Legendary radio host Colby "Colb" Tyner takes us back to where it all started with the biggest names in the music business and the world. Each episode is a narrative journey and in-depth conversation with the men and women that shaped hip hop. Colby is an accomplished on-air talent best known for his compelling interviews with Jay-Z, Will Smith, Quincy Jones, President Obama, President Clinton, and more.

BackStory with Colby Colb

Legendary radio host Colby "Colb" Tyner takes us back to where it all started with the biggest names in the music business and the world. Each episode is a narrative journey and in-depth conversation with the men and women that shaped hip hop. Colby is an accomplished on-air talent best known for his compelling interviews with Jay-Z, Will Smith, Quincy Jones, President Obama, President Clinton, and more.

Janelle Monae

On this special episode of The Backstory Podcast, Colby Colb takes listeners on a rare audio journey through Jay-Z’s evolution using his classic Philadelphia radio interviews, freestyles, listener moments, and behind-the-scenes stories recorded between 1995 and 2006.

Long before the sold-out stadiums, billionaire status, Roc Nation, and global influence, Philadelphia was one of the first cities outside of New York to embrace Jay-Z and document his rise in real time. Through these conversations, listeners hear the transformation of Shawn Carter from a hungry independent artist promoting Roc-A-Fella before the release of Reasonable Doubt, into one of the most important figures in music and culture.

The episode features Jay-Z discussing the making of Reasonable Doubt, building Roc-A-Fella Records, working with The Notorious B.I.G., The Blueprint era, Michael Jackson, the fallout surrounding the R. Kelly tour, becoming President of Def Jam, and launching his historic Kingdom Come seven-city tour in one day.

Along the way, Colby shares personal stories and memories from Jay-Z’s many visits to Philadelphia, highlighting the city’s role in his journey and the deep connection he built with Philly audiences over the years.

More than just a collection of interviews, this episode serves as a time capsule of Jay-Z’s growth, ambition, confidence, and evolution making his upcoming Roots Picnic performance feel like a true full-circle moment between Jay-Z and a city that believed in him early.

 

#JayZ #RootsPicnic #HipHopHistory #BackstoryPodcast #ColbyColb #RocAFella #ReasonableDoubt #TheBlueprint


@getthebackstory (Instagram)
@officialcolbycolb (Instagram/Threads)
@colbycolb.Bsky.social
@colbycolb X

On this special episode of The Backstory Podcast, Colby Colb takes listeners on a rare audio journey through Jay-Z&rsquo;s evolution using his classic Philadelphia radio interviews, freestyles, listener moments, and behind-the-scenes stories recorded between 1995 and 2006.
Long before the sold-out stadiums, billionaire status, Roc Nation, and global influence, Philadelphia was one of the first cities outside of New York to embrace Jay-Z and document his rise in real time. Through these conversations, listeners hear the transformation of Shawn Carter from a hungry independent artist promoting Roc-A-Fella before the release of Reasonable Doubt, into one of the most important figures in music and culture.
The episode features Jay-Z discussing the making of Reasonable Doubt, building Roc-A-Fella Records, working with The Notorious B.I.G., The Blueprint era, Michael Jackson, the fallout surrounding the R. Kelly tour, becoming President of Def Jam, and launching his historic Kingdom Come seven-city tour in one day.
Along the way, Colby shares personal stories and memories from Jay-Z&rsquo;s many visits to Philadelphia, highlighting the city&rsquo;s role in his journey and the deep connection he built with Philly audiences over the years.
More than just a collection of interviews, this episode serves as a time capsule of Jay-Z&rsquo;s growth, ambition, confidence, and evolution making his upcoming Roots Picnic performance feel like a true full-circle moment between Jay-Z and a city that believed in him early.
&nbsp;
#JayZ #RootsPicnic #HipHopHistory #BackstoryPodcast #ColbyColb #RocAFella #ReasonableDoubt #TheBlueprint
 @getthebackstory (Instagram) @officialcolbycolb (Instagram/Threads) @colbycolb.Bsky.social @colbycolb X

Road to the Roots Picnic: Jay-Z & Philadelphia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/2d634181-8850-4b73-a8c2-b45200ea09c4/transcript

In this poignant episode of The Backstory Podcast, host Colby Colb pays tribute to Voletta Wallace, the mother of The Notorious B.I.G., who recently passed away. Throughout the episode, Colby highlights various interview clips with Voletta, where she reflects on her life raising her son, Christopher Wallace (Biggie), in Brooklyn. She shares touching memories of Biggie’s childhood, his love of reading and writing, and her pride in watching his rise to fame.

Voletta opens up about the challenges of being a mother while navigating the dangers of the streets and the music industry, and she offers powerful advice to other parents who have lost children to gun violence, sharing her emotional journey of grief and resilience.

This episode is a heartfelt tribute to Voletta Wallace's legacy and the profound impact she had as a mother to one of the greatest rappers in history. It’s a testament to her strength and love, providing listeners with an intimate look into the life of Biggie and the woman who raised him.

In this poignant episode of&nbsp;The Backstory Podcast, host Colby Colb pays tribute to Voletta Wallace, the mother of The Notorious B.I.G., who recently passed away. Throughout the episode, Colby highlights various interview clips with Voletta, where she reflects on her life raising her son, Christopher Wallace (Biggie), in Brooklyn. She shares touching memories of Biggie&rsquo;s childhood, his love of reading and writing, and her pride in watching his rise to fame.
Voletta opens up about the challenges of being a mother while navigating the dangers of the streets and the music industry, and she offers powerful advice to other parents who have lost children to gun violence, sharing her emotional journey of grief and resilience.
This episode is a heartfelt tribute to Voletta Wallace's legacy and the profound impact she had as a mother to one of the greatest rappers in history. It&rsquo;s a testament to her strength and love, providing listeners with an intimate look into the life of Biggie and the woman who raised him.

RIP Voletta Wallace the mother of The Notorious B.I.G.

Rest in peace, Irv Gotti. In this special re-release, originally published in 2022, Colby Colb shares an exclusive interview with the legendary music producer, label owner, and filmmaker. Irv Gotti recounts his journey from a Queens DJ to discovering Jay-Z and DMX, bringing them to Def Jam, and founding his own label, Murder Inc., which achieved staggering success.

Irv Gotti, the legendary co-founder of the influential Hip-Hop label Murder Inc., passed away at 54. According to sources, Gotti was recently placed on a ventilator in the ICU after suffering another stroke earlier this week. The shocking news has sent waves through the music community, as Gotti’s contributions to the genre were immense. 

Follow the show

@backstorypcc (Twitter)
@getthebackstory (Instagram)
@BackstorywithColbyColb (Facebook)
@colbycolb (Twitter)@officalcolbycolb (Instagram)

Rest in peace, Irv Gotti. In this special re-release, originally published in 2022, Colby Colb shares an exclusive interview with the legendary music producer, label owner, and filmmaker. Irv Gotti recounts his journey from a Queens DJ to discovering Jay-Z and DMX, bringing them to Def Jam, and founding his own label, Murder Inc., which achieved staggering success.
Irv Gotti, the legendary co-founder of the influential Hip-Hop label Murder Inc., passed away at 54. According to sources, Gotti was recently placed on a ventilator in the ICU after suffering another stroke earlier this week. The shocking news has sent waves through the music community, as Gotti&rsquo;s contributions to the genre were immense.&nbsp;
Follow the show
@backstorypcc (Twitter) @getthebackstory (Instagram) @BackstorywithColbyColb (Facebook) @colbycolb (Twitter)@officalcolbycolb (Instagram)

Janelle Monae

In 1 playlist(s)

BackStory with Colby Colb

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips