Welcome back to AthCastMusic — the music of Athens Ga Now and Then

Today, we’re talking with Ishues — rapper, mentor,Athens Walk of Fame recipient and community leader — whose story runs deeper than beats and rhymes. Born Ishmael Cuthbertson, Ishues has been a powerful voice in the Athens hip-hop scene, proving that this city’s sound is just as rich and diverse as its people.

• In the 2000s, Ishues toured extensively, including in South Africa, but he chose to take a hiatus from music in 2009 to focus on his family and faith.
• During his time away from music, he became a social worker and mentor to youth.
• In 2019, he returned to the hip-hop scene and has since released several new projects.

I had Ish on my initial list of guests I would like to have on AthCastMusic. I am not really sure how come it never happened. Then I met him at the 2025 Indie Con. I was a panelist, and he was a performer at the event. I got to sit down with him briefly but in those few minutes, I felt like I had been shot with an arrow in my heart, that released kindness, gentleness and warmth. I even asked him, what’s happening here? I felt such a strong spiritual connection with him. I asked him with no hesitance; will you be on my podcast. He answered with no hesitance as well and said, I’d love to be on your Podcast.

Ishues and I talked real life trials and tribulations. heartbreak and higher powers that lifted him through is life. This podcast is one for the books. Here's my conversation with Ishues.

SEASON: 5 EPISODE:

LENGTH: 54:09

PUBLISHED: 10/30/2025

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Photos by Raya Ackleh

Producer: Marlene Sokol Stewart

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

marlene@athcastmusic.com

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

Ishues information:

IG: ishuesda_artist

Facebook: Ishues Cuthbertson

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