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We kick off our 2026 edition of UK Black History Month retrospectives on an artist that recently left us. Derek "Sway" Dasafo was making waves in the UK in the early/mid 00s, winning awards before he even dropped his debut album. Staunchly independent from start to finish, Sway was deft in flow and mixed deep subject matter with humorous concepts within his works. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:48)Charlie: Kareen Lomax - ijan Emmy Meli - All About LoveKooley High - Clear The AirChaka Khan - ChakzillaAyanna Witter-Johnson - New RootsKalisway - UnstoppableThee Sinseers - Love StoriesJhene Aiko - Westside WhimsyEzra Collective - Here Because of HopeTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (13:14)This Is My Demo - (20:24) The Signature LP - (34:19) The Deliverance - (49:50) Lighter Note - (1:02:04) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Hip-Hop was not just built by Black people, there was also a Latin contingent that had a hand in the foundations of Hip-Hop. Enter Mellow Man Ace, Cuban-American pioneer of Latin Rap with a bilingual USP, wearing his inspirations on his sleeve and being an inspiration to many others, even the entire genre of Reggaeton. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:46)Ben: Nemzzz - LOCKED INHeadie One - MMMCharlie: Thandii & Regalado - Coco OkayoPremo Rice - Another Night at The ChateauLusanda - By The Time I Wake UpScattrbrain - Scattrbrain & The Unwavering Self DoubtJourden - A Tree Grows In BrooklynTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (9:04) Escape from Havana - (14:34) The Brother with Two Tongues - (25:13) From the Darkness into the Light - (33:22) Vengo a Cobrar - (40:46) Restoring Order - (49:29) Lighter Note - (59:24) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

With a fresh aesthetic and all the support you could want, Busta Rhymes took his solo opportunity and ran with it, becoming one of the most in-demand Hip-Hop voices of the late 90s/early 00s along with a visual track record that holds up to this day. However, being in-demand as a feature meant his albums followed the trend of the day, for better or worse. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)Charlie: Blu & Sndtrak - LAAaron May - Enjoy The RideDizzee Rascal - We Want BassSylvan LaCue - Depths of a Man : A Memoir by Sylvan LaCueLiana Flores - And so it goes...corto.alto - SOME SMALL FORTUNEI Am An Instrument - Wonder, WanderChildren of Zeus - As The World Burns... Dezarie - Power ShiftA-F-R-O - Trap Door 2Topic Intro/Ben's Research House - (16:39) The Coming - (22:48) When Disaster Strikes... - (27:58) Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front - (31:36) Anarchy - (36:42) Genesis - (40:51) It Ain't Safe No More... - (45:34) The Big Bang - (51:09) Back on My B.S. - (57:13) Year of the Dragon - (1:00:37) Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God - (1:04:50) Blockbusta - (1:11:09) Lighter Note - (1:20:09) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Leaders of the New School - the group that now historically serves as the proving ground for a future Busta Rhymes solo career - was a peppy bunch of rappers with great chemistry. Surprising considering the creative differences that would eventually cut their existence short. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:42)Ben: E-40 - Turning my Money OverThe Game - The Documentary IIIMick Jenkins & Greenslime - Black Ass Kung Fu FlickChelsea Wolfe - The DarkeJula Holter - MateriaDenzel Curry x Kenny Beats - IIRapsody - God Gotta Afro & Gold HoopsCharlie: Headie One - MMMAaron Taylor - "Tell Me of Love!"Kabaka Pyramid - Rebel Music - The Lyrics TapeBishop Nehru - I Hate My Birthday: Moments Before Forever Alabama Shakes - I Must Be Dreaming Nyota Parker & Jay Jody - Confused Admirationflowerovlove - MINI SKIRT WARRIORDahi - Black Boy (Alternative)Busta Rhymes & J Dilla - DILLAGENCE IIErykah Badu & The Alchemist - Before The World BlowsTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (18:39)A Future Without a Past... - (23:47) T.I.M.E. - (35:24) Lighter Note - (47:27) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

A foundational member of the Native Tongues collective - releasing two of the first three albums under that collective umbrella - Jungle Brothers were sonically ahead of their time and have kept steady up until this decade. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:10)Charlie: Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats - iiJohn Wells - F*CK The ALGORITHMthreetwenty - separate from the noise (side b)Adanna Duru - THE NAIJAMERICAN DREAMJorja Smith - What Are The OddsZenesoul - Under the Same SkyQueen Ifrica - Breath Of LifeRapsody - God Gotta Afro & Gold HoopsCleo Sol - GentlewomanTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (14:36) Straight out the Jungle - (19:04) Done by the Forces of Nature - (28:23) J Beez wit the Remedy - (36:48) Raw Deluxe - (43:29) V.I.P. - (50:15) All That We Do - (56:36) I Got U - (1:01:39) Keep It Jungle - (1:06:09 Lighter Note - (1:12:08) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The duo of Dres & Mr. Lawnge nailed a balance of ATCQ's production language with De La Soul's lyrical humour with their debut album. But after creative differences, the name was carried by Dres into the 21st Century, to mixed results. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:03)Ben: Hit-Boy - HITStoryCharlie: DC - All Things Can Be TrueTreasure Bloom - Bloomin'Tavaras Jordan - 72 Hours In Houston Anaïs Cardot - Map Of Her ShadowRashmeet Kaur - PARINDADezarie - 7th HeavenThe Womack Sisters - The Womack Sistersinsyt. - Rite of Passage Jungle - Sunshine Marvaless - Still MarvalessHit-Boy - HITStory Channel Tres - Enigma POVArin Ray - LIMBOBallad - Soul-Fi, Vol. 2Mick Jenkins - Type ShitMick Jenkins & GreenSLLIME - BLACK ASS KUNG FU FLICKTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (17:33)A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - (22:41) Non-Fiction - (34:46) 8WM/Novakane - (44:00) From the Black Pool of Genius - (50:01) Tortured Soul - (55:41) Lighter Note - (1:01:56) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

The story of Chi-Ali is one containing a few but ultimately pivotal highlights: Brought up as a talented teenage rapper - within the most notable collectives in Hip-Hop history - dropping one album before his career was derailed by label BS. One can wonder, what if he was better treated after his one & only release, would he still end up on the America's Most Wanted List? (Twice!) TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:13)Ben: CFCF - LUVYard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little MusicRico Nasty - RXCakes Da Kill - NEW BITCHKen Carson - xperimentPooh Shiesty - All Eyes on ShiestCharlie: Brittney Carter & 14KT - family packDinner Party - Whatchu Bringing?Joyce Moreno, Tutty Moreno & Adrian Younge - Joyce e Tutty Moreno JID027Leah Music - Life After LoveFLO - THERAPY AT THE CLUBRunkus - SUPERNOVAJuicy J & Project Pat - Dem GoatsTerri Lyne Carrington & Social Science - Trip the Night FantasticTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (16:51)The Fabulous Chi-Ali - (20:02) Lighter Note - (43:10) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

There's certain names in music that bridge the gap between one era and the next. Greg Nice & Smooth Bee were one of those. Taking fun-natured Hip-Hop of the old and mixing it with new production practices: heavy on sampling and occasionally fusing R&B into their work. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:15)Charlie: DAMEDAME* - DREAMS ON THE PASSENGER SEATKota The Friend - JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE!K.A.A.N. & D-Ace - THE MODERN ODYSSEY Apollo Brown - No Pressure, No DiamondMasego - Fix Your FaceFana Hues - Catch n' ReleaseTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (8:45)Nice & Smooth - (12:50) Ain't A Damn Thing Changed - (27:02) Jewel of the Nile - (34:13) IV: Blazing Hot - (42:09) Lighter Note - (53:57) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Before Jaz-O's legacy was watered down to "the guy who put Jay-Z on", Jaz-O had a career of his own and highlights of his own that deserved be looked at with a fresh lens. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:21)Charlie: Chenayder - Outdated Yard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little Music Captains of the Imagination - You Owe Me TearsNamesbliss - where's bliss? Mad Skillz - A Hero And A VillainNines - Lost TapesMellow Mood & Paulo Baldini DubFiles - 7 DUBRico Nasty - RXWILLOW - The ThreadTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (10:33) Word to the Jaz - (15:48) To Your Soul - (25:23) Kingz Kounty - (35:06) Lighter Note - (50:42) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

It's our 15th edition of Neighbours where we talk about records that aren't technically Hip-Hop but either share elements or are influential in Hip-Hop circles. This edition, we go full British, getting into a Trip-Hop essential and a Downbeat classic.  TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)Ben: Rome Streetz - Sock it 2 My PocketRick Ross - Set in StoneSyd - BeardSteve Lacy - Oh yeah?Charlie: Nomi. - sweet talkJamesThe3rd - SaluteAdrian Younge - Afro-Disco MakossaBackRoad Gee - Live In The FleshAmbré - PEYOTECK The Spitta - Strictly 4 The UndergroundNia Archives - Emotional JunglistSteve Lacy - Oh yeah? Syd - BeardDummy - (12:44) In A Space Outta Sound - (36:43) Lighter Note - (56:23) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Initially under the wing of KRS-ONE, the duo Channel Live made minor waves in the mid-90s but due to lack of sonic identity, their three albums all feel drastically different, even if their lyrical content contained a healthy amount of substance & social commentary. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:42)Charlie: Olympia Vitalis - Lady LuckJaz Karis - Twenty SomethingGUINEVERE - Kiss The SunNate Smith, Kiefer, CARRTOONS & Kenneth Blume - FATHERSTenderlonious - Africa/Brass (Live) (Artwork By Charlie!)Kelela - new avatarBaby Rose - YEARNALISMJoe James - The Ends, Never EndsTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (9:21) Station Identification - (12:46) Armaghetto - (21:15) Secret Science Rap - (28:30) Lighter Note - (38:14) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

We're officially halfway through 2026, so it's time for our Mid-Year report where we take stock of the year so far - from the music dropped to some of the stories that transpired - and look forward to the rest of the year!  TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:02)Ben: Future - The Real MeLance Skiiiwalker - #invite,sessions,only!!Charlie: The Deli - KaleidoscopeAlewya - ZeroNaomi Sharon - No Sleep In Paradise Revisiting Hip-Hop Media - (8:45)Notable Projects So Far - (31:11) Projects We're Looking Forward To - (1:07:51) Lighter Note - (1:16:14) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

In our Geto Boys double bill, we now get into the most notable artist in the group: Scarface. One of the least talked about legends in Hip-Hop history where Scarface acolytes can make a case for him being the GOAT. So, does the discography warrant such praise? TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (0:59)Ben: NappyHigh - REDazeCharlie: Gwen Bunn - The Interim, Vol. 1Ryder - RYDERHOOD 3Nia Smith - Payback Is A DogCommon Saints - Age of IllusionsEAST WEST Honey (Lyric Jones & Wake The Wild) - Nothin' SweeterNappyHigh - REDazeMadeon - VictoryThe Offline - RéviséThe Doppelgangaz - Beats For Brothels, Vol. 9BALTHVS - Transmutationskwn - and all pride aside RASiDA - POTENTIALTia Gordon - i asked the stars for this. xZilo - Ready To BloomKelissa - THE GOOD SIDE OF THINGSThe League of Rebelz - Jam HouseLOX - The Eight GatesTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (20:11) Mr. Scarface Is Back - (24:53) The World Is Yours - (28:06) The Diary - (33:42) The Untouchable - (38:43) My Homies - (43:41) The Last of a Dying Breed - (46:28) The Fix - (50:01) My Homies Part 2 - (53:44) Made - (1:00:08) Emeritus - (1:03:14) Deeply Rooted - (1:10:02) Lighter Note - (1:12:52) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

Hailing from 5th Ward, Geto Boys went through a few line-ups before settling on the three we consider the full cast: Willie D, Bushwick Bill and Scarface. But a whole lot of music happened in the nearly 20 year run and a whole lot of movement between them and a supporting cast happened as well. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup -(0:50)Ben: Benny the Butcher- The Plugs I Met 2.5Hard-Fi - Sweating Someone Else's FeverYG - The Gentleman's ClubT.I. - Kill the KingCharlie: Mild Temperance & intrepid.fox - DaydreamKaicrewsade - kranberryTierra Whack - WHACK'S MUSEUMJah Version - Gather RoundOrbital Ensemble - ContinuaPJ Morton - Saturday Night / Sunday Morning Aza Lineage - Rebel DaawtaTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (19:14) Making Trouble - (23:14) Grip It! On That Other Level - (32:35) We Can't Be Stopped - (40:59) Till Death Do Us Part - (52:05) The Resurrection - (1:01:20) Da Good da Bad & da Ugly - (1:07:41) The Foundation - (1:15:01) Lighter Note - (1:21:57) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence

What began as a Grammy Award-winning group out of the gate, Arrested Development - led by rapper/producer Speech - are still the same in their ethos even though many members have come & gone and the mainstream binned them after their sophomore album. Nearly 40 years later, they're still creating accessible Hip-Hop with positive and incisive commentary. TIMESTAMPS:Weekly Music Roundup - (1:33)Ben: Death Cab for Cutie - I Built You a TowerCharlie: Awon & The Other Guys - SolidifiedWill Kobus & Mettaworldzeke - it's only as deep as you make it Seu Jorge - The Other SideKhrysis - Khrysis On The Boards v.3aja Monet - the color of rainTopic Intro/Ben's Research House - (8:05)3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... - (11:06) Zingalamaduni - (18:02) Heroes of the Harvest - (22:23) Among the Trees - (24:52)Since the Last Time - (28:13)  Strong - (31:00) Standing at the Crossroads - (34:08) Changing the Narrative - (36:06) This Was Never Home - (39:29) Craft & Optics - (42:36) Don't Fight Your Demons - (46:58) For the Fkn Love - (49:09) Bullets In The Chamber - (53:57) Adult Contemporary Hip Hop - (56:39) Lighter Note - (1:02:38) Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Music for the right to use) HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers5E (Twitter & IG) - @The5thElementUKChillHop (Twitter) - @ChillhopdotcomBonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92 Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:"What's Good?" W/ Charlie TaylorIn Search of SauceBlack Women Watch...5EPN RadioThe Beauty Of Independence