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

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