This episode features LEFT, legendary Richmond rapper from The Frontline, producer, UC Berkeley professor, hooper, devoted Muslim, and certified “shit talker.”

Hosts Bort and Marcus Peters kick things off by recapping last week’s highlights before tapping in with LEFT for a conversation that blends hip-hop history, Bay Area culture, fatherhood, faith, teaching, and growth.

In this episode, LEFT breaks down: What he’s slappin’ + rapid fire reactions to classics His journey leaving rap and returning as a professor at UC Berkeley What Richmond taught him & how it shaped his worldview Stories from The Frontline + the Bay Area rap scene pre- and post-hyphy Producing back then vs today His best moments as an educator and how hip-hop is woven into his teaching Navigating rap while being Muslim The importance of OGs, mentorship, and raising the next generation What fatherhood has taught him and how it reshaped his understanding of manhood

This is a conversation full of wisdom, history, humor, vulnerability, and Bay Area brilliance.

This episode features Carson, CA rapper Kamm Carson, known for his lyrical storytelling, West Coast influence, and work with Ab-Soul on “California Dream.” We talk about the Off My Chest EP, Del Amo culture, independent artistry, and the musical roots of Carson. If you enjoy interviews with artists like Ab-Soul, Reason, Vince Staples, LaRussell, or West Coast lyricists, this episode is for you. Tap in for real conversations, artist development insights, and new West Coast music.

In this episode, hosts Cortney “Bort Bort” McCoy and Marcus Peters "Juice" kick off the show by introducing themselves and the vision behind What I’m Slappin, a show that celebrates the soundtracks of our lives through real conversations, fresh slapps, and inspiring stories.

This week’s special guest is D’Angelo “D’Lo” Louis, a director, writer, and producer from Richmond, CA, and a creative executive at Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media. D’Lo joins the crew to talk about his award-winning short film “ShoeBox,” the powerful story behind it, and the soundtrack that brings it all to life.

In this episode:

The meaning of a “slapp” and why it’s more than just a song

New music breakdowns + throwback slapps

D’Lo on his journey from incarceration to filmmaking

The making of ShoeBox and its album Fatherhood, second chances, and paying it forward

Live performance by 4toda5to – “1/10/11”

Community spotlight: Juice-C-Juice in Carson

Drop a comment and tell us what YOU’RE slappin with #WhatImSlappin Subscribe, like, and tap in weekly for new interviews, live performances, and community highlights!

Follow the hosts: @_bortbort | @mpjuiceman | @whatimslappin

Follow the guest: @dlo.louis | @theshoeboxfilm

This powerful episode, hosts Bort and Marcus Peters sit down with JJ’88, a singer, rapper, and songwriter from Long Beach, California, whose latest project on Netflix "Songs from the Hole" that serves as both an album and a documentary soundtrack telling his remarkable story of redemption, faith, and freedom.

JJ’88 opens up about: His journey from incarceration to independence How music became his form of healing and storytelling Mental health, forgiveness, and the power of faith Activism, abolition, and using art for change Creating Songs from the Hole; blending archival footage, praise dance, and raw truth

This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a testament to resilience, creativity, and redemption.

In this episode, hosts Bort and Marcus Peters (Juice) sit down with Bryce Savoy — rapper, filmmaker, founder of The Black Neighborhood, creator of Neighborhood Diamonds, and a proud son of Oakland carrying purpose and positivity everywhere he goes.

Bryce takes us through his journey from the Town to D.C. to L.A., breaking down how each place shaped his artistry, his identity, and his drive to build community through music and storytelling.

This episode explores: Bryce’s early start & the role his parents played The meaning behind Neighborhood Diamond His time at Howard University Stepping fully into filmmaking & the creative parallels with music Leaving Oakland for L.A. & how the city still lives in him Fatherhood, grief, growth, and independence “Big Bryce Son” film and its mission The positive side of hustle — how to uplift the culture

Plus — Rapid Fire Slaps, “This Week’s Slaps,” and a live performance from Bryce to close out the show.

Drop what YOU’RE slappin’ with #WhatImSlappin. Subscribe, comment, and tap in weekly for real conversations where music meets community.

In this episode, hosts Bort and Marcus tap in with Oakland’s own Aneesa Strings — a rapper, singer, songwriter, composer, and classically-trained instrumentalist breaking every rule and redefining what Bay Area artistry looks like.

Aneesa shares her journey from Deep East Oakland to earning a Master’s in Jazz Studies, going viral for repping her city, headlining Yoshi’s, and blending jazz + hip-hop into a sound that feels both timeless and raw.

In this episode, hosts Bort, Marcus, and guest Left sit down with Bay Area legend P-Lo — the multi-platinum producer and artist carrying the torch of Hyphy culture while redefining what longevity means in hip-hop.

They dive deep into: Bay Area culture and community roots P-Lo’s evolution from producer to rapper Filipino identity and representation in music Growth, creativity, and maintaining longevity Stories behind new releases like “Newly” ft. Thuy

Plus, P-Lo gets real during Rapid Fire Slaps, shares the music he’s been slappin’, and closes the show with a live performance you don’t want to miss.

Bay Area artist Rexx Life Raj joins hosts Bort Bort, Marcus Peters, and Left to talk new music, growth, and the journey that shaped him. From D1 football to gold records, Raj opens up about grief, healing, emotional intelligence, and his new album “In Rhythm.”

Highlights include: Rapid Fire Slaps — Raj reacts to classic tracks Keep It On The Real — talks legacy, business, and emotional growth Exclusive live performance from the new album

Don’t miss this authentic convo full of music, laughs, and real stories.

Tell us what YOU’RE Slappin’ using #WhatImSlappin in the comments below

Follow Rexx Life Raj: Instagram | @rexxliferaj YouTube | Rexx Life Raj (https://www.youtube.com/@RexxLifeRaj)

Follow @whatimslappin | @mpjuiceman | @_bortbort Subscribe for more episodes!