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This week on the Who Is Podcast, we sit down with one of the defining voices of Baltimore hip-hop—Travis “Bossman” Holifield. Coming out of Northeast Baltimore, Bossman first made noise as Jimmy Hash with N.E.K.—the Northeast Kings—before stepping out on his own and becoming one of the city's biggest independent rap success stories. His 2004 album Law & Order became a Baltimore classic, fueled by records like “Off da Record” and the Rod Lee-produced “Oh,” better known throughout the city as the “Baltimore Anthem” or “Land of the O.” Bossman's movement was built from the streets up. Local radio embraced the records, Law & Order moved more than 10,000 copies independently with initial distribution thru Unruly Records, and the buzz eventually caught the attention of Jermaine Dupri, who signed him to Virgin Records. His music would also become connected to the sound and culture surrounding HBO's The Wire, further putting a Baltimore voice in front of a national audience. But the Bossman story is bigger than a record deal. It's about what happens when a Baltimore artist builds his own movement, gets the attention of the industry, experiences the highs and setbacks of the major-label system, and keeps moving forward. In this episode, we go back to N.E.K., Law & Order, “Oh,” Baltimore radio, the major-label years, the people who helped shape the journey, and what Bossman has learned from more than two decades in the game. Baltimore knew the name before the rest of the industry came calling—this is Bossman on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome one of Baltimore's biggest personalities and one of the most recognizable voices in comedy and radio—Jess Hilarious. Born and raised in Baltimore, Jess took the personality, humor, honesty, and unmistakable attitude of her hometown and turned it into a national brand. What started with hilarious videos and her breakout Jess with the Mess commentary on social media quickly grew into sold-out stand-up shows, Wild 'N Out, television roles including FOX's Rel, and appearances across some of entertainment's biggest platforms. Today, Jess is bringing that same unfiltered energy to millions of listeners as a co-host of the nationally syndicated The Breakfast Club, alongside DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God. And she's continuing to expand beyond radio and comedy as an actress, entrepreneur, and now author with 'Til Death Do We Parent, sharing her own funny, real, and sometimes complicated journey through parenting and co-parenting. In this episode, we take it all the way back to Baltimore and talk about the grind before the fame, going viral before everybody was trying to go viral, breaking into stand-up and television, navigating success, motherhood, The Breakfast Club, and what happens when the world gets to know Jess Hilarious—but Baltimore already knew who she was. Funny, fearless, outspoken, and always unapologetically Baltimore—this is Jess Hilarious on Who Is.

In this episode of WhoIs, DJ Quicksilva sits down with DMV nightlife icon and cultural connector Phat Cat for a deeply personal, unfiltered conversation. From shaping the golden era of D.C. club culture and rubbing shoulders with music legends to sharing the raw, inspiring reality of his journey living with chronic kidney disease, Phat Cat opens up like never before. Tap in for a masterclass on loyalty, legacy, resilience, and the power of real relationships.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we sit down with one of the most powerful voices helping shape the future of Baltimore—entrepreneur, business leader, strategist, and change-maker Shelonda Stokes. A proud Baltimore native and Morgan State University graduate, Shelonda's journey has taken her from earning a degree in electrical engineering to building greiBO Media into an award-winning marketing and production company, working with major brands and organizations while establishing herself as one of the city's most respected entrepreneurs. Today, as President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Executive Director of the Downtown Management Authority, she's taken that same entrepreneurial mindset and put it to work for the city. Under her leadership, the organization has more than doubled its revenues, created programs to support minority-owned businesses, helped bring major investment and development back Downtown, and played a central role in reimagining what the heart of Baltimore can become. But behind the titles, awards, boardrooms, and major projects is a Baltimore story—one built on ambition, resilience, relationships, and a belief in the potential of her hometown. In this episode, we talk about the journey from entrepreneur to civic leader, the business of rebuilding Downtown, the challenges facing Baltimore, and her vision for where the city goes next. She's not just talking about Baltimore's future—she's helping build it. This is Shelonda Stokes on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we shine the spotlight on one of the DJs who helped define Baltimore's legendary club era—DJ Cornbread. Long before Baltimore Club Music became a global sound, Cornbread was putting it down on Baltimore dance floors, including the legendary Club Choices, where his sets became part of the city's emerging club-music culture. From his early days sneaking into his mother's house parties in Baltimore to building his own go-karts and eventually betting on himself as a DJ, Cornbread shares the grit and passion that defined his career. He talks about falling in love with music at age 10, getting his first set of turntables in 1988, and the importance of staying humble and true to the craft. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his story, this introduction sets the stage for an inspiring conversation about dedication, creativity, and nearly four decades of musical influence.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome Baltimore entrepreneur, visionary, mentor, and community advocate Carlmichael “Stokey” Cannady. Known throughout the city simply as Stokey, his journey is one of resilience, redemption, and transformation. As the CEO of The Stokey Project, he has built a platform centered around business, marketing, mentorship, entertainment, and creating opportunities for others. But Stokey's story is about much more than entrepreneurship. A proud product of Baltimore, he has experienced the challenges of the streets, adversity, and incarceration—and transformed those experiences into a mission to give back, inspire change, and help others find new paths to success. From community activism and mentoring to business ventures and his run for Mayor of Baltimore, Stokey has continued to use his voice, relationships, and life experience to make an impact. In this episode, we sit down with Stokey to talk about his journey, his transformation, Baltimore, entrepreneurship, the power of second chances, and his vision for creating opportunities for the next generation. This is the story behind the man, the mission, and the movement—this is Stokey on Who Is.

To celebrate Hip-Hop's 53rd birthday, Quicksilva brought the #WhoIs podcast to the National Hip Hop Museum's Official birthday celebration in Baltimore, MD. This legendary sit-down was with some of the hip-hop greats including Grand Wizzard Theodore, Grap Luva, DJ Doo-Wop, Jay Quan, and DJ Kool.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we shine the spotlight on Baltimore native, rapper, songwriter, and music industry veteran Marquise “Da Kidd” Collins. A product of Baltimore's rich music culture, Da Kidd has spent years making his mark behind the microphone and behind the scenes, building relationships with some of the biggest names connected to the city's music and entertainment scene. His journey includes notable connections to Bossman, Mya, and Baltimore R&B legends Dru Hill, giving him a unique perspective on the intersection of hip-hop, R&B, songwriting, and the business of music. In this conversation, Da Kidd takes us back to his Baltimore roots, talks about his experiences navigating the music industry, trouble he ran into along the way, the artists and relationships that helped shape his career, and what it really takes to build a lasting presence in the business. This is Marquise “Da Kidd” Collins on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome Baltimore Club Music pioneer and veteran DJ, DJ Spice. For more than three decades, Spice has been one of the defining voices behind Baltimore's legendary club scene, helping introduce the city's unmistakable sound to audiences across the region and beyond. As one of the original DJs on Baltimore's X105.7 during the station's groundbreaking embrace of Baltimore Club Music, he helped bring the culture from the clubs to the airwaves, expanding its reach to an entirely new generation of fans. Throughout his career, DJ Spice worked alongside some of the biggest names in Baltimore Club history, including the legendary DJ K-Swift, and became a trusted member of the extended Unruly Records family led by Shawn Caesar and Scottie B—the architects of the Baltimore Club movement. From unforgettable nights behind the turntables to helping grow one of the city's most influential musical genres, Spice has earned the respect of DJs and fans alike through his passion, consistency, and love for the culture. In this episode, we revisit the golden era of Baltimore nightlife, the rise of Baltimore Club Music, the friendships and collaborations that shaped the movement, and the legacy of a DJ who helped keep the city's sound alive. This is DJ Spice on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome one of the most influential producers to ever emerge from Baltimore—DJ, producer, and cultural innovator Blaqstarr. A pioneer of the Baltimore Club sound, Blaqstarr helped take the city's signature music from neighborhood dance floors to the global stage. His groundbreaking production work has earned him collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, including Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, M.I.A., and Rye Rye, while his unmistakable sound has influenced artists and producers around the world. Beyond the studio, Blaqstarr has remained committed to pushing Baltimore's music culture forward, mentoring new talent and continuing to evolve as an artist, DJ, and creative force. In this episode, we dive into the origins of Baltimore Club Music, his journey from local legend to internationally acclaimed producer, the stories behind some of his biggest records, and why Baltimore's influence on music is stronger than ever. This is Blaqstarr on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome one of the most influential women in Baltimore entertainment—Tracye Stafford. As the founder and CEO of IKON Entertainment, Tracye has spent decades building the city's live music and nightlife scene from the ground up. From transforming an empty parking garage into the iconic Sonar concert venue to opening The Velvet Rope—now known as Ikonic Live—she has created stages where artists, fans, and culture come together. Along the way, she's promoted concerts for some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B while earning the respect of an industry traditionally dominated by men. In this episode, Tracye shares the story behind her remarkable journey, the challenges of building an entertainment empire, the evolution of Baltimore's music scene, and what it takes to stay ahead in an ever-changing business. This is the story of a visionary entrepreneur, trailblazer, and one of the driving forces behind Baltimore's entertainment legacy. This is Tracye Stafford on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome the incomparable LaDawn Black—a trailblazing media personality whose voice has informed, entertained, and inspired audiences for more than two decades. Best known for creating the iconic Love Zone and redefining relationship radio in Baltimore, LaDawn built one of the region's most successful radio franchises before taking her talents to New York's legendary WBLS. But her influence extends far beyond the airwaves. As a bestselling author, relationship expert, television contributor, voice artist, and communications professional, she's become a trusted voice on love, culture, and personal growth, with appearances in Essence, Ebony, Glamour, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, and other national outlets. Today, she continues telling impactful stories across radio, television, digital media, and news. In this episode, we discuss her remarkable journey, the legacy of The Love Zone, the evolution of media, and what continues to drive one of the most influential voices to ever come out of the DMV. This is LaDawn Black on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome Baltimore's own Larian Finney, an entrepreneur, community leader, and visionary dedicated to creating opportunities and driving positive change throughout the city. Through his work in business, mentorship, and community development, Larian has built a reputation for turning ideas into action while empowering the next generation to dream bigger and achieve more. In this conversation, we discuss his journey, the lessons he's learned along the way, his passion for giving back to Baltimore, and his vision for building stronger communities through leadership, collaboration, and purpose especially in his new role at Pier 6 Pavillion. Get ready to meet the man behind the mission—this is Larian Finney on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome a true hip-hop pioneer, Master Gee of the legendary Sugarhill Gang. As one of the voices behind the groundbreaking classic "Rapper's Delight," Master Gee helped introduce hip-hop to the world and played a pivotal role in transforming the culture into a global movement. Today, he's continuing that mission as a partner with the National Hip-Hop Museum, working to preserve and celebrate the history, legacy, and future of the genre for generations to come. In this exclusive conversation, we discuss the early days of hip-hop, the impact of one of music's most iconic records, his work to protect hip-hop's rich history, and why the culture's story is more important now than ever. This is the story of a pioneer, a visionary, and a living piece of hip-hop history—this is Master Gee on Who Is.

This week on the Who Is Podcast, we welcome one of the DMV's most respected and recognizable voices in radio and entertainment, DJ Analyze. As a celebrated radio personality, DJ, and cultural influencer, Analyze has spent years connecting audiences to the music, artists, and stories that define the region's vibrant culture. Known for his passion for hip-hop, his dedication to breaking new talent, and his ability to engage listeners both on and off the airwaves, he has become a trusted figure in the Washington, D.C. media landscape. In this conversation, DJ Analyze shares his journey from music enthusiast to influential broadcaster, discusses the evolution of radio in the digital age, and reflects on the importance of community, authenticity, and staying connected to the culture. Join Quick as we explore the career and impact of a true DMV media pioneer.