The SoundCentric Podcast

Episode 114 | Hadji Gaviota Talks the Realities of Touring, Best Openers Ever, Rapping on On the Radar + More

In this episode of the SoundCentric Podcast, Adam sits down with Hadji Gaviota for a deep dive into the realities of touring as an independent artist. Fresh off his cross-country run on “The Blind Tour” with Damag3 and Rob Apollo, Hadji breaks down the grind behind the scenes — from sleeping on couches and eating gas-station meals to discovering how to actually make money on the road. The two unpack the economics of merch, the creative strategies behind tour budgeting, and the lessons learned from performing 13 shows in three weeks. Beyond the financials, Hadji reflects on the emotional highs of meeting fans in person and the importance of building an authentic live presence. This conversation paints a full picture of the unglamorous but rewarding hustle of modern touring — a must-listen for any rising artist trying to hit the road the right way.
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus
Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic
Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com
Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:30 - What it’s actually ike to be an opener on a nation wide tour
00:06:00 - How artists make money on touring and the importance of having good merch
00:12:00 - A quick Kanye tangent and the importance of humor in hip-hop
00:17:15 - The reality of touring
00:20:30 - Hadji’s pre-show ritual
00:25:15 - Our favorite openers of all time and what makes a great opener
00:29:30 - The issue with artists who don’t have easy to search names
00:37:00 - What its like rapping on On the Radar and how artists can standout in their marketing
00:43:15 - How Hadji formed Elmjack and why they decided to have their dads act as the lead artists
00:51:00 - Closing thoughts
 

Episode 113 | Quadry Talks Getting Advice From Frank Ocean, Why Humor is Essential In Rap, Our Favorite First Listens Ever + More

In this episode, I hosted my very first live SoundCentric podcast out of a secret New York City location with none other than Baton Rouge’s own Quadry. We dove deep into his project Ask A Magnolia and the new “Complete Series” expansion, unpacking how the leftover tracks still help tell the full story. We talked about album length, cover art, and what it means to compete for people’s attention in today’s music landscape.
From there, the conversation expanded into creativity and taste—why confidence and quick decision-making separate great artists, how interpolation pays homage to hip-hop’s roots, and the responsibility of passing down culture to the next generation. Quadry also broke down his use of symbolism, like painting the American flag on his face, and shared his perspective on making political statements through art.
We explored everything from fan bases and industry narratives, to J. Cole vs. Kendrick debates, to whether rappers should need a “license” to make music. Quadry even told a wild story about meeting Frank Ocean and the advice he got on performing. Toward the end, we swapped our personal “Mount Rushmore” of first-listen album experiences, celebrated the humor that makes the best MCs stand out, and teased what’s next from Quadry as he gears up for season two of his series.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus
Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic
Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com
Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:00 - The release of new tape “A Magnolia: The Complete Series” and inspiration to drop unreleased music from “Ask A Magnolia”
00:04:00 - Competing for attention on social media timelines and our ideal album run times
00:06:00 - The importance of artists being confident in their taste
00:08:40 - The importance of sampling and interpolating in hip-hop and how it educates the youth
00:15:00 - Quadry’s use of the American flag throughout his visuals and lyrics
00:18:50 - Artists who have mastered songs that have deeper meanings that are catchy
00:20:20 - The difference between surface level artists and one’s with a real  point of view
00:21:50 - Quadry’s love for storytelling in rap
00:24:40 - Artitsts who are mad about who their fanbases are
00:30:00 - Excitement that the Drake and Kendrick beef actually happened
00:31:20 - What it means to really love hip-hop
00:36:50 - Quadry’s story of meeting Frank Ocean and getting performance advice
00:42:20 - Our favorite first listening experiences ever?
00:46:00 - Closing thoughts
00:47:30 - Why the best rappers are funny

Episode 112 | Elsie Talks Interviewing JID, Clipse, Freddie Gibbs, and Tyler's Return, Mount Rushmore of Songs We Wish We Saw Made + More

This week, I sat down with Elsie for her third appearance on the pod—one of my favorite recurring guests and one of the most thoughtful voices in music journalism. We dive deep into the state of hip-hop right now, breaking down albums from JID, Freddie Gibbs, Clipse, and Tyler, the Creator. We talk about what makes a live performance unforgettable, how rollouts have evolved in the streaming era, and the difference between artists who rap and artists who build worlds. Toward the end, we share our Mount Rushmore of songs we wish we could’ve been in the studio for while they were being made. If you're a rap nerd like us, this one's for you.
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus
Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic
Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com
Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com
 
00:00:00 - Intro 
00:01:20 – Planning Interviews: Editing, Deadlines & Team Dynamics00:03:50 – AI in the Creative Process: Elsie & Adam’s Honest Take00:05:20 – Why This Might Be a Legendary Year for Hip-Hop00:06:50 – JID’s $1 Show & Elsie’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience00:09:35 – What Makes JID One of the Best Live Performers00:11:20 – The Strategy Behind Dreamville’s Fan-First Shows00:13:00 – JID's Tracklist Roulette: Fans Pick the Setlist00:14:25 – Alfredo 2 vs. Alfredo 1: Expectations vs. Reality00:16:40 – Breaking Down Tyler’s Surprise Drop00:19:20 – Is Tyler Singing Too Much? The Kanye Comparison00:21:50 – The Case for Chromakopia: Elsie’s Favorite Tyler Moments00:24:20 – Clipse Are Back! New Album Breakdown00:26:40 – Minimalist Beats, Maximal Bars: Pharrell’s Production Choices00:28:20 – Why Clipse Should Win Rap Album of the Year00:30:20 – Rollouts That Work: Short and Loud vs. Long and Layered00:34:05 – The Problem with Album Teases in 202500:35:50 – Where Are the New Stars? Why the New Guard Isn’t Breaking Through00:37:20 – Building Stars: Performance, Worldbuilding, & Visuals00:39:20 – Hooks Matter: The Secret to Mainstream Success00:41:20 – The Power of Great Choruses in Hip-Hop00:43:35 – Rising Artists to Watch: Q, Suave, Marco Plus & More00:46:20 – Female Artists Leading the Charge: Sailorrr, Samara, Doechii00:48:20 – Jordan Ward’s Breakout Potential00:50:05 – Mount Rushmore of Studio Sessions We Wish We Saw00:53:05 – Mac Miller, Kendrick, Anderson .Paak & Frank Ocean Moments00:57:20 – Final Reflections: The Magic of Rap Nerds in the Studio00:58:35 – Elsie’s Outro & What’s Next for Her

Episode 111 | Oblé Reed Talks Seattle Rap Scene, New "Line Leaders Album," Why Rollouts Still Matter + More

In this episode of the SoundCentric Podcast, host Adam Dash talks with Oblé Reed, a rising star in the Seattle hip-hop scene, discussing the resurgence of album rollouts, the importance of promotion, and the collaborative nature of his latest project "Line Leaders" wich featuring 18 artists. Oblé shares insights on vocal layering, the significance of visuals in music, and the challenges of being an independent artist. The conversation also highlights the importance of community and the role of manifestation in achieving creative goals.
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus
Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic
Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com
Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com
 
00:00:40 Intro – Welcome Oblé Reed & Album Overview  00:01:31 Rollouts Are Back: Why Narrative Matters in Hip-Hop  00:02:40 Promote Your Art Like You Mean It  00:03:19 How Jordan Ward Inspired Oblé's Live Show Philosophy  00:04:26 Why Oblé Chose Collaboration Over Competition  00:06:59 Putting Seattle and His Peers on the Map  00:09:20 Rap Like You Mean It – How Line Leaders Raised the Bar  00:10:42 Oblé’s Vocal Layering Secret Sauce  00:12:41 How Visuals Bring Oblé's Music to Life  00:16:20 The Insane Story Behind the 'Aim High' Video Shoot  00:18:56 Passing the Blunt to Himself – Hometown Hero BTS  00:21:55 Oblé’s Favorite Music Videos & Inspirations  00:28:49 Rapid-Fire Descriptions of All 18 Features on Line Leaders  00:41:36 Minivan: The Bar-Filled Track Born From Frustration  00:43:47 Defining the Seattle Sound and Why It Matters  00:47:10 Tiny Desk Audition and the Power of Musicianship  00:48:26 The Emotional Reality of Being an Independent Artist  00:50:53 Manifestation Isn’t Magic, It’s Action  00:52:49 The Importance of Going Outside & Building Community  00:54:40 Final Message: Protect the Youth, Build Unity  

Episode 110 | Record Label President Malik Wilson Talks Developing SAILORR, 4Batz’s Drake Co-Sign, Building Ian’s XXL Moment + More

In this episode of SoundCentric, we sit down with Malik Wilson, President of Bu Vision, to talk about his journey from Baltimore to becoming a rising force in the music industry. Malik shares how he discovered artists like Sailorr, 4batz, and Ian, and breaks down the strategy behind their branding, TikTok presence, and fan engagement. We dive into the role of storytelling in artist development, what makes an artist stand out today, and how Bu Vision built momentum leading to moments like a Drake co-sign and a XXL Freshman nod. If you're an artist, exec, or just obsessed with how careers are built in 2025, this one's for you.
 
Find us on social media for daily content and information regarding all things music industry
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus
Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic
Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com
Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com
 
00:00:10 – Intro & Guest Introduction (Malik Wilson of Bu Vision)  00:01:25 – What XXL Freshman List Still Means Today  00:03:10 – Malik’s Journey from Baltimore to the Music Industry  00:05:40 – Discovering Artists Early – Juice WRLD, Yeat, Doechii  00:07:25 – What Malik Looks for in Rising Artists  00:08:40 – First Real Marketing Experience with Shordie Shordie  00:09:25 – Starting AUC Who Got Next at Morehouse  00:11:30 – Breaking into Streamcut via TikTok Strategy  00:13:40 – Winning the Internship Challenge with Sports Page  00:17:40 – Building Saucy Santana’s TikTok Fan Page  00:20:40 – Shifting to Vertical Agency & TikTok Strategy Evolution  00:22:40 – Joining Bu vision and Meeting Boo  00:23:40 – How Bu vision Found and Developed Sailor  00:27:10 – Fan Engagement & Touring with Sailorr  00:30:10 – The Importance of Live Shows & Building a Core Fanbase  
00:34:50 – Why Artists in 2025 Can't Stay Relevant As Long
00:35:45 – SAILORR & Ian’s Humor, Branding, and Superpower as Artists 00:43:20 – 4Batz & Getting the Drake Co-Sign
00:44:15 – The Role of Atlantic Records in BuVision’s Growth
00:45:00 – Advice for artists for how to separate themselves to cut through the noise
00:48:40 – Advice to Rising Artists: Music, Consistency, and Being Different 00:49:35 – What’s Next for BuVision, Ian, SAILORR, 4Batz, and Malik’s Socials