A Lo-Fi Love Letter to Hip Hop’s Golden Era
Hip hop doesn’t need saving—it needs remembering.
And that’s exactly what Radio Days sets out to do.
This album is a cinematic trip through the lo-fi, analog-tuned past that made a generation fall in love with dusty drums and raw verses. It’s Paid in Full meets a modern day masterclass in boom bap.
Released by Bobby J From Rockaway, produced entirely by Nef, and premiered at a sold-out listening party in Brooklyn, Radio Days feels like what happens when two artists choose the art over the algorithm.
👇 Listen to the full album here + exclusive interview at the bottom of this post. Also check out Bobby J From Rockaway's most recent work https://www.bobbyjfromrockaway.com
THE CONCEPT BEHIND RADIO DAYS
This isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.
Every track on Radio Days plays like a flip through a crate of tapes you forgot you had, but still remember every word to. From the first static-soaked transition to the last hi-hat fadeout, it’s a time capsule for the culture—and a reminder that storytelling is still king in hip hop.
But this isn’t just a retro loop pack dressed up as an album.
It’s a meticulously crafted body of work.
The type of album that was built, not banged out.
As Bobby J put it in the interview:
“We weren’t chasing anything. We were following the sound. This is for people who still listen front to back.”
WHO IS NEF?
If you’re new to the name Produced by Nef, now’s the time to take notes.
Raised in Maine, sharpened in New Hampshire kitchens and late-night studios, Nef built his rep from the ground up—literally. After years of ghost production, engineering, and cooking to keep the dream alive, he’s emerged as a true student of the craft.
He’s worked with some of the best in the business:
Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Ras Kass, Rome Streetz, Statik Selektah, DJ Premier and now, Bobby J.
And here’s the difference:
Where most producers chase trends, Nef builds tapestries.
Warm, analog, soul-sampled tapestries you want to live inside.
THE LISTENING PARTY
Bobby J & Nef celebrating the release of Radio Days
Held at The Hidden Tiger, the listening event was packed with heads from all corners of the city. Artists, DJs, engineers, and fans gathered not just to hear an album—but to feel it.
Vintage radios lined the room.
Vinyl crackle buzzed through the speakers.
And you could feel the mutual respect in every bar exchanged.
The night was a reminder: when music is built with intention, it brings people together. Period.
ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS
Here are a few standout moments:
🎙️ From the Jump – The intro sets the tone: static, warmth, and storytelling.
💥 Radio Days – is Pure fire. Bobby J’s pen game is razor-sharp here, and Nef’s production knocks like a De La Soul B-side.
Each track transitions like a new station, but the feel stays consistent: raw, real, and resolute.
THE INTERVIEW
We sat down with Nef and Bobby J to dig into the making of Radio Days, from crate-digging moments to why they kept the mix stripped back and soulful.
🎥 Watch the full interview below:
Get the behind-the-scenes breakdown on how each track came together, why they avoided “playlist rap,” and how Radio Days was designed to be timeless—not trendy.
Stream the album:
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Radio Days isn’t just an album.
It’s a thesis statement.
In a world of over-compressed bangers and algorithm-approved singles, this is a return to the soul of hip hop. It’s an analog album in a digital age—built to last, not just stream.
