The Hit Cycle Podcast
The HitCycle Podcast is a podcast discussing hip-hop and popular music from a baseball player's perspective. Each main episode features a discussion around an influential hip-hop artist using baseball's grading system and scouting tools. If you love music, come chop it up with us for a bit
Episodes
27 episodes
Pinch Hit #8: K Dot vs. Everyone (feat. Jordan Bell)
Kendrick Lamar had a hell of year... why not cap it off with one of the most hyped Super Bowl performances in recent memory? Close friend and frequent guest of HCP Jordan Bell steps in for Bill to chop it up with David about the creative choice...
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Season 2
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30:35
Nelly
Nelly was a mega star in the front half of the early 2000s. He checked just about every achievement an artist could want; accolades, hits, publicity, and even a Superbowl performance (more on that in this episode). It's only right that we take ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:21:26
Foxy Brown
Foxy Brown left her mark on the culture with her visceral delivery, lyrical depth, and immense swagger. She went toe to toe with some of history's best and always shinned. We wanted to do right by the Ill Na Na by showing our love for her contr...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:18:29
Pinch Hit #7: Older and Wiser
Hip-hop and Rap are about 50 years old so it's always been thought of as a young man's game. But some of the forefathers of the culture are still paving the way and showing us how to age and still make incredible contributions to the culture, m...
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Season 2
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21:02
Big Boi
Today we are looking at 1/2 of the legendary Outkast. Big Boi sometimes is the more unsung rapper in Hip-Hop's greatest duo but, is every bit as important to the group's success. His hall of fame career is a huge part of not just southern Hip-H...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:23:21
Pinch Hit #6: February 7th 1974
On February 7th 1974 - Two of the greatest Hip-Hop producers were born on opposite sides of the planet. One in Detroit, one in Japan. Both masters and architects of what we would see transform into the Lo-Fi sound. On this Pinch Hit, we show lo...
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Season 2
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38:36
Slum Village
On this episode, the HCP takes its first trip to Detroit to look at Slum Village, one of the most unique hip-hop groups in the culture's history. They are masters of that signature lo-fi sound that producer/group member J-Dilla helped pioneer. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:21:16
Pinch Hit #5: James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is one of the great actors in history. With his recent passing we wanted to make sure we paid our respects and celebrated his life, skills, and contribution to baseball given his roles in Field of Dreams and The Sandlot. Join u...
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Season 2
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32:44
Big L
Today we go to Harlem and pay homage to one of the borough's finest. Big L is one of the biggest 'what if' or 'if only' cases in Hip-Hop history as he died tragically at the age of 24. One of the funniest but most cutthroat emcees of all time. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:23:32
Pinch Hit #4: Big Tigg & Rap City
We're paying homage to one of the most important shows/segments in the early stages of Modern Hip-Hop. Rap City and it's most well known host, Darian 'Big Tigger' Morgan helped expand the notoriety of some of rap's giants. Take some time and he...
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Season 2
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28:50
Ying Yang Twins
We go back to early 2000s ATL to discuss one of the most unique and high energy groups in modern Hip-Hop. The Ying Yang twins carved their space in the Crunk era and stamped the time with undeniable club bangers. This listen was the maybe the m...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:04:50
Pinch Hit #3: Adlibs (bow bow bow)
There's an endless list of 'em....Every rapper today has at least one that seems pre-loaded in their arsenal. In this Pinch Hit, we're talking Adlibs. Here's some of our favorites. Enjoy.
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Season 2
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14:13
Pinch Hit #2: What are Pinch Hit Episodes?
Our final table setting before we get into the game here. Every few weeks we evaluate a prospect, but in-between those episodes, we wanted to use Pinch Hits to take a look at topics, events, anniversaries, or stories from Hip-Hop & Rap over...
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Season 2
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5:09
E-40
One of the Yay-area's finest; and an emcee whos' style, personality, and lingo are foundational to Hip-Hop. We're leading off our first official season strong with the legend himself; E-40. Enjoy
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:10:17
Pinch Hit #1: What is the Hit Cycle Podcast?
This is the Rosetta Stone of how we built the idea for this podcast. We encourage you to listen to this first so you get the full breakdown of how we took a new approach to talking about music. Enjoy!
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Season 2
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13:25
HCP: The Minor Leagues - Season Finale
Pro sports have a draft every year...so we had a draft. Let's see who put out the best lineup as we wrap up The Minor Leagues. We appreciate any and all listeners through this unofficial official season 1 of the HCP. We'll be back in Season 2 w...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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47:18
HCP: The Minor Leagues - Queen Latifah
The final prospect in our Minor League season is the one and only Queen Latifah. Inarguably one of the most important emcees of all time who transcended beyond music into global stardom. Let's dive in and see how she stacks up in our grad...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:21:03
HCP: The Minor Leagues - Ludacris
Before the 10 (and counting?) Fast & Furious movies, Ludacris had one of the most interesting visual and sonic styles in Hip-Hop. This listen through was pretty nostalgic and Bill might have had rose tinted glasses on his grades. Let's talk...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:18:32
HCP: The Minor Leagues - UGK
UGK is the first ever group we evaluated on the HCP so we had to call in back up. Our good friend, southern Hip-Hop savant, and UGK historian Seth Goldman joins us to discuss the immortal Pimp C and Bun B.
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:34:48
HCP: The Minor Leagues - All Star Break
We took some time to correct some mistakes and get a little better at this podcasting thing. Also, I think this is the episode where we officially named the podcast? Look how far we've come. Happy listening
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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2:01:22
HCP: The Minor Leagues - Too $hort
One of the west coast's finest. Also, the episode that is probably going to get Bill banished from Oakland because of some of his grades. Forgive him because it's all love. Happy hunting
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:21:03
HCP: The Minor Leagues - Slick Rick
Slick Rick is maybe the single most influential rapper when it comes to storytelling. He was before our time so we brought in our good friend and hip-hip historian, Shau B to discuss the legendary emcee. We hope you enjoy hearing three voices i...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:49:54
HCP: The Minor Leagues - T-Pain
T-Pain doesn't fit the mold of a traditional emcee but his influence on hip-hop and popular music is undeniable. Naturally, we dove in and had a nostalgic listen through of one of the most interesting and polarizing artists ever. Happy hunting&...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:30:42
HCP: The Minor Leagues - Lil Kim
Lil Kim is one of the most notable women in hip-hop and so, we had to show our love. This was the HCP's first look into a female emcee. Her music is as great as we remember. Enjoy
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:19:36
HCP: The Minor Leagues - MF DOOM
MF DOOM is another favorite artist of ours. We weren't going to talk about him originally because we felt his contributions to hip hop speak for themselves but when he passed, we wanted to honor his memory. Rest well DOOM. Thanks for everything...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:12:34
