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Meet Richard Scott: Host and creator of The Garden State Hip Hop Hour
As the bell and laser beams come together as one, Richard Scott prepares to make his sudden announcement,
“You are now tuned into W.K.N.J 90.3FM and this is The Garden State Hip-Hop Hour. Home of all the latest and hottest music coming out of New Jersey.”
Every Monday from 7 pm to 8 pm, Kean University allows host, Richard Scott to create a chill space for artists to be their most authentic selves.
Behind the microphones, they’re encouraged to share their stories and concepts behind upcoming projects, songs, and even overall artistry.
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In turn, people from all over get a better understanding of who these creatives are. And they get a nod of approval from Scott as well.
On the other hand, interviews lean more towards a conversational structure than a question-based one. These interviews also come with exclusive freestyles so artists can show listeners and viewers what they’ve got.
Take for instance rapper, Cruch Calhoun’s interview. Calhoun not only brought his little one along so they could hear their pops drop some gems, but Calhoun also spoke about his album Loco, working on “Boyz N the Hood 2,” and having control over his music’s structure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgjHEzbYG0w
Granted that the musician has the skill down-pat, Scott even let “Cruch” spit a 16 over Nipsey Hussle’s “Blue Laces.”
Notable lines like “My whole reason for bangin’ was cause I love my homies/That whole reason for slinging was for the love of money,” and “when they come barking in your yard, it’s okay to fight,” shed light on Calhoun’s upbringing and sharp mentality.
Another freestyle that holds weight in The Garden State Hip-Hop Hour’s history to date is Foe Hun’ed’s. During his spitting spree, Hun’ed opted to execute Nipsey Hussle’s “Grinding All My Life.”
Leaning in, you can hear the emcee’s slick talk, leaving no mercy for those talking out their necks. Lines like “I’m bossed up, taking pieces off the chest board/Its mo’ money, only thing a nigga stressed for,” go on to prove that he’s all work and no play.
Additionally, Foe Hun’eds interview highlighted the pros of being an independent artist, his latest project 5 Strains, which comes with the intent of coming with 5 different flavors, the Billboards and being vouched by a Californian-based record label.
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At the 4:40 mark, Hun’ed also speaks about his growth as a musician:
“I feel like I learned a lot going through this situation. So with the tools and knowledge that I have now. I feel like everything could only go up from here.”
Together with freestyles and kickback sessions is an artsy scenery that gets the creative juices flowing. As one walks in, they’ll see that the door is lined up with stickers, and what seems to be, a poster.
Individuals will peep a white wall that’s filled with graffiti as well. For the video shots, Scott calls on King Jayy. As a result, Jayy makes sure to get clear angles of the whole room and close-ups of Scott and his guests.
Recently, Scott invited artist $uper Drug$ onto The Garden State Hip-Hop Hour.
The pair discussed Drug$ new album, War On Drugs, other projects he’s released, a song called Ocean Views, the big impact Nipsey Hussle played throughout his life, how his musical journey began, and the code to making it while being behind bars.
In reference to War On Drugs, the artwork was thoroughly inspirecrd by Ronald Regan and in turn, it pushed out the concept. Drug$ said,
“I really try to make my projects true to its title and the concept in my head that’s true to me.”
War On Drugs draws from the era when drugs were hot on the market. “Ocean Views” however, is a three-part series. The beginning was the first song he ever wrote once breaking free. Essentially, “Ocean Views” is where he’s trying to be.
One thing is for sure though, listeners will hear the growth. An example of this is when Drug$ goes to say that he doesn’t like giving flowers to someone when they’re dead.
If that doesn’t speak volumes, then I don’t know what does. When it comes to Hussle, Drug$ hints towards Hussle’s impact, “If you’re talking about something sensible, best believe I’m going to gravitate towards it.”
Drug$ goes so far as to say that Hussle inspired “Ocean Views” as well. Besides this, Drug$ and Scott also talk about the differences between North and South Jersey.
To elaborate, Drug$ says “Jersey has a lot of talent. Don’t get me wrong. But I feel like we should all just come together instead of scattering around.” Currently, he’s three projects deep within an 18-month span.
To date, Scott has had the artists Gino Mondana, OT9 Beno, Cashburner 5000, Cruch, Kano, Cliquot Geno, Foe Hun’ed, Kxng Prince, Killa Kherk Cobain, Naim The Artist, Mbm Franko, and Doms on the show.
He’s enjoyed all of them but Scott says Cliquot Geno’s has stood out thus far. “He talked a lot!” Scott adds “Geno has been around for a while. He also passed along his knowledge and the insides of the music business.”
Look in the mirror, and you’ll identify as a Richard Scott too. He’s really just a college student who lives and dies by music. And it just so happens that Scott loves to see others do well also.
Before The Garden State Hip-Hop Hour, Scott took part in a show called the Rich and Dave Show. With his friend, Dave’s assistance, the two conducted a show a year that covered pop culture and they took part in interviewing different creatives.
Fast forward and the two parted ways. Regardless, they’re still friends until this day. Scott started The Garden State Hip Hop Hour last October in means of pushing an artist’s dreams and giving them some exposure,
“It takes a lot to put yourself out there,” he adds.
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Due to this, Scott has received good opportunities. Honestly, Scott just likes being a part of the reason why artists keep going. He likes interviewing others because it allows him to learn about the artists more.
Knowing these things helps him to get a better feel for them.
“It kind of makes you listen to their music differently…”
However, what really keeps him going is his friend, Dave. Still, there was one point when Scott wanted to throw in the towel. Since he had other things going on in summer, Scott felt like his time was restricted.
But a lot of people kept demanding for slots, so he kept at it.
Besides this, Scott is also the curator of the Garden State Hip-Hop and R&B Spotify playlist. He updates it every other week and picks out 20 of the hottest songs from upcoming New Jersey artists.
In July, Scott curated his first-ever tape, Summer in Jersey. When one tunes in they should expect songs that highlight New Jersey’s undying pride and summer functions.
As one part of the compilation references to the club, the others fall in line as beach, flex or nightclub anthems. To add, Summer In Jersey carries a three-part skit by The Infinite Nudist as well.
Essentially it’s all about a friend who is convincing another to go with him to the beach. Then, a girl whos fed up with his distant ways as they go to the shore and it closes off with a late-night “You Up?” call from a friend who tries to convince the other to leave and go to a lituation.
On Scott’s playlists, you can expect jams that range from R&B to pure gritty hip-hop. Moving forward the host plans on branching out and possibly getting an interview with hip-hop veterans, Joe Budden or Albee Al.
His advice to those who inspire to start their own radio show is to just go for it, “Don’t spend too much planning!” He added:
“Figure out as you go. You gotta be your hardest critic.”
There are four ways to tune into The Garden State Hip-Hop Hour, on the radio station, 90.3 F.M, streaming from wknj903, Instagram live, or the YouTube channel.
Make sure you tune into The Garden State Hip Hop hour.
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