General Norrad of Tha Homeboys and AK Love of Black Hole Posse sit down with Mile High Minute to tell the story of the birth of Denver hip-hop. General Norrad takes it back to the early 1980s, from breakdancing and discovering artists like Run-DMC and LL Cool J to meeting rappers from Brooklyn in Denver in 1986 and forming HBO—Home Boys Only. He recalls Denver’s earliest freestyle sessions, ciphers, rap battles and contests, and the pioneers who helped establish Colorado’s hip-hop foundation.

They break down Denver’s earliest rap groups and artists, including Living Legends, Legion of Doom, Black Hole Posse, BMW, Fresh MC’s, Most Illanest B-Boys, Keith McD, MC Boom and Boogie Bass. Norrad also recalls Living Legends releasing what he describes as one of Denver’s first hip-hop records around 1984–85 and explains how Tha Homeboys eventually began recording with Steve Roll’n of Tag Team, years before “Whoomp! (There It Is)” became a massive hit.

General Norrad also tells the story of Tha Homeboys opening for DJ Quik in Denver in the early ’90s and witnessing the infamous chaos surrounding Quik’s Denver performance. They discuss DJ Quik’s later references to Denver, how the city reacted, and why Norrad still considers Quik an influential producer despite what happened decades ago.

AK Love breaks down “Denver Love,” while the two pioneers remember a period when Black Hole Posse, Tha Homeboys and BMW were among Denver’s premier rap groups. They discuss battling each other before eventually joining forces years later, the difference between recording music in the ’80s and today, Denver’s gang era, and why Colorado struggled to receive national recognition despite being a major touring market.

The conversation also connects Denver’s pioneers to later generations. They discuss Trev Rich, MNLD, Interstate Ike, Young Doe, Kofax, Denver’s evolving sound and what the city still needs to reach the next level. General Norrad also shares stories from his years in Nashville, including working around Young Buck and meeting Jelly Roll before his rise to fame.

In this interview:

• Birth of Denver hip-hop in the 1980s
• Tha Homeboys / HBO history
• Black Hole Posse
• Denver’s first hip-hop records
• DJ Quik’s infamous Denver show
• Tag Team & Steve Roll’n
• “Whoomp! (There It Is)”
• Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
• Kool Moe Dee
• Denver Love
• BMW & Sabotage
• Denver rap battles & ciphers
• Gang culture changing Denver hip-hop
• Why the music industry overlooked Denver
• Trev Rich & Cash Money
• MNLD, Interstate Ike & Young Doe
• Young Buck & Nashville hip-hop
• Meeting Jelly Roll before the fame
• Denver’s modern rap sound
• 40 years of Colorado hip-hop history

MILE HIGH MINUTE

Yung Dom, SPM’s youngest son, sits down with Mile High Minute for an in-depth conversation about growing up in Denver, discovering that SPM (South Park Mexican) was his father, and building his own identity and music career outside of his dad’s legacy. Dom explains how he first learned about SPM as a kid, discovering songs like “In My Hood,” “Red Beans and Rice,” “Real Gangsta” and “Bloody War,” and how people initially questioned his story when he revealed their relationship publicly.

Yung Dom also speaks on the questions surrounding SPM’s case and paperwork, sharing what he personally knows while acknowledging there are parts of the situation he doesn’t fully know or understand. He discusses dealing with criticism surrounding his father, why he wants people to judge him as his own person, and whether SPM’s history could affect his own rap career.

The conversation also covers Dope House Records and Yung Dom’s plans for his career. When asked if he would sign with Dope House, Dom says his goal is to build his own independent label and team in Denver instead. He talks about wanting to work with Colorado artists including 100 Pack Savvy, AP and TTB Fredo, while discussing Denver’s growing hip-hop scene and his goal of helping put the city on the map.

Yung Dom also talks about Houston, his relationship with SPM’s side of the family, and the support SPM continues to receive from artists and fans. The conversation touches on names including Lil Flip and Peso Peso, SPM’s potential future, and whether fans could eventually hear Yung Dom and SPM make music together.

In this interview:
• Yung Dom growing up in Denver
• Finding out SPM was his father
• SPM’s paperwork and case
• SPM’s The Last Chair Violinist album
• Dope House Records
• Would Yung Dom sign to Dope House?
• Lil Flip & Peso Peso
• SPM’s Houston legacy
• SPM’s potential future
• Making music with SPM
• 100 Pack Savvy, AP & TTB Fredo
• Denver’s rap scene
• Colorado’s Latin hip-hop scene
• Starting his own record label
• Staying independent
• Yung Dom’s upcoming music

MILE HIGH MINUTE

Triiibe1Mill sits down with Mile High Minute to talk about his journey from New Orleans to Colorado Springs, why Colorado became his second home, and what he’s learned building his music career from the ground up. He also breaks down the tension between Denver and Colorado Springs and explains why he believes artists across the state need to work together instead of staying divided. NoteGPT_Transcript_Triiibe1Mill… NoteGPT_Transcript_Triiibe1Mill…

Triiibe1Mill also gets into the business behind his music. He explains why artists have to invest in themselves, what happened after getting exposure through platforms like Say Cheese and No Jumper, and reveals that he’s already roughly $50K into his career. According to him, money alone isn't enough—you still need the music, production, budget and “it factor” working together. NoteGPT_Transcript_Triiibe1Mill…

Later, the conversation turns to Pueblo, where Triiibe1Mill says living there felt like “GTA in real life.” He shares stories from his time there before comparing Colorado street culture with what he grew up around in New Orleans. He also discusses upcoming music, including Brick Brothers Deluxe, GTA 6, and Saved by the Tweakers 2. NoteGPT_Transcript_Triiibe1Mill…

Topics include:
• New Orleans → Colorado Springs
• Denver vs. Colorado Springs
• Pueblo street culture
• “Pueblo is like GTA in real life”
• New Orleans vs. Colorado culture
• Investing $50K+ into music
• Say Cheese & No Jumper exposure
• Why artists need to invest in promotion
• Colorado's growing rap scene
• Lil Mac Diddy & Lil Nate
• Building a real fanbase independently
• Upcoming projects & rollouts

MILE HIGH MINUTE

Chicago artist SD sits down with Mile High Minute for an in-depth conversation about his life, the early Chicago music scene, and his journey from growing up on the South Side to building a career on his own terms.

SD talks about spending time around O’Block before Chicago’s music scene exploded, meeting Chief Keef before they began making music together, his relationship with the late Fredo Santana, and watching a new generation of Chicago artists help bring national attention to the city. He also explains why he doesn’t personally put himself inside the “drill” box and instead considers himself an artist.

The conversation goes deeper into SD’s decision to create Truly Mafia, why he chose not to pick sides when relationships around him changed, and how he built infrastructure around his own career. SD also breaks down why he has remained independent, the label opportunities he’s encountered, and what the right deal would have to offer him.

SD also speaks on Young Chop, Danny Brown, DJ Milticket, briefly attending Chicago State, learning film production, fatherhood, peace in Chicago, new music, and whether fans could ever see him work with Chief Keef again.

🎙️ Watch/listen to the full conversation with SD and Mile High Minute.

Rico Recklezz sits down with Mile High Minute for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up on Chicago’s South Side, the rise of drill music, and experiencing one of the most influential eras in Chicago rap firsthand.

Rico breaks down watching Chief Keef’s rise, his relationship with Lil JoJo, being caught between different sides of Chicago’s rap scene, and his perspective on how music and street conflicts became increasingly intertwined. He also speaks on ZackTV’s impact on Chicago, his issues with King Yella, his attempts to push peace, and his perspective on Lil Durk’s growth.

Later, Rico talks about Ewol Samo, his relationship with Vlad, his experiences with incarceration, FBG Duck, staying independent, new music, fatherhood, and why he is focused on positivity and building the next chapter of his career.

Topics include:

• Growing up on Chicago’s South Side

• Chief Keef and the rise of Chicago drill

• Rico’s relationship with Lil JoJo

• FBG Duck

• King Yella

• Lil Durk

• ZackTV’s impact on Chicago

• Trying to bring peace to Chicago

• Ewol Samo and their upcoming music

• Vlad and their podcast relationship

• Jail and lessons from incarceration

• Staying independent

• Fatherhood and positivity

BandGang Lonnie Bands sits down with Mile High Minute for a full conversation about growing up in Detroit, BandGang’s early rise, and watching the city’s rap sound spread far beyond Michigan.

Lonnie talks about making music from a young age, the records that first gained traction, Detroit’s influence on modern rap, and why he believes artists have to separate street politics from music. He also discusses moving around, living in Los Angeles, becoming a father, staying independent, and why he refuses to rush into the wrong record deal.

The conversation also gets into Colorado and Detroit’s connection, networking outside your hometown, investing in yourself as an independent artist, the realities of performing, and Lonnie’s advice for upcoming rappers trying to build something that lasts.

Topics include:
• Growing up on Detroit’s west side
• BandGang’s early days and breakthrough
• Detroit’s influence on today’s rap sound
• California and Detroit’s musical connection
• Moving away from Detroit and living in LA
• Keeping street politics separate from music
• Staying independent vs. signing a deal
• Detroit and Colorado’s rap connection
• Investing in yourself as an artist
• Fatherhood, patience and longevity

MILE HIGH MINUTE

NHale knows comparisons to his father, West Coast legend Nate Dogg, are unavoidable—but he doesn’t want those comparisons to define his career.

In this conversation with Mile High Minute, NHale explains why he chose to build his own name instead of simply living off his father’s legacy. He talks about sounding like Nate Dogg while still telling his own story, the challenges that come with carrying such a recognizable musical legacy, and why establishing his own identity matters to him.

NHale also discusses the musical standard set by the generation around his father—including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Ludacris—and why recreating that era isn’t as simple as copying its sound.

In this interview:

• Growing up as Nate Dogg’s son
• Why NHale wants his own identity
• Carrying Nate Dogg’s musical legacy
• Why he doesn’t expect handouts
• Developing his career independently
• Naturally inheriting his family’s deep voice
• The challenge of matching his father’s musical era
• G-Funk vs. modern West Coast sounds
• NHale’s upcoming music and direction

MILE HIGH MINUTE

Chicago DJ and producer DJ Milticket sits down with Mile High Minute to tell his story from growing up in Englewood to becoming a key figure behind Chicago’s hip-hop and drill movement.

Milticket breaks down becoming G Herbo’s official DJ, touring alongside Lil Bibby, working across different Chicago movements, and producing records including G Herbo’s “I Never Cared,” whose beat was later used by Lil Durk for “No Auto Durk.” He also discusses producing for FBG Duck and working with artists throughout Chicago while staying neutral amid the city’s conflicts.

The conversation gets into DJ Akademiks’ early coverage of Chicago, ZackTV’s impact, Chief Keef’s influence, FBG Duck and King Von’s legacies, and Milticket’s perspective on what could bring more peace to Chicago. He explains why he believes Lil Durk has the influence to help push the city toward positive change.