blankSLATE with SaVon

"Two Pimps, One Algorithm" — How Clip Culture Works | blankSLATE Radio

The internet found a way to make humiliation pay rent. Deen the Great and Adrien Broner. Adam22 and Lena the Plug. Two arrangements, one machine — and a clipping economy that pays the most for your…

Ep. 01 | "Reality Is Optional"

For the first official episode of blankSLATE, SaVon and Yassy use Jay-Z's Roots Picnic freestyle, Dame Dash's ongoing criticism of his former business partner, Akademiks' interview with Daphne Joy,…

"The Saddest Beef in Hip-Hop History" — JAY-Z vs Dame Dash | blankSLATE Radio

Two men built an empire together and haven't spoken business since 2004. Only one of them can't stop bringing it up. Dame Dash and Jay-Z built Roc-A-Fella together. They haven't done business since…

"Charlamagne Was the Target" — The Akademiks Smear Campaign | blankSLATE Radio

DJ Akademiks and Charlamagne Tha God have spent years orbiting each other as two of the most influential voices in hip-hop media. Now that relationship appears to be broken. After a private…

"JAY-Z Said Rap Beef Was Dead… Then Shot at Drake"| blankSLATE Radio

He spent two months telling everyone beef was killing the culture. Then he took four minutes to answer all of it. Two months ago JAY-Z told GQ that rap beef was taking the culture backwards. On May…

"West Coast Media Wants Control of the Narrative" — DJ Hed & Jeremy Hecht | blankSLATE Radio

DJ Hed is in the headlines after editing the West Coast disses out of Drake's "2 Hard 4 The Radio" — and aired the cleaned-up version on his own broadcast. Jeremy Hecht is going at DJ Akademiks,…

"The Hip-Hop Media Cold War" — Akademiks vs Charlamagne | blankSLATE Radio

There's a Cold War brewing in hip hop media, and nobody's calling it what it is. DJ Akademiks says nobody's off limits. But watch how he moves — the gloves are only really off for two people. Joe…

"First Look" +Drake & Hip Hop Media NEED Each Other | blankSLATE Radio (Ad-Free Version on Patreon)

SaVon returns with another installment of blankSLATE Radio — breaking down Drake's codependent relationship with hip hop media, the ecosystem connecting Joe Budden, Akademiks, Mal, and why everybody…

"Setting the Table" +Community Response | blankSLATE Radio

SaVon opens blankSLATE Radio — the reactive lane of blankSLATE, built for the conversation between the deep dives. In this episode: why Radio exists, how the two-lane system works, the three E's the…

The Need to Know Closed. blankSLATE Begins.

A reintroduction. Past the Headline. Past the Algorithm. Past the Noise. blankSLATE is what comes next for SaVon, a culture and music commentary podcast going past the headline, past the algorithm,…

Joe Budden | "THE GOLD STANDARD" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 232)

From the Need to Know Podcast era — the show has officially come to an end. This is part of the archive. Enjoy the guest conversations. A deep conversation with Joe Budden on media, relationships,…

Joe Budden | "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 238)

From the Need to Know Podcast era — the show has officially come to an end. This is part of the archive. Enjoy the guest conversations. A wide-ranging conversation with Joe Budden on music, media,…

THE NEED TO KNOW POD | EP. 344 (FINAL EPISODE)

This marks the end of The Need to Know Podcast. The show is complete, and everything below this episode is part of the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. SaVon and Alex reflect on…

The Kid Mero | "HOOD HISTORIAN" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 313)

Originally released: July 7, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. SaVon and Alex sit down…

Elliott Wilson | "MOMENT OF CLARITY" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 292)

Originally released: January 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A candid conversation…

Ish from the JBP| "WORDS MEAN THINGS" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 334)

Originally released: October 13, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A wide-ranging…

Ian Dunlap | "HOUSE OF CARDS" (ARCHIVE)

Originally released: March 6, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A wide-ranging…

Mandii B | "PAID IN PASTA" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 259)

Originally released: May 16, 2024 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A candid conversation…

Lowkey | "THE CAMPFIRE" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 276)

Mecca | "MY QUALIFIED OPINION" (ARCHIVE) (Ep. 332)

Originally released: October 6, 2025 This is the closing chapter of The Need to Know Podcast. Everything below this is the NTK archive — a curated back catalogue from that era. A deep conversation…