Shawty is an influential producer best-known for his work with Jeezy and Gucci Mane. He has been one of the most important beatmakers ever to come out of Atlanta, and he played a key role in developing the sound of trap music - a sound that is as now close as the nearest radio station or passing car.

Shawty started out as a part of Atlanta’s bass music scene, but his diverse influences (and a mistake in the studio) changed his sound, and he developed a new style that would blossom into trap. While you can hear the beginnings of his style early on, it was his work with Jeezy, starting back when the rapper was still called Lil’ J, that pushed Shawty into the spotlight. In addition to his work with Jeezy and Gucci, Shawty Redd has made beats for Lil Jon, Pastor Troy, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, and many more.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/199/ for full show notes and comments.

Nana Ashhurst, formerly Carmen, played a key role in the history of hip-hop’s most iconic label, Def Jam, and in the career of its co-founder Russell Simmons. Of course, before that, she met Malcolm X through her activist parents and ran revolutions in Grenada—no big deal.

She joined Def Jam in the 1980s as Russell’s assistant, but quickly worked her way up to president. While there, she also oversaw Russell’s expansion into fashion, movies, and comedy with properties like the fashion label Phat Farm and the TV show Def Comedy Jam.

Nana oversaw Def Jam in the early 1990s, right as gangsta rap was beginning to take over the industry, and she has some valuable insights into how and why that happened. She also, as you’ll hear, has a fascinating political background and family history that informed her work in hip-hop.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/206/ for full show notes and comments.

Orville “Shaggy” Burrell was raised in Jamaica, but started spending most of his time in Flatbush, Brooklyn starting in his late teens. It was in the streets of Flatbush that he began to turn his talent for creating on-the-spot rhymes into a career, performing at block parties and clubs and recording his first few singles.

One of those early songs, a cover of the Folkes Brothers’ “Oh Carolina,” became a huge hit in 1993, particularly in the UK, and really launched Shaggy’s career. He went on to have a giant hit in 1995 with “Boombastic,” and then had world-beating success with his 10 million-selling 2001 album Hot Shot, which contained the hits “Angel” and “It Wasn’t Me.” Since then, he has continued having big songs, experimenting, and making great music. His latest hit is the song “Seasons,” featuring OMI.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/210/ for full show notes and comments.

As many of you know, The Cipher is going on an indefinite hiatus following this episode. For more information about why, visit us on Twitter or Facebook, or just listen to this episode. But in short, we have no plans to make any more new episodes after this one. Our archives, however, will still be available and free on our website, on iTunes and other podcast apps, and on SoundCloud.

For this goodbye episode, we called up our friend and episode 201 guest Jay Smooth to interview The Cipher’s host Shawn Setaro and its producer Josh Kross. Jay, as you’ll hear, did an amazing job, and got us to touch on so many aspects of the show’s history, and of ways we thought about it over the years.

So here’s the end of the road, for now. Thanks for listening.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/252/ for full show notes and comments.

Ari Shaffir, Comedian and Host Of Ari Shaffir's Skeptic Tank, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

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Ari Shaffir, Comedian, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

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Ari Shaffir, Comedian, and Host of the, "Skeptic Tank" podcast, Eddie Bravo, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu,join Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio with a call from Duncan Trussell, 'The Duncan Trussell Family Hour"

Ari Shaffir, Comedian and Host of, "This Is Not Happening" which airs on Comedy Central, Tuesdays at 12:30am, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Jimmy Shubert, comedian and actor seen on "Last Comic Standing" and "The King Of Queens", joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

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Josh Adam Meyers, comedian and the creator and host of the Goddamn Comedy Jam joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Josh Wolf, comedian snd host of the "Fairly Normal" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio!

Iliza Shlesinger, comedian whose special, "Confirmed Kills" is streaming now on Netflix, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio!

Ashley Barnhill, comedian, seen on "Maron" and "Drunk History," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Josh Wolf, comedian snd host of the "Fairly Normal" and co host of the "Prinze and the Wolf" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio!

Ari Shaffir, Comedian whose double special "Double Negative" is available on Netflix, calls in to talk with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt about his own mental health journey and to offer some advice to Lee and anyone who may be struggling with mental health issues. 

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Bethany Ashton Wolf, the screenwriter and director of the new movie,"Forever My Girl," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

See "Forever My Girl" in theatres this weekend!

Josh Wolf, a comedian and host of the "Fairly Normal" and "The Prinze and the Wolf" podcasts, and Greg Garcia, the creator of multiple sitcoms, such as "My Name Is Earl" and "The Guest Book," which will begin airing in October 2018, which includes two episodes with Joey Diaz, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio!

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Josh Wolf, stand up comedian and co host of the "Prinze and the Wolf" podcasts, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio!

Ari Shaffir, comedian and host of the, "Skeptic Tank" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio. Check out Ari's double special, "Double Negative," on Netflix.

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Joey Diaz talks about Jorge Masvidal's growth as a man from his appearance on The Church to beating Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Joey also discusses two of the most important friendships he's had. 

Josh Adam Meyers, a comedian and the creator of "The Goddamn Comedy Jam," joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Check out Josh's appearance on Bill Burr Presents: The Ringer. Now on Comedy Central. 

Josh Potter, a stand up comedian and one of the producers of "Your Mom's House" and the rest of the YMH Studio podcasts,  joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Cory n Chad, are identical twin brothers and stand up comedians known as The Smash Brothers. They have made appearances on Showtime and Fox. Today they join Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio to celebrate Ralphie May's birthday.

Jimmy Shubert, a comedian and actor with 30+ years of experience seen on "The King Of Queens," and in films, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

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Our writers pick songs they want to hear, banish five they never want to hear again and try to find worthy solo Jagger and Richards tracks. Continue reading…

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