If you'd like to see full video of this and other episodes, join the Reel Notes Patreon at the Homie ($5/month) tier or higher. Each episode is also available to buy individually for $5 (Buy it through a web browser and not the Patreon app. You'll get charged extra if you purchase through the app.) You also get early access to episodes, an invite to our Discord server, access to the Reel Talk archives, and more!

My guests this week are Houston-based and Nigerian-born rapper-producer Heavensouls and Atlanta-based rapper-producer Stickerbush, also known as The Sidepeices. We spoke about the bad politics of Tyler Perry movies, Coonskin, the filmography of David Lynch, their respective nomadic lifestyles, being Black in the alternative rap and IDM scenes, and the creative process behind their three recent group efforts—Darkskin Niggas With Lightskin Problems, Lightskin Niggas With Darkskin Problems, and Darklight—and the Nigerian history and pride behind Heavensoul’s most recent solo project westside trapped. Come fuck with us.

Darkskin Niggas With Lightskin Problems, Lightskin Niggas With Darkskin Problems, and Darklight are all available wherever music is sold, streamed, or stolen. Consider buying the trio on CD via Caperflower's Bandcamp. westside trapped is also available wherever music is sold, streamed, or stolen, especially via Bandcamp. Follow Heavensouls on Twitter (@Trinidad6000) and Instagram (@whitegirldragggggggggd). Follow Stickerbush on Twitter (@sentientlever) and Instagram (@stickerbushh).

Reel Notes stands in solidarity with American immigrants against ICE and the oppressed peoples of Palestine, Congo, Sudan, Tigray, and Haiti. Please consider donating to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, The Palestinian Youth Movement, The Zakat Foundation, HealAfrica, FreeTigray, and/or Hope For Haiti. Protest, fight back, and fuck the system.

My first book, Reel Notes: Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies, is available now, via 4 PM Publishing. Order a digital copy on Amazon.

Follow me on Instagram (@cinemasai), Twitter (@CineMasai_), TikTok (@cinemasai), Letterboxd (@CineMasai), and subscribe to my weekly Nu Musique Friday newsletter to stay tapped in to all things Dylan Green. Follow Hearing Things at hearingthings.co or @hearingthingsco on all social platforms.

If you'd like to see full video of this and other episodes, join the Reel Notes Patreon at the Homie ($5/month) tier or higher. Each episode is also available to buy individually for $5 (Buy it through a web browser and not the Patreon app. You'll get charged extra if you purchase through the app.) You also get early access to episodes, an invite to our Discord server, access to the Reel Talk archives, and more!

My guest this week is South Carolina-born singer, instrumentalist, producer, and creative technologist, JAIYN. We spoke about Reasonable Doubt, Irma Vep, being raised in South Carolina and coming to New York, picking up guitar and singing, the intersection of music and tech, working with zayALLCAPS and his Autotune Karaoke label, and the creative process behind 2023’s Kissing the Machine and her self-titled EP from the top of this year. Come fuck with us.

!JAIYN is available wherever music is sold, streamed, or stolen. Consider copping directly from her Bandcamp page. Follow JAIYN on Instagram: @imjaiyn

Reel Notes stands in solidarity with American immigrants against ICE and the oppressed peoples of Palestine, Congo, Sudan, Tigray, and Haiti. Please consider donating to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, The Palestinian Youth Movement, The Zakat Foundation, HealAfrica, FreeTigray, and/or Hope For Haiti. Protest, fight back, and fuck the system.

My first book, Reel Notes: Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies, is available now, via 4 PM Publishing. Order a digital copy on Amazon.

Follow me on Instagram (@cinemasai), Twitter (@CineMasai_), TikTok (@cinemasai), Letterboxd (@CineMasai), and subscribe to my weekly Nu Musique Friday newsletter to stay tapped in to all things Dylan Green. Follow Hearing Things at hearingthings.co or @hearingthingsco on all social platforms.

If you'd like to see full video of this and other episodes, join the Reel Notes Patreon at the Homie ($5/month) tier or higher. Each episode is also available to buy individually for $5 (Buy it through a web browser and not the Patreon app. You'll get charged extra if you purchase through the app.) You also get early access to episodes, an invite to our Discord server, access to the Reel Talk archives, and more!

My guest this week is Florida-based activist, talent booker, and co-founder of How Bazar, Dion Dia Records, and Big Culture and Arts Festival, Laila Fakoury. We spoke about the soundtracks of insecure and Atlanta, Scream, the documentary 5 Broken Cameras, the uptick in awareness for the fight for Palestine, nurturing the artistic community in Florida, and the process behind bringing Big Culture and Arts Festival to life for what’s shaping up to be its biggest year yet. Come fuck with us.

Big Culture and Arts Festival is happening in Gainesville, FL from April 10-12, 2026. If you're hankering for a festival lineup featuring the finest in indie rap and music from around the world, buy your tickets here. Follow Laila on Instagram (@lailoosha) and follow BigCAF, Dion Dia Records (@diondiarecs), and How Bazar (@the.how.bazar) on Instagram to stay tapped in with the latest.

Reel Notes stands in solidarity with American immigrants against ICE and the oppressed peoples of Palestine, Congo, Sudan, Tigray, and Haiti. Please consider donating to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, The Palestinian Youth Movement, The Zakat Foundation, HealAfrica, FreeTigray, and/or Hope For Haiti. Protest, fight back, and fuck the system.

My first book, Reel Notes: Culture Writing on the Margins of Music and Movies, is available now, via 4 PM Publishing. Order a digital copy on Amazon.

Follow me on Instagram (@cinemasai), Twitter (@CineMasai_), TikTok (@cinemasai), Letterboxd (@CineMasai), and subscribe to my weekly Nu Musique Friday newsletter to stay tapped in to all things Dylan Green. Follow Hearing Things at hearingthings.co or @hearingthingsco on all social platforms.