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 understand the real power of the art form. A deep dive into the business, the brilliance, and the blueprints that shaped hip-hop’s golden era.

00:01:10 – Discussing Creativity & Revolutionary Funk Beats 00:02:48 – Start of Life & Meeting His Father (Day Before 18th Birthday) 00:04:04 – Hearing Hip Hop for the First Time & The Practice Tapes 00:06:03 – Origin of the Name Daddy-O (from Doctor Ron) 00:08:24 – Realizing the Power of Rhyme and Breakbeats 00:12:38 – Deciding to Take Rap Seriously: The Fumbled Performance 00:15:28 – The Original Stetsasonic Three MCs 00:17:59 – Founding the Hip Hop Band Concept 00:19:38 – The Genesis of Sampling in Stetsasonic (Prince Paul's Influence) 00:22:58 – Winning the Record Deal Contest 00:24:43 – The Visit to Sugar Hill Records and The Bad Contract 00:29:49 – Analyzing the Music Business: Reading Stiffed & The Mob's Influence 00:33:05 – The Creation of Rush Producers Management (RPM) 00:38:19 – Cultivating Talent at the Brooklyn Compound (Biggie, Foxy, D'Angelo) 00:52:41 – Professor Daddy-O: The Lifelong Calling to Be a Teacher

Follow Daddy-O 📸 https://instagram.com/professordaddyo

Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

#theroots #publicenemy

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 purpose.

00:00:00 – Welcome to Compound Conversations 00:01:18 – How Your Space Shapes Your Creativity 00:03:16 – Growing Up in Queens & Early Identity 00:05:55 – Childhood Inspirations: Kung-Fu, Anime & Hip-Hop 00:07:09 – New York’s Cultural Melting Pot 00:14:40 – Sneaking Into Manhattan & Discovering Downtown 00:16:41 – Finding Purpose Through Struggle & Creativity 00:22:25 – Building His First Brand & Early Design Mindset 00:29:19 – The Birth and Mission of Awake NY

🔗 Follow Angelo IG: instagram.com/angelobaque

#CompoundConversations #AwakeNY #AngeloBaque

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 of abstraction, and what it means to stay original in a world obsessed with replication. This isn’t just a history lesson — it’s a blueprint for fearless creativity.

00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:03 – The New York Roots of Creativity 00:05:29 – Growing Up in the Bronx: Only Child, Big Dreams 00:07:19 – Survival Is the Real Art Form 00:10:03 – Living a Double Life: Goody Two-Shoes & Knucklehead 00:11:08 – The Birth of FUTURA 2000 00:12:28 – Fighting for Space in a Divided World 00:15:31 – Discovering Graffiti: The Breakout Years of ’72–’73 00:18:34 – Graffiti as the First Form of Self-Promotion 00:20:25 – Leaving for the Navy, Returning to a New Era 00:23:18 – Building the First “Compound” with Soul Artists 00:26:16 – Painting the Legendary Abstract Train 00:28:31 – The Martha Cooper Photo That Defined a Legacy 00:30:31 – Proof of Life: Rediscovering His Tag 50 Years Later 00:33:07 – The World of FUTURA: Sci-Fi, Space & Abstraction 00:43:11 – Balancing Art, Brand, and Authenticity 00:53:23 – Lessons, Legacy & Friendship That Lasts

Follow Futura 📸 https://instagram.com/futuradosmil

Follow Set Free 📸https://instagram.com/iam_setfree

Follow us for more insights into music, tech & culture: 📸 https://instagram.com/tmronetwork 📸 https://instagram.com/Doncannon

🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/

#grafitti #offwhite #grafittiart