The SoundCentric Podcast

In this episode of Soundcentric, host Adam Dash sits down with Gabe P, the founder of On The Radar, to break down how one freestyle platform grew into a global cultural force. Gabe dives into the importance of freestyles as hip-hop education, how artists are actually discovered and selected, and what separates those who capitalize on their moment from those who waste it. The conversation explores the business behind viral freestyles, the role of the internet and memes in breaking artists, and how On The Radar built trust with artists while expanding worldwide. A must-listen for rap fans, creators, and anyone curious about how culture, creativity, and strategy intersect in today’s music industry.   Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 - intro 00:02:15 - How Gabe feels having made a new cultural landmark within hip-hop 00:04:45 - Using the color green in all OTR branding and other people copying it    00:05:45 - How Gabe decided to format OTR to differentiate from Sway, Funk Flex, and other freestyle shows 00:07:45 - Some of the hardest OTR’s to record 00:09:20 - The importance of freestyles for hip-hop 00:16:00 - Do people pay to get on OTR? 00:17:45 - Why Gabe decided to release the freestyles on DSPs? 00:21:00 - Why Gabe has more than just rap artists and American artists on OTR 00:23:00 - How artists can capitalize on their moment after appearing on OTR 00:29:45 - Does OTR allow artists to rap on famous beats 00:31:20 - The OTR X Kai Cenat linkup 00:38:00 - How artists get on OTR and the importance of artists being visible online 00:42:40 - Tips for artists  00:45:00 -  Gabe’s dream freestyle cypher 00:49:00 -How Gabe has time to listen to new artists 00:52:00 - Who we are listening to right now 00:54:00 - Closing thoughts      

In this SoundCentric episode, Adam and Trent Josiah dive into the nuts and bolts of booking shows—from organic connections and managers to why timing and having your “ducks in a row” matters—then geek out on live performance, swapping best-ever concert memories (J. Cole, Kendrick, Little Brother) and why leaving everything on stage beats being too cool to perform; they also debate the greatest rap voices (ODB, 2Pac, Chance, JAY-Z, J. Cole), celebrate the comeback of freestyles (On The Radar, Hot 97, Funk Flex moments), and unpack the power of tight artist-producer chemistry in building a signature sound.   Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:30 - How do rising artists actually get shows booked 00:02:45 - Making connections with other artists 00:04:30 - How Trent found his manager and built his team 00:06:30 - Making the decision to move from North Carolina to LA for music 00:12:30 - What is the LA scene actually like 00:15:45 - the important of concerts, live events, and making a community 00:18:30 - Our favorite concerts ever 00:23:20 - Why Outkast means more to people in the south 00:27:00 - The greatest rap voices ever 00:30:50 - The resurgence of freestyles in hip-hop with Kai x OTR 00:33:40 - Best freestyles of all time 00:37:00 - the benefit of linking up with one producer  

In this episode of the SoundCentric Podcast, Adam sits down with Hadji Gaviota for a deep dive into the realities of touring as an independent artist. Fresh off his cross-country run on “The Blind Tour” with Damag3 and Rob Apollo, Hadji breaks down the grind behind the scenes — from sleeping on couches and eating gas-station meals to discovering how to actually make money on the road. The two unpack the economics of merch, the creative strategies behind tour budgeting, and the lessons learned from performing 13 shows in three weeks. Beyond the financials, Hadji reflects on the emotional highs of meeting fans in person and the importance of building an authentic live presence. This conversation paints a full picture of the unglamorous but rewarding hustle of modern touring — a must-listen for any rising artist trying to hit the road the right way.   Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:30 - What it’s actually ike to be an opener on a nation wide tour 00:06:00 - How artists make money on touring and the importance of having good merch 00:12:00 - A quick Kanye tangent and the importance of humor in hip-hop 00:17:15 - The reality of touring 00:20:30 - Hadji’s pre-show ritual 00:25:15 - Our favorite openers of all time and what makes a great opener 00:29:30 - The issue with artists who don’t have easy to search names 00:37:00 - What its like rapping on On the Radar and how artists can standout in their marketing 00:43:15 - How Hadji formed Elmjack and why they decided to have their dads act as the lead artists 00:51:00 - Closing thoughts  

In this episode, I hosted my very first live SoundCentric podcast out of a secret New York City location with none other than Baton Rouge’s own Quadry. We dove deep into his project Ask A Magnolia and the new “Complete Series” expansion, unpacking how the leftover tracks still help tell the full story. We talked about album length, cover art, and what it means to compete for people’s attention in today’s music landscape. From there, the conversation expanded into creativity and taste—why confidence and quick decision-making separate great artists, how interpolation pays homage to hip-hop’s roots, and the responsibility of passing down culture to the next generation. Quadry also broke down his use of symbolism, like painting the American flag on his face, and shared his perspective on making political statements through art. We explored everything from fan bases and industry narratives, to J. Cole vs. Kendrick debates, to whether rappers should need a “license” to make music. Quadry even told a wild story about meeting Frank Ocean and the advice he got on performing. Toward the end, we swapped our personal “Mount Rushmore” of first-listen album experiences, celebrated the humor that makes the best MCs stand out, and teased what’s next from Quadry as he gears up for season two of his series. Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:00 - The release of new tape “A Magnolia: The Complete Series” and inspiration to drop unreleased music from “Ask A Magnolia” 00:04:00 - Competing for attention on social media timelines and our ideal album run times 00:06:00 - The importance of artists being confident in their taste 00:08:40 - The importance of sampling and interpolating in hip-hop and how it educates the youth 00:15:00 - Quadry’s use of the American flag throughout his visuals and lyrics 00:18:50 - Artists who have mastered songs that have deeper meanings that are catchy 00:20:20 - The difference between surface level artists and one’s with a real  point of view 00:21:50 - Quadry’s love for storytelling in rap 00:24:40 - Artitsts who are mad about who their fanbases are 00:30:00 - Excitement that the Drake and Kendrick beef actually happened 00:31:20 - What it means to really love hip-hop 00:36:50 - Quadry’s story of meeting Frank Ocean and getting performance advice 00:42:20 - Our favorite first listening experiences ever? 00:46:00 - Closing thoughts 00:47:30 - Why the best rappers are funny

This week, I sat down with Elsie for her third appearance on the pod—one of my favorite recurring guests and one of the most thoughtful voices in music journalism. We dive deep into the state of hip-hop right now, breaking down albums from JID, Freddie Gibbs, Clipse, and Tyler, the Creator. We talk about what makes a live performance unforgettable, how rollouts have evolved in the streaming era, and the difference between artists who rap and artists who build worlds. Toward the end, we share our Mount Rushmore of songs we wish we could’ve been in the studio for while they were being made. If you're a rap nerd like us, this one's for you.   Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 - Intro  00:01:20 – Planning Interviews: Editing, Deadlines & Team Dynamics 00:03:50 – AI in the Creative Process: Elsie & Adam’s Honest Take 00:05:20 – Why This Might Be a Legendary Year for Hip-Hop 00:06:50 – JID’s $1 Show & Elsie’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience 00:09:35 – What Makes JID One of the Best Live Performers 00:11:20 – The Strategy Behind Dreamville’s Fan-First Shows 00:13:00 – JID's Tracklist Roulette: Fans Pick the Setlist 00:14:25 – Alfredo 2 vs. Alfredo 1: Expectations vs. Reality 00:16:40 – Breaking Down Tyler’s Surprise Drop 00:19:20 – Is Tyler Singing Too Much? The Kanye Comparison 00:21:50 – The Case for Chromakopia: Elsie’s Favorite Tyler Moments 00:24:20 – Clipse Are Back! New Album Breakdown 00:26:40 – Minimalist Beats, Maximal Bars: Pharrell’s Production Choices 00:28:20 – Why Clipse Should Win Rap Album of the Year 00:30:20 – Rollouts That Work: Short and Loud vs. Long and Layered 00:34:05 – The Problem with Album Teases in 2025 00:35:50 – Where Are the New Stars? Why the New Guard Isn’t Breaking Through 00:37:20 – Building Stars: Performance, Worldbuilding, & Visuals 00:39:20 – Hooks Matter: The Secret to Mainstream Success 00:41:20 – The Power of Great Choruses in Hip-Hop 00:43:35 – Rising Artists to Watch: Q, Suave, Marco Plus & More 00:46:20 – Female Artists Leading the Charge: Sailorrr, Samara, Doechii 00:48:20 – Jordan Ward’s Breakout Potential 00:50:05 – Mount Rushmore of Studio Sessions We Wish We Saw 00:53:05 – Mac Miller, Kendrick, Anderson .Paak & Frank Ocean Moments 00:57:20 – Final Reflections: The Magic of Rap Nerds in the Studio 00:58:35 – Elsie’s Outro & What’s Next for Her