Back the Cypher: Roots, Records, and Real Ones in Columbus
In this heartfelt episode of Back the Cypher, DJ Universe reflects on his transformational trip to Columbus, Ohio — the people, the places, and the power of real community energy. From a legendary link-up with Zerggy Zerg at The Kutt Records to the overwhelming support from the Westside, Hilltop, and his Counts family, this wasn’t just a visit — it was a vital piece of the Road to Legacy Tour puzzle. Discover how Columbus showed love, why spaces like The Kutt matter, and how you can keep the movement alive through support, presence, and purpose. 🎧 Highlights: • Visiting The Kutt Records in Columbus • Meeting Zerggy Zerg and local legends • Support from the Counts family and community • Tying the experience back to the Legacy Tour and indie movement • The mission behind #BackTheCypher 🔥 Support the movement: → Shop: ProductzOfSocietyLLC.com → Stream Mayh3m! & Dangerous Zygos → Share this podcast, support the cypher 📍 Columbus gave energy. The culture gave clarity. The mission gave purpose.
Chapter 1
Intro - A Trip That Turned Into A Moment
DJ Universe
Yo, what’s good y’all? Welcome back to Back the Cypher, where we don’t just talk about legacy — we build it, brick by brick, moment by moment. I’m DJ Universe, and today, this one’s personal. Like, real personal. This episode ain’t about a single event, or some artist on the come up. It’s about a city, a connection, and a community that honestly reminded me why I started this whole thing in the first place. I’m talking about Columbus, Ohio. Y’all showed out, for real. And I wanna break down what that meant to me, to the movement, and to the mission. So, let’s get into it.
Chapter 2
Pulling Up To The Kutt - Respect From The Roots
DJ Universe
First stop — The Kutt Records. If you know, you know. This spot? It’s not just a record store, nah. It’s like, a temple for the culture. You walk in and you feel it, like the walls got stories, you know? And when I pulled up, man, I was greeted like family. Zerggy Zerg, shout out, real one. We chopped it up like we’d been building for years, even though it was our first real sit-down. No ego, no industry flex, just records, roots, and respect. That’s what The Kutt is about. It’s the kind of place that makes you proud to rep Hip-Hop, and honestly, Columbus is holding it down. That store is sacred ground, for real.
Chapter 3
The Faces, The Family, The Energy
DJ Universe
But it wasn’t just about the music or the records. It was the people, man. From the Westside to the Hilltop, to everybody who just pulled up to show love, it felt like a homecoming, not just a visit. Special love to the Counts family, my daughter Myleila, her grandmother Debbie, Mayhem, Dangerous Zygos and all the folks who saw me not just as DJ Universe, or a manager, but as Stephen. The man behind the mission, you know? Every handshake, every dap, every head nod in support — that’s the fuel. That’s what keeps this movement alive. It’s not just about spinning records, it’s about real connections.
Chapter 4
Meeting Legends And Linking Legacy
DJ Universe
And yo, I gotta talk about the legends I ran into. Folks who’ve been pillars in the city — Zerggy Zerg from The Kutt Records , Nightmare Jones, Marshie & Rodney of Ultimate Elegance, beauty, salon, and barbershop, rob and Adam Roush, Paul Robinson and Tony Mabry, Speedy, josie’s hilltop Pizza, la Keif the God, Lou Is Ayers, Smash Adams, Big Cheef & Black Child from Murder Inc. and the Underground scene. It hit me, like, every city’s got roots, but Columbus? Columbus got branches that stretch across generations. There’s something powerful about standing next to people who’ve seen the evolution, who are still in it, still building, still believing. It’s like, you can feel the legacy in the room. And it’s not just nostalgia, it’s living, breathing, right now.
Chapter 5
The Power Of Presence
DJ Universe
Let me make this clear, because I think sometimes we forget — the most powerful thing you can do isn’t always dropping a link or sharing a post. Sometimes, it’s just showing up. That’s what Columbus did for me. And if you’re listening from another city, another coast, another circle — take note. This is what community looks like. This is what Hip-Hop was built on. It’s not about likes or streams, it’s about presence. It’s about pulling up, being there, being seen. That’s the real energy.
Chapter 6
Why This Ties Into The Road To Legacy
DJ Universe
So, how does all this connect? Why am I telling you about Columbus, about The Kutt, about these people? Because the Road to Legacy Tour, it ain’t just about shows. It’s about these moments. It’s about meeting the people, feeling the energy, seeing the vision come alive in real time. And if you’re listening right now, you’re part of that. You keep the tour alive by supporting, by sharing, by donating, by showing up. Like we talked about in past episodes, it’s not just about music, it’s about movement. And Columbus reminded me of that in the best way.
Chapter 7
Outro - Columbus This One’s For You
DJ Universe
Columbus, Ohio — thank you. You gave me what I didn’t even know I needed: clarity, community, and confirmation. The legacy is alive, the cypher is still spinning, and the love is louder than ever. This ain’t the end, y’all. This is just the momentum. I’m DJ Universe, and if you ever wonder if the culture’s still alive, just go to Columbus and ask somebody. Teamwork makes the dream work and hustle is the muscle that moves the mountains, you already know. Until next time, keep backing the cypher, keep building the legacy, and always keep it Hip-Hop. Peace.