After the Snow

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Latest Episodes:

Episode 30 “Which Way To Go” Sep 09, 2022

We’re back with another episode of After the Snow with Dave & Rick! This week’s Snowfall Episode 8 of Season 2, entitled “Surrender,” spawns a conversation about the moment when crack rock was having a long lasting impact on those addicted to it. It wasn’t an overnight realization
as many of us would believe, but rather a gradual one… somewhere around 4 years after it first hit the streets. According to Rick, even then it wasn’t a common occurrence as many were still “functional” and others were involved for the hustle as opposed to the high. It seems like somewhere along the way this distinction got lost. We see just how lost things really are as we look at where Franklin and crew are in their divide for what’s most important, loyalty or business? Lucia & Gustavo get hemmed up but search for a way out, and Teddy is trying to find his footing.
Join us in this week’s episode.
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 29 “Hands Up!” Sep 02, 2022

Dave and Rick are back with another episode of after a pretty jam packed week. Dave was in Houston, TX with Bill Bellamy and the Breakbeat Media team for 50 Cent’s Tycoon Weekend. He shares his experience catching up with old friends and handling BIDNESS at the same time. While Dave was trekking around “H-Town” hitting the pool parties, brunches, celebrity basketball game, and comedy show, Rick was out in the “A” with the podcast trio, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean filming an episode of their 85 South Show. Having fun but also taking care of business, having recently got his trucking company out on the road. Now both back at home, Dave and Rick are ready for some pod talk! News has been circulating about boxing champ turned podcast host, Mike Tyson, voicing his frustrations with a particular streaming service for using his name and likeness to tell his life story, without him! An issue Rick knows all too well. Dave and Rick agree to stand in solidarity with the champ, by not tuning in. These situations can get really sticky and cause a lot of chaos. In this week’s episode of Snowfall, Season 2, Episode 7, “The World is Yours,” we see just how sticky things can get. From Teddy having to go at it alone while his brother is held hostage, Franklin falling short of his mother’s approval after paying off her home, Kevin on the brink of betrayal, and Lucia taking Pedro and his fiancee’s suspicious actions into her own hands, it’s a matter of time before things hit the fan and we see who’s left with their hands up.
Join us in this week’s episode.
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 28 “Win The People” Aug 18, 2022

Relationships are at the heart of today’s episode as Rick talks about his decision to leave his bags and books behind to show up for an event in Indiana focused on providing resources to its residents—a decision highlighting his commitment to community advocacy and restoration. And when working hard, there’s got to be a balance of playing hard – which is his plan for his upcoming trip to Memphis, TN where he’ll be hosting a party with five-division Boxing world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Dave shares a story about an opportunity he gave to Mayweather early in his career at the The Source Awards hosted in Miami. As the brains and visionary behind The Source and its award show, Dave shares what made it such a special experience and the impact it had in pushing the culture of hip-hop forward. An influence we can see today across the world. Dave talks about another tv series he’s been watching, Netflix’s original series, Top Boy, where not only is the culture present but British artists like Kano (also starring in the series) and Roots Manuva (“Fighting For?”) embody the elements of Hip-Hop that lend themselves to their respective genres. If we take a look at everyday life depicted in Snowfall, we can also take note of how it shaped the culture of Hip-Hop as we now know it. In this week’s episode, Season 2, Ep. 6 l, “The Offer,” Dave points out a theme commonly reflected within the culture, broken households and the role of the father. From Jerome’s encounter with Rob’s dad, Nia advocating for Franklin’s attention with his dad, and more...these family dynamics are affecting their bottom line in the business. Things are no different for Gustavo and Lucia as they’re also in a bind, hoping to win some favor with Franklin to get their hands on the recipe to cook up rock of their own – while also trying to keep their nose clean after catching on to the suspicious behavior of Pedro’s “fiancée,” who we now know is looking to win in her own way.
Tap in to this week’s episode!
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 27 - “In A Pinch” Aug 13, 2022

We’re back with another episode of “After the Snow.” Rick is celebrating some recent WINS in the boxing ring with his team of fighters after leaving Dallas, as well as the launch of new business ventures. Jumping right into this week’s Snowfall episode (Season 2, Episode 5), it’s a strong push forward for everyone. Dave points out how special this is given that we’re already mid-season, where a lot of shows tend to slow things down. But that is not the case with our crew! Franklin is in a pinch with Avi back in action and demanding of Franklin in ways he wasn’t prepared for. Teddy or shall we say, Reed, is showing his hand a bit more. And unfortunately, business isn’t the only stressor. Things at home are also causing some tension, Alton (Franklin’s Dad) seems to be cleaning up though Franklin isn’t too sold on his intentions. Back with Gustavo and Lucia, they’ve also caught on to the suspicions of Pedro’s “fiancée” Soledad. It’s time for a real game plan for everyone to stay out of the way, but it won’t be an easy task. Tap in!
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 26 - “Tightening Up” Aug 05, 2022

This week on “After The Snow,” Rick shares some exciting news about his latest success in the boxing world. He and Dave catch up on his most recent trip to Boston, which is where Dave got his start under the moniker “Go-Go Dave” as the host of the Harvard radio show, Street Beat. The conversation evolves into each sharing their experiences as entrepreneurs; the mindset required, and some of the decisions needed to maintain a successful brand. Even with that, it always comes at a cost, which we see unfolding in “Jingle Bell Rock,” this week’s episode (Season 2, Ep. 4) of Snowfall. Teddy gets Franklin a fake ID and a meeting with a banker to help shelter funds overseas, which Franklin feels uneasy about. The crew is feeling the pressure as they are being stretched thin from cooking up rock themselves, and wanting to get more of the profits. Franklin is having to tighten things up as word on the street is spreading, and his crew is left vulnerable. Gustavo and Lucia are being exposed to the real heart behind Pedro’s fiancé… or so they think.
Tap in!
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 25 - “Means to An End” Jul 29, 2022

In this week’s episode of After The Snow, Rick and Dave speak about the nuanced challenges experienced within the community that often forced the hand of hustling and violence. Many times the intention is to make a situation better, but that doesn’t always mean it gets better. It’s similar to what we see happening in this week’s episode of Snowfall, Season 2 Ep. 3 “Prometheus Rising.” Franklin and crew are divided on how to handle the two murders, which led their paths to cross with Lucia and the gang. Franklin, thinking big picture, makes a play with Lucia to leverage their power, even at the disappointment of Kevin who wants nothing but revenge. Teddy and his brother find themselves held at gunpoint by their new Colombian suppliers, who find a way to hustle American goods out of them. The stakes are high and everyone is searching for their next move, but they must tread lightly. Join us for the conversation.
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 24 - “CONNECTING THE DOTS…” Jul 22, 2022

In today’s episode, Dave and Rick find common ground as they share some of the unspoken challenges that come AFTER experiencing great success in the public eye. A sobering reminder as they both are celebrating recent wins; Rick exploring opportunities with new amateur boxing talent and Dave steering the Breakbeat Media brand into viral moments since the launch of its latest shows. It’s not often we get the opportunity to hear about the moments that lead up to the big WINS so we’re glad to be along for the ride. And speaking of being along for the ride… this week’s episode of Snowfall Season 2, Episode 2“The Day,” takes us back to the ride that led to Franklin and Leon being captured and tortured in a basement with Ted– I mean Reed Thompson… THE CONNECT. Franklin finds himself leveraging his kidnapping into a power play. Teddy digs his heels deeper into the dope game as the aliased supplier, “Reed Thompson.” Gustavo + Lucia remain open to Pedro’s return with his newly introduced fiancé, who apparently knows everything about the business. Cissy has connected the dots about Franklin’s dealings. And as if that weren’t enough to be worried about… Uncle Jerome was right.
Press play to hop into the conversation!
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross Jr.
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 23 - "BAKE (KING)" Jul 14, 2022

This week on After The Snow, Dave and Rick take a deep dive into some of the realities of the criminal justice system here in the U.S. They speak on the oxymoron of how brainwashed society is about the incarcerated community, even though it houses some of the most brilliant minds. Rick expresses his gratitude of being able to have told his life story to various outlets in interviews while locked up - which was a privilege in its own right, since that’s no longer allowed post 9/11.
Dave introduces us to the Hip-Hop Political Education Summit, an organization he and Bakari Kitwana (bestselling author & founder of Rap Sessions) launched over the pandemic in 2020.Their focus is to provide life-saving information to the Hip-Hop community, preparing each citizen for their role in transforming policy and building political power.
After stressing the importance of working together to achieve shared goals, they naturally turn to this week’s Season 2 premiere of Snowfall where community is flourishing… or so we think. After Season 1’s finale episode where we see things coming to a head, we jump back into the mix 4 months later to see Franklin and crew surrounded with cash, Teddy receiving praises from “The Company,” and Gustavo + Lucia with their family issues behind them.
What we don’t anticipate are the challenges of maintaining this flow of (perceived) success. Business was booming… until it wasn’t. A story very similar to Rick’s. Supply issues were a real concern at one point for Rick after finding out that his initial supplier, Ivan, had been shot AND paralyzed…by his wife! Talk about a plot twist. This put Rick in a bind for about 9 months… and during this time Rick found himself involuntarily buying $80,000 worth… of CAKE MIX!
Tap in for the run down!
Executive Producers: Dave Mays, Freeway Rick Ross & Brett Jeffries
Producer: Tarik Ross
IG: @freewayricky @therealdavemays @igobybrettj
Comment & like on the Breakbeat Media YouTube page, subscribe wherever podcasts are available, and visit us at www.breakbeatmedia.com

Episode 22 - “To Be Continued?” Jul 08, 2022

Rick is back from New Orleans, where he attended his first Essence festival and has nothing but great things to say. Community, culture, and celebration all wrapped up in one experience. In this week’s Season 1 finale episode of Snowfall, “The Rubicon,” our characters are brought into some hefty decisions. We learn that a rubicon moment is defined as having to “irrevocably commit to a course of action, make a fateful and final decision” — and we can see just how that’s panned out across all storylines this season. Each character has come so far… and at this point, they can’t turn back. Franklin is calling shots, both figuratively and literally. Gustavo is caught in a business and love affair, taking on a whole family of issues. And Teddy has caught a few bodies himself. We’re left to only assume where these matters will take each of them.
In true After The Snow fashion, Dave and Rick dive into the rubicon moments that stood out in Rick’s experience in the game. He shares how intense the smell of 150 kilos of cocaine can get when cooking up rock, then outlines his relationship and fallout with his Nicaraguan supplier Oscar Danilo Blandón — who later turned informant for the DEA. And for us, we hope that is not where Rick and Danilo’s story ends because for the right price…we might just be able to see them turn this rubicon moment into a real life BREAKBEAT moment. Tap in!

Episode 21 - “Business” Jul 01, 2022

After another week of travel for Rick, he and Dave catch up on today’s episode to share more about the expungement clinics that he has been hosting in Chicago where he received visits from some really good friends. Unfortunately, Rick and Dave weren’t able to link up on this trip, because Dave and our deeply missed co-host, Brett, were out celebrating their anniversary… And we have a pretty good feeling Brett will always be at Dave’s side! Special reveal for our video subscribers. (wink, wink)
As always, Dave and the Breakbeat Media team have been grinding hard day in and day out and next week we’re all excited about the launch of their newest show on the Breakbeat network, Top Billin with Bill Bellamy featuring special guest and newfound comedian, Tip “T.I” Harris!
Speaking of newfound… in this week’s episode of Snowfall, Season 1, Episode 9, there are some newfound issues arising! Relationships are surely challenged; friend, family and foe alike, and everyone is having to reassess and recalibrate from what’s been unfolding. From Leon getting shot last week to Franklin having to address loyalties near and far, things are definitely getting a bit more complicated.
Rick opens up about the relationship dynamics that were changing in his own life at the beginning of his career in the dope game. He shares about some of the tough decisions he had to make in order to stay true to what motivated him most… MONEY.
Tune in!

Episode 20 – What’s Real? Jun 24, 2022

RECAP: SNOWFALL SEASON 1, EPISODE 8 “BABY TEETH”
Things have settled a bit for Rick and Dave as they’re both after several weeks of travel and impact. Rick shares insights from his most recent book “21 Keys of Success” and how it came to be. It’s the follow up to his first book, “Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography” which was released 8 years ago this month. He recalls having demo copies of his book around the same time that his documentary “Freeway: Crack in the System” premiered. Rick shares that John Singleton, creator of Snowfall, was one of the first to pick up his autobiography, a demo copy at that.
In this week’s episode, we find the crew anxious to take their first steps into the dope game. They have their newfound product on hand, and they’re ready to hit the streets… only thing is, they must build a team AND create the market.
Rick recounts just how lucrative the game was. He had deals bringing in six-figure profits… and this was in the ‘80s! As entertaining as the episode was watching Leon and Kevin get their Costco on…giving away free samples to the community…Rick can’t help but note how the characters feel a bit disconnected from what street life really was like at this time.
Rick continues to open up about where he was mentally and how being incarcerated never broke who he was and the freedom he desired. He outlines a few details of the case that got him locked up and how the system tried to play him to the left.
The ends with the biggest cliffhanger to date which spawns a conversation with Rick discussing his relationship with Nipsey Hussle, despite the differences between their respective hoods.
Tap in with us!

Episode 19 - “CRACK (KING)” Jun 17, 2022

Well things have definitely turned up in this week’s recap of Snowfall Season 1, Episode 7. In this episode, Franklin and crew travel to Oakland, CA where they discover a new trend on the rise in the cocaine world… ROCK. Crack rock that is.
Rick and Dave take a deep dive into the unfolding of Rick’s introduction into the dope game. Rick gives us an update of his past weekend in St. Louis for his latest exhibition fights which turns out to be somewhat of a full circle moment. He reveals that St. Louis was temporarily a place he once called home, and the first place he had ever been “busted” by the feds for drugs.
He not only details the encounter, but walks us through how he learned to cook up rock and how much he paid.. which would still be a big deal today, almost 40 years later..
Tune in.

Episode 18 “Is There Truth In Hollywood?” Jun 09, 2022

Dave and Rick hold it down this week from Chicago and Atlanta. The hosts discuss S1 Ep6 of Snowfall and explore some interesting themes that come from watching this episode. Rick talks about how Franklin is sensing that some of his team may be dipping into the product and how difficult it can be to know when someone is using cocaine. They talk about the guest appearance by one of the hip-hop generation’s most iconic actors, Bokeem Woodbine, who plays Knees, the OG who gives Franklin the lowdown on the coke business. Dave and Rick talk about the idea that Knees shares: the FBI’s Cointelpro program destroyed the Black social and political movements of the 1960’s and how that is the root cause of the rise of violent street gangs in Los Angeles. Franklin is showing a remarkable level of determination to get his cocaine business going and Rick talks about some of this characteristics and motivations that led him to do what he did in the 1980’s. The idea in the show that the Mexicans were controlling the cocaine market in Los Angeles in the early to mid 1980’s is debunked and the hosts talk about how this diminishes the reality of how directly the government-backed flow of cocaine was into the heart of Black communities in Los Angeles and across the country.

Episode 17 “Holiday Time” Jun 03, 2022

The full After The Snow cast—Freeway Rick, Dave Mays and Brett Jeffries—are back together for this special episode. The crew are together in person for the first time while hosting After The Snow. They reveal that they are in the Inglewood section of Los Angeles and were on the set in Hollywood earlier in the day for the taping of the new Breakbeat podcast Top Billin’ With Bill Bellamy that will be launching in the next few weeks. Rick reports on his recent trip to Washington, DC and his first time going to a go-go there. This week’s episode covers S1 Ep5 of Snowfall, which is titled “seven-four,” a reference to the 4th of July holiday that takes place during the episode. Rick talks about how much gunfire would go off in the hood on this holiday and even how they would have fun shooting up “buckets” with some powerful weapons. Brett has similar memories of the holiday in Chicago and how the gunfire caused a lot of dog barking. The hosts talk about Franklin’s dad and how they felt when he walked off while the cops were jumping on Franklin outside of Uncle Jerome’s house. Viewers learn that Franklin’s dad is a former Black Panther and Rick talks about the presence in LA of the Black Panthers during the Watts Riots as well as his experience with other revolutionary organizations. They talk about the best way to handle police interactions and why police are often seen as the enemy to folks in the hood. More great conversations ensue so be sure to check out this classic episode.

Episode 16 “Sacrifice” May 27, 2022

After The Snow gets into S1 Ep4 of Snowfall. Rick talks about his recent visit to Chicago where he was able to re-unite with an old friend from prison who was part of the Larry Hoover case. Rick recalls his determination to get free despite having a life sentence. Dave informs the audience about Breakbeat’s upcoming Larry Hoover life story podcast series and provides an update on Larry Hoover’s current legal situation. Rick visits a vegan restaurant in Washington, DC and he and Dave discuss the idea of reviewing vegan spots around the country. In the show, Oso is recovering from a stab wound and Lucia uses cocaine to numb the pain. Rick points out that dentists used to use cocaine and then novocaine, a “cousin” of cocaine. Teddy has used his “super powers” to locate Alejandro’s rebel camp in the Nicaraguan jungle and somehow figures out that the kid there is a spy. Teddy forgets that he has a son, so Rick and Dave talk about their own experiences and how it can be necessary to make sacrifices when you are focused on pursuing your dreams. Franklin and Leon have a body in the trunk that suddenly awakens, reminding Dave of the opening scene from the movie Goodfellas. The hosts acknowledge the passing of actor Ray Liotta and talk about the recent school shooting in Texas.

Episode 15 “Do What You Gotta Do” May 20, 2022

This week After The Snow covers Season 1, Episode 3 of Snowfall. Our co-hosts Dave and Rick bring the listeners up to date on the latest happenings in their worlds. After Franklin got robbed and beaten at the end of the last episode, Rick advises not to “walk around with all your savings in a backpack.” Franklin is out to get his money back and recruits Leon and a local gangster to help. Rick talks about what the gang structure was like at this time and runs down all of the major housing projects in LA. Dave and Rick talk more about Oso and agree he is one of the most likable and loyal characters. Viewers learn that CIA agent/international drug trafficker Teddy has a new baby and may have to choose between his country and his family. The hosts comment on how Franklin thinks he can talk the guy who robbed him into giving up the location of his stolen cash.

Episode 14 “Chicken Milk Bombs” May 13, 2022

In this week’s episode our co-hosts delve into Season 1, Episode 2 of Snowfall. The show continues to pick up steam as Franklin begins to move more completely into the drug business. Rick compares his start in the game to what we see happen with Franklin. The hosts talk about the Israeli gangster Avi and if Rick ever came in contact with anyone like him. The character Oso is highlighted and the hosts make note of the sense of morals that he brings to the show, stating that he doesn’t like that Lucia and Pedro are betraying their own family for money. Chicken milk bombs, drug house operations and the influx of the Mexican cartels in the cocaine business are all discussed—a lot of interesting stuff in this episode!

Episode 13 “A Hip-Hop Classic” May 05, 2022

This week we take it back to where it all started. Our co-hosts Rick and Dave have watched the very first episode of Snowfall that originally came out in July of 2017. Created by one of Hip-Hop’s most legendary creatives, the late filmmaker John Singleton (RIP), Snowfall is absolutely one of the most authentically hip-hop tv shows the world has ever seen on a major network. Rick notes that he got his start with just a $50 cocaine rock, as opposed to the kilo that Franklin somehow manages to convince the drug/gun lord Avi to give him on consignment. And Franklin gets it for a price ($12,000) that was much lower than what it would have actually cost at that time. Rick remembers how everybody told him he wouldn’t be able to sell cocaine in his neighborhood of South Central, as it was a rich person’s drug at the time. Marijuana and “Sherman” (PCP) were the drugs of choice in the hood in the early 1980s. Franklin is a hustler, running the local Asian-owned corner store, where he tells his next door neighbor Melody that he doesn’t drink and that making money is the thing that motivates him. Rick shares an old saying he used to live by, “getting drunk can get you put in a trunk.” The hosts give a rundown on each of the main characters that viewers meet in this first episode. Leon is the wild young’un fresh out of jail who becomes Franklin’s trusted sidekick. The hosts share their thoughts on Uncle Jerome, Auntie Louie, CIA agent Teddy and Franklin’s mom Cissy. They also discuss Franklin’s next door neighbor Andre, an LAPD sergeant. Rick remembers just one Black police officer who they called “Action Jackson,” but says a police officer could never have gotten away with living in the neighborhood. Finally, Rick and Dave discuss all of the outstanding music selections that we hear in this episode. Rick tells the audience some of his favorite artists and songs from that era while remembering how he and his crew would throw parties and always had two staple artists on hand: Parliament-Funkadelic and Earth, Wind & Fire. Dave talks about growing up with a love for music, going to buy 45s and how this lead to him creating The Source.

Episode 12 “Gangster Girl” w/Christine Horn aka Black Diamond Apr 28, 2022

The After The Snow podcasts celebrates its first guest from the cast of Snowfall! Rick and Dave welcome actress Christine Horn, who plays Black Diamond, a dangerous female bounty hunter, on the show. Rick talks about some of the actual women in the game that he remembers, including a crazy story about one named Stacy who would fight in the street with men. The crew weighs in on the dramatic ending to season 5 that took place last week, before getting into what’s being planned for season 6. Everyone agrees that we will likely see a lot more of Kane and learn more of his backstory next season. “But can you trust someone who you tried to kill?” Rick asks, before stating that he thinks Black Diamond and her partner Dallas should be taking Jerome and Louie’s spot going forward. Christine shares some behind the scenes stories of what it’s like on set when the show is being filmed and we learn why Skittles is the unofficial “cast candy.” Christine also shares the news that she will be a character on the new season of BMF, that is expected to be released later this year. She plays Mabel, a trusted friend and neighbor to the Flenory family. Stick with us at After The Snow! There is much more to come as the show continues to grow.

The Grand Finale Apr 21, 2022

Our co-hosts convene to talk about the final episode of Snowfall Season 5. Rick joins from Boston, where he is busy promoting his cannabis company, LA Kingpin. Back in Chicago, where cannabis has also been legalized, Dave talks about the 4/20 cannabis event he attended last night, hosted by Vic Mensa, who just launched his own cannabis brand. The hosts share the big news: while the new season of Snowfall is over, After The Snow will be continuing to do podcasts every week, going back now to Season 1, Episode 1. While Dave is excited about how things played out in the final episode, Rick is still concerned that the show promotes too many stereotypes and leaves a lot of room for a more accurate depiction of life in South Central LA in the 1980s. Rick is overwhelmed by all of the espionage stuff (bank fraud, the KGB, etc). Dave likes the multiple layers the show is able to cover, balancing more serious, real issues with the action and drama. They talk about Teddy being exposed as rogue by Avi, who explains this provides a level of deniability for the CIA, which, in real life, many of us saw when journalist Gary Webb first broke the story of the CIA-crack cocaine connection in the 1990s. In the episode, Leon tells his crew about the new drug laws being designed to enslave the next generation of Black men, which Rick explains is detailed in his documentary, Freeway: Crack In The System, which you can see on Netflix now. Rick also shares the news that a former DEA agent, who actually worked on Rick’s case, recently contacted him and wants to be an ally. Rick and Dave agree this season had its ups and downs and talk about what to look for in the sixth and final season that F/X has announced will be coming.

Drug Dealer’s Dream? Apr 14, 2022

First up, Dave and Rick update the audience on what’s been going on in their lives the past week. Rick has been to Atlanta and Houston, while Dave is in DC. The hosts jump into the 9th episode of Snowfall, where the fallout after Louie and Jerome’s wedding is taking place. Buckley’s hit on Kane has gone badly and he’s being suspended from the force and drug tested. The double cross has come into full view now, with Leon and Franklin learning that Louie paid Buckley to take out Kane and also has begun buying directly from Teddy. Mental health is once again a topic of discussion as Leon takes back his copy of the book The Wretched Of The Earth from Franklin. Rick says he never went to therapy but considers if it’s something he might still want to do. Rick’s forays into other cities around the country with his cocaine business in the 1980’s are discussed as the subject comes up when Jerome and Louie tell Franklin they are going fully on their own, which may cripple Franklin’s business. Leon’s evolution into someone who thinks deeply about the impact of crack on his community continues, and Rick discusses his own transformation from drug dealer to activist. The hosts talk about what they expect to happen in the show’s finale episode next week. After The Snow, the authentic Snowfall after show, is in full effect.

Episode 9 “Celebrations??” Apr 07, 2022

This week’s episode (#8) of Snowfall, entitled “Celebration,” takes an interesting turn, leaving our co-hosts, Freeway Rick, Dave, and Brett with a lot to dive into. Rick is coming at you from Atlanta, while Brett and Dave are stationed at the Breakbeat Headquarters in Chicago. The hosts (attempt to) dissect the double-crossings and secret meet-ups from this week. First, Aunt Louie, with the help of Oso, gets together with Teddy to let him know that she wants to buy directly from him. Wow, Louie, after everything Franklin has done for you? Okay, next up is Veronique. She meets alone with Kane to confirm Franklin’s story that he and Kane have resolved their differences and will move forward amicably. Wonder how Franklin would feel knowing that his pregnant girlfriend is secretly meeting with dangerous people in dark bars? Then there’s Cissy who meets with Ruben, an apparent operative, to let him know about Louie and Jerome’s upcoming nuptials. Certainly seems like all the women in Franklin’s life are sneaking around behind his back. Rick reveals the true tales of times when his inner circle has crossed him. Power is the most dangerous weapon anyone can carry and everyone wants a piece. At the Jerome-Louie wedding, everyone is present — friends, family, enemies, employees, and otherwise. Scully spikes the chocolate fountain with LSD, leaving all of the guests hallucinating and dealing with tough revelations. Franklin comes face-to-face with the mirage of himself, along with those he’s crossed in his past, including White Rob. Ruben, who is posing as a waiter nearly has his cover blown when Cissy’s paranoia takes over and she confronts him, calling him a member of the KGB. What is happening?! Not only are audiences taken through an alternate reality, what was supposed to be a fun day, turns sour. The hosts realize that much of the series has focused on pain, death, guns, and drugs. Where are the celebrations, as the episode is entitled? With all of this newfound money, why isn’t anyone ever enjoying it? Finally, the episode ends with Franklin apologizing to Louie for never giving her more control within the empire. But is it too late? Tune in to hear what Rick, Dave, and Brett think. Peace.

Episode 8 “Roots” Apr 01, 2022

After watching episode 7 of Snowfall (“Lying In A Hammock”), our co-hosts Dave and Rick break down all of the excitement and intrigue that this new episode brings. Rick first recaps his trip to Chicago earlier this week where he had a chance to hang out in person with Dave. They talk about Larry Hoover and one of Rick’s childhood friends who ended up in Chicago and became very close to Hoover. Hoover is the subject of an in-depth narrative podcast currently being completed by Breakbeat Media. Rick notes that Leon has shown restraint in trying to broker peace with Kane, and how real that is. Rick talks about how he connected with OGs like Kane and how that helped him expand his influence and reach. The audience gets a solid dose of Hip-Hop history as the hosts discuss Tam’s Burgers, and provide some unique insight on Suge Knight, Eazy E, Dr. Dre and Harry O. Auntie Louie is emerging as a ruthless leader, even as she is surprised when Uncle Leon presents her with a huge diamond engagement ring. It turns out that Peaches was a heroin junkie. Rick speaks about why he stayed away from that drug and how cocaine was different because it was a “celebrity” drug back in those days. They get into a conversation about the stigma surrounding mental health treatment in the hood as we see Uncle Jerome going through some deep, reflective moments. Leon and Uncle Jerome are both shown looking to give back to their community. The hosts discuss the difficulties and dangers of staying connected to the hood even as an individual reaches greater levels of financial success and societal clout. The remaining 3 episodes of this season of Snowfall look like they are going to be super-intense as the drama and tension spreading across all of the main characters is really taking shape. Stay tuned to After The Snow for the exclusive insights and analysis you will only find here. Peace.

Episode 7 “Revelations?” Mar 25, 2022

*Deep breath* Snowfall's viewers finally receive some big reveals in the recent episode (#6) -- or so they think. "The Iliad: Part 2" has tons of information, leaving co-hosts, Dave, Rick, and Brett with a lot to dissect. What's up with this tiger? Oso and Franklin manage to escape the cage they were locked in only to be captured again by Mexican gang members still on the hunt for Franklin's moneybags. The hosts talk about what Franklin and Oso should have done. There were far too many mistakes. Rick sheds light on how he handled similar situations. Peaches, man, say it ain't so. Did you really team up with Kane, the formerly incarcerated big brother to Kevin, Franklin's deceased best friend who he accidentally killed in season two? We didn't get a hard confirmation but all signs are pointing to Peaches as the inside connect. Shame, shame, shame. Even worse? Sounds like Kane isn't finished. Could a war be on the rise? While Franklin and company may be cut out for this life, Veronique is wavering. She leaves Franklin, afraid that he can't keep her safe like he once promised. But is she really the mastermind behind this whole organization with Franklin wrapped around her finger? Each host has their own theory on V's intentions. Aside from the fiction, we take pause to send our thoughts and prayers to those in Ukraine and give deep contemplation to when Black folks and Hip-Hop took a turn for the worse. How can we get back on track? Tune in for an episode you won't want to miss! Peace.

Episode 6 “Cause and Effect” Mar 18, 2022

Wow. Things heated up in a big way on the latest episode (#5) of Snowfall, so Dave and Rick have a lot to talk about. They get into the meaning of the episode title, “The Iliad,” and give their thoughts on Cissy’s meeting with her new contact who is supposed to help with her plans to get rid of Teddy. Did she take the pen embedded with a transmitter, and if so, what did she do with it? Of course, things explode in this episode with a rash of drive-by shootings. The hosts talk about the way the cops are depicted and what it was like for Rick dealing with them himself in the 1980s. Rick confirms he once had to jump out of a car with dope and go on foot while being chased, similar to what we see happen with Franklin and Oso. Things are so wild that the hosts want to know if the show’s writers are running out of material or if they will find a clever way to make this all make sense going forward. We find out Rick has an upcoming meeting with FX. We’ll stay tuned for updates. Finally, we can’t help but remind our audiences that Breakbeat is for the culture. See you next week!

Episode 5 “Going All The Way In” Mar 11, 2022

In this episode, Dave and Rick talk about Cissy’s return from Cuba and what her plans might be to deal with CIA agent Teddy. They take it back to the 1980’s to talk about if there were really rappers with skateboards in the projects and whether rappers were calling out the names of real hustlers in their songs. Rick says that Leon reminds him of his former right-hand man Ali, and the hosts discuss what they think of Leon’s newfound revolutionary mindset. Looking at the scene with Leon buying heavy artillery to take on the police, Rick is reminded of how some of his former partners once thought about shooting up a narcotics detectives’ van. Rick talks more about how he worked with Danilo Blandon, his supplier who turned out to be a CIA operative. Dave and Rick talk about the recent 25th anniversary of the murder of Biggie and their thoughts on whether the government might have played a role behind the scenes, just like they were doing with Rick.

Episode 4 “Loyalty & Gang Alliances” Mar 07, 2022

Dave and Rick are back after watching episode 3 of the new season of Snowfall, which leads Rick into talking about loyalty, money, and power in the drug game. In the show, Auntie Louie and Uncle Jerome are looking to build something of their own. Right now, looks like loyalty is not an issue. But how long will that last? Scully from the “low bottoms” projects is back in the mix and Jerome and Louie have squashed their beef with him and brought him back as a partner. Rick talks about how he worked with different gangs from different parts of the city to put himself in a position of strength. Rick was surprised to see Scully going to visit a psychic, but confirms that both he and his own mother visited people like this-- “readers” --at the time. The espionage level dealings of Teddy, the CIA character in the show, is also discussed. Stay tuned to the end for some insight into what Rick’s up to today in the world of professional boxing and the appeal he made to Don King when he came home from prison.

Episode 3 “What Went Down with Freeway?” Mar 04, 2022

This week’s conversation covers Snowfall’s season 5, episode 2. With CIA operative Teddy back in the mix and at the center of this episode, our hosts Dave, Brett, and Freeway talk about Freeway’s actual dealings with real-life CIA operative Danilo Blandon. Blandon was Rick’s supplier who was using drug proceeds to fund a war in Nicaragua. Rick points out how the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is similar to the situation between the United States and Nicaragua in the 1980s. The hosts go on to talk about Franklin’s friend and business confidante Leon and if the scene with Jerome and Louie buying guns was realistic. Only on After The Snow can you find out what really happens when you get caught up in the game.

Episode 2 “The Real Deal” Feb 25, 2022

Welcome to episode 2 of After the Snow. Today, you get reacquainted with co-hosts Freeway Rick Ross and Dave Mays. You also meet the show's co-creator and co-executive producer, Brett Jeffries, who kicks off the episode with a recap of the season 5 premiere of Snowfall. Whoa! A lot is happening in just one episode, leaving Rick and Dave with plenty to dissect. Up first: the 1986 tragic and untimely death of basketball star Len Bias. Dave, a D.C. native, tackles this topic from a personal place, sharing what life was like at this time -- the conspiracies, the stories, the tensions. What really happened? Rick discusses how this story affected his drug empire. Moving on, Rick and Dave continue to pick apart Snowfall. How could Franklin kill White Boy Rob, one of his oldest and best friends? You'll be shocked to hear Rick's take on this! Turns out, the drug game isn't a game after all. Rick details life in the fast lane -- cars, women, controlling his God-fearing mother, and more! Tune in to hear Rick and Dave give a real download on Freeway's real life.

Episode 1 “The Birth of After The Snow” Feb 24, 2022

Welcome to the launch episode of After the Snow — the after show podcast about the hit FX series Snowfall. In this inaugural episode, you meet Freeway Rick Ross, the man whose real life is the inspiration for Snowfall. The activist, entrepreneur and former drug kingpin is the co-host of After The Snow along with Hip-Hop pioneer and media mogul Dave Mays. These legends lay out for listeners what to expect from After the Snow and why they’re so excited about the wide range of important issues they’ll be able to discuss using the amazing storytelling of Snowfall — based on Freeway Rick’s life — as the vehicle.

After the Snow - Trailer Feb 22, 2022

Every story has a legend. Now, for the first time, we'll hear from activist, entrepreneur, and former drug kingpin Freeway Rick Ross, the man whose real life inspired the hit TV series Snowfall. "After the Snow" is a new weekly after-show podcast that delivers its audience true tales of a world filled with ambition, empire-building, CIA conspiracies, and the multi-billion dollar international drug trade. Every Thursday, Ross and hip-hop mogul Dave Mays—along with special guests—break down Snowfall's latest episode in a compelling discussion, providing unique insight that only people who were there can tell you.

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