Compound Conversations

From Buffalo basements to New York stages. From being shot and paralyzed… To becoming one of the most respected pens in hip-hop.

On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Conway the Machine for a raw conversation about survival, faith, art, and business.

00:00:00 — Welcome Home to the New Compound 00:02:20 — Growing Up in Buffalo & Learning From His Uncles 00:03:55 — Rapping at ...

Before Paris. Before the runways. Before the celebrity co-signs.

There was just a kid drawing, playing soccer, and refusing to choose one lane.

On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with KidSuper founder Colm Dillane for a deep dive into creativity, risk, and building something that doesn’t fit into one box.

From backyard games and basement fashion shows… To guerrilla marketing in New York&helli...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, legendary rapper and actor Ice-T shares the story behind his journey from growing up in Newark and Los Angeles to becoming a pioneer of gangsta rap and a mainstay on network television.

He talks about the 3 types of humans , the street lessons that shaped his "hustler" business acumen , and the profound impact of literary legends like Iceberg Slim on his persona. Ice-T also reflects on the...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, comedian Godfrey shares the story behind his journey from growing up in a Nigerian household in Chicago to becoming one of the most respected voices in stand-up comedy.

He talks about the cultural influences that shaped his comedic style, discovering comedy in college, and the impact of legends like Richard Pryor and Red Foxx. Godfrey also reflects on the evolution of comedy, the entertain...

On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Jae Tips for a conversation that blends streetwear, creativity, and cultural influence.

Jae Tips has built one of the most recognizable voices in modern streetwear known for bold color palettes, fearless design choices, and a storytelling approach that turns every project into a personal statement. From his early days representing the Bronx and building his creative...

On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Gorilla Nems for one of the rawest conversations yet — about addiction, redemption, branding, legacy, and turning “Bing Bong” into a billion-view cultural moment.

From Fight Club domination to sobriety. From sanitation worker to viral icon. From street energy to global merch empire.

This isn’t just a comeback story. This is discipline after d...

Before the sneakers. Before the sold-out Jordans. Before “Bike Air.”

There was a kid in Laurelton, Queens drifting a Big Wheel in his grandma’s driveway.

On this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with BMX icon and Jordan Brand athlete Nigel Sylvester for a full-circle conversation about discipline, identity, legacy, and building something the world didn’t understand — until it had n...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with  film producer Rachel K. Fraser for an inside look at what it really takes to bring stories to life. From development to execution, Rachel shares how producers serve as the backbone of every great film — protecting the vision, aligning talent, and navigating the balance between creativity and logistics.

She reflects on her journey working in high-level fi...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with two-time NBA All-Star and cultural pioneer Baron Davis for an unfiltered conversation on basketball, style, and innovation. From his early days hooping in South Central L.A. to making history at UCLA and shifting the game in the NBA, BD breaks down how he combined streetball DNA with elite IQ, becoming a blueprint for the cultural athlete. He opens up about learning...

April Walker didn’t just witness the birth of hip-hop—she helped dress it. From creating custom designs out of her Brooklyn shop to outfitting legends like Tupac, Biggie, and Mike Tyson, April's influence on streetwear and hip-hop culture is undeniable. In this episode of Compound Conversations, she breaks down her Brooklyn upbringing, the birth of Walker Wear, her styling era at Def Jam, and her evolution into an educa...

Harlem’s own Smoke DZA joins Compound Conversations for a deep dive into his multi-layered journey—where hip hop, weed culture, wrestling, and fashion collide. From hearing Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle as a kid to ghostwriting hits for Sean Kingston, Smoke DZA shares how he went from battle rap ciphers to a respected solo artist with a fully branded identity as the “Kush God.” 

He talks about his earliest in...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with hip-hop pioneer Daddy-O, the frontman of Stetsasonic, known as the first hip-hop band and one of the earliest groups to merge rap with live instrumentation, jazz, and philosophy. Daddy-O speaks candidly about the birth of sampling, the brilliance of Rakim, how Public Enemy’s sound was crafted in competition, and why today’s artists still don’t unde...

Compound Conversations welcomes Angelo Baque — founder of Awake NY, former brand director at Supreme, and one of the most influential creative storytellers in modern street culture.

In this episode, Angelo breaks down his journey from Queens latchkey kid → downtown creative → brand founder, sharing wisdom on authenticity, creativity, street culture, fashion, art direction, and the business of building a community through purp...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with the legendary Futura — the artist who helped shape the foundation of modern graffiti and redefine what street art could be. From painting NYC subway cars in the '70s to collaborating with punk bands, fashion houses, and global brands, Futura shares his story of artistic evolution, rebellion, and timeless relevance. They discuss the roots of graffiti, the power...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Hebru Brantley, the Chicago-born artist whose work has redefined how we see heroes, Black identity, and imagination. Known for his signature character Flyboy, Hebru opens up about his early influences in comics and graffiti, the evolution of his storytelling, and why his art lives at the intersection of fine art and futurism. From massive installations to collaborat...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud Records and one of the most influential executives in hip-hop history. From signing Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Big Pun, to launching marketing powerhouse SRC and breaking artists like Akon, Rifkind reflects on his unique approach to artist development, street-level marketing, and building real cultural moments. This isn’t j...

In this episode, we sit down with DJ Clark Kent — the legendary producer, sneaker connoisseur, and cultural architect whose fingerprints are all over hip-hop's foundation. From his early days growing up in Brooklyn to sharing turntables with Grandmaster Flash at age 11, Clark shares rare stories about his rise as a DJ, his obsession with sneakers, and how he helped shape the sound, style, and soul of hip-hop.

Whether you're a...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with Joseph Patel — Emmy and Oscar-winning writer, director, and producer — to talk about the power of storytelling, the importance of cultural preservation, and his lifelong love affair with music. 

From documenting the rise of hip-hop as a journalist, to co-producing Summer of Soul with Questlove, to directing the A Tribe Called Quest documentary, Pate...

In this episode of Compound Conversations, Set Free sits down with iconic DJ and producer Statik Selektah to talk about the moment the turntables stopped and the beat machines took over. Statik breaks down how he went from crushing mixtapes during the golden era to crafting albums for legends like Nas, Q-Tip, Freeway, and Styles P. He opens up about leaving the mixtape hustle behind, how DJ Drama’s raid pushed him toward full...