After a lengthy hiatus, the original Blerd Radio team is back with a tasty podcast that discusses the impact of the Native Tongues crew: specifically A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.

Among the many sub-topics discussed by Big Money, Dr. Z, Michael Cunningham & Michael Parr are:

An appearance by the God Rakim Allah at a local strip club/music venue in Pittsburgh, which makes the panel question the appearance of Pittsburgh natives Dr. Z & Cunningham on the podcast (when they could be rocking with Ra.)

This podcast was recorded on the birthday of the great Johnny Gill, leading to a story about how Cunningham rubbed some female karaoke patrons the right way.

Why are we doing this podcast in the first place? A rundown of the achievements (mostly unheralded) of the Native Tongues.

Were De La, Tribe and the others too complicated for middle America? Or does the general populace only like seeing their rappers of the cartoonish gangsta variety?

The Tongues influence spreads wide and includes the introduction of jazz into the hip-hop ouevre, the proliferation of the posse cut, and the popularization of the (somewhat dreaded) hip-hop skit.

We give props to the Jungle (the Jungle) the Brothers (the Brothers)

“Beats, Rhymes & Life” (the album)-classic? Or not?

Did Consequence break A Tribe Called Quest?

We discuss “Beats, Rhymes & Life” the movie: along with how its depiction of the group changed our views of their legacy.

“Low End Theory” vs. “Midnight Marauders”

“3 Feet HIgh And Rising” vs. “De La Soul Is Dead”

and finally…De La vs. Tribe

Feel free to listen in the player below, or check us out on LibSyn or iTunes.

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