The Rap Music Plug Podcast

One of the best things to come out of rap’s rising global influence over the few decades is the proliferation of the art form in different cultures across the globe. Where artists can infuse their own influences into their take on the genre.

Today’s guest, mary sue, is a Singapore-native who has thoroughly impressed me in recent years with a wicked degree of musical diversity, working on any kind of soundscape under the sun, with the likes of bloomcycle, pyschedelic ensemble, The Clementi Sound Appreciation Club, along with a calm lyrical delivery that is ripe with thoughtful perspective.

mary sue had a big 2025, first by dropping the stellar Porcelain Shield Paper Sword, and then finishing the year off with a collaborative EP with bloomcycle.

In this episode, we discuss the Singapore hip-hop scene, his unique sound, and the creative approach behind his two impressive records of 2025.

This guest is one of the brightest, rising stars in the indie rap space right now… you do not want to miss this.

The Plug (0:49).

The Interview (2:26)

Singapore’s hip-hop scene (4:29).

The Mary Sue sound (17:51).

The writing approach for Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword (24:20).

The live instrumentation sound of Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword (38:10).

The theme of Unintended Self Expressions from Selling Reflections on the Internet (43:12).

The psychedelic sound of USESRI from bloomcycle (51:25).

Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (54:42).

Buy/stream USESRI here: https://sweetmarysue.bandcamp.com/album/unintended-self-expressions-from-selling-reflections-on-the-internet 

Follow mary sue on Twitter here: https://x.com/marysueraps 

Follow mary sue on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/sweetmarysue/ 

Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at [email protected]

Today’s guest is one of rap’s youngest rising stars. Atlanta-native FearDorian, has quickly established himself as a true innovator in the space of trap and cloud rap. Bridging the gap between Atlanta trap, cloud rap… and indie pop, alternative music through his eclectic sample choices into this gumbo of groovy, melodically catchy, moody, ethereal rap that is so one of one. It’s a whole lot of fun, and at just 19 years old… the sky’s the limit.

In this conversation, Dorian’s youthful exuberance and creative mind is on full display, as we dive into what inspired his fresh sound and sampling approach, the unique Atlanta music scene, working with POLO PERKS <3 <3 <3 and ayooLii on A Dog’s Chance, and how he and quinn created their impressive new album, Before You Press Play.

The Plug (0:41).

The Interview (2:13).

FearDorian’s foundational influences (6:44).

FearDorian’s eclectic sound (9:44).

The Atlanta music scene (13:18).

FearDorian’s unique sampling approach (15:59).

FearDorian’s decision to pursue music full-time (27:35).

Managing imposter syndrome (38:02).

Whimsy, and creating A Dog’s Chance (44:33).

FearDorian and quinn’s creative connection (54:52).

The long-term vision for Before You Press Play (1:00:28).

Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:04:41).

Buy/stream Before You Press Play here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7Hup1Ag3QCioejoNKTmJh0?si=0nMKaIq1TwaMkxHjxRpo4w 

Follow FearDorian on Twitter here: https://x.com/1feardorian?s=20  

Follow FearDorian on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/feardorian/ 

Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at [email protected]

Around this time last year, the show was continuing to grow… but at a lesser pace than the super strong growth trajectory it had been on a few years prior.

I was more than ok with this. At least the past hadn’t been a fluke. I established myself, and had some modest growth - I was grateful.

But then in 2025, that big year-over-year growth came back, and I was so pleasantly surprised.

I know this niche of experimentally-tinged rap is a small one, so the numbers would never reflect the impact... but 2025 taught me that this little niche may not be so little. Maybe there’s more that can be done with this platform, than I could have ever imagined.

In 2026, my goal is to the accelerator and do even bigger things. That means bigger live events, bigger guests, and more collaborations with the many interesting journalists in this space that do good work.

So now, without further ado... let’s talk about what music defined my 2025. Welcome to the 6th Annual RMPP Awards.

The full categorized list of the RMPP's Top 100 Albums of 2025, and list of nominations, can be found here: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/episodes/209-6th-annual-rmpps 

The Plug (0:21).

Award show structure (5:03).

Beat of the Year (5:39).

Hook of the Year (7:20).

Live Performance of the Year (9:25).

Best Rap Performance in a Supporting Role (11:37).

Rap Performance of the Year (13:33).

Song of the Year (15:04).

Producer of the Year (16:11).

Rapper of the Year (18:39).

The RMPP 25: Top 25 Albums of the Year (20:36).

RMPP Patron Choices for Album of the Year (32:40).

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at [email protected]

If you’re a fan of the modern scene of indie rap, chances are you listen to artists that either have respect for, have collaborated with, or have been inspired directly by today’s guests, Tomorrow Kings.

Ever since their inception in the mid-to late 2000s in Chicago, Tomorrow Kings - a rap supergroup comprised of SKECH185, Collasoul Structure and I.B. Fokuz of Jyroscope, Malakh El, Gilead7, and IL. Subliminal - have garnered immense acclaim and adoration for their dense, thoughtful, and forward-thinking brand of hip-hop.

In 2013, as parts of Chicago’s hip-hop scene were making mainstream waves, N***** Rigged Time Machine dropped and stood out as an entirely different beast. And now, a full 12 years later, the group has returned with their follow-up album, SALT, which is, in my opinion, their strongest work yet, and one of the best albums of the year.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by half of the group, SKECH185, IL. Subliminal and I.B. Fokuz, as we dive into the Tomorrow Kings sound and guiding vision, the creative process behind SALT, and the group’s lasting influence and legacy.

The Plug (0:38).

The Interview (2:19).

Tomorrow Kings’ formation and special qualities (3:09).

The Tomorrow Kings sound (12:15).

The TK recording process (25:08).

The genesis of SALT (32:38).

The gratifying feeling of releasing SALT (40:51).

SALT’s emotional North Star (46:04).

Aoi’s production fit for TK (1:04:22).

The legacy of Tomorrow Kings (1:16:14).

Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:20:55).

Buy/stream SALT here: https://tomorrowkings.bandcamp.com/album/salt 

Follow Tomorrow Kings on Twitter here: https://x.com/tomorrowkings 

Follow Tomorrow Kings on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/tomorrowkings/ 

Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at [email protected]

Simply put, today’s guests have been on a run for the ages. Ever since their debut album in 2013’s Race Music, Armand Hammer, NY-based duo of E L U C I D and billy woods, have been on an absolute tear.

With every passing release, their chemistry has gotten tighter, and their artistic scope has expanded. In 2021, the duo elevated to another level of critical and commercial success, teaming up with The legendary Alchemist for Haram - an album that has elevated the stock of woods and E L U C I D, with no sign of letting up.

Next, they delivered the amazing We Buy Diabetic Test Strips in 2023, and incredible solo records in '24 and '25 respectively.

Now in 2025, they joined forces with The Alchemist once again, with their latest album Mercy.

In this episode, we discuss the lean, scaled-back creative approach to Mercy, the key themes that emerged, Al’s superpowers as a producer, and much more.

The Plug (0:49).

The Interview (2:17).

The cover art for “Super Nintendo” (2:45).

The genesis of Mercy (4:35).

The recording process of Mercy (10:08).

The unspoken creative chemistry of Armand Hammer (17:00).

The thematic direction and symbolism of Mercy (23:17).

The emotional tension of Mercy (35:40).

Breaking down woods’ verse on “Laraaji” (37:47).

The sonic design of Mercy (44:30).

The Alchemist’s superpowers (49:45).

How Al tailors his sound for Armand Hammer (58:10).

The feature choices on Mercy (1:01:24).

Key future milestones for Armand Hammer - patron q from Robert Rau (1:04:52).

Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch (1:09:49).

Buy Mercy here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/armand-hammer-the-alchemist-mercy 

Follow Armand Hammer on Twitter here: https://x.com/ArmandHammerNYC 

Follow Armand Hammer on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/armandhammernyc/ 

Edited by: Alyssa Rodriguez

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

--

Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast 

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at [email protected]