In this episode of North², host Korey Luna sits down with Damian Hess, aka MC Frontalot, the artist who coined the term "nerdcore" in the late '90s and pioneered rap about coding, video games, and internet culture.

Frontalot reflects on witnessing the DNA Lounge show with Mega Ran in 2023, shares production insights about avoiding samples to maintain originality, and offers advice to aspiring rappers: "work backwards from the fake to make it real."

A deep conversation about art, technology, and staying authentic in an increasingly artificial world.

Including:

25 years of nerdcore evolution from MP3 demos to national touring
Breaking up with the internet, discussing his album "Net Split"
The transformation of online culture from adventure to algorithmic control
AI, deepfakes, and the collapse of reality in the digital age
Musical influences, Weird Al Yankovic and Tom Waits
Creating timeless hip-hop that deliberately avoids trendy production
Touring evolution, from full band to solo performances
The loyal nerdcore fanbase and merch economics
Upcoming eighth album "Counterfeit Wine," themed around ripping off billionaires