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The Library

The Library

By: Underdog Podcasts
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About this listen

The Library is your go to podcast to take a deep dive into the relationship rap and hip hop have with language, how rap and hip hop manipulate language, and how rap and hip hop creates their own language. Join hosts DJ Smithsonian, Bosko, and music guests as they share all time top 5 lists, hip hop samples, dissect lyrics, and more.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Horwedel
Music
Episodes
  • Top 5 Instrumentals
    May 24 2025

    Today we're going to the beats! Smithsonian and Bosko debate their top 5 hip-hop instrumentals and what makes for a dope beat.


    In this episode, we talk:

    Jay-Z 'Dynasty'ed' Jay Electronica

    You just gonna say that while Kendrick is dropping Negro spirituals. Can't rap trash on a good beat.

    "Seeing Green" was a missed opportunity

    Investment firms from Vermont suing for copyright infringement.

    Is that Sweet Caroline? I'm snitching

    I'm in my 35+ rec league era of making music.

    Your favorite emcee's gotta go in.

    Condo DJs playing Shook Ones

    I don't think everyone can rap on Grindin

    SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheUnderdog


    0:00 - Pre Show

    0:42 - The Library Intro Theme

    1:18 - Check In

    2:58 - What you bangin?

    10:24 - What makes a beat good/great/valid?

    16:43 - Samples or no samples?

    23:48 - Sample snitching

    32:31 - Introduction to the Top 5

    34:16 - Paid In Full

    37:06 - Last Days (Onyx)

    39:31 - Nas is Like

    41:31 - Shook Ones Pt 2

    47:01 - Slow Jamz

    49:26 - Final Order

    49:56 - Honorable Mentions

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Top 5 Hip Hop Class of 95
    Mar 21 2025

    Was 1995 the best year for hip-hop ever? DJ Smithsonian & Bosko bring back Rello and Cunda to talk about their new show Circle the Block and debate if rap's Class of '95 was better than any other. This episode, everyone gives their INDIVIDUAL Top 5 of their 5 greatest albums from that year.


    SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheUnderdog


    0:00 - 95 Hip Hop

    0:40 - The Library Intro Theme

    1:16 - Intro to Rello & Cunda, Circle the Block

    4:40 - What you bangin?

    9:27 - Tone Loc was in a bunch of sh*t

    15:57 - What is the impact of 1995?

    21:47 - Could any other year beat 1995?

    29:47 - 03 over 95?

    31:42 - Start the Top 5

    1:13:07- Honorable Mentions

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Top 5 Illegally Downloaded Songs
    Mar 7 2025

    DJ Smithsonian and Bosko go back to the days of downloading music from Peer to Peer (P2P) sharing sites like Napster and Lime Wire and list the top 5 songs that needed to be illegally downloaded


    00:00 - A Stack of Blank CDs

    00:24 - The Library Intro Theme

    02:30 - What you bangin?

    03:52 - Topic of discussion: Top 5 Illegal Downloads

    06:17 - Our history of illegal downloads

    11:32 - What albums/artists did NUMBERS

    14:09 - What songs now would go platinum on Lime Wire?

    22:42 - Going into the Top 5, reminder of the rules

    29:47 - Lil Wayne "Sky's the Limit"

    32:02 - 50 Cent "In Da Club"

    33:01 - Dem Franchize Boys "White Tee"

    34:47 - Eastside Chedda Boyz "Oh Boy"

    37:02 - DJ Drama ft. Lil Wayne "Cannon"

    41:30 - Bosko locks in the list

    42:11 - Honorable Mentions

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    51 mins

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