Rodes Live

Episode 309 of the Rodes Live Podcast takes it back to 1984–1986, when Rodes was a young teenager learning about girls, dating, courting, confidence, and what it meant to be “manish” before he even fully understood what that meant.
In “Hickeys,” Rodes looks back at those early teenage years with plenty of laughs, stories, and honesty. From laughing with the girls and trying to impress them, to the awkwardness of young romance and the lessons that came with it, Rodes revisits a time when dating was a completely different experience.
Before social media, dating apps, DMs, and smartphones, you actually had to talk to somebody, approach them, spend time together, and figure things out face-to-face.
Rodes reflects on the girls he dated, the ways young people courted each other, the things he thought he knew about being a man, and the hilarious situations that came with growing up.
But underneath the memories and comedy is a bigger message:
Be your authentic self.
Whether you're dating at 15 or 50, pretending to be somebody you're not eventually catches up with you. Rodes talks about confidence, personality, communication, and understanding that you don't have to put on an act to be worthy of somebody else's attention.
“Hickeys” is part nostalgia, part comedy, part coming-of-age story—and part reminder that some of the biggest lessons about relationships start when we're young.
In This Episode:
Rodes' memories from 1984–1986
Teenage dating and courting
The funny realities of young romance
Laughing, flirting and trying to impress the girls
What it meant to be “manish” as a young teenager
Growing confidence around girls
The difference between courting then and dating now
Lessons learned from early relationships
Why pretending to be someone you're not doesn't work
Being comfortable with your own personality
Dating as your authentic self
Looking back at teenage experiences with an adult perspective
The funny memories that stay with you decades later
Rodes Live Takeaway
You don't have to create a character to get somebody to like you. Be yourself, communicate, have confidence, and let the right person get to know the real you.
Sometimes the stories we laugh about the most are the same stories that taught us the most.
Rodes Live Podcast — Hip-Hop. Culture. Life. Stories.
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Rodes Live Podcast — Revisit
🎙️ RODES LIVE PODCAST — REVISIT
In this episode of Rodes Live Podcast, we go back into the vault and revisit two classic hip-hop albums that helped define an era: Eazy-E’s Eazy-Duz-It and 2Pac’s Me Against the World.
Rodes breaks down the music, the impact, the storytelling, and the different perspectives these two legendary projects brought to hip-hop. From the raw West Coast energy of Eazy-E to the introspective and deeply personal themes of 2Pac, we take a trip back to a time when albums told stories and helped shape the culture.
This is a REVISIT — going back to the music, the memories, and the moments that still matter.
🔥 WHAT'S POPPIN'
Two legendary artists take center stage:
🎤 Eazy-E 🎤 2Pac
Whether you grew up with these albums or you're discovering them for the first time, this episode is a reminder of why classic hip-hop continues to resonate across generations.
🎧 Listen. Share. Subscribe. Leave a review.
🌐 Rodes Live: www.rodesonline.net 🔗 All Rodes Links: Linktr.ee/Rodes
💈 Need a cut in the Chicago area? Book with Rodes Barber Suite: RodesBarberSuite82.booksy.com/h/
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Episode 307: The Rap Factory takes us back to a legendary chapter in Chicago hip-hop history — 2135 W. Fullerton Avenue, the location remembered as The Rap Factory.
The Rap Factory was more than a spot on the map. It became a Chicago hip-hop destination, a place where a who's who of Chicago's music scene crossed paths and where artists traveling through the city could make a stop, connect, network and experience the culture.
In this episode, Rodes takes a look at the significance of The Rap Factory and the role places like it played in creating opportunities, relationships and memories during an important era of hip-hop.
From Chicago's own talent to artists coming through from around the country, The Rap Factory represents the type of cultural hub that helped keep hip-hop connected to the streets, the artists and the people.
🔥 Rodes Live "What's Poppin" Artist of the Day
RUN-DMC
One of the most influential groups in hip-hop history, Run-D.M.C. helped take rap from the underground into the mainstream and became pioneers of hip-hop's crossover into rock and popular culture.
📡 Rodes Live "On The Radar" Artist of the Week
Jasmine Guy
Best known for her iconic role as Whitley Gilbert on A Different World, Jasmine Guy also established herself as a recording artist, releasing her self-titled 1990 album and R&B hits including "Try Me," "Another Like My Lover" and "Just Want to Hold You."
🎙️ On This Episode
• The history and significance of The Rap Factory • 2135 W. Fullerton and its place in Chicago music history • Chicago's hip-hop culture and community • The importance of legendary music destinations • Artists traveling through Chicago and making connections • The Rodes Live "What's Poppin" Artist of the Day: Run-DMC • The Rodes Live "On The Radar" Artist of the Week: Jasmine Guy • Memories, music, culture and the people who helped shape the scene
This is more than a podcast episode — it's a trip back through Chicago hip-hop history.
🎧 Listen. Share. Subscribe. Tell somebody about Rodes Live!
🌐 Rodes Live: www.rodesonline.net 🔗 All Rodes Links: Linktr.ee/Rodes
💈 Need a cut while you're in Chicago? Rodes Barber Suite: RodesBarberSuite.Booksy.com/a
#RodesLive #RodesLivePodcast #Episode307 #TheRapFactory #RapFactory #ChicagoHipHop #ChicagoRap #ChicagoMusic #ChicagoHipHopHistory #ChicagoMusicHistory #HipHopHistory #OldSchoolHipHop #ClassicHipHop #HipHopCulture #ChicagoCulture #2135WFullerton #FullertonChicago #RunDMC #RunDMC #JasmineGuy #WhatsPoppin #OnTheRadar #RodesOnline #RodesTheBarber #RodesBarberSuite #ChicagoBarber #ChicagoBarberShop #ChicagoBarbers #BarberLife #HipHop #RapMusic #MusicHistory #UrbanCulture #SupportIndependentArtists #Podcast #PodcastLife #ChicagoPodcast #MusicPodcast

Episode 306 explores the barbershop as a staple of the community—a place where men gather, fellowship, share knowledge, build relationships, and discuss life. We compare the tradition of the barbershop to the role of the church as a gathering place for community, mentorship, and connection.
We also highlight the entrepreneurial legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, her hair-care empire, and the importance of ownership, entrepreneurship, and building generational wealth.
🎶 New Music: Lady T 📡 On the Radar Artist of the Week: Big Smash
Listen & Connect: 🌐 www.rodesonline.net 🔗 Linktr.ee/Rodes
#RodesLivePodcast #Episode306 #BarbershopCulture #ChurchAndCommunity #MensFellowship #MadamCJWalker #GenerationalWealth #BlackEntrepreneurship #Community #BarberCulture #NewMusic #LadyT #BigSmash #OnTheRadar #ChicagoPodcast

In this episode of Rodes Live, Lady T sits down with us for an exclusive conversation about her highly anticipated new album and what listeners can expect from her upcoming project.
Lady T also opens up about her journey from working in management to stepping into the spotlight and getting it out the mud as an artist. She shares insight into her creative process, her growth, and what motivated her to pursue music from the artist’s perspective.
Lady T is also featured as the Rodes Live “What’s Poppin” Artist of the Day. Plus, we introduce our brand-new segment, “On the Radar,” highlighting talent, stories, and movements you need to know about.
Tune in, share the episode, and stay connected with Rodes Live for more interviews, music, culture, and rising talent.
🔗 Visit: rodesonline.net 🔗 Follow and connect: linktr.ee
In This Episode
Lady T’s upcoming album
Her transition from management to becoming an artist
Getting it out the mud and building her career
Lady T as the Rodes Live “What’s Poppin” Artist of the Day
The launch of our new “On the Radar” segment
Music, motivation, growth, and what’s next
Hashtags
#RodesLive #RodesOnline #MurdaMurda #LadyT #WhatsPoppin #OnTheRadar #NewMusic #UpcomingAlbum #IndependentArtist #UnsignedArtist #ArtistJourney #GetItOutTheMud #MusicPodcast #PodcastInterview #HipHopPodcast #WomenInMusic #SupportIndependentArtists #RisingArtist #MusicCulture #LinktreeRodes