommendations: The Shred Head Podcast. Dissect: Because The Internet. Sneakerheads. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

After last week's excitement, we slow things all the way back down. For the annual Numbers On The Board episode of THE BARACK OBAMA APPROVED WORLD'S GREATEST PODCAST, I'm joined by my two semi-regular co-hosts, Marcus Robinson and George Gerbo... and we just talk. About 2020, about Covid, about plans for 2021, and about how we were feeling in the moment. I'm really proud of this episode just because I was able to share some real feelings with my friends. I hope y'all enjoy it as much as I did. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support

We interrupt your daily routine for something badass! I'm joined by Melysette of A Frightful Fret with Melysette (she also does a great job running the Hyphen Podcast Group Instagram account) to talk about the glory that is the Youtube Original turned Netflix property Cobra Kai! If you don't want spoiled, come back and see us once you're all caught up. We talk about everything: Johnny! Daniel! Miguel! Robby! Sam! Tory! Hawk! Amanda! Miyagi-Do! Banzai! Okay, not that last one but if you know the original movies, it's all a part of the lore! Plus, don't miss Mel's theory about who Tory's mom could be and other surprises! I may have broken my exclamation point key... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hyphen-nation/support