Radio BSOTS

Show #169 presents a soundtrack of self-love and sonic warfare that addresses police brutality, what happens when you internalize a nation's hatred for the skin that you're in, and creating your own private Wakanda when this world gets to be too much. Includes music from Courtney Pine, Brother Ali, Jamila Woods, Noname, Kaidi Tatham, Propaganda, DJ Khalab, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Both Sides Of The Surface closes out 2025 in BUCKWILD fashion, sharing some independent and Creative Commons tunes that reflect the chaotic times that we find ourselves in while including some humor and personal reflections in the process. Macedonia digs up an opening monologue from 2017 regarding facts and truth that may as well have been recorded yesterday and closes with some thoughts in defense of podcasting for fun. Music includes a selection from Doctor Popular and Mega Ran from 2020 that captures the panic and paranoia experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sounds of summer protests from Salanje, plus cuts from Jericho Jackson, Carsie Blanton, SoSoon, JP Reynolds, Mikal Amin & Mista Mayday, and more.

It's a freeform episode hitting the BSOTS feed as Netlabel Day festivities are underway and the first ever Netlabel Week! Some details are shared on what the week will entail along with listener feedback and brief news about the return of Radio Free Fedi for a month-long online festival. Meanwhile, the world of Creative Commons music continues to be an embarrassment of riches if you know where to look. Camp Lo-Fi returns from another deep sea dive with a handful of sonic pearls including live house music from Alexander Flood, the psychedelic beat tape aesthetic of Alphabets Heaven, bedroom pop from Warik, the R&B heartbreak meditations of AMARAFLEUR, soulful drum and bass from Cleveland Watkiss, the IDM meets hip-hop production of Rephazer, and a classic sound recording from George Gershwin that entered the public domain this year!

For this special extended episode, Macedonia shares his debut live stream for Netlabel Day Radio from July of 2024, a two-hour takeover in celebration of Creative Commons music from across the globe. Featured artists include DJ Spooky, Devin Morrison, EPMD, Rah Digga, Laetitia Sadier, Negativland, and many more.

For the first episode of 2025, Macedonia shares his live stream test run for Netlabel Day Radio from the previous year, showcasing some head-nodding beats from the likes of Bluntspeakers, Comfort Fit, Suhov, and Apes On Tapes. Other episode features include listener feedback, a song in celebration of 20 years of ccMixter, poetic brilliance from the late, great Nikki Giovanni, and much more.

Spotify removing over 500 music episodes from their platform, including the podsafe ones? Hundreds of thousands of hip-hop mixtapes taken offline overnight? The Internet Archive experiencing a cyberattack? Some weird things have occurred in the worlds of music, podcasting, and archiving over the past month and Macedonia offers some thoughts along with a handful of Creative Commons selections. Expect some ocean floor deep techno from King Britt as Scuba, jazz-flavored electronica from Lavoura, introspective hip-hop from A. Billi Free & Uncle El, left-of-center pop from Wizard Of Loneliness, and a brooding downtempo joint from Coldreavers.

As Both Sides Of The Surface quietly acknowledges its 19th anniversary, the podcast feed is given a jolt with the return of the BSOTS GONE (buck)WILD experience, delivering a mix of music ranging from the political to the satirical and just plain silly. Expect a brief observation concerning a calendar with good intentions and selections from Mega Ran, Five Fingers Of Funk, Tha Silent Partner, DJ Ilya Monosov, EllaMaeFlossie, Columbo Black, Mikal Amin & Mista Mayday, The Bran Flakes, 85, and leumas.

Back with another handful of Creative Commons tunes to champion, Macedonia opens with a Shad & Skratch Bastid cut that was co-produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff and closes with a Moki McFly song from an album that won the 2024 Creative Commons Community Music Award for Album Of The Year. Other featured artists in between include NIki J. Crawford, Ultimate Fantastic, DJ Enki, Tab, and Ohad Slavin.

Macedonia shows honor to the legacy of Bondfire Radio by revisiting an episode from 2016, a show that features some of the artists and music championed on the BSOTS on Bondfire broadcast during its first year. This show includes selections from Public Enemy, The Hot 8 Brass Band, NxWorries, Blitz The Ambassador, DJ EFN, DJ Vadim, Semi Hendrix (Ras Kass and Jack Splash), and more.

In the second of two episodes celebrating 18 years of Radio BSOTS, Macedonia discusses podcast quality over quantity, finding community at Bondfire Radio, a single episode released in 2021 that led to him speaking at Afros & Audio, that time that his voice became part of an intro for a netlabel release, the potential kill date that he seriously considered a decade ago, and the insistence on protecting the creative child into adulthood. Featured music includes selections from Devin Morrison, Soul Inscribed, Mikal Amin, CM & Tha Silent Partner, Shlohmo, Core Rhythm & Zajazza, Exmiranda, SHON THA PHENOM, and Nangdo.

As lovers of Black music history, Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel have made some incredible strides over the past two years with their podcast, Queue Points. The show has quickly become a mainstay in the Camp Lo-Fi podcast queue. As a BSOTS feed bonus, I am pleased to share this special episode of Queue Points with you, one where I joined the dynamic duo as a guest in their exploration of trip hop and drum and bass. Enjoy the show! Queue Points - The Power of the Drop: Trip Hop and Drum & Bass Shook The World There was a rumble coming out of the UK in the early-1990s. With the heavy influence of hip-hop came new styles that changed the way many experienced the music they loved. From the early days of Jungle that birthed Drum and Bass to to Trip Hops genre bending sounds, the crew continues our musical journey to the UK with, guest, Jason Randall Smith of Radio BSOTS. Follow Queue Points Facebook: https://facebook.com/queuepointspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/queuepointspod Twitter: https://twitter.com/queuepointspod TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@queuepointspod

Macedonia celebrates 18 years of BSOTS by reflecting on the show's development and challenges in its early years. A handful of independent and Creative Commons selections provide the soundtrack, including works from Comfort Fit, Friends Or Whatever, Lovespirals, Jonny Sonic, Cosmic Analog Ensemble, and more.

Another Creative Commons crate digging session uncovers gems from DJ Harrison, Yung Miss, niteffect, J. Lang, Close Counters, and The Polish Ambassador featuring Kool Keith.

The second installment of a two-part interview with Douglas Whitfield, co-founder of the Creative Commons Community Music Awards. Doug discusses netlabels as sonic curators, what started the CC Listening Parties on YouTube, and future plans for a CC Community Music Hall of Fame. Featured music includes works from Headsnack, Revolution Void, Carsie Blanton, CM and The Silent Partner, and Satori.

The first of a two-part interview with Douglas Whitfield, co-founder of the Creative Commons Community Music Awards. Between learning Doug's CC origin story and examining the functionality of the licenses behind the music, songs are featured from Natasha Beller, Kid Data, Wiseman, and Spiedkiks (2023 CCCMA Winners of Album and Track Of The Year).

BSOTS returns with a renewed focus on Creative Commons licensed music and the joys of virtual crate digging. The featured tracks in this show represent a mix of tunes from prior BSOTS episodes alongside selections receiving their first spins, cutting across genre and released between 2009 and 2023. Artists include Public Enemy, Nikki Giovanni, Kidkanevil, Wals, Niki J Crawford, Isak Gaines, and Yoko Absorbing with guest appearances from Brother Ali and Oddisee.

Macedonia revisits his own commentary from 20 years ago, written shortly after Jam Master Jay's murder. Features hip-hop cuts from the Creative Commons universe including guest verses from Chuck D of Public Enemy and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. Artists include The Impossebulls, Tha Silent Partner, Just Plain Ant, Mute Speaker, Yashiyah, and more.

Macedonia reemerges from podcast hibernation to survey a pandemic-struck earth through beats, bass, rhymes, rants, and a 17 year-old blog entry. Featured artists include DJ Spooky, A.Moss, Rashad thaPoet, Talons, Phresoul, Rabbi Darkside, and more.

In this season of DMCA takedown notices raining down on podcasters, Macedonia reminisces on an earlier era of podsafe music and plays some Creative Commons tunes to keep the RIAA at bay. Artists include Mega Ran, Amerigo Gazaway, Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble, Mos Emvy, Tab, and more.

The final installment of the Tranquil Beats series presents an hour's worth of instrumental beats and downtempo gems. Featured artists include Machinedrum, Will Sessions, DJ Harrison, KRTS, Julien Dyne, and much more.

Macedonia reflects on The Summer That Wasn't, quarantine restrictions, racial injustice, and the choice between reflecting the times versus prioritizing joy as a Black creator. Featuring music from Amerigo Gazaway, Rah Digga, KRTS, Zengineers, C-Doc, Mikal Amin, Sir Tumes, and more.

The chilled out series of instrumental mixes continues with a collection of lush, jazzy, and atmospheric selections from the likes of Jon Hopkins, Funki Porcini, Lovespirals, Ohbliv, Lee Rosevere, Affelaye, The Jet Age Of Tomorrow, and more.

Show #171 enters 2020 in BUCKWILD mode with a delayed transmission from December of 2019. As sentiments are expressed on dealing with self-doubt and holding onto creativity at all costs, music is featured from Flying Lotus, DJ Shadow, Little Simz, Rodney P, Vula Viel, Mikal Amin, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #170 marks a return to Camp Lo-Fi after 16 months of silence on the podcast feed with a continuous mix of chilled out instrumental beats for chaotic times such as these. Featured artists include Tall Black Guy, Oddisse, Onra, Romare, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kratos Himself, Lovespirals, and many more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #168 kicks off 2018 in BUCKWILD fashion with reflections on Combat Jack, Pam The Funkstress, and whether or not quiet people can still win in a world that consistently rewards the loudest. This episode features music from Tricky, The Hot 8 Brass Band, A Tribe Called Red, Vandemons, Born Ina Barn, LORD RAJA, The Cornel West Theory, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #167 showcases a mix of tunes culled exclusively from the Free Music Archive, including works from Nine Inch Nails, DJ Harrison, TV Girl, live cuts from Silver Apples, Lushlife, and The Relatives, a Prince cover from The Impossebulls, and lots more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #166 is the second in a series of episodes dedicated to chilled out beats and instrumentals, featuring music from J Dilla, Flying Lotus, will.i.am, Samiyam, Kruder and Dorfmeister, Comfort Fit, and many more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #165 brings the BUCKWILD experience back to the BSOTS podcast feed in the age of Trump and Pence. This show features music and commentary concerning facts versus truth, cynicism in the face of today's patriotism, social media, a certain cola company, and Mahershala Ali's MC alter ego from a decade ago. Artists include Run The Jewels, Oddisee, J-Live, Jonny Sonic, Submerse, Negativland, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #164 kicks off the 2017 podcast year with a post-Valentine's Day episode as part of the 10th Anniversary Cupid's Hunt Podcast Collaboration. Featured artists include J Dilla, NxWorries, Kid Creole And The Coconuts, Harleighblu, Phonte and Eric Roberson, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #163 presents a BSOTS on Bondfire Radio broadcast in its entirety, paying tribute to 20 years of music from the BBE Records label. Featured artists include J Dilla, Pete Rock, Phantogram, Marley Marl, will.i.am, Slakah The Beatchild, and lots more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #162 is the first in a series of episodes that will focus strictly on chill out instrumentals and head nodding beats for those that need them most. Featured artists include BADBADNOTGOOD, Karriem Riggins, Submerse, fLako, Dabrye, Sepalcure, and many more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #161 features more music and moments from the BSOTS on Bondfire Radio broadcasts. Artists include J Dilla, Roots Manuva, Steve Spacek, Alicia Myers, Saun and Starr, Heresy, Submerse, and much more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #160 is a long overdue snapshot of the BSOTS on Bondfire Radio broadcast experience hand delivered to the podcast feed. This episode includes music and moments from the first year at Bondfire, including selections from Public Enemy, The Hot 8 Brass Band, DJ Vadim and Sena, NxWorries, Semi Hendrix, and much more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #159 kicks off 2016 in typical BSOTS fashion by looking back at music from the previous year. Featured artists include Blackalicious, Dam-Funk, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Prefuse 73, Young Fathers, Sarah Williams White, Mizan K, and many more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #158 brings the BUCKWILD experience back to the BSOTS channel. Topics include dealing with anger, Macedonia's picks for a bounty hunter soundtrack, and what happens when hindsight won't let you off the hook. Featured artists include Public Enemy, Romare, The Walkmen, Naked City, Semi Hendrix, Blaktroniks, Jonny Sonic, and more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #157 shakes the dust off of the podcast feed with a continuous mix that moves from downtempo works to drum and bass selections and back again. Featured artists include Quantic, Positive Flow, Bastien Keb, Zagar, Satele, Danny Scrilla, and others. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #156 continues the overview of 2014 and 2015 selections with works from Pete Rock, Thom Yorke, Omar, Young Fathers, Slakah The Beatchild, Monsoonsiren, and others. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #155 breaks over three months of silence from the podcast feed with a back-to-basics blend of tunes from last year and this year, including selections from Prefuse 73, Romare, Sonzeira, Scrimshire, Sorceress, and more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #154 provides a mix for those in love as well as those out of love, featuring selections from Alice Russell, Diggs Duke, Tall Black Guy, Robin Hannibal, Jneiro Jarel, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #153 begins a new year for Radio BSOTS with some choice 2014 selections in hand. Macedonia reads some listener feedback, shares some big news concerning Camp Lo-Fi, and features music from De La Soul, Steve Arrington, Lost Midas, Luka, Jackie Hill Perry, The 1978ers, and more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #152 continues the BSOTS spinoff show retrospective. Expect questions for the Creator, a grown man yelling at children's toys, and new cuts from 80s Babies and A Tribe Called Red alongside selections from Fishbone, Tom Waits, Bloc Party, and more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #151 gets buckwild with a hat tip to its predecessor, a BSOTS spinoff show from Camp Lo-Fi's infancy. Expect rants galore and selections from The Coup, El-P, 7L and Esoteric, Chicks On Speed, Jonny Sonic, and more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #150 responds to the verdict from Ferguson, MO with a special mix featuring selections by Nina Simone, J-Live, The Black Opera, Jaimeo Brown, Jasiri X, Fold, and others. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #149 celebrates nine years of Radio BSOTS with an expanded episode showing love to the artists that inspired the show's existence and the listeners that keep coming back for more. Also features a mini-mix inspired by recent events in Ferguson, MO and music from Omar, Lauryn Hill, J. Cole, Sonzeira, Kidkanevil, Jonny Sonic, Hired Gun, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #148 spends some quality time with the music of Tru Thoughts Records, featuring selections from artists like Quantic and Alice Russell, Lost Midas, Harleighblu, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Titeknots, Peshay, and many more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #147 revives the "buckwild" experience with colorful covers, rebel-rousing remixes, and selections in memory of DJ Rashad and Sun Ra. This episode includes selections from Tricky, Propaganda, MED, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and lots more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #146 mixes up selections released between December 2013 and May 2014, featuring music from De La Soul, Mo Kolours, DJ Center, The Spandettes, Eagle Nebula, The Range, Sorceress, and many others. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.

Show #145 presents a 90-minute mix with an all female lineup, including selections from Neneh Cherry, Kelis, Alice Smith, Harleighblu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Boog Brown, THEESatisfaction, Maya Azucena, and many more. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #144 focuses on the music of an incredible label whose very existence makes the world of electronic music better. Includes songs from Robot Koch, Flako, Submerse, Walrus Ghost, Joe Kickass, Kidkanevil and Daisuke Tanabe, and others. This episode is NOT WORKSAFE.

Show #143 begins 2014 flipping through the discography of First Word Records, including selections from Tall Black Guy, Souleance, Comfort Fit, Teotima Ensemble, Essa, Frameworks, and more. This episode is 100% WORKSAFE.