finally got around to listening to the HoodHype podcast, which centers around music from independent and unsigned rap artists. hosted by a brother named Major. i was curious to see if it was as gully as the website made it appear. you should go there just to hear the promo that was played on Adam Curry's show, Daily Source Code, a very popular podcast. "big shout out to Adam Curry. ONE!"

apparently, Adam Curry has street cred. who knew?

i think the show is based in Michigan. they play some Michigan heads, some Kentucky cats, some Texas heads, whoever they're feelin', really. in terms of the rap, the show feels more Southern in flavor. they've got heads leaving freestyles on the voice mail, they read listeners' email feedback, the site looks good, the podcast is of a great quality...gotta say, they have their bases covered. even though i can take or leave the music sometimes, the show itself is unapologetically aimed for the street, and i respect that. it's the niche market approach, but the crazy thing is that it sounds like they're reaching people outside of heads on the street as well. Major read an email from some cat out in Amish country diggin' the show.

still, i listen to some of what they play and i wonder to myself...is this the face of rap music that i would want people to be familiar with? but that's the hip-hop elitist/idealist in me rising up as always. show #7 features an interview with Buckshot (for all the Black Moon fans out there).

supposedly, HoodHype is rated among the top 20 podcasts over at podcasts.yahoo.com. they only have nine shows - how is that possible? who's handling their promotion? if i have any hopes of being the Gilles Peterson of podcasting (a boy can dream), clearly i have to step up my game - and quick. doing everything myself has never been the answer, but it's the only card i have to play most of the time. the more unbearable the 9:30-5:30 gig gets, the more crucial it becomes that the passions in my life turn into a way of life.

one of these days, i'm gonna figure all this out...