The Shrimp City Report Podcast (Charleston, South Carolina)

SXVXNT - Chatting with an impactful Lowcountry Rap musician and promoter

 

We had a great time discussing  SXVXNT’s journey from the west side of Chicago through four years in the Army, studying at DePaul, and grinding the open‑mic circuit in Los Angeles. He explains why he stylized his name S‑X‑V‑X‑N‑T, the move from L.A. to the Southeast to be closer to family, and how remote work during COVID gave him the chance to build his own recording setup.

The conversation highlights his deep musical roots: a father who played piano and sang, early training on piano and trumpet, ongoing jazz chops, and surprising classical influences (including Alexander Goedicke). SXVXNT names Nas, Prince, Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), Lupe Fiasco, Phonte and others as key inspirations that shaped his lyricism and songwriting.

We discuss his creative process — from tinkering and multi‑year revisions to freestyling that became finished tracks (notably on the Wayfair project and the freestyled “Kobenhaven 0400”). He also recounts early performances (first Chicago gig at Reggie’s, opening for Planet Asia in LA), industry experiences (label offers and the pressure for visuals), and the practical realities of producing and mixing his own work.

On the local front SXVXNT explains the Rap‑A‑Lot series — an ongoing effort to put Charleston rappers on bigger stages — and his vision for stronger venues and mixed‑genre bills. He talks memorable shows (including opening for D Smoke)  and winning Rapper of the Year. We also discuss the challenges and camaraderie within the Lowcountry scene, and his preference for music as an auditory art even as he accepts the need for visuals.

What to expect from this episode: personal stories, performance anecdotes, the mechanics of freestyling and songwriting, gig life across L.A., Chicago, Atlanta and New York, and SXVXNT’s plans for future shows. Find his music and updates at soundofkanai.com and on Instagram @sxvxntsoc — tune in to hear a musician who blends classical training, jazz instrumentation, and hip‑hop hustle into a distinct Charleston voice.

Music | Sound Of Cannae

Shrimp, Blessings & Small-Town Spirit: Inside the 48th LowCountry Shrimp Festival

 

In this episode we speak with Alicia Leland about the 48th annual Low Country Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet, held in and around McClellanville at the Robert E. Ashley Boat Landing (at the end of Pinckney Street). Alicia, a McClellanville native, walks us through the festival’s history, its roots in the community, and what keeps this tradition alive.

Topics covered include the festival’s role as a fundraiser for the Cape Romaine Environmental Education Charter School (CREEKS), the school’s environmentally themed, project-based curriculum, and the ways students and volunteers participate in the event (yes—kids help peel shrimp).

We trace the festival’s origin back to 1976, note the two missed years during COVID, and explain how the event transitioned from supporting a former private school to backing the charter school. Alicia also discusses the festival’s efforts to be greener and how the partnership with the school fits the festival mission.

The episode highlights McClellanville’s working waterfront: one of the largest East Coast fleets and two commercial processing docks (Carolina Seafoods and Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood).

Listeners get a look at festival logistics and must-do moments: the Blessing of the Fleet (clergy bless boats during the parade down), plenty of shrimp and other foods, live music, roughly 60 local craft vendors, and crowd estimates of about 2,500–4,000 people for the day (in a town of roughly 550 residents). The show also covers planning rhythms, key volunteers and vendors, and humorous community stories from past festivals.

Alicia advises attendees to come prepared for typical Lowcountry weather—rain or shine—with tents and covered areas available. She mentions plans and hopes for the festival’s 50th anniversary and encourages listeners to join the celebration.

For more information and updates, follow the Low Country Shrimp Festival on Facebook (Low Country Shrimp Festival) or visit lowcountryshrimpfestival.com. The Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for 4:00 PM on festival day; check the festival’s Facebook event page and FAQ for the latest details.

Big Ben Kennedy from the Snakkin and Yakkin Podcast

Photo credit https://www.westof.net/

This episode we chat with comedian and podcaster Big Ben Kennedy of the Snakkin and Yakkin podcast.

It's a lively conversation that covers Ben’s stand-up origins in Baltimore, his move to Charleston, and how family shaped his choices. Ben discusses acting and improv experiences, early open-mic nights, touring as an opener for major names, and a memorable stage moment with Darrell Hammond. He also opens up about his long career as an EMT/paramedic and how that perspective informs — but rarely supplies — his comedy material.

The episode dives into Ben’s podcast Snakkin and Yakkin: how it started, the pivot from co-hosted taste tests to interview-driven episodes, booking local creatives and business owners, producing video and audio (three-camera shoots, Adobe editing), and social media strategies. Ben shares practical lessons on studio work, show preparation, guest selection, and building authentic, long-form conversations that go beyond promotional blurbs.

Website: https://snackinyakkin.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@snackinyakkin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snackinyakkin/

 

Forging Charleston: Blacksmith Zach Liollio on History, Tools and Art

Welcome to this episode of the Shrimp City Report with Devin and DJ — we talk with Charleston native and blacksmith Zach Liollio about his life, craft, and small-business journey. Zach shares how his visual arts education and family background in architecture led him to hands-on metalworking and a love of historic tools and techniques.

Zach recounts studying historic preservation at College of Charleston, taking a classes at the American College of the Building Arts, and learning blacksmithing at Middleton Place. He explains how design, history and engineering come together in ornamental and production blacksmithing, and how traditional methods inform his contemporary work.

Listeners will hear about Zach’s ZPL studio in West Ashley, how he collects and maintains tools, adapts found spaces (including a former auto shop) into a working studio, and balances craft with efficiency — what he calls “manufacturability” when producing batches of items for sale.

A major focus of the conversation is Zach’s Thayer multi-tool project: the history of the 1881 patent, the tool’s original stove and kitchen uses, how he reproduces and modernizes the design, and why vintage-inspired multi-tools have resonated with today’s buyers on Etsy, eBay and wholesale channels.

We also cover Zac’s unexpected hits — like copper coffee scoops sized for refillable K‑cups that evolved into restaurant orders — and the range of materials he uses (mild and tool steels, stainless, copper, cast iron and even titanium for certain pieces). He explains forging methods, coal-forge memories at Middleton, and the practicalities of making durable, functional pieces.

Zach discusses community and education in the trade: the Philip Simmons/South Carolina Artist Blacksmith Guild, meetups and demos, his part-time teaching at the American College of the Building Arts, and projects such as gate work for Charleston institutions. He emphasizes how supportive local networks and hands-on demos help sustain the craft.

For makers and entrepreneurs, Zach shares product-development tips (test in your own kitchen or studio), the power of short-form video and influencer partnerships to drive sales, and the realities of social media as a full-time job for growing a craft business.

Find Zach at www.zplandco.com and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zpliollio/; he also posts new work on Facebook. Tune in to hear a mix of history, practical craft talk, product stories, and the business side of modern blacksmithing — an episode that celebrates tradition, creativity, and Charleston’s living craft culture.

World Famous Pro Wrestler Doc Gallows joins us to talk MLW and much more!

 

https://www.instagram.com/the_biglg/

https://www.youtube.com/@TalkNShopPodcast

For this episode we had a lively conversation with Doc Gallows, as he prepares to appear with Machine Gun Karl Anderson at Major League Wrestling (MLW) & NJPW Presents CMLL FANTASTICA MANIA USA 2026, in Charleston on April 12th. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlw-njpw-present-cmll-fantastica-mania-usa-fueled-by-don-gato-tequila-tickets-1980582936880?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode Doc shares career highlights — from his Tough Enough breakthrough and WWE runs (including Festus and the Straight Edge Society) to TNA’s Aces & Eights and the global explosion of the Bullet Club during his New Japan tenure.

We got behind-the-scenes stories and vivid anecdotes: the Venice Beach Tough Enough tryout, a wardrobe mishap on an obstacle course, the origin and meteoric rise of Bullet Club shirts, and memorable tours through Japan, Australia, Canada and the U.S. Doc also discusses life on the road as a touring pro, balancing family (his son is pursuing wrestling), promoting independent shows, and how he stays fit between flights and appearances.

The episode covers practical and local touches, too — Doc’s Charleston plans and some  favorite Lowcountry spots, upcoming appearances (WrestleMania week and international tours), and where to follow his work: @the_big_LG and Machine Gun Karl Anderson’s handles. You will hear about the MLW Fusion return to television, the edgy MLW product to expect live, and Doc’s Talk'n Shop podcast with big guests like Finn Balor and Scarlett.

Whether you’re a longtime wrestling fan or curious about the touring life, this episode delivers history, humor, and inside access to one of wrestling’s most recognizable tag team veterans — plus event info for Charleston fans and a shoutout to The Refinery as a local venue resource.

 

All About Seniors Magazine

  

On this episode we spoke with Bill Sweezy and Jillian West about the South Carolina publication All About Seniors. 

Since 2005, All About Seniors has been providing North and South Carolina with the most comprehensive resource and referral directory available for older adults, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Their printed magazines include hundreds of pages of vital information and more than 50 service categories specific to the ever growing over 55 population and those who work to provide a better quality of life for them. Whether you are a family member, healthcare professional, caregiver or older adult, we can help you successfully navigate your local senior resources.

https://www.allaboutseniors.org/

https://www.facebook.com/AllAboutSeniorsDirectory

https://x.com/stripedrock

 

 

 

The Charleston Outside Streetball Festival with founder Egal Gabay

On this episode we spoke with Egal Gabay of the Outside Streetball Festival in Charleston SC on Saturday April 4th at The Refinery.

The Outside Streetball is Charleston’s first streetball, music, and arts festival. It’s bigger than basketball. Get tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/outside-streetball-festival-ft-nappy-the-refinery-tickets/14146184

Born from a journey chasing courts around the world, Outside brings that global street energy home. This is where hoops, music, and art meet the energy of the city in one full-out celebration. We’re here to connect creators, competitors, and communities, from jaw-dropping dunks to live musical performances, bold murals, and great food.

Outside is for anyone who sees the world as a canvas - or a court. Whether you're here to play, perform, or just enjoy a unique experience, Outside Streetball Festival is for you.
Expect a full day of high-energy 3-on-3 games, a stacked dunk contest, and a crowd that stays lit from start to finish. Off the court, catch live DJ sets, a headline musical performance, live muralists, merch drops, food trucks, and special guests.

https://outsidestreetball.com/

https://www.instagram.com/outside_streetball/

 

Killer Kross : Heavyweight Champion of Major League Wrestling (MLW)

https://www.instagram.com/realkillerkross/

Charleston! Major League Wrestling is BACK! April 12 at Festival Hall and we were lucky to have the Champ on the show!

In this episode we sit down with Major League Wrestling (MLW) heavyweight champion Killer Kross (Kevin Robert Kesar) ahead of MLW’s Fantastica Mania USA tour in Charleston this April. Expect a wide-ranging conversation that moves from his upbringing in Rockland County and time living and training in Toronto to his global wrestling career.

We cover Kross’s combat-sports roots—boxing, catch wrestling, jiu-jitsu and sambo—his early training under his father and coach Maurício Veo, and his rapid entry into the ring (his first match came after roughly 30 days of training). Kross discusses breaking into promotions like FSW, winning MLW Battle Riot, working with Global Force and Lucha Underground (including lessons learned from TV-style production), and how those experiences prepared him for WWE/NXT.

Kross also opens up about his creative work outside the ring: acting in the film Blue Evening, learning on-set and in post-production, and how cinematic storytelling influenced his in-ring presentation. He talks about life on the road—how WWE touring compares to the independent circuit—his partnership with Scarlett Bordeaux (and her paranormal series Chamber of Horrors), and how gratitude and adaptability shaped his career and mindset.

The episode finishes with a preview of the MLW New Japan Pro Wrestling presents CMLL Fantastica Mania USA 2026 shows in Charleston—an inter-promotional event blending MLW, New Japan Pro Wrestling and CMLL talent—and Kross’s enthusiasm for mixing styles (Lucha, British strong style, King’s Road, hybrid and more). 

Be sure and catch Killer Kross in Charleston by getting your tickets here: http://www.mlwgo.com/

Catch all MLW at https://mlw.com/