Backseat Freestyle Podcast with Jayson Rodriguez

Backseat Freestyle is your weekly hip-hop cypher. Hosted by veteran journalist Jayson Rodriguez (The Bridge: 50 Years of Hip-Hop with Nas & Miss Info, Vevo, XXL, MTV News), Backseat Freestyle Podcast is a companion to the Backseat Freestyle newsletter and the home of the best conversation in hip-hop. Every episode will feature guests talking about the latest in rap with commentary and comedy intended to push the topic forward. For the full Backseat Freestyle Podcast archive or to subscribe to the Backseat Freestyle newsletter visit: jaysonrodriguez.info/podcast.

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Episodes

Monday Jun 02, 2025

JAY-Z ONCE RAPPED, It's funny how once verse can f*ck up the game. That bar arrived during the aftermath of Biggie & 2Pac's deaths as he was attempting to assert his claim for the throne. Case closed. Fast forward to the top of this year and another Brooklyn rapper, Joey Bada$$, boldly issued a challenge by way of a brazen line on "Ruler's Back": "too much West Coast d*cklicking." To discuss the shot/aftermath, I spoke with journalist William Ketchum (Vibe, RollingStone). 

Thursday May 08, 2025

FOR HIP-HOP HEADS OF A CERTAIN AGE, Playboi Carti is a complicated talent. He warbles his rhymes and his production makes for a noisey listen. But, if you pull in closer, you’ll hear the stylings of Lil Wayne during his Da Drought run, among others. I spoke to Mickey Factz about Carti because, to my surprise, he recently wrote a series of tweets downplaying lyricism.

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