Below Tha Surface

Send us Fan MailTake a trip back into the vault of Northwest Indiana’s underground hip-hop history. This is the raw, unedited interview with Hammond’s own Ric Jilla, recorded live on East Chicago’s legendary pirate station, Weed FM 90.5.Before streaming platforms and social media algorithms took over, the 219 underground was kept alive by pirate airwaves, physical mixtapes, and artists who lived by the code "I Bleed Hip-Hop." In this exclusive throwback broadcast, Ric Jilla sits down to talk about the grind, the music, and what it means to carry the torch for Northwest Indiana.Turn the volume up and witness a piece of Region rap history back when the airwaves belonged to the streets.Artist Biography: Ric Jilla (The Voice of the 219)Hailing from Hammond, Indiana, Ric Jilla stands as one of the most enduring and respected pillars of Northwest Indiana’s underground hip-hop scene. Emerging at the turn of the millennium, Jilla carved out a fierce reputation across the Midwest for his gritty, uncompromising lyricism, distinct double-time flow, and a sharp street perspective that perfectly captured life in the industrial "Region."Representing the area he famously dubbed the "Mad Ass Middle"—the crucial bridge between Chicago's sprawling scene and Indiana's raw grit—Ric Jilla became a foundational voice for The Legion Records and the broader Midwest Mobstaz movement.Key Milestones & Impact:The Blueprint: Exploded onto the underground circuit with classic millenial anthems like "Whaddupdoe" (2000) and his definitive early project Free Agent (2001), home to timeless local tracks like "Rap Scrap or Blast" and "Authentic".Midwest Connection: Solidified the 219's presence on the map through the Midwest Mobstaz mixtape series (2001–2005), proving NWI could stand bar-for-bar with any major city.The Heavyweight Links: Continued a relentless run through the 2000s and 2010s, dropping The ALBULATION Network and collaborating with regional legends like Twista, Al Koleon, and pioneering producer The Legendary Traxster on his acclaimed Personal Trainer project.The Grind Never Stops: Decades into the game, Jilla remains an active force, channeling the same blue-collar Indiana hustle into modern drops like Swisher Sweets & YouTube Beats and his brilliant 2023 NWI-nod single, "NIPSCO".Ric Jilla didn't just play the game; he helped build the platform for Northwest Indiana hip-hop. This interview is a time capsule of an artist who remains completely true to the culture.https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailHe was responsible for writing, producing, and arranging several of the group's classic 12" vinyl releases on Livin Large Records: "Time Bomb" (1990): Arranged by DJ Javi Jav, featuring production by Kaoss-1. "Darkside" (1991): Produced and arranged by Javi Jav alongside Kaoss-1 and DJ Hyperactive, featuring bars written by regional collaborator Pony Boy. "Dis Iz A Warning" (1991): Arranged by Javi Jav, showcasing their classic breakbeat and hardcore hip-hop style. "You Don't Know Me" (1992): Arranged by Javi Jav, featuring S.O.S. and Pony Boy. https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailThis week, DJ Rick Rock goes completely below tha surface with the godfather of Midwest Spanglish cannabis culture, Ponyboy of the legendary Los Marijuanos. We’re breaking down the history from the 312 to the West Coast, surviving the independent grind, and locking in with the team at Flavor Chasers to talk the new era of the business, genetics, and staying true to the culture. Press play.https://tr.ee/kEMaS5zqC-https://tr.ee/v8U2zbh9wXhttps://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailIll Gordon and Custom Made / Chicago Hip Hop / Local talent / Tha Culture / Hip Hop music https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailIndy Uchiha / Synd Rome / Co Jack / local hip hop Artist  / Live performance / Tha Culture / Local hip Hop https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailTy Thrax / New singles / New upcoming shows / Tha Culture / local artist /local music / Hip Hop https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailSmorgasbord / new album / hip hop / the culture / local talent https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailLive Mix Show With Tha Crew https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailVonnie E.C. / local Talent / New album Everything add up / B Lang / local artist / The Culture https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailG.A. Barz / St Louis hip hop / Good Sis / local talent / Tha Culture https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailDarren Johnson / local comedian / Comedy / Tha Culture https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailThe origin stories of the crew / Hip Hop / House / Local Music / Tha Culture https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailMr. furious / Detroit Hip Hop / local music / Hip Hop / The Culture https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailNeil Taylor / True Headz Clothing / Hip Hop / hip Hop Museum / golden era  https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

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Send us Fan MailDemond Dushawn / Gryskll / Chicago hip hop / local artist  https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailCliff Cloudz / Chicago Hip hop / local talent / new album recap https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailWrite Jus / Production / music taste / hip hop / music history / engineering https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C

Send us Fan MailRecap of the podcast / crate digging / local music / local art scene https://tr.ee/_XT9zM3kTVhttps://linktr.ee/Belowthasurfacehttps://tr.ee/fFhLGQMa6C