How Algorithms Flattened Culture | Interview with Kyle Chayka @DiggingTheTalks

Digging The Talks Algorithms are a part of our everyday life, and they help us get more of what we want, right? Well, in Kyle Chayka’s new book he argues that this has flattened culture, making the popular things more popular, and the obscure things more obscure. I read his book “Filterworld” during my iPod experiment month. I was feeling frustrated with Spotify’s algorithm and decided to listen to music exclusively through an iPod for a month.

I loved Kyle’s book so much that I had to reach out to talk to him more about it. A clip of this interview appeared in the first video of this iPod month series on Digging The Greats, but today I’m bringing you our full conversation. I loved getting to talk to Kyle, and especially loved his book as it hit the nail on the head.

Check out Kyle Chayka's book "Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture": amazon.com/gp/product/0385548281?tag=randohouseinc7986-20

Also check out week 1 of my iPod series: youtu.be/Ou2dW4qebbw

updated 2 years ago

How Algorithms Flattened Culture | Interview with Kyle Chayka

Digging The Talks 2024-07-09 | Algorithms are a part of our everyday life, and they help us get more of what we want, right? Well, in Kyle Chayka’s new book he argues that this has flattened culture, making the popular things more popular, and the obscure things more obscure. I read his book “Filterworld” during my iPod experiment month. I was feeling frustrated with Spotify’s algorithm and decided to listen to music exclusively through an iPod for a month.

I loved Kyle’s book so much that I had to reach out to talk to him more about it. A clip of this interview appeared in the first video of this iPod month series on Digging The Greats, but today I’m bringing you our full conversation. I loved getting to talk to Kyle, and especially loved his book as it hit the nail on the head.

Check out Kyle Chayka's book "Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture": amazon.com/gp/product/0385548281?tag=randohouseinc7986-20

Also check out week 1 of my iPod series: youtu.be/Ou2dW4qebbw

Creating The World of Windstar With Simon Adler

Digging The Talks 2024-11-15 | I recently posted a video that was a lot different from a typical DTG video. In it, I show a... thing that someone sent me, and that sends me down a rabbit hole trying to figure out what it is. Honestly, if you haven't seen the video, you should watch that first: youtube.com/watch?v=gfRSBEqueL8

Today I'm bringing you my full conversation with Simon Adler - he's the creator of this project, and the Senior Producer of Radiolab. We talk not only about the unique packaging of this project, but the process of making the music, and the larger world around it.

Navigating the Shifting Internet of 2024 with Jason Koebler

Digging The Talks 2024-07-24 | We're in the middle of some big shifts with the Internet right now, so as part of my iPod month, I called up Jason Koebler of 404 Media to talk about the state of the Internet, and how he's navigating it with 404 Media.

Make sure and check out 404's YouTube at youtube.com/@UC7YMZb0X_W06ToOazhFuXIQ as well as their full site at www.404media.co

Being an Artist in 2024 with Revel Day

Digging The Talks 2024-07-16 | Revel Day is an artist, vocalist, and songwriter who also happens to be one of the best people you could meet. As part of week 2 of my iPod series I sat down with him for a conversation about what it's like making things for the internet, his Spotify presence, staying true to yourself as an artist, as well as the music festival that he puts on in Southern California.

Make sure and check him out online:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0GlCo4o05HxdzR4Gj7GKyw?si=KD2XHVhgSpS4kQKhkl-P5w

Instagram: instagram.com/revel_day

Lalah Hathaway | 5X Grammy Winning Vocalist

Digging The Talks 2023-12-08 | Lalah Hathaway is an incredible vocalist - not only because she has an incredible voice, but because she’s a great musician. She’s released many solo albums, won 5 Grammys, and collaborate with everybody from Robert Glasper to Joe Sample, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige, Anderson Paak, Marcus Miller - and so many more. She’s also famous for her ability to… sing chords. Oh, and as her last name suggests, the legendary Donny Hathaway is her father.

In this conversation we get into her career, some favorite collaborations, how she approaches music, how she does the chord thing, and talk about the Christmas Heist - the plan to make "This Christmas" hit No. 1.

For the rundown of the Christmas Heist 2.0 - check out the video on Digging The Greats:

Bob Power (A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu & SO Many More)

Digging The Talks 2023-11-09 | Bob Power is a legendary Engineer and Mixer who's known for his work with A Tribe Called Quest on ground breaking albums like "The Low End Theory" and "Midnight Marauders", having also worked with more artists than I can name (De La Soul, Jungle Bros, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, The Roots, Meshell Ndegeocello, and so many more).

In our conversation Bob tells me about his work on these albums, how he got his start in music, and we even get into some mix tips.

Portions of this interview appear in the video breakdown of Midnight Marauders, go check out that full video on the Digging the Greats YouTube: youtu.be/XF886eu99m0

#BobPower #Mixingengineer #Interview

Afrika Baby Bam - Jungle Brothers, The Native Tongues

Digging The Talks 2023-09-29 | Afrika Baby Bam, or as he’s also known, Bam - is a member of the Jungle Brothers - an incredibly influential hip hop group who were part of the Native Tongues Collective. I've talked about the Native Tongues in multiple @diggingthegreats videos - but today I’m excited to bring you my recent conversation with Bam himself.

We get into the formation of the Jungle Brothers, the Native Tongues, stories like recording the classic song “Buddy”, making the classic Hip House track “I’ll House You”, meeting Queen Latifah for the first time, and his new project, which is punk rock.

Follow Bam online -
Instagram: instagram.com/bam_jungle/?hl=en
His latest punk rock project: youtube.com/watch?v=KsL8nXfIQLg

Check out the full Digging the Greats breakdown of "I'll House You" by the Jungle Brothers: youtube.com/watch?v=lCXaRF9_lZQ

My other videos covering the Native Tongues:

Who are the Native Tongues: youtube.com/watch?v=2TvphNtdzA4&t=238s

Breaking down "The Low End Theory" by A Tribe Called Quest: youtube.com/watch?v=90T2fhsSX7I

Breaking down "3 Feet High and Rising" by De La Soul: youtube.com/watch?v=07-IEONSbaw&t=226s

Breaking down "U.N.I.T.Y." by Queen Latifah: youtube.com/watch?v=dii82av5S_A

Breaking down "Stakes is High" by De La Soul: youtube.com/watch?v=O68B6-LSo-M&t=1s

And of course, go subscribe to the main channel @diggingthegreats

#afrikababybam #junglebrothers #nativetongues

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:37 Beginnings in Music
04:11 Forming the Jungle Brothers
12:33 Native Tongues Making History
16:33 "I'll House You"
24:54: Following the Jam
32:27 The New Punk Rock Project
48:07 "Buddy" and Queen Latifah
55:04 Wrap Up

Derrick Hodge (Bassist, Arranger, Composer)

Digging The Talks 2023-07-31 | Derrick Hodge is a bass player, arranger, conductor, and he’s worked with a TON of huge artists, at the highest level possible. I recently posted a video on Digging The Greats breaking down Common’s album “Be” - Derrick played that bass intro on the album and arranged the strings you hear.

Follow Derrick Online: derrickhodge.com/instagram.com/dhodgeworld/?hl=enopen.spotify.com/artist/1jvBVqm4g5Jk8tEmKoYoes?si=WPL4WL-wTRat77RMlsFocg

Check out the full Digging The Greats breakdown of Common's "Be"
youtube.com/watch?v=9nKHixWFCto

And of course, the main channel @diggingthegreats

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:07 Common's "Be"
05:18 Combining Genres
09:27 "Illmatic" Orchestra
11:35 Performing "Illmatic"
17:34 Juneteenth Celebration
20:34 Color of Noize
25:47 "Improvisation"
30:35 Soloing
36:02 Arranging Hip Hop for Orchestra
39:02 John Clayton
43:46 Color of Noize Tour
46:00 Lightning Round
1:07:07 Wrap Up

#Derrickhodge #musichistory #podcast

House Shoes - DJ and Producer

Digging The Talks 2023-07-24 | House Shoes is a legendary DJ and Producer. I recently posted a video on the main channel all about De La Soul’s Stakes is High, which was produced by J Dilla. A short clip from this conversation is in that video, because House Shoes put out the Jay Dee Unreleased EP, which features a remix of Stakes is High.

Well today I’m bringing you the FULL conversation - we talk about his beginnings in music, the scene at St. Andrews Hall, some Dilla, His Record Label Street Corner Music, Fatherhood, a Crazy Story about the Secret Service, and just generally nerd out about music.

You’ll want to follow House Shoes online, check out
Street Corner Music: streetcornerscm.com
Twitch DJ stream - every Monday and Wednesday - twitch.tv/shoeshouse
Instagram: instagram.com/houseshoes/?hl=en

Then check out the full video on De La Soul's "Stakes is High": youtube.com/watch?v=O68B6-LSo-M

And the main channel @diggingthegreats

You can also check out this full interview on the Digging the Greats Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digging-the-greats/id1694172577

CHAPTERS
00:00 INTRO
01:05 Start / Beginnings
6:40 St. Andrew's
9:24 Street Corner Music
14:06 Detroit Hip Hop
19:15 De La Soul's "Stakes is High"
21:05 Jay Dee Unreleased
27:05 Dilla's Sound
28:40 The Record Label
33:30 Records and Tapes
38:03 Not Caring About Music
39:02 Streaming on Twitch
46:02 Largo LA
49:28 Shoes on the Road
54:23 Fatherhood
1:03:45 Music Streaming
1:05:13 Desert Island 6 CD Changer
1:09:15 Arguing About Music
1:10:12 Secret Service Story
1:20:37 J Dilla's Impact
1:23:37 Grieving Through Records
1:29:08 DJ Prep
1:32:53 New Music
1:36:53 Hollywood Strike
1:39:04 No Musical Preferences
1:46:24 Twitch Stream
1:49:28 Wrap Up

LaDerrick Perry - Keyboards with Ms Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, 112

Digging The Talks 2023-07-17 | LaDerrick Perry is a musician and producer who has worked with artists like Alicia Keys, 112, and currently plays keys for Ms Lauryn Hill. We talk all about his career, how he started, what it’s like playing for someone as Legendary as Ms Hill, as well as some of the specifics of how often they rehearse, and how many people are in the current touring band - Spoiler - the answer to both questions is A LOT.

Follow LaDerrick Perry's YouTube Channel @LaDerrickTheChemistPerry
Instagram: instagram.com/the_chemist0?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Check out the Digging the Greats breakdown of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" - which features clips from this conversation - youtube.com/watch?v=gWqJAEaAtfs&t=1s

Listen to this Full Episode on the Digging the Greats Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digging-the-greats/id1694172577

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:30 LaDerrick's Current Schedule
02:40 Starting with Ms. Hill
04:23 Roots Picnic
05:42 LaDerrick's YouTube
06:45 Performing with Ms. Hill
10:19 Fugees Reunion
11:59 Preparation is Key
13:45 Positive Energy Chords
16:05 How Big is Ms. Hill's Band?
21:40 Pulling out All the Stops
23:21 LaDerrick's Musical Beginnings
26:33 LaDerrick's Production Work
30:06 Performing with Alicia Keys
31:43 Performing with 112
33:40 LaDerrick's Motivation
36:55 Wisdom for Younger Musicians
38:10 Wrap Up

Making Peace with “Killing Me Softly”

Digging The Talks 2023-07-13 | Lori Lieberman is a singer-songwriter who got her start in the 70s with a song called, "Killing Me Softly", and after an extended hiatus, resumed her career in the 90s, and has released many albums since.

My recent video on Killing Me Softly explored The Fugees' version, Roberta Flack's version, and told Lori's story. Today I'm thrilled to play my recent conversation with Lori, discussing this song, her career, and her upcoming performances.

Find Lori Lieberman online at lorilieberman.com

Full video breakdown of "Killing Me Softly": youtube.com/watch?v=d2xBQgYIqz8

Listen to this full episode on the Digging the Greats Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lori-lieberman-killing-me-softly-artist-singer-songwriter/id1694172577?i=1000620597934

And of course, check out the main channel, @diggingthegreats

Missing Credit for “Killing Me Softly | Hearing Roberta Flacks Version

Digging The Talks 2023-07-12 | Lori Lieberman is a singer-songwriter who got her start in the 70s with a song called, "Killing Me Softly", and after an extended hiatus, resumed her career in the 90s, and has released many albums since.

My recent video on Killing Me Softly explored The Fugees' version, Roberta Flack's version, and told Lori's story. Today I'm thrilled to play my recent conversation with Lori, discussing this song, her career, and her upcoming performances.

Find Lori Lieberman online at lorilieberman.com

Full video breakdown of "Killing Me Softly": youtube.com/watch?v=d2xBQgYIqz8

Listen to this full episode on the Digging the Greats Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lori-lieberman-killing-me-softly-artist-singer-songwriter/id1694172577?i=1000620597934

And of course, check out the main channel, @diggingthegreats

How “Killing Me Softly” was Written

Digging The Talks 2023-07-11 | Lori Lieberman is a singer-songwriter who got her start in the 70s with a song called, "Killing Me Softly", and after an extended hiatus, resumed her career in the 90s, and has released many albums since.

My recent video on Killing Me Softly explored The Fugees' version, Roberta Flack's version, and told Lori's story. Today I'm thrilled to play my recent conversation with Lori, discussing this song, her career, and her upcoming performances.

Find Lori Lieberman online at lorilieberman.com

Full video breakdown of "Killing Me Softly": youtube.com/watch?v=d2xBQgYIqz8

Listen to this full episode on the Digging the Greats Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lori-lieberman-killing-me-softly-artist-singer-songwriter/id1694172577?i=1000620597934

And of course, check out the main channel, @diggingthegreats

Lori Lieberman - The ORIGINAL Killing Me Softly Artist | Full Talk

Digging The Talks 2023-07-10 | Lori Lieberman is a singer-songwriter who got her start in the 70s with a song called, "Killing Me Softly", and after an extended hiatus, resumed her career in the 90s, and has released many albums since.

My recent video on Killing Me Softly explored The Fugees' version, Roberta Flack's version, and told Lori's story. Today I'm thrilled to play my recent conversation with Lori, discussing this song, her career, and her upcoming performances.

Find Lori Lieberman online at lorilieberman.com

Full video breakdown of "Killing Me Softly": youtube.com/watch?v=d2xBQgYIqz8

Listen to this full episode on the Digging the Greats Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lori-lieberman-killing-me-softly-artist-singer-songwriter/id1694172577?i=1000620597934

And of course, check out the main channel, @diggingthegreats

Chapters
00:00 Intro
1:30 Start
2:35 Lori's Beginnings
5:12 Don McLean at the Troubadour
5:57 "Empty Chairs"
6:32 The Poem
9:02 "Back to Before" Bookend
10:52 Song Release
11:36 Hearing Roberta Flack's Version
14:03 Not Getting Credit
15:37 The Changing Story
20:30 Rerecording "Killing Me Softly"
23:32 Making Peace
25:45 The DTG Video
27:24 Women in the Business
28:38 Meeting Roberta Flack
29:20 Resuming Her Career
33:47 Carnegie Hall
36:17 Instrument Insurance
38:49 Wrap Up

Ken Lewis on working with Kanye, Wu Tang, J. Cole, and MORE | FULL TALK

Digging The Talks 2023-07-06 | Listen to this interview on the Digging The Greats Podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-lewis-kanye-wu-tang-j-cole-more/id1694172577?i=1000618197814

Thanks to Ken Lewis for talking about his career! Find more from Ken here:
Ken Lewis' Mixing Night Livestreams: youtube.com/@UCH_lQKa27KAIBq4VPTaNdHQ
kenlewis.com

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:55 Kanye's "All Falls Down"
05:09 First Time in Studio with Kanye
07:32 Kanye's "All of the Lights"
10:12 Jesus Walks - Grammys
12:46 Watch The Throne
15:43 Current Projects
18:49 Mixing Night
21:46 Ken's Background
22:10 John Legend
22:51 "Strangest Career"
25:16 Wu Tang's Secret Double Album
28:52 Kendrick Lamar
29:55 Uncredited Work
31:41 Uptown Funk
34:57 "I Just make music"
36:49 Alicia Keys
37:02 Pete Rock
39:06 Mariah Carey
41:23 Queen Latifah
43:32 J Cole's "Born Sinner"
47:33 Usher's "Throwback"
50:03 Diana Ross
51:29 Public Enemy and Aretha Franklin
53:14 Most Fun and Difficult Artists
55:45 Tips for Creative Roadblocks
58:31 Wrap Up

#kanyewest #hiphop #musichistory

Playing Accordion on Watch The Throne

Digging The Talks 2023-07-05 | Listen to the full interview on the Digging The Greats Podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-lewis-kanye-wu-tang-j-cole-more/id1694172577?i=1000618197814

Watch the Digging The Greats breakdown of Kayne's "All of the Lights": youtube.com/watch?v=LE1bHyAs5Ug

Thanks to Ken Lewis for talking about his work on this album! Find more from Ken here:
Ken Lewis' Mixing Night Livestreams: youtube.com/@UCH_lQKa27KAIBq4VPTaNdHQ
kenlewis.com

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

#kanyewest #jayz #musichistory

J. Coles Born Sinner - Producing the Strings & Choirs

Digging The Talks 2023-07-04 | Listen to the full interview on the Digging The Greats Podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-lewis-kanye-wu-tang-j-cole-more/id1694172577?i=1000618197814

Thanks to Ken Lewis for talking about his work on this album! Find more from Ken here:
Ken Lewis' Mixing Night Livestreams: youtube.com/@UCH_lQKa27KAIBq4VPTaNdHQ
kenlewis.com

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

#jcole #hiphop #musichistory

Mixing Wu-Tang Clans SECRET Double Album

Digging The Talks 2023-06-30 | Listen to the full interview on the Digging The Greats Podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-lewis-kanye-wu-tang-j-cole-more/id1694172577?i=1000618197814

Watch the Digging The Greats breakdown of Wu Tang's 36 Chambers: youtube.com/watch?v=CDbGrW8OeAg

Thanks to Ken Lewis for talking about his work on this album! Find more from Ken here:
Ken Lewis' Mixing Night Livestreams: youtube.com/@UCH_lQKa27KAIBq4VPTaNdHQ
kenlewis.com

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

#wutang #hiphop #musichistory

Creating Kanyes Stadium Halftime Horns | All of the Lights

Digging The Talks 2023-06-30 | Listen to the full interview on the Digging The Greats Podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-lewis-kanye-wu-tang-j-cole-more/id1694172577?i=1000618197814

Watch the full Digging The Greats Breakdown of All of The Lights: youtube.com/watch?v=LE1bHyAs5Ug

Thanks to Ken Lewis for talking about his work on this song - Find more from Ken here:

Ken Lewis' Mixing Night Livestreams: youtube.com/@UCH_lQKa27KAIBq4VPTaNdHQ
kenlewis.com

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

#kanyewest #hiphop #musichistory

Re-Recording The All Falls Down Guitar Sample | Kanye West

Digging The Talks 2023-06-30 | Listen to the full interview on the Digging The Greats Podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-lewis-kanye-wu-tang-j-cole-more/id1694172577?i=1000618197814

Watch the full Digging The Greats breakdown of "All Falls Down": youtube.com/watch?v=zH5srIgWLZk

Thanks to Ken Lewis for talking about his work on this song - Find more from Ken here:
Ken Lewis' Mixing Night Livestreams: youtube.com/@UCH_lQKa27KAIBq4VPTaNdHQ

kenlewis.com

And of course, check out the main channel @diggingthegreats

#kanyewest #hiphop #musichistory