Podcast
Soul of the Streets
Hosted by Gus Lloyd · EN
Soul of the Streets (SOTS): The Living Archive of Culture
Soul of the Streets (SOTS) is more than a podcast—it is a culture-driven living archive documenting the voices that shape R&B and Hip-Hop. Established in 2014, the platform has spent over a decade preserving the stories, artistry, and moments that define the culture while recognizing emerging voices before the spotlight arrives.
The platform’s legacy includes identifying cultural moments before the world catches on. In April 2014, months before the “Shmoney Dance” became a global phenomenon, Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel won the Soul of the Streets “Rock Yo Set” competition at the legendary Pyramid Club in New York City performing the record that would later become the NYC classic “Computers.” Moments like this reflect the platform’s commitment to documenting the culture while it is still unfolding.
Hosted by G Waterz—a veteran songwriter, vocalist, and artist manager behind BPE (Beyond Platinum Entertainment)—Soul of the Streets brings a perspective rooted in professional artistry and cultural stewardship. With professional credits including songwriting for Freddie Jackson and background vocals for Joe, G Waterz brings a creator’s understanding to every conversation.
With 500+ episodes and over a decade of consistent programming, Soul of the Streets bridges generations through in-depth interviews, cultural commentary, and curated music programming that documents the voices shaping music history.
Past guests include Valerie Simpson, Melba Moore, Karyn White, Ray Chew, Glenn Jones, Alyson Williams, 3× Grammy-winning producer Darius “Deezle” Harrison (Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III), and Grammy-nominated songwriter Dustin “Dab” Bowie (Beyoncé).
Weekly signature programming includes Hip-Hop Saturdays—featuring themed playlists and commentary reflecting the pulse of the culture—and R&B Sundays, celebrating legendary voices while spotlighting rising artists carrying the torch forward.
Distributed via RedCircle and available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, TuneIn, and more, Soul of the Streets continues to serve as a living archive preserving the voices, stories, and music history shaping the culture today.
As the archive continues to grow, Soul of the Streets remains committed to discovering new voices and documenting the next chapter of R&B and Hip-Hop culture.
Soul of the Streets — We saw the future first.
38episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Street Selected. Bar Connected. 🎯🔗
2w ago01:08:51Tap to summarize🎧 This week on Soul of the Streets, we step into Street Selected. Bar Connected. 🎤🔥This Hip Hop playlist is built for records that carry real presence — the kind of tracks that feel connected to the streets, the pen, and the pulse of the culture.From sharp delivery to confident talk, from gritty energy to records with something to prove, this episode highlights artists who bring more than sound. They bring identity, hunger, and intention.Some records move with pressure.Some move with polish.Some move like they came from experience.Either way, if it made this playlist, it had to connect.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where Hip Hop is curated with purpose, and the bars still speak first.Follow us on IG: @thehypenycX: @thehyperadionyc
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HBBENII INTERVIEW II 🎙️
2w ago00:47:15Tap to summarize🎙️ This week on Soul of the Streets, HBBENII returns for his second interview — and this time, the motion is louder, sharper, and more focused.Since his first sit-down, HB has been working, dropping records, hitting stages, and proving that his hunger is backed by discipline. In this conversation, G Waterz catches up with him on the growth, the grind, and the records currently moving for him — including “Hood Like” and “Super Freak” featuring Lil Zay Osama.HB opens up about what Chicago gives his music, why hood energy is more than pain, and how real “gangster” energy can also mean loyalty, leadership, family, and setting the tone for the next generation.They also get into the chemistry behind the Lil Zay Osama feature, the difference between having potential and actually being ready, learning how to promote records properly, staying consistent after the drop, and building toward what’s next.This is more than an update — it’s a progress report.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where the grind is documented in real time.Follow us on IG: @bpemusic | @TheHypeNYCX: @TheHypeRadioNYC
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R&B Residency. Where Soul Lives. 🥃🌙
2w ago01:08:07Tap to summarizeThis week on Soul of the Streets, we step into R&B Residency. Where Soul Lives. 🥃🌙This playlist creates a grown R&B space filled with soul, emotion, and intention. From timeless voices to rising artists, every record carries feeling — love, memory, vulnerability, and legacy all moving through the same room.R&B Residency is for the songs that don’t just play. They sit with you.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where the feeling comes first, the voices are valued, and the soul still speaks.Follow us on IG: @thehypenycX: @thehyperadionyc
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Rap Etiquette
3w ago01:04:23Tap to summarizeThis week’s episode taps into Rap Etiquette. Culture Rules. 🎤🔥Where bars, presence, and respect for the craft set the tone.This isn’t just about making noise — it’s about knowing how to move.The records here carry discipline, energy, and purpose,showcasing artists who understand the code and bring something real to the culture.If it made this playlist, it came with standards.🛰️ Follow @thehypenyc on IG & @thehyperadionyc on X for real curation and culture-driven Hip-Hop.🎧 Tap in.Rap Etiquette. Culture Rules. 🎤🔥 — where the sound moves with code.
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TREY JONES INTERVIEW 🎙️
3w ago00:59:20Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Soul of the Streets, we sit down with Trey Jones of After 7 for a conversation rooted in legacy, longevity, and real R&B.Trey reflects on carrying the After 7 name today, how the music landscape has changed, the importance of true vocal ability, and the meaning behind “Before We Say Goodnight.” He also shares perspective on group dynamics, stage presence, and what it takes for R&B artists to build beyond a moment. This is about craftsmanship, contribution, and honoring the voices that helped shape the culture.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where the stories behind the music matter just as much as the sound.
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Soul Conversations
3w ago01:02:10Tap to summarizeThis week on Soul of the Streets, we step into Soul Conversations. Melodies From Heaven. 🎶🕊️✨This R&B playlist carries the warmth, honesty, and emotion of records that speak beyond the surface. Every song feels like a conversation — between love and healing, memory and desire, spirit and sound.From timeless soul energy to rising voices with something real to say, Soul Conversations is about the kind of R&B that doesn’t just play in the background. It sits with you. It speaks to you. It reminds you that melody can still carry meaning.These are the records that feel personal, intentional, and rooted in something higher.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where the feeling comes first, the voices are valued, and the soul still speaks.Follow us on IG: @ thehypenycX: @thehyperadionyc
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Bar Strong. Rap 4ever
4w ago00:59:35Tap to summarize🎧 This week on Soul of the Streets, we step into Bar Strong. 4ever Rap. 🎤🔥This one is for the records that still put the pen first.No gimmicks. Just delivery, presence, hunger, and bars that remind you why Hip Hop still matters when it’s done with purpose.From street pressure to sharp wordplay, this playlist carries the energy of artists who understand the assignment.Some records move with aggression.Some move with confidence.Some move like testimony.Either way, if it made this playlist, it had to bring something real.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where rap is curated with intention, and the bars still lead the culture.Follow us on IG: @thehypenycX: @thehyperadionyc
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KAY. INTERVIEW 🎙️
4w ago00:33:20Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Soul of the Streets, we sit down with Kay Marion — an artist whose story carries depth, discipline, and duality.This conversation goes beyond the music and gets into who Kay is at her core before the performance, before the project, and before the world defines the sound. We talk about the meaning behind Fire & Water, what those two sides represent in her life, and how her classical training helped shape her artistry while also challenging her to find her own voice. Kay opens up about when music became something deeper than performance, the experiences that changed how she moves, and the lessons that come with building a career on your own terms. This isn’t just an interview about talent — it’s about identity, growth, and what it means to create from a place that’s real.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where the stories behind the music matter just as much as the sound.
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Soul Royalty 🎧
May 300:59:02Tap to summarizeThis week on Soul of the Streets, we step into Soul Royalty. Crowned in feeling. Rooted in legacy. 🎧✨👑This R&B playlist carries the elegance, emotion, and presence of artists who understand that soul is more than a sound — it’s a standard. From timeless voices to rising talent, every record holds weight, intention, and feeling.Soul Royalty is about honoring the music that moves with grace, power, and purpose. The kind of R&B that doesn’t beg for attention — it commands respect.🎧 Tap in with Soul of the Streets — where the voices are valued, the feeling comes first, and the culture still wears its crown.Follow us on IG: @thehypenycX: @thehyperadionyc
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Street Awareness
May 201:00:05Tap to summarizeThis week’s episode taps into Street Awareness. Stay Sharp. 🎯🔥Where instinct, presence, and precision lead the way.This isn’t just about what’s heard — it’s about what’s understood.The records here move with intention and awareness,showcasing artists who know how to navigate and apply pressure.If it made this playlist, it’s operating with purpose.🛰️ Follow @thehypenyc on IG & @thehyperadionyc on X for real curation and culture-driven Hip-Hop.🎧 Tap in.Street Awareness. Stay Sharp. 🎯🔥 — where the sound moves smart.
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