Back in the studio after a couple months on the road, Nigel and Derrick get right to it. Nigel’s fresh off Europe, Australia, Tokyo, Hawaii, and a stop at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, and the contrast between “the world” and “home” hits hard. The fellas talk travel whiplash, culture shock, and why San Francisco’s reputation does not match the Tenderloin reality, even if the city’s still got magic and history all over it.Then the episode flips into a full Nigel sermon. First on the state of the country and the clown parade running things, then into a deep, personal rant about D’Angelo’s passing and the tribute machine that turns on the second somebody dies. Nigel is not here for fake flowers, sloppy cover bands, or performative grief. His point is simple and heavy. If an artist changed you, honor them by building your own work, while you are alive, while they are alive, and while the chance to mean something is still on the table. If you want to mourn, mourn. If you want to celebrate, create. And if you are waiting for permission, stop waiting.Timestamps0:00 Nigel returns, no guest today, the gang back together2:00 Nigel on the country getting dumber and leadership looking worse by the day3:20 Wild FBI press conference and Nigel’s cokehead radar goes off7:30 History repeating itself and everybody in power looking high12:45 Travel recap Europe, Australia, Tokyo, Hawaii17:10 San Francisco dirt, Hyde Street Studios, and the Tenderloin contrast20:10 Perception vs reality in “black cities” and getting robbed in San Francisco33:10 D’Angelo passing and why tribute shows feel off46:10 The real way to honor artists is to make your own music57:40 Next episode tease with Nigel’s son and brothers