Episode 11 - One Rap Battle After Another Featuring Nicole Duncan-Smith

Episode 11 - One Rap Battle After Another ft Nicole Duncan-Smith

For episode 11 of Lemme Ask You This with Talib Kweli and Tef Poe, friend of the show Nicole Duncan-Smith returns. The show starts with Nicole talking about the need for more conscious content. Talib ask Nicole about how she became involved in battle rap culture. Nicole recounts witnessing the battle between Keith Murray and Fredro Starr and then describes being at all female rap battle events. Talib asks Nicole if battle rap culture is more misogynistic than mainstream hiphop culture and Tef talks about how female battle rappers get to respond. Tef and Talib talk about how challenging battle rap culture actually is. Nicole talks about watching rappers battle to get on in the industry. Talib asks if today's battle rappers understand the history of battle rap and then a discussion is had about the history of the Bridge Wars. Nicole shows love to Roxanne Shante. Tef Poe explains how the Bridge Wars seem to set a precedent for rap beefs outside of NYC. Nicole talks about her work with the Hip Hop Museum. Tef asks Nicole about her favorite female battle rappers which leads to a discussion about how fans of music should explore outside of the mainstream more often. Nicole and Tef explain Jae Millz recent run to Talib. Nicole and Talib talk about how they met. Talib talks about the first time he met Russell Simmons and the conversation turns to Affion Crockett's A Hip Hop Story movie. Tef talks about how Jae Millz using Ron Browz beats is adding to his recent resurgence. Talib asks about the importance of Black Media and Nicole breaks down the history of Black journalism. Tef asks what the current version of Unsigned Hype is. Talib talks about the challenges of being a legacy artist in an online ecosystem. Nicole explains how the algorithm is the new Unsigned Hype and how she focused on shining light on up and coming artists. Tef and Nicole discuss how using inventive ways and not relying on standard practices to get your music out there is necessary. Talib asks Nicole about her work with Health, Hope and HipHop. 

Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co.

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