A long way from the block

Ep. 90-Wordsmith of the highest degree—my conversation with Myka 9

Anthony Thomas Season 1 Episode 90

Myka 9 is one of the most prolific MCs of all time. In this interview, he talks in depth about the components of thought and influence that shape his rhyme style. His entire approach is inflected with jazz, with random sounds sparking melodies and harmonies. These are overlaid and interwoven with an extensive vocabulary. In 2022 the folks at Medium found that Myka 9 has the largest and most unique vocabulary in hip hop history. Myka discusses the importance of reading everything from the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita to books on African history. He reminisces about a pivotal point in his rapping career, when he opened up for some hip hop legends on the East Coast. Lastly, he shares news of an upcoming Freestyle Fellowship project.