Episode 327-The Best Albums of 2025 (thus far)

Episode 327-The Best Albums of 2025 (thus far)

Author: Dad Bod Rap Pod August 28, 2025 Duration: 1:00:25
Serious question: Where does the time go? It feels like just yesterday I was nursing a New Year’s Eve hangover and wondering what 2025 would portend for rap releases. Now the year is three-fourths done, the holidays are around the corner, and there’s already a slew of music to talk about. On this week’s episode of Dad Bod Rap Pod, the three bad brothers you know so well share their favorite rap records of 2025 (thus far). Think of it as our mid-year retrospective, except we’re submitting it three months late, real high school vibes. The big takeaway is this: rap music is alive and thriving in 2025, especially indie rap. Did your favorite new album make the DBRP top nine? Tune in to find out, fam. Spoiler alert: the album of the year is still billy woods – Golliwog. But we also break down nine other releases from this year that are damn good, if not great. Program note: We recorded this episode about three weeks ago, before excellent records like Evidence’s Unlearning Vol. 2 and Earl Sweatshirt’s Live, Laugh, Love dropped. So you won’t hear us talk about them here, but trust we’ve listened and will have plenty to say by year’s end. If you’re the type who likes to keep up week by week, I invite you to join our Patreon at Patreon.com/dadbodrappod. That’s where we post weekly bonus segments that are more topical. In any event, I hope your year is going well, all things considered. -DEM This week’s episode was produced by Demone Carter (a.k.a. DEM ONE). Theme song by DEM ONE and DJ Cutso. Dad Bod Rap Pod is a proud member of the Stony Island Audio Network!

The conversation flows from three distinct but deeply connected perspectives on Dad Bod Rap Pod. Hosted by rapper Demone Carter (DEM ONE), music writer David Ma, and record collector Nate LeBlanc, this podcast digs into the culture with a rare combination of insider knowledge, critical analysis, and archival passion. Their discussions are less about hot takes and more about substantive, respectful dialogue with the artists, producers, and behind-the-scenes figures who have shaped the genre. You'll hear interviews that feel like conversations among peers, often uncovering lesser-known stories and appreciating the craft from multiple angles. As part of the Stony Island Audio network, the show is built on a foundation of genuine fandom and expertise. Listening to this podcast means getting a rounded, thoughtful examination of hip-hop's legacy and its current evolution, all filtered through the experiences of three dedicated enthusiasts who happen to have great chemistry. It’s for anyone who wants to move beyond the surface and into the deeper layers of the music.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dad Bod Rap Pod
Podcast Episodes
Episode 302- Timeless & True with guest Marv Won [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:26
This week we are going to the movies... actually we're discussing rap portrayals in the movies, a somewhat fraught subject. We were inspired to think about rap on the silver screen by our guest, Marv Won. Among other acc…
Episode 301-Thug Therapy with guest Spice 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:20
"you can tell that the East Bay was his home." Spice One doesn't have the wealth and accolades that some of his West Coast contemporaries like E-40, Too Short, and Snoop have, but he has maintained every bit of his respe…
Episode 300- Questions, Answers & Voicemails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:07
So it's come to this... A Dad Bod Rap Pod mailbag episode. We are celebrating our 300th episode by fielding questions from some people we respect. Show hosts Demone Carter, David Ma and Nate LeBlanc are extremely gratefu…
Episode 299- Empty Canvas with guest Chuck Strangers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:06
Chuck Strangers has been making noise from the Pro Era to the current era. Originally known primarily as a producer, Chuck is also nice on the mic and has released several acclaimed solo albums. Today he joins Dad Bod Ra…
Talk Like Sex Episode 4: To Eat or Not to Eat w/Blockhead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:22
Who does't like a good spin-off? Last season we piloted a first of its kind (we think) podcast that deals with the precarious intersection between Rap music and sex/relationships.It's called Talk Like Sex. This week DBRP…
Episode 298- Jock Jams with guest DJ D-Sharp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:43
This week we are taking our talents into the sporting realm. DBRP hosts Nate LeBlanc, Demone Carter and David Ma are joined for an interesting conversation with DJ D-Sharp, a Bay Area stalwart who has new music out now.…
Episode 297- Mutants For the Mission with guest Cavalier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:17
Cavalier is a little bit of a mysterious figure in the modern rap ecosystem. He was raised in Brooklyn, now located in New Orleans, with significant time spent in Oakland along the way. He has worked extensively with DBR…
Episode 296- Draft Picks with guests NAHreally & The Expert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:47
Now that we've been around for a number of years, we've had the chance to interact with rappers and producers at various stages of their careers. Sometimes we catch people on the ascent, still forging their legacy, and s…
Episode 295- Apple Preserves with guests Crimeapple & Preservation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:43
Dad Bod Rap Pod is experiencing a little bit of redemption this week. A few years ago, right around the time we were starting to interview guests on the show, we had scheduled a chat with a newcomer to the underground ra…
Episode 294- The Antagonists with guests Lukah and Real Bad Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:56
We here at Dad Bod Rap Pod like nothing more than when an established artist takes a big swing, and makes an ambitious record outside of their comfort zone. That is certainly the circumstance that our guests this week fi…