Once Upon A Rhyme: Life Lessons Through Hip-Hop

Latest Episodes:

E007: "Equality & WAP" - How Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion broke the internet & created a pop cultural phenomenon around female empowerment. Aug 07, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There was a girl named Cardi

Who had a free spirit and loved to party

She rapped with charisma and made it to the top

But me tell you about her thoughts on equality & WAP"

On Aug 7, 2020, Cardi B and Megan the Stallion broke the internet with their song WAP. 1 year later, Raj & Klasikhz look back at the song's impact on Hip Hop culture and female empowerment.

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

E006: "Yaathra (The Journey)" (Feat. Navdeep) - Turntablist & tabla player who inspired Klasikhz as a young boy. Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There was a man named Navdeep, who represented Punjab, where 5 Rivers run deep

He took East and West sounds and fused them together

Let's cherish his album called ""Yaathra"" forever..."

On this episode, producer & turntablist, Navdeep, shares his inspiration on his album from 2003 called Yaathra. Klasikhz discusses the importance of the project when he was a boy and they stress the importance of authentic artist expression in today's music industry.

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

E005: "In Dog We Trust" - Celebrating DMX's life & legacy, random facts, and under-rated songs. May 12, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There was a man named Earl, who loved all his dogs across the world

He showed us resilience and was called Dark Man X

Let's celebrate his greatness and pay our respect"

Klasikhz & Raj pay homage to DMX and discuss his impact on Hip-Hop culture. With DMX struggling with addiction his whole life, Raj talks about the power of "resilience" while Klasikhz shares some of his favorite under-rated DMX songs and his latest release "Dark Punjab X".

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

E004: "Angels With Dirty Faces" (Feat. El Prez & Professor H) - Independent LA underground Hip-Hop and the importance of mentorship. Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There was a man named El Prez, who lived in L.A. and represented the West

He linked with Professor H and went to many places

Let’s talk about their album, ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’"

On this episode, rapper El Prez and producer Professor H share some of the stories that inspired their new collaborative album, how COVID-19 impacted its creation, and talk about why mentorship is so important for both the mentor and the mentee.

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

E003: "Grammys & One Producer Albums" - Why 2021 Grammy nominations got it right and the beauty of one producer projects. Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There was a rapper named Nas

He was a legendary poet with no lyrical flaws

He said Hip-Hop was dead, then tried to seduce her

Let's talk about his hit album with a single producer"

On this episode, Klasikhz and Raj explore some of their favorite albums crafted by a single producer and a single rapper, including R.A.P. Music, Alfredo, 4:44, Daytona, and several others. Also discussed is the Grammy’s shift in focus away from the traditionally mainstream acts, to more of an underground feel and how much value their awards have in today’s landscape.

(0:00) Nursery Rhyme

(00:59) - Differences between producers and beat makers

(05:16) - What makes one producer / one artist albums so special

(08:50) - Klasikhz and Raj share their favorite albums by one producer / one artist

(32:34) - Significance (if any) of validation by the Grammy’s in Hip-Hop

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

E002: "Service Over Self" - Different meanings of S.O.S. and why community service is critical for everyone. Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There was a boy who helped others

He was raised to give back by his father and mother

He saw pain in the world and asked us for help

He took action and chose "Service Over Self""

Klasikhz and Raj continue the discussion about SOS, specifically the various different values the acronym stands for, and also talk about the importance of community service and finding their own unique way to give back to Hip-Hop culture.

(00:00) - Nursery Rhyme

(00:50) - The Sikh roots of ‘Service Over Self’

(13:59) - The genesis of Raj’s journey as a creative

(20:17) - Searching for father figures in Hip-Hop

(25:22) - How Klasikhz and Raj found their unique ways to give back

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

E001: "Save Our Soil" - The largest protest in human history and the parallels between Punjabi and African American communities. Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

"Once Upon A Rhyme

There were people that protested

The farmers all suffered, black people arrested

There was pain, frustration, anger, and turmoil

So let's get together and Save Our Soil"

On this episode of Once Upon A Rhyme, Raj and Klasikhz talk about the emotions and intent behind Klasikhz’s newest remix album, SOS, and the parallels it draws between the Black Lives Matters protests in America and the Farmers protests in India.

(0:00) - The nursery rhyme.

(1:40) - Discussion about the farmer protests in India.

(13:07) - Primer on Black Lives Matter + protests against police brutality in America.

(21:09) - Parallels between Bhangra and Hip-Hop culture.

(24:07) - The inside story on the concept of Klasikhz’s new album, S.O.S..

(34:49) - Teaching our children to search for things that bring us together.

For more episodes and music, check out www.bestDJalive.com and find us on Instagram @onceuponarhymeshow.

Raj is a writer, photographer, and Bay Area resident. Follow him on Instagram at @RajHasACamera.

Klasikhz is a world renowned DJ, remixer, and producer. Follow him on Instagram at @Klasikhz.

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