Jeff and Eric Rosenthal

In this conversation with ItsTheReal creators Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, we explore their evolution from comedic sketch creators to influential voices in hip-hop storytelling and podcasting.

Part 1: From Kitchen Table to Documentarians – Eric and Jeff started in 2007, filming comedy sketches at their kitchen table, driven by a love for hip-hop. Their breakthrough came when Bun B reached out, leading to collaborations with icons like Cam’ron and the Clipse. Over time, their passion for storytelling grew into more serious, long-form content like The Blog Era, a documentary series that dives deep into the impact of hip-hop blogs. This episode highlights their journey, showing how they turned financial struggles into creative fuel and leveraged the internet to bypass traditional entertainment barriers.

Part 2: Building Relationships and Embracing Chaos – In the second part, the brothers discuss the evolution of their podcast, A Waste of Time with ItsTheReal. Starting from a humble apartment setup, it became a cultural touchstone thanks to their authenticity and ability to build real connections with guests like Kevin Gates, Jim Jones, and Swizz Beatz. They share candid stories of New York City adventures, surprising guest moments, and the fun chaos that keeps their work fresh and engaging.

Join us for a conversation that highlights passion, relationships, and the joy of embracing chaos in the creative process.

"Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture," is produced and distributed by Merrick Creative and hosted by Merrick Chief Creative Officer, Tom Frank, hip hop artist and founder of Pendulum Ink, Mickey Factz, and music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to hear this thought-provoking discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @UnglossyPod to join the conversation and support the show at https://unglossypod.buzzsprout.com/