In one of the most revealing conversations about Philadelphia’s hip-hop history, South Philly native Teef pulls back the curtain on the legendary figures, untold stories, and raw realities that shaped the city’s music scene over multiple generations.

Growing up in an area locals call “The P,” Teef had a front-row seat to the evolution of Philly hip-hop, from the street hustlers who influenced the culture to witnessing Beanie Sigel’s career-launching battle at a neighborhood pool hall. “The hip-hop guys were getting it from them guys,” he explains, connecting the dots between South Philly’s street legends and the rappers who would put the city on the map.

Teef’s journey from street hustler to music entrepreneur unfolds as he recounts founding Do For Self Entertainment with Meek Mill’s endorsement. His raw storytelling brings to life the highs of developing artists like Nizzy and the devastating lows of facing incarceration just as his label gained momentum. The conversation takes an emotional turn as he discusses losing his son while imprisoned and finding strength through the support of fellow inmates.

What makes this episode extraordinary is how Teef weaves his personal story through the larger tapestry of Philadelphia’s hip-hop lineage. From the DVD era to YouTube fame, from Major Figures to the emergence of Meek Mill, his firsthand accounts preserve crucial history that might otherwise be forgotten. For anyone who appreciates authentic voices in hip-hop, this conversation is an essential document of a city whose contributions to the culture deserve their proper recognition.

Connect with Teef on Instagram to hear his latest music including “Tears on the Pavement” featuring Philly legend Kenzo, or reach out about collaboration opportunities with one of the most respected voices in Philadelphia’s hip-hop community.

Recohavoc sits down for one of his most revealing conversations yet, taking us through the extraordinary journey that transformed him from a young dancer in Philadelphia’s Dollar Boys movement to a musical innovator who changed the city’s sound.

Born while his mother was incarcerated and with his father behind bars, Rico’s early life under his grandmother’s care in Southwest Philadelphia established the foundation for his resilience. When he emerged as a standout talent in the Dollar Boys—a youth dance movement centered around Jams skating rink—Rico was already building cultural capital without realizing it. These weekend dance battles weren’t just entertainment; they were the breeding ground for an entire aesthetic movement that would eventually reshape Philadelphia’s musical identity.

What makes Rico’s story particularly powerful is how personal tragedy became the catalyst for his musical evolution. After experiencing violence on the streets, coping with his mother’s dementia, and serving time in juvenile detention, Rico found his voice in the recording booth. His breakthrough hit “Lucas” wasn’t just a song with a dance—it was the blueprint that opened doors for countless Philadelphia artists who followed.

Throughout our conversation, Rico draws important distinctions between his “derp” style and drill music, emphasizing that his art comes from processing trauma rather than glorifying it. “I don’t make music to make people want to do stuff,” he explains. “I make music to escape what I’m going through and to touch people.” This philosophy has allowed him to continuously reinvent himself while maintaining an authenticity that resonates deeply with listeners.

Listen now to understand how one artist’s journey through grief, incarceration, and creative evolution created ripple effects that continue to shape an entire city’s musical landscape. As Rico himself puts it: “It’s never over for me”—words that speak to the resilience that defines both his life and his art.

Few conversations capture the raw reality of the music industry like this candid discussion with Baltimore’s own Bandohunta Izzy. From the moment he walks into the studio, Izzy brings an authenticity that cuts through the typical industry talk, delivering straight truth about his journey through the music business.

The story of how Izzy landed his Republic Records deal reads like a movie script – accompanying another artist to a meeting, executives mistaking him for the main talent, and walking away with a contract himself. But what followed reveals the darker side of major label politics. With remarkable honesty, Izzy details how a cultural misunderstanding led to being blackballed, effectively shelved despite his potential. “They wanted me to shy away from that shit,” he explains, describing the pressure to abandon his authentic style for more mainstream appeal.

Beyond career challenges, the conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Izzy opens up about losing his brother in December 2023. The emotion is palpable as he describes how this profound loss affected both his personal life and creative process. “Seeing my brother on that ground… that fucked my mind up a lot,” he shares, giving listeners rare insight into how artists navigate creating music while processing grief. His struggle to balance making honest music without letting sadness define his entire catalog speaks to the complex relationship between art and personal experience.

Throughout the episode, Izzy champions Baltimore’s underrecognized hip-hop scene, passionately listing talents like Tate, YG Tech, and Skola who haven’t received deserved national attention. His perspective on legacy reveals a wisdom beyond the music itself: “Baltimore made me who I was, but it won’t define who I become.” This philosophy – focusing on genuine connections rather than broad validation – offers a powerful takeaway for anyone pursuing their passions against challenging odds.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, music industry professional, or simply appreciate authentic storytelling, this episode delivers invaluable insights about resilience, creative integrity, and finding your path despite unexpected obstacles. Subscribe now and join the conversation about what it really takes to navigate today’s complex music landscape.

From detention center teacher to Eminem collaborator, Brooklyn’s Fresher reveals the blueprint behind his remarkable rise in the music industry through strategic persistence and authentic relationship-building.

The conversation begins with Fresher reflecting on his formative years in Brooklyn, where his father—deeply entrenched in street life—steered him toward a different path. “He didn’t allow me to play the streets,” Fresher explains, crediting this guidance as the foundation for his future success. When fatherhood arrived during his high school years, Fresher’s promising sports career gave way to more immediate responsibilities, eventually leading him to work with troubled youth in detention centers.

What makes Fresher’s story particularly compelling is his unconventional approach to breaking into music. Rather than following the typical artist’s playbook, he attended an astounding 300+ showcases—winning only one—but leveraging each as a networking opportunity while other artists simply performed and left. “I wasn’t doing these showcases to win. I was there to showcase my talent and meet new people,” he reveals, describing how he’d intentionally perform early, then work the room while others took the stage.

The breakthrough came when he strategically invested $1,500 in features with hot young artists, resulting in his song “Wait A Minute” accumulating 230,000 views in a single day. This calculated move led to remixes featuring Remy Ma and Young MA, eventually catching Eminem’s attention—a full-circle moment considering Fresher discovered Eminem’s music when his mother slipped The Marshall Mathers LP under his door during punishment.

Perhaps most valuable is Fresher’s reflection on how adversity, particularly during COVID, strengthened his resolve and clarified his priorities. His emotional tribute to his management team demonstrates that beyond industry connections, authentic relationships remain the foundation of sustainable success.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, entrepreneur, or simply seeking inspiration to persist through rejection, this conversation offers a masterclass in strategic persistence and the power of genuine human connection. As Fresher aptly puts it: “Increase your network, increase your net worth.”

# The Power of Thought: How Your Mind Shapes Your Reality

In a recent and powerful episode of “The Realer Than Most” podcast featuring Smart Guy, listeners were given a masterclass in how our thoughts shape our reality and determine our success. The conversation explored the deep connection between thought, feeling, action, and manifestation – providing a roadmap for those seeking to break free from limiting beliefs and create meaningful change in their lives and communities.

The episode began with Smart Guy sharing a profound story about a guru meditating in a cave, battling demons that constantly attacked him. The guru’s breakthrough came when he stopped fighting these demons and instead remained still. His powerful realization: the less he fought back, the weaker the demons became. This metaphor brilliantly illustrates how our internal struggles often grow stronger when we actively resist them, but begin to lose power when we practice stillness and mindfulness.

Smart Guy explained that these “demons” represent our negative thoughts and emotions residing in the subconscious mind, with the cave symbolizing our mind itself. Through meditation and conscious awareness, we can weaken these negative influences rather than empowering them through resistance. “How you think creates how you feel. How you feel becomes an emotion, that emotion becomes a vibration. That vibration becomes a magnet that attracts things to you,” he explained, offering a practical understanding of manifestation principles.

The conversation also delved into the crucial distinction between deeds and intentions. Smart Guy emphasized that in Islam and in life generally, performing the right actions with incorrect intentions nullifies their benefit. This insight applies directly to our thought processes as well – positive thinking without the right intention behind it won’t manifest desired results. This explains why some people can speak positively yet still experience negative outcomes.

Perhaps most compelling was the discussion about empowerment through economic independence. Smart Guy detailed a comprehensive business model centered around community-owned delis, explaining how a single well-run establishment can generate upwards of $2.4 million annually. This economic blueprint offers a practical alternative to illegal activities, providing a path to legitimate wealth building within urban communities. The vision extends beyond mere profit, incorporating spaces for prayer and community gathering alongside business operations.

The episode culminated with Smart Guy outlining a powerful 12-month plan for community transformation, including concepts like the “negative speak fast” (avoiding negative language for 30 days), meditation practices, and self-defense training. This holistic approach addresses mental, spiritual, and physical dimensions of personal and community development. His financial formula for generational wealth – “living expenses times four, times twelve, times one hundred” – provides a clear target for financial freedom.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is its blend of spiritual wisdom, practical business advice, and community-centered solutions. The conversation transcends typical self-help rhetoric by connecting individual mindset changes to broader community transformation. As Smart Guy powerfully stated, “Allah doesn’t work for us, he works within us” – a reminder that the power for change already exists within each person, waiting to be activated through conscious intention and consistent action.
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The energy in the room shifts as J Money enters the studio, bringing decades of Atlanta music history with him. This isn’t just another interview—it’s a masterclass in authenticity from someone who witnessed the birth of cultural movements that defined a generation.

J Money takes us deep into the origins of Black Migo Gang, revealing how what began as street terminology (“we black Mexican cuz we got bags like Mexicans”) evolved into a cultural phenomenon that spawned countless imitators. With remarkable candor, he shares stories about his brotherhood with Scooter, Future’s right-hand man, painting a picture of loyalty that transcends the typical industry relationship. “These are great guys,” he emphasizes repeatedly, making it clear that beyond the fame, these were people who genuinely cared for each other.

The conversation shifts to personal resilience as J Money opens up about surviving cancer, losing his mother, and being shot in Los Angeles—all within a three-year span. Rather than breaking him, these experiences transformed his approach to life and business. “Everything I went through made me stronger where I’m at today,” he reflects, explaining how tragedy prepared him for current opportunities, including a forthcoming album with Metro Boomin.

What truly distinguishes this episode is J Money’s philosophical approach to street wisdom. He introduces the concept of the “Gang God”—the universal force that rewards those who operate with integrity, even in the streets. “If you live right, do right, the Gang God will bless you,” he explains, challenging conventional narratives about success in hip-hop.

Whether discussing the dangers of substance abuse in today’s music scene, the importance of image, or delivering brutally honest comparisons between hip-hop legends, J Money speaks with the authority of someone who’s lived every word. You’ll walk away with not just entertainment, but wisdom from someone who’s navigated both the streets and the industry while keeping his soul intact.

Listen now and follow J Money’s latest project “Serving Everybody” on all platforms. This isn’t just another episode—it’s a document of hip-hop history from someone who helped write it.

Future’s generosity at funerals silences critics. Despite internet rumors, we see Future’s commitment. With Scooter gone, navigating relationships is tougher. The focus remains on family, especially his son’s approval. #Future #FuneralSupport #FamilyFirst #Legacy #Scooter #Kirkwood #Atlanta #SouthCarolina #HipHop #Community