Denaun Porter is best-known as a member of the group D12 – a collective that also featured one of his best friends, a fellow Detroit rapper named Eminem. But Denaun’s real passion has always been for production.

Porter got his start as a beatmaker (after some tips from a young Dilla) with Em’s hard-to-find debut album Infinite, which he produced in its entirety. But as his pal teamed up with Dr. Dre, so did he. Denaun quickly began producing songs for Xzibit, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Busta Rhymes, Rakim, Pharoahe Monch, and lots more.

After the death of fellow D12 member and longtime Eminem hypeman DeShaun “Proof” Holton in 2006, Porter took a break from music. But he’s returned stronger than ever, releasing a brand-new solo EP, Stuff in my Backpack, and taking up his late friend’s hypeman job on top of it.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/119/ for full show notes and comments.

Ms. Jade is a Philadelphia-based rapper who first came to most peoples’ attention as a protege of Timbaland. She, along with other artists including Tweet and Bubba Sparxx, were part of the producer’s Beat Camp collective. Ms. Jade also worked closely with another one of Timbaland’s frequent collaborators, Missy Elliott, appearing on several of Missy’s hits like “Funky Fresh Dressed” and “Slap Slap Slap.”

Shortly after the release of her debut album Girl Interrupted, Jade parted ways with Timbaland and released several mixtapes that showed her rapping with an aggression and power that wasn’t always there during her time in the spotlight. Ms. Jade has released a bunch of recent freestyles, and is finishing up a new album entitled Beautiful Mess.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/159/ for full show notes and comments.

Joe Budden first came to prominence in the mixtape scene of the early 2000s, due to an affiliation with DJ Clue’s Desert Storm crew, which also included Fabolous, the A-Team, and more. His 2003 debut self-titled album yielded a smash hit with “Pump It Up,” but the record’s sales didn’t match expectations, and led to problems between Joe and his label Def Jam - problems that would play out across the rapper’s increasingly popular and well-regarded Mood Muzik mixtape series.

Joe’s introspective, heavily personal style won him a devoted fanbase – one that he reached out to directly via the Internet, well before that became the standard thing to do. He nurtured those fans by continuing to release superb projects like Padded Room, A Loose Quarter, and No Love Lost. But he also expanded into new realms by appearing on the TV shows Love & Hip Hop and Couples Therapy. He has also moved into podcasting with his popular show I’ll Name This Podcast Later.

Joe’s new album, out this coming Friday, October 21st, is a collaboration with the producer AraabMuzik called Rage & the Machine.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/172/ for full show notes and comments.

This is episode 200, and features a return from Kevin Coval. However, since it is our 200th, our producer Josh got Kevin, who’s also a big fan of the show, to turn the tables without us knowing and interview the show’s host Shawn. So if you’ll excuse a little self indulgence here’s the episode 200 with Kevin Coval, Shawn Setaro AND Josh Kross.

Kevin is a poet and educator who is the artistic director of Young Chicago Authors, and the author and editor of a whole bunch of great books. The latest of these is A People’s History of Chicago. The book, true to its title, covers the entire history of the city, while focusing on the experiences and victories of its working people and those struggling for justice. The book’s foreward is by a young artist who has learned a lot from Coval, Chance the Rapper.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/200/ for full show notes and comments.

Evidence first became known to most hip-hop fans as a member of Dilated Peoples. The group, which consists of Ev, Rakaa Iriscience, and the virtuosic DJ Babu, were beloved champions of hip-hop’s underground in the early 2000s.

After a number of successful Dilated projects, Evidence decided to go solo in 2007 with The Weatherman. Since then, he’s continued to release music on his own, with the group, and even with his longtime friend, the producer Alchemist, as the Step Brothers. His latest release is Weather or Not.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/232/ 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 and this is the second of two episodes where you can hear the results. This time, you’ll find conversations with Murs, Nikki Jean, OG Grip, and Evidence. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conclusion of The Cipher’s Soundset special.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/242/ 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

How Welsh National Opera is helping city music students

Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt do the first remote Church podcast. They welcome guest Alder Hampel to the show for the first time. Alder is the owner and coach at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Van Nuys. 

This podcast is brought to you by:

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

Hulu Plus. Visit Huluplus.com/joey for an extended free trial.

Dollar Shave Club. Use promo code CHURCH and get high quality razors sent to your door.

Escapepodtank.com Mention Joey or the Church and get $250 off.

Recorded on 05/04/2014.

Ron Jeremy, Porn Star, Dennis Hof, Owner Of The World Famous Bunny Ranch, and his girlfriend Krissy Summers, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Dean Delray, Comedian and Host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Rudy Sarzo, Musician and Bass Player who has played with, among others, Black Sabbath, White Snake and Quiet Riot joins Dean Delray, Comedian and Host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Texture. Go To texture.com/history to get a free trial for the Texture App. The Texture App gives the use access to hundreds of magazines.

Dean Delray, Comedian and Host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Herb Dean, Professional MMA referee for promotions such as the UFC and Bellator, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Dean Delray, Comedian and Host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Nicolas Gregoriades, a South African jiu jitsu black belt under Roger Gracie and creator of jiujitsubrotherhood.com, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Raanen Bozzio, professional drummer  and son legendary drummer Terry Bozzio, and Dean Delray, Comedian and Host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, join Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Tom Rhodes, a comedian for more than 30 years, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Dominick Polifrone, an undercover agent who worked at both the local and federal levels (for agencies such as the Attorney General's office and the ATF), calls in to talk with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt about how Polifrone gained the trust of and eventually took down "The Iceman," one of the most notorious and feared serial killers and hitmen in history.

Alonzo Bodden, comedian, winner of "Last Comic Standing" season 3, and the host of the "Sharp Tongue Podcast," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Tom Rhodes, a comedian for more than 30 years and the host of the "Tom Rhodes Radio," podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

Tom Rhodes, a touring comedian for more than 30 years and the host of the "Tom Rhodes Radio," podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

Aron Kader, a stand up comedian seen on Comedy Central as a founding member of the "Axis of Evil Comedy Tour," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

The podcast is off this week, but we wanted to share one of our favorite podcasts with the late Ralphie May. Ralphie and Joey were amazing friends for many years, and some of our best podcasts are the ones with Ralphie and Joey. Have a great week, we'll be back soon, and remember to focus on the yellow. 

Love you Ralphie. 

Dean Delray, comedian, actor, and the host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

Alonzo Bodden, comedian, winner of "Last Comic Standing" season 3, and the host of the "Who's Paying Attention?" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Annie Lederman, is a comedian, writer and actor seen on "This Is Not Happening," and as Cheryl in "GTA V," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

As we look towards 2020, we wanted to remember one of the great friends that The Church Family lost in 2019, Mr. Steven Brody Stevens. Brody and Joey met in Seattle when they were both doing open mic comedy, and were friends for more than 20 years. Brody is a favorite on the show, and this is a re-release of Brody's last visit to The Church. Happy New Year from Joey and Lee, we love you and cant wait for an even better year in 2020. 

We love and miss you Brody!

Tom Rhodes, a stand up comedian for more than 30 years and the host of the "Tom Rhodes Radio," podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

Dean Delray, comedian, actor, and the host of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.