This interview features SUC Mike D as he discusses his relationship with Z-Ro, the state of the Houston music industry, and the impact of radio politics on local artists. The conversation highlights the following key topics:
- Relationship with Z-Ro: Mike D addresses their current distance, noting they haven’t spoken in about a year following a fallout at a restaurant (0:00–5:00). He describes their dynamic and the complexities of being a podcaster in the industry.
- Industry Politics and Radio: The discussion delves into the long-standing tension between Trae the Truth and Radio One (97.9 The Box). Mike D explains how this “blackball” has affected the local scene, claiming that associating with Trae often led to being banned from radio play (18:46–20:30).
- The Mike Jones Situation: Mike D reflects on the historical impact of the incident where Trae the Truth swung on Mike Jones at the Ozone Awards. He explains how this event, occurring before the era of social media, negatively shifted the industry’s perception and support for Mike Jones (29:24–34:00).
- Houston Gatekeepers: The interview concludes with a look at who the current “gatekeepers” of Houston hip-hop are, mentioning names like Slim Thug, Paul Wall, and Propain, while also discussing the evolution of how these artists handle their public image and media presence (36:40–38:23).
Speak On It!