Holdin’ Court Podcast

West Coast pioneer Cold 187um joins Big Court for one of his most revealing interviews yet. The legendary producer reflects on the devastating loss of Eazy-E, his time working as a music supervisor at Death Row Records, and the life-changing experience of serving time in federal prison. Cold187um also discusses the highs and lows of the music business, the lessons learned from surviving decades in the game, and his exciting new series, "Black Godfather," now streaming on OG Network. From Ruthless Records to Death Row and beyond, this conversation is packed with hip-hop history, redemption, and game from one of the architects of West Coast rap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

West Coast hip-hop pioneer Cold 187um sits down with Big Court to tell the stories that helped shape an era. From signing with Eazy-E and helping pioneer the G-Funk sound, to discovering a young Snoop Dogg, Cold187um reflects on his legendary journey through rap history. He also opens up about his rivalry and confrontation with Ice Cube, the rise of Above the Law, and why he believes his contributions to hip-hop deserve more recognition. This is a must-watch conversation for true fans of West Coast rap culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary Memphis rapper Tela sits down for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about his roots, rise, and resilience in the music industry. Born and raised in Memphis, Tela opens up about his upbringing in one of hip-hop’s most influential cities and how the streets, the culture, and Southern grit shaped his sound and mindset.In this exclusive interview, Tela reflects on his journey to rap stardom, breaking into the game with independent powerhouse Suave House Records, a label that helped define Southern hip-hop in the 1990s. He then details his high-profile move to Rap-A-Lot Records, explaining the business decisions, challenges, and lessons learned while navigating the industry at a high level.Tela also shares behind-the-scenes stories of collaborating with hip-hop legends like Scarface, 8Ball & MJG, Jazzy Pha, and rap mogul J Prince. From studio sessions to label politics, Tela breaks down what it really took to survive—and thrive—during the golden era of Southern rap.This is a must-watch story of independence, loyalty, and legacy, offering rare insight into Memphis hip-hop history, the rise of Southern rap, and the mindset of an artist who helped pave the way for generations to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary Bay Area rapper B-Legit sits down for one of his realest conversations yet, breaking down his journey from the streets of Vallejo, California to becoming hip-hop icons alongside his cousins and groupmates E-40, D-Shot, and Suga-T as The Click. In this episode, B-Legit opens up about the early grind, family ties, Vallejo’s influence on their sound, and how they built a movement that would help shape independent rap and West Coast hip-hop forever. No industry myths. No watered-down stories. Just raw game, real history, and legacy talk straight from one of the architects. 🎙️ Holdin Court Podcast | OG Network 👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for more legendary hip-hop stories straight from the source Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damion Young, also known as Damizza, is an American radio executive, record producer, artist and author. Young began his career as a studio assistant at the age of 12, where Young went on to popularize numerous artists while working at Santa Barbara’s KHTY station, including Fiona Apple, Garbage and Hootie & the Blowfish, and later served as the head of Los Angeles’ Power 106 and New York’s Hot 97. Young would later go on to produce Crybaby (Mariah Carey song) featuring Snoop Dogg. Young, has also worked with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Korn. Young would later go on to produce for artists Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Lil Wayne and Ludacris, and claims a hand in the reunion of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and the resulting 2001 (a.k.a. Chronic 2001). Young was named the 4th most powerful person in hip-hop by The Source magazine 2 years after being named program director Power 106, after he helped Jay-Z find an international audience, helped Janet Jackson rekindle her career, helped Dr. Dre with advice on 'how to break the white kid from Detroit' and introduced the world to Eminem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hip-hop legend Master P breaks down one of the most anticipated moments in Southern rap history — the long-awaited Cash Money vs No Limit Verzuz. From the street politics that once divided the two powerhouse labels to the brotherhood that finally brought them to the same stage, Master P shares raw insight into how this cultural moment came together and why it mattered for the New Orleans hip-hop legacy. In this exclusive recap, Master P reflects on the viral moments that shook social media — from fans debating classic hits to surprise guest appearances and emotional tributes that reminded the world why both camps changed the game forever. He also touches on the growth, maturity, and leadership it took to turn old rivalries into respect and unity for the next generation of hustlers, dreamers, and creators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ray Daniels is an entrepreneur, visionary, and media personality living at the intersection of music and culture. Daniels has found success weaving these two worlds together in an authentic, human, and unapologetic way. Through his work as the founder of LYI Agency (Leverage Your Influence) — a cutting-edge multi-media company—as well as being the host of The GAUDS Show and founder of RAYDAR LLC—a music industry powerhouse encompassing music publishing, label services, consulting and artist management—Daniels and the artists he represents have played a role in powering some of the most iconic artists and hits of our generation, driving conversations about how the modern music industry needs to evolve, effectively kicking the door open for the young artists and executives behind him. Ray Daniels is the power player that every major artist, executive, and culture mover knows. Daniels was born in New York and raised in Atlanta with a contagious drive and passion that has lived on as he rose to prominence—through his work in A&R at Warner Music Group and management endeavors, Daniels understands the magic of creating a hit, as well as the collaboration that goes into delivering chart toppers for artists such as Lizzo, Ciara, Usher, Saweetie, Latto, Future and many more. Beyond his formal titles, Daniels is a much-requested A&R, music consultant, and broker, known for negotiating some of the biggest publishing and artist deals signed over the last five years—even including rap sensation, NLE Choppa. 02:26 – 06:45 | Setting the Stage: Who Is Ray Daniels Big Court and Rachel Renee introduce Ray, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a respected music executive and culture shaper. 06:46 – 15:40 | Growing Up Between New York & Atlanta Ray reflects on how his bi-coastal upbringing gave him dual perspectives on hustle, culture, and how Atlanta became the heartbeat of modern Black music. 15:41 – 27:10 | The Realities of the Music Business Ray unpacks the truth behind record label hierarchies, A&R politics, and why many talented artists never break through despite “doing everything right.” 27:11 – 39:55 | Inside the Machine: Lessons from L.A. Reid & Epic He breaks down his time working alongside L.A. Reid, the strategies behind hit records, and what separates true visionaries from corporate opportunists. 39:56 – 55:15 | Mentorship, Management & Making Stars Ray shares how mentorship and influence shaped his career and discusses managing artists like Future, Lizzo, and Latto, plus the unseen work behind building chart-toppers. 55:16 – 1:08:45 | The Dark Side of the Industry From exploitation to politics, Ray pulls back the curtain on how power moves in boardrooms affect artists’ livelihoods — and how he learned to play chess, not checkers. 1:08:46 – 1:21:25 | Negotiating Deals & Ownership A masterclass in music business literacy. Ray explains publishing splits, management leverage, and the importance of creative ownership in the streaming era. 1:21:26 – 1:34:50 | Entrepreneurship & The Birth of RAYDAR & LYI Ray explains how he transitioned from executive to entrepreneur, building multi-platform ventures that empower creators and executives alike. 1:34:51 – 1:47:40 | Building the Next Generation of Executives Discussion around leadership, responsibility, and creating a pipeline for Black excellence in media, management, and label infrastructure. 1:47:41 – 2:00:10 | Truth, Faith & Evolution Ray talks about faith, reinvention, and how losses in business shaped his current success. “Everything I lost became a lesson.” 2:00:11 – 2:17:15 | From Behind the Scenes to The GAUDS Show He explains why he launched The GAUDS Show, how podcasting changed his influence, and why transparency is his greatest asset now. 2:17:16 – 2:26:30 | Legacy & Final Reflections Big Court and Ray close with reflections on culture, God, and legacy leaving listeners with motivation to build, own, and evolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cynthia Rothrock is a martial arts expert and athlete, who went on to become a film actress, starring in a number of highly successful martial arts action movies. She first made a name as an action actress in Hong Kong before going on to wow audiences in her home turf. At the time of her popularity, she was well-known as the "Queen of Martial Arts films". Cynthia Rothrock is the World Champion in martial arts Forms and Weapons (1981-1985). Her goal was to be undefeated and retire after five years. With over 100 competitions, she holds the undefeated worldwide record in martial arts Forms competition. In weapons competition, Cynthia is the first and only woman to win number one in North America against the men-at that time, women had to compete with the men. She holds five Black Belts with a rank of 8th Dan Grandmaster. Upon completing her goal of being undefeated in competition, she began her martial arts acting career starring in movies produced and filmed in Hong Kong. Her first movie, Yes, Madam alongside Michelle Yeoh, broke box office records making her a massive star in Hong Kong. After three years of living in Hong Kong, finishing seven films, she returned to the United States to continue her acting career. Today she has starred in over 60 movies. In March 2024, Black Belt Magazine named Rothrock number one in its list of "The Most Influential Women Martial Artists on the Planet.". Rothrock is a proud inductee into the prestigious Black Belt Hall of Fame, along with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. In 2016 she was the first martial artist (male or female) to be inducted into the prestigious International Sports Hall of Fame by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dr. Robert Goldman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices