Alex + Koku

We were supposed to post this like a month ago, but Alex forgot... sorry lol. But we're back bringing you this premium audio content. When Alex approached Koku about doing a Taylor Swift episode, he was hesitant but here we are. The people asked for it, and you know we always give the people what they want. Enjoy, fans.

Download Koku's new EP, Rekord.: https://bit.ly/36iSxpp

Friend of the pod Kunal Verma joins us this week for a discussion about the parallels and differences between hip-hop and poetry, letting art be what it's going to be for you, and the power of language. This one's for the glizzy gladiators and renaissance ruffians. HIGH ART BOYS.

Follow Kunal on Twitter: http://twitter.com/KunalCanoe

Listen to Kunal's TEDx Talk: https://bit.ly/2P6opnB

We took a few weeks off but we're BACK baby and MESSIER than ever. Bringing you this short corny king content and plenty o' takes on Freddie Gibbs vs. DJ Akademiks, entanglements, and Tory Lanez' alarming stature. Pray for us. Please.

We told our guest Nick Yuhasz (@yuhasznick) we were gonna call this episode "White Blessing" because he was our white blessing on the podcast. We're talking music and politics. Topics include Noname and J. Cole, as well as some of our favorite protest anthems.

Follow Nick on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yuhasznick

Who's ready for Redbone at sunset? 'Cause that's what you're getting at our first annual Kokuchella music festival. Notable best friend duo Elizabeth Zimmerman (@_zimstagram) + Mary McCutcheon (@marymcclovin) join the pod for a kooky lil' concert budget game. We have $100 to book a concert we'll attend after quarantine ends (...whenever the hell that's going to be). And fun fact: Elizabeth + Alex are engaged; Mary + Koku are not.

Concert game: https://bit.ly/3geDTkN

Follow Elizabeth: http://www.instagram.com/_zimstagram

Follow Mary: http://www.instagram.com/marymcclovin

Here's to the universal dopeness of Black women and the music they create. This week, Binta (@binta.phydara) makes her Alex + Koku debut to talk with us about her music, her songwriting process, and the Black women she's inspired by. Binta also gives us a sneak peek of one of her new songs LIVE on the pod, so stay tuned for that.

To stream Binta's music, click here: https://bit.ly/3fPFkWP

James + Carter (former hosts of your favorite podcast's favorite podcast, Heard 'Em Say) join Alex + Koku. There was no way we weren't going to get into Kanye West during this episode, so brace yourself for a kooky Kanye convo—including some HOT GOSS.

Topics also include DM'ing celebrities, and why 2013 might be the cultural reset Y'ALL have been talking about.

Listen to James + Carter on Heard 'Em Say: https://bit.ly/2UTcAo3

Add Carter on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3edvJbO

Follow James on Twitter: http://twitter.com/olderthanhunter

This week, local hometown hero Wehseh Juty (@juty_gurl) joins us for an exploration of cancel culture. Doja Cat... Lana Del Rey... Kanye West... oh my!

Follow Wehseh on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/juty_gurl

It's just us this week. And honestly you shouldn't leave the two of us alone. We're talking southern rap and some of its icons, including Meryl Streep's doppelgänger Future Hendrix. Please excuse the mess.

Alex + Koku drop in to offer a word of encouragement to black people who are struggling right now as we fight for our lives and process the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor & George Floyd.

We apologize for the audio issues—please bear with us.

If you're looking for causes to donate to, we encourage you to start here:

- Columbus Freedom Fund: https://www.paypal.me/columbusfreedomfund

- Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

- Sole Classics: https://bit.ly/2ZWs26k

White listeners, if you're looking for ways you can help, start here:

- Anti-racism resources for white people: http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES

- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://bit.ly/2Xi9vzx