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.
Host Colby Colb interviews Jay-Z, exploring his early career and deep connection with Philadelphia through rare archival audio, revealing his transformation into a cultural icon.
21 Feb 2025
RIP Voletta Wallace the mother of The Notorious B.I.G.
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.
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6 Feb 2025
Irv Gotti, Rest In Peace (Re-Broadcast)
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.
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Inside a recent episode
Road to the Roots Picnic: Jay-Z & Philadelphia
Published 22 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] He talks about this album almost like it's a mission statement, saying it's the blueprint of his life. He also discusses working with Michael Jackson, which earlier that year on the Summer Jam concert, he brings Michael Jackson out on stage. It was just one of the most amazing moments in the culture. We didn't have smartphones with cameras. Nobody really could capture it. So you don't really see a lot of this, but it happened. And I happened to ask him about it because he talked about, you know, everybody's loved him their whole lives and he had to come back to the hood. And so he talks about bringing him back to the hood. […]
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