In this episode, the pod sits down to break down the definitive list of the Top 25 Rap Albums of 2025. We talk everything from the return of legendary New York icons and high-stakes sequels to the independent grinders and Southern heavyweights who owned the year. Our producer Wolf steps from behind the camera to join the pod, bringing a fresh perspective as we debate which projects actually had the most impact on the culture and tell some legendary stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Timestamps:   0:00 Intro 3:38 DQM Awards Announcement 4:20 YFN Lucci - Already Legend 5:23 Vinnie Paz - God Sent Vengeance 8:04 Mobb Deep - Infinite 10:30 Black Milk - Food From the Gods 12:24 Monaleo - Who Did the Body 16:48 NBA YoungBoy - MASA 18:19 Errol Holden - Mulberry Silk Road 22:21 $ome $exy $ongs 4 U - PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake 24:46 A Futuristic Summa - Metro Boomin 27:07 The Game - Every Movie Needs a Trailer 29:01 Deante' Hitchcock - Good Things Take Time 30:17 Eli Goes Kanye! (Vzn Szn) 32:44 Wale - everything is a lot. 37:49 Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele 2 40:31 Key Glock - Glockaveli 43:19 Starlito and Don Trip - Step Brothers 4 Life 48:08 Conway the Machine - You Can't Kill God With Bullets 53:34 JID - God Does Like Ugly 58:52 Raekwon - The Emperor's New Clothes 1:03:56 Freddie Gibbs - Alfredo 2 1:08:09 Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp 1:15:50 Honorable Mentions 1:23:18 Outro

In this episode, the pod sits down with Robin Nathaniel, award-winning social media strategist, TEDx Speaker, and author of Social Media SYNC. He talks everything from his incredible career pivot from a hip-hop producer to a thought leader, the value of Hip Hop Creating Discipline, and living by his motto, "Connect. Create. Contribute." We chop it up about the truth behind the famous story of living with Wu-Tang Clan member Cappadonna, the mindset of getting "Mud on Your Boots," and the biggest mistakes people make with social media (and how to fix them with his SYNC Method). Plus, we settle the infamous All-Time NBA Fantasy Draft and GOAT debate! This is a legendary conversation about music, career, strategy, and basketball that you won’t hear anywhere else. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 4:30 Pivoting from Rap to Producing 9:33 Connect, Create, Contribute 13:00 Hip Hop Creating Discipline 15:45 “Do What You Are” 20:00 Social Media Advice 28:30 Ted Talks 32:20 Greatest NBA Player Argument 47:25 All-Time NBA Fantasy Draft 55:55 “Mud on Your Boots” 1:03:53 Unpopular Hip Hop Opinions 1:07:35 End of the Weak 1:09:58 What’s Next 1:13:01 Trivia

MJ and Wolf hold down the south and name their most underrated rap albums. #south #rap #podcast

In this episode, the pod sits down with Rockness Monsta (of Heltah Skeltah and Boot Camp Clik fame). He talks everything from the Duck Down backstory to the infamous beef with Mystikal, the legendary partnership with Sean Price, going solo on the West Coast, and his take on the top albums of 1996. We chop it up about the truth behind the Biggie beef, the infamous Coconut Building Incident, the history of The Decepticons, and tell some legendary rap stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode, the Don't Quote Me crew puts an end to the culture-defining debate: What are the Greatest Rap Albums from Every Region, All-Time? We dive deep into the classic, career-defining projects and break down the albums that truly solidified the sound of the East Coast, West Coast, The South, and The Midwest.   The debate is raw and unfiltered as the panel goes through album-by-album, settling the score on which projects deserve the ultimate crown. We debate the lasting impact of projects like Tupac’s The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, the revolutionary sound of Outkast’s ATLiens, the unforgettable trap blueprint of Jeezy’s Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, and whether Eminem’s classic The Slim Shady LP or Marshall Mathers LP reigns supreme in the Midwest. The conversation culminates in a heated battle for the New York throne, pitting Biggie’s legendary Life After Death against Nas’s resurgence on Stillmatic and Raekwon’s masterpiece, The Purple Tape.   If you're a fan of hip hop history, classic albums, or just love a good heated debate about the culture, this episode is a must-watch. Get your list ready!   Timestamps   0:00 Intro 00:53 Don Killuminati: 1:25 Yellow Album 4:35 Slim Shady LP 9:24 Marshall Mathers LP 16:09 Donuts 22:53 Country Grammar 31:38 Thug Motivation 101 41:11 Mista Don’t Play 45:25 ATLiens 54:18 Chopper City In the Ghetto 1:03:21 Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ 1:13:21 Stillmatic 1:17:57 The Purple Tape 1:29:44 Life After Death

In this episode, the pod sits down with New York business legend, author and brand expert Steve Canal. He talks everything from his high school ball days in Brooklyn to co-founding ONE Musicfest, marrying a WNBA star, the business lessons he’s picked up along the way, and the top street ballers of all-time.  We chop it up about how Steve brought Tommy Hilfiger to Rucker Park, Corporate America vs entrepreneurship, and tell some legendary rap and basketball stories you won’t hear anywhere else.   Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 4:13 Book 6:14 HS Ball in Brooklyn 09:58 Tommy Hilfiger 17:33 Street Ball 26:42 Corporate vs Entrepreneurship 30:56 The Money vs The People 37:08 Importance of a Wife 39:58 Fear of Success 44:22 Marrying WNBA Player 50:37 Business vs Faith 59:45 ONE Musicfest 1:05:52 Great Rap Business Deals 1:09:42 Bad Business 1:13:14 Trivia 1:40:31 Outro

Atlanta’s own Cyhi The Prynce pulls up for a legendary conversation. He opens up about his relationship with Kanye West, tells the wild story of getting locked up with Jagged Edge, and explains why he’s still ready to battle rap on URL. From his No Dope on Sundays era to GOOD Music, Cyhi shares untold stories, industry gems, and his unfiltered take on hip-hop today.

MJ, PC and Drect recap one of the most aniticapted battles ever.

Aak Samson of the Tappin' In podcast joins Drect, Mj and Eli to discuss the mega fight fans have been waiting to see

Kinfolk Kia Shine joins the Don’t Quote Me Podcast for an unforgettable episode packed with history, game, and never-before-heard stories. From the rise of Memphis music and landing publishing deals to writing Drake’s biggest record, exploring fatherhood, making moves in Hollywood, and even meeting The Rock, this episode is a ride through hip-hop culture you don’t want to miss.   Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 02:23 Cast Intros 05:21 Memphis Music History 10:10 Starting in the Industry 17:27 Rain’s Jay-Z Story 23:30 Publishing Deal 25:18 TVT Deal 29:37 Chitlin Circuit 31:58 Swag Rap 39:00 Jim Jones Story 44:52 Crispy 52:17 Chris Lighty & Business 56:51 Starting a Label in 2025 1:05:59 Writing Drake’s Biggest Song 1:20:04 Glorilla + Hustle & Flow 1:21:58 Pivoting to Movies 1:37:17 Raising Child with Autism 1:53:13 Meeting The Rock 1:55:44 Jelly Roll 1:57:52 The Craziest Story 2:08:08 Memphis Bleek Trivia

In this episode, Rum Nitty and Danny Myers pull up to Don’t Quote Me for one of the wildest episodes yet. From breaking down punchlines and battle prep to addressing ghostwriting allegations, nothing is off limits. Danny talks about battling The Game, Papoose, Drag-On, SAS, and Lady Luck PLUS the crazy night he ended up sleeping in Central Park. Rum Nitty shares his hardest opponents, his influences, and why E.F.B. is more than just a slogan. We also debate A.I., break down their toughest opponents and Top 5 emcees of all-time.   If you’re a fan of battle rap history, hip hop culture, or just classic storytelling, this episode is a must-watch.   Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:38 Rum Nitty’s Punchlines 5:33 Writer’s Block 8:18 Rum Nitty vs Danny Myers 12:55 Battle Preparation 15:40 Hardest Opponents 20:21 Danny Ghostwriting Allegations 27:08 A.I. 31:33 Danny vs The Game 33:36 Danny vs New York City 38:50 Danny vs Drag-On 45:48 Danny vs Papoose 48:15 Every F****** Bar (E.F.B.) 51:44: Top 5 Emcees

Boxing and MMA coach Aak Samson of the Tappin' In Podcast (with UFC fighter Philip Rowe) joins Don’t Quote Me to break down the Raja Jackson wrestling assault, offering expert analysis from a combat sports perspective while defending the stance that this incident should not be blamed on Black America, but instead highlights deeper issues with media narratives and business interests.

In this episode, battle rap legend Murda Mook sits down to talk about some of the biggest moments of his career and his life. From breaking down classic battles with Loaded Lux, Jae Millz, and Serius Jones, to speaking on almost-battles with French Montana and Drake, Mook keeps it raw and unfiltered.   He also opens up on a personal level about quitting alcohol, losing his mother, and how those experiences shaped the man he is today. Known as the “Jordan of Battle Rap,” Mook reflects on his legacy, Dot Mob, underrated rappers, and even gives us his Top 5 MCs of all-time.   If you’re a fan of hip hop, battle rap history, or just want to hear a legend speak his truth, this episode is a must-watch.   Timestamps:   0:00 Intro 4:17 Mook vs Detroit 6:36 Jordan of Battle Rap 14:00 Party Arty Battle 16:06 Jae Millz Battle 22:46 Loaded Lux Battle 28:19 Serius Jones Battle 33:11 Mook vs Drake 42:20 Quitting Alcohol 47:33 Losing Mother 52:19 Longest Round 57:40 Dot Mob 1:01:20 Underrated Rappers 1:08:49 Mook vs French Montana 1:12:36 World Series of Hip Hop 01:15:20 Du Rag The Old Murda 1:21:21 Top 5 Emcees

Queens rapper Kyah Baby joins DQM for a powerful conversation about her journey through life and music. She opens up about her time in prison, shares her perspective on NY rap politics, the changing Queens sound, and the challenges of going indie vs. signing a record deal. We also dive into ghostwriting, authenticity in hip-hop, and her new project - including the story behind her remake of “Missing You” with R&B legend Case.   Timestamps   0:00 Intro 4:58 Rapping + Working 8:16 Playing Ball + WNBA 14:28 NY Politics 16:38 NY sound changing 18:41 Queens is mysterious 21:56 Indie vs Record Deal 23:45 Ghostwriting 30:14 Lying in your Raps 33:44 The Hair 39:06 Going to Prison 48:24 Song with Case 51:50 New Project 6:08 Trivia

What’s it like to grow up with Jay-Z as your uncle… and then build your own legacy in the music industry? In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Rel Carter - Roc Nation’s Director of Artist Partnerships (and JAY-Z’s nephew) for an unfiltered conversation about the state of A&Rs, navigating the industry without relying on family ties, Roc Nation’s roster, and hip-hop culture at large. From Clipse at Roc Nation to J. Cole, Solo Funds, and his take on battle rap matchups like Twork vs. Lux, Rel shares stories, industry insight, and even gives us his thoughts on whether or not Jay-Z will ever rap again. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:59 Cast 4:06 Are A&Rs Extinct? 9:16 Not Relying on Jay-Z 11:50 Roc Nation Managment 14:33 Solo Funds 17:39 Clipse Roc Nation 20:18 What Celebs Made You Fan Out 32:52 JAY-Z IS YOUR UNCLE 35:29 Roc Nation Rumors 37:38 J. Cole 39:06 Video Games 44:27 Battle Rap 49:46 Twork vs Lux 1:02:04 Industry Rappers Battling 1:05:29 Ghostwriters 1:12:46 Will Jay Rap Again? 1:13:28 Trivia

In this episode, legendary New Orleans rapper 3D Na’Tee sits down with the pod to discuss the ins and outs of the music industry and her deep family history.

Executive Producer for Ray Daniels Presents, Jack Danz joins the pod to talk about the viral Nas vs Jim Jones moment and start an Atlanta Mt. Rushmore argument that had the pod going crazy!

The pod sits down with legendary rapper CL Smooth to discuss his career, relationships and perspective on rap’s current events.

In this episode, the winner of season 2 of Netflix’s hit show Rhythm + Flow, DreTL joins the pod!  We speak about his journey being an overnight rap sensation, UK legend Skepta calling out all US rappers and the top 30 rappers under 30.

DreTL joins the pod to break down the newest project from the legendary rap group.