Summer Was Good to Music | Drake’s FOMO, Cardi B, Underground Artists + Destin Conrad’s Roadrunner

Summer gave us plenty of mess, memorable moments and, most importantly, some GREAT music. On Episode 23 of The Culture Decides, I’m looking back at some of the moments that stood out across Hip-Hop, R&B and Reggae/Dancehall this summer. We get into Drake’s continued summer antics (and a potential treat for the fans), The Game continuing to insert himself into the conversation, and Jay-Z's upcoming 8-part documentary Jay-Z in 8 with producer Rick Rubin. Then there’s The Game’s increasingly strange, seemingly one-sided energy toward Kendrick Lamar, while Kendrick has been making headlines for very different reasons. Cardi B turned Am I the Drama? into an entire era, Kehlani continued an incredible run, and R&B as a whole has been way too exciting for anybody to keep telling me the genre is dead. Over in Dancehall, Vybz Kartel’s post-prison run continued with one of the biggest full-circle moments of the summer: Kartel and Mavado sharing the stage again after the legendary Gaza vs. Gully era. But beyond all the headlines, tune in for: 🎧 UNDERGROUND LIVE LISTENING This episode’s listening session features Formerly “CAM,” Ice Jackson, SmooveSmith, BEDEYAH and Swagger Dagger as we keep looking for independent artists you should have on your radar. 🇯🇲 DESTIN CONRAD ROADRUNNER ALBUM REVIEW I close the episode with one of my highest-rated projects yet: Destin Conrad’s exploration of reggae and Caribbean sounds. Beyond whether the music is good, his project opens up a bigger conversation: what does it mean for a queer artist to embrace reggae and Dancehall, and can projects like this play a role in pushing the culture toward greater acceptance? From the mainstream conversations to the underground artists building what’s next, summer was good to music. Let me know your favorite part of this episode and what's on your playlist now! Submit your music for review: Music Submission Form Subscribe on YouTube Follow & download on your favorite pod platform Follow on IG & X/Twitter, & TikTok Thank you for tuning in! Disclaimer: The Culture Decides is an original production of The Culture Decides Media LLC. The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employers, artists, record labels, affiliates, or other organizations. This podcast discusses music, entertainment, and popular culture for the purposes of commentary, criticism, news reporting, education, and discussion. All copyrights, trademarks, artist names, recordings, and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. No ownership of third-party content is claimed. Listeners are encouraged to support the artists discussed by purchasing, streaming, and engaging with their work through official channels. Some episodes may contain mature language or themes. Listener discretion is advised. © 2026 The Culture Decides Media LLC. All rights reserved.