Ron is a producer who is best known for his time as part of Bad Boy Records’ Hitmen production collective. Ron teamed up with Deric “D Dot” Angelettie, Diddy, Stevie J, and Nashiem Myrick to create iconic hits for Biggie, Mase, Diddy, Faith Evans, Mary J Blige, The Lox, and many more. After that run ended, Ron made beats for the likes of Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross.

Ron is also a hip-hop historian and documentarian, and has made several films dealing with unjustly ignored aspects of hip-hop’s history. Most notable among these is the documentary Founding Fathers, which deals with the mobile DJ scene of the 1970s in Brooklyn and Queens. Any fan of the genre needs to see the movie in order to understand that there was a lot more to DJing in that era than just what was happening in the Bronx.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/207/ for full show notes and comments.

Welcome to a special episode of The Cipher. This is an episode dedicated to Houston. Like countless people around the world, we were devastated by news of Hurricane Harvey and its effects on the city. If you’re a regular listener, you’ve noticed that we have many episodes discussing Houston music and culture with the city’s artists, businesspeople, and authors.

So, because of that love for Houston’s music, culture, and most of all its people, we decided to reach out to three H-town rap legends and find out what’s really going on in the storm and its aftermath, and to find out what you can do to help. We caught up by phone with Trae tha Truth, Killa Kyleon, and Z-Ro. All three have been involved in recovery efforts —in fact, you may have seen Trae on the news, rescuing people by boat. And all three have seen first-hand the devastation the storm has caused.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/213/ for full show notes and comments.

Sage Francis and B. Dolan are both from Providence, are both rappers who have roots in spoken word, have toured and sporadically recorded together for years, and even share a label—the Sage-founded Strange Famous Records. But it has taken them until 2018 to release a full project as a duo: the Epic Beard Men.

Sage is a beloved underground rap veteran who has been releasing albums of his smart, introspective, and emotional music consistently since 2002, and touring the universe maniacally to support them—all while running Strange Famous. B. Dolan is an equally talented wordsmith whose solo work is as likely to give new life to old union hymn as it is to pay tribute to the Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The group has a new EP, Season 1, and an album on the way.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/234/ for full show notes and comments.

Soundset is a festival in the Minneapolis area put on by the Rhymesayers label. It’s been running since 2008, and has grown from a show in a warehouse to a day-long outdoor event featuring some of music’s biggest acts.

This past May, we went to the festival to hang out and talk to the performers, and on this episode and the next one, you’ll hear the results. This time, you’ll find conversations with Rapsody, Grieves, K-Salaam, Sa-Roc, and Prof. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the first half of The Cipher’s Soundset special.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/241/ for full show notes and comments.

K-Salaam is a producer and DJ who, both by himself and with his production partner Beatnick, has made beats for some of your favorite artists. A short, by no means complete list includes Nas, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Murs, Bun B, Sizzla, and Young Buck.

K-Salaam got his start in Minneapolis, where he was an integral part of the early years of the Rhymesayers label. He DJ’d for many of the label’s acts, as well as for their signature radio show. In recent years, he and Beatnick also worked extensively with Ms. Lauryn Hill, and even had one of their tracks featured in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/246/ for full show notes and comments.

Leaders from some of Europe’s largest companies will be gathering in Birmingham to discuss the role that open innovation and collaboration can play in boosting the economy

Financial advisers from across the West Midlands attended a course on auto enrolment yesterday – the new regime for workplace pensions that has begun to roll out.

Richard Lutz remembers Mike Wakelam, a major force in medical research who died suddenly of a suspected Covid-19 infection.

Joey Fillato, Friend of Joey and Big Al, Former Criminal who was working at the same time as Joey F and Joey Diaz call into the podcast to Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt.

This podcast is brought to you by:

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Recorded live on 07/13/15

Music: 

For The Love OF Money - The O'Jays

Wanna Be Around - Tony Bennet

Anjelah Johnson, Comedian, whose comedy special "Not Fancy," is on Netflix, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Ray Cannella, Head Of Programming for Screambox, a horror film subscription site, calls into Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt.

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Brian Scolaro, Comedian and the Host of the "This Is My Podcast" podcast," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

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Andrew Dice Clay, legendary comedian and actor and Eleanor Kerrigan, amazing Comedian seen on "Andrew Dice Clay Presents: The Blue Show" joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio. 

This podcast is brought to you by:

 Onnit.com. Use Promo code CHURCH for a 10% discount at checkout.

Bonnie McFarlane, a stand up comedian seen on "Last Comic Standing" and heard as the co-host of the "My Wife Hates me" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

Vladimir Caamaño, a comedian and actor seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio!

Andrew 'Dice' Clay, an iconic stand up comedian and actor seen most recently in "A Star is Born," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio. 

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Carlos Alazraqui, is a stand up comedian and actor seen in (among countless other projects) "Reno 911," "Rocko's Modern Life," and as the voice of the Taco Bell Dog, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

Joey Diaz talks about how you have to be able to adapt. The Corona virus has made the next couple of months hard for a lot of people. Save your money, take care of yourselves, and be smart. We will come out of this stronger than ever!

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Our writers pick songs they want to hear, banish five they never want to hear again and try to find worthy solo Jagger and Richards tracks. Continue reading…

A stroke of luck made the rocker's instrumental track "Sirius" one of the most recognizable intro songs in sports history. Continue reading…

The body, which has not yet been identified, was discovered around 8am yesterday (Thursday 4) in the Birmingham & Fazeley canal near Tyburn Road junction with Wheelwright Road, Erdington.

Our recent story about proposed developments at Acocks Green has drawn a reply from local campaigner Julie Larden

Will Mapplebeck, a Tyneside political commentator, reports on the outflow from the election.

Dave Woodhall talks to Andy Fraser, bass player with Free and inadvertent seller of blockbuster films.

Acting legend to perform at local venue.

Richard Lutz chews his pew over Hot Rats at Birmingham Town Hall.

Richard Lutz takes his pew for a barnstorming night of Celtic connections.

Help organised for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Support some of the most vulnerable in society with urgent COVD-19 appeal.

Andre’a: The youth worker helping future generations step back from a life of crime.

Festive season all wrapped up at prestige venue.

Disabled access guide hails Birmingham tourist attraction.

A two week celebration of theatre will highlight the best of West Midlands’ creativity this March.

First stage adaptation of Robert Burton’s 1,500 page “first self help manual” published in 1621

Tony Fitzpatrick reports from north of the border on Brexit and a sense of loss.

New report reveals thousands of transport manufacturing jobs at risk from a hard Brexit.

First-year theatre students create online DIY drama classes for parents and children.

Birmingham voted best regional business tourism destination.

Augmented reality used to bring the stories behind the portraits to life.