Episode 111 | Smile to the Heavens

In this solo episode, J. Bryson celebrates episode 111 of the podcast and reflects on the show’s four-year run, expressing gratitude for the listeners while joking about his own inconsistency and the long breaks he’s taken. He shares a frustrating update on his new mini PC after it crashed with a blue screen, leading to a refund process and renewed skepticism about customer service and tech support bots.The episode then shifts into music commentary, focusing on the BET Awards and praising standout performances from Kehlani, T.I., Nas, and the Lauren Hill tribute. Jay reflects on Lauryn Hill’s legacy, marveling at how she remains iconic after only one classic solo album, and he jokes about what a Lauryn Hill verse would cost today.A major section of the episode is devoted to revisiting the music landscape of 2011. Jay runs through the year’s biggest pop and rap hits, key albums, and the blog era’s influence on how music was discovered and consumed. He highlights projects like Take Care, Watch the Throne, Section.80, and House of Balloons, while also reminiscing about the social and cultural vibe of that era.He closes with sports talk, touching on NBA gambling controversies, joking about Drake as the Raptors’ unofficial GM, and discussing the LeBron/Bronny storyline. He also covers the WNBA Commissioner's Cup and gives a shoutout to the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx before ending on a grateful note about air conditioning during the summer heat.Support the show