Nicolay joins Phonte as The Foreign Exchange to speak with Team Supreme in-studio. This conversation celebrates the 20th anniversary of F.E.'s beloved debut album Connected and the 25th anniversary of OkayPlayer, where this duo first met and formed. The special discussion revisits the message board days and reveals why Nicolay and Phontigallo still honor their original formula. The episode also follows Nic's music-minded journey from the Netherlands to North Carolina, his distinct approach to production, and how The Foreign Exchange was unfazed by Grammy recognition.

Chapters
0:00 - Rollcall and introduction
4:00 - This conversation is taking place amid the 20th anniversary of Foreign Exchange and the 25th anniversary of the OkayPlayer message boards that brought Nicolay and Phonte together
6:45 - What is Nicolay’s first musical memory? A bit of a trademark QLS rabbit hole goes with it…
15:30 - Even in the universe of OkayPlayer, how did Nicolay and Phonte find one another back in 2001?
17:30 - Nicolay learned of OkayPlayer by way of D’Angelo’s Voodoo
21:00 - Nicolay describes receiving Hip Hop culture in Europe in the 1990s from TV to radio to concerts
25:15 - Nicolay’s peers in The Netherlands thought his music sounded “American” which encouraged him to want to work with Americans
29:00 - The OkayPlayer artists like The Roots, Common, Slum Village, and others represented a community that Nicolay felt musical connection to
34:50 - Nicolay describes growing up outside of Holland in the 1990s, and how the culture affected Hip Hop shows from outsiders
40:00 - The Foreign Exchange’s music was made virtually, but sounded great. They are pioneers of that
41:30 - At the genesis of Foreign Exchange, Phonte did not own a personal computer. FE used AOL Instant Messenger and MP3s
43:20 - The Foreign Exchange had a specific approach to mixing. Phonte weighs in
45:30 - Nicolay and Phonte recall making The Foreign Exchange’s Connected album, including touring, a deal with BBE Records, and an album leak. The album took a year and a half to make
49:00 - What is The Foreign Exchange recording process? They discuss some of the mixing and recording software of the time
53:15 - Nicolay remembers meeting Phonte and doing Beat Society in New York City, and the first Foreign Exchange live performance
54:10 - The Foreign Exchange mantra is “making do with the tools you have” and it runs deep. Phonte also explains why recording engineers are royalty to the process
58:30 - The Foreign Exchange has never been in the studio together, and it is by design. Nicolay and Phonte explain
59:45 - The Foreign Exchange expanded beyond its duo for Leave It All Behind. Phonte talks about adding Zo!, Carlitta Durand, Yahzarah, Darien Brockington, Muhsinah, and others
1:04:00 - Nicolay does FE music while Phonte often handles personnel. He also mentions Gwen Bunn, BeMyFiasco, Sy Smith, and others that are part of the FE Music orbit
1:06:05 - The Foreign Exchange squad was able to maintain through COVID because of their virtual history
1:07:20 - The FE crew is partly about talent and the ability to hang out together
1:08:20 - The Foreign Exchange began as a studio band, but eventually opened up to touring after Leave It All Behind when offers began coming in
1:09:40 - The Foreign Exchange never submitted Leave It All Behind for a Grammy Award, but it was nominated anyway. The group responded true to form
1:12:10 - Phonte shares that The Foreign Exchange was the first entity that allowed him to be compensated for his art, and the desire to go independent for Leave It All Behind. That LP’s first check was more than multiple Little Brother albums
1:14:20 - The Roots and Foreign Exchange partied together, and Questlove played the drums for a special 2010 show. Other industry OGs showed FE love and support
1:17:00 - The Grammy fanfare gave Nicolay a feeling of legitimacy to his family
1:18:10 - Nicolay speaks about moving from The Netherlands to Wilmington, North Carolina. BBE Records helped sponsor Nic’s visa, and that move partially inspired Leave It All Behind
1:25:00 - Parting thoughts, and the trademark need for a Part 2… which should fittingly be done online

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