Rodes Live

Episode 307: The Rap Factory takes us back to a legendary chapter in Chicago hip-hop history — 2135 W. Fullerton Avenue, the location remembered as The Rap Factory.
The Rap Factory was more than a spot on the map. It became a Chicago hip-hop destination, a place where a who's who of Chicago's music scene crossed paths and where artists traveling through the city could make a stop, connect, network and experience the culture.
In this episode, Rodes takes a look at the significance of The Rap Factory and the role places like it played in creating opportunities, relationships and memories during an important era of hip-hop.
From Chicago's own talent to artists coming through from around the country, The Rap Factory represents the type of cultural hub that helped keep hip-hop connected to the streets, the artists and the people.
🔥 Rodes Live "What's Poppin" Artist of the Day
RUN-DMC
One of the most influential groups in hip-hop history, Run-D.M.C. helped take rap from the underground into the mainstream and became pioneers of hip-hop's crossover into rock and popular culture.
📡 Rodes Live "On The Radar" Artist of the Week
Jasmine Guy
Best known for her iconic role as Whitley Gilbert on A Different World, Jasmine Guy also established herself as a recording artist, releasing her self-titled 1990 album and R&B hits including "Try Me," "Another Like My Lover" and "Just Want to Hold You."
🎙️ On This Episode
• The history and significance of The Rap Factory • 2135 W. Fullerton and its place in Chicago music history • Chicago's hip-hop culture and community • The importance of legendary music destinations • Artists traveling through Chicago and making connections • The Rodes Live "What's Poppin" Artist of the Day: Run-DMC • The Rodes Live "On The Radar" Artist of the Week: Jasmine Guy • Memories, music, culture and the people who helped shape the scene
This is more than a podcast episode — it's a trip back through Chicago hip-hop history.
🎧 Listen. Share. Subscribe. Tell somebody about Rodes Live!
🌐 Rodes Live: www.rodesonline.net 🔗 All Rodes Links: Linktr.ee/Rodes
💈 Need a cut while you're in Chicago? Rodes Barber Suite: RodesBarberSuite.Booksy.com/a
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Episode 306 explores the barbershop as a staple of the community—a place where men gather, fellowship, share knowledge, build relationships, and discuss life. We compare the tradition of the barbershop to the role of the church as a gathering place for community, mentorship, and connection.
We also highlight the entrepreneurial legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, her hair-care empire, and the importance of ownership, entrepreneurship, and building generational wealth.
🎶 New Music: Lady T 📡 On the Radar Artist of the Week: Big Smash
Listen & Connect: 🌐 www.rodesonline.net 🔗 Linktr.ee/Rodes
#RodesLivePodcast #Episode306 #BarbershopCulture #ChurchAndCommunity #MensFellowship #MadamCJWalker #GenerationalWealth #BlackEntrepreneurship #Community #BarberCulture #NewMusic #LadyT #BigSmash #OnTheRadar #ChicagoPodcast

In this episode of Rodes Live, Lady T sits down with us for an exclusive conversation about her highly anticipated new album and what listeners can expect from her upcoming project.
Lady T also opens up about her journey from working in management to stepping into the spotlight and getting it out the mud as an artist. She shares insight into her creative process, her growth, and what motivated her to pursue music from the artist’s perspective.
Lady T is also featured as the Rodes Live “What’s Poppin” Artist of the Day. Plus, we introduce our brand-new segment, “On the Radar,” highlighting talent, stories, and movements you need to know about.
Tune in, share the episode, and stay connected with Rodes Live for more interviews, music, culture, and rising talent.
🔗 Visit: rodesonline.net 🔗 Follow and connect: linktr.ee
In This Episode
Lady T’s upcoming album
Her transition from management to becoming an artist
Getting it out the mud and building her career
Lady T as the Rodes Live “What’s Poppin” Artist of the Day
The launch of our new “On the Radar” segment
Music, motivation, growth, and what’s next
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#RodesLive #RodesOnline #MurdaMurda #LadyT #WhatsPoppin #OnTheRadar #NewMusic #UpcomingAlbum #IndependentArtist #UnsignedArtist #ArtistJourney #GetItOutTheMud #MusicPodcast #PodcastInterview #HipHopPodcast #WomenInMusic #SupportIndependentArtists #RisingArtist #MusicCulture #LinktreeRodes

🎂 Happy Birthday, Rocki Fresh! Some dates become more than just a date on the calendar—they become part of your family story. In Episode 304 of Rodes Live Podcast, Rodes takes listeners back to a major turning point in his life: the day he left for college—and the day his little sister, Rocki Fresh, entered the world. While Rodes was heading off to school, stepping into a new chapter and trying to figure out life away from home, his sister was arriving into the world and beginning her own journey. Two lives. One day. Two completely different beginnings. This episode is the other side of the story from Episode 204, “My Crab Life.” What was happening on the other side of that story? Rodes was away at school, experiencing independence, growing up, making decisions, and trying to understand who he was becoming—while his newborn sister was just beginning to figure out her own place in the world. “On This Day” is a personal reflection on family, timing, growing up, separation, birthdays, memories, and the strange ways life connects us. 🧩 IN THIS EPISODE Leaving home and heading off to college The emotions of stepping into adulthood Being away from home while a new family member arrives The story behind Rocki Fresh being born on the day Rodes left for college Looking at life from two different perspectives The connection between Episode 204: “My Crab Life” and Episode 304 Family, memories, growth and the passage of time What it means to be “figuring life out” Reflecting on where life has taken both brother and sister A special birthday shout-out to Rocki Fresh 🎵 MUSIC LEAK This episode also features a leak from the Tremaine EP, produced by Rodes aka Sedor Beats. Another piece of the Rodes catalog gets pulled from the vault as the story continues. ❤️ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROCKI FRESH! From the day you entered this world to everything you've become since then, your birthday will always carry a special place in our family history. Happy Birthday, Rocki! 🎂🎉 One brother was leaving for college. One sister was entering the world. And both were just beginning to figure it all out. This is “On This Day.” 🌐 CONNECT WITH RODES Official Website: www.rodesonline.net Everything Rodes: Linktr.ee/Rodes 🎙️ Rodes Live Podcast — Urban Culture • Hip-Hop • Independent Music • Entrepreneurs • Life & Real Stories Listen. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review and keep rocking with Rodes Live. #RodesLivePodcast #Episode304 #OnThisDay #RodesLive #RockiFresh #HappyBirthdayRocki #TremaineEP #SedorBeats #Rodes #HuntsideMusic #MyCrabLife #Episode204 #CollegeDays #FamilyStories #SiblingStories #ChicagoPodcast #HipHopPodcast #IndependentPodcast #LifeStories #PersonalStories #Family #Birthday #GrowingUp #FiguringItOut #HuntsideMusicInc #RodesOnline

This episode of Rodes Live Podcast is all about the pressure, the passion, and the music behind the movement. 🎙️ PRESS SOUL Rodes sits down with Crux to discuss the 4th installment of the Pressure Campaign. They tap into the inspiration behind the project, the creative process, the message, and what listeners can expect from this latest chapter. 🔥 WHAT'S POPPIN' ARTIST OF THE DAY — Ms. Ife Ms. Ife steps into the spotlight as this episode's Rodes Live “What's Poppin” Artist of the Day. Tap in and discover what makes this artist one to watch. 📡 NEW SEGMENT — ON THE RADAR We're introducing a brand-new Rodes Live segment: On the Radar. Our first spotlight goes to @WPMwithMagz, who has a new EP dropping. Get the details, learn what's coming next, and make sure you tap in before the release! 🎧 LISTEN • WATCH • CONNECT For more Rodes Live Podcast episodes, music, merchandise, updates, and everything Rodes: 🌐 www.rodesonline.net 🔗 Linktr.ee/Rodes If you're rocking with the show, subscribe, follow, share, and let somebody know that Rodes Live is on the air! Hashtags #RodesLivePodcast #PressSoul #Crux #WhatsPoppin #OnTheRadar See less