Episode 372: "2025 Wrap-Up”
This week on @RoadPodcast we're joined by @Kazi, @Shwcase and @DJMarcoPenta to close out 2025 with a full wrap up of what actually mattered this year, breaking down Top 5 Club Bangers before diving into why songs are taking longer to connect, the lack of label support, and whether release dates should move back to Tuesdays so audiences can learn records before the weekend (14:13). The crew gives @Kehlani her flowers and talks about the success of “Folded” (19:33), then unpacks how rappers who once made club hits are now making gym or car music, GRWM and ‘vibey’ records, why “Whim Whammiee” feels like a novelty song, and how labels treat these tracks like penny stocks for quick money (31:10). A standout conversation follows on whether NYC DJs play edits or originals, genre flexibility in New York and what actually makes an edit better than the original (41:08). This leads into the Top 5 Edits (41:20) and a discussion on edit oversaturation after viral moments and why DJs lean on edits before developing their own style (51:32). The crew then reveals their Top 5 Editors of 2025 (1:23:01) and moves into Top 3 Overrated Tracks (1:39:40). The episode continues with Top 3 Artists (2:01:01), a wider Top Artists of 2025 conversation featuring Bad Bunny jokes, Drake talk, Beyonce’s unmatched versatility for DJs, and why legacy artists remain essential in 2025, ending with Crooked’s top three (2:18:03). They also cover Top 3 Back in Rotation (2:16:01), Crooked’s stories from @Moochie’s party at @RecordRoom in New York and why it stood out (2:47:00), Top Live DJ Sets (2:33:01), Favorite Moments from the year (2:53:01), and the most valuable lessons learned heading into 2026 (3:03:01).
This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and community located in downtown Manhattan for aspiring DJ’s, Producers, Musicians and more. Take private Ableton lessons, practice DJ routines, experiment with different audio equipment and reserve studio spaces for just the day, maybe a week or sign up for their monthly membership. Check www.soundcollective.com for more info and try their Online Classes free for a month by entering the code “ROAD”. If you’re in the New York area, visit them at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 and tell them the Road Podcast sent you!!
Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p
Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX
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Episode 372: "2025 Wrap-Up”
This week on @RoadPodcast we're joined by @Kazi, @Shwcase and @DJMarcoPenta to close out 2025 with a full wrap up of what actually mattered this year, breaking down Top 5 Club Bangers before diving into why songs are taking longer to connect, the lack of label support, and whether release dates should move back to Tuesdays so audiences can learn records before the weekend (14:13). The crew gives @Kehlani her flowers and talks about the success of “Folded” (19:33), then unpacks how rappers who once made club hits are now making gym or car music, GRWM and ‘vibey’ records, why “Whim Whammiee” feels like a novelty song, and how labels treat these tracks like penny stocks for quick money (31:10). A standout conversation follows on whether NYC DJs play edits or originals, genre flexibility in New York and what actually makes an edit better than the original (41:08). This leads into the Top 5 Edits (41:20) and a discussion on edit oversaturation after viral moments and why DJs lean on edits before developing their own style (51:32). The crew then reveals their Top 5 Editors of 2025 (1:23:01) and moves into Top 3 Overrated Tracks (1:39:40). The episode continues with Top 3 Artists (2:01:01), a wider Top Artists of 2025 conversation featuring Bad Bunny jokes, Drake talk, Beyonce’s unmatched versatility for DJs, and why legacy artists remain essential in 2025, ending with Crooked’s top three (2:18:03). They also cover Top 3 Back in Rotation (2:16:01), Crooked’s stories from @Moochie’s party at @RecordRoom in New York and why it stood out (2:47:00), Top Live DJ Sets (2:33:01), Favorite Moments from the year (2:53:01), and the most valuable lessons learned heading into 2026 (3:03:01).
This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and community located in downtown Manhattan for aspiring DJ’s, Producers, Musicians and more. Take private Ableton lessons, practice DJ routines, experiment with different audio equipment and reserve studio spaces for just the day, maybe a week or sign up for their monthly membership. Check www.soundcollective.com for more info and try their Online Classes free for a month by entering the code “ROAD”. If you’re in the New York area, visit them at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 and tell them the Road Podcast sent you!!
Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p
Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX
Episode 362: RASHAD SMITH (Pt.2): "Bad Boy's First Hitman & His Fallout With Biggie"
ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)
1 hour 54 minutes 37 seconds
5 months ago
Episode 362: RASHAD SMITH (Pt.2): "Bad Boy's First Hitman & His Fallout With Biggie"
Episode 362: RASHAD SMITH (Pt.2): "Bad Boy's First Hitman & His Fallout With Biggie"
In Part 2 of our deep dive with legendary producer @Rashad_Ringo_Smith, the @RoadPodcast crew uncovers even more behind-the-scenes stories that shaped the sound of hip-hop and R&B.Rashad kicks things off by breaking down the making of the iconic “One More Chance” and its different versions (00:01), before opening up about the intense, high-stakes creative process at Bad Boy Records under the direction of @Diddy (09:01). He reveals how the classic “Bad Boy” sound came together — especially the blend of vocal powerhouses @theRealFaithEvans and @theRealMaryJBlige, which helped redefine R&B (20:03).He shares the wild backstory behind LL Cool J’s “Doin It” — a track originally made for Biggie — and the behind-the-scenes fallout with Puff and B.I.G. when it landed elsewhere (27:21). The crew dives into LL’s catalog and legacy (50:34), before Rashad reflects on his creative connection with @QTipTheAbstract and his work with A Tribe Called Quest (54:22).Wrapping things up, Rashad talks about collaborating with @Nas and @50cent, and reflects on the moment that stands out most in his legendary career (1:30:01).
This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and community located in downtown Manhattan for aspiring DJ’s, Producers, Musicians and more. Take private Ableton lessons, practice DJ routines, experiment with different audio equipment and reserve studio spaces for just the day, maybe a week or sign up for their monthly membership. Check www.soundcollective.com for more info and try their Online Classes free for a month by entering the code “ROAD”. If you’re in the New York area, visit them at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 and tell them the Road Podcast sent you!!
Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p
Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX
ROAD PODCAST (Reflections Of A DJ)
Episode 372: "2025 Wrap-Up”
This week on @RoadPodcast we're joined by @Kazi, @Shwcase and @DJMarcoPenta to close out 2025 with a full wrap up of what actually mattered this year, breaking down Top 5 Club Bangers before diving into why songs are taking longer to connect, the lack of label support, and whether release dates should move back to Tuesdays so audiences can learn records before the weekend (14:13). The crew gives @Kehlani her flowers and talks about the success of “Folded” (19:33), then unpacks how rappers who once made club hits are now making gym or car music, GRWM and ‘vibey’ records, why “Whim Whammiee” feels like a novelty song, and how labels treat these tracks like penny stocks for quick money (31:10). A standout conversation follows on whether NYC DJs play edits or originals, genre flexibility in New York and what actually makes an edit better than the original (41:08). This leads into the Top 5 Edits (41:20) and a discussion on edit oversaturation after viral moments and why DJs lean on edits before developing their own style (51:32). The crew then reveals their Top 5 Editors of 2025 (1:23:01) and moves into Top 3 Overrated Tracks (1:39:40). The episode continues with Top 3 Artists (2:01:01), a wider Top Artists of 2025 conversation featuring Bad Bunny jokes, Drake talk, Beyonce’s unmatched versatility for DJs, and why legacy artists remain essential in 2025, ending with Crooked’s top three (2:18:03). They also cover Top 3 Back in Rotation (2:16:01), Crooked’s stories from @Moochie’s party at @RecordRoom in New York and why it stood out (2:47:00), Top Live DJ Sets (2:33:01), Favorite Moments from the year (2:53:01), and the most valuable lessons learned heading into 2026 (3:03:01).
This episode is sponsored by @SoundCollectiveNYC, an industry-leading music school, musical space and community located in downtown Manhattan for aspiring DJ’s, Producers, Musicians and more. Take private Ableton lessons, practice DJ routines, experiment with different audio equipment and reserve studio spaces for just the day, maybe a week or sign up for their monthly membership. Check www.soundcollective.com for more info and try their Online Classes free for a month by entering the code “ROAD”. If you’re in the New York area, visit them at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 and tell them the Road Podcast sent you!!
Try Beatsource for free: btsrc.dj/4jCkT1p
Join DJcity for only $10: bit.ly/3EeCjAX
